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January 19, 2010

History of Hydraulic Jacks

Filed under: Home Improvement — Tags: , — kuru @ 2:30 pm
Jeff Muchnik asked:




Hydraulic jacks are widely used all across the globe. They have a lot of relevance in the present era, as they have made an incredible contribution in making our life much more comfortable than it was before. These jacks have outweighed conventional ***** jacks that were in use at some point of time. They consist of two cylinders joined together. It works on the principle of Pascal’s law which suggests that when there is an increase in pressure at any point in a container of fluid, there is an equal increase in pressure at every other point in the container.

History

The origin of hydraulic jacks can be dated several years ago when Richard Dudgeon, the owner and inventor of hydraulic jacks, started a machine shop. In the year 1851, he was granted a patent for his hydraulic jack. In the year 1855, he literally amazed onlookers in New York when he drove from his abode to his place of work in a steam carriage. It produced a very weird noise that disturbed the horses and so its usage was limited to a single street. Richard made a claim that his invention had the power to carry near about 10 people on a single barrel of anthracite coal at a speed of 14 m.p.h. Dudgeon deserves a special credit for his innumerable inventions including the roller boiler tube expanders, filter press jacks, pulling jacks, heavy plate hydraulic hole punches and various kinds of lifting jacks.

Common Types

Floor Jacks: These jacks are primarily used to lift heavy equipments from the surface of the floor. It is more often used to change the tyres of vehicles. Floor jack is known by different names such as garage jack and car jack. Nowadays, you can find more powerful jacks in the market that use hydraulic power for maximum lift.

Hydraulic Bottle Jacks: Hydraulic bottle are versatile since they can be placed in tight spots and provides good leverage. They have a longer handle as compared to rest of the hydraulic jacks and push up against a lever that gives a lift to the main lift arm. With their use, it is possible to give a greater lift per stroke. They are extensively used in the construction of buildings and repairing the foundation of houses. It has also been found to be very useful in search and rescue operations.

Long Ram Jacks: In simple terms, it is a hydraulic jack with a long size ram. Its lever handle is quite easy to use. It is primarily used for performing various types of repairing work.

Shop Press jacks: They are of great use in press jobs where there arises a need to generate tremendous pressure with minimum effort.

Another popular form of jack that enjoys high demand in the market is the Porta Power Jack.

Foreign Crisis History Case Studies - Book Review

Filed under: Book Reviews — Tags: , — kuru @ 5:56 am
Lance Winslow asked:




Often, the American people are oblivious to the incredible foreign crisis that are constantly going on around the world. Right now for instance, we have a crisis in Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, and a good part of Central America. These things will very much affect the United States in the future. Mexico is also on the verge of economic and political collapse, and we can’t even imagine what will happen, if it takes place.

There is a crisis going on right now in Yemen with Saudi Arabia, and the Chinese wish to have their disputed territories annexed back into China, as well as taking back Taiwan and other areas. It seems like there is always a crisis going on in Africa, and we have all sorts of things going on behind the scenes with Chinese patriotic hackers hacking into US computer systems, the economic elites in Belgium trying to control the United States economic output and transfer wealth to themselves. And of course, we have the North Korean and Iranian nuclear proliferation crisis.

But before you get your hair in a tizzy, you might consider the Billy Joel song “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” and maybe you need to do a little bit of reading on Henry Kissinger’s essays, and I’d like to specifically recommend one of his books. It is a book that I have in my library along with several of his others, and the name of the book is;

“Crisis; the Economy of Two Major Foreign-Policy Crisis,” by Henry Kissinger

This book outlines from start to finish two very serious foreign-policy conundrums that turned to severe crisis. They include; Middle East War of 1973 and Indochina Crisis. I think if you read this book and look at all the behind-the-scenes details with diplomacy, military action, economic sanctions, etc. you will begin to understand how political impasse can lead to war. Having this understanding will make you a better voter, and realize the type of world we really live in. Please consider all this.

January 12, 2010

Secret Societies - An Insight Into History’s Clandestine Organizations

Filed under: Book Reviews — Tags: , — kuru @ 2:15 am
Will Baldwin asked:




Over the holidays I enjoyed reading Sylvia Browne’s newest book Secret Societies. For one who enjoyed the intrigue of The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, this book added insight to many of the questions raised in the novels. Sylvia acknowledges author Dan Brown for the thoroughness of his research, therein clarifying that many of the theories presented in the books have indeed more truth than fiction.

On our recent visit to the Louvre in Paris, our tour guide paused at the base of the inverted pyramid. He commented that “according to the Da Vinci Code, it was hinted that Mary Magdalene might in fact be buried here”. Fiction I’m sure, but pause for concern. In Secret Societies Sylvia does point out that Mary Magdalene was buried in France.

Three of the Societies mentioned in the book are of special interest. The first is the Skull and Crossbones, a prominent clandestine group of sorts that calls Yale University its home. Prominent members include both George W. Bush and John Kerry. Can you imagine those two sharing the “secret” handshake? Two other Societies of interest are the Freemasons and the Knights Templar, both which share histories back to biblical times.

The Freemasons were originally formed as a union to protect the job security rights of the stone masons during the period of the Roman Empire. As the influence of the Empire spread throughout Europe so did the influence of the Roman Catholic Church. And as Catholicism spread, so did the construction of many new cathedrals and churches.

The masons were employed to build the churches. Yet when construction could not keep pace with the ambitious schedule set forth by the Church, problems occurred. When the Church began to bring in additional masons from other countries to increase production, a standoff occurred. The newly formed union protected the territorial rights of the masons in this endeavor.

Today the Freemasons continue to exist worldwide as a fraternal organization with thousands of members. In the United States they’re more commonly known as the Shriners.

The Knights Templar came into prominence during the Middle Ages and existed as a mighty military force for more than two centuries. Templar Knights with their distinctive white mantels and red crosses were among the best fighting forces of the Crusades.

What I found interesting about the Knights is the fact that they were the essentially the world’s first bankers. Travelers would “bank” their cash with the Templar’s before traveling throughout the countryside. Upon completion of their journey, they would redeem their chit on the other end for cash. Their success here eventually led them into the loan business where they became quite wealthy. Even Kings borrowed from the Templar’s in times of need.

The Roman Catholic Church officially endorsed the Knights Templar and contributed greatly to their wealth. Secret Societies explain some of the theories as to how the Church contributed to their accumulated wealth.

By chance I caught a program recently on the Discovery Channel which highlighted much of the historical background of the Freemasons and Knights Templar. It was quite enlightening but did not include some of the explicit facts outlined in the book.

To agree with some of the statements or conclusions drawn by Sylvia you must first accept the concept of spirit guides. Sylvia Browne often quotes her spirit guide Francine as the source of some of the facts. Many of the conclusions stated are indeed controversial, but well worth consideration.

My wife and I have both studied the phenomena of spirit guides and the merits of their existence. It is all part of a bigger picture that is not only time related but supports the supposition that we have all gone through many lives before reaching the one where our souls now reside. For those with an open mind, this is interesting reading.

Secret Societies simply opened the door for me to learn more about many of the underground organizations that exist today or have existed throughout history. Interestingly many of the Societies share the same ambitions and goals, some of which we’re seeing come to fruition in Europe today. What began centuries ago may find its ultimate goal reached sometime in the future.

January 8, 2010

A Short History of the Verdelho Wine Grape

Filed under: Food And Drink — Tags: , — kuru @ 10:40 am
Peter Svans asked:




History

The earliest recorded planting of Verdelho is from Portugal in the 15th century. It was one of the most widely planted varieties on the island of Madeira till the 20th century. The island of Madeira is approximately 50 by 20 kilometres (30 by 12 miles) in size and is situated in the Atlantic 600 kilometres (370 miles) from the Moroccan coast at latitude of 33 degrees. The rainfall on the island is heavy because of its position in the Atlantic and its mountainous geography. Because of its latitudinal position, summers are hot and winters very warm. Land is at a premium, and vineyards are located on small terraces of the steep cliffs, rising from the water’s edge to some 914 metres (3 000 ft) above sea level in places.

Plantings began to diminish (due to Phylloxera and later market driven trends) until regional authorities became concerned they were losing a national treasure and took steps to revive the ‘noble variety’. The 1970’s saw Verdelho dwindle in its homeland and it was only the steps of dedicated wineries and individuals who brought it back from extinction.

The vines used are almost all grafts of the old vines onto American rootstocks. Prior to Phylloxera, Madeira had a great many grape vine varieties, but today there are mainly four: Malmsey, Sercial, Verdelho and Bual.

Verdelho first appears in Australia around 1820. John Macarthur (1767-1834), the great pioneer and publicist of the wool industry, with his sons James (1798-1867) and William (1800-1882) had toured France, Switzerland and northern Italy in 1815-16 with the express purpose of studying viticulture and collecting grape vines. They returned to Australia in 1817 ahead of their collection and in the 1820s established vineyards at Camden Park and near Penrith. Early plantings were unsuccessful and the Macarthur brothers nearly gave up, but when it became evident that much of their imported collection was spurious and that grape varieties and not soil types were the cause of failure they began to make progress.

Varieties grown include Pineau Gris, Frontignac, Gouais, Verdelho, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Grenache and Mataro. By the late 1820s from Verdelho and two varieties of Muscat they began to make a small quantity of good wine. 1824 was the first vintage at Camden Park. In 1824 Dr William Redfern (1774-1833) brought vinedressers and Verdelho cuttings from Madeira for his Campbell Fields estate. 1825 saw the Australian Agricultural Company import vines from the Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Chiswick, England, including the Verdelho. In 1912, Penfold’s Wines purchases ‘Minchinbury’. Over the subsequent years, Penfold’s expands the cellars to store in excess of 1.25 million bottles, as well as expanding the vineyards to over 400 acres. Varieties grown include Verdelho, Riesling, Cabernet Riesling, Pinot Noir, Hermitage, Traminer and Pinot Blanc.

Verdelho is also known as Verdello or Breval in Italy and Gouveio in parts of Portugal. By contrast, in 2001 Australia picked just over 10,000 tonnes of Verdelho.

Growing characteristics
Verdelho is a very sweet, hard, elliptic or oblong, greenish- yellowish fruit that grows in small to medium-sized (15-22 cm) bunches which are generally laterally compressed and dense and ripen to a golden hue. The Verdelho vine has a high and very vigorous stem with brownish or reddish-brownish shoots and short internodes. The leaves are of moderate size, round, wavy, with some hair above and hairy beneath but with indumentum (thick, woolly or hairy covering) not very dense and irregularly distributed, sometimes being almost absent on the whole leaf or part of it. It is a high yielding, early ripening variety.

Wine characteristics
Verdelho is mainly used to produce medium-sweet white wines, but that’s not all. Modern winemaking techniques such as controlled pellicular macerations or bâtonnage (the skins bubble together for 24 hours before the pressing) have unlocked some surprising characters from this grape. The resulting wines are aromatic, herbaceous revealing laurel leaf and fresh hay and citrus. They have a full middle palate and with good oak treatment, develop nutty characteristics normally only found in rich Chardonnays.

You can’t help talking about Madeira wines when talking about Verdelho. There are four basic types of Madeira with each named after the grape from which it’s made.
These are:
Sercial that was once thought to be the Riesling grape and makes the lightest and driest Madeira Verdelho makes a tangy medium-sweet wine, with somewhat more body Bual gives a definitely sweet style with baked, smoky complexity Malmsey offers a lusciously rich, sweet, and honeyed wine

January 2, 2010

Review: Voices of America: St. Petersburg An Oral History

Filed under: Book Reviews — Tags: , — kuru @ 6:06 am
Norm Goldman asked:




Compiled by Scott Taylor Hartzell

Publishers: Arcadia Publishing and imprint of Tempus Publishing Inc

ISBN: 0-7385-1425-X

Prior to 1888, St Petersburg, Florida was a tiny fishing village where deer, bear, raccoons, panthers, wildcats, gators and rattlesnakes roamed the area. Not exactly what we would imagine if we traveled to the sunshine city today.

In 1880 a Russian, Pyotr A. Dementyev, who later shortened his name to Peter Demens, established a lumber company in Florida and became the owner of the Orange Belt Railroad. Demens teamed up with the founding father of St. Petersburg, J.C. Williams and the pair brought the railroad to St. Petersburg in 1888. Henceforth, this tiny village was never the same, as it transformed itself into a thriving southern city.

Divided into three sections, The Dawn of St. Petersburg, The Glorious Boom and the Bust and Beyond, Scott Taylor Hartzell’s Voices of America: St. Petersburg An Oral History takes us on a journey where we meet many of the pioneers who contributed to making St. Petersburg as to what it is today.

The portraits of the many characters are fascinating, as we learn about such entrepreneurs as George S. Gandy who was instrumental in building the Gandy Bridge that extends over Tampa Bay.

There were the developers, who some described as half con-artists and half entrepreneurs, such as Eugene Elliott, who some believed could sell anything to anyone. It was he, who during the construction of the Gandy Bridge bought 3, 200 acres of land near the bridge on Weedon Island- most of which was underwater.

To increase the value of the land, Elliott planted Indian artifacts and other relics on his so called “Riviera” and tried to dupe the Smithsonian Institute into believing that these objects were authentic, however, the Institute did not fall prey to his shenanigans.

Included among this group was also C. Perry Snell, who in 1925 with a bankroll of $3 million announced his plans for his “Pearl of Pinellas,” eventually Snell Isle was completed but only after several ups and downs.

Others who we meet during our voyage into St. Petersburg’s history are Katherine Bell Tippetts, the City’s Queen, who was a writer, humanitarian, conservationist and civic leader, Jay B. Starkey (Starkey Road was named after him), the Pinellas Cowboy, the founder of Haslams book store, Charles Shepard Haslam, the Murphys, who are the city oral historians, Chester Lucius James Sr. who nurtured the black community like a father, and several other inventive entrepreneurs and socialites who were instrumental in contributing to the development and coming of age of St. Petersburg.

One of the methods of assembling, safeguarding and perceiving the history pertaining to a particular city is through recorded interviews with individuals who over time may have been forgotten or ignored. These folks very often fill in the details with their memories and voices as to who, what, where and why events occurred. It is their living life experiences that are vital in understanding the past and enabling us to have a broader perspective of events Voices of America: St. Petersburg An Oral History is the compilation of these voices that bring the past forward and giving us a more balanced view of history.

The above review was contributed by: Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures. CLICK TO VIEW more of Norm Goldman’s Reviews

January 1, 2010

A Review of "U.S. History Uncensored"

Filed under: Book Reviews — kuru @ 2:01 pm
Nick Adama asked:




Carolyn Baker’s book U.S. History Uncensored is designed as a supplement to the standard version of history offered by textbooks, college professors, and high school teachers. However, this does not mean that the material presented in the book should be considered tangential to the main themes of US history since the Civil War; to the contrary, Baker’s work presents a far more coherent view of the rise of corporate power at the expense of the individual, the emergence of the American Empire, and the most pressing issues facing the entire world today.

The work, though, is not even really a “book;” rather it is “a curriculum abstract for U.S. History, 1865 to the present,” and provides more of a framework for the student to consider Baker’s positions and do independent research on the various topics examined. In many of the 33 chapters, readers are encouraged to view documentaries, search out other books on the topic, or read supplementary articles presented directly in the text. Helpfully, Baker gives web addresses to locate many of these sources, many of which may not be offered at the local bookstore or movie rental.

Through the end of the Civil War, through the rise of the Robber Barons, the conferring of “personhood” on corporations, and the continuing transfer of wealth and power to large corporations and the government, the book looks at the most important events of recent American history and examines the influences behind the stories and popular myths, such as the Civil Rights movements, the xenophobia that began the eugenics movement and allied it with big business and public schooling, and various Cold War Issues.

The most important event of the time period Baker examines, though, is “1947 when the National Security Act was signed into law creating the Central Intelligence Agency and a black budget, which absolved the Agency from all accountability to Congress or the American people regarding its activities and expenditures.” This transferred public power and money to a secretive agency that has done much harm to Americans living in the US and American interest abroad. Some of the issues briefly examined include relationships with drugs, mind-control experiments on American citizens, and involvements in various assassinations and plots to overthrow governments.

While Baker traces the paths of American history from growing corporate power to increasing government involvement in the world and secret dealings at home and abroad, her main concerns are with the three most pressing issues facing the world right now, and an examination of these are what the book leads to in its final chapters. Without understanding how events and decisions have led to these newest unprecedented problems, there will be no effective reaction to solve them, and most citizens are unaware of the significance of the issues. According to Baker, the “Terminal Triangle of Peak Oil, Climate Change, and Global Economic Collapse” are “inexplicably ominous for our planet and its inhabitants – and absolutely unprecedented.” These chapters are some of the most important in the book, and various experts are quoted on each of the issues.

Just as important is the question of why these issues are not being dealt with the government or talked about in the media. But Baker presents these answers indirectly, for the most part, and the discussions of recent American history will provide readers with the map to be able to find the answers on their own. Large corporations benefiting from the Terminal Triangle, who own the media and operate the revolving door between business and government, have no reason to inform consumers of these issues. And this same government/business partnership also operate, fund, and present the national elections, making large-scale change unlikely.

After presenting such a dismal map with little reason to hope for change, Baker thankfully presents her views on how to work through the problems now facing America and the world. Focusing on local solutions and sustainability, Baker provides such recommendations as “not only must we move through our fear of the topic of money, we must come to understand how it works in our communities,” and “sustainability cannot be created in isolation. Crucial in one’s ‘options portfolio’ is a sense of community.” Thus, while there may be no hope in distant governments, which will continue to wage wars for the last remaining resources on planet Earth and take away more of the average citizen’s liberties in a “war for freedom,” change can occur more easily on the local level, and create a higher moral and spiritual standard of living for every citizen, instead of gross profits for a few abstract corporations and the central governments they control.

Baker’s book is recommended as an examination of both America’s past, from its rise after a devastating Civil War to become the largest empire in history, as well as its future. It also gives the reader an understanding of the likely course of future events, based on over one hundred years of history of the US government favoring corporate profits over civilians, other nations, and the planet in general. Most importantly of all, Baker gives readers a new perspective on hope as a tangible, controllable idea that can be enacted at a local level, instead of an abstract, dogmatic belief in a government that will promise to deliver hope but offer further loss of life and liberty for the majority of citizens it was originally designed to protect.

December 5, 2009

Catalina Island Hotel Guide

Filed under: Travel — Tags: , — kuru @ 5:09 pm
David H. Urmann asked:


Choosing which Catalina Island hotel to stay at can be difficult and time consuming. Through a Catalina Island hotel guide you’re able to read reviews about different hotels before you finalize on the most suitable hotel for you and your family.

Catalina Island Hotel Guide

Before finalizing on a hotel for your next Catalina Island vacation, don’t just take the word of the travel agent. It is best to read reviews about these hotels, check the amenities to see which is near which and after doing so, decide on the best Catalina Island hotel that suits your needs. Here are a few tips to help you through:

Outline your priorities

Start taking notes about different accommodation needs. Special accommodation needs for physically challenged guests and animal pet policies should be considered. As soon as you complete the list you may start prioritizing.

Cost of the accommodation

Most Catalina Island hotel accommodations have their own website where you can check updated hotel rates. You may opt to search hotels online based on your budget.

During off-peak season, tons of accommodation discounts are being provided. It is also cheaper to book your Catalina Island hotel on the main website.

Check the safety reviews

It is important to make a good background check on the hotel’s neighborhood. Catalina Island has very low crime rate so finding a hotel with safe neighborhood should not be a problem.

Know the services and facilities

Numerous Catalina Island hotels offer an online list of their amenities and services. It is also wise to check hotel reviews if you are in doubt.

Top Catalina Island Hotels

Zane Grey Pueblo - If you are looking for a hotel that offers great views then you should book your vacation in this hotel. It is located at 199 Chime South Tower Road Avalon, California. Zane Grey Pueblo Catalina Island hotel provides ocean- and mountain-view rooms.

Aurora Hotel - This hotel in Catalina Island offers the best value for your money. It may not be the cheapest hotel in Catalina Island but it can surely give you the quality service you paid for.

A few rooms offered in this hotel provide great views. Among its 18 rooms, some are guaranteed with balconies. Aside from the basic amenities each room is provided with free Wi-Fi access. One disadvantage of this hotel is that it does not have elevator, which would be very inconvenient for physically challenged guests.

Aurora Hotel is located at 137 Marilla Avenue Avalon California.

Pavilion Lodge - This is a family friendly Catalina Island hotel. It offers a combination of mid-century style and modern luxury furniture. Children 12 years and below are offered free accommodation provided they stay inside their parents’ room. Wheelchair accessible rooms are available in this Catalina Island hotel.

Avalon Hotel -This hotel in Catalina is uniquely designed with masterpiece artworks and hand crafted hardwoods. The hotel even won the Travelers’ Choice Award last 2008.

Avalon Hotel doesn’t have elevators for wheelchair bound guests. Aside from that, the hotel doesn’t have Wi-Fi Internet access. This means, doing work while you stay in this hotel is also impossible. Despite the lack of technology, this hotel is still highly recommended by many tourists - especially those who love the great outdoors and scuba diving.

Inn on Mt. Ada - This Inn provides very romantic views of Catalina Island. It is a big white house situated on top of a hill. It provides shuttle ride to pick you up and bring you back at the ferry terminal.

All 6 rooms of this Inn offer breathtaking views of the island. Each room is provided with a golf cart that can be used to move around the town and get back up the hill. The address of the hotel is 398 Wrigley Terrace Road Avalon, Catalina Island.



September 9, 2009

Basics for Planning a Mission Trip

Filed under: Christianity — Tags: , — kuru @ 3:05 pm
Darlene G. Snyder asked:


It’s final, after much prayer, you’ve decided to take youth from your church on a mission trip.  “Now,” you may ask, “what do I do next?”

The first item of business is prayer.  When deciding where to take your team, you must first realize there are hundreds if not thousands of opportunities for mission work. Pray, asking God to lead you to the place where your team can serve the best. 

The next step would be to set the date for your trip.  Most places are flexible enough to work with you on the trip date if you begin your planning soon enough. It is important to begin planning at least six to eight months prior to the date you choose.  Allowing this much time ensures the chances of scheduling the trip when it best suits your team.  You can plan a trip in less time, but I would advise against trying it.

Putting a team together is somewhat difficult.  Rules and guidelines should be in place well in advance of the trip.  Once you decide where you are going, the missionaries in that area will help you in deciding the dress code, expected rules of conduct etc.  You should have written, clear and defined guidelines for members to adhere.  Communicate your expectations to the team.

Most ministry areas have age or grade completion requirements.  Usually youth must have completed ninth grade to participate.  In addition to age requirement, you will need to consider your youth and the qualifications of the team. 

Age should not be the only qualifier.  The youth need to realize volunteering for missions is a huge commitment. It is important to schedule sign-up opportunities for around a month. During this time advertise and promote mission opportunities.  If at this point you already know where you are going, I do not recommend announcing the trip location. Those choosing to go should do so for the mere reason to serve. 

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

Now that you know the date and your team is in place, you should determine the type of work your team can do.  Is your team more of the service type?  Do they want to paint, clean, build or do some other service work?  Maybe they are a creative ministry team, or more of a sports camp team, or possibly a resort ministry team.  What exactly does your team want to do?

Once you determine the kind of ministries is best for your team, this is the time to visit the North American Mission Board website (namb.net).  You will find many opportunities depending on your team’s abilities.  Clicking on the Find Opportunities button will lead you to the bridge.

The Bridge is an excellent web tool on the North American Mission Board website (namb.net). Southern Baptist Missionaries across the United States who are seeking teams to help in their ministry, provide a list of their needs.  After registering, you will have the chance to review and select a project type. Narrow your choices by region.  At this point, you should decide how far you are willing to travel.

You will likely spend some time on the search for just the right place for your ministry.  All the while, continue in prayer, petitioning the Lord for guidance. This is when the fun really begins.  It is exciting when you receive contact from the missionaries-usually by e-mail, sometimes by telephone.  Deciding where to go becomes vexing at times but soon you will discover where God is leading you.

WHAT IS A PRE-PROJECT VISIT?

When you finally choose the location, the missionary in the area where your team will be traveling will likely set up a pre-project visit.  You will schedule a date to travel in advance of the mission trip to the project area.  The excitement and anxiety builds at this point.

The pre-project visit is a time for you to meet the missionary you will be working with as well as determining what you will be doing.  Tours of the area, work on your teams schedule and receiving many helpful tips on making the upcoming trip a success will likely be on the agenda.

While waiting to attend the pre-project visit, you and your team should begin to meet on a regular basis.  Bonding is a very important element of building your team.  Because you do not know exactly what you will be doing on the trip, now is the time to be working on spiritual growth through Bible studies.  This is also an excellent opportunity to begin working on witnessing skills.  There are many studies available to aid in teaching these skills.

Taking a video camera on your pre-project visit is very important.  You will not remember all of the information you will receive while there.  The video will be a great tool when returning home to plan for the trip. Showing the video to the team will increase the excitement as well as serve as a visual planning guide.

After the pre-project visit, intense preparation should begin.  If your team is to teach a Bible school or day camp, the planning for that begins at this point. Encourage team members to volunteer to teach VBS in your church if scheduled prior to your departure. I would rate this very high on the list of requirements especially if your team plans to teach while on the trip.  Teaching VBS will serve as a practice for your team and will help them be better prepared.

 If you are planning a work trip, your focus will be on gathering materials needed.  Whatever the plan, preparation is vital to the success of the trip.

Complete travel arrangements well in advance of the trip.  Who is driving?  Do you need to rent a van or a U-Haul? How many cars do you need once you are there?

Speaking of U-Haul, loading supplies and equipment the night before your scheduled departure will decrease the harried feeling sure to come in the morning. Have team members load all of their luggage, linens, pillows, cots or whatever they will need the night before also.  They can each bring one overnight bag the next morning for last minute items, makeup and such. The overnight bag will be especially important if your team will be staying in a motel prior to arriving on the mission field.  This will help keep you from digging through supplies to find luggage.

It is very important to involve the church in this trip.  Have members donate needed supplies or money to purchase the supplies.  Ask for prayer partners for your team members.  Church members can be praying for specific team members while they are away.  The prayer partners can be encouraged to give goodie bags to team members to take with them on the trip.  Daily notes of encouragement added to the goodie-bag are always a pleasant surprise for the individuals.

Encourage your pastor to have a commissioning service the Sunday prior to your leaving for the trip. When you return, hold a celebration service for your team.  They can report to the church the happenings of the trip. Show slides or video. 

Enjoy the trip. Be flexible and ready to make changes without notice.  One year when our team traveled from Kentucky to Georgia, about half way into our trip, I received a phone call from our missionary.  There had been some mix-up about where we would be staying.  Another team mistakenly scheduled to stay in the same church as our group refused to yield to changing to another location.  They adamantly voiced that the missionary was at fault for the conflict.

I could feel our missionary’s stress surging through the phone line and hear it in her voice.  After consulting with co-leaders, we decided to do what was necessary to make this situation work for everyone.  In other words, we chose to be flexible.

The proposed change included a hefty increase in the cost of our stay. Our missionary was worried about our reaction and apologized profusely.  I assured her we would make it work somehow.  As it turned out, we had a wonderful place to stay, the kitchen stocked with cooking utensils, could not have been better.  The gymnasium was air-conditioned and our youth loved the place. We felt truly blessed and we used the opportunity to teach our group through actions that trusting God is imperative.

Our team enjoyed staying there that week.  The following year when we returned to Georgia, we asked to stay in that particular church. 

Don’t allow setbacks and required changes to have a negative impact on your team.  Use every occasion to teach the team to trust Christ and wait upon Him to bring good out of the bad.  Remind your team they are there to do a job, sometimes they will have to make necessary adjustments.

Soon after returning home from your trip, you should begin praying and thinking about next year’s trip. In a few short months, it will be time to begin planning once again.

Going out on mission can be a rewarding experience for everyone involved.  For most of us, it is a life changing experience.  Our church (a medium sized country church) has taken a team of fifteen to twenty on average every year for the past eleven years. Sometimes our teams have been mostly youth other times mostly adults.  We have found God can use us no matter what age we are.

I am pleased at the profound effect it has had on our church and our members.  I would encourage every church to be actively involved in missions.  God will bless your efforts.

                                         



August 24, 2009

What Kind of Pensions Can I Choose From?

Filed under: Finance — Tags: , — kuru @ 1:23 pm
Gareth Flanagan asked:


tate pensions to SIPPs, there are pensions to suit every need - but what are they and which one is right for me?

With so many different and varied choices (and plenty of jargon to go with them), it’s a natural question to ask.

If you are considering contributing to a pension scheme, it’s important to understand the choices available to you, including; company pensions, the basic state pension, stakeholder pensions, personal pensions and SIPPs - self-invested personal pensions.

What are company pensions?

Any company that has over five employees must offer a company pension scheme - however the scheme on offer is determined by the company and might not suit your individual needs. For example, some employers will choose to contribute to the pension fund while others may not.

It’s worth checking out whether your company pension scheme is the best solution for your needs.

How does the basic state pension work?

Not everyone automatically qualifies for the full state pension - whether you do or not depends on how long you have been making National Insurance contributions and whether you have enough ‘qualifying years’. At present that stands at 39 years for women and 44 years for men respectively.

Either way, the current state pension is a little over £90 a week for a single person and around £145 for a couple - and there’s no guarantee that the rules will be the same when you reach retirement age. For most of us then, we will need to make additional provisions for our retirement through another pension scheme.

What are Stakeholder Pensions?

Stakeholder pension schemes were introduced by the government as an alternative for those who cannot access a company pension scheme. They also act as a low-cost alternative to personal pension schemes - offering lower minimum contributions than many personal pensions, the flexibility to change provider and restricted charges.

The trade off is that stakeholder pension schemes tend to offer fewer choices in terms of investment.

As with all pension schemes, there is a tax incentive to making regular contributions. At present, pension contributions attract tax relief at a rate of 20%. So as a basic rate tax payer, for every £80 you contribute to your pension, you end up with £100 in the fund.

What are personal pensions?

Personal pensions can be used as an alternative - or an addition to - a company pension scheme. They are more flexible than stakeholder pensions in terms of the kinds of investments available and attract the same tax incentives as stakeholder pensions and SIPPs..

What are SIPPs?

SIPPs are self-invested personal pensions. As the term ’self-invested’ implies, SIPPs allow you to invest in a wider range of potential investments (including things like commercial property, unit trusts and even art) whereas a personal pension will normally restrict you to a number of funds provided by your pension provider.

SIPPs allow you to take more control over how your pension fund is invested but will usually require some investment knowledge - so it’s certainly worth taking expert advice to see if SIPPs are right for you.

The right type of pension for you will be based on your own requirements, the amount you can invest and the amount of control you want to have over your investments within the pension fund.

Speak to your independent financial adviser about your options and they can offer the best pension advice and access to the best pension products available in the whole of the market.



July 17, 2009

Travel And Hotel Guide- Cheapest Flight Rates Offer Blog

Filed under: Flights — Tags: , — kuru @ 7:34 pm
Pinki Gupta asked:


Travel And Hotel Guide- Cheapest Flight Rates Offer Blog- Summer Holidays

Lower currency exchange rates are responsible seeing changes in summer travel plans for multitudinous British holidaymakers.Visit Here Now http://chittagong-guide.blogspot.com

The value of the euro is increasing, stage the value of Britain’s tremble is on the decline. This event is compelling the way people travel. A movement that used to be affordable has holidaymakers rethinking their plans because of the rising costs.The British pound is following repercussion the footsteps of the U.S. dollar. Compared to the euro, it is at an all-time low. While the dollar has dominated the market for nearly a century, the euro is coming to take its fix prerogative the next seven years. Analysts have predicted a bad year for the British pound, as well.A Troubled Economy

The British economy could be in trouble. The U.K. is facing the same issues as the U.S. thanks to low through financial again real estate trends. The real estate market in the U.K. is down, also it is getting increasingly problematic for middle-class people to buy a home.The declining housing market is finest banks to stop writing mortgages altogether. If this happens across the board, it will put a freeze on the buying and selling of homes in the U.K.What the Falling Pound Means for British Holidaymakers

The emolument of travelling is rising for British holidaymakers as their chief is losing value in the pandemic market. Changes in the tenor of the dollar again the euro admit limited people’s chances of travelling on holiday.Many in the U.K. are addicted to taking many holidays throughout the year. However, the declining concern of their money is putting border on where they incumbency research and how often. People may correspond to forced to change their festival travel plans being certain is getting additional expensive to dig into agency the eurozone.A popular circus destination due to British travelers has been Majorca, Spain.The island of Majorca is a peaceful place for holidaymakers to heaven for a relaxing vacation filled with boisterous monopoly the sun.The British are fond of taking trips to Mallorca - again recognized as Majorca - because legitimate is a relatively inexpensive holiday but changes in the value of the pound also the euro have made it less affordable.However, there restful are a enclose of affordable options through travellers who crave to experience all the adventure again beauty of Mallorca and stay access one of the relevant hotels dominion MallorcaOne option is to provide a good liveliness on the presentation end. Booking airfare also the hotel at the same time can grip money. These packages advance good resources because buying them separately. Last-minute again

all-inclusive deals are other options over saving capital on hotels and holidays in Mallorca.There is further the option of taking a shorter escape to Mallorca. Book a bag of deserved a few days to relax and rejuvenate in the island sun.Holidaymakers also can shift their heart from spending extra money on activities and high-end dinners to simply enjoying the breathtaking charm and sweeping vistas or relaxing on the beach.Fewer Americans Travel to Europe

Just whereas British holidaymakers accept to conclude their summer travel plans, Americans are also changing their travel plans because of the rising euro.The dollar also is doing weak against the euro. The changes clout currency values are manufacture it just as challenging in that Americans as it is for the British to travel to contrasting areas of Europe. Visit Here Now http://chittagong-guide.blogspot.com



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