Etymology

Cain and Abel are traditional English renderings of the Hebrew names. It has been proposed that the etymology of their names may be a direct pun on the roles they take in the Genesis narrative. Abel (hbl) is thought to derive from a reconstructed word meaning 'herdsman', with the modern Arabic cognate ibil now specifically referring only to 'camels'. Cain (qyn) is thought to be cognate to the mid-1st millennium BCE South Arabian word qyn, meaning 'metalsmith'. This theory would make the names descriptive of their roles, where Abel works with livestock, and Cain with agriculture—and would parallel the names Adam (אדם‎, ‘dm, 'man') and Eve (חוה‎, ḥwh, 'life-giver').[citation needed]

Original appearance

The oldest known copy of the biblical narrative is from the Dead Sea Scrolls, and dates to the first century BCE. Cain and Abel also appear in a number of other texts, and the story is the subject of various interpretations. Abel, the first murder victim, is sometimes seen as the first martyr; while Cain, the first murderer, is sometimes seen as an ancestor of evil. Some scholars suggest the pericope may have been based on a Sumerian story representing the conflict between nomadic shepherds and settled farmers. Modern scholars typically view the stories of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel to be about the development of civilization during the age of agriculture; not the beginnings of man, but when people first learned agriculture, replacing the ways of the hunter-gatherer.

Academic theologian Joseph Blenkinsopp holds that Cain and Abel are symbolic rather than real. Like almost all of the persons, places and stories in the Primeval history (the first eleven chapters of Genesis), they are mentioned nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible, a fact that suggests that the History is a late composition attached to Genesis to serve as an introduction. Just how late is a matter for dispute: the history may be as late as the Hellenistic period (first decades of the 4th century BCE), but the high level of Babylonian myth behind its stories has led others to date it to the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE). A prominent Mesopotamian parallel to Cain and Abel is the Sumerian myth of the Courtship of Inanna and Dumuzid, in which the shepherd Dumuzid and the farmer Enkimdu compete for the affection of the goddess Inanna, with Dumuzid (the shepherd) winning out. Another parallel is Enlil Chooses the Farmer-God, in which the shepherd-god Emesh and the farmer-god Enten bring their dispute over which of them is better to the chief god Enlil, who rules in favor of Enten (the farmer).

A curse (also called an imprecation, malediction, hex, execration, malison, anathema, or commination) is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to one or more persons, a place, or an object. In particular, "curse" may refer to such a wish or pronouncement made effective by a supernatural or spiritual power, such as a god or gods, a spirit, or a natural force, or else as a kind of spell by magic or witchcraft; in the latter sense, a curse can also be called a hex or a jinx. In many belief systems, the curse itself (or accompanying ritual) is considered to have some causative force in the result. To reverse or eliminate a curse is sometimes called "removal" or "breaking", as the spell has to be dispelled, and is often requiring elaborate rituals or prayers.

Matthew 23:23; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:2; Enoch 68:6-8; 1 Corinthians 14:34; 1 John 2:16; Galatians 5:16; Romans 13:14; 1 Timothy 2:13-14; Jasher 1:9-10; Isaiah 29:15; Jeremiah 23:24; Revelation 6:16; 2 Esdras 16:63-66; Tobit 13:6; Genesis 2:18; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 Timothy 2:11-14; Ecclesiasticus 25:24; Mark 8:24; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 2 Peter 2:12; Jude 1:10; Mark 5:1-13; Revelation 12:12; Jubilees 15:34; John 16:21; Proverbs 31:10-31; Matthew 13:1-9; John 10:34; Psalm 82:6-7; Isaiah 46:8-10; 1 Chronicles 21:15-16

Religion is a social-cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that relates humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements; however, there is no scholarly consensus over what precisely constitutes a religion.

Different religions may or may not contain various elements ranging from the divine, sacred things, faith, a supernatural being or supernatural beings or "some sort of ultimacy and transcendence that will provide norms and power for the rest of life". Religious practices may include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration (of deities and/or saints), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of human culture. Religions have sacred histories and narratives, which may be preserved in sacred scriptures, and symbols and holy places, that aim mostly to give a meaning to life. Religions may contain symbolic stories, which are sometimes said by followers to be true, that may also attempt to explain the origin of life, the universe, and other phenomena. Traditionally, faith, in addition to reason, has been considered a source of religious beliefs.

There are an estimated 10,000 distinct religions worldwide. About 84% of the world's population is affiliated with Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or some form of folk religion. The religiously unaffiliated demographic includes those who do not identify with any particular religion, atheists, and agnostics. While the religiously unaffiliated have grown globally, many of the religiously unaffiliated still have various religious beliefs.

The study of religion comprises a wide variety of academic disciplines, including theology, comparative religion and social scientific studies. Theories of religion offer various explanations for the origins and workings of religion, including the ontological foundations of religious being and belief.

Pure religion is having the courage to do what is right and let the consequence follow. It is doing the right things for right reasons. To be righteous or serving or loving or obedient to God's laws just to earn praise or recognition is not pure religion.

Samson was a legendary Israelite warrior and judge, a member of the tribe of Dan, and a Nazirite. His immense physical strength, which he used for 20 years against the Philistines, derived from his uncut hair.

The biblical account states that Samson was a Nazirite, and that he was given immense strength to aid him against his enemies and allow him to perform superhuman feats, including slaying a lion with his bare hands and massacring an entire army of Philistines using only the jawbone of a donkey.

Sampson had the strength of God, he was as strong as he needed to be. Whether strong enough to fight a thousand men at the same time and beat them to death with a donkey jaw, or strong enough to rip a city gate off its foundation and carry it up a hill.

In the Hebrew Bible, a nazirite or nazarite (Hebrew: נזיר‎) is one who voluntarily took a vow described in Numbers 6:1–21. ... This vow required that the person observe the following strictures: Abstain from all wine and anything else made from the grape vine plant, such as cream of tartar, grape seed oil, etc.

Samson's Hair is a symbol of power, and it comes from a long and bloody story with lots of death, and there's no happily-ever-after. The story goes that Samson was asleep in Delilah's arms when she took a bribe from some Philistines to learn the secret of Samson's strength.

The riddle Samson posed to the Philistines is the only explicit example of a riddle in the Hebrew Bible. In its context, the answer to the riddle is honey from the lion's carcass: Honey is "something to eat" and "something sweet", and lion is "the eater" and "something strong".

The riddle Samson posed to the Philistines is the only explicit example of a riddle in the Hebrew Bible. In its context, the answer to the riddle is honey from the lion's carcass: Honey is "something to eat" and "something sweet", and lion is "the eater" and "something strong".

The riddle Samson posed to the Philistines is the only explicit example of a riddle in the Hebrew Bible. In its context, the answer to the riddle is honey from the lion's carcass: Honey is "something to eat" and "something sweet", and lion is "the eater" and "something strong".

What is a nazirite of God?

: a Jew of biblical times consecrated to God by a vow to avoid drinking wine, cutting the hair, and being defiled by the presence of a corpse.

What is a nazirite of God?

1 Esdras 4:26-27

26 Yea, many there be that have run out of their wits for women, and become servants for their sakes.

27 Many also have perished, have erred, and sinned, for women.

The biblical account states that Samson was a Nazarite, and that he was given immense strength to aid him against his enemies and allow him to perform superhuman feats, including slaying a lion with his bare hands and massacring an entire army of Philistines using only the jawbone of a donkey. However, if Samson's long hair were cut, then his Nazirite vow would be violated and he would lose his strength.

Samson was betrayed by his lover Delilah, who, sent by the Philistines officials to entice him, ordered a servant to cut his hair while he was sleeping and turned him over to his Philistine enemies, who gouged out his eyes and forced him to grind grain in a mill at Gaza. While there, his hair began to regrow. When the Philistines took Samson into their temple of Dagon, Samson asked to rest against one of the support pillars. After being granted permission, he prayed to God and miraculously recovered his strength, allowing him to bring down the columns, collapsing the temple and killing himself as well as all of the Philistines. In some Jewish traditions, Samson is believed to have been buried in Zorah in Israel overlooking the Sorek valley.

Where is the Garden of Eden located today?

Mesopotamia

In the bible, they are said to have flowed through Assyria, namely today's Iraq. The exact location for Gihon and Pison is unknown. Gihon is associated with the land of Cush, which is located in the northeast of the Persian Gulf. So, having some boundaries, it means that the Garden of Eden is somewhere in Mesopotamia.

Lesson Study Precepts:

Genesis 2:1-25

Genesis 1:8-9

Genesis 1:14-15

2 Corinthians 12:2

Exodus 16:23-29

Exodus 31:13-17

2 Esdras 3:5

Ecclesiasticus 19:19

Ephesians 5:9

Galatians 5:22-23

Galatians 5:16-21

Ezekiel 34:31

Romans 6:16

Tobit 8:6

Ecclesiasticus 26:22

1 Corinthians 11:8-12

1 Corinthians 11:3

1 Esdras 4:20-25

Hosea 12:10

2 Esdras 4:3

Psalms 132:9

Isaiah 61:10

Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preservation of a nation's intangible cultural heritage.

Although the term martial art has become associated with the fighting arts of East Asia, it originally referred to the combat systems of Europe as early as the 1550s. The term is derived from Latin and means "arts of Mars", the Roman god of war. Some authors have argued that fighting arts or fighting systems would be more appropriate on the basis that many martial arts were never "martial" in the sense of being used or created by professional warriors.

Martial arts can also be linked with religion and spirituality. Numerous systems are reputed to have been founded, disseminated, or practiced by monks or nuns.

Martial arts can also be linked with religion and spirituality. Numerous systems are reputed to have been founded, disseminated, or practiced by monks or nuns.

Throughout the Asian arts, meditation may be incorporated as a part of training. In the arts influenced by a mix of Chan Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian philosophy, the practice itself may be used as an aid to attaining mindfulness.

Japanese styles, when concerning non-physical qualities of the combat, are often strongly influenced by Mahayana Buddhist philosophy. Concepts like "empty mind" and "beginner's mind" are recurrent. Aikido practitioners for instance, can have a strong philosophical belief of the flow of energy and peace fostering, as idealised by the art's founder Morihei Ueshiba.

Traditional Korean martial arts place emphasis on the development of the practitioner's spiritual and philosophical development. A common theme in most Korean styles, such as Taekkyon, taekwondo, and Hapkido is the value of "inner peace" in a practitioner, which is stressed to be only achievable through individual meditation and training. The Koreans believe that the use of physical force is only justifiable for self defense.[citation needed]

Systema draws upon breathing and relaxation techniques, as well as elements of Russian Orthodox thought, to foster self-conscience and calmness, and to benefit the practitioner in different levels: the physical, the psychological and the spiritual.

Human warfare dates back to the Epipalaeolithic to early Neolithic era. The oldest works of art depicting scenes of battle are cave paintings from eastern Spain (Spanish Levante) dated between 10,000 and 6,000 BCE that show organized groups fighting with bows and arrows. Similar evidence of warfare has been found in Epipalaeolithic to early Neolithic era mass burials, excavated in Germany and at Jebel Sahaba in Northern Sudan.

Wrestling is the oldest combat sport, with origins in hand-to-hand combat. Belt wrestling was depicted in works of art from Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt c. 3000 BCE, and later in the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh. The earliest known depiction of boxing comes from a Sumerian relief in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) from the 3rd millennium BCE.

A Chinese martial artist preparing to throw his opponent during a lei tai contest in Ancient China.

The foundation of modern East Asian martial arts and South Asian martial arts is likely facilitated by cultural exchanges of early Chinese and Indian martial arts. During the Warring States period of Chinese history (480–221 BCE) extensive development in martial philosophy and strategy emerged, as described by Sun Tzu in The Art of War (c. 350 BCE). Legendary accounts link the origin of Shaolinquan to the spread of Buddhism from ancient India during the early 5th century CE, with the figure of Bodhidharma, to China. Written evidence of martial arts in Southern India dates back to the Sangam literature of about the 2nd century BCE to the 2nd century CE.[citation needed] The combat techniques of the Sangam period were the earliest precursors to Kalaripayattu.

Pankratiasts fighting under the eyes of a judge. Side B of a Panathenaic prize amphora, c. 500 BC.

In Europe, the earliest sources of martial arts traditions date to Ancient Greece. Boxing (pygme, pyx), wrestling (pale) and pankration were represented in the Ancient Olympic Games. The Romans produced gladiatorial combat as a public spectacle.

A number of historical combat manuals have survived from the European Middle Ages. This includes such styles as sword and shield, two-handed swordfighting and other types of melee weapons besides unarmed combat. Amongst these are transcriptions of Johannes Liechtenauer's mnemonic poem on the longsword dating back to the late fourteenth century. Likewise, Asian martial arts became well-documented during the medieval period, Japanese martial arts beginning with the establishment of the samurai nobility in the 12th century, Chinese martial arts with Ming era treatises such as Ji Xiao Xin Shu, Indian martial arts in medieval texts such as the Agni Purana and the Malla Purana, and Korean martial arts from the Joseon era and texts such as Muyejebo (1598).[citation needed]

European swordsmanship always had a sportive component, but the duel was always a possibility until World War I. Modern sport fencing began developing during the 19th century as the French and Italian military academies began codifying instruction. The Olympic games led to standard international rules, with the Féderation Internationale d'Escrime founded in 1913. Modern boxing originates with Jack Broughton's rules in the 18th century, and reaches its present form with the Marquess of Queensberry Rules of 1867.

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Romans 12:11

Academy of Majesty

www.Academyofmajesty.org

1-866-613-2003

The biblical account states that Samson was a Nazarite, and that he was given immense strength to aid him against his enemies and allow him to perform superhuman feats, including slaying a lion with his bare hands and massacring an entire army of Philistines using only the jawbone of a donkey. However, if Samson's long hair were cut, then his Nazirite vow would be violated and he would lose his strength.

Samson was betrayed by his lover Delilah, who, sent by the Philistines officials to entice him, ordered a servant to cut his hair while he was sleeping and turned him over to his Philistine enemies, who gouged out his eyes and forced him to grind grain in a mill at Gaza. While there, his hair began to regrow. When the Philistines took Samson into their temple of Dagon, Samson asked to rest against one of the support pillars. After being granted permission, he prayed to God and miraculously recovered his strength, allowing him to bring down the columns, collapsing the temple and killing himself as well as all of the Philistines. In some Jewish traditions, Samson is believed to have been buried in Zorah in Israel overlooking the Sorek valley.

A creator deity or creator god (often called the Creator) is a deity or god responsible for the creation of the Earth, world, and universe in human religion and mythology. In monotheism, the single God is often also the creator. A number of monolatristic traditions separate a secondary creator from a primary transcendent being, identified as a primary creator.

Omnipotence (limitless power)

Omniscience (limitless knowledge)

Eternity (God is not bound by time)

Goodness (God is wholly benevolent)

Unity (God cannot be divided)

Simplicity (God is not composite)

Incorporeality (God is not material)

Immutability (God is not subject to change)

Impassability (God is not affected)

Genesis 1:1-31; Job 26:14; Job 36:22; Job 37:23; Psalm 66:7; John 4:23-24; John 4:17; John 16:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; John 6:63; Matthew 16:3; Luke 21:25; Exodus 13:10; Genesis 8:22; Psalm 74:17; The Prayer of Azariah 1:45; Genesis 25:23; Exodus 33:16; Leviticus 20:24-25; Deuteronomy 32:8; Nehemiah 9:1-3; Ecclesiasticus 33:10-13; Isaiah 11:6-9.

Who is the most famous soothsayer?

Calchas, in Greek mythology, the son of Thestor (a priest of Apollo) and the most famous soothsayer among the Greeks at the time of the Trojan War. He played an important role in the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon that begins Homer's Iliad.

What is a myth?

Myths are stories that are based on tradition. Some may have factual origins, while others are completely fictional. But myths are more than mere stories and they serve a more profound purpose in ancient and modern cultures. Myths are sacred tales that explain the world and man's experience. 

2 Maccabees 4:13-17

What is a soothsayer?

Though soothsayer literally means "teller of truth," it refers to a person who predicts the future through spiritual or supernatural means. Often, a soothsayer practices divination, interpreting omens in the natural world or reading messages in specific objects, such as cards or casting lots.

Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:10; Numbers 23:23; 2 Kings 17:17; Jeremiah 14:14; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Ezekiel 13:17-23

What is the difference between soothsayer and diviner?

As nouns the difference between diviner and soothsayer is that a diviner is one who foretells the future while soothsayer is (obsolete) one who tells the truth; a truthful person.

Isaiah 30:1-18

What is a soothsayer in literature?

A person who predicts the future by magical, intuitive, or more rational means prognosticator.

Isaiah 47:7-15

How do you become a Soothsayer?

There are no requirements and no pre-requisites. It can happen to a child or an old person. A woman can become a soothsayer; a man can become a soothsayer. The belief in soothsayers and seers is as widespread and ancient as ancient Egypt.

Exodus 6:7; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:28

What is the so-called blacks’ true identity in North America?

Acts 3:25; Tobit 4:12; Deuteronomy 28:15-68

The biblical account states that Samson was a Nazarite, and that he was given immense strength to aid him against his enemies and allow him to perform superhuman feats, including slaying a lion with his bare hands and massacring an entire army of Philistines using only the jawbone of a donkey. However, if Samson's long hair were cut, then his Nazirite vow would be violated and he would lose his strength.

Samson was betrayed by his lover Delilah, who, sent by the Philistines officials to entice him, ordered a servant to cut his hair while he was sleeping and turned him over to his Philistine enemies, who gouged out his eyes and forced him to grind grain in a mill at Gaza. While there, his hair began to regrow. When the Philistines took Samson into their temple of Dagon, Samson asked to rest against one of the support pillars. After being granted permission, he prayed to God and miraculously recovered his strength, allowing him to bring down the columns, collapsing the temple and killing himself as well as all of the Philistines. In some Jewish traditions, Samson is believed to have been buried in Zorah in Israel overlooking the Sorek valley.

The biblical account states that Samson was a Nazarite, and that he was given immense strength to aid him against his enemies and allow him to perform superhuman feats, including slaying a lion with his bare hands and massacring an entire army of Philistines using only the jawbone of a donkey. However, if Samson's long hair were cut, then his Nazirite vow would be violated and he would lose his strength.

Samson was betrayed by his lover Delilah, who, sent by the Philistines officials to entice him, ordered a servant to cut his hair while he was sleeping and turned him over to his Philistine enemies, who gouged out his eyes and forced him to grind grain in a mill at Gaza. While there, his hair began to regrow. When the Philistines took Samson into their temple of Dagon, Samson asked to rest against one of the support pillars. After being granted permission, he prayed to God and miraculously recovered his strength, allowing him to bring down the columns, collapsing the temple and killing himself as well as all of the Philistines. In some Jewish traditions, Samson is believed to have been buried in Zorah in Israel overlooking the Sorek valley.

A pregnancy is divided into trimesters: the first trimester is from week 1 to the end of week 12. the second trimester is from week 13 to the end of week 26. the third trimester is from week 27 to the end of the pregnancy.

How to have a healthy pregnancy

1. A healthier body = A healthier baby. Take a prenatal or one-a-day vitamin with folate each day.
2. Get regular exercise.
3. Don't drink alcohol, including beer, wine, wine coolers, and liquor.
4. Don't smoke.
5. Don't use "street" drugs.
6. Stay out of hot tubs and saunas.

Bible verses related to Pregnancy from the (KJV) by Relevance

Jeremiah 1:4-5 - Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,   (Read More...)

Psalms 127:3 - Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Jeremiah 1:5 - Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Job 31:15 - Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?

Ecclesiastes 11:5 - As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

Isaiah 49:15 - Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Psalms 139:13 - For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

Luke 1:44-45 - For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.   (Read More...)

John 16:21 - A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

Genesis 16:11 - And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

Luke 23:29 - For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

Exodus 21:22-25 - If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.   (Read More...)

Genesis 3:16 - Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Psalms 22:10 - I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.

Psalms 113:9 - He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

Deuteronomy 7:13 - And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

Proverbs 23:25 - Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

Judges 13:3 - And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

Psalms 139:13 - 127:14 - For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.   (Read More...)

Genesis 25:21 - And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Genesis 21:1-2 - And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.   (Read More...)

Psalms 23:1-6 - (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.   (Read More...)

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

1 Samuel 2:21 - And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.

1 Timothy 2:14-15 - And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.   (Read More...)

Luke 1:14 - And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

Ruth 4:15 - And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

Genesis 3:14-16 - And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:   (Read More...)

Genesis 9:1 - And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

 

We March! We Cry! We Sing! We Shout! We Even Riot! We do all these things hoping that they will somehow proclaim to the other nations, a loud but clear message that “Black Lives Matter!” But in the midst of all our efforts, could it be possible that we have neglected the key elements that would drive this message home! Not only to the other nations, but most importantly to our Power! Stay tuned as we begin this four part series entitled "Black Lives" (They Should Matter To Us First)! 

Supporting Precepts:

1 Corinthians 7:8-9

Acts 15:20

Acts 15:29

1 Thessalonians 4:3

1 Peter 2:11

1 Corinthians 7:9

Jude 1:7

1 Corinthians 7:32-33

1 Corinthians 7:1-5

Mark 4:19

James 1:17

1 Corinthians 7:7-8

1 Corinthians 7:32-35

Tobit 4:13

Judges 14:3

1 Esdras 8:92

1 Esdras 9:9

Proverbs 23:33

Proverbs 22:14

1 Kings 11:1

Proverbs 11:14

Proverbs 24:6

Matthew 17:21

Tobit 12:8

Genesis 2:18

Psalm 128:3

Proverbs 18:22

Proverbs 19:14

1 Corinthians 7:2

1 Corinthians 7:14

1 Corinthians 9:5

Ephesians 5:23

Ephesians 5:28

Ephesians 5:31

1 Peter 3:7

Ecclesiasticus 26:22

Ecclesiasticus, also called the Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, deuterocanonical biblical work (accepted in the Roman Catholic canon but noncanonical for Jews and Protestants), an outstanding example of the wisdom genre of religious literature that was popular in the early Hellenistic period of Judaism (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE). This book appeared in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, though it was later rejected as apocryphal by Jews. Like other major wisdom books (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, and Wisdom of Solomon), Ecclesiasticus contains practical and moral rules and exhortations, frequently arranged according to subject matter—e.g., hypocrisy, generosity, filial respect. Wisdom, personified as Sophia, or Lady Wisdom, delivers an extended discourse on her eternal relationship with God (chapter 24) and is identified with the Mosaic Law (see Torah).

There are two deuterocanonical works of the genre known as wisdom literature, one Hebrew and one Greek. The Hebrew work is called Ecclesiasticus,...

The text is the only apocryphal work whose author is known. It was written in Hebrew in Palestine around 180–175 BCE by Ben Sira, who was probably a scribe well-versed in Jewish law and custom.

Ben Sira’s grandson, whose name is unknown, carried the book to Alexandria and translated it into Greek shortly after 132 BCE for Greek-speaking Jews. The translation was probably intended to encourage adherence to ancestral beliefs and customs and to defend Jewish religious doctrines by showing the essential agreement between Judaism and Hellenistic philosophical truths. The concept of “wisdom” as an active emanation from God, for example, closely approximates the Stoic concept of the universal logos.

What is musical production?

Music production is the process of developing, creating and refining recorded music for public presentation. Music production can refer to the entire lifecycle of a piece of music—from songwriting and composition to recording and sound design to mixing and mastering.

What does the Bible say about music?

Musical ability is within the hearts of every believer.
Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). There's an incredible beauty and connection between the spirit of believers with the Lord and each other in music. Songs of worship and praise can well up in the soul in times of joy and sorrow.

The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know

Did you know that big and important changes are happening in the brain during adolescence? Here are 7 things to know about the teen brain:

1. The brain reaches its biggest size in early adolescence.

For girls, the brain reaches its biggest size around 11 years old. For boys, the brain reaches its biggest size around age 14. But this difference does not mean either boys or girls are smarter than one another!

2. The brain continues to mature even after it is done growing.

Though the brain may be done growing in size, it does not finish developing and maturing until the mid- to late 20s. The front part of the brain, called the prefrontal cortex, is one of the last brain regions to mature. This area is responsible for skills like planning, prioritizing, and controlling impulses. Because these skills are still developing, teens are more likely to engage in risky behaviors without considering the potential results of their decisions.

3. The teen brain is ready to learn and adapt.

The teen brain has lots of plasticity, which means it can change, adapt, and respond to its environment. Challenging academics or mental activities, exercise, and creative activities such as art can help the brain mature and learn.

4. Many mental disorders may begin to appear during adolescence.

Ongoing changes in the brain, along with physical, emotional, and social changes, can make teens vulnerable to mental health problems. All the big changes the brain is experiencing may explain why adolescence is a time when many mental disorders—such as schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders—can emerge.

5. Teen brains may be more vulnerable to stress.

Because the teen brain is still developing, teens may respond to stress differently than adults, which could lead to stress-related mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Mindfulness, which is a psychological process of actively paying attention to the present moment, may help teens cope with and reduce stress.

6. Teens need more sleep than children and adults.

Research shows that melatonin (the “sleep hormone”) levels in the blood are naturally higher later at night and drop later in the morning in teens than in most children and adults. This difference may explain why many teens stay up late and struggle with getting up in the morning. Teens should get about 9 to 10 hours of sleep a night, but most teens do not get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can make it difficult to pay attention, may increase impulsivity, and may increase the risk for irritability or depression.

7. The teen brain is resilient.

Although adolescence is a vulnerable time for the brain and for teenagers in general, most teens go on to become healthy adults. Some changes in the brain during this important phase of development actually may help protect against long-term mental disorders.

Lesson Scriptures:

1 Kings 3:9

2 Kings 20:3

2 Chronicles 19:3

Psalm 14:1

Psalm 53:1

Psalm 73:1

Psalm 125:4

Proverbs 14:14

Proverbs 17:20

Ecclesiastes 2:3

Isaiah 38:3

Isaiah 61:1

Jeremiah 13:10

Jeremiah 32:39-40

Zephaniah 1:12

Matthew 12:34-35

Luke 6:45

Luke 8:15

Romans 16:18

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

1 Timothy 1:5

Hebrews 13:9

2 Esdras 3:22

Judith 8:28-29

Judith 11:1

Wisdom of Solomon 1:1

Ecclesiasticus 26:4

Ecclesiasticus 30:25

Ecclesiasticus 45:26

The Closing Precept!

2 Maccabees 1:2-5

1. It can store an estimated 2,500,000 gigabytes

According to Paul Reber, Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University, the human brain can store an estimated 2,500,000 gigabytes. That’s equivalent to 300 years worth of TV shows.

2. The human attention span is shorter than a goldfish

Research shows that the average attention span has decreased by an average 12 minutes over the last 10 years. Today, the human attention span is shorter than a goldfish. Studies have even shown some links between device multi-tasking — for example, if you’re scrolling through social media while watching TV — and declining attention spans.

3. The average weight of the adult human brain is three pounds

On average, the adult brain weighs three pounds. For reference, this is comparable to how much a cantaloupe weighs.

4. Memories are stored for both short-term and long-term use at the same time

Neuroscientists have known for a long time that the hippocampus stores short-term memories. However, a recent study revealed that while short-term memories are formed in the hippocampus, they are simultaneously stored in another part of the brain for long-term memories.

5. Vitamin B1 can help improve short- and long-term memory

Vitamin B1 is essential to producing the brain chemical acetylcholine, which is needed for concentrating and storing memories. An Australian study revealed that those who consumed B1 supplements and folic acid for two years improved long and short-term memory.

6. Easy access to information can make it harder to remember

Being able to quickly access information—i.e. via our borderline invincible Internet—actually makes it harder to remember. The harder we work to access data, the more likely we are to remember.

7. Memories start forming in the womb

Memories start forming in the womb, as this is a critical time for brain development. Memory recall can occur as early as four months into pregnancy.

8. It uses 20% of the body’s total oxygen and energy

The brain uses 20 percent of the body’s total oxygen and energy, which travels to the brain through blood vessels. Nerve cells in the brain need a lot of energy; without adequate oxygen and energy to the central nervous system tissue, one can suffer impaired brain functions and neurological disorders.

9. It’s composed of 73% water

The brain is 73 percent water. It only takes 2 percent dehydration to affect your attention and memory.

10. Sweating can temporarily shrink the brain

An hour and a half of sweating can temporarily shrink brain size as much as one year of aging does.

11. Five minutes without oxygen can cause brain damage

Five minutes without oxygen can lead to brain cells dying, which causes brain damage.

12. It generates 12-15 watts of electricity

The brain generates between 12 and 25 watts of electricity—that’s enough to power a low wattage light bulb!

13. Neurons travel 150 mph in the brain

Neurons travel 150 mph in the brain. Different types of neurons move at different speeds - for example, pain signals move much slower than other ones.

14. Those who take a quiz twice are 65% more likely to remember the facts

Those who take a quiz after its revision are 65 percent more likely to remember the facts.

15. Learning new things increases gray matter in the brain

When we learn something new, our brain forms new connections between neurons; this then increases visible gray matter in the brain.

16. Memory is prioritized by emotion

Memory is prioritized by emotion. But this also means that a lot of our “memories” are unintended flawed fiction.

17. Emotions can alter our brain chemistry

Similarly to the above fact, emotions drastically alter our brains. The chemical reactions stirred by feelings can be physically seen in brain scans and studies of gray matter.

18. It has an average of 50,000-70,000 thoughts a day

The average brain has between 50,000 and 70,000 thoughts a day. Upsettingly, the majority (an estimated 60-70 percent) of the thoughts are negative.

19. More than 100,000 chemical reactions take place in the brain every second

With roughly 100 billion brain cells, more than 100,000 chemical reactions take place in the brain every second.

20. When intoxicated, it can’t form memories

When intoxicated, the brain is incapable of forming memories. So no, you didn’t “forget” what happened last night. The memory simply was never formed.

21. Practicing recollection can help PTSD

Practicing recollection can help aid PTSD. There are a variety of psychological treatment methods that mental health care providers use to help those suffering from PTSD safely confront and cope with traumatic experiences.

22. Its texture and consistency is comparable to tofu

The texture and consistency of the human brain is comparable to tofu. This isn’t too surprising, given that it’s made up primarily of gray and white matter, as well as water.

23. It starts slowing at around 24 years old

Research shows that the cognitive speed of your brain starts slowing down when you're around 24 years old.

24. 95% of all decisions are subconscious

95 percent of all decisions take place in the subconscious mind. This means that the vast majority of our actions and behaviors occur due to brain activity that lies beyond our conscious awareness.

25. The brain itself cannot feel pain

Although pain is processed in the brain, the organ itself cannot feel pain. This is why brain surgeries can occur while a patient is awake, without discomfort.

Lesson Scriptures:

1 Kings 3:9

2 Kings 20:3

2 Chronicles 19:3

Psalm 14:1

Psalm 53:1

Psalm 73:1

Psalm 125:4

Proverbs 14:14

Proverbs 17:20

Ecclesiastes 2:3

Isaiah 38:3

Isaiah 61:1

Jeremiah 13:10

Jeremiah 32:39-40

Zephaniah 1:12

Matthew 12:34-35

Luke 6:45

Luke 8:15

Romans 16:18

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

1 Timothy 1:5

Hebrews 13:9

2 Esdras 3:22

Judith 8:28-29

Judith 11:1

Wisdom of Solomon 1:1

Ecclesiasticus 26:4

Ecclesiasticus 30:25

Ecclesiasticus 45:26

The Closing Precept!

2 Maccabees 1:2-5

What is cocaine?

Cocaine is a stimulant drug, which means that it speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and the rest of the body.

Cocaine comes from the leaves of the coca bush (Erythroxylum coca), which is native to South America.1 The leaf extract is processed to produce three different forms of cocaine:

• Cocaine hydrochloride: a fine white powder with a bitter, numbing taste.2 Cocaine hydrochloride is often mixed, or ‘cut’, with other substances such as lidocaine, talcum powder or sugar to dilute it before being sold.2
• Freebase: a white powder that is more pure with less impurity than cocaine hydrochloride.3
• Crack: crystals ranging in color from white or cream to transparent with a pink or yellow hue, it may contain impurities.3

Other names

C, coke, crack, nose candy, snow, white lady, toot, Charlie, blow, white dust or stardust.

Romans 12:1 King James Version

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The Brain-Music Connection

Experts are trying to understand how our brains can hear and play music. A stereo system puts out vibrations that travel through the air and somehow get inside the ear canal. These vibrations tickle the eardrum and are transmitted into an electrical signal that travels through the auditory nerve to the brain stem, where it is reassembled into something we perceive as music.

Johns Hopkins researchers have had dozens of jazz performers and rappers improvise music while lying down inside an FMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) machine to watch and see which areas of their brains light up.

“Music is structural, mathematical and architectural. It’s based on relationships between one note and the next. You may not be aware of it, but your brain has to do a lot of computing to make sense of it,” notes one otolaryngologist.

And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. 1 Chronicles 15:16