text:
God commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute. As a result Hosea's family life reflected the "adulterous" relationship which Israel had built with the gods of other nations. In the book of Hosea the relationship between Hosea and Gomer parallels the relationship between God and Israel. Even though Gomer runs away from Hosea and sleeps with another man, he loves her anyway and forgives her. In the same way, even though the people of Israel worshipped false gods, God continued to love them and did not abandon his covenant with them. Most of the book of Hosea is a love song from God to Israel, recounting all that he has done for them, all the blessings he has given them pleading with them to return to him and receive his forgiveness and prosper in his love.
Today's complex character is Hosea;
Hosea's prayer
God, you try me,
you test me
almost beyond enduring.
My name seems a mockery,
Yet I cannot save her to whom I was married.
Still less the nation to whom you sent me.
She is faithless
yet I am faithful.
They are faithless
yet you are faithful.
Our life together mirrors
the life of Israel
lived out in your sight, Lord
in fickleness and frailty.
Your word came to me, oh Lord
you commanded me
to take to wife a faithless women.
And I was faithful
to you, oh God
and to Gomer.
I married her
because I love you, Lord
I was faithful to her
because I loved her.
I waited for her when she ran from me
as you, Lord wait for Israel
Lord, have mercy upon me!
Lord, have mercy upon my wife!
Lord, have mercy upon my nation!
For the sake of my faithfulness
welcome us home.
I'm most well known for the night I spent in the company of lions… but there's more to my story.
I'm a Jew in a foreign land,
One of 4 chosen by King Nebuchadnezzar to be instructed in the ways of Babylon so that I could serve in the court of the one who had besieged Jerusalem,
I excelled. I'm bright, the brightest of them all, the Lord made my mind quick and gave me great gifts; wisdom beyond my years and the ability to interpret dreams.
It's how I got on, made a name for myself, got myself liked and respected by the King.
But it wasn't so much me … as what God was doing through me!
Even in that foreign land, in the service of the foreign King – I still remembered where I came from and who's I was …
I refused to eat their best food and drink their choice wine, instead having a diet of water and vegetables.
Refused to bow down to their idols
.And I refused to pray to anyone but my God – the God of Israel.
And God showed up…
He closed the lions' mouths …
When the writing was on the wall … He gave me the words to interpret it …
And when I ate only veg and drank only water He made sure I was the best of the best …
Because I chose to honour my God.
The God who delivered my people from slavery;
The God who brought my people – His people – through the sea and the desert and into the land of Canaan;
The Lord who stayed by my side and gave me the strength and courage I needed throughout.
I am His.
I'm Daniel, sharer of the Lion's den, vegetarian, wordsmith, an interpreter of visions and a dreamer of dreams …
You could say I'm a complex character….
You are my Lord and King
You have placed your call within me,
You have marked me out as yours,
And you've put me here …
In a foreign land, where I serve an earthly government,
But you have written your word upon my heart.
Inspire me with your breath …
So that I have strength enough to live in tune with the vision of that other kingdom – Your kingdom –
Fill me with courage …
So that I may march to the rhythm of your drum rather than bowing to the idols of this alien culture;
And give me faith …
To hold on,
To play my part in bringing the vision of your almighty and eternal Kingdom to fruition
You know that person who is just a little 'full on'? Perhaps you casually mention that the stationery cupboard is a bit of a mess and the next thing you know they have created a spreadsheet, a flow chart, and a 3D model explaining why staples and staplers should be kept on different shelves and a list of disciplinary measures for people who don't refill the printer ink. They're not wrong - and the 3D model proves it - but it's just a bit… intense.
Everybody's been stepping round 'Cupboard-gate' for weeks. We all know it's a mess but it's a minefield - we can't just talk about it. Sure we can moan, but come on Zeph, cut as a break will you?
The opening salvo of the book of Zephaniah is bleak, and darkly thorough… full of details and stark imagery, including references to 'dung' and 'entrails'. I think it's fair to say Zephaniah would have come across as 'a bit intense'. In a book only 3 chapters long, he spends 2 and a half of them on the offensive tackling judgement and punishment - ending with just 11 verses about restoration.
He may not have been the easiest person to hang around with. "Shall we have leavened or unleavened bread tonight Zeph?"
"You speak of bread when this shameful nation is…."
"Fine, fine, I'll just do unleavened, it's quicker."
But Zephaniah had a difficult message to deliver in difficult times. You can't accuse him of taking the easy route, telling people what they want to hear and playing to the gallery. He isn't using spin, post-truth or alternative facts.
In an age of unstable populism, it's refreshing to consider Zephaniah who is certainly not looking to win any popularity contests. He is someone who sees thorny issues (even more controversial than the absolute midden of a stationery cupboard) like infidelity, idolatry and injustice and gets stuck in with tenacity. He calls a spade a spade and dung - dung.
He knows his dung.
As we remember Zephaniah let's remember all those who take up unpopular, unglamorous causes and work tirelessly, telling people what they don't want to hear, but quite possibly need to.
Zephaniah's Prayer
Dear God,
Help me see truth,
speak truth,
live truth.
When Isaiah responded to God's question "Who will I send and who will go for me?" by saying "Here am I, send me?" I'm pretty sure he had no idea that one day God was going to ask him to take his clothes and his shoes off and wander around in public, like that, for three whole years!
In fact, I'm not sure many would sign up as followers of God's if that was ever to appear in the job description!
Isaiah is not however, the Biblical equivalent of the naked rambler. There was a reason he was asked to do what he was asked to do.
It was all a question of trust.
God's people were looking to be rescued and they were hoping the neighbours would help. Isaiah could have launched into sermon mode and told the people that relying on others, especially other nations, was not the answer. God was the one they should trust. But instead of just telling them that, God asked Isaiah to show the people how foolish they were being – by wandering around naked.
I wonder…
I wonder if God was to ask me to do anything as wacky, would I be willing to do it?
And what does this particular episode say about Isaiah? To me, it screams from the rooftops that he was one truly remarkable man who really did put God first in his life. Before family, friends, even his own comfort and reputation.
But to be honest I hope it's something God never asks of me!
You call us to work with you in spreading the good news
To live it
And show it
To talk of it
And embody it.
Where our actions tell a different story
Please forgive us
And implant in us the desire to want to trust you
Wherever you take us
Whatever you ask of us.
Give us the courage on our faith journey
to keep saying:
Here am I Lord, send me.
It is said that God works in mysterious ways but Jonah has a problem with God working in predictable ways.
God asks his prophet Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell them to turn from their wicked ways or they will be overthrown. Jonah instead turns tail and flees in the opposite direction. He runs, sails, gets himself thrown overboard, swallowed by a big fish, forced into contemplation, spewed back up and eventually ends up back where he started: going to Nineveh like God asked him to.
Does this sound like an elaborate tantrum to anyone else?
It even has a 'time out' although the naughty step replacement leaves something to be desired.
Jonah may be a man and a prophet but he is acting like a toddler. It may be a little more extreme than 'please put your shoes on,' but God lives up to his role as Father and allows Jonah to throw a strop, see the error of his ways, come back and do the task he was asked to do.
Like many a tantrum over the millennia, Jonah's comes from a place of not-yet-understanding. Jonah already knows God will not hurt the people of Nineveh if he can help it and sees only his embarrassment at the hands of God: that he will have to make a prophesy that won't come true.
Later God will help Jonah to understand but for now the task needs doing and Jonah's responsibly in Ninevah is not, as he might think, to be the bringer of punishment, but to be a catalyst for change. Jonah's role is to warn, and to hope that the warning is enough, to help the city get back on track.
Jonah's prayer:
God help me to know my role in your plans.
I cannot see through your eyes,
I cannot understand all of your ways,
I do not possess the knowledge that you do.
Guide my feet and help me to trust you
with faith that one day I might understand.
We should not think that prophets only exist in the Bible. God speaks through ordinary people to bring about transformation in societies. Amos was such a person. He was not a professional theologian. He was a shepherd and a fig farmer. You could say he didn't give a fig for those in power. The wealth and prosperity of the Northern Kingdom of Israel had brought with it trade deals that saw the synchronisation of the Jewish religion with the belief systems of the surrounding Kingdoms. He finds himself speaking out against the corruption and social injustice in a nation where the rich become more prosperous off the backs of the poor.
He is denounced by Amaziah the chief priest and deported from the Kingdom. Amos is a complex character, he is seen as meddling in politics and ethics that belong to another jurisdiction. Amos however believes that the whole world is responsible to God and that injustice has to be opposed where ever it is found. Instead of keeping quiet he was one of the first prophets to begin to write down his prophecies and reflections hoping that his words would bring about a reformation in society.
Amos' influence continues to this day. Martin Luther King's speech I Have a Dream, quotes the Book of Amos; We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. It is still this message of social justice that continues to inspire people from all nations to believe that a day of justice and equity will one day be achieved for all.
Oh God
Almighty redeemer and protector
This is your world
You are in control
You direct the lives of all your people
All are equal in your eyes
All nations will be treated justly
You judge all without discrimination
You demand justice and equity for the poor
You call all people to act with integrity and mercy
You do not require great sacrifices of wealth and power
You ask for simple obedience
You despise those who speak of justice but act corruptly
Purify our hearts Oh God by your Spirit
that we may cry allowed for justice to the nations.
May we proclaim you are the God of all the nations
There is none like you.
Samuel, a child living at the temple away from his family, hears a voice in the night and runs to his old mentor and father figure Eli. It takes several repetitions and sleepy grumblings for Eli to realise Samuel is being called by God. Samuel listens as God delivers hard truths for Eli and repeats them to the old man faithfully, and without moderation, in the morning.
The young boy who didn't recognise God's voice has grown to be a prophet and is given power under difficult circumstances. Eli has died, the nation of Israel is under attack, the Ark of the Covenant is stolen, and the people long for guidance. Samuel quickly becomes Judge and leader to Israel.
As he gets older Samuel increasingly feels ignored, rejected and hard done by. We have all felt powerless and sidelined at different points in our lives but for Samuel this goes twofold: the people ask him for a king to lead them and when he appoints this king - he ignores Samuel too.
As with many people who are ending one stage of their working life, the transition from a powerful position to an advisory one is hard and can bring up a lot of anger. Letting the younger generation with their new ideas come and make mistakes of their own can be infuriating but as Samuel learns, with some nudges from God, it is the way the world has to work. With new ideas and mistakes come new opportunities for change and progress.
But Samuel isn't done yet and still has a vital part to play. His early training listening to God's voice comes in handy. Young David's ascension to the newly created throne is due to Samuel's ear for God's will and his uneasiness with the king he first anointed. He finds David, anoints him and even helps to hide him from murderous King Saul.
Samuel is an example of learning to let go and give guidance but also an example of keeping alert and not giving up. He learns in his age and wisdom to do both.
Samuel's prayer:
Father you gave me the gift of your voice
Now give me the gift of your understanding and patience.
Help me to see my part in the journey not with pride but with reverence,
to know when to offer guidance and when to watch and wait,
when to intervene and when to be surprised.
You have given everyone your spirit to flourish with,
may we all in our own time be your power for good in the world.
The story of Noah is complex and colourful, comical and courageous. It moves from redemption to drunkenness to implied sexual abuse to blessings and curses. It relates the exploits of humanity in a time that can only be described as pre-historic. A time described in Genesis 6 where humans live for centuries, where the so called sons of God marry the daughters of men. A time beyond our understanding where it would appear giants roam the earth.
It is in this strange mysterious world we encounter the familiar issues of injustice and hypocrisy, which still contaminate our sophisticated world of science, religion and politics.
The story of Noah seeks to point to a creator God who engages with his creation, through personal relationships, longing to redeem and renew humanity. It is a story of hope, symbolised in a rainbow and the redemption of the earth through water and the technology of the Ark. There is the memorable phrase found in Genesis 6.8 which sums up the gospel message woven through the Bible 'Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord".
It is through the re-telling of the stories of these complex characters that we discover a more honest assessment of the people God continues to use to bring about transformation in his world.
When you call me to build an Ark
Give me strength to obey
When you shut a door
Give me the faith to feel secure
When I travel with uneasy companions
Give me the courage to trust
When the storm never seems to subside
Give me the tenacity to hold on
When the sun begins to shine
Give me the patience to wait
When the Ark has come to rest
Give me the vision to step out into a place
And start again
The society was overly optimistic, but it was all crashing down. 1914 proved the notion of inevitable progress, which had been a hallmark of Western thought in the 19th century, was false. One reaction to this reality began at a Zurich café in 1916. The Dada movement was critical of capitalist societies, seeing those values as leading to war and stifling materialism. One vital expression of the Dadaists was performance art. Like that of Russian artist Oleg Kulik, who will live as a naked, barking dog in a museum for days at a time.
There was another society that was overly optimistic, but it soon would come crashing down. It was ancient Judah in the years before 587 BCE. The leaders of Judah believed in their invincibility because they had, within Jerusalem, "the temple of the Lord." Jeremiah, whose action might have seemed a bit like a Dadaist, had he lived 2500 year later, mocked their optimism: "The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!" Ha! (Jeremiah 7:4) And Jeremiah got into the performance art shtick. Like wearing an undergarment without washing it, then burying it, and then pulling it out to find that it was "Good for nothing." Or refusing to marry, as a sign of the imminent doom for Judah. Or wearing an oxen yoke, as a sign of the coming enslavement to Babylon. His actions led the leaders of Judah to declare him a traitor, and they left him to die in the muck at the bottom of a cistern.
But Jeremiah did not share the nihilism of the 20th century Dada movement. The impending doom was not merely because Judean society was rotten at the core, but because the leadership of Judah had failed to enact the justice (mishphat) demanded by God and failed live by the rule of kindness and mercy (hesed). Furthermore, Jeremiah was not a performance artist without hope. For when the impending fall of Jerusalem eventually becomes obvious, Jeremiah goes and buys a field, as a sign that the Babylonian occupation would not last forever, and life could return to normal.
We are living in a time when Western culture has some rot within. Populist leaders preach false optimism about greatness. Rampant addiction testifies to deeply ingrained nihilism. The key, Jeremiah would tell us, is to not forget the requirements that God has set forth to enact justice and live kindness. In justice and kindness, not in walls of exclusion or punishing tariffs, there is hope.
Can we do our own performance art and live out justice and kindness as a demonstration in a weary world of what life could be?
Jeremiah's Prayer
Our shared guilt is great, O God. Our wounds are grievous and seem incurable.
Help us to find hope in your righteous judgment.
Restore our health. Heal our wounds. Please God. Amen.
Today's complex character is Deborah; prophet, leader, warrior, woman! The biblical narrative tells us that Deborah was a prophet but goes on to say that she was the wife of Lappidoth, yet all we know of Lappidoth is that he was the husband of Deborah. However Deborah was the one who was leading Israel at that time and who engineered the revolt against King Jabin of Canaan under whose rule the Israelites had been oppressed for 20 years. Led by the Lord she commanded Barak to muster 10,000 troops to march against Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army. Barak refused to go unless Deborah went with him. She prophesied that therefore the victory would be given to a woman. And so she went with the army and the Lord delivered the army of Sisera into her hands; it was completely destroyed. Sisera escaped and fled to the tent of Jael. He begged her to hide him and she led him into her tent and covered him with a blanket. While he slept, utterly exhausted, Jael drove a tent peg through his temple, killing him. Thus the military victory was achieved by two women and there was peace in Israel for 40 years.
Deborah's prayer
Of no account am I,
a woman in a land of men.
I may be Prophet,
but still I am a woman
known by the name of the man
to whom I am wed.
Yet God has given me the victory
and into my hands he delivered the enemy.
Into my hands
and the hands of my sister Jael,
and together we triumphed!
God spoke to me!
He put his words in my mouth,
and brought them forth with power
to set his people free.
In God's sight
I am Prophet
In God's plan
I am Leader
In God's gift
I am Warrior
In God
I am Woman
I am Deborah
I am Judge.
They shall sing my song through the ages,
and the age of Deborah
is the age of peace.
You're looking for someone to take a lead and inspire a whole nation to rediscover their trust in God. A bit of personality wouldn't go amiss. A charismatic wordsmith would be good - with the courage to let God call the shots.
What you land up with is a wee guy who continually seems to question God and to test him and who, to be blunt, is not exactly enthusiastic in his response to God. "Politely trying" would be a good way to put it.
Cue Gideon.
An angel comes to our unlikely hero and says, "God is with you". Gideon says, "Pardon me but..." and basically says to the angel, you must be joking! "If God is with me, why am I and all his people living in fear?" he asks.
The angel breaks sweat but keeps going and tries again. "God has chosen you to turn around the fortunes of your people…" and again, Gideon politely interrupts the angel with another "Pardon me but..." "Pardon me but I'm from the weakest tribe of a Israel" Gideon says, "and I'm on the bottom rung of that family ladder...."
It might have been interesting to have been a fly on the wall when the angel reported back to God – "he seems, Lord, a bit negative..."
Before the angel of the Lord can say anything more to him Gideon puts his hand up. "Wait here," he tells God's angel, "till I get something to offer you" and off the bold man goes to do some killing, cooking and sauce-making with no particular sense of hurry. God is happy however with the result and the conversation, at last, continues.
Only for Gideon to interrupt again.
This time Gideon wants God to pass a couple of tests – the first is to make the ground around a sheepskin left out overnight, frosty but not the sheepskin and the next night Gideon wants the opposite to happen. He wants the ground to be dry and the sheepskin wet!
It is only after all that, that Gideon begins to do what God wants. Old habits however, die hard and all the way through his story, Gideon continues to poke sticks in the wheels of God's ideas, slowing things down before agreeing to do what God wants to do through him.
And yet God used Gideon to bring his people back to him.
You called me, so you have to put up with my foibles -
I can't help being slow to commit,
It's just the way I am – the way you made me.
I need to get my head round things and only then can I act.
But thank you.
Thank you for being so patient and understanding.
Thank you for waiting for me and for answering all my questions.
Above all thank you for using even me
To do mighty things.
If you can work with me Lord God,
you can work with anyone.
Bless you. Amen
Wide shot of Jericho - the city that never sleeps taking a nap - tense music builds. Two spies are running over rooftops, ducking into the shadows. They scale down a wall and slip into a small unassuming building. Rahab is standing there in front of a roaring fire that crackles and spits dangerously. Close up of her enigmatic face, she's all mystery, not giving anything away.
Cut to: soldiers rushing through the streets, battering on doors, causing a commotion. Then we see Rahab opening her door and ushering the soldiers in…
But the room is empty.
'Sure, I saw the guys, but they didn't exactly stick around. What you doing standing here talking to me officer? If you run you can catch them, they can't have gone far…' As she speaks we see a close up of the spies under all the flax on the roof trying to stay as still as possible. The soldiers back out making their apologies and Rahab looks up at the roof, hoping she's made the right choice, hoping the gamble pays off.
Rahab negotiates with the spies, who are scouting the land before the invasion, to save her and her family in exchange for not handing them over to the authorities. She is impressed by what she's heard of about these people and their God. She's a shrewd operator - judging the mood, and playing the cards she is dealt - but she's an unconventional hero, lying and acting out of self-preservation.
There are parallels between Rahab and the parable Jesus tells about 'the unjust steward' (see Luke 16.1-8). A man who has just been fired by his rich boss spends his notice period cutting favourable deals with all of the clients so that when he is back on the job market they will want to hire him. When the boss finds out - he isn't mad - he's delighted that his lazy steward is doing something. The parable ends with the line: "For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light."
Rahab and the unjust steward are puzzles. They act in unconventional, unexpected ways, thinking on their feet and improvising in the face of political and economical turmoil. Both suggest that rather than just removing yourself from the world - it is important to engage. As Christians we shouldn't just be boring and predictable but we should be alive to what God is doing in the world and be ready to act creatively under pressure.
Rahab's Prayer
Be my compass,
my lantern,
my star.
I was amazed in 2008, how many Americans thought the junior senator from Illinois had a thoroughly Islamic name. Yet here it is in the Hebrew scripture as a militia leader during the time of a female judge of Israel. The judges were charismatic leaders who emerged when there was a national need, for the tribes of Israel had no continuous government: a situation that modern anarchists might idealize.
No, the Barak for today's complex character review is not the recent president.
Yet, how interesting that both Baraks, the one of our era and the one of the 12th century BCE in ancient Israel, would have no problem with a woman in leadership. Neither would have called a woman who aspired to such a role "that nasty woman." Today, the rise of populism and nativism on both sides of the Atlantic are seen by many who are concerned about the status of women as an assault on the gains for women's rights over the past half-century in most western democracies.
In the passage from Judges, Deborah recruits the military aid of Barak, assuring him that the enemy Canaanite general, Sisera, would be delivered by God "into the hands of a woman." One might think, and perhaps Barak did think, that Deborah was referring to herself. Not so! The story unfolds with clandestine subterfuge. The end of General Sisera would come when he accepts the apparent hospitality of Jael, wife of Heber, who gave him some nice warm milk to relax him, covered him with a rug, and calmly drove a tent stake into his brain. He was beyond the relief of aspirin.
That may seem ghastly to modern sensibilities, but I am reminded of the subterfuge of the Hebrew midwives in the Exodus story who refuse to obey the orders of Pharaoh to kill the baby boys of the Hebrew slaves. Sometimes injustice must be met with severe lawlessness, especially when the legal power is enforcing evil, like South Africa's apartheid or America's Jim Crow laws. The biblical Barak celebrates in song the grisly subterfuge of Jael. The modern Barak has broken with tradition and celebrated the protests against the threat of the new populist president against women and refugees.
Where will we fit into these unfolding events of the 21st century?
Barak's Prayer
I'm celebrating, Lord God, the empowerment of women like Deborah,
who has arisen in Israel. And the deed of that tent-dwelling Jael,
who shattered the threat of Sisera with a peg.
Help me to know what really needs doing,
That peace may dwell with us for forty – or more – years. Amen.
David: A shepherd yet a giant killer. A shepherd but a mighty king. A musician and poet yet a soldier. A king yet a murderer. A married man but, an adulterer. A friend of God, yet a liar.
An ancestor of Jesus Christ. A man described by God as "a man who will obey".
What do you say he is, saint, sinner, or?
David is anointed King: 'The Lord said to Samuel, "Now take a horn of olive oil and go to Bethlehem and find a man named Jesse, for I have selected one of his sons to be the new King".
Jesse's youngest son was tending the sheep, Samuel asked that Jesse send for him.
'Then the Lord said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." So, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came on David in power." (NIV 1 Samuel 16: 2,13)
David is described as one of the greatest characters in the Old Testament. He is remembered and respected for his Godliness but at the same time the Bible makes no effort to hide David's shortcomings, indeed they were part of who David was. He played out the journey of life with zest, getting it wrong so often but was always quick to ask God's forgiveness. David had an unchangeable belief in the faithful and forgiving nature of God and never took God's forgiveness lightly or his blessing for granted.
Perhaps that's why the Psalms David wrote are so true to the journey of life, so full of the joys and sorrows trials and triumphs which any one of us can experience at any time. David, saint and sinner but most importantly God's anointed! "A man who will obey"
Lord, in the fullness of joy may we give thanks.
In our thankfulness, may we open our hearts to receive you.
As we receive you hold us gently in your care so that when things are hard we'll still know your presence.
Like David may we always know that you are indeed our God and Father.
Whether you hear those words as an instruction or an invitation will tell you a lot abut your attitude to God. You can hear them as an instruction, a warning that the ground that God inhabits is so holy that he wanted nothing on Moses' sandals to defile it. That is probably what the author of the story understood the words to mean.
But to me they stand more as an invitation. Take your sandals off, feel the ground beneath your feet. Let your toes curl in the sand. Ground yourself in the holiness of this place. The God Immanuel, the God with us, is not defiled by contact with us. We are sanctified by contact with him.
Of all our complex characters few came to God with a more complex past than Moses. Few were given more to do than Moses. To do it, he had to stand on the holy ground.
Take off your sandals because you are standing on holy ground.
The voice called me to the burning bush
And bade me come no closer
This is holy ground the voice told me
Take off your sandals
And I felt the holiness of this place.
The voice called me from my fugitive status
To a higher purpose.
The voice called me from stammering apology
To call to the King, "Let my people go."
How can I be the one who is chosen
"Take off your sandals"
The voice called me from hothead
Red handed murderer
From law breaker to law giver
What was I to tell them
When they ask who you are
You say to me "I am "
It means nothing
I take off my sandals
And I felt the holiness for myself.
Lord God
in desert places
On barren mountain top
Hard rock
Sharp sand
Let me take off my sandals
And stand on holy ground.
In the Old Testament we see 3 chapters in the life of Miriam.
Chapter 1: When Moses's mum is fearing for his life she sends him in a basket in the reeds to float away to safety. It is a poetic act of desperation from a woman driven to it by an appalling, vindictive regime. It's down to Moses's sister to be levelheaded and practical. When much of the world is forced into becoming refugees, trying to hold fractured lives and families together - how many young women have had to become wise before their time and shoulder so much? Miriam, followed her brother down the river and saw where he ended up, and who found him, and came up with a plan to offer her mother as a nurse for the child, saving his life and restoring some unity to the family (see Exodus 2: 1-10).
We should also remember Shiphrah and Puah the similarly quick thinking midwives. When they were instructed by the Egyptian authorities to kill all newborn Hebrew boys they concocted a story about Hebrew women giving birth so vigorously that they were being born before they could get to them! One can imagine the flummoxed bureaucrat not knowing how to deal with having a conversation about ins and outs of all of that and waving them off to stem any more discussion of fluids and processes… (see Exodus 1: 8-22).
Chapter 2: In what I call 'The Red Sea Sessions' Miriam sings a song of triumph. Here she is riding high with her brother - who is helping to lead restoration and freedom for all her people (see Exodus 15: 20-21).
Chapter 3: We catch up with a resentful Miriam, suspicious of Moses's new wife. If Moses and Miriam and cousin Aaron are charismatic, precocious youngsters who go on to sing songs and become heroes of their culture we can draw parallels with the disintegration of the Beatles, The Beachboys, Fleetwood Mac, The Jackson 5, The Libertines, One Direction… The fallouts, the acrimony, the recriminations.
What Miriam gives us - in just a few verses - is a brilliantly complex character. Her's is not a simple tale of rags to riches, or of romantic adventure, or of redemption. God uses her and yet she still has hangups and issues. Her emotional struggle comes as a twist later in the tale, not as something she has to get out of the way before she can do what she needs to do. She's a real, flawed person, and God works through her. There's hope for all of us whether we be refugees, pop stars or part of an estranged family.
Miriam's Prayer
Thanks for weaving me into your story
even if I go off on my own subplot sometimes,
you give me character
and depth
and I want to read on
help me
Samson, well you've all heard of me, a man of privilege, great strength, dedicated to serve God, and save Israel, and of course not forgetting my 20 years as a Judge and ruler. Excellent CV, all things considered, so I hope you're really impressed!
I'm known for my feats of strength, and especially my long hair, which must never be cut, my hair is the secret of my strength, or is it?
Samson's story is in the book of Judges at a time when Israel had no king and everyone did as they wanted, where Judges ruled the land. An angel appears to Samson's mother and tells her, "Your son's hair must never be cut, for he shall be a Nazirite, a special servant of God from the time of his birth; and he will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines". (Judges13-16)
Samson was dedicated to God from birth and as he grew he became full of physical strength and his fame spread before him. He was one of twelve men and women whom God chose to deliver Israel from her oppressors. These Judges, including Samson were not perfect; in fact, they were all fallible.
Fallible, well, Samson was surely that! He violated his vows to God on many occasions by abandoning his wife to - be, at the altar, murdering 30 men, deceiving and manipulating others, and seeking prostitutes.
Then Samson met Delilah, with whom he fell in love giving away to her the secret of his 'strength', his long hair. His hair was cut, his strength failed, his eyes were gouged out and he became a slave to the Philistines.
Some CV now, you might say! Where is God in all this?
Right in it all with Samson: we can almost hear him say, despite my rebellious behaviour, God stayed with me. Despite my promiscuous behaviour, God stayed with me.
Despite my consorting with all the wrong people, using my gifts and abilities unwisely God remained with me. Despite my betrayal of Him with Delilah he remained with me.
He answered my prayer that the Pagan temple would fall. Even as it did, I knew that my strength was in God and God alone, no question. Some CV indeed.
Lord when our strength fails us, hold us up.
When our hearts quail within us, fill us with your courage.
When the finger of temptation beckons, be our Redeemer.
When we imagine, we can do it all in our own strength, draw alongside and remind us of who you are.
You are our strength and our Redeemer.
The story of Joseph is a complex one. An arrogant young teenager full of his own importance is taught a lesson by his older brothers, it all gets out of hand, horseplay ends up in tears, deceit, slavery, and a miscarriage of justice that lasts for years. When the brothers finally met again an opportunity arises for Joseph to take revenge. Instead a wonderful story of grace unfolds.
In our reading today we are being invited to participate in our own grace story. Take a moment wherever you are and invite the Holy Spirit of God to take control of your words today. To take your words of disappointments, anger, and frustration and turn them into words with purposeful meaning.
Like a cat playing with a mouse
I had them where I wanted them
After all they had 'done me wrong'
What they did to me was unforgivable
I was 'nursing my wrath to keep it warm'
I was ready to take my revenge
Then you stepped in
Just like you've done all my life
You took control
You turned my words of anger
Into words of blessing
As I spoke I saw it for the first time
You are an amazing God
You turn the darkness years
Into moments of great insight
You make all things come together for good
In that moment
I was reconciled to my brothers
But it was you who redeemed my life
You changed me heart
You took control of my tongue
You turned my anger into blessing
It is utterly astonishing
Blessings happen
On the turn of a word
Turn all my words today
Into blessings for others.
Today Mark Nicholas steps in front of the shaving mirror and sees Ezekiel staring back. Ezekiel famously shaved himself… with a sword. Not a Wilkinson's Sword - an actual sword! The prophets in the Bible often did bizarre things that made them more like avant guard performance artists than conventional preachers. In a culture where most people couldn't read and write - strong visual messages were often important - and to a people who valued priests with hair - shaving it off was a metaphor for a shameful reckoning - being cut down to size. You wouldn't forget the dude that stood outside Holyrood shaving himself with a claymore would you? That would go viral pretty quick…
What courage Ezekiel had, to embody your view, display your thought to Israel, his beard in three piles.
His baldness reminds me of the vulnerability I can feel when I stand out in your name. And yet God's cry to his people that the blessing he had given them yielded a nation that was worse than its neighbours.
May we be unlike the rest of the nations. In, but not of, the world.
Father, when I hear your living Word and don't respond and don't allow you to work its reality in me by your Spirit, forgive me.
Yet the sword you have put in my hand is no good for shaving, it is for wielding. May your word in my mouth be a sword to make your love real to the people you have placed in the path you have given me.
And may my witness to you encourage others to leave the lifeless gods of metal and plastic and the mortal gods of self, that they may they find their all in you, even as I do.
Today Mark Nicholas slips into the shoes (or should it be sandals?) of Jacob the trickster who is always getting himself in and out of trouble.
Dear Father,
When I think of Jacob, perhaps my greatest fear is that I will get my own way. Of all the decisions that are mine to make, for all the situations to which I will respond, is there a danger that I will make trouble for myself? That I might assert or manipulate to my advantage, deluded that you do not see.
Might my best desires be usurped and the ghosts of my crucified self return to haunt me? Might I need a season at uncle Laban's? Or a wrestle with you at the ford and a heart stopping encounter with my slighted brother?
Might I need to come to the end of myself before accepting the beginning that is you? If there is any defiance, any rebellion, any curse or bitterness, any politician or despot I have tucked deep inside, may your grace extract what my foolishness would nurse.
And yet in you, precious Jesus, all things work together, all our wisdom and our fickleness, for the good of those who love you. So on this day I trust that you will guide and shape and utilise even the unwelcome intrusions, the lesser selves, the self serving fakery, to make a likeness in me like you, that I might be freed from Jacob within to become like Jesus. And so may I limp with thanksgiving that you love me too much to leave me as I am.
We first meet her in Genesis 12:5 when Abram takes her, his nephew Lot and all of his possessions and they follow God's call out of Haran. Abram was 75, Sarai was 65. And that call to go came with promises of blessing, one of which would be that Abraham would be made into a nation. In 12:7 it becomes a promise of offspring who would inherit the land of Canaan.
In the years that follow Sarai follows where Abram goes, lets Abram pass her off as his sister twice to save his skin, and probably heard in those early promises that her womb would be filled. But years passed without a child. She tried to bring the promise to fruition herself – giving her slave girl Hagar to Abram and they conceived a son, but that didn't work out and still God's promise didn't come to fruition.
I wonder what Sarai faced, what she felt, what she uttered to God in those 25 years that passed before that promise was fulfilled… and greyed, aged and wrinkled she became known as Sarah …. And Mum.
… You might say she's a complex character.
That's what I was.
That's what they called me.
And yet I was obedient…
"Go" You said.
And I went.
I followed where You led.
I heard those words of promise You said to my husband …
A great nation,
Hope seeped away each month as disappointment
Heaped on disappointment.
As I shook my head 'No' to Abram's hopeful questioning look…
An empty womb,
Promises unfulfilled.
25 years of emptiness,
All those years;
Youthfulness wasted,
Energy lost.
Even when I thought I could fix it myself,
Even when I thought I knew how…
Hagar, Ishmael.
And still a promise unfulfilled.
You surprised us all.
25 years
Of waiting,
Of wondering
Of disappointment
Of growing
Of hope all but gone,
A barren promise almost forgotten
And You made it happen!
Laughter comes,
Spilling out,
Bitterness, sadness, emptiness;
Making way for life
And a womb
And a promise
A son.
A nation.
An inheritance.
A blessing…
And not just for us
But for all.
You call each of us to follow,
You take the most ordinary of us,
And use us in extraordinary ways to fulfil your promises.
Not in ways that we might expect,
And not in nice tidy timescales either.
For in our mess you see opportunity.
In our weakness your strength in known.
And in our brokenness your light shines through.
Take me Lord,
In all of my complexities and mould me so that my life might be a fertile place where the life that you offer to all is seen
Give me faith to trust,
Hope that endures
And strength to persevere on the journey …however long it takes.
When looking into Micah, I came across the 'covenant lawsuit' (Micah 6.1-8) where God sues Israel for breach of contract. The people have violated the covenant they had with God. If Micah is representing God and presenting his case then he's not just a prophet, he's a lawyer…
Lawyers sometimes hold a strange position in the public imagination. On the one hand they are respected professionals with access to levers of power, but on the other hand - like politicians and journalists - they are often treated with suspicion or made the butt of the joke.
Part of this is a healthy tongue in cheek disrespect of authority figures but there's also an underlying wariness of those in society who wade into the grey areas and have to make difficult judgement calls. Sometimes there is no easy road and yet they walk it for us. The services they offer are vital for a well functioning society, but as they ask individuals to negotiate conflict, compromise and complexity there is the fear that self-interest or ego will take over.
I've found it useful to think about prophets as lawyers - people with a certain status, who are listened to but sometimes distrusted, who have to walk a difficult line. They are people who speak uncomfortable truths, who can challenge power structures and shift public opinion. Their calling requires personal conviction but also the ability to withhold personal judgement.
So as we think about the lawyer Micah, let's remember all those called professionally to be Complex Characters - those who try to resolve disputes, hold power to account and negotiate peace.
Micah's Prayer
help me,
hold me secure,
as I try to say as you say
tell as you tell
shout as you shout
whisper as you whisper.
There is all sorts of stuff about Enoch we are going to puzzle over. For a start he lived to be 365 years old. By the way he was a bit of a disappointment for the pre-flood patriarchs. His father Jared lived to be 962 years, his son Methuselah 969 and his great grandson Noah 950.
On the other hand he did not die but "God took him away", According to the book of Hebrews chapter 11 v 5 "By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: "He could not be found, because God had taken him away." For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God." Only Elijah in the Old Testament was spared death in the same kind of way.
And we may want to scoff, and say another ancient myth being peddled as truth. Scientists are now predicting we will shortly be living to be 140 or 150 but the human body just cannot sustain greater age.
The point that the writer of Genesis is making is that out of these strange ancient stories we can draw a present truth. In all this list of super aged beings Enoch is the least in terms of years. But he is the one, and the only one who "Walked with God"
We often use the metaphor of our "walk with God". Hymn writers like William Cowper have written powerfully on it as has John Newton:
I pity all that worldlings talk
Of pleasures that will quickly end;
Be this my choice, O Lord, to walk
With thee, my Guide, my Guard, my Friend.
That Enoch walked with God is all the explanation we get for his unusual preferment. Other than the name of his son we know nothing of him. The only choice we know he made was to walk with God.
Enoch's prayer
Gracious God,
When the stories come to be written
Make me content with one line
"He walked with God"
All that I did
All that I thought I achieved
Wise words, clever ideas
Great tunes
Souls converted
Will be as nothing
Be it enough
That I chose
Guide, Guard and Friend
Be it enough
That out of the complexity of my life
One thing alone stands the test
Today's Complex Character is Abraham: great patriarch, wise leader, abusive father…The story that often sticks about him is that he's the dad who heard a voice telling him to bind up his son, take him up a mountain and kill him… and this dude is a central hero of Islam, Judaism and Christianity?
Bob Dylan, another complex character, once sang:
'Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man you must be puttin' me on"
God says, "You can do what you want Abe, but
the next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61"
Abe is the first in a series of complex characters in the song to face their reckoning out on Highway 61 - the near mythic route that stretches across America promising revelation and damnation, illumination and despair. Let's look at the Bible passage:
"Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love - Isaac - and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you. Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about." Genesis: 22.2-3
We recoil in horror but Rob Bell points out that at the time and place this story was originally told child sacrifice was not uncommon. To folks originally hearing it an angry god wanting a sacrifice of a precious child would have been unremarkable, they would have taken it for granted.
They would have been freaked out by the twist - Isaac isn't killed. The angel tells Abraham to stop - to not go through with it. It's baffling to us that someone would sacrifice their child and it was baffling in the original culture for a compassionate god to intervene. We see here a new understanding of the divine emerging, that values human life. God does not want Abraham to guardedly withhold his family but to trust them to God - not so God can destroy them but so God can bless them.
So Abraham was a pretty messed up dude, unquestioningly agreeing to kill his son, at least Dylan makes Abe halfheartedly protest, but he was a product of a messed up environment. Nonetheless God led him to a new understanding, meeting him where he was… out on Highway 61.
Abraham's Prayer
I wasn't half the man I'd hoped I'd be,
Not even half a man,
As I climbed that hill,
I was all at sea.
And I could see,
I was less than half of what I had hoped.
Lead me from here,


text:
Underinvestment in livestock-based systems in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya have contributed to the extreme food insecurity in the Horn of Africa. Governments need to build a coalition of support for pastoralists to tap their potential for economic development in east Africa, Jeff Hill, director for policy at USAid, said. The crisis in the Horn has focused the minds of policy makers on the need to improve food security in the region, with a particular focus on small farmers and how to build up their resilience to forestall extreme hunger in the future. Despite the G20 agriculture summit in Paris in June, emergency meetings in Rome, Istanbul and Addis Ababa, governments have been criticised for failing to deliver on previous pledges that might have forestalled the current crisis. Read more here.
Mark Tran, Guardian
Filed under: newsflash | Tagged: Addis Ababa, Africa, Ethiopia, Horn Africa, Istanbul, Kenya, Rome, Somalia | Leave a comment »

subset: commoncrawl


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Hi everyone!
Over the next couple of months, I'm going to be posting profiles showcasing some of the awesome people I have the privilege to work with. Every week or two, in no particular order, a different Kaizen leader will be highlighted.
My social media coordinator, Bethany, will be interviewing these terrific people via Skype, so you can read about them from her perspective, and get to see for yourself just how great they are!
Alex and Leighann Nickerson are first up!
Lana and I have known Alex and Leighann for close to twenty years now. We've enjoyed having them as both friends and business partners. They've been incredibly loyal and dedicated, not just to me and Lana, but to all the people they lead. They have the utmost character and are fantastic leaders.
Like Alex says, I know they're only just getting started!
So here you have it: Getting to Know Alex and Leighann Nickerson, as written by Bethany Sampson.
When I first met Alex and Leighann (via Skype, that is) I was struck by their outgoing and enthusiastic nature. Parents to four children under the age of five, the married couple of six years is still full of energy and zest, talking easily about their woven past and their exciting plans for the future.
Both Alex and Leighann were still in university when introduced to this industry. Leighann, a kinesiology student at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was studying with the intent to pursue medicine. Alex, a small business and entrepreneurship student at St. Mary's University, also located in Halifax, planned to execute his business education in a traditional route.
Leighann, at nineteen years old, was introduced to the profession first, describing this as the "night [her] whole life changed." She'd expected to make money the conventional way: go to school, get a good job, and then work 45 years. Realizing that she could live her dreams and one day be a stay-at-home mom was an opportunity that changed everything for her, and she committed from the very start.
As a single female in a couples-dominated industry, Leighann set forth on her own, hoping to achieve success and freedom, while also paving the way for those that would follow behind. She described this experience as a way to show other women that "it doesn't matter if you're a couple or if you're a single, the opportunity is the same or everyone. As long as you commit and follow the pattern, it can work."
Still, this experience was not without challenges, and Leighann remembers saying in response to other couples, "Well, of course they can do it. There's two of them!" Claude, she assured me, was always able to help her focus on the positive, by reminding her that when she makes the money, she would get to keep it all.
When Leighann began, she was insecure, had low self-esteem, and was afraid to talk to people. She's able to laugh now at the irony, as she was getting into a people business. Claude and Lana began directing Leighann to books and CDs, while providing her with constant encouragement, which is what allowed Leighann to grow in what she calls her "incubation period."
"It really just became eliminating distractions," Leighann says. "Staying focused on the prize, and just putting my head down."
With the help of this focus, Leighann met her now-husband, Alex, for the first time in 2001 by sponsoring him through his sister. Leighann was looking for anybody ambitious, focused, and outgoing. Alex's sister and brother-in-law thought of him immediately. Alex was a full-time university student at the time, but Leighann recalls him recognizing the opportunity immediately. He, too, saw this as a chance to achieve financial freedom.
Alex was a business student, but he saw this profession as a more outside the box approach to what he had been studying. He was excited to learn more, as he saw this as a chance for both he—and others—to change the directions of their lives and move ahead.
Though Alex was ambitious from the start, the journey was not without challenges as he stepped outside of his comfort zone. He struggled, initially with public speaking, laughing at the memory of his first attempt. Leighann, he says, describes it as a special evening, occasionally using the word "terrible." Alex struggled to relate to the crowd, but as he grew older, more experienced, and delved into learning as much as possible, meeting people and public speaking became easier.
Claude also played a part in Alex's success, lending life experience to the then-25-year-old Alex, who describes his younger self as "very young, very immature" and lacking life experience. Since then, Claude has become more than just a mentor to Alex, but also a friend. Alex describes him as someone you can go to anytime to help overcome anything. The two, Alex says, are best friends—brothers of sorts—with Claude even standing at Alex's wedding.
Today, Alex is able to name his business as one of the greatest things in his life, as it's given him and Leighann the ability to live the life they've always wanted. Despite the personal success it has brought, they're both quick to say their favorite part of the business is helping other people.
"The only way it works for you is if you help other people." Alex says. "There's no success without helping other people create success," he says.
Alex now finds himself lending advice to those embarking on a journey in this industry, encouraging them to "dive in and learn all [they] can." The only thing he says you need to begin is a "hunger level to learn." Once you know what you're doing, it all comes down to hard work.
"Dive in with both feet and we're going to show you the ropes," he says. "The faster you go, the more exciting everything gets."
For Alex and Leighann, the most exciting chapter has just arrived—parenthood—bringing with it a new set of challenges.
The couple has four children—Jaxon (5), Marik (4), Baileigh (3), and Brooklyn (8 mos.). Though they had kids before Claude and Lana, they still found their mentors to be a huge resource for them in learning to balance their business with marriage and kids. Leighann says it's with Claude and Lana's guidance that she was able to figure out how to be a mom and a business owner and Alex's wife, and how to do of all of those things really well.
The two also point out how the skills and knowledge they've acquired as business owners has helped to make them better parents. They describe parenting as "raising little people to be responsible adults, and to eventually become leaders themselves," which is why they find the skills and knowledge of both roles—parent and business owner—often coincide.
Thanks to their hard work and their business' success, Alex was able to leave his construction job when their youngest son was just ten months old. Getting to both be stay-at-home parents is something Leighann says you can't put a price on. This lifestyle also allots them the time and means to embark on international travels. They both laugh as they attribute their fresh tans to a recent trip to Mexico, and tell me with enthusiasm about their many upcoming adventures taking place across North America in the next few months.
This freedom, they say, is a direct result of the decision they both made to pursue this alternative route and the hard work that followed.
Together, they're looking towards their bright future, already excited for what it might bring.
"We're really just getting started," Alex says. "We haven't even really made our true mark in this yet."
To find out more about Alex and Leighann, you can visit their website
or find them on Twitter: @leighnicker @kaizendynasty
If you know Alex and Leighann, and have more to add, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!!


text:
The March 4, 1990 edition of Wrestling Challenge is a Professional wrestling television show of the World Wrestling Federation. It was taped on February 14, 1990 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona.
- Numbers in parentheses indicate the length of the match.
- (c) refers to the champion(s) heading into the match.
- Rhythm and Blues (Greg Valentine & The Honky Tonk Man) (w/ Jimmy Hart) defeated Louie Spicolli & Riki Ataki
- Dusty Rhodes (w/ Sapphire) defeated Conquistador Dos (1:50)
- Bad News Brown defeated Frankie Valdez
- Ted DiBiase (w/ Virgil) defeated Steve Gatorwolf
- Akeem (w/ Slick) defeated Terry Zeller (2:00)
See also
External links
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.


text:
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text:
Affiliate marketing has been proven to be a great way to make money online. The first step to success is finding a good niche market with products and services you trust and believe in.
There are fantastic affiliate programs which offer you an abundance of tools and materials that you can use to promote and market their products. However, what you do with those tools and materials is entirely up to you. You can choose to be just another affiliate or become a super affiliate.
Technically speaking, a super affiliate is someone who creates a significant amount of profits from the sales they make for the products or services they represent. A super affiliate makes a healthy living from their online affiliate business alone – while a standard every day affiliate usually needs to supplement their affiliate income with, gasp – a full time job!
The most significant benefit of being a super affiliate is the income. Many super affiliates easily make six figures annually by simply promoting the products and services of others.
In addition, if you're one of the main contributors to a company's affiliate program, they're going to pay attention to you and your needs.
You may obtain a higher percentage commission on sales. You may receive first shot with new marketing materials and programs, and you'll receive the support you want when you need it.
Commit to publishing content every single day. Content has continually proven to be the best sales tool available for affiliate marketers. Nothing, not even strategically placed ad copy works as well as furnishing quality content that pre-sells any product or service that you're promoting on your website.
Published content includes:
Track and test everything. Make sure you know where your prospects are coming from, what motivates them to click through and what information they read and respond to – then give them what they need. Tracking and testing is the only way to fine tune your affiliate program into a smooth running, money making machine!
Utilize any provided marketing materials and be willing to take it a step further. Many affiliate programs do a great job of giving their affiliate ready made marketing materials including:
1. Banner ads
2. Email copy
3. Article posts
4. Free promotional reports
5. Demo videos
6. Product reviews
Use the materials your affiliate manager has provided. It's most likely been tested and developed for results.
That being said, be sure to create your own content as well. Even as an affiliate, you are your own company and your website needs to reflect your personality and brand.
To build a community around your website, it's important to provide valuable content on a regular basis. This is a sure way to create a following that trusts you and your credibility. As a result you will see better click through rates and affiliate sales!
Pre-sell. Pre-selling means that your content, whether it is a review, article, tutorial, course, or blog post, speaks honestly about the products and services you are promoting. The good news is that your main purpose as an affiliate is to pre-sell products and services.
Pre-selling is about giving value to your website visitors and prospects. You want to make them comfortable with you while building your authority to generate interest and a desire to click through to the company website, where the sales are made.
Follow up. Just like your affiliate manager follows up with you to see how you're doing and what you need – it's crucial that you follow up with your prospects whenever possible.
A great way to do this unobtrusively is to create a opt-in list by offering visitors a newsletter they can subscribe to, a free report, or any number of products in exchange for an email address and the permission to contact them with valuable information and special promotions.
To become a Super Affiliate is the only way to go if you want to build a successful affiliate marketing business. It is important to find products and services you can trust and believe in. Create a strategy to share information to your target audience.
Be sure to test and track all your efforts, focus on providing value to your prospects and leave the selling to the vendors you represent. Helping others build better lives, without having to provide the products or services directly yourself, is a great way to make a living.
Michel has actively been online as an Internet and affiliate marketer since 2009. He has experience with many systems and programs that he has used throughout those years, finding some to be great and many not so good. He's learned what works, and what doesn't work and is willing to share it with you. And it is always changing!
6 Steps to Affiliate Sales Conversion
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate Madness
Affiliate Programs – Which One Should I Choose?
5 Affiliate Marketing Success Traits


text:
'Tis the season for beer (Part 2)
December 21, 2013 2 Comments
This is now what the finished product looks like:
Along with brewing, the publication of radio articles on this blog will resume over summer without interruption. Three articles will be published which loosely focus on surviving long distance FM reception without an external antenna. It is a situation many enthusiasts find themselves in from time to time, especially during the summer vacation period.
Forthcoming radio articles include:
- Simple DAB+ FM portable receiver shootout;
- Easy improvements to portable FM receiver antenna performance &
- FM DXing without an external yagi antenna.
Christmas & New Year wishes to all readers. The Festive Season can be a stressful time of the year, but let's hope everyone can slip in some relaxation. 'Tis the season for beer, after all! Try not to fight too much with family & friends! 🙂


text:
A Big Lake take on a classic. Bubbly, savory Ryecoe beer cheese served with handmade soft pretzels for dipping. 8
Charcuterie Board$16.00
A mix of the season's best cheeses, fresh fruit, bread, and cured meat. Ask server for details on today's offerings. 16
Loaded Tots$9.00
Everyone's favorite crispy fried taters with crisp bacon, cheese blend, green onions, seasoned sour cream and your choice of smoked pork or chicken. 9
Wild Smoked Salmon Pate$11.00
Smoked salmon blended with cream cheese, Italian cheese blend and green onion. Served with toast points. 11
Stoner Tots$6.00
The munchies made better! Amazing fried tots tossed in zippy asiago and Italian herbs. 6
Roasted red pepper house made hummus. Served with fresh veggies and toast points. 9
Bread Sticks$7.00
Wood fired bread sticks brushed with garlic Parmesan butter and smokey mozzarella served with house made marinara for dipping. 7
Spinach and Squash$12.00
A perfect blend for the season, baby spinach, topped with diced butternut squash, toasted pumpkin seeds, and bleu cheese crumbles. Served with Cherry Vinegarette. 12
Grilled Caesar$10.00
Grilled-to-golden romaine hearts, topped with our house-made dressing, pretzel croutons and fresh parmesan cheese. 10 Add chicken 2 Add steak 8 Add salmon 8
Simple Greens$12.00
Fresh mixed greens, crispy bacon, mozzarella, smoked cheddar, red onion, tomato, hard boiled egg and pretzel croutons. With choice of dressing. 12
Beer Mac N Cheese$15.00
Penne pasta tossed in a blanket of Ryecoe beer cheese, topped with bacon and pretzel breadcrumbs. With choice of side. 15 Add any Leroy Brown smoked meat for 3
16oz Ribeye Steak$28.00
Grilled 16oz Prime Ribeye served with redskin potatoes, and choice of side. 28
Lobster Mac & Cheese$18.00
Penne pasta tossed in a blanket of Ryecoe beer cheese dotted with plump lobster meat, topped with bacon crumbles, and bread crumbs. 18
Bangers & Mash$18.00
Two house smokes beer brats served over smashed redskin potatoes, and topped with onion gravy. Comes with choice of side. 18
Chicken & Waffle$12.00
A big fluffy waffle packed with bacon and our housemade chicken tenders, topped with a fresh arugula and tomato salad and maple bourbon dipping sauce. 12
Portobello Sammy$12.00
Grilled portobello mushroom stuffed with goat cheese, topped with red onion, avocado, baby spinach and roasted tomato on a pretzel bun. 12
The Big Lake Burger$12.00
Half-pound specialty blend patty, grilled to order and topped with your choice of smoked cheddar or Gouda, lettuce, tomato and pickles on a fresh pretzel bun. With choice of side. 12
Grilled Cheese$9.00
An assortment of seasonal cheeses, layered with roasted tomato, baby spinach and ancho chipotle sauce, grilled till perfectly gooey, served on Sourdough bread. With choice of side. 9
DIY Sammy$12.00
Pick your smoked meat (chicken or pork) then top with house slaw, served on a fresh pretzel bun. With choice of side. 12
Big Lake's version of a classic, house smoked pulled pork over crispy pork belly, topped with house beer mustard, pickles, and fresh arugula served on a fresh pretzel bun. With choice of side. 12
Grilled flour tortillas, with your choice of smoked meat, topped with lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, southwest crema and fresh pico de gallo. 13 *smoked portabello mushrooms (vegetarian option)
The Hangover$15.00
Our housemade burger grilled to order, topped with house smoked pulled pork, BBQ, beer cheese, and a fried egg on a pretzel bun. 15
Balsamic and Bella$15.00
Our housemade burger grilled to order, topped with grilled portabella mushroom, melted goat cheese, red onion, avocado, spinach, and balsamic reduction on a pretzel bun. 15
Big Bleu$15.00
Our housemade burger grilled to order, topped with Bleu cheese, and our handcrafted bacon jam. Served on a pretzel bun. 15
Hearty Veggie$15.00
Sweet potato and Quinoa burger grilled and topped with choice of cheese served on a pretzel bun with lettuce, tomato, and pickles. 15
Grilled Salmon BLT$16.00
Citrus cured and grilled salmon filet topped with ginger glaze, bacon, leek, and tomatoes finished with a zippy lemon aioli, served with choice of side. 16
Beer Mac N Cheese$4.00
Penne pasta tossed in a blanket of Ryecoe beer cheese, topped with bacon and pretzel breadcrumbs. 4
Blood Orange Slaw$2.00
Crisp, handcrafted sweet and savory slaw, with hints of ginger and the zip of Blood Orange Haze. 2
Loaded Tots$4.00
Everyone's favorite crispy fried taters with crisp bacon, cheese blend, green onions, seasoned sour cream and your choice of Leroy Brown smoked pork or chicken. 4
Stoner Tots$4.00
The munchies made better! Amazing fried tots tossed in zippy asiago and Italian herbs. 4
Darkstar Shake$6.00
Our seasonal full-bodied stout blended with creamy chocolate ice cream, a killer grown up take on a kid classic. 6
Rise and Shine$12.00
Ryecoe beer sauce, sautéed peppers, onions and mushrooms, bacon, crispy tots, finished with smoked cheddar cheese and two eggs sunny-side-up. 12
Stout Smoked BBQ$12.00
House-made Dark Star BBQ sauce, Leroy Brown smoked chicken, bacon and caramelized onions topped with mozzarella. 12
Roasted Veggie$12.00
House-made red sauce and a variety of roasted seasonal veggies, topped with mozzarella. 12
Mac N Cheese$12.00
Roasted garlic rubbed crust topped with our Big Lake Beer Mac, bacon, and smoked cheddar cheese. 12
Build Your Own$10.00
We start it for you with house-made red sauce and cheese, you do the rest. 10 Jalapeño, Green Peppers, Red Peppers, Red Onion, Mushrooms, Spinach, Roasted Tomato, Bacon, Smoked Chicken, Smoked Pork, Pepperoni, Sausage Each item add 1 dollar


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September 17, 2015
Giving You Plenty of Benefits Without the Doubt
See the Features Watch Video Download Slides Read Press Release
We're Investing in Our Relationship
We're focused on solving your problems and making your life easier.
We're not perfect – sometimes we have to iterate to solve the problem.
Software is more than just features – it's about a beautiful user experience.
Whatever gets built, gets built right with availability and security top-of-mind.
PlanSource ACA Updates
Preview IRS Reports
Preview critical IRS reports, including Forms 1094-C and 1095-C throughout the year before they need to be formally submitted to the IRS.
Monthly Measurement Method
In addition to the "look-back method," the "monthly measurement" method for full-time status determination will be supported.
Multiple FEINs
Support multiple companies within a single organization by tracking employees in aggregate between FEINs for measurement.
1095-C Download
Employees will receive an email link to download the Form 1095-C, with the paper form sent to the remaining.
Consumer Experience Updates
PlanSource Video Library
Use the newly designed library of videos to provide just-in-time education to consumers within the shopping and enrollment process.
Basic Consumer Support
Help consumers with navigation, understanding their options and completing life event changes. (Additional fees apply)
Premium Consumer Support
Provide Basic Support plus personalized guidance, plan recommendations and phone-based enrollment. (Additional fees apply)
Dynamic Enrollment Surveys
Add workflow-based questions that change based on the consumer's response, and can be set up with conditional follow-ups.
New Employee Messaging
Communicate transparently and efficiently with newly hired employees through segmentation, filtering and delivery tools.
Auto-Assign Coverage
Auto-assign plans and coverage levels for bundled benefits during the employee enrollment experience.
Administrative Tools and Support
Advanced HR Support
PlanSource will provide HR staff support for dependent and life event verification, EOI processing, claims assistance and more.
Renewal Wizard*
Benefit plans and rates for the new year can be updated automatically based upon information captured online.
Employee Notifications
View a history of employee notifications including what was sent, to whom and when, which is critical for auditing purposes.
Enrollment Form Generation
Using eligibility rates, beneficiary, demographic and EOI data, an automated enrollment form can be generated for and used by an employer.
Expanded Business Rules and Reports
Document Library*
Allow Administrators to post documents (SPDs, HR policies and procedures, etc.) for employees or specific groups of employees.
Stacked Rates & Coverages*
For voluntary and worksite products, brokers and employers can track previous coverage amounts, age banded rates and frozen rates.
EOI Expiration
Let benefits that are pending Evidence of Insurability (EOI) automatically expire after a designated time period specified by you.
Volume Filtering
Allow the coverage amount options for one benefit to be dependent upon the coverage amount selected for another benefit.
New Standard Reports
Use new standard reports for Dependent Eligibility, EOI History, Life Events, Notification History, Recent Activity and Admin Role Changes.
*Available Q4 2015
PlanSource Adds MetLife to its Distribution Platform
MetLife products, from one of the largest providers of life insurance and employee benefits are on the PlanSource Platform.
Join a weekly presentation and demonstration
Join a short 1-hour demo to learn how our benefit administration technology can help you stay compliant and serve your customers.
Navigate the maze and stay compliant with the ACA
Learn about new IRS forms and how to determine which employees are considered full-time and benefits-eligible according to the ACA.


text: We went to the Madurai exhibtion last week. As hostel friends would be leaving home early we planned an early visit and ended up seeing how the shops are built. The exhibition looked a lot different with very little crowd and very few shops. It was a different experience. As there were very few shops and entertainment aspects we were walking around the whole ground chatting and at times peeking into the shops. Usually the policemen, with the thought of being more vigilant and people friendly are usually hard on college students moving around as a group. This time it did not happen. We ended up visiting stalls put up by the police department, wildlife department, fisheries, IT department, Madurai corporation. The stalls were informative and were the only place where one could spend some time. One interesting information is that, the road from thiruparankundram C2 police station (TCE college stop) to Thiruparankundram stands second in the road list where more number of accidents happen. Surely, it was not the right time to visit madurai exhibition but its a different exhibition i have seen. Soon it would reach its peak and would demand one more visit. Think that visit would be a lot different.


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Now that I'm working from home full-time, I'm with my two Siberian Huskies a whole lot more. Whether they (and I) enjoy this is another story. Huskies are stubborn dogs and want what they want. They're not sleeping at my feet or fetching things for me throughout the day. They're not looking for extra love… [Read More…]
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Monday, December 27, 2010
Another Area Variance in NY
About 10 days ago we examined and distinguished the approach taken by the state of New York in the consideration of area variances and the approach taken here in Tennessee. The earlier entry is here. In Rossney v. Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Ossining, 2010 WL 5094740 (NYAD Dec 2010), the New York Court considered and upheld another zoning board decision to deny an area variance. This one the board found to be self-created: almost no state will allow a variance for a self-created hardship. In Tennessee, the leading case is Union Trust v Williamson County, where a variance was denied under similar circumstances.
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Cheyney University employs a 24-hour Police and Security force to serve, protect, and educate the campus community.
The Cheyney Police Department is staffed by dedicated, sworn police officers who have received the same required training as municipal police officers throughout Pennsylvania. Our officers on participate in annual police update training under PA Act 180.
Our officers patrol all of the buildings on campus around the clock, every day of the year, and not only respond to reported criminal incidents, but also handle vehicle accidents, EMS incidents and a variety of service calls.
The Cheyney Police Department works very closely with surrounding municipal police departments daily to provide for a safe and secure environment throughout the entire community. By working with the campus Office of Judicial Affairs, they help to hold students accountable for behavior both on and off campus.
During special events and activities, Cheyney supplements our full-time police force with contractual security to help ensure a safe, enjoyable experience.
Daily Crime Log
A daily log of all crimes reported to the Cheyney police department over the last 60 days is maintained and available for public review at our office. You may obtain a copy of the log by appearing in person at:
Cheyney University Police Department
McKnight-Rogers Building
1837 University Circle
Cheyney, PA, 19319


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Nestled in the heart of the Southern Alps, Queenstown is a picturesque alpine town. Don't be fooled, though – life here doesn't slow down during the winter months – it speeds up!
Author: Tara Manjunath
New Zealand's Best Ski Resorts
Winter is an amazing time to travel in New Zealand, especially for true mountain enthusiasts with a love of fresh, white pow pow! It's time to strap into your snowboard and clip into your skis and experience how we get down in the Southern hemisphere…
A Traveller's Guide to Matariki
Want to know more about Matariki – a.k.a the Māori new year? You're in luck! We've put together a guide that will answer all of your questions, from What is Matariki? to Where can I see it? and How can I celebrate it? – we've got you covered…
What it's like to travel solo with Stray
The thought of travelling solo can be intimidating, stressful and downright terrifying… especially when you're on the other side of the world! At the same time, it might just be one of the most exhilarating and life-changing things you'll ever do.
Unique Beaches in New Zealand
Whether you're a self-proclaimed beach babe or someone who could live without sand and it's ability to get everywhere, there's no denying that the beaches in New Zealand are breathtakingly beautiful. We've narrowed it down to, what we think, are the top 6 must-see beaches in New Zealand.
Stray Days: Straying with Sarah and Tim
Originally from the USA and now travelling the world on an extended 20-month honeymoon (the dream, right?!), Sarah and Tim found some spare time to fill us in on their Stray adventure…


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Surprise Mom with breakfast in bed as a special treat! Eggs Benedict with salmon recipe
What mom could fail to be ecstatic when presented with a beautiful breakfast tray on a special day and Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and chives is a lovely breakfast meal that's light and delicious. The rich hollandaise sauce, lightly poached egg oozing bright yellow yolk and smoked salmon with chives combine to create a culinary treat that will give your lovely mother a wonderful start to the day.
Check out gifts for mom from Amazon!
4 eggs
2 English muffins, split in half
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
8 slices smoked salmon
Butter to spread on muffins
Chopped chives to garnish
Hollandaise sauce ingredients
3 egg yolks
2 tsp lemon juice
2tsp white wine vinegar
5oz/125g unsalted butter, diced
Make Hollandaise sauce
First make the Hollandaise sauce.
Put the vinegar and lemon juice into a small bowl and add the egg yolks. Whisk the mixture briskly until it is light and frothy.
Put the bowl over a saucepan of lightly simmering water and continue whisking the mix until it begins to thicken.
Add the diced butter to the sauce mix gradually and whisk continually until the mixture has thickened. If the mix starts to separate take the bowl away from the heated saucepan and continue whisking until it is thick.
Keep the sauce mixture warm until ready to serve your Eggs Benedict.
It's easy to poach directly in boiling water if you don't have egg poachers.
Bring a large pan of water to boil and add the white wine vinegar. Turn the heat down so the water is just simmering slowly and stir it to create a whirlpool effect. Lower the eggs one at a time gently into the simmering pan of water and cook for about 4 minutes. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon.
Lightly toast muffin halves and butter them.
Place two slices of smoked salmon onto each half muffin and slide a poached egg onto each slice of salmon.
Spoon a generous amount of the warm Hollandaise sauce on top of the eggs and salmon and garnish your finished breakfast meal with a sprinkling of chopped chives.
Check out alternative breakfast recipes from the BBC
Good Food at the BBC have a number of suggestions for special breakfast meals you could check out if you want to try preparing something different for your mom. Why not try banana pancakes with bacon and syrup or a delicious and fruity breakfast smoothie?
© 2014 Dawn Denmar
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OPB will premiere a new, one-hour Oregon Experience documentary that explores the long history of Oregon State University (OSU), Oregon's largest university and Oregon's only land-grant institution.
"Oregon State University" airs on OPB TV Monday, June 11 at 9 p.m. and will be available to watch online at opb.org/OSU the same day.
In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed federal legislation creating land-grant schools that would provide a liberal and practical education for the masses. It was a radical idea in a time when higher education was only accessible to the wealthy. The mission of land-grant schools would be to provide a low-cost instruction in agriculture, military tactics, and mechanical arts.
The federal government provided states with federal land to fund the new institutions. In 1868, the Oregon Legislature chose Corvallis College as its official land-grant school. Over the years, the school would have many names, including the Oregon Agricultural College (OAC), and finally in 1961, Oregon State University.
Today, OSU is one of only two institutions in the country to be designated land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant status. Those federal designations provide unique opportunities to conduct and share research on a broad range of issues related to natural resources.
OPB's documentary "Oregon State University" takes an in-depth look at OSU's enduring legacy as a school for the people of Oregon, and its continued impact today with cutting-edge research projects conducted around the world—in technology, natural resources, marine sciences, and more.
The program uses hundreds of rare images, historic film, and oral histories with illustrious alumni. Interviews include:
- John Byrne, OSU president 1984-1995, former NOAA administrator
- Jonathan Hurst, Dynamics Robotics Laboratory & associate professor of Robotics
- Lawrence Landis, director, OSU Special Collections & Archives Research Center
- Jane Lubchenco, distinguished professor, former NOAA administrator
- Sylvia Moore, professor emeritus of Women's Athletics
- Michael Oriard, former professional American football player, emeritus distinguished professor of American Literature and Culture
- Edward Ray, OSU president William Robbins, emeritus distinguished professor of History
In conjunction with OSU, OPB is hosting community screening events in Bend and Corvallis for the film. Free and open to the public, the events will feature the full-length documentary and a Q&A.
- Bend event: Tuesday, June 5, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at the Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall Street. Tickets are free, but required. Reserve them online at opb.org/OSUbend.
- Corvallis event: Wednesday, June 6, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at the LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th Street. Tickets are free, but required. Reserve them online at opb.org/OSUcorvallis.
"Oregon State University" airs on OPB TV Monday, June 11 at 9 p.m. and will be available to watch online at opb.org/OSU the same day. The program is written and produced by Kami Horton and edited by Bruce Barrow. For more information, along with images, visit opb.org/OSU.


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Cedar Apple Rust activity
Can you tell me if the Cedar Apple Rust spores are finished being let loose by the galls on the cedar trees for this spring in Frederick Md? I see only dark brown galls presently on the nearby cedar trees. I never noticed the orange tendrils. Thank You
Frederick County Maryland
1 Response
The galls on cedar trees sporulate about the same time that crabapple trees bloom.
We can't say exactly when particular crabapple trees bloomed in Frederick, but that's what you want to watch for. Chances are that bloom is finished for this year, but every year is a bit different depending on weather.
Here is info about cedar apple rust from our website: http://extension.umd.edu/hgic/rust-diseases-trees-and-shrubs
If you are growing apples, look in the Fruit section of Grow It Eat It on our website. See: Tree Fruit> Apple> Diseases> Rust. At the bottom of the screen you can link to a spray schedule.


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Self-guided freedom to discover the captivating scenery of the Bahamas allowing you a unique opportunity!
Reserve Online..Book your buggy, scooter or ATV rental or tour online. An exciting tours is just a click away!
For your convenience we offer pick up and drop of services to your hotel or from your cruise port.
My husband and I did the ATV excursion. It was amazing! We went all along the coast. We had stops along the way. After going off road we had one stop at a private beach and another at a fantastic restaurant for a samll sampler!
Awesome Buggy Excursion!
My boyfriend and I really enjoyed this excursion! It was easy to book through our hotel. Our tour guide Anthony picked us up from our hotel and took us to JS Scooter to pick our buggy's.This excursion is definitely worth the price and you are bound to have a great time! Thank you again to our wonderful tour guide Anthony!
The best buggy experience ever!!!!! Our Tour Guide (Anthony) was soooooooo amazing. He was very kind and patient!! He explained ever tour location and was sure to capture photos of us enjoying the experience. All other staff was very welcoming and kind as well.
J&S Scooter Rentals
Office No. : 242-363-1283
Cable Beach: 242-477-1020
Mobile No. : 242-424-2844
Office Hours : 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
3 Locations to Serve You!
Prince George Wharf
Paradise Island
Cable Beach


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Last year, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) released 137 million salmon from its hatcheries, the lowest production year ever for the state agency followed by 2017's 145 million. However, the agency is proposing to boost production of salmon over the next two years at 23 hatchery facilities by 24 million as part of an overall strategy to aid the Southern Resident killer whale population.
The state agency's proposal to the state legislature includes a $6.35 million funding request in the operating budget and corresponds with one of the recommendations made by the state's Southern Resident Killer Whale task force set up by Governor Jay Inslee.
The task force hosted several working group meetings throughout the state last year to examine short-term and long-term strategies to increase the number of Southern Resident orcas, which were classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 2005. Between 1995-2003, their numbers fell by 16 percent and now less than 80 remain.
One of the causes attributed to their dwindling population is an insufficient supply of salmon, which makes up 80-90 percent of the orca's diet. Last year's production represents half of the 275 million salmon released by the agency in 1989 (page 6). WDFW's proposal notes that production has fallen "due to funding reductions and new hatchery reform policies."
Under its proposal, WDFW would increase production of chinook by 15.7 million, coho by 2.98 million and chum by 5.5 million. The plan dovetails well with the Fish and Wildlife Commission's vote in September to increase chinook production by 50 million beyond 2018 levels.
Already, WDFW plans to release seven million more salmon at those facilities this year thanks to a $837,000 appropriation in last year's supplemental capital budget. Roughly 40 percent of the total new salmon produced would occur at six hatchery facilities on the coast, including Forks Creek, Humptulips and Nemah.
Washington Policy Center Environmental Director Todd Myers told Lens that WDFW's proposal "is one of the few actions that we can take that provides prey for orca in the near term. Since production has declined consistently over the last several years, it's a policy that make sense."
WDFW operates 83 hatchery facilities, 80 percent of which produce salmon and/or steelhead.
The proposal was reviewed by NOAA Fisheries and the Hatchery Scientific Review Group. NOAA Fisheries report noted that increased chinook salmon would benefit Southern Resident orcas most but added that the federal agency needs additional information in order to properly assess risks to wild salmon (Appendix 8). A similar concern was noted by the Hatchery Scientific Review Group's report (Appendix 7).