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Straight Outta Compton – 2015
Director F. Gary Gray
Screenplay by Jonathan Herman, Andrea Berloff
Starring O'Shea Jackson, Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Paul Giamatti, Neil Brown, Jr., Aldis Hodge, R. Marcus Taylor, Keith Stanfield
Straight Outta Compton is a story I needed to see. I knew nothing about most rap in the 90's, even though my music collection was vast. The Replacements spoke more to my experience than did the Los Angeles culture that created the first sounds of discord that I noticed in the post Civil Rights era. If this and Boyz N Tha Hood are all I ever know about that scene, I am sure I will be missing something. But I am understanding a little more than I did.
First things first. This is a very good film. Almost great. And there are some fantastic, and very real performances, worthy of Oscar nominations. First on that list has to be Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E. He takes what was, to me, the most unapproachable character of the group and makes him totally human, without sacrificing the edge that made him seem so dangerously disreputable. The film wisely takes a multi-dimensional view of E and it helps round out the story immensely. Yes, this guy is fraught with problems. Yes, he was taken for a ride because he was placed half a step up from his band mates. Yes, he was capable of redemption. One thing they fail at in developing his character is to largely ignore the things that led him to die of A.I.D.S. at 35. Mitchell's performance overcomes this, however, and still provides the most dimension to the overall story.
As Dre, Hawkins is given perhaps the least to work with. Yeah, we see the talent, and we witness his struggles to show his artistic potential. We see the barest glimpse of his family life, and, for the most part, he comes out looking like a saint amongst sinners. Too good to be interesting, unfortunately. More unfortunately, he leaves out any reference to his many incidents of abusing women. If Dre the producer thought that leaving this out would help his marketability, he failed. He addressed it in Rolling Stone after the film was released, but the omission is too glaring to give the movie a pass, especially in an art form that is notorious for its misogyny.
Cube's son, Jackson, Jr. fares better in a deceptively straightforward performance. He nails Cube's bottom line personality, as well as his incredibly lyrical prowess. His business acumen is legendary, and we get a good view of its early stages. Cube has always been a favorite actor of mine, and his son completely captures the essence of his father. It's not just that he looks pissed. It's showing with complete subtlety why he is pissed.
Brown, Jr. and Hodge give a good rounding out of the rest of the group. In watching their performances, one gets a legitimate view of who they were as people, ultimately loyal to Eazy-E. A telling scene is watching their reaction to Cube's No Vaseline. Yella (along with E) can't be too pissed to recognize the genius. While Ren is beside himself with rage. Dre sits back and takes it all in. This scene is integral to understanding all the players as people.
Giamatti is remarkable yet again as Heller. He manages to make him seem sleazy and legitimate at once. His character is key in that it is he around whom everyone revolves. Walking that thin grey line between right and wrong as the viewer gets to choose with whom they sympathize. Cube smells a rat and bails. Dre falls under the influence of Suge Knight temporarily, and Eazy E stays a little too long. His character is so nuanced, its tough to tell who is right. Gray and the screenwriters really win on this point.
This is the second best work that Gray has done, after The Italian Job. The only thing that is lacking is the honesty about the brutality of some of its subjects. If we were to believe the script as directed, the only violent one in the story is Knight. That is a missed opportunity for depth, which is a true surprise, since one of the writers is a woman.
Ultimately, this film is a winner in telling part of the truth of the life of those in the communities out of which rap was berthed. It joins the lexicons of the integral works representing a time I am still learning about, even if I missed a good chunk of it while living through it.
(**** out of *****)


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New Kent conserving town corridor on Colonial Downs, feasible on line casino
NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. WAVYWRIC — With the chance of recent Kent County fitting home to the first casino in Virginia, the county's board of supervisors hosted a city corridor Thursday to give neighbors a chance to hold forth on the concept.
The Pamunkey Indian Tribe lately observed it's a couple of abilities websites in Virginia to build the $seven hundred million lodge and casino. A associate with the tribe currently bought property along I-sixty four, close Quinton, based on several publications.
The Pamunkey tribe changed into regarded the strongest daftar poker in the Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom, which greeted the English settlers at Jamestown, and claims Pocahontas among its lineage. The department of indoors granted federal awareness to the Pamunkey in 2015, allowing the possibility of casinos via a separate approval technique.
partners in the Foley Quigley legislations company have been retained by way of the board of supervisors to aid navigate the procedure relocating ahead.
before there can be any gaming of any type, there should be land acquisition that meets the standards for Indian gaming. That may steal years in response to the presentation.
however, many in attendance weren't ready that lengthy to voice their opinion.
4da1a46ec20cf93ee5c846a51e04f0ed."The condo in no way loses, we do," said one resident who took to the rostrum. another warned; "the have an effect on on the group isn't going to be wonderful."
besides the capabilities on line casino, the new Kent Board of Supervisors had Stefan Huba accessible to talk about the re-opening of Colonial Downs.
at this time the purpose is for Colonial Downs to be start for 12-racing days in 2019, based on Huba, the new operations supervisor for the ability. Norfolk-based mostly indoors design company, inside, will assist with the remodel of he 1997 music.

subset: commoncrawl


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A remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre appeared in 2003 with Leatherface returning as a major antagonist. Its success greenlit a prequel, released in 2006, which delved into the origins of Leatherface and of his sadistic and cannibalistic family.
In this continuity, Leatherface has the name Thomas Brown Hewitt; his mother Sloane (last name and the identity and status of his father unknown) dies giving birth to him on at the Blair meat co. (a Slaughterhouse) where she works, and her uncaring and cruel unnamed boss leaves the infant to die in a dumpster. Luda May Hewitt finds him and takes him home to raise him. Says producer Brad Fuller, "The Hewitts raise Leatherface as their own. But in a lot of ways, Thomas Hewitt is more like a pet than a member of the family. At the same time, they do love and admire one another, albeit in peculiar and unusual ways."
The Hewitts used to work at the Blair meat co. but after they were fired and became poor they switched to kidnapping people, murdering them, and selling their flesh in meat at Luda mays butcher shop. In the prequel it is revealed that they eat some of the meat themselves (which was only implied in the remake).
Leatherface in this continuity suffers from a facial disfigurement and a skin disease that eats away most of his nose. Due to this disfigurement, his muteness and mental retardation (carried over from the first series), Hewitt is bullied as a child. He wears a small leather mask to cover up his deformity, and works at the same meat factory where he was born for the same boss his mother had, ironically the same man who left him for dead. He also has a tendency toward self-mutilation, and is diagnosed with mental degeneration at age 12.
The BeginningEdit
After health inspectors close the factory down, Hewitt's boss and a reluctant co-worker order him to leave. When Hewitt doesn't, the boss and the co-worker bully him and call him a "retard" and a "dumb animal". Acting on a long-burning rage, Hewitt kills his boss with a sledgehammer, and discovers a chainsaw in the factory which he later uses as a weapon. When Winston Hoyt, the local sheriff, tries to apprehend him, Thomas' uncle Charles "Charlie" Hewitt Jr comes to his aid by killing the sheriff; Charlie later assumes the sheriff's identity. Hewitt later makes a mask out of human skin by slicing off the face of one the victims he has killed.
Although Leatherface's family still manipulate him in this interpretation, they do show themselves somewhat more caring for him and less abusive than in the original film. Before killing the sheriff, his uncle Charlie even defends him by saying, "He's not retarded, he's misunderstood". The cruelty suffered from his peers inspires his murderous and detrimental behavior.
At the climax of the remake, protagonist Erin Hardesty cuts off Leatherface's chainsaw-arm with a meat cleaver, but he survives the attack. He escapes after police discover his ranch house and find the remains of 33 people. The police fail to secure the crime scene properly, allowing Leatherface to attack and kill two officers. Leatherface then escapes and disappears, forcing the case to remain open.
Behind the ScenesEdit
Andrew Bryniarski, who played Leatherface in the remake, states: "In my estimation, Leatherface is like a beaten dog — he was ostracized and ridiculed, and treated harshly by his peers. The psychological damage they inflicted was immense … there's no chance for him." Says Terrence Evans, who played Leatherface's uncle Old Monty, "I think there was a chance Thomas' life could have been different. But the teasing he suffered, coupled with a bad temper, and following Hoyt around like a puppy dog, left room for Hoyt to get absolute control."
|Texas Chainsaw Massacre
|Pages in this category are related to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series.
|Films • Characters • Cast • Images


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Zomo PM-900MK2 Plus NSE - Flightcase Pioneer DJM-900 NXS2
In Stock
Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping costs
In Stock
Product information "Zomo PM-900MK2 Plus NSE - Flightcase Pioneer DJM-900 NXS2"
The Zomo PM-900MK2 Plus NSE (NSE = NIGHT STYLE EDITION) is ideally suited and was mainly developed for the Pioneer DJ-Mixer DJM-900 NXS2. Plus, there is an extra notebook shelf included which can be used for your notebook, your mouse and any other devices like an effect processor or an interface. The board can be pushed or pulled easily as it is movable on rails.
With the Zomo PM-900MK2 Plus NSE Flightcase, it's not only possible to transport your complete set up easily, but also control your devices immediately. By using the hook-and-loop fasteners to fix your notebook on the shelf, you can transport it safe and secure.
Each NSE case is made of 9 mm plywood. This innovative construction allows the flightcase a great look for long time. Thanks to its sturdy construction, the Zomo PM-900MK2 Plus NSE protects the Pioneer DJM-900 NXS2 against scratches, dust and other damages. The surface of the housing is very resistant to abrasion and cigarette burns.
The solid ball edges and the extra-wide aluminum profiles are coated in black what brings extra stabilization for the Zomo Flightcase Set. With its numerous features and innovative equipment, the Zomo Flightcase PM-900MK2 Plus NSE is not only good looking in modern black NSE style, but also delivers real professional quality.
Sheer genius and totally cool! It's Zomo!
Features Zomo PM-900MK2 Plus NSE
- Professional quality
- Stylish Black Design (Night-Style-Edition)
- Protects the device against negative influences
- Professional quality for hard use
- Solid rounded corners
- Very dense design
- Comfortable handle
- Lockable with optional padlock
- Clean interior
- Removable lid
- Adjustable Laptop shelf
- Dimensions: 430 x 540 x 290 mm
- Weight: 14 kg
**The illustrated or mentioned devices are not included. Those are available separately in our shop.
|Suitable devices:
|Pioneer DJM-900 NXS2
|Suitable brands:
|Laptop shelf included:
Average customer rating: (1)
The mixer sits, doesn't wobble and has hardly any air :-) That's how it should be. The storage for the laptop is very practical, but wobbles a bit in the heat of the moment.


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Frequently Asked Questions
What about its staying power?
The silicone in the make-up makes Airbase incredibly long lasting and waterproof. As silicone is heat resistant you don't get shine through as you can with water or oil based make-ups. Airbase really does last all day – even in blizzard conditions! With Airbase, 'topping up' is a thing of the past.
How much product should you use?
12-15 drops of Foundation will be sufficient. Therefore 30ml of product goes a long way! You can mix the product in the cup either by back bubbling with your finger over nozzle and the cap on, or by mixing with a cocktail stick. Make sure that you shake the make-up bottles extremely well before use.
It looks a little extreme… is it hard to do?
After a couple of test run's you'll be a pro! it is just as easy as applying make-up with your fingers or foundation brush. The difference is it is even quicker, and achieves a more even coverage. Which is another reason why the
What else will Airbase cover?
– Acne, scaring, tattoos, birthmarks.
Airbase is absolutely fantastic for coverage. Whether acne, scaring, port wine stains and spots while still looking natural. It also covers tattoos. We achieve this using the 'many fine layer' technique. Spray a couple of layers with a light foundation and then spray the colour-matched foundation over the tattoo.
How do you remove Airbase?
As it is so long lasting, Airbase won't just come off, but it is easy to remove. You can use standard make-up remover wipes or cleanser. However, we recommend the Microfibre Cleansing Mitt. This is reusable and you only need warm water. It is therefore kind to both your skin (less drying than alcohol based wipes) and the environment (it can be washed in the washing machine).
Can you apply with fingers or foundation brush?
Yes you can and it will give a fantastic finish. You use Airbase like any other make-up. For the ultimate look, application though the airbrush is preferable as it gives an extremely fine application that allows coverage to be achieved by building several fine layers achieving a natural look and even coverage.
Why do make-up artists airbrush this product – Should I ?
When you spray using an airbrush it atomises the product making the particles of make-up tiny. This is why airbrush make-up is used in HD TV and film. The particles in the make-up become much smaller than when it is conventionally applied and therefore less visible. HD TV picks up absolutely every imperfection! There are also hygiene benefits to spraying, when we use a conventional brush or our fingers there is potential to spread bacteria and germs across the face. By spraying Airbase make-up onto the face we can avoid this.
How do you mix the product and why?
Mixing the Airbase foundations allows you to match your exact skin tone with ease. By mixing the foundations you will achieve your own unique shade. It is easy to do, we recommend testing preferably on your face/neck until you get the colour match perfect.
How do I clean my Airbrush?
Always clean your Airbrush thoroughly after each use with Airbrush Thinner & Cleaner – water will not work!
– Regular minimal cleaning will prevent you from having to strip, clean and reassemble the airbrush.
– After each use, spray through any excess product into your Cleaning Pot or onto a tissue
– Put approximately 6-7 drops of Airbrush Thinner and Cleaner into the cup and using the cleaning brush work loose the foundation in the bottom of the cup.
– Spray the cleaner through the gun remembering to catch the residue in a Cleaning Pot.
– Repeat until the cleaner is spraying through clear.
– Spray through more Thinner and Cleaner to ensure some cleaning fluid is left in the airbrush. This will prevent clogging of the airbrush overnight or in-between use. Be sure to replace the cap.
The next time you use your airbrush test the spray by blowing through any remainder of the cleaner. This will also make sure your airbrush is in working order before you start spraying your new make up
• Having problems with your airbrush?
Don't worry. More often than not these can be easily solved and if you do need any extra bits, we supply all replacement parts for the airbrushes we sell.
For troubleshooting advice please refer to our Airbrush Trouble Shooting Guide Tab.


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Filter products:
Floor Mats
Floor Mats
Carbox Floor Mat (Front Set) – AUDI Q7 2006 –R1,473.91 (Excl 15% VAT) Add to cart
Floor Mats
Floor Mats – Front Set (Driver & Passenger)R1,473.91 (Excl 15% VAT) Add to cart
Floor Mats
Floor Mats – Full set (Front & Rear sets)R1,738.26 (Excl 15% VAT) Add to cart
Carbox™ Floor Mat Driver Side - Toyota Hilux 2016 - present
With the Carbox Floor mat you can easily keep sand, leaves, slush or dirt away from your carpet. The cover will not let dirt through. The edge also ensures that even liquids and moisture can not easily spill into the footwell. The footwell shell is made of a special plastic, hard-wearing, easy-care, absolutely odorless and extremely stable. We even have a 10-year warranty.
From R1,695
Why Buy from Car+Me?
- 14 day money back guarantee.
- You get a bumper guard that will help you protect your bumper - free of charge.
- Our consultants are available to help you choose the ideal Carbox™ boot mat for your car.
- Our prices are affordable and we also offer an after sales service - ready to help you when you need us.
- Free delivery when ordering through Car+Me.
Follow our easy 5 step process & get the right product for your car!
- Use the easy search tool on the left hand side of your screen
- Add your product to your basket
- A friendly sales consultant will call you to check that you have ordered the right product fit for your car
- Delivery or fitment will be arranged
- We believe in the quality of our products, and are convinced that you will agree. If you don't like the product you ordered, we offer a 14 day money back guarantee.


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hello everyone
I am a Landscape architecture student studying abroad in Bonn, Germany.
For my independent research topic I chose permaculture in germany.
I have spent the last summer on a permaculture farm in Tuscon AZ and would like to get into contact with some Germans who share the same enthusiasm for permaculture or ecological design.
if you could recommend any sites i could visit and record around the Bonn or Koln area I would be very grateful.


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created a carnival inspired game, which were to be based strictly off chance, not skill. After analyzing whether their game was made of independent or dependent events, and calculating the theoretical probabilities of different situations happening while their game was played, it was time to put them to the test! With the help of many fourth and fifth grade students and teachers, the seventh graders collected experimental data and finally reflected on how their game measured up to what theoretically should have happened! Lots of wonderful projects and hard work. What a day to see learning in action!
To see dozens of pictures from the event (taken by seventh grade mathematics teacher Lauren Kennison), click here.
Latest News >


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Cayman Chemical
Cayman Chemical supplies scientists worldwide with biochemical tools across a wide range of research disciplines such as inflammation, neuroscience, lipid biochemistry, cancer, oxidative injury and endocrinology. In particular the company specialises in the development of high performance assay kits, high quality biochemicals and antibodies.
Why Choose A Cayman Chemical Assay Kit?
Custom Biochemical Production
Their expertise in organic synthesis is also available for custom biochemical production. Cayman is frequently the only manufacturer in the world willing to undertake the synthesis of the most complex and unstable molecules. More than 4,000 different biochemicals are manufactured at Cayman's facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here they produce biochemicals for customers from research grade up to GMP grade for use as pharmaceutical APIs.
Try any Cayman Chemical assay kit with a 50% introductory discount
Cambridge Bioscience is pleased to represent Cayman Chemical as its principal distributor in the UK and Ireland.


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Barudise is a charity fund plan, it does not belong to any government, it's purpose is to help people can easily design, learn and use nature languages of their own in daily life with the help of new designed computer system, so that their real language, history and culture can be saved, and the memory of mankind can be remembered. The current education system and computer system will be completely correspond to it to make different people groups on the planet can understand each other better and can live together better.
My Pronunciation! My Language! My Writing!
Speaking My Language! Writing My Language!
- Nobody forced to learn and use mandatory writing and pronunciation system, nobody forced to accept mandatory education.
- New computer system for mankind, rational and natural, designedly made for nature language learning and fluently communicate between each other.
- New education system for people groups to rebuild literacy book, school book and dictionaries for themselves. People groups can easily use their own real nature languages in daily life.
- People groups can easily create their own writing system, pronunciation system, dictionary of their own real nature languages.
- Anyone can freely access shared resource of the whole human race and can freely publish with their own native language without forcing to accept mandatory media.
- People groups can free learn and use their own real nature language anywhere, anytime. Anyone in the world can easily learn and use a variety of nature languages anywhere at any time without national border restrictions.
- Free learning, Free communication, Free creation, Free life.
Big difference between animal and mankind
1, Redesign computer system from scratch.
The infrastructure of current computer system was not designed for nature languages of mankind, and they are not suitable for today's IT environment, for efficient information express, storage, and search. Huge number of garbage data produced everyday that beyond anyone's imagination filled severs, PC, mobile phone, all kinds of device and the whole internet!
The foundational technologies of computer system are rather outdated!
New computer system build from scratch, text encoding, text input and edit, storage system and data indexing, programming language, human interaction interface, network communication, and operation system.
The new computer system was especially designed for all natural languages found in the planet from modern languages to endangered languages and extinct languages. With it, pronunciation and writing system of different people groups can be easily recognised and digitalised. It's foundational components might be licensed to the companies who want to have its own brand. Almost all information system of entire human race will be completely changed and correspond to it and IT companies such as Google, Amazon, Apple, Adobe, Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, will be completely changed or disappear!
2, Redesign literacy education from the aborigines.
* Any dictionary that uses natural languages on this planet needs to be reorganised.
* Entire education industry, publishing industry, translation industry and IT industry will be completely rebuilt.
Natural language learning is very simple beyond anyone's imagination!
Our solution is the unique, innovative and ultimate solution of the nature languages on this planet.
Natural language learning is an extremely easy and enjoyable thing, billions of children and adults are no longer worried about language learning. In fact, it will effect almost everything on this planet.
The proposed products includes school books, dictionaries, multimedia education softwares, films, culture books, operation system and softwares, toy and games etc, it is not an simple ecosystem, nor an new industry, but rebuilder for all industry of human race.
The new developed series of groundbreaking approaches and corresponding systems, and series of software engines are ready for intellectual property transfer, and some of them will be sold to suitable semiconductor manufacturer, and be implemented as standard computer chips. The transferred income will be donated to the fund free of charge and used for the proposed plans.
The series of groundbreaking projects will set the standard in industry research and will completely revolutionise almost any industry of the human world, billions of profits can be easily earned in short time from the alliance and system licensing with only a few investments on the initial stage. There's no any competitors at all because the things of nature languages is unique and can't be copied. They're the only ones on this planet. They belongs to whole human race. It's very difficult to estimate how big their value is and they can be freely used or required to pay hundreds of millions at lest when they are licensed to any organisation or any government of any country.
We are looking for a suitable investor for the series of projects that will reshape the world by culture, education and IT. Japanese and Germans, as candidates will be given priority.
Rebuild nature language and education from the beginning!


text: I buy iTunes gift certificates...That way i know my budget and I don't overspend if I know I only have x amount of dollars left as a credit. To help offset this, I go to my friendly local CoinStar machine and dump all my change i've collected (for this purpose) into it, and retrieve the proceeds as an iTunes card. Most recently, after only a few months of change, I got about $25 at a Coinstar, and there's no charge to count it if your proceeds are turned into gift cards. I recommend this technique for anyone who needs to budget their App store expenses! Seriously, take all the change you find to a coinstar, even if you only get $5, that pays for several $1 games or even the big $5 game you've been saving for!


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New to ACTS?
You might be wondering, what's it really like at ACTS?
We know meeting someone for the first time can be intimidating, and going to a new church for the first time can be nerve-racking. We want to help make your first experience at ACTS a great one!
Simply stated, at ACTS, we're all about Jesus. You won't be met with shame, guilt, or condemnation. And we don't care how you're dressed or what candidate you voted for. Our church is made up of imperfect people with every kind of story imaginable.
Want to know the best part? No matter what you've been through or what questions you might have about God and faith, our church is a place where you'll find the love, grace, and forgiveness Jesus gives to everyone.
"Honestly, I was a little anxious attending ACTS for the first time…a little unsure of what to expect. But as soon as I walked through the front doors it felt like home."
Directions: From the WEST (Los Angeles)
From Interstate 10 take the TENNESSEE St exit.
Off the exit, turn RIGHT on to TENNESSEE
The Church is under a mile from the Freeway on the RIGHT
From the EAST (Palm Springs)
From Interstate 10 take the TENNESSEE St exit,
off the exit turn LEFT on to TENNESSEE
The Church is located under a mile
along TENNESSEE on the RIGHT


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How You Know You're A Mom To Young Kids
Last Updated on
Obviously, we all know being a mom is hard but sometimes we need some reassurance that we're doing an ok job.
Being a great mom is not all that easy. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication.
It takes lots of sleepless nights of worrying about their well being. It also is a great blessing and a huge opportunity for personal growth.
I know I am not the same person I was from before I had kids. I have grown and learned many things.
Being a parent is also comical at times. Laughing during times when you probably shouldn't happen more than you think.
There was one time my middle son was trying to say "frog" but he kept replacing the "G" with a "K". I mean, how do you not laugh?
I made sure to correct him pretty quickly. I wouldn't want him going around and telling people they look like frogs. HAHA
Here are some ways you know you're a mom to young kids
1. Stepping on legos in the middle of the night becomes a common occurrence. There was one occurrence where my husband stepped right on Batman's head! He yelled so loud….it was hilarious!
2. Rocking a mom bun is something that happens 98% of the time in my life. I'm lucky to get my hair done on the weekends if I can muster up the little energy left in me.
3. Being a parent to young kids means you can't have nice things. We just got a new dining room table and my 3-year-old thought it would be nice to bite into it and scrape off some paint. I have accepted we can't have nice things. We just can't.
4. Your life revolves around getting snacks for them, constantly. You are their snack slave.
5. You can never keep any hard objects around because your three year old will chuck it at your 10-year-olds head. This actually happened to us. My youngest found a freaking golf ball somewhere and threw it at my daughters head. Little stinker! He is lucky he is cute.
6. Sleep is a thing of the past. Getting 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is a thing of your dreams. There's always a foot in your face or an elbow jabbing at your kidney. Good times!
7. When you have a period of silence in your house, be suspicious of the worst. Usually, your kid is up to no good. My youngest was really quiet one day and I was looking for him. He got into my new tub of Cetaphil and spread it all over his head, face, my bed, you name it. I was furious.
8. Laundry will pile up like never before. The kids will place their fresh out of the dryer, only worn once clothing into their dirty hamper. Life is a never-ending load of laundry.
9. Bath time will turn your bathroom into a tsunami. The floor will be sopping wet and you'll question if bathing your child is really that important…
10. Being on time to places will be a miracle. My kids get ready in the morning and are as fast as a snail that is stuck in tar. We almost never can get anywhere on time.
11. All the shows you once loved and watched religiously will be replaced by the Disney channel and Nickelodeon. Hopefully, you have a DVR and can watch them at a later time.
12. Every one of your buttons will be pushed constantly making you go from 0 to 60 in no time at all. Even though you might feel angry at times, the love you have for your children never dwindles.
These are all the things you go through when you're a mom to young kids.
The experiences you have are priceless and love you feel for another human being is indescribable.
Yes, parenting is difficult but I would not trade my kids for anything in the entire world.
What are some things you have learned about being a parent? Let me know down below.


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The Surgical Services Department at St. Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital includes four operating room suites, two endoscopy rooms, a seven-bay post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and a 14-bed outpatient surgery area. Surgical services include general surgery; OB/GYN; orthopedic; gastroenterology; ophthalmology; ear, nose and throat; podiatry; pulmonology; urology.
Today, the majority of surgical services are delivered on an outpatient basis.


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1) Gift Card Program to promote your dealership.
2) A Loyalty Program to reward your customers and to ensure
they return time and time again.
3) NEW Coupon Book with special offers, free car wash,
free tire rotation, 20% off.
All of the transactions will be tracked in the same program that is
used for the gift and or loyalty cards. All of this for those loyal customers.
Complete package can be unique to customer or generic.
ASI 75629 PPAI 222054Sage 68199


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Our passion for roofing is unmatched in the Yorkshire area and beyond.
From survey to quotation, design to installation… we take care of everything, leaving you with nothing to worry about.
Rennie Roofing Services manage projects with ease, making sure that you experience minimal upset to your everyday life.
Our installation team is constructed of trained, highly skilled professional tradesmen with years of experience and knowledge, providing the best work possible, using market leading tools, making safety a prime issue and taking precautions to keep your precious home as clean as possible (inside and out), whilst work is ongoing.
We would love to visit you at your home or business address, provide you with a free no obligation survey, and have a good old cup of tea if you would be kind enough to make us one.
Alternatively fill in the contact form on this page and we will be in touch to speak and arrange a time suitable for you.
The Rennie Roofing Services team.
Name and Surname *
Email *
Message *
Send message
Our home and business surveys are free to everyone.
Follow these simple steps to arrange your free survey on your home or business property:
We will do the rest!
As we are sure you can understand, every roofing project and/or loft conversion is unique, and with that there is no set prices we can display online for either service.
Again, just pick up the phone, give us a call, and arrange your free no obligation home or business survey.
You can call us now on 0113 2361845 or alternatively fill in the enquiry form and we will be in touch soon.
Our professional installers are qualified and highly experienced.
You simply would not achieve the results we produce if you didn't have the knowledge we have at our disposal.
Roofing and loft conversion services do not come better than ours, yes, that is a bold statement, but it is one that we promise to adhere to.
Call us now on 0113 2361845 or fill in the on-page enquiry form and we will be in touch.
Rennie Roofing Services guarantee that ALL staff are professionally trained in their trades and areas of expertise.
We are committed to continual training and development of our highly valued employees, ensuring that projects are completed to the highest industry standards.
Staff participate in both evening and day release courses which include exams and certification on completion, as well as in-house training.
We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.
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Oil producers have US$100 billion wiped out in worst start to year
[LONDON] Crude's plunge keeps piling on the bad news for oil producers, who are having the worst start to a year on record. More than US$100 billion has been wiped off the 61-company Bloomberg World Oil & Gas Index this year as it plunged to the lowest since August 2004. It has dropped 5.6 per cent, making it the worst opening to the year since the index started in 2003. Thailand's PTT Pcl, Apache Corp and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp led the decline.
Crude is hurtling down toward US$30 a barrel as concerns increase over China's economy, a supply glut persists and the world's biggest oil-producing nations continue to pump at near- record levels. European and Asian shares dropped to three-month lows with US stock futures as billionaire George Soros warned of a crisis. Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Citigroup Inc say oil may have further to fall.
"It's going from bad to worse very quickly," Ahmed Ben Salem, oil and gas analyst at Oddo & Cie in Paris, said by phone. "Doubts over China's demand have been added to already existing concerns over the surplus supply."
Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Europe's biggest oil company, dropped as much as 5.7 per cent and BG Group Plc, the company it's seeking to buy, fell as much as 6.4 per cent in London. Sinopec, Asia's biggest refiner, plunged 7.6 per cent in Hong Kong and PetroChina Co, the world's second-biggest oil company by market value, lost 6.8 per cent.
Companies around the world have slashed billions of dollars of spending, reduced thousands of jobs, halted projects and suspended dividends in an effort to ride out the slump. Revenue and profit have dropped and some companies have defaulted on debt. Shell's Chief Executive Officer Ben Van Beurden and BP Plc boss Bob Dudley have said they expect the downturn to be prolonged.
"Companies have done a good job but oil prices have dropped so quickly they haven't been able to adjust quickly enough," Salem said. "2016 is going to be very tough for them as the oil market is unlikely to balance out this year." China's central bank reduced the onshore yuan's fixing to the lowest since March 2011, triggering a selloff that led to the closure of Chinese stock exchanges. Chinese policy makers' growing tolerance for a weaker yuan is being seen as a sign they are struggling to revive an economy that's the world's biggest user of energy, metals and grains. Those concerns helped wipe $2.5 trillion off the value of global equities in the first six days of this year as North Korea conducted a nuclear weapons test and relations soured between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, has dropped below $33 a barrel to the lowest in 11 years as supply continues to outstrip demand. It's lost more than 10 per cent this year, adding to last year's 35 per cent decline.
"It could go even lower, and it just underlines the uncertainty," Statoil ASA Chief Executive Officer Eldar Saetre said in an interview in Oslo. "We still have a situation with an imbalance in the market." -With assistance from Mikael Holter.


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Hamburg is Europe' leading import hub of coffee, tea, and cocoa. The global importance of these commodities is reflected by COTECA 2014, returning to the Hamburg fair grounds 24-26 September with a large exhibition and conference.
Boom of single serve portions
Dan Bolton, a Canadian expert known for his knowledge of the coffee and tea markets, says that in some European countries more than 50 per cent of private households own a single-serve coffee machine; in Canada the figure is about 20 per cent and in the U.S. 15 per cent of households. Apart from the capsules, the machines which use them are also a large growth market, with benefits for retailers and specialist stores.
Global growth market for roast coffee
In 2013, sales of coffee and espresso capsules worldwide amounted to 10.8 bn US dollar. And in Germany, too, pod and capsule systems are continuing their rapid growth, according to the German Coffee Association. Sales of coffee in capsules were up 27 per cent in 2013 versus 2012, to 12,700 tonnes. All the big coffee roasters are now selling their own pod or capsule ranges, often in connection with the appropriate coffee machines. One of them is at home in Hamburg: Caffè Chicco D'Oro.
Single-serve at the COTECA conference
The two-day specialist conference at COTECA will feature leading coffee and tea experts on 24 and 25 September, and will include analysis of the single-serve trend from various angles. Dan Bolton, a Canadian coffee and tea expert, will give an overview of the international market for coffee capsules in his presentation on 24 September, indicating the latest figures and consumption data. Dr. Martin Bussmann from BASF will address the subject of coffee capsule packaging. The company has launched a biodegradable plastic system based on renewable raw materials as an alternative to coffee capsules made of aluminum.
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A Reflection of Life Essence: Yoga and Consciousness Retreat
January 11 - 13, 2019
Resilient mental health and radiant wellbeing can be yours!
This yoga and consciousness based retreat is about deepening your understanding of your essential innate spiritual self.
A simple but profound understanding of what forms our moment to moment experience of life can bring relief from mind created suffering, even in the face of great adversity. True freedom comes by realizing our true essential spiritual nature.
Our innate birthright essence is our life Presence. It is not an object or form experience, but is who we truly are. It cannot be attained, looked for, achieved, found or discovered. It must be realized. The deepening realization of our essence arises the Presence of wisdom in our everyday lives.
Come to the beautiful Amrit Yoga Institute in the Ocala National Forest, Salt Springs, Florida on January 11th, 12th, and 13th for a retreat to uncover what heals our heart and mind.
We'll share stories about the Principles behind the human experience of life and death. The deeper understanding of these innate gifts of life will bring an end to psychological suffering, revealing peace of mind and opening of heart, allowing more joy in your life.
Around our sharing you are welcome to join into relaxing gentle yoga for quieting the mind and opening the heart. This yoga is best described as a gentle meditation in motion appropriate for all levels of experience. Also come join us in a deep sleep based meditation called Yoga Nidra that allows a profound quieting of the mind and revealing of spirit while the body replenishes its resources.
Meditative yoga is particularly suited to work hand-in-hand with a reflection on spiritual Principles for an insightful experience. The yoga of this retreat is especially good for relaxing the body & quieting the mind, with the possibility of freeing us to recognize our spiritual nature.
Detailed Description:
- This 3 day retreat is on beautiful Lake Kern in the peaceful Ocala National Forest.
- Experience a quieter mind for a more stress free life.
- Have insights on your true spiritual identity.
- This 3 day retreat will use a powerful but gentle meditative yoga practice and a yogic deep sleep based meditation called Yoga Nidra to calm and quiet the mind for opening participants to experience more of their spirit essence.
- We will have talks and reflection on the 3 formless spiritual principles behind all experience in life.
- The spiritual gifts of Universal Mind, Universal Consciousness, and the power of Thought together create the form of our moment to moment psychological experience. Gentle reflection on spiritual truth without identification with our own thinking can bring a deepened appreciation for our spiritual nature. Living everyday life becomes more graceful as there is nothing we have to do to appreciate life.
- As understanding of life deepens so our life changes to suit our deeper wisdom. The practical results will reflect in our everyday life by increasing physical and psychological resilience. We react to less in life, thus allowing more beneficial action or non-action. When we do react to unavoidable life challenges our increased resilience returns us to equanimity. We experience moment to moment life more gracefully.
- You will be guided through all the yoga experiences in this retreat. The movement and relaxation will be appropriate for all levels of participation. Joining in is completely voluntary.
Deep peace of Mind and an open heart can be yours!
- Retreat Starts on Friday January 11th at 4pm with registration and check-in from 1-3 PM.
- Program starts at 7pm after dinner.
- Retreat ends on Sunday January 13th at 12 noon.
- 3 vegetarian meals a day
- 3 day retreat program
Does not include:
- Any spa service you may wish to book.
- Transportation to and from the yoga institute is not included.
- Entrance fee to the nearby natural springs not included.
Reserve your space at this retreat today! Space is limited and will fill up fast.
For questions about our retreat please call Satyajit Joel at 860-655-5746.
Your Retreat Presenters:
Satyajit Joel has been a professional yoga teacher for 13 years and he has practiced yoga since the 1970s. He has been a Principle based coach and facilitator for 30 years. Joel is also a speaker on the Principles behind the experience of living and dying.
Joel is a 500 hour certified Professional level experienced Pranakriya and Kripalu Yoga Teacher; Certified Yoga Dance Teacher; Yoga Therapist; certified IAM Yoga Nidra Facilitator. Joel teaches to share his love of yoga and spiritual Principles.
He has recently faced a life threatening illness which ended his career in nuclear science and transformed his yoga practice & Principles coaching. Thru deepened Presence of Consciousness Joel transcended the fear and psychological suffering such a disease can bring. He wishes to help others find peace of mind and an open heart.
"I know that my deepened awareness of my innate spiritual nature continues to be a profound factor in my wellbeing, including the healing & remission of my advanced metastatic cancer."
"As I realized that Consciousness is not dependent upon anything or any event in life, the fear of loss, even fear of death disappeared. The opposite is true – that my experience of life is dependent upon my state of consciousness. In other words all experience is always created from the inside out. This spiritual understanding has revealed that peace of mind and joy of heart has always been my spiritual birthright waiting to be uncovered"
Lori is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 30 years of experience helping clients find peace of mind and open hearts through an understanding of the Principles behind all life experiences.
Lori has Co-authored 3 books. Her most recent book is "The Secret of Love, Unlock the Mystery, Unleash the Magic" for relationships of all kinds.
"The more I saw that I am not the personality I thought I was, the more my depression fell away. I live in such a different state of mind now, it's as though I am an entirely different person. One simple understanding about how life works, was the most profound thing I ever encountered in life."
Laurie Holmes is a Licensed Massage Therapist, and energy worker with over 34 years of experience; she is also a Certified Transformative and Clarity Coach, Mentor and published Author of Becoming Human: The Story of You and Me and How we Came to Be. She is excited to share the realization she had when she woke up from a simple medical procedure, completely unable to move her arms and legs for 53 hours.
"I transcended the space between pain and suffering when I realized after my spinal stroke that I am always ok no matter what is going on in my physical form, and with that realization my healing began."


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Modern West Floral Company Blooms with Locally Grown Botanicals
No one expected their flowers to come from local soil—until now. With roots in landscape architecture, the untamed diversity of the Roaring Fork Valley landscape, and blooms from their own high country floral farm, the designers behind Mountain West Floral Company (MWFC) create botanical experiences steeped, they say, in the valley's floral terroir.
"Our hope has been to shift our clients' perception of beauty and encourage others to appreciate and respect the uniqueness of our local aesthetic," says co-founder Vanessa Gilbert.
"In order to accomplish this," fellow founder Tara Abbaticchio says, "we harness the deep Colorado aesthetic of beauty by foraging locally (for which we have permits). We let the architecture of a flower, branch, stem, or dried seed head initiate the design. We then complement the ever-changing local availability with annual varieties grown on our farm in Carbondale."
"Our goal," she adds, "is to be purely focused on the people who value the local, seasonal aspect of what they're getting. They're okay with not knowing exactly what color or what flower they're going to get because they want what's available at the time."
Focusing on events, weddings, weekly contracts, and gifts, MWFC's style is reflected in both Gilbert and Abbaticchio's inclinations.
Gilbert leans toward the romantic and colorful: "apricot blossoms in the spring, with lilac branches, peonies, that's when I start feeling good," she chuckles. Abbaticchio is drawn to the airy architecture of a specimen, especially in the fall "when they're drying, even more than when they're alive," she says. Gilbert pokes good-natured fun at her business partner's fondness of "tumbleweeds," but Abbaticchio proudly shares stories of going for walks and runs, hands full of weathered husks by the time she returns. "Even just one of those in a vase is so much prettier than a grocery store flower," she asserts.
MWFC's approach to floral sustainability may be unmatched in the valley. The two women farm their own flowers organically on the valley floor east of Carbondale. There are no chemical drenches, no trans-Atlantic air transport. Gilbert and Abbaticchio are also inspired by the organic farmers of the North Fork Valley around Paonia. Role model Zephyros Farms has been very supportive of their work and a reliable source for horticultural wares. For example, for Valentine's or Mother's Day arrangements, MWFC will order unusual stems from these and other organic farms. Both women prefer utilizing stylish alternatives to the standardized imports of South America and Africa.
So ultimately, their hearts and intentions are truly local.
Gilbert originally moved to the valley after landscape architecture school to apprentice at Sustainable Settings for several seasons. She wanted to learn more about ecology, cycles, seasons. She wanted to grow, to connect with the earth prior to launching her career in landscape architecture.
Several years later, well into their careers at a prolific firm, the siren song of earth and creation began to call to both Gilbert and Abbaticchio.
In the spring, when the sap begins to flow and the buds to swell, when roots begin to stir anew, the MWFC shop at the Studio for Arts and Works in Carbondale becomes a hotbed of early-season growth. Heat mats and grow lights usher in new life: architectural spires of larkspur, bells of Ireland and snapdragons, frothy love-in-a-mist, Queen Anne's lace, and luminous dahlias.
From everlastings to the ephemeral, MWFC grows clean botanicals. These organic florals, grown two to three miles from their shop, are rooted in historic potato fields, nourished by alpine sun and air, and enlivened by valley water and weather. They are imbued with the raw, elemental nature of our Rocky Mountains: that floral terroir that Abbaticchio and Gilbert espouse.
"We wanted to fill the void of 'everyone wants to know where their local food comes from.' You should know where your flowers come from, too," Abbaticchio says. "If you're in the habit of buying flowers, it's another part of our local agriculture that's just as important."


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WNE finishes 2019 campaign with 21-17 record
BIDDEFORD, Maine (May 2, 2019) – The third-seeded Western New England University softball team was eliminated from the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament with a 2-1 loss to No. 7 seed Gordon College on Thursday afternoon at Nor'easter Diamond on the campus of the University of New England.
With the loss, Western New England's season comes to a close at 21-17. Gordon (19-19) will face the loser of tomorrow morning's contest between Roger Williams and Endicott, which is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Top Performers
Western New England junior pitcher Aimee Kistner (Taunton, Mass.) was strong in the circle, striking out a season-high 12 batters while allowing one earned run on four hits over seven innings.
Freshman Dina DiBlasio (Norwalk, Conn.) accounted for the Golden Bears' lone hit with a double in the seventh inning, which broke up Gordon junior Caitlin Catalanotto's (Kingston, N.H.) no-hit bid. Catalanotto struck out six batters and surrendered just one unearned run.
The Fighting Scots were led offensively by sophomores Kristen Brown (Granite Springs, N.Y.) and Karissa Hatchell (Eaton, Colo.), who drove in one run each.
Game Review
Both teams scored one run in the first inning. Senior Megan Jenkerson (McDonough, Ga.) led off the top of the first for Gordon and was hit by a pitch. She then advanced to second on a wild pitch, and Hatchell walked to put two runners on base. After Jenkerson was retired on an interference call, Brown delivered an RBI single to center field, giving the Fighting Scots a 1-0 lead.
The Golden Bears answered in the bottom half of the frame with a run of their own. Sophomore Emily Cooney (Berlin, Conn.) led off with a walk, and sophomore Allie Buzzeo (Stamford, Conn.) followed with a strikeout before Kistner reached on a walk. Catalanotto got freshman Jamie Cookingham (Warner, N.H.) to pop out for the second out of the inning, but the Fighting Scots were unable to escape the inning unscathed as a dropped fly ball on a pop up by DiBlasio allowed Cooney to cross the plate with the game-tying run.
In the top of the third, Gordon regained the lead as Jenkerson led off with a single to right field, and Hatchell followed with an RBI double to left center.
The Golden Bears, who went down in order in the second, third and fourth innings, started the fifth inning with a walk from sophomore Emilie Decker (Pattersonville, N.Y.). Catalanotto retired the next three batters she faced, however, while recording two strikeouts.
After another 1-2-3 frame in the sixth, Western New England appeared poised to break through in the seventh as DiBlasio led off with a double to left center. A sacrifice bunt advanced pinch-runner Tamara Diaz (Springfield, Mass.) to third base, but Catalanotto struck out Decker before getting Paige Uliase (Meriden, Conn.) to line out on a tough play to left center to end the contest.


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Villagers arrested by something God had never done before
Christmas Day OT reading
Christmas Day Gospel reading
Christmas Day Epistle reading
Christmas Day application
Sunday, December 30 OT reading
Sunday, December 30 Gospel reading
Sunday, December 30 Epistle reading
Sunday, December 30 application
Readings are in Bible order, Old Testament, Gospel, Epistle, following the logic of progressive revelation. Some churches use a liturgical order with the gospel reading last.
Isaiah 9:2-7 – the glory of God comes on Israel
A nation in spiritual darkness receive a peace-bringing mighty king of David's lineage but heavenly origin
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
"Have seen" – prophetic vision that sees the future with the clarity of it already having happened.
"Light has dawned" – Jesus the light of the world, John 8:12; 9:5, brings the light of His truth first in Capernaum, Galilee, verse 1 and Matt. 4:13-17.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before You as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
"Enlarged" – no longer a small remnant after five centuries of resettlement and growth.
4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
"Midian's defeat" — the Lord using Gideon, Judges 7.
5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end.
"Wonderful counsellor" – the titles reveal Immanuel as both human and divine: a 'counsellor to carry out a plan or action; with divine power; bringing the Father's compassion and protection; and exercising a style of rulership which brings wholeness and wellbeing to the whole of society.
He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Luke 2:1-14 – shepherds experience God's sudden blaze of glory in terror
They are directed to seek out Mary and Joseph and their baby, visitors to Bethlehem for the census
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
"A census" – for the purposes of the Roman poll tax. Joseph was of the house of David, Mary possibly so.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
"Bethlehem" – as foretold in Micah's prophecy, Micah 5:2.
5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
"Out in the fields" – so probably between March and November. The time of Jesus' birth is not known. The midwinter tradition arose much later from Christians re-purposing the pagan midwinter festival.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
"Terrified" – by the majesty of angels in bright light suddenly appearing in the darkness.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11 "Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 "This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests."
"Good news" – the word that gives us 'evangelise'. "On earth peace" – Jesus is the Prince of Peace prophesied by Isaiah, Isa. 9:6 to bring God's peace; not to all, but all who would turn to Him and come to know God and God's favour.
Titus 2:11-14 – We're growing in grace while awaiting Christ's return
Christians are empowered to live above themselves while expecting Jesus to appear in glory
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
"Grace… offers salvation" – the word 'grace' is used generally and also specifically, as here, meaning the favour with God, unearned but made possible by Christ's sinless self-sacrifice. It is offered to, not conferred on, all people – a response to Jesus is called for – but anyone of any state can choose to turn to Him, come to know God in a personal way and be changed by this grace.
12-13 It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.
"Teaches us… to live…" – Salvation (also called justification, Titus 3:7) and holy living are "not because of anything we have done but because of [God's] own purpose and grace, 2 Tim. 1:9. Jesus will come again, the "blessed hope" we wait for. Meanwhile, the grace of God through the Holy Spirit enables us to live by these values.
IN PRACTICE The favour of God has come to us through Jesus being revealed to us – the Bible is clear that we cannot earn it. However, there is a personal, active choice we must make to turn to Jesus and receive His lordship. Nowhere does the Bible teach that salvation is through the church; widely it teaches that salvation is a choice to invite Jesus as Saviour. Before that decision we are all walking in darkness, as Isaiah describes, not able to see the spiritual realities of good and evil. Then God's glory visited the village of Bethlehem and God's grace was experienced, by the most ordinary of people. A couple of generations later, believers in the early church are rejoicing in being "a people that are His very own" and knowing the grace of God helping them in their eagerness to "do what is good".
PRAYER Lord we love the nativity scene, but help us to see beyond it to Your Lordship and Your glory. May the impact of who You are, transform how we are, in this season of remembering Your first coming and preparing for the next.
1 Samuel 2:18-20,26 – the young Samuel is an apprentice in the tabernacle
He grows in stature and God's favour, as was said later of the boy Jesus
18 But Samuel was ministering before the Lord – a boy wearing a linen ephod.
19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.
"Linen ephod" – an embroidered over-garment worn over the robe, by priests in the sanctuary. The contrast between Samuel and Eli's sons, all young Levites, is that Samuel lived up to his calling.
20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord." Then they would go home.
26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favour with the Lord and with people.
"Grow in stature and favour" – like Luke's description of Jesus as a boy, see Luke 2:52 below, also Luke 2:40.
Luke 2:41-52 – Jesus grows in grace at the temple
Unknown to His parents, He spends time with the teachers of the temple courts who, remarkably, allow Him to debate with them.
41 Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.
"Every year" – Good observant Jews like Jesus' family liked to keep the three commanded festivals of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, Exodus 23:14-17; Deut. 16:16. Galileans and others at a distance would try to keep Passover at least.
42 When He was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.
"Twelve years old" – preparing to take adult covenant responsibilities, usually at age 13.
43 After the festival was over, while His parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
"Unaware" – often entire villages and extended families travelled and socialised together.
44-45 Thinking He was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for Him.
46-47 After three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers.
"After three days" – a day's travel of about 20 miles, a day turning back, and a day finding Jesus in the city.
"Listening… asking questions… His answers" – the teachers were rabbis, scholars of Mosaic law. The style of rabbinic instruction was question and counter-question. It was highly unusual for them to entertain a boy, let alone be enthralled by His scriptural understanding. Jesus was a prodigy.
48 When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. His mother said to Him, 'Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.'
49-50 "Why were you searching for Me?" He asked. 'Didn't you know I had to be in My Father's house?' But they did not understand what He was saying to them.
"Your father and I…My Father's house" – Jesus makes it clear that God is His true father. He is aware of His unique relationship, his parents less so.
51-52 Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
"Jesus grew in wisdom" – Jesus was fully God, but also fully man, having laid aside His majesty to be born as one one of us. The Expanded Bible renders this: "But He gave up His place with God and made Himself nothing, (lit. emptied Himself)." There is no suggestion in Scripture that Jesus had all knowledge and wisdom from birth, and in this passage we see Him growing up like any other boy.
Colossians 3:12-17 – God's people are to grow in grace
God is love and Jesus demonstrated unconditional love; growing in His character of kindness and gentleness is what distinguishes the body of Christ.
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
"God's chosen people" — this phrase was used of Israel, and then of the Christian community, Deut. 4:37; 1 Peter 2:9.
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
"Bear with… forgive…" – Jesus taught that having received grace and forgiveness from God, we must extend the same grace to others. Being forgiven by God means we, too, must forgive, without condition.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.,
"Put on love"— which will look like attitudes of v.12, and like the fruit of the [redeemed, regenerate human] spirit, Gal. 5:22.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
"Peace of Christ" — where Christ rules, where Jesus is accorded His lordship, His peace will act as an umpire. Allegiance to Christ outranks differences between
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
"Psalms, hymns and songs" — the model is the book of Psalms, which includes psalms of truth from Scripture, hymns of praise and the spontaneous, prophetic songs from the Spirit.
"Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus" — the bottom line is a requirement to keep on growing in Christian maturity and TO show Jesus to others, by living as those who represent Jesus and His Way.
IN PRACTICE The grace and glory of God become a growing part of us when we surrender our self-rule and independence, and ask Jesus to come in. That's the pathway towards Christian maturity. The story of young Samuel, called by God, and the young Jesus, the Son of God, speak to us about our growing up process. Words written to the church in Colossae challenge us to grow in Jesus-like attitudes and relationships. So why do we get conflicts and tensions in the church? Because we have an active enemy, always looking for unresolved tensions that have become sin, that he can use to deceive, divide or destroy. The remedy is the rule of the opposite spirit — someone attacks us angrily and we choose to respond in peace, or someone is hurtful or difficult, and we choose to love them anyway. This is grace and it disarms the enemy and brings God's glory – never more powerfully than when we choose to forgive, Matthew 18:21-35.
QUESTION "It's just the way I am" – but God sent His son and may not accept that limitation! What can you do this Christmas that will release His change?
PRAYER "Lord, I thank You that You came – and have come for me. I give what I have, myself, to You and I receive from You new grace and life in Jesus. Amen."
Download TLW52 booklet Dec 25/30 to print for your church
God's ways are higher
Revised Common Lectionary readings for October 21
Job 38:1-7 — God's perspective is far higher than Job's opinions
Isaiah 53:4-12 — God's eternal purpose is higher than man can conceive
Mark 10:35-45 — The kingdom of God is a higher order than human status
Hebrews 5:1-10 — Jesus has gained special qualification to represent us to God
Also: Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c
Job 38:1-7 — God's perspective is far higher than Job's opinions
Yahweh announces His presence and cross-examines Job
1 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 "Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?
Job has been complaining from his human perspective, showing up his inadequate knowledge of who God is.
3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.
4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell Me, if you understand.
"I will question you… where were you…" – questions to which Job must confess ignorance. God says nothing about Job's suffering but neither does He agree with the counsellors or condemn him.
"Tell Me" – whether rhetorical or demanding a response from Job, he is unable to answer.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6-7 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone — while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
Hearing from the Lord here, Job 38:1-40:2 and subsequently, Job 40:6-41:34, bring Job to a better understanding of God's goodness and
IN PRACTICE We have opinions, and we like to express them, and we know that we are right… the problem always being the limited perspective on which we base those opinions. Job, who was entitled to try to work out what was happening to him and defend himself from his friends' well-meaning but flawed attempts to blame him for his downfall, hears from God that He has a higher purpose for His creation including mankind. Who is Job to argue? We take from this two lessons of everyday life,
(1) to hold our opinions lightly because God is likely to show how flawed they are, and
(2) to always try to see God's higher purpose in the struggles we find ourselves in.
QUESTION Have you held an opinion which you sensed God was challenging, and then discovered it was unfounded?
Isaiah 53:4-12 — God's eternal purpose is higher than man can conceive
The disfigured, suffering servant, a picture of Christ that Isaiah saw
4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted.
"Surely he…" – the servant, introduced in Isaiah 52:13 is so disfigured to be almost unrecognisable; people were appalled at the sight.
"We considered him punished by God" – people would conclude he had been struck down by God for his own supposed sins. But there is something far greater going on here, Matt. 8:14-17. He was beaten and hurt, for us to become whole.
5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
"Punishment that brought us peace" – brought us shalom, a huge word, far more than freedom from anxiety. Healing of spirit, the emotional/thinking life of the soul, and physical healing are all part of this divine exchange. This much quoted as the heart of the gospel, salvation and entry into the life of God's kingdom, which cannot be earned or achieved, just received through the Servant.
For further study, see Psalm 22:16; Zech. 12:10; Romans 4:25; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24-25.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
"Each of us… turned to our own way" – repentance is the exact opposite, a turn from our own way, to God's way. The point is that every person has sinned, Romans 3:9, 23, and deserves God's righteous wrath.
"Laid on Him the iniquity" – recalls the high priest on the Day of Atonement laying hands on the scapegoat and symbolically putting the sins of the people on it.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away. Yet who of His generation protested? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of My people He was punished.
"By oppression and judgment" – In Jesus' 'kangaroo court trial' no one spoke up on His behalf, and neither did He defend Himself.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death, though He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.
"A grave with the wicked and…rich" – Jesus'cave tomb belonged to Joseph of Arimathea, a rich and righteous man. Isaiah associates the rich with the wicked, because such wealth was often gained by oppression or dishonesty.
10 Yet it was the Lord's will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His life an offering for sin, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
"The Lord's will to crush him" – at first sight an incomprehensible cruelty but "His life [made] an offering for sin" expresses the Lord's equally hard-to-grasp sacrificial love for a world that has lost its way. The result is literally billions of spiritual sons and daughters.
11 After He has suffered, He will see the light of life and be satisfied; by His knowledge My righteous servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
"Numbered with the transgressors" – or rebellious ones, identifying with them (with us) and making intercession that they might again become servants of the king.
IN PRACTICE The enormity of what God has done for us, having His own Son take the punishment and pay the price in our place, leaves us with gratitude that words are inadequate to express. But what about the knocks of life and the attacks on health and finances and well-being we all face? This punishment that has brought us heavenly shalom is a practical remedy for ourselves and for others. When the truth of this sinks in, it changes the way we pray, from passively asking God to help us, to an active stance of being able to declare in a spirit of praise how He HAS helped us.
QUESTION Praising God for His goodness and deliverance out of a difficult situation is challenging. What difficulty are you bringing before God, where you can change your prayer in the light of this?
Mark 10:35-45 — The kingdom of God is a higher order than human status
The lesson about who Jesus is and the path to greatness by serving that He sets out
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him. "Teacher," they said, "we want You to do for us whatever we ask."
"James and John" – the two other members of Jesus' inner circle (following on from Peter's outburst, Mark 8:32-33) show that they still haven't grasped His essential teaching about who He is and His impending death, and what greatness and leadership in the kingdom of God means.
36 "What do you want Me to do for you?" He asked.
37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
"In Your glory" – the part they had understood is that Jesus was the Messiah; "sit at Your right…" – they associated it, wrongly, with rank and status.
38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with?"
"You don't know" – they didn't understand about sharing in Jesus suffering, and the servant nature of leadership in His kingdom.
39-40 "We can," they answered.
Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with, but to sit at My right or left is not for Me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."
"Not for Me to grant" – Jesus would not usurp His Father's authority.
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.
"Indignant" – they wanted prestige and power for themselves. Jesus now spells out a different understanding of what the leadership of God's kingdom entails.
42 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
43-44 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be
"Not so with you" – the values of the kingdom of God turn the values of the world upside down.
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
"To serve, and… give His life" – a climax and one of the most important passages in Mark, emphasising how Jesus' death as a suffering servant is central to the values of His kingdom.
IN PRACTICE The Letter to the Ephesians teaches that all Christians, in their new nature, are positionally 'seated' together with Christ, who is Himself seated at the right hand of God the Father with authority over everything. For us this is no less than a place of sharing His spiritual authority in the battle against evil. So there is a sense that we do get what James and John asked for, but not in the way that they imagined. However, the values of the kingdom of God clash with the values of the world, and put serving above status. The point is that, knowing Jesus, personally and intimately, brings a different kind of authority, spiritual authority, which is how Jesus uses us to bring His light and presence into our sin-darkened world.
QUESTION What for you is the hardest part of the "Not so for you" (verse 43)?
Hebrews 5:1-10 — Jesus has gained special qualification to represent us to God
Jesus, having suffered and borne our sins, is called into a high priestly role of a unique order
The background text to this is Psalm 110:4 in which is God's stated intention that His Son is to be a priest
1 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
"From among the people" – the high priest had to be able to relate to people and their lives, in order to represent them before God.
2-3 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since He himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
"Weakness… his own sins" – the high priest, subject to human sinfulness, sacrifices first for his own sins, Lev. 16:6,11. By
4 And no one takes this honour on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.
"Called by God" – the Aaronic high priest must not be self-appointed but have a recognised call to the office. In Jesus' lifetime the high-priestly office – and the power and control that went with it – belonged to the family who had bought the privilege.
5 In the same way, Christ did not take on Himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to Him, "You are My Son; today I have become Your Father."
"You are My Son" – or "Today I reveal You as My Son", quoted from Psalm 2:7. A turning point in the comparison.
For further study: read Psalm 2:7-9, Romans 1:4.
6 And He says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
"Priest… in the order of Melchizedek" – quoted from Psalm 110:4. This is the first of 10 times this verse is quoted in Hebrews, Ps.110:4,6,10; 6:20; 7:3,11,15,17,21,24,28.
7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.
"Heard… because of his reverent submission" – Jesus did not shrink from the indescribable agony of bearing mankind's sins in a suffering of spirit, soul and body. He asked that the 'cup of suffering' might be taken from Him, but He still went through with it in full obedience to His Father.
"Save Him from death" – by resurrection.
8-10 Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
"Learned obedience… once made perfect" – or 'complete, qualified' from teleios original meaning 'having reached its end'. Christ was without sin, but proved His humanity in the cost of obedience, walking the path of human experience all the way to death on the Cross, in complete submission to the Father's will. This finally qualified Christ to represent us by His unique and ultimate high priesthood.
IN PRACTICE This passage exposes the fallacy of any religious system which we "take on ourselves", v.4. It's easier to grasp but the only effective and peace-bringing way is through personal relationship with Jesus. He is the only person who, having lived our life with its trials and temptations – without sin – can represent us before the Father. This highest of high priests, who has conquered death, and broken the grip of everything which contends with God's design and purpose for our lives, is the one who takes up our supplication (asking) prayer – and then reminds us that, sharing His exalted place, we should move from asking, to declaring in faith, what He has done. With the backing of Jesus the great high priest, we can pray with authority – His authority.
QUESTION What in church or Christian life are we inclined to put our faith in, rather than relying on Jesus to represent us?
PRAYER Father God, as I come to You in Jesus I am overwhelmed, not just by Your greatness and higher purpose, but by your goodness and generosity beyond anything I could deserve. Help me to hold on to this great truth, for myself and but also to share with others who need a touch from You.
Booklet to print 4pp A4
Living in the connection between heaven and earth
Church calendar readings for Sunday, August 26, in Bible order
Prepare for Sunday by reading the Bible passages beforehand – read again to reflect on Sunday's teaching
1 Kings 8:1,6,10-11, 22-30, 41-43 » God presences himself in the glory cloud
John 6:56-69 » Jesus promises Himself as food for eternal life
Ephesians 6:10-20 » How we position ourselves in the spiritual battle
Theme: Living in the connection between heaven and earth
SUMMARY The three readings all speak of how the presence and purpose of God and the heavenly host affects events in our lives – and how choices we make, and the spiritual position we take, affects the spiritual reality behind what we experience. Yahweh's presence was visible to the Israelites in the pillar of fire and cloud, on Mount Sinai and in the desert wanderings, and then at the consecration of Solomon's temple. Jesus taught how He was the bridge between heaven and earth in a way that had to be spiritually discerned. And Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus, teaches them that the struggles against evil that we all face are spiritual battles won in the place of holiness and prayer, not human argument and political strength.
= = = = = = =
1 Kings 8:1,6,10-11, 22-30, 41-43 » God presences himself in the glory cloud
The reverent placing of the ark in the temple
Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord's covenant from Zion, the City of David.
6 The priests then brought the ark of the Lord's covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim.
"Ark… to its place" – moved from David's own shrine into the temple, probably in the 12th year of Solomon's reign.
10-11 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord, Yahweh, filled His temple.
"The cloud" – The presence of the Lord appearing in a visible cloud, as at Sinai.
For further study, Exodus 24:15-18; Exodus 40:33-38; Numbers 11:24-25 and 2 Chron. 7:1-3.
22-23 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said:
"Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below – You who keep Your covenant of love with Your servants who continue wholeheartedly in Your way.
"No God like You" – Yahweh was quite different from the impersonal, fickle deities of other nations, directing events to fulfil His covenant promises. See Exodus 15:11, Deut. 7:9,12, and Psalm 86:8-10.
"Covenant of love" – Hebrew
24 You have kept Your promise to Your servant David my father; with your mouth You have promised and with Your hand You have fulfilled it – as it is today.
25 "Now Lord, the God of Israel, keep for Your servant David my father the promises You made to him when You said, 'You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before Me faithfully as you have done.'
"If only your descendants are careful" – a clear, unambiguous condition amplified in the "But as for you… but if you" statement of 2 Chron 7:17-22.
26 "And now, God of Israel, let Your word that You promised Your servant David my father come true.
27 "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain You. How much less this temple I have built!
"How much less this temple" – Yahweh could not be contained, but the cloud of glory and physical temple led to a false belief that God's assistance was assured however people lived, Jer. 7:4-14, Micah 3:11.
28 "Yet give attention to Your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying in Your presence this day.
29 "May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which You said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that You will hear the prayer Your servant prays toward this place.
Verses 30 and 40-43 in the longer reading speak of God's mission to all peoples of the earth, that they might know His name and His ways.
30 "Hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive.
"Toward this place" – Israelites who could not pray in the temple directed their prayers to the temple, the place where God has promised to be present among His people, e.g. Daniel 6:10.
41 "As for the foreigner who does not belong to Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name –
"Foreigner" – not an alien living in Israel but someone who has journeyed to Jerusalem to pray to Israel's God.
42 for they will hear of Your great name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm – when they come and pray toward this temple,
43 then hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears Your Name.
"All peoples of the earth" – the wider intention of God's mission, which we sometimes overlook in the OT, but plainly stated here.
IN PRACTICE Solomon and the priests involved in the consecration of the new temple had never seen the glory cloud, but they knew about Moses entering the cloud on the top of Mount Sinai to receive the commandments, and the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle tent. For the people of the Old Testament era, the relationship was remote, not personal, with prophets and priests speaking for God and acting as His intermediaries. However our relationship through Jesus is to be personal, not mediated through priests. The story sets out a scenario where we can see that the affairs of heaven and of earth are not compartmentalised, but closely linked.
QUESTION How is God's covenant of love distinct from other world faiths?
John 6:56-69 » Jesus promises Himself as food for eternal life
By receiving Him totally our lives are transformed
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in Me, and I in them.
57 Just as the living Father sent Me and
"Feeds on Me" – as John Wesley put it, Jesus becoming the meat and drink that feeds the soul. The Hebrew idiom 'flesh and blood' refers to the whole person.
58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."
59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
"Whoever feeds…live
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?
62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before!
"Ascend" – to the realm He came from, and harder to comprehend than Jesus offering Himself for them to feed on spiritually.
63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you – they are full of the Spirit and life.
Jesus' hearers, not discerning the spiritual truth behind His words, were shocked and offended. The Jews believed that study of Scripture and 'doing works of God' were enough for spiritual understanding. Jesus is patiently explaining to them that the Holy Spirit is needed to provide revelation that human reason cannot – refer back to John 5:39, 6:27-29.
64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has enabled them."
"The Father has enabled" – only those who seek on God's terms, and not their own, will receive. Jesus knew some would choose not to believe, and would not allow themselves to be drawn by God – a fine balance between the free will choice to respond, and being drawn to a choice by the Holy Spirit. Different theological streams often give more emphasis to one or the other.
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.
"Many turned back" – Jesus is not surprised that many potential disciples have turned away at this watershed point in John's gospel..
67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
68-69 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God."
"To whom shall we go" – the twelve disciples are beginning to get this hard teaching, although for others it was too hard. They don't want to transfer to another rabbi.
"Holy One of God" – God was called the Holy One of Israel, e.g. Psalm 71:22, Isaiah 43:3 and 54:5.
IN PRACTICE Jesus reminded His hearers of the manna, God's day by day provision from heaven for His people dwelling in a desert. Then Jesus challenged them with a steep step of logic – now God's 'manna' from heaven was He Himself. He was God's provision to them for life, and indeed eternal life and they were to feed on Him by taking Him to heart.
We live on earth in an awareness of God – and through Jesus this becomes a real and personal relationship with Him. But we still see a gap between what happens in heaven and what happens, good or bad, in our earthly lives. This teaching of Jesus reminds us that He is the connection. To the extent our lives are lived in Him, and we are placing ourselves under His lordship, what is played out before our eyes is harnessed to the hope we have in the heavenly realm.
QUESTION In a practical, day to day way, how would you explain what it means to you to feed on Jesus?
Ephesians 6:10-20 » How we position ourselves in the spiritual battle
The real conflict behind events we experience, is won in a different way
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
"Be strong in the Lord" – being strong humanly is not enough. Recognise the need to summon God's invincible power.
11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
"Put on" – earlier in the letter Paul has written, "Put on the new self" i.e. the new attitude of who we are in Christ, born anew into true righteousness and holiness. This is countering false witness and fear in the opposite spirit of integrity.
For further study, see compare with Ephesians 4:24 and Colossians 3:10.
"The devil's schemes" – the Bible is clear about the present reality of the devil, a personal enemy, who deploys a few predictable strategies to exploit sin, fear and guilt by using accusation and division. Knowing those strategies is a key to recognising their origin, and then standing on who we are in Christ to overcome them.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
"Our struggle" – it is a mistake to resist human opponents or institutions without recognising the dark spirituality that is manipulating them, and taking a spiritual stand in the authority of Jesus. Even those who know the Lord may well have remaining vulnerabilities that the different levels of spiritual opposition are able to exploit.
13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
"Full armour of God" – a picture of the '
"Stand" – repeated four times in this passage for emphasis. Rather than invade the domain of evil, we are to firmly maintain the decisive victory already won by Christ, Eph. 1:20-22, 4:8, Col 2:15.
IN PRACTICE The spiritual connection between heaven and earth is real and vital, and that is made explicit here. Struggles are real experiences — our lives are under attack, both in the fears and anxieties and negativities that assail our thoughts, and in all the practical difficulties, health issues, relationship conflicts, adverse weather and accidents. The devil and his minions are personal opponents, always working to steal our peace and cause division wherever they can gain a foothold. The world's advice is to be strong. Money in the bank, a robust constitution, influential friends… life has taught us how to 'tough it out'. And this is exactly what we have to 'unlearn'. This clear lesson from Paul's teaching is that to prevail, is to prevail spiritually. It requires us to put down our worldly 'weapons' in order to take up a very different set of spiritual ones, where growing holiness, integrity and trust in the face of difficulty are the very qualities feared most by our spiritual opponents.
QUESTION What makes it difficult for us to take up spiritual weapons? What in Christian life and fellowship helps us to see the spiritual dimension?
PRAYER We live in a cruel and difficult world but so, Lord, did You – and we put our trust in You. Help us to perceive more clearly the spiritual realities behind our lives and to constantly give You the Lordship, and praise for Your sacrificial victory. Amen.