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What is a competency-based degree?
|Posted on October 19, 2013 at 7:45 AM
The idea of competency-based education has been around for generations. Here's what a course would look like if it were competency-based.
1. Your course would have a clear list of what students must know and be able to do in order to pass the course--in other words, learning objectives.
2. Every course lesson and activity is designed to help students achieve those learning objectives.
3. Everything you grade students on is based on how well students have achieved those learning objectives. Things unrelated to those objectives, such as attendance, class participation, or submitting assignments on time don't count toward grades unless things like time management are part of the course's learning objectives.
4. Students must get a passing grade on every course learning objective in order to pass the course. In other words, if you are teaching writing and correct grammar is one of your learning objectives, they must get a passing grade on grammar; an A for a persuasive argument can't average out with an F for grammar to yield a C.
In theory, competency-based degrees could consist of courses designed this way, but in practice they usually take these ideas a step farther. If every course in your program is designed according to these principles, students would earn a degree in your program by completing and passing every assignment in every course. Competency-based degrees consist of all those assignments without chunking them into courses; students do not earn credits or grades for courses passed. Students might also have the option of working through the assignments at their own pace.
Obviously competency-based degrees are not for everyone. But the idea of competency-based education--evaluating or grading students based on whether or not they have achieved important learning outcomes, and not letting an A on one key outcome balance an F on another--is simply good educational practice and something that any faculty member can apply.
Categories: Curriculum & teaching
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About Us
Pioneer was founded on the principles that each client will receive customized advice and an unmatched level of personal service and confidentiality. With an emphasis on providing creative and results-driven services that go beyond what many have come to expect from traditional financial advisors, the team at Pioneer is dedicated to creating financial solutions that integrate client investment, tax, and lifestyle goals. Pioneer's national client base is served by a team of 25 employees located in offices in Seattle, Chicago and New York.
With an average tenure of over ten years, our long-standing clients are dynamic families who are faced with the challenge of managing complex financial situations that include multiple generations, stakeholders and advisors. Pioneer's goal is to work in tandem with each client's team of existing advisors to simplify the planning and investment process in light of the client's objectives.
Our clients are diverse in their backgrounds and objectives. They include:
Multi-Generational Families
Faced with the complexity that arises from multiple generations and estate planning vehicles, these dynamic families leverage Pioneer's consolidated and customizable financial reporting solutions, tax and investment advisory services.
Business Owners
Whether prior to or following disposition of family business interests, Pioneer is a trusted advisor with the ability to integrate personal financial considerations with the broader concerns of a business owner.
High Net Worth Families
With assets ranging from $100 million to several billion, Pioneer's clients share a long-term vision to manage, grow and protect their assets for current and future generations.
Existing Family Offices
Clients with established family offices seek Pioneer's advice in specific areas that complement their internal capabilities. These areas often include tax advisory, investment risk analysis, reporting and estate planning advisory.
All family office services and investment advisory services are delivered by Pioneer Square Advisors, LLC an investment adviser registered under the Securities Act of Washington.

subset: commoncrawl


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FIFA pull: 10,000 students to fill stadium today
FIFA pull: 10,000 students to fill stadium today
NAVI MUMBAI: Looking at the number of empty seats during the opening day matches of Under-17 FIFA World Cup at D Y Patil stadium on October 6, NMMC has promised to fill the stadium in the forthcoming matches by getting students to the stadium.
Local students with free passes will form a major chunk in the audience galleries at the stadium which has a capacity of 50,000 spectators on Monday.
In this direction, NMMC has managed 10,000 passes from match organizers so that both civic school and private school students in the city who had participated in the largest walkathon on October 5. They will have a lifetime experience to watch the action live at two back-to-back fixtures of Turkey vs Mali and Paraguay vs New Zealand that are lined up on October 9 from 5pm onwards.
In the last match on Friday, 900 civic school students accompanying 100 teachers were privileged to get free passes to take a glimpse of the action on ground despite unexpected showers.
The 10,000 passes will be distributed among 8,000 private school students and 2,000 civic school students for Monday matches.
According to civic body sources, most tickets were either sold out or issued to stakeholders but due to the rains many did not turn up which created a vacuum in the stadium.
"We were given 1,000 free passes and our civic school students have got the privilege. For the Monday matches we had asked for 10,000 passes and our plea was accepted by the organizers. We are giving preference to those students irrespective of civic and private schools who were part of our Walkathon for the October 9 matches. We can't discriminate among civic and private schools," said Ankush Chavan, additional municipal commissioner, NMMC.
The four teams also carried out their final practice session on Sunday at the four practice grounds at the D Y Patil campus, Navi Mumbai Sports Association and Yashwantrao Chavan Maidan ahead of the Monday matches, beginning from 5pm.
Security, parking and other civic arrangements will remain the same as it was on last Friday.
NMMC and the city traffic wing have fixed adequate parking slots at six different locations in Nerul and Kharghar which can accommodate a maximum of 13,000 vehicles to avert congestion in the vicinity of game venue.
Heavy vehicles will be banned from the Sion-Panvel highway and Uran roads from 6am onwards on Monday.
The city traffic department has deployed 287 constabulary staff and 34 officers to man the roads and bylanes in the vicinity of the match venue. An elaborate security arrangement has been done while considering players' safety at four practice grounds and hotels where they are put up besides the match venue. Over a thousand policemen will be on their toes as part of the multi-layer security cover.
Credit : B B Nayak | TOI


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Drain Board members, contractors and engineers, including AEW Executive VP Gordie Wilson, officially break ground for Contract 4 of the OMID project.
AEW was an important member of a team recently recognized by Trenchless Technology magazine for their significant efforts in rehabilitating the Oakland Macomb Interceptor Drain (OMID) following a catastrophic collapse that occurred in 2004.
The team's work on the $160 million project earned them Trenchless Technology's "2016 Trenchless Technology Project of the Year for Rehabilitation."
The magazine annually recognizes and awards projects at a national level in both "New Installation," and "Rehabilitation" categories, and this is the first time AEW has been recognized for this honor. The magazine's criteria includes projects that "feature trenchless applications of horizontal directional drilling and pipe relining." The second place winner in the Rehabilitation category was the "Eldorado Springs Canyon Pressure Pipe Rehabilitation" project in Lafayette, Colorado.
Drain Board officials and design project team members, including Mike Gregg, Deputy Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development offices, Anthony Marrocco, Macomb County Public Works Director, and Jim Nash, Oakland County's Water Resources Commissioner at the ground breaking ceremonies.
While the OMID rehabilitation work that earned the award began in 2009, and was completed in July 2016, AEW continues to participate in the ongoing efforts designed to ensure that this important sewer system is maintained and serviceable for the thousands of Oakland and Macomb residents who depend on it for their daily living.
The project included OMID sewer system pipeline from 8 Mile to 23 Mile, and was awarded in six contract for four segments of work. The system serves approximately 833,000 residents, ranges in diameter from 42 inches in of the upstream extremities, to 12.75 feet in the southern half of the system, and reaches depths of 110 feet in depth in some locations. The project also qualified for, and received, $17 million in "Principal Debt Relief, Stimulus Funding Revenue" from the federal government that was also "forgiven" by the government.
Contracts #1 and #2, Segment One, involved construction and installation of flow control and access structures at six points along the sewer system located in Sterling Heights and Warren.
AEW was responsible for Control Structure #5 for this segment of the project, and we handled all phases of design, survey, and observation. This segment also included installation of a new variable speed drive pump and related equipment at the Northeast Sewage Pumping Station in order to accomplish dewatering to facilitate the work at the southern end of the OMID tunnel.
Contract #3, Segment Two of the project included leak sealing and spot repairs in the lower 10 miles of the system in Warren and Sterling Heights.
Contract #4 was for lining approximately 26,500 lineal feet of tunnel with glass fiber polymer mortar pipes, with four sections of the OMID system between Metropolitan Parkway and the Northeast Sewage Pump Station, located south of 8 Mile Road.
Contract #5 involved intermittent lining and internal spot repairs to the northern half of the MOD sewer system, which extends through the communities of Sterling Heights, Utica, and Shelby Twp.
Contract #6 was for intermittent lining and internal spot repair to the OMID PC1-11A Interceptor from Dequindre Road to Utica Road, generally along M-59 in Shelby Township and the City of Utica.
NTH Consultants, Ltd. served as the Prime Engineer on this huge project, and AEW, Inc., Applied Science, Inc., FK Engineering Associated, OHM Advisors, and Spalding DeDecker rounded out the consulting engineering team.
AEW's Project Team included:
Gordon Wilson, PE, CFM, EXW-Principal Engineer, served as Project Manager
Aseel Putros, PE, CFM-Senior Project Engineer, Lead Engineer
Jeffrey Allegoet, Team Leader, Lead Engineer
Lou Urban, PE-Senior Project Engineer, served as Resident Engineer
Kevin Zauel, PE-Senior Project Engineer, served as Structural Engineer
Survey Team Members served as the projects Surveyors
This group, with substantial support from other AEW team members, participated in the design process of all four segments, which was completed in a very compressed time frame, and Gordie, Aseel and Kevin served on the evaluation team that selected the HOBAS pipe that was used to line the system.
The project involved more than one contractor, and Resident Engineer Lou Urban provided overall contract administration, and he will continue to work on the overall project through December 2016. He takes pride in the fact that despite the large number of consulting firms, contractors, and agencies involved in the project, there was significant teamwork and professionalism among everyone who participated.


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Great value lesson prices.
Learn in your own home when it suits you.
Effective — Learn Piano 16 Times Faster
The evidence is clear. Find out how
Fun & Intuitive
Thru latest A.I. technology, Musiah responds to
your playing just like a live piano teacher.
Easy setup and easy-to-understand lessons
You Don't Even Need A Keyboard
Use a computer keyboard OR MIDI keyboard.
As seen on
In a career spanning three decades Brendan has been a concert pianist, published composer of both classical and popular music, director of a number of choirs, the official accompanist to the Victorian Boys Choir and perhaps most notably, a passionate teacher and pioneer of highly original teaching techniques.
Before Musiah, my daughter would lose interest in playing keyboard very quickly. Within the first session [with Musiah], she was hooked, getting excited when she passed her first "audition". Musiah made it a fun way of learning, to the point of being asked at every waking moment if she could do Musiah. Now she has the confidence, she wants to continue learning keyboard. Thank you Musiah!
- Kerry B
Laverton VIC
With Musiah, you will be able to achieve in weeks or months what might normally takes years to do. I think Musiah is fantastic... It is going to revolutionize the way people learn music. Musiah is absolutely the best value, the most convenient and the most fun way to learn to play piano.
- John Foreman
Musical Director Australian Idol & YTT
Read more
See all testimonials
Welcome and thank you for visiting the home of Musiah. Here you'll find the very best piano lessons online for adults and kids from beginners to advanced — lessons that you can take in the comfort of your own home when it suits you.
Put simply, Musiah is an incredible new invention — the world's first Artificially Intelligent virtual piano teacher — in the form of a convenient downloadable software app.
Musiah responds to your playing just like a live piano teacher and encourages you every step of the way.
Our lessons are suitable for students of all ages. In fact, more than half of all our students are adults who are achieving great results (some even in their 70's and 80's) — so Musiah is perfect for both adults and kids.
If you've been searching the internet for online piano lessons, you have probably come across many sites claiming to offer the best piano lessons, but Musiah is very different. Musiah is truly special!
Nowhere else will you find piano lessons that are so effective, intuitive and life-changing. Musiah's piano lessons are by far the most technologically advanced online piano lessons in the world today.
Daily, we receive emails from students all over the world expressing deep joy and gratitude, such as the following unedited comments from recent customer emails:
I'm 29 years old and have no training on the piano. I love Musiah. I love the story and the whole interface, yesterday I found myself clapping with my fellow alien mates after an exercise :) I live in Salalah, a city in Oman and I still have to find anyone who teaches or even knows traditional piano yet. Thank you for making my dream true and thank you for being my virtual Guru (in the traditional Indian term). Technically, now you rank just below my parents in terms of gratitude and respect.
Sahla Jamsheer
Salalah, Oman
October 16, 2015
Dear Brendan, I am absolutely loving this program! I just finished the eleventh lesson, going through each one to see how you teach from one concept to the next, and have come to the conclusion that this program is an excellent way to learn to play piano. I actually wrote up my experience and posted it on my family's website. I hope many, especially my grandchildren, will begin learning through Musiah. It is a great gift to mankind! The Lord bless you for this.
Helene Jacot
Central Point, Oregon, United States
October 7, 2015
Thanks a lot for the encouragement. Ultimately I'm indebted to Musiah; it's perhaps the best learning tool I've ever come across.
Tom Hughes
Gayton, United Kingdom
August 29, 2015
I am thoroughly enjoying the process and I would never have thought I could learn so much in such a short time. The programme is really superb. I think I am clocking several hours a night but it certainly doesn't feel it. I found the hall of fame videos very inspiring as well. I'm very grateful for your support, its second to none. My only concern at this time is for all the traditional teachers across the globe! Many thanks
James Murch, Paignton, Devon, United Kingdom
June 30, 2015
My 5 year old son is all excited; can't wait to beat atonals :) Several days ago he came to me at 22::00 and said: "Mummy, I can't sleep. I dream about atonals".
I have to say that it's a brilliant program! I was impressed when I tried it out, but I am truly amazed at the progress my son is doing, especially because of his age. And he won't let go until he gets 5 stars!
I completely stopped teaching him. The only thing that we practise in addition to Musiah, which I'm not even sure is necessary with all the technology, is writing notes in his manuscript pad.
Thank you! I am so grateful that I found Musiah.
Best Wishes,
Alexandra Beytenbrat
Arad, Negev, Israel
May 24, 2015
I cannot thank you enough for this amazing software. I never thought I would have the opportunity to learn to play. There are times after completing a lesson when I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the point of tears. I thank the Lord almighty for providing the few dollars I needed for Musiah. Though it may take every bit of faith to continue, and I've only barely begun…. I do believe you have forever changed my life, Mister Hogan. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. May God bless you abundantly, sir. Sincerely,
Rebecca Ramirez, Hemet, United States
April 24, 2015
I have to say that I think the stars have finally aligned for me to learn the piano and keyboard! And I'm absolutely thrilled. It has been a long time goal of mine as an adult to do so. But as a busy executive, I don't have the luxury of learning on an instructor's timetable. So, When I told my wife earlier this week that I was finally ready and wanted to try and find an online piano instruction program that would let me go at my pace, she (being a piano player herself) said "all you need to do is buy some books for adults, and I can guide you through them". You don't know how absolutely positively without a doubt glad I am that I did not take her advice! Had I done so, I hate to think what I would never have discovered in your solution or achieved from it. Having only experienced your application for a little under a week now, I can say that what you have created is brilliant! Absolutely brilliant. This is a solution that not only meets my individual needs, but actually works. And in an unprecedented way for me, I feel as though I'm being instructed with professional human touch through a software application. I hope that what must've been painstaking efforts for you is paying off, because it should. I know that it will for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am finally learning how to play piano! With deep regard from an excited student,
Nate DelahuntySaratoga Springs, Utah, United States
March 21, 2015
I wanted to try learning something completely new to me (my wife for half a century has pointed out I have no sense of rhythm or timing). Your use of the internet for competence based teaching with progressions, leveling up etc — is innovative and for me brilliant.You are on the forefront of a revolution in education — and not just in musicKeep going!
Dick Reece
Durham, New Hampshire, United States
February 3, 2015
Thank you, thank you! Your software is incredible! I am a 50 year old Puppeteer from the United States that always dreamed of playing the keyboard, but knew it was probably far too complex. Your game approach looked fun enough to give it a try. Remarkable! I am actually reading music, playing the keyboard and having a blast!
Well, done Sir! It is nice having a patient piano teacher willing to help me 24 hours a day. ;-)
Thanks again! In your debt always.
Jonathan West, Longwood, Florida, United States
December 3, 2014
I'd like to thank you for such a wonderful program which allows me to learn piano staying at home and playing whenever I have free time. I truly love the way it's organized. Before signing up to Musiah notes were sort of Chinese characters to me, but not any more! Great job here and it's definitely worth its price! Best regards, Nikita Azarov, Fryazino, Russia
November 27, 2014
I just wanted to compliment you on such a great program. I have studied music in some form or another since I was 3. I'm a decent composer and I realized if I really wanted to take my skill to the next level I needed to be able to play and sight read piano much, much better. I had the rudimentary keyboard skills in University and even some private lessons…but they always bored me to tears, so I just rushed through and it didn't stick. I always wanted to play better, and even though I have a natural aptitude, lessons just didn't work with however it is I learn.
Musiah is amazing. I watched your video on YouTube about the mistakes in how students are learning and was happily surprised at what good points you brought. Already I feel like I'm light years ahead of any other time I've studied. And Musiah is able to keep me moving fast, yet at the same time, adding so many concepts in there, making sure I really get them and really getting the sight reading muscle working in a fun way. So excited about it. Thank you so much for creating it. Can't wait to show my friends with kids this great program.
all the best,
Jaime Hartwick, Los Angeles, United States
October 7, 2014
Brendan, i'm very impressed with your methods, and the creativity that expresses them. i haven't encountered imagination on your scale since i worked with Disney people years ago.
Milt Dereyna, Marvin, United States
September 10, 2014
I am really enjoying my lessons. It has been my life-long dream to play the piano so your system is an answer to my prayers. I have never spent more time practicing anything more than my piano and as a mature student I need all the practice I can manage — lol. Thank you for your vision and your dedication to helping your students become the best they can be. Your system truly is a gift! Thanks again for all your help and for Musiah. I tell everyone about my newfound passion and about this amazing program. It has truly been life-changing for me!
Gail Beinert, Edmonton, Canada
August 27, 2014
Hi Brendan, Thank you, I'm in and working with this program. It's amazing. For me and my development as a songwriter, it's as significant, exciting and life changing as when Apple released Logic.
All the best, Jacquie Godsman, Drouin, VIC, Australia
July 13, 2014
Dear Brendan,
Thank you very much for your recommendations to Rabia. You follow up the student progress very closely.
Musiah is a very very good piano lessons website. I can say that Musiah is much much better than a traditional piano lessons.
Rabia has learned a piano lessons over 3 years with a traditional piano teacher at a music school.
After, I let she tried Musiah.( the free trial lessons.) Then, I asked her ideas that " Which one is better?" Her answer was "musiah"(She said from her heart)
I do agree with her.
What I can say is "Absolutely, I'll recommend Musiah to my friends."
I did recommend Musiah to one of my friend. She brought her daughter to try Musiah at my place last night. Her daughter had a piano lesson with a traditional piano teacher before too. After she tried Musiah for few hours. She told me that " I really like Musiah". Now my friend looking to buy a laptop and Midi controller to join Musiah.
Thank you Musiah. Thank you Brendan.
Lek (Onanong, Tamcelik) Kingsgrove, Australia
May 9, 2014
Read more testimonials
I could literally add hundreds more emails like these here (these are just some of the recent ones). By now, I hope you're starting to open your mind to the truth that Musiah is absolutely unique, and for many students, it represents piano lessons like no other — lessons that, in all honesty, are vastly more effective than any other lessons available online.
All through our website, you'll come across inspirational stories like the ones above — from adult students, parents of young students, and young students themselves.
As a piano teacher (and trainer of piano teachers) for more than 30 years, my life-long passion has always been bringing the gift of music to students of all ages — adults and kids, from beginners to advanced — through affordable, effective, fun piano lessons.
But until I invented Musiah — NEVER BEFORE in my career (whether teaching personally or employing teachers to teach on my behalf) — have I received this kind of phenomenal feedback — feedback that is overwhelming in its deep appreciation and its effusive, sincere, joyful, heart-felt praise and gratitude.
If you'd like to learn more about Musiah, you may enjoy this video which shows how
a) the right practice habits combined with
b) Musiah's incredibly effective piano lessons
are helping Musiah piano students learn to play piano up to 16 times faster than if they were learning the same material through traditional piano lessons.
Alternatively, I heartily invite you to take our Free Online Piano Lessons 14 Day Trial — available for a strictly limited time.
Like the students whose emails are shared above, I really want YOU to reap the amazing, life-changing benefits of Musiah's online piano lessons.
Having spent many years and almost all of my life savings developing Musiah — the world's first true virtual piano teacher with patents pending in numerous countries — I really hope you will entrust Musiah with the important responsibility of guiding you as you begin your piano lessons journey.
To do so requires only that you take our Free Online Piano Lessons 14 Day Trial.
If you have any questions for me personally, please don't hesitate to email me directly at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Our videos, FAQ's and articles (under 'Resources') are also a great source of information.
Thanks again for visiting and welcome to our site,
Brendan Hogan L.Mus.A, A.Mus.A.
Piano Teacher & Musiah Inventor
P.S. Check out some of our latest articles:
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Crystal Ball Gazing: Where Will My Musiah Piano Lessons Take Me?
Musiah Review: I Actually Enjoy Practice — Because My Progress Is Obvious
Musiah Review: Lessons That Really Help Build Your Piano Skills
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Practicing And Learning Piano Grows On You
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Reflection On Piano Lessons With Musiah: First Two Weeks — Absolutely Dumbfounded
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In the words of one adult Musiah student (Ms hayley Waterhouse) in a recent unsolicited email...
"I must tell you, Musiah exceeded my expectations and is too perfect for words… in one day of using Musiah not only did I learn more but everything I had tried to understand fell into place… The joy (and relief) of successfully auditioning a piece is incredible… I am so appreciative of the work you have put into developing this software. I know it must've been such a lot of work but I know it will change many lives as it has mine already."
Read Hayley's full Musiah Review
In another recent review, Michael Koureskas — a young man from Melbourne — describes how Musiah's technology combined with the storyline keeps him engaged, refreshed and interested in learning piano. In his view, Musiah is an "amazing, cost effective, resource efficient, high quality product" and a "blessing to the whole world".
Read Michael's full Musiah Review
For more Musiah Reviews, scroll down to the bottom of this page...
View Testimonials
Created on an epic scale, Musiah is by far the most technologically advanced online piano lessons or computer-based piano lessons system anywhere in the world today. Through the miracle of Artificial Intelligence, Musiah responds to your playing just like a traditional private piano teacher and gives you continuous feedback in a way that is fun, and encouraging.
Musiah contains thousands and thousands of animations, voice recordings, tutorials, charts, quizzes, games and challenges that are seamlessly woven into each lesson so you feel like you are being taught by a traditional piano teacher sitting next to you.
To give you a small glimpse of the sheer scale of Musiah... Making an animated film is a huge task in which everything a character does and says needs to be recorded and aminated. By comparison, when creating Musiah's online piano lessons, we had had to record and animate not only everything Musiah says and does... but everything Musiah MIGHT conceivably say or do.
Even after all these years working on the project, my mind still boggles just thinking about it.
In A.I. terms, Musiah is an 'expert system', which basically means an invention (typically computer programs) that are designed to solve problems and give advice within a specialised area of knowledge with the aim of matching the performance of a human specialist.
The field of expert systems is considered by some to be the most advanced area of AI.
Read more about How Musiah's Piano Lessons Use Artificial Intelligence.
Taking piano / keyboard lessons goes hand-in-hand with a child's success at school and success in life.
Studies on piano lessons have repeatedly proven that children who receive piano lessons outperform students who don't study music.
Why do piano lessons boost a child's chances of school success and life success?
First, when playing the piano, a student can play several melodies at once. Playing several melodies simultaneously is great mental training.
Second, piano lessons are visual. When playing the piano, unlike guitar or violin, a student can see the notes or keys. This makes the music easier to understand, and lets the student see how music is put together.
Third, piano is one of the most accessible of musical instruments, which means children can start training their minds early.
Fourth, piano lessons combine different kinds of learning — academic learning and physical learning — and develop intuition, instinct, and artistic expression of emotions.
If your child learns how to play piano, then they can create, learn, and grow in ways they never thought possible!
So if you want to give your child the best head start possible, then piano lessons are a MUST, not an option.
Also, read how piano lessons make kids nice kids.
I'm going to give you two of my best tips for learning how to play piano — free. These piano lessons tips are based on more than 17 years teaching hundreds of piano teachers and thousands of hours giving piano lessons.
Why is it that all over the world, at least 95% of all piano students will tell you that their left hand is weaker than their right, both in piano technique and in musical note reading?
The answer is that at least 95% of well-meaning and otherwise good piano teachers are doing their piano students a disservice by making a simple mistake: piano teachers habitually teach the right hand first.
You have two hands, so why would you habitually favor one hand over the other? Surely, logic says we should start new pieces with the left hand at least 50% of the time? And yet most piano teachers always start piano lessons with the right hand. If you ask them why, they don't know. It's just the way they've been taught.
So, as simple as it sounds, my first free piano lessons tip is:
Notice, I say at least 50% of the time. Apart from the need to reverse the collective consciousness among right-hand-biased piano teachers, there's another very good reason we should go further and start piano lessons with the left hand not just 50% of the time, but almost all the time. You can learn more about this additional reason and watch my free piano lessons video on our Best Piano Method - Compare page.
My second very basic piano lessons tip will shave two years off the time it takes you to master your note reading! My second piano lessons tip is:
These mnemonics will actually slow your musical note reading, particularly with young children who are still getting used to the alphabet.
Let's say they're reading the top treble note and they say to themselves "Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit". They won't instantly make the connection that Fruit means F in the same way an adult would.
Rather than these mnemonics, say EGBDF as a tongue twister. How quickly can you say EGBDF? EGBDF gets you there much quicker. And in the left hand, GBDFA is almost like Jibidy FA — GBDFA. Use this technique and your note reading will improve dramatically!
While this piano lessons tip is great for notes that are on the stave, how do you read notes that are, say, on the fourth ledger line above the treble stave? That's where my next piano lessons tip comes in, again available in more detail and in my free piano lessons video on our Best Piano Method - Compare page.
I've taught piano lessons, organ lessons, and keyboard lessons privately and in schools and have spent thousands of hours observing and coaching hundreds of teachers in the specialised art of delivering group piano lessons. I have the AMEB qualification of Associate in Music Australia (A.Mus.A) and Licentiate in Music Australia (L.Mus.A).
My own piano teaching career started at the age of 11, giving me the opportunity to develop and refine my own piano lessons method.
I began playing the piano at age 7 and was the last student to study piano with internationally renowned piano teacher Dr JJ O'Reilly before continuing at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Chopin piano specialist, Professor Anthony Glavin.
I've composed music from the age of 12. I was 17 when my first orchestral work was performed by Ireland's National Orchestra, making me the youngest Irish composer ever to have an orchestral work performed at the National Concert Hall in Dublin.
I wrote my first piano concerto at 18 while teaching music to Year 10 students.
Since relocating from Ireland to Australia in 1988, I've had a career working as a composer for television and songs for established artists, including "Walk Away", which Wendy Matthews performed on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
Since early 2008, I have channelled my passion for teaching piano into developing Musiah's popular online piano lessons. Musiah is the world's first truly artificially intelligent virtual piano teacher that can deliver piano lessons just like a traditional teacher but with Musiah, you'll learn faster and you'll have more fun.
Here's what John Foreman, Musical Director of Australian Idol 2003–2008 and now Musical Director of Young Talent Time, says about Musiah's Online Piano Lessons.
"[With Musiah's online piano lessons], you will be able to achieve in weeks or months what might normally takes years to do."
"I think Musiah is fantastic... It is going to revolutionize the way people learn music. From what I have seen, Musiah is absolutely the best value, the most convenient and the most fun way to learn to play piano."
"There are going to be a lot of adults who are enjoying the process of learning music through Musiah as well as the kids. I think it is going to have a profound effect on the way music is studied."
"[Learning how to play piano with Musiah's online piano lessons] is going to open a whole lot of doors for young people who are interested in music but who might not necessarily have the patience to sit down and practice half an hour every day… Practicing music used to be a bit of a chore but with this program… kids are going to be coming back to the keyboard and coming back to the computer because they want to get to the next level."
"For adults… I think sometimes we get shy about performing in front of people… For those people… you can practise in the privacy of your own home and get to a certain level before you surprise everybody with your skills."
Video: Musiah Review By John Foreman Celebrity Music Maestro
Thousands of people have enrolled in Musiah's popular online piano lessons. Here are just some of Musiah's success stories.
"Excellent, Congratulations to all the Musiah team... I have been able to learn more about pedagogic system from Musiah. In my 41 years old I have received my first piano lesson and I'm very excited, Musiah is an excellent teacher and he has an infinite patience. Thank you, and you have a great team."
Carlos A (adult student) - Zamora, Spain
In just two weeks of learning piano with Musiah, I've been able to buy sheet music and start playing songs that I love. This really is revolutionary. If you have no piano experience it's revolutionary b/c you won't be traumatised by boring repetition or snail-pace learning, rather you'll be catapulted into an imaginative world where learning is easy and challenges are fun. This really is the fastest, funnest (are we allowed to make up new words?) and most relevant way to learn piano in the 21st century :).
Jacquie G (adult student) - Drouin, VIC Australia
Just wanted to say thank you so much for creating Musiah. We saw the ad on X Factor and decided to give it a try. As an adult learner, I had lessons for about a year or two when I was in around grade 1-2 at school. The rest I taught myself, so could never really pinpoint where I was going wrong, or how I could improve beyond a certain level. This is the first time I feel that I will really be able to learn piano with the kind of help I need. One of my daughter's (Lainey) who is just beginning with piano lessons with a teacher absolutely loves Musiah too. It is really easy to use, fun and makes us both want to play! We LOVE it!! Her teacher can't believe how good she is going after only 2 piano lessons with him.
Nerida S (a mum who is learning along with her daughter) - Aspley QLD, Australia
The real genius is the man who dreamt of Musiah and then had the courage and determination to make it happen. It's an incredibly difficult thing to come up with something new and original but you have achieved it. I imagine it was as hard to produce, as maybe writing a good book coupled with a computer program coupled with a film. It is a wonderful piece of work. Anyway thanks for it, and may it bring you every possible reward.
Chris A (adult student) - Bridgeman Downs QLD, Australia
"My name is Savannah and I am 7 years old. Musiah is really fun and I like the characters in the story, especially the green girl alien! I think it's funny when Musiah scratches his head when I get the notes wrong but he helps me until I get it right. Mummy helps me with my lessons too and I can even do them in my pyjamas!"
Savannah M (age 7) - Caboolture QLD
"Musiah is a fun learning experience and I love all the colourful animations. I will definitely recommend this to all my friends and relatives."
Isabella P (age 12) - Ferny Hills QLD
"Learning to play the piano with the help of the Musiah program has been an eye opening experience not just for my daughter but for me as well… The characters are likeable and the graphics are interactive and stylised in such a way that makes it very appealing for today's computer savvy children. My daughter is only 7 and has come a long way in such a short time… We love how she can sit down to her lesson at any time from the comfort of home which makes it incredibly convenient for all of us. I would recommend Musiah to any parent who wishes to introduce their child to learning to play the piano."
Linda M (parent) - Caboolture QLD
View more Testimonials
Musiah's online piano lessons are a revolutionary new concept in learning to play piano.
Suitable for adults and kids from age 7, Musiah's piano lessons are brought to you by the world's first artificially intelligent piano teacher that can teach students how to play the piano in a fun, intuitive, natural way.
Musiah responds to a student's playing like a traditional piano teacher and lets students progress with their piano lessons at their own speed. It's a serious online piano lessons tool that feels like fun.
Through a software application, the piano lessons take place on your home computer in a game-like environment.
To make the lessons more appealing and fun for our younger students, the piano lessons take place as part of an adventure story that spans the galaxy in which you are one of the main characters known as "Earthling", but don't let the kid-friendly look and feel of the lessons fool you.
The tuition behind Musiah's online piano lessons is by far the most advanced computer-based piano tuition available in the world today, and is just as suitable for adults as for kids.
In fact, as mentioned earlier, we have adult students in their 70's and 80's who are learning piano with Musiah and loving it.
Musiah caters for beginner piano students through to quite advanced piano students (around Grade 5 standard).
Online piano lessons, and Musiah's online piano lessons in particular, have several advantages over traditional piano lessons. Consider this:
First, online piano lessons are more convenient. Online piano lessons are available 24/7, so you can learnhow to play piano in the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you, at your own pace. Your piano practice can be as full-on or as laid-back as you like.
Second, online piano lessons help you learn to play piano faster than traditional piano lessons. For example, the latest research data is showing that students who take Musiah's online piano lessons are learning piano up to 16 times faster than students learning the same syllabus through traditional piano lessons.
Third, Musiah's online piano lessons come with no obligation, and no risk. Musiah's online piano lessons are a great way for making sure the piano or keyboard is the right instrument for you — you can try Musiah's online piano lessons without committing to a traditional piano teacher.
Fourth, Musiah's online piano lessons keep you engaged. Musiah's online piano lessons come as a fun game that tells a story. Although Musiah's a serious tool for learning the piano, you will want to keep learning just because you want to find out what happens next!
As I explained earlier, learning piano and life success are linked. It's unsurprising, therefore, that parents invest considerable amounts on piano lessons for their children. Traditional piano lessons can cost $60 an hour per student — that's a dollar-a-minute!
Even though Musiah can teach you piano 16 times faster than traditional piano lessons, and comes with the added benefits of convenience, flexibility, and engagement, I believe piano lessons should be accessible to everyone.
That's why I have made Musiah's online piano lessons available for much less than traditional piano lessons.
It's just a low monthly fee — see our lessons pricing — and for this one low fee up to 6 (yes, SIX) members of your household can all learn with Musiah.
And there are no contracts, which means you're not locked in for any particular term.
Plus, discounted rates are available if you pre-pay for 3, 6 or 12 months.
There's no need to wait. You can start learning how to play piano with Musiah's online piano lessons in just a few minutes!
I urge you to take this next step and try this powerful new piano lessons technology right now. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain! Take our Free 14 Day Online Piano Lessons Trial now.
Once again, thanks for reading.
Yours sincerely,
Musiah Inventor
Video Presentation: Online Piano Lessons — A Fun Way To Learn Piano 16 Times Faster
What Is A Real Piano Lesson?
Musiah Review By Celebrity Music Maestro — John Foreman
Video: Musiah Online Piano Lessons Review By John Foreman Celebrity Music Maestro
Musiah Review By Young Student
Musiah Review By The First Ever Student To Complete The Musiah Course
Musiah Reviews By Parents Whose Kids Are Learning Piano With Musiah
Learning Piano Online — A Musiah Review by a Mom from Utah U.S.A.
Musiah Online Piano Lessons Review By Mum Of Three
Musiah Review By A Mum Who Is Learning With Her Son (external blog)
- More Musiah Reviews By Parents
Musiah Reviews By Adult Students
Musiah Online Piano Lessons Review By An Adult Student
Musiah Piano Tuition — A Candid Review By A Young Man from Melbourne
Musiah Review: Musiah Is My Hero – Incredible, Remarkable Software Says Renowned Puppeteer
- More Musiah Reviews By Adult Students
Musiah Reviews By Mature-Age Adult Students
Learning To Play Piano Online With Musiah: Review By A Retired Teacher
Meet Our Newest Musiah From Ohio, USA
Musiah Online Piano Lessons Review: Mature-Age Piano Student Sees Genius In Musiah
Musiah Piano Lessons Review: This Is The Best Program I Have Seen
- More Musiah Reviews By Mature-Age Adult Students
Piano Lessons Articles
Best Free Piano Lessons — Why Learning Piano With Musiah Is Better Than Free Piano Lessons
Best Piano Lessons
Best Piano Method
Can Musiah Piano Lessons Teach You To Play Expressively – Even Beautifully?
Can You Really Teach Yourself Piano/Keyboard Online?
How To Learn Piano 16 Times Faster
Learning To Play Piano: The Greatest Benefit You Never Heard Of
Online Piano Lessons Software
Piano Lessons — A System For Rapidly Learning Piano Pieces
Piano Lessons Or Keyboard Lessons — What Is The Difference?
Piano Practice Tips: The 12 Most Common Piano Practice Mistakes And How To Correct Them
The Damage Caused By Online Piano Lessons And How To Avoid It
Piano Lessons For Adults
Advanced Piano Lessons
Affordable Piano Lessons
Piano Lessons Melbourne
Piano Lessons For Kids
Beginners Piano Lessons
Why Kids Who Learn Music Are Nice Kids
Piano Lessons Videos
Piano Warm Up Exercises
Video Demo: Musiah Piano Lessons Online
Video: The Piano Teaching Method Behind Musiah's Piano Lessons
Video: The Musiah Story — Making Piano Lessons Fun
Videos: Students From The Musiah Piano Hall Of Fame
More Articles
Publisher: Musiah Ltd
The Gift of Music is a lifelong gift. Give it to someone you love with a Musiah Gift Certificate.
Send your video to Musiah and he will personally email you his assessment of your playing with tips for improvement. You may even make it into the Musiah Hall Of Fame!
Video Tips
Have you been progressing really well and loving your online piano lessons with Musiah? Share your experience here!
I'm a 42 year old male (husband and father of two young children) with no previous music experience. I've always wanted to learn how to play the keyboard, but never had the time or money to pay for lessons. Musiah gave me the ability to learn on my own schedule (even late at night) at a very affordable cost. I'm learning at a much quicker pace than I thought possible and I'm always very proud/happy at my progress upon completing a lesson.
William Deal (adult student) - Stone Ridge VA, USA
We've started experimenting with an exciting new look for the Musiah app which will flow through to the new website and our social media platforms.
© Copyright 2017 Musiah Ltd. The word "Musiah" and the Musiah® logo are trademarks of Musiah Ltd.


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|Rhum Agricole, Barbancourt
|Amontillado Sherry, Lustau Dry Amontillado
|Bitters, Bittermens Peppercake
Stir, strain, orange oil (discard)
My better half asked for a drink with sherry, so I made this. The peppercake bitters come from the Bittermen's experimental collection - if you don't have them, I guess you could mix together the first three ingredients and see what you think will tie the room together.
From other users
- Tasty. Made with Aphrodite bitters and a lemon twist. Need to make again closer to spec.
Similar cocktails
- The Long Journey — Amontillado Sherry, Cynar, Bonal Gentiane Quina, Bitters, Lemon peel
- Texting and Scones — Cynar, Becherovka, Dry vermouth, Jamaican rum, Bitters
- New Hickory Cocktail — Cynar, Manzanilla sherry, Grapefruit bitters, Bitters, Grapefruit peel
- Kümmel Trident (Jack Rose) — Kummel, Amontillado Sherry, Cynar, Orange bitters, Orange peel
- Jezebel — Cynar, Dry vermouth, Gin, Celery bitters, Lemon peel
- Little Carl — Cynar, Dry vermouth, Bitters, Lemon juice, Salt
- Herban Botanist — Gin, Aromatized wine, Cynar, Orange cream citrate, Orange peel
- Aisy Uchanan — Rosato Vermouth, Cynar, Gin
- Best Pal — Rye, Cynar, Aromatized wine, Bitters
- Wild Card — Cynar, Genever, Cardamaro
1 Comment
I really like this drink- the
Submitted by christina in tacoma on
I really like this drink- the cynar/sherry combination is one of my favorites. I subbed a bit with what I had on hand; Lustau East India Sherry, Clement Rhum Agricole, and Adam Elmegirab's Spanish bitters. I'll make this again, thank you!


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Yesterday we heard that the Astros had contacted the Rays about interviewing Andrew Friedman. And now, Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Rays have granted permission to the Astros.
Justice calls Friedman, the Astros "No. 1 choice" to replace recently fired Ed Wade.
We speculated that Friedman would at least meet with the team to discuss their general manager position. But keep in mind, it might take more to lure Friedman away from Stuart Sternberg and Company than just throwing a lot of money at him. Friedman actually has a financial stake in the Rays.
So if the Astros are serious about signing Friedman, they may have to offer him a package similar to what Theo Epstein received with the Cubs. That is, the Astros could offer to make Friedman the team's president. In addition to Wade, the Astros also fired team president Tal Smith.
Either way, we should know more sooner, rather than later.


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The unpredictable nature of college football and basketball is exactly why it trumps professional sports to many. This weekend showed us that no matter what the ranking shows, when the whistle blows you either perform and execute or you face bitter consequences in the form of a L. It doesn't matter who you play, anyone can be beat.
How many times in college sports have we seen TWO preseason number one teams lose on the same day? It may take ESPN research department to pull that answer but since we don't have that kind of time, we'll just live in the moment of which it happened Saturday night.
Leading up to the great Michigan State vs. Ohio State rivalry game, Draymond Green and Lebron James went back and forth vouching for their respective teams in a friendly bet. Of course the Warriors forward put his faith in his alma mater and the Spartans while King James held it down for his hometown Buckeyes who happened to be the preseason #1 ranked team in the nation as well as defending National Champions. All of the hype behind the match-up was well deserved, from the initial kick off to all zeros on the clock it was exactly what we all hoped for.
When those aforementioned zeros hit the clock, it was a sea of green and white doing the celebrating as the Spartans clawed their way to a 17-14 win thanks to a last minute field goal. While Michigan State hopes to earn their way back into CFB Playoff consideration off the strength of this win and hopefully a Big 10 championship, the Buckeyes hopes have vanished.
VIDEO: @Money23Green celebrates after winning #OSUvsMSU bet with @KingJames #Vino https://t.co/YE1QE2cUch pic.twitter.com/6BFckRmUEe
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) November 22, 2015
To add insult to injury, immediately following the game both Cardale Jones and Ezekiel Elliot declared for the NFL draft. Elliot, a heisman candidate and MVP of last year's national championship blamed the loss on the playcalling saying they weren't put in position to win obviously upset with his limited 12 carries. Bigger picture though, why would you use that platform after a tough loss to your rival to not only announce you're entering the draft but also bash your coaches? Dude is a super talent on the field but that's wild.
Now, let's switch gears a little bit and look at the college hoops side as North Carolina started the season with the top spot, confidently running through their first 3 games with ease. Although the ranking doesn't mean much without execution on the court, the college hoops world felt as if the Tar Heels were deserving of the #1 rank but Northern Iowa wasn't in agreement.
Most of the first half went as planned for Roy Williams and his squad, controlling the game on both ends of the floor. Unfortunately, once the 2nd half began it looked like the Monstars showed up and stole their talent as UNI went on a 29-8 run. Needless to say, the Tar Heels never fully recovered and were left to watch the underdogs dance at half court.


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When starting potty training it's a good idea to think about how you'll keep your toddler motivated. Some toddlers will simply want to be 'just like my big brother/sister'; others will respond to lots of praise; others need something tangible to work towards and that's where reward charts can be useful.
Potty Training! It's something that we all experience as parents as we help our children transition out of nappies. I've posted previously on:
- When is my child ready to start potty training?
- How can I help prepare my child for potty training?
- What methods can I use for potty training my toddler?
Reward Charts
Sometimes toddlers need a little extra positive reinforcement to start (or stick with) potty training. Reward charts can be a great way of helping them to see progress, learn about delayed gratification, and learn about working towards achievable goals at a young age.
There are lots of great ideas online for printing out your own reward chart that you can stick on the fridge (like these free to print charts). The important thing is to choose a theme that will tie in with your toddlers interests. I liked this magnetic one from Kmart because I knew Little Miss would like moving the magnets around.
Tip: If you have multiple children, it's a good idea to instigate reward charts for siblings as well to prevent tantrums, jealousy, and rivalry! If your 2 year old is toilet training, maybe your 5 year old can have a reward chart for homework or chores.
These need to be relevant to your child's interests, realistic for your budget, and appropriate in scale. A trip to the park, a book, a small toy, are more realistic then promising a trip to Disneyland! Also, keep in mind that a reward comes after the action has been successfully taken (and a bribe comes before).
Sit down with your child and be really clear:
- what they will receive points for (i.e. stickers on their reward chart),
- what rewards they are working for, and,
- how many points they need to obtain those rewards.
Encourage your child to brainstorm with you what those rewards are going to be. Possible rewards include:
- Items (toys / books)
- Activities (trips to the park, library, the zoo)
- Food (jellybeans, McDonalds, restaurant)
You may want to start off with reward stickers for:
- each wee / poo in the potty (or toilet), and then move towards
- stickers for staying dry at home that day, then,
- staying dry at kindy, then,
- staying dry overnight.
The important thing is to scaffold your expectations and help your child towards success at a pace that's realistic to them. Remember that every child is different.
Toys or books can be easily tailored to your child's interests. It's a good idea to have a mix of rewards that they can work towards (with larger or more expensive items requiring more points). If you take them to a store to choose rewards, it's a good idea to guide their choices by offering them a few options and letting them select one.
It's also a good idea to guide them towards choosing toys that you were thinking about getting them anyway and which you can afford. Consider items that will encourage open-ended imaginative play and remember that you don't need to buy 'branded' items for your kid to have fun.
We chose a (non-branded) My Little Pony and a wooden pizza – each slice and topping has to be earned so it has a good mix of short and long term gratification.
Again, these can be easily tailored to your child's interests. You may want to have activities close to home, or that are free, cost fewer reward points and then have costly activities be something they have to save more points to earn. Not all activities have to be away from home either!
- At home: build a tent out of sheets & chairs; make a collage; parent play with cars / dolls / animals / trains for 20 mins without distractions; have a tea party with toys; invite a friend over for the afternoon.
- Free: go to a park; feed ducks; favourite playground; go to a beach; bike ride; art gallery; museum.
- Paid: go to an indoor attraction (like a playground or trampoline park); go to zoo; go to observatory to see stars; movie.
Food can be a controversial choice because it risks weighting food choices to show that some foods are inherently more desirable than others. In saying that, plenty of parents have chosen to use a jellybean or other small treat as a reward.
For more creative options, why not choose food related activities instead. Reward points could be saved towards things like:
- doing baking together,
- helping to make dinner (or choosing from a list of dinner options),
- buying and planting vegetable seedlings, or micro-greens for the windowsill,
- going to a cafe for a fluffy or scone,
- going to a restaurant for lunch / dinner.


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Dr. Brownson refers to Romans 2:14, Galatians 4:8 and Ephesians 2:3 and from them concludes that the word nature/natural in Paul refers to what comes natural for a given individual.[i] The word nature in those passages modifies people (Rom. 2:14 and Eph. 2:3) or beings (Gal. 4:8 – who were not God).
On the other hand, historically Romans 1:26-27 shows that the word nature/natural modifies relations, not people. Therefore, since Romans 1 says there are natural and unnatural relations would it be more straightforward to read those relations as being universal, the same for all men and all women, rather than natural relations being somehow dependent on the desire of an individual?
Romans 1:26b reads, "For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature . . ." not their natural relations. If the verse was worded that way, it would more clearly agree with Dr. Brownson understanding of nature. Instead, in this verse, the use of the term natural is not used to modify the women being spoken of, but their relations. Paul is writing about "natural relations" and "unnatural relations." "Natural relations" is referring to relations that are expected to be a universal norm in the natural order. Natural relations for women would be the same for all women everywhere. If that is in fact true, Brownson's conclusion that Romans 2:14, Galatians 4:8 and Ephesians 2:3 prove Paul uses nature to refer to an individualistic trait in Romans 1 is an incorrect conclusion. One of the most widely accepted lexicons of New Testament Greek (by Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich and Danker) confirms the view that "nature" is used differently in Romans 1 than in Galatians or Ephesians.[ii] That lexicon also says that in Romans 2:14 nature might refer either to a natural order or to a personal trait.[iii] Therefore, these passages do prove that the word nature/natural can be used in that way, but they do not prove that the word can only be used in that way, which is what Dr. Brownson states.
We can further test his interpretation by inserting synonyms for his proposed individual natures of heterosexuality and homosexuality in the verses of Romans 1. The insertions will show explicitly whether a person of same-sex orientation is being considered in the verse, or a heterosexual person. Professor Brownson maintains that what is prohibited in Romans 1:26-27 depends on whether a person is heterosexual or homosexual. According to his interpretation heterosexual people are prohibited from going contrary to their nature and homosexual people are prohibited in that passage from going against their nature. The added words are in italics and the replaced words are in parenthesis. First the verses will be given as found in the ESV. Next they will be given with the audits.
"For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature . . ." (verse 26b ESV)
In this first instance, let's replace "women" and "natural relations" with "heterosexual women" and "heterosexual relations." This is done because Dr. Brownson believes Romans 1:26-27 does not contain a universal principle that is the same for all women, but a principle that applies one way for heterosexual women and a different way for homosexual women.
"For their heterosexual women exchanged heterosexual (natural) relations for homosexual (those that are contrary to nature) . . ."
With this wording, which expresses Dr. Brownson's interpretation of nature/natural, the verse makes sense, both in the original and the edited verse. In either version the heterosexual women could be said to be going against their individual nature.
This also could work when we insert words for women with homosexual orientation, and look at it through Dr. Brownson's "individual nature" filter.
"For their homosexual women exchanged homosexual (natural) relations for heterosexual (those that are contrary to nature) relations . . ."
We have been dealing with verse 26 which deals with women. Verse 27 deals specifically with men.
". . . 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error." (verse 27 ESV)
In this first instance, let's replace "men" with "heterosexual men" and "natural relations" with "heterosexual relations." Remember, Dr. Brownson believes these verses contain a principle that applies one way for heterosexual men and a different way for homosexual men.
". . . 27 and the heterosexual men likewise gave up heterosexual (natural) relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."
If one assumes Dr. Brownson's interpretation, this could be said to make logical sense.
Now let's insert the words specifying men of homosexual orientation. To do this we'll replace the general "men" with "homosexual men" and the general words "natural relations" with "homosexual relations." Once again, keeping the individualistic viewpoint in mind, we have:
" . . . 27 and the homosexual men likewise gave up homosexual (natural) relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."
The question at this point is inevitable, "Does that interpretation make sense?" Ultimately the reader must decide for himself or herself concerning Dr. Brownson's interpretation. Most people would agree that this wording is illogical. First, there is no such thing as "homosexual relations with women..." Second, " . . . 27 and the homosexual men likewise gave up . . . homosexual relations . . . and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men . . ." Again, this is logically self-contradicting. If the men gave up homosexual relations they couldn't be committing acts with men.
The inclusion of the word "women" in verse 27, "and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women," is enough to rule out Dr. Brownson's interpretation of "natural." The position that what is "natural" can be different from one individual to another, rather than being a universal principle, relevant in the same way for all men and all women, does not fit Romans 1:26 and 27.
Dr. Brownson claims the church should accept monogamous marriages between members of the same sex. He bases this on the definition of "nature" as being individualistic, and, using that definition, claims that Romans 1 does not prohibit it. By testing the definition as we have done above, his interpretation is called into question. When the valid meaning of the word "nature" is examined, does Romans 1 prohibit same sex marriages or allow them?
[i] Brownson, page 226-27.
[ii] Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich and Danker, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, The University of Chicago Press, page 869.
[iii] Ibid.


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Written by crewmember Marion Lyman-Mersereau, the story imagines what Hawaii's ocean creatures might have seen when the famous voyaging canoe capsized on March 17, 1978, and Eddie Aikau, a noted big-wave surfer and lifeguard himself, tried to paddle to Lanai for help but was never seen again.
Lyman-Mersereau's former ocean-mates Mel Kinney, Ka'au McKenney and Tai Crouch will join her in the reading.
The result has been mostly experimental as he tries to figure out what people want most (a little bit of everything) and what they're willing to pay (not much).
What may be a source of frustration for the restaurateur is great for those who like variety. Last month, for example, we welcomed a spate of panini. This month, In & Out has added a temporary name, "Il Taco Bello," with a trio of tacos (fish, pork or chicken) delivered on 5-inch white corn tortillas with a generous helping of avocado-tomato salsa. The tacos are $4 each, or $10 for three.
Otherwise, you'll find a trio of entree salads daily: pasta with roasted vegetables and arugula-walnut pesto ($6); the Mediterranean with homemade mozzarella, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, onions and aged balsamic vinegar ($7); and rustic chopped salad with romaine, Kahuku sweet corn, asparagus, grape tomatoes, olives, Maui onion, gorgonzola and grilled chicken ($8).
Keep the experiments coming; we're a short-attention-span society.
Open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.
The bands are the current and previous winners of the Ka Himeni Ana all-acoustic competition held at the Hawaii Theatre.
The 2008 group of inductees will be honored during the event at 2 p.m. Sunday at Kamehameha Schools' Ke'elikolani Performing Arts Auditorium. Last year's honorees included such people as Bill Kaiwa, Eddie Kamae, Marlene Sai and Peter Moon.
Admission is free. Call 392-3649 or visit www.hmhof.org.
Any musician who can play acoustic bluegrass, mountain, roots, traditional country, Hawaiian, Americana, folk, Western, Celtic and Irish music are welcome. Listeners are also welcome.
Next month, Pickin' In the Park moves to Kapiolani Park -- specifically Area #4, near the tennis courts -- for music from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call 206-3459 or visit www.bluegrasshawaii.com/events.html.
Besides the usual local bunch of suspects -- Loose Screws, On the Spot, Garrick Paikai, Casual Threat, The Initiative and Mid-Pacific Institute's Owltastic -- there'll be guest groups from the mainland as well.
The fest, starting Sept. 25 and running through Sept. 27, will be held in The ARTS at Marks Garage (1159 Nuuanu Ave.), the second floor of the Mendonca Building (1118 Smith St.) and the newly opened Laughtrack Theater (1123 Bethel St.)
Tickets are available at www.honoluluboxoffice.com. Visit www.improvhawaii.org/improvaganza.


text: Non-resident employees may allocate their compensation to their home state. Since Texas does not have a personal income tax, Texas residents working at the New Mexico enterprise will not have to pay any state income tax on their compensation from the enterprise. The enterprise must be in the manufacturing business, physically located within 20 miles of the Mexican border, have at least 5 employees who are New Mexico residents and not be receiving Job Training Incentive Program funds.


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Town Gardens and Courtyards
Gardens in towns and cities tend to be on the smaller side. Charlotte Rowe's contemporary garden designs are designed to make the most of a compact space, often using built-in seating and small feature trees and shrubs to provide interest. In many of our London gardens, our small garden designs include a fireplace or fire pit, a built-in BBQ and a water feature. As urban gardens tend to be on constant view, we pay a great deal of attention to detail, using good quality materials and finishes. Garden lighting is a key feature.


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Infant Memorial Garden paves way for grieving families to find hope and joy
The grieving process for those left behind is a difficult journey that is often frightening, painful, overwhelming and sometimes lonely.
Families long for others to acknowledge and remember their baby–regardless of when the loss occurs.
"When a baby is born–no matter how much time has passed–it's a lifetime experience," Linda Ellison, perinatal bereavement coordinator at Carle, said.
Ellison has experienced the loss of three infant grandchildren–Aaron, Marin and Celia. She said the engraved pavers in Carle's infant memorial garden are a permanent way to acknowledge that these babies existed.
"Parents who suffer a loss go home with so little that items and photographs from the hospital become very cherished," Ellison said.
Mom Leslie Kirby from Philo said the garden paver program is important for parents who want a place to connect with their child because not all parents have a yard or a gravesite to visit.
"You want to feel and see that your child is with you always," Leslie said.
The Kirby family openly celebrates birthdays and talks about their two daughters, Raley and Aubree.
While they are a physical family of four, they feel like a family of six. The Kirbys' two living daughters Tatum and Cambria will sometimes cry because they miss their sisters. It's not unusual for the girls to talk to classmates about their sisters.
"We keep it real and fresh. It's our normal," Leslie said.
The family purchased a garden paver–in loving memory of Raley and Aubree Kirby.
Located next to The Forum at Carle, the Shining Light Infant Memorial Garden offers a place of healing calm for parents and others who have experienced the loss of a baby. The garden was made possible by donations to Carle Center for Philanthropy from employees and physicians, as well as the Women's Legacy Circle and other donors.
At the center of the garden stands "Mourning Rachel," a granite statue letting parents know they are not alone. Surrounding her are garden pavers that can offer a personalized message of remembrance.
These pavers provide a public way to acknowledge the infants forever in our hearts. The garden pavers are available to anyone in the community to purchase to remember an infant regardless of where the loss occurred or how long ago.
"It's so important to acknowledge their child's name. We don't want their baby to be forgotten," Ellison said. "The pavers are a legacy to children that remains forever, letting families know that we share in their grief."
One mother says the garden does just that.
"I am grateful for a place to reflect on my children Blaze, Lotti and Lola that is positive and hopeful," mother Lesa Brandt from Mahomet said.
The Brandt family donated a bench near the garden to benefit other families that have experienced a loss and can benefit from bereavement services.
Brandt says the memorial garden is a special place to remember a child.
"The loss affects aunts, cousins, and friends, too, not just the parents and grandparents," Brandt said.
Ellison added, "The garden gives parents a peaceful place to contemplate their little ones and to release their emotions."
To participate in the Shining Light Infant Memorial Garden, contact Carle Center for Philanthropy at (217) 383-3021. If the donation is received prior to July 31, the pavers will be installed prior to the annual Shining Light Memorial for Pregnancy & Infant Loss in October.


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Lots & Land
- $556,160 price
- 201817978 mls id
- Square Feet: 46 sqft
PRIME WOODED/TILLABLE ACRES Located just north of Boonville on the newly constructed bypass. 46.18 acres perfect for building your dream home or as an investment/development opportunity. Water, Gas and Electricity Available. Approximately 37 tillable acres and 9 wooded acres.
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Beautiful cedar log cabin located on lakefront acreage! The covered front porch overlooking the grounds is very peaceful. Wonderful open floor plan with 3 bedrooms on the main level and 3 additional bedrooms located in the finished walkout basement. The foyer leads to the spacious great room that...
6 beds, 4 baths, 4,795 sqft, $519,000
Listing Agent: Janice Miller
Courtesy of: ERA First Advantage Realty, Inc.
Courtesy of: ERA First Advantage Realty, Inc.
Office Phone: +18128972400
Listing Agent: Tanya Mauck
Updated: 7th December, 2019 9:18 AM.
2496 New Harmony Road Boonville, IN


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May 28, 2017 Psalm 132 (Nan Merrill)
Susan and Robert:
R: Where shall I look for Enlightenment?
S: Here.
R: When will it happen?
S: It is happening right now.
R: Then why don't I experience it?
S: Because you do not look.
R: But what should I look for?
S: Nothing. Just look.
R: But at what?
S: At anything your eyes alight upon.
R: But must I look in a special kind of way?
S: No. The ordinary way will do.
R: But don't I always look the ordinary way?
S: No, you don't.
R: But why not?
S: Because to look you must be here. You're mostly somewhere else.
Psalm 132
paraphrased by Nan Merrill
Enter into the Silence, into the Heart of Truth;
For herein lies the Great Mystery.
Where life is ever unfolding;
Herein the Divine Plan is made known,
the Plan all are invited to serve.
Listen for the music of the Holy Word in the resounding Silence of the universe.
May balance and harmony be your aim
as you are drawn into the Heart of Love.
Those who follow the way of Love with calm and faith-filled intent,
Know that all is working toward healing and wholeness.
And may the healing power of love lift you from the limitations of fear
and ignorance into the arms of freedom.
May the peace of the Spirit bless you, and lead you on life's journey.
Be not afraid of the Silence, for Wisdom's Voice is heard there!
As you follow the Light, you become gentle and kind, you come to live in the Light.
Children enter the world radiating the Spirit --
learn from them of innocence and simplicity;
Learn to co-operate with the unseen realms, to see beyond the veil.
Wise are those who learn through silence; learn then to listen well.
For beyond the silence and stillness within, you will come to know a profound and dazzling Silence --Herein lies the music of the spheres,
the harmony of creation.
Enter into the Holy Temple of your soul, converse with the Beloved in sweet communion.
Blessings of the Great Silence be with you as you help to rebuild the heart of the world with love.
(ring singing bowl and rain stick, followed by a minute of silence)
Amidst all the chaos and noise, fear, the natural disasters and violence in our world today, we are experiencing a spiritual renaissance. Yes, believe it our not. People are searching for that Light the psalmist talks about - that place of healing and wholeness where peace and gentleness and kindness are found. They are looking in so many places for that elusive enlightenment that Robert asked about. They are looking for that source of wisdom and love. They are searching for God.
Where are we looking?
Yoga classes;
Meditation classes;
Spiritual retreats where silence and solitude help us get in touch with the sacred;
Recovery groups and self-help groups. By meeting regularly with others, talking about their situations and sharing their stories, many participants learn to appreciate the spiritual dynamics of community, tolerance, forgiveness and gratitude;
People pray and grow spiritually through the friendships they have, the love they offer people and receive from others;
For some of us, its the volunteer work and political activism. Dorothy Day of the Catholic Workers movement found her spirituality through the work she did to help the poor;
Ecology and love of the earth, taking quiet walks in nature, bring people to their spiritual centers and lead them to work to protect the environment.
Those of us sitting here find it in a church community.
Others are even dialoguing online - going to church online! Yes, that too is happening.
The Sufis, and mystics like Theresa of Avila, believe that every aspect of daily life has potential as a devotional practice. Every bodily movement has its source in the divine. Everything we do, everything seen or heard, tasted or touched, can be undertaken as a devotional practice. That was also a Celtic practice. They wrote and recited short prayers and songs to accompany their simple daily activities.
St. Ignatius once said that "everything one turns in the direction of God is prayer". Through all of these practices we are learning to rebuild the heart of the world with love.
Seekers today are drawing from different faith traditions. Ancient practices are being renewed and adapted for our use. There is such a wealth and diversity of practices to draw from.
Evert Cousins writes: "It may be that the meeting of spiritual paths, the assimilation, not only of one's own personal heritage, but of the human community as a whole, is the distinctive spiritual journey of our time."
Have you ever visited a place where you immediately felt the presence of the holy? It felt like a sacred space? For me it's usually a place where over the years others have prayed or meditated. While I was on vacation I had the pleasure of officiating my nephew's wedding in Sedona Arizona.
Sedona is considered to be a vortex, a special spot on the earth where energy is either entering into the earth, or projecting out of the earth's plane. These are sacred sites. The Chapel of the Holy Cross, that you see pictured on the screen, is considered a vortex.
Native Americans believe that spiritual transformation can occur more easily in Sedona because the veils to other dimensions are thinner there. Whether you believe in vortexes or not, there is something about Sedona that has drawn people there over the years, something more than its incredible beauty.
On Sunday we visited the Amitabha Stupa. Stupas are one of the oldest forms of sacred architecture on the planet. For a millennia Buddhist practitioners have built them to promote spiritual deepening, healing, prosperity, and peace. This one is filled with prayers for peace, sacred relics and ritual objects.
As I walked around it three times sending my own prayers out into the universe, listening to the wind chimes and prayer flags blowing in the wind, I knew that this was the year to complete a project I began my first year at Eliot: creating 150 prayer flags to hang outside of the church.
I first saw this done at the UCC Church that my sister attends in Montclair N.J., where they strung 500 flags in front of their church for Easter that year. I then brought the practice to my church in Atascadero, and now here. I was first given prayer flags by a friend who was a practitioner of Buddhism, and by a former congregant who had traveled to Tibet. She also brought me this Tibetan prayer shawl that I am wearing today.
Traveling in the Bay Area on vacation one year, everywhere I went there were prayer flags, hanging on the front of people's homes, apartments, even in the inner courtyard of the dorm I lived in during seminary. Is it a visual metaphor of the spiritual renaissance that is going on? I don't know.
Regardless, it is a beautiful way to respond to the chaos and fear, natural disasters and violence in our sometimes broken world - to write our wishes, our prayers for our lives, our community and the world and let the wind carry them out to the universe.
The Tibetan word for prayer flag is Dar Cho. Dar means to increase life, fortune, health and wealth. Cho means all sentient beings. They are to be hung with the attitude "May all beings everywhere receive benefit and find happiness."
They are often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas. They are used to bless the surrounding countryside and for other purposes. Traditionally, prayer flags come in sets of five: The five colors represent the elements: blue symbolizes the sky and space, white symbolizes the air and wind, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth. According to Traditional Tibetan medicine, health and harmony are produced through the balance of the five elements.
Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.
The prayers of a flag become a permanent part of the universe as the images fade from exposure to the elements. Just as life moves on and is replaced by new life, Tibetans renew their hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags alongside the old. This act symbolizes a welcoming of life's changes and an acknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle.
On various occasions over the past four years I have invited you to write your prayers on these flags. We will bless them today, and after the service I invite you to help us hang them under the portico in front, to send your prayers out int our world as we pray to rebuild the heart of the world with love. The world needs our prayers more than ever right now. It is our way of releasing positive energy out into the world. And if it doesn't change the world, it's bound to change you.
Ask everyone to move to the center aisle and distribute the prayer flags so everyone holds them.
Holy One, As we hang these prayer flags today may we do so with the attitude, "May all beings everywhere benefit and find happiness." May they produce a spiritual vibration that is activated and carried by the wind across our community and the world. May all beings touched by the wind be uplifted and a little happier. May our flags serve as a visual sign of the love and compassion each one who signed them has for their family and friends, for total strangers and the world God lovingly created. Gracious God, hear these prayers of our community. Help all of us to recognize your presence in the silence of our lives. Amen


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BC: The End
FC: Stop Picking on Me! | By: Debbie Brown
1: Bullying is considered to be the act of hurting someone repeatedly as a way for the bully to feel superior. However, bullying can be done in one isolated act when someone wants to have their own way or be mean to someone else.
2: There are different types of bullying Physical - hitting, punching kicking or taking away something that belongs to someone else. Verbal - name-calling, teasing or joking about someone's ethnic background, race, religion economic status etc., in a a mean way. Indirect - spreading rumors, making up stories about someone or revealing someone's secret. Social - purposely excluding someone from a group. Intimidation - threatening someone into doing what something for the other person's benefit. Cyberbullying - intimidating and ridiculing someone with messages and pictures over the Internet by email, instant messaging or by text messaging.
3: Check out these statistics: 1 out of 4 students are bullied 1 out of 5 admit to being bullied or being a bully 8% miss 1 day of school per month out of fear 43% fear harassment in the bathroom 100,000 students carry guns to school 282,000 are physically attacked in secondary schools each month More youth violence occurs on school grounds versus on the way to school 80% of the time arguing with a bully ends in a fight 1/3 said they heard bullies threaten to kill someone 1 out of 5 knows someone who takes guns to school
4: Remember the old saying.."sticks and stones may break my bones but words cannot harm me"?....That is NOT true. As you read earlier, verbal abuse is a form of bullying.
5: Both the bullies and the person being bullied are more likely to drop out of school. Both are more likely to engage in criminal activities and gangs. Bullies are normally larger and more aggressive.
6: How do I Avoid getting Bullied? Don't give in to a bully. Feel good about yourself. Stand up for yourself. Walk with a friend. avoid places bullies hang out. Ignore them. Stand tall. Tell your friends. Tell your teachers. Tell your parents or any adult. Be observant. Walk away. Yell "Leave me Alone!" if you are alone and in danger...RUN!
7: Bullying is not an issue to take lightly. It is not a rite of passage that all kids must go through. Bullies will try to shift the blame onto the person they are bullying. Male a note of witnesses. Don't be a bystander to someone being bullied. get an adult involved and make a note of the bully or bullies. Bullies continue when others stand by and watch it happen.
8: Have you ever witnessed someone being bullied? What did you do? Have you ever bullied someone else? How do you feel about bullying in your school? How would you like to have a bully-free school?
9: Phoebe Prince was harassed by bullies at school for months. On Jan 14, 2010, she was harassed by her bullies in the library and had a can of drink thrown at her while she walked home. She went inside and hung herself. She was 15 years old. Bullying is NO JOKE!
10: These moms share a familiar pain. They both lost their sons to bullies in school.
11: Playground Statistics Every 7 minutes a child is bullied on the playground.
13: Carl Walker-Hoover hung himself on April 6, 2009 after enduring months of teasing and harassment from the kids at his school. He loved football. He would have turned 12 on April 16th, 10 days later.
14: Jaheem Herrara got up on April 16, 2009 and did not want to go to school or have his breakfast. His mom said he finally got up and went and came home happy that evening and gave her a high-five before heading up to his room. They found him hanging by his belt in his closet.
17: Jared Benjamin High Born 9/28/1985 Died 9/29/1998 Victim of "bullycide"- a child who commits suicide because of bullying.
18: Bullies are sometimes living in homes where they witness a lot of pushing and yelling and aggressive behaviors and they perceive this as being normal Maybe they are angry about something in their personal live and this anger is misplaced on an innocent person.
21: Make a decision to take a stand and do the right thing today. Do all you can to avoid being bullied, inform an adult to any instance of you or anyone else being bullied by others. Help keep your school a Bully-free zone.


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And once again we'd like to share comments from members who attended our latest meeting. This time we have comments from John Byrne and Nancy Ballard about Susan Jackson Rodgers' presentation:
From John Byrne:
"Writers on the River's February 16 meeting was a great success. Roughly 30 writers enjoyed the presentation by OSU professor Susan Rodgers which focused on different forms of short stories. Her talk and exercises served not only to broaden an appreciation of form in short story writing but also to provide practical prompts to help get things going when the muse is absent buying coffee someplace. Ms. Rodgers provided vivid examples of different forms and led the group through exercises aimed at creating stories appropriate to the different forms discussed. She probably got some new stories going in time for the open mic reading at the scheduled March 16 Writers on the River meeting."
From Nancy Ballard:
"On February 16, Susan Jackson Rodgers got us actively involved with her presentation on "Playing with Form in the Short Story "at the monthly meeting of WWotR. She is the award-winning author of two collections of short fiction, and her fiction has appeared in several journals. She teaches creative writing and literature at OSU. At our meeting, she introduced several story forms to free us from the traditional linear design and challenged us with a series of exercises to get us to focus on form rather than content. We scribbled madly, shared willingly, and went away with some new ideas on how to tell our stories. Thank you, Susan, for a great evening."


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pics: Stella McCartney, Lanvin necklace, handbag and shoes, Hermes and MAWI
@ Moda Operandi, Tom Ford, Acne
@ Moda Operandi, Tom Ford, Acne
Among this season's best, surprisingly, an animal printed top makes wonders when you mix it with a high-waisted pair of jeans. Oversize tailoring, a minimalistic clutch and a statement pair of earrings and a bold necklace make a fast good impression. Bring those elements toghether and prepare yourself for an unshamedly style conversation/the perfect deconstructed look.