(Used) Devon drives to Infiniti and beyond

In your face styling, sports car handling and refinement that can go toe-to-toe with some of the prestige German rivals. The Infiniti FX is one of those 4x4s that really makes you wonder, what is it really made for? Let's find out. 

Likes: In your face styling, powerful range of engines, handles well with decent steering feedback. 

Dislikes: Ride comfort is too firm, interior is on the cramped side and the boot is small. Prices can sky rocket very quickly too. 

Performance: There's two engines offered for the FX. A 3.5-liter six-cylinder with 303hp and a 5-liter eight-cylinder with 390hp. Depending on the depths of your wallet, we'd recommend sticking with the all-wheel-drive six-cylinder engine. It's smooth, flexible and offers decent kit for the money. The eight-cylinder racks in a higher asking price that may seem a bit steep. 

Ride & Handling: The FX can't match the agility of an X5, but it corners really well. Showing good body control and quick steering. Ride comfort is on the firm side. You'll feel way to much surface at all speeds and some bumps sends jolts through out the cabin. 

Refinement: The engines are refined and smooth when traveling at city speeds, extend your foot down on the motorway and you'll be greeted with a lovely snarl from both engines. Wind noise isn't an issue, but with the massive tires you'll hear road noise. If you option for the 21 inch alloys, you'll hear suspension clatter too. 

Behind the wheel: The seats and steering wheel adjust electrically in all version, so you won't have any problem getting comfortable. The multimedia system takes a little getting used to. Visibility at both the front and rear isn't great. The slopping roofline causes blind spots for parking and pulling into merging on to motorways. 

Space & Practicality: The FX is a nicely sized 4x4, so you'd think the cabin would be nice and roomy? Think again! The FX is tight for both front and rear passengers, meaning adults won't be able to spread themselves out. The boot isn't as big as you'd expect, the rear seats fold flat to extend cargo. 

Equipment: The  FX comes well equipped for the money. Push button start, leather appointed interior, Bluetooth connectivity and a rearview parking camera comes standard. Top of the range adds 21 inch alloy wheels, navigation system, heated and cooled leather seats and a quilted leather appointed steering wheel. 

Buying & Owning: Whichever FX you choose, both won't be cheap to buy. Running costs will be high thanks to low fuel economy. However, your investments will be protected thanks to strong resale value and residual value. 

Quality & reliability: Many materials feel posh and high class. Although it can't quite match the prestige of its German rivals. Many of Infiniti mechanical bits are built by Nissan. Which means the FX will be worry free in terms of build quality. 

Safety & Security: Stability control comes across the range to help keep you out of trouble. You'll have to step up to the mid-range and top of the range trim levels to get four-wheel-drive. Front, side and curtain airbags are standard as well as active head restraints. 

The FX offers great road handling and is one cracking car to drive on the motorway. It's quiet, smooth and offers decent pace no matter which engine you choose. However, the interior is cramped and the boot is small. The ride comfort is too firm and the larger alloys generates suspension clatter. If you can ignore a few of these downsides, the FX is a great alternate to the X5 and Volvo XC90.

Devon's Pick: FX37 strikes the perfect balance of performance and equipment. The all-wheel-drive helps aid in traction without sacraficing fuel economy too much. Plus its more affordable than the top of the range. 

Devon M 

Devon test drives a Smart Car... with a sunroof.

Likes: Small size makes it easy to park in tight parking spaces, one of the cheapest convertibles you can purchase, you'll stand out everywhere you go.

Dislikes: You'll stand out everywhere you go, transmission still jerky and slow to shift, touchy brakes makes smooth stops hard to accomplish, somewhat disappointing gas milage maybe a let down.

Overall: The Fortwo has a charm that no other car has. But it ruins your driving experience with a slow shifting transmission, and oddly modulated brakes that makes stopping smoothly difficult.

Devon M 

(Used) Devon test drives a Scion with IQ

The Smart Fortwo isn't the smallest car that you can buy in the U.S. anymore. The Scion IQ is designed to compete with the Fortwo, but there's one thing the IQ can do that the Fortwo cannot. The Scion IQ can seat up to four people in theory. Being only so much larger than the Fortwo, can Scion lure customers away from larger more comfortable alternates.

Likes: Nimble around town, well equipped and easy to park.

Dislikes: Looks like a toy car, boot space doesn't exist if rear seats are in place. The stereo control is fiddly and the styling is rather dorky.

Performance: There's only one engine available for the IQ, that's a 1.33-liter four-cylinder with 98hp. Performance is spirited around town, but on the motorway you'll need to plan out overtaking other vehicles. Getting up to speed takes a little longer than you desire. But the IQ is much more peppier than the Fortwo.

Ride & Handling: The IQ is more comfortable to drive around town than the Fortwo. Thanks to an incredible turning circle and light controls. On faster roads, the IQ struggles to stay composed. There's a fair bit of body lean in bends and the front end runs out of grip quickly. The steering often feels vague and there's vulnerability to side winds. Making long journeys hard work.

Refinement: There's an incredible amount of refinement inside of the IQ. Although the door mirrors produce a bit of wind noise. Road noise is also very hushed. The CVT transmission makes the engine sound buzzy and thrashes when pushed hard.

Behind the wheel: The single stereo control on the steering wheel is very fiddly to operate. But it means the center console has extra space for the driver. However, comfort would be improved if the seat was height adjustbale and the wheel moved for reach as well. The heater is controlled via chunky buttons and dials.

Space & Practicality: The IQ in theory is a four-seater, but in reality there's only room for two passengers. The rear seat isn't big enough for kids and eats into the cargo space. So you'll have to choose between people space or cargo space. The boot is totally nonexistent with rear seats in place.

Equipment: The IQ offers plenty of kit for the money. You get six-speaker sound system, air-con, keyless entry and a cd-player. You'll have to pay extra for auto headlamps, fog lamps, rain sensing wipers and climate control.

Buying & Owning: The IQ is more expensive than the Fortwo, but the IQ is a more comfortable car to drive and live with. The transmission is smoother and the brakes are easier to modulate. However, the sheer size of the car may scare away some buyers. Residual values and resale values are unknown because the IQ isn't available in all states yet.

Quality & reliability: It's too soon to say how well the IQ will stand up in long term reliability. Most of the cars engineering is done by Toyota. So there's a piece of mind that you'll be buying a dependable vehicle.

Safety & Security: You get stability control, nine airbags including one that inflates across the rear screen in the event of a rear-end collision. Deadlocks and an integrated stereo makes life for thieves hard.

The IQ only strong points are its smooth transmission, good gas mileage and ease of use around town. However, like the Fortwo - the IQ isn't composed on faster roads. There really isn't much space for four passengers and many buyers will be scared away due to the small size of the car. However, if you desire a small car that's a little less crude than the Fortwo. The IQ is the perfect car for you.

Devon hops in the smallest minivan you can buy (used)

The Mazda 5 is living proof that you don't need a large 4x4 to carry a family around in comfort. It's dinky size means that it's a easy to park and good on gas. All while offering a clever six passenger configuration. In the land of the large 4x4, can Mazda convince buyers going small is all the rage?

Likes: Decent amount of space in the cabin, tons of equipment standard for such a low asking price, low running costs and impressive handling.

Dislikes: Firm ride over some surfaces, interior plastics don't feel up to par, may prove to be too small for some families.

Performance: The Mazda 5 comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 160hp. It does a good job of pulling the 5 around town and on the motorway. Fuel economy is decent too. It's not the sportiest engine, and you'll have to rev it hard to get up to speed with the automatic. We'd stick with the base trim for the manual gearbox.

Ride & Handling: The 5 can handle pretty well for a car of its size and weight. However, the trade-off is the ride is a little too firm for some taste. The pay off is solid body control, which is combined with impressive grip and quick steering. This makes the 5 more engaging to drive than other MPVs.

Refinement: The 2.4-liter engine operates very smoothly. There's some wind noise when you pick up speed on the motorway, road noise however is pretty much subdued. All six passengers will love how refined the cabin feels. It's airy and comfortable on long journeys.

Behind the wheel: There's plenty of adjustments for the steering wheel and front seats, so drivers can get comfortable easily. All-round visibility is pretty good thanks to a high driving position, and many functions that can be controlled by the buttons on the steering wheel. The stereo controls on the dash are a bit confusing.

Space & Practicality: The 5 can carry six passengers in somewhat comfort. The second row passengers will feel comfortable, while third row passengers will feel a bit cramped. Plus the boot isn't massive with all the seats up. You'll have to fold down the third row seat to carry anything more than a few suit cases. Headroom and legroom is generous to all but the third row. Which should be left to the kids.

Equipment: The Mazda 5 comes well equipped. Even the base model will satisfy most buyers. Alloy wheels, climate control, stability control and six speaker sound system come standard. Top of the range adds Xenon headlamps, rain sensing wipers, heated front seats and moonroof.

Buying & Owning: The Mazda 5 comes with a low asking price. You'll have to step up to the higher trims to really get the toys that you want. Resale value is strong so your investments will be well protected. Discounts are available, but aren't anything to brag about. Running costs should be low thanks to decent fuel economy.

Quality & Reliability: Mazda's record on mechanical reliability is pretty impressive. So you shouldn't have any worries on that score. The cabin has a solid feel that inspires confidence that the car will last. While many rivals offer classy, soft touch plastics. The 5's is hard, scratchy and rather dour.

Safety & Security: The Mazda 5 comes with advanced front, side impact airbags and side-impact curtain airbags. Traction control, and stability program are standard as well as sophisticated braking system to help you avoid trouble. On the security, all 5's come with both alarm and engine immobilizer.

The Mazda 5 doesn't look like your conventional minivan. It's smaller than a conventional minivan, but that doesn't mean it's not as good. You get a six passenger seating configuration, sliding doors and a long list of features that justify the low asking price. Although the 5 maybe too small for some families, its still a great MPV all round. With responsive handling and low running cost takes the sting out of owning one. Helping the Mazda 5 one attractive offer too good not to consider.

Devon M 

Odd Foods (wanna try?)

Boiled Bat is a much appreciated dish in Asia. Sold at a fairly steep price, it's considered by many a delicacy. It can be found in Fiji, and also other Asian countries. Those who taste it say that it tastes like chicken.



Pork Brains
(Heart attack anyone?)
Pork Brains is another dish that's not common among every restaurant. One company has gone a step further by making available to those who wish to try something different. Offering Pork Brains in a can with Milk Gravy. 150 calories and 5 grams of fat. It has 3,500mg of cholesterol, representing 1170% of the recommended daily allowance.



Lutefisk is a special kind of cod served in Norway. The food is soaked in alkaline solution to such a degree that it corrodes silverware. Somehow this dish is deemed safe for your intestines.



Japan is known for their down weird and odd dishes. So it shouldn't suprise you when you see that one Bull Penis on a Japanese Restaurant Menu. Eating Bull Penis is thought to increase blood flow to the genitals and stamina. Most who actually try the dish say it tastes like beef.




Balut is a fertilized duck (or chicken) eg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell. Considered to be an aphrodisiac and is believed to have high protein. Its commonly sold as streetfood in the Philippines. Its also commonly sold in some countries in Southeast Asia.




Try washing down all that food with some wine from Korea. The wine is made by stuffing three day old mice into the bottle of rice wine and left about a year to combine flavors. Considered a "health tonic" in Korean and Chinese traditions, and has the taste of gasoline. Little mice are plucked from the embrace of their loving mothers and (while still alive) shoved into a bottle of wine. Yum! Mouse Flavor....



Sheep head anyone?

Pacha is a traditional Iraqi dish made from sheep's head, trotters and stomach; all boiled slowly and served with bread sunken in the broth. The Cheeks are considered the best parts. Many people prefer not to eat the eyeballs which could be removed before cooking. The stomach lining would be filled with rice and lamb and stitched with a sewing thread.

Devon M

Devon test drives a Mazda family car (Used)

When the Mazda 6 was first introduced, it was seen as the sports sedan among family cars. It was stylish, sporty and still had the ability of carrying a small family and their luggage. The new Mazda 6 is bigger, roomier and more practical than the previous generation. Does this mean the Mazda 6 has finally grown up?

Likes: More fun to drive than rivals, roomy interior with a massive boot, large equipment level and sporty exterior looks.

Dislikes: Not as sporty as previous form, some interior trim bits feel cheap, no more wagon option.

Performance: There are two engines available for the Mazda 6. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 170hp, and a 3.7-liter six-cylinder with 272hp. Pick of the bunch is the base four-cylinder engine. It's fuel efficient and is very flexible. The six-cylinder is smooth, but commands a premium price.

Ride & Handling: The Mazda 6 has grown a few inches in length, but the sporty nature is still there. The 6 grips really well, and the steering is light yet precise. The ride isn't as comfortable as you might expect, but it's far from uncomfortable.

Refinement: The 6 is a relaxed quiet cruiser. Refinement isn't class-leading, but it's far from cheap. You'll notice a bit of wind noise around the door mirrors, and there's some road noise over rough surfaces. The engines are both very smooth.

Behind the wheel: The 6's cabin feels sporty thanks to the circular air vents and splashes of metallic trim. The dash is user-friendly, although the heater controls are separated from the panel that display their settings. Forward visibility is good, and both the driver seat and steering wheel adjust for reach and height.

Space & Practicality: Front passengers will find the 6 is quite massive. Rear passengers will also feel the same way. There's plenty of head and leg room to go round. The boot also offers tons of space, and the rear seat folds down flat to offer even more space.

Equipment: The base trim comes well equipped. You'll get central locking, air-con, cruise control and traction control. Top of the range trims offer xenon headlamps, back-up camera, dual-zone climate control and blind spot monitoring system.

Buying & Owning: The 6 is priced well among its rivals. You get plenty of kit for the money, and your fuel bill will be low if you stick with the four-cylinder engine. Resale value is strong, and discounts is offered but not anything fantastic.

Quality & reliability: The interior feels like a mixed bag, some plastics look stylish and hardwearing. In some areas though, the plastics feel cheap to the touch. Reliability shouldn't be a worry, as Mazda's reliability record is spotless and the 6 has been rated high in its class.

Safety & Security: Six-airbags, traction control, and anti-lock brakes are all standard across the range. Deadlocks, engine immobiliser and a top-notch alarm make life difficult for thieves.

The Mazda 6 feels like a family car. The sporty dynamics are still there, but the appeal is more grown up. This isn't a bad thing however, the 6 has to compete with the likings of Honda and Toyota. Both offer cars that are popular in the the mid-sized family sedan segment. However, if you want a splash of sportiness, refinement and a more engaging drive. The Mazda 6 is the perfect car for you. It's low base price, large kit level and roomy interior volume makes it a car well worth every cent.

Devon drives the Outlander Sport (Used)

Likes: Low running costs, roomy interior, priced well among rivals, stylish and practical.

Dislikes: CVT brings the buzz out of the engine, needs more power, not as sporty to drive as a Nissan Juke.

Compact crossovers are becoming all the rage. They're the same size as compact hatchbacks, but sit higher off the ground. The raised driving height allows for better vision all-round, and the compact size means they're urban friendly. Mitsubishi decided to jump into the game with the Outlander Sport. It's smaller and just as practical as the larger Outlander, but the price is cheaper. Will this be enough to lure buyers to the brand?

Performance: There's only one engine available with the Outlander-Sport. That's a 2-liter four-cylinder with 148hp. Performance is decent around town, but you'll struggle with it on the motorway. The CVT transmission feels like its robbing the engine of its revs. You'll have to work the engine hard to really get the most of it. Fuel economy however is suprisingly good.

Ride & Handling: The Outlander Sport isn't as sporty as the name suggest. There's a fair bit of body lean in corners. However, if you value comfort over ultimate control, the Outlander Sport is the perfect car for you. The supple suspension and big balloon tires does an effective job at absorbing most ruts and bumps.

Refinement: The CVT transmission really does bring the buzz out of the engine. It's far from intrusive, but can make long journeys tiresome. There's very little wind and road noise. On the motorway however, some wind and road noise will sneak into the cabin.

Behind the wheel: It's easy to find a comfortable driving position. THe steering adjust for reach and height, allowing all to get comfortable. The cabin plastics aren't classy, but the whole design and layout of the dashboard is attractive and user friendly. All-round visibility is good thanks to an elevated driving position.

Space & Practicality: The Outlander Sport offers decent space four five passengers. The boot space is decent, and can be increased thanks to split folding rear seats. There are some practical features too, such as hidden storage under the boot floor. The seats fold flat with no need to move the seat base first.

Equipment: All Outlander Sports come well equipped. The base trim comes with seven airbags, active stability control, Fuse hands-free Link System with USB port. Top of the range offers all-wheel-drive, keyless start and climate control.

Buying & Owning: The Outlander Sport undercuts its main rivals. However, the Nissan Juke offers more horespower for the same price. Resale value should be average, and trying to get an Outlander Sport with a discount shouldn't be hard to comeby. Running costs will be low thanks to decent fuel economy.

Quality & reliability: Some of the plastics in the Outlander Sport don't look flashy, but they feel well put together and long lasting. The mechanicals have been tested and tried, and there should be very little worry about reliability. Mitsubishi has a top-notch record in that department.

Safety & Security: All versions come with anti-whiplash head restraints, seven airbags,  brake assist and stability control standard. An alarm system, engine immobiliser and deadlocks are standard across the range to keep theft at bay.

The Outlander Sport isn't as bold as the Nissan Juke, and isn't as fun to drive as a Mini Countryman. You may find there really is no point to the Outlander Sport, but you'll be surprised when you see all that the Outlander Sport has to offer that the others don't. It's affordable, cheap to run, and is far roomier than the Juke and Countryman combined. The top of the range trim adds all-wheel-drive at a cheap price. It's not the most stylish of the bunch, but it sure does offer great value for the money and is versatile enough for small families. If you need a no-nonsense compact crossover, with plenty of space and kit for the money. Look no further.

Devon M 

Re: 'Godly Wife' - Proverbs 31 wife (Satire)

Fair use (in US copyright law) the doctrine that brief excerpts of copyright material may, under certain circumstances, be quoted verbatim for purposes such as criticism, news reporting, teaching, and research, without the need for permission from or payment to the copyright holder.

I always wanted to be a Proverbs 31 woman.

I decided to see exactly what a Proverbs 31 woman is and quite frankly I can’t imagine anyone wanting to be this type of woman. *Note this article is pure satire* If you’re easily offended, well you’ve been warned.*

A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15

Faith – basically you’re going to follow ‘God’ blindly and become more ‘child-like’ in the decisions you make?

A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis2: 18)

Marriage – women submit to your husbands because he is the one in control of the marriage.

A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16)

Mothering – instead of teaching your children to be independent thinkers, no let’s indoctrinate them and brainwash them early. You got to have new recruitments for the cult – I mean church.

A Virtuous Woman cares for her body. She prepares healthy food for her family. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19, Genesis 1: 29, Daniel 1, Leviticus 11)

Health – so women who aren’t god fearing don’t give a flying fuck about their bodies?

A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13)

Service – in so many words she’s basically a slave?

A Virtuous Woman spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)

Finances – everyone should be careful with their finances not just ‘god fearing women’.

A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 24, Proverbs 31: 31, Philippians 2: 14)

Industry – yes, cook my dinner; wash my clothes; clean the house! And don’t you dare complain because that’s not what a ‘god fearing woman’ should do.

A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)

Homemaking – yes because that’s all that women are good for right? Staying at home, raising the kids and being a good housewife.

A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 19, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8 )

Time – she better not think about reading or doing activities that she enjoys because ‘God’ hates that shit. You need to be submissive to your husband, feed the children, clean the house and be a good housewife. ‘God’ hates fun. Do you want ‘God’ unpleased with you?

A Virtuous Woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones. (Proverbs 31: 10Proverbs 31: 21 – 22, Proverbs 31: 24 -25, Isaiah 61: 10, 1 Timothy 2: 9, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)

Beauty – don’t dress like a ‘whore’ don’t act like one either; be submissive to your husband though because ‘God’ likes that shit.

The only problem is that I don’t really have any idea what that means.

So how the fuck do you want to be a Proverbs 31 woman with no clue as to what it means to be one?

Does being a proverbs 31 woman mean being one of those super hospitable wives and super committed moms?  How does that work for me – being neither a wife or a mother, (let alone hospitable and committed)?

Okay, get yourself a husband then pop out some kids. The next step is crucial, you’ve got to submit to your husband at all times and also make sure your kids are brainwashed as well. You can’t have fun or enjoy the activities you once did because ‘God’ don’t like that shit. You’ve got to be committed to all of the above like super committed every single day! I repeat every single fucking day!

Does it mean being super involved at church? I work at a Church! Score!

Well isn’t that just fucking depressing – I mean wonderful! But don’t forget that you can’t teach men in church or have power over men because ‘God’ don’t like that shit.

Does it mean walking through the characteristics of the gal in the passage like a check list?  Here are the things I’ve gotta do today if I want to be a woman who fears the Lord!

Yes! I’ve got a whole list of chores for you to complete; and while you’re at it make me a sandwich. You better not complain because that’s not what a ‘god fearing woman’ would do!

The sneaky thing about Proverbs 31 is that it doesn’t tell you what to do to become a woman who fears the Lord.  It provides a description of what flows out of a woman who already fears the Lord.

Nope, I’ve listed them all and yes you’ve got to be a housewife; submissive to your husband; serve your community; not dress in a whorish fashion and also complete all your tasks daily. You can’t have fun – that’s the most important part of it. ‘God’ hates fun do you want ‘God’ to hate you? You know who likes fun? Satan, Satan likes fun! Are you a Satan worshipper? You can’t be a ‘god fearing woman’ worshipping Satan!

Below you’ll find four characteristics of a ‘woman who fears the Lord’ that I ripped off from a sermon out of the archives at Desiring God.

‘Ripped off’, that sounds like Satan talk if you ask me!

These things aren’t things to add to your to-do list. They’re an opportunity to test your heart.  If we have a right ‘fear’ or understanding of God, then these four characteristics will overflow in our hearts:

Nope, it’s a to-do list and those chores are not going to do themselves; and that sandwich isn’t going to make itself!

A woman who fears the Lord isn’t anxious about what’s going to happen in her life.

Why would a ‘god fearing woman’ be anxious about anything? Her whole entire life is planned out for her by ‘God’ and her husband basically rules over here. The only thing she has to worry about is making that sandwich and doing her wifely duties of submission and being a baby factory. Don’t forget the house chores.

First, a woman who fears the Lord is not anxious about the future…“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

There’s no time for laughing when there’s chores that needs to be completed. Also, did you forget that ‘God’ hates fun? You better wipe that grin off your face or else ‘God’ will put you in your fucking place.

Our anxiety reveals what we think about God.

The future is unknown but putting your faith into something that’s also unknown makes no fucking sense.

Do we honestly think He’s a soveriegn and good Father?  Do we honestly believe He cares about the mundane details of our lives and is working everything out for our good?

Nope! The only thing ‘God’ is good at is the following:

Violent

Short-tempered

A very jealous ‘God’

A very controlling ‘God’

Very manipulative

Tends to side more towards evil

Very arrogant

‘God’ certainly cares if you have premarital sex; practice witchcraft; work on the Sabbath day; disobey your parents; part of the LGBT community. Yeah let’s forget all those.

If so, it will affect our anxiety about how our kids are going to do in school this Fall or our fears about being single this time next year, or our obsession with how we’re going to pay our bills next month, or worry about how we’re going to do in that meeting at work tomorrow.

Somethings you just can’t put into ‘God’s’ hands a hope for the best. Helping your kids study and stay on top of their homework is one way to help them do well, or get them a tutor if they need the extra assistance. ‘God’ doesn’t provide money to pay your bills and being single isn’t something you should have anxiety over.

A woman who fears the Lord speaks wisdom and kindness.

You don’t need ‘God’ to speak wisdom and kindness.

Second, the woman who fears the Lord has practical wisdom. Verse 26, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”

Unless you’re teaching men of course, you can throw all that shit away. ‘God’ is not for women having authority over men or teaching men. He wants you to be submissive and stay quiet.

I love this because I’m a big fan of women redeeming passive communication. This verse tells us that if we’re going to be good stewards of our words we have to know and love God.  A right view of Him will effect the way we choose to spend the gift of language He has given us.

You don’t need to believe in ‘God’ to stand behind the words you speak, that’s just stupid. Secondly, I’m not entirely sure why you think that women have a voice because according to the bible you don’t, and should remain submissive at all times. Do you not know your bible?

A woman who fears the Lord is strong.

Yeah, strong in the delusional department and strong in the blind leading the blind department that’s about it!

Third, the woman who fears the Lord is strong. Verse 25, “Strength and dignity are her clothing.” Verse 17, “She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.”

Fear is the opposite of strength. It’s like saying I’m strong because I fear cats.

Think for a second about how you define ‘strength’.  Here’s what Piper goes on to say:

Strength has a lot of definitions, but being fearful and submissive certainly isn’t one of them. No one gives a fuck what Piper has to say.

Proverbs 23:17 says, “Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.” The woman who continues in the fear of the Lord will have power to resist all the allurements to envy, to desire what she shouldn’t have.

So what you’re saying is that if you desire to buy a new car that you shouldn’t desire it? I’m completely lost with that one. Also, do you fear ‘God’ do you love him? I’m not sure how you can fear someone and love them at the same time. You can’t have fear and love because that’s just utter bullshit.

True strength looks like contentment.

Yes, but fear is not strength!

Do you want to know if your fear of the Lord overflows into strength?  Do you envy others?

I don’t envy anyone and I don’t have fear for a ‘God’ that I don’t believe in.

Strength means you’re not fearful of anyone or anything. Fear means that you are the opposite of strong.

Except ‘God’ you say women should be fearful of him which means that you do in fact fear someone which is a huge contradiction here.

A woman who fears the Lord is for other people, not against them.

Unless those people are LGBT, ‘whores’ and practice witchcraft; ‘God’ hates that shit.

Fourth, a woman who fears the Lord will live not for herself alone but for others…Verses 11, 12, “The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not harm all the days of her life.”

Women are baby factories, servants and can’t want shit in life. I heard you loud and clear.

Our view of God will play out in our interaction with others.  If we trust that God is for us, it frees us up to be for other people.  We can look out for their interests because we know God is looking out for ours.

So basically ‘God’ is lazy is what I’m getting from this?

All four of these characteristics overflow from a right understanding and relationship with God.

So you have to have a close relationship with ‘God’ to help other people?

You can’t just get out of your chair and go do these four things to earn the ‘proverbs 31’ merit badge.

So being a servant and submissive isn’t enough? ‘God’ can never make up his mind about anything. He’s almost as bad a Jesus Christ – oh never mind.

If you want to be free of anxiety, if you want to speak kindness and wisdom, if you want to be strong and be for other people, the solution is gloriously complex: fear the Lord.

There’s no strength in fear! There’s no strength in fear! There’s no strength in fear!!! Secondly, you can be kind and not believe in ‘God’. You can speak wisdom and not believe in ‘God’. You can be strong and not believe in ‘God’. It’s like all the credit goes to ‘God’ who is sitting on his lazy ass doing nothing. Can we give some credit to Satan for giving us knowledge?

My hope is that, like me you’ll see this list as a reminder of just how far you have to go in your sanctification.

Nope, it’s like putting the car in reverse and flooring the gas pedal.

Let this list remind you of the opportunity you have to grow in your ‘fear’ of the Lord.  Let that opportunity excited you.  There’s more of Him to know.  There’s more of Him to trust.

There’s nothing ‘exciting’ about ‘fearing’ something that doesn’t exist! How do you ‘trust’ someone when you’re fearful of that person?

As we grow in fearing Him we will be transformed – not to the image of some cool Proverbs woman.  We will be transformed into the very image of His Son.  Neat.

No one wants to ‘transform’ into a servant and certainly no one wants to ‘transform’ into Jesus he’s a jerk. There’s nothing ‘neat’ about anything stated in this article. 

(Used) Devon drives a car with "Bling-Bling" factor

Likes: Stylish exterior styling, roomy for eight passegners, available hybrid model, high-class image.

Dislikes: Seriously expensive starting price, and options will send price sky high. Running costs will be high, bulky size makes it a chore to park and live with in urban areas.

The Cadillac Escalade has been popular since its launch in 1999. There has been no other SUV that has gotten as much hype as the Escalade. Appearing in music videos, being mentioned in song lyrics and seen as the vehicle to have by many Hip/Hop Artists and movie stars. But does the Escalade suffer from all style and no substance?

Performance: The Escalade comes with a 6.2-liter eight-cylinder engine. The base trim comes with 403hp, and a two-mode hybrid with 332hp. The pick of the bunch is the base engine output. It's still quite expensive, but is far cheaper compared to the hybrid model. There's effortless power on the motorway and plenty of towing capability. The Hybrid commands a premium price and not much difference in fuel economy. You'll have to do tons of motorway driving to really get your moneys worth.

Ride & Handling: The Escalade has a soft suspension, which does a good job at isolating occupants from most bumps. But it never feels settled on patchy surfaces, and body movements are poorly controlled. The steering has very little feedback, and the sheer size of the car makes driving on narrow city roads hard work.

Refinement: The big engine is hushed at steady motorway speeds. The V8 emits a lovely rumble under heavy acceleration. Road noise isn't a big problem, but the Escalade is about as aerodynamic as a tower block so wind noise intrudes into the cabin at high levels.

Behind the wheel: You sit high in the Escalade, so all round visibility is good. Shorter drivers will have a harder time getting comfortable. Although the pedals adjust for reach, the steering wheel only adjusts for angle. This makes driving position awkward for some. The heater controls are fiddly too.

Space & Practicality: The Escalade has seating up to eight with a well laid out formation. But you won't get three adults in the third row because shoulder room is tight. The boot isn't massive, and the rear seats don't fold flat. You'll have to remove them to get the full cargo capacity.

Equipment: There are four trim levels available. All of them are well equipped, but the options will send the price soaring. Tri-zone climate control, six-disc CD-changer and parking sensors are standard equipment. Satellite navigation system and rear-seat DVD entertainment system are optional.

Buying & Owning: The Escalade has the bling looks that attracts many premier buyers. You'll need their wages to run one, because the Escalade is quite expensive to run. Fuel economy is low, and the price tag is high. Even the hybrid commands a high premium over the the base engine. The V8 engine is thirsty and you'll struggle in large parking lots and tight urban areas. Insurance rates are high, and theft rates are also high for this vehicle. The Escalade won't hold its value as well as its rivals.

Quality & Reliability: The dash plastics feel and look cheap. Some interior fittings feel flimsy and you can hear lots of rattles and creaks when driving over rough surfaces. Reliability of the electronics may be a bit of a worry.

Safety & Reliability: Twin front and side curtain airbags come standard across the range. The side curtain airbags covers all three rows. Stability control helps keep you on the road. Deadlocks and an alarm is fitted as standard.

The Cadillac offers tons of bling in its styling. It's stylish, and has tons of appeal to high class buyers. But one has to ask themself, is it really worth it? There are rivals that are better to drive, easier to manuever and offer far better gas mileage than the Escalade. You'll buy one for the status of wealth, but there are so many drawbacks to consider. High running costs, iffy reliability record all count against it.

Devon M 

(Used) Devon takes a look at a Nissan Murano

Likes: Well equipped, smooth six-cylinder engine, roomy and comfortable to drive.

Dislikes: A bit strange looking, no base engine offered, not as sporty to drive as its looks suggest.

Crossovers are becoming more and more popular. They sit lower to the ground, and offer better fuel economy than many truck-based sport utility vehicles. The Nissan Murano uses the same engine from the 350Z, but has been detuned to 260hp. With so many other rivals catching up to the Murano, will this be a case of old dog old tricks?

Performance: There's only one engine available for the Murano, and that's a 3.5-liter six-cylinder. It's the same engine used in the 350Z, but only produces 260hp. Acceleration is brisk and effortless on the motorway, but the CVT-transmission is reluctant to allow the engine to rev. A base engine would be nice for those who seek the Murano's size, but better fuel economy.

Ride & Handling: The Murano isn't as sporty as the 350Z. The body leans in corners, because the suspension is softly tuned. The steering feels numb, and discourages sporty driving. Even though the car grips really well.

Refinement: The Murano is impressingly refined. THere's very little wind and road noise. The engine has a nice snarl when revved hard, but its never intrusive or loud. On the motorway, the Murano feels very comfortable and well laid back.

Behind the wheel: The steering wheel adjusts for reach and height, and the seats adjust eletrically. You won't struggle to find a comfortable driving position in the Murano. What's more, the layout of the controls is hard to find fault. Only hefty rear pillars let it down, but you do get two parking cameras as an option for limited the limited vision.

Space & Practicality: There's an impressive amount of space for five passengers. There isn't a third row seat option like in some rivals. This isn't a bad thing, as the boot is impressively large. The rear seats fold almost flat with a tug lever to increase space.

Equipment: The Murano comes well equipped for the price. Even the base trim comes with push button ignition, six-disc CD-changer and dual zone climate control. Higher trims offer a glass roof and leather seats. Top of the range offers Xenon-headlamps, chrome wheels and power lift tailgate.

Buying & Owning: The Murano is well equipped for the price. Even the base trim will satisfy most buyers. Strong resale values will help protect your investments. You'll need deep pockets to satisfy the six-cylinder's thirst for fuel.

Quality & reliability: The interior has a sense of logic behind it. Everything feels well laid out, and all the controls feel classy. Some switchgear feel cheap, but they feel sturdy and long lasting. Nissan has enjoy excellent reliability, with much not much worry of the mechanicals.

Safety & Security: Stability control is standard across the range, as well as side curtain airbags. Deadlocks, alarm and engine immobiliser make life for thieves hard.

The Murano is a decent crossover that's classy and well balanced for small families. It's not sporty, and looks the part. This may disappoint some buyers, and the lack of a base engine will put off some buyers. The six-cylinder is nice but some rivals offer lower powered engines to make the price more attractive. If you can overlook these few negatives, you'll find the Murano is a well suited crossover for small families.

Devon M 

Food to die for (literally) - Part One

Ackee
This pear-shaped fruit (the national fruit of Jamacia) contains toxins that can suppress the body's ability to release an extra supply of glucose, plunging one's blood sugar level and potentially leading to death.




Japanese Puffer Fish
This fish has a killer taste (literally!). The puffer fish's skin and certain organs contain tetrodotoxin, an extremely poisonous toxin that can paralyze a human and lead to asphyxiation (choking). However fugu, as it is called in Japanese, has been eaten for hundreds of years in Japan, where expert chefs serve it as a delicacy. Chefs that serve fugu must go under extreme training and are licensed to prepare the dish. One trop of the clear, tasteless liquid is enough to kill almost instantly. Those who dine on this deadly delight swear fugu's liver is the most delectable part but it's also the most lethal. It's claimed that some master fugu chefs purposefully allow a tiny amount of toxin to remain in the fish's flesh to cause a tingling sensation on the diners tongue.



Almonds
This popular snack food can not be eaten raw and unprocessed, because the amount of cyanide contained in each of them. New Zealand has banned them and the U.S. monitors the cleaning and heating process of them very carefully. This is why almonds aren't cheap to buy.



Casu Marzu
Want a delectable Italian Herb? Whatever you do make sure that if you're flying to northern Italy that you avoid this dish. Casu Marzu is made from sheep milk cheese that literally contains thousands of fly eggs in the cheese. The result is a maggot-infested, decomposing mess. Some of the finer restaurants that still stubbornly serve this 'treat' provide the diner with a pair of goggles to protect the eyes. Yes it is served in some fine restaurants! The maggots are served alive-- once they die the cheese quicly becomes more toxic. The cheese is so acidic it burns the mouth--the result of rotting cheese having been drenched with hundreds of maggots' digestive juice.

The Wriggling larvae are not digested by the body, but survive the human digestive tract long enough to breed. The aggressive and hungry hatching attempt to eat through the intestinal walls casing intense pain, violent vomiting, bloody stools and even death. ome of the finer restaurants that
Usually.



Sannakji (Live Baby Octopus)
Baby Octopus is considered a delicacy, and many Japanese and Koreans will serve it as a special treat to honored guest who come to dinner. In Korea, "Sannakji" is served live. Ever remember you parents telling you to not play with your food? With this dish you have to fight with your food. The tentacles fight back as you try to eat them. Pieces will crawl up your chopsticks, wrap themselves stubbornly around them. They'll grab onto your nose, lips, teeh gums tongue --even the roof of your mouth-- in a desperate attempt not to go down your throat. When you finally get the rubbery, writhing, squrimming bits down your throat, make sure you've chewed them sufficiently. A significant number of people nearly choke to death on this living dish virturally every day. Some find they've taken too big a "bite" and the tentacles exact revenge by clogging up the diner's throat and cutting off air supply. Sadly, dozens find "sannakji" their last meal.



Cassava
This is one of the world's popular staple food. Cassava is often used to make tropical delicacy in the form of tapioca, starch or flour. If not properly washed or cooked, Cassava leaves and roots contain toxin called cyanide which is fatal to humans even in small doses.



Blood Clams
In China thse clams are only flash-boiled and can contain deadly viruses like hepatitis A, E, thyphoid and dysentery. Because they are only partially cooked, the clams become a dangerous treat.

Weird phobias

Allodoxaphobia: If you like to voice your thoughts on a particular subject, you may want to stay away from people with allodoxaphobia, or the fear of opinions.

Porphyrophobia: The color purple causes some people to be very afraid and develop this condition.

Arachibutyrophobia: If you’re desperately afraid of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth, you have arachibutyrophobia.

Blennophobia: Unless you’re in a science fiction movie, you probably won’t come into contact with slime, but some people are afraid of it anyway.

Cardiophobia: Although the heart is your lifeline, some people are afraid of it.

Coprastasophobia: Some people are actually terribly afraid of becoming constipated.

Didaskaleinophobia: If you’d rather skip class, just claim this phobia, which refers to the fear of going to school.

Nomatophobia: This phobia refers to the fear of names.

Lipophobia: The fear of fats in food may be blamed on the red meat scare of 1977.

Hormephobia: Hormephobia refers to a person’s fear of experiencing shock, which is probably made more likely after an anxiety attack.

Sesquipedalophobia: This term refers to the fear of long words, and seems like a cruel joke.

Phobophobia: This condition is described as a rare disorder and refers to the fear of having a phobia.

Hellenologophobia: Confusing, highly technical terminology — including Greek terms — make those with hellenologophobia anxious.

Cymophobia: It’s understandable that some people might be afraid of waves, but this phobia also refers to the fear of "wave-like motions."

Pteronophobia: The idea of being tickled with feathers is upsetting for those with pteronophobia.

Optophobia: Opening one’s eyes is just too stressful for some individuals.

Albuminurophobia: This very specific phobia refers to the fear of kidney disease.

Aeronausiphobia: Phobialist.com describes this phobia as the fear of vomiting due to airsickness.

Amychophobia: People who suffer from amychophobia — the fear of scratches — are probably very protective of themselves and their skin.

Anklyophobia: Some people are actually afraid that their joints will stop working, and this fear is called anklyophobia.

Blood-injection-injury type phobia: This odd phobia group includes trypanophobia (the fear of injections); hemophobia (the fear of blood) and the fear of invasive medical procedures.

Body dysmorphic disorder: Also referred to as BDD, this body image disorder causes people to imagine that they have or will develop physical deformities.

Ataxiophobia: The fear of not being able to use your muscles properly is called ataxiophobia.
Injury phobia: If you’re afraid of being injured, you have injury phobia.

Syphilophobia: One hopes that having a fear of syphilis would inspire more responsible romantic encounters.

Chemophobia: Those who get too carried away with organic diets or going green may be at risk for chemophobia, a condition that refers to the fear of all chemicals and preference for natural elements.

Rhypophobia: People who are afraid of defecation have rhypophobia, and are at risk for other health problems.

(Used) Devon test drives a Chevy Impala

Likes: Roomy interior for five, large roomy trunk, decent fuel economy, ride comfort is smooth.

Dislikes: Bland styling, forgettable driving experience, poor build quality and low-grade interior, four-speed automatic soaks up the engine's power, and the handling is lackluster at best.

Large front wheel drive sedans are slowly being replaced by more fun to drive rear-wheel drive vehicles.  There are plenty to choose from. So where does the Chevy Impala fit in that formula?

Performance: There are two six-cylinder engines to choose from. The base 3.5-liter six-cylinder produces 211hp, and a 3.9-liter six-cylinder with 230hp. The pick of the bunch is the 3.5-liter six-cylinder. Its smooth, provides quick acceleration and decent fuel economy. Not that there's much of a difference between the two engines in terms of gas mileage. But both engines have to make do with a old four-speed automatic. This ruins the potential that the engines have to offer. The shifts often feel delayed and unresponsive at times. Leaving you with no oomph when you desire it the most.

Ride & Handling: The suspension is set towards comfort. It irons out bumps, and handles well if not pushed to its limits. This is where the Impala feels cheap. The ride and handling often feels loose and uncontrolled at times. Making the vehicle feel unsettled when pushed hard. Even the top of the range feels more geared towards a Sunday drive.

Refinement: The six-cylinder stays hused until pushed hard. However, the noise is far from intrusive. The Impala feels like a comfortable on long journeys. The driving experience is very forgettable.

Behind the wheel: There's plenty of adjustment for the driver's seat. The steering wheel adjusts for both reach and height. There's a sense of logic to the interior. It doesn't feel high quality, but it serves its purpose well. All the controls are easy to reach, and there's even power adjustments to the seats for added luxury.

Space & Practicality: The boot is very massive, something you'd expect from a sedan that's so big in size. The seats fold down to increase cargo space. You can sit up to five passengers in comfort.

Equipment: The base engine is well equipped for the money. There's automatic headlamps, cruise control, keyless entry and six-way power driver seat. The top of the range adds luxury tuned supsension, 18-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof.

Buying & Owning: The Impala seems like a good deal on paper. This however changes when you come to selling the vehicle. With steep depreciation, your investments aren't well protected. There are rivals that offer better value for the money all-round. The Impala does get decent fuel economy, but has to make do with an ancient four-speed automatic. Rivals offer six and even seven speed automatic gearboxes.

Quality & Reliability: The interior feels and looks well put together. There's no indication for the gears on the automatic transmission. One will have to look into the instrument panel to see what gear they are shifting into. This can get annoying at times, especially when parking. The whole cabin feel is on the cheap side. Even in the top of the range, there's a sense of low-rent quality to the cabin. The Impala has scored low in JD power survery for reliability.

Safety: The Impala comes well equipped in safety. There's front and side curtian airbags. ABS and ESP are both standard across the range. However, the construction of the vehicle feels cheap. You may want to consider this before buying one. There are deadlocks and a theft alarm to guard against theft.

Overall: The Impala is one of the few large front wheel drive sedans that offers plenty of space, and decent equipment for the money. However the negatives seem to outweigh the positives, and there are far better rivals that are better value for money and offer much more than the Impala.

(Used) Devon figures out the Cube of Nissan

The Nissan Cube is a funky little hatchback that's been sold in Japan for years. It's not the most stylish of Nissan cars, but it surely does stand out. With rivals from Kia and Scion, will the Nissan Cube manage to keep up? Or will it be another case of all style and no substance?

Likes: Roomy interior, generous kit, low running costs, distinctly designed inside out.

Dislikes: Sloppy handling, sluggish engine, odd-ball styling, too much wind noise on the motorway.

Performance: There's only one engine available for the Cube. It's a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 122hp, although the engine is fuel efficient. It doesn't feel up for the job. It offers decent pace around town, but on faster paced roads you'll struggle to get up to speed. The CVT-transmission really does bring the buzz out of the engine, and often robs you off valuable revs when you need it most.

Ride & handling: The Cube feels comfortable because the suspension is set towards comfort, so there's plenty of body-roll in corners. You'll think the car wasn't attached to its chassis. On the motorway, you'll often feel like you're being blown about by cross winds due to the tall body.

Refinement: The cabin is roomy and airy, with very little road noise. Wind noise however will be an issue. The Cube's tall body makes it as aerodynamic as a tower block. So wind noise rushes into the cabin at high levels. The CVT transmission brings the buzz out of the engine. This makes long distance driving a bit tiresome.

Behind the wheel: The front seats are comfortable, but they lack lateral support. The dashboard is easy to navigate. Everything feels user friendly. Forward and rear visibility will be an issue. You'll feel like the windscreen is miles away from you, and those thick B-pillars create massive blind spots.

Space & Practicality: There's plenty of head and legroom in both the front seats and the rear seats. The tall body does give you an airy feel in the cabin. The seats fold down 60/40 to increase cargo space. While the boot isn't massive, it's awkward shape makes getting things in and out a breeze.

Equipment: The Nissan Cube comes well equipped. The base trim comes with air-con, cd-player, 6-way adjustable driver seat and a nifty trip computer. Top of the range models add automatic headlamps, sporty body-kit, and navigation system.

Buying & Owning: The Nissan Cube comes with a low asking price. It's not the most stylish car on the block, but it does offer loads of kit for the money. Discounts are available, and resale value should be good. Running costs are low too, thanks to decent fuel economy.

Quality & reliability: The interior feels well put together. Many plastics feel sturdy and long lasting. Nissan has a solid reliability record. The Nissan Cube should prove to be just as reliable.

Safety & Security: The Cube offers side-curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes and traction control all standard, even on the base trim. Deadlocks, engine immobiliser and an alarm are standard across the range to keep theft at bay.

The Nissan Cube isn't the most stylish car on the block. The interior is roomy, and the kit is generous for the money. However, the Cube's handling is sloppy. The engine isn't really up for the job, and there's too much wind noise on the motorway. It may seem like the Cube is all style and no substance. Even with all the negatives, the Cube still has a market for those who want something out side of the box. Before you consider a Cube however, we highly suggest you look at its rivals first. They're priced the same, but exceed in what the Cube falls short in.

Devon M