text:
The aim of this Listserve to tap into the knowledge of our international pediatric community and share our clinical expertise to better serve or pediatric transplant patients. Simply put, it is a way to email a friend when in need. The aims of the ListServ are:
You can sign up to the ListServ if you are an active IPTA member. Simply login and the subscription will appear below or opposite.
If you have further questions, please reach out to Srinath Chinnakotla (firstname.lastname@example.com) or Katie Tait (email@example.com).
International Pediatric Transplant Association
International Headquarters
740 Notre-Dame Ouest
Suite 1245
Montréal, QC, H3C 3X6


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Gemini CDM-3250 Dual CD/MP3 Mixer Combo Player
Gemini's CDM-3250 CD Mixing Console is a powerful, cost-effective tool that provides easy-to-use track search and playback features across dual CD decks. Combining practical functionality with the control of a central mixer section, the CDM-3250 offers a versatile, all-in-one solution for mobile DJ rigs, as well as bar and club installations.
For flexible, hands-on control, the CDM-3250 boasts two independent jog wheels that allow you to search through a track, adjust a cue point and even pitch bend like a pro. Plus, a Pitch Control slider offers maximum control when beat matching, while a powerful Loop Section with Reloop enables you to take song-shaping creativity to the next level. And for maximum convenience, the CDM-3250 is compatible with audio CDs, CD-Rs and MP3-CDs.
Handy playback features like Single and Continuous play modes, along with Instant-start provide an outstanding level of flexibility. The unit also has a Program feature that supports playlist creation, so restaurant and bar owners can provide music for their customers without having to worry about controlling the unit. And for seamless performance night after night, the CDM-3250 features anti-shock with RAM buffer memory, ensuring external bumps and vibrations won't disrupt your performance.
The ability to create cue points quickly and easily, and preview those cues, enhances the unit's convenience, allowing you to craft a professional mix with ease and confidence. And for simple, swift navigation of songs, the CDM-3250 features a large, blue-backlit LCD screen that displays a variety of track information, including time, pitch value and track number.
Thanks to its central mixer section, the CDM-3250 offers great command with 2-band EQ, Gain Control and an array of inputs and outputs for connecting external tools like monitors, microphones, amplifiers, headphones and recording devices. A cross fader also lets you mix evenly from one source to another, giving your set that smooth, expert sound you crave.
With professional features and a robust, user-friendly design, the CDM-3250 bridges the gap between affordability and powerful functionality.Player Section:
- Audio CD, CR-R and MP3-CD compatible
- Anti-shock using RAM buffer memory
- Large blue-backlit LCD display
- Two selectable jog modes: Search & Pitch Bend
- Instant-start & Cue with Preview
- Fader-start capability
- +10 track button for quick navigation
- Single & Continuous play modes
- One seamless loop per side with reloop
- Pitch bend via job wheel or buttons: +/- 16%
- Three mode time selection
- Frame accurate search
- Rubber jog wheels with finger grips
- Variable pitch control with +/- 12% range
- 2-band EQ with Gain Control
- 1/4-inch headphone output
- XLR balanced outputs and 1/4-inch mic input
- Auxiliary inputs for Line devices

subset: commoncrawl


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Where are they now? Daryle Cardone GNA '89
December 23, 2016
Daryle Cardone is a 1989 GNA graduate who is now a Prospective Executive Officer of the Navy. After graduating from high school, Cardone went on to Wilkes University to earn a Bachelor of Music Education. He also holds a Masters of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He received his commission through the Officer Candidate School program in December of 1995. In addition, he has also graduated from the Navy Weapons Fighter School (TOPGUN), an Air Intercept Controller course, and the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS). He is currently in Charleston, South Carolina attending the Navy's nuclear power school after 21 years of service. Overall, Officer Cardone has over 2,800 flight hours, has made over 700 carrier-arrested landings, and has flown more than 120 combat missions during his career.
While at Nanticoke, CDR Cardone was involved in athletics during his freshman and sophomore years. He played both baseball and basketball. When he wasn't playing sports, he enjoyed math, history, biology, and music. During his junior year, he discovered his love for the electric guitar and Eddie Van Halen and went on to graduate from Wilkes University in the field of Music Education. While at Wilkes, the United States Navy offered him an opportunity he couldn't turn down — the chance to fly from an aircraft carrier. Cardone didn't need any more convincing to join the Navy, putting on hold his career with music. When The GNA Insider talked with Commander Cardone, he told us, "I like to joke that I am a musician turned aviation nuclear officer. I have been studying heavy metal my entire life, though these days it's more about the periodic table than Metallica." Cardone wasn't the first in his family to join the armed forces. His father and many of his uncles served in the military during both World War II and the Korean War. Throughout CDR Cardone's career, there have been many highlights of which he is proud. He is privileged enough to work with America's youth every day and has even broken the sound barrier. He is a highly decorated officer, having won many awards including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. Cardone has been to 5 continents and over 20 countries during his career. He also had the privilege to be in command of an aviation squadron. Although Cardone is extremely proud of all of his accomplishments while in the Navy, he believes that group accomplishments are more rewarding.
In high school, who was your favorite teacher? What was your favorite class?
My favorite teacher was Mr. Carey's dad, Jim Carey, who taught me history. I also enjoyed being in class with Mr. Greytok, who taught biology, Mr. Cooper, who taught music, and Mr. Bavitz, who taught math.
What is your biggest piece of advice for GNA students?
These next 5-10 years of your life are where you discover what you want your life to be about. My biggest piece of advice f or GNA students is to invest the time to find a problem worth solving, decide to do something about it, then go after it with everything you've got. That problem could be local to your neighborhood, your city, or it could be global. What you do about it could improve the lives of two people or two billion, so choose something that matters.
What was TOPGUN like?
Attending the Navy Fighter Weapons School, better known as TOPGUN, was an amazing experience. It was 10 weeks of total dedication to tactical excellence in the air. It began with intense focus on fundamentals, the formation of a winning game plan, a winning attitude, and championship habit patterns. In other words, it was like playing GNA sports.
What was breaking the sound barrier like? Would you consider it a highlight of your career?
As air intercept controllers, Hawkeye aircrew work very closely with the fighter pilots in our carrier air wings. That integration includes familiarization flights in each others' aircraft. On my second deployment, I flew in the backseat of an F-14 Tomcat from the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON. We did some air combat maneuvering (dog fighting), got some gas from an airborne tanker, and then the pilot said, "do you want to break the number?" (as in Mach number), which is what we call the speed of sound in military aviation. I said, "heck yeah!" He hit the afterburners and shortly thereafter we were above Mach 1. I thought something momentous was going to happen, but inside the jet, it's a little anti-climactic since the accompanying sonic boom can't travel fast enough to keep up with the jet. I consider it a notable moment.
What is life on an aircraft carrier like? Do you enjoy it?
Aircraft Carriers are floating cities complete with their own zip code, post office, airport, power plant, hospital, dental facility, convenience stores, jail, and even their own Starbucks. When stood up on their stern, they would stand as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City and are home to 5,000 Sailors and 70 combat aircraft when fully manned during deployment. My job as the Executive Officer will be as the #2 officer in command of the ship, which is a cross between city manager and assistant principal. I really enjoy flying and leading Sailors, but everyone misses home while they're deployed. I especially miss the pizza from Nanticoke and all of the polish food like pierogies and potato pancakes.
Has anything or anyone inspired you throughout your career?
Growing up, my father was my biggest inspiration. He was the hardest working person I've ever met. In addition to teaching full time at Northwest High School, he owned and operated Marty's Pizza in Nanticoke for almost 45 years before he retired and sold the business. From him, I learned how to develop a strong work ethic, to never settle for less than your best, and to treat the people you work with like family. That has served me well in the Navy. I am also inspired by the thousands of service members who have given their lives in the service of our great country during the last 15 years of conflict. I've been specifically inspired by LT Steve Zilberman, who was a squadron mate who sacrificed his life for the safety of 3 of his friends who were in the plane with him. Google his story, he's a true hero.
In your email, you stated that you are proud to work with America's youth every day. How do you do this?
The highlight of my career has been the privilege of working with some of the greatest people I've ever met who volunteer to wear the cloth of our nation, who go to far away places to do hard things for not a lot of pay without the comforts of home or family to ensure the country stays safe and secure.
All photos courtesy of Daryle Cardone.


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Large, weighted chess set 5.5"king (140mm). Hollow inside base for 3/4-10 nut (I used Hillman 150024 galvanized, 1 1/8" on flats (1.090act)). I paused printing at layer before form closes and install nuts. I cleaned up edges of nuts with file before installing. Pieces fit nicely on 2.5" square board. Standard competition board is 2.25" and would be crowded with pieces this large. Bought nice board from House of Staunton.
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Eaton Corporation is one of the many Asheville area employers struggling to fill their various open positions.
Angeli Wright, [email protected]
If you're a worker in this roaring economy, life looks pretty darn good right now — unemployment is at historic lows, wages are ticking up and companies are hiring like crazy.
But if you're a company trying to find enough of those workers, well, buckle up, buttercup.
"Locally, it's sort a war for for talent, that's for sure," said Mike Keenan, human resources manager at Eaton Corp., in Arden, a manufacturer of industrial electrical breakers and other equipment. "We are probably at an all-time high level in terms of the tightness of the labor market here in Western North Carolina."
More: Asheville's economy is increasingly tied to manufacturing. But is it sustainable?
That is no exaggeration. Human resources officials and managers at several local companies, as well as officials in the employment industry, said the local market is straining to provide enough workers to meet demand.
Local market struggling due to lack of workers
In one case, a McDonald's in Arden had to close on a recent Sunday due to a lack of workers. "Due to no staff we are closed until further notice," a sign on the door read.
On a recent weeknight at the Little Pigs Bar-B-Q restaurant on McDowell Street, 17-year-old Allen Crenshaw was busy chopping pork, wielding a cleaver like an old pro. Asked about his experience in landing a job, he cut to the essence of the local market.
"It's not too hard, because every job in Asheville is hiring," he said with a laugh.
A student who plans to get a two-year degree in auto mechanics, Crenshaw eventually wants to work on Volkswagens and Audis.
Allen Crenshaw, 17, works at the Little Pigs Bar-B-Q restaurant on McDowell Street in Asheville. Regarding his job search, Crenshaw said, "It's not too hard, because every job in Asheville is hiring." (Photo: John Boyle/[email protected])
Thousands of job openings in mountains
While his assessment of the local job market may be a little exaggerated, it's not far off the mark.
In the Asheville metro region, which includes Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood and Madison, job openings steadily outpace workers.
"At any point in time we've got anywhere in the neighborhood of 8,000-10,000 job openings," said Rick Elingburg, director of the NC Works employment office in Asheville. "It's been running that way fairly consistently over the last couple years."
Typically, statisticians consider "full employment" to be an unemployment rate under 5 percent, and Buncombe has been way under that for months on end. In September, the rate sunk to a state best of 2.4 percent.
It's a powerful trend.
"The Asheville metro has had the lowest monthly unemployment rate in the state — among all 15 North Carolina metros — for the last three and a half years, 42 consecutive months," said Tom Tveidt, an economist and founder of Syneva Economics in Asheville.
The August rate of 3.1 percent was the county's lowest since 1999.
"This is hardly surprising, as our local economy — both Buncombe and the Asheville metro — have been experiencing unbroken employment growth since early 2010," Tveidt said. "Buncombe has been adding about 2,600 net new jobs each year — the metro about 3,300 — since 2010."
Eaton employment up 25-30 percent
At places like Eaton, they're living that trend, holding frequent job fairs and offering better pay and benefits to attract and keep workers. Eaton's sales have grown about 30 percent from 2017 to this year, said Plant Manager Dave Mannebach, and that translates into a growing demand for workers.
"That's also grown dramatically," Mannebach said. "I would say, 25-30 percent (growth in workers), if you were to look at just the high-level numbers."
The 375,000-square-foot plant in Arden employs between 925-950 people now, and in early November they were looking to fill 35-40 jobs. The plant builds large electrical components such as motor starters, industrial breakers and huge electrical control panels for customers ranging from hospitals to high-tech data farms.
They take custom orders, with a team of engineers and designers creating items to specifications, with workers on the factory floor putting them all together. It's a start-to-finish operation — sheets of steel and copper coming into a warehouse, where workers and machines then bend and shape the raw materials, cut precision holes in them, build steel cases and then insert intricately wired and soldered components.
"We bend and punch about 5,000 pieces of steel and about 3,000 pieces of copper every day," Mannebach said. "That's a lot of steel and a lot of copper."
And that means they have a lot of jobs.
"In terms of openings right now we have multiple openings in all of our disciplines," Keenan said. "We're starting a second and a third shift, and we also have a weekend shift, and many of our openings are to support those kinds of opportunities."
Over the last year, Eaton filled 200 different openings, with 50 of them being in engineering.
"Quite frankly, we don't see an immediate end to the demand, and that's good for the local work force," Keenan said.
Eaton offers highly competitive wages, as well as a suite of benefits that include a retirement package, health insurance, reimbursement for tuition and a new benefit, four weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.
Eaton also offers flexibility to floor workers on shifts, and that was important to Krissy James, a 37-year-old single mother of four children, ages 8-15.
"Eaton was my best choice," she said. "They had very good benefits, and they offered a schedule for me to work with my family life."
A former Navy corpsman, James also took advantage of Eaton's outreach to veterans. She moved to North Carolina from New Mexico, where she earned an associate's degree in electronics, instrumentation and control.
She wanted to be in manufacturing and applied to several local companies.
"There's a lot of job offers," she said, noting that the process was a little tricky through the computer. "Job fairs were very helpful. I got more calls using job fairs than using the online application process."
Not far away, Amelia Wolthers, an assembler in Eaton's medium voltage control product line, was working on the wiring for a large motor starter for the oil and gas pipeline industry. The pumps have motors to keep the oil flowing, and Eaton's motor starters enable them to start up safely.
Wolthers has been with Eaton for about 18 months.
"I needed a change," Wolthers said. "I'd been doing hospitality about 20 years, and I just got burnt out on it. I was like, I just need something where I can work with my hands and work on something I can actually create. I like being creative outside of here, and I felt like manufacturing was a way to fulfill that passion in the meantime."
She's planning on making a career out of Eaton, as is James.
"I plan on going back to school next year," James said. "Eaton pays for your college courses. I'm going to reach for my bachelor's in engineering, maybe my masters's after that."
Besides boosting benefits, Mannebach said they also routinely monitor industry pay to make sure they're staying competitive.
Mission, Biltmore, Grove Park Inn also scrambling
Manufacturing is humming, and so is another staple of the mountain economy — tourism. At the Biltmore Estate, officials say they're up to about 2,500 workers, and they often find themselves competing with all sorts of industries, including construction, health care facilities and manufacturing, as workers have so many options now.
Visitation at the estate is peaking, at 1.4 million visitors a year, and that means they need more workers.
Chris Maslin, senior director of talent and organization development for Biltmore Estate, sounds a refrain that will sound familiar to a lot of local companies.
"In my tenure here, this is the tightest job market I've seen," said Maslin. "It's a great time if you're a job seeker. I started with Biltmore right before the recession dropped the bottom out. We've had this great climb back up, and Asheville has led the way."
Biltmore benchmarks its own internal employment rate, and the numbers of late have grabbed Maslin's attention.
"We've been in the 90-93 percent employment rate, and that's dipped down to about 89 percent," he said. "We feel like we're in the danger zone if that starts dipping in the mid-80s."
They're not there yet, but some departments are feeling the squeeze more than others. Biltmore has intensified its search for workers overall.
"We do find a lot of folks in the local region," Maslin said. "I think Asheville as a whole has really benefited from in-migration — people moving to the area, that's one thing that's really supporting our base. If we didn't have people moving here, we'd be in a really difficult situation."
Tveidt noted that since 2010, Buncombe's population has been growing at an annual pace of 1.2 percent, while employment has been growing at an annual pace of 2.2 percent. In the Asheville MSA, the population has been growing at 1 percent annually, while employment has been growing at an annual pace of 1.9.
"Our population growth is totally reliant on new people moving here, unlike most communities that also have net growth from having babies (the old fashioned way)," Tveidt said. "This is because we've been a baby-boomer magnet for the last decade or two, so our population is older and deaths exceed births."
Biltmore recruits primarily from within the state and then in the Southeast, but it also reaches out nationally and even globally at times. It too has focused more on veteran recruiting.
At Mission Health, which has 12,000 employees system-wide, the needs are just as intense. As of early November, Mission Health had 853 job openings, according to Tommasanne Davis, director of talent acquisition. While that sounds eye-popping, Mission averages between 700 and 1200 openings, "so this is about average," Davis said.
The hospital system is having trouble filling some jobs, including entry level support services roles, certified nursing aides, experienced registered nurses, nursing leadership and nursing specialty roles and clinical roles, which tend to be hard to fill. Night shift roles are also tougher to fill than day shifts.
Low unemployment and the tight job market has Mission competing with a lot of other companies for workers.
"For those in the $11-13 pay range, job seekers and job changers currently have a wide range of options in the service and hospitality industries that are similar to those support roles in health care," Davis said. "This trend is expected to continue, and possibly worsen, as we go into winter months when the job application process typically slows down during the during the holiday season."
Regarding pay, Davis said Mission's guidelines are "extremely competitive, and always based on local and regional market data." This year, Mission "has adjusted shift differentials for RNs, increased base pay of RN managers, and is making salary adjustments for CNAs," she said.
Mission also has sign-on bonuses for some of RN roles and for housekeeping jobs.
At the Omni Grove Park Inn, Human Resources Director Shelley Lewis said the inn has openings for room attendants, dishwashers, cooks, guest services and more.
"We recently held a job fair here at the resort and extended several offers to new employees the following day," Lewis said. "We are also participating in career fairs and speaking at several universities from Florida to New York."
They too monitor pay and benefit trends, and offer a wide range of perks, including some a little out of the ordinary, such as pet insurance, an in-house medical provider on site weekly, and "snow care," or day care for students out of school for winter weather.
So, are wages going up?
With demand for workers so high, economic theory would suggest that wages also should be going up considerably. And in some cases, they are.
That McDonald's that was closed because of a lack of workers? It had a sign out front in late November advertising starting wages at $11 an hour, well above the minimum of $7.25, a level at which few employers start workers at anymore.
More: McDonald's to spend $214M to modernize North Carolina restaurants
At the Brumit Restaurant Group, or BRG, which operates 53 Arby's restaurants in the Carolinas, Board Chairman Joe Brumit said they have to pay more to attract good workers. BRG's normal staffing runs between 1,200-1,500 employees.
"Our average wage is the highest it's ever been at this point, somewhere in the $11 an hour range, and they get benefits on top of that," Brumit said. "Fortunately for us, with our business model and operations, we don't needs as many people running the floor as McDonald's."
The Arden McDonald's is corporately owned. A spokesman could not be reached for comment.
Brumit doesn't consider the labor market to be in crisis mode yet, but he acknowledges that it's "getting more and more difficult to hire folks."
"I do know our wages have continued to rise, and we're having to pay more — and that's not a bad thing," Brumit said. "Instead of forcing people to pay double the minimum wage overnight, if you let the market drive it up and let business models adjust, business owners will figure out how to make that work."
Tveidt, the economist, said wages are rising in the mountains, but not as fast as other areas. Since 2013, the average annual increase in Asheville's average weekly wage is 2.5 percent. Compared to the state's other urban regions, that rate puts the Asheville region ninth among the state's fifteen metros.
It's also lower than the national growth rate of 3.1 percent and North Carolina's rate, 3.0 percent. Asheville places well behind state leader Hickory, at 3.8 percent, as well as Raleigh (3.1), Charlotte (3.0), Winston-Salem (2.8), Wilmington (2.8), Greenville (2.8), Burlington (2.7) and Rocky Mount (2.7).
The jobs with the highest growth in wages have come from the area's lower wage jobs, Tveidt noted, citing Accommodations & Food Services. With an average weekly wage of $368, it's the lowest wage industry sector, and its wages have been growing at an average annual pace of 4.2 percent over the last five years.
The local manufacturing sector, traditionally among the area's higher wage industries, with an average weekly rate of $1,047, saw average annual wages grow by just 1.8 percent.
At Biltmore, Maslin said pay is always under consideration, although the estate doesn't disclose specifics.
"We're always looking at it," Maslin said. "We hired a compensation specialist recently to look at how we can stay competitive, and we had adjustments made that certainly have helped us."
Like other employers, Biltmore has also made sure to keep its benefits package comparable or better than other local companies, even offering employees assistance on buying a first car or home. They also emphasize making a career out of the estate.
That's the same philosophy Eaton is using, Keenan said.
"Obviously, with unemployment somewhere in the range of 2.8, 2.7 percent here in WNC, it's a very limited labor market to begin with," Keenan continued. "So I think we, as all employers, need to be creative, we need to have significant outreach to recruit, identify and attract prospective new employees."
Booming market for workers, by the numbers:
- 2.4 percent — Buncombe County unemployment rate for September, 2018.
- 8,000-10,000 — Number of job openings in the Asheville metro area Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood and Madison.
- 3,300 — Number of jobs the Asheville metro area has added, on average, each year since 2010.
- 2.5 percent — Average annual increase in Asheville's average weekly wage, since 2013.
Sources: Syneva Economics, NC Works Asheville office
Read or Share this story: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2018/12/11/asheville-workforce-unemployment-companies-lack-employment-talent-workers/1832756002/
Source link Google News


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Senior Director, Product
General Manager, Ed-Tech
Senior Director, Product Marketing
Account Director, eSports
Product Lead, Digital Media
The Hired Guns made me feel "represented" as a unique creative talent. It opened up a whole world of new possibilities for me. I would highly recommend them to any creative who can appreciate a recruiting process that's tailored specifically for them.


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Citizens of Inglewood and Americans throughout this nation will be voting on Nov. 3 in the general election as if their life depends on it because with the coronavirus pandemic raging to heights not yet seen, it really does.
In Inglewood, coronavirus cases have spiked to 3,602 and the mortality has reached 98, forcing the hand of legislators to tamper down on opening schools, businesses and handicapping an already shrinking economy to the brink of a recession.
Nationwide the pandemic had fallen into red alert in all but 13 states with cases toppling 8,752,794, and deaths trolling beyond 215,085 at an average of 72,183 new cases daily at press time.
Local governments with exhausting resources are left to fend for themselves during the worst health crisis in over a century as an inept federal government has failed to provide any stimulus relief for its vulnerable citizens.
The pandemic coupled with racial divisions, escalating injustice among law enforcement and widening schisms between our two dominant political parties has elevated the urgency of casting your ballot.
The traditionally blue state of California will overwhelmingly vote Democrat and former Vice President Joseph Biden is hoping to ride a wave of anti-Trump supporters to an election landslide that could end up in a now conservative tilted Supreme Court.
Locally, two races are drawing anticipated attention. The race for 43rd Congressional District between novice Republican Joe Collins and veteran Maxine Waters and the 2nd District Los Angeles County Supervisors race between Dems Holy Mitchell and Herb Wesson.
Collins barely beat his Republican foe in the primary, but has since been stockpiled with a rash of cash surpassing $8 million, thus forcing Waters to run the race for her political life. She had been outspent 8-1 at press time, but is expected to survive to be reelected.
Meanwhile, Mitchell has been casting her bet with white liberals and conservatives in Culver City and has been receiving unexpected streams of cash that has made the race a toss up.
Wesson, the veteran lawmaker who is the former powerful Los Angeles City Council President, has been active in a grassroots campaign during the pandemic that has kept him as a frontrunner, but it appears to be a dogfight and too close to call at press time.
State legislators Seven Bradford in the Senate and Autumn Burke in the Assembly is essentially shoe-ins, as are Inglewood Councilman Eloy Morales and newcomer Dionne Faulk who are running unopposed.
Two candidates are vying for Inglewood City Clerk to replace the retired Yvonne Horton, but Deputy City Clerk Aisha L. Thompson is expected to defeat Deandre Warren, a Mental Health Specialist.
Bundles of money are pouring in on Propositions 15-25.
Among the most hotly contested are 15 which requires commercial and industrial properties to be taxed based on market value and dedicates revenue; 21 which expands local governments' power to use rent control; 22 which considers app-based drivers to be independent contractors and enacts several labor policies related to app-based companies.
The pandemic and the ongoing threat of contesting the election results by the enigmatic President Donald J. Trump has infused early voter turnout after voter apathy in 2016 was responsible for him being elected to the oval office in the first place.


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Shipping & Tracking Information
- Carrier Shipping Delays Notice
- When will my order ship?
- Can I edit my shipping address?
- My order already shipped, can I change my address?
- What if I entered my address incorrectly?
- My order appears to be lost in transit, what should I do?
- Return to Sender Information
- International Shipping Information


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Did you know that to be buried facing West is symbolic for facing freedom? When is it appropriate to cry for a deceased loved one in Irish tradition? What does it mean when stones and coins are left on gravesites? Find out the answers to these questions along with Jennie and Dianne as they explore ordinary, extraordinary burial customs and cemetery traditions throughout America and the world on this week's episode of the Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery.
🕰 sources for this episode include:
Keister, Douglas. Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography. Gibbs Smith, 2004.
"African Burial Ground." www.nps.gov. 5 June 2020, www.nps.gov/afbg/index.htm. Accessed 1 Nov. 2020.
" Cemetery Traditions." http://www.colorado-cemeteries.com. www.colorado-cemeteries.com/cemetery-traditions.html. Accessed 1 Nov. 2020.
"Irish Wake Funeral Service Rituals ." https://www.funeralwise.com. www.funeralwise.com/customs/irishwake/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2020.
" African American Funeral Service Rituals." https://www.funeralwise.com. www.funeralwise.com/customs/african_american/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2020.
McCrae, John. "In Flanders Fields." https://www.poetryfoundation.org/. www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47380/in-flanders-fields. Accessed 1 Nov. 2020.


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Sequence Diagram Editor is a tool for creating call flows and UML sequence diagrams from textual descriptive inputs about an object. Your output will be faster with this program because you do not have to take care of the layout or any formatting as this is done automatically, unlike in other WYSIWYG applications.
You can insert or remove objects by the simple procedure of inserting or deleting a line from the input text. Also there are lifelines and messages throughout the procedure with which you can avoid dragging and dropping objects onto the canvas. It has a simple and intuitive interface. PDF or RTF are the various formats to which the diagrams can be exported to by this application, or you can print them out. There is an Image Export option with which you can create PNG (Portable Network Graphics) images for a set of diagrams in the system file. For use in HTML documents, standalone images of diagrams can also be exported. You can leave on-diagram comments, which can represent conditions or loops. Different drawing elements like states, action, timers and scenarios are also supported in this program.


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ORLANDO, Fla. – A couple who recently moved from Connecticut to Central Florida has become the latest victim of a national multi-billion-dollar real estate scheme dubbed Business Email Compromise.
Aimee and Michael Ferla admit they were fooled by email messages last month that appeared to be from the title company hired to handle the closing of their home in De Leon Springs.
[TRENDING: WATCH AGAIN: SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch from Florida | Merritt Island homecoming king gives crown, sash to classmate | Become a News 6 Insider]
"I sent the wire on Sept. 6, we signed all the closing documents on Sept. 7 and then Sept. 8 I was notified by the title company that the money was never received," Aimee told News 6. "$18,000, my life savings, gone."
Their money was transferred to a bank account in Texas. Investigators are working to track the people behind the deception.
The Ferlas are not alone, according to the Global Investigative Operations Center. Real estate victims lost $5 million in Business Email Compromise incidents last Friday alone, data shows.
Stephen Dougherty, a financial investigator and financial analyst with the U.S. Secret Service, has been assigned to GIOC to track U.S. real estate and global fraud cases.
Dougherty told News 6 the imposters gain a victim's trust by accessing key information through email chains and the dark web.
"They'll intercept an email trail, 19-20 email messages going back and forth, copy and paste all that so you're like, 'Yeah, this is definitely my realtor and title company,'" he said.
The Ferlas said no one involved in the closing wants to help them recoup their money.
Their bank is reviewing the timing of when the Ferlas actually placed a recall request for the funds that could determine if the institution will issue the lost money.
News 6 has shared the Ferlas documents and email with the Global Investigative Operations Center and Michigan-based CertifID.
Tom Cronkright, co-founder and executive chairman of CertifID, told News 6 higher interest rates means higher amounts of cash down on properties exposing "more cash at risk" for home buyers in Florida and across the country.
"You have multiple parties in a transaction that are coordinating on either side," Cronkright said. "You put that all together and unfortunately, it's a perfect cocktail for this type of a scam."
Cronkright told News 6 he was a victim of a business email compromise in 2015. He lost $180,000 in a property closing to an international gang operating in Nigeria.
"It is incredibly prevalent right now in real estate," He said, "You can determine who owns every piece of property in the U.S. through an open public search so it's not hard to identify who the fraudster would need to gain access from an email account."
If you have a real estate issue, email email@example.com.
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Rain, rain go away! They say April showers bring May flowers… let's just say we will be having the most gorgeous blooms in NY. It has been raining so much lately and the wind is not slowing down either. Easter Sunday was so beautiful and sunny, my kids got to enjoy some outdoor time, riding bikes on our street and jumping in the bounce house.
We have been going stir crazy today, being stuck indoors and most likely still on a sugar high from yesterday's Easter baskets. I have been doing arts & crafts, movies and play dough activities to keep them busy but they were not into it today. Reese asked me for a piece of candy… and it made me think of another fun way for kids to stay busy. They love being involved in the kitchen with cooking and baking. I have a killer brownie recipe, but sadly I am missing some ingredients. So we decided to make blondies instead. And better yet… made it more fun by adding the leftover Easter candy to the mix. I'm sure you all have your go to blondie recipe, I have been using this one for years. Can't really take credit for it, as I found it on Pinterest at some point. I made small changes based on what ingredients I have on hand. But if you have a great recipe, please share, I'd love to try it!
Get The Kids Involved
My kids are 4 and 9. Grant had so much fun counting the candy pieces and unwrapping the candies. He also did some sampling, haha.
Reese is my big girl she helped with stirring the dry ingredients, and then the wet ingredients. Adding dry to wet was a bit challenging because the batter is pretty thick but she did great.
They were both excited to help and patiently waited an entire 20 min right next to the oven until the blondies were done. The blondies are yummy, but this was about spending time with my kids and keeping them busy. It was a fun and easy rainy day activity with minimal cleanup – no mixer, and I tossed everything in the dishwasher.
Leftover Candy Blondie Recipe
- 1 cup all purpose flour (I use King Arthur)
- 1/2 tsp of baking powder
- 1/4 tsp of baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup of light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract (Nielsen Massey Madagascar is my favorite)
- 1/3 cup butter (unsalted and melted)
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Oil (spray to coat)
- leftover candy (chopped – about 1 cup)
- Mix all the dry (flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt) ingredients. I guess a professional would say "sift" to break up clumps and add air to the flour, but I can honestly say I have never done that while baking (and I make some delicious desserts). I usually mix with a whisk or fork.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg until blended. Next add brown sugar, vanilla and melted butter. Stir until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir only until blended. I heard it's not good to over-stir while baking.
- Add the chopped candy. We always have so much candy around the house but with self-isolation and social distancing we were running low on inventory. We used whatever Easter candy was left. In our case all we had were mini chocolate eggs from Hershey and mini Twix bars. But any candy will do.
- Line 2 qt baking dish – I use 8×8 glass pan with parchment paper or foil. I only had aluminum foil on hand. Make the piece longer so it hangs over the dish (makes it easy to remove from the dish). Spray the foil with oil or you can grease with butter.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Baking time may vary based on your oven, so just keep checking until the top is light brown. I set the timer for 20 and add a minute or 2 if needed. Also, I always rotate the dish half way through baking time. My oven tends to get hotter in the back and otherwise one side would be more crispy than the other.
- Remove from the oven, let sit for few minutes. Then transfer on a cooling rack. Wait until completely cool then cut into small squares.
- Enjoy! P.S: John suggests serving these with vanilla ice cream! Yum
When I have other ingredients I plan on making my brownie recipe with peppermint patties (this is the only other chocolate in the house, which I didn't think would go well with this recipe).
Thank you so much for visiting Blushing Rose Style! Hope you enjoyed this recipe.


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the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
Bible Commentaries Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary Preacher's Homiletical
Verses 1-6
Exodus 19:1. The Wilderness of Sinai.]—Sinai is the "proper name of the granite mountain in the Arabian Veninsula, rendered famous by the Mosaic legislation. It consists of three large summits, of which the north-eastern is called Horeb, the south-western that of St. Catherine. 'The Wilderness of Sinai' is the wilderness about Sinai, and particularly the plain of Sebayeh, south of Gibel Mûsa." (Fürst.)—
Exodus 19:3. Thus shalt thou say.]—There is something peculiarly beautiful in this message to Israel. (a) Its poetical form strikes the ear as well as the eye if printed, as it ought to be, in parallel lines. (b) The graciousness of its tenor goes straight to the heart: "Ye have seen what I did … now therefore." Benefits already bestowed are urged as a motive to consecration. (c) Its position at the commencement of the Divine announcement is an introductory proposal to Israel, eliciting Israel's first response—being, as we may term it, "the first time of asking," prior to the ratification of the covenant (ch. Exodus 24:3; Exodus 24:7). (d) Its lofty aim, namely, that of securing a holy, obedient "people," and consecrating them as "a kingdom of priests" on behalf of all the earth, for which Jehovah thus shows His care. Note especially, how much light is here thrown upon the meaning of the Hebrew berith in its loftiest application, as truly signifying COVENANT; and, further, the grace of Jehovah, in that, even here, where He appears in terror as Lawgiver, He makes way for His sovereignty by the most exquisite tenderness and love.
Exodus 19:5. Peculiar treasure. "Heb., çeghullah = property, possessim, i.e., that which one embraces, encloses. (Fürst.) The Sept. has periousios = "abundant, opulent; peculiar, eminent." The language is that of one who has many valuables, but brings out one as his special delight. For all the earth is mine.]—The point of this clause is apt to be lost, until, with the proper emphasis laid on the pronoun "mine," the contrast is carried forward by the adversative conjunction "but," which in this case is required.
"For MINE is all the earth;
But YE shall become mine as a kingdom of priests," &c.
The specialty of pure Hebraism and the narrowness of Pharisaic Judaism are utterly opposed to each other. Jehovah's care for all nations is ever and anon gleaming out in the Hebrew Scriptures. Even here in Israel's betrothal it is not forgotten.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Exodus 19:1-6
I. The recital of His works. The works recited are these:—What He did to the Egyptians for the sake of Israel, His people; how He bore His Church on eagles' wings; how He bought His people to Himself. Every Christian can understand this: I defy any one else to do it. There is a spiritual import in all these expressions which none but the converted can understand. The child of God can enter into all this. God hath borne him on eagles' wings, delivering him from worse than Egyptian bondage. "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son; in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins."
II. The proposals of His love. The two things that God Almighty, by His servant Moses, urges upon the people, are these. First, "If ye will obey My voice indeed:" do not mistake the matter, every word has its meaning:—"If ye will obey My voice indeed." They were to follow God at all risks, heedless of consequences: determined to obey Him, though all the world should frown, or hiss, or should persecute. Israel was also to keep the covenant of God. "If ye will keep My covenant." It may be said that it was a national covenant; and I admit that to a great extent it was a national covenant. All must admit that who examine the matter; but I must affirm that it was something more than this. Yes, it had respect to a Saviour, to an approach to God which now, through infinite mercy, is offered to you and to me. There are two grand characteristics of a Christian wherever you meet with him, that by God's help he is willing to follow God's voice at all risks; and that he shall lay hold on the cross as the only means whereby sinful man can approach God.
III. The promises of His grace. Now this promise contained in the text is the most remarkable in the Bible, "Then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine." Oh, what a bold word to utter! If the word had come out of other lips, it had been the greatest blasphemy ever uttered; but coming from God, it is the language of truth and soberness. "All the earth is Mine." O Christian! do not be afraid! The very world in which you live, with all its treasure, with all upon its surface, with all beneath its surface, belongs to God. Now, though all the earth be His, He says, "Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people." The Israelites were never great as a commercial people; they were never great as a maritime people; they were never great in war, except, indeed, in the early stage of their history, when, in fact, God fought for the people, and they had little to do but to take possession of what God had given them. But they were a peculiar treasure to God; and still that people have mercies in store for them. The Bible teems with promises of the restoration of the Jews. The poorest saint is a treasure to the Lord. We do not know how to set a value upon moral excellence, upon spiritual greatness, but God does: "They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels."
1. What actually became the state of the Jews? How far was this promise fulfilled? The Jews were, to a certain degree, for a long time, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. While all other nations, the whole world around them, was in a state of pagan darkness, the lamp of life and truth shone forth in Israel. A succession of patriarchs, and then of prophets, and then of priests, was vouchsafed; and God's truth was perpetuated among the people, and they were, to a great degree, a kingdom of priests, and a holy people.
2. What was it that caused it to come to pass that this promise was never completely fulfilled, that it never has yet been completely fulfilled to the Jews? Because the people left off to hear God's voice, and left off to keep God's covenant. They went after dumb idols. They left the God of all their mercies. Hence the promise has never been fully realised.
3. How far this promise, together with these proposals, may be considered as fairly bearing upon the state and upon the future prospects of the Christian Church. With all our improvements in science, we are a degenerate people as to the service of God. We must be more regular in the worship of God, in private devotion, in family prayer. Let us make the most of our exalted privileges.—Rev. T. Mortimer in The Pulpit.
Exodus 19:1-6. Months and days from Egyptian bondage are fit to be recorded.
Days are set by God for the progress and rest of the Church.
From Rephidim to Sinai, or from trials to rest, God removes His Church.
The camp of the Church and the Word of God are sweetly joined together.
In covenant making with God there is need of a mediator.
God's call alone can qualify or authorise a mediator between Him and sinners.
It is incumbent on the mediator to declare fully God's mind to His people.
A due recognition of God's gracious acts for souls against enemies is a good preparation to receive His law.
God's securing providence as well as selecting a people to Himself prepares them to hear His covenant.
God's covenanted people are His peculiar treasure in the world.
Royalty, near communion with God, and sanctity, are the privileges of God's peculiar ones.
The needs of duty and privilege must be spoken and made known to the Church.
We would remark that as soon as God had erected the framework of this body politic, He gave His subjects laws—His own laws. He did not allow any man to lay down a rule for His own conduct or for His own worship. He did not allow these people to think they could be independent of Him, but He brought them to this wilderness where they had evidence in abundance that their God was the God of Providence and the God of power; and now He was about to teach them another lesson, that He was the God to whom they were amenable. "I said it was interesting to mark the order in which these events occurred. It is false doctrine, though almost universally received, that it is God's method to bring the sinner under subjection by moulding his heart into obedience by some repenting process as it were, and afterwards, when the man becomes worthy, then to bestow upon him His choicest gifts. There never was more unsound teaching, brethren. God takes the sinner just as he is; and according to the riches and sovereignty of His own grace, makes him a recipient of mercy; and after He has brought him into His fold—alter He has taken him under the shelter of His own wing, He writes His law upon the fleshly tables of that sinner's heart."
—W. H. Krause, M.A.
"You will observe, in the first place, that every man is thus taught his accountability to God. Do what you will, you cannot escape that accountability. It seemed as if God brought the people of Israel into the solitude of that wilderness that each man might, in the nakedness of his own soul, stand before God and hear His law. It has been said with much solemnity by a good man, that in the present time men hide themselves in the crowd, but in the day of judgment every man must stand alone, as if he saw or knew no one and nothing but himself and his own transgressions.
Exodus 19:5. "For all the earth is Mine."
I. God's assertion of universal possession in the earth.
1. Nations.
2. Lands.
3. The animal and vegetable kingdoms.
II. God's assertion excludes every other being from universal possession.
1. It is not man's earth.
2. It is not the devil's.
3. It does not belong to any created intelligence.
III. God's assertion should awaken confidence in His saints and terror in sinners.
1. All forces are under His control.
2. Everything that is not of Him must fail.
3. His possession of the earth will be fully manifest in the end.
Divine Motive! Exodus 19:1-5. Exotic flowers or foreign plants, if seeded on the mountainside, or inserted in the meadow amongst the promiscuous herbage growing there, soon become choked and disappear. Those who wish to preserve the flaming glories of the Cape, or the rich fruits of the tropic, must provide a garden enclosed—must keep out the weeds and ruffian weather. And so God, anxious to preserve "His Holy Law," fenced in the Hebrew nationality. He secluded them, and walled them in, and made them, as it were, His own conservatory—a conservatory where Divine truth should survive uninjured until Messiah should come.
"We are a garden walled around,
Chosen and made peculiar ground;
A little spot enclosed by grace
Out of the world's wide wilderness."
Divine-Presence! Exodus 19:3. Greenland says that hunters once went out and found a revolving mountain, and that, attempting to cross the chasm between it and the firm land, some of these men were crushed as the mountain revolved. But they finally noticed that the gnarled, wheeling mass, had a red side and a white side. They waited till the white side came opposite them; and then, ascending the mountain, found that a king lived on its summit—made themselves loyal to him, surrendered themselves to him affectionately and irreversibly, and afterwards found themselves happy in his presence. There was but one way of approach to the "Mount of Awe," and by that path Moses entered into Jehovah's presence without fear. Along that "new living way" Gentile sinners pass to God. It is the King's highway, for through Christ, who is our peace, both Jew and Gentile have access by one Spirit unto the Father. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by ME."
"Thou art the Way, the Truth, the life;
Grant us that Way to know,
That Truth to keep, that Life to win,
Whose joys eternal flow."
Mountain-Eagles! Exodus 19:4. Arabia is a region of mountains and magnificent bluffs; bare of verdure and destitute of streams of living water. Amid these granite cliffs the eagles make their nest; and high above their frowning peaks these noble birds wheel in majestic flight. So that this figure, "borne on eagles' wings," must have been full of deepest significance. M'Cheyne, when visiting a synagogue in Tarnopol—one of the finest towns of Austrian Poland—witnessed a procession of the law, in which he observed a standard embroidered with the Austrian eagle, and bearing these words, "I bear you on eagles' wings." During the eagle-like career of Alexander the Great, he had occasion to attack the Sogdians. These people dwelt amid huge mountain rocks and refused to surrender. When threatened by the Macedonian conqueror, they replied that they feared not his soldiers until they were "borne up on eagles' wings." The eagle soars the highest, and is the most majestic in its aerial courses. God, as it were, bears up His people on these mighty wings, so that they are above all obstacles and hindrances. As no bird can rise higher than the eagle, so none can get above God's children when He thus enables them to mount up with wings as eagles (Isaiah 40:31).
"While on this vantage-ground the Christian stands,
His quickened eye a boundless view commands;
Discovers fair abodes not made with hands—
Abodes of peace."
Divine Republics! Exodus 19:5-9. When the freed negroes arrived on the West Coast of Africa, as the Republic of Liberia, they received certain laws and regulations. These were established amid the firing of cannon, the flaunting of flags, and the flashing of firearms. But when Jehovah constituted the legislation of Israel's Divine Republic, the eye was arrested by darkness that defied the gaze, and by lightning and tempest that played about the summit of Sinai, while the ear was thrilled by the trumpet-blast, and appalled by the thunder. The great mountain rocked to and fro, and burned like a furnace. Then, piercing through cloud and camp, was heard the trumpet-blast pealing out above the thunder, that "the laws of the Divine Republic were about to be promulgated." Glorious was this Divine legislation ceremony! The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them. From His right hand went a fiery law for them: Deuteronomy 33:2.
"The terrors of that awful day, though past,
Have on the tide of time some glory cast."
Verses 7-25
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Exodus 19:7-24
The subject of this paragraph is God's revelation of Himself,—the call to receive it, the manner in which it was made.
I. When God reveals Himself man is summoned to attend. This is uniformly God's method. First the call, then the revelation. "Hear, O Israel," then, "the Lord thy God is one Lord." "This is My beloved Son, hear ye Him," then the New Testament dispensation. This was "one of the sundry times and divers manners" in which "God spake to the fathers by the prophets." Moses was His minister here. "In these last days," He "hath spoken unto us by His Son." The aim of Moses is to call Israel's attention to God. So Christ, in answer to the prayer, "Show us the Father," says, "I am the way," &c. Moses was a type of the ministry of the Son of Man, and an example to Christian ministers in the manner in which he summoned men to God. He spoke—
1. Authoritatively. "Moses came and called for the elders of the people." He spoke for God. He knew that he spoke for God. His message was no trivial speculation of his own about which there might be two opinions. God's truth, his own conviction of it, and its great importance, invested him with authority.
2. Clearly. He "laid it before their faces." In order for a declaration to be clear, the speaker must see it clearly himself, or he will never make it plain to his hearers. He who has never seen Christ will never be able to proclaim Him to others. In order to see a thing clearly one must contemplate it for a sufficient length of time, till all its points and bearings are fully understood. Then, in order to convey it clearly to others, an intellect capable of more or less concentrated thought and power of distinct articulation are indispensable. All these qualifications Moses possessed in an eminent degree.
3. Completely. "All these words." This needed courage; a weak man would have suppressed or toned down what was likely to be unpalatable. Memory, unselfishness, fidelity, a habit of accurate statement, and a sense of the vast importance of his message. Peter, "All the words of this life." Paul, "I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God."
4. Successfully.
(1.) It was successful in producing the desired effect upon the people (Exodus 19:8). This is the true test and seal of a faithful ministry. If men will deliver "all the words of the Lord" without adulteration in all their Divine power, they will do their appointed work. The result may not be seen, but that is God's matter (Ecclesiastes 11:1; Isaiah 55:10-11).
(2.) It was successful in securing the people's confidence; "that the people may … believe Thee for ever." Another test and seal of a faithful ministry. Men will honour those who honour the truth. Men will trust those who are true to their own convictions. All workers for God should aim at these elements of success. "Seals for their ministry and souls for their hire" and the confidence of their fellow-men.
5. Moses spoke for the people to God. "Moses told the words of the people back to God." So does Christ combine our poor prayers with the mighty eloquence of His intercession.
II. When God reveals Himself man must be prepared for the revelation (Exodus 19:10-15). This is natural. Men prepare themselves for a visit from their fellow-man. Much more so should man be prepared for the revelation of God. It were an insult to receive any superior otherwise; much more so when that superior is God (Ecclesiastes 5:1). In order to be prepared man must—
1. Attend to the herald who proclaims God's coming. It was Moses in this instance. God announces Himself through many agencies. His Son, His Spirit, His Providence, His Word, the means of grace, the Christian ministry, &c., are ever telling man to "prepare to meet" his "God." Hence the importance of treating them with due respect. Learning and dignity sink into insignificance before the humblest of God's messengers (Hebrews 12:25).
2. Man must be prepared by personal sanctification. "Sanctify them." "And Moses … sanctified them." Sanctification in its Biblical sense means—
(1.) Separation from sin; for only "the pure in heart shall see God."
(2.) Separation to God, or else God cannot be seen. These two ideas must never be disassociated. There can be no real separation from sin which is not at the same time separation to God. Some men deny this, and call the outcome of their discipline virtue and morality. But these are only artificial flowers, fading and perishable, without life, having no root in the ground of true virtue, and no spring in the source of true morality. On the other hand, no amount of asceticism, praying, psalm singing, or ecstasy will impart sanctity to a life which harbours or practises any form of sin. "Wherefore come out from among them," &c. (2 Corinthians 6:17).
3. Man must be prepared by a ready acquiescence in all that God commands. Some of the commands here indicated may seem trivial; but they are not really so. They involve great principles, and that God commands them invests them with importance. One of the first was personal cleanliness. Discomfort, disease, death, are God's retribution on those who deem this trivial. Again, they were not to presume to over step a prescribed boundary. Those who would enjoy God's revelation of Himself must remain humbly and patiently in the sphere which God sees fit to appoint.
4. Man must be prepared at the appointed time. "Be ready against the third day."
(1.) God has now appointed times in which He promises to reveal Himself to men. The Lord's day. All times of duty and religious privilege. Let no man be unprepared, or plead excuses, or make other engagements. "Be not deceived, God is not mocked."
(2.) God has now appointed times which He has not chosen to reveal. Death, judgment. We "know not the day nor the hour when the Son of Man cometh." Hence the wisdom of immediate and constant preparation. "Watch and pray." Ten virgins. "Blessed is the man who, when his Lord cometh," &c.
III. When God reveals Himself it is in a manner suited to the occasion. It was necessary that He should speak to men who for years had been surrounded by idolatrous associations, and who had become debased by years of servitude, in a most solemn, startling, and impressive form. God has other methods than those employed here. Abraham, Elijah. Bethlehem, Pentecost, Patmos, &c. So in each individual case.
1. God here revealed Himself in a cloud, luminous, but still a cloud. So He does now in many instances. Doubt, adversity, depression. But every cloud is luminous that has God in it. Christians, therefore, should not "fear to enter into the cloud."
2. God revealed Himself within a Divine enclosure (Exodus 19:12-13). So He does always. God ever says, "Hitherto shalt thou go and no further (Job 38:11). Hence the sinfulness of undue speculations about the Divine existence—of spiritualistic prying into the mysteries of the unseen world (Deuteronomy 29:29). God has made all things plain that are necessary to life and godliness. Let us be satisfied with that.
3. God revealed Himself with terrible manifestations of His power. It was needful under the circumstances. It is often needful now. It is perilous for man to prescribe to God. He could be as tender in His dealings with His people then as He usually is now (Deuteronomy 1:30; Deuteronomy 1:33; Psalms 103:0; Isaiah 54:0). And God never, under the Old Testament dispensation, revealed Himself more terribly than He has through loving lips in Matthew 24:0; Matthew 25:0; Matthew 2:0 Thess., Hebrews 12:28-29, Jude and Revelation, and in some of the events of modern history.
4. God revealed Himself after He had minutely ascertained that all preparations were complete (Exodus 19:21-25). This reveals to us God's careful attention to detail, and affords us many thoughts for edification and comfort. He studies the safety of His people. It is for their temporal and eternal safety that there is so much minute detail in the dispensation of—
(1.) Creation (Isaiah 40:12-31).
(2.) Providence (Matthew 6:25-30).
(3.) Grace. Promise in the garden, types, prophecies, incarnation, crucifixion, Pentecost, means of grace, ministry, &c. Learn then:
1. To listen when God speaks. Faith has a faculty not only of sight but of hearing.
2. When God calls obey that call, and be prepared for the public revelation which that call precedes. "God now commandeth every man to repent" (2 Corinthians 7:1).
3. Receive God's revelation of Himself in His own way.—J. W. Burn.
A COMMENDABLE ENGAGEMENT, RASHLY MADE, AND REPEATEDLY BROKEN.—Exodus 19:8
The covenant between God and Israel was, in general, made at this time. Its particulars were entered into subsequently (Exodus 30:27-28). A clear and correct idea of how the term covenant is here used is important. When applied to relations subsisting between God and man, the word is evidently used by way of accommodation; because man is in no respect in the position of an independent covenanting party in relation to God. He cannot say upon what terms he will render obedience, &c. Compliance with the Divine requirements is a most binding obligation, from which there is no possibility of escape for man. "Generally, however, the form of a covenant is maintained by the benefits which God engages to bestow being made by Him dependent upon the fulfilment of certain conditions which He imposes on man." Two points are clear.
1. The covenant does not originate in human obligation to render to God loyal obedience. It recognises it, enforces it; but its origin is coeval with human existence, and springs out of man's relation to God as a dependent moral creature.
2. The covenant is an act of grace and condescension on the part of God towards man. In assuming the attitude of a contracting party with us He generally stoops to our weakness, &c. Our text is the response of Israel to the general terms of the covenant as stated by Moses. We have in the text—
I. A commendable engagement. "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do." This promise is commendable.
1. Because of its righteousness. To do what God commands is our sacred duty. Even if there were no heaven for the loyal and obedient, and no hell for the rebellious and incorrigible, still it would be our binding duty to seek truth, practise righteousness, reverence holiness, love moral beauty.
2. Because of its advantageousness. In keeping the commands of God there is great reward. The Lord promised to bestow the choicest blessings upon Israel if they would obey His voice indeed (Exodus 19:5-6). He engaged to grant unto them
(1.) The highest character: "a holy nation."
(2.) The highest service: "unto Me a kingdom of priests."
(3.) The highest privilege: "a peculiar treasure unto Me," &c. How very much is included in the last-named assurance. The path of obedience to God is the path of safety and blessedness for man. "In the way of righteousness is life." "He that keepeth the law, happy is he" (Proverbs 3:13-27; 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Timothy 6:6).
3. Because of its unanimity. "And all the people answered together," &c. Such harmony in making this holy engagement is admirable. In itself it is commendable. Union in a holy enterprise is beautiful. In its tendency it is commendable. The natural tendency of this union would be to promote the fulfilment of this engagement.
II. A commendable engagement rashly made. The Israelites entered into this engagement—
1. Without due consideration. They had not weighed the character or measured the extent of the obligations which they undertook. Had they considered what was involved in being unto God "a holy nation"? Or estimated the comprehension of their promise, "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do"? Their haste in making so vast and solemn a promise reminds us of the scribe who said unto Jesus, "Master, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest." In making religious vows, serious and thorough thought should be exercised.
2. Without earnest purpose. As the subsequent history shows with painful copiousness and conclusiveness, they entered into this engagement without any high and earnest resolution to keep it. Sacred promises should not be uttered without a sincere and firm purpose to fulfil them.
3. Without hearty concurrence with the will which they promised to obey. In their after history they manifested an almost utter absence of sympathy with the will of God. They had little or no love for either God or His will, although they so readily promised to obey it in all things. Make no religious resolutions except your heart be in them.
4. Without any realisation of their need of Divine help in order that they may keep it. The ring of self-confidence is in their words "How easily overween we our own abilities!" The most ready promisers are often the slowest performers. He who makes religious promises in his own strength is deplorably self-ignorant. Peter is a conspicuous example of this (Matthew 26:33-35; Matthew 26:69-75). "Apart from Me ye can do nothing." "When I am weak, then am I strong." "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
III. A commendable engagement repeatedly and terribly broken. They seem to have forgotten the promise as readily as they made it. They violated their engagement.—
1. With great frequency. Many instances in the following history (32; Numbers 11:0; Numbers 14:0; Numbers 16:0; Numbers 20:1-7; Numbers 21:4-6; et al).
2. With great unanimity. The great majority of the people united in practically repudiating the solemn obligations of the covenant. In the narrative of their rebellions we meet with some of these words frequently—"the people gathered themselves together;" … "all the people;" … "all the congregation;" et al. The breakers of the engagement were not the exception, but the rule.
3. With great aggravations. Their sin in violating this solemn promise was the more heinous because of
(1.) God's great goodness to them.
(2.) His invariable faithfulness in His portion of the covenant.
(3.) The comparatively trivial circumstances and slight influences which proved sufficient to induce them to break their engagement. Notwithstanding the strongest obligations to fulfil their promise, they broke it upon the slightest provocation. CONCLUSION.—
1. Let us heed well our obligation to do all that the Lord commands.
2. Let us be careful in the utterance of religious vows.
3. Let us be humbled by the recollection of the many religious vows we have made but not kept, and seek forgiveness for our failures.
4. Let us endeavour to perform our vows, looking to God for strength to enable us to do so.—William Jones.
THE RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE TO GOD'S CALL.—Exodus 19:7-9
Moses was God's minister. In a sense, he spoke for God to the people, and for the people to God. "I stood between the Lord and you" (Deuteronomy 5:5).
I. The call (Exodus 19:7).
1. The elders represented the people. In dealing with so great a multitude some such arrangement was necessary. So it is in many things—in the nation, the family, the Church.
2. God's commands were faithfully communicated. "Laid before their faces all," &c., nothing was added and nothing kept back. The will of God was made known so plainly that none could plead ignorance; so particularly that none could plead excuse. The truth was communicated to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
II. The response (Exodus 19:8). "And all the people answered together," &c.
1. Prompt. There was no hesitancy.
2. Hearty. There was no reservation.
3. Unanimous. There was no dissentient voice (Acts 2:1). How grand the spectacle. The mighty multitude as with one heart and voice proclaimed their submission to God. But, alas! the sequel showed, that mixed with their apparent sincerity and enthusiasm there was much of ignorance, presumption, and self-conceit. Like myriads since, they had not rightly counted the cost. They professed more than they felt; they promised more than they could perform; they needed further and deeper instruction, both as to God's law and their own hearts. How penetrating and wise are the words of Joshua at a similar juncture, "Ye cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God" (Joshua 24:19).
III. The report to God. "And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord" (cf. Exodus 19:9). Such report was necessary to secure the favour of God and the faith of the people. It tended to—
1. Exoneration of conscience.
2. Relief of the heart.
3. Invigoration of hope.
4. Accrediting of character.
5. Success of ministry. Nothing works more to give a man power with men than the belief that he has power with God.—William Forsyth.
THE PREPARATION FOR MEETING WITH GOD.—Exodus 19:10-14
Moses acted throughout according to Divine command.
I. The people were called to sanctify themselves. This work was to be done thoroughly. Both inward and outward defilement were to be put away (Leviticus 11:44-45; Hebrews 10:22). There must be separation from what was not of God, that there might be fellowship with what was of God. To this end self-consecration was required (Psalms 26:6; Isaiah 1:16-18; Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20).
II. The people were charged to be ready at the appointed time (Exodus 19:11). The fixing of times and seasons for worship belongs to God. Unquestioning obedience is ours. Thus we receive the blessing. But times of special manifestation and privilege require special preparation. The soul must be in readiness, the ear open to hear, the reason quick to apprehend; the conscience, the heart, and the will ready to bow in homage and submission. Come into God's presence careless or preoccupied, and you can expect no benefit; but come with humility, prayer, and hope, and you will not come in vain. Instructed and refreshed, your grateful song will be, "This is none other but the house of God; this is the gate of heaven!"
III. The people were commanded to observe the prescribed laws and ordinances as to approach to God. Bounds were fixed as to place, action, and behaviour (Exodus 19:12-14). These restrictions were not arbitrary. They proceeded from the wisdom and love of God. They were necessary to check vain curiosity and unhallowed licence, and to preserve due order and reserve at a time of extraordinary excitement and peril. The lesson for all time is that found in the counsels of St. Paul, "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:10). "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:28-29).—William Forsyth.
Exodus 19:7-15. Orderly proceeding to acquaint the people with God's will by their chiefs is reasonable.… Proposition and exposition of God's words must be made to souls that they may know them all to be God's words, and no more but His.… Jehovah commands His ministers to speak to His people. Universal and free must be the confessions of the Church visible to the demands of God.
Mediators can return no other but what they receive from people unto God.
Upon people's readiness to obey, God is willing to make known His law.
People must hear God's speech by ministers, that they may believe it.
Sanctification of the people by the mediators is commanded by God before He deal with them.… Due preparation must be performed by souls against the time of meeting with God.
Exodus 19:16-25. God on Mount Sinai. With what eager hearts would the people hail the dawn of the third—the appointed day. Doubtless they must have had many strange thoughts, and much talk one with another of what was to come to pass, but who could have conceived the reality? Fathers and mothers were there by thousands who had seen the wonders of the Lord in Egypt, and His works in the wilderness; but now something more sublime and terrible by far was to be revealed to their eyes. What excitement there must have been when they were commanded to leave their tents! What an awful pause of stillness and suspense as they stood marshalled in the plain before the Mount of God! And then—Exodus 19:16-20. This manifestation was fitted to give an awful sense of—
I. The greatness of God. The most tremendous powers of nature were under His control. They were His servants, to do His pleasure (Exodus 20:20; Psalms 96:4; Psalms 97:1-6; Psalms 104:4).
II. The nearness of God. The thunder was near, but nearer seemed the lightning. The lightning was near, but nearer still seemed the trumpet. The trumpet was near, but nearest of all was "The Voice." It was the Voice of Jehovah, and spoke to the hearts of the people, thrilling them through and through (Deuteronomy 4:7-12).
III. The mysteriousness of God. Though much was revealed, more was unrevealed. "Clouds and darkness are round about Him. Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne" (Psalms 97:2; cf. Job 12:7; Isaiah 45:5; Deuteronomy 29:29; Romans 11:33-35).
IV. The holiness of God. Everything proclaimed the holiness of God (Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 6:1-2; Revelation 4:8; 1 Peter 1:16).
V. The sovereignty and mercy of God (Deuteronomy 5:24). It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. How great our privileges under the Gospel of Jesus Christ (cf. Hebrews 12:18-29).—William Forsyth.
Exodus 19:17. The highest ministry. The ultimate and supreme object of man is to be united to God. But we forget this. The things of this world for countless powers and agencies are constantly at work to hide God from us, and to make us feel and act as if there were no God. The essence of religion is to realise the presence of God. Therefore we should hail as our highest benefactor the man who does for us as Moses did for Israel. "And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God."
I. In the operations of nature. Poets have sung of the sublimities and beauties of nature, and philosophers explain her secrets, but he does the noblest work who brings us face to face with nature's God.
II. The events of providence. Many writers have done well in history and fiction, and have depicted with wondrous skill the varieties of character and incident, and the strange vicissitudes of human life; but he does best who shows us that there is a providence in the affairs of men, and that the Lord our God ruleth over all in righteousness and love.
III. The ordinances of the Gospel. Preachers may be learned and eloquent, but it is only as they manifest God's law to the conscience and God's love to the heart that they do us real good. Prayer and praise are proper duties, but unless in them we rise to God they are meaningless and vain. We should remember the words of Christ, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." "Without Me ye can do nothing." Only through Christ can men be brought to God, united to God, and blessed in God.—William Forsyth.
Exodus 19:21. Vain curiosity. There is a curiosity which is just, and which lies at the foundation of all science and research. But there is a curiosity which is vain and productive of much evil.
I. It pries into secrets.
II. Breaks through boundaries.
III. Sacrifices reverence and self-respect.
IV. Recklessly rushes into danger.
V. Multiplies confusions and perils.
Remember Eve, Uzziah.
According to this agreement, ratified by God, in which the mediatorship between God and the people was conferred upon Moses, the latter now approached the darkness in which God dwelt. Who does not stand amazed at the admirable confidence exemplified by Moses under such terrific circumstances—a confidence so filial and fearless! Who does not rejoice at the power which God can bestow upon the children of men, filially and confidentially to converse with Him, as a man with a friend. If such was the case under the Old Testament, where a spirit of fear predominated, and the true way of holiness was not yet thrown open, what cannot, what ought not, to take place under the New Testament which bestows a filial spirit, by which we cry, "Abba, Father!" and are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace; whilst at that period the people were told not to come near, but to stand at a distance.—P. Krummacher.
Divine Republics! Exodus 19:5-9. When the freed negroes arrived on the West Coast of Africa, as the Republic of Liberia, they received certain laws and regulations. These were established amid the firing of cannon, the flaunting of flags, and the flashing of firearms. But when Jehovah constituted the legislation of Israel's Divine Republic, the eye was arrested by darkness that defied the gaze, and by lightning and tempest that played about the summit of Sinai, while the ear was thrilled by the trumpet-blast, and appalled by the thunder. The great mountain rocked to and fro, and burned like a furnace. Then, piercing through cloud and camp, was heard the trumpet-blast pealing out above the thunder, that "the laws of the Divine Republic were about to be promulgated." Glorious was this Divine legislation ceremony! The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them. From His right hand went a fiery law for them: Deuteronomy 33:2.
"The terrors of that awful day, though past,
Have on the tide of time some glory cast."
Oath of Allegiance! Exodus 19:7-8. When a kingdom is established, an oath of allegiance is required. Napoleon the Great, when he founded his empire on the ruins of the great "French Revolution," required this. And when Victoria was proclaimed the Empress of India at Delhi, it was accompanied by a similar requirement. God was now about to become the King or President of Israel, and required a voluntary self-surrender to His holy law. With a view to this, the hosts were marshalled, and by some suitable arrangement Moses communicated all the words of the Lord. They were good precepts and gracious promises, and the people took the preliminary oath of allegiance, "All the words which the Lord hath said will we do." Such supreme self-surrender is still required. Matthew Henry wrote as follows: "Oct. 20, 1686.—I take God the Father to be my chiefest good and highest end. I take God the Son to be my Prince and Saviour. I take God the Holy Ghost to be my Sanctifier, Teacher, Guide, and Comforter. I take the Word of God to be my rule in all my actions, and the people of God to be my people in all conditions. And this I do deliberately, sincerely, freely, and for ever." This Divine oath of allegiance need not be written. "To whom shall we go but unto Thee! Thou hast the words of eternal life."
"Lord, Thou art mine, and I am Thine,
If mine I am; and Thine much more,
Than I or ought or can be mine.
If I without Thee could be mine,
I neither should be mine nor Thine."
Divine-Division! Exodus 19:12. An eminent war-correspondent describes his first sensations during the Crimean war in beholding a shell fired from an English mortar. He watched it as it issued from the mortar, and admired the sublime rapidity with which it cuts through the air. While he followed the deadly missile, an explosion far off in the enemy's earthworks attested at once its gunner's purpose and unerring aim. The terrors of Sinai were a sublime spectacle, but their design was to shatter Israel's earthwork of self-confidence; to show men in all ages of the world that no citadel of self-righteous dependence was proof against the Divine law.
"Hence shall dividing hills and rents
Between my soul and Thee,
Be to my faith but arguments
To haste thy march to me."
Divine Monitions! Exodus 19:16. There is a quaint fable of the archer who went to the mountains in search of game. All the beasts of the forest fled at his approach. The lion alone challenged him to combat. The bow-man shot an arrow at the monarch of the wild, who fled in pain and panic. Met by a fox, who exhorted him to take courage and not give up at the first onset, the king of beasts replied, "You advise to no purpose, for if you archer sends so fearful a messenger before him, who will be able to contend when the man himself draws near?" If the bolts and arrows of Sinai were so terrible to Israel, what must be the appalling terrors of His arm when He draws near at the last day! Sir F. Henneker says that "so great is the wildness of this region that if he had to represent the end of the world, he would model it from Mount Sinai."
"Then the trumpet's pealing clangour
Through the earth's four quarters spread,
Waxing loud and even louder,
Shall convoke the quick and dead."
Fire-Symbolism! Exodus 19:18. The lamp of fire was an emblem of the Divine presence in Genesis 15:17. That presence was connected with covenant, and was indicated by the fire that passed between the pieces of the victims sacrificed. In the literature and customs of the East, the same thing is still asserted; and at the celebration of respectable marriages, it is a general practice to have a fire as a witness of the transaction. This fire is made of the wood of the mango-tree, and intimated that the vow was taken in the presence of the God of fire, whose vengeance was thereby invoked upon the breaker of the covenant. The Sinaitic covenant was entered into with all the sacred accessions of the most solemn invocation; and Jehovah's judicial presence at the last day will be linked with fire.
"Flame, and fire, and desolation
At the Judge's feet shall go;
Earth, and sea, and all abysses,
Shall his mighty sentence know."
Fiery-Clouds! Exodus 19:16-18. Brydone relates that in his tour through Malta, in 1757, a great black cloud was visible, which, as it settled, changed colour, till at last it became like a flame of fire mixed with black smoke. In 1772, in the island of Java, a bright cloud was observed covering a mountain in the Cheriton district. It was seen rising and falling like the waves of the sea, and emitting globes of fire, while loud reports as of cannon terrified the natives. Sir Charles Lyell says that Commander Murray observed, at Bagdad in 1857, a huge black cloud like a pall over the heavens. Afterwards, the black darkness was succeeded by a red lurid gloom.
"Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head."
Divine Forces! Exodus 19:23. A traveller relates that—when passing through an Austrian town—his attention was directed to a forest on a slope near the road. He was told that death was the penalty of cutting down one of those trees. He was incredulous, until he was further informed that they were the protection of the city, breaking the force of the descending avalanche, which—without this natural barrier—would sweep over the quiet home of thousands. When a Russian army was marching there, and began to cut away the defence for fuel, the inhabitants besought them to take their dwellings instead. Alas! men are not so anxious to preserve those moral fences which God sets up for the preservation of their souls from His righteous judgments.
Law Functions! Exodus 19:25. Wandering last year over the South Downs with my daughter, we came upon a model farm, under whose open outhouses were ranged the various implements of husbandry. It was no difficult task to explain to the young inquirer what the "drill" was. She could understand why it was necessary to plant the seed, and, under the blessing of God, ensure a golden harvest to a full garner. But the "plough," with its shining, terrible coulter, called for greater and more careful explanation. Why should it be required? To upheave the hard clods of earth—to uproot the tangled thistles and weeds. Are men not more readily disposed to believe in the "Gospel Drill" than in the "Legal Plough"! And yet both conserve the same purpose—both conduce to the same result. The Law ploughs conviction deep in the hard, weed-grown human heart; while the Gospel follows in due time, casting in seeds of saving grace. And the deeper the plough is put in beforehand, the better the crop afterwards.
"So the hearts of Christians owe
Each its deepest, sweetest strain
To the pressure firm of woe,
And the tension tight of palm."
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.—Exodus 20:1-17
These words stand out from all others in the Old Testament. Other things God spake to mankind through men,—these were spoken by Him through the nobler ministry of angels (Hebrews 2:2; Galatians 3:19; Acts 7:53). They were uttered, not by the Divine spirit in the stillness of a prophet's soul, but audibly, as voices coming from heaven (Deuteronomy 5:22-26). They may be said to have been the only direct utterance made by God to men under the old covenant (Deuteronomy 5:4). As if to mark the special sacredness that belonged to them, they were, moreover, Divinely recorded (Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16). But what were the words that were uttered under circumstances so solemn, and recorded in a manner so special? When we compare the two versions of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21), we find some important variations such as the reason assigned for the sanctification of the seventh day. Probably all were originally given with the same brevity as the first, sixth, seventh, and eighth; and all else that we now find included in them is amplification, command, and explanations which Moses was Divinely authorised to make in order to render their meaning more plain. Concerning these great commandments, I observe—
I. That they are of universal obligation. They thus differ from many ceremonial injunctions afterwards given to the Jews. They are intrinsically and therefore eternally right. They have their foundation in the nature of God and of man, and therefore can never be abrogated while God and man continue what they are. This is true of the fourth. "The Sabbath was made for man" (Mark 2:27) by his Creator, who best knows what his needs are; and while man continues what he is, he cannot neglect to consecrate to rest and worship without sinning against himself, as well as against God.
II. They are universal in their scope. They cover the whole range of duty, at least to the prohibition of every kind of wrong-doing. Consider what would be the state of society were they universally obeyed!
III. They reach to the heart, as well as the outward life. They are completed by One that teaches the heart alone. Christ teaches us that all the other commandments were intended to forbid, in like manner, not merely the actions named in them, but the cherishing in the heart of those evil thoughts which are the germs of crime (Matthew 5:21-28). Hence, if we would know if we have kept these great commandments, we must examine our heart as well as our outward life. In that solemn day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be known, it will be seen that some of the blackest criminals who ever trod this earth were men whose outward lives were blameless, and upon whom their fellow-men looked with a respect that almost amounted to veneration (Matthew 23:27-28).
IV. Nevertheless they are the most elementary that can be conceived of. If God undertook to give men any intimation at all as to their duty towards Him and each other, He could not have said less than He did from Mount Sinai. A man may keep all these commandments from his youth up, and yet lack the "one thing needful" (Mark 10:1-20). Nay, he may do so, and yet be far from being a good man. Now, with one exception—the command to honour father and mother—they are all negations. They tell us what we must not do. Even the command to keep holy the Sabbath day is explained by a series of negations. To abstain from evil is better than to commit it. But abstinence from evil is by no means all that is demanded from moral agents. Otherwise, even an atheist who worked only six days in the week might be said to keep all the commandments of the first table, and a harmless idiot all the commands of the second. Remember, you may abstain from all forms of crime, and yet not be a good man. Were I to propose to erect a statue in honour of a man who had never been known to be guilty of any violation of the letter of the Ten Commandments, you would laugh at me. You would ask me what good he did—what benefactions he conferred on society—that he should be thus honoured. The barren fig-tree did no harm; it brought forth no poisonous fruit, as do some trees, that smite all who partake of them with madness and death: it simply brought forth no fruit—it did no good; and that was reason enough for condemning it (Luke 8:7). If we would be loved of men and commended of God, we must not only eschew that which is evil: we must follow that which is good (Romans 5:7). Before we can even thus secure the commendation of God, we must be restored to a right relation to Him. Through Jesus Christ, we must obtain the pardon of our first transgressions, and our acceptance with God or His children. Then our acts of faith and love will be sacrifices well pleasing in His sight; and even the imperfections of our services will be passed over in His fatherly pity (Psalms 103:13-14).—R. A. Bertram.
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Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Exell, Joseph S. "Commentary on Exodus 19". Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary. https://www.studylight.org/


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In the span of a car's life, it usually never gets its chance to prove what it is truly made of. Its life is typically spent on a highway, city roads or residential roads. Why not test what your car is truly made of? Do you know its top speed? How safe it truly is? How it handles around fast corners? Here are some places you can take your car to see what your automobile is really made of. (Autofluence does not, in any way, encourage reckless driving on any road. This includes drifting, speeding and, of course, crashing. Always comply with local traffic regulations when behind the wheel.)
Nardo Ring
Where can I drive my car fast?
Everyone wants to test the top speed of their car, and there is no better place to figure it out than at the Nardo Ring. I'ts a 7.8-mile long track that is 53 ft wide. What makes the Nardo Ring interesting is that it has "neutral speeds" for each lane, where the car can drive at a designated speed and not have to turn the steering wheel, thanks to the track's banking. For example, a driver in the outermost lane can travel at 149 mph without having to turn the steering wheel. Staying within the law, this is the best place to speed legally.
Our Car of Choice: Bugatti Chiron
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The Dragon's Tail
This stretch of road in Tennessee/North Carolina is world-renowned for being one of the most exciting stretches of road, but also one of the deadliest. Through the 11 miles of road, the Dragon's Tail has a 1,085-foot change in elevation and 318 curves. Sadly, there have been 30 recorded deaths on this road since the year 2000. On this road, you would, hypothetically, be able to test your cars handling, power and, if necessary, safety features.
Our Car of Choice: Porsche 930 – 1987 911 Turbo
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Nihon Romantic Highway
Have you ever wondered why Japan is so enthusiastic about drifting? It's because they are surrounded by magnificent roads, like the Nihon Romantic Highway. Don't let the name fool you; the only romantic thing about this road is the connection you will feel between you and your car as you drift around the hairpin corners. On this road, you would, hypothetically, be able to truly test the handling of your car and your drifting skills. Watch the video below to see what I'm talking about.
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Our Car of Choice: 2018 Acura NSX
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California State Route 243
State Route 243, or Esperanza Firefighters Memorial Highway, is an incredibly scenic 30-mile road that runs from Banning to Idyllwild in Southern California. This road was actually where our Managing Editor, Caitlin Duffy, learned to drive. She recalls the twists and turns that are visible from the satellite imagery, as well as spans of straight road, making it a perfect road to, again, hypothetically, test the power of your exotic car.
Our Car of Choice: Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder
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Pan-American Highway
Want to know how tough your vehicle really is? Sure, automakers may test their car in intense conditions, but would it last the entirety of the Pan-American Highway? This incredibly long highway reaches from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, all the way to Ushuaia, Argentina. In the road's 30,000 mile journey, it passes through 19 countries. If you have ever wondered about your car's efficiency or durability, try a trip down the Pan-American Highway.
Our Car of Choice: Mercedes Sprinter
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Everyone has heard of the Autobahn and knows it as "that road in Germany with no speed limit." This motorway system has no general speed limit, but there are certain areas that do, in fact, have a speed limit. For the other stretches of road where there is no limit, you can, hypothetically, travel at any speed you wish, making it a great place to test your cars top speed, if traffic permits. Watch the above video to see two Lamborghinis playing on the Autobahn.
Our Car of Choice: Mercedes AMG GTR
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Fiorano Circuit
Do you ever wonder how Ferrari makes such incredible cars? Well, we can at least tell you that their cars are each tested on this very track. Yes, the famous Fiorano Circuit, privately owned by Ferrari, is known worldwide as the testing place for each Ferrari model and is where many new Ferraris can be spied as they are being taken through their paces. The circuit has a length of 1.86 miles, and the fastest speed an F1 car has ever reach on the track is 180 mph. If you want to see if your car is on par with a Ferrari, take it to the Fiorano Circuit.
Our Car of Choice: Ferrari LaFerrari
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San Bernardino Pass
San Bernardino Pass is regarded as one of the greatest driving roads in the entire world. Top Gear even included this route as they searched for the best driving road in the world. Being endorsed by Top Gear is a feat that this Swiss Alp road should be proud of. Here, you will test your cars handling and much more, but be sure to pay attention to the road in front of you, and not the stunning scenery.
Our Car of Choice: Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster
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Halsema Highway
The Halsema Highway is one of the ten most dangerous roads in the world, but at the same time is incredibly gorgeous and features some great driving. Unfortunately, to get to these stretches of amazing twists and turns, you will have to endure an incredibly unkempt road system. Parts of the road literally fall off the mountainside and slippery conditions are frequent. If you have ever wanted to test your car's safety features, traction control and handling all in one place, Halsema Highway is a (un)safe bet.
Our Car of Choice: Maserati GranTurismo Convertible MC
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Does anything really need to be said about Nurburgring that hasn't been said before? Nowhere else will you find such an incredible strip of road. Looking for some sharp corners? Long straights? Whatever you are looking for, Nurburgring has it. It's no wonder automakers from around the world bring their new cars here to test their capabilities.
Our Car of Choice: Porsche 911 GT3 RS