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Legislative Update
March 10, 2017
Four House members filed legislation on Thursday eliminating school boards' ability to file litigation challenging local funding sufficiency. HB 305 is identical to the bill that the House voted down in 2015. It is sponsored by Reps. Debra Conrad, R-Forsyth, Larry Potts, R-Davidson, Carl Ford, R-Rowan, and Michael Wray, D-Northampton. Three of the four sponsors are former county commissioners.
Last session, NCSBA and the NC Association of County Commissioners agreed to have the General Assembly study the current process for resolving education funding disputes between school boards and county commissioners. This study is currently underway and the final report is due by May 1. NCSBA is asking lawmakers to hold off on hearing HB 305 until this report's findings and recommendations are released.
As of March 10:
– 41 local bills have been filed giving various types of calendar flexibility to 74 school systems.
Local calendar flexibility bills filed in the Senate: 12
Local calendar flexibility bills filed in the House: 29
– 1 statewide bill allows all LEAs to begin school no earlier than August 10 (HB 53 sponsored by Reps. Cody Henson, Kevin Corbin, Mitch Setzer, and Michele Presnell).
Click here to see if a calendar flexibility bill has been filed for your LEA.
A Senate bill filed this week would put new lottery dollars towards two of the most pressing challenges facing LEAs- school capital and salaries for school-based administrators. SB 234 is sponsored by Senators Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph, Harry Brown, R-Onslow, and Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell. The bill's two components are as follows.
SB 234 School Construction Monies
Up to $100 million in new school capital lottery dollars would be put into a special fund each fiscal year, to be distributed ONLY to Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties (all but 20 of the counties in the state). Individual counties would be eligible for no more than $10 million each fiscal year. This would be in addition to the regular school construction lottery allocation.
The bill would give the State Superintendent a great deal of power to determine who gets the new funding. While Tier 1 counties would have to receive first priority, the other criteria for distributing the funding would include things like total need compared to tax base, high debt-to-tax ratio, and type of individual construction projects.
Counties that are awarded these monies would also have to put up a local match.
To see which counties are considered Tier 1, 2, and 3 click here.
SB 234 School- Based Administrator Funding
Lottery Block Grants for Principal Pay
LEAs would receive lottery dollars for principal salaries in 2017-18 in the form of a block grant of that district's average 16-17 principal salary plus 7%. Local superintendents would determine each principal's salary, except that no principal could make less than they earned in 2016-17.
Lottery Principal Bonus Program
There would be $6.7 million in lottery funds set aside for principal bonuses. All principals would get a one-time $2,600 bonus in 2017-18 and then principals selected by superintendents would receive an additional $1,000 performance-based bonus.
Assistant Principal Pay
The assistant principal salary schedule would track the "A" teacher salary schedule plus an additional 13%.
Click here to read more about the bill and to watch a press conference from the bill sponsors.
A House bill has been filed to give growth more credit in the calculation of school A-F grades. The bill is HB 322, sponsored by Reps. Linda Johnson, R-Cabarrus, Jeffrey Elmore, R-Wilkes, and Craig Horn, R-Union. HB 322 would make the growth and performance county 50/50 in the calculation of A-F grades.
Please continue to contact your Senator(s) in support of HB 13. Click here to find your Senator(s).
As you are talking about HB 13 with your Senator(s) an important point to remember is that the General Assembly has invested nearly $200 million since 2011 with the intent of lowering early grade class sizes. HB 13 recognizes this investment while preserving flexibility to generate dollars for specialty teachers.
Remember you need to be prepared in your 2017-18 local budget requests to ask for both the current expense and capital funding necessary to implement the scheduled changes to K-3 class size averages. We suggest that the needed funds be broken out and shown as a separate line-item in your local budget request. This will put a public spotlight on what the changes to K-3 class size averages are costing LEAs. Please also share with us the monetary impact of the K-3 class size changes in your district.
Talking Points on HB 13
HB 13 would:
a) Provide substantial relief from the drastic K-3 class size changes that are set to take effect this coming school year.
b) Give LEAs the flexibility to have a differential of 3 between the funded and average classroom teacher ratios starting in 2017-18 for K-3, which has been the historical practice. The differential of 3 for average class sizes returns 75% of the flexibility that is allowed (not necessarily used) this school year.
While understanding that HB 13 is not a perfect solution to the K-3 class size issue, remember that if nothing passes on this districts will be forced to equalize the funded and average ratios in 2017-18 which could lead to (i) drastic cuts in art, music, and physical education teaching positions in K-3; (ii) an increase in class sizes in grades 4-12; or (iii) a funding hole that would need to be filled by an infusion of local dollars.
Action Bills: Click here for the NCSBA-tracked bills that had action this week.
New Bills: Click here for a list of bills filed this week that NCSBA is tracking.
Monday, March 13
Governor Roy Cooper will deliver the State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly.


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Last saturday something shook my little world upside down. A bridge, one of my bridges, my favourite bridge, THE London Bridge suddenly became a place of murder and destruction. Blood was spilt. Fear was instilled. Innocent people died. Others were hurt. And it wasn't the first time. Manchester saw it happen a couple weeks back. The Westminster bridge saw it happen a couple months back. We live in a truly terrifying world.
If you are still with me, most days I wonder what the hell is going on with the world. Are we not learning from our old mistakes? Have we not spilt enough blood over the past few centuries? Why are we not getting over hatred? I may be biased or irrational sometimes but these days, I totter on the edge of normalcy. Shake at the end of it, more like. Too awake, too alert, too scared to notice anything but the sound of my own breathing. My own very shallow breathing. Taking it all in, wishing it would go away.
It is hard. Hard to spend a whole life learning about how to avoid death to have someone take life away from us so easily. A split second and everything you knew is swiftly gone. Your life. Your significant other's altered forever. Why would I eat healthy, take good care of myself, make a living, create memories if someone can just sweep in and decide that I can't be on earth anymore? Of course, I still would and I intend to because I can't let anyone stop me living my life to the fullest. And nor should you. We are not scared. We stand together. United we can beat this.
This days, though, I put on a brave face. A bold, smiley, determined brave face. I am cheery for the sake of it.I wordlessly go through the motions. I do yoga and my mind wanders. I go to work and my thoughts race. I read books which are way too thin and I tell people I love them out of fear of not being able to say it anymore. I am coping. I am doing just fine.
To be honest,most of the time I kind of tried to bury it deep. Deep down under. Let it lie underneath my rather thick skin. It's not like I was standing on the London Bridge on that fateful day a mere hour before it all happened. It is not that scary. Right? Like if I don't think about it then it is not real at all. I mean. It could have been me. It could have been you. It shouldn't have to be any of us if you get my drift. But it could. And that is truly terrifying. Enough to make my blood go stone cold.
Nowadays and most days, I live on the edge of normalcy in a world telling me to stay safe. To keep alert. To be vigilant. Vigilant the key word for aware of how bad it can get. Because the bad people are out there to get us and there are many of them populating the earth. Vigilant because a few weeks ago someone decided to murder people that were celebrating life (…) Dancing, creating memories, smiling. Being alive.
But you know what is the worst? Other than the fear, the heartbreak and the pain? The fact that most people will resort to playing the blame game. They will look for someone to take the fall for whatever happened. The voices will chorus 'You made it real, you are guilty and so is your kind.' But do you want to know where the damage lies? Ignorance. Fear. Racism. Separation. Segregation. Lies. Domination. Power struggles.
At the end of the day we are all human beings. We all are mothers,and brothers, and sisters and other people's people above it all. We are all loved. We all have someone waiting for our call at the other end. We all have someone who will worry if we are late getting home because they know it is unsafe out there.
Maybe I am naive but to me this is pretty simple: we need to stop humans from killing other humans.

subset: commoncrawl


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Without taking sides in the public sector wage debate occurring in Jamaica, and understanding full well how any increase given to workers is gobbled up by inflation, I would like to ask this question.
Given the same IMF loan stipulations to Jamaica as years ago when the previous Government issued an across the board public sector wage freeze, why is it that 6% is so insulting?
Look, the wage demands of public sector workers are just and fair nevertheless present demands must be balanced against the constraints of the Government's ability to pay.
They should also be approached with the same degree of deference given to the previous Government, considering that it unilaterally imposed an across the board wage freeze.
Public sector workers should approach their wage negotiations with the very same degree of professionalism and realism regardless of who occupies Jamaica House.
The cause is just the fight is long but there comes a time when reality must guide our decisions.


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There are, fundamentally, two types of management book. In the one camp are cookery-style books with 10 easy steps to eternal happiness or five easy lessons on leadership. They sell like hot cakes - in my view, because they take away the need to think, as thinking is quite hard work. In the other camp are books that take a more thoughtful, long view: Peter Drucker and Charles Handy come to mind. These books reflect on the changes taking place within society and within organisations, and show how the two are interlinked.
Julian Birkinshaw's new book, Reinventing Management, belongs in the Drucker category. Its central thesis is that each organisation has a management system composed of a variety of elements that have been developed over time. This management model, 'the set of choices we make about how work gets done in an organisation', has four basic dichotomies that blend together. It can be bureaucratic or loose; hierarchical or collective; clearly aligned or oblique; and, lastly, motivational through the pursuit of money or through the pursuit of inherent reward.
Birkinshaw points out that managers have a choice. He doesn't say that bureaucratic, hierarchical organisations are awful and we must all strive towards a knowledge-intensive, collaborative, self-fulfilling nirvana. Instead, his thesis might be characterised as the 'Goldilocks and the three bears' school of management: the challenge is where to sleep.
Recently, he says, too great an emphasis has been placed on strategy and leadership - the vision of the destination - and not enough on managerial graft.
He begins with a short tour of the origins of management systems. Pre-industrial systems were small-scale and loose. The advent of industrial production, however, required large, systemic bureaucracies, with central planning and scientific management. In the early era of the car industry, this made good sense. Today, in environments such as McDonald's, it still makes good sense. We all want our Big Mac and fries to taste and look the same wherever we are.
In other types of organisation, or in other parts of the same organisations, a different set of features is required. If the goal is to generate new intellectual capital, whether in a university or in the McDonald's R&D lab, a looser model is preferable, since knowledge workers are often as interested in the idea as in the business side of their pursuit.
While the historical perspective provides one explanation of the origin of management systems, the life-cycle of the firm provides another. Three computer programmers in a garage do not bother with complex systems, but 300,000 programmers distributed across the world need at least one or two rules to play by. Each approach has good and bad points.
Bureaucracy is slow and cumbersome but generally cost-effective and reliable. Absolute decentralisation is creative and exciting, but it leads to duplication, generates a myriad of micro-systems, and is ultimately frustrating and expensive. For Birkinshaw, the challenge is to see whether there is one that provides a competitive advantage.
The book explores this territory through a variety of case studies. Google tries to maintain a decentralised start-up model to foster creativity. Procter & Gamble experiments with external R&D networks to support its internal staff. BP pursues a variety of strategies to free up creativity and innovation.
A telling example concerns Oticon, a major Danish hearing-aid manufacturer. Faced with intense competition from Philips and Siemens, it launched a brave 'loosening' campaign. Standard operating procedure documents were shredded and self-managing teams introduced. Through the late '80s and early '90s, performance increased dramatically. But so did organisational chaos. In the late '90s, new rules were implemented.
Rather than seeing this as a failure, Birkinshaw likens management to a pendulum that swings between control and creativity: this is what management is - there is no state of equilibrium. One must change or, ultimately, fail.
The book, aimed squarely at working managers, is well-structured. Early chapters help managers to investigate and understand their own management models. Subsequent chapters help them to evaluate whether the model is fit for purpose or might benefit from adjustment. The final part encourages careful experimentation with alternatives.
Overall, Reinventing Management is a thoughtful, practical and readable tour that encourages the reader to reflect on the prosaic role of sleeves-rolled-up management so that Goldilocks can find the bed she wants to sleep in.
- Kai Peters is chief executive of Ashridge Business School.
Reinventing Management: Smarter choices for getting work done
Julian Birkinshaw


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Purchase vs. Lease Time to figure out what's best for you.
When you finance a VW through Volkswagen Credit, you make monthly payments for the length of the loan.¹ And as soon as you pay it off, it's all yours. There are no mileage restrictions, no excess wear charges, no due date for returning the vehicle. With terms from 12 to 72 months and competitive rates, there's a plan for your budget.
Benefits of purchasing:
- Competitive rates and flexible terms
- No mileage or vehicle customization restrictions
- Ownership equity
- No charges for excess wear
This option is typically for folks who want either lower monthly payments or to more easily get into a brand new VW every few years. In both cases, you simply choose how long you want to drive your new VW, from one to four years, then turn it in when the time's up.² The longer you lease the vehicle, the lower your monthly payments are (on average).
Plus, you can also opt to buy your VW at the end of the lease. Whatever works best for you, we want to help make it happen. Any of our local dealers will be more than happy to take you through the process in detail. Please check out VW's Wear and Use Policy² before deciding on this avenue.
Benefits of leasing:
- Lower monthly payments (on average than buying)
- Flexible terms
- Option to buy your vehicle
- Get into a new vehicle more often
Driver's Option Plan
Can't decide whether to buy or lease? Then don't. Our Driver's Option Plan³ offers the best of both worlds.
With the Driver's Option Plan³ you decide how long you want your VW. Once the term is up, you can pay off your balance, refinance the balance, or turn the car into a VW dealer.
Benefits of the Driver's Option Plan
- Lower monthly payments (on average)
- No security deposit
- No acquisition fee
- Three end-of-term options
(Some additional charges may apply, as stated in our Wear and Use Policy.²)
If this sounds interesting to you, one of our VW Credit consultants will be happy to tell you more about it.
*Repairs does not include maintenance and discount cannot be combined with other offers.


text: Jack Henry James 0 Posted June 25, 2019 Hi everyone. I have to do something that strays a little out of the day-to-day for me so wanted to ask for some thoughts about how I have been thinking of approaching it. I want to rig a 4x4 for a long road trip, where we want to film every day for probably 8-10 hours (at the most). We'll be self-shooting and pretty much unsupported from a filming point of view. The plan is to edit short summary films every couple of days. Now, I can hear many of you screaming that filming a million unlogged hours is a stupid idea and that we can probably get better results by structuring what we film, but it's basically an unplanned and unscripted road trip and we don't know what will happen when - hence the blanket shooting approach. I'm after something between a VLOG and a planned doc shoot. Hear me out, anyway, and apologies in advance for the long post. Intended coverage: 3/4 shot of driver 3/4 shot of passenger Centre two-shot of driver and passenger Forward shot and rear shot (think dashcam style) Various positions outside the car, done with one camera that is repositioned Handheld for out and about Considerations I've had so far: The environment. Mostly desert and mountain terrain with some cities. So temperature variation, dust and water are big factors. It's also mostly off-road so will be fairly punishing. Size. Physical space is at a premium because of the amount of other kit that has to be carried (camping stuff, recovery gear, spares, diesel...) Ease of use. Being realistic about it, there's going to be a lot to concentrate on every day before we even think about the filming, so I'm trying to come up with a solution that is almost set and forget inside the truck, and front and back. That way providing we remember to put new media in and push record on everything at the top of the day, we should be capturing most of what we need, then whenever we get out of the vehicle we take with us a handheld and film as normal. Security. A losing battle really when adding a lot of cameras, but there will be a lot of occasions where we don't want to draw attention to ourselves, such as border crossings. So I think sometimes we'll have to remove bits. Budget. At this stage I don't know how far it can stretch as we're really at the beginning of this, but currently I've been considering Go Pro / GH5 sort of money as an initial starting point, plus grip, audio, media etc etc. Not sure if that's realistic or not but lets see how you all answer..! Questions: Camera choice. For the internal angles, are we basically talking about Go Pros? I've been trying to find out if there are better options, and assuming that we rule out the cinema end of the market for budget reasons - the ARRI ALEXA Mini etc - then I'm not sure what else to look at. It seems like the GH4 or GH5 might be an option. I saw an article about the filming of Grand Tour where they said they found these to be ideal for this purpose, for example. I'm concerned about the size of these though, see space and security considerations... I appreciate the trade-off between size and quality may mean I can't get good quality + small at the same time - I'm more curious to know what people 'usually' use. What about all those docs that follow ambulances around, is that just a bunch of Go Pros and and army of people changing SD cards? I did consider looking at the new BMPCC but thought that it might suffer sensor wobble on the road. External angles - I guess Go Pro or similar..? Sound. I know that sound inside a truck is likely to be frustrating to get right. I was thinking of two lavs, a mic of some sort in the cab and then maybe even something outside so get some ambient. So then a 4 channel Zoom style recorder? Light. We can modify the truck as much as we want, so I was considering some sort of bi-color LED fixtures there the visors are? Logging. We need a way to log moments that were of interest each day. Could do timecode? I'm conscious that we're going to end up with a lot of hours and we want to be able to find and keep good content and discard mundane content with some certainty otherwise we'll never meet our editing goals. Perhaps we could log against time of day. Data. Not sure about the practicalities of DITing all this on the road. SD cards are a pain so I'm considering external recorders. See space concerns above though. One thing I considered was loop recording - Go Pros and dashcams and similar do this, and that could mean that at the end of the day, or maybe just when something interesting happens(!) the related clip could be kept and the rest discarded. I have a feeling we're not going to be able to keep everything. Despite the huge post I'm sure there's stuff I've missed and even more that I haven't yet even considered. I know many of you who are experts in this (I am obviously not) will have more sensible ideas. Thanks all of you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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The metal building's owner, an avid waterfowl hunter, made the decision to provide an air-tight polyurethane foam insulation barrier inside the structure.
"It was amazing," the husband told his wife. "It was so warm inside because of how well it was sealed."
SPF insulation has many uses and many home-owners are finding it more economical in the long run to use it as they build or renovate houses. Steve Thomas, former host of the PBS series, This Old House and Renovation Nation on the Planet Green channel, used spray foam insulation to renovate his 100-year-old home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
"Spray foam insulation is super insulation. It gives superior R-value, conforms to any shape . . . is a water and air barrier, which makes the house healthier, gives the homeowner amazing energy savings, and allows us to maintain the design integrity of the American Southwest," he said.
So what does spray polyurethane foam insulation have in common with snowstorms?
If the snow is the right consistency and drifts up around your building and on your roof, you can actually feel the warm in your home. It provides a wonderful insulation as it nestles into cracks and crevices, keeping the wind out and the heat in. It actually provides a better shelter than if there is no snow at all.
|Snow on outside of building during the
February snowstorm in Kansas City.
But then Mother Nature changes direction and the snow melts and the insulation is gone, unless, of course, you have your building insulated with spray polyurethane foam.


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The fast growing energy cost is a serious issue for many families across the globe. While they cannot bring down the rising costs, they can take help of the recently introduced guide that reveals a secret method of generating electricity at home using solar panels.
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/07/2013 -- Besteservices.com/solar-panels introduces a valuable guide "Earth 4 Energy" demystifying a simple and effective method to produce electricity in the backyard using solar panels. This is a must have guidebook for all people who want to keep their energy bill within a manageable limit. At the same time, it will help in energy conservation and protect the earth's environment too.
The site maintains that there are numerous people on this earth who are paying steep electricity prices to their greedy power suppliers. The "Earth 4 Energy" has been compiled with an objective to help people eliminate their over-priced electricity bills and ensure significant savings every month. Many feel that in the last few years, the domestic energy cost has grown exorbitantly. At a time, when the majority of the population is concerned about their income and savings, the recent guidebook brought by Besteservices.com will help people manage their domestic power expenses and save money for a better future.
Reports say that consumers today are not only concerned about high energy bills but they are also disturbed because of issues like climate change and environmental degradation. In such a scenario, this new guide is being seen as a noble endeavor in a global perspective. The site maintains that environmental conservation is on high priority on the agenda of many individuals today. For all of them, this manual will serve as a source of inspiration and they will love to use this practical guidebook to address the impending environmental issues of the present era.
The manual reveals electricity producing methodology using solar cells. At the same time, they claim to provide the best solar cells at the most affordable prices. Thus, one can produce electricity at their backyard in an effective manner by learning the tricks and tips brought by this "Earth 4 Energy" guide.
The guide essentially brings many DIY secrets that are being considered very important tips towards energy conservation. Besides producing electricity, one can learn several methods of increasing system output so that machines and lights can consume less energy while giving an optimum level of output. To help explain everything, the guidebook is accompanied with a series of videos. These videos explain the entire electricity producing methodology in a step by step method which anyone can learn simply to help reduce their power bills. If you too want to order a copy of this valuable guide, you can visit the website http://besteservices.com/solar-panels.
About "Earth 4 Energy" Guide
"Earth 4 Energy" guide is an important guide brought by Besteservices.com for people to learn produce energy at home using solar panels. Besides revealing electricity producing method, the guide underlines some important ways of energy conservation at home.
For Inquiries –
Website: besteservices.com/solar-panels


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So, with some urging by my super pals, Leslie and Mike, I ordered a couple of Unicolor C-41 kits from the FPP store. For $19 a kit, it's a pretty cheap experiment, and it's only a 3-step process. The fun fact here is that the kits are manufactured in Dexter Michigan, by Photo Systems, Inc. I have driven past the place many times over the years without giving it a thought!
|1-L C-41 kit from FPP
I opened the first kit and carefully read the directions. All the chems are dry and need to be mixed to 1L final amounts. I highly recommend doing this mixing AND the developing with proper PPO - gloves, lab coat or apron, and eye protection. It's not that the stuff is dangerous, but you are mixing chemicals, after all. Make sure that you have 3 clean plastic 1L bottles for the Developer, Blix, and Stabilizer solutions. I suggest the brown plastic darkroom containers. Make sure each one is labeled properly as to the contents. You can even put a (1) for the Developer, a (2) for the Blix and a (3) for the Stabilizer, in case you are worried about not doing things in the right sequence. The Blix is a combination bleach and fix, and is probably the most caustic of the things you will deal with.
Temperature -- I use a deep plastic tub with hot water in it to bring the final temps of the Developer and Blix to 102°F. The pre-soak (1 minute) should also be around the same temp. Having several dial-type thermometers is very useful for monitoring the temps. When doing the developing, make sure you immerse the tank into the tub to maintain the developer temp. After finishing the Blix step, wash the film in water that is between 95°F and 105°F. The Stabilizer is room temp., and is the very last step. From Leslie, I got the tip to use a microfiber cloth wetted with Stabilizer to wipe down the back of the film (NOT the emulsion side) to avoid spotting (added in edit -- THIS IS AFTER removing the film from the Stabilizer bath. I found I was getting spots on the film side upon drying).
After each step, pour the Developer, Blix and Stabilizer back into their respective containers for re-use. This is not a 1-shot process. Each liter should be good for at least 10 rolls of film.
You will need to "burp" the Blix after each set of inversions, as it generates some gas during its part of the process. I use Jobo tanks and reels, so the top plastic seal just needs to be loose after the inversion set.
My initial fears were quite unfounded, as my film came out very good. My first roll was some long-expired Kodak HD 400, and the results were what one might expect from old film. My second and third rolls were fresh Kodak 200, and the results were excellent. So, I am now doing my owwn color developing. E-6 is next, and the temperatures are not as high as C-41.
Some examples from my rolls (all scanned on Epson V700) :
|Plattsburgh, NY - Kodak 200, Olympus Trip
|Amenia, NY, expired Kodak HD400, Olympus Trip
|Kodak, 200, Olympus Trip
|Adirondacks, Kodak 200, Olympus Trip
|Ann Arbor, Kodak 200, Leica M2
|Ann Arbor, Leica M2, Kodak 200


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You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December 2009.
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:9-14).
As Paul writes to the Colossian church, although he didn't know them all that well, he had heard of their faith and love (Colossians 1:3-8). This compelled him to pray nonstop for them. He desired spiritual maturity for these fellow believers and this is my prayer for all of us for 2010. I beseech God that we:
- are "filled with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (v. 9). The Greek word for "knowledge" in this passage is epignosis and it signifies practical, personal and experiential understanding and not just academic or intellectual knowledge. I desire that we all become imitators of Jesus (Ephesians 5:1-2) and thus spread the sweet fragrance of His beauty (2 Corinthians 2:14). How do we do this? "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2).
- live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way (v. 10). The Lord we serve, and the calling we have received, is certainly a worthy one! In Ephesians 4:1 Paul considers himself to be a slave to the Lord and this worthy calling. In a similar vein, Paul writing to the church at Thessalonica says, "For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory" (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).
- are bearing fruit in every good work (v. 10). Not just "one" or "some", but "every" good work. What sort of good works? Empowered by the Holy Spirit we demonstrate His fruit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-25). These attitudes and attributes should permeate our every effort to please God.
- are growing in the knowledge of God (v, 10). We need to grow in the knowledge of God Himself, not just His will. Knowing Him is man's highest pursuit and the essence of seeking after Him as our greatest treasure. Paul said, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" (Philippians 3:10). These are the desires of those so in love with their Lord that they are obsessed with knowing Him (in the most intimate sense) and all about Him. As Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Luke 12:34).
- are being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might (v. 11). It is God's desire that we demonstrate His strength in our living for Him. There is indescribable supernatural power available to the Christian. By trusting in Him and reliance upon the Holy Spirit Paul says we can "…be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes (Ephesians 6:10).
- may have great endurance and patience, with joy (v. 11) Paul captures the essence of joy and patience in enduring for Christ when he says "Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love (2 Corinthians 6:45-6). Endurance with patience and joy is the mark of those that are "in Christ".
- are joyfully giving thanks to the Father (v.12). The Psalmist captures this so beautifully: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100:1-5).
And why can we receive all of these marvelous requests? Because God "has qualified [us] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." (v. 12). Because our Savior "has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" (v. 13). And, most importantly, because "we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (v. 14). Furthermore, how can we have the full experience of this New Year's prayer? Abiding in Him and His Word – "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" (John 15:7).
"Count off seven sabbaths of years–seven times seven years–so that the seven sabbaths of years amount to a period of forty-nine years. Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land. Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan. The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields. In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to his own property" (Leviticus 25:8-13).
This is but a section of the Old Testament passage on God's plan for His people to celebrate this special year – the Year of Jubilee. It was to take place every fifty years and it was announced with a special trumpet. In the Hebrew language the word translated "jubilee" literally means blowing a ram's horn. This horn is called a "shofar" and is still used in Hebrew worship today. This sabbatical year was to benefit every inhabitant of the land. The Year of Jubilee was like a national holiday that lasted for 365 days! And symbolically it was to commence as the horn blew on the sacred Day of Atonement. Ironically, there is no evidence that the Hebrews ever celebrated the Year of Jubilee. This may have been due to their disobedience or the Babylonian captivity but, from all indications, over 30 possible occurrences of the Jubilee year passed without its observation. That is until the coming of Jesus. And maybe this was God's sovereign plan. After all, it was Christ's atonement that ushered in the spiritual reality of the true meaning of this celebration.
Jesus Himself claimed that he was the fulfillment of this Year of Jubilee (called the year of the Lord's favor):
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:18-21).
There are at least four lessons in the Year of Jubilee that foreshadow the ultimate fulfillment of its benefits as found in Christ. These are:
- A revocation of debt. The Israelites were relieved of their financial debt and through faith in the finished work of Christ we are absolved of our sin-debt (see Romans 6:23) before a righteousness demanding God. As Paul explained, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).
- A release from slavery. On this 50th year all slaves were to be released from their bondage and prisoners set free. We, too, through the power of Jesus and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit are released from the fetters of our sinful nature. "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin" (Romans 6:6). Paul mentions this idea in Romans 7:5 and 8:9 as well.
- A return home: all land was to return to its original family/owner during the Year of Jubilee. This reminds us of the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24). The loving arms of his father were extended to his wandering son and their reunion instigated the child's complete restoration and a great celebration of joy. We, too, through Jesus are, in a sense, spiritually re-united with God the Father.
- A renewal and rest. During this celebration no one was to plant or harvest crops; the children of Israel were to live off God's special extra provisions from the previous year; and the land was to rest so it could be renewed. In a similar sense being "in Christ" we experience eternal renewal and rest as we trust in His supernatural provision. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew11:28).
As we look to the New Year may we see it as our Year of Jubilee. And how can we do this? By focusing on Jesus and His spiritual provision. For He alone has revoked our sin-debt, released us from the slavery of the law and the power of sin, allowed us to find our home in Him, and causes us to be renewed by the refreshment that comes from resting in Him. As we bid adieu to 2009 and stride boldly into 2010 may we be ever mindful of this word from God: "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
When you get to be my age the Christmas gifts you receive aren't what they used to be. When we were a child we pretended to sleep on Christmas Eve and, much to the chagrin of your parents, dashed to the decorated tree at the earliest possible moment – around 4:30 AM. We danced with glee as we tore into the packages and beheld, with great joy, what delights that awaited us. The toys were our treasures and the object of our ecstatic desire. (On a side note, isn't it a shame that many folks still think that their "toys" are their treasure and fail to recognize Jesus, the real gift of Christmas, is what lastingly captivates and fully satisfies).
Later we become adults, sometimes spouses and parents. We then live out this process vicariously through children. We find a measure of gladness in watching them mesmerized by the magic of Christmas (or at least mesmerized by the presents and lore of the holiday). They behave as we did when we were young and we, in a sleep deprived stupor, relive those moments of exhilaration that we once felt. The tree, and its treasure, is the pivotal and central figure in the experience we adoringly call Christmas.
Finally our children grow up and we pray for grandchildren so this delusion can continue. Such is the case with me. My son is a mature 21 year old trying to figure whether to enter a Master's degree program or go directly into doctoral work (My gracious, he was just born last week!). This year I will get some new tennis shoes (which I desperately need) and I got my son a new Nike golf bag (I can't, for the life of me, figure out how all of his golf equipment costs three times as much as mine did). My son, Samuel, got his gifts early this year and picked them all out himself. It seems as if he's lost the childlike magic found in packages and presents way too quickly for me. I never know what he might get me but it usually is a mall gift card. That works for me – I can use it to buy the golf balls I will lose as he totes around his fancy golf bag, clubs, and apparel while beating me by 4 strokes.
But this year I got a surprise gift from my son. After my verbose and mindless driveling on the attributes of social networking he joined Facebook. Is that a great gift, you think? No, not really. The gift came when I "friended" him (I was his second friend and the first to write something , and I literally wrote "SOMETHING", on his wall) and was able to peruse his profile. In the section labeled "religious views" he simple put "Jesus is the man". Wow! "Jesus is the man" – I've never heard it put any better.
Talking about joy, glee, delight, treasure, gladness, and satisfaction all rolled into one surreal moment – that was it for me. It was the magic of Christmas in the most profound sense – the holiday spirit of all of my years captured in four very significant words. But of course it wasn't about physical presents or toys. No toy or present under a holiday tree can compare to the gift that Christ has given Samuel by becoming cursed and hanging on the tree of Calvary for him (Galatians 3:13). This is the best gift I will receive this year – knowing that my only child believes that "Jesus is the man"! And knowing that I do, too!
"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."… Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh" (Matthew 2:1-2, 7-11).
According to this passage, the Magi (often referred to as the Wise Men) from the East who visited Jesus shortly after his birth brought three gifts (that doesn't necessarily meant there were three of them). There were gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While the symbols of gold and frankincense are usually best understood by those who hear the Christmas story, myrrh is not as familiar. Most of us understand the gift of gold for a King and the sweet fragrance of worship that frankincense typifies. But what about Myrrh? It shows God's sovereignty in foreshadowing His plans and purposes for His son – Immanuel our Messiah.
What is myrrh?
Myrrh refers to the resinous dried sap of a various number of trees. The most common source of myrrh is trees that grow natively in Arabia and eastern Ethiopia. The word myrrh comes from the Hebrew murr or maror, which means "bitter." Myrrh was extremely valuable during the Roman Empire, when Jesus was born, and it was used as an incense burned during funerals until the 15th century. The Roman Emperor Nero reportedly burned a year's supply of myrrh at the funeral of his wife. Myrrh was used chiefly in embalming the dead because it had the property of preserving them from decay and stench. Therefore, in Biblical times, it was a valuable commodity (Genesis 37:25) and was an ingredient of the holy ointment (Exodus 30:23). It was also used as a perfume (Psalms 45:8; Esther 2:12; Proverbs 7:17). Despite the probable ignorance of the Magi (but in the providence of God), Myrrh was a symbolically appropriate gift for the baby Jesus because of its association with death.
Let us now see the three major instances of myrrh found in the New Testament and the message we discover in these references:
- Jesus' birth. While gold and frankincense symbolize, among many other things, the infant's royalty and divinity myrrh makes reference to His humanity and future death. Myrrh symbolizes bitterness. In fact, the name itself was given to it on account of its great bitterness (the Hebrew word is similar to the name given the waters that were bitter when Moses and the people were coming out of Egypt (Exodus 15:23). Naomi also used this word when she says to her daughters in law – "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me." (Ruth 1:20). So we see that myrrh represents the bitterness that Jesus would experience in the death that he was to die for us. It was a death He, in His humanity, wanted to avoid (Mark 14:36), and a death that would see Him feel forsaken by His father (Mark 15:34). But it was this death He was born for.
- Jesus' crucifixion. Myrrh was sometimes mingled with wine to form drink that would sedate. Such a drink was given to Jesus, while being crucified, as a numbing potion (Mark 15:23; Matthew 27:34). But Jesus rejected this concoction. But why? Because, spiritually speaking, He had already drunk it. He had prayed at first that He could be spared this pain, but then He submitted to His father's will and drank it – the bitter cup of His suffering (Matthew 26:39, 42). Myrrh then was brought as a gift to foreshadow the pain that Jesus experienced as He atoned for our sins.
- Jesus' resurrection. The faithful women in Jesus' ministry wanted Him to be properly buried so they brought myrrh to anoint His body (John 19:39). In following a common custom, little did they know, they were completing the picture that God had begun at His birth. They did not dream that their Master would soon be with them and that there was no need to prepare His body for a grave Jesus was to remain in but a few hours. He was to rise again! And with His resurrection, for those who surrender to His Lordship, our hope is complete and our victory in Him is assured.
Myrrh means bitterness but symbolizes hope and victory. Why? Because Jesus absorbed the bitter judgment of our sin at Calvary and rose to grant us eternal peace and joy. They are truly wise that know that that they have exchanged their bitter, sinful lives for the sweet myrrh of His redemption. It is bittersweet in the most profound sense. Christmas is not complete without knowing the divine fragrance of the healing balm of His death for us that we see pictured at His birth.
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:8-14).
It was common, lowly shepherds that first received the "good news" of the birth of the Savior of the world. Can we imagine their fear and trepidation as the angels spoke the message of God emptying Himself, taking on the tent of humanity, and beginning His mission of salvation? It's not hard to imagine why they were unable to comprehend it all. The glory of God, that we so often think of in terms of His creation, resurrection, and eventual coming again to ultimately reign, is just as evident in His advent. Yet in the midst of the awe and terror that accosts us when we are confronted with Immanuel (God with us) is the proclamation of "Fear not". But why?
Because this is news of great joy! A Savior has come into a world that desperately needs one. Lying in a humble stable He may not look like the King that we seek but He is. This babe of Bethlehem is the Son of David, the Lion of Judah, and the Prince of Peace. He is also the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Yes, He came to us as a child – the same way that we must come to Him. It seems so simple yet it is so profound. He came to us the first time in an animal's feeding trough but will return to us, again surrounded by the heavenly hosts, with a supernatural trumpet blast and displaying such radiant majesty that all of His creation will be staggered by the might and glory of His appearance.
But does that mean that all will experience the peace of His first coming and the rewards of His second? No, sadly not. The angels said that there is peace among only those "on whom His favor rests". And who are these? They are the ones that see His beauty and glory. They recognize that the same child in the manger is the very son of God. They understand and embrace his "good news of great joy". They hear and surrender to Him as the Word (Logos) of John 1. They see Him as the only possible Savior for the curse of their sinfulness. They know Him to be the Messiah and, just as profoundly, their Messiah!
Do you want to know the peace that the birth of Christ was meant to provide? It comes to those who have found His favor. It comes to those who find Him as their highest treasure and joy. He came to make peace between sinful man and holy God (Colossians 1:19-22). And there is no real and lasting peace or joy of any kind without the intimate, personal knowledge of and subservience to His work in, for, and through us. No matter if we are common and lowly we can have the peace of His coming by knowing that He came for us…knowing that He condescended to this earth to live for us in a way that we are incapable of. And that this baby boy came to die to take the wrath that we justly deserve. Jesus said of Himself, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:10).
In other words, the peace –which manifests itself in grace, joy and fearlessness – that the first Christmas heralded is fully and eternally experienced only by knowing that this infant is the Lord – the Lord of your life. And that He is the Savior of the World and the King of all creation. That is why He deserves all honor, glory, and the praise of men and angels. May we bow at His birthplace, worship at his cross, and rejoice in His resurrection. For that is where peace rests – now and forevermore. For we are His children by grace and we will shout for all of eternity the chorus of His messengers – "Glory to God in the highest"! This is why Christmas is merry (joyful) indeed for those "on whom His favor rests". So, just as the shepherds did immediately following the angel's revelation of the Christ, let us do as the author of the carol writes – "Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord".
"And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'" (Matthew 25:40-45).
On a recent Saturday I served with a mobile homeless ministry (Layman's Lessons) in downtown Nashville. According to Louis, the ministry's founder, there are approximately 6,000 homeless is this average size city. On any given day only about 10% of those receive a decent meal from a Christian ministry (i.e. Rescue Mission) or from some other government or philanthropic organization. The statistics tell us that over 50 of those will perish during the coming winter months – from November through March. They will expire from alcohol and weather induced hypothermia, untreated illness, and overdoses. No matter what the cause – and Christians should be overwhelmingly convicted – they will be dead and facing their eternal destiny.
Although I have worked with the homeless and poor before and have often seen the street corner beggars as I have trekked into downtown for business or pleasure I, generally speaking, remain isolated (or at least insulated) from them. Such is the case for most of modern Christians in America. Believers in other parts of the world deal with the scenario of homelessness and poverty much more often than we do here in the States. Yet, even in the riches of countries, we have all around us those who are cold, hungry, and in need of physical and emotional treatment. Why are we so detached from them? Is it fear, laziness, selfishness? Or is it a lack of faithfulness to Jesus' teachings?
John Parnell was the first homeless person that I ever really knew. He was born in one the most impoverished parts of northern Mississippi. He worked as a temporary for the staffing company that I managed. I caught him sleeping in his car early one morning on payday. He had intended to wake before we arrived but I went into the office quite early that day and found his car in the parking lot and him in the back seat. He sheepishly and embarrassingly admitted his circumstance but declared that "he was about to get everything squared away". And he was. He acknowledged that many personal mistakes had contributed to his circumstances but believed that "God is in the life changing business".
Later John, due to his excellent performance on various assignments, was named "Temp of the Year" and celebrated a Thanksgiving luncheon with my entire staff. He appreciatively accepted the leftovers calling them "a week's worth of hearty and healthy eating". John left our company when he was hired on to a full-time position by the last client that we had assigned him to. But we saw John a few more times.
Over the next few months John made several appearances at our office. First he stopped by to say that he had been promoted to management. He showed us the key to his new office. Later he displayed a different key – one that granted him entrance into his rented apartment. When he finally got a reliable vehicle he sported yet another key and he glowed as he showed it off to the staff. Finally he stopped by to proudly show off the door key to his house – the first home he had ever owned. "All I needed was a chance…I thank you guys for believing in me" he humbly confessed. All he needed was a chance…that thought resonates with me to this very day.
Oh, I know, it's so easy to think that all homeless people are that way due to poor choices, mental illness, addiction, and willful rebellion. Though that might sometimes be the case we do need to be careful about being so judgmental. Lest we be so presumptuous, Louis (the ministry founder I was working with that cold Saturday) reminded the volunteers that significant Old Testament character David was homeless (see 1 Samuel 18-31). The Bible says that he even ate ashes for bread in order to sustain himself (Psalm 102:9). But later David was given a chance by God and eventually became the greatest king in Israel's history.
Even more important in David's legacy is that he was a forefather (Jesus was of the house of David – Luke 2:4) and type or picture of the coming Messiah (Jesus was called the son of David – Matthew 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30,31; 21:9,15; 22:42). That's quite an accomplishment for a homeless person. Maybe we should see Jesus in all of those that are without. For in ministering to them we are doing it to the Savior Himself. And who but God knows how those given another chance can be used to glorify our Savior. Maybe a little love, caring provision, and one more opportunity will be the key that unlocks the door to a life that points men to the greatest homeless person that ever lived – Jesus (see Matthew 8:20).
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash" (Matthew 7:21-27).
With Jesus' message on false teachers fresh in our minds He now talks about the radical transformation required to be a part of His Kingdom. These words are heart-piercing and warn of a dangerous and utterly destructive self-deception. Our King calls us to unconditional surrender of our total life, will, and mind. He confronts us with two truths in this passage: mere verbal profession (verses 21-23) nor intellectual only understanding (verses 24-27) of the gospel are sufficient for entry into the Kingdom or acceptable substitutes for deep-seated obedience.
First, Jesus debunks the myth that our faith can be based solely upon what we say about Him or to Him. No matter how accurate, no creed, formulaic "sinner's prayer", or verbal affirmation alone can save us. Although confession is a real and necessary part of our conversion (see Romans 10:9-10) it is for naught unless prompted by the Holy Spirit and is a true reflection of a life that is "born again by the Spirit" and renewed. And this also is the catalyst for a life of obedience and capitulation to Him as Lord (Ruler). Interestingly the verbal profession "Lord, Lord" of those who Jesus rejects is quite orthodox. It is accurate, respectful, enthusiastic, and public. But Jesus stunning response is "I never knew you. Depart from me"! But why?
Jesus rejects these professors, I believe, because their confession was verbal but not transformational. In other words, their cry was with their lips but not their hearts. Although they called him Lord these "evildoers" did not fully submit in servitude to His Lordship. Luke's account states it this way, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). Essentially the vital difference in an acceptable profession as opposed to an unacceptable one is the critical distinction between just uttering words and doing deeds and the professing and demonstrating the reality of a heart that has been changed and enlivened to do good works by the very power of God. Although they claimed to be doers of mighty deeds Jesus recognized them as doers of evil thus suggesting these "works" were of man and not of God. No matter what we profess Jesus still expects evidence of our sincerity through Holy Spirit inspired obedience and good works.
Although understanding the gospel of the King and His Kingdom is essential, Jesus also says that mere intellectual assent or knowledge is insufficient in becoming one of His adopted royal children. In verses 24-27 we see that hearing (understanding) without doing shows that there is no "foundation" to validate true belief. Jesus uses the analogy of a house and it's foundation to show that the substance of one's belief is rooted deep within. Foundations are usually not visible but they are essential to the building's security. The message here is that mere knowledge of His truth that hasn't taken root in our souls does not lead to transformational obedience. Such a "knowledge only" type of faith ends in devastation and eventually destruction. Why? Because, because it goes no further than the shallow surface of the mind and fails to take spiritual root in the entire being of the individual. Hence there are no Holy Spirit driven deeds to evidence life-transforming faith.
So, is Jesus teaching salvation by works? Not at all! What He is saying is if all we have are empty words, deeds of the flesh, and head knowledge of Him it is not enough. Relationship with Jesus is so radical that it revolutionizes us. While continually struggling with our sin nature (indwelling sin) we are still compelled by a heart saturated with love and gratitude for our Redeemer King to live out His Kingdom. This is why Paul says that we are saved by grace through the gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) but grace and faith changes us from the inside out: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). In other words, we are to be continually transformed (Romans 12:2) because "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead' (James 2:17).
Therefore, yes, we must cry out 'Lord'! But only from a genuine heart that goes beyond shallow words, fleshly deeds, and mere intellectual assent. We also must live out his Lordship with the heart-righteousness that comes only from Holy Spirit wrought conversion and life-transfiguring empowerment. This is the radical nature of Kingdom citizenship as our King and Judge describes it.
"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward" (Hebrews 11:24-26).
God's Word admits that sin has its pleasure. If we are honest we agree with this assessment. But Hebrews 11:25 reminds us that the pleasure sin produces is short-lived. If we are candid we will admit this, too. We all have a deep-rooted desire for fleshly pleasure but, in the end, the temporary thrill has serious consequences. Listen to Jesus' half-brother:
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (James 1:12-15).
Although described as a "man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22) David fell victim to the deadly combination of the pleasure of sin and carnal desire when he succumbed to the temptation of Bathsheba and the events that followed. I so understand the gut-wrenching admission of David as He lamented his weakness and sinfulness – "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me" (Psalm 51:3-5).
I have, more that I would like to admit, been confronted by my own "demons" and inability to live in a way that honors my great God and loving Savior. Our sins may differ somewhat but all of us fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Since true Christ-followers are burdened when they fail to live up to God's holy standard many of us can identify with David's pain. Those who authentically desire to serve God in a way that exalts and glorifies Him surely understand his distress. Let's look at some of the ideas and concepts that he expresses in Psalm 51 to describe his anguish as he humbles himself before his Lord.
- Our sin exposes the uncleanness that characterizes our sinful state (v. 2)
- We must recognize our depravity (v. 3, 5)
- A holy God has every right to judge us and allow the consequences of our transgressions(v.4)
- The Lord desires heart-righteousness (v. 6)
- Sin hurts us physically (v.8)
- Our transgressions cause us to feel removed from God's presence (v. 11)
- Our failings cause a loss of joy (v.12)
- Our wickedness impedes our ability to praise and speak for Him (v. 15)
When we come, however, as David did, with a broken and contrite heart that longs for forgiveness and pulses with repentance we see these amazing things about the forgiveness found only in our infinitely gracious Lord.
- God is merciful (v. 1)
- His great compassion never fails (v. 1)
- The Lord blots out our transgressions (v.1, 9)
- He makes us clean – whiter than snow (v. 7)
- God is willing to restore our joy, renew in us the desire for holy living, and sustain us in that pursuit (v. 12)
- Being forgiven compels us to proclaim His truth and praises (v. 13-15)
- God alone can save us from our sins (v. 14)
- Being broken before our Lord, not religious exercise, is what He desires (v. 16-17)
- Spiritual prosperity comes from understanding and believing God's justification for our sin (v. 18)
- Right standing before our Savior prompts a life of sacrifice (v. 19)
Our sin creates temporary pleasure but also long-lasting pain. The good news is that we do not have to be mired in the spiritual carnage of our failings. Yes, we will experience the distress of dishonoring our Lord. Yes, there will be consequences for our actions but we can still receive restoration from our eternally gracious Savior. If you are distraught over your sins or the mistakes of your past I encourage you, as I have done, to linger on Psalm 51. Saturating yourself in the psalmist's transparent words is no quick fix or panacea for the ramifications of our sin. But it will help us all realize that our God desires to heal a contrite and repentant heart. For in Him and Him alone is our hope for restoration. And He longs to mend the brokenness of a heart that is devestated and repentant over its sin.
Therefore, I pray that we all look to the cross. When we look to Calvary we see most clearly His payment for our sin and our redemption in Him comes more into focus. It is only His atoning work that yields true forgiveness and pleasures evermore. So, find hope in the declaration of Paul, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).


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The M-32 AD from RME is an extremely high-quality 32-channel A/D converter. It utilizes MADI (Multi-channel Audio Digital Interface) technology, which allows up to 64 channels of audio to flow freely without the shortcomings of multi-core cable-based digital audio technology. Not only does the M-32 AD provide pristine audio circuitry, the great converters, and RME's famous SteadyClock technology, but the MADI protocol also enables incredibly long cable runs of over 1 mile (2000 meters)!
In order to put the M-32 AD to use, you need to have a computer with either an internal RME MADI card (such as the HDSP MADI), or an external RME MADI interface (like the HDSPe MADIface). If you're setting up a system where you'll need MADI D/A conversion on the other end, you can use the 32-channel M-32 DA or the 16-channel M-16 DA.
The additional MADI port on the rear of the M-32 AD facilitates stacking multiple units together, which makes it possible to take advantage of the full 64-channels that this system is capable of delivering. With that magnitude of power, combined with the ability to send these signals great distances, makes this system a powerful tool for a wide range of professional applications. Live location recording, recording studio facilities, and installed systems in stadiums and theaters can all benefit from the excellent caliber of sound quality that RME is known for and that the M-32 AD will provide.
M-32 AD Features
- 32-channel A/D converter, symmetrically designed in a 2 rack-space enclosure
- Utilizes MADI (Multi-channel Audio Digital Interface) technology which allows up to 64 channels of audio to flow freely without the shortcomings of multi-core cable-based digital audio technology
- Digital audio protocol enables cable runs of up 1.25 miles (2000 meters)
- Fully MIDI controllable by sending MIDI messages over the MADI connection
- During power on and power off, all noise is suppressed in the analog section
- Zero delay compensation is necessary when stacking multiple units
- 32 6-segment LED meters


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Watty wonderful world
After 23 years, English and songwriting teacher to retire
Tom Watterson crossed the stage at his graduation from Chagrin Falls High School in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, on May 30, 1978. That year the Chagrin Falls Tigers had a graduating class of 227, one of the largest in the school's history. Over 1,000 miles away and 40 years later, Watterson will be watching a class twice that size cross the stage of the Frank Erwin Center—the McCallum Knights Class of 2018, the last class of graduating seniors Watterson will ever teach.
"Graduation is going to be fun because I get to graduate, too," Watterson said. "And coincidentally, I'm going to my 40th high school reunion the weekend before graduation, so there's a certain full-circle thing that's coming along here, that 40 years to the day after my graduation of high school I get to graduate high school again. And that feels kind of good."
Kids are just a lot cooler than they were when I first started; they really are."
— English teacher Tom Watterson
Watterson, who currently teaches AP senior English and songwriting, gets to "graduate" for a second time because unlike most teachers at McCallum, he won't be returning in the fall.
"Watterson has been talking about [retiring] for two years now," AP junior English teacher Eric Wydeven said. "[I'm] excited for him. He's a young, healthy man so he gets to go and enjoy himself now. He's put in his time. But also I'll miss him. I think he's a really important part of this campus and our English department, and he's a great friend. I mean, Tom [and I], we've been eating lunch together for 10 years every day, and I'll miss that."
As a teacher for the past 23 years—12 of those at McCallum—Watterson's departure won't be an easy one for the friends he's leaving behind or for himself.
"I'm looking forward to doing something else for a while after 23 years, but there is a great deal of this career that I'm going to deeply miss," Watterson said. "[Teaching] is all about the kids, hanging out with cool kids, cool creative kids all day, every day for 23 years. It's not going to be easy to suddenly go live in the world of adults and to no longer have that connection with 130 adoring fans. I feel like I've managed to gain some sort of position here that I suspect my identity is more wrapped up in than I even can recognize, and that that's going to [take] some adjusting to. At the same time, not having 130 things to deal with every day is going to be kind of nice."
As someone who has taught more than 100 students a year for more than two decades, Watterson has extensive experience with large workloads. While this less-than-desirable aspect of the career has remained the same, the part that makes the work worthwhile for Watterson has only gotten better over time.
"I will say that the atmosphere of the student body and the attitudes of students have only improved in my 23 years," Watterson said. "Especially in my experience here at McCallum. Kids are just a lot cooler than they were when I first started; they really are. I just remember, especially at Austin High School, just hearing slurs against people. Routinely people would be ridiculed for their sexual orientation, for their race, for their physical abilities and disabilities, and I just feel like [we've] become a more enlightened society, and I think that kids are sort of at the forefront of that. Kids used to be a lot meaner to each other. And they probably still are, to an extent, but I feel like the atmosphere in the building here is very accepting of one another, and I think that that's sort of a McCallum thing anyway. But I've seen it increase even in the 12 years that I've been here."
Watterson's respect for open-mindedness isn't hard to understand because it's a principle he practices as a teacher and as a father. His son Sam graduated from McCallum in 2016.
While there is joy in the freedom that it's going to offer me, there's [also] a great deal of heaviness."
— English teacher Tom Watterson
"[Watterson] just comes in every day [and] he just regales us with his bicycle adventures and the things he's doing," Wydeven said. "And now his son is this hardcore punk rocker—sometimes during our lunch meetings we'll listen to heavy punk rock [and] get a little angsty—[and] as a parent myself, I see the path that Sam, his son, is taking, and there's some part of me that just admires his approach to it. He seems to stand behind Sam and push him to be whoever he's going to be, and I think if that was my kid who was going into punk rock, I would be like, 'Ah! Go get a job, make something of yourself, what's this punk rock shit?' And so I think it's been inspirational to me as a parent, even, just [for him] to say, 'Just let these folks take the road they're going to take and encourage them and stand behind them and let them know you're on their side and let the people be people.' [I'm] always going to him with questions about, 'Oh my God, I have this kid, I just don't know what to do,' and he's always got some insight that again leaves it to us to kind of do whatever we're going to do, but he always provides us with at least a calming, objective view of how we could approach something."
Wydeven's experiences also ring true with many students, including senior Abigail Tyree. In addition to being one of Watterson's AP English students, Tyree is a peer tutor with the Writing Center, a group that Watterson sponsors.
"[Watterson] has made [my senior year] really fun," Tyree said. "His is definitely the class where I feel most like an adult; I'm able to just talk about the things that matter in the book, and it's not just like, 'You have to memorize this, this and this to get to the final.' It's more like, 'We're going to talk about things that are going to impact your life in the future; we're going to talk about these big ideas that are important.'"
The impact that Watterson has made on McCallum is evident from the amount of people who are conflicted about his departure—himself included.
"I've reconsidered a bunch of times, and there are just some great days where I say, 'How could I ever leave this?' And there are some days when I say, 'Let's hurry up and get out of here!'" Watterson said. "So absolutely, I am not running out the door, fleeing like a senior to finally be free of this dump or anything like that. This is not necessarily a joyous occasion. While there is joy in the freedom that it's going to offer me, there's [also] a great deal of heaviness."
Part of this heaviness comes from leaving behind the songwriting program, which Watterson inherited when he came to McCallum. At the time of publication, the administration hasn't determined who the new songwriting teacher will be, but part of Watterson's preparation for leaving has included making certain that the class will continue.
"I've been assured that it will still be a class, and it's really important to me that it is," Watterson said. "That's one of the trademarks of McCallum High School, and it would be a real detriment to our general quality of life here to not have the songwriting class."
Songwriting may no longer be in Watterson's future, but with the free time that retirement will allow, writing certainly will be.
"I've always aspired to write," Watterson said. "That's sort of what I've done always along the way, and it will be nice to devote some time to doing some writing, whether that's freelance or magazine work, or maybe I've got a novel in me, I don't know. I just want to do something that doesn't necessarily require me to be someplace at the same time every day from 9 to 5."
Watterson may be retiring from McCallum, but he says that as long as he continues to live in Austin, he'll have to continue to work.
"[My wife and I] love it here, and I've lived here for 40 years," Watterson said. "[But] when you look at what it costs to live here, what our property taxes have turned into—we could be high rollers if we sold our house and moved to another, less expensive town. I wouldn't have to work. And so on our travels in the coming year or so we are certainly keeping our eyes open to other possibilities, but what we really want to do is just turn back the clock and make Austin cheap again, because there's nothing about this town that I don't like besides the traffic and the expense. But we'd be leaving 40 years of established friendships and relationships behind, and it's hard enough to leave a job, [but] to leave your town, I think, would be more difficult and painful than I'm able to imagine at this point."
After 23 years in a career, the decision to retire isn't one that comes easily, but Watterson's reasons are compelling.
His is definitely the class where I feel most like an adult."
— senior Abigail Tyree
"It felt right, to a certain degree," Watterson said. "Having gotten my own son through school, I sort of felt like, 'been there, done that,' and it just sort of felt right. And then sadly my wife's brother passed away at my age last year. And he had never retired, and he and his wife had big plans that they never got to realize, and my wife and I decided that we didn't want to defer our plans until, you know, we were 70. It's like, we're going to have a lot more fun doing the stuff we want to do at 60 than we will at 70. And his passing sort of put things into perspective and said [to us], 'You know, if there are other things that you want to do in this life, now would probably be the better time to do it as opposed to later.'"
After May 31, Watterson will be able to find those things and pursue them. As for McCallum, things will remain the same. Guitars will be strummed softly in the halls, the patter of mice will be heard when it's just quiet enough, half-finished paintings will fade on the walls of classrooms and a different procession of blue robes will cross the stage each year—except they won't be Watterson's songwriting students playing, or the mice that he crusades against, or the paintings that loom over his cluttered desk, or the seniors whom he has cultivated. In the end, Wydeven puts it best:
"There's only one Tom Watterson."


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Our Favorite Pins of the Week: Sleek & Sophisticated Black & White Rooms
The most classic color scheme of all – black and white – is inherently sleek and sophisticated. Together the two make a perfect pair, especially in interior design.
Whether its black and white tile floors, striped wallpaper, or a classy combination of black and white in the living room furniture, these two dramatic tones are sure to make any room in the house pop.
We have searched the very best of Pinterest this week, exploring the swankiest black and white rooms. Get ready to spark your home decor imagination:
Explore our Leverage Pinterest boards for even more incredible interior design ideas!
Which of these black and white rooms would you like to have in your home? Please share your ideas and leave your comments below.
Cover photo courtesy of houzz.com
- Topics:
- Interior Design


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You know the awkward zipper juggle. You're walking down the street, carrying something in one hand while trying to zip up your jacket with the other. It's cold. Fitting the zipper together is tricky, but manageable. But when it comes time to zip up--how do you do it? With one hand, there's no way to hold the zipper straight and pull on the zipper at the same time. Everything falls apart. As infomercials have taught us, there has to be a better way.
Of course, there is--it just took a long time for someone to invent it. The Magzip, from inventor Scott Peters, may be this year's why-did-it-take-so-long-to-come-up-with-this invention. The MagZip, as its name implies, uses magnets to lock the two halves of the zipper together.
"His first stab at improving the fastener consisted of little more than re-assembled zipper parts with magnets glued to them," writes Smithsonian Mag. "At the base of the zipper, the slider and the opposite row of teeth came together and…that was about it. But it was a start. Next, he would piece together zippers from jackets with machine-cut plastic or metal parts and glued magnets to those. The alignment was better with subsequent versions, though still not quite right. The two sides of the zipper still didn't separate easily, which was yet another problem for another day. It went on like this for months."
The breakthrough came when Peters teamed up with a designer friend; together they prototyped another 25 iterations, figuring out how to use magnets with enough force to snap the two halves of the zipper together and hold them in place for one-handed zipping. By reworking the grooves that hold the zipper halves together, they were able to create a zipper that provided enough leverage to support easy zipping.
Granted, most of the time we don't really need easy zipping. This whole thing might sound like an extravagant, unnecessary convenience. But Peters actually invented the magnetic zipper to help people like his uncle, who suffered from myotonic dystrophy. The disease made his muscles extremely weak, to the point that zipping up a jacket was a challenge. Peters' invention can make life easier for many people with real challenges, in addition to helping those of us who are in too much of a hurry to stop, put something down, and use both hands to zip up a hoodie.
Thankfully, the MagZip isn't just a cool prototype--it's a real honest-to-god zipper now, making its debut in an Under Armour jacket line in fall 2014. Unfortunately, that's a bit of a wait, but Under Armour has put together an amusingly over-the-top video showing the zipper in action. Truly, we live in amazing times.


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Happy Fall!
It's one of our favorite times of the year. The leaves are transitioning into beautiful fall colors, folks are feeling festive, and the fresh cool air is perfect for getting outside with friends and exploring both on and off campus.
Make sure to take advantage of this beautiful and vibrant season's fun and enriching activities for college students! Here are 12 of our favorites ideas for campus events that are ideal for fall:
1) Organize a Fall Fest
Fall and pumpkin festivals are the best! Food, fun and games is always a winning combination, but especially so in autumn when the crisp, cool weather invigorates the campus community. Caramel apples, pumpkin decorating, corn mazes and bake sales are traditionally popular activities as are chili cook-offs, crafts, dancing and live music. (Instagram and Pinterest are wonderful resources for creative, theme-based ideas for your event.)
Tis the season for toasty warm drinks, so build a DIY hot chocolate station for students to create their own concoctions. Students can dress up their drinks with fun spices (pumpkin, obviously), cinnamon, marshmallows, whipped cream or vanilla, and chocolate stirring sticks. (That said, it doesn't have to be just for hot chocolate -- serve different flavors of tea, ciders, coffees along with warm treats.)
Bonus: Set up a photo op station with festive lights, pumpkins and a haystack, or use your own beautiful campus foliage as a lovely fall backdrop!
Want to set up a Fall Fest on your campus? Start a group and create your event now.
2) Tailgate with Classmates and Alumni
Whether or not you're a sports fanatic, going to games can be a lot of fun and a great opportunity to get into the school spirit, take a break from your studies, meet new friends and even network with alumni. Football is hugely popular in the fall, as are other college sports such as women's volleyball, field hockey and soccer, so share the love! ❤
Tailgating can be a fantastic experience on any game day (whether it's the Homecoming game or a match against your school's biggest rival) and undeniably fun: grilling out before the game, getting decked out in school colors, painting faces, spending time with friends and cheering on your team!
Be sure to review official tailgating rules of the school where you will be tailgating. Some items may be prohibited such as deep fryers and open flames. So check the rules, check the weather, bundle up, grab some friends and take part in this lively fall tradition!
3) Roast S'mores at a Bonfire
Whether you're celebrating a team's victory or just getting together with your club, dorm or classmates, fall is the perfect time for a bonfire on or near campus. No bonfire is complete without the best campfire treat around: S'mores! Roast some marshmallows, tell stories and sing songs around a serene campfire.
Spend some quality time with your friends and get to know other people in your campus community. Meet potential new buddies in your residence hall, people from nearby dorms and commuting students you don't get to connect with as easily during the week.
Food, flames and friends - what else do you need?
4) Plan a Halloween Spooktacular
Eat, play & be scary! Throwing a big Halloween event on campus is an exciting opportunity for students and student organizations to get involved, connect and create wonderful memories. Offer up fun activities like games, haunted houses, dancing, a photo booth, caricature artists, candy & trick-or-treating on campus, and of course, a costume contest (with prizes for best costume!)
Make sure to create a spooky playlist, or better yet, invite one of your school's musical ensembles (instrumental or choral) to dress up in costumes and play while attendees enjoy food, sweets, hot cocoa & drinks!
Check out some of these other cool Halloween-themed event ideas happening on campuses across the continent:
- Halloween Trivia at The University of Iowa
- Murder in the Main Stacks at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's University Library
- Test your skills at an Escape Room at the University of Calgary
- A Halloween Flashlight Tour of sculptures throughout campus, led by student tour guides at Princeton University
- Homecoming Block Party at the University of Chicago
- Haunted Cruise with Ryerson University
- Pumpkin Painting at California State University - Dominguez Hills
- Halloween Door Decorating contest at Rose State College
- Halloween Charades at University of the Sciences
- Trick or Treat Around the World at Boston University
5) Host a Spooky (or Fall-Themed) Event for a Good Cause
Halloween activities can be a great opportunity for students to give back. At Kingsborough Community College, student volunteers guide people through the park on a Haunted Halloween Walk with spooks and food for all!
At Rutgers University, student organizations, fraternities, sororities, residence hall and alumni groups compete in the annual Charity Bed Race. Teams decorate beds during Homecoming and race down College Avenue, and the winning team gets to donate a cash prize to a charity of its choice.
In College Park, Maryland, costumed community members join up for Monster Dash 5K run around the lake to support low-income, immigrant youth in the DC metro area.
6) Throw a Pumpkin Carving Party
Pumpkin spice up your night! Celebrate the harvest (or wrapping up midterms) with a fun evening of pumpkin carving, a cherished Halloween tradition. Whether an intimate gathering for your student organization or a larger event open to the whole campus community, students will have a blast enjoying an evening of treats, pumpkins and hot cider while creating lasting memories with friends.
Set up your own small pumpkin patch for your guests, or make a trip out of it and take your group to a local pumpkin patch to pick out the best gourds, followed by a festive pumpkin carving party on campus! Make sure to include pumpkin picking strategies, carving techniques, tools and printable templates.
7) Explore International Cultures & Traditions
Take your taste buds on a trip around the world with an International Potluck, or organize a Thanksgiving Feast before students leave for break. Invite guests to bring food and drinks from various cultures to share and then have everyone vote for favorites. (Bonus history lesson: ask guests to write a short background on the dish on an index card to display next to their dish!)
Explore holidays and cultural traditions. This is a wonderful opportunity for student organizations and leaders to really shine as they create, organize and promote an event on campus. Celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, with the South Asian Student Association, learn about Mexican culture and the celebration of life at El Dio de Los Muertos festival hosted by the Hispanic Student Association, or dive into Bavarian culture at Oktoberfest with the German Club.
8) Take a Trip to a Local Orchard
Get your group together and go apple-picking for a quintessentially fall excursion! Many orchards offer multiple varieties of apples in the fall months that you can pluck directly from acres of bountiful apple trees. (Plus, spending some time outdoors at a local farm is a fantastic way to destress from classes.)
Go on a hayride, travel through a corn maze… a trip to the apple farm is a great way to spend an afternoon off campus with friends! While you're there, make sure to try their homemade baked goods like fresh apple crumble, pumpkin muffins, pies, donuts, apple and pumpkin butter. Be sure to snap some photos of your group in action!
9) Have a Cozy (or Spooky) Movie Night
Spend some time outside before it gets too cold! Cuddle up with your classmates for a film screening under the stars on a cool, crisp fall evening. Bundle up in your favorite blanket with popcorn, treats and hot cocoa to watch favorite flicks with friends.
Host a monthly Movie Night with different themes each month and allow students to vote on which films they would like to see. (October is perfect for binge watching Halloween movies!)
10) Show Off Your Campus Foliage at a Fall Photoshoot
One of the best things about fall is the colors, especially on picturesque college campuses where autumn is quite magical. The leaves are turning brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow, and the weather hasn't gotten too cold to enjoy spending time outdoors, making fall the ideal time for a photoshoot.
Embrace the colors! Document the season by getting your friends, dorm mates or student club members together to snap some amazing photos using the breathtaking backdrop of your campus foliage and architecture. Capture your favorite fall moments: have some fun with friends in the fallen leaves, make a leaf pile and jump in, have a leaf fight. You might even consider hosting a #campusfoliage photo contest for the best photo snapped by a student!
11) Go Hiking with Your Group
Fall is perfect for getting outside, so be sure to take advantage of the cool weather by organizing a group hiking trip. Invite students, staff and professors to step away from the busy campus and head into the woods to spend time together in some fresh autumn air on a relaxing stroll through nature.
Lace up your hiking boots! Explore beautiful mountains and greenspaces by your campus, or check out your local state parks for information on the best trails to enjoy the fall foliage. Does your school have an Outdoors Club? Putting together a group hiking trip could be a great opportunity for them to recruit new members!
12) Enjoy Great Music at an Outdoor Concert
Fallapalooza! With great fall weather comes the chance to enjoy live music outdoors. Bring music to your students' ears by putting together an outdoor concert featuring bands, free food or food trucks, hot drinks, games, crafts, giveaways and inflatables. Book some bands or showcase your own students' ensembles, and invite guests to bring a lawn chair or blanket, sit back and enjoy an evening of music and socializing!


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Robert D. Atkinson October 29, 2012
The reality is that it's time to stop looking to STEM education as a path to equality and recognize what high-quality, specialized STEM education is really for: ensuring future economic prosperity for the entire nation and all citizens who will benefit from high levels of innovation and globally competitive U.S. establishments. STEM is too important to America's future to let social issues distort STEM education at selective, high quality specialty math and science high schools. The best students should be the ones who get in, regardless of race, ethnic group or sex.


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Encouraging Words of the Day:
For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11, NLT
It's "One-Flower Wednesday" and I am managing to post my flowers on time today. We traveled to our little ranch last week and it was SO cold that we barely managed to put feed out for our whitetail deer. It got down to 23 degrees and that is in Texas, for crying out loud. So we packed up and drove back to El Paso after spending just 5 days there. It's barely a little warmer here. I sound "all whiney and cry babyish," I know, since so many of you are under snow and really cold weather. Where are you spring? I'm definitely ready for you.
I had these gorgeous flowers waiting for me in the mailbox when I got back. They're from my partner for January in the "Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap." All the way from Rosalie in Australia:
I asked for "surprise" flowers and Rosalie came through like a champ and sent not only the 2 flowers required, but 3! I especially like the flower made up of fabric with pictures of hexie flowers. Rosalie also made a little refrigerator magnet out of one of the hexie patterns and included a bookmark made by her friend. What a lovely surprise. Thanks so much.
And now for the flowers I sewed this week?
These brings my total up to 173 flowers. Are you wondering how many I'll need to make a quilt? Well, my friend Josie from "Insanity Defense" suggested I go to Cd Designs to find out. Thanks, Josie. I found out that for a queen size quilt I'll need 7,391 hexagons. Well, divide that by 7 hexagons per flowers and that comes to 1,056 half-inch flowers, minus the 173 I have completed = 882 more flowers needed. Maybe I should consider a double bed sized quilt? Nevertheless, I guess I better get back to sewing more flowers so for now...
Click on "One Flower Wednesday" to see flowers others have made.
...that is all.


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Tenova confirmed the successful demerger of its EPCM business operations known as Bateman Projects, based in South Africa. Swiss-based SGS acquired these assets from Tenova. Tenova will further develop its activities in the mining and minerals industry by focusing on the equipment and process technology sector through Takraf and Delkor, both worldwide recognized partners for the industry with strong market positions.
Bateman provides process plant design and engineering, project management and commissioning, and optimizations services for mineral processing plants and a variety of minerals including gold, iron ore, copper, uranium and coal. The Bateman modular process plant business and expertise will form part of this transaction. The transaction is subject to the approval by the South African Competition Commission and is expected to close within the next few weeks.
Based in Johannesburg and active throughout South Africa, Sub Saharan Africa, as well as providing specialized project services in many other parts of the world, the business employs 250 experts and staff.