The Barna Research Group revealed in a recent research titled, "Teen Roles Model: Who They Are, Why The Matter, (January 2011), unearthed a reality that shouldn't surprise us. The initial question probed the teens to identify the person with whom they admire the most, other than their parents. The first question postulated was 'who' which was followed by another equally probing question, 'why.' Regarding the 'who'--the majority cited relations such as grandparents, sister, brother, cousins, aunts, and uncles (37%), followed by teachers and coaches (11%), friends (9%), and pastors/religious leaders (6%). The 'why' indicated the reasons for the answers, or why they named a particular role-model. According to the study, 26% stated that the most common rationale highlighted by the teens included traits such as caring about others, loving, polite, and being fun. Additionally, the 'why' also found that 11% cited encouragement as a vital contributing factor, along with helping them to accomplish their goals (13%), overcome adversity (9%), hard worker (7%), maintain strong faith (6%). (http://www.barna.org/) The interesting revelation from this study is simply a recognition of a known fact: Despite our varied backgrounds, or differences in how we interpret, translate, approach different things in life, the one thing that we can agree on is that at the heart of man, is a yearning for relationships. The study did show that the majority of teens pointed to people they most admire and were likely to emulate, are those whom they were able to maintain contact with, or personal connection. This revelation emphatically sustains the point that are relational beings despite what we may think. And if we cannot perpetuate a desire for relationships, we simply cannot expect to be in the midst of relationship minded folks. And when that materializes, how do we expect to connect with anyone? List to Paul, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, we are have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:7-10) So then, if we sow a sincere and deep desire for relationships, despite everything to the contrary, we reap closer connections, as the study revealed. So, let's perpetuate relationship building, because it may the last thread holding man together from disintegrating in this chaotic world of 'me, me, me' pursuits. Let's sow that which pleases the Lord, it makes for a super fun harvest.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
How 'bout 'em relationships
The Barna Research Group revealed in a recent research titled, "Teen Roles Model: Who They Are, Why The Matter, (January 2011), unearthed a reality that shouldn't surprise us. The initial question probed the teens to identify the person with whom they admire the most, other than their parents. The first question postulated was 'who' which was followed by another equally probing question, 'why.' Regarding the 'who'--the majority cited relations such as grandparents, sister, brother, cousins, aunts, and uncles (37%), followed by teachers and coaches (11%), friends (9%), and pastors/religious leaders (6%). The 'why' indicated the reasons for the answers, or why they named a particular role-model. According to the study, 26% stated that the most common rationale highlighted by the teens included traits such as caring about others, loving, polite, and being fun. Additionally, the 'why' also found that 11% cited encouragement as a vital contributing factor, along with helping them to accomplish their goals (13%), overcome adversity (9%), hard worker (7%), maintain strong faith (6%). (http://www.barna.org/) The interesting revelation from this study is simply a recognition of a known fact: Despite our varied backgrounds, or differences in how we interpret, translate, approach different things in life, the one thing that we can agree on is that at the heart of man, is a yearning for relationships. The study did show that the majority of teens pointed to people they most admire and were likely to emulate, are those whom they were able to maintain contact with, or personal connection. This revelation emphatically sustains the point that are relational beings despite what we may think. And if we cannot perpetuate a desire for relationships, we simply cannot expect to be in the midst of relationship minded folks. And when that materializes, how do we expect to connect with anyone? List to Paul, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, we are have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:7-10) So then, if we sow a sincere and deep desire for relationships, despite everything to the contrary, we reap closer connections, as the study revealed. So, let's perpetuate relationship building, because it may the last thread holding man together from disintegrating in this chaotic world of 'me, me, me' pursuits. Let's sow that which pleases the Lord, it makes for a super fun harvest.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Gas Effect
I'm sure you've noticed the steady rise in gas prices of late. And you are probably aware of the many reasons 'why' prices fall and rise, although the latter seems to be the standard of late. At any rate, I came across an article this week that seems to explain some of the intricate details of what determines the prices of gasoline/oil and I thought I'd share with you.
"Gas prices rise when oil prices rise, and fall when oil prices fall--except when they don't. What you pay at your gas station depends on an array of factors, from what happens on an exchange in New York to what the competition is charging...Unlike an iPhone or a pair of jeans or a Big Mac, oil and gas are commodities, and their prices can change every second at the New York Mercantile Exchange and other trading hubs, Those far-off changes affect the cost of the next day's commute...Sellers of commodities, like gas station owners and refineries, price their product based not on what it costs to produce it, but on what it costs to replace it...Oil prices can be moved by geopolitics, the value of the dollar, extreme weather or Chinese [and Indian] demands[s]. Gas prices can be moved by oil prices, refinery problems or even weather that might keep drivers at home." (By Jonathan Fahey, AP Energy Writer)
Additionally, federal and state taxes also contribute to the cost of the gasoline that is purchase at pump. However, there is another factor to add to long list itemised by Fahey in his account (he may have implied it somewhere, but nevertheless, it was not revealed explicitly) and that is fear. The reason prices rise and fall is because of fear powered by uncertainty. And whenever you exchange/sell/trade a commodity like oil, there is much uncertainty involved. The bottom line is this; fear of the unknown invariably drives the prices up or down. May I propose to you something that you and I can be certain of in a world driven almost exclusively by fear, and that is LOVE.
According to John, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18). How profound. How marvelous. How amazing. We unfortunately have little to no control over the uncertainties with oil/gas prices and the fluctuations therein. We can't control the fear that cripples traders' trading at New York's Mercantile Exchange. But we do control one thing, and this one thing is so much more than oil or any other commodity or product. This one, when it is not handled shared and exchanged with care, it could spell the end of mankind. What is it? It is love. Praise God. Love is the real 'effect.'
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