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Despite the best science, and good arguments, sometimes people don't listen. In the climate change debate this has annoyed many people so they seek examples for inspiration. One is the fight against tobacco, where sound health advice seems to have won against the industry (and addicted smokers). Behaviour change is possible, and powerful vested interests can be fought back through campaigns, or so the message goes.
No matter what we make of this, there are other examples where the opposition is more obstinate, creationism for example. Despite the best scientific efforts, fans of creationism show no signs of relenting. Here on Klimazwiebel commentators have alluded to this example, and have advised to apply the lessons to climate scepticism. "Do not give them a platform, exclude them from public discourse, do not give them space in school curricula", is the lesson we should have learned. This will not work. It will not work because it assumes that there are clear rules of engagement and that the better argument will win.
The philosopher Kelly Smith has written an interesting piece (DOI 10.1007/s11229-009-9545-5), urging the academic communities to engage. I think it would be worth thinking of lessons for climate scepticism.
"I have heard many a biologist say something like this: "I deal with facts in this class. Evolution is a fact and creationism is just wrong—end of story." Except it's not the end of the story, since the problem is not going to go away just because we ignore it."He uses an episode from the film Monthy Python: The Black Knight, in order to explain what he thinks is going on in the quarrel between creationists and scientists. He thinks his colleagues, in their fight against creationists, would happily indulge in the funny side of this film, pointing to obtuseness of their adversary (the Black Knight, alias creationist). He warns against such compacency:
If things were this easy, then we would have no problem with creationism. Yet not only do we have just such a problem, it seems to be growing. Therefore, things can't be this simple. So, we should think of the creationist contest as one where the interlocutors are using blunted or padded weapons. Since it rules out such convenient indications of martial superiority as the actual removal of limbs, this restriction forces us to devise some indirect means of judging a winner. ... If we want to make the analogy accurate, therefore, we will have to allow the contest to be judged not by knights expert in real combat, but by the crowd watching the contest.
But in altering the episode from the Black Knight, we have to realize that
like it or not, the public ultimately makes the calls about what should be taught and what should be funded. If enough of them become creationists, the good guys lose. It's small consolation to know that, despite our loss, we were "in the right", just as it's small consolation to those who purchased Betamax video recorders in the 70s to know that theirs was truly the superior technology.
You might think he is dangerously close to creationism. He is not. He thinks "we" are in a "war" against "them" which "we" need to win. But there are no signs of success given the current approach of looking down on them and ignoring them.
Smith identifies a fallacy on behalf of his colleagues in philosophy and biology departments which he calls rational pathology. They think that such debates are decided by facts and arguments. Once one side gains the upper hand, the other side will admit defeat. Wrong, says Smith. They behave like the Black Knight in the film. And, contrary to the film, they have an audience which wants to see a fight where the rules of engagement have little to do with scientific conventions. Smith concludes that the fight against creationism is a fight for the hearts and minds of the bystanders, not for the better argument. If the audience can be swayed, the outcome might be in your favour and the fight will stop.
So for the arguments sake, lets assume the climate sceptics do not have single valid argument, and that the IPCC consensus is always right. Lets make most of the suggestion that climate scepticism is the twin sister of creationism. What if the sceptics will never accept defeat? Smith outlines three possible responses, run away, give up, or bash harder. It is the last option which seems to be most attractive to many of his colleagues, he tells us:
To the extent that they try to correct public misperceptions, they do so using the tools with which they are most comfortable and familiar. Biologists tend to gather together imposing mountains of facts, complete with technical jargon. Philosophers construct ever more complex arguments designed to show some subtle inconsistency in the creationist's approach using their own technical jargon. Then when they present the fruits of their efforts to the lay public, they tend to delight in the complex details and linger lovingly over each and every one, making for a presentation which impresses their colleagues but confuses everyone else.So what should be done to engage the other side in a more productive way?
And he continues,
It's not that there is anything wrong with constructing complex arguments per se— indeed, I find them perfectly decisive myself. But then I am a scientist and philosopher and don't represent the kinds of people who find creationism compelling in the first place. Your average creationist, however, neither understands nor cares to understand such minutia. From his perspective, you are just trying to beat him down with technical jargon. So if we want to turn things around, we have to find away to talk to such people in terms they find persuasive, rather than according to the professional rules we love so much.
The key element in the equation is the audience, in this case the general public, since they are ultimately the ones who judge who is winning and who is losing. ... The problem we face with the creationism case is that we already have excellent arguments for evolution—indeed, knock-down, drag-out good arguments. The problem is not that there is real debate among objective experts about whether our arguments are good. In short, the problem is not with the quality of the arguments, but with the public perception of the quality of the arguments, which is a very different thing.
in 2005, 54% of Americans did not believe humans evolved from earlier species, up from 46% in 1994.


text:
On this date in 1925, Chicago Mafia leader Angelo Genna was laid to rest at Mount Carmel Cemetery in the village of Hillside, west of the Windy City. Observers said his funeral was as spectacular as that of his gangland rival Dean O'Banion half a year earlier.
The twenty-seven-year-old Genna was shot to death earlier in the week while driving in his roadster. Authorities determined that four shotguns fired at him from an automobile that pulled alongside of his. Genna's car smashed into a lamppost at Hudson and Ogden Avenues. Genna was taken to the hospital, where he died a few hours later without providing any statement about his killers. Family members also had no useful information for police and insisted that Genna, who had been involved in gangland conflicts for years and was once tried for murder, hadn't an enemy in the world.
Decatur Herald May 30, 1925 |
As thousands, including judges, politicians and federal officials, visited the Spingola home to pay their respects, the home and the sidewalk outside became filled with enormous floral tributes. Chicago Tribune reporter Genevieve Forbes Herrick noted that notorious bootlegger Johnny Torrio, then in prison, sent a large vase constructed of pink and white carnations. Herrick went on to describe additional offerings:
There were bachelor buttons from the "Boys from Cicero;" a pile of blood red roses from the widow; a heart of pinks from the boys at Spingola's garage; peonies from "Diamond Joe" Esposito; lilies from Al Capone; a mass of flowers from "Samoots" Amatuna; more flowers from the Genna boys, still more from the Spingolas, and so until they spilled out of 31 limousines on the way to the cemetery.
Another source indicated that Capone's impressive eight-foot-tall floral piece was not his only contribution. The gang boss was said to have helped arrange the funeral.
Herrick noted that Genna's wounds were carefully concealed within the open casket at the wake. "The rich folds of the purple robe swathing his body hid the dozen or so bullet wounds, ugly things, which four enemies had poured into him...," she wrote.
At 10 o'clock, Friday morning, May 29, pall bearers from the Unione Siciliana carefully moved Genna's heavy $6,000 casket - said to be bronze with silver trim and the occupant's name written in gold - to the waiting hearse. A published report estimated the weight of the casket at 1,200 pounds.
A band played as the funeral cortege - a mile and a half long - made its way to the cemetery. An estimated 20,000 people lined the narrow streets of Chicago's Little Italy to view the spectacle. Genna's remains were interred in a $10,000 vault a short distance from O'Banion's gravesite.
- Angelo Genna death certificate, Cook County, State of Illinois, reg. no. 29944, filed Nov. 19, 1925, original reg. no. 1006, filed May 28, 1925.
- Herrick, Genevieve Forbes, "New rich rum chief slain by gunmen in car," Chicago Tribune, May 27, 1925, p. 2.
- "Feudist's death may renew war," Decatur IL Herald, May 27, 1925, p. 1.
- "Splendor will surround Genna funeral today," Chicago Tribune, May 29, 1925, p. 3.
- Herrick, Genevieve Forbes, "Chicago ne'er had funeral like Genna's," Chicago Tribune, May 30, 1925, p. 1.
- "Funeral pomp awes Chicago's 'Little Italy,'" Decatur IL Herald, May 30, 1925, p. 1.

subset: commoncrawl


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Holy Baptism
1 We have now finished the three chief parts of the common Christian doctrine. Besides these we have yet to speak of our two Sacraments instituted by Christ, of which also every Christian ought to have at least an ordinary, brief instruction, because without them there can be no Christian; although, alas! hitherto no instruction concerning them has been given.
2 But, in the first place, we take up Baptism, by which we are first received into the Christian Church. However, in order that it may be readily understood, we will treat of it in an orderly manner, and keep only to that which it is necessary for us to know. For how it is to be maintained and defended against heretics and sects we will commend to the learned.
3 In the first place, we must above all things know well the words upon which Baptism is founded, and to which everything refers that is to be said on the subject, namely, where the Lord Christ speaks in Matthew 28:19:
4 Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Likewise in St. Mark 16:16:
5 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
6 In these words you must note, in the first place, that here stand God's commandment and institution, lest we doubt that Baptism is divine, not devised nor invented by men. For as truly as I can say, No man has spun the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer out of his head, but they are revealed and given by God Himself, so also I can boast that Baptism is no human trifle, but instituted by God Himself, moreover, that it is most solemnly and strictly commanded that we must be baptized or we cannot be saved, lest any one regard it as a trifling matter, like putting on a new red coat.
7 For it is of the greatest importance that we esteem Baptism
8 excellent, glorious, and exalted, for which we contend and fight chiefly, because the world is now so full of sects clamoring that Baptism is an external thing, and that external things are of no benefit. But let it be ever so much an external thing, here stand God's Word and command which institute, establish, and confirm Baptism. But what God institutes and commands cannot be a vain, but must be a most precious thing, though in appearance it were of less value than a straw.
9 If hitherto people could consider it a great thing when the Pope with his letters and bulls dispensed indulgences and confirmed altars and churches, solely because of the letters and seals, we ought to esteem Baptism much more highly and more precious, because God has commanded it, and, besides, it is performed in His name. For these are the words, Go ye, baptize; however, not in your name, but in the name of God.
10 For to be baptized in the name of God is to be baptized not by men, but by God Himself. Therefore, although it is performed by human hands, it is nevertheless truly God's own work. From this fact every one may himself readily infer that it is a far higher work than any work performed by a man or a saint. For what work greater than the work of God can we do?
11 But here the devil is busy to delude us with false appearances, and lead us away from the work of God to our own works. For there is a much more splendid appearance when a Carthusian does many great and difficult works; and we all think much more of that which we do and merit ourselves.
12 But the Scriptures teach thus: Even though we collect in one mass the works of all the monks, however splendidly they may shine, they would not be as noble and good as if God should pick up a straw. Why? Because the person is nobler and better. Here, then, we must not estimate the person according to the works, but the works according to the person, from whom they must derive their nobility.
13 But insane reason will not regard this, and because Baptism does not shine like the works which we do, it is to be esteemed as nothing.
14 From this now learn a proper understanding of the subject, and how to answer the question what Baptism is, namely thus, that it is not mere ordinary water, but water comprehended in God's Word and command, and sanctified thereby, so that it is nothing else than a divine water; not that the water in itself is nobler than other water, but that God's Word and command are added.
15 Therefore it is pure wickedness and blasphemy of the devil that now our new spirits, to mock at Baptism, omit from it God's Word and institution, and look upon it in no other way than as water which is taken from the well, and then blather and say: How is a handful of water to help the soul?
16 Aye, my friend, who does not know that water is water if tearing things asunder is what we are after? But how dare you thus interfere with God's order, and tear away the most precious treasure with which God has connected and enclosed it, and which He will not have separated? For the kernel in the water is God's Word or command and the name of God, which is a treasure greater and nobler than heaven and earth.
17 Comprehend the difference, then, that Baptism is quite another thing than all other water; not on account of the natural quality but because something more noble is here added; for God Himself stakes His honor, His power and might on it. Therefore it is not only natural water, but a divine, heavenly, holy, and blessed water, and in whatever other terms we can praise it,-all on account of the Word, which is a heavenly, holy Word, that no one can sufficiently extol, for it has, and is able to do, all that God is and can do [since it has all the virtue and power of God comprised in it].
18 Hence also it derives its essence as a Sacrament, as St. Augustine also taught: Accedat verbum ad elementum et fit sacramentum. That is, when the Word is joined to the element or natural substance, it becomes a Sacrament, that is, a holy and divine matter and sign.
19 Therefore we always teach that the Sacraments and all external things which God ordains and institutes should not be regarded according to the coarse, external mask, as we regard the shell of a nut, but as the Word of God is included therein.
20 For thus we also speak of the parental estate and of civil government. If we propose to regard them in as far as they have noses, eyes, skin, and hair, flesh and bones, they look like Turks and heathen, and some one might start up and say: Why should I esteem them more than others? But because the commandment is added: Honor thy father and thy mother, I behold a different man, adorned and clothed with the majesty and glory of God. The commandment (I say) is the chain of gold about his neck, yea, the crown upon his head, which shows to me how and why one must honor this flesh and blood.
21 Thus, and much more even, you must honor Baptism and esteem it glorious on account of the Word, since He Himself has honored it both by words and deeds; moreover, confirmed it with miracles from heaven. For do you think it was a jest that, when Christ was baptized, the heavens were opened and the Holy Ghost descended visibly, and everything was divine glory and majesty?
22 Therefore I exhort again that these two, the water and the Word, by no means be separated from one another and parted. For if the Word is separated from it, the water is the same as that with which the servant cooks, and may indeed be called a bath-keeper's baptism. But when it is added, as God has ordained, it is a Sacrament, and is called Christ-baptism. Let this be the first part, regarding the essence and dignity of the holy Sacrament.
23 In the second place, since we know now what Baptism is, and how it is to be regarded, we must also learn why and for what purpose it is instituted; that is, what it profits, gives, and works. And this also we cannot discern better than from the words of Christ above quoted: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.
24 Therefore state it most simply thus, that the power, work, profit, fruit, and end of Baptism is this, namely, to save. For no one is baptized in order that he may become a prince, but, as the words declare, that he be saved.
25 But to be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil, and to enter into the kingdom of Christ, and to live with Him forever.
26 Here you see again how highly and precious we should esteem Baptism, because in it we obtain such an unspeakable treasure, which also indicates sufficiently that it cannot be ordinary mere water. For mere water could not do such a thing, but the Word does it, and (as said above) the fact that the name of God is comprehended therein.
27 But where the name of God is, there must be also life and salvation, that it may indeed be called a divine, blessed, fruitful, and gracious water; for by the Word such power is imparted to Baptism that it is a laver of regeneration, as St. Paul also calls it, Titus 3:5.
28 But as our would-be wise, new spirits assert that faith alone saves, and that works and external things avail nothing, we answer: It is true, indeed, that nothing in us is of any avail but faith, as we shall hear still further.
29 But these blind guides are unwilling to see this, namely, that faith must have something which it believes, that is, of which it takes hold, and upon which it stands and rests. Thus faith clings to the water, and believes that it is Baptism, in which there is pure salvation and life; not through the water (as we have sufficiently stated), but through the fact that it is embodied in the Word and institution of God, and the name of God inheres in it. Now, if I believe this, what else is it than believing in God as in Him who has given and planted His Word into this ordinance, and proposes to us this external thing wherein we may apprehend such a treasure?
30 Now, they are so mad as to separate faith, and that to which faith clings and is bound, though it be something external. Yea, it shall and must be something external, that it may be apprehended by the senses, and understood and thereby be brought into the heart, as indeed the entire Gospel is an external, verbal preaching. In short, what God does and works in us He proposes to work through such external ordinances. Wherever, therefore, He speaks, yea, in whichever direction or by whatever means He speaks, thither faith must look, and to that it must hold.
31 Now here we have the words: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. To what else do they refer than to Baptism, that is, to the water comprehended in God's ordinance? Hence it follows that whoever rejects Baptism rejects the Word of God, faith, and Christ, who directs us thither and binds us to Baptism.
32 In the third place, since we have learned the great benefit and power of Baptism, let us see further who is the person that receives what Baptism gives and profits.
33 This is again most beautifully and clearly expressed in the words: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. That is, faith alone makes the person worthy to receive profitably the saving, divine water. For, since these blessings are here presented and promised in the words in and with the water, they cannot be received in any other way than by believing them with the heart.
34 Without faith it profits nothing, notwithstanding it is in itself a divine superabundant treasure. Therefore this single word (He that believeth) effects this much that it excludes and repels all works which we can do, in the opinion that we obtain and merit salvation by them. For it is determined that whatever is not faith avails nothing nor receives anything.
35 But if they say, as they are accustomed: Still Baptism is itself a work, and you say works are of no avail for salvation; what, then, becomes of faith? Answer: Yes, our works, indeed, avail nothing for salvation; Baptism, however, is not our work, but God's (for, as was stated, you must put Christ-baptism far away from a bath-keeper's baptism). God's works, however, are saving and necessary for salvation, and do not exclude, but demand, faith; for without faith they could not be apprehended.
36 For by suffering the water to be poured upon you, you have not yet received Baptism in such a manner that it benefits you anything; but it becomes beneficial to you if you have yourself baptized with the thought that this is according to God's command and ordinance, and besides in God's name, in order that you may receive in the water the promised salvation. Now, this the fist cannot do, nor the body; but the heart must believe it.
37 Thus you see plainly that there is here no work done by us, but a treasure which He gives us, and which faith apprehends; just as the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross is not a work, but a treasure comprehended in the Word, and offered to us and received by faith. Therefore they do us violence by exclaiming against us as though we preach against faith; while we alone insist upon it as being of such necessity that without it nothing can be received nor enjoyed.
38 Thus we have these three parts which it is necessary to know concerning this Sacrament, especially that the ordinance of God is to be held in all honor, which alone would be sufficient, though it be an entirely external thing, like the commandment, Honor thy father and thy mother, which refers to bodily flesh and blood. Therein we regard not the flesh and blood, but the commandment of God in which they are comprehended, and on account of which the flesh is called father and mother; so also, though we had no more than these words, Go ye and baptize, etc., it would be necessary for us to accept and do it as the ordinance of God.
39 Now there is here not only God's commandment and injunction, but also the promise, on account of which it is still far more glorious than whatever else God has commanded and ordained, and is, in short, so full of consolation and grace that heaven and earth cannot comprehend it.
40 But it requires skill to believe this, for the treasure is not wanting, but this is wanting that men apprehend it and hold it firmly.
41 Therefore every Christian has enough in Baptism to learn and to practise all his life; for he has always enough to do to believe firmly what it promises and brings: victory over death and the devil, forgiveness of sin, the grace of God, the entire Christ, and the Holy Ghost with His gifts.
42 In short, it is so transcendent that if timid nature could realize it, it might well doubt whether it could be true.
43 For consider, if there were somewhere a physician who understood the art of saving men from dying, or, even though they died, of restoring them speedily to life, so that they would thereafter live forever, how the world would pour in money like snow and rain, so that because of the throng of the rich no one could find access! But here in Baptism there is brought free to every one's door such a treasure and medicine as utterly destroys death and preserves all men alive.
44 Thus we must regard Baptism and make it profitable to ourselves, that when our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say: Nevertheless I am baptized; but if I am baptized, it is promised me that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body.
45 For that is the reason why these two things are done in Baptism, namely, that the body, which can apprehend nothing but the water, is sprinkled, and, in addition, the word is spoken for the soul to apprehend.
46 Now, since both, the water and the Word, are one Baptism, therefore body and soul must be saved and live forever: the soul through the Word which it believes, but the body because it is united with the soul and also apprehends Baptism as it is able to apprehend it. We have, therefore, no greater jewel in body and soul, for by it we are made holy and are saved, which no other kind of life, no work upon earth, can attain.
Let this suffice respecting the nature, blessing, and use of Baptism, for it answers the present purpose.
Infant Baptism
47 Here a question occurs by which the devil, through his sects, confuses the world, namely, Of Infant Baptism, whether children also believe, and are justly baptized. Concerning this we say briefly:
48 Let the simple dismiss this question from their minds, and refer it to the learned. But if you wish to answer,
49 then answer thus:-
That the Baptism of infants is pleasing to Christ is sufficiently proved from His own work, namely, that God sanctifies many of them who have been thus baptized, and has given them the Holy Ghost; and that there are yet many even to-day in whom we perceive that they have the Holy Ghost both because of their doctrine and life; as it is also given to us by the grace of God that we can explain the Scriptures and come to the knowledge of Christ, which is impossible without the Holy Ghost.
50 But if God did not accept the baptism of infants, He would not give the Holy Ghost nor any of His gifts to any of them; in short, during this long time unto this day no man upon earth could have been a Christian. Now, since God confirms Baptism by the gifts of His Holy Ghost, as is plainly perceptible in some of the church fathers, as St. Bernard, Gerson, John Hus, and others, who were baptized in infancy, and since the holy Christian Church cannot perish until the end of the world, they must acknowledge that such infant baptism is pleasing to God. For He can never be opposed to Himself, or support falsehood and wickedness, or for its promotion impart His grace and Spirit.
51 This is indeed the best and strongest proof for the simple-minded and unlearned. For they shall not take from us or overthrow this article: I believe a holy Christian Church, the communion of saints.
52 Further, we say that we are not so much concerned to know whether the person baptized believes or not; for on that account Baptism does not become invalid; but everything depends upon the Word and command of God.
53 This now is perhaps somewhat acute, but it rests entirely upon what I have said, that Baptism is nothing else than water and the Word of God in and with each other, that is, when the Word is added to the water, Baptism is valid, even though faith be wanting. For my faith does not make Baptism, but receives it. Now, Baptism does not become invalid even though it be wrongly received or employed; since it is not bound (as stated) to our faith, but to the Word.
54 For even though a Jew should to-day come dishonestly and with evil purpose, and we should baptize him in all good faith, we must say that his baptism is nevertheless genuine. For here is the water together with the Word of God, even though he does not receive it as he should, just as those who unworthily go to the Sacrament receive the true Sacrament, even though they do not believe.
55 Thus you see that the objection of the sectarians is vain. For (as we have said) even though infants did not believe, which, however, is not the case, yet their baptism as now shown would be valid, and no one should rebaptize them; just as nothing is detracted from the Sacrament though some one approach it with evil purpose, and he could not be allowed on account of his abuse to take it a second time the selfsame hour, as though he had not received the true Sacrament at first; for that would mean to blaspheme and profane the Sacrament in the worst manner. How dare we think that God's Word and ordinance should be wrong and invalid because we make a wrong use of it?
56 Therefore I say, if you did not believe then believe now and say thus: The baptism indeed was right, but I, alas! did not receive it aright. For I myself also, and all who are baptized, must speak thus before God: I come hither in my faith and in that of others, yet I cannot rest in this, that I believe, and that many people pray for me; but in this I rest, that it is Thy Word and command. Just as I go to the Sacrament trusting not in my faith, but in the Word of Christ; whether I am strong or weak, that I commit to God. But this I know, that He bids me go, eat and drink, etc., and gives me His body and blood; that will not deceive me or prove false to me.
57 Thus we do also in infant baptism. We bring the child in the conviction and hope that it believes, and we pray that God may grant it faith; but we do not baptize it upon that, but solely upon the command of God. Why so? Because we know that God does not lie. I and my neighbor and, in short, all men, may err and deceive, but the Word of God cannot err.
58 Therefore they are presumptuous, clumsy minds that draw such inferences and conclusions as these: Where there is not the true faith, there also can be no true Baptism. Just as if I would infer: If I do not believe, then Christ is nothing; or thus: If I am not obedient, then father, mother, and government are nothing. Is that a correct conclusion, that whenever any one does not do what he ought, the thing in itself shall be nothing and of no value?
59 My dear, just invert the argument and rather draw this inference: For this very reason Baptism is something and is right, because it has been wrongly received. For if it were not right and true in itself, it could not be misused nor sinned against. The saying is: Abusus non tollit, sed confirmat substantiam, Abuse does not destroy the essence, but confirms it. For gold is not the less gold though a harlot wear it in sin and shame.
60 Therefore let it be decided that Baptism always remains true, retains its full essence, even though a single person should be baptized, and he, in addition, should not believe truly. For God's ordinance and Word cannot be made variable or be altered by men.
61 But these people, the fanatics, are so blinded that they do not see the Word and command of God, and regard Baptism and the magistrates only as they regard water in the brook or in pots, or as any other man; and because they do not see faith nor obedience, they conclude that they are to be regarded as invalid.
62 Here lurks a concealed seditious devil, who would like to tear the crown from the head of authority and then trample it under foot, and, in addition, pervert and bring to naught all the works and ordinances of God.
63 Therefore we must be watchful and well armed, and not allow ourselves to be directed nor turned away from the Word, in order that we may not regard Baptism as a mere empty sign, as the fanatics dream.
64 Lastly, we must also know what Baptism signifies, and why God has ordained just such external sign and ceremony for the Sacrament by which we are first received into the Christian Church.
65 But the act or ceremony is this, that we are sunk under the water, which passes over us, and afterwards are drawn out again. These two parts, to be sunk under the water and drawn out again, signify the power and operation of Baptism, which is nothing else than putting to death the old Adam, and after that the resurrection of the new man, both of which must take place in us all our lives, so that a truly Christian life is nothing else than a daily baptism, once begun and ever to be continued. For this must be practised without ceasing, that we ever keep purging away whatever is of the old Adam, and that that which belongs to the new man come forth.
66 But what is the old man? It is that which is born in us from Adam, angry, hateful, envious, unchaste, stingy, lazy, haughty, yea, unbelieving, infected with all vices, and having by nature nothing good in it.
67 Now, when we are come into the kingdom of Christ, these things must daily decrease, that the longer we live we become more gentle, more patient, more meek, and ever withdraw more and more from unbelief, avarice, hatred, envy, haughtiness.
68 This is the true use of Baptism among Christians, as signified by baptizing with water. Where this, therefore, is not practised, but the old man is left unbridled, so as to continually become stronger, that is not using Baptism, but striving against Baptism.
69 For those who are without Christ cannot but daily become worse, according to the proverb which expresses the truth, "Worse and worse-the longer, the worse."
70 If a year ago one was proud and avaricious, then he is much prouder and more avaricious this year, so that the vice grows and increases with him from his youth up. A young child has no special vice; but when it grows up, it becomes unchaste and impure, and when it reaches maturity, real vices begin to prevail the longer, the more.
71 Therefore the old man goes unrestrained in his nature if he is not checked and suppressed by the power of Baptism. On the other hand, where men have become Christians, he daily decreases until he finally perishes. That is truly to be buried in Baptism, and daily to come forth again.
72 Therefore the external sign is appointed not only for a powerful effect, but also for a signification.
73 Where, therefore, faith flourishes with its fruits, there it has no empty signification, but the work [of mortifying the flesh] accompanies it; but where faith is wanting, it remains a mere unfruitful sign.
74 And here you see that Baptism, both in its power and signification, comprehends also the third Sacrament, which has been called repentance,
75 as it is really nothing else than Baptism. For what else is repentance but an earnest attack upon the old man [that his lusts be restrained] and entering upon a new life? Therefore, if you live in repentance, you walk in Baptism, which not only signifies such a new life, but also produces, begins, and exercises it.
76 For therein are given grace, the Spirit, and power to suppress the old man, so that the new man may come forth and become strong.
77 Therefore our Baptism abides forever; and even though some one should fall from it and sin, nevertheless we always have access thereto, that we may again subdue the old man.
78 But we need not again be sprinkled with water; for though we were put under the water a hundred times, it would nevertheless be only one Baptism, although the operation and signification continue and remain.
79 Repentance, therefore, is nothing else than a return and approach to Baptism, that we repeat and practise what we began before, but abandoned.
80 This I say lest we fall into the opinion in which we were for a long time, imagining that our Baptism is something past, which we can no longer use after we have fallen again into sin. The reason is, that it is regarded only according to the external act once performed [and completed].
81 And this arose from the fact that St. Jerome wrote that repentance is the second plank by which we must swim forth and cross over after the ship is broken, on which we step and are carried across when we come into the Christian Church.
82 Thereby the use of Baptism has been abolished so that it can profit us no longer. Therefore the statement is not correct, or at any rate not rightly understood. For the ship never breaks, because (as we have said) it is the ordinance of God, and not a work of ours; but it happens, indeed, that we slip and fall out of the ship. Yet if any one fall out, let him see to it that he swim up and cling to it till he again come into it and live in it, as he had formerly begun.
83 Thus it appears what a great, excellent thing Baptism is, which delivers us from the jaws of the devil and makes us God's own, suppresses and takes away sin, and then daily strengthens the new man; and is and remains ever efficacious until we pass from this estate of misery to eternal glory.
84 For this reason let every one esteem his Baptism as a daily dress in which he is to walk constantly, that he may ever be found in the faith and its fruits, that he suppress the old man and grow up in the new.
85 For if we would be Christians, we must practise the work whereby we are Christians.
86 But if any one fall away from it, let him again come into it. For just as Christ, the Mercy-seat, does not recede from us or forbid us to come to Him again, even though we sin, so all His treasure and gifts also remain. If, therefore, we have once in Baptism obtained forgiveness of sin, it will remain every day, as long as we live, that is, as long as we carry the old man about our neck.


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"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people." Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)
"The eyes of your understanding": (ophthalmos) + (kardia), "The eyes of your heart."
The heart is an organ in our body. It pumps blood through our circulatory system, feeding our cells and organs nutrients. When the Word speaks of the heart, it is referring to the THINKING INSTRUMENT of the SOUL.
Scripture tell us that the heart is the seat of emotions. When Paul prays that the "eyes of the Christian heart" be enlightened, he is asking God to help us grasp the revelation of things revealed to the mind. He wants these revelations to move, motivate, and deepen our spiritual insight. With knowledge, we can then use wisdom to apply the understanding to our lives.
When the eyes of the heart are open and enlightened, we FEEL the power and wonder of the truths written in the Word. With emotions that are in sync with the spiritual revelations of the mind, a believer can be a highly effective and an honorable vessel or tool of God. A passionate Christian is highly motivated and ready to serve. They want to understand all things of Christ.
When you face a trial, struggle, or unfathomable circumstance, pray that God opens the eyes of your heart. The Holy Spirit revelations to your mind will then ignite emotions resting in your heart that validate the truths of the gospel. We need to feel the truth in our emotions, yes in the heart-not just in our intellect.
It is okay to FEEL the truth with our emotions, but it is not okay to be led by the emotions of the heart alone. Jeremiah 17:9 warns that the heart is deceitful and impossible to understand. No wonder the heart needs eyes to see what the mind is learning from God!
JOY is an emotion our spirits experience when chewing on the promises and truths of God's Word. The eyes of our heart will often rejoice with joy, as our minds comprehend the treasures found in the Bible. However, we must be careful when other feelings convince us to go or do things that would not please God. "It FEELS so good so it must be right" is not always the case. The heart and mind must find confirmation with the leading of the Holy Spirit and the truth spelled out in the Word.
Everything you do flows from the heart and therefore we are instructed to guard it well. It is the wellspring of our life. The heart guides and directs us, and every word that comes out of our mouths starts in the heart. All of our actions and decisions are driven by the desires found in our hearts. That is why it is so important to ask God to make His desires our desires.
May the wellspring of you life (found in your heart) overflow with joy, as the "eyes of your heart" see and understand how deep His love is for you. Delight yourself in the Lord, and then He will give you the desires of your heart. When your will is HIS WILL, how can He deny you?
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)
"Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Categories: INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLES


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Jackson Family Upset Over MJ Charities
Michael Jackson's family is upset over the charities that are supposed to get 20% of Michael's estate -- that's what family sources tell TMZ.
Here's the deal -- the family's concern is premature. No charities have been picked yet and no money will be donated for somewhere between 1 and 2 years.
Under the terms of the trust, Michael gave charities 20% of the value of his estate. Problem is -- no one knows how much the estate is worth and until it's determined, no money will go to any charity.
The creditor's claims are still being filed and we're told it will take between 1 and 2 years for the state and the probate judge to settle the creditor's claims and determine the net value of the estate.
As for who decides which charities get the 20% -- we've learned the trust provides for a committee of three people who will make that decision -- Katherine Jackson and co-executors John Branca and John McClain.
The trust doesn't specify how decisions are made if the committee is divided. It could be majority rule, it could be that each committee member gets to pick a certain number of charities or they could set other ground rules.
Go figure -- Michael Jackson didn't account for the possibility that people in his world might disagree.


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Def Leppard's Joe Elliott: Rock's Future Leaders + The Problem With the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
They've sold over 100 million albums around the globe, have authored some of rock's most enduring anthems, are still packing arenas everywhere and, most recently, Def Leppard have been nominated among the list of potential inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 2019 class.
From their early sound of AC/DC cut with tinge of New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Def Leppard became hair metal darlings with the success of Pyromania and later, Hysteria, with its colossal Mutt Lange production, hook-infested arrangements and pop shimmer. They reconfigured what was possible within the traditional rock structure and countless artists quickly discarded their sound to catch a whiff of the rare air Def Lep were bountifully breathing.
It's this that makes the band a Class of 2019 hopeful as they aim to be inducted in the Rock Hall alongside a handful of other nominees, including Devo, Janet Jackson, John Prine, Kraftwerk, LL Cool J, MC5, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Roxy Music, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Stevie Nicks, The Cure, The Zombies and Todd Rundgren.
While we await the news of the Rock Hall's decision, we spoke with singer Joe Elliott about the honor of being nominated. He seemed hopeful that Def Leppard would get the nod, but knows that greater struggles have preceded his band, offering a bone of contention with the decision makers while making his case for how Def Lep's influence still resonates today. As for the future of rock, he's got his eyes on two new bands in particular.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is egregiously particular in who they induct, harping on impact and influence. Where do you think Def Leppard's influence was most felt and do you hear any of it in today's music?
Impact comes in different ways. The problem with the Hall of Fame, to me is that what elitists thinks is an impact is very different to what the regular man on the street counts as impact. One of the reasons that bands like Roxy Music wait so long to get nominated is because it's such an American institution they don't take into consideration the impact a band might have on a time in Great Britain.
If you were looking, there were massively important bands — if you lived in England, Slade was bigger than [Bruce] Springsteen, but you're not telling a guy living in New York that. Because they weren't big in American culture means they weren't big period so they weren't important and that doesn't work like that because English music was such an influence on '60s American rock. So, the fact that we got nominated is basically purely based on American record sales.
I don't think we influenced many rock bands after us. I think we did in the mid to late '80s where there were a lot of sound-alikes. That's probably why grunge started in the first place — there were too many Def Leppards, if you like. I hear our music now and various different forms of music in rock, you hear our samples in rap. You hear our stuff in Lady Gaga, and Pink - you hear a lot of our stuff in pop because we were a commercial pop-rock band so we crossed over.
Who else are you hoping to get inducted with?
Todd Rundgren is well thought of in the industry and I can see why he is nominated — his body of work is very eclectic. As a fan I'd like to see him get in. MC5, I think their value is similar to that of the Velvet Underground. They are commercially meaningless but somebody somewhere who is very successful was influenced by them. Supposedly the most influential band around is the Velvet Underground, but I have never got that. I don't know how they can be any more influential than Jimi Hendrix but supposedly they are... I have been reading some articles.
I think the MC5 was an amazing, quiet influence on what became new wave of punk. For me, when it came to it, it came out of the U.S. garage music if you'd like and then the naming of The [Sex] Pistols and The Clash, which really just making the same noise that Iggy [Pop] and MC5 were making six years earlier.
I can totally understand that they're probably not going to get in, but that's just me. Stevie Nicks from a commercial point of view, she's had an astonishingly long career in and out of Fleetwood Mac. You can't deny that she's earned the nomination.
And for what's it's worth, Kraftwerk – Kraftwerk are so influential on anything from David Bowie to Depeche Mode to Nine Inch Nails – all those bands. Again, not commercial, but the influence on artists is huge. But I think it's good to look for bands that most of us had never heard of that influenced people we have heard of.
What newer bands excite you today? Are there any bands that you see as the future of rock?
There's only two that I'm aware of at the moment because I'm so busy doing my own thing. The only two bands I'm obsessed with right now are Greta Van Fleet and The Struts. Yeah, there's a raging argument about Greta Van Fleet and it's going to go on for years - they don't do themselves any favors when they say that they're not influenced by Led Zeppelin [laughs]. Wear it on your sleeve, baby! Greta Van Fleet, they're just making the music that Led Zeppelin won't make ever again.
The Struts —they're like a compound of Freddie Mercury and Slade. It's powerful. You've got a frontman that's just so over the top — he's a joy to listen to because he's just such a frontman and that's what he's supposed to be. He put himself on a pedestal. He'll either knock you off or prop you up. He's got balls to get up there — I think he's a superstar. He really is.
The huge difference to me as a teenager listening to a band like The Struts and maybe a teenager now listening to them is that I have the beauty of knowing that there's not going to be an album every year. It took them five years to follow up their first album. People latch onto that first album so much more because there's nothing else to latch onto. When I got into David Bowie, I could go back and find four other albums. That was only in a three year period and when I was coming up. All the bands that I pretty much grew up listening to, by the time I found them, it was their fourth album. Like the Struts now - you don't have albums to go back on but one.
Thanks to Joe Elliott for the interview. Def Leppard recently issued 'The Story So Far - The Best Of' compilation which can be purchased here. Follow the band on Facebook to stay up to date with everything they're doing and keep your fingers crossed for their Rock Hall induction in the new year.
33 Hard Rock + Metal Acts Who Deserve to Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame


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FY 2024 Funding Opportunity Announcement
What does this program do?
This program helps qualified nonprofits and tribes create a revolving loan fund to increase access to clean, reliable water and septic systems for households in eligible rural areas.
Who may apply for these grants?
Nonprofits that have:
- Expertise and experience promoting the safe, productive use of individually-owned household water wells systems
- Legal authority to act as a lender
- Sufficient expertise and experience in lending activities
- Financial, technical and managerial capacity to comply with relevant federal and state laws and regulations
How may grant funds be used?
Grant funds may be used to help a nonprofit create a revolving loan fund for eligible individuals who own and occupy a home in an eligible rural area. The fund may be used to construct, refurbish, or service individually-owned household water well and septic systems. Terms for the loans include one percent fixed interest rate, 20-year maximum term, and an $15,000 maximum loan per household.
What is an eligible area?
- Rural areas and towns with populations of 50,000 or less - check eligible addresses
- Tribal lands in rural areas
- Colonias
Are matching funds required for the grant?
Yes. The nonprofit must contribute at least 10 percent.
- Matching funds may be from the non-profit applicant or a third party.
- Matching funds may not be in-kind.
Note: Homeowners seeking a loan should contact RD for details on nonprofits participating in this program.
Are there any Environmental requirements associated with this grant?
RUS will notify a successful applicant by an award letter accompanied by a grant agreement and multi-tier action environmental compliance agreement. The grant agreement will contain the terms and conditions for the grant; the multi-tier action environmental compliance agreement will detail the Recipient's responsibilities in meeting the Agency's Environmental Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR part 1970, in particular §1970.55 which applies to multi-tier actions or relending actions. The multi-tier action environmental compliance agreement acknowledges that further "tiered" environmental review may be required and coordinated by the Recipient prior to approving Subrecipient applications for re-lending purposes. The applicant must execute and return the agreements, accompanied by any additional items required by the award letter or grant agreement.
How do we get started?
- Electronic applications are accepted through Grants.gov.
Who can answer questions?
- Lola Maratita at email@example.com or (615) 714-8883
- Contact your local RD office
What governs this program?
- Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR 1776
- Section 306E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
Why does USDA Rural Development do this?
This program helps communities improve access to safe, reliable drinking water for households and improve the sanitary conditions caused by inadequate septic systems in rural areas.
NOTE: Please select your state in the dropdown menu above to find the state office contact information for this program and speak to a program specialist before attempting to fill out any forms or applications. This will save you time in completing your application. Please also refer to the application materials listed below.
FY 2024 Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program Application Guide | PDF
There are no other architect, engineering or environmental requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.
There are no other additional requirements at the national level. If there are additional state-specific requirements they will be listed above.
USDA Rural Development - Wyoming State Office
100 East B St., Room 1217
PO Box 11005
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 233-6700
Community Facilities; Water & Environmental Programs
Lillian Freed, Community Programs Director, at (307) 683-4187 or email@example.com


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[i have the craft bug]
there's always room in the world for one more softie right? i couldn't resist. i might only have boys but I have always wanted to make dolls. I have lots of little nieces however that are going to love their v-day treat from auntie mer.


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TedsWoodworking 16,000 Woodworking Plans Review
Want to get instant access to over 16,000 woodworking plans?
You are probably tired of looking through stacks and stacks of projects on woodworking in magazines and books of all kinds for some instructions on how to do a certain project. How would you like to have woodworking plans (actually thousands of them) available to you anytime you wanted them. It would be so easy when you do not have to paw through all kinds of old magazines but have it right there at your fingertips.
Here is a review of TedsWoodworking which offers 16,000 plans.
What is Ted's Woodworking?
With Ted's Woodworking there are literally thousands of organized woodworking projects in a members area and all you have to do is get them off your computer any time you want. There are thousands of plans so decide which one you are going to tackle next. The choice is yours to make so just click on the proper button for the specific project and then they are right there for you to pick one. The diagrams and instructions will be right there in the computer for you to access at any time or if you prefer you can print them out.
Woodworking Projects - Easy to follow
Many times a new person who is doing a woodworking project will not complete it and it is not because they are not capable but that the instructions and the information they were given were not what they should have been.
Ted's Woodworking will provide you with clear instructions which are easy to read and understand. The diagrams are easy to follow so that you will not have any trouble getting your project finished. All the directions for the project are written in a manner which will take you step-by-step and you will be able to follow these instructions with no problems at all.
The inexperienced woodworker and the very experienced person will be able to do these projects without any difficulty as Ted's Woodworking plans are designed so that anyone will be able to follow the directions and have no problems understanding them.
Each and every one of the thousands of woodworking plans and projects which are available in Ted's Woodworking are so well written so that even if you've never tried Woodworking before, or if you have 2 left hands, you would find woodworking a breeze.
Is TedsWoodworking Worth the Money?
An absolute Yes! Each and every day there are reports about people who have actually completed some of the projects included in the Ted's Woodworking package.
You can join 3763+ (and counting) other hobbyists, beginners, craftsmen and professionals by letting TedsWoodworking give you the blueprints, plans and step-by-step directions to create stunning, professional woodworking projects, effortlessly and on time.
Take action now because the offer for this is ENDING very soon. Ted will be selling all the plans and bonus independently in the future for $47-$97 EACH in the weeks and months ahead. Lock yourself in for a deep discount now!
Get Access Now


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Top Form 6-8" by Jon Renau in 12FS8 SHADED PRALINE | Light Gold Brown, Light Natural Gold Blonde and Pale Natural Gold-Blonde Blend, Shaded with Medium Brown
This 100% human hair topper integrates with your own hair for a supremely natural look
Add gorgeous volume to the crown with this hair topper
Base measures 6.5" x 6.5" | Color 6/33 | 12" length shown
Top Form | Coverage Placement
Double Monofilament with PU Perimeter
1B | Soft Black
2 | Black and Brown Blend
4/33 | Darkest Brown and Medium Red Blend
4/27/30 | Darkest Brown, Light Red-Gold Blonde and Red-Gold Blend
6/33 | Dark Brown and Medium Red Blend
8/30 | Medium Brown and Medium Red-Gold Blend
10H24B | Light Brown with 20% Light Gold Blonde Highlights
12/30BT | Light Gold Brown and Medium Red-Gold Blend with Medium Red-Gold Tips
27B | Light Gold-Red Blonde
14/24 | Medium Natural-Ash Blonde and Light Natural Blonde Blend
Top Form 6-8"
33 | Medium Natural Red
31/26 | Medium Natural Red Brown and Medium Red-Gold Blonde Blend
8RN | Medium Brown (Human Hair Renau Natural)
12FS8 | Light Gold Brown, Light Natural Gold Blonde and Pale Natural Gold-Blonde Blend, Shaded with Medium Brown
24B613S12 | Medium Natural Ash Blonde and Pale Natural Gold Blonde Blend and Tipped, Shaded with Light Gold Brown
14/26S10 | Light Gold Blonde and Medium Red-Gold Blonde Blend, Shaded with Light Brown
24B/27CS10 | Light Gold Blonde & Medium Red-Gold Blonde Blend, Shaded w/ Light Brown root
27T613S8 | Medium Natural Red-Gold Blonde and Pale Natural Gold Blonde Blend and Tipped, Shaded with Medium Brown
6RN | Dark Brown (Human Hair Renau Natural)
24B18S8 | Medium Natural Ash and Light Natural Gold Blonde Blend, Shaded with Medium Brown
4RN | Darkest Brown (Human Hair Renau Natural)
613RN | Pale Natural Gold Blonde (Human Hair Renau Natural)
The Top Form 6-8" Remy Human Hair Topper by Jon Renau adds gorgeous volume at the crown. This 100% human hair topper integrates with your own hair for a supremely natural look — it can even be styled with heat!
Double Monofilament with PU Perimeter
- Our recommendation for styling Heat Friendly fiber is to stay between 275° F-300° F for best results.
PRODUCT TYPE | Hair Toppers |
DEPARTMENT | Women's Hair Toppers |
BRAND | Jon Renau |
COLLECTION | Topper Collection |
BASE DESIGN | Double Monofilament |
HAIR FIBER | Remy Human Hair Toppers |
TEXTURE | Heat Friendly Hair Toppers |
MEASUREMENTS | Length: 6-8" |
PRODUCT WEIGHT | 2.1 oz. |
Do you have a store, so I can see these pieces in person?
No, we do not have a retail store as Hairtoppers.com is exclusively online. Browse our site anytime and anywhere!
Should I ask my hairdresser about hair pieces?
Your trusted hairdresser is a great resource for an introduction into hair pieces. However, if you are seeking expert assistance, we recommend reaching out to our Client Care Representatives. Our Reps can help with finding the perfect product for you, color matching, and more!
Do your hair pieces look natural?
For the most natural look with hair pieces, we recommend doing your research on different products, understanding which product will work best for your needs/wants, and finding your perfect hair color match. Once you find your perfect hair piece, we recommend checking out our videos on application and blending techniques.
I'm on a budget. What products can you recommend for me?
If you are new to hair pieces or are wanting an inexpensive way to change up your look, we recommend going with a synthetic or heat-friendly synthetic hair piece. The fibers on these hair pieces mimic the look of real hair while being a fraction of the price!
Do I have to use special shampoo on my hair piece?
We recommend washing your hair pieces with our specially formulated shampoo for alternative hair. Free of all those bad ingredients (including sulfates and parabens), our hair care line called BeautiMark will help you clean your piece without damage.
How do you wash?
We recommend washing your piece every 8-10 wears. Start by detangling the hair with a wide tooth comb. Then, run cool water in a downward direction over the hair. Apply a small amount of BeautiMark shampoo and gently lather. Once saturated, cleanse your piece with water again in a downward direction. For human hair pieces, follow up with conditioner making sure to avoid the cap. Do not comb your hair piece while it is wet; simply blot dry with a towel. For synthetic hair pieces lightly spray a leave-in conditioner. A helpful video showing you how-to is coming soon!
Are they synthetic or real?
Our hair pieces come in all varieties of hair fiber types including: synthetic hair, heat-friendly synthetic hair, human hair & heat-friendly synthetic blended hair, human hair, and Remy human hair.
How do I style the hair?
For synthetic hair, once you apply the piece and blend, you're ready to go! You cannot use heat tools on synthetic hair. Tip: if you notice that your synthetic hair piece is not matching the luster of your own hair, lightly spray on dry shampoo to match your hair piece's shine to your natural hair's luster. For all other hair fiber types, you can you heat tools, including blowdryers, hair straighteners, curling irons/wands, up to 350° Fahrenheit.
Can you dye real hair?
Our human hair pieces have been processed with textile dyes in order to achieve the variety of colors you see on the site. So, these pieces will not react to traditional hair dye the way that the hair on our heads will. We recommend that our clients do not dye their hair pieces themselves. Note: if you have a trusted and professional hairdresser, we recommend buying your human hair piece in color 613 and having your hairdresser color it to match your hair color.
How long do they last? / What's the lifespan of these hair pieces?
With proper care and washing regimen, hair pieces can last for months or even years depending on how frequent they are worn. Generally, with every day wear, synthetic hair pieces will last 4-6 months and heat-friendly synthetic hair pieces will last 2-3 months. Blended human hair pieces will last 6+ months while human hair and Remy human hair pieces will last over 1 year with proper care.
How do I find my hair color match?
If you've found the style and piece you like, but can't decide what your best color match would be, we recommend contacting our Client Care Representatives. You can send a picture of your hair (in various lightings) to our Representatives, and they can examine your pictures and let you know your closest hair color match.
Note: you may not find a perfect hair color match if you have salon roots, balayage, or other salon coloring techniques.
To learn more about hairpieces, tips for success, and more answers to your hair piece questions, click here.
To learn more about our store policies including shipping and returns, click here.


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Linked to MusiPos
22 - Primary Warehouse
1 - Secondary Warehouse
Chat to us or call 5444 8889
Find out more
D'Addario EXL110-3D Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, Regular Light, 10-46, 3 Set Value Pack
EXL110, D'Addario's best selling set, offers the ideal combination of tone, flexibility and long life. The standard for most electric guitars. XL Nickel Wound, D'Addario's most popular electric guitar strings, are precision wound with nickelplated steel onto a carefully drawn, hexagonally shaped, high carbon steel core. The result, strings with long lasting, distinctive bright tone and excellent intonation, is ideal for the widest variety of guitars and musical styles.
Please Note: This item may be on display at the Mooloolaba Music Shop and may have been available for demonstration to in store patrons. We take careful and meticulous care, boxing and cleaning of your product before the shipping or selling of an item. If you do want photos before making a purchase please call our shop where one of our staff can assist in sending more detailed images.
Mooloolaba Music reserves the right to cancel, at any time before delivery and for whatever reason, an Order that it has previously accepted. Mooloolaba Music may do this for example, but without limitation, where:
a) Mooloolaba Music's suppliers are unable to supply Goods that they have previously promised to supply (b) an event beyond Mooloolaba Music's control, such as storm, fire, flood, earthquake, terrorism, power failure, war, strike or failure of computer systems, means that Mooloolaba Music is unable to supply the Goods within a reasonable time (c) Goods ordered were subject to an error on the Website, for example, in relation to a description, price or image, which was not discovered prior to the Order being accepted; (d) The products shown in the images above product may differ to the purchased product. Changes could include, different stands, treatments, slight variations in colour, In-built batteries and charging ports. Please contact our team for further clarification.
We ask that you research parts carefully before buying. Purchase of any non-licenced part as a replacement spare part is at your own risk. Some branded replacement parts also require professional installation to fit correctly. If in doubt we will be happy to advise further and confirm suitability before purchase.
Click and collect: is available if the product is available in store.
Means the item is physically in the shop and can be bought and shipped or collected at our store.
This item is currently not available physically in our store but can be ordered in from a supplier
Item is available from our supplier. This is an item we do not have available in the store. Please note that there are longer delivery times if you decide to purchase.
Item is available and ready to ship from our store.
Item is in high demand


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25 Celebrities Who Fell From Public Grace
Everybody loves a scandal... until they're caught in the thick of it.
Don't believe us? Just ask former public darlings like Lori Loughlin and Amanda Bynes, or iconic entertainment figures like R. Kelly and Harvey Weinstein — all of whom, to varying degrees, suffered the sad slip from grace due to shameful scandals over the course of their career.
While some stars like Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, Scarlett Johansson, Jordyn Woods and plenty others have regained or made attempts to regain their place in the ilks of Hollywood, others have been less fortunate.
Scroll down to revisit some of the most humiliating falls from grace to make headlines, below.


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Front Fork Protectors
We can supply the full range of Puig front fork protectors. If the product you're looking for is not listed below, please contact us and we can look at ordering it in for you.
For retail sales of Puig in Australia, please see our retailers page.
For wholesale sales to approved retailers, please login to view pricing and to place an order.
Not a retailer but want to be? Apply here.


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Expanding opportunities through computer science education
One student celebrated Martin Luther King Day. Another created a music video with a nod to a Frozen princess. A third invited a cold polar bear in for holiday cheer. All these students are participants in Google CS First, a program that teaches 9- to 14-year-olds how to use computer science (CS) to express themselves and their interests. In the process, they get a window into the world of coding and learn skills that may be useful to them in the future.
We launched CS First back in 2013, and since then more than 19,000 students have participated at one of 1,300+ CS First clubs around the country, most run by teachers, parents and volunteers. All our CS First materials are free and available online, and the curriculum is designed for everyone to work at their own pace, meaning it's accessible even to people who are new to technology. It's also designed to tap into students' existing interests, showing them how CS can integrate with the rest of their lives. Inspired by fashion, art, music, politics and more, students have used code to build videos, games and stories on topics big and small, from how they met their best friends to solving global hunger.
Now, we're partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Corporation for National and Community Service to bring CS First to even more students across the country. A new group of 20 AmeriCorps VISTA members will spend a year helping local Boys & Girls Clubs incorporate CS First and other educational programs into their slate of activities, giving more young people, especially those who might not otherwise be exposed to coding, greater access to computer science education.
Computer science is increasingly important to building a successful career, in fields varying from medicine to architecture to music. But today, there aren't enough computer scientists to fill the available jobs—and on top of that, many populations aren't equally represented in the field. According to code.org, only 8 percent of people who take the Advanced Placement Computer Science Exam are students of color, and only 15 percent are women. And while women earn 57 percent of all bachelor's degrees, only 12 percent of computer science degrees are awarded to women. We want to expand the pool of technologists, and make sure that all young people, regardless of background or resources, have access to high-quality CS education from an early age.
That's what this new effort is all about. Our partners have long been committed to supporting young people and communities. Boys & Girls Clubs of America gives young people access to opportunities to help them become productive and responsible citizens during out of school time. And AmeriCorps VISTA taps the skills and passion of more than 7,000 Americans annually to support community efforts to overcome poverty. Working together, we can empower more young people with the technical know-how they need to succeed in today's society and economy.
Join us in making CS more accessible to more kids, and apply on the AmeriCorps website by March 1. If accepted, you'll come to the Google headquarters in Mountain View for training before spending a year in one of six cities. Best of all, your year of service will make a real difference in the lives of young people.


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The New Paradigm of 'Substantive Marketing' for Innovative IT
This decade has clearly marked a sea change in the move of enterprise software from proprietary to open source, as I have recently discussed [1]. It is instructive that only a mere six years ago I was in heated fights with my then Board about open source; today, that seems so quaint and dated.
Also during this period many have noted how open source has changed the capital required to begin a new software startup [2]. Open source both provides the tooling and the components for cobbling together specialty apps and extensions. Six and seven and even eight figure startup costs common just a decade ago have now dropped to four or five figures. When we see the explosion of hundreds of thousands of smartphone apps we are seeing the glowing residue of these additional sea changes. Dropping startup costs by one to three orders of magnitude is truly democratizing innovation.
But something else has been going on that is changing the face of enterprise software (besides consolidation, another factor I also recently commented on). And that factor is "marketing". Much less commentary is made about this change, but it, too, is greatly lowering costs and fundamentally changing market penetration strategies. That topic — and my personal experience with it — is the focus of this article.
The Obsolete Recent Past
Besides the few remaining big providers of enterprise software — like IBM, Oracle, HP, SAP — most vendors have totally remade their sales practices of just a few years ago. Large sales forces with big commissions and a year to two year sales cycles can no longer be justified when software license fees and the percentage maintenance annuities that flow from them are dropping rapidly. Today's mantras are doing more with less and doing it faster, hardly consistent with the traditional enterprise software model. Sure, big enterprises, especially big government and big business, have large sunk costs in legacy systems that will continue to be milked by existing vendors. But the flow is constricting with longer-term trends clear to see. The old enterprise software model is obsolete.
Even if it were not dying, it is hard to square huge investments in sales and marketing when product development has become inexpensive and agile. The proliferation of three-letter marketing acronyms for branding "new" product areas and standard formulas for product hype of just a few years ago also feels old and dated. Cozy relationships with conventional trade press pundits and market analysts seem to be diminishing in importance, possibly because the authoritativeness of their influence is also diminishing. It is harder to justify market firm subscription costs when priority budget items are being cut and new information outlets have emerged.
In response to this, many developers have forsaken the enterprise market for the consumer one. Indeed enterprises themselves are looking more and more to the consumer sector and commodity apps for innovation and answers. But, still, problems unique to enterprises remain and how to effectively reach them in this brave new world is today's marketing problem for enterprise software vendors.
Most entities today, when opining about these challenges, tend to emphasize the need for "laser focus" and "rifle-shot" targeting of prospects. The advice takes the form of: 1) emphasize well-defined verticals; 2) know your market well; and 3) target and go after your likely prospects. Prospect data mining and targeted ad analysis are the proferred elixirs.
But, there is little evidence such refined methods for prospect identification and targeting are really working. Like politicians doing focus groups and opinion polling to capture the desired "message" of their potential electorates, these are all still "push" models of marketing. Yet we are swamped with pushed messages and marketing everywhere we turn. The model is failing.
Besides message overload, there are two issues with laser targeting. First, despite all that we try to know about ready buyers (for enterprise software), we really don't know if any particular individual is truly needful, in a position to buy, has the authority to buy, or is the right advocate to make the internal sell. Second, though the idea of "laser" carries with it the image of focus and not flailing, it is in fact expensive to identify the targets and send a focused message their way. Because of these issues, decay rates for laser prospects throughout conventional sales pipelines continue to rise.
A New Marketing Paradigm
There has always been the phenomenon of the "fish jumping into the boat"; that is, the unanticipated inbound inquiry from a previously unknown prospect leading to a surprisingly swift sale. But we have seen this phenomenon increase markedly in recent years. Structured Dynamics' current customer base — including recurring customers — comes almost exclusively from this source. As we have noted this trend in comparison with more targeted outreach, we have spent much time trying to understand why it is occurring and how we can leverage what Peter Drucker called the "unexpected success" [3].
What we are seeing, I believe, is a shift from sales to marketing, and within marketing from direct or outbound marketing to a new paradigm of marketing. Others have likened this to inbound marketing [4] or content marketing [5] or permission marketing [6]. What we are seeing at Structured Dynamics bears many resemblances to parts of what is claimed for these other approaches, but not all. And, it is also true that what we are seeing may pertain mostly to innovative IT for emerging enterprise markets, and not a generalized paradigm suitable to other products or markets.
For lack of a better term, what we are seeing we can term "substantive marketing". By this we mean offering valuable content and solutions-oriented systems for free and without restriction. This shares aspects with content marketing. Then, in keeping with the trend for buyers doing their own research and analysis to fulfill their own needs, similar to the premises of inbound or permission marketing, potential consumers can make their own judgments as to relevance and value of our offerings.
Sometimes, of course, some prospects find our approaches and solutions lacking. Sometimes, they may grab what we have offered for free and use them on their own without compensation to us. But where the match is right — and we need to be honest with both ourselves and the customer when it is not — we can better spend the customer's limited time and resources to tailor our generic solutions to their specific needs. In doing so, we offer higher value (tailored services) while learning better about another spectrum of consumer need that can virtuously enhance our substantive offerings for the next prospect.
So, let's decompose these components further to see what they can tell us about this new practice of substantive marketing and how to use it as an engine for moving forward.
The Virtuous Cycle Begins with Substantive Solutions
The premise of substantive marketing is to offer square-deal value to the marketplace in the form of solutions-based content. Like content marketing that offers "the creation or sharing of content for the purpose of engaging current and potential consumer bases" [5], substantive marketing goes even further. The whole basis and premise of the approach is to provide substantive content, in one of more of these areas, preferably all:
- Knowledge — this substantive area includes papers, commentary, survey results or listings of tools and references useful to the target market
- Analysis — this content area includes unique analysis of market trends, data, technologies or reviews that pertain to the target market
- Code — this area relates to the provision of open source code and tools, preferably under licenses that allow users to use the software without restriction (two examples are the Apache 2 license and the MIT license)
- Documentation — a critical substantive area is the documentation in how to install, use, modify or customize these tools, including a prejudice to APIs and tutorial information
- Methodologies, workflows and best practices — it is important to also discuss how to properly operate and utilize these tools and information. Taking care to document lessons learned and best practices also helps the user community avoid common mistakes and to speed adoption and utility, and
- Demos — this area involves setting up (and sharing code and procedures for same) demos that show how the code and its methods actually work. Demos also become first use cases to aid the new user in learning and setting up the code bases.
Further, this substantive content is offered without strings, restrictions or customer fill-in forms. The content is not a come on or a teaser. We are not trying to gather leads or prospect names, because we have no intent to dun them with emails or follow-ups.
This substantive content is as complete as can be to enable new users to adopt the information and tools in their current state without further assistance. (In some cases, the information also educates the marketplace in order to prepare future customers for adoption.) Most importantly, this substantive content is offered for free, either open source (for code) or creative commons for documentation and other content. In return, it is fair to request — and we do — attribution when this material is used.
We have previously termed this complete panoply of substantive content a total open solution [7]. Some might find the provision of such robust information crazy: How can we give away the store of our proprietary knowledge and systems?
But we find this kind of thinking old school. In an open source world where so much information is now available online, with a bit of effort customers can find this information anyway. Rather, our mindset is that customers do not want to pay again for what has already been done, but are willing to pay for what can be done with that knowledge for their own specific problems. Offering the complete storehouse of our knowledge in fact signals our interest in only charging the customer for new answers, new value or new formulations. The customers we like to work with feel they are getting an honest, square deal.
Flagpole Venues Help Increase Awareness
Consider your substantive content to be your flag, a unique banner for conveying and packaging your specific brand. It is thus important to find appropriate flagpoles — in the virtual territories that your customers visit — for raising this content high for them to see. Since the role of these flagpoles is to create awareness in potential prospects — who you do not likely know individually or even by group in advance — it makes sense to raise your offerings up on many flagpoles and on the highest flagpoles. Visibility is the object of the approach.
This approach is distinctly not leafletting or cramming links or emails into as many spaces as possible. The idea of substantive marketing is to fly valuable content high enough that desirous potential customers can discover and then inspect the information on their own, and only if they so choose. In this regard, substantive marketing resembles permission marketing [6].
Being visible helps ensure that the needful, questing prospect that you would never have been able to target on your own is able to see and be aware of your offerings. And, since they are seeking information and answers, your collateral needs to be of a similar nature. Solutions and substance are what they are seeking; what you have run up the flagpole should respond to that.
The mindset here is to respect your prospective customers and to allow them to chose to receive and inspect your offerings, but only if they so choose. If flown in the right venues with the right visibility, customers will see your flags and inspect them if they meet their requirements.
Some of the venues at which you can raise your flags include:
- Blogs — this venue is especially helpful, since you have complete control over content, message, voice and packaging
- Social networks — the value of social networks is now accepted, and should be a core component of any visibility strategy. However, it is also important to make sure that your contributions are driven by substance and value and do not become part of the cacophonous background noise
- Vertical media — there are always existing outlets well-read and -respected by your customer propects. Establishing relationships and value with these third-party outlets can extend your reach
- Web sites — this venue includes your standard Web sites, of course. But, you should also consider setting up specific project-related sites or sites dedicated to documentation (c.f., our TechWiki site of 300+ technical articles) or to methodologies (the excellent MIKE2.0 site is one great example) or to other ways by which particular content (such as tools with the Sweet Tools site) can raise another flag
- User forums — user discussion groups and forums also become their own attractants for like-interested prospects, and
- Conferences and tradeshows — while potentially valuable, presence at conferences and tradeshows must be carefully evaluated. Since participation and opportunity costs are high, the venues should be clearly relevant to your market space with likely decision makers in attendance.
The observant reader will have already concluded that each of these venues develops slowly, and therefore raising visibility is generally a slow-and-steady game that requires patience. Start-up vendors backed by venture firms or those looking for quick visibility and cashout will not find this approach suitable. On the other hand, customer prospects looking for answers and self-sustaining solutions are not much interested in flash in the pan vendors, either.
A Model Responsive to the Changing Nature of Customer Prospects
The real drivers for this changing paradigm come from customer prospects. Sophisticated buyers of enterprise IT and instrumental change agents within organizations share most if not all of these characteristics:
- They are inundated with marketing messages and jaded about hype and "pushed" messages
- They are generally knowledgeable about their needs and problem spaces and about approximate technologies. They are eager and desirous of learning independently and know that their recommendations affect their personal reputations and standing within their enterprises
- With the many volatile external and internal changes, including staff reductions and fluid assignments, leadership for new technology adoption can come from many different and unknown corners of the organization; it is extremely difficult to identify and target prospects
- The economic and competitive environment places a premium on affordability and low-risk evaluations of new technologies
- Lock-ins of any kind — be it to specific vendors or technologies — are understood as inherently risky. This understanding is raising the importance of open and standards-based approaches
- Being the subject of a pushy sales effort is distasteful and a negative to an eventual sale. Education and learning, however, is respected
- Because of all that is at stake, honesty with no bullshit is highly appreciated. If you as a vendor do not offer an appropriate solution or have fulfillment weaknesses, tell the prospect so. Further, tell them who can supply the solution. One never knows when and where the next problem may arise, and providing trustworthy advice can lead to later engagements.
More often than not we find our customers to have already installed and used our existing substantive materials for some time before they approach us about further work. They appreciate the tutorial information and have taught themselves much in advance. By the time we engage, both parties are able to cost-effectively focus on what is truly missing and needed and to deliver those answers in a quick way. Re-engagements tend to occur when a next set of gaps or challenges arise.
Though it may sound trite or even unbelievable to those who have not yet experienced such a relationship, the square deal value offered by substantive marketing can really lead to true partnerships and trust between vendor and customer. We experience it daily with our customers, and vice versa. We also think this is the adaptive approach that our new environment demands.
The Free Path to Open Source and Solutions
Once prospects learn of our substantive offerings, many may decide independently that what we have is not suitable. Others may simply download and use the information on their own, for which we often never know let alone receive revenue. We are completely fine with this, as shown for three different cases.
First, some of these prospects need no more than what we already have. This increases our user base, increases our visibility and often results in contributions to our forums and documentation.
Then, some of these prospects come to learn they need or want more than what our current offerings provide, leading to two possible forks. In one fork, the second case, they may have sufficient skills internally or with other suppliers to extend the system on their own. Some of this flows back to an improved code base or improved installation or documentation bases.
In the other fork, the third case, they may decide to engage us in tailoring a solution for them. That case is the only one of the three that leads to a direct revenue path.
In all three cases we win, and the customer wins. Maybe enterprise software vendors of decades past rue this reality of lower margins and shared benefits; we agree that the absolute profit potential of substantive marketing is much less. But we gladly accept the more enjoyable work and steady revenue relationships resulting from these changes. We are not engaged in some pollyann-ish altruism here, but in a steely-eyed honest brokering that best serves our own self-interest (and fairly that of the customer, as well).
A Square Deal Baseline for Tailored Services
Great IT product does not come from idle musings or dreamed up functionality. It comes solely and directly from solving customer problems. Only via customers can software be refined and made more broadly usable.
A slipstream of those who have previously become aware and tested our offerings will choose to engage our services. This generally takes the form of an inbound call, where the prospect not only qualifies itself, but also establishes the terms and conditions for the sale. They have chosen to select us; they are fish that have jumped into the boat.
To again quote Peter Drucker, ". . . the aim of marketing is to make selling superfluous. The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well that the product or service fits him and sells itself. Ideally, marketing should result in a customer who is ready to buy. All that should be needed then is to make the product or service available . . ." [8]. This is precisely what I meant earlier about the shift in emphasis from sales to marketing.
Even at this point there may be mismatches in needs and our skills and availabilities. If such is the case, we do not hesitate to say so, and attempt to point the prospect in another direction (from which we also gain invaluable market knowledge). If there is indeed a match, we then proceed to try to find common ground on schedule and budget.
Paradoxically, this square deal and honesty about the readiness and weaknesses of our offerings often leads to forgiveness from our customers. For example, for some time we have lacked automated installation scripts that would make it easier for prospects to install our open semantic framework. But, because of compensating value in other areas, such gaps can be overlooked and tackled later on (indeed, as a current customer is now funding). By not pretending to be everything to everyone, we can offer what we do have without embarrassment and get on with the job of solving problems.
For larger potential engagements, we typically suggest a fixed price initial effort to develop an implementation plan. The interviews and research to support this typical 4- to 6-weeks effort (generally in the $5 K to $10 K range, depending) then result in a detailed fulfillment proposal, with firm tasks, budget and schedule, specific to that customer's requirements. Just as we respect our prospects' time and budget, we expect the same and do not conduct these detailed plans without compensation. With respect to fulfillment contracts, we cap contract amount and limit milestone payments to pre-set percentages or time expended, whichever is lower.
This approach ensures we understand the customer's needs and have budgeted and tasked accordingly. Capped contracts also put the onus on us the contractor to understand our own effort and tasking structures and realities, which leads to better future estimating. For the customer, this approach caps risk and potential exposure, and ensures milestones are being met no matter the time expenditures by us, the contractor. This approach extends our square-deal basis to also embrace risks and payments.
New (and Open Source) Developments Fuel the Substance Pipeline
Thus, when customers engage us, they spend almost solely on new functionality specifically tailored to their needs. In doing so, we suggest they agree to release the new developments they fund as open source. We argue — and customers predominantly agree — that they are already benefitting from lower overall costs because other customers have funded sharable, open source before them. We point out that the new customers that follow them will also be independently creating new functionality, to which they will also later benefit.
(This argument does not apply to specific customer data or ontologies, which are naturally proprietary to the customer. Also, if the customer wants to retain intellectual ownership of extensions, we charge higher development fees.)
Once these new developments are completed, they are fed back into a new baseline of valuable content and code. From this new baseline the cycle of substantive marketing can be augmented anew and perpetuated.
Three Guidelines to Leverage Substantive Marketing
All of these points can really be boiled down to three guidelines for how to make substantive marketing effective:
- First, whatever your domain or market, provide useful and substantive content. The content you offer is indeed your marketing collateral. Prospective customers can gauge from it directly whether it meets their needs, appears sound and workable, and has value. If you have little of substance to offer, this paradigm is not for you
- Second, plant many flagpoles and raise your flags high in territories your market prospects are likely to visit. This is a process that requires thoughtfulness and patience. Thoughtfulness, because that is how you determine where to plant your flags. If you yourself are a consumer of what you offer, it is easier to find those venues. And patience, because it takes time to stack valuable content upon valuable content in order to raise visibility
- And, third, be honest and respectful. Help your prospect work within available budget to achieve the most possible at lowest risk. And help them find others, if need be, who might be better able than you to truly solve their problems.
What we are finding — as we continue to refine our understanding of this new paradigm — is that through substantive marketing the fish are finding us and they sometimes jump into the boat. We like our enterprise customers to pre-qualify themselves and already be "sold" once they knock on the door. One never knows when that phone might ring or the email might come in. But when it does, it often results in a collaborative customer as a partner who is a joy to work with to solve exciting new problems.


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Bangalore : With razor-thin margins and high dependency on delivery (aggregators take 25% cut), the only way out for many small businesses like restaurants, today, is a shutdown.
To solve this, a first-of-its-kind NO commission delivery service, BOLT is launching in India.
Bolt founders, having worked in the restaurant industry, want to give the control back to the local businesses. With sustainability at its core, BOLT wants to make delivery a profitable part of all local businesses.
One of the founders of BOLT said, "When customers order through BOLT, it doesn't mean that they are ordering from BOLT. Rather, it's directly from the store that they'd be ordering as stores have complete access to their customer data which is highly uncommon with the current aggregator platforms".
BOLT charges a fixed fee instead of % based commission per order to enable delivery for any store. This will be a steep cut for restaurants w.r.t. 15–30% commissions that they are paying the aggregators currently. With over 30% of restaurants on the verge of closure because of the current crisis, this could be the difference between survival and closure.
The founders say, "We are here to help as many businesses as possible to self-sustain during the pandemic and get rid of the clutches of commission squeezing aggregators. Just before we sign off, it's worthwhile to mention that 1500+ restaurants and stores are already on this mission with us."
BOLT founders are on a mission to make delivery great again.
BOLT has launched in Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore this week. http://getbolt.in lists stores ranging from restaurants to grocery stores to COVID essentials. Over the next 3 months, BOLT is launching in multiple cities across India.


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functional health pattern strengths
Understanding family structure and style is essential to patient and family care. Conducting a family interview and needs assessment gathers information to identify strengths, as well as potential barriers to health. This information ultimately helps develop family-centered strategies for support and guidance.
This family health assessment is a two-part assignment. The information you gather in this initial assignment will be utilized for the second assignment in Topic 3.
Develop an interview questionnaire to be used in a family-focused functional assessment. The questionnaire must include three open-ended, family-focused questions to assess functional health patterns for each of the following:
Values/Health Perception
Role Relationship
Select a family, other than your own, and seek permission from the family to conduct an interview. Utilize the interview questions complied in your interview questionnaire to conduct a family-focused functional assessment. Document the responses as you conduct the interview.
Upon completion of the interview, write a 750-1,000-word paper. Analyze your assessment findings. Submit your questionnaire as an appendix with your assignment.
Include the following in your paper:
Describe the family structure. Include individuals and any relevant attributes defining the family composition, race/ethnicity, social class, spirituality, and environment.
Summarize the overall health behaviors of the family. Describe the current health of the family.
Based on your findings, describe at least two of the functional health pattern strengths noted in the findings. Discuss three areas in which health problems or barriers to health were identified.
Describe how family systems theory can be applied to solicit changes in family members that, in turn, initiate positive changes to the overall family functions over time.
Cite at least three peer-reviewed or scholarly sources to complete this assignment. Sources should be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.


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About Us
FB Wright of Cincinnati is a gaskets and hose company serving the Cincinnati area's industrial needs. As a fabricator, they create products for machines using plastics, rubber, high-temperature insulation, metal, and other products.
Read More About FB Wright>>
Products & Services
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- (513) 874-9100
- 1-800-582-0011
FB Wright Cincinnati
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West Chester, OH 45011


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