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Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 18, 2024


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is an educator and author. He authored “Extreme Simplicity” which tells his story 
about attempting to live self-reliantly in the city. More information about his books and 
classes at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]


FEMALE TORTOISESHELL

BORN 2022

SHE’S A TRIPOD!

Meet Ella, a brave and resilient kitty 
with a story as enchanting as her 
namesake. Ella's journey began in a 
colony where she charmed everyone 
with her friendly demeanor. Always 
the first to greet the feeders and 
eager for affection, Ella was the heart of the colony.

However, fate took a cruel turn one fateful night when Ella 
disappeared, only to return days later badly injured. Her leg was 
fractured beyond repair, leading to the need for amputation. 
Because of the trauma, Ella's spirit became fragile.

But then came a stint at the Humane facility that changed everything. Placed in a room 
with barking dogs, Ella was terrified and withdrawn. The once sociable cat became 
skittish and unapproachable, a shell of her former self, with a broken spirit.

Thankfully, a compassionate rescuer turned foster mom intervened. Recognizing Ella's 
distress, she brought her home, removed the cone, and showered her with love and 
understanding. Though Ella still bears the scars of her ordeal, her resili-ence shines 
through.

Now, Ella spends her days hopping around on three legs, a silent testament to her strength. 
She may be hesitant at first, but once she feels safe, she'll curl up on the bed beside you, 
silently asking for the love and TLC she craves.

Ella's journey is far from over, but with the right person by her side, she's sure to rediscover 
the sweet purr-sonality that captivated hearts before. Born in 2022, El-la is ready to embark 
on her next chapter, filled with love, comfort, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. 
Will you be the one to give her the happy end-ing she deserves?

See more of Ella and how to adopt at https://www.lifelineforpets.org/ella-enchanted.
html. 


SPEAKING IN TONGUES

When I was very young, my brother took me to a church where people 
were more often standing, rather than sitting. And they often had their 
hands up in the air. It was a very lively place. Then, one woman began to 
take center stage, shouting out some sort of message. Her hands were in 
the air and she appeared almost to be in a trance. “What is she saying?” I 
asked my brother. He said that the spirit is moving through her. “Yes, but 
what is she saying?” I again asked. He shrugged.

Years later, I was in Little Tokyo walking around with some family members. We noticed 
a very large gathering and we approached. A woman was gyrating up in the front, hands 
in the air, and was saying something in a very excited voice. As we approached, I asked a 
woman closest to me, “What is she saying?” “She’s speaking in tongues,” I was told. “Oh! 
But what is she saying? I cannot understand.” “It’s the Holy Spirit speaking through 
her,” she responded. “What language is she speaking?” I asked. Everyone was very 
serious about whatever was occurring, and I could tell my questions were not welcome. I 
didn’t understand how everyone could be so aroused by hearing someone shouting in an 
unintelligible language, if indeed it was a language at all. I made a few more inquiries, 
until someone came over and said that the service was for members of a particular church, 
and that it might be best if I leave. We then departed.

I never forgot these experiences. What exactly is “speaking in tongues” and where does 
it come from? I began to think back on my Bible studies, and recalled that, according 
to some versions, the “holy spirit” descended upon the apostles, and they had the ability 
to speak to people who spoke different languages, and they were understood. In other 
words, “speaking in tongues” as I understood it, meant that the apostle could speak in 
their own language, and people who spoke other languages would understand them. In 
other words, “speaking in tongues” meant that everyone understood you. So how did we 
get to a situation today where no one understands what the practitioners of “speaking in 
tongues” are saying? It’s very puzzling. Did I miss something?

I pulled out one of my Bibles to read again the story about “speaking in tongues.” I am not 
a great Bible scholar, but I have a concordance where I looked up the various references to 
“tongues.”

There are many references, but here are some significant ones I found. In Acts, second 
chapter, it describes the “coming of the Holy Spirit.” By the 6th verse, it says that “there were 
dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when… 
the multitude came together, and were confused because everyone heard them speak in 
his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, 
are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear each in our language in 
which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, 
Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and parts of 
Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs, 
we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all 
amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

Indeed, whatever could that mean? I know that I struggle to learn new languages, and 
it’s not easy. Yet, somehow, only described as “the coming of the Holy Spirit,” everyone 
understood what a speaker was saying! This is a very important point. When “speaking in 
tongues,” everyone – even if they spoke another language – understood what the speaker 
was saying. 

For the record, the above quote comes from the MacArthur Study Bible, which also has 
extensive glosses on each topic. 

Later, in 1 Corinthians, 13: 27, it says “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at 
the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him 
keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 

Also, in 1 Corinthians 14:9, it says, “So, likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words 
easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into 
the air. …. Therefore, let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.”

There’s a lot more about tongues, and how the result of speaking in tongues means that the 
listener understands. It’s as if these early followers were given an early spiritual version of 
the Rosetta Stone, so that everyone listening understood. My opinion is that something 
special indeed was happening, and that everyone 
present also worked together to translate so that 
everyone listening understood. That is the key: 
In the original “speaking in tongues”, all the 
listeners understood what was being said.

Thinking back to my early experiences in 
“speaking in tongues,” if the members of those 
congregations had no idea what the speaker was 
saying, then I have to wonder what they were 
doing, and why they continue to call it “speaking 
in tongues.”


Pet of the Week

 
Simba is so handsome and sweet! He’s four 
years old, his tail wags a mile a minute and he 
can’t wait to meet you!

 This handsome guy has become a volunteer 
and staff favorite at Pasadena Humane. One 
of his adoring fans has even sponsored his 
adoption fee! He’s quiet, mellow, but also 
ready to have fun. 

 Simba has been spending time in a foster 
home, and the foster family has given us a lot 
of information about him. They’ve described 
him as a playful, mellow and gentle giant. He has been wary of new dogs, but he has been 
playing happily with some who he has gotten to know. 

 He’s also done very well with training. He loves treats, so that’s great motivation for him 
to learn new things. He’s also super cuddly and is quick to hop up on the couch for some 
snuggling. Bonus- he's already housetrained! 

 Simba is ready to be your very own king of the jungle!

 Pasadena Humane will have a Free Adoption Day on Saturday, May 25th from 10:00 a.m. 
-2:00 p.m. All dogs, cats and critters are eligible. Pet licensing fees may apply.

The normal adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter,
microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 2:00 – 5:00. For those who prefer, adoption 
appointments are available daily from 10:30 – 1:30, and can be scheduled online. View
photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal 
Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by 
phone calls or email.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com