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Glad you found us! This site has one objective: to help you win the spiritual battle for purity, in every sense of the word. Society encourages us to throw away our virtue; the message sent out by the media is: "everyone's doing it!" We are here to prove that statement wrong! Come in, read some encouraging testimonies, chat with others who strive to remain pure, and reaffirm your belief that purity, sexual and otherwise, is not only possible, but totally worth it!
Monday, October 15, 2012
In My Life Lord, Be Glorified!
John 12:27-28 "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour?' But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name."... (NKJV)
At looooong last, we're back! Thank you for reading, and our apologies if we've kept you waiting. I'm sure your life has been just as busy and full as mine in recent months, with school starting up again.
So, while reading the book of John, I came upon something I've never stopped to consider before. I've always known that Jesus felt the stress of his impending death on the cross, and that we could tell this specifically when He prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane. However, according to the verse above, He was feeling the pressure even earlier.
This didn't really surprise me, but after pondering it for a while, I realized that Jesus was teaching us a lesson. Even as He was feeling "troubled," He demonstrated the proper attitude to adopt when facing our fears.
Jesus certainly did not look forward to dying an agonizing death on the cross. But, instead of asking God to remove it from Him (as I so often find myself doing), He asked God to be glorified in His situation! He recognized that His purpose on earth was to face this dreadful task, and He embraced it, for the glory of God, and for the restoring of our relationship with Him.
How many times do we face a trial and become self-absorbed? How often to we become selfish, even in our prayers?
"God, please make this problem go away!"
Do we ever take a step back and consider that God might have a greater purpose on the other side? Could it be that our attitude in the storm is actually preventing us from achieving all God intends for us?
I was challenged to change the way I pray about every uncertainty. Rather than praying for God to change the situation, I'm starting to say, "God, please help me to glorify Your name in this circumstance." Such a prayer will always be found acceptable to Him!
After Jesus spoke this prayer, what happened? Then a voice came from heaven, saying "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." Jesus recognized that the cross was not about Him; it was about God, who is both completely holy and completely loving. Jesus fulfilled His earthly calling by seeking to reflect God's glory. If I can strive to do that in my life, how much more can God do through me?
May this help your prayer life as well, my friends. God knows our weaknesses, and He is full of mercy. At the same time, He is challenging us to "grow up" in our walk with Him; to stare our giants down, and do mighty things through His power and for His glory!
God Bless!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:30 PM Links to this post
Friday, August 3, 2012
Think on These Things: When Life Gives You Lemons . . .
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (NIV).
Last year, about this time we brought a little two-year old girl to your attention named Callie. She was diagnosed with Stage 3 Anaplastic Ependymoma when a peach sized tumor was found in her brain. We asked for your prayers for her healing and recovery.
Well, I have tremendous news to share with you! After a successful surgery, and an emotional year of treatments and recovery, Callie's most recent scans came back completely clear! She has been enjoying a summer free from any constraints of cancer, and now the family wants to give back.
Phil and Courtney, Callie's parents, are proud to announce the 1st annual "Callie's Lemonade for the Cure!" Saturday, August 11th from 9am-12pm at the parking lot by Olive Garden in Abilene, TX.
This year, all of the proceeds will go to the Ronald McDonald House. In the following years, the proceeds will go to brain cancer research. Phil and Courtney are praying, that with everyone's help, break-through research will be done on childhood brain tumors, especially the kind Callie had since it is so rare.
So come visit the lemonade stand and share a cup with this "pint-sized hero!" If you live out of town, (like me,) and would like to donate, just make checks payable to Phil and Courtney Cochran and write "lemonade stand" in the memo line. Then mail your checks to:
Armed and Virtuous
P.O. Box 7152
Beaumont, TX 77726
(As a disclaimer, the Armed and Virtuous Ministry is not currently a 501c3, so your gifts will not be considered tax-deductable. This is purely a blessing to a good cause, in praise for what God has done in Callie's life.)
We'll let you know how much we help Callie raise when all is said and done.
(A recent picture of Callie and her big brother Carson)
God really does make all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:00 PM Links to this post
Monday, July 30, 2012
Why Wait? For the Very Best of Reasons!
Psalm 33:20-21 We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name (NIV).
So, let's talk about waiting. Throughout life, we find ourselves waiting a lot, don't we? We wait in line, we wait for our turn. Sometimes we have to wait until we're old enough, or tall enough to do something. Other times we have to wait for the right opportunity. And still other times we are asked by God to wait. These times can be frustrating, especially when we see those around us "doing." Ever felt that way?
Now let's get specific. As Christian young people, God has asked you to wait on sex until marriage. He has also asked you to place strict limits on physical intimacy until marriage. But why? Every time you turn on the TV, you see people getting intimate with each other, implying directly or indirectly that they're having sex. Sexual jokes are now a staple of every sitcom and almost every commercial. You're faced with this topic at every turn, and almost overwhelmingly, the message that's shared is, "Sex is fun! You should try it!"
I'm sure you know of people your age who aren't waiting. They're probably dating, maybe even dating steadily while you're not. If they talk about it, they might tell you things like, "If you want to have a boyfriend, you have to give in to sex." Others might say, "No one waits anymore, it's just a myth." Or, "It's okay to wait in junior high, but you'll change your mind in high school."
It looks like so much fun, it seems like the key to success. Why would God ask us not to do something that can be so helpful to our popularity? Is He just trying to keep us from having fun? Absolutely not! The key to successfully waiting is to understand how to wait.
According to this verse, we wait in hope! We wait in expectation! God has something tremendous in store, and at the proper time, He will bring it before us. It's like when you waited for Christmas morning as a child. You knew that there were special surprises, carefully chosen and wrapped specifically for you under that tree. As soon as the light of day came into the windows, it would be time to dive in!
But, what if it never comes? What if I do all this waiting for nothing? The world keeps telling me that happily ever after doesn't exist! There's a big difference between blind faith, and personal faith. As verse 20 continues, We wait in hope for the Lord! My hope in the Lord is secure because I personally know Him. I speak to Him, He speaks to me. He has made me promises and they have come true. I'm not believing just anyone, and I'm not believing in some untouchable, unseen authority. I have experience with my God, and therefore, if He asks me to wait, I trust that He is looking out for my best interest.
. . . He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name (v.20b-21). God protects and helps us. By waiting, we save ourselves tremendous heartache, prevent unplanned pregnancies, avoid all sorts of awful diseases, and remain free to pursue our dreams unscarred. Instead of sitting home, feeling sorry for yourself, dive into God's word and develop your relationship with Him! In doing so, you'll reach a point where your heart can rejoice in Him. This will make the waiting easier, and the reward all the better when it comes.
God didn't ask us to "sit and wait," so get out there, and get busy doing His work! As you keep busy exploring the gifts and talents God has given you, and pursuing the dreams He has laid upon your heart, the waiting will end, and God's perfect plan will be revealed. Whether or not His plan includes marriage, you can trust that it will be worth all the waiting and exceed your wildest dreams! There's no need to worry. The God who has numbered the hairs on your head knows what you desire, and His wish is to bless you.
So, my dear sisters, wait in hope!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:00 PM Links to this post
Friday, July 27, 2012
Think on These Things: God Bless Chick-fil-A!
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (NIV).
Well, if you've heard any news lately, you'll know that a lot of controversy has surrounded the Chick-fil-A fast food chain since its President, Dan Cathy, stated that he supports the traditional definition of marriage between one man and one woman.
Not to get too bogged down in the politics of this issue, but after thinking over the situation, I came to realize that a lesson is to be learned. It's never easy to stand up for your faith, no matter who you are, no matter how old, no matter how successful. There are consequences. It's the hard thing to do, but it's the right thing to do!
As to be expected, the Chick-fil-A company has suffered some bad publicity from this, and will continue to deal with negativity from those who support anti-Christian lifestyles and who want to silence Christian values.
But this is nothing new. Jesus spoke specifically to this situation in Matthew 5:11-12:
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (NKJV)."
I believe Dan Cathy is to be commended for his unwavering faith, and courage to stand up for his beliefs regardless of the backlash. It should encourage us to stand for Christ where we live, regardless of the pressure of friends, or the disapproval of the "popular crowd."
In case you don't know, Wednesday, August 1st has been designated as Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. Everyone is encouraged to go eat at their local Chick-fil-A. If you cannot do so, you are encouraged to tweet support to the company or leave supportive messages on their facebook page.
To end on a lighter note, here is a video by Christian comedian Tim Hawkins entitled "God Bless You Chick-fil-A." I hope you get as big a laugh out of it as I did!
Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might, my sisters!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 5:32 PM Links to this post
Monday, July 23, 2012
Wisdom Hollers!
Proverbs 8:1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice (NKJV)?
Ever wanted to do the right thing, but you didn't what the "right thing" was? I've been there. In fact, when I was a youth I had a choice between two things and I kept saying, both to myself and out loud, "I need wisdom!" I'd ask my friends to pray for God to give me wisdom. Finally, during my quiet time, I prayed out loud, saying: "God, please give me wisdom! I want to do the right thing!"
Then I opened my Bible to Proverbs 8. Right before me was the answer to my question: Does not wisdom cry out and understanding lift up her voice? God spoke to my heart and said, "April, you know what the right choice is. I've been speaking it to your heart all this time; you just don't want to do it." Humbled, I asked God to forgive me, and after praying for courage, I made the right choice; the choice I knew to make the entire time.
Maybe you've used the excuse of "needing wisdom" to avoid making a difficult, but God-honoring choice. While seeking, check your heart and motives. God forbid, in the quest to do what is pleasing to the Lord, we resort to putting our fingers in our spiritual ears. The right thing is more often than not, the more difficult choice to make. Day by day, moment by moment, we are asked to choose between ourselves and God. These choices, however little, reveal who sits on the throne of our heart.
Maybe, on the other hand, you truly are seeking to do what is right and you don't know which way to go. If so, then this verse should bring you comfort. Wisdom does not hide from us. If we are seeking to do the right thing, God will reveal the best choice to us. We don't have to fear missing out. Just like your parents always made sure you found all the eggs at the Easter Egg Hunt, especially if one had a special surprise inside, so your Heavenly Father is not going to allow you to miss out on the blessings He has in store for you.
So, seek Him, talk to Him, ask for the answers, and then wait with expectation. God will never hide the truth from you. In the meantime, don't take any action until He's told you which choice to make. Wisdom cries out to all who are willing to hear her.
By the way, this entire chapter is awesome! I highly recommend reading the whole thing. Here's God's promise to those who pursue wisdom: Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord (8:34-35).
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:00 PM Links to this post
Friday, July 6, 2012
Think on These Things: Awesome Apparel from SonGear!
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (NIV).
Welcome back! It's Friday, we're back to finding "things" worth thinking about, and this week it's clothing, (Yay!)
A friend of mine recently introduced me to this company, and after looking over their products, I had to share them with you! The company is called SonGear. They are a Christian lifestyle company that offers products which enable Christians to more easily share their faith. Founded by Bob Van Zandt, their products are designed to convey simple, yet powerful messages that encourage people to ask you about your faith. How cool is that?
SonGear has clothing lines for men, women, youth, and even toddlers! Here are a few of my favorites:
For Women: These T-shirts are made of 5.4 oz. 100% pre-shrunk cotton. They are shorter cut through the body and sleeves for a more feminine fit. Most shirts come in a variety of color options, and each has a size chart to help determine your best size.
Of course, these two are among my very favorites. I can't help but applaud products that support purity!
and polos:
As well as hoodies: Hoodies are made of 80% ringspun cotton, 20% polyester. They are preshrunk, with a pouch pocket, 1x1 ribbing on side panels, distressed raw edges on front-slit neckline, and rack-stitching on all seams, shoulders, cuffs and waistband. These too, are available with various colors and logos.
For Men: They've also got a great assortment of T-shirts, polos, and hoodies for the guys! I'm posting a few pictures here, but there are many more on the website.
My son and husband love this shirt!
What I find refreshing about this company is that ministry is obviously the first consideration in every facet of the business. Bob has partnered with several ministries, and even has the plan of salvation on his website. If you'd like to learn more, Bob has a blog and a facebook page (sorry, had trouble creating the link.)
So, if you're looking for a great gift, or for a creative way to express your faith, I highly recommend the products from SonGear!
What other "things" would you like to see highlighted on our weekend posts? Drop us a line or leave a comment and we'll discuss the things that interest you!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:24 PM Links to this post
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Our Flag...The Rest of the Story
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (NKJV).
My son and I studied American History this past school year. We had a tremendous time learning together about what makes our country unique and great. As we approached the War of 1812, we studied the British attack on Fort McHenry, and learned about how Francis Scott Key wrote our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. Then we listened to a recording of the song. . . and I was speechless!
Anyone who knows me realizes how many times in my life I've either played or sung The Star Spangled Banner. I've been a band director for years, and a band student for many more. I know how to play it, sing it, conduct it, and I can tell you exactly how many cymbal crashes there should be and where they belong! So, why all of a sudden did it affect me so deeply? It's because I had never heard the piece in its entirety.
All this time we've proudly sung the first stanza before football games, baseball games, or as one of our Olympic athletes won the gold medal. We stood to our feet, allowed the ever-familiar words to roll off our tongue and concluded with, Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Do you realize the problem? We're ending with a question! Does it still wave? Are we still the land of freedom and opportunity? We take it for granted that it still is, and that we still are, but when this poem was originally penned, that was most certainly not the case.
On September 12, 1814, 5,000 British soldiers and 19 war ships attacked Baltimore. Francis Scott Key was being held on a British ship during the bombardment, which lasted 25 hours, and was forced to watch the battle from a distance. To him, this battle represented a desperate fight for a dream. The British had already set fire to the White House and Capitol building. If they succeeded in taking this major seaport, the dream of American freedom was over.
As he struggled emotionally through the battle, and finally the barrage of gunfire ceased, Key had only one question on his mind, Which flag is flying? If the British flag now flew over the fort, all was lost, but if only our flag was still there...
I could keep telling you the story, but you need to read his complete expression in his own words. Originally titled Defiance of Fort McHenry (or Defense of Fort McHenry), here is the complete version of our National Anthem:
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blessed with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the God that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blessed with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the God that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
I learned a lesson from this song, and I hope to pass it along to you: Faith in God is the foundation upon which our country was built. As long as we as a people have acknowledged God, He has blessed and protected us, regardless of the size of the opposition. If we edit and cut down our history, like we've edited and cut down our national anthem, we forget what sets us apart from all the other nations in the world. Our government doesn't give us freedom; God does! Our source of hope is not in our human leaders, but in the One who gave them authority in the first place. May we be reminded how dearly we have paid for our freedom in the past, so that we do not lose it in the future!
God Bless you this 4th of July, and God Bless America!
For more information on the Star Spangled Banner, visit this online exhibit by the Smithsonian.
By the way, did you notice that this flag has 15 stars and 15 stripes? That's because at this point in history, we added both a star and a stripe for every new state. (Just FYI!)
Sources: Red, White, and Blue: The Story of the American Flag by John Herman, National Museum of American History, and wikipedia.
Posted by April M. Anderson at 10:33 AM Links to this post
Friday, June 29, 2012
Think on These Things: Purity Conference Ideas
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (NIV).
Well, it's been a while since we've contributed to the website, but that's because the A&V Ministry has been busy! We've expanded our reach, both in location and in curriculum, and we wanted to share with you the fruits of our labors.
Recently we shared at Crestwood Baptist Church in Lumberton, Tx, and for the first time my wonderful hubby, Jason, joined the party! For six weeks we shared the plan for purity; Jason shared with the guys and I shared with the girls. We had a tremendous time discussing identity, peer pressure, and developing a proactive plan for remaining pure in the relaxing setting of host homes. Here is a picture of me with the girls (unfortunately, we failed to capture the guys in action.)
At the end of the series, we had a combined girls and guys session. It was a lighthearted, fun experience with juggling, story telling, and refreshments. I was thrilled to see the cake! They decorated it with our theme verse: Psalm 37:4-5.
Then we received an opportunity to share the A&V message in Asheville, North Carolina! We were invited to Crossroads Assembly, where Jason and I shared together on a Wednesday evening with the youth:
Jason not only juggled for them, he "taught" them how to juggle themselves! Here are some of the Crossroads Youth in action:
In this one night session, we gave a brief message called: Get Armed: Weapons for the Purity Battle
Then, for the first time, we shared a message of purity with adults! Be an Armed and Vigilant Parent was the title of the message. The emphasis was on empowering adults to effectively support their children so they can win the purity battle. It was a tremendous success! After the session, I was delighted to answer questions from parents. It was so exciting to see how much they truly wanted to help. Pastor J. Michael Brown, Senior Pastor at Crossroads, left me a tremendous response on our facebook page. Here's what he said:
April, thank you for sharing with Crossroads Assembly "Armed and Virtuous." April, your biblically balanced message on sexual purity and purification is relevant for church-it is a much needed prophetic word. Parents and their children are/were well-informed and instructed effectively in the ways of righteousness. You helped my congregation to understand God-ordained boundaries for human sexual behavior. Your presentation was well done! I hope other Pastors, and youth pastors will consider having a seminar. They and their congregations will be enriched. Thank you.
So . . . do you need ideas for a purity study? Whether you are looking for a one night session or a weekend-long event, consider bringing Armed and Virtuous to your area! Our message can be tailored to suit your needs and your audience. We are thrilled to have grown to this point, and we're itching to share our message of preparedness and hope with as many as God allows!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 9:36 PM Links to this post
Friday, June 1, 2012
Think on These Things: Girls4Sport Swimwear!
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (NIV).
It's summer time, summer time, sum-sum-summer time! Yay! Time to pack away the books and head for the beach, the pool, or the lake! This time of year can be a modesty nightmare, both for the girls who wish to honor God with their bodies, and the young men who wish to honor God with their minds. That being said, I wanted to remind everyone about the vast array of modest swimwear available, with a little trip down memory lane. . .
Girls4Sport makes modest swimwear designed to accommodate all types of water sports. They come in super cute styles and prints, with a wide array of modesty options. We did a detailed review of their products last year. They offer products for adults and children. I can personally attest to the quality, because I own one myself.
Once again, Girls4Sport is offering Armed and Virtuous readers a discount! If you use the code: AAV-15 at checkout, you will save 15% on your purchase!
Happy shopping, and happy swimming!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 2:25 PM Links to this post
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Monday, May 21, 2012
Pursue the Good Stuff!
Last week we discussed how to ask God for the things we need. It's true: we shouldn't be afraid to come to God in prayer. We should not be afraid to ask Him for our needs. However, it's important to constantly monitor our motives and make sure our priorities are straight when doing the asking.
It's so easy to come to God from a selfish perspective. It's natural for our need to drive us to prayer, but sometimes we confuse needs with wants, and even allow our wants to consume us; turning our prayer time into a speech to God, rather than a dialogue with Him.
In my time of asking lately, I've struggled with how to pray. Finally, I found myself saying, "God, I don't want any part of something that is not your will for me. I want to be found pleasing in Your sight, so please remove from me what is not in your plan, and remove the desire from my heart."
As soon as the words left my heart, I felt like God's response was, "Yes! Way to go! That's what I wanted to hear from you!"
Ironically, I felt free to proceed with the asking. My heart was free of selfish motives, so I could make my petitions known in peace.
I'm sharing this with you so that you, too can do a little soul searching. What is it you truly desire? Is it a thing? A relationship? An opportunity? A career? Here's the next question to keep in mind: Why do you desire it? Do you want to advance yourself, or the God you serve? Who will receive the glory, you or Him?
If you can pray these few verses before beginning your request to God, I believe you will be safely asking according to His word. Why struggle with the desire for what is worthless? Anything less than His desires for you mean nothing, so ask God to remove the desire for things that have no value and turn your heart toward those that do.
God Bless you, my sisters!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:00 PM Links to this post
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Don't Worry...Ask!
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (NKJV).
Do you have any needs? Any wants? Any concerns? I'm sure you do. Lately, I've found myself with a long list of prayer requests, from all areas of my life, with all levels of importance. Some are emergencies that send me weeping to my knees, others are not-so-desperate, but concerns nonetheless. Still others are wishes; things I long to come to pass, both for myself and my family.
I was struggling with how to pray. I didn't want to sound greedy, or ungrateful for my current situation. Then God led me to these verses. His response to me was,
"April, you have needs, so ASK."
It seems so simple, why was I struggling? My children aren't afraid to ask me for anything. If they're hungry or thirsty they ask. If they have a problem, they ask for help. They even ask for things they want; a toy, a chance to watch TV, a snack. What is my response? It depends on the situation. I want to give them what they need, and most of what they want. Obviously I know better than they what they truly need, so occasionally, I have to say "no" to their requests.
That's how God feels toward us. He loves us and wants to meet our needs. He even desires to give us what we want, in fact, sometimes He causes us to desire something, because it's His will to give it to us! So, according to this verse, here's the attitude that we should adopt when asking something of God:
(Be anxious for nothing) Don't worry: That's the biggie for me. Instead of stressing out about where the solution will come from, go straight to the Provider. Take the concern to Him and avoid useless stress.
but in everything: No problem is too big for God to handle, and no problem is too small for Him to care about. He loves you, and because He loves you what matters to you matters to Him.
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God: Here's the "ask" part, and it has a very important qualifier. Ask with respect and with a thankful heart. When my children make demands of me, I don't respond very well. When they ask respectfully, I'll be more inclined to consider their request. Does this mean that if we ask with the correct attitude, the answer will always be "yes?", not necessarily. God knows what is in our best interest, and if we truly believe this, we must accept His decisions as such. That's where the thanksgiving part comes in. Be thankful regardless of His response. He could say "yes", "no", or "wait".
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding: The result of your prayer will be peace. The problem may not go away immediately. In fact, it might seem to get bigger, but in the midst of the storm, you will have peace. Those around you may not understand why you're not stressing. Ironically, this is the example of Christ at work in our lives. We don't have to know what the solution is, we don't have to know when it's coming, we only need to know that we're not alone in our fight, and that our God is bigger than the problem.
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus: Jesus will guide your heart to the correct attitude and your mind to the solution in each and every situation, little or big.
If you have burdens, no matter what they are, bring them to God. He loves you dearly. You are his precious child and He wants to help you. Beyond that, He wants to bless you with the best of gifts. So get over the worry, get on your knees, and ask!
Be blessed this week! :)
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:00 PM Links to this post
3 comments Labels: Devotions
Friday, May 11, 2012
Think on These Things: Wow!
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (NIV).
I was introduced to this video the other day and felt led to share it with you. This is such an inspiring, real-life story! It gives us another glimpse at just how precious all life is to God. What moves me most, is how this young lady's face conveys the emotion of her heart, even without a single word being spoken. May God bless this young mother as she courageously raises her son, and may we all count our blessings, realizing that life is truly valuable to God. God must have mighty plans for this child!
I was introduced to this video the other day and felt led to share it with you. This is such an inspiring, real-life story! It gives us another glimpse at just how precious all life is to God. What moves me most, is how this young lady's face conveys the emotion of her heart, even without a single word being spoken. May God bless this young mother as she courageously raises her son, and may we all count our blessings, realizing that life is truly valuable to God. God must have mighty plans for this child!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:00 AM Links to this post
0 comments Labels: Think on these things
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Real Stories from the Purity Battle Ground part 9
Credit: Free photos from acobox.com
We're back, and today we have a beautiful testimony to share with you! I'm so excited about this one, because this is a real life example of what God designed marriage to be. I could go on, but I don't want to take away from the story, it speaks for itself:
Dear April,
Yes there is a "happily ever after", and my husband and I are proof of it. I read a sign the other day that said, "True romance is not a young couple dying together like Romeo and Juliet, but an old couple who have lived happily together for many years", and that is the story of my husband and me. We met when we were both in our teens, have been happily married for 57 years, and are still in love!
We were both Christians and have always felt strongly that God picked us out us for one another. You young people may think it was easier to remain a virgin in the 1950's, but human nature has always been the same, and we were certainly tempted, but with God's grace, we waited, and have always been glad. We've had a wonderful life together, and consider ourselves a truly blessed couple. We have had some sorrows, as everyone does in this life, but God has been our strength, and never failed us.
When we married, I was just out of high school, and my husband was in college. He got a job as an accountant, worked hard and finally became a Certified Public Accountant with his own business. We have three wonderful daughters, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Most are living for Jesus. When I was 40 years old, and my youngest child was 16, I enrolled in a university, earned a teaching degree, and taught school for 20 years. Now we are retired, and living in a beautiful part of the country. Our family is somewhat scattered, but we all love one another and get together as often as we can.
My husband and I love one another more than ever and truly enjoy being together. It's really special to know that we waited for one another, and have been true throughout the years. He tells me daily that he loves me, that I am beautiful (Which is nice to hear when you're 76), and that he doesn't know what he would do without me, and I feel the same about him. He is truly my soulmate, and the husband of my dreams.
We know we may have to be separated for a time if one of us goes to Heaven first, but we will eventually spend eternity together with God, and a multitude of friends and family.
Your ministry is so valuable, April, encouraging young people to stay pure and to wait and live the wonderful life God has planned for each of them. It certainly worked for us, and is far better than a life of regrets.
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:00 AM Links to this post
0 comments Labels: testimonies
Monday, April 23, 2012
Joseph: A Life Marked by God's Favor Part 3
At long last, we're going to wind up this series of devotions on Joseph. If you'll recall, we've discussed just how much Joseph is like you and me; living in a flawed family with flaws of his own. We talked about his God-given dreams of greatness, but then the tragedy and hardship he had to suffer. In fact, when we left off, Joseph was falsely accused and locked up in prison. So, today we're going to see how all these events, both good and bad, were used by God to save Joseph's family, save other nations in the area, and bring Joseph's dreams to pass.
Joseph is put in prison under false charges: Yes, Joseph is in prison, but he's placed where Pharaoh's prisoners are confined. Even while in prison, God blessed Joseph with favor. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority; because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did the Lord made it to prosper (Gen. 39:21-23 NKJV).
Can you imagine a prisoner being given command over other prisoners? Not only did the prison guard allow Joseph to take control, but he didn't bother checking up on him, because he saw God's favor upon everything Joseph did. After a while, two high-profile prisoners were added to the mix; Pharaoh's butler and baker. Joseph served them while they were in custody. One night, both prisoners had dreams. Joseph asked them to tell their dreams, and God used him to interpret each one. Both interpretations came to pass: the butler was restored to his position, and the baker was put to death. Joseph asked the butler to remember me when it is well with you. . . and get me out of this house for. . . I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon (Gen. 40:14-15).
At last an opportunity to escape! But, what happens? . . . the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him (Gen.40:23). For two more years Joseph languishes in prison, simply because the butler forgets Joseph's kindness.
But God was with Joseph: But, did God leave him there? No! When God has a plan, not even a forgetful butler can stop him. Two years later, Pharaoh, himself, has dreams which no one could interpret. The butler then remembers Joseph, and tells Pharaoh. Joseph is brought from prison to appear before Pharaoh. God gives Joseph the interpretation: the land will experience seven years of plenty, and then seven years of famine. Joseph recommends that Pharaoh appoint a wise man to collect 1/5 of the crops during the seven good years to withstand the seven bad years.
Pharaoh's response? "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God? (Gen. 41:38)" So Joseph is appointed second in command over Egypt, only Pharaoh is above him in authority. he saves Egypt from famine, and greatly enriches Egypt's treasuries as they sell grain to surrounding countries.
Speaking of other countries, Joseph's brothers are running out of food. They come to Egypt to buy grain, and in the process, bow down to their long-lost brother! After much testing of his brothers, Joseph discovers that they have changed, and regret what they did to him. He reveals himself, calls for the entire family to come live in Egypt and saves them from starvation. The family is reunited, and God helps Joseph overcome his own personal bitterness and grief.
Long story, I know, but I hope you can find some meaning in it. Be a dreamer! Dream big, audacious dreams as God leads you. Then, don't get discouraged if the path God takes you down appears to be going the opposite way. He knows the end from the beginning. Our minds cannot comprehend what He has in store, so just keep following the Lord, no matter where He leads. He will never leave you, never forget about you, and through all your circumstances He will develop you into the woman of God He needs to complete the special task He's assigned to you.
If you need encouragement, feel free to email us at email@example.com and we'll be happy to lift you up in prayer.
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:00 PM Links to this post
Monday, April 16, 2012
We're on TV Tonight!
Well, it's tonight, folks! We're so excited about this incredible opportunity to share our ministry with the world. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated. We know that God has a plan and that His purposes will be accomplished. May it all be to His glory and for the benefit of His kingdom.
Just in case we haven't talked enough about the details, here they are again:
The show is called I'm Just Sayin' and it airs at 10:30 p.m. CST on DirecTV channel 377.
It will also be available online starting tomorrow. Go to tct.tv/demand.php and click on the icon that looks like this:
It will take you to the show's online episodes. Scroll across the various episodes until you see one that says "April Anderson." It should be up for several days so feel free to watch, and watch again! (clicking on our episode benefits both their ministry and ours!)
If you feel led, please consider sending some positive feedback to the network. You can email them at: email@example.com, call the network at 618-997-4700 or write a note to:
PO Box 1010
Marion, IL 62959
We can't wait to see what God brings as a result of this opportunity. Thank you all for your support, and God Bless!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 7:00 PM Links to this post
1 comments Labels: I'm Just Sayin'
Friday, April 13, 2012
Think on These Things: Destruction...For a Good Cause!
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (NIV).
If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, we've got the perfect event! There are activities for every age, and all proceeds go toward the best of causes.
I'm talking about the Car Smash Fundraising Event at Friendship Baptist Church, Beaumont TX. It's taking place tomorrow, April 14th from 11:00-3:00. There will be concessions, local vendors, live entertainment, a car show, car smash, "jumpy thingies" for kiddos (and I quote) :) , jousting, a dodgeball tournament and much, much more!
This event is to help fund the adoption of two little orphan boys from China:
Elijah Luke
and Ian Wayne
Their adoptive family, the Fowlers, have been hard at work trying to bring their babies home. These boys, although unrelated, are 30 days apart in age, so they will be like twins to their new family. Both of them have medical issues, and the Fowlers will begin their lives together with major medical bills once they arrive.
If you'd like to learn more about the Fowler adoption process, feel free to visit their blog. The entire family has been hard at work raising funds to bring these children home, it's pretty inspiring!
Even if you can't make the Car Smash, please keep the Fowlers in your prayers, and if you feel led, please consider contributing to their adoption fund. They must raise the astounding sum of $35,000.00 to complete the process.
Thanks, and have a great weekend!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 6:28 PM Links to this post
0 comments Labels: Fowler adoption
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Announcing A&V Ministries' Television Debut!
Well, the good news is in! We just received notice that our episode of I'm Just Sayin' will air on Monday, April 16th! This Emmy-nominated Christian Talk Show can be seen on DirecTV channel 377, Sky Angel, and on demand. Just scroll down to the sixth icon in the middle and click on I'm Just Sayin'. From there you can scroll over the episodes until you see the name April Anderson. (It likely won't be up until the air date, though.)
We are so tremendously excited about this great opportunity to share the message of purity God has laid upon our hearts! The TCT television network broadcasts to 170 countries around the world!
Please share the good news with all those who support the cause of purity. The more views they receive, the better for their ministry and ours. Once the show has aired, your positive feedback would be greatly appreciated.
God Bless all of you for your support, and we'll remind you to watch again on Monday!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:30 PM Links to this post
0 comments Labels: I'm Just Sayin'
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Joseph: A Life Marked by God's Favor part 2
Last time, we highlighted how similar Joseph is to you and me. He had his problems, both of personality, family, and otherwise, but God had plans for him. So, without further ado, let's get back to the story:
Joseph had mighty dreams; dreams placed in his heart by God, but Joseph had no idea what he would go through before seeing those dreams come to pass. Yet, through it all, God was with him, protecting him from harm and blessing his efforts.
Problem #1: Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers. Joseph's brothers become so jealous of him, and resent his dreams of greatness so much that when they see him coming their direction, they conspire to kill him. His oldest brother, Reuben, convinces them only to put him in a deep pit. After doing this to Joseph, the brothers sit down to eat, (ironic, don't you think?) and they see tradesmen passing by, so they sell Joseph to the traders.
But, God was with Joseph. Joseph's brothers first intended to kill him, and God caused them to change their mind. He allowed the tradesmen to pass that way and spare his life. Because most slaves were sold into hard labor, the brothers assumed that Joseph would be worked to death. Instead, God was with Joseph, and allowed him to be sold to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard. Not only did he receive a privileged slavery, he became a house slave of Potiphar, so his work load was not overbearing. During this time, God showered His favor upon Joseph. So much so, that Potiphar, himself, took notice: The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man...his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand (Gen. 39:2-3). Potiphar not only realized that Joseph was exceptional, he realized that God was blessing him. Therefore, he gave Joseph charge over all he had. Everything in Potiphar's house and fields was blessed because of Joseph. In fact, Genesis 39:6 says thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.
Problem #2: Potiphar's wife lusts after Joseph. Just when things start looking up, Potiphar's wife begins to take notice of Joseph, that he was ...handsome in form and appearance (Gen. 39:7). She asks him to "lie with her." Joseph of course refuses. Day after day she approaches Joseph and he refuses her. Finally, she catches Joseph in a trap, and tries to force herself upon him. Joseph runs away, and Potiphar's wife declares that Joseph tried to harm her. Potiphar throws Joseph into prison.
But, God was with Joseph. A powerful man like Potiphar could have done whatever he wished with his slaves, especially a slave that had caused him harm. It's rather surprising that he did not kill Joseph. Perhaps he did not fully believe his wife's story? We don't know. Instead, he threw him in prison; and not just any prison, but the prison where Pharaoh's prisoners were confined. Even in prison the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison (Gen. 39:21).
We will finish up Joseph's story next week, but for now let's keep this in mind: Joseph suffered two major injustices, and yet, he continued doing what was right. Both times these wrongs caused him great harm, greatly altered his life, and took him from what was his and where he belonged. Yet in the middle of his trials, God was there. God spared his life, and blessed him so greatly that even people who didn't know Joseph's God recognized the favor He poured out upon his servant.
We all suffer setbacks from our dreams. The question is, will we give up, or will we continue to trust the Hand that placed those dreams upon our heart? Do we truly believe that God is in control and that He's looking out for us? If so, then let's live as if we believe. Hang in there, sisters! God hasn't left you. He knows the end of the story, and He's working in you even through the trials to bring His purposes to pass.
If you need encouragement or prayer, feel free to comment or email us at email@example.com and we'll be happy to lift you up.
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:30 PM Links to this post
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
An Amazing Opportunity for A&V Ministries!
Recently, I promised to tell you why we needed a promotional video for Armed and Virtuous Ministries. Well, here at last is the reason:
We're going to be on television!
Last Friday, I had the privilege of being a guest on the Emmy-nominated late night Christian talk show I'm Just Sayin' with Dan Willis on the Total Christian Television Network. Jason and I flew up on Thursday, taped the show on Friday, and then spent a little time enjoying ourselves on Saturday before returning to "real life."
At the airport, before flying out (Got the A&V shirt on!)
Pastor Dan Willis, the host of the show, is also pastor of The Lighthouse Church of All Nations in Chicago. He founded this church at the age of sixteen and it has grown to 2,000 members! Today it is one of the nation's leading multicultural ministries with nearly 60 nationalities represented in its congregation. Pastor Dan is also an author and an incredible musician.
His co-host is DJ Pookie (yes, you read that correctly.) He and Pastor Dan joke and spar back and forth throughout the course of the show, making for a very lighthearted atmosphere. This definitely helped calm my nerves and keep me at ease. Everyone from the production crew to the host and co-host were kind, uplifting, had a very genuine love for the Lord, and a desire to be a blessing to us.
In the Green Room, just moments before taping the show
We talked about Armed and Virtuous, what inspired this ministry, the message we convey, and what our vision is for the future. At the end of the show, I shared the song God gave me for Jason's and my wedding entitled The Keeper of My Heart. It was an amazing experience! Although we don't have an exact date yet, our episode is slated to air in April. When we get more detailed information, we'll be sure to pass it along. TCT is available on DirecTV, Sky Angel, or you can follow this link to find a carrier in your area.
Back in Houston. Why a cow in a space suit? I don't really know.
This is such a tremendous opportunity for our ministry! The TCT network reaches 170 nations all over the world! We are so very thankful to God for blessing us with this opportunity, and for all of you that have supported us over the last two years with your prayers, your likes and comments, both on our website and our facebook page, and through your donations.
Please continue to pray for us. We will be sharing at Crestwood Baptist beginning next Sunday and for the first time we will be introducing a boys-only curriculum: Armed and Valiant! My wonderful hubby will be leading the guys in their sessions.
The love of my life and the Keeper of my heart
Thanks again, God Bless, and we'll keep you posted!
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:30 PM Links to this post
2 comments Labels: I'm Just Sayin'
Monday, March 26, 2012
Joseph: A Life Marked by God's Favor part 1
We're back! Thanks for joining us. Over the past few days, God has been teaching me through the life of Joseph, and I feel compelled to share some of what I've learned with you. Although I've heard it all my life, lately God has been pointing out some aspects of Joseph's story that I'd never noticed before.
It's easy to chalk Joseph up to being someone exceptional, someone with the proper blood line, born at the proper time, and specially gifted, destined for greatness. What amazed me was just how normal Joseph really is. Upon closer examination, Joseph is pretty much exactly like you and me. "How?" you ask? I'll show you:
Joseph was one in a crowd of many: Joseph was not an only son, and he was not the oldest son. Back in his day, the oldest son was traditionally the recipient of the birthright and the blessing, as well as a double portion of his father's estate. Joseph was one of the youngest of Jacob's sons, and therefore not very high up within the structure of authority, at least according to his society. (Gen. 29:31-30:24)
Joseph came from a troubled family: Ever feel like you can't do anything important for God because of where you're from? Guess what, you're no different than Joseph. Jacob, Joseph's father, was married to two women, who happened to be sisters (sounds like trouble already!) They quarrelled among each other and fought for their husband's favor and the ability to conceive children. At one point, they both gave their maids to Jacob to father children on their behalf, bringing the total of "wives" to 4! As children were born of these various women, obviously struggles ensued over who was most important, who was most loved, and who would receive the greatest inheritance. Because Joseph was the first son of Jacob's favorite wife, he did receive an extra measure of his father's attention and favor. However, this obviously hurt his relationship with the other brothers. (Gen. 29:31-30:24, 35:16-21, 37:3-5)
Joseph had his strengths and weaknesses: Joseph was a dreamer. According to Genesis 37:5-11, God gave him two distinct dreams that foretold of his rise to power over his brothers. The dreaming part was good, but how he dealt with the dreams left much to be desired. Many people assume that he bragged about his dream to his brothers. Although that is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, it does say that he shared his dreams with them. This was, in the least, a lack of discretion. He could have no doubt that his brothers would react negatively to his dream. He should have kept it to himself, or shared it in secret with his father. Genesis 27:8 says that his brothers . . . hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Finally, throughout his story, Joseph is described as being truthful, trustworthy, loyal, and a good leader and organizer. He possessed some admirable qualities, but he had his faults as well.
All this leads up to a tremendous turn of events that takes Joseph from the lowest to the highest of positions, all for God's plans and purposes. We'll continue Joseph's story next week, but the gist of today's "lesson" is that Joseph was not exceptional, he was just like us. He had his baggage, his list of excuses not to excel, but instead he accepted the dreams God placed upon his heart.
If you have dreams of doing mighty things for God's glory, don't allow your circumstances to weigh you down. The first step is to embrace the dream, trusting that the One who called you will equip you with all you need to succeed. God is famous for calling those who seem least worthy to do the most amazing things on His behalf!
Do you feel discouraged about your dreams? Leave a comment or email us at email@example.com and we'll be happy to encourage you.
Posted by April M. Anderson at 8:30 PM Links to this post
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text:
KeyImpact Sales & Systems, Inc. Enters the OCONUS Worldwide Military Segment
Feb 04, 2013, 02:10 ET
ODENTON, Md., Feb. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- KeyImpact Sales & Systems, Inc. announces its entrance into the OCONUS Worldwide Military Segment. Effective February 1, 2013, KeyImpact will provide resources for its trading partners, specific to Europe, the Middle-East, and the Pacific Rim markets. Butch Cassidy—SVP, Segment Sales—comments, "As the military continues to realign itself, it is important for KeyImpact to be able to provide seamless coverage for both the CONUS and OCONUS business channels. This expansion of KeyImpact's services, combined with its current US sales teams, will allow KeyImpact to provide integrated domestic and international coverage for the military segment."
To support KeyImpact's military segment expansion, Mike Hargadon, USN, Retired, has been appointed Director of Military Sales, reporting to Butch Cassidy. Mike joined KeyImpact in 2009 upon retirement from a distinguished, 24-year career of active duty Naval service. "Since joining KeyImpact, Mike has been instrumental in helping grow our partners' business in the marketplace. Mike's knowledge of the military, combined with his foodservice background, provides him with an exceptional perspective specific to the Armed Forces Segment," states Butch Cassidy.
About Mike Hargadon: Mike retired in 2009 as an Aviation Ordnance Chief Petty Officer and Aviation Warfare Specialist/Naval Air Crewman. His military awards include: Three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, The Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Since joining KeyImpact, he has been instrumental in helping grow our partners' business in the marketplace. Mike's knowledge of the military, combined with his foodservice background, provides him with an exceptional perspective specific to the Armed Forces Segment.
About KeyImpact Sales & Systems, Inc.: Formed in 2000, through the merger of Key Brokerage in New Jersey and Impact Sales in Maryland, KeyImpact has grown to become the largest independent foodservice sales and marketing agency in the United States. KeyImpact represents manufacturers of food as well as packaging and supplies and provides sales and marketing services to distributors and operators across all segments of the foodservice trade channel. KeyImpact currently employs over 600 associates in 35 states with industry expertise in sales, marketing, culinary, K-12, military, college and university, contract feeding, retail, deli, national and regional commercial chains, recreation and distribution as well as extensive product and category expertise. Additional information about KeyImpact can be found at www.kisales.com.
SOURCE KeyImpact Sales & Systems, Inc.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Absa Premiership match report Baroka FC v Ajax Cape Town 23 September 2017
Posted: 23 September 2017 Time: 13:43
Baroka stretched their unbeaten run to six games in the Absa Premiership after playing out a 2-2 draw with Ajax Cape Town.
The Urban Warriors broke the deadlock after just two minutes courtesy of a sublime long-range effort from Roderick Kabwe.
Baroka were then awarded a penalty in the 11th minute for handball in the box. Richard Matloga stepped up and scored the spot-kick.
Ajax enjoyed most of the possession in the opening half, although they struggled to carve out chances.
The hosts were then dealt a blow on 37 minutes when Lucky Nguzana was forced off with an injury and replaced by Lewis Macha.
The final stages of the first half proved to be quiet affair and the sides went into break level at 1-1.
Ajax then took the lead five minutes into the second half courtesy of a strike from Tashreeq Morris. His first goal of the season.
The visitors' joy was short-lived as Baroka leveled matters once again with Macha heading at the near post.
Bakgaka opted for another change on the hour as Mpho Kgaswane was introduced in place of Matloga.
Stanley Menzo responded with a change of his own in the 71st minute when Grant Margeman replaced Kabwe.
Both sides upped the tempo for the final 20 minutes as they went search of a winning goal.
Baroka thought thought they had the ball in the back of the net in the 89th minute but Gift Motupa's strike was flagged offside.
Nevertheless, 2-2 was how the score remained as Baroka maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
HOME: Baroka FC
Coach: Kgoloko Thobejane
Formation: 4-2-3-1
- 16 Virgil Vries
- 0 Abdi Banda
- 2 Punch Masenamela
- 6 Olaleng Shaku
- 0 Mduduzi Mdantsane
- 3 Letladi Madubanya
- 10 Siphelele Leonard Ntshangase
46 mins - Gift Motupa
- 15 Albert Mothupa
- 12 Richard Matloga
61 mins - Mpho Kgaswane
- 21 Sipho Moeti
- 30 Lucky Nguzana
35 mins - Lewis Macha
AWAY: Ajax Cape Town
Coach: Stanley Menzo
Formation: 4-2-3-1
- 1 Brandon Petersen
- 0 Tercious Malepe
- 5 Mosa Lebusa
- 5 Mario Booysen
- 25 Isaac Nhlapo
- 27 Roscoe Pietersen
48 mins - Ndiviwe Mdabuka
- 34 Rheece Evans
- 17 Neo Makua
46 mins - Ejike Uzoenyi
- 23 Thabo Mosadi
- 35 Rodrick Kabwe
72 mins - Grant Margeman
- 16 Tashreeq Morris


text:
Hyper Electro Pop beats and synth lines back sultry and sexy male vocals. Based on an angular simple and catchy riff this tune is a suitable dance floor favorite with its funky wah guitar lines and its percussive bass outro.
Suitable for media campaigns to do with fashion, sex and youth.


text:
We may not be able to avoid pain, but we can take action to minimize it.
Pain that does not subside after a few days of self-care requires medical attention. Your doctor can help you design a life with less pain.
Chronic bone and joint pain
Any time you sit, stand, walk or perform any of your daily activities, you are using your bones and joints. It is not normal to experience pain in your bones and joints that make you wince when you move.
This is not what it means to get older.
Chronic pain is generally pain that is present for more than three months. It can be caused by accidents, injuries, underlying disease, muscle strains and even stress. It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine. Common problems that can cause chronic bone and joint pain include osteoporosis; a condition of decreased bone strength, arthritis; an inflammation of one or more joints, bone spurs; bony projections that form along the edges of bones and repetitive stress injuries; a group of injuries that occur when too much stress is placed on one part of the body. Only your doctor can perform the physical exam and order the appropriate tests necessary to diagnose and treat your chronic bone and joint pain. When caught early, these problems can be more easily and more effectively treated – even prevented!
Successfully treating and managing arthritis
Arthritis is an umbrella term for more than 100 diseases that target the joints and musculoskeletal system, causing joint pain, stiffness, inflammation – even deformity. Treatment and management options are available. Do not suffer unnecessarily from the pain of arthritis. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms AND increasing joint function and may include:
* Medications that can help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation, interfere with pain signals and slow joint damage.
* Injections that can remove excess synovial fluid (the lubricating fluid found in joints) and administer medications to help reduce the inflammation, pain and swelling.
* Physical therapy, which improves your range of motion, strengthens muscles around painful joints and increases stability and balance and helps reduce pain.
* Surgery that can slow joint deterioration, replace a deteriorated joint with an artificial one and can lock two bones in the joint together to provide stability and reduce pain.
Physical and occupational therapy for injury and pain
Physical and occupational therapy is one of the first steps to manage your pain. Physical therapists can help you deal with pain and improve your mobility through exercise, water therapy and use of heat and cold. Occupational therapists can teach you how to perform daily activities more easily. Regain your independence by partnering with your hospital to customize a plan for you to start moving and stop hurting. Still not convinced? A therapist is an expert who can:
* Help you set realistic goals and design a plan for you to achieve them.
* Coach you in your movements.
* Keep you motivated and on track.
* Teach you proper form.
* Modify your treatment if appropriate.
* Answer your questions.
* Track and properly evaluate your progress.
* Team up with your doctor to maximize your treatment.
What does your life with less pain look like? Maybe it would include engaging in the sports and pastimes that you love or accomplishing daily tasks with ease. Or keeping up with your children and grandchildren, sleeping comfortably through the night, or simply having the freedom to do what you want.


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|We know Japan has heightened levels of radiation, but what about those killer vending machines?
When I entered university, I quickly became aware that there were three types of people on campus: students in the humanities, others in commerce (the blanket term there for studies in economics, management and finance), and the rest in engineering and sciences. At first, it seemed like a joke, like a contrived distinction on a school sports day when students are divided into red team, blue team and white team. But as time went on, I realized these were very serious and useful distinctions to last through a lifetime, perhaps even a very solid element of a theory of human nature. Thirty years later, the distinctions seem more pronounced than ever.
There are very few people who can live in more than one of these worlds, although the commerce and engineering types seem to move in each other's world more easily. My university had a requirement that all undergraduates had to pass English 100 and at least one course in the sciences. This led to many strained relationships of convenience between people who couldn't stand each other's company. One would ask for help with an English paper in exchange for notes from a science course. Each would be embarrassed by his or her weakness, impatient with the other's weakness, yet proud of his or her own strengths. And they hated each other's world view. Usually, the relationships didn't last long enough to make the study exchange bear any fruit.
These ancient animosities have been on my mind since I started writing about nuclear issues. I've encountered many defenses of the nuclear industry that remind me how difficult it is to exchange views with someone with a completely different set of cognitive skills who lives and works among like-minded people with shared interests. When we meet, we seem to each other like alien creatures speaking an unintelligible language. On a few occasions, I've come across arguments made by engineers that are pronounced with great confidence because they have been propped up within their insular world. As soon as they are uttered outside that world, the situation is just embarrassing because it is readily apparent that they are based on poor analogies, illogic and obliviousness to the wider questions beyond material utility–questions about morality, philosophy and creative ways to avoid ecological destruction.
One such example is the idea that the nuclear industry is moving toward perfection with each meltdown that provides valuable "lessons learned." This idea of the perfectibility of the technology is enough to make me wonder if I'm not the one who is being quixotic. The nuclear lobby thinks of themselves as conservative, hard-nosed realists. They say, "You can't put the genie back in the bottle. This is the reality. Deal with it. Don't be a quixotic fool dreaming about a nuclear-free world." But when it comes to the record of nuclear disasters, they are suddenly utopian dreamers ready to spout about the perfectibility of man.
It was put to me once that nuclear perfection will be just like the history of boiler accidents. Once, when boiler technology was new, there were many accidents and many deaths, but now there are few because of better regulation and designs. Actually, Wikipedia lists about forty famous boiler accidents, and they seem to still be occurring in recent history. But in any case, the important thing is that we've all forgotten about the boiler disasters of the past because they aren't surrounded by massive sacrifice zones where no one can live or cultivate the land. The broken boilers didn't leave a molten core of radioactive waste leaking into the groundwater for centuries to come. The ruins of boilers were cleaned up quickly because the site was not too radioactive for humans to work in. Clearing up the site didn't take four decades and 100 billion dollars. Boiler disasters were not low-consequence events for the people who died in them, but they were low-impact in terms of their broader effects. There is just no basis here for a comparison with the meltdown of a nuclear reactor.
Another strange argument I've heard is that the nuclear industry is unfairly targeted for regulation, and provokes too much irrational public anxiety. Risk is everywhere, so another argument suggested that hamburger restaurants should be regulated so that cholesterol consumption is reduced to the lowest possible level that is known to cause no harm. It's surprising to me that the highly trained scientists and engineers who run the nuclear industry can actually be proud of such arguments. When I was younger, I sort of admired the people who could pass advanced calculus and physics courses, but now I wonder if this talent comes at the expense of other faculties of reasoning.
It seems to me that it shouldn't be necessary to explain to a nuclear engineer the difference between cholesterol and anthropogenic radionuclides. The former is an organic molecule that has been part of the human diet since before we evolved into humans. It has benefits in itself, and delivers more benefits because of the protein and other nutrients that come with it in many foods. We have ways of sensing when we've had too much, we know when we are eating it, and we can freely choose to have more or less of it. None of these things is true of anthropogenic radionuclides. They've been in our food and water for only a few decades, and the decision to put them there came without the consent of the victim. They have no role in organic chemistry, and no benefits to offer in living organisms. They are poisons. We have no way to sense when we have been exposed to them, and thus no way to avoid them. To protect ourselves from them, we must rely on experts whose function it is to promote the nuclear industry, not to protect individual health. When a nuclear expert argues that the nuclear industry is unfairly targeted and regulated, he is showing that he doesn't understand what it is about the field he works in that makes it uniquely hazardous and fully deserving of public oversight and skepticism.
I encountered the first two examples in private conversations. The next one comes from the book The Highway of the Atom, by Peter Van Wyck. He critiqued the Government of Canada study that whitewashed the radioactive contamination of the Dene people on Great Bear Lake (which is another story covered in more detail here). The lead fact-finder of the study, Walter Keyes, is vocally pro-nuclear and generally opposed to regulation. He worked for the firm Intertec Management Limited which was contracted to conduct the study. He was also a former deputy minister in the Saskatchewan government (which promotes uranium mining in the province) and he belongs to the lobby group Canadian Nuclear Association. Van Wyck discovered a publication in which Keyes seems to be seriously complaining that vending machines deserve to be more regulated and publicly feared than the nuclear industry because they have caused several deaths over the years (because once in a while angry customers shake them until they topple over), whereas nuclear power plants caused none. Van Wyck cites these words that Keyes spoke to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency:
Although there have been no recorded deaths in North America from radiation exposures at either uranium mines or nuclear power facilities during the past 30 years, there have been enormous sums of money spent on regulation, inspection and enforcement. Yet, in contrast there have been 30 reported deaths in North America from vending machines during the past 20 years–and that's from the machines themselves, without looking at what may be the hazardous contents of the machines such as cigarettes, food products and other items. Does this mean that government is over-regulating the nuclear industry or under-regulating the vending industry? Is this a case where the cumulative impact on the environment and public safety of vending machines has been overlooked because each incremental item is seen as being so very small without fully understanding the overall impacts? (1)(2)
We can leave aside the fact that Keyes sets the parameters narrowly as deaths by radiation on site. There is plenty of evidence suggesting that the nuclear industry has slowly killed many people offsite. Of more concern is that a lead investigator in a study on the health effects of radiation disingenuously tries here to deny the potential of the nuclear industry to cause disasters of wide-scale consequence. He pretends not to understand what it is about nuclear technology that makes the public want to have it more strictly controlled than vending machine technology.
The three arguments discussed here are just some examples of how the nuclear lobby develop these non sequiturs among themselves and become laughably over-confident in their ability to present convincing arguments to the public. One would think that people so well trained in the sciences would be more skilled in logical rhetoric. In fact, I think they would be capable of better rhetoric if there were indeed any good arguments to be made. Lacking them, all they can do is make very weak analogies to boilers, hamburgers and vending machines.
So let me offer a suggestion. Forget the analogies. There is nothing else like nuclear physics, even though it does provide some powerful metaphors for many abstract phenomena. I would give the same advice to anti-nuclear people. You can compare radioactive contamination to assault on the integrity of the body, but the analogy only goes so far. Direct violence (person on person) is illegal, but the same cannot be said of the activities of the nuclear industry. Its activities are licensed and its accidents do not result in criminal prosecution.
Strangely enough, radiation can be the source of a metaphor, but not the target. Meaning is very effectively conveyed when we talk about a policy that is too radioactive for the president to mention, or when we warn about a financial meltdown, but it's senseless to say, "Stay away from that nuclear reactor. It'll get you like a vending machine." As a rhetorical device, this is cheap sarcasm, I know. But seriously, there is nothing else like radiation. I suspect that the reason is that metaphors are drawn from the natural world, what the human mind understands instinctively from its long evolution. We can easily conceive of birth as arrival and death as departure, but what is beta decay? Until the 20th century, radiation was irrelevant to life, and it is still outside of sensory experience, so there is no way to make it the target of an insightful, interesting metaphor.
Walter Keyes and Dennis Lawson. Presentation to Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. Saskatoon, February 29, 2000, on behalf of the Risk Assessment Society. Cited in: Peter C. Van Wyck. The Highway of the Atom (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2010). Pages 186-187.
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC, Soda Vending Machine Industry Labeling Campaign Warns Of Deaths And Injuries. November 2, 1995.


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Reasons to smile this weekend:
Sun, spring, these fantastic marbled roses that smell of raspberries and milk glass.
Reasons to be sad this weekend:
That our dear friend Petter never woke up from his sleep again. He barely past 40.
Never take for granted your time on this earth, you can be here today and gone tomorrow...


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Festivals and Events
Nadelmans Flash Short Terminal Bar Wins Sundance Jury Prize
Stefan Nadelmans Flash-animated film Terminal Bar was recently awarded the Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking at Sundance 2003. This original and compelling documentary uses still images, text, music and animation to illustrate the lives of the denizens of a notorious Manhattan dive bar that once employed Nadelmans father and attracted many of New Yorks forgotten and downtrodden citizens.
For Nadelman, an autodidactical filmmaker, animation was not only the best approach, but the only approach to his award-winning project. Drawn from 2500 pictures taken by his father, the most pure route to bringing Terminal Bar to life was to scan the negatives digitally and animate using Flash. Being able to animate the movements of the pictures offered the greatest flexibility in regards to manipulating the image tweaking, perfecting, and completing complex moves thereby superceding any other filmmaking method.
"My path to filmmaking was partly serendipitous and partly deliberate," explains Nadelman. "My father used all the available wall space to hang his photography of the sad black-and-white portraits taken at the Terminal Bar. In addition to his own work, my father hung Escher prints, and so through transitive property, I became fond of this mathematical approach to art. As an adolescent, I had taken to pen and paper, mostly cartooning. I sampled different mediums as any normal young artist would, until Apple debuted the 512k in the mid 1980s. This was the beginning of my love affair with the computer."
With access to a treasure trove of the thousands of photographs his father took while he worked at the Manhattan bar in the '70s, as well as the colorful stories that he had saved in his head, Nadelman set out to give exposure to this unique story. It took a year for Nadelman to fashion the 23-minute documentary, using simple programs like IVIEW, Premiere, and Sound Edit.
Now Nadelman is beginning to enjoy the fruits of his labor with critical and audience acclaim at both Sundance and RESFEST, where it won the Audience Choice Prize. Yet despite his recent success, the humble Nadelman says that whenever he refers to himself as a filmmaker, he feels slightly uncomfortable with the label: "I believe that saying you're a filmmaker is like saying you're a DJ. No one will believe you because everyone claims to be one." Fortunately, he has more than enough evidence to support his claim. Terminal Bar is a shining example of the way in which animation is a key tool for the modern filmmaker and is a tribute to the seamless marriage of content and technique. Terminal Bar can be seen next at Black Maria and the N.Y. International Independent Film and Video Festival.


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This is the 3rd year that Raincoast Education Society has been collaborating with Wickaninnish Community School to deliver outdoor, experiential programs for Tofino's youth. Students of all 10 classes at the elementary school receive regular Field School excursions, and most are studying a year-round theme such as sustainability, biodiversity or local ecosystem dynamics. Each Field School outing is designed to complement the class theme. Adventures range from hiking on Meares Island to visiting Thornton Creek Hatchery, surfing, and learning about mudflat ecology!
Raincoast Field School, Fall Sessions (Dec 9)
Ms. Morris's grade 5/6 class
This rainy day provided students with ideal weather conditions to practice their shelter building skills. After learning the basics of shelter location and overnight survival requirements, students got to decide which shelter would be best suited to the current weather conditions; an A-frame shelter or a wedge shelter. They worked in teams to build a weatherproof shelter using a tarp, rope, and outdoor knowledge.
Raincoast Field School, Fall Sessions (Dec 6)
Ms. Michaud's grade 2/3 class with Ms. Morris's grade 5/6 class
Big buddies and little buddies headed to Tonquin Beach for another step of the scientific method: data analysis and communicating results! Students brought the data they collected during their previous Field School session to answer the scientific question: Are there significant changes in the intertidal zone through the seasons? With data sheets in hand, students graphed out intertidal species abundance in the sand, and then communicated their results to other students. Nice work scientists!
Raincoast Field School, Fall Sessions (Dec 6)
Ms. Seibel's grade 1 class
During this field school session, students headed out for a frosty morning beach seine. They learned how to handle animals with care, the importance of eelgrass habitat, and how to use observations to form predictions about species diversity through the year. Students worked together to pull the seine net up on to the beach. We discovered lots of perch, sculpin, crabs and shrimp! As always, a big Thank You to Tofino Sea Kayaking for letting the Raincoast Field School acess the beachfront.
Raincoast Field School, Fall Sessions (Dec. 5)
In Partnership with Tofino Heartwood School
What a perfect, sunny day to do a beach seine! Today, the Raincoast Field School partnered with the Tofino Heartwood School to learn about eelgrass communities and plankton. It is interesting to see how the eelgrass communities change with the seasons; compared to the summer, there were very few fish and crabs. We did get to see some shiner perch, speckled sand-dabs, and sculpins though! As always, thanks to Tofino Sea Kayaking for letting us access the beachfront.
Raincoast Field School, Fall Sessions (Dec. 2)
Ms. Hansen and Ms. Aujla's grade 6/7 class
Students geared up and got out in the rain to learn all about the community of plants and animals in the mudflats. After learning about adaptations of mudflat organisms, students gained an understanding of the importance of mudflats for juvenile fishes, migrating birds and invertebrates. Afterwards, students warmed up while watching Finding Dory, and compared and contrasted the ecosystems in the story with the ecosystem they experienced in the mudflats.
Raincoast Field School, Fall Sessions (Nov. 30, and Dec 1)
Ms. Hovi's grade 3/4 class and Mr. Grigg's grade 4/5 class
Students headed to the school forest to reinforce their knowledge of food webs with a game of predator-prey! Students were given roles such as herbivore, omnivore or carnivore and their goal was to survive the duration of the game. To do so, they had to collect sufficient food and water while also working hard to aviod getting tagged (eaten) by someone in a higher trophic level!


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Lynn Collum
Regency Romance
"Such romantic nonsense might prove to be a problem."
Andrew Morrow wants nothing to do with the arranged marriage his father is setting up, especially when his 16-year-old heart belongs to someone else. Instead of doing the pretty, Andrew runs off to India to make his fortune. Jacinda is not happy about the prospective marriage either, though at 12 she has less alternatives. But when she and her father are set upon on their way home from negotiations, Jacinda's life is turned upside down. Her father is dead, and someone is trying to kill her. She disappears, waiting until her father's murderer is caught before going home. But when she unexpectedly runs into Captain Drew Morrow, perhaps it's time to take things into her own hands and solve this mystery so she can get her life back.
My Opinion: This book is well thought out and has a great mystery plot as well as the romantic one. It really keeps you guessing as to who the murderer is and what exactly is going on. Jacinda is a fabulously stubborn woman, though she is still feminine. Drew is a great character and his developing love is one of the best parts of the story. The side characters are a little confusing at times, but they get sorted out in your head after a bit. Nice change from your standard regency romance.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Captain
2 comments:
Stopping by from the Type A hop!ReplyDelete
Tales From the Nursery
I used to work as a librarian and I was always shocked at how graphic some romance novels are! Yikes. You are definitely filling a niche here!ReplyDelete
I'm following you back from Type A Thursday. Thank you so much for participating! I hope you'll be back next week. :)
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Cream Cheese Ham Pickles
- 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
- 6 pieces rectangular-shaped ham, sliced thick
- 6 lg. pickles (kosher dill)
Our Readers Also Loved
Spread 1 1/2-2 Tbs. cream cheese onto each slice of ham. Place a pickle on the shorter side of the ham and roll tight. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice each roll with a very sharp knife into 1/2-inch thick slices and arrange artistically on a red/orange or yellow plate for the nicest presentation.
Reviews (2)
Great receipe, but should not be listed under Jewish Holiday Receipes
Flag as inappropriate icmsteve | August 18, 2010
I make this same recipe with the kids, but I also mix in some shredded cheddar cheese to the cream cheese.
Reported gpilon | February 7, 2010
Around The Web


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Dental Care: How To Get Your Teeth Looking Great Again
There are a lot of strategies that can help you to have a better smile. The number of whitening products available can make choosing one difficult and confusing. Luckily, you will find this article to be helpful when you're trying to learn more about dental care.
Finding a dentist can be hard especially if you have recently moved into a new neighborhood. There are many websites available that gives dentist scores. You may also find that your primary care physician is a good source for information on dentists located in your community. Additionally, your insurance company may be able to recommend a dentist in your area.
Always brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes. You simply aren't going to reach all the nooks and crannies within your mouth where plaque loves to hide. Leave yourself enough time for proper brushing, especially in the morning and at night. This will go a long way to preventing plaque buildup and an emergency trip to the dentist frame(https://www.hvitesmil.no)
If you want to boost your chances of selecting a good dentist, be sure to ask friends and family members for referrals. Ask them which dentist they use and get their opinions on the service, costs, and quality of care. Their honest assessments can be invaluable as they save you time and effort in your research.
When you are brushing your teeth, make sure that you get all of the toothpaste out of your mouth by rinsing properly. Leaving toothpaste on your teeth can cause buildup, which can negatively affect the health of your mouth. After you are done, give your mouth a good rinse three times with a cup of water.
Brush your teeth twice a day to prevent tooth decay. When you brush, make sure to massage the gums with your toothbrush and to keep brushing for at least two minutes. Dentists recommend two minutes as a minimum amount of time to brush if you want health teeth and gums and avoid any decay.
If cost concerns are bothering you when it comes to getting proper dental care, make sure you ask your dental provider about payment plans. Some procedures, tannimplantat/dental implant can be rather expensive, but most providers are willing to work with patients on payment arrangements. Often, an installment arrangement can be worked out and this can enable you to get immediate treatment.
Take the time to regularly brush your teeth. Brushing after meals at least twice daily is best. Brush for three minutes each time making sure to get the surface of every tooth clean. Never brush your teeth too roughly and always use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Floss between teeth after you brush, for best results.
Avoid soda as much as possible if you want to preserve your teeth's health. Soda not only contains a lot of sugar, but also contains acids, which can eat through the enamel on your teeth. Thus, if you drink these carbonated beverages, you are more likely to have cavities.
If you have a fear of dentists(tannlegeskrekk) it is well worth making many regular trips for a simple check up so that your experience with a dentist is not solely related to emergency treatment. The same will help children overcome a fear of dentists, regular check ups, this way they can familiarise themselves with the dentist, chair and tools.
As this article said earlier, oral hygiene is important. There's a plethora of products in stores for teeth whitening. You should review the advice in this article to learn more about dental care. Your teeth will appreciate the effort. Sponsored by søvnapne.


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Medical questions & health advice by board certified doctors
"What are the best ways to treat hair loss due to PCOS?"
I read that minoxidil and Nizoral shampoo were good options
Hair loss can definitely be a problem in some women with PCOS. The hair loss occurs because of excess circulating levels of testosterone, which is also associated with some of the other symptoms of PCOS. Since the hair loss is related to circulating testosterone, it is generally treated in much the same way as it is treated in men. As such, topical minoxidil would be one of the first treatments to try in most cases. In cases in which minoxidil does not work, there are also some oral medications that might be tried. I would suggest that you first see a dermatologist or your primary care doctor about the issue. It is important to make sure that the hair loss is indeed unambiguously from your PCOS and not from another condition effecting the scalp, such as dermatitis or a scalp infection. I say this because the treatments for the two different types of hair loss are obviously quite different. For example, you mention Nizoral, which is an anti fungal medication that is very effective in some cases of scalp dermatitis (by killing off the fungus that is involved), but which will have no effect on true PCOS-related hair loss. Please see your doctor soon, and good luck.
Need more info?See a dermatologist today
Zocdoc Answers is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor (in the United States) 911 immediately. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. Medical professionals who provide responses to health-related questions are intended third party beneficiaries with certain rights under Zocdoc's Terms of Service.


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Let's face it, comedy is a hard business. Even the Jerry Seinfelds and Jon Stewarts of the world have their share of hecklers. Hell, Louis C.K. made a career out of telling people how much his life sucks. So it's a wonder that there are any newcomers who want to join the club. Lucky for us, New York has always been the epicenter of standup, and after all the abuse, an exciting new crop of comics have arrived on the scene. So if you can't score the Chris Rock tickets, rest easy. These are New York's up and comers:
Harrison Greenbaum
For most of us, putting up with one boss is difficult enough. Harrison Greenbaum has a new audience to please each night, often pulling off multiple shows per evening. Estimating that he performed 1,600 times in the last few years, the New York Daily News has named him the "hardest working man in comedy." In the last year, he's been on a tear, taking home the Andy Kaufman Award for best performer and first place in the Magners Comic Stand-Off. His smart, witty, and lightning quick punchlines might be a sign of his ridiculous schedule...or it might be a result of his Harvard degree.
If you haven't seen her perform,you've probably seen Friedman's work by now: she was hired to write for Letterman this summer. If you're not into CBS (read: old people) humor, you might enjoy her other exploits -- she's constantly making sketch videos (like this one, starring Jon Hamm) for Funny or Die and Atom.com. She's based in New York, but if you have a chance to see her, don't miss it. Between her writing gigs and touring schedule (she was featured at SXSW this year), she's a busy lady.
Pete Lee
If you go to Lee's home page, you're greeted with a clean-cut, smiling young man. If you drag your cursor around the page, though, you're treated to images of him getting savagely beaten up by a girl. This encapsulates most of what you need to know about Lee -- he's a self-effacing nice guy, with just enough edge to surprise you. Unsurprisingly, after getting tapped to film a standup special for Comedy Central in 2009, things started happening quickly. He earned a semi-final berth on NBC's Last Comic Standing, won Country Music Television's award for Next Big Comic, and is currently touring nationwide.
Kara Klenk
She might have gotten her start from the NBC Page Program, but she's much better looking than Kenneth. A comic, actor, and improvisor, Klenk has appeared on Spike TV and Nickelodeon, as well as Comedy Central. Her brassy and sarcastic brand of comedy can be seen in person as she hosts her own weekly show at UCB East (better known as "UCBeast,"155 East 3rd Street).


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One of my favorite stamps is from Stampotique Originals and is called Frida Grande. Frida is beautiful in black and white alone, but easy to add red to her hair bow, her jewelry, her lips or, in this case, the neckline of her dress and lips! The background is a script stamp, also from Stampotique Originals, and is called Vintage Script.
If you love challenges (and words!), come check out the Take a Word site here.
Thanks for your visit today and for taking a moment to leave a comment! I invite you to join as a follower (upper-right sidebar) and then to follow by e-mail.


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Tropical Flora
You have several options to choose from to view the images. It is now set to Thumbnails, but you can go under Style (above) and choose SmugMug, Slideshow or Journal to see them in different ways. Choosing Journal is an easy way to scroll through each photo at your own pace and read the caption about where it was taken. Click on "Buy" or the shopping cart icon to purchase prints. (Watermark will not appear on purchased prints.)Read More


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Almost the Belly of the Beast: Awesome Dinosaur Mouth Bed
The best part about designing a kid's bedroom is that you can do all of the crazy, over-the-top fun things that you would like to do in the rest of the house but probably couldn't get away with. This fantastic dinosaur-themed bedroom is endlessly fun and just the kind of imaginative design that kids love.
One lucky kid gets to sleep right in the mouth of a T. Rex every night. The bottom jaw forms the bed and a hinged toy box, while the upper jaw is suspended from the ceiling – gigantic teeth and all.
The mural on the bedroom wall depicts a fun prehistoric world, and the wall just behind the bed shows the monster dino's body. This is a great example of silly (in the best way), creative design that doesn't require a mansion-sized room to pull off.


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6.45 a.m. found me telling Squidgy the Exmoor, Lexie and Ishi off for kicking their doors - like impatient rowdy kids. Jasper is polite, he's been brung up proper - he doesn't do kicking doors.
I told them I can only give out breakfast one at a time.
Then Baz and me on for our walk up through the fields. What an absolutely glorious morning!.
I'll let the photos show the rest....
|The gate into Top Field, facing east
|Fairy Trampolines! (well Ok, cobwebs in the grass)
|The mist along the valley in the distance
|You also have to imagine the air fresh and clean, and dozens of birds singing
|Facing North. The Lane towards the Village
(you might just be able to see the church steeple poking upward in the distance)
|Our bit of lane, leading to the farm
|Very misty (a wren was singing in the tree to the right)


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GOLOMB is a Professor of Medicine at UCSD. Her research is in medicine,
health (including work at RAND), military health defense. Her training
is in physics and medicine (BS, graduate fellowship offers from Harvard
and Cal Tech, PhD in neurobiology UCSD, MD from UCSD and board certified
in Internal Medicine, chief resident in internal medicine at the VA
in West LA, and a Fellowship in epidemiology/health services research
with the RAND/UCLA Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholarship Program.)
She currently divides her time between being PI on a major NIH-funded
clinical trial on the side effects of statins, the Scientific Director
of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illnesses and clinical
Edge: Beatrice
Golomb's UCSD Home Page