CONCORD, N.H. – A Republican Senatorial candidate from New Hampshire has rejected his party’s recent adoption of a pro-life platform that expressed the personhood and subsequent right to life of unborn children, and is instead declaring his support for “a woman’s right to choose.”

Scott Brown, a former Massachusetts senator who now resides in New Hampshire, is running against Democrat Jeanne Shaheen to represent the people for the state before Congress. Last weekend, the New Hampshire Republican Party adopted a platform outlining its belief in “the pre-born child’s fundamental right to life and personhood under the Fourteenth Amendment,” as well as its support for the “Life at Conception Act.”

Shaheen blasted Brown and the party for the language used in the platform, calling it “disturbing.”

“The message from Scott Brown and his Republican Party is disturbing, alarming and clear: they believe they should make the decisions about birth control and health care for women in New Hampshire and around the country,” she wrote in a statement. “They are dangerously wrong, and by signing on with Tea Party extremists, they’re showing just how irresponsibly out of touch they are with the needs and rights of women.”
But Brown and spokespersons for Brown’s office quickly distanced themselves from the party’s beliefs on the right to life.

“I’m a pro-choice, independent Republican,” Brown stated Monday before an audience at the Rudman Center at the UNH School of Law. “So I don’t agree with that particular part of the platform, however I have always felt that we are a big tent party, we have the opportunity to agree or disagree.”

“Scott Brown is pro-choice and will protect a woman’s right to choose,” Brown spokeswoman Elizabeth Guyton later reiterated to reporters.
Keith Mason of Personhood USA expressed his disappointment in Brown on Thursday, classifying Brown’s stance as “extreme opposition” to the state party platform.

“Can you imagine a Democratic Senate candidate doubling down on his unqualified hostility for the Democratic Party platform on such an important issue?” he asked. “There’s no way the Democratic party bosses would allow it to happen. This is a clarion call for the Republican Party to stand up to poseurs in its own party who undermine principles of human rights and dignity.”

“Scott Brown has staked out an extreme position on abortion that contradicts the conservative values of his electorate,” Mason continued. “I commend the New Hampshire Republican Party for following in the steps of President Reagan by taking this principled stand on the most important human rights issue facing our nation.”

While Brown advocates for adoption on his campaign website, he also outlines that “[a]bortion is a very difficult and emotional issue” and that “he believes that these personal decisions are best made between a woman and her doctor.”

Brown has also raised concerns for posing nude during a Cosmopolitan photo shoot in 1982, and was named the magazine’s “sexiest man.”

Lack of Discipline Against Homosexuality Prompts Mennonite USA Church to Leave Denomination

Lake, Ohio – A Mennonite congregation in Ohio has voted to leave the Mennonite Church USA in part due to concerns over what it believes is a lack of discipline against those who engage in homosexual behavior.

“We felt that Mennonite Church USA and [our church] were going in different directions concerning scriptural authority and holiness,” Ross Miller, pastor of Hartville Mennonite Church in Lake, told the Mennonite World Review this week.

He said that concerns about various aspects grew over a number of years, but when the Mountain States Conference, a division of the Mennonite Church USA, approved the ministerial license of a Colorado woman who identifies as a lesbian, it expedited matters and resulted in a recent vote to part ways.

“We felt there needed to be church discipline, and there hasn’t been,” he said, referencing disappointment that the Ohio Conference failed to pass a resolution urging the denomination headquarters to address the Mountain States’ actions, as well as a statement from an executive board member that he felt was less than satisfactory.
As previously reported, Theda Good, who is in a relationship with another woman, was licensed in February to serve as Pastor of Nurture and Fellowship at First Mennonite Church of Denver. She began serving with the congregation in 2012, and has a master’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. Leaders from First Mennonite Church submitted a letter requesting her licensure last year, and the Mountain States Conference spent several months reviewing the matter.

“Much of the work centered around the consideration of a person whose gifts and call to ministry are clearly affirmed, yet is in a committed same-sex relationship, which varies from denominational statements,” the Conference outlined in a press release.

On November 24th, the Ministerial Council met for the second time with Good and agreed to accept her request for licensure. The matter then moved to the Leadership Board on December 1st, who agreed unanimously to license Good.
The Mountain States Conference has acknowledged that the decision to ordain Good is controversial.

“It is the desire of the Leadership Board to function and communicate with a spirit of deep humility, joyfully acknowledging the work of God in our midst, and with a sense of sadness recognizing the pain that this causes some of the sisters and brothers that we love in Mennonite Church USA,” it wrote.

Miller said that it was difficult to leave the denomination, but was concerned after the incident that he “didn’t really see anything from leadership that was reversing current trends.”

“We felt very strongly that that’s where God was calling us, but it was a very painful decision,” he told Mennonite World Review.

Miller’s congregation passed a resolution on September 7th to cut ties with Mennonite Church USA with 95 percent approval. It was reportedly one of the largest congregations in the Ohio Conference.

Recent Islamic Convert Beheads Former Co-Worker After Being Fired From Job

MOORE, Okla. – An Oklahoma man who recently converted to Islam beheaded his former co-worker and stabbed another Thursday night before being shot by a company executive.

According to a spokesman for the Moore, Oklahoma Police Department, Alton Nolen, 30, “recently started trying to convert some of his co-workers to the Muslim religion” when he was fired from his job at Vaughan Foods. It is unknown if he was fired over his attempts to proselytize co-workers.

On Thursday night, Nolen drove to his former place of employment and entered the front office, where he encountered Colleen Huffort, 54, and began attacking her with a knife.

“He did kill Colleen and did sever her head,” police spokesperson Jeremy Lewis stated in a press release issued on Friday.
“Yes, she was beheaded,” he repeated to the Associated Press.

Nolen then began attacking co-worker Traci Johnson, 43, who caught the attention of others in the building with her screaming. One of those who heard Johnson’s cries for help was Chief Operating Officer Mark Vaughn, who also serves as an Oklahoma County reserve deputy. Being armed at the time, he shot Nolen, saving Johnson’s life.

“This was not going to stop if he didn’t stop it,” Lewis remarked. “It could have gotten a lot worse.”
Others in the building locked themselves in their offices and called 911. Police arrived on the scene minutes later.

Nolen and Johnson were both hospitalized, and are listed in stable condition. Police are waiting for Nolen to becoming conscious so that they can officially place him under arrest. Due to the nature of the crime, the incident may be considered more than workplace violence.

“Due to the manner of death and the initial statements of co-workers and other initial information, the Moore Police Department requested the assistance of the FBI in conducting a background investigation,” Lewis outlined.

Reports state that Nolen has a criminal past as he was convicted in 2011 on drug charges and for assaulting a police officer. He spent two years behind bars for his crimes before being released on probation. His Facebook page is also stated to contain “provocative” content that is Islamic in nature and critical of the United States, and he has a number of tattoos on his body, including one featuring the Arabic greeting “as-salaamu ataikum,” meaning “peace be upon you.”

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the events,” said Vaughan Foods in a statement issued following the attack. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the team member we lost and all those affected.”

“[W]e have reaffirmed that the United States is not and never will be at war with Islam. Islam teaches peace,” Barack Obama told the United Nations on Wednesday. “Muslims the world over aspire to live with dignity and a sense of justice.”

A number of false Christs have been arising in various nations worldwide, claiming to be the second coming of Jesus. While many are following these self-proclaimed Messiahs, some are speaking out against their cults, being mindful of Christ’s words in Matthew 24:5, “For many shall come in My name, saying, ‘I am Christ,’ and shall deceive many.”

Australia: Also known as A.J., Alan John Miller lives in Queensland, Australia with his partner Mary Luck. Miller claims that he remembers details from his “former life” as Jesus, and Luck says that she is the reincarnation of Mary Magdalene. Both state that they were married in their previous life and had a daughter together.

“I have very clear memories of the crucifixion, but it wasn’t as harrowing for me as it was for others like Mary who was present,” Miller told Sky News last year.

The two run the organization Divine Truth, and have appeared on local and international television programs to speak of Miller’s claims of being the Messiah. Crowds of generally 100 people or more gather to hear him speak at his seminars, and some followers from across the country have given up their possessions and families to be nearer to Miller.

Siberia: Also known as Vissarion, Sergey Anatolyevitch Torop began proclaiming himself as Jesus reincarnated after he was fired as a traffic officer in Russia in 1990. He went on to found the Church of the Last Testament, which combines various religions together, including Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity.

At the last report, Torop has over 5,000 followers, some of which gather to listen to the self-proclaimed Messiah speak. His words are often collected in a book, which spans 10 volumes.

Torop, also known as “Jesus of Siberia,” has long hair and wears long, flowing gowns. He speaks from the side of a hill covered by an umbrella. Approximately 2,000 of his followers live in a settlement in Siberia dedicated to his worship.

Torop, 53, has six children from two marriages. He divorced his first wife for a nineteen year old girl, who has reportedly lived with him since she was seven years of age.

“I am not God. And it is a mistake to see Jesus as God,” he told reporters in 2002. “But I am the living word of God the Father. Everything that God wants to say, He says through me.”

Brazil: Also known as Inri Cristo, Alvarro Theiss has been claiming since 1979 to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. He runs Suprema Ordem Universal da Santmssima Trindade in Brazil, where he also maintains a compound that houses his followers, who are mostly women.

Theiss, 66, dresses in a white robe and wears a cloth “crown of thorns.” His followers often wear a blue uniform with a rope tied around their waist. Theiss and those who live with him at his compound are vegans and grow their own fruits and vegetables on the property.

The United States, Britain and Venezuela have banned Theiss because of his claims and views, and the throne-sitting cult leader been arrested over 40 times. Theiss is an abortion supporter, and also speaks against capitalism.

“Life as it is known—union of the matter with the spirit—only happens when the newly-born breathes the air for the first time,” he once told reporters.

Theiss has his own 24-hour television internet channel, which airs messages from the self-proclaimed Messiah around the clock.

“My mission is to prepare the elect, the survivors of the inevitable nuclear hecatomb that will culminate in the end of this chaotic world, for the formation of the new earthly society, which will strive to fulfil the Creator’s will,” he said.

Warnings:

Some are speaking out against men such who claim to be the Messiah, stating that it is dangerous to fall into the hands of cults such as these.

“Jesus warned that in the last days counterfeit christs would arise who would masquerade as the Messiah and claim to be the savior of the world,” writes the website Bible.info. “Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus preached His great prophetic discourse regarding profound events that would occur at the end of the age just prior to His Second Coming. Among those events, He said, would be false prophets and false christs.”

He warned, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it,’” the site outlines.

“Tragically, those who are deceived in the last days by these false christs will sincerely regard themselves to be genuine believers, actively doing the work of Christ,” it continues. “They will even prophesy in the name of Jesus, cast out demons in the name of Jesus, and work miracles in His name. But they are serving a false Christ—not the real Jesus.”

Air Force to Allow Atheist to Omit ‘So Help Me God’ from Oath

INDIAN SPRINGS, N.V. – The United States Air Force has decided to allow an atheist airman to omit the phrase ‘So help me God’ from the reenlistment oath after a prominent humanist organization threatened to file a lawsuit about the matter.

As previously reported, according to the American Humanist Association (AHA), the unidentified serviceman stationed at Creech Air Force Base recently crossed out the phrase on the Armed Forces reenlistment form, DD 4.

“I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the president of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God,” it reads.

The airman was advised that officials could not accept the document with the statement crossed out, and was told to sign the oath without any adjustment. He refused.

The American Humanist Association then sent a letter to officials at Creech Air Force Base demanding that the airman be permitted to reenlist without including “so help me God” in the oath. It asserted that the requirement violated the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution, which reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

AHA also threatened that the “commanding officers may be sued in federal court for injunctive and declaratory relief,” and may be “personally liable for damages along with attorney’s fees.”

While Air Force officials originally stated that the airman had until November to comply, that is, the date when his contract expired, statements have now been released advising that the military will accommodate the serviceman.

“We take any instance in which airmen report concerns regarding religious freedom seriously,” Secretary Deborah Lee James wrote this week. “We are making the appropriate adjustments to ensure our airmen’s rights are protected.”

AHA said that it is satisfied with the outcome in the matter.

“We are pleased that the US Department of Defense has confirmed our client has a First Amendment right to omit the reference to a supreme being in his reenlistment oath,” remarked attorney Monica Miller. “We hope the Air Force will respect the constitutional rights of atheists in the future.”

In George Washington’s 1796 farewell address, the general and commander-in-chief of the United States military stated, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness–these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.”

“The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them,” he continued. “A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of

Best Ways to Relieve Stress Naturally

The following remedies for stress and anxiety will help benefit your mind and body. Experiment to find what works best for you.
Physically active people feel less anxious and depressed. Why? One theory holds that aerobic exercise can increase your levels of norepinephrine, a chemical that helps the brain deal with stress more efficiently.

Exercise

Ideally, we should spend 30 minutes exercising five times a week, says Alice Domar, Ph.D., founder of the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health in Waltham. Massachusetts, but every bit of activity helps.

Acupressure

Two points on the back of your neck known as the “gates of the mind” can ease stress and clear your mind, says Michael Reed Gach, M.D., founder of the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, California. As an added bonus, he adds, pressing these points can stop headaches from developing.

Tilt your head back and place your thumbs at the top of your neck, just below the base of your skull, about 3 inches apart. Press these spots firmly but gently. “You don’t want to press on the skull, but just underneath it,” Gach says. “If your thumbs are weak or arthritic, use your knuckles instead.” As you press, take three to five slow, deep breaths. Finish by letting your hands float into your lap and your chin drop to your chest. Take an additional deep breath, and briefly scan your body to see how you feel.

Music

A number of studies show that listening to music, especially classical or baroque, may help you unwind and improve your mood.
Though less melodic, therapeutic CDs of “binaural beats” also show promise as a means of calming the mind and body, according to several studies. These recordings work by projecting two tones of similar frequencies into each ear. This creates a “beat” at a certain frequency in the mind, say proponents, and your brain falls in sync with it; different frequencies call forth different moods.
Web sites such as hemi-sync.com or appliedmusic.com offer relaxation-inducing binaural-beat recordings.

Herbal Remedies

By strengthening your body’s ability to handle stress, a class of herbs called adaptogens keeps everyday pressure from wreaking havoc on your immune system. Dubbed the “king adaptogen,” eleuthero (also known as Siberian ginseng) has been shown to normalize blood pressure and blood-sugar levels and stop stress from draining your adrenal gland’s supply of vitamin C. Herbs such as Asian ginseng, American ginseng, rhodiola, ashwagandha, and schizandra also act as key adaptogens.

Look for adaptogen combo formulas such as bacopa and holy basil, or make your own blend of stamina tea using dried herbs. (Talk to your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.)

Biofeedback

Biofeedback may sound too technical to be a natural remedy, but in fact, it’s really just using your own thought processes to gain better control over involuntary bodily functions such as heart beat, breathing rate, and brain function. This technique can be helpful for stress-related problems such as insomnia and high blood pressure.

Sometimes biofeedback patients are hooked up to machines and digital displays that allow them to physically see the effects of stress on the body, represented by peaks and valleys on a graph. The goal is to change the way your body responds to stress — and therefore change the results you see on the screen — by using relaxation and breathing practices.

Relaxation Tools

Walk into any gadget store or self-help section of the library and you’ll be bombarded by products claiming to help reduce your stress in no time flat: From simple stress balls and meditation CDs to iPhone apps and new-age massage tools, there’s quite a selection out there — but do they work?

Senior editor Terri Trespicio appeared on “The Martha Stewart Show” to discuss her five favorite stress busters. These products are not only effective — they can actually be fun!

Chakra Balancing

In this relaxing ritual, you’ll gather stones to stimulate the body’s seven main energy centers, or chakras, in the Ayurvedic tradition. While many massage therapists use large stones to massage out tension in muscles, simply placing stones at strategic points on the body can encourage relaxation.

Unplug at Start and End of Day

If checking your email has become as vital to your wake-up and bedtime routines as brushing your teeth, it’s time to unplug. “Starting and ending the day in stillness is essential to stress reduction, so it’s absolutely critical not to jump into email during either of those times,” says Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of “Your Soul’s Compass.”

In the morning and at night, turn off your computer (and TV) and pick up a book — or simply delight in the rare pleasure of doing nothing. A little nature therapy can also ease the stress of too much computer time. A stroll through a park or on a trail counteracts overstimulation and can also boost your mood and energy.

Doing Something Fun

A 2004 study published in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship found that creating artwork and crafts helped to relax a group of adults who were serving as caregivers for family members with cancer. “It’s incredibly stress-reducing to work on a project that takes your focus away from your own thoughts and worries,” says Borysenko.
Art-making not your thing? “Some people’s creative expression is their bowling league,” says Borysenko. “What’s important is the combination of doing something you love and engaging in that other-centeredness.”

A DIY Massage

A DIY facial massage is a great way to loosen the muscles that are habitually scrunched up by stress — think frowning, squinting, and furrowing of brows. Essential oils can calm, center, and energize you by reducing the effects of stress and mental fatigue.

When selecting aromatherapy products, look for pure essential oils derived from plants, not fragrances, which may be chemically produced.

Stop Your Thoughts

A technique known as “thought-stopping” can help you halt negative, obsessive thoughts, says Dr. Kenneth Ruggiero, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

The first step is to literally call a halt to this train of thought. If you’re alone, say the word “Stop!” out loud. If you’re around others, think it to yourself. Some people even find it useful to pinch themselves to disrupt those stressful thoughts, says Ruggiero.

Next, choose a positive thought on which you’ll focus instead, such as “I’ve given presentations before, and they went well” or “I know this material better than anyone in the audience.” In doing so, says Ruggiero, you swap a negative, stress-inducing thought for a positive one.

Stand Still

If you’ve ever watched tai chi being practiced in a public park or in a class, then you know its defining characteristics: grace, groundedness, and balance. What you don’t see is effort, exertion, profuse sweating, or any other outward signs of rigorous exercise. That’s because the philosophy behind this age-old practice is not “harder, faster, stronger,” but slower, flowing, and balanced.

Tai chi’s series of “forms,” practiced in slow motion, promotes the healthy flow of qi, or vital energy, throughout the body to improve balance, enhance coordination and focus, and build strength while reducing stress.

Weekend Pampering

After a busy week, treat yourself with a few days of bath and body treatments that will leave you invigorated and refreshed. If you have the time and resources, consider a spa vacation at one of these mind-and-body retreats.
No need to stress about spending lots of money on a luxury spa, however: With the right ingredients, you can pamper yourself right in the comfort of your own home.

The Only 4 Exercises You Really Need

The strength moves you can do anytime, anywhere, at any fitness level.

I do my best to exercise 5 to 6 times a week, but there are days when I simply cannot pull myself out of bed in time to sweat before work, or when I’m traveling and my normal routine is completely thrown off track. Instead of completely scrapping my routine, I’ll try and squeeze in a few bodyweight exercises—namely squats, planks, chair dips and pushups—throughout the day. These four moves give you a full-body toning and strength session in just a few minutes. I find that they also boost my energy and mood on days when I’m feeling tired, stressed or overwhelmed, too.

Many other fitness experts agree: “I like these moves because they use bodyweight for resistance,” says Alice Burron, 45, a mother of four and a personal trainer in Cheyenne, Wyoming. “That means they’re simple but still challenging, convenient, and inexpensive—and they work.” To sneak in one set of all of these exercises would only take you about 5 minutes. To build muscle and burn calories, try to do  three 5-minute mini workouts with these moves in one day. All in all, you’re only working out for 15 minutes.

Personal trainer and co-author of Thin in 10 Weight-Loss Plan Liz Neporent agrees: “When you do these four moves you’re hitting all of your major muscle groups effectively. And they’re efficient because you don’t waste time isolating one muscle group at a time, as some exercises tend to do, and instead work several major muscle groups in tandem. These integrated muscle movements use the body exactly as intended— the way you typically use them in daily activities and when you do sports and fitness activities. This helps you perform better and prevent injuries.”

 Want to give it a try? Follow this workout from Burron and Neporent. Start with 1 set of 8 to 15 reps of each move (unless otherwise noted), and gradually build to 2 or 3 sets.

Must-Do Move #1: Chair Dips

Great for toning your triceps and core
Sit on the edge of a sturdy, stable chair with legs together, knees bent and feet flat on floor a few feet in front of chair. Place your hands about six inches apart, and firmly grip the edges of the chair. Slide your butt just off the front of the chair so that your upper body is pointing straight down. Keep your abdominals pulled in and your head centered between your shoulders. Bend your elbows and lower your body in a straight line. When your upper arms are parallel to the floor, push yourself back up, being careful not to lock elbows. Repeat.

Make it easier: Keep feet close to the chair and the dip slow, controlled, and shallow.

Add a challenge: If you’re intermediate, position feet a little farther from chair, and deepen your dip. If you’re advanced, straighten your legs completely, and place heels on floor, or place one or both feet on another chair, bench or exercise ball. Perform deep but controlled dips.

Must-Do Move #2: Push-ups

Great for toning your chest, shoulders, triceps, back, hips, and abs
Start in a basic push-up position with hands directly beneath shoulders and body in a straight line. Bend elbows out to sides and lower body almost to floor (or as far as you can). Keep abs tight and body in a line. Hold for 1 second, then push back up. Repeat.

Make it easier: If you’re a beginner, do push-ups on knees. Keep the movement shallow and controlled. Still too challenging? Start with a push-up on the wall, progressing to the floor as you become stronger.
Add a challenge: If you’re advanced, try lifting one leg off the floor as you do each push-up.

Must-Do Move #3: Squats

Great for toning your glutes, hamstrings and quads
Stand with feet parallel and hip-width apart. Bend your knees and lower your body into a squat position, as if you are sitting back into an imaginary chair, keeping knees behind toes. Stop when your knees are at 90 degrees. Slowly press through your heels and squeeze your glutes as you return to standing.

Make it easier: Don’t bend knees as deeply

Add a challenge: Add weights, do a single-legged squat, or perform squats on an unstable surface, like a balance disc or Bosu ball. To incorporate cardio, do squat jumps.

Must-Do Move #4: Plank

Great for toning your abs, back, chest, forearms and shoulders
To come into plank pose, hold a push-up position, weight on balls of feet and hands, wrists directly below shoulders, arms straight, and body in line from head to heels. Hold for as long as you can, working up to 1 minute. That’s 1 rep. Do 2 or 3 reps.

Make it easier: Instead of being on hands, lower yourself to your forearms.

Add a challenge: Raise 1 leg off the floor and hold for 30 seconds. Switch legs and hold for another 30 seconds to complete 1 rep. To add variety, try side plank: Lie on your right side with your legs straight, and feet stacked, right hand directly under right shoulder. Lift hips off floor and raise left arm to sky, keeping left hand directly over left shoulder. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds. Switch sides and repeat to complete 1 rep.

Natural Cure for Sinus Infection or Sinusitis

True misery is the pain and swelling caused by sinus inflammation. The bones around the nose, the eyes and the cheeks are lined with membranes that produce mucus, which function to warm and moisten inhaled air, plus to filter out any germs. When congested and unable to drain properly, the mucus continues to accumulate, stagnate and become infected.

There are a number of causes for chronic sinus infections:

• Excessive dairy consumption (cheese, milk, ice cream, yogurt)
• Environmental allergies
• Tobacco and pollution irritation
• Food allergies
• Dental infection
• Fungal infection in the sinus cavity
• Systemic Candida albicans (overgrowth of yeast)
• Colds and flu symptoms

Typical allopathic treatments for sinus inflammation can include prescription antibiotics, steroids, anti-inflammatories, and in some cases, surgery. In fact it is common for people to be taking five different medications to treat their sinus infection. Even with the medications, relief is minimal until milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt are first eliminated from the diet. This will help cut back on the production of mucus and allow the sinuses to clear. There are also herbal and homeopathic remedies, nasal sprays and aromatherapy oils that can help reduce the swelling and speed recovery.

1. Diet:

During infection eat in moderation, with an emphasis on whole grains, beans, lentils, lightly cooked vegetables, soups, and cold-pressed oils. Avoid mucus-forming foods such as, flour products, eggs, chocolate, fried and processed foods, sugar and dairy products. Drink plenty of pure quality water.

2. Herbs:

Include cayenne pepper, garlic, onion, and horseradish in your soups and meals, to help dissolve and eliminate excess mucus. According to the self-care guide, Prescription for Natural Cures, a powerful drainage remedy is to eat a small spoonful of crushed horseradish mixed with lemon juice, but make sure to be near a sink when your nose starts running. Japanese horseradish in the form of Wasabi paste taken with meals can also provide a quick release to the nasal passages. Just remember, “a little dab will do ya.”

3. Neti pot:

Dissolve a teaspoon of sea salt in 2 cups of warm water. Standing over a sink fill the neti pot with one cup of water and place the tip of the spout into one nostril. Tilt your head to the side and allow the water to run out through the opposite nostril. Careful not to tilt your head back and up or the water will reroute down your throat. Refill the neti pot and repeat with the other nostril.

4. Apple cider vinegar:

At the first sign of infection combine 1-2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in 6 ounces of water, a teaspoon of raw honey or stevia to sweeten and drink 3 times a day for 5 days. The apple cider vinegar helps to thin congested mucus, so it can be easily eliminated.

5. Grapefruit seed extract (GSE):

This citrus extract is a powerful natural antibiotic and is used to inhibit microbes, parasites, bacteria, viruses and 30 types of fungi including Candida yeast. For sinus infections you can purchase GSE as a nasal spray and use it as an adjunct to your treatment protocol.

Approximately, 37 million Americans suffer from chronic sinusitis, many of which can be alleviated with a change of diet and a few natural remedies used as a daily protocol. I have mentioned five treatments that have proven effective in clearing sinus inflammation, but I am aware that there are others. If you have found natural ways to cure or control sinus infections for yourself or family please feel free to share them with Care2 readers in the Comments section below. And, as always, many thanks for your contribution.

Best Baking Soda Home Cures

All you need to keep yourself—and your food—cleaner than ever? A little box of baking soda and our tips for putting this all-purpose powder to work.

 

For clean produce…
I use a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub fresh fruit and vegetables.

For glossy hair…
Mix with shampoo to get rid of product buildup.

For itch relief…
Make a paste with water and apply directly to mosquito bites to relieve swelling and itching.

For smooth skin…
I keep a jar of it in the shower to exfoliate every morning.
Dermatologist’s tip: When using this natural body scrub, make sure to choose the crystal form of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Mix with coarse salt or sugar for extra polishing power.

Cabbage Chemical Could Treat Ovarian Cancer

Lazy Way To Lose Weight Juice

This is a lazy way to lose weight. It burns hundreds of calories even if you are just sitting down on your computer. It also increases your metabolism which helps in weight loss

For Recipe. You Need:
2 tsp Honey
1 tsp Cinnamon
1cup/ 8oz/ 237 ml Water

Directions:
1) Use 1 part of cinnamon to 2 parts of raw honey. 1 tsp cinnamon to 2 tsp honey is recommended.
2) Boil 1 cup/8oz/237 ml of water.
3) Pour the boiling water on cinnamon. Cover it and let it steep until it is warm enough to drink.
4) Add honey when the water is cool/warm. Never add honey when it is hot as the heat will destroy the enzymes and other nutrients in the raw honey.
5) Drink 1/2 of this before going to bed. The other half should be covered and refrigerated and drink it in the morning. Do not re-heat it in the morning.

Do not add any flavors in this mixture. And this recipe only works if you drink it on empty stomach.

‘Terrify the Enemy of Allah': British Imam Cites Koran Tells Muslims to Terrorize

During a recent interview on the Russia Today program Worlds Apart, London-based imam Anjem Choudary cited the Koran in acknowledging that terrorism is part of the Islamic faith.

Choudary was asked by host Oksana Boyko in regard to the beheading to two American journalists whether Islamists can “hold an individual responsible, for the actions of a collective.”

“You said just recently on CNN that the decapitation of journalist James Foley was, in fact, an attempt by the Islamic State to terrorize their enemy, which in this case is the United States,” she stated. “I wonder whether something like that could be justified under the Sharia law. Can you really hold an individual responsible for the actions of a collective? Is that legal in Islam?”

“Well, as you know, as a lecturer in Sharia law, I would say to the people in Russia, the Muslims and the non-Muslims, that every action for a Muslim must be based upon the Qur’an, the word of Allah, and the teachings of the messenger Mohammed … who is the final messenger for mankind,” he replied.

Choudary then pointed to text from the Koran to note that terrorism is a part of the Islamic religion.

“I would first invite the people to think about and embrace Islam, but those who are already Muslim must know that Allah mentions in the Koran—in fact if you look in chapter 8 verse 60, he said, ‘Prepare as much as you can steeds of war to terrorize the enemy,'” he explained. “So terrorizing the enemy is in fact part of Islam. I mean, this is something that we must embrace and understand as far as jurisprudence of Islam is concerned.”

Choudary, also an attorney who lectures on Sharia law, additionally noted that Muslims do not differentiate between civilians and military troops in their attacks because it is the people who elect their leaders.

Those very civilians are those who put the people in charge, and those people in charge like Obama and others are sending their troops to Muslim countries,” he said, “let alone people like journalists who are considered to be the right hand of the propaganda machine of the Obama administration.”

Choudary is the former leader of the Islamic group Al-Muhajiroun, which was banned in the United Kingdom. Two of his former members are believed to have been involved in the beheading of a British solider last year, which shocked many as it occurred in broad daylight on a public street in London. Choudary is also a supporter of the September 11th attacks on America, as he has reportedly characterized those behind the attacks as “magnificent martyrs.”

The British imam has appeared on a number of television talk shows in America and abroad, including CNN’s Reliable Sources with Brian Stelter.

“Quite frankly, I think it’s completely pathetic and absurd for you to ask a Muslim to condemn a killing of one individual when hundreds of thousands of Muslims are being slaughtered, of which you don’t know that name,” he said.

During an interview with Fox’s Sean Hannity last month, Choudary also admitted the that goal of Islam is to eventually establish a global Islamic state.

“You don’t have a choice,” he said. “It’s coming to you in America.”

Your Best Source Of Weed Killer. 12 Years' Development & Experience.

Do you have a lot of unwanted weeds in your garden? You can try to pull them out, but some of the roots are very deep and it’s a struggle to pull them out completely. When we buy and apply commercial weed killers, called also herbicides, the chemicals react with plants, killing some or all of them, depending on the chemical formula. These weed killers contain harmful chemicals and substances that can cause damage not only to plants, but also to humans and wildlife. Some weed killers if applied near water sources can cause water pollution. When applied in large quantities, the chemicals can even cause poisoning whose symptoms are headaches, nausea, rashes, dizziness and much more.

Due to all these risks, many people choose to use homemade natural weed killers as an alternative, and you can use common household products that are effective and cheap too. It might take a bit longer to kill the weed, but this is a safe option to your family, pets and the environment.

1. Boiling Water – this is the easiest solution but is also very effective. Just pour boiling water on the weeds to destroy them. For more established weeds you will probably need to repeat it several times over several days.

2. Vinegar – You can use apple cider vinegar (ACV) or white vinegar for this purpose. The high acidity of the vinegar helps to kill weeds. You can dilute the vinegar by adding water or use the concentrated form, depending on the results you have. Start with a 50% diluted mix (1 part of vinegar to 1 part of water) and then increase or decrease the concentration according to the results you have. If the weed is more established, you will probably need to spray it several times to kill it. Some suggest adding a little bit of dish soap (or you can use natural Castile soap) to the mixture to help the solution to better adhere to the weeds. You can find in my previous article more wonderful household uses for vinegar.

3. Salt – using salt will make the soil unsuitable for future plant growth so this method is more suitable for areas where you don’t want to grow anything for the long term, for example in pavement areas or gravel paths. You can fill your spray bottle with warm or hot water and add to it about ½ cup of salt. Mix well and spray. Another method is to use dry salt: sprinkle the weeds with a good amount of salt, and then hose them.

4. Bleach – The stronger the bleach, the faster it will kill the weed. During the hottest part of the day, spray undiluted bleach directly over the weeds and let it work. Large quantities of bleach residue can harm the soil and prevent not only weeds but other plants from growing.

5. Baking soda – Apply a good amount of baking soda over the tops of weeds growing in driveways and sidewalks and hose them. You may need to reapply this treatment several times. It is best to apply baking soda when the weeds are actively growing, often in spring or fall. It also works during the summer, but more slowly. Baking soda is also a home remedy, and you can find more information in my article 6 uses for baking soda as a kitchen medicine.

6. Rubbing Alcohol – You can buy rubbing alcohol in many pharmacies. It sucks the moisture from the leaves thus killing them. Fill your spray bottle with water and several tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and spray the weeds.

7. Corn Gluten Meal – this natural herbicide, which is available at most garden centers, was developed by the agronomist and horticulturist Dr. Nick Christians from Iowa State University… This substance is described as a pre-emergent lawn herbicide. Which means that it kills the weeds before they grow to adult size. The weed seeds actually germinate, but the corn gluten meal prevents the growth of the roots and they quickly die of dehydration. The problem is that a research shows that to achieve a good result there is a need for applying at least 20 pounds of corn gluten meal per 1,000 square feet at exactly the right time in the spring just before the weed seeds germinate. Also it was found that this substance doesn’t inhibit weeds that already have root systems, and actually it even enhances their growth due to the nitrogen content of the product.

8. Newspaper – Covering the ground with several layers of newspaper is suitable for low growing weeds. It is biodegradable and prevents the sunlight from reaching to the weeds, thus eventually killing them. Also new weeds will not be able to grow due to the lack of sunlight. You can cover the newspaper with mulch to prevent weeds from coming up in the first place.

9. Ground Covers Plants – Ground cover plants are useful in the garden for covering bare patches of soil. They are good for low maintenance garden and will not only brighten up the area but will also suppress weeds. These ground cover plants compete with the weeds for nutrients, sunlight and water so if you maintain a healthy and thick ground covers, it will help you to suppress weed growth.

10. If you can’t beat them, eat them – many weeds are edible such as dandelion leaves or stinging nettle (boil them first to remove the stinging). You can add dandelion leaves to salads or cook them or use them for herbal infusion to cleanse your body. If you have any doubt whether the weed is edible or not, don’t take any chance and don’t eat it, as some can be poisonous when ingested.

VirtaCoin Headline News

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August 22, 2014

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Driscoll to Step Down From Megachurch Over Allegations of Spiritual Abuse

Controversial Seattle megachurch founder Mark Driscoll will step down for at least six weeks while leaders review formal charges lodged by a group of pastors that he abused his power.

The 43-year-old pastor has been under fire in recent months for plagiarism, inappropriate use of church funds and improper behavior toward subordinates.

Returning from vacation Sunday (Aug. 24), Driscoll addressed Mars Hill worship services through a pre-recorded message.

“I want to say to my Mars Hill family, past and present, I’m very sorry. I genuinely mean it,” Driscoll said in his address. “I’m very sorry for the times I’ve been angry, short or insensitive. I’m very sorry for anything I’ve done to distract from our mission by inviting criticism, controversy or negative media attention.”

Driscoll said he will not do any outside speaking for the foreseeable future and postpone the publication of his next book.

“I have begun meeting with a professional team of mature Christians who provide wise counsel to help further my personal development and maturity before God and men,” Driscoll told the congregation.

Mark DeMoss, an Atlanta public relations consultant and former supporter and adviser to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, has been brought in to help paint Driscoll in a positive light.

DeMoss, who represented the late Jerry Falwell Sr. and now Franklin Graham, stated that it is because of faults like Driscoll’s that he remains in business.

“I think he’s a gifted, biblical communicator who has done effective church work in an unchurched part of the country,” DeMoss said. “I like him, I believe in him, and if I only worked with ministry leaders who were faultless, I would be out of business tonight.”

Warren Throckmorton, a Grove City College psychology professor who has been blogging details of the events surrounding the church’s turmoil, first posted an audio clip of Driscoll’s 13-minute message. Throckmorton said he is aware of other elders planning to resign or considering it.

“Storm clouds seem to be swirling around me more than ever in recent month, and I have given much thought and sought much counsel as to why that is and what to do about it,” Driscoll said. “Some have challenged various aspects of my personality and leadership style, and while some of these challenges seem unfair, I have no problem admitting I am deserving of some of these criticisms based my own past actions that I am genuinely sorry for.”

Though he has long been controversial but popular for his unapologetic chauvinism, Driscoll faced increasing turmoil this past year within evangelical circles. A front-page story in The New York Times Saturday (Aug. 23),  suggested that Driscoll’s empire was “imploding.”

“He was really important — in the Internet age, Mark Driscoll definitely built up the evangelical movement enormously,” Timothy Keller, the senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, told the Times. “But the brashness and the arrogance and the rudeness in personal relationships — which he himself has confessed repeatedly — was obvious to many from the earliest days, and he has definitely now disillusioned quite a lot of people.”

Mars Hill Church has claimed as many as 14,000 members at 15 locations across five states each Sunday.

Earlier this week, 21 former Mars Hill pastors filed charges against Driscoll, saying that he has engaged in a pattern of abusive and intimidating conduct and has not changed.

“God is not honored by conflict, strife, disunity, arguing, slander, gossip, or anything else that is inconsistent with the fruit of the spirit, and I am deeply sorry, genuinely sorry, for the times I have not lived peaceably with all men,” Driscoll said.

Mars Hill also canceled its fall Resurgence Conference, which was to feature recently resigned board members Paul Tripp and James MacDonald as speakers. Driscoll was removed as closing speaker at an October church conference in Dallas and stricken from the speaker list at a series of four Christian “Act Like Men” conferences.

DeMoss, who also helped MacDonald during a theological controversy a few years ago, declined to comment on the criticism Driscoll has faced from other fellow evangelical pastors.

Earlier this month, Driscoll was removed from Acts 29, a church-planting network of more than 500 churches he helped found, after board members said they found a pattern of “ungodly and disqualifying behavior.”

“Based on the totality of the circumstances, we are now asking you to please step down from ministry for an extended time and seek help,” board members told Driscoll.

Driscoll recently admitted to and apologized for comments he made under the pseudonym “William Wallace II” where he posted statements critical of feminism, homosexuality and “sensitive emasculated” men. He noted those comments again in his address on Sunday.

“I have acknowledged and confessed many of my sins and shortcomings and missteps and God has been more than faithful with his forgiveness,” he said.

He has been provocative, occasionally profane, and has faced more recent allegations of plagiarism and inflating his book sales. “Mistakes were made that I am grieved by and apologize for,” he said late last year of plagiarism charges. He also apologized in March, saying “my angry-young-prophet days are over.”

After Acts 29 removed Driscoll from its membership, LifeWay Christian Resources, the nation’s second largest Christian book retailer, pulled Driscoll’s books from its website and 186 stores.

Driscoll, who came into evangelical prominence as multi-site churches and podcasts were becoming more popular, noted one of the paradoxes of being a pastor in a media age.

“The same media channels that can be used to carry a sermon to virtually anyone around the world, can be used by anyone around the globe to criticize, attack or slander,” Driscoll said. “However, another part of it is simply my fault and I will own it, confess it and move on from it as God continues to redeem me.”