text:
Category Archives: Spiritual Formation
Quantity, or Quality?
This is kind of a follow-up to yesterday's post about the church becoming so focused on not offending someone that it loses its sharp message. Related to political correctness is a belief that the church is to measure its success based strictly on numbers. That is a false assumption, but it drives virtually every mission that the church seeks to promote.
I have been a part of the Church of Christ for all of my life – and a paid minister for much of that life. I can attest that whenever a new mission is being evaluated, or an old mission is being reviewed, one of the most important questions that must be answered is, "How will this help us grow numerically?" The question may not be asked in such bald terms, but whether it is blatant or more covert, the question is still there. If we are going to invest dollars in a mission, we want to see numerical results.
This eventually leads to the problem I discussed yesterday – if we want rear-ends in the pews we cannot preach or teach anything that might offend large numbers of our target audience. If we are a large, up-scale, predominantly white and affluent congregation the talk of greed, avarice and selfishness must be banished. If we are poor, lower-class and predominantly dependent on government aid we cannot discuss that issues of envy or resentment. If a large percentage of our congregation is borderline obese forget hearing a sermon on gluttony. If we live next door to a military base do not even think about hearing a sermon on the evils of military aggression and the need to obey Christ's call to lay aside the weapons of destruction. The point is the overwhelming majority of the content of our sermons and lessons is determined not by the content of Scripture, but by the location of our church buildings and the make-up of our congregational membership rolls.
Believe me, I have been both perpetrator and victim of this mentality. Much of my job security has revolved around the stability, if not the growth, of the numbers of the ministry I have been associated with. I have been all too much a promoter of the "we have to have more and more people here" kind of thinking. But, I have also been burned by the same mentality. You are not invited to speak at all the brotherhood soirees if your only claim to fame is that you drive people away from your building.
I don't think Jesus was all that hung-up about numbers. In fact, he was just as willing to see the slackers and the hangers-on turn around and leave him as he was to see the faithful follow him. He lamented the fact people would turn their back on him, but he never promised to bring in donuts and coffee if they would stay.
What Jesus was vitally interested in was the quality of the life of the disciple. If you said you were "in" with Jesus, he wanted to make sure you understood what that "in" meant. The cost of discipleship varied with the person, and Jesus would not expect the same effort from a 75 year old convert that he might expect from a 25 year old convert. But he would expect the same amount of love and commitment.
Churches of Christ are in a major quandary these days, as are congregations of virtually every religious stripe. Some of the issues confronting the churches have been created by our opponent, Satan. Some of the wounds we are seeking to heal, however, are purely self-inflicted. Part of the problem, although not all of it by any stretch of the imagination, is the fact that for several generations now we have been measuring success by the quantity of numbers in our pews, and not the quality of discipleship in those who sit in the pews.
In an odd sort of way, Jesus may be happier with us if we had fewer congregations made up of smaller memberships, if those members were fully committed Christians. The interesting thing is, if that were to happen, my guess is the numbers of the members of the church would grow exponentially. I believe people want to be a part of genuine Christianity. I think they are just sick and tired of the pseudo-christianity that is being peddled by so many number-hungry churches today.
Book Review – The Juvenilization of American Christianity (Thomas E. Bergler)
The Juvenilization of American Christianity Thoms E. Bergler (Grand Rapids: William E. Eerdmans, 2012) 229 pages and 37 pages of endnotes.
I'm not exactly sure the process that encouraged me to read this book – I had a bunch of "irons in the fire" over the past couple of years, and a note indicates I bought this book in July of 2013 – so it has been a while since I have read it. It has taken me a while to get around to reviewing it, but that time delay does not reflect on the importance of the book.
There are some books that you read and you think, "Wow, I wish I had thought of that." Other books you read and you think, "I'm not sure I agree with that, or I do not think the author made his case very well here." And then there are the books that you read and you think, "Wow. I agree with the author, and I really wish that he was not right." Bergler's book fit that third category for me. I have felt that Bergler's thesis was true for quite some time, but I could not have said it as powerfully or as eloquently as Bergler does.
Bergler's thesis is given on pages 4 and 8:
Beginning in the 1930s and 1940s, Christian teenagers and youth leaders staged a quiet revolution in American Church life which can properly be called the juvenilization of American Christianity. Juvenilization is the process by which the religious beliefs, practices, and developmental characteristics of adolescents become accepted as appropriate for Christians of all ages.
And then this:
Adolescent Christianity is any way of understanding, experiencing, or practicing the Christian faith that conforms to the patterns of adolescence in American culture.
The main point of the book is that due to the influence of the adolescent culture shift that started in the 1930's, the American church is basically a church of adolescents. This is not something that can be undone, according to Bergler. Indeed, he states emphatically that his book is NOT a manual on how to eliminate juvenilization – and the last chapter is dedicated to "The Triumph and Taming of Juvenilization."
Bergler demonstrates how each of the major groups of American Christianity (Liberals andConservatives, Catholics and Protestants) have been affected by this trend. The one group that he points out that has managed to resist the process is the Black church. This is true because Black Christians did a much better job of integrating their youth into the entire church and thereby fostered a greater degree of maturity as their youth matured.
In contrast, by creating, and by constantly re-creating age specific "youth groups" complete with their own "youth ministers," the vast majority of the American church scene simply allowed their youth to stagnate in the period of life we call adolescence. The problem is that now "we are all adolescents" as the introduction is titled. Just think of the major issues in the American church today and you will find that at the root there is a systemic lack of Christian maturity. Everyone wants the church to be what they want it to be, not what Christ has called the church to be.
Having gone through adolescence in the 1970's this book was a hard read for me. I loved the youth group that gave me so much strength as a young Christian. But I can see now how we have bent the church to try to match the demands of what can only be described as "adolescence" that we have lost sight of Paul's instruction to "grow up into maturity . . . into Christ." By allowing everyone to stay an adolescent, we have almost killed the church.
The one problem I have with the book is Bergler's acceptance of the problem he identified. True, in the final pages he discusses how the process needs to be "tamed," but I do not see how the issue he discusses can be dealt with short of ending it. Adolescence may be a necessary stage of growth for today's young people, but in no way do we want them to stay stuck in adolescence. We want to move them to maturity – we want to move the church to maturity. We want, or maybe better put, we NEED to grow up!
I heartily recommend the book. It may open your eyes, it may challenge you, and you may thoroughly disagree with Bergler, but in my (humble) opinion you cannot disregard the issue that he reveals.
Confession – Nothing Could Be More Biblical
This is the third in my series of working through my Doctor of Ministry dissertation on confession in the Churches of Christ. Today I look at the biblical evidence for the practice of confession.
Within the Churches of Christ our focus has been primarily on the New Testament. The Old Testament is valuable, so children are told, but mostly because all the really cool stories are in the Old Testament. There are no floods, no arks, no fish that swallow humans, no giant-killing little shepherds in the New Testament. As adults we are told that the Old Testament is valuable because it "teaches us about God," but if that is the case we must not want to know much about God because we spend precious little time studying (I mean really studying) the Old Testament.
However, in my doctoral studies I wrote a paper on the Psalms of Lament, and it struck a nerve with me. Depending on how you classify the Psalms, approximately one-third of the Psalms (maybe a little more, maybe a little less) are Psalms of lament. Now, stop and ask yourself a question – why was lament such a major part of worship for the Israelites/Jews? Well, that got me to thinking, and when the time came for me to select my dissertation topic, one thing kind of led to another and the subject of confession made itself sort of unavoidable.
So, as a result of the paper on the Psalms of Lament, I turned not to the New Testament for the "skeleton" of my biblical study on confession, but to the Psalms. What I discovered was that the Psalms are basically a roadmap for the practice of confession. In fact, you might say that "confession" is one major, if not the major, theme that unifies the entire book of Psalms.
In a very brief summary, I discovered that the book of Psalms contains the following four types of confession:
Adoration, Praise, and the confession of belief/faith in God
Confession of sin
Now, some may quibble about my taxonomy here, but as John Denver once quipped to his audience that was clamoring for him to sing their favorite song, "Hey, this is my show."
I then turned to the narrative sections of the Old Testament and discovered that these same qualities, or types, of confession are described throughout the text. Within the prophetic material the aspect of lament is particularly evident in Jeremiah, but the other types of confession are evident in the prophets as well. Certainly the book of Job contains both lament and praise.
Turning to the New Testament I discovered the same thread – there are examples of each of the four main types of confession, although lament is noticeably more subdued in the New Testament. I believe there is a theological reason for that – but there are examples of lament within the New Testament as well.
The purpose of this section of the dissertation was to demonstrate that confession (in all of its various forms) was, and is, a critical component of the daily life and worship of God's people. The absence of a clear and sustained emphasis on confession in the Churches of Christ is all the more striking, then, because one of the "pillars" of our heritage is that we want to go back to the Bible and practice the pure faith and religion of the earliest church. I am convinced, and I argue in my dissertation, that we have failed to do so when it comes to the practice of confession.
I realize these blog posts are rudimentary – just giving the briefest sketch of my work. However, I am creating a seminar that covers this material in-depth, and if you would like more information about scheduling a seminar in your area, please contact me at abqfr8dawg (at) msn (dot) com. Also, I am presently searching for a publisher who might be interested in publishing the dissertation (although expanded and modified for a general audience), so if there is anyone out there in the blogosphere who has a connection with a publisher who might be interested, please let me know at the above email address. I will be deeply grateful!
Thanks for following me in the fog!
Beg Your Pardon, But Your Philosophy is Showing
One of the greatest blessings given to me through my studies for my DMin. coursework was the realization of how secular philosophies affect our theology. Second to this observation is the further truth that these philosophies are virtually hidden to our conscious thought. These philosophies are just like the air we breath – we are controlled by them yet we are hardly aware of them, if at all.
In my last post I discussed the reality that for many members of the Churches of Christ, our physical history is something of an enigma. We clearly have one (kind of like a belly button) but for many of us we do not want it to be seen or discussed (again, much like a belly button). We can cover it up, and refuse to admit we have one, but sooner or later the truth comes out and our history rises up to bite us when and where we least expect it.
If acknowledging our history is difficult for the majority of the members of the Churches of Christ, the admission that we are affected by secular philosophy (or philosophies) is tantamount to heresy. Even those who accept that the Restoration Movement is rooted in history will more often than not claim that this history is divine history, and therefore unstained by any human embellishment. In that limited world-view, God simply swooped down and deposited the Restoration Movement onto the pages of history much like he swooped down to snatch Elijah from the earth. Don't laugh. For many years this was my concept of Restoration History. Sort of like the "big bang," first there was no Restoration, and then "POOF" there was a Restoration. Call it Restoration ex nihilo.
This, much to my initial chagrin and later relief, cannot be any further from the truth. The fact is that Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, Tolbert Fanning, David Lipscomb, and every leader down to the latest graduate from our universities or schools of preaching were and are profoundly affected by the prevailing philosophies of their day. For Campbell and Stone that meant the philosophy of John Locke, Francis Bacon, and the political philosophy that drove the "Founding Fathers" of our nation to create the Constitution. Evidence of this can be amply produced through the language used in the early documents of the Restoration Movement. This is why so much of our contemporary language focuses on "pattern" and "constitution" and "blueprint." We are simply following in the footsteps of those who were following in the footsteps of those who formed the new Republic.
For us today the situation is the same, although the prevailing philosophies have changed. We are no longer marching in lock-step with those who believe in the ultimate goodness of technology or the limitless capacity of the human mind. We have seen both the incomparable good of splitting the atom, and also the horrific evil of the same. Yet, having split the atom, we cannot seem to figure out a way to put the thing back together. We realize now that man is more likely to be the cause of his own demise, rather than the source of his own salvation. There is no "ultimate good" for which man is destined. The "modern mind" which so fully captivated Campbell has been replaced with the "postmodern mind;" therefore, much of what Campbell believed to be incontrovertible truth now just seems like a quaint little fairy tale. Such is the air that we breathe, the truth that we hold to be "self-evident."
What does all of this "philosophizing" have to do with theology? Simply this – if we do not at least attempt to recognize our own temporal worldview, we will end up making the same mistakes of our spiritual forebears. I for one am an avowed restorationist. I am constantly awed and humbled by the profundity of Campbell, Stone, Walter Scott, "Raccoon" John Smith and a host of others. They were centuries ahead of their contemporaries, as modern theological thought has proven. But, that having been said, they were woefully unaware that the basic philosophy of their day was coloring the theology that they were producing. Therefore, they read early 19th century America back into the Bible, especially the New Testament, and the result of their research was that Jesus was the quintessential American Patriot. That philosophical blindness has been passed down for numerous generations, and it has affected our spiritual vision at every step along the way.
The solution to this vision problem is not to discard our history! (As so many are wont to do). Neither is it to idolize our history and simply ignore the reality of temporal nearsightedness. The solution is to acknowledge the reality of our own human frailty, to acknowledge the affect of secular philosophy upon our most deeply held convictions, and then to challenge those convictions with the penetrating truth of God's word.
In my own, very narrow study of confession, what I discovered was that the Lockean/Baconian empiricism of Campbell and his early disciples made it virtually impossible for them and their heirs to develop and bequeath a healthy practice of confession. Stated in its most raw expression, if you have everything all figured out, if you have perfectly restored that which was defective, there is no need for confession. That, of course, is an over-simplification, but it works for a "nuts-and-bolts" summary of the early chapters of my dissertation.
Lest I be counted as an ancestor-bashing, history-hating, long-haired, dope-smoking hippy, let me repeat – I am an avowed restorationist. I am far more Stonian/Lipscombian than I am Campbellian, but if I am cut I bleed Restorationist blood. I wrote my dissertation to honor my heritage, not to trash it. So, in the greatest heritage of seeking to improve upon that which has been given to me, I recognize some areas where my spiritual heritage can be strengthened. One of those areas is confession, and that is what led me to my final research.
As I mentioned in my last blog, I will create a seminar dedicated to sharing this information with any who are interested. Please contact me at abqfr8dawg (at) msn (dot) com and I will gladly get back with you.
Book Review – "Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker" (Andrew Root)
Andrew Root, Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker: A Theological Vision for Discipleship and Life Together (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014)
I am a Bonhoefferophile. Happiness to me (if I cannot be fly fishing somewhere on a cold trout stream) is a big cup of Earl Grey tea, a book by or about Bonhoeffer, and a long afternoon. But, that having been said, there is nothing worse than a bad book about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Regardless of how much you like steak, there come a point that if it is cooked poorly, even a filet mignon is a wretched piece of meat. So, when I heard that a book about Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a youth worker had been published, I was immediately and deeply suspicious. Possibly no theologian has been used and abused more than Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Liberals see Bonhoeffer as the consummate liberal, conservatives see Bonhoeffer as a flag carrying conservative. I was afraid to find that Mr. Root would make Dietrich Bonhoeffer out to be the paragon of modern "pizza and praise God party" youth minister. I read some encouraging reviews, so I cautiously bought the book. The siren call of another study on Bonhoeffer was just too strong to resist.
Boy, am I glad I did.
My fears of Mr. Root transposing American youth ministry onto Bonhoeffer were dispelled on p. 3 when he wrote, "Actually, as we'll see in the chapters below, Dietrich Bonhoeffer more than likely would have been strongly against many of the forms American youth ministry has taken since its inception." Mr. Root is still too kind, but at least he put my mind at ease. The rest of the book served this summary well – he clearly demonstrated the vast difference between Bonhoeffer and American elitist, entitlement based youth ministry.
Root's work is divided into 14 chapters and runs 208 pages long – so the book moves quickly. Root takes a chronological approach to studying Bonhoeffer's work with youth, which is not the only way to study Bonhoeffer's theology, but it works very well in this case. Root demonstrates that throughout his work with youth (which is far more extensive than most people realize), Bonhoeffer was consistent and demanding. Bonhoeffer was a theologian first and foremost and not at all concerned with the "bottom line" that defines so much American youth ministry. However, he was particularly adept at recognizing the capacity of his audience to perceive and adopt theological concepts, and so Bonhoeffer was a master at pedagogy as well as theology. Reading this book illuminates how important it is for a youth worker to be firmly grounded in theology, as well as methodology to convey that theology. (Note especially chapter 6, "Tears for Mr. Wolf: Barcelona and After", and chapter 9, "They Killed Their Last Teacher! The Wedding Confirmation Class.")
I am afraid that many (if not most) American youth ministers will not like this book – if they even understand what Root is saying. Most American youth ministry creates idols out of young people. "Do this, or we will lose our youth!" "Don't do that, or say that, because our young people will not like it and they will leave!" Most critical, youth ministry in America treats theology like the plague – you can do just about anything, but for crying out loud stay away from theology. Even if you have to (horrors) talk about God, make sure he comes across as a BFF, so that you will not scare the poor little darlings.
Bonhoeffer, as Root so powerfully and eloquently demonstrates, viewed young people as individuals who were both capable and responsible for learning about the great and deep things of God. And Bonhoeffer viewed youth ministry as a critical part of the entire congregation – Bonhoeffer never wavered from his insistence that the church, and especially the congregation, was the center of the world for the Christian. I think Bonhoeffer would be aghast at the way our youth ministries pull young people away from the church – we actually destroy the community of the saints by isolating one of its most critical components.
Root demonstrates beyond question that for Bonhoeffer, theology had to be the center for youth ministry. How he managed to accomplish what he did is another story – certainly not everyone is going to be as gifted as Bonhoeffer in working with youth. But, if you love young people, if you are concerned about the young people in your church, and especially if you are currently involved in ministering to young people, this is one book you need to buy, read, and most important, fit into your ministry.
Just do not expect to find a 21st century youth minister in Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was not, and for that we should all be very grateful.
What if, or Even if…
One of the joys I have is teaching and learning from some really great young people. The other day following class a few of us were discussing various topics, and one of the things we were talking about was faithful obedience. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and their great statement of faith came up,
O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it be so, Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up. (Daniel 3:16-18, RSV)
One of the students told the group he had prepared a lesson on the difference between faith and fear. The lesson is profound, so I share it with you.
Fear says, "What if . . ." Fear says, "What if I fail, what if I get sick or die, what if this solution costs too much or does not achieve the goal for which we out to overcome, what if the people reject me, what if there are unforeseen setbacks, what if, what if, what if."
Faith says, "Even if . . ." "Even if I fail, even if I get sick or die, even if this solution costs more that the value returned, even if the people reject me, even if there are unforeseen setbacks, I am going to follow God and his word, and I am not going to give in to fear."
It was a powerful moment. Far too often I have collapsed under the weight of the "what ifs." I am cautious by nature, almost to a fault (maybe certainly to a fault). I like to see the end before I take a step. Could I have uttered the words of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? I shudder to think.
How many times do we worship false gods because we are afraid of the "what ifs." How many good projects are not even attempted because of the "what ifs." How much good could be accomplished if we would just say, "even if." We really need to have the courage to swim against the crush of the crowds – the courage of our convictions.
I needed to hear that message. I hope it helps you too.
Submitting to the Reign of God (Or, How to Become a Mystic)
I want to conclude this little mini-series on mysticism with some thoughts on how mere mortals can join the ranks of the mystics. As with virtually everything else that I write, I cannot claim any true originality here, only in the sense of putting these ideas together in the manner that I have.
To begin with, it should go without saying, but you must first of all desire to submit to the reign of God. This is so obvious, but then again, I am the master at discovering what everyone else already knows. If you do not want God to reign in your life, or in anyone else's life, He simply will not force himself upon you. To want God to reign in your life you must be willing to surrender every other king in your life – money, prestige, power, status, country, possessions, even people. To say, "Thy kingdom come" means just that – not a democracy or a meritocracy, but a monarchy. Those who say they want God to reign in their life while continuing to submit to the principalities and powers of this world are deceiving themselves – and God cannot be deceived.
We are to seek God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. It is an all-or-nothing adventure. To join with Peter walking on the waves of the storm-washed sea we have to be willing to let go of the boat. This is the problem I see with most "Christianity" in America today. We are half-hearted at best. We want God plus America (or America plus God). We want God plus the Constitution. We want God plus the greatest armed forces the world has ever known. We want God plus every technological discovery that we have or ever will create. We do not want God, we want God plus something else. We want God.1. That is NOT seeking the kingdom of God. That is NOT seeking God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. That is not seeking God's kingdom first, and allowing him to add "all these things."
Next, a person seeking the reign of God in their lives will conform their life to the pattern of Jesus. They will study the life and teachings of Christ as their only sure guide to learning the will of the Father. The beatitudes become no longer a list of virtues to emulate, but the reality of everyday life. The parables no longer serve as topics for academic study, but an entrance into the kingdom. Along with the life of Jesus they will absorb as much of the rest of Scripture as they possibly can. They will learn from the great inspired mystics – from Moses and Isaiah and Jeremiah and Daniel and Paul and Peter and John. Every page of the Bible will be to them a treasure of untold value – revealing the heart and will of God in heaven, whose reign they purely and entirely seek. Jesus, however, will be the center around which every other detail of Scripture revolves. Christ is the center, the norm, of a mystic life. It was Christ who inaugurated the ultimate reign of God, and it will be Christ who returns to fully embody that reign.
Third, a person seeking the reign of God will decide, based on what the Scriptures and Jesus teach them about the reign of God, whether they want to accept that reign or refuse it. Just because the reign was fervently desired in the first place does not mean that every person will decide to accept that reign. The rich young ruler went away sorrowful, even while he was on the very threshold of accepting the kingdom of God. The apostle Paul wrote of a certain Hymenaeus and Alexander who had made a shipwreck out of their faith, and who had apparently decided to rescind their allegiance to the reign of God. Experience tells me that many fit Jesus' parable of the seed that falls on the weedy soil – the heart accepts the message with gladness but there is just too much "stuff" that chokes out God's kingdom. So, following desire and discovery there comes the point of decision. Is God going to reign, or not? There is no other question, there is no other answer.
Finally, the one who places God as the king in their life will actually live as if God is the king of their life. How do you think Abraham had the courage to leave his father's faith and country? How do you think Joseph was able to risk his life to remain pure? How do you think Moses had the nerve to stand up to Pharaoh? How do you think Daniel and his three friends had the courage to defy the king? How do you think Paul could stand up to Herod? How could John write from Patmos to tell the seven churches to stand up against Caesar? The answer to each and every situation was that these faithful, these disciples, these mystics, all had the kingdom of God securely implanted in their heart. They knew who was the king, and the earthly power that threatened them was simply not worthy of their fear, and certainly not of their devotion.
We are a nation of sanctimonious cowards. We fear the government. We fear losing our Constitution. We fear what will happen to us if, by some horrible circumstance, we are caught without our fully loaded handgun on our person. We fear what will happen if we stop building multi-million dollar airplanes to drop multi-million dollar bombs. We fear losing our freedom, yet we are too ignorant to realize that is striving for every human comfort and safety we have sacrificed our greatest freedom – the freedom to live in and expand the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God knows nothing of Constitutions and guns and airplanes and bombs. The symbols of the kingdom of God are a towel and a cross. The towel is to serve this world, and the cross is to die to it and for it.
As I started this series, I said that the world does not like mystics. The world punishes, persecutes, and even kills mystics. Jesus predicted his followers would be hated. Paul predicted his churches would face tribulation. John saw only martyrdom for those who remained faithful to the word of the cross. To share in the resurrection of Jesus we must first share in his death. When we invite the kingdom into our life, the hatred of the world will soon follow. But if we are to follow Jesus, how can it be any other way?
The cross is not the terrible end of a pious, happy life. Instead, it stands at the beginning of community with Jesus Christ. Whenever Christ calls us, his call leads us to death. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the kingdom of God come?" Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God can't be detected by visible signs. You won't be able to say, 'Here it is!' or 'It's over there!' For the kingdom of God is already among you. (Luke 17:20-21, NLT)
The kingdom is among us. I pray we want it. I pray we are searching for it. I pray we care enough to learn what it means. I pray we decide to accept it, and live like we accept it.
I pray we all, in whatever measure we can, will accept the call to be mystics – and begin to live as if the kingdom has arrived.
What Mystics Can See That Others Cannot (Or, Refuse To)
In my last post I said that some of my favorite people were mystics. The names I mentioned were all biblical characters, with the exception of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Barton Stone, and David Lipscomb. I could have mentioned a number of others, including Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, and maybe even C.S. Lewis, among others. As I have reflected on my post I felt that I needed to explain a littler further what I mean by mysticism, and how these individuals fit into my understanding of what it means to be a mystic.
First, mystics have a profound vision of the kingdom of God. You can see this very clearly in the inspired mystics – Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Jesus, Paul, Peter, John. These individuals received either a very clear vision of God, or received inspiration and illumination far beyond the "normal" avenues of study and meditation. I place these visionaries on an entirely different plane than non-inspired mystics. The "non-inspired" mystics have also had a vision of the kingdom of God – one that drives their writing or preaching on a level that exceeds most "common" or non-mystical writing. There is a sense in reading these individuals that they see, or hear, or have been given, insight into the kingdom of God that is reserved for the few who (1) truly desire to have that kind of insight and (2) open themselves to receiving that kind of insight. None of the "non-inspired" mystics just woke up one morning with the clarity of vision that they have shared with the rest of us. God rewards those who seek him – he will be found if he is sought after. Mere seeking will not avail, however, if there is no heart prepared to welcome him. Mystics spend as much time preparing their heart to receive the kingdom as they do in seeking the kingdom. I think that is why so many earnest seekers never find the kingdom. They are simply unwilling to accept it when it is shown to them.
Second, once the kingdom is revealed, these individuals seize it. They believe God, not just believe in God. There is a radical transformation that takes place in the heart of a mystic, even if the mystic came from a position of belief to begin with. Some, such as a C.S. Lewis, came from a position of agnosticism, if not even outright atheism, and so their transformation is all the more astounding. There is a sense, however, in which believers can be converted – once the vision of the kingdom is received and accepted. The apostle Paul was perhaps the quintessential example of this – he was converted from faith to faith. I think the same could also be said of Isaiah, and Peter seemed to be on a never-ending cycle of renewed and expanded faith.
Finally, the mystics of whom I write did not stop with a simple apprehension and acceptance of the kingdom. They went out and lived as if the kingdom was really here, live and in living color, as the old saying used to go. They did not wait for "pie in the sky by and by." They lived, taught, and wrote to transform their world into the kingdom that God intended. For their vision and their efforts many were killed – most of them in fact were either imprisoned or persecuted in some form or fashion. They remained faithful to their vision, however, and through their lives the world caught a greater glimpse of what the kingdom of God will ultimately look like.
This is why I place Bonhoeffer, Stone, and Lipscomb within the category of "mystic," although for some the characterization may be laughable. These men, so disparate in many respects, all had a vision of the kingdom informed by the writings and teachings of the inspired mystics that we find in Scripture. They searched longingly for the kingdom, and when they had prepared their hearts to receive it – God let them see what the kingdom could be. Then, they went out and lived as if they kingdom was indeed, "among them" just as Jesus emphatically said it was. They challenged the status quo. They lived as kingdom subjects, and suffered as only kingdom subjects will suffer.
As I said, some of my favorite people – authors and saints – are mystics. I am coming to see the difference in their life and mine. I glory in their vision, and their faithful expression of that vision.
And, before anyone says it – yes, I know that these men were all flawed human beings, with the obvious exception of our Lord. None of them was perfect. This is why we proclaim our allegiance to Jesus, and not to any mortal human. The lives of the others can be illustrative, however, of what it means to be a disciple, a mystic. For their example I am truly grateful, and if some day someone looks back on my life and says, "there lived a mystic" then I will owe that epitaph to the example of these faithful, though flawed, mortal beings.
Ode to a Mystic
Mystics are not popular people. Mystics get arrested, shot, hanged, burned at the stake, crucified. Oh, there are mystics who say popular things from time to time, and occasionally you will find a group of people who popularize the teachings of a mystic, but with very few exceptions mystics are just not very popular. Mystics see things that the overwhelming majority of people cannot see, and for that reason they are considered dangerous. Dangerous people must be removed, so that the rest of us can be comfortable.
Jesus was a mystic. The apostles Paul and John were mystics. Peter was a clumsy mystic, but he was a mystic. Isaiah and Jeremiah and Daniel and Ezekiel preceded them in a long line of Divinely appointed mysticism. These were not mystics because they retreated to the desert and slept in caves and ate exotic bugs. No, Jesus and Paul and Isaiah were mystics because they were able to see with the eyes of God.
Mystics do not see what is not there. Mystics do not call people to a life that cannot be lived. Jesus was a mystic not because he was obscure and bizarre and said incomprehensible things. Paul was not a mystic because he was blind for three days and then went into the Arabian desert. Isaiah and Jesus and Peter and Paul all saw the kingdom of God with a clarity that eludes those who think that mystics are weird people that sane people should stay away from.
Jesus said, "Blessed are you when you are persecuted" and "The last shall be first" and "The kingdom of God is among you." Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live" and "When I am weak, then I am strong." John saw the heavens open and the new city of God descend upon the new earth. These are mystical sayings and events, but they are not delusional. Mystics say that the lion shall lie down with the lamb and the child shall play over the den of the viper not because these things are false, but because they are of a truth that only mystics can see. True reality is much more real that what most humans accept for reality. That which confronts us daily is not reality, it is a mirage of the devil's making. We surrendered reality in the garden. The mystics see reality. Realists see only a distant shadow of that reality.
Mystics call for mankind to lay down the weapons of war. Realists say that is impossible, because realists cannot see peace, nor do they really want to see peace. They want to see war, because war is raw and passionate and "real." Mystics do not see any division between races and nations. Realists want to keep nations and the human races separate, because separating the races creates animosity, and animosity will ultimately create war. Mystics call for equality, and that is something that realists simply cannot accept. Equality would lead to peace, and that is simply too high a price for realists to pay.
Mystics are some of my favorite people. Even when people cannot be fully described as mystic, there are times when the heavens open for them and they catch a glimpse of the real, and for that crystalline moment they are transformed into mystics. I think Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a mystic, although as with most mystics, I think he has been greatly misunderstood. I think Barton W. Stone had moments that bordered on mystical. I think David Lipscomb was the same way. They looked beyond the concrete and they saw the real – the kingdom as it will be, not what mankind has turned it into.
Fact is, I would rather be called a mystic than a realist. I don't want to see the world the way it is. I want to see the world become what it should be. I want the Kingdom be among us. I want to see the lion and lamb gambol together. I want to swim with Great White sharks and not fear the teeth.
"The greatest insanity of all is to see the world as it is, and not as it should be." – from Man of La Mancha, based on the book Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Bible Reading Schedule – 2015
It is time for my annual (or almost annual) post suggesting a daily Bible reading schedule. This coming year (2015) I am going to return to an older schedule I have used, and after explaining that schedule I will explain why I believe it to be a valuable exercise.
First, a bit of an explanation – it sounds confusing, but it really is not. I just explain in confusing terms.
The basic schedule calls for a reader to read 5 chapters of the Old Testament every day, Monday through Saturday. Also, one Psalm is read daily, Monday through Saturday. On Mondays and Saturdays the reader reads one chapter of the New Testament, and on Tuesdays through Fridays the reader reads 2 chapters of the New Testament. Thus, on Mondays and Saturdays the schedule calls for 7 chapters a day, and on Tuesday through Friday it calls for 8 chapters a day. This schedule allows a person to read through the entire Bible twice in a year. I choose one translation for January – June, and another for July – December. This allows me to "hear" the text in two different translations within one year.
Now, a couple of changes need to be made throughout the year. For one, February only has 28 days, so there has to be some changes in the Old Testament readings. I combine some of the smaller prophetic writings, or I will add a chapter here or there depending on context. Also, Ps. 119 is 176 verses long, so I break the Psalm into 24 verse sections for a daily reading.
To work the whole schedule out, I take a calendar and, starting with Jan. 1, will write down the OT, Psalm, and NT reading for each day on that calendar. Planning ahead is part of the discipline of reading. Of course, there are dozens, maybe hundreds of pre-printed schedules out there – but what fun is that? Part of the joy of this plan is you actually have to spend time working it out. The return you get for your time is quite gratifying.
You may ask, "What about Sunday?" Well, that is when I turn to the Moravian reading schedule, which follows the common lectionary reading for Sunday. So, every Sunday there is an Old Testament reading, a reading from a Psalm, a reading from a gospel, and a reading from another New Testament book. The lectionary follows the common Christian calendar.
This past year I followed the Moravian reading schedule completely, but I learned a couple of things. The Moravian schedule is much more expanded – you read through the Bible once every two years, meaning the readings are much smaller. But I learned that the manner in which the Moravian schedule breaks the Old Testament readings is not necessarily along contextual lines. Many stories are interrupted, and others are broken in seemingly incongruous ways. Also, many of the Psalms are divided, when they should have been read in their entirety. Now, a reader can always read the entire Psalm every day, and I often did, but it just did not make sense to me to break so many of the Psalms into smaller sections. The New Testament readings make much more sense, at least this past year, as the readings all came from the gospels which are easier to break into contextual sections.
An objection to my longer reading schedule is often "I don't have time to read that Bible that long every day." Let me say first that there are some people for whom that is true. I think especially of mothers of young children. Babies and toddlers just do not allow for lengthy periods of quiet time. However, for the overwhelming majority of us, that excuse is just a dodge. How much time do you spend with your eyes glued to a screen – either your computer, phone, or tablet? Uh huh, thought so. Now, how much time do you spend reading your Bible? Yeah, right. See – our priorities are revealed by the amount of time we devote to certain tasks. I seriously doubt that many of us cannot devote 30 – 45 minutes a day to reading the Bible, even if it has to be broken into sections (Old Testament in the morning, Psalms and New Testament at night). It is not so much a matter of opportunity, but will power and dedication.
Another objection I hear is "I just want to read a verse or two and meditate on those." Wonderful! I think that is a great idea. But with that idea comes the related problem of atomizing the Scriptures. The Old Testament in particular was written as a narrative, a story. By just pulling one verse out of thin air a reader misses the "story" that makes the verse important. So, by reading larger sections (and 5 chapters a day is NOT that long of a reading), a reader can follow along with the narrative of the text. Then, if a particular verse, or section of verses, strikes you as especially meaningful, then by all means take the time to meditate on those verses.
The point of any daily Bible reading schedule is that it is pointless if we do not spend time in the text. I fully admit that this "long" reading schedule is not for everyone. But, for some, it may be the schedule that opens entire new doors into the Scripture.
Whatever your plan, choose one that works for you and stick with it. Let us all become readers of God's word in 2015!


text:
Teddy: When they dropped me at the dock after they tried diving for Mary Jo, I told them I would report the accident the moment I got back to my hotel. But they knew I was lying. An hour went by and no police had come by to question them? They knew I hadn't reported it. They're as guilty as I am!
Lawyer: Well, arguably, you are more guilty, inasmuch as you drove off the bridge --
Teddy: Mary Jo was driving. And I've been drowning my sorrows ever since. Get it? "Drowning my sorrows"? Can I at least have a beer?
Lawyer: – and then you went to absurd lengths back at the hotel to create an alibi for yourself – drying off and changing clothes, making a point of complaining to the hotel owner about the noise from the next room even though everyone was sound asleep at that hour, asking the hotel owner to tell you what time it was.
Teddy: That was a nice touch, wasn't it?
Lawyer: How can you explain that behavior as anything other than trying to create an alibi?
Teddy: Are you listening? I'm a married man! Mary Jo was a babe! I was drunk, speeding toward a secluded beach with her. Do you think we were going to look for seashells? Now how would that look?
Lawyer: Hey – what are you doing with that neck brace?
Teddy: Look! Now it's a hat! Hey – there aren't any cameras in here, are there?
Lawyer: I don't know how I'm going to get you out of this ...
Teddy: Do you know who I am? I am a Kennedy! JFK, Jackie O, Camelot, Prohibition-era rum-running Kennedy clan – any of that ring a bell? The judge is a Democrat, and the weenie DA keeps sending me mash notes promising not to prosecute. Ha ha! He must think I need a new chauffeur!
Lawyer: You are in a lot of trouble, Teddy.
Teddy: I've got it all in hand. Hey, I'm feeling a little loaded. Which side of this neck brace is up? My press conference is in 10 minutes.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
radial by davespertineWatch
©2009-2016 davespertine
you are our daily square
thanks a lot!, that's really nice, made my day
I never commented on this one. This is very well shot. It's like the quintessential natural action shot. Form and all...Really well done.
Superb image, it all works together so well. The angle, tilt, composition, silhouette of the walkway and people. I especially love the colour and light variation of the sky from the glass and also the slight distortion. What was your focal length if you don't mind me asking? Brilliant work.
it's a Fisheye Peleng 3.5/8mm
No problem, would love a Fisheye lens. You can get such unique and interesting images from them.
This is one of my favorite from you!
the prism
pierces the sky
(money shot, congrats)
pierces the sky
(money shot, congrats)
fantastic! the colours are awesome
nice angel,capture
Wow, that is really looking good!!!
great stuff
like stained glass
like stained glass
Wonderful! Fantastic composition and color!
Absolutely superb one...!!!


text:
We believe that government project management training alone is not enough. To meet public demand for better and more services amid a budget squeeze, government agencies need three things:
TwentyEighty Strategy Execution has helped clients fulfill all three needs by never losing sight of the desired outcomes. It's no wonder that while other providers deliver training, we deliver results.
TwentyEighty Strategy Execution's project and program management courses are aligned to industry-recognized standards and are offered in a variety of modalities.
Learn More
TwentyEighty Strategy Execution's newly released Agile project management curriculum helps managers and practitioners build practical Agile skills and competencies.
TwentyEighty Strategy Execution's vendor management solution is designed to help you apply best practices in relationships and vendor performance management; elicit, document, and manage vendor requirements; improve communication with key stakeholders; and reduce and manage conflicts.
TwentyEighty Strategy Execution's federal contracting courses provide the guidance needed to navigate ever-changing compliance mandates, regulations, and directives.
TwentyEighty Strategy Execution's business analysis courses provide the needed knowledge to elicit justifiable, verifiable, and traceable requirements; and the skills to manage them through the entire requirements process.
TwentyEighty Strategy Execution's business skills courses help project managers master effective communication, goal setting, critical thinking and problem solving.
TwentyEighty Strategy Execution's extensive experience working with diverse government clients lets us guide management at all levels in the current best practices needed to deliver projects and programs on-time and on-budget, while meeting organizational requirements. We developed a full suite of FAC-P/PM Services to assist your agency in aligning federal policy compliance requirements with strategic and mission-oriented performance goals. Our FAC-P/PM solution includes FAC-P/PM Certification Training, FAC-P/PM Certification Program Development, and FAC-P/PM Courseware Evaluation.
Resources for the PMO
Resources for the Project Sponsors
Resources for the Contracting Officer
Resources for the L&D Professional
Resources for the Practitioner
We help you improve performance by aligning your execution with your strategy and transforming the way you lead and execute project-based work.
Call us at 888-374-8884.


text:
Go to your user CP for edit signature ,then type or paste in the URL and hit OK.
If you use Firefox you can also use the BBCodeXtra addon to add the link to the text.
Also does bold italic etc. and even thread links.
Works with many forums and blogs.
One is to simply type or paste in the URL. Like this http://www.rya.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
The other is to use the "Insert link" icon
If you do not see this icon then go to your user CP then to "edit options" and scroll right down to the last section and change from the "Basic editor" to the "Standard Editor"
You will then have lots more bells and whistles to play with including the "Insert link" facility.
When you want to insert a customised link Click this Icon, type or paste the url into the text box that opens, Hit OK, AND THEN while part of the inserted material is still high lighted in blue type in the words you want to appear .
The result can then be like this: RYA Website
OR you can type in the words you want to appear in your post. Highlight them and then hit the "Insert link" Icon and type or paste in the URL and hit OK.
Last edited by VicS; 09-07-12 at 16:18.
This whole thread once again shows the idiocy of not having the Standard Editor as the default.
Another person's thoughts about you are outside of your jurisdiction.
February 12, 2016
February 12, 2016
February 12, 2016
February 12, 2016
February 12, 2016


text:
Pica is the craving, and sometimes eating, of non food items. My sis in law had a weird craving for this certain type of rock when she was pregnant. Of course she did not eat them but she had a crazy craving for them. And I actually catch myself wanting the same thing but for baby powder. It sounds so incredibly weird and over the top but it's true. I guess I love the smell of it so with being pregnant, that turns into a craving. Of course I don't eat it but just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this?
Anyone experiencing PICA? Cravings for non-food items?
Posted 12/17/2012
So far not with this pregnancy but with my dd I craved cat litter (clean not used) and sand/gravel with both of my sons
Posted 12/17/2012
I have craved water with lots of ice with both times i have been pregnant. at around 30 weeks i start wanting to eat the ice. no other cravings for me Especially not seman
Nikki, wife to Rob
Avery Brianne~ April 20, 2009
#2 EDD- April 2, 2012
Posted 12/17/2012
Hahaha! at the basketball comment too! Im sorry ladies i know these are serious cravings that could be issues but i think your openness and well, your cravings are just so unique it make me chuckle! i hope i don't crave stuff my mom would sh** her pants if she cought me chewing on a chunk of baseball or explaining my want for seman lol. thankyou for the laugh ladies i hope your taking me light hearted.
Kayla + Jesse = Wesley (:
Posted 12/17/2012
I didn't even see the cat litter! once again (:
Kayla + Jesse = Wesley (:
Posted 12/17/2012
I actually eat an insane amount of protein but don't eat salt at all... Maybe I'll try that! I know my craving isn't unhealthy just more annoying and at times inconvenient. Glad I can make some of you laugh and smile!! I laughed too as I typed it thinking... "wow... That was honest of me!"
Posted 12/17/2012
I have never experienced PICA other than the ice, but it's a lifelong one for me, was for my grandma and mom too..... We are not anemic, we just have a weird ice thing.
I find this whole thing very interesting, I am not laughing.... I bet it's very difficult for all of you. Especially if the thing you crave is harmful. I am sorry ladies, and I really applaud you for talking about it. Good luck to you!
I find this whole thing very interesting, I am not laughing.... I bet it's very difficult for all of you. Especially if the thing you crave is harmful. I am sorry ladies, and I really applaud you for talking about it. Good luck to you!
melissacint · Original Poster
Posted 12/18/2012
Wow, I never thought something like this could affect so many women. I'll definitely talk to my doc next appt. And some of these craving are definitely interesting. Thank you ladies for being so open and sharing!
Posted 01/22/2013
I crave ice but only the kind that is usually available in hospitals. It's the kind that is really easy to eat, its crunchy.. The ice is small little roundish pieces. If I knew where to buy it I'd be eating it ALL THE TIME!! So unless Im going to the hospital I never get any... Does anyone know where that type is sold?
Posted 01/22/2013
Ice And popsicle sticks!!! I chew the popsicle sticks i dont eat them
1 2 3 4
Your growing child
Your 33-month-old: Teething's last gasp
Your child's last baby teeth, four "second molars," usually appear between 20 and 33 months. Read More
Your 33-month-old: Language milestones
Look for reassuring signs that your child's language skills are on track by watching his behavior as well as listening to his words. Read More
Your 34-month-old: Beating bossiness
Bossiness can be a bid for attention. Learn strategies on how to be patient with your 2-year-old and their demands. Read More
Your 34-month-old: Preschooler humor
Not only is your tyke saying and doing funnier things every day, but she responds to humor in a big way, too. Read More


text:
Argentina's Mendoza Valley vineyards welcome travelers to enjoy the countryside with new guesthouses.
The hustle and bustle of down-town Mendoza, Argentina, is contagious: Snack on empanadas at Mercado Central or take a jog in the Parque General San Martín. With its plazas and cafés, Mendoza is full of life and charm. But to capture the essence of the region, head to the outlying vineyards, where guesthouses ("bodegas") welcome oenophiles with a glass of Malbec and a comfortable bed. "The city is lovely, but the countryside takes your breath away," says Jeff Mausbach, an American who has lived in the region for 13 years, working as the wine education director for the Catena Zapata winery. "When you stay out here, you're surrounded by vineyards, orchards, and views of the Andes."
To get a country feel and retain city convenience, book a room in the village-like suburb of Chacras de Coria, 20 minutes south of Mendoza's city center by car. At Finca Adalgisa (from $235; www.fincaadalgisa.com.ar), owner Gabriela Furlotti has transformed her grandmother's home into an 11-room bodega and winery. Finca's renovations are replete with rock fireplaces, king-size beds covered with handmade wool blankets, and lush gardens. Upon arrival, guests are given a bottle of Finca's vintage Malbec, one of only 5,000 produced annually.
Down the road in the same leafy village is Lares de Chacras (from $185; www.lares dechacras.com/en), an intimate, ten-room guesthouse built by four brothers in 2005. Lares feels more like home than hotel with its Andean stone, local desert wood, and Argentine textiles. Spacious rooms open to a courtyard and pool. A few miles east of Chacras, you'll find the small town of Maipú and Lares de Chacras's sister property, Finca Terrada (from $150; www.fincaterrada.com). Opened in September 2009, the five-room colonial bodega is similar to Lares but sits deep within a vineyard, where grapes are grown for the family's Terrada label of Malbecs, Merlots, and Torrontés.
Also in Maipú is the 11-room Club Tapiz (from $190; www.tapiz.com.ar), two renovated homes (with original pine floors from the 1890s) surrounded by 25 acres of vines and olive trees. Guests are invited to work the land, pruning, planting, or harvesting alongside the winery's workers. Thirty llamas provide wool for local artisans, who then sell their colorful sweaters and shawls in the hotel gift shop.
Another 20 miles southwest from Maipú you'll find Luján de Cuyo, home to Cavas Wine Lodge (from $500; www.cavaswinelodge.com), Mendoza's only Relais & Châteaux property. Not surprisingly, everything, from the spa's crushed Malbec body scrub to the 2,500 unlabeled bottles of Bonarda wine—available only to guests—suggests luxury. Guests stay in private adobe bungalows, each with its own plunge pool, fireplace, and terrace. Set on 35 acres, Cavas is within walking distance of Catena Zapata winery, where lodge guests are given tours.


text:
With 1.7 million freelancers, we'll match you with the perfect talent.
The client has made the following changes to the job.
Client prefers freelancers from:
You are still able to submit a proposal for this job.
The client prefers freelancers from
a different location.
We are looking for a manufacturer to produce educational kids products.
plastic, plush, paper, cotton
( t-shirts - puzzles - pencils - pencil cases - plastic place naps - back packs - cards)
We are looking for a great price and someone who can work with our demands.
Our company is in Canada but we are open to manufacturing in abroad, we need quality and a competitive price.
Sign in or Register to see more


text:
Similar Products:
Average rating from 8 reviews.
Average rating from 3 reviews.
Average rating from 2 reviews.
Editor's Best Lists:
Products We Are Testing:
Rawhide Munchy Knotted Bones
Average rating from 15 reviews.
(3.9 out of 5, based on 15 reviews)
Photosadd photo
Reader's Reviews (15)
NO way
posted 8 years ago
I do not recommend this item...I had given my BAsset Hound one and her was nearly upside down hollering with it choking her. My mom had to put her hand nearly down her throat to get the raw hide out of her mouth. So, I do not buy these anymore...
Pros: none
Cons: Choke easily
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Did you?
Want to review a product, but not finding it? Just add it and review it!
Recent Product Reviews
Tapeworm Tablets
June 8, 2015 | By Lynn
I've used this product on rescued dogs for years. My last large dog rescued had been an outdoor dog her entire life, living among Lamas where she picked up tapeworms. This product expelled several 2 … more ›
November 15, 2014 | By Robyn
July 14, 2013 | By Xiaoxiao111
Pink is my favorite color these are wonderful.I will recommend a good website fou you: www.9footballshirt.org


text:
As rain passed through the area Thursday afternoon, Rocky Mount officials announced that the night's Downtown Live! celebration would be moved inside.
The live music series takes place on the Imperial Centre lawn every other Thursday throughout the summer, but Thursday's event was the first moved inside.
"Downtown Live! will continue today with the sounds of Jim Quick and Coastline," according to a release. "However, due to the predicted inclement weather, Downtown Live! will be held inside the Theatre at the Imperial Centre."
There is limited seating in the theatre, so residents are encouraged to show up early. Music will begin at 6 p.m. For more information, call 972-1151.


text:
10 Jan 2013
FORMER ATT PRESIDENT Andrew Meeson and his business associates are accused of pocketing £5m in a "very simple and very lucrative scam" by claiming tax relief on fictitious pensions.
Meeson (pictured), the former president of the Association of Taxation Technicians, is accused, along with Peter Spencer Bradley, Alison Jayne Bradley and Steven Price, of conspiracy to cheat HM Revenue and Customs between 1 January 2006 and 30 April 2010. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Steven Price, 47, denies a further count of acquiring criminal property from the proceeds of the fraud between 1 June 2007 and 30 April 2010, Accountancy Age's sister publication Professional Pensions reports.
David Farrer QC, prosecuting, told the jury at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday that Meeson, 52, and married couple Peter Bradley, 45, and Alison Bradley, 47, exploited HMRC's 'relief at source' (RAS) system to profit from "bogus" tax relief claims for two "imaginary" pension schemes for the Moya group of payroll companies.
Farrer said: "The first three defendants invented two relatively large pension schemes with completely fictitious members and over a substantial period 'reclaimed' tax from the Revenue on non-existent contributions."
Pension scheme administrators make monthly RAS claims to HMRC for tax relief repayment on the behalf of members, but do not need to break down the claim by individual scheme or identify member contributions.
Meeson and the two Bradleys were directors of scheme administrator Tudor Capital Management – the prosecution said they hid tax relief claims for the "fictitious" Moya schemes among claims from other genuine schemes.
The court heard the three defendants had acted as accountants for Moya but were never appointed as pension scheme administrators – because no scheme existed. The Moya group itself was involved in two large tax frauds, which has since resulted in prison terms for its directors and forced the companies out of business.
The prosecution claims Meeson registered the first Moya scheme with HMRC in May 2006 and allegedly began making false RAS claims in April 2007, shortly before Moya was wound up.
A second "fictitious" Moya scheme was allegedly registered with HMRC in March 2008, with Price appointed as trustee.
Farrer said Price was used for his false name – he has admitted criminal possession of a false passport and driving license in the name of Shaun Stokes who died in 2003, but denies their knowing use in the tax fraud.The prosecution said Price was made trustee of the second Moya scheme to provide a "buffer" between the fraud and the three other defendants.
Farrer added: "Price was well paid, we say, for the use of his false name and documents and for acting as a sort of 'stooge' trustee for one of the two schemes invented."
The prosecution said "there is not a trace" of the £20m contributions that were allegedly received from Moya employees.
The court heard the defendants "churned" money between TCM's bank account and an account they allegedly set up for the Moya scheme to create the illusion of contributions being made.
The £5m of reclaimed tax relief was used to pay for supposed loans to Meeson and the Bradleys, as gifts and loans to their family members and friends, to pay huge fees invoiced by TCM and in a single investment in Norton Motorcycles, the jury was told.
An annual external audit by Talbot and Co., required by HMRC, was "seriously flawed" and failed to investigate the missing contributions, the prosecution claimed.
Farrer said the first three defendants abandoned the fraud when HMRC began to scrutinise the Moya claims.
The trial continues...
Add your comment
You may also like
Search for jobs
Click to search our database of all the latest accountancy roles
Create a profile
Click to set up your profile and let the best recruiters find you
Jobs by email
Sign up to receive regular updates with the latest roles suitable for you
AccountancyAgeInsight is a frequently updated resource centre for finance professionals, offering a free and easy-to-use digital library of briefings, white papers and other information resources.


text:
default search action
Xin-Zhong Chen
Other persons with a similar name
Refine list
refinements active!
zoomed in on ?? of ?? records
showing all ?? records
2000 – 2009
- 2007
- [c1]Cheng-Lung Lin, Xin-Zhong Chen, Kuan-Ju Lin, Shiao-Li Tsao:
Sharing information of three-dimensional geographic locations through mobile devices. ICPADS 2007: 1-8
data released under the ODC-BY 1.0 license; see also our legal information page
last updated on 2015-05-06 03:36 CEST by the dblp team


text:
Faculty & Research
Research Centers
Business Communication Center
We prepare students for success in today's communication-intensive workplace. Stop by the Business Communication Center in Price Hall room 2050 for free hands-on learning and one-on-one training.
Learn more about Business Communication Center
Center for Economic & Management Research
The Center For Economic & Management Research was established in 1928 by the University of Oklahoma to conduct basic and applied economic research.
Learn more about Center for Economic & Management Research
Center for Entrepreneurship
At the Center for Entrepreneurship, students experience entrepreneurship and learn by doing. We focus on creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that enables entrepreneurship students to learn through experience and launch successful business ventures. Students are immersed in the entrepreneurial process through hands-on innovation programs and visits to entrepreneurship hubs spanning the globe. Students learn how to build new ventures with the help of practicing entrepreneurs and leading entrepreneurship scholars. We empower students with the resources and opportunities they need to launch a successful business venture.
Learn more about Center For Entrepreneurship
Center for Financial Studies
The mission of the Center for Financial Studies (CFS) is to foster and support finance research and scholarship at the University of Oklahoma and to facilitate interaction between students, faculty and the external business and academic community.
Learn more about Center for Financial Studies
Center for Management Information Systems Studies
The Center for Management Information Systems Studies (CMISS) is a partnership between academia and business to share the knowledge, skills, and efforts of the University of Oklahoma's MIS Division with member firms in a framework that encourages innovation and productivity.
Learn more about Center for Management Information Systems Studies
Energy Institute
The Energy Institute aims to create a community of practitioners and academics with a results-oriented inter-disciplinary perspective seeking to advance innovative and sustainable solutions to the critical energy challenges facing our country and, more broadly, the global community.
Learn more about the Energy Institute
Graduate Student Support Center
Alumni Involvement; Career Counseling; Soft Skills Training; Employer Relations; Unique Internships
Learn More about Student Support Center
JCPenney Leadership Center
The JCPenney Leadership Center provides high performing undergraduate business students with opportunities to develop their leadership potential through a variety of learning experiences and interactions.


text:
16 Aug 2013
Name Your Hood, a private sector-led initiative seeking to build stronger communities through interactive public neighbourhood naming campaigns, has launched the next Cape Town "City Bowl" campaign – the naming of Hood 8.
Cape Town's CBD is known vaguely as 'town' but Name Your Hood (NYH) is changing that with the establishment of identities for distinct neighbourhoods, creating a sense of community and providing branding opportunities for the areas. In addition, having neighbourhood names makes navigating a city easier and more legible.
The submission of names for Cape Town's Hood 8 area, bordered by Roeland, Hatfield and Mill streets, opened on Friday 2 August and closes on Friday 30 August. The campaign was launched at a function hosted at Wembley Square on 1 August.
NYH, which started in 2011, had great success with its Gugulethu campaign, in which 8 neighbourhoods were named through the participation of Capetonians, using a democratic process. Having been awarded a contract by the City of Cape Town in which it facilitated the process of renaming 91 streets in Gugulethu, NYH ran the two campaigns using a similar voting process, which made it the first time that a township had been actively involved in the naming of its streets and neighbourhoods.
NYH founder and MD Bruce Good says having a role in naming a neighbourhood gives people a sense of ownership of their community. "And strong communities make people feel that they are part of something bigger than themselves."
The success of the initiative, which NYH intends to launch in Johannesburg this year, has garnered international recognition as one of five winners of the Global Neighbourhood Challenge. As part of the GOOD Global Citizenship Project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Challenge offered five community innovators worldwide the opportunity to make a difference. As one of the winners, NYH's Bruce Good will travel to Los Angeles for a pop-up fellowship at GOOD HQ, designed to elevate and expand their work in order to create more equitable and successful neighbourhoods.
While Good is away on the fellowship, citizens – not just those with a direct connection to Hood 8 – as well as anyone in South Africa or the world, will have the opportunity of exploring the neighbourhood and delving into its heritage before submitting a name that endeavours to reflect its character.
To make the process as inclusive as possible, platforms for submitting name suggestions include a website and a mobi site, as well as submission forms and accompanying voting boxes that are distributed throughout Hood 8.
After submissions close, NYH's panel of judges – made up of local journalists, historians, designers and entrepreneurs – will spend two weeks working through the submissions to come up with a shortlist of 10 names. The final name will be chosen by public vote using physical voting forms, SMS and via www.nameyourhood.co.za. The winning name will be announced on 25 October 2013.
In addition to being endorsed by Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde, has added his support. "The possibility for this project to broaden the tourism spectrum of the Western Cape as well as develop civic pride and ownership is encouraged and endorsed by the Ministry," he says.
Local businesses are also showing their support, with Digicape, Province Lighting, Leaf Capital, Stor-Age and Food Lover's Market, as well as smaller neighbourhood establishments, coming on board.
"We're celebrating everything Cape Town has to offer; it's incredible landmarks, rich history and vibrant culture," Good says. They have pulled in local heroes, architects, historians and city planners to create easy-to-navigate city hoods and he says it is now up to everyone to get involved. "Anyone could potentially name one of the neighbourhoods and leave a legacy."
If you are using Internet Explorer 8 or higher, please verify that your Internet Explorer compatibility view settings are not enabled.
For the best browsing experience, update to the latest Version of Internet Explorer or try out Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
Please contact our Property24 Support Team for further assistance. Tel. +27 (0)861 111 724


text:
Cossatot Community College is committed to ensuring accessibility of our web presence to everyone, including disabled users. In accordance with University of Arkansas System Standard Administrative Procedures and the State of Arkansas Laws regarding Academic Institution Web Accessibility, we have adopted and adhere to the Web Accessibility Policy published at University of Arkansas.
UA Cossatot Textbook Program
Learn how our new textbook program can save you hundreds of dollars! learn more >


text:
Rent Upon Req.1,320 SF
Attractive leasing opportunity in affluent neighborhood located within Bethlehem' s Northampton County. 1320 SF/2460 SF available for lease in recently developed Class A neighborhood plaza anchored by locally popular dining destinations. New ownership and management. Situated conveniently along heavily trafficked Rt. 191 with easy access to major regional arteries PA-22 and PA-33. Directly across from the future Lightbridge Academy and Alexandria Manor Senior Living Center.
Office, Retail
Rent Upon Req.Size Upon Req.
Office / Retail Space Available In Prime Area Off Queens Boulevard In Sunnyside, NY - Ground floor entrance on busy street - First Floor 1800 square feet - Second Floor 500 square feet (loft, private office space) - Basement 1800 square feet - Backyard 1000 square feet - Bonus Rear private entrance - Bright Space With High Ceilings, Wood Floors - Centrally Located Close To Woodside/Astoria/Long Island City - Easy Commute To Manhattan - 1 Block To 7 Train 46th Street, 2 Bus Lines As Well - Highly Rated Neighborhood - Available For Immediate Occupancy Feel Free To Contact Us. We're Always Available To Show Space And Answer Any Questions Everything Is New, Clean, Pristine. Reasonable And Extremely Affordable Lease Terms.
Rent Upon Req.13,440 SF
By Owner for Sale or Lease 9,440 SF Office, 2,000 SF Warehouse, 2,000 SF Cover Fence Yard Terms: $12.00 per SF. Terms: NNN (Taxes, Insurance and Maintenance) Rare opportunity on a desirable location Office/Retail. Free Standing Building, Class A, Highly Visible and Accessible Building, one block from Downtown, prominent signage space. Warehouse includes a lift by Advance Lift with 70% Office Space conversion, clean carpet, top of the line cubicles by Maxon including office furniture, A/C. Concrete Walls, great features for an office in need of back room or storage space. 40 Parking Spaces Join solid double tenancy with major National Carrier.
Rent Upon Req.6,500 SF
Light-filled, roomy and airy office space in the loveliest parts of the Mission. We don't expect this spot to be available for long. Includes 2 floors, tons of sun, extra bathroom with shower, bike room, lounge room & plenty of office space. 501 York is a fully renovated pie factory with gorgeous vaulted wooden ceilings (30'), a mezzanine, kitchen, indoor bistro lights & reclaimed wood flooring. You'll share the space with an awesome, mission-driven tech company of ~25 people. Within a few short blocks, you'll find Coffee Bar, Cafe Taboo and Starbucks, great local restaurants like Salumeria, Blowfish Sushi, Cafe Rheas, El Metate, Atlas Cafe, etc. -- and the Potrero Safeway & Office Depot are only a few blocks away. - Transportation: ~15 minute walk to 16th St. BART (1 flat mile) - Your space is separate and distinct, though there is flow-through to master tenant - Bright, sunny space with lots of natural light... And dog-friendly! We (master tenant) are a mission-based tech company. We are hard-working and good-natured folk who play music respectfully and occasionally host events in our space. We are good roommates and pride ourselves on thoughtful communication. Details: About 2/3rds of the building, includes about 2/5ths of the 1st floor, the entire 2nd floor, a 400 square foot mezzanine, and tons of shared space. The first floor includes a 400 square foot conference room, an open front space/foyer (currently a lounge), a 760 square foot open space in back (currently a main workspace), a 170 square foot multi-purpose room (could be small private office or for printers, supplies, storage, etc.). The shared restrooms (men's and women's), kitchen, cafe, and bike rack are also located on the first floor. Second floor: 1480 square feet has 3 offices, 2 larger rooms, and a single restroom with a shower. Some furnishing, such as chairs desks, tables, file drawers, and storage cabinets are available upon request.
Rent Upon Req.Size Upon Req.
11,500 sqft Industrial Space W/ Heat, 2,100 sqft office space available, temperature controlled testing room, two private offices, two bathrooms, Parking lot and on street parking, additional information and scheduling tours. Contact Pat @ firstname.lastname@example.com
Rent Upon Req.1,958 SF
Great deal for the month of February to grow your business! Spacious 1,958 square feet retail space available. Conveniently located in a HIGH traffic area just moments from Route 21 intersection. This space has easy access and is located on the ground level with other retail spaces. ***Ample parking available.***
$10.00 /sf/year6,700 SF
*Free-standing two story building *70 car parking lot adjacent to the building *Impressive atrium *Additional parking if necessary in adjacent lot *The tenant is responsible for cleaning *Inside decor includes red wood and skylights which creates friendly working atmosphere. Tropical plants downstairs emphasize overall decor of the building
$16.80 /sf/year2,500 SF
First time on the market -- Corner retail space available in the Ironbound district. Busy location. All uses considered. Fully equipped for restaurant. This is a rare opportunity for a retail space in an excellent area. $18 per square foot. LEAVE A VOICEMAIL WITH ALL YOUR INFORMATION AND TYPE OF BUSINESS.
$16.22 /sf/year7,400 SF
Perfect condition! Ready to move into immediately. Combination of 12 private offices and 11 built in open space cubicles, plus a large open room that could be used for more desks or training/conferences. 4 room executive suite with private conference room 2 conference rooms. Both available with optional high end tables and chairs. Large central room wired for audio and video. Wireless microphone system. Bluetooth audio. A shipping/storage room with separate loading bay doors. Available with optional 900 bin wall mount storage bin system and industrial grade shelving. Spacious and well designed reception area. Desk and storage built in for Executive Assistant. Break room with Refrigerator, Dishwasher and RO water filter. Server room. Excellent selection of high speed data providers available. Currently set up for T3 fiber and Cox copper as backup. 20+ parking spaces in private lighted parking lot. Next to San Felasco bike and hiking trails. This is a sublease that ends March 2019. Building may be released or purchased thereafter. Optionally available partially Furnished. Conference tables and some desks and chairs available. Also would consider breaking up the space for sublets. The building is well designed for private and shared spaces.
Rent Upon Req.100 SF
Your work space shouldn't be stale and boring. C4 Atlanta's Fuse boasts high ceilings, exposed brick, natural light, hardwood floors and creative entrepreneurs. Fuse offers offices for small, creative businesses. Tenants enjoy free WiFi, access to a shared kitchen and private conference room, and free coffee. Rent include utilities, 24/7 access, security, and cleaning fee. Parking is close by but we are also conveniently located one block from MARTA. Join the Fuse Community today! Fuse is in the heart of downtown--an up and coming area for artists, social entrepreneurs and more. Fuse is located inside the historic M Rich building, home of Creative Loafing, Center for Civic Innovation, Iron Yard and others.
Find commercial real estate for lease and sale on Cityfeet, where commercial real estate brokers, agents and commercial real estate property owners connect to close deals. Cityfeet offers products and services to the commercial real estate community so that they can market, buy, lease and sell commercial real estate. In addition to commercial real estate, Cityfeet has countless commercial property listings for investment or tenant use.


text:
: FireRed hack:
Pokémon Shiny Gold!
View Single Post
January 9th, 2008 (5:01 PM).
Unprofessional Unprofessional
Join Date: Aug 2007
Gender: Male
Nature: Adamant
Posts: 976
Hey Zel i found a glitch
when you are in lavender town i accitentily went to the house next to the place where people "pray"
i went in a old man said,"what do you want with me?
i battled him he was way hard i bet him he wanted to show me his special place or something then the game froze
there the glitch
3DS Friend Code: 5069-3944-3902
IGN: Peter, (Pokemon Y, Pokemon OR)
Friend Safari: (Fighting) Throh, Meditite, Breloom
Live Pokedex (Y) Completed as of 02/03/14 (718), 10/11/14 (719), 21/01/16 (720)
Live Pokedex (OR) Completed as of 25/12/14 (719), 21/01/16 (720)
Big thanks especially to DestinedJagold, Xerneas_X, Elements1 and ~RNC~
PM me if you want to trade, or add my FC.
View Public Profile
Send a private message to ShyRayq
Find all posts by ShyRayq
Find threads started by ShyRayq


text:
Local and Regional News
Fort Lewis College investment pays off on enrollment
Fort Lewis College has gotten an answer to a question it asked about a year ago: Can we increase enrollment if we hire Royall: Enrollment Management?...
More Local and Regional
National & World
House OKs new North Korean sanctions
WASHINGTON – Congress sent President Barack Obama legislation Friday that hits North Korea with more stringent sanctions for refusing to stop its nuclear weapons...
- Some candidates sitting on tax returns
- Nation Briefs
- U.S., Seoul toughen stance
- World Briefs
- Desert sites get new protection
More National & World
Downtown Cortez adds outdoors gear store
A new outdoor gear store has opened in downtown Cortez.
Colorado Love Outdoors sells camping, boating and hiking gear, plus skateboards and blading...
- Albuquerque plans Route 66 road fix
- Dad time important for women's careers
- Economic blues raise doubts about central bankers
- Bright idea turns dim
- Businesses post more open jobs
More Business
Good Earth
Bringing solar to low-income residents in La Plata County
Ever since companies began developing solar power, in earnest, for residential and commercial uses in the 1990s, the general consensus has been the renewable energy source is...
- Mancos co-op gets a boost to help expand distribution in Durango
- Wet weather systems becoming increasingly rare in Southwest
- Studies aim to restore habitat of imperiled Northwest fish
- Pine beetle outbreak ends in Colorado
- San Juan National Forest targets spruce menace
More Good Earth
Education Briefs
Schertz named to dean's list in Golden
Evan Schertz, 2015 Durango High School graduate, has been named to the dean's list for his academic achievement at...
- At Durango High School, budding business moguls off to state competition
- Education Briefs
- Education Briefs
- Administration gives states ways to cut student testing
- Education Briefs
More Education
Money Savvy
Affluenza: Cure yourself of this modern disease
Consumer marketing and advertising...
Durango School News
Social media harms real talk about 9-R budget
When I grew up, there were no...
Action Line
Dim-bulb drivers having headlights problems
Why can't motorists manage to...


text:
AdBlock blows! Please disable the add-on to ensure you get the most out of Tube8's features and functionality. Read about why you shouldn't use AdBlock. Close
Add to Favorite List:
Create a new folder:
Next »
Self CBT he hangs 50lbs on his own balls
Recognize a pornstar in this video?
Help make pornstars easier to find on Tube8 by telling us who is in this video.
Thanks! The pornstar names will be added to this video when enough users submit the same names.
You must enter a pornstar name that already exists in our database.
- Category: Fetish
- Views: 8,749
- Added: 3 years ago
- Description: SELF CBT and ball bashing. Watch this all man muscle stud hang 2 40lb and then 50lb dumbells from a chain attached to his own balls as he jacks off.
- Tags: hung, muscular, cbt, leather, ball, bdsm, stretching
- Pornstars: Add Pornstar
- Favorite by: 16
- Featured: 3 years ago
- Report This Video
Video Comments
All Video Comments (3)
2 years ago
2 years ago
HOT!!! Wow, loved to have been there to suck you off - hot man! mmm
- 0 people liked this -