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A brain tumor is a collection of damaged cells that multiply out of control within the brain. Also called a neoplasm, growth, mass, or lesion, a brain tumor is classified as either primary or secondary (metastatic), and can be benign or malignant.
- Primary brain tumors develop and generally remain in the brain.
- Secondary brain tumors, or metastatic brain tumors, are cancers that develop elsewhere in the body and spread to the brain. The most common cancers that spread to the brain are lung and breast cancers.
- Malignant brain tumors grow rapidly and invade other cells.
- Benign brain tumors generally do not grow rapidly. However, even benign tumors can be life-threatening. Being informed of the diagnosis of a brain tumor is difficult for families, but there are also reasons to be hopeful. Substantial progress had been made in the medical understanding of cancers in general, and advances in learning the biology of brain tumors is leading to more effective treatment. Many of these treatment options are discussed below.
According to the American Brain Tumor Association, an estimated 62,000 new cases of primary brain tumors are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Some research indicates that the number of primary brain tumors is rising, particularly in the elderly. Primary malignant brain tumors represent 2.4 percent of all deaths due to cancer in the U.S. However, nearly half of all primary brain tumors are benign and can be treated successfully. An additional 150,000 individuals are diagnosed with metastatic brain tumors each year. The frequency of metastatic brain tumors appears to be increasing: improvements in treating primary cancers elsewhere in the body allow people to live longer, but stray cancer cells can find their way to the brain. There are more than 100 types of brain tumors. Certain types of primary brain tumors most commonly occur in children, while others occur more frequently in adults. Adult brain tumors typically appear between the ages of 40 and 60 years, and occur slightly more often in men.
As tumor cells multiply within the brain, they can press against, irritate, and/or destroy normal brain tissue. As a result, brain tumors may cause symptoms such as:
- headaches
- seizures
- speech problems
- weakness
- poor vision
- pain or numbness
- movement problems
- paralysis
- nausea or vomiting
Brain tumors may cause feelings of tiredness or fatigue. In addition, brain tumors can cause problems with memory, reading, and talking. However, not everyone gets every symptom. About one-third of people with brain tumors have no symptoms at all.
Diagnosing Brain Tumors
Brain tumors may be diagnosed and evaluated using one or more of several different types of procedures:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Computerized tomography (CT)
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
- Biopsy
MRI, CT, and PET scanning are all ways to take pictures of the inside of the body. They do not require surgery. These procedures are discussed in more detail below.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
MRIs use an extremely strong magnet to produce images. With contrast-enhanced MRI, the patient is first injected with a dye that makes normal and tumor tissue display differently. If your loved one requires an MRI, be sure to tell the doctor of any history of allergies or drug reactions. Because the MRI uses a magnet, no metal can be brought into the room while the MRI is taking place. Patients who have pacemakers and/or metal implants cannot have an MRI.
Computerized tomography (CT)
A CT scan may be used for patients who cannot undergo MRI because they have pacemakers, metal implants, allergies, or claustrophobia.
CT scan machines take multiple x-rays of small areas of the brain from different angles. The computer then combines the scans to make a detailed, three-dimensional image.
Because iodine may be used as a contrast agent to enhance the image, you should tell the doctor if your loved one has any allergies, diabetes, asthma, a heart condition, kidney problems, or thyroid conditions.
Positron emission tomography scan (PET)
PET scans are sometimes used in addition to an MRI or CT to evaluate brain tumors. After receiving treatment for a brain tumor, PET scans can also be used to differentiate new tumor growth from scar tissue or necrosis (cells killed by radiation).
Biopsy is the surgical removal of a small piece of the tumor tissue. The tissue is studied to confirm the type of tumor, and to help the healthcare team outline a treatment plan.
Treating Brain Tumors
A range of options is considered in the treatment of brain tumors. Your healthcare team will design a plan to help treat the tumor and relieve any symptoms the brain tumor may be causing.
The following healthcare professionals may be part of the treatment team:
- Neurologist: a doctor who specializes in the management of patients with diseases of the brain and other parts of the nervous system.
- Neurosurgeon (or brain surgeon): a doctor who specializes in surgery of the brain and the rest of the nervous system.
- Neuro-oncologist: a doctor who specializes in the management of patients with brain tumors and other nervous system tumors.
- Neuropsychologist: a psychologist who specializes in how the brain works and the impact that damage to the brain has on the patient.
- Radiation oncologist: a doctor who specializes in the management of cancer patients and treats them with radiation therapy.
- Physical therapist: a healthcare provider who teaches and guides the patient through various exercises to prevent pain and restore function or help the patient to adapt to new physical limits.
- Speech-language pathologist or speech therapist: a healthcare provider who specializes in the treatment of communication and swallowing problems.
- Social worker: a healthcare provider who provides a wide range of services directly to persons with cancer and their families including counseling, support, and education.
The first treatment of choice, depending on the location and size of the tumor, is surgical removal of as much of the lesion as possible (also called resection). Surgery can also reduce symptoms caused by swelling in the skull. Improvement in surgical techniques in recent years has made surgery much safer; however, surgery always has risks that you and your loved one should discuss with the oncologist and neurosurgeon. Surgery may be followed by radiotherapy (see below) to help treat any remaining tumor cells. In deciding whether surgery is right for your loved one, your doctor will consider the size, location, and type of the tumor, overall health, and medical history.
Radiation Therapy or Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy is the use of painless x-rays which destroy tumor cells by making them unable to reproduce. Radiation may be used after surgery to prevent the tumor from coming back (recurrence), or to destroy tumor tissue that could not be completely removed. In cases where surgery is not an option, radiotherapy may be used instead of surgery to destroy tumor tissue or to relieve symptoms. Different types of radiotherapy are described below:
- Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) delivers an even dose of radiation to the entire brain. Whole brain radiotherapy is the preferred treatment for brain tumors, because it can treat small, undetectable tumors that may be developing in different areas of the brain. The advantages of whole brain radiotherapy are that it can treat large and small tumors, many tumors at the same time, and tumors deep in the brain that cannot be removed through surgery. Whole brain radiotherapy is often used to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence after surgery.
- Conventional external beam radiation is the most common form of radiation therapy. The beams are aimed at the tumor plus a small border of tissue around the tumor. Conventional external beam radiation therapy is painless, and is typically given in 15-minute visits over several weeks.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery is a more targeted form of radiation therapy, and is not actually surgery at all. It is called "radiosurgery" because it is so precise and focused. The equipment used for radiosurgery is generally referred to by its brand name, such as Gamma Knife®, XKnife®, or CyberKnifeTM. This form of therapy delivers a higher dose of radiation to a small tumor (usually 1.5 inches or less in diameter) in a single treatment session. Because this form of radiation targets the tumor more precisely, it is less likely to injure healthy tissue. Stereotactic radiosurgery treats only tumors that can be detected on MRI or CT scans.
Chemotherapy is the use of special drugs to kill tumor cells. Some chemotherapy drugs are given by mouth; others are given by injection. In some cases, chemotherapy may need to be given without stopping over a long period of time. In this case, a pump or catheter may be placed underneath the skin to deliver the drugs.
There is a chemically protective layer around the brain called the blood-brain barrier. This barrier can prevent the drugs or chemotherapy given by mouth or injection from reaching the brain. To solve this problem, new ways of giving chemotherapy are being developed to deliver the drug directly to the tumor. One example of this is chemotherapy wafer implants that are surgically implanted in the tumor site and deliver treatment over time. New drugs are also being developed that target specific abnormalities in the tumor cells. Referred to as "targeted treatments," this new generation of drugs forms the basis of personalized medicine.
Because chemotherapy affects both healthy cells and tumor cells, side effects can occur. These vary depending on the type of drug and the individual.
Treating the Symptoms
The following treatments can help with the symptoms of a brain tumor, such as headaches and nausea, although they will not actually help to remove the tumor or cure your loved one:
Steroids (Corticosteroids)
Brain tumors often produce swelling and inflammation inside the skull. This can cause headaches, sleepiness, and other problems. Steroids (corticosteroids), usually dexamethasone, reduce the swelling quickly and can improve mental functioning. Most patients feel better with short-term steroid medications; however, some will need to take steroids for more than a few months to control symptoms. If your loved one takes steroids as part of the treatment plan, be sure to tell the doctor or nurse about any changes in their health that you may notice. Steroids can cause side effects such as weight gain, increased appetite, insomnia, and irritability. Also, your loved one should speak with the doctor if they decide to stop taking steroids as stopping suddenly can be dangerous.
Anti-seizure medications (Anticonvulsants)
Medications may be given to help prevent seizures. These medications are called anti-seizure medications or anticonvulsants. There are several different anti-seizure medications available such as Keppra, Tegretol, Depakote, Neurontin, and phenobarbitol. If your loved one is taking an anti-seizure medication as part of the treatment plan and either it does not work or causes unpleasant side effects, the doctor can switch to a different medication.
Complementary therapies
Your loved one's medical treatment is carefully planned to control the disease and reduce the symptoms as much as possible. Many people seek out complementary therapies to help them feel better and cope with the stress of cancer. These therapies are not meant to replace the medical therapy, but may help your loved one to manage his or her symptoms. Complementary therapies for cancer may include stress management, relaxation and imagery training, meditation, group support, family counseling, nutrition, herbal medicine, massage, acupuncture, and education. Some cancer centers and hospitals offer these services for people with cancer, their families, and their caregivers.
Can Clinical Trials Help Your Loved One?
Clinical trials are research studies to test new treatments. For cancer research, a clinical trial might focus on medication, surgery, radiotherapy, a new type of therapy, or some combination of these. Benefits of participating in clinical trials include:
Some risks of participating in clinical trials include:
- Being among the first to receive a promising new treatment
- High-quality medical care
- Helping doctors understand more about cancer treatment, thus helping future cancer patients
Some risks of participating in clinical trials include:
- An experimental treatment may not be as good as standard care
- The new treatment may not work for your loved one
- Your loved one may be in the study group that does not receive the new treatment
Doctors are now investigating several treatments for brain tumors in clinical trials. Some new drugs are designed to increase the effectiveness of standard treatments, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Other new treatments are designed to change tumor cells, so that their growth is under control. There are many ways to find trials that might be appropriate for your loved one. Start by asking the doctor about what trials are available. Various organizations also provide lists of trials along with information about what is being tested, and where the trial is occurring. See the section below entitled Resources for information on how to contact these organizations. Be sure to check with your loved one's health insurance provider to see whether the costs of participating in the clinical trial are covered.
What Will Happen After Treatment?
After treatment, a patient's health is monitored closely. An MRI, CT, or other type of imaging scan may be done every so often to see if the treatment is working. Frequent physical exams will help the doctor find out if the cancer has returned or if side effects are a problem. Be sure to report any recurrence of symptoms or other changes in your loved one's health promptly to the doctor or nurse.
Issues for Caregivers
Q: What effects do brain tumors have on the mind, emotions, or personality?
Brain tumors can indeed affect the mind, emotions, and/or personality. Problems with memory, speech, and/or concentration may occur. Your loved one may face serious mental challenges with feelings of confusion. Moods may change, as may the way a person acts. Your loved one may have difficulty doing more than one task at a time. Various treatments may slow the progression of these symptoms, so check with the doctor about what treatments may help.
Be aware that a neuropsychologist can help with rehabilitation. In order to come up with an effective plan, the neuropsychologist will first do a series of tests to look at your loved one's emotions, behaviors, and mental abilities. Based on the results of the tests, one or more of the following may be recommended:
- Cognitive rehabilitation, which means treatment for mental difficulties
- Occupational rehabilitation, which is education and training about how to be able to continue working
- Counseling to deal with emotional changes
Q: How can the home be safer for my loved one with brain tumors?
Due to possible muscle weakness, changes in balance, and other considerations, the following may help make your home safer for your loved one:
- Put handrails in shower and bathtub
- Get a shower chair
- If the home is more than one story, consider putting your loved one's bed on the ground floor
- Consider getting a hospital bed
- Consider getting a portable toilet
Q: How can I cope emotionally?
As a caregiver, you may choose to receive counseling either to learn how to help your loved one deal with the mental changes they are having, or to learn to deal with your own reactions to changes in your loved one. This is a difficult time for everyone involved. While illness may bring people closer together, it may also cause tension, unhappiness, and stress. Here are some suggestions for coping:
- Find family members and friends who are willing to commit to helping you take care of your loved one.
- Involve those people in a caring community that provides both practical and emotional support to you and your loved one.
- Identify your strengths and the strengths of the others in your caring community.
- Take time off regularly! Caregiver burnout is a major concern.
- Get involved with outside groups and organizations that provide support and information for people with cancer and their caregivers.
Family Caregiver Alliance
National Center on Caregiving
(415) 434-3388 | (800) 445-8106
Website: www.caregiver.org
Email: [email protected]
FCA CareJourney: www.caregiver.org/carejourney
Family Care Navigator: www.caregiver.org/family-care-navigator
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) seeks to improve the quality of life for caregivers through education, services, research, and advocacy. Through its National Center on Caregiving, FCA offers information on social, public policy, and caregiving issues and provides assistance in the development of public and private caregiver programs. For residents of the greater San Francisco Bay Area, FCA provides direct support services for caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's, and other debilitating disorders that strike adults.
FCA Fact and Tip Sheets
A listing of all fact and tips is available online at www.caregiver.org/fact-sheets.
Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers
Caregiving at Home: A Guide to Community Resources
Other Organizations and Links
National Brain Tumor Society
The American Brain Tumor Association
Brain Science Foundation
This fact sheet was prepared by Family Caregiver Alliance and reviewed by Jennifer Westlund, MSW, Director, National Programs and Services with the American Brain Tumor Association. © 2011 Family Caregiver Alliance. All rights reserved.


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Guidelines for Developing Multiple Choice Questions
Exams serve several purposes. They...
- tell faculty if the learning outcomes have been achieved and to what degree.
- provide a means of evaluating a student for grading purposes.
- serve as an additional learning experience for the student, especially when well constructed.
Multiple choice questions are popular for a variety of reasons:
- They can measure various levels of knowledge and, if constructed well, higher-order thinking.
- They offer greater reliability than true-false items because the opportunity to guess is reduced.
- They allow teachers to more quickly analyze the results of an exam.
Multiple choice items consist of a stem and a set of options. The stem is the beginning statement that presents a problem to be solved, a question to be asked, or an incomplete statement to be completed, and any other pertinent information. The options are the possible answers to choose from, with the correct answer called the key and the incorrect answers called distracters.
To increase the validity and reliability of multiple choice questions, consider the following:
- Estimate that one multiple choice question will take approximately three minutes to answer.
- Address only one problem, concept, or task in the stem in a clear and succinct fashion.
- State the stem in positive terms, and avoid words like never, not, no, etc. If these words are used, italicize, bold or underline them to ensure that they are not overlooked.
- Avoid repetition and reading time by including in the stem any words that will be repeated in the options.
- Have only one clearly correct answer and two or three incorrect options (distracters or foils).
- Make the incorrect options "equally plausible and attractive. Absurd options only make guessing easier" (Nilson 201).
- Write the correct response without elaboration. In fact, students often view the longer or more elaborate option as correct because some instructors make it so. In other words, all options should be nearly equal in length.
- Use language students are familiar with (i.e., language used in class and in the homework).
- Minimize using "all of the above" or "none of the above." "'None of the above' is best for questions where students are asked to select the best answer" (Piontek 4). Using "all of the above" often results in students selecting it, especially if one option is correct and they think another one might be.
- Use each alternative (i.e., A, B, C, or D) about equally. When proofing your exam, check to see if either A, B, C, or D is often the answer, or if there is a pattern the students might try to figure out.
- Place options in a logical order (i.e., from the lowest to the highest number, in chronological order, etc.) This reduces having to read and reread the options multiple times.
For more tips on testing, see the CTE's self-paced, online workshop, Testing Techniques, and the following CTE Teaching Tips:
Nilson, L. Teaching At Its Best: A Research-Based Resource for College Instructors. 2nd ed. San Francisco: Anker, 2003. Print.
Piontek, M. "Best Practices for Designing and Grading Exams." CRLT Occasional Papers No. 24. Center for Research on Learning and Teaching. U. of Michigan, 2008. PDF file.
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Notes & Outlines 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS "By Dr. J. Vernon McGee © Thru the Bible Radio Network,http://www.ttb.org. "
(Audio index:MCGEECOMMENTARYAUDIO 1Thessalonians ) (Audio index:MCGEECOMMENTARYAUDIO 2Thessalonians )
WRITER: Paul
PLACE: Thessalonica was a Roman colony and very important in the life of the Roman Empire. It was located 100 miles west of Philippi and about 200 miles north of Athens. It was the chief city of Macedonia. Cicero said, "Thessalonica is in the bosom of the Empire." It was first named Therma because of hot springs in that area. In 316 B.C. Cassander (who succeeded Alexander the Great) named it in memory of his wife, Thessalonike, a half sister of Alexander the Great. Thessalonica is still in existence, and the present-day name is Salonika. The church in Thessalonica was a model church. Paul cited it to the Corinthians as an example (see kjv@1Thessalonians:1:7; kjv@2Corinthians:8:1-5).
OCCASION: This was the earliest epistle written by Paul. It was written from Athens or, more likely, Corinth on his second missionary journey. Paul had to leave Thessalonica "posthaste" due to the great opposition to the gospel. The enemy pursued him to Berea, and again Paul was forced to leave. He left Silas and Timothy at Berea and went on to Athens. It was evidently there that Timothy brought him word from the church in Thessalonica ( kjv@1Thessalonians:3:6), together with some questions that they had raised. Paul wrote his first epistle in response to their overture.
THEME: Although Paul was in Thessalonica less than a month kjv@Acts:17:2), he touched on many of the great doctrines of the church. Among them was the second coming of Christ. This theme was not above the heads of the new converts, according to the great apostle. The particular phase in the second coming of Christ which he emphasized was Christ's coming for believers. The second coming of Christ in relationship to believers is a comfort ( kjv@1Thessalonians:4:18). This aspect is quite different from His catastrophic and cataclysmic coming in glory to establish His kingdom by putting down all unrighteousness kjv@Revelation:19:11-16).
1. To confirm young converts in the elementary truth of the gospel.
2. To condition them to go on unto holy living.
3. To comfort them regarding the return of Christ. A heathen inscription in Thessalonica read: "After death no reviving, after the grave no meeting again."
I. The Christian's ATTITUDE toward the return of Christ, Chapter 1 (to serve…to wait…, kjv@1Thessalonians:1:9-10)
II. The Christian's REWARD at the return of Christ, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:2
III. The Christian's LIFE and the return of Christ, Chapters kjv@1Thessalonians:3:1—4:12
IV. The Christian's DEATH and the return of Christ, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:4:13-18
V. The Christian's ACTIONS in view of the return of Christ, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:5 (Note 22 specific commands to Christians, beginning at kjv@1Thessalonians:5:11.)
For this book I suggest two outlines. Each gives a needed emphasis that is not in the other.
I. Coming of Christ is an INSPIRING HOPE, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:1
A. Introduction, kjv@1Thessalonians:1:1-4
B. Gospel received in much assurance and much affliction, kjv@1Thessalonians:1:5-7
C. Gospel results, kjv@1Thessalonians:1:8-10
II. Coming of Christ is a WORKING HOPE, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:2
A. Motive and method of a true witness for Christ, kjv@1Thessalonians:2:1-6
B. Mother side of the apostle's ministry (comfort), kjv@1Thessalonians:2:7-9 C. Father side of the apostle's ministry (charge), kjv@1Thessalonians:2:10-13
D. Brother side of the apostle's ministry (challenge), kjv@1Thessalonians:2:14-16
E. Reward of a true witness for Christ, kjv@1Thessalonians:2:17-20
III. Coming of Christ is a PURIFYING HOPE, Chapters kjv@1Thessalonians:3:1—4:12
A. Timothy brings a good report of Thessalonians, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:3:1-8
B. Paul urges Thessalonians to continue to grow in faith, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:3:9-13
C. How believers are to walk, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:4:1-12
IV. Coming of Christ is a COMFORTING HOPE, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:4:13-18 (What death means to a Christian; what the Rapture means to the church.)
V. Coming of Christ is a ROUSING HOPE (leads to action), Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:5 (Dead believers are asleep in Jesus; living believers are awake for Jesus.)
A. Call to be awake and alert in view of Christ's coming, kjv@1Thessalonians:5:1-10
B. Commandments for Christians, kjv@1Thessalonians:5:11-28
I. Coming of Christ is an INSPIRING HOPE, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:1
A. Introduction, kjv@1Thessalonians:1:1-4
kjv@1Thessalonians:1:1 — Silas and Timothy had recently returned from Thessalonica with a good report and some questions for Paul to answer. The greeting is Paul's usual friendly greeting to a church that is spiritually sound. "Grace" (charis) is the Greek form of greeting. "Peace" (shalom) is the Hebrew greeting. We must know the grace of God before we can experience the peace of God. Grace is love in action.
kjv@1Thessalonians:1:2 — This is the same expression he directs to the Philippians (1:3), couched in different verbiage.
kjv@1Thessalonians:1:3 — Paul always associates these three Christian graces together: faith, love, hope (see kjv@1Corinthians:13). Faith seems to be in opposition to work; Faith produces works. Love seems to be in opposition to labor; Love produces labor. Hope seems to be in opposition to patience; Hope produces patience.
kjv@1Thessalonians:1:4 — "Election" — no one who was not running has ever been elected — God has no write-in candidates. Election is God's side of salvation. Our side is still "whosoever will" may come. God gives a legitimate and sincere offer of salvation. "Ho, every one that thirsteth…" kjv@Isaiah:55:1). (See author's book, Exploring Through Ephesians, pp. 14, 15.)
B. Gospel received in much assurance and much affliction, kjv@1Thessalonians:1:5-7
kjv@1Thessalonians:1:5 — Paul makes it clear that the gospel was given not only in word but in power and the Holy Spirit. Our Lord confirmed this method in kjv@John:16:7-11. Without the Holy Spirit, the gospel is mere words.
kjv@1Thessalonians:1:6 — Paul could cite Silas, Timothy and himself as examples. Paul puts together two experiences that the world cannot link together — affliction and joy.
kjv@1Thessalonians:1:7 — The Thessalonians were examples to all in Macedonia, and Paul cited them to the Corinthians.
C. Gospel results, kjv@1Thessalonians:1:8-10
kjv@1Thessalonians:1:8 — The example of the Thessalonians spread south to Greece.
kjv@1Thessalonians:1:9 — (1) "How ye turned to God from idols" is the "work of faith" ( kjv@1Thessalonians:1:3). Paul did not preach against idolatry. He presented Christ. When the Thessalonians turned to Christ, they automatically turned from idols. Their turning from idols was repentance. You cannot turn to Christ without turning from something. (2) "To serve the living and true God" is the "labor of love" (v. 3). The relationship between the heavenly Father and the believer who is a son of God is a love relationship. "We love him, because he first loved us" ( kjv@1John:4:19).
kjv@1Thessalonians:1:10 — (3) "To wait for his Son from heaven" is the patience of hope. All of this rests upon the resurrection of Jesus, and it delivers us from "the wrath to come" — which is the Great Tribulation. The patience of hope is to wait, not for wrath, but for Christ.
II. Coming of Christ is a WORKING HOPE, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:2
A. Motive and method of a true witness for Christ, kjv@1Thessalonians:2:1-6
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:1 — "In vain" means empty — without results. Paul was salt in Thessalonica — salt irritates; Paul was light in Thessalonica. He was there less than one month (see kjv@Acts:17:1-3). This, written up in any modern Christian publication, would bear one of these captions: "Paul Does It Again" or "What One Christian Did in Three Weeks" or "Paul Opens New Work in Thessalonica" or "Paul Turns World Upside Down."
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:2 — "Gospel of God" — note Paul's use of the word "gospel" (vv. 4, 8, 9). The commentary on this verse is found in kjv@Acts:17:5-10.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:3 — (1) "Deceit" means error — the content of the exhortation was not adulterated. (2) "Uncleanness" is sensuality; the intent was not motivated by greed. (3) "Guile" — his method was not wrong. Paul did not lower his standards to accommodate the prejudices and passions of the old nature.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:4 — "Allowed" is approved — he had been tested, he was no novice. Paul was not a man-pleaser; he never sought popularity.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:5 — He never flattered a prominent person; he did not play up to the rich; he did not butter up anyone. "Cloak of covetousness" is a cloak of many colors. It could be money, but more likely honor, fame or position.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:6 — Paul never sought position or honors. Preachers can be bought by the dozen with honorary degrees.
B. Mother side of the apostle's ministry (comfort), kjv@1Thessalonians:2:7-9
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:7 — "Nurse" is nursing mother, the word used for a mother bird.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:8 — "Dear" is beloved — Paul had a genuine love for believers. He was willing to die for the Thessalonian believers.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:9 — "Laboring night and day" — he was not a paid nurse who worked by the hour; he did not belong to the union.
C. Father side of the apostle's ministry (charge), kjv@1Thessalonians:2:10-13
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:10 — (1) "Holily" — careful discharge of duty to God. (2) "Justly" — careful discharge of duty to man. (3) "Unblamably" — no charge can be maintained against the apostle and his companions. A holy life does count.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:11 — (1) "Exhorted" (Greek parakaleo): came to the side of; helped, entreated, convicted (the same word is used for the Holy Spirit). (2) "Comforted" (KJV) is persuaded. (3) "Charged" has a note of severity, discipline; it is a virile, robust, firm, masculine word. "Father" indicates that this is the father side of his ministry.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:12 — "Walk worthy" (see kjv@Ephesians:4:1). "Kingdom" refers to the millennial kingdom. "Glory" refers to the eternal kingdom.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:13 — Note the supernatural character of the Word of God in two aspects: (1) How it is preached — minister; (2) How it is received — hearers.
D. Brother side of the apostle's ministry (challenge), kjv@1Thessalonians:2:14-16
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:14 — Churches in Judea had likewise suffered. Suffering is the glue that holds believers together. Today the church is coming unglued. Many are praying for revival, and it may take some great time of testing before revival can come.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:15 — Paul holds his own people responsible for the death of Jesus. He himself may have participated in the events that led to the crucifixion. The tables were turned when he became a believer.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:16 — God permits sin to run its full course. The cup of iniquity must be filled up to the brim.
E. Reward of a true witness for Christ, kjv@1Thessalonians:2:17-20
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:17 — Paul had a great desire to see the Thessalonians again.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:18 — Paul had spiritual discernment to see that it was Satan's strategy that kept him from returning to Thessalonica. "Satan" means adversary.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:19 — "Crown of rejoicing" is a victor's crown given to those who witness for Christ and win others. At the coming of Christ, the very presence of those who have been won by a witness will be in itself the crown of rejoicing.
kjv@1Thessalonians:2:20 — Paul's joy here (and hereafter) is the Thessalonian believers he had won.
III. Coming of Christ is a PURIFYING HOPE, Chapters kjv@1Thessalonians:3:1—4:12
A. Timothy brings a good report of Thessalonians, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:3:1-8
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:1-2 — Paul had to leave Thessalonica so quickly that there were many unfinished teachings he was not able to develop. He not only longs to return but wonders about the future of the believers. Paul longs to comfort them. He demonstrates a labor of love. Love is not affection; love seeks the welfare of another.
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:3 — Paul wants the Thessalonians to stand for the Lord in the midst of afflictions. A believer will not escape trouble. He is actually appointed to suffer kjv@John:16:33; kjv@2Timothy:3:12; kjv@1Peter:4:12-19).
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:4 — "Tribulation" is affliction. Since this epistle is eschatological in content, it might be well to note that this is an example of fulfilled prophecy. Paul predicts that the Thessalonians would endure afflictions. They had. The purpose of afflictions is to promote sanctification in the life of the believer.
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:5 — Afflictions also test the genuineness of the coin of belief. Paul recognizes that all professions of faith are not genuine. Afflictions reveal the genuine believer, and this is the occasion of his rejoicing.
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:6 — Timothy brings a good report from the Thessalonians and that they were enduring afflictions.
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:7 — Paul likewise is enduring afflictions, and the good report causes him to be comforted.
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:8 — "We live" means that, as believers, we enjoy life. "If" is since. It could be translated, "While ye are standing fast in the Lord we are happy."
B. Paul urges Thessalonians to continue to grow in faith, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:3:9-13
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:9 — "Joy" occurs twice in this verse. "Affliction" or "tribulation" occur three times in this chapter. Affliction increases the capacity of the heart for joy.
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:10 — "Lacking" — Paul's labor in Thessalonica had been suddenly and rudely interrupted. Paul longs to finish his work among them. "Faith" is doctrine.
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:11 — Paul is praying for a return visit to Thessalonica.
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:12 — "Abound" is exceed. "Love" is the Greek agape. Love is seen only in action in this epistle — "labor of love" (1:3). Again, love is not affection; love seeks the welfare of another.
kjv@1Thessalonians:3:13 — "To the end" — love is not an end in itself. Holiness is the end result in the life of a believer, which will not be fully attained until the return of Christ — "at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." "Unblamable" (see also kjv@1Thessalonians:2:10) means that no charge can be made. On a bulletin board outside a church was this question: "If you were tried in court as a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" A believer must one day appear before the judgment (Greek bema) seat of Christ, who will judge his works to see if there is to be a reward. Also, He judges character to see if there is something that must be corrected ( kjv@1John:2:28).
C. How believers are to walk, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:4:1-12
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:1-2 — The Ten Commandments have no part in a sinner's salvation. The Ten Commandments are not the standard for Christian conduct. There are commandments for believers (see 22 commandments in chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:5). If man could not keep the Ten Commandments kjv@Acts:15:10), how can he keep higher commandments? This can be attained only by an outside power (the Holy Spirit, kjv@1Thessalonians:4:8). See also kjv@Romans:8:3-4; kjv@Galatians:5:22-23. "Walk" — the walk of the believer is all important; he mentions it again in kjv@1Thessalonians:4:12. The walk is a parenthesis around this section. A believer cannot do as he pleases; he does as Christ pleases.
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:3 — Chastity is the subject in vv. 3-8. Immorality (see condemned. A child of God cannot live an immoral life. ASV) is
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:4-6 — A child of God cannot be sanctified when his relationship is immoral with the opposite sex — or dishonest with the same sex.
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:7 — A child of God cannot continue in sin (the prodigal son may get into the pig pen, but he cannot live in the pig pen).
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:8 — A child of God is indwelt by the Holy Spirit kjv@Romans:5:5 kjv@Romans:8:9; kjv@Galatians:5:5; kjv@Ephesians:2:22).
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:9 — Charity is the subject in vv. 9, 10. A believer must have love for the brethren — it comes supernaturally kjv@Galatians:5:22).
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:10 — This is the area of growth and development.
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:11 — Calmness is the subject here. "Study to be quiet" — only the Spirit of God conducts this type of school. (Man teaches how to speak.) Be ambitious to keep still is one translation. "Tend to your own business" is also a Christian virtue. "Work with your own hands" is a commandment for believers.
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:12 — "Walk honestly" is to gain the respect and confidence of mankind, as in kjv@1Thessalonians:4:1 where the walk is to please God.
IV. Coming of Christ is a COMFORTING HOPE, Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:4:13-18 (What death means to a Christian; what the Rapture means to the church)
This section has been labeled one of the most important prophetic passages in the Scriptures — and it surely is that. Actually, the primary consideration is not the Rapture, though this passage clearly teaches it. The question that Paul is answering is about believers who die before the Rapture. Paul had taught the young church in Thessalonica the truth of the imminent coming of Christ for His own. After Paul left Thessalonica there was evidently a time of lapse for several months, as he had gone to Berea, Athens, and then to Corinth. During this interval some of the believers had died. Had they missed the Rapture? Paul had not dealt with this aspect of the subject while he was with them. He now answers their specific question.
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:13 — "I would not have you to be ignorant" is Paul's diplomatic method of dealing with the ignorance of believers. He meant they were ignorant, but he does not speak that bluntly. "Who are asleep" is who are sleeping. "Sleeping" (Greek koimaomai) means lying sleep. This word is used for natural sleep also (see kjv@Luke:22:45; kjv@Acts:12:6). The same word is used for the death of the body — never the soul. The very nature of the word prevents use of the term "soul sleep." The death of a believer's body is called sleep because:
(1) A sleeping body and a dead body are similar. The sleeper does not cease to exist — the inference is that a dead person does not cease to exist. Sleep is temporary — death is also. Sleep has its waking; death has its resurrection.
(2) The word comes from the Greek keimai, which means to lie down. Only a body can lie down — certainly not a soul. By the same token, only the body is spoken of in resurrection. The word for "resurrection" is the Greek anastasis which means to stand up. A soul can neither lie down nor stand up!
(3) God created man (his body) out of the dust of the earth and breathed into him the breath (soul or spirit) of life; and man became a living soul (see kjv@Genesis:2:7). When man sinned, God pronounced this judgment: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. kjv@Genesis:3:19) The body returns to the dust, but the spirit returns to God who gave it. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God, who gave it. kjv@Ecclesiastes:12:7)
For a Christian, death means to be absent from the body and to be present or at home with the Lord. The body is merely a frail tent that is laid aside temporarily (see kjv@1Corinthians:15:51-54; kjv@2Corinthians:5:1-9; kjv@Philippians:1:23; kjv@1Thessalonians:5:23).
(4) Early Christians called the burying place for bodies a cemetery, derived from the Greek koimeterion, which means rest house for strangers; sleeping place. We call such a place a hotel or motel where we spend the night and rise up in the morning to continue our journey. "Even as others who have no hope" is even as the rest who have no hope. The pagan philosophy concerning death was dark and hopeless. Theocritus, a Greek poet of the third century B.C., wrote: "Hopes are among the living, the dead are without hope." Moschus, his contemporary, speaking of the plants that perish in the garden: "Alas alas…these live and spring again in another year; but we…when we die, deaf to all sound in the hollow earth, sleep a long, long endless sleep that knows no waking."
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:14 — "Jesus died" — not is sleeping. Jesus died a substitutionary, redemptive death in which He bore the penalty of sin. He cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" kjv@Matthew:27:46). Death means separation. In the Scriptures, the word "death" is used in three ways:
(1) Physical death, which is separation of the physical from the spiritual. Adam died physically 930 years after the fall.
(2) Spiritual death — Adam died spiritually the day he rebelled against God. He was then separated from God — without hope and without God in the world. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death unto life. kjv@John:5:24) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. kjv@John:11:25) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. kjv@Romans:8:6) And you hath he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. kjv@Ephesians:2:1)
(3) Eternal death — separation from God. This is the "second death" referred to in kjv@Revelation:20:14. "Sleep in Jesus" is fallen asleep in Jesus (physical death).
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:15 — "By the word of the Lord" indicates that it is a direct revelation from the Lord. "Prevent" (KJV) means to go before.
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:16 — "Shout" is a word of command. "Voice" — the voice of the shout is like that of an archangel, referring to the quality of the voice of the Son of God. It speaks of majesty and authority. "Trump of God" has no reference to the ridiculous thought that Gabriel blows a trumpet. Rather, the voice of the Lord Jesus is like a trumpet: I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. kjv@Revelation:1:10) This is not a trio but the solo voice of the Son of God. This was His method when He raised the dead — He spoke directly to them. He did not need an archangel or a trumpet to assist Him in raising the dead.
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:17 — Those who are living will not precede the dead, but the dead in Christ will go first. "Caught up" (Greek harpazo) means grasped hastily; snatched up; raptured; lifted and transported. To argue that the Scriptures do not teach the Rapture is merely to indulge in the subtle game of semantics. The Bible teaches the Rapture.
kjv@1Thessalonians:4:18 — This is a comfort to believers. The Tribulation is a terror to the world and would be for believers if we had to go through it.
V. Coming of Christ is a ROUSING HOPE (leads to action), Chapter kjv@1Thessalonians:5 (Dead believers are asleep in Jesus; living believers are awake for Jesus.)
A. Call to be awake and alert in view of Christ's coming, kjv@1Thessalonians:5:1-10
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:1 — "Times and the seasons" are not the property of the church. The church is looking for a person, not times and seasons.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:2 — "Day of the Lord" is a period of time that begins with the Great Tribulation and continues through the Millennium. It relates to the nation Israel kjv@Isaiah:2:11-12; kjv@Joel:2:1-2).
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:3 — The world will think it is entering the Millennium, but in reality it will be entering the Great Tribulation. This is the false peace of Antichrist.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:4 — The Lord does not come to the church as a thief in the night.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:5 — The church is made up of children of light kjv@Philippians:2:15).
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:6-7 — This is for the children of light. It is a call to be awake.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:8 — A call to soldier duty (see author's book, Exploring Through Ephesians, pp. 76-79).
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:9 — "Wrath" evidently refers to the Great Tribulation, the "great day of his wrath" kjv@Revelation:6:17). Believers are promised deliverance from it by the Lord Jesus Christ.
B. Commandments for Christians, kjv@1Thessalonians:5:11-28 (There are 22.)
FIX THIS kjv@1Thessalonians:5:11 — Encourage one another. (1) "Comfort encourage yourselves."
(2) "Edify build up one another."
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:12 — (3) Understand those who teach the Word — duty to pastor. If you can't support the pastor, leave the church. "Esteem" (respect) the teacher. "Be at peace" — there should be peace among believers. "Warn them that are unruly" (those out of step). "Encourage the fainthearted" — help them to get in step.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:13 — (4)
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:14 — (6)
(7) (8)
"Support the weak" — they cannot get in step. "Be patient toward all men" — don't lose your temper.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:15 — (10) Don't fight one another.
(11) Follow Captain Good.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:16 — (12) "Rejoice evermore always" ("happy" is not a New Testament word).
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:17 — (13) "Pray without ceasing constantly" — this is more than an attitude.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:18 — (14) Give thanks in all circumstances — not once a year on Thanksgiving Day.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:19 — (15) The Holy Spirit is likened to a fire. To quench the Spirit means to refuse to do the will of God, refuse to let the Holy Spirit have His way.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:20 — (16) Do not look down upon Bible study as something beneath you. Do not be indifferent to the Word of God.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:21 — (17) Do not be credulous, taken in by flattery ( kjv@2John:7,10, 11).
(18) Hold to that which is true and genuine.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:22 — (19) This is the answer for the questionable pastime.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:23 — Man is a triune being — body, soul (mind), and spirit.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:24 — You can depend upon God.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:25 — (20) Pray for those who labor in the gospel.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:26 — (21) A handshake will do.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:27 — (22) This epistle is to be read in the church.
kjv@1Thessalonians:5:28 — Paul is brief and to the point. This section is practical. We need to watch our step as we look up for the coming of Christ.
WRITER: Paul
DATE: A.D. 52-53 (The second epistle followed shortly after the first)
OCCASION: The first letter to the Thessalonians gave rise to further questions, and Paul is attempting to answer these. There was circulating in the Thessalonian church a letter or report, purported to have come from Paul, which was inclined to disturb the Christians. This false report claimed that Christ had already come and had already gathered out the church to Himself and that the world was then living in the judgments of the "day of the Lord." Their present persecutions confirmed this false report. Paul attempts to allay their fears by stating definitely that "our gathering together unto him" is yet future ( kjv@2Thessalonians:2:1) and that "the day of the Lord" has certain forerunners which must first come. The apostasy and the "man of sin" must come first; the removal of the remnant of believers at "our gathering together unto him" makes the apostasy in the professing church 100% kjv@Luke:18:8). Every era of persecution or trouble has given rise to the false impression that the church is going through the time of judgment which Christ identified as the "great tribulation" kjv@Matthew:24:21). This period has been so clearly identified by Christ that there is no reason for getting panicky or being stampeded into an unwarranted position. Christ said that there is coming a small interval which will be blocked off by "such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be" kjv@Matthew:24:21). Nothing like it has taken place before, and nothing like it will ever take place afterward. Has there ever been such a period of unparalleled trouble? The answer is obvious.
THEME: The first epistle to the Thessalonians deals with the Rapture, Christ's coming for believers. The second epistle relates the return of Christ to that phase where He returns to the earth in judgment and where one of the accomplishments is in connection with the "man of sin," whom He "shall destroy with the brightness of his coming" ( kjv@2Thessalonians:2:8). These two aspects are clearly delineated. The interval between these two phases is the Great Tribulation, which can be further identified with the 70th week of kjv@Daniel:9 as a period of seven years. THE DAY OF THE LORD: This is the phrase which occurs in kjv@2Thessalonians:2:2 (incorrectly translated "the day of Christ" in the Authorized Version). It is an Old Testament phrase with definite connotations. It occurs in the writings of the Old Testament prophets where it relates to the future kingdom promised in the Old Testament. The day of Christ is a New Testament expression ( kjv@1Corinthians:1:8); it relates here to the future of the church. The day of the Lord is connected with the coming of Christ as it relates to the setting up of the kingdom. The day of Christ is connected with the coming of Christ for the church. Whatever else is implied in these two statements, certainly this is basic. The teaching in 1 Thessalonians is that the saints who have died will have part in Christ's coming for His living saints; in 2 Thessalonians it is that the saints who are alive will not have part in the Great Tribulation. The return of Christ has a peculiar and precious meaning for His saints.
I. PERSECUTION of believers now; judgment of unbelievers hereafter (at coming of Christ), Chapter kjv@2Thessalonians:1
A. Introduction, kjv@2Thessalonians:1:1-2
B. Persecution of believers and fruits of it, kjv@2Thessalonians:1:3-7
C. Judgment of wicked at coming of Christ, kjv@2Thessalonians:1:8-12
II. PROGRAM for world in connection with coming of Christ, Chapter kjv@2Thessalonians:2:1-12
A. Rapture occurs first, kjv@2Thessalonians:2:1
B. Day of the Lord follows; introduced by total apostasy and appearance of man of sin, kjv@2Thessalonians:2:2-5
C. Mystery of lawlessness working today; lawless one restrained by Holy Spirit, kjv@2Thessalonians:2:6-8
D. Lawless one to appear in Great Tribulation period, kjv@2Thessalonians:2:9-12
III. PRACTICALITY of coming of Christ, Chapters kjv@2Thessalonians:2:13—3:18
A. Believers should be established in the WORD, Chapter kjv@2Thessalonians:2:13-17
B. Believers should be established in their WALK, Chapter kjv@2Thessalonians:3:1-7
C. Believers should be established in their WORK, Chapter kjv@2Thessalonians:3:8-18
I. PERSECUTION of believers now; judgment of unbelievers hereafter (at coming of Christ, Chapter kjv@2Thessalonians:1
A. Introduction, kjv@2Thessalonians:1:1-2 The greeting is Paul's usual friendly greeting to a church that is spiritually sound.
B. Persecution of believers and fruits of it, kjv@2Thessalonians:1:13-7
kjv@2Thessalonians:1:13 — In the midst of severe persecution that the church in Thessalonica was enduring, they were growing and abounding, increasing in faith and love. Paul will encourage them in the hope of believers.
kjv@2Thessalonians:1:14 — The Thessalonian believers were an example to other churches in patience and faith. Persecution produced these fruits. "Tribulation trouble worketh patience" kjv@Romans:5:3). See also kjv@Romans:12:12.
kjv@2Thessalonians:1:15 — See kjv@Romans:8:17; kjv@2Corinthians:4:8 kjv@2Corinthians:7:5.
kjv@2Thessalonians:1:16 — God is righteous in sending the Great Tribulation. It is a judgment of sinners.
kjv@2Thessalonians:1:17 — "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" kjv@Romans:12:19).
C. Judgment of wicked at coming of Christ, vv. 8-12
kjv@2Thessalonians:1:18 — Very little is said in the Scriptures about the condition of the lost — nothing to satisfy a morbid curiosity or to incite revenge. Christ said more about hell than did anyone else. There is a restrained reticence in Scripture.
The lost are those who:
(1) "Know not God." Jesus said, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. kjv@John:17:3)
(2) "Obey not the gospel." Jesus answered, and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. kjv@John:6:29)
kjv@2Thessalonians:1:19 — Countless numbers of folk are plunging into an awful eternity. Soft music, colorful flowers, and eulogistic words cannot destroy the rough reality of hell.
kjv@2Thessalonians:1:10 — The coming of Christ to the earth in judgment will justify the believers and glorify the Savior.
kjv@2Thessalonians:1:11 — God had a purpose and plan in the lives of the Thessalonian believers.
kjv@2Thessalonians:1:12 — The coming of Christ to the earth will bring glory both to Christ and to the church.
II. PROGRAM for world in connection with coming of Christ, Chapter kjv@2Thessalonians:2:1-12
A. Rapture occurs first, kjv@2Thessalonians:2:1
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:1 — "The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" and "our gathering together unto him" is the Rapture.
B. Day of the Lord follows; introduced by total apostasy and appearance of man of sin, kjv@2Thessalonians:2:2-5
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:2 — "Day of Christ" (KJV) is an unfortunate translation — it should be "day of the Lord." The "day of Christ" is this present age of grace, the church age (see kjv@1Corinthians:1:8; kjv@Philippians:1:6 kjv@Philippians:1:10 kjv@Philippians:2:16). "The day of the Lord" is a technical phrase that speaks of the period beginning with the Great Tribulation and continuing through the Millennium (see kjv@Acts:2:20; kjv@2Peter:3:10; kjv@Revelation:6:17). The day of the Lord begins when the day of Christ ends. The day of the Lord begins after the Rapture. The Thessalonians had a false report (which supposedly had originated with Paul) that the day of the Lord had already come, which would have meant, of course, that they had missed the Rapture.
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:3 — Paul puts down two signs of the day of the Lord: (1) "A falling away" which is apostasy kjv@Hebrews:3:12); (2) The revelation of the "man of sin" (the lawless one, kjv@2Thessalonians:2:8). The sin of man leads to the man of sin.
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:4 — The lawless one is the final representative of man in his open opposition and rebellion against God. He himself actually assumes the place of God kjv@Isaiah:14:12-15; kjv@Revelation:13:5-6, kjv@Revelation:13:15-18). This is the "little horn" of kjv@Daniel:7:5 — Paul had taught the Thessalonian believers these eschatological truths in the brief interval covering 3 sabbaths that he was with them.
C. Mystery of lawlessness working today; lawless one restrained by Holy Spirit, kjv@2Thessalonians:2:6-8
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:6 — The one who "restraineth" we believe to be the Holy Spirit.
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:7 — "Let" (KJV) means hinder. The Holy Spirit alone can hinder the development of evil since it is satanic and supernatural.
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:8 — "Wicked" is more accurately lawless. The lawless one will be revealed in the Great Tribulation. Christ will destroy him when He comes to the earth kjv@Revelation:19:20).
D. Lawless one to appear in Great Tribulation period, kjv@2Thessalonians:2:9-12
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:9 — The lawless one will be a miracle worker. "Power" is dunamis — physical power whose source is supernatural. "Signs" — tokens, the purpose of which is to appeal to the understanding. "Lying wonders" produce an effect upon observers.
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:10-11 — God sends strong delusion to believe a lie only to those who heard but would not have the truth.
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:12 — These will be judged because they rejected the truth.
III. PRACTICALITY of coming of Christ, Chapters kjv@2Thessalonians:2:13—3:18 In light of the knowledge of future events, the believer should live a life that demonstrates that he believes in the coming of Christ.
A. Believers should be established in the WORD, Chapter kjv@2Thessalonians:2:13-17
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:13-14 — The total spectrum of salvation is in these two verses: (1) "Chosen…to salvation," (2) "Sanctification of the Spirit," (3) "Belief of the truth" — growth is through the study of the Word, (4) "Glory" kjv@Colossians:1:27) — this refers to the Rapture ( kjv@1John:3:2).
kjv@2Thessalonians:2:15-17 — The Word enables a believer to stand and be stable. The Word brings consolation and comfort. The Word and work are interrelated. The study of the Word leads to the work of the Lord.
B. Believers should be established in their WALK, Chapter kjv@2Thessalonians:3:1-7
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:1-4 — The Word enables the believer to walk before the wicked. The Word establishes a believer in his walk.
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:5 — The believer is to walk in the love of God and in a patient waiting for the coming of Christ.
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:6 — The believer is not to walk with the disorderly.
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:7 — The believer is to walk as a follower of the apostle.
C. Believers should be established in their WORK, Chapter kjv@2Thessalonians:3:8-18
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:8 — Christian workers earned their own bread and paid their own way.
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:9 — They did this as an example to the believers in Thessalonica.
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:10 — A believer who is looking for the Lord to come is not a dreamer, but a worker. "No work — no food" is the rule laid down by the apostle.
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:11 — Some are working in the wrong way — they are busybodies.
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:12 — They are commanded to work for their own bread.
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:13 — A believer who holds the blessed hope should not grow weary in working for the Lord.
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:14 — A believer who holds the blessed hope is obedient to the Word. If he is not, he is to be avoided.
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:15 — An attempt should be made to win the wayward brother.
kjv@2Thessalonians:3:16-18 — Paul's benediction. The study of prophecy brings peace to the heart. It does not lead to fanaticism or laziness.
These notes, prepared by J. Vernon McGee, are for the purpose of giving assistance to the listeners of the THRU THE BIBLE RADIO program. They are to be used with the Bible and will be more meaningful as you look up all the Scripture references. Due to the necessary brevity of both notes and broadcasts, a list of recommended books is included for those wanting a more detailed study. These books may be obtained from a Christian library or bookstore or ordered from the publishers.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS ON 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS: Hiebert, D. Edmond. The Thessalonian Epistles, A Call to Readiness. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1971. (An excellent, comprehensive treatment.) Hogg, C. F. and Vine, W. E. The Epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 1914. (An excellent, comprehensive treatment.) Ironside, H. A. Addresses on I and II Thessalonians. Neptune, New Jersey: Loizeaux Brothers, n.d. Kelly, William. The Epistles to the Thessalonians. Oak Park, Illinois: Bible Truth Publishers, 1893. MacDonald, William. Letters to the Thessalonians. Kansas City, Missouri: Walterick Publishers, 1969. Ryrie, Charles C. First and Second Thessalonians. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1959. (Fine, inexpensive survey.) Walvoord, John F. The Thessalonian Epistles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1955. HELPFUL BOOKS ON BIBLE PROPHECY: Hoyt, Herman A. The End Times. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1969. Pentecost, J. Dwight. Prophecy For Today. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1961. Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1958. Ryrie, Charles C. The Basis of the Premillennial Faith. Neptune, New Jersey: Loizeaux Brothers, 1953. Ryrie, Charles C. The Best is Yet to Come. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1976. Ryrie, Charles C. The Bible and Tomorrow's News. Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, 1969. Sauer, Erich. From Eternity to Eternity. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1954. Tatford, Frederick A. God's Program of the Ages. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, n.d. Walvoord, John F. Armageddon, Oil, and the Middle East Crisis. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1974. Walvoord, John F. The Millennial Kingdom. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1959. Walvoord, John F. The Rapture Question. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1957. Revised and enlarged, 1980. Wood, Leon J. The Bible and Future Events. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1973.
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The Fox Golf Club
15058 Elginfield Road, R.R. #3
Granton, ON N0M 1V0
Phone: (888) 833-8787
Fax: (705) 443-4267
The Fox Golf Club warmly welcomes you to our golf facility just north of London, Ontario. Come relax and enjoy our 18 hole links-style golf course, which is a delight to play, time and time again. Featuring 18 holes of challenging golf for the beginner and professional golfer alike, The Fox Golf Club will give you a day of enjoyment and satisfaction.
The Fox is a beautifully maintained course where each hole offers groomed fairways, challenging rough and undulating greens with water traps, grass traps, carefully placed trees and dog-leg fairways to test your golfing ability. If this sounds like the place for you, then TheFox Golf Club should be at the top of your list of golf courses to play this year.
The Fox Golf Club is a great facility to host your upcoming golf tournament. We offer packages for small group outings and full tournament participation with banquet facilities to feed your hungry golfers. Be sure to visit the tournament page for more information on letting us host your next event.
Our practice facility is open and ready to help with all your golfing needs. There are two greens to practice your chipping and putting and a 350 yard driving range for all your other shots. The sand trap practice area will be finished shortly. Instruction is available on all aspects of your game and can be arranged through the pro shop.
Dining is one of our specialties. Our club house is ready to serve up your dining needs, whether it's a hot dog or a full course meal, come dine with us. We also have a fully stocked bar to compliment your meal or just to have a beer between nines.
Men's League is looking for new members. You can be a member of the FOX Golf Club or a non-member and green fee your way around the course. Everyone is welcome to join. Details are in the Events column / League. What a great way to spend Thursdays throughout the summer.
The Fox is open to the public and offers a great place to unwind from the stress of the day. We try to create a welcoming atmosphere with friendly personable staff. See you on the course!


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If you have an upcoming birthday or bridal shower, then consider decorating it with tissue garland. With just a few party supplies from your local Dollar Tree, you can create this DIY banner in a matter of hours.
All the Steps
To get started, you'll first need to gather your supplies. This includes a variety of multicolored tissue paper, decorative washi tape, craft scissors, and matching ribbon. Once you've selected everything, you'll need to fold all your tissue paper in half lengthwise and then once widthwise. Then, cut approximately 1-inch strips, leaving at least 1 inch of space at the top. Next, you'll unfold the tissue paper once and cut it in half, creating two separate tassels. Unfold each piece again, and then you'll roll each one down the middle — where your crease line is from the fold — and then twist it. This will double the thickness of your new tassel and create a loop.
Once you've done this, grab your washi tape and wrap it around the bottom of the loop to ensure it stays in place. Repeat these steps until you've created the desired amount, and then string all the tassels onto your ribbon. Then, simply hang your new banner anywhere you like!
Create Your Own Party Decor Today!
To create your custom banner, visit your local Dollar Tree store today for all the best deals on party supplies. For more DIY tips and tricks, visit their blog online.


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Investors are braced for a clear-out of BP's leadership once its leaking oil well in the Gulf of Mexico is capped, which could come in the next few weeks, according to several leading shareholders and people close to the group.
Carl-Henric Svanberg, the Swedish chairman, is being singled out for criticism by shareholders for his perceived lack of decisive leadership during the crisis and his failure to support Tony Hayward, the embattled chief executive.
While there is more support for Mr Hayward, investors are resigned to his departure as part of a comprehensive plan to restore the company's reputation and protect its independence. One top 10 UK shareholder said: "When this is over there will be a full investigation, and we would expect some action to replace the top team."
The management shake-up could be rolled up with a capital raising such as a bond issue or an investment from a strategic shareholder, according to one person close to BP.
Pressure for change is building in the run-up to BP's second-quarter earnings on July 27, when the company will make a statement about the liabilities it faces as a result of the spill, likely to run into tens of billions of dollars.
Without decisive action to set the company on an even keel, BP could be vulnerable to an opportunistic bid from a rival such as ExxonMobil or Royal Dutch Shell or an approach from a Chinese group such as PetroChina, according to one person working on the company's strategy.
A critical point for the company will be when the relief wells allow the leaking Macondo well to be killed, which is scheduled for August. That will end much of the uncertainty about the costs that BP will face and should enable the company to regain the initiative, helped by a management shake-up.
Many UK investors, including M&G and Standard Life Investments, have expressed support for Mr Hayward, who has been vilified in the US. Most large shareholders say a change of chief executive would be disruptive while BP is still battling to plug the well.
Last month, Bob Dudley, BP's managing director for the Americas and Asia, took over the company's effort to fight the spill from Mr Hayward, and he is seen as the leading candidate to replace him. A US citizen, he has impressed observers with his handling of the American media and lawmakers. (Timeline of the Oil Spill.)
In the past three weeks, Mr Svanberg has played a more prominent role, leading a BP delegation to the White House to agree a $20bn (£13bn) fund to compensate victims of the spill.
One of Mr Svanberg's defenders said on Friday he was being undermined by "tittle-tattle" and tabloid allegations about his private life.
However, some investors said he failed to impress at meetings last week. One representative described reactions to him as "very mixed". One investor said: "Mr Svanberg does not command the total support of shareholders. There are a lot of shareholders who would be happier to see Mr Svanberg go first."
The most likely replacements for Mr Svanberg are also American. Some shareholders favour Chip Goodyear, the former chief executive of BHP Billiton, who left Temasek, the Singapore wealth fund, shortly after he was appointed to run it.
Among existing board members, the strongest contender is Paul Anderson, another former chief executive of BHP, who joined the BP board this year.


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What Should Your Property Be Renting For? Understandably choosing the right Adelaide property management company to manage your investment property is a big decision.
If you are not getting the best possible rent for your property you are simply not maximsing your property investment returns.
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Leaders in Adelaide property management for over 25 years Centrally located in North Adelaide, we provide property management services throughout the Adelaide Metropolitan Area. Our Property Management team is amongst the most experienced in Adelaide is supported by a specialist leasing management team that consistently provides our landlords with expert service and low vacancy rates.
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Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally.So some, but not others, got respectful treatment. That doesn't make the behavior better. It makes it worse. It's discriminatory.
I didn't know about these other offenses: I did not know about his financial settlements with actresses and colleagues; I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts.Why didn't you know what was convenient for you not to know? Was it willful blindness? Did you have any hints, but avoid learning these details? If so, you had an obvious self-interest in standing aloof. You could, on the other hand, just be lying, but for the sake of argument, I'm assuming that the statement is true and looking at the ways in which it is cagey and self-protective.
And If everybody knew, I don't believe that all the investigative reporters in the entertainment and the hard news media would have neglected for decades to write about it.The cagiest part of this writing is the phrase "everybody knew." If only one person didn't know, then not everybody knew. So it's easy to stand firmly on the trivial technicality that not everybody knew... especially since so many people had a personal interest in staying in the dark and not following up on the clues. But many people knew, and yet the matter was suppressed for many years. The "investigative reporters in the entertainment and the hard news media" were neglectful, and the failure of everybody to know doesn't overcome the inference of neglect. And, indeed, there is neglect in the not knowing in some cases, such as, perhaps, yours, Meryl Streep.
The behavior is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar. Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game.Blech. You should have spoken out when it mattered. Before the bubble burst. Speak out about somebody else. The abuse of power is familiar, you say. All right, then. You there on the inside, Meryl, you raise your brave voice, if you have one. Otherwise, this after-the-fact statement is just an inadequate effort to cover your own ass and of a piece with the ignorance of the facts that served your interest before the story hit the news.


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General Guidelines for Developing Exams
Exams can provide valuable feedback about student learning and the effectiveness of our teaching. Therefore, crafting quality exams is essential to evaluating achievement and to ensuring that students view exams as fair and meaningful. The following guidelines are provided to assist in creating valid exams:
- Test early in the semester and often. Students need feedback to improve their performance. In addition, frequent encounters with the content provide more opportunities for success and reduce the impact of a single poor performance (Nilson 282).
- Draft exam questions soon after class, while the content is still fresh in your mind. This practice keeps you on top of test construction, which is a time-intensive task (Nilson 282).
- Test on what you teach. In other words, test items should reflect what has been emphasized in class and in assignments. Likewise, if you test at the application and analysis levels (i.e., levels 3 and 4 of Bloom's Taxonomy "Revised"), in- and out-of-class learning activities should be designed to provide opportunities for students to apply what they are learning and to solve problems.
- Keep in mind that what is tested on is what students will perceive as most important. Avoid testing on trivia.
- Write test items clearly. Use terminology that students understand.
- Group like-items together (i.e., multiple-choice, true-false, etc.).
- Place less taxing items at the beginning of the test to reduce anxiety and build student's confidence (Nilson 282).
- Prepare written instructions carefully for each section of the test and include information such as how long students will have to take the test, the point value for various items, whether to show their work, etc. Do not assume students will remember what was said or what is in your syllabus (Nilson 282).
- Take a break or "sleep on it" after developing an exam so that you can later objectively critique it.
- Proof the exam for grammar, spelling, format consistency, adequate answer space, and splitting test questions (i.e., starting a test question on one page and continuing it on the next). Better yet, have a colleague proof your exam and offer to return the favor (Nilson 282-283).
- Take the exam yourself for two reasons: To view it from a student's perspective and to determine how long it will take students to complete. The general rule is to allow students three times as long as it takes you.
Nilson, L. Teaching At Its Best: A Research-Based Resource for College Instructors. 3rd ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2010. Print.
"Bloom's Taxonomy "Revised" Key Words, Model Questions, & Instructional Strategies." Office for Professional Development. Indianapolis: Indiana U.-Purdue U., 2002. PDF file.
Piontek, M. "Best Practices for Designing and Grading Exams." CRLT Occasional Papers No. 24. Center for Research on Learning and Teach
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Armageddon Riders on PlayStation 3 is a thrilling journey through an apocalyptic land ruled by criminals, street racers and, worst of all, zombies.
The fast paced action and dazzling motion blur techniques envelop you with a brilliant sense of speed, while the game's superb attention to detail completes the feeling of driving within a ravaged settlement. Buildings are wrecks, torn newspapers litter the roads, brittle signs, shelters and lamp posts collapse convincingly. The undead stagger through the streets, attacking at the slightest opportunity while your car becomes increasingly dented and damaged due to any collisions you suffer - not to mention the gruesome mess accumulated from severed zombie parts...
Tutorials are available to guide you through the large variety of missions, while the open city gives you the perfect playground to practise your driving, making Armageddon Riders a very easy game to get into. With galleries, trophies and other bonuses to unlock, there's a lot to grab your attention and make sure your first ride isn't your last.
There's nothing like the open road of an empty city, the joyful screech of tyres and the sound of... groaning zombies? Armageddon Riders on PlayStation 3 straps you behind the wheel of a fast vehicle trapped in a zombie plagued land following fatal accident at the world's largest and highest-energy particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider. The world is reduced to a lawless wilderness where only the drivers of the meanest machines can survive - which is your cue to battle through a dead city and take part in dozens of missions against the zombie masses and marauding opportunists.
From protecting other drivers, to enjoying blistering races around the city, Armageddon Riders is an addictive joyride that perfectly blends racing and on road battles. With a huge variety of missions, you'll find yourself smashing through zombies in one objective and then gathering rare artefacts in the next. Set against the backdrop of a city full of the undead, cruising around the desolate streets is always entertaining as you take in the destruction while collecting bonuses that unlock new missions and vehicles.
Should you find certain objectives too tough you can buy new vehicles or upgrade your current machine if you have enough cash. Cash is gained by completing missions or collecting bonuses around the city and your killing machine can be equipped with extras such as deadly spikes, front guards capable of grinding zombies, as well as spaceship boosters to give your car that extra bit of speed.
No matter what you choose, Armageddon Riders is a game that offers hours of entertainment and a wonderful feeling of liberation. Compelling street racing smashing head first into brutal combat action - all without the fear that comes with a real zombie apocalypse. What more could you want?
Armageddon Riders on PlayStation 3 is all about high speed freedom in a world gone to pieces - but there's no need to tackle it alone. A split screen, two player mode allows you to race around the zombie laden city with a friend to compete against each other or team up in a variety of missions.
The single player objectives take a brilliant new slant when you're with a friend. Suddenly you're both racing for the same artefacts or trying to help each other protect another driver. Communication is the key to successfully completing co-operative missions, while friendly taunts are just as essential when you go head-to-head. As other drivers and zombies are all still present, even the few laps of a circuit race can become a deadly drive, so it's not just about watching your friend - the dangers of the city keep you on your toes, too.
Downloadable from PlayStation Store, Armageddon Riders is an ideal PlayStation Network game for two players. It's fast, frantic and fun, providing perfect pick up and play action anyone can enjoy.


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Government employees need to be wary of operating technology when they're working late and are tired. That goes for tasks as simple as pushing a button or hitting a touch pad.
That's the warning gleaned from a tired North Carolina state legislator whose vote helped pass legislation she had opposed.
Democratic state representative Becky Carney unwittingly hit "Aye" on her electronic voting console and gave Republicans the decisive vote to overturn a veto from the Governor and allow fracking, the controversial method of mining natural gas, according to The Verge, a technology-focused news site.
Although Carney noticed her error immediately, she was not allowed to change her vote as it would have altered the overall outcome. North Carolina House rules don't allow for a do-over in that situation, the online journal explained.
She blamed the error on the lateness of the hour and on being tired. "I feel that mistakes are made constantly when people are tired," Carney said. "And I feel rotten about it, but I take responsibility for my vote."
Carney's experience is borne out by research from Canada, where some studies have shown that when workers have slept for fewer than five hours before work or when workers have been awake for more than 16 hours, their chances of making mistakes due to fatigue are significantly increased.
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These projects at the federal, state and local levels show just how transformative government IT can be.
The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31.
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Thu, 19 Nov, 2015
Tue, 17 Nov, 2015
We want to help you to connect with the people you love, but may not see, this Christmas. Every Saturday, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, we will publish your messages in print and online, starting November 28.
Say it here, in the Irish Examiner.
Commemorating 100 years since the War of Independence


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It's the digital audio version of the Kanex Mini DisplayPort Adaptor we reviewed before, which takes your digital audio and Mini DisplayPort video and mixes it into one HDMI signal for your TV.
The Price
The Verdict
It works, but damn if it isn't expensive.
If you're not really married to the higher quality digital audio, you might be better off getting the USB audio version for $US50, which performs basically the same service for $US20 less.
As for this unit, it definitely works—we've been using it on a Mac Mini hooked up to a 1080p TV for a week—and there are no dropouts or weird signal noise inconsistencies that we can see. Everything is plug and play, and you should have no problem using it on your 5.1 audio system.
Again, at $US70, it's only really useful if Mini DisplayPort is your only display output, otherwise you can come up with a cheaper solution involving a series of cheaper tubes. [Kanex Live]


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Hello. First of all, since the last post was in July, I will assume this board is dead. So hopefully, someone will read this, and fix this problem.
I own an iPhone, and have had the need to play dungeon scroll. I forgot it's name a long time ago, you can't believe the joy I had when I finally found it.
Now, I downloaded it for the iPhone just today. I keep having constant crashes around Dungeon 16, or for any matter any dungeon. I keep losing all that data. I get so far just to lose it all from a retarded crash. How do I fix this issue, if anyone is still here to answer me? I'll probably check back here in a week or so to see if someone responds.


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Incredibles 2
Pixar has been the king of original animated films since they busted onto the scene. That's nearly 25 years of domination. But to rule for 25 years will inevitably result in some less than fantastic fare. In the case of Pixar, those missteps have largely been constrained to the "Cars" franchise, although that has extended a bit into the world of sequels.
Outside of the "Toy Story" sequels, the rest of Pixar's attempts at continuation have felt like the output of another studio. Not as precise, interesting, or smart as when they sit down to create a new world. "The Incredibles" was possibly the studio's most grown-up outing prior to "Up." It was a film about being an adult and dealing with faltering expectations. So maybe it's appropriate that "Incredibles 2" falls just short of those high expectations.
"Incredibles 2" picks up right where "The Incredibles" left off. What initially looked like a clear moment of triumph for the Parr family quickly turns sour, with the bad guy getting away and a path of destruction left in his wake. But where our superhero family had previously been able to move to a new place and start over, the relocation program is now being disbanded, and they are left struggling to figure out what's next. That's when the family is introduced to Winston Deaver, a man whose life was made the better by supers and is looking to help turn their image around. Deaver has a plan to rehabilitate not only the image of Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl but all supers. All he needs is a face for his new pro-super campaign. This time, it's Elastigirl's chance.
"Incredibles 2" comes boasting a lot of what made the original so entertaining. The family dynamic is still fantastic, the animation beautiful, and the writing whip-smart and funny. But where the first film had a confidence in its story, a focused driving force that propelled it towards its conclusion, this one feels less sure of itself. The film is made of several different subplots wherein most feel half-baked. Most disappointing is the film's main story, in which Elastigirl takes on the spotlight and Mr. Incredible is forced into the background. The handling of this changing dynamic is awkward at best, where Bob has a real problem letting his wife be the center of attention. The response and positioning of his feelings within the film align more closely with the film's 1960s aesthetic rather than the times in which we currently live. It's an odd misstep for the franchise, and Pixar in general, having a story that leaves you feeling gross to watch.
When it comes to Blu-ray releases, Pixar rarely disappoints. A Pixar release boasts enough extras to keep you occupied for at least the runtime of the feature itself. There are deleted scenes, featurettes for the film, short films, and then featurettes for the short films. The great thing about Pixar special features is that they are often like Pixar films themselves, enjoyable for children and adults alike, and this release of "Incredibles 2" is no different.
"Incredibles 2"
Blu-ray + DVD + Digital


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This short film tells the heart-warming Christmas story of two Saskatchewan farm children and a pony named Pancho. There's no real place for a horse on a fully mechanized wheat farm, but with will and heart they prove that one can be found.
This is a really interesting film with tons of good values and excellent behavior. Its a bit personal, because when I was kid I really wanted a hive of honey bees. Ten years later I got mine. Just as these kids worked hard to get their Ponies for Christmas.funnyman, 25 Dec 2014


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The wide variety of emotions, joy, grief and sadness, are an integral part of the rich tapestry of human experience. Without them we would lose part … [Read more...]
The Wide Spectrum of Mood Disorders
ADHD and Comorbidity
What's Under the Tip of the Iceberg? Many children and adults with AD/HD also experience other difficulties. It seems that having AD/HD makes it more … [Read more...]
Is It Ready for Prime Time? Methylphenidate absorbed through the skin. In 2006, Shire Pharmaceuticals released Daytrana for the treatment of AD/HD … [Read more...]
Intellectually Gifted Women
What Happened to All the Gifted Girls? What happens to intellectually gifted girls when they grow up? Do they go on to have brilliant careers? Do … [Read more...]
Non-Stimulant Medication for Children, Adolescents and Adults with ADHD
60-80% of youth and adults with AD/HD gain significant relief from stimulants. However some individuals require other medications to treat their AD/HD … [Read more...]
Atomoxetine: An Non-Stimulant for AD/HD
Atomoxetine, brand name, Strattera, was approved by the FDA for distribution in November 2002. It became available in US pharmacies in early 2003. … [Read more...]
Medications for Adults with ADHD
It had long appeared that the medication situation for AD/HD was reversed from that of other psychiatric conditions. For other conditions, … [Read more...]
The High Cost of ADHD
A study published in 2001 in JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association, indicated that children with AD/HD were more likely to need … [Read more...]
Girls, Women and Attention Deficit Disorder
Girls and Women are Under Diagnosed The DSM-IV estimates that the ratio of boys with ADHD to girls was 4:1. For those in actual treatment in clinics, … [Read more...]
Gifted Student with ADD
Taking Your ADD To College
Most teens with AD/HD can remember how they struggled to get along in school. You used tutoring, medication, tape recorders, and plain hard work to … [Read more...]
Adult ADD
Adult Attention Deficit Disorder: Diagnosis, Coping and Mastery In the past, Attention Deficit Disorder was believed to be a condition that affected … [Read more...]


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Thursday, February 24, 2011
Daddy's Helper
Posted by Lindsey at 1:57 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Beach Day 6
This morning went to the downtown again and did a little shopping. We got to see the poll show, which I have to say I think the men are crazy. We spent the afternoon at the pool and then we went to out to dinner to this wonderful steak house next to our resort. It was so good!
I could become a morning person if I got to be at the ocean every day.
These guys are nuts, one guy stays at the top and beats a drum while the other 4 guys swing upside down.
I really wanted some beach photos of the kids before we leave, well, Stella was not into that at all.
Posted by Lindsey at 4:31 PM 0 comments
Monday, February 21, 2011
Beach Day 5
Another wonderful day at the beach! This morning Gigi and I were blessed to be able to go and get massages while the guys kept up with the kids. We spent the afternoon at the pool and then went to a really good restaurant in downtown called PiPi's. The food was so good!
Gigi and Papi, they will have been married 35 years this Nov.
We were eating lunch at the pool today, Gigi and I look over at Stella and this is what we see, she informed us that she was Rapunzel and this was her golden blue hair. You have to love the things she comes up with to tell us.
This band went from table to table playing, the played la bam ba for Stella.
Posted by Lindsey at 4:24 PM 0 comments
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Beach Day 4
Today Papi and Jason were suppose to take the kids on a whale watching excursion while Gigi and I got massages but that did not work out. Jason woke up this morning not feeling on top of his game, anyone that knows Jason knows that he has a very sensitive tummy to say the least! So, I ended up going with Papi and the kids on the whale watching excursion. It was a lot of fun, and we even got to see a momma and her baby.
Grumpy Stella!
Rhett feel a sleep about 2 minutes after we got on the ship and slept for about an hour and half, poor Papi was stuck holding him!
OK so these people in the sail boat are out of their minds to be that close to the whales but then later there were people out on wave runners! I was happy on my large safer ship.
Could not believe how close to shore we were while looking at the whales.
The other thing that happened while we were gone was that we got moved to new rooms because of some issues that had happened the night before, we had an amazing views.
This was the playground that was just outside our rooms. The kids had a great time on it each day.
Posted by Lindsey at 4:00 PM 0 comments
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Beach Day 3
This morning we walked over to a shopping mall that is next to our resort, they had a little play ground that the kids had fun playing on. This afternoon we spent on the beach, enjoying the wonderful weather and sunshine.
Diva if you ever did see one.
This was before dinner, I love these photos.
Posted by Lindsey at 3:56 PM 0 comments


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Cirque du Soleil Varekai finally opened in Manila. According to their website
Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary world—a world where something else is possible. A world called Varekai.
From the sky falls a solitary young man, and the story of Varekai begins. Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, a kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures, this young man sets off on an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. On this day at the edge of time, in this place of all possibilities, begins an inspired incantation to life rediscovered.
The word Varekai means "wherever" in the Romany language of the gypsies the universal wanderers. This production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to the infinite passion of those whose quest takes them along the path that leads to Varekai.
After the premiere night, I started reading rave tweets about the show. They say it was spectacular and it isn't too late yet to get tickets for the show. I checked the website and there are a lot of seats still available. As for us, we are are scheduled to watch on July 7. *grin* Needless to say, I cannot wait for the day to come! watching Cirque is actually in my bucket list and I am happy that the husband is making it real for me :)


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Marlboro College is easy to find. We recommend not using GPS systems, which can lead to getting lost on rural roads.
To reach our campus in Marlboro:
From the North, South, and East
Take Exit 2 off Interstate 91 in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Turn right onto Route 9 West through West Brattleboro.
Continue on Route 9 for approximately 10 miles, past the Marlboro Elementary School on left.
Turn left onto South Road.
Stay on the paved road for approximately three miles, through the village of Marlboro to the college.
From the West
- Take Route 7 East from Troy when traveling from points West in New York.
- Continue straight onto Route 9 East, entering Vermont.
- Turn slight left onto West Main Street through Bennington. Continue for 2.5 miles.
- Continue straight onto Route 9 East for 28 miles.
- Turn sharply right onto South Road.
- Stay on the paved road for approximately three miles, through the village of Marlboro to the college.
By Plane or Train
- Brattleboro is 90 minutes from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, two hours from Logan International Airport in Boston and four hours from JFK Airport in New York City.
- Amtrak offers daily train service to Brattleboro. Call Amtrak at (800) 872-7245 for information on departure times from various cities.
- From Brattleboro to the undergraduate campus in Marlboro, bus service is available through the Deerfield Valley Transit Association MOOver (see No. 10 route on Summer Schedule) and taxis can be called through Brattleboro Taxi (802 254-6446).