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Paul in Ephesus
19 And it happened that while tApollos was at Corinth, Paul passed uthrough the inland1 country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, v"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, wwe have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said, x"Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into yJohn's baptism." 4 And Paul said, y"John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people zto believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." 5 On hearing this, athey were baptized in2 the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And bwhen Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and cthey began speaking in tongues and dprophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
8 And ehe entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them fabout the kingdom of God. 9 gBut when some became stubborn and hcontinued in unbelief, speaking evil of ithe Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.3 10 This continued for jtwo years, so that kall the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
The Sons of Sceva
11 And lGod was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 lso that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and mthe evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish nexorcists oundertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, p"I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims." 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, q"Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?" 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all4 of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and rthe name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, sconfessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord tcontinued to increase and prevail mightily.
A Riot at Ephesus
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit uto pass through vMacedonia and Achaia and wgo to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, xI must also see Rome." 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of yhis helpers, zTimothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia afor a while.
23 About that time bthere arose no little disturbance concerning cthe Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, dbrought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 dThese he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, esaying that fgods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the ggreat goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship."
28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, g"Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and hAristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's icompanions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs,5 who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 jNow some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, kmotioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, l"Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, "Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from mthe sky?6 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought nthese men here who are neither osacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are pproconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further,7 it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion." 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Paul in Macedonia and Greece
20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and qdeparted for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when ra plot was made against him by the Jews1 as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, sAristarchus and Secundus; and sGaius of Derbe, and tTimothy; and the Asians, uTychicus and vTrophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for wus at xTroas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after ythe days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
Eutychus Raised from the Dead
7 zOn the first day of the week, when we were gathered together ato break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in bthe upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he cfell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and dbent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, e"Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him." 11 And when Paul had gone up and fhad broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.
13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and2 the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening gto be at Jerusalem, if possible, hon the day of Pentecost.
Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called ithe elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:
j"You yourselves know khow I lived among you the whole time jfrom the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 lserving the Lord mwith all humility and with ntears and with trials that happened to me through othe plots of the Jews; 20 how I pdid not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and qteaching you in public and from house to house, 21 rtestifying both to Jews and to Greeks of srepentance toward God and of tfaith in our Lord Jesus Christ.3 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained uby4 the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that vthe Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that wimprisonment and xafflictions await me. 24 But yI do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only zI may finish my course and athe ministry bthat I received from the Lord Jesus, cto testify to dthe gospel of ethe grace of God. 25 And now, behold, fI know that none of you among whom I have gone about gproclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore hI testify to you this day that iI am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for jI did not shrink from declaring to you kthe whole counsel of God. 28 lPay careful attention to yourselves and to all mthe flock, in which nthe Holy Spirit has made you ooverseers, pto care for qthe church of God,5 which he robtained swith his own blood.6 29 I rknow that after my departure tfierce wolves will come in among you, unot sparing the flock; 30 and vfrom among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore wbe alert, remembering that xfor three years I did not cease night or day yto admonish every one zwith tears. 32 And now aI commend you to God and to bthe word of his grace, which is able to cbuild you up and to give you dthe inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 eI coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 fYou yourselves know that gthese hands ministered to my necessities and hto those who were with me. 35 In all things iI have shown you that jby working hard in this way we must khelp the weak and lremember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed mto give than to receive.'"
36 And when he had said these things, nhe knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And othere was much weeping on the part of all; pthey embraced Paul and pkissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of qthe word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And rthey accompanied him to the ship.
Paul Goes to Jerusalem
21 And when swe had parted from them and set sail, we tcame by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.1 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And uthrough the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, vaccompanied us until we were outside the city. And wkneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted xthe brothers2 and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of yPhilip zthe evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, awho prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named bAgabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he ctook Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, d"Thus says the Holy Spirit, e'This is how the Jews3 at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and fdeliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" 12 When we heard this, we and the people there gurged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, g"What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For hI am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem ifor the name of the Lord Jesus." 14 And since he would not be persuaded, jwe ceased and said, k"Let the will of the Lord be done."
15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Paul Visits James
17 When we had come to Jerusalem, lthe brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to mJames, and all nthe elders were present. 19 After greeting them, ohe related one by one pthe things that God had done among the Gentiles through his qministry. 20 And when they heard it, they rglorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all szealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all tthe Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, utelling them vnot to circumcise their children or wwalk according to xour customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men ywho are under a vow; 24 take these men and zpurify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, yso that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, awe have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled,4 and from sexual immorality." 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day zhe purified himself along with them and bwent into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and cthe offering presented for each one of them.
Paul Arrested in the Temple
27 When cthe seven days were almost completed, dthe Jews from Asia, eseeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who fis teaching everyone everywhere against the people and gthe law and gthis place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and hhas defiled gthis holy place." 29 For they had previously seen iTrophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and jdragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 jAnd as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of kthe cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 lHe at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him mto be bound nwith two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 oSome in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into pthe barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, q"Away with him!"
Paul Speaks to the People
37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not rthe Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out sinto the wilderness?" 39 Paul replied, t"I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people." 40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, umotioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in vthe Hebrew language,5 saying:
22 w"Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you."
2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in xthe Hebrew language,1 they became even more quiet. And he said:
3 y"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated zat the feet of aGamaliel2 baccording to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, cbeing zealous for God das all of you are this day. 4 eI persecuted fthis Way gto the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as hthe high priest and ithe whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to jthe brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 k"As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 8 And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am lJesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' 9 mNow those who were with me saw the light but did not understand3 the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, n'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.' 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
12 "And oone Ananias, a devout man paccording to the law, qwell spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 rcame to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And sat that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, t'The God of our fathers uappointed you to know his will, vto see wthe Righteous One and xto hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for yyou will be a witness for him to everyone of what zyou have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? aRise and be baptized and bwash away your sins, ccalling on his name.'
17 d"When I had returned to Jerusalem and ewas praying in the temple, I fell into fa trance 18 and saw him saying to me, g'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.' 19 And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another hI imprisoned and ibeat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen jyour witness was being shed, kI myself was standing by and lapproving and kwatching over the garments of those who killed him.' 21 And he said to me, 'Go, for I will send you mfar away to the Gentiles.'"
Paul and the Roman Tribune
22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, n"Away with such a fellow from the earth! For ohe should not be allowed to live." 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into pthe barracks, saying that he should be qexamined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips,4 Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to flog ra man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen." 27 So the tribune came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes." 28 The tribune answered, "I bought this citizenship for a large sum." Paul said, "But I am a citizen by birth." 29 So those who were about sto examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also twas afraid, ufor he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that vhe had bound him.
Paul Before the Council
30 But on the next day, wdesiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
23 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, xI have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day." 2 And the high priest yAnanias commanded those who stood by him zto strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you awhitewashed bwall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet ccontrary to the law you corder me to be struck?" 4 Those who stood by said, "Would you revile dGod's high priest?" 5 And Paul said, e"I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, f'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"
6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were gSadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, hI am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is iwith respect to the jhope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial." 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees ksay that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of lthe scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, m"We find nothing wrong in this man. What nif a spirit or an angel spoke to him?" 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into othe barracks.
11 pThe following night qthe Lord stood by him and said, r"Take courage, for sas you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must ttestify also in Rome."
A Plot to Kill Paul
12 When it was day, uthe Jews made a plot and vbound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near."
16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered wthe barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him." 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul xthe prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you." 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?" 20 And he said, y"The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who zhave bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent." 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, "Tell no one that you have informed me of these things."
Paul Sent to Felix the Governor
23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, "Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.1 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to aFelix bthe governor." 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:
26 "Claudius Lysias, to chis Excellency the governor Felix, dgreetings. 27 eThis man was seized by the Jews and fwas about to be killed by them fwhen I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, ghaving learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And hdesiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused iabout questions of their law, but jcharged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 kAnd when it was disclosed to me lthat there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, mordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him."
31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to nthe barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what oprovince he was from. And when he learned pthat he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, "I will give you a hearing qwhen your accusers arrive." And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's rpraetorium.


text:
These pages outline the chart configuration options, and the methods and properties of Highcharts objects.
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text: Atricle Archive Includes Archive 2016 May (1) March (1) January (3) Archive 2015 December (6) October (8) August (3) July (7) June (14) May (3) April (25) March (56) February (15) January (5) Archive 2014 December (4) November (13) October (5) September (2) August (4) July (11) June (500) May (2) مسجد جامع عتیق شیراز 2014 May 11 مسجد وکیل شیراز 2014 May 11 لیست تعدادی از مساجد استان فارس 2014 May 04 Article Archive . Islam & the Modern Age Masjid and its management:Issues and challenges Role of the mosques of Tehran in victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran The Prophet's Attitude towards Children and Youth Rules for the Masjid The Victory of Truth: The Life of Zaynab bint Ali The Revolution of Imam al-Husayn (a) The Multicultural City and the Politics of Religious Architecture: Urban Planning, Mosques and Meaning-making in Birmingham, UK The Excellences of Imam Husayn in Sunni Hadith Tradition Nafasul Mahmum, Relating to the heart rending tragedy of Karbala Mukhtar al-Thaqafy Maqtal al-Husayn Karbala, the Chain of Events Karbala and Ashura Imam Husayn and His martyrdom Forty Hadith on Azadari A Probe into the History of Ashura' 'Ashura - Misrepresentations and Distortions part 1 Islamophobia: hatred towards Islam and Muslims rises in West Khadijah daughter of Khuwaylid A word about the SHĪ`A presence and activity in the United States New world order and Iran according to the Supreme Leader of Iran's views THE JEWS (YAHUD) AND "ASHAB AL-UKHDOOD" The first FITNA in Islam The HARRA Incident: When "Muslims" attacked he Ka`ba - Article Iranian mosques, the milestone of Islamic architecture: a case study 40 Types of Fast A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF THE FOUNDER OF WAHHABISM The influence of Ḥadīth on the architecture of early congregational mosques Sinan and the historiography of ''classical'' Ottoman Empire A Study on the North Dome of Masjid-i-Jami Isfahan Hagia Sophia and Sinan's Mosques: Structure and Decoration in Süleymaniye Mosque and Selimiye Mosque IS YOUR MOSQUE SUCCESSFUL OR IS IT JUST GROWING? Suleymaniye Mosque of Mimar Sinan in Turkish Architectural Construction History Recognition of light-openings in Iranian mosques' domes With reference to climatic properties Architecture of the Fatimid period The Stratigraphy of Forgetting: The Great Mosque of Cordoba and Its Contested Legacy The Contextual Issues in the Islamic Architecture of Bengal Mosques Transformation of Minarets in Contemporary Mosque Architecture in Turkey External features of the Faisal Mosque Key Conservation Principles of Old Traditional Mosque in Malaysia Kampung Laut's Old Mosque in Malaysia: Its Influence from Chinese Building Construction Understanding the Month of Glory Lessons on the Month of Ramadhan Mosques & Youth Engagement ISLAM AND POLITICS IN KUMASI History, Distribution and Affiliation of Mosque in Muslim Minority of Sri Lanka Women Friendly Mosques and Community Centers The American Mosque report - 2011 The mosque in Islam The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet) Role of mosque Women in the Mosque: Historical Perspectives on Segregation National needs assessments of mosques associated with ISNA & NAIT Mosques in the United Satets of America and Canada Comparison of the acoustical performance of mosque geometry using computer modelu studies Architectural conservation of the mosque Mosque & Islamic Cultural Centre of Rome Geometric Analysis of Forumad Mosques' Ornaments Identity-as-Form: The Mosque in the West THE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT OF MUSLIM AMERICANS Mosque Involvement and Group Consciousness The History of Al Aqsa Mosque from Earliest Times to the Present day POSTREVOLUTIONARY AL-AZHAR The Great Mosque of Cordoba and Its Contested Legacy EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF OUR MOSQUES Effects of Varamin Jami Mosque's Ornamentations on the Spatial Qualities THE ROLES OF MOSQUE LIBRARIES THROUGH HISTORY Mosques as Communities of Memories vis-à-vis Muslim Identity and Integration in the European Union STRUCTURE, DECORATION AND MATERIALS: MUGHAL MOSQUES OF MEDIEVAL DHAKA Speaking Out and Advocating for the Muslim Child in Mosques and Community Centers The Mosque as the First Political-Ideological Base in the Islamic Society DOCUMENTATION AND CONSERVATION OF WAZIR KHAN MOSQUE, LAHORE, PAKISTAN The Red Mosque operation and its impact on the growth of the Pakistani Taliban The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque The Architecture of the Early Mosques and Shrines of Java: Influences of the Arab Merchants in the 15th and 16th Centuries? UMAYYAD SURVIVALS AND MAMLUK REVIVALS: QALAWUNID ARCHITECTURE AND THE GREAT MOSQUE OF DAMASCUS The Architecture of the Mosque,an Overview and Design Directions The mosqe The new architecture of mosque design to express themodernity of Moslems Transformation of Minarets in Contemporary Mosque Architecture in Turkey1 The mosque between modernity and tradition The mosque in the medieval Islamic world Mosque: Architectural Aspects Emerging Mosque Architecture (New Architectural vocabulary in Secular Nepal) Towards Better Understanding of the Qur'an The Qur'an in Islam The Islamic System of Judiciary in the Qur'an The Divine Wisdom of Prophet Muhammad Human Reproduction in the Qur'an The Collection and Preservation of the Qur'an Introduction to the Science of Tafsir of the Quran Log in [1] or register [2] to Elementary Arabic Syntax 2 Elementary Arabic Syntax 1 Elementary Arabic Morphology 3 Elementary Arabic Morphology 2 Elementary Arabic Morphology 1 Authenticity of the Quran An Introduction to the Glorious Quran A Glance at the Life of the Holy Prophet of Islam Caliphate and Imamate


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Please join us for an exciting costuming challenge - Teams of up to six members each meet at 10PM Friday night and have until 6PM on Saturday evening to complete an entire outfit in an all-night sewing extravaganza! Please see the competition web page for more information. Grab a few friends, register a team, and come take on the Griffin's Needle Challenge!
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text: Poet, artist, composer and publisher Dick Higgins' culminating work might be his 1987 study, Pattern Poetry: Guide to an Unknown Literature. The categories he draws up, and the drawing up of them, are as fascinating as the examples in this profusely illustrated book. Categories that replace received notions of prosody in visual terms call for new units of measure. Why replace? Because we equate poetry with verse, using the old would make the term "pattern poetry" redundant, short-circuiting its explanatory power.


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10 Black Owned Cruelty-Free Skincare Brands
In this post I'm bringing you a nice mix of fun playful brands and clean beauty brands.
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Jennifer Carlsson
The Beauty Brand Expert
I'm Jennifer Carlsson, a 32 year old strategy consultant, competitive market researcher, data analyst and designer from Stockholm, Sweden. I know more about more beauty brands than anyone else and I'm an expert in what it takes for beauty brands to succeed.
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The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Chapter 3: "Across the Moor"
Additional Information
- Year Published: 1909
- Language: English
- Country of Origin: England
- Source: Burnett, F. H. (1909). The Secret Garden. London, England: F. H. Burnett.
- Flesch–Kincaid Level: 4.0
- Word Count: 1,597
- Genre: Romance
- Keywords: 20th century literature, british literature, children's stories
- ✎ Cite This
She slept a long time, and when she awakened Mrs. Medlock had bought a lunchbasket at one of the stations and they had some chicken and cold beef and bread and butter and some hot tea. The rain seemed to be streaming down more heavily than ever and everybody in the station wore wet and glistening waterproofs. The guard lighted the lamps in the carriage, and Mrs. Medlock cheered up very much over her tea and chicken and beef. She ate a great deal and afterward fell asleep herself, and Mary sat and stared at her and watched her fine bonnet slip on one side until she herself fell asleep once more in the corner of the carriage, lulled by the splashing of the rain against the windows. It was quite dark when she awakened again. The train had stopped at a station and Mrs. Medlock was shaking her.
"You have had a sleep!" she said. "It's time to open your eyes! We're at Thwaite Station and we've got a long drive before us."
Mary stood up and tried to keep her eyes open while Mrs. Medlock collected her parcels. The little girl did not offer to help her, because in India native servants always picked up or carried things and it seemed quite proper that other people should wait on one.
The station was a small one and nobody but themselves seemed to be getting out of the train. The station-master spoke to Mrs. Medlock in a rough, good-natured way, pronouncing his words in a queer broad fashion which Mary found out afterward was Yorkshire.
"I see tha's got back," he said. "An' tha's browt th' young 'un with thee."
"Aye, that's her," answered Mrs. Medlock, speaking with a Yorkshire accent herself and jerking her head over her shoulder toward Mary. "How's thy Missus?"
"Well enow. Th' carriage is waitin' outside for thee."
A brougham stood on the road before the little outside platform. Mary saw that it was a smart carriage and that it was a smart footman who helped her in. His long waterproof coat and the waterproof covering of his hat were shining and dripping with rain as everything was, the burly station-master included.
When he shut the door, mounted the box with the coachman, and they drove off, the little girl found herself seated in a comfortably cushioned corner, but she was not inclined to go to sleep again. She sat and looked out of the window, curious to see something of the road over which she was being driven to the queer place Mrs. Medlock had spoken of. She was not at all a timid child and she was not exactly frightened, but she felt that there was no knowing what might happen in a house with a hundred rooms nearly all shut up—a house standing on the edge of a moor.
"What is a moor?" she said suddenly to Mrs. Medlock.
"Look out of the window in about ten minutes and you'll see," the woman answered. "We've got to drive five miles across Missel Moor before we get to the Manor. You won't see much because it's a dark night, but you can see something."
Mary asked no more questions but waited in the darkness of her corner, keeping her eyes on the window. The carriage lamps cast rays of light a little distance ahead of them and she caught glimpses of the things they passed. After they had left the station they had driven through a tiny village and she had seen whitewashed cottages and the lights of a public house. Then they had passed a church and a vicarage and a little shop-window or so in a cottage with toys and sweets and odd things set our for sale. Then they were on the highroad and she saw hedges and trees. After that there seemed nothing different for a long time—or at least it seemed a long time to her.
At last the horses began to go more slowly, as if they were climbing up-hill, and presently there seemed to be no more hedges and no more trees. She could see nothing, in fact, but a dense darkness on either side. She leaned forward and pressed her face against the window just as the carriage gave a big jolt.
"Eh! We're on the moor now sure enough," said Mrs. Medlock.
The carriage lamps shed a yellow light on a rough-looking road which seemed to be cut through bushes and low-growing things which ended in the great expanse of dark apparently spread out before and around them. A wind was rising and making a singular, wild, low, rushing sound.
"It's—it's not the sea, is it?" said Mary, looking round at her companion.
"No, not it," answered Mrs. Medlock. "Nor it isn't fields nor mountains, it's just miles and miles and miles of wild land that nothing grows on but heather and gorse and broom, and nothing lives on but wild ponies and sheep."
"I feel as if it might be the sea, if there were water on it," said Mary. "It sounds like the sea just now."
"That's the wind blowing through the bushes," Mrs. Medlock said. "It's a wild, dreary enough place to my mind, though there's plenty that likes it—particularly when the heather's in bloom."
On and on they drove through the darkness, and though the rain stopped, the wind rushed by and whistled and made strange sounds. The road went up and down, and several times the carriage passed over a little bridge beneath which water rushed very fast with a great deal of noise. Mary felt as if the drive would never come to an end and that the wide, bleak moor was a wide expanse of black ocean through which she was passing on a strip of dry land.
"I don't like it," she said to herself. "I don't like it," and she pinched her thin lips more tightly together.
The horses were climbing up a hilly piece of road when she first caught sight of a light. Mrs. Medlock saw it as soon as she did and drew a long sigh of relief.
"Eh, I am glad to see that bit o' light twinkling," she exclaimed. "It's the light in the lodge window. We shall get a good cup of tea after a bit, at all events."
It was "after a bit," as she said, for when the carriage passed through the park gates there was still two miles of avenue to drive through and the trees (which nearly met overhead) made it seem as if they were driving through a long dark vault.
They drove out of the vault into a clear space and stopped before an immensely long but low-built house which seemed to ramble round a stone court. At first Mary thought that there were no lights at all in the windows, but as she got out of the carriage she saw that one room in a corner upstairs showed a dull glow.
The entrance door was a huge one made of massive, curiously shaped panels of oak studded with big iron nails and bound with great iron bars. It opened into an enormous hall, which was so dimly lighted that the faces in the portraits on the walls and the figures in the suits of armor made Mary feel that she did not want to look at them. As she stood on the stone floor she looked a very small, odd little black figure, and she felt as small and lost and odd as she looked.
A neat, thin old man stood near the manservant who opened the door for them.
"You are to take her to her room," he said in a husky voice. "He doesn't want to see her. He's going to London in the morning."
"Very well, Mr. Pitcher," Mrs. Medlock answered. "So long as I know what's expected of me, I can manage."
"What's expected of you, Mrs. Medlock," Mr. Pitcher said, "is that you make sure that he's not disturbed and that he doesn't see what he doesn't want to see."
And then Mary Lennox was led up a broad staircase and down a long corridor and up a short flight of steps and through another corridor and another, until a door opened in a wall and she found herself in a room with a fire in it and a supper on a table.
Mrs. Medlock said unceremoniously:
"Well, here you are! This room and the next are where you'll live—and you must keep to them. Don't you forget that!"
It was in this way Mistress Mary arrived at Misselthwaite Manor and she had perhaps never felt quite so contrary in all her life.


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See more: Watch
Solo contrast
Water-resistant to 50 Meters or 165 feet
Yes, You Can Swim With It
Introducing SOLO 1-handed timepiece that tells time in 5 minute increments!
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Water-resistant to 50 Meters or 165 feet
2-year warranty on the movement


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I want patience and I want it now.
Also, I find that nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
Laziness is what gets me out of bed in the morning.
Some of the smartest things people have ever said:
No language makes perfect sense. — John McWhorter
Neurosis is always a substitute for legitimate suffering. — Carl Jung
To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves. Nothing is often a good thing to say, and always a clever thing to say. — Will Durant
A child educated only at school is an uneducated child. — George Santayana
Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do. Strategy is knowing what to do when there is nothing to do. — Savielly Tartakower
One of the painful things about our time is that those who feel certainty are stupid, and those with any imagination and understanding are filled with doubt and indecision — Bertrand Russell
Every good thing that happens in your life is a gift. — Yours Truly
If you can't practice self-denial, all you're left with is denial. — Ibid.
"Most people wouldn't recognize subtlety if it jumped up and bit them on the ass." — Ibid.
Champagne for my real friends, and real pain for my sham friends.
Great AnswerMar 9, 2018
FanaticMar 22, 2017
BetaJan 31, 2013
GeneralistAug 14, 2018
PunditDec 4, 2016
meaning-in-contextMar 1, 2019
meaningNov 9, 2018
PrecognitiveJan 23, 2013


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A. Host an 8-Person Pass or Table.
Show your key support of women leaders in your organization or our metro as a VIP employer.• Save with a discounted group rate versus the individual registrant rate.
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• Access by the team to 12 monthly speakers by webinar.
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• If back to in-person: reserved upfront roundtable for 8 with company name.
• Fee: $1500 for all 8.
B. Team and Site License Options.
Team License (each designated employee sent their own access link).Pricing: $149/person for 10-50 people, $139/person for 51-200, $129/person for 200+.
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The Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Department of Plant Biology is located on the scenic and environmentally friendly G. H. Cook Campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and is in close proximity to the Jersey shore, the Pinelands, and New York City. The majority of the fifty-member faculty reside in the Foran Hall state-of-the-art research laboratory and office facilities. The faculty offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral educational and research opportunities in molecular biology/biotechnology, plant breeding and genetic improvement, plant diversity and natural products, plant management, and plant pathology.
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If you want to cash in that IOU from the state of California early, you're going to need a notary.
That's because after reports surfaced of buyers looking to purchase the bills online, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer says that his office will not redeem the notes unless a notarized bill of sale signed by the original payee is presented.
Lockyer has asked eBay and Craigslist to post a note with the policy on their Web sites.
The IOUs can be redeemed on October 2 for the stated value plus 3.75 percent annual interest.
Citizens are receiving the notes for tax refunds which went out last week.
If you need cash so bad, why not print up some Arnoldbucks instead? They're not legal tender, but former San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin did get some free drinks for tipping a bartender with one.
Jackson West figures a sex worker who's also a notary could really cash in these days.
Selling IOUs on Craigslist Gets Complicated
Not so fast, says State Treasurer Bill Lockyer of trade in promissory notes
Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media


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§ 447.32 Application for registration and refund of fee.
a.(a) Application for registration must be filed on ATF Form 4587 and must be accompanied by the registration fee at the rate prescribed in this section. The appropriate ATF officer will approve the application and return the original to the applicant.
b.(b) Registration may be effected for periods of from 1 to 5 years at the option of the registrant by identifying on Form 4587 the period of registration desired. The registration fees are as follows:
1 year $250 2 years 500 3 years 700 4 years 850 5 years 1,000
c.(c) Fees paid in advance for whole future years of a multiple year registration will be refunded upon request if the registrant ceases to engage in importing articles on the U.S. Munitions Import List. A request for a refund must be submitted to the appropriate ATF officer at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Martinsburg, WV 25405, prior to the beginning of any year for which a refund is claimed.


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Posts Tagged 'free elections'
A vision of a democratic Libya
The political and international affairs committee of Libya's interim national council presents its eight-point plan for the country The interim national council, formed by opposition groups in Libya, has said it will hold free and fair elections and draft a national constitution. Here is its eight-point plan in full. A vision of a democratic Libya The interim national council hereby presents its vision for rebuilding the democratic state of Libya. This vision responds to the needs and ... Full Story


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Trump administration considering separating women, children at Mexico border
WASHINGTON: Women and children crossing together illegally into the United States could be separated by US authorities under a proposal being considered by the Department of Homeland Security, according to three government officials.
Part of the reason for the proposal is to deter mothers from migrating to the United States with their children, said the officials, who have been briefed on the proposal.
The policy shift would allow the government to keep parents in custody while they contest deportation or wait for asylum hearings. Children would be put into protective custody with the Department of Health and Human Services, in the "least restrictive setting" until they can be taken into the care of a US relative or state-sponsored guardian.
Currently, families contesting deportation or applying for asylum are generally released from detention quickly and allowed to remain in the United States until their cases are resolved. A federal appeals court ruling bars prolonged child detention.
US President Donald Trump has called for ending "catch and release," in which migrants who cross illegally are freed to live in the United States while awaiting legal proceedings.
Two of the officials were briefed on the proposal at a Feb. 2 town hall for asylum officers by US Citizenship and Immigration Services asylum chief John Lafferty.
A third DHS official said the department is actively considering separating women from their children but has not made a decision.
HHS and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.
In a statement to Reuters, DHS said: "The journey north is a dangerous one with too many situations where children - brought by parents, relatives or smugglers - are often exploited, abused or may even lose their lives.
"With safety in mind, the Department of Homeland Security continually explores options that may discourage those from even beginning the journey," the statement said.
US Representative Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat whose district includes about 200 miles (320 km) of the border with Mexico, slammed the proposal. "Bottom line: separating mothers and children is wrong," he said in a statement.
"That type of thing is where we depart from border security and get into violating human rights," he said.
About 54,000 children and their guardians were apprehended between October 1, 2016, and January 31, 2017, more than double the number caught over the same time period a year earlier.
Republicans in Congress have argued women are willing to risk the dangerous journey with their children because they are assured they will be quickly released from detention and given court dates set years into the future.
Immigrant rights advocates have argued that Central America's violent and impoverished conditions force mothers to immigrate to the United States and that they should be given asylum status.
Implementing the new policy proposal "could create lifelong psychological trauma," said Marielena Hincapie, executive director at the National Immigration Law Centre. "Especially for children that have just completed a perilous journey from Central America."
Hincapie said the US government is likely to face legal challenges based on immigration and family law if they decide to implement the policy.
The policy would allow DHS to detain parents while complying with a 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals order from July 2016 that immigrant children should be released from detention as quickly as possible. That order said their parents were not required to be freed.
To comply with that order, the Obama administration implemented a policy of holding women and children at family detention centres for no more than 21 days before releasing them.
Holding mothers in prolonged detention could also strain government resources, said Randy Capps of the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington-based non-profit.
"You are talking about a pretty rapid increase in the detention population if you are going to do this," Capps said. "The question is really how much detention can they afford."
Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly last week ordered immigration agents to deport or criminally prosecute parents who facilitate the illegal smuggling of their children.
Many parents who arrive on the US-Mexico border with their children have paid smugglers to guide them across the dangerous terrain.


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The Tennessee General Assembly is back in session today. Here's an overview of some education topics that are likely to be considered this year. Of course, more issues always arise, but these issues will most certainly be given attention.
Senator Bill Ketron has indicated he's proposing legislation that will place a moratorium on any new testing until the current TNReady tests are successfully administered. Initially, it sounded like his proposal would stop all testing, but Ketron has since clarified that to indicate he wants to see the current test done right before any new tests are added.
Representative Jeremy Faison has proposed separating TNReady test scores from student grades and teacher evaluations. There have been significant problems with getting scores back in a reliable way in order to include them in student grades. Additionally, the apples to oranges comparison of TNReady to the old TCAP tests renders any teacher growth scores essentially meaningless.
Representative Matthew Hill has proposed shifting high school testing from TNReady to the ACT suite of assessments. Hill says there's too much emphasis on testing and too many hours spent away from instruction.
Combined, these initiatives represent a shift in attitude about TNReady and testing in general that could lead to some changes in how tests impact students and teachers. Decoupling tests from student grades and teacher evaluations would likely have the effect of reducing the influence they have over instructional time.
Response to Intervention and Instruction (RTI2) has been a state mandate for several years now, but state funding to carry out the program's demands has not been provided. This has led to some creative (and not terribly effective) implementation strategies. Districts are responding to the mandate to the best of their abilities, but due to lack of financial support, this doesn't always lead to the best outcome for students.
In her budget presentation to Governor Haslam, Commissioner Candice McQueen indicated she'd propose dedicated funding for RTI in a BEP update. It was not immediately clear how much funding or how it would be integrated into the school funding formula. Rep. Joe Pitts offered a possible option last year, but his proposal was not embraced by the Administration.
It's encouraging to see this item being discussed. Many districts have used the state's salary increase funding for teachers to hire RTI teachers — which means lower or no raises for teachers across a district. Providing dedicated RTI funding would allow districts to use state salary funds to boost pay across the board, and that's good news in a state that pays teachers 30% less than similarly educated professionals.
Teacher Pay
Following up on the RTI discussion as it relates to overall teacher pay, Governor Haslam has proposed and the General Assembly has approved BEP salary fund increases of 4% per year over the past three years. Because of issues like RTI and the general inadequacy of the BEP, teachers haven't always seen 4% raises. The average, in fact, has been just under 2% per year. Still, Governor Haslam gets some credit for maintaining investment in teacher compensation. Some speculate he'll go a step further in his last year in office, adding 5% to teacher compensation through the BEP. If this is coupled with a significant investment in RTI, it could mean the largest raise teachers have seen in years. The cost of making this investment would be around $125 million. With revenue continuing to outpace projections, this level of investment is both possible and wise. Tennessee still has a long way to go in terms of improving teacher compensation and support, but these two steps would signal a positive trend.
Both the House and Senate sponsors of voucher legislation have indicated they will not pursue the idea this year. In fact, both have said they want to focus on finding ways to invest in teacher pay and RTI, signaling a level of agreement with Governor Haslam. Last year marked the fifth consecutive year vouchers were defeated. It seems, for now at least, that advocates of using public tax dollars for private schools will wait to fight another day.
For more on education politics and policy in Tennessee, follow @TNEdReport


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FCI - Federation Cynologique Internationale
This year's FCI World Dog Show, which is being organised by the Finnish Kennel Club, may become the world's largest canine event if registrations keep coming in so strongly. Some 12,000 dogs have already been signed up now that the initial registration period has ended. The FCI World Dog Show takes place at Messukeskus, Expo & Convention Centre in Helsinki on 8-10 August 2014. The final deadline for entering a dog is 9 July.
"Registrations got off to an excellent start. I noticed that almost 4,000 dogs were entered during the last day of the initial sign-up stage. The Finnish Kennel Club's system held up well under this load, which peaked at nearly 600 dogs per hour," says Finnish Kennel Club CEO Markku Mähönen.
Kari Järvinen, Chairman of the FCI World Dog Show's Exhibition Committee, is also pleased with how enthusiastically entries have started coming in for the year's top event. "Finland is a major canine nation on the international level with some 200,000 dog show entries recorded each year, and this is a unique opportunity to demonstrate our competence to the world."
"The reputation of Finnish breeders and dogs has already spread around the world. It is a big deal to take part in the world's most prestigious canine event, as it will be a long time before a dog show of this significance comes to Finland again. The Finnish Kennel Club was granted this year's FCI World Dog Show in honour of our 125th jubilee year. I challenge both Finnish dog owners and dog owners from all around the world to participate in our event. Let's make this the biggest FCI World Dog Show of all time," Mr. Järvinen exclaims.
The entry process for the dog show is staggered and three entry categories remain open for registration. The next stage of entries must be made by 16 June and only online entries will be accepted in the last two stages. The final category of entries will close on 9 July. Domestic breeds, i.e. the Finnish Spitz, Finnish Hound, Karelian Bear Dog, Finnish Lapphund and Lapponian Herder, can enter the show free of charge. Our aim is to encourage owners of these domestic breeds to participate in the event in great numbers – we want to showcase Finland's fine domestic breeds to the entire world.
The FCI World Dog Show was held in Finland once before, in 1998. That year's show was a great success and established a standard for the organising of the FCI World Dog Show for all other canine nations. About 16,000 dogs, a record number for the time, competed in the 1998 FCI World Dog Show. Each year, 87 canine nations compete for the privilege to organise the FCI World Dog Show.
The Finnish Kennel Club counts among the world elite in the organising of dog shows. In total, 23,000 dogs were entered in last December's Koira2013 event, which attracted some 50,000 visitors.
Further information :
The Finnish Kennel Club Kaija Unhola, PR and Marketing Director Tel. +358 50 432 0844
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Filter by your needs
The Apple brand is so iconic that most people can spot one of their products a mile away before they have even clocked the logo. Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Payne founded the company back in 1976 and, despite a few setbacks, Apple is now the most valuable brand in the world. Their sleek and stylish laptops finished off with the renowned Apple logo, are some of the best in the industry. While they may not be the cheapest laptops out there, they are some of the most powerful and include cutting-edge technology. Whether you are looking to have the most impressive portable computer at university or need something that can handle high spec design projects, an Apple laptop will certainly not let you down. We have rounded up the best MacBook and MacBook Pro deals so that you can invest in the best of the best within your price range.
These laptops have an eye-catching package with a bright and refreshing look about them. They could even play the role of an accessory to compliment a specific sense of style.
Apple MacBook Air
Known as the entry-level Apple MacBook, the Air is one of the sleekest machines out there - not to mention one of the lightest! A MacBook Air is ideal for those who want to be able to take their laptop on the go with them, whether that be at home, work, or school. Big things come in small packages, however, and this Apple laptop really packs a punch when it comes to processing power, memory, and battery life - meaning you will not need to reach for the charger every few minutes. If you have never used an Apple laptop before, you will find that the operating system is surprisingly intuitive, making it quick to get started, even if you have been a Windows user forever.
Apple MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro really does tick all of the boxes if you are looking for a powerful and portable machine. Just because it is not the Air, however, do not think that it is not light and compact. Even the biggest MacBook Pro is only 18mm thick and weighs in at just over 2kg. This is still the ideal Apple laptop to take on the go, but you can expect a whole lot more than just portability. All Apple MacBooks come with impressive specs that will suit pretty much any project you want to use your laptop for; whether it is simply for watching movies on the stunning screen, listening to music on the impressively loud speakers, or completing a design project using the high-quality built-in software.
Macbook Deals
One of the things that stops people making the jump from other laptops to an Apple laptop is the price. However, at Choosist we have combined some of the best deals on MacBooks and MacBook Pros. Whether you want to use your Apple MacBook for work, home or school, you will find the best prices right here. We can also help you pick the best Apple laptop for your needs, using our clever personalised recommendations. Just let us know what you require your Apple MacBook for and we will show you the top picks with the best prices. Once you have invested in a Mac, you will never look back!


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Made from durable, high-tech black polymer the Tactical Quick Release holsters can rotate 360 degrees in fixed position every 9 degrees, which allows for easy fit for every application (small of back, cross draw, side draw etc.)
With the large release/lock lever, the weapon sits firm and secured inside the holster for all demanding situations. The holster comes standard with a paddle mount for belts up to 42 mm width or pant waists allowing for concealed carry. The paddle features a rubberized back for comfort and better grip.
The holster features cuts in the slide allowing for the holstering of weapons with high sights, optics and similar.
The holster fits our CZ P-07, P-09, P-09 OR, CZ75 and SP-01 Shadow models.
- Self locking system
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- High grade polymer for light weight and solid construction
- Cuts to allow for high-sights and optics


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Position: Sales Representative
Company: DEX Imaging
Job Location: Owings Mills, MD
Dex Imaging is a leading provider of document handling equipment and services with multiple offices and locations throughout the United States. Vendor agnostic providing the best document handling solutions in the industry with no dependency on a single manufacturer. Dex Imaging is a leader in information technology and a manufacturer of associated electronic document handling reporting devices.
Click here to see full job description
DEX Imaging is a sponsor of this IA Inc. To find out how you can get your job openings listed on this website, email email@example.com.
SOURCE Industry Analysts Inc.


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Gambling, "Yes" or "No." As far as the associated with Texas was concerned, lottery gambling was considered braking legislation up until the mid 1980s as soon as the lottery was backed. I had always thought that it was ironic that the state of texas decided that gambling was OK so long you gambled on your state controlled lotto. My question has always been "Why was lottery gambling illegal in the first place?" What was the point of making gambling against legislation? Were you protecting us from losing, or being scammed out of our hard-earned money? Do not think have the answer for this question, and I think no one else an answer produces sense.
We all love that feeling, along with gambling, the proportion of you going on the limit is far higher than other kind of games. Problem gamblers do not know how to stop gambling and fully engaged in the container. Once you crossed the line, there is not a turning back for many. This is the statistic, significantly 5% of social gamblers, are problem gamblers or addicts. Consist of words, via 20 people, one person has gambling addiction, which is a concern that we will not close this article.
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Upon realizing that the machine is a particular Slot, do not place big bets up till now. You need to do a bankroll test first. Recommendations tips you may need consider when performing a bankroll test. In the event the machine is giving over 50% or maybe profit, then leave that machine which will help prevent playing from it. Chances are, the spin will cost you a big loss. When you've got anything around the same end up 49% of your money and profits, you can stay and play with this machine again. That machine may perhaps be a good machine likewise allows let you hit a significant jackpot almost immediately.
If you think of the online casino Gambling as the simplest way to live, then you sure can hooked. Particular not to pay a regarding bucks on betting than you may spend to reduce. If you feel sorrow expending bucks by means of is lost, then you must not spend it to play.
How frequently have we heard stories or even knew of these people who lost all this in betting? Tonnes. Believe or not, these kind of problem explains the bad in people young and old. Many cases of domestic violence, thefts, robbery and more, stemmed from problem gambling that sought out of hand or mind in scenario.
Thunderstruck is really a 5-reel, 9 pay-line video slot from Microgaming. It appears with wilds, scatters, 15 free spins, 38 winning combinations, including top jackpot of 10,000 coins. Symbols on the reels include Hammer, Fist, Castle, Lightning, and Horn. Thunderstruck holds a special draw the women's.
So the second step is an easy one, believe it or not. All you have to do is to get information. You found about other things in life, inspire time to realize how to stop gambling and buying your life back under control. Where do you get such information? Business gamblers, of training course. What I recommend is that you call GA, Gamblers Anonymous, and briefly explain the situation. Seeking call and say, "I think I have a gambling problem," they'll help you. In fact, from this point forward, you will be getting help from experts and it is fee of recharge. Just say those words then listen. That's not so hard, do you find it?


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4715.3.55.005 - National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey: Queensland, 2004-05
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/04/2006 First Issue
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Presents results for Queensland from the publication 2004-05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey: Summary of Results, Australia (4715.0). Topics include measures of health status, health actions taken, and lifestyle factors which may influence health.
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Restructuring business functions and outsourcing has been saved
Restructuring business functions and outsourcing
Commercial law solutions
Today's globalized economy has opened up new opportunities for businesses looking to find cost savings through progressive sourcing arrangements. Centralization of business functions that take advantage of economies of scale, offshoring or outsourcing work to low cost providers and co-sourcing are common practices. Deloitte Legal assists companies with an array of sourcing arrangements and covers technology infrastructure and support, business process outsourcing, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
Our approach focuses first on the commercial objectives of the business. We help companies establish the flexible working relationships and effective contracts needed to be competitive in today's market. We can support businesses at any stage of the lifecycle including:
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"Deloitte Legal" means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal and regulatory reasons, not all member firms provide legal services.


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If you are an active amateur or a competitive runner, using the services of a chiropractor can make a vast change in your overall health, reduce your pain from injuries and improve your alignment for a more effective run. Chiropractors offer excellent rehabilitation care, and they can help you keep your body in top condition as an athlete. In fact, sports is an area that chiropractors can specialize in, focusing their training and experience on targeted treatments for runners.
Recovering from a Sports Injury
Most athletes get injured at one point or another in their career, whether it is while participating in their sport or an accident in their daily lives. Recovery from an injury can be difficult at times, and even after hours of physical therapy, you may feel that you aren't ready to start training again.
Physical therapy is a great help in recovering strength in soft tissue and muscle after an injury or surgery. However, sports-medicine trained chiropractors can improve the mobility of your joints after an injury. Sports chiropractors work with the soft tissue in conjunction with the joints in a coordinated fashion. An examination will take a look at:
- How you move
- How you stand
- What the arch of your foot looks like
- How your knees are aligned
- How your hips are aligned
After the examination, the sports chiropractor will assess the runner to recommend treatment.
Sports Chiropractic Treatments for Running Injuries
According to U.S. News and World Report, there are four primary chiropractic treatments for running injuries.
- Active Release Technique (ART) – combines massage and stretching by applying deep tension while moving a joint through its range of motion. This treatment is used primarily for adhesions in the muscle.
- Graston Technique – used to break down surface-level scar tissue with hand-held stainless steel tools.
- Functional Dry Needling – releases tension in trigger points through deep muscle stimulation with needles. This treatment can help the psoas muscle, a hip flexor muscle.
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) – releases tension through the stimulation of surface muscles.
General Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractors are trained to look at the whole body and align it for optimum balance. Many runners find it beneficial to have regular periodic adjustments to regain their body's balance from daily stress and the impact of running. Aligning the body can relieve tension or pain that is caused from misalignment before it becomes more than a minor impediment.
Runners may not even realize that the tension they feel is the beginning of pain caused from being out of balance until it is adjusted. Chiropractic adjustments are often part and parcel of a runner's training program to strengthen and improve performance. They can also help recover from pregnancy and postpartum bodily changes.
Preventing Injury and Promoting Optimal Performance
With regular care of a sports-trained chiropractor, runners can actually prevent injury and promote optimal performance by keeping their bodies fine-tuned, working at maximum capacity. A trained chiropractor can find imbalances that may lead to injury and correct them before they become a problem. With your body in perfect balance, muscles and joints work more efficiently, powering up your performance as a runner and making the most of your body's resources.
Misalignment can be caused by many common runners' experiences including running on the same type of surface every day, running on a slanted surface such as a beach or replacing running shoes too infrequently. As a runner, you can work to vary your running surfaces and keep a better watch on your shoes, but your chiropractor will let you know if your body is in need of more balance.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at the number provided at the top of this website. We're here to help!
This article is copyrighted by Blogging Chiropractors for its Doctor of Chiropractic members and may not be copied or duplicated in any manner including printed or electronic media, regardless of whether for a fee or gratis without the prior written permission of Blogging Chiropractors.


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by Louisa Lim
NPR – (null)
Zhou Youguang should be a Chinese hero after making what some call the world's most important linguistic innovation: He invented Pinyin, a system of romanizing Chinese characters using the Western alphabet.
But instead, this 105-year-old has become a thorn in the government's side. Zhou has published an amazing 10 books since he turned 100, some of which have been banned in China. These, along with outspoken views on the Communist Party and the need for democracy in China, have made him a "sensitive person" — a euphemism for a political dissident.
When Zhou was born in 1906, Chinese men still wore their hair in a long pigtail, the Qing dynasty still ruled China, and Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House. That someone from that era is alive — and blogging as the "Centenarian Scholar" — seems unbelievable.
Pinyin, The 'Open Sesame' Of Chinese
But despite his age, Zhou still lives in a modest third-floor walk-up. He's frail but chipper, as he receives guests in his book-lined study. He laughs cheerfully as he reminisces, despite his complaints that "after 100, the memory starts to fail a bit."
Zhou was educated at China's first Western-style university, St. John's in Shanghai, studying economics with a minor in linguistics. As a young man, he moved to the United States and worked as a Wall Street banker — during which time he even befriended Albert Einstein, although Zhou says their conversations are now lost in the mists of time.
Zhou decided to return to China after the 1949 revolution to build the country. Originally, he intended to teach economics in Shanghai, but he was called to head a committee to reform the Chinese language.
"I said I was an amateur, a layman, I couldn't do the job," he says, laughing. "But they said, it's a new job, everybody is an amateur. Everybody urged me to change professions, so I did. So from 1955, I abandoned economics and started studying writing systems."
It took Zhou and his colleagues three years to come up with the system now known as Pinyin, which was introduced in schools in 1958. Recently, Pinyin has become even more widely used to type Chinese characters into mobile phones and computers — a development that delights Zhou.
"In the era of mobile phones and globalization, we use Pinyin to communicate with the world. Pinyin is like a kind of 'Open sesame,' opening up the doors," he says.
Political Progress Is 'Too Slow'
Although official documentaries by the state broadcaster have celebrated his life, Zhou's actual position is more precarious. In the late 1960s, he was branded a reactionary and sent to a labor camp for two years. In 1985, he translated the Encyclopaedia Britannica into Chinese and then worked on the second edition — placing him in a position to notice the U-turns in China's official line.
At the time of the original translation, China's position was that the U.S. started the Korean War — but the encyclopedia said North Korea was to blame, Zhou recalls.
"That was troublesome, so we didn't include that bit. Later, the Chinese view changed. So we got permission from above to include it. That shows there's progress in China," he says, adding, "But it's too slow."
At 105, Zhou calls it as he sees it without fear or favor. He's outspoken about what he believes is the need for democracy in China. And he says he hopes to live long enough to see China change its position on the Tiananmen Square killings in 1989.
"June 4th made Deng Xiaoping ruin his own reputation," he says. "Because of reform and opening up, he was a truly outstanding politician. But June 4th ruined his political reputation."
Far from shying from controversy, Zhou appears to relish it, chuckling as he admits, "I really like people cursing me."
Bold And Outspoken Criticism
That fortitude is fortunate, since his son, Zhou Xiaoping, who monitors online reaction to his father's blog posts, has noted that censors quickly delete any praise, leaving only criticism. The elder Zhou believes China needs political reform, and soon.
"Ordinary people no longer believe in the Communist Party any more," he says. "The vast majority of Chinese intellectuals advocate democracy. Look at the Arab Spring. People ask me if there's hope for China. I'm an optimist. I didn't even lose hope during the Japanese occupation and World War II. China cannot not get closer to the rest of the world."
The elderly economist is scathing about China's economic miracle, denying that it is a miracle at all: "If you talk about GDP per capita, ours is one-tenth of Taiwan's. We're very poor."
Instead, he points out that decades of high-speed growth have exacted a high price from China's people: "Wages couldn't be lower, the environment is also ruined, so the cost is very high."
Zhou's century as a witness to China's changes, and a participant in them, has led him to believe that China has become "a cultural wasteland." He's critical of the Communist Party for attacking traditional Chinese culture when it came into power in 1949, but leaving nothing in the void.
Still A Force To Be Reckoned With
He becomes animated as talk turns to a statue of Confucius that was first placed near Tiananmen Square earlier this year, then removed.
"Why aren't they bringing out statues of Marx and Chairman Mao? Marx and Mao can't hold their ground, so they brought out Confucius. Why did they take it away? This shows the battles over Chinese culture. Mao was 100 percent opposed to Confucius, but nowadays Confucius' influence is much stronger than Marx's," he says.
One final story illustrates Zhou's unusual position. A couple of years ago, he was invited to an important reception. At the last minute, he was told to stay away. The reason he was given was the weather.
But his family believes another explanation: One of the nine men who run China, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, was at the event. And that leader did not want to have to acknowledge Zhou, and so give currency to his political views.
That a Chinese leader should refuse to meet Zhou is telling, both of his influence and of the political establishment's fear of one old man. [Copyright 2011 National Public Radio]
To learn more about the NPR iPad app, go to http://ipad.npr.org/recommendnprforipad
See online: At 105, Chinese Linguist Now A Government Critic


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Clinton to Donor: In Next War, I'll Let Israel Kill 200,000, Not Just 2,000, Gazans
Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton has penned a controversial letter to a major Jewish donor vowing to offer Israel "total" support in its next confrontation with the Gaza Strip's Islamist rulers.
The leaked letter, sent last week to an Israeli-American media mogul, promises to allow Israel carte blanche in any future war with Hamas, including a presidential green light to kill nearly 10% of the enclave's population.
"Quite frankly, Israel didn't teach Hamas a harsh enough lesson last year. True to form, Obama was too hard on our democratic ally, and too soft on our Islamofascist foe," reads the letter, obtained by The Mideast Beast. "As president, I will give the Jewish state all the necessary military, diplomatic, economic and moral support it needs to truly vanquish Hamas – and if that means killing 200,000 Gazans, then so be it."
"We realist Democrats understand that collateral damage is an unavoidable byproduct of the War on Terror," Clinton writes, "and me being a mother, grandmother and tireless children's rights advocate does not mean that I will flinch even one iota in allowing Israel to obliterate every last school-cum-rocket launching pad in Gaza. Those who allow their children to be used as human shields for terrorists deserve to see them buried under one-ton bombs."
According to one TMB source, the letter was sent together with another letter – which, in contrast, was willingly released to the press – seeking the Israeli-American media mogul donor's advice on how best to fight the global anti-Israel boycott movement.
In response to outrage among liberal Democrats and human rights groups following the release of the second letter, the Clinton campaign blamed a typo: "Hillary meant to write 20,000, not 200,000."
Hidden History: Jewish Bolsheviks Mass Murdered 66 Million But The Holocaust Industry Continues Extorting The Goyim
AIPAC Is Coming to Town
I am reluctant to write two weeks in a row about Israel's malignant influence over the United States but as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is meeting in Washington for its annual Summit beginning next Sunday some commentary would seem desirable. AIPAC's website claims that its "…mission is to strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of Israel and the United States. Our staff and citizen activists educate decision makers about the bonds that unite the United States and Israel and how it is in America's best interest to help ensure that Israel is safe, strong and secure."
That is, of course, a self-serving bit of nonsense. U.S. national security would be best enhanced by telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take a hike and never come back. AIPAC is a political pressure group, not an educational foundation, which is purely a pretext exploited to secure it tax exemption. It uses every means, fair and foul, to influence and even intimidate the U.S. government and media to maintain the fiction that Israel is somehow America's "best friend" and "closest ally" even though it is neither. Its objective is to maintain the flow of U.S. dollars from the U.S. Treasury while keeping the firewall of political protection in place to insulate Israeli politicians from the consequences of their own actions.
This year AIPAC, which has an annual budget of $70 million and more than 200 employees, is expecting 16,000 supporters and two thirds of Congress. It will be featuring a keynote speech by Hillary Clinton, which should be fascinating. As Hillary and her husband Bill already constitute a fully owned subsidiary of the Israel Lobby and New York financial services interests, which often amount to the same thing, her attendance might be regarded as de rigueur. And she has already pledged to invite Netanyahu to the White House during her first month in office while also promising to move the Israeli relationship to a "new level," a concept that is both difficult to imagine and positively frightening in terms of what it might portend. Will she move the entire U.S. government to Jerusalem? Or only the Treasury Department?
Donald Trump will also be speaking at AIPAC, for the first time. Trump has rattled Israel's friends in the U.S. by calling for an even handed role by Washington in Middle East peace negotiations and through his insistence that he does not need the money from Jewish mega-donors to run his campaign and "can't be bought." But he has also said "First of all, there's nobody…that's more pro-Israel than I am. OK. There's nobody. I am pro-Israel. I was the Grand Marshall, not so long ago, of the Israeli Day Parade down 5th avenue. I've made massive contributions to Israel. I have a lot of — I have tremendous love for Israel. I happen to have a son-in-law and a daughter that are Jewish, OK? And two grandchildren that are Jewish." So one should assume that he will talk fulsomely about his love of Israel but at the same time it has to be hoped that he will assert his independence when it comes to policy affecting the United States.
Netanyahu also regularly appears at AIPAC. Last year he used the platform provided to harangue the American public and the inside the beltway chattering class about the dangers posed by Iran while also exploiting the opportunity to do some serious fundraising in New York. The visits also frequently provide an opportunity to meet with and scold the President of the United States or to address Congress on how the U.S. should conduct its foreign policy. It is a given in Washington that Netanyahu will show up in the nation's capital personally to kick some butt at least twice a year but it is also understood that Bibi will not fail to dish out some harsh criticism the rest of the time by way of the media, his own patented form of international extortion.
Nothing illustrates the unbridgeable abyss between the media/talking head vision of Israel promoted by the Israel Lobby and folks like Hillary and the real thing more than the recent embarrassments and indignities being delivered by the Netanyahu government, which AIPAC really represents. Benjamin Netanyahu is, to everyone's surprise, not coming to AIPAC this year but will instead address the conference by video link. The visit was planned but canceled at the last moment and, per Netanyahu, the fault is that of the president of the United States who had reportedly said that he would not be available for a meeting due to the upcoming trip to Cuba.
The Obama Administration was genuinely puzzled, partly due to the fact that it first learned of the cancellation through a newspaper story rather than from the Israeli Embassy or Foreign Ministry. It was also astonished by the explanation given as it had indeed set up a presidential meeting at Netanyahu's request in spite of a very tight schedule. The White House did not complain openly about the deliberate snub, but it was clear to everyone involved that Netanyahu was yet again sending a message to the Administration regarding who was in charge.
Netanyahu benefits from the fact that his tendency to ridicule critics makes many in the media reluctant to challenge his behavior, but when it became embarrassingly clear that he had been fibbing about why he was not coming to Washington he immediately resorted to Plan B, stating that he did not want to interfere in the presidential primaries currently underway. No one believed that argument either as Netanyahu has not hesitated to interfere in American politics in the past, notably when he made clear that he would prefer a Republican president in 2012 and appeared in ads in Florida endorsing Mitt Romney.
The White House meanwhile resorted to its own Plan B when confronted by a truculent Netanyahu. It first groveled a bit about how much it loves Israel and then expressed hope that Vice President Joe Biden, who was in the air on his way to Tel Aviv, would be able to calm the situation. Indeed, the original objective of the Biden trip turned out to be the real reason for the contretemps with Netanyahu. Netanyahu was miffed because the United States has hesitated to provide him with a no-strings-attached long term agreement to give Israel at least $5 billion dollars per year in military assistance, up from the current $3 billion.
To be fair to Netanyahu, the demand for more "assistance" was no secret. The Israelis had made it clear since they failed to stop the Iran nuclear deal that they would feel a whole lot better if Washington were to give them a lot more money. And it would have to be guaranteed cash, tied to a security package that would run for at least ten years.
Biden had been sent to help negotiate an agreement over the assistance, which had been stalled due in part to Israeli expectations that they might do better with a GOP Administration or Hillary if they wait a few months. Obama's insistence that any deal would require the Israeli government to forego lobbying directly to congress for more cash also was a stumbling block. The President of the United States has thereby found himself in a situation engineered by Netanyahu in which he has to beg Israel to take more money with the only condition being that it not make trouble with the nation's legislature. In return for the largesse, Israel would not be committed to do anything that would directly benefit the United States.
In the event, Biden's role as a negotiating intermediary was unsuccessful and he wound up looking foolish so he too has decided to speak at AIPAC where he will undoubtedly say many unctuous things that no one will believe.
There are several things that can be done to address the wildly asymmetrical situation with Benjamin Netanyahu and AIPAC. First, it must be recognized that the United States and Israel are actually two separate countries with very little in the way of common interests. The notion that they have many mutual concerns is largely a myth. AIPAC, the principal purveyor of the myth, is an agent of Israel and should be compelled to register with the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, which would require it to maintain transparency in terms of who funds it. It should also be stripped of its tax exemption as it is demonstrably not an educational foundation. Taking those two steps would enable the American public to understand just exactly what AIPAC represents.
Second, President Obama should cut off aid to Israel completely since it is uninterested in there being any quid pro quo for the billions that it receives. If Obama wants to be gracious, he can consider renewing the subsidy if and when Israel rolls back its illegal settlements in Jerusalem and on the Palestinian West Bank. If Israel is not interested in peace and not willing to reverse policies that many believe constitute war crimes then it will not receive any support of any kind from the United States.
The annual reappearance of AIPAC in Washington should remind everyone that there are those among us who regard any allegiance to the common interests that should bind together all Americans as secondary at best. In the case of Israel, billions in taxpayer money should not be regarded as a convenient mechanism to bribe a foreign state to behave. It is past time to cut the ties that bind to despicable rogues like Benjamin Netanyahu and to make clear to Americans politicians that dual loyalty to a state that has been nothing but trouble for the past twenty years will no longer be considered acceptable.


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Need help? Call: 708-345-4000
Kids love counting with our colorful caterpillar! This cheerful character encourages young learners to work on number and color recognition as they develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They can sort by numerical order, do beginning math problems, and explore their imagination. This classic toy for ages 2+ is sure to become a family favorite!


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Martin Luther King Jr. Day is being celebrated across the U.S. on Monday in honor of the iconic civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968.
MLK Day became a federal holiday under President Ronald Reagan in 1983 and it was first observed three years later.
Like most federal holidays, many Americans have the day off and there are closures that may affect everyday life.
What's closed on MLK Day:
The United State Postal Service says post offices will be closed nationwide Monday in observance of the holiday. That means there will be no mail delivery to homes and businesses, except for Priority Mail Express, which is delivered 365 days a year.
As for stores and restaurants, most remain open and operate as usual on MLK Day. Some even offer special holiday deals.
Most, if not all, banks are closed on MLK Day, including Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, PNC Bank and Wells Fargo. However, you can usually still use ATMs to get cash or put money into your account.
Most Department of Motor Vehicle offices will be closed, as will other government agencies, like courts and nonessential government buildings.
And, if you follow the stock market, you'll have to wait until Tuesday to catch up on your trading. The New York Stock Exchange will be closed on Monday, as will Nasdaq and bond markets.


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The Ready-Set-Learn series has just what parents want: fun-filled activities to give their children a head start on learning the basic skills needed for success in school. The 7" x 9" size is just right for a young child. Colorful stickers provide motivation. An incentive chart highlights the child's progress. A ribbon sticker rewards the child for a job well done.
64 pages of fun! Ages 6 and up.