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The Peopleĺs Church, Willow Creek, and the Church Growth Movement
by Paul Proctor
I walked through the doors of The First Baptist Church in the spring of 1995 after having been somewhat of a prodigal son for roughly 10 years. I had recently rededicated my life to Christ and wanted to once again be a part of a loving church family. As I entered and sat down to the joyful noise of a magnificent choir and orchestra praising God in song, my heart and soul were filled with wonder, excitement and great expectation. I was truly being prepared for worship.
When the preacher finished his sermon, I was spiritually refreshed and energized for the week ahead. His message had been clear, powerful, convicting, biblical and full of the Holy Spirit. Over time I grew to love this brother in Christ because of his faithfulness and passion for the gospel. After visiting the church for some months, I knew I had found a church home.
A couple of years later, the pastor invited me to lunch at a nearby country club he frequented where he mentioned in passing his desire to eventually do away with the First Baptist Church name and simply call it "The People's Church", claiming "that's what everyone called it anyway". Still taken by the man's persona, I smiled and nodded in approval as he told me of wanting to take the church in "a new direction", away from the Southern Baptist stigma that he felt had somehow hindered us in the past and move on greater things. Unfortunately, he didn't elaborate on what that "new direction" was and I mistakenly assumed that he meant toward a non-denominational identity.
In the coming weeks and months a new message began emanating from his pulpit not unlike what had been coming from, of all places, the presidential podium of Bill Clinton during the height of his scandals. A re-occurring theme of "tolerance, diversity and unity" seemed to permeate almost every sermon. It became increasingly clear to me that the pastor's "new direction" was worldly and that he was now being guided by someone or something other than God. Friction grew between the two of us over the course of time as his sermons turned away from the gospel that leads to repentance and faith in Christ to the social psychology of get-alongism. Sure, the Bible calls us to live in peace with one another, to keep and maintain healthy relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but NOT at the expense of God. The pastor I once held in such high regard began reciting "group-think" platitudes like: "YOU CAN'T BE RIGHT WITH GOD AND AT ODDS WITH EVERYONE ELSE", meaning it was now time for us all to compromise our conscience and convictions for the collective. This is the "Consensus Process" at work, a 200 year-old socialist brainwashing technique known by social psychologists the world over as the "Hegelian Dialectic."
For the benefit of those who have not yet heard of the Hegelian Dialectic, let me briefly run through it as taught by Authority Research Center president, Dean Gotcher. The Hegelian Dialectic or "Consensus Process" is a 200 year-old, three-step process of "thesis, antithesis and synthesis", developed in the late 1700's by a german named Georg William Friedreich Hegel that results in what we now know as "group-think". It is a system Dean Gotcher calls "Praxis" that socialists have used for centuries to seduce, seize and control mass populations without warfare. It is also in full operation here in the United States under such names as: "Outcome Based Education", "Goals 2000", "Sustainable Development", "School To Work", "DARE" and many more. It's all about embracing "tolerance, diversity and unity" for The New World Order. To put it in layman's terms; it's brainwashing.
Here's how it works: A group gathers, and has agreed beforehand that each in attendance will ultimately surrender his or her own personal position on any given issue to the will or "consensus" of the group after *processing to consensus* through dialog. In a Christian setting, the presupposition is that the group's will determines "the will of God". The group's "facilitator", whoever that may be, mediates between sides, be they "good and evil", "for and against", "republican and democrat", "liberal and conservative", etc., whatever the case may be, often instigating heated confrontations between the opposing sides for the purpose of suggesting compromise as the perfect solution to restore and maintain the peace and the relationships of everyone involved. The resulting outcome or *consensus* is then re-introduced if necessary, at the next meeting for more "Praxis", more dialog and more compromise until another "consensus" is reached. Then the "process" repeats all over again.....and again....and again until the facilitator's desired outcome is achieved. Over time, the convictions and concerns anyone may have had originally are processed away beyond recognition or relevance leaving one and all to accept the facilitator's pre-determined outcome as the consensus of the group. It's no longer a question of what is right or wrong, good or bad, lawful or unlawful, but rather HOW WE ALL FEEL ABOUT IT......no absolutes, no conscience, no convictions, no laws, no Constitution, no Bible and NO GOD!!!....only consensus....and a contrived consensus at that. Pretty slick huh? That's the Hegelian Dialectic.
The "Hegelian Dialectic" is especially damaging to those of the faith who are compelled by the process to accept the unacceptable in order to gain the approval of the group. It is the herd mentality of humanist thinking and an abomination before God.
You see the Bible is FULL of godly men who stood alone and died fighting the heresy of the herd mentality, including Jesus Himself. Being "at odds with everyone else" is EXACTLY what got Him nailed to a cross! He said: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) This certainly doesn't bode well for pastors whose primary agenda is church growth and big numbers.
It was not a tolerant Jesus who cleared the temple in Jerusalem of moneychangers with a whip or a tolerant John the Baptist who publicly railed against King Herod for marrying his brotherĺs wife or a tolerant Paul that stood up against Peter for alienating uncircumcised believers or tolerance that got most of the disciples beheaded or crucified in the early days of the church. Yet, here we are entering a new millennium, crossing that illustrious "Bridge To The 21st Century", as a re-invented church of tolerance, diversity and unity. As the doors are all thrown open to anyone and anything, I ask you, is the church affecting the culture or is the culture infecting the church? Who is proselytizing whom here? Look around and tell me what you see.
It wasn't long before a vulgar campaign for cash began at The People's Church as if someone was running for political office, complete with banquets, dinners, awards, lots of flattering speech, testimonials, presentations, private meetings and special attention given to the church's "big givers", (their term, not mine) all to benefit a massive new building program that would put us in a high-tech "worship center" and twelve million dollars in debt.
Today when I walk into that entertainment complex on Sunday morning where a sanctuary used to be, I see a lot of cushioned movie theater seats where pews used to be; a big multi-media projection screen where a wooden cross used to be; a half dozen choreographed entertainers performing to applause where a choir used to be; a jazz/rock band playing solos where an orchestra used to be; a young female singer leading simplistic chants before a confused audience, where a music minister used to lead great hymns of worship and praise to God and where a charming "facilitator" in a golf shirt preaches that we should all GO ALONG TO GET ALONG, where a once humble man of God in a suit and tie used to courageously proclaim the Word of God.
Just the other day I was listening to a pre-recorded radio program on the internet called "Steel On Steel" hosted by John Loeffler. He was interviewing a former teacher and expert on European history and philosophy by the name of Dean Gotcher about the "Hegelian Dialectic" or "Consensus Process" and how it is has successfully been integrated into the government, the media, the military, law enforcement, public education, colleges, seminaries and even the church to centralize everything and unify us all into the socialist mindset of global governance. The global-socialist goal is and always has been a one-world government and a one-world religion. They have used the "Hegelian Dialectic" for centuries to control large populations around the world and steer them toward a "New World Order". Near the end of the hour-long program, he casually mentioned a couple of Christian organizations that were known for seducing churches into this "Consensus Process" with "progressive" church-growth programs where compromising brings in big numbers. The temptation of such worldly fruit is obviously hard to resist, even among the most faithful of pastors. Nonetheless, doing unholy things in the name of Christ does not make them holy.
When Dean Gotcher mentioned one of those organizations as being "The Willow Creek Association", bells began ringing, lights began flashing and all of a sudden five years of confusion, contention and controversy between my pastor and me were INSTANTLY brought into complete clarity. OF COURSE! The Peopleĺs Church belonged to the Willow Creek Association! Once my eyes were opened to their carnal ways through additional research, combined with all that I had learned over the years about global-socialism, I became convinced that we, (the church) had been brought into the "Consensus Process" by way of a socialistic humanist organization posing as a Christian ministry, complete with "change-agents" and "facilitators" (wolves in sheepĺs clothing) that I myself had encountered personally from Sunday School to Sunday worship. Apparently, THIS was the pastor's "new direction" for The First Baptist Church. It came as no surprise to later discover that Willow Creek's founder, Bill Hybels is a dear friend and personal minister to the nationĺs most renown socialist and "facilitator", Bill Clinton. NOW I KNOW why my pastor began sounding so "Clintonesque" in his Sunday morning sermons some three or four years ago.
As I went on to research The Willow Creek Association, I discovered that thousands upon thousands of established churches around the country were being transformed into sensory driven "seeker churches" EXACTLY like ours under the guidance and direction of this organization, all with the same tolerance, diversity and unity theme, liberal worship format, scripturally shallow teaching, heavy on the comfort and light on the conscience, equipped with huge multi-media projection screens, large sound systems, exotic music, no choir, female ministers, feelings-motivated skits, dance interpretations and heavily burdened with millions of dollars of debt from building state-of-the-art entertainment venues they call "worship centers". I think the revolving disco ball sparkling overhead at our dedication service a couple of years ago was a REAL poignant moment for me personally.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." (1st John 2:15-17)
I have long-since worn out my welcome with certain members of the church staff by repeatedly protesting our involvement in these ecumenical movements and carnal extravaganzas beginning with the "men's movement"; that emotionally driven, highly advertised, celebrity endorsed, spiritually misguided and now financially bankrupt organization known as "Promise Keepers". The "Consensus Process" or "Hegelian Dialectic" teaches "facilitators" to isolate, intimidate and even shame their critics into silence and cooperation with "hurt feelings" as their license and authority. This too is carnal. Those seeking group acceptance and approval are powerless against it. Frankly, I'd much rather have God's acceptance and approval than the herd's. You see The Willow Creek Association always emphasizes "felt needs", unity, harmony, peace and human relationships over everything else...Just like the United Nations. But, that's not the Gospel.
"Consensus" is all about compromising toward "group-think" not God think. It is conformity to the collective through peer-pressure. This is the very heart of the heresy. Centralization toward globalism is the reason for consensus and explains why so many big corporations have merged into government-controlled monopolies; why the two major political parties have become almost indistinguishable; why national borders have become virtually meaningless; why national sovereignty is being surrendered to the United Nations; why the Constitution is being ignored by our own president; why "The Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders" is meeting in August to christen a One World Religion and world leaders from 160 nations are meeting in September at the UN. for "The Millennium Summit" to initiate World Government, complete with its own criminal court, tax system and standing army. Unfortunately, the nasty little secret about the consensus process is that any and all issues discussed usually have a pre-determined outcome provided by the attending "facilitator". Imagine that! Conscience and compromise can NEVER co-exist. They are ALWAYS incompatible. One MUST surrender to the other for there to be unity. Consensus therefore, will ALWAYS lead itĺs followers away from biblical absolutes and Authority (i.e., "Thus sayeth the Lord....") to obtain the acceptance and approval of the group.
We all want to be loved don't we? Some of us are desperate to be loved. It is undoubtedly why so many have given their lives to the entertainment and film industry and made Hollywood their "Emerald City". They have been taught throughout the 20th century that if they could only be a "big star" they would be loved and accepted by everyone. The desire to BE LOVED is natural but loving those that donĺt agree with us is unnatural and difficult. Jesus said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself'". Yet, millions of children for over half a century listened and learned as The Wizard Of Oz told the Tin Man: "...a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." This is consensus over conviction, covetousness over conscience and flesh over spirit, the heresy of Hollywood and the wages of Willow Creek...following the crowd and the culture in order to be loved and accepted.
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)
The bottom line is this; Willow Creek is a showboat, sold as a Christian cruise that in time will be remembered as another Titanic. The First Baptist Church is truly becoming "The People's Church", because that is exactly who they have chosen to follow and obey...PEOPLE. Needless to say, after 5 long and frustrating years aboard this wayward vessel, I'll be going in search of a humble fishing boat where the waters are calm, the nets are full, the crew is faithful, and Christ is the captain, because as Paul Harvey says: "Now I know the REST of the story".
"They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand." (Isaiah 44:18)
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:3-4)
I took a break from writing for a couple of
months to further research the "seeker-sensitive",
"church-growth" movement; that tumorous plague that has become to the
Christian community what AIDS is to the homosexual community. Those who have
been infected always deny it publicly believing in their hearts they are
righteous and extraordinary rather than depraved, dying and delusional.
"ůůHaving a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (II Timothy 3:5-7)
When first infected, an individual shows little or no visual signs of the disease and goes about daily life as if they were perfectly healthy. However, as time goes by, symptoms begin to surface that drive them to various clinics, conferences and counseling sessions seeking the fashionable remedies, theories, strategies and techniques of social psychologists, marketing specialists and motivational speakers who peddle pantheistic potions and think-positive notions to the "enlightened" for healthy profits and praise.
These hapless victims of a re-invented religion are won through flattery, seduction, covetousness and attrition as their church sanctuaries are slowly converted into temples of doom where the PC gospel is eventually published as holy writ by an unaccountable leadership who privately profits from preaching propaganda. Its carriers do not really believe in the Word of God but rather in the consensus of popular opinion and the sensual gratification of personal experience. Theirs is a selective morality, powered by adrenaline, that never infringes on anyone elseĺs self-esteem or sensitivities yet provides a colorful and charming Christ-like costume suitable for the endtimes masquerade called Apostasy.
"Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." (Jeremiah 17:5)
Instead of accepting Godĺs way as Holy and the worldĺs way as sinful, they busy themselves endeavoring to make everyone else at church exactly like them through the micromanaging and peer pressure of accountability groups while re-defining for those outside the church what being a Christian really isů. A codependent, hypersensitive, emotionally fragile composite of compliance, complexity and contradiction with a fossilized happy face and a tolerance for anything and everything but intolerance.
Youĺll know that your church is becoming "seeker-sensitive" when the worship service begins to resemble an Amway convention run by pod people in polo shirts whose savior looks more like Bill Clinton with sunglasses and a saxophone than the Son of God hanging from a lonely cross for the sins of the world.
"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (II Thessalonians 2: 11-12)
One of the most damning aspects of Willow Creek and the whole Church Growth Movement is the hypocrisy that makes up its very foundation and operation. Having its members sign covenants, (which is expressly forbidden by Holy Scripture), saying they will not criticize or complain about the church or its leadership is not just socialism ("tyranny with a smile"), but a coup de tat of the church and its Divine mission. Willow Creek was formed, as are its member churches by surveying the lost and unchurched in each of their respective communities to gather a consensus of what those specific people DO NOT LIKE ABOUT CHURCH that one may be built and/or designed to suit them. So, the Children of God are to essentially shut up while the inmates run the asylum for the hierarchy! I think the appropriate word here would be subterfuge.
The Willow Creek Association through its member churches have in effect silenced the Body Of Christ and provided pagans, new-agers, atheists, socialists, communists, Marxists, humanists, homosexuals, feminists and liberals in general thousands of sterilized venues where they can come and present their "felt needs" to those with open arms and open minds.
By creating a politically correct environment for them to work in the UN can now steer Christians and their new church of tolerance, diversity and unity right into global governance. (Just like socialists have already done with the federal government, public education, the media, military, law enforcement and business community.) This is just another of the many shrewd ways the UN is successfully conquering our country through attrition. It's the Gramsci strategy at work.
By meeting the so-called "felt needs" of the godless, THEIR voices are heard, THEIR philosophies are made known, THEIR music is played, THEIR religion is taught, THEIR ideologies are discussed and THEIR agenda is carried out virtually unopposed in the corridors, classrooms and worship centers of every "seeker sensitive" church in America. Bottom line is; the REAL students here are the silent, submissive, ignorant, gullible, compromised and compliant Christians who are held at bay by global socialists surreptitiously destroying our religious heritage through the church growth movement.
But its OK cause we're having a GREAT TIME at a GREAT CHURCH, with GREAT PROGRAMS and GREAT MUSIC, in a GREAT WORSHIP CENTER, with a GREAT PASTOR, that tells GREAT STORIES and GREAT JOKES, to a GREAT CROWD before a GREAT GOD! Consequently, the only sinner in a "seeker-sensitive" church is the party-pooper who disrupts the "unity" of the "unequally yoked" by criticizing the UN╣s doctrine of "tolerance and diversity".
Here's what the Bible has to say about tolerance:
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (1st John 2:15)
Here's what Jesus says about diversity:
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)
Here's what He says about unity:
"Suppose ye that I come to bring peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division." (Luke 12:51)
It should therefore come as no surprise to anyone that at the UN's meeting in September called "The Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders" they:
1. All but banned evangelical Christians from attending. 2. Condemned Christianity from the podium as the first order of business. 3. Spent the rest of the time fighting among themselves for the best seats in the house. 4. Agreed to nothing. (So much for "World Peace" and the UNĺs PC gospel of tolerance, diversity and unity.)
There is absolutely no fear or reverence of God in a seeker-sensitive church because Jesus is your party pal. He's a guy you can hang around when you want to, talk to when you want to, listen to when you want to, ignore when you want to, embarrass when you want to, cry on his shoulder when you want to or joke about when you want to. You can even tell Him to shut up if you want to. FEAR? OBEY? Come on! He's a bud! The nation of Israel used to fall to the ground trembling in fear at the presence of Almighty God. People that realized who Jesus Christ was during his earthy ministry also fell down before Him in tears, shame and remorse, but not at a "seeker friendly" church. LET╣S PARTY DUDE! cause GOD ROCKS !
In my quest to find a new church home, I accidentally sat in on another "seeker-sensitive" service last Sunday morning at a Baptist church only a few miles away from The People's Church, the one I wrote about a couple of months ago. As you might guess, I have managed to earn somewhat of a reputation locally for the controversy of my convictions and compositions. Fortunately, no one at this particular church knew me when my friend and I walked in SO, believe it or not we were invited to sit right up on the front row by the man I would later discover was the church's pastor. (See God DOES have a sense of humor.)
We suspected it might be a seeker-sensitized church when we first pulled into the parking lot because I saw "guest parking" signs all along the building. Because there was not a multi-million dollar "worship center" on the property I thought I should at least give them the benefit of the doubt. (FYI: I did hear later that one was on the way) Please keep in mind that none of these superficial things I mention are necessarily bad in and of themselves. They're just simply trademarks and symbols of the product for sale inside. You see; it's all about eye candy for the consumer, the marketing of comfort, convenience, excitement and aesthetic appeal. They didn't as yet, have the Wal-Mart style greeters shaking hands with everyone at the doors as is common for Willow Creek churches, but the taped music playing inside was really thumping as we searched for a couple of empty chairs. (The absence of church pews is another sign)
It wasn't long before the church's rock band counted off the first number and buddy let me tell you THE GOOD TIMES ROLLED! We had everything but an open bar, including some congregational choreography (line dancing, for you rednecks) that would make even Bob Fosse proud!
When it came time for the pastor to head for the acrylic podium, (another trademark), he jumped up and ran onstage sliding across the hardwood floor coming to a stop in front of a laughing and applauding choir. Yes they still had a choir at this church. The pastor had obviously not yet done away with them as did mine at The People's Church. I heard it caused a lot of heartache when he quietly called them all together for a special meeting to inform them that their ministry was no longer needed because of the new music and singers the church would be acquiring. It seems that part of the transformational process into a full-blown seeker-sensitive church is the eventual elimination of the choir. I guess it's just one of those churchy things that the target audience (the one's surveyed) really don't care for. You see, the Willow Creek way is to maximize the entertainment value of the service by providing the audience with the best young and attractive singers and performers available to give them more bang for the buck. Anyway as the choir laughed hysterically at this young pastor's comical antics onstage, I thought to myself, "If they only knew."
You must understand that most people at a "seeker-sensitive" church have no idea what is being planned for them. Frankly, it is quite common to find very few staff members at a seeker church that even know who or what Willow Creek is, much less who is behind the entire church growth movement. The slow, subtle and steady transformation of a traditional church into a "seeker-friendly" church is often planned and executed behind closed doors using slick promotion, humanist marketing strategies, slight of hand techniques and even propaganda. When friends write me telling of disturbing things they're noticing at their church, some will ask if it is possible that their church has become a member of The Willow Creek Association. I must tell you it is a sad duty to have to report back to them with the bad news.
When that "worship service" was finally over last Sunday and we drove away, I asked myself, "I wonder if these folks would act like this if Jesus Christ suddenly appeared before them?" Something tells me that if the Lord had walked into that room it would have become deathly quiet, after a few screams of course. The band would probably call it a night. The preacher would instantly grow up and stop acting like a sophomore in gym class. The congregation and choir would 86 the Richard Simmons Review and everyone would get right with God while falling to their faces in fear and repentance, trembling before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7)
There's absolutely nothing wrong with neighborhood kids running, jumping, screaming, playing and dancing around outside. But you know as well as I do if they all came inside YOUR father's house, especially on a Sunday, he would demand that every one of them be on their best behavior out of reverence and respect. I can assure you it is no different with our Father in Heaven. His desire is that we "Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth", not turn our churches into playpens for bored and aging adolescents who are looking for cheap thrills and a place to party.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23)
It becomes increasingly difficult for well-meaning Christians who support the church growth movement to taste the poison in the candy they consume after having acquired such a sweet tooth for it through habitual exposure and indulgence. It has been my experience that these sugar addicts who so passionately defend the seeker-service almost always overlook and/or minimize it's humanist origin, diabolical doctrine, unholy alliances and closed-door tactics. By contrast, I have yet to hear of a single conservative congregation that openly voted to join the Willow Creek Association and pay consultants those astronomical fees to re-invent their church. Most of us simply learn from alternative sources that our once conservative church now belongs to a liberal organization that is in partnership with the federal government and United Nations promoting humanist values and ecumenical ideologies through already implemented programs we know little or nothing about. As strange as it may seem, staffers outside the senior leadership circle of CGM churches don╣t even know enough about Willow Creek to answer the most basic of questions from concerned members. That in itself should alarm anyone whose church belongs to Willow Creek or Saddleback.
Because each church that embraces the seeker-sensitive formula is at a different stage of transformation, it is impossible to accurately assess the whole movement by simply observing the people and progress of a single congregation or staff. One has to thoroughly research the origin, background, philosophy and agenda of those leading the movement to properly evaluate it. In addition, it must be studied outside and away from Willow Creek and Saddleback's own propaganda and pitchmen in order to ascertain it's true agenda. Even then, without the discernment of the Holy Spirit, all of the research in the world won't make a blind man see.
Those who shoot from the hip to passionately defend Willow Creek and Saddleback are often frustrated rock musicians and performers who have spent a lifetime seeking their own glory. When they become a Christian, instead of giving up their lusts and worldly pursuits for the cause of Christ they instinctively begin searching for some way to graft their talents and tastes into the church in order to gain notoriety, credibility, gratification and the support of fellow believers. They deceive themselves into believing that just because they do it, enjoy it and it draws a crowd, it must be holy and therefore suitable for service. Again, these are well meaning folks who simply confuse faith with feelings. And as many of us know, our emotions can be VERY deceiving and self-destructive. Essentially they try to link their carnal world to their Christian life to legitimize it before the eyes of men as if a good performance was a true affirmation of faith in Christ. Liberals in particular have a hard time grasping the idea that faith is not an emotion and spiritual gifts are not talents. They have yet to understand that God chooses to glorify Himself not through our strengths, (talents, abilities, wealth, education, influence, etc.), but rather through our weakness. Why, because OUR strengths and talents glorify us,not God. (Ref: 1st Corinthians 1)
Using our talents and abilities to accomplish even the most honorable of goals and charitable ventures for the most part glorifies the flesh. However, when we forsake OUR strengths and yield to God's strength, He then empowers us through His Holy Spirit to accomplish those miracles in life that our human strengths never could. That's how mountains are moved, seas are parted, arks are built, Goliath was defeated, Lazarus was raised, demons are cast out and souls are saved unto eternal life. The Apostle Paul addressed this issue in the 3rd chapter of Philippians for those with the courage and faith to read it. This little known spiritual truth is so discerned and empowering that those outside the faith cannot understand nor comprehend it.
You see, Satan tempted Jesus for 40 days in the desert trying to get Him to use His own strength, power and influence to gratify, glorify and ultimately save Himself. Instead, Jesus chose to deny Himself and humbly become weak in the flesh to the glory of God the Father thereby applying the Almighty's power and strength necessary to live a sinless life and perform great works. By becoming weak in the flesh, He became strong in the Spirit in complete obedience and humility before God the Father.
God expects no less of those who profess Christ. Unfortunately, applying one's own strengths, talents and resources to grow the church is not only a key concept and marketing strategy of Willow Creek and Saddleback, but is an integral part of CGM's modus operandi.
The church growth movement is also about building a kingdom on Earth through those church/government partnerships I mentioned earlier. The goal is to make these mega-churches the very focal point of every community around the globe where social programs can easily be implemented and managed, like government agencies and tools of the state. How soon we Christians forget Jesus telling Pilate before his flogging and crucifixion: "My kingdom is not of this world". It therefore leads one to the next logical question. Who are Willow Creek and Saddleback building this kingdom for, the coming antichrist?
Could we actually be witnessing the birth of the Apostasy? I think those who truly know the Lord Jesus Christ and have studied carefully the books of Daniel and Revelation with a healthy Christian worldview have very legitimate suspicions about the church growth movement.
As we see all of this wealth, power and influence coming together in a vast merger of government and religion under the direction of the UN, I would ask you to look at the temptation of Christ as described in Luke 4:1-13. Focus for a moment, if you will on what Satan said to Jesus in the second of the three temptations in verses 5-7.
"And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine."
Notice who it is that gives men great power and glory on Earth and what is required of them to obtain it. More importantly, notice that Jesus never disputes Satan's claim. Furthermore, if Satan did not have the authority to give such power and glory on Earth, it would not even be a temptation. I suspect some are getting chills right now especially those of you who support the church growth movement of Saddleback and Willow Creek.
"Beware lest anyone spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
Twice this week I have stumbled onto articles
heralding the new partnership between church and state now being manifested in
the form of government-sponsored faith-based organizations where social programs
can be carried out by Uncle Sam's newest federal agency, the church.
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." (2nd Corinthians 6:14-17)
The church is supposed to send it's own OUT into the world to proclaim the gospel of Christ, not bring the world into a reinvented, government approved church to receive social services and government benefits. If you doubt there is connection between today's mainline denominations and the United Nations then proceed to the UN's own web site and view for yourself the DPI/NGO membership list. (Department of Information/Non-governmental organizations) On that list you will find, among other Christian organizations the Southern Baptist Convention and Christian Life Commission. After you view the list take a look at the criteria and responsibilities of its members.
As I alluded to in "An Earthly Kingdom", we do not live in a Christian world, nor are we governed by godly men. Those who profess faith in Christ are essentially foreign missionaries in enemy territory to be about the preaching of the good news of Jesus Christ, not going into business with politicians, bankers and globalists to carry out the UN's global agenda. Not only is this partnership idea from the UN but participating churches and Christian organizations are required to sterilize their environments of any and all references to, symbols of, and discussions about YOUR Christian faith and are instead to disseminate THEIR propaganda, implement THEIR programs and pursue THEIR goals. Under such guidelines Willow Creek churches are already well on their way toward UN compliance and government service. In addition, churches that are incorporated with a 501C3 status are already in partnership with the federal government and thereby bound to UN treaties, guidelines and directives.
CGM churches have been sterilizing their sanctuaries, sermons and Sunday school lessons for years to draw in unwashed consumers through politically correct doors to do what they do bestůCONSUME. This, they believe, is the success of the 21st century church; a church that comes of age abandoning her "First Love" for the harlotry of compromise, consensus, consumerism and covetousness. The REAL church however, (the remnant) will have nothing to do with it. Hearing the still small voice of the Lord, they are already coming out from among them like sheep being separated from the goats. And because of their faithfulness, they will be ridiculed, harassed, persecuted and in some parts of the world even incarcerated, tortured and killed, not because of outsiders but by the betrayal of those from within the Apostate church who once called them brothers and sisters in Christ. It has happened many times before my friends and it will happen again, not because I said so, but because the Bible says so.
"...Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me." (John 16:2-3)
This is why CMG churches avoid teaching bible prophecy even though almost 90% of prophecy has already been fulfilled. When you hear someone from your church's pulpit or Sunday school class say they don't believe Bible prophecy should be taught or discussed because it is somehow beyond our understanding you'll know you've heard from Satan himself because he knows he's doomed and doesn't want anyone talking about it. He has a kingdom to build and a One World Government/Religion to run and he needs all the help and cooperation he can get.
I have received a lot of email over the last year from many who have heard the "still small voice" calling them out of the seeker-sensitive church-growth movement and it's thousands of Willow Creek/Saddleback churches across America. Many have shared with me heartbreaking stories of deception and betrayal by a corrupted clergy who they once considered to be brothers in Christ. I believe with all my heart that God has allowed this movement to prosper for a time that Satan may sift the brethren the way he sifted the Apostle Peter before Jesus' crucifixion that Heaven and Earth may know who belongs to Him. It is a separating of the sheep from a gathering of goats and a coming out party for the One-World Religion that will accompany a One-World Government under the guidance and direction of the United Nations.
Just this week an article in the Chicago Daily Herald was brought to my attention by one of my readers describing a recent forum held at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois for the world's largest religions. It was like a reenactment of last September's pageant of pantheism called "The Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders" held at the United Nations in New York City. Included in the article was a very disturbing and yet revealing comment that confirmed much of what I've been writing all along about Willow Creek.
"All pathways to heaven and God are not the same; that's the reality," said David Staal, a spokesman for Willow Creek.
As any bible believing Christian knows, this is the opposite of what Jesus taught. It is more of the Hegelian Dialectic at work made famous by socialists for centuries and the driving force behind the New World Order...The anti-gospel.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6)
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
These two scriptures are the essence of the gospel message and yet many of today's "Christians" continue to follow Willow Creek's blind guides into the global abyss seeking the emotional gratification of group acceptance. It is clear that those who remain loyal to the church-growth movement do so because it is where their friends and family are and they just can't bear to forfeit such valuable relationships for the cause of Christ. It is a travesty that the cross is so readily forsaken for the frivolity of compromised companionship. These poor souls never seem to grasp that in doing this they exchange the "Agape" love of Christ for the "Phileo" love of ecumenism. Tragically, some even convince themselves they can carry out a ministry by playing along in these "Temples of Doom" forgetting the Apostle Paul's warning to not be "unequally yoked together with unbelievers". (II Corinthians 6:14)
The fact is Willow Creek and Saddleback utilize many of Satan's carnal tools to promote the global agenda believing as socialists do, that the end justifies the means. The "church growth movement" is about growing churches and budgets instead of Christians. It is "seeker-sensitive" because it is not God sensitive. It focuses on "felt needs" instead of spiritual needs. So, rather than equipping saints to go out into the world to rescue the lost from a culture of death they employ the culture's own singers, celebrities and salesmen to seduce them into their apostasy by marketing a gospel of gratification. It is the harlotry of hedonism and the very antithesis of all that is holy.
Regardless of what the spokesman said at Willow Creek's religious forum, "...There is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
It is still Jesus Christ plus NOTHING.


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It's taken me months to do it, but I finally beat "The Bewitched Kingdom" on Candy Dash just in time for Hallowe'en.
I obviously didn't get all of the stars - I got 86 out of 87 because level 5 was impossible to get more than 2 stars on even with a load of power-ups - but beating the final level is the only thing that really matters anyway.
Yeah, I know it's just a Facebook game, but it made me almost happy.

subset: commoncrawl


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Wild Flag, Mission of Burma & Ted Leo played Celebrate Brooklyn at Prospect Park (pics, videos)
photos by Amanda Hatfield, words by Andrew Sacher
Wild Flag/Mission of Burma at Prospect Park – 8/3/12
This summer's free Celebrate Brooklyn shows in Prospect Park continued on Friday (8/3) with a great co-headlining double bill of Wild Flag and Mission of Burma, and support from a solo Ted Leo set. People began lining up in Prospect Park at least a half hour before doors opened and by the time Ted Leo began his set at 7 PM many of the chairs had filled up and others took more casually to the grass area in the back, some of who were sitting on free blankets provided by show sponsor Google Play (who also had a stage at Lollapalooza over the weekend).
The entire bill was made up of artists who have left a lasting stamp on indie rock, and all three were terrific as usual. Ted Leo's opening set included a number of Pharmacists songs, and he also revealed two new ones for the first time (one of which you can watch a video of below). He was both modest (he called a performance of one of the new songs "half baked") and in good spirits the whole time, cracking wtty jokes like, "This next one's for Park Slope, it's called 'The Little Smug Supper Club.'" (Though at the end of the song he said, "I shouldn't talk, I live in Brooklyn Heights.")
After Ted, Mission of Burma kept things going with a set which continued to prove, four albums into their post-reunion career, that they are still a necessary band. The new material is just as genuine as the early-'80s output and the band members are just as (or more) lively and youthful than many of the bands who took after them. Drummer Peter Prescott is playfully sarcastic while the other members keep a bit quieter with stage banter but create massive levels of noise with their instruments — especially guitarist Roger Miller, whose playing is equally sloppy and noisy as it is precise and melodic, not unlike J Mascis who he likely had influence on.
Then Wild Flag closed out the night with a killer set made up mostly of material from their 2011 debut, including standout tracks like "Glass Tambourine," "Boom," and "Romance," plus deeper cuts like the always-intense "Racehorse," which was a bit less drawn out at this show than past performances, but still one of Carrie Brownstein's most shining moments in the set. They also mixed a few new songs into their set, like they've been doing at other 2012 shows. Upon returning for their encore, Carrie said that since they were in New York, one of the greatest places for music, they'd play some NY covers. The band then proceeded to bang out covers of Television's "See No Evil" and Patti Smith's "Ask the Angels," doing more than justice to both songs. A video of both covers is below.
The free Celebrate Brooklyn shows in Prospect Park continue on August 10 with Little Dragon and Frankie Rose. More pictures and videos from last Friday's show are below…
Ted Leo
Mission of Burma
Wild Flag
Wild Flag – "See No Evil" & "Ask the Angels" at Prospect Park – 8/3/12
Mission of Burma at Prospect Park – 8/3/12
Ted Leo – new song at Prospect Park – 8/3/12


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The Oilers have been running low on Finns lately, but it sounds like Eetu Laurikainen is either signed or will be under contract soon. Who is Eetu Laurikainen?
- Shawn Mullin, Swift Current Broncos PBP: He's not a particularely big goalie although not small. He's positionally sound and his athleticism makes up for only being average size. Laurikainen's best asset is his poise. Having been around him for two seasons he was able to stay composed and even keel in every situation. It's a quality his father talked to me about dating back to his childhood. He doesn't get high or too low. He just doesn't get rattled. That poise I think was a big part in the faith his teammates had in him. They played very confidently in front of him and trusted him.
- Cody Nickolet: Extremely athletic and doesn't quit on a puck, great glove.
- Soft Mitts, Heavy Hits: Standing just 6'0″, Laurikainen isn't one of the physical giants that have taken over NHL creases in recent years. However, he's an extremely athletic, even acrobatic player with excellent instincts that give him sound positioning. As a fairly small late bloomer, Laurikainen has remained undrafted, but has the potential to be a work-in-progress for an organization that has room for a developing goaltender.
He looks like a good goalie from here, but G's are voodoo and the Oilers don't have any track record at all when it comes to identifying good ones. And that's for sure.
50-MAN LIST (with Eetu)
- G Ben Scrivens (suspect he'll return in a backup role)
- G Laurent Brossoit (AHL starter and plenty of opportunity to move up)
- G Eetu Laurikainen (new hire?)
- D Nikita Nikitin (New GM/Coach are going to circle that name and salary in red pen)
- D Mark Fayne (One of the few names the new coach can count on)
- D Andrew Ference (5-6-7D likely role for coming season. Does he remain captain?)
- D Oscar Klefbom (bright lights, big city. Golden decade, straight ahead)
- D Jordan Oesterle (I think they like him a lot, the speed is going to get him NHL looks)
- D Dillon Simpson (His progress in season two pro should be fun to watch)
- D Martin Gernat (One hopes he follows the conditioning program closely this summer)
- D David Musil (Chiarelli employed Adam McQuaid. Musil will be fine)
- D Darnell Nurse (Folks, I think he makes the opening night roster. Seriously)
- D Ben Betker (May need to spend some time in the ECHL if it gets crowded)
- D Joey Laleggia (Can learn plenty from Hunt and Oesterle in Bakersfield)
- C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (He's a wonderful player already, and has some development track left)
- C Anton Lander (newly signed and bona fide)
- C Boyd Gordon (veteran could be trade bait by deadline if things break right)
- C Leon Draisaitl (Up in the air a little, but he's a quality talent Edmonton or Bakersfield)
- C Bogdan Yakimov (Shoulder aside, strong season)
- C Jujhar Khaira (Solid checker, offense may keep him from NHL career)
- C Travis Ewanyk (Not enough offense, we knew it draft day)
- C Kyle Platzer (newly signed) (Suspect he'll play in Bakersfield next season)
- L Taylor Hall (healthy and ripping up Prague)
- L Benoit Pouliot (A rugged winger with skill)
- L Matt Hendricks (Had a wonderful year, can he do it again?)
- L Luke Gazdic (I'm not sure about his future on a Chiarelli team)
- L Ryan Hamilton (he'll be the veteran hand in the minors helping to guide the kids)
- L Mitch Moroz (I think Chiarelli might like him)
- L Kale Kessy (If he can play, Kessy may have a future)
- R Jordan Eberle (Fun watching him score at the WHC's)
- R Nail Yakupov (I have absolutely no idea how this will go)
- R Teddy Purcell (I think he'll be back)
- R Rob Klinkhammer (Signed for next season, may have competition for his job)
- R Iiro Pakarinen (I think he is going to make the team and have an impact)
- R Greg Chase (He has NHL ability, just has to be consistent and play a complete game)
- G Tyler Bunz (RFA) (I don't think he gets a renewal, .890 in ECHL not good enough)
- G Frans Tuohimaa (RFA) (.876 in the ECHL is even worse than not good enough)
- D Justin Schultz (RFA) (Suspect he will return, but he's a project at this point)
- D Martin Marincin (RFA) (One hopes Chiarelli saw him good)
- D Keith Aulie (RFA) (May get another two-way contract)
- D Brad Hunt (RFA) (May get another two-way contract)
- D Brandon Davidson (RFA) (prediction: signed to a two-way deal, generous AHL portion)
- C Kellen Lain (RFA) (A big body,long shot get a contract)
- L Matt Fraser (RFA) (prediction: signed to a two-way deal)
- L Curtis Hamilton (RFA) (Very uncertain future)
- R Tyler Pitlick (RFA) (prediction: signed to a reasonable one-way deal)
- R Andrew Miller (RFA) (prediction: signed to a two-way deal, generous AHL portion)
Players who may be signed:
- C Derek Roy (UFA)
- R John McCarron (must be signed, he's a college senior, or he's a free agent)
- L Daniil Zharkov (no idea about his signing restrictions but team does own his rights)
- C Marco Roy (he'll be in the Memorial Cup, so we may not know until late)
- L Anton Slepyshev (rumors afoot he will be signed)
- R Jackson Houck (signs or re-enters, doesn't look good for him as an Oiler)
- Connor McDavid. !!!!!
Confirmed. Oilers have signed Finnish goalie Eetu Laurikainen. It's 4:41 AM, I need to get a life.
— Dustin Nielson (@nielsonTSN1260) May 12, 2015
Laurikainen can push Laurent Brossoit, while also possibly getting starts in the ECHL or Edmonton, depending on how things roll. He's a better goalie bet than Tyler Bunz or Frans Tuohimaa or Samu Perhonen at this time, so I consider this a good signing.
I think we can slot a few additions to the 35 above and be reasonably sure of being correct. There's not a lot of wiggle room here, but I do expect we'll see a buyout and my beloved three-for-one could come any day now (you shut it right now, mister! It's going to happen!).
- No. 36—A starting goaltender, we'll name Michal Neuvirth to make everyone on this blog happy.
- No. 37—D Justin Schultz. I like Chiarelli but don't think he's so smart he'll make a move here in year one.
- No. 38—D Andrej Sekera. I bet they'd prefer a RH, but getting a quality player is the priority.
- No. 39—A veteran D for a package that includes Marincin and the pick at No. 16 or No. 33.
- No. 40—Brandon Davidson. I think the organization likes him plenty.
- No. 41—Connor McDavid. Don't breathe until they take him!
- No. 42—L Anton Slepyshev. It's time to red rover.
- No. 43—L Matt Fraser. I'm thinking a two-way deal, maybe he balks.
- No. 44—R Andrew Miller. He's heading in a good direction.
- No. 45—R Tyler Pitlick. Klinkhammer's hold on 4R isn't that strong.
Josh Winquist. I'd like to see the Oilers retain him, buddy has a sixth sense around the net and is smart with the puck and positioning. If the Oilers step away from a LW like Fraser and are looking for a developing talent, Winquist is my choice.
WATCH: Check out the goals by Andrew Miller and Joshua Winquist from game three>> https://t.co/2hv9efmJvY
— Oklahoma City Barons (@okcbarons) May 12, 2015
I think those two players will/should be with the organization next season. The Oilers have some kids on the farm showing well, I wish Peter Chiarelli was in Oklahoma City to view these games. It might not be sexy but it's very important to know what's bubbling under. Man I hope they keep Todd Nelson on staff in some way.
At 10 this morning, TSN 1260. Scheduled to appear:
- Jonathan Willis, Cult of Hockey and Oilers Nation. We'll discuss Hall-Eberle and if they're the best fit for McDavid.
- Andrew Buchholtz, 55-yard line. It's CFL draft day! Who gets the best rouge guy? Andrew knows!
- Chris O'Leary, Edmonton Journal. Eskimos have been better lately at drafting, WHY won't they take an O-lineman?
- Tyler Karwandy, Rider Prophet. Best blog out there, I'll ask him about the SK team at the draft and that strange trade yesterday.
10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!


text:
The European Parliament this week voted strongly in favour of new laws on qualifications and training for truck and bus drivers - raising questions once more about how road standards and licences drivers could be affected by Brexit, Labour MEPs warned.
Lucy Anderson MEP, Labour's European Parliament spokesperson on transport and tourism, said:
"Thousands of British road hauliers drive across Europe each year and heavy duty vehicles from other EU countries are a common sight on UK roads. Efficiency, environmental performance and safety in the road transport sector rely heavily on both the quality of vehicles and on the skills of drivers - that is why we have common training and licensing standards across the EU, and are constantly pushing to raise those standards.
"For those working in sectors like road haulage, their very livelihoods depend on the right to work and drive safely throughout the whole of Europe. And if the UK leaves the EU and seeks to diverge from EU rules, British road users may see a drop in safety and environmental standards disguised as 'cutting red tape'.
"During the referendum campaign, there was no slogan on the side of any bus that said 'Vote Leave to make your lives harder - while people in the rest of the EU's lives are made easier'. After recent reports raising concerns that UK driving licences may no longer be valid in the EU after Brexit, this week's vote only further highlights the potential roadblocks facing people in post-Brexit Britain."
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Notes to Editors:
- The revised drivers' training and qualifications directive was proposed by the European Commission in February 2017, and is expected to be adopted finally this summer: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/road/news/2018-03-13-european-parliament-votes-modernise-training-professional-drivers_en
- The government is currently trying to rush legislation through the Houses of Parliament to have an unsatisfactory and limited emergency arrangement for international recognition of British truck driver licences in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit, see: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/08/no-deal-brexit-would-trigger-wave-of-red-tape-for-uk-drivers-and-hauliers


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We demonstrate a novel, Michelson-based, ultrafast multiplexer with a throughput approaching 100% for a polarization-multiplexed train and 50% for a linearly polarized train, which is compatible with a high-energy pulse train and shaped-pulse generation. The interpulse spacings in the resultant 2n-pulse train can be adjusted continuously from multinanoseconds through zero. Using this interferometer, we also demonstrate generation of a 16-pulse train of terahertz pulses.
© 1998 Optical Society of AmericaFull Article | PDF Article
OSA Recommended Articles
B. Dromey, M. Zepf, M. Landreman, K. O'Keeffe, T. Robinson, and S. M. Hooker
Appl. Opt. 46(22) 5142-5146 (2007)
Tom Robinson, Kevin O'Keeffe, Matt Zepf, Brendan Dromey, and Simon M. Hooker
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 27(4) 763-772 (2010)
C. W. Siders, J. L. W. Siders, A. J. Taylor, S.-G. Park, M. R. Melloch, and A. M. Weiner
Opt. Lett. 24(4) 241-243 (1999)


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Any exercises are good exercises for losing weight, the more the merrier. Move as much as you can, the how is less relevant than how much!
Mixing it up is the best way to exercise, because it is both less boring, and you use different muscles in different ways.
Focus on...Moving More!
The key isn't in what exercises for losing weight you do...the key is in getting your body as active as you can as often as you can. We aren't actually designed for immobility.
The more you move your body the more energy you use. You can start by just putting more effort into the way you already move.
Every extra bit of energy you use, digs into the energy reserves (read here fat and calories) that you have. The more you use up, the more weight you lose (as long as you don't eat more to compensate...then you won't lose).
I'm not naturally sporty. I played netball at school and a little before I had the kids. But it didn't do much for my weight loss. Something to with the fact that I though I had an excuse to eat more, lots more.
While I don't play sports on a regular basis now either, I have been known to still have the odd hit of tennis. The difference is, now I put all the energy I've got into it. I take full advantage of the chance to work my muscles and move my body. I run harder, hit harder and move for every ball. Why the change...
My plate is full. My life plate that is. So every time I get the chance to move more I do it with everything I have.
I could rearrange my life and fit two days of tennis in a week (maybe). But I don't want to, so when I do go...I give it everything I've got! I sweat, pant and puff. I groan and moan with the effort. And at the end, I'm spent.
That one game of tennis has become one of my exercises for losing weight, it's fun, if I can't play I don't, and it fits my life.
Sports are good, if you can fit a regular one in, go for it. If you can't just make sure when you do have a friendly game of soccer at the park with friends, or a tennis match, or just a run around the yard with the kids, that you make your body work as hard as you can.
Focus on using that energy, not conserving it. You should be puffing and panting...you should be sweating and hot! Then you know you've maximised the opportunity, and grabbed every bit of fat burning potential out of the exercise that you could.
Exercises for losing weight are also exercises that you can enjoy, and they don't always come packaged as "exercise", sometimes they're just good old-fashioned play.
Then, combined with all the other ways you're moving more, and with more energy, you'll see changes in your body.
Exercise classes...gym/aerobics and so on
Gym's can be great! There's a variety of things to do, all of which can be added to your list of exercises for losing weight that you're interested in doing, and you can vary the workout as much as you need to each time.
If you can afford to go to a gym, and it's something you like, or would like to try, then do it.
If you miss a class, or can't get there, don't beat yourself up about it, just move more at home that week, or grab a quick power walk around the shopping centre with a friend.
Being versatile and able to change things around is what keeps you losing weight. If your focus is on the gym as the only place to burn off fuel, and then you don't get there, and then you beat yourself up about it, you'll feel bad! Don't feel bad...just do something else as often as you can, when you can, with as much energy as you can.
A gym membership may be way out of your league financially...maybe see if you can pay just for the times you go. That way you also don't feel so guilty about paying the money for something you don't use.
Remember you're in this to lose weight permanently, and to create that body you want. If the gym doesn't work for you, do something that does.
Having a list of things you like means having alternatives at your fingertips so that when your life gets hectic and things change, and the kids are sick, you know it's o.k, because you'll move more somewhere else.You have a plethora of exercises for losing weight at your disposal, and they'll include just moving more.
I don't have the commitment to the gym, or exercise classes. I have given up trying to push myself to do something that I couldn't maintain longer than five minutes, let alone the rest of my life.
I know for some people though, (like my girlfriends mother, who, at 60 became a regular and consistent gym goer, and loves it,) it works . The fact that there's timetabled classes, makes it an appointment that they can keep. It fits their personalities, their lives, and they're naturally motivated to do that. If it suits you, then do it.
Shift your focus from "What exercises for losing weight can I do?" to "How can I move more and with more energy...now...this very minute...while I'm peeling potatoes"...Peel faster, and flex and relax your bum muscles while you do it!
Commit to moving more, with as much energy as possible as often as you can, in any way that fits in on any given day, so that you'll look and feel great!
Design a beginner exercise program just for you
Easy at home workouts to help you to your goal
Some exercising tips at home that you may not have considered
Have you considered the beach or the pool?
Saving time and lose weight walking
Here are some exercise tips on losing weight
What are the best exercises for losing weight?
Leave the Exercises for Losing Weight page and go back to the Life and Losing Weight Home Page
Design a beginner exercise program just for you
Easy at home workouts to help you to your goal
Some exercising tips at home that you may not have considered
Have you considered the beach or the pool?
Saving time and lose weight walking
Here are some exercise tips on losing weight
What are the best exercises for losing weight?
Leave the Exercises for Losing Weight page and go back to the Life and Losing Weight Home Page


text:
Issue relating to medical facility extended to retired employees
Corporate Office
Bharat Sanchar Bhawan
New Delhi – 110 001
(A Govt. of India Enterprise)
Dated: 17-05-2017
All CGMs
Subject: Issue relating to medical facility extended to retired employees
Ref: No.BSNL/Admn.I/15-18/16(i)dated 10.08.2016
To mitigate the hardship in availing the medical facility by the retired employees, one of the guidelines issued to the Circle Heads vide letter No.BSNL/Admn.I/15-18/16(i) dated 10.08.2016 was to empanel sufficient number of CGHS approved hospitals on cashless basis and in case the hospitals are reluctant to extend the cashless facility. the circle Heads are requested to ensure that the services are extended by the hospitals on CGHS rates on cash payment.
Due to non availability of sufficient number of CGHS approved hospitals for cashless treatments, Retired Employees Associations have requested for empanelment of renowned private hospitals for treatment on cash basis at CGHS rates.
Circle Heads are requested to ensure empanelment of sufficient number of renowned private hospitals, in addition to CGHS approved hospitals, who can extend the services on CGHS rates on cash payment. Necessary instructions may be issued to all concerned in the circle and action taken on this may be intimated to this office.
This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Assistant General Manager (Admn-III)


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It's most likely your league's championship week for the big prize and for consolation rewards as well. With that in mind, here's a look at who you should start and sit in Thursday's matchup between the Chargers and the Raiders.
Derek Carr, Raiders QB: The last time he faced the Chargers' defense he threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns. The Chargers are middle of the road in points allowed to quarterbacks, but Carr has thrown for at least two touchdowns in each of his last four games.
Philip Rivers, Chargers QB: He bounced back from two bad games last week, throwing for 311 yards and three touchdowns against the Dolphins. He also had three TD passes the last time he faced the Raiders' defense, which is 21st in points allowed to quarterbacks.
Latavius Murray, Raiders RB: He's had a second half slump, but has scored consistently OK. The last time he faced the Chargers he rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown. He should have ample opportunity to produce as he's had at least 16 touches in each of the last four weeks.
Amari Cooper, Raiders WR: Cooper had 120 yards and two touchdowns last week, and is listed as probable to play. Despite the Chargers being ranked sixth in points allowed to wide receivers, Cooper lit them up for 133 yards and a touchdown earlier in the year.
Antonio Gates, Chargers TE: With the Chargers receiving corps hurting, Gates should benefit with more looks from Rivers. The Raiders are 30th in points allowed to tight ends, so it's a good matchup for him.
Danny Woodhead, Chargers RB: The thing about Woodhead is he is only valuable if he makes the most of his receptions. He scored four touchdowns last week on his 14 touches, but in his four previous games he was held out of the end zone and his game-high was 47 total yards. He doesn't run the ball enough to warrant a start. If you're forced to start him, however, he did have success the last time he faced the Raiders. He caught 11 passes for 75 yards and scored twice.
Donald Brown, Chargers RB: We don't see him being as successful as he was last week against the Dolphins, even though his workload would increase with Melvin Gordon being out. This is the playoffs, you can't rely on a guy who's only seen four games of action so far this season.
Michael Crabtree, Raiders WR: He was evaluated for a concussion but returned to the game last week. We're betting on Cooper having a better game than the veteran out of Texas Tech.
Chargers receivers: With Steve Johnson's availability up in the air, it's tough to trust any of the Chargers receivers. The Raiders are 11th best in points allowed to wide receivers so starting any one of them would likely yield a modest contribution at best.


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Official destination marketing organization for Carbon, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne Counties, PA – collectively known as the Pocono Mountains
1004 W. Main St. Stroudsburg, PA 18360 | 570-421-5791 | email@example.com | PoconoMountains.com
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Bischwind Bed & Breakfast
A Bischwind wedding is an event of elegance.The mansion and grounds surround the bride and groom in old-world charm and welcome their guests to a ceremony that will linger long in memory. Choose a setting that will enhance your special day. This 120-year-old mansion is listed on the National Historic Register and lends itself to provide an ultimate location, which sets your wedding reception apart from the ordinary.
- One Coach Road
- Bear Creek, PA 18602
- Phone: (570) 332-8241
- Fax: (570) 472-5347
- Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
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Bischwind Bed & Breakfast


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We all have our ambitions and dreams in life. One of them is to have a comfortable and cozy house with all the spectacular features that Melbourne can offer – the cool lighting fixtures, island in the kitchen, slate countertops and a tiled bathroom with a digital shower. But there could be a question lingering in the back of your mind – can you afford such a home? You've looked around and discovered that such home designs in Melbourne cost mega bucks.
Perhaps you think that adding the niceties into the house will get the price up, and the only way to keep the costs low is to forfeit these goodies. That's not true. Building a house gets ridiculously expensive when it is poorly planned. With a good plan, you won't have to break the bank to get your dream house. Here are 5 ways in which you can beat the high cost of building a house.
Make it a Bit Smaller
Making the house smaller obviously makes it less expensive. Most home designs have a lot of redundant space. Why do you need a family room, a study and a resting area in the master suite? 6 stools in the kitchen counter, a breakfast area and a dining area? Most of these places can be combined into one big space – one large eating area, for instance. So, when designing your home, have in mind how you want each space to be used and the furniture arranged.
Limit the Number of Exterior Corners
Did you know corners utilize more materials and increase the cost of labor? Now you know. An innovative way to keep the costs low is limiting the number of exterior corners. Value-engineered home designs do not have convex and concave corners at the back and sides. You can decide to have the distinctive design – with the corner – on the front side of the home.
Due Diligence When Hiring Your Builder
The cost of hiring a builder is one of the major costs incurred when building a home. As such, you might be tempted to hire a cheap builder in order to cut the costs. Don't fall into this temptation. Builders who are relatively more expensive are often more skilled and because of this, they will reduce unexpected overages, mistakes and time used. Other than that, a good house builder will recommend reliable, competent and affordable service providers such as plumbers, electricians and landscapers.
If you want to hire the best house builders Melbourne has to offer, you have to do your homework. Reputable home builders will have specialized skills to design a custom home for you, provide an upfront, detailed pricing proposal and be willing to provide references.
Long Lasting Design
Spend a little more now and save more later. Cheap windows, roofing and siding will cost you way more in the future than if you invest in quality components now. Hiring some good Melbourne builders will not only help you have access to the best tradesmen in the industry, but also have access to high quality building materials and components.
If you're looking to build your dream home on a budget, visit Latitude 37, the highest quality home builders Victoria has to offer.


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SmartLipo Before and After Pictures in Augusta, GA
SmartLipo® is a revolutionary liposuction procedure that can eliminate unwanted fat and provide a slimmer, more toned silhouette. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Troy Austin is the head of Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery, which performs SmartLipo® on patients who reside in Augusta, Evans, Columbia County, and the adjacent areas in Georgia and South Carolina. To learn more about SmartLipo® and the body contouring procedures we offer, contact our office today!
SmartLipo® is a more effective liposuction technique than classic methods. At Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery, we are dedicated to providing patients with the most advanced technology and surgical skill available. Unlike traditional liposuction procedures, SmartLipo® first uses a laser to liquefy the unwanted fat within the body before using a cannula to remove it. This technique is better because it has a faster healing time, can be performed under local anesthesia instead of general, and it stimulates the production of collagen. This means that your skin will continue to tighten after the procedure is complete.
SmartLipo® is highly recommended for patients who are considering traditional liposuction to get rid of that stubborn unwanted fat in areas such as the stomach, thighs, and buttocks. During your consultation with Dr. Austin, you can discuss your goals and desires, and he can answer and questions you may have regarding body contouring and what procedures are ideal for you. Our before and after gallery below features pictures of SmartLipo® patients who have submitted their images of their results.
Men and women who reside in Augusta, Evans, Columbia County, and nearby communities in Georgia and South Carolina who wish to eliminate unwanted fat from target areas of their bodies are invited to contact Southeastern Aesthetic Surgery to schedule a SmartLipo consultation today! Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Troy Austin and his team of remarkable assistants are always available to answer any questions you may have.


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Slow and Steady Wins the Startup RaceBusinessNewsDaily.comBy Chad BrooksPublished: September 23, 2014>> Slow and Steady Wins the Startup Race
Rather than throwing all they have
into a new business, entrepreneurs are best-served by starting off
slowly, new research suggests.
New businesses that are launched
while the founder is employed and still collecting a paycheck, and
only later become full-time, are one-third less likely to fail
than those that begin as a full-time operation, according to a
study in the current issue of the Academy of Management
"The hazard of exit is 33.3 percent
lower for individuals who enter full-time self-employment in a
staged process relative to those who enter directly from paid
work," the study's authors wrote.
Many would-be-entrepreneurs want to
go and start their own business, but those with a family are
concerned about the risk of not being able to pay their bills each
month, said Joseph Raffiee, a doctoral candidate at the
University of Wisconsin, Madison, and one of the study's authors.
He said launching a business slowly allows new entrepreneurs to
start on a small scale, with less up-front costs and downside
"Equally important, it provides a
learning experience about the enterprise in question and one's
suitability for it," Raffiee said in a statement. "One gets a
realistic preview of life as an entrepreneur as distinct from all
the glamorous portrayals of that life."
Given the benefits, it's not much of
a surprise that the "hybrid" route to starting a business is
superior in terms of survival, Raffiee said.
"Yet, so strong is the stereotype
entrepreneurs as brave mavericks who quit their day jobs
to pursue their dreams, that we are only now coming to realize that
there may be a better way than plunging right in," he said.
The researchers said many well-known
popular entrepreneurs took this exact route. According to the
study, Steve Wozniak remained an employee at
Hewlett-Packard long after co-founding Apple with
Steve Jobs and Pierre Omidyar launched eBay while
working for a software-development company. Even Henry Ford founded
the Detroit Automobile Company while he was employed by the Edison
Illuminating Company.
Additionally, a 1997 survey revealed
that 20 percent of the CEOs of the U.S.'s fastest-growing companies
had continued to hold paying jobs long after founding their
The research revealed that those who
have a low
risk tolerance as well as a low core evaluation - which
measures self-esteem, self-confidence, emotional stability and
sense of being in control - were more likely to become
entrepreneurs through hybrid arrangements than via full-time
The current study was based on the
analysis of information collected by the National Longitudinal
Survey of Youth, 1979 cohort. Directed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, the survey enlisted a nationally representative sample
of about 12,700 men and women who were ages 14 to 22 when first
surveyed in 1979. The members of the cohort were interviewed
annually until 1994 and biennially thereafter. The study's analysis
covers the years 1994 to 2008, focusing on newly hired or newly
self-employed individuals and monitoring their employment over the
course of time.
The study's authors acknowledge that
their findings may be viewed as being somewhat at odds with the
commonly held belief that, in order to be successful, entrepreneurs
must devote their full attention to their business.
"While this may be the case, our
results suggest that it is worthwhile to take steps to determine if
the business idea warrants large-scale
commitment prior to doing so," the study's authors wrote.
"Given the uncertainty associated with new businesses,
entrepreneurs are best-served by making small initial commitments
early on, giving themselves the option to commit fully to their
business after they have had a chance to accumulate information and
assess its potential and prospects."
The study, "Should I Quit my Day
Job?: A Hybrid Path to Entrepreneurship," was co-authored by
Jie Feng, a doctoral student at the University of
Wisconsin, Madison.


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- Home
- Government
- Finance
- Tax Collector
Tax Collector
Tax Sale Notice and Listing
The Tax Collector's Office in Rockaway Township is a division of the Finance Department and is charged with the:
- Billing
- Collection
- Reporting and enforcement of taxes
- Sewer maintenance fees
- Special assessments
Sewer Maintenance
Sewer maintenance are billed annually, based on a calendar year. The billing is for properties that are connected to Rockaway Township Sewer Lines.
The Sewer Maintenance rate has increased from $269 to $289 to improve system pump controls, provide sewer operating fund balance and to cover the increased cost of treatment of sewage usage. An aging system demands capital investments to prevent extreme rate increases due to system failures. Please keep in mind with this $20 rate increase, the Township still has one of the lowest sewer rates in Morris County.
2019 Sewer Maintenance Bills were mailed on or about May 24, 2019.
Payments are due by June 24, 2019 without penalties.
2017 Sewer Maintenance Rate Increase
Sewer Assessments
Sewer assessments for Sewer/Water are also billed annually, according to due date which is established by an Ordinance.
Property Tax Relief
For information regarding the State of New Jersey's Property Tax Reimbursement (Property Freeze) program or Homestead Rebate program offered to qualified homeowners please view Property Tax Relief (PDF).


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Delivery Information
Spend $200 & get free delivery to most of Australia
Click here for all Australian freight rates
- Melbourne 1-3 working days
- Sydney 2-3 working days
- Brisbane 3-5 working days
- Adelaide 3-5 working days
- Perth 5-10+ working days
For express service, call 1800 069 295 for a quote.
International deliveries click here We cannot ship to all countries.
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2010 Chateau Cos d'Estournel
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Other Reviews….
The 2010 is a more structured, restrained, less flamboyant version of the 2009. A final blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that hit 14.5% natural alcohol, this wine (which represents only 55% of the estate's production) is full-bodied, classic and built along the lines of the 2000 (although that wine was made before Reybier acquired the estate and upgraded quality significantly).
This wine exhibits beautifully pure notes of creme de cassis, blueberry liqueur, pen ink, graphite and hints of toast and vanillin. The wine is full and rich, and although aged in 80% new oak, the wood is a subtle background component. This beauty will take longer to round into shape than the dramatic and compelling 2009. Forget it for 5-8 years, and drink it over the following three-plus decades. These are two terrific wines from Cos d'Estournel. Proprietor Michel Reybier will have to continue his great success over the next decade without his top lieutenant, Jean-Guillaume Prats, who has taken another job, but the estate seems to be in superlative condition, and at the very top of its game.
Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate #205 February 2013
Representing 55% of the production and cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare, Cos d'Estournel's final blend in 2010 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and the rest tiny portions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Compared to the massive 2009 (14.6% natural alcohol), the 2010 achieved slightly less alcohol, but also a lower pH, which accounts for its more tannic, backward, huge style. An inky/purple color is accompanied by aromas of damp earth, black currants, blackberries, licorice and charcoal. Firm, thick and super-concentrated, it is another outrageously impressive wine that will require 6-10 years of cellaring. It should keep for 30+ years. It is somewhat 2005-ish in its structure and palate impression.
Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate #194 May 2011


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Season : SS19
Code : 54219
Weight : 0KG
These essential men's shorts are made from durable cotton twill and cut for a comfortable regular fit. Whether you are after a casual or smart paif of shorts these will do both.
They're styled with a zip fly, angled side pockets and a feature pocket flap with a contrast branded stud. Available in wide range of sizes with a choice of leg lengths.
Measurements refer to body size, not garment dimensions.
THE RELAXED FIT : Relaxed Fit is our most generous fit, allowing for layering underneath and practical dressing, whilst ensuring that our renowned classic style is not compromised.
THE SLIM FIT : The most streamlined fit, the Slim Fit is designed to flatter and give a modern silhouette.
THE REGULAR FIT : The Regular Fit is sleek enough to look smart in the city or the country, whilst still retaining plenty of room for comfort and ease of movement.
Run the tape around the fullest part of your chest, the tape should be just below the arm pit and over the shoulder blades whilst horizontal to the floor.
Measure around your natural waist as show in the diagram
Measure your inside leg from crotch to ankle blone keeping your leg straight: not as easy as it sounds, you could take a pair of trousers that you already own, that fit you well, and measure from the crotch to the bottom of the leg.
This is a bit more tricky! Measure from the top of your spine (at the bottom of your neck) to your elbow and on the your wrist
You should place the beginning of the measuring tape behind your shoulder, and feed it out following your arm making sure to pass both the elbow joint and the wrist, as pictured. You should take the measurement at the point where you would like the sleeve to end. This is usually just past your wrist.
Fitting Information guide
Expertly tailored shirts.
Narrower sleeves around biceps with defined shape to forearm and cuff.
Slimmer appearance.
Wear tucked-in or wear out.
Generously cut.
Relaxed through the chest and waist.
Roomy through the bicep and forearm.
Pleated at the back for added movement and comfort.
Barbour's slimmest fit shirts.
Darted at the waist to allow the shirt to hang closer to the body.
High cut armhole with sleeves cut close to the arm.
Looking after your footwear
It is important to maintain and look after your kit, treat it well and it will serve you well. By using the correct products and tools your footwear will stay serviceable, comfortable and smart for all occasions. And by taking a little time and the right maintenance there is no reason why it will not protect you against the weather and last many, many years.
Should your leather become marked or scuffed it will require cover up. Use a matching colour or slightly darker boot polish. Apply with a soft cloth and then leave to stand allowing the polish to be absorbed into the leather. Then buff with a soft brush to create a shiny polished finish, finally wipe over with a plain show cloth.
Suede Cleaning
Suede uppers will need to be treated differently to polished leather shoes, polish will ruin the texture and surface. Use a Crepe eraser to rub away small scuffs and marks, then use a suede brush to restore the nap of the suede. After cleaning a spray 'Suede-Guard' will protect your footwear and provide a water resistant barrier. Always read the instructions.
Leather Conditioning
To keep your leather shoes tip top apply a conditioning crème with a soft cloth. This will prevent your footwear from drying out or cracking and will help to maintain original finish.
Barbour wellingtons share all the qualities of our clothing. They're of the highest quality, well made, fit for purpose and offer lasting comfort and wear. Our rubber wellingtons are tough and durable but like all good footwear, deserve a little care. Treat them well and they'll look after you for years to come.
Caring for your Barbour wellingtons
Always wipe off mud and dirt with a damp cloth and then allow to dry naturally. Never clean with solvents or detergents. Store in a cool dry place and avoid exposure to direct sunlight and heat. We recommend that you don't leave your wellingtons on car seats, near windows or radiators and they should not be folded, creased or left with the tops turned down.
As the sole becomes worn, there is an increased risk of slip. Exposure to oils, solvents and animal fats can swell the rubber and increase the risk of slip. Barbour wellington boots contain natural rubber latex which some people may have an allergic reaction to.
The Barbour Neuston Twill Shorts for Men in Dark Red is in stock.
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You Pre-Order is prioritised (at no additional charge); meaning that, as soon as the product arrives with us, we can wrap it straight back up and get it sent out to you - it often never even hits the stock room shelves!
With Pre-Launch, the date when we expect to receive the product ourselves is still a little too hazy to be confident in accepting Pre-Orders.
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As your single source for environmental equipment and instruments, FEI houses experts who have the knowledge of the all of the resources you need for your projects. As a result, we are in a unique position to demonstrate equipment and instruments from not only one or two manufacturers, but a variety of leaders in the enviromental industry.
Van Essen Cera-Diver Sensor
The ceramic Cera-Diver is designed specifically for monitoring groundwater in potentially corrosive conditions, such as brackish water and seawater. Robust and durable, the Cera-Diver is a perfect partner for projects using the CTD-Diver. Measuring 90mm in length and 22mm in diameter, this highly reliable and compact Diver registers groundwater levels with an accuracy of 0.05% (Full Scale). It is equipped with a memory capable of storing 48,000 measurements per parameter. This is sufficient enough to perform one measurement every ten minutes for an entire year. Visit the webpage for additional information.We are happy to come to your office for equipment and instrument demos. Complete the online form and your local office will contact you!


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Classic Car Club and Nassau County Historical Society Visit Waterfront at Roslyn
Members of the Long Island Region of the Classic Car Club of America and the Nassau County Historical Society visited Waterfront at Roslyn last Sunday. A great time was had by all checking out the classic and vintage automobiles.
Howard Kroplick
Three Mustangs and Chrysler's Chrysler
Courtesy of Mike Dwyer
Howard provided the hsitory and stories on each automobile. Courtesy of Mike Dwyer
Courtesy of Frank Formato
Courtesy of Mike Dwyer
Rides in the Alco Black Beast
Courtesy of Jim Ryan
Courtesy of Mike Dwyer
Thumbs-Ups and smile in the Alco Black Beast.
Classic and Vintage Cars
Courtesy of Jim Ryan
Bah! Humbug! Only the Franklin and the Packard are classics! Wonder if the former was once veterinarian Dr. Doehm's car from Roslyn (at 55 Bryant, under the bypass)? If so, see <http://sbiii.com/automotv.html>, about half-way down. Sam, III
I agree with Sam's comments, (the Franklin and Packard are the only classics). No that Franklin is not the one owned for decades by the vet under the bypass. His was a 1933 Olympic sedan, this is the one that used the same body/fenders/chassis as the Reo Flying Cloud. the last I knew the vet's car was in Mass.
Hoo, sibling; did I ever mess up (and Walt fell into my unwitting trap)! Howard's Chrysler is most definitely a full Classic; so sorry, Howard. [Thanks, Walt, for identifying the William Dohm (not Doehm) car; I amended my web page accordingly.] Sam, III


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10 Quotes That Make Sales ROI Less Mysterious
Demystify sales ROI with these 10 revelatory quotes
September 11, 2017
Having a keen eye for detail and strong analytic skills is the key to becoming a good detective. You need to work with the right strategy. The best detectives are ruthless at collecting, analyzing and deducing from information. It brings forth the importance of gathering as much information and data as possible.
Proving the value of social selling is no different. In much of the same way, you need to watch for, track down, and piece together all of the sales activities that are delivering a concrete return. And with the right tools and techniques, you can easily connect the dots and uncover information previously unknown.
To pave the way for a greater truth, we've rounded up 10 revealing quotes from industry leaders who have cracked the case on sales ROI:
"If you're really looking at ROI and you're looking at dollars for investment, then you have really got to track source of business as closely as possible and influence of social as closely as possible. And a lot of that is going to come down to are you using the right tools to track that? Because a lot of people will say, "Well, that might have closed anyway." Well, where do they come from? Did you get a warm introduction from someone? Did you engage on Sales Navigator? And, was the first connection through a LinkedIn invitation? Was it outbound? Did they engage on something that you posted and you reached out to thank them for their nice comment, right? We've got to start tracking that and having the right tool in place is what's going to show you ROI, which can be enormous." - Brynne Tillman, Chief Learning Officer at Vengreso
"I always find that your KPIs have to be heavily focused on tangible revenue numbers to get taken seriously. Sales-focused organizations have one objective, and that's getting sales to have more 'conversations' with the right 'industry/title' at the right 'time,' creating more 'opportunities' equating to more 'revenue.' Make sure you present social selling as one of the major tools to help you achieve that objective." - Jack Kosakowski, President and CEO at Junior Achievement USA
"People are extremely busy, myself included. We don't have much time to take long lunches to meet new people. Sales Navigator helps us make those introductions and get our foot in the door faster. It's a much more focused approach to social media, and has already brought me five new projects with an approximate fee value of £130,000." - David Reynolds, UK National director for JLL
"People who focus on 'getting better' goals (also known as Personal Bests) as opposed to performance goals have a much better chance of success." – Matt Bertuzzi, Sales and Marketing Operations at The Bridge Group
"One very simple social selling metric involves monitoring engagement rates for each sales rep. To measure this, you can start by looking at the number of content pieces each rep shares over a particular period of time, in order to assess their commitment. From there, engagement can be measured, providing you with an idea of each sales rep's social media influence." - Monika Götzmann, Director Marketing EMEA at Miller Heiman Group EMEA
"I also suggest reps pay attention to their individual social engagement metrics. Are there certain times of day that tend to generate more comments, likes, or reshares? Do certain types of content perform better than others? If you're using LinkedIn, you can track your social selling score with the SSI Index -- it measures your performance against four main benchmarks." - Kurt Shaver, Founder at The Sales Foundry
"There's a distinct difference in our success rate at setting up meetings and follow-up conversations depending on whether our prospects are engaged on Sales Navigator or not. Social selling as part of our outbound lead generation approach has been invaluable in securing meetings and driving toward the close." - Mark Fellowes, SVP of Sales Development and Operations at NewVoiceMedia
"To prove the value of social selling, Incontact ran a trial with half of its sales reps. Within three months those that had been trained on social selling had a sales pipeline 160 percent bigger than their colleagues, and by the end of the year had realised 215 percent more revenue." - David Moth, Head of Social at eConsultancy
"Before, our reps were doing an hour's worth of research to get the right … information, to have that first touch with the customer. [They would contact] 8 or 9 [prospects on] any given day… LinkedIn Sales Navigator's helped us… take that hour down to just minutes." - Brad Rinklin, CMO at Akamai
"When I mentioned social selling in Europe three years ago, it was not appreciated, to say the least. That has changed since last year, as soon as I could present data that showed a long-term performance impact no sales leader could ignore." – Tamara Schenk, Research Director at CSO Insights
If you're serious about sales improvement, then tracking sales ROI is a must. With a little digging, you can uncover all of the information you need to prove the value of your social selling programs.
For more clues into how to grow your sales results, download our eBook, Proof Positive: How to Easily Measure and Maximize Sales ROI.