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The A & E reality show Hoarders is a shocking look into the lives of people who have let clutter take over their loves. Granted these are extreme cases, with many underlying problems, but it doesn't take very long before clutter can get out of control and become overwhelming.
How to Take Control of Clutter
The best way to get control of the clutter is to not allow it to get out of control in the first place. The old adage "A place for everything and everything in its place" is the key to being organized. Nothing is more frustrating than spending time looking for an item OR buying another black turtleneck sweater because you can't find it in your closet.
Sort & Purge
It is best to tackle an organizing project one step at a time. Don't expect to do every room of your house in just one day. Do it in small manageable bits. For instance, your closet: Go through your closet and pull out old clothes that no longer fit. Yes, I know, you are going to lose weight and wear those jeans one day. And yes, that sweater may come back in style. But do you really want to sacrifice valuable storage space for a 12 year old sweater with big shoulder pads?
Make 4 piles: KEEP DONATE or SELL TRASH.
The KEEP pile is for everything that you can use right NOW or within the next 6 months. Parting with your possessions is the difficult part of the process for many people. But consider this:
Donating those gently-worn baby clothes and children's toys to a local charity will help someone less fortunate. Contact the Goodwill, Salvation Army or other charities. Many of them will pick up large items, such a furniture.
Earn some extra cash by SELLING items like electronics, old vinyl albums, DVDs and CDs at a garage sale or on Ebay com. (Even old magazines can be sold on Ebay. I once sold a 2 year old issue of a fashion magazine for $12.00.)
Scanning or copying files onto a CD or storage drive will save tons of space in your office file drawers.
Organizing Your Stuff
Once you have eliminated the items you no longer need, you can begin to organize your new uncluttered space. There is an unlimited selection of products that can help you. The Container Store is an excellent place for storage boxes, baskets and shelving. Behind Closed Doors can create a shelving system that can transform a closet or home office. I also really like the Whitmor Storage Cubes at Target. They are great for storing toys, magazines and clothes and they come in a variety of colors.
You don't have to buy a lot of specialty storage containers to keep your space organized. Simply folding and hanging clothes neatly in your closet will make it seem as though you have much more space. Now you are on your way to living an uncluttered life.
This is the 2nd post of a 4 part series on Getting Organized in 2010. Next week, we will discuss how automation and establishing a routine for regular tasks can save you time and money. Why not subscribe to My Personal Valet to receive updates.


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Thursday, October 7, 2010
a Vichy past
Yrsa's at the Frankfurt Bookfair. Seems her hotel doesn't have Wifi - how unGermanic - but asked me to jump in for her today. Next week here at Bouchercon I'm looking forward to the bar and seeing fellow blogmates Yrsa, Tim and Stan and I hope some of you.
A few months ago I posted about meeting Serge Klarsfeld, the lawyer, historian and Holocaust survivor in Paris. We met in his office on rue la Boétie, as you see above. In this photo he's holding a newly discovered Vichy document titled "Law Regarding the Status of Jews" just days ago after it was donated anonymously to the Holocaust Memorial in Paris. The document marked "confidential," in many places shows what experts have authenticated as Pétain's own handwriting.
The really chilling thing, if you look closely, are the red pencilled notes in Petain's hand in the margins. In a section defining the professions and activities Jews were to be banned from, Pétain crossed out the exception for "descendants of Jews born French or naturalized before 1860." This, Klarsfeld says, proves Pétain was responsible for toughening up repressive legislation and ensuring it would be applicable to all Jews — a role that disproves the old arguments in France that Pétain and his Vichy government actually worked to mitigate the Nazis' anti-Semitic acts as much as possible.
"People have said Petain was just an old man who was manipulated as a figurehead of the Vichy state," says Klarsfeld, also president of the Association of Sons and Daughters of French Deportees. "This document shows Pétain not only intervened to push legislation against Jews further than proposed, but created an entire anti-Semitic outlook and framework that — in 1940 — was even harsher than what the Germans had adopted."
Now almost 70 years from the day it became law marks another major step in France's re-examination of its World War II history. For decades the world viewed France largely as a victim — and resistant — of Nazi Occupation, with only a minority of French people becoming collaborators, efforts to challenge that version of the past began in earnest in July 1995. Then President Jacques Chirac broke with long-standing contentions that Vichy was an illegal aberration that did not represent France and apologized to Jews for "the criminal insanity of the occupying power was assisted by the French state."
Chirac's address in 1995 came during a memorial service at the site of the former Vel d'Hiv, the bicycle racing stadium where thousands of Jewish familes, who had been rounded up by French police for deportation to concentration camps, were held for days. The stadium was torn down and now houses a branch of the Interior Ministry.
But Chirac's speech was the real landmark in the beginning of France's acknowledgment of it's shadowed past of collaboration.
Since then, France has worked towards returning real estate, artwork, and myriad possessions stolen from Jews during the Occupation. Last year, in an attempt to help with the process of paying damage claims to victims, France recognized the wartime state's responsibility for rounding up and deporting some 77,000 Jews from 1942 to 1944. Years too late, say some.
One of the families deported in the Paris 'Vel d'Hiv' roundup in 1942 were my friend Sarah's grandmother, grandfather and aunt. Family she never met whose only trace remains in their names carved on the wall of Remembrance at the Jewish Memorial.
I've walked on the street where they once lived and where they were rounded up in the early July morning by the French police. Imagined where the buses, Paris public buses comandeered by the police, waited to take them across the river to the Vel d'hiv. Then to Drancy, the holding camp outside Paris which you pass on the train coming in from Charles de Gaulle airport. Then the long train ride to Poland. I know their convoy number, the date they arrived in Auschwitz. After that the traces go up in smoke.
This touches me right now because that's the story I told in my first book, Murder in the Marais. Tried to. It hits even harder since I'm revisiting the book for it's reissue next year. My book came out in 1999 when collaborationist revelations were coming to light in Paris. Strikingly now, with even more of the lingering dark spots in France's memory of its Nazi history: the question of whether World War I hero Pétain was a figurehead who had been manipulated into representing the collaborationist Vichy regime or a firm believer and active player in its anti-Semitic activities alongside the Nazis.
Klarsfeld says "These October 1940 French laws prepared the ground for the deportations of French Jews as part of the German Final Solution. When you see documents like this showing Pétain and his colleagues had already adopted a clear and harsh anti-Semitic outlook beforehand, it isn't surprising that Vichy provided the police that were needed to round up and deport French Jews when the Nazis requested them."
Pétain — who was in his mid-80s when he took the top Vichy post — was tried and sentenced to death for collaboration after the war. That sentence was commuted to life in prison by de Gaulle — in part due to his WWI heroism, and arguments that the elderly Pétain had little real influence in the Vichy regime. Pétain died in 1951. In prison.
Cara - Wednesday
3 comments:
- AnonymousOctober 7, 2010 at 7:06 PM
Cara, I am re-reading MURDER IN THE MARAIS for a review in Murder By Type. This material needs to be presented as often as possible. Seventy years after the fact, there are groups denying the Holocaust even though the Nazis were so proud of it they documented everything.ReplyDelete
There is no one so stupid as one who refuses to learn but we have to keep trying to teach.
- kathy d.October 8, 2010 at 3:57 AM
It's very good to see your post about Petain and to learn that there is evidence of his not only complicity, but leadership in gladly helping the German fascists in committing genocide against the Jewish people.ReplyDelete
The truth about the Vichy government's treacherous role during WWII must be known.
It also should be taught in French schools so young people know the truth.
I was devastated watching a French film, "Une Secret," about a Jewish family living under the Vichy government, and what happened to its members. It is based on a true story, adapted from a book into a movie script. I saw how horrific that government was and how ruthless, even towards children--not that I didn't know before, but this movie exposed it.
I wish the truth would come out also about the pro-Nazi role of the founders of L'Oreal, the cosmetics company, and all of the other corporations which were complicit in this terrible history.
However, due to the wonders of the Internet, I have also learned about the strength and bravery of the French Resistance, in spite of intense repression, with many women heroes.
Continually horrified by the villainy we impose on one another. As you mentioned here, I long thought of France as just a victim. In school, that is what we learn! Honestly, even though I didn't graduate high school until 1998, I wasn't aware of Chirac's speech or the change in thought on France's complicity.ReplyDelete
How wonderful that you get to revisit an old work--and because it is wanted again! Thank you for sharing all of this information.

subset: commoncrawl


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I hope you're all enjoying the bank holiday. This is my 1st card for May for the LOTV Design Collective. I've used the adorable James Bear for this card. This is James-Daisy.
He's coloured with promarkers and the background papers are from LOTV- Shabby Shack.
I've used a Lawn Fawn Sun and cloud die,a Die namics fence die and an x-cut punch for the little flowers.
I'd like to enter the following challenges:-
Penny Black and More - Dies and Punches
Sparkles Challenge - It's Spring
Incy Wincy Designs - All or Nothing (Layers)
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
Thanks for taking the time to visit my little blog today and for all your comments and encouragement.
Lorraine x


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Tell us what you want and we will do our best to make that happen.
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How awesome is that!? A big thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart.
To celebrate that, a group was created where there will be monthly challenges, discount codes and all that fun stuff we have in a group.
And saying that, today the group launched their first challenge called Winter Colors. If you want to enter just join us on our group by clicking this link --> MoonFlower Digital Stamps Group
Also there's new digistamps on my etsy shop. And here's as well a preview for you. Enjoy!
Thats all for now!


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The value of the global fur market should exceed $15bn this year, compared with $9.1bn in 2000, driven by demand from the growing affluent classes of China and Russia, the industry body said.
"The growth in inland China is really what's driving growth at the moment and we think for the next 10 years or so that will continue to rise," IFTF chief executive Mark Oaten said. "There are 90 cities in China that buy as much fur as New York."
After animal rights campaigns backed by several celebrities, and protests that included fake blood being thrown onto people wearing furs in the streets, top designers keen to tap into Chinese demand are once more including fur in their collections.
"If you look at the origins of man, what were we wearing? Fur," Ottavio Missoni, founder of Italian fashion label Missoni told Reuters at the 2012 IHT Luxury Summit in Rome. "Once upon a time it was something that poor people wore, for the cold. It wasn't always seen as something only for the rich."
Designer Vivienne Westwood said she has used the pelts of common animals in her clothes but would draw the line at using rare species.
"I think it's okay to use sheepskins because we eat sheep," Westwood said. "But rhinos killed for their horns, tigers killed for their penises, that sort of thing is horrific."
Sales in North America were $1.3bn last year, a third more than when anti-fur protest movements were at their height in the 1990s, according to IFTF figures.


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Have you ever come home from a hang-out with other Christians and just felt empty?
It's not that it was anyone's fault in particular. The meal was delicious. There wasn't any gossip. There were even some really, really funny moments. You know your friends love Jesus too. But for some reason you just feel drained.
Or maybe you just came home from a hang-out and your heart is so glad.
You can praise God for what He's doing in that aquaintance's life. You can pray for your friend who admitted that struggle to you. And that random conversation with someone you'd never really met before enabled you to share that beautiful thing you learned from the Word yesterday! You have some new thoughts stewing in your mind now, and you feel full.
I've experienced both. Of course we long for the second scenario every time we're with friends, but...how do we make it happen? We don't want to be the Gossip Police. We don't want people I hardly to know to think I'm trying to be their accountability partner. But we don't want to leave empty.
It is such a privilege that we get to spend time with people who are also exiles in this temporary home. 1 John 1:7a says "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another."
We believers are all walking in the light together! We are all bought with His precious blood! We are all fellow heirs! I can't even count how many scriptures proclaim this theme.
The friendships we make within the body often times don't make sense, so let's show the world how the gospel creates solid, real friendships between people who otherwise have nothing in common.
"We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death." -1 John 3:14
Several years ago I heard a really helpful (and brief!) sermon by John Piper called "Explosive Fellowship" in which he looked at the church in Acts and was challenged by how profitable their time together was, not only for the people in that group but for the world! Here's a powerful quote:
"Life is too short, the world and the age in which we live is too evil, the people outside are too broken and hopeless for us to be content with a kind of 'business-as-usual' fellowship that has no power, no fruit, no effectiveness, and no explosion. There's just too much at stake to play games today!"
Scripture challenges me even more:
Ephesians 4:29 says "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
Oh my! May my mouth be an outlet of God's grace to the people in my life!
I have not done a very good job at this, but here are some questions I thought of that we can ask other believers that might help give us more profitable fellowship.
1. How has your joy been lately?
2. What stirs your affections for Christ? (Matt Chandler preached a really good sermon on this question!)
3. Have you been able to really get into the gospel with an unbeliever lately?
4. Are there any scriptures that you have really been meditating on lately?
5. How has the character of God been challenging you? Encouraging you?
6. This is my situation; can you help me think of ways I can be missional where I am?
7. What are some of your favourite worship songs?
8. Have you seen any movies/read any novels lately that either challenged you or made you appreciate the gospel?
9. (Ask about a theological question you've been struggling with.)
10. How can I pray for you?
"It is explosive with joy, explosive with power, explosive with ministry vision and mission outreach and life-transformation for the people being loved and cared for compassionately within. It's an explosive thing in the New Testament, this thing called fellowship." -John Piper
What are some scriptures that challenge you in your interaction with other believers?
What is your experience of fellowship? How can it be more fruitful and explosive? What are some questions you can think of that might help curb the conversation Christward?
Note: This is focused on the significance of being a homemaker. I wrote most of it before Stephen was born. In later posts I may address the significance of being a mother and of being a layperson.
Marriage is expectedly not what I expected. I imagined a world where my husband and I would spend all day reading the Bible together and stay up all night praying together and host Bible studies for lost people all the time in our home. And when we weren't doing those things, we'd snuggle by the fire. I don't know why, but I didn't factor big time-stealers like "daily responsibilities" and "work" and "sleep" into the equation.
All of my unmarried life, I had been reminding myself of the urgency of the hour and how I needed to pour myself out for Jesus. So when I found myself spending the majority of my days within the same 800 square feet, cleaning things that would only get dirty again the next day, and cooking things that would only nourish us for a few hours, I felt like I was wasting my life.
In short, my mindset has had to change a lot. I had unrealistic expectations of my husband, my children, and myself. I think I wanted to be a married woman with the Biblical womanhood of a single woman. I've learned that growth is so much more than increasing in intellectual and emotional knowledge of God. In 2 Peter 1, we are told to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control with steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Without these things our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ is "ineffective or unfruitful" for the kingdom.
I wanted to have the knowledge and the godliness, but virtue and the other items on the list were far less appealing. I had probably never worked hard in my whole life. I hold grudges like you wouldn't believe. I don't even have the discipline to force myself to try new foods.
Before I got married, I totally overestimated my own maturity because I didn't really see the whole scope of what maturity is. I would elevate one aspect of godliness over other aspects that weren't as enjoyable or easy to me.
So when I got married, I thought that cooking and cleaning was so insignificant. But as Betsy Ricucci writes, "In God's eyes, there is nothing more significant than servanthood."
Christ was such a servant! (See Philippians 2! Oh my goodness!) He humbled Himself, became a servant, and gave His life for us. We have the privilege of giving our lives for Him through the outlet of serving our husbands in the home.
At one point I told Peter I don't really want to be a Proverbs 31 woman anymore.
He asked me, "Then who do you want to be?"
I replied frankly, "Paul."
Paul was Christlike, yes. But the Proverbs 31 woman also beautifully follows Christ's example...of servanthood.
Here is another Biblical truth that has struck me recently: Peter is my brother in Christ, of the household of faith, so in serving Him I am serving the Body for God's sake. (Isn't that what pastors do?)
1 Timothy 6:1,2 talks about how slaves should "regard their own masters as worthy of all honour, so that the Name of God may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the grounds that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved."
So slaves must whole-heartedly honour their masters, especially if they are brothers of the faith. I am called to something so much better than slavery, so how much more should I honour my husband, who is my brother and not only Christ's beloved but my very own!
By serving Peter, I am not just serving Peter. I am serving Christ, and I am serving the body! I am contributing good service to someone God loves very deeply. This is no small calling!
The LORD has been giving me such gladness over this lately. (It was a long battle for the first year of marriage and nagging discontentment still rears its ugly head sometimes.)
Wives, be encouraged. There is so much significance in what you are doing. And there are a lot of things you can still do from home that extend service to people outside of your home. I'll have some practical tips for that later.
Single women, enjoy your singleness! I am so grateful for every single day that I did not have to worry about serving my husband. God used those years to fill me.
I heard someone wisely advising a young man who was interested in getting married sometime soon, "Sow now. You will reap later."
Psalm 49 and Alexander the Great
Psalm 49:10-12
10 For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names.
12 Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.
There is no such thing as a glorious corpse.
No one can look at a dead body and be impressed with the power that person has, because there is no power.
I can imagine watching Alexander the Great being buried. He was put in a gold sarcophagus (which was stolen and eventually replaced with a glass one for the sake of coin making) but he surely looked like no pompous king. Some say a visitor accidentally knocked off his nose. The man who felt he owned the world laid still, limp, and stinky. Where was his greatness now? He couldn't even overcome death. His cold, dead body could defy no one; his worthless mind could rule nothing. Alexander the Great's glory is limited to historical memory. (And his kingdom quickly went into shambles after he died.)
So how vain it is to chase after our own glory!
A gorgeous bayfront home cannot be your dwelling place forever.
A toned, beautiful body will not be your body forever.
At one point you will be left with what you came to the world with, no matter how successful and/or self-made you are.
This reality has at least 2 major applications:
1) Seek what comes after death. It's inevitable, so find out everything you can about your options. Most people are more informed about car insurance than eternity.
2) Trust in the Man whose glory remains forever. He died but did not remain a corpse. He resurrected and has all power, all wisdom, all authority, all glory, FOREVER.
Cheap, Classy Gift Frame
Cost: about $4
Long-ish tile from lowes or home depot ($1.50)
4-6 pictures ($1 or less) ...I used 4x6"
Picture stand from Walmart ($0.97)
Mod Podge and sponge (on hand)
Cover work surface (I use an old hand towel.)
Arrange pictures and trim if necessary. Remove.
Apply a coat of mod podge to the tile.
Place the pictures.
Apply a coat of mod podge (or use a solution of about 50% mod podge, 50% water like I did.)
Let dry.
Put on stand.
Voila! A great gift or a piece of home decor for yourself! Lots of creative potential with this but I just covered the frame completely.
My Love Story
Peter and I had been friends through church for years, but in December 2008 I began to see him as extremely marry-able, and I really wanted him to be my husband. He was the most Godly young man I knew, with intense dedication to scripture memorisation and a major gift for evangelism. It helped that he was really handsome and had a quirky, alluring personality. He was mysterious, and at times he'd be repulsive on purpose to girls that would flirt with him. He was risk-taking and bold...just the type of hero I would feel forever privileged to be able to call "mine."
But there was a problem: he didn't see me in that way and I knew it. He even told a friend, "I'd like to marry someone like Hope, but DEFINITELY not her."
This was heartbreaking. For two years I begged that God would take away these painfully strong feelings for him. Peter graduated high school and went to college at Trinity College of Florida during this time, and though I didn't see him for almost a year, any time I heard someone talking about him I could hardly breathe. He was a role model to me...even before I wanted him to be my husband I had established him as the standard. Anybody I seriously considered for marriage would have to be at least as awesome as Peter. But I never found anyone who met that standard, much less exceeded it.
After Peter's first year of college (about June 2009) he came home because of debt. He was working at a 100%-based-on-commission job selling cable TV, something of which he is extremely not fond. At the same time, my business owner dad was having trouble with his estimator (who was on drugs and stealing from him) and he was very stressed out. My heart was heavy for both of them. One day when I was praying for them, I had the idea that Peter could work for my dad. They tried it and Peter was a perfect fit for the job. My dad knew I was obsessed with Peter so he invited him to family functions, and Peter and I got to know each other very well. We would go to the mall on Thursday nights and hang out with deaf people. I would build relationships and sometimes even try to interpret for Peter, who had the boldness and skill to the share the Gospel. It was teamwork. It was beautiful.
Eventually I went to Trinity for my first year also. I LOVED it. God taught me a lot about Him and about being responsible, and it was very healthy. I read Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot and that changed my life. I was becoming content with singleness. But that nagging Peter Henchey would not go away...his reputation lingered at school. Classmates who had been friends with Peter from the year prior even said I reminded them of him. A handful of people called me "Lil' Henchey" or "Hope Henchey"---they didn't even know I knew him, much less adored him.
I came back home during Christmas break (2010) and decided to stay home and commute to college the next semester to save money. As of December 23rd, I was done with Peter. Our friendship had become very close and I did not have the self-control to love him as anything less than a future husband. I asked my dad to stop inviting him to things. Besides, while I was at college Peter traded in his car and bought a motorcycle. That is not a sign of someone who wants to start a family.
That night, Peter got into a motorcycle accident. By God's grace, it was the one time he hadn't been speeding too much, and he should have died but only ended up with some bumps and bruises...and a ruined bike. When he called me that night to tell me what happened, he said "I guess this is God's way of transitioning me into buying a car."
The next day (December 24th) Peter took my dad out to breakfast. I didn't think anything of it because I thought it was for business, but when my dad came home and called a "Family Meeting" I knew something was up. "When Peter called yesterday to schedule a meeting, he had said he wanted to discuss his romantic intentions about you," he told me. I couldn't believe it. But my dad continued to tell me that at breakfast Peter had shown my dad I Kissed Dating Goodbye and Boy Meets Girl, both books by Joshua Harris that Peter had studied and underlined in the past three days as he was preparing to ask my dad for permission to pursue me. My dad granted it, and Peter was to come over later that day to have the same discussion with me.
Peter spoke with me for a long time and showed me quotes from the books that had helped shape how he viewed courtship, engagement, and marriage. Peter did not say "I like you" but told me "I feel called to one day lay down my life for you." When he was finished, I admitted that I had liked him very strongly for almost exactly 2 years. He was very surprised; he hadn't been certain if I had any feelings for him at all!
We began with a deeper friendship that day, and for the next month we---without any mushiness---got to know each other. It was a beautiful time of praying and seeking God together and separately. We then entered courtship for three weeks, and on Valentine's Day 2011 Peter proposed. On May 22nd we were married. Peter washed my feet on our wedding night. He has been showing me the servant-leadership and love of Christ ever since.
In late June we evaluated our life plans. If I was going to be a stay-at-home mom and homeschool, that would mean I couldn't even have kids until 3 years later when I graduated from college. And when I graduated from college, wouldn't I want to have a career or something for awhile? It just didn't make sense to us to go through all that work when I'd just quit my job a couple years after starting so I could have children. (This is one of my soapboxes lol.) So we decided I would not continue in college and we would start having children as soon as God allowed it. He immediately opened my womb and I got pregnant in July.
We gave birth to Stephen Shane Henchey at home (another one of my soapboxes) on April 10, 2012, when I was 19 and Peter was 21. The past two years have been extremely full but extremely good. God's grace has been abundant.
I got over 200 likes when I posted the first picture of my newborn. Since then, almost every picture of my cute baby has received about 30-60+ clicks of approval. And those numbers only represent people who publicly acknowledged interest. Who knows how many eyes actually saw my Facebook page?
Or, to put it another way, how many souls are (through social media) observing my life?
For many lost people, Facebook might be their only exposure to Christianity. Granted, most Christian Facebook users are not going through such a newsworthy, stalkable life event as having a child, but we cannot be negligent of the fact that we are being watched by believers and non-believers and we must be careful to not waste our platform.
1 Corinthians 5:19,20 says "we are ambassadors for Christ, God making Hos appeal through us" and that He has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. It is very easy to, in trying to impress our churchgoing Facebook friends, forget our lost audience and send mixed messages.
Those of us who believe in the doctrines of grace especially might unintentionally show the world an inconsistent view of God. In the morning we'll post an encouraging verse or quote about God's sovereignty, then by the evening we'll have a witty/sarcastic post complaining about the incompetent fast food employee and the guy who cut us off on our way home. "Well, which is it?" a lost person might wonder. Does God withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly, or does He regret that those inconveniences happened to you?
Philippians 2:14,15 never fails to convict me, and I think it's helpful to apply it also to my Facebook statuses.
"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."
We also can be insensitive to other brothers (who are just probably in the same place theologically that we were not that long ago) by posting humorous pictures or videos about the latest theological fumble a Christian public figure made. It's important to contend for the faith (Jude 3) but there are more effective ways of combating false doctrine than poking fun at it. If an Arminian brother or sister sees that we publicly belittle their soteriology, they might feel ashamed and we might become unapproachable. Far more seriously, if someone is being misled by the prosperity gospel, cheap jokes about Joel Osteen's white teeth won't help anyone come to knowledge of the truth and might only leave confusion. May we embrace the exhortation of 1 Thessalonians 5:14 to "admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all," on social media and in our everyday relationships.
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My name is Hope.
I'm 26, married to a former skater dude, and raising little people ages 6, 4, 3, and squishy-baby. I like lime green and sarsaparilla, and I wear my Crocs until they melt. (Florida problems.)
Quick links to some of my posts:
Articles I've Written on Other Sites:
Youth Ministry's Family Blindspot - Christianity Today
September 2018


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Details, Fiction and How To Grow Breast Naturally
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2019 » Natural Prom Hairstyles For Long Brown Hair
Hair Tip:Your hair roots can then stand up again and create more volume with the base in the hair. The next trick is a great idea for longer hair: Make use of a soft ponytail holder to pull your recently washed but still damp curly hair up high on the head. Let your hair down after a that same day and enjoy the total look at the bottom part of your frizzy hair.


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This brave woman bared her heart and soul in this interview. This week we're talking about mental health, community, self- awareness and SURVIVAL.
An Oakland transplant, Kahtharine grew up in British Columbia, Canada. This gladiator has had to fight for survival all her life. She was exposed to some of the cruel realities of the world and system we live in at a young age. Growing up in various group homes, feeling passed around by the system she was homeless at times room/board were unavailable. Giving up was never an option. Despite what cards had been dealt to her thus far, she struggled to keep her head above dark waters.
Khatharine found a sense of family at the age of 13 within the punk community…
"We're all punks for a reason. We find unity in the music and acceptance in each other. I started booking shows in church halls, basements, whatever was available. "Fuck Lilith Fair" (Canada) was my first fest…it was all female punk and metal bands. The title speaks for itself, I suppose. Haha"
Despite this new found community she was struggling with PTSD, life crippling anxiety and righteous anger toward the world and some of the people who had helped shape it up to that point. Alcohol became a means of coping at an early age.
Let's be as honest: Alcohol is something many of us struggle with. The majority of people out there aren't straight edge. Many are, but the drunk outweigh the sober. Some people can enjoy a few beers or a couple drinks and know when to stop. Many of us struggle with knowing when the line is being crossed; when *one more shot* or *just one more beer* is the one that sends you over the edge. You blackout and forget what you did, forget what you said. It's all too easy to create a cycle of waking up in the morning with that distinct feeling of dread, wondering if you have anything to apologize for and wondering how the hell you got home.
"What so many people fail to realize is that when you aren't given any type of blueprint, or solid foundation to build from as a child, you are left to finding your own means of surviving and coping with the world around you. Boozer is cheap, easily accessible at any age if you know the right people and drinking certainly isn't frowned upon at shows. I've struggled with alcohol for the last 15 years and am proud to say that I've been sober for two months now. I used to think A.A. was a bit of a cult, but it has helped me tremendously in ways I would've never imagined. I realized at the root of everything it was fear that kept me from going sooner. Fear and anger have been driving me all these years, eating me alive. I had been fighting myself all these years. Removing alcohol from my life has helped me engage again. I'm getting closer to myself and the world around me every day. It's pretty magical, I gotta say. I've never been happier. Meditation, going back to school and having academic ambitions as well as physical activities like karate, jui jitsu, muay thai, ect. All provided the outlets I needed to see clearly again. To take the beer goggles off once and for all"
With her self made armor she continues to fight, and is reaching out to her community hoping to help other women find their voice, their strength and their independence. Khatharine started an online check-in group for women on Facebook called "Check-it".
"I felt it was important to have a consistent, online resource for women to help look out for each other. When you have a full time work/school schedule, there can be days or weeks at a time where people don't hear from you and think nothing of it because they know you're busy. But what if one night you don't make it home; friends and family may feel no need for concern until it's too late. Certainly wouldn't be through any fault of their own but I wanted to start something that might prevent help from coming too late when needed."
Khatharine also started a local bi-monthly meet-up called "Shield Maidens". Self-defense classes are provided on a sliding scale basis and free to anyone who cannot pay. "Shield Maidens" classes are for women and trans who want to learn how to defend themselves. The classes are provided in a safe, comfortable, private environment with no other people around. The instructor: Kewesi Simon specializes in Muay Thai. Being quite large in stature, he helps build the confidence it takes to take down someone twice your size if need ever be. More classes will come with more sign-ups, so let's help spread the word! Another group geared toward female only self-defense classes as well as instructors is "Girl Army" right here in Oakland. Check'em out!
To say that this courageous woman has been through hell and back is putting it lightly. She's struggled with some very real demons and has found her own light. She strives to help other woman find that light within themselves, sharing her story and being proactive in her community. Khatharine is fighting to provide resources that might otherwise be unavailable. Her next goal is to bring an extension of the "Homeless youth Alliance" to Oakland. The "Homeless youth Alliance" is currently located in San Francisco. Started by friends 7 years ago, they are ALWAYS looking for volunteers and resources to provide food, safety and medical help to homeless youth in San Francisco.
Everyone has a story to share and I was honored to hear hers. This tough lady hasn't been given anything in life easy. She doesn't feel sorry for herself or dwell on the past. Instead she and has created her own foundation built on self-respect, honesty and love for self. I admire her willingness to discuss the kind of heavy life shit that make most uncomfortable, or feel ashamed. Not many people have the strength to build monuments from ashes. Khatharine does and she tells it like it is, NO APOLOGIES!!!
SHIELD MAIDENS Location: KES Fitness at 2600 West St., Oakland.
Click here for Shield Maidens' FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/705759529439052/
Homeless Youth Alliance in SF: www.homelessyouthalliance.org/


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"I don't know what it means yet to claim this place. I catch glimpses maybe — of the New England thing — in katydids and the peeling paint on the front stoop. But I can't read the sky here. I'm constantly caught without a coat or sweating in my boot-socks.At home, I knew when the roses bloomed a few weeks early."
You can read the full essay here.


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Who is God and what is our relationship with Him?
God is the father of our spirits. We are His literal offspring. Acts 17:29 states, "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device."
Before this life, we lived with God in heaven, and after this life, if we live a good life and repent of our wrongdoings, we can have the opportunity to return to live with God again in heaven.
What is God like?
Many people and religions think that God is stern, harsh and quick to punish us. When, in reality, God is our Father. He is kind and loving and wants us to return to Him. In Joel 2:30, from the Old Testament reads, "...and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness..." God loves us and wants us to progress in life and return to Him.
A well-known scripture talks about the love of God in sending His son, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
God is the ruler of the universe. He is all-powerful (Genesis 18:14) and omniscient (all-knowing) as taught in Matthew 6:8.
According to a revelation given to a prophet in 1843, recorded in the scriptures, "God has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's" (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22).
Has Anyone Seen God?
Moses saw God "face to face" (Moses 1:2).
After the death of Jesus, Stephen, a leader in Christ's church, saw God and Jesus. "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55-56). Shortly after, Stephen was stoned by the unbelievers.
In 1820, a young prophet named Joseph Smith wanted to know which of all the churches of the time was true. He read a scripture in the Bible (James 1:5) that prompted him to pray to find out. Like Stephen of old, Joseph Smith had a vision and saw God the Father and Jesus Christ.
Order a Free DVD
Order a free DVD about Joseph Smith's experience called "The Restoration".
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Order a free DVD called that Lamb of God which is a representation of how "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son."


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By Carmen Cejudo
When I say that word, what mental images pop up? Right Evil is a very loaded and powerful word. You don't think of puppies and dew drops for a reason. Now I understand that the subject of evil is tricky to address. Nevertheless, in my presentation, I will attempt to illustrate that the concept of evil is a social construct created for the proper functioning of society and essential to our search for spiritual enlightenment and must in essence be taken as a part of its time.
Now, to properly discuss evil, we must begin on the same page. The American Heritage Dictionary describes evil as:
These are the definitions of the noun form of evil. We are not so much interested in the adjective definition as those are corollary to our discussion of the noun evil.
So how do the different religions interpret evil? The following are my understandings of the religions teachings.
In my limited studies of religion, I have discovered that the eastern religions have a similar view of evil and view it as a duality of good.
Evil has no real existence, being part of the illusory world of phenomena. Hinduism sees evil in a light similar to that of Taoism, that it is part of the continuity of life. One of the main deities in Hinduism, Shiva, is both a creator and the destroyer. His consort, Kali, is the black, the destroyer of the universe at the end of the age of Kali. She is truly a vicious sight, usually portrayed as an old hag with gnarly teeth, a protruding tongue and a garland of human skulls and severed hands. Vishnu is the creator, Shiva is the destroyer, and yet Shiva, like Kali, is not necessarily feared. Rather they are revered for their power. It is understood that all that is created, including life and this earth, must inevitably be destroyed.
In Buddhism, there is no particular dealing with evil. Rather it is merely another aspect of suffering. Suffering is a product of ignorance. Once one is aware of oneself then one will recognize that one is capable of evil only in ignorance. Suffering and pain can be ended through the pursuit of truth and self knowledge.
A main tenant of Buddhism is also compassion. Because evil occurs in the world, it provides an opportunity for compassion, an empathy with those who suffer, for when one suffers all suffer. Like Hinduism, Buddhism sees evil in light of the whole of creation. We are not individuals, but rather a part of a whole and as such it does behoove us to understand evil and to attempt to eliminate it from our lives and that of others in general.
The Monotheistic Religions
Similar to the eastern religions, the monotheistic religions share a common view of evil as they are borne of a common history. A main tenant of Islam, Judaism and Christianity is that of Gods gift to man of free will. God is understood to be all benevolence and any evil that may arise on earth is a manifestation of humans wrong decisions. To quote Derek:
The problem of evil in contemporary philosophy is used as the basis for atheism. Because God and evil are incompatible, and evil surely exists, there must be no God.
But like the book of Job, the argument is made that Gods ways are mysterious and cannot be understood by mortal man.
According to Augustine, evil is the privation, or absence, of good, as darkness is the absence of light. It is possible, however, for something created good to diminish in goodness, to become corrupted, and evil has crept in when creatures endowed with free willangels, such lesser spirits as demons, and human beingsturn away from higher, or more complete, goods and choose lesser, partial ones. Furthermore, according to Augustine, what at first appears to be evil may be understood as good in the context of eternity. From God's eternal perspective, everything is good.
In Christianity, much of what is talked about in respect to evil is its identification of evildoer and the punishment bestowed upon them. If you notice, the punishment for evil in essence is more evil for what is hell but unending and intense suffering? While I understand the basis for this view, I do not see it as a proper way to end evil. Instead what it does is instill fear of authority in people so that society runs much smoother. If you dont obey the church, you will burn in hell. And by the way, the church is also the state.
As well, many stories pertaining to individuals in contact with the devil, perhaps if unscrupulous will make a pact with him are really just about how necessarily cunning evil is, to the point that if one does not know thyself, one is truly lost.
Social Construct of Evil
Dont misunderstand me, though. When I say the concept of evil was created, I dont mean to say that man created evil. Christians have a certain take on that, and I will address it shortly, but what I want you to understand is that the concept of evil was created, much like the concept of god to (see IR 318).
What we can learn here is that evil is in essence ever preset because we all hold the seeds for evil in some fashion. Not that men are born evil, but rather like the yin yang everyone contains a bit of darkness, of the antithesis of good. If one does not recognize the capability of inciting these shadows, perhaps the shadow will overtake you.
I do not believe humans are born evil. Rather, it is the contrary, if you look at children, even yourself, we are bring to harm others. It is only when we have detached ourselves from them, when in essence we have dehumanized another that we are able to commit atrocities against them. This is what happens in war. This is what happens in racism, and yes, this is what happens in meat eating.
And yet we do not find capital punishment as evil, but rather as retribution for evil committed. One must then take the definition of evil in the context of its age.
In attempting to gain further spiritual enlightenment, we must of necessity confront the problem of evil for by bettering ourselves, we must diminish our capability of performing evil, of being evil.
Evil is a word too often just thrown about. It has the impact of an immediate visceral reaction, and of course we all want to believe that we ourselves are not evil nor would like to perpetuate it.


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Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Katrina Kaif's Younger sister MMS scanndal videoclips
Katrina's Sister Isabel Kaif MMS Scandal Leaked?
PB Rapchik Items On 11:18 PM
As more and more celebrities today are choosing the MMS clip way to easy success, perhaps bollywood industry too, doesn't want to stay far behind. Thus perhaps Katrina Kaif's sister Isabelle Kaif new MMS Scandel rocks the Internet very recently. Isabel, a young starlet from the United Kingdom, is a hot Indian babe hell bent upon gatecrashing into Bollywood. And she is getting help from Bollywood heavy hitters like Salman Khan and her sister Katrina. But why is Salman Khan equally bent upon helping her out? It would be natural for anyone maybe, not only for Salman, to have a sexy young thing especially if she has a striking resemblance to his steady girlfriend Katrina Kaif. But what will a s3x tape scandal do to their plans to usurp Isabel Kaif pass other young starlets into the highest level of Bollywood stardom?
Here is some censored screenshots of a stunning homemade s*x tape of a hot chick who people are saying is Isabel Kaif. And she does look a lot like the sister of famous and super beautiful Bollywood actress/model Katrina Kaif. In the video she is clearly seen having intimate relations with an unknown man for over 10 minutes. But others say it is probably a lookalike of Isabel Kaif, younger sibling of Bollywood superstar Katrina Kaif. This video came out from UK some time ago. People are now saying that this is Isabel Kaif who recently became known for her upcoming Bollywood movies. Reportedly some people realized her from this home made s3x video that began to circulated on the Internet December 2008 under the heading "Katrina's Sis Isabel Kaif s3x scandal."
Katrina Kaif has been grooming her younger sister Isabel Kaif for the showbiz life in India and wanted to ensure that her younger sis Isabel gets a grand launch. But certainly not this grand with what is Bollywoods first A-list s3x tape. A close friend of Kaif sisters has revealed that elder sister is sharing her experiences and is guiding what to do and what not to right from diet to workout to outfits to parties etc. In Apirl 2008 everyone in Bollywood was asking who was Isabel and by December rumors of a s3x video was circulating. I will let you guys decide whether or not it's her...
Posted by scrapskatrina.blogspot.com at 11:26 PM
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Keep your Char-Broil® grill looking & cooking like new.
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IU, real name Lee Ji Eun, is a 19 year old Korean singer who recently flew to London for a Photoshoot for a fashion magazine called 'Sure'. She has one of the most sweetest singing voices and is amazing. IU is nicknamed '3 Octave Girl' because in her hit song 'Good Day' she sang three octaves. :)
Quoted from AllKpop below:
After hearing that IU was visiting London, fans swarmed the airport to welcome their favorite idol. They also came to the photoshoot location in order to catch a glimpse of the young star.
During her interview with the magazine, IU stated, "London was one of the places I wanted to visit. Londoners enjoy matching colors and modern designs, which are similar to my tastes."
The precocious star also revealed some details about her private side, "I continued to find things that I didn't know about myself. People like the side of IU that isn't decorated. But that's not all that makes up who I am."
A staff for the magazine stated, "We were able to see a 19 year old 'Lee Ji Eun' instead of singer IU. She is a brave, shy, bright and healthy-minded girl."
Here are some of the photos from the photoshoot:
And here are some videos of her singing:
Above: 'Good Day' music video
Above: An English Cover of 'Good Day'. I was pretty amazed.
Above: IU & Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On (Apr 6, 2011)
IU loves Corinne Bailey Rae as much as her mum hahaa.
Above: IU singing Video Killed the Radio Star - one of her and my favourite songs :)
Above: IU singing 'I'd do it all again' by Corinne Bailey.
I could upload many more videos of her singing but don't think that's a good idea :)


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Borderlands 2 is full of adventure. From Easter Eggs to Legendary Items to hidden Vault Symbols, there is a lot you can indulge yourself in.
Achievements encourage you to find these hidden secrets. Among these achievements are Arctic Explorer, Urban Explorer, Highlands Explorer, Blight Explorer and World Travel, which encourage you to find all named locations in Borderlands 2.
Borderlands 2 Named Locations
If you are up for the challenge, we have listed down all the named locations you need to find under each area to unlock all these achievements.
Arctic Explorer
You can unlock this achievement by discovering all named locations in Three Horns, Tundra Express, & Frostburn Canyon and uncovering the map.
Three Horns Divide
- Fishguts Outpost
- Windbreak Camp
- Marrowfield
- The Drydocks
- Thirty Below
- Snowbound Crossroads
Three Horns Valley
- The Frontsprings
- Split Skull Bay
- Shock Fossil Cavern
- Happy Pig Motel
- Bloodshot Slums
Tundra Express
- Varkid Ranch
- Skittering Mound
- Varkid Ranch Observatory
- Buzzard Academy
- Tiny Tina's Workshop
- Ripoff Station
- Meltwater Crossing
- Mount Molehill Mine
- Old Man Johnson's Farm
Frostburn Canyon
- Frozen Ant Lake
- Blacktoe Cavern
- Ashworth Camp
- Blisterpus Camp
- Incinerator Camp
- Firehawk Lair
Urban Explorer
You can unlock this achievement by discovering all named locations in Sanctuary, Opportunity, & Lynchwood and uncovering the map.
- Crimson Raiders HQ
- Scooters
- Marcus Munitions
- Dr. Zeds 24/7 Clinic
- MoXXXi's Bar
- The Pits
- Residential Quarter
- Orbital Delivery Zone
- Waterfront District
- Opportunity Square
- Living Legend Plaza
- Hyperion Office Complex
- The Grinders
- Death Row Refinery
- The Old Mine
- Main Street
- Gunslinger's Corner
Highlands Explorer
You can unlock this achievement by discovering all named locations in The Highlands, Thousand Cuts, & Wildlife Exploitation Preserve and uncovering the map.
The Highlands
- Mercury Induction Station
- Isotope Reclaimation Center
- Lake Shining Horizons
- Frothing Creek Mill
- Aggregate Acquisition
- Whispering Riverbed
- Blake Bridge
- Hunter's Bane
- Overlook
- Old Cranky's Pond
Thousand Cuts
- Central Core Supply Dock
- Control Core Loading Dock
- Competitor Deferrence Field
- No Man's Land
- Bloody Knuckle Point
- Slab Town
- Broke Face Bridge
- Buzzard Factory
Wildlife Exploitation Preserve
- Casa De Mordecai
- Preserve Dockyard
- Observation Wing
- Specimen Maintenance
- Bloodwing's Enclosure
Blight Explorer
You can unlock this achievement by discovering all named locations in Eridium Blight, Arid Nexus, & Sawtooth Cauldron and uncovering the map.
Eridium Blight
- Human Dwelling Place
- Bruiseboulder Quarry
- Eridium Extraction Plant
- Infused Grotto
- The Slag Scar
- Grandma's House
- Stagma Vapour Extraction
- Slagma Refinery
- Mount Hellsfront
- Lover's Leap
Arid Nexus Bonyard
- Eridium Pump Station 1, 2 & 3
- Hyperion Truth Network
- Loader Maintenance Depot
- Transmix Regulator Station
Arid Nexus Badlands
- T.K. Baha's House
- Hyperion Info Stockyard
- Fyrestone
Sawtooth Cauldron
- Main Street Reservoir
- Avie's Camp
- Cramfist's Foundry
- The Buzzard Nest
- Scalding Remnants
- Sawtooth Stilts
- Smoking Guano Grotto
World Traveler
You unlock this achievement after you have discovered all the named locations in every area and uncovered the complete map of each area.


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H.K. Industries were established in the year 1999. A professionally managed company, we are engaged in manufacturing and exporting of vinyl hoses, corrugated PVC pipe, PVC extruded products such as PVC non adhesive pipes ...
H. K. Industries
Plot No. 4307, Plastic Zone, GIDC Sarigam, Vapi, G
vapi, GU 396 155
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Running Time: 6:54
This section will cover the basic navigational features of the FTNDA Family Finder page.
Running Time: 5:46
Many are puzzled by the presence of unexpected ethnicities in their admixture results. With my Mango Theory, you will learn why these unwanted guests sometimes invade our results.
Running Time: 12:04
In this video we will cover how autosomal DNA is passed down from one generation to the next, and what that means for you as a genealogist.
Running Time: 8:36
Learn basic basic directions on how to set up your profile and change your privacy and contact settings at Family Tree DNA.
Running Time: 6:43
The chromosome browser is a powerful tool to visualize your DNA connections. This basic overview will help you understand some of the background principles behind this tool. Please watch this before exploring the specific tool at each company.
Running Time: 14:27
The reference populations employed by the testing companies greatly impact the results you receive. Learn what each company is doing differently and how their methods may impact your results.


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Complete 3″ lift kit for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 FJ Cruiser and 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 4Runner with Bilstein 5100 front shocks
Part: TTHA-CK-RCC
Included in Kit:
- Front Lift:
- Fully assembled front coil over using Toytec aluminum top mounts and urethane bushings:
- Bilstein 5100 series front shocks
- Toytec 521600 front lift coils
- Preset at approximately 3″ of front lift.
- Fully assembled front coil over using Toytec aluminum top mounts and urethane bushings:
Rear Lift:
- 2″ Rear Lift ToyTec Superflex coil springs- 10% increase in load capacity/spring rate and a great ride quality.
When used with provided shocks they add 2″ of more overall rear flex to the suspension.
- Heavy duty Superflex HD coils for additional weight. Recommended 150-200 lbs of constant load for approximately 2-2.5″ of lift.
- 2″ Rear Lift ToyTec Superflex coil springs- 10% increase in load capacity/spring rate and a great ride quality.
- Rear Shocks:
- Extended length Bilstein 5100 series rear nitrogen gas shocks for optimum performance on and off road
- Toytec's Boss rear shocks – Provide additional travel. Recommended to pair with our HD coils.
Also includes:
- Toytec Lifts Front Diff Drop Kit for 4×4 Models.
** If you have rear factory airbags in your 03-09 4Runner or Lexus GX470, add the MetalTech Conversion Kit to from the drop down and this kit will work with your vehicle. The factory shock dampening controls (sport/comfort) will be disabled when replacing the shocks on your GX470.
Tire Info:
Q. What size tires can I run on stock wheels with the 3″ kit?
We have not tested every wheel/tire size on these trucks, but 285/70/17 tires will fit the FJ on stock wheels.
Q. What size tires can I run on a 17×8″ wheel?
With 4″ or 4.5″ back spacing we have several trucks running 285/70/17 tires, but they may rub on the front depending on wheel width, and back spacing. We do not guarantee any tire/ wheel fitment and recommend you have your tire dealer install and "test fit" any wheel tire combination you are considering


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Russia is bringing her war with China to a close: a number of military districts have been mobilized, hundreds of millions of rubles have been spent, tens of thousands of troops have been dispatched to China, a number of battles have been fought and a number of victories won--true, not so much over regular enemy troops, as over Chinese insurgents and, particularly, over the unarmed Chinese populace, who were drowned or killed, with no holding back from the slaughter of women and children, not to speak of the looting of palaces, homes, and shops.
The Russian Government, together with the press that kowtows to it, is celebrating a victory and rejoicing over the fresh exploits of the gallant soldiery, rejoicing at the victory of European culture over Chinese barbarism and over the fresh successes of Russia's "civilizing mission" in the Far East.
But the voices of the class-conscious workers, of the advanced representatives of the many millions of the working people, are not heard amid this rejoicing. And yet, it is the working people who bear the brunt of the victorious new campaigns, it is working people who are sent to the other end of the world, from whom increased taxes are extorted to cover the millions expended. Let us, therefore, see: What attitude should the socialists adopt towards this war? In whose interests is it being fought? What is the real nature of the policy now being pursued by the Russian Government?
Chinese rose against foreign capitalists
Our government asserts first of all that it is not waging war against China; that it is merely suppressing a rebellion, pacifying rebels; that it is helping the lawful government of China to reestablish law and order. True, war has not been declared, but this does not change the situation a bit, because war is being waged nonetheless. What made the Chinese attack Europeans, what caused the rebellion which the British, French, Germans, Russians, Japanese, etc., are so zealously crushing? "The hostility of the yellow race towards the white race," "the Chinese hatred for European culture and civilization"--answer the supporters of the war. Yes! It is true the Chinese hate the Europeans, but which Europeans do they hate, and why?
The Chinese do not hate the European peoples, they have never had any quarrel with them--they hate the European capitalists and the European governments obedient to them. How can the Chinese not hate those who have come to China solely for the sake of gain; who have utilized their vaunted civilization solely for the purpose of deception, plunder, and violence; who have waged wars against China in order to win the right to trade in opium with which to drug the people (the war of England and France with China in 1856); and who hypocritically carried their policy of plunder under the guise of spreading Christianity? The bourgeois governments of Europe have long been conducting this policy of plunder with respect to China, and now they have been joined by the autocratic Russian Government.
This policy of plunder is usually called a colonial policy. Every country in which capitalist industry develops rapidly has very soon to seek colonies, i.e., countries in which industry is weakly developed, in which a more or less patriarchal way of life still prevails, and which can serve as a market for manufactured goods and a source of high profits. For the sake of the profit of a handful of capitalists, the bourgeois governments have waged endless wars, have sent regiments to die in unhealthy tropical countries, have squandered millions of money extracted from the people, and have driven the peoples in the colonies to desperate revolts or to death from starvation. We need only recall the rebellion of the native peoples against the British in India and the famine that prevailed there, or think of the war the English are now waging against the Boers.1
And now the European capitalists have placed their rapacious paws upon China, and almost the first to do so was the Russian Government, which now so loudly proclaims its "disinterestedness." It "disinterestedly" took Port Arthur away from China and began to build a railway to Manchuria under the protection of Russian troops. One after another the European governments began feverishly to loot, or, as they put it, to "refit," Chinese territory, giving good grounds for the talk of the partition of China. If we are to call things by their right names, we must say that the European governments (the Russian Government among the very first) have already started to partition China. However, they have not begun this partitioning openly, but stealthily, like thieves.
They began to rob China as ghouls rob corpses, and when the seeming corpse attempted to resist, they flung themselves upon it like savage beasts, burning down whole villages, shooting, bayoneting, and drowning in the Amur River unarmed inhabitants, their wives, and their children. And all these Christian exploits are accompanied by howls against the Chinese barbarians who dared to raise their hands against the civilized Europeans.
The occupation of Niuchuang and the moving of Russian troops into Manchuria are temporary measures, declares the autocratic Russian Government in its circular note of August 12, 1900, addressed to the Powers; these measures "are called forth exclusively by the necessity to repel the aggressive operations of Chinese rebels"; they "cannot in the least be regarded as evidence of any selfish plans, which are totally alien to the policy of the Imperial Government."
Poor Imperial Government! So Christianly unselfish, and yet so unjustly maligned! Several years ago it unselfishly seized Port Arthur, and now it is unselfishly seizing Manchuria; it has unselfishly flooded the frontier provinces of China with hordes of contractors, engineers, and officers, who, by their conduct, have roused to indignation even the Chinese, known for their docility. The Chinese workers employed in the construction of the Chinese railway had to exist on a wage of ten kopeks a day--is this not unselfish on Russia's part?
Who benefits by war, plunder?
How is our government's senseless policy in China to be explained? Who benefits by it? The benefit goes to a handful of capitalist magnates who carry on trade with China, to a handful of factory owners who manufacture goods for the Asian market, to a handful of contractors who are now piling up huge profits on urgent war orders (factories producing war equipment, supplies for the troops, etc., are now operating at full capacity and are engaging hundreds of new workers). This policy is of benefit to a handful of nobles who occupy high posts in the civil and military services. They need adventurous policies, for these provide them with opportunities for promotion, for making a career and gaining fame by their "exploits." In the interests of this handful of capitalists and bureaucratic scoundrels, our government unhesitatingly sacrifices the interests of the entire people. And in this case, as always, the autocratic tsarist government has proved itself to be a government of irresponsible bureaucrats servilely cringing before the capitalist magnates and nobles.
What benefits do the Russian working class and the laboring people generally obtain from the conquests in China? Thousands of ruined families, whose breadwinners have been sent to the war; an enormous increase in the national debt and the national expenditure; mounting taxation; greater power for the capitalists, the exploiters of the workers; worse conditions for the workers; still greater mortality among the peasantry, famine in Siberia--this is what the Chinese war promises and is already bringing. The entire Russian press, all the newspapers and periodicals are kept in a state of bondage; they dare not print anything without permission of the government officials....
The European states that have flung themselves upon China are already beginning to quarrel over the division of the booty, and no one can say how this quarrel will end.
Aim to corrupt masses' consciousness
But the policy of the tsarist government in China is not only a mockery of the interests of the people--its aim is to corrupt the political consciousness of the masses. Governments that maintain themselves in power only by means of the bayonet, that have constantly to restrain or suppress the indignation of the people, have long realized the truism that popular discontent can never be removed and that it is necessary to divert the discontent from the government to some other object. For example, hostility is being stirred up against the Jews; the gutter press carries on Jew-baiting campaigns, as if the Jewish workers do not suffer in exactly the same way as the Russian workers from the oppression of capital and the police government. At the present time, the press is conducting a campaign against the Chinese; it is howling about the savage yellow race and its hostility towards civilization, about Russia's tasks of enlightenment, about the enthusiasm with which the Russian soldiers go into battle, etc., etc.
Journalists who crawl on their bellies before the government and the money-bags are straining every nerve to rouse the hatred of the people against China. But the Chinese people have at no time and in no way oppressed the Russian people. The Chinese people suffer from the same evils as those from which the Russian people suffer--they suffer from an Asiatic government that squeezes taxes from the starving peasantry and that suppresses every aspiration towards liberty by military force; they suffer from the oppression of capital, which has penetrated into the Middle Kingdom.
The Russian working class is beginning to move out of the state of political oppression and ignorance in which the masses of the people are still submerged. Hence, the duty of all class-conscious workers is to rise with all their might against those who are stirring up national hatred and diverting the attention of the working people from their real enemies.
1. A mass rebellion against British rule known as the Indian Mutiny, began in 1857. It was savagely suppressed by British troops in 1859. In the Boer War (18991902) British imperial forces invaded the settler republics of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic.
The revolt, which began in the Northwest of the country, was driven by the peasants' desperate economic plight, exacerbated by floods and a prolonged drought. A leading role was played by the I-ho Ch'üan society, or society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists, whose members--many of them landless and unemployed peasants--practiced a distinctive form of martial arts.
Seizing on these characteristics, the European settlements and press dubbed the uprising the Boxer Rebellion. Despite her hostility to the interests of the peasantry, the empress Tzu Hsi in Peking (present-day Beijing), at first tolerated and then gave support to the movement, seeing a mutual interest in opposing the actions of the predatory imperialist powers.
In June 1900 the rebel forces laid siege to the foreign legations in Peking, an action which lasted until August 14. At the high point of the struggle, some 140,000 people had mobilized there.
The imperialist powers reacted by sacking the city in August, using an eight-power expeditionary force made up of contingents from the armed forces of the United States (comprised of troops who had occupied the Philippines after Washington's 1898 victory over the rival power of Spain), France, Britain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia, and Japan. Tens of thousands were killed as the rebellion was crushed in the manner Lenin describes in the accompanying article. The Chinese government was compelled to pay reparations, called the "Boxer Indemnity," to the imperialist powers, and to allow the permanent stationing of foreign troops on Chinese soil.
In spite of their military efforts, however, the imperialist powers never completely conquered China, and suffered a decisive defeat with the victory of the Chinese revolution immediately following World War II.
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One month and a few days ago Dan and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary together at Dishoom in Covent Garden! How it's been 6 years I don't know (not in the I don't know how we're still together way...I do know how and Dan is excellent!), it doesn't feel like it was that long ago since we were giddy teenagers and I was meeting his parents for the first time. Who, coincidently, we went to visit last weekend and are pushing for us to get married in 2016 the idea of us being anywhere near this stage is crazy (houses before marriages). However, 6 years on I'm still head over heels for him (forgive the sap) and to celebrate this cartwheel turning romance we decided to go to Dishoom for our anniversary.
In danger of being seriously overemotional and revolting a few of you let's move on to Dishoom because Dishoom is excellent. However, I cannot guarantee that Dishoom's excellence won't make you emote if you visit them.
Dishoom self-describes themselves as a take on the cafes of old Bombay in India. Despite it not being a small restaurant with its large open plan ground floor and high ceilings, the black wood panelling, exposed duck egg brick walls, dark wood floors and the busy hurry of customers in and out give you the impression of it being a bustling cafe smaller than what it is. And having never visited India myself, I think the decor captures the exotic atmosphere I would expect with chandeliers of hanging lights and gold guilded picture frames containing 70s Indian family portraits, which transport you into that family's dining room.
I have been lusting after the menu at Dishoom for over a year and am glad that we finally managed to get to try it out. Serving street style Indian food, their menu of small plates and larger sharing dishes really caters to the way Dan and I eat out (Tapas style!). Alot of restaurants are opting for small plates on their menus and I personally love them because it means I get to try double the amount of dishes I would if we ordered separate meals (we RARELY order separate meals).
There are so many great dishes on offer at Dishoom and we struggled to order a select few. However, we managed to make our choices in the end and the dishes that made the cut included fragrant Dishoom Calamari, Spicy Lamb Chops (not pictured), Chicken Berry Britannia Biryani and Gunpowder Potatoes, with raita and garlic naan on the side.
The Dishoom Calamari was surprisingly refreshing from the lime juice and fresh herbs despite it's crispy cornmeal-like crumb coating. If not one of the best calamari I've ever had (with squid cooked to perfection!) then it was certainly the most original.
Of the four dishes we ordered I couldn't pick a favourite. But if there is one dish that I recommend you try at Dishoom, and indeed it is the dish I'll definitely be getting again next time, try the Gunpowder Potatoes. For meat lovers and vegetarians alike these potatoes were very spicy from the green chilli, sharp from the lime, and smoky from the charred potato skins and various toasted whole spices. It was absolutely delicious but I was very grateful that we ordered a soup bowl of raita (just visible on the right in the photo above) to go alongside it. Definitely not a dish for the faint hearted.
The Spicy Lamb Chops are not to be missed by lamb lovers, black and charred from the tandoori oven and succulent on the inside from the marinade their gorgeous alone but accompanied with fresh lime juice and pomegranate seeds it's a tastebud extravaganza. These came later on in the meal and unfortunately we'd already eaten them before I realised I'd forgotten to grab a photo, but really that's just a testament to how good they were.
Don't be fooled by the pretty appearance of this biryani, lurking just underneath the top layer of rice are huge steaming chunks of moist chicken. With the chicken, earthy rice and sweet cranberries it's a great dish. As a Chicken Berry Britannia I was expecting more berries in the biryani as opposed to on top as a garnish because the rice and chicken alone, though cooked well, did need the sharp sweet lift of the berries.
All the food was great and we dined with a crisp citrusy bottle of white wine recommended to us by the waiter which really cut through the spices. However, the garlic naan bread was really disappointing, greasy and tough it did not make for pleasant eating.
For dessert we shared a Kala Khatta Gola Ice and a pot of green tea. The Kala Khatta Gola Ice was an Indian version of a granita with large ice flakes and a rich syrup made from kokum fruit,
blueberries, chilli and lime, sprinkled with salt. Dishoom's description really hits it on the head the first mouthful is weird and you're not sure whether you like what you're eating but the second makes it sweet, salty and delicious all in one. The only other thing I'd add is that by the fifth spoonful it's sickeningly sweet as the syrup collects at the bottom of the glass.
Overall the food and service at Dishoom surpassed my expectations. We were not the easiest customers that day but they accommodated us really well (moving us upstairs from the den downstairs, filling water bottles and answering all our questions) and we spent the good part of an afternoon there.
Now to plan our next anniversary meal...


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A day later we have the first reviews of the new Nokia models – the big Lumia and the cheaper Lumia.
The judgement from analysts appears to be favourable overall: Intuitive user interface, great camera and solid build. We need to balance this against the fact that both are in need of some weight loss, but the conclusion is that the phone is a credible offering. So, Nokia have a chance of rebuilding their success with this?
Absolutely not.
How can this be the case?
The phone is pretty good. Nokia is an established global manufacturer and it offers something innovative to the market.
Yes, yes and yes. And the answer is still the same. These will not save Nokia.
Instead of looking at what a load of geeks think, look at what market analysts are saying (those who advise whether to invest in a company or not). At the end of the day, Nokia was trading DOWN by 15.9%. Nokia launches its most important products – ones that will determine whether it has a future – and the analysts sell rather than buy shares?
Nokia launches a great phone, the geeks love it, and the shares get hammered?
To make sense of this we need to only remember one fact. Analysts (predominantly) buy/recommend shares of companies that meet one condition – they are expected to make more money in the future than they do today.
Thats it. Owning shares is about making money. Nothing else.
If the company promises and delivers spectacular growth, then the share price will quickly increase. Slow increases in growth result in slower rising share prices, and falls in growth will drop the share price. It is that simple. It is about growth.
Making money for shareholders requires companies to increase profit, from generating more revenue, from greater sales. Internal costs and a number of other factors play into this, but essentially it is whether the company has something that is going to sell by the bucketload for a good profit.
And the analysts don't think that Nokia is going to sell loads of these. If it does, there are questions of whether it can do this at a margin that is expected.
The analysts are right.
So why will Nokia not sell loads of these. Two words: Apple and Android.
Next week Apple announces a new iPhone. This is predicted to sell more than all the other iPhones sold to date combined. Apple will not just sell iPhones by the boatload, it will do this at a higher profit level than anyone else can come close to.
If that wasn't bad enough – this week Google announced that Android has 1.4m activations per day. That is 1.4 MILLION new Android devices being switched on and registered. Every day. 1.4m, again, and again … And the number is increasing every week. Not just phones, but also tablets. Tablet sales may slow, but they are there and they are growing. Nokia doesn't have a tablet. Microsoft will launch Windows 8 next month, and this will increase tablet sales, but this will not help Nokia. Even if Nokia did announce a tablet, it is hard to see how it could compete against the iPad and the increasingly crowded and low profit Android marketplace.
Against the behemoths of Apple and Android, Nokia is simply irrelevant.
The other point that is often missed though is that it is not just about the phone, but the ecosystem. Apple doesn't just have one source of revenue, but several. From the phone itself (the iPhone is the most expensive mainstream smartphone), from the phone contract (Apple gets more than anyone else), from accessories, from content and application purchases (30% goes to Apple). Let's be clear about this – Apple has built a 21st Century money making machine. And it is only just starting to scale this. With potential moves into TV and emerging markets, there is still a lot of potential growth left.
Google's Android ecosystem is nowhere near as mature or profitable, but Google also has other businesses that Android compliments – not least of all search. All that data from hundreds of millions of phones provides the intelligence to keep Google search secure in first position as well as providing a global market that will pass a billion users in the next couple of years.
So, despite making a very good phone, the maxim 'too little, too late' appears to be perfectly apt.


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Macgeorge Visiting Fellow: Dr Alberto Gabriele
The Australian Centre is hosting Dr Alberto Gabriele from January - March 2016, Dr Gabriele's visit had been supported by the Macgeorge Bequest.
Alberto Gabriele, a graduate of New York University's Comparative Literature Department is the author of Reading Popular Culture in Victorian Print: Belgravia and Sensationalism (2009). He has been teaching at Tel Aviv University and has been visiting scholar at at the School of Cultural Texts and Records, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and visiting fellow at The University of New South Wales at ADFA, Canberra, the University of Sydney, and Women's College within the University of Sydney. He has recently completed two monographs on Precinema and the Literary Imagination, Volume I: From the Baroque to the Romantic Age and Volume II: The Nineteenth Century Novel, forthcoming next year. He is also the editor of a collection of essays, Sensationalism and the Genealogy of Modernity: a Global Nineteenth Century Perspective. He has been awarded a three-year grant to complete the project on Leipzig as one of the capitals of continental book publishing and distribution in the course of the nineteenth century. During his residency at the University of Melbourne he is continuing his research for his fourth book on the global networks of distribution of Victorian print culture in the 1860s-70s.
Alberto Gabriele's current book history project focuses on the global distribution of Victorian books and periodicals in the 1860-70s, for which he has already visited forty libraries and archives in ten countries. He has written on the marketing of Victorian sensationalism among Australian colonial booksellers and during his period as a Macgeorge fellow he is expanding his research on intercolonial networks in the circulation of print culture.
Dr Gabriele is available to meet with students, please email email@example.com
Dr Gabriele will deliver a public lecture on Wednesday, 3 March
Dr Gabriele's lecture can be downloaded here
Image: Mondo Niovo. Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia. Museo Correr, Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe.


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PORTLAND — Changes to fees and acceptable items at the city transfer station go into effect July 1, and at least one city councilor says the new rules are upsetting her constituents.
As of July 1, residents will no longer be able to use their e-cards to dispose of remodeling waste and loose materials. The card, which now allows residents to bring unwanted items to the Riverside Recycling Facility and dispose of them for free up to a certain limit, starting next month will cover mostly just bulky items and small yard waste.
"In the past if you wanted to do a small home project, like rebuild a back deck, you could just take (the debris) over to Riverside and use your e-card," City Councilor Cheryl Leeman said. "Now there's lots of things you're going to get charged for."
Leeman said she has heard from residents who are upset with the changes. She said every year the city takes more trash removal services away, and believes the elimination of heavy item trash pick-up combined with a reduction in the number of e-cards allowed for apartment buildings and multi-family rental homes could lead to unsafe conditions.
Tenants often leave items behind in basements and hallways, Leeman said. Up until now, landlords were allowed up to four e-cards, meaning they could bring as many as 40 loads to the transfer station each year. But beginning in July, owners of these propertied will be provided just one card.
Leeman said while the council approved that change, she was unaware that the city Public Service Department also planned on eliminating several items from the list of material allowed under the e-card system.
"It's a real public safety issue in these tenement buildings," Leeman said.The fee for residents and small commercial operations to dump remodeling and loose materials as of July 1 will range from $16 to $24 per cubic yard.
City officials have said the e-cards, meant for residents, are being abused by commercial landscaping operations.
Leeman has called for a City Council workshop to discuss the changes at Riverside, including changes to management. The council voted in its 2010 budget to turn more of the management of the facility over to Commercial Pavers. She said while she believes Commercial Pavers does a good job managing the center, she is concerned the city is getting into a situation where its transfer station operation is beginning to resemble a private business.
"People are getting less service, but paying more," she said. "The information about our contract with C.P. is unclear despite councilors requesting specific information several times."
For a list of other changes set to take affect at Riverside, go to recycling.portlandmaine.gov/ecardrules2009.pdf
The free e-cards available to Portland residents allow up to 10 drop-offs a year of acceptable items. Residents do not have to get a new card each year. Riverside Recycling Facility is also available to anyone for a fee.
E-card users can dispose of up to 10 gallons of hazardous waste for free annually with the e-card. People without an e-card can dispose of toxic waste at Riverside and will be charged $6.50 a gallon for liquids and $3.50 per pound for solids.
The hazardous waste disposal program is open to nonresidents as well and takes place on the first and third Saturday of each month from July to November.