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You haf not heard from me for a vhile. I've been too too busy with my TV show and all my clients. But I vas thrilled to be invited to the big Halloween bash last month at The Mystic Eye! Gale vas vorried I'd do sometink terrible, I think. I don't know vhy. I am very careful with my talents and always try to do good vit my hypnosis and everyting.
And speaking of her, I am looking for her -- on her website, at Facebook and even Twitter @AskZodia, but I can't find her!
So I been asking around and guess vat I found out? She's not here! She's in Iceland, at Iceland Noir, in da cold, to talk about Icelandic elves and ghosts and tings like dat! I vish I could be dere! So, If you don't hear from her today, dat's vhy. But, no vorries, because today, November 15th, is the first day of Season's Readings giveaways at Killer Characters!
So just leave a comment and my author will get back to you as soon as she can from da land of glaciers, volcanoes, elves and Huldufolk (for dose of you who don't know, dey are the "hidden people" of Iceland. Brrrrr . . . I vish it vas still Halloween!


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by : G. I. Williamson
The purpose of this tract can be briefly stated: it is to examine the altar-call method in the light of the Biblical system of truth. We say 'Biblical system of truth' because it is our conviction that this is what Calvinism really is.
"If anyone should ask me what I mean by a Calvinist," wrote Charles H. Spurgeon over a century ago, "I should reply, 'He is one who says, Salvation is of the Lord.' I cannot find in Scripture any other doctrine than this. This is the essence of the Bible. 'He only is my rock and my salvation.' Tell me anything contrary to this truth, and it will be heresy; tell me a heresy, and I shall find its essence here—that it was departed from this great, this fundamental, this rock-like truth: 'God is my rock and my salvation.'"
Anyone who understands the true genius of Calvinism will therefore realize that there is nothing against which it "sets its face with more firmness than every form and degree of autosoterism." The simple assertion that man—sinful and fallen man—can do at least something to save himself, or to help save himself, or at least prepare himself to be saved, is utterly anathema to the Calvinist. And herein lies the reason for a careful evaluation of the modern altar-call method of evangelism. For, as Spurgeon again has expressed it,
"…since we are nothing without the Holy Spirit, we must avoid in our work anything which is not of Him. We want these dead people raised, and we cannot raise them; only the Spirit of God can do that." Well, then, "let us take care that there is nothing which would grieve the Spirit or cause Him to go away from us." "A headlong zeal even for Christ may lead into a ditch. What we think to be very wise may be very unwise; and where we deem that at least a little 'policy' may come in, that little may taint the whole…"
But what do we mean when we speak of the 'altar-call' method? We mean every effort on the part of an evangelist or minister to get an overt and immediate reaction to the gospel in some humanly appointed way. It can be an appeal to 'come forward' to some arbitrarily designated place in front of the pulpit. It can be an invitation to stand, raise the hand, sign a card, or something similar. The variations are no doubt legion, but the basic features are these—(1) an immediate response is insisted upon—(2) the response is registered in some visible way—and (3) the manner in which the response is registered is prescribed in the directions that are given.
Let us begin our examination of this practice with a brief consideration of the Calvinistic doctrine of Scripture.
"The whole counsel of God," says the Westminster Confession of Faith, "concerning all things necessary for His own glory, (and) man's salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added."
The Bible, in other words, is the only rule of faith and practice. And the obvious question is this: does the Bible teach us to use the altar-call method?
Probably no greater season of evangelistic effort can be imagined than that which is infallibly recorded for us in the New Testament book of Acts. What urgency and zeal we find! The word of God was faithfully preached. Sinners were commanded to "repent…and be converted" (Acts 3:19). Many turned to the Lord, and daily there were added to the Church such as were saved. But where do we find any direction—by way of precept, example, or even indirect suggestion—that men were to 'come forward,' or 'hold up the hand,' or 'stand,' or 'fill out a card?' Where do we even find a testimony of silence that would leave room for any such method? No, the inspired account informs us, for "when they heard" Peter's sermon "they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). The sermon was all that Peter gave them. They had to ask what to do, because no directions had been given. And when they did ask, what did the Peter say? He said, "repent, and be baptized"(2:38)! That is all. And so it is throughout the entire book of Acts, for the fact is that we cannot find a single instance of the use of this present day method.
We realize, of course, that for some people this will hardly seem important. There is a very widespread idea today that so long as we preach the basic truths of the Bible, it isn't very important what method we use. But how can anyone really think this way who seriously honors the Bible as the only infallible rule of faith and practice? Perhaps you are familiar with the wonderful statement in Chapter XXI of the Westminster Confession of Faith.
"The acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by Himself, and so limited by His own revealed will, that He may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture."
Now think of what this means in connection with the altar call. Isn't this usually a part of a worship service? If the "ordinary" elements of "religious worship" are what the Westminster Assembly thought they were—the reading of the Scriptures—the preaching of the gospel—prayer—the singing of the psalms—and so on, then it would certainly be hard to deny that the altar-call is commonly made a part of a worship service. But if true worship is only what God has commanded in His word, then how can we justify the use of this method? How can we justify it unless—and until—someone has demonstrated that it is either expressly set down in Scripture, or that it may be legitimately deduced from Scripture?
Man's Total Depravity
A second great teaching of the Calvinistic system, which I cannot reconcile with the altar-call method, is the total depravity of man. We believe that man is "dead in sin." He is "utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good." He has "wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good." And He is "not able by his own strength to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto." That is why we not only speak of man's total depravity, but also of his consequent total inability.
But isn't it rather obvious that the altar-call method tends to obscure this very important truth? This is certainly plain enough when the evangelist is openly Arminian. How many times have you heard Dr. Billy Graham say—in the plainest possible terms—that every man has the power to repent and believe in order to be saved? The whole Arminian conception of fallen man rests upon this great delusion: that he has the power to make a decision for Christ. If we believed that—if we believed that fallen and sinful man does have this power and ability within himself—then we too would incline to think in terms of this method. We would want a system in which man's autonomy is respected. But what are we to do if we believe no such doctrine? What are we to do if we believe that man, of himself, can do absolutely nothing pertaining to the procurement of life and salvation? Will we not then want to be careful to avoid any method which tends to obscure this truth? Calvinists will sometimes say that we should 'make our appeal to sinners just as though they can respond, even though we know they cannot, apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.' But is this really true? Is it not rather true that our methods should reflect the message that we preach? We certainly should command men to repent and believe. We should also command men to be perfect even as the Father in heaven is perfect. Man's duty is never limited by his ability. But do we urge men to be perfect just as we would if we knew that they were able to be perfect? Not at all. We urge men to be perfect and at the same time we tell them that there is no possible way in which they—in and of themselves—can ever meet this demand. The very purpose of our preaching these truths is to make them see that that which is impossible with man is nevertheless possible with God! And the same may be said of this command to repent and believe. We want them to see that they must repent and believe, and yet at the same time that this very thing is beyond their natural powers. Herein lies the tremendous difference.
"What the Arminian wants to do" says C. H. Spurgeon "is to arouse man's activity: what we want to do is to kill it once for all—to show him that he is lost and ruined, and that his activities are not now at all equal to the work of conversion; that he must look upward. They seek to make the man stand up: we seek to bring him down, and make him feel that there he lies in the hand of God, and that his business is to submit himself to God, and cry aloud, 'Lord, save, or we perish.' We hold that man is never so near grace as when he begins to feel he can do nothing at all. When he says, 'I can pray, I can believe, I can do this, and I can do the other,' marks of self-sufficiency and arrogance are on his brow."
We should never act as if men—fallen and sinful men—are something they are not. We should never allow them to think more highly of themselves than they ought. No, we should simply 'tell it like it is,' and leave the rest to God.
Some years ago the writer was teaching a group of people the basic doctrines of the Calvinistic system. In that group was a person who had long resisted the overtures of grace. Urging and persuading were to no avail. Invitations were refused. But then came a study of this doctrine of the total depravity of man. We got into this awesome truth that sinful man can do nothing to deliver himself. Now human wisdom would surely say that this was the wrong approach—the surest possible way to turn such a person away, once and for all. But such was not to be. No, but rather was it the sovereign pleasure of God to use this very truth to set her free. Suddenly she stood up—quite literally—and, without any direction from anyone, said, 'if this is true, then there is no hope for me!' But of course there was hope at last because she had come to see that she could not do anything to save herself.
The Spirit's Sovereignty
But this leads us on to another of these great Calvinistic principles. For we also believe in the absolute sovereignty of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit—who is the sole author of regeneration—works when, and where, and as, He will.
"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is every one who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8).
Isn't this also obscured by the use of the invitation system? Oh yes, perhaps the Holy Spirit is mentioned. Perhaps it is even said that no one can be born again except with His power. Yet for all that is said that we can appreciate and approve, the fact remains that the all-important truth is obscured. It is obscured in much the same way that it is in Roman Catholic teaching. Here too we find a doctrine of the Holy Spirit, and of grace. No one can be born again without the power of the Holy Spirit. But how does the Spirit work in the Roman Catholic view of things? That is the crucial point. And when we learn that the Church is a kind of storehouse of grace, and that everything is accomplished by sacramental means, we also see that the one who really performs the decisive act is the sinner. For it is he alone who determines whether or not this tremendous power is released. This is what Warfield called 'the powerhouse view of grace.' And all the talk about the tremendous generator, the transformers and the wires, cannot disguise the fact that everything depends upon the one who throws the switch. But isn't it really the same conception that is suggested by the altar-call method? Is not the impression created that the power of the Spirit is there—even in an unusual degree—and that it is readily available to all—but that it is man himself who has to turn on this power? Once the meeting is ended, and the invitation has been allowed to pass, the opportunity will be gone! The power will not be there, somehow, in the same manner and degree— within reach, as it were. Isn't this the impression we receive? Isn't the altar-call itself thought of as the means of releasing this power?
But why should we think of the power of the Spirit this way? It is true, thank God, that the word of God is quick and powerful. God does use the foolishness of preaching to effectually call His people. But how does He accomplish His purpose? Is it not by having Paul plant and Apollos water? Isn't the word like a seed that is planted in order to grow "we know not how?" And is it not God himself—in His own time and way—who gives the increase? If man is dead—and the Spirit quickens whom He will—then what do the surroundings have to do with it? One must indeed hear the true gospel preached. But this of itself is not sufficient.
"If Jesus Christ were to stand on this platform tonight" said Spurgeon, in a great Sermon on God's shalls from Isaiah 53:10, "what would many people do with him? If he were to come and say, 'Here I am, I love you, will you be saved by me?' not one of you would consent if you were left to your will. He himself said, 'No man can come to me except the Father…draw him.' 'Ah! we want that: and here we have it. They shall come. They shall come. Christ shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands."
The writer was brought to repentance and faith while playing in a dance hall. Is there a more unlikely place than that? Or do we not rather err when we think in such terms. Should we not, rather, expect the sovereign Spirit to work in 'unlikely' ways? The altar-call system, to say the very least, does not do justice to this Scriptural truth. It does not minister to the forming of a proper conception of the Spirit's work. It rather tends to inculcate the utterly erroneous notion of the sovereignty of the human will. Yet in actual fact, man's will is in bondage.
The 'Ordo Salutis'
This leads us to the Calvinistic view of the 'ordo salutis,' the scriptural order of the application of redemption. "Do we become regenerate, or reborn" asks Iain Murray, "because of our faith and repentance, or is faith the effect and result of regeneration?" This question gets at the root. According to our historic Reformed Confessions, regeneration is logically prior to repentance and faith. It is not until after a man has been regenerated that he can see and enter into the Kingdom. And no man who has been thus born from above can fail to respond to the invitations of grace. Because the very nature of man is radically changed—in an instant of time—by the power of the Holy Spirit, there will be a capacity to understand, and accept, the offer of gospel grace.
But if this be so, then what possible assistance can the altar-call render? If a man is born of the Spirit, he will see and enter into the Kingdom of God. He will do this by repentance toward sin and faith in Jesus Christ. If he is not regenerate, he will not be able to understand or receive the things of the Spirit. The natural man cannot know the things of God. Of what use is the altar-call then? The man who is regenerated has no need that can be supplied by it, and the man who is not regenerated has a need that it cannot supply. The only thing the altar-call can do, then, is to seriously confuse the issue. The one real issue is presented in the divinely authorized call to repent and believe. But here, in the use of the altar-call, this is by no means clear. The sinner is now summoned to do two different things as if they were really one. He is summoned to do something that he can never do except he be regenerated by the Spirit. But he is also summoned to do something that the natural man too can do. And it is certainly doubtful, to say the least, that the sinner is aware of the difference. It is greatly to be feared that he does not at all realize that there is a vast difference between the two—that one is commanded of God, and the other not—that one is essential to salvation—and the other not—and that the one cannot be done by man's native power at all—and that the other can!
We cannot escape the conviction, therefore, that it is the Arminian view of the 'ordo salutis' that underlies this altar-call system. It certainly is an historic fact that the invitation system was developed by Arminian evangelists. Think of the names of such men as Finney, Moody, Sunday, and Graham. In Billy Graham's popular book entitled Peace With God we have the matter set before us clearly. The chapter on man's conversion comes before the chapter on the new birth. Man is said to repent and believe, in other words, in order that he might be born again. This is the great assumption in his exhortations in these Crusades. It comes to a focus in terms of a universal grace available to all men alike. And then man's autonomous decision—to get up and come forward—is the final or ultimate thing.
The invitation system also contradicts the Reformed doctrine of assurance? As the Westminster Confession warns us, "unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and estate of salvation." It was for this reason that the Puritans were so careful in their efforts to bring sinners to repentance!
"Years ago," as Spurgeon put it, "when people were converted, there used to be such a thing as conviction of sin. The great subsoil plough of soul-anguish was used to tear deep into the soul. Fire also burned in the mind with exceeding heat: as men saw sin, and felt its dreadful results…but now we are dinned with bragging about rapid salvations."
"It is to be feared" he cried, in another sermon, "that some zealous brethren have preached the doctrine of justification by faith not only so boldly and so plainly, but also so badly and so out of all connection with other truth, that they have led men into presumptuous confidences" even so as "to stand up and cry, 'believe, believe, believe, 'without explaining what is to be believed—to lay the whole stress of salvation upon faith without explaining what salvation is, and showing that it means deliverance from the power as well as from the guilt of sin—may seem to a fervent revivalist to be the proper thing for the occasion, but those who have watched the result of such teaching have had grave cause to question whether as much hurt may not be done by it as good."
What would Spurgeon say today—with such widespread ignorance of Scripture truth—and with an even greater stress being put upon this act of coming forward? What can this possibly do but contribute to hasty action on the part of those who lack an adequate understanding of the Bible? And then, because they have done this thing that is constantly held before them as of decisive importance, they at once fall victim to a false assurance as well! One witness testifies that these very words were spoken by Billy Graham to those who came forward!
"You have come tonight to Jesus Christ, you have come to receive Him into your heart…He says, 'Thy sins are forgiven.' You accept that. The past is forgiven…He cannot even see your sins. Accept by faith that He comes into your heart…you are going to be tempted, but you are His child. . . "
Just contrast this, for a moment, with that soul-searching second question of the Heidelberg Catechism. "How many things are necessary for you to know, that you…may live and die happily?" There are three things, answers the instructor: "first, how great my sins and misery are…second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery… (and) third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance." Right away I realize—as I hear this—that I must not be deceived. I realize that I must not lightly assume, on the basis of a single momentary act or experience, that all is well with my soul! But is this not the very evil that the altar-call method of evangelism tends to produce?
Good Works
Now we realize that there is nothing new or original in what we have been saying. There are, however, some aspects of Reformed doctrine that also bear on this matter which have not always received the attention they deserve. To this we now direct our attention.
What, then, is the act by which a sinner responds to the altar-call? We cannot call it an act of faith, for faith is not a physical act at all. Faith is not the sinner doing something himself. It is rather the sinner relying upon the Son of God to do something for him. "Faith in Jesus Christ" says the Westminster Shorter Catechism "is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel" (Q/A 86). But if response to the altar-call is not an act of faith, is it perhaps a good work? No, not according to the Reformed Faith. For "good works are only such as God hath commanded in his holy word," says the Westminster Confession, "and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men, out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intention." It is often argued, of course, that the altar-call is a good work. Indeed, one would wonder how it could ever be defended otherwise. For "good works…are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith." A Calvinist, realizing that regeneration precedes conversion—and that conversion consists of repentance and faith—would surely have to argue for the altar-call (if he argued for it at all) on the grounds that it is an acceptable example of these "fruits and evidences" of faith. But when we remember that things devised by men are not really good works at all, we again see the lack of a Biblical foundation for this method.
Christian Liberty
And here we are immediately confronted with the whole question of our liberty of conscience. "God alone is Lord of the conscience," says the Reformed believer, "and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word, or beside it (that is, in addition to it), if matters of faith or worship." It is commonly argued, against this, that many people have been saved by means of the altar-call method. The inference is that if many have been saved, then surely a few—a very few—cannot have rights that can stand in the way of the many. But it is right here that the true glory of the Reformed Faith is seen. For if God alone is Lord—if He has left the conscience free—so that He alone has the right to say 'do this,' or 'do that'—then no amount of supposed human welfare can have the slightest weight against this sacred consideration. And here again we find the invitation system wanting. If even one person attending a religious service is presented with a crisis of conscience, because he is put under pressure to do something God does not require, then the method is wrong.
Public Profession
Very close to this is the solemn and conscientious nature of a public profession of faith. No one, says the Westminster Confession, should ever take a solemn religious vow without a clear understanding of "the weightiness of so solemn an act." He should never promise anything that he is not persuaded, on good ground, that he is able to perform. And here, again, the altar-call method fails. It is argued, of course, that people often professed their faith in the Apostolic Church immediately after they first heard the gospel. And this certainly seems to be the case on the day of Pentecost, for example (Acts 2:41). It would seem equally certain that the Philippian jailer professed his faith very soon after he heard the gospel message (Acts 17:33,34). But even so, there is evidence to support the conclusion that profession of faith was only made—and accepted—with due preparation. After all, these great events that constitute the content of the gospel message did not happen in a corner (Acts 26:26). People were well aware of the identity and claims of the Son of man. They were also aware of what it had cost him to make these claims! Thus the whole situation was such as to discourage anyone from rashly professing this unpopular faith. And surely Paul had ample opportunity that night in Philippi, to assure himself that the jailer did comprehend the meaning of professing faith in Christ. But who could possibly argue that the invitation system provides any such thing?
It has always seemed to us that those who use the altar-call ought to be more consistent. If the altar-call method is sound then they ought to baptize those who respond to the invitation right away. This is certainly what the Apostles did. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized," says Luke, "and the same day there added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). It has been said that Charles Finney (whom many consider the father of the altar-call method) originally defended the invitation system as the moral equivalent of baptism. But no one, as far as I know, has ever been willing to baptize, forthwith, those who respond to the altar-call. We can only ask: why? Is it because it is really not considered a reliable indication of conversion even by those who use it?
Whatever our views may be as to the proper mode—and subjects—of baptism, no Calvinist will baptize a convert who does not first make a credible profession of faith. A person must be able to show, by word of mouth, that he has an essentially correct conception of the gospel message. He must be willing to tell us that he receives Jesus Christ as he is freely offered in the gospel. And furthermore there must be at least a good report concerning his manner of life as consistent with his profession. Only upon the basis of such a credible profession will we baptize this person. But the very arguments that support this view of the sacrament, necessarily argue against the altar-call method.
Imagine, if you will, the furore that would arise if one of our popular evangelists today would simply make baptism the focal point of the gospel invitation. A simple man, reading his Bible, might wonder why no one has done this! But you and I know the reason. It is because these men who use the altar-call method have no Biblical doctrine of the Church. (We are not saying they realize this. We merely say that this is the way it is). Baptism is a sacrament of the Church. But the whole movement that has popularized the altar-call method is outside the Church. The Westminster Confession says "Christ has given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God" to the Church. He gave these to the instituted Church "for the gathering and perfecting of the saints." Well, then, says John Kennedy (not the President, but the great Scottish preacher back in Dwight L. Moody's time):
"What right has any individual, not authorised by a Church of Christ to do so—to insist on a public confession on the part of any one? Even the Church can admit to public confession only after trial. And the admission must be in connection with the dispensation of the appointed sealing ordinances. But here is a stranger, who never saw their faces before, hurrying people…to make public profession of faith, thus associating them, without possibility of trial, with the Christians of (that) locality, and involving the credit of religion in their future conduct before the world. This, surely, is both unwise and presumptuous."
Of course this does not have the same force when the altar-call method is used by the local Church itself. Yet the very fact that this method has been so commonly used against the good order of the Church, seems to us a powerful argument against its use by the Church!
"When a crowd of seemingly anxious souls gathered about" our Lord, says Rev. Kennedy, "instead of urging them to confession, he tested them by searching doctrine—and the result was, that instead of crowding an inquiry room, they 'went away and walked no more with Him.'"
But perhaps it is time to turn again to the main thrust of our argument. The most common reason given for the use of the altar-call is simply the fact that souls are saved! No doubt they are, in spite of the method. But even the pragmatic argument should by now begin to wear thin. Forty years ago, when the Rev. Billy Graham suddenly skyrocketed into prominence, this argument was hard to withstand. Reformed believers were often silenced—and humbled—when they were told that Graham's way of doing it was much better than their way of not doing it. But surely, by now, with all these marvelous crusades—and the multiplied thousands of decisions—the evidence ought to be in. But the incredible thing is that there has been no improvement. Even Graham himself admits that we are going downhill at 'breakneck speed.' Why, then, should we be swayed any longer by this discredited argument from results!
We say it is time to turn the pragmatic argument around. It is time to tell the world that this whole business has only been a sorry substitute for the thing we really need. What we really need is just a mighty revival of the Reformed or Calvinistic faith. We need a mighty resurgence of the kind of preaching that refuses to pander in any way to this so-called autonomous man. Too long we have been afraid to 'tell it like it really is.' Too long have we been reluctant to tell men that they are dead, and that they can never be saved at all except by the sovereignty of grace! Spurgeon saw it long ago—when many the churches that had been Calvinistic were beginning to depart from their heritage. This is what he said:
"Ah! says somebody, 'I fear that this kind of preaching will be very discouraging to a great many people.' Well, how will it discourage them? 'It will discourage them from trying to save themselves.' That is the very thing I want to do. I would not only like to discourage them from attempting the impossible task, but to cast them into despair concerning it. When a man utterly despairs of being able to save himself, it is then that he cries to God to save him, so I believe that we cannot do a man a better turn than to discourage him from ever resting upon anything that he can do towards saving himself."
And Spurgeon practiced what he preached (or should I say that his sermons constantly exemplified this principle)?
"Sinner" cried Spurgeon in a sermon on the new birth "I warn thee thou canst never cause thyself to be born again, and though the new birth is absolutely necessary, it is absolutely impossible to thee—unless God the Spirit shall do it." And again, toward the close of an Exeter Hall sermon, he said "You who have not been converted, and have no part or lot in the present salvation—to you I say this much: man, man, you are in the hand of God. Whether you shall live to reach home today or not, depends absolutely on His will."
Does that sound like a man who preached without confidence or hope? Well, it wasn't that way at all. To the contrary. Spurgeon was mighty precisely because he saw the true source of hope.
"I know this," he insisted, "if the Lord willed it, there is no man so desperately wicked here this morning that he would not be made now to seek for mercy, however infidel he might be; however rooted in his prejudices against the Gospel: Jehovah hath but to will it, and it is done. Into thy dark heart, O thou who hast never seen the light, the light would stream; if he did but say, 'Let there be light,' there would be light. Thou mayest bend thy fist and lift up thy mouth against Jehovah; but he is thy master yet—thy master to destroy thee, if thou goest on in thy wickedness; but thy master to save thee now to change thy heart and turn thy will as he turneth the rivers of water."
Do you see why he abhored the altar call? It was simply because he knew something better—the Reformed faith.
"There is something in these doctrines" said Spurgeon "that drives right into the soul of man. Other forms of doctrine run off like oil from a slab of marble, but this chisels them, cuts into the very quick. They cannot help feeling there is something here, which if they kick against, it nevertheless has force, and they must ask themselves, 'Is the thing true or not?"
Yes, that is the crux of it. If we preach the Biblical system of truth, there will be no need for the altar-call method. It is in truth nothing but a poor humanly invented means of getting people to respond to a powerless gospel. And this is not the gospel that we should want to preach. If our preaching has no power, let us face it. Let us lament it. Let us get down on our knees and cry out to God because of it. And let us stay there until he anoints us with the unction of the Spirit to preach the gospel of the grace and power of our sovereign God. Then—and only then—will we begin to see, again, the kind of results that Ezekiel saw in that amazing vision.
"So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army." (Ezek. 37:7-10).

subset: commoncrawl


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20 Methods To Set up Job Scams On Craigslist
Politicians on each side of the aisle have been struggling to stimulate the economic system and put a definitive finish to the Nice Recession. These efforts have included sector-specific bailouts, money for clunkers and the American Restoration and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which helped some notable corporations and stimulated some enterprise sectors, but most of these efforts supplied little profit to the on a regular basis American enterprise. Writing a a call for participation does not indicate you are legally answerable for the client as quickly as he or she gets to Canada. After you observe the instructions and ensure you embody all needed info, ship your letter (notarized, if the visa office asks for that) to the actual particular person or people you could be inviting to Canada. The individual you're inviting must then send this letter to their native Canadian embassy or consulate when applying for a brief lived resident visa.
The briefcase contained a top level view of CSIS Intelligence operations for the following 12 months. He was fired a month after that occurred. Thanks for the response,congratulation as soon as once more i am going to like you to current me your acceptable full information. Many positions at Goal solely require workers to be sixteen years previous, but a few of them require people to be no less than 18 years of age.
Reap the advantages of buttons that allow of us to immediately share your content material. Having of us "like" or "tweet" your content can acquire it extra visibility. By making social media sharing simple for patrons, you increase the likelihood that they're going to do it. This could have a lovely Domino impact as people "retweet" and so forth.
Incentives are a killer solution to usher in new leads.
Hundreds of thousands of lives are affected by the usual and availability of UI — and much more may be affected when the enterprise cycle lands us within the next recession. The timing could not be extra vital for us to examine reforms to our re-employment system, throughout the confines of UI, in order to develop protections and reemployment providers and to collect proof for broader reforms. For a lot of who, like me, have argued we need a stronger financial compact and security internet by way of common re-employment providers and expanded retirement financial savings , in addition to those who thoughtfully in search of more expanded moveable revenue buildings (from union chief and enterprise capitalist Rolf and Hanauer to Senators Warner and Warren ), this invaluable and complete report serves as a strong reminder that UI modernization have to be an important component of any effort to strengthen our re-employment and social compact efforts going ahead.
At present, the buy/promote/commerce and companies sections are the most popular, so if each of those meet your wants, Backpage will be the web site for you. By our estimate, 475 million jobs will probably be wished within the subsequent decade to appreciably dent the variety of unemployed younger of us and provide alternatives for the 40 million of them coming into the labour market yearly.
Cellphone 415-928-8191. It was the worst time in my life.
Thanks antigravity. You're proper. Sometimes, the change though is tough for some. Reported or complained about any illegal or unethical exercise or a violation of firm coverage or rules. She then acknowledged that I ought to pay attention on account of she talked about that we is likely to be seated at a desk in an undesirable location away from others.
Profit from on-line lead teams. These groups can actually allow you out particularly if you've received a neighborhood enterprise. You possibly can alternate contact knowledge with like-minded of us and arrange some sort of referral system. Contemplate each web web page of your website and see if you clearly see calls to action. No matter what you're attempting to advertise, folks must know what to do to buy it. Make clear exactly what you are attempting to do.
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The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has voted to seek public comment on revisions to its proposed rules requiring the aggregation of certain accounts for purposes of the CFTC's speculative position limits. (View the notice here.) If included with the final rules package, the proposed revisions would significantly reduce the administrative burdens placed on certain entities that desire to take advantage of the so-called "owned entity" exemption from aggregation. Importantly, the previously proposed requirements for persons with a greater than 50 percent ownership interest in another entity, summarized below, would be removed.
The proposed aggregation rules were initially published for comment in November 2013 and remain pending. As explained in our November 2013 advisory, the proposed rules would continue the current practice of evaluating positions on the basis of both ownership and control, requiring the aggregation of all positions in accounts in which a trader either (1) holds a direct or indirect ownership of 10 percent or more, or (2) controls trading, by power of attorney or otherwise, subject to certain exemptions set out in the rule.
The current proposal would revise the pending owned entity exemption.[1] As originally proposed, the pending exemption distinguished between entities that share direct or indirect ownership between 10 and 50 percent, in which case the entities may claim an exemption by a simple notice filing with the CFTC, and entities that share ownership greater than 50 percent, in which case the entities must apply for an exemption:
Owned Entity Exemption (10 to 50 Percent Ownership). A person whose ownership or equity interest in another entity is between 10 and 50 percent would not be required to aggregate its positions with that entity's positions if such person files a notice with the CFTC and both parties: (1) do not have knowledge of each other's trading decisions; (2) trade pursuant to separately developed and independent trading systems; (3) have established written information barriers that include documented routing procedures, security procedures and separate physical locations to maintain independence; (4) do not share employees that control trading decisions; and (5) do not have risk management systems that permit the sharing of trades or trading strategy.
- Owned Entity Exemption (Greater Than 50 Percent Ownership). A person with an ownership interest of greater than 50 percent would be permitted to apply to the CFTC for an aggregation exemption if: (1) all of the conditions in the prior paragraph are satisfied; (2) the applicant does not and is not required by US generally accepted accounting principles to consolidate the owned entity under the applicant's financial statements; (3) each representative of the applicant on the owned entity's board certifies that he or she does not control the trading decisions of the owned entity; and (4) the owned entity's positions are held for bona fide hedging purposes or do not exceed 20 percent of the position limit. The owned entity exemption would also apply to higher-tier entities (such as upstream holding companies) that comply with the applicable requirements. An exemption for this latter category would not be automatic and would be available only if the CFTC finds, at its discretion, that the four conditions above are met. The CFTC would not be required to grant or deny the application within a particular time.
Responding to comments that the proposed exemption procedures for entities with greater than 50 percent ownership would be unworkable, requiring entities, inter alia, "to establish an extensive compliance monitoring and coordination program across independently managed, disparate businesses," the CFTC has proposed to remove this exemption and extend the exemption originally proposed for entities with ownership interests of 10 to 50 percent to include all entities with ownership interests of 10 percent or more (up to and including interests of 100 percent). As proposed to be revised, therefore, all affected entities would be permitted to claim an exemption from aggregation by a simple notice filing with the CFTC.
In joining his fellow commissioners in approving the request for comment on the proposed revisions, Commissioner J. Christopher Giancarlo expressed concern that the revised rule would not permit disaggregation when an owner and subsidiary entity have risk management systems that permit the sharing of trades or trading strategy. According to Mr. Giancarlo,
[this] proposed rule may stymie critical risk-mitigation efforts. Owners and their affiliates may need to share information regarding trades or trading strategy to verify compliance with applicable credit limits as well as restrictions and collateral requirements for inter-affiliate transactions, among other risk-management and compliance related objectives.
The CFTC will accept comments on its revised aggregation rule proposals for 45 days following publication in the Federal Register.
[1]The proposal would also remove a 50 percent cap on the ownership or equity interest that a broker-dealer may acquire in another entity, in the normal course of its business as a dealer, without being required to aggregate the owned entity's positions. The other exemptions from the CFTC's aggregation rules with respect to: (1) eligible entities with so-called independent account controllers; (2) ownership interests of limited partners in pooled accounts; and (3) discretionary accounts and customer trading programs of futures commission merchants remain unchanged.


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The Chargers have need at cornerback. Will the best one be available at pick No. 25?
A former NFL executive says no. Here's Pat Kirwan of CBSSports.com:
If the Chargers (No. 25) want a shot at one of the top two corners, they will have to get up 10 spots, which will require expensive compensation, but if Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard falls below No. 17, they should make the move.
• If the Titans (No. 11) are interested in a corner like Oklahoma State's Justin Gilbert, I think they better make a call to the Vikings and see if they are interested in moving down three spots.Tom Telesco has shown he'll trade up. In a move that may or may not have foiled the Raiders, he rose seven picks last April to draft Manti Te'o in the second round. The price was a fourth-round pick.
If he ascends again, we'll call him "Helium" Tom -- but I doubt the silly nickname will present itself on May 8 when we review the draft's first round. My logic: The Chargers have pressing needs beyond cornerback, it's a pretty deep class of corners, and while Gilbert and Dennard are fine prospects, giving up an additional draft pick or two would be too expensive.
The overall draft looks deep, as it's stuffed with a record class of non-seniors. So there figure to be several teams interested in trading down, giving Telesco options to trade up. Then again, the Chargers may be among the teams seeking extra draft picks.
Other cornerbacks projected by drafniks as first-rounders include Virginia Tech's Kyle Fuller, TCU's Jason Verrett and Ohio State's Bradley Roby.


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We investigate the use of deep reinforcement learning to optimize business processes in a business support system. The focus of this paper is to investigate how a reinforcement learning algorithm named Q-Learning, using deep learning, can be configured in order to support optimization of business processes in an environment which includes some degree of uncertainty. We make the investigation possible by implementing a software agent with the help of a deep learning tool set. The study shows that reinforcement learning is a useful technique for business process optimization but more guidance regarding parameter setting is needed in this area. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Together with Ericsson AB, we are using the design science framework when investigating how to create an intent-driven system for their business support system and its business studio. The aim is to present our initial results on how an extended OODA-loop can be used to realize a robust, but still flexible, software architecture for an intent-driven system. We explain how an extended OODA-loop is constructed and provide suggestions of how different part of it can be implemented. The initial results are promising but further research is needed to use the extended OODA-loop as reusable components in intent-driven systems. Our next step is to extend the generic methods with knowledge representation and reasoning capabilities. © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.
open access
Background: Achieving and maintaining a strategic competitive advantage through business and technology innovation via continually improving effectiveness and efficiency of the operations are the critical survival factors for software-intensive product development companies. These companies invest in business modeling and tool support for integrating business models into their product development, but remain uncertain, if such investments generate desired results. Aim: This study explores the effects of business modeling on effectiveness and efficiency for companies developing software-intensive products. Method: We conducted a systematic literature review using the snowballing methodology, followed by thematic and narrative analysis. 57 papers were selected for analysis and synthesis, after screening 16 320 papers from multiple research fields. Results: We analyzed the literature based on purpose, benefit, challenge, effectiveness, and efficiency with software and software-intensive products as the unit of analysis. The alignment between strategy and execution is the primary challenge, and we found no evidence that business modeling increases effectiveness and efficiency for a company. Any outcome variations may simply be a result of fluctuating contextual or environmental factors rather than the application of a specific business modeling method. Therefore, we argue that governance is the fundamental challenge needed for business modeling, as it must efficiently support simultaneous experimentation with products and business models while turning experiences into knowledge. Conclusion: We propose a conceptual governance model for exploring the effectiveness and efficiency of business modeling to occupy the missing link between business strategy, processes and software tools. We also recommend managers to introduce a systematic approach for experimentation and organizational learning, collaboration, and value co-creation.
In many situations a decision maker (DM) would like to grade a component, or rank several components of the same type. Often a component type has many features, which are deemed as valuable by the DM. Other vital features are not known by the DM but are needed for the component to function. However, it should be possible to guide the DM to find the desired business solution, without putting a requirement of detailed knowledge of the component type on the DM. We propose a framework for component selection with the help of fuzzy decision making. The work is based on algorithms from fuzzy decision making, which we have adapted or extended. The framework was validated by practitioners, which found the framework useful. © 2018 The Author(s).
Context: Decisions taken by medical practitioners may be based on explicit and implicit rules. By uncovering these rules, a medical practitioner may have the possibility to explain its decisions in a better way, both to itself and to the person which the decision is affecting. Objective: We investigate if it is possible for a machine learning pipe-line to uncover rules used by medical practitioners, when they decide if a patient could be operated or not. The uncovered rules should have a linguistic meaning. Method: We are evaluating two different algorithms, one of them is developed by us and named "The membership detection algorithm". The evaluation is done with the help of real-world data provided by a hospital. Results: The membership detection algorithm has significantly better relevance measure, compared to the second algorithm. Conclusion: A machine learning pipe-line, based on our algorithm, makes it possibility to give the medical practitioners an understanding, or to question, how decisions have been taken. With the help of the uncovered fuzzy decision algorithm it is possible to test suggested changes to the feature limits. © Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018.


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Seriously: you ready for Coronavirus?
Discussion in 'BlackHat Lounge' started by bartosimpsonio, Feb 23, 2020.
Page 36 of 37
Page 36 of 37


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You're a therapist in private practice and you get a call from a woman who would like to have her daughter come in for counseling. Sadly, you don't take her insurance, you don't see children that young, and—even you did both—you're booked up for the foreseeable future anyway.
Your next thought, of course, is to refer her to one your colleagues—after all there are quite a few good folks here in town you already know and trust—but this client wants to use Cigna and the only therapist you know who sees young kids and takes Cigna is booked out for months.
As much as you'd like to help her, the best you can do is share with her you don't have a good referral for her right now, and you wish for the best of luck in your search. Never a very satisfying end to that conversation—after all you got into this line of work to help just this sort of person.
After almost 15 years in private practice as a psychotherapist myself, and frustrated by this consistent problem, I decided it was time to create a social enterprise—a group of therapists—in Fort Collins, with the intention of resolving this persistent issue that I too suffered as a clinician in my own private practice.
With that in mind, I began looking for therapists in the community who would wanted to join me in creating a solution: so far, 10 of us have come together to offer this resolution:
- We promise to get people in who needs support right away.
- We'll take your insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare.
- We'll cover all areas of counseling.
As you can see, we hope to solve the problem that arises when that woman calls and is looking for childcare for her daughter, is hoping to use her Cigna insurance, and is only available after school hours, and neither you nor those great colleagues you know are be available to offer support. We're that social enterprise that solves the problem, offering up a caring, compassionate space where clients feel safe, and where therapists feel confident in referring to us.


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Live in, or going to be vacationing in Tennessee in September? Then this may be of interest:
September 20, 2008
East Tennessee Historical Society
REVOLUTIONARY WAR GENEALOGY: How to trace your Revolutionary War ancestor and find his service, pension, and bounty land records. Instructor: George K. Schweitzer, Ph.D., ScD. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The East Tennessee Historical Society is headquartered in the East Tennessee History Center in downtown Knoxville, along with the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, the
Knox County Archives & the East Tennessee History Museum. Our website is www.east-tennessee-history.org. All programs take place at:
East Tennessee History Center
601 S. Gay Street
Knoxville, TN
To register, or for more information about the above program, call 865-215-8809.


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On Monday, 14-year-old robotics fan Ahmed Mohamed was detained in Irving, Texas, for carrying a homemade digital clock into his new high school. He was handcuffed and taken into juvenile detention for enquiring because teachers and police assumed that the circuit board set-up must be a DIY bomb. Ahmed told The Dallas Morning News "She was like, it looks like a bomb," Ahmed has since been released with no charges filed, but over the past 24 hours the Internet has been flooded with support for the teen from all the biggest names not only from politics but from science and technology also. They all made it clear that they stand with Ahmed, and that young people shouldn't feel frightened of being wronged for doing science.
The story is mainly argumentative in light of the police harshness that's occurred in places like Baltimore and Cleveland lately, with numerous commenters questioning whether Ahmed was only detained because he's from a Middle Eastern background - particularly since he never led anyone to trust the device was anything other than just a DIY digital clock. Here some tweets about him.
If this looks like a bomb to you, then please ... don't touch technology. You are a stupid person. #IStandWithAhmed pic.twitter.com/Ur4pSQhovd
— Nash (@Nash076) September 16, 2015
Hi @IStandWithAhmed ! I'd love you to join us for our science show Generator in Toronto on 28 Oct. There's a ticket waiting for you.
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) September 16, 2015
You've probably seen the story about Ahmed, the 14 year old student in Texas who built a clock and was arrested when he...
Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Hey Ahmed- we're saving a seat for you at this weekend's Google Science Fair...want to come? Bring your clock! #IStandwithAhmed
— Google Science Fair (@googlescifair) September 16, 2015
Cool clock, Ahmed. Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It's what makes America great.
— President Obama (@POTUS) September 16, 2015
Either way, the truth is that a young boy was captured from school in handcuffs, questioned, and had his possessions searched, only because he loved robotics and wanted to show his new high school a clock that he'd made all by himself in only 20 minutes. And that's extremely wrong. To show our humble support, we thought we'd track Wired's and sciencealert's lead and inspire all of you to make your own digital clocks at home, not only because it's good pure science fun, but because the world's teachers and law enforcement agencies plainly need a lesson on what home-made clocks look like. If you've got your own equipment, this tutorial is extremely useful:


text: A presentation is a formal talk to one or more people that "presents" ideas or information in a clear, structured way. People are sometimes afraid of speaking in public, but if you follow a few simple rules, giving a presentation is actually very easy. This tutorial guides you through each stage of giving a presentation in English, from the initial preparation to the conclusion and questions and answers. This tutorial is itself set out like a mini-presentation. You can follow it logically by starting at the Introduction and then clicking on the link at the foot of each page, or you can jump direct to the section you want from the list of contents on each page.


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Reynier Village Neighborhood Association
RVNA started operating unofficially in 2005 and was officially formed in 2007. The purpose of the association is to improve the quality of life in our community. We are working towards maintaining a viable residential neighborhood that is a clean, safe and enjoyable place to live. Here are some of our achievements so far:
1. Worked with LAPD, our Councilman's office and SORO NC (South Robertson Neighborhood Council) to alert our neighbors about issues concerning Reynier Village (2005-2017).
2. Hosted twelve summers of Park Nights in Reynier Park for neighbors to sample food from local restaurants and get to know each other (2005-2016).
3. Organized Easter and Halloween parties, RVNA Yard sales, Community meetings and other events (2005-2017).
4. Hired Alexander Protective Service (APS) to patrol our streets (2007).
5. Created the Reynier Village website (2008) as a resource for our residents, deisgned by 2008-2011 RVNA webmaster Laura Sadler. NEW website (2012) by 2012-2016 RVNA webmaster Elisa Leonelli, with restaurants and Robertson listings, crime updates and an events page.
6. Elisa Leonelli with Deni Mosser started the Reynier Village Blog to share tips on home improvements, energy conservation, vegetable gardens, local businesses and neighborhood events (2009-2017).
7. Assembled an e-mail list of 450 addresses to keep our neighbors connected and informed of upcoming events (2009-2016).
8. Set up a network of Block Captains to distribute flyers and newsletters and develop personal relationships with the neighbors on their streets (2009-2016).
9. Posted Reynier Village signs, designed by local artist Barbara Mendes, to identify our area and show neighborhood pride (2009).
10. Worked with Million Trees LA and KYCC (Korean Youth Community Center) to get free trees planted in our parkways (2008).
11. Worked with NRSC (No Robertson Strip Club) and leaders from our neighboring communities to fight the SKIN Gentleman's Club at 3388 Robertson (2008).
12. Partnered with C-PAB (Community Police Advisory Board) to create Neighborhood Watch groups on many blocks and posted N.W. signs (2006-2011).
13. Communicated with LA City Bureau of Street Lighting to fix outages caused by copper wire theft (2011-2013). See Street Lights page for more info.
14. Organized clean-ups of garbage dumped along the 10 Fwy bordering our neighborhood at Cattaraugus and Bedford, Beverlywood and Holt. Asked Caltrans to keep area clean from trash and trees trimmed (2009-2016).
15. Advised residents to photograph Tagging and Graffiti and report to WLAPD (2014)
16. Joined Nextdoor.com. Suggested that RVNA members do the same (2014)
17. Warned residents about theft of catalytic converters from cars parked in the streets (2015)
18. Screened the movie "Surviving the Big One" followed by a community meeting about Emergency Preparedness organized by Andrew Leavenworth (2015).
19. Forwarded residents complaints about homeless living in campers in Cattaraugus underpass to Herb Wesson's Office. No Overnight Parking signs for Oversize Vehicles were posted, also in Garth underpass (2014-2015).
20. Monitored illegally parked campers and dumped items in Garth and Cattaraugus underpasses, reported to SORONC and LA Dept of Sanitation (2015-2017).
21. Reported homeless encampments in Robertson underpass to SORONC, WLAPD, District 5 and 10 Councilmen's offices, Herb Wesson and Paul Koretz (2015-2017).
22. Information campaign opposing cell tower. Zoning Administration denied Verizon project (2o16). Click here for more info
23. RVNA participated in SORONC Quality of Life and Parks Committee meetings to hear residents complaints about large parties at Reynier Park on weekends (2015-2016). We proposed that permits be required, but LA City Parks and Recs is unable to devote employees to enforce them. They did agree to change the signage, so LAPD will be able to ticket those who violate existing regulations.
24. RVNA wrote a letter (November 18, 2016) to LA Great Streets, at the request of SORONC president Doug Fitzimmons, to support their grant application for South Robertson, and the request was granted (February 3, 2017). Robertson between Cadillac and Kincardine is a 2016 Great Street Challenge winner!
We would like to thank our Board Members, Block Captains and all who have volunteered to help us grow. We live here and care about our neighborhood!
If you are not already an RVNA member, please consider joining and/or subscribing to our email list, send your email address to: email@example.com
Text by Elisa Leonelli, RVNA Communications 2009-2017


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September announces the Back-to-School season for all children and teenagers. As a mother, you would like to make sure that they still get the best nutritious and healthy foods just like they did during the summer. I have selected eight of the healthiest lunchboxes ideas to satisfy the schedule of all the busy moms out there as well as the nutritional needs of their kids.
1- An easy and fast paleo lunchbox including eggs, bell peppers, salami, nuts and two fruits.
2- For older children, or kids with more developed taste buds, you can go for one roll of sushi. The sushi rolls could include cucumbers, avocado and crab to avoid any raw meats at school.
3- Another great and quickly prepared lunchbox idea is grilled chicken with sliced mozzarella and tomatoes. Some berries would make a great combination or they can be enjoyed as a dessert.
4-If you are a busy mother and you don't really have time to cook in the morning, I suggest this easy and fast sweet and sour salad with balsamic vinegar sauce.
5- Another lunchbox idea for busy mothers could include a vegetable salad with a couple of slices of turkey on the side and a chopped apple as a snack.
6- An omelet with mushroom and tomato will constitute the perfect paleo meal. Add a side of apple or strawberries to complete the nutritional needs of your kid.
7- And finally if your kids love fruits and vegetables, try an avocado based salad, some sliced fruits, oat crackers and dried fruits.
One last tip: the secret is in the colors and displays! Go crazy and be creative!


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Have you ever planned your dream vacation, only to find lower prices just days after your hotel or flight are booked? Enter RateShrinker, breakthrough technology exclusive to Rovia.
Now, you can save money even after you make your hotel or flight reservations—simply because you're a Rovia customer.
Just seconds after your purchase, our systems scour the Internet to find out if prices for your itinerary have dropped and we keep a close watch on those rates right up until the day of your trip. If we locate a lower price, we'll send you an email confirming the booking and the amount you saved, and instantly put the cash back in your pocket!
RateShrinker is just another way Rovia provides you with the best experiences—and the best deals.
As soon as you hit the "Purchase Now" button, RateShrinker begins scanning hundreds of databases to see if fares have been lowered for your flight. If RateShrinker finds a lower fare, your original ticket will be voided and reissued at the lower price. The difference in the original fare and the lower fare will be credited right back to your credit card or Rovia Bucks account.
At this point, the "void window" is closed, so RateShrinker gets to work using a different set of criteria. In most cases, airlines apply penalties to reissue tickets, which can range from $50 to $300, depending on the carrier. RateShrinker takes these penalties into account while actively looking for lower fares. If a lower fare is found and the difference between the original and lower fares exceeds the airline's penalty charge, we'll reissue your ticket at the lower fare and give you value back.
Let's say you purchased a ticket for $700, and RateShrinker finds a price of $500. That's a $200 difference! But then you need to add in the airline $150 change fee. The fares' $200 difference is greater than the $150 fee, so RateShrinker will reissue your ticket and give you the $50 savings back!
Let's use the same scenario as above with a ticket purchased for $700, but RateShrinker only finds a fare of $600. Since the airline charges a $150 change fee, the $100 ticket price difference is less than the $150 airline fee; therefore, RateShrinker will not reissue the ticket because you wouldn't save any money.
Once you book your hotel reservation, RateShrinker automatically goes to work, searching our database of suppliers for any lowering of rates for your selected room type and hotel. If a better price is found, Rovia automatically cancels your reservation and creates a new one at the lower price, refunding you the difference. You'll then receive a notification email with the new confirmation number and a new trip ID, if it changes.
Let's say you reserve and pay for a room with one queen bed at Hotel Rovia. RateShrinker immediately starts searching for a lower price at the same hotel for a room with one queen bed. If a better rate is found, your room will be rebooked at the lower price and we'll refund you the difference! Watch your inbox because you'll receive an email with a new confirmation number and trip ID (if applicable).
If your original rate is the lowest RateShrinker can find, nothing changes—you'll be set for your vacation knowing you got the best value in town!Remember, RateShrinker's technology will only reissue airline tickets or rebook hotel reservations when it's in our customers' best interest.


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ITDA Basic Plan Page
Extra Benefits for on-line purchase
ITDA value for money just got a whole lot better with our amazing "Divepro Plans", starting with our "BASIC" Plan tier 1. with great savings for a very low monthly cost spreading the cost over 12 months, or paying for 10 Months and saving even more money... From just $45 USD per month.
Divepro Basic Plan
This unique plan was designed to make working with us easier and less expensive, it is our "Entry Level Plan" to an ITDA Divepro franchise and offers many unique benefits, see below:
Basic Plan Benefits
If you are looking simply for a easy way to work with us to offer more to your students and to experience the "ITDA System", this basic paln offers some great benefits like:
1 Instructor Registration per year
1 Diver level Certification per month (Value $25 USD) or Intro to Scuba - to Open Water Diver Levels
1 Annual Renewal at Instructor Level
Tier 1 Commission Band (This covers commission on e-materials and discounts to 15% maximum)
1. Web banner and or advert plus a listing in our monthly members newsletter and/or web blog.
e-Marketing Support
e-Mail Support (Using our CRM Systems)
Overall value of this offer is in excess of $454 USD... Worth $300 just in certifications, $25x12 =$300 plus the Instructor registration and renewal fees, another $100+, Plus the discounts and commissions at 15% Tier 1. If you only certified 10 Divers in a year at an average of $30 x 12 = $360 x15% = $54 Savings... That is a total value of $454 USD... for just $45 per month! (The cost of some agencies materials pack) Plus you get 1 web page and 1 monthly update, we drive business to YOU!
What is NOT Included?
Dive Shop / Dive Centre or Diver Training Facility annual Fees are NOT included at this level... But are avilable with the premium plan.
Upgrades are also availble to our Popular plan and our Premium plan and also options are open for a full Divepro franchise see link here!


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Americans fly the flag for July 4, as long as it's not made in China
Tom Baldwin in Washington
From The Times
July 5, 2007
Stars and Stripes and the Statue of Liberty
Comment: This article provides a sobering insight into what is wrong with many Americans' understanding of America's values, especially on the Fourth of July, a day on which America's values ought to be more clearly understood than any.
If America stands for anything, it stands for the rights of the individual.
What are those rights?
Those rights are explicitly enumerated in many of the state constitutions. They are the right to "life, liberty, and property."
Rhode Island was the very first state to declare independence from the British Empire. As Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution of the State of Rhode Island, puts it:
"No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property... "
A flag is a piece of colored fabric.
Americans fly these pieces of colored fabric on the Fourth of July to celebrate their hard-won right to life, liberty, and property.
If Americans do not have the right to use their own hard-earned money to purchase a piece of colored fabric, then hang that piece of fabric on a pole in their own front yard, then what has happened to those precious rights?
If Americans can be thrown in jail for 90 days or fined US$1,000, merely because a piece of fabric that they purchased with their own money, and displayed in their own front yard, met with the disapproval of their "public servants," then what has happened to the very rights all those fluttering flags were meant to celebrate?
I can't be the only person who has noticed the irony, can I?
From The Times
July 5, 2007
Americans fly the flag for July 4, as long as it's not made in China
Tom Baldwin in Washington
As if raising and waving millions of Stars and Stripes was not patriotic enough at Independence Day celebrations yesterday, the flags now have to be made in the US.
The state of Minnesota has taken the most draconian action, requiring all US flags sold in the state to be of American manufacture. Violations of the law, which comes into force at the end of the year, will be punished by a $1,000 (£495) fine or 90 days in jail.
From this month, schools and colleges in Arizona are being forced to equip every classroom with a US-made Stars and Stripes – sometimes known as "Old Glory".
Tennessee state law already stipulates that any US flag bought with public money cannot be imported from another country, while similar Bills are being considered by legislators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Such measures chime with the protectionist mood sweeping America. The Democrats, in particular, have become increasingly concerned about preserving manufacturing jobs that they believe are being destroyed by free trade and cheap foreign imports.
In this cause Old Glory has, as ever, emerged as a potent symbol. Last year Republicans failed by a single vote to get the two-thirds majority they needed in the US Senate for a constitutional amendment banning the burning of the flag.
The sponsor of the Minnesota legislation, the Democratic state congressman Tom Rukavina, said that his Bill was inspired by seeing flags made overseas during a memorial service for the victims of September 11, 2001.
Yesterday he was handing out 1,000 miniature flags – presumably US-made – at Independence Day parades in his district. "The biggest honour that you can give the flag is that it be made by American workers in the United States of America," he said.
"Nothing is more embarrassing to me than a plastic flag made in China. This replica of freedom we so respect should be made in this country . . . I think this Bill is about jobs, jobs for Americans."
His proposal was backed by fellow congressman Larry Howes, a descendant of Betsy Ross, the Revolutionary War seamstress who, according to American mythology, was instructed by George Washington to sew the first Stars and Stripes on to a piece of cloth. "It's time to bring the flag home," Mr Howes said.
Not surprisingly, the series of new laws is supported by the Flag Manufacturers' Association of America. It has complained about a flood of US flags, valued at $5.3 million, imported mostly from China last year.
The Chinese, whose high-speed response to market demands has made US industry look leaden-footed in recent years, appear to have spotted a gap in the market after the 9/11 attacks. In 2000 America imported $748,000 of US flags, mostly from Taiwan [the Taiwan region of China]. In 2001, however, that figure rose to $51.7 million – mostly from China [the mainland region of China].


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"You'll be staying in the Silver King," said my camping butler, Wesley. That's right. A camping butler. That decadent amenity was human icing on the cake during an early summer "roughing it" weekend at The Resort at Paws Up's new Pinnacle Camp.
Perched on a bluff overlooking the confluence of the Blackfoot River and Elk Creek, this rustic chic encampment is privy to one of the most breathtaking views on the 37,000-acre "Big Sky" spread—more than 60 sq. miles of untamed wilderness 30 minutes east of Missoula that's steeped in Lewis and Clark history.
Pinnacle Camp debuted with six canvas-walled, safari-style retreats individually named after prominent Montana mountain peaks. Outfitted with electricity, each is also tricked out with a spacious en-suite bathroom sporting a jetted tub and shower. Four 1,030-sq.-ft., 2-bedroom units are furnished with a king bed and two twins, while a pair of 565-sq.-ft., 1-bedroom tents come with kings.
With a roster of high-end touches crowned by butlers, there's really not much "roughing it" here. Sure, when temperatures dip into the 40s at night, it's a bit chilly. But feather beds dressed in 300-count linen sheets are armed with electric blankets. Plush pile accent rugs warm wooden floors, while sheepskin and cowskin throws drape leather sling chairs. And bathroom slate tile flooring is heated, as are towel racks.
Cowboy chic runs amok with Pinnacle's rustic furnishings, art-adorned walls and deck furnished with Adirondack chairs so guests can laze and gaze at the river below.
Sure, there's no closet for hanging clothes or iron for working out the wrinkles. And don't plan on tuning into the nightly news on an oversized flat-screen—although there are TVs at Tank Bar in the Cook Shack. "We had to stay true to some of those naturals that come with traditional camping," says John Romfo, the property's director of sales and marketing.
There's nothing quite like falling asleep to the lullaby of the babbling Blackfoot, then awakening when your butler taps on the door. Yep. There's actually a door on these swanky tents. Always at our beck and call, Wesley and his counterpart, Ryan, handled everything from starting nightly campfires for gourmet s'mores, to arranging transportation to the ranch's Wilderness Outpost for daily activities.
When we quizzed him, Wesley explained that the Paws Up name resonates owners Dave and Nadine Lipson's love of animals and genuine hospitality. It originated nearly 15 years ago when they would visit a ranch where two dogs always greeted them with two paws up. The moniker reflects those friendly canine encounters.
Even the dining pavilion is a cut above with its fireplace, leather sofas and family-style dining tables. "Walls" of floor-to-ceiling canvas curtains open to the Blackfoot, towering conifers and brilliant sky. Each morning, chef Amber brings new meaning to haute grilling as she preps short-cakes with warm huckleberry syrup, fluffy made-to-order omelets and chicken apple sausages.
Throughout the day, Wesley and Ryan stocked the facility with soft drinks and snacks. Lunch, dinner and libations are served at Tough & Tank, and Pomp located at the Camp Shack near the Reception Barn. Drawing from the West's agricultural wealth, fare showcases the region's freshest catches, meats, produce and ingredients.
As the resort's gourmet restaurant, Pomp shines with chef Wes Coffel's "farm-to-table" culinary movement. After a full day of horseplay and a belly full of the tastiest morsels west of the Mississippi, there was always still a smidgen of room for s'mores back at the camp.
the rest of the ranch Paws Up's inventory includes three additional 6-tent camps—Creekside, River and Moonlight. Creekside features that same en-suite bathroom convenience, with the adults-only Moonlight poised to jump on the bandwagon next season. The family-oriented River Camp assigns each tent an exclusive master bathroom in the bathhouse just steps away. All campsites are open from late-May to the end of September.
Those hankering for lodge-style trappings can take a more conventional step with the resort's 28 well-appointed vacation homes. These beauties range from cozy 2-bedroom Meadow Homes and private 1- to 3-bedroom Big Timber Homes, to expansive 3-bedroom Wilderness Estates. The historic 4-bedroom Morris Ranch House and bank-front Blackfoot River Lodge boosts ranch occupancy to 214, with an impressive one-to-one employee-to-guest ratio during summer season.
"Families or even three couples can book the Wilderness Homes and share the space," Romfo says. "Each couple has their own master suite and bath, with a living room, kitchen and deck with hot tub as common areas."


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American Pole Fitness Champion, Marlo Fisken, demonstrates how to do the reverse caterpillar on the floor this detailed tutorial. The Reverse Caterpillar is a great way to engage your core and upper body while adding a fun, playful dimension to your floorwork. As you master this move, add different speed and height dynamics and have fun linking it to many other floorwork lessons found on this site.
- Knees (Squeeze)
- Hands
- Back of Calf
- Front of Foot


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|This page is about the original Tengu Man. For his NetNavi counterpart, see TenguMan.EXE.
Tengu Man (テングマン Tenguman) is a Robot Master from Mega Man 8. Originally built as an experimental robot that can generate artificial typhoons, he was modified into a combat robot by Doctor Albert W. Wily. He is modeled after the Tengu, a Japanese yōkai.
Tengu Man is equipped with a razor-winged jet engine on his back that grants him high-speed flight, a retractable triple-bladed fan weapon (also known as a Ha-Uchiwa) on his arm, and the ability to summon cutting blades of air and whirlwinds with Tornado Hold to trap and blow his opponents to their doom. He is one of the few Robot Masters to grant two different Special Weapons on separate occasions.
Tengu Man is highly proud of his large nose, is good at reading the atmosphere, and likes fly fishing. He looks down on others and fights with boldness, having noticeably arrogant and overconfident mannerisms.
Video game appearances
Mega Man 8
Tengu Man is one of the first four bosses, and is stationed within a high mountain range in Japan. Mega Man defeats him and obtains Tornado Hold and one sample of the Evil Energy. His weakness is Ice Wave.
Mega Man & Bass
Tengu Man is a member of King's army. His stage is one of the two stages unlocked by defeating Ground Man. When defeated, the player obtains the Tengu Blade. He is weak to Spread Drill.
Mega Man & Bass CD data
Stage enemies
Mega Man 8
Tengu Man's stage is high in the air, Mega Man requiring to use Rush at one point to proceed.
- Sub-boss: Shiriko da Gama
- Cline B
- Cline G
- Dodonpa Cannon
- Hogale
- Kemumakin
- Metall SV
- Monopellern
- Hannya Attacker
- Telly R
- Tencrow
Mega Man & Bass
Tengu Man's stage appears to be high in the air. In the beginning, Mega Man or Bass must use balloons to proceed and get inside an area with pipes. In the Japanese version, Roll mentions that it is a weird stage for a tengu-like robot, and it makes a great conversation topic.
- Sub-boss: Oni Robo
- Cline G
- Mokumokumo
- Dodonpa Cannon
- Hannya Attacker
- Joe Classic
- Metall SV
- Telly R
- Tencrow
Damage Data Charts
Displays the amount of damage in units that Tengu Man will receive from each Special Weapon in Mega Man 8 and Mega Man & Bass.
- For Mega Buster, the first number is the damage done when the weapon is fired normally; the second number is damage done when the weapon is charged up.
- A fully-charged Mega Buster does the same damage in all of its forms (normal, Laser, and Arrow).
- For Tornado Hold, the first number is damage inflicted from hitting the boss with the fan; the second number is damage dealt from the tornado it creates.
- *Damage values listed on this chart assume the player does not have the "C. Attack" (Counter Attacker) item equipped and activated.
- *For Bass Buster, the first number is when the weapon is fired normally; the second is when Super Buster is activated. Hyper Buster shares the same attack power as a standard Bass Buster shot.
- *For Spread Drill, the first number is damage inflicted with the big drill; the second number is with the smaller drills; third number is with the tiny drills.
- *For Tengu Blade, the first number is the slash; the second number is striking with the projectile; third number is hitting with the slashing dash.
In-game voice quotes
Mega Man 8
- "I'm Tengu Man."
- "It's just a kid? Don't make me laugh."
- "Kid, you're almost not worth the effort."
- "Are you worthy of my challenge?"
- "I'll take on you. Be ready!"
- "Hya!" (Draws weapon.)
Attack Shouts:
- "Kamaitachi!"
- "Tornado Hold!"
- "Here you go!"
- "You missed! Feel my power!" (If Mega Man is hit by Tornado Hold.)
- "Nuts!"
- "No!"
- "Shoot!"
- "No way!" (Hit by Ice Wave.)
- "Guuh!" (Hit by Ice Wave.)
- "It's regretful."
In other media
Mega Man (Archie Comics)
Tengu Man makes his debut in the Worlds Collide crossover event with Sonic the Hedgehog. He appears as part of an army of Robot Masters who battle Mega Man, Sonic the Hedgehog, and their allies in the Skull Egg Zone, and is most notable for having been hit heavily by an attack from Rouge the Bat. This all took place in an altered reality created after Wily and Dr. Eggman fired off the Genesis Wave.
He also has two cameos in Mega Man Issue 55.
Rockman 8
Tengu Man was responsible for generating the typhoon covering Wily's secret flying hideout. When Duo enters the typhoon to find the Evil Energy and is followed by Mega Man, Tengu Man keeps him away with his wind. After some struggle, Mega Man manages to stop the typhoon and fights against Tengu Man as Super Mega Man. Although heavily damaged, Tengu Man angrily takes Mega Man and dives to crush him on the impact. Mega Man uses Flash Bomb to blind Tengu Man, making him release Mega Man. As Tengu Man opens his eyes, he sees Mega Man ready to fire a charge shot, which destroys him. Mega Man floats on the water tired and is rescued by his friends.
Tengu Man later appears again inside the Wily Tower, where he has a fight with Pirate Man and both disappear.
Rockman & Forte
Tengu Man is shown to have joined King's army to exact revenge on Mega Man for disgracing him in their previous battle, making Astro Man lure him to trap while he is flying with Rush and a Met. After convincing Astro Man to stop fighting, Tengu Man knocks him down, revealing that they are in a platform flying high on the air. At first Tengu Man has advantage, but Bass appears and weakened him before being forced to leave due to Treble having low energy. As the platform starts breaking, Mega Man manages to defeat Tengu Man with the Met's help before falling to their doom. However, Astro Man secretly rescues Mega Man and the Met, and they are found by Rush.
Other appearances
Tengu Man has a cameo appearance in the end of Mega Man Gigamix.
- Tengu Man and Frost Man appears in the option screen with volume and sound fx
- Tengu Man is one of four Robot Masters to give Mega Man two different weapons. The other three are Astro Man, Centaur Man and Pharaoh Man.
- Due to his two appearances, Tengu Man has both an Air-themed weapon (Tornado Hold) and Cutter-themed weapon (Tengu Blade).
- This is may be due to the Tornado Hold taking inspiration from the feather fans (羽団扇 ha-uchiwa) that tengu use to create gusts of wind, while the Tengu Blade more closely resembles Japanese war fans, namely the tessen.
- Both of the Robot Masters that are weak to his weapon are based on entertainers, with one based on a clown and the other based on a magician. This may be a reference to the Japanese tale of "The Old Man's Lump Removed", where a greedy man upon hearing that one who danced, played, and partied merry with tengu in the night and was given gifts for his spirited entertainment, was punished for his bad dancing and greed through the tengu's powers. This may be taken further into context in that both Clown Man and Magic Man's entertainment is rather deadly than it is fun.
- Due to his two appearances, Tengu Man has both an Air-themed weapon (Tornado Hold) and Cutter-themed weapon (Tengu Blade).
- His weakness to Ice Wave is a reference to how tengu and yamabushi, being warrior monks and their alleged followers of their mythical arts, retreated out of the harsh and frigid winter weather despite what power they had.
- His weakness to Spread Drill is a likely reference to the tale of "The Tengu and the Woodcutter", where a tengu flies away in fright after a man's action of splitting wood sends a large splinter that hits him on his large nose, and comes to fear men due to their unpredictability. Despite a drill not being a log, how it is a manmade tool and how the weapon can split itself in surprise is reference to this aesop.
- In Mega Man & Bass, Tengu Man still uses the Tornado Hold in battle, but instead of sending the player skyward for Tengu Man to slash down, the weapon catches the player and tries to dump him off the edge of the platform to his death.
- Tengu Man is the second Robot Master based on a mythological creature (the first was Centaur Man).
- Tengu Man's attack, the kamaitachi, is a ball made of sharp wind. The Kamaitachi is a Japanese yokai, a wind weasel capable of creating sharp wind strong enough to cut.
- Tengu Man has different stage themes in the Saturn and PlayStation versions of Mega Man 8. With his theme from Mega Man & Bass, he's the only classic series Robot Master to have three official stage themes (four if both SNES and GBA versions of his Mega Man & Bass themes are counted seperately).
- Tengu Man is the only Robot Master in Mega Man 8 (besides Cut Man in the Sega Saturn version) who takes 2 units of damage from a Mega Buster shot and 4 units from a fully-charged Mega Buster shot. This makes him one of the weakest bosses in Mega Man 8 to the Mega Buster.
- This weakness to the Mega Buster disappeared in Mega Man & Bass, suggesting Tengu Man may have been modified by King to make him more suitable for combat, further enhancing the theory that he may have been initially designed as a civilian Robot Master.
- In his Mega Man 8 artwork and Mega Man & Bass CD database, Tengu Man's "cutter" is blue, but in his Mega Man & Bass artwork and sprite, it is green.
- In Mega Man & Bass, if the player hits Tengu Man with Spread Drill while he is inside the wall during his diving attack he will fall inside the wall and get stuck, thus unable to fight back.
- Tengu Man was one of the only two Robot Masters to receive a toy in the form of a model kit from Bandai's Mega Armor model kit series, the other being Sword Man. Tengu Man's model features a removable shurken. Curiously, promotional pictures of the model depict his wings, feet and shuriken being molded in blue plastic, which the actual model has these pieces molded in white plastic.
- Based on his Mega Man & Bass CD Data, he may have had commercial applications before he was used by Wily as a warrior, implying he could have had his origins in designs created by Dr. Wily before the scientist went rouge. This is supported by the fact that, like many of Wily's older creations (notably Air Man, another air-themed Robot Master) and former Dr. Light Robot Masters (Cut Man, Splash Woman), he has extra vulnerability to Mega Buster in Mega Man 8.
- Also, Tengu Man's ability to manipulate wind can be seen as an upgraded form of Air Man's (both have the power to shape the wind into attacks, notably tornadoes, though Tengu Man's means of generation cannot be damaged as easily as Air Man's propeller).
- His death quote "It's regretful" may imply that underestimating Mega Man was his biggest (and at the same time, fatal) mistake.


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Dry Eye Treatment in Columbia
At Dorothy Park & Associates, serving Columbia and the surrounding area, patients are able to get the eye care they need to combat conditions such as dry eye. An optometry specialist like one at this eye care center has the potential to heal through various treatments and procedures as well as patient education.
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a condition that occurs when a patient has insufficient tears, whether the tears are inadequate or are of poor quality. Tears are necessary to keep the eye healthy since they reduce the risk of infection and keep foreign matter out of the eye. They lubricate the eye. This condition is a chronic condition for some and tends to arise in older adults.
Causes of Dry Eye
Dry eye can be caused by environmental conditions. Some people don't produce enough tears. Issues with the composition of tears can cause dry eye as well. The natural aging process leads to dry eye for many. This is evident by the fact that a majority of people who have dry eye are people who are over the age of 65. Hormones play a role in the onset of dry eye. Women experience dry eye frequently than men due to hormone changes during pregnancy and menopause and from the use of oral contraceptives. Medications like hypertension drugs and antidepressants may reduce the number of tears produced. Certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems contribute to dry eye.
Diagnosing Dry Eye
Usually, the process starts with a patient discussing their symptoms with an optometry expert. A Columbia eye care professional at Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates will then give a patient a thorough eye examination. The testing consists of evaluating the quantity and quality of patient's tears. The eye care professional will also gather information regarding the patient's medical history to determine if medications, environmental factors or health issues may be causing the dry eye. Dry eyes can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination comprised of an external examination of the eye. The eye care professional may use a bright light and a special magnifying device to examine the eyelids and cornea. Testing with special emphasis on the evaluation of the quantity and quality of tears produced by the eyes may be conducted. In some cases, the eye care specialist will place special dyes into the eye to evaluate how the tears flow.
Treatment for Dry Eye
An eye care professional at Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates in Columbia will treat dry eye using an artificial tear solution, which is an over-the-counter eye drop that adds a tear-like solution into the patient's eye. The optometry specialist may recommend an approach that consists of conserving tears. This keeps tears in the eyes for longer than normal. It's done by blocking the tear ducts with silicone or gel-like plugs to prevent them from draining normally. A surgeon specializing in optometry may block the ducts permanently. The eye care specialist may prescribe eye drops to increase tear production. The eye doctor may recommend lifestyle changes that can reduce the symptoms. For instance, the doctor will suggest blinking regularly when at a computer screen for prolonged periods of time. Increasing humidity levels inside the home as well as wearing sunglasses can reduce dry eye. Proper hydration helps as well.
Contact Us
To schedule an appointment to determine what's causing your dry eye, contact the optometry experts in Columbia at Dr. Dorothy Park & Associates at (803) 254-6306.