1 Apr, 2009
Gain the World. Lose Your Soul.
Outrage Growing Over Perchlorate Contamination Of Food
MILWAUKEE - An environmental group is accusing the government of not doing enough to protect people and the nation’s food from potentially dangerous levels of a rocket fuel ingredient.
It’s called perchlorate, and it’s a key component in rocket fuel.
"We don't think people realize how widespread of a contaminant it is," Environmental Working Group Dr. Anila Jacob said.
The group says that 20 million to 40 million Americans may be exposed to the chemical.
"We know that the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has found perchlorate in 100 percent of the people they've tested, so there's widespread exposure, through contaminated drinking water and also through contaminated food," Jacob said.
The concern is that the fuel additive has seeped into the ground and water in dozens of states -- usually from old military bases or NASA sites. That's how the group said how perchlorate has ended up in the drinking water and the food supply. Perchlorate can affect thyroid hormone levels, which in a fetus or newborn baby can inhibit brain development -- which is why advocacy groups said pregnant women and nursing moms need to be made aware.
story courtesy of - wisn.com
picture courtesy of - library.thinkquest.org
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about "gaining the world and losing our souls"?
We all make sacrifices. The question today is, for what cause will we sacrifice? According to today's article, those involved with NASA and the U.S. military have sacrificed the health and safety of millions for the sake of their cause. Some might argue the exploration of space or the strength of the U.S. military is worth any cost or sacrifice, others would obviously disagree. Regardless, the sacrifice has been made and the consequences must now be addressed.
Jesus warned us that "for the sake of the world" we might jeopardize something even more important. Jesus warned us that our pursuit of wealth, power, popularity, or success could wind up destroying us. None of us are immune to it and Jesus even calls it a "daily" exercise.
Ultimately we have a choice between selflessness and selfishness. Jesus, in his life of humble service and sacrificial death is the example of turning from selfishness for the sake of others. Daily he is calling us to do the same. Simply put, we are to sacrifice all we have and all we are for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
The beauty of it all is that as we give up our lives to the will of God and the redemption of others, as we take up our cross, we will find our lives as we never have before, full of hope, peace, meaning, and purpose. So when we take up our cross, when we follow Jesus and give up our selfish desires, we find redemption too.
- Are "selfish ways" poisoning the soil of your relationship with God?
- What do you need to give up for the sake of Christ?
- Thank Jesus for his willingness to give up his life for our sake.
- Talk with your friends about today's story, find out what they think about it.
- When you're with your friends try to practice selflessness rather than selfishness.
- Ask your friends if they believe some goals are worth sacrificing health and safety for.
- February 2010 [5]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
