text:
Today, please join me in extending a warm welcome to fellow author Abigail Baker. Abigail is stopping by today as part of her virtual book tour celebrating the release of her latest book, The Reaper's Kiss. The Reaper's Kiss was published on August 24 by Entangled Select Otherworld and is the first book in Abigail's Deathmark series.
Abigail Baker shares her home with a Siamese cat endearingly named "The Other Cat" and two rescued mutts with mundane human names that people think are cute. In addition to writing about rebellious heroines, she enjoys hiking, discovering craft beers, baking the perfect vanilla bean cupcake, and rock climbing (going as far as scaling 800 vertical feet to the summit of Devil's Tower National Monument in 2013). Abigail won first place in the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer's 2010 Colorado Gold Writing Contest for Romance for THE BLOODSUCKER and first place in RWA's Golden Network's 2011 Golden Pen in Paranormal Romance for TATTOO OF YOUR NAME ACROSS MY SOUL (now THE REAPER'S KISS, Deathmark Book One). She regularly blogs about life observances, lives at the base of the Rocky Mountains, and can be easily found hiking any of Colorado's best trails. You can learn more about Abigail by visiting her website, her blog, on Facebook and by following her on Twitter.
ABOUT THE REAPER'S KISS: Ollie Dormier's tattoos are deadly. She is a Scrivener—an employee for Death—and her skull tattoos mark her clients for their demise. She does her job, and she stays out of trouble. But when her hands start to burn hot and fierce, and her control goes leaping out the window, all hell breaks loose. Ollie is showing the early signs of being a Master…demonstrating power that is forbidden. That power is exactly what Reaper Brent Hume is counting on. A hot, scruffy rebel, who does marvelous and terrifying things to Ollie's insides. Now he needs Ollie's help—and her skills—to overthrow the evil and corrupt Head Reaper. That is, if he can figure out a way to keep this hot-handed girl cool…and keep his hands off.
If you would like to purchase a copy of The Reaper's Kiss, click on one of the following links:
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads Shelf
And now, let's hear from Abigail…
THE REAPER'S KISS Music Playlist…with metal.
by Abigail Baker
If you think a book about a woman who tattoos death into people would have a playlist crammed full of heave metal, you are a partly right. When I wrote my debut paranormal romance, THE REAPER'S KISS, music was an essential vehicle for creativity. In fact, a good song on repeat for hours (yes, I'm a little nutty) was sometimes the only way I could write a particular scene. There was a time for heavy-head-banging metal…a time for trancelike electronic…a time for 80's goth rock…and even time for The Man in Black.
So instead of telling you about my writing process, I'm instead going to share the soundtrack to THE REAPER'S KISS, A Deathmark Novel. Enjoy! (and maybe turn your speakers down for #7).
1. Soilwork, Let This River Flow
2. Florence + the Machine, Shake It Out
3. Blue Oyster Cult, Don't Fear the Reaper
4. Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire
5. Daughter, Love
6. All That Remains, Forever In Your Hands (Acoustic)
7. Mnemic, Deathbox
8. I:Scintilla, The Bells
9. Lacuna Coil, I Like It
10. The Cure, Lovesong
I'm turning this post on you, readers. What songs move you?
Thank you for reading! And thank you to Suzanne for hosting me today!
Peace out!
Thanks, Abigail. Congrats on the release of The Reaper's Kiss. Some great songs on that list. But really, turn the volume down for number 7!!
In association with Abigail's virtual book tour, there is a tourwide giveaway of a prize pack containing a coffee mug, a collection of signed books (titles TBA), and a $15 Amazon or B&N gift card (winner's choice). Open to US Shipping. In order to be entered for your chance to win, you MUST leave a comment answering Abigail's question and then enter using the link below. Good luck!


text:
- The airplane was hijacked by one person who is claimed to be armed with a suicide belt, Egyptian civil aviation confirmed the hijacking
- The plane was forced to land in Larnaca, Cyprus, reports that a bomb was also in the plane were confirmed
A hijacked domestic EgyptAir plane from Alexandria to Cairo has landed in Larnaca, Cyprus.
The Egyptian plane according to sources was hijacked by one person who threatened the pilot with a suicide belt on Tuesday, March 29.
The plane was carrying 62 passengers. Egyptian civil aviation sources and police confirmed the hijacking and said one man was involved, the plane was an Airbus 320.
Sources also said that a bomb was in the plane as it made its emergency landing in Cyprus.
READ ALSO: Two French tourists die in Samburu plane crash
The hijacking of the plane, carrying 55 passengers and a crew of seven, was confirmed by EgyptAir on Twitter at 7.40 am.
The hijacker threatened to detonate an explosives belt, according to Egypt's civil aviation authority.
Hijacker demanded that authorities leave the runway in order for him to release women and children in the plane.
The hijacking occurred in Cyprus's flight information region.
The hijacker released all the passengers except five 'foreigners' and the plane's crew.
The hijacker has been identified as a man named Ibrahim Samaha an Egyptian national.
READ ALSO: 150 Al-Shabaab militants killed in Somalia just before launching a "large-scale attack"
Photo: Premium Times
Source: Tuko.co.ke

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Thursday night's first-round match between Ohio State and Akron in the NCAA men's soccer tournament was tied 1-1 after the full 90 minutes. Soccer games end in ties all the time, but you need a winner in the playoffs. The game couldn't be decided in extra time, so it went to a penalty shootout, which went 15 rounds.
An NCAA spokesman wasn't sure if the game set a record for longest shootout but it has to be close, at least.
"With it being as cold as it was, we were all freezing and we all just wanted it to be over," Ohio State head coach John Bluem said, according to NCAA.com.
• Swiss soccer team cuts all 11 players who started in 10-0 loss
Buckeyes junior midfielder Zach Mason was the hero, sending his kick past a diving goalkeeper to end everyone's misery.
"Soccer's a cruel game sometimes," Akron senior midfielder Clint Caso told the Akron Beacon-Journal.
• DC Comics says Valencia's logo looks too much like Batman's
- Brad Rowland


text:
Learn Hebrew
Yachatz -
Breaking the Matzah
Download Seder Guide
Yachatz ("divide") is the fourth step of the Passover seder. Three matzot that have been placed in a white bag (called a matzah tosh) are taken out and shown to all. The leader then says,
"This is the lechem oni - the bread of affliction - which our forefathers ate in the land of Egypt. All who are hungry--let them come and eat. All who are needy--let them come and celebrate the Passover with us...."
The Seder leader takes the middle piece, calls out "Yachatz," and breaks it in half. He then takes the larger piece (called the afikomen) and carefully wraps it in an linen cover. The leader will then tell the children present to close their eyes and then hide the afikomen somewhere in the room.As the Seder progresses, parents often encourage the children to search for the "lost afikomen." Since the Seder cannot end without it, once it is found (engineered to occur at the end of the Seder), the child receives a reward, and a small piece is given to each participant. The wine cups are then refilled and grace after the meal may be recited to close the meal. Perhaps the ulterior purpose of the Afikomen game is to keep children alert and attentive throughout the ceremony.
Why Three Matzot? Why Afikomen?
There is some speculation as to why there are three matzot at the seder. Some of the sages have suggested that they represent Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But why then is the middle matzah (representing Isaac) broken in half? Does this suggest the Akedah (the binding of Isaac) by Abraham? If so, this is a clear allusion to the sacrifice of Jesus, since the first occurrence of the word love in the Scriptures (ahavah) (Gen 22:2) refers to a father's love for his "only" son who was offered as a sacrifice on Moriah (the very place of the crucifixion of Jesus), a clear reference to the gospel message (John 3:16).
Consider how the Akedah provides a prophetic picture of the Lord Jesus as the "Lamb of God" (Seh haElohim) who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Both Isaac and Jesus were born miraculously; both were "only begotten sons"; both were to be sacrificed by their fathers at Mount Moriah; both were to be resurrected on the third day (Genesis 22:5, Hebrews 11:17-19); both willingly took up the means of his execution; and both demonstrate that one life can be sacrificed for another – the ram for Isaac, and Jesus for all of mankind.
Another tradition is that the three matzot represent the people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, respectively. But why would the priests be depicted as "broken" in this case? Is not Jesus the "high priest of our confession" (Heb. 3:1) who provided eternal redemption by means of shedding His blood in the Holy of Holies made without hands (Heb 9:11-12; 10:11-12, 21-23)? Why would the symbolism of the broken priest be included in the Passover Seder? Did not the prophet Isaiah foretell that the Messiah would be "wounded for our transgressions," "bruised for our iniquities," and that "by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53)?The afikomen ritual has been a part of the Passover ceremony since Second Temple times, and therefore would have been part of the Passover service during the time of Yeshua. Indeed, the Greek word aphikomenos is a participle that means 'he is coming' and therefore has Messianic overtones. Consider further that the three matzot, one of which is broken, is an image of hashilush hakodesh - the triune nature of God - with the focus on the broken middle piece of matzah, which is a picture of the suffering Mashiach Yeshua. Consider that this piece is taken, wrapped up, and carefully hidden from view, only to be discovered at the end of the Seder by little children. This is an image of the death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua from the dead. Only after partaking of the Lamb of God who was slain for our transgressions do we understand and take hold of the reward given to those who seek for Him.
Preparing for the Second Cup
After the Yachatz ritual, wine for the second cup of the Seder is often poured.
<< Return
Hebrew for ChristiansCopyright © John J. ParsonsAll rights reserved.


text:
Salman Khan is all set to shoot the promo for Bigg Boss 9 today at Filmcity, inform sources. Salman will be returning as the host for the sixth time on the show. Last year, he was not available for the extended edition, which was taken over by Farah, Khan but he is back this season.
While the promo is slated to go on air within a week, sources say that the show is likely to start from October 11 immediately after Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded wraps up. This time, however, the show will be aired at 10.30 pm instead of 9 pm, inform sources.
In the past there have been several instances of the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry raising objection to the controversial content being aired at prime time. But given the format of the show and the kind of contestants (with controversial backgrounds) involved in the show, the makers are probably playing safe by airing it at 10.30 pm. Keep watching this space for more updates!


text:
Malay Borneo
Land beneath the wind
All hotels, lodges and vessels are regularly inspected by a member of the Selective Asia team to ensure they keep to the very high standards our clients have come to expect. Your consultant will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of any of our hotels and boats with you prior to you making a booking. If a hotel of your choice is not listed, please feel free to ask - it may just mean it didn't make our final cut due to the high number of good-quality properties in a particular destination....Selective by name, Selective by nature!
Please note that your choice of hotel may affect your overall holiday cost.
Why don't we use the more recognisable ★ rating?
★★★★★ or ★★★
Because there is a huge disparity between grading systems in each country. There is no international governing body and this leads to a vast difference in each "star" (*) category from one country to the next.
Our award winning Destination Specialists eat, live & breathe Asia.
They've each been there and have the T-shirt to prove it, so give us a call and let's get to work on the greatest holiday you're yet to have...
Call us on Toll Free +1 866 932 3840
Or enquire online


text:
STEVE INSKEEP, Host:
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan insists the housing bubble and then later declines announcing has relatively little to do with him.
ALAN GREENSPAN: If you're going to argue that the bubble in the United States is the result of Federal Reserve policy, this argument is a very shallow, very short-sighted argument in my judgment.
INSKEEP: And while his explanation is hotly debated, it offers insight into how Greenspan thinks the world economy is changing. The Federal Reserve controls only the interest on short-term loans. Around 2004, the Fed started raising those short-term rates once again, yet Greenspan discovered that people who made long-term loans like mortgages hardly paid attention.
GREENSPAN: And having lost control of long-term interest rates, we were significantly incapable of affecting long-term, 30-year mortgage rates. We and all other central banks lost control of the forces directing higher prices in homes.
INSKEEP: Are you saying that you found out you had less power than you had when you started as Fed chairman?
GREENSPAN: That's what the data show.
INSKEEP: The world economy has grown so dramatically after the fall of communism, there's so much money to be invested, that in effect, interest rates are going to go down no matter what central banks do. You're overwhelmed.
GREENSPAN: No. They will be determined by the supply and demand forces in the global market, which doesn't necessarily mean that interest rates will continue down. It is the case...
INSKEEP: That they have gone down.
GREENSPAN: ...that they have. But what I point out is that we're in a turning phase and that the extraordinary improvements that have occurred in the world economy in the last 15 years are transitory and they're about to change.
INSKEEP: Has the economy changed in such a way in recent years that some of your basic beliefs that you've long held have to be reevaluated now?
GREENSPAN: No. What has changed is not my beliefs of how the markets work. If anything, they have been reinforced. Market competition is the general way every major economy developed, and developing, has gone. The most extraordinary example is China. China is moving towards capitalism. It doesn't say that, obviously, it can't, but that's precisely what it's doing and the effects are unbelievable. And hundreds of millions of people have moved out of abject poverty in China, India and elsewhere. And these are the result of market forces. I do raise questions about the implications of the increasing degree of inequality as a consequence of a lot of the high-tech changes that have occurred.
INSKEEP: Inequality in societies, between the richest and the poorest.
GREENSPAN: I mean inequality of income, very specifically, which is clearly a consequence of the dramatic globalization which is creating a much higher premium on skills rather than non-skills. And I - in my book, discuss at great length, the failures in our education system which have put our primary and secondary schools down at the lower level internationally in math and science. And this is a major problem in our maintaining balance between various different income groups, which is what we had from the end of World War II probably through to 1980 or somewhere later than that.
INSKEEP: Is there a statistic or a number that you would follow or point us to that may tell us overtime which way the economy is going next?
GREENSPAN: Well, I don't think that we have yet captured the characteristics of how economies behave in a manner which enables us to forecast very well, because a recession changes the psychology. You go from a state of euphoria to primordial fear and that's a different form of market. And it happens unexpectedly. Because if you could forecast it, it wouldn't happen because markets would adjust. So what I have to forecast is that something will happen, which is unexpected, which will knock us down. But the odds of that happening, I think, are rising because we are getting in vulnerable areas. The record of forecasting, not only of myself and companies I've developed, but professional as a whole, is not particularly spectacular. And I've been forecasting since the early 1950s. I was as bad then as I am now.
INSKEEP: Have we - meaning the media or businesses or consumers - have we been mistaken to pay so much attention to everything you've said over the years or that your successor says now?
GREENSPAN: Yes. I mean, I often thought, when people came up to me and they said thank you for my 401K. As I say in my book, I was embarrassed by how to respond to that because I would like to have said I had nothing to do with your 401K, madam, but I didn't want to be ungrateful because we've had an extraordinarily major global boom - the consequence of forces which central banks had very little to do with.
INSKEEP: When was a moment earlier in your life when you knew you'd be spending your life studying giant economic forces or trying to influence them as opposed to being a musician or anything else that might have been on your mind?
GREENSPAN: Well, it was - when I turned from being a fairly good amateur musician to become a professional and realized, for example, having sat next to Stan Getz for a year, that there was something he had that I didn't. And so there was an epiphany somewhere along the line which said, since in your spare moments you seemed to be reading economic texts...
INSKEEP: Which Stan Getz probably did not enjoy.
GREENSPAN: I'm certain that he did not, and he did not have to.
INSKEEP: Well, what do you love about economics?
GREENSPAN: It's fascinating because it's a major part of the way societies govern themselves and the way people behave in a majority of their time. And it is a never-ending challenge because we cannot know the future, but we cannot resist trying. It's built in to our nature.
INSKEEP: Mr. Greenspan, thank you very much.
GREENSPAN: My pleasure.
INSKEEP: Next, let's get some responses to today's news that Benazir Bhutto, opposition leader, former prime minister of Pakistan - has been assassinated after a campaign rally. The responses we've heard today include this, from Fasi Zaka, he's a columnist and TV host in Pakistan.
FASI ZAKA: It's been incredibly - a sullen feeling for most people. because to most, she was such a larger than life figure, that the thought that she's dead actually hasn't settled in. So, most people are in a state of shock right now and everybody across the whole spectrum of people are deeply saddened by what's happened.
INSKEEP: This is NPR News.
Copyright © 2007 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio record.


text: From Softi Software: FreeOCR is a free software for optical character recognition software for Windows and supports scanning from most Twain scanners and can also open most scanned PDF files and multipage TIFF images as well as popular image formats. FreeOCR outputs clear text and can export directly into Microsoft Word format. FreeOCR uses the latest Tesseract (v3.01) OCR engine. It includes a Windows installer and it is very easy to use and supports opening multi-page tiff documents, Adobe PDF and fax documents as well as most image types including compressed Tiffs which the Tesseract engine alone can not read. It can now scan using TWAIN and WIA scan drivers. Whats new in this version: Version 4.2 adds more pages Twain Scanning, OCR entire document in one go, Uses Tesseract V3 for higher accuracy, Windows 8 compatible, Automatic Updater text editing. View Larger pictures


text:
This great novel by Juli Zeh is set in the village of Unterleuten in Brandenburg, one of the former East German Bundesländer. Situated as it is about one hour's drive north of Berlin Unterleuten seems an ideal spot for Berliners weary of the city and seeking the authenticity and simplicity of rural life. The attempts by the newcomers to understand and integrate into village life constitutes one of the themes of this novel and indeed the clash between town and country is nothing new in literature. However here the narrative is played out in an area which has seen massive social, political and ideological changes in the preceding century, most recently the post war Communist era of the DDR ( Deutsche Demokratische Republik) and the change ( die Wende) brought about by the fall of Communism from 1989. The village of Unterleuten, as everywhere else, has seen its fair share of winners and losers from these upheavals- and the resulting grudges and resentments add ballast to the mix of emotions and rivalries bubbling away beneath the surface. The novel's structure and crime thriller elements invite the reader to try to make sense of these subcutaneous ripples and in particular an accidental death which happened 20 years previously.
The immediate narrative is around the plan to build a wind park with 10 wind turbines on an area of land in Unterleuten called 'die schiefe Kappe'. Responses to this in the village are mixed, but there is no doubt the plan will go ahead- it is part of Angela Merkel's new energy policy of 2010 to go over wholesale to renewables and the only question is, whose land will it be built on and who will benefit from it? The company Vento Direct requires a site of 10 hectares. The landowner Gombrowski owns 8 hectares, the Bavarian property speculator Meiler also owns 8 hectares and it is newcomer to the village Linda Franzen who owns 2 hectares and the balance of power.
Prior to Vento Direct presenting their proposals at a village meeting we have been introduced to some of the key players. Gombrowski is the proprietor of Ökologica GmbH, a farming business which had been a family business originally and was forced to convert to a collective farm under communism. The business is not now doing so well financially and clearly he would benefit from the leasing of his land to Vento Direct. Meiler is a property speculator from Bavaria who randomly bid for and won some land in Unterleuten in an auction. He is indifferent to wind turbines at first, though later wishes to have them on his land to raise money to finance his son's drug habit. Linda Franzen is renovating her house Villa Kunterbunt and wishes to extend the property to develop her business as a horse whisperer ( aka horse psychologist) and to stable her own beloved stallion Bergamotte. She has her eye on 4 hectares of land behind the house presently owned by property speculator Meiler and may do a deal, selling her 2 hectares on 'schiefe Kappe' to him in return for the 4 hectares behind her house.
Now I did call the wind turbines plan the 'immediate narrative' and though the machinations between the characters is indeed entertaining, this narrative thread is also a hook on which to explore other themes and human reactions in this rural community. Indeed the novel does not open with the wind turbines story but instead with a witty account of the gap between rural idyll and reality in the story of Gerhard Fließ, a former sociology lecturer from Berlin, his young wife Jule and their baby Sophie. They left Berlin in search of the good life and we find them sitting indoors with the windows closed on account of the insufferable smell and smoke from their neighbour who runs a car repair shop burning rubbish on their boundary day and night.
Like Gerhard, we soon learn that conflicts are not resolved in this community by going to the authorities: Gombrowski's friend, Hilde, has been attacked by villager Kron, but calling the police is not an option. Gombrowski claims disingenuously that disputes in Unterleuten can be settled over a drink and a chat in the local, whereas we gradually learn in a slow drip effect through the narrative that his influence is coercive and far reaching and if disputes are not settled to his liking there will be consequences for those who dare to cross him. One challenge for Linda Franzen, and the newcomers in general, is uncovering the web of power relationships simmering beneath the surface, in order to pursue their goals or simply to live a decent life. The way in which they react to and accommodate these unwritten rules provides both humour and unease- and Zeh's skill lies in often provoking both at the same time.
To what extent are these conflicts the result of the political system under which the community lived for 40 years- the DDR? We know that Gombrowski's 50 year dispute with Kron has political differences at its origin: Kron, a Communist, was amongst a group which forced Gombrowski's family farm to become a collective farm under Communist rule. Gombrowski, however, did well out of the Wende-when his farm was converted to Ökologica GmbH, he was awarded a 70% shareholding and got rid of the workers' committee. Gombrowski's used his power at that time to 'help' other losers-when Arne Seidel, the vet at his farm, was not able to work because his East German qualifications were not recognised, Gombrowski supports him in becoming mayor- on the basis that Gombrowski's projects were waved through on the nod. So Gombrowski's 'support' for Arne and other villagers comes at a price and this exertion of power creates resentment, bitterness and clan warfare which tips over into violence with great regularity.
Other conflicts in the novel are brilliantly delineated, for example the generational differences. The digital generation who work for themselves, like Linda and her husband Frederik, are objects of curiosity for the older generation and there are some humorous observations, from former East Germans, about the young people's precarious jobs and the ubiquity of surveillance cameras in the workplace! Juli Zeh brings out these differences in several powerful scenes in which characters from utterly different worlds confront one another.When Meiler arranges to meet Linda at the Hotel Adlon in Berlin, he is expecting her to be intimidated by his familiarity with the pretentious setting. Instead she is as adept as he is at dealing with both the setting and the negotiations despite her youthful ponytail and casual clothes.
The structure of the novel itself expresses difference. Each of its 62 chapters is headed by the name of a character and through inner monologue and free indirect speech both progresses the narrative, while giving us that character's back story and perspective on events. It is to Juli Zeh's great credit in her skilful use of voice that we are quickly drawn into the intimate thoughts of characters quite unlike ourselves and find ourselves seeing things from their point of view and even empathising with them. Yet as the novel progresses we realise that we are being told different versions of events, according to the character narrating, and that the characters themselves are unreliable narrators, being self delusional, opinionated, believing what fits their preexisting prejudices as well as just plain forgetful. In trying to piece together what happened in the past through the different narratives we sometimes feel the sands of Brandenburg are as shifting and unreliable as they seem to Meiler on his first visit to Unterleuten.
And the sands, the land itself has both an overt and symbolic presence in the novel. On the one hand it's a story about wind turbines and the ownership of land in Brandenburg. On the other hand there are several references to what lies beneath which have a symbolic resonance. Gombrowski refers to the village's scrap metal buried beneath the ground in DDR times rendering the soil poor and unyielding, as if the tired old grudges of the communist era are responsible for the malfunctioning community of today. His final act, which I shall not spoil, is a malicious act also concerning the land. Yet this is not the last word. That which is buried can be dug up and defused- the land can be fertilised and restored. And it is the younger generation who will do this. The newcomers to Unterleuten, renovating their properties, take up the linoleum laid in DDR times to reveal the tiles beneath, as if raking up the past and getting rid of it. And the epilogue sees the younger generation in the character of the sympathetic Kathrin take on the role of mayor as the old men die out.
This is a great novel about life in a rural community and the complexity of relationships which it reveals may be seen in smaller rural communities in many different parts of the world. Jon McGregor's latest novel Reservoir 13 discussed here on Open Book indicates that this is a current topic of interest to novelists. Yet the setting in Unterleuten of a village in the former DDR, where sophisticated Berliners rub shoulders with the locals makes this a very contemporary commentary on life in Germany today. It is a big book in its range and breadth of characters, at times humorous, satirical, poignant and chilling and its clever plotting kept me gripped to the end. Have a look at the Unterleuten website to learn more about the characters and their community. Cross your fingers for an English translation soon and give it to your friends.
entified as ideal land for her business is owned by Meiler, a property speculator from Bavaria. He bought the land cheaply in auction, oblivious to the resentment he's caused- his speculating will inflate land value and increase interest repayments for the locals.
The two most powerful locals make their entrances early on : Kron and Gombrowski, both older men now in their 60s who have lived in Unterleuten most of their lives. Gombrowski has a farming business, Ökologica GmbH, now not doing so well financially and it is suggested in a sort of slow drip fashion that his influence and power is both subtle and far reaching- he helped Schaller set up his auto repair yard, for what? we wonder but have no clues as yet. The fact that Kron and Gombrowski are at logger heads is seen by the fact that Kron has attacked Gombrowski's friend Hilde. Again, there is no question of involving the police and we are told their enmity goes back a long way: Kron was an active communist and fought against Gombrowski all those years ago when he was resisting the collectivisation of his family farm. The men hate one another and their feuding is characterised by violence, some of which forms part of the narrative, some merely hinted at for the reader, but contributing nevertheless to the atmosphere of fear and anxiety which builds up during the story.
The structure of the novel enables us to meet the many characters and hear their back stories before the narrative really gets going. The chapters are each headed with the name of a character- and I loved the generational difference noted in the female characters' 'Gombrowski geb. Niehaus' but 'Kron-Hübschke'. Each chapter then describes events from the point of view of that character and here we see Juli Zeh's skill in the range of voices she expresses-from that of the older man Gombrowski, deluding himself that he has only done good for his community and that he loves his woman folk whom he bullies and beats, to that of the cool and calculating Linda, her busy thoughts running along her demanding daily schedules, interleaved with nuggets of wisdom from her guru Manfred Gortz. In this way we see events from one individual's point of view and, after a while inevitably become aware of the discrepancies and different interpretations put upon events by different characters and factions. And this is indeed part of the novel's message, indicated by the mayor Arne at the end- that the really dangerous people are those who think they are right.


text:
JML Seeks To Dismiss Madoff-Related Investor Suit
JML said the case should never have been brought in a U.S. court and that the plaintiffs had failed to state a claim, according to a motion to dismiss filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
"As an initial matter, this case does not belong in a U.S....
To view the full article, register now.
Try Law360 FREE for seven days
Already a subscriber? Click here to login


text:
Purchasing art's proven trying for me: despite numerous visits to galleries and art fairs with the hope of buying an original piece, I've never been able to pull the trigger. And I'm yet to figure out how to snag one of those Caravaggios out The Vatican.
So recently I headed to the The Fairmont Dallas for its Art Immersion Apprentice Trip and talked with Brian Embry, director of the Ross Akard Gallery, and Hobbes Vincent, the hotel's then-artist-in-residence (attention luxury hoteliers: if you need a writer-in-residence, I'm your guy) before exploring Dallas's surprising amount of burgeoning arts districts.
An account of my trip runs in the February issue of onAir, Air Canada's frequent flyer newsletter, which has 3.8 million subscribers, and as a web exclusive for enRoute, Air Canada's in-flight magazine:
"Painting the Town Red, White and Blue: Art-filled weekends in Dallas"
Shortly after returning to home, I used what I learned to buy this painting by Louisville artist Bart Galloway:
That the subject moved me shouldn't be a surprise.
Thanks to Mike Taylor at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Katie Norwood at The Fairmont Dallas, and Erica Martinez at Jackson Spalding for arranging my visit. And thanks to Brian and Hobbes for their insight (and bar recommendations).
Now, to find a good framer in Louisville…


text:
In 1943, World War II was raging and victory was far from guaranteed. The war separated family and drew women into the workplace. Amidst all the worry, chaos and grief, Bing Crosby released "I'll Be Home for Christmas." The song was composed by Walter Kent. Kim Gannon wrote the lyrics. Eventually Buck Ram also received credit for the lyrics because he had once written a poem with the same title.
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" is written as a letter from a deployed soldier to his lover back home. He writes, "Please have snow and mistletoe and presents round the tree." The song finishes, "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams." Several heads of recording studios said that they liked the music but that the final lyrics of the song were too sad.
Finally, while playing golf with a friend from a recording studio in 1943, Crosby sang the song. Reluctantly, the friend arranged for Crosby to record the song. His instincts were on target. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" stayed on the charts for more than ten weeks. It was one of the most requested songs at USO shows.
Over the years, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Josh Groban and Kelly Clarkson have all performed the song.
So, why were the recording studios so reluctant to give "I'll Be Home for Christmas" a chance? Part of it was indeed the wistful line at the end when the soldier reveals he or she may return home only in a dream. During the war years, the entertainment industry tried to offer pieces that were light and funny. They were afraid that shows depicting death and deprivation might demoralize viewers.
It's hard to say why the song became so popular. There is no doubt that the music is beautiful. Also, perhaps people were tired of Hollywood's patronizing attitude. They were aware of the loss and danger whether Hollywood chose to show it to them or not.
In recent years, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" has become popular again, thanks largely to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In a Josh Groban version, real soldiers announce their names, ranks and units at certain points in the song.
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" is a song that people might not have heard had it not been for the determination of Bing Crosby and the need of our country to both grieve losses and acknowledge hope.


text:
Emerson arrived into Benning on a rainy Wednesday. His mind was occupied as he walked from the bus stop to his destination. As he looked up, he realized it was taped off by the police. He had been out of town for several weeks but what could have happened to Beatrice? He sternly looked about when his eyes rested on the Abandoned Artists. Perhaps they could enlighten him on current events.
Avery and Allie were both found in the Gallery, now opened to the public. Avery spotted him first. "Why, Emerson! It's been awhile! How have you been?"
The older gentleman's dark velvety voice warmly greeted the young artists. "Yes, it has. I'm glad to see the art community is thriving."
"Indeed," chimed in Allie. "We are so appreciative of investors such as you that made it possible. We are starting a few community outreach projects, art lessons, and we even have had a couple of other local artists approach us about renting studio space. It turns out the old fire station can hold much more than anticipated."
Emerson nodded, appreciating the positive report. "That's wonderful. I'm glad to hear of your success." His expression changed to one of concern. "Now, can you tell me what is going on with Miss Bea?"
Allie and Avery exchanged looks. "Well, her disappearance was noticed on Thursday. However, nobody has seen her since around Monday."
Avery jumped in, "Yes, I saw her ride off on her bike on Monday. They found it at the bus stop. Really, I think it's all kind of dead ended right there."
Emerson nodded, "Hmmm…well, Monday is the date on this letter I received from her. Perhaps I should visit the police and see if we could figure this out."
Emerson bowed his head towards the ladies and replaced his hat as he exited the room. Pulling the letter out of his pocket, he knew the police would find the contents interesting…and perhaps equally bewildering. "Bea, what have you gotten yourself into?" he said under his breath.


text:
Hillary Clinton will address the delegates this morning and that will occupy much of the time and attention, but a whopping 91 new business items have already been submitted, the lion's share from the California delegation. Here are a few:
NBI 18: "The NEA will publicize a call on Hillary Clinton to end the Democratic Party's attack on public education. No more Arne Duncans. No more charter schools."
NBI 20: "The NEA will publicize its condemnation of Donald Trump's racist, sexist, and xenophobic presidential campaign and the impetus it is giving to immigrant bashing and violent racist and fascist organizing."
NBI 36: "The NEA will publicize the role that the creation and then later closure of charter schools plays in leaving thousands of young people and families without any school, and in creating entire communities where no school exists and young people and families are thus denied the fundamental right to public education."
NBI 50: "NBI NEA DEFEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY FIGHTING PRIVATIZATION. NEA will educate and organize their members to defend public education from the privatization process that threatens the existence of America's democratic school system. NEA will educate its members on how to identify and effectively correct and refute myths, misinformation, fabrications, half-truths, and lies that form the prevalent corporate reformers narrative that is allowing and validating the dismantling and privatizing of America's public schools system."
NBI 52: "NEA will create a committee to draft a proposal for the U.S. government to create a healthcare system for all (single payer/Medicare for all)."
Delegates from other states also have some ideas.
NBI 35: "The NEA will withdraw from the #TeachStrong Coalition of the Center for American Progress." The rationale provided is that the "membership of the NEA is committed to defending public education from the many corporate-backed groups in #TeachStrong, including Digital Promise, Education Post, Teach for America, National Council on Teacher Quality, Relay Graduate School of Education, and Stand for Children."
NBI 45: "NEA will develop a list of job qualifications, to be given to presidential candidates, that candidates for Secretary of Education shall possess. This should include such things as formal training in education, experience as a public school educator, and no financial, employment, or positions supporting the education privatization industry." The rationale states: "The Secretary of Education is the highest officer in charge of public education in our country. The Surgeon General is always a surgeon. The Attorney General is always an attorney. The Secretary of Education should be an experienced educator."
Not to pick nits, but although the Surgeon General is always a doctor, I am 99% sure they have not always been surgeons.
NBI 55: "The NEA will petition the next President of the United States to remove the 'National Charter Schools Week' designation from the week that has traditionally been reserved for 'Teacher Appreciate Week'."
NBI 74: "1) NEA will gather evidence and inform its members of the impacts that charters have had on funds available for traditional public schools. 2) NEA will urge its members to not use the term 'public charter schools' and NEA will cease to refer to them as such."
Finally, there is not one, but two distinct and perhaps contrary NBIs on graduation attire.
NBI 27: "President Eskelsen-García will write a letter to every state chief officer of public education recommending they support American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islanders' wearing symbols of their culture during their graduation."
NBI 79: "NEA will publish an article using NEA digital properties suggesting that all graduating seniors wear the same color and design graduation grown at graduation ceremonies making male and female graduates equal."


text:
Bailey Oboe Reed, small tip openings
recommended for players of all levels
Showing reviews 1-3 of 4 | Next
Posted by Heather on 6th Aug 2016
After being without oboe (mine was stolen) and without practice for about a decade, I've finally replaced my instrument and started learning again. This reed was by far the most comfortable and user-friendly for essentially starting back at square one. It delivered a clear and even tone, even with my clumsiness added, and allowed just the right amount of air. I've seen many reviews listed from more advanced players, so this reed must really be as versatile as the description suggests. Thank you!
Posted by Deborah Hencke on 24th Feb 2016
As a professional oboist, I love, and try to get, Bailey reeds when I can as they have a dark lovely sound...perfect for one particular concert hall. This time, though, one of the 2 reeds I ordered arrive damaged. It was not boxed flat in the coffin case (or shifted in transit) and arrive with about 1/4 of the tip on one blade close to the top folded down and hanging. A good soak and manipulation afterwards could not save it. I clipped the reed and retooled it, OK for a 'practice' reed, but a disappointment. I would suggest that you convert to tubes with polyfiber fluff at either end to suspend reeds and cushion them during transport. Another reedmaker I use, Kerry at reedmaker.com, places a paper cap over the tip before it is put in the tube to further insure protection of the delicate tip. Never had an issue there. Good reeds are expensive works of art and necessary tools for us. They need greater care. Thanks! Deborah
Posted by Unknown on 2nd Feb 2015
After so many disappointing reed purchases, I finally found Bailey
reeds which give me a consistent, lively sound and response.
It's such a relief to have quality reeds.
Showing reviews 1-3 of 4 | Next


text:
Congratulations to lucky comment number 112…McKim! You've just won a custom birthday shirt from Threadbands, LLC!
I'll be emailing you shortly to let you know that You've Been Picked by Freckleberry Finds!
If you didn't win this giveaway, don't lose hope! Not only do I have some stellar giveaways up right now, but Giveaway May is right around the corner! There will be stuff for you AND for baby, so don't miss it! If you grab the Giveaway May button (right hand sidebar), you'll earn THREE extra entries into EACH giveaway! So hurry, go snag that sucker!
Also, if you haven't yet liked Freckleberry Finds on Facebook, you might wanna get in on that! I'm accumulating a bit of a "grab bag", and on days I'm feeling a bit giveaway happy, I may host some flash giveaways! Plus, it gives you an entry into all of my giveaways, so go for it!
Happy Hump Day! Halfway to the weekend :). Keep on keepin' on!


text:
Ya know, I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but the internet is getting boring… only things I have any interest in are LJ and a few friend websites that I peer at occasionally (mainly because they only update them occasionally). I don't even go to the talkers anymore since most everyone I care to talk to is either on LJ or IM.
Speaking of websites, my nephew has a blog that he keeps and I made the mistake of sending my mom there to read it. Little did I know he would start ranting about his lack of sex and give graphic details about the state of his naughty bits. Grandma just about had a stroke!
I've been having lots of health problems lately, all girly related, which have now lead me to a second round of antibiotics. Generally this leads to other not-so-fun stuff which I will need to get rid of when the drugs are done. I won't go into details, just thinking about it makes me sore…
On Saturday I played in my first instrumental performance in over 15 years. It went quite well, except my horn passed a stone… or rather a piece of styrofoam that popped out of my 1st valve. It's been playing like it's been clogged for weeks, and was about to take it to Mr. Repair Person. It was nice of it to pass it's anomoly before it cost me $$$. Now it's like having a new horn 🙂


text:
Please go check out my guest post at Steady Mom. It's something I've wanted to share for a while and I really enjoyed writing it.
*** *** ***
I know, I know. Not only did I leave you hanging, but I built up the suspense like maybe WAY too much. I'm afraid you may think I now have a three tiered self-cleaning pond system or solar panels self-installed on top of a bicycle shed built from salvaged materials. (I wish!) Sorry to let you down.
No, we started a little simpler and perhaps my pride is bigger than my product, but none the less I feel great about it. I showed you how nasty our mini-backlot was already. Not only was it unusable, but it was super gross due to an ill-managed and overflowing compost.
We have lots of ideas and big visions, but we also have two young children, a family business, a budget and a pregnant mama, so any step in a focused direction is good for me.
(Rambling over.)
We had an aha moment that sheet mulching was the perfect solution for the first step. It fixed both the problem of loosing our kitchen compost, creating some kind of ground cover, making the yard usable and working within our budget.
We first learned about sheet mulching while we were apprenticing on an organic medicinal farm outside of Asheville, North Carolina right after we were married. It is a permaculture strategy that involves covering, layering and building the earth, rather than constantly digging into it.
Sheet Mulching
- Improves and encourages healthy soil
- suppresses weed growth
- encourages healthy microbial activity and worms
- supports healthy native plants
In short, sheet mulching = good for everything and everyone.
Step 1: Compost
The first thing we did is distribute the fill in the yard evenly. We unearthed all that buried compost and threw it around. Stone broke down the compost (it was broken anyways) and we spread that around too. We then took all the leaves we had raked and kept round the tree in our front plot and used a tarp to move them to the backyard.
Step 2: Weed Barrier
We broke down cardboard boxes we'd been storing for a rainy day and then got more from a local grocery store. Usually you would wet down the cardboard to keep it from blowing away, but we don't have an outdoor hose so we used rocks to it down in key places.
Step 3: Mulch
(note: it is customary to put another layer of compost down. Since our compost was less finished compost and more kitchen waste we skipped this step.)
We recently learned that our town shreds all of the city's Christmas trees and makes a mulch that is free for residents. A resident is allowed to pick up two barrels of mulch per day. We did this for two days until we realized it would take forever. Stone called the town and asked permission to just fill up our truck and they happily gave permission. Score! We all helped to spread the mulch evenly.
Step 4: Plant
At this point most people plant by digging down and cutting through the cardboard to add their plants. Our space is so small and the sun is mostly blocked by the fences and houses. We have decided not to plant anything yet. Our long term plants involve either adding onto the house and/or building a bicycle shed in the back. After that happens I am sure we will add some native, shade appropriate plants, but for now we needed the place to be neat and usable.
I can't tell you the relief it feels to look or walk back there. The kids have been playing kick ball and we've been dreaming about how we envision making the best use of the small space. With the baby coming quite soon and Stone's busy season around the corner I am so happy we did it now.
Next, we designed a simple, new compost system. More pics and details to come!
*Note: Contrary to what the pictures show I worked alongside with the family. It was a great pregnancy workout!


text:
Hello, everyone!
Updated: 11/05/2017
This site is a collection of all fictional works that I will be finishing up. For more information please use the navigation menus above to get around. Links to the finalized published works are available as well as all currently in progress novels.
Expected pauses: Two children, full-time job – updates are irregular. I am still writing, I swear!
Current work in progress order:
- A Liar Called #2 Draft – Knife Eared Exploder
- Friday The 13th
- Wayward Online: Tales
- Prince of Neverwas (Royal Scales #5)
- Silk Bird Cage (Fragments of Aeon #1)


text:
Articles about Spirituality
Discovering your own aura always seems intimidating, people feel uncertain if they are doing it correctly or if they are seeing what is truly their own aura. This article will give simple steps on how to discover your own aura.
Using a comfortable chair you will want to sit in a quiet room where you can meditate and concentrate without interruptions. Place the chair close to a blank light colored wall. Dim the lights in the room so there is little reflection of colors in the room (you do not want outside colors affecting your concentration).
After sitting on the chair and getting yourself into a deep relaxing state of mind and body, you will then take your two hands and squeeze them together. When you start to feel the energy building between your two hands, you will then reverse the hold and squeeze again. Do not release from your grip until you feel as much energy as you can handle between your hands.
Once the energy has built up to it's limit, you will then let your hands drop to your sides. Slowly bring them back up to chest level with palms facing each other. Bring your hands together steadily until you can feel a resistance between them. Do not let your palms touch at all.
The last thing you will do is focus lightly your gaze at the surrounding area of your hands (the outline of your hands). You should see a light or bold band of color around your hands, this is your aura. If you feel pulsing or tingling feelings do not panic that is the energy force of your body (your aura).
Articles about Spirituality Board powered by
Tetra-WebBBS 5.33 © 2012 tetrabb.com


text:
first edition Original Wraps
1841 · London
by Titmarsh, M.A. [Thackerary]
London: Hugh Cunningham, 1841. First Edition. Original Wraps. Very Good+. 12mo. Second state (sometimes called a "facsimile reprint" it is not an "absolute facsimile" as Van Duzer 194 states. Van Duzer further states: "....the plate opposite the title has no inscription in the facsimile, and on p. 120 the thirteenth line has four stars...."); frontispiece, 122pp., (1)pp, publisher's ad for Thackeray's upcoming work titled "Dinner Reminiscences" Bound in original drab gray pictorial paper wraps showing Napoleon lying in state; with 4 stars on p. 120 and 3 lines shading Napoleon's cheek on front wrapper. Tiny loss to spine tip and front wrapper corner, pages a bit age toned, frontispeice pasted to verso of front wrapper. Internally clean. A very nice copy. (Inventory #: 2016)


text:
Thespian and Legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao breathed his last on Tuesday night. One of the greatest actors of all time, ANR …Continue reading »
A day after ANR entered the shooting of the Akkineni Multistarer movie, Manam, Nagarjuna joined the unit from Today. The shooting is …Continue reading »
Way back in 2006, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Nagarjuna acted together in Sri Ramadasu. And it was their last appearance together and …Continue reading »


text:
i am currently dating a guy who is totally out of my league...he could get ANY girl he wants...his body is perfect..etc etc
WHY is he with me?
am I just like, a hobby until he finds a better girl?
Most Helpful Guy
If he could get any girl, why do you think he chose you? That is a positive statement by the way. You aren't as "undesirable" as you think. This guy doesn't seem himself as HEAPS hotter than you, he knows he's just another person same as you.
I get asked all the time why I'm still single, why I don't have girls chasing me around, etc...apparently they are thinking like you are now. But like I said, I don't see myself as some kind of trophy or accomplishment. I used to be TERRIFIED of girls, now I'm only inexperienced with them. Am I still such a trophy? No, and I never was anyway.22|00|0


text:
Golden Eagle FCU
With our free app you can find information about our credit union, membership eligibility, hours, products and services and more! Use the map feature to find our location and surcharge free ATMs. The Golden Eagle FCU app also allows you access to your Online Banking. You can check balances, view transaction history and transfer funds quickly, eas…
Free • 5


text:
On Feb. 2, 2016 the JPMA Board of Directors approved a new dues structure for Manufacturer Sales Representatives. Designed to provide a more structured relationship, the new JPMA Associate Member dues for an Individual Sales Representative is only $350 per year! Sales Representative Groups can join at a value-priced rate of $1,590 per year.
We need your help to grow this new membership category! Please send us the names and contact information for the sales representatives you work with. Then let your sales representatives know about this new opportunity.
JPMA member benefits for Sales Representatives include:
Spread the word and help build this new community within JPMA for 2016!
Contact Holly Rose at firstname.lastname@example.com or 856-380-6890 for more information.
12/7/2017JPMA Opens 2018 Innovation Awards Competition
11/8/2017JPMA Baby Show Registration and Hotel Booking Site are Now Open!
2/20/2018 » 2/23/20182018 ICPHSO Annual Meeting and Training Symposium
3/20/2018 » 3/24/2018JPMA Baby Show
2016 Industry Study Feedback
JPMA is professionally managed by Association Headquarters Inc., a charter accredited association management company.


text:
This is a really short Troy-centered oneshot. I'm not really a big HSM fan, but for some reason this annoying little plot bunny kept being like "Write a HSM fic. About Troy. Do it. Now." So I did. Hope it's not too bad.
Pairing: Troy/Gabriella
Rating: rated K for slight teenage angst.
Stage Lights
When those stage lights go on, Troy Bolton becomes something he's been searching for his whole life: himself.
When those blinding lights sear over him, suddenly he is not The Most Popular Boy in School or The Basketball Star. He is simply Troy Bolton, who loves Gabriella Montez and singing in musicals.
His father is embarrassed that his son likes to sing. He thinks it is unmanly, and every once in a while berates the boy for it. He is worried Troy might be gay; Troy knows this and thinks it's ridiculous, because Troy has been dating Gabriella for a couple months now and Gabriella is not manly in any way, shape, or form. Troy doesn't know how else to appease his father; no matter how many times he goes out with Gabriella or how hard he practices basketball or how many games he wins, he still sees disappointment in his father's eyes.
At least Chad supports him.
And Gabriella. His beautiful Gabby, with her long black hair and large dark eyes and her clear, silvery singing voice. She likes when he sings with her, when their voices harmonize, rising and falling together. She encourages Troy to keep singing, to be himself and not be ashamed of it.
This is harder than it seems, this "be yourself" business, because Troy always has been and still is very popular. Everyone as school knows him and expects him to act a certain way. They had certainly all been thrown a curveball when they first heard him sing. Their perception of him shifted then, but for the most part remains the same. They do not understand why he loves singing, and if they ever knew that he considers singing to be right up there with basketball they would be shocked.
They don't understand that when he's on stage, he lets himself go. That when he's up there, in the limelight, he is not aware of the audience's reaction like he is during a basket ball game. During games, he hears the crowd cheering and takes encouragement from it. He keeps his eyes on the other players and on the ball, and his ears open for his dad's voice.
Onstage, he is aware only of himself, of the way he is breathing and singing and standing and being. Onstage, he doesn't worry about disappointing his father or getting an athletics scholarship or applying to college.
None of that matters when those stage lights turn on.


text: Rebecca Minkoff, the NY based handbag designer, whose Morning After bag I just happen to LOVE is doing a collection for Hello Kitty! It's supposed to come out in November and I'm hearing thru the grapevine it's simple Hello Kitty from the high end Sanrio division, Momoberry. Rebecca has designed this limited edition collection and the lining is what makes it Hello Kitty - it's not all over the place. So if you're a fan of not only Hello Kitty, but Rebecca, this bag is sure to fly fast. I hear they're only doing about fifty of each.


text:
To unlock more PREMIUM Free Gifts you must purchase book "How To Sew Art".
To get access to the premium gifts you must enter a proof of purchase code in the from below. You'll find the code number on page 87 in the book (it is near the quilt in the gallery called "Tree Trunk"). You can also find the code on the lower right corner of the "Gerber Daisey Art Quilt Pattern" instruction page.
Kindle users enter the Library of Congress Control number found on the title page as your proof of purchase code.
If you have any problems please send me a message from my Helpdesk.
Enter Proof of Book Purchase Code Here:


text:
All Categories
Books & Bibles
Fashion & Jewelry
Gifts & Giving
Home Decor & Accents
Kitchen & Gourmet
Beauty & Health
Specialty Stores
Christian Bookstore .Net is a leading online Christian book store.
Shop Christian Books, Bibles, Jewelry, Church Supplies, Homeschool Curriculum & More!
Item Specifications...
Item Description...
Three contemporary, humorous parables of a preacher who struggles with his need to change. Extensive commentary on the stories provides insight from the author into the best way to communicate.
Publishers Description
Three contemporary, humorous parables of a preacher who struggles with his need to change Sam the preacher wonders what has gone wrong with his sermons. Are people still listening? Well-known storyteller and communications professor Calvin Miller combines his fiction writing with his insight into preaching to address the changes faced by today s preachers, especially the fact that contemporary congregations have shifted to a different way of listening. How can Sam recover his passion for preaching? In this short, entertaining, story-driven book, church leaders will see honest reflections of themselves. But the narrative humor also provides a clever way to stimulate thought and discussion on how preachers and preaching are changing. Some places in the story will lead to laughter, others will cause readers to pause and reflect. But whatever the reaction, The Sermon Maker leaves the reader encouraged and changed. Extensive commentary on the stories provides insight from the author into the best ways to communicate. Just as the story in the tremendously popular Who Moved My Cheese? impacted readers in the business world who were facing change, so this book is designed as a quick but stimulating story for any church leader who preaches or is concerned about the state of preaching today."
Buy Sermon Maker by Calvin Miller from our Church Supplies store - isbn: 9780310255093 & 0310255090 upc: 025986255091
The team at Christian Bookstore .Net welcome you to our Christian Book store! We offer the best selections of Christian Books, Bibles, Christian Music, Inspirational Jewelry and Clothing, Homeschool curriculum, and Church Supplies. We encourage you to purchase your copy of Sermon Maker by Calvin Miller today - and if you are for any reason not happy, you have 30 days to return it. Please contact us at 1-877-205-6402 if you have any questions.
More About Calvin Miller
Product Categories
Similar Products
Reviews - What do our customers think?
Write your own review about Sermon Maker
Customer Support: 1-888-395-0572


text:
I've made a few passing references to the fact that I am no longer the Organization Development Specialist at Regina Public Library.
Without going into specifics, there's a bit of back story to how that all came about but the main thing to know for the purposes of this post is that when my position was eliminated last fall, our union filed an Unfair Labour Practice claim against RPL management regarding some of the circumstances surrounding how my position was being eliminated.
Soon after, RPL filed an unfair labour practice claim of their own against the local that an advocacy web site the union had launched as part of our prolonged contract negotiations, check-us-out.net (now in hibernation though an archive of the site's contents will continue to exist on Google and others sites indefinitely) presented false and misleading information.
As a resolution to the two and a half year long contract negotiation finally neared, the union decided to withdraw their unfair labour practice regarding my previous position being eliminated, at least partly as a gesture of good faith. The employer did not act in a like manner and proceeded with their case.
The case was heard in July and I'm happy to report that the labour board decided in favour of the union.
If wading through a 14 page legal decision isn't your cup of tea (though I think it makes for a scintillating read!), here are some of the more relevant parts:
Summary of the case…
Section 11(2)(c) – Employer alleges that Union was not bargaining in good faith during recent round of negotiations – Union began public campaign for support which included a "blog" site check-us-out.net – Union published information on website Employer felt was false and misleading and which portrayed a false picture of what the Employer's position was at the bargaining table – Employer alleges that these postings were intended to interfere with the negotiations for a collective agreement – Board denies application.
Board reviews jurisprudence related to "bargaining in good faith" – applies principles developed in cases involving section 11(1)(c) as provisions sufficiently similar in intent – Board determines that Union was publishing its interpretation of the Employer's position to its members and the public through the website.
Analysis of the reason the board decided in the union's favour…
It is not, we submit, unusual for there to be differing points of view during collective bargaining. Each side will want to "spin" their perspective of the events in bargaining to their best advantage in negotiations. The creation of the website by the Union was one of the vehicles utilized to provide the "spin" on proposals and the state of negotiations. Additionally, the website was a part of their public campaign to gain support for their position with the general public and so as to put pressure on the Library Board to make changes to their position.
Further analysis…
Viewed objectively, we are satisfied that the Union presented its version of the Employer's proposals on its website. That version was clearly one with which the Employer did not agree, and in respect of which, on many occasions it attempted to explain to the Union in bargaining. While the Union's view as presented on the website may have been self interested, may have been a "spin" of the Employer's position, and may have impacted on the Employer's position at the bargaining table such that it finally withdrew its offered definition of "Permanent Employee" and added wording to Articles 30 and 33 to better define the impact of those proposals, it is not conduct which the Board finds censorable under s. 11(2)(c).
The Employer says that the Union perverted its intent while the Union says that it followed the black and white text of the Employer's proposals. Taking a reasonable view of the postings on the website and the wording of the actual proposals and their impact, the postings by the Union were sufficiently accurate from its perspective to not cross the line
Reading this decision, I am reminded of the analysis by the noted philosopher and legal scholar, Nelson Muntz, in the decision Ha vs. Ha. 😉
(And you can be sure that type of legal representation doesn't come cheap!)


text:
Summer Greatest Indoor Waterpark Package
"Don't worry about the weather – We've got you covered!"
This Great Package Includes:
Mount Olympus Water & Theme Park
Full Admission to all Indoor & Outdoor Parks
(Click Here for Mt. Olympus Outdoor Parks photos & information)
(Click Here for Mt. Olympus Indoor Parks photos & information)
Kalahari Indoor & Outdoor Waterparks
(Click Here for Kalahari Waterpark photos & information)
Lost Rios & Adventure Lagoon Multi-Level Indoor & Outdoor Waterparks
(Click Here for Lost Rios Waterpark photos & information)
3 Nights Lodging in Your Choice of Suites or Cabins
Meadowbrook – Northwoods Water Adventure Theme Resort with unlimited use of their "Timber Camp Water Adventure Playland"
For your convenience, Meadowbrook is centrally located between Mt. Olympus and Lost Rios!
Pizza Pub Certificate for dine-in or delivery — or use it at B-Lux Grill or Port Vista on the Waterfront
Souvenir bucket filled with S'mores for your family to enjoy roasting at the Nightly Campfires
1 colorful souvenir T-shirt
a Certificate for a special Wine Tasting and 2 Complimentary Souvenir Wine Glasses
a certificate for a free session to Paint your own ceramic creation at Paint It Pottery Shop
a certificate for a free 8×10 when you have your Old Time Photo taken at the Original Old Time Picture Studio
a $10 gift card for dinner at the House of Embers
a certificate for a Free order of Rocky Rococo's famous Italian Breadsticks with their award winning Marinara Dipping Sauce along with a jar of Pizza & Dipping sauce to take home
2 free games at Chalet Family Bowling
A coupon book worth hundreds of dollars in savings at the Dells Outlet Mall featuring over 60 brand name outlets
Northwoods magnetic photo frame
Valuable Dells discount coupons
A $30.00 repeat lodging gift certificate to use for a return stay
(a $125.00 value!!!)
To maximize your getaway weekend,
ask about adding the following to your package:
- Scenic Duck Tour
- Noah's Ark Waterpark
- Skyscraper Thrill Ride
- Kalahari Indoor Waterpark
- Bigfoot Zip Line Adventure
- Kalahari Indoor Theme Park
- Wild Thing Jet Boat Tour
- Wisconsin Deer Park
- Jeremy Allen's Grand Illusions Magic Show
- Lost Canyon Horsedrawn Wagon Tours
- Timber Falls Adventure Park
- Knuckleheads Indoor Amusement Park
- Tommy Bartlett Exploratory
- Relaxing therapeutic massage
- Lost Rios Multi-level Indoor Waterpark
- Your choice of the latest Hollywood Movie at the multi-screen theater
- Dells Mining Company
- Mt. Olympus Indoor Waterpark
- Horseback Riding
- Pirate's Cove Mini Golf
- R&GN Scenic Steam Train Tour
- Mt. Olympus Indoor Theme Park
- PT109 Upper Dells Boat Tour
- H.H. Bennett Studio & Interpretive Center
- Circus World
- Tommy Bartlett Ski, Sky, & Stage Show
Please call us toll free
to see how much we can save you!
or book this package online
There may be a 2 or 3 night minimum stay required. Package is subject to availability, show times and some activities are weather permitting.
We are not responsible for closings, capacity, weather, or issues of personal taste or preference.
NOTE: This package requires your choice of activities at time of reservation. If you choose a different activity upon or after your arrival, there will be a nominal per ticket change fee and selection will be based on availability. Substitutions are at our discretion. All Rights Reserved.
See Our Policies Page for more details.


text:
Avengerland Regained
Paperback, 452 Pages
List Price: $20.92
Price: $17.78
You Save: $3.14 ( 15% )
Prints in 3-5 business days
The Avengers was a unique, genre-defying television series which blurred the traditional boundaries between 'light entertainment' and disturbing drama. It was a product of the constantly-evolving 1960s yet retains a timeless charm. The creation of The New Avengers, in 1976, saw John Steed re-emerge, alongside two younger co-leads: sophisticated action girl Purdey and Gambit, a 'hard man' with a soft centre. The cultural context had changed – including the technology, music, fashions, cars, fighting styles and television drama itself – but Avengerland was able to re-establish itself. Nazi invaders, a third wave of cybernauts, Hitchcockian killer birds, a sleeping city, giant rat, a deadly health spa, a skyscraper with a destructive mind…The 1970s series is, paradoxically, both new yet also part of the rich, innovative Avengers history. Avengerland Regained draws on the knowledge of a broad range of experts and fans as it explores the final... More > vintage of The Avengers.< Less
Ratings & ReviewsLog in to review this item
There are no reviews for the current version of this product
There are no reviews for previous versions of this product
Product Details
- 9781326308117
- Copyright
- Rodney Marshall (Standard Copyright License)
- Publisher
- Out There Publications
- Published
- July 17, 2015
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 452
- Binding
- Perfect-bound Paperback
- Interior Ink
- Black & white
- Weight
- 1.64 lbs.
- Dimensions (inches)
- 5.83 wide x 8.26 tall
Your notification has been sent
Lulu Staff has been notified of a possible violation of the terms of our Membership Agreement. Our agents will determine if the content reported is inappropriate or not based on the guidelines provided and will then take action where needed.
Thank you for notifying us. We will email you with the results and/or actions taken as a result of the investigation if you chose to receive confirmation.
We were unable to complete your request.
We were unable to complete your request.
Listed In
More From
see more >
Travelling Man: A... Paperback:
Travelling Man: A... Hardcover:
$27.87 $20.90
Avengerland: A Critical... Paperback:
Avengerland: A Critical... Hardcover:
$31.44 $28.30
Why? Hardcover:
$28.38 $19.87
Age Verification
The page you are attempting to access contains content that is not intended for underage readers.
Please verify your birth date to continue.


text: This is a bit long and ventish, but please read... Mom is recovering with her busted foot, and yesterday we had a chat about her car. I suggested that since it may up to a year before she can use a clutch again, that either we a) buy a cheap used automatic, or b) sell her 89 Toyota Corolla Alltrac and get something like a lease on a new Golf ($169/mo for 2 years). My grandfather nixed the idea, saying my mom could have his Chevy Nova (ie Corolla) and he'd drive her car, despite having a bad shoulder, which is why he got an automatic to begin with. My sister was on her way to Cape Cod earlier today, and I told her to take Mom's car since her Jetta needs balljoints. She called a while ago (WHY do I keep getting these calls on Saturday!?!) and she was rearended in Dartmouth, MA. She had run out of gas and was getting back to the highway. She's OK, but the car is not drivable as per her description. Her boyfriend went out to get her and they will be staying the weekend out in Cape Cod, but I need to figure out how to get her car back. If anyone is out in that area (Dartmouth) please email me or call 914-245-6650. I can't get mapsonus.com to route to Cape Cod, MA - it can't find it! Also, if anyone is selling a reliable (ha!) automatic car for little money, let me know. There is a 5000s auto near here that I will try to look at. Sigh, | Dan | -- Dan Simoes firstname.lastname@example.com ANS Communications http://coimbra.ans.net/dans.html 100 Manhattanville Road (914) 701-5378 (voice) Purchase, NY 10577 (914) 701-5310 (fax)


text: Hello LV laides..I'm so upset that they cannot fix it. This is what happened..my Cousin gave me Vintage Speedy 35 it was originally used by my Aunt. It looks so new except gusset tab was ripped and sewn by my aunt.(what does she know lady who is over 80 yrs old) I guess she thought that was the best way to keep it together or something. I thought it is easy fix. I took it to local LV store last NOV. after 18 weeks later they are saying they are not able to fix it beacause there is outside work done. WTF I contacted 1-866 Vuitton They are just saying sorry but nothing about my bag..I emailed couple times and same thing..and they dont even give me upper level management phone # I do understand if that is company policy they should told me when I drop my bag to the Store..so I dont waste my 18 weeks of time to wait and expect to be repaired. What should I do ladies??


text:
>> Map
>> "Aria Lee Suck" Pics Galleries
By Keyword(s)
Here a Free Pics galleries
for the search "Aria Lee Suck" from our site
. Visit us for more free galleries !
Please note: we are not responsible
for some search prases! We only show a free pics galleries from
our site for this search request!
Related searches: Aria Lee
Pics & Movies Here
) , Yourcaitlynn
Movies Here
) , Yourcaitlynn Anal , Yourcaitlynn Cock
, Yourcaitlynn Fuck
, Yourcaitlynn Suck
, Yourcaitlynn Sucanalk
Stripper Aria Sucks, Fucks, And Squirts
URL: http://galleries.porn.com/index.html?scene_id=70180&p=ft&r=pimp10515&c=4&j=13& ...
... : Aria, Lee Stone Scene Previews Stripper Aria Sucks, Fucks, And SquirtsSexy pole dancer Aria lays ...
Niches: Hardcore, Milfs, Amateurs, Americans, One Pass Sites
Site: PORN.COM
She loves showing off her tight body and skilled pussy.
URL: http://galleries.porn.com/index.html?scene_id=33671&p=ft&r=pimp10515&c=1&j=13
... World's Biggest Porn Site Starring: Aria, Lee Stone Scene Previews She loves ... tight body and skilled pussy.Aria is super fit and has ... licked her pussy before she sucked him good. He couldn't take ...
Niches: Hardcore, Milfs, Amateurs, Americans, One Pass Sites
Site: PORN.COM
Back To Home (every
day free galleries)


text:
Fun is the No. 1 leisure travel motivator and based on research released by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, more visitors are having fun on vacation in Wisconsin than ever before.
A study conducted by Tourism Economics shows that impact of tourism on the state's economy was $16 billion in 2011, up 8 percent from the previous year.
Locally, travelers to the Waupaca area spent an estimated $28 million in 2011.
"Tourism plays a critical role in our community as one of our largest economic drivers and it increases the quality of life for our area residents." said Jeff Anderson, tourism director with the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce. "Our fall and winter numbers show an increase in lodging expenditures of 14 percent and we hope to capitalize on this momentum in the coming summer season."
According to AAA, the rising gas prices are likely to encourage Americans to visit tourist sites closer to home instead of longer haul travel to further destinations.
"The Waupaca area is well positioned to take advantage of this trend with the majority of our visitors coming from the Fox Cities, Milwaukee and Chicago; these are the areas where we have invested our summer advertising dollars." Anderson said.
Statewide, traveler spending generated $1.3 billion in state and local revenue and $950 million in federal taxes. Without the state and local taxes generated by tourism, each Wisconsin household would pay nearly $565 to maintain the current level of government services.
"2011 was a banner year for the tourism industry in the state. Additional marketing dollars got us back in the advertising game and helped us compete successfully for tourism dollars with our Upper Midwest competitors," said Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett. "Last year's advertising campaign generated a 6-to-1 return on investment. For every $1 we spent on advertising, the state received $6 in tax revenues. Tourism marketing does work."
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism worked with a national research firm, Longwoods International and Tourism Economics, to produce the reports.


text: sallieeeeee Play via YouTube OPEN IN APP NSFW Safe Is this playlist safe for work? Recover April 09, 2012 | 10 tracks | 54 6 | Stats Mat Kearney Gomez Bon Iver recoveralternativegetting better Liked Collect Share Edit Liked! Share this mix with friends: Recover Wrong video Collect Share Liked! Share this mix with friends:


text:
A long while ago, Alarin and I sat down to talk about his cats, his sisters, Cathy Travis, The Bards of Subterra, and The Jabberwock.
We invite you to listen in.
As with all Character Focus episodes, this contains spoilers for plot elements that may or may not have been published either in this feed or at the Alternia LiveJournal community.
Originally published at Stories of Alternia. You can comment here or there.


text:
Cross-Atlantic Cooperation. Susan K. Avery, WHOI: Irminger Sea Workshop. Changing North Atlantic, changing societal interaction, requires new science approaches. Drivers CO2 injection/uptake – 3D thermohaline circulation – biogeochemical changes - ecosystems
Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author.While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server.
Susan K. Avery, WHOI: Irminger Sea Workshop
Europe 2020 Priorities
International cooperation
European Research Area
Shared objectives and principles
Blue Growth
18 € Billion
32 € Billion
25 € Billion
Coherence with other
EU and MS actions
Common rules,
toolkit of funding schemes
Simplified access
Capacity Building
Student Networks
Information Commons
Internet Hub
Cyber Infrastructure
Collaborative tools
Provenance (Policies)
Steering Committee
External communications
Interdisciplinary Engineering Groups
All Observing and Modeling Assets
L1, L2, L3, Data QC,
Data and Model Products
Interdisciplinary Science Groups
Collaborative Labs


text:
Independent Reading Response: Fight Club-Chuck PalahniukIndependent Reading Response: Fight Club-Chuck Palahniuk Essay, Research Paper
First Reaction:
The novel was intentionally confusing and hard to follow due to its nonlinear structure. It was thoroughly enjoyable and upon completion it generated many questions in my mind, as well as thoughts of my own life and the decisions I make.
Fight Club excited me, scared me and even angered me. These emotions were not negative, simply pure and raw. The scenes of fighting and mayhem caused me to become angry and excite, while the interaction between Tyler Durden and the main protagonist (he has no name in the novel) caused me to think about my life and my own social position in it.
The main protagonist is a insomniac, who works a fairly average job as a car wreck analyst for a major motor company. He needs a release which he initially discovers in clinics for those with physical and mental disorders. He meets Marla Singer through these clinics and finds that she can be no part of them if they can still be successful in helping him. It is at this point he meets Tyler Durden, a film projectionist, waiter, and owner of a small soap company, The Paper Street Soap Company. The protagonist loses his apartment in an explosion and moves in w/ Tyler. Together they form Fight Club, a secret after hours boxing club in the basement of a bar. Tyler meets Marla and she becomes a regular resident at the home of the protagonist. Fight Club soon turns into Project Mayhem and works it way out of the basement of the bar and across the nation. The level of mischief increases, the number of members sky rockets, and Tyler becomes a god. The soap company is run by members of Fight Club 24 hours a day and is simply a front for their true operation of Project Mayhem. The novel climaxes when the protagonist realizes that he himself is Tyler Durden, that he as split personalities. Tyler is simply his means of escape, his mental projection of the way he wants to be. It is in his insomnia that Tyler is born, and so he realizes that he must work against time to stop Tyler, because Project Mayhem has gotten out of hand. The story ends with a dramatic battle between the character?s two personalities.
Visual Images:
The most image intensive scene was when Tyler kissed the protagonist?s hand and poured lye on it to produce a chemical burn. Tyler continued with a instense monologue describing his feelings on ultimate freedom from our consumer driven society.
The book reminds me of my lack to which I challenged others as a young child. I was very pacifistic and now I would if I should have taken a stand more often.
Thoughts, Ideas:
Fight Club rose many political and social statements. It dealt with the ideas of our consumer driven society and the oppression the everyday blue collar worker faces. It then proceed to investigate the idea of letting all of that go, ?hitting bottom?, finding real freedom from the pressures of life and capitalism. For the men of Fight Club it became their outlet, their means of escape, a way of life.
Selection of textual elements:
As the book progressed I was drawn into the surprising idea that something as simple and primal as fighting could be such a release for the men in Fight Club. I soon began to connect the characters suffering to events in my life and I realized how something so basic could help these men.
Judgment of importance:
The most important word would be sacrifice. The phrase being ?hitting bottom? is the result of sacrifice and therefore is crucial. To fit hand in hand the most important idea is that of sacrifice and giving up our mental state and physical possessions.
Identification of problems:
There didn?t seem to be any words in the text that confused me. The structure of the novel and scenes of thought that the protagonist has through the book confuse me the most. One scene would jump to the next without notice and hold no real connection to the previous scene. The character?s thoughts were sporadic and obscure. By the end of the novel they began to make sense and became thoroughly enjoyable.
The author seems to be someone with a clear view of the world, the way it works and his role in the big scheme of things. He is probably very laid back and simply makes his political and social statements through his novels and not in a public manner.
Patterns of Response:
My response was both heavily emotional and intellectual. The book challenged me to question my social standing and my emotional state. I was totally immersed in the text, the whole time wondering the outcome and rise questions of the characters, myself and the themes.
Other readings:
I have no partner, therefore leading my to compare this novel to others I have read. It was unlike any other book I have read in its literary structure, but in many ways the content was the same.
I thought this novel was excellent and would recommend it to anyone looking for a new type of book, with a new angle on an old topic. Fight Club challenges you to question yourself and get involved. Any book that can do that is truly a wonderful text.
Literary Associations:
The story is very much a wild nonlinear ride like that of the film Pulp Fiction. The characters are more deeply analyzed and develop in this story, but their actions and surprising plot changes are very similar.
I would most defiantly analyze the themes of the novel, how it draws you in and the intense character development.
ДОБАВИТЬ КОММЕНТАРИЙ [можно без регистрации]
перед публикацией все комментарии рассматриваются модератором сайта - спам опубликован не будет
Хотите опубликовать свою статью или создать цикл из статей и лекций?
Это очень просто – нужна только регистрация на сайте.


text:
The Southern California News Group won two Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi awards for its coverage of the Dec. 2 terror attacks in San Bernardino, the organization announced Friday.
• The staff of The Press-Enterprise was awarded for its coverage of the terror attacks in the category "Deadline Reporting"for a newspaper with a daily circulation of 100,000.
• The staff of The Sun was recognized for the San Bernardino terror attack in the category "Deadline Reporting" for a newspaper with a daily circulation of 50,000.
"The newsrooms at The Press-Enterprise and The Sun are honored to receive such a prestigious acknowledgement from the Society of Professional Journalists," said Frank Pine, executive editor of the Southern California News Group, which includes The Press-Enterprise and The Sun.
"It is our responsibility as the primary local media voices in San Bernardino and surrounding communities to report with clarity, depth and accuracy. "The awards are a testament to our newsrooms' commitment to serving readers and putting our communities first when significant news events occur in their neighborhood."
Judges selected 84 honorees from more than 1,400 submissions, which included entries from television and radio broadcasts, newspapers, online news outlets and magazines.
The Society of Professional Journalists have been handing out Sigma Delta Chi awards since 1932. The first ceremony recognized the efforts of six journalists.
The Southern California News Group, formed after Digital First Media purchased the Orange County Register and The Press-Enterprise in March, consists of 11 daily newspapers and more than a dozen community weeklies in the region.


text:
In Nichiren Buddhism, the mentor-disciple relationship—the relationship between teacher and student—is considered essential for attaining happiness.
How does Nichiren Buddhism envision this relationship works? First, in a true mentor-disciple relationship, the mentor, contrary to what many believe, is not intrinsically superior to the disciple. Human beings have a tendency to conceive of all relationships in terms of power and authority: all of us tend to think of other people as either superior, equal, or inferior to us. A mentor-disciple relationship, on the other hand, functions optimally only when both mentor and disciple consider themselves fundamentally equal. If they don't, the greatest hope they share—that the disciple will surpass the mentor in accomplishment—will almost certainly never come to pass. For a disciple to learn most effectively from a mentor, he must resist the impulse to place the mentor on a pedestal and himself at the mentor's feet, because if he refuses to believe that he can become as great as the mentor, he never will. Though almost by definition a disciple is inferior in knowledge and experience in comparison to the mentor, in their degree of commitment to achieving mastery and creating the most value possible with their skills, and most importantly, in their commitment to accomplishing their shared mission—whatever it may be—a disciple must be, in every way, the mentor's equal. They must fight side by side, never one behind the other, or one for the other. That way lies subservience, ego, and failure. A true disciple shares the dream of the mentor as his or her own.
Interestingly, a disciple need never tell a mentor he considers himself that mentor's disciple for a mentor-disciple relationship to exist. In fact, mentor and disciple never even need meet. The disciple is the one who creates the mentor-disciple relationship simply by observing the mentor, by making the mentor's mission his or her own, and in so doing, learning from the mentor. Nor does the length of the mentor-disciple relationship determine its impact on the disciple. I once observed an attending talk for five minutes with a disgruntled patient in a way that simultaneously made the patient feel heard, blunted the patient's anger, and instilled confidence in the patient that he would be all right. For those five minutes, that attending was my mentor and provided me a lesson I have never forgotten, one that still informs the way I interact with patients to this day. A mentor-disciple relationship, in other words, can come into existence over even a brief glance, or a single, quietly-spoken word. Everyone has something to teach us. Everyone has the power to inspire us. It's the attitude of the disciple that creates the mentor-disciple relationship, not the attitude of the mentor.
Choosing a mentor with whom we establish an active and enduring connection, on the other hand, brings a benefit not seen in momentary mentor-disciple relationships: trust. In feeling trust in a mentor, we open our hearts in a particularly important way: we become willing to listen to him or her in a way we aren't willing to listen to others. When our mentor speaks, we automatically prepare ourselves to receive value. We therefore open ourselves to change. We relax our biases, our attachment to our ego, and tend to absorb even negative feedback in a constructive way, thereby opening the door to the possibility of genuine self-improvement. Thus the greatest benefit, in the end, to choosing a mentor is the way it opens our minds to hearing difficult truths and makes possible our growth in a way no other relationship can. So we should all choose our mentors wisely. For that choice will bias us to believe what we hear from them. So what we hear from them had better be the truth.
Next Week: Finding More Time


text:
By Stacy Y Whyte
God sees potential in you when others don't and He stands with you regardless of what others think or say. David was a man with frailties and insecurities like you but God saw him as a king even before he was man enough to handle the title of kingship. The scriptures tell us that David was only but a shepherd boy but God looked at him and saw the potential to achieve greatness and be king over Israel. The holy writings in Ezekiel 37:24 "My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes."
Like David, who was overlooked by everyone even his own father Jessie so, it is with you today. Sometimes your family and friends do not recognize the gift that God have inside of you and they will discourage you from pursuing it when you share it with them. The scripture in John 15:16 says, "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you." Often times, it is not because they don't want you to succeed and bear good fruit but it is because they are limited in their thoughts and they walk by sight and not by faith. When you walk my sight the enemy cripples up your possibility and therefore, you miss the opportunity because faith was not activated. Activated faith will leap over mountains and hills to get to the ladder of success that God have waiting for you.
David was not expecting a promotion but God looked beyond his outward appearance and elevated him straight into his destiny. You may be wondering when you will get that call that takes you to the next level well, God knows what you need and He will grant it to you when you are able to handle it. When God is ready to take you to the next dimension he will allow your enemies to see you and congratulate you. Isaiah 46: 9 -11 says, "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it."
He will let them know that He is God and though they tried to kill and derail purpose He chose to prepare your promotion in their midst to put them to shame. That is exactly what He did when He elevated David from shepherd boy to king; He brought David face-to-face with his enemy. Guess what! David pursued them and won the battle with God's help – your help comes from God and that is the only reassurance that you need. Psalm 34:1-6 says, "I will honor the Lord at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth. My soul will be proud to tell about the Lord. Let those who suffer hear it and be filled with joy. Give great honor to the Lord with me. Let us praise His name together. I looked for the Lord, and He answered me. And He took away all my fears. They looked to Him and their faces shined with joy. Their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him. And He saved him out of all his troubles."
Put your confidence and hope in God; He has confident in your ability to overcome the obstacles and issues that you face as you journey in life. Romans 8:37 says, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Do not put your trust and faith in your own strength and do not let your heart be troubled by the size or resources of your enemy look to God and He will exalt you above them. God knows what you can handle because He knows what He has placed inside you. The more you align your life with God's purpose the more He will begin moving you toward your destiny.
Prayer: "Heavenly Father thank you for covering your people today, building their character, strength and faith in you. Father thank you for fulfilling your plan for their lives and leading them into the destiny that you prepared for them. In Jesus Name AMEN!"