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In 1981, the first online classes were developed at the School of Management and Strategic Studies at Western Behavior Sciences Institute in La Jolla, California. An evaluation of the program, and the discussions that took place, revealed that the quality of the online course was higher than the information collected in the traditional classroom setting (Feenberg, 1999).
Since that time, a number of studies have compared the effectiveness of online instruction to traditional lecture formats. Findings have admittedly been mixed (Rivera, & McAlister, 2001; Ungerleider & Burns, 2004; Zhang, 2005). Even though a majority of the studies find no difference in student performance and student satisfaction, regardless of the delivery format (Lim, Kim, Chen & Ryder, 2008; McFarland & Hamilton, 2006), there is concern regarding online student retention. Knowledge of student characteristics and how they can possibly affect online course success can provide the opportunity for faculty to intervene before grades are affected or dropout rates increase (Cochran, et al., 2014).
Kilburn (2005) developed the following conceptual map regarding student motivations to take an online course at a particular University in the Midwest. (see Figure 1)
Motivations to take online courses
Asynchronous Learning: Electronic communication in which the student and teacher interact via e-mail and listservs, but do not do so by being on the Internet at the same time ( Berge & Collins, 1995 ).
Distance Learning: Learning that occurs when the instructor and students are separated by physical distance and technology is used to bridge the instructional gap ( Boaz, Elliott, Foshee, Hardy, Jarmon, & Olcott, 1999 ).
Web-Based Instruction: A media-rich online environment allowing people to interact with others asynchronously or synchronously in collaborative and distributed environments ( Harasim, 1995 ), to gain access to remote multi-media databases for active and resource-based learning ( Jung & Lee, 1993 ), and to manage self-paced individual learning in a flexible way ( Reeves & Reeves, 1997 ).
Synchronous Learning: Adjective used to describe an operation performed at the same time as another event ( Boaz, et al., 1999 ).
Online Learning/Course: A context for learning in which students interact using technology and do not meet in a physical classroom with the instructor.


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CONSTANCE, Bishopric. KONSTANZ.
From the early 7th century there was a Bishop in Constance, a city of southern Germany, which stands at the outlet to the lake of that name (Bodensee in German). The diocese was originally in the province of Besançon, but from 810 in Mainz. It came to cover what now are northeastern Switzerland, southern Baden-Württemberg, the southwestern corner of Bavaria, and the north of the Vorarlberg in Austria.
Though the diocese was vast, the Bishop's temporal principality was small. His episcopal city became a Free Imperial City in the 13th century. The Bishop held lands around the Untersee, the southwestern arm of Lake Constance, and on the northern shores of the lake around the town of Meersburg.
Further down the Rhine he held small pockets of territory in the Klettgau, the district to the west of Schaffhausen. The Bishop continued to reside in the city of Constance until the Reformation there made him flee to Meersburg in 1526, and there he and his successors remained even after the Habsburg conquest of the city and its recatholicisation.
A fragment of the episcopal territory on the left bank of the Rhine became Swiss in 1798; the rest became part of Baden in 1802-3. The Bishopric itself also disappeared in the reordering of the Church in the years after the fall of Napoleon.
The Swiss lands were divided between the dioceses of Basel and Chur. After 1827 the German districts became part of the Upper Rhenish province under the Archbishop of Freiburg.

subset: commoncrawl


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The checkout system is currently closed so that I can work through a backlog of orders as quickly as possible. The checkout system will reopen again on Sunday 27th, September.
Fragrance Oil - Sandalwood
A great alternative to the expensive indian sandalwood essential oil. A warm, rich, woodsy aromatic oriental fragrance.
Performance in CP Soap: no acceleration noted, no discolouration and no fading. I recommend using the higher fragrance load of 5% fragrance load based on the weight of soaping oils as this is a little softer than some other fragrances. One customer reported that this fragrance caused her soap to split and crumble at the edges but no one else has mentioned any issues so it might have been a recipe issue.
Performance in Soy Wax: good scent throw at 8% fragrance load but definitely not one of the stronger fragrances
Bath Oils, Lotions, Shower Gels: Suggested usage rate 1%
Perfume Oils: Maximum usage rate 8% (as recommended by the IFRA)
Phthalate free: Yes
Flashpoint: 220F (104C)
Vanillin Content: 0%
Gel Wax compatibile: Yes, but you will need to do your own testing.
Please note: The above information is provided as a guideline only and results may vary according to individual recipes.


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Canine AcuTouch Video'sDecember 15, 2014
I wanted to share with you the latest in our Canine AcuTouch video's – one is the introduction to Canine AcuTouch – explaining what it does and how it works. They say that a picture speaks a thousand words – but video is so much more! Watch this introduction to Canine AcuTouch and see for yourself why Canine AcuTouch works.
This is the video introduction to the "Shared Vision Project". Stress in our service dogs. Stress causes chronic conditions – especially in the service dogs that go above and beyond the call of duty! Stress is the invisible invader – Canine AcuTouch is the modality that the service dog handlers and trainers utilize to keep their dogs at optimum health.
Tags: Categories: Barbara Ahern, Canine Acu Touch, Service Dogs, Shared Vision Project


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Managing Procurement and Suppliers for Project Managers
- Category: PDU Ideas
Properly managing the procurement process and your supply chain is extremely important for Project Managers. A lot of factors can go wrong with time delays, poor quality products, mishandled or lost shipments. Delays and inferior products can be costly and potentially hamper your project and negatively impact your contract, as well as your reputation with your clients. Below are 10 key points to implement with all your projects to minimize procurement problems.
1. When sourcing suppliers and materials, carefully include all the technical requirements outlined in the main contract with your client. This will ensure that you are procuring the correct materials and the project will satisfy your client's needs.
2. Transfer the risks for delays and for missing performance to suppliers, especially if they are part of your main contract with your client. It is important that they are held responsible for their part in the process and will work to guarantee you the service and performance you require.
3. Define an escalation process with the supplier's management (and stipulated within the Purchase Order) in case the supplier's staff does not follow the original plan. This will help to mitigate any problems quickly and get the results you demand.
4. Request a time schedule from the suppliers and do a sanity check on how they will be achieving your project goals and objectives. Proactively keeping everything on schedule and on task will guarantee minimal problems and alert you to any potential setbacks.
5. Define precise delivery dates for components as well as document submittals, and identify them on the supplier Gantt chart. Clearly establishing defined dates will help to keep everyone working on a schedule and reduce the chance of conflicts or mix-ups.
6. Define a detailed closure process within the Statement of Work (SOW) including the document submittals, user manuals, as-built drawings, etc. Clear instructions and documentation will increase the overall communication process minimizing potential errors or omissions.
7. Use Project Management applications and set up weekly or bi-weekly calls with the suppliers to monitor the progress. Today, there are numerous computer software and mobile apps connecting project stakeholders. Keeping close and consistent communication channels open help to establish excellent working relationships and allows to be easily aware of the ongoing status of the orders and quickly remedy any issues before they become a problem or impact the project.
8. Request monthly progress reports from suppliers and compare with the time schedule that they provided at the beginning. This will guarantee that the suppliers continue to meet your requirements and are being held accountable.
9. Do not hesitate to escalate the issues if you start to see any delays. It is best to be proactive and nip it in the bud, so to speak. A project becomes one year late one day at a time!
10. Make sure your suppliers keep track of their "Lessons Learned" in order to take advantage of the learning curve savings on multi-unit projects or on your future contracts. Continuous improvement is important to everyone within the process. If the suppliers want to be included for future projects, it is to their benefit and yours to be cognizant of all the components learned within the project and incorporating them again for you.
Following these guidelines will assist you as the Project Manager in achieving the most out of your supplier relationships. Often, the performance of your supplier will reflect on the performance of your project. Therefore, it is critical that you manage your supplier's performance carefully, to ensure that they produce deliverables which meet your expectations, and that you get the maximum value from them.


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McCain Frets About Oil Imports But Is Way Behind On Getting Solar Energy To Arizona
By Elaine Meinel Supkis
My parents used to lecture about solar energy while living in Arizona. They did solar energy research there. You would think Arizona would be number one on solar energy implementation but it is #45 on the national solar energy use list which is insanity and then along comes Senator McCain, baying that we need to wean ourselves off of foreign oil? Where's he been at this last 30 years?
From Associated Press:
A top Republican lawmaker said Sunday that America must explore alternate energy sources to avoid being held hostage by Iran or by "wackos" in Venezuela — an apparent reference to Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's populist president.Yeah, the "wacko" in Venezuela who is giving cheaper oil to the Bronx and Mass and other interested states? The one who is spending money from oil on the infrastructure and not on mega yachts? Eh?
Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record), a potential presidential contender in 2008, said recent action by "Mr. Chavez" and by Iran's leaders make it clear that the United States will be vulnerable as long as it remains dependent on foreign energy.
"We've got to get quickly on a track to energy independence from foreign oil, and that means, among other things, going back to nuclear power," McCain said on Fox News Sunday.
"We better understand the vulnerabilities that our economy, and our very lives, have when we're dependent on Iranian mullahs and wackos in Venezuela," said McCain, who challenged President George W. Bush for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000.
From the NYT:
You know, Nigeria is melting down over this sort of thing, namely, thanks to Americans imposing a very corrupt government on them, the oil profits all flow to the USA, not to Nigerians.
At a time when energy prices and industry profits are soaring, the federal government collected little more money last year than it did five years ago from the companies that extracted more than $60 billion in oil and gas from publicly owned lands and coastal waters.
McCain particularily steams me. My family has lectured until our faces were blue, about instituting a massive solar energy drive for Arizona which is blessed with more sunshine per year than anywhere in the USA. We got sun up the yin-yang in Arizona, nearly every day, every year. Endlessly. It is probably the most consistent thing going in Arizona!
Yet the state rates #45 on promoting solar energy use? Cloudy NY state beats Arizona? Huh?
Talk about insanity. The deep south is nearly united in refusing to invest or encourage solar energy. Instead, they burn coal, coal! This month, we see coal miners dying all over the place as they frantically dig coal, 60% of which is used to produce energy in the south for airconditioning! This is lunacy.
From Make Democracy Work:
In the United States the current energy bill has billions of dollars in subsidies, but for every dollar in tax breaks for renewable energy like solar and wind, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group calculates there is $3 for nuclear, $3 for coal, and $8 for oil and gas. None of it is paid for, so the subsidies add to our burgeoning debt that we'll pass on to our children. In the House, Rep. Jeff Flake, calling it "corporate welfare," was the only Arizona Republican to join Democrats Ed Pastor and Raul Grijalva opposing the bill. The libertarian CATO Institute has joined the Sierra Club in arguing we'd be better off with no subsidies than this bill.Refering to the Energy Rip-off Bill recently passed. They gave tax credits to oil companies just as they were registering record profits and their profits are shooting to the stars this week thanks to their oil buddy boy, Bush, sabre rattling.
This summer my kids and I have been biking to summer activities, while I go on to ASU and then return to get them. Despite a few hairy moments crossing busy intersections and a couple tumbles, the kids are having fun, getting some great exercise and learning to be safer cyclists.In the sixties and seventies, there were legions of bikes on the streets in Arizona, I used my splendid 10 speed which was made specifically for my size, it fit like a glove, to careen about town. Last time I was in Arizona, I saw not one cyclist anywhere. Lots of SUVs belching around town. Phoenix is much worse, it is flat, for crying out loud, and there are no cyclists to be seen hardly anywhere and kids who rode everywhere when I was a child are missing in particular.
My disappointment is that we're the only family biking to these activities, even though I'm sure other families travel less than the three miles we do.
Unlike our competitors, the United States is far too fat in our energy use. Japan, which imports nearly all of its oil, produces more solar power than the United States and Germany combined. For each dollar of economic output, the United States consumes three times as much energy as Japan and twice as much as France and Germany. Much of their fuel efficiency and movement towards cleaner fuels are ingrained in the culture and encouraged by subsidies.Yes, the Japanese are scared and are working hard to not only use solar power but to manufacture it. The USA seems to have forgotten what "industrial manufacturing" means. We just want things to magically appear for us.
Arizona, which is mostly a right wing, red state, thinks they might end up producing 5% of their energy use via solar panels by 2020. Gack. Talk about lax, lazy, slow poke, stupid. By then, if that sun-blessed state isn't producing at least 50% of their energy use via solar power, they might as well turn off the lights and evacuate because the place will be intolerably hot due to global warming and will have virtually no fossil fuels left except at very high prices. Try bicycling when it is 120+ outside.
I used to do that. Heh. Sweat city. But then, I didn't use airconditioners, either, so I was aclimated to the climate. No bubble for me, no sirree.
Meanwhile, I suggest to Senator McCain, wake up, dude, the cock is crowing and it ain't Clinton's.
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15 Tips to Profit From Virtual Events
As 2009 comes to a close, flat remains the (not so) new up in magazine publishing. Print advertising continues to take a flogging, online revenue is still an enigma to many publishers, and trade shows/exhibitions and conferences are taking a hit for many as well. One bright spot, however, may be virtual events—which, due to their no-travel-required nature, actually could be benefiting from the dire economic climate.
Virtual shows are like webinar series on steroids: An alternative to face-to-face conferences, they allow thousands of qualified registrants to log on to Web browser-based virtual environments to access conference programming, networking lounges and exhibit halls. Attendees can view live or recorded conference sessions; exchange virtual business cards; and "chat" with other attendees, exhibitors and sponsors—all without leaving their desks or incurring travel expenses. Best of all, they're a fast, relatively simple and fairly inexpensive way to link your advertisers to large numbers of qualified leads, strengthening your relationships with your audience and advertisers in the process.
While they are significantly less expensive to produce than a live event, it still will cost you to use any of the virtual events platforms on the market. (And costs will vary depending on different factors, such as the features you opt to include in your virtual show.) Experimenting with an unfamiliar product such as a virtual event can be daunting—especially in these times—so Publishing Executive queried virtual-events veterans about the keys to successful and profitable shows.
1. Don't just wade in—dive in.
To maximize success—and profits—it's important to commit the appropriate staff and resources to virtual show production. "For publishers getting into the space, they need to make a commitment to treating it as they would a physical event," says Robin Klombers, vice president of client services, InXpo, a Chicago-based provider of virtual event solutions.
Matt Steinmetz is the publisher and brand director of Publishing Executive.


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Gallery: 8 Caesar Salads We Love in Chicago
Almond Caesar Salad at BellyQ ($9)
BellyQ serves one of the most appetite-satisfying iterations. Intact leaves of lettuce are individually dressed with the house almond-Caesar dressing (with a texture reminiscent of a thinned-out romesco) and Parmesan cheese. Subbing in for croutons are a generous handful of seasoned fried chickpeas. Just when you think that's enough, two pieces of BellyQ's famous Thai-style fried chicken provide the heft you want when only ordering a salad.
BellyQ, 1400 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60607 (map); 312-563-1010; bellyqchicago.com
Kale Caesar Salad at The Boarding House ($9)
Definitely the loosest interpretation of the classic. Finely shredded lettuce and kale are topped with a red wine poached egg and shaved pecorino. The addition of white anchovies adds an acidity that rounds the whole dish out.
The Boarding House, 720 North Wells Street, Chicago, IL 60654 (map); 312-280-0720; boardinghousechicago.com
Grilled Caesar Salad at GT Fish & Oyster ($9)
Reminiscent of a lettuce mille-feuille, the leaves are expertly layered and dressed with an anchovy-heavy (in a good way) creamy Caesar dressing. Topped off with peeled cherry tomatoes and oyster croutons and Parmesan cheese, it's a great accompaniment to all of the other GT offerings.
GT Fish & Oyster, 531 North Wells Street, Chicago, IL 60654 (map); 312-929-3501; gtoyster.com
Shrimp Caesar Salad at The Lobby in The Peninsula ($21)
This first thing that came to mind while trying this salad was just how well prepared it was. The leaves of mixed greens are all lightly, but adequately dressed. The brioche croutons are crisp and flavorful. The white anchovies are apparent but not overbearing, and they certainly didn't skimp on the grilled shrimp. Overall, a masterful rendition well worth the money.
The Lobby, Peninsula Hotel, 108 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611 (map); 312-337-2888; peninsula.com
Celery Caesar at Old Town Social ($9)
Consider this an antidote for all the overly creamy and heavy Caesar salads you've suffered through. The restaurant accomplishes this by adding crisp slices of celery, which help to lighten each bite, thus freeing you to really dig into the Old Town's excellent house-made charcuterie.
Old Town Social, 455 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60610 (map); 312-266-2277; oldtownsocial.com
Czar Salad at Masa Azul ($10)
As Joe already covered, Jonathan Zaragoza first created this dish, which features baby gem lettuce mixed with a avocado Caesar dressing and cotija fritters, at Birria Zaragoza. Luckily when the young chef left the family operation to take over the kitchen at Masa Azul, he brought the salad, and the wonderful fritters, with him. It may be called a Czar salad here instead of a Caesar, but its intrinsic character luckily didn't get lost in translation.
Masa Azul, 2901 West Diversey Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647 (map); 773-687-0300; masaazul.com
Caesar Salad at Hot Chocolate ($10)
I'll admit that at first glance Hot Chocolate's Caesar salad looks straightforward and, dare I say, kind of safe. But like everything on the revamped menu, it trades flashiness for finesse. Each piece of lettuce is coated in just enough dressing to flavor it without getting weighed down in the process. Which is a good thing, because it is basically impossible to visit without indulging in a cup of one of the restaurant's namesake drinks.
Mindy's HotChocolate, 1747 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647 (map); 773-489-1747; hotchocolatechicago.com
Caesar Salad at Bistronomic ($8)
Bistronmic's menu is stuffed with dishes you've seen elsewhere a hundred times before. Grilled cheese. Roast chicken. Steak Frites. Yet, each time the restaurant manages to find something new to say about the dish. In the case of the Caesar salad, it tackles the thorny issue of the anchovy head on. Sure, some debate whether it should be included in the first place, but if you do decide to include it, you might as well go all the way. So, instead of shying away from the salted fish, Bistronomic proudly showcases the anchovy, treating the neglected ingredient with the respect it deserves.
Bistronomic, 840 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 (map); 312-944-8400; bistronomic.net


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When a tooth in your smile suffers from discolored enamel or a physical imperfection, such as a mismatched dental filling or small dental fracture, it can leave you feeling self-conscious. Some physical imperfections can be masked with dental veneers. However, a more significant imperfection might need to be treated with a porcelain dental crown.
Dr. Stephen Henry will start by removing the entire tooth enamel layer with a drill. Then he will make an impression of the abutment and any corresponding teeth in your bite pattern.
The impression will then be sent to a dental lab where the porcelain crown will be custom made. A hard, plastic cap, known as a temporary crown, will be cemented over the abutment to protect it. It's important to note that the temporary crown is not a functional tooth. It will need some basic care, and you should try to avoid biting and chewing with it.
You will need to return for a follow-up appointment when your porcelain crown is ready. The temporary crown will be removed and the new crown will be cemented directly onto the abutment.
If you live in the Foster City, California, area and you have a single tooth in need of cosmetic restoration, you should call 650-341-5656 to schedule an appointment at Dr. Stephen Henry DDS.


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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'God the Father' tag.
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother who has sinned against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, 'I tell you not just seven times, seventy-seven times.'" Matthew 18:21,22
"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart". Matthew 5:28
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." Colossians 3:5
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent and praiseworthy- think about such things." Philippians 4:8
Why seventy-seven times? In another translation, it reads that Jesus Christ responds seventy times seven times (I'm running out of finger and toes to get up that high). Think about how many times Jesus talked about, not only He being a servant, but how important it was that the disciples think of themselves as humble servants as well.
On the sermon on the mount, Jesus Christ warns it not just about committing the actual act, murder or adultery, it about contemplating the act or working up toward the act, in the case of anger, that is an equal danger. Why?
Throughout the letters that the apostles sent to the early churches and new beginners, they urged thought on things from above and abolish thoughts and acts of earthly or worldly things. Why pray without ceasing?
I am not one who finds a conflict between thoughts of science and thoughts of spirituality. Oh sure, there are some within the realm of science who ascribe to the idea that science has disproved the existence of God. But it's not science fault that some would use it incorrectly the same way it is not Christ's fault that some have done unspeakable evil in His name.
We are creations of God, including Jesus Christ so thus, our Creator knows us and how we work intimately. He knows how our brains function (or dysfunction at least at times in my case).
So why seventy-seven times or 140 times? Scientists studying the brain have discovered a process in its operation called neural plasticity. Now please understand, as I am no theologian, I am also not a brain surgeon or scientist. Yet I've always been fascinated about how the brain operates and how amazingly complex it is. Well in the concept of neural plasticity, with my limited understanding, it is the idea that as we have thoughts, and/or as we take actions; we are producing connections within the brain. These connections become pathways. Additionally, these pathways are not destroyed after one thought or action. As we have the same or very similar thoughts or actions, those pathways get stronger, more easily accessible.
Now here's the thing, if we deem those thoughts or actions to be positive, helpful or pleasurable, then we are more likely to go back to them over and over again. Each time we go back, the pathway gets stronger. Think of it (no pun intended) this way, your brain is like a forest. Quite often if you're walking through the woods/forest, you look for a trail that's been cleared out that makes it easier, more pleasurable to walk. While overly simplistic, that is an aspect of this concept of neural plasticity and its impact on our thoughts and behavior.
So let's take forgiveness. It may not be all that easy or natural of a thing to do. Someone does us wrong. Should we think or act on taking revenge or getting even with them, we're creating a pathway. If that thought or action feels good, we'll tend to think or act that way more and that pathway gets strengthened. Jesus Christ knows this. Again He is our creator. So Jesus declares we're to forgive and keep on forgiving. It may not feel comfortable or good at first, but as we keep doing it, five times, 10 times, 77 times, 140 times and more, we're building and strengthening that path. Before you know it, voila, that path becomes strong enough, that we find ourselves thinking and acting that way.
Additionally, that's why Jesus Christ and later the Apostles, warn against the underlying thought and not just the action. Indeed, it truly is the thought that counts. For it is the looking in lust, the being angry and thinking of harm or killing that starts the pathway. To the extent we tell ourselves, there's no harm in looking or only thinking; neural plasticity would say that we're wrong. There is a credible harm, a changing of our brain just in the thinking.
Yet, I've heard folks tell me: "Well maybe so for some, but that wouldn't be me" or "that doesn't apply to me". I'm not wise or omniscient enough to tell anyone that they're wrong in what they know about themselves. All I do is point out the real danger in the aspect of thinking: I'll try that drug just once, I can quit that website anytime I want, I wouldn't have done it – I was only thinking it and other justifications we give ourselves for risky and/or destructive behavior.
Thus dear Sisters and Brothers, once again science reinforces a basic concept to positive living that Jesus Christ laid out thousands of years ago. In the end it is best just not to go there. Try to keep your brain from building those connections that concern the debasing, destructive aspects to life. To the extent that the pathways may exist, stop using them.
In the articles that I've read about neural plasticity, seldom used pathways, fade in their importance. New pathways can be forged based upon the thoughts that we have and the subsequent actions we take based on those thoughts.
Finally, we're not left on our own. The world has a whole lot of demeaning, destructive pathways it wants to build in our brains. Jesus Christ instructs us to connect to our Heavenly Father through prayer to Him and study of His word. In that Heavenly connection, through His power, we can be victorious over the worldly thoughts and pathways which want to lead us to our downfall. Jesus Christ promises the Holy Spirit will come to us and empower and embolden us to keep us thinking as we should and lead us back should we stray.
Ironically, being on the straight and narrow path is not just a completely allegorical concept. There are literal brain paths that, if we commit to relying on Jesus Christ to show them to us and empower us to stay on them, then we can live powerful lives of peace and joy that bring praise and honor to our Heavenly Father as well as us.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, if we are open to it, we praise how our understanding of science reveals Your underlying truths to us. Pour out Your Spirit on us that we would be receptive to Your revelation and obedient to Your instructions for us as given by Your Son Jesus Christ. Forgive us when, in our arrogance, we believe that we can go our own way and that our power is sufficient to keep us from harm and evil. Lead us back to Your path, strengthening the correct path and obliterating the wrong path. That in thinking about and then walking the right path, we might live lives of praise and thanksgiving to Your Most Holy Name. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12
"Jesus gave them this answer: 'Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'" John 5:19
I happened to be watching a funeral ceremony for a noted person this past weekend. I found it ironic that this person, of late, was known for being a champion of civility and compromise when necessary. It was also true the person was known for sticking to their values in the face of opposition from friends and foe alike. Yet as the casket was leaving the church, perhaps giving the final impression of this person; Frank Sinatra's rendition of "My Way" was playing. I found that ironic.
However, I did not find it unusual for our age. Much are the celebrated stories of self made people and the people who did it, accomplished it on their own. So much are these stories celebrated that I believe they have risen to the level of modern day mythology. Mythology defined as a group of stories that are associated with a particular time in history. There are many stories about the idea that started in a dorm room, a technology that started in a garage or basement and/or a business that started on a dining room table top. Now please understand, myth does not necessarily mean completely untrue. Those ideas, technologies and businesses exist. Additionally, there were individuals who played a singularly significant role in formulating, inventing, promoting and shepherding those ideas, technologies and businesses to success. However, the role of the individual has been trumpeted and extolled to such a great extent, that the "go-it-alone", "I know best", "I'll break all rules and ask forgiveness upon success", theme and mantras and the limelight and fame that goes with them have become the holy grail or golden fleece pinnacles of our modern day consciousness.
So why does this matter; what impact does it have? Lately I've witnessed and experienced far reaching and system wide impacts. For I've worked with leaders at some significantly high levels who both believe that their successes, achievements and promotions are a direct result of almost solely their individual efforts. Consequently this provides them a unique talent to run everything from meetings to entire organizations as "my" meeting, "my" team and/or "my" organization. While they would never articulate that they are infallible or perfect, the only ideas that can be entertained are those ideas that align with their worldview and most all other personal and professional characteristics are judged acceptable based on their perception and reasoning. The outcome, I've witnessed to this approach is more fractured teams, frustrated individuals and sub-optimal outcomes.
Okay, I could now launch into some business lesson or course on the power of teamwork and the positive attributes of a good team player but this post concerns something more pressing than that. This post concerns our very lives for all eternity.
If anyone in history could lay claim exclusively to the term "self-made man", it would be Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us Jesus was right there at the beginning with God, that He is God and all things were created through Him by God. Having no earthly farther and conceived by God, being God on earth, it could be argued He was truly "self-made". Yet Jesus was never about claiming glory for Himself. Consider this, Jesus never claimed that what He was teaching, the miracles He accomplished or the plan He was following was of His making. Jesus was very clear that all of what He was doing came from the Father, based upon what the Father wanted done. Okay, so there was someone above Him but at least on earth, Jesus demanded the best of all things and servitude from all. One wonders if we can imagine the self made titans of today, getting down on their hands and knees and washing and drying their employees feet, even the feet of a person He knew was going to betray Him? If or when attacked, would they stand out in front, shielding and protecting their followers from any harm? And yes, Jesus did proclaim that He was the way; but He was not the end or the pinnacle to the way. He is the way to the Father.
Thus if Jesus Christ is not to claim the title of self made man or instead of adopting the "My Way" song for His theme song, instead proclaim that it is all about and sing the praises of the Father; who are we to believe that self made is the way to go. Dear Sisters and Brothers whether we use the term made or created, we must understand there is a Maker or Creator. We were not made/created to go it alone in anything. Understand what Jesus is warning us about. It's not that if we go it alone, if we reject Him and follow ourselves or each other, that we'll lose out on somethings, we won't go as far as we could have, we might be successful but have fewer or lesser successes. No, Jesus Christ is clear, apart from Me, you can do NOTHING! NO THING!
However, it's not all negative. Jesus Christ declares; you want to do great things, even greater than I've done; then believe in Me. Believe that I've come from and have returned to the Father and you will receive untold blessings from the power the Father longs to share with you and show through you.
Finally "self-made" is short term, no matter what. There is no salvation through the self. There is no eternal life through the self. A worldly self made life is an eternally self made loss. Please, embrace the reality of being Jesus Christ made, thus Father approved. In that way the great things we will indeed accomplish through Christ, will bring honor, glory and praise to the Father and blessings to His creation.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, from the very beginning it has not been about One but about the Father, Son and Spirit. We are awed, humbled and eternally grateful that You, in Your Mercy and Grace, have decided to share Yourself with us, Your Creation. You have promised the Holy Spirit to be in us, to guide us, correct us and sustain us. You have given us Your Son Jesus Christ as a perfect sacrifice in our place to be our Salvation. Forgive us Father, when we are tempted to and sometimes turn away from You to chase the worldly concept of "self-made", hoping to bring praise and glory solely to us. Show us and lead us back to You where we know that through Jesus Christ, in You, that is the only way we will ever achieve anything. That in living lives abiding in Christ, we may carry out Your Perfect plan and bring glory, honor and praise to Your Most Holy Name. We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen
"Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, 'Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?'" Mark 4:38
"But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" Matthew 14:30
"He replied, 'It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs.'" Matthew 15:26
Just wait a second, Doug; you may start out to respond to the title of this post. Did Jesus not feed over 5,000 once and over 4,000 another time? Didn't Jesus heal the sick and bring sight to the blind? Didn't Jesus go into the houses of the outcast and be seen with lepers? How can I ask this?
Well isn't possible that Jesus' miracles were just things that he did? Things so very easy for God here on earth that they came with hardly any thought? Maybe for Him it's the same as when we mindlessly say: "How's it going?" to a colleague as we pass in the hallway or likewise say "Have a nice day."
After all wasn't Jesus sleeping as a storm raged, threatening to pitch the disciples out of their boat and into a tempest of sure doom? Didn't he care about the disciples? Or what about Peter; didn't Jesus, who knows everything, know that Peter was going to get scared walking on the water and start to sink? Why would He let that happen? And what about the poor lady whose child was suffering terribly, Jesus at first refused to help her making a statement that compared her to being a dog? None of those show a caring, engaged Savior do they?
Cold and callousness seem to be very human traits that so often rear their ugly heads, especially in our contemporary society. Sometimes we blame lack of time, sometimes we blame the fact that we "didn't know", yet the reality is that all too often we flat just don't care about our fellow person; especially enough to actually act. Jesus Christ became human so maybe he had that trait as well?
Absolutely, positively NOT! In no way was Jesus being cold or uncaring in any of these situations or other situations that might be brought up. For indeed Jesus declared that He had come to save the world and we would learn just how far He would have to go to accomplish that task.
Jesus didn't care that the disciples were going to drown? It looked that way from the disciples point of view. What they did not understand at that point was they were never in any slightest danger to begin with. The creation, in this case rain, wind and waves, can never threaten or endanger the Creator. Jesus was able to sleep peacefully because He knew that there was no peril that could ever come against Him. Jesus was well aware of His omnipotent nature and demonstrated His power effortlessly. The disciples were equally as safe, though they had little to no power over the storm at all because they were with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ cared so much to make sure that they were all, even Judas Iscariot who would betray Him with Him and therefore would be totally safe from harm.
Okay, but Jesus didn't really care about Peter did He? In another instance with water, Jesus called Peter out of the safe boat to attempt the incredibly risky, virtually impossible feat of walking on water. Sure enough after a few steps, Peter got scared, started to sink and Jesus then saved him. Why did Jesus call Peter out in the first place? Seemingly it was not Jesus plan to have Peter walk on water. For Jesus to walk on water was no big thing. Again, the Creator of all things can manipulate the created to allow for any action He deems necessary. After teaching a great group of people, over 5,000 and, oh by the way, miraculously feeding them, Jesus had told His disciples to get into a boat and go across the lake while he dismissed the crowd and went off to pray. Jesus would catch up to them later. That's exactly what happened. Walking on water, even in the midst of strong wind and significant waves, Jesus walked near the boat. In one translation it says Jesus was going to pass by the boat and keep going to the other side. Yet again, this was almost too much for the disciples. Men, even great men simply do not walk on water. This must not be flesh and blood but a ghost or spirit of some kind. When Jesus called out, the disciples seemed to recognize His voice but still could not wrap their heads around the idea of Him walking on the water. So Peter decides to put Jesus to the test. If the apparition walking on the water really is their Master, Jesus, then He should be able to call Peter out of the boat and allow Peter to walk on the water too. Instead of rebuking Peter, Jesus rewards his risky but semi-faith filled request, with an invitation to join Him out on the water. Peter, again showing some significant faith, believes Jesus, steps out of the boat and actually starts to walk on water. Jesus is showing His power, not only to Peter but to the rest of the disciples as well. Jesus is showing that His power is not just for Jesus, but through Jesus, the disciples can do miraculous things as well. If they will completely believe in Jesus and follow Him, even out onto the waves. Walking on water ugh, waves ugh, and Oh My Gosh the wind!; ugh, I can't believe I'm doing this! Peter thinks. I shouldn't be able to do this, Peter thinks and when he takes his focus and eyes off of Jesus, Peter starts to sink. Yet Jesus has no intention of letting the least harm come to Peter; the "rock" upon which He plans to build His church. Jesus wants to show the amazing accomplishments that can happen, the unbelievable requests that will be granted, through faithful obedience to Jesus as Christ. However, the world will attack that faith and should it waiver, then disastrous consequences can occur. Yet even if our faith does ebb and, in our doubting, we start to fall or sink; Jesus Christ is right there to lift us up to safety.
Thirdly, displaying faith can often be difficult requiring determination and perseverance, where we should realize we may find obstacles placed in our way by the very organizations, like the church, who should be making it easy. A woman has a child in trouble. The woman wants to see Jesus for His help. She believes that Jesus can cure her child. There's just one problem, she's the wrong nationality. This woman was a Canaanite, a vilely hated group by the Jews. Jesus did not immediately acknowledge or reply to the woman. Seemingly immediately the prejudice and bias of the disciples kicks in asking Jesus to send the woman away (without helping her). Jesus appears to acquiesce to the disciples command, comparing the woman's request for His help, to giving precious food meant for a child (the Jews of which Jesus belonged) to a mere dog. That would be a waste. The woman could have at the point, been stung by the rebuke, turned and walked away. Today, she probably would have screamed ugly responses to Him while pulling out a cell phone to video record the whole thing. Instead, the woman still has faith. Okay she reasons, I'm not a Jew, I know I am counted less by the Jews, but I have the faith that this Jesus has the power to help, so I will humble myself, acknowledge my lowly state and still ask for His mercy. Jesus doesn't just annoyingly send her away, or sneak off to grant her request where no can see Him interact with her. No, instead for all around, especially His disciples to hear; Jesus compliments the woman's great faith and heals her stricken daughter.
Dear Sisters and Brothers, Jesus Christ cares. Jesus Christ promises that should we abide in Him, though storms toss us and the situation seems lost; we will never perish for He has the power over all storms. Likewise, through the power of Christ, we are allowed to ask for incredible things, seemingly impossible things, like walking on water; which, if we stay in faith Jesus Christ can easily make happen. Also, should our faith falter, Jesus Christ's mercy will not and He will catch us. Finally, practicing our faith may take risks, may be uncomfortable. Some may tell us we don't look right, think right, act right, love right, believe right. They may try to dismiss us and turn us away. Sadly some who do so might be members or leaders in Christ's church. Do not be discouraged but have faith. What the world may say no to; Christ may declare; "Your faith is great so let it be as you asked". Jesus Christ cares. He took all our sins upon Himself and died in our place. And now He lives, in caring love to see us come to our full fruition in Him.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we are so very thankful and praise Your Holy Name for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ. We are in awe of the caring that He, the Creator of the Universe, with You, have for us. Forgive us, when in times of darkness or despair we may be tempted to doubt the caring and love of Jesus Christ. Grant to us the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith, keeping us abiding in Christ and living lives that bring honor and praise to Your most Holy Name. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
"Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, 'Abraham! Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you. …….Do not lay a hand on the boy Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son……and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." Genesis 22:1,2,18
"The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him." Matthew 4:1
"And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him…" Matthew 22:35
There are some who are reading this they may actually enjoy being tested. Some enjoy it because they love the thrill of the challenge and thrive under pressure. Some enjoy testing because they are supremely confident in the outcome and look forward to the reward and adulation of a high achieving score. I fall into to neither of those categories or any other rationale that would find tests enjoyable. In some instances I would say that I go as far as to get text anxiety.
There is a school of thought that says, we as Christians, will never face testing, at least not from God. I can't say that I am one that follows that particular theology. I do believe that it is plainly written that God, Himself will not bring about temptations to sin. Those temptations come from the enemy. Yet temptation and tests are not the same thing.
It is not that I am speaking for God (heaven forbid); but simply referring to God's own revealed Word in the bible. It is plainly stated that God tested Abraham in Genesis. It was Satan who tempted Jesus in the wilderness, but the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to face the test of temptation. Then there are the worldly tests that we throw at each other and even sometimes at God, which is what a lawyer did to Christ.
Let's look at the context of Abraham's testing. God had promised Abraham, he would be a father of nations. God was leading Abraham to the promised land. While, Abraham did not have an heir by his wife, he had prospered in many different ways. Finally, in a miraculous event; Sarah, Abraham's wife conceived and bore Abraham a son and heir when she was older than 90 years old; Isaac. Thus now Abraham had all the blessings he had been promised by God and was exceedingly successful. Plus, God still planned to keep His covenant with Abraham to be the father of the chosen people of Israel. But, would Abraham stay true to the covenant? God knew the hearts of men and knew that often, once exceedingly successful, men will turn from God to follow their own ways and seek their own glory. Would Abraham turn? God tested Abraham and Abraham passed.
It appears obvious that God, in His spiritual form can not be tempted. Yet God did not stay in a purely spiritual form as He allowed Himself to be begotten of a mortal woman and be born of true flesh and blood as Jesus Christ; God's Son. Hence, God being flesh, experienced things like hunger, exhaustion, human emotions and yes, so that He could truly experience the human condition, temptation. The only difference is Jesus Christ overcame all temptation which can not be said for any solely or souly human. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we have an advocate who is not unfamiliar or has not been tempted. What a grace filled plan that God would allow Himself to be in a situation where He would be tempted by Satan, just to have the human experience of it.
Finally in the third referenced test above; it is solely human in nature. Humans test for many reasons; most of which are justifiable in nature, such as to measure a person's understanding or level of mastery. Yet we can also test for illegitimate, nefarious reasons, hoping and even planning for the test taker to fail so we can unleash a harsh judgmental punishment. That is what the lawyer attempted to do to Jesus and was abruptly and completely silenced.
So we have the how's and whys of testing; let's talk briefly about taking the tests. Again starting with Abraham, notice that he did not have the answer to the test within him. He knew God promised him a child and Isaac was that child. God had said that Abraham was going to be the father of a great nation but how could that be if Abraham had to sacrifice his only child? Was this some clever riddle to be solved? If so, Abraham possessed not the wits to solve it. Even when Isaac pointed out, as they started their trek, that they had no animal for the sacrifice, Abraham's only answer was "God will provide". Not only was that the only answer it was the right answer as well. Abraham didn't try to bargain with God or runaway from God with Isaac, he didn't try to substitute some other young man hoping God wouldn't notice. Abraham relied completely in God in faith and passed the test and was rewarded with the continuing covenant.
In Jesus' case, remember He was God and human. Jesus had the power of God and would often times use that power to overcome demons. Yet, to thwart the temptation of the devil, Jesus didn't use His own words, but the words of His Father; "man does not live by bread alone", "you shall worship God only" and "do not put the Lord your God to the test". The great power in these replies is that we have access to those same exact words. Those words weren't just for Jesus but for all of us. God, through His immeasurable grace, has given us the same tools that His Son used to defeat the devil.
However, we are not God on earth. What that means is that, unlike Jesus Christ, we will fail a test or tests at some point. All human beings are fallen except Christ. So we fail, we don't faithfully wait on God; we are not only tempted but give into the temptation and sin, now what? Once we have failed we are open to and will rightly receive the full judgement and wrath from our Just Heavenly Father! Is that right?
Well maybe that is what would seem to be the right outcome to have. Maybe that's how we would want to handle other people's failures for tests we implement. Yet the one who was tested and did not fail, freely took upon Himself every single one of our failures. Jesus Christ, takes upon Himself all our test failures and washes them away, erases them by the blood of His Perfect Sacrifice. Grade book closed.
The enemy would have us believe we are tested because God hates us and wants to judge and condemn us. Nothing could be further from the truth. God wants us to learn. God wants us to rely on Him and see how through faith in Him we can overcome any test. The enemy wants us to believe that when we fail, we are separated from God for all time to come. The risen Jesus Christ testifies to us that we are eternally cleansed and forgiven for all failures and He stands ready to bring us through any test we may face.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father help us to understand that it is in Your wisdom that we are tested to allow us to learn how to rely on You and Your Word in all tests. Forgive us when we lack the faith to turn to You and try to pass the tests on our own or worse yet are perfectly content and/or relish in our failures. We praise the name of our Savior, Your Son, Jesus Christ, that He freely takes upon Himself our sins, that our failures are wiped clean by the blood of His sacrifice. That in the testing we may grow ever stronger and prosperous, living lives that bring glory and praise to Your Most Holy Name. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
"She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse……… because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.'" Mark 5:26, 28
"Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him,……Jesus said to him, 'Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.'" Luke 18:39-40, 42
"Martha answered, 'I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; '" John 11: 24,25
In my previous full time work, I've undertaken significant research and developed several programs concerning organizational and personal improvement. There is considerable research in many arenas, including Dr. Peter Senge from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, that has determined teams are the primary element for productive improvement and accurate decision making. I have found that to be often the case but the purpose of this post is not to delve into the reasons that might be the case.
The purpose of this post is, given the power of teams, to discuss the pros and cons, the impacts positive and negative, of our decisions about what teams we feel are our primary resource for living and how we approach them. Of course, by its very nature a team requires more than one so we might often use the pronoun "we" in discussing our team. I further submit that there are two broad types of we; the "w"e is the we made up only members of secular world with a secular outlook. The other "we" is the "W"e which has as its primary member, Jesus Christ, plus one or more human members.
Now while I started out talking about my background in business the "w"e teams come from all over society: man&wife, families, friends, clubs, churches, sports teams, business teams and many other types of gatherings. It is not my intention, nor my belief to state that all these types of "w"e teams are evil or completely ineffective. Yet my belief is that any and all "w"e teams by their very make up lack the power and the impact of the "W"e team and to the extent we rely solely or primarily on "w"e teams, we will find our plans and outcomes to be less than optimal.
For example, in the first scripture reference above, I don't necessarily believe that the "w"e team of doctors and others who had tried to help the woman had been evil and just trying to steal her money. It is very possible that they tried to the extent of their limited medical education of the time to solve her problem. However, even with their best efforts the "w"e team had failed.
Now to the extent that a crowd or other impromptu gathering can be a "w"e, then their intentions may not be the best for all the members. In the second scripture example, there was a member of the group who was in need. However, the way the man was trying to get his need met was an irritant to the rest of the group, the greater "w"e. Maybe the man was always yelling out at inopportune times or had some other obnoxious, disruptive tendencies. Whatever the reason was, the group decided when they saw the man's initial call to Jesus was not responded to, instead of trying to help his plea reach Jesus, they instead, wanted to silence the man and end his irritating (at least to them) behavior. Had that "w"e group gotten their way, the man would have stayed silent and more importantly blind.
Here's the bottom line with "w"e groups; they are limited. The "w"e groups have limited resources, limited intelligence, limited strength just to mention some of their limitations. Thus to the extent we rely solely or primarily on these groups, our outcomes will necessarily be limited as well.
Then there is the "W"e groups. In this case it is a group who not only includes, but places as it Highest Member, Jesus Christ. The woman with the long term medical condition decided to forego anymore "w"e, earthly groups and instead, humbly act to bring Jesus into a group of He and her with the hopes or being healed. The outcome of that "W"e team did not disappoint her. Additionally, a "W"e team can have an impact on a "w"e team. Jesus ended up hearing the blind man calling to Him and ordered the blind man be brought to Him. Once Jesus got involved, the "w"e team that had been ostracizing man for calling out, changed their tune and told him to be of good cheer. In the final example, Martha's brother Lazarus has died. As Martha ponders the "W"e team or group of Jesus, as the Messiah, Martha, Lazarus, she still doesn't understand the full power of Jesus as Christ. When Jesus tells Martha that her brother will rise again, Martha believes that Jesus is talking about an end time of a mass resurrection. Yet Jesus instructs her that He is the resurrection for this and all time and proceeds to raise Lazarus from the grave.
The last example illustrates a key characteristic of the "W"e team versus the "w"e team. In the "w"e team, all the team members maybe equals, peers, where they are free to feel they have an equivalent say or power. In the "W"e team we will be sorely incorrect if we believe that the team members are equal. The true power of the "W"e team comes from the fact that Jesus Christ is omnipotent, omniscient and only through His magnificent Grace, are we allowed to be part of the "W"e. Yet that doesn't mean we don't have a responsibility in being part of the "W"e. First we have to believe in the He of the "W"e; in other words we have to believe in Jesus as Christ, the only Begotten Son of God. As the lady and the blind man did; we have to approach or call out to Christ, to have a true desire to be on the "W"e team. Finally the "W"e team shouldn't be a haphazard membership sort of thing. The "W"e team should be our primary resource.
One more thing, the "W"e team doesn't just have to consist of two members; Christ and you. A husband and wife, a family, a church, even a work group, any or all of these can be "W"e teams. All it takes is, regardless of the number of members, is that Christ is the head and the rest of the team is committed to serving Christ and each other. Who puts in more of the effort? Who is it who has taken all of our sins upon Him, died as a sacrifice in our place and rose again to be our Advocate with the Father? As you read this may it be that in some sense we become a member of the "W"e team, plugging into His power, striving to bring about His plan and living a life that brings praise to Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we praise You that You would be so grace filled and merciful that You sent Your Son that we might be able to abide in Him and be a part of His team. Forgive us when we disregard You and instead want to rely on our earthly teams. Pour out Your Spirit that we might be strengthened to focus on being constantly on Your Team with its blessings and promise of ultimate victory. That in living that life we would bring praise to Your Most Holy Name. We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen
"Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen Me do. John 14:11
"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" John 20:29
Seeing is BELIEVING! I believe this to be true. Yet too often we emphasize the seeing, believing that it is in the seeing that the true believing happens. Sadly that is not always or even most often the case.
Yet before we get there; let's quickly discuss the emphasis on seeing in our culture and how the visual permeates our society. While it is true that a few people can always seem to make their written opinions command attention; especially through applications like Twitter. The vast majority of written posts are barely read by those have clicked a follow button, let alone been seen by the masses. Now, you take an ice bucket and dump it on your head, jump out of a moving car and start dancing along side it, be a societal figure known for rigidity but lip sync to some hot new song, wear a wookie mask and start laughing hysterically or find a cute kitten or puppy scene and you capture it on VIDEO, you may very well find yourself being an instant media sensation. Why? Because we get to see it and seeing it means everything. Hey, and I admit, I love a cute, kitten, puppy, baby goat jumping around video as much as anyone.
Yet as fun as some of those things can be; it is the believing concerning what we are seeing or how what we are seeing is shaped by and in turn shapes our subsequent beliefs that is fundamentally important. Yet today, in our Computer Generated Imagery, anyone with software can manipulate almost any image, Tom Hanks in the movie Forrest Gump receives a Congressional Medal of Honor from President Johnson and it looks real and we have deceased stars still acting in our movies after their death, kind of world; we often have to question just what it is we're seeing. For example, I was watching a commercial (for what I don't remember…age thing) where two dogs flanked a little girl and they were doing something extraordinary but not physically impossible (not speaking words in English). Now I could have been in awe of the trainer who was able to get the dogs to sit like that and cross their legs, oooorrrrrrrrr, I could just pass it off as really effective CGI.
However, once we can come to the readily accepted conclusion that what we're seeing is a real happening; then seeing is believing? I will grant that, yet the truth is that doesn't mean that we will all believe the same thing from the same image. Most watch the moon landings with awe and appreciation, where a few watch the exact same images and see fraud and forgery. Very recently I've witnessed the reaction of people to body camera video from police officer involved shootings. Remember these cameras were put in place to try to quell disputes over the actions of officers. Yet I've watched people watch the exact same video and come to the passionately fervent conclusion that the officer was at fault and others that the person being detained was at fault. They watched the SAME EXACT VIDEO.
What to take from this. First, understand that the saying is not seeing is proving or seeing provides indisputable conclusions. No seeing is believing and what we believe we see is what is going to lead to our conclusions……….and our actions.
Jesus Christ knew this well. Jesus was not about being a showman, making a spectacle out of Himself or His actions. Many of His miracles; the raising of the religious leader's daughter, walking on water, healing the man at the tombs were witnessed by a very few. Yet He did feed over 5,000 at one sitting and healed a man with a withered hand in the middle of the temple. Yet in the end, with so many having heard and many actually witnessing the miracles that Jesus performed, they still demanded a sign. And in the end, they still shouted for Jesus to be crucified.
One has to wonder about the Pharisees and other religious leaders who were standing around mocking Jesus as He hung, dying in agony, on the cross. They proclaimed that if Jesus would only save Himself and come down from the cross, then they would believe He was the Messiah. I wonder, if Jesus had come down from the cross and confronted them; would the religious leaders bowed and cowered in penitent, sorrowful, repentance for their sins against Jesus? Or would they have marched over to the Romans and derided and chastised them for screwing up the Crucifixion and allowing Jesus to escape?
Jesus knew and knows that belief doesn't come from seeing. Too often we only see what we want to see; what fits neatly into our preconceived idea of the truth and all else is discarded.
There is something else of great importance that we should ponder from this. What are we looking for? What are we demanding to see? Are we longing for some visual sign to strengthen our faith or solidify our belief? We must see the error and danger in those type of demands. First we must understand; we are in no position, have no right, as the created to demand any sort of proof or vision from our Creator. We are not equals to God and our belief or lack thereof, has no bearing or impact on the success of God's Perfect Plan. It is by His Grace and Mercy that He goes to the lengths that He has, including the sacrifice of His only Begotten Son, to prove His love for us. Additionally what filters are we using to analyze the things we do see around us? 12 young soccer players and their coach survive for weeks in a flooded cave and are all rescued; a toddler dangles helplessly off a balcony and a man climbs four stories without any help to save the child, an airliner crashes and all 103 people on board survive. Miracles? Hand of God? Luck? Fate?
The love in the eyes of your child, your spouse, mother, father, brother, friend; just a chemical reaction in the brain? Or is it the blessing of our Almighty Father? Or what about that spectacular sunrise/sunset; simply meteorology or cosmic blessing?
Jesus Christ asks us to believe. Believe in God the Father. Believe also in Jesus Christ, His only Son. Believe that the Father is in the Son, and the Son in the Father. Believe Jesus Christ came to earth, died, was resurrected and lives today; all for love. Jesus Christ asks us to use the phrase; Believing is Seeing. Faithfully believing opens our eyes to see the blessings, mercy, peace and most importantly love; that our Heavenly Father wishes to show us, to have us see, each and every day.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we proclaim and praise You that You have seen fit to show Yourself to us. That through Your Son Jesus Christ, You want us to witness and then be testifiers to the unending mercy and love You have for us. Pour out Your Holy Spirit that we would truly see Dear Father. We also confess that we often do not look to You through eyes of faithful belief but through eyes of worldly skepticism and doubt. Forgive us Dear Father when we are blind to you and do not allow us to be led astray. Pour out Your Light that we may truly see You and follow You in the path that leads to praise and glory to Your Name. We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen
"Give me an understanding heart that I can govern Your people well and know the difference between right and wrong." 1 Kings 3:9
"The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you." John 14:25
"For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6
I have stated before and this post is not meant to in any way shape or form be anti-science, anti-academic, or anti-intellectual. Science and medicine and those who are well versed in those topics and subjects have done great personal feats for me and I give thanks to God for them. This post has more to do with our mindset as we pursue greater intellectual knowledge and how we think about the process of attaining it as well as how we feel about ourselves once we've attained it.
Prizing education and academic learning is nothing new and seemingly today the demand for it, those seeking to obtain it, the costs associated with attaining it and the thoughts about those who don't have it are ever more in the forefront of our societal consciousness. Academic institutions, especially those for profit and their marketing are a significant presence in all of our media today. The having of a degree, several degrees, advanced degree or degrees is more frequently a requirement or at least preferred characteristic that many employers are seeking out for their organizations.
While none of those current societal trends are troubling or secular in themselves, I believe we have to be very careful about how we see ourselves both in the process of attaining "higher" education and once the degree or certification has been obtained. For the way that it is too often portrayed is that the attaining of higher level of learning is a testament to our own talents, desires, "work ethic" or vision. Also, once we've attained the higher degree, we are somehow more worthy, entitled to some greater reward for our efforts, should be sought out and listened to more. In a word we are "better"; not only better than we were before attaining the degree but also "better" than those who don't have our level of learning. It is all too easy for our pride to swell through the process and attainment of higher education.
Let's take a look at this for a moment starting with the process of attaining higher learning. Isn't the process a testament to my desire for self improvement an accolade to my diligence and self motivation, proof of my desire for self fulfillment? As I take my classes, isn't this a compliment concerning my tenacity? Aren't the grades I receive, truly and solely, "my grades" worthy of acknowledgement and glorification? Here are some self-reflection questions I might need to ask and answer to validate those opinions. At what point during my development in the womb did I decide and take steps to insure that my brain would function in such a way to allow me the understanding and capacity to seek this higher learning? As an infant or a toddler, what plan did I conceive and implement that allowed me to have sufficient prerequisite learning to continue into an advance state? Let me review my complete plan of all the parents, educators, administrators, mentors and many others that I perfectly put in place that led to my successfully being able to further my education.
Upon completion of this increased education, I am entitled to some or much personal glory, perhaps depending on the level I've achieved. I am deserving; deserving of higher pay, greater promotions, more plush offices. I deserve to not only be sought out for my opinion, also listened to with less questioning and my opinion should always be given greater weight than those lessors who have not achieved the education that I have.
Yes these are the fruits of "my" singular labor. Woe to those who are not willing to give me my dues.
Solomon, known biblically and in even general lexicon (i.e. many speak of "The wisdom of Solomon) as one of the wisest living persons knew about the need for wisdom/learning and his lack of it. His Father David was one of the greatest kings of Israel and upon his death, wanted Solomon (as was God's plan as well) to reign after him. The challenge was that Solomon was very young. He knew he didn't have the knowledge to satisfactorily govern such a vast and powerful kingdom. So when God asked Solomon what he wanted from God, Solomon could have asked for riches, a long life, many excellent wives and children; Solomon asked for a wise heart. He asked for knowledge to lead God's people well, knowing good from evil. God was very pleased with Solomon's request and granted it to him.
Jesus Christ had been extremely diligent in teaching His disciples. Yet at the last supper, He knew that His disciples still lacked the critical understanding that they would need to carry Christ's message into the world. So Jesus promised to send a "Friend", a "Helper", the Holy Spirit who would provide all the necessary knowledge and insight needed to carry forth the Gospel of Christ. Jesus went on to say the Holy Spirit was not just for the disciples but for all who would come to Christ and, through Him, seek the wisdom of the Father. The world, otherwise could never receive the Holy Spirit because they would not believe that Christ asked for Him to be sent.
Thus it would seem that, while we may indeed know, understand and desire the attainment for a greater knowledge, a higher degree, the fulfillment of that desire is more of a gift of Grace from God, than it is solely a result of our own efforts. I do not contend that it does not take effort, yet that effort builds on God given talents. Even to have the opportunity is a blessing from God. It may take some humility to come to that understanding but it will align us more accurately with He who provided us the talents in the first place and Whose plan our gaining in wisdom is fulfilling.
Also, having attained some greater learning/education, we need to understand that it is not about being served as a reward for that attainment but finding a way to serve with the gained knowledge. We need to remember what Christ stated that to one who has much given, much is required.
So, if we are so led, let us go and learn. Let us strive and achieve. Always being mindful of as well as thankful for, the blessing and gift that there is in the opportunity for and acquiring of, greater knowledge. Let us give glory to the Name of Him where all glory, honor and knowledge resides, living a life of loving, sharing and serving to our Heavenly Father.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we affirm and declare that all knowledge and wisdom resides in You. We are so very thankful that in Your Mercy, You have seen fit to share some of Your knowledge and wisdom with us. We pray, as Solomon did, that You would guide us to use that wisdom and knowledge in Your service as a blessing to this world. We also ask Your forgiveness when we see the achievement and wisdom in a prideful way, seeking our own glory. Guide us we pray and allow us to use the wisdom You so freely provide in a way that will be praise to Your most Holy Name. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
"'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I am He', said Jesus, 'And you will see the Son of Man, sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven'". Mark 14:62
"But I tell you the truth it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you." John 16:7
"And when I turned I saw among the lamp stands was someone like the Son of Man…When I saw Him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then He placed His right hand on me and said ' Do not be afraid, I am the First One and The Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever'". Revelation 1: 12, 17,18
We have a crucial question that we must ask ourselves: Is Jesus Christ a figure to us?
So let me explain what I mean by a figure and why that question is so important to every aspect of our life; physical, mental and especially spiritual. In this case I'm speaking of a figure as personage of importance. We have many figures around us and some are non-individualistic representations of persons or people; for example, the Pope could refer to the current person in that position or the position in general. We obviously have individual historic figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandi and Mother Teresa for examples. I could go on citing examples of different types of figures but I think you get the drift.
So why is it important for us to consider whether we are placing Jesus Christ in the category of figure, even if it's a separate category above all the rest? Because rarely do I ever enter into a relationship with "a figure". In truth, I didn't have a relationship with the parental figure classified as my father; I had the relationship with Henry A. Huggins. I may know the name of, certain characteristics and happenings about, view the person of our President of the United States, but that really in no way shape or form would constitute a relationship. If we carry that line of thinking further into the aspect of historical figures, it is impossible to be in a relationship with George Washington, Harriet Tubman or Plato for example. Thus we must be certain that we don't see Jesus Christ as simply a figure. That we don't categorize Jesus Christ as some, albeit great, aspect of history and/or the Son of God as simply a title, devoid of a very much alive, personally relevant to every aspect of our life, real, individual Being?
Now as it applies to being in a relationship with Jesus Christ, our very nature causes challenges there as well. For one, we are not God come to earth as Jesus Christ was. We were created by God, who then breathed His breath of life into us. Being created of this earth makes us corporeal in nature. That is we tend to experience things through the physicality of our human senses versus the revelations of our spirit. In fact there would be some who would discount that there is even such a thing as a "spirit". Yet it is in fact that spiritual realm where we encounter the Living Risen Jesus Christ. That is not to say that Jesus Christ has no power over, or impact on the physical world, He most certainly does. Yet His ability to be present with us in all circumstances and at all times is based on His ability as spiritual being. As I type this please understand, it is not like I completely understand the Spiritual aspect and working of Christ for it is far above my ability to comprehend.
Also, besides the spiritual aspect of being in relationship with Christ, another challenge that we have is that we are time-linear beings. That is to say we see things in a progression of time, there was something that happened, there is something happening now, and there will be something that happens later; the past, present and future. John, tells us that Christ existed from the beginning. However, we see the physical person of Christ as being a person who lived on this earth for approximately 33 years, some roughly two thousand years ago. Because Christ became corporeal, we have challenges not relegating His existence to the time He was here on earth.
One additional challenge we have currently is also how we're redefining our concepts of relationships. With social media I can have "friends" who, I've not only never physically met, but who I only have contact with based upon the scantest and highly filtered information they allow to be "posted". Based on 147 characters, I have thousands of "followers" who can't really have a clear idea of what they're "following" based on barely enough input to build two sentences; let alone a developed dossier.
So Jesus Christ wanted, then for His disciples and followers, as well as for us today and all who will come to Him in the future, to truly understand, He is alive. He was very clear to both those who believed and loved Him as well as those who rejected and hatted Him, that no matter what the earthly outcome of His life seemed to be, i.e. the crucifixion, that He was going to continue to live and not just live, but sit at the right hand of His Father in Heaven. Jesus Christ tried to make clear to His disciples that His returning to heaven was a blessing to them for He would then send the Holy Spirit to them to make all things clear. We see how loving Jesus Christ continues to be in His loving comfort to John in the Revelation.
Dear Sisters and Brothers, Jesus Christ is not only very much alive, in every sense of the word, this very moment; He also wants to have a living, constant, intimate relationship with you and I. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus wants to reveal His endless love and mercy for us, bringing salvation to us as He leads us to throne of His Father in Heaven. As Christ spoke longingly wanting to gather and protect the people of Israel like a hen does for her chicks; in the same way, Christ wants to gather and protect us, to be in a daily, deep, loving relationship with us.
To overcome the challenges we have in entering into that relationship there a several things we can so. First, pray. Pray diligently and constantly. Pray with purpose to Christ, understanding no one willingly prays to someone or something that is dead. No we pray to one whom we truly believe is alive and able to hear our petitions. Second, study the word of Jesus Christ. In the gospels, Jesus, blessedly gives us such wonderful insight into the unique individual that Jesus is. This intimate knowledge of the thoughts and personality of Jesus Christ allows us a personage to grasp hold of and bond to. Let us strive to move past any static, impersonal figure of Jesus, to be in a personal, constant, loving and relying on relationship with the real, living for now and evermore, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we are awestruck with amazement that You would send Your Son, Jesus Christ, to live, die and be raised for us and our salvation. We're equally amazed and thankful that Jesus Christ longs to be in a loving personal relationship with us where He reveals Your true nature. Forgive our limitations that cause us to see Jesus Christ as some figure of the past with little relevancy to what is happening in our lives today. Send the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and teach us about the blessings of and how to come into a full relationship with Jesus Christ. That through that relationship in Christ we might live lives that bare much fruit and bring glory and praise to Your Most Holy Name. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
"but the people there did not welcome Him……When the disciples, James and John saw this, they asked: 'Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?' But Jesus turned and rebuked them." Luke 9:53-55
"But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you." Luke 6:27
When the subject of change and handling change is discussed; two generations that are often brought up are the "Baby-boomers" and the generation immediately preceding them; some call them the "Traditionalists". What you often here discussed are such changes as; they went from horse and buggy to the jet age or they didn't have indoor plumbing but lived long enough to see a man land on the moon. For the Baby-boomers it is often an aspect of; they started out with black and white TV and now their streaming videos on the mobile phone. Yet almost everywhere I hear this discussion take place, the examples that are utilized are primarily technological in nature. Much less often are the sociological changes brought forward or if they are; it is not with the same sort of wistful, appreciative tone or nature. You don't as often hear examples like; they saw black and white kids get to go to school together in their life time, or they saw the definition of marriage expand to include gay couples.
Yet I think it is the social changes that have at least as profound if not a greater impact on a person's sense of identity and the lens through which they grapple with the fundamental truths and judgments about their life and the world around them. One reason for this, is that people may resist new technology, may; even at times fear it and the impact that it has; yet the rarely make fundamental value judgments about it. To the extent that a new technology is "good" normally has to do with the ease with which one learns to use it and how much convenience it adds. Even when we "hate" a new gadget or the change that it brings; we don't often equate it with an evil intent. For example, with the nascent advent of driver less cars, there are many mixed emotions, but even with those who are adamantly opposed to that technology, I have not heard it describe about being evil.
The same can not be said for social changes. History has shown us that as many of the significant social change processes have unfolded (at least in the United States), there is a significant amount of the population who judge the changes as evilly destructive. Our country was going to end if we let the races intermingle in school and worse yet in marriage. Giving women the right to vote, was going to destroy our social fabric and there's still an argument about whether, somehow, the woman's right movement has destroyed the sanctity of the home. While we're at it we could bring up "globalism", the LGBT movement, sports players "taking a knee", legalized drugs and many more social changes, some would say progressions, other would characterize as upheavals, in our society.
It is not the intent of this post, nor do I have the wisdom to judge the righteousness or lack there of these movements. What I did want to discuss is what should be our response to these and other social changes, especially if we disagree, sometimes vehemently disagree (which I in some cases do).
You see, Dear Sisters and Brothers; Jesus was a social movement in and of Himself in His time. The way He preached His Father's message of His Kingdom of Heaven seemed radically different for those who were hearing it. Without a doubt the reactions to Jesus' message were wide ranging. Some heard Him enthusiastically, some wanted to throw Him off a cliff. Yet Jesus was very consistent in His response and His message of response to His detractors and those who wanted Him silenced.
Did you ever hear or see written that Jesus told His followers to hate those who were against Him? Did Jesus call out for His followers to destroy off the face of the earth those who are sinners or those who won't except Jesus' message? Did the commands of condemn, massacre, despise, ridicule into submission, or other similar condemnations spew forth from Jesus as worthy acts for His followers to commit on unbelievers?
Oh by the way, the wanted to; the disciples that is. Jesus was heading for Jerusalem for the last time and, as was His custom, He wanted to preach in some villages along the way. Predictably, some villages would not receive Him. Oh boy, the disciples, especially John and James were ready. They had been with Jesus long enough to have some insight into His power. And not only Jesus power, but the power that Jesus granted to His disciples because they were His followers. Not listen to Jesus, not even let Jesus, the Son of God into your village; oh Jesus we're ready for this one, John and James are thinking. Let us at them Jesus, let us call fire down and burn them up for the insolence and insult. One can just imagine the glean in their eyes over the thought of the just retribution. They must have forgotten the earlier sermon where Jesus completely turns the concept of revenge and just retribution on its head when He tells them to "love their enemies", to "do good to those who hate you". Jesus not only does not allow them to call fire down but rebukes them for wanting to do that in the first place.
Jump ahead a few centuries. We're in a place where we sometimes feel and it quite literally is in some places and times that Christianity is under attack. We see some of the social changes and we turn to the bible and say; wait a second, this says we shouldn't be doing that. We find our blood pressure rising as we see Christian symbols being removed and scorned in many different places and situations. Then we start hearing the cries, perhaps we start saying the prayers; Jesus Christ, smite these evildoers and blasphemers; these sinners and sweep them from our sight! Maybe we watch for and secretly wish for the Holy lightning bolt that will leave these offenders just smoking holes in the ground.
One can get the picture that we're standing there with faces twisted in righteous indignation, saying to Jesus Christ; let us at them, give us great power to unleash, what do you want us to do them!? We're hoping for some permission to unleash the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah down on "them".
"Love them!", comes the answer from Jesus Christ. "Ah, excuse me?" comes our incredulous reply. "Yes, if you truly love Me, you will love them as I love them," Jesus Christ admonishes us. Then it happens, now I understand. You see we're all sinners. Jesus Christ came to save all of us. Jesus Christ loves all of us. That there would be many who reject the message and love of Christ and hate His followers is irrelevant. The goal of being saved by Jesus Christ, is to in turn live and love like Jesus Christ. However, we can't pull this off on our own. The only way to love, truly love, unequivocally love, even with unrequited love, is to abide in the One who loves us in perfect way. We must accept the unchanging love of Jesus Christ if we are to remain steadfast and be able to give His love in this constantly changing times.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we cry out to you in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ in these uncertain and turbulently changing times. We ask that You would pour out a spirit of forgiveness and agape love that as Jesus Christ loved all, even His enemies, we would find the strength to do so as well. Help us to return mercy for maliciousness, forgiveness for wrongdoing and love for hate. That this world may witness through us; the loving salvation You intended for all to have who will call upon the name of Your Son Jesus Christ. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen


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What Is Needed To Be A Great Parent
It is important for parents to not work on perfecting their skills but rather concentrated how they can make life better for their children and providing the best version of themselves. If you want to be a successful parent then you should not be stressed out about being perfect and spending time worrying about something that you did wrong and won't be able to enjoy time with your children. Children start developing memories at a tender age which is why you should take advantage of every time you have with them to create long-lasting memories.
If you want to get rid of corrupt habits then you should avoid a 'do as I say not as I do' method of parenting since children will see they can do whatever they want even if you say otherwise. You should discourage yourself from using the strategy of preventing a child from doing what you do since they will feel the need to avoid you and restricted. You should teach your child to do what you do since it will be a good way of assessing your behavior and how you act towards other people which can also bring out positive relationships in your life.
Behaving kindly toward other people will reflect on your child since they would be respectful, polite and good children who are considerate of the environment they live in and people who surround them. People normally show their love in different ways, and this should not be limited to the parents since you should prove to the child that you have the capability to show emotion by hugging, kissing and holding the hand. Showing love to a child will give them the confidence they require to pursue their dreams in life since they know they are welcome to the home when they need to return.
If you want your child to have better mental health and happiness than you should create an environment where they can freely express themselves. The brain of your child will develop positively if the parent uses positive parenting which will encourage the child to live a positive life and shine it to others. You should develop the skill where you see something good in every situation though it will take a little practice and you can get info. from this website on how to achieve it.
Children get scared most of the times, and they need a safe place where they will be sure to feel safe, and you should be the rock which they run to anytime they develop such feelings. Parenting can sometimes be draining which is why you need some me time which will help you take off the stress and come back a better person than yesterday for the benefit of your children.


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It's almost three years since I had a proper holiday, and it's getting on for two and a half years that I've been studying without a break - all my courses have overlapped. Consequently I'm flagging a little so I thought it time to book a holiday for the summer and after my current course has finished. My sister-in-law's parents have a second home in France, which my mother and step-father are renting from them for three weeks in June/July. I was asked if I'd like to join them for some of their time there so I've jumped at the chance and booked my flights two days ago. I'm so looking forward to it. The house, apparently, is pretty much on its own in the countryside, but it's not far from Fougeres, Brittany, and I'll be flying to Rennes. Having booked the flights I mustn't forget to do all the other preparatory things like getting a new passport (my last one expired in 2007); sorting out travel insurance as the airline's didn't cover pre-existing medical conditions; getting a doctor's letter to cover me having my EpiPens and nebuliser in my hand luggage; getting my hospital/treatment letters translated; getting translations of my allergies, which I think is something the Anaphylaxis Campaign can help with; and maybe getting hold of the international names of my drugs, as I think even generic drug names can vary a little from country to country. There's quite a lot to think about and make sure I get done, and hopefully I won't need to use most of it, but I know from experience that it's so much better to be prepared for all eventualities than to rely on hope. I know that my mother is quite anxious about managing my health while I'm away with them, and desperately hoping that all will go smoothly (as I am), but we also both know that life is for living and I have to take the risk of living if I'm to make the most of life. Risks are calculated though, and also need to be minimised so preparation is the key, and forward planning on how we might deal with a medical crisis if it were to happen is also important. The main difficulty with this is that I don't speak French (not that I can speak at all anyway when my lungs are bad), my mother is just learning French and my step-father's French is limited. This is in part why it's so necessary to have all my hospital and treatment letters translated, along with a clear list of all my allergies.
My brother, sister-in-law, and nephews are planning on coming out to stay in the house for some of the time I'm there, and that should be really good. I'm seeing them in a few weeks time at the boys' baptisms, but it's then unlikely that I'll get to see them until we're in France, so it'll be great to catch up and have some quality time with them all in June/July.
I think I recently mentioned that back in 2006 I went on a Great Camping Expedition around England on my own, and which I got a huge amount out of and greatly enjoyed. I don't think I can afford to do it on the same scale as last time, but I'd love to do something similar this August if at all possible, although it may well depend on how the weather looks on being, because camping in the rain really isn't so great. There's a huge amount of the UK that I haven't explored yet, so I'd like to set about rectifying that a bit more, and maybe catch up with some online friends in the process too. I don't yet know where I'm likely to end up, or even completely sure if it's going to be financially viable for this summer, but I'm mulling it over and starting to plot, scheme and plan.
One thing is for sure: I need a holiday. I need restoration after so much studying without a break, and I need to refresh myself for the next round of study that will begin in October. However, I mustn't get complacent in the run-up to my holiday as I still have three big pieces of work to do for my current course before it finishes at the end of May.
Bring on the holidays!