Main Category: HIV / AIDS News
Article Date: 29 Jun 2007 - 4:00 PDT
Various HIV/AIDS initiatives targeting at-risk groups, including black U.S. residents, are scheduled to launch on National HIV Testing Day, which will be held on Wednesday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 6/25). National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign coordinated by the National Association of People with AIDS, and it urges people to receive voluntary HIV counseling and testing. According to CDC, about one million people in the U.S. are HIV-positive, and about one-fourth are unaware of their status. There are about 40,000 new HIV cases in the U.S. annually (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 6/27/06). Blacks are 10 times more likely to become HIV-positive than whites in the country, according to CDC data. In addition, AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of death among black women ages 24 to 34, the Chronicle reports (Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 6/25). Some of the initiatives also will target people under age 25, who in 2005 accounted for 14% of new HIV diagnoses, according to a CDC analysis of data from 33 states, the Augusta Chronicle reports (Bostick, Augusta Chronicle, 6/26). Summaries of some of the initiatives appear below.
* The AIDS Healthcare Foundation on Monday provided HIV tests during a press conference on HIV/AIDS awareness in the black community at the Screen Actors Guild headquarters in Los Angeles. AHF also will provide rapid HIV testing and counseling throughout the week at various locations in the city (AHF release, 6/24).
* The Black AIDS Institute on Monday also administered HIV tests to celebrities -- including Jimmy Jean-Louis, Regina King, Hill Harper, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Vanessa Williams and Tatyana Ali -- at SAG headquarters. The event aimed to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and encourage routine testing in the black community (Schmelzer, PR Week, 6/25).
* BET in partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation on Monday announced that it will air special programming about HIV/AIDS throughout the week. The programs include "Reflections," the winning short film from the first Scenarios USA/Rap-It-Up National Story and Scriptwriting Contest. BET also will air an HIV/AIDS public service announcement campaign developed by the NBA, HBO, the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
* BET J, the sister network of BET, on Wednesday will air a special broadcast of its show, "My Two Cents," that will feature prominent black celebrities, advocates and critics. The panelists -- who include Marie Saint Cyr, executive director of the New York AIDS Coalition, and advocate Rae Lewis Thorton -- will discuss issues surrounding HIV/AIDS in the black community and the stigma associated with the disease. BET J also will air a short film series that examines HIV/AIDS issues in the black community (BET release, 6/25).
* HHS on Tuesday hosted an Internet seminar to encourage web-based health writers to promote the testing day. Seminar presenters included John Agwunobi, assistant secretary for health; Kevin Fenton, director of CDC's National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatits, STD and TB Prevention; Eileen Couture of Oak Forest Hospital in Illinois; and Jeremy Brown of George Washington University Medical Center. A video and transcript of the seminar are available online (HHS release, 6/26).
* The Magic Johnson Foundation will mark the day by offering HIV screenings at an event hosted in partnership with AHF, Charles R. Drew University, the Los Angeles Country Sexually Transmitted Disease Program and the Minority AIDS Project. The event, to be held in Los Angeles, will offer no-cost, confidential and rapid HIV tests (Magic Johnson Foundation release, 6/26).
Kaisernetwork.org's "Ask the Experts" on Tuesday addressed the state of HIV testing in the U.S. Panelists discussed the implementation of revised CDC recommendations for HIV testing, public education campaigns encouraging people to get tested, new data from the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors on individual state testing policies and more. Jill Braden Balderas, managing editor of kaisernetwork.org, moderated the discussion with Bernard Branson, associate director for laboratory diagnostics in the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at CDC; Jennifer Kates, director of HIV policy and a vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation; and Murray Penner, deputy executive director of domestic programs at NASTAD. The webcast is available online.
NPR's "News & Notes" on Tuesday included a discussion with actress Indigo and Alain Damiba, vice president of Global Program Operations for JHPIEGO, about National HIV Testing Day (Cox, "News & Notes," NPR, 6/26). Audio of the segment is available online.
"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=75447
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Step Toward Jesus
In the last several messages, we consider the faith of Peter as he
stepped out of the boat and walked on the water. We saw the
importance of properly hearing the call and of keeping our eyes
focused on our Lord as the waves are crashing at our feet. This
story contains many lessons for our walk with Christ. But a lesson
which is often overlooked is the motivation of our heart.
We know that the heart contains our true character and true
relationship with our Heavenly Father. When God was showing Samuel
who to anoint as king of Israel He reminded him: "The Lord does not
look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). Our outward
actions are a "reflection" of the condition of our heart; but they
are not a true image and they can most certainly deceive!
God saw this deception in the worship of His Children long ago. We
are all susceptible to the trap of going through the motions of
worship without really having a heart devoted to God: "These people
come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but
their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of
rules taught by men" (Isaiah 29:13).
Yes, without considering the heart we lose the real message of Peter
getting out of the boat. These words become just another
self-gratifying motivational speech for those who want to climb up
another rung of the ladder: "If you want to go further and accomplish
more, you must leave the security of the boat!" Taking a "step of
faith" will often lead to "successful" advancement in worldly as well
as ministry endeavors, but neither are pleasing to God without the
proper heart.
We sometimes forget that there was another time when Peter got out of
the boat, but this time Jesus was a little distance away standing on the shore.
John 21:7
"As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, 'It is the Lord,' he wrapped
his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped
into the water."
Peter wasn't motivated by the thrill of walking on the water, not by
the praise he might receive from the other disciples or even by the
thought of doing something wonderful for God. Peter got out of the
boat simply because that's where Jesus was; and walk, sink or swim,
he desired to be with the one he loved.
Let's pray for an increased faith which allows us to follow more
closely after Jesus. Let's pray for the courage to leave the
confines of our worldly security and follow where Jesus is
calling. But let's diligently examine our heart and make sure that
with EVERY step, we abandon all and step toward Jesus.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
Meet Them Where They Are
Peter heard the call of Jesus in the middle of a storm and "got down
out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus" (Matthew
14:29). Peter knew the voice of his Lord and knew that if He called,
He would also provide a way to follow. But Peter soon "saw the
wind...and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" (Matthew 14:30).
Matthew 14:31-33
"Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. 'You of
little faith,' He said, 'why did you doubt?' And when they climbed
into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat
worshiped Him, saying, 'Truly You are the Son of God.'"
Jesus' words to Peter might seem a little harsh. After all, Peter
had stepped onto the water while the other disciples remained in the
boat. But Peter needed to be encouraged in what true faith could
accomplish. He needed to clearly see that "with God all things are
possible" (Matthew 19:26), but only if he kept his eyes focused on
Jesus. God had great plans for Peter - plans which would require
great faith - so Jesus ministered to Peter's doubts and fears by
meeting him on the water.
Jesus then climbed in the boat with the other disciples. Rather than
chastising them for their lack of faith and telling them how they
should have climbed out of the boat, Jesus simply allowed them to
worship. These disciples had failed to understand who He was, and
now they needed to just spend time loving and worshiping their
Lord. Jesus ministered to the needs of these disciples by meeting
them in the boat.
The Apostle Paul had a clear understanding of ministry opportunities:
"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things
to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (1
Corinthians 9:22). Paul never sinned in order to save the sinner,
but he understood where a person was in their Spiritual journey and
met them on their road to begin his ministry.
Every day God places people in our life who need encouragement and
desperately need to be directed onto a path which will lead them
closer to God. None of us know all the answers, and we certainly
don't need to force everything we know into a single conversation,
but we each are given an opportunity to minister - an opportunity
which may only last a moment and may never truly return.
Let's look for the specific needs of those who cross our path and be
prepared to encourage with the truth of God's Word. But as we speak
the truth, whether on the water, in the boat or even back on the
shore, let's minister as we meet them where they are.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
Hear The Call
In the last two messages, we've considered Peter as he responded to
Jesus' call: "Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the
water and came toward Jesus" (Matthew 14:29). We saw that Peter
needed great faith to step out of the boat, even though his faith
quickly faded "when he saw the wind" (Matthew 14:30). But we also
saw that before Peter could even get out of the boat, he first needed
to hear and recognize the clear call of God; "Lord, if it is You,
tell me to come to You on the water" (Matthew 14:28).
It wasn't faith alone which allowed Peter to walk on the water, he
had to apply his faith to Jesus' call. It was Jesus who provided a
firm foundation under Peter's feet as he stepped. Peter wasn't
specially gifted at water walking - he simply heard the call and
obeyed in faith.
If Peter would have sailed to the exact same spot the following day
and stepped out of the boat without being called, he would have sunk
like a heavy stone - guaranteed! Peter could not have commanded the
water to hold nor "claimed" a solid foundation for His feet. His
faith would not have kept him on top of the water for even a fraction
of a second. His "success" on the water was not due as much to the
magnitude of his faith as it was to properly hearing and then
applying his faith to the call of Jesus.
John 10:27
"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me."
We seem to spend much of our life wandering without direction, but
it's God's desire that we follow closely after His Son; "He goes on
ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice"
(John 10:4). Do we really know His voice? How often do we set aside
time to listen? If we only occasionally listen to the voice of our
Lord, how will we even recognize His call? We live in a world so
filled with distractions that we must not wait until the crisis of a
storm. If we haven't learned to filter out the competing noises of
the world, God's call will be lost in the crashing waves.
We must spend time away from the "noise" where we can be alone with
God and learn to recognize His voice. We must establish times of
quiet to read His Word and talk with Him in prayer; "Sanctify them by
the truth; Your Word is truth" (John 17:17). As we meditate on the
truth of His Word and pray for understanding, our Spiritual filter
will become tuned. Then, when we enter a storm, the noise may still
surround us, but our filter will only allow a single voice to enter.
Let's develop the discipline of listening along with the Spiritual
ability to filter and recognize the voice of God. Our faith will be
enough to respond - strong enough to step - but we must first be able
to hear the call.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
Monday, June 25, 2007
The Right Way to Praise Your Kids
Experts explain the correct way to praise children to help build self-confidence.
By Heather Hatfield
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
With the future personalities of their two young children in their hands, Jennifer Bianco and her husband want to make sure the amount of praise they give their kids is just enough so they are confident and secure, but not so much that they turn out to be unbearable egomaniacs.
"While I think my kids are brilliant and beautiful, and I want to praise their every move, I do my best to dole it out when it's warranted," says Bianco, of Providence, R.I. "But I admit -- I'd rather her give a little too much than not enough."
Bianco is not alone in her parenting dilemma. A lot of moms and dads these days struggle with finding the right balance when it comes to praising their kids, and answering questions like, how much is too much? How much is too little? Is quantity that important, or is it the quality of praise that really matters?
While there's no secret formula, experts explain to WebMD the when, where, and how of praising so parents can use it as an important tool in raising confident kids with a healthy sense of self-esteem.
Status Quo of Praise
Parents everywhere praise their kids when they do well in school, win a ball game, or build an impressive sandcastle -- anytime their kids do something remarkable, or in many cases, something plain, old vanilla.
"We are becoming praise junkies as parents," says Jenn Berman, PhD, a marriage and family therapist and author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy and Confident Kids. "We've gone to the opposite extreme of parents from a few decades ago who tended to be more strict, and now we overpraise our children."
By giving kids heaping portions of praise, parents think they're building their children's confidence and sense of self -- when it may be just the opposite.
"Somehow parents have come to believe that by praising our kids we improve their self-esteem," says Paul Donahue, PhD, founder and director of Child Development Associates. "Though well- intentioned, putting kids on a pedestal at an early age can actually hinder their growth."
Too much praise can backfire, it seems, and when given in a way that's insincere, make kids afraid to try new things or take a risk for fear of not being on the top all the time -- where their parent's praise has put them.
"There is something about praising your child constantly that is belittling," says Berman. "There's an underlying message that the child has to get his parent's approval all the time and constantly look to the parent for validation."
Still, don't go too far in the other direction -- not giving enough praise can be just as damaging as giving too much. Kids will feel like they're not good enough, or that you don't care, and may see no sense in reaching for their accomplishments.
So what is the right amount of praise? Experts say that the quality of praise is more important than the quantity: if praise is sincere and genuine, and focused on the effort, not the outcome, you can give it as often as your child does something that warrants a verbal reward.
The ABCs of Praise
"We should especially recognize our children's efforts to push themselves and work hard to achieve a goal," says Donahue, author of Parenting Without Fear: Letting Go of Worry and Focusing on What Really Matters. "One thing to remember: it's the process, not the end product, that matters."
Your son, explains Donahue, may not be the best basketball player on his team, but if he's out there every day, shooting baskets, running drills, and playing hard, you should praise his effort because it's above and beyond the norm -- regardless of whether his team wins or loses.
Praising the effort -- not the outcome -- can also mean recognizing your child when she has worked hard to clean the yard, or cook dinner, or complete a history assignment. But whatever the scenario, praise should be given on a case-by-case basis and be proportional to the amount of elbow grease your child put into it. Here are some real-life examples from the experts that demonstrate the praise fitting the accomplishment:
* If a child strikes out a few times during a ball game and then finally gets on base with a good ground ball up the middle, he deserves praise. You should praise his resilience and his willingness to push through when the going got tough.
* If your child is usually a responsible student who consistently does well in math, for example, you can recognize her good study habits, but don't go overboard every night when she sits down to hit the books if that's her normal routine. Give your praise when your child has done something special that's out of the ordinary.
* When your daughter practices for weeks and finally learns to ride a two-wheel bicycle, give her praise for sticking with it.
* When your son jumps on an amusement ride, you can tell him he is brave and adventuresome, but don't overdo it with the praise since he's not really working hard -- he's having fun.
When your child does make that special effort that deserves praise, you can certainly dish it out as you see fit. But one no-no that experts agree should be avoided at all costs is praising with cold, hard cash.
"I believe that we want children who are self-motivated," says Berman. "If you tell your daughter, 'If you get an A on the test I'll give you $5,' then you are creating a situation in which your child is motivated by money, not by the positive feelings of success."
While offering your kids cash incentives isn't a smart idea, you should embrace opportunities to celebrate their hard work and achievements.
"Going out for ice cream or a special meal after a good report card or musical performance or some other achievement is a way of celebrating children's hard work and persistence," says Donahue.
Praising Tips
Praising your kids is an important part of building their self-esteem and confidence. But there are some important dos and don'ts to keep in mind before you break out in applause that will help your child find value in your words of encouragement:
Be specific. Instead of saying, "You're such a good baseball player," say, "You hit the ball really hard and you are an excellent first baseman." Being specific is much better and helps kids to identify with their special skill, explains Berman.
Be genuine. Praise should always be genuine. Kids have a way of knowing when your praise is insincere, and you lose trust. Worse yet, they become insecure because they don't believe your positive words, and they find difficulty in telling the difference between when you really mean it and when you don't, explains Berman.
Encourage new activities. "Praise kids for trying new things, like learning to bike ride or tie their shoelaces, and for not being afraid to make mistakes," says Donahue.
Don't praise the obvious. "Try not to overdo praise about a child's attributes: 'You're so smart, handsome, pretty, bright, talented, gifted,'" says Donahue. "Parents and grandparents are of course going to indulge in some of this, and that is OK, but if our kids hear a constant litany of praise it will begin to sound empty to them and have little meaning."
Say it when you mean it. Saying "Good job," when you mean it, or "Boy, you really worked hard on that paper," tells children that, as parents, you recognize the value of their hard work and efforts, explains Donahue, and that you know the difference between when they work hard at something, and when it comes easy.
Focus on the process. Praise children for their effort and hard work, not for their inherent talents, explains Donahue. "Remember, it's the process, not the product that matters," he says. "Not all our kids will be fantastic athletes or brilliant students or accomplished musicians. But children who learn to work hard and persevere have a special talent. As I like to say, pluggers go far in life."
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/the-right-way-to-praise-your-kids?src=RSS_PUBLIC
By Heather Hatfield
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
With the future personalities of their two young children in their hands, Jennifer Bianco and her husband want to make sure the amount of praise they give their kids is just enough so they are confident and secure, but not so much that they turn out to be unbearable egomaniacs.
"While I think my kids are brilliant and beautiful, and I want to praise their every move, I do my best to dole it out when it's warranted," says Bianco, of Providence, R.I. "But I admit -- I'd rather her give a little too much than not enough."
Bianco is not alone in her parenting dilemma. A lot of moms and dads these days struggle with finding the right balance when it comes to praising their kids, and answering questions like, how much is too much? How much is too little? Is quantity that important, or is it the quality of praise that really matters?
While there's no secret formula, experts explain to WebMD the when, where, and how of praising so parents can use it as an important tool in raising confident kids with a healthy sense of self-esteem.
Status Quo of Praise
Parents everywhere praise their kids when they do well in school, win a ball game, or build an impressive sandcastle -- anytime their kids do something remarkable, or in many cases, something plain, old vanilla.
"We are becoming praise junkies as parents," says Jenn Berman, PhD, a marriage and family therapist and author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy and Confident Kids. "We've gone to the opposite extreme of parents from a few decades ago who tended to be more strict, and now we overpraise our children."
By giving kids heaping portions of praise, parents think they're building their children's confidence and sense of self -- when it may be just the opposite.
"Somehow parents have come to believe that by praising our kids we improve their self-esteem," says Paul Donahue, PhD, founder and director of Child Development Associates. "Though well- intentioned, putting kids on a pedestal at an early age can actually hinder their growth."
Too much praise can backfire, it seems, and when given in a way that's insincere, make kids afraid to try new things or take a risk for fear of not being on the top all the time -- where their parent's praise has put them.
"There is something about praising your child constantly that is belittling," says Berman. "There's an underlying message that the child has to get his parent's approval all the time and constantly look to the parent for validation."
Still, don't go too far in the other direction -- not giving enough praise can be just as damaging as giving too much. Kids will feel like they're not good enough, or that you don't care, and may see no sense in reaching for their accomplishments.
So what is the right amount of praise? Experts say that the quality of praise is more important than the quantity: if praise is sincere and genuine, and focused on the effort, not the outcome, you can give it as often as your child does something that warrants a verbal reward.
The ABCs of Praise
"We should especially recognize our children's efforts to push themselves and work hard to achieve a goal," says Donahue, author of Parenting Without Fear: Letting Go of Worry and Focusing on What Really Matters. "One thing to remember: it's the process, not the end product, that matters."
Your son, explains Donahue, may not be the best basketball player on his team, but if he's out there every day, shooting baskets, running drills, and playing hard, you should praise his effort because it's above and beyond the norm -- regardless of whether his team wins or loses.
Praising the effort -- not the outcome -- can also mean recognizing your child when she has worked hard to clean the yard, or cook dinner, or complete a history assignment. But whatever the scenario, praise should be given on a case-by-case basis and be proportional to the amount of elbow grease your child put into it. Here are some real-life examples from the experts that demonstrate the praise fitting the accomplishment:
* If a child strikes out a few times during a ball game and then finally gets on base with a good ground ball up the middle, he deserves praise. You should praise his resilience and his willingness to push through when the going got tough.
* If your child is usually a responsible student who consistently does well in math, for example, you can recognize her good study habits, but don't go overboard every night when she sits down to hit the books if that's her normal routine. Give your praise when your child has done something special that's out of the ordinary.
* When your daughter practices for weeks and finally learns to ride a two-wheel bicycle, give her praise for sticking with it.
* When your son jumps on an amusement ride, you can tell him he is brave and adventuresome, but don't overdo it with the praise since he's not really working hard -- he's having fun.
When your child does make that special effort that deserves praise, you can certainly dish it out as you see fit. But one no-no that experts agree should be avoided at all costs is praising with cold, hard cash.
"I believe that we want children who are self-motivated," says Berman. "If you tell your daughter, 'If you get an A on the test I'll give you $5,' then you are creating a situation in which your child is motivated by money, not by the positive feelings of success."
While offering your kids cash incentives isn't a smart idea, you should embrace opportunities to celebrate their hard work and achievements.
"Going out for ice cream or a special meal after a good report card or musical performance or some other achievement is a way of celebrating children's hard work and persistence," says Donahue.
Praising Tips
Praising your kids is an important part of building their self-esteem and confidence. But there are some important dos and don'ts to keep in mind before you break out in applause that will help your child find value in your words of encouragement:
Be specific. Instead of saying, "You're such a good baseball player," say, "You hit the ball really hard and you are an excellent first baseman." Being specific is much better and helps kids to identify with their special skill, explains Berman.
Be genuine. Praise should always be genuine. Kids have a way of knowing when your praise is insincere, and you lose trust. Worse yet, they become insecure because they don't believe your positive words, and they find difficulty in telling the difference between when you really mean it and when you don't, explains Berman.
Encourage new activities. "Praise kids for trying new things, like learning to bike ride or tie their shoelaces, and for not being afraid to make mistakes," says Donahue.
Don't praise the obvious. "Try not to overdo praise about a child's attributes: 'You're so smart, handsome, pretty, bright, talented, gifted,'" says Donahue. "Parents and grandparents are of course going to indulge in some of this, and that is OK, but if our kids hear a constant litany of praise it will begin to sound empty to them and have little meaning."
Say it when you mean it. Saying "Good job," when you mean it, or "Boy, you really worked hard on that paper," tells children that, as parents, you recognize the value of their hard work and efforts, explains Donahue, and that you know the difference between when they work hard at something, and when it comes easy.
Focus on the process. Praise children for their effort and hard work, not for their inherent talents, explains Donahue. "Remember, it's the process, not the product that matters," he says. "Not all our kids will be fantastic athletes or brilliant students or accomplished musicians. But children who learn to work hard and persevere have a special talent. As I like to say, pluggers go far in life."
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/the-right-way-to-praise-your-kids?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Focused On Jesus
I've always been impulsive. I was one of the first to follow
Jesus. I didn't even know who He was, but when He said "Come, follow
Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), though I
didn't know what He meant, I dropped my fishing nets and
followed. After three years, I foolishly told Jesus I was "ready to
go with You to prison and to death" (Luke 22:33), but that same night
I denied I even knew Him - three times! And in the garden, when the
soldiers came to take Him away, I drew my sword "and struck the high
priest's servant, cutting off his right ear" (John 18:10).
But the most impulsive thing I ever did was that night in the
boat. The waves were rough and we had "rowed three or three and a
half miles" (John 6:19), when I saw Jesus walking on the water. I
told Him I would come if He called, and the next thing I knew I was
jumping out of the boat! And I didn't sink!! I kept my eyes on
Jesus. I knew in my heart He was "the Christ, the Son of the living
God" (Matthew 16:16), but the wind was blowing so hard and the waves
kept crashing against my legs.
Matthew 14:30
"But when he {Peter} saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to
sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'"
Jesus said Peter began to sink because he doubted and had little
faith (Matthew 14:31). But let's not be too hard on Peter -
remember, no one else even left the boat! Peter stepped out of the
boat and took several steps on top of the water!! But then he lost his focus.
Peter was in the middle of an awesome display of God's power, and yet
he "saw the wind," or at least the effects of the wind. Peter began
to look at the turbulence of the world and not at the One who created
the world; "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of
our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).
There are times when we clearly see God's hand at work. Our eyes
become focused on Jesus, His peace fills our life, and the foundation
under our feet feels solid and secure. However, it's usually not
long before the wind begins to blow, the waves rise up, and we feel
that sinking feeling. When this happens (and it will) we must not
despair, for this is also part of God's wonderful plan. As we are
sinking, He always reaches out His hand as an invitation to draw near
and know Him better - to know He will always be there when we cry out
"Lord, save me!"
The walk of faith cannot be accomplished in our own strength. With
each step we must "put to death whatever belongs to your earthly
nature" (Colossians 3:5), and "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus
Christ" (Romans 13:14). Every day we must take our eyes off our own
ability and the pulls of the world - take our eyes off the wind - and
commit to trusting and keeping our eyes focused on Jesus.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
Jesus. I didn't even know who He was, but when He said "Come, follow
Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), though I
didn't know what He meant, I dropped my fishing nets and
followed. After three years, I foolishly told Jesus I was "ready to
go with You to prison and to death" (Luke 22:33), but that same night
I denied I even knew Him - three times! And in the garden, when the
soldiers came to take Him away, I drew my sword "and struck the high
priest's servant, cutting off his right ear" (John 18:10).
But the most impulsive thing I ever did was that night in the
boat. The waves were rough and we had "rowed three or three and a
half miles" (John 6:19), when I saw Jesus walking on the water. I
told Him I would come if He called, and the next thing I knew I was
jumping out of the boat! And I didn't sink!! I kept my eyes on
Jesus. I knew in my heart He was "the Christ, the Son of the living
God" (Matthew 16:16), but the wind was blowing so hard and the waves
kept crashing against my legs.
Matthew 14:30
"But when he {Peter} saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to
sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'"
Jesus said Peter began to sink because he doubted and had little
faith (Matthew 14:31). But let's not be too hard on Peter -
remember, no one else even left the boat! Peter stepped out of the
boat and took several steps on top of the water!! But then he lost his focus.
Peter was in the middle of an awesome display of God's power, and yet
he "saw the wind," or at least the effects of the wind. Peter began
to look at the turbulence of the world and not at the One who created
the world; "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of
our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).
There are times when we clearly see God's hand at work. Our eyes
become focused on Jesus, His peace fills our life, and the foundation
under our feet feels solid and secure. However, it's usually not
long before the wind begins to blow, the waves rise up, and we feel
that sinking feeling. When this happens (and it will) we must not
despair, for this is also part of God's wonderful plan. As we are
sinking, He always reaches out His hand as an invitation to draw near
and know Him better - to know He will always be there when we cry out
"Lord, save me!"
The walk of faith cannot be accomplished in our own strength. With
each step we must "put to death whatever belongs to your earthly
nature" (Colossians 3:5), and "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus
Christ" (Romans 13:14). Every day we must take our eyes off our own
ability and the pulls of the world - take our eyes off the wind - and
commit to trusting and keeping our eyes focused on Jesus.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
John 9:13-17 - Lesson #96
The miraculous hand of God came to earth, made some clay, and healed
the eyes of a man born blind. One would think this would be a reason
for great rejoicing - healing had occurred, a life made new! But
this was not the case for those within the walls of the established
religion of the day. The healing had not followed the understood and
accepted rules. It seems God had operated outside His man-made box!
John 9:13-17
"They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. Now it was
a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the
Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said
to them, 'He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.' Therefore
some of the Pharisees said, 'This Man is not from God, because He
does not keep the Sabbath.' Others said, 'How can a man who is a
sinner do such signs?' And there was a division among them. They said
to the blind man again, 'What do you say about Him because He opened
your eyes?' He said, 'He is a prophet.'"
The Pharisees determined that Jesus had violated the Sabbath. The
Sabbath was a day established by God for rest and worship; "Remember
the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). But over the 1500
years since the Sabbath law had been given, the religious leaders
created specific rules as to how the Sabbath was to be kept
holy. For example, one of the rules stated that it was a violation
of the Sabbath to knead dough to make bread - or to knead anything on
the Sabbath. And since Jesus had kneaded the dirt and spit to make
mud, He had clearly violated the Sabbath.
Jesus most often healed on the Sabbath. And when He healed, it's as
if He said, "Be healed, and go violate the established Sabbath
law." For example, "Rise, take up your bed and walk" (John 5:8). In
Matthew's gospel Jesus defended the picking of grain to eat on the
Sabbath and then went into the synagogue and healed a man with a
withered hand. These were done to give correct interpretation; "it
is lawful to do good on the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:12), and "the Son of
Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8). The established
interpretation had been wrong - God was not confined to man's box!
Though Jesus revealed the character of God, died for the forgiveness
of sin, sent the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth, and ensured
His Word would be recorded and preserved, much of what we understand
and how we worship is based on man's tradition and
interpretation. Not all tradition and interpretation is bad, and
much is necessary, but we need to understand the potential for
placing restrictions on God. Jesus operated outside the box and He
was either dismissed or rationalized away.
God will never violate His revealed Word, but He may challenge our
interpretation, challenge our box. Let's worship the God "who is and
who was and who is to come" (Revelation 1:4). Let's lift high and
honor Jesus Christ, trust His guidance and never worship our
self-created religious box.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of John Lessons: http://www.gdwm.org/John.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are no
longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The New King James Version.
Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by Permission.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
the eyes of a man born blind. One would think this would be a reason
for great rejoicing - healing had occurred, a life made new! But
this was not the case for those within the walls of the established
religion of the day. The healing had not followed the understood and
accepted rules. It seems God had operated outside His man-made box!
John 9:13-17
"They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. Now it was
a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the
Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said
to them, 'He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.' Therefore
some of the Pharisees said, 'This Man is not from God, because He
does not keep the Sabbath.' Others said, 'How can a man who is a
sinner do such signs?' And there was a division among them. They said
to the blind man again, 'What do you say about Him because He opened
your eyes?' He said, 'He is a prophet.'"
The Pharisees determined that Jesus had violated the Sabbath. The
Sabbath was a day established by God for rest and worship; "Remember
the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). But over the 1500
years since the Sabbath law had been given, the religious leaders
created specific rules as to how the Sabbath was to be kept
holy. For example, one of the rules stated that it was a violation
of the Sabbath to knead dough to make bread - or to knead anything on
the Sabbath. And since Jesus had kneaded the dirt and spit to make
mud, He had clearly violated the Sabbath.
Jesus most often healed on the Sabbath. And when He healed, it's as
if He said, "Be healed, and go violate the established Sabbath
law." For example, "Rise, take up your bed and walk" (John 5:8). In
Matthew's gospel Jesus defended the picking of grain to eat on the
Sabbath and then went into the synagogue and healed a man with a
withered hand. These were done to give correct interpretation; "it
is lawful to do good on the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:12), and "the Son of
Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8). The established
interpretation had been wrong - God was not confined to man's box!
Though Jesus revealed the character of God, died for the forgiveness
of sin, sent the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth, and ensured
His Word would be recorded and preserved, much of what we understand
and how we worship is based on man's tradition and
interpretation. Not all tradition and interpretation is bad, and
much is necessary, but we need to understand the potential for
placing restrictions on God. Jesus operated outside the box and He
was either dismissed or rationalized away.
God will never violate His revealed Word, but He may challenge our
interpretation, challenge our box. Let's worship the God "who is and
who was and who is to come" (Revelation 1:4). Let's lift high and
honor Jesus Christ, trust His guidance and never worship our
self-created religious box.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of John Lessons: http://www.gdwm.org/John.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are no
longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The New King James Version.
Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by Permission.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
Nine things to do RIGHT NOW to reduce your cancer risk
Posted Jun 25th 2007 9:17AM by Martha Edwards
http://www.thecancerblog.com/2007/06/25/nine-things-to-do-right-now-to-reduce-your-cancer-risk/
Unless you've been touched by it, cancer can seem a world away. But it's not, and no matter your age, there are steps you should be taking to avoid getting cancer. My Doc Hub has compiled this list of thing you should be doing now to avoid getting cancer in the future. They are:
-Maintain a healthy weight
-Exercise regularly
-Don't smoke
-Eat healthy
-Cut your alcohol consumption
-Cover up in the sun
-Don't have unprotected sex
-Compile a medical and family history
-Talk to your doctor about risk factors and getting screened
If you're not doing these things right now, there's no time like the present.
http://www.thecancerblog.com/2007/06/25/nine-things-to-do-right-now-to-reduce-your-cancer-risk/
Unless you've been touched by it, cancer can seem a world away. But it's not, and no matter your age, there are steps you should be taking to avoid getting cancer. My Doc Hub has compiled this list of thing you should be doing now to avoid getting cancer in the future. They are:
-Maintain a healthy weight
-Exercise regularly
-Don't smoke
-Eat healthy
-Cut your alcohol consumption
-Cover up in the sun
-Don't have unprotected sex
-Compile a medical and family history
-Talk to your doctor about risk factors and getting screened
If you're not doing these things right now, there's no time like the present.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Step of Faith
Today was a busy day! Early this morning we heard that King Herod
killed John the Baptist. Jesus seemed to take this news pretty hard;
"When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to
a solitary place" (Matthew 14:13). I knew He wanted to be alone, but
the crowds kept following Him. Soon there were "about five thousand
men, besides women and children" (Matthew 14:21). When it started to
get late we tried to send the people home, but Jesus had everyone sit
down and He fed them with "five loaves of bread and two fish"
(Matthew 14:17). What a day!!
Finally, Jesus sent us across the Sea of Galilee; "After leaving
them, He went up on a mountain to pray" (Mark 6:46). I'm glad Jesus
is getting some time alone, but I wish He was here right now. It's
dark and the waves are so high. Wait, there's something out there;
something, or someone, walking on the water; "It's a ghost, they
said, and cried out in fear" (Matthew 6:26). No, I think it's Jesus!
Matthew 14:28-29
"'Lord, if it's You,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to You on the
water.' 'Come,' He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked
on the water and came toward Jesus."
When Peter took that first step onto the water, there was nothing
within his physical senses which told him the water would hold. The
boat was being tossed by the wind and waves, and Peter certainly had
many past experiences telling him that heavy objects sink in water -
telling him his step would fail.
But Peter KNEW Jesus. He had spent time with Jesus - he walked with
Him, talked with Him, prayed with Him, and witnessed His
miracles. Peter knew the face of Jesus and knew His voice. He knew
if Jesus said "Come," He would also provide a way for him to
follow. Jesus made the water solid, but only when and where Peter
stepped - only after he stepped out in faith and in response to the call.
The step of faith is needed for any situation which requires a
solution beyond what our physical senses can understand. "Now faith
is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"
(Hebrews 11:1). The situation may be related to relationships,
finances, jobs, or ministry opportunities. But it may also be
related to raising children, challenges at school, the apparent
inability to forgive, or anything else which requires us to operate
outside the comfort of the boat.
God calls us to a life of faith. We must spend quality time with our
Lord so we can recognize His voice, but when God says "Come," our
only response is to step. Our past experiences may scream it's not
possible and that we will fail. We may not see solid ground, but we
must trust that the One who called will provide the solid
foundation. Let's trust Him to provide a way with each and every
step of faith!
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
killed John the Baptist. Jesus seemed to take this news pretty hard;
"When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to
a solitary place" (Matthew 14:13). I knew He wanted to be alone, but
the crowds kept following Him. Soon there were "about five thousand
men, besides women and children" (Matthew 14:21). When it started to
get late we tried to send the people home, but Jesus had everyone sit
down and He fed them with "five loaves of bread and two fish"
(Matthew 14:17). What a day!!
Finally, Jesus sent us across the Sea of Galilee; "After leaving
them, He went up on a mountain to pray" (Mark 6:46). I'm glad Jesus
is getting some time alone, but I wish He was here right now. It's
dark and the waves are so high. Wait, there's something out there;
something, or someone, walking on the water; "It's a ghost, they
said, and cried out in fear" (Matthew 6:26). No, I think it's Jesus!
Matthew 14:28-29
"'Lord, if it's You,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to You on the
water.' 'Come,' He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked
on the water and came toward Jesus."
When Peter took that first step onto the water, there was nothing
within his physical senses which told him the water would hold. The
boat was being tossed by the wind and waves, and Peter certainly had
many past experiences telling him that heavy objects sink in water -
telling him his step would fail.
But Peter KNEW Jesus. He had spent time with Jesus - he walked with
Him, talked with Him, prayed with Him, and witnessed His
miracles. Peter knew the face of Jesus and knew His voice. He knew
if Jesus said "Come," He would also provide a way for him to
follow. Jesus made the water solid, but only when and where Peter
stepped - only after he stepped out in faith and in response to the call.
The step of faith is needed for any situation which requires a
solution beyond what our physical senses can understand. "Now faith
is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"
(Hebrews 11:1). The situation may be related to relationships,
finances, jobs, or ministry opportunities. But it may also be
related to raising children, challenges at school, the apparent
inability to forgive, or anything else which requires us to operate
outside the comfort of the boat.
God calls us to a life of faith. We must spend quality time with our
Lord so we can recognize His voice, but when God says "Come," our
only response is to step. Our past experiences may scream it's not
possible and that we will fail. We may not see solid ground, but we
must trust that the One who called will provide the solid
foundation. Let's trust Him to provide a way with each and every
step of faith!
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
What It Means To Forgive
In the message "Forgive As He Forgave" we saw that our forgiveness of
others should be based on recognizing the magnitude of forgiveness
we've been given through faith in Jesus. A true understanding of
God's mercy toward us compels us to be merciful to others. But
still, forgiveness remains difficult and somewhat ambiguous. Some
hurts last sooooo long!
There are those today trying to forgive child abusers, murderers,
habitually unfaithful spouses, and a whole list of emotional and
physical pain. How do we truly forgive when it hurts so much? And
how do we know when we've properly forgiven?
Ephesians 4:31-32
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,
along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one
another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
All forgiveness begins with a belief that God desires us to forgive
in any situation; "If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father
will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:15). If we are unable, or
unwilling, to forgive, we need to spend more time reflecting on the
forgiveness of Christ. Do we really understand? Do we really
believe? Our ability to forgive identifies our focus: Is our
priority on Christ or on our own needs and desires, hurts and pain?
But forgiveness is not simply saying the words "I forgive
you." Rather, forgiveness is canceling the emotional debt. It means
we love and earnestly pray for blessings in their life; "Love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). We
should be able to think about the other person without bitterness,
rage, or anger. We should be able to pray for an increase in their
ministry or business, more peace in their family, and a closer
relationship with Jesus. It's amazing how much healing takes place
in our own heart when we pray for those who have caused us pain.
However, forgiveness does not necessarily mean a relationship must
continue as if the hurt never occurred. Our heart may be free of all
anger and bitterness - we may earnestly pray for the one who caused
us pain - and yet, we no longer trust or enjoy their company. My
forgiveness of a child abuser does not require me to leave my
children in their care. I can love with a Christ-like love and pray
without anger and yet guard my physical body and emotional and Spiritual heart.
It's unfortunate, but most of us are carrying some bitterness toward
another person today. These burdensome emotions should not continue
in the heart of a Child of God, and the only road to release them is
through the gate of forgiveness. Let's ask God to purify our
heart. Let's refocus on the cross and release our burdens to
Him. Let's honor our Father by showing the world what it means to forgive.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
others should be based on recognizing the magnitude of forgiveness
we've been given through faith in Jesus. A true understanding of
God's mercy toward us compels us to be merciful to others. But
still, forgiveness remains difficult and somewhat ambiguous. Some
hurts last sooooo long!
There are those today trying to forgive child abusers, murderers,
habitually unfaithful spouses, and a whole list of emotional and
physical pain. How do we truly forgive when it hurts so much? And
how do we know when we've properly forgiven?
Ephesians 4:31-32
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,
along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one
another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
All forgiveness begins with a belief that God desires us to forgive
in any situation; "If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father
will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:15). If we are unable, or
unwilling, to forgive, we need to spend more time reflecting on the
forgiveness of Christ. Do we really understand? Do we really
believe? Our ability to forgive identifies our focus: Is our
priority on Christ or on our own needs and desires, hurts and pain?
But forgiveness is not simply saying the words "I forgive
you." Rather, forgiveness is canceling the emotional debt. It means
we love and earnestly pray for blessings in their life; "Love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). We
should be able to think about the other person without bitterness,
rage, or anger. We should be able to pray for an increase in their
ministry or business, more peace in their family, and a closer
relationship with Jesus. It's amazing how much healing takes place
in our own heart when we pray for those who have caused us pain.
However, forgiveness does not necessarily mean a relationship must
continue as if the hurt never occurred. Our heart may be free of all
anger and bitterness - we may earnestly pray for the one who caused
us pain - and yet, we no longer trust or enjoy their company. My
forgiveness of a child abuser does not require me to leave my
children in their care. I can love with a Christ-like love and pray
without anger and yet guard my physical body and emotional and Spiritual heart.
It's unfortunate, but most of us are carrying some bitterness toward
another person today. These burdensome emotions should not continue
in the heart of a Child of God, and the only road to release them is
through the gate of forgiveness. Let's ask God to purify our
heart. Let's refocus on the cross and release our burdens to
Him. Let's honor our Father by showing the world what it means to forgive.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
Forgive As He Forgave
It seems like sooner or later everyone gets mistreated and
hurt. Many times the actions against us are unintentional, but other
times they can be extremely malicious. Suddenly, this hurt begins to
invade every other area of our life. We carry a heavy burden which
we know we don't deserve - and which we certainly don't desire to
keep - but it's a burden we can't seem to let go.
There is only one true way to relieve the burden of our hurt, and it
always begins with forgiveness. True forgiveness can be difficult
and require great humility. We want the other person to first ask
(maybe even beg) for our forgiveness. We would like them to admit
the hurt they caused; and, if we are honest, we probably would prefer
them to suffer...just a little. But this is not in God's plan.
Colossians 3:13
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have
against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
If we have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, we have first come
face to face with our sinful nature. Without an understanding that
we are full of sin, we will never reach out for a savior. And if we
have experienced the true meaning of God's love, "while we were still
sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8), we will be compelled to
forgive others. When we truly understand His forgiveness, we WILL
forgive others!
Jesus told a parable of a man who failed to forgive a small debt when
his master had just forgiven him a much greater debt: "'Shouldn't you
have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger
his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he
should pay back all he owed" (Matthew 18:33-34). Do we really
understand how much we have been forgiven? Or our inability to
repay? Yet our debt has been completely forgiven by grace through
faith in Jesus, and we are now commanded to forgive others.
God established the standard for forgiveness. We are not called to
forgive because someone deserves or has earned our forgiveness, we
are called to forgive simply because God first forgave us. When we
forgive, we must strive to make the forgiveness complete; "For I will
forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more"
(Hebrews 8:12). Though we may carry a healthy level of new caution
as the relationship continues, we must never place conditions on
maintaining our forgiveness.
There WILL be times when we are burdened with hurt. But let's not
seek revenge or try to withdraw and hide our pain. Let's follow the
commands of God's Word and be set free! Let's grow closer to our
Heavenly Father and see through His eyes. Let's share His love and
forgive as He forgave.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
hurt. Many times the actions against us are unintentional, but other
times they can be extremely malicious. Suddenly, this hurt begins to
invade every other area of our life. We carry a heavy burden which
we know we don't deserve - and which we certainly don't desire to
keep - but it's a burden we can't seem to let go.
There is only one true way to relieve the burden of our hurt, and it
always begins with forgiveness. True forgiveness can be difficult
and require great humility. We want the other person to first ask
(maybe even beg) for our forgiveness. We would like them to admit
the hurt they caused; and, if we are honest, we probably would prefer
them to suffer...just a little. But this is not in God's plan.
Colossians 3:13
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have
against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
If we have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, we have first come
face to face with our sinful nature. Without an understanding that
we are full of sin, we will never reach out for a savior. And if we
have experienced the true meaning of God's love, "while we were still
sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8), we will be compelled to
forgive others. When we truly understand His forgiveness, we WILL
forgive others!
Jesus told a parable of a man who failed to forgive a small debt when
his master had just forgiven him a much greater debt: "'Shouldn't you
have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger
his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he
should pay back all he owed" (Matthew 18:33-34). Do we really
understand how much we have been forgiven? Or our inability to
repay? Yet our debt has been completely forgiven by grace through
faith in Jesus, and we are now commanded to forgive others.
God established the standard for forgiveness. We are not called to
forgive because someone deserves or has earned our forgiveness, we
are called to forgive simply because God first forgave us. When we
forgive, we must strive to make the forgiveness complete; "For I will
forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more"
(Hebrews 8:12). Though we may carry a healthy level of new caution
as the relationship continues, we must never place conditions on
maintaining our forgiveness.
There WILL be times when we are burdened with hurt. But let's not
seek revenge or try to withdraw and hide our pain. Let's follow the
commands of God's Word and be set free! Let's grow closer to our
Heavenly Father and see through His eyes. Let's share His love and
forgive as He forgave.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
5 big mistakes new grads make
Hiring is up and so are salaries, but there's lots of competition, too. Raise the odds of getting your dream job by avoiding these common errors.
FORTUNE Magazine
By Anne Fisher, Fortune senior writer
May 16 2007: 5:48 AM EDT
(Fortune) -- It's a great time to be graduating from college. The skilled labor force is shrinking, thanks in part to Baby Boomers' quitting the corporate scene to retire or start new careers, and that means employers' hunger for fresh talent is keen. According to a new survey of over 2,500 hiring managers by job site CareerBuilder, 79% expect to hire new grads this year, up from 70% last year.
The survey shows an uptick in starting pay, too, with 42% of these hiring managers planning to boost salaries over last year and only 4% bent on decreasing them. About one-third (35%) are offering entry-level pay between $30,000 and $40,000, an increase from 28% last year; an additional 16% will pay between $40,000 and $50,000 (up from just 10% last year); and 12% expect to pay $50,000 or more (vs. 7% last year).
Perhaps because they've run into a few of those eager corporate recruiters on campus, graduating seniors are optimistic about their prospects. Indeed, 89% of grads are confident they'll get at least one job offer at graduation, while almost three-quarters (74%) think they'll get two or more, says a poll by MonsterTrak, the college-student division of Monster.com.
(Even so, almost half - 48% - of new grads expect to "boomerang" and spend some time living back home with their parents, the same percentage as thought they would do so last year. Of this group, 22% plan to live at home for six months or longer.)
Despite all the glad tidings, landing the job you really want may not be a walk on the beach. For one thing, employers are looking closely at your grades, and about one-third of those gung-ho hiring managers in the CareerBuilder poll require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, while another 10% demand a 3.5-or-better GPA. The MonsterTrak data, meanwhile, suggest that you've got loads of competition: On average, employers report receiving 73 applications for each available entry-level job.
So how can you improve your chances? Anna Ivey, a Columbia grad and former dean of admissions at the University of Chicago Law School, now consults with companies on how to adapt to Generation Y, and vice versa. (Check out her blog for and about new grads, The Ivey Files.) She says she frequently sees Gen Y job-seekers making 5 basic mistakes. Here they are - and how to avoid them:
Gen Y: You raised them, now manage them
1. Allowing "helicopter parents" to contact employers. Even if you're one of those Millennials who routinely involve one or both parents in every aspect of your life, your job search is one time when you should ask your folks to back off. "You'll stand out from the pack as exceptionally mature and professional if you keep your parents' advice entirely behind the scenes," Ivey says.
2. MySpace misjudgments. "Don't post anything on any publicly accessible Web site that you wouldn't feel comfortable showing a recruiter or hiring manager - for example, racy photos or rants about a job or professor you hate," Ivey says. Employers will Google you, so make sure your online act is squeaky-clean.
3. Failure to network. "You may think you don't know anyone of consequence, but if you sit down and draw up a list of everyone you know, you may be impressed at how wide your network really is," Ivey notes. Include your friends' parents and your parents' friends: "Each one of them in turn has a network." Let everyone know you're job hunting, explain what kinds of roles or industries you're aiming for, and be sure to follow up on any leads. Your school's alumni association is an often-overlooked source of great job leads, too.
4. Forgetting to say a simple "thank you." "When someone goes out of his or her way to help you, send a short e-mail expressing your gratitude and promising to stay in touch," Ivey says. "Most new college graduates show poor manners, so being polite is just one more way to stand out from the crowd.
5. Bad voice-mail greetings. Ivey says that 90% of the greetings she hears when she calls new grads sound "immature and much too casual. Make sure to give recruiters your cellphone number so they can reach you easily, but remember to change your greeting." Instead of, "Whassup, it's Greg, leave a message," say something like, "Hello, you've reached Greg. Please leave a message." And if the phone rings at a time or in a place where it would be hard to hold an important conversation, Ivey says, let the call go to voicemail: "Don't talk to a recruiter during a basketball game."
Go get 'em, Class of 2007! Best of luck!
http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/14/news/economy/new.grads.fortune/index.htm
FORTUNE Magazine
By Anne Fisher, Fortune senior writer
May 16 2007: 5:48 AM EDT
(Fortune) -- It's a great time to be graduating from college. The skilled labor force is shrinking, thanks in part to Baby Boomers' quitting the corporate scene to retire or start new careers, and that means employers' hunger for fresh talent is keen. According to a new survey of over 2,500 hiring managers by job site CareerBuilder, 79% expect to hire new grads this year, up from 70% last year.
The survey shows an uptick in starting pay, too, with 42% of these hiring managers planning to boost salaries over last year and only 4% bent on decreasing them. About one-third (35%) are offering entry-level pay between $30,000 and $40,000, an increase from 28% last year; an additional 16% will pay between $40,000 and $50,000 (up from just 10% last year); and 12% expect to pay $50,000 or more (vs. 7% last year).
Perhaps because they've run into a few of those eager corporate recruiters on campus, graduating seniors are optimistic about their prospects. Indeed, 89% of grads are confident they'll get at least one job offer at graduation, while almost three-quarters (74%) think they'll get two or more, says a poll by MonsterTrak, the college-student division of Monster.com.
(Even so, almost half - 48% - of new grads expect to "boomerang" and spend some time living back home with their parents, the same percentage as thought they would do so last year. Of this group, 22% plan to live at home for six months or longer.)
Despite all the glad tidings, landing the job you really want may not be a walk on the beach. For one thing, employers are looking closely at your grades, and about one-third of those gung-ho hiring managers in the CareerBuilder poll require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, while another 10% demand a 3.5-or-better GPA. The MonsterTrak data, meanwhile, suggest that you've got loads of competition: On average, employers report receiving 73 applications for each available entry-level job.
So how can you improve your chances? Anna Ivey, a Columbia grad and former dean of admissions at the University of Chicago Law School, now consults with companies on how to adapt to Generation Y, and vice versa. (Check out her blog for and about new grads, The Ivey Files.) She says she frequently sees Gen Y job-seekers making 5 basic mistakes. Here they are - and how to avoid them:
Gen Y: You raised them, now manage them
1. Allowing "helicopter parents" to contact employers. Even if you're one of those Millennials who routinely involve one or both parents in every aspect of your life, your job search is one time when you should ask your folks to back off. "You'll stand out from the pack as exceptionally mature and professional if you keep your parents' advice entirely behind the scenes," Ivey says.
2. MySpace misjudgments. "Don't post anything on any publicly accessible Web site that you wouldn't feel comfortable showing a recruiter or hiring manager - for example, racy photos or rants about a job or professor you hate," Ivey says. Employers will Google you, so make sure your online act is squeaky-clean.
3. Failure to network. "You may think you don't know anyone of consequence, but if you sit down and draw up a list of everyone you know, you may be impressed at how wide your network really is," Ivey notes. Include your friends' parents and your parents' friends: "Each one of them in turn has a network." Let everyone know you're job hunting, explain what kinds of roles or industries you're aiming for, and be sure to follow up on any leads. Your school's alumni association is an often-overlooked source of great job leads, too.
4. Forgetting to say a simple "thank you." "When someone goes out of his or her way to help you, send a short e-mail expressing your gratitude and promising to stay in touch," Ivey says. "Most new college graduates show poor manners, so being polite is just one more way to stand out from the crowd.
5. Bad voice-mail greetings. Ivey says that 90% of the greetings she hears when she calls new grads sound "immature and much too casual. Make sure to give recruiters your cellphone number so they can reach you easily, but remember to change your greeting." Instead of, "Whassup, it's Greg, leave a message," say something like, "Hello, you've reached Greg. Please leave a message." And if the phone rings at a time or in a place where it would be hard to hold an important conversation, Ivey says, let the call go to voicemail: "Don't talk to a recruiter during a basketball game."
Go get 'em, Class of 2007! Best of luck!
http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/14/news/economy/new.grads.fortune/index.htm
House votes to reopen civil rights cases
By Ben Evans, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The House passed a bill Wednesday to establish a new division of federal prosecutors and FBI agents focused strictly on cracking unsolved murders from the civil rights era.
The bill, which is also moving swiftly through the Senate, would authorize $10 million a year over the next decade to create a unit at the Justice Department to pursue cases that have sat cold for decades. It also would earmark $2 million per year in grants for state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate cases where federal prosecution isn't practical, and another $1.5 million to improve coordination among investigating agencies.
The bill, passed 422-2, is named in honor of Emmett Till, a black teenager from Chicago who was beaten and murdered in Mississippi in 1955 after being accused of whistling at a white woman. His killers were never convicted.
"We must do something to right these wrongs," said Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and civil rights veteran who sponsored the bill. "We have an obligation ... let us move to close this dark stain on our nation's history."
State and federal prosecutors have had a string of successes recently in reopening racially motivated slayings from the 1950s and 1960s, including the 1963 Birmingham, Ala., church bombing and the 1964 slayings of three civil rights volunteers in Mississippi.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Justice Department | Mississippi
Most recently, prosecutors last week won the conviction of reputed Klansman James Ford Seale on federal charges of kidnapping and conspiracy in the 1964 deaths of Charles Moore and Henry Hezekiah Dee. The 19-year-olds disappeared from Franklin County, Miss., in 1964, and their bodies were found later in the Mississippi River.
Earlier this year, the Justice Department announced it was reopening investigations into about a dozen suspicious deaths in the South. But lawmakers and advocates say there are dozens, if not hundreds, more cases that are ripe for review.
At a recent hearing, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Grace Chung Becker said the department plans to review at least 100 more cases, many based on files turned over by the Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center, which has long pressed for more prosecutions.
Becker and others have cautioned that the cases are very difficult to prosecute because witnesses have died or forgotten details, evidence has been lost and laws have changed.
The bill is HR 923.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-06-20-congress-cold-cases_N.htm?csp=34
WASHINGTON — The House passed a bill Wednesday to establish a new division of federal prosecutors and FBI agents focused strictly on cracking unsolved murders from the civil rights era.
The bill, which is also moving swiftly through the Senate, would authorize $10 million a year over the next decade to create a unit at the Justice Department to pursue cases that have sat cold for decades. It also would earmark $2 million per year in grants for state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate cases where federal prosecution isn't practical, and another $1.5 million to improve coordination among investigating agencies.
The bill, passed 422-2, is named in honor of Emmett Till, a black teenager from Chicago who was beaten and murdered in Mississippi in 1955 after being accused of whistling at a white woman. His killers were never convicted.
"We must do something to right these wrongs," said Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and civil rights veteran who sponsored the bill. "We have an obligation ... let us move to close this dark stain on our nation's history."
State and federal prosecutors have had a string of successes recently in reopening racially motivated slayings from the 1950s and 1960s, including the 1963 Birmingham, Ala., church bombing and the 1964 slayings of three civil rights volunteers in Mississippi.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Justice Department | Mississippi
Most recently, prosecutors last week won the conviction of reputed Klansman James Ford Seale on federal charges of kidnapping and conspiracy in the 1964 deaths of Charles Moore and Henry Hezekiah Dee. The 19-year-olds disappeared from Franklin County, Miss., in 1964, and their bodies were found later in the Mississippi River.
Earlier this year, the Justice Department announced it was reopening investigations into about a dozen suspicious deaths in the South. But lawmakers and advocates say there are dozens, if not hundreds, more cases that are ripe for review.
At a recent hearing, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Grace Chung Becker said the department plans to review at least 100 more cases, many based on files turned over by the Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center, which has long pressed for more prosecutions.
Becker and others have cautioned that the cases are very difficult to prosecute because witnesses have died or forgotten details, evidence has been lost and laws have changed.
The bill is HR 923.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-06-20-congress-cold-cases_N.htm?csp=34
Mother Of Missing Brooklyn Girl Stumbles Upon New Leads
NEW YORK -- The mother of a missing girl from Brooklyn who disappeared while on spring break in Florida has stumbled upon her own leads.
To read more click here
Video
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
The Regrets of a School Dropout
Half of Black Males Fail to Graduate With Their Class
By Avis Thomas-Lester
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 15, 2007; Page B01
Just walking into Largo High School left Larue Campbell feeling the most profound loss.
Fliers about the school's upcoming prom reminded him that he never attended his own. Posters announcing commencement ceremonies left him wondering what it would have been like to stroll across the stage in a cap and gown as his loved ones cheered.
But instead of taking part in prom and graduation, Campbell was at Largo for night school classes to prepare for the GED exam. Last spring, he dropped out of high school, one of hundreds of Washington area African American males to do so each year.
"If I hadn't dropped out, I wouldn't have to go through this now," said Campbell of his attempt to earn a high school equivalency diploma. "I thought about going back after I left" school, "but I thought I would be too old. I was kind of embarrassed."
In dropping out, Campbell became part of a disturbing trend -- black male students who walk out on their own education. Statistics show that more than 50 percent of black male students fail to graduate with their class each year. In some urban jurisdictions such as New York and Chicago, upwards of two-thirds of them leave high school before graduation, according to a study by the Schott Foundation for Public Education.
In Maryland, 46 percent of black male teenagers dropped out during the 2003-04 school year, compared with 22 percent of white males. In Virginia, 47 percent dropped out, compared with 27 percent of white male students, and in the District, the dropout rate for black males was 51 percent, compared with 5 percent of white males, the report said.
Experts said the implications are stark: Dropouts struggle to find good jobs; they become teen fathers, get arrested and abuse drugs and alcohol at a much higher rate than that of their counterparts who graduate from high school.
Alvin Thornton, a Howard University administrator and author of the study that led Maryland to pump more than a billion additional dollars into its schools, blames a number of factors, among them the lack of early learning opportunities, absent parenting and a shortage of programs to engage these students in school.
"I think if we ever had any other community that found its male children suffering as they are in our community -- they would institute programs and demand that others, like government, help to address the problem," Thornton said.
Many dropouts, he said, experience problems as early as the elementary years. "It's called the fourth-grade syndrome, and it's the time when schools move away from them and they become lost and alienated."
Sleeping Late
It's 3 p.m. on a weekday and Campbell is watching Nickelodeon with his 5-year-old niece. He had planned to look for a job today, but didn't. He has no car because he can't afford one. His cellphone was recently turned off because he didn't pay the bill.
Most days, Campbell, who lives with his aunt, Lillian Hicks, sleeps late, eats, then watches TV. He might compose or listen to some rap music, a hobby. Or he might check the want ads.
I've gone to a few places, but I haven't found anything yet," he said.
Tall and lanky with thick tinted locks, Campbell has an easygoing demeanor and a gentle smile. He is uncharacteristically polite for a teenager, answering questions with "yes, ma'am" and "no, ma'am."
Since he dropped out, Campbell has held several part-time jobs, including ones at Ben's Chili Bowl and McDonald's. He recently got a call to interview at a restaurant at the Boulevard at the Capital Centre, but he didn't go.
"I didn't have no money to get up there," Campbell said.
His aunt's eyes flashed.
"Larue, did you open up your mouth and call them and tell them that?" Hicks asked, hands on her hips. "Did you try to get there? There is nothing wrong with your feet. If you really wanted that job, you would have gone after it. If you wanted to get to the go-go and you didn't have money, you would have figured out how to get there."
The teenager shrugged.
Campbell pines for a more comfortable life, one with more stability and less drama than the one he's lived.
For several years, his home has been the split-level house near the District line that Hicks owns and shares with her family and his grandmother, who is legally blind and chronically ill. Campbell's brother, a student at Largo, lives nearby with other relatives. His mother and father, who live out of state, both dropped out of high school. His mother left him with his grandmother at an early age. His father has spent time in jail, he said.
"When you have absent parents, there's no one who can really discipline the child . . .," Hicks said. "I took a risk and let him come here to live because I believe he can turn himself around."
Campbell points to his sophomore year at Washington Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter High School in Northeast Washington as the beginning of his school troubles. After a successful ninth-grade year, he began skipping to hang out with older friends about the time he and his grandmother moved to Prince George's County from the District.
"When I started hooking, my grandmother got mad," he said. "She went up to my school and told them, 'He don't want to be here. He lives in Maryland, anyway.' They put me out."
He transferred to Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, where he found more opportunities to skip. Nobody addressed his chronic truancy, he said. He was suspended only twice for truancy, even though he missed dozens of days his sophomore year and more than a third of his junior year.
"It was like it wasn't a big deal to anybody, so it wasn't a big deal to me," he said. Because there were no consequences, quitting was easy.
Not Getting the Basics
Prince George's County District Judge Herman Dawson, who regularly deals with the issue in his courtroom, said skipping school and lack of educational support at home leaves many young people unprepared to survive high school.
"They are not getting the basics in elementary school, so by the time they get to high school, they have lost interest," Dawson said. "They can't compete. Because they can't compete, they become disruptive and eventually they end up leaving."
Neville Adams, an English teacher at Parkdale High School in New Carrollton, said many black male students are pushed out.
"If you don't come to school or you walk the halls," you "will be withdrawn from school, and that basically leaves them with no place to go," he said. " Later, they just don't go back. We don't try to find out why kids aren't learning or why they're not coming to class, we just write them off."
In Prince George's, 39 percent of African American male students dropped out during the 2003-04 school year, according to the Schott report. That compared with 43 percent for white male students. Yet the county, along with Montgomery, where 36 percent of black males dropped out, was credited with success in retaining such students and graduating them at a rate similar to the national average for white male high school graduates, the report said.
Educators said that while Prince George's does better than many jurisdictions, the dropout rate is still too high.
"We have got to do a better job of engaging these students, helping them to overcome the problems that make them lag behind and eventually drop out," said Howard Stone, a former Prince George's school board member.
Campbell said several of his friends also dropped out, like his best friend, Larry Smith, 20, of Capitol Heights, who left school in his senior year. Smith took the GED exam and passed it a few months later.
On a recent afternoon, the two talked about their regrets and their futures. Smith wants to be a race-car driver. Campbell, he said, could be his crew chief.
"Just because you drop out doesn't mean you don't have plans," Smith said. "It doesn't mean you don't have a future."
Lately, Campbell said, he has cut back on his television time to study for the GED. Once enrolled in Advanced Placement classes, he is worried about the math portion of the exam.
"I'm hoping I will do well because this will open up another door if I do," he said. "I'll be one step closer to the way I want to be -- working, living comfortably."
Campbell had planned to take the exam this week but hit a snag: He failed to send in the $32 application fee.
"I'm very upset because I wanted to get it done," he said. "I wanted to start having those doors opened. I still plan to do it."
Staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/14/AR2007061402070_3.html
By Avis Thomas-Lester
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 15, 2007; Page B01
Just walking into Largo High School left Larue Campbell feeling the most profound loss.
Fliers about the school's upcoming prom reminded him that he never attended his own. Posters announcing commencement ceremonies left him wondering what it would have been like to stroll across the stage in a cap and gown as his loved ones cheered.
But instead of taking part in prom and graduation, Campbell was at Largo for night school classes to prepare for the GED exam. Last spring, he dropped out of high school, one of hundreds of Washington area African American males to do so each year.
"If I hadn't dropped out, I wouldn't have to go through this now," said Campbell of his attempt to earn a high school equivalency diploma. "I thought about going back after I left" school, "but I thought I would be too old. I was kind of embarrassed."
In dropping out, Campbell became part of a disturbing trend -- black male students who walk out on their own education. Statistics show that more than 50 percent of black male students fail to graduate with their class each year. In some urban jurisdictions such as New York and Chicago, upwards of two-thirds of them leave high school before graduation, according to a study by the Schott Foundation for Public Education.
In Maryland, 46 percent of black male teenagers dropped out during the 2003-04 school year, compared with 22 percent of white males. In Virginia, 47 percent dropped out, compared with 27 percent of white male students, and in the District, the dropout rate for black males was 51 percent, compared with 5 percent of white males, the report said.
Experts said the implications are stark: Dropouts struggle to find good jobs; they become teen fathers, get arrested and abuse drugs and alcohol at a much higher rate than that of their counterparts who graduate from high school.
Alvin Thornton, a Howard University administrator and author of the study that led Maryland to pump more than a billion additional dollars into its schools, blames a number of factors, among them the lack of early learning opportunities, absent parenting and a shortage of programs to engage these students in school.
"I think if we ever had any other community that found its male children suffering as they are in our community -- they would institute programs and demand that others, like government, help to address the problem," Thornton said.
Many dropouts, he said, experience problems as early as the elementary years. "It's called the fourth-grade syndrome, and it's the time when schools move away from them and they become lost and alienated."
Sleeping Late
It's 3 p.m. on a weekday and Campbell is watching Nickelodeon with his 5-year-old niece. He had planned to look for a job today, but didn't. He has no car because he can't afford one. His cellphone was recently turned off because he didn't pay the bill.
Most days, Campbell, who lives with his aunt, Lillian Hicks, sleeps late, eats, then watches TV. He might compose or listen to some rap music, a hobby. Or he might check the want ads.
I've gone to a few places, but I haven't found anything yet," he said.
Tall and lanky with thick tinted locks, Campbell has an easygoing demeanor and a gentle smile. He is uncharacteristically polite for a teenager, answering questions with "yes, ma'am" and "no, ma'am."
Since he dropped out, Campbell has held several part-time jobs, including ones at Ben's Chili Bowl and McDonald's. He recently got a call to interview at a restaurant at the Boulevard at the Capital Centre, but he didn't go.
"I didn't have no money to get up there," Campbell said.
His aunt's eyes flashed.
"Larue, did you open up your mouth and call them and tell them that?" Hicks asked, hands on her hips. "Did you try to get there? There is nothing wrong with your feet. If you really wanted that job, you would have gone after it. If you wanted to get to the go-go and you didn't have money, you would have figured out how to get there."
The teenager shrugged.
Campbell pines for a more comfortable life, one with more stability and less drama than the one he's lived.
For several years, his home has been the split-level house near the District line that Hicks owns and shares with her family and his grandmother, who is legally blind and chronically ill. Campbell's brother, a student at Largo, lives nearby with other relatives. His mother and father, who live out of state, both dropped out of high school. His mother left him with his grandmother at an early age. His father has spent time in jail, he said.
"When you have absent parents, there's no one who can really discipline the child . . .," Hicks said. "I took a risk and let him come here to live because I believe he can turn himself around."
Campbell points to his sophomore year at Washington Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter High School in Northeast Washington as the beginning of his school troubles. After a successful ninth-grade year, he began skipping to hang out with older friends about the time he and his grandmother moved to Prince George's County from the District.
"When I started hooking, my grandmother got mad," he said. "She went up to my school and told them, 'He don't want to be here. He lives in Maryland, anyway.' They put me out."
He transferred to Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, where he found more opportunities to skip. Nobody addressed his chronic truancy, he said. He was suspended only twice for truancy, even though he missed dozens of days his sophomore year and more than a third of his junior year.
"It was like it wasn't a big deal to anybody, so it wasn't a big deal to me," he said. Because there were no consequences, quitting was easy.
Not Getting the Basics
Prince George's County District Judge Herman Dawson, who regularly deals with the issue in his courtroom, said skipping school and lack of educational support at home leaves many young people unprepared to survive high school.
"They are not getting the basics in elementary school, so by the time they get to high school, they have lost interest," Dawson said. "They can't compete. Because they can't compete, they become disruptive and eventually they end up leaving."
Neville Adams, an English teacher at Parkdale High School in New Carrollton, said many black male students are pushed out.
"If you don't come to school or you walk the halls," you "will be withdrawn from school, and that basically leaves them with no place to go," he said. " Later, they just don't go back. We don't try to find out why kids aren't learning or why they're not coming to class, we just write them off."
In Prince George's, 39 percent of African American male students dropped out during the 2003-04 school year, according to the Schott report. That compared with 43 percent for white male students. Yet the county, along with Montgomery, where 36 percent of black males dropped out, was credited with success in retaining such students and graduating them at a rate similar to the national average for white male high school graduates, the report said.
Educators said that while Prince George's does better than many jurisdictions, the dropout rate is still too high.
"We have got to do a better job of engaging these students, helping them to overcome the problems that make them lag behind and eventually drop out," said Howard Stone, a former Prince George's school board member.
Campbell said several of his friends also dropped out, like his best friend, Larry Smith, 20, of Capitol Heights, who left school in his senior year. Smith took the GED exam and passed it a few months later.
On a recent afternoon, the two talked about their regrets and their futures. Smith wants to be a race-car driver. Campbell, he said, could be his crew chief.
"Just because you drop out doesn't mean you don't have plans," Smith said. "It doesn't mean you don't have a future."
Lately, Campbell said, he has cut back on his television time to study for the GED. Once enrolled in Advanced Placement classes, he is worried about the math portion of the exam.
"I'm hoping I will do well because this will open up another door if I do," he said. "I'll be one step closer to the way I want to be -- working, living comfortably."
Campbell had planned to take the exam this week but hit a snag: He failed to send in the $32 application fee.
"I'm very upset because I wanted to get it done," he said. "I wanted to start having those doors opened. I still plan to do it."
Staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/14/AR2007061402070_3.html
Monday, June 18, 2007
Looking the Other Way
by The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston
Here are three names to remember: Genarlow Wilson, Stepha Henry, and Edith Isabel Rodriguez.
Each of these names has been in the news recently. Each tells a different story but with a very familiar theme. I invite us to remember them now because each name will probably disappear soon as other stories emerge with other names. And yet, if we forget these three persons we may be failing to hear a wake up call that rings clearly in all of their experiences.
Genarlow Wilson was the young Black man who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for committing a consensual sex act with a 15 year old girl when he was 17. Stepha Henry was the young Black woman whose disappearance was largely eclipsed in the media by the frenzy over Paris Hilton’s court appearances. Edith Isabel Rodriguez was the Hispanic lady who died on the floor of the hospital emergency room while her family made desperate calls to 911.
In each case, the implications of racism are unmistakable.
Would Mr. Wilson have been so harshly sentenced if he were not Black? Is our justice system fair or is it compromised?
Are white abductions and disappearances treated more thoroughly in the press than those of other racial groups? Do we have a free and equal press, or only a corporate media outlet?
Is access to quality medical care really available to every citizen in our country? Are substandard medical facilities for the urban poor a double standard for health care where those who can afford it live and those who can’t die?
These are the questions behind the names. They are the questions behind the experiences of people of color in the United States. And they point to some of the core values of our society in some of the most critical areas of that society: the public media, the justice system, the health care system. These are not trivial concerns, but deeply embedded outcomes that are the direct result of systemic American racism. They challenge us not to look the other way.
In the days to come, as our attention is refocused onto other names and stories, we should remember these three names. We should remember the stories of three of our neighbors who never knew one another, but whose lives strangely illuminated our shared reality, even if only for a moment. In a graphic way, they spotlighted the shadowy role that race continues to play in preventing our nation from ever becoming what it proclaims to be, a community where every citizen is treated fairly and given equal access to the basic rights of any human being. They embodied in a physical way what most of us already know. Young men of color going to court are constant reminders of our flawed culture and its broken system of administering the law. The extent of media coverage in America is in direct proportion to your skin color and your mailing address. Health care in the United States is a scandal, especially for those who have long ago fallen between its huge cracks of indifference. These are the foundational crises we confront and they all have the fault lines of racism running through them for any who would want to see. Genarlow, Stepha and Edith showed us those cracks. Their witness calls us to name what we see and to face the reality we have created.
We may forget the individual names, but we must never forget the story they tell.
The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, former Bishop of Alaska, is president and dean of Episcopal Divinity School, and keeper of the podcasting blog EDS's Stepping Stones. A citizen of the Choctaw Nation, Bishop Charleston is widely recognized as a leading proponent for justice issues and for spiritual renewal in the church. He has been called "one of the best preachers in the Episcopal Church" and has written many articles on both Native American concerns and spirituality.
http://www.episcopalcafe.com/daily/justice/looking_the_other_way_1.php
Here are three names to remember: Genarlow Wilson, Stepha Henry, and Edith Isabel Rodriguez.
Each of these names has been in the news recently. Each tells a different story but with a very familiar theme. I invite us to remember them now because each name will probably disappear soon as other stories emerge with other names. And yet, if we forget these three persons we may be failing to hear a wake up call that rings clearly in all of their experiences.
Genarlow Wilson was the young Black man who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for committing a consensual sex act with a 15 year old girl when he was 17. Stepha Henry was the young Black woman whose disappearance was largely eclipsed in the media by the frenzy over Paris Hilton’s court appearances. Edith Isabel Rodriguez was the Hispanic lady who died on the floor of the hospital emergency room while her family made desperate calls to 911.
In each case, the implications of racism are unmistakable.
Would Mr. Wilson have been so harshly sentenced if he were not Black? Is our justice system fair or is it compromised?
Are white abductions and disappearances treated more thoroughly in the press than those of other racial groups? Do we have a free and equal press, or only a corporate media outlet?
Is access to quality medical care really available to every citizen in our country? Are substandard medical facilities for the urban poor a double standard for health care where those who can afford it live and those who can’t die?
These are the questions behind the names. They are the questions behind the experiences of people of color in the United States. And they point to some of the core values of our society in some of the most critical areas of that society: the public media, the justice system, the health care system. These are not trivial concerns, but deeply embedded outcomes that are the direct result of systemic American racism. They challenge us not to look the other way.
In the days to come, as our attention is refocused onto other names and stories, we should remember these three names. We should remember the stories of three of our neighbors who never knew one another, but whose lives strangely illuminated our shared reality, even if only for a moment. In a graphic way, they spotlighted the shadowy role that race continues to play in preventing our nation from ever becoming what it proclaims to be, a community where every citizen is treated fairly and given equal access to the basic rights of any human being. They embodied in a physical way what most of us already know. Young men of color going to court are constant reminders of our flawed culture and its broken system of administering the law. The extent of media coverage in America is in direct proportion to your skin color and your mailing address. Health care in the United States is a scandal, especially for those who have long ago fallen between its huge cracks of indifference. These are the foundational crises we confront and they all have the fault lines of racism running through them for any who would want to see. Genarlow, Stepha and Edith showed us those cracks. Their witness calls us to name what we see and to face the reality we have created.
We may forget the individual names, but we must never forget the story they tell.
The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, former Bishop of Alaska, is president and dean of Episcopal Divinity School, and keeper of the podcasting blog EDS's Stepping Stones. A citizen of the Choctaw Nation, Bishop Charleston is widely recognized as a leading proponent for justice issues and for spiritual renewal in the church. He has been called "one of the best preachers in the Episcopal Church" and has written many articles on both Native American concerns and spirituality.
http://www.episcopalcafe.com/daily/justice/looking_the_other_way_1.php
Kevin Powell Promotes Black Male Responsibility
June 18th, 2007 | Author: Starrene Rhett
Hip-Hop Journalist/Activist Kevin Powell held a three-day national conference in Brooklyn over the weekend dedicated to the empowerment of Black men and boys. Black and Male in America began in 2004 with a 10 city tour doing think tanks, summits, etc geared toward encouraging community responsibility, proactive fatherhood, good health, the importance of education, etc.
Participants in this year's conference included CSI's Hill Harper, who has written a book called Letters to a Young Brother, which touches similar subject matter, Byron Hurt, producer of the film Beyond Beats and Rhymes, Chirs "Kazi" Rolle, star of the film The Hip-Hop Project, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Ed Lover, etc.
"Given all the statistics, the brain trusts, the summits, articles, essays and reports, and given the current national dialogue around Hip-Hop and its affects on young America (particularly young black males), we feel that we need to do something that speaks to these myriad of concerns that offers a template and a clearinghouse for basic proactive solutions," said Powell, with the agreement of other panelists and participants about the timeliness of BAMIA.
But at the same time, it is understood that while BAMIA's mission is to encourage awareness and promote positivity, it is not the answer.
"We do not propose to have all the answers with this conference. Indeed, more questions will be asked than answered," said Powell. What we do propose is that we not see tis very critical life-saving and life-empowering work as rocket science. Some of the proactive things we need to do are very simple: we've got to know our history; we've got to know who we are; where we come from; we've got to have a plan of action for every aspect of our lives..."
For more information about Black and Male in America, visit www.blackandmaleinamerica.org.
Hip-Hop Journalist/Activist Kevin Powell held a three-day national conference in Brooklyn over the weekend dedicated to the empowerment of Black men and boys. Black and Male in America began in 2004 with a 10 city tour doing think tanks, summits, etc geared toward encouraging community responsibility, proactive fatherhood, good health, the importance of education, etc.
Participants in this year's conference included CSI's Hill Harper, who has written a book called Letters to a Young Brother, which touches similar subject matter, Byron Hurt, producer of the film Beyond Beats and Rhymes, Chirs "Kazi" Rolle, star of the film The Hip-Hop Project, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Ed Lover, etc.
"Given all the statistics, the brain trusts, the summits, articles, essays and reports, and given the current national dialogue around Hip-Hop and its affects on young America (particularly young black males), we feel that we need to do something that speaks to these myriad of concerns that offers a template and a clearinghouse for basic proactive solutions," said Powell, with the agreement of other panelists and participants about the timeliness of BAMIA.
But at the same time, it is understood that while BAMIA's mission is to encourage awareness and promote positivity, it is not the answer.
"We do not propose to have all the answers with this conference. Indeed, more questions will be asked than answered," said Powell. What we do propose is that we not see tis very critical life-saving and life-empowering work as rocket science. Some of the proactive things we need to do are very simple: we've got to know our history; we've got to know who we are; where we come from; we've got to have a plan of action for every aspect of our lives..."
For more information about Black and Male in America, visit www.blackandmaleinamerica.org.
Build All For His Glory
The last two messages have considered how we ought to use a different
set of priorities in forming our goals and plans. Our goal should be
to fully submit to our Heavenly Father, and our plans must always
remain under His control. We also saw that a life submitted to God
is full of opportunity and excitement. But such a submitted life
requires discipline and perseverance. Though the world may scream
for us to return, we must be determined to continue to live by the
truth of God's Word.
In 586 BC, the armies of Babylon destroyed the Temple in
Jerusalem. About 50 years later, the Jewish people started to
rebuild; but after a few years, their priorities began to
shift. Their comfort and the condition of their own homes became
more important than being obedient to God's call: "Is it time for you
yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house {of
the Lord} remains a ruin?" (Haggai 1:4). God sent the prophet Haggai
to challenge the people to reconsider their values and return to the
work they had begun.
Haggai 1:5-6
"Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have
harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but
never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn
wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
The people had turned from rebuilding the Temple to building their
own homes - from rebuilding their Spiritual lives to building the
comfort of their physical lives - and found that no matter how hard
they worked, they never had enough. Isn't it amazing how the
foundational truths never change?
We have more pulls on our priorities today than at any other time in
history. There are more distractions, more temptations, and many
more "construction projects" that cry for our time and energy. But
if our focus remains on building for our own physical comfort and
security, we will also be ones who find we are NEVER satisfied. It
may take many years to realize this truth, but without an eternal
focus on the glory and honor of God, all our effort drains away.
Our lives have become a Temple of God - a Temple being built to
worship Him for all eternity, and one which must not fall into
ruin! We must build the foundation of this Temple through intimate
prayer and the study of His Word. We must cover all we build with an
overriding desire to love God "with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30).
Each and every day we are given the task of building His Spiritual
Temple. Let's not be turned from this task by projects which so
easily fade away. Let's refocus our priorities and diligently build
ALL for His glory.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
NBA suffering from U.S. basketball's ills
By Jason Whitlock
McClatchy Newspapers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's going to take more than tweaking the playoff format to fix what is ailing the NBA.
The league that just 15 years ago thought it was on the cusp of catching the NFL in terms of U.S. and global relevance has now spiraled below baseball and could once again find itself a very distant third behind the NFL and MLB.
The just-completed NBA finals was the most-ignored championship series in the post-Magic-Larry-and-Michael era. The Spurs vs. the Cavaliers sparked little discussion, little drama and little television interest.
There are lots of theories about why this happened, including the one-sidedness of the series, the Spurs' boring style of play, the weakness of the Cavaliers and the Eastern Conference, the "Sopranos" series finale, the overall number of cable viewing options. There is more than a kernel of truth in all of the theories.
But I think there is a bigger truth that is not being widely discussed on a consistent basis.
Basketball in the United States is in poor health. Our entire system needs to be overhauled to improve play and increase the passion of fans.
What has happened to American basketball is a prime example that freedom without vision is a dangerous thing. You can have too much freedom, and clearly the NBA is suffering the consequences of the freedom overload granted our players.
The good thing is that eventually the rank-and-file NBA players will begin to suffer financially, too. The current TV ratings are going to damage David Stern's ability to negotiate the kind of TV contracts necessary to support the salaries of the average NBA player.
Yeah, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan will always get their money. The shoe companies will see to that. It's the non-superstar — most of the league — who is going to get hurt, and that will force the NBA players association to work with Stern and the owners to fix basketball.
There are two major things, in my opinion, killing basketball right now: 1. AAU basketball; 2. early entry into the draft.
See, you can't fix the NBA without first fixing college basketball. The players and David Stern must realize the healthier college basketball is the easier it will be for the NBA to regain its $ignificance.
Basketball fans are losing passion for the NBA because they haven't been properly introduced to the league's players.
LeBron James, allegedly, is a big star. He has a huge shoe contract. He's featured in clever commercials. His face is recognized around the world. So why didn't people tune in to see him play in the NBA finals?
Because basketball fans in Lawrence and Bloomington, Ind., and Durham, N.C., and all the other little basketball hotbeds don't care about LeBron James. He didn't play their game. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan built gigantic college followings and brought those passionate fans with them to the NBA.
Today's players bring posses. The NBA players who visited a college campus for one or two years leave their disappointed fan bases behind.
Many college basketball fans hate the NBA. They see the league as an institution that undermines the college game by stealing its underdeveloped players. There are people who want to see the NBA fail. That's not good. It's not healthy for basketball.
Rather than whining that an age limit is racist, NBA players need to understand that requiring players to go to college is good for the league and will put money in everyone's pockets down the road.
This year's NBA draft has created more excitement and more discussion than any NBA draft since Patrick Ewing came out of Georgetown. Why?
Because the Florida Gators — Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah and Al Horford — stayed in college and won back-to-back titles before jumping to the NBA. Because Greg Oden and Kevin Durant were forced to spend one year in college.
We're actually familiar with many of the players who will be in this year's draft. We've seen them play. We listened to Dick Vitale overhype them for five straight months. Durant and Olden will help drive TV ratings when they hit the league.
The NBA needs an age limit of 21 and/or a rule requiring three years of college participation.
The league and the players association also should work with the NCAA on doing something to eliminate AAU basketball. Our players are too raw and too difficult to coach because AAU basketball — and its undisciplined style of play — has become more important and influential than high school basketball.
I hate to keep using LeBron James as the example because I absolutely love his mental maturity and willingness to be coached, but he is an AAU player. AAU is the reason he doesn't have a jump shot. AAU is the reason he's so unskilled in the low post.
AAU is the reason Carmelo Anthony is one of the worst teammates you could have. Yes, he got lucky and won a national championship in college. Trust me, it was luck. His game isn't about winning. It's about putting up numbers. He can't see the floor and what his teammates are doing because that's not necessary in AAU ball.
Anyway, the NBA — players, owners and Stern — should think big picture when trying to fix what ails the league.
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Jun/17/br/br7813692045.html
McClatchy Newspapers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's going to take more than tweaking the playoff format to fix what is ailing the NBA.
The league that just 15 years ago thought it was on the cusp of catching the NFL in terms of U.S. and global relevance has now spiraled below baseball and could once again find itself a very distant third behind the NFL and MLB.
The just-completed NBA finals was the most-ignored championship series in the post-Magic-Larry-and-Michael era. The Spurs vs. the Cavaliers sparked little discussion, little drama and little television interest.
There are lots of theories about why this happened, including the one-sidedness of the series, the Spurs' boring style of play, the weakness of the Cavaliers and the Eastern Conference, the "Sopranos" series finale, the overall number of cable viewing options. There is more than a kernel of truth in all of the theories.
But I think there is a bigger truth that is not being widely discussed on a consistent basis.
Basketball in the United States is in poor health. Our entire system needs to be overhauled to improve play and increase the passion of fans.
What has happened to American basketball is a prime example that freedom without vision is a dangerous thing. You can have too much freedom, and clearly the NBA is suffering the consequences of the freedom overload granted our players.
The good thing is that eventually the rank-and-file NBA players will begin to suffer financially, too. The current TV ratings are going to damage David Stern's ability to negotiate the kind of TV contracts necessary to support the salaries of the average NBA player.
Yeah, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan will always get their money. The shoe companies will see to that. It's the non-superstar — most of the league — who is going to get hurt, and that will force the NBA players association to work with Stern and the owners to fix basketball.
There are two major things, in my opinion, killing basketball right now: 1. AAU basketball; 2. early entry into the draft.
See, you can't fix the NBA without first fixing college basketball. The players and David Stern must realize the healthier college basketball is the easier it will be for the NBA to regain its $ignificance.
Basketball fans are losing passion for the NBA because they haven't been properly introduced to the league's players.
LeBron James, allegedly, is a big star. He has a huge shoe contract. He's featured in clever commercials. His face is recognized around the world. So why didn't people tune in to see him play in the NBA finals?
Because basketball fans in Lawrence and Bloomington, Ind., and Durham, N.C., and all the other little basketball hotbeds don't care about LeBron James. He didn't play their game. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan built gigantic college followings and brought those passionate fans with them to the NBA.
Today's players bring posses. The NBA players who visited a college campus for one or two years leave their disappointed fan bases behind.
Many college basketball fans hate the NBA. They see the league as an institution that undermines the college game by stealing its underdeveloped players. There are people who want to see the NBA fail. That's not good. It's not healthy for basketball.
Rather than whining that an age limit is racist, NBA players need to understand that requiring players to go to college is good for the league and will put money in everyone's pockets down the road.
This year's NBA draft has created more excitement and more discussion than any NBA draft since Patrick Ewing came out of Georgetown. Why?
Because the Florida Gators — Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah and Al Horford — stayed in college and won back-to-back titles before jumping to the NBA. Because Greg Oden and Kevin Durant were forced to spend one year in college.
We're actually familiar with many of the players who will be in this year's draft. We've seen them play. We listened to Dick Vitale overhype them for five straight months. Durant and Olden will help drive TV ratings when they hit the league.
The NBA needs an age limit of 21 and/or a rule requiring three years of college participation.
The league and the players association also should work with the NCAA on doing something to eliminate AAU basketball. Our players are too raw and too difficult to coach because AAU basketball — and its undisciplined style of play — has become more important and influential than high school basketball.
I hate to keep using LeBron James as the example because I absolutely love his mental maturity and willingness to be coached, but he is an AAU player. AAU is the reason he doesn't have a jump shot. AAU is the reason he's so unskilled in the low post.
AAU is the reason Carmelo Anthony is one of the worst teammates you could have. Yes, he got lucky and won a national championship in college. Trust me, it was luck. His game isn't about winning. It's about putting up numbers. He can't see the floor and what his teammates are doing because that's not necessary in AAU ball.
Anyway, the NBA — players, owners and Stern — should think big picture when trying to fix what ails the league.
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Jun/17/br/br7813692045.html
Friday, June 15, 2007
Candlelight Vigil Held, Public Outcry Grows in Support of Genarlow Wilson’s Quick Release
By: Jackie Jones, BlackAmericaWeb.com
When it became apparent that a Georgia Superior Court judge’s order to release Genarlow Wilson, the Georgia teen who was imprisoned for consensual oral sex with a teenage girl, would be blocked by an appeal from the state attorney general’s office, the public outcry and swirl of activity has been nearly dizzying in its intensity.
Attorney B.J. Bernstein went to Douglas County, where Wilson was convicted, to try to get him released on bond during the appeal process. District Attorney David McDade, however, refused to consent to a bond, and a Superior Court judge in that county set the bond hearing for July 5.
CNN television host Lou Dobbs ran an informal poll on his show in which more than 90 percent of respondents said that Wilson should be released. Even the mother of the teen who Wilson was convicted of molesting called for his release, but then backed off a bit after a visit from prosecutors.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference denounced the action and held a prayer vigil Thursday evening on the steps of the state Capitol. Co-sponsors included the NAACP and the People's Agenda.
“This is a prayer vigil designed to appeal to the hard-hearted people who are keeping Genarlow Wilson in jail,” said state Sen. Vincent Fort, (D-Atlanta), who is among several prominent supporters who have rallied to Wilson’s case.
Noting that Georgia Superior Court Judge Thomas H. Wilson threw out Wilson’s felony conviction, calling it cruel and unusual punishment, Fort said that McDade and state Attorney General Thurbert Baker “need to back off, and let this young man go home to this family.”
“These two men ought to do the right thing and let this man out of jail,” Fort told BlackAmericaWeb.com
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Putting Energy Hogs in the Home on a Strict Low-Power Diet
By LARRY MAGID
Published: June 14, 2007
I THOUGHT I was pretty good about energy conservation, but it turns out that I’ve been a bit of a hypocrite. I drive a reasonably fuel-efficient car, I work at home so I don’t use fuel to commute and I am replacing incandescent bulbs in my home with energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs.
But I am also a prodigious computer user, and it looks as if that makes me an energy hog. I started checking how much electricity my electronics were consuming when I wasn’t using them. I used a Kill A Watt EZ energy meter (available online for about $25) and began measuring. My PC was continuously drawing 134 watts all night.
The more devices I checked, the worse it got. My TiVo digital video recorder was sucking down about 30 watts when it was not playing or recording a show. A Comcast digital cable set-top box made by Motorola that I tested was drawing about 40 watts. My DVD player was drawing 26 watts while idle, and my audio system — which I rarely turned off — was using 47 watts. This was in addition to the numerous power adapters and chargers, each drawing 1 or 2 watts, not to mention several other devices sipping energy to keep clocks running or to be ready to turn on at the push of a button.
I’m partly to blame for the audio system and DVD player. They do have on/off switches that I was failing to use. I had falsely assumed they were using relatively little power. But I tested DVR’s from Comcast, Dish Network and TiVo, and none went into a low-power mode. All of this wasted power was costing me money and pumping unnecessary CO2 into the atmosphere. My PC alone was contributing 2,000 pounds of CO2 annually. The DVR. was adding another 543 pounds.
Indeed, the Department of Energy estimates that in the average home, 40 percent of all electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Add that all up, and it equals the annual output of 17 power plants, the government says. In an effort to address that, a consortium of Intel, Google, PC makers and other technology companies this week announced their intent to increase the PC’s overall energy efficiency to 90 percent.
Products that idle in what the industry calls low-power mode, or lopomo, consumed about 10 percent of total electricity in California homes, according to a 2002 study prepared for the California Energy Commission by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. A few of those devices, even those with Energy Star ratings that signal that they are less wasteful, still use a lot of power. “Some of the larger big-screen TVs consume as much energy each year as a new refrigerator,” according to Noah Horowitz, a scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
You do not have to use an energy meter to reduce your consumption. If you don’t turn off your PC when it is not in use, make sure it goes into a low-power sleep, suspend or hibernate mode. That doesn’t always happen automatically. Windows XP has both a suspend and hibernate option, but it isn’t always turned on by default. Computers running the Windows XP operating system can be configured by clicking on Power Options in the Control Panel to set the number of minutes before Windows will turn off the monitor and hard disks or put the system into standby or hibernate mode. (Hibernation uses the least amount of energy). If it is a notebook PC, there are separate settings for when it runs on the battery and when it is plugged in.
Microsoft says that it has overhauled energy management in its Vista operating system so that machines, by default, should go into a low-power state after 60 minutes of inactivity. The PC sips only a few watts until the user touches the mouse or keyboard. To configure a machine with Vista, type “Power Options” in the search box at the bottom of the Start menu and click on “Change when the computer sleeps.”
All of this, of course, assumes that the systems are working correctly. When I first installed Vista on my PC, I configured it to go to sleep after 30 minutes, but it has been unreliable. Sometimes it fails to go to sleep, and at other times it fails to wake up. Sometimes I experience the worst of both worlds: the drives and fan are spinning, but the monitor is blank, and I cannot get the machine to come back to life without powering it down and turning it back on.
I spent numerous hours trying to fix the problem, including updating the BIOS, installing up-to-date versions of all my device drivers, checking to make sure there were no unnecessary applications running in the background and, of course, scanning for spyware and viruses. The results were encouraging. After all that fiddling, the machine went to sleep most nights and woke up most — but not all —mornings.
I then installed Co2 Saver (co2saver.snap.com), a free program for Windows XP and Vista that seems to have solved the problem. It gives you a simple control panel to specify when to turn off monitors and disk drives and put the machine to sleep. It also adjusts some hard-to-configure settings. One option forces the machine to “Initiate sleep mode if system doesn’t sleep automatically.” This feature, according to its developer, Lee Hasiuk, defeats Windows attempts to keep a machine awake if it thinks (correctly or otherwise) that it is detecting a background task other than mouse or keyboard activity. Now my machine sleeps and wakes properly almost all the time.
Whatever machine you’re using, consider having it go into sleep, standby or hibernate after about a half-hour of inactivity. The shorter the period, the more energy you save. Graphic-intense screen savers can actually waste power.
Unplug unused external power supplies because they can draw energy even when they’re not connected to a device.
If you’re shopping for a new PC, be sure that it meets Energy Star requirements, ideally the ones that go into effect July 20. The new standards require that 80 percent of the power consumed is actually used by the PC.
Use an L.C.D. screen instead of an old-fashioned cathode ray tube monitor. L.C.D.’s are as much as 66 percent more efficient than C.R.T.’s, according to the Energy Department.
Consider buying a notebook PC, rather than a less-efficient desktop. Because notebooks are designed to run on batteries, they’re equipped with chips and drives that draw less power. Seagate’s 160GB 2.5-inch drive uses one-fourth the energy of the equivalent 3.5-inch drive, according to a Seagate product manager, Joni Clark.
And because the screen is integrated on notebooks, there is only one power supply. I tested several notebooks, and all consumed under 30 watts except when charging the battery.
Consider a machine with a low-voltage processor like the Intel Core 2 Duo or one with A.M.D.’s “Cool and Quiet” technology. Trim desktop models also tend to use less energy. The new Hewlett-Packard Slimline models use about 45 watts, which is considerably lower than many larger PCs.
Comparing Apples to Apples, the $1,199 2-gigahertz iMac with a 17-inch monitor uses only 45 watts, and the 20-inch model uses 80 watts. (Apple’s high-end Mac Pro desktop workstation consumed a whopping 220 watts, without a monitor.) The iMac, according to Steven P. Jobs, Apple’s chief executive, is optimized for energy savings because all the computer components are housed in the same chassis as the monitor, allowing for more efficient power distribution and cooling.
Tweaking can pay off. Annually, my desktop PC is now using 73 percent less energy — saving me $119 a year and depriving the earth of 1,405 more pounds of CO2.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/14/technology/14basics.html?ex=1339473600&en=09f434f6386d0508&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Careful Thought To Our Ways
The motivational speakers of our day want us to set great goals for
our life: "Where do you want to be in two, five, or ten years? What
type of lifestyle do you want when you retire?" We are encouraged to
set goals slightly beyond our reach, and then instructed how to
create a plan to accomplish these goals. The implication is that a
more focused effort will yield superior results and lead to greater "success."
But before we can ask where we want to be in the next few years, we
must first ask a longer term question: "Where will I be in one
hundred years?" No other goal is worth pursuing until we have a
solid answer to this most basic (but all-important) question. What
difference does it make which college we attend, which job we take,
or what our home looks like if we have failed to address the issue of
where we will spend eternity!?
Proverbs 14:8
"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the
folly of fools is deception."
We must be wise with the days we are given and no longer be deceived
by the values of the world's system. There's nothing inherently
wrong with goals and plans; but far too often, they lead to a
self-determined lifestyle and away from the true Director of ALL
plans; "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines
his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Our planning must be as a direct
response to God's leading; and once in place, our plans must remain
in complete submission to His will; "I know, O Lord, that a man's
life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps" (Jeremiah
10:23). When our goal is to be in the center of His will, the
specifics of where we will be and what we will be doing are really
none of our business.
Every moment of our life is a precious gift from God. Even though
the average life span continues to increase, our time is extremely
short. An average life lasts about 45,000,000 minutes (much less in
many countries). This may seem like a lot, but by this time tomorrow
1440 minutes will be forever gone; "You are a mist that appears for a
little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).
We must not waste our limited time by chasing after things which
vanish; "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as
wise, making the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:15-16). We
must evaluate ALL our decisions and goals based on the overriding
desire to glorify God in all we do, to rejoice in His many blessings,
and to long for the time when we can worship before His throne for
all eternity. Any other set of values must fade to nothing in comparison.
Every day we are handed a block of time and given the freedom of how
it will be spent. This is a wonderful opportunity, but the clock
continues to tick! Let's honor our Heavenly Father with our goals
and plans and give careful thought to our ways.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
our life: "Where do you want to be in two, five, or ten years? What
type of lifestyle do you want when you retire?" We are encouraged to
set goals slightly beyond our reach, and then instructed how to
create a plan to accomplish these goals. The implication is that a
more focused effort will yield superior results and lead to greater "success."
But before we can ask where we want to be in the next few years, we
must first ask a longer term question: "Where will I be in one
hundred years?" No other goal is worth pursuing until we have a
solid answer to this most basic (but all-important) question. What
difference does it make which college we attend, which job we take,
or what our home looks like if we have failed to address the issue of
where we will spend eternity!?
Proverbs 14:8
"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the
folly of fools is deception."
We must be wise with the days we are given and no longer be deceived
by the values of the world's system. There's nothing inherently
wrong with goals and plans; but far too often, they lead to a
self-determined lifestyle and away from the true Director of ALL
plans; "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines
his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Our planning must be as a direct
response to God's leading; and once in place, our plans must remain
in complete submission to His will; "I know, O Lord, that a man's
life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps" (Jeremiah
10:23). When our goal is to be in the center of His will, the
specifics of where we will be and what we will be doing are really
none of our business.
Every moment of our life is a precious gift from God. Even though
the average life span continues to increase, our time is extremely
short. An average life lasts about 45,000,000 minutes (much less in
many countries). This may seem like a lot, but by this time tomorrow
1440 minutes will be forever gone; "You are a mist that appears for a
little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).
We must not waste our limited time by chasing after things which
vanish; "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as
wise, making the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:15-16). We
must evaluate ALL our decisions and goals based on the overriding
desire to glorify God in all we do, to rejoice in His many blessings,
and to long for the time when we can worship before His throne for
all eternity. Any other set of values must fade to nothing in comparison.
Every day we are handed a block of time and given the freedom of how
it will be spent. This is a wonderful opportunity, but the clock
continues to tick! Let's honor our Heavenly Father with our goals
and plans and give careful thought to our ways.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
God Makes It Grow
Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthian church to correct
several problems. The Corinthian's needed instruction in marriage,
Christian freedom, worship, and various issues which tended to cause
division. He rebuked the church for quarreling about whom they
followed: "You are still worldly... For when one says, 'I follow
Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not mere men?" (1
Corinthians 3:3,4).
Apollos was a good teacher, but Paul reminds us that all ministers of
the Gospel - all preachers, teachers, parents, and anyone else who
desires to share Biblical truths - are simply servants through whom
God accomplishes His work. We become worldly and fail to live
according to the Spirit of God any time we become followers of a
specific minister or feel responsible for someone's growth and maturity.
1 Corinthians 3:5-6
"What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants,
through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each
his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."
We must always remain exclusive followers of Jesus Christ! Though He
may use many others to assist in the process, God must receive ALL
the credit and glory for our growth. In the same manner, God uses
each of us to ASSIST in the growth of others. We can teach truth
with our words and demonstrate truth with our lives, but we can never
cause someone to accept the truth or even grow to a deeper understanding.
We are instructed to plant the seed of His Word and water with
discipleship, prayer, and encouragement at every opportunity; "We are
therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal
through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20).
As we plant and water, it's normal to want to see some growth. We
may desire to see blossoms overnight, but God is growing a mighty
shade tree with deep roots and wide branches that will not break in
the wind - and this kind of growth takes time. We may NEVER see the
eternal results of our effort, but we must patiently continue to
plant and water, and trust God to accomplish His work; "{My Word}
will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and
achieve the purpose for which I have sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).
Each of us knows someone who needs to know our Heavenly Father in a
more personal way. There are great ministry opportunities placed in
our path every day. Let's obediently follow by being well nourished
and casting forth the seed and water of His Word without becoming
discouraged. Let's remember we are the servants through whom He
works, but let's ALWAYS remember that God makes it grow!
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
several problems. The Corinthian's needed instruction in marriage,
Christian freedom, worship, and various issues which tended to cause
division. He rebuked the church for quarreling about whom they
followed: "You are still worldly... For when one says, 'I follow
Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not mere men?" (1
Corinthians 3:3,4).
Apollos was a good teacher, but Paul reminds us that all ministers of
the Gospel - all preachers, teachers, parents, and anyone else who
desires to share Biblical truths - are simply servants through whom
God accomplishes His work. We become worldly and fail to live
according to the Spirit of God any time we become followers of a
specific minister or feel responsible for someone's growth and maturity.
1 Corinthians 3:5-6
"What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants,
through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each
his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."
We must always remain exclusive followers of Jesus Christ! Though He
may use many others to assist in the process, God must receive ALL
the credit and glory for our growth. In the same manner, God uses
each of us to ASSIST in the growth of others. We can teach truth
with our words and demonstrate truth with our lives, but we can never
cause someone to accept the truth or even grow to a deeper understanding.
We are instructed to plant the seed of His Word and water with
discipleship, prayer, and encouragement at every opportunity; "We are
therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal
through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20).
As we plant and water, it's normal to want to see some growth. We
may desire to see blossoms overnight, but God is growing a mighty
shade tree with deep roots and wide branches that will not break in
the wind - and this kind of growth takes time. We may NEVER see the
eternal results of our effort, but we must patiently continue to
plant and water, and trust God to accomplish His work; "{My Word}
will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and
achieve the purpose for which I have sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).
Each of us knows someone who needs to know our Heavenly Father in a
more personal way. There are great ministry opportunities placed in
our path every day. Let's obediently follow by being well nourished
and casting forth the seed and water of His Word without becoming
discouraged. Let's remember we are the servants through whom He
works, but let's ALWAYS remember that God makes it grow!
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
Feedback and Prayer: http://gdwmboard.org/6/ubb.x
Send Invitation: http://www.gdwm.org/invite.htm
Verses and Psalms: http://www.gdwm.org/verses
Spanish Devotions: http://www.gdwm.org/spanish
Mail from GDWM is only sent to those who subscribe (free of cost) or
by invitation from friends. Please unsubscribe if these messages are
no longer desired. We absolutely do not support unsolicited E-mail.
Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655
*****************************************************
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
