The Trigger

“The sinkhole was always there. It was just waiting for something to trigger it. “(Paul Pilny)

Sinkholes are pits in the ground that form in areas where water gathers without external drainage. They range in size from 3.3 feet to 2,000 feet in diameter and in depth, and most are the result of erosion, removal of rock by water, collapse of rock, decreasing water table, or even human activity such as mining, water main breaks, sewer pipe collapses, and over-pumping of groundwater.

Sinkholes can be natural or manmade. Natural sinkholes occur due to erosion or underground water. They start developing a long time before sinkholes appear. The ground beneath our feet is not as much of a solid structure as we think it is. The ground is made from dirt, along with many rocks and minerals. There is water continually seeping in between the mud, rocks, and minerals as it makes its way down to the ground water reservoirs.

"Cover-collapse" sinkholes occur when groundwater causes underground gaps that grow so big the ground above can’t support them. These can be dramatic events, since the holes can grow big enough to swallow a house, a road, a field or a swimming pool, even as those above ground go about their lives completely oblivious to the growing danger. There are two other kinds: "solution" and "subsidence" sinkholes, which don't make the nightly news. That's because the changes to the topography happen slowly over time without catastrophic results.

Some civilizations have used sink holes as waste disposal sites and human sacrifices pits, and uses such as these can result in contaminated water. Some sink holes that are water-filled are popular with cave divers. Sinkholes can be referred to as sinkholes, black holes, blue holes, cenotes, Sotanos, Tiankengs, and Tomo.

In 2010 one of the most devastating sinkholes in recent times hit Guatemala City. An area approximately 65ft wide and 100ft deep collapsed, swallowing a three-story factory and killing 15 people. The sinkhole was caused by a number of factors including an influx of water from Tropical Storm Agatha and leakage from a local sewerage pipe.

On February 12, 2014, a sinkhole some 40ft wide and 20ft deep opened under the floor of the Skydome area of the National Corvette Museum causing a portion of the floor to collapse. Eight rare and one-of-a-kind Corvettes, portions of the display stands and rails, large concrete floor slabs and dirt fell into the sinkhole, causing serious damage to some of the Corvettes. The Corvettes involved have an estimated value of a million dollars.

The entire state of Florida is prone to sinkholes since it sits on top of a layer of limestone rock known as karst, which can be dissolved by acidic groundwater, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), other vulnerable states include Texas, Kentucky, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. (Sinkholes happen all over the world.)

“Every day, it seems, a new extreme weather catastrophe happens somewhere in America, and the medias all over it, profiling the ordinary folks wiped out by forest fires, droughts, floods, massive sinkholes, tornadoes.” (Jane Velez-Mitchell)[i]

A Sinkhole

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[i] Sources used:

·        “Five facts about sinkholes” by Claudine Zap

·        “Sinkhole Facts” by SoftSchools.com

·                “Sinkhole Questions” by Weather Wiz Kids

This post was inspired by the Netflix  series, Horror Homes.

 

Silenced

“If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” (Vincent Van Gogh)

Paint-by-Number kits were first developed in 1950 by Max S. Klein, an engineer at and owner of the Palmer Paint Company in Michigan. In March 1951, shoppers of all ages descended on Macy’s in New York City’s Herald Square. Palmer Paint introduced the Craft Master brand which sold over 12 million kits. Paint-by-Number kits have sections with different numbers showing which colors should be used to paint them in. They allow you to develop your creativity by yourself.  

In March 1951, shoppers of all ages descended on Macy’s in New York City’s Herald Square. Eager customers packed in for a glimpse of the first in-store demonstration of a new craft project called Paint-by-Number. They swarmed the demonstrators and bought multiple sets without hesitation. Anyone present could see that the kit had mass appeal. There was just one problem. The customers were mostly actors. The creators of the phenomenon would never know for sure. The rush on Macy’s was part of one of the most brilliant publicity stunts in the history of art or business.

When Dan Robbins, the thirteenth employee of Detroit-based Palmer Paint Co., read that Leonardo da Vinci taught his apprentices the basics of painting by using numbered patterns on a canvas, he suspected the idea might have wider appeal. So he worked to put out a new product that would delight aspiring artists of all ages. Paint-by-Number isn’t just a fun pastime. It is also one rich with benefits. A few include…

·        Decreased stress —A stylish way for adults to lower stress is by coloring. Could it be that Painting-by-Number would have the same effects as coloring? Adult coloring generates wellness, quietness, and stimulates brain areas related to motor skills, the senses, and creativity. Like coloring, Painting-by-Number requires a good bit of focus, stirs creativity, and calms the senses.

·        Encourages other artistic endeavors — It’s possible that some artists started out Painting-by-Number. Maybe Paint-by-Number was their first-ever experience with art. This painting technique could reveal a love for art that you were previously unaware of. Don’t be surprised if Painting-by-Number leads to engaging in more serious artistic endeavors. At the very least, it will be fun and offer you a creative outlet.

·         Increased hand-eye coordination —This is important because developing hand-eye coordination may result in better reaction times as well as enhanced agility and athleticism. It may also improve your typing skills, which can help you become more productive at work.

The beauty of painting-by-number is that one doesn’t have to be an artist, or even be artistic, to make the system work. When executed as the directions command, a beautiful piece of art will result. A love for art and a somewhat steady hand are the only prerequisites to Painting-by-Number successfully. Here are a few tips to make your lovely creation outstanding:

·        Before you begin, clear a flat area. Have a cup of water and paper towel handy to clean brushes.

·        Clean brushes when they start to get unusable. Make sure the tops are completely closed when you’re done with them to prevent drying.

·        Try working from top to bottom.

·        Paint with the lightest or darkest colors first. ThoughtCo stated, “Start with either the darkest color or end with the lightest or the other way around, leaving any segments that have a mixed color (double number) till last. The reason I recommend doing the colors in sequence from dark to light (or the other way around) is that this helps you learn a little about the tone and chroma of colors.”

·        If you don’t want to work with the brushes Paint-by-Number kits come with, you may want to buy your own at a craft store. In particular, you may want to have a larger brush on hand not just the very small ones offered in the kits.  

·        Some canvases come wrinkled. Spray a light mist of water on the canvas and iron on a low setting on the back side to press out any wrinkles before you begin painting.

·        Paint with just one color at a time, beginning with the largest areas meant for the color.

·        “You’ll notice some shapes have two numbers in them not just one,” stated ThoughtCo. “This indicates that you need to mix two colors together. Equal proportions should give you a suitable color, but don’t dip your brush from one paint container into the next as you’ll contaminate the colors.”

“The minute there's a map, there is no art. Paint by numbers is not art. Paint by numbers is a mechanical activity.” (Seth Godin)[i]

Paint=-by-Number kit

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[i] Sources used:

·        “Everything You Need to Know About Paint-by-Number” by Jessica 0 Comments

·        “Paint-by-numbers” by Oxford Dictionaries

·        “The 11 Reasons Why People Are Going Crazy Over Paint by Numbers Kits” by Anza San Francisco

·     “The History of Paint-by-Numbers” BY Zac Bissonette

 

Unimportant

“I’m not important. Everyone will do just fine without me.” (Anonymous)

There are many things in this world that attack someone’s self-esteem and sense of worth. Many teenagers and young adults are locked in their own personal jail of self-loathing. They desperately wanting to escape, but are unsure they can. So why do people hate themselves? Many people said it was their appearance, not feeling loved, and failing at a relationship. Caroline described her self-hate like this: “For a while I hated myself because I thought I wasn’t good enough to be in this world. I thought I was ugly, stupid, and weird. I wished I could have been someone else.”

Self-hate is a dark, black hole in our soul that can be easy to fall into, but difficult to get out of. It takes a real effort to turn negative self-defeating thoughts into positive life-changing ones.  Cody wrote: “I’ve found that sometimes our greatest enemy is ourselves. And the way we think can hurt worse than any words. And when left with nothing but your own thoughts, and if those thoughts are negative, self hate is born.”  Below are eight things to try in building up your self-respect:

1.   Be Friendly. Friendly people are never miserable people. Brightening someone’s day by being nice, will make you feel better about yourself.

2.   Be responsible. Do the things you need to do. Perhaps this seems too basic, but it’s important. Take care of yourself. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, dress nicely, eat what is good for you, etc. Don’t be lazy in these little things. Just doing the responsible thing such as showing up to work on time will cause your self-respect to skyrocket

3.   Control your emotions. Learning how to handle your emotions so you don’t cause yourself more regrets and more reasons to dislike yourself is key. When we let our anger, hanger, hurt, jealousy, self-pity out in an uncontrolled way, it only causes us to embarrass ourselves, destroy relationships, and leads to low self-respect.

4.   Don’t let anybody force you to be or do anything you don’t want to do or be. There is an old saying that says, “To you, always be true.” This doesn’t mean be selfish. It means not letting other people tell you what to do or think or to push you around. What you think is important and worth listening to and learning to stand up for what you believe will increase your self-esteem.

5.   Don’t lie. When you continually tell the truth, you give yourself the priceless gift of a clear conscience.

6.   Don’t violate your own moral codes. If you have a moral values that are important to you stick to them. Many people who have violated their own moral codes feel so guilty that they hate themselves for it. If you have violated your standards, you will need to forgive yourself and move forward with new commitment.

7. Hang around encouraging people. Hanging around negative people who make you feel like you are never “good” enough either by what they say or how they act is damaging to anyone’s self-esteem.

8.   Increase your knowledge. Develop interests and passions. Find a hobby. Learn as much as you can. Learning about things going on in the world around you will help you speak intelligently to a wide variety of people you meet. As you explore all the different opportunities this world has to offer, you will learn more about what you personally have to offer back to the people around you.

CONFESSION: “I don’t know if I’m getting better, or [just] used to the pain.”[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·    “7 Signs That Someone Hates Themselves” by Megan E. Holstein

·        “Why Do People Hate Themselves?”by Dawson McAllister

 

Paparazzi

“Camera phones threaten to turn everyone into amateur paparazzi. We are witnessing our personal space shrink because of the way technology is being used.” (Daniel J. Solove)

Do you work in an open cubicle? Does someone in a nearby cube talk too loudly on their phone, or talk to you nonstop? Are you (or do you know) a college student who could be in danger of sexual harassment violations? Do you have a roommate (a child or sibling) who “borrows” your clothes without asking, and returns them damaged (or not at all)? Do you have a neighbor who plays loud music late at night or mows the lawn early in the morning, or whose dog keeps digging up your flower garden or using your front yard as his toilet?

If any of these sound familiar, then you, like many other people all over the world, may be dealing with a need to protect your personal space. The term “personal space” generally refers to the physical distance between two people in a social, family, or work environment. Think of your personal space as the air between your body and an invisible shield, or bubble, you have formed around yourself for any relationship.

The distance between you and your comfort zone may vary from one person to another depending on your relationship to that person, and how much you trust him or her. In order to put others at ease, it's important to understand the importance of personal space. The general rules below may vary according to one’s culture, but they are here as a guideline for social etiquette:

·        Acknowledge personal space on the road. Don’t tailgate when driving.

·        Don’t allow your dog to go to the bathroom on someone else’s property.

·        Don’t cut in front of people in line.

·        Don’t enter a room without knocking first.

·        Don’t fling your arm around someone’s shoulder or slap anyone on the back unless you know the person very well.

·        Don’t reach for anyone else’s children regardless of your intentions.

·        If you walk into an auditorium or theater that isn’t crowded, leave an extra seat between you and the next person. However, it is acceptable to sit next to someone if the room is crowded.

·        Never go through anyone else’s personal belongings.

·        Never lean over someone else’s shoulder to read something unless invited.

·        Never touch anyone you don’t know.

·        Stand at least 4 feet away from a person unless you know him or her well.

·        When someone leans away from you, you are probably in that person’s space that makes him or her uncomfortable. Take a step back.

Observing boundaries in the office is important to maintaining professionalism. After working with people for years and getting to know them, these lines may have become blurred. Be aware of other people's reactions, and if they seem uncomfortable, add more space between you. Here are work guidelines that may help:

·         Avoid hugging or other familiar gestures.

·         Be aware of company policies regarding relationships with coworkers.

·         Don’t assume your relationship with a coworker or supervisor is personal.

·         Only step into someone’s workspace if you know you are welcome. Be respectful if you sense the person is busy.

·         Save personal conversations for the lunch break or after hours.

When someone gets uncomfortably close to you, there are several things you can do. Keep in mind that being direct may hurt the other person’s feelings so before speaking your mind determine whether or not the issue is worth bringing up. Here are some ways to deal with personal space intrusion:

·         Accept it.

·         Come right out and say you are uncomfortable being so close.

·         Explain why you need more space.

·         Lean away from the person or take a step back hoping he or she will take the hint.

“Small towns are sometimes like that; familiarity runs high, while regard for personal space is low if nonexistent.” (Laurie Notaro) [i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “5 Ways to Protect Your Personal Space” by F. Diane Barth

·        “Etiquette Rules of Defining Personal Space” by Debby Mayne

 

Impeded

“Easter is incomplete; Pentecost is impeded; and The Second Coming is impossible without The Ascension” (Anonymous)

⁵⁰ Jesus led his followers out of Jerusalem almost to Bethany. He raised his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ While He was blessing them, He was separated from them and carried into Heaven. ⁵² They worshiped Him and then went back to the city very happy. ⁵³ They stayed in the temple all the time, praising God. (Luke 24:50-53, ICB)

How does the ascension of Jesus lead us to praise Him joyfully?

1.   We know that Jesus reigns as King over everything

²² Now Jesus has gone into Heaven and is at God’s right side. He rules over angels, authorities, and powers. (1 Peter 3:22, ICB)

2.   We have an Advocate in Heaven.

My dear children, I write this letter to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have Jesus Christ to help us. He is the Righteous One. He defends us before God the Father. (1 John 2:1, ICB)

3.   We have the Spirit Advocate here on earth whose presence is limitless.

⁷ But I tell you the truth. It is better for you that I go away. When I go away I will send the Helper^] to you. If I do not go away, then the Helper will not come.  (John 16:7 ICB)

4.   We are empowered for our mission.

⁸ But the Holy Spirit will come to you. Then you will receive power. You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world. (Acts 1:8, ICB)

5.   We live in hope for His return.

⁹ After He said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up. A cloud hid Him from their sight. ¹⁰ As He was going, they were looking into the sky. Suddenly, two men wearing white clothes stood beside them. ¹¹ They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking into the sky? You saw Jesus taken away from you into Heaven. He will come back in the same way you saw Him go.” (Acts 1:9-11, ICB)

“Jesus' epic work through his sinless life, atoning death, resurrection, and ascension, and the sending of the Spirit, was so that God could have an ethnically diverse family of Jews and Gentiles.” (Derwin L. Gray) [i]

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[i] Inspired by the sermon “Conclusions: Taken” (installment one) Sunday February 17, 2019, Pastor Dave Jansen, CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH.

Submission

 ^“Listen to your leaders and submit to their authority over the community, for they are on constant watch to protect your souls and someday they must give account. Give them reason to be joyful and not to regret their duty, for that will be of no good to you.” (Hebrews 13:17, VOICE)

Many church attendees don’t know that an elder and a deacon are two different persons in the church. Many assume that they are the same or that the difference between them is not that significant. It must be recognized that these two offices were specifically designated by God because His church is to be managed by different individuals with different abilities.

DEACONS/DEACONNESSES

Our English word deacon comes from the Greek diakonos meaning “servant,” The qualifications for a deacon is given in 1Timothy 3:8–13. Some of the duties that deacons might be responsible for in the church today include:

·        Benevolence: Similar to what took place in Acts 6:1–6 with the daily distribution to the widows; the deacons may be involved in administrating funds or other assistance to the needy.

·        Facilities: The deacons could be responsible for managing the church property. This would include making sure the place of worship is prepared for the worship service, cleaning up, or running the sound system.

·        Finances: While the elders should probably oversee the financial business of the church (Acts 11:30), it may be best left to the deacons to handle the day-to-day matters. This would include collecting and counting the offering, and keeping records.

·        Logistics: Deacons should be available to help in variety of ways so that the elders are able to concentrate on teaching and shepherding the church.

·        Ushers: The deacons could be responsible for distributing bulletins, seating the congregation, or preparing the elements for communion.

ELDERS

 Shepherding God’s Flock (Like Jesus Did) by:

·        Leading- Courageous leadership might involve reaching out to a frustrated member who’s stopped attending, or confronting an unrepentant member through church discipline. Or it could mean wrestling through staffing strategies, budget challenges, or important policies that affect the spiritual identity of the congregation. (Hebrews 13:17)

·        Modeling- The mandate to model maturity carries two critical implications. First, modeling means you must guard your godliness: Open your life to the loving accountability of the other elders. This leads to a second implication. Modeling requires elders to be among the people. It only works if people see you up close. So open your life to church members. Invite them into your home, your hobbies, and your ministry. People need a firsthand experience of how you handle stress, relate to your wife, respond to difficult people, and humbly admit when you blow it. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

·        Praying- Strive to be a man of prayer. Build regular prayer into your daily rhythms. Pray over your church’s membership rolls during the commute or while you’re walking the dog. Carve out time as an elder board for concerted prayer. And when you’re talking to a church member, be sure to stop and pray for her right then and there. “So we can maintain our focus on praying and serving (not meals) but the message. “(Acts 6:4, VOICE)

·        Teaching- If you’re an elder, find venues for teaching the Bible regularly. Teach a Sunday school class, lead a home group, give a lesson to the youth group, or study Scripture with a member over coffee. And if you’re offered a chance to preach, take it. (“This is a trustworthy saying: The one who would an elder be, a noble task desires he. ² Therefore, an elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife,^[b] stable, sensible, respectable, hospitable to strangers, and teachable.^{[c] 3} He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but instead be gentle. He must not be argumentative or love money.” (1 Timothy 3:1-3, ISV)

 

⁸ The same standards apply to deacons: they should be dignified. Double-talking hypocrites, heavy drinkers, and those greedy for ill-gotten gain should not be considered. ⁹ They should be people who hold tight to the great mystery of faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ Put these deacon-candidates to the test first; and if they come through without stumbling, then send them out to serve. ¹¹ Again the same applies to women in key positions; they should also be dignified, not backstabbing gossips but self-controlled and faithful to the core. ¹² Now deacons should live faithfully as the husband of one wife and be in control of their households, including their children. ¹³ Those deacons who serve well will achieve a good standing for themselves in the community and have great confidence to walk in the faith that is in Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King. (1Timothy 3:8-13, VOICE)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “A Job Description for Lay Elders” by Jeramie Rinne

·        “Difference between Deacons and Elders” by Difference Between.net

·        “Is there a difference in the qualifications of elders and deacons?” by Bible.org

·        “The Biblical Qualifications and Responsibilities of Deacons” by Benjamin Merkle

·        “What Is the Difference between Elders and Deacons?” by Jack Wellman

 

This post is dedicated to all the elders, deacons, and deaconesses that keep all our churches running smoothly.