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Extraordinary Parenting
JP challenges us to think about how we can parent extraordinarily. He gives us 10 ways that any parent can be an extraordinary in the way that they raise their children. For more great resources on parenting, visit watermark.org/parenting.
Jonathan Pokluda • May 28, 2017
In This Series (36)
Join The Journey: A Tour of Romans
Blake Holmes • Dec 31, 2017
Todd Wagner • Dec 24, 2017
Contentment, Longing and Christmas
An Update on the Mission in Fort Worth
Tyler Briggs • Nov 19, 2017 • Fort Worth
Evening with the Elders
Beau Fournet, Dean Macfarlan, Todd Wagner • Nov 12, 2017
An Evening with Eric Metaxas
Todd Wagner, Eric Metaxas • Oct 18, 2017
What a Compassionate God Wants You to Consider as Your Next Yes
Todd Wagner • Oct 1, 2017
Worship Together: You Are the Church
Harrison Ross • Sep 3, 2017
Worship Together: The Future of the Church in the Hands of Parents
Wes Butler • Sep 3, 2017
Worship Together: Remember. Consider. Imitate
David Penuel • Sep 3, 2017
Worship Together: Influencing the Next Generation by Preparing Ourselves and Investing in Our Children
Jason Bradshaw, Patrick Blocker • Sep 3, 2017
Do Good People Go To Heaven?
David Marvin • Aug 6, 2017
Step Up in Faithfulness, Discover and Invest Your Talents for Christ
Jeff Ward • Jul 30, 2017
Regretful Hearts v. Repentant Hearts
Jeff Parker • Jul 30, 2017
Leadership Matters…and Other Seminal Truths
Todd Wagner • Jul 23, 2017
The Future and Hope of Your Life and Our City
Todd Wagner • Jul 9, 2017
Keeping Short Accounts
Adam Tarnow • Jul 2, 2017
Soldiers, Athletes & Farmers: A Biblical Look at the Spiritual Life
Blake Holmes • Jun 25, 2017
Why Your First Impression of Your Father Matters
Todd Wagner • Jun 18, 2017
Todd Wagner • May 21, 2017
Why Every Week is a Pastors' Conference
Todd Wagner, Blake Holmes, John McGee • May 7, 2017
The End of the Search
Tyler Briggs • Apr 30, 2017 • Fort Worth
The Christian in Culture
Derek Mathews • Apr 30, 2017 • Plano
4 Dead-Ends to Spiritual Growth
Blake Holmes • Apr 30, 2017
A Spectacle of Glory: An Interview with Joni Eareckson Tada
Todd Wagner, Joni Eareckson Tada • Apr 23, 2017
Easter: "It is True"
Todd Wagner • Apr 16, 2017
John Elmore, Wes Butler • Apr 14, 2017
Fort Worth Raise The Mark
Gary Stroope, Beau Fournet, Tyler Briggs • Feb 26, 2017 • Fort Worth
Seeing God as a Perfect Father
Adam Tarnow • Feb 19, 2017
Who You Are, Eternally
Jonathan Pokluda • Feb 5, 2017
Freedom from Following
Jonathan Pokluda • Jan 29, 2017
Four Traits Christ's Disciples Share
Jeff Parker • Jan 29, 2017
Inquiring of The Lord
Fort Worth's Opportunity... A Day We Can't Wait to See
Todd Wagner • Jan 22, 2017 • Fort Worth
Blake Holmes • Jan 1, 2017
Hello, Watermark, how are we doing? I want to welcome our campuses in on the stream. If you are somewhere around the world stepping away from your Memorial Day plans to tune in with us this morning, I'm glad you are. I want to welcome Fort Worth and Plano. I'm really excited about where we're headed today. Have you guys seen this video that has gone viral of this dad who went to pick up his son from school? Okay, some of you have. A lot of you haven't.
He's a pastor. He was here at the church leaders' conference. It has over 20 million views now. His wife is just filming with an iPhone. Let me give you the backstory before I show it. The son was complaining about taking the bus and just kept saying, "Dad, none of the other kids have to ride the bus. Why can't you pick me up? Just pick me up from school." After hearing this a few times, the dad said, "Okay, I'll pick you up from school." Watch this.
Here's what happens when you see something like that. There's this dichotomy that happens. Half of you, maybe even more than half of you based on the laughter, are like, "That's genius. Why didn't I think about that? He's dad of the year. Way to go." Then there's another half of you or some fraction of you who's like, "That's child abuse. He's going to pay for that later when that kid leaves the home and hates him and reflects back on, 'Remember when you came to school in a Speedo?'"
That's what happens with parenting. You just don't know. Some people are like, "No, this is how you do it." They have really strong opinions. "This is the way. This is how you discipline. These are the things you need to do. I read Baby Wise." Then others are like, "No, I'm in this other camp. I've read this other new book. I have this other thought." What I feel like as a dad is there's no par. I just want to know how I'm doing. Somebody show me how I'm stacking up against the others. Am I doing okay? Am I doing the best I can? Are the kids going to turn out okay?
We want some sort of measurable. I've heard it said that extraordinary people come from extraordinary parents. I'm like, "Yeah, but what makes an extraordinary parent?" So stay tuned with me this morning, because I'm going to tell you the other half of the story before you leave. That's what I want to talk about for the next few minutes. There are some things extraordinary parents do, and there are three reasons I want to cover this this morning.
First is because Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer for a lot of us, which means we're going to have more time and more exposure to our kids, if you have them, if they're home from school. Do you have a plan? That's tomorrow. Do we have a plan? Are we going into the summer with a plan? You're not alone. Don't panic. We're going to help you. Next week we kick off Significant Summer.
Our kids' ministry here has invested a ton of time and resources to help you. Whatever age your kids are, you can click on a button. It's watermark.org/parenting. All of the information is there. The application for you today is just that everyone here would go there. So that's the first reason I want to speak about this.
The second reason… Let me say this. I am well aware… Like, what do I know about parenting? I'm right in the middle of the experiment. I shouldn't even be allowed to speak on this. I mean, you haven't seen the results from our home, but here's what I learned. I'm surrounded by some amazing parents. I've seen parents whose kids now have kids.
I've talked to them on a regular basis, and I just started asking those parents questions. "Hey, what did you guys do?" I started hearing some really consistent answers. I started interviewing the kids. "Hey, what did your parents do that made your home exceptional?" I started writing down their answers. I started seeing patterns. I want to pass those on to you today.
Lastly, the third reason I want to speak on this is because I've spent the last 11 years of my life in young adult ministry, which means I've spent the last 11 years of my life with the results of parenting. Every single Tuesday night after The Porch I stand right here. There's a line of folks, and I begin to talk to them about some of the challenges and successes they're facing, some of the victories and some of the challenges they're facing.
I begin to see these patterns, and as I begin to ask questions and look into their upbringing, I can begin to see, almost like a chart or a graph, these things that just connect together. Certainly there are exceptions, but there are a lot of remarkable patterns. So what do extraordinary parents do? The word extraordinary just means weird or remarkable. I just showed you weird. Weird is Dad in a Speedo. That's weird, but what would make a remarkable parent?
Let me say this, because I know a lot of you aren't parents. As I've thought about who does this list of 10 things really well… We actually celebrated her at staff prayer on Tuesday. She has never been married. She has never birthed a child of her own. She's over there caring for your kids right now, and she lives the 10 things I'm going to give you today. You don't have to wait until you have your own child to make disciples. This is really a disciple-making message. All 10 of these things you can apply whether you have children of your own or not.
The reason this matters so much is because parenting is God's plan for passing on what he values. We see this in Deuteronomy 6. There's a new generation rising up whether you like it or not. They're very different from you. They have new technologies and different experiences and things that are going on in their world that didn't exist in your world. We have to pass on to them the things that God the Creator of the heavens and the earth values, and the way he said we will do this is in the home. It's through parenting.
So this message is for anybody who is a parent, who wants to be a parent, or who had imperfect parents, because we can see as we go through this list some of the things that may impact our relationship with God. If you're here and you don't want to be a parent and you had perfect parents, just feel free to go to lunch, and the rest of us will dive in. We're going to go through a list of 10 things that extraordinary parents do, supported by Scripture.
Let me just hit one more time on this word extraordinary. First Peter 2 calls us to be strangers and aliens, foreigners and exiles. To follow Jesus is a commitment to being weird. It's a commitment to being strange. So if your kids are like, "None of the other parents do that," just pat yourself on the back. "Good. I'm doing it right, then, because I'm a stranger and an alien."
We are weird parents. We're extraordinary parents. We're out of the ordinary parents. We should do things differently. The Scripture calls us to live a life that's not worldly, not ordinary, but extraordinary, out of the ordinary, different. Strangers, aliens…that's who we are. One way we're different from ordinary parents in the world is that we see kids as a gift.
1._ Extraordinary parents see children as a blessing._ Ordinary parents see children as an inconvenience that causes us to change the way we live. They're nuisances that invade our lives. This one was really difficult for me. I missed on this for a long time. I'm an extrovert. I like to go and do. I love my wife. I love to be with her. I love one-on-one time with her. I love to go on dates or on vacation with her, so this idea of bringing a child into the home to change everything about us and to kind of put us on house arrest for a season didn't sound like a lot of fun.
It wasn't something I wanted to do. Honestly, when it happened, it wasn't a lot of fun. Year two in marriage we had a baby. The wheels fell off of our marriage. Do you want to know why? It's because I'm selfish, and I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it. I wasn't ready to change, and I didn't see this as a calling on my life. Then I read Psalm 127:3-5, which says, "Children are a heritage from the Lord , offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."
A friend who went to The Porch who grew up and got married and was considering starting a family went to a parenting class here, listened to a panel of parents, and at the end of it he just raised his hand and said, "Why should I do this? None of you made this sound fun or like a good idea. You all just told me how hard it was going to be and how much it was going to change my life. So why should I?" He left that class not wanting to have kids of his own.
I think we need to be careful that the narrative we communicate aligns with the heart of God, that children are a gift from him. They are a blessing. Sometimes when we try to play God and control that too much, it says something else to the world. We go into life with a really clear plan that sometimes is more ordinary than extraordinary. This has been the biggest shift over the past 10 years of my own heart: learning that my kids are a gift and a blessing and really starting to enjoy them and love being with them and having fun with them and laughing with them and playing with them.
The last thing I would tell you on this note… A dear friend of mine's wife gave birth to their daughter the day before yesterday who died in the womb. He texted me yesterday and said, "You tell Watermark, JP, that kids are a gift and not to take them for granted." I'm learning that. I don't want to lose one to have to learn that. I'm grateful that he didn't lose one to have to learn that. He knew that, that kids are a gift. We see them as a gift, and we help them navigate this world, which is full of things that are corrupt.
2._ Extraordinary parents teach kids about boundaries_. Ordinary parents don't let their kids be bored. They constantly fill them with entertainment every second on their device. We went to dinner just the day before yesterday. Weston is sitting there. "Can I have your phone? Can I have your phone? Can I have your phone?" It's maybe just me, but it's like "Okay…" A lot of times I cave, like, "Fine. Here, take it." I'm really working on, "You know what? It's okay for you to sit there and listen to adult conversation and be bored. Because I had to. I didn't have any device."
We have no idea what that's going to do to them. We have no idea how these little devices are going to impact them. Ordinary parents let their kids date too early, long before they're ready for marriage, so that the only thing that is sure to happen is emotional brokenness. I see it all the time up here every Tuesday. Ordinary parents don't want to pry into their phones or computers or texts, so they sit naively by while their kids have a gateway to any explicit thing Satan wants to put in front of them.
They don't know what apps are on their phone or how they're used or what they're doing. Ordinary parents send them overnight to places where they have no idea the topic of conversation that happens after midnight or what else might take place. I've learned from extraordinary parents that kids are like storage containers, that their hearts are constantly being filled with information, and you are competing with the world.
You're competing with TVs and iPhones and iPads, devices, billboards, friends, teachers, older siblings of their friends, other parents, aunts and uncles. You're competing with the entire world. It's a game of who's going to fill their hearts with the most "said truth." Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.""With all vigilance, diligently guard the heart."
It's a hostile language. It's a military language, like a soldier who's armed at the front of a castle, taking hostage anybody who would try to get in. We're teaching them to do this, to protect what they feed their hearts. I have the same conversation up here every single Tuesday. I have a young man or young woman… "I need help."
"What do you need? How can I help you? How can I pray for you? Where can I point you?"
"I'm addicted to porn."
"Oh man, I'm sorry to hear that. I know that journey too well. How did you access porn? When did it start?"
"Fifth grade."
"For 12 years you've been addicted, huh?"
"Yeah, 12 years." That's a long time. That's going to mess up somebody's heart. We have no idea how badly that messes up somebody's heart.
"How did it happen?"
"I went and stayed at a friend's house in fifth grade. Their uncle (or dad, whoever) had these magazines. My friend showed me this on a phone, iPad, computer. I saw something I couldn't get rid of. Then I went home, and then all of a sudden my whole life became about how to feed myself more of that thing I saw in a moment." That young man or young woman has no idea that they've destroyed their marriage long before they've ever even met their spouse.
If they could tell you something, parents, they would beg you to pry. "I wish you would have taken my phone and looked through it. I wish you would have had the hard conversations with me. I wish you'd have sat me down and said, 'What is this? I have to take this away from you.'" They'd beg you to do it for the sake of protecting their hearts. On Tuesday we talked about how our hearts seek more of what they're fed. I told you it's a competition.
3._ Extraordinary parents make the most of moments, constantly teaching their kids._ Ordinary parents let the church teach their kids about God's plan for their life. Ordinary parents outsource discipleship to other people, even though God says it starts in the home. The church is absolutely a resource to help you do this. You're not alone in this battle. You can reach out to us for help at any point in time. We will sit down with you, resource you, talk to you about a plan. We've put all of these resources online that you can go and get at any time. We want to help you. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 says:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
This is God saying, "A future generation is rising up, parents, so every minute you spend with your kids, teach these truths I've entrusted to you to them. Pass them on to them. As I said, watermark.org/parenting. It has a plan. As we talk about making the most of moments, there are really four moments we focus on: morning time, meal time, drive time, and evening time. You can go and click on the ages of your kids, and we will give you a plan for morning time, meal time, drive time, and evening time. We want to help you.
One thing I've learned from Todd, something that he would do that we just started doing… As I take my girls to school, I'll quiz them on Bible verses. Every morning we're driving to school, and I'll just say, "Okay, who has Proverbs 4:23?" And they'll say, "I got it!" Whoever says, "I got it" first, that's like the buzzer. "Okay, go." They have two seconds or four seconds to start, and if they don't the other one can take over.
They'll say, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." I'll say, "Great. What does it mean?" Sometimes that stumps them. They're like, "It means to guard your heart." "Proverbs 31:30. Go. First Corinthians 6:19-20. Go. Matthew 6:33. Go. James 1:19, Ephesians 4:29." These are verses we go over every single morning so that when I drop them off to school it's fresh on their hearts.
Your kids are being taught right now. We have a list of questions online that you can ask them about what they learned today. You can even say, "Man, I don't know that story." You don't have to be embarrassed. "I don't know that story. Tell me. Where is it found? Let's read it together over lunch today." Let that drive your conversation as you share your next meal. They will learn what you teach them, but more than what you teach them, they will learn by your example.
4._ Extraordinary parents live as examples._ Ordinary parents say, "Jesus is important. You need to know God's Word," but their lives say otherwise. Their lives say that work is important or things are important or sports are important, that other priorities are important. Ordinary parents go at it alone instead of letting community speak in.
Ordinary parents say, "You should respect authority," but when they get home, they talk about their boss or the officer who gave them a ticket or the government, all while saying, "You need to respect authority." First Corinthians 11:1 says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Another conversation I have here every Tuesday… I say, "Man, how did you become a Christian?"
"Oh man, I strayed. I went to college and got mixed up with the wrong people, but you know what? I remember growing up, and I would wake up in the morning, and my mom was always up earlier than me." This is my story. I would never get up earlier than my mom was. She was there in the living room with a light and her Bible.
She can say this is important, but that she would get up and dive in there tells me what is really important. I would never go to bed and tell my parents goodnight without seeing my dad kneeling beside his bed, praying. These images had a profound impact, even when I was running from God. I hear it often on a lot of Tuesdays.
Another thing I hear on Tuesdays is "I was raised in a Christian home, but [insert hypocrisy]." "I was raised in a Christian home, but my dad would yell at my mom." "I was raised in a Christian home, but my mom would drink a lot." "I was raised in a Christian home, but…" You would insert some hypocrisy that has, "You know what? This isn't real."
It's like Karl Marx was raised in a Jewish home, but his dad converted to Christianity because it helped him with work, and he saw that religion was just a tool to manipulate people, so that's what he did. They'll learn what you teach them, but they'll learn even more from your example. The best thing I can do for my kids is study God's Word every day and do what it says, which is to say the best thing I can do for my children is to have an authentic relationship with Jesus that cannot be faked.
I was driving with one of them the other day, and we were just talking. They had just made a choice that was inconsistent with who they are in Jesus. These words came out of my mouth. I just said, "You know what? I know you know God. I know when we're doing those Bible drills you're rattling off those Scriptures. I know you know God. I'm just not convinced you love God."
As I sat in my own quiet time, I sensed the Lord saying to me, "Well, then, show them how you love me, because that's how they're going to learn how to love me. Only by your example will they learn how to love me." One of the greatest things we can do as examples is apologize.
5._ Extraordinary parents ask forgiveness frequently_. Which is to say extraordinary parents make mistakes. I've had a ton of practice at this one. This is the one I feel like I've learned the most of all of them. Ordinary parents don't make mistakes. They're too prideful to see their own wrongs. Matthew 5:23-26 says you leave your gift at the altar, you run, and you be reconciled. Ephesians 4: "Be diligent at preserving the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace."
Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." First John 1:8 says, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." The most humble young adults I've seen learned humility by their parents modeling it and asking their forgiveness.
This is something that showed up consistently in those conversations as I talked with extraordinary parents and extraordinary kids. "What did you do?" "We asked their forgiveness regularly." Or, "My parents would constantly ask our forgiveness for things."
The day before yesterday, we were hanging out in the living room, and my 4-year-old was standing on a DVD. When I noticed it, I was like, "What are you doing?" and kind of pushed him off. "What are you doing? What are you doing?" I didn't think anything of it. I went on about my day. My wife, who's incredibly great at this, pulled me aside later and said, "Hey, I don't think that was your best." I was like, "What? When?"
"I don't think that was your best when you were talking to Weston earlier." I was like, "Oh, okay." I went to him on his level. "Hey, buddy. When I was upset that you were standing on that DVD, I didn't respond consistent with the Spirit. Will you forgive me?" He said, "Yeah, I forgive you, Daddy." We went on, and then he came to me later and pulled on my pant leg and said, "Daddy?" I said, "Yeah, buddy." "Will you forgive me for standing on that DVD?" I said, "Yeah, buddy. I will." They're going to learn it through what we do. We can't let our pride get in the way, as mine does often.
Asking forgiveness turns mistakes into memorable, teachable moments. So here's the question for us to consider…When is the last time you've asked for forgiveness? If a month has gone by, it's probably too long. This is something we can easily audit. "Am I regularly asking their forgiveness?" We don't want to let our authority get in the way of humility, but I do want to remind you that you are in authority.
6._ Extraordinary parents discipline consistently, calmly, and with care. Ordinary parents avoid the inconvenience of discipline, because it _is inconvenient. When you're at the grocery store or out in public, when you're in a hurry, it's an inconvenient thing to discipline. Ordinary parents count to three, which really teaches delayed obedience. "Hey, one, two…" When the bus is coming, you can't be like, "Get out of the road! One, two…"
You want to teach them, "Listen. This is what I'm asking you to do: to obey." Ordinary parents protect their kids from consequences. They shelter them from that teacher or whatever it is. Ordinary parents discipline out of anger. Ordinary parents use strength and volume to intimidate as a shortcut. They teach their kids to fear their parents, not the wrong they did. You saw that I do that.
The other day, Weston talked back to his mom. I was right there. She said, "Hey, I need you to do this." "But Mom!" I just went, "Hey!" His eyes welled up with tears. It's a shortcut. "Hey, I'm in charge." It's not God's spirit. It takes time to say, "Hey, buddy, come here. Sit down. Listen. You have to be disciplined now. You can't talk back to Mommy. You know that. You know the rules, right? Why are you here?" Talk through that. Walk through it unemotionally. It's so much easier to respond out of anger and tell them, "You'd better listen to me."
Proverbs 13:24 says, "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them." Hebrews 12 reminds us that God disciplines us. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Let me tell you something. This is the single most recognizable pattern of the extraordinary parents and extraordinary kids I've talked to. I believe I can stand in here Tuesday night and through conversations and people I know, with great accuracy, select those who have been disciplined in the home and those who haven't, those who had disciplinarian parents and those who didn't. It is the single most observable pattern I've seen.
When I would discipline my kids, what I used to say was, "I don't want to do this. God's Word says I have to," which really helps them love God. "God is making me do this. I don't want to do this." Then I realized I do want to do this. What I'm really saying is, "I'd prefer you not to have done what you did. I'd prefer you to listen and obey. I'd prefer you not to be disrespectful or disobedient, but in reality, when you are disrespectful and disobedient, I absolutely do want to discipline you, because I love you. I want to. It is what I believe is going to shape your character and shape who you are. I believe it's going to have a profound impact on your life."
I had a young adult tell me this week, "That was the one thing I hated the most and the one thing I'm most thankful for." She went back to her parents and kind of walked me through what that looked like in their home and said, "I am so thankful for the way Dad would do that consistently and then just come and tell me afterwards, every single time, he loved me, and I couldn't leave his room until I said it back." I thought, "That's great." She said, "Sometimes I was in there a long time."
Todd did a message called Parenting's Dirty Dozen, where he used an illustration that has ministered to me. I want to share it with you. He said it's just like a referee. Think about a referee in a game. That is an unemotional thing for him. If somebody jumps offside, he's not like, "What are you doing? Really? Again? You can't count to three? Hut, hut, hut!" He just goes up and clearly states, "Offense, offside, 15-yard penalty." I know nothing about sports, so I assume it's something like that.
He just says, "This is what they did. This is the predetermined consequence. It's unemotional for me." There's no warning. It's not like, "Hey, buddy, I saw you offside. I'm going to give you another chance on that one." It's, "Hey, you jumped offside. Here's the consequence that goes with it." He's not like, "What are you thinking? What's wrong with you?" He's just like, "Hey, this is what you did. This is what's going to happen." It's unemotional.
We're like referees. That's what we're doing. We sit down. "Hey, this is what you did. This is the predetermined consequence I've already communicated to you that when you do that, this is going to happen. So this is what's going to happen. If you want to do it again, this is what's going to happen. I'm going to continue to move you back 15 yards." That's not really what I do, just to let you know. I'm going with the sports analogy, the football thing. So discipline is important, but prayer is the most effective and easiest thing you can do for your kids.
7._ Extraordinary parents pray persistently._ Ordinary parents stay stressed, wondering where they can turn to for help. First Samuel 12:23 says, "…far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right." See also Hebrews 4:16, which says, "Where can I go when I need help? Where can I find it? God is right there. Jesus tore the veil. I can talk to the Creator, the one who formed me in my mother's womb."
Prayer is the real work of parenting. Over the past 11 years, I have had the privilege and opportunity to do some extraordinary weddings. I've sat there at those rehearsal dinners when the parents have stood up and looked at the soon-to-be spouse of their child and said, "I prayed for you every night. I prayed that he would find a God-fearing, godly woman whom God would protect and preserve. I just met you a year ago, but I prayed for you for the past 20 years."
What a gift to say that. I've seen that over and over and over. It takes the same amount of energy to worry as it does to pray. One is a faithless waste of time; one is powerful and effective. They take the same amount of time. So rather than worry about your children, turn those worries into prayers. I've been convinced of this from those parents I talked to who said, "Hey, we prayed for them every day."
So at night, we sit and pray for their spouses. We pray for their lives. We pray for their gifts. Sometimes I get home after The Porch and they're already in bed, so sometimes I'll walk up there and stand outside their room at their shut door and just beg God to woo their hearts as they sleep. "Win them, Lord. Mark out their lives for extraordinary purposes for you that you would do through them." God gave you these gifts of children, so when you need help understanding who they are, ask him.
8._ Extraordinary parents become students of their children._ Ordinary parents live vicariously through their children. They try to give them the life they wanted rather than the life God wants for them. Ordinary parents believe that one size fits all in parenting, but Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:22, "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
We study our kids. We understand the gifts God has given us. I want you to think about this in two simple categories. One is gifts and one is sin patterns. Think about the gifts the Lord has entrusted to you in those arrows. They may be different than your gifts. What are the sin patterns they're more tempted toward? They may be different than your sin patterns. Be students of them, and learn about them, and show them, "Hey, that's going to hurt you. Hey, this is how God made you. Hey, these are the gifts God has given you for him so you can make him famous."
In our home, we have an artist and an athlete. I'm an artist. I've proven I'm not an athlete. I'm an artist, so it's easy for me to sit down with her and pour into her. I need help with the athlete to help her unleash those gifts, but I want to invest a lot of time there, because I see that God has entrusted things to her that she can make him famous by.
In our home, we have an introvert. We have one who hides behind my legs. I'm trying to teach her, "Hey, look them in the eyes," and she's afraid and intimidated, but she has a huge gift for reading. She'll sit in the corner and read like crazy and study, and she's smart. Then I have a 4-year-old salesman who has never met a stranger. He'll walk up to anybody and just start talking to them. He probably has the gift of evangelism.
I'm trying to study them and understand the gifts God has entrusted to them, because that's what I've seen extraordinary parents around here do. I want to prepare them for the works God has for them. Ephesians 2:10: "For they are God's workmanship, God's creation, God's masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to walk in the good works he has prepared in advance for them to walk in." To be students of them requires a lot of time with them.
9._ Extraordinary parents understand that presence is the greatest present. Ordinary parents think a trip once a year to Disney World is enough. Ordinary parents seek to provide more than enough stuff, when the stuff they needed most was more of _them. Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." I've heard it said that rules without relationship equals rebellion.
What helps me in terms of this is to think about a scoreboard. The way you put points up on that scoreboard is by spending time with them. All things are created equal, so Disney World is a point. A bedtime story is a point. A date is a point. Tee-ball practice is a point. They're all equal. So how many points am I putting up there?
John McGee talked about envisioning this shot clock above their head that's ticking down. When I heard him say that, I began to realize… My oldest daughter is 10 years old. If she's leaving the house at 18, then I'm over halfway through the experiment. How have I done at preparing her for the world? That clock is ticking down. There are only a few years left. Time is limited.
Sooner or later, before we know it, we're going to hear the buzzer, and there are no more points to put up. There's no more time to invest. The score is settled. It's done. So what do we do at that point but today prepare them for that moment? As Todd has said through the years very well, kids spell love T-I-M-E. That has been a slow lesson for me to learn, but I've seen others, like some of you, where you just take your kids with you, which I think is awesome.
My friend Jeff Ward takes his sons with him everywhere he goes when he's doing ministry. He's not worried if they're bored. One of the greatest gifts you can teach your kids is how to be bored. I remember going with my dad, feeding the cows every Saturday, bored out of my mind. Today I miss being bored with my dad. I miss those times. They're going to as well. Right about now, you feel incredibly guilty, so this one is really important.
10._ Extraordinary parents know that only grace makes parents extraordinary._ It's an act of God. Extraordinary parents know that only grace makes children extraordinary. What I want you to know is that grace covers a multitude of parenting mistakes. Sometimes the extraordinary kids I talk to come from abusive homes, from broken homes, from crazy experiences, and God just flexes.
Sometimes their stories are, "I was suicidal. I was cutting myself. I was at the end of my rope, and now I'm a pastor and a missionary, and I'm walking with Jesus, and I love him." God changes hearts. He changes lives. He offers hope. Go back to that one about prayer, and just think about Israel, who had the best father anyone could have in God the Creator, but his children still rebelled.
Isaiah 1:2 says, "I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me." Even God who's a perfect Father… His children rebelled. I've heard it said we take too much credit when our kids turn out great and too much blame when they don't. The most spiritual, God-fearing man I know, the best dad I know, humanly speaking, has children who are leaders in their church, kids who walk humbly with Jesus, and a prodigal who has not come back.
He's waiting, and we're praying. They were all raised in the same home. There's a part of this that God is teaching us that we are just not in control. We can pray and be consistent and know that obedience is not determined by the outcome. It's not a parenting message; it's a disciple-making message. To parent passively is easy, but it is void of reward. To parent faithfully is costly. It takes time, discipline, resources, focus, and hard work.
It does not always produce success in the children, but it always displays the commitment to God in the disciple and reminds us that God is at work in spite of us. God, who gave his Son on our behalf to cover our parenting misses. So rely on grace. Teach grace. Display the gospel in your parenting. Do the best you can, sleep like a baby, and trust that those arrows the Lord has entrusted to you are his arrows.
This week, we got an email for the first time. You never want to get this email. It was from a teacher. It said, "Hey, we want to talk to you about one of your kids. We have some concerns. Can we meet with you as soon as possible?" I got the email, and I saw that my wife was on there, and I knew that was not going to go well, so I called immediately and luckily caught the teacher, who was on her planning period.
She was incredibly gracious and incredibly kind. It's a privilege to partner with those teachers in raising our kids. She said, "First, can we add Monica?" So this impromptu conference call happened. She said, "Two concerns. The first one is there's a roughness, like a tackling that's going on when they're playing soccer. Just rough." I'm like, "Oh man, that's on me. Every night before they go to bed it's wrestle time. It's WrestleMania in the house. That's Daddy's fault. That's on me."
She's like, "The second thing is there are kids from a lot of religions in the classroom, and she told one of the kids they were going to hell." I was like, "That's on her mama." No, I was like, "Oh, I think that's on me too." She walked us through the narrative. It was like, "Yeah, I'm your friend because I like you but also because I want to convert you." I said, "Oh man, we have to talk about those tactics."
There's no handbook for this. I'm like, "What do we do?" So what did I do? I reached out for help. I called friends around me. I talked with Todd and others and asked, "Hey, what did you guys do in these kinds of situations?" It was incredible. As I look at this list… First, I realized that being their dad is a privilege. We talked about boundaries and respecting the boundaries of others as we're playing on the playground, and we made the most of the teachable moment.
I knew they had learned from my example, so I acknowledged that. I asked for forgiveness for what I had done and said, "Hey, you're going to need to go and ask for forgiveness." We talked through the discipline that would happen if this continues and put discipline on the being rough part right there. We prayed. We talked about how they might have the gift of evangelism but their technique was off and their sin struggle may be judging others.
It took a lot of time. In fact, we called one of the families and said, "Hey, can we meet you?" and they were so kind and gracious to meet us for ice cream that night. The kids sat there at a table, and mine was able to ask for forgiveness for the words and say, "Hey, that's not reflective of the love my God calls me to." I called another family, and they couldn't meet for a number of reasons, but they were also very gracious and extended grace and forgiveness.
I still felt a little unsettled. I wanted to meet with them. I took my kids to a random diner in north Dallas this Saturday. We sat down, and lo and behold… I mean, two of the closest tables in the whole place. This other family comes and sits down right beside us. I'm talking a foot and six inches away from my shoulder was the dad I had never met. It was just God.
I was able to go up and take my kid with me and ask for forgiveness and talk through the God we love. What it was for me was God saying, "Hey, I've got you, bro. I'm still driving this thing. I'm still very much in control here." It was a gift. That's what I want to leave you with. God has got you. He's still in the driver's seat of this deal. Let me pray.
Father, thank you for the privilege it is to be a dad or a mom. Thank you for the high call of being a disciple and the call to make disciples. So would you do that? Would you multiply that in this place? I just thank you for the grace that covers a multitude of parenting mistakes. I pray for all of the children who are represented in this room.
I pray for the future generation that's rising up. I pray that faith would be multiplied and the gospel would be spread and the kingdom would be built out of this place. Father, protect my friends from guilt and condemnation. Help them to receive grace. Help them to extend it. Help them to do the best they can and to trust you. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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Plane Crash, Injury Accidents Reported
(Deming) – A crop-dusting plane reportedly crashed outside Columbus Wednesday morning.
Sheriff's officials said the plane was flying east of the Columbus Highway near mile marker six at just after 8 a.m. when it hit the ground and flipped over.
The pilot, initially identified as being from Texas, suffered only minor scratches in the accident.
A Silver City woman was flown to El Paso with injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Rockhound and Country Club roads at 7 a.m. Wednesday.
The woman's passenger, and the driver and passenger of the other vehicle, were transported by ambulance to the Deming hospital.
No other details were immediately available.
And 83-year-old Joe Deckert was transported with head and neck injuries Monday afternoon after his vehicle was struck by a Corre Caminos passenger bus where Columbus Road and Pearl merge.
Deckert's 1989 Ford Bronco II spun and rolled over, landing upside-down.
Police officials said the bus driver, 57-year-old Steven Duffy, will be cited for failing to yield right-of-way.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Eat + Drink What's New
McDonald's adds a classic pair to its menu
And it's perfect for Lent!
IMAGE McDonald's Philippines Facebook page
(SPOT.ph) March 1 signalled the start of the Lenten season for Catholics, which means it's time to ditch pork and beef for some fish and seafood. If you're looking for a good fish meal that's within your budget, this Lenten offering from McDonald's might be just right for you! Introducing the new Fish and Fries (P149/with drink).
IMAGE McDonald's Philippines official website
Fish fillet is coated in a light and crisp breading then paired with McDonald's signature French fries and served with your choice from the tartar sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or thousand island dressing. But if the classic British pairing doesn't quite suit your palate, you can get the fish fillet with rice instead! Whether you're abstaining this Lent or just looking for light fare, this meal is just right and won't hurt your budget. Hurry because it's available for a limited time only!
Fish And Fries McDonald's British Lent
New Restaurant Alert: Soru Izakaya at Maginhawa Street, Quezon City
Nutella fans, you need to see this pizza


⚙ D2525 StgCmmPrim: Add missing write barrier.
StgCmmPrim: Add missing write barrier.
Authored by trommler on Sep 11 2016, 3:19 AM.
rGHCDIFF2cb8cc26df6a: StgCmmPrim: Add missing write barrier.
rGHC8008d27c09ce: StgCmmPrim: Add missing write barrier.
rGHC2cb8cc26df6a: StgCmmPrim: Add missing write barrier.
is needed before the write to the pointer array.
trommler retitled this revision from to StgCmmPrim: Add missing write barrier..
trommler added reviewers: erikd, hvr, simonmar.
How could that even be wrong?
This line needs to be before mkBasicIndexedWrite, because the purpose is to ensure that the heap writes for the object referred to by val have happened before we write val into the array, and make it visible to other cores. Also add a comment with the ticket number.
Also note that the comment here says "write barrier" but it is talking about a different kind of write barrier: the GC kind.
I suppose that's why we have more than one person reviewing these things.
Since the placement of that write barrier is so important, I'd love to have some comments there explaining it.
Sorry, I only saw your comment today. Phab did not send emails for your comment and @erikd 's second comment.
Issuing a write barrier like you say makes sense to me, but I wonder if the order of the stores done by mkBasicIndexedWrite (above) and emit $ mkstore ... (below) matters. Without the barrier PowerPC would be allowed to reorder those two stores.
Does a GC kind write barrier mean that the instruction above (emit (setInfo...) must be made visible to the garbage collector thread before the store below (emit $ mkStore ...)?
Looks good to me. Thanks @trommler!


Today individuals employ lawyers for a whole sponsor of reasons that are distinct. Solicitors support us navigate through any issues that are legal we have. Nevertheless, when it comes time to pay these, the majority are stunned at how much cash they currently have. The following article can help so that you will not be found offguard, reveal an average cost framework.
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If you have any thoughts pertaining to where and how to use chapter 13, you can call us at our website. Try to keep yourself well-informed about what you are currently dealing with. You ought not be counting only around the attorney construct and to strategy your scenario. Certainly, they'll have knowledge dealing with your circumstances and more expertise, but you're able to work together like a staff to have the get if you are ready.
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The reality, however, is that students who are underage do illegally enter 21+ bars and obtain alcohol and tobacco, and a fake ID is the most common way they do so. As the semesters go on, the amount of students obtaining falsified identification cards archivos Del Copia Nueva Y Iphone 5c Copias 5s La UaCqTsaucer Butterfly Ceramic Pot 's Orchid Border50250ble Gardens Hirt 8 Border50250ble Ceramic 's Orchid Hirt Butterfly saucer Gardens 8 Pot. Due to the popularity of fakes among students approaching 21 and the peer pressure to participate in 21+ activities, it's important for underage students to understand the reality of owning a fake ID.
The drinking age was raised to 21 in 1984 under the National Minimum Drinking Age Act signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. Since its enactment, fatal car accidents related to drinking and driving decreased significantly from 61% in 1982 to 31% in 1995Orchid Hirt Ceramic Pot 's Butterfly 8 Gardens Border50250ble saucer . Research has alsodiscovered a close association between alcohol abuse and the groups that began drinking at a younger age.
Pot Border50250ble Butterfly 8 saucer Gardens Hirt Orchid Ceramic 's Science has shown that young people react differently to alcohol than adults because of two main factors. For one, their bodies have not developed completely. Secondly, theButterfly Orchid 's Gardens Pot Border50250ble 8 saucer Ceramic Hirt human brain does not reach maturity until the age of 25. Due to these factors, young people do not fully understand nor experience as many physical side effects when they are pressing their limits. A person over the age of 21 is more likely to feel Guide Can Side Treaty How I Law On International A The Find n7SYq7wr, which serve as a reminder that enough is enough. While younger individuals may not suffer from hangovers, drinking as a mid-adolescent has been associated with neuropsychological deficits and spatial-memory disruption. In sum, the drinking age was raised to protect you from dangerous side effects associated with underage drinking, not to bar you from having fun.
Butterfly Ceramic Orchid 8 Gardens Hirt Border50250ble Pot saucer 's Gardens 's saucer Border50250ble Ceramic Hirt Pot Butterfly 8 Orchid How would I get caught?


Of all the lovely ladies in our country today, the 50-year-old First Lady of the United States chose none other than 76-year-old Jane Fonda – otherwise affectionally known to military veterans across the nation as "Hanoi Jane" – and Cicely Tyson.
Is anyone really surprised that the First Lady admires Hanoi Jane? Let's be forgiving for a second and imagine that she really just admires the woman for her good looks at the ripe old age of 76, and if that's the case, good for her. But that raises an entirely different question: is the First Lady just trying to get a jab in at our military veterans, pick a fight with patriotic Americans, or is she so insensitive that she doesn't have the scruples to figure out that it's best to keep this one to herself, what with her being the First Lady and all. Either way, it's infuriating.
Allow me to explain, for those who really don't understand what all the hoopla is about.
Lady Jane Seymour Fonda was born on December 21, 1937 in New York, New York and earned the nickname 'Hanoi Jane' after "aiding and abetting" the North Vietnamese enemy in 1972. A famous photo taken during Fonda's visit to North Vietnam (pictured above) portrayed Fonda sitting atop a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun laughing it up and pretending to shoot. A few hundred yards away was the Hanoi Hilton, where American POW's were being held and brutally tortured.
During her two week visit, Fonda toured North Vietnam and addressed the North Vietnamese in a radio address filled with anti-American propaganda and – interestingly enough – frequent mentions of colonialism. During the visit she also participated in a North-Vietnamese-staged press conference with American POW's, reportedly to prove they were being treated well by their North Vietnamese captors. Many years later, when U.S. soldiers testified about the torture they endured at the hands of the enemy, she called them "hypocrites and liars".
Fonda also allegedly met with communists during a visit to France, and helped organize a group called "F**k the Army" (F.T.A.) that would perform in coffee houses near American military bases encouraging soldiers to desert, often allegedly promising jobs and money if they did so. She frequently appeared on radio broadcasts and led rallies (and was often pictured alongside the current Secretary of State, John Kerry).
When asked if they paid close attention to the visits, his response was "keenly," and he continued.
Anti-war propaganda and a complicit media are the reason South Vietnam was forced to surrender to the North on April 30, 1975. After the surrender, Fonda returned with her family to North Vietnam to celebrate the victory, and was honored for her "political and moral support". During that visit, her newborn son was christened after a Viet Cong hero who attempted to assassinate Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara during his 1963 visit to South Vietnam. The hero's name? Nguyen Van Troi. The name she gave her newborn son? Troy.
Larry Reyes, a Navy veteran and founder of the "Boycott Hanoi Jane Playing Nancy Reagan" Facebook page has been particularly vocal about the casting decision, given Fonda's past frolicking with the enemy during the Vietnam War.
This week, Fonda had a simple message for Reyes and the page's fans.
So, if you think all the talk about First Lady Michelle Obama admiring Jane Fonda for her politically savvy is being ridiculously overblown, think again. The 58,260 families who lost loved ones in the Vietnam War may beg to differ.
Tami Nantz is a writer, blogger, and the National Director of New Media for Smart Girl Politics. You can connect with her on Twitter @TamiNantz, at SGPAction.com, or at TamiNantz.com.


text:
Split/Second: Velocity
Racing to the finish line takes on added excitement when competitors trigger destruction on the track to take out their opponents
Racing to the finish line takes on added excitement when competitors trigger destruction on the track to take out their opponents. Disney Interactive Studios' intense action racing game is set within the world of a hyper-competitive reality television show. Competitors vie to be the first across the finish line in a made-for-TV city built for destruction, with the ultimate goal of becoming the season champion.
Competitors in Split/Second don't just collide with other vehicles to knock them from the track - they can also trigger explosive events that drastically alter the dynamics of the race. Players must use strategy and pinpoint timing to derail opponents, tactically alter the track or create entirely new routes.
Here's what the press are saying...
"We'll be stunned if Split/Second doesn't turn out to be 2010's best racer" - Xbox World 360
"Every circuit feels like the climax of an American blockbuster, with visuals and sound effects to back it up"- Yahoo UK
"There aren't many new games that really stop us in our tracks these days, but we've played Split/Second and it properly left us wanting more" - Max Power
Suitable for people aged 7 and over.


text:
HomeResearch & LearnDatabasesDatabases for Genealogy
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America's Obituaries & Death Notices
Online collection of newspaper obituaries and death notices from around the United States. Generously provided by the Bruce A. Michel Library Trust.
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Online source of information for conducting genealogical and local history research.
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Biography and Genealogy Master Index
Enables you to quickly determine which publication to consult for biographical information. You can choose the most convenient source or locate multiple sketches to compare and expand information furnished by a single listing.
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This resource combines Gale biographies with related full-text articles from magazines and newspapers, thousands of images, and links to websites.
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Census records, family and local histories, Periodical Source Index (PERSI), and more. Try our tutorial to help you get started.
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Digitized cover to cover from 1851-2014. The collection includes access to every page from every available issue.
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Search for full text-articles in hundreds of newspapers and periodicals, including national and leading regional papers such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, The Atlanta Journal- Constitution, Barron's, The Boston Globe, The Guardian, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Washington Post.


text:
Global Green Board
Honorary Board Emeritus
Jayni Chase
Honorary Board Emeritus, Jayni Chase, married to comedian, Chevy Chase, founded the Centre of Environmental Education to provide material for teachers and students from kindergarten through to high school. She compiled more than 7,500 conservation information sources for her book "Blueprint for a Green School," and has served in leadership roles for a number of "green" organizations. In 2018, Jayni Chase was given the inaugural Hugh C. Lane Jr. Award of Excellence in Environmental Education.
John Paul Dejoria
John Paul is on the Board of Directors of the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) and a member of the Council of Advisors of Global Green, the United States affiliate of Green Grass USA, the United States affiliate of Green Cross International, whose President is His Excellency Mikhail S. Gorbachev, former President of the U.S.S.R.
Honorary Board Emeritus, Leonardo Dicaprio is a huge supporter of Global Green and Green Cross International and has generously donated towards many of their projects. DiCaprio, an actor and environmental activist, serves as an ambassador to support the activities of Green Cross International (GCI) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in the US. Co-writer, co-producer and narrator of the 11th Hour, a well-received 2007 documentary on the world's eco-system, he speaks regularly on ecological issues and is a deeply engaged activist.
Rick Fedrizzi
Rick Fedrizzi is an executive chair at International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), as well as a founding chair & former CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). He was previously CEO of Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), and served as an executive at United Technologies Corporation (UTC)'s Carrier Corporation for over 25 years.
Rick authored Greenthink: How Profit Can Save The Planet in 2015, and is married to Cathy, who is an educator and teacher.
Dr. Jane Goodall
A world-renowned primatologist, Jane is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and is a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Her institute is a global community conservation organization involved in the protection of chimpanzees, inspiring people to conserve the natural world we all share, improving the lives of people, animals and the environment.
Lee H. Hamilton
Lee H. Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University, a non-partisan educational institution seeking to improve the public's understanding of Congress and to inspire young people and adults to take an active part in revitalizing representative government in America.
Norman Lear
Norman Lear is an American television writer and producer of popular sitcoms such as All in the Family, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time, The Jeffersons, Good Times and Maude.In 1997 Norman and his wife, Lyn, founded the Lear Family Foundation to support a wide range of nonprofit organizations across the country.
Onondaga Chief and Faithkeeper, Oren Lyons is deeply involved in creating awareness around the critical, urgent challenges that global warming and resulting climate changes present to Indigenous people and all human beings. He stresses that the principles that traditionally nurtured the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the natural world can serve as a starting point to turning the tide against global warming.
Pat Mitchell
Pat Mitchell is a journalist and Emmy-winning producer and executive. She has focused on sharing women's stories and is the editorial director of TEDWomen. In addition to her accomplishments both on and off the screen, Mitchell is known for her humanitarian efforts and for her work as a dedicated member of numerous nonprofit boards. She is chair of the Sundance Institute and the Women's Media Centre. She is also a founding board member of V-Day, a global movement to end violence and a founding member of Mikhail Gorbachev's global environmental organization, Green Cross International.
Jerry Moss
Jerry is an American recording executive, best known for being the co-founder of A&M Records, along with trumpeter and bandleader Herb Alpert.
Christiana Musk
Christiana is the founder of Flourish.ink where she curates and catalyzes conversations on the future of food through research, events and advocacy. She curates the Flourish content for the Near Future Summit and advises several food initiatives and serves on the board of Unreasonable Group. Her research at City, University of London focused on the future of meat from a food policy perspective. Her background spans environmental and social entrepreneurship, investment, non-profit and foundation leadership.
Edward Norton
Alongside his work in cinema, Norton is an environmental and social activist, and is a member of the board of trustees of Enterprise Community Partners, a non-profit organization for developing affordable housing. Norton is president of the American branch of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. He also raises money for charity through Crowdrise, a social networking community for volunteers and a micro-donations fundraising platform. In July 2010, Norton was designated as the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Yoko Ono is a Global Green Honorary Board Emeritus. Famously married to John Lennon, Yoko Ono in her own right is a Japanese multimedia artist, singer, songwriter and peace activist. Her work also encompasses performance art, which she performs in both English and Japanese, and filmmaking. In 2012, Ono received the Dr. Rainer Hildebrandt Human Rights Award. The award is given annually in recognition of extraordinary, nonviolent commitment to human rights. Ono continued her social activism when she inaugurated a biennial $50,000 LennonOno Grant for Peace in 2002. She also co-founded the group Artists Against Fracking in 2012.
Acclaimed actor, director and producer Robert Redford is an avid environmentalist and also a trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council. He hails from Santa Monica, California and studied acting in New York at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Television and stage experience led him to film and television roles. His breakthrough role was as the Sundance Kid in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), when he was 32. The 'Way We Were' and 'The Sting', both released in 1973, made Redford the number one box office star for the next three years. Redford used his clout to advance environmental causes and his wealth to acquire Utah property, which he transformed into a ranch and the Sundance ski resort. In 1980 he established the Sundance Institute for aspiring filmmakers.
Scott Seydel
Scott Seydel is President and CEO of The Seydel Companies, Inc. Seydel partners with leading environmental organizations and industry associations to understand how one can reduce environmental impact. Seydel serves on a number of boards, including Global Green, the GreenBlue Institute and is one of the founders of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. He is also a former Director of the National Recycling Coalition and Vice Chair of the Container Recycling Institute.
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III, born 19 November, 1938, is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is best known as the founder of the cable television network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition to CNN, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television. As a philanthropist, he is well known for his $1 billion pledge to the United Nations donated through his United Nations Foundation.
In addition to his charitable donations, Turner has devoted his assets to a blend of environmentalism and capitalism. He also created the environmental education/action animated series Captain Planet and the Planeteers.
Diane Meyer Simon
Founder of Global Green
Vered Nisim
Co-Chair of Global Green, Founder of Curagenics & President of Brellascope
Trammell S. Crow
Co-Chair of Global Green & Founder of EarthX
William Bridge
Chairman of Green Cross, CEO of Global Green
Carlton A. Brown
Founding partner & COO of Full Spectrum NY
Michael Cain
Vice Chair of Global Green & CEO of EarthX Film
Robbianne Mackin
Senior Vice President of Principal Gifts for The New York Academy of Sciences
Lynn McBee
Chairman of the Board for EarthX
Les McCabe
Treasurer of Board & CEO of Junior Achievement
Kai Milla-Morris
Ovie Mughelli
Former Atlanta Falcons football player & Founder of The Ovie Mughelli Foundation
Helen Tung
Board of Directors, Legal Advisor


Follow these easy steps in Word 2007 to create a sharp eNewsletter or regular newsletter. You could design this in a table in Excel, but you would lose most of your formatting capabilities as well as the (e)mail merge feature. You're better off working in Word for this project. The directions will be slightly different if you use Word 2003.
14. Looks great! You did a good job! Your document is now ready to be mail-merged and emailed out!
Now that you have the basics down, you can try expanding on the concept and have a 3×3 cell grid with pictures on both sides, or pictures on one side and other text on the other side (like prayer requests, etc). You can also resize the column width to put more emphasis on one portion than another. Experiment and have fun with it.


Weekly Urban Update: Urban experts sure ask a lot of questions.
The significant role that cities will play in reducing food insecurity has been garnering more and more attention. And at the third mayor's meeting of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (which is a commitment to combat hunger and food waste and improve nutrition), The Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), José Graziano da Silva, reaffirmed just how important that role will be in meeting the challenge of food waste and hunger around the world. Graziano da Silva urged that dialogue between local governments, mutual learning programs and South-South and Triangular Cooperation with respect to urban and rural farmers, and innovative partnerships between urban governments, national governments, civil society and the private sector are necessary elements for sustainable food programs to be successful.
Read the full briefing here .
Hong Kong has a bit of a conundrum when it comes to water issues. Though it is one of the wettest cities in Asia, where relentless tropical rainfall leads to frequent flooding in the many low-lying areas, Hong Kong has no reliable source of drinking water, and so it is left to depend on imports from China. But this catch-22 of sorts has allowed urban water experts in the city to cook up some very interesting solutions, from using seawater for toilets in order to reduce freshwater consumption to using giant spaces under places such as sporting fields as tanks for the rainwater that often threatens to fill the city. Though these solutions are very specific to the issues that Hong Kong faces, they are new, original, and changing the game, and therefore should be used as inspirations for urban planners around the world.
While big U.S. city economies have grown at an impressive rate since the economic turnaround after the 2008 recession, the same cannot be said for their poorest and most neglected neighborhoods, and the inequality gap is only becoming larger. But many U.S. mayors are trying to turn this trend around, and are looking into potential ways to funnel their city's economic growth into these disenfranchised communities. Two examples in particular are Charlotte, North Carolina, and Chicago, where both cities' mayors have focused on a tried-and-true solution to reducing inequality: investing in early education. Additionally, in Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has spearheaded initiatives to make urban resources like public transportation more accessible as well. Though these plans are innovative and a step in the right direction, they are just that: a step. Much more needs to be done to meet all of the intricate challenges that make up urban inequality, but if more mayors are committed to leveling the playing field, and more emphasis is put on creating partnerships between government, civil society and the private sector to meet these challenges, it may prove to be a manageable task.
Join USAID LandLinks, along with Agrilinks, Microlinks, and a panel of experts, for an interactive online discussion on the Business Case for Land Rights: Private Sector Perspectives on Responsible Land-Based Investment. Hershey's and ECOM are partnering with USAID to mitigate land tenure risks for their suppliers and increase cocoa yields in Ghana and will be sharing their perspectives in this webinar. Secure, clear land rights are critical for sustainable land-based investments, but in the developing world, where an estimated 70 percent of land is unregistered, it can be challenging to understand who has legitimate land and resource rights, and land grabs and land rights abuses are often associated with commercial investments. What does that mean for an investor's bottom line?
Hear investor perspectives on these important #landmatters from Olga Gormalova from ECOM and Jeff King from Hershey's, with USAID's Sarah Lowery moderating the discussion.
With rapid urbanization and mass migration, climate change, and an increasing prevalence of disasters, the needs and issues of cities at the individual level often get caught up in the push for global solutions to urban crises. But as cities become power-players in their own right, it has become more apparent that they are searching for the best urban practices and policies that would work for their specific contexts. The Rockefeller Foundation's 100 Resilient Cities initiative has recognized this need, and is working with cities across the globe to implement resilience strategies needed to face the physical, social, and economic challenges that lie ahead. Their intriguing approach in each city involves hiring a Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) that will work directly with local government, developing a resilience strategy, connecting the urban policymakers to a global network and facilitating global partnerships. Dana Omran, 100 Resilient Cities' Associate Director of City and Practice Management, discussed what the initiative is doing with their cities with IHC Global President and CEO Judith Hermanson at the Society for International Development. Omran explained the initiative's work in response to the wide range of issues in each city, from migration in Athens, to disaster resilience in Addis Ababa and Mexico, to counter-terrorism in Paris. But even if cities face very different issues, 100 Resilient Cities has one overarching goal; to break the vicious cycle of crisis after crisis after crisis by creating viable resilience strategies that allow cities to be prepared for anything and everything.
The presentation was filled with fascinating information- did you know that the Dutch are some of the best water and sanitation experts out there? Did you know that the CRO of San Juan was integral in evacuating civilians ahead of Hurricane Maria?- but even more intriguing were the questions asked during the dialogue. Many attendees came from urban-focused and development organizations and publications, and their questions reflected the general mood towards urban issues, and centered around the dynamics within and between cities. The majority of the questions concerned the political nature of the initiative's work: how urban resilience strategies will continue to be implemented under changing political regimes, how the strategies will enable informal communities to access local and national political power and services, how 100 Resilient Cities' approach fosters regional cooperation between cities, and how 100 Resilient Cities is going to help nudge urban issues onto national and global agendas. Others focused on the increasingly important issue of data: if there was any data on how the 100 Resilient Cities program has influenced urban policies such as zoning and building regulations, and if data gathered by the initiative is accessible to cities outside of their network. And, given the uncertainty of the future of sustainable urban development, some questioned what the future of the CRO position would look like, and what the main roadblocks were for the 35 (as of yesterday) cities in the network that have rolled out resilience strategies (the answer to this question: finance, finance, finance. Find the answers to all the other questions on our blog). But even if some of the questions had complicated or yet-to-be-determined answers, the fact that the queries were so sharp-eyed, and the fact that Omran had an informed response to each one, is a reminder of just how many assiduous urban experts are out there in the world that are committed to finding answers to every urban question, and to making resilience strategies work.
Read more about 100 Resilient Cities here, and find the answers to these questions on our blog.
The day after Diwali, insane pollution levels were recorded in Indian cities.
The biggest global cities may be heading towards a real estate bubble.
Some sanctuary cities may not be living up to the name.
Why is affordable housing sometimes seen as expensive to build?
October 24th is #UnitedNationsDay. Join us in celebrating UN-Habitat's commitment to sustainable urban development.


Opportunities are all around us, and there for the taking (if you dare) | Because Anything's Possible!
← The raw truth, and the mission ahead!
So in a whirlwind of action (just the way I like it! 😉 I found myself a fantastic place to live, an amazing studio to run my business from an invitation/introduction into the Adventure Racing community, and support and connection with like minded Fitness Professionals, and an invitation to Search4Hurt's Hurt Camp.
I must say I still find this a challenge however I work on smashing my limiting beliefs daily.
There simply is no point identifying goals, saying positive affirmations, or even being so determined to achieve your goals if you simply don't believe you can actually have it. It won't happen.
As Napoleon Hill put "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." Just wanting something is not enough, you need to believe it can really come true.
1. Say yes (Be open to ideas, suggestions and invitations; and then agree to do it) or actually ask for help.
Asking to be involved, and saying yes to invitations/opportunities was required to start my life to roll..
It may sound simple, but it's so easy to say you'll do something, and it's quite another to actually do it.
Living an awesome life is an act of doing, which requires action, which means smashing through all the excuses and all the valid reasons why you can't or shouldn't, and then doing it anyway.
*In life we are constantly presented with open doors; some wide open, some obscurely hidden, others which only lead to a single room (and require you to go back – however never without learnings) and yes some with tricky or imaginative unlocking systems; but they are always there, even when we can't 'see' them.
**Broadly speaking, every function we perform subconsciously or consciously is controlled by the brain. The Reticular Activating System (RAS) senses things around us and sorts them out. However it deals with thousands of information every second so it filters things out for us.
They are always there, but it's what you are focusing on, what you allow yourself to see….which is controlled by what you are thinking about.
What and how you think it a huge predictor of what happens to you in your life.
Your thoughts are reflected back to you like a mirror, and what happens to you (your life experiences) are always in align with what you are thinking.
For example telling yourself you can't afford things, and if you're constantly thinking about how you don't have enough money; this is exactly what will manifest itself in your life – you WON'T have enough money and you WON'T be able to afford things.
Yes I know it sounds a wee bit crazy, but your thoughts hold a the key to unlocking what you want in your life.
Throughout the day I am constantly focusing on my thoughts (directed to what I want and believe I can have) and this account over the past few weeks is a prime example of how this is actually happening in my life.
So back to my story…..
So I met with Trevor Mullens and it started a flurry of things to occur in my life.
What an amazing, generous, wise, full of energy and life character is Trevor!
It required me to wake up at 4am, after getting home from work at 11pm, and collect a bike which had 2 flat tyres and then make my way to meet with Kym, who I'd never met before, and compete in an Adventure Race, which I haven't done since 4 years ago.
*I find I massively over estimate others and under estimate myself. Constantly wanting to better and push myself, I'm pretty crap at acknowledging my abilities. I think also people also underestimate me.
This has pretty much happened constantly in events or trainings I have taken part in in the past 8 or so years. Especially as I've always been one to make do with what I've got and don't buy into looking the part.
I remember this happened recently when I took part on the Brisbane to Gold Coast 100km cycle. Riding in bunches quite comfortably at over 42km an hour, I got quite startled looks from the guys, and particularly when I over took them on the hills.
It's like they look at me with different eyes, with respect.
I like to prove people wrong, and I definitely don't like to fit the 'normal' mold that's for sure.
Stand out. Be big, be bold.
So then the following weekend had me pairing up with sweetheart Nicole to take on the 12hour Dawn Attack Adventure Race.
That was 3 Adventure Races in 3 weeks.
My top five values in my life are represented with what Adventure Racing is all about.
The fit and connection I have with the sport is unreal, and the past 3 weeks has made me feel even more alive, as I've found a sport that resonates so dearly with me.
I know this may sound very deep (and this next bit possibly a little stupid) but it's kinda like I've found my ideal soul mate (in Adventure Racing), someone that can push me and support me to achieve my dreams in life.
Adventure Racing to me is full of excitement and challenge, it's about braving the elements, getting back to nature and appreciating and immersing yourself in the outdoors.
It's about believing in and trusting yourself, being bold and daring, taking risks, and problem solving.
To me it has the perfect balance of physical fitness and strength and your cognitive capacity to plan, comprehend, analyze and reason.
The notion of thinking on your feet couldn't fit better with Adventure Racing.
It's as much of a race against yourself, as it is with the allocated time or your fellow competitors.
It's a race that is so many way mimics the trials and tribulations with life.
I believe it's a sport that can teach us much about how to life a successful life…..
So I after my 12 hour Adventure Race on the weekend, I came up with a few things I believe Adventure Racing can teach us about life….
Until then, something to ponder…….
What would you love to be doing if money and time was no object?
What's your ultimate passion in life?
What sort of life would you love to live?
No buts, ifs or maybes.
Love reading your blogs Andrea. You sure are living the dream!
Thanks so much! That's so awesome to hear!


text:
title: Implement Passwordless Email in Regular Web Apps
description: Learn how to authenticate users with a one-time code sent by email in a regular web apps.
toc: true
topics:
    - connections
    - web-apps
    - passwordless
    - email
contentType: how-to
useCase: customize-connections
---
# Implement Passwordless Email in Regular Web Apps

<%= include('./_includes/_call-from-client-side') %>

<%= include('./_includes/_introduction-email', { isMobile: false }) %>

## Setup

<%= include('./_includes/_setup-email') %>

<%= include('./_includes/_setup-callback', {spa:false} )%>

## Implementation

### Use Lock (the Auth0 UI widget)

<%= include('./_includes/_init-passwordless-lock') %>

Then you can trigger the login using the `callbackURL` option to specify the endpoint that will handle the server-side authentication:

```html
<script src="${lock_url}"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
  function login() {
    var lock = new Auth0LockPasswordless('${account.clientId}', '${account.namespace}', {
      allowedConnections: ['email'],           // Should match the Email connection name, it defaults to 'email'
      passwordlessMethod: 'code',              // If not specified, defaults to 'code'
      auth: {
        redirectUrl: '${account.callback}',
        responseType: 'code'
      }
    });

    lock.show();
  }
</script>

<a href="javascript:login()">Login</a>
```

<%= include('./_includes/_custom-domains') %>

This will open a dialog that asks the user for their email address:

![](/media/articles/connections/passwordless/passwordless-email-request-web.png)

Then Auth0 will send an email to the user containing the one-time code:

![](/media/articles/connections/passwordless/passwordless-email-receive-code-web.png)

<dfn data-key="lock">Lock</dfn> will ask for the code that has been emailed to the provided address. The code can then be used as a one-time password to log in:

![](/media/articles/connections/passwordless/passwordless-email-enter-code-web.png)

Once the user enters the code received by email, Lock will authenticate the user and redirect to the specified `callbackURL`.

::: note
You can follow any of the [Regular Web App Quickstarts](/quickstart/webapp) to see how to handle the server-side authentication callback. A sample application is available in the [Node.js Passwordless Authentication repository](https://github.com/auth0/auth0-node-passwordless-sample) on GitHub.
:::

### Use your own UI

<%= include('../../_includes/_package', {
  org: 'auth0-samples',
  repo: 'auth0-node-passwordless-sample',
  path: ''
}) %>

You can perform passwordless authentication in your regular web app with your own custom UI using the [Auth0 JavaScript application library](/libraries/auth0js).

<%= include('./_includes/_init-auth0js_v9', {redirectUri:true} ) %>

You must provide a way for the user to enter a address to which the email will be sent. Then you can begin the passwordless authentication as follows (assuming the name of your form input as `input.email`):

```js
function sendEmail(){
  var email = $('input.email').val();

  webAuth.passwordlessStart({
    connection: 'email',
    send: 'code',
    email: email
  }, function (err,res) {
    if (err) {
      // Handle error
    }
    // Hide the input and show the code entry screen
    $('.enter-email').hide();
    $('.enter-code').show();
  });
}
```

This will send an email to the provided address. The user must now enter the code they received into your custom UI. Then you can continue with the login as follows (assuming the name of your form inputs as `input.email` and `input.code`):

```js
function login(){
  var email = $('input.email').val();
  var code = $('input.code').val();

  webAuth.passwordlessLogin({
    connection: 'email',
    email: email,
    verificationCode: code
  }, function (err,res) {
    if (err) {
      // Handle error
    }
  });
};
```

If authentication is successful, the user will be redirected to the `redirectUri` specified in the Auth0 constructor.

Check out the [Auth0.js SDK reference documentation](/libraries/auth0js) for more information.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
namespace Meziantou.Framework.Win32.Natives;

/// <summary>
/// Describes the restart or shutdown actions for an application or service.
/// </summary>
internal enum RM_FILTER_TRIGGER
{
    /// <summary>
    /// An invalid filter trigger.
    /// </summary>
    RmFilterTriggerInvalid = 0,

    /// <summary>
    /// Modifies the shutdown or restart actions for an application identified by its executable filename.
    /// </summary>
    RmFilterTriggerFile = 1,

    /// <summary>
    /// Modifies the shutdown or restart actions for an application identified by a RM_UNIQUE_PROCESS structure.
    /// </summary>
    RmFilterTriggerProcess = 2,

    /// <summary>
    /// Modifies the shutdown or restart actions for a service identified by a service short name.
    /// </summary>
    RmFilterTriggerService = 3,
}


Assist Service Excellence Manager to enhance the overall competencies of individual CSOs by designing and conducting training programs that will boost staff performance.
Identity training needs by evaluating strengths and weaknesses.
Translate requirements into trainings that will assist individual CSO to improve the overall service standard.
Build and deliver coaching program according to regional standard.
Assess training effectiveness to ensure incorporation of taught skills and techniques into work behavior.
Periodically evaluate ongoing programs according to business needs.
Stay aware of the new trends in market and tools in staff coaching and development.


Not to be confused with feeling sleepy, it's an extreme exhaustion affecting mood, well-being and the ability to concentrate. Tough when your employer, child or partner who's not on the same fatigue page, is making demands on you.
''Cheer up sleepy Jean" If only you could! Little did the Monkees know that their song would be hi-jacked by a midlife & menopause website to describe the impact of menopausal fatigue!
Depleting oestrogen levels impact on both your sleep cycle and the quality of your much-needed shut-eye. Oestrogen regulates (limits!) production of the hormone cortisol; so when levels drop, cortisol production increases, causing fatigue and anxiety. Result, you don't feel refreshed or rested when you wake up and this persists throughout the day.
Women who have previously slept soundly may now notice a change in sleep habits. Add stress, insomnia, night sweats, alongside a constant sense of dread and anxiety experienced by some perimenopausal and menopausal women, and it becomes a fairly toxic fatigue cocktail.
Fatigue should pass if you take appropriate action!
Think about your diet. Take a good look at your lifestyle. How do you deal with stress? The results of this self scrutiny, will make up your menopause management road map.


text:
! { dg-do compile }
! PR fortran/30973
! Using symbols with the name of the module

module foo
  integer :: i
end module foo

module bar
  integer :: j
end module bar

module test
  use foo, only:
  integer :: foo ! { dg-error "cannot have a type" }
end module test

module test2
  use bar, only: foo => j
  use foo ! ok, unless foo is accessed
end module test2

module test3
  use bar, only: foo => j
  use foo ! ok, unless foo is accessed
  foo = 5 ! { dg-error "is an ambiguous reference to 'j'" }
end module test3

program test_foo
  use foo, only: foo  ! { dg-error "been used as an external module name" }
  use foo, only: i => foo! { dg-error "been used as an external module name" }
  use foo, only: foo => i! { dg-error "been used as an external module name" }
end program
! { dg-final { cleanup-modules "foo bar test test2 test3" } }


text:
a-ha Add New York Date to 2022 Tour
Gie Knaeps/Getty Images
a-ha fans in New York City have something to sing about: the Norwegian trio has announced their first concert in the city in 12 years.
READ MORE: October 1985: a-ha's "Take on Me" Goes to No. 1
The group has ambitious tour plans for 2022, rescheduling a postponed run of dates in which they'll play their 1985 debut album Hunting High and Low in its entirety. With dates set for Japan, South America and Europe - as well as a concert in Mexico and three sold-out dates at Los Angeles' Wiltern Theater - a-ha have added an appearance at Radio City Music Hall to their itinerary on April 12.
READ MORE: Actually, a-ha ISN'T a One-Hit Wonder...
a-ha last came to New York in 2010 as part of their planned farewell tour, Ending on a High Note, where they played three dates at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square (now known as the PlayStation Theater). Their five U.S. dates on that tour (including dates in Chicago and Los Angeles) marked their first American dates since 1986. The group has since reunited, of course, releasing the album Cast in Steel in 2015, a documentary in 2021, and a new album, True North, in 2022.
Tickets for the Radio City Music Hall show go on sale to the general public Friday, Dec. 3.


text:
Discover the many ways you can contribute to ensuring America's wildlife thrive.
A gift membership is a gift that makes a difference. Your lucky recipient will experience nature all year long with six bimonthly issues of our award-winning National Wildlife® magazine and other amazing gifts.
By becoming a member of the National Wildlife Federation, your tax-deductible membership gift will be put to immediate use to bolster many urgent conservation and education initiatives.
Join the J. N. "Ding" Darling Circle
This prestigious group of supporters donate $1,000 and above annually to support the National Wildlife Federation's mission. Members enjoy exclusive benefits, including invitations to special events and trips.
Leaders Club Monthly Giving
Leaders Club members support the National Wildlife Federation's efforts with modest monthly contributions. Members receive monthly newsletters that provide an "insider's perspective" on vital wildlife conservation issues.
Give as a Corporation
Corporate support plays a key role in helping the National Wildlife Federation protect wildlife and wild places. Donate online now or visit our Corporate Relationships page to learn more.
Make a Payroll Contribution
Join hundreds of people who support our work each year through payroll contributions in workplace giving campaigns. Find out more about how you and your workplace can show your support.
Your employer could help you double your impact for wildlife. To participate, request a matching gift form from your employer. Then fill in your portion, send it to us, and we'll do the rest. Many employers will also match gifts even if you are now retired.
Memorial and Tribute Gifts
Provide an opportunity to remember family and friends in a unique way. You may wish to consider this type of gift to the National Wildlife Federation to express sympathy, celebrate a birthday or graduation, or commemorate another special occasion.
Plan Your Estate
By naming the National Wildlife Federation as a beneficiary of your estate plans through a will, trust, retirement plan, or insurance policy, you leave a conservation legacy. We can help you prepare to meet with your attorney and carry out your personal objectives for your estate.
Give Stock or Securities
Donating stock or securities can not only help support the National Wildlife Federation's work, it can also benefit you.
Recommend a Grant
With certain donor-advised funds, you can recommend a grant to the National Wildlife Federation directly through our website.
We're addressing the environmental issues that threaten healthy wildlife populations and put species at risk. »
Saving America's wildlife strengthens our democracy and prosperity for future generations. Join our conservation army. »
Our nation's diverse and wondrous lands provide invaluable resources that require bold, future-focused management strategies. »
The lifeblood of America's wildlife, water is an invaluable resource we're taking action to conserve, protect, and restore. »


text:
Home»Entries posted by Steve Lafleur
Post-COVID-19 housing squeeze will hurt lower-income residents
By Steve Lafleur on May 17, 2021 Today, Eye on Ontario, Viewpoint, Life, Politics
The pandemic has obviously changed many things in a relatively short period, including housing demand in municipalities across Canada. Consider the Greater Toronto Area, where the detached housing market is red hot while the market for smaller apartments and condos is not. But as apartment renters enjoy this new landscape of lower prices and more…
Ontario needs to look to Quebec for debt management strategies
By Steve Lafleur on March 29, 2021 Politics, Eye on Ontario, Viewpoint, Ontario politics, Ontario's Business
Governments need to start planning for the recovery and developing plans to put their finances in order
By Steve Lafleur and Jake Fuss The Fraser Institute As expected, every government budget in Canada this year has been covered in red ink. The pandemic has squeezed tax revenue while governments have boosted spending to combat the public health crisis and deep recession. But after a year of social distancing and with the rollout…
Ontario government must avoid fiscal mistakes of its predecessors
By Steve Lafleur on February 18, 2021 Politics, Eye on Ontario, Viewpoint, Ontario politics, Ontario's Business
The government must craft a credible short-term plan to eliminate the budget deficit
By Steve Lafleur and Jake Fuss The Fraser Institute The Ford government released Ontario's 2020/21 third quarter fiscal update last week. As expected, the numbers were ugly. The Department of Finance now anticipates a $38.5 billion budget deficit for this fiscal year. Moreover, the Financial Accountability Officer projects that while the deficit will decrease substantially…
Ontario must quickly balance budget in wake of pandemic
By Steve Lafleur on January 13, 2021 Ontario politics, Ontario's Business, Business, Politics, Eye on Ontario, Viewpoint
Deficits might seem like an abstract problem for the future but in Ontario this simply isn't the case
By Steve Lafleur and Jake Fuss The Fraser Institute New Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy inherits a difficult job from Rod Phillips. The province's fiscal challenges long predate the pandemic. The province has mostly run uninterrupted budget deficits since 2008-09. The governments of both Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne sketched out long paths to budget…
Ontario's lost decade of job creation
By Steve Lafleur on February 28, 2020 Eye on Ontario, Viewpoint, Business, Today
Toronto and Ottawa are thriving but as long as large regions of Ontario struggle, the province and the country won't meet their full economic potential
By Ben Eisen and Steve Lafleur The Fraser Institute Ontarians have suffered more than their share of economic pain over the past 15 years. For much of the 2000s, the province's manufacturing sector was struggling and then the 2008-09 recession made things much worse. In the years that followed, the province's recovery was unfortunately tepid.…
Feds should stop trying to fix Canadian housing markets
By Steve Lafleur on February 26, 2019 Politics, Viewpoint
That's a job better left to municipal and provincial governments, which can actually have an impact on supply and demand
By Josef Filipowicz and Steve Lafleur The Fraser Institute Late last month, Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the federal government is considering ways to make housing more affordable for millennials. While he didn't mention specifics, a one-size-fits-all plan for the entire country isn't likely to solve housing affordability woes in expensive cities like Toronto and Vancouver.…
Alberta government must cut taxes to restore economy
By Steve Lafleur on January 21, 2019 Politics, Viewpoint, Alberta's Business, Business
It's time to reform the tax code, eliminate exemptions and cut corporate subsidies, while significantly reducing spending
By Steve Lafleur and Ben Eisen The Fraser Institute Alberta's recovery from the recent recession has been slow and, for many, painful. More than four years after oil prices plummeted in late 2014, private-sector employment in the province still hasn't recovered to pre-recession levels. Although there will always be factors outside the provincial government's control…
Inflated employee pay at the heart of Alberta government's debt
By Steve Lafleur on August 24, 2018 Politics, Alberta politics, Viewpoint, Eye on Alberta, Alberta's Business
From wages to benefits to job security to early retirement, government employee compensation must be constrained
By Charles Lammam and Steve Lafleur The Fraser Institute Alberta's public finances are in rough shape. The government of Premier Rachel Notley expects to run another budget deficit this year (estimated at $8.8 billion) and has no plan to balance the books until at least 2023-24. Since 2014-15, the province has added more than $33…
Alberta can't blame the equalization system for its economic mess
By Steve Lafleur on July 4, 2018 Eye on Alberta, Alberta's Business, Politics, Viewpoint
Undisciplined spending by successive governments is responsible for Alberta's fiscal problems
By Ben Eisen and Steve Lafleur The Fraser Institute In William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, one of the conspirators encourages his ally not to blame fate for his misfortunes, but rather to recognize his own responsibility. "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves," says Cassius. When it comes to the state…
Alberta sinks deeper into a sea of red ink
By Steve Lafleur on May 31, 2018 Viewpoint, Eye on Alberta, Alberta's Business, Politics
The more the government spends on servicing its debt, the less is left over for priorities that Albertans value such as health care
By Steve Lafleur and Ben Eisen The Fraser Institute When people think of the long lost "Alberta Advantage," they often think first about the province's tax advantage over other provinces. Specifically, the 10 per cent single rate personal and corporate income taxes that prevailed until 2015. But Alberta enjoyed another fiscal advantage – all other…


Cycling and Hiking in Piedmont Langhe and Monferrato hills.
Ciao! Welcome to my web site, my name is Giuseppe Matteo Rossi.
I'm Cycling Guide, tourist Guide and Mountain Bike Instructor. I am fortunate to be able to live in an area that provides excellent sceneries, great weather, and an exquisite local product. I would like to share this privilege with those, like me, who still love to be amazed by what nature gives us!! By introducing my "Outdoor Experiences", I want to simply thrill you by accompanying you to a discovery of a beautiful corner of Piedmont: Langhe and Monferrato landscape.
Hiking in the Langa. Distant views from Towers … 99 steps to 360 degrees of pure wonder!
An amazing book about Piedmont in northern Italy.