text:
Free*My*Apps: Discover great iOS apps. Get rewarded!
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386 posts
I predict as the MFA (most frequent answers):
- coda, candybar, transmit
- scrivener
- cookbook
- appzaper
- MS office
also called will be:
- super duper
- pzizz
I for myself would say: Let's use our new apps for now and enjoy them. It's a bit early to spectulate about the next bundle - some apps that will be included probably don't even exist yet ;-)
1,144 posts
Scrivener - although next year really won't matter because I'm probably going to buy it tomorrow .... was waiting to make sure it wasn't in the bundle
Coda ... have been using a generator, just starting hand-coding ...hopefully will be ready for Coda by next year
nothing by dave wantanabe
and, like Surphaze said, there will probably be one or two apps make the cut that we don't know about yet!!
I just know that I'll be sitting on ready when the time comes
Enjoyed the past two weeks guys...it's been great!
You've just read my signature
386 posts
Ah yes, forgot Omnifocus. that was mentioned quite some times. I would have loved it to be in this years bundle as well btw...
from CA
56 posts
Panic apps are generally considered out; until they state otherwise
Mailtags would be a great addition; Delicious Library 2 (assumings its out by then) would be rad also; and even though DL was in the first MH; it will be an upgrade worth including again.
Hazel is rad.
I am sure there will be all kinds of upcoming goodies in the near future.
Yes. My avatar needs a a little cleanup work.
from Copenhagen, Denmark
203 posts
from Unknown
33 posts
- Panic's apps - Coda, transmit, candybar.
- Delicious Library 2
- Textmate 2 (These two were included in the first bundle, but the X.0 upgrades aren't free.)
- Cookbook (If it ever gets done. What happened to the My Dream App apps?)
- Whatever it is ilikeolives.com are up to.
- The Omni apps - OmniOutliner, OmniGraffle, OmniFocus, OmniWeb.
- Things (GTD app. More likely than OmniFocus.)
- Naked Light (Very promising and innovative image editor.)
- Xtorrent (Many people aren't happy with the developer, but seems plausible.)
And naturally, something new and exciting.
1. A robbery or holdup: "Thousands of people were involved in the armored mac heist."
from Earth
6 posts
MacHeist III ?
Hm, how about iWork '09 (by Apple Inc.) ???
Draft Ritlabs SRL (Moldova) to bring the best E-mail-Client of the world (which is TheBat!) to the best Operating System in the world (which is Mac OS X 10.5.x, Codename Leopard): http://ritlabs.com/en/about/contacts.php
from Houston, TX
547 posts
BBEdit -- just kidding -- like that'd ever happen
Seriously, though . . .
Black Ink
Delicious Library 2
File Juicer
Kill Monty
Sketch Fighter
Super Duper
Visual Hub
slighty insightful | tweets | MacHeisters
Maybe a Dingoo Ate Your Baby | Secrets | Doppelgängers | iPhone Fail | Don't Drink That
from Denial.
3,890 posts
I'd probably bet that we'll be seeing Headline (Doseido's "Delicious Generation" RSS reader), and DL2, at least. Possibly also Naked Light, if Brandon gets a final version out the door by the end of the year. I missed seeing Unsanity this year; hopefully we'll get a newer version of some of their stuff either as loot or as part of the bundle.
I really doubt that we'll be seeing anything by Rogue Amoeba, FlyingMeat, or Panic, as I'm pretty sure that they feel that the economics of it wouldn't work in their favor.
And I'm sorry to sound harsh but...if people really, really, *really* want CandyBar, Transmit, or Coda *THAT* badly, they'd just go out and buy the damn things. My impression is that people who want those apps don't really appreciate their true value and just want them for free simply because they're highly desirable/lauded apps.
Marathon Forever.
AppShelf: MacHeist 3 Loot
AppShelf: nanoBundle 1
Check Reciept Page for nanoBundle 2 AppShelf Files.
from Utah
77 posts
Maybe DiskWarrior since Tech Tool Pro was in the MH/MU bundle over the summer. Good utility that every Mac user should have.
I should add Linkinus also... Would like to use it for another chat I go to, not just MacHeist chat
Free*My*Apps: Discover great iOS apps. Get rewarded!
FreeAppSlots: Play Slots & WIN!
Bing Rewards: Search Bing, earn credits towards rewards!
from a cliff in the arctic ocean.
2,847 posts
I'm just going to relax until december, and see for myself then...
Until then, I'm buying Scrivener (thanks all that pointed it out to me) and MindJet MindManager and Office 2008...
(favourite paradox) This page intentionally left blank.
As a note to all those clamoring for Coda it normally retails for $99 so it will very likely not be bundled. If you are serious about getting Coda jump on down to Panic's website and get it while they still sell it for $79...thats probably about as good a discount you are gonna get for it.
I looked in a mirror and saw a younger man.
Adrammelech wrote:
I should add Linkinus also... Would like to use it for another chat I go to, not just MacHeist chat
That was in the MacUpdate/Skunkworks this summer.
Guess I missed it then
Free*My*Apps: Discover great iOS apps. Get rewarded!
FreeAppSlots: Play Slots & WIN!
Bing Rewards: Search Bing, earn credits towards rewards!
324 posts
I predict as the MFA (most frequent answers):
- coda, candybar, transmit
- scrivener
- cookbook
- appzaper
- MS office
I agree that most of those seem to be frequent answers, as I would definitely love Cookbook....
But why the heck did you put appzapper on there? You realize we just got that this macheist -_-. No one is going to want that because they all have it already!
Woo! Referrals in everyones signature now!
from Ames, IA
30 posts
Scrivener, StoryMill, Mellel, Yep, NoteTaker, Springy - even though most of these I have or plan to purchase soon.
"You can't look forward and backward at the same time."
~ Coleman Young
from Canada
59 posts
Some as others have remarked would be unlikely, but just for thought anyway:
Things, DrawIt, Acorn or FlySketch, Iris and Pukka.
from Rantoul, Illinois
1,516 posts
How would anyone really take this thread the least bit serious? You're stating what you want a full year ahead of time? Don't you people ever buy software that you "need" or "want" outside of these bundle deals?
I'm sure the developers are ready to cater to your every need and want since some of you seem to not be interested in paying more for something you obviously deem as good. sigh
<insert out-dated referral link here>
from Eugene, OR
383 posts
Of course: Things, Scrivener, CandyBar, MarsEdit.
How about: VisualHub, GarageSale, SpamSieve, Tangerine, YummieFTP (I really love this app).
Never gonna happen but would be nice: Coda, OMNIgroup products, Toast Titanium, Final Cut Express, GraphicConverter, VMware Fusion.
What? Another MacHeist adventure is upon us? Fantastic!
from Eugene, OR
383 posts
@tech - I already own some of the apps I mentioned, but they haven't been on MH or in other bundles (that I remember .. maybe GarageSale has been?) I'm just posting what I'd like to see here .. some because I'd like a deal and may not buy before a year has passed because I'm using an inferior free app that does something similar and I'm a cheap bastard, and I list others that I've already bought because I want to see those devs get the promotion they would through MH. For instance, I bought YummieFTP almost a year ago. I love it. The dev responds personally to my emails, usually within the hour! On his website he stays very active in the forums. And he is pretty much a one-guy operation. He coded his website, he codes YummieFTP, ... the only thing he hasn't done is he has someone else helping him out with a new logo. I'd love to see him get more exposure because he is so great to communicate with and he is passionate about his app.
What? Another MacHeist adventure is upon us? Fantastic!
from NYC
1,030 posts
from New York
33 posts
creative suite
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324 posts
How would anyone really take this thread the least bit serious? You're stating what you want a full year ahead of time? Don't you people ever buy software that you "need" or "want" outside of these bundle deals?
I'm sure the developers are ready to cater to your every need and want since some of you seem to not be interested in paying more for something you obviously deem as good. sigh
Why are you so negative? Who cares if this thread is realistic or not. It's interesting to see what others want; and some of these apps i've never even heard of so I go and look them up (and even bought a couple).
What I'm trying to say is, if you have nothing good to say, than just keep your mouth shut (or in this case, don't type)!
Oh and just so I'm not hypocritical, I would love Candybar <3
Woo! Referrals in everyones signature now!
88 posts
I would love, if possible, Coda.
from New York
33 posts
I rather have transmit than coda
I wouldn't mind having both!
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from NYC
1,030 posts
from Austin, TX
23 posts
I already own these, but I think more Mac users should be exposed to them:
- GarageSale - eBay made easy, whether you're a casual seller or a volume seller
- Numerology (by Five12) - a music sequencer that is very "think different" in its approach. Slightly difficult learning curve at first, though, so might be a tough sell for the bundle.
I like these so much, I'll probably own them too by the time next year's bundle happens:
- Bento - exactly enough DB for my home needs, and I say this as a professional who wrangles a lot of SQL code by day
- Montage - for playwriting and screenwriting
- Scrivener - for other types of creative writing (I do a lot of weird experimental stuff, so I prefer Scrivener's less-structured approach to the more story-focused StoryMill. I've also tried Ulysses, CopyWrite, WriteRoom and Jer's Novel Writer. Out of all of them, Scrivener strikes the perfect balance of offering organizing structure when you need it for a tightly-plotted story, but getting out of the way when you don't.)
These I probably won't get to that soon, so I'd definitely dig seeing them in the bundle:
- Curio - best-looking mind-mapping/brainstorming app I've seen. Looks to be free and playful, instead of formal and constricting like many of the others.
- Home Inventory - something I really should get around to doing. Maybe if it were bundled with some more enticing stuff, I actually would
Cat Scratch Thiever ;-)
Please help your fellow Heisters earn an extra app! Visit the referral thread HERE and follow the directions in Danilkol's master list on or near the last page.


text:
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Source: http://bestonlineaffiliates.com/training/niche-profit-classroom-review/
Keyword Advantage Software Tool
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subset: commoncrawl


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HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 24 (UPI) -- A commission aimed at preventing school shootings in Connecticut began work Thursday with Gov. Dannel Malloy saying the right to own guns is not limitless.
Malloy said he supports the Second Amendment, which includes the right "to keep and bear arms," the Hartford Courant reported.
"That right cannot come at the expense of public safety," Malloy said.
Malloy appointed the Sandy Hook Commission after 20 students and six staff members were killed Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Adam Lanza, 20, using guns that his mother owned legally, killed her before driving to the school, killed 26 and then took his own life after police arrived.
The governor told members of the commission that the March 15 date set for recommending changes in state laws is not a hard one and that studying issues carefully is more important.
Several members of the panel are prominent in psychology and psychiatry. Malloy said that in the United States violence has been "destigmatized," while being branded as mentally ill and seeking treatment has not.


text:
Consensus Report
Identification of Research Needs Relating to Potential Biological or Adverse Health Effects of Wireless Communication (2008)Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board
Each report is produced by a committee of experts selected by the Academy to address a particular statement of task and is subject to a rigorous, independent peer review; while the reports represent views of the committee, they also are endorsed by the Academy. Learn more on our expert consensus reports.
In recent years there has been a rapid increase in the use of wireless communications devices and a great deal of research has been carried out to investigate possible biological or human health effects resulting from their use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked the National Research Council to organize a workshop to identify research needs and gaps in knowledge in the areas of dosimetry and exposure, epidemiology, human laboratory studies, mechanisms, and animal and cell biology. The workshop did not include the evaluation of health effects or the generation of recommendations relating to how identified research needs should be met. Some needs and gaps identified at the workshop include: (1) characterization of exposures from wireless devices and RF base station antennas in juveniles, children, fetuses, and pregnant women and (2) evaluation of devices that use newer technologies (e.g., texting, web-surfing).


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11 Terrible Names to Give Your Dog — The Funnies
Dogs. They're man's best friend. It takes a lot of love and care to properly raise one. That love starts with the perfect name.
For ages, dogs have been called Fido, Rex, Spot and Buddy. A dog's name is important to the owner, as well as the canine. The right name can make a dog's life a happy one. The wrong name, however, can ruin it. Here are 10 terrible names to give your dog:
1. Dinner
2. Fo Shizzle My Dizzog
3. Butt Dragger
4. Ruff and Stuff
5. Mrs. Pawsberry
6. Fetch
7. Doggie Bag
8. Sit
9. Snip Snip
10. Snookie
11. Michael Vick
12. Future Tough Decision: Pay For Those New Shoes Or Get My Daughter Braces


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AUFFREY firstname.lastname@example.com_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-01-14 published
BELLIVEAU, Gertrude Adell (PUJOLAS) (1911-2008)
Born on December 5, 1911, Gertrude BELLIVEAU, wife of the late John Edward " Ned" BELLIVEAU, died in Moncton in the early hours of Saturday, January 12. She was 96.
They were the parents of five sons, William, Michael, Richard, Timothy and Peter. Gertrude and Ned were natives of Moncton, New Brunswick, and lived for over thirty years in Ontario where Ned wrote for The Windsor Star and The Toronto Star. They returned to the Maritimes in 1972.
Gertrude is survived by four sons, Bill (Sheila McALLISTER,) Rick, Tim (Suzanne PELHAM) and Peter (Lynn PARSONS), Mike's wife Rita AUFFREY, bother-in-law Frank, and nine grandchildren Tim, Paul, Anne, (their mother Elinor Woodliffe MacDONALD) Jacqueline (mother Sharon ROBINSON,) Joseph (mother Charlene LEBERER,) Peter James, Suzanne, Patrick and Rachael and four great-grandchildren Charlotte, Devynn, Jaimee, Kira and Jonah.
She was predeceased by her husband Ned, sister Myrl, son Michael and granddaughter Marie Adčle Myra.
Gertrude lived a long and generally happy life. She was always true to her own lights and a source of love and strength to her family.
Gertrude will be resting at Tuttle Bros. Funeral Home, 171 Lutz Street, Moncton. Visiting hours 2 to 4 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, January 14. A funeral mass will be held at St. Bernard's Church, Botsford Street, Moncton at 1: 30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Tuttle Bros. Funeral Home, (506) 857-8564.
Online condolences can be made via www.tuttlefuneralhome.ca
A... Names AU... Names AUF... Names Welcome Home
AUFFREY - All Categories in OGSPI


text:
Hello from DC! I am somewhat new to the forum (made a few posts - Thanks very much to everyone for the helpful info) and quite new to hammock camping.
I've started with a Hennessy as it seems most folks do, but have recently ordered a blackbird to try out after some ankle discomfort. I have a surgically repaired right ankle (rugby injury!), and its pretty tough to make that entire leg comfortable now, so I'm hoping a footbox is what the doctor ordered. Regardless, in the few nights I've spent in the Hennessy after hiking all day, I've been pleasantly surprised with how great my feet feel in the mornings.
Looking forward to getting to know folks on the forum.. I can already tell that this is quite a friendly and helpful group. Cheers! - Zack


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|Page (1) of 1 - 02/22/12
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Joyent Cloud Partners With enStratus to Deliver Comprehensive Cloud Management Capabilities for Security, Governance, and Resource ControlAlliance Enables Enterprise Customers to Use enStratus' Cloud Automation and Orchestration Tools to Manage Joyent Cloud Architectures or as Part of Multi-Cloud Automation and Management Solutions (February 22, 2012)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA and MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- (Marketwire) -- 02/22/12 -- Joyent Cloud, the public compute cloud designed for real-time applications, and enStratus, the leading provider of cloud infrastructure automation and management solutions, announced today the full integration of Joyent's Cloud API and management infrastructure into the enStratus cloud management platform. As a result, any enterprise deployed on enStratus can within minutes launch complex cloud deployments on the Joyent Cloud. Similarly, enStratus technology allows existing Joyent Cloud customers to closely monitor and enforce governance policies over resource utilization and costs in their cloud infrastructure. Further, with enStratus, cloud operations teams can seamlessly integrate Joyent Cloud compute resources into multi-cloud deployments.
The Joyent Cloud currently powers hundreds of billions of monthly processes for leading Internet brands such as Voxer, LinkedIn, ModCloth, TaskRabbit and Kabam. The partnership between enStratus and Joyent Cloud enables operations teams to easily view and optimize cloud management plans and to automate key elements of the cloud provisioning process. The enStratus API allows them to scale up detailed Joyent Cloud deployments with the most widely used configuration management tools. These management capabilities allow companies building applications that require low latency and lightning-fast end-user experiences to quickly scale up their compute infrastructure while maintaining tight control over costs, resource management, and security.
"As enterprises embrace the cloud, the tools to streamline management of these dynamic environments are critical to business operations," stated David Bagley, CEO of enStratus. "Joyent Cloud delivers performance, transparency and reliability to enterprises in fast-growing verticals like online games and mobile communications, so we are excited to partner with them to help their customers better manage their cloud deployments with enStratus."
New capabilities the enStratus offering brings to the Joyent Cloud include:
- Key Management and Encryption -- The enStratus patent-pending security architecture holds all cloud credentials outside the cloud provider with automated encryption.
- Access Controls -- Granular, fully customizable role-based security provides the right level of control for development, QA, business or partner teams.
- Automation -- Automate the scaling of cloud infrastructure to meet demand and match service level requirements, using standard configuration management tools, such as Chef and Puppet.
- Financial Controls -- Track and manage costs by customer or project by assigning billing codes with hard and soft spending caps.
- API -- The enStratus API allows operations teams to extend, integrate or customize enStratus for specific requirements.
"Joyent Cloud has always offered extremely low-latency and superior reliability and performance," says Joyent Cloud General Manager Steve Tuck. "Thanks to this integration with enStratus, Joyent Cloud now incorporates best-in-class cloud management tools that enable enterprises not only to enjoy real-time performance but also to easily manage and meter resources and improve operational accountability."
About Joyent
Joyent is a global cloud computing software and service provider that offers an integrated technology suite designed for enterprises, developers and service providers. Joyent Cloud delivers public cloud services to some of the most innovative companies in the world, including LinkedIn, Gilt Groupe and Kabam. Joyent licenses its cloud software to service providers that include Dell, First Server, MiTAC, XYBASE, Libero, NavLink and Uniserve. Joyent is the corporate steward of and provides cloud computing based on Node.js, the open source server-side JavaScript development environment that has been embraced by enterprises around the world, including Microsoft and LinkedIn. Joyent is also the key contributor to and sponsor of Joyent SmartOS, an open source project dedicated to the complete, modern operating system. A global ecosystem of leading technology partners assists Joyent in enabling customers to leverage the performance, scalability, reliability and security inherent in the company's cloud solutions. For more information, visit http://www.joyent.com.
About enStratus
enStratus is a cloud infrastructure management solution for deploying and managing enterprise-class applications in public, private and hybrid clouds. enStratus has a multi-cloud architecture that provides governance, automation and cloud independence.
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, enStratus serves hundreds of organizations worldwide including Korea's largest telecom provider KT, Silanis, SAIC, and The Cloud Security Alliance. For more information, visit www.enstratus.com.
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Related Keywords: Joyent, Marketwire, ,Internet Technology,Game Technology,Business,Internet,Online Games,


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Blount and its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be "participants" in the solicitation of proxies from Blount shareholders with respect to the proposed transaction. Information about Blount's directors and executive officers is set forth in Blount's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 21, 2015. Information concerning the interests of Blount's participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of Blount's shareholders generally, is set forth in the materials filed by Blount with the SEC, and will be set forth in the proxy statement relating to the proposed transaction when it becomes available. Investors should read such materials carefully before making any voting or investment decision.


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Oh, Wow, This Isopod iPhone Case Is Particularly Hilarious and Amazing
I've seen a lot of weird iPhone cases in my day, and if there's one thing I've learned it's that there's always room to set the creepy bar a little bit higher. Behold:
You might not know much about isopods, which are crustaceans with segmented exoskeletons and two pairs of antennae. But if you want some type of creepy crawly to curl up around your iPhone (a major priority for everyone, right?), you need this. Thankfully, the Verge dug it up. Debuting on July 7 for $80 or $120—there are, of course, two models—the isopod case "is made for iPhone, but it can probably fit lots of other models!"
If you're not getting quite how it works, here's a handy step-by-step guide:
There's something beautiful about the smooth lines of the exoskeleton, but the case loses some of that charm when you're on the phone and it looks like a giant beetle (or shrimp) is biting your face off. Oh, and remember the two models? There's silver, but there's also gold! A blinged-out isopod is just what the iPhone has been missing.
Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University.


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posted by Thom Holwerda on Fri 20th Jun 2014 00:52 UTC
BlackBerry is preparing to release what may be its weirdest smartphone ever. This year it's already launched the Z3, and soon that will be joined by the BlackBerry Classic - an obvious throwback to the company's glory days. But there's another product making its way through the pipeline as well, and it's a lot more blocky. BlackBerry is calling its third phone planned for fiscal year 2015 the Passport. We've never seen anything quite like it, and we'll let you decide whether that's a good or bad thing.
You know what? I kind of like this thing. It's crazy, unconventional, and it certainly has charm. I'm very curious if I will ever manage to get to handle one - I have yet to even see a BlackBerry 10 device to begin with, sadly.


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Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center open house: All ages are invited to meet animals, take a tour and learn more about what goes on behind the scenes at this wildlife rehabilitation center. 1-4 p.m. Oct. 6. 37175 Hickory St., Newark. Free. Donations of wild bird seed, canned cat/dog food, trash bags, bleach, dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper or gift cards for food, hardware and pet stores are appreciated. 510-797-9449, www.ohlonehumanesociety.org.
National Adoption Reunion: Petco stores are hosting a "National Adoption Reunion" celebration Oct. 6-7 to encourage pet adoptions. Local shelters will attend the family-friendly event with numerous pets available for adoption. For information, visit http://www.petco.com/petco_page_PC_storeadoptions.aspx.
"Poker for Pugs!": The Gena Austin Memorial Fundraiser: "Poker for Pugs!" is set for 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at Zio Fraedo's, 611 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. Tickets are $65 in advance, $75 at the door and includes a buffet dinner, silent auction and poker tournament buy in. All proceeds benefit PROS-Pug Rescue of Sacramento. www.pugpros.org.
Blessing of the Animals: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 6. Fremont Congregational Church, 38255 Blacow Road, Fremont. 925-793-3970.
Blessing of the Animals: A special ceremony to honor animal companions. 2:45 p.m. registration, 3 p.m. ceremony, Oct. 7. Skyline Community Church, 12540 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. 510-531-8212.
Black and White Fur-Ball: Kittens, cats, dogs, puppies, bunnies and other critters of all colors, shapes, sizes and ages will be up for adoption, 1-5 p.m. Oct. 13. Hayward Animal Shelter, 16 Barnes Court, Hayward. Sponsored by the Hayward Animal Shelter Volunteers. Bonuses of 30 free spay/neuter vouchers to Hayward residents, two per household. First come, first served. The adoption fee on all black, white, and black-and-white pets will be $20; adopt one pet of any other color combination and the second pet is $20.
Night Watchers: Discover how owls maneuver through the dark to find a mate and their prey. Venture into their wild habitat and meet some native Bay Area owls up close. For adults only. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 13. Sulphur Creek Nature Center, 1801 D St., Hayward. $18. To register, call 510-881-6700 or visit www.haywardrec.org.
Maine coon Cat Adoption Fair: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 13; noon-4 p.m. Oct. 14, Wild Birds Unlimited, 692 Contra Costa Blvd. Pleasant Hill. Kittens, adult cats. 510-710-9250, http://mainecoonadoptions.com.
Fall for our Wildlife: The Lindsay Wildlife Museum presents a special evening to benefit the museum's wildlife programs, educational programs and hospital. Festivities include a cocktail reception with live music, silent and live auction, gourmet dinner, dancing and more. The evening's special honoree is Gary Bogue, pet and wildlife columnist who recently retired from the Contra Costa Times. 6 p.m.-midnight Oct. 13. Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Round Hill, Alamo. $200. www.wildlife-museum.org/gala.
Black Cat Ball: Friends of Animal Services present its Black Cat Ball at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20, at the Lone Tree Golf and Events Center, 4800 Golf Course Road, Antioch. The annual event will have dinner, dancing, raffle and a costume contest. Costumes optional. The cost is $65 for adults, $35 for children 13 and younger. All proceeds benefit the animals at the Antioch Animal Shelter. 925-431-8318, 925-754-2923.
Beginning Bird-watching: This introduction to bird-watching will show you the best places to find birds, how to identify them and familiarize you with the tools needed such as binoculars and scopes. Lectures: Wednesdays 7—8 p.m., Oct. 17—Nov. 7. Field trips: Weekends 9 a.m. Oct. 20—Nov. 10. Golden Gate Audubon
2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G., Berkeley. $105. $85 members. 510-843-2222.
Help homeless animals: That's Amore, Tri-Valley Animal Rescue's annual dinner and auction will take place from 6-10 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Castlewood Country Club, 707 Country Club Circle, Pleasanton. Tickets are $75 and include appetizers, dinner buffet, dessert, coffee and auctions. Purchase tickets at www.tvar.org.
Animal Lover's Boutique: Holiday sale featuring unique animal-themed gifts for people and pets. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 3. Feline Medical Center, 3160 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton. Benefits Jackie Barnett's Just Like New Fund. www.valleyhumane.org.
V-I-Peek programs: New programs at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum offer a behind-the-scenes opportunity to see what it's like to work with their unique collection of animals. Eagle Encounter: Learn from eagle handlers what it's like to work with these birds, help prepare a meal and get premium seating for the exhibit hall presentation of Raptors! Keeper Experience: Meet resident animal ambassadors (reptile, bird and mammal) up close and personal and help animal keepers prepare meals, create enrichment activities and assist with a public presentation. Space is limited. Participants must be 10 years or older and advanced registration is required. $175 per person; $150 members. $275 per guardian/child combination; $250 members. 925-935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.
Walk-n-Wag: Join the fun at Humane Society Silicon Valley's Walk-n-Wag, a 5K walk for dogs and their owners benefiting the adoptable animals at Humane Society Silicon Valley. See dogs dressed in costume, dog agility demonstrations, vendor booths and participate in a dog raffle. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 6. Kelley Park and History Museum, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose. 408-262-2133, www.hssv.org.
Rabbit Adoption: The Peninsula Humane Society and the SPCA host "Get Your Hands On Our Buns," rabbit adoption extravaganza. From noon-4 p.m. Oct. 6-7 only, the shelter will reduce adoption fees from $40 to $20, which includes a spay/neuter surgery. Those adopting will also receive a ten percent discount on rabbit starter kits and cages from the on-site retail store. Staff and volunteer rabbit experts will be available to answer questions about rabbit care and behavior. To see some of the rabbits available for adoption, visit www.phs-spca.org.
Wildlife Fest: Meet Zorro, the Turkey Vulture and some of his animal entourage plus their human handlers at this barbecue and auction fundraiser for the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center. In addition to the barbecue the event will have personal raptor handling lessons, original artwork, handmade jewelry and more. Noon-3 p.m. Oct. 20. Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center, 16450 Murphy Ave. $40 adults, $10 ages 5-12, free for age 4 and younger. Purchase tickets by Oct. 17. 408-779-9372, www.werc-ca.org.
Pet Axis: the Howl-O-ween edition: This community event hosted by Axis condominiums features tours of model homes with your pet, a pet services fair and a Howl-O-Ween Doggie costume contest with prizes. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 27. Axis, 28 N. Almaden Blvd., San Jose. Free. 408-297-9888.
Dog Adoption Showcase: Pet and play with dogs of all sizes and breeds and get "insiders information" from foster parents who are currently taking care of them in their homes. Noon-2 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 29. Humane Society Silicon Valley, 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas. 408-262-2133, ext. 150. See available dogs at www.hssv.org.
Dog Book Reading Club: Do you love dogs? Want to learn more about their behavior, training, learning, body language, and using positive training methods? The Humane Society Silicon Valley Dog Book Reading Club meets from 2-4 p.m. fourth Sundays monthly to discuss a different book. 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas. Free. 408-262-2133, www.hssv.org.
Pet Loss Support Group: This group is for anyone who has experienced the loss of a pet or anticipates one. 6:30-7:30 p.m. first Tuesdays monthly, through Dec. 4. Humane Society Silicon Valley, 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas. Free. 408-262-2133, ext. 178, www.hssv.org.
Pet Health and Adoption Fair: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 27, Southampton Pet Hospital, 490 East L St., Benicia. Food, samples, demonstrations and fun. 707-745-1135.
Evening with Owls: Meet live owls and hawks and even bats at this event presented by the Hungry Owl Project. The event also includes educational speakers, wild life artists, appetizers, wine, beer, a silent auction, raffles and more. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 2. Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. $75. ($85 after Oct. 19). Reservations, 415-454-4587, www.hungryowl.org.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Guided Wetlands Tours: A wildlife naturalist will lead a group (minimum of 18 people) through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. Learn wildlife identification and behavior patterns, conservations efforts and more. The experience can be customized to include requested information, along a half-mile walking route. For information and scheduling, call 530-846-7505 or email email@example.com. www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region2/graylodge/index.html.
Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve docent-led walks: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Binoculars and bird books available to borrow at no cost. Visitor Center and main overlook are fully accessible. Day use is $4.32 per person, ages 16 and older. Groups of 10 or more should schedule a separate tour. www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/er/region4/elkhorn.html.
Contra Costa County Animal Services


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This morning as we think about the Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead, I wanna us to focus our attention, not so much on His resurrection, but on the purpose for which He arose in order that He might return to establish His Kingdom. I'd like our thoughts to be along the line of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Two thousand years ago a man lived on the earth a perfect life. He came into the world without a human father. He was born from the womb of a virgin who had never known a man. The seed had been planted in her by God, and the seed was God. The child born was like no other child. Every thought He had was perfectly pure. Every word He said was true and holy. Every action He did was utterly righteous. He was without sin. His life had absolutely no parallel. He loved all men perfectly. He understood all men perfectly. He spoke perfect wisdom. He was perfectly compassionate, gracious and merciful. He healed the sick, cast out demons and even raised dead people to life.
He hated sin, on the other hand, with a perfect hatred. He exposed false teachers and unmasked hypocrites. He condemned sin and promised judgment on sinners who refused to repent and follow Him.
Illegally and with no just cause, He was executed by the Jews and the Romans, crucified on a cross as if He were a common criminal because He had exposed the hypocrisy of the false religious leaders of Judaism and because the Romans thought Him a threat to their political security. At His death, the sky went black from 12 noon to 3 p.m. as God darkened the sun. The great curtain in the temple that separated God from men symbolically, the veil of the holy of holies was ripped from top to bottom as God signaled the end of separation and the end of the old economy and access to Him through the death of His Son. The earth quaked so that rocks split, tombs opened and dead people came back to life again.
In His death, He bore the sins of the whole world and died as a substitute. As a sacrifice for sin in the sinner's place, the perfect lamb of God to atone for man's sin. Three days later, He rose from the dead, physically, bodily and literally He was alive. 500 plus people saw Him. Many talked with Him personally. Some talked with Him on several occasions. Some ate with Him. For 40 days, He remained on the earth. During those 40 days, He was seen only by those who believed in Him. One day, while He was on a hillside just east of the city of Jerusalem, He was talking with His disciples and immediately ascended into the sky, was caught in some clouds and taken back to Heaven. And thus, He ended a brief 33 year stay on the earth. The name of this unparalleled person is Jesus Christ, the God man.
But the ascension that ended His first earthly visit was not the end of His story. For Scripture tell us that He is coming back again. And I would like to draw your attention to Acts 1 for a moment, and begin reading in verse 9 where Jesus is speaking with His disciples. And it says in verse 9 of Acts 1, "And when He had spoken these things, while they were watching Him, He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as He went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel," angels obviously, "who also said, 'Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven?'" The implication of the question was why are you looking longingly as if you're losing Him? "This same Jesus who was taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into Heaven."
The angel said, "Just as you have seen Him go, so you will see Him come visibly, literally, physically in a cloud." That's how He went. Literally, physically in a cloud is how He will return. That's the promise. Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth. In fact, in the Old Testament there are approximately 333 prophecies concerning Christ. 109 of them were fulfilled in His first coming, leaving 224 to be fulfilled in His second coming. Of the 46 Old Testament prophets, 10 of them referred to His first coming, 36 referred to His second coming. 1,527 Old Testament verses tell us details about the second coming of Christ. One out of every 25 verses in the New Testament refers to Christ's second coming. For every time in the Bible the first coming is mentioned, the second coming is mentioned eight times. Our Lord Jesus Himself referred to His second coming numerous times.
Now people wonder how the world is gonna end. There's always a lot of discussion about that. Some people think pollution will get us and we'll eventually gag to death. Other people think that earthquakes will continue to increase and will sort of topple into oblivion. Some people fear that population growth will get us and we'll crush each other to death. Others feel that we may somehow deplete food sources on the earth and we'll starve to death, and there are many who fear that somehow someone will trigger a nuclear war and we'll disintegrate in some kind of nuclear explosion. How will it all end? How will human history end? It will end, the Bible says, with the return of Jesus Christ, with the second coming of Christ.
To give you a general picture of the scenario, according to the Bible, the true church, that is those who are personally related to Christ by faith will all of a sudden, in a split second be snatched out of this world. And that could happen any moment. In the twinkling of an eye, we will meet the Lord in the air and go to Heaven. The graves that hold the bodies of saints already dead, will give up new bodies to be joined with those souls and all those who are a part of the church will be caught together into Heaven.
Immediately after the church is snatched out, a world government will be set up by satanic forces. The political leader of that world government will enter a covenant with Israel and as that world government comes to the peak of its power, he will eventually exercise absolute control over everyone. The head of this world government will announce finally that he's God. And he will demand that the whole world worships him. And those who refuse will be killed in massive numbers.
Then the Bible says that at the same time this is going on, there will come from God a series of terrible, cataclysmic, catastrophic judgment in which the Almighty Himself will pour out on the earth His fury, resulting in over half the population of the world being destroyed. And the whole thing will finally culminate in a massive world war involving the forces of the world converging in a valley in Israel known as the Plain of Magiddo to fight the battle of Armegeddon. As the armies of the world converge in that very place, the heavens are split, the sky goes black and Jesus comes in blazing glory with His glorified church and His holy angels. He judges the wicked, He establishes His Kingdom on the earth. He reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords.
At the end of that 1,000 year kingdom, Satan is cast into the eternal lake of fire, the righteous are taken into a new Heaven and a new Earth. That's how it ends. Some people don't believe that. Many people don't believe that. That's not surprising. Listen to what Peter said in 2 Peter 3. He says, "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts." In other words, they function based on their own desires. They do whatever they wanna do, whatever feels good, they conclude whatever their own mind dictates. They give their own opinions, these scoffers, and they say, verse 4, "Where is the promise of His coming? C'mon all of you who keep saying Jesus is coming. Where is He?" And they mock and they scoff and they ridicule with this query, "Where is the promise of His coming?" All things continue as they were. He hasn't come. There will be scoffers.
But how can we be sure He's coming? How can we know Jesus is really coming back? What evidence do we have? Let me give you some, alright? Point number one, the promise of God demands it. The promise of God demands it. Throughout the Old Testament God made promises, promises that said that there would be coming Deliverer who would deliver the righteous from sin and depression, that that Deliverer would also be a Judge who would condemn the wicked, that that Deliver and Judge would also be a King who would reign and rule over the earth. And as I said, about 224 of those are still unfulfilled. God's character is at stake in this. The credibility, credulity and integrity of God's Word is at stake. Can God be trusted?
Well, God gave prophesies in the Old Testament that said much about Jesus' first coming, and every one of those came true. In Isaiah 7:14 God said, "The Messiah Christ would be born of a virgin," and He was. In Micah 5:2, He said He would be born at Bethlehem, and He was. In Hosea 11:1, He said He would be called out of Egypt, and He was. In Zachariah 9:9, He said He would ride into Jerusalem on an ass, and He did. In Psalm 41:9, He said He would be betrayed by a friend, and He was. In Zachariah 13:7, God said He would be forsaken by His followers, and He was. In Zachariah 11:12, God said He would be sold for 30 pieces of silver, predicting the exact price, and He was. In Isaiah 50:6, God said He would be beaten and spit on, and He was. In Psalm 22, God said He would be crucified and His hands and feet would be pierced, and He was. In Psalm 34:20, He said not a bone of Him would be broken, and not one was. In Psalm 2:7, in Psalm 16:10, God said He would be raised from the dead, and He was. And God's Word never returns void. It always accomplishes that to which He sends it. And all of those prophesies regarding Christ's first coming were literally fulfilled, and they proved to us that God keeps His promise and His word can be trusted.
And so we conclude that the promises of God regarding His second coming will be literally fulfilled and we can believe those as well. For example, in Psalm 2, God said that He would come and be a king and reign in Mt. Zion and rule with a rod of iron. That has not yet happened, but it will. In Isaiah 9:6, it says He will have the government on His shoulders. That is, He will rule, carry the weight of the government of the world. That hasn't happened, that didn't happen when He came the first time, but it will happen when He comes the second time. In Micah 4:3, God said, "When He comes He will bring peace to the earth." That didn't happen the first time. That hasn't happened yet. It will happen the second time when He brings peace to the earth. In Jeremiah 23, it says that He will come and He will be anointed over the throne of David and He will be a righteous branch and He will reign in power and glory. That didn't happen the first time. It will happen the second time. In Daniel 7, it says He will receive a kingdom and power and glory and authority and will reign. That didn't happen, but it will happen. And in Daniel 7:18, it says, "The saints will partake of the Kingdom of the most high God forever and ever." That didn't happen. It will happen. In Zachariah 14, the prophet Zachariah very specifically says that when He comes, His feet will touch the Mount of Olives, split it wide open, create a valley, and out of that valley will flow rivers to the west and rivers to the east, and there will be righteousness and many other features. That didn't happen the fist time He came. That will happen the second time.
God's Word is at stake. God's integrity is at stake. God's character is at stake, and Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man that He should lie." And Titus 1 says, "God who cannot lie." For God to promise that something will come to pass as He did the prophecies of the first coming of Christ and all of them to come to pass exactly as He promised, becomes a guilt edge guarantee that everything He said about the second coming will also come to pass. And if God is promising things He doesn't intend to fulfill, then He must be attempting on His own to destroy His own trustworthiness. God doesn't tell us these things to make us doubt. He tells them to us so we'll believe them based upon His perfect performance of fulfilling His word in the past, though the promise of God demands that He come.
Secondly, the promise of Christ demands that He come. Look at John 14. Jesus speaking with His disciples here about leaving, does not want them to be unduly troubled because He is going away, so this is what He says in John 14:1, "Let not your heart be troubled," or literally, "Stop letting your heart be troubled. If you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you under Myself that where I am there Ye may be also." Jesus said, "I'm going away, but I'm going away to prepare a place. I'll come back and get you and take you there." Take you there, that's the promise of Jesus. This credulity is at stake also. His Word is at stake, His integrity, His character. Jesus frequently talked about His second coming.
We don't have time, anywhere near the time to deal with all the times He talked about His coming, but just to look briefly at Matthew 24-25 will give us a good indication. Touching lightly on some verses, Matthew 24:27 says that the coming of the Son of Man will be like lightning. Matthew 24:29 says, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened and the moon shall not give its light and the stars shall fall from Heaven and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven, then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with the great sound of a trumpet and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds from one end of Heaven to the other." There's Jesus' own words as He preaches on the Mt. of Olives about His own second coming, and He is coming in the clouds of Heaven. Heaven goes dark, He comes out of Heaven. The earth mourns, why? Because of judgment. His angels go to gather the elect into His Kingdom.
Further in that chapter, verse 42, "Watch, therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord doth come." Verse 50, "The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder and appoint him as portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." That's a warning. On the one hand, when He comes, He gathers the elect. On the other hand, when He comes, He splits asunder the wicked and unbelieving. Chapter 25 follows the same teaching on the second coming. Verse 31, "The Son of Man shall come in His glory and all the holy angels with Him. Then shall He sit on the throne of His glory." Then shall He judge. Judgment is described in the remainder of the chapter.
There are few samples of the claim of Jesus, the promise of Jesus that He would return, that He would be back. He promised that to His disciples that they might be comforted. He promised that to the unbelieving that they might be frightened, that they might be fearful, that they might consider the end of their sin. Even after returning to Heaven, 50 years later, Jesus spoke through the book of the Revelation. In the first part of the book of the Revelation, Jesus gave seven letters from Himself to the seven churches. Throughout the book of Revelation, Jesus speaks. In fact, throughout the book of Revelation, He speaks at least six times because six times in Revelation He says, "Behold, I come quickly." Six times He said He was coming back, so even 50 years after He descended to Heaven, He was still sending messages, "I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming." And He does not lie.
In John 8:40, Jesus says, "Now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth." Verse 45, "Because I tell you the truth, you do not believe Me." Verse 46, "If I say the truth, why do you believe Me?" Jesus said of Himself, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life," John 14:6. He cannot lie either. He is God. So you can see that Jesus must return. The promise of God demands it and the promise of Christ demands it, and Their character and Their integrity and Their word is at stake. And if God can be believed, and He can, and if Christ can be believed, and He can, then He is to be believed, and He is coming.
Thirdly, the promise of the Holy Spirit demands it. The promise of the Holy Spirit demands it. When Jesus was facing death, knowing that He would be leaving, He said to the disciples this in John 14:26, "But the Comforter who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things." He said, "I'm having the Father send you the Spirit, and the Spirit will teach you all things." Can the Spirit be trusted? Chapter 16 tells us in verse 13, "Nevertheless, when He," notice His name, "the Spirit of," what? "Truth has come, He will guide you into all truth." How did the Holy Spirit do that? By inspiring the writers of the New Testament. "For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He shall hear, He shall speak, and He will show you things to come." This is a promise that the New Testament writers would be inspired by the Spirit of Truth who would tell them the word of God, and that's exactly what happened. As the writers began to write the New Testament, the Spirit of God spoke through them. The Spirit is the author of Scripture. "oly men of God were moved along by the Holy Spirit," Peter says in 2 Peter 1:21. In 1 Corinthians 1:4-8, the Holy Spirit said through Paul that Jesus would return. In Philippians 3:20-21, the Holy Spirit said through Paul that Jesus would return. In Colossians 3:4, the Holy Spirit said through Paul that Jesus would return. In 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17, the Holy Spirit said through Paul that Jesus would return. In James 5:8, the Holy Spirit said through James that Jesus would return. In Hebrews 9:28, the Holy Spirit said to the writer of Hebrews that Jesus would return. So, the Holy Spirit's integrity is at stake as well. God the Father promised it, God the Son promised it, God the Spirit promised it. We can sum that up and say He must return because of God's person. God's person demands it.
Secondly, as a major point, God's program demands it, God's program demands that Christ return. First of all, His program for the church demands it, His program for the church demands it. Let me see if I can explain this to you very briefly. In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul says, "I'm jealous over you with a Godly jealousy, for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." Paul says, "I see my responsibility to bring you, the church, as a chaste virgin to Christ, to present you to Christ as a chaste virgin." What is he saying here? What is the imagery here? What is this all about? Let me explain it to you.
A Jewish wedding had three parts, the contract, the betrothal and the wedding. Part number one was the legal part. Two sets of parent who determine that their children should marry got together. They negotiated a contract which meant that the man had to pay a dowry to the family of the girl, and that was negotiated dependent upon their economic status, and the estimated value of the girl. So, the parents got together and they negotiated a contract. The price at that point was paid, and the daughter was purchased to be a wife. Then later on after that came phase two, the betrothal. We would call it the engagement. The ceremony was always held in the home of the bride, and guests came over and it was what we would call today an engagement party. And there was a public announcement that the two were going to be wed. Gifts were given, there was a time of joy, rejoicing as they were formally engaged. About a year later, came phase three, the wedding. This was held always when the groom came to the bride's house, got the bride and took her to the father's house for the wedding. Now follow that part.
In Revelation I wanna show you something, something beautiful, 19:7, "Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made herself ready, and to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints." Now, listen, that's the marriage. That's the marriage of the bride, the church, and the bridegroom, the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. That's the consummation.
At Calvary, when Jesus died on the cross, He purchased the elect, the contract was written in His blood. Phase one of our union with Christ was at the cross where in death, He fulfilled the contract and paid the price for His bride. When you believed and I believed, who are the elect, at that moment the engagement took place, and we received the gifts, the Holy Spirit, and the other gifts of grace that come to believers. And we even received the Spirit who it says, "is the ourabund," the word is earnest translated in English. The Greek word ourabund means engagement ring. So, the engagement occurred when we believed. The purchase price was paid at Calvary, before we believed. The contract was made then. But we received the engagement ring and the gifts and the celebration took place when we were saved. But beloved, we're still waiting for the wedding. We're still waiting for the wedding. And if this is all there is folks, then Jesus Christ is an unfaithful bridegroom who paid the price and went through the engagement, and never showed up at the wedding and stood up the bride, if there's no second coming. You see, the program for the church demands it, and that's why Revelation 7 says the marriage of the Lamb has come. And when Jesus returns, the wife is ready and the bridegroom is ready and the marriage takes place, and what does He do? He takes us to the Father's what? House, just like they did in the Jewish wedding, to dwell in the Father's house. That's the program for the church. That's not complete without His coming to get His bride from her house and take her to His house.
Secondly, His program for the nations demands the second coming. God's program for the nations demands the second coming. The Bible promises that He's gonna judge the nations, that He's gonna judge the wicked. Psalm 2 shows Christ coming as a judge with a rod of iron. In the New Testament, John 5, "All judgment is committed under Christ and He is coming some day to judge all men." Revelation 11:15 shows Him as judge. Revelation 14:14-30 shows Him as judge. Revelation 20:11-15 shows Him as judge. He comes to destroy wicked men, to deal with sin. He comes to bring equity to the world. He comes to bring righteousness and judgment and peace. Every evil must be rectified. Every injustice must be overturned. There is a day of equalization and He is the Equalizer. Things will be made right. The Old Testament prophesied as well as the New repeatedly that the ungodly will be judged. And God's plan for the nations demands that Jesus come back as Judge. So the plan isn't finished. It's unfinished, and that would mean that wickedness is never dealt with. That would mean that in an unjust world, justice will never reign. That in an inequitable world, equity will never reign. That in an unfair world, fairness will never reign. That in an unrighteous world, righteousness will never reign. It'll always be this way, but that's not true. Christ will come and He will end it and He will punish sin and the sinner. That's His plan, and all the nations that know not God will be judged. The plan of God for the nations demands the return of Christ. He's the Judge. He's the Judge. In Revelation 20, He comes with a flaming sword and blood spattered garments, riding on a white horse to do battle with the ungodly. He comes with such power, early in Revelation, it says, "People who see Him and the world sees Him, cry for the rocks and the mountains to fall on them to hide them from His face."
Also, the program of God for Israel demands that He come. In Romans 11:25-26, Paul writes that Israel will be saved in the end. In Ezekiel 36, God says that He's gonna regather Israel. That He is not only going to regather Israel, but He's gonna take out their stony heart and give them a new heart. He's gonna wash them, He's gonna plant His Spirit in them, He's gonna save them. In Romans 11, it says, "All Israel will be saved." The Old Testament promises a kingdom to Israel. In Acts 15, starting in verse 14, the Scripture says that, "God is taking out a people for His Name, and after this, after the church is taken out, then He will build again the house of David and His King will reign over the world." Israel will be restored, the nations will be judged. God has a plan for Israel. That plan has never been fulfilled. God promised them a kingdom. He will fulfill it. Listen, all of the promises of punishment that were given to Israel, if they were unfaithful, were literally fulfilled, and Israel is still under the punishment of God for their disobedience. But just as all of the promises for punishment were literally fulfilled, so will all the promises for blessing be literally fulfilled. And God promised them a kingdom. He promised them a time when the lion would lie down with the lamb, a time when the desert would blossom like a rose, when the earth would be in abundance and there would peace everywhere and knowledge would fill the earth, and every man would love his neighbor and there would be perfect righteousness, a time when they would live the joy and that plan has to come to pass, or God's entire program for Israel is frustrated as well as His entire program for the nations, His entire program for the church. You see, God's person demands the second coming, God's program demands it.
So do God's priorities. God's priorities do as well. There are three of those. The humiliation of Christ is one that demands it. He must return to vindicate Himself. Do you realize what the last view of the world has of Christ? The last view? The King of kings, the Son of God, the Lord of lords, the Supreme Person who ever lived in this world. The last view the world ever had of Him is a bleeding, dying, crucified criminal, covered with blood, spit and flies, hanging naked against a Jerusalem sky while His enemies gloat and held rejoices. That is not God's ultimate plan for Christ, not God's ultimate plan for Christ. The world will see Him again. And the Bible says, "Every eye will see Him when He returns," every eye will see Him. The last view this world has of Christ is not a dying dead Jesus, but the glory of His exalted person. Every eye will see Him when He comes in blazing, triumphant glory. That's the promise of Scripture and that's the view of the world is gonna see for the last time. Matthew 26:57 says, "Jesus was led away to Caiphus." Pick it up in verse 63 at His trial. "Jesus held His peace. The high priest answered and said unto Him, 'I ______ Thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.' Jesus said unto him, 'Thou hast said, 'Nevertheless, I say unto you,' said Jesus, 'Hereafter, you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of Heaven.' And the high priest tore his clothes saying he hath spoken blasphemy. 'What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard His blasphemy.' 'What think ye,' they answered and said, 'He's guilty of death.' And they spat in His face and buffeted Him and others smote Him with the palms of their hands saying, 'Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, who smote Thee?' He said, 'This isn't the last view you're going to have of Me. The last view this world will have of Me is in power and glory. The cross is not the final seed.'" God's priority for Christ demands that He come back, not in humiliation, but in glory.
That second priority is the exaltation of Satan demands it. Presently, Satan is exalted. He is the prince of the world. He is the god of this age. The whole world lies in the arms of the wicked one. He is now exalted and that's not God's priority. For thousands of years since the fall, Satan has run the world, exalted himself, received worship. He's a usurper, he has no right to rule, but sinful men have chosen him as their monarch and their king, and God will overturn that. If Jesus didn't come back, then Christ would have left in humiliation, Satan would remain in exaltation, and that's reversed from God's priorities. That's why in Revelation 5, the cry is for someone who can take back the earth and destroy the usurper and out comes the worthy Lamb and takes the title deed to the earth in His hand. And as He unroles that title deed, the seven seals unfold, and the description of what happens is Revelation 6-19, all those chapters describe Christ taking back the earth from Satan, and finally, taking Satan and sending him into the bottomless pit forever. The earth is the Lord's and the ___________ _______, not Satan's. Christ is King of the earth, and He'll take it over, He'll take it over. God's priorities for the exaltation of His Son and the destruction of Satan demand that Christ return.
And lastly, one other priority, the expectation of the believers demand it. We're a priority to God, too. We're the beloved of the Father. He loves us with a perfect love. We are the children of His affection, and He has our best interests in His heart, and we are love gifts from the Father to the Son, John6 says. We are His joy, there's more rejoicing in Heaven over a sinner who repents than any other thing. We long for Heaven. He told us that He which hath begun a good work in us will perform until the day of Jesus Christ. He told us that we could commit ourselves to Him and know that He would keep us until that day. He promised us eternal life. He promised us Heaven. He promised us bliss and blessing. He promised us a new body. He promised us a place in the Father's house. He promised us that we would be with Him. That's our expectation, that's what we hope for, that's what we live for. And He loves us, and if Jesus doesn't come back, then we aren't His priority, but we are and Jesus will come back. God's person demands it, God's program demands it, God's priorities demand it. He will exalt His Son, He will humiliate and destroy His adversary, and He will fulfill the expectation of His beloved children. Those are His priorities.
The only remaining question is are you ready? That's the only remaining question. Are you ready? He could come any moment. Listen to the words of Jesus, poignant, simple and yet clear. In Luke verse 42, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward? Whom His Lord shall make Ruler over His household to give Him His fortune of food and ________. The Lord says, 'Who is gonna get blessed? Who is that faithful, wise person who is gonna rule with Christ, who is gonna receive eternal blessing?'" I'll tell you who. "Blessed is that servant whom His Lord, when He comes finds so doing." That is to say, finds doing righteous things, doing what is right, doing what honors God. "Of the truth, I say to you, that He will make Him ruler over all that He has," that's what Heaven is, gonna rule, but there's some servant in the analogy, some man or woman says in his heart, "Ah, my Lord delays His coming," and begins the menservants and maidservants and eat and drink and be drunk. In other words, there are some people who believe the Lord's coming, and they get their life right. They commit their life to Christ, they live no other God. There're some people who say, "Ah, I don't buy that." They do whatever they want, like a servant who took advantage of his master being away in abused every privilege. "The Lord of that servant," verse 46, "will come in a day when he looks not for Him, in an hour when he's not aware and cut him in half," strong language, "and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers," and that's how he interprets the parable. The believers are those who did obediently. The unbelievers are those who wasted their opportunity. And that servant who knew his Lord's will and prepared not himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with many stripes. That means the severe punishment in Hell, the more you know, the greater the punishment. Verse 48 says, "The one who didn't know," there're some people that don't know, and now you know more than you've even known because of this morning, "the ones who knew less and still committed things worthy of stripes will be beaten with a few stripes." Hell, dear friend, will have degrees of punishment. The more you know, the greater your sin of rejection. The greater your sin of rejection, the greater your eternal punishment. That's what He said. The Lord is coming back. You don't know when and I don't know when. When He comes back, He's gonna find some people serving Him, some people loving Christ, some people doing what He asked them to do. He's gonna reward them by making them rulers in His eternal kingdom. He's gonna find some people who wasted their spiritual privilege, who sinned against what they knew and what they heard, and He's gonna cut 'em in half and give 'em a place with the unbelievers where they'll know torment, and the greater their knowledge, the greater their torment. And I submit to you that Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven with the express purpose of returning to this world to finish the plan of God. God's person demands it, God's program demands it, God's priorities demand it, and the only question is are you ready when He comes?
This article is also available and sold as a booklet.
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Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource.Publisher Information


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Summer Gaming Meltdown
by, 07-24-2011 at 01:39 PM (2900 Views)
Yes, its summer and its definitely more difficult to get groups together to game. Why? Because its summer dammit! Of course it is, and rightfully so. Even hardcore gamers appreciate the better weather to a certain degree. What that means for me is generally gaming sessions go down, but i get a chance to write more. I dont have to stay on top of the campaign, so i get to catch up on writing more adventure notes, updating the world and rule sets, and just play with ideas in general.
But, its been more difficult this year.. i just want to tune out more and more. Not sure if thats an side effect of getting older, stress, or what - but it means less stuff is getting done overall. I'm not even getting the lawn mowed... i'd rather watch movies, drink a cold beer, eat cheese and take a walk.
Where is all this going? Who knows... but i know i have adventure materials written for years to come so i am not worried on that front.
But, I'll tip my cold brew back and salute all you hardcore gamers out there still going at it in the heat and the summer, telling stories, experiencing them, and dreaming them in your own worlds. My hats off to you...


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Health officials say flu season is early this year – and the Carolinians are feeling the pain. It's already one of the worst flu seasons in a decade, and it's only going to get worse.
The flu season usually hits in January and February. But 14 people already have died in North Carolina, while 13 people have died in South Carolina. Doctors' offices and emergency rooms in the Carolinas are filled with people suffering from flu-like symptoms, including muscles aches and high fever.
North Carolina Health Department epidemiologist Dr. Megan Davies says this particular strain – H3N2 – is typically harder on older Americans than other ones. Other states are in the middle of outbreaks, including Alaska, New York and Mississippi.
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Results 1 to 12 of 15
Thread: Foundations are laid
Foundations are laid
Once again the Ravens gave it their all. And held close to the end.A rookie QB
came down to earth with a bump against a great defense.
But as much as the Superbowl dream has died for this season.This amazing run has laid the foundation for the Ravens for years to come.Those next men up have stepped in and got experience.The young guys have had an early taste of playoff football.
With the bye week so early,and the punishment that has been taken out on the team mentally and physically and on the road in the playoffs.It would not have been hard to imagine that the Ravens will/spirit would have finally crumpled,like a worn out tire.BUt we knew better than that.
The purple and black threw all they had.And then some.To try and climb another impossible mountain.
There is no blame to shed.Just pride for the purple and black and their 08 season.Put the smile back on your face.This is a 60 minute ball game.
Re: Foundations are laid
We were down 16-14 with 5 mins to play and had the ball at our 40. We went to adverts, came back and we were backed up to our 11 !!!!!
Showed one of our players throw a Steeler into our bench !!! :grbac:
01-19-2009, 06:58 AM #3On The Practice Squad
- Join Date
- Nov 2008
- Posts
- 46
Re: Foundations are laid
I must admit myself, when they went to that break and we were on our 40, I thought for the first time since the game started that we could really do it, then like you say we come back and we are on our 11 and Joe is under pressure.
Tell you one thing, you can feel nothing but pride for them players, not just for the season but last night as well. They looked hurt and battered yet they were nothing short of heroic, to stay in that game and keep making plays was a top effort.
The Steelers can have their superbowl, they deserved it last night, but I tell you something they probably can't feel any prouder of a group of players than we should about ours.
Re: Foundations are laid
As much as this season was outstanding and beyond my wildest dreams for the year, right now I'm extremely nervous about next season. Rex leaving on defence and taking a seemingly large chunk of the coaching staff with him, some big free agents on defence with the tri-umverate at LB and then the potential of cutting both Rolle & McAllister as well to go with the necessity to upgrade our offence further to allow this team to make the next step. It's nervous anticipation, but I am extremely nervous and right now not very confident for next season. It's probably just "day after syndrome", but I can see a disappointing season next year whilst Harbaugh has to lay down his team and get his personnel in, could help us in the long term, but short term I think we're looking at a dip.
01-19-2009, 03:19 PM #5Regular 1st Stringer
- Join Date
- Jan 2008
- Location
- USRaven
- Posts
- 155
Re: Foundations are laid
As much as this hurts, I have to stop and think about what was expected and what we got. This was fun!!!! When your games are being flexed, that makes you feel real good. When you have new faces hitting your UKRavens Forum, another bright spot. All good stuff!!
I look forward to your journey here. I will make sure I take off Monday........
I am off to buy Arizona gear.
Re: Foundations are laid
Lets see who stays around here - after our 'mourning' period of course.:grbac:
I want to start work on the meet-ups / BBQ / B'more '09 trip - but all in good time.
01-20-2009, 01:31 PM #7On The Practice Squad
- Join Date
- Nov 2008
- Posts
- 46
Re: Foundations are laid
You talk about a mourning period, I was in the pub last night watching the Merseyside Derby with a load of Everton mates, and whilst they were going loopy I was sitting there just thinking about the Steelers game feeling really flat about it for the first time. Shame the journey had to end that way.
Re: Foundations are laid
I cannot say I am nervous about 09.There is a long way to go.And many puzzles to solve.And pieces to rearrange on this team.
Where my thread title comes in is that we have a more solid base to build from than we have had before.A young nucleus who have shown they can play in the NFL.
While alot of teams are searching for a direction.This team knows where it is going.
Yes Ryan,and the LB situation could become a step back.But I'll wait to see when the cloud clears.On who comes in and who goes.
There is every possibility the Ravens could slip,as getting to the AFC championship is no easy journey.But you would think that with the right additions there is no reason the Ravens cannot head back to the playoffs.
I am not nervous I am eagerly awaiting the moves in free agency and the draft.The progress of Flacco, the O'line,Clayton,and maybe a new WR to add a bit of speed downfield.And a nice cover corner.
Its all about building this team,to beat the Steelers.Just as the AFC south teams built themselves to beat the Colts.Its that simple.
As to mourning this loss.I did not take it as hard as the loss to the Colts in the playoffs.That put me off football for months. I guess it was this team overachieving,having a mountain to climb and no gas in the tank but still almost pulling out a win in the AFC Champ. Plus the fact I had 6 hours sleep the entire weekend due to my cold and staying up for the game.And only following the game on NFL.com gamecenter,while listening to ESPN radio.
More than ever I wear my purple and black with pride,after the heart and effort of the 08 Ravens.Gawd love ya.Put the smile back on your face.This is a 60 minute ball game.
Re: Foundations are laid
I felt the same way TD. I was deflated after the loss but it was nothing like the loss to the Colts a few years back. I was just numb after that one...
Re: Foundations are laid
This time around I was numb - and ready for us to lose, as it was a bridge too far.
Glad to see most of you still posting. As Toe said this UKR forum is now well populated to get some good conversations going, whilst at the same time remains blissfully 'troll free'. :wrong
I'll start on the next newsletter soon - we all know what is in that ;)
01-21-2009, 06:15 AM #11Regular 1st Stringer
- Join Date
- Apr 2008
- Location
- Dublin, Ireland
- Posts
- 457
Re: Foundations are laid
I'm more nervously excited than nervous about next season. As Harbaugh said this isn't the end, it's only the start!! With the class we have in our organisation I have full faith that we will retain all essential players and personnel. Pick up some very smart FA's and make the best possible draft picks for our position. We're going to have an amazing season this year!!!
Last edited by James R(aven); 01-21-2009 at 06:16 AM. Reason: spelling
Re: Foundations are laid
We have a lot of issues from this season too resolve first.
It's only the crap teams that are salavating over the '09 draft - except Detroit who are sh%&ting about it.


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Descendants, The (US - BD RA)
Jonathan revisits one of his favourite films from last year on Blu-ray..
To save time and get this review out near the Blu-ray release date, I'm adapting my thoughts from my Top Ten of 2011 article for the feature section of this review.
You'd be hard-pressed to find an actor working today better than George Clooney. He's proved himself time and again, and now he finds himself paired with Alexander Payne; the master of biting satire and mixing touching personal stories with awkwardly realistic humour. The two of them working together makes too much sense. I'm not sure why I hadn't imagined it before. The Descendants follows a difficult chapter in the life of Matt King (Clooney). His wife, Elizabeth, has always been around to take care of their kids, but after a recent boating accident she is left in a coma. Suddenly he is having to step up and learn to be a parent to his troubled children in their time of need, and in the process he learns that his wife was having an affair with a real estate agent. They decide to travel around to tell relatives the news about Elizabeth while making a stop in Kauai to confront her secret lover.
Part of what makes Alexander Payne's films work so well is his willingness to revel in the awkward moments of life. The Descendants has plenty of those, and he approaches each one with startling humour and grace. I don't know what it is that attracts Payne to these characters going through difficult times, but his dignified approach that never feels manipulative or exploitative is masterful. He owes much of the success to Clooney, who arguably gives the best performance of his career (though I feel like I say that every time he stars in a drama). And he's not alone. Shailene Woodley, who plays his daughter Alexandra, is terrific. This was the first I'd ever seen of her, and she has the looks and the acting chops to be a star. Hopefully she'll continue to work with great storytellers. Payne doesn't fill the movie with the same razor sharp satire that is present in some of his other films, but the story of The Descendants doesn't call for that approach. His dark sense of humour is completely intact. There is a subplot involving Hawaiian heritage and legacy that never perfectly gels into the personal story at the foreground, but both aspects of the plot are engaging and heartfelt, and still entertain along the way. I found my emotional responses ranging from debilitating laughter to fighting back tears. It's an impressive balancing act that Payne navigates with expertise.
The Descendants comes with a 1080p/AVC transfer that looks very consistent with how I recall the film looking in theaters. It was shot on 35 mm and has a very consistent grainy appearance that looks quite nice. The overall detail is a little soft, but I don't see any signs of digital tampering. Artefacts are restricted to some very minor blocking in large patches of colour, but it is very infrequent and difficult to notice unless you're looking for it. Overall it looks quite good, and the sun-drenched Hawaiian environments look very warm and inviting. Skin tones are slightly overcooked by the movie's warm palette, but there are overcast scenes as well where the skin tones look far more accurate. The gorgeous greens of Hawaii's hills and trees are a big standout. This high definition transfer won't blow your mind but it is a very faithful representation of the theatrical experience I had with The Descendants.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is another example of how faithful this Blu-ray release is to the theatrical presentation. The Descendants doesn't have the kind of sound mix that puts an expensive sound system to good use, but it is filled with a lot of delightful subtleties and ambient noises that help trap the viewer in the Hawaiian landscape. In beach scenes you can hear the constant sounds of waves hitting the shore or birds making noises in the surround channels. None of these sounds every drown out the dialogue, which is perfectly leveled and appropriately kept to the front channels. I never had to adjust the volume to understand what was being said. The music, which goes a long way to help prevent melodrama during the heavier scenes in the movie, consists of relaxing, light tropical Hawaiian music. It sounds very pleasing and rich, if not especially dynamic. There isn't a lot of separation between the instruments and the sounds of the environment, but the pristine quality of the sound is unmistakable.
Deleted Scenes (05:46, HD): There are two of them, and each has a text introduction that explains a little bit about the scene and why it was cut. The first is an extended version of the scene where Matt goes to pick up his older daughter from school. The second is a scene of dialogue between Matt and his older daughter that was cut to keep the momentum of the film going. It's a great scene.
Everybody Loves George (07:27, HD) is a segment dedicated to George Clooney where the filmmakers and actors all talk about how much they enjoyed working with him. There's some interview footage and a clips of Clooney messing around on set. For example, in a scene where they were sitting in an airplane cabin with a bunch of extras, Clooney broke out a fart button application on his iPhone. It's a fun look at the on-set environment. This feature is followed up by Working with Alexander (13:34, HD). There is some footage of Alexander Payne talking on set. He's a very excitable guy, which is hard to imagine given the somber mood of his films. As with the Clooney feature, most of this segment is interviews of fellow crew members and actors taking about how much they like working with Payne. Payne also talks himself about his collaborations with the writers and set workers.
The Real Descendants (12:06, HD) is a short but interesting look at some Hawaiian history and a real land tycoon family like the one portrayed in the film. There are some comparison shots of the beautiful land as it looks today with old photos.
Hawaiian Style (16:47, HD) is a look at how drenched the filmmaking process was in Hawaiian culture. It was blessed by a Hawaiian priest before production started. There's so much attention dedicated to details like pillow casings, wall paintings and the types of plants in the yard. All of it in service of creating an authentic Hawaiian setting for the film. This featurette does a wonderful job of heightening my appreciation for the attention to detail. One bit of trivia I found particularly humorous is that when Hurricane Iniki hit Kaua'i in 1992, it blew apart chicken coops and now the island is overrun with feral chickens. You can see them throughout the film.
Casting (08:11, HD) is very similar in nature to the Clooney and Payne featurettes. It features interview footage, mostly of Payne, as he talks about the casting process and how they used a lot Kaua'i natives. They share some stories about the stressful auditioning process. For instance, the actress who plays Scottie, Amara Miller, was not cast until a couple weeks before shooting. Matthew Lillard, and some other actors, share stories about how he got involved. Comedian Rob Huebel plays back the voicemail of Alexander Payne's personal call telling him he got the part, while making funny gestures.
Working with Water (10:58, HD), as the title suggests, is a look at what a pain it is to shoot scenes on water. There aren't a lot of scenes on the water in The Descendants but it is a fun look at something you don't often consider when you watch movies where the ocean is a big setting. Next up is Waiting for the Light (02:52, HD), which is a very short but charming featurette where the crew is standing around on the Hawaiian land waiting for the light to come out so they can get the shot they need.
The World Parade - Hawaii (09:55, HD) is an awesome little short from the silent film era that shows some lovely footage of Hawaii from the early 1900's. One shot includes a Hawaiian native that climbs a very tall coconut tree. There's some footage of Kilauea, the world's largest active volcano, some hula dancing and even some surfing. I loved it and thought it was a great addition to the extra features.
A Conversation with George Clooney and Alexander Payne (11:58, HD) is a segment of Clooney and Payne conversing about their inspirations and thoughts about film and working as a director. Payne mentions the great Make Way for Tomorrow as one of his greatest influences, mentioning that it was a drama made by a comedy director. It's not extremely relevant to The Descendants, but it's always nice to see two people passionate about film swooning over the films they love.
There is also a Theatrical Trailer and some Music Videos (10:29, HD) of compositions from the soundtrack set to lovely images of Hawaii.
Nobody melds drama and humour with the same grace and finesse as Alexander Payne. The Descendants fits comfortably next to other great films in his career like Sideways and Election, and it features George Clooney in one of his finest performances to date. Fans should be pleased with the faithful video and audio presentation that Fox delivers with this Blu-ray, and though I would've liked a commentary track, there are plenty of wonderful extra features that enhance one's appreciation of the film.
* Note: The above images are taken from the Blu-ray and DVD releases and resized for the page. Full-resolution captures are available by clicking individual images, but due to .jpg compression they are not necessarily representative of the quality of the transfer.
Review by Jonathan Hogberg
elvis68 Member Join Date: July 2006 Location: United States Posts: 54
Agreed. One of, if not the best film of the year.
Gabe Powers Editor Join Date: September 2004 Location: United States Posts: 4,719
Finally watched my copy last night. Didn't love it, but it's definitely Payne's best 'white people problems' flick since Schmidt. I may have liked it even more.
Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian
Disc Details
Release Date: 13th March 2012
Discs: 2
Disc Type: Blu-ray Disc
RCE: No
Video: 1080p
Aspect: 2.40:1
Anamorphic: No
Colour: Yes
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English, Dolby Digital 5.1 English Descriptive Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1 Spanish, Dolby Digital 5.1 French
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Extras: Everybody Loves George, Working with Alexander, The Real Descendants, Hawaiian Style, Casting, Working with Water, "Will I Ever See You Again" Music Video, Postcards From Paradise Music Video, "Honolulu's Whisper" Music Video, Waiting for the Light, The World Parade - Hawaii (Silent Film), A Conversation with George Clooney and Alexander Payne, Deleted Scenes, Digital Copy, DVD Copy
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Alexander Payne
Cast: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause, Patricia Hastie
Genre: Comedy and Drama
Length: 115 minutes
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