Top 5 YouTube Tips And Tricks

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Top 5 YouTube Tips And Tricks

By – Jay McGregor, Forbes Contributor

YouTube: The aggregator of fail compilations, the disseminator of cat related humour and a beacon for everything viral.

Killing time on YouTube is the most productive way to be unproductive, but there’s so much more to it than salacious thumbnails and unrelated debates about political theory in the comments section.

Aside from a few easter eggs to please medium-core trekkies and Star Wars fans, there are some genuinely useful hacks that can enhance your YouTube viewing experience ten-fold. I mean, if you’re prepared to sign away three hours of your life by watching late-nineties wrestling videos, then you should do it in style, right?

Ever heard of YouTube Leanback? Or how about turning any video into a GIF? No? Then there’s so much more to show you. Here’s a run-down of my top five YouTube hacks:

1. Make any video into a GIF

You can turn any video into a GIF by simply adding “gif” just after the “www.” in the URL. For example “www.gifyoutube.com/watchx”

Once you type that in, you’ll be taken to a simple gif making tool page that lets you cut out a section of the video and export it.

Top 5 YouTube Tips And Tricks`
(Photo: Forbes.com)

Select the point at which you want to start the gif and then select how long it lasts, and you’re done. You’ve made a gif in a matter of minutes.

Watch my gif of Charlie Sheen’s alternative ice bucket challenge here 

2.  YouTube Disco

Top 5 YouTube Tips And Tricks
(Photo: Forbes.com)

You already knew that you can use YouTube to stream music, but did you know it can be a DJ too? YouTube Disco automatically puts together a playlist of songs from your prefered genre or artist.

Go to www.youtube.com/disco and enter any artist, song, or genre and YouTube will populate a playlist of the most watched/popular videos from your search.

You can also set it to play the current top hits and it will tell what videos are most popular at the moment.

3. Slow motion

There are a couple of ways to slow down a YouTube video, with the simplest way being to hold down the spacebar during a video. This cause the video to rapidly play and pause, which creates a budget slow motion effect.

If, however, you want some more advanced controls, head towww.youtubeslow.com and enter your video’s URL into the specified field. You can then either speed up, slow down, play on repeat or set a loop.

… read more

By – Jay McGregor, Forbes Contributor

Original Post by Forbes.com

Israel and Hamas Finally Agree to Ceasefire

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Israel and Hamas have accepted an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire plan to end a seven-week operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, an Israeli official said.

Egyptian state media reported the ceasefire was to begin at 7 p.m. local time.

In the hour leading up to the ceasefire, Hamas continued to launch dozens of mortars and rockets at Israel, killing one and injuring at least two others.

According to the Jerusalem Post, members of the eight-person Israeli Security Cabinet were briefed about the Egyptian proposal, but were not asked to vote on it.

As a part of the ceasefire, Israel will allow humanitarian and construction materials to enter Gaza while Hamas pledged to halt rocket fire at Israel.

The official announcement from Egypt came after Palestinian officials had already stated that a deal had been reached to end the fighting.

“An agreement has been reached between the two sides and we are awaiting the announcement from Cairo to determine the zero hour for implementation,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, said.

An Israeli official said indirect talks would begin in Cairo within a month. That would include talks of allowing the construction of a Gaza seaport and the release of Hamas prisoners.

Original Post by CBN News

“There are 24 closet atheists in Congress”, Claims American Humanist Association

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“There are 24 closet atheists in Congress”, Claims American Humanist Association

An executive at the American Humanist Association recently claimed that 24 members of Congress privately confessed to being atheists…by Christian Today

The group’s communication director, Maggie Ardiente, said that although there are no openly atheist members of Congress currently in office, there are dozens of atheist politicians in the legislature, the Huffington Post reports.

“We already know of 24 members of Congress who have told us privately that they don’t believe in God, but they won’t come out, of course, and if we tried to out them they would deny it,” she told attendees at the World Humanist Congress this month.

“We’re really behind when it comes to humanism in politics.”

The last openly atheist congressperson was Rep. Pete Stark, a California Democrat. Stark lost his seat in 2012.

In the UK, it is far more common for openly atheist politicians to be elected and religious affiliation is less of a concern to the voting public.

“Americans have a much stronger civil religion and a much stronger sense of being a nation under God and chosen by God,” Lancaster University Professor of Sociology of Religion Linda Woodhood told the Religion News Service.

“It’s a bit treasonable, unpatriotic, to reject religion.

“Whereas in Britain, civic identity isn’t as bound up with being religious anymore. You don’t seem unpatriotic or amoral if you express your atheism.”

Prime Minister David Cameron has expressed a desire for the country to be more religious, however.

“I believe we should be more confident about our status as a Christian country,” he wrote in the Church Times, “and, frankly, more evangelical about a faith that compels us to get out there and make a difference to people’s lives.”

Original Post by Christian Today

Boko Haram Seizes Another Town in Yobe State, Executes and Punishes Some for “Offences”

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Boko Haram militants have taken over another Nigeria village in Yobe State; this time the Muslim extremist group has seized the Buni Yadi Town, storming the government headquarters and enforcing their own laws on residents.

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Boko Haram executed two Buni Yadi residents for smoking in the town and killed another for dealing drugs. One man was punished with 80 lashes for cohabiting with a woman.

Boko Haram is gaining influence in Nigeria as the group expands its reign across the nation. It is believed that the goal of the militants is converting Nigeria into an Islamic state.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said that the situation in Nigeria is not getting the focus it should due to the current crisis in Iraq.

“The appalling excesses of IS in Iraq and Syria have galvanised the international community into renewed efforts to combat Islamist extremism; however these efforts should not be confined to the Middle East,” he said.

“Parallels between the actions of IS and those of Boko Haram and its allied offshoots are not coincidental. A less compartmentalised approach must be adopted in order for militant jihadism to be addressed effectively, with punitive measures formulated at international level against IS replicated in the case of Boko Haram and other similar groups, including the disruption of funding.

“Nigeria is facing a transnational and existential threat and every possible assistance must be rendered to this strategic nation as a matter of urgency.”

Original Post by Christian Headlines

Iraqi Christians Given one Week by ISIS to “Convert or Die”

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Iraqi Christians Given one Week by ISIS to “Convert or Die”

Islamic State terrorists continue to gain power and influence across Iraq. The Muslim extremists have pushed hundred of thousands of Christians out of their homes and many have been killed as a part of their “religious cleansing” efforts. As the terrorists wreak havoc on a formerly largely Christian region, many believe that it is the responsibility of Christians around the globe to unite and defeat the militants.

In a commentary published on Express, Douglas Murray wrote of the horrors that Iraqi Christians are facing.

“Known Christians were visited at their houses – sometimes by IS, sometimes by ordinary Muslims who used to be their neighbours – and given the options that were given to people conquered in the early years of Islam: convert to Islam, live as a second-class citizen or be killed. IS took away the second option, making the choice “convert or die.”

Christianity Today reports that the Islamic State is now giving known Christians one week to decide between converting to Islam or dying for their Christian faith.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said that the level of Christian persecution in Iraq is now “off the scale.” “The international community must document the human rights abuses in northern Iraq so that the perpetrators can later be prosecuted,” he said.

Murray has called on Christians to step up and stand with Iraqi brothers and sisters in crisis. He wrote, “If we are not willing to stop IS then we must let in the Christian refugees who are fleeing. If we do neither then the Christians of Iraq look likely to be martyred in their entirety. This is a crime we cannot allow to continue. IS must not be allowed to win.

Original Post by Christian Headlines

David Miller of the Little Pencil Organization to Launch ‘Death Row Jesus’ Campaign ; refers to Jesus Christ as History’s “Worst Criminal”

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David Miller of the Little Pencil Organization to Launch ‘Death Row Jesus’ Campaign ; refers to Jesus Christ as History’s “Worst Criminal”

The man behind the controversial “Jesus Tattoo” movement will launch a new campaign “Death Row Jesus” on Wednesday to spread the message that God was the “worst criminal” while on earth.

David L. Miller of the Little Pencil organization is known for his thought-provoking marketing campaigns that promote the Gospel. Last year, he erected 59 billboards throughout Lubbock, Texas, depicting the image of Jesus Christ clad in tattoos. But this time, he is opting for digital video advertisements that will launch in major cities throughout the U.S.

“When people think about Jesus, they don’t think about him being on death row, but if you think about what he did when he was on earth, that’s really the experience he had,” Miller told Lubbock’s NBC affiliate KBCD 11.

He continued, “We communicate very directly that Christ became the worst criminal in history when he took our mistakes on himself. The second message is we are all equally undeserving of God’s grace.”

Part of the video depicts Jesus in an orange prison jumpsuit as He is beaten to the ground. Another part transitions to the scene of the crucifixion where He is dying at the same time that other inmates in prison are being set free.

Miller says the funding for the video advertisements was raised through merchandise sales from the previous campaign, while adding that he is not out to make a profit.

“Corporations spend an enormous amount of money marketing whatever their product is and there is nothing wrong with that,” said Miller. “We just think in this case we have a much better product and one that’s everlasting, life-changing, and so it’s certainly worthy of whatever we invest in it.”

Last year, Miller’s campaign garnered controversy after he filed a lawsuit in federal court accusing Lubbock’s largest school district of allegedly violating his right of free speech after they refused to display his ad showing a tattooed Jesus on a jumbotron during high school football games.

The tattoos were the words “addicted” and “depressed,” among other negative descriptions on Jesus’ chest and arms, but the message behind them was that Jesus’ love can change people despite their labels.

At the time, the school district said it denied Miller’s request because by their own policies and practices they were prohibited from allowing religious advertisements with the use of government property, based on the Establishment Clause.

A federal judge eventually sided with the school district this past May saying that the district was right to reject a Christian company.

Miller’s Little Pencil organization was founded about a year ago. Its name comes from a quote by Mother Teresa, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.”

Original Post by Christian Post

British Rapper Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary Is Key Suspect in Murder of James Foley

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British Rapper Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary Is Key Suspect in Murder of James Foley

Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary, a 23-year-old British rapper who reportedly walked out of his family’s £1 million home in Maida Vale, West London, last year to join militants in Syria after telling them he was “leaving everything for the sake of Allah,” is being investigated as a key suspect in the beheading of journalist James Foley.

A senior western intelligence official who was not identified told Fox News that Bary is being eyed as Foley’s executioner. The report noted that the Sunday Times and Sunday People listed Bary as a member of a group of at least three British-born ISIS fighters that former hostages call “The Beatles.”

The Sunday Times said Britain’s two major intelligence agencies, MI5 and MI6, had identified the man who beheaded Foley but had not publicly revealed this information.

U.S. intelligence officials did not comment publicly on the reports, but a well-placed source informed Fox News that Bary’s father, who was born in Egypt, was extradited from London to the U.S. in 2012 for allegedly being connected to Osama Bin Laden, as well as the U.S. Embassy bombings in Africa in 1998.

A Mail Online report highlighted in March that Bary had grown increasingly radical after connecting with thugs linked to British Muslim, and social and political activist Anjem Choudary. He reportedly posted a series of photographs online featuring himself armed with guns and wearing masks under the heading “soldier of Allah.”

On July 1, 2013, he reportedly announced that he was giving up his musical aspirations for Islam. “I have left everything for the sake of Allah” he said, according to Mail Online.

Shortly after that declaration, Bary travelled to Syria where he joined a longtime friend who had already been fighting with ISIS.

“Oh Allah, grant us martyrdom” he reportedly said last November while praising Osama Bin Laden and calling him a “lion.”

Last Tuesday ISIS released a graphic video of Foley’s gruesome beheading where he read from an apparent script before he died.

“I wish I could have the hope of freedom and seeing my family once again, but that ship has sailed,” said Foley shortly before he was killed. “I guess, all in all, I wish I wasn’t American.”

Since Foley’s beheading there has been a raging debate over the U.S. government’s ransom policy as it relates to American captives. As a rule, the U.S. does not pay ransom to terrorist groups.

A New York Times investigation noted that al Qaeda and its direct affiliates received at least $125 million in revenue from kidnappings since 2008, mostly from European governments. The organization received $66 million in the last year alone.

Investigative reporter David Rohde, who was once abducted, highlighted that debate in a recent Reuters report pointing out the divergent policies on ransom between the U.S. and Europe.

“The payment of ransoms and abduction of foreigners must emerge from the shadows. It must be publicly debated. American and European policymakers should be forced to answer for their actions,” said Rohde.

“Foley believed that his government would help him, according to his family. In a message that was not made public, Foley said that he believed so strongly that Washington would help that he refused to allow his fellow American captives to not believe in their government,” noted Rohde.

“A consistent response to kidnapping by the U.S. and Europe is desperately needed. The current haphazard approach is failing. James Foley must not die in vain,” he ended.

Original Post by Christian Post

7 Soothing Bible Verses About God’s Love

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7 Soothing Bible Verses About God’s Love

The Bible is full of scriptures that show God’s love for us. His love is everlasting and most important of them all. By looking over these Bible verses you can see that no matter what our circumstance may be or how much we may sin, God’s love is always powerful and willing to make us a better person.

If you have a friend who is struggling or stressed with life’s obstacles, share these scriptures with him. He will feel God’s love and realize things are not as bad as they seem.

Below are 7 Bible verses about God’s love:

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 8:37-39 – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:4-5 – But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved …

Romans 5:8 – but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Zephaniah 3:17 – The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

1 Peter 5:6-7 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Psalm 86:15 – But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Original Content by Christian Post

45th Annual Dove Awards: Lecrae to Co-Host With Bart Millard of MercyMe

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45th Annual Dove Awards: Lecrae to Co-Host With Bart Millard of MercyMe

Lecrae will co-host the 45th Annual Dove Awards show alongside MercyMe’s Bart Millard.

The Dove Award winning artists recently commented on their involvement in the upcoming show which will take place on Oct. 7 at Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and will air on Trinity Broadcasting Network.

“I can’t wait to be a part of what I believe will be a historic evening,” said Lecrae. “Co-hosting with a great friend and talented artist makes it even better. Be careful though, who knows what will happen when Bart and I get together.”

Millard also expressed his excitement over the event.

“I’m so excited to be part of this year’s Dove Awards. The Doves are unique because they bring all styles of Gospel music together. Lecrae and I are just a small example of how different and yet unified we are, I will be freestylin’ my fresh rhymes while Lecrae sings the chorus to ‘I Can Only Imagine’ over and over.”

This year’s Dove Awards will also feature nominees and performers such as Natalie Grant, Hezekiah Walker, Matthew West and Erica Campbell. Announced presenters include Capital Kings, Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton, author Karen Kingsbury and Bill Gaither.

Lecrae won the Grammy for Best Gospel album in 2013 for “Gravity.” He also made headlines when he beat out Nicki Minaj for the number one spot on iTunes with his song “All I Need Is You” earlier this month. His new album “Anomaly” will be released on Sept. 9 and also features the song “Nuthin.”

Millard’s band MercyMe has won 8 Dove Awards along with two American Music Awards and one ASCAP Award. They also recorded songs for Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.”

Original Post by Christian Post

Iraqi Christians Upset Iraqi Government Deserted Them

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Iraqi Christians Upset Iraqi Government Deserted Them

A Catholic priest described his shock at the conditions Iraqi Christian refugees face, saying that they were left helpless and angry at government soldiers who abandoned them to ISIS extremists after the militants began their attacks…by CP

“The people are angry because the government just gave up on them. They told us that, in Mosul, where there had normally been a presence of 60,000 soldiers, after the onslaught of ISIS, in only a matter of hours, these soldiers abandoned them, laying down their weapons,” said Fr Rami Wakim, the secretary to Melkite Catholic Patriarch Gregoire III Laham, according to The Catholic Herald on Monday.

Last week, the priest accompanied a delegation of Catholic and Orthodox patriarchs to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region of the country, where scores of persecuted minorities, including many Christians, are fleeing to.

The militant group, which also calls itself the Islamic State, has captured large territories in Iraq and Syria and remains locked in wars with the central governments. The terror group has targeted minorities and captured significant Christian cities like Mosul, giving followers of Christ the option to convert to Islam, pay a tax, or be killed.

Wakim said that the delegation encountered scattered mattresses around church altars and entire churches filled well beyond capacity with refugees, forcing many to spread out into church parking lots and the surrounding streets.

Many of the refugees swarmed around the patriarchs when they came to visit them, asking for blessings and prayers for the sick.

“It was very touching. The (Melkite) patriarch cried many times when he saw these people. He was hugging and kissing them as he cried. Of course, I cried, too. I think all the patriarchs cried because they felt helpless, there was nothing they could do at that very moment,” Wakim said.

The priest, who had been ordained only days earlier in Damascus, said that the situation in Erbil made him realize just how difficult the priestly mission is during such a heavy time.

“People look up to priests and bishops as the only solution, the only help they can get at a time where — of course we need to pray with them — but at this time prayer alone doesn’t seem enough and actions are required,” Wakim added.

The U.N. recently declared the highest level of humanitarian emergency in Iraq, seeking to urgently scale up relief efforts.

The American government has launched airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq and helped with providing arms to the central government and Kurdistan, but has said that it will not be sending ground troops into the country.

Much of the work to help refugees has fallen on non-government organizations and missionary groups, which have also been reporting about the harsh living conditions at refugee camps and the needs of the people.

Kathryn Taetzsch, World Vision’s senior emergency response leader in Iraq, told The Christian Post in an interview last week from Erbil:

“Immediate basic needs are food, water and shelter. Families are temporarily living in local schools, unfinished buildings, churches and other community centers. Some are living out in the open.

“There are often more than 20 to 30 family members in small spaces like classrooms, and, given the very hot summer temperatures (more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit most days), plus overcrowded accommodations and poor sanitation, this is a very serious challenge for humanitarian organizations,” Taetzsch told CP.

“Some communities have told aid workers that they cannot cope with the influx of arriving families and may need to send them elsewhere.”

Lebanese Cardinal Bechara Rai, patriarch of the Maronite Catholics, said that last week’s trip by the delegation of patriarchs was meant to show solidarity with the refugees.

“We want all the Christians, Muslims, Yezidis, Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds to stay in Iraq and not to leave because this is our homeland, this is our culture, and civilization and we do not want to part with it,” Rai said, according to Catholic News Service.

“The ones who want to help us must work to stop injustice, help us end injustice and help our people regain their rights. This is what we want from the ones who want to help.”

Original Post by Christian Post

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