text:
Stephen Schaf and the "Rise of the Prophets"
Editor's note: Write something here . . .
"The Rise of the Prophets"
A Poem to Peter Absalom!
Written in Blood, by the Prophets of David!
Peter, Peter with long flowing hair
Peter Builder, did you beware?
You saw your people toil hard and long,
Gnarled by sin they sang Babylon’s song.
Babes in their arms they stumbled uncouth,
Despised by the city, despised by their youth.
With sweet words of kindness you stood by the gate
You spoke to the people:”To be despised is not fate!”
Let’s be diplomatic, not so wild in our call!
And you’ll see our movement will be accepted by all!
Let’s not be so sexy when we’re stepping outside
Of our cozy bedrooms, where our doctrines we hide.
Peter Humpty, man on the Wall!
Peter Dumpty, what is your call?
“Let us be popular, accepted and wise,
Move into the grandstand of society’s lies.
Support we will gain if we’re more like the norm
Let’s give our movement a moral reform!
No need for us bleeding, for a message of sex,
And let’s see our future with rose coloured specs.
No need to shout warning, and woe out too loud
Let’s sit down and wait to see what plays out!”
Peter Pebble, Peter of Saul!
You spurned the warnings of David’s call!
“But we’re not like Jehovahs. who climbed on the roof
To greet their Saviour return, and it all was spoof!
Let’s not be fools like David and foresee all the time
Visions of woe of doom and repine!
Let us reason and frown predictions unwise,
Let us settle in town let Anti Christ rise.
Let’s not be fools like this Christ, our Lord!
Let’s be a church, let’s have a board!”
“We’re not a sect, to be different is fake!
In this point God simply made a mistake!
Let’s restructure our system to churchy concision!
Let’s make the Family a “subdivision”!
Of Babylon the beautiful town!
Believe me we will not go down,
But rise to fortune fame and power
Arise and build our Babel’s tower!
So attractive to neigbours, they will move right in!”
(Will they share God’s convictions or teach us their sin?)
But with new homes so cosy, such pillows of ease
No need to think it will come to the squeeze
Of Anti Christ Caesar demanding the flesh
Of each Family fool that is caught in this mesh!
But let’s not muse about prospects so mean;
The system’s off our back, and our front yards are clean!
Peter Builder with smooth words you swayed
The hearts of the people, but have David betrayed!
“No need for God’s spirit, this uncertain mist!
We know revolution, we’re checking our list!”
While Mama Maria rocks in her chair
Dreams of old time religion, traditions so fair.
To and fro she gently rocks,
Of Camel’s hair she now knits socks,
Blended with threads of sleep from hell
Fed to her by Jezebel!
“Once homes were big and the kids were small.
Oh Peter, I fear they now are tall!”
(I’m scared they are prophets and may fall,)
Might get fed up with baby toys,
Find revolution a greater joy,
Than to adorn our couch, sit nice and still,
So the reasonable system will do us no ill!”
“But let’s have devotions let’s play with our keys
Let’s play our mind-games of angel’s melee
With bad nasty spirits, a video game!
While we stay in our confines, avoid prophet’s blame!
Now it’s your turn sweetheart take a big scoop
Of the New Family’s watery, spiritual soup.
It will keep our people from hungering for more.
Let’s hook the system, let’s not be God’s whore!
Let’s not be mad and marry us all,
“Being one Wife”, our image would fall!
Our chances of gain would be dangerously bleak.
Imagine how the Jones’s, our neighbours would freak!”
Peter, Ahab with long flowing hair
Peter, Absalom did you beware?
You sold us to Baal and his checklist hives
While in your tent on the roof you fuck David’s wives,
Make them drunk with your Saulish wine
“Oh the children are dumb, they need wisdom like mine!”
So busy you work! You are in a stew,
Persuading your Family of the structure so new.
All must be aligned now and check to the norm,
And all strange truth must gently conform!
Oh Absalom Peter, King of the Tree!
Who cut the cambium layer for thee?
It didn’t take much, just one little slit,
And the Bride of Christ for the system is fit!
Away with God’s sap, this sticky goo!
“The rule of our Law is the spirit new!”
Peter Judas, what was your hire?
What made you despise the coals of fire,
Which unknown prophets held out unto thee,
> From beyond Jordan, a land so free?
“Peter, Blindman! Pharisee!
You rejected the truth, from setting you free!
You were to make up your mind ‘til the cock crowed at dawn.
The hand of the prophets is now withdrawn!
You chose the lie, preferred your doubt
Once, twice and thrice and you are out!”
“But Lord you accuse me! I didn’t depart!
The People! I had the people at heart!
The charge you gave us would have caused too much pain!
To see the fruit of our works is far greater gain!”
But Absalom Peter, the Lord’s heart is distraught!
Your dreams of plush grandeur will come to naught!
In your long flowing hair you will get caught,
When you see the destruction thy methods have brought.
On your own tree so brittle and dry
You will hang by you hair and miserably die,
While the young prophets scourning pass by.
And say: “This is the man that made David to cry!”
Humpty Peter walked on the wall.
Dumpty Peter had a great fall!
All the Kings Horses and all the Kings men
Couldn’t put Humpty back together again!
2 Samuel 1:19;24,25 19 How are the mighty fallen! 24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. 25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle!
Open Letter to Peter Absalom.
Key Quote: Stand in the Gap ML 70. Par 32. “IT'S LIKE the King HAD BEEN AWAY FIGHTING THE WARS--the Crusades--and he came back to find his own city burning. It reminds me of Richard the Lionhearted, always one of my favourite heroes. While he was away fighting the Crusades in faraway lands, his people at home got to fighting amongst themselves, and some tried to steal the Kingdom away from him. And he came back secretly, too, and nobody knew but his most intimate followers. 33. AND THEY WERE HAVING A TOURNAMENT and all the famous knights were jousting, including his leading enemy--the guy that was trying to steal the throne. And in those days a knight could challenge a champion. And so Richard challenged this rival, although Richard's identity was not even known. He was called the Black Knight, because he was concealed in black armour. He was called the Mystery Knight. Only his intimate friends, squire, and pages knew.”
Dear Absalom, A new thing is happening in God’s Family, among the children of God of the entire World. It cannot be captured with theological yardsticks, and it cannot be regulated or canonized. It’s a revolution of the spirit, the most spiritually violent takeover that has ever hit this planet!
It’s the rise of the prophets!
Those who are left behind by it and watch and observe our comet’s tail can try to compare what’s happening with their notes which they threw in the wastebasket, if they still find them; or they can try to comprehend what makes us tick by measuring us with their own standards, and will find us anywhere from wanting, to misfits, heretics, unlearned, ignorant, deceived, criminal, and horrible … or ridiculous; but it’s happening anyway, because we are the Revolution of the End, the Revolution of the Prophets!
This is the Rise of the Prophets, spoken of by all the prophets of the Bible, this is the Day of the Lord, the great period of reckoning and of judgment of the earth; and the prophets who are called to this job are now rising by the sheer and uncontrollable power of God! If you don’t believe it, just try to stop them, and you will hear them anywhere from bark to explode! They will gently explain it to you if you are of the meek of the earth, or violently reprove you and mock you if you are of the hypocrites who try to preserve their phoney status quo at the expense of others.
We are the Revolution of the Prophets, and if you were with it you would not say “We are also Prophets!”, that is Miriam and Korah stuff! (Num.16:1-3) If you were with it you would rejoice instead of question and needing a bunch of longwinded explanations to help you reconcile what’s happening to your desperate efforts to preserve the status quo of your carefully created religious system!
We are the bruised reed of the Lord, his smoking flax and it depends on your reaction to us if you see our sign, the true humility of our bruised spirits, bruised and wounded by the mockings of the arrogant Pharisees of our former religious association, or whether you choke on our smoke and hold your nose, running from what you consider is our spiritual stench. It’s judgement time, time to get wise!
As you thought that your Messiah would come in the form of a Kingdom full of prosperity, acceptability and large crowds of supporters, so is he coming to you now as a Ghost that is haunting you, pure spirit that you can easily mock and despise, overlook, and reason and explain away. And explain it away you will, and stumble you will, in the well check-listed darkness of your “Family International”- homes!
You complained about the “Marriage of the Generations” and watered it down, (None of These Things Move Me!CM/FM 3307par174-186) claiming to have a better solution than the revolution that God wanted to bring into this Family with it, and you came up with a system preserving compromise of so called “Uniting of the Generations”.
Instead of following the Lord’s instruction to proclaim the red-hot Marriage of the Generations, which would have burned up all generational differences and the weaknesses of each in the fires of passionate love and forgiveness, fusing an atomic bomb of love and unity which would have changed the world through the Family, you settled for the road of deadly compromise, for fear of your enemies!
Like Absalom you stood at the gate of the city and offered a road of lesser sacrifice, lesser risk, lesser exposure of the flesh for it’s incapability to please God. So you proclaimed that the generations could “smoothly and naturally” “unite” without “sounding and being so sexual” (par. 177) as you called it! You compromised to so-called “uniting” the generations, which froze the lethargy and rigidity of the older generation with the pride and worldliness of the younger generation, letting the Family go down the carnal way of all self-glorifying, self-satisfied religious movements. Now the Family International has gone “smoothly and naturally” down the way of all flesh, becoming deader and drier by the day, and more legalistic, insisting on forcing results and reaping the weariness of the flesh.
We are the Revolution of the Prophets! We are a work in progress, like a volcano! And if you don’t comprehend us it may not necessarily be because we are not clear, but because we are doing our job of seeing to it that those who claim to see are being made blind, having weakened their eyesight through their own complacency and being seared by our blinding light.
Maybe you felt all was fine in your life until we came and upset your status quo. Well, sorry that’s what prophets are for – to trouble Israel (1Kings 18:17), and specifically to trouble you, as you claim to be King of the house of David, but have stabbed the Family in the back, so that the spirit of David, his radical message has now completely bled out of the Family!
But do not worry, the prophets are here: “They that have turned the World upside down have come hither also.” (Acts 17:6) And if you don’t like our theology, because you think it doesn’t make any sense and is inconsistent and erratic, then try to make volcanic lava match with your idea of “smooth flow”. It just doesn’t work!
Theology has never changed the world, at least not for the better, but the prophets have.
David is back, and he doesn’t mean perhaps!
I guess we could spend a long and fruitless time arguing about how to let him take over “smoothly and naturally” as you seem to prefer, but as we might recall: that is not his way. He is a revolutionary!
This is the most violent spiritual take-over that has ever hit this planet, and you are simply put out of your job as of now! You can try to pretend you still have the power, as you probably will, for after all, what would the people say to such an unreasonable and abrupt act of confessing that you, as well as the entire leadership of the Family International have lost the anointing of David, and have stirred the Family in a direction which is as far away from its foundation as communism is from capitalism! (Read Builders Beware ML 309 and compare it with GN 1109 Getting Stronger--Part 2 Par.3, 4, 9, 11-14 and weep!).
The Family used to be God’s unique creation, unlike and separate from anything on earth and you are turning it into a subdivision of system city. Abomination! Sick!
The Family International is as far from its original foundation as an alive moving body is from a dead corpse, that has to be held together with clamps and braces of rules, requirements and checklists to see whether there is hope of it ever coming alive. Even Frankenstein’s monster worked better than that and sure had more power than the lifeless spineless corps called the “Family International” today. The Jesus People were a sorry story, but the Family International is the sorriest of all of them, having begun in the spirit, they are desperately attempting to be made perfect in the flesh.
You are herewith put out of your job, demoted, de-throned! And if you think you can laugh about it, it would only show how out of touch you are with the power of the Living Word of the Prophets. It only goes to show how removed you are from the goal of ever becoming a prophet. It is not even anywhere on your priority list. You don’t even know what a prophet is! Your secretary does not seem to know either, as she wrote us, it would take a revelation for her to even wake up to the fact that the Family’s calling is to be Endtime Prophets, who give out the warning message.
You are the King which David described in his letter: “The Tree”. By watering down the message of “The Marriage of the Generations” you have cut the cambium layer, of the Tree of the Family and it has begun to get weaker ever since. This message would have saved the Family and infused life into those members who would have been willing to live it.
You state that the uniting of the generations is happening “ naturally” (GN3307 par. 180), like it is already happening in your home supposedly, but is it really happening? From the recent “Shooting Straight” GNs it seems that it is not happening, and is in fact frowned upon by many. Marriage is a sexual relationship, if not, then folks could simply stay good friends, like you seem to suggest.
But the last prophets in History are not meant to be simply good friends, they are destined to be a white hot fire of love for each other and a sign of total unity and acceptance of each other. This is the radical message of David! And since you and Family leadership have chosen to water this message down and not show a sample of it to the rest of the Family (ML3162par39), and yet claim to be the house of David, you have betrayed the Spirit of David. You are Judas!
Your sickening spirit of compromise and lack of courage has slowly taken over the Family. The entire Activated vision is a road of lesser obedience to the Lord. You sought for larger congregations and to be like the churches. Indeed for a Family stripped off living the radical message of David, this would be the next logical step; to begin catering to the broader masses with a watered down message.
You accused David of not knowing how to lead the Family, because he recommend that we send our converts to the churches. (GN3238 The Activated Program Par 11)
David always saw the Family as a movement of prophets, with a message so radical that it simply does not appeal to a broader mass of people. A little seed her and a little seed there, a little slam against David here, a remark about how important CTP work is in helping people to “understand” us, coupled with Maria’s unwillingness or inability to rise as a prophetess to lead the Family in the true spirit of David.
A little here and a little there a little compromise here, a little preferring the favour of the people to the instruction the Lord gave you and the anointing is gone without you even realizing it, and someone whom you will consider to be as a barbarian and an heathen and a “Babylonian” has to come and put you out of your “smooth and natural” misery.
I always liked you, you seemed to be one of us, you seemed to identify with us and you seemed to speak for us. And that was exactly the problem, your love for us and our love for you began to become more important to you than to obey the call of the Lord to Revolution, to the point where now the Family has degenerated into a parliament with selfish interest groups and lobbies of compromisers who made their own standards and rules. Actually all this would be fine and it is your perfect right and the right of the Boards, if it were not for the fact that you are still claiming to be the house of David, and for the fact that you are still trying to prop up Maria as the leading endtime prophetess.
In March 2005 we sent you a message from the Lord, offering you and Maria the anointing of the Holy Coals of Fire of Isaiah 6. You refused it! Maybe you never even read the message because you were so busy with other things, like pleasing the people, and saving the Titanic of your organisation, which had hit the rock of the Lord’s words of truth of disapproval; disaproval of the foolish navigation methods of Family leadership, comparing the Family with itself and its own channel of prophecy instead of with the Rock-Words of the Bible, on which it has now crashed.
Since you have disregarded the anointing as endtime prophet which the Lord offered you, it has now gone to others, even to those who you would consider babes and sucklings, who are now rising to be the leaders of the world’s last movement of Prophets, instead of you. Too bad!
Now all you and Maria have left is to nag the members of your church, like leaky faucets with a continual dropping of instruction, into some form of obedience to uphold an outer show of a lifestyle that has been stripped of its source of power; seeking to have a form of godliness, but you deny the power thereof.
A little missive here, a little complaint there that the Family is not “revolutionary enough”, meaning the “Family International” has not been able to keep up the appearance of “Oldtime Family Life Style” albeit undermining the source of power which must fuel that lifestyle: total revolution and dedication, as the radical marriage of the generation would have brought to you, and is now bringing to us, the Prophets. You have a form of godliness but you deny the power thereof. Therefore the prophets turn away from you!
Instead you have chosen to furnish a proud show of revelations of far lesser importance, some new spirit helper here, another hinderer there, worshipping God and the Devil at the same time like a voodoo priest, a little here, a little there until the man, David was gone! The GNs have become like a polytheistic junk-food to lull your Family International congregation into the stupor of their inflated impression about themselves, singing lullabies about being the “Lord’s favourite bride”, when you have refused His call to all out revolutionary marriage to each other, which would have fulfilled David’s vision and readied you to be the Prophets of the End. Jesus is throwing not only you off your throne, but also the so-called “Brides” of the “Family International” out of his bed! There are no “brides” in the Bible, only The Bride, who lives the full standard of David and who shares all totally and completely. It’s team responsibility folks! You have flunked the grade and are dismissed!
Hosea 2:2,3 2. Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts; 3 Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst. Zechariah 11: 10 And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. What started out as a movement of radical prophets, has now through so-called “restructuring” become a “subdivision” of what? Of system city! …where nice and comfortable homes are being built, with bigger more attractive windows and where the “citizens of the world” will consider moving in with the Family”, sounds like spiritual fornication to me! Filth!
Wake up Family! Smooth Absalom has contracted the Family to the system! Is that what you want? Well, David doesn’t, or he would not have warned against it in “Builders Beware!”
Too many Members of the Family International are not soldiers of an endtime army, but are wretched, poor miserable, naked and blind, devoid of the true power of the Prophets of God, playing around with their spirit-helpers and hinderers, like the decadent Kings of yore played with their toys and maidens in their castle gardens, while outside a revolution was brewing which was soon to sweep over their walls and carry them away to the chopping block!
Joel 2:1 ¶ Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: The Prophets are coming! let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; 2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong (The Prophets are coming upon you!); there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. 3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. 4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. 5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. 6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. 7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: 8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. 9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. 10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? You won’t and neither will the luke-warm religion of the Family International!
The Lord is asking me to tell you that he is spitting in your face! You are lukewarm, and he has spit you out of his mouth! I thought we could do this more decently and I could have taken your pink little gauntlet and scourged you with it, but the Lord is letting me know to tell you that he is spitting in your face! You are a traitor! Judas! You, before whom David has been evidently set forth! You have betrayed him, and you are betraying the Family of God!
And if you don’t think that Jesus would do something like spitting in your face, then read the book of Malachi:
Malachi 2:2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. 4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
Wake up Absalom, this is David Levi speaking! Smell the coffee! What do you want? The Lord’s Spit or your own Party-Shit! That is about all the choice you have left!
Let’s quit grading the Family on the curve, comparing themselves with themselves! You and they are not wise!
History is about to finish! There is 11 years and a few month of it left and there is a standard in the Bible, which you and the Family International have sadly forgotten! Try digging in the dusty lit trunk of your own home and you might find a Bible there, the long lost scrolls of the prophets and read! It’s time you wept and sat in sackcloth and ashes, and showed how to do that to your backslidden congregation!
The Bible, the book of all true prophets talks about a punishment on backslidden Israel in the last days, before the Second Coming of the Lord and about the Rising of the greatest and most feared of all prophets that will have ever risen! Well, they have risen and they are upon you, and David and the Lord are hopping mad at you!
Meet your worst and most jealous apostates: David Brandt Berg, and Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man.
Signed, David Branch.
There is more ...
This is an open letter from Mary Rose Shekinah (formerly Rose Schaf) to the members of The Family International. I have been a member of the Family International for the last almost 30 years and I will ever be grateful for all I was privileged to learn and experience and all the love, brotherhood and joy of the Lord I was able to enjoy with all of you, who have been so much more to me than ever my flesh family could be. Truly in and with you the scripture had been fulfilled for me “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” When Jesus gave our little team the call to rise as prophets early 2004, we were very excited about all He was showing and revealing to us as we stepped out to put His instructions into action. We thought that surely such a calling would be joyfully embraced by The Family International and that in fact many, many members would also get the same call, since obviously history has to run its course and all the prophecies about the rise of the last prophets must be fulfilled. Jesus started to prepare our hearts though that our calling would not fit into the framework of the church The Family International and that indeed our revelations and calling would not be received by the leadership which was later confirmed and you can read about it in our correspondence with Mama, Peter and Ashly (will be posted shortly on our blog site: http://the95theses.blogspot.com ). This utterly broke my heart. Coming to the realization (fully only recently) that in order to obey all the Lord had asked of us we would not be able to stay members was like death to me, since I love all of you so much and The Children of God/The Family has been my life for the last 30 years and I was an utterly devoted member. Yet the greater death was still coming when the Lord asked us now to pronounce judgment on The Family International. Believe me this was almost more than I could bear, yet I love the truth more than my own feelings on the matter and I had to come to grips with the fact that wanting to be easy on loved ones simply stems from cowardice, worry about reputation and love for self, wanting others to be easy on myself and is not real love at all but rather deprives those loved ones of their fair chance and thus make me guilty of contributing to their downfall. Jesus also explained to me the following: When He started His ministry on earth He had his first mission in Nazareth, among his own kin and in his own house, where He was rejected and they picked up stones to stone Him. Only then could he start His mission for the rest of the world. Delivering these messages of judgment to the leadership of the Family International and its membership is our entrance exam of being prophets and delivering the Lord’s judgment and warnings wherever and to whomever He will send us. Obviously these messages will not be received by “The Family International” at large. We will be maligned, ridiculed, scorned, hated and prayed against as vicious enemies. “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16) Regarding Jesus’ mission in His hometown it says “And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Mat.13:58) This implies that some, though maybe only few, did believe Him in Nazareth. You, dear one, who is reading this letter at this moment, I pray with all of my heart that you may be one of those, who believe, so that you may also find deliverance from the compromise and delusion that exists in The Family International today. I myself have been guilty of much compromise of the truth for gain and reputation over the years, and if I found deliverance it is only by the skin of my teeth and the Lord’s grace. In fact my heart brakes when I think about Mama and Peter and if I had been in their shoes I don’t know whether I would have not also fallen for the same temptation to compromise the truth to preserve the status quo. God knows that there is still much purging to be done on me, so if there is hope for me there is hope for you, as long as you are willing to humble yourself and admit that no crown or place of service is guaranteed, but has to be held onto by continued desperation and awareness of one’s fallibility. I love you and pray for you.
Love, Mary Rose
Here is one afterthought: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:50) Don’t you think it would be rather preposterous to assume that just because someone is paying their 14% to “The Family International” and filling out checklists that automatically all promises made to the children of David apply to such a person? Yea, I say it is just as audacious as the Jews insisting that being of the bloodline of Abraham guarantees them a place in Heaven.
From Joshua Emmanuel
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,
A couple days ago you received an email containing 95 Theses on the Family International and an open letter from David Branch. There are probably many thoughts and questions running through your heads about these messages and about us. You may think we’re lunatics, out of our heads, fanatic, or apostates with a twist, and this is understandable, because you don’t know us that well yet.
We would like to state that:
We ARE NOT trying to gather a following or cult around ourselves as individuals. We are simply trying to let other individuals know that they themselves should rise as prophets of the end. Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t control the rise of the prophets because each prophet is solely under the control and guidance of God.
We do not have a personal vendetta against Mama and Peter, or any one in the Family International. Mama and Peter have failed their high-calling as prophets and compromised their conviction in both their message to the public and the Family. We love Mama and Peter very much and owe them a lot for all the training and truth that they have poured out to us and the Family, but compromise is sin and the Bible says that “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” (1 Timothy 5:20)
We are serious about serving the Lord and desperate to follow His highest will. We do not want to cut down anyone’s service for the Lord, but rather free them from Lethargy and Compromise so that they may serve the Lord in a higher capacity and be free to follow Him wherever He may lead them. The Family International as a physical structure will crumble. We know this not only because the Lord told us, but also because it’s foretold in the MLs and the GNs. The truth is that it will crumble far sooner than anyone expects and we are simply doing our job as prophets to warn people so that they can prepare themselves spiritually so that they will be able to stand on their own once the support of their religious structure is taken away. Each indivdual needs to desperately get a hold of the Lord regarding their calling and their connection with Jesus needs to be strengthened to the point that no controversy can sway it.
We are not against the Family. We are the Family; the true spiritual Family; the House of David. The Family is a spiritual entity. Sadly the leadership of the Family International and a large part of its members has departed from the spiritual entity of the true Family. The House of David has departed from the Family International. The Family International has lost its place as God’s prophetic movement of the last days. This may sound absurd to you, but it’s the truth! Take it or leave it, it’s up to you. We, as individuals, are bent on being part of God’s new move of the Spirit, despite all obstacles. We have all reason to believe that He is instigating and inciting the Rise of the Prophets of the End, the Prophets of David, at all costs. This rise of prophets is the ultimate fulfilment of all the predictions of the prophets of the Bible and of our Prophet Moses David.
We’re now going to try our best to point this out to you through sending you various MO Letters and Bible passages with our commentary of how they apply to the Family International and the Rise of the Prophets of David. He that hath an ear to hear let him hear.
If you don’t take heed to the Words of the Prophet David, who laid the foundation for the Family, you judge yourselves as having left the House of David. If you choose to ignore the scriptures, you judge yourselves as having backslidden in spirit. Then it is you who are the traitors and not us. I hope you will read the following letter “Stand in the Gap” (attached) with an open heart and that it will wake you up to the spiritual state that the Family International is in. The words of MO are in bold and the rest of the writing is what I, Joshua Emmanuel, wrote under inspiration. May God’s Spirit of Truth speak to you and stir you to become apart of His new revolution; The Rise of the Prophets.
IT'S A REVOLUTION FOR JESUS!!!
Much love Joshua Emmanuel
The Family International's Response
To all Homes in Europe (FD/MM/FM) Subject: Warning about emails from "Camteam"
WLY! We pray this note finds you enjoying a wonderful day with our dear Lover.
We wanted to pass on some advice concerning some emails that started circulating this weekend. Some of you may have already received an email with the name "95 Theses" from the email address Camteam. This has been sent by "David Branch", formerly Stephen Schaff.
We're sorry to say that it appears quite clear from this correspondence that Stephen and his team have split off from the Family. We don't know much about the background, but it is apparent from the content of what they have written, that they have rejected the Family's spiritual leadership through Mama and have set themselves apart spiritually.


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Dark Horse Comics and CD PROJECT RED have revealed something perfect for the Witcher superfan with plenty of bookshelf space. It comes in the form of bookends inspired by The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Set to release in the summer of 2021, the bookends are designed by the architecture of Kaer Morhen who designed the School of the Wolf where witchers are trained.
The set of polyresin bookends run 8 inches tall, 7 inches wide, and 4.25 inches deep.
You can purchase these bookends on August 8, 2021, and preorder now through your local comic shop. To get a little more Witcher in your life these bookends will cost you $139.99.
For more on this news, read the official press release below.
MILWAUKIE, Ore., (February 8, 2021)— In partnership with CD PROJEKT RED, Dark Horse Deluxe is excited to announce the upcoming The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Bookends, arriving Summer 2021.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Bookends are inspired by the architecture of Kaer Morhen, the ruined keep where witchers of the School of the Wolf were trained in the hit video game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt from CD PROJEKT RED. This set of two polyresin bookends each stand at 8 inches tall, 7 inches wide and 5.25 inches deep and are the perfect addition to any witcher’s library.
Looking to add to the tomes you’ve collected through your journey? Check out Dark Horse’s line of graphic novels from the world of The Witcher 3, including The Witcher Omnibus TPB, The Witcher: Of Flesh and Flame TPB, and the upcoming The Witcher Volume 5: Fading Memories TPB, arriving July 7, 2021.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Bookends will be available August 8, 2021, and are available for pre-order now through your local comic shop for $139.99.
Like what we do here at AIPT? Consider supporting us and independent comics journalism by becoming a patron today! In addition to our sincere thanks, you can browse AIPT ad-free, gain access to our vibrant Discord community of patrons and staff members, get trade paperbacks sent to your house every month, and a lot more. Click the button below to get started!

domain: hobby


Season 20, Episode 1 Women of Soul
First Aired: April 7, 2014
A celebration of female music artists, featuring Tessanne Chin, Melissa Etheridge, Aretha Franklin, Ariana Grande, Patti LaBelle, Janelle Monáe and Jill Scott.
Cast & Details See all »
- Rating: TV-G
- Premise: An occasional series featuring concerts from the nation's capital that, over the years, has showcased performers as diverse as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Elvis Costello and Steve Martin. As Nancy Reagan noted in the first program, `With the participation of publ… (more)


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Just received my copy of the latest issue of Inside Crochet magazine.I know it had its problems in the past, I don’t want to gloss over them but I do want to focus on the magazine as it is now,I won’t spoil it for you but let’s take a look at quick look at issue 33.
In addition to the patterns, there are detailed crochet instructions for beginners and a great tutorial for intarsia crochet and broomstick in the round (which I plan to use), several in-depth interviews, yarn and book reviews.The new layout is great and it feels glossy ,(hope you know what i mean).I love the size of the beautiful color photographs .whatever I read I’m always looking for fresh ideas and new inspirations,this months issue ticks all these boxes.It is lovely to have a mag that is dedicated to my favourite craft and the the fact it is made in the UK is wonderful, do try it .
Incidentally, it is available from most good newsagents and is definitely on sell in the larger branches of supermarkets, I have seen it in Sainbury's, Adsa,Tesco. I'm off to make Lorraine Pascalle's tinfoil trout
Edited; I made mine with salmon, I had a large jar of sushi ginger in the fridge and substituted it for the fresh ginger, with great success .This is a quick and very easy dish.I served it with jasmine rice, and stir fried courgettes ,fab

domain: artistic


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Hi, Jacki here – in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. My husband of 30+ years and I just moved down here from Northern Virginia. I’m still a little ‘grumpy cat’ about the move, but as soon as I’ve got my studio set the way I want, and my yard under control this will be a great place to live. I’ve already found the local fabric shops, and there are some great ones. When everything seemed to be falling to pieces I'd run to a quilt shop. Just touching the fabrics helped restore balance. (lol) If you downloaded the address list at the beginning of the year please double check the address you have for me. I updated my info in February, so the Google doc is currently correct, but if you saved it to your computer before then your copy might be out of date.
This month I’d like you to make a black and white block with a twist, using one black-on-white fabric and one white-on-black fabric. If you have them I would prefer geometrics and other fabrics that read modern rather than florals. Here are a handful I pulled from my stash. If you don’t have any, let me know and I’ll send some right out to you.
The block I’ve picked is one of Jenny Doan’s Disappearing Pinwheel series with a simple size change to make your measuring easier. I’d like you to use 10½ inch squares. The block we are making is the Disappearing Pinwheel 3, a friendship star with an Illinois roads as the secondary block. The fabrics should give a modern spin to this traditional block, and I have an avian inspired setting in mind for the finished piece.
You can check out Jenny’s tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrOasfMpyXo - then come back and we’ll walk through the steps using real numbers.
Caution: Near the end of the tutorial the quilt hanging behind Jenny changes to a different block.
Cut two 10 ½ inch squares. Place them right sides together, and sew around all four sides using a scant ¼ inch seam.
Cut the sewn fabric diagonally in both directions. Iron the pieces open (press to the dark, or with open seams), arrange in a pinwheel and sew the pieces together.
- Jenny zips through the rest of the steps without mentioning that from here on out every edge is a bias edge. Just go slowly, use your sizing liberally and don’t pull the fabric too much. It all works beautifully if you are gentle. <Insert Zen gong here?>
For my purposes when you arrange your pinwheel it does not matter which direction the blades are spinning.
Your assembled pinwheel block is a little larger than 13 ½ inches. Square it off to exactly 13 ½ inches. Please do not skip this step, it makes all the difference in next step.
Now we cut the squared pinwheel into a nine-patch. Each piece will be a 4 ½ inch square.
Because you’ve squared the block you can measure in from each side. Or, if you are unsure about the square-ness of your block, make your cuts 2¼ inches in each direction from the center line (math mavens instantly saw how that measurement worked, the rest of us just take it on faith, lol)
- In her tutorial Jenny makes two cuts, rotates the fabric and slashes away boldly producing perfect squares. Being more timid, I first cut the pinwheel into 3 strips (4 ½ by 13 ½) and then worked with each strip separately to cut the 4 ½ inch squares.
Now comes the fun part.
The friendship star may be black or white. The flat (vertical?) side of the top point may be on the left or the right.
Keeping the center piece in the center, follow the pictures and/or check back with Jenny (at 6:10) and rearrange the outer pieces to make your friendship star.
Arrange the star first, then add the corner blocks. Notice how the corner blocks create a frame around the star. Also, the corner block next to the flat side of the point is parallel to that flat side.
Now, for this month’s question.
This month the question is less about sharing facts and more about expressing personality. Look at my concept below. The working name for the quilt is Friendship in Flight. My question is this: are the blocks landing, taking off, or just milling about? Tell us why, feeling free to be analytical, or Zen in your answer. Oh, and don’t take the question too seriously, we’re not analyzing anyone. I’ll add my answer at the end of the month to avoid undue influence. LOL. I hope you have fun with this block. JackiB

domain: design


Farm Urbana in Downtown LA
Downtown LA is in a high state of transformation. One can see construction sites everywhere (about one hundred on-going projects.) From high-rise offices, hotels and condominiums to low rise affordable housing; long neglected buildings are being rehabilitated; younger people come to live in downtown, crying out for a lifestyle that does not involve long commuting time.
There is still much cacophony and incongruousness in a complex area of 50,000 residents that could accommodate, at least, 500,000. Yet the Renaissance is on the way. There is a new spirit one can feel when walking along Spring Street or going for a chic dinner in the Art District.
“I always joke that downtown is an overnight wonder that I’ve been working on for 17 years,” said Hal Bastian, responsible for generating investment interest in downtown and recruiting businesses to the area.
Within the context of so much transformation in the making, Ruth Meghiddo (the name sounds familiar) decided to be on the front-line of the urban “fifth facade:” downtown’s rooftops. The breakthrough happened in the Santa Fe Lofts, a 170-unit apartment building built in 1906, on the corner of Main and 6th Streets. She challenged the owners to pioneer food-growing on top of the building as an additional amenity for the building’s residents. They agreed. To make it happen, she brought in the “building brick” of her urban farming: Tower Gardens.
Fast backward: In 1979 there was a world energy crisis due to OPEC members’ manipulation of oil pricing and production for political ends, led by Saudi Arabia. Long lines appeared at gas stations. A recession was triggered. Since the delivery of food from the farm to the city depends on transportation, an energy crisis also implies a food-supply crisis.
The subject of Ruth’s thesis at her UCLA’s master in architecture and urban planning was “Agriculture in an Urban Environment: Farm and City Romance.” In 1980 Ruth wrote: “As we approach the year 2000, it seems like we are moving towards a period in which people are struggling to achieve a critical mass of social awareness and acceptance. The nature and dynamics of the present context forces us to look for searching an alternative future to present value systems. A future in which the value premises of the industrial era will be challenged by more meaningful actions at a human scale, by more ‘down to earth’ satisfactions. This is a future in which an ecological ethic is accepted and recognizes that our planet is limited.“ Costa Rica got the message. It ranks second in the world for environmental sustainability, following Switzerland (the United States ranks 86, out of 129 countries.)
To practice what we preached, we built our house and studio in Westwood, on Rochester Avenue, based on “energy-conscious design” principles (the word “sustainability” had not become yet part of the general vocabulary.) It was the first house in the Westside’s neighborhood to use solar collectors (imported from Israel) for water heating. Ruth’s “agro-garden” fed us for at least eight months a year. One of the daily rituals was having our daughter going to pick up strawberries from the garden before leaving for school, to put into her lunch box.
Fast-forward thirty-two years: In 2012 Ruth joined the permaculture movement in Los Angeles, led by Larry Santoyo. A two-day permaculture workshop at the Muse School in Malibu also marked the launching of my filmmaking adventure. Using a cellphone-size Kodak camera, I recorded and edited the event, which I titled “Permaculture Goes to School.”)
Ruth’s discovery of The Tower Garden’s aeroponic system was a game changer. She realized that its potential use as a building block of urban farming could have far-reaching implications. She founded Farm Urbana.
The Tower Garden unit has a 2.5′ x 2.5′ footprint and a 20-gallon reservoir base with a small submersible pump for the mineral solution. The nutrient water is pumped to an outlet at the top of the tower and falls into a perforated basket which then drips through the spaces and perforations in the modules, humidifying and being absorbed by plant roots and finally mostly returning to the reservoir. The system uses 90% less water than with conventional gardening.
A few months ago Ruth was contacted by Professor Daniel S. Stokols, from the School of Social Ecology at the University of California, Irvine. They knew each other as co-directors of The Architecture Foundation of Orange County. Stokols was interested on what Ruth is doing from the environmental point of view. He decided to connect her with professors Bill Tomlinson, Donald J. Patterson and Bonnie Nardi from the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences and see how urban farming could be linked to information technology.
What is that Farm Urbana does that is meaningful to an information technology course? Global Disruption and Information Technology” is eloquently presented at TEDxUCIrvine by Bill Tomlinson. It seeks to help students understand how sociotechnical systems may support a transition to a sustainable civilization. Food production, computational systems to support resource sharing, and localized, low-energy technological infrastructure are at the core of the course’s objectives.
Fast forward into the future: the Santa Fe Lofts installation is to be seen as an embryonic experiment on what is possible: from massive food production on the roofs of parking structures and hundreds of restaurants to provide a daily supply of vegetables, to what apartment buildings and condominiums can have on their roofs for their tenants, in addition to their workout spaces, to what individuals can do on their terraces, their balconies and homes’ yards. Last but not least is having vertical farms as a standard feature of every school.


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The key to flaky scones is to use COLD BUTTER
. Cold butter is the key to achieving a flaky and a bit crumbly scone. I usually place the butter in the freezer about 5 minutes before cutting it into cubes, this will ensure my butter is properly chilled before using it.
These scones freeze well for up to 3 months. Wrap them in plastic wrap individually then place them in a ziploc bag.
Nutritional information is per scone and it includes the ricotta spread. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

domain: food


You can click on the spoilers to see closeups of the vehicles.
The Teffran Koalition operates across a number of systems in the Eastern Shield Nebula, a desolate volume of space which they share with a number of weaker organizations and groups. The Teffran Koalition favors an industrial and utilitarian aesthetic.
Two Recon Rovers cut across the sands of Garami, a desert moon in the backwaters of the nebula. The runners are scouting ahead of the main Teffran column, guarding against a possible ambush.
Their Destination: Firebase Kilo, a Teffran outpost destroyed by an unkown assailant.
"Vulture-2 for Enki, No contacts detected at Kilo, over..."
"Copy that Vulture 2, Battlerunners en route..."
Teffran Battlerunners arrive at the scene.
The Sakir "Battlerunner" Armored Support Carrier is a Teffran infantry transport and fire support vehicle, which due to some rather questionable decisions made by the Teffran military council is one of the only Teffran vehicles capable of pointing its gun upwards.
Battlerunners are prized for their ruggedness. With six wheels each, they can move quickly over harsh desert terrain.
Minifigs riding within the battle runner exit through this armored hatch at the rear of the vehicle.
Infantry pour out to secure the area.
Teffran infantry carry a variety of standardized weapons: Sniper Rifles, Blast Rifles, and standard Mag-rifles.
The slower Armored units arrive, bringing up the rear of the Teffran column.
Teffran Armor design is brutally simple: a set of treads, blocky armor, and a massive gun.
"Captain! We found this in the wreckage..."
"That's House Klastos infantry combat armor! Those bastards... Get cencom up – We might be needing some backup..."
Teffran TAU-X strike armor ranks among the most fearsome sights in the Eastern Shield systems.
The walker is armed with two mag-cannons designed for close range combat. At longer ranges, the TAU-X can deploy the artillary array mounted on it's back.
These flaps raise up in order to launch these missiles, which are used against ground targets and aircraft.
An Overwatch of the Teffran vehicles.
Vehicles + minifigs!


Wahaso Explores Water Conservation Facts, Data Collection & Water Harvesting System Planning
It goes without saying that water is a vital resource, and its conservation and sensible usage is critical for long term sustainability. This article explores the essential facts about water conservation and delves into the design and implementation of water harvesting systems which incorporate multiple sources, beyond simply rainwater.
Water Conservation Facts
- Limited Freshwater: Less than 2% of Earth’s water supply exists as accessible freshwater, and only about 1% of that is potable, while the remainder is either salt water or solid ice.
- Agricultural Impact: Global Agriculture consumes about 70% of the planet’s freshwater reserves, even surpassing Manufacturing and Industrial consumption.
- Everyday Leaks: On average, households lose over 10 gallons of water a day due to leaks, which accounts for about 14% of indoor water use.
- Landscape Irrigation: For reference, a 1,000-square foot turf lawn can require upwards of 35,000 gallons of water a year, and even twice that volume if over-watered and improperly zoned.
- Shower and Faucet Efficiency: Showers are more water efficient than baths; water efficient showerheads can save upwards of 15 gallons during a 10-minute shower; water efficient lav faucets can save many hundreds of gallons a year.
- Substantial Outdoor Water Use: 50% to 70% of residential water in the US, is used for garden and lawn maintenance.
- Turfgrass Dominance: Turfgrasses make up nearly 70% of landscape surrounding US homes, and though they aren’t necessarily high impact, it’s critical to plant species native to location whenever possible.
- Toilet Efficiency: Though older models flush at rates of 5 gallons per flush or greater, HETs (High Efficiency Toilets) have brought flush rates down dramatically, to 1.28 gallons per flush or lower.
- A Challenging Future: Research suggests over 1 trillion cubic meters of additional water will be required to keep up with Global population growth.
Beyond Rainwater: Multi-Source, Multi-Use (or Hybrid) Systems
- Greywater: From lav sinks, showers, and laundry
- Cooling Condensate: Waste condensate from AHUs (Air Handling Units) or industrial air conditioning systems
- Groundwater: Belowground water found in aquifers under buildings and project sites
- Stormwater: Stormwater is technically distinct from rainwater, in that it contacts the ground (hard and softscape)
- Rainwater: Water from rooftop surfaces and downspouts
Each of the above sources may be captured and treated with one water harvesting system, to then serve on more multiple water demands
Planning Your Water Harvesting System
- Calculate Water Supply: Depending on the category of water source(s), a range of basic formulas are used to estimate the total volume available at a project location each year
- Cost Evaluation and ROI: When pursuing water harvesting system integration, building owners and developers, and their project design teams, must evaluate the relationship between system cost, installation costs, water rates, and annual volume of water consumption, before determining feasibility. In localities where water detention and recycling are required, ROI may not even factor
- Water Harvesting System Components: With detailed parameters in hand, system manufacturers determine the most suitable capture and treatment components for each scenario
- Maintenance: Efficient ongoing maintenance and observation are key to ensure optimal system performance for the foreseeable future
- Additional Factors to Consider: Building owners and developers may enhance the effectiveness of a water harvesting system when incorporating other water conserving technologies and practices, from HETs, low flow fixtures, and smart water meters, to water efficient landscape, and smart irrigation systems
Water scarcity is a global concern that demands strategic initiatives to address the challenge.
Water Conservation Facts, Data Collection and How to Plan for a Water Harvesting System
In the pursuit of sustainable water management, the integration of water conservation facts, meticulous data collection, and the implementation of effective water harvesting systems play a pivotal role. Organizations like Wahaso.com provide valuable insights into water conservation and harvesting strategies.
Water conservation is a fundamental aspect of sustainable water management. According to data from Wahaso.com, the average American household consumes about 300 gallons of water per day, with a significant portion wasted due to inefficient practices. Understanding water conservation facts is crucial for devising effective strategies to reduce consumption and minimize waste.
One key aspect of water conservation is the implementation of water-efficient technologies. High-efficiency fixtures, such as low-flow toilets and aerated faucets, can significantly reduce water usage without compromising functionality. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these fixtures can save thousands of gallons of water per household annually.
In addition to technology, behavior modification is essential for effective water conservation. Simple practices, such as fixing leaks promptly and turning off taps while not in use, contribute to substantial water savings. Wahaso.com emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about water conservation at both the individual and community levels to foster a culture of responsible water usage.
To support water conservation efforts, accurate data collection is imperative. Understanding water usage patterns, identifying potential areas of improvement, and tracking the effectiveness of conservation measures require comprehensive data. Wahaso.com highlights the significance of data-driven decision-making in optimizing water management strategies.
Advancements in technology have facilitated the development of sophisticated water monitoring systems. Smart meters, for instance, provide real-time data on water consumption, enabling users to identify anomalies and implement timely interventions. Integrating these technologies into water management systems enhances efficiency and ensures the sustainable use of water resources.
Water harvesting systems emerge as a crucial component in the broader strategy of water conservation and management. These systems capitalize on rainwater and stormwater runoff, reducing dependence on traditional water sources. According to Wahaso.com, a well-designed water harvesting system can supplement non-potable water needs for irrigation, cooling systems, and even flushing toilets.
Planning an effective water harvesting system requires a comprehensive understanding of local climate conditions, building structures, and water demand. Site-specific considerations, such as rainfall patterns and the available roof space for collection, are critical factors in system design. Wahaso.com emphasizes the importance of collaboration between architects, engineers, and water management experts to ensure the optimal integration of water harvesting systems into existing infrastructure.
In conclusion, addressing the global water scarcity challenge demands a multifaceted approach that encompasses water conservation facts, meticulous data collection, and strategic water harvesting system planning. Organizations like Wahaso.com provide valuable resources and insights to guide individuals and communities towards sustainable water management practices. As we navigate an era of increasing environmental awareness, the integration of these elements will play a pivotal role in shaping a water-secure future.


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Flooding forced around 30 families to evacuate their homes in near the Marimba River in Budiriro, a western suburb of Harare, Zimbabwe, on Friday 13 January, 2017.
Meanwhile Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe has warned of heavy rains across the country bringing an increased risk of flooding.
At least 30 families were forced from their homes after the Marimba River overflowed in Budiriro, near the capital Harare.
Local media are also reporting that 1 person is missing believed to have been washed away by the water after failing to cross the flooded Marimba River
Zimbabwe Red Cross Society and Harare City Council worked to evacuate and provide emergency shelter for at least 30 families displaced by the flooding.
The Marimba River burst its banks after several days of heavy rain. All 30 families are though to be from homes situated along the river. Local authorities have questioned whether the properties have been built illegally.
In a statement on 14 January, 2017 Harare City Council said:
“Harare City Council is investigating circumstances that led to the allocation of residential stands 50 metres from Marimba River in Budiriro 5 Extension next to Marange Shopping Complex following the flooding of several properties in the area due to heavy rains.
“The investigations will ascertain the authenticity of the layout plan and whether the affected stands are within the approved plan. The city would also want to urge people allocated residential land to only occupy it when they have been given occupation certificates.
“The stands were allocated to Common Vision a housing cooperative several years back.”
In August 2015, Harare City Council demolished 100 houses in Budiriro, claiming they had been constructed without permission.
Rainfall records for Zimbabwe are hard to come by and there are no precise figures for the affected area. The Harare Kustaga weather station situated south east of Harare recorded around 70 mm of rain between 11 and 14 January, 2017.
- 14 January – 28.0 mm
- 13 January – 6.0 mm
- 12 January – 25.0 mm
- 11 January – 15.0 mm
Heavier rain was recorded at Harare Kustaga earlier in January:
- 07 January – 72.0 mm
- 04 January – 55.0 mm
Elsewhere in the country, heavy rain has been reported in Chivhu (Mashonaland), Wyanga (Manicaland) and Kadoma (Mashonaland West) over the last few days:
- Chivhu 55.0 mm
- Wyanga 64.0 mm
- Wyanga 51 mm
- Kadoma 70.0 mm
Rain and Flood Warnings
Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe (MSD) has issued warnings of heavy rain across the country, with the possibility of widespread flooding.
In their forecast issued 15 January, for the period to 17 January, MSD said:
“In general rains are expected countrywide and we are also forecasting the continuation of heavy rains (in excess of 50mm in 24 hours) in all provinces. Widespread flooding is therefore anticipated.”
Heavy rain caused deadly flooding in Zimbabwe in the last month. In mid December 2016 heavy rain increased river levels in parts of Masvingo province. Six people were swept away as they pushed a vehicle that was stuck in a flooded river in Chiredzi.
Around 100 families were evacuated from their homes in Hwange District in Matabeleland North Province after severe flooding struck in the early hours on 14 December, 2016.

domain: geography


text:
For 2015 The Fur Peace Ranch "On The Road" workshops return to The Dana on Mission Bay, San Diego, California. Take a break from winter's woes while learning from master musicians Jorma Kaukonen, G.E. Smith, and Larry Campbell. San Diego's perfect climate and the premier beach setting at The Dana will be our home. Join us.
It was Jorma Kaukonen’s big San Francisco homecoming on his current tour with G.E. Smith. Kaukonen, who grew up to be an accomplished guitar player in Washington D.C., moved to San Francisco just in time for the psychedelic rock of the sixties, and was one of the founding members of Jefferson Airplane; San Francisco’s golden fleece of psychedelic rock in the 60s. Since Jefferson Airplane, Kaukonen’s career has taken a far left turn in another direction.


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Dr. Paul Severson is the medical director for and a reflux specialist with the Minnesota Reflux and Heartburn Center at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. He is the Chief of Surgery at Riverwood.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Severson completed his General Surgery Residency at Hennepin County Medical Center. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, as well as the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He has served as a Clinical Adjunct Professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and has been honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his educational and humanitarian contributions.
Dr. Severson is the Co-Director of the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery and the Program Director of the MIMIS Fellowship in Advanced GI MIS, Bariatric Surgery and Flexible Endoscopy. He has served as president, board member and committee member for several regional, national and international professional organizations. He is the Founder and President of Project Haiti, a charitable organization providing humanitarian relief to the impoverished people of Haiti for over three decades. His areas of published expertise are in advanced minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy, foregut surgery and bariatric surgery.
- University of Minnesota Medical School
- BS degree, University of Minnesota
- General Surgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis
- General Surgery
- Reflux Specialists

domain: health


text:
Why is it that a dog will happily eat rat innards,
munch on the carcasses of long-dead critters
and even lap up their own vomit..
(not to mention exhibit an unhealthy interest in the cat's litterbox)
But will REFUSE to swallow a clean, sanitary, necessary pill.
* * *
Our Gunner had a mysterious laceration on his backside along with some scratches
on his legs. We took him into the vet and since the procedure to close up the cut required anesthesia,
we had his dewclaws removed at the same time. So poor Gunner
is laid up for awhile. He is quite put-out that he can't run free and gnaw
off the bandages and stitches. We are getting tricky at crushing up his medicine
and hiding it in various formerly forbidden foods.

domain: pet


text:
LIVRARIA LELLO CELEBRATES THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE LITTLE PRINCE
June 29 marks the date of birth of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of the book The Little Prince and, therefore, officially became the International Day of the Little Prince. Celebrated around the world, this day aims to unite numerous initiatives that carry messages of hope, peace and respect.
Through a thematic showcase, a commemorative edition and even a room that pays homage to this work, Livraria Lello reflects the special connection it has with history.
It was with Principezinho that he returned to editing, in 2018, and it was in The Collection collection, that the work became one of the house's best sellers.
“The little prince's magic and dream inspire us daily to reinvent ourselves, always with the greater ambition of getting the whole world to read.” – Aurora Pedro Pinto
Thus, on the 29th, Livraria Lello will celebrate the Little Prince's day in the most innovative way. Appealing to everyone who has read the work, and to those who haven't had the opportunity to do so, we challenge our visitors to guess a riddle related to the book. The winners will receive a flash tattoo with one of the most tattooed images of the Little Prince in the world.

domain: literature


Review of the Xtreme Cables VR Vue Headset
When I speak about mobile VR, I always point out that the headsets are essentially the same thing. You don’t need a pricey headset to
The world of virtual reality has changed a lot in the half-decade that it’s been in the mainstream.
I’ve seen devices with heavy price tags and wires replaced with shells that hold mobile phones and devices that are completely wireless. VR resolution has gone from looking like someone smeared vaseline on your glasses to being sharper than that nerd in your physics class.
I wrote this guide to help you determine what the best VR headset is, as there are a bunch of great options available. At the end of the guide, you should be able to choose a device that will provide you with a top-notch experience.
If you go to an online store and search for “VR headset”, you’re going to get a bunch of products offered to you.
Most of these devices are crap, and you should avoid them like that lady at the bar with the big sore on her lip.
With that being said, there are a lot of great options out there, and if you do your homework (ie. read this guide) you’re more likely to end up finding something of value.
I’ve compiled a bunch of things to look for when shopping for a VR headset, and I think you’d be wise to consult them.
The old adage is, “You get what you pay for”.
This is true in many different aspects in life, and it certainly applies to virtual reality.
You can be tempted to buy into products that have a cheap price point, but you should be looking beyond the price. What features does the headset offer, and why is it so cheap?
If you look a little deeper, you’ll find that the headset manufacturer probably cut corners and the end result is something more likely to make you hurl than feel like you’re in another world.
Resolution plays an important role in virtual reality, as it helps to bring something virtual to your eyeballs.
If the headset’s screen resolution is bad, you probably won’t be able to buy into the experience, killing immersion and making you sour on VR.
Higher-end devices can alleviate this, and I’m even seeing some screens with 4K screens starting to pop up.
Did you know that audio plays a huge part in the VR experience?
It’s just as important as video, at least in my eyes. Many apps and headsets integrate 3D audio, giving you depth of sound instead of a traditional stereo experience. Devices like the Oculus Rift come with awesome 3D audio headphones included, and it’s a real value proposition.
You should definitely consider whether the VR headset you’re looking at comes with 3D headphones, or at least supports it.
If you want to see how cool 3D audio is, plug in some headphones and listen to the video below:
Some Android VR headsets come with simple controls to help you navigate your virtual environment, and nearly all higher-end headsets do as well. You want to make sure you choose a headset that includes great controllers that have solid tracking to give you the most accurate look and feel possible.
The HTC Vive controllers are fantastic in this regard, and if you can find something similar, you’re gonna have an awesome time.
Speaking of tracking, I shouldn’t forget to mention this as something to look for in a VR headset.
Tracking is another important element leading to immersion, so you want to make sure your device has a good way to support your movement. Most mobile VR headsets have 3 degrees of freedom (3DoF), meaning you can go left and right while also looking up and down, but you can’t move forward and backward.
Higher-end VR devices usually have motion tracking, which allows you to also move forward and backward.
This is called 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF) and is superior in almost every way.
The last thing I’ll recommend you look into before selecting a VR headset is the device’s interface.
Oculus products differ from most other PC VR headsets, in that they have their own interface and ecosystem, while others traditionally use Viveport or Steam VR to launch games.
Mobile headsets are big on running in limited app launchers or individual apps and aren’t nearly as comprehensive as the big boys.
Developers have been fine-tuning their hardware since the first products hit the open market.
The main complaints for users have stemmed from poor resolution, being attached with wires, and motion tracking, among others.
I took a look at just where the VR industry is heading moving forward, and what you can expect from VR headsets moving forward.
I hate being tied to my console or PC when playing VR.
It’s enough to kill the immersion for me, and I’ve heard countless other users with similar complaints.
Thankfully, developers have heard you, and we’re starting to see major headsets going that route.
Oculus has released the Quest, which is a fully wireless experience, and Sony has filed a patent that could see the PlayStation VR being a wireless experience.
I sure hope this continues to be the trend, as it’s a huge barrier to entry for a lot of users.
For the uninitiated, augmented reality is a lot like virtual reality, but instead of fully putting you in a virtual world, the device uses external cameras to let you see your surroundings, with virtual overlays present.
AR technology has been built into several types of devices, with Apple having made a substantial investment by putting it into their iPhones. We can expect developers to begin making a wider splash into the tech moving forward, which will really show off the potential of the VR hybrid.
One often overlooked aspect of virtual reality is the social scene. You may not be aware of it, but you can watch concerts, movies, and hang out with large groups of other users using just your headset.
This may seem surprising, seeing as how you’re usually sitting in a room all alone with a headset blocking out the outside world, but social interactions are huge in VR.
Apps like Bigscreen are showing movies and TV shows, allowing a bunch of users to partake in an experience while chatting it up. Facebook has also hosted events where users can watch comedy sets, and there was a recent Tenacious D concert that was broadcast in VR.
I think that social holds a ton of promise for VR, and I’m interested to see the types of events we can expect to see this year and beyond.
Kids generally moan when they find out that they have to do something school-related, but it’s possible that VR could provide a cool boost to kids. There have been various apps created to let users learn about certain historical events, with Apollo 11 letting you try to land on the moon, while Titanic lets you investigate the doomed ship.
Letting students participate in experiences like this gives them an extra level of immersion, potentially letting them absorb the information better. Guided field trips and visits are being developed, and with the price of headsets falling, I think it’s likely we’ll see more VR learning experiences introduced this year.
This trend sort of goes with the social experiences mentioned above. Bigscreen has been working on distribution deals with major movie production groups to secure the ability to sell movie tickets within their app.
Last year, users were treated to a free Top Gun 3D showing, and it’s expected that new 3D movies will be launched this year.
The experiences would see you buying a virtual movie ticket in the Bigscreen app, where you then join other users to watch the movie. 3D movies look fantastic in VR, and if I get a chance to watch the new Top Gun: Maverick when it’s released, I’m gonna pee my pants in excitement.
When VR headsets first launched, the software wasn’t necessarily ready for primetime. Games were short experiences, and some of them weren’t all that polished, feeling more like a beta than a finished product.
Things have gotten better over the years and we’re going to continue seeing better VR games being developed. The Vader Immortal experience on Oculus is simply stunning, and other games like Beat Saber feel like a full experience for those who buy them.
I can’t wait to see what other games will be coming down the pike, as platforms need more good games to help make VR a success. Things are especially limited on the new Oculus Quest, and I want to see new titles flowing to my eyeballs on a monthly basis.
Because VR is so fragmented, I decided to break down the best VR headsets by category that they fill.
This may not end up being the decisive list you were hoping for, but it’s at least comprehensive and full of honest opinions… not sales-y crap.
Without further adieu, here are the headsets I think are the best.
The Oculus Quest launched in Spring of 2019 and has taken the world by storm.
In fact, Facebook (the owners of Oculus) CEO Mark Zuckerberg said during an earnings call that Oculus is selling Quest headsets as fast as they can make them.
Why are they such a hit?
The Quest brings 6 degrees of freedom to users with a completely wireless setup. Furthermore, the Quest delivers an experience that’s similar to what you’d find on the original Oculus Rift, despite having the computer components crammed into the headset itself.
I have had my Quest since launch, and I have to say that it’s an amazing device. I haven’t really used my PlayStation VR since I got the Quest, as it’s a huge pain in the booty to hook up all the wires. With the Quest, I just slip the headset on and go to town.
The Quest features a high-end screen that gives you a resolution of 1440 x 1600 per eye at 72Hz. This is superior to most other headsets available, and the pixel density comes in at a hefty 539 PPI (pixels per inch). The end result is stunning visuals for many apps that really make it seem like you’re somewhere else.
On the tracking side of things, the Quest uses an inside-out solution to track movement using cameras attached to the headset itself. It also uses these to track your Touch Controllers (which come with the device). The tracking was always “good”, but an update in Summer 2019 made the controller tracking much better.
When you combine all of these features together with the Oculus ecosystem and good price point starting at $399, you get the best all-in-one VR headset experience available.
Seeing as how I’m a huge VR nerd, I’ve had my PlayStation VR since it launched a few years back.
Despite the newer options available for PC and standalone, the PSVR stands out as being the sole option for console gamers. Even though it’s considered an “old fogey” in the annals of technology, the device is still a wonderful VR headset.
The PlayStation VR is the best-selling major VR headset of all-time, with millions of units sold.
You get the chance to play wonderful VR games like Beat Saber, Astro Bot Rescue Mission, and Ace Combat 7 in this device (the latter two are exclusives). While it can be out-classed in terms of specs by other headsets, the PSVR is still a great device, and it provides immersion at a reasonable rate.
The headset does have 6 degrees of freedom, as it uses the PlayStation 4 Camera to track your headset and Move Controllers. The Move Controllers are a piece of tech that launched nearly a decade ago, and although they aren’t nearly as accurate as the Touch mentioned above, they still do a decent enough job for most games.
The real joy here is being able to sit in a seat and use your DualShock 4 to play games like Ace Combat or Resident Evil 7, as the controls are much, much better.
You can find the PSVR on special from time to time, getting a good bundle with a bunch of games for less than you can get just an Oculus Quest or HTC Vive for. If you have a PS4 and want to get into VR, I highly recommend this headset.
If you’re looking to buy a PC virtual reality headset but don’t want to drop a small fortune, the Oculus Rift S may be the best alternative. The headset is a refresh of the original Oculus Rift product and was launched in May 2019, making the CV1 obsolete.
You end up getting better resolutions, with the headset providing a resolution of 2560 x 1440 at 90Hz refresh rate. While it’s not as large of an upgrade as what HTC did with the Vive Pro, the S changes the game in many ways.
You also get inside-out tracking for the headset and Touch Controllers, much like what you get with the Quest.
I’ve found that the tracking is a bit sharper than the Quest, as the cameras on the headset don’t seem to get “lost” like it’s sister headset.
Speaking of the controllers, the Rift S uses the same style Touch Controllers that the S has, so you can’t use the old-school controls (with the loop underneath) with the new headset. The Oculus ecosystem is the cleanest I’ve come across, and the trend continues with the Rift S. Things are just so much easier to navigate here.
Roomscale VR is available, and while it’s not as great as the Vive’s setup, it’s still pretty cool.
You end up setting up a “guardian” system, where you draw the outlines of your play space. If you end up getting close to the edge of the space, gridlines appear. If you put your head through the space, you get a black and white video showing you your surroundings in real-time.
For the price point, the Oculus Rift S is an excellent option, as you could buy more than two whole devices for the price of one Vive Pro HMD. Of course, you’re still going to end up having a gaming PC to power the software, which is a hefty investment to have to make.
I’ll be frank with you: most mobile VR headsets are terrible, and if you get a bad one, you’re going to hate VR.
My wife is one of these people, as she tried an actual Google Cardboard, and thought it was stupid. I have a hard time getting her to try GOOD VR these days, but the Gear VR is one device that she likes.
The Gear VR is more expensive than a lot of the crap headsets, but once again, “You get what you pay for”. The comfort is among the best I’ve seen for this style headset, and the controller that comes with it serves as a sturdy way to interact with your environments.
While the price may be higher than drugstore junk headsets, you can often find them on sale. I recall seeing a Gear VR on clearance at my local department store in March, coming in at less than half of what a traditional video game disc costs. That’s a whale of a deal!
The Gear VR is a tie-up between Samsung and Oculus, giving you access to the latter’s ecosystem, complete with a Zen-style room to get your bearings in.
This is a fantastic device, but it’s contingent on you having a compatible Samsung phone. Cheap burner phones won’t cut the mustard, either. You’re going to need the likes of the Note 8 or Galaxy to use in the system.
If you do have a Note, you’ll want to make sure you get a compatible Gear, as some of the older versions don’t fit the behemoth’s body.
Another section, another Oculus product recommendation. I have to give some love to the Oculus Go though, as it’s an all-in-one solution that doesn’t burn your smartphone’s battery. It is mainly tied to mobile experiences, but the resolution is high enough to arguably make it better to use than a true mobile VR headset.
The Go includes a microphone as well as 3D audio into the headset, which is present in the head strap. You don’t have to stick anything into your ears, and the quality of the sound is fantastic.
The Oculus Go headset does come with a nice controller to navigate the world. It’s very similar to the controller that comes with the above Gear VR, but you can also sync a Bluetooth pad if you want more control. I personally use my Xbox One S controller and leave it in my carrying case with the Go.
If there is a downside to the Oculus Go, it’s the fact that the headset isn’t 6 degrees of freedom. This means that you can’t go back and forth, and if you try to, there’s a good chance you’re going to feel sicker than that time you had 10 beers in a few hours.
While it’s not officially supported, you can also do some sideloading into your Go, which lets you add Android apps that may not otherwise be supported. I actually downloaded a new Netflix app, as the stock version has a limited resolution and no ability to download movies. The sideloaded app solves these issues, and there are a bunch of good things you can load.
There have likely been wars fought and won in the time it took you to read this whole guide, but I hope you found it worthwhile. There are so many different ways to consume virtual reality that it makes choosing the best VR headsets difficult.
In the end, the best headset really comes down to what your needs are.
If you’re a PC gamer, you can’t go wrong with the HTC Vive Pro or Rift S.
If you’re looking for a great all-around headset, I highly recommend the Oculus Quest. It’s become my daily-driver for VR, and I cannot wait to see what the Oculus team does with it.
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text:
Haine to receive SIUE Distinguished Service Award
State Sen. William “Bill” Haine, D-Alton, is being honored with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Distinguished Service Award.
SIUE will present the award during the university’s Spring 2018 Commencement to the life-long Alton resident, who has served as senator, Madison County state’s attorney and County Board member, and in the military.
“Sen. Haine has been an enthusiastic advocate for both SIUE and the SIU School of Dental Medicine in Alton,” SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook said.
Haine is the senator for the Illinois 56th Senate district, which covers most of Madison County, including Alton, Wood River, Edwardsville and part of O’Fallon. After serving 14 years as Madison County state’s attorney, Haine was elected to the Illinois Senate in 2002. He began his public service on the Madison County Board in 1978 and has served more than 40 years in elected office.
Haine currently serves as assistant majority leader and is vice-chair of the Insurance Committee. He is the senior Democrat on the License Activities and Pensions Committees, as well as being a member of the Judiciary, Criminal Law and Veterans Affairs Committees. He also serves on the Governing Committee of the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Haine’s commitment to the Metro East and its residents has been a hallmark of his tenure in public service. He helped pass a plan to update and fix the levee system in the Metro East. He made efforts toward key infrastructure upgrades on I-255. Additionally, he rallied the Illinois Senate to formally demand that Congress and the President review the national tariff policy on steel goods when U.S. Steel in Granite City announced it was going to close.
In the Senate, Haine was a leader in the implementation of medical malpractice litigation reforms with the strong support of the Illinois Medical Society. For his work, the Illinois Hospital Association presented their highest award –“Excellence in Public Service” – to him.
A strong voice for law enforcement while serving on the Senate Judiciary and Senate Criminal Law Committees, Haine was named “Public Official of the Year” by the Illinois Police Chiefs Association, and “Outstanding Legislator of the Year” by the Fraternal Order of Police and the Illinois State’s Attorneys Association.
Haine believes state funding is crucial to Illinois schools, and he secured funding for many buildings, such as the new science building and the residence halls at SIUE. He also secured state money for the construction of the new lab at the SIU School of Dental Medicine. He led the effort to obtain state funding for the operation of a City of Edwardsville Fire House on the SIUE campus.
Haine’s votes to increase the state income tax in 2011 and in 2017 assured state funding for university systems and for MAP grants to students. He was a strong and early supporter for the reform of the formula that allocates state money to public school districts.
Haine has served on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the SIU School of Dental Medicine. He also supported the University during the state budget crisis, fighting against potential cuts to higher education.
Haine is a member of many organizations, including the Knights of Columbus and Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion Post 204, where he is a past commander, and the Alton Cemetery Board of Trustees.
Haine is a Saint Louis University alumnus who also earned a Juris Doctorate from SLU.

domain: politics