"Scientists Warn Of Ecological Armageddon"

What do dung beetles, wasps, flies and lots of other creepy-crawly things have in common with the honey bee?

They're vanishing. And while the loss of a few bazillion flies might seem like a good thing, a new study suggests these disappearances are merely a symptom of a much bigger problem.

According to the study published in the journal Biological Conservation, more than 40% of the world's insect species could go extinct in the coming decades.

"The repercussions this will have for the planet's ecosystems are catastrophic to say the least, as insects are the structural and functional base of many of the world's ecosystems," say researchers.

In other words, insects serve essential ecological functions that other species, including humans, depend on for crop pollination and natural food chains. Fewer insects = few birds, fish, animals, plants, crops, and humans.

Whitney Webb of MPN News reports:

"The study has sent shock waves across the scientific community, largely because most previous studies have focused on the population decline of specific and well-known species, such as the honey bee or butterflies. Because this study evaluated all flying insects--including infrequently examined species such as wasps and flies--it presents a much stronger indication of widespread population decline. As a result, the researchers have ominously warned that the study's findings suggest that the world is "on course for ecological Armageddon." The most likely reason for the insect die-off? Pesticides, according to the study.

The Bible gives a different reason:

"There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. You curse and lie and kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere, with one murder after another. That is why your land is not producing. It is filled with sadness, and all living things are becoming sick and dying. Even the animals, birds, and fish have begun to disappear" (Hosea 4:1-3).

A wise man once said: "Hosea's purpose was to denounce sin, to warn of impending judgment, and to assure the faithful that God's love would win out in the end." --Barry J. Beitzel, PhD.

How to go to heaven....

News:

• MSN: 'El Nino is officially here' NOAA announced Thursday; Forecasters: 55% chance weather pattern will continue through April.
•  CNBC: "Trump will sign spending bill, declare a national emergency and build the wall", says Senator McConnell
• CNN: Top U.S. admiral in Middle East warns of growing Iranian threat

"Crippling Drought=God's Judgment?"

The latest news regarding the deepening drought situation is anything but good.

The western United States is experiencing what meteorologists are calling "the worst drought in recorded history."

"In fact, four of the driest rainy seasons have occurred in the last seven years," said climatologist Bill Patzert. "The drought started in 1999 and worsened over time. The last three years, however, have been the worst."

For instance, "extreme" and "exceptional" drought conditions now describe 80% of California.

And remember the El Nino everybody was hoping would bring relief? Patzert says, "El Nino is wimping out. And any hopes for an El Nino weather pattern this rainy season are quickly fading."

According to Water Resource Chair, Felicia Marcus, "Not everybody understands how bad this drought is...and how bad it could be. There are communities in danger of running out of water all over the state. This is the most serious drought we've faced in modern times."

For California this means, statewide mandatory water restrictions for the first time ever including:

• $500 fines per day for water hogs
• zero water allocation for Central Valley farmers
• major losses for cattle ranchers

But misery loves company and the US is not alone...

• Australia
• Africa
• South America
• India 
• Russia
• Japan 
• the Middle East
• and parts of Europe

...are all experiencing severe drought conditions that threaten to cause food shortages in some of the poorest nations on earth and soaring food prices across the developed world. And, as always, the trifecta of heat, wind, and drought = wild fires.

Climatologists call drought a "creeping disaster" because its effects slowly creep up on us. Environmentalists call it global warming.

What does our government's legal code call it?

An "Act of God".

This legal term is on the books because past generations understood that God is in control of nature--including droughts. Don't believe it? Check out Amos 4:7-8:

"I have withheld rain from you...I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city...Yet you have not returned to me, says the LORD."

If you want to return to Him, click on the link:"How to Repent According to the Bible"

"The Spirit and the Bride say 'Come'...Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life." Revelation 22:17

A wise man once said: "Jesus is a never-ending supply of living water for a parched earth." --C.P. Hia, Our Daily Bread

PHOTOS:"5 of the World's Lakes at Risk of Drying Up Completely" 

News:

•  FNC: US State Dept.: Russian military escalates situation in Ukraine by firing on Ukraine targets; move constitutes a major escalation
• Reuters: Majority says Putin has advantage over Obama in situation in Ukraine.
• The Daily Caller: Iran Supreme Leader: The only solution for crisis is Israel's destruction; calls for armed confrontation to expand beyond Gaza.

"Does the Bible Predict Climate Change?"

If you're concerned about California's record-breaking drought, you should be.

Last month the US Drought Monitor caused a bit of a dust-up with more bad new--the state's drought conditions have not improved at all:

• An unprecedented 95% of California is suffering from at least severe drought, with...
• 23.5% of the state experiencing the worst drought category: exceptional drought and another
• 69% of the state in extreme drought

Last month, some areas of California lost half of their already low snow pack water in a single week due to high temperatures.

And to top it off? NOAA's Climate Prediction Center predicted that the drought in California--and much of the Southwest--will either persist or worsen in the next three months.

One website, Climate Progress, blames it all on us humans and our carbon footprint and predicts even worse problems "if we don't reverse carbon pollution emissions trends ASAP."

"The only bright spot," according to the website, "is that we appear to be headed towards an El Nino, which may suggest wet conditions in California later this year."

Oh...well at least there's a bright spot...

Not so fast, says Climate Progress: "Of course, an El Nino typically means dangerously extreme weather in other parts of the world--especially if it turns out to be a Super El Nino as some forecast. Thanks to our greed and myopia, our children and future generations face an ever-worsening plague of extreme weather events."

CBS News: El Nino could bring more record breaking weather to US

Is it really our greed and myopia in regards to carbon pollution or our sin and God's coming judgment that is causing our climate to change?

"First I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire. This will be their argument: 'Jesus promised to come back, did He? Then where is He? Why, as far back as anyone can remember, everything has remained exactly the same since the world was first created.'"

"They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of His command, and He brought the earth up from the water and surrounded it with water. Then He used water to destroy the world with a mighty flood. And God has also commanded that the heavens and earth will be consumed by fire on the day of judgment, when ungodly people will perish...the Lord isn't really being slow about His promise to return as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the Day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief." (2 Peter 3:3-10)

A wise man once said:

" A great deal of knowledge, which is not capable of making a man wise, has a natural tendency to make him vain and arrogant." -- Joseph Addison, English poet

News:

• Weekly Standard: Director of Phoenix VA Hospital where vets died from delays received $8500 bonus in April; bonus rescinded after outcry.
• Reuters: Russia plans to build up to eight nuclear reactors for Iran; affect on nuclear negotiations unclear.
• The Washington Times: Russia tests intercontinental ballistic missile warhead. No additional details were provided by Russia.