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Snoop Dogg To Perform At T-Boz Unplugged At Avalon Hollywood On MLK...


Source: Snoop Dogg To Perform At T-Boz Unplugged At Avalon Hollywood On MLK...

Food, Love and Life Comes Back to Albuquerque in Third Annual QSolo...


Source: Food, Love and Life Comes Back to Albuquerque in Third Annual QSolo...

Disney's New Princess Auli'i Cravalho of Moana Has Exclusive...


Source: Disney's New Princess Auli'i Cravalho of Moana Has Exclusive...

Radio Legend Wolfman Jack Returns to XPatRadio.mx Christmas Day in 2...


Source: Radio Legend Wolfman Jack Returns to XPatRadio.mx Christmas Day in 2...

Ritual or Relationship?

Neither did they say, "Where is the LORD, Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness." Jeremiah 2:6

Christianity is an intimate, growing relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. It is not a set of doctrines to believe, habits to practice, or sins to avoid. Every activity God commands is intended to enhance His love relationship with His people.

God designed worship for us to see Him in His glory and to respond appropriately; for many it has degenerated into “religion,” one more meeting to attend out of habit. God established the sacrificial system so that we, His people, could express our love to Him; but we often diminish our gifts to our Lord into futile attempts to appease Him and to pacify our guilty conscience. God gave us prayer so we could have conversation with Him, but we often distort this by “saying prayers” and hurrying off without ever listening to what is on our Father’s heart. God instituted His commandments as a protection for those He loves, but the commandments can become a pathway to legalism rather than an avenue for a relationship with our Father in which He protects us from harm.

Religious activity apart from fellowship with God is empty ritual. The people of Jeremiah’s day were satisfied to have the ritual without the manifest presence of God. They became so comfortable with their “religion” that they didn’t even notice God’s absence. Is it possible to pray, to attend a worship service, or to give an offering yet not to experience the presence of God? It certainly is possible! And that has been the sad commentary on many a Christian experience. Don’t settle for a religious life that lacks a vital relationship to Jesus Christ. When God is present, the difference will be obvious.

God Looks for Clay

"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the LORD. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!" Jeremiah 18:6

God knows how to bring salvation to your family, your friends, your community, and your world. Accordingly, He looks for those who will allow Him to shape them into the instruments He requires to do His divine work. Clay has no plans of its own, no aspirations for service, nor reluctance to perform its given task. It is just clay. Moldable, pliable, totally submissive to the will of its master. At times we excitedly announce to God: “I’ve discovered my strengths and gifts, and now I know how I can best serve You!” At other times we inform Him, “I am aware of what my weaknesses are, so I know which tasks I’m not capable of doing for You.” Yet this is not characteristic of clay. God is not limited to working with our strengths (2 Cor. 12:9-10). He can mold us into whatever kind of instrument He requires. When God’s assignment demands humility, he finds a servant willing to be humbled. When His work requires zeal, He looks for someone He can fill with His Spirit. God uses holy vessels, so He finds those who will allow Him to remove their impurities. It is not a noble task, being clay. There is no to it, nothing boast-worthy, except that it is exactly what almighty God is looking for. Compliant, moldable, yielded clay. If your tendency is to tell the Father what you can and cannot do for Him, submit to His agenda and allow Him to shape you into the person He wants you to be. Like clay.

Why working the night shift can pose a cancer risk


Source: Why working the night shift can pose a cancer risk

Patch that delivers drug, gene, and light-based therapy to tumor sites shows promising results


Source: Patch that delivers drug, gene, and light-based therapy to tumor sites shows promising results

Cancer-fighting bacteria


Source: Cancer-fighting bacteria

Study sheds light on role of mutations in metastasized cancer


Source: Study sheds light on role of mutations in metastasized cancer

New microfluidic device offers means for studying electric field cancer therapy


Source: New microfluidic device offers means for studying electric field cancer therapy

Engineers design programmable RNA vaccines


Source: Engineers design programmable RNA vaccines

A strategy for “convergence” research to transform biomedicine


Source: A strategy for “convergence” research to transform biomedicine

A new approach to chemical synthesis


Source: A new approach to chemical synthesis

Glowing tumors light a path to cancer treatment


Source: Glowing tumors light a path to cancer treatment

Lung cancer “breathalyzer” wins $100K Entrepreneurship Competition


Source: Lung cancer “breathalyzer” wins $100K Entrepreneurship Competition

Implantable device targets pancreatic cancer


Source: Implantable device targets pancreatic cancer

Method for earlier detection of leukemia wins $300,000 grant


Source: Method for earlier detection of leukemia wins $300,000 grant

Taking on melanoma, one cell at a time


Source: Taking on melanoma, one cell at a time

Scientific art lights up Main Street


Source: Scientific art lights up Main Street

Why some tumors withstand treatment


Source: Why some tumors withstand treatment

Paving the way for metastasis


Source: Paving the way for metastasis

How cancer cells fuel their growth


Source: How cancer cells fuel their growth

How diet influences colon cancer


Source: How diet influences colon cancer

MIT senior takes on double major in brain and cognitive sciences plus theater arts


Source: MIT senior takes on double major in brain and cognitive sciences plus theater arts

Targeting cancer from many angles


Source: Targeting cancer from many angles

Tracing a cellular family tree


Source: Tracing a cellular family tree

Scientists discover how cancer cells escape blood vessels


Source: Scientists discover how cancer cells escape blood vessels

A new way to deliver microRNAs for cancer treatment


Source: A new way to deliver microRNAs for cancer treatment

M+Visión Fellow Carlos Castro named one of Spain’s top young innovators


Source: M+Visión Fellow Carlos Castro named one of Spain’s top young innovators

Tackling cancer research from multiple perspectives


Source: Tackling cancer research from multiple perspectives

$20 million Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research gift to expand collaborative cancer research


Source: $20 million Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research gift to expand collaborative cancer research

Biologists unravel drug-resistance mechanism in tumor cells


Source: Biologists unravel drug-resistance mechanism in tumor cells

Targeting DNA


Source: Targeting DNA

Capturing cell growth in 3-D


Source: Capturing cell growth in 3-D

How chronic inflammation can lead to cancer


Source: How chronic inflammation can lead to cancer

Real-time data for cancer therapy


Source: Real-time data for cancer therapy

Identifying a key growth factor in cell proliferation


Source: Identifying a key growth factor in cell proliferation

Study: Firms “underinvest” in long-term cancer research


Source: Study: Firms “underinvest” in long-term cancer research

Seeking rare cells


Source: Seeking rare cells

Making cancer treatment more accessible


Source: Making cancer treatment more accessible

Bringing biochemistry to life with color


Source: Bringing biochemistry to life with color

Diagnosing cancer with help from bacteria


Source: Diagnosing cancer with help from bacteria

Freshly squeezed vaccines


Source: Freshly squeezed vaccines

Tyler Jacks receives MIT’s Killian Award


Source: Tyler Jacks receives MIT’s Killian Award

Sangeeta Bhatia wins $250,000 Heinz Award


Source: Sangeeta Bhatia wins $250,000 Heinz Award

Tracking Greenland’s ice melt with seismic waves


Source: Tracking Greenland’s ice melt with seismic waves

Study: Ancient tectonic activity was trigger for ice ages


Source: Study: Ancient tectonic activity was trigger for ice ages

Koichi Masubuchi, professor emeritus of ocean engineering, dies at 92


Source: Koichi Masubuchi, professor emeritus of ocean engineering, dies at 92

DNA markers tell the story of deep sea adaptation


Source: DNA markers tell the story of deep sea adaptation

Whales dine with their own kind


Source: Whales dine with their own kind

New theory of deep-ocean sound waves may aid tsunami detection


Source: New theory of deep-ocean sound waves may aid tsunami detection

Green eelgrass, blue carbon


Source: Green eelgrass, blue carbon

Rogue wave ahead


Source: Rogue wave ahead

Living a “mixotrophic” lifestyle


Source: Living a “mixotrophic” lifestyle

Q&A: Visiting artist Keith Ellenbogen


Source: Q&A: Visiting artist Keith Ellenbogen

Capturing an underwater world


Source: Capturing an underwater world

To capture a wave


Source: To capture a wave

Artificial whisker reveals source of harbor seal’s uncanny prey-sensing ability


Source: Artificial whisker reveals source of harbor seal’s uncanny prey-sensing ability

Fertilize the ocean, cool the planet?


Source: Fertilize the ocean, cool the planet?

“Grey swan” cyclones predicted to be more frequent and intense


Source: “Grey swan” cyclones predicted to be more frequent and intense

Unveiling a maritime legacy


Source: Unveiling a maritime legacy

Better estimates of worldwide mercury pollution


Source: Better estimates of worldwide mercury pollution

Predicting the shape of river deltas


Source: Predicting the shape of river deltas

Ocean acidification may cause dramatic changes to phytoplankton


Source: Ocean acidification may cause dramatic changes to phytoplankton

A new look for nuclear power


Source: A new look for nuclear power

Bubbling with passion for environmental engineering


Source: Bubbling with passion for environmental engineering

Predicting sediment flow in coastal vegetation


Source: Predicting sediment flow in coastal vegetation

Study: Ocean source of a greenhouse gas has been underestimated


Source: Study: Ocean source of a greenhouse gas has been underestimated

A check on runaway lake drainage


Source: A check on runaway lake drainage

Uncovering diversity in an invisible ocean world


Source: Uncovering diversity in an invisible ocean world

MIT engineers hand “cognitive” control to underwater robots


Source: MIT engineers hand “cognitive” control to underwater robots

Researchers unravel secrets of hidden waves


Source: Researchers unravel secrets of hidden waves

India drift


Source: India drift

An ocean of opportunity


Source: An ocean of opportunity

Environmental Solutions Initiative awards seed grants to advance collaborative progress on environmental challenges


Source: Environmental Solutions Initiative awards seed grants to advance collaborative progress on environmental challenges

Closing the arctic data gap


Source: Closing the arctic data gap

New detector sniffs out origins of methane


Source: New detector sniffs out origins of methane

A mollusk of a different stripe


Source: A mollusk of a different stripe

Solving carbon mysteries of the deep ocean


Source: Solving carbon mysteries of the deep ocean

Waves in the deep


Source: Waves in the deep

Slow-motion science and the art of capturing marine life


Source: Slow-motion science and the art of capturing marine life

Life on an aquaplanet


Source: Life on an aquaplanet

Team of MechE and CSAIL students wins grand prize in Maritime RobotX Challenge


Source: Team of MechE and CSAIL students wins grand prize in Maritime RobotX Challenge

MechE alumna catches rare glimpse of marine life


Source: MechE alumna catches rare glimpse of marine life

Solving the polar climate conundrum


Source: Solving the polar climate conundrum

BSP lawyer: Documents on alleged shipment of gold to Thailand are "spurious"
By Joann Santiago

MANILA, Jan. 6 (PNA) -- The chief legal officer of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday clarified issues linking the central bank governor, among others, to alleged illegal shipment of gold reserves to Thailand using an alleged circular for the production of US dollars.

The plunder complaint, filed by lawyer Fernando Perito and one Rogelio Cantoria before the Office of the Ombudsman Friday, alleged that President Benigno Aquino III and six others including BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr., were involved in the alleged illegal shipment of 3,500 metric tons of gold reserves to Thailand.

Part of the documents submitted to the Ombudsman is an alleged certification attached to an alleged BSP Circular 0049 Series of 2014.

In a statement issued by the BSP Friday night, BSP Assistant Governor and General Counsel Elmore Capule said they had checked the said document “purportedly emanating from the Office of the Governor on a Personal and Confidential Certification of Circular No. 49 Series of 2014 on the subject of Consolidated Rules and Regulations on the Production of the United States of America Currency Notes. “

He said “a cursory examination of the said document readily shows that it is spurious for the following basic reasons:”

1. The subject matter is outside of BSP's authority (Production of the United States of America Currency Notes);

2. Circular No. 49 is a circular issued way back in September 20, 1994, and not 2014, on a totally different subject matter;

3. Republic Act No. 7655 cited in item 1 supposedly as basis of the authority to produce the US dollars pertains to an Act increasing the minimum wage of househelpers;

RA NO. 7655, otherwise known as “An Act Increasing the Minimum Wage of Househelpers”, was approved on Aug. 19, 1992.

Capule also noted that “Republic Act No. 7735 cited in item 2 supposedly as basis for the production of the funds pertains to an act establishing a national high school in Davao (Lorenzo S. Sarmiento, Sr. National High School).”

”While purporting to be a BSP issued circular, issued by the Office of the Governor, it is signed by three cabinet secretaries, the Senate President and the Governor. Fyi, BSP circulars are signed only by BSP officials,” he added.

Other personalities who were included in the complaint, are former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, former Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila De Lima, former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, and former Senate President Franklin Drilon.

The complained named De Lima as Finance Secretary and Roxas as Secretary of the Department of Nutrition and Local Government. (PNA)

Tighter security for Asean Summit, Ms Universe event in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 6 -- Davao City's Public Safety and Security command Center (PSSCC) had laid down tighter security measures in connection with the holding of the Asean Summit and the Miss Universe beauty pageant here.

As this developed, the City Government of Davao is also preparing measures taken and plans to be submitted to the Department of Foreign Affairs for the lifting of travel advisories in time for the series of international events to be held in the city in the coming weeks.

Ret. Gen. Benito de Leon, the PSSC chief, said that the tighter security measures were discussed on Thursday morning, when the PSSCC conducted a security meeting together with the Task Force Davao, the Davao City Police Office, Central 911, City Traffic and Transportation Management Office, and the Joint Task Force Haribon.

"We are preparing plans for submission by the city to the DFA for their reference to communicate the lifting of travel advisories," said de Leon.

De Leon stressed that part of the tighter security measures is the deployment of additional troops.

Although there will be no lockdown, he said a heightened alert level will be adopted during the holding of activities related to the two major events.

“We have improved our security measure for the series of big events, we will add layers of patrols and additional troops for the event,” he said.

De Leon said the security measures “improved a lot since the Joint Task force Haribon will cover the air space and the coastlines of the city.”

All security efforts will be coordinated through a centralized security monitoring system, he added.

De Leon said that after the Roxas Night Market explosion on September 2, the city has improved its security monitoring by doubling security protocols in the checkpoints and the coastlines, and is now “more prepared to combat terrorism.”

He said that they will also brief Department of Foreign Affairs officials on the improved security in the city after the bombing so that foreign visitors will be informed that it is safe to travel to the city.

Â"Our assessment is that we have improved a lot. We are now more prepared to combat terrorism to ensure the safety of our citizens and the tourists as well. Through this, we are hoping that they will lift their travel advisory and tell their people that they are now safe to visit Davao,” De Leon said. (PNA)

DOLE receives 149 complaints on non-payment of 13thmonth pay, other labor related inquiries
By Ferdinand G. Patinio

MANILA, January 4, 2017 -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has received a total of 149 calls, as of Monday, complaining that they have not received their 13th month pay, which is provided under the Labor Code.

According to Usec. Dominador Say, the complaints will be verified, once it was proven to be true, the DOLE will contact the employer and will be asked to explain.

"If based sa call, hindi sila nakatanggap, ipapatawag namin ang employer," he said.

According to the data from the DOLE's call center, it received a total of 149 calls from December 24, 2016 to January 2, 2017. All of the callers are complaining about the non-release of their 13th month pay by their employers.

Last year, the department has received a total of 725 calls from December 24, 2015 to January 31, 2016, including those who did not received the one-month payment as provided by law and other concerns asking about the computation of the 13 month pay.

Say noted that aside from complaints of non-payment of 13th month pay, the call center also reviewed calls on how the payment is being computed.

"Dalawang subject matters iyan. Ang una, tinatanong nila kung papaano 'yung computation ng 13th month pay. Obviously, nakakatanggap sila ng amount pero hindi nila alam kung malaki ba ito or maliit...'Yung ibang tanong naman, hindi sila nakatanggap," he added.

The DOLE official stressed that the law provides that 13th month pay should be given on or before December 24.

"On or before December 24 (dapat natanggap na ito ng empleyado). So 'yung natanggap nila nung 24, naganalyze sila bakit kulang ito pambili ng salad. Naiisipan nila magtanong nung 26, so we have about approximately 150 calls. Between that period Dec. to Jan. 2," he added.

Under the law, all employers are mandated to pay their 13th month pay on or before December 24, regardless of the nature of their employment, and irrespective of the methods by which their wages are paid, provided they worked for at least one month during a calendar year.

The said payment is defined to mean one-twelfth (1/12) of the basic salary of an employee within a calendar year.

The basic salary includes all remunerations or earnings paid by an employer to an employee for services rendered, but may not include cost-of-living allowances (COLA), profit-sharing payments, cash equivalents of unused vacation and sick leave credits, overtime pay, premium pay, night shift differential pay, holiday pay, and all allowances and monetary benefits which are not considered, or integrated as part of the regular or basic salary of the employee.

With this, Say noted that employers are required to submit reportorial requirements that would indicate the number of employees that received their 13th month pay.

"Lahat ng employers na nagbigay ng 13th month pay. Kasama iyan as administrative requirements ng PD 851. They would have to submit reportorial requirements iyan kung ilan yung tao yung binigyan mo ng 13th month pay. Magkano ang binigay mo," he said.

At the same time, the DOLE official warned those who failed to comply with the requirements of the law.

"May reassessment. May amount iyon na iassess namin. Ipapamandatory conference iyon para mainform sila. Kung after the process at napatunayan na talagang hindi nagbigay, bibigyan namin ng panahon para icomply nila, otherwise baka doble iyan.

"(For example)PHP50,000 lang iyan. Ayaw mo sumunod. Magiging PHP100,000 iyon. May double indemnity iyon. Kapag ayaw pa rin nila, hahatakin yung kotse mo. Io-auction iyon to satisfy the benefits of the employees," he added. (PNA)

Duterte visits wake of cop killed in shootout with suspected criminals

MANILA, Jan. 6 (PNA) â€" President Rodrigo Duterte visited on Friday the wake of Police Officer 1 Enrico Domingo who was killed in a shootout with suspected criminals in Pasay City last Wednesday.

Accompanied by some of his Cabinet officials, President Duterte travelled to Tanza, Cavite after attending a joint Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police command conference in Malacanang to visit the wake of Domingo.

Domingo reportedly died from gunshot wounds in the head and shoulder after he and two other policemen responded to an information about a group of men having a pot session along Pestanas street in Barangay 69, Zone 9 in Pasay City.

PO2 Harley Garcera was wounded but now in stable condition while PO1 Tim Santos was unhurt as the suspects escaped by running on the roofs of the shanties.

President Duterte promised financial assistance to the family of Domingo and scholarships for his children and work at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for his wife.

From Cavite, President Duterte travelled back to Quezon City to also visit the wake of Salvador Carlo Panelo III, a 27-year-old son of presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, at the Cosmopolitan Memorial Chapel & Crematory along Araneta Avenue.

Panelo III died on Friday due to “congested heart”, according his father.

Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar extended the Palace’s heartfelt condolences to the Salvador family.

”Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Secretary Panelo at this difficult time,” Andanar said. (PNA)

Andanar’s office designated to oversee FOI implementation

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) â€" The Presidential Communication Office (PCO) headed by Secretary Martin Andanar has been designated to oversee the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) program in the executive branch.

The designation was made through Memorandum Order No. 10 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea last December 29.

"There is a need to continuously monitor the implementation of Executive Order No. 2 across all government agencies in the Executive Branch," MO No. 10 read.

"The designation of a lead agency shall ensure the successful implementation of the FOI program," it added.

Under the memorandum order, all departments, agencies, bureaus, offices or instrumentalities of the government including government-owned and â€"controlled corporations are directed to render full assistance and cooperation to the PCO.

As lead agency, the PCO shall oversee implementation of all FOI and electronic or e-FOI programs for all government agencies in the executive branch and monitor compliance therewith.

The PCO shall also develop programs and mechanisms to enhance the capacity of government agencies to comply with FOI programs, and conduct and facilitate the necessary capacity and institutional building programs for all concerned government agencies and instrumentalities.

In November last year, Malacanang launched the FOI and e-FOI programs in a bid to boost the anti-corruption campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Living up to his promise to fight corruption, President Duterte signed EO No. 2 right in the first month of his presidency in July last year.

The FOI for executive branch has nine exceptions. These include:

-- Information covered by Executive privilege;

-- Privileged information relating to national security, defense or international relations;

-- Information concerning law enforcement and protection of public and personal safety;

-- Information deemed confidential for the protection of the privacy of persons and certain individuals such as minors, victims or crimes, or the accused;

-- Information, documents or records known by reason of official capacity and are deemed as confidential, including those submitted or disclosed by entities to government agencies, tribunals, boards, or officers, in relation to the performance of their functions, or to inquiries or investigation conducted by them in the exercise of their administrative, regulatory or quasi-judicial powers;

-- Prejudicial premature disclosure;

-- Records of proceedings or information from proceedings which, pursuant to law or relevant rules and regulations, are treated as confidential or privileged;

--Matters considered confidential under banking and finance laws, and their amendatory laws; and

-- Other exceptions to the right to information under laws, jurisprudence, rules and regulations. (PNA)

'Our future is greater than our past'


Source: 'Our future is greater than our past'

Ruskin graduate Helen Marten wins Turner Prize


Source: Ruskin graduate Helen Marten wins Turner Prize

Children in care 'in need of early education but too few receive it'


Source: Children in care 'in need of early education but too few receive it'

Swimming, racquet sports, and aerobics linked to best odds of staving off death


Source: Swimming, racquet sports, and aerobics linked to best odds of staving off death

Latest community grants announced


Source: Latest community grants announced

Humanities research to be turned into gameshow and drama on FrightFRIDAY


Source: Humanities research to be turned into gameshow and drama on FrightFRIDAY

Chancellor announces Oxfordshire will carry out science and innovation audit


Source: Chancellor announces Oxfordshire will carry out science and innovation audit

Oxford team receives research grant to improve infant health and development


Source: Oxford team receives research grant to improve infant health and development

'Welfare cuts mean charities struggle to meet migrants' needs'


Source: 'Welfare cuts mean charities struggle to meet migrants' needs'