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Energy Department Announces National Champions of Student Energy Conservation Competition
The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) has announced the national champions of the America's Home Energy Education Challenge (AHEEC), a student competition created to help families save money by saving energy. The sixth grade class from South Ripley Elementary School in Versailles, Ind. and sixth and seventh grade students from Villa Maria School in Stamford, Conn. were together declared the national champions for their efforts, which reduced household energy usage, encouraged school-wide involvement and collaboration to save energy and engaged their local community.
"This competition engages our future scientists, researchers and engineers in the effort to save money by saving energy, while also protecting the environment and contributing to our clean energy economy," said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. "By applying the math and science skills they are learning at school, these students are making a difference, inspiring their families and communities to make choices to save energy and reduce emissions, moving the U.S. closer to its low carbon future."
The competition, which is administered by NSTA, challenged teams of third through eighth grade students to work with their science teachers and local utility companies to develop energy savings plans that would reduce the amount of energy used to power their homes and schools. Each student team monitored and measured their energy consumption over a three-month period between September 2013 and February 2014 and compared it to data from the same period the year before.
The winners were chosen from a select group of finalists and were judged on several criteria, including energy and cost savings, overall quality and presentation of the team narrative, focus on behavioral changes, and creativity of local school involvement. As national champions, each school will receive $10,000.
The winning Indiana team researched energy efficiency and renewable energy and the team also engaged a representative from SolarZentrum North America, a local manufacturer of solar energy products that presented information to the team about solar panels. The students presented their research findings and recommendations to school staff and community members and implemented their ideas for saving energy at school and at home, turning off the lights in rooms when gone for more than 15 minutes and wearing appropriate clothing for the season to reduce heating and cooling costs. As a result of their efforts, the students helped the school save more than $1,600 and raised money to purchase a solar panel for the school.
The sixth and seventh grade student winners from Connecticut focused on reducing their consumption of electricity at home, while learning about the importance of conserving resources and how electricity is produced. Throughout the project, teachers at Villa Maria School used examples from their own homes in stories, photos and videos, which helped the students develop a more robust energy savings plan. Students also took a field trip to the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, where they explored the "Energy City" exhibit and learned more about energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
"We are incredibly proud of all the projects that came through this year. It was such a tough decision for our panel of judges to make," said NSTA President Bill Badders. "The national winning teams went above and beyond in demonstrating a dedication to understanding the environmental impacts of energy choices and initiating real-life change that they can be proud of."
In addition to the national winning teams, five teams received an honorable mention, also receiving $1,000: Academy for Science and Design, Nashua, N.H.; Al-Falah Academy, Lilburn, Ga.; Cold Spring Elementary School, Potomac, Md.; Ekalaka Elementary School, Ekalaka, Mont.; and Morningside Elementary School, Port St. Lucie, Fla. A full list of the Challenge winners can be viewed here.
The Challenge also included a poster competition to encourage students to find artistic ways to continue to encourage their families and communities to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and buildings. Volusia Pines Elementary School in Lake Helen, Fla. received $1,000 as the national poster champion for visually demonstrating simple, inexpensive ways to reduce energy usage to save money, while the Academy for Science and Design in Nashua, N.H. and Al-Falah Academy in Lilburn, Ga. received an honorable mention and $500 each for their efforts.
About America's Home Energy Education Challenge
America's Home Energy Education Challenge educates America's youth about the benefits of energy efficiency, motivates students to play an active role in how their families use energy, and helps families across the country save money by saving energy.
NAHB International Builders' Show
January 9-11, 2018
The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)
January 9-11, 2018
AHR Expo 2018
Jan 22-24, 2018
6th Annual Emerging Water Technology Symposium
May 15-16, 2018


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Pregnancy Hormone Has Unprecedented, Powerful Effect On Spinal Muscular Atrophy
ScienceDaily (July 25, 2011) "" Researchers in Ottawa report new hope for the treatment of infants born with serious genetic disorder
Over 1000 children in Canada are affected with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and loss of motor control. In its most severe form survival of children with SMA beyond 5 years is rare. Although the disorder is caused by the loss of a specific gene, all infants and children with SMA have an untouched highly similar gene within their genetic make up. Activation of this copy gene has the potential to treat SMA, and thus has been a goal of researchers around the world. Now, researchers at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute in Ottawa report the strongest such activation yet observed with attendant benefit on mice genetically engineered to have SMA.
PhD student Faraz Farooq working in the laboratory of University of Ottawa professor, Alex MacKenzie has discovered that the pregnancy hormone Prolactin, a Canadian discovery in itself, not only activates the copy gene but if given over time extends the lifespan of SMA mice by up to 60%. The research report is published July 25 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
"Prolactin causes a dramatic regulation of copy gene SMN2 which results in high production of SMN protein, resulting in the extension in the lifespan of mice with SMA," said Mr. Faraz Farooq. "Labs around the world have been trying to produce more protein from copy gene SMN2 but with Prolactin (an insulin like protein) we're seeing up-regulation that's more than tenfold. It's the biggest increase anyone has yet seen in the SMA Field with any potential therapeutic compound. This represents a significant advance in search for a therapy for this disease."
The laboratory testing of Prolactin on SMA not only shows an extended lifespan but also improved motor control. Prolactin has been used in clinical trials for unrelated studies, so it is expected that the path between pre-clinical validation and actual clinic trials of Prolactin with SMA patients will be reasonably short.
"News of prolactin's role and effectiveness in SMN regulation breathes fresh hope into all of the SMA community," said Martha Slay, president and co-founder of FightSMA. "FightSMA congratulates Dr. MacKenzie and his colleagues on this exciting breakthrough in SMA research."
"We believe we're moving in the direction of an effective pre-symptomatic treatment of kids with SMA," said Dr. Alex MacKenzie, principal investigator, CHEO Research Institute. "We want to somehow stop the progress of this disorder in its tracks, and let our tiniest patients build strength. Today's findings are not curative, but we think this is a breakthrough discovery. Hopefully by using different approaches to increase SMN protein we can develop a combination therapy for the treatment of SMA."
Story Source:
The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

subset: commoncrawl


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Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu breed is originally from China. Also known as Chinese Lion Dog, Chrysanthemum Dog.
Breed information
|Shih Tzu
|Other names
|Chinese Lion Dog, Chrysanthemum Dog
|From country
|Breed groups
|Toy (AKC),Companion Dog (UKC)
|Life span
|10 - 16 years
|Height female
|20–28 centimetres (7.9–11.0 in)
|Height male
|20–28 centimetres (7.9–11.0 in)
|Weight female
|4–7.5 kilograms (8.8–16.5 lb)
|Weight male
|4–7.5 kilograms (8.8–16.5 lb)
|Litter Size
|2 - 5 puppies
|Puppy Price
|Average $800 - $1500 USD
Shih Tzu breed image
Shih Tzu Pros and Cons
There are 5 pros and 2 cons of owning Shih Tzu.
|Pros 👍
|Cons 👎
|Difficult to groom
|Not hypoallergenic
|High intelligence
|Doesn't bark and howl too much
|Dog no needs regular exercises
Breed Characteristics
|Sensitivity Level
High-sensitivity dogs can take some of the owner's actions close to the heart. If you shout too loudly at the dog, ignore the dog or your kid pulls its tail It may take offense. Low sensitivity dogs or "tolerant" dogs take it easier. If you are an emotional person, too busy, sometimes ignore the dog, have young kids, then we don't recommend taking a high-sensitivity dog.
Kid-friendly dogs are tolerant to kid's behavior like hugs and attempts to saddle and other "games". It behaves kindly to kids. A no-kid-friendly dog doesn't tolerate such an attitude. You need to know that it's possible to teach dogs of any breed to be kid-friendly. But anyway You mustn't leave the kid and dog alone!
|Dog Friendly
Dog-friendly characteristics highly depend on dog socialization, breed isn't the only factor. Dogs with high friendliness will play with other dogs or just be calm. Low-friendly dogs will try to fight, bark or run away.
|Friendly Toward Strangers
Everyone Is My Best Friend
The stranger-friendly dog will show nice behavior when your friends or visitors come to you. No stranger-friendly breed can be aggressive and attack them. Others will be shy or even afraid of your guests. But anyway if your dog has got good socialization lessons It will be stranger-friendly no matter what breed. And also if you have found that breed has a five-star rating of Stranger-friendly and you are not going to train this dog It can be aggressive to your visitors.
|Amount Of Shedding
No Shedding
Hair Everywhere
Dogs tend to shed, and it is completely normal for a certain amount of dog hair to end up either on your clothes or inside your house. Importantly, the amount of shedding differs from breed to breed. For example, some dogs shed throughout the year, others shed at key seasonal times, and some may do a little bit of both. However, some dogs barely shed at all. Depending on your preferences and standards, be sure to pick a dog breed with this in mind.
|Easy To Groom
It is important to remember that some dog breeds require more maintenance than others. While some can be brushed on the go, other breeds may benefit from regular clipping, grooming, and bathing. Assessing how much time and money you are willing to spend on maintenance needs is certainly something to consider.
|General Health
Need more attention to health
Healthy as an ox
Some dogs are victims of irresponsible breeding practices, and this may cause them health problems down the road. One example of this is hip dysplasia, which is a genetic health problem. However, keep in mind that not every dog will develop these issues, although they are more likely to. If you decide to adopt a puppy, it is best to find out about any genetic illness that may be associated with its breed. For more information, you may also wish to consult with a shelter or rescue that can supply you with the knowledge of the physical health of the puppy's parents or siblings.
|Easy To Train
Eager to Please
Interestingly, some dog breeds are easier to train than others. For example, select breeds may form a greater number of associations between words ("stay"), actions (staying), and outcomes (receiving a reward). Others may take more time and attention to train. Dogs are extremely intelligent but may want to know what is in it for them if they comply with your request. This is where games and rewards may come in handy.
Certain dog breeds are adept at specific jobs. For example, a dog that is bred for its intelligence, concentration, and quick decision-making may be used to successfully herd livestock and need more mental stimulation than a dog that is bred to be a runner and needs more physical exercise. Knowing your dog's needs helps you know how to keep them properly engaged and out of mischief (such as chewing and digging). Examples include interactive toys and activities, including obedience training for those who need mental engagement, as well as search and rescue activities for those who are meant to be more active and employ their keen senses.
|Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Only To Alert
Avid singer
It is important to note that vocalization differs among dog breeds. Some are more vocal, and all of them bark and howl with different pitches. One example to consider is a hound. Would the pitch of their barking and howling get on your nerves or would you think it was somewhat musical? Is your dog breed notorious for hunting and would constantly chase and howl at nearby wildlife? If your dog is more alert and makes a good watchdog, will it bark at everyone it meets? These are some elements to consider when choosing a dog breed, as well as whether you have neighbors, or any noise restrictions are in place.
|Energy Level
Couch Potato
High Energy
Dogs who have a lot of energy may have been bred for certain jobs, including herding livestock or retrieving game for hunters. Therefore, they will need quite a bit of interaction and exercise. They will be more energetic and probably engage in activities like playing, running, tumbling, and checking out new smells and sights. Conversely, other breeds may be low-energy and like to lounge on the couch with you, nap, and watch Netflix. Whichever dog breed you choose, simply consider what your own activity level and lifestyle are like and pick a dog breed that suits it.
|Exercise Needs
Need a lot
Different dog breeds require different levels of exercise. Some may be content with a leisurely stroll in the evening, and other breeds may want to make several vigorous laps around the block. Depending on what they were bred to do, such as hunt or herd, their energy levels will match those activities. Dogs who are high-energy and do not have enough exercise might gain weight and engage in behaviors such as digging, chewing, and barking. High-energy dogs will likely match the best with individuals who are active and love the outdoors or are interested in training their dog for competitions.
|Potential For Playfulness
Only When You Want To Play
Personalities of dog breeds vary widely. Some are always up for playing and stay in a puppy state of mind. Other breeds tend to be more serious and enjoy their downtime. It is best for individuals to consider whether the thought of a playful puppy is exciting or whether they mainly just want a couch companion. Other factors to consider include whether you have children or additional pets. Another option is adopting a dog that is a bit older and less demanding but still enjoys interacting and playing.
Video about Shih Tzu breed
Questions and answers about Shih Tzu
The average life expectancy of a Shih Tzu is between 10 - 16 years.
If your Shih Tzu is pregnant, it is safe to assume that litter can have anywhere from 2 to 5 puppies.
If you purchase Shih Tzu from a breeder it can be much more expensive than a shelter. A purebred Shih Tzu costs between US$ 800 and US$ 1500 from a reputable breeder, but there are several advantages to doing so. First, a breeder will usually allow you to meet the parents to get a good idea about what the puppy will look like and behave. You will also see if the parents have any health problems. Breeders will also supply you with paperwork that documents your pet's lineage.
Yes, we can say that Shih Tzu is popular in America. They are in top 20 the most popular purebred dog in USA. Shih Tzu have got #20 rank in 2020, #22 in 2021 and #20 in 2022 by American Kennel Club (AKC).
No, Shih Tzu are not considered hypoallergenic dogs. If you are thinking about getting a Shih Tzu and have allergies, it's important to spend time with the breed to see how you react before bringing one into your home. This can help you make an informed decision about whether a Shih Tzu is the right pet for you, and if so, what steps you may need to take to manage any allergy symptoms.
- https://www.akc.org
- FCI standard
- Kennel club standard
- Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shih_Tzu
Next and previous breeds by Popularity
Great Dane
Popularity: №19
Siberian Husky
Popularity: №21


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|Their Vote
In this 19-voter example (containing, for those who care, a "Condorcet cycle") the winner is B under a vast variety of election methods that employ rank-orderings as votes. (Namely, all these methods declare B the winner: Plurality, Borda=Dabagh, Plurality with Instant Runoff, Black, Schulze-Beatpath, IRV=Instant Runoff Voting, Loring, BTR-IRV, River, Maxtree, Tideman Ranked Pairs, Improved-Dodgson, Simpson-Kramer, Nanson, Rouse, Raynaud, Arrow-Raynaud, Condorcet Least Reversal, Woodall DAC, Sarvo-Plurality, Sinkhorn, and Keener-eigenvector.)
But if the six C>A>B voters insincerely switch to A>C>B ("betraying their favorite" C) then the "lesser evil" A becomes the winner under all these voting systems (and is the Condorcet-winner), which in their view is a better election result.
Lying paid.
This favorite-betrayal example is very important because, once voters understand that exaggerating their stances on the apparent-frontrunners can be necessary to prevent the "greater evil" frontrunner from winning, strategic voting is guaranteed, often causing "third parties" to tend to die out (since the strategic voters will not "waste their vote" on honest-favorite third-party candidates like C whom they perceive as having "no chance of winning").
In all of the voting systems we just mentioned, therefore, one might expect, or at least worry, that artificially enhanced self-reinforcing 2-party domination is still going to occur. Note that "Condorcet methods" are vulnerable to this problem: of the methods just mentioned, Black, Schulze-Beatpath, Loring, Nanson, Rouse, Raynaud, BTR-IRV, River, Maxtree, Tideman Ranked Pairs, and Condorcet Least Reversal all are Condorcet methods. Condorcet advocates might hope to escape from that trap by instead employing variant-Condorcet methods that permit "ranking equalities" and that are based on "winning votes" rather than "margins." That initially sounded like a possible way out, but it isn't. Indeed, Kevin Venzke showed that every Condorcet method (whether ranking equalities are allowed or not) suffers "favorite betrayal," completely wiping out all such hopes of wriggling out of this trap.
Note also that Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) also is vulnerable to this problem and in fact experimentally IRV does lead to 2-party domination. For this reason "third parties" are silly to advocate IRV. (Click here for more re this silliness. See also this other more realistic IRV example.)
This example perhaps may seem contrived and you might think it only occurs rarely. Not so. This kind of insincere-exaggerating voter-strategy is optimal asymptotically 100% of the time in a mathematical model of a "large random electorate" with any Condorcet voting system using full rank-orderings as votes. And ditto for IRV voting. Proof.
Range voting, however, is immune to this problem in the sense that in any 3-candidate election, it is never strategically desirable for any voter to range-vote as though X>Y when his true opinion is Y>X. So in the situation illustrated, the six C>A>B voters would not find it strategically desirable to cast a range vote in which A>C>B. And the word "never" above makes us believe that with range voting, 2-party domination is not inevitable.
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Apa Villa Illuketia
Historic Illuketia is one of Sri Lanka 's most storied plantation houses. Just 5km from Apa Thalpe and Galle, the expansive house is almost 200 years old, a living reminder of the island 's colonial past. Thouroughly modernised but retaining its ancient flavour, Illuketia boasts four suites in the main house and the two in the adjacent Pond House, overlooking a lotus lake. The property sits on 10 acres of sumptuous tropical garden and padi fields. Tea estates, Sinhalese villages and charming country lanes cluster close to the estate so be prepared for a unique cultural experience but never compromising on comfort.


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It's not every day that you come home and you wife asks, "why do you have rug burns on your knees?" as you are putting your workout shorts on.That is a question that has never been asked in the 10 and a half years thatI have been with Kinsey. Truth is, a dude should have a very good excuse for having rug burns, and I do have one of those. See, what had happened was that after work yesterday I found a hula hoop and the guys at the office and I wondered if we could jump through it, ninja style. I am very sad to announce that we all failed, and most of us ended up with rug burns. Sometimes, ideas seem waaaaay better in our heads. And sometimes dumb ideas make great Kidd TV videos.
Kinsey left the house to go run some errands while Cason napped, and I worked out. See, heres the thing: at the end of the year I took a whole month off from working out and I ate whatever I wanted to eat. I think it was the best thing to do. It's like hitting the reset button. We all need to comfort ourselves and take a break. So I usually spend the next 3 months getting
back on the saddle and getting back in shape. Even K-Ras has called me a food nazi, because I get pretty strict with what I eat. I do have a couple
weaknesses: pizza and taco bell.
I have to keep those two things away. I avoid driving by taco bell, but I can't avoid when my wife comes home with a delicious pizza from Papa John's. Yeah, she did that. So 15 days into the new year, I cheated… which is not too shabby.
Let's talk Oprah now… I received an email from her people yesterday! Nothing crazy, but I did get excited. They actually just wanted an update because Iyanla's show gave them the highest ratings the network has ever received. So my episode will be run all over again next week, with an update. Yay! The only problem I had with this whole process is that a story, that took over 20 years to develop, was told in just one hour. So let's see how round two goes.


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Have you spent the past decade believing that Canada is nothing more than our friendly, innocuous neighbor to the north? Good—that's what they wanted you to think. In reality, Canada has given the past 10 years of its life and $200 million dollars in taxpayer money to file the ultimate claim: over 1 million square miles of Arctic seafloor that, yes, includes the North Pole.
imperialists scientists have been working both in labs and on ice camps off the northern shores of Ellesmere Island in an effort to map the Arctic seafloor, part of which it will be laying claim to (under the awesomely named Convention on the Law of the Sea) come Friday at the latest. The decade-long study necessitated the use of both helicopters and airplanes as well as unmanned, remote-controlled submarines that spent days at a time under the black waters' icy surface.
According to CBC News, "countries are allowed to claim additional sea floor if they can show their continental shelf extends beyond the economic zone." And as Rob Huebert, an arctic expert at the University of Calgary, told CBC News, an undersea mountain range called the Lomonosov Ridge would indeed give Canada geologic justification for a claim that stretches past the North Pole. But just because Canada has reason to make the claim doesn't mean it necessarily will; in the end, it's all up to whether or not Canadian officials think Santa's workshop is worth the trouble:
Maybe it's simply not worth it. Maybe we said, 'You know what, for the sake of international peace and stability, it's not important. We'll only do our science up to that and that will be the basis of our claim.' [But] it means we didn't go as far as we could.
Of course, it could still take another five years to confirm the science on Canada's claim and another 15 after that to even come to a final decision. Though while it appears Canada will not attempt any major overlap with Russian or US territory (keeping conflicts with those countries to a minimum) there has yet to be any word from the diabetic slaveowner with the most to lose—a one Mr. Nicholas "Santa" Claus. Let the war on Christmas commence. [CBC News]


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Thursday, December 9, 2010
Calling All Crafters: Three Cute Techie Projects
Posted by Karey Westfall in "Android Talk" @ 04:00 PM
"My boys (husband included, but especially the boys!) are obsessed with the game Angry Birds. They like the game, but they really like to play a real life version they invented, where they chuck objects at each other. (Don't worry! They use safe projectiles for this!) I want to make their game a little more fun for them, so I am creating some Angry Birds and pigs for them to play with!"
Yes, you can have your own Angry Bird with a little sewing knowledge. The designer includes photos and patterns with simple to follow instructions, so get out those sewing machines and start building your Angry Bird army! For more awesome geek ideas, click on the more link! Read more...


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Zorba the Burger
1/2 cup pine nuts, chopped fine
2 tablespoons lemon zest
3 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoon ground cumin
2/3 cup finely chopped white onion
4 tablespoons minced garlic
2/3 cup finely chopped mint
2 pound ground chuck (80/20)
6 ounces feta cheese crumbled
1 large egg
1 16 ounce can chick peas drained
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (preferably Greek)
6 Kaiser rolls split
Oil for grill
In large work bowl, combine pine nuts, lemon zest, salt, pepper, cumin, onion, garlic, mint, meat, cheese and egg. Mix well. Divide into 6 equal portions and form into patties. Place in refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up. In food processor equipped with metal blade, combine drained chick peas and garlic. Process in pulses until coarsely chopped. Add lemon juice and olive oil. Process until mixture is smooth. Cover and set aside. Toast rolls lightly on grill set to medium heat. Reduce heat to medium low. Oil grill grates well. Place patties on the grill. Cook for 4 minutes. Carefully turn patties over. Cook for another 2 minutes or until patties are done to your liking (I prefer 150 degrees on an instant read thermometer). Remove patties and cover lightly with foil. Place patties on the bottoms of the rolls. Divide the chick pea mixture among the patties and spread evenly. Top with the tops of the rolls and enjoy.


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100% CERTIFIED BALTICAMBER children necklace pop clasp polished multi
100% CERTIFIED BALTICAMBER children necklace pop clasp polished multi
- Handmade with 100% certified Baltic amber.
- Helps to relieve pain and inflammation. Must be in contact with the skin.
- Please note that baltic amber is a completely natural material and slight color variation from pictures may occur.
- May be in contact with plain water, however it is preferable to remove it before bathing or swimming to increase its lifespan.
- Whenever your child shows the first signs of teething, it's time to try this product.
- This product has a safety release and is tested by a third party lab & meet all safety standards.
- Parent/adult must supervise children at all times when wearing any type of jewelry. Necklace must be fitted properly & taken off at night time. Please refer to our proper sizing guide to choose the adequate size for your child.


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Thought it would be cool to make a thread about everyone's time off. Where you go, the places you see and the people you meet.
Post pics or relate experiences if your keen.
I'll kick it off with what I was doin last weekend. We love our camping and there's plenty of spots to go when your living remote. This is one our fav spots. Got a bunch of mates up here that ride the Old Telegraph Track on their motorbikes each year. This road extends right up to the northernmost point of Australia. 4WD heaven.. creek crossings, corrugations you name it. Its a great experience.
I'm usually riding, but the bike is under some repairs at the moment.. so I just had to suffice with sitting in crystal clear freshwater creeks, enjoying a rum and relaxing. My idea of living. (Took the acoustic for around the campfire once the sun goes down)
The boys and the bikes
Thats me on the right and my best mate
Be great to see some of your pics and stories guys. Get amongst it.


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You are here
Elections Improve Odds for Immigration Reform in 2007
Mid-term Elections and Prospects for Immigration Reform in 2007
November election results. The outcome of the November midterm elections opened new prospects for broad immigration reform in 2007, with Democratic control of the House and Senate and new leadership of immigration subcommittees. Changing patterns among Hispanic voters also may increase both parties' interest in developing policies to lure this growing voting bloc.
Immigration restrictionist James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) will lose control of the House Judiciary Committee, and John Hostettler (R-IN), who led the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims lost his bid for reelection. New leadership for the House and Senate subcommittees on immigration has not yet been finalized.
Many observers believe immigration played some role in shaping voters' decisions on November 7, but the message was not always clear. Only about a third of voters told exit pollsters that immigration was extremely important in influencing their voting decisions. Of those, a narrow majority backed Republican candidates. Meanwhile, about 60 percent of voters stated support for a path to legal status for the country's unauthorized immigrants.
Exit polls showed that as many as 70 percent of Hispanics voted for Democratic congressional candidates, while fewer than 30 percent voted for Republicans, showing an 11 percentage point swing toward Democrats from 2004. Responses in exit polls indicate that dissatisfaction over the economy, the Iraq war, and other policies may have contributed more to the shift away from Republicans than opinions on immigration debates.
In addition to Hostettler, other hard-line immigration enforcement incumbents lost their seats, including Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Representative J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ). Candidate Randy Graf (R-AZ), who framed his campaign on combating illegal immigration, lost his bid for a seat in the House.
Yet even while rejecting two enforcement-focused candidates, voters in Arizona also overwhelmingly supported three propositions to counter illegal immigration and a proposition to make English the state's official language. All passed by about 3-to-1 ratios statewide, and won the backing of every county in the state. (For a description of the Arizona propositions, see the November 2006 Policy Beat, and the links below.)
Colorado voters supported a state lawsuit against the federal government to demand better enforcement of federal immigration laws, with 56 percent of voters approving the measure. They very narrowly voted (50.6 percent) to deny employers who knowingly employ unauthorized immigrants a state tax credit.
Prospects for immigration reform in 2007. Immigration experts and some members of Congress expressed cautious optimism about the prospects for immigration reform in the 110th Congress while warning that the issue must be resolved before the 2008 presidential elections consume national attention.
President Bush appeared hopeful regarding comprehensive reform in a statement on November 8. "I think we have a good chance," he said. "It's an important issue and I hope we can get something done on it."
Analysts believe the chances for comprehensive reform will improve greatly under Democratic congressional leadership, but they also warn that new splits might emerge in the party now that it holds the majority. For example, labor groups are divided on the merits of temporary worker programs.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi did not include immigration reform on her list of six agenda items for the first 100 hours of the new Congress, but has stated that House Democrats will work with Bush to pair tough border security with new paths to legal work and citizenship for the country's unauthorized immigrants.
Action on immigration legislation is expected to begin in the Senate. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), who is likely to lead the Senate subcommittee on immigration, has already begun to work with Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) to make plans for a new bill to be introduced early next year.
The bill will probably resemble the one the Senate approved last May. (For more on the provisions of the Senate-passed immigration reform bill, see the June 2006 Policy Beat).
- Read more about Arizona's four propositions: denial of certain state services to unauthorized immigrants here; bail for unauthorized immigrant felons here; limits on punitive damages here; and English as the official state language here.
- To read the Colorado referenda, click here and here.
USCIS is revising the questions asked on the written and oral English examinations required for citizenship. The new citizenship exam will include fewer fact-based questions and more questions about U.S. democratic principles, such as the contents of the Bill of Rights.
Aside from this changed emphasis, the redesigned test is also intended to standardize testing across the country, following claims of uneven application of testing requirements.
The new questions will be tried out in 10 U.S. cities this winter to resolve any problems and refine the questions. The revised test will be implemented nationwide in 2008.
While USCIS officials say the goal of the redesign is not to make the test more difficult, some immigrant groups claim the test could become harder for lawful permanent residents with less education and English ability, due to its reliance on abstract concepts such as the meaning of democracy.
The 10 cities where the new questions will be tested are Miami, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; Albany, New York; Charleston, South Carolina; Denver, Colorado; El Paso, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; San Antonio, Texas; and Yakima, Washington.
- To view a USCIS Fact Sheet on the naturalization test redesign, click here.
Boeing-Led Border Security Measures Begin amid Cost, Management Questions
Installation of tower-mounted sensors, cameras, radars, and other high-tech border enforcement strategies led by Boeing and its team of subcontractors will have their first test along a 28-mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border near Sasabe, Arizona by spring 2007. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hopes to eventually expand the technology along most of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The desert corridor was chosen as a test site because it was the busiest sector for border crossings in 2006, according to Border Patrol officials.
In September, DHS awarded Boeing a three-year contract with possible one-year extensions to manage SBInet, a component of the broader Secure Border Initiative (SBI), which will include more staffing along the border, technology, and interior enforcement of immigration laws. (For more on Boeing's contract, see the October 2006 Policy Beat.)
Richard Skinner, Inspector General of DHS, has criticized the agency in recent congressional testimony for awarding such a large contract with an indefinite delivery date and unclear objectives. Skinner stated that previous programs to achieve border security, including the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System (ISIS) and America's Shield Initiative (ASI) failed due to management problems.
Skinner also warned that costs could escalate from the $2 billion proposed to anywhere from $8 to $30 billion. DHS plans to provide a more detailed plan for border measures by December 4.
While Boeing officials have said they will consider using fencing as an alternative to sensors and other technology along some portions of the border, the Bush administration and Congress appear to be backing down from last September's push for 700 miles of border fencing.
DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and Democratic leaders in the House Homeland Security Committee met in mid-November to discuss the possibility of using more cameras, sensors, and communications equipment as alternatives to fencing. Chertoff expressed support for the idea, stating, "We think a virtual fence…is the most cost-effective and quickest and best way to get control of the border."
To read the statement by DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner, click here.
Policy Beat in Brief
Immigration Fee Increase. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will raise fees in 2007 for immigration benefits such as green cards, work permits, and naturalization, according to USCIS Director Emilio González. While the agency has not officially determined the fee increase, current proposals would nearly double the current costs. Currently, USCIS charges $180 for an employment authorization application and $325 for adjustment of status to permanent resident. According to USCIS, the higher fees are needed to cover increased administrative costs for processing applications. Immigrant advocates have said that raising the fee for naturalization from its current $330 will present a barrier to citizenship for many working-class immigrant families. González, himself a naturalized citizen, defended the proposed increases, stating that "American citizenship is priceless."
- For a list of USCIS immigration forms and fees, visit the USCIS website.
New Passport Requirement. All U.S. citizens and foreign nationals entering the United States by air from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean will be required to carry a passport beginning on January 23, 2007, as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Previously, travelers were allowed to use driver's licenses or birth certificates for identification. The measure, required by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, is intended to strengthen border security by requiring documents that are more difficult to counterfeit. Officials from Canada and business owners from communities along the U.S.-Canada border warned that the new requirement could prevent some cross-border tourism and delay trade between the two countries. The passport requirement will extend to land and sea travelers by June 2009 at the latest.
- To read a DHS press release about the new requirements, click here.
Foreign Student Enrollments. New enrollments of foreign students in U.S. colleges and universities increased 8 percent in the 2005-2006 school year, according to a new report by the Institute of International Education. The total number of foreign students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities (both new and returning students) remained steady at about 565,000, following several years of declining numbers. The University of Southern California drew the most foreign students, followed by Columbia, Purdue, New York University, and the University of Texas at Austin. About 42 percent of foreign graduate students were from Asia, with the largest numbers from India and China. The top fields of study among foreign students were engineering and business/management.
- Read the Institute of International Education's report here.


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News Story
Hope and hard luck
Poorest counties lead state in per capita lottery sales
For an interactive graphic of per capita lottery sales in North Carolina, click here.
Tony's Friendly Mart, its walls plastered with winning lottery and scratch tickets, offers glimpses of hope for regular customers trying to get ahead in a community besieged by poverty.
The gas station convenience store, a small BP station on the edge of Kinston's downtown, is the fourth-biggest retailer in the state for the N.C. Education Lottery.
But it's also in Lenoir County, one of North Carolina's more economically depressed areas where 23.5 percent to the population lives under the poverty line and nearly one in 10 people are out of work.
Counties like Lenoir and cities like Kinston are where the lottery is doing the best when it comes to per capita sales, and also where poverty rates are the highest in the state, according to an NC Policy Watch investigation.
In Lenoir County, enough scratch-off and lottery tickets were sold to account for $423.92 worth of scratch and lottery ticket purchases for every adult in the county during the 2009-10 fiscal year.
Statewide, that per capita number dropped to $200.11 for every adult North Carolinian.
High per capita sales are concentrated in the eastern part of the state, but also climb in counties with high populations living in conditions of poverty, defined as a household of four living on less than $22,000 a year.
Out of the 24 most impoverished North Carolina counties, all but two have per capita sales that exceed the $200.11 statewide figure.
The desire to win is evident inside of Tony's on Kinston's Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. On a recent weekday afternoon, a steady stream of customers lined up to buy lottery tickets and the occasional tank of gas, soda or pack of cigarettes.
Subtle signs point to the struggles that some are having, with a hand-lettered sign on the door greeting customers with news that that "No Food Stamps Accepted Here" and a billboard outside the store encouraging customers to "Get Smart With Your Money" and pay a cut of money to a storefront check cashing business instead of a using a bank.
Ahmed Zanta, a manager at Tony's, said business picks up every day before the 3 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. drawings for Pick 3, a numbers game where players stand to win up to $500.
"We sell them all day long," Zanta said.
Some come twice a day, like Nikita "Heavy" Coleman, who plays the Pick 3 game regularly and estimates he spends $30 a day, or nearly $11,000 a year on the lottery.
"I'm losing right now," Coleman said. "But I'm trying to hit it big."
If he hits it big, he plans to invest in the struggling soul food restaurant he opened up eight months ago.
But the most he's ever won is $500.
Down the street from Tony's, Bishop J.P. Chapman of the Rhema Word Christian Center says Kinston was devastated when the textile industry left, and then never recorded from floods in the late 1990s. He's helping run programs that fund scholarships money for Kinston youth to attend college, in hopes they'll come back to help the city.
He sees his parishioners and residents of the city look to the lottery as a way out, and a way to dream about a better life. He doesn't have issues with the lottery, joking that winners just need to pay their tithe, but has found that it dismantles the lives of some.
"They're spending money, some get hooked on it and every dime they get goes to the lottery," Chapman said. "It's sending them deeper and deeper into poverty."
The N.C. Education Lottery was created in 2005, after Gov. Bev Perdue cast the deciding vote in her former role as lieutenant governor to thrust the state into the world of gambling.
Since then, the lottery has turned over more than $1 billion to state educational programs to fund early education programs, scholarships for needy students and construction of new schools. But it's done so while chipping away at the percentage it gives to education each year. State law initially called for 35 percent of the lottery's revenue to go to education, but a loophole has allowed that percentage to drop to 29 percent with lottery officials pumping the extra money into prizes in order to increase revenue.
Critics have worried that some of the money has gone to replace funding that was already there, and hasn't gone to fund additional programs that otherwise wouldn't be funded. The state legislature also dipped into the lottery revenues for non-educational purposes for the first time this summer, when it told lottery officials to set aside $35 million to go to Medicaid funding.
This week, lottery officials also announced their sales have been down, and expect to send $40 million less than expected to fund education.
It's hard to know what drives lottery sales, and who its frequent customers are.
While opponents of the state-run lottery have said that funding educational programs though the games would amount to a tax on the poor, the state lottery has never done any studies on who buys its tickets, and why.
The agency does not do any demographic data on its customers, said Alice Garland, the lottery's director, out of caution that it could be construed as the lottery trying to target a particular group.
"We've never tried to target any group or any players," Garland said. "Our philosophy is that we'd like to get as many people that play a little bit as we can."
She thinks that players cut across the spectrum of North Carolina, and bases that observation on the people who come to the lottery headquarters in Raleigh to pick up the big prizes. She also thinks significant amounts of people often buy tickets outside their home counties, while on vacation or when traveling on some of the state's major thoroughfares like Interstates 95, 85 and 40.
But Garland said she has no data to back up her observations, and no plans to conduct any studies to see who is winning and playing the lottery.
Some states do conduct regular studies on their customer base, including Texas and the neighboring state of South Carolina.
The lottery, when it passed in 2005, had concerted opposition in the state Republican Party, which will be in charge of both houses of the state Legislature for the first time in more than a century.
It's unclear whether the lottery could be an early or eventual target for the new Jones Street regime. Calls seeking comment about the lottery to state Reps. Thom Tillis and Paul "Skip" Stam as well as state Senate leader Phil Berger were not returned.
Garland, the lottery director, thinks the lottery will fare well, given that the $3.7 billion gaping hole in the state budget needs to be filled. And the lottery does send money, more than $400 million, to help fund early education, scholarships and school construction.
(Note: An earlier version of this story misstate the number of high poverty counties in the state, those with poverty populations higher than 20 percent. There are 24 | An earlier version of the map also included incorrect data for four counties, Macon, Madison, Martin and McDowell. That data has been corrected).
How do different counties compare?
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In the film based on the Dark Horse comic, veteran sheriff Roy Pulsifer (Jeff Bridges) has spent his career with the legendary police force known as R.I.P.D. tracking monstrous spirits who are cleverly disguised as ordinary people. His mission? To arrest and bring to justice a special brand of criminals trying to escape final judgment by hiding among the unsuspecting on Earth.
Once the wise-cracking Roy is assigned former rising-star detective Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds) as his junior officer, the new partners have to turn grudging respect into top-notch teamwork. When they uncover a plot that could end life as we know it, two of R.I.P.D.'s finest must miraculously restore the cosmic balance…or watch the tunnel to the afterlife begin sending angry souls the very wrong way.


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Turning on the oven in the summer is not the hindrance that I once thought. For the most part, most modern ovens are really good at heat containment, and in my home we happen to have central air. Not to mention we're not spending our time inside the house anyway; we're out enjoying the yard.
Inspired by cuttings from my potted oregano, I went seeking an herb bread with an emphasis on herbs. The one I chose, Bernard Clayton's Complete Book of Breads, served well with some modifications, the most significant of which was doubling the herb quotient. I wanted it really chock full of flavor.
Be sure to wash the fresh herbs really well. I soaked and swirled them in a large bowl, then rinsed for a good while. Lay the clean oregano on a towel and pat to remove moisture. I left it overnight like this, but in no way were these herbs dried in the traditional, long term sense. Using dried herbs would certainly require far less (perhaps half?) the amount needed.
Remove leaves and coarsely chop them; discard stems. Whatever you don't use for the bread can be further left to dry, of course, for your pantry.
When adding ingredients I added the oregano at the dry flour and dry yeast stage, before adding the hot water and olive oil. I also added dehydrated onion for extra kick. Next time I might try adding fresh, caramelized onions. I think they'd add moisture to the finished bread.
Another great thing about summer baking is resting the covered dough outside to rise, letting the warm weather work its magic on the yeast. You do need to be careful not to kill the yeast, by overheating. I read this quote recently from the collected essays of James Beard in his book, Simple Foods:
"... [temperatures] over 95 degrees can kill fresh, active yeast cells in live yeast ... granular yeast, on the other hand, requires water of [ and can withstand] higher temperature, from 110 to 115."
The same is true of the rising environment. Not too hot otherwise your yeast can accelerate rapidly, and the bread won't taste right without corrective measures. I'm not going to get into all of that today. Suffice it to say: be aware of temperatures and don't place dough directly in the sun.
Oregano Onion Bread *
- 1 packet dry yeast
- 3 1/2 cups bread or unbleached white flour
- 1 Tbl. sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 hot water (120-130 degrees, f.)
- 3 Tbl. olive oil
- 3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh oregano
- 1/4 cup dehydrated onion
- yellow cornmeal to coat
In a stand mixer combine all dry ingredients, including herbs and onions. Whisk well. Change to bread hook attachment. Add olive oil to hot water and with mixer running slowly, add water gradually in a steady stream. Allow bread hook to knead approx. 8-10 minutes 'til dough pulls away from the bowl and the sides are clean.
Form dough in a loose ball and place in a well oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap (or a moist towel if you prefer) to rise in a warm, shady spot for about 2 hours.
Remove risen dough to a board dusted in cornmeal, press and fold gently to remove large air pockets, form into a loaf and place in bread pan for the second rise of about an hour. Score with serated knife or razor blade.
Bake in pre-heated oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temp. to 350 for remaining 20 minutes. Bread is done when crust is golden and knocking on the top yields a hollow sound.
* modified from Bernard Clayton's six herbs bread
In the half an hour before dinner, as its scent drifted out from the kitchen the kids asked if we were having pizza. It had all the flavor of a rustic, fresh pizza with added crunch and crumble.
Apparently I'm a summer baking convert. Clearly happy gardeners make happy bakers. Let me know if you try my kid's latest favorite summer "pizza bread."


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It's probably pretty obvious by now that I'm what some may call a "cat person". I love cats. I love all animals. But I love cats. They hold a special place in my heart, even the troubled ones. And so I am biased. I'll admit that straight up.
Every day (weather permitting) Emory and I take a walk through Mcgolrick Park. There's a dog park right by the Driggs street entrance. We usually enter there, loop around, hit the playground for a bit and then loop back around and exit through the Driggs street entrance. We always walk by the dog park and I'll stop for a couple of minutes to show Em the dogs. He's so used to being around cats, I figured it's best to introduce him to a couple of the other 5,000 plus species of mammals. I've introduced him to Penn State bunnies, Mcgolrick Park squirrels, and several Brooklyn dogs. He's also met a few birds, which he speaks to by grunting.
Yesterday was not unlike every other day except that the sky threatened us with dark clouds. The ground was wet as were the swings so we were unable to hang out in the playground. I spent a few extra minutes watching the dogs instead.
I don't know a lot about dogs or dog parks because I haven't ever owned a dog. I do spectate, however. When I worked in the city and Tobyjoe and I rode our bikes to work, we'd meet every single day at the Union Square dog park where I'd watch the dogs interact with one another. I can't tell you what breed of dog believes in which law of butt-sniffing, or whom agrees with whom, but I get the feeling that a dog park holds more political heat than all the goings on on Capitol Hill.
There are the big dogs, the little dogs, the older dogs, the dogs that hump, the dogs that run from humping dogs. There are the dogs that avoid all other dogs. There are the dogs that want to hang out with all other dogs. There are friendly dogs, mean-looking dogs, dumb looking dogs and there are smelly dogs. There are dogs that cower, dogs that bark a lot, dogs that do nothing but run. There are dogs that want to just go home already! And there always seems to be one or two dogs that make all other dogs (and me) nervous, like, you just never know what they'll do if you look at them the wrong way.
And so yesterday whenever the medium-sized white dog attacked the brown dog by going right for its throat, I very nearly threw up from the stomach acid that bubbled up from my belly. And Emory had no idea what was going on. Suddenly, angry barks filled the playground and all hell broke lose. Little dogs ran in the opposite direction from the fight. The owners (two hipster couples) tried desperately to pry their dogs apart with very little luck. It took an uncomfortably long time for the man from one couple to pull his white dog from the brown dog. And all the while the male owner of the brown dog screamed, "NO!!! NOO!!!! NOOO!!!!" at the top of his lungs. And they weren't commands, he was pleading with whomever would listen. He was begging into thin air, trying to reason with angry dogs.
With humans, unless there's a weapon involved, a fight doesn't usually end in death. The way these dogs instantly went for the jugular, meant business and their business was with death.
I was stuck there, in space, watching. I couldn't close my mouth, look away; I couldn't move. It was terrifying, a truly horrific experience, one that brought tears to my eyes, one that will continue to haunt me for days.
Does this happen often at dog parks? Do owners constantly have to look out for the potentially troubled animal? Does the owner of the potentially troubled dog know that they're dog could very well freak out at any given moment? Do owners of small dogs worry whenever a larger dog comes around? Are there people who avoid the dog park altogether because they worry about fighting? Are these things dog owners know instinctively or do they learn over time?
Yesterday's incident was the second dog park dogfight I have seen in two weeks. The first one was less horrific because the owner of the dog being attacked was able to scoop his pup up before the other dog got a firm hold. That owner then promptly turned to the other couple and said, "Get your dog out of this park right now!"
Three weeks ago, I was out for a jog and I saw a dog suddenly stand up from a blanket and tackle a toddler who was running around with his mother in the park. The toddler was knocked down hard enough to warrant one of those silent screams. And the couple just yelled for the dog to return to their blanket. I would never hurt any animal, but if that had been my son, I am not sure what I would have done to that couple.
Either way, Em and I are going to have to find some other way to learn about dogs. Their unpredictable nature scares me too much.
And I'm reminded of why I don't think I want one right now.
Edited to add: I am not anti-dog. I don't have a huge amount of time to reread and edit my thoughts today sadly. I realize that's irresponsible of me. Sorry, folks! I have tried to clear up any possible miscommunication in the comments section.


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is combination of glass surfaces and modern TV with access to the Internet, signal connection of various devices.
There are a never-ending set of implement of such toy. That's why you don't find the two identical mirror tv. Each unit we produce to order, carefully examine the challenges that it will addresses and the premises in which it will be used. Creative design combined with high technologies make product unique different design option, trim body, screen size and the mirror surface, functional content.
TV integrated in the mirror are not only the godsend for the modern interior design it become a truly smart TV. You can use it both for the mirror and for work and play:
make a call using Skype and see friend and family on the super screen * download and look through the foto including from the mobile or use the TV is the mode of photo frame * use mirror tv as a huge computer monitor * to do sports in front of the mirror with the trainer on the screen * to connect any device like DVD the player, PlayStation, Apple TV, etc *
Visitors of hotel haven't enough only one comfortable conditions and warm welcome for a long time. They expect from stay in hotel to receive something bigger — what will allow them to feel the importance. And it brings hotel business to the new level of providing service.


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The Berkeley Arts Council is pleased to announce that Anna Hogbin will be instructing a series of classes in Introduction to Watercolor Painting. The class begins January 9 and continues for six weeks. It will be held at the Berkeley 2000 Recreation Center from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each Thursday. Registration is available online through January 2 at www.berkeleyartswv.org/instruction and the fee of $75 can be paid by credit card or Paypal.
Anna Hogbin is a well known teaching watercolor painter at the Valley Art Association in Hagerstown and elsewhere in the tri-county region. A life-time educator, Anna holds a BA in home economics from Shepherd University with emphasis on design and an MEd in counseling. Workshops with nationally known watercolorists added to her expansive knowledge and enabled her paintings to win top prizes at regional shows. Her work has been juried into regional exhibits as well.
Other classes being offered include Pottery and Handbuilding (Monday evening), Introduction to Oil Painting (Tuesday evening), Jewelry Design (Wednesday evening) and a class for Home School students in Art Exploration (Monday morning). For more information visit www.berkeleyartswv.org/instruction, email email@example.com or call304-262-1611.


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Members of Pantera, Shinedown, Papa Roach + More Remember Avenged Sevenfold's The Rev
Dec. 28 marks the second anniversary of the death of Avenged Sevenfold drummer The Rev. The stickman, born James Sullivan, died at the age of 28, due to an accidental overdose of a mixture of prescription drugs. An enlarged heart was suggested as another thing that could have factored into the kit minder's tragic and untimely death.


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GOD-Do You Know Him??
There are certain points we all need to understand about the heart of the Good News of Christ.
First, all are sinners and stand under the judgment of God. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, NIV). We might believe that we are good enough to win God's favor or that we can perform certain religious acts to counterbalance our bad deeds. But the Bible states that we are all condemned, for "there is no one righteous, not even one" (Romans 3:10, NIV).
Second, we need to understand what Christ has done to make our salvation possible. God loves us, and Christ came to make forgiveness and salvation possible. What did He do? He died on the cross as the complete sacrifice for our sins. He took upon Himself the judgment that we deserve.
Third, we need to respond to God's work. God in His grace offers us the gift of eternal life. But like any gift, it becomes ours only when we take it.
We must repent of our sins. Repentance carries with it the idea of confession, sorrow, turning and changing. We cannot ask forgiveness over and over again for our sins and then return to those sins, expecting God to forgive us. We must turn from our practice of sin as best we know how, and turn by faith to Christ as our Lord and Savior. "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV). Christ invites us to come to Him, and God has promised, "to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12, NIV).
Fourth, we must understand the cost of coming to Christ and following Christ. Jesus constantly called upon those who would follow Him to count the cost. A person must determine to leave his sins behind and turn from them. Some people may be unwilling to do so. And there may be other costs as well when we decide to follow Christ. In some cultures, a person who turns to Christ may be disowned by family, alienated from social life, imprisoned or even killed.
The ultimate cost of true discipleship is the cost of renouncing self: self-will, self-plans, self-motivations. Christ is to be Lord of our lives. Jesus declared, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23, NIV). Jesus does not call us to a life of selfish comfort and ease–He calls us to a battle! He calls us to give up our own plans and to follow Him without reserve–even to death.
Yes, it costs to follow Christ. But it also costs not to follow Christ. It cost the Apostle Paul the prestige of a high-level position in the Jewish nation. But he declared, "whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things" (Philippians 3:7-8, NIV). Christ calls men and women not only to trust Him as Savior, but also to follow Him as Lord.
Fifth, salvation is intimately linked to the cross. The man who hung there between two thieves was without sin. His virgin birth, by the miraculous intervention of the Holy Spirit, meant that He did not inherit a sinful human nature. Neither did He commit any sin during His lifetime. Mary gave birth to the only perfect child. He became the only perfect man. As such, He was uniquely qualified to put into action God's plan of salvation for mankind.
Why was Calvary's cross so special, so different from hundreds of other crosses used for Roman executions? It was because on that cross Jesus suffered the punishment for sin that we all deserve. He was our Substitute. He suffered the judgment and condemnation of death that our sinful nature and deeds deserve. "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV).
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, "I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2, NIV). Paul knew there was a built-in power in the cross and the resurrection.
I remember a meeting early in my ministry when I walked away from where I was preaching, disheartened and disappointed. A businessman who was with me asked me if I knew what was wrong. I couldn't put my finger on it until he told me. "Billy," he said, "you didn't preach the cross!"
He was right. The message had been theologically sound, and I had preached it as best I knew how. But that vital ingredient was missing. I learned my lesson. From that day to this, I have never preached an evangelistic message without pointing the listeners to the cross.
Finally, faith is essential for salvation. But we must be absolutely clear on what we mean when we speak of "salvation by faith."
There are various kinds of belief or faith, and not all are linked to salvation. In the New Testament, faith means more than intellectual belief.
It involves trust and commitment. I may say that I believe a bridge will hold my weight. But I really believe it only when I commit myself to it and walk across it.
Saving faith involves an act of commitment and trust, in which I commit my life to Jesus Christ and trust Him alone as my Savior and Lord.
Nothing can compare with all that is ours in Christ when we find salvation. Forgiveness. Justification. Adoption. Eternal life. What a glorious life the Gospel offers to those who are searching for purpose and meaning or to those who have found that materialism and sensual pleasure are not the answer to the deepest yearnings of the heart.
The crowning glory of salvation is promised when we enter into the presence of the King. We have a home in heaven reserved for us and awards that await us. No wonder the Gospel is "good news."
Unfortunately, many people today have distorted the meaning of salvation, saying that it means only political, social and economic liberation in this life. Certainly, Christians should be concerned about injustice and do what they can to promote a more just world. But lasting and complete liberation from social injustice will come only when Jesus Christ returns to establish His Kingdom. Biblical salvation is far deeper, because it gets to the root of our problem–the problem of sin. Only Christ can change the human heart and replace greed and hate with compassion and love.
I hope this message has helped you to understand what Jesus Christ has done to save us and what our response must be. If you are not sure that you are right with God, you can be sure–right now.
Remember, we must admit that we are sinners. We must turn away from our sins and to Christ. We must trust Him as our Savior and follow Him as our Lord. God promises that when we do this, He will save us and make us His children, and we will live with Him forever.
Will you turn to Christ now?
The Evangelical Covenant Church of Wausa is a family of faith, a community of like-minded people. It's a gathering place for the imperfect who seek to live their lives like Jesus Christ. Whoever you are, you're welcome.
Contact us
Phone: 402-586-2582
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
© 2020 / All Rights Reserved


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