Allan Cockerill Writes

Memorial Day May 30 2011

Allan — Fri, 27 May 2011 02:08:59 +0000

This weekend marks the memorial day weekend in the US, with the day falling on Monday May 30 in 2011..

The History Of Memorial Day

Memorial day was started as a day of remembrance and reconciliation after the American Civil War, and was extended after World War One to commemorate Americans killed in all wars.

Originally known as “Decoration Day, the name “Memorial Day” was first used in 1882, but the new name didn’t become common until after World War Two.

It was declared the official name under Federal law in 1967.

Memorial Day Activities

Events held on the day include the Indianapolis 500 and The Coca-Cola 600 Stock Car race.

The Memorial Tournament golf event is usually held on, or close to this weekend as well.

Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day its end.

The Batchelorette TV Show Premiere 2011

Allan — Tue, 24 May 2011 04:42:44 +0000

With the new season premiere The Bachelorette comes the news that Brad Womack has ended his engagement to Emily Maynard.

One has to wonder whether it would be possible to find true love on a reality television show anyway.

Has society become so dysfunctional that we need to meet this way?

Is it just an extension of on line dating?

Or is it just a remix of classic dating shows of the past?

It’s been suggested that many a Bachelor joins the show with motives other than finding a partner, such as building their business profile.

I guess though that many have gone into relationships in the past with ulterior motives, so maybe it’s just that they’re a bit more honest bout it now?

Obviously the show’s followers enjoy what they see, as the ABC show’s ratings rose by 4%

It will be interesting to see if the current Bacherlorette, Ashley Hebert, can maintain enough to keep the ratings up, and if she does indeed find true love after twelve weeks?

That then is the question, Will Bachelorette 2011 turn into the series that see true love bloom as well as being a ratings winner for ABC television?

We’ll see…

Call For Bath Salts Drug Ban Grow In The United States

Allan — Mon, 23 May 2011 03:33:31 +0000

A synthetic drug sold as “bath salts” in the US is about to be banned in several states.

sold under names such as “Ivory Wave,” “White Lightning” and “Hurricane Charlie,” these aren’t bath salts destined for use in your tub, but are designed to be snorted or injected.

The substances are not regulated by The Drug Enforcement Administration at present, and it is believed that they are being imported from Europe.

Containing mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), The ‘bath salts’ are sold for $78 a bag.

Heath Jolliff, associate medical director at the Central Ohio Poison Center said: “You could go to Bath and Body Works and get a lot of bath salts for $78. Right away, it makes you think something isn’t right here…”

Traditional Bath Salts

Traditionally the term bath salts has referred to a range of water-soluble, usually inorganic solids which are designed to be added to a bath.

They are claimed to improve cleaning, improve the experience of bathing, and serve as a vehicle for various cosmetic agents.

Some have even claimed medical benefits…

A number of bath salts have been developed which mimic the properties of natural mineral baths or hot springs.

Commonly known as a “muscle soak”, these products are used worldwide on a daily basis.

Christmas Island Is Safe From May 21 Destruction

Allan — Sun, 22 May 2011 08:36:59 +0000

Harold Camping predicted that the world was due to end on May 21 2011, starting at 6.00pm New Zealand time, and at Christmas Island at the same time.

As an Australian, I naturally thought of the island off the West Coast of Australia.

The Territory of Christmas Island is a territory of Australia in the Indian Ocean.

It is located 2,600 kilometres (1,600 miles) northwest of the Western Australian city of Perth, 360 km (220 miles) south of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, and 975 km (606 mi) ENE of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

It has a population of 1,403 residents who live in a number of “settlement areas” on the northern tip of the island: Flying Fish Cove (also known as Kampong), Silver City, Poon Saan, and Drumsite.

The island’s geographic isolation and history of minimal human disturbance has led to a high level of endemism among its flora and fauna, which is of significant interest to scientists and naturalists.

63% of the island’s 135 square kilometres (52 sq mi) is an Australian national park.

There are large areas of primary monsoonal forest with the national park.

Mark Webber Grabs Pole Position At Spanish Grand Prix

Allan — Sun, 22 May 2011 07:44:57 +0000

Australia’s Mark Webber has taken pole position at the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix, beating his Red Bull Racing team mate Sebastian Vettel into second place for the Barcelona race.

It is Red Bull’s second successive all-front row start after Vettel spearheaded the grid in Turkey.

Webber was just 0.200 seconds ahead of Vettel.

He finished a second clear of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, with Spaniard hero Fernando Alonso snatching fourth spot Jenson Button.

Webber is fourth in the world championship at present, with 37 points, 31 behind Vettel.

Source: Fox Sports

Harold Camping And The End of The World

Allan — Sun, 22 May 2011 06:22:26 +0000

Harold Camping and Family Radio got it wrong, as he was bound to do.

Jesus said, speaking of the time of His return,

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”

Earlier in same chapter, Jesus said: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

The Tragedy Of Harold Camping’s Prediction

The tragedy here is simply that Camping has deceived many, and caused them to part with life savings, and property along the way.

Whether he was the recipient of this worldly wealth is a little unclear. What he collected for (if this is the case) is a real mystery.

Was he going to hang around while the believers were raptured? Perhaps it would have relieved his pain, because in the next passage, Jesus said:

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Are There Signs Of The End?

Yes, and there have been for the past 2,000 years.

Wars, rumours of wars, famine and persecution have been going on since then.

Are these signs more prevalent? Yes, no, maybe…?

The truth is that the true believer will be ready to depart this world whether the end comes today, or next week. Indeed, I went to the funeral of a friend on Friday, and for her, this world certainly had ended!

Harold Camping has simply painted himself as a charlatan, regardless of whether he is, interested only in the riches of this world.

He has done a vast disservice, not only to those following him, but to Christians the world over!

There have been many false prophets in all religions. The shame is that it is their followers that bear the pain, while they make the gain!

May 21 2011 did not mark the end of the world!

There was an earthquake in New Zealand, a volcanic eruption and earthquakes in Iceland, and Bernard Hopkins became the oldest man at 46 to ever win the WBC light-heavyweight championship.

Important events for the people who were there, but life goes on!

Jesus Christ is still Lord, and lives in the hearts of true believers, where ever and who ever they are.

And that’s what matters!

Update:

The Examiner.Com reports that Camping first predicted the rapture to occur in 1994, and includes a link to a YouTube video.

While my generation – baby boomers – imho have seen more change in the space of a lifetime than all the generations before, from the landing on the moon, the contraceptive pill, the fall of the Berlin wall and the end of apartheid in South Africa just to name a few, one wonders what Bible these folks are reading.

Iceland Volcano Eruption

Allan — Sun, 22 May 2011 05:06:29 +0000

The Grímsvötn volcano in Iceland’s most active Vatnajokull glacier erupted in the late late on Saturday.

The volcano had shown signs of activity on Saturday.

Icelandic media quoted geologist Hjorleifur Sveinbjornsson as saying that the eruption was imminent.

Plumes of ash and smoke were seen rising from the crater later in the evening.

The Grímsvötn volcanic eruption is not expected to disrupt air travel beyond the immediate area.

Above Left: Ash from the Grímsvötn volcano in 2004 (NASA image)

About The Iceland Volcano

The Grímsvötn volcano is located in the highlands of Iceland at 64°25′N 17°20′W on the northwestern side of the Vatnajökull glacier. The mountain is covered by the glacier’s ice cap.

The Grímsvötn lakes are located in the magma chamber of the volcano.

The eruption began on 21 May 2011 starting at 7:25 PM local time, with plumes 12 km (up to 40,000 feet) high. The eruption was accompanied by multiple earthquakes.

Sources:

Wikipedia

Iceland Review