Author: Godinterest

Godinterest is dedicated to proclaiming Christ and set apart, to save and empower lives.
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Can I Be A ‘Part-Time Christian’ and Keep My Sinful Lifestyle?

Are you a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ or are you a Part-Time Christian?  Does your faith in Jesus go beyond a weekend service? Do you live a double life?

“The Decline Christianity Has Become Precipitous in Recent Years”

For the first time in recorded history, those declaring themselves to have no religious affiliation have outnumbered Christians in Britain.  Some 44 per cent of us regard ourselves as Christian, 8  per cent follow another religion and 48 per cent follow none. The decline of Christianity is perhaps the biggest single change in Britain over the past century. For some time, it has been a stretch to describe Britain as a Christian country. We can more accurately be categorised now as a secular nation with fading Christian institutions.  More than ever before, we have an obligation to act in a Christ-like manner. Not just in church, but everywhere.

“Don’t Be A Part-Time Christian Who Demands A Full-Time God”

As Christian we can’t put our faith on a part-time schedule; as being Christian is a full-time occupation.  If we don’t open our hearts to the Holy Spirit to purify and enlighten us, then our faith in God will be superficial.

“Sorry Christians, We Can’t Blame the Media Any More”

Do you know why Christians have a bad reputation today? It’s not because of CNN. It’s because of our own Facebook pages, Twitter feeds and YouTube videos! Every day, we confirm people’s worst suspicions about us. The gatekeepers are gone. With social media there’s no one filtering the information and there’s no one left to blame but ourselves.

“Jesus Has No Part-Time Disciples”

Jesus is the living word and truth that “came among us so that we could know it.  Jesus’ said it all. Deny self, take up the cross and follow him. Moreover, only in losing one’s life — the primary meaning of apollymi is to destroy — one may save it. And Jesus means it. Judgment, he says, involves “repaying” people according to what they have done. At this moment we are hearing Matthew’s voice: Salvation comes not to those who call Jesus “Lord,” but to those who do what he says.  It’s a matter of life and death.

“If I’m Wrong about God Then I Have Wasted My Life, But If Your Wrong about God Then You’ve Wasted Your Eternity”

So we face the chasm between Jesus’ call to discipleship and our own lives as part-time volunteers for the Gospel. Few Christians abandon everything for the Christ sake. Most of us simply fit our Christianity into the open slots on our calendars. But Jesus links the life of discipleship with his own path.

“Some Readers Hardly Need to Hear This News. Moment by Moment, Many of Us Are Constantly Mindful That We Fall Far Short of Jesus’ Standard”

Sadly exhaustion, burnout, tiredness, even breakdown are conditions that are all too common these days, not least among those involved in some kind of Christian ministry, whether full-time, part-time or voluntary.

Sometimes in striving to do our utmost for God, we can easily forget that there were many times when Jesus himself was willing to rest, to do nothing except wait for the Spirit’s prompting, so that he demonstrated the vital principle of ‘working from a place of rest’.

“Knowing and Doing What God Wants Is Simply Not Possible with Mere Human Effort — It Takes Divine Intervention and a Transformative Action of the Holy Spirit”

Take some time out to reflect on how you are living and working. Watch Jesus and see how he does it. Listen to what the Spirit may be saying to you deep within, at the centre of your being; and maybe, just maybe, God will give you some insights that will change your life and sustain your ministry over the long haul.’

If every Christian truly had faith in who they are in Christ, we would move mountains together.  The longer I live on this earth, the more I long for the new one.

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Jesus, Please!

Jesus never wrote a book, yet all the libraries throughout the country couldn’t hold all the books written about him. Jesus never wrote a song, but he is the theme of more songs than all song writers combined.

Jesus never founded a college or university, but all the schools together cannot boast of how many students he has. Jesus never practiced sociology, but the bible says he has healed more broken hearts then doctors have healed broken bodies.

Jesus never marshalled an army, drafted a solider or fired a gun, but no leader has had more volunteers who have under his order made army’s cease without a shot being fired.

Jesus is the central figure of the bible. The Old Testament talks about the Jesus that is to come and the New Testament talks about the Jesus that has come and is coming back.

Jesus is Under Fire in The Public Eye

However, whiles Jesus followers have numbered in the millions, his detractors are increasing by the minute. Not everybody believes Jesus is real, or the messiah. There are many who question the authority and legitimacy of Jesus.

Did he really turn water into wine? Did he really heal the sick? Did he really spit on the ground to make mud and rub it on a mans eyes to make him see? Did Jesus really walk on water and feed five thousand people with two fish and five lofts of bread? Was Jesus really God? Or was Jesus merely a good person who walked the earth and preformed good deeds?

The World is Full of Jesus Naysayers

We live in a world of Jesus Naysayers. Jesus doubters who are confusing Christianity, dividing churches and deceiving people.

Atheists are on the rise, in fact, according to the Pew Research Center (a nonpartisan American think tank based in Washington, D.C.) , the number of atheists in the US has doubled in the last seven years and this figure is rising fast. This is not limited to the US, but a worldwide crisis. The medium age of people turning to atheism is 34 years of age, which means most people who don’t believe are young people.

There is Power In The Name of Jesus

Despite all of this the church is called to preach that there is power in the name of Jesus to make disciples of people.

Raising G-Rated Kids in An X-Rated World

That’s why a foundation in Jesus for our young people is so important. We are raising G-rated kids in an X-rated world. That’s why an environment that is conducive to their growth, where Christian principals are promoted, fostered and the authenticity of Jesus is not questioned is now more important than ever.

The final outcome of our child-rearing is the combined result of four influences.

  • God—The Ultimate Influence
  • Parents—The Ordained Means of Influence
  • The World—The Unavoidable Influence
  • The Child’s Heart—The Overlooked Influence

I can think of no more urgent need in our urban context than to raise up a generation of children who love God and hate evil (Ps 97:10). Satan himself seeks to devour them. And what, do you ask, is God’s appointed means of grace to help your children? That answer is simple. It is you, God fearing parents.

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Marriage 2.0: Software Review

A newly married man wrote this to a computer *Data Analyst*

Dear Data Analyst

I am desperate for some help! I recently upgraded my program from *Girlfriend 7.0* to *Wife 1.0* following acceptance of the oath from the KJV Bible Instruction Manual and found that the new *Wife 1.0* program began unexpected Child Processing? *Wife 1.0* has also taken up a lot of space and valuable resources. This wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the _KJV instruction manual?

In addition *Wife 1.0* installs itself into all other programs and launches during systems initialisation at the start of each day and then it constantly monitors all other system activities.

Applications such as *”Boys’ Night out 2.5″* and *”Golf 5.3″* no longer run, and crashes the system whenever selected.

Attempting to operate selected *”Soccer 6.3″* always fails and *”Church 5.1″* and *”Shopping 7.1″* runs instead.

I cannot seem to keep *Wife 1.0* in the background whilst attempting to run any of my favorite applications. Be it online or offline.
.
I am thinking of going back to *”Girlfriend 7.0″*, but the uninstall button doesn’t work on this program and after reading the instruction guide seems to be prohibited by KJV Manual 9.0. Can you please help?

The Systems Analyst replied:

*Dear Customer,*

This is a very common problem resulting from a basic misunderstanding of the functions of the *Wife 1.0 program and a lack of understanding of the KJV Bible Instruction Manual*.

Many customers upgrade from _Girlfriend 7.0_ to _Wife 1.0_ after acceptance of the oath from the KJV Bible Instruction Manual thinking that _Wife 1.0_ is merely a *UTILITY AND ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM.* This is not the case!

Actually, *Wife 1.0* is an _OPERATING SYSTEM_ designed by its *Creator* to run everything on your current platform. You must therefore review the KJV Bible Instruction Manual for daily guidance.

You will not be able to purge *Wife 1.0* and still convert back to _Girlfriend 7.0_, as *Wife 1.0* was not designed to do this and it is impossible to _uninstall, delete or purge the program files from the System once it is installed. The KJV Bible Instruction Manual only permits one installation. There maybe one or two exceptions to this rule, but you do not meet the criteria.

Some people have tried to install _Girlfriend 8.0 or Wife 2.0_ but have ended up with even more problems. *_(See Manual under Alimony/Child Support and Solicitors’ Fees/)._* Plus the instruction manual clearly states whoever uninstalls Wife 1.0_ , except for sexual immorality, and installs another, commits adultery.”

Having *Wife 1.0* installed, I recommend you keep it Installed and learn to deal with the situation as best as you can. You will find that the more closely you adhere to the insttruction manual and operate in accordance with the authors example the better your experience will be.

When any faults or problems occur, whatever you think has caused them, you must run the………
*C:\ APOLOGIZE\ FORGIVE AND PRAY.EXE* Program and avoid attempting to use the _*Esc-Key_ for it will freeze the entire system.

It may be necessary to run *C:\ APOLOGIZE\ FORGIVE ME AND PRAY.EXE* a number of times, and eventually hope that the operating system will return to normal.

Although *Wife 1.0,* demands respect, love, and attention,*Wife 1.0,* can be very rewarding.

To get the most out of *Wife 1.0,* , consider buying additional Software such as *”FAMILY PRAYER TIME 1.0, Flowers 2.0″* and *”Chocolates 5.0″*,*”Attention 6.0″* and *”HUGS\ KISSES 7.0″* or *”TENDERNESS\ UNDERSTANDING and SHARE HOUSEHOLD DUTIES 10.0″* or *”even Eating Out Without the Kids 7.2.1″* _(if Child processing has already started)._

*DO NOT* under any circumstances install *”Secretary 2.1″* _(Short Skirt Version)_ or *”One Nightstand 3.2″*, as this is not a supported Application for *Wife 1.0* and the system will almost certainly *CRASH*. In addition this could disqualify you from upgrading to, HEAVEN .11.0.

PS’ When my relationship crashed, I took a hard look at the conventional wisdom. Then did a reboot and emerged with a partnership that was built to last.

*BEST WISHES!*

Yours,”
Systems Analyst.

*#To all husbands/ future husbands*

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After 21 Years of Marriage, My Wife Wanted Me to Take Another Woman out to Dinner

Wife Asked Hubby to Go on a Date With Another Woman, It Changed His Life Forever

While we all know it’s important to spend time with the ones we love, how often do we go out of our way to make the effort to see them?  This story is heartwarming and tragic in equal measure, but will definitely have you thinking about the quality time you spend with the people closest to you.

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie.  She said I Love You but I know this other woman loves you too and would love to spend some time with you.

The other woman that my wife wanted me to take out was my MOTHER who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.  ‘What’s wrong, are you well,’ she asked?  My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.  ‘I thought that it would be pleasant to be with you,’  I responded. ‘Just the two of us.’  She thought about it for a moment, and then said,  I would like that very much.’

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous.  When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she too seemed to be nervous about our date.
She waited in the door with her shawl on.  She had set her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last Wedding Anniversary.
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel’s.  ‘I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,’ she said, as she got into the car.  ‘They can’t wait to hear about our date night’.

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy.  My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady.
After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Large Print; half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting
there staring at me.  A nostalgic smile was on her lips.

‘It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were young,’  She said.

‘Then it’s time that you relax and let me return the favour,’  I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation, nothing extra-ordinary, but catching up on recent events of each others life.  We talked so much that we missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later,  She said, ‘I’ll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.’
I agreed.

‘How was your Dinner Date?’ asked my wife when I got home.  ‘Very Nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,’ I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack.  It happened so suddenly that I didn’t have time to do anything for her.  Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined.

An attached note said:

‘I paid this bill in advance.  I wasn’t sure that I could be there;  But nevertheless, I paid for two plates one for you and the other for your wife.
You will never know what that night meant to me.  I Love You, My Son.’

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: ‘I LOVE YOU!’ and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than parents, your family and friends.

Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till ‘some other time.’

Pass this story on  to a child, adult, parent,  friend  you care for.

So beautiful! I had tears in my eyes after reading this guest post!  I believe in God, family, truth between people, the power of love.  When we think of our family, our spouse, parents, or children, let us see them as a gift from God.

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Does God Have a Sense of Humor?

Does God Have a Sense of Humor?

Surely God must have a sense of humor since we are made in His image, and a sense of humor is such a delightful gift?

Perhaps we’re accustomed to thinking of Jesus only as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief”. His crucifixion is certainly no laughing matter. Or maybe the image of a laughing Jesus offends? Yet Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus is able to sympathize with us because he is exactly like us excluding sin!

God Has Gifted Us with a Sense of Humor; It Stands to Reason That Jesus Had One, Too.

Interestingly the word “humor” does not exist in the Bible, however, nor does the word Trinity, but the concept most definitely exists!  It should be evident that Jesus, being human, had a sense of humor, since the ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is comical is part of the human experience.

Such a God Inspired the Author of Proverbs to Write, “A Happy Heart Makes the Face Cheerful” (15:13),

It should be evident that Jesus, being human, had a sense of humor, since the ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is comical is part of the human experience.

Is my definition of funny the same as God’s?

Of course, a lot of what the world calls humor is not funny but is crass and crude and should have no part in a Christian’s life (Colossians 3:8).

Our Speech Should Be Edifying, and Therefore Our Humor Should Be as Well.

What about sarcasm?

Humor can be a wonderful way to cheer up and encourage a friend or calm a serious situation. But cutting remarks at the expense of someone else is of the devil. (Proverbs 26:18-19).

When is humor inappropriate?

Any humor that is done at the expense of someone else’s feelings, that only tears them down instead of building them up, is also something that God says we should not do (Colossians 4:6;  Ephesians 4:29). When in doubt, ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom before entering a situation where it might not be a good idea to exercise your wit. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit will guide us and help us know God’s truth (John 16:13).

When humor is appropriate?

Well, it appears that most laughter is intimately related to knowledge of outcomes or the lack thereof. If I know how things will turn out, I can laugh with confidence.   You see, when a person is connected with One who has the power to foretell and even determine outcomes, and when that One has promised His loved ones that He will work out everything for our good, then that person has every right to sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy a good hearty laugh, whatever the circumstances. It is not a moment of empty hilarity or temporary amusement. It is an act of faith!

My dear friend Holly told me this story:

Paul and his wife Jill were awakened at 3:00am by a loud bang on the door.
Paul gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain asked for a push.

“Not a chance,” says the Paul, “it is 3:00am in the morning!”

He slams the door and returns to bed.

“Who was that?” asked his wife Jill?

“Just some drunk man asking for a push,” he answers.

“Did you help him?” Jill asks?

“No, I did not Paul reply’s. It’s 3:00am in the morning and it’s pouring with rain out there!”

“Well, you have a short memory,” says his wife Jill. “Can’t you remember about three months ago when we broke down, and those two guys helped us? I think you should help him, and you should be ashamed of yourself!

God loves drunk people too, you know!”

Paul does as he is told, gets dressed, and goes out into the pounding rain. He calls out into the dark, “Hello, are you still there?”

“Yes,” comes back an answer.

“Do you still need a push?” calls out Paul?

“Yes, please!”

“Where are you?” asks Paul.

“Over here on the swing,” replied the drunk.

God has given us the ability to appreciate humor and share jokes with our friends. It’s certainly not a sin to laugh! But we also need to be aware of our words, other peoples feelings, and situations where humor may or may not be appropriate.

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Sin – Exceedingly Sinful

Sin - exceedingly sinful

In great mercy, according to His divine character, God bore long with Lucifer. The spirit of discontent and disaffection had never before been known in heaven. It was a new element, strange, mysterious, unaccountable.

The Infinite Value of the Sacrifice Required for Our Redemption Reveals the Fact That Sin Is a Tremendous Evil

Lucifer himself had not at first been acquainted with the real nature of his feelings; for a time he had feared to express the workings and imaginings of his mind; yet he did not dismiss them. He did not see whither he was drifting. But such efforts as infinite love and wisdom only could devise, were made to convince him of his error. His disaffection was proved to be without cause, and he was made to see what would be the result of persisting in revolt. Lucifer was convinced that he was in the wrong. He saw that “the Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works” (Psalm 145:17); that the divine statutes are just, and that he ought to acknowledge them as such before all heaven.  He nearly reached the decision to return; but pride forbade him.  He persistently defended his own course, and fully committed himself to the great controversy against God.

Satan’s rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages—a perpetual testimony to the nature of sin and its terrible results. The working out of Satan’s rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify that with the existence of God’s government is bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy beings, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin, and suffering its penalty.

 

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9 Inspirational Sayings from Dr. Benjamin Carson

Find out the mindset that transformed Ben Carson’s life, from a poor performing student to one of the greatest neurosurgeon in the world. Allow these quotes to inspire you to think bigger.

Read and be blessed.

  1. Sometimes you are unsatisfied with your life, while many people in this world are dreaming of living your life.
  2. A child on a farm sees a plane fly overhead and dreams of flying. But, a pilot on the plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of returning home. That’s life, enjoy yours.
  3. If wealth is the secret to happiness, then the rich should be dancing on the streets. But only poor kids do that.
  4. If power ensures security, then officials should walk unguarded. But those who live simply, sleep soundly.
  5. If beauty and fame bring ideal relationships, then celebrities should have the best marriages. But those who live simply, walk humbly and love genuinely!
  6. All good will come back to you!
  7. Man asks, “Where was God when Myles Munroe, wife and his associates were killed in a crash? He answers, “The same place I sat when John the Baptist my servant was beheaded. When Stephen my servant was stoned to death. When Paul my servant was murdered in Rome. The same place I sat when my only Son was brutally crucified, wounded, bruised and killed. I have not moved from my position.”
  8. I am the same. It is not the means of exit from earth that matters but the destination. Live simply. It’s all about God!
  9. If someone asks about your educational background, proclaim boldly that: Church is my college. Heaven is my university. Father God is my counselor. Jesus is my principal. The Holy Spirit is my teacher. Angels are my classmates. The Bible is my textbook. Temptations are my exams and overcoming Satan is my hobby. Winning souls for God is my assignment. Receiving eternity is my degree. Praise and Worship are my slogan.

Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr.  (born September 18, 1951) is an American neurosurgeon, author, and politician who is the 17th and current  United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, under the  Trump Administration. Prior to his cabinet position, he was a candidate for  President of the United States in the  Republican primaries in 2016.  Born in  Detroit,  Michigan, and a graduate of  Yale University  and the  University of Michigan Medical School, Carson has authored numerous books on his medical career and political stances. He was the subject of a  television drama film  in 2009.  He was the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at  Johns Hopkins Hospital  in  Maryland  from 1984 until his retirement in 2013. As a pioneer in neurosurgery, Carson’s achievements include performing the only successful separation of  conjoined twins  joined at the back of the head, pioneering the first successful neurosurgical procedure on a fetus inside the womb, performing the first completely successful separation of type-2 vertical  craniopagus twins, developing new methods to treat brain-stem tumors, and reviving  hemispherectomy  techniques for controlling  seizures.  He became the youngest chief of pediatric neurosurgery in the country at age 33.  He has received more than 60 honorary doctorate degrees, dozens of national merit citations, and written over 100 neurosurgical publications.  In 2008, he was bestowed the  Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.

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Farmers Put the Plow down for More Productive Soil

No disruptive technology is required to restore soil because our forefathers have the answer.

There is a new movement sweeping the world leaving fields untilled,  ‘green manures’ and other soil-enhancing methods with an almost evangelistic fervor.

Green Manures Are Fast-growing Plants Sown to Cover Bare Soil. Often Used in the Vegetable Garden, Their Foliage Smothers Weeds and Their Roots Prevent Soil Erosion

Soil is the ‘Skin of the Earth’ and the resource which serves as the basis for food security. Repeated plowing exacts a price but nature can heal if we give her the chance.

Soil-conservation farming is gaining converts as growers increasingly face extreme weather, high production costs, a shortage of labor and the threat of government regulation of agricultural pollution. Government surveys suggest that the use of no-tillage farming has grown sharply over the last decade, accounting for about 35 percent of cropland in the United States.

Tillage degrades soil, killing off its biology, including beneficial fungi and earthworms, and leaving it naked, thirsty, hungry and running a fever. Degraded soil requires heavy applications of synthetic fertilizer to produce high yields. And because its structure has broken down, the soil washes away easily in heavy rain, taking nitrogen and other pollutants with it into rivers and streams. Soil health proponents say that by leaving fields unplowed and using cover crops such as ‘green manures’ , which act as sinks for nitrogen and other nutrients, growers can increase the amount of organic matter in their soil, making it better able to absorb and retain water. Each 1 percent increase in soil organic matter helps soil hold 20,000 gallons more water per acre.

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No disruptive technology is required to restore soil because our forefathers have the answer.
No disruptive technology is required to restore soil because our forefathers have the answer.
No disruptive technology is required to restore soil because our forefathers have the answer.
No disruptive technology is required to restore soil because our forefathers have the answer.

Even farmers who enthusiastically adopt no-till and other soil-conservation methods rarely do so for environmental reasons; their motivations are more pragmatic.

No Disruptive Technology Is Required to Restore Soil, Our Forefathers Have the Answer

The value of green manure was recognized by farmers in India for thousands of years, as mentioned in treatises like Vrikshayurveda.   In Ancient Greece too, farmers ploughed broad bean plants into the soil. Furthermore, Chinese agricultural texts dating back hundreds of years refer to the importance of grasses and weeds in providing nutrients for farm soil. It was also known to early North American colonists arriving from Europe. Common colonial green manure crops were rye, buckwheat and oats.

One of the toughest things about learning to do no-till is for farmers to unlearn all the things that they  thought were true.

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UMaine offshore wind project receives $3.7 million grant, reviving vision for offshore wind farm

The U.S. Department of  Energy  has awarded  $3.7 million to a University of Maine-led to further research and development of offshore wind technology.

The Money Will Help Finance Further Development of Floating Turbines That Could Lead to a Lucrative Clean-energy Industry in the State.

The DOE found enough promise in the project’s progress to spend the additional money, bringing the total investment to $6.7 million and allowing the consortium to complete engineering and design work to address technical concerns.

Habib Dagher, leader of UMaine’s offshore wind research team, said “the DOE was impressed by the Maine project’s low cost. It’s also the only project with a power purchase agreement in place.”  Dagher also said “the project will be financed using  a combination of public money, private investment and borrowing”.

Last year, the U.S. Department of  Energy  passed over the Maine Aqua Ventus project for a $47 million grant, but provided $3 million to keep the project alive. The winning proposals in Virginia, New Jersey and Oregon are currently behind on project milestones, creating the opportunity for Aqua Ventus to lead.

Aqua Ventus, plans to place  a two-turbine, 12-megawatt project off the coast of Monhegan Island and is the only project of its kind  that proposes the  use of concrete for the floating platforms.

The DOE is impressed by the design because it holds the potential to drive down costs while moving construction closer to project sites, spreading out the economic impact, Dagher said,  “the technology can be used to access more than half of the offshore wind resources in deep waters within 50 miles of the coast, and will  create jobs”.

UMaine has already tested a smaller 65-foot-tall turbine deployed off Castine, Maine,    which  performed as engineers expected, even as waves reached the equivalent of 75 feet.

Hopes for an offshore wind project are pinned on Aqua Ventus after Norwegian company Statoil spiked its plans to put four three-megawatt wind turbines 12 miles off Maine’s coast.

UMaine, which was selected as an alternative, is waiting in the wings if any of the winning proposals fail to meet milestones by May 1. Those programs with the greatest likelihood of success will be selected to move forward after May 31, Danielson wrote.

As part of the effort, UMaine will unveil a $13.8 million expansion of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center next week. The new structure will allow scientists to produce wind and waves of varying intensity, recreating the fury of the North Atlantic in a controlled setting on campus in Orono, Dagher said.

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Apple to Invest in Chinese Solar Energy Projects to Slash 20 Million Tons of Emissions

Apple will invest in 200 megawatts of solar energy projects in China  and has  pledged to work with factories in the region to source more renewable energy and improve their energy efficiency.

The tech giant, who base the majority of their manufacturing operations in China recently  come under criticism due to the heavy pollution caused by its Chinese suppliers.  The new energy project will offset the carbon produced by Apple’s supply chain in the region, where much of the electricity is produced from coal.

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Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, said “the 200 megawatts projects will produce the equivalent of the energy used by more by than 265,000 Chinese homes in a year  and will avoid over 20 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in China between now and 2020.  These projects go beyond Apple’s operations in China to help our suppliers adopt clean renewable energy,”

The company now says its China operations are “carbon neutral”, as the solar installations produce more energy than is used by its offices and retail stores throughout the country.

Four years ago, Chinese environmental groups accused Apple of turning a blind eye as its suppliers polluted the country by emitting toxic gases and discharging heavy metal sludge. Furthermore, in the United States, Apple was criticised by environmental group Greenpeace in 2012 for relying too heavily on fossil-fuel-based energy to power its energy-hungry data centres.

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On Wednesday, “Greenpeace said the company had taken a big  step forward in greening its supply chain.”

Apple has also taken steps to operate more cleanly in its home state of California. In February, the iPhone maker said it would buy about $850 million of power from a new California solar farm to cut its energy bill and supply electricity for its new campus in Silicon Valley as well as other offices and stores.

 

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