Steve Aves - My Thoughts , ObservationSteve Aves - My Thoughts , Observationhttps://www.steveaves.com/blogs/observationMon, 09 Mar 2026 03:06:30 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[I Came VERY Close To Clicking A Fake Web Link.]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/I-Came-VERY-Close-To-Clicking-A-Fake-Web-LinkYou should read the article below. It highlights the sophisticated methods scammers employ. Russian Hackers Create 4,300 Fake Travel Sites to Steal Hotel Guests' Payment Data]]>

I Came VERY Close To Clicking A Fake Web Link.

You should read the article below. It highlights the sophisticated methods scammers employ.

Russian Hackers Create 4,300 Fake Travel Sites to Steal Hotel Guests' Payment Data 


"The activity......., is designed to target customers of the hospitality industry, specifically hotel guests who may have travel reservations with spam emails.

Of the 4,344 domains tied to the attack, 685 domains contain the name "Booking", followed by 18 with "Expedia," 13 with "Agoda," and 12 with "Airbnb," indicating an attempt to target all popular booking and rental platforms.


The above article reminded me of how I almost fell for a phishing scam. The email I received appeared to come from Zoho.com, a company I use to host my 3 Email accounts, personal website, and a number of other functions.

The phishing Email was so specific, similar in scope to the ones mentioned above, that it did not cross my mind it could be a scam. The Email claimed to announce a new version of Zoho Mail's "Mail Merge" function. Now, THAT is a specific subject for a scam Email!

I came within a click of my mouse to find out more about this upgrade. But, something did not feel right. Zoho doesn't send emails about updates to "little" functions like mail merge. They just do the update. So I hovered my mouse over the link to see the URL. The domain name ended in ".de." Zoho uses ".com." Why would a German (.de a top-level domain) subsidiary of Zoho be sending me this email?

I forwarded the email to Zoho Mail's support desk asking about it. Sure enough, it was a scam.

Unsolicited Emails need to be viewed with suspicion. Always. It only takes one mistake to ruin your life.
]]>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 12:54:14 -0600<![CDATA["In This Time Of Desperation"]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/Exhortation-to-Patience-and-TrustDo not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, 2 for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.]]>

Hope in what is true

Reading the Lectionary today, I was kicked upside my head by Psalm 37.

1 Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
2 for they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
live in the land and enjoy security.
4 Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will make your vindication shine like the light
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
7Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.
8 Refrain from anger and forsake wrath.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For the wicked shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them,
13 but the LORD laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to kill those who walk uprightly;
15 their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
16 Better is a little that the righteous person has
than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will abide forever;
19 they are not put to shame in evil times;
in the days of famine they have abundance.
20 But the wicked perish,
and the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures;
they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
21 The wicked borrow and do not pay back,
but the righteous are generous and keep giving;
22 surely those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land,
but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
23 Our steps are made firm by the LORD
when he delights in our way;
24 though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,
for the LORD holds us by the hand.
25 I have been young and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are ever giving liberally and lending,
and their children become a blessing.
27 Depart from evil, and do good;
so you shall abide forever.
28 For the LORD loves justice;
he will not forsake his faithful ones.
The righteous shall be kept safe forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land
and live in it forever.
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak justice.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
their steps do not slip.
32 The wicked watch for the righteous
and seek to kill them.
33 The LORD will not abandon them to their power
or let them be condemned when they are brought to trial.
34 Wait for the LORD and keep to his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on the destruction of the wicked.
35 I have seen the wicked oppressing
and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.,
36 Again I passed by, and they were no more;
though I sought them, they could not be found.
37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is posterity for the peaceable.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked and saves them
because they take refuge in him.


Psalms 37 (NRSVue Strong's Bible)


]]>Sun, 23 Feb 2025 22:08:50 -0600<![CDATA[ The Gift of Empathy]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/the-gift-of-empathy"The Gift of Empathy" is a wonderful book that is easy to read and understand. I think parents will find it useful to read and discuss it with their children.]]>

In a world that fosters distance between people, whether by constant negative messages about the "others," or by the "screens" in our faces that suck us into our individual worlds, we crave the human touch.

It seems to me we have lost the skill of providing empathy to our fellow humans due to lack of use. We can be unsure of what to say, what to do, or wonder if we are intruding on others who are hurting, or conversely needing someone to share in their joy.

"The Gift of Empathy" is a wonderful book that is easy to read and understand. I think parents will find it useful to read and discuss it with their children.

There are straightforward discussions and concrete examples within the book that will assist you in applying empathy today in your life.

Enough said.
]]>Mon, 29 Jul 2024 11:54:12 -0600<![CDATA[Maundy Thursday ]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/Maundy-Thursday-StoryMaundy Thursday thought.]]>

The Plot to Kill Jesus

1 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover  was near. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people.

3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; 4 he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. 5 They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present.


The Preparation of the Passover


7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.” 9 They asked him, “Where do you want us to make preparations for it?” 10 “Listen,” he said to them, “when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ‘ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.” 13 So they went and found everything as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.


The Institution of the Lord’s Supper


14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” 23 Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.

Luke 22:1-23 (NRSVue Strong's Bible)

 

]]>Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:13:51 -0600<![CDATA[What does Maundy mean? ]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/Maundy-ThursdayMaundy Thursday thought.]]>

The term “Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandatum;” it is from a verb that means “to give” or “to order” — command. After Jesus and the disciples finished the Last Supper and walked toward Gethsemane, Jesus taught them a new commandment — “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34).


The Last Supper


On the first Maundy Thursday, after they had eaten, Jesus gave the disciples his body and blood together with the bread and wine for the forgiveness of their sins. Called Holy Communion or the Eucharist, Lutherans believe this to be one of two sacraments — gifts from God. Most worship services focus on the meal and communion as a way to commemorate this day.

https://www.livinglutheran.org/2013/04/three-days-traditions-maundy-thursday-good-friday-vigil-easter/
]]>Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:08:12 -0600<![CDATA[Michael Caine on Working Through Difficulty]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/michael-caine-on-working-through-difficultySir Michael Caine on how to use difficulties in life.]]>
]]>Sun, 26 Mar 2023 18:52:28 -0600<![CDATA[Elizabeth Peratrovich - Hero]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/Elizabeth_Peratrovich_Hero

Elizabeth Peratrovich - Hero

    Twice each week, I have  https://www.printablestoday.com/ as one of my daily news tabs in Firefox via TodaysPages extension. One of the sections on that page is from www.HeroPrintables.com.

    Below is the hero's story for today.


    Elizabeth Peratrovich (née Wanamaker) was a Tlingit civil rights activist who advocated for the rights of Alaskan natives. She is credited with her decisive Senate testimony that led to the first anti-discrimination law in the United States.


    Peratrovich was a member of the Tlingit nation and a member of the Lukaax .ádi clan. She and her family faced discrimination while living in Juneau, Alaska, finding particular difficulty in using public facilities and securing housing.

    Peratrovich petitioned the governor of the Alaska territory to ban “No Natives Allowed” signs in 1941. The Anti-Discrimination Act brought before the legislature was defeated in 1943, but in 1945 she stood in front of the territory Senate and gave the last testimony on a bill for equal treatment. She is considered crucial in its passage, and the bill granted full access and accommodations to all citizens within the territory of Alaska.

    When, during the testimonies, senator Allen Shattuck of Juneau said, "Who are these people, barely out of savagery, who want to associate with us whites, with 5,000 years of recorded civilization behind us?" she responded with, “I would not have expected that I, who am barely out of savagery, would have to remind gentlemen with five thousand years of recorded civilization behind them, of our Bill of Rights."
]]>Tue, 12 Jul 2022 10:03:58 -0500<![CDATA[Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, Steve Levitt, and Econtalk]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/exploding-stars-dead-dinosaurs-steve-levitt-and-econtalk

Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, Steve Levitt, and Econtalk

I am currently reading Andrew Root's book "Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies: Youth Ministry in the Age of Science (Science for Youth Ministry)." Reading it made me notice this comment in the Econtalk Podcast:
"But, for a long time, people have been using science as a weapon to control[?] things they don't like, even when it has little to do with science."


]]>Tue, 17 Nov 2020 18:07:53 -0600<![CDATA[Women ARE credited in The Bible, just rarely because of the times.]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/Women-ARE-credited-in-The-Bible-just-rarely-because-of-the-times

The more I read the Bible the more I can see the people in the narrative.

I'm studying Luke again.

Luke 8:1-3

1 Some time afterward he went on through towns and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and disabilities: Mary (called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Cuza (Herodʼs household manager), Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their own resources.

(8:2 a sn There is an important respect shown to women in this text, as their contributions were often ignored in ancient society.)


The Apostle Paul credited women for helping him and for the strong faith. I've just missed the verses above withn this gospel for too long.

]]>Thu, 31 Oct 2019 06:24:29 -0600<![CDATA[The end of an American tradition: The Amtrak dining car]]>https://www.steveaves.com/blogs/post/The-end-of-an-American-tradition-The-Amtrak-dining-carDarn!  As soon as I post about my trip on Amtrak to New Orleans, this happens. You can read the article HERE .  This comment sums up my feeling ]]>

Darn!  As soon as I post about my trip on Amtrak to New Orleans, this happens.


You can read the article HERE. 


This comment sums up my feelings: "But his fondness for the dining car isn’t about the food as much as the experience, he said. The time to sit down for a formal meal with views of America that can’t be seen while flying, and socializing with other travelers."


I sure hope the communal dining does not go away, I'd really miss it.


 


  

]]>Thu, 26 Sep 2019 09:50:42 -0500