Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program

National Wildlife Federation effort to educate property owners on the need to plant landscaping with wildlife in mind.

Desert Animals

Articles on desert mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Working to conserve healthy populations of fish, wildlife and plants. On land and in the sea, through creative and respectful partnerships, sustainable solutions and better education.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

A collaborative effort between the NFWF, BLM, the FS, BOR and Trout Unlimited to restore the health of riverine systems and their native species.

National Wildlife Federation

Backyard Wildlife Habitat program can help you save a place for wildlife right in your own backyard and community, while opening your eyes to the natural world around you, to be nourished by its wonders.

National Wildlife Federation

News and programs of conservation group which unites individuals, organizations, businesses and government to protect wildlife, wild places, and the environment.

National Wildlife Federation

Education, inspiration and assistance for individuals and organizations to conserve wildlife and other natural resources. Action links, and environment discussion board.

United States Animals

Brief fact sheets with photos on a small number of animals found in the United States.

Note: This post uses 2 Peter 3 as its reference. I had assumed this
was actually Peter's letter, but then found a discussion saying some
early authorities don't believe Peter wrote this. Having read that I
now tend to agree. It seems that the writer's purpose was to do war
against Paul's error, and may have assumed Peter's identity just for
that reason. Nevertheless, I agree with his reason, whether or not
Peter actually wrote it.

But if Peter didn't write it then Peter didn't call Paul "beloved,"
nor his writings as "scripture," (both appear with some sarcasm). And
so we may have no other recorded thought from the apostles concerning
Paul or his message, except for Revelation to John, chapters 2-3. And
there is James discussion. And there are the actual words of Christ.


-- Does Grace Mean 'Long-Suffering' ? --

Some of you know I've questioned the method by which Peter comments on
"our beloved Paul", in 2 Peter 3. This chapter (even his epistle) is
not about grace, nor overflowing with a graceful attitude. While
Paul, however, had often taught salvation by grace, and did this on
his own. The whole of Peter's chapter, which was written as to
include Paul, is fully about God's long-suffering patience with bad
behavior—instead of destroying it that very moment. Does this seem
like grace to you?

What does God's forbearance have to do with grace? If God is
'long-suffering' over me, and in the context Peter wrote, then, though
the hope of the gospel is available to me, I should surely be
concerned! Not hopeful! Unless I've repented.

My argument here is that Peter actually considers Paul's 'salvation by
grace' (the doctrine not overtly mentioned, though was mentioned) as
being the less complimentary and less effective 'salvation' by God's
long-suffering. (Meaning temporarily!) He used these very words in
reference to Paul! Yet it seems that no one questions them. Peter's
seeming compliment towards Paul is actually as sarcasm, yet hidden.
But Peter did include an overt warning concerning Paul's 'scripture'.
And there are other words which appear critical of Paul on their face,
such as "lawless men", and "lose stability".

A bit of history on this catfight, in which these 'apostles' smiled
with words of 'love', though only out of one side of their mouths.
[Both Paul and Peter have been near _openly_ deceptive!] Galations
chapter 2 by Paul, about Peter and James and others, is an also an
astonishing bit of couched rudeness, in which Paul essentially divided
everything in sight: the apostles, the gospel, and the definition of
acceptable behavior. It was Paul against the rest; those who are
named. So I must look to find a response from Peter back at Paul,
which is a fitting response to Paul's behavio