Maxwell Dado

I read Torrey Meeks’ article about science trumping religion, and I couldn’t help but wonder what might spawn such righteous indignation.Her article, Science Trumps Religion; Here’s Why It’s Dog Days for God, is essentially a diatribe about how people of all religions don’t have any ground to stand on. She professes over and over the science wins out in the apparent battle between science and God, and she seems to specifically talk about Christianity, though she also mentions other religions such as Islam, Judaism and Hinduism.

I do not consider myself a Christian because I don’t go to church and because I’ve never bought certain things that Christians believe. However, I would never be so arrogant as to say, without equivocation, that God does not exist, especially when the alternative is a science that is wholly underdeveloped. I would also never be so brazen as to ridicule anyone for having faith, as I find it both brave and humbling to know that so many human beings have reverence for something they cannot prove to exist.

In Meeks’ second paragraph, she states that, “From a purely scientific standpoint you can’t disprove the existence of god.” She pays with semantics by talking about how true atheists cannot exist, but that someone who does not believe in God is simply a very devout agnostic. She leads off her next sentence by saying, “Mostly because he doesn’t exist…” Apparently, Torrey Meeks is so omniscient that she can say — without any thought to the possibility she might be wrong — that God does not exist.

She also claims that science is the agnostics’ turf, something that couldn’t possibly be proved, and is actually probably wrong. I’ve known many scientifically-minded individuals who are devout believers in God, as well. They accept what science proves to the world, but not without a reverence and respect for a higher power. That is something that I can understand, as believing that humans are the highest power in the universe is not only ignorant, but arrogant as well.

Let’s also not confuse the terms “faith” and “religion”. Meeks goes on to discuss the ideology that believes in holy texts as absolute truth. I don’t know a single person in this world who upholds all values and ideas expressed in their chosen holy text, just like I don’t know a single scientist who accepts all theories put forth throughout the ages. There has to be a common ground. While I have absolute faith in a Godlike power that watches over humanity, I don’t believe that everything said in the Bible is fact; in fact, I’d venture to say that much of it is personal accounts told by men just like you and me, men who were not necessarily influenced by God or Jesus or anyone else.

You see, Torrey Meeks, faith is not about religious relics or holy texts; it’s about the belief that something more exists in this world. Everyone has witnessed something that they cannot explain; whether that has to do with some cosmic force that intervenes in our lives, I don’t know. However, I’m not so arrogant as to discount the possibility.

Meeks also says that, “There is not room for two sources of ultimate truth in the Universe. One is ultimate, the other is irrelevant.” Truth…with a capital “T”. Can truth really even exist? Science is just as much a religion as Christianity and Buddhism, and much of science has been created by man, just like religious ceremonies and traditions. For example, when you wake up in the morning, you believe with absolute certainty that an inch will still be an inch and a mile will still be 5,280 feet. You believe that the gauge on your thermometer is reading the correct temperature and you assume that the gravitational force holding us onto this plane will continue to do its job.

Further, truth is largely defined by human perception. For example, let’s talk about the five senses, which are each scientific “discoveries”. How something tastes, smells, feels, looks or sounds will be the same no matter who is making the observation, but the comments made by individual people will be different because of human perception. The same goes for a conversation that you have with your friend. What actually happens is the truth, but how you each relate the conversation later might be largely different. Again: human perception.

So what’s the point? The point is that science is largely a leap of faith in and of itself. We continue to believe it because it doesn’t change, though things certainly have changed over the years. And let’s not forget that much of what science puts forth in medical journals and hardcover books is based entirely on scientific theory rather than actual, proven fact.

This leads me to my next point, which is when Torrey Meeks says, “Saying, ‘I know he exists because I can feel him in my heart,’ is not good science, and by saying we can’t disprove the existence of god you’ve brought the argument onto scientific ground. So sorry. You lose.” This disturbs me on many levels. First, are you telling me that you do nothing and feel nothing unless it can be scientifically measured and quantified? Do you love your parents? Your children? Your friends? Do you get angry when someone lies to you? Anger, love, jealousy, hatred…none of these things can be measured or quantified, and yet we know they exist because we feel their effects.

In Meeks’ next list of contentions, there are a few things with which I can wholeheartedly agree. First, I think that it’s wonderful children are starting to challenge the things that their parents and society teaches them. I’m all for free thought and individual thinkers; I don’t believe in “indoctrinating” anything into our children. However, I do believe that it is the job of parents to instill moral, ethical and spiritual values in their children. You can’t learn those things from a cold, impersonal computer screen any more than you can learn faith from a holy text. It isn’t all about knowledge; it’s also about those things that make us human: compassion, empathy, pain, sympathy and understanding.

Next, Meeks goes on to make this contention: “Let’s take a look at the profile of the typical homeschooling parent in America. They’re usually religious fundamentalists who believe that an education with a science curriculum stating the viability of evolution will pollute their child’s brain.”

Let’s talk about fact and truth for just one minute; can I see your list of sources here? I did some of my own research, and I discovered that your contentions are not true at all. First “In every subject and at every grade level of the ITBS and TAP batteries, homeschool students scored significantly higher than their counterparts in public and private schools.” (Rudner study). Secondly, according to the National Institute for Education Statistics, 48.9% of parents homeschool their children because they believe they can impart a better education at home, not for religious reasons (nces.ed.gov).

Perhaps Meeks should have actually studied the scientific “facts” for which she is such an advocate before making her claims.

And finally, I want to comment on the venom with which Meeks outlines her position on God and science. I don’t have anything against science, as I’m sure is true of the majority of “religious bulldogs”; however, I do take issue with anyone who feels the need to insult, undermine and berate the beliefs of others.

It isn’t your place, Torrey Meeks, to tell people what does and does not exist, because you yourself do not know. You can’t.

According to MSNBC, “Nearly 70 percent of students attending four-year schools pay less than $8,000 for tuition and fees, according to the College Board, a not-for-profit membership association that is composed of more than 4,700 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations.” Needless to say, for many students, financial aid is the only chance they have of going to college. For others it means the difference between being able to concentrate on studies and working part to full time while attending college. 

While I found it character building to go to college while working two or more jobs, I would not recommend it for the average student. Many who take that route do not make it. 

Here are some resources you can use to get financial aid for college: 

You are eligible for financial aid if 

• You qualify for financial need (in most cases).
• You have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, pass a test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, and meet other standards your state establishes that the Department approves, or complete a high school education in a home school setting that is treated as such under state law.
• You are working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
• You are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• You have a valid Social Security Number (with a few exceptions).
• You register with the Selective Service if required.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school.
• You certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant.
• You certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes. 

To determine if you qualify for financial need for your student loan, use the calculator at http://www.finaid.org/ 

You can get the application for Federal Student Aid at (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov). 

You can get help completing the FAFSA at http://studentaid.ed.gov where instruction and phone numbers are provided. 

You can get more answers for your student aid related questions at the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FEDAID (1-800-433-3243) or TTY: 1-800-730-8913 or 1-319-337-5665. You can call between hours are 8 am to 12 midnight (Eastern Time) 7 days a week. 

* Note: If you know what college you will be attending, get and stay in touch with the financial aid office at the college you are attending as they may require have additional as a part of the financial aid application process. Many schools have additional resources for financial aid as well. Get to know your financial aid officer, and they will keep you informed of any new information you may need.

In any industry or profession, knowing the tools of the trade has always been an advantage to staying ahead of your competition. Whether it be a professional athlete, building contractor or marketing genius, knowing what information is required to make you a success is crucial to achieving your goals. In training and education our “tools of the trade” cover a wide range of products. These tools include such items as an electronic survey, a Learning Management System, a behavioral test, courseware development tools, Web based training options and much more. While each of these tools serves a specific purpose, the knowledge required to be adept at each is very broad. However, there is one tool that can be utilized in all of these areas and is consistent throughout. That tool is a Mind Map.

Mind Mapping has been in existence much longer than online training tools and sophisticated testing programs ever existed. It was originally created back in the 3rd century and has resurrected in the last 40 years. A Mind Map incorporates thinking using both sides of the brain and has the capability to exist in any learning environment using crayons or colored pencils. The secret to unleashing a powerful Mind Map is interesting and fun, and just like any other master craftsmen’s tool does require knowledge and practice.

Often referred to as “a visual roadmap” or “the ultimate visual organizational tool”, a Mind Map incorporates the use of color and a free flowing thought process that starts in the center of a page and moves outward in a radial fashion. Mind Maps are not restricted to creative thinkers, however they can create thinking that you never thought existed. The way to incorporate the use of a Mind Map is different for everyone, however once you see the benefits it can bring, you will understand the endless potential it offers. Let me briefly explain some ways to incorporate a mind Map into your learning organization.

Creating a Learning Organization – While the criteria for successfully creating and implementing a Learning Organization within a company will vary based on size, the one component that is required and consistent, regardless of size, is a vision. Without a vision in anything in life, success will come hard served or simply not ever arrive. Having a vision to implement a learning culture starts at the top and cascades out to each associate. Companies that lack a vision in this area create a culture that is void of growth and limits potentials within their team.

Presentations – If you rely on a PowerPoint as your crutch in your presentation it is likely to let that shine through to your audience. If you are presenting a topic for the first time you know that it can be challenging due to lack of confidence or lack of knowledge or both. Using a Mind Map to prepare for a training deliverable or a customer presentation allows you to remember the key talking points of your presentation and not rely on your crutch to get you through. Incorporating the effective use of imagination and association allows you to be better prepared thus creating a more relaxed and confident delivery.

Retention – Whether we are providing a training seminar or attending one, the ability to remember what was covered is extremely important. If you are one who likes to scribe every detail from a seminar or takes as limited information as possible, incorporating a Mind Map as our note making system is a highly effective way to retain the information into our short term and long term memory. If you have ever walked away from a training session and said “I will remember that for sure tomorrow or next week or next month” but never review the information, the likelihood for retention is limited. Using a mind Map as a retention tool is fun since you can view the information at a glance and commit the information to long term storage.

Greg Liberto has over 15 years experience in the training and development industry and provides training in the areas of Mind Mapping, social networking, personal branding, time management and more. Greg is the Managing Partner of Web Learners which provides a live online training solution in these areas. If you would like to learn how to implement Mind Mapping into your learning organization.

contact Greg at gliberto@weblearners.com or call 716.961.1177. Greg Liberto is the Managing Partner of Web Learners – http://weblearners.com/ – and has been in the training and development industry since 1995. His training areas of expertise include social networking, creativity, personal branding, customer service, Mind Mapping and more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Liberto

ABSTRACT

The importance of parental involvement as an accelerating and motivating factor in their children’s education is a worldwide-accepted fact. This research project provides an in depth explanation along with specific reasons, the importance of parents’ involvement in their children’s education. It also discusses the parenting techniques, their types and their consequences if neglected. It also describes the ways to measure the outcome of the positive parental involvement. Furthermore, it mentions the teachers involvement and the difficulties faced by the teachers in getting parents involved in their children’s (this is further supported by the examples of two teachers who with their deliberate efforts won the parents over to devote their maximum attention towards their children), single-parent involvement, children’s own efforts to improve their academic levels and joint home-school based interventions. A detailed analysis of the different main ideas is given, based on the findings from other research surveys and projects.

INTRODUCTION:

Parental involvement can be seen to fall into three types: 1) Behavioral, 2) Intellectual and 3) Personal. The research explores the effect of multi-dimensional participation of parents and the resulting progress of children in their studies when different parental resources were dedicated to them. Actively participating parents help their children in their academic development by going to schools and participating in open houses. By keenly observing the behavior of their children they can rightly judge the kind of behavior or the allocation of resources required by their children. Such caring parents can also motivate teachers to become more attentive towards a particular student, thus maintaining the cycle of parent-teacher involvement. Encourage Building up cognitive and perception abilities in a child is a major concern in the upbringing of the child. The way the parents involve their children in cognitive learning is by exposing them to different cognitively stimulating activities and materials such as books, electronic media and current events at home. This helps the child to practice all sorts of language comprehending skills at the school. The results show a remarkably positive behavior at the school and with peers.

Two parenting processes namely the Supportive Parenting (SP) and Harsh Parenting (HP) helped a lot in the research of parental involvement in their children’s education. By adjusting the levels of supportive parenting, different levels of successful outcomes were observed. Supportive parenting in even kindergarten students yielded positive results. Four measures of supportive parenting were used in the study, they were:

1. Proactive teaching.

2. Calm discussion in disciplinary encounters.

3. Warmth.

4. Interest and involvement in peer activities.

The assessments were conducted when children entered kindergarten and when they reached grade 6. There was a factor noted to hinder children’s development: family adversity. It was the result of a multipurpose negative process that included the risk of low socio-economic status, single-parenting and family stress. Child maladjustments were found to be more common in families with such adversities. No matter how much negative impacts were cast, SP was found to overcome the risks associated with family adversity. SP was strongly related to adjustment procedures in grade 6 children who had single parent family or experienced low socio-economic status (SES) in their early childhood.

In a way to socialize their children, parents adopted the techniques of calm discussion and proactive teaching. They helped lessen the behavioral problems by carrying long discussions with their children, cultivating in them a sense of respect, calmness and peace of mind. Mothers also participated actively in reducing the peer stress among their children. It is also a widely accepted fact that supportive parenting plays an important role in the children’s development of empathy, prosocial behavior and emotional competence. On the negative side, the absence of supportive parenting may be related to the development of internal problems such as anxiety and depression.

Lack of the necessary parental care and attention is the main factor for the subsequent rise in the percentage of juvenile delinquency (crime among children). The absence of parental instructions causes children to develop irreversible behavioral and emotional problems. They in order to seek attention, resort to crimes thinking that in this way they could fulfill their wishes. They may revert to uncontrolled violence if not kept an eye upon. Such criminal activities cannot be brought to a halt until their distressing symptoms of low self-esteem, depression, dysphonic mood, tension and worries, and other disturbances are relieved. And the importance of parents’ role in this regard cannot be over-emphasized.

In an effort to describe parental involvement, many researchers use a term “Transition”(Lombardi, Joan). “Transition” is used to describe the time period in which children move from home to school, from school to after school activities, from one activity to another within a pre-school, or from pre-school to kindergarten. The untiring endeavors of teachers in the phenomenon of transition cannot be ignored. They prepared the children and their parents to face the problems of adjusting to elementary school programs that had different psychology, teaching styles and structure than the programs offered at the kindergarten level. In the elementary level schools the teachers had to face serious challenges in motivating the parents to take interest in their children’s activities. The teachers adopted different methods to involve the parents in day-to-day classroom and home activities. They used to send notes, invitation of parent-teacher meetings, invitation of parental guidance sessions and training sessions, continuously directing the parent’s attention towards their children. Patricia Brown Clark suggests that it is very important to keep the line of communication between teachers and parents open, so that the parents can interact with the teachers and get up to date information of their children’s school activities. One way to involve parents is to schedule school events and arranging classroom activities such as volunteering for libraries, acting as classroom aides or efficiently organizing lunch breaks. The teachers also opt for making phone calls at the children’s houses to keep in touch with the parents and getting to know the extent to which they are contributing towards the welfare of their children. Apart from the above activities, the teachers also assign home activities for both the parents and their children so that the parents remain indulged in their children and the children get to study at home. However, it was a bad and disappointing experience for the teachers when many of the parents failed to respond as expected. Many of the parents were so overwhelmed with their official work that they could hardly take out some time for their beloved children.

Moreover, for some parents their schoolings were not positive and character-boosting experiences, therefore they preferred to keep a distance from their children’s school as well. This made it really difficult and at times impossible for teachers to bring the parental involvement to the desired level. Nevertheless, the activities of two teachers proved greatly fruitful in making parents involved in their children. They were Carlos Valdez, an art teacher and 8th grade class sponsor, and Mike Hogan, the school’s band director. They did it by involving parents in music festivals and other school ceremonies. They proved to be great examples for the future teachers to come.

If the children’s academic development programs are to prove successful they must share two characteristics:

1) Developmentally appropriate practice:

A child’s academic progress is clearly reflected by the appropriate practice he/she administers while in school life. During transitions from pre-school to kindergarten, a child if given the exact developmentally appropriate practice tends to learn a great deal of language and playing skills. He develops a keen interest in exploring his environments and interacting (without hesitation) with his adults.

2) Supportive services:

These include the assistance that the school provides to low-income family students. The services include health care, childcare and community care. This strengthens the relation between school and children and creates a sense of security and confidence among the children. They get to learn that their communities are a part of their school since the school’s supportive services strive to help community development.

It is commonly believed that children are good self-teachers. Their self-initiated strategies help improve their expression, creativity, intellectual capabilities and extra-curricular skills. This idea is proved by the documentation of young children’s work provided by Reggio Emilia :

“The Reggio Emilia educators highlight young children’s amazing capabilities and indicate that it is through the unity of thinking and feeling that young children can explore their world, represent their ideas, and communicate with others at their highest level.”(Edwards, Pope. C, Springate, Wright.K)

The climax rests in the fact that how the parents would know that their sincere involvements are really proving worthwhile for their children. The answer lies in the attitude of the children. The degree of parental involvement can be judged by a child’s attitude towards his school subjects, his academic desires and achievements. There is a direct relationship between academic achievements and the attitude towards school. Schunk in 1981 had the following idea of aspiration or academic desires:

“Level of aspiration is defined as one’s subjective probability that he or she will reach a certain level of education.”(Abu, H. & Maher, M)

As a result children who received adequate parental concern were found to be much more confident in their academic desires and achievements than those who could not get the right amount of parental concern.

The individual involvement of mothers and fathers also plays a vital role in the behavioral development of a child. Students from one-parent household were observed to show less positive attitude towards schools and studies as compared to students from two-parent households. One study aimed at investigating parental concern showed that despite mothers’ sincere endeavors, the role of fathers could not be ignored and both served as an important foundation for the future progress of the child. This can be proved from the following fact:

According to a recent report from the National Center for Educational Statistics (1997), compared to their counterparts, children with involved fathers are more likely to have participated in educational activities with their parents (e.g., to have visited a museum or a historical site with their parents in the past month), and are more likely to have access to multiple types of resources at home as well (as measured by the proportion of parents who belong to community or professional organizations, or regularly volunteer in the community). (Flouri, E. And Buchanan, A, Pg.142)

Also, the parental involvement has been discussed and implemented in terms of interventions or prevention programs, which are nothing but safety measures taken to assure healthy and perfect upbringing of the child. The study uses school-based and home-only intervention programs to find out the extent of intellectual capabilities found in children from different family backgrounds. The success of one school-based interventions can be proved from the following fact, which was a part of “Education Service Improvement Plan 2001-2005” of Edinburgh:

—-The Scottish Executive Discipline Task Force, which studied the causes of poor behavior among pupils in schools produced a report of ‘Better Behavior – Better Learning’ in June 2001. The report included 36 recommendations for action, which were then turned into an Action Plan in 2002. Many of these have implications for the Education Authority. (Craig Millar Instep Project)

References

Abu, H. & Maher, M. (2000). A structural model of attitudes towards school subjects, academic aspiration and achievement. Educational Psychology, 20, 75-84.

Angoff, W.H. (1988). The nature-nurture debate, aptitudes and group differences. American Psychologist, 43, 713-720

Berger, D. (2003). The Developing Person, Worth Publishers

Brown, P. C. (1989). Involving Parents in the Education of Their Children. ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education Urbana IL.

“Craig Millar Instep Project” Local_Organisations/local_Craigmillar_Instep_Project.html&

http://www.inspire.edin.org/pages/paperA.htm – context

DeKlyen, M., Speltz, M.L., & Greenberg, M.T. (1998).

Fathering and early onset conduct problems: Positive and negative parenting, father-son attachment, and the marital context. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 1, 3-21.

Edwards, Carolyn Pope; Springate, Kay Wright (1995), Encouraging Creativity in Early Childhood Classrooms, Eric Digest.

Flouri, E. & Buchanan, A. (2004). Early father’s and mothers involvement and child’s later educational outcomes. Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of Oxford, UK, British Journal of Educational Psychology 74, 141-153

Fortier, M.S., Vallerand, R.J., & Guay, F. (1995). Academic motivation and school performance: Toward a structural model. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 20, 257-274.

Ganzach, Y. (2000). Parents’ education, cognitive ability, educational expectations and educational attainment: Interactive effects. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 70, 419-441.

Georgiou, S. (1999). Parental attributions as predictors of involvement and influences on child achievement. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 69, 409-429.

Grolnick, W.S., & Slowiaczek, M.L. (1994). Parents’ involvement in children’s schooling: A multidimensional conceptualization and motivational model. Child Development, 65, 237-252.

Halsey, P. (2004). Nurturing the Parent Involvement, Two middle Level Teachers Share their Secrets. Assistant Professor in the College of Education at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Vol 77, No. 4, pages 135-137 WN: 04062038590002

Lombardi, Joan (1992), Beyond Transition: Ensuring Continuity in Early Childhood Services, Eric Digest.

Masse, L.C., & Tremblay, R.E. (1999). Kindergarten disruptive behavior, family adversity, gender and elementary school failure. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 23, 225-240.

Mulkey, L.M., Crain, R.L, & Harrington, A.J.C. (1992). One parent households and achievement: Economic and behavioral explanations of a small effect. Sociology & Education, 65, 48-65.

Pamela A. Halsey (2004) Nurturing the Parent Involvement, Two middle Level Teachers Share their Secrets. Assistant Professor in the College of Education at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Vol 77, No. 4, pages 135-137 WN: 04062038590002.

Pettit, G.S., Bates, J.E., & Dodge, K.A. (1997). Supportive parenting ecological context and children’s adjustment: A seven year longitudinal study. Child Development, 68, 908-923.

Ramey, C.T., Campbell, F.A, & Ramey, S.L, (1999). Early intervention: Successful pathways to improving intellectual development. Developmental Neuropsychology, 16, 385-392.

Shepard, J. & Carlson, J.S. (2003).

An Empirical Evaluation of School-Based Prevention Programs that Involve Parents. Oklahoma State University and, Michigan State University, copyright, Wiley Periodicals, Psychology in the Schools, Vol. 40 (6), pages 641-656

Updegraff, K.A., McHale, S.M., Crouter, A.C. (1996). Gender roles in marriage: What do they mean for girls’ and boys’ school achievement? Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 25, 73-88.

Yongman, M.W., Kindlon, D., & Earls, F. (1995). Father involvement and cognitive/behavioral outcomes of preterm infants. Journal of American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 58-66.

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3640995 – Jacob D The Father in heaven first introduced his Son to the earth with God-sized Birthday Gifts. He sent angel Gabriel to tell Mary the name of her coming Son and that his Father would be in heaven. A moving star guided wise men to the child, an angel chorus sang a birth announcement to shepherds and dream after dream to Joseph protected the one and only begotten Son of God. What an INTRODUCTION!

The Bible has much more information about this Jesus. Let us ORBIT AROUND HIM again and again and acquaint ourselves with this commanding figure.

Orbit 1 = The Conclusion of One of the Inner Circle of Jesus. After Peter had followed Jesus two years, he said, “YOU are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” Matt 16:16-17. Peter did not make this statement without investigation. He had seen and heard Jesus do many miracles and fulfill prophecies. But Jesus taught him that he was enabled to believe by the Father in heaven for “No one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws him.” John 6:44. So a partnership with God involves God AND you at the beginning of your relationship and as long as it continues. What a PRIVILEGE! To partner with the Almighty. ?Do you wish to partner with God: Father, Son & Holy Spirit?______________

Orbit 2 = The Pain of Being Close to the LIGHT of the WORLD. Why did Peter beg Jesus to leave him? Jesus was not angry with him but had just given him such a huge catch of fish that he and his companions were astonished. This big WOW caused Peter to be aware that he was a sinful man and this made a big OUCH in his soul. But Jesus did not leave. Instead he predicted, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” Lk 5:10. ? = Will you admit that your sin has humbled you?_______________

Orbit 3 = Jesus’ full glory paralyzed people. When Jesus walked on the water, Peter and others thought it was a ghost and cried out…Mk 6:49. When the inner circle, Peter, James and John, saw Jesus glow with bright, bright light “they were exceedingly afraid.” Mk 9:6 The people of Israel had begged God to come in a person like Moses: “Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, or see this great fire any more, lest I die.” Deut 18:16 So God left monotheism because the people asked him to change. So he sent Jesus veiled in human flesh but the glory of God still burst forth some times. Hallelujah! ? Has Jesus withheld his glory from you? Did he ever frighten you?_________ ? He wants to commune with you? Have you opened your door to him?______

Orbit 4 = John the Baptist preached, “Behold the LAMB OF GOD.” Jn 1:29. The fig leaves of Adam and Eve were not sufficient to cover the sin of thinking more of self than of God, so God covered them with skins. He knew that hundreds of years hence, humans would shed his own Son’s blood. That’s how sin would harden hearts. All the lambs that men offered down through the ages would point to this ultimate sacrifice of the LAMB OF GOD who takes away the sin of the world. If you feel the need to offer a blood sacrifice today, you slap God in the face. He has provided a once-for-all solution. Jesus has now become the RANSOM for many. Mk 10:45. What a great God. He is Creator and then he stoops to help us again as our REDEEMER. What an eternal gift! ? = Did Jesus have to die to show us how to obey the Father? Jn 14:31

Did Jesus die to show us how much he loved us? Jn 3:16

Do Jesus’ nail-pierced hands help God forgive us today?________________

Orbit 5 = Jesus proved his power to FORGIVE SINS.

Jesus spoke “Your sins are forgiven.” When some came for healing of body, he would first forgive his sins. Some thought he blasphemed, so one day he asked: “Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—-he said to the paralytic—-”I say to you, rise, take up the pallet and go home.” And HE ROSE! Mk 2:9-12. Jesus himself paid the PENALTY of sin by dying on the cross. The victory of obedience to God enables us to stop the PRACTICE of sin as we obey Jesus. And some day, heaven will bar the PRESENCE of sin. Oh, what perfect peace! ? = Do you know of any other world leader who has proved the power to forgive

sins?_______________

Orbit 6 = Jesus said He is I AM and accepted worship.

The high priest asked Jesus, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Mk 14:62 Also in John 8:58, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” You must choose: Either Jesus is God or a liar. Jesus left a trail of signs and wonders and people worshiped him and he never rebuked them for it. After Jesus healed a blind man, he worshiped Jesus. After Jesus walked on the water, the disciples worshiped him. When the disciples saw the risen Jesus, they worshiped him. This was not so when men wanted to worship Peter. He said, “Stand up, I too am a man.” Acts 10:26. When John wanted to worship an angel, he said,”Do it not. Worship God.” Rev 22:9. ? = Do you love Jesus?_____________________________________ ? = Is Jesus worthy of your worship?___________________________ ? = Is Jesus GOD?________________________________________

Orbit 7 = Hear the Voice from Heaven Bless Jesus. Mk 1:11. When Jesus was baptized, he heard, “This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” And when Jesus was transfigured in front of Peter, James and John, they heard, “This is my Beloved Son; listen to him.” Mk 9:1-8. ? = Will you follow Mary’s words also: “Do whatever HE tells you.” Jn 2:5. ? = Did you know that Jesus is very very sad because so few believe the words

he spoke to us? In a Vision, he told this to some boys in China in the 1900′s.

VISIONS BEYOND THE VEIL by H.A.Baker

ISBN 0-88368-019-X. 1973.

Orbit 8 = Jesus is Feared and Obeyed by Unclean Spirits. An Unclean spirit cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” Mk 1:24-27. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and sent him out of the man. And Jesus was obeyed! Jesus did not wish this spirit to witness about him because he knew his chief, the Devil, is a liar. Being friends with foes will ruin the Kingdom of God. Jesus will not destroy evil spirits but will finally send them to hell, the jail God has prepared for the Devil and his angels. Matt 25:41. ? = Do you value the protection from evil forces?_______________________ ? = Satan lies to his followers that no one is stronger than he is. But one day

some Satanists went to kill some believers and were knocked flat on the

ground by angels of God. Then one of God’s angels spoke: “Why do you serve Satan. He wants to destroy you. Give your life to Jesus. He died for you.” She did finally, but found it hard to give up power that Satan gave her over others. She came to Christ while she was continually going to the hospital–40 times. The Devil nearly did destroy her. So why will Satan be released again after the thousand year reign? How else will believers show their firm trust in God if they never are tested?

Orbit 9 = See Jesus as the King of the Unshakeable Kingdom of God. Heb 12:28. Because Jesus is on King David’s throne [Lk 1:32] some preachers teach that Jesus’ kingdom has physical boundaries also. But again and again, Jesus taught that his kingdom was not of this world. [Jn 18:36] He showed its concern with the spirit world by casting out demons, The territory of the inner person is what Jesus claimed. He cast out demons not Roman soldiers. After all, he created us and does not wish for foreign domination. Sometimes it appears that the Righteous are losing. Jesus had 144,000 angels at his command but did not call them to stop his unjust cross. He endured his cross because the Divine Plan was set out and he followed the Father’s will. The OUCH of the cross was accepted because of the hope of the WOW of the Resurrecton and Ascension to Glory. Our one-quart minds can hardly accept such ten-gallon experiences, but we have the choice of which king to follow. Jesus revealed to John that “the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Rev 11:15. But until the final Judgment Day, Jesus must use physical words to describe spirit-world realities. He said he was the Door and the disciples thought my house door; He said Water and they thought the thirst of my flesh; He said “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees ” and they thought bread for the stomach. Mk 8:15-21. So as teachers of this Kingdom, we must study Jesus stories and realize that even he could not win all hard hearts. Jesus knows we need help and he gives it. ? = Are you a member of the universal Body of Christ?__________________ ? = Who is your King of kings?_____________________________________

Orbit 10 = Jesus said, “You MUST be born again, fathered by the Holy Spirit.” This the help that Jesus sends. His commands so demanding—-You MUST forgive; You MUST be perfect in love which means loving even your enemies; Go as sheep among wolves; Rejoice always; Endure to the end….—– that they can not be accomplished unless we become new creations in Christ Jesus. So how does this happen? In hundreds of different mysterious ways. Ask God for what you really want. Read John 3 and discuss it with someone and pray for wisdom. Watch your life for new loves and habits being born. Look for Holy Spirit fruit in your experiences. Galatians 5:18-26. Please invite Jesus to master your will today. Too many people come to the very end of their human resources—-like Gert Behanna, they do suicide after three failed marriages—-before they are willing to allow Jesus to direct their lives. But even then, Jesus raised her from her death bed and she gave a powerful testimony in her book, THE LATE LIZ. ? = Would three people who know you well, say that you are born again?______

Orbit 11 = Jesus Commands Us like a King Does. Jesus says, “You are my friends, if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.” Jn 15:14. These are not mere suggestions. DO the Great Commandment = Love God with all…Mk 12:29-31. Do the Great Commission = Make Disciples…Matt 28:19, 20. Repent and believe the Gospel; Inherit the earth; Bind and Loose; Take up your cross daily; Be salt and light; Fear not those who can kill only your body, but fear him who can destroy your body and soul in hell; Remember my broken body;Be not troubled; Endure to the end; Follow me! ? = Do you receive these commands gratefully as guidance towards LIFE?_____

Orbit 12 = Notice the Creativity in Various Healings. Jesus healed blind men in many different ways. He healed two blind men when they declared their faith in his ability to heal them. Then he touched their eyes. The next time he healed, no actions are recorded. The third time he spit on their eyes and put his hands on him — twice. The fourth healing, Jesus spit on the ground and made some mud with saliva and put it on the man’s eyes, and said, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam.” The fifth time he healed blind Bartimaeus by speech only: “Go, your faith has healed you.” Can you see these six men starting new churches? One calls his the Church of the Touch; Another is The Spitters; Another emphasizes water = The Church of Pools; And Bartimaeus begins The Church of the Word.

May we never dictate to each other HOW the Holy Spirit must enter our lives. God moves in mysterious ways to confirm his presence in persons. He will not be boxed and delivered to everyone the same way. All kinds of Christians have had all kinds of experiences in baptism, dreams and visions, voices in the room or car or the gift of a new language. Jesus once said what I think fits here: “What is that to you? You follow me!” Jn 21:22. ? = Do you have assurance that you are a Child of God? Jn 1:12._________ ? = Have you demanded that God must work a certain way in your life?____

Orbit 13 = Will the Hubble Telescope Hobble Our Speedy Jesus? Some scientist are teaching that billions of years were necessary to create our universe. When Jesus cleansed the leper, or calmed the wind and the sea or raised a dead 12-year-old girl, he did it IMMEDIATELY. John 1:3 teaches that Jesus created everything. And the Ten Commandments state he did it in six days. In this literal law literature, the length of day is defined by our sabbath day. Ex 20:11. How did Moses know such a fact? Ex 34:28 states that the Lord showed Moses many things during forty days and forty nights. Does the scientist you are following have the miracles behind him to match Moses? Will you treasure the revelations of God? One scientist has written to this effect: “When science has scaled the last frontier and pulls itself up over the final craggy summit, it will find a band of theologians discussing the revelations of God.” Interpreting the givens is a task in which our loves direct our minds. May God be merciful to us all! ? = Do you believe Exodus 20:11?_______________________________

Orbit 14 = Jesus is the Force that holds every ATOM together. Colossians 1:17. A scientist taught me to claim Col. 1:17 as the answer to why each atom does not explode. It should because at the center of every atom, the protons are all positive. They should repel each other but there is a force that holds them together which science cannot name. The Bible may have the answer. Job 34:14 states, “If he should take back his spirit to himself and gather to himself his breath, all flesh would perish together.” And Hebrews 1:3 explains that Jesus is “upholding the universe by his word of power.” If Jesus were to release every atom by a word, II Peter 3:10 would happen: “The heavens will pass away with a loud noise and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” ? = Does your explanation of the end of the world ignore these scriptures?__ ? = What are you teaching your children and grandchildren?_______________

Orbit 15 = Jesus had to Fulfill Many Prophecies in order to be THE MESSIAH. When I look at some Old Testament prophecies which are claimed to be fulfilled by Jesus’ actions, some of them do not seem to fit well. This is the way I think today. The important thing is that it impressed the people of Jesus’ day and the way they interpreted scripture. Jesus lived to fulfill Scripture: At his garden capture, he said, “Let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” Mk 14:49 The following are some fulfillments: 1] A virgin is to bear a son = Jesus. 2] He will be born in Bethlehem. 3] Gentiles will hope in Jesus. 4] Jewish leaders will reject Jesus. 5] His bones will not be broken. 6] He will be buried in a rich man’s tomb. 7] He will rise from the dead the third day after his death. There are hundreds more if you want to research them. ? = Will you live to fulfill scripture? “You are the Light of the World.” Are you?___

Orbit 16 = Jesus Promises are Trustworthy because of his Character. 1] He who believes in the Son has eternal life. 2] The hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice, and come

forth…Jn 5:28-29. 3] The one who comes to me, I will not cast out. 4] If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 5] I go to prepare a place for you. 6] Because I live, you will live also. 7] I am coming soon. ? = Are leaning on Jesus’ promises?_____________

Orbit 17 = Jesus Conquered Death. Jesus showed that there is Life after Life, not total silence. His Resurrection is such a great victory that I go to church every Lord’s Day to celebrate it. You, too? God showed that he could over-ride death in the lives of Enoch and Elijah. This may have been his Garden of Eden plan. Jesus’ death and resurrection is so special because it opens heaven to sinners if they will wear Jesus’ ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS which he earned by being totally obedient to the Father. Jesus’ resurrection shows the Father in heaven’s total approval of his BELOVED SON. What a glorious way to stun the fear of death in us. Jesus walked right through it, not around it, not over it but through it. Death is not the end. That is a lie. Jesus even taught that all people in the past “are alive to God.” Lk 20:38. ? = Do you have a proper fear of God, not death? Matt 10:28.____________

Orbit 18 = Jesus will be the Final Judge of the quick and the dead. Acts 10:42 Jesus is such an open and fair judge that he tells us beforehand the standards he will use on Judgment Day. We can prepare to meet our Creator. 1] HIS WORDS will judge us. Jn 12:48 2] YOUR OWN WORDS will judge you. Matt 12:37. 3] Our own DEEDS will judge us. Matt. 16:27 & 25:35-40. 4] Our BELIEF ABOUT JESUS. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life.”

Jn 3:36. The wrath of God abides on anyone who claims that it really was not

necessary to send Jesus to save us from our sins. God has judged that it was

very necessary so that we could dwell with a holy Father in heaven. ? = Do you accept these as helps for your day in Divine Court?___________

Orbit 19 = Jesus Offers These Gifts to Us Now! 1] His Holy Spirit to father us and guide us. 2] His shed blood to forgive and cleanse us from our sins. 3] His prayers of intercession for us at the throne of God. 4] An Unshakeable Kingdom of God 5] Kingdom gifts with strings attached = IF you forgive, then you will be forgiven.

If you want much, much will be required…

If you want eternal life, believe in the Son. 6] The Bible as a Lamp and Light 7] The Songs of the Church as a daily lift. 8] Testimonies of New Believers to woo us to Jesus. 9] Worship with Other Believers to Express Our Gratitude. 10] Services the Church Provides to Others. 11] The Peace of God Jn 14:27 12] Visits to Earth. Acts 7:56 & 9:4.

Orbit 20 = Grace in the Wrath of the Lamb. I follow THE LAMB OF GOD who will one day show that he is also THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. He has promised the martyrs that he will avenge their murders. Rev 6:10-11. And he will do it with a word = the sword in his mouth. Rev 19:15. I remember this when I witness how the wrong seems oft so strong. I have faith that I know who will win in the end. He holds the key to the bottomless pit. Rev 20:1. So where is the grace in his wrath? It is in every day that he waits for one more sinner to repent and cling to Jesus. It is in the mercy he will extend to ones that offend him like Peter who was false to him before others and then Jesus seems to have disregarded his own principal = deny me before men and I will deny you before the Father in heaven = when he directs the angel to tell “and Peter” Mk 16:7. that he is to come meet Jesus again in Galilee after the resurrection. The grace comes to a thief on the cross who has deserved his cross but receives heaven merely because of his last-minute faith in Jesus. The heat of Sodom and Gomorrah was not applied to Lot and his family because Angels graced these cities with their presence. The wrath of the flood was tempered many months as Noah built the ark in front of all the world. It called very loudly for neighbors to decide if Noah was a true prophet. God himself had to shut the ark’s door on those who would not live by faith. They only wanted to climb aboard after they knew the outcome. ? = Will the fear of hell drive you to Jesus?_______________ ? = Can you see the mercy of God in your life?____________

Orbit 21 = Jesus Spent lots of Time in PRAYER.

Do you want to follow Jesus?

Pray pray pray pray pray pray.

Do you want to demonstrate that you live by faith?

Pray praypraypraypraypray.

Do you want to draw close to Jesus and the Father in heaven?

Praypraypray. Do you want to enjoy prayer more?

Praypraypraypraypraypraypraypraypray.

Do you want to be a Friend of God?

Praypraypraypraypraypraypraypraypray.

Do you want to move from confrontation to conversation to communion?_____

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Landis

Nissan will show a new car at the Los Angeles Motor Show later this week, which takes unique attributes from at least three different segments to create a vehicle seemingly purpose built for Southern California. Set to go on sale in early 2011, the Murano CrossCabriolet 2011 is an all-wheel drive crossover convertible which Nissan says has plenty of room for four adults, plus enough space for golf bags and luggage, even with the top down.

The CrossCabriolet will go on show alongside the revised Nissan GT-R supercar which will make its North American debut.

More details when the 2010 Los Angeles Motor Show kicks-off.

PRESS RELEASE

NISSAN REVEALS PRICE OF NISSAN LEAF 100% ELECTRIC VEHICLE IN SWITZERLAND

-Fifth market in which price disclosed; deliveries start in second half of 2011-

ROLLE, Switzerland (Oct. 28, 2010) – Nissan International SA today announced the price of Nissan LEAF in Switzerland, making Switzerland the fifth European market in which Nissan has disclosed the price of the world’s first affordable 100% electric vehicle.

The zero-emission Nissan LEAF will cost 49,950 CHF with customer deliveries to start in the second half of 2011. The price includes the battery, which benefits from a five-year/100,000 km warranty.

Switzerland, home to Nissan’s European headquarters, is seen as a perfect market for the compact family Nissan LEAF, thanks to daily driving patterns and the Government’s increasing focus on renewable energy sources, including hydropower.

Customers can secure their place in line for ordering a LEAF on Nissan’s consumer website from Dec. 1.

“Nissan LEAF is the perfect car for a country dedicated to promoting clean, renewable energy,” said Simon Thomas, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Nissan International SA. “The combination of zero emissions, ultra-low running costs, and the sheer practicality of the family-sized car will appeal to many Swiss motorists. The fact that it’s also great fun to drive is another bonus.”

Reservations for Nissan LEAF have reached more than 27,000 units globally. Deliveries begin this December in Japan and the US. In Europe, deliveries begin in the first quarter of 2011 to Portugal, the UK, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands. Pricing for those markets was announced in May.

Nissan LEAF is a pure electric vehicle, with an on-board battery pack that can be recharged from domestic and public electricity outlets. With no tailpipe emissions, Nissan LEAF is perfectly suited for Switzerland while its range of 160 km means it can easily be used for a daily commute.

Its compact, highly efficient lithium-ion batteries and powerful electric motor give Nissan LEAF instantly responsive acceleration which is matched by a top speed of more than 140 km/h. A suitable quick charge system can restore up to 80 per cent of battery power in just 30 minutes.

Standard equipment in the five passenger family car includes features such as air conditioning, parking camera, quick charge socket and innovative smart-phone connectivity. The only optional extra will be a solar panel integrated into the rear spoiler.

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