Prayer Important Spiritual Discipline Theology Religion Essay

Prayer Important Spiritual Discipline Theology Religion Essay Historically, a praying church has been a spirit-filled and consistently growing church. An example of such a church is found in Acts 2. It is stated in verse 42: They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of break and the prayers. The people that this verse is talking about are the new converts, ; the three thousand added. Through prayer the apostles asked for the entire house of Israel to know that God has made Jesus Christ Lord and Messiah, and because of this, three thousand converts were added to the group of apostles. The new converts did not pray for a few minutes a day, they devoted themselves to prayer and to being taught by the apostles. Many churches in the postmodern era wonder why they are not growing in congregation members, and the truth is because they simply are not asking God for it. It says in Gods Word, You do not have, because you do not ask (James 4.2). The church is not growing because it is neglecting the holy communion wi th the Lord.  [3]   Matice 2 From Christ, it is expected that Christians will pray to God. This is seen in the Bible multiple times, for example: the Lords prayer (Matthew 6.9-15).  [4]  This is the prayer that Jesus tells while preaching the Sermon on the Mount to the crowds; it is a concise way that shows people how to pray. Another example is found in Luke 18.1, where Jesus tells a parable about how people need to always pray and to not give up on anything. Because Jesus was so forward about the need for prayer, Christians should give heed to prayer time in a more disciplined fashion, and definitely more often. Prayer should ideally be constant communion with God; it is never losing sight of the fact that one needs to turn their attention to God.  [5]  It is a way that Christians can become more like Christ; by spending time with Him. It is important that Christians are prayerful people because if the Holy Spirit were to come into ones life, it would be through prayer, and also because if the Holy Spi rit is going to work in or through a person, it would start by prayer.  [6]  It is also very important that when a Christian is praying, that they are praying in the Spirit. Because the Spirit prays in agreement to the will of God, there is a one hundred percent chance that the prayer will be answered.  [7]  Prayer is the key that will unlock Gods grace and power.  [8]   Ephesians 1.3 asserts that God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. In order to get a hold of those gifts and blessings that God has placed within each of us, we must first ask for them with eager desire through prayer.  [9]  It is Matice 3 confirmed in James: The power of the righteous is powerful and effective (James 5.16). In other words, prayer actually works. Prayer brings the power of God into His childrens work. It is a supernatural gift and ability that can even save peoples souls, as said in 1 John 5.16.  [10]   Donald Whitney positively asserts: To abandon prayer is to fight the battle with our own resources at best, and to lose interest in the battle at worst.  [11]  Without asking for Gods grace during times of struggles or even times of prosperity, they are not fruitful. In order to truly learn how to pray, one needs to meditate on the scriptures. By reading Gods Word, meditating on it, and then praying about what one has meditated on, the Holy Spirit teaches the follower how to pray.  [12]  When we pray, we are speaking to God. It is a privilege to be able to speak to our Maker. It has been so fruitful and productive to study everything about the spiritual discipline of prayer. This year I have decided to take a more orthodox view of Lent, and so I have been studying that in my spare time as well. For Lent, I am going to refrain from sleeping in on school days. I am going to wake up at 6:00 to pray for at least an hour, along with reading the Bible. (good for you Mackenzie) After Christmas this year, when I had come back from my home (in Belgium), as I was jet-lagged, I would be awake at 5:00 here. I read for several hours and prayed each morning for those few weeks, and they were very productive days and I grew intimately with God. I would like to spiritually discipline myself to be able to wake up early in the morning to be with God, and I hope that He will see the yearning in my spirit and will give me the grace to wake up to pray to Him.

Déjàvu and the Brain :: Biology Essays Research Papers

UGH! I Just Got the Creepiest Feeling That I Have Been Here Before: Dà ©jà   vu and the Brain, Consciousness and Self We have all some experience of a feeling, that comes over us occasionally,, of what we are saying and doing having been said and done before, in a remote time - of our having been surrounded, dim ages ago, by the same faces, objects, and circumstances - of our knowing perfectly what will be said next, as if we suddenly remember it! (Dickens in David Copperfield - chapter 39 (1)) It happens to me and it has probably happened to you. It is sudden and fleeting, leaving as unexpectedly as it came. While the experience is striking in its clarity and detail, it is difficult to recapture or recount. Generally, it is left unexplained and is described in a vague sense, often simply as, "Wow, I just got the strangest dà ©jà   vu." Because it is so difficult to research and seems to have no deleterious effects on daily and long-term nervous system function, dà ©jà   vu has been left largely to the wayside of neurobiological investigation. In all of its ambiguity, dà ©jà   vu is still a perplexing phenomenon that has not yet been fully explained. The value of truly understanding the source of dà ©jà   vu and its circuitry is in uncovering one of the many keys to the role of the conscious self in the functioning of the brain. What is dà ©jà   vu and how does it work? Dà ©jà   vu is considered a common phenomenon. Surveys show that about one third of the population has had the most common form of dà ©jà   vu sensations (1). Due to the subjective and often indescribable nature of the associated feelings, it has been difficult, to determine who is actually experiencing dà ©jà   vu. In general, however, dà ©jà   vu is "any number of hard-to-explain sometimes upsetting occurrences of unexpected recognition, in which the person involved has trouble identifying an antecedent for the events and/or places which seem so strangely and intensely familiar (1)." Dà ©jà   vu has been defined as "familiarity without awareness (13)." While the situational cues of a dà ©jà   vu are familiar, there is a definite lack of awareness about the specific source of the memory. Arthur Funkhouser (1) defines three types of dà ©jà   vu in an attempt to more clearly delineate between associated, but different, neurological experiences. These are dà ©jà   vecu (already experienced), dà ©jà   senti (already felt) and dà ©jà   visità © (already visited).

What’s Do To The Collegiate Athlete Essay -- Sports Education Finances

What’s Do To The Collegiate Athlete Recently Duke University’s head basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski, was the recipient of one point three million dollars in salary. The Duke University basketball program is amongst the best in all of college basketball. But, where do we draw the line? Where do we decide that the players, the ones actually out on the court deserve to be rewarded in the way that their coach is rewarded. It is not infrequently that we see a young man who has great basketball talent skip the collegiate ranks, and head straight for the professionals simply because they cannot afford to be a college student with no money. Intercollegiate athletics corrupt their educational institutions by creating a double standard and devaluing scholarship in favor of athletic competition. The tension between college academics and athletics is nothing new. Maintaining double standards for regular students and athletes dates back to at least 1869, when Rutgers beat Princeton with a football team that included three freshmen who were failing algebra. Student athletes carry a la...

Crime and Punishment Quotes :: essays research papers

1. â€Å"†¦all is in a man's hands and he lets it all slip from cowardice, that's an axiom. It would be interesting to know what it is men are most afraid of.† –Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  By saying this Raskolnikov suggests that men are capable of doing whatever they wish, and the only thing that holds them back are their fears. Because of this Raskolnikov wonders what man’s greatest fear is, and with that comes the one thing that no man is capable of doing. 2. â€Å"†¦for though Pyotr Petrovitch has been so kind as to undertake part of the expenses of the journey, that is to say, he has taken upon himself the conveyance of our bags and big trunks.† -Pulcheria Alexandrovna Raskolnikov   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This is a passage from the letter that Rodion’s mother sent to him, his mother is telling him that Dounia’s fiancà © has taken care of the traveling expenses for Dounia and her mother to St. Petersburg. 3. â€Å"I see that I want nothing. Do you hear? Nothing at all . . . no one's services . . . no one's sympathy. I am by myself . . . alone. Come, that's enough. Leave me alone.† - Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After burying the goods he stole from the pawn broker, Raskolnikov is walking around and decides to visit his friend Razumihin. At first it is almost as if Raskolnikov planned on asking his friend for advice about what he should do about the murders he committed. However, he becomes very nervous and leaves his friend’s home as quickly as possible. 4. â€Å"Life is real! haven't I lived just now? My life has not yet died with that old woman! The Kingdom of Heaven to her--and now enough, madam, leave me in peace! Now for the reign of reason and light . . . and of will, and of strength!† –Raskolnikov   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Through speaking with Marmeladov’s daughter, Polenka, Raskolnikov realizes that life is worth living, and that it can still hold an important meaning. This sheds light on the fact that Raskolnikov realizes that even if a person is not capable of doing good, their life should not be ended. 5. â€Å"Ordinary men have to live in submission, have no right to transgress the law, because, don't you see, they are ordinary. But extraordinary men have a right to commit any crime and to transgress the law in any way, just because they are extraordinary.

How Technology Has Affected the Capabilities

IntroductionRecognizing the identity of a person is a major problem encountered by most of the justice and security systems, especially when an individual provides false information. Until recently, the methods of providing the true identity of criminals have been few and prone to errors (Davis, Weiss, 2009). With the implementation of modern computerized technologies, communication capabilities of specialized databases (such as the fingerprint identifiers) have been made effective and accurate. In this paper, the effect of technology on the communication capabilities of specialized databases in criminal justice will be analyzed, by comparing the facial recognition and iris scan techniques of identification and discussing the overall positive and negative effects of these technologies on criminal justice system.How technology has affected the capabilities of specialized databases in the criminal justice systemIn trying to make their work easier and more effective, the justice and sec urity personnel have always looked into the advancing technological methods to enhance communication capabilities within the justice system. The introduction of two-way radio and increased use of automobile have helped in improving the effectiveness of communication databases and responding to criminal incidents (Seaskate Inc. 1998). Modern technology has introduced many methods of specialized databases which have become exceedingly useful in crime investigation and response to incidences.The specialized databases utilize computerized techniques to identify criminals or suspects as well as to facilitate communication between the police, the general public and amongst other security personnel. The most used specialized databases by the security and justice system to provide identification of individuals include the Mobile Data Terminals, Live Scans, Iris Scans, Facial Recognition and the AFIS (Scherpenzeel, 2008). These technologies make individual identification easier, more accurat e and more effective in terms of time and cost. Both police officers and prosecutors have in many occasions applied them in identifying, judging, imprisoning or even in releasing criminals (Reichert, 2001)Comparison between Facial Recognition and Iris ScanIris scan refers to a technique of biometric identification using high tech recognition patterns which utilize images of a person’s iris. Iris cameras are used to perform detections of an individual’s identity using mathematical analysis of random patterns visible in the iris. The technique uses a combination of pattern recognition, computer vision, optics and statistical inferences (Find Biometrics, n. d).Facial recognition technique on the other hand is a computerized application which identifies an individual from a video outline or digital image. It is used in criminal justice systems to identify people by comparing the selected facial appearance from a specified facial database. This technique uses unalterable ph ysical facial structures (say the space between centers of an individual’s pupils of the eye or the diameter of a persons eye balls) and through algorithm, finite computerized set of steps are used to solve the problem, by translating the image into numerical values (Davis, Weiss, 2009).Iris scan is an internal detection method while the facial recognition is an external detection technique. Unlike the iris scan which uses an internal organ of the body, the facial recognition technique is done using certain parts of an individual face such jaws, cheekbones, nose or the eyes: these features are applied in searching for images matching with them. Facial recognition has been criticized because it uses external parts of the body which are likely to change over time through long exposure to manual work, use of facial cosmetics or plastic surgery (Titanium, 2010).These changes can completely transform and individual’s physical appearance, thus making it hard to be identified from a crowd. However, the method has one merit the iris scan and other biometric methods lack; it doesn’t call for any help from the individual being tested—if the system is properly designed and effectively installed in places such as multiplexes and airports, it can easily pick out the required subject from a crowd.For other biometric techniques such as the iris scan, speech recognition and fingerprints, the subject must be involved in the detection process and mass identification cannot apply (Titanium, 2010). Nonetheless, Iris scan is more reliable since it is not dependent on light or sight, but depends on the pattern of the iris. The facial recognition technique can fail due to poor lighting, long hair, use of sunglasses and other small resolution images and objects that relatively cover the face (Titanium, 2010).The overall positive and negative effects of the new techniques on the criminal justice systemBasically, the new technologies in the criminal justice and communication have greatly improved the way in which criminal identification and tracing is conducted by the justice and security systems. To begin with, specialized databases are used either complimentary or alternatively to ensure that accurate results are made. This implies that in one instance, both the facial recognition and fingerprints can be applied for the same specimen or subject when there are doubts or ambiguity regarding identity.This ensures that minimal errors occur, thus reducing the chances of wrong identification (Scherpenzeel, 2008). Furthermore, the new technologies have reduced the costs that used to be incurred in tracking down criminals. Such costs included travel costs, paying witnesses, interviewing individuals, costs of detaining many suspects before identifying the guilty criminal. More so, problems that used to be encountered due to physical transformation of an individual as a result of surgeries, injuries and use of cosmetics have now been overcome through the use of specialized databases like the speech recognition and iris scan biometrics (Scherpenzeel, 2008)..However, the new technologies have had a number of negative effects on the criminal justice system. The most common negative effect is the fact that this new technologies require a lot of professionalism and skill, not only in criminology, but also in statistics, mathematics and computer technology. However, many people do not possess this combined qualifications and this leads to shortage of personnel in the criminal investigation department.As such, the process of identification becomes slower since it is entrusted with few specialists who are cannot be able to handle all the cases presented to them. In some other cases, semi-skilled people have been entrusted the work, resulting to wrong identification or non identification (Reichert 2001). Other problems usually result from system breakdowns or corruption of system files which affect the validity of the results. Co rruption of operating systems is mostly done by people within the criminal justice system who wish to obstruct certain criminal identification processes for personal reasons (Scherpenzeel, 2008).Since some of this technologies are still relatively new (such as the iris scan and live scan), Â  most of the criminal justice systems find it too expensive to adopt them due to the high initial installation costs and therefore, they are rarely used. Other specialized databases like the facial scanner pose problems in places of installation such as railways and airports due to security factors. This has made it difficult for the justice system to continually use this technique in identifying wanted individuals (Reichert 2001).Preferred specialized databasesAmong all the types of specialized databases and biometric scanners and devices used for detection of identification today, the iris scanner has proved to be most effective and accurate. This is because, an individual’s iris canno t be impeded by contact lenses and glasses; it can be accurately scanned from ten centimeters to several meters away. In addition the iris remains constant for a long time unless injuries occur—one enrolment scan lasts for a lifetime. Although certain surgical and medical operations may affect the color and shape of the iris, its fine texture maintains stability for decades. Furthermore, it can still be used on blind people because the technology is not dependent on sight but on pattern. (Find Biometrics, n. d).ConclusionThe use of specialized databases in criminal justice system is a great move towards improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal identification. It is important that these databases be implemented across the globe for detecting and tracking down criminals, since the negative effects of these technologies are so meager, and easily solvable as compared to the overall positive impact.ReferencesFind Biometrics (n. d). Iris scanners and recognition. Retr ieved fromhttp://www.findbiometrics.com/iris-recognition/Davis, M., & Weiss, J (2009). Facial recognition technology in law enforcement. Retrieved fromhttp://www.hendonpub.com/resources/articlearchive/details.aspx?ID=31Seaskate Inc. (1998). The evolution and development of police technology. Retrieved fromhttp://www.police-technology.net/id59.htmlTitanium (2010). Comparing face recognition against other types of biometric authenticationmethods. Retrieved fromhttp://www.titanium-tech.com/download/CompareBio.pdfReichert, K. (2001). Promising approaches to addressing crime: use of information technologyin law enforcement. University of south Wales, Australia.Scherpenzeel, R. (2008). Key issues in introducing information technology in criminal justice.retieved from http://www.uncjin.org/other/korebo/chapter3.pdf

Discussing the architecture of Michelangelo

Mannerism refers to a time of European art that began around 1520 in Italy, and lasted until around 1580 to 1600, when the Baroque style of art and architecture began to replace it, but it did continue in many forms until the 17th century. The characteristics of Mannerism include artificial qualities that go against the harmonious, natural elements of High Renaissance art, and a great deal of sophistication, complexity and innovation in design.Michelangelo was one of the greatest practitioners of Mannerism for several reasons. Elegance and innovation are two of the primary elements of Mannerism, and Michelangelo certainly practiced both those elements in his art. Some of his greatest architectural and artistic endeavors contain these elements, combined with sophistication in the design and execution of the works such as the Sistine Chapel's ceiling. The paintings on the ceilings have stood the test of time, and retain their beauty, complexity and eloquence even today.In addition, the concept of painting on the ceiling of a wondrous piece of architecture was also one of Michelangelo's innovations, illustrating how he actively participated in the Mannerism movement. In architecture, Michelangelo also excelled as a Mannerist. â€Å"Mannerist architects were no less interested in ancient classical architecture than were their predecessors, but they found other qualities in ancient Roman architecture to exploit. In fact, they often displayed an even greater knowledge of antiquity than did earlier artists† (Italian Mannerism or Late Renaissnce, 2009).Michelangelo's greatest architectural achievements, such as the Laurentian Library in Florence, helped indicate he was a Mannerist by its' obvious breaking of many architectural rules of the time, showing not only its elegance, but its novelty and sophistication, as well. Michelangelo uses classic design in his building, but adds a new way of assembling them throughout the design in novel and unusual motifs. In th e Palazzo Farnese in Rome, Michelangelo used unnatural and manufactured views throughout the building, another trademark of Mannerist buildings. Many architects view Michelangelo as one of the geniuses of the movement.His, â€Å"Medici Chapel in San Lorenzo was executed, in Vasari's opinion, ‘in a style more varied and novel than that of any other master,' and ‘thus all artists are under a great and eternal obligation to Michelangelo, seeing that he broke the fetters and chains that had earlier confined them to the creation of traditional forms† (Italian Mannerism or Late Renaissnce, 2009). Michelangelo knew how to push the envelope in design and execution, and was interested in change, rather than copying other styles, which are also elements of the Mannerist style of architecture.His greatest Mannerist achievement is St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, a massive project that took him over 18 years to design, and was not completed before his death. This beautiful build ing was dominated by a huge dome that would have been incredible had it been completed during Michelangelo's life. Later changes to the building altered the dome and its effect on the overall building design, but it was one of his greatest achievements, and the innovation and spectacular dimensions of the design helped cement Michelangelo as one of the premier Mannerist architects and artists of the day.Mannerism eventually fell out of favor in Europe, and was replaced by other forms of architecture, including the intricate and detailed Baroque, which followed Mannerism. It was one of the greatest epics of Italian architecture and design, led by one of the greatest artists of all time, Michelangelo. Works Cited Italian Mannerism or Late Renaissnce. (2009, January 16). Retrieved from Italian Mannerism: http://www. cartage. org. lb/en/themes/arts/Architec/MannerismArchitecture/ItalianMannerism/ItalianMannerism. htm Janson's History of Art. (2007). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education , Inc.

New Issues during the Civil Rights Movements Essay

â€Å"What new issues emerged for the civil rights movement in the period 1965-1970? How did black leaders respond to those issues in different ways? † During the period 1965-1970, new issues had emerged for the civil rights movement, such as the question of whether Martin Luther King’s philosophy of non-violent tactics were too moderate and limited, poverty and voting rights. During 1965 to 1970, black leaders responded to these issues in a number of ways. Responses to these issues included the forming of Black Nationalist groups, voter registration campaigns and campaigns to get rid of poverty. An issue that emerged during 1965-1970 for the black civil rights movement was voting rights. Even though blacks had been given the right to vote since 1964, they often were frightened and intimidated by the whites if they went and voted. An example of this is with Fannie Ion Hamer. When Hamer came back from registering to vote, she was met by the owner of the plantation where she and her husband had worked for 17 years and was told that she would either leave or withdraw her name from the voters roll. She left and that night 16 shots were fired at the house she and her husband were staying in. Blacks were forced to do literacy tests, which most failed, before they could become registered voters; this was done to prevent the blacks from voting as they didn’t have very good literacy skills. By 1965 very few blacks were still not enrolled for example in Selma and Alabama, where only 350 blacks were registered to vote. The voting had become a new issue because many black civil rights leaders realized the significance of blacks voting to get their own people into positions of authority and create more progress for blacks in America. Another issue that emerged in the 1965-1970 for the black civil rights movement was the question whether Martin Luther King’s philosophy of non-violence stance was too moderate and limited. Martin Luther King’s tactics for making America desegregated was all non-violence, for example sit-ins, marches, signs or protests, boycotts, freedom rides and wait-ins. At first these tactics worked. The freedom rides achieved to desegregate bus terminals, issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission. The sit-ins worked because the protesters annoyed the whites, but not enough for them to take violent action from the police. Bills and laws were being passed. In the 1963 Birmingham campaign led by Martin Luther King the sit-ins, boycotts and mass marches managed to desegregate Birmingham. But by 1966 Black Power emerged and was an alternative philosophy to non-violent protest that civil rights’ activists could use. To some black leaders the methods Martin Luther King had always seemed too fair and his aim of winning concessions from the white majority appeared too inadequate. This was an issue to many blacks, because even though the non-violent methods worked most of the time, blacks were still getting beaten for it and or even killed. The Black Power became a very good alternative because it united black people to recognize their heritage, to build a sense of community. It was a call for black people to define their own goals, doing whatever is necessary to get what they need. The Black Power proved its point in the riots that emerged in Watts, Selma and Chicago, where blacks got what they wanted using means of violence. The riots showed that violence can be the answer too, the total opposite of Martin Luther King’s beliefs. Poverty was another issue the civil rights movement had to face in the period 1965-1970. Poverty of blacks occurred because of blacks being denied skilled jobs that paid well, this led the blacks to not having enough money for education, housing and food supplies, which led to theft among their own people. Blacks in ghettos believed there was no point in going to school if in the end they weren’t to get any good, well paid jobs. Blacks found that there was no use in working if their jobs paid a little more than the Social Security payments for the unemployed. These beliefs created a cycle of poverty and that in order to change and progress further than they already are they needed to break that poverty cycle. This proved to be a great challenge for conservative black groups and leaders but was one of the significant factors for the rise of nationalists groups. In response to the issue of voting rights, black leaders held many voter registration campaigns and demonstrations. An example was the Selma Campaign in 1965, which became a significant campaign. Marches from Selma to Montgomery, which had been banned by the Federal Court, was led by Martin Luther King. On one march the marchers were met by State Troops and so King led them in prayer and marched them back to Selma. This cost the support of many King’s younger supporters, but the Selma Campaign was still a success. This led to the introduction of the Voters’ Rights Bill, which ensured that obstruction to voting would be prevented and many more blacks were now enrolling. In response to the questioning of Martin Luther Kings non-violent methods, black leaders started to form nationalists groups which had more violent policies. For example, in 1966 the Black Panthers were formed. They called for the arming of blacks, to have all blacks released from prison and for blacks to receive compensation for centuries of exploitation by whites. This group also used a lot of violence, but younger blacks found this more appealing than Martin Luther King’s tactics, as they had more aggressive approaches and could relate to blacks who had grown up in the ghettos. Finally, in response to the issue of poverty, black leaders held campaigns for this problem too. During 1968, King organised the ‘Poor Peoples Campaign’. This was an attempt to bring together all of America’s poor – not just blacks – and was obviously not fought along racial lines. This would have been a great way to deal with the poverty of America because it would have brought together many different groups of people in order to achieve common goals. In conclusion during the civil rights movement in years 1965-1970, the new issues that emerged were voting rights, the question whether Martin Luther King’s tactics were too fair and limited and poverty. These issues were responded by the black leaders in different ways such as the forming of Black Nationalists groups, for example the Black Panthers, voter registration campaigns and campaigns to get rid of poverty.