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"Chapter 18: The Priesthood," Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young (1997), 125–30
"Chapter 18," Teachings: Brigham Young, 125–30
Chapter 18
The Priesthood
President Brigham Young was ordained as one of the original Twelve Apostles in this dispensation. As part of the blessing given him in his ordination, he was told that "the Holy Priesthood [was] conferred on him, that he may do wonders in the name of Jesus; that he may cast out devils, heal the sick, raise the dead, open the eyes of the blind, go forth from land to land and from sea to sea" (HC, 2:188–89). He declared that the priesthood that was conferred upon him is a "perfect system of government, of laws and ordinances," which, "when properly understood," empowers the righteous that they "may actually unlock the treasury of the Lord" (DBY, 130, 131).
Teachings of Brigham Young
The Lord directs His work in heaven and on earth through the priesthood.
If anybody wants to know what the Priesthood of the Son of God is, it is the law by which the worlds are, were, and will continue for ever and ever. It is that system which brings worlds into existence and peoples them, gives them their revolutions—their days, weeks, months, years, their seasons and times and by which they are rolled up as a scroll, as it were, and go into a higher state of existence (DBY, 130).
The Priesthood of the Son of God, which we have in our midst, is a perfect order and system of government, and this alone can deliver the human family from all the evils which now afflict its members, and insure them happiness and felicity hereafter (DBY, 130).
This Priesthood has been on the earth at various times. Adam had it, Seth had it, Enoch had it, Noah had it, Abraham and Lot had it, and it was handed down to the days of the Prophets, long after the days of the ancients. This High Priesthood rules, directs, governs, and controls all the Priesthoods, because it is the highest of all (DBY, 131).
When we talk of the celestial law which is revealed from heaven, that is, the Priesthood, we are talking about the principle of salvation, a perfect system of government, of laws and ordinances, by which we can be prepared to pass from one gate to another, and from one sentinel to another, until we go into the presence of our Father and God (DBY, 130).
It is not in my being called a Quaker, a Methodist or a "Mormon" that is the true cause of contention between these two great powers—Christ and Belial [the wicked]; but it is in the fact that God has established his Kingdom upon the earth and restored the holy Priesthood which gives men authority and power to administer in his name (DBY, 76).
The Gospel has brought to us the Holy Priesthood, which is again restored to the children of men. The keys of that Priesthood are here; we have them in our possession; we can unlock, and we can shut up. We can obtain salvation, and we can administer it (DBY, 130–31).
If you are satisfied, in your sensitive powers and faculties, that God has revealed the holy Priesthood, established his Kingdom upon the earth, restored the fulness of the Gospel, and set his hand to gather the House of Israel, this will answer your purpose just as well as though you went into heaven to see for yourselves (DBY, 429).
This law has not always been upon the earth; and in its absence, other laws have been given to the children of men for their improvement, for their education, for their government, and to prove what they would do when left to control themselves; and what we now call tradition has grown out of these circumstances (DBY, 130).
There is no act of a Latter-day Saint—no duty required—no time given, exclusive and independent of the Priesthood. Everything is subject to it, whether preaching, business, or any other act pertaining to the proper conduct of this life (DBY, 133).
The Lord Almighty will not suffer his Priesthood to be again driven from the earth (DBY, 131).
When the faithful Elders, holding this Priesthood, go into the spirit world they carry with them the same power and Priesthood that they had while in the mortal tabernacle (DBY, 132).
Much has been said about the power of the Latter-day Saints. Is it the people called Latter-day Saints that have this power, or is it the Priesthood? It is the Priesthood; and if they live according to that Priesthood, they can commence their work here and gain many victories, and be prepared to receive glory, immortality, and eternal life, that when they go into the spirit-world, their work will far surpass that of any other man or being that has not been blessed with the keys of the Priesthood here (DBY, 131–32).
The priesthood keys "unlock the treasury of the Lord."
The Priesthood is given to the people and the keys thereof, and, when properly understood, they may actually unlock the treasury of the Lord, and receive to their fullest satisfaction. But through our own weaknesses, through the frailty of human nature, we are not capable of doing so (DBY, 131).
Did they destroy it when they took the life of Joseph? No. "Mormonism" is here, the Priesthood is here, the keys of the Kingdom are here on the earth; and when Joseph went, they did not go. And if the wicked should succeed in taking my life, the keys of the Kingdom will remain with the Church (DBY, 134).
The ordinances of the house of God are for the salvation of the human family. We are the only ones on the earth at the present time, that we have any knowledge of, who hold the keys of salvation committed to the children of men from the heavens by the Lord Almighty; and inasmuch as there are those who hold these keys, it is important that they should be acted upon for the salvation of the human family. The building of temples, places in which the ordinances of salvation are administered, is necessary to carry out the plan of redemption, and it is a glorious subject upon which to address the Saints (DBY, 396–97).
We speak the truth and lie not, whosoever believes that Joseph Smith, Junior, was a Prophet sent of God, and was ordained by him to receive and hold the keys of the holy Priesthood, which is after the order of the Son of God, and power to build up the Kingdom of God upon the earth, to gather the House of Israel, to guide all who believe and obey to redemption, to restore that which has been lost through transgression—whosoever believes this, believing in the Lord, and obeying his commandments to the end of their lives, their names shall not be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life, and they shall receive crowns of glory, immortality, and eternal life (DBY, 5).
Receiving and exercising priesthood power requires personal righteousness.
An individual who holds a share in the Priesthood, and continues faithful to his calling, who delights himself continually in doing the things God requires at his hands, and continues through life in the performance of every duty will secure to himself not only the privilege of receiving, but the knowledge how to receive the things of God, that he may know the mind of God continually; and he will be enabled to discern between right and wrong, between the things of God and the things that are not of God. And the Priesthood—the Spirit that is within him, will continue to increase until it becomes like a fountain of living water; until it is like the tree of life; until it is one continued source of intelligence and instruction to that individual (DBY, 132).
Men who are vessels of the holy Priesthood, who are charged with words of eternal life to the world, should strive continually in their words and actions and daily deportment to do honor to the great dignity of their calling and office as ministers and representatives of the Most High (DBY, 130).
When the holy Priesthood is upon the earth, and the fulness of the Kingdom of God has come to the people, it requires a strict obedience to every point of law and doctrine and to every ordinance which the Lord reveals (DBY, 132).
Were your faith concentrated upon the proper object, your confidence unshaken, your lives pure and holy, every one fulfilling the duties of his or her calling according to the Priesthood and capacity bestowed upon you, you would be filled with the Holy Ghost, and it would be as impossible for any man to deceive and lead you to destruction as for a feather to remain unconsumed in the midst of intense heat (DBY, 132).
Until a selfish, individual interest is banished from our minds, and we become interested in the general welfare, we shall never be able to magnify our holy Priesthood as we should (DBY, 133).
The holy priesthood brings sacred blessings to individuals and families.
This Priesthood has been restored again, and by its authority we shall be connected with our fathers, by the ordinance of sealing, until we shall form a perfect chain from Father Adam down to the closing up scene [see D&C 128:18] (DBY, 400). I plead with the Elders of Israel day by day, when I have an opportunity, to live their religion—to live so that the Holy Ghost will be their constant companion; and then they will be qualified to be judges in Israel, to preside as Bishops, presiding Elders, and High Councilors, and as men of God, to take their families and friends by the hand and lead them in the path of truth and virtue, and eventually into the Kingdom of God (DBY, 136–37).
Suggestions for Study
The Lord directs His work in heaven and on earth through the priesthood.
According to President Young, what is the priesthood? (See also D&C 84:17–22.)
How should everything we do "pertaining to the proper conduct of this life" be subject to the priesthood? How would this affect your actions at home, at church, at school, and at work?
What will the priesthood permit faithful elders to do in the spirit world?
How do we, as members of the Church, live according to the principles and order of the priesthood? (See also D&C 20:38–60.) What influence has the priesthood had on your life? How can you make the priesthood's influence and power more effective in your life and in your family's life?
The priesthood keys "unlock the treasury of the Lord."
Why didn't the keys of the priesthood leave the Church with the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith?
How do the keys of the priesthood "unlock the treasury of the Lord" and bring salvation to the human family?
What did President Young teach about priesthood keys? (See also D&C 107:18–20, 35; 132:7.) What do those keys authorize the Lord's servants to do?
Receiving and exercising priesthood power requires personal righteousness.
How will a priesthood bearer's personal life influence his ability to act in behalf of the Lord? Why is personal righteousness so important? (See also D&C 107:99–100; 121:41–46.)
How can "men who are vessels of the holy Priesthood" honor their office and calling? What blessings come to members who fulfill the duties of their callings?
How are selfishness and priesthood power incompatible? Why must we banish selfishness if we are to magnify the priesthood? (See also D&C 121:37.) In what ways is selfishness a problem among us today? How can we overcome selfishness?
The holy priesthood brings sacred blessings to individuals and families.
How has the priesthood blessed and strengthened your family? Why is priesthood power so important in forming eternal families? (See also D&C 128:18; 131:1–4; 132:19.)
What might priesthood bearers do to "take their families and friends by the hand and lead them in the path of truth and virtue"?


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Are you up for fun, adventure, incredible experiences and making new friends? Are you looking for something to give you the edge in life? Then welcome to the RAF Air Cadets. Better known as the 'Air Cadets', we're a UK-wide cadet force with more than 40,000 members aged between 12 and 20 years.
We're sponsored by the Royal Air Force and can give you hands-on experience of activities and courses that will challenge and develop your skills to help you succeed in whatever you want to do. HRH The Duchess of Cambridge is also our Honorary Air Commandant!
The RAF Air Cadets is made up of two areas:
- Air Training Corps – The ATC is the RAF's cadet force, divided into six regions, 34 wings and more than 900 squadrons within communities around the UK
- Combined Cadet Force (RAF) – The CCF (RAF) is our section of the CCF which is made up of cadets from all three services, coming together in approximately 200 independent and state schools across the country
Combined Cadet Force (RAF) – The CCF (RAF) is our section of the CCF which is made up of cadets from all three services, coming together in approximately 200 independent and state schools across the country
Our aims are to:
- Promote and encourage a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force among young people
- Provide training which will be useful in the Services and civilian life
- Encourage the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship
And there's one more important thing – it's a lot of fun!
Ready for a challenge?
As a cadet you'll have the opportunity to do things that others only dream about. Want real flight experience? No problem. How about heading out on adventurous training and camps, sometimes overseas? Normal for cadets. Competitive sports, drill, shooting, music, abseiling, engineering projects? Our list of activities is long, varied and open to all cadets. Yes it's a challenge, but that's what life's all about.
Get a head start
We are not a recruiting organisation for the RAF but if you're thinking about a Service career, cadet membership will put you ahead of the competition. Many cadets go on to great success in the RAF (and the other Services). Around 40% of officers and 50% of all aircrew (including pilots, navigators and engineers) in the RAF now are ex-cadets. Research shows that they do better in basic training and stay in the Service longer than their colleagues. Likewise, if you chose a civilian career our research proves you can go on the great things…employers just love the skills and experience that air cadets offer.
Let's face it – where else would you be given the opportunity to fly solo in a glider or powered aircraft when you're 17? Whatever you do with your life, at the end of your time as a cadet you'll be self-motivated, confident and ready for anything.

subset: commoncrawl


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Most Republicans running for president have only one idea: Be like Reagan!
Unfortunately, they seem to remember nothing about Reagan apart from the media-created caricature of a slightly addled old man who somehow mesmerized an imbecilic public with his sunny optimism.
Jeb! goes around saying, "I believe we're on the verge of the greatest time to be alive."
Marco Rubio answered a question in the first debate about God and veterans, saying: "Well, first, let me say I think God has blessed us. He has blessed the Republican Party with some very good candidates. … And I believe God has blessed our country. This country has been extraordinarily blessed. And we have honored that blessing. And that's why God has continued to bless us."
John Kasich responded to a question at the New Hampshire presidential forum about why he was running, saying: "Well, Jack, look, we're all — we — I've received blessings. Most of us here have been very, very blessed, and when you get that way, you have to figure out what your purpose is in life to make the world a little better place."
They all sound like Barney, the purple dinosaur, singing, "I love you, you love me!"
The other problem with the Be Reagan strategy is: It's not 1980 anymore. Reagan's election is as far away today as the defeat of Hitler was then.
Gov. Scott Walker's answer to whether he'd invade Iraq, knowing "what you know today," was: "I'd point out that in the overall issue of foreign policy, I'd say in my lifetime, the most impressive president when it came to foreign policy was a governor from California."
What does that even mean? Is he going to invade Grenada, fund the Contras and put missiles in Western Europe? Back in 1996, when Bob Dole said, "I'm willing to be another Ronald Reagan, if that's what you want," at least people laughed.
When Moammar Gadhafi was under siege in 2011, Rick Santorum said: "Ronald Reagan bombed Libya. If you want to be Reaganesque, the path is clear."
On the other hand, in the quarter century since Reagan bombed Libya, Bush invaded Iraq, prompting Gadhafi to end his WMD program, invite in U.N. weapons inspectors, and pay the families of the Lockerbie bombing victims $8 million apiece.
Nonetheless, "bomb Libya" is exactly what our feckless commander in chief did. Obama sent American troops to participate in the NATO bombing of Libya — which helped oust Gadhafi, which led to Islamic lunatics running the country, which led to the murder of four Americans, including our ambassador, in 2012, and the refugees flooding Europe today.
Formulaic applications of Reagan's policies from the 1980s don't always work the same way they did in the 1980s. (Similarly, Duran Duran's new single was kind of a dud.) I used "What Would Reagan Do?" as a joke back in 2005; these guys think it's an actual governing philosophy.
When Reagan was running (three and a half decades ago), there was a real fight in the Republican Party over abortion, the Equal Rights Amendment, guns and foreign policy. Reagan had to face down elements in his own party to be pro-life, anti-ERA, pro-gun and to pursue an aggressive anti-Soviet foreign policy.
Reagan won. It's over. The ERA is gone. The Soviet Union is gone. The GOP is unquestionably the party of life and the Second Amendment. (If only fetuses could get their hands on a gun!)
Ever since the hero of 9/11, Rudy Giuliani, couldn't get out of the starting gate in his presidential bid because he was pro-abortion and anti-gun, no serious Republican candidate is ever going to waver on those two issues again.
So why did Marco Rubio find it necessary to stress that he opposed abortion even in cases of rape and incest at the first GOP presidential debate? Did he not live through that whole Todd Akin thing, like the rest of us?
Today, the fight in the Republican Party isn't over abortion, guns or the Sandinistas; the dividing line is immigration. Will we continue to be the United States, or will we become another failed Latin American state?
On this, it's Donald Trump (and the people) vs. everyone else.
Trump announced his presidential campaign by talking about Mexican rapists. Immigration is the only policy paper he's put out so far — and he's been crushing the polls. He got his one sustained standing ovation from 20,000 cheering fans in Dallas Monday night when he talked about stopping illegal immigration.
But James B. Stewart gasses on in the New York Times about Trump's "namecalling, personal attacks and one-liners that have vaulted him to the top of the polls." In the entire article, Stewart never mentions immigration.
Perhaps some minority of people will vote for Trump because of his personality. But I notice that it's his position on immigration that gets thousands of people leaping to their feet.
The media will talk about anything but Trump's specific, detailed policies on immigration — all while claiming he doesn't have any "policy details." The very fact that the entire media — including most of the conservative commentariat — obdurately refuse to acknowledge the popularity of Trump's immigration plans is exactly why Trump is exploding in the polls.
Trump isn't trying to imitate anyone. He's leading on the seminal issue of our time while the rest of the field practices looking optimistic in front of the mirror.
Copyright 2015 Ann Coulter


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Financial Forecasting
Financial forecasting is the process of using historical record to predict future fiscal trends by projecting current financials forward. Typically projected at a yearly rate, the financial forecast is a company's educated guess at how their financials will trend. Finance can forecast expenditures and revenues and account for other circumstances like market conditions and economic indicators. Closely tied with financial modelling, businesses also use forecasts to determine budgets and plans.
Forecasts are also used by analysts, investors and executives to predict stock prices, sales and get a feel for how certain economic trends will play out.


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Years ago, a professor in my MFA program asked us to identify the most important word in Robert Hayden's poem, "Those Winter Sundays." I chose "cold" because it changed from stanza to stanza, from blueblack to splintering to driven out. One word in various garbs, a new form in each line.
From then on I knew within every word there was a wardrobe, and in every wardrobe a dozen outfits. Rejection is no different; it can shift from shirt to suit in the span of a sentence.
Form rejections are marked most often by the simple accessory of "unfortunately." No matter how many layers the response wears, we are quick to pick up that single word. We recognize the form no matter the source.
But unfortunately does not belong solely to the literary realm. For instance, unfortunately, there's nothing more we can do. Maybe we are with a sick pet at the vet's office or at home watching a courtroom drama. Maybe we are at an auto shop, the staccato speech of an impact wrench like an alien tongue. One word can waltz from room to room and still belong. One word can cinch around our throats like a belt.
The next time you receive a rejection, pay attention to what it wears. This will tell you where you are, and how devastated you should be.
Rejection: to refuse, throw out, rebuff. To fail to accept (as in an organ transplant).
Devastation: the termination of something caused by so much damage it cannot be repaired or no longer exists.
As writers we know rejection. As humans we will know devastation.
My friend Merced was born June 11, 1985. She was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis eleven months later. Beginning in 2010 she would need oxygen full time.
In three sentences we travelled twenty five years. Unfortunately, we are unable to travel much further. Look carefully. Do you notice for what occasion "unfortunately" has dressed?
On November 1st Merced was listed for a double-lung transplant. On November 7th they found a set and rushed her into surgery. The speed in which they found a match was nothing short of miraculous.
Double-lung transplant. Miracle. Merced. Brightly robed and ethereal, all of them.
Rank the rejections in order from least to most devastating:
1) Rejection: literary.
2) Rejection: form.
3) Rejection: acute.
If you acknowledge either of the first two as devastating, you have already failed.
Periodically an article will come out showcasing famous authors who were rejected: Stein to Orwell, Faulkner to L'Engle. Plath. Le Guin. Nabokov. We are meant to identify with the rejected, and at the same time find encouragement.
There are articles on ways to cope with rejection. There is even a website devoted to helping writers "persevere through rejection." And yet I am sure none of these (a)dress it correctly. In truth, most rejections dress the way children do on Halloween: silly villains and cartoon monsters. So many writers jumping at shadows.
If you've been devastated by a form rejection, you are using the word devastated incorrectly.
If you've been devastated by the body, yours or another, then I am with you. I grieve.
June 11, 1985 – October 11, 2011
Dear Merced,
How are you? I always like to imagine you are well and taken care of. Tell me this is so and my world would be a little brighter.
I love you guys and hope I will be able to visit you again!
Love always,
After I heard the news, nothing matched or made sense. The form rejections kept coming, a blur of boring costumes. Unfortunately, sorry to inform you, we regret, we're going to pass.
Pass as in throw, as in so much of life is out of our hands. Pass which immediately becomes passed. And now all of it past, irretrievable. Sorry to say it's not the right fit. Like receiving gifts from an acquaintance, everything was the wrong size.
Over this damp grave I speak the words of my love:
I, with no rights in this matter,
Neither father nor lover.
– from "Elegy for Jane" by Theodore Roethke
I too was neither father nor lover so where are my rights in this matter? To be honest, I am not exactly sure but I have read repeatedly all sorrows can be borne if you make them into a story; here is mine about the one rejection with a veil over its face.
But today there is a stretch of sky like blue fabric unrolled, the sun like the crash of a cymbal, loud and absolute in its understanding of light. For a moment all I want is to tailor words with the proper attire. I want to match the heat of this world.
Sky, sun, fire. Language and radiance. It is enough to remind me what most rejections look like. Small things, really, naked and harmless.


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U.S. crude oil futures collapsed below $0 on Monday for the first time in history, amid a coronavirus-induced supply glut, ending the day at a stunning minus $37.63 a barrel as desperate traders paid to get rid of oil, Reuters reported.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, also slumped, but that contract was nowhere near as weak because more storage is available worldwide.
While U.S. oil prices are trading in negative territory for the first time ever, it is unclear whether that will trickle down to consumers, who typically see lower oil prices translate into cheaper gasoline at the pump.
As billions of people around the globe stay home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, physical demand for crude has dried up, creating a global supply glut.
Traders fled from the expiring May U.S. oil futures contract in a frenzy on Monday with no place to put the crude, but the June WTI contract settled at a much higher level of $20.43 a barrel.
"Normally this would be stimulative to the economy around the world," said John Kilduff, partner at hedge fund Again Capital LLC in New York. "It normally would be good for an extra 2% on the GDP. You're not seeing the savings because no one is spending on the fuels."
The May U.S. WTI contract fell $55.90, or 306 percent, to settle at a discount of $37.63 a barrel after touching an all-time low of -$40.32 a barrel. Brent was down $2.51, or 9%, to settle at $25.57 a barrel.
"It's like trying to explain something that is unprecedented and seemingly unreal," said Louise Dickson, oil markets analyst at Rystad Energy. "Pricey shut-ins or even bankruptcies could now be cheaper for some operators, instead of paying tens of dollars to get rid of what they produce."
Refiners are processing much less crude than normal, so hundreds of millions of barrels have gushed into storage facilities worldwide. Traders have hired vessels just to anchor them and fill them with the excess oil. A record 160 million barrels are sitting in tankers around the world.
U.S. crude stockpiles at Cushing rose 9 percent in the week to April 17, totaling around 61 million barrels, market analysts said, citing a Monday report from Genscape.
The spread between May and June at one point widened to $60.76, the widest in history for the two nearest monthly contracts.
Investors bailed out of the May contract ahead of expiry later on Monday because of lack of demand for the actual oil. When a futures contract expires, traders must decide whether to take delivery of the oil or roll their positions into another futures contract for a later month.
Usually, this process is relatively uncomplicated, but this time there are very few counterparties that will buy from investors and take delivery of the oil. Storage is filling quickly at Cushing in Oklahoma, which is where the crude is delivered.
"The storage is too full for speculators to buy this contract, and the refiners are running at low levels because we haven't lifted stay-at-home orders in most states," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. "There's not a lot of hope that things are going to change in 24 hours."
Prices have been pressured for weeks with the coronavirus outbreak hammering demand while Saudi Arabia and Russia fought a price war and pumped more. The two sides agreed more than a week ago to cut supply by 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd), but that will not quickly reduce the global glut.
Saudi Arabia is considering applying oil cuts as soon as possible, rather than starting from May, a Wall Street Journal reporter said on Twitter, citing sources.
Brent oil prices have collapsed around 60% since the start of the year, while U.S. crude futures have fallen around 130% to levels well below break-even costs necessary for many shale drillers. This has led to drilling halts and drastic spending cuts.
More data sparks global economic concerns
Weak global economic data also pressured prices. The German economy is in severe recession and recovery is unlikely to be quick as coronavirus-related restrictions could stay in place for an extended period, the Bundesbank said.
Japanese exports declined the most in nearly four years in March as U.S.-bound shipments, including cars, fell at their fastest rate since 2011.
U.S. oilfield services giant Halliburton Co on Monday reported a $1 billion first-quarter loss on charges and outlined the largest budget cut yet among top energy companies.
Reporting by Stephanie Kelly in New York; additional reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in London, Florence Tan in Singapore and David Gaffen and Devika Krishna Kumar in New York; Editing by Simon Webb, Dan Grebler, Jonathan Oatis and Lisa Shumaker


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Our super-soft unisex tees offer that perfect fit: not too tight or too loose. We've learned that women tend to like certain colors, and men have some go-to favorites too. So we created two collections: men/unisex and women/unisex. Our tees look great on anyone. Ladies: we suggest you size down unless you like a roomier tee!


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Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Halloween Craft: Chalkboard Pumpkins
As you can guess, I painted a pumpkin with some chalkboard paint. What I like about this project is that you can keep the pumpkin for years to come. Also, children can participate in this craft by drawing on the pumpkin. If they mess up, no problem, just erase and draw again.
Brief "how-to" below:
Craft Pumpkin
Painters Tape
Chalkboard Spray Paint - comes in orange too!
Cover pumpkin stem with painters tape. Spray pumpkin with about three coats of paint. Let dry for 24 hours. Start drawing.
20 comments:
- Whitney @ Whisker Graphics said...
Ok, this is brilliant! I love decorations that you can change guilt-free year after year. You. Are. So. Clever! Can't wait to see what else you paint. :)
- October 5, 2010 at 2:09 PM
This is an awesome idea! :)
I've never heard of chalkboard paint before- is it washable? - October 5, 2010 at 2:52 PM
- zakkalife said...
Yes, it's washable just like a regular chalkboard. - October 5, 2010 at 3:15 PM
- Michelle L. said...
Perfect use for chalkboard paint! Not just for kids - I always want to change my punkin after it's carved - now I can and will! p.s. Jessica, I loved a suggestion you left as a comment over at my place, and am turning it into a regular feature. Thanks for the brilliant idea!
- October 5, 2010 at 3:19 PM
- Christy クリスティ said...
awesome, brilliant idea. Your projects are the best!!
- October 5, 2010 at 4:08 PM
- Lorie said...
I have a couple dozen pumpkins that I I was going to paint with chalkboard paint, but I bought a quart instead of spray paint and now I think I need to take it back!
- October 5, 2010 at 5:41 PM
- sarah. said...
What a cool idea! The kids can draw a new jack-o-lantern face everyday.
- October 5, 2010 at 9:08 PM
- Swirlyarts said...
This is such a great idea - I hope you don't mind but I have shared it on Cuteable this morning?
http://cuteable.com/ - October 5, 2010 at 11:37 PM
- Christine @ Origami Mommy said...
I sense a new obsession coming on. The only thing restraining me is that I'm not sure where I can buy chalkboard paint in Japan. But when I go back to the States, watch out!
- October 6, 2010 at 1:34 AM
- Alexander said...
Great idea for the festive. I will experiment with these.
Alex's World! - http://www.kakinan.com/alex - October 6, 2010 at 7:52 AM
- Rhonda said...
I love this idea! I will be mentioning it in a Halloween roundup at Dollar Store Crafts - look for it to be posted sometime in the next week or two! :)
- October 6, 2010 at 3:02 PM
- Anna M. said...
This is fantastic, fully reusuable in more ways than one. And you could probably use if for Thanksgiving as well as Halloween.
- October 6, 2010 at 9:50 PM
- Amanda said...
Is that a real pumpkin, or one of those "craft" pumpkins that they have at Michaels/Joann's? Wouldn't it still rot at some point? Hmmmmm... I'm curious now!
Very Cute! - October 7, 2010 at 8:18 AM
Amanda, it says "Craft pumpkin" in the supplies list.
- October 7, 2010 at 9:03 AM
- Amanda said...
LOL- Silly me, skipped right over the supplies list! That's awesome, thanks!
- October 8, 2010 at 2:12 PM
- One Tired But Happy Mama! said...
Love this idea..I am featuring you on my blog tomorrow!!!
onetiredbuthappymama.blogspot.com - October 15, 2010 at 7:34 PM
- zakkalife said...
On Tired But Happy Mama,
Thank You! I'll make sure to stop by to see the post. - October 16, 2010 at 3:47 PM
- Demarcus Family said...
I made a black one last year.. but I have never seen orange chalkboard spray paint, please tell me where you got this!?
- October 22, 2010 at 11:59 AM
- zakkalife said...
Demarcus Family,
I didn't buy the orange chalkboard paint but I did find it online. A quick google search should bring you to a retailer.
There's also a tutorial on Martha Stewart on how to make your own colored chalkboard paint. Here's the link:
hope this helps :) - November 3, 2010 at 6:28 PM
- Unknown said...
This is awesome! A must-try craft for Halloween... I also feature some of the best Halloween crafts in my blog too :)
Marilyn - August 28, 2013 at 3:35 AM


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#1 Best dance classes pakenham | What Should You Wear to your initial Salsa Class #1 Best Guide
dance classes pakenham | Are you eager to start learning Latin Dancing? If so, you'll want to read this blog before your first day! We'll teach you everything you need to know about the best dance classes pakenham. We will also give you tips on what to wear, how to prepare, and what to bring to your first dance class.
dance classes pakenham
dance classes pakenham | What to wear to your first class?
Dance classes is a great way to get your dance groove on and have some fun. But before you can start your dance lesson, here is a list of things to bring to your first beginner class:
- Bring Comfortable clothes, so you can move freely. Ladies regularly wear leggings and sleeveless shirts. Men wear shorts or jeans with a casual t-Shirt.
- You want to be able to learn your dance moves without feeling restricted by your clothes.
- Bring a water bottle and a towel in case you sweat a lot during your first salsa lesson.
- Bring a small snack in case you get dizzy and need some energy! But don't worry, this is not as intense as Zumba!
- Arrive early to class so you can sign up as a new student and introduce yourself to your teacher! Punctuality is important!
- Bring your dance shoes if you have any! Most of the time dance studios sell them. You can also order dance shoes online with Latin Dance Shoes Australia and Buy your first latin dancing shoes
dance classes pakenham
dance classes pakenham
Tips on how to prepare for your first salsa dance lesson
The Best way to prepare your first dance class is to:
- Come to class with an open mind
- Listen to Salsa artists. Get yourself familiar with this complex rhythm and the different musical instruments
- Prepare everything cited before.
- Watch some videos of different dancers from different dance studios. Also, Get some background history about the dance that you will be learning!
- Stretch before and after class to release the tension in your body
- Look at our video below to explain what type of dance shoes you would need to use depending on your level and the type of dance floor.
dance classes pakenham
What are the origins of salsa and salsa history?
We wrote a full article on what are the origins of salsa and salsa history. Check it out!
dance classes pakenham
How to make the most of your first dancing tuition
During your first dancing class, make sure to;
- – Breath!
- – Ask questions to your dance instructor
- – Interact and ask the name of your different dancing partners
- – Relax – Dancing is fun!
dance classes pakenham
dance classes pakenham
What To avoid on your first dance lesson?
During your first dance lesson, avoid:
- – High Heels boots(it is harder to keep your balance)
- – Dressed up Clothes,
- – White clothes (in case you sweat a lot!)
- – Stepping on your dance partner's toes !
dance classes pakenham
Proper preparation is essential when taking on a new dance, and that includes preparing for your first salsa dance lesson. Make sure to read through our blog to get tips on what to wear, what to bring, and how to make the most of your first dance lesson. We hope that you have a fun and enjoyable time learning how to dance!
dance classes pakenham
About Us
We teach Latin dance classes: private classes | Private lessons | Private dance lessons | Group classes | Functions – Shoes – Events. We also do wedding dance lessons and choreography for your first dance. Creating memories that will last forever in preparation of your wedding day!
First time dancers, Your first step is the most important. And that's the one that brings you to your local dance school! You will be taught by qualified instructors and learn ballet, salsa, bachata, kizomba, Ballroom, Swing dance, tango, cha cha, and other different styles of dance.
Watching different videos will help you choose which dance style you prefer!
dance classes pakenham
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I practice before my first dance lesson?
There is no requirement ahead of your first dancing lesson. However, if you are stressed, you could warm up beforehand.
Important part to warm up before a dance lessonclass: Warm up your neck, shoulders and arms!
Here is an example of salsa suelta | Salsa Solo and how to dance salsa alone!
dance classes pakenham
How to keep your dance shoes from smelling bad?
We got the perfect video for you:
dance classes pakenham
Should I take Group classes or Private dance lessons?
If you are a beginner, stick to group class. You will learn enough. However, if you are an experienced dancer, or are willing to put enough practice to improve, then private classes are your way to go! You will learn a lot more with the guidance of your dance instructor that will be focusing only on you. He will adjust to your needs and will improve your dancing after your first lesson with him/her.
dance classes pakenham
Can I dance with regular sneakers?
Yes, you can absolutely dance with a good pair of old sneakers and regular shoes. However, the more you learn new moves, the more proper dance shoes will help you dance and spin better. It would then be a good idea to start browsing some latin shoes for your future dance lessons.
dance classes pakenham
Do I have to perform?
Even though dancing is part of the performing arts, when you go to dance lessons you do not have to perform!
It depends on your personal goals. IF you do it for a hobby and to have much fun, then the most important aspect is to relax, socialise and learn new moves at your own pace.
And if you want to practice further, do some simple exercises at home, and repeat the moves you learned during your first dance class! Step by steps you will learn new things and new moves. Take your time through your dance journey. The most important part is to have fun while learning new skills and going through this amazing journey and dance experience.
dance classes pakenham
Related Articles:
What Shoes to wear to a salsa class?
Dance Classes On The Gold Coast
Dance Classes Gold Coast Adults
dance classes pakenham
Dance teacher, music lover and latin dancer!


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As the European population ages, more support is needed with fewer hands to cater for their needs. There is a huge market potential for Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) solutions, but adoption is limited because they require significant resources for implementation.
To address this, universAAL will produce an open platform that provides a standardized approach making it technically feasible and economically viable to develop AAL solutions.
This project has been partially funded with support from the EC.
- Read more about universAAL
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Program overview
In business, sales are the difference between success and failure. This is why having a well-trained and well-managed sales team is a must. Yet this is also one of the biggest challenges businesses face. Shifting your sales from being a challenge to being a well-managed machine is what ZF [pro]Academy Sales Training does best.
Successful sales programs are always geared towards meeting the customer's needs. Your sales team must become experts on selling solutions that solve customer problems, which, as you already know, is harder than it sounds.
Luckily, great salespeople aren't born but made. ZF [pro]Academy partners with you to develop this greatness by offering a praxis-orientated sales training that gives your sales team the skills, confidence and tools needed to drive a customer focused sales strategy.
Put your sales into high gear. Enroll today.
Target audience
- Sales professionals in the commercial vehicle sector
- Workshop managers
- Sales professionals in distribution centers
Your benefits
- Higher rate of closed sales
- More up-selling and cross-selling
- Increased customer satisfaction
- Higher sales turnover
Our trainings
- Active Sales for Workshop Managers
- Telephone Sales
- Professional Price Negotiation
- Customer Service and Sales
Dates and prices
- For available seminars in your area please consult your country training catalog or browse our training database.
Do you have any questions?
We are happy to offer you non-binding advice regarding our training offering.
Local contact phone numbers can be found here.


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NRG Energy Brings Innovative Solar Power Solutions to New Santa Clara Stadium
-- New home of the San Francisco 49ers to be the first professional football stadium to open with LEED certification and the first professional sports venue to achieve net zero energy performance in California during 49ers home games--
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--NRG Energy, (NYSE: NRG), the Santa Clara Stadium Authority and the San Francisco 49ers today announced an agreement to bring sustainable energy to the new Santa Clara Stadium. Through this unique partnership, NRG will help the new facility become the first professional football stadium to open with LEED certification, the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability.
As one of the first Founding Partners for the new stadium, and the exclusive sustainable energy provider of the 49ers, NRG will install a number of state-of-the-art solar elements, including three solar array-covered bridges, a solar canopy above the green roof on the suite tower portion of the stadium and solar panels over the 49ers training center.
The arrays will have a total peak capacity of about 400kW and will provide enough power over the course of a year to offset the power consumed at the stadium during 49ers home games. As a result the stadium will be the first professional sports venue in California to achieve net zero energy performance.
"NRG is much more than a Founding Partner, they are providing the energy leadership, infrastructure and expertise to help us achieve the vision of making the new Santa Clara Stadium an economically and environmentally sustainable showcase for innovation," said Jed York, Chief Executive Officer, San Francisco 49ers. "As we strive to build a stadium that embodies all that is unique and special about both the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, this partnership with NRG will make very lofty goals become realities."
The new stadium in Santa Clara is the next generation of stadium design. One of the most unique features of the facility is the green roof atop the suite tower on the west side of the stadium. The three solar bridges, connecting the main parking area to the stadium, will include hundreds of solar panels. In keeping with NRG's philosophy of creating iconic solar elements at NFL stadiums, the solar bridges will be the first in the NFL.
"The 49ers are not only one of the leading and most successful franchises in the history of the NFL, they have also been for decades community leaders in the Bay Area and with the entire 49ers fan base. Today and going forward, we are honored to support the 49ers as they extend their off-the-field community leadership into the critically important arena of clean and sustainable energy," said David Crane, President and CEO of NRG Energy. "And NRG is proud to partner with the San Francisco 49ers and the Santa Clara Stadium Authority in the pursuit of another milestone, the LEED certification of their new stadium."
In addition to the solar array, the stadium's green initiatives include public transit access, convenient bicycle parking, a walking path from the San Tomas Creek Trail, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, recycled materials and a long list of other sustainable design elements.
As the sustainable energy partner of the 49ers, NRG will continue to explore other opportunities to help enhance the stadium's sustainability efforts such as installing electrical vehicle charging stations to the new stadium. NRG is currently building the nation's first comprehensive, privately funded electric vehicle charging network.
NRG, the nation's largest competitive power generator is a leader in providing safe and reliable energy solutions in new and innovative ways to American businesses and consumers. It is also the largest solar power company in the United States with more than 900 megawatts of solar generation in operation or under construction.
About the new Santa Clara Stadium
The Santa Clara stadium will not only be the new home to the San Francisco 49ers, but it will also serve as one of the world's best outdoor sports and entertainment venues. It was designed by HNTB and is being built by Turner/Devcon. The $1.2 billion venue will have 1.85 million square feet, seat approximately 68,500 and will feature an expected 165 luxury suites and 9,000 club seats. It was designed to be a multi-purpose facility with the flexibility to host a wide range of events, including domestic and international soccer, college football, motocross, concerts and various civic events, and will be expandable for major events such as the Super Bowl. For more information, go to www.newsantaclarastadium.com.
About NRG
NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. We deliver cleaner and smarter energy choices for our customers, backed by the nation's largest independent power generation portfolio of fossil fuel, nuclear, solar and wind facilities. A Fortune 300 company, NRG is challenging the U.S. energy industry by becoming the largest developer of solar power, building the first privately-funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and providing customers with the most advanced smart energy solutions to better manage their energy use. In addition to 47,000 megawatts of generation capacity, enough to supply nearly 40 million homes, our retail electricity providers – Reliant, Green Mountain Energy and Energy Plus – serve more than two million customers. More information is available at www.nrgenergy.com. Connect with NRG Energy on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.
About the San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers, owned by Denise and John York, currently play in the NFC West division and won each Super Bowl contest it entered, earning five Super Bowl trophies including Super Bowl XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV and XXIX. The franchise also has six conference championships and 19 divisional championships and was the first major league professional sports franchise to be based in San Francisco over 60 years ago. Please visit www.49ers.com and follow the 49ers on Facebook and Twitter @49ers.


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Parrots [Com-tex]
2bU golf shirts put a unique spin on modern fashion with bold prints, unexpected patterns, and bright colors.
This cutting-edge collection is designed for those who prefer to let their fashion sense speak for itself. Be among the few to wear it!
The fabric breathes making them a perfect choice for golfing, leisure-wear and casual meetings. The fabric uses Smart Temp technology which reacts to your body temperature to keep you cool, dry and comfortable, and Fresh Tech technology to eliminate odors and has 50+ SPF protection. This results in a garment which is highly functional, feels great, and has a nice sheen that accentuates your unique style.
Allow us 7-14 Days for delivery.
Please note: We don't normally stock 3XL size, but we can make to order, on request. If your size is not in stock and you would like to order, please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com
Additional information
Fabrics | ComTex |
Gender | Women |
Size | XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL |
Brand | 2bU |
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(Product Code: 40C1/CL/SES)
Cap/Base 14mm SES/E14
Diameter 35 mm
Length 90 mm
Collections from our trade counter are free.
Standard Delivery
Our standard deliverys are between the hours of 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday excluding national Holiday's.
Please also note certain Items may require additional delivery charges, such as Conduit, and Fluorescent tubes.
we use secure couriers and offer a free delivery on orders over and above £50.00 excluding VAT (£60.00 inclusive). For orders below this amount we charge £6.50 + vat (£7.80 incl). Certain products are excluded from national delivery due to weight and fragility, these are identified on each item.
Delivery is normally 2-3 days, unless a special item has been ordered. In this case we will keep you advised on the lead time.
When entering your address details, our system will prompt for delivery address postcode, please key in as example (e.g. SM3 9AG). Any delivery charge will be automatically calculated. Our system should advise you when finishing your delivery options. However please call if you believe this has not gone through correctly.
We can offer next day delivery and timed deliveries where required, these are on a price on application basis so please call us prior to placing your order so that we can advise costs.
Any questions about the above, please email us on email@example.com or call on 0208 330 3345


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Cambria – Bucyrus High School
Photography From All Angles
Welcome! Klontz Photography is here to be your choice in photography, from action photos to portraits and everything in between!
As you can see there are many albums... keep in mind that these are just a few chosen pictures to be displayed. If you want to see more of a particular event click on "Order Prints" above!
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What is a cookie?
A lot of websites you visit use cookies to help improve your experience by enabling that website to 'remember' you or your preferences, either for the time of your visit (known as a 'session cookie') or for every time you visit that site (known as a 'persistent cookie').
Cookies have many uses, such as letting you navigate between pages quickly, storing your preferences, and generally improving your visit to the website. Cookies are designed to make the interaction between you and the website faster and easier. For websites that do not use cookies, it will consider you to be a new visitor every time you move to a new page on the site – for example, when you enter your login details and move to another page it will not remember you so for example, it will not be able to keep you logged in.
Some websites also use cookies to enable them to target their advertising or marketing messages based for example, on your location and/or browsing habits.
Cookies can be set in two ways, either by the website you are visiting ('first party cookies') or by other websites who run content on the page you are viewing ('third party cookies' such as an advert being pulled in from another website).
What is inside a cookie?
A cookie is a simple text file that is stored on your computer or mobile device by a website's server and only that server can access and read the contents of that cookie. Each cookie is unique to your web browser. It will contain information such as a unique identifier and the site name and some digits and numbers. It allows a website to remember things like your preferences, log in details or what's in your shopping basket.
What to do if you don't want cookies on your computer or mobile device?
Some people find websites storing and accessing information on their computer or mobile device a bit intrusive, particularly when this information is stored and used by a third party website without their consent. Although this is usually harmless you may not, for example, want to see advertising that has been targeted to your interests. If you prefer, it is possible to block some or all cookies, or even to delete cookies that have already been set; but you need to be aware that you might lose some functions of that website. To turn off cookies, please consult the Help file contained within your web browser.


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BFX has been a leading provider of superior quality furniture to schools, classrooms, and other educational and reading spaces in Australia for over 40 years. We believe in delivering high-quality, durable, and innovative furniture that is crafted to endure the heavy and rough usage of students every day.
Our robust school furniture withstands not only heavy quality checks but also crosses multiple stages of industry-specific research and development processes - before being delivered for end-use. We understand that educational areas require a lot more than sleek seating and storage - they require furniture that boasts functionality, versatility, and durability. So, we created a vast range of school, classroom, and educational furniture, which is spread across an array of desks, chairs, storage options, admin furniture, lounge furniture, workstations, as well as lecterns, trolleys, whiteboards, and other miscellaneous furniture for schools, classrooms, and other reading spaces.
BFX is a government prequalified supplier of school furniture, classroom furniture, and other educational furniture, which makes it incredibly easy and quick for us to cater to the needs of our customers.
Whether you are looking for student desks and chairs, teacher tables and chairs, library storage, manual arts bench with cupboards, IT room furniture and workstations, or admin furniture for schools - BFX has a huge range of options for every school furniture need. We cater to the needs of both indoor and outdoor school furniture and offer hardwood, aluminium, and high-quality thermoplastic school furniture that boasts high impact resistance.
After rigorous testing of each and every school furniture product, BFX claims that its products are built to last and facilitate both learning and teaching experiences for teachers and students Australia wide.
Come, explore our unending collection of futuristic educational furniture at one of the many showrooms spread across Australia. We have a huge array of educational furniture at all our showrooms. Visit us at Brisbane school furniture showroom, Sydney showroom, Townsville showroom, Melbourne showroom, or Maroochydore furniture showroom to have a hands-on experience before buying.
Student Desks and Tables for Futuristic Learning
BFX is a leading supplier of innovative student desks and tables that facilitate future-focused learning. The advanced ergonomic designs enable students to thrive in modern learning environments where creativity, spontaneity, and visual thinking are stimulated continuously.
BFX is a proud provider of revolutionary SmarTable™ Student Tables that offer ease of use, movement, and adjustability - which makes them the "numero uno" of student desks and tables in Australia. They can be adjusted to 5 different heights with a push-button, moved around on their castors, or locked in place. Whiteboard tables are another hit for their easy to use, erase, and clean top that makes notes creation a breeze for students. Our Sit-Stand range encourages flexible learning by enabling students to work in both seated or upright positions. Explore your best options.
Comfortable Student Chairs for Enhanced Productivity
BFX specialises in uber comfortable student chairs that enhance productivity. Designed to offer utmost efficiency in the learning environment, our range of school chairs provide the comfort and resilience that students need in a seated position. As students lean back, our chairs extend support (along with minimal flexibility) and help maintain proper posture. Each chair features a 'lift or drag' handle for ease of movement. These high-grade thermoplastic chairs are light-weight, which makes it easier for students to stack or unstack them. Explore our vast range of classroom chairs, lab stools, computer chairs, lounge chairs, ottomans, modular seats with storage, collaborative booth seats, and school hall chairs, etc.
BFX offers smart school storage solutions that are space saviours and multipurpose. To facilitate future-focused learning processes offered at modern schools, we created a range of clever storage options that not only store writing equipment, art and craft supplies, and other educational sources but also serve as a seating or display unit. Our storage solutions are built to transform classrooms into highly functional study areas of the 21st century. These school storage units not only support the overall learning experience but also enhance it. Explore the revolutionary range of tote units, shelving options, cupboards, lockers, and bag racks, etc.
Your school business needs an admin department that is oriented to growth. To enhance their efficiency at work, they deserve a setting that is energising and encourages productivity. BFX Admin Furniture for school businesses is available in a multitude of builds and designs to best suit their needs, as well as aesthetics of the school's admin department. Explore our range of workstations, chairs, desks, and lounge furniture that is built to last.
BFX offers a comprehensive range of school furniture and other educational furniture that is built to endure the rough usage of students every day. Our range of miscellaneous furniture for schools caters to all your needs for storage units, lecterns, whiteboards, screens, outdoor furniture for schools, noise reduction wall art, trolleys, manual arts furniture, etc. The range of school furniture at BFX has been designed to be multipurpose and space-saving. We also have classroom packages to help you set up learning environments that are aligned with future-focused teaching. Explore our school miscellaneous furniture to create fun yet impactful learning spaces.
Looking for the best deals and offers on school furniture and educational furniture online? BFX has many offers and discounts on furniture for schools, universities, kindergarten schools, libraries, and other educational and reading spaces. Find the best deals online on all types of educational furniture - some ready to quick-ship. Find the lowest prices on school furniture in Australia exclusively at BFX. Explore offers on school furniture and steal the best deals now!
Every educational business requires a proactive administration department. To enhance their productivity at work, give them a workplace that is multifunctional and energising. Explore our range of school office furniture, an innovative and stylish variety of admin furniture making every day at work exciting.
Your school library requires elements that encourage focus. BFX understands your needs to create peaceful reading spaces that improve concentration. Our range of library furniture for schools, universities, and other educational areas helps create comfortable and focus-friendly reading environments. Incorporate our library furniture with noise reduction wall art to help them read and prosper in peace.
Are you looking for furniture to create a modern manual arts lab? BFX offers manual arts education furniture that prompts creativity, spontaneity, and innovation. We offer customised working and welding benches - both wooden and metal - to suit your needs perfectly. Most of our furniture units are multipurpose and provide storage solutions to keep their industrial resources, including tools, student's projects, safety equipment, metals, woods and plastics safe. Opt for specialised manual arts space planning and leave all your worries behind.
BFX STEM furniture can be your students' best companion in the 21st-century learning environment. BFX tables ensure that they get the comfort, mobility, and flexibility they deserve while tackling real-world issues in a practical way. Sturdy, versatile, and customisable, our STEM furniture is what their great minds need to thrive.
Create science labs and classrooms that encourage interaction, experimentation, and exploration with BFX furniture. Curated to facilitate scientific study, our furniture for science labs and classrooms will help create 21st-century learning spaces.
The outdoor areas of your school require sturdy furniture that can withstand heavy usage and extreme weather conditions. BFX offers outdoor school furniture in a huge array of high-grade metal seating and storage options. Our outdoor furniture is built to endure heavy usage by students throughout the day, every day.
Looking for furniture that tickles their creative and artsy side? BFX offers furniture for music and art rooms that your students will love. Our range of vibrant furniture for music and art rooms will encourage collaboration and innovation, helping your young creators to thrive.
Struggling to create an impactful hall or theatre in your school? BFX specialises in space planning that can take you a step closer to creating a powerful setting where ideas and imaginations don't have boundaries. BFX has a great collection of furniture that is perfect for your Hall or Theatre setup.
Your students need a healthcare space where they can feel at ease in case of a medical emergency. If you're looking for furniture for your school's healthcare area, BFX can be your one-stop destination.
Educational spaces require areas for collaborative discussions. If you are planning to set up a meeting area, BFX has a huge collection of meeting room furniture to cater to all your needs.
Whether it is staff or students, training is a regular activity in a growth-oriented learning environment. To facilitate those training and learning processes, BFX has a vast collection of furniture for training setups.
Students need a break from learning every now and then to rejuvenate. Creating collaborative spaces will make their breaks more purposeful. BFX has got you covered with its vast range of educational furniture for collaborative spaces.
Schools are responsible for the overall well being of their students - physical, mental, and social. Help your students socialise more by creating spaces that help them thrive in each other's company. BFX educational furniture for social spaces is crafted to stand by you.
Focus and concentration are not easy to achieve. Giving their racing minds the gift of focus will help them perform better. Explore our range of focus-friendly examination furniture and seating options for reading spaces.
Why Choose Us?
Designed exclusively for BFX by local Indigenous artist Nicole Taylor
Two book display options by simply removing a shelf and flipping it
Exclusively designed for BFX by local Indigenous artist Nicole Taylor
Constructed with high-quality foam and a strong timber frame
Exclusively designed for BFX by local Indigenous artist Merryn Apma
Connect multiple lounges together to create unique configurations
Exclusively designed by local Indigenous artist Shara Delaney for BFX
Exclusively designed for BFX by local Indigenous artist Shara Delaney
Use standalone or team up to create different configurations
Lightweight and comes with glides for easy moveability
Mix and match components to customise open offices or community spaces


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Even if you own the iPhone 4S, you may not know 'Siri'. And if you don't already have the 4S, you might only know about Siri, if you do at all, through hearsay, abundant resources online introducing you to Siri, or a phone belonging to someone else. You may, on the other hand, use Siri regularly and effectively and, in that case, you're ready to optimize your Siri use for travel. Siri is, in a nutshell, a voice-driven, personal assistant software built into the 4S. Siri doesn't know the useful answer you're looking for to every question you ask and calling upon Siri doesn't always save you time – it depends. But Siri can do most things a real-life personal assistant can do, and more. Some of Siri's functions can and will help you to make your travel experiences less stressful, more efficient, and, I daresay, better. By simply pressing and holding down the home button on the 4S, Siri comes to attention. And if you get to know Siri well enough, Siri will help you to travel smarter in 2012.Navigation and safety
While traveling, you're not always in a safe position to be fussing over your GPS, especially not if your GPS is built into your phone. Distracting yourself with GPS can lead to avoidable accidents, no matter what sort of vehicle you're captaining. Siri is hooked up with Maps and can walk you through step-by-step directions, from beginning to end, all through voice command.
Time management
No matter how much preparation you do, wasting time while traveling is nearly inevitable. You will, pretty much invariably, find that you need something in an area you are unfamiliar with while traveling and, if you're anything like me, waste time trying to find it. Unlike a lot of voice command systems, Siri doesn't need you to use specific phrases. If you need to find the nearest gas station, Siri will quickly present a list of nearby gas stations when you simply say, "gas station." This feature isn't just for filling up, though. Siri will just as quickly aid you in locating the nearest restaurant, day care, bar, or whatever else you need to find. Siri takes this process a step further by offering you results sorted by ratings. Command Siri to find you the "Best Thai restaurant in Austin" and you'll know what I mean.
"Call 911." Say that to Siri and Siri will do just that. When in less dire need, Siri can easily pull up lists and reviews of nearby medical professionals, car mechanics, vets, or anyone else you may need to contact in an emergency situation.
Travel research
Siri can help you figure out where to go and how to get there. Phrases like these can possibly work well with Siri:
"Find me the closest train station"
"Call a taxi"
"Best bed and breakfast in Boston"
"Best dive bar in Seattle"
"Music festivals in 2012"
Traveling personal assistant
Siri is recognized, most generally speaking, as a robotic personal assistant. Relying on Siri to perform such tasks yields a decent job done. Having a personal assistant traveling with you can help ease the common stress associated with travel. Phrases like these can work with Siri:
"I am seeing a show on Friday night at 9 p.m." Siri will put this in your calendar.
"Remind me at 10 a.m. to book my flight." Siri will put this in your reminders.
"Wake me up at 7 a.m. to check out." Siri will set this alarm for you.
"Add toothpaste, umbrella, and socks to my packing list." Siri will add these items to a list in your notes.
More than anything, Siri seems to me like what Siri actually is: the iPhone's first attempt at creating a little robot that any iPhone 4S owner can use to better manage traveling, and, of course, life in general.


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Fusion E-350 Review: ASUS E35M1-I Deluxe, ECS HDC-I and Zotac FUSION350-A-E
by Ian Cutress on July 14, 2011 11:00 AM ESTDespite what you could buy many years ago for more than a thousand dollars, you can now get the same performance in a motherboard/CPU combo for under $200. But at present, with your dual core 1.6 GHz chip, there's WiFi, SATA 6 Gbps, somewhat capable onboard graphics, DDR3 support and potentially USB 3.0. Today, we're entering the realm of Hudson-M1: the Fusion E-350 domain. For this review we look at three very different mini-ITX Fusion E-350 boards on the market, from the expensive but completely passive ASUS E35M1-I Deluxe, the cheaper but still jam packed ECS HDC-I, and the SO-DIMM equipped Zotac FUSION350-A-E.
The Hudson-M1/A50M sits in the market like a half-way house: no serious grunt in terms of modern CPUs, but comes with all the modern bells and whistles the consumer expects in a low power format. This is why we're seeing a significant number of HTPCs entering the market based on the platform - I saw several at Computex this year being demonstrated. However, the big question is - do people want it, and what board should I suggest?
As I've mentioned before, I love performance. Seeing that number go higher and higher gives me a buzz, even at the expense of power, temperature and cost. So I apologise off the bat if anything sounds skewed in this article - but I'm rating these boards on the qualities I think every motherboard should have - it should be in the upper echelons of performance, lots of extras that are well deserved rather than just fluff, good software support (if any), aggressively priced, and a sufficient warranty. After looking at these boards, I can certainly see where some are achieving, and some are falling down.
In terms of where Hudson-M1 sits in the grand scheme of things, let's go through a table of important points against its bigger brother, the Hudson-D3, and Pine Trail (Atom + NM10):
Hudson-M1 | Hudson-D3 | Pine Trail | |
Processors | Ontario/Zacate | Llano | Atom |
SATA 6 Gbps + 3 Gbps | 6 + 0 | 6 + 0 | 0 + 2 |
Ethernet | 10/100 | 10/100/1000 | 10/100 |
RAID | No | 0, 1, 10 | No |
PCIe | 4 x PCIe 2.0 | 16 x PCIe 2.0 | 4 x PCIe 1.1 |
PCI | No | Up to 3 | Up to 2 |
Chipset TDP | 4.7 W | 7.8 W | 2.1 W |
Processor TDP | 9 - 18 W | 35 - 100 W | 8.5 - 13 W |
Memory Support | DDR3-1066 | DDR3-1866 | DDR3-800 |
Audio | 7.1 | 7.1 | 7.1 |
Obviously it looks like Hudson-M1 sits somewhere in the middle - not small enough for the ultra-extreme in terms of power draw, yet not a fully fledged desktop platform. You might be thinking in terms of NAS, but there's no RAID support. There's possibly the HTPC route, assuming it conquers all the tasks consumers want to throw at it, but we've only got gigabit Ethernet and USB 3.0 via a third party controller. We have the option for discrete graphics, but at only 4 lanes PCIe 2.0, I've got results show that even attaching a GTX 580 merely results in a crippled discrete graphics option which takes up more volume than the motherboard.
AMD are also trying to go down the green route, as my search on information regarding their own take on their products led to a 10-page analysis of the Fusion topology carbon footprint versus the 'Nile' platform (Athlon Neo Dual Core + SB820 + RS880M + HD5430). You can read the whole story here, and it's worth an insight, even if it is AMD spouting AMD potential.
In terms of what is on the market, there's quite a range a user can select from at a wide range of prices - $100 to $175 for the motherboard + CPU combos, $220-$250 for barebones systems, or $320 for a nettop PC with 2 GB of memory and a 320 GB hard drive. Today, I'm testing three of the motherboard + CPU combos:
At the high end of this review, we have the ASUS E35M1-I Deluxe which comes in at $175 and has won plenty of awards for having all the bells and whistles. Sitting in the middle is the Zotac FUSION350-A-E, which was initially at $160 but at time of writing is $145 or $125 with a rebate, which like the ASUS is a completely passive solution, but Zotac are known for filling a mini-ITX board with everything, so that should be exciting. Also at hand is the ECS HDC-I at $125, which while not passive, has a few tricks up its sleeve worth mentioning. Let the games begin!
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sprockkets - Thursday, July 14, 2011 - link
I have the AsRock board. I get 18w idle and 24w under load via a killawatt device. Granted it uses an 80w power supply, but I'm kinda wondering how you got 59w for something that is practically the same setup in each board. -
IanCutress - Thursday, July 14, 2011 - link
I was using a less than ideal power supply for the power draw tests which was very inefficient in this range (<20% of maximum power), and unfortunately I don't have anything more appropriate at hand to test with. The comparisons (I believe) between the boards are more than relevant though. I will hopefully rectify this in future reviews of lower powered systems.
Ian -
formulav8 - Thursday, July 14, 2011 - link
Why didn't you wait to do power consumption tests then? -
bah12 - Thursday, July 14, 2011 - link
While not ideal, I'd say the whole point of this article was to illustrate the differences in the boards. Thus as long as they all suffered from the same inefficient PS, the information is not useless in that you can still draw a conclusion based on the differences at the board level. All and all, not ideal but useful. -
BushLin - Friday, July 15, 2011 - link
I once tried to reason with the fanboys at AMDZone on Anands behalf, defending that the reviews here were objective... I think I'm starting to believe that their might be some truth in their beliefs that the odds are stacked against AMD when their products are reviewed on here.
At best, this review is a misguided. It focuses far too heavily on areas these systems are not aimed at, misinforms (or fails to inform) on areas that it's market are interested in and answers stupid questions that no-one is asking. Testing a GTX 580 with an E-350 at 4x PCI-E... really? Why not test out how well these work as a HTPC compared to something like ION and the latest Atom?
At worst, this review could almost be seen as a deliberate undermining of a technology that's potentially superior to it's Intel's offering and how often could you honestly say that since Core2?. Most of the tests are irrelevant (or become irrelevant when comparing to much higher TDP chips), the one test you did manage to do which is very relevant (power consumption) was so high that it prompted me to look at other reviews and take the time to write this comment!
This review has idle power consumption as at least 36w, Xbit have it at 7.3w even with a 880w PSU. One of these reviews has it very wrong, I know which one I'm more inclined to believe.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-e... -
IKeelU - Friday, July 15, 2011 - link
I have to agree with your assessment of the review.
- These boards are aimed at HTPC market, but the review was focused...elsewhere (frankly, I can't tell what the focus was).
- How is the audio quality? I was very interested in the ASUS board until I noticed it doesn't have 6-channel direct out. This is important!
- Another, less important, point: The features/specs for each board should come first. Double points for a feature comparison table. -
AnandThenMan - Friday, July 15, 2011 - link
It is extremely unfortunate that Anandtech has sacrificed their integrity when it comes to reviewing some of AMD's products. I really hope that more and more people are made aware of what is going on, these reviews are downright dishonest.
The most important question people need to ask is, why is this happening? What is the incentive for Anandtech.com to publish these misleading reviews? -
ET - Saturday, July 16, 2011 - link
Can you explain what is dishonest or misleading about this review? I agree that it could be better, but I don't see anything to indicate that anything was falsified here. -
medi01 - Sunday, July 17, 2011 - link
Cough "This review has idle power consumption as at least 36w, Xbit have it at 7.3w even with a 880w PSU. ", cough?
Oh, it's irrelevant, because we're comparing motherboards of the same platform? Orly? What if I read this, say "OMG it consumes so much energy" and go buy Atom?
Tell me how to get that 36w idle thing, what kind of PSU should be used, to justify 7.3w (with bloody 880w PSU!!!!) vs 36w please?
What are 5850 580gtx doing in this review?
Shameless... -
Finraziel - Thursday, September 1, 2011 - link
Monstrously late reply... but I just can't not leave this comment... Did any of you actually read the xbit article? Those power draw measurements are measured between the PSU and the components, only measuring what the components are actually using, completely ignoring the efficiency of the PSU (the way xbitlabs has been testing for years I might add). So the fact that they were using an 880W PSU has absolutely zero bearing on their readings.
Granted, it's still a shame that these boards couldn't have been tested with something like a pico psu, and I do agree the article could have been better (for instance, how much noise does that tiny fan on the ECS board actually make? apart from an easily missed remark in the conclusion nothing is said about it), but it's not as bad as you people are making it out to be.


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Michael Snyder
here is very little that the entire world seems to agree upon, but there is one very frightening trend that is now taking hold literally all over the globe. A passionate hatred of Christianity is sweeping across the planet, and very few global leaders have been willing to step forward and speak out against this rising persecution of Christians. In many parts of the Middle East, Africa and Asia, believers are being relentlessly attacked by extremists, churches are being destroyed, and laws are being passed to try to prevent the spread of the Christian faith. In some areas, the violence has become so extreme that Christians knowingly risk their own lives just to go to church services each week. Would you risk your life to go to church? In North America and Europe, the persecution is often more subtle. Even though violent attacks are still fairly rare, Christian beliefs are being undermined by new laws, comedians and television shows regularly mock the Christian faith, and many employers will immediately mentally disqualify a potential candidate for a job if they discover that an individual is a Bible-believing Christian. Sadly, this is just the beginning. In the years ahead, those that choose to be followers of Jesus Christ will face even greater persecution than we have seen already.
When most people think of "Christian persecution", they immediately think of what is happening in the Middle East. And without a doubt, what ISIS is doing to Christians in Iraq and Syria is beyond horrifying. But that is only part of the story. In this article, I am going to share with you 10 examples that show how the persecution of Christians is intensifying as anti-Christian hatred sweeps the world, and most of them are from outside the Middle East. I have specifically done this to show that this is truly a global phenomenon.
But to start off this list, let's begin with how ISIS has been treating Christians in areas that they have conquered…
#1 Iraq
Eliza Griswold is the author of "The Tenth Parallel: Dispatches From the Fault Line Between Christianity and Islam", and he has spent a great deal of time examining the demise of the Christian faith in the heart of the Middle East. The following is an excerpt from a recent piece that he did for the New York Times…
Recently, ISIS posted videos delineating the second-class status of Christians in the caliphate. Those unwilling to pay the jizya tax or to convert would be destroyed, the narrator warned, as the videos culminated in the now-infamous scenes of Egyptian and Ethiopian Christians in Libya being marched onto the beach and beheaded, their blood running into the surf.
The future of Christianity in the region of its birth is now uncertain. ''How much longer can we flee before we and other minorities become a story in a history book?'' says Nuri Kino, a journalist and founder of the advocacy group Demand for Action. According to a Pew study, more Christians are now faced with religious persecution than at any time since their early history. ''ISIL has put a spotlight on the issue,'' says Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, whose parents are from the region and who advocates on behalf of Eastern Christians. ''Christianity is under an existential threat.''
#2 Kenya
As I discussed above, the persecution of Christians in the Middle East is only part of the story. What is getting much less coverage is the horrific persecution that is going on in many parts of Africa. The following is from a recent CNN piece about the ongoing persecution of Christians in Kenya…
In April this year, hundreds of students at Garissa University in northern Kenya came under attack when Al-Shabaab militants from across the border in Somalia raided dormitories at the college. Separating Christian students from their Muslim classmates, the raiders killed 147 and wounded dozens more. Today, the university stands empty.
Christians in North Eastern Kenya have come underrepeated attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.
At Sunday Mass in Garissa's Cathedral, Our Lady of Consolation, the benches are full. The congregation is praying under armed guard but they're praying nonetheless.
Each Sunday brings with it new threats from Al-Shabaab.Garissa's Christians are told that if you worship here, you'll die. One of those attending Sunday Mass, Patrick Gitau tell us that despite the risks: "Every Sunday I'm here it's my cathedral. Yeah I'm here I was baptized in this church."
#3 India
It isn't just Muslims that are viciously persecuting Christians. In India, radical Hindus are regularly conducting violent attacks against Christians and churches. The following is just one recent example…
The Evangelical Fellowship of India has reported a violent attack against Christians in the country that was committed earlier this month when over 200 Hindu radicals stormed a Protestant church in the town of Attingal, Kerela, beating up the pastor and some of the worshipers, and breaking the altar.
EFI shared the news with Fides News Agency, reporting that the attack took place on June 14. The radicals apparently shouted slogans like "Bharat Mathaki Jai" ("Hail Mother India") during the attack, which was broken up after police arrived.
Some of the most vicious attacks against Christians in recent years have happened in Pakistan. Sadly, the authorities often willingly ignore these attacks. The following are just a few of the incidents that have happened recently…
On Sunday, May 24, a Christian man in the Sanda neighborhood of Lahore was accused of blasphemy when some Muslims saw him burning newspapers that reportedly contained Arabic verses from the Koran. After the accusation, a Muslim mob caught the Christian, severely beat him, and even attempted to set him on fire. A few months earlier, another Muslim mob burned a Christian couple alive inside a kiln after they, too, were accused of insulting Islam. The Christian youth — named Humayun Masih, said to be "mentally unstable" — was imprisoned and charged under section 295-B of Pakistan's penal code, which prohibits the desecration of the Koran. After the attack on the Christian youth, the Muslim mob, reportedly thousands, rampaged through the neighborhood and set fire to Christian homes and a church. Christians in the region were attacked, and most fled the region; some of the mob was armed and gunshots were heard.
#5 Nigeria
Did you know that Islamic terrorists in Nigeria have killed more than 2,000 people (most of them Christians) so far in 2015? Why isn't this getting much more attention from the global media?…
Since its formation in 2009, Boko Haram has perpetrated the killing of over over 10,000 Nigerians, including thousands of Christians. This year alone, over 2,000 people have been killed as a result of the group's attacks and an estimated 750,000 have fled their homes. While most of the attacks have taken place in northern Nigeria, they have extended to Cameroon and Chad in recent months.
Earlier in July, Muslim extremists ravaged northeastern Nigerian villages, killing nine villagers and burning down 32 churches and about 300 homes, according to Stephen Apagu, chairman of a self-defense group in Borno state's Askira-Uba local government area.
#6 China
The Chinese government has been brutally persecuting Bible-believing Christians for decades, but this year things have been taken to an entirely new level. The following is an excerpt from a recent Washington Free Beacon article…
The CCP considers the rising popularity of Christianity as a threat to its dominance, China Aid said, and has used aggressive measures to intimidate members.
"The Chinese government's persecution campaign included forced demolition of churches and crosses, the detention and imprisonment of pastors and church members on criminal charges, forcing churches into bankruptcy by confiscating church property and imposing fines, and manipulating state-run media to label house churches as 'cult' organizations," the report said.
A local police force—including 600 SWAT officers and government agents—demolished the cross last year at Salvation Church, a Christian house church in the eastern coastal city of Wenzhou. The officers attacked 14 church members on July 21 and seriously injured five, according to the report.
Zhang Shaojie, former pastor at the Nanle County Christian Church in central China, was sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined after being convicted of "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order" and "fraud." Zhang mobilized his congregation to petition the government in Beijing after local authorities seized property that the church had set aside for a new building. Local officials responded by detaining some church members and barring their travel to Beijing.
#7 Nepal
In Nepal, churches cannot buy property, and the new constitution actually bans people from converting to Christianity…
The largely Hindu nation of Nepal has published a draft of a new constitution that would ban religious conversion. Father Silas Bogati, vicar general of the Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal, told Catholic News Service that "Christianity is not recognized as a religion here, unlike Hinduism, Buddhism or Islam." "Hence, churches cannot be registered as a legal body, and we cannot buy property," he added. "We are severely handicapped by this."
#8 Italy
Normally you wouldn't think of Italy as a place where Christians would be persecuted, but thanks to Islamic immigration this is rapidly changing…
Accounts of Muslim immigrants taunting and even assaulting Christians in Italy are increasing. Earlier this year, a crucifix was violently destroyed in close proximity to a populated mosque, and a statue of the Virgin Mary was destroyed and urinated on by a group of North Africans in Italy.
#9 Canada
Canada is becoming increasingly hostile to Bible-believing Christians, and attacks on churches are becoming more common. Just check out this recent example…
On May 26, a 22-year-old man of Muslim background wascharged with alleged hate crimes committed against the St. Catherine of Siena Church and its neighboring elementary school in Mississauga, Ontario. Iqbal Hessan faces five counts of mischief, and over $5,000 in fines. On May 20, the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue that stands in front of the church was covered in black paint and the fingers of its outstretched arms were broken off. Behind the church, graffiti with the words "There is no Jew God" was scrawled across the brick wall along with a drawing of a face labelled "Jewsus." That vandalism was the fourth time the church was targeted.
#10 The United States
If Christians stay in their homes and don't say anything, normally they don't get physically persecuted in this country. But in recent years there have been an increasing number of incidents where street preachers and others that do try to actively influence the culture have been violently assaulted. The following is one recent example that happened in Seattle…
Two street preachers were brutally beaten—punched and kicked—by a crowd at a gay pride festival in Seattle and the entire melee was captured on video.
The preachers were holding signs reading "Repent or Else" and "Jesus Saves From Sin." The video shows a group of people initially screaming and threatening the men during Pridefest at the Seattle Space Needle.
Television station KOMO reported that some of the attackers belonged to a group called NOH8.
A group of women tried to steal their signs but were unsuccessful. The video then shows a group of men grabbing onto one of the preacher's signs and dragging him to the ground. At some point he was punched in the back of the head a number of times while others can be seen kicking the man.
Of course all of this is just the beginning.
In the years ahead, hatred toward Christians is going to continue to increase, and many believers are going to be faced with some extremely difficult choices.
What would you do if you were forced to choose between your job and your relationship with Jesus Christ?
What would you do if you were forced to choose between your life and your relationship with Jesus Christ?
Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus told us that his followers would be hated and persecuted. So none of this should be any surprise to us. Consider what Jesus had to say in John chapter 15…
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, the world therefore hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My words, they will keep yours also.
Just like we saw during the times of the early church, sometimes the fire of persecution provides the perfect fuel for the growth of the kingdom of God. And sometimes the persecutors end up becoming extremely radical believers themselves. The following is one particularly miraculous example…
"One of our YWAM workers in the Middle East was contacted by a friend earlier this year and they met up and he was introduced to an ISIS fighter who had killed many Christians already. I mean that's a horrible situation, and admittedly, he was probably on guard," Gina Fadely, director of Youth With A Mission Frontier Missions, Inc. (YWAM), said during a recent appearance on The Voice of the Martyrs Radio Network.
YWAM, a nonprofit missionary organization active since 1960, describes itself as "a global movement of Christians from many cultures, age groups, and Christian traditions, dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world." The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is another nonprofit that draws attention to Christians facing persecution around the world.
Fadely, who appeared on the VOM radio program along with Kevin Sutter, another YWAM leader, went on to share that this Islamic State jihadi confessed not only to killing Christians but "that he had actually enjoyed doing so."
"He told this YWAM leader that he had begun having dreams of this man in white who came to him and said, 'You are killing my people.' And he started to feel really sick and uneasy about what he was doing," Fadely continued. "The fighter said just before he killed one Christian, the man said, 'I know you will kill me, but I give to you my Bible.' The Christian was killed and this ISIS fighter actually took the Bible and began to read it. In another dream, Jesus asked him to follow him and he was now asking to become a follower of Christ and to be discipled."
So what do you think about all of this?


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Valentine's Day Safety Tips
Valentine's Day is regarded as a day for love and spoiling your special someone. Keep Valentine's Day safe and fun for you and your pets with these tips from our friends at the ASPCA!
Pet-Safe Bouquets
When sending a floral arrangement to someone with a cat, specify that it contain no lilies—and when receiving an arrangement, sift through and remove all dangerous flora. If your pet is suffering from symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting or diarrhea, he may have ingested an offending flower or plant. Use our online toxic and nontoxic plant libraries as visual guides of what shouldn't be in your bouquets.
Forbidden Chocolate
Seasoned pet lovers know that all types of chocolate are potentially life-threatening when ingested by pets. Methylxanthines are caffeine-like stimulants that affect gastrointestinal, neurologic and cardiac function—they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and an abnormally elevated heart rate. The high-fat content in lighter chocolates can potentially lead to a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Go ahead and indulge, but don't leave chocolate out for chowhounds to find.
Careful with Cocktails
Spilled wine, a half a glass of champagne or some leftover liquor are nothing to cry over until a curious pet laps them up. Because animals are smaller than humans, a little bit of alcohol can do a lot of harm, causing vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, metabolic disturbances and even coma. Potentially fatal respiratory failure can also occur if a large amount is ingested.
Life Is Sweet
So don't let pets near treats sweetened with xylitol. If ingested, gum, candy and other treats that include this sweetener can result in hypoglycemia (a sudden drop in blood sugar). This can cause your pet to suffer depression, loss of coordination and seizures.
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Don't let pets near roses or other thorny-stemmed flowers. Biting, stepping on or swallowing their sharp, woody spines can cause serious infection if a puncture occurs. De-thorn your roses far away from pets.
Playing with Fire
It's nice to set your evening a-glow with candlelight, but put out the fire when you leave the room. Pawing kittens and nosy pooches can burn themselves or cause a fire by knocking over unattended candles.
Wrap It Up
Gather up tape, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, cellophane and balloons after presents have been opened—if swallowed, these long, stringy and "fun-to-chew" items can get lodged in your pet's throat or digestive tract, causing her to choke or vomit.
For more tips from the ASPCA, please visit their page here.