Provide clear agreements and reports concerning business dealings with your firm.
Remember: 'You cannot contract out your regulatory obligations. The firm – will remain responsible to ensuring sound compliance with the requirements and standards under the regulatory system, whether or not a compliance consultant has been appointed'.
Designed to provide you with everything you will need to operate your business in a compliant manner.
My aim is to assist you in developing your loan and insurance business, whilst ensuring that your business conforms to the various regulations.
Provide compliance and operations consultancy for brokers, Intermediaries and lenders – I won't just visit you and provide a list of things you are not doing and walk away, I will provide a detailed report to point out the areas requiring action and then help you to project manage the necessary changes.
Areas covered: Debt management, IVA's, Bankruptcy and Settlements.
CCL Licence coming up for renewal ? Or just need an overview ?
Operational procedure and compliance guides covering all aspects of regulation.
I can arrange legal assistance in a number of areas which compliments my operational support to your company.
Pendry Selection Services was one of the first Recruitment Agencies to establish itself within the Finance Industry they have been drawing successfully on its in-depth knowledge of the Consumer Finance and Mortgage industries and network of important connections, for the last 30 years.
Personalised compliance reporting and procedures process.


text:
Q: How to build a barcode reader in js with camera? Im a beginer in js and jquery that's why i need your help . I would like to build a barcode reader in js thanks to the camera on my phone .
For the moment i do this :

  <video id="video" width="640" height="480" autoplay></video>
    <button id="snap">Snap Photo</button>
    <canvas id="canvas" width="640" height="480"></canvas>
     <script type="text/javascript">
     // Grab elements, create settings, etc.
     var video = document.getElementById('video');

     // Get access to the camera!
     if(navigator.mediaDevices && navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia) {
       // Not adding `{ audio: true }` since we only want video now
     navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({ video: true }).then(function(stream) {
      video.src = window.URL.createObjectURL(stream);
      video.play();
  });
  // Elements for taking the snapshot
  var canvas = document.getElementById('canvas');
  var context = canvas.getContext('2d');
  var video = document.getElementById('video');

  // Trigger photo take
  document.getElementById("scan").addEventListener("click", function() {
 context.drawImage(video, 0, 0, 640, 480);
  });
}

but it doesn't work so im pretty lost x)
thank you in advance to your help ! (sorry for my english :D)

A: Why not using some libs, eg.

*

*QuaggaJS

*Some other reader

A: You could make use of the zbar C/C++ library and transpile it to WebAssembly (which is supported by all major browsers) using Emscripten.

Emscripten is an LLVM/Clang-based compiler that compiles C and C++ source code to WebAssembly, primarily for execution in web browsers.

Here's an example app I have just published:

*

*https://github.com/maslick/koder

*https://qr.maslick.tech

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
The Fight Against Modern Slavery…
René Cassin // News // Blogs // The Fight Against Modern Slavery…
Posted on Monday, November 13th, 2017
The fight against modern slavery: domestic progress is being undermined by international failures
Ben Cartwright
Domestic progress: putting victims first
In this blog series, we have highlighted policy failures in the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), that led to victims of slavery having governmental support for their 'reflection and recovery' cut off after just 45 days. Not only was that an incredibly short period for people who may have been suffering as a victim of slavery for years, but it meant that proper rehabilitation of victims into society became impossible; without substantial help, nobody can build a new life within 45 days.
Therefore, the news in late October, that victims of modern slavery are going to receive a longer period of state support, is encouraging. Under the reforms to the NRM, the system that identifies and provides victims of slavery with support, victims will now receive 45 days of 'move-on' support. Previously, they would have only received 14. Assistance here will range from finding accommodation to the providing of advice and counselling. Now, therefore, confirmed victims will receive a total of 90 days of support.
Other victim support measures announced by the Government include greater support for children, who, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates make up a quarter of the international modern slave population. Independent Child Trafficking Advocates will be rolled out nationally, to ensure that the best interests of child victims are respected. Additionally, 'places of safety' will be created for adult victims leaving immediate situations of exploitation they will now be given immediate assistance and advice for up to 3 days before choosing whether to enter the NRM.
Kevin Hyland, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, welcomed the reforms, saying "Victims of modern slavery have experienced ruthless abuse, violence and exploitation. They require support that meets their individual needs, and the current NRM is not fit to meet this purpose. This is why I have been calling for radical reform of the system, and I gladly welcome the positive changes announced by the Minister today."
The reforms are not perfect; there is still too much of an onus on individuals to prove their status as victims of slavery and human trafficking, and decisions will remain largely at the caprice of non-specialist civil servants. However, the increased focus on the victim rather than the perpetrator, is encouraging; steps forward are being made to create a humane response system for the victims of slavery.
International failures: turning a blind eye
Whatever we do for victims in the UK will unfortunately always be put into perspective by the prevalence of modern slavery and forced labour internationally, particularly in the supply chains of large businesses. We simply do not know how the things we buy are made, and by whom.
Just last week, the Guardian reported that two of Italy's largest food companies have been benefitting from 'conditions of outright exploitation' in tomato farms. An inquiry to the death of Abdullah Muhammed, a Sudanese immigrant working in a tomato farm in southern Italy, led to revelations of 12 hour working days, seven days a week, without breaks and with only minimal pay. Mr Muhammed suffered a heart attack and died; the allegation against his employer was that his life could have been saved had he been allowed to go to hospital.
Both the refusal to allow workers to seek healthcare, and the long hours for little pay, identify this situation as one of labour exploitation. The tomatoes produced by farms in the south of Italy, where informal work is common and rights protections are rare, are sent to the UK, and sold in our supermarkets. The wilful ignorance of supermarkets such as Tesco to combat the murky origins of its products has been concerning:
"We know in the south of Italy there are some situations that are not in line but we can't do the work – it's not our responsibility to verify what happens in the region but we do ask our suppliers to respect human rights" said a spokesperson for Conserve Italia, which supplies tinned tomatoes to Tesco, "We don't pay less than the normal price."
As previously discussed in this blog series, the Modern Slavery Act 2015 compels companies with a global annual turnover of £36 million or more must publish what they are doing to prevent slavery in their supply chains. It does not, however, actually oblige them to do anything.
By implicitly condoning abusive labour practices, large businesses are permitting the fruits of forced labour to be sold to unwitting UK consumers. This provides a financial bonus to the perpetrators of acts of modern slavery, spurring them to continue, and undermines domestic efforts to combat the issue.
So, whereas victims in the UK are increasingly well-supported, victims of forced labour and slavery even in other EU states are ignored by their employers and the state in the name of efficiency and cheap goods. Until other states begin to enforce domestic measures against slavery, and UK companies refuse to deal with abusive employers, UK consumers will continue to unknowingly buy goods produced by modern slaves.
If you are concerned about modern slavery in your community, you can contact your local police force on 101 or the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700. If in doubt, please report it. There is more information on the National Crime Agency website, here.
*Ben Cartwright is part of René Cassin's Modern Slavery Campaign Group, find out more about how to get involved by emailing [email protected]
Concerned about slavery and human trafficking in the UK? Please make a donation to support René Cassin's work on this issue.
Europol and Eurojust – two vital EU agencies in the fight against modern slavery Lack of support puts slavery and trafficking survivors at risk...
Rights, Recovery and Reform – The Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill Lord McColl's Bill will both help victims and ensure more offenders are prosecuted...
Ask Your MP to Stand up for Victims of Modern Slavery! René Cassin is calling on the Government to support the Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill, which is due to have...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Hi Folks, for our boxing day meal we went to Rivington Pike.. a country park with a huge converted barn & a large hall..we went there with my son who suggested going here, daughter in law & granddaughter,also my daughter & grandson..
there is also a cafe & shop within the grounds..it is a place well known for Fell Walking..
There is a childrens adventure park with a zip wire (think that is the name for it )..
going through the trees beside the lake..
I have never seen so many people with dogs..
quite a few horses & their riders were out after what seemed to be a Boxing Day hunt..
I know you cant see it..but on the path near the bottom was a Spaniel..it was having a whale of a time,running so fast i could not get a pic of it..tearing about & it was covered in mud..
Aha the real reason we are here becomes clear now..
my son was a very keen biker..until the begining of this year when he had an accident on his bike..leaving him unable to ride again..he used to go up to Rivington on his bike..a big meeting place for bikers..
he loved looking at all the bikes & had a chat to some of the riders..
We had a good walk,a good meal & most of all a good laugh..
glad you had a good time and good that your son is now safe, sorry he had an accident.
that looks a lovely place and a good idea to go there. the barn looks very nice.
probably best if he doesnt know ~ my sons would be the same, altho i did put one of steve when he got married. he didnt seem to mind ~ they are probably used to it cos they use face book!!!
i would have been in that cafe and the shop!!!
thats very sweet, i love all the beatrix potter characters but i think squirrel nutkin and the two bad mice were my favourites.
my Granddaughter is called Ella..(thats my part of Joanella ) but when my daughter was pregnant with her..my Oh said "its going to be a girl & you will call her Jemima " so it stuck, now she has to get everything with it on..lol..i like squirrel nutkin..i have to admit..
I liked all the naughty ones best, Peter rabbit was another favourite.
How lovely! Does she like them?
Nice for your son to be able to go and see the bikes. I'm sorry to hear he had that accident. It must have been worrying for you all.
I'm glad you enjoyed the day, and had some fun :o) It's nice to get out and have some fresh air.


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The 4th International Conference for Postgraduate students has taken place at the University with a call on universities to innovate to avoid repeating the mistakes of previous educational programmes and strategies.
In a speech read on his behalf at the opening by the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. L. K. Sam-Amoah, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, said research was central to the work of a university since it reinforced teaching and learning and provided solutions to problems of society. To this end, the Vice-Chancellor indicated that the University continue to place great emphasis on research through the development and support for masters and doctoral research programmes.
Prof. Ampiah explained that the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) was established with the mandate to co-ordinate research, innovation and consultancy in the University. According to him, the future progress of Ghana and Africa depended on the contributions of the graduates that were currently produced.
"It means that to respond to the emerging socio-economic challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, the education we offer must be visionary and future-oriented", he stressed.
He said in the current changing world, attending a research conference has become a 'must' to survive in an academic discipline geared to produce and share knowledge and solve societal problems.
In this light, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the University would continue to strengthen its research and conference funds to support students and faculty to attend such important conferences.
Delivering the keynote address, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K. T. Oduro, said challenges facing nations globally have become complex. For that matter, he said nations were exploring ways of coping with climate change, diseases, conflicts, nuclear threats, over population, cyber fraud, social injustice, illiteracy, poverty, gender discrimination and corruption, adding "the situation in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly, in Ghana is not different".
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor intimated that, the continent's ability to cope with such complex challenges depended largely on the extent to which postgraduate education offered by tertiary education institutions meet the demands and aspirations of a particular nation. In view of that, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor called on African universities to consider doing things differently in the area of postgraduate education.
"The complexities of developmental challenges facing the Sub-region in the 21st century, demands new ways of delivering postgraduate education", he stated.
Prof. Oduro further said that the new wind blowing across the globe suggested clearly that "any university that runs postgraduate programmes that do not impact on industry cannot be said to be meeting the demands of the 21st Century University." For that reason, he said most universities in the western world were strongly linking contents of postgraduate programmes and focus of postgraduate research to the needs of industry. "Postgraduate programmes are geared towards providing solutions to address particular needs of the society", he said.
Prof. Oduro called for a paradigm shift to ensure that postgraduate studies impacted positively on industry. "Universities must move from the provision of one-discipline-indexed postgraduate programmes to inter-disciplinary programmes. Where possible, there should be an integrated approach to postgraduate studies because problems and challenges associated with the operations of industry or society in the 21st century requires multi-sectoral ideas and tools to address".
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor also called for licensing and patenting of intellectual properties of postgraduate work. This he believed could serve as an income generating venture for both students and the universities.
Presenting a paper on the topic: Mobilising Resources for Postgraduate Work: Human, Monetary and Materials, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, noted that the status of postgraduate education in the developing world particularly Ghana was not encouraging.
"This is an area that receives the least attention in developing countries. Ghana spends only 0.3% of GDP on Research and Development (R&D) far less than the recommended 1% of GDP as agreed upon by the African Union", he bemoaned.
Prof. Anamuah-Mensah revealed that a 2012 study of 28 EU countries showed that "an increase in R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP by 1% would cause an increase of real GDP growth by 2.2%". Explaining further, he said it meant that as countries invested more in R&D, that is in the creation and use of knowledge, their economies grew faster.
Unfortunately, he noted that "While developing countries based their economic growth largely on the creation and use of knowledge, developing countries depended mostly on raw natural material resources thereby leaving developing countries at the periphery of global knowledge production architecture".
The theme for the conference was "Changing the Orientation of Postgraduate Education for the 21st Century". The three-day conference was attended by lecturers, postgraduate students from various universities in the country and industry players.


Darren C. Barreiro, a partner in the firm's Litigation Department, has been selected to serve as the sole New Jersey-based attorney representative of The Gavel, a recently launched national insurance defense network for insured and self-insured claims.
The Gavel is a resource for claims and risk professionals which seeks to streamline the claims defense process by offering a single point of web-based access to highly qualified attorney and non-attorney claims partners across the country. The Gavel network employs a stringent three-tier vetting process in its selection of members, which includes direct referrals from claims professionals, personal interviews, verification of relevant professional experience, and a review of litigated verdicts. In addition to attorneys, specialists within the network include investigators, experts, field adjusters and mediators.
Mr. Barreiro focuses his practice in the representation of individuals and businesses in complex commercial litigation, including international litigation and chancery matters.


text:
Home Uncategorized Glenbrook Apaches softball swings into action
Glenbrook Apaches softball swings into action
Blake Branch
Carsin Spurlock takes a swing in a game last season. She is the only senior on a Lady Apache team that gets started this weekend in the Riverfield Tourney under new head coach Tony Mullins. Press-Herald Photo/Blake Branch
The Lady Apache softball team gets going this weekend in the annual Riverfield Tournament with a pair of games against Franklin and Porter's Chapel.
Fans will notice a new face in the dugout and the coach's box, as Glenbrook went out and hired North Webster's Tony Mullins to take over the program.
"I retired this past year after 34 years of teaching and coaching in Webster Parish school's," Mullins said. "I was given the opportunity to come here to Glenbrook and coach softball and teach social studies. I enjoy both so I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Mullins has been practicing with the team for four weeks now and said practices have been going well.
"We have 19 girls out for the team right now," Mullins said. "They've looked really good at practice everyday. They listen and do what they're supposed to do."
The veteran coach inherits a young but talented group of girls, with just one senior and one junior expected in the starting lineup.
"We have one senior in Carsin Spurlock and one junior in Megan Sims," Mullins said. "I think Carsin will lead us by example. She goes out and does her job everyday. She's one of the first ones their everyday and leads us in practice."
Mullins returns some experience despite the youth on his roster.
Alyssa Martin, just an eighth grader, is back and will see plenty of pitching duties now that Jessica Mangrum is gone.
Kate Marvin and Kate Lillig, both sophomores saw action last year, as did Kannon Butler.
Mullins also praised the performance of expected centerfielder Kara Bryce.
"I'm not going to make any excuses," Mullins said. "But I'm just trying to learn most of their names to be honest. I'm taking over a good group and just tweaking it a little bit. If we compete like we've been practicing we'll be in pretty good shape."
Glenbrook will start their season Friday at 10:30 a.m. against Franklin Academy, followed by a game with Porter's Chapel at 4.


In our current post-9/11 era, realities such as the Iraq War, Amber Alerts, and the financial collapse indicate that our society is defined by perpetual fear. Despite the rise in fear, however, sociologist Barry Glassner argues that while our perception of fear is on the rise, the level of risk is not. To legitimate his claim, Glassner examines various organizations and people who manipulate public perception and profit from their ability to increase our fear. Some of the organizations he references include advocacy groups that raise funds for themselves by intentionally exaggerating the prevalence of certain diseases as well as politicians who win votes by emphasizing the presence of drug use, terrorism, and crime.
This book records the experiences of a police officer who has a plethora of unique yet universally understood experiences, such as watching a child die in an officer's arms and issuing his wife a ticket for speeding. In providing the reader with an interesting and oftentimes action-packed narrative regarding the life of a police officer, Vali Stone affords us an opportunity to realize that individuals in this industry endure emotional roller coasters in their attempt to protect the public. In writing the book, Stone provides aspiring officers and their families with important information regarding the joys and challenges that can result from choosing this vocational path.
This novel records the devastating story of brothers Lafayette and Pharoah Rivers. Told by a Wall Street Journal reporter, the book references the horrors the brothers endure as they grow up in an impoverished housing project where shootings are frequent and drug gangs are plentiful. By discussing the coping mechanisms adopted by each of the brothers as they attempt to grapple with their substandard lives, Kotlowitz provides the reader with a gripping narrative regarding the world of crime as well as the profound effect it can have on young boys.
This book-considered groundbreaking by many-offers the reader an examination of the criminal mind as well as long-held myths regarding what causes criminals to commit crime. By offering readers a fresh perspective regarding a plethora of crimes ranging from domestic violence to political terrorism, Dr. Stanton Samenow demonstrates that all criminals possess a very specific mind-set which often becomes evident during their formulative childhood years.
This book offers the reader an examination of both theoretical and practical issues pertaining to the world of feminism and criminology. In it, Edwards explores realities such as violence in the home and asks what role the law courts and police should play in resolving such issues. By examining court and police practices, Edwards reveals how the indigenously patriarchal nature of the law precludes women from attaining the level of protection and justice they deserve.
The top 5 criminal justice books listed above are not the only great reads you can access in order to learn more about this intriguing field. There are a plethora of other reading lists that you can peruse in order to find interesting criminal justice books, such as "Top 50 Books for Criminal Justice Professionals." By accessing a variety of criminal justice books, you can begin expanding your knowledge regarding a perpetually exciting and continually evolving field.


A question raised in the Times of 8th February, and signed by "an evangelical churchman," is not to be rightly sifted in a journal avowedly of the world. Nor need it be mixed up with "the Torrey-Alexander Mission" which gave rise to it, and elicits warm recriminatory feeling from such as look only at the blessed aim, indifferent to the worldly methods, and the extremely humanitarian self-confidence which expects to surpass all ever done on earth. At that presumptuous slight of our Lord and the Holy Spirit (to say nothing of inspired apostles) as such an expectation implies, one must be grieved though not surprised, that so great inflation should rest on the support of Christendom's multitudes, and of an accompaniment to attract (solos, duets, and a carefully drilled chorus). One regrets it the more because of Dr. T.'s zeal and his earnest preaching when he adheres to it simply and solely.
But it appears to me that the questions are far graver than anything intended by an evangelical churchman, when he asks, "By what authority do they come? Who has 'sent' them? They have simply 'come,'" he evidently thinks decisive. What is his alleged ground? "The apostolic rule, which governs the Church and safeguards it from irresponsible and unauthorised teachers, is clearly laid down by St. Paul in, Rom. 10:14, 15. — 'How shall they hear without a preacher? How shall they preach, except they be sent;' and Heb. 5:4, No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron' i.e. consecrated. Now in the case of these visitors there is plainly no commission, no authority; they simply 'come.'" There we may stop, without encumbering ourselves with the detail of the London Evangelistic Council, which he says (and rightly as far as I know) is "a purely self-constituted body of excellent men." But even he must allow that I have fairly and fully presented his principle and the Scriptures cited as his warrant.
Here this "evangelical churchman" falls into the same unbelieving error as the persons he blames — the error of Christendom almost ever since "the apostolic rule," which governs neither his own church nor any other. And I marvel that safeguarding from irresponsible and unauthorised teachers did not, as he wrote the words, cover his face with shame and awaken pangs — in the heart of an evangelical. For he knows that its orders "authorise" at this moment thousands of clergymen, who know not but hate the gospel and "the truth as it is in Jesus." Are they not disloyal to the Head, yea to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as holy scripture? are they not divided into hostile camps of mutual adversaries, "higher criticism" sceptics, and disguised and dishonest papists in heart and in almost all save the Pope? This mixed multitude, some in the highest dignities, others in professorial seats of the Universities, far outnumber "evangelical churchmen," many of whom totally fail through "a purely Church point of view," and, as "loyal adherents to the Church's order and discipline," coquet with the Romanisers and the sceptics. Are they not all by the Church's orders alike "responsible and authorised teachers? Is this right before God? Is it not a scandal?
Let us however search the scriptures, which I trust he accepts as divine and authoritative, and test our loyalty to God and His Son, our Lord Jesus. Now it must have been the Thirty-nine Articles, or some preconception however else originated, which gave him to interpolate the church's authority or its ecclesiastical officers into Rom. 10:14, 15; for not a word therein either asserts or implies anything of the sort. The apostle treats of the solemn theme of the righteousness of faith in contrast with that of the law, and shows that with heart it is believed unto righteousness, and with mouth confession is made unto salvation. For everyone whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they believe not? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach unless they were sent? even as it is written, How beautiful the feet of those that bring glad tidings of peace, of those that bring glad tidings of good things!
Here is not the least expression of church authority in sending out preachers. Nor is the entire Epistle stamped with anything more marked than the absence of such an element. The church on the other hand is largely developed in the First Epistle to the Corinthians as verified by its simple inspection. This is a striking fact from the ambition ere long of those in Rome to seek control and at length universal dominion in direct opposition to the Lord's will. The Epistle is throughout occupied with the individual wants of the believer, to ground him in the faith, to reconcile the Jewish difficulty of their special promises with the indiscriminate grace of the gospel to all, and to draw out the moral consequences of all this body of truth. But church and official authority are nowhere in it.
Hence is it not quite arbitrary to assume an ecclesiastical source of mission such as tradition dreams of? Why did not a single-eyed believer think of "God" in the case, or yet more particularly of "the Lord" as the Head? Could any other source be more apposite, or invest the preaching with equal weight or dignity? It may be said that the passage is indefinite, and that to bring in a divine source of mission here is no more certain than a traditional reference. But as believers we wrong God and His word if we allow it to be so vague; or, as the Romanists dare to say in their vulgar contempt of revelation, a nose of wax. You have all the N.T. before you. Show in the Acts of the Apostles, in the Epistles generally, or in the Pastoral Letters, a single word implying the need of what is called "ordination" for preaching the gospel. I venture to affirm that no man can. Undoubtedly elders and presbyters were nominated by an apostle, or by his representative in a defined place and time like Titus and probably Timotheus. But I go farther, and point to the very numerous witnesses throughout, that evangelising is recognised fully and freely under "the apostolic rule" as open and unfettered.
Thus it is recorded in Acts 8:1, 4 that, when a great persecution rose on the day of Stephen's martyrdom, the members of the church were all save the apostles scattered from Jerusalem over Palestine, and that they went announcing the glad tidings. At no time was true order so high; yet no apostle raised his voice to ask, By what authority do you preach? Nay more in Acts 11:19-21 we are told that "those who were scattered passed. through to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch preaching the word to Jews only. But there were certain of them, Cyprians and Cyrenians, who entering into Antioch spoke to the Greeks, announcing the glad tidings of the Lord Jesus. And the Lord's hand was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord." What can be more conclusive? It was He only that sent them, and He who, as expressed, blessed their work. What authority can rival His? And is not this written for us? Is Scripture haphazard? Leave such thoughts to Romanists and Rationalists, and learn that tradition or reason is as unreliable in Christendom as in Jewry, and much more guilty; for we have the Spirit to make the word living beyond all experience before Christ.
Look at individuals. Who evangelised a city of Samaria, so that there was great joy that conquered the old wretched jealousy? and they were baptised, both men and women. It may be said that Philip had hands laid on him for serving tables in the peculiar work among the poor saints previously. What had this to do with his preaching? They were chosen to it that the apostles should give themselves, unhindered by such service, to prayer and the ministry of the word. He was not therefore ordained to preach. But as he is designated the evangelist," distinctly (Acts 21:8) from being one of the seven," he preached actively and in various parts. This was God's order, not in the least traditional or ecclesiastical. It was the apostolic rule, or rather the free working of the Spirit with which no apostle ever interfered.
Take another instructive instance in Acts 18:24-28. Apollos, though only knowing the baptism of John, diligently gave out what he knew, and learnt the way of God more perfectly through a plain Christian man and his wife, Aquila and Priscilla. Instead of getting him ordained, the brethren wrote commending him from Ephesus to Achaia as a great preacher and teacher without any formal act whatsoever.
I do not speak of Saul of Tarsus or of Barnabas, because it might be rejoined that they are both called "apostles" in Acts 14:4, and that nobody denies their title. But if so, why do any pervert the action in Acts 13:2, 3, as if it meant their ordination? What of inferior teachers ordaining superior prophets and apostles who had been teaching them all for sometime before in Antioch itself? Is this what you call "order"? It was nothing of the kind, but a "separation" at the call of the Holy Spirit of those two for a special mission in Asia Minor, a recommendation of them to the grace of God as it is called in Acts 14:26, and repeated, it would seem, in Acts 15:40. But even the great and large-hearted apostle loved, in speaking of his ministry, to place it on the broadest ground of grace, such as would vindicate the scattered preachers, "We also believe, wherefore also we speak" (2 Cor. 4:13). This is "the apostolic rule," not the hoary-headed tradition of Christendom, which has so completely forgotten the word of God in these things, or dares to count it obsolete: a crown not of honour but of shame.
But the apostle adhered to the divine will; and in one of his later Epistles (to the Philippians) we see it tested in a trying case. "I would have you know, brethren (wrote he from his first imprisonment in Rome), that the circumstances in which I am have turned out rather to the furtherance of the gospel, so that my bonds have become manifest in Christ in the whole praetorium and to all others; and that the greater part of the brethren, trusting in the Lord through my bonds, dare more abundantly to speak the word of God fearlessly. Some indeed also for envy and strife, but some also for goodwill, preach Christ: these out of love, knowing than I am set for the defence of the gospel; those out of contention announce Christ, not purely, thinking to raise up tribulation for my bonds. What is it then? Only that in every way, whether in pretext or in truth, Christ is announced; and in this I rejoice, yea and will rejoice." Precluded from preaching freely as he was wont, he rose above all the pain of unworthy spirit and ways in the preachers. Though far from endorsing such fleshly pettiness, he could and would rejoice that Christ was proclaimed to such as never knew of a Saviour and of such a God as sent Him to suffer and to save the lost.
The question therefore is not whether all are qualified to preach, or whether those who preach do it always aright; but whether they are disqualified unless ordained. From the scriptures adduced it is perfectly clear that to hinder any Christian man who can preach is ecclesiastical disorder, and opposes the Lord's will as plainly shown by inspiration, the only unfailing standard for the Christian. Thence it is certain that they are entitled; and in the case of those who are endowed for the gospel more than others, it is well to consider what light Eph. 4:7-13 gives us, where the title of these evangelists, as well as of the other great edifying gifts, is laid down. They differ in measure and character, but they are all gifts ( δόματα) direct from Christ without intervention; and therefore distinct from local charges like elders or deacons, which did require due authority to appoint them.
But not so apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, which are Christ's gifts and need no authorisation of man. Apostles and prophets have the unique place of being the foundation, as Christ is the corner stone; and the foundation was so well laid, that neither succession nor restoration is anything but a fable and imposture. The evangelists are to call in from the world to God those who become members of Christ; as the pastors and teachers build them up in His grace and truth, holy and beloved. As may be noticed, bishops or elders, like deacons, are not "gifts" and nowhere included among them; but they required apostolic authority, direct or indirect, to appoint them: a very great difficulty to find either for many a day. But the edifying gifts from the ascended Christ are as unfailing as on the day of Pentecost, till the last members of His body who need them are made up.
It is worthy of "an evangelical churchman's heed that his slur on "come," instead of being "sent," has been anticipated and condemned in the last Epistle of the last apostle. "Beloved, thou doest faithfully in whatever thou didst work toward thy brethren, and the strangers (who bore witness to thy love before the church), whom thou wilt do well in setting forward worthily of God. For they went forth for the Name, taking nothing from the Gentiles." This was their merit, not in the eyes of Diotrephes the stickler for human authority, but of the apostle and so recorded by the Holy Spirit for our learning. They "came," they were not "sent" save by God.
But even good men like an order of their own, and are impatient of continual dependence on the grace of God. While the apostles lived, there was a strong tendency to slip from the things of Christ into their own things. We see it in the Galatians where the same retrograde spirit which sought to bring back the law dared to question the typical apostleship of Paul who did not know Christ at all in the days of His flesh, only when ascended. This is therefore of special interest and cheer to us who were called long after. As for us, all we boast is of faith, which looks to the unseen and eternal things. We therefore delight to read how the apostle encourages us as he did the early saints in Rome when he used the same term "call" for his own apostleship and for their saintship: not "called to be" as in the A. and R. versions, but in both cases "called" or by call, instead of a birthright as Israel's privileges were. How this meets all difficulties, all countries, all ages, and all circumstances! Grace can work on the same principle, whatever the position that God may set us in.
We all know the currents and too notorious objections of unbelief. They are equally used as to a Christian and as to Christian ministry. How can you know a Christian? says the evangelical clergyman, whose position obliges him to receive every parishioner as a saint at the Eucharist, though he is sure that many decent in conduct are dead in trespasses and sins. If he were not a clergyman, he could see clearer and would act very differently; but the rubric! Will "an evangelical churchman" venture to call this obligation "of the church's order and discipline" apostolic rule? I hope not; but if not, where is he? Why then was he so bold as to say, "The apostolic rule which governs the Church, etc. Such a rubric, which fends off the disreputable but admits and welcomes (particularly at Easter for reason given) every decent man though just as dead," is a flagrant departure from the essential nature of God's church.
But I must not overlook the reference to Heb. 5:4. O "evangelical churchman," where have you been taught to commit yourself and your teachers to an error so stupendous as to confound priesthood with ministry? In the Epistle it is Christ compared with Aaron. What has this to do with preaching? It is the Book of Common Prayer that has misled you; for it habitually and shamefully confounds presbyter with priest, though they mean wholly different and irreconcilable things. What a pity you do not read the Bible to better purpose! But your safe-guards, your Prayer-book and your "responsible and authorised teachers," have led you into the ditch. Let me tell you, that according to the N. T. there is no earthly priest acknowledged in Christianity, which boasts of the Great Priest interceding for us in heaven, and invites all Christian brethren now to enter boldly into the holies by the blood of Jesus through the rent veil. You betray yourself, though "an evangelical churchman," still under much of Popish darkness. Bear with "an old disciple"'s plainness: we owe it to one another, and above all to the Lord.
P.S. That the straitened rules of decadent Judaism were not so stiff as fallen Christendom's, the very N.T. bears witness. John the Baptist preached the coming Kingdom of the heavens, yet without a miracle for his mission from God. And Christians preached in Jewish synagogues on the sabbath without question of human authority. To believe the word is blessed if we obey, an empty boast if we do not. And how grave is the fact that in none of the denominations, West or East, National or Nonconformist, great or small, is there an approach to "the assembly" of scripture wherein the Holy Spirit is left free to glorify the Lord, dividing to each one severally even as He will! Yet how could this be in a Christendom which owns "the church of God" neither in principle nor in practice? So complete is the departure, not from the highest pretensions, but from the truth of the church as God has revealed it.


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Tom Grace
Tom Grace is a very dedicated gamer and enjoys all varieties of games wide spread across android. In his spare time he repairs and builds computers. He currently… Continue reading
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Angry Birds update coming soon – In-app purchases for Mighty Eagle, no Ads
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[Updated] New titles appear on Gameloft Live
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Home > Index > Comedy > Movie Review
Christian Movie Review to
Dumb and Dumber 2
Plot Details: This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.
Mediocre minds think alike, to.
Since we last saw them in 1994, "Dumb and Dumber," ("Almost 2 decades [ago]") Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) have grown in their loving friendship for each other. When Lloyd learns of Harry's medical need ("I need a kidney transplant"), he deduces his "best hope for a transplant is with a blood relative," i.e. his parents. His folks give him some good news (in the "mail piling up for many years") and some bad news ("You adopted.") The good news is the old news from a complaining female Fraida Felcher (Kathleen Turner) who wrote that she was pregnant, meaning now "You have a grown kid with grown kidneys." The bad news is the new news that the kid broke off contact with her birth mom. The good news, which is the same old same old, is the kid is gorgeous in her picture, motivating Lloyd to redouble their efforts ("You're hot for my daughter!") to track down Penny (Rachel Melvin) to a KEN Conference in El Paso where the top minds of the nation will be gathering. If our duo can escape the trained assassin out to do them in for the inheritance, they could just move the conference to a whole new intellectual level.
The title "Dumb and Dumber To" ends without an object of the preposition To. We might ourselves supply the obvious, Dumb and Dumber To Dumbest, but then we're in jeopardy of supplying the added stupidity, too. Since the plot involves our pair delivering to the conference "a gift to all humanity," perhaps this movie is itself a gift of laughter at society's foibles. The last word of the title is also a kind of pun called a homophone—having similar sounds—of its alternate title "Dumb and Dumber 2."
On the theory the movie is somehow laughing at us, we might consider the 2012 Supreme Court appointment of Sonia Sotomayor who'd raised a point in a speech she'd made saying she hoped that a wise Latina woman for her wealth of experience could produce a better result than would a white male lacking said experience. She has set herself up as a target for such a movie mocking stupidity if the Court did anything really stupid since then. You might be most personally influenced by this judge who in an earlier decision mandated that Internet user agreements must be read and agreed to before one can sign up for anything, which agreements are too long and obtuse for anybody to actually read them, so we just pretend we do.
A classic homophone, from the book Get Thee to a Punnery , is in the story of a Chinese couple Mr & Mrs Wong who were about to have a baby. When Mrs Wong delivered a Caucasian, Mr Wong remarked, "Two Wongs don't make a White." In the case of adoption, parents generally pretend they are the real birth parents until their adopted kid is old enough to be told. In "Dumber To" Penny, aka "Dumbalina," was adopted by a Nobel Prize winning scientist Dr Pinchelow (Steve Tom) and his conniving jezebel wife Adele (Laurie Holden). Penny was too dumb to spot the mismatch. Harry was even dumber having been adopted by parents of a different race, not to realize that 2 "Wongs" couldn't make him White. But the dumbest of all is our Supreme Court having started to get its feet wet in same-sex marriage expanded the class of heterosexual couples too old to expect to ever have a baby, to henceforth include homo couples as candidates for marriage. Some kid who doesn't realize that 2 daddies or 2 mommies couldn't have made him is dumbest of all.
This parallel carries through only too well. Our current political theory is that some homosexual couples really love each other, so marriage just gives them another avenue to express that love with the community's respect. I must say that Harry and Lloyd really love each other in this movie. When they got to thinking about it, they realized that both of them had hooked up with Fraida in the time frame to produce the kid, so there was some question who was really the father. Unfortunately, neither had the smarts to know how to "do it" with Fraida, so they couldn't be the father for lack of mental equipment, even though she was nicknamed "the titanic whore" for her proclivity. Marriage is the most fecund institution known to man, and a pair of men (or pair of women) entering it is not going to produce a child no matter how much they love each other, for lack of appropriate equipment.
The movie reaches kind of a climax when Harry gets to "judge the young inventors competition." He didn't like the invention that cured cancer. He found fault with the one that solved world hunger. What he really liked, though, (until the officials shut it down) was the device that could display on a monitor what a person is thinking. With electrodes attached to his head, he was told to think of a pleasant memory from his youth. The snickering audience got to watch him start an episode of bestiality.
Just as incest is on the prohibition list, Lev. 20:11 , as well as bestiality, Lev. 20:15 , homosexuality is sandwiched right in between them, ( Lev. 20:13 ) "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination." Our society has been treating same-sex marriage as the greatest invention since sliced bread, but in reality it just exposes couples committing abomination.
At the KEN Conference is prominently displayed a well known picture of Einstein sticking out his tongue at the photographer. It beams right at us as if the (Dumber 2) movie from its superior intelligence is mocking the (movie) audience. But it's all in good humor.
"Dumb and Dumber To" (2014) was directed by Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly. Writing credit goes to Sean Anders (screenplay), Mike Cerrone, Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly, John Morris (screenplay) and Bennett Yellin. It stars Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, and Rob Riggle. The 2 main leads are in top form, and everyone performed well, though not necessarily in his customary type. Carrey didn't even look like he'd aged since the first one. The jokes seemed redundantly familiar from the first Dumber, but they were still shocking and funny. It seemed to be a little on the raunchy side; once they started they couldn't hold back. It's rated PG–13 for crude and sexual humor, partial nudity, language and some drug references. It really pushes the envelope, too. The music was okay, but they could have done better with it. During the end credits are shown clips from this movie and from the original "Dumb and Dumber."
I liked "Dumb and Dumber To" having laughed in spite of myself, but I'm easy to please. Some people might just think it's dumb. If you've seen the first one, you can use that as a gauge how you might like it. As for the birds & the bees lesson ("What's your definition of having sex?"), that was whispered, so you'll have to seek enlightenment elsewhere.
Action factor: Decent action scenes. Suitability for Children: Suitable for children 13+ years. Special effects: Average special effects. Video Occasion: Fit For a Friday Evening. Suspense: A few suspenseful moments. Overall product rating: Four stars out of five.
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