There are a number of ways to now watch my first feature film as producer, Something, Anything (dir. Paul Harrill).
It is now available for purchase and rental on iTunes, Amazon, Google play, Vudu, and Vimeo-on-Demand, and also streaming on Netflix!


Every child deserves the opportunity to obtain a great education.
The 2018 Gerald Henderson Charity Golf Invitational will benefit Community Partnership School ("CPS"). Funds raised by this year's event will benefit Community Partnership School's Scholarship Fund, which allows CPS families to pay what they can afford in tuition while still maintaining the high quality of the education each student receives.
Gerald Henderson is a professional basketball player in the NBA. He has resided in Charlotte since 2009, when the then-Bobcats' selected him 12th in the NBA Draft. A native of the Philadelphia area, Gerald graduated from Episcopal High School where he was honored to become a McDonald's All-American and received a basketball scholarship to Duke University. After completing three years, he elected to enter the NBA Draft, and later returned to complete his degree in psychology. Gerald has actively maintained an interest in giving back to his community and supporting nonprofit organizations in both Philadelphia and Charlotte. In March 2012, he was the recipient of the NBA's Kia Community Assist Award in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the community and his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work.
Gerald Henderson Basketball Clinic from MainLine Focus on Vimeo.
Gerald Henderson Jr. Fundraiser Gala "Green Carpet Event" from MainLine Focus on Vimeo.
Gerald Henderson Golf Invitational 2017 from MainLine Focus on Vimeo.
© GERALD HENDERSON All rights resevered.


text:
THE FOX by Frederick Forsyth
July 11, 2020 szfreiberger	Espionage, Historical Fiction
(Russian Cruiser)
According to John le Carre, Frederick Forsyth is among a group of spy thriller writers "that his works were the well into which everybody dipped." If that is the case based on the heights that le Carre has reached it is quite an endorsement of Forsyth. A #1 New York Times bestselling author in his own right Forsyth is one of the most legendary and accomplished spy novelists of his time and the 82-year-old Englishman is considered one of the god fathers of the espionage genre. In 1971 Forsyth then a freelance reporter published his first book, THE DAY OF THE JACKAL that brought him international success. Among his other sixteen novels is enormously successful THE ODESSA FILE and his newest and seventeenth novel, THE FOX continues his run of engrossing novels.
It begins in February 2019 as the American National Security Council computer where most of its secret data resides is hacked. Washington asks the British government for assistance in locating the hacker. Dr. Jeremy Henricks at the Government Communications Headquarters, the British National Security Center is brought in to assist and finds that the hacker has left no trace. A few months later the same hacker has hit a major bank, but as in the first instance nothing was taken, however this time he has left a slight trace and is used by the SAS to locate him. It turns out that the hacker is Luke Jennings is an eighteen-year-old autistic young man who suffers from Asperger's syndrome. Sir Adrian Weston a retired British spy chief is brought in by Prime Minister Marjory Graham as her unofficial security advisor to oversee the investigation. What he learns is that Luke and three other family members live north of London in a small house where the cyber genius is ensconced in his attic with what appears to be ordinary computer equipment, but he possesses a devastating cyber mind and capability.
If by this time Forsyth has not hooked you on his plot, he will when Luke is recruited by the British, in conjunction with Washington to work for the government in lieu of prosecution and extradition. His first assignment is to hack a newly built Russian cruiser, the Admiral Nakhimov, the most powerful ship of its class in the world. Moscow under the firm grip of Vladimir Putin is humiliated when the ship runs aground off the Straits of Dover because of Luke's handiwork and seeks revenge. The Russian autocrat places Yevgeni Krilov in charge of learning what has occurred. Employing a series of former Spetsnaz, Albanian gangsters, and Russian billionaire oligarchs he learns of the Jennings family's new location and proceeds to deal with the problem. As Krilov tries to shut down Luke, the teenager under the auspices of Weston penetrates the data bases of Iran, North Korea, and Russia extracting priceless intelligence.
Forsyth's tale has a ring of reality in our cyber infused world and the dangers to American and British national security. He produces a series of probable characters from local Scotsman, British special forces, the Prime Minister, Russian billionaires in the grasp of Putin, gangsters, or former military types. His commentary on world leaders is dead on particularly his recapitulation of Putin, who he refers to as "the former police thug's" career and rise to power. His analysis within the context of the novel is historically accurate and sounds like an analysis one would find in a monograph by Masha Gessen describing plutocratic gangsters who portray themselves as legitimate businessmen. Part of the story line rests on the fear that Putin will use his vast resources of natural gas and a complex series of pipelines as a means of dominating Western Europe. The British answer is to employ Luke, but Putin cannot allow this and will send Russia's most lethal sniper, Misha to kill him. Kim Jong Un does not escape Forsyth's scathing analysis describing the North Korean dictator as fat and ugly with a bizarre haircut who possesses a ruthlessness that is total and is obsessed with himself and absolute power. Donald Trump also appears, but in this instance, he is seen as cooperating with the British despite Forsyth's rather negative description of the American president.
(Kim Jong Un)
Forsyth's knowledge of history is impeccable as his compendium of how American and British national security apparatuses work. It is clear that Forsyth is also an authority on Russian spy tactics and its thought processes that include murder, intimidation, and intelligence gathering. Further the author has the uncanny ability to reproduce scenarios that seem real. In addition, Forsyth's recounting of Iranian and Israeli security needs and how they approach threats to their countries, along with information about the domestic situation in North Korea provides excellent background information. In constructing his story Forsyth exhibits total command on contemporary events, personalities, diplomacy, weaponry, and the mysteries of spy craft. In THE FOX, Forsyth as he does in all his novels lays out these details in a brilliant fashion and hopefully Forsyth has more novels left in his pen for the future. You will be on the edge of your seat as Sir Adrian tries to protect Luke and defeat Misha, thereby preserving world peace.
← THE IMPECCABLE SPY: RICHARD SORGE, STALIN'S MASTER AGENT by Owen Matthews
THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENED: A WHITE HOUSE MEMOIR by John Bolton →
THE CLIFTON CHRONICLES, a seven book series by Jeffrey Archer (a synopsis)
THIS WAS A MAN by Jeffrey Archer
COMETH THE HOUR by Jeffrey Archer
MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD by Jeffrey Archer
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR by Jeffrey Archer
Stephen m Fried on RUSH: REVOLUTION, MADNESS, AND…
szfreiberger on APPEASEMENT: CHAMBERLAIN, HITL…
Matthew Wright on APPEASEMENT: CHAMBERLAIN, HITL…
Kim Lockhart on METROPOLIS by Philip Kerr
Bobby Tooth on PACIFIC: SILICON CHIPS AND SUR…
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Reach your potential and earn a Bachelor's or Master's degree at Ottawa University in Queen Creek, Arizona. Our Queen Creek location is part of the Communiversity, a partnership between local educators, community colleges and universities hosted by Rio Salado College.
At Ottawa University, we understand the challenges and limitations you may be facing as an adult student. Whether you choose to study online or on-campus in Queen Creek, you'll find the support you need to complete your education. In addition to our helpful staff and faculty members, you can benefit from your own academic and finance advisors.
No matter what field you want to enter, we can help you get started. We offer degree programs in fields like Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Counseling, and more. At Ottawa, you'll find challenging curriculum that prepares you for the demands of today's workforce.


The TRi-ExcelLink software provide you an extremly simple-to-use, two-way linkage of data between the PLCs and an MS Excel* spreadsheet. It is an application software that works in tandem with the TLServer program (this is included in your Internet TRiLOGI Version 5 or 6) or work with the Ethernet port on PLC models that are so equipped . Hence, not only can you capture PLC data directly from the local PC running both the TLServer and ExcelLink program, you can also simultaneously capture data from up to 16 TLServers or Ethernet PLC that are connected to the LAN or the Internet.
Note: You can also use the TRi-ExcelLink software to collect data from third party equipment , including other brands of PLCs by using a Super PLC as a "bridge" to interface to those equipment via serial or parallel I/Os. E.g. Since an M-series or Nano-10 PLC can speak MODBUS and OMRON protocols they are ready to communicate with MODBUS RTUs or OMRON PLCs to capture the required information.
With the power of TBASIC, you can also program a Super PLC (yes, even via the Internet) to churn out whatever unique communication protocols to speak to other types of equipment. For those equipment without a host communication protocol, you can also use the Super PLC's vast array of digital or analog I/Os to collect data from them and make them accessible to the Excel spreadsheet via the Internet.


text:
Oscularia
Sambucus nigra (*)
Cladus: Campanulids
Ordo: Dipsacales
Familia: Adoxaceae
Genus: Sambucus
Species: Sambucus nigra
Sambucus nigra L., Sp. Pl. ed. 1 269 (1753).
Sambucus alba Raf., Alsogr. Amer. 48 (Quid ?) (1838)
Sambucus arborescens Gilib.
Sambucus aurea Hort. ex Carr.
Sambucus dissecta Hort. ex C. Koch
Sambucus elegans Hort. ex C. Koch
Sambucus floribunda Hort. ex C. Koch
Sambucus florida Salisb.
Sambucus laciniata Mill.
Sambucus leucocarpa Hort. ex C. Koch
Sambucus linearis Hort. ex C. Koch
Sambucus medullosa Gilib.
Sambucus monstrosa hort. ex Loud.
Sambucus nigra f. albomarmorata Geerinck
Sambucus nigra f. chlorocarpa (Hayne) Geerinck
Sambucus nigra f. luteomarmorata Geerinck
Sambucus pulverulenta Hort. ex C. Koch
Sambucus rotundifolia Lodd. ex Sweet
Sambucus virescens Desf.
Sambucus vulgaris Neck.
Native distribution areas:
Continental: Europe
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corsica, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Denmark, Finland (I), France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Andorra, Spain, Hungary, Italy, former Yugoslavia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Hercegovina, Portugal, Malta, Norway (I), Poland, Romania, Sardinia, Sicily, Belarus, C- & E-European Russia, Crimea, Ukraine
Continental: Asia-Temperate
Northern Caucasus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia [Caucasus], Turkey (E-Anatolia, N-Anatolia, NE-Anatolia, NW-Anatolia: Bithynia, W-Anatolia), Greece (incl. Kiklades), East Aegaean Isl., Rhodos, European Turkey, Iran (W-Iran), Iraq (NE-Iraq), Israel (N-Israel), Lebanon (C-Lebanon), Syria (NW-Syria)
Continental: Africa
Azores (Sao Miguel Isl., Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores Isl., Corvo Isl.)
References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
Linnaeus, C. 1753. Species Plantarum. Tomus I: 269. Reference page.
Hassler, M. 2018. Sambucus nigra. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2018. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2018 Jun. 28. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2018. Sambucus nigra. Published online. Accessed: Jun. 28 2018.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2018. Sambucus nigra in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the internet. Accessed: 12 July 2018.
Tropicos.org 2018. Sambucus nigra. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2018 Jun. 28.
Swedish Museum of Natural History, only in Swedish
aragonés: Samuco
العربية: خمان أسود
asturianu: Sabugu
azərbaycanca: Qara kəndəlaş
Boarisch: Hóller
башҡортса: Мәрәүәр ағасы
беларуская: Бузіна чорная
български: черен бъз
bosanski: Zova
català: Saüc
нохчийн: ЧӀижаргӀийн стом
corsu: Sambucu
kaszëbsczi: Czôrny bes
čeština: Bez černý
Cymraeg: Ysgawen
dansk: Almindelig Hyld
Deutsch: Schwarzer Holunder
dolnoserbski: Carny baz
Ελληνικά: Σαμπούκος
English: Elder
Esperanto: Nigra sambuko
español: Saúco negro
eesti: Must leeder
euskara: Intsusa beltz
فارسی: آقطی سیاه
suomi: Mustaselja
Nordfriisk: Halbuum
français: Sureau noir
Frysk: Flear
Gaeilge: Trom
galego: Sabugueiro
Gaelg: Tramman
hrvatski: Crna bazga
hornjoserbsce: Čorna bozanka
magyar: Fekete bodza
հայերեն: Կտտկենի սև
íslenska: Svartyllir
italiano: Sambuco comune
日本語: セイヨウニワトコ
Taqbaylit: Axilwan
ქართული: დიდგულა
한국어: 딱총나무
Lëtzebuergesch: Schwaarzen Hielenter
lietuvių: Juoduogis šeivamedis
latviešu: Melnais plūškoks
македонски: Бозел
മലയാളം: സാംബുകസ് നൈഗ്ര
Napulitano: Sammuche
Nederlands: Gewone vlier
norsk nynorsk: Svarthyll
norsk: Svarthyll
occitan: Saüc negre
polski: Bez czarny
پښتو: تور اېلډر
português: Sabugueiro
Runa Simi: Yana rayan
română: Soc negru
русский: Бузина чёрная
sardu: Sambucu mascu
slovenčina: Baza čierna
slovenščina: Črni bezeg
shqip: Shtogu
српски / srpski: Црна зова
svenska: Fläder
Türkçe: Kara mürver
українська: Бузина чорна
vèneto: Sanbugaro
Tiếng Việt: Cơm cháy đen
West-Vlams: Vlienderboom
吴语: 西洋接骨木
中文(简体): 西洋接骨木
中文(繁體): 西洋接骨木
中文(臺灣): 西洋接骨木
中文: 西洋接骨木
Sambucus nigra is a species complex of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae native to most of Europe and North America.[1] Common names include elder, elderberry, black elder, European elder, European elderberry, and European black elderberry.[2][3] It grows in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry fertile soils, primarily in sunny locations. The plant is a very common feature of hedgerows and scrubland in Britain and northern Europe, but is also widely grown as an ornamental shrub or small tree. Both the flowers and the berries have a long tradition of culinary use, primarily for cordial and wine.[4] The Latin specific epithet nigra means "black", and refers to the deeply dark colour of the berries.[5]
Although elderberry is commonly used in dietary supplements and traditional medicine, there is no scientific evidence that it provides any benefit for maintaining health or treating diseases.[6]
Fruit cluster
Elderberry is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 6 m (20 ft) tall and wide,[4] rarely reaching 10 m (33 ft) tall. The bark, light grey when young, changes to a coarse grey outer bark with lengthwise furrowing, lenticels prominent.[7] The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, 10–30 cm long, pinnate with five to seven (rarely nine) leaflets, the leaflets 5–12 cm long and 3–5 cm broad, with a serrated margin. The young stems are hollow.[8] The English term for the tree is not believed to come from the word "old", but from the Anglo Saxon æld, meaning fire, because the hollow stems of the branches were used as bellows to blow air into a fire.[9]
The hermaphroditic flowers have five stamens,[10] which are borne in large, flat corymbs 10–25 cm diameter in late spring to mid-summer, the individual flowers are ivory white, 5–6 mm diameter, with five petals; they are pollinated by flies.
The fruit is a glossy, dark purple to black berry 3–5 mm diameter, produced in drooping clusters in late autumn;[4] they are an important food for many fruit-eating birds, notably blackcaps.
Range of European Sambucus nigra
Natural range of North American Sambucus nigra subspecies
See also: Sambucus
There are several other closely related species, native to Asia and North America, which are similar, and sometimes treated as subspecies of Sambucus nigra. The blue or Mexican elderberry, Sambucus mexicana, is now generally treated as one or two subspecies of Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis[11] and Sambucus nigra subsp. caerulea.[12]
Hedges, waste-ground roadsides, and woods are the typical habitats for the species.[10] S. nigra is recorded as very common in Ireland in hedges as scrub in woods.[13][14]
Some selections and cultivars have variegated or coloured leaves and other distinctive qualities, and are grown as ornamental plants. Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla has dark maroon or black leaves, and pale pink flowers.
The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[15]
S. nigra f. laciniata (cut-leaved alder)[16]
S. nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Eva'[17]
S. nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda'[18]
Culinary uses
The dark blue or purple berries are mildly poisonous in their raw state.[6] Unripe berries, the seeds of the fruit, and all green parts of the plant are poisonous, containing cyanogenic glycosides.[6] The berries are edible after cooking and may be used to make jam, jelly,[19] chutney, and Pontack sauce. In Scandinavia and Germany, soup made from the elderberry (e.g. the German Fliederbeersuppe) is a traditional meal.
Commonly, the flowerheads are used in infusions, giving a drink in Northern Europe and the Balkans. These drinks are sold commercially as elderflower cordial.[20] In Europe, the flowers are made into a syrup or cordial (in Romanian: Socată, in Swedish: fläder(blom)saft, in Danish: hyldeblomstsaft / hyldedrik), which is diluted with water before drinking. The popularity of this traditional drink recently has encouraged some commercial soft drink producers to introduce elderflower-flavoured drinks (Fanta Shokata, Freaky Fläder). The flowers also may be dipped into a light batter and then fried to make elderflower fritters.
The berries may be made into elderberry wine.[19] In Hungary, an elderberry brandy is made that requires 50 kg of fruit to produce 1 litre of brandy. In south-western Sweden, it is traditional to make a snaps liqueur flavoured with elderflower. Elderflowers are used in liqueurs such as St-Germain, and in a mildly alcoholic sparkling elderflower 'champagne', although a more alcoholic home-made version can be made. In Beerse, Belgium, a variety of jenever called beers vlierke is made from the berries.
"Godfrey's Extract of Elder-Flowers" ad in 1900
This plant is used in traditional medicine by native peoples and herbalists.[6][21] Extracts of the flowers and fruits are used for cold and flu symptoms,[6][22] although there is no high-quality clinical evidence that it is effective for treating any disease.[6][22]
Phytochemicals and potential for poisoning
The dark color of elderberry fruit occurs from its rich phenolic content, particularly from anthocyanins.[22] Components of the elderberry plant, including its fruit, contain diverse phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, lectins, and cyanogenic glycosides, which may be toxic if consumed raw.[22] Consumption of berries, leaves, bark or stems, if not properly prepared, may cause nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhea.[6][22][23] Elderberry plant constituents or products should not be consumed during pregnancy or by people with allergies or gastrointestinal diseases.[22][23] Elderberry products may cause adverse effects when used with prescription drugs.[22][23]
Elder whitewash fungus (Hyphodontia sambuci)
Like other elderberries, Sambucus nigra is subject to elder whitewash fungus and jelly ear fungus.
Wildlife value
Elder rates as fair to good forage for animals such as mule deer, elk, sheep, and small birds. It is classified as nesting habitat for many birds, including hummingbirds, warblers, and vireos. Ripe elderberries are a favorite food for migrating band-tailed pigeons in northern California, which may sometimes strip an entire bush in a short time. It is also a larval host to the spring azure.[24] It is good habitat for large and small mammals.[25]
Poisonous to mammals
Except for the flowers and ripe berries (but including the ripe seeds), all parts of the plant are poisonous to mammals, containing the cyanogenic glycoside sambunigrin (C14H17NO6, CAS number 99-19-4).[26] The bark contains calcium oxalate crystals.
"Flora Europaea Search Results". Rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
"Sambucus nigra". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
"Plants Profile for Sambucus nigra (black elderberry)". Plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Michael and Vikram: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. ISBN 978-1405332965.
Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
"European elder". National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Library of Medicine. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and Warburg, E.F. 1968 Excursion Flora of the British Isles Second Edition Cambridge.ISBN 0-521-04656-4
Vedel, H. and Lange, J. 1971. Trees and Bushes in Wood and Hedgerow. p.196. Methuen and Co. Ltd. ISBN 0416-61780-8
"Elder (Sambucus nigra) - British trees -". Woodland Trust. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press. ISBN 978-185918-4783
"Sambucus mexicana". Calflora. Retrieved 2012-07-16.
"Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea". Calflora. Retrieved 2012-07-16.
Hackney, P. 1992. Stewarts and Corry's Flora of the North-east of Ireland. Institute of Irish Studies The Queen's University of Belfast. ISBN 0 85389 446 9(HB)
Webb, D.A., Parnell, J. and Doogue, D. 1996. An Irish Flora. Dundalgan Press Ltd, Dundalk. ISBN 0-85221-131-7
"AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 95. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
"Sambucus nigra f. laciniata / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
"RHS Plantfinder - Sambucus nigra 'Eva'". Retrieved 21 October 2018.
"Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda'". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-03-06.
Fagan, Damian (2019). Wildflowers of Oregon: A Field Guide to Over 400 Wildflowers, Trees, and Shrubs of the Coast, Cascades, and High Desert. Guilford, CT: FalconGuides. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-4930-3633-2. OCLC 1073035766.
Kikbracken, J. 1995. Easy way guide Trees. Larousse.
"Sambucus nigra: Elderberry - European Elder, Black elderberry, American black elderberry, Blue elderberry". Plants for a Future. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
"Elderberry". Drugs.com. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
"Elderberry". Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
The Xerces Society (2016), Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects, Timber Press.
"Sambucus nigra subsp. cerulea". Fs.fed.us. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
Campa C, Schmitt-Kopplin P, Cataldi TR, Bufo SA, Freitag D, Kettrup A (2000). "Analysis of cyanogenic glycosides by micellar capillary electrophoresis". Journal of Chromatography B. 739 (1): 95–100. doi:10.1016/S0378-4347(99)00375-8. PMID 10744317.
Blanchan, Neltje (1900). Wild Flowers: An Aid to Knowledge of our Wild Flowers and their Insect Visitors. New York City: Doubleday. OCLC 16950204.
Rushforth, K. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.


In its practice of religious pluralism, the Western world tends to remain quiet about religion. Rarely will you hear the public media discuss Buddhism, Hinduism, Scientology, Mormonism, or Jehovah's Witnesses. When you do, the media uses muted tones and carefully crafted statements to avoid offending followers of those religions.
However, when it comes to Christianity, it seems the editorial rulebook goes out the window. Other religions might be scoffed at or questioned, but no other organized faith suffers as much public mockery, derision, and scorn as Christianity.
In fact, while other religions have succeeded in improving the world's perception of their faith—the normalization of Mormonism through its "I am a Mormon" ads, and the liberalization of Catholicism by the current pope—the public opinion and influence of evangelical Christianity has steadily declined for years.
The natural result of being an outsider to the world is persecution. In the words of Paul, our life and doctrine is the aroma of death to unbelievers (2 Corinthians 2:15-16), and the world responds to our stench with extreme prejudice. Persecution, then, should be a source of encouragement and joy as we follow in the footsteps of our Savior.
Being in the world and not of it brings persecution, but it also has gospel implications. It's true there is a spiritual divide that separates us from the unsaved world. But we cannot be faithful ambassadors for God or heralds of His gospel if we create a physical chasm.
As we saw last time, godly living is divinely intended to serve as a rebuke to sinners. But there's more to God's design than just holding to a higher moral standard. Our pursuit of holiness ought to reveal the light of the gospel to men and women blinded by their sin.
We cannot hide from the world what Scripture says and expect unbelievers to sense that they are indicted. We're not supposed to retreat to our churches and proclaim the gospel there but never take the message to the world. It should not be necessary for people to come into our church to hear the truth of God's Word, to be exposed to the gospel, or even to discover that we are followers of Christ. Our lives in the world should show it. Jesus says in Matthew 5:14 that we should be like a city that can be seen for miles because it is set on a hill. In the next verse He says that believers are like a lamp that should not be put under a basket but rather should be set on a lampstand so that it can light the entire house. Our faith should be visible to the world, not hidden away in a Sunday-school room, only to be brought out for an hour or two on Sunday.
We stand out from the world because Jesus has chosen us. In John 15:19 He tells His disciples, "I chose you out of the world." The verb in that statement is in the Greek middle voice, which gives it a reflexive meaning. Jesus is literally saying, "I chose you for myself." He has chosen us to be different. We are called not only to learn the Word of God and hide it in our hearts, but also to proclaim it to the ends of the earth, to live it out before a watching world, and thereby to be a living rebuke to those in love with sin. That is always costly.  John MacArthur, The Upper Room (The Woodlands, TX: Kress Biblical Resources, 2014) 201-202.
Your integrity—or lack thereof—is perhaps the loudest, clearest testimony to the true nature of your heart. You can say you believe anything, but the watching world knows whether it's true by how you live. This society is adept at spotting hypocrisy, and eager to find it in our midst.
Being in the world but not of it means we need to be living, breathing testimonies to God's transforming work through His Word. There needs to be a noticeable difference between us and the hell-bent world—one that draws sinners to the light of His Word.
But that's not possible if we aren't actually in the world. Too many believers allow their spiritual separation from the world to justify creating a physical barrier, withdrawing from society completely. But in the process of shutting out the influences of a wicked culture, zealous Christians forfeit their opportunities to be salt and light in that culture.
That kind of pious stiff arm won't bring anyone to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, total separation from the world isn't an accurate portrayal of our Lord, who crossed a much wider spiritual chasm to die on our behalf. In light of Christ's example, we must be willing to reach out to sinners with the good news of His life and sacrificial death.
However, too great a separation isn't the only pitfall for believers when it comes to being in the world but not of it. While many Christians cut off avenues of gospel ministry by pulling away from the world, many others tarnish the testimony of the gospel through their careless dalliances with the world.
Next time we'll consider how to be in the world without succumbing to its corrupting influence.


Poker may be a gold standard for casino players worldwide, but its video format also shares a venerable pedigree. Tracing its roots back to the 1970s, when video first started becoming more diffused and commercially viable as a platform, video poker games became as much of a fixture as other slot machines soon enough.
By and large, video poker games more or less replicate the poker experience in a way that allows players to engage with the basic dynamics of this card game.
There's one big difference between traditional table games of poker and video poker games. The former leans heavily towards chance, where human players battle for dominance of the game based on luck. On the other hand, with video poker games, players are pitted against an automated system – thus putting the onus on them and their gaming strategy to emerge triumphant against the computer-based system.
A historical anecdote concerning the legal parameters of gambling illustrates this difference beautifully. Back in the day, the US state of Missouri passed a law which stated that riverboats which found themselves within the perimeter of the state, were forbidden from allowing games of chance to be played on boats. This meant that slots were certainly out of the question, as they are clearly games of chance relying on randomisation. But video poker games made it through, as a convincing-enough case could be made for them as being primarily games of skill, not chance.
The online realm has also been kind to video poker, and PlayFrank is a proud purveyor of video poker online, particularly among UK enthusiasts. Let's take a deeper look at what's on offer for the eager video poker player.
To get it all going, the first step for players is for them to place their bets. This is done by picking the coin size, and number of coins. Click the 'Deal' button. Get ready to receive your first set of five cards. Players can peek at their cards to determine which ones they'd like to keep, and which ones they'd like to swap for other, more desirable variants.
Next, players need to click the 'Draw' button. New cards will be handed to the player to replace the ones that were given away, thus creating the player's final hand of video poker. This final hand is then put side-by-side with the payout table. At this point, the player finds out how whether or not they're a winner, and if so, by how much.
So, now that you know how to play video poker, why not try a game yourself? At PlayFrank, we make it easy for curious-but-hesitant players by offering a demo version of free video poker. But wait, maybe you'd like to keep reading to pick up some handy video poker strategies?
The phrase 'go big or go home' is certainly apt for many gaming scenarios, but when it comes to your video poker strategy, it gains an even more specific relevance. To wit – it's always good to bet the maximum number of coins allowable, because this places the player in the running for all of the top jackpots. This is logical in many ways, though some players shy away from it. But they shouldn't!
It's also worth mentioning that those hesitant to bet so high straight away have a workaround available to them – they can decrease their coin size. In practice, this means that instead of putting one 5 coin out there, they should bet five separate 1 coins, which would then make them eligible for the 800-to-1 payout.
PlayFrank – as a leader of online gaming, especially in the field of UK video poker, has 14 different video poker games in its stable. These come from a total of five different software providers, and can be played for free in demo mode before players are ready to take the plunge and play for real money.
Among these high-powered brands are the likes of Microgaming, IGT and Play'n Go, courtesy of which we've got Joker Poker 1 Hand and Jackpot Poker. Another gaming giant we're proud to work with is NetEnt, which brings us Jacks or Better Video Poker 1 Hand. Then there's Playson, who contribute Double Joker Poker.
Played with a single deck of 52 cards per hand and having no wild cards in the game, Jacks or Better Power Poker from Microgaming is a level up from the basic version of video poker. Giving players the exhilarating opportunity to play anything from 4 to 100 hands at a given time, players stand to be in the running to win a 4,000-coin jackpot. With added features like the Double or Nothing Bonus Round, this game is one jolt of true gambling energy.
An excellent starting game for those new to online video poker, Deuces and Joker from Microgaming adds a couple of twists to the traditional video poker formula. As the title suggests, two new cards are added to the standard deck. The Joker, which is a wild that behaves like any other card and helps you to secure winning hands. Then there's the Deuces, which are also wilds that considerably boost the player's chances of scoring a win. A lucky combination of both can lead to some substantial pay outs.
Fast-paced and promising some big wins for lucky players, Aces and Faces Poker by Microgaming allows players to shift from four to 100 poker hands at any given time, ensuring an exhilarating game of online video poker. Nabbing the Royal Flush means a 4,000 coin jackpot, which is no joke! Employing the basic rules of video poker with an added element of a hand of Jacks to enhance prospective payouts, this is an accessible game for all those with an online video poker itch to scratch.
As the title suggests, so shall it be. Tens or Better Power Poker from Microgaming pays out on hands picked from Tens or better – which makes for some great odds, whether you're a thrill-seeking, seasoned gamer or a more cautious player with an eye on the payout. The Royal Flush creates the potential of a 4,000-coin jackpot, too.
Aiming for an intriguing fusion between casino poker and video poker, Poker Pursuit is a dark horse of the Microgaming stable, having been around for quite some time. The way it works is that players are dealt three cards upon first placing their bet, and are then asked to either raise their bet or continue playing with their current bet. A slot machine experience of poker that is sure to appeal to more casual players.
Much like other Microgaming online video poker games, All Aces offers a solid base of video poker, with a something of a key twist. As ever, the clue is in the title, and the "all aces" aspect of the game has to do with the benefits the player gets upon scoring four aces. Securing this means a truly grand payoff for the player – second only to what they would get if they nab a Royal Flush.
An accessible online video poker game from Microgaming, Double Bonus Poker is sure to appeal to the more casual players. Played with a standard deck of 52 cards with no wild cards in sight, the game puts players in the running to win a maximum payout of 4,000!
Packed with a total of nine variations of video poker under one gaming roof, this title from IGT games sure brings to life the adage of "bang for your buck". A truly exciting take on the video poker experience, the game allows players to toggle between any the nine games, switching from one to the other at a whim. However, in all cases the players will be limited to precisely three hands at any given time, watching three different hands play out in front of them after they've chosen their first cards.
Another multi-hand favourite from the IGT stable, the Five Play Draw Poker multi-hand works much the same way as the Triple Play variant, only the player is dealt out a hand of five cards instead of three.
Boosting the multi-hand concept even further, this additional title from IGT also operates in a similar way... except the player gets not three, not five... but 10 hands to play at any given time!
To make matters even more handy and flexible, PlayFrank online casino has ensured that all of their video poker games can be played on a comprehensive range of mobile devices.
Players don't have to download any video poker app, or any other software, to gain access to our impressive catalogue of video poker games. All you need is an internet connection, a tablet or mobile device... and you're off!
We're sure that this overview of the world of video poker games online will have whet your appetite to actually try the game yourself. Whether you're a novice who'd want to test the ropes with a free demo first, or whether you're a seasoned player ready to plunge in and play for money, PlayFrank has got you sorted.
Our vast selection of video poker games is sure to have something that's up your alley. We look forward to welcoming you to our online casino.


You can be as specific as you want. The more specific, the better. PLease feel free to provide a short explanation or to elaborate a bit on your answer.
Moving this thread from MTC world to Religion, Philosophy & Personal Reflection where it is more appropriate. Thanks.
to be trusted..and be given the benefit of doubt..
waking up in the morning with nothing to do in particular is heavenly!
Party is LiFe! And it's better than the "facts of life"
BUt the best thing in life? It's being at home.
All things in this world is soooo amazing, the people, the culture, the nature, everything!
It sounds funny, it tickles me, but who cares?
Above all things? Finding the missing dimension in my life... "The Holy Ghost"
LIfe is complicated but fun!
The Best Things In Life is the act of creating more life..


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New web site provides free access to children's books online
From eSchool News staff and wire service reports
A new web site will make thousands of children's books from 100 different cultures available for free to internet-savvy kids around the world.
When it's completed in about five years, the International Children's Digital Library will hold about 10,000 books targeted at children ages 3 to 13.
Designed by the University of Maryland's Human-Computer Interaction Lab and the Internet Archive, a San Francisco-based nonprofit, the site's goal is to expand children's reading and learning skills while teaching them about other cultures.
"There are places in the world where you're going to find a computer way before you find a library or a book store," said project director Jane White.
A group of children played an important role in developing the web site, telling researchers what designs and icons appealed to them most. When some of the youngsters said they wanted to search for books based on how the stories make them feel, the designers responded, creating special indexes for funny or scary stories.
The site has colorful icons that allow even the youngest children to navigate without knowing what all the words mean. With the click of a mouse, kids can see the thumbnail-sized pages of a book unwind in a spiral or unfold like the panels of a comic book.
Seven-year-old Ben Hammer of Silver Spring, Md., one of the children who demonstrated the site at the Library of Congress, said he likes to look at the pictures of books even if he can't read all the text yet.
"It's more fun because you get to zoom through the books," he said. "And I like doing stuff on the computer."
Even more important for Jade Matthews, a nine-year-old from Bowie, Md., "the book is never checked out."
The site officially debuted Nov. 20 with 200 titles from more than 27 cultures in more than 15 different languages. Many of the titles are classics, like "Alice in Wonderland" and "Robinson Crusoe," that are no longer under copyright restriction. Some publishers—including Random House, Scholastic, and HarperCollins—have contributed a few newer works from their extensive collections.
"We've worked hard to ensure international cooperation," said White, noting that non-U.S. participants include the Finnish Institute for Children's Literature, National Library Board of Singapore, National Library of Croatia, Swiss Institute for Child and Youth Media, and Zimbabwe Book Council.
"Every book that is added to the International Children's Digital Library will be accessible by hundreds of millions of people around the world," said Brewster Kahle, digital librarian for the Internet Archive. "Universal access to all human knowledge and culture is within our grasp, and this library project is bringing publishers, librarians, and researchers together to make a system that works for children."
Access to the library initially requires a direct internet connection, such as a cable modem or digital subscriber line (DSL). Those connecting by phone modems will be able to access the site in summer 2003.
http://www.icdlbooks.org
http://www.archive.org
University of Maryland's Human-Computer Interaction Lab
http://www.cs.umd.edu/hcil
http://www.loc.gov


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Euthymius the Great
St. Euthymius the great: 17th c. painting on wood at Dionysiou Monastery, Mt. Athos
Our great and venerable father Euthymius (sometimes spelled Euthymios or Efthymios) was a monastic who lived in the latter fourth and the fifth centuries. The Church celebrates his feastday January 20.
Euthymius was born during the reign of king Gratian in 377 A.D. He came from Melitine in Armenia (now Makatya, Turkey), and was the son of pious and faithful parents called Paul and Dionysia.
Though Euthymius' mother was barren, his parents prayed fervently to God to grant them a child. Then they had a vision: they heard the voice of an angel who told them to be cheerful because with the child's birth every heresy was going to be abolished and universal peace was going to be granted to the Church of God. For this reason this saint was called Euthymius (meaning good cheer).
When the saint's father died, his mother offered him to Eutrojos, bishop of Melitine, by whom he was counted with the order of clerics. Because he was intelligent in his studies and surpassed all men in virtue and asceticism, he was forced to be ordained a priest and to look after the holy hermitages and monasteries. When he was twenty-nine years old, he went to Jerusalem and lived with St. Theoktistos in a cave on the mountain. While he was there, St. Euthymius liberated many men from the terrible chains of disease.
They also say that this saint fed four hundred men, who had come to the monastery, with very few loaves of bread. Moreover, not only did he break his mother's sterility through his birth, but also through prayer he made other childless women to be fruitful. He also opened the gates of Heaven, as great Elijah had done, bringing rain during a period of drought. Once a column of light, seen descending from Heaven by the by-standers while the saint was celebrating the bloodless sacrifice, made the internal brightness of divine Euthymius' soul known. This light shone over the saint until he completed the Liturgy. A further sign of the purity and chastity of the saint was that he could spiritually see the mood and the condition of those souls when they approached to receive the Eucharist.
Another story about St. Euthymius' clairvoyance involves a monk who was about to die. This monk outwardly appeared to be a prudent and moderate saint, but in his heart he was lecherous and intemperate because he allowed his labors to be sweetened with shameful thoughts. So, when this monk at the point of death, blessed Euthymius saw an angel taking the soul of that miserable monk by force, using a three-pronged spear. Immediately the saint also heard a voice revealing all the hidden and shameful thoughts of that dying monk.
When Euthymius was ninety-six years old (in A.D. 473), he departed to the Lord. He had established religious communities throughout Palestine.
Troparion (Tone 4)
Rejoice, O barren wilderness!
And be glad, sterile desert, that has never known the travail of birth!
The man of desires has multiplied your sons;
He has planted them in faith and piety.
He has watered them with the Holy Spirit:
They grow in self-denial and perfect virtue.
Through His intercessions, O Christ God, preserve Your people in peace!
Kontakion (Tone 8)
The wilderness rejoiced at your birth, holy father Euthymius.
In your memory, it brings a harvest of joy through your many miracles.
Pour these wonders on our souls as well and cleanse us from our sins,
That we may sing: Alleluia!
Lives of the Saints for the Whole Year by St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain (18th century) (primary source)
Our Holy Father Euthymius the Great - From "The Prologue from Ochrid", by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic
Euthymius the Great (The Ecole Glossary)
Euthymius the Great (catholic-forum.com)
St. Euthymius (Catholic Encyclopedia)
Saint Euthymius The Great -- Encyclopædia Britannica (subscription - free trial available)
Icon of St. Euthymius (OCA.org)
Venerable Euthymius the Great from OCA's web site.
Retrieved from "https://orthodoxwiki.org/index.php?title=Euthymius_the_Great&oldid=111737"
Byzantine Saints
5th-century saints
Categories > Church History
Categories > Liturgics > Feasts
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Categories > People > Saints > Saints by century > 5th-century saints


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Sharks at Predators Preview: Sharks look to start a streak
And will we see the newest Shark in the line up tonight?
By Erika Towne Feb 22, 2018, 7:00am PST
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Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Stop two on the latest road trip for the San Jose Sharks takes the team to Music City. San Jose will visit the Central Division leading Nashville Predators tonight. The last time these two teams played was back on November 1, when the Sharks beat the Preds 4-1. They have one more game in the season series, March 29 in Nashville.
San Jose enters tonight's game second in the Pacific Division with a 33-19-8 record. Nashville, meanwhile, is first in the Central Division with a 36-14-9 record.
San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks
Across the Bench: Second City Hockey
Puck Drop: 5:30 PT/8:30 ET, at United Center
Broadcast: NBCS-CA
Stream: NHL.tv / NHL App
Radio: 98.5 KFOX / NHL App / Sharks App
San Jose brings a three game win streak into Bridgestone Arena. The Sharks had a strong 3-2 win over a desperate St. Louis Blues team on Tuesday, enough to stay in the second spot in the Pacific.
The Predators have won their last two games, beating the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Tuesday. Viktor Arvidsson scored his 21st goal of the season in the game. Arvidsson has three goals in his last two games.
Will this be Eric Fehr's debut in a Sharks uniform?
In case you missed it, the Sharks traded their seventh round pick in 2020 to the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Eric Fehr. The veteran center played just four games, yes you read that right — four games, for the Leafs this season.
We won't go into it again here, but Fehr could be more of a hindrance than he is a help for the Sharks. If you're interested, you can read this write up on why San Jose may have been better off just keeping its seventh round pick.
Presumeably, Doug Wilson made the trade because he needs a depth center. We'll find out tonight if Fehr slots into the line up over the likes of Danny O'Regan or Barclay Goodrow and what impact he'll have for that line.
Will the streaks continue?
Mikkel Boedker has a four-game goal scoring streak on the line. Boedker has seven points in the last four games, including five goals. He's the hottest Shark on the ice right now and hopefully he'll stay that way. Boedker is getting power play time, which helps, but he's also scoring in 5-on-5 play.
Meanwhile, Marc-Edouard Vlasic has a five game assist streak on the line.
Will it be Martin Jones or Aaron Dell in net?
This is the back-to-back portion of the road trip which means we should see Dell one night and Jones the other. Jones has let in two or fewer goals in the last five games. Meanwhile, Dell has not played since February 10, when he backstopped a wild 6-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Playing armchair head coach, I want Jones to play tonight because I trust my number one to go head-to-head with the top team in the Central Division and come out on top. Plus, I know Dell is going to come out strong against the Chicago Blackhawks, a team that's currently in the Central Division cellar.
Bold Prediction: This is going to be a low scoring game. Whether it's Dell or Jones in net, he will be lights out. On the other end of the ice, count on Pekka Rinne to play just as well. I see a lots of amazing saves and very few goals in our immediate future.
We'll have the starting line ups and an open game thread an hour before puck drop. In the meantime, drop your own bold prediction below!