text:
How do We Wake Up to All of Who We are, the Light and the Shadow, and what we are meant to do here?
How do we embrace our wholeness, and then harness it towards the challenges we are facing?
How do we create thriving organizations where people’s skills, gifts, and passions are unleashed?
When looking through the lens of leadership and the reality of our world - what kind of leaders do we need these days? I believe that now, more than ever before, we desperately need leaders who are deeply self-aware and conscious. Such leaders need to understand how to meet the enormous challenges they face and to develop greater awareness so we can co-create a life-giving future together. In becoming more aware and mindful of what is happening within themselves (first) and others (second), leaders must be able to develop a kind of moment-to-moment awareness of themselves and maintain the inner space to reflect on, understand, and own their assumptions, reactions, emotions, and behaviour.
Awakening is both a state and a process. My work, passion, and commitment is in Facilitating Personal and Organizational Awakening, and there are several ways to embark on this journey. You might be interested in a focused and dedicated one-on-one Executive Coaching process. You might be ready for a deep dive into a year-long Awakened Living program. You might be interested in bringing awakening to your organization, transforming the ways you and your people harness and unleash their commitment, creativity, engagement, and joy. You might be focused on your life purpose and what is next for you on your journey. Whatever your choice is - welcome. I am looking forward to our journey.
I deeply believe in our individual and collective potential of awakening to all of who we are. I believe in living divided no more. I believe in being connected to a sense of purpose and expressing it everywhere one finds herself or himself. I believe that inner work is a path to unleashing our skills, gifts, and creative spark towards a fulfilled and meaningful life. I believe that when leaders model such a way of showing up and invite their people to bring their hearts and souls into the workplace – their organizations thrive.
Why You Would Want to Work With Me.
You – and your organization – are looking for a partner for the next phase(s) of your journey. Someone who is committed, passionate about what they do, willing and able to hold you to your highest standards, highlight your blind spots, amplify your skills/gifts/talents, and stand in the fire with you. Someone who will walk with you the journey of awakening the passion, creativity, vision, dreams, and the creative spark – yours, and of the people in your organization.
Why I Would Want to Work With You.
You are ready for the journey. Possibly, your organization is ready too (or, perhaps, not ready, yet open and willing). You know this journey will have challenges along the way, yet are willing to look beyond it, into what can be possible when showing up in a full, open, and awakened heart and soul. You know that the “good old ways” of doing life don’t work any more. You are ready to open up and embrace a deeper, richer, more challenging and more fulfilling way of showing up in the world. You are ready to awaken - yourself, your people, and your organization.
When looking through the lens of leadership and the reality of our world – what kind of leaders do we need these days? I believe that now, more than ever before, we desperately need leaders who are deeply self-aware and conscious. Such leaders need to understand how to meet the enormous challenges they face and to develop greater awareness so we can co-create a life-giving future together. In becoming more aware and mindful of what is happening within themselves (first) and others (second), leaders must be able to develop a kind of moment-to-moment awareness of themselves and maintain the inner space to reflect on, understand, and own their assumptions, reactions, emotions, and behavior.
Which path is calling you to take the first step?
Awakening is both a state and a process. My work, passion, and commitment is in Facilitating Personal and Organizational Awakening, and there are several ways to embark on this journey. You might be interested in a focused and dedicated one-on-one Executive Coaching process. You might be ready for a deep dive into a year-long Awakened Living program. You might be interested in bringing awakening to your organization, transforming the ways you and your people harness and unleash their commitment, creativity, engagement, and joy. You might be focused on your life purpose and what is next for you on your journey.
You are ready for the journey. Possibly, your organization is ready too (or, perhaps, not ready, yet open and willing). You know this journey will have challenges along the way, yet are willing to look beyond it, into what can be possible when showing up in a full, open, and awakened heart and soul. You know that the “good old ways” of doing life don’t work any more. You are ready to open up and embrace a deeper, richer, more challenging and more fulfilling way of showing up in the world. You are ready to awaken – yourself, your people, and your organization.

lowercased:
how do we wake up to all of who we are, the light and the shadow, and what we are meant to do here?
how do we embrace our wholeness, and then harness it towards the challenges we are facing?
how do we create thriving organizations where people’s skills, gifts, and passions are unleashed?
when looking through the lens of leadership and the reality of our world - what kind of leaders do we need these days? i believe that now, more than ever before, we desperately need leaders who are deeply self-aware and conscious. such leaders need to understand how to meet the enormous challenges they face and to develop greater awareness so we can co-create a life-giving future together. in becoming more aware and mindful of what is happening within themselves (first) and others (second), leaders must be able to develop a kind of moment-to-moment awareness of themselves and maintain the inner space to reflect on, understand, and own their assumptions, reactions, emotions, and behaviour.
awakening is both a state and a process. my work, passion, and commitment is in facilitating personal and organizational awakening, and there are several ways to embark on this journey. you might be interested in a focused and dedicated one-on-one executive coaching process. you might be ready for a deep dive into a year-long awakened living program. you might be interested in bringing awakening to your organization, transforming the ways you and your people harness and unleash their commitment, creativity, engagement, and joy. you might be focused on your life purpose and what is next for you on your journey. whatever your choice is - welcome. i am looking forward to our journey.
i deeply believe in our individual and collective potential of awakening to all of who we are. i believe in living divided no more. i believe in being connected to a sense of purpose and expressing it everywhere one finds herself or himself. i believe that inner work is a path to unleashing our skills, gifts, and creative spark towards a fulfilled and meaningful life. i believe that when leaders model such a way of showing up and invite their people to bring their hearts and souls into the workplace – their organizations thrive.
why you would want to work with me.
you – and your organization – are looking for a partner for the next phase(s) of your journey. someone who is committed, passionate about what they do, willing and able to hold you to your highest standards, highlight your blind spots, amplify your skills/gifts/talents, and stand in the fire with you. someone who will walk with you the journey of awakening the passion, creativity, vision, dreams, and the creative spark – yours, and of the people in your organization.
why i would want to work with you.
you are ready for the journey. possibly, your organization is ready too (or, perhaps, not ready, yet open and willing). you know this journey will have challenges along the way, yet are willing to look beyond it, into what can be possible when showing up in a full, open, and awakened heart and soul. you know that the “good old ways” of doing life don’t work any more. you are ready to open up and embrace a deeper, richer, more challenging and more fulfilling way of showing up in the world. you are ready to awaken - yourself, your people, and your organization.
when looking through the lens of leadership and the reality of our world – what kind of leaders do we need these days? i believe that now, more than ever before, we desperately need leaders who are deeply self-aware and conscious. such leaders need to understand how to meet the enormous challenges they face and to develop greater awareness so we can co-create a life-giving future together. in becoming more aware and mindful of what is happening within themselves (first) and others (second), leaders must be able to develop a kind of moment-to-moment awareness of themselves and maintain the inner space to reflect on, understand, and own their assumptions, reactions, emotions, and behavior.
which path is calling you to take the first step?
awakening is both a state and a process. my work, passion, and commitment is in facilitating personal and organizational awakening, and there are several ways to embark on this journey. you might be interested in a focused and dedicated one-on-one executive coaching process. you might be ready for a deep dive into a year-long awakened living program. you might be interested in bringing awakening to your organization, transforming the ways you and your people harness and unleash their commitment, creativity, engagement, and joy. you might be focused on your life purpose and what is next for you on your journey.
you are ready for the journey. possibly, your organization is ready too (or, perhaps, not ready, yet open and willing). you know this journey will have challenges along the way, yet are willing to look beyond it, into what can be possible when showing up in a full, open, and awakened heart and soul. you know that the “good old ways” of doing life don’t work any more. you are ready to open up and embrace a deeper, richer, more challenging and more fulfilling way of showing up in the world. you are ready to awaken – yourself, your people, and your organization.


text:
The XGA short throw, 3D-capable Optoma EX610ST Digital Projector is designed to display bright, rich, colourful, crystal-clear images for both the education and business environments.
The Optoma EX610ST Digital Projector at 3000L incorporates extensive connectivity, powerful 10W stereo speakers and RJ45 control to maintain and monitor the projectors over the network.
The environmentally friendly Optoma EX610ST Digital Projector has energy saving features including less than 1W standby mode and auto power off saving you both time and money. Long lamp life of 4000hrs combined with our unique Optoma Colour and Imager guarantees ensure hassle-free, long-lasting projection.

lowercased:
the xga short throw, 3d-capable optoma ex610st digital projector is designed to display bright, rich, colourful, crystal-clear images for both the education and business environments.
the optoma ex610st digital projector at 3000l incorporates extensive connectivity, powerful 10w stereo speakers and rj45 control to maintain and monitor the projectors over the network.
the environmentally friendly optoma ex610st digital projector has energy saving features including less than 1w standby mode and auto power off saving you both time and money. long lamp life of 4000hrs combined with our unique optoma colour and imager guarantees ensure hassle-free, long-lasting projection.


text: West Chester 3652 Disposable Coveralls are made of breathable microporous material that protects against dry particulates and liquid sprays. Designed with elastic cuffs. Case of 25 units.

lowercased: west chester 3652 disposable coveralls are made of breathable microporous material that protects against dry particulates and liquid sprays. designed with elastic cuffs. case of 25 units.


text:
Strains Divine | They hymned their King in strains divine; I heard the song and strove to join.
I saw today an article posted by Thomas Rainer, the much-acclaimed church-growth guru, about “Six Reasons Congregational Singing Is Waning.” Now, it is true that Rainer and I come from different perpectives on this subject. He operates on the assumption of instrumental worship in the assembly; I operate on the conclusion that congregational singing (sans instruments) is how God intended for us to fulfill Ephesians 5.19 and Colossians 3.16 in the assembly. Be that as it may, I think the points he raises are worth considering, for one reason or another.
Some church members do not prepare themselves for worship. More to what I think is the key issue (and some of Rainer’s point), many of us fail to discern the reason for our assembling. Yes, we assemble to offer worship to God, but we do so in the context of edifying one another, as Ethan Longhenry has pointed out elsewhere. We are to teach and admonish one another in psalm, hymn, and spiritual song. Why does this make a difference? When we come to the assembly only thinking about the vertical (God-directed) component, it us easier for us to excuse not singing because, after all, God knows what is in our hearts, and that’s where the melody is being made anyway. The problem is that our brethren can’t know what is in our heart unless we express it. How do we express it? By singing!
We don’t know the songs. I am all in favor of new songs in worship, having written the words to a few and the music to a few more. That being said, we must be respectful of the songs that are already on the hearts of worshipers, not just the ones that we as leaders want to be on their hearts. We may think that a song (or even a genre of songs) is passé, but that song may carry significant meaning for a lot of people (and not just because it was sung at their mothers’ funerals). But more than that, people have to know song’s before they are comfortable singing them. While I sight-sing reasonably well, my wife is not as comfortable with it, and I can tell her hesitation on a song the first couple if times we sing it. Now, imagine an entire assemby of such songs. Quite frustrating, no?
The songs are not sung in a range where we can participate. While there are fundamental leading issues at play in some cases (as Raines indicates), I think there is a broader problem with how songs are written. While not exclusive to the modern era (our National Anthem has the same issue), songs these days tend to use a broader melodic range than many of the songs we’be sung over the years. “Jesus Loves Me,” for instance, spans an octave, and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” a scant half-octave. In contrast, “In Christ Alone” ranges an octave and a half, as do many of that variety, making them very sensitive to proper pitching. Again, this is not exclusively a “new song” problem (“Where No One Stands Alone,” anyone?), but I have noticed it more with them.
The lighting indicates performance, rather than participation. So this one isn’t as applicable to my experience, since lighting wherever I’ve been tends to be functional. But what I will say is this: the more we make our assemblies look like a concert, the more those assembled will act like they’re at a concert. They’ll sing along for that one song they really like, but not as much for the rest.
The music is too loud to hear others in the congregation. Again, not a problem I’ve experienced, since this assumes an instrumental context. Personally, I’d say the opposite tends to be the problem in a capella settings. When people don’t sing out, it’s harder for others to do the same. Few of us (even naturally loud-mouthed ones like me) really want to stick out in congregational singing. I’ve noticed that when others sing out, so do I. I will even go so far as to say that this begins with the song leader (about whom more will be said in the next point). I get that we don’t want to turn the song leader into a glorified soloist, but when people don’t read music or aren’t a confident singer, they want to hear the song leader to make sure they’really singing the right notes. While we may be doing the overall sound a favor when we try to blend, rather than stand out, I wonder if we’re doing any favors to the people who most rely on the song leader. To Rainer’s point though, I wonder if this is a natural consequence of instrumental music generally.
Worship leaders are not listening to the congregation. Even without instruments, this can be a challenge. While a song leader shouldn’t allow the congregation to drag the singing down to a dirge, he shouldn’t run roughshod over them with unreasonable expectations. I also think this applies longitudinally over time. If a leader introduces a song and leads it multiple times within a short period, if the congregation still isn’t “getting it,” some serious consideration needs to be given as to whether that song is worth the frustration that the congregation is experiencing. Similarly, if a particular song or type of song gets more (and more enthusiastic) participation than others, that may be a clue.
How can we increase participation in congregational singing? As singers, come understanding the responsibility that each of us has to teach and admonish one another as we worship God. As leaders, pay attention to the needs of the congregation. Be objectively mindful of repertoire and the congregation’s response to songs (and don’t assume that no news is good news). Make sure that our zeal for a polished and well-conducted (pun intended) worship doesn’t present a barrier to the person who isn’t technically savvy on the finer points of singing.
One of the favorite scriptural justifications for singing new songs in the assembly is the repeated exhortation, particularly in the Psalms, to “Sing to the LORD a new song!” Old Testament/New Testament context aside, is that what this expression is really about? Singing brand-new songs to God?
Sort of, but not necessarily.
It is true that all songs were new once. So in order for a song to become an “old standard,” it must first be a new song that no one knows. If you were to have said, “Amazing grace,” back in the 1600s, you might have gotten a “verily” or two in response, not, “How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!” But yet, here in the 21st-century, that sequence of words has become a cliche that appears in about every third song on Christian radio.
It is also true that God’s people in the Old Testament frequently created new songs. We have the song of Moses in Exodus 15 and the song of Deborah and Barak in Judges 5, to say nothing of the 150 written by David and others.
But is the singing of a new song primarily about the newness of the lyrics? I don’t think so. If we look at the context of all these exhortations, they come in connection with things that God has done or that God is. The examples of Moses and Deborah/Barak were responses to something great God had done for His people. The singing of a new song is about renewing our praises in light of the great things God has done in our lives.
God’s mercies and love are “new every morning.” And just as those things are new every morning, so should our song be. Our song of praise to God should be informed by all the great things that God has done, whether we use new words to express our praise or we consider the same words in a new light.
This, I think, gets to the heart (pardon the pun) of “making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Eph 5.19). This is what it means to sing “with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3.16). We aren’t just singing words, but an expression of praise and thankfulness for all that we have overcome with God.
Sometimes we do this with new lyrics. I’ve written one or two hymns in reflection upon a new circumstance in life. Horatio Spafford is famous for writing “It Is Well with My Soul” in the wake of personal tragedy. More often, though, we sing a new song by singing old lyrics with that new-found meaning. “Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye to the dearest on earth to me?” and the response of “Oh yes, He cares! I know He cares!” means something new when we’ve just buried the dearest on earth to us and have relied on God’s comfort to endure it. “Each victory will help you some other to win” means something new when we overcome temptation with God’s help.
The new song here refers to the book of Revelation, when in chapters 5 and 14 John refers to the singing of a new song. Assuming (and we have little reason not to) these chapters refer to the same new song, we are told in chapter 14 that only the redeemed could learn it, but we are given the words in chapter 5. So couldn’t someone not redeemed learn it?
Depends upon what you mean by learning. Learn the words, sure. But only the redeemed can sing the song in full appreciation of its meaning. The song we sing in heaven will be much like the song we sing on earth, but only in heaven will we have full appreciation of its message as those who have overcome for all time, who have gained ultimate victory in Jesus.
Whatever songs we sing—new or old—let us sing them as new songs in recognition of the great things that God has done.
In 1 Corinthians 16.13, the apostle Paul told the Corinthian brethren, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” These four admonitions would have been calls to the Corinthians to get about the things they needed to be doing. This would have been received much like a military commander marshaling his troops. My Bible cross-references this verse to 1 Samuel 4.9, where the Philistines rallied themselves by calling out, “Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight.” The idea is for the Corinthians (and us) not to shrink back from the battle before them.
Of all the hymns that immediately come to mind as iconic “Lord’s Supper” hymns, two of the perhaps three that I think of were written by Isaac Watts. The non-Watts hymn that comes to mind is Bliss’ “Hallelujah, What a Savior!” One of Watts’ hymns, “Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed?”, was written about previously. The other, and the object of our consideration at this time, is “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” For some years, this has been a staple hymn of mine for use in preparation for the Lord’s Supper. The text examines our reaction to the thought of Jesus dying on the cross. This hymn’s reputation is such that Charles Wesley, one of the other giants of English hymnody, is reputed to have said that he would have given up all his other hymns to have written this one.
The first verse borrows the language of Philippians 3, particularly the idea of counting all things of loss in view of the greater prize of knowing Christ, and “the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (3.10). When we think back to Jesus dying on the cross—the very Prince of glory and Son of God—whatever we might have in this life pales in comparison.
The cross is indeed a “wondrous” thing, in that it evokes wonder at its paradox. Jesus, the Prince of glory, died for us. The sinless for the sinful. How does such a thing happen? The very thought was perplexing to many in the first century, and still is. If Jesus emptied Himself and laid aside whatever pride might have been rightfully His (Phil 2.5–8), what right do we have to hold onto our pride? What right do we to put stock in our own achievements and status?
As we move to verse two, we are reminded of Paul’s declaration in Galatians 6.14, “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” This plays on the closing thought of the previous verse, that I pour contempt on all my pride. Of what am I proud? Am I proud of my accomplishments on the job? Of a family that I’ve raised and supported? Of the work that I believe I have done for the Lord? (remember the Pharisee’s prayer in Luke 18?) Do those things matter more to us than the fact that Christ died for us?
Here, Watts draws us to a description of Jesus upon the cross. The mention of Jesus’ head, hands and feet are from the thorns and nails that were pressed and hammered into His body. The idea of sorrow and love flowing mingled down is a play on the blood and water that flowed from Jesus’ side after His death. This further conveys the paradox of the cross. On one hand, we have Jesus’ personal sorrow in dying. This was displayed perhaps most clearly in Gethsemane prior to His arrest. On the other hand, we have the love of God that sent Jesus to this earth and, ultimately, to the cross. The love mentioned in Romans 5 that caused Jesus to die for us even while we were enemies to God. Thus, the “sorrow and love flow mingled down”…to us.
The fourth verse encapsulates the ultimate reaction of the one who comprehends the enormity of what happened at the cross. We are reminded of parables like the pearl of great price, wherein the person in the parable sold all that they had in order to obtain the pearl. But the reality is that even if we could do that, and even if we could claim ownership over all of creation, such would be an insufficient gift to repay what was done for us. Indeed, the love shown on the cross demands the only thing that is truly ours to give: ourselves.
Paul tells us in Romans 12.1, to “present [our] bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is [our] spiritual service of worship.” Jesus tells us to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. If Christ gave Himself for us, can we give any less than ourselves to Him?

lowercased:
strains divine | they hymned their king in strains divine; i heard the song and strove to join.
i saw today an article posted by thomas rainer, the much-acclaimed church-growth guru, about “six reasons congregational singing is waning.” now, it is true that rainer and i come from different perpectives on this subject. he operates on the assumption of instrumental worship in the assembly; i operate on the conclusion that congregational singing (sans instruments) is how god intended for us to fulfill ephesians 5.19 and colossians 3.16 in the assembly. be that as it may, i think the points he raises are worth considering, for one reason or another.
some church members do not prepare themselves for worship. more to what i think is the key issue (and some of rainer’s point), many of us fail to discern the reason for our assembling. yes, we assemble to offer worship to god, but we do so in the context of edifying one another, as ethan longhenry has pointed out elsewhere. we are to teach and admonish one another in psalm, hymn, and spiritual song. why does this make a difference? when we come to the assembly only thinking about the vertical (god-directed) component, it us easier for us to excuse not singing because, after all, god knows what is in our hearts, and that’s where the melody is being made anyway. the problem is that our brethren can’t know what is in our heart unless we express it. how do we express it? by singing!
we don’t know the songs. i am all in favor of new songs in worship, having written the words to a few and the music to a few more. that being said, we must be respectful of the songs that are already on the hearts of worshipers, not just the ones that we as leaders want to be on their hearts. we may think that a song (or even a genre of songs) is passé, but that song may carry significant meaning for a lot of people (and not just because it was sung at their mothers’ funerals). but more than that, people have to know song’s before they are comfortable singing them. while i sight-sing reasonably well, my wife is not as comfortable with it, and i can tell her hesitation on a song the first couple if times we sing it. now, imagine an entire assemby of such songs. quite frustrating, no?
the songs are not sung in a range where we can participate. while there are fundamental leading issues at play in some cases (as raines indicates), i think there is a broader problem with how songs are written. while not exclusive to the modern era (our national anthem has the same issue), songs these days tend to use a broader melodic range than many of the songs we’be sung over the years. “jesus loves me,” for instance, spans an octave, and “when i survey the wondrous cross” a scant half-octave. in contrast, “in christ alone” ranges an octave and a half, as do many of that variety, making them very sensitive to proper pitching. again, this is not exclusively a “new song” problem (“where no one stands alone,” anyone?), but i have noticed it more with them.
the lighting indicates performance, rather than participation. so this one isn’t as applicable to my experience, since lighting wherever i’ve been tends to be functional. but what i will say is this: the more we make our assemblies look like a concert, the more those assembled will act like they’re at a concert. they’ll sing along for that one song they really like, but not as much for the rest.
the music is too loud to hear others in the congregation. again, not a problem i’ve experienced, since this assumes an instrumental context. personally, i’d say the opposite tends to be the problem in a capella settings. when people don’t sing out, it’s harder for others to do the same. few of us (even naturally loud-mouthed ones like me) really want to stick out in congregational singing. i’ve noticed that when others sing out, so do i. i will even go so far as to say that this begins with the song leader (about whom more will be said in the next point). i get that we don’t want to turn the song leader into a glorified soloist, but when people don’t read music or aren’t a confident singer, they want to hear the song leader to make sure they’really singing the right notes. while we may be doing the overall sound a favor when we try to blend, rather than stand out, i wonder if we’re doing any favors to the people who most rely on the song leader. to rainer’s point though, i wonder if this is a natural consequence of instrumental music generally.
worship leaders are not listening to the congregation. even without instruments, this can be a challenge. while a song leader shouldn’t allow the congregation to drag the singing down to a dirge, he shouldn’t run roughshod over them with unreasonable expectations. i also think this applies longitudinally over time. if a leader introduces a song and leads it multiple times within a short period, if the congregation still isn’t “getting it,” some serious consideration needs to be given as to whether that song is worth the frustration that the congregation is experiencing. similarly, if a particular song or type of song gets more (and more enthusiastic) participation than others, that may be a clue.
how can we increase participation in congregational singing? as singers, come understanding the responsibility that each of us has to teach and admonish one another as we worship god. as leaders, pay attention to the needs of the congregation. be objectively mindful of repertoire and the congregation’s response to songs (and don’t assume that no news is good news). make sure that our zeal for a polished and well-conducted (pun intended) worship doesn’t present a barrier to the person who isn’t technically savvy on the finer points of singing.
one of the favorite scriptural justifications for singing new songs in the assembly is the repeated exhortation, particularly in the psalms, to “sing to the lord a new song!” old testament/new testament context aside, is that what this expression is really about? singing brand-new songs to god?
sort of, but not necessarily.
it is true that all songs were new once. so in order for a song to become an “old standard,” it must first be a new song that no one knows. if you were to have said, “amazing grace,” back in the 1600s, you might have gotten a “verily” or two in response, not, “how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!” but yet, here in the 21st-century, that sequence of words has become a cliche that appears in about every third song on christian radio.
it is also true that god’s people in the old testament frequently created new songs. we have the song of moses in exodus 15 and the song of deborah and barak in judges 5, to say nothing of the 150 written by david and others.
but is the singing of a new song primarily about the newness of the lyrics? i don’t think so. if we look at the context of all these exhortations, they come in connection with things that god has done or that god is. the examples of moses and deborah/barak were responses to something great god had done for his people. the singing of a new song is about renewing our praises in light of the great things god has done in our lives.
god’s mercies and love are “new every morning.” and just as those things are new every morning, so should our song be. our song of praise to god should be informed by all the great things that god has done, whether we use new words to express our praise or we consider the same words in a new light.
this, i think, gets to the heart (pardon the pun) of “making melody to the lord with your heart” (eph 5.19). this is what it means to sing “with thankfulness in your hearts to god” (col 3.16). we aren’t just singing words, but an expression of praise and thankfulness for all that we have overcome with god.
sometimes we do this with new lyrics. i’ve written one or two hymns in reflection upon a new circumstance in life. horatio spafford is famous for writing “it is well with my soul” in the wake of personal tragedy. more often, though, we sing a new song by singing old lyrics with that new-found meaning. “does jesus care when i’ve said goodbye to the dearest on earth to me?” and the response of “oh yes, he cares! i know he cares!” means something new when we’ve just buried the dearest on earth to us and have relied on god’s comfort to endure it. “each victory will help you some other to win” means something new when we overcome temptation with god’s help.
the new song here refers to the book of revelation, when in chapters 5 and 14 john refers to the singing of a new song. assuming (and we have little reason not to) these chapters refer to the same new song, we are told in chapter 14 that only the redeemed could learn it, but we are given the words in chapter 5. so couldn’t someone not redeemed learn it?
depends upon what you mean by learning. learn the words, sure. but only the redeemed can sing the song in full appreciation of its meaning. the song we sing in heaven will be much like the song we sing on earth, but only in heaven will we have full appreciation of its message as those who have overcome for all time, who have gained ultimate victory in jesus.
whatever songs we sing—new or old—let us sing them as new songs in recognition of the great things that god has done.
in 1 corinthians 16.13, the apostle paul told the corinthian brethren, “be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” these four admonitions would have been calls to the corinthians to get about the things they needed to be doing. this would have been received much like a military commander marshaling his troops. my bible cross-references this verse to 1 samuel 4.9, where the philistines rallied themselves by calling out, “take courage, and be men, o philistines, lest you become slaves to the hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight.” the idea is for the corinthians (and us) not to shrink back from the battle before them.
of all the hymns that immediately come to mind as iconic “lord’s supper” hymns, two of the perhaps three that i think of were written by isaac watts. the non-watts hymn that comes to mind is bliss’ “hallelujah, what a savior!” one of watts’ hymns, “alas, and did my savior bleed?”, was written about previously. the other, and the object of our consideration at this time, is “when i survey the wondrous cross.” for some years, this has been a staple hymn of mine for use in preparation for the lord’s supper. the text examines our reaction to the thought of jesus dying on the cross. this hymn’s reputation is such that charles wesley, one of the other giants of english hymnody, is reputed to have said that he would have given up all his other hymns to have written this one.
the first verse borrows the language of philippians 3, particularly the idea of counting all things of loss in view of the greater prize of knowing christ, and “the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death” (3.10). when we think back to jesus dying on the cross—the very prince of glory and son of god—whatever we might have in this life pales in comparison.
the cross is indeed a “wondrous” thing, in that it evokes wonder at its paradox. jesus, the prince of glory, died for us. the sinless for the sinful. how does such a thing happen? the very thought was perplexing to many in the first century, and still is. if jesus emptied himself and laid aside whatever pride might have been rightfully his (phil 2.5–8), what right do we have to hold onto our pride? what right do we to put stock in our own achievements and status?
as we move to verse two, we are reminded of paul’s declaration in galatians 6.14, “but may it never be that i would boast, except in the cross of our lord jesus christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and i to the world.” this plays on the closing thought of the previous verse, that i pour contempt on all my pride. of what am i proud? am i proud of my accomplishments on the job? of a family that i’ve raised and supported? of the work that i believe i have done for the lord? (remember the pharisee’s prayer in luke 18?) do those things matter more to us than the fact that christ died for us?
here, watts draws us to a description of jesus upon the cross. the mention of jesus’ head, hands and feet are from the thorns and nails that were pressed and hammered into his body. the idea of sorrow and love flowing mingled down is a play on the blood and water that flowed from jesus’ side after his death. this further conveys the paradox of the cross. on one hand, we have jesus’ personal sorrow in dying. this was displayed perhaps most clearly in gethsemane prior to his arrest. on the other hand, we have the love of god that sent jesus to this earth and, ultimately, to the cross. the love mentioned in romans 5 that caused jesus to die for us even while we were enemies to god. thus, the “sorrow and love flow mingled down”…to us.
the fourth verse encapsulates the ultimate reaction of the one who comprehends the enormity of what happened at the cross. we are reminded of parables like the pearl of great price, wherein the person in the parable sold all that they had in order to obtain the pearl. but the reality is that even if we could do that, and even if we could claim ownership over all of creation, such would be an insufficient gift to repay what was done for us. indeed, the love shown on the cross demands the only thing that is truly ours to give: ourselves.
paul tells us in romans 12.1, to “present [our] bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to god, which is [our] spiritual service of worship.” jesus tells us to love the lord our god with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. if christ gave himself for us, can we give any less than ourselves to him?


text:
Bogusław R. Zagórski – graduate of Arabic and Islamic studies at Warsaw University and post-graduate studies in Paris (École Pratique des Hautes Études and Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales – INALCO), Université d’Oran (Algeria), Bourguiba School of Languages (Tunis) and High School of Journalism in Århus (Denmark). Visited over 50 countries of the world.
Conducted research and teaching activities at the Institute of African Studies (later Institute of Developing Countries) of Warsaw University, and at present is teaching Islamic Civilization at Collegium Civitas, a corporate university of social sciences in Warsaw as well as other institutions of higher education. He is author of the Polish transcription system of Arabic, Persian, Dari and Pashto; for 10 years worked as an expert in the field of cartography and applied toponomastics of the countries of Northern Africa and the Middle East.
For last 30 years has been commenting on the current political issues of the Muslim World in media (press, radio and television).
In 1991 he established the Ibn Khaldun Institute in Warsaw, a center for Arabic and Islamic research and cosultation.
Was editor-in-chief of magazines devoted to Ancient civilizations and also magazines for linguistic education. Member of the Polish Oriental Society, founding member of the Polish-Arabic Friendship Association and Servas Poland (branch of Servas International, organization for peace and hospitality).
For many years was holding the position of the head of the Islamic Community in Warsaw and was a member of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Religious Union in Poland in charge of foreign cooperation. Actively participates in international conferences concerned with dialogue among civilazations and religions.
He has published numerous articles and reviews and edited over 50 books concerned with the Arab and Muslim World.

lowercased:
bogusław r. zagórski – graduate of arabic and islamic studies at warsaw university and post-graduate studies in paris (école pratique des hautes études and institut national des langues et civilisations orientales – inalco), université d’oran (algeria), bourguiba school of languages (tunis) and high school of journalism in århus (denmark). visited over 50 countries of the world.
conducted research and teaching activities at the institute of african studies (later institute of developing countries) of warsaw university, and at present is teaching islamic civilization at collegium civitas, a corporate university of social sciences in warsaw as well as other institutions of higher education. he is author of the polish transcription system of arabic, persian, dari and pashto; for 10 years worked as an expert in the field of cartography and applied toponomastics of the countries of northern africa and the middle east.
for last 30 years has been commenting on the current political issues of the muslim world in media (press, radio and television).
in 1991 he established the ibn khaldun institute in warsaw, a center for arabic and islamic research and cosultation.
was editor-in-chief of magazines devoted to ancient civilizations and also magazines for linguistic education. member of the polish oriental society, founding member of the polish-arabic friendship association and servas poland (branch of servas international, organization for peace and hospitality).
for many years was holding the position of the head of the islamic community in warsaw and was a member of the supreme council of the islamic religious union in poland in charge of foreign cooperation. actively participates in international conferences concerned with dialogue among civilazations and religions.
he has published numerous articles and reviews and edited over 50 books concerned with the arab and muslim world.


text:
In the early days of firearms history, there was no automatic reloading mechanism for firearms, so once the firearm was discharged, the time taken to reload a firearm was pretty high. During this time, the user of the firearm was at great risk of a counter-attack unless he had some other weapon to defend himself. With this view, there were several weapons developed that would combine a firearm with some other weapon. Unlike a rifle with a bayonet attached, these weapons were primarily designed as axes, swords, daggers etc., but had a pistol attached.
The first class of weapons that we will study are the pistol-battle axes. These first appeared in Europe in the late 1400s and still continued to be used into the 1800s in some parts of the world.
The weapon in the illustration above is a pistol-axe made in Germany in the beginning of the 17th century. The reader may note that this weapon has a wheel-lock firing mechanism near the head of the axe. The barrel is six inches long and fires out of the top of the axe. The handle behind the wheel-lock is about 2.5 feet long and has the trigger mechanism at the end of the handle. This weapon was designed to be used by a horseback rider.
The above illustrations show two more fine German made pistol-axes, from the Dresden museum. As before, these use a wheel-lock firing mechanism as well. The triggers for these two axes are located just below the wheel-locks. The axe heads have a blade edge on one side for cutting and a ice-pick like spiked point on the other side to pierce through tough plate armor. The top spikes of the axes are removable to reveal the hollow barrels inside. Note that these two axes are much more expensive and have better workmanship than the previous one and also have intricate engravings on the body of the axes.
The next two illustrations are an axe using matchlock firing mechanism and another one using the flintlock firing mechanism. This particular flintlock axe was made in Germany in the late 17th century. Flintlock axes were also heavily used by the Polish Cavalry between the 16th and 18th centuries and was one of their trademark weapons.
The above illustrations are an Indian made Tabar axe from the 17th century. This one uses a matchlock firing mechanism as well. There is no real trigger, as the matchlock is mounted on a long thin lever around a pivot point, as can be seen in the first illustration. The fire is applied by simply pulling the other end of the long thin lever. This axe is an all-steel construction and originally had gold inlay, most of which is worn off. Judging by the carvings on the axe head, this was probably owned by a Hindu, since at least four human figures are depicted.
The next illustration is a weapon dating from the 19th century. This is a pistol axe taken from the Santal tribe of India. The Santals are a tribe that traditionally occupied areas of the modern day Indian states of Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Assam. This particular weapon is 16.5 inches (approx. 42 cm.) long, of which 8.5 inches (21.6 cm.) is the pistol barrel. It is a very light weapon and the thickness of the barrel at the muzzle is only 0.2 inches (approx. 0.5 cm.).
Axes were the most common weapons to be combined with pistols, since these two were the easiest to combine together. These designs were very widespread indeed. In the next few posts, we will see other weapons that were combined with pistols.

lowercased:
in the early days of firearms history, there was no automatic reloading mechanism for firearms, so once the firearm was discharged, the time taken to reload a firearm was pretty high. during this time, the user of the firearm was at great risk of a counter-attack unless he had some other weapon to defend himself. with this view, there were several weapons developed that would combine a firearm with some other weapon. unlike a rifle with a bayonet attached, these weapons were primarily designed as axes, swords, daggers etc., but had a pistol attached.
the first class of weapons that we will study are the pistol-battle axes. these first appeared in europe in the late 1400s and still continued to be used into the 1800s in some parts of the world.
the weapon in the illustration above is a pistol-axe made in germany in the beginning of the 17th century. the reader may note that this weapon has a wheel-lock firing mechanism near the head of the axe. the barrel is six inches long and fires out of the top of the axe. the handle behind the wheel-lock is about 2.5 feet long and has the trigger mechanism at the end of the handle. this weapon was designed to be used by a horseback rider.
the above illustrations show two more fine german made pistol-axes, from the dresden museum. as before, these use a wheel-lock firing mechanism as well. the triggers for these two axes are located just below the wheel-locks. the axe heads have a blade edge on one side for cutting and a ice-pick like spiked point on the other side to pierce through tough plate armor. the top spikes of the axes are removable to reveal the hollow barrels inside. note that these two axes are much more expensive and have better workmanship than the previous one and also have intricate engravings on the body of the axes.
the next two illustrations are an axe using matchlock firing mechanism and another one using the flintlock firing mechanism. this particular flintlock axe was made in germany in the late 17th century. flintlock axes were also heavily used by the polish cavalry between the 16th and 18th centuries and was one of their trademark weapons.
the above illustrations are an indian made tabar axe from the 17th century. this one uses a matchlock firing mechanism as well. there is no real trigger, as the matchlock is mounted on a long thin lever around a pivot point, as can be seen in the first illustration. the fire is applied by simply pulling the other end of the long thin lever. this axe is an all-steel construction and originally had gold inlay, most of which is worn off. judging by the carvings on the axe head, this was probably owned by a hindu, since at least four human figures are depicted.
the next illustration is a weapon dating from the 19th century. this is a pistol axe taken from the santal tribe of india. the santals are a tribe that traditionally occupied areas of the modern day indian states of bihar, west bengal, orissa and assam. this particular weapon is 16.5 inches (approx. 42 cm.) long, of which 8.5 inches (21.6 cm.) is the pistol barrel. it is a very light weapon and the thickness of the barrel at the muzzle is only 0.2 inches (approx. 0.5 cm.).
axes were the most common weapons to be combined with pistols, since these two were the easiest to combine together. these designs were very widespread indeed. in the next few posts, we will see other weapons that were combined with pistols.


text:
Mild temperatures and plenty of residential areas make Anaheim, CA, an ideal place for wildlife. Residents frequently spend time outside, sometimes leaving food scraps and garbage in yards. These habits invite nuisance species like raccoons, squirrels, and coyotes to visit local neighborhoods.
These flying mammals can fit through holes the size of a dime. Gaps around pipes, broken vents, and cracked fascia boards are typical access points for bats. When they find their way inside houses, the animals sometimes get trapped in wall voids or fly around bedrooms.
Raccoons eat pet food and trash left outdoors in Anaheim. The more meal sources the pests have, the greater their populations. In California, many of the animals carry raccoon roundworm, and they pass the parasites' eggs in their feces. Residents should wear protective clothing when cleaning up raccoon latrines around woodpiles, porches, and other parts of the yard.
A frequent sight in Anaheim's urban areas, ground and tree squirrels can cause problems for homeowners. When a ground squirrel burrows under foundations, repairs are often costly. A tree squirrel typically gains access to a home by way of branches hanging over roofs. Loose shingles are enough to allow the pests into attics where they tear up insulation and gnaw on wires.
Coyotes can rapidly lose their fear of humans after finding food in neighborhoods. Attacks on dogs and cats are a common concern when coyote packs hunt near homes. Opossums are another nuisance pest in California. To protect her young from predators, a female opossum may den beneath a house or deck.

lowercased:
mild temperatures and plenty of residential areas make anaheim, ca, an ideal place for wildlife. residents frequently spend time outside, sometimes leaving food scraps and garbage in yards. these habits invite nuisance species like raccoons, squirrels, and coyotes to visit local neighborhoods.
these flying mammals can fit through holes the size of a dime. gaps around pipes, broken vents, and cracked fascia boards are typical access points for bats. when they find their way inside houses, the animals sometimes get trapped in wall voids or fly around bedrooms.
raccoons eat pet food and trash left outdoors in anaheim. the more meal sources the pests have, the greater their populations. in california, many of the animals carry raccoon roundworm, and they pass the parasites' eggs in their feces. residents should wear protective clothing when cleaning up raccoon latrines around woodpiles, porches, and other parts of the yard.
a frequent sight in anaheim's urban areas, ground and tree squirrels can cause problems for homeowners. when a ground squirrel burrows under foundations, repairs are often costly. a tree squirrel typically gains access to a home by way of branches hanging over roofs. loose shingles are enough to allow the pests into attics where they tear up insulation and gnaw on wires.
coyotes can rapidly lose their fear of humans after finding food in neighborhoods. attacks on dogs and cats are a common concern when coyote packs hunt near homes. opossums are another nuisance pest in california. to protect her young from predators, a female opossum may den beneath a house or deck.


text:
The Wombie Wookiee is a mash up of Peter Marinacci’s Wombania comic characters and a Star Wars Wookiee (Chewbacca). It started when Peter sent me this background image of Canada. Don’t ask me what it is but I said one day I would do something with it. Then a week or so ago somewhere in the blogosphere, he and I were joking and he mentioned a Wombie Wookie. So of course I planned on doing it but before I could the illustrious Cha beat me to it.
Anyway here is my version. If you can’t read the Chocolate Bar he is holding it Says “Wookiee Wombie Bar – May the Chocolate Be With You.
And honestly I didn’t know you spelled “Wookiee” that way until I spell checked myself cuz I know all of you would be all over me.
I hope it’s a sandbox and not something else.
I’ll let the wookie win on this one. I’ll happily have the chocolate be with me.
I thought it would make you break out?
Hey, I recognize that Wombie! He stole my chocolate bar! It was supposed to be with me, not him!
That tower is one of our secret rocket launch towers that we have in Canada for our planned takeover of America. We’re coming for your chocolate factories! Or maybe it’s a lift bridge tower. Yeah, that’s what it is. Really. A lift bridge tower.
He would give it back but it is kind of hairy.
Wookies need to learn proper chocolate etiquette.
This is really great Bearman!
It’s hard not to love all things Wombie. I mean Wookie.
No, it’s about the chocolate.
Bearman, Wombies, and Wookies, oh my! Really fun, Bearman!
They’re the ones I’m looking for.
Chewbacca is actually one of the oldest wombats in the world at 28 years old.
I have no idea to whom you’re referring.
I could use a case of those chocolate bars.
Does UPS ship to a boat?
Looks like a bridge to me. Actually a green Canadian bridge.
I think he actually said it was an elevator…grain elevator maybe??
It’s actually a bridge elevator tower. The orange bridge on the bottom rises up the tower to let ships pass underneath, There’s one tower on each end of the bridge.
Love your drawing better than your friend’s (link supplied). I think this must have something to do with trains because of the tracks & it’s probably grain-related too.
The train tracks are actually a guard rail for the road. And there’s no grain involved. And you like whose drawing better??
Love the slogan on the chocolate bar!
Wombies do that to people.
I want a chocolate chip Wookiee cookie.
Sounds like something we need to go to Lucas about.
Makes me homesick. For Canada. For the Original star wars. For Han Solo shooting first. For “Let the Wookiee win!”. And for Canada. Did I say Canada? Yeah Canada. Chocolate is yummy.
Your Wombacca looks great, Bearman! I love it!
I know what the tower thing is behind him. It’s the Wookie Wombie Choco Bar distribution point. Wombacca had to stop by to top off his supply!
He could just open his mouth and let the chocolate fly in.
Oh Bearman this is the BEST thing I could be blessed with today. The co-mingling of Wombies and your whimsical take on the idea.
Peter has sent me wine gums and am awaiting them with glee.
Your cartoon has made me smile for the first time in several days.
My two favorite cartoonists in a Wookie Wombie Wonderland… with Chocolate!
awww….thanks so much Rach. Hoping the wine gums and the laughs make things better for you soon!!
Too many Wookiees… Stop it!
PS. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that in Canada we spell it “Woukie”.
Well we won’t get into your education system then.
Ahahah FIRST!!!! I didn’t even know… which is AWESOME.
Is that a dog training command?
I feel bad for the guy on the bike in the background. The Wombacca might eat him!
I bet that chocolate gets fully digested faster than the Millennium Falcon can make the Kessel Run.

lowercased:
the wombie wookiee is a mash up of peter marinacci’s wombania comic characters and a star wars wookiee (chewbacca). it started when peter sent me this background image of canada. don’t ask me what it is but i said one day i would do something with it. then a week or so ago somewhere in the blogosphere, he and i were joking and he mentioned a wombie wookie. so of course i planned on doing it but before i could the illustrious cha beat me to it.
anyway here is my version. if you can’t read the chocolate bar he is holding it says “wookiee wombie bar – may the chocolate be with you.
and honestly i didn’t know you spelled “wookiee” that way until i spell checked myself cuz i know all of you would be all over me.
i hope it’s a sandbox and not something else.
i’ll let the wookie win on this one. i’ll happily have the chocolate be with me.
i thought it would make you break out?
hey, i recognize that wombie! he stole my chocolate bar! it was supposed to be with me, not him!
that tower is one of our secret rocket launch towers that we have in canada for our planned takeover of america. we’re coming for your chocolate factories! or maybe it’s a lift bridge tower. yeah, that’s what it is. really. a lift bridge tower.
he would give it back but it is kind of hairy.
wookies need to learn proper chocolate etiquette.
this is really great bearman!
it’s hard not to love all things wombie. i mean wookie.
no, it’s about the chocolate.
bearman, wombies, and wookies, oh my! really fun, bearman!
they’re the ones i’m looking for.
chewbacca is actually one of the oldest wombats in the world at 28 years old.
i have no idea to whom you’re referring.
i could use a case of those chocolate bars.
does ups ship to a boat?
looks like a bridge to me. actually a green canadian bridge.
i think he actually said it was an elevator…grain elevator maybe??
it’s actually a bridge elevator tower. the orange bridge on the bottom rises up the tower to let ships pass underneath, there’s one tower on each end of the bridge.
love your drawing better than your friend’s (link supplied). i think this must have something to do with trains because of the tracks & it’s probably grain-related too.
the train tracks are actually a guard rail for the road. and there’s no grain involved. and you like whose drawing better??
love the slogan on the chocolate bar!
wombies do that to people.
i want a chocolate chip wookiee cookie.
sounds like something we need to go to lucas about.
makes me homesick. for canada. for the original star wars. for han solo shooting first. for “let the wookiee win!”. and for canada. did i say canada? yeah canada. chocolate is yummy.
your wombacca looks great, bearman! i love it!
i know what the tower thing is behind him. it’s the wookie wombie choco bar distribution point. wombacca had to stop by to top off his supply!
he could just open his mouth and let the chocolate fly in.
oh bearman this is the best thing i could be blessed with today. the co-mingling of wombies and your whimsical take on the idea.
peter has sent me wine gums and am awaiting them with glee.
your cartoon has made me smile for the first time in several days.
my two favorite cartoonists in a wookie wombie wonderland… with chocolate!
awww….thanks so much rach. hoping the wine gums and the laughs make things better for you soon!!
too many wookiees… stop it!
ps. i could be wrong, but i’m pretty sure that in canada we spell it “woukie”.
well we won’t get into your education system then.
ahahah first!!!! i didn’t even know… which is awesome.
is that a dog training command?
i feel bad for the guy on the bike in the background. the wombacca might eat him!
i bet that chocolate gets fully digested faster than the millennium falcon can make the kessel run.


text:
We help you save money while shopping online at OtterBox.com. We offer the best coupons, deals, discount sales and promotional codes for thousands of online stores, including OtterBox and more. OtterBox coupon codes are a great way to save money and to get the discount price for the products you want to buy at OtterBox online store. After you are finished shopping, enter the OtterBox promotional code into the coupon or deal box during the checkout process at OtterBox website.
Search: OtterBox, OtterBox.com online shopping, discount, online store and leading outlet store chain, offering valuable products for women, men and gifts. www.OtterBox.com online store offers variety of high quality products and goods with OtterBox.com online coupon code.

lowercased:
we help you save money while shopping online at otterbox.com. we offer the best coupons, deals, discount sales and promotional codes for thousands of online stores, including otterbox and more. otterbox coupon codes are a great way to save money and to get the discount price for the products you want to buy at otterbox online store. after you are finished shopping, enter the otterbox promotional code into the coupon or deal box during the checkout process at otterbox website.
search: otterbox, otterbox.com online shopping, discount, online store and leading outlet store chain, offering valuable products for women, men and gifts. www.otterbox.com online store offers variety of high quality products and goods with otterbox.com online coupon code.


text:
Trust our Cedar Falls dumpster rental service to streamline your cleanup, whether you are a homeowner remodeling your kitchen or a contractor building a new business. With a range of roll off container sizes, we can handle any debris removal. When you’re ready to rent a dumpster, give us a call at 319-493-3597.
Our roll off container sizes range from 10 to 15 cubic yards in Cedar Falls.
We help keep your project on budget with low, flat rates.
Our team will work with you to get your roll off dumpster exactly where you need it.
Want to go to Movies Under the Moon at Overman Park, but can’t get to your car because of the clutter in your garage? Rent a dumpster with Budget Dumpster to help reclaim your home. With a variety of dumpster sizes available, we can help make your junk removal a breeze. Give us a call at 319-493-3597 to start your cleanout today.
Whether you’re renovating a business or working on a local park restoration, we can deliver to any home, job site or commercial location in Cedar Falls. Our low, flat rates mean you can budget more money for your project and less on a roll off dumpster for waste removal. We’ll help you decide on the right sized bin for your project and deliver it to a convenient on-site spot for your project. Call 319-493-3597 to get a free quote today.

lowercased:
trust our cedar falls dumpster rental service to streamline your cleanup, whether you are a homeowner remodeling your kitchen or a contractor building a new business. with a range of roll off container sizes, we can handle any debris removal. when you’re ready to rent a dumpster, give us a call at 319-493-3597.
our roll off container sizes range from 10 to 15 cubic yards in cedar falls.
we help keep your project on budget with low, flat rates.
our team will work with you to get your roll off dumpster exactly where you need it.
want to go to movies under the moon at overman park, but can’t get to your car because of the clutter in your garage? rent a dumpster with budget dumpster to help reclaim your home. with a variety of dumpster sizes available, we can help make your junk removal a breeze. give us a call at 319-493-3597 to start your cleanout today.
whether you’re renovating a business or working on a local park restoration, we can deliver to any home, job site or commercial location in cedar falls. our low, flat rates mean you can budget more money for your project and less on a roll off dumpster for waste removal. we’ll help you decide on the right sized bin for your project and deliver it to a convenient on-site spot for your project. call 319-493-3597 to get a free quote today.


text:
The jam-like, roasted-tomato layer is what makes these sandwiches. These ingredients make enough for 4 sandwiches.
Preheat oven to 450. Stir together tomatoes, garlic, oil, and salt in a bowl. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until tomato mixture looks dry, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Finely chop; set aside.
Fry bacon until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
Spread toasted bread slices with dressing. Layer with tomato mixture. Season with pepper. Layer with spinach, then bacon, dividing evenly.

lowercased:
the jam-like, roasted-tomato layer is what makes these sandwiches. these ingredients make enough for 4 sandwiches.
preheat oven to 450. stir together tomatoes, garlic, oil, and salt in a bowl. transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. roast until tomato mixture looks dry, about 15 minutes. transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly. finely chop; set aside.
fry bacon until crisp. transfer to paper towels to drain.
spread toasted bread slices with dressing. layer with tomato mixture. season with pepper. layer with spinach, then bacon, dividing evenly.


text:
Phantom power selected by internal jumper for each microphone.
SKU: MPA-240. Categories: Commercial 100v Amplifiers, Amplifiers, Cloud Electronics.

lowercased:
phantom power selected by internal jumper for each microphone.
sku: mpa-240. categories: commercial 100v amplifiers, amplifiers, cloud electronics.


text:
On this 70th anniversary of independence, it is appropriate to dwell on the economic and social achievements of the nation since regaining independence in 1948. Despite the economy’s underperformance discussed in last Sunday’s column, there have been significant social and economic achievements since independence.
The structure of the economy has been transformed from a predominantly agricultural one to a more diversified one. We have reached middle income status with a substantial increase in per capita income. Attainments in health, life expectancy, literacy and education are impressive.
The seven decades have been a period of economic and social transformation. The country’s social and human development has outperformed countries with higher per capita incomes and earned the country a high position in the United Nation’s Human Development Index.
Although the economy grew by only around 4 percent, it has undergone a structural transformation with agriculture’s predominance in the economy being overtaken by industrial and services sectors. Per capita incomes have risen significantly, poverty and unemployment have been reduced and the country’s economic and social infrastructure has improved considerably. The most significant achievements have been in the country’s human development that is far better than most developing countries and even some developed countries. Mortality rates are low, life expectancy has reached 75 years, adult literacy has increased to over 90 percent and education has expanded significantly. Most people enjoy far better social amenities than seven decades ago.
Largely owing to the improvements in health and education, the country has gone through the three phases of the demographic transition in the first half century after independence and entered the fourth stage of an ageing population. The country’s population growth of 2.8 percent per year in the 1950s has been reduced to less than 1 percent (0.9). Yet the annual population growth is about 200,000, as in the 1950’s.
One of the most significant achievements since independence was the attainment of self-sufficiency in rice. At independence, the country with a population of only 7 million imported about half her requirements of rice and much of her other essential foods. Today with a population of 21 million Sri Lanka is about self-sufficient.
The seventy years since independence have witnessed profound and irreversible economic changes. The economy has moved from a pre-dominantly agricultural one to one in which both industry and services contribute more to GDP. The growth of industry for export has been a striking development of the last two decades. Not only has the relative importance of agriculture declined, but its composition too has changed.
The economic reforms since late 1977 had a significant impact on the structure of the economy and changed the basic character of the Sri Lankan economy. The share of manufacturing in GDP has increased. Currently the contribution of agriculture to GDP is only 7 percent. The industrial sector (including construction) contributes about 40 percent to GDP. There has been an increase in the contribution of the services sector to 55 per cent today.
These structural changes in the economy are reflected in the country’s trade pattern. Agricultural exports that dominated the export structure from the beginning of the plantation economy till the 1980s declined to 27 per cent in 2016. Industrial exports amounted to 77 percent of total export earnings.
These proportions of exports are to some extent misleading. Agricultural exports are more significant than suggested by the 27 percent as value added in agricultural exports is much higher than in industrial exports.
Notwithstanding these compositional changes in exports and imports, Sri Lanka’s trade dependence (imports and exports as a proportion of GDP) remains high. In 1950 the country’s trade dependence was 70 per cent. It was about 45 per cent in recent years. The character of the trade dependence has altered significantly. The trade dependence is more industrial than agricultural. Manufactured goods dominate exports. Raw materials and capital goods for industries account for a larger share of imports than food and other consumer imports.
There has been substantial increases in incomes. Per capita incomes have increased fourfold to the levels of a middle income country, poverty has fallen to 6.7 percent and unemployment is only 4.7 percent.
Social development after independence in 1948 is impressive. There have been significant improvements in literacy and school enrolment, reduction in mortality rates, an increase in life expectancy and significant improvements in social amenities such as housing, potable water, sanitation and access to electricity and telephones. The country achieved the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) set for 2015.
Life expectancy at birth increased from around 55 years at the time of independence to 75 years today. Life expectancy at birth is higher for females at 77 years than for males at 72 years. There have been significant improvements in maternal mortality, infant mortality and under 5 mortality. Maternal mortality decreased from 560 per one hundred thousand live births at the time of independence to 100 in 2015, while infant mortality declined from 82 to 8.2 per thousand in 2013. Under 5 mortality has declined to less than 19 per thousand.
Adult literacy increased from 57.8 per cent in 1945 to 93 per cent in 2016. Female literacy improved more sharply during this period from 43.8 per cent (1945) to 92.4 per cent and male literacy increasing from 70.1 per cent to 94.1 per cent in 2015. School enrolment of children between the ages of 5 – 19 years increased from 54.1 per cent (1945) to 75.2 in 2016.
The Human Development Index (HDI) is at 0.743 (2015) and the country ranks 99 of 177 countries. This ranking is above those of most countries at similar levels of income and higher than other South Asian countries. However, most countries in East Asia and South East Asia, such as Singapore, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea that were behind the achievements of Sri Lanka in the 1950s and 1960s, have overtaken us.
Despite the improvements in mortality rates, literacy and school enrolment, high rates of diseases associated with poverty and poor living conditions persist. Further, the quality of health and educational services leaves much to be desired. There are also significant regional disparities and urban rural differences. The progress in social indicators could have been much better in recent years, if economic growth was more rapid. Notwithstanding these qualifications there is no doubt that the country’s social and human development indicators are impressive. This comes out very clearly when comparisons are made with other developing and even some developed countries. Amartaya Sen has placed a very high value on life expectancy as it is a composite indicator and the basic aspiration of humans. He has pointed out that life expectancy in Sri Lanka is significantly higher than those of countries with similar, and even some countries with higher, per capita incomes.
There have significant developments in agriculture. Ceylon in the 1950’s with a population of just 7 million imported about half her requirements of rice. Today, Sri Lanka with a population of 21 million is self-sufficient in rice in a normal year.
The British colonial period of the nineteenth century introduced plantations and neglected paddy and other food crop agriculture. This process was reversed from around the third decade of the twentieth century. Paddy and food crop production became the centre of growth in the 1950′s and 1960′s. Paddy production increased due to an area expansion and increases in yields with high yielding varieties adopted by farmers. Consequently the country has achieved self-sufficiency in rice inspite of a threefold increase in population.
Although the country has achieved much in these 70 years of independence, it has been inadequate to resolve pressing social and economic problems of poverty, unemployment and inadequate incomes for a significant proportion of the population. The lack of pragmatism in economic policy formulation, ineffectiveness in implementation of economic programmes, excessive opposition to reforms, irresponsible union actions, and indiscipline, deterioration in law and order, weakened public administration and inability to resolve the ethic crises have all enfeebled economic progress. Other nations that were behind us have overtaken us. The pace of economic growth cannot be accelerated adequately until peace is achieved and our vision is focused on reforming political, cultural and social values.
The challenge before us in the years ahead is to consolidate these achievements, make qualitative improvements, catch up with the economic development of other countries and face the serious challenges especially in our external finances. National unity, social harmony, pragmatic policies and economic and social reforms are essential to achieve the government’s vision of being a rich and prosperous society in 2025.

lowercased:
on this 70th anniversary of independence, it is appropriate to dwell on the economic and social achievements of the nation since regaining independence in 1948. despite the economy’s underperformance discussed in last sunday’s column, there have been significant social and economic achievements since independence.
the structure of the economy has been transformed from a predominantly agricultural one to a more diversified one. we have reached middle income status with a substantial increase in per capita income. attainments in health, life expectancy, literacy and education are impressive.
the seven decades have been a period of economic and social transformation. the country’s social and human development has outperformed countries with higher per capita incomes and earned the country a high position in the united nation’s human development index.
although the economy grew by only around 4 percent, it has undergone a structural transformation with agriculture’s predominance in the economy being overtaken by industrial and services sectors. per capita incomes have risen significantly, poverty and unemployment have been reduced and the country’s economic and social infrastructure has improved considerably. the most significant achievements have been in the country’s human development that is far better than most developing countries and even some developed countries. mortality rates are low, life expectancy has reached 75 years, adult literacy has increased to over 90 percent and education has expanded significantly. most people enjoy far better social amenities than seven decades ago.
largely owing to the improvements in health and education, the country has gone through the three phases of the demographic transition in the first half century after independence and entered the fourth stage of an ageing population. the country’s population growth of 2.8 percent per year in the 1950s has been reduced to less than 1 percent (0.9). yet the annual population growth is about 200,000, as in the 1950’s.
one of the most significant achievements since independence was the attainment of self-sufficiency in rice. at independence, the country with a population of only 7 million imported about half her requirements of rice and much of her other essential foods. today with a population of 21 million sri lanka is about self-sufficient.
the seventy years since independence have witnessed profound and irreversible economic changes. the economy has moved from a pre-dominantly agricultural one to one in which both industry and services contribute more to gdp. the growth of industry for export has been a striking development of the last two decades. not only has the relative importance of agriculture declined, but its composition too has changed.
the economic reforms since late 1977 had a significant impact on the structure of the economy and changed the basic character of the sri lankan economy. the share of manufacturing in gdp has increased. currently the contribution of agriculture to gdp is only 7 percent. the industrial sector (including construction) contributes about 40 percent to gdp. there has been an increase in the contribution of the services sector to 55 per cent today.
these structural changes in the economy are reflected in the country’s trade pattern. agricultural exports that dominated the export structure from the beginning of the plantation economy till the 1980s declined to 27 per cent in 2016. industrial exports amounted to 77 percent of total export earnings.
these proportions of exports are to some extent misleading. agricultural exports are more significant than suggested by the 27 percent as value added in agricultural exports is much higher than in industrial exports.
notwithstanding these compositional changes in exports and imports, sri lanka’s trade dependence (imports and exports as a proportion of gdp) remains high. in 1950 the country’s trade dependence was 70 per cent. it was about 45 per cent in recent years. the character of the trade dependence has altered significantly. the trade dependence is more industrial than agricultural. manufactured goods dominate exports. raw materials and capital goods for industries account for a larger share of imports than food and other consumer imports.
there has been substantial increases in incomes. per capita incomes have increased fourfold to the levels of a middle income country, poverty has fallen to 6.7 percent and unemployment is only 4.7 percent.
social development after independence in 1948 is impressive. there have been significant improvements in literacy and school enrolment, reduction in mortality rates, an increase in life expectancy and significant improvements in social amenities such as housing, potable water, sanitation and access to electricity and telephones. the country achieved the millennium development goals (mdg) set for 2015.
life expectancy at birth increased from around 55 years at the time of independence to 75 years today. life expectancy at birth is higher for females at 77 years than for males at 72 years. there have been significant improvements in maternal mortality, infant mortality and under 5 mortality. maternal mortality decreased from 560 per one hundred thousand live births at the time of independence to 100 in 2015, while infant mortality declined from 82 to 8.2 per thousand in 2013. under 5 mortality has declined to less than 19 per thousand.
adult literacy increased from 57.8 per cent in 1945 to 93 per cent in 2016. female literacy improved more sharply during this period from 43.8 per cent (1945) to 92.4 per cent and male literacy increasing from 70.1 per cent to 94.1 per cent in 2015. school enrolment of children between the ages of 5 – 19 years increased from 54.1 per cent (1945) to 75.2 in 2016.
the human development index (hdi) is at 0.743 (2015) and the country ranks 99 of 177 countries. this ranking is above those of most countries at similar levels of income and higher than other south asian countries. however, most countries in east asia and south east asia, such as singapore, malaysia and the republic of korea that were behind the achievements of sri lanka in the 1950s and 1960s, have overtaken us.
despite the improvements in mortality rates, literacy and school enrolment, high rates of diseases associated with poverty and poor living conditions persist. further, the quality of health and educational services leaves much to be desired. there are also significant regional disparities and urban rural differences. the progress in social indicators could have been much better in recent years, if economic growth was more rapid. notwithstanding these qualifications there is no doubt that the country’s social and human development indicators are impressive. this comes out very clearly when comparisons are made with other developing and even some developed countries. amartaya sen has placed a very high value on life expectancy as it is a composite indicator and the basic aspiration of humans. he has pointed out that life expectancy in sri lanka is significantly higher than those of countries with similar, and even some countries with higher, per capita incomes.
there have significant developments in agriculture. ceylon in the 1950’s with a population of just 7 million imported about half her requirements of rice. today, sri lanka with a population of 21 million is self-sufficient in rice in a normal year.
the british colonial period of the nineteenth century introduced plantations and neglected paddy and other food crop agriculture. this process was reversed from around the third decade of the twentieth century. paddy and food crop production became the centre of growth in the 1950′s and 1960′s. paddy production increased due to an area expansion and increases in yields with high yielding varieties adopted by farmers. consequently the country has achieved self-sufficiency in rice inspite of a threefold increase in population.
although the country has achieved much in these 70 years of independence, it has been inadequate to resolve pressing social and economic problems of poverty, unemployment and inadequate incomes for a significant proportion of the population. the lack of pragmatism in economic policy formulation, ineffectiveness in implementation of economic programmes, excessive opposition to reforms, irresponsible union actions, and indiscipline, deterioration in law and order, weakened public administration and inability to resolve the ethic crises have all enfeebled economic progress. other nations that were behind us have overtaken us. the pace of economic growth cannot be accelerated adequately until peace is achieved and our vision is focused on reforming political, cultural and social values.
the challenge before us in the years ahead is to consolidate these achievements, make qualitative improvements, catch up with the economic development of other countries and face the serious challenges especially in our external finances. national unity, social harmony, pragmatic policies and economic and social reforms are essential to achieve the government’s vision of being a rich and prosperous society in 2025.


text: Expansive Views of the Strawberry Mountains. 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home setting on a large lot. Lots of remodel has been done on this home.Beautiful Kitchen with hickory cabinets,tile floors,double ovens,range top,dishwasher,fridge & pantry.Large living room & dining room.Remodeled bathrooms,walk in tiled shower.Upstairs bedrooms & office have not been remodeled.Unfinished basement.Brand new Heat system installed.

lowercased: expansive views of the strawberry mountains. 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home setting on a large lot. lots of remodel has been done on this home.beautiful kitchen with hickory cabinets,tile floors,double ovens,range top,dishwasher,fridge & pantry.large living room & dining room.remodeled bathrooms,walk in tiled shower.upstairs bedrooms & office have not been remodeled.unfinished basement.brand new heat system installed.


text:
OverPanda developed 6 games, played 120 times.
Super Space Monkey	Infinite game where you must change colors in order to collect the right bear icons.
Witch Fly	Fly with the Flying witch to collect the magic crystals, but beware the evil bombs!
Color Blitz Retro Rated 5/5 based on 1 user ratings Simple infinite dynamic space shooter with stunning visuals.
Super Jumping Space Dog	Platformer game featuring a cute dog!
Super Jumping Caveman	Control the Caveman and grab as much coins as you can! Game is infinite and will test your spacial and jumping skills.

lowercased:
overpanda developed 6 games, played 120 times.
super space monkey	infinite game where you must change colors in order to collect the right bear icons.
witch fly	fly with the flying witch to collect the magic crystals, but beware the evil bombs!
color blitz retro rated 5/5 based on 1 user ratings simple infinite dynamic space shooter with stunning visuals.
super jumping space dog	platformer game featuring a cute dog!
super jumping caveman	control the caveman and grab as much coins as you can! game is infinite and will test your spacial and jumping skills.


text:
Justin Gatlin says he definitely thinks he is capable of bettering Usain Bolt's 9.58 world record in the 100m, while playing down suggestions that the big Jamaican is deliberately avoiding him. Gatlin was addressing members of he media ahead of today's IAAF Diamond League meet at the Stade Louis II.
The American, who faces a solid field, which includes countrymen Tyson Gay and Trayvon Bromell along with Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade and Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut, is also banking on Bolt rounding into top shape by the time the 100m and 200m finals come around at next month's World Championships in Beijing, noting that he thinks that will be the ideal time to face the six-time Olympic champion and reigning world double sprint champion.
Gatlin's last loss in either the 100m or 200m came in 2013, while there has been much doubt about Bolt's readiness after injury forced him out of the Paris and Lausanne Diamond League meets earlier this month.
"I always believe that, if one man can do it (run a record time), then another can do it, it opens up the door and that's how humans have been for years and decades," said Gatlin. "At the end of the day, I do think 9.58 is obtainable; it just takes the right time, the right day and the right opponents to push you through to such a magnificent record."
"Is he (Bolt) avoiding me? I don't think so. I think he is a great showman, he's the kind of guy that will wait until when its right, and hopefully Beijing and the 100m finals or the 200m will be the right time for us to put on a spectacular show.
"I think it's a great lead-up to a really good story and a really good race, so it's a highly anticipated bout that is to come. In the past, in 2012, he got beaten at his nationals in the 100m and 200m, but he went out there and prevailed in the 100m and 200m, so the guy knows how to step up," Gatlin added of Bolt. "I believe that he will be fit. He is the kind of guy who knows how to show up on the day."
Gatlin, who also brushed aside the IAAF's recent rule change that bars athletes - like himself, who have been charged with doping offences, from winning its end-of-year Athlete of the Year award, says he has been itching to break the 9.69 American record held by Gay.
"I don't run for awards, I run for medals so that doesn't matter to me," Gatlin insisted.
Besides Ashmeade, who himself will be looking to bounce back from a horrible 20.96 last-place finish in the 200m in Lausanne recently, Jamaica's interest will come in the women's 400m where national champion Christine Day and Commonwealth champion Stephenie-Ann McPherson will face American Francena McCorory and Brit Christine Ohuruogu.
US-born Jamaican athlete Aisha Praught will also feature in the women's 3000m steeplechase, where she is expected to be pacing for two kilometres, in what she considers important speed work ahead of her World Championships competition.
The men's triple jump will again put American Christian Taylor and Cuban Pedro Pablo Pichardo going at it in what should be another assault on the 18m mark, while veteran Dawn Harper-Nelson and youngsters Sharika Nelvis, Jasmin Stowers and Brianna Rollins will lock horns in the 100m hurdles.

lowercased:
justin gatlin says he definitely thinks he is capable of bettering usain bolt's 9.58 world record in the 100m, while playing down suggestions that the big jamaican is deliberately avoiding him. gatlin was addressing members of he media ahead of today's iaaf diamond league meet at the stade louis ii.
the american, who faces a solid field, which includes countrymen tyson gay and trayvon bromell along with jamaican nickel ashmeade and frenchman jimmy vicaut, is also banking on bolt rounding into top shape by the time the 100m and 200m finals come around at next month's world championships in beijing, noting that he thinks that will be the ideal time to face the six-time olympic champion and reigning world double sprint champion.
gatlin's last loss in either the 100m or 200m came in 2013, while there has been much doubt about bolt's readiness after injury forced him out of the paris and lausanne diamond league meets earlier this month.
"i always believe that, if one man can do it (run a record time), then another can do it, it opens up the door and that's how humans have been for years and decades," said gatlin. "at the end of the day, i do think 9.58 is obtainable; it just takes the right time, the right day and the right opponents to push you through to such a magnificent record."
"is he (bolt) avoiding me? i don't think so. i think he is a great showman, he's the kind of guy that will wait until when its right, and hopefully beijing and the 100m finals or the 200m will be the right time for us to put on a spectacular show.
"i think it's a great lead-up to a really good story and a really good race, so it's a highly anticipated bout that is to come. in the past, in 2012, he got beaten at his nationals in the 100m and 200m, but he went out there and prevailed in the 100m and 200m, so the guy knows how to step up," gatlin added of bolt. "i believe that he will be fit. he is the kind of guy who knows how to show up on the day."
gatlin, who also brushed aside the iaaf's recent rule change that bars athletes - like himself, who have been charged with doping offences, from winning its end-of-year athlete of the year award, says he has been itching to break the 9.69 american record held by gay.
"i don't run for awards, i run for medals so that doesn't matter to me," gatlin insisted.
besides ashmeade, who himself will be looking to bounce back from a horrible 20.96 last-place finish in the 200m in lausanne recently, jamaica's interest will come in the women's 400m where national champion christine day and commonwealth champion stephenie-ann mcpherson will face american francena mccorory and brit christine ohuruogu.
us-born jamaican athlete aisha praught will also feature in the women's 3000m steeplechase, where she is expected to be pacing for two kilometres, in what she considers important speed work ahead of her world championships competition.
the men's triple jump will again put american christian taylor and cuban pedro pablo pichardo going at it in what should be another assault on the 18m mark, while veteran dawn harper-nelson and youngsters sharika nelvis, jasmin stowers and brianna rollins will lock horns in the 100m hurdles.


text:
The frei öl® BODY OILS, which contain precious natural oils, nurture and support skin with individually selected active ingredients tailored to different skin needs.
frei öl® BODY OILS are a nourishing, blissful treat for the skin, because they provide ultra intensive care and are very well tolerated. Free of emulsifiers and preservatives, frei öl® BODY OILS, made from natural oils, supply the skin with valuable essential fatty acids and vitamins. They effectively support skin regeneration, which especially benefits the skin.
Our skin often has vastly different requirements. If the skin is dry, it needs care that strengthens the body’s own skin barrier and retains the moisture in the skin. Scars, stretch marks, pigmentation problems or pigment spots require effective skincare.
frei öl® Skincare Oil is ideally suited to meet these needs. Made from precious oils, it indulges dry skin and gives it a smooth and supple feeling. It is so effective that it even softens scars and stretch marks and improves uneven skin tones.
During the 9 month of pregnancy the skin needs a care product that will support it.
frei öl® Massage Oil for Pregnant Women, with its proven formula that has been trusted for many years, effectively prevents stretch marks, increases skin elasticity and soothes stressed skin.
If you want smooth and firm skin, frei öl® Shaping Oil is the perfect solution.
It smoothes and firms the skin, has an active anti-cellulite effect, nourishes skin and gives it a velvety-soft feeling. For new mothers, it is also an ideal companion during regeneration following pregnancy.
The frei öl® BODY OILS do not contain alcohol, colorants, preservatives, mineraloil (paraffin), PEG/PEG-derivatives or silicone.

lowercased:
the frei öl® body oils, which contain precious natural oils, nurture and support skin with individually selected active ingredients tailored to different skin needs.
frei öl® body oils are a nourishing, blissful treat for the skin, because they provide ultra intensive care and are very well tolerated. free of emulsifiers and preservatives, frei öl® body oils, made from natural oils, supply the skin with valuable essential fatty acids and vitamins. they effectively support skin regeneration, which especially benefits the skin.
our skin often has vastly different requirements. if the skin is dry, it needs care that strengthens the body’s own skin barrier and retains the moisture in the skin. scars, stretch marks, pigmentation problems or pigment spots require effective skincare.
frei öl® skincare oil is ideally suited to meet these needs. made from precious oils, it indulges dry skin and gives it a smooth and supple feeling. it is so effective that it even softens scars and stretch marks and improves uneven skin tones.
during the 9 month of pregnancy the skin needs a care product that will support it.
frei öl® massage oil for pregnant women, with its proven formula that has been trusted for many years, effectively prevents stretch marks, increases skin elasticity and soothes stressed skin.
if you want smooth and firm skin, frei öl® shaping oil is the perfect solution.
it smoothes and firms the skin, has an active anti-cellulite effect, nourishes skin and gives it a velvety-soft feeling. for new mothers, it is also an ideal companion during regeneration following pregnancy.
the frei öl® body oils do not contain alcohol, colorants, preservatives, mineraloil (paraffin), peg/peg-derivatives or silicone.


text:
Mortgage rates moved modestly lower today, despite an absence of improvement in underlying bond markets. Rates typically rise in this scenario, but this pattern has been more and more common recently. It's nothing too scandalous--or even terribly interesting. Lenders are simply less eager to follow every little juke and head-fake in bond markets when things have been so flat in the bigger picture. The summertime phenomenon only adds to the apathy.
The net effect is that lenders often find themselves with the need to adjust prices based on bond market movement in the previous business day. In the current case, that means lenders are getting caught up with Friday afternoon's bond market improvement, thus allowing for lower rates on a day where bonds are technically weaker.
The coming days bring increasingly important economic reports. These have the power to create more market movement than we saw at the end of last week and thus, a bigger change in mortgage rates, for better or worse. For now, things have been holding exceptionally steady with an average top tier 30yr fixed rate of 4.0%.

lowercased:
mortgage rates moved modestly lower today, despite an absence of improvement in underlying bond markets. rates typically rise in this scenario, but this pattern has been more and more common recently. it's nothing too scandalous--or even terribly interesting. lenders are simply less eager to follow every little juke and head-fake in bond markets when things have been so flat in the bigger picture. the summertime phenomenon only adds to the apathy.
the net effect is that lenders often find themselves with the need to adjust prices based on bond market movement in the previous business day. in the current case, that means lenders are getting caught up with friday afternoon's bond market improvement, thus allowing for lower rates on a day where bonds are technically weaker.
the coming days bring increasingly important economic reports. these have the power to create more market movement than we saw at the end of last week and thus, a bigger change in mortgage rates, for better or worse. for now, things have been holding exceptionally steady with an average top tier 30yr fixed rate of 4.0%.