The Wizard of Oz and Populism essays

The Wizard of Oz and Populism essays Since 1964 the story as well as the movie known as The Wizard of Oz has lost much of its innocence. Prior to 1964 The Wizard of Oz was a tale of innocence that adults and children alike enjoyed. They viewed The Wizard of Oz as an escape and thought the story to be fun, exciting and pleasurable. However, in 1964 Henry M. Littlefield published The Wizard of Oz: Parable on Populism. Littlefields theories on populist allegory throughout The Wizard of Oz sparked much controversy with the public. Henry M. Littlefield was able to convincingly connect scenes, characters, and objects in The Wizard of Oz to populism in his essay The Wizard of Oz: Parable on Populism. The movie opens up with a very drab view of Kansas in the late 19th century. Everything is gray as far as the eye can see, as all the land has become barren, and dust storms are now very prevalent. The farmhouse where Dorothy lives is barren too, and the paint has chipped off and blown away. Uncle Henry never laughs, and Auntie Em (whose face is completely gray) never smiles. This is parable to the beginnings of populism because farmers they were facing a widespread drought causing many problems with their farming. Ultimately this barren land is what led the populist movement to start up. When Dorothy lands in Oz she is first confused. Just as the populists were having many confusing problems so was Dorothy. However, Dorothy, with the aid of the Munchkins, devised a plan to see The Wizard in order to achieve her goal of retuning home. This is similar to how the farmers banded together to achieve their goal to nationalize the populist movement. Along the way Dorothy meets three diverse characters, which symbolize how William Jennings Bryan attracted more members to the populist movement on the road. Together Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and The Cowardly Lion all had the same goal comparative to the populist movement. When the four finally reached their destination ...

Timbuktu, Mali and Today

Timbuktu, Mali and Today The word Timbuktu (or Timbuctoo or Tombouctou) is used in several languages to represent a far-away place, but Timbuktu is an actual city in the African country of Mali. Where Is Timbuktu? Located near the edge of the Niger River, Timbuktu is situated near the middle of Mali in Africa.  Timbuktu had a 2014 population of approximately 15,000 (the recent drop more in half due to its 2012–2013 occupation by Al Qaeda). The 2014 estimate is the latest data available. The Legend of Timbuktu Timbuktu was founded by nomads in the 12th century, and it rapidly became a major trading depot for the caravans of the Sahara Desert. During the 14th century, the legend of Timbuktu as a rich cultural center spread through the world. The beginning of the legend can be traced to 1324, when the Emperor of Mali made his pilgrimage to Mecca via Cairo. In Cairo, the merchants and traders were impressed by the amount of gold carried by the emperor, who claimed that the gold was from Timbuktu. Furthermore, in 1354 the great Muslim explorer Ibn Battuta wrote of his visit to Timbuktu and told of the wealth and gold of the region. Thus, Timbuktu became renown as an African El Dorado, a city made of gold. During the 15th century, Timbuktu grew in importance, but its homes were never made of gold. Timbuktu produced few of its own goods but served as the major trading center for salt across the desert region. The city also became a center of Islamic study and the home of a university and extensive library. The citys maximum population during the 1400s probably numbered somewhere between 50,000 to 100,000, with approximately one-quarter of the population composed of scholars and students. The Legend Grows A 1526 visit to Timbuktu by a Muslim from Grenada, Spain, Leo Africanus, told of Timbuktu as a typical trading outpost. Still, the mythical legend of its wealth persisted. In 1618, a London company was formed to establish trade with Timbuktu. Unfortunately, the first trading expedition ended up with the massacre of all its members, and a second expedition sailed up the Gambia River and thus never reached Timbuktu. In the 1700s and early 1800s, many explorers attempted to reach Timbuktu, but none returned. Many unsuccessful and successful explorers were forced to drink camel urine, their own urine, or even blood to attempt to survive the Sahara Desert. Known wells would be dry or would not provide enough water upon an expeditions arrival. Mungo Park, a Scottish doctor, attempted a trip to Timbuktu in 1805. Unfortunately, his expedition team of dozens of Europeans and natives all died or abandoned the expedition, and Park was left to sail along the Niger River, never visiting Timbuktu but merely shooting at people and other objects on the shore with his guns as his insanity increased. His body was never found. In 1824, the Geographical Society of Paris offered a reward of 7,000 francs and a gold medal valued at 2,000 francs to the first European who could visit Timbuktu and return to tell the story of the mythical city. European Arrival in Timbuktu The first European acknowledged to have reached Timbuktu was Scottish explorer Gordon Laing. He left Tripoli in 1825 and traveled for 13 months to reach Timbuktu. On the way, he was attacked by the ruling Tuareg nomads, was shot and cut by swords, and broke his arm. He recovered from the vicious attack and made his way to Timbuktu, arriving in August 1826. Laing was unimpressed with Timbuktu, which had, as Leo Africanus reported, become simply a salt trading outpost filled with mud-walled homes in the middle of a barren desert. Laing remained in Timbuktu for just over one month. Two days after leaving Timbuktu, he was murdered. French explorer Rene-Auguste Caillie had better luck than Laing. He planned to make his trip to Timbuktu disguised as an Arab as part of a caravan, much to the chagrin of proper European explorers of the era. Caillie studied Arabic and the Islamic religion for several years. In April 1827, he left the coast of West Africa and reached Timbuktu a year later, even though he was ill for five months during the trip. Caillie was unimpressed with Timbuktu and remained there for two weeks. He then returned to Morocco and then went home to France. Caillie published three volumes about his travels and was awarded the prize from the Geographical Society of Paris. German geographer Heinrich Barth left Tripoli with two other explorers in 1850 for a trek to Timbuktu, but his companions both died. Barth reached Timbuktu in 1853 and did not return home until 1855. During the interim, he was feared dead by many. Barth gained fame through the publication of five volumes of his experiences. As with previous explorers to Timbuktu, Barth found the city quite the anticlimax. French Colonial Control In the late 1800s, France took over the Mali region and decided to take Timbuktu away from the control of the violent Tuareg. The French military was sent to occupy Timbuktu in 1894. Under the command of Major  Joseph Joffre (later a famous World War I general), Timbuktu was occupied and became the site of a French fort. Communication between Timbuktu and France was difficult, making the city an unhappy place for a soldier to be stationed. Nonetheless, the area around Timbuktu was well protected, so other nomad groups were able to live without fear of the hostile Tuareg. Modern Timbuktu Even after the invention of air travel, the Sahara was unyielding. The plane making an inaugural air flight from Algiers to Timbuktu in 1920 was lost. Eventually, a successful airstrip was established; however, today, Timbuktu is still most commonly reached by camel, motor vehicle, or boat. In 1960, Timbuktu became part of the independent country of Mali. The population of Timbuktu in a 1940 census was estimated at approximately 5,000 people; in 1976, the population was 19,000; in 1987, 32,000 people resided in the city. In 2009, Mali statistical office census estimates put the population at more than 54,000. In 1988, Timbuktu was designated a United Nations World Heritage Site, and efforts were underway to preserve and protect the city and especially its centuries-old mosques. In 2012, due to regional fighting, the city was placed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger, where it still remains in 2018.

Health Policy Issue on lack of Preventive health Care in the Uninsured Research Paper

Health Policy Issue on lack of Preventive health Care in the Uninsured - Research Paper Example Failure to pay for medial bills by the uninsured people can result into the increase in costs for the insured ones through higher premiums. According to the health policy regarding the insurance coverage, the people between the ages of 55 to 65 do not qualify for the public insurance coverage, yet they are the ones with many medical problems. The government should ensure that the uninsured persons can access the public insurance covers (Georgetown University, 2003). The adults are not as healthy as the younger ones; therefore, they need preventive care regularly. The large percentages of adults have chronic illnesses and cannot access the preventive health care. Persons who can access the private insurance constitute a small percentage (Georgetown University, 2003). Moreover, the only adults of age 55 to 65 who get public insurance are the disabled and they are very few. Since the people without the insurance mostly get primary care at emergency rooms, there are increased risks of overstraining of their organisms by traumas. This makes it difficult for the emergency rooms to deal with traumas. The overburdening of the emergency rooms can lead to the increase of the local taxes (Georgetown University, 2003). Many old people die due to late diagnosis of chronic illnesses which can be screened and treated in time. Those who have the insurance regularly go for checkups; therefore, the screening of the chronic diseases like cancers can be more effective. Additionally, the lack of insurance can make individuals go without health care. This is because the uninsured are more likely to spend more on the medical services compared to the insured individuals, since they pay more of their medical fees from their pockets. The prescription drugs for the chronic diseases are very expensive, especially for the uninsured elder individuals. Inability to pay for the health care due to its high costs makes most of the people live without the preventive health care

The Legislative Department (United States Goverment) Research Paper - 1

The Legislative Department (United States Goverment) - Research Paper Example The House contains of four hundred and thirty five members who are elected from fifty states of the country. In addition to that there are also six other members with non-voting rights. The person presiding the House proceedings is the Speaker of the House who is chosen after an election between the representatives (Tocqueville, Alexis & Goldhammer 2004). The House of Representatives are brought into power following an electoral process. Elections take place in all fifty states of the country and they decide who will make it to the House and who will lag behind the race to make it to the Congress. As a general rule, all members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years. Moreover, they should be at least twenty five years old at the time of election. Also, it is a pre requisite that they must hold the citizenship of the USA for a period of at least seven years alongside being a resident of the State that they wish to represent (US Congress 2007). As far as the Senators are concerned, the Congress comprises of one hundred of them, of which two represent each State of the country. They are also elected by the people of their respective states for a period of six years. They are elected in such a manner that one third of the Senators have to be re-elected after every two years. Moreover, it is a must that the Senators should be at least thirty years of age, residents of the State they wish to represent and citizens of the United States for a period of at least nine years (Quirk, Paul & Binder 2005). As mentioned above, the Legislative Branch consists of two organizations which together make up the Congress of the United States of America. Those two organizations are known as the Senate and the House of Representatives. These together are responsible for carrying out the legislative process that is required to maintain proper running of the economy. One of the many

Defining Personal Responsibility Essay Example for Free

Defining Personal Responsibility Essay Abstract Personal responsibility is the choices and obligations we make in life. Everyone is responsible for their own actions no one else. We all must have good character, moral values and a healthy lifestyle in order to accept personal responsibility. Once we use our good character and moral values to help us know what is right and wrong, it is up to us to be responsible and make the right decisions. Also promoting a healthy life style show you are responsible mentally, physically and emotionally. All in all, once we accept the fact that we are the only ones who can change our lives by making good choices, we have accepted personal responsibility! Defining Personal Responsibility and Obligations to Oneself Personal Responsibility is realizing that you are responsible for the choices and obligations you make in your life! According to Dr. Dlugokinski, â€Å"Accepting personal responsibility may be one of the keys to happiness. † It is our responsibility to make sure we have good character, moral values and a healthy life style, no matter who influences you or how you grew up. Then and only then can you achieve this ultimate happiness. As we grow as people we develop many responsibilities throughout our life and we will always experience difficult choices. As a responsible person, it is up to us to decide what is good or bad, right or wrong and to accept the consequences of our actions. Good character refers to the many qualities that distinguish one individual from another. (Merriam-Webster). Everyone has character, it is just up to us to decide which characteristics are our strengths and which are our weaknesses. Having qualities such as being trustworthy or punctual are good characteristics in a person, which if used correctly will have good results to our actions. Where does personal responsibility fit in? Well we are responsible to choose which characteristics define us as a person. Making the choice to be punctual instead of late all the time shows that we are personally responsible about our good character. If we choose to be late instead of punctual, we are not accepting our personal responsibility that we must be punctual so we suffer from the consequences. Moral values are the values of good and evil, which help us make the right and wrong choices in life. We develop these moral values throughout our life time and it is our personal responsibility to use them when making choices or obligations. Having moral values is important in personal responsibility because the moral values you live by will help you determine what’s right and what’s wrong. Once we’ve determined what’s right or wrong we use those values to help make sure we are doing the right thing which is the responsible way to do it. Finally, having a healthy life style is the most important key to personal responsibility. Everyone is responsible for how they live their lives but it is important to make sure you are mentally, emotionally and physically stable in order to live a good life. We as people like to blame everyone else for our problems but the only real person to blame are ourselves. We ourselves are personally responsible for the way we live are lives no one else. If you don’t live a healthy lifestyle it is your responsibility to change that or accept the burdens that come with not living a healthy life style. When you accept responsibility, you admit you are the one responsible for the choices made in your life. We, no other person or thing, are responsible for what we choose and think. It is our life, and we are the only ones responsible for it. Roman statesman Claudius Caecus quoted, â€Å"Each man the architect of his own fate. † Meaning we are responsible for our lives will turn out, no one else. Once we decide what we want in life and take responsibility for it, we have accepted personally responsibility. References character. (n. d. ). Merriam-Websters Medical Dictionary. Retrieved October 10, 2011, from Dictionary. com website: http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/character * I used this reference from the dictionary to give my readers a better understanding to what character means. I also wanted to explain that it is good character that is needed in a person’s personality that will help them achieve personal responsibility. People must avoid victimization mindset. (1995, May 24). Journal Record, pp. NOPGCIT. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/259366813?accountid=35812 * Dr. Eric Dlugokinski, psychologist and professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, says accepting your own responsibility requires determination, commitment and a recognition of reality. Dlugokinski said, If you dont know where your responsibilities start and stop, you continue blaming others and stay in an emotional rut forever. Defining personal responsibility, in many cases, requires soul-searching. Responsibility. (2007). Bloomsbury Business Library U. S. Business Quotations, 133. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. * The article presents quotes related to responsibility from U. S. journalist Ambrose Bierce, Roman statesman Claudius Caecus and British poet Richard Aldington. This specific quote was delivered by the Romas statesman Clausius Caecus (fl. 300 b. c. ). It was quoted in De Civitate (Sallust), sect. 1. This quote was perfect on concluding how I feel about personal responsibility. He says we are the arichetect of our own fate. He is saying that we decide how our lifes will turn out, no one else and that is accepting personal responsibility. It is a quote that sums up my whole paper in a single phrase. I have found out that it was quite difficult to find resources on the University Library for my essay. The library offers amazing resources for research but not much for personal essays. I did however manage to find a few quotes that fit perfectly in my essay. My first reference is not from the library, it is an internet resource from a reliable dictionary. This site is published so it is stating that it is reliable. The two sources given from the library are reviewed and published which means they are very reliable sources. I believe these resources strengthen my essay because it gives my reader a factual understanding.

Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston Essay -- essays resea

Farewell To Manzanar In the true story "Farewell to Manzanar" we learn of a young girl's life as she grows up during World War II in a Japanese internment camp. Along with her family and ten thousand other Japanese we see how, as a child, these conditions forced to shape and mold her life. This book does not directly place blame or hatred onto those persons or conditions which had forced her to endure hardship, but rather shows us through her eyes how these experiences have held value she has been able to grow from. Jeanne Wakatsuki was just a seven year growing up in Ocean Park, California when her whole life was about to change. Everything seemed to be going fine, her father owning two fishing boats, and they lived in a large house with a large dining table which was located in an entirely non-Japanese neighborhood. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese was the moment Jeanne's life was critically altered. This started WWII and all Japanese were seen as possible threats to the nations safety. It is not difficult to see, but difficult to justify this view, and therefore Jeanne Wakatsuki, just a child, was now seen as a monster. Her father was immediately arrested and taken away, being accused with furnishing oil to Japanese subs off the coast. And now, Jeanne left without a father, her mother was trapped with the burden of Jeanne's rapidly aging grandmother and her nine brothers and sisters. Too young to understand, Jeanne did not know why or where her father had been taken. But she did know that one very important part of her was gone. Jeanne's father was a very strong, military-like, proud, arrogant, and dignified man. He was the one who was always in control, and made all the decisions for the family. He grew up in Japan, but left at the age of seventeen, headed for work in Hawaii, and never again went back. Leaving his own family behind and never contacting them ever again. But now it was time for Jeanne's family to do something. They found refuge at Terminal Island, a place where many Japanese families live either in some transition stage or for permanent residents. Jeanne was terrified. " It was the first time I had lived among other Japanese, or gone to school with them, and I was terrified all the time." Her father, as a way ... ...ruly come to know a place: Farewell." This says it all. She had finally been able to see that Manzanar was one giant stepping stone she had climbed, and that gave her worth, so she could feel at peace with herself. Her life had really begun at Manzanar, but she isn't about to let it end there. In conclusion, this story was well written and I could sympathize with every trial and tribulation she encountered. Some may say she didn't value her Japanese heritage enough or was pitying herself for being Japanese. But she, in my view is a hero because she took everything that was imposed on her and endured through it. She was able to accept herself through a kind of spiritual growth, which was both revelational, and inspirational. I only hope that one day I can make some sense of the things gone wrong in my life, or at least grow from them. Jeanne is a woman now, who as a child was thrown around in a racial roller coaster, and can accept herself as an important part of society and life, rather than needing others to accept it for her. Note: I really enjoyed this book and the next time I head out to Mammoth Lakes I will definitely try and find Manzanar.

Meaning of life †Evolution Essay

Everyone wonders about the meaning and purpose of life. What is our origin: evolution or creation? Should we seek material wealth, pleasure, and education, or are we here to serve and honor God? Will we be judged for our lives and face eternal destinies in heaven or hell? Please consider the answers that can be found only in the Bible. Introduction: What is the meaning of life? Without doubt, this is one of the most challenging, and yet one of the most fundamental, questions the mind can consider. People throughout history have pondered the purpose of life. Philosophers spin theories. Poets write songs. Young people drop out of society to â€Å"find out what it’s all about. † Older people may remain within the â€Å"establishment,† but they still wonder. Obviously life is real. No one can deny that the world exists and people exist. You live, eat, sleep, breathe, and move. But do you understand why you exist? Please consider with me the challenging question of life. What is it really all about? To answer this question, we will look at three specific questions. Question #1: Where Did You Come From? How do you explain the origin of the human race? Since we are alive, it is natural to wonder where we came from. One reason many people are confused about the meaning of life is that they do not understand the origin of life. To know why we are here, we must know where we came from. Many People Hold Mistaken Ideas about the Origin of Life. A commonly accepted explanation for the origin of life is organic evolution – the hypothesis that man evolved from â€Å"lower animals,† which in turn came from simpler life forms, all the way back to the first microscopic life, which sprang accidentally from non-living matter. But this theory has major problems. Where did the first living thing come from? What caused life to begin where there had never been life before? Science has repeatedly demonstrated that life comes only from life. This is a law of science called the â€Å"Law of Biogenesis. † The opposite of this law would be spontaneous generation – life beginning spontaneously from non-living matter. But science has repeatedly proved this cannot happen. So every living thing must come from a previous living thing. You received life from your parents, who in turn received it from their parents, etc. The same is true for all living things. But evolution requires that, when you go back far enough, non-living matter somehow came to life by chance where there was no life before. Evolution requires spontaneous generation in complete violation of scientific evidence. So evolution cannot explain even the origin of the very first form of life. Where is the evidence that all modern kinds of living things came from an original kind? Living things can adapt to their environment, but where is the proof they can develop into entirely different kinds of organisms such that all kinds came from one original kind? Years of human experience and scientific experimentation confirm that living things reproduce â€Å"after their own kind. † The offspring of a fish is another fish, not a snake, bird, or man. Scientists have searched for years for the â€Å"missing links† – fossils of organisms that were halfway between the kinds of plants or animals we have now. Millions of fossils have been found around the world. If evolution is true, there should be thousands of fossils of missing links, but there is no evidence of these remains anywhere. Why not? Why is man so unique from animals? If man evolved from animals and is really an animal but just slightly more complex, why do we have characteristics so vastly different from animals? Why do people appreciate beauty in art, music, and poetry? Do animals create new paintings, sculptures, symphonies, and books of poetry that they and other animals can enjoy? Why do men have a conscience and a sense of morals? Why do we feel guilty when we have done wrong, even when we have not been caught or punished? Do animals naturally possess these spiritual qualities? Why do only people wonder about such issues as where we came from? Do animals debate even such issues as creation vs. evolution? Why do we possess rational thought so much higher than animals? We can find minute variations in degrees of â€Å"intelligence† among animals, but there is a vast gulf between any animal and man. Men build machines and tools to work for us, train animals, use fire, perform mathematic and scientific calculations, read and write, and pass our knowledge on to others. If we developed from the animals, why are there no animals that possess these characteristics almost as much as we do? If we develop from the animals, why are we so different from them? Evolution is not an adequate explanation. Consider the Bible Explanation for the Origin of Life. Genesis 1:11,12,21-28. All kinds of life were originally created by God in six days. God is an eternal, living, all-wise, all-powerful Creator (cf. Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 4:4). Instead of life coming from non-living matter, life came from life – the eternally living God. Living things reproduce after their own kind, because God created them that way. And man is unlike the animals, because he is â€Å"in the image of God. † We did not evolve from animals, but we share God’s nature. Acts 17:24,25,28 The world and everything in it were made by God. He is the source of life and gives all the blessings that are necessary to life. Here is an explanation for the origin of life that fits what we see around us, fits the nature of man as compared to animals, and we will see that it provides a satisfying explanation for the meaning to life. There is sufficient evidence to compel any honest person to believe God exists and the Bible is His word. We do not have time here to examine all the evidence, but we encourage those who have doubts to investigate it. We simply observe that the Bible explanation makes far more sense than any other alternative, and that those who do not accept the Bible really cannot satisfactorily explain their own existence! If you would like to study evidence for the inspiration of Scripture or for creation vs. evolution, please see the links at the end of this study. Question #2: Why Are You Here? Do you really understand why you exist? Surely this is a fundamental question that everyone wants answered. Without meaningful goals, life is senseless and empty. Lack of purpose leads to unhappiness and even mental disorders. People need a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment in life. Many People Are Mistaken about the Purpose of Life. This is one consequence of evolution. If organic evolution is true, then there is no purpose in life. Life is an accident, and people search in vain for any meaning to it. So, many conclude that there is no higher purpose than to make life enjoyable for themselves and others. Some pursue riches and material possessions. They believe material things will make life happy and pleasant. But then they always want more: a bigger house, newer car, nicer clothes and furniture, etc. They are never satisfied. All people need some material goods, but is this the highest goal of life? Some pursue pleasure: entertainment, recreation, travel, etc. Their goal in life is â€Å"fun, fun, fun. † â€Å"Wine, women, and song† (or â€Å"drugs, alcohol, and free love†). â€Å"Be a party animal. † â€Å"Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die. † This philosophy is emphasized by modern entertainment. It is the beer-commercial mentality: â€Å"You only go around once, so reach for all the gusto you can. † â€Å"It doesn’t get any better than this! † One of them even names its beer â€Å"High Life. † But does life really not have any better purpose than to booze it up? Many modern entertainers have achieved â€Å"the high life† to the ultimate, but are they happy? If so, why are so many of them plagued by drug and alcohol addiction, divorce, mental breakdowns, early deaths, and suicide? Is that really a satisfying life? Some pursue education. They want to accumulate knowledge and worldly wisdom. Like the Athenians, they spend their time in nothing else than to hear or tell some new thing. In all these areas, there may be some wholesome activities that may have some benefit. But is there really no higher goal in life than these? Whatever benefits they activities provide are temporary and incomplete at best. No matter how much you have, you always want more. In fact, modern Americans have achieved these goals to a degree beyond the imagination of most people of the world and of history. We have gadgets and toys, houses and lands, college degrees, and every kind of entertainment imaginable. But do you see evidence that Americans in general are truly satisfied with life? Society is filled with crime, broken relationships, mental illness, addiction, and unhappiness. Politicians profess to see â€Å"crises† on every hand. Many people in the world never achieve these goals. And those who do achieve them are still looking for the purpose of life. There must be something more. The Bible Teaches the True Purpose of Life Ecclesiastes 2:1-11; 12:13,14. The author experienced every enjoyment of life that some people pursue: wealth, pleasure, and education as great as anyone who ever lived. Did it satisfy? What was his conclusion? It was all â€Å"vanity and vexation of spirit† (2:11). The earthly pursuits that most people emphasize simply do not satisfy in the end. What is the real purpose of life? â€Å"Fear God and keep His commands† (12:13). God created man, because He had a purpose for us to accomplish. And He designed us so that, unless we fulfill that purpose, we have no real sense of accomplishment. Instead we create problems for ourselves. What would happen if you tried to bake lasagna in the clothes dryer? What if you tried to run your car on Jell-O instead of gasoline? What if you tried to eat with a shovel and pitchfork instead of spoon and fork? What if you tried to mow your lawn with fingernail clippers? Problems often result when things are created for one purpose, but we try to use them for a completely different purpose. Likewise, our lives are not satisfactory when we do not accomplish the purpose we were created for. Matthew 6:19-21,24,33 Our main concern in life must be to work in God’s kingdom and have a right relationship with Him. Other concerns may have some value but are far less important. Note v24. You can have only one master. You cannot put two things in first place in your life. God requires that serving Him must be the most important thing in life to us. Each of us must make a choice. Either God will be first, or something else will be first. Matthew 22:36-39 The most important work God intends for us to accomplish life is to love God and love our fellowman. John 14:15 – But love for God requires us to obey Him (1 John 5:2,3). 1 Corinthians 14:37 – God’s commands are revealed in the Bible. Lasting fulfillment in life comes only from obeying God’s word and thereby serving God and man. We will not discuss here all that is involved in serving God, but we simply emphasize the importance of understanding our purpose in life. Until you understand the teaching of the Bible, you do not really understand the purpose of life. (See also 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Luke 12:15-21. ) III. Question #3: Where Are You Going? Do you understand what comes after death? You may or may not feel that your life on earth is secure, but what happens when you die? What will your destiny be when life is over? Many People Are Confused or Unsure about What Comes after Death. We can be certain that death is coming. We may not like it, but death is a fact of life. * Sometimes people contract cancer or heart disease that is diagnosed as terminal. But, â€Å"Life is a terminal disease. † No one stays here permanently. * Criminals are sometimes given a death sentence for their crimes. But we all live under a death sentence! * In college a hippie type roomed in the same house I did. He subscribed to Time magazine, and one day when the mail came we kidded him saying, â€Å"Your Time has come! † He became upset. But sooner or later, for every one of us, â€Å"Your time will come. † Death is uncertain only in that we do not know when or how it will come. But there can be no doubt that it will come. Death is sad and fearful for many because they do not know what lies beyond. Or worse yet, they do know and are not ready to face it! Sooner or later, we all must face death. What then? Science does not even try to answer this question! Philosophers or religious leaders sometimes speculate that we cease to exist at death or that we will be reincarnated. But they have no proof. Here is another major question of life for which, apart from the Bible, you cannot know the real answer. The Bible Tells Us What Follows Death. Hebrews 9:27 – It is appointed to man once to die, then comes the judgment. Jesus may come before we die; but if we die first, we will be raised from the dead when He returns. Either way, we will face God and be judged for our lives, good or bad. Someday, God will hold every one of us accountable for whether or not we have accomplished the purpose for which He created us. [John 5:28,29; Ecclesiastes 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10] Matthew 25:31-46 – At judgment, the righteous will inherit the kingdom prepared for them by God (v34). This is eternal life (v46). The wicked will go into eternal fire (v41). This is eternal punishment (v46). Romans 2:6-11 – What determines the reward we receive? Our works. We receive wrath if we work evil and do not obey truth. We receive eternal life if we continue to work good. Our eternal destiny depends on whether or not we accomplish our Maker’s purpose! You may ask, â€Å"How do you know we don’t cease to exist after death? How do you know we won’t be reincarnated? How do you know we will be raised and judged? † Acts 17:30,31 – We can know what comes after death because Someone has already died and come back to tell us what comes after death. In fact, He will be the One to judge our lives! [1 Cor. chap. 15] The resurrection of Jesus, the miracles of the Bible, and the fulfilled prophecy of Scripture are the proofs that the Bible is from God. If the Bible is from God, then we can be sure it tells us the origin and purpose of life and our destiny after life. Conclusion Since you will be judged for whether or not you have accomplished your Maker’s purpose, please consider further: How can you receive eternal life? Romans 3:23 – The problem we all have is that at times we have failed to do the Creator’s will. We are all guilty of sin (1 John 1:8,10). What can be done about that? The good news is that Jesus came and died to forgive your sins (Romans 5:6-10; 6:23; John 3:16). To receive this forgiveness, you must be willing to live the rest of your life in His service – â€Å"Repent. † Acts 2:28; 22:16 – If you come to Christ believing in Him, confessing Him, and being baptized, He will forgive you and make you a new creature so you can have eternal life (Romans 6:3,4; Mark 16:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 15:58). Why continue life without investigating God’s way for your life? Suppose you are about to buy a house, but a friend promises you that he knows that house and it is in terrible shape in ways that are not obvious. Suppose he assures you that you are about to pay thousands of dollars more than the house was worth. Would you ignore the friend’s advice, or would you investigate? In a similar way, we are advising you in love that living life apart from obedience to God may seem pleasurable and attractive, but in the end it will lead to catastrophe. Surely you need to investigate before it is too late! Someday you will wish you had lived your life for God. If you are not living it for Him now, we urge you to find out what His will requires of you. If you already know, we urge you to obey while you have opportunity. The Bible has the answer to the most important questions of life. There is no need to go through life wondering â€Å"what it is all about. † Why not find out and begin to live according to the purpose for which you were made? Note: If you would like to study further about life after death, eternal destinies or other related Bible topics, we have a number of other study materials on our web site that should interest you.

Multicultural nature of the American nation Essay

In an in-depth interview with a subject of Japanese origin (twenty years old, living in the U. S. for three years) the differences between Western and Far-East cultures became evident. Given the multicultural nature of the American nation, the subject has not encountered any direct discrimination or intolerance; however, she had problems with adjusting to cultural norms and everyday lifestyle of Americans. In college, the subject was respected for her academic achievements, honesty, and desire to help. Unfortunately, she was unable to integrate fully in the social life of her classmates. She had problems making nodding acquaintance and starting small talks. At the same time, she truly treasured friendship and was spending long hours talking to her friends back in Japan on a messenger. This can be explained by the fact that Japanese society favors long-term orientation. Another problem with social integration was that the subject was not perceived as a party person. She was very anxious about breaking camp or traffic rules and preferred not to drink alcohol. Although the general attitude towards her was friendly, she could not develop a feeling of belonging. As concerns private life, the subject has only dated persons from her own cultural background (i. e. preferably Japanese but Asian in general). This can be attributed to the subject’s views on the role of woman in the society: Japan is a country where traditional masculine dominance is still preserved. Therefore, the subject is looking for stability and protection from the side of her partners, and few young American mean are able to deliver this, in her opinion. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that persons from other cultures encounter difficulties in the process of integrating in the American society.

Free Essays on Death Of A Fairytale

Flick through any book of Fairy Tales, and you will be forced to confront the tragic extents to which the population of talking frogs, obese godmothers, and fairy princesses has plummeted in recent centuries. (And to qualify as a genuine fairy princess, one must be beautiful, sweet of voice and a sufferer of acute insomnia when in a five-mile radius of legumes. If you believe yourself to be a member of this excessively rare breed, please contact Smith & Rumpilstiltskin, Bounty Hunters) The dying out of the world’s LIPS (Ludicrous and Impossible Peoples) has been so gradual, that some of the world may have forgotten that they had existed to begin with, so minor a minority group are they. It’s a disgrace when the breeding habits of Bengel Tigers get more media attention than the recent ingenious plots of that devilish feline in knee-high boots. But what is the cause of this decline? Has our society doomed the wicked stepmothers and flying carpets of the world to extinction with logic and political correctness? Is it something in the water? In her book, ‘A Watcher’s Guide to Elf-Spotting’, Professor C. Derella explains, "Like rabbits to other rabbits, elves and faeries are inevitably drawn to fast-moving water, mainly because of their love of raucous and highly social games, frequently involving the highly anti-social water nymphs." Granted, this enlightening piece of information does not answer our question, but it does explain why - in these censored times of ours - elves and water nymphs are never heard of, or even mentioned, in the same story. However Fairy Tales, as anyone who has ever heard a bedtime story would know, do not merely contain faeries. And some say that this very diversity is what is saving the living-genre of the Fairy Tale; the argument being that, while faeries and gold-laying geese may be a thing of the past, the wicked stepmothers of the world have not disappeared - they have merely evolved. To unsur... Free Essays on Death Of A Fairytale Free Essays on Death Of A Fairytale Flick through any book of Fairy Tales, and you will be forced to confront the tragic extents to which the population of talking frogs, obese godmothers, and fairy princesses has plummeted in recent centuries. (And to qualify as a genuine fairy princess, one must be beautiful, sweet of voice and a sufferer of acute insomnia when in a five-mile radius of legumes. If you believe yourself to be a member of this excessively rare breed, please contact Smith & Rumpilstiltskin, Bounty Hunters) The dying out of the world’s LIPS (Ludicrous and Impossible Peoples) has been so gradual, that some of the world may have forgotten that they had existed to begin with, so minor a minority group are they. It’s a disgrace when the breeding habits of Bengel Tigers get more media attention than the recent ingenious plots of that devilish feline in knee-high boots. But what is the cause of this decline? Has our society doomed the wicked stepmothers and flying carpets of the world to extinction with logic and political correctness? Is it something in the water? In her book, ‘A Watcher’s Guide to Elf-Spotting’, Professor C. Derella explains, "Like rabbits to other rabbits, elves and faeries are inevitably drawn to fast-moving water, mainly because of their love of raucous and highly social games, frequently involving the highly anti-social water nymphs." Granted, this enlightening piece of information does not answer our question, but it does explain why - in these censored times of ours - elves and water nymphs are never heard of, or even mentioned, in the same story. However Fairy Tales, as anyone who has ever heard a bedtime story would know, do not merely contain faeries. And some say that this very diversity is what is saving the living-genre of the Fairy Tale; the argument being that, while faeries and gold-laying geese may be a thing of the past, the wicked stepmothers of the world have not disappeared - they have merely evolved. To unsur...

Learn About the Sirenians

Learn About the Sirenians Sirenians (Sirenia), also known as sea cows, are a group of mammals that includes dugongs and manatees. There are four species of sirenians alive today, three species of manatees and one species of dugong. A fifth species of sirenian, the Stellars sea cow, became extinct in the 18th century due to over-hunting by humans. The Stellars sea cow was the largest member of the sirenians and was once abundant throughout the North Pacific. Identifying a Sirenian Sirenians are large, slow-moving, aquatic mammals that live in shallow marine and freshwater habitats in tropical and subtropical regions. Their preferred habitats include swamps, estuaries, marine wetlands, and coastal waters. Sirenians are well-adapted for an aquatic lifestyle, with an elongated, torpedo-shaped body, two paddle-like front flippers, and a broad, flat tail. In manatees, the tail is spoon-shaped and in the dugong, the tail is V-shaped. Sirenians have, over the course of their evolution, all but lost their hind limbs. Their hind limbs are vestigial and are tiny bones embedded in their body wall. Their skin is gray-brown. Adult sirenians grow to lengths of between 2.8 and 3.5 meters and weights of between 400 and 1,500 kg. All sirenians are herbivores. Their diet varies from species to species but includes a variety of aquatic vegetation such as seagrass, algae, mangrove leaves, and palm fruit that falls into the water. Manatees have evolved a unique tooth arrangement due to their diet (which involves the grinding of a lot of coarse vegetation). They only have molars that are replaced continuously. New teeth grown in at the back of the jaw and older teeth move forward until they reach the front of the jaw where they fall out. Dugongs have a slightly different arrangement of teeth in the jaw but like manatees, teeth are continuously replaced throughout their life. Male dugongs develop tusks when they reach maturity. The first sirenians evolved about 50 million years ago, during the Middle Eocene Epoch. Ancient sirenians are thought to have originated in the New World. As many as 50 species of fossil sirenians have been identified. The closest living relative to sirenians are the elephants. The primary predators of sirenians are humans. Hunting has played a major role in the decline of many populations (and in the extinction of the Stellars sea cow). But human activity such as fishing, and habitat destruction can also indirectly threaten sirenian populations. Other predators of sirenians include crocodiles, tiger sharks, killer whales, and jaguars. Key Characteristics The key characteristics of sirenians include: large aquatic herbivoresstreamlined body, no dorsal fintwo front flippers and no hind legsflat, paddle-shaped tailcontinuous tooth growth and replacement of molars Classification Sirenians are classified within the following taxonomic hierarchy: Animals Chordates Vertebrates Tetrapods Amniotes Mammals Sirenians Sirenians are divided into the following taxonomic groups: Dugongs (Dugongidae) - There is one species of dugong alive today. The dugong (Dugong dugong) inhabits coastal marine waters of the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. The dugong has a V-shaped (fluked) tail and males grow tusks.Manatees (Trichechidae) - There are three species of manatees alive today. Members of this group are usually solitary animals (except for mothers with their young). Manatees prefer freshwater aquatic habitats and coastal saltwater marshes. Their distribution includes the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Amazon Basin, and parts of West Africa such as the Senegal River, Kwanza River, and Niger River.

Augustines Tribute to his Mother Monica Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Augustines Tribute to his Mother Monica - Essay Example Augustine commented later in his life that, "to her merit, I think, I owe everything that is best in me. (Bonner, p.38) Monica has been raised in a Christian family with the traditional customs of the African Church. She was not, however, given a formal education. She was married to Patricius, who was not a Christian. And, as with her son, she prayed continually for her husband, and waited in silence, so that at "the end of his earthly existence" he converted to God. (Bourke, p.148) Monica's strict teachings about sin and faith inflicted a tormenting burden on her son rather than supplying inner peace. His Confessions witnesses to the painful struggle of faith that such an education promoted. However, Augustine never mentions his mother in any negative way. The commitment and love of Monica is valued as the basis of Augustine's faith. The simple teaching and model of Christianity, given to him in his youth would last a lifetime. Nevertheless, Monica's direct influence on her son continued only until he was shaken as a result of his intellectual experience through books. (Brown, p.31) Monica is more than just a doting housewife; rather, she is a "handmaid of God" whose pious living, prayer, and visionary zeal bring Augustine to a spiritual birth in his conversion. Monica belonged to Numidian society where culture provides no status to women and they play only a submissive role despite all their positivity and diligence. They were vulnerable to men's violence in routine. It was surprising for other women that Monica didn't have any scars or other signs of her husband's violence on her face or body. She explained them that her husband was also very strict but for past many years she had adopted the policy of silence and quiet obedience and finally been able to strengthen bond of love with her children by being submissive to her husband and gradually succeeded to convert them according to her will (Hunter, p. 63-85). This conventional thought of marriage was then inherited by Augustine also and he believed the relation of husband and wife sort of master and slave wh ich worsened women's status in the society. He even justifies men for practicing violence over their wives. According to him the sole purpose of marriages was procreation. (Stark, p. 57-58) Monica Compared with Rebekah of Genesis Rebekah is a godly character from Genesis, and possesses all the attributes of sacred women but if we analyze her character and compare it with that of Monica; we realize that she was not as submissive to her husband as Monica. She had lot of patience and was powerful enough to decide when to bow down before the husband's will and when to resist. She believed that as a Godly woman it was her duty to realize weaknesses of her husband and must pray to god to overcome them in addition to her own efforts. She also seems to be bold enough to face her husband as she motivated her son Jacob to go against his father. Whereas, having no ifs and buts, Monica was evidently submissive to her

Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 10

Economics - Essay Example Economics has been called and is known as a Social Science one that actually focuses on the subject matter that is concerned with the fair distribution, proper level production and the over all consumption of various Goods( products and services). It is estimated that the history of Economics can be divided up into three distinctive eras, the first era being named, the pre-modern era, the second era being named the early modern era, and the third and final time span being named the modern era of economics. Regardless of that though the three eras are not very important as it has been observed that the systematic theory the most advances have been made with the advent or let say the birth of the modern era. The complete amount of credit for the development in this field can be attributed as it is seen through history to the late Scholastics and to be more specific the development can be attributed to the finding and contribution, rather to the overall over done in the study of economic to the Scholastics of the 15th and 16th century Spain. Economics has been defined in many ways some say it’s the measurement of cost and production with reference to its actually consumption, some say it’s the level of production with respect to the distribution, some even say that economics generally refers to the developmental area of a country however one very specific definition that sort of does complete justice in explaining Economics is that one which calls economic that science that studies that human behavior as a relationship that occurs between the ends and the scarce means an those could have alternative uses. The word scarce here generally holds the meaning that the productivity or the availability of a certain resource is insufficient enough to fulfill the complete needs of the people. Economics has two very main stream branches those