But the problem was that it wasn't quite RESONATING with my heart.
What I was really feeling was SAD in hope, IMPATIENT in distress, and at a LOSS FOR WORDS in prayer!
So as I dug around, he reminded me that the guy who wrote this had been shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, imprisoned, hungry, cold, naked, and in constant danger (2 Corinthians 11).
That's alot of struggles, but honestly, none I can really RELATE to.
You mean Paul "WORRIED" about those he loved? That his heart was HEAVY for them? That he was spiritually and emotionally INVESTED in their well-being?
You mean he was a man JUST LIKE ME?
YES, YES, YES, and YES!
YET, every word out of his mouth was full of POWER, not PITY...full of LIFE, not LAMENT.
In the "DAILY PRESSURE OF MY CONCERN" for those that I love!
But then Jesus spoke something that RESONATED with my heart and REALIGNED my perspective.
He said, "I never identify a STRUGGLE to promote SELF PITY...I do it to PERSONALIZE my POWER!!"
THAT was the key right there...that's how Paul did it!
Even though he was naturally FLAWED, he was Spirit FILLED!
And the TRUTH is...so am I!
I can do ALL things through CHRIST who strengthens me, because HIS POWER is PERSONAL in ALL things...even THIS!
When our NEED is SPECIFIC...so is HIS WORD!
When our STRUGGLE is REAL...so is HIS STRENGTH!
When our BATTLE is PERSONAL...so is HIS POWER!
Because it's the TRUTH that really sets us FREE!
Sometimes I get these strange "pictures" that help me see things a little more clearly.
Kind of like little personal "parables", I guess.
Over these past few weeks I have watched so many people I know and love experience unimaginable loss, hardship and pain, begging the question: "God, just WHERE is one supposed to PUT ALL THAT??"
So a couple of days ago, I was pondering that question, when out of the blue, HE downloaded the answer in the form of a picture. It brought some clarity and understanding to the "baggage" we take with us on our Journey of Suffering...the difference between SORROW and SADNESS.
SADNESS is a necessary emotion...but SORROW is an unnecessary burden.
SADNESS labels one's circumstance...but SORROW labels one's condition.
SADNESS sheds tears (sometimes enough to fill a bucket)...but SORROW tears us up.
SADNESS comes and goes...but SORROW comes and stays.
Whether it's the DEATH of a loved one, a devastating DIAGNOSIS, or as in my case, the death of a DREAM, these places of suffering are H-A-R-D and oftentimes very DEBILITATING!
I can remember the exact day almost a year and a half ago when the SORROW over my own LOSS was lifted off my shoulders and my SADNESS was given its RIGHTFUL place...BEHIND me, not ON TOP of me.
In the days that followed, I was still SAD (and still am!), but SORROW no longer RULED OVER me. It no longer DEFINED my actions, DICTATED my conversations, or DESTROYED my confidence. I felt released to embrace and carry ALL the fullness of JOY, without being tethered to and bound by SORROW.
That was the day I realized it was not the SADNESS that was holding me back and stealing my joy, it was the SORROW that I was carrying ON MY BACK!
That was a LIFE-giving and LIFE-altering revelation straight from the Father's heart to mine!
That was the day I was SET FREE from what I now understand was a BURDEN of SORROW!
But it wasn't until just a few days ago that I got this "picture" as a gentle reminder to myself, as I am so often tempted to pick up that burden AGAIN!
SORROW and SADNESS are like the "BACKPACKS" we take with us on our Journey of Suffering.
They are where we pack, store and carry all the stuff we take on this journey. And sometimes we pick up some extra "souvenirs" along the way (lies from the enemy, shame, anger, bitterness), which just add more weight and make the journey all that much more cumbersome.
One has STRAPS...the other has WHEELS.
SORROW has to be carried on our shoulders...but SADNESS can be pulled behind us.
SORROW misaligns and changes our posture...but our POSTURE is what aligns and changes our SADNESS.
SORROW doesn't allow any room for JOY...but SADNESS takes its RIGHTFUL place and allows JOY to rest on our shoulders.
SORROW crawls into bed with us at night...but SADNESS goes to bed in another room and allows us to get REST.
BACKPACKS are a necessary part of any long journey. But research has shown that using a backpack with WHEELS to transport our "stuff" is far better for us than using one with STRAPS.
When we carry SORROW on our backs, all we can think about how HEAVY it is...how much it HURTS...how SUFFOCATING it is! And under the crushing weight of SORROW, we get BENT OVER...we get bent OUT OF SHAPE, and our eyes become fixed to the ground...on our SUFFERING.
When we pull SADNESS behind us, we are free to STAND UP tall, UNENCUMBERED by the weight of our suffering. We can walk with our HEADS UP and our eyes FIXED straight ahead. We can keep our FOCUS on JESUS, our "Baggage Handler", who promised to walk W.I.T.H. us...Watchfully Interceding Transforming & Helping us every step of the way!
What I have learned is that it's really okay to bring SADNESS with me on this Journey of Suffering. In fact, it's necessary. There's no shame in it. It's part of the experience.
But unlike Sorrow, SADNESS doesn't have to REPLACE JOY...because as I pull it BEHIND me, my shoulders are free to CARRY the JOY OF THE LORD, which IS MY STRENGTH!
SUFFERING is a trip we will ALL take at some point...it's unavoidable. It's never one we embark on BY CHOICE. It's never one we are PREPARED for or PLAN for in advance. And most of the time it takes us by TOTAL surprise.
While I'm no "travel expert", I can only speak from my own experience as I have travelled this journey of LOSS...and that is, a BACKPACK WITH WHEELS is the ONLY way to go!
But WHAT IF you are stuck in the middle of that journey RIGHT NOW and are just now realizing you have the WRONG BACKPACK?!
It's simple...TRADE IT IN and get one with WHEELS!
As I write this, I am reminded of this familiar song..."I'm TRADING my SORROW, I'm TRADING my PAIN, I'm laying it DOWN for the JOY of the Lord...and I say YES, YES, Lord! Amen!"
It's really a SUPERNATURAL EXCHANGE...one that has the power to CHANGE us...EVEN IN THE MIDST of our SUFFERING!
Oh, yeah...and one more thing: Never travel ALONE! Because whether you're on a CRUISEship or a HARDship, the trip is so much BETTER with faithful FRIENDS!
The TRUTH is...it's not only my future hope, but it is also my present reality!
It's where my citizenship is...today!
It's where I am seated...today!
It's where my heart is set...today!
By FAITH, it's where I make my HOME...today!
JESUS: Come on in, Karen...MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME!
JESUS: I am the living water. If you drink of ME, you will never be thirsty. This water I give you will become a spring of water, welling up to abundant, eternal life!
Me: Oh, Jesus...give me THIS water, so I don't have to keep drawing from "other wells"!
JESUS: You look a little weak...Are you hungry?
Me: Yes! I can't seem to get enough to eat these days...nothing seems to satisfy me...I'm always SO hungry!
JESUS: I am the Bread of Life...He who comes to me will NEVER go hungry and he who believes in me will NEVER be thirsty.
Also, something I learned a long time ago is that you cannot live on bread alone, but on EVERY WORD that comes from the mouth of God!
Me: Oh, Jesus...from now on, give me THIS bread, so I will never be hungry!
JESUS: You seem so preoccupied...what's going on?
Me: Well, I've been a little sad lately...you know, a little anxious. There are things going on around me that I have NO control over and it's HARD!
JESUS: I understand...just stay close to me, dear one. In my presence, there is fullness of joy...Don't be anxious about anything! Together, we can approach the throne of grace with CONFIDENCE and ask our Father for anything. He WILL give you peace beyond understanding AS He is working ALL things out for your GOOD.
Be anxious about nothing, pray about everything, and peace will come, I PROMISE!
Me: Oh, Jesus...you make it sound SO SIMPLE! What's the SECRET?
JESUS: The secret to being CONTENT in any and every situation is to keep your HEART and your MIND focused on ME. You can do ALL things through ME...I WILL give you the strength! ABIDE in ME and I WILL abide in you, I PROMISE!
The truth is...Apart from me, you can do NOTHING at ALL!
Me: Oh, Jesus...I need MORE of YOU! I'm SO tired and burdened...where can I find REST?
JESUS: Come to ME, you who are weary and burdened, and I WILL give you REST! Take my yoke upon you and LEARN from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you WILL find rest for you soul, I PROMISE!
Can I LIVE here NOW and FOREVER??
JESUS: ABSOLUTELY! You have been raised WITH me and are NOW seated with me at the right hand of our Father, far ABOVE ALL rule, power, and authority! ALL things are under my feet!
IN ME, THIS is your PRESENT REALITY and your FUTURE HOPE!!
Me: Oh, Jesus...I want to be WHERE YOU ARE...BETTER is ONE day in YOUR HOUSE than thousands elsewhere!
The TRUTH is...Our Father did not leave us here as orphans! He has given us a HOME, both NOW and for ETERNITY.
He is SO G.O.O.D.! He is God Over Our Dwelling...when we make HIM our dwelling place, it's ALL GOOD!!
This is not a TRICK…it's the TRUTH!
But the enemy of our souls continues to use one of the oldest tricks in the book to convince us that GOD is trying to trick US!
Are we really that gullible too?
The truth is…we are in danger of being gullible and falling for Satan's trick ANY time we don't believe that God REALLY means what He says!
Unbelief leads to gullibility….every. single. time. It's a perfect set up for Satan's seduction.
The truth is…the smarter we think we are, the more gullible we actually are. When we think we know better, it will actually get the better of us.
Satan has made a successful career out of preying on gullible people. He can smell pride and unbelief a mile away. He is cunning, crafty and convincing…prowling around, working his "magic" to create an illusion, trying to trick us into believing something that is not really true. Every time we fall for his trick, he gains mastery over our minds, convincing us that this illusion is real.
Can I just say…This makes me SO MAD...and so SAD?!!
The truth is...We have to KNOW THE TRUTH in order to RECOGNIZE THE TRICK! Otherwise, we are gullible and fair game for Satan's strategy of deception.
REALLY?! When and where exactly in the history of mankind has this EVER been the case?
G.O.O.D. = God Over Our Deception….God Over Our Death!
But the ONE thing I love the most about my dad is that he showed me the FATHER.
Not in a preachy kind of way, not in a banging-the-Bible-over-my-head kind of way...He just naturally showed me the Father in every day life circumstances.
As I comb back over my childhood, there are certain memories that rise to the top...I didn't see it then, but now I recognize them as defining moments...moments where my dad showed me the Father's heart...His love, His faithfulness, and His GOODNESS.
Growing up in Brazil, we often spent Christmases at the beach...it was the middle of summer and it was very hot. I loved the beach, but I was deathly afraid of the waves. I was happy as a lark to stay in the shallow water where it was safe.
When I was about 7 years old, my dad coaxed me to get on his shoulders and go out into the deeper waters with him, where the waves were big. He insisted that it would be fun and that there was nothing to be afraid of...so I finally decided to trust him. But there was one problem...my dad, having one leg shorter than the other, was a little unsteady on his feet without his big shoe.
We slowly inched our way out where the water was up to his chest. I was perched on his shoulders, squealing with delight, when a huge wave came out of nowhere and crashed over top of us! The force of the water took us both under and he lost his grip on me.
It seemed like forever...I remember panicking and thinking I was going to drown, when all of a sudden, my dad's mighty hand and outstretched arm reached in and grabbed me out of the water.
My dad's arm was not too short to save...And neither is my Father's!
Every time before my dad would spank me, he would say, "This is going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you!" What was he thinking...that those words were going to comfort me and make it less painful?! Somehow, deep in my heart, I knew that to be true, even at a very young age. I KNEW it because that hand that disciplined me was ALSO the hand that I clung to when crossing busy streets...the hand that picked me up when I fell...the hand that I held every night at the dinner table as we prayed...the hand that tucked me into bed at night...the hand that squeezed me tight in a big bear hug...the hand that always pointed me in the right direction.
I trusted my dad's hand because I trusted his heart!
That discipline WAS painful...for both of us...but my dad did it anyway...consistently and lovingly!
My dad has a thundering bass voice! Anyone who has ever heard my dad sing, will agree. He is known for his amazing voice and his passionate singing. With my dad, there's no such thing as volume control! The volume is the same whether he's singing in a group of 10 or 1000.
I will confess, there were times when I was younger that I thought to myself, "I wish he wouldn't sing so loud, this is embarrassing, people are turning around and looking at us!"
Sometimes, it was the only voice that could be heard...louder and clearer above all the rest.
But, THAT'S my daddy's voice...that's my Father's voice! Who am I to quench the mighty thundering voice of my Father? Who am I to worry about what other people think when my Father's voice overpowers the room?
God said to Job, "Do you have an arm like God's and can your voice thunder like his?" (Job 40:9) Job was trying to justify himself but God was asserting HIS ability, which Job had no control over.
My daddy taught me that it's okay for my Father's voice to be louder than all the rest...it is not up to me to control the volume!
Every morning on our way to school, my dad would sing "Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day, I've got a beautiful feeling, everything's going my way!" We would plug our ears and beg him to stop...it was early and he was too loud! But that didn't stop him! He would continue, sometimes dragging the song on and on and on...and on and on and on!
When I was about 8 years old, we got a puppy...she was a sweet miniature dachshund and the minute I saw her, I named her Ginger! She was our family dog, but I considered her MY dog. One morning as we were pulling out of the driveway to go to school, Ginger ran out and got under the back wheel of our Kombi and accidentally got run over.
We all jumped out of the car to check on her...she whimpered and was clearly hurt, but had no external injuries. My dad quickly carried her inside for my mom to look after while he ran us to school so we wouldn't be late. His plan was to drive us to school and then to come back and take her to the vet.
I went through my day at school, confident that Ginger was going to be okay. I couldn't imagine that not being the case.
Just like every other day after school, my brothers and sister and I rode the city bus home. I couldn't wait to get home and see Ginger! When we walked in the house, my mom met me at the door and told me to go to their room. There sat my dad, sadder and more distraught than I had ever seen him. He took me in his lap and with his quivering voice, told me that Ginger didn't make it. The internal injuries were too severe. He hugged me and told me how sorry he was. We both cried...it was a moment that is forever emblazoned in my head.
My dad was heartbroken too!
What mattered to me, mattered to him.
What broke my heart, broke his.
My dad is a man of unparalleled principle and integrity. He is truthful and honest and is a man of his word. Growing up, he taught me that lying is wrong, to let your "yes be yes and your no be no", and that it's always right to do the right thing.
He didn't have to preach it, he just lived it.
I grew up very secure, knowing that my dad would never make promises he couldn't keep and that he was always telling the truth.
My dad has lived a life of sacrifice, doing good, and giving of himself for the good of others. As a missionary to Brazil for over 36 years, he has sacrificed a lot...but what he has gained is priceless. Thousands of people all over Brazil and other parts of the world know Jesus because my dad made a sacrifice.
I see a man that has been faithful to the call of God on his life.
I've thought a lot about these things over the past couple of years and have often pictured myself sharing them at my dad's memorial when God chooses to take him home.
But...why wait until then? Why wait when I can tell him now?
So, Dad...this is for you. I am so proud of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing me THE FATHER. I love you!
On August 30, 2012, my husband made a very costly mistake. He turned left instead of right at a T-intersection after a football game...a split second decision that cost him...BIG TIME!
He had great intentions, was trying to help someone, was trying to do good...trying to do what HE thought was right...but he turned left instead of right and disobeyed a "traffic official".
My husband...Seriously? Transparent-Tom? The nicest guy in the world-Tom? Would give the shirt off his back-Tom? Would never hurt a fly-Tom? THAT guy?
In a nutshell, Tom took 3 of his co-workers to a Titans football game. He got 4 free tickets earlier in the day from his boss and called me first to ask if I wanted to go. I declined and encouraged him to take his co-workers (bad move on my part!). They were all excited and agreed to go...a great team building opportunity! One of his co-workers was on crutches, so Tom called the stadium ahead of time to find out where the handicap drop off was, to make it easier on him.
Tom dropped them off at the designated spot, and after finding a remote place to park, he joined them and they all enjoyed the game together. About midway through the third quarter, they decided to leave early, to avoid the crowds. As they were leaving, Tom stopped a stadium official to find out the best place to pick up his friend on crutches.
This guy asked where he had parked, then explicitly told him what to do: Pull up to that intersection, turn LEFT, and then pick up his friends under the Letter "K".
So, that's exactly what he did...Except when he got to the intersection, the traffic officials were directing ALL traffic to turn RIGHT, which would take him directly onto the interstate! He inched up to the intersection, turned his left blinker on, rolled down his window, and tried to get their attention, to explain why he needed to turn left.
Here's a little side note: These traffic officials did not look like policemen...they were wearing khaki pants and reflective vests...there was nothing on them that indicated that they were POLICEMEN. For all Tom knew, they worked for the stadium.
But these officials (there were 2 of them)...they wouldn't listen! They were busy doing their job, directing traffic and trying to keep order at a busy intersection, waving their flashlights, and yelling, "Turn RIGHT!!"
When there was a break in the pedestrian traffic, Tom continued with his window rolled down, and still trying to explain, he inched his way further into the intersection and finally turned left. As he did, one of them ran up and slammed both hands against the side of our mini van as Tom made that left turn...yelling like a crazy man, "Turn RIGHT!!"
Within seconds of turning left, Tom was surrounded by sirens and flashing lights. One of the police officers grabbed the keys out of his hands, ordered him out of the van, and yelled at him, "Have you been drinking?" Of course, he passed the sobriety test and for the next 2 hours, the officers argued amongst themselves about what to do next and what to charge him with.
Bottom line, he was arrested!! My husband...Tom Clark was arrested and charged with wreckless driving (a felony) and failure to comply with an officer of the law (a misdemeanor). An officer of the law?? He sure didn't look like one!
Meanwhile, I'm sitting at home, oblivious...it's getting late, so I text him..."What's your ETA, honey?"
My first reaction was to be MAD..."What were you thinking?? Why didn't you do what you were told to do? I don't care what your reasons were...you should have obeyed the cops!"
Our whole future flashed before my eyes...Tom with a record...he'll lose his job...no one will hire someone with a felony...this could bankrupt us...oh, and...what will people think??
My mind immediately went to the worst case scenario and I was gripped with fear and anxiety, but mostly I was really angry! It actually took me about 24 hours to get over being angry and to begin to feel some sort of compassion for him...to tune into his feelings of shock and regret, as the reality of his charges sunk in.
Fortunately, that night, he was not hauled off to jail. Three hours later, he was allowed to leave, but was given a ticket outlining the charges and a court date set for late September.
The next week, we hired a lawyer, who represented him at his first court appearance. We had enlisted people all over the world to pray for this court date and were confident that the D.A. would see how ridiculous this was and would dismiss the charges.
Well, it didn't go our way...The D.A. looked at the police report and compared it to Tom's story and said they didn't match up, so he set another court date to bring in the witnesses, the two officers that were at the scene of the crime. That date was set for the day before Thanksgiving, November 23rd.
Needless to say, we were shocked! Are you kidding?? Our judicial system is so messed up...all this time and money being spent on this ridiculous case, while the courtroom is full of drug addicts, sexual offenders, thieves, and prostitutes?
On a more humorous note, Tom had to go early that day to the court, stood in line with all of the above, to get finger printed and have his mug shot taken...front and side views...the whole nine yards, just like on TV. Got the picture?! He was so out of place, dressed in his suit and tie, that these other offenders would come up to him and ask if he had a card, thinking he was a public defender! He didn't say it, but he thought it, "No, I'm an offender just like you!" It was surreal.
So, Wednesday, November 23rd came, court appearance number two...Again, we had people all over the world praying and we were confident that this case would be dismissed. The lawyer asked Tom to sit outside the courtroom, so that he could address the D.A. and hopefully, the 2 officers that were present.
After a few minutes, he came out, pale as a ghost and said, "Tom, I don't know how to tell you this...I am shocked...the D.A. is recommending a sentence of 10 days in jail and a 6 month suspended sentence!"
He went on to say, "This is a very hostile environment, the officers are demanding and mad, and the D.A. is going in their favor. I recommend you don't take the sentence and we will remand this case to the Grand Jury."
Tom, of course, was in shock, and reminded the lawyer that he is a Canadian citizen, here in the U.S. on a Green Card. A jail sentence could trigger a Homeland Security investigation and possible deportation! "That settles it, then...we will remand it to the Grand Jury."
He also said that he would like to refer Tom's case to a different lawyer, someone with more influence and who was more connected in the Nashville court system.
So, we hired another lawyer, one of the top names in Nashville, highly recommended by several people we knew...$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!
Best case scenario: Using his connections, he would be able to pull Tom's case out of the queue and negotiate with a favorable DA.
Worst case scenario: It would go to the Grand Jury and then go to trial...could cost upwards of $100,000 or more if it went that far.
He didn't make any promises and was careful not to give us any false hope.
His retainer was $10,000...so we took out a loan and wrote a check. It was 3 weeks before Christmas...Joy, Joy!
We waited....and waited...and we learned very early on, not to call him...let him call us. Every phone call and every email was at least $125, whether it took 5 or 15 minutes...his rate was $600/hour!
CHRISTMAS came and went, and we marched into 2013 with this thing LOOMING over us.
It was in January, in the midst of all this and several other hard things, that God gave me the word: G.O.O.D. The challenge every minute of every day was to take every thought captive, to not be overcome by fear and anxiety, and to focus on the simple yet profound truth: God is GOOD.
I would declare it in the car, I would scream it in the shower, I would mutter it under my breath at work, I would remind him, "God, you are GOOD...you are OVER all these things. Because I know that you are OVER them, I trust it's ALL GOOD, even though it's HARD and it's SCARY! I'm not sure how all this is going to turn out, but I trust you. You are G.O.O.D...You are God Over Our Defense, God Over Our D.A., God Over Our Disobedience, God Over Our Deviations, God Over Our Drama, God Over Our Developing character...Your name is GOOD...and you are the Great I AM!"
I would "hear" him say back, "I AM over all of it...trust me, stay close, sit with me, be still and KNOW that I AM GOD."
That truth began to change my perception of my reality even though my reality didn't change.
Our circumstances, consequences, chaos and drama were all still very present and REAL, but they didn't CONTROL me. The undeniable truth that God is GOOD, began to control me.
You see, when I really believe that God is GOOD, that he is above and OVER everything that I am going through...somehow, I am able to rise ABOVE the mess, even though I'm still IN it!
It's not just empty words or spiritual jargon...it's REAL!
It's almost like an "out of body" experience...I can see it all happening, and know I should be anxious, that I should be going ballistic, but I am at peace! It really IS "out of body" because it is a spiritual reality, not a physical one.
Ephesians 1:20 says..."God seated Jesus at his right hand in the heavenly realm, FAR ABOVE all rule and authority, power and dominion...".
If God is OVER it all and his position is ABOVE it all and we are seated right next to Him, shouldn't that change our perspective...how we think...how we react...how we walk and how we talk?
If our Father is OVER it all, and we are seated right next to Him, we are SAFE! No matter what is going on below...No matter what is falling apart around us...If our Father, who is GOOD and PERFECT in all His ways, is OVER it, we can sit beside Him and be still.
We have a choice: Do we sit with him in the heavenly realms, far above all rule, authority, power and dominion? Do we partner with the ONE who is OVER it all? Do we choose to partake of HIS divine nature? Do we allow him to teach us, guide us, and coach us in this game of life?
Or, do we choose to abandon that post and sit "below", in the mire and muck of our present reality, becoming ensnared and entangled by fear, anxiety, control, despair, pride, selfish ambition,,,?
Our strongest position of power is when we are seated WITH Him in the heavenly realms...there is GREAT POWER from this perspective!!
SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS HAVE TO DO WITH TOM BECOMING AN AMERICAN CITIZEN?
Well, let me tell you what the MOST HIGH GOD did for us!! Let me tell you of his GOODNESS, of his MERCY, and of his FAITHFULNESS!!
During the process of working out a deal with a favorable D.A., our lawyer thought it would be wise to consult with an Immigration lawyer, to make sure that the deal he was working on wouldn't jeopardize Tom's status as a Resident Alien. He set up an appointment for them to meet with this lawyer, thankfully, on his dime.
During the course of the conversation, she asked Tom why he hadn't become an American citizen. He gave her lots of good reasons, mainly that he didn't want to give up his Canadian citizenship. She dispelled that myth, explaining that the laws had changed and he wouldn't have to do that; he could be both...a Canadian in Canada and an American in the U.S.
But then came the question that changed everything, "Tom, do you and your wife ever plan to live in Canada or retire in Canada?"
His response: "Maybe...we haven't planned that far ahead, but it's a possibility."
Her response: "Well, here's the deal...If you retire in Canada and are not an American citizen, you will forfeit all the money that you have paid into Social Security over the past 30+ years...you will not be able to collect that money as a Canadian citizen living in Canada, if you are not an American."
WOW!!! Seriously? How would we have ever known that? Can you imagine, being 70 years old and deciding to move to Canada to live out our days, only to find out that we didn't have access to that chunk of our retirement, money we were counting on?
Needless to say, Tom began the process that day...it was a no-brainer!
They had worked out a deal...To DROP the "wreckless driving" charge (a felony), and to KEEP the "failure to comply with an officer of the law" charge (a misdemeanor C, similar to a speeding ticket), in addition to a $50 fine, plus court costs. We were assured, this was a GOOD deal.
He went to court on February 21st, for the third time, stood before the judge and agreed to the plea bargain and walked out a FREE man!
On October 24, 2013, Tom went to court for the fourth time in one year, this time, to be sworn in as an American citizen. He took the Oath of Citizenship and said the Pledge of Allegiance for the very first time. He was one of 56 people from 33 different countries who were sworn in that day. It was a witnessed by family and friends, and was celebrated by many others throughout the day.
But THAT celebration PALED in comparison to our celebration of God's GOODNESS...His Faithfulness, His attention to Details, His Mercy...His very real and tangible presence during one of the most difficult, yet most glorious years of our married life!
Can God Right a Wrong? A-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y!
Can He redeem mistakes and wrong turns, no matter how costly? A-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y!
This is the TRUTH: Mistakes and wrong turns have consequences, some more costly than others...but they don't define us and they don't determine our future.
Sometimes we fail to see the GOOD in our mess because we haven't included God in the equation. We've abandoned our rightful position in the heavenly realms and lost all perspective.
He invites us to come and sit with Him where He sits, ABOVE the mess, where He is OVER the mess...to allow His presence, His perspective, and His truth to shape and change our perspective of our present reality, to partake in his divine nature, to have peace and to soar above our circumstances.
It steals joy, kills self esteem, and destroys relationship. Anyone who has ever lived under the crushing weight of debt knows this to be true. Where there is debt, there is imbalance. Where there is imbalance, there is struggle. Where there is struggle, there is lack of peace. Where there is lack of peace, there is unrest. Where there is unrest, life becomes debilitating and depressing…and the vicious cycle continues.
Inevitably, where there is debt, there is always a debt collector…one whose job is to hold you accountable. Debt collectors can be ruthless. Their job is to do whatever it takes to collect the debt…They badger you daily, keeping you in a constant state of poverty and shame. As a last resort, they may garnishee your wages, withholding the very thing you need for survival…and the vicious cycle continues.
Tom and I recently had an encounter with a debt collector…unfortunately that debt collector was none other than US!
Our sons, ages 20 and 22, owed us money…lots of it. For weeks, I kept an ongoing tally of what each of them owed taped to our fridge door. Two to three months ago, they both lost their jobs and were unable to meet their monthly obligations. They picked up part time jobs, but their debits continued to outweigh their credits. In an effort to "help" them, we decided to lend them money, to help cover their rent and other expenses. As parents, that's what we are supposed to do, right? Make sure our kids don't suffer, make sure their needs are met? All the while, we were encouraging (prodding, nagging...) them to get a second job, to do whatever it takes…deliver pizza, work at Walmart...ANYTHING!
But they have a different sense of urgency than we do…taking their time…waiting for just the right job to come along. In addition, some of their values don't line up with ours and we have differing opinions regarding lifestyle choices.
Therein lies the rub, the tension, the strain...the DILEMMA! As parents, we want to help, but we don't want to enable irresponsible living.
So...what was intended as HELP, soon became a HINDRANCE.
We soon found ourselves in this AWFUL role as debt collectors! Who likes debt collectors? Who wants to be around them? Who wants to have dinner with someone who is constantly pointing out the debt and the mistakes? Who wants to come "home" and help himself to the fridge, when that fridge has a growing tally of his debt plastered all over it?
Besides that, who in their right mind WANTS to be a debt collector anyway?? It is a gross job and it goes against every fiber of my being. When someone is indebted to you and owes you something, it's really hard to get past that and to simply love and accept them for who they are, however they choose to live. Their debt and their inability to pay are on the forefront of every interaction. What they are doing with their money instead of meeting their obligations is a recurring theme, the proverbial elephant in the room. Confrontation and criticism replace affirmation, which leads to avoidance, which leads to apathy.
Where there is debt, relationships get skewed, messed up...It's a vicious cycle...debt steals, kills, and destroys...on BOTH sides of the fence!
We cannot be debt collectors and parents to our adult children at the same time! We cannot love and accept unconditionally while trying to collect debt. On the same token, we cannot expect our kids to approach us freely, when they are so indebted and unable to pay.
Debt is a SATANIC setup where everyone loses...it has his fingerprints all over it!
I couldn't shake His voice…it was so strong and so overwhelming. He kept reminding me, "I'm not asking you to do anything that I haven't already done first...just DO it!" I struggled...do I tell Tom? If I tell him, then I'm committed…do I really want to do this?
The silent arguing continued...What if they don't GET it, what if they keep making the same mistakes, what if the results aren't what we are hoping for? He kept on, "None of that matters...just DO it!"
So, we met with each of the boys...separately. We had prepared for each of them a list of all their debt…dates, amounts, with the grand total underlined twice. Each time, as we set the piece of paper in front of them, we could literally see the blood draining from their faces…the stress, the shame, the guilt, and the crushing weight were palpable.
I don't know who was more relieved...them or us! All I can say, is it felt GOOD, it felt RIGHT, it was a HOLY moment for Tom and me.
We got 2 different reactions. One responded, "Thank you…but why are you doing this? They were my mistakes, I should pay for them." The other one could barely get out a whisper "Thank you", through his quivering lips and tearful eyes.
Was one reaction better than the other one? I don't think so. They were both appropriate…both so reflective of our human nature...that tension between pride and brokenness that we all struggle with.
WHY IN THE WORLD AM I TELLING THIS STORY?
It's certainly not to air our dirty laundry or to shine a negative light on our kids! They are young, figuring it out, learning some hard lessons...that's part of growing up. I am confident that God's got them and I'm s-l-o-w-l-y learning to release them into His very capable hands.
It's really about what God is teaching me about HIMSELF...about his heart and his character.
The truth is...the debt of our sin steals joy, kills self esteem and destroys relationship. Satan wants us to live in a state of debt and in poverty of spirit. He masquerades as an angel of light, but make no mistake…He is that AWFUL debt collector! He is well aware that sin separates us from God and that the wages of our sin is death. If he can just keep us in that vicious cycle of debt, imbalance, struggle, lack of peace, unrest, debilitation and depression…If he can just keep badgering us, accusing us, reminding us of our mistakes…If he can just keep convincing us that we have to pay for our sin...then, he can blind us and keep us from seeing and experiencing the gift of grace and the unconditional LOVE of our Father.
But GOD, in his infinite wisdom….didn't LOAN us salvation...he GAVE it to us...He knew he couldn't be a Father and a debt collector at the same time!
He knew that if salvation were a LOAN, we would never be able to approach him with confidence, we would never feel like we were good enough, we would avoid Him, be afraid of Him, we would try to find other ways to get out from under the debt. We wouldn't want to come "home" and share a meal with him, to have fellowship with him, because all we would see on the his fridge would be a list of our sins.
Not to mention, His heart would be TORN…wanting so desperately to help us experience the FULL LIFE, yet needing to hold us accountable for keeping the LAW…for repaying that loan.
So He GAVE what was MOST precious to him…He paid our debt IN FULL with the RED BLOOD of Jesus, so we would no longer have to be in debt, bankrupt, living in the red...NO, actually dying in the red, under the weight of guilt, shame and hopelessness!
By the B.L.O.O.D of Jesus, we were Brought to Life Out Of Darkness! It paid the debt of our sin, in full...forever!
And when Satan comes knocking at our door...prowling around in his roaring debt collector's voice... with his list, accusing us, condemning us, trying to collect our debt, we can SLAM the door in his face and say, "Go away! My Father has FORGIVEN my debt...it's paid in full! You have NO HOLD on me!"
The LIFE is in the BLOOD...Living IN THE RED is true life!
But there's more...when we are living IN THE RED, His BLOOD continually Brings Life Out Of Darkness…minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. There is POWER in the BLOOD…wonder working power…it redeems, restores, reconciles, repairs…it redirects, it rights the wrongs, it relieves pain!
Debt comes in lots of packages, not just money. How about unforgiveness or entitlement? What gift of forgiveness do I need to extend to someone who has wronged me, who has overlooked me or who has not treated me as I think I deserve? Who is God nudging me to forgive, "Just DO it!"?? Do I trust him enough with the outcome?
Living IN THE RED...Redeemed Eternally from Debt!
I want THAT kind of life, don't you? I want to live so completely IN THE RED, so COVERED in THE RED, that the power of his blood flowing through me allows me to freely GIVE what I have RECEIVED.
God is so GOOD...He is GOD OVER OUR DEBT! He lead the way by example, so that we might imitate him..."Forgive others as I have forgiven you."
This is a SACRED setup where everyone WINS! It has God's fingerprints all over it!


I am a Science teacher and a techie. With this admission comes the fact that I love to find novel ways to incorporate technology in the classroom into my lessons. My students have learned that whenever I find a new tool, I'll bring it in and together we'll brainstorm ways to use it to help us be more effective and engaged scientists.
I know there is great variety in the resources available to Science teachers in school across the country. If you have a tight budget and need to outfit a Science classroom, here is what my students and I consider the six most important pieces of technology in the classroom for every Science teacher to use.
I wish we could take for granted that every Science teacher has one of these in her classroom, but I know that not every school can afford these $600+ devices. However, without a projector much of the cool technology can't really come together and reach your students. Don't forget that the replacement lamps cost up to $300, so do what you can to save that lamp.
It's amazing to me that this simple technology in the classroom (a camera on a flexible neck that connects to a projector) has taken so long to become more common in classrooms across America. By allowing a teacher to display almost anything (images, lab demonstrations, objects, student work, etc.) on the "big screen" in front of everyone, my document camera has become something I use nearly every minute of every day. Better yet, students get excited about showing off their work or reporting out their team's data to the class with this device.
These pens are incredible! With no extra instruction, a child can use one to write or draw something on special paper and record whatever audio its microphone hears. After a 10-second sync to my laptop, I can post and share the video replay of whatever the student wrote on the paper with the audio as voice-over. My students use them to explain tough concepts, record team brainstorming sessions, and even capture classroom notes for students who are absent.
Formative assessment that leads to differentiation and remediation is the cornerstone of effective teaching. You can't really teach students if you don't know what they know--at the start, middle, and end of the lesson. Clicker systems take much of the pressure off of teachers to design, administer, and score these short formative assessments. Along with my Professional Learning Team, I create a simple set of questions at the start of every unit. Then, I use them as a pre-test, progress check, and review for the final test. Once the questions are entered into the software, it takes only a few seconds for students to complete the assessment and for you to see the results. Newer models even allow open-ended responses.
There is hardly a teacher I know who isn't familiar with these by now. Combining affordability, ruggedness, and ease of use, these devices have become the best way to capture video at school. In the Science classroom, they can be used to create instructional videos (by students or the teacher), demonstrate lab activities, and even have students narrate nature walks. My students use one on field trips to record the exciting moments for those who could not join us.
While this may sound like alien gadgetry, probeware is just a tool for collecting data during class experiments. Usually you get an interface with ports for connecting probes that measure temperature, light, pressure, electric current, and others. Start with one or two types of probes and add on later as your budget allows.
Do you know of other tech instruments that every Science teacher should have? Share in the comments section!


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Used car prices on the decline
RENO, Nev. (KOLO) -We visited Budget Motors in July of 2021 where prices were up by 30% from the previous year. Owner Simon Amadin predicted the prices were going to go higher before they stabilized.
Today, Amadin says he has less inventory, and the prices?
"As low as a thousand to five or six thousand dollars," he says.
Amadin says he started to see the decrease in used car prices beginning in October of last year.
There are several reasons, he says. The microchip shortage which impacted new car sales and cascaded to used car demand and prices is not as big of an issue these days.
During the holidays he says people's money goes elsewhere.
"This is the calm before the storm," says Amadin. "Generally, when people start filing for tax returns, they will start getting them here in late January, February. And once people have an extra thousand or two thousand dollars in their pocket, they start looking for a car."
Amadin says the internet has made customers better informed and better consumers when it comes to searching for the right vehicle at the right price. With more used cars on the market that combination is easier to come by.
He says the 43% jump in prices from February 2021 to September 2021 was, in his opinion, an aberration.
"I don't think we will ever see that type of market adjustment in my lifetime," says Amadin.
Even with falling prices, it should be of note the average used car price of today is still higher than when the used car shortage began—about 26% higher.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Ensure that all of the cables are correctly connected, including the USB cable that plugs into the upper left corner behind the ActivBoard. For this reason, we process data we collect in accordance with EU General Data Protection Regulation and other applicable data protection laws. Download the firmware file provided by Promethean Technical Customer Support and save it to your desktop. Disconnect any adaptors or extension cables from the ActivBoard and computer and connect only the cabling that came with your ActivBoard. If you still need technical support, please contact us.
If you still need technical support, please contact us. Please consult article for more information. Once installed, you will see the ActivManager icon appear in your toolbar or system tray, depending on your operating system.
Ensure the latest version of ActivDriver activboarrd installed. Retrieving the firmware file Download the firmware file provided by Promethean Technical Promethean activboard v3 Support and save it to your desktop. If your Promethean activboard v3 is not detected by the computer, ensure your cables are connected securely, check the ActivBoard is powered and try all available USB ports on your computer.
Your privacy is very important to us. If none of the devices in this section have an error status and promethean activboard v3 do not see a device named Promethean ActivBoard, please perform the following steps.
Ensure the Hardware tab is selected promethean activboard v3 highlight the ActivBoard. Click the ActivManager icon in your system tray or toolbar and select Control Panel. Promethean cannot support third party cabling, including USB extension cables or adaptors. If there is an error status, manually update the ActivDriver following pomethean Close this window and click on your ActivManager icon in the system tray.
Disconnect any adaptors or extension cables from the ActivBoard and computer and connect only the cabling that came with promethean activboard v3 ActivBoard. For this reason, we process data we collect in accordance with EU General Data Protection Regulation and other applicable data protection laws.
promethean activboard v3 Click the ActivManager icon and select Control Panel. Alternatively, take this computer to another known working ActivBoard to see if it works properly. If you continue without changing these settings, you consent to this.
Reconnect the power supply and USB cable. For this reason, we process data we collect in accordance with EU General Data Protection Regulation and promethean activboard v3 applicable data protection laws.
Navigate to your desktop and locate the firmware file that you downloaded. The ActivBoard has been upgraded. If promethean activboard v3 ActivBoard is listed in the Hardware tab, it has been activbosrd by the computer and you will be able to use the ActivPen as normal.
Download the firmware file provided by Promethean Technical Customer Support and save it to your desktop. Ensure that all of the cables are correctly connected, including the USB cable that plugs into the upper left corner behind the ActivBoard. If you still need promethean activboard v3 support, please contact us. Select File and click Load.
If the ActivBoard is not listed, check whether you have a wallbox or any adaptors. Firmware upgrades should be carried out using a computer that is connected promethean activboard v3 to the interactive display device, bypassing any connection plates or wall boxes, using a 3m USB cable.
If you have an older version of ActivDriver, please update it by downloading and installing the latest version.


Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath.
Women may experience an indigestion-type feeling in the upper abdomen; nausea; profound fatigue or decreasing exercise tolerance; sudden and severe headaches; tightness in the right or left arm, often mistaken for joint pain; and shoulder or neck discomfort.
Sudden and severe headache with unknown cause.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, and they don't go away within a few minutes, call 9-1-1.
You weigh more than the standard for your height, age and body frame.


OK so the fake plane crash thing has been done before. Well, here it is a again. This time it's to call attention to the fact Israel has a rugby team. We'll refrain from any Middle Eastern-related commentary on plane crashes. No matter what country is involved.


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Home » Assured Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing Awards More Than $25,000 in Scholarships
Assured Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing Awards More Than $25,000 in Scholarships
Assured Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing, a home service company serving the greater Atlanta area, has announced more than $25,000 in scholarships to be awarded to local students interested in pursuing a career in the home services industry.
So far this month, seven scholarships have been awarded to high school students across Douglas County for a total of $27,650. Each scholarship is valued at $3,950 and provides entry into the AATA Special Ops program, Georgia's premier HVAC EPA certification program provided by the All American Technician Academy.
"It is vital that our local students know they have options beyond a traditional four-year school," said Jerry Hall, owner of Assured Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing. "We support continuing education of any kind, but we want rising seniors to know there is a very lucrative and rewarding career to be had in the home services industry. It is our goal that these scholarships provide these students with the means to pursue a career in a field they will enjoy and that will provide a secure future for them for years to come."
Hall and the Assured Comfort team are also offering one scholarship to each of the 16 high schools in Cobb County. The deadline for Cobb County students to apply has been extended to June 30. Interested students can apply by visiting AATAUSA.com.
Visit www.assuredcomfort.com.
Business Distributor HVAC Industry Community News Training & Education Wholesalers & Distributors
EGIA Foundation Awards More than $35,000 in HVAC Scholarships
More than 30 Students Receive $164,000 in ASHRAE Scholarships
Barron Heating & Air Conditioning Awards Two $5,000 Scholarships


SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association (Washington, DC) has announced the agenda for its new Re|focus Recycling Summit & Expo and launched an associated event website. In collaboration with its Recycling Committee, SPI has designed the event to assist brand owners and processors in taking their environmental goals from aspirational to operational. The Re|focus Recycling Summit & Expo will take place April 25 to 27, 2016, at the Rosen Shingle Creek conference center and hotel in Orlando, FL.
The summit launches with an evening reception on Monday, April 25. Events during the following two days will include seven concurrent conference tracks devoted to cutting edge recycling technologies; product engineering and design; supply chain management and manufacturing with recycled content; regulatory and compliance issues; industry-specific topics on recycling to recovery and use of recycled content, sustainability challenges and solutions; and global manufacturing trends in recycled content. There will also be two plenary sessions with keynote addresses, and an off-site plant tour is in development.


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What explains Northern Ireland's long-standing problem of low productivity?
Insights – May 4th, 2021
Low productivity is widely recognised as one of the most important economic challenges facing the UK. But it is a problem that has affected Northern Ireland's economy for the past 100 years – and it is yet to be solved.
This year marks the centenary of Northern Ireland's creation. During that time, its economy has persistently underperformed and it has remained one of the UK's poorest regions.
Central to this poor economic performance is low productivity. Northern Ireland produces less output per hour worked than most other regions in the UK. In turn, the UK underperforms relative to its international peers: UK productivity is lower than in the United States, France and Germany, and has grown more slowly over the past decade. This makes Northern Ireland's low levels of productivity even more concerning.
Several potential causes have been suggested for why firms in Northern Ireland are less productive than those in the rest of the UK. Yet attempts to address this 'productivity gap' have, so far, been unsuccessful, reflecting its interdependent and deep-seated causes.
Does Northern Ireland have a productivity problem?
Productivity measures the amount of goods and services – or output – produced in an economy. Productive firms are key to increasing economic growth and raising living standards over the long run (Office for National Statistics, ONS, 2020). Productivity can be measured at a regional level by the amount of value created (or 'gross value added') per hour worked.
Figure 1 compares levels of productivity across the UK's regions. Northern Ireland is one of the worst performing UK regions, at around 14% below the overall UK level, with only Wales and Yorkshire and the Humber performing worse.
Figure 1: Regional productivity (GVA) per hour worked in 2018 (UK=100)
Source: ONS, 2020
This poor performance is a long-standing feature of the Northern Irish economy. The productivity gap existed prior to the Troubles of the late 1960s to the late 1990s, and was evident even before partition – with little sign of convergence during the twentieth century (Hitchens and Birnie, 1989). Research suggests that low productivity growth was responsible for Northern Ireland's slow GDP per capita growth over the past two decades, and that the nation's productivity performance has increasingly fallen behind that of the Republic of Ireland (FitzGerald and Morgenroth, 2020; Goldrick-Kelly and Mac Flynn, 2018).
Even before the recent focus on productivity in the UK, improving productivity was recognised as key to rebalancing Northern Ireland's economy (HM Treasury, 2011). While the importance of productivity for future economic prosperity is known, there is no clear consensus on the causes of the productivity gap or on the policies needed to address it. This reflects the complexity of the productivity problem, but also the role that institutions play in designing and implementing appropriate policy interventions.
Possible causes: economic structure and geographical location?
Two of the earliest explanations given for Northern Ireland's productivity gap are its economic structure and geographical location – particularly its peripheral position relative to the rest of the UK economy.
The structural view suggests that lower levels of productivity reflect a regional economy that is more highly concentrated in low productivity industries: the argument is that if Northern Ireland had the same economic structure as the UK, the productivity gap would disappear.
This is one of the earliest explanations for the nation's low productivity, as examined in An Economic Survey of Northern Ireland by Isles and Cuthbert (1957). It is also a view that has persisted over time, with one recent report viewing the productivity gap as 'largely due to the under-representation of high productivity sectors in Northern Ireland' (HM Treasury, 2011).
But while the structure of Northern Ireland's economy does differ from the UK, it is not responsible for the majority of the productivity gap. If it had the same economic structure as Great Britain, this would close just under half of the productivity gap, suggesting that a majority of the gap is due to productivity failings within sectors (Mac Flynn, 2016).
In the past, manufacturing contributed significantly to the productivity gap, driven by the decline of shipbuilding and textiles. Now it contributes positively to overall productivity. As Figure 2 shows, the largest gaps relative to their equivalent sectors in Great Britain are found in agriculture (-52%), finance (-34%), construction (-23%), administration (-20%), information and communication (-20%), transportation (-15%), accommodation and food (-13%), and professional and scientific services (-9%).
Figure 2: NI productivity gap relative to GB by sector in 2016 (%)
Source: Mac Flynn, 2016. Sectors employing less than 1% of the Northern Irish workforce not shown.
Geographical remoteness – or 'hard peripherality' – has also been put forward as an explanation for both a higher concentration of low productivity industries and the within-sector productivity gaps. Firms might face higher transport costs for importing and exporting goods, while Northern Ireland's relatively small domestic market might limit firms' ability to grow. This could lead to firms having lower productivity within sectors and a higher concentration of low productivity sectors.
Yet despite facing a similar problem of geographical isolation, the Republic of Ireland has higher productivity than Northern Ireland. Transport costs have also been shown not to drive the productivity gap, nor was Ulster's successful industrialisation during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries hindered by the region's geography (Brownlow, 2013). Where remoteness may harm Northern Irish productivity is through more indirect channels, where distance from markets and knowledge networks may contribute to an 'ideas gap' (Crafts, 1995; Brownlow, 2013).
What other explanations are there?
Given that economic structure and geographical location are not the main reasons for Northern Ireland's persistent productivity gap, other explanations focus on investment, human capital and infrastructure.
During the mid-twentieth century, lower levels of investment in capital goods such as machinery and new technology – particularly in manufacturing – were suggested as a possible explanation for lower productivity. Addressing this shortfall became the focus of policy-makers, and by the 1980s, the amount of capital invested per worker was at least as high in Northern Ireland as it was in Great Britain (Borooah and Lee, 1991). Yet the productivity gap persisted.
Attention instead turned to investment in research and development (R&D). Post-war Northern Ireland failed to attract its 'fair share' of R&D facilities relative to the rest of the UK, with inward investment being less focused on developing new ideas (Crafts, 1995). The nation still sees some of the lowest levels of investment relative to other UK regions (Mac Flynn, 2016). It is this failure to invest that has been identified as one of the main weaknesses of the economy (Brownlow, 2013).
A deficit in human capital has been identified as another main source of the productivity gap. Northern Ireland has lower rates of those with tertiary education (such as a university degree) compared with the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FitzGerald and Morgenroth, 2020). It also has the highest proportion of working age people with no basic qualifications (Mac Flynn, 2016).
Two main reasons have been provided for these poor educational levels: too many individuals leaving school early without the skills they need; and a 'brain drain' of educated individuals – with almost one-third of graduates born in Northern Ireland subsequently living in Great Britain (FitzGerald, 2019).
There is also evidence to suggest that Northern Ireland has fewer people with management skills – a 'management skills gap' – although how much this contributes to the productivity gap is unknown (Bloom and Van Reenen, 2010). Further, a lack of an entrepreneurial culture may play a role, with Northern Ireland having a lower rate of business start-ups than the UK average (Brownlow, 2013).
Infrastructure and connectivity have been shown to be an important driver of productivity growth across UK regions (PwC, 2019). Northern Ireland is highlighted as a region needing greater investment in this area to help drive productivity growth, with underinvestment reflecting a long-run pattern that has harmed productivity (Confederation of British Industry, CBI, 2017; FitzGerald and Morgenroth, 2020).
Why has policy failed to close the productivity gap?
Despite Northern Ireland's productivity gap being highlighted since the 1950s, public policy has failed to address the issue successfully.
For many decades, public policy focused predominantly on manufacturing, and it made employment levels a priority over productivity. The inter-war industrial policy of the devolved government aimed at minimising unemployment in the staple industries – but this hampered its ability to promote new, higher productivity industries (Jordan, 2020).
Support for industry increased after the war, but it was not until the 1960s that this translated into better economic outcomes. This was due to institutional changes that saw new rules for government ministers adopted by Stormont, which were designed to prevent conflicts of interest affecting the allocation of industrial subsidies (Brownlow, 2007).
The period of the Troubles saw public expenditure used to stabilise the regional economy, with policy-makers attempting to balance economic and non-economic considerations, rather than maximising productivity (Brownlow, 2013). During the 1990s and early 2000s, there was a movement away from subsidising new capital investments for manufacturing, and more emphasis placed on attracting foreign direct investment into Northern Ireland (Brownlow, 2020).
Yet Northern Ireland has failed to emulate the Republic of Ireland's success in attracting foreign direct investment. The sectors that have experienced the highest levels of foreign investment in the Republic outperform those in the North by the greatest margin (Goldrick-Kelly and Mac Flynn, 2018).
Simply lowering corporation tax in Northern Ireland may be of little benefit, as lower levels of skills and education levels have been highlighted as a key factor hampering the nation's ability to attract investment (Siedschlag and Koecklin, 2019). Further, the ability of local firms to benefit from the spreading of new ideas (or 'knowledge spillovers') from foreign investors has also been shown to be limited, exacerbated by the relatively low level of skills in the wider regional economy (Hewitt-Dundas et al, 2005; Goldrick-Kelly and Mac Flynn, 2018).
Finally, the relatively large size of the public sector has been suggested as a contributing factor in Northern Ireland's productivity gap by 'crowding out' private investment (CBI, 2017). For example, substantial transfers of public money from central government may lead to the public sector competing with the private sector for skilled labour.
A large public sector, with wages linked to those at a national level, may also put upward pressure on the overall level of wages. This in turn may make the region less attractive to firms considering locating there, as wages are not low enough to compensate for lower levels of productivity (FitzGerald and Morgenroth, 2020).
Yet a large public sector is not necessarily harmful for economic performance, as demonstrated by the Nordic economies: rather, it is the effectiveness of public policy and the ability to build a successful private sector that have a greater influence on competitiveness (Brownlow and Birnie, 2018).
Do institutions and governance play a role?
Perhaps the most important explanation for the failure of policy to address the productivity gap is the role of institutions and governance. While the effect of institutions is difficult to measure, it is clear that they play a crucial role in determining Northern Ireland's long-run economic performance.
Northern Ireland has a unique history in the UK, having had a devolved government for the majority of the past 100 years. During the first period of devolution, there is evidence that financial support was directed towards politically connected firms and industries, rather than those that might increase productivity (Brownlow, 2007; Jordan, 2020). Even with the introduction of direct rule from Westminster in 1972, there is evidence that the effectiveness of industrial policy continued to be limited by the institutions present (Brownlow, 2016).
It is also argued that legacy issues relating to the Troubles and a divided society are linked to lower productivity. These issues include the emigration of high-skilled labour and the failure to attract these emigrants back (FitzGerald and Morgenroth, 2020). There is also evidence that higher levels of long-run health problems linked to the Troubles – such as post-traumatic stress disorder – have lowered individuals' productivity at work (Ferry et al, 2015).
What next for Northern Ireland's productivity challenge?
There is no quick fix for Northern Ireland's long-standing productivity problem, as there is no single cause. This means that policies designed to address these multiple causes need to be coordinated, otherwise their effectiveness will be limited. While policies such as lowering corporation tax may grab headlines, other factors are more important for the nation's competitiveness and future prosperity.
Further research is still needed on the different aspects of the productivity problem if effective policy interventions are to be designed. Data limitations mean that it can be difficult to identify where productivity gaps exist within sectors, and where causes differ by sector. Some areas are also under-researched. For example, while we know that low human capital is one of the causes of low productivity, we don't know to what extent a managerial skills gap contributes to this.
Time does not stand still – and there are new challenges emerging for Northern Ireland and productivity. Covid-19 may permanently change working patterns. Brexit, and the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, may fundamentally change the nation's economic relationships. Major transitions, such as an ageing population and climate change, pose further challenges. This makes it all the more important for policy-makers to address the underlying causes of low productivity.
This blog was first published on the Economic Observatory website and represents the author's personal views, not those of The Productivity Institute.
David Jordan is currently a Research Fellow at Queen's University Belfast supporting the Northern Ireland Regional Productivity Forum. He is also a Research Associate at the Queen's University Centre for Economic History and a Postgraduate Research Associate of the Queen's University Institute of Irish Studies.
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We provide outreach, visiting those in the hospital, home-bound, or in assisted living.
Some members are also trained and approved to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. They are required to show the greatest reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist by their demeanor, their attire, and the manner in which they handle the consecrated host.
The Priests of the parish regularly visit St. Vincent Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital. Please be sure to specify that you are a member of St. Theresa Parish when you are admitted so that your name will appear in the proper place in the hospital's clergy record.
Please call the rectory if you know of someone who is unable to come to church and would like a visit from a member of our Health Care Ministry team. This can include those who are home-bound, as well as those in a hospital or nursing home. Due to privacy laws, health care facilities are no longer permitted to notify a church when a parishioner is admitted.


text:
Visit Bardstown
info@stephenfoster.com
The Stephen Foster Story
Playing Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 8pm
The Stephen Foster Story has been delighting audiences at the J. Dan Talbott Amphitheatre since 1959. The show is set in the mid 19th century and follows America's first great composer Stephen Collins Foster as he paves the road for future songwriters through love, heartache, and the struggles of the time. Featuring over fifty of Foster's greatest compositions such as "Oh! Susanna", "Camptown Races", "Beautiful Dreamer", "Hard Times (Come Again No More), & Kentucky's state song "My Old Kentucky Home", The Stephen Foster Story captures the essence of a by-gone era through song, dance, breathtaking costumes, and the picture-perfect setting of My Old Kentucky Home State Park.
The Songs of Stephen Foster
Playing Saturdays at 2pm Indoors
When a curious young lady discovers a mysterious trunk in her great-grandmother's attic, the 1840's spring back to life in all its splendor through the timeless music of Stephen Foster. With stunning period costumes, exciting choreography and your favorite Stephen Foster tunes (as well as some cherished ones you may have forgotten,) we invite you to take in "The Songs of Stephen Foster" as you've never seen them before in our all-new one-hour production!
The Songs of Stephen Foster plays indoors at Bardstown High School. Click here for tickets.
Live at the Park
Concerts begin at 8pm
The Budweiser Live at the Park Concert Series has been a summer staple in Bardstown for over 20 years. Past performers include such names as Keith Urban, The Dixie Chicks, John Michael Montgomery, The Band Perry, Hunter Hayes, Brothers Osborne, Love & Theft, and many more.
2022 SEASON LINEUP COMING SOON
411 E. Stephen Foster Avenue Bardstown, KY 40004


We offer term life insurance quotes online and direct from several affordable and highly rated carriers. Term life options usually span from 5-40 years depending on your time horizon. Through needs analysis, we help our clients to determine the right amount of insurance needed for the right amount of time.
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With our help you can find stable life insurance coverage for the time period that best fits your needs and goals. By establishing a low-cost plan your can protect your family and financial interests now and in the future.
Some of our many providers include: American General, American National, Aviva, Banner Life, Genworth, ING, Prudential, Lincoln Benefit, Lincoln National, MetLife, Minnesota Life, Mutual Of Omaha, Nationwide Insurance, Transamerica, and West Coast Life to name a few. Several of our carriers allow for online enrollment so that our clients can easily purchase the amount of life insurance they need quickly and easily.
The most common type of policy purchased is level term life insurance. This option offers a level death benefit that neither increases nor decreases over time. In most cases, the premiums will be the same each year and these plans are most affordable when paid on an annual basis.
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Below are links to some posters you might want to print out (A3) and hang up at your GP's, church, community centre, and the likes. We are searching for community members with special needs, and would additionally like to build a waiting list for times to come. The posters are to encourage families to get in touch with us, if they are interested in what we offer.
Link to download posters to print. You might want to print flyers, in which case you just need to downscale the image to 50%.
Link to email images. This folder includes the posters to email, which means they are smaller file sizes.


text:
0.0595% growth
In 2017, Hoover, AL had a population of 84.2k people with a median age of 37.9 and a median household income of $81,038. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Hoover, AL grew from 84,100 to 84,150, a 0.0595% increase and its median household income grew from $78,056 to $81,038, a 3.82% increase.
The population of Hoover, AL is 69.6% White Alone, 17.5% Black or African American Alone, and 5.78% Hispanic or Latino. N/A% of the people in Hoover, AL speak a non-English language, and 94.7% are U.S. citizens.
The largest universities in Hoover, AL are Paul Mitchell the School-Birmingham (58 degrees awarded in 2017) and University of Phoenix-Alabama (18 degrees).
The median property value in Hoover, AL is $271,600, and the homeownership rate is 68.4%. Most people in Hoover, AL commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 21.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Hoover, AL is 2 cars per household.
Photo by Nicolas Henderson
United StatesAlabamaJefferson County, ALShelby County, ALBirmingham-Hoover, ALShelby County PUMA, ALHoover (North), Vestavia Hills & Homewood Cities PUMA, ALBessemer, Hueytown & Pleasant Grove Cities PUMA, AL
The economy of Hoover, AL employs 43.9k people. The largest industries in Hoover, AL are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,241 people), Educational Services (5,066 people), and Retail Trade (4,933 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($114,375), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($103,438), and Utilities ($86,141).
Median household income in Hoover, AL is $81,038. Males in Hoover, AL have an average income that is 1.44 times higher than the average income of females, which is $40,615. The income inequality in Hoover, AL (measured using the Gini index) is 0.46, which is lower than than the national average.
Households in Hoover, AL have a median annual income of $81,038, which is more than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $78,056 in 2016, which represents a 3.82% annual growth.
Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Hoover, AL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.
The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Alabama.
± $997
In 2017, full-time male employees in Alabama made 1.44 times more than female employees.
This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Alabama by number of full-time employees.
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races
In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Alabama workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.21 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.
This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Alabama by number of full-time employees.
The closest comparable wage GINI for Hoover, AL is from Alabama.
In 2017, the income inequality in Alabama was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.343% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.
The 2017 the GINI for Alabama was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alabama in comparison to the national average.
This chart shows the number of workers in Alabama across various wage buckets compared to the national average.
In 2017, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Hoover, AL was Census Tract 302.16 with a value of $126,556, followed by Census Tract 144.06 and Census Tract 303.33, with respective values of $109,458 and $106,645.
The following map shows all of the places in Hoover, AL colored by their Median Household Income (Total).
6.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Hoover, AL (5.43k out of 83.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 6 - 11.
The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Hoover, AL is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.
From 2016 to 2017, employment in Hoover, AL grew at a rate of 1.49%, from 43.2k employees to 43.9k employees.
The most common job groups, by number of people living in Hoover, AL, are Management Occupations (6,178 people), Sales & Related Occupations (5,785 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,364 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Hoover, AL.
The most common jobs held by residents of Hoover, AL, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (6,178 people), Sales & Related Occupations (5,785 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,364 people).
Compared to other places, Hoover, AL has an unusually high number of residents working as Legal Occupations (1.71 times higher than expected), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (1.6 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.57 times).
The highest paid jobs held by residents of Hoover, AL, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($97,670), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($80,895), and Management Occupations ($79,766).
The most common employment sectors for those who live in Hoover, AL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,241 people), Educational Services (5,066 people), and Retail Trade (4,933 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Hoover, AL, though some of these residents may live in Hoover, AL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.
The most common industries in Hoover, AL, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,241 people), Educational Services (5,066 people), and Retail Trade (4,933 people).
Compared to other places, Hoover, AL has an unusually high number of Utilities (3 times higher than expected), Finance & Insurance (2.09 times), and Information (1.44 times) industries.
The highest paying industries in Hoover, AL, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($114,375), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($103,438), and Utilities ($86,141).
Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Alabama to other states, or from other states to Alabama.
Coal-n.e.c.
In 2015, the top outbound Alabama product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $43.7B, followed by Mixed freight ($29.7B) and Coal-n.e.c. ($23.9B).
The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Alabama products.
Showing data for Alabama state.
In 2020, total outbound Alabama trade was $265B. This is expected to increase 38.3% to $367B by 2045.
The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Alabama trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.
Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Alabama to other states, or from other states to Alabama.
In 2015, the top outbound Alabama domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $27.4B, followed by Florida with $17.9B and Tennessee and $16.2B.
The following map shows the amount of trade that Alabama shares with each state (excluding itself).
93.7% of the population of Hoover, AL has health coverage, with 61.7% on employee plans, 5.55% on Medicaid, 11% on Medicare, 14.1% on non-group plans, and 1.32% on military or VA plans.
Per capita personal health care spending in the place of Hoover, AL was $7,281 in 2014. This is a 4.07% increase from the previous year ($6,996).
Primary care physicians in Hoover, AL see 1535 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.1% decrease from the previous year (1552 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2139 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1185 patients per year.
Comparing across all counties in the state, Greene County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (21.1%). Additionally, Macon County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (47.8%)
Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alabama.
Primary care physicians in Alabama see an average of 1,535 patients per year. This represents a 1.1% decrease from the previous year (1,552 patients).
The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Alabama in comparison to neighboring states.
Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Alabama (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.07%, from $6,996 to $7,281.
Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Hoover, AL declined by 0.112% from 6.31% to 6.31%.
The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Hoover, AL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.
Greene County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Alabama, at 21.1%.
The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Alabama by county over multiple years.
Hoover, AL is home to a population of 84.2k people, from which 94.7% are citizens. As of 2017, 9% of Hoover, AL residents were born outside of the country (7.57k people).
The ethnic composition of the population of Hoover, AL is composed of 58.5k White Alone residents (69.6%), 14.7k Black or African American Alone residents (17.5%), 4.86k Hispanic or Latino residents (5.78%), 4.34k Asian Alone residents (5.16%), 1.33k Two or More Races residents (1.58%), 213 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.253%), 126 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.15%), and 17 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0202%).
In 2017, the median age of all people in Hoover, AL was 37.9. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 37, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 40. But people in Hoover, AL are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Hoover, AL residents was 38.
7.3k people
As of 2017, 9% of Hoover, AL residents (7.57k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Hoover, AL was 8.68%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.
The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Hoover, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.
In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alabama was Mexico, the natal country of 51,837 Alabama residents, followed by Guatemala with 11,080 and India with 9,229.
As of 2017, 94.7% of Hoover, AL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Hoover, AL was 94.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.
The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Hoover, AL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.
58.5k ± 1.48k
Black or African American Alone
4.86k ± 1.12k
In 2017, there were 3.97 times more White Alone residents (58.5k people) in Hoover, AL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 14.7k Black or African American Alone and 4.86k Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.
The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Hoover, AL as a share of the total population.
Hoover, AL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.79 times greater than any other conflict.
In 2017, universities in Hoover, AL awarded 76 degrees. The student population of Hoover, AL is skewed towards women, with 6 male students and 113 female students.
Most students graduating from Universities in Hoover, AL are White (49 and 64.5%), followed by Black or African American (20 and 26.3%), Hispanic or Latino (4 and 5.26%), and Unknown (3 and 3.95%).
The largest universities in Hoover, AL by number of degrees awarded are Paul Mitchell the School-Birmingham (58 and 76.3%) and University of Phoenix-Alabama (18 and 23.7%).
The most popular majors in Hoover, AL are General Cosmetology (58 and 76.3%), General Business Administration & Management (6 and 7.89%), and General Marketing & Marketing Management (2 and 2.63%).
The median tuition costs in Hoover, AL are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.
< 1 Year Postsecondary Certificate1 to 2 Year Postsecondary CertificateBachelors DegreeMasters Degree
Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist
0 degrees awarded
Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor
General Cosmetology
58 degrees awarded
In 2015, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Hoover, AL was Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist with 0 degrees awarded.
This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Hoover, AL according to their major.
Paul Mitchell the School-Birmingham
University of Phoenix-Alabama
In 2017, the Hoover, AL institution with the largest number of graduating students was Paul Mitchell the School-Birmingham with 58 degrees awarded.
In 2017, 5 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Hoover, AL, which is 0.0704 times less than the 71 female students who received degrees in the same year.
This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Hoover, AL by degrees awarded.
In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Hoover, AL were to White students. These 49 degrees mean that there were 2.45 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 20 degrees awarded.
The median property value in Hoover, AL was $271,600 in 2017, which is 1.18 times larger than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $268,100 to $271,600, a 1.31% increase. The homeownership rate in Hoover, AL is 68.4%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Hoover, AL have an average commute time of 21.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Hoover, AL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.
In 2017, the median property value in Hoover, AL grew to to $271,600 from the previous year's value of $268,100.
The following charts display, first, the property values in Hoover, AL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Hoover, AL the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.
In 2017, the median household income of the 32.9k households in Hoover, AL grew to $81,038 from the previous year's value of $78,056.
The following chart displays the households in Hoover, AL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.
This chart shows the households in Hoover, AL distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Hoover, AL the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.
In 2017, 68.4% of the housing units in Hoover, AL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 68.1%.
This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Hoover, AL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.
Using averages, employees in Hoover, AL have a shorter commute time (21.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 0.872% of the workforce in Hoover, AL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.
The chart below shows how the median household income in Hoover, AL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.
In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Hoover, AL was Drove Alone (85.7%), followed by those who Carpooled (7.88%) and those who Worked At Home (5.12%).
The following chart displays the households in Hoover, AL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Hoover, AL have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
Jefferson County, AL
Shelby County, AL


How many Beatles Fans know that there's been an annual John Lennon Tribute show in New York City since 1981?
If you answered yes, you probably live in New York City. But for many others who live far away from NYC, you probably didn't know, as this author didn't know, until running into the man, Joe Raiola, who with Alec Rubin started the very first John Lennon tribute show back in 1981 at a recent Fest for Beatles Fans in NYC.
Joe Raiola is the Executive/Artistic Director of Theatre Within, the non-profit behind the Annual John Lennon Tribute. Founded as a experimental performance workshop in 1962, the original Theatre Within studio was just a few blocks from the Dakota building on West 72nd Street where John Lennon lived. Joe tells the story of how workshop members "took it badly" when John was murdered and felt "compelled to do something." That "something" was a neighborhood tribute to John which Joe says "we needed to do to help us cope with our profound sense of loss."
Although Joe and his co-director Alec Rubin never met John, they felt a deep connection to him. Rubin was not just a theater director, but also a "primal therapist" who helped artists access blocked feelings and create intensely autobiographical work. John had famously been inspired by his own experience in primal therapy, which he used to come to terms with his rocky childhood and adolescence and the tragic loss of his mother at an early age. The result was his riveting album, Plastic Ono Band.
"That album was a revelation," Joe says in a phone interview. "It set a new standard for truth-telling in songwriting. So we were deeply inspired by it. It was revolutionary."
This year's 34th John Lennon Tribute show will take place on December 5th at the "Symphony Space" venue which has 750 seats. The program will be mostly music but also include some spoken word. The line-up is traditionally announced in September.
When asked why Theatre Within decided to keep producing Lennon Tribute show every year, Joe explained that originally "they didn't plan to make this an annual event, but we needed to be together because it was such an important event for us and needed to do it the next year. We never stopped (putting it on)...and the show has evolved to larger venues and featuring more music performed by well known musicians and artists as more and more people have heard about it.
Yoko Ono didn't find out about the Tribute until 10 years ago in 2004 and she has been supporting the event ever since. It's one of just two Lennon Tribute shows in the world that she officially sanctions, the other being in Japan. So if it took Yoko 24 years to find out about the Tribute in her own hometown, it's no wonder that many diehard Beatles fans who live far from NYC never heard of it until attending the recent Fest for Beatles Fans that took place in NYC the weekend of February 7.
To be notified by email when tickets go on sale for this year's 34th Annual John Lennon Tribute, go to lennontribute.org and sign up for the mailing list. You can also learn more about the Tribute's colorful history and view highlights from last year's Tribute at the site with performances by Steve Earle, Joan Osborne, Raul Malo and many other top artists.


A GREAT LIFESTYLE AWAITS YOU!
ILD GSR Drive is the upcoming project of residential segment in South of Gurgaon by ILD. ILD GSR Drive Gurgaon is wide spread in total land area of 25 acres. Located at Sec-36 Sohna Road, this project at a stone's throw away from all the major destinations: 10mins drive from sohna road and golf course road, 10mins away from ILD trade centre & Well connected to NH-8.