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MLB Draft with Rounds 11-40:Looking back at Tuesday and looking back at Rounds 11-40 through the years
RHP Matt Frisbee(UNCG) selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 15th Round, overall pick, #436…..
INF/CF Cesar Trejo(Ragsdale HS/UNCG) selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 17th Round, with overall pick #508…
RHP Cole Aker(Northwest Guilford HS/University of Tampa) 18th round to St. Louis Cardinals with overall pick #543…His dad was the baseball coach at Greensboro College a few years back and his grandfather, Jake Aker pitched for the Atlanta Braves and Jack Aker managed the Lynchburg Mets to the Carolina League Baseball Championship, back in 1978…Wally Backman, Ron Gardenhire, Jeff Reardon, were all on Jack's Mets…
****OF Randy Norris(WSSU) taken/selected in the 19th Round by the San Francisco Giants, with pick #556 overall….****
LHP Bryce Hensley(UNCG) taken in the 22nd Round with pick #662, by the Kansas City Royals…
RHP Jack Maynard(UNCG) selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 25th Round, with pick #738….
RHP Lee Hunter(High Point University) selected by the Minnesota Twins in Round 27 with pick #814…
From Tuesday in the MLB Draft and be sure to see below, for what might be going on today….
D.J. Artis(Southeast Guilford HS/Liberty University) was selected with the 218th overall pick, and Artis went to the Chicago Cubs, in the 7th Round…….
Andrew Moritz(UNCG) goes to the Atlanta Braves with pick #172 overall and Moritz(OF) was selected in the 6th Round….
Andrew Wantz(UNCG) was taken in the 7th Round, by the Los Angeles Angels and the RHP was the 211th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft…..
Ryan Conroy(Elon University) goes in the 8th Round to the Baltimore Orioles and the RHP was pick #235 overall…
Brock Deatherage(Western Alamance HS/N.C. State) goes to the Detroit Tigers in Round 10 and the former Wolfpack outfielder becomes pick #285 in the 2018 MLB Draft…..
Randy Norris(WSSU) didn't get drafted in first 10 rounds of MLB draft but is looking forward to rest of draft Today.
*****Randy Norris still looking to go/be selected today and he would become the first Winston-Salem State player to be taken in the MLB Draft since back around 1985….
**********Others we might see going in the MLB Draft today:Matt Frisbee(UNCG), Cesar Trejo(Ragsdale HS/UNCG), Brett Kerry(Wesleyan Christian Academy), Jaylen Guy(Southeast Guilford HS), could see some High Point U. picks, some more picks from Elon and there is probably another high school player or two out there somewhere, from our local scene, that might hear his name called….With Kerry from Wesleyan, I remember a few years back when Wil Myers from Wesleyan had committed to South Carolina, just as Kerry(Pitcher) has committed to South Carolina and then Wil got picked up by the Kansas City Royals in the draft, later got traded to Tampa Bay and then on to San Diego and the rest is history…Got to think local KC Royals scout Dale Ijames was betting the bushes, for Kansas City to sign Wil Myers, back in the day….(And Myers came up as a catcher back in day.)*****
*****Here are some later round picks from over the years, that did some big things during their careers, and names coming in from www.mlb.com:*****
Round 11: Andre Dawson, Expos, 1975
Round 12: Nolan Ryan, Mets, 1965
Round 13: Albert Pujols, Cardinals, 1999
Round 14: Dave Parker, Pirates, 1970
Round 15: Jose Canseco, A's, 1982
Round 16: Buddy Bell, Indians, 1969
Round 17: Kenny Lofton, Astros, 1988
Round 19: Bret Saberhagen, Royals, 1982
Round 20: Ryne Sandberg, Phillies, 1978
Round 22: John Smoltz, Tigers
Round 24: Mark Grace, Cubs, 1985
Round 25: Mike Hargrove, Rangers, 1972
Round 26: Dusty Baker, Braves, 1967
Round 29: Ken Griffey, Reds, 1969
Round 37: Bake McBride, Cardinals, 1970
Round 38: Mark Buehrle, White Sox, 1998
Round 39: Kenny Rogers, Rangers, 1982(Our headline would fit this man perfectly and thinking of the tune, "Through the Years")
John Dell, from the Winston-Salem Journal and on his take on Randy Norris Jr.(WSSU) being taken by the SF Giants…
I have no idea if Randy Norris is good enough to ever play in the major leagues.
But after getting drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 19th round on Wednesday afternoon he'll get that chance to see how far he can.
Norris, who just completed his third season at WSSU, wasn't a Division I player coming out of Greensboro Dudley. So he settled on WSSU and quickly moved into the starting lineup.
When Kevin Ritsche, the WSSU baseball coach, recruited Norris he offered a simplistic approach. "You will play here," Ritsche said.
And boy did Norris excel. His speed is something that sets him apart but it's also his knowledge of the game.
Read more on Randy Norris, from John Dell, at the WS Journal, when you CLICK HERE….
DiamondFun said,
Other strong candidates for today:
Evan Edwards – Southern Guilford/NC State
Taylor Sugg – Southern Guilford/UNC
Caleb Webster – Randleman/UNCG
Andy Durham said,
I think Webster has to stay at UNCG one more year, he is only a sophomore, but Sugg and Edwards could go…
Edwards, a junior batted .297, with 15 HR's and 48 Runs batted in and he walked 41 times and struck out 63 and not a bad year for a power hitter and if drafted, this might be Edwards best year to come to out, but if he can improve on those numbers again next year, I would love to see him back a N.C. State…
Sugg, the junior went (2-1) with a 5.40 ERA, in 12 games, 9 starts, with 33 1/3 Innings, featuring 19 BB's/32 K's, giving up 23 runs on 36 hits, with 20 of the 23 runs, being Earned Runs…
You would think Webster stays right where he is at UNCG, since he is a sophomore, Edwards goes if he gets a decent deal and Sugg would come back to finish with a strong senior campaign at UNC-Chapel Hill…..
DiamondFun said,
Webster is draft eligible based on age — not year in college. However, you make some good points about the other two young men.
DiamondFun said,
Another one for the list:
Cesar Trejo – Ragsdale/UNCG
Andy Durham said,
Yes, we had Trejo on our chart and he just got selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 17th Round and UNCG had him listed as a SS on Twitter….Have 3b, OF, and now SS….
He gone, as some would say….
Andy Durham said,
Starting to look like Duke's entire team will get taken/selected in the Draft….
Really like the catcher Chris Proctor and Griffin Conine….
Another One said,
Cole Aker- NW Guilford- University of Tampa 18th round to St. Louis Cardinals.
Baseball Fan said,
Webster is not eligible based on his age. That is not how it works.
NWVikes said,
Webster is 21 and was draft elegible..
DiamondFun said,
@Baseball Fan — check first year player draft rules at mlb.com. "college players from four-year colleges who have either completed their junior or senior years OR are at least 21 years of age". You can also look at any prior draft class, some will say – 4YR SO.,draft eligible based on age. If it is based on redshirt, it would have R(SO)as an example. So yes,it is possible per MLB guidelines. Regardless, he is a very good player and his name will be called next spring.
Andy Durham said,
Players we should keep a close watch on as head toward next season, for it would be Caleb Webster(UNCG), Evan Edwards(N.C. State), Taylor Sugg(UNC), and possibly high school senior C.J. Neese, from Grimsley High School…He has that good velo the scouts talk about and he is a big strong kid and a very tough, but still young pitcher….
By the time he hits his junior year, if he continues to improve at his current pace, you have to think the N.C. State catcher, Patrick Bailey, from Wesleyan Christian Academy will be on quite a few "Watch Lists"….
Danny Robinson said,
I think most definitely Evan Edwards, Taylor Sugg, and Caleb Webster will be drafted next year. No doubt they are very good. I think Patrick Bailey is a no doubter draft choice and if he can keep up and improve on what he did this year I think he will be a very high draft pick as well.


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Will Your West Knoxville Home Hold Its Value?
When buying a West Knoxville home, there is a lot to consider. Like most buyers, you will want to be getting a good deal in the current market, that you find a West Knoxville neighborhood that fits yours needs, and that home has exactly what you are looking for so that you can truly call it "home." But, have you considered if your West Knoxville home will hold its value? Here are a few signs that your home will.
- Your West Knoxville neighborhood's location is key. They say real estate all comes down to one thing: location. So regardless of what is going on with the West Knoxville real estate market, location will play a big role in maintaining your property's value. While the home you buy may have many appealing amenities, it is important to consider the good and the bad aspects of the location. A busy street may not be as appealing as a quiet one. A neighborhood that is close to everything may be more appealing than one that is out of the way.
- You buy a home in a good school district. Good schools always help maintain housing values. Regardless of what the housing market is doing, people will always want to buy a home in a good school system.
- You buy a home that fits a broad range of buyer's needs. When buying a home, it is important to consider if it will be appealing to buyer's when you choose to sell your home down the road. The key here is to try to avoid anything too extreme. A good floor plan, traditional style, good curb appeal, and keeping your home in good condition will all help maintain the value of your home and make it appealing to potential buyer when you do decide to sell your home.
While it is not detrimental if you do buy a home with one of these aspects, it is important that the value of the home reflects the defect, the home suits the rest of your needs, and when it is time for you to sell your home, you take into account the things that hurt its value.
Are considering buying a home in the area? Please let me know if there is anyway that I can assist you in your home search, you can give me a call at 865-696-9002 or send an email to email@example.com. Also, be sure to check out my West Knoxville Neighborhood Page and Knox County Area Schools, to learn more about neighborhoods and schools in the area.

subset: commoncrawl


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Door Handles on Rose
Our range of internal lever door handles on rose is selected from leading quality brands such as Philip Watts Design, Eurospec, Carlisle Brass, Heritage Brass, Fortessa and Karcher Design. Lever on rose handles are typically of contemporary design but many have a softer, classical flair to them. Square or round rose. They usually bolt through the door to the other handle to provide a strong fixing, so selecting the correct latch or lock to accommodate this is important.
Rednaus Contract Return Levers on Rose£15.26
Serozzetta Uno Levers in Satin or Polished Chrome£19.26
Serozzetta Cuatro Lever Handles in Polished or Satin Chrome£19.81
Serozzetta Tres Lever Handles in Satin or Polished Chrome£19.86
Serozzetta Dos Lever Handles in Polished or Satin Chrome£19.86
Swansea Contemporary Stainless Steel Levers on Rose£20.02


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Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Management
Please click here to view related courses within the major.
The Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management curriculum, a course of study leading to the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree, is administered by the Business and Technology Department and co-sponsored by the Social Science Department. The program
is designed to prepare students either for career-entry positions in
the travel and tourism industry or for transfer to tourism management programs at senior colleges. The travel and tourism industry is very diverse. It encompasses airline, bus, rail, and ship travel; hospitality enterprises (hotels,motels,
resorts); tour packaging; retail and wholesale travel agencies; car
rental; etc. Each of these areas has employment needs on several
levels: sales, market research and development, packaging and
advertising, customer service, operations, and general management.
The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the industry, combining liberal arts courses, business courses, specialized courses in travel and tourism, and the experience of an internship. The Cooperative Education internship gives students experience as travel industry employees, enabling them to utilize the knowledge learned in the classroom and to learn the realities of working at their chosen
profession. The travel operations courses in the program are taught
by experienced professionals. Students who need additional skill development in reading, writing, mathematics, and communication will be required to take basic
skills and/or ESL courses. These courses are not listed in the curriculum. The particular courses students must successfully complete are determined by their scores on the college placement test. For more information on the basic skills requirements, see page 175. Descriptions of courses in this major can be found on page 100.
Note: Students should consult with a counselor and/or faculty advisor in the selection of elective courses to ensure maximum transferability of credits taken.


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Gombe State Government has concluded plans to recruit 750 extension workers as part of efforts to boost the capacity of farmers in the state.
The State's Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Dahiru Buba-Biri, disclosed this when he received the Country Director, Sasakawa Global 2000, Prof. Sani Ahmed-Miko, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Gombe on Saturday.
"We have a plan to recruit a total of 750 extension workers in the next five years as our plan is to recruit 150 extension workers every year," Buba-Biri said.
He said the state government found it necessary to recruit more extension workers as the existing number of 200 extension staff was grossly inadequate to cater for the number of farmers in the state.
The Commissioner said the extention workers when recruited would be given the necessary training to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
He said the state government had already paid $200,000 as support to the Sasakawa Global 2000 in appreciation of the tremendous works it was doing in the state.
"Gombe State Government will continue to support Sasakawa because it has changed the face of farming in the state, especially the new farming technologies that improved the capacity of farmers.
He called on farmers in the state to fully embrace the new farming technologies introduced by the organisation to enhance their productivity.
The Commissioner also advised farmers in the state to form cooperative societies to enable them access loan facility from government and financial institutions.
"Farmers who operate under cooperative societies stand a better chance of getting loan facility. So, it is better for farmers to form such cooperatives, "he said.
On fertilizers, the commissioner commended the Federal Government for its intervention programmes and the Presidential Initiative on fertilizer.
In his remarks, the Country Director, SG 2000, Prof. Sani Ahmed-Miko, commended the state government for its continuous support to the organisation and urged it to sustain the partnership.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SG 2000 team was in Gombe State in continuation of the media field day tour organised by the organisation to meet with beneficiaries of its various intervention programmes. (NAN)
Source: Daily Trust


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At last - as promised - I'm going to tell you about Frogs and Frigate birds: Over the Hill (me) and my exploits in Ecuador.
I had such fun writing this book. I'd had such a wonderful time that reliving it so the writing was sheer joy. From the busy streets of Quito to the steam of the rainforest to the volcanoes in the mountains to the smiles on the faces of the turtles in the Galápagos Islands - writing this book was like doing it all over again.
I also had several challenges. Firstly: how to unpick why I loved Ecuador so much. After all, woman has nice time in South America is hardly a story. You'll have to judge for yourselves if I got to grips with that.
And then I wanted to explore the efforts Ecuador has made to address environmental issues, some of which are starkly played out here. But I had to do so without sending the reader to sleep - after all, is there anything original still to be said about the need to protect our planet? We don't need more preaching. I hope this extract shows you how I managed that one:
The forest is a metropolis of insects at night. We step over the leaf-cutter ants that carve a highway across our path. Moths and crickets fill the air with chirruping. Spiders build webs. Jhon (our guide) asks us to turn our torches off for a whole minute. In that time the dark grows thick, as if it has texture and we must cut our way through it. Even with time for my eyes to adjust I can see nothing. Yet the sound of every croaking frog or cracked twig is magnified in the darkness, a crescendo of jungle choruses.
We turn our torches on again and amble on. Jhon knows where to look to find the tarantula spider. It is, of course, as big and hairy as I'd expect. The Swiss woman is intrigued and peers closely at it. I am happy to stand behind her. A little further on he finds a banana spider, a small, grey innocuous-looking creature that I am happy to inspect in detail until he tells me that it is even more venomous than a tarantula urine.
Within a week of returning to England I will learn that agreement has been reached between the Ecuadorian government and a Chinese oil company, giving them permission to build one small dirt track into the National Park and to drill for oil. I cannot find a map, and so have no idea exactly where this oil well will be located. Nor if this agreement takes account of the giant otters. Or the howler monkeys. Or the tiny red frogs with baby-blue underparts.
I can't help hoping that the oil men fall foul of the banana spiders and drown in a waterfall of poisonous wee.
So, there you have it. Now all you have to do is hop across to Amazon. Readers in the UK can click this link. It is also available on Amazon all over the world for those living elsewhere.
Sunday, 10 July 2016
Frogs and Frigate Birds.
4 comments:
This sounds like a very good read indeed! :-) Thanks.ReplyDelete
Greetings from London.
Sounds like yet another terrific book, so I'll be sure to get it. I like the title too... frigate birds are sooooo amazing!ReplyDelete
HA! Drown in a waterfall of poisonous wee? You have such a way with words... :)
Will buy as soon as my computer is operating again. Like to keep the records of my Amazon purchases all together on the desktop:)ReplyDelete
Ooooh, Jo! I shall be buying this as soon as I've got used to dry land again! Fantastic! And I love the cover! The extract is intriguing!ReplyDelete
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What is a Fixed Rate Mortgage and How Does it Work?
If you're buying a home for the first time or the thought of higher interest rates keep you up at night, then fixed rate mortgages may be ideal for you.
With a fixed rate mortgage, your mortgage payment and rate are fixed (stay the same) during your mortgage term. That means if you sign up for a 5-year fixed rate mortgage at 3.49%, then your mortgage rate will remain 3.49% for 5 years (provided you don't sell the property and break your mortgage).
Unlike variable mortgage rates, which are based on a lender's prime rate, fixed mortgage rates typically move based on the bond market. Government bond yields and fixed mortgage rates have a direct relationship – when government bond yields go up, fixed mortgage rates of a similar term length go up and vice-versa.
Although you're protected from higher mortgage rates during your mortgage term, you can still face interest rate shock upon renewal. If fixed mortgage rates are a lot higher when you're renewing your mortgage, you could be forced to put more of your money towards your mortgage on a monthly basis.


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After finishing last at the group stage, an unfancied India pulled off a stunning victory over Great Britain.
India finished last at the group stage in the The Hockey World League Championships, but managed to pull off a stunning victory against Britain.
The magic goals in the 19th and 39th caused India to overpower against the British. The 39th goal was passed through the narrowest of places by Chinglensana Singh.
The Hockey World League
Fast-paced and action-packed, this is the tournament that gives hockey fans the chance to see their team go all the way to the World Cup and Olympics. Composed of four rounds and played over two years, the Hockey World League shines a spotlight on the sport around the world. Even the smallest hockey-playing nations have the opportunity to write their own chapter in hockey's history books.


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Home Improvement Ideas — Good Methods To Invest In Your Dwelling
If you're in need of residence repairs or reworking and would like to save thousands of dollars on your initiatives, try applying for home enchancment grants. With so many potential adjustments, the numbers can add up. Raf Howery, CEO and founding father of Kukun , the largest database on home improvement information and issued renovation permits in the nation, has used his company's nationwide cost estimator to provide some insight into what you'll be able to expect.
Whether or not or not you have ever sold a house up to now, you do know that a fee will have to be paid should you leverage the expertise of a real estate agent to list the home on the market, market your property, and symbolize you and your house to consumers (aka the itemizing agent).
Shaw says another common transforming option for homeowners trying to stay of their dwelling, and add …


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Ours is about 3 feet by 3 feet, and on our left is the account's block. The marketing block is down the hall.
We're joking. Obviously.
Ours is at least 5 by 5, and on Wednesdays we're allowed to write in coffee shops to maintain the illusion that we're "successful" and "writerly".
Coming up with a write up for the simple sake of a write up does, however, become difficult when we're staring complete lack of creativity right in the face. But apparently asking management to cancel all the deals for the day isn't a viable fix.
As they so delicately put it, it'd be like a comedian having the option to suddenly cancel a show if they're not feeling up to it. Not on our watch, they said. You'll do a write up whether you like it or not, they said. And be funny, they said.
So here we are, doing a write up and being funny.
BeoPlay is custom-designed in-ear headphones from B&O PLAY by Bang & Olufsen. Featuring powerful sound, a sturdy exterior, and comfortable fit, BeoPlay these Beoplay headphones are crafted to provide the ideal listening experience.
Bang & Olufsen Sound
Perfectly aligned with the Bang & Olufsen's balanced, signature Sound, BeoPlay is designed to bring you music the way the artists intended it – authentic and clean.
Crafted for Comfort
To provide the ideal listening experience, B&O PLAY thoroughly studied the shape and curves of the human ear to determine the proper geometries; allowing for precision and maximum comfort.
Lightweight and Durable
BeoPlay is lightweight, scratch resistant, and optimized for Android devices. Featuring an inline remote and microphone, the headphones will work with all devices, but the controls may not work with non-Apple products
|3.5mm Jack
|Sound Impedance:
|Frequency response:
|20 ~ 20kHz
Bang & Olufsen Play
*Please also note: This product is a parallel import. This has nothing to do with the authenticity of the product (it is completely authentic), but means it has been imported without the approval, or license of the registered owner of the trademark and therefore no guarantee or warranty in respect of such goods will be honoured or fulfilled by any official or licensed importer of such goods. However, any warranty claims will be covered by OneDayOnly or the relevant third party seller, in accordance with our standard return/refund policy.
Lightning quick and you don't have to remember a thing. You're just one click away.
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We're so sorry for this! A radical increase in sales and customers means that things are taking longer than normal (including responses to your query). We are doing everything we can to work through this backlog - such as hiring more staff - but this will take some time to take effect. Again, we're so sorry for the wait.
Quite possibly. If you paid via EFT, please allow us a little time to process. If your bank sent us proof of payment, you should receive a confirmation email in the next hour or so.
That's easy to find out: go to your account to find out. But keep in mind the next question:
The short version? It's because we don't hold stock. Our partners deliver exactly what we need, after a deal has run. That way we keep our costs down, prices low and everybody (including you) happy.
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Whilst we'd love to help, you'll probably need to contact your bank on one of the following numbers for further assistance.
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Never have to wait at home all day for your parcel or miss a delivery again: Pargo delivers your parcels to a store near you.
Having partnered with hundreds of stores in South Africa, there's (almost) always a Pick-up Point near you: often with opening hours of up to 15 hours per day - some (like fuel stations) are even open 24/7!
Why not give it a try today?
Well, because we also have to pay for delivery. And that money needs to come from somewhere.
Shipping costs money and we don't want to go bankrupt.
We have debated the merits of offering free shipping at length but the reality is that – without some magic source of free cash – the only place that money can come from is from our customers.
That leaves us with two options: hide it in the price of the product, or show it. We decided to be transparent and show it. This lets us cut our prices to the bare minimum and show you the best possible savings.
If we had incorporated the shipping cost into the price of an item, you'd pay double whenever you order more than one item but, in reality, the cost of shipping doesn't necessarily go up.
By the way: the actual shipping charge you pay is a best-effort approximation of what shipping is going to cost us. As a result, ordering a 3kg item to Sandton or Cape Town may work out cheaper than a 75g iPhone cover to Springbok. Don't blame us; blame the vast expanse that is our beautiful South Africa.
We'd love to offer free shipping. But we can't, because that means turning our company into a loss-making enterprise.
We rarely hold stock. Our partners deliver exactly what we need, after a deal has run. That way we keep our costs down, prices low and everybody (including you) happy.
We're not like other online shops with a fixed catalogue and tons of stock. Instead, most of our products never come back to our website again. That's how we want it, as it keeps us fresh and unpredictable (win #1).
So, after you (and lots of others) have placed your orders, we go to our suppliers and place a massive, single order. Our suppliers love this, as it keeps things simple and moving along smoothly. Happy suppliers equal low prices (win #2).
Since we don't hold stock, we can work with a cheaper, medium-sized warehouse, instead of a mega-warehouse (win #3) and we're saving lots on not needing any processes involved in handling and returning unsold stock, allowing us to offer better deals (win #4).
The practice of not holding stock is one of the core principles behind OneDayOnly's success. That, and our sparkling personalities of course.


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The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has dismissed an application seeking clarity on the Constitutionality of a ruling allowing gay pastors from the Dutch Reformed Church to continue with their same sex unions.
The Alliance Defending the Autonomy of Churches in SA (Adacsa) had launched the bid.
The court dismissed Adacsa's application, saying the matter was settled and the church had accepted the court's decision on the matter.
Laurie Gaum, who took the Dutch Reformed Church to court for being against same sex marriage, was opposing the legal challenge. His brother, Andre says the family is pleased with Friday's ruling.
"It was always a fight for justice, a fight to make sure that there is no unfair discrimination on people against on the basis of their sexual orientation. An application to apply and comply with the Constitution of the Republic, a fight for justice and therefore they are over the moon that this is now the end of this matter and that they have come out victorious as far as the matter is concerned," says Gaum.
The post High Court dismisses church body's same sex union challenge appeared first on SABC News – Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader..


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They have many harmless sounding names …e-collars, remote collars, electronic collars. The truth is …they are shock collars and they are specifically designed to work by causing pain and fear. Unfortunately, there are many "trainers" promoting them as a "fix" for just about every undesirable dog behavior and the general pet owning public is not aware of the potential side effects these products can have on their dog.
There are big profits to be made by the manufacturers of these products and by "trainers" who have very limited scientific knowledge of animal behavior and base much of their training on the simple fact that living creatures will work to avoid pain. They use slick marketing hype to convince dog owners that the collars cause no pain, some actually go as far as to claim the collar is gentle and calming! They will tell you it's just a "tickle", a "tap", or "stimulation" by demonstrating it on their hand, not on their neck, at a very low setting. The real truth is - it is not a "tickle", a "tap", or "stimulation" - It is an electrical shock!
They fail to mention that this method of training tends to inhibit behavior as opposed to addressing the underlying cause of the behavior …kind of like putting a Band-Aid on cancer. The behavior issue still exists and may actually worsen by being suppressed!
They also don't tell you that scientific studies have proven that stress causes cortisol levels to rise and shock collar training is extremely stressful to a dog. High cortisol levels can lead to many health issues including impaired cognitive performance, suppressed thyroid function, blood sugar imbalances, high blood pressure, lowered immune response, and more.
If a trainer claims that shock collars don't hurt, ask him or her to explain exactly how the collar works to change the animal's behavior!
The plain and simple truth is …you are hurting your dog! …if it didn't hurt it wouldn't work! Your dog is complying in order to avoid pain!
Do shock collars work? They can, but so can hitting, kicking, poking and yelling, but why would anyone choose to treat their dog that way when there are tools and methods available that work without pain and force.
When looking for a trainer, Always ask what tools they use. If they include choke, pinch, or shock collars …do your dog a favor and keep looking.


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The Alexa voice assistant has become synonymous with voice-controlled smart speakers around the world in just a few short years. If you want to find out why, then take a look at our roundup of the best Amazon Echo prices.
If there are any Amazon Echo sales or deal promos from your favorite retailers we'll find them for you and post the latest information on this page thanks to our price comparison technology.
There are lots of different Echo speakers and screens out in the wild now, with Amazon recently refreshing its lineup with improved versions. The diminutive Amazon Echo Dot deals are a popular choice all year round as it's one of the most affordable smart speakers on the planet. We've got prices for the larger versions too including the Amazon Echo, Echo Studio and more. If you want a visual element too, then we've got you covered with all three sizes of the Amazon Echo Show or the bedside table-friendly Echo Spot, all of which include a screen.
Although Amazon designed and built these smart devices, they're actually on sale at a large number of stores, which means they're never far away from a discount. We'll also list the standard price of each of these Amazon Alexa-powered speakers so you can get a better idea of how good the latest discounts in the comparison charts are.
Amazon Echo Dot with Clock launch price: $59.99/£59.99/AU$99.
The 2019 model Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is only a modest upgrade. It's technically still a 3rd-gen Echo Dot, but now comes with a neat display on the side that can display the time.
Amazon says one of the most requested questions Alexa gets is for the time, so this will save you a job. Many of us use smart speakers as timers around the kitchen too so we're happy to see the display is used to show the timer counting down. It will also display the temperature when asking about the weather. Other request types will start to take advantage of this extra functionality in the near future.
The only other improvement over the previous model is a 'tap to snooze' option when using the Dot as an alarm. If these new features don't do much for you, then you can save some money by opting for the regular Echo Dot deals below instead.
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) launch price: $49.99 / £49.99 / AU$79.
The older, standard 3rd iteration of the Echo Dot comes in three colors - charcoal, heather grey, and sandstone (that'll be black, grey or white to the rest of us). The hockey-puck-shaped speaker has a more refined look with a fabric finish than the older all-plastic speaker. The speaker driver is much larger too, going from a 1.1-inches in diameter to 1.6-inches It's 70% louder than the previous version and keeps the aux 3.5mm connection for a secondary speaker. You can also connect it wirelessly to external speakers via Bluetooth.
The standard-sized Amazon Echo speaker gets better and better each iteration and this new 3rd-gen model marks the biggest improvement yet, especially for music fans. The audio architecture is now in line with that found in the more expensive Amazon Echo Plus thanks to the neodymium drivers and a larger 3-inch woofer and bigger tweeter too.
It's ever so slightly chunkier than the 2nd-gen model while keeping the same height. The overall aesthetic is the same though really with the fabric design. That being said, Amazon has launched a new color for the occasion in Twilight Blue (see image above).
If you already own a Dot and want to round out the sound with a little extra oomph then this will be a great purchase. Or if you're yet to buy any Alexa speaker, this is a great place to start if playing music will be one of the main reasons you're buying one.
Amazon Echo (2nd gen) launch price: $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$119.
With a newer version hitting shelves, we'd only go for this version of the Amazon Echo if there's a significant discount. And as stores start to clear stock out for the new Echo, we should see great deals some soon.
The 2nd-gen Amazon Echo was the firm middle ground of the Alexa family with a more powerful speaker than the Echo Dot. This second-generation version is a bit shorter but houses an upgraded speaker powered by some neat Dolby processing.
This is the 'just right' option in the Echo lineup. It's not as budget as the Amazon Echo Dot nor is it as premium as the Amazon Echo Plus. It's the one to go for if you're going to use the smart speaker a lot to play music but want to keep prices down. If you just want a smart speaker to boss around and make your home smarter, you might as well save a bit of cash by getting the Echo Dot instead.
Amazon Echo Show 8 launch price: $129.99/£119.99/AU$TBC.
Not long after the release of the Show 5, Amazon came along with the Amazon Echo Show 8 and a larger screen. So while the Echo Spot and Echo Show 5 are generally better suited to a bedside table, the new Show 8 works better in larger spaces.
If you're looking for some hands-free recipe guidance, along with video tutorials in the kitchen, then this is ideal. There is a larger Echo Show as shown below, but the jump in price for a 10-inch screen is substantial to say the least. So if you're after an Alexa smart speaker with a screen this is the way to go if you want to use it outside of the bedroom.
Amazon Echo Show 5 launch price: $89.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.
This is more like it Amazon. This new member of the Echo Show family has a smaller five-inch screen than the original two Show models and it's a lot cheaper too. Actually, it's even cheaper than the Echo Spot which has a comparatively tiny screen. If you can fit this on your bedside table, the louder speaker and bigger screen makes the Show 5 the better buy in our books.
Compared to its bigger brother though or the rival Google Home Hub (aka Google Nest Hub), you might find the screen a little small depending on where you're going to be seeing it from after requesting something via the Alexa voice-commands. The huge selection of how-to videos are super handy though if you can plug it in close by, especially in the kitchen. Check out our full Amazon Echo Show 5 review if you want to learn more about this budget-friendly smart speaker display.
Amazon Echo Show (2nd gen) launch price: $229.99 / £219.99 / AU$349.
Amazon released a 2018 update for the Amazon Echo Show, the Alexa smart speaker with a touchscreen. As things stand, it's a bit more expensive than the previous-gen version and a lot more expensive than the rival Google Home Hub prices. This version of the Echo Show has now phased out the older model.
The updated Amazon Echo Show has a bigger screen, with louder speakers too, making it a much better fit for video content to be enjoyed via your Amazon Prime membership or for free on other channels. You can now also use it as a smart device hub for other devices like smart thermostats or bulbs, meaning you can save some space around your router's ports. The competition for screen-sporting smart speakers is heating up though, with the Google Nest Hub also competing for your attention.
That being said, this one could get a major discount in the Amazon Black Friday sales.
Amazon Echo Plus (2nd gen) launch price: $149.99 / £139.99 / $229.
Amazon revamped the Echo Plus smart speaker in late 2018. It now shares a similar look to the other Echo speakers, with fabric covering the body instead of a harsh plastic, which has improved the speaker's audio output too which we appreciated during video calls. You're getting a bigger sound with the Plus compared to the standard Echo speaker, but not a huge difference in all honest, especially since the newer 2019 Echo upped its game once again.
The main advantage to the Amazon Echo Plus compared to the smaller Echo speakers is the fact that there's a Zigbee smart home hub built in. So if you have Philips Hue bulbs at home, you no longer need the Hue Bridge to work as the brain to control them via apps or Alexa voice-controls. This is great for controlling smart speakers and smart thermostats too - there's even a built-in thermometer for measuring room temperatures. The list of smart devices around our homes is growing constantly and the Echo Plus is ready for the future. If you've started to build up an annoying cluster of cables going into your router to support your smart home devices, this could help clear them right up.
Amazon Echo Spot launch price: $129 / £119.99 / AU$179.
The Amazon Echo Spot is a miniature version of the Amazon Echo Show better suited to a desk or bedside table. The small screen is designed to show you little pieces of information rather than watch episodes of The Grand Tour or Mr Robot. But that might be more than enough if you just want to quickly check directions or read a news bulletin. It's very handy for video calls between other Amazon Echo screen devices too. Check out today's best Echo Spot prices below.
Amazon has muddied the waters though with the more recent release of the Amazon Echo Show, a smaller version of the tablet-esque standing screen models of their popular smart speakers. It's bigger than the Echo Spot and quite a lot cheaper too. We're expecting this model's price to drop sharply soon or for it to be discontinued.
Amazon Echo Sub launch price: $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$199.
If you're going all in on the Amazon Alexa audio setup at home, then you'll want to take a look at the latest Amazon Echo Sub prices. The Echo Sub is not a smart speaker though, it's a subwoofer to connect to your other Echo speakers, so you'll need to pick up one of those (you're already on the right page for them!) if you don't have any yet. Or, check out some of the bundles available as Amazon has started selling the Echo Sub with a pair of regular Echo speakers in some regions to give you a full stereo sound setup at home. If you'd prefer to just have one beast of a smart speaker with a huge sound, then you may want to check out the latest Google Home Max prices instead - be warned, it's not cheap.
Source: TechRadar - All the latest technology news
By: Brendan Griffiths


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Home for Christmas – There's no better feelin'
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text: ChappyCanuck 35 Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 I was so excited to receive CMBN for Mac - finally I could leave Bootcamp behind. I read the included document "Mac Performance Guide" and made the necessary adjustments. What I have is a clunky-looking, clunky operating game that looks like it is from the 1990's. To make matters worse, sometimes the game crashes and exits, or it will jump to the desktop screen in mid game. I am VERY disappointed at this purchase. Has any Mac users out there got this thing running? I have a MacBook Pro, 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5, 4 GB memory, Intel HD Graphics 3000, VRAM 384 MB. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks Link to post Share on other sites


text: Bible Study Lesson Eight Lesson 8 - Your Response to Christ View instructions We have seen that Christ has died for all. Therefore the possibility of sin being covered, the possibility of being in a right relationship with God, exists for all people. Yet, it is also true that not all will be in heaven. Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and there be that find it." In light of the above passage, it is evident that not all people will enter into heaven. In fact, the number will be few in comparison to those who do not enter in. Why are some allowed into heaven and some turned away? What is the requirement for entering heaven? We know it is not based on a person's goodness or badness, for we are ALL sinners in God's eyes. It is not based on how many righteous deeds a person has done in this life. It is not based on the family a person is born into. The Bible tells us that only those who come to God on His terms and accept God's payment for their sins will be accepted by God. There are different ways in which the Bible labels those who have a right relationship with Christ and a guarantee of heaven. Note the various words used to describe salvation: Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be ." Romans 5:10 "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be by his life." John 3:7 "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be ." Matthew 10:32-33 "Whosoever therefore shall me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Romans 10:10 "For with the heart man unto righteousness; and with the mouth is made unto ." 1 John 5:1 "Whosoever that Jesus is the Christ is of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." John 1:12 "But as many as him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that on his name:" These terms and many others are used to show the complete commitment involved in becoming a Christian. In fact it is possible for you to think you are a Christian, but in reality not belong to Christ. True salvation is based not on our feelings or opinions, but rather on the Word of God. After all God is the only one that can be trusted in this matter! Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Since true salvation is based on the Word of God, we need to be sure that we know what God says is necessary for salvation. It becomes very important for us to be sure of what God says will take place in a person's life to make him a child of God. Acts 20:21 "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, toward God, and toward our Lord Jesus Christ." This verse lists two ingredients of salvation: repentance and faith. These two things are necessary in our life for the death of Christ to become OUR PERSONAL PAYMENT for sin. Our Lord considered repentance absolutely essential to salvation. The word repent is used over one hundred times in the Bible. Luke 13:3 "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye , ye shall all likewise perish." The other necessary ingredient is Faith. Faith is another important Bible word. Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through ; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" In fact, Repentance and Faith go hand in hand. In this lesson we are going to look at these two important words and see how they work together. Repentance A. Five Reasons Why Repentance Is Important John the Baptist began his public ministry by calling on men to repent. Matthew 3:1-2 "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus also began His ministry by calling on men to repent. Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Before Jesus was taken up into heaven, He directed His followers to preach what? Read Luke 24:36-53 Luke 24:47 "And that and remission of should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." What does God want all men to do? 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." What is God's command to all men everywhere? Acts 17:30 "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to : " B. What is true Repentance? Biblical repentance is four-fold. Repentance cannot happen until a person recognizes the sinfulness of their own heart, which is in complete rebellion against God as an unsaved sinner. It then involves a change of mind that leads to changed attitudes, desires, and purpose. Repentance involves a change of view about ourselves. Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not :" Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come of the glory of God;" * Sin has many aspects (or faces). Sin is: : Overstepping the law (missing the mark) - 1 John 3:4 : A departure from what is right - James 5:20 : Choosing to rule your own life apart from God - Ephesians 2:2 : lessness : Spiritual anarchy - Romans 5:13 : Insulting God, not believing He is trustworthy - I John 5:10 : Failure to meet God's standard - Romans 6:13 : Injustice, wickedness - Matthew 24:12 We need to recognize that the above words describe our fallen nature which separates us from God. Recognizing these truths about our human heart is necessary preparation for true repentance. Repentance involves a change of mind about God. The word "repent" in the New Testament means "to change one's mind or view about a thing." Before someone is saved, he or she may think he is not so bad, but when we learn what the Bible says about God and sin, we find that God is a Holy God who hates sin. When a person sees himself as God sees him, he realizes the grossness of his sin and his total helplessness to change himself. Repentance is a change of view with regards to sin, God, and self. Repentance not only causes us to see ourselves as sinners in the sight of God, but also causes us to see God as the only source of righteousness. He is the only one who can tell us with accuracy what is right. Habakkuk 1:13 "Thou art of eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:" Romans 2:2 "But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things." Romans 3:4 "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." Repentance is a change of feeling (attitude). Sorrow for sin and desire for pardon are aspects of repentance. Notice the intense emotion in David's prayer, Psalm 51:1 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions." II Corinthians 7:9 "Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing." According to this verse what did sorrow bring about? Repentance is a change of purpose. This element implies a change of will, disposition, and purpose. This is the inward turning from sin. This change of Purpose is seen by confessing our sins to God. In the past we tried to ignore or hide our sin. Is that possible according to Proverbs 15:3 ? Psalm 38:18 "For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin." According to this verse what does a person who is repentant do with their sin? In fact, we could say that a person who is not willing to be honest about their sins is not repentant! This change of Purpose is seen by forsaking sin. Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Proverbs 28:13 "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Forsaking sin means to turn away from sin with NO intention of returning. What does God promise? Isaiah 44:22 "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee." Hebrews 10:17 "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. " This change of Purpose is seen by turning to God. Every step unsaved men take is away from God. Turning from sin does not profit anything unless we turn to God. I Thessalonians 1:9 "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;" Paul rejoiced that the Thessalonians had turned TO God. When Paul was giving his testimony before King Agrippa, he said that Jesus Christ had given him the task of turning men from darkness to light. Acts 26:18 "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." C. Aspects of Repentance Divine - Repentance is a gift of God. Acts 11:18 "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." II Timothy 2:25 "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" Who gives the gift of repentance and forgiveness of sin according to Acts 5:30,31? Human - There is the human aspect to repentance. Read Acts 2:37-38, 41 After hearing the Gospel message, what did man have the need to do? (verse 38) D. Results of Repentance Repentance causes rejoicing in heaven. Read Luke 15:7 and Luke 15:10 . What brings about joy in heaven according to these verses? Repentance brings pardon and forgiveness of sin. Read Isaiah 55:7 and Acts 3:19 , Repentance brings about what? The Holy Spirit indwells those who repent and believe. Read Romans 8:9 . Paul speaking about a repentent sinner says, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." The importance of repentance is shown by the prominence it is given in the Word of God. It cannot be emphasized too much. It is not something we give to God, but an attitude of heart necessary to true salvation. Faith Read Acts 2:14-40 . Peter called upon the Jews to see Christ not as a mere man or an imposter, but as the promised Messiah and Saviour. All through the book of Acts, the disciples reasoned and persuaded the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. A man's life is governed by what he believes in, what he puts his faith and trust in. His religion is determined by the person or philosophy in which he believes. Let's now consider faith as another element of conversion. A. Faith Defined Faith is complete confidence that a person or thing will function according to promise. Faith in Almighty God causes us to claim His promises and brings the mighty power and resources of God into contact with man's needs and problems. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ brings salvation to the sinner through Christ's substitutionary sacrifice, clothing the sinner in Christ's own righteousness, and giving the sinner perfect standing before a Holy God. II Corinthians 5:21: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." B. The Source of Faith What is the source of Faith? It is the combined Work of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father gives Faith. In Ephesians 2:8 what is Faith "it is the of ." In Romans 12:3 who bestows on "every man the measure of faith?" God the Son perfects Faith. In Hebrews 12:2 who are we to look to for faith? God the Holy Spirit administers faith. God the Holy Spirit administers or directs the gift of faith. Galatians 5:22 1 Corinthians 12:9 C. The Importance of Faith Many men seek to please God. But what is necessary to please God? Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Matthew 8:10, 13 Mark 10:46-51 What is the important element in these Scripture passages? D. The Meaning of Faith First, we need to distinguish between some terms that are misunderstood. The word "belief" is often used in the same sense that "faith" is, but many times it serves to show only one element of faith, namely the intellectual part of man. In other words, a man can know some facts in his head. That is a belief. But it becomes faith when he puts that belief into action. For example, a person may know all the facts about airplanes and really believe that they will fly. But that belief becomes faith when he gets on the plane and trusts that it will get him to his destination. That is belief in action. "Hope" has to do exclusively with the future. "Faith" has to do with the past, the present, and the future. The term "the faith" means the sum total of Christian Doctrine as contained in the Scripture. Read: Acts 6:7 1 Timothy 4:1, 6:10 Jude 3 "Trust" is a characteristic Old Testament word meaning the same as the New Testament "faith." What is faith? In conversion or salvation, faith is the turning of the soul to God as repentance is the turning of the soul from sin. The Scriptures represent faith as an act of the heart. Therefore, it involves an intellectual, an emotional, and a willful change. E. The Three Aspects of Faith The Intellectual Element - This element includes belief in the Bible as the revelation of God. The Bible contains the truth about man's sinfulness, the redemption provided in Christ, the conditions of salvation, and the promises of God. Romans 10:14 "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Notice the order. . .Calling brought about by Belief, Belief brought about by Hearing, and Hearing brought about by a Preacher telling the gospel. Romans 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." According to this verse what must you listen to in order to have faith? Psalm 9:10 "And they that thy name will put their in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not them that seek thee." Real Faith is brought about by belief in the Scriptural evidence. The Emotional Element - The emotional element of faith is the awakening of the soul to its personal need and to the redemption provided in Christ. Mark 12:32-34 "And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to him with the heart, and with the understanding, and with the soul, and with the strength, and to his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question." Give the important aspect of faith in verse 33. The Volitional (Willful or Choice) Element - This element of faith is the logical outgrowth of the intellectual and emotional. If a man or a woman accepts the revelation of God and His salvation as true, and comes to love the God of the Bible and be thankful for what Christ has done for them, they will logically go on to choose Christ for themselves. The volitional element includes the surrender of the heart to God and to His control. It will cause a person to make a willful choice of receiving Christ as the Lord of their life. The words believe, trust, or faith are used often in the sense of surrender and commitment. The Scripture frequently emphasizes that man should count the cost before deciding to follow Christ. Read Luke 14:26-33 What is your conclusion? F. Faith Produces Salvation How then does faith produce Salvation? We must know what God says in the Bible. Faith is based on the knowledge of the Word of God and makes us move to ask Christ into our life. Romans 10:14 "How then shall they on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" Faith is accepting as true what God says in His Word. As we see the facts of the Word of God, it will cause us to act differently in our life. In regards to our sinfulness, we will confess to God our sin and our hopelessness. In light of the offer of salvation through Christ, we will ask God for this gift that we can never earn. We must accept the Word of God as true. Psalm 119:160 "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever." John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." Knowledge of the Word of God is essential, but we must believe it to be true before we will act upon. it. We must personally receive that which we know and accept as true. Knowing the claims of the Word of God and accepting them as true will profit nothing if we are not led to receive for ourselves the object of our faith, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:2 "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." It is possible to know that Christ is Divine and still reject him as Saviour and Lord. We can acknowledge the Scriptural claim of Christ (admit He is the Messiah of the Bible) without surrendering our hearts and wills to Him as Saviour. Faith demands an earnest response of our will to what we know in our heads and accept in our hearts as true. It is the soul reaching out by an act of the will to receive Christ in whom we believe. True faith always involves a decision of the will. Knowing that Jesus is able to save and that He came to be the Saviour of the world, we must personally respond to these facts. John 1:12 "But as many as him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall upon the name of the Lord shall be . " Marriage provides a good illustration of faith. A good marriage is the culmination of an extended process of learning about someone, responding to him or her, and then making a commitment. INTELLECTUAL ASPECT OF YOUR FAITH Courtship may be compared to faith's first element: knowledge. It is a time for getting to know each other, for seeing whether the other person possesses those characteristics that will be good in the marriage. It is a very important step. If the other person is not of good character or cannot be trusted, there will be trouble later on. So it is with Christ. You must know who He is - God come in the flesh. You must understand why He needed to come - Your sinfulness and inability to make yourself right with God. Do you understand and believe that Jesus Christ is the only payment God the Father will accept for your sin? EMOTIONAL ASPECT OF FAITH The second stage is comparable to the second element in faith: the movement of the heart. This corresponds to falling in love, which is quite obviously an important step beyond mere knowledge. So it is with Christ. A man or woman who knows of their own sinfulness before God and realizes the great expense that Christ went to in order for your sins to be covered must then desire to belong to him more than anything else. Do you desire to be forgiven of your sin and have Christ as the ruler of your life? VOLITIONAL ASPECT OF FAITH Finally, there is the point of verbalized commitment contained in the marriage ceremony. At this point the couple promises to live together and love each other regardless of what their future circumstances might be. They seal these vows in a public ceremony to let the world know of their commitment to each other. So it is in receiving Christ. Many know who Jesus is and realize they need a saviour from sin. Some have even gone as far as to desire to belong to Christ no matter what the cost. But the final aspect must also be present: Receiving Christ or Calling on His Name. This is a once for all commitment that will be a life changing experience. Just as you do not ever need to get married again, so it is true you do not receive Christ but one time. As you will never forget such a momentous event as your marriage, so you will never forget the experience of receiving Christ once and for all as your ONLY hope of heaven and forgiveness. Will you now and here admit your sinfulness and ask Christ into your life as the Lord of your life? Jesus Christ has been presented to you as the one that died to pay for your sins. You must make a choice. Will you go on in your sin and ignore Him? Or will you allow Him to come into your life and be your Lord and Saviour? Someone has said, "There is a God-shaped vacuum within every person which only God can fill." This is true. God made us with certain deep inner needs which only He can meet as He dwells in us. The Most Important Question is: "What will you do with Jesus Christ now that you know he is the only Saviour?" Are you willing to turn from sin and receive Christ as payment for your sin and allow Him to rule over your life from this time forward? This is the last in this series of Bible Studies. We have another set of studies that we would be glad to send you to help you learn more of the Bible and Jesus Christ. Please indicate your desire for another course, and we will gladly send it to you. To receive the follow-up course, please give us your name and mailing address (NOTE: Must be a US Address): Please mail the follow-up study to this address: Your name: Address 1: Address 2: City: State: Zip: Telephone: (optional) If distance permits, we also offer a personal, in-home study with a qualified instructor to answer your individual questions. If distance is a problem and we do not have an instructor, we invite you to call us, and we will be glad to help you as best we can. Thank you for finishing this study. Do you have any questions that we may help you answer? Please give us your e-mail address so we can correspond with you again Your Email (required) Quick security check to minimize spam 5+2=? Here are the past lessons for your review: Lesson 1 - Where Do We Find Truth? Lesson 2 - Is The Bible the Word of God? Lesson 3 - Creation and Fall of Man Lesson 4 - Man's Problems Lesson 5 - Man's Way Lesson 6 - God's Way Lesson 7 - What Christ Has Done Instructions Welcome to the final lesson in this Series of eight Bible Studies! Remember, throughout each lesson there will be an opportunity for you to answer a question or fill in the blank. We encourage you to look up each verse in your own personal Bible so you can see that we are not taking the verses out of context or misquoting them, however, we have also included those verses in this lesson for your convenience. When Bible verses are referenced you may click on the reference to read that verse. Each verse is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible. After you complete the study, please click on the Send Lesson button at the end of the lesson to return it to us. When we receive the completed study we will review it and answer any questions you may have asked. If you would like to receive subsequent lessons by mail, also include your mailing address. Feel free to ask questions at the end of this study. Our prayer is that God will use this series of study to help you understand the Bible better as well as to establish a relationship with the God that made you. Ontonagon Baptist Church 615 Greenland Rd Ontonagon, MI 49953 (906) 884-2453 Return to the top of this Lesson


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Birchbox December 2014
Season's greetings everyone!
I hope you all had a great Christmas day, surrounded by loved ones, great food, many smiles and lots of alcohol. I've been having an almost non-existent presence on the social medias since my sister arrived for the holidays, in combination to lots of work hours. Unfortunately that also means I couldn't spare any of my free time for the beauty box posts until now, so forgive me for the delay.
Now put on your party shoes and let's get ready for December's celebratory Birchbox!
The box for the last month of 2014 is featuring Sophia Webster, an award winning British shoe designer, getting us into the holiday spirit along with the parties, glitz and glamour that come with it. There are six beauty products in the box, two of them full size and of course the lifestyle one, curated especially for your party needs!
- Eslor Firming Collagen Day Cream: Taking care of your skin is one of the most important steps in your beauty routine, if not the most important, so the application of a good day cream is essential. This one promises to give a plumping boost to your skin while it also hydrates. Eslor is a Birchbox exclusive, originally being an American natural products beauty brand with a hefty pricetag. The full size of this costs £50 for 50ml and the sample included in the box is 10ml, so I'm more than happy to give this a go when my current day cream runs out.
- Electric Hair Electric Hydrate Shampoo: Looking good at a party means donning a gorgeous mane, whether that's an up-do, wavy locks or straight hair. What you will need afterwards is a great shampoo that will hydrate and revitalize even the most tired hair. What I personally want on top of all these is something that will also leave a discreet scent. Well, this professional shampoo is here to do all that and more. It helps repair damage as well as nourish and I absolutely adore the smell, although it slightly reminds me of men's perfume. 250ml retail for £17.50 and the sample size I got is 30ml.
- Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in "Smoke": The first of the two full size products in the December box and the one I knew I was getting because of the "glimpses" presented in Birchbox's facebook page. Another essential for a party, especially for smokey eye lovers, it's so easy to use and so practical to carry in your purse. I would prefer the other colour, but I really can't complain with this product. Retails for £8.
- Benefit Christmas Cracker | High Beam: Everyone who knows their beauty brands knows of Benefit and their "matches all skin tone" liquid illuminator. I'm not impressed with this though, as I'm not a supporter of liquid blushes/illuminators, I prefer to stick to powders. Retails for £19.50.
- Models Own Nail Polish in Sardonyx: This is the second full size product in the box and again one I knew I was receiving, as we were asked through an email to pick the colour we liked the most from the range. I opted for the red one, as it feels more festive to me and is easier to combine to the rest of my nail polishes. It dries matte, which is something I loved, as most glittery polishes have a glossy finish. Totally affordable to every budget, it costs only £5.
- Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil: Last of the beauty samples is this organic oil. I have used oils in the past, mainly on my hands/cuticles and dry elbows but I rarely use any on my face because of my oily complexion (the MONU oil is the exception), so I can't really give you an honest opinion there. I can definitely say it feels lightweight on my hands and it absorbed very fast, leaving my skin soft, but I wouldn't purchase it just for my cuticles. My sample was 2,5ml, full size is 20ml and retails for £16.50.
- Sophia Webster Purse: The lifestyle item of the December Birchbox was definitely the one that made me very happy, as it is a beautiful mint green purse with a leopard print on. Perfect to store money/cards when you carry a small bag with you to that party!
I have to say I'm very much impressed with this month's box, especially with the thought they put behind it. I will not be using every single product I got but I really like the diversity they offered. And I bet my sister will be more than happy to help herself on some of them too!
Until next time,


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Efficient generation of widely tunable picosecond pulses from the visible to near-infrared is demonstrated by optical parametric generation and amplification in BiB3O6. Pumped by the second harmonic of an amplified mode-locked Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm, also generated in BiB3O6, a signal and idler tuning range of 740-1893 nm has been achieved with angle tuning under type I (o→e+e) phase-matching in the optical yz-plane. With 40-ps pump pulses of 420-μJ energy, single-pass signal pulse energies of up to 48.6 μJ have been obtained at total OPA pump to signal and idler conversion efficiency as high as 30%. Significant temperature tuning under type I (o→e+e) noncritical interaction along the optical z-axis is also demonstrated, extending the signal tuning range from 740 nm down to 676 nm and idler tuning range from 1893 nm up to 2497 nm. Using second harmonic generation of the amplified signal pulses, also in BiB3O6, wavelength extension to 370–500 nm has been achieved at 24% conversion efficiency, providing 10-μJ pulses across the tuning range. Optical parametric generation and amplification in BiB3O6 under strong two-photon absorption pumped by 210-μJ pulses at 355 nm is also reported, providing amplified signal pulse energies of 14.2 μJ at OPA conversion efficiency as high as 21% and a spectral coverage across 450–1674 nm.
©2007 Optical Society of AmericaFull Article | PDF Article
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I've always professed that Chanel Rouge Allure lipsticks are my favourite formula, but after trying 'Know What Lies Are For' from Rouge Bunny Rouge, I may have to rethink my loyalties.
This lipstick was sent to me by the lovely Modesty Brown when she found it didn't suit her colouring. I am so grateful to her for this gesture, as this lipstick has become my new favourite.
Originating from Russia, the whole Rouge Bunny Rouge brand is a tantalising blend of enchanted gardens, whimsy, and Tsarist days-gone-by. They have two lipstick lines: Colour Burst Lipsticks and Sheer Lipsticks. 'Know What Lies Are For' is a Colour Burst Lipstick, so it has opaque coverage with a creamy, satin finish. The packaging is just stunning. I haven't got the heart to even throw away the original box; who can resist a bit of cyrillic writing?
The patterning on the lipstick tube itself is simple but elegant.
'Know What Lies Are For' is described on the Zuneta website as a "nude taupe with a hint of blue rose", and that's pretty much how the colour transfers onto my lips. Looking at Modesty Brown's post, I can see that this lipstick leans much more brown on her complexion than it does on mine, which I find really curious as our skin tones are not that dissimilar.
The lipstick has a fig scent to it, but for me this is yet another bonus, as figs are my favourite fruit. It doesn't hang around for long once applied though. Wear time is around three to four hours.
The formula is stunning. Even if your lips aren't in great shape, this lipstick will glide over any rough patches and make your lips look full and lucious. I've never seen a satin-finish lipstick able to create such full lips, and I wonder whether it has something to do with the very hydrating formula. I always thought that you needed some kind of shimmer in a lipstick to create fuller-looking lips, but apparently not.
I was caught without my lip balm yesterday, which is a small crisis for someone with incredibly dry lips like me. With a swipe of this lipstick I could finish running all my errands and make it home without my lips falling to pieces.
This colour reminds me of lipstick colours that were around in the early nineties, and I'm very happy that they are starting to return. These sorts of rosewood-toned colours really suit my colouring and don't take much thinking to throw on.
Rouge Bunny Rouge 'Know What Lies Are For' is available from Zuneta.com for £22 plus £15 shipping to Australia.


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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- When John Elway announced earlier this week he had fired Vance Joseph as the Denver Broncos' head coach, Elway was quickly asked if coaching what has been one of the league's most successful franchises was still an attractive job.
After all, the Broncos are now on the hunt for their fourth head coach since the start of the 2011 season, they've missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, have questions at quarterback and continue to fight off the inclination they are actually rebuilding.
"Yes," Elway said when asked if he had an attractive job to offer the candidates the team is scheduled to talk to. "I don't think a whole lot has changed … Therefore, I think guys want that opportunity. They want to come into a spot where they know it's about football and about winning games. Giving that opportunity, the resources behind him that we can give him, I think it's a great job."
And one of the biggest selling points Elway has to offer is the collective work of the Broncos' rookie class in the 2018 season and the prospect, with nine draft picks already in hand for the 2019 draft, of a repeat this April.
The Broncos desperately need to be as good next April as they were last April. The Broncos used 13 rookies on their roster this season; eight of them were draft picks.
By the time all was said and done this season, the Broncos' leading rusher (Phillip Lindsay), their second-leading receiver (Courtland Sutton) and the player who was second in sacks (Bradley Chubb) were all rookies.
"Those guys, the way they approach it, how they played, how they work, they came in ready to be Broncos," linebacker Von Miller said. "Those are the kind of guys who can help us get back to where we want to be. Another group like that and you could see how we would get back doing what everybody is used to us doing here."
"We've got to be good in the draft again," Elway said. "It's got to be important for us to continue to build this way. We had a good year last year and we've got to have another good year this year. We've got nine picks, and so we've got to make those count."
The Broncos, after leaning toward athleticism over college production in their 2016 and 2017 draft work, went back to their roots in the 2018 draft. As they had done early in Elway's tenure, they emphasized multiyear starters in college with former team captains and big-program performers filling the class.
The team's 2017 draft class had many players without the kind of proven college production of the players in the class of 2018, and four of the Broncos' eight picks in 2017 are no longer with the team. And their first-rounder from 2016 -- quarterback Paxton Lynch -- lost consecutive training camp battles to win the starting job and was released this past summer when Chad Kelly, who has since been released for an off-the-field arrest, beat Lynch out for the backup job.
"I think we can help this team get back to the playoffs," said Lindsay, the first undrafted offensive player to be named to a Pro Bowl as a rookie. "We have to continue to be pros, do the right things, show up and work, work hard."
Lindsay, who finished the season on injured reserve and had surgery to repair ligament damage in his right wrist, finished ninth in the league in rushing (1,037 yards) and led the league at 5.4 yards per carry. But in addition to Lindsay, there is potential for Chubb, Sutton, receiver DaeSean Hamilton, cornerback Isaac Yiadom, running back Royce Freeman and linebacker Josey Jewell to be the core of the Broncos' future.
"I think a lot of [the rookies] feel like we don't want to miss the playoffs again," Sutton said. "We don't want to be 6-10 and we want to make sure that doesn't happen again."
Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said he feels the Broncos are poised "to go young, to go really young. You look at how those guys play, we haven't made the playoffs, every veteran player on this team can see that. That's how it goes in this league."
The youth movement could include quarterback given the Broncos don't currently have a player they drafted at the position on their roster or practice squad. Elway has used five draft picks on quarterbacks in his tenure, but after Trevor Siemian was traded last year and Lynch and Kelly were both released, none of them remain.
The Broncos, including Elway, have already put in plenty of work on some of the 2019 draft's best quarterback prospects.
"We always talk about rebuilding, but if I say we're 'rebuilding,' that sounds like an excuse," Elway said. "… Our standards are still the same. We're still going to come in, we're going to go into this offseason and do the best we can this offseason to try to get better football players and try to get to where next year we can go into training camp and we're ready to compete for a playoff spot … To me, a rebuild sounds like an excuse and I'm not going to make any excuses. We're going to bust our tails to try to get better, try to get back to where we're competitive and do it next year."


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Brisbane will be the host to more than 1200 delegates from over 230 airlines across the world for the 145th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Slot Conference from 12-15 November 2019. A consortium of tourism advocates, including Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC), Brisbane Marketing, Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, and Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, combined forces to bring this fiercely sought after conference to Queensland.
The event brings airlines and airports together to negotiate slots that will give them the best possible schedule to offer their passengers. Gert-Jan de Graaff, BAC Chief Executive Officer, said: "There is enormous competition for airlines to secure the best 'slots' at key airports and with Brisbane's new runway coming on line in 2020, now is the time for airlines to be securing highly sought-after peak time slots to enhance and grow their operations."


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Fit Body Boot Camp owner Carlos wanted to increase engagement with customers and generate more revenue. Learn how Skipio got him both.
Carlos Anderson opened his Fit Body Boot Camp in Rancho Cucamonga, California to help people take charge of their lives through positive changes to their diet and exercise habits.
A huge part of his gym's success is the six-week fitness challenge that gets new members into the gym and seeing results. Carlos generates consistent leads from Facebook ads and enjoys an ever-growing number of loyal members.
But there's always room for improvement, right? Carlos wanted to make sure his members and leads were actually engaging with his messages.
With hundreds of people to contact, Carlos needed a platform that allowed him to automate messages as well as individualize them.
He used Skipio to craft two texts and a simple voicemail.
The first message introduced his referral program and was sent to unsold leads and current customers.
The second message gave current customers the opportunity to make requests for supplement orders.
The ringless voicemail, which let him to skip straight to leaving a message, was used to check in with leads he didn't close. (That way his contacts could listen to the voicemail when it was most convenient for them.)
With Skipio's custom fields, he included every contact's first name in all of the messages. And once he asked members for supplements, he could turn those messages into templates and create new custom fields that would then autofill their requests in future messages.
The first time Carlos used this engagement strategy, the first message had a 58% response rate and garnered him $1,200 in new memberships. Plus, he scheduled 10 new appointments.
The second message led to a 120% increase in supplement orders, earning him another $675.
His ringless voicemail brought in another $1,200 in memberships and got him five more appointments.
Now Carlos schedules those exact same messages to go out once a month. And it all happens automatically.


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News, Events & Special Offers
The best walking essentials for your moorland stay
Do you love walking? Not only is Westfield Lodge the ideal getaway for you, we have also had our researchers looking at some of the best walking essentials on the market right now:
Women's Montane Nuvuk Jacket
VERDICT: Beautifully designed with excellent attention to detail.
Price: £85
Weight: 330g
Men's Rab Sentinel softshell jacket
VERDICT: By far the most robust mid-layer on test and certain to keep you warm during the coldest months in the UK. The high loft fleece on the inner face gives fantastic insulation. Being a three-layer softshell, the outer fabric also offers great protection from rain and wind. Well placed pockets and adjustment on the cuffs, hood and waist but the cut under the arms seems a little tight.
Price: £160
Weight: 826g
Keen Durand Mid
VERDICT: These boots have travelled far and wide and their performance over varied terrain has been very impressive. The PU used in the midsole resists breakdown and compression (unlike most EVA cushioning) and Keen claims this will preserve the shock absorbing qualities no matter how many miles you walk in them. The website suggests ordering half a size bigger than normal, but my normal size proved a perfect fit.
Price: £139.99
Weight: 469g
SmartWool Mid 250 Zip T
VERDICT: We love this top, despite the price. It's been used and abused and still comes out smelling fresh and feeling soft and comfy. It looks good enough to wear as a standalone layer, too.
Price: £89.99
Mountain Hardwear Men's Chockstone Casual / Women's Chockstone Active Pants
VERDICT: These are impressive, good-value and highly technical soft-shell trousers for hiking and climbing in cooler conditions. They're very durable and have excellent stretch.
Price: £70 / 75
Salomon Sky 30L
VERDICT: A superb all-rounder. We've used it running, hiking, ski touring and more, and it hasn't let us down yet.
Price: £85
Pacmat outdoor rug
VERDICT: We really like this functional but well-made outdoor rug. It's a simple concept, but one that has been done really well, resulting in a lightweight, packable and durable product that has a multitude of uses.
Price: £35
Weight: 210g
Terra Nova Trail Elite trekking pole
VERDICT: Despite a couple of shortcomings, Terra Nova has come up trumps with this new 2015 entry to the trekking pole market. It's a clean, robust design that will serve most walkers well, and at a price that is half that of other manufacturers. With a little refinement, these would rival even the most expensive lightweight trekking poles.
Price: £30
Weight: 274g per pole
Review courtesy of http://www.ramblers.org.uk/news/walk-magazine.aspx


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Meet Our Team
Over 60 years experience
Mick and Michaela Stretch Skilled Hunter Large 4.93m Crocodile Specialist Partners
The Top End is an amazing place with large billabong's surrounded by an abundance of wildlife where Buffalo and large Wild Boar's roam across the flood plains. An area classed as one of the most concentrated areas in the world for Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus Porous) an extremely dangerous environment.
Record size crocodiles are lurking in these areas which it makes harvesting them an experience of a lifetime you won't forget! As producers of quality crocodile products which include a "Natural Leather that is "Naturally Tanned" ~ we can provide you with a unique to product. We utilize all crocodiles taken offering all types of Taxidermy Mounts, Leather Products, Large Skins all done in-house.
We export to most countries; all crocodiles must have CITES Permits which is the (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) along Import Permits into the receiving country. We comply to a strict permit system here in the Northern Territory and abide by Animal Welfare Act and the Code of Practice.
"A charming Australian, called Mick Pitman, a professional Crocodile Hunter from Darwin. Crocodile Dundee was made to crib Mick Pitman, and what a character he is."
Rob Caskie
Rob Caskie has become internationally known for his telling of this battle.
South Africa
Crystal Crusies 2014 World Tour
An Invited Guest Speaker
"Crocodile Mick" Pitman, a real-life Crocodile Dundee, who will share decades of experience hunting and capturing crocodiles.
Larry Bleiberg, Special for USA TODAY


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Millennials, like other classified generations before them (Boomers, GenXers), have begun breaking out of their defined box as they mature and start to gain wealth with the improving economy. A growing sub-set is not only finally tackling their student debt and moving out on their own, but have disposable income and a propensity to spend on luxury items, services and experiences. This group even has an acronym: HENRYs. As in, "High Earners, Not Rich Yet."
The nickname goes back to a 2003 article in Fortune Magazine that described families with incomes between $250,000 and $500,000 but who – because of their affluent lifestyles – were cash-poor. Over the past couple of years, however, the definition has morphed with the moniker now being applied to Millennials in ways that should be especially interesting to luxury marketers. HENRYs are now typically defined as:
HENRYs approach luxury differently than traditional "wealthy" consumers. As such, luxury marketers need to understand these nuances – or risk misfires when it comes to engaging them. The key here is 'functional luxury'. HENRYs have significant, sustained cash-flow without true, accumulated wealth yet; they seek to use and experience luxury without needing to own luxury. Consider that more than half of all luxury automobiles in the U.S. are leased rather than purchased, and one begins to grasp the enormity of the market at stake.
The good news: because of Millennials' acumen with mobile devices and social media, the hospitality and travel sectors have an especially good opportunity to connect with HENRYs. Large and growing portions of all travel categories in the US and Europe are already being reached through mobile, in new and increasingly engaging ways. A study that we recently commissioned with comScore showed that more than half of UK luxury travelers use a tablet to research destinations, shop for air/hotel, plan trip activities – and more than half use a tablet or smartphone during a trip.
As our partners know, the key is not just to be visible on the devices where audiences are, but to deliver cross-platform experiences that are visual, engaging and shareable. Strategies that luxury – and any – brands can leverage to reach HENRYs should include:
Right now, there is an incredible opportunity for luxury brands to connect with these high-earning Millennials. Indeed, this is the time for brands to initiate and nurture long-standing allegiance with consumers who will be in the "affluent" or "ultra-affluent" category for the rest of their lives. To do so, we just need to open our thinking on the new HENRY and how to engage on their terms.
Originally published by on August 3, 2015
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United Against Hate
Dear Friends,
At Tanenbaum, we know that many of the people who are today's refugees are just like us. People of many different cultures and beliefs, and ways of practicing them. They are orphans. They are parents with children.
Our nation is now in the midst of a debate about these individuals. The undertone is divisive, suggesting that only Christians should be brought in, that refugees can be equated with rabid dogs, and that all people who follow Islam (i.e., 1.6 billion people) must be treated as prospective ISIS activists. Tanenbaum objects to the hate-mongering that is going hand in hand with legitimate cries for appropriate security measures. And our President, the founder of Tanenbaum's Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees project, had something to say about it.
Take a look.
Please stand with us, and fight the hatred that breeds violence and hate,
Joyce S. Dubensky,
Click here to stand with us and support our work
Right now, all we can do is pause, hope, and for those who pray – to pray.
Canon Andrew White, one of Tanenbaum's Peacemakers in Action, was interviewed from Baghdad where he continues to tend to the dwindling Christian community and their neighbors.
He remains in Iraq, even though he tells us that ISIS is descending on Baghdad. Word is that they are about 5 miles out. Andrew is supposed to have some protection from Iraqi soldiers assigned to defend him. But his soldier told him that, if ISIS comes, he will take off his uniform and run! Andrew believes that ISIS must be defeated by ground troops – but there are none. And meanwhile, the roads out of Baghdad are blocked.
And so I ask you to join us today – to pause and remember Andrew and all the Iraqi people.
Thank you for caring,
Joyce S. Dubensky, CEO
Most of world was unaware of these massacres when Andrew first reported what was happening.
Three days ago, a Yazidi member of Iraqi Parliament collapsed in tears, calling upon the world to rescue the Yazidis. "A whole religion is being wiped out from the earth," she cried. Click here to watch the video.Two days ago, The New Yorker published a story about these horrors, claiming an even higher death toll than Andrew's report of 1,500 executed in one day. Click here to read this story.
Thousands of Yazidis have fled to the top of a mountain in Iraq. Yesterday the UN stated that some Yazidis have been rescued. Up to 50,000 Yazidis, however, have fled their homes. If they stay in the mountains, they will starve to death. If they come down, ISIS (now the Islamist State) will most likely execute them. Click here to learn more about another ISIS massacre (WARNING:gruesome images).
Andrew, our Peacemaker, won't leave Iraq. The Huffington Post interviewed Andrew on video and posted it yesterday. Watch it here.
The humanitarian food drops from Turkey and the United States are important. But they are not the solution. We can help by remaining steadfast and aware of the atrocities perpetrated in the name of religion.
We salute all of our Peacemakers, who – like Andrew – never stop pursuing peace.
Please help by sharing this story with people who also imagine a more peaceful world.
With Sorrow,
Joyce S. Dubensky, CEO


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Mad in India
Hawamahal Coffee Mug
Rs. 290.00
A visual delight, a monument of its kind, the popular Hawa Mahal of Jaipur is a marvelous example of India's architectural brilliance. And with this creatively brilliant Mad in India coffee mug you too can own a piece of Indian royalty.
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