The Lost Island

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Socotra Island may be a real life example of the land that time forgot. Geographically isolated from Africa for over 6 million years it has developed unique flora and fauna that is not found anywhere else on Earth.

Situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, Socotra has wide sandy beaches, limestone plateaus full of caves, and mountains up to 1525 meters high. The Island supports about 48,000 and only had the first roads installed in 2006 by the Yemeni

Socotra has been declared a World Natural Heritage Site.

Read more about the island – The Most Alien-Looking Place on Earth.

Ike Slams Texas

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Over 5 million homes are estimated to be without power in the wake of hurricane Ike – including my entire family and most of by childhood friends. Please continue to pray for safety and rapid recovery for people, pets, and property on the Texas coast.

Due to a last minute shift, Houston and Galveston were spared a direct hit. While that is wonderful news for millions, it is tragic for thousands just east of Ike’s path that bore the brunt on the storm surge. Gratefully, the wind speed did not strengthen to a Category 4 as many had predicted. The shear size of the storm was monstrous though. Ike was, literally, the size of Texas.

I have worked with Texas Baptist Men and their Disaster Relief Teams in the past. Make an Online Donation to help folks in need.

Here is a great photo gallery of the damage.

Stormlook has some good info also.

Greetings!

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Welcome to our discussion of faith, politics and culture.

Meet Dr. Bruce L. Baker

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sermonzoneDr. Bruce L. Baker

Doing as well as hearing the Word of God occupies the center of my life and I am committed to my family, church, community and country. My politics will typically run toward the conservative in fiscal areas and toward the liberal in social issues, despite my strong pro-life stance. When others do not agree with me I happily engage in civil discourse that debates ideas and their merits but have no patience with those that substitute personal attacks for dialogue and reason.

Double-standards need to be exposed and eliminated. We should apply the same standards and logic to both sides of an issue. Everyone should hold politicians in their own party to the same standard as those in the other party.

After planning on a career in law, I served Baptist churches for over 30 years. I grew up Methodist and some church members have never forgiven me for it. Some folks from New Mexico have never forgiven me for being born in Texas either. I played basketball in college but three spinal surgeries have put an end to most sporting activities. My wonderful wife, Penny, is more than I ever deserve. And yes, the doctorate is earned.

I work with a variety of non-profit groups that focus on helping people; especially women and children. Carey Association serves hundreds of families across Calcasieu and Jeff Davis Parishes. Volunteers provide food, clothes, and an ample supply of hugs and encouragement.

The Bible instructs believers to engage culture as salt and light. I look forward to the dialog in this forum to discuss just what that means.