text:
A Victim into Victor: When You Can’t Trace God’s Hands, Trust His Heart

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. – 1 Peter 5:10

Not so long ago, there was a continuous spate of events about the breakdown of our local train made me realised that humans grumbled a lot when they encountered the inconveniences of disruptions. Regarded in the same light, we are also quick and inclined to throw a fist at God for the one thing that caused us great disappointment or anger, yet we failed to count the times God has blessed us with so much more. Just one setback can discount everything else.

When things aren’t going in our favour, we are susceptible to strike a protest or stage a long-drawn  rebellion. And before long, we spiralled down to a spiritual “black-hole”. The truth of the matter is, there is always a cause and effect in everything – it all start with an incidence that provoke a thought to engender a decision which in turn evoke our emotion and lead us to an action. Don’t belittle even the little thing because it is often the little foxes that spoilt the vineyards (Song of Solomon 2:15). A small spark is capable to set an entire forest on fire. (James 3:5B)

I once was on a rampage why life was so unfair to me. I felt coerced having to accept my “ill fate” that I did not deserve. Broken dreams broke my heart, so much that I came to hate this God who claimed He was good and everything was in His control. I had been cussing vehemently, “What a joke! There is NO God.” I was so broken that God actually came in person- In a deliverance session of dealing with my deepest pain, I saw myself as a three year old lost, enshrouded in darkness and wailing away. At that instance, Jesus came smiling, held my hand to comfort me and led me out of that darkness. As the back view of the two silhouettes dimmed away, I found my heart touched in a very supernatural way in showing me how much I was loved that He came to lead me out of that black-hole. That was my personal encounter with a living God that I could not deny His existence. That was how God got my little fox- it was the aching void of rejection in the need to be loved.

We all had our past, our former way of life with old mindsets and belief systems. And life in the fallen nature has us on roller-coaster from time to time. Although we may have accepted Jesus into our lives which already marked a new beginning, but some of us are still living with foxes that are nestling in deep burrows. The quality of our lives now reveal traces of what had been once-upon-a-time.

Hollow out the little sly fox(es). Jesus is very near to the broken-hearted. When we can’t trace HIs Hands in whatever situation we are in, we can trust His Heart no matter how you feel. A victim by exigencies can become a Victor by overcoming.

P.S. Today is Good Friday, let’s look at the Cross, again, the horizontal beam demonstrates how wide is His Love and the vertical beam shows how deep is His Grace. And when the two beams intersect in the middle, God affirms that nothing can separate us from the Love of God, no matter how far and how deep we have wandered. Because of His Greatest Sacrifice sending Jesus nailed on the Cross, there is no redemption beyond the impossible. Jesus bore our transgressions, carried the cross for our shame and sting by painful rejection from His own Father, yet He was willing to lay down His Life for our sake, so that we can live. Shouldn’t that give you reasons enough to hand to Him what you can’t handle? Shouldn’t that teach us not to take His Grace for granted?

The Pain Of Denial (Part 1)

P.S. I will be sharing in parts as it will be too much to share at one time. I was prompted to share my convictions, and hope by sharing this entry in my own spiritual journal, it will bring illumination in a new light.

“If any man will come after me, let him (a) DENY himself, and (b) take up his cross DAILY, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23 KJV.

We all have heard this verse far too many times. If we are honest, we also switch off many times. This has been the mandate of my previous cell at one time till a time it became alive to me– I went through a very difficult transition in my life two years ago when I was impacted with a physical condition, although not life-threatening, that a surgery could not fix and a healing miracle seemed implausible — Dashed dreams. Crushed hope. Wretched self. Menacing fears.

The first few weeks upon receiving the check-up report, I wasn’t able to worship in church– I was incapacitated to sing nor clap along. All in my mind was, “Why??” and “God, where are you?” My ex-G12 cell and my mentor had showered me with inordinate amount of concern, but I wasn’t grateful. I just wanted to be left alone as I justified the rights to my disappointments and lamely to confess my anger with God too. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to attend the weekly G12 meetings, and I even withdrew myself from the cell. But to my surprise, I couldn’t abandon my open cell that I had to lead every Friday. I still fulfilled my duty, shared the Word, and put on smiles (though I was struggling very badly as if a hypocrite).

Was I wearing a mask with my open cell? No. It was one method that helped me- “Deny myself.”

I couldn’t count the number of times “I didn’t FEEL up to it or FEEL like to”, “I didn’t WANT to…”, “I hate to be forced to…”, “I have the RIGHTS to…” I merely trying to cook up excuses as justified reasons. Till I came to a point that I realised I was actually very self-centered, very consumed with “I, me, myself” and very inwards-looking, focusing on myself only. I put my feelings and emotions before God as how I feel and what I want is more important than Him. It was a constant battle to deny, deny, deny, deny myself in the pit. It was even a scarier experience when I was enshrouded with darkness, alone, and found myself drifting away spiritually over six months. I was aware of such a downwards spiral, but I refused to yield as I was wrestling with God like Jacob. What really jolted me was- I began to lose myself while threading on a very thin tightrope, and any moment longer, I think I had tipped to the other side. That was unthinkably scary.

So how did I climb out of the pit, and back to the Cross? I have to simply keep denying myself daily, yes, EVERY DAY- deny my mood for the day, deny my emotions, deny my rights, deny my will, even to denying my convenience (my own time, my own pace, my own freedom…), and surrender to the Cross.

If we are honest with ourselves, it is by NATURE we follow what our flesh leads us. It is unnatural for us to contradict our flesh and that takes SUPERNATURAL intervention with the help of the Spirit. Aside to taking action to deny the self, we can draw reinforced strength from these verses:

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. – Galatians 5:16-17

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. – Romans 8:7-8

There is no change in my physical condition, but I had stopped asking all the whys because there will never be any answer- and who am I to question the Sovereignty? It was a decision whether to continue rotting by being my own god or to let go of all and let God be God. And letting go doesn’t mean to remain status quo. Just like bible says, “Faith without action is dead”, so I had to force myself since it is unnaturally of me to crucify my flesh to weaken its desires. It is simply to put to action in denying myself.

No doubt it is an uphill task because our flesh gets stronger when our Spirit is quenched by sins. It is a humbling experience to call upon God for help in this area.

So first thing first, get right with God. Face it honestly- Overcome it with God far easier and better than letting what consumed you and lose yourself.

When Conscience Pricks……

They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. – Romans 2:15

Having been working on my own for 6 years, I know that running a business is not easy. It is akin to treading on treacherous ground when I am surrounded by a lot more shrewd business-people. On many occasions, I have been conflicted by compromising situations, either a make-it or break-it decision. I could not count how many times my conscience has been on toes.

Sometimes as a result of unwise decision with lack of prudence, we acted indiscreetly and made mistakes. I can totally relate to how it feels to have my conscience gnawing relentlessly. But when I seek to redress the wrong and do right, it feels good to breathe the air of liberation,  and able to lift my head up without condemnation.

Our conscience can bear witness to our actions, and we will reap what we sow. We have to consider even our innermost thoughts which can breed evils that prick our conscience too. If you think you can camouflage an evil thought or keeping hush over a bad action, be warned that God knows every details, whether inwardly or outwardly.

Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. – Jeremiah 23:24

When one’s conscience is seared, that is when darkness of the soul has rendered the person impotent of thinking, feeling and doing right. And if we persist in walking down the wrong path, we will be on a spiritual downward spiral.

Holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, – 1 Timothy 1:19

But if we seek righteousness, we leave no room for malice and can stand upright before others.

Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. – 1 Peter 3:16

Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. (Romans 13:5) It is good to include in our prayers that we be sure we have a clear conscience and desiring to act honourably in all things (Hebrews 13:18), just as Paul could declare, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” (Acts 23:1)

Our spiritual lives should be temperated by love, guided by a pure heart with good conscience and acting upon a true faith. (1 Timothy 1:5)

In a nutshell, it resonates with a famous quote that goes:

Watch your thoughts;

They become words.

Watch your words;

They become actions.

Watch your actions;

They become habits.

Watch your habits;

They become character.

Watch your character;

It becomes your destiny.

The Past Provides Clues To What You Are Today

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil–the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. – Ephesians 2:1-3

I was watching a Korean drama, “Criminal Minds”, where the scenes depict how perpetrators were who they were because of their traumatic upbringing and sadistic exposure to the depravity of humankind during their childhood. Although the drama may be fictional, it contains distressing truths on:

(a) how the environment at childhood can shape innocent minds and frame a human’s psyche, and parents play a very crucial role in teaching and upbringing of their offsprings;

(b) we can sink deeper into the deep abyss of deception and come under the diabolical influence of devils which lead us to commit more evils.

The bible has warned in Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” And everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4), and everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. (John 8:34)

I have often heard many professed, “I am born this way.”, but the truth is, the past — our childhood and growing years — provides clues to what we are today: what we think, how we feel and why we behave in a certain way. The environment (including the people) we were brought up in holds the key in shedding light to this misconception.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9) Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

We all have a past, but the past should no longer hold us in bondages to the acts of the evil ones, nor should we be continuing to live and walk in darkness. No matter how painful to open that door to the past, true healing can only come when we face it courageously. God is gracious and love us too much to go through pain all at one go, just like an onion, peeling comes layer by layer until it reaches the core, where God deals with us gently and lovingly, if only we allow Him to. Give that key to your prison to Jesus, He will hold your hands and walk with you through it. Only then, can you walk in true freedom and be who God has created you to be.

Parents also play a crucial role in bringing up their kids responsibly in God’s ways.

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. (Proverbs 19:18)

Courtesy photo (P1040075) taken by Rachel Hong @ Bandung, Indonesia, August 2017.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1

The modern day world of the fallen times, we all come under pressure by people and things around us which resulted in some form of enslavement: some are slaves to social media; some are slaves to fears; some are slaves to the opinions of others; some are slaves to the expectations of others; some are slaves to past hurts; some are slaves to pornography; some are slaves to alcoholism; some are slaves to materialism; some are slaves to money; some are slaves to work; some are slaves to recognition; and the whatnots.

Whether we are aware or not, sometimes, our enslavement can be a form of escapism or as a coping mechanism, consciously or unconsciously. But God does not designed us this way nor intended for us to be enslaved by anything perishable in this world. That is why we need freedom in Christ. Only by knowing the truths, Christ can truly set us free indeed (John 8:32). Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). And as a believer, we have the Spirit of the Lord in us, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). Sin is no longer our master, as we live under the freedom of God’s grace (Romans 6:14). Though we all were once slaves to sin, but so long as we wholeheartedly obey the Word of God, to which we are committed to live in genuine repentance, we will surely be set free from sin (Romans 6:17-18).

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.2 Chronicles 7:14

Call sin a sin, and recognise that we all need help to deal with the issue. We must humble ourselves to cry out to God. True transformation can only happen when there is genuine repentance. We can deceive others, but we cannot deceive God, we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). It is better to quickly do something about our enslavement before sin gets full-blown which resulted in death (James 1:15). Therefore, let us not misuse our freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. (Galatians 5:13).

Extrapolation. Inferences. Deception.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; – Isaiah 11:3B

As a visual person, I have the propensity to observe and read things around me with my eyes; and as a creative person, I have a knack for piecing together bits and pieces into a whole new creation. As a result, I have inherited a predisposition to making extrapolation almost all the time.

To extrapolate is to draw an interference or a presumption about something with existing information that is not explicit.

In other word, that means, I can tip the scale to being judgemental since my eyes judge and my ears decide. And that is dangerous because:

(1) I can be led into deception easily;

(2) I can make illogical inferences that are not true;

(3) I can become irrational;

(4) and the worst of the lot is, I, as a mere human, is sitting on the judgement seat that is only reserved for God.

Judging, in its simplest definition, is forming an opinion or conclusion about something or someone. In other word, whenever I draw an inference, I have formed a judgement. Of course, God does us a spirit of sound mind and self-control, but the flip side is, what if, my inference is wrong, based on false impression or insufficient information, my judgement will then be impaired or impartial.

It took me years to restrain in utilising this inherent trait, until I read a verse from Luke 6:37, that if I judge, I will be judged; if I condemn, I will be condemned too. And I will also be treated the same as I treat others. The standard I use in judging will be the standard by which I will be judged (Matthew 7:2).

Isn’t that scary enough to hold us in check? For only the Lord knows the heart of men, after all, who are we, standing on the same ground as imperfect beings elevate ourselves on higher ground on moral or biblical standards? Let us not deceive ourselves, for “the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:10)

Courtesy photo (P1030698) taken by Rachel Hong @ Bandung, Indonesia, August 2017.

Keeping Secrets

When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt.  I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”  And You forgave me!  All my guilt is gone. – Psalm 32:3, 5 NLT

Sometimes I encounter friends who would share something with me but end up hushing me to keep them a secret. And I often wondered, if it is meant to be a secret, it is better not to share with me in case I may forget to honour my promise to retain confidentiality. Not only is it a burden to keep promises (because we may fail any time), it is also a burden to keep secrets, for fear of being found out one day if confidentiality is breached by careless and loose tongue.

I am thankful that having served as a former cell group leader had trained me to abide by “professional-spiritual” ethnics in protecting my cell members’ trust in me. And the bonus of shepherding a group had limited my capacity to remember so many things shared with me. Every time, I would feel burdened for them having to keep “secrets”, and I had witnessed how they wasted away with moans and groans all months (or even years) long, to the extent they are numbed and crushed. Like Psalm 38:8 in the bible warns, “I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart.”

Whether secrets or not, we all will pay a price for sins or disobedience- even if we can fool men, but we cannot deceive God who can see or know every secret things in our lives.

Ah, you who hide deep from the Lord your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?” – Isaiah 29:15

And the more we try to hide, the more darkness will lurk in every corner of our soul., for our soul is not meant to ingest sin. At the end of the day, there will always be something gnawing inside us relentlessly.

The murderer arises at dawn; He kills the poor and the needy, And at night he is as a thief.  (Job 24:14). In the dark, thieves break into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they want nothing to do with the light. (Job 24:26). Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. (John 3:20)

It is needless to suffer the miseries of unconfessed sins. Ephesians 5:11 exhorts to have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13). If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16).

Remember, as the Chinese proverbs goes, “There is no paper that can contain a fire.”

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, – Acts 3:19


Content-Type: application/http; msgtype=response

WARC-Identified-Payload-Type: text/html

WARC-Type: response

text:
CIMA Conference Schedule Announced

The Three-Year Planning Committee, headed by Vice-President Charles Stanford, has finalized its work. A new official CIMA conference schedule has been announced, covering the foreseeable future. This new schedule has been approved by the CIMA Council, and it comes following the successful 2010 Western Round-Up Super Regional Meeting in Seattle, Washington, April 28th – May 1, 2010.

Please save the following dates:

2010 Utah Fall Caucus
LDS Church History Department and Library
Salt Lake City, Utah
September, 29th 2010

2011 CIMA Annual Conference
Boise State University
Boise, Idaho
May 19 – 20, 2011

2011 Utah Fall Caucus
Utah State Archives
Salt Lake City, Utah

2012 CIMA / Society of Southwest Archivists Joint Conference
The State of Arizona’s Centennial
Phoenix, Arizona

2012 Utah Fall Caucus
Utah State University
Logan, Utah

2013 CIMA / Society of Rocky Mountain Archivists Joint Conference
CIMA’s 40th Anniversary Celebration
Salt Lake City, Utah

2013 Utah Fall Caucus
Utah Valley University
Orem, Utah

(List is subject to change.)

Comments are closed.

%d bloggers like this:

warcinfo:
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2018-51
publisher: Common Crawl
description: Wide crawl of the web for December 2018
operator: Common Crawl Admin (info@commoncrawl.org)
hostname: ip-10-148-6-181.ec2.internal
software: Apache Nutch 1.15 (modified, https://github.com/commoncrawl/nutch/)
robots: checked via crawler-commons 0.11-SNAPSHOT (https://github.com/crawler-commons/crawler-commons)
format: WARC File Format 1.1
conformsTo: http://iipc.github.io/warc-specifications/specifications/warc-format/warc-1.1/


text:
Save $2 when you purchase tickets online

Embark on an adventure through India without leaving Cincinnati in special exhibition The Fabric of India. Use promo code ONLINE and receive $2 off your purchase. Tickets

See the Story Book Club | 11:30–1:00

Do you love to read? Love art? Join librarians from the Public Library and Hamilton County and members of the Cincinnati Art Museum staff for this bi-monthly book club. See the Story combines works of fiction & non-fiction by authors from around the world with work from the museum’s permanent collection. Join us and see the story. Visitors will meet the Book Club in Gallery 229 for a discussion, then be lead on a tour relating to the read of the month.

FREE. Reservations not required.

Upcoming Events:

11/17/18: Madame Picasso by Anne Girard

1/19/19 My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk

3/16/19 Rodin’s Lover by Heather Webb

5/18/19 The Muralist by B. A. Shapiro

7/20/19 The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama

9/21/19 Sargent’s Women by Donna Lucey

11/16/19 The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

View Full Calendar


text:
Less is more…than enough

To tell you the truth I am exhausted. In my quest to keep busy until I leave has bit me in the ass as I knew it would. The past six months has seen me juggling motorbike lessons, learning how to swim, starting a new degree and finishing half of my 1st year subjects, mentoring a teenage girl who lives in a children’s home, continuing my Italian lessons and trying to find time to meet my Italian friend when I can so that I can practise.  All this and still working a 9 to 5, just writing it all down exhausts me.

So yes apparently I can’t do it all. Seeing as the past 6 months were so chaotic I’m going to take the next 6 very slowly. I’m going to eliminate  as much activity as possible. Taking on too much can be extremely stressful and detrimental to your health, trust me. I’ve been getting sick, spraining things and suffering from more headaches than I usually do.

That doesn’t mean I’m going to do absolutely nothing because I am addicted to learning. I’ve got a photography course that starts in a month that I am looking forward to with fast forward photography. So I’ve just got to figure out what to cut out of my life but for now I am just going to take it easy and watch Friends re-runs.


text:
Lifestyle Mommy and Me

Holding onto Hope : Living in Faith

Every month I post an update on my “life” journey, more of an evolution, since turning 30. This Easter Sunday at Christ City Church, the sermon really resonated with me and I wanted to share with my readers. No, no…it is not PREACHY… I am just introducing a real, personal, human struggle that could actually resonate with anyone in any faith or belief. Oh and… I have sprinkled in some family Easter pictures, which if I am to be honest, have nothing to do with my writing! The pictures do help to make the seriousness of my post a little lighter! So, here it goes….

I have noticed the older I get, especially around holidays, that I seem to have lost the feeling of excitement in life. You know, the excitement that you get as a child for Santa or the Easter Bunny. The excitement of your whole life ahead of you with endless possibilities, “the world is my oyster” kind of thing, or simply the excitement of an evening tub soak with bath fizzies and my favorite show. As the years have gone by, I feel like I have lost “me”. A sickening feeling because with the dying out of my excitement, so goes the light that I used to harness in my heart.

When I was young, I was willing to put myself out there to freely grasp for what I wanted, but years worth of experiences in being hopeful and then being let down have lead me to try to avoid hope all together, causing me to lower my expectations in life and in those around me. I have found myself constantly trying to be more realistic with my expectations and goals to avoid failure and hurt. I have realized that my hope has begun to fade and I have become interested but not invested in life.

After listening to Robin Abedi’s sermon at Christ City Church on Easter Sunday, I was enlightened and challenged to further my growth in faith by allowing myself to dream and hope like I once did as a child. “Fear prevents real relationships, so commit and be full of hope so that you go for it all and create. Hope is instilled within us. Turning off hope is like saying that I am done with humanity.” – Robin Abedi

Hope motivates us for greatness! It is not learned, but resides in all of us. If we allow it to take prescience it will position us for success. As I say these things, I feel excitement within but the second part is having faith in hope.

“The Christian meaning of hope is that no matter how bad it is or gets you will overcome. If you are Christian, you know this as truth in your heart. It gives you an irresistible desire for more of life.” -Abedi

If I am to embrace this reality I will need to have faith in my hope and give up comfort and control, a huge fear of mine. Control is the one thing I fight so hard to maintain. Through my journey, I am learning how to use transparency to offset control.

If I am transparent in my relationships and business dealings with my disappointments, happiness, expectations and boundaries, I can put a process in place in efforts to avoid the loss of control. The growth in this area of my life has been crucial for my development in deciding what types of relationships that I willing to participate in and which ones I am willing to let go of. Gone are the days of being monotone and middle of the line with my feelings. Giving up comfort and contral to means getting back conviction and courage. I have the courage to be me, to express my feelings, to commune with others in REAL relationships, to dream, to have HOPE.

Journey Through My 30’s:
Step 2: Embracing Hope through Faith (in process)

Thank you so much for reading! I would love to hear more about your ideas on hope and faith. Please feel free to leave them in the comments below!

You Might Also Like

1 Comment

  • Reply
    June 16, 2017 at 1:04 pm

    Generally happiness gets stronger when you have children, you find joy in seeing them get excited about the easter bunny or santa that you start to realize your own happiness comes from them! Hoping you're able to find joy through your children, which could make up for the part of you that's missing….

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d bloggers like this:


text:
25647 KITCH Street

25647 KITCH Street

Dearborn Heights, Michigan 48125

3 Beds | 3.00 Baths | 1259 sq.ft. | Built 2003 | Residential

Sold $82,000

This gorgeous home is newer construction then the neighborhood. Built in 2003. Very clean and spacious. Open eat in kitchen with loads of counter space and cupboards. Freshly painted through out and new carpet. The other room is located just off the kitchen and would make for a nice computer room or small study, it could even be easily converted to a first floor laundry. The basement has been started to be finished with most walls dry walled and a full bathroom just off the laundry room. Home also has a sump pump. All appliances are newer and will stay with the home. All there is to do is move into this lovely home. It's waiting for you.

Essential Information

MLS#216080783 | Neighborhood: DEARBORN GROVE SUB NO 1 - DBN HTS | School District: Westwood | County: Wayne

Property Features

Architecture: 1 Story | Cooling: Central Air | Heating: Forced Air | #Garage/Parking Spaces: No Garage | Sewer: Sewer-Sanitary | Directions: Michigan to Beech go south to Kitch go east

Want to learn more about this property? Contact Us

All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) nor City Living Detroit shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.

IDX provided courtesy of Realcomp II Ltd, by Patrice M Miller via RE/MAX Innovation and Realcomp II Ltd, ©2018 Realcomp II Ltd. Shareholders


text:
OOTD Replicated and Thrifted

I found today’s inspiration look on Pinterest.

My replicated look is totally thrifted.

This so comfortable stripe dress I thrifted locally. I love it! There are so many different ways to style it.

I got the green jacket (thanks Sammy) while thrifting on the NYC Secret Bargain Thrift Tour through Airbnb with Sammy D.

This tour is so fun. Sammy is a great host. Here is the link if you want to take the tour too.

I had such a time trying to do this pose!!

But here it is. 😆

Until next time…..

Creatively yours,

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Google+ photo

You are commenting using your Google+ account. Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s


text:
Ball Park Injuries & The Need for More Netting

More and more we hear of individuals getting injured when hit by a bat or foul ball while sitting in the stands behind the dugouts at baseball games.  Just last week, a 3-year-old girl attending ..

Elevator Emergencies

Last month an 82-year-old man in Denver was found dead in an inoperable parking garage elevator at an apartment complex undergoing renovations.  Preliminary reports indicate that the man summoned help twice by pushing the emergency ..

Nursing Home Abuse: Are Your Loved Ones Being Cared for Properly?

  Nursing homes, including assisted living facilities, care for the elderly and people with special needs who require long-term continuous medical care. The decision to place a family member in a nursing home can be extremely difficult ..

Camping Accidents and Liability Waivers

During the summer, many people and outdoor enthusiasts flock to the outdoors to explore nature. Whether planning a family adventure or the kids are being sent to camp for a few weeks, campers are often ..

Gym and Fitness Center Accidents

People frequent gyms and fitness centers in an effort to improve their overall health and up their fitness game. In addition to other gym patrons and staff, there is a great deal of exercise equipment ..

Amusement and Theme Park Accidents

With kids out of school and families taking vacations, many choose to visit a theme or amusement park. Approximately, 335 million people visit theme parks annually, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and ..


WARC-Identified-Payload-Type: application/xhtml+xml

text:
« VRL KnowledgeBank invites Christophe Langlois, Founder of Visible-Banking.com, to speak at Retail Banking Innovations APAC 2008 in Singapore | Main | Banking 2.0: social networking, we have already tried! »

Hear, hear! Social media is as revolutionary to marketing as television advertising was in the 60s. The conversation is happening outside your web site/business walls whether you like it, or know about it, or not. Instead of ignoring it, embrace it for the font of customer knowledge that it is.

Christophe, your approach will really help us encourage those companies that are still thinking, 'perhaps if i ignore it, it will just go away'. I work with financial tech vendors, selling into every type of bank and financial institution. The most common resistance I hear is, 'our clients are very conservative and pay no heed to social media...' We need to be able to demonstrate that social media is not the new elephant in the room but the most exciting opportunity that has come our way in a long time and as such we need to be bold, be brave, and be a part of it. I look forward to seeing the video.

Hi Christophe!

Following on from a particular meeting that we had last week, I'd love to hear your response to those who say that a bank's current focus should be almost exclusively on cost reduction and risk avoidance, given the current climate, and initiatives focussing on networking and Web 2.0 technologies will and should be shelved.

Given that a lot of the work that I/we do is based on a Cost-Benefit-Analysis, I wonder how these types of propositions should be framed when being forward for consideration by the business? Because there are some analysts who say that social networking isn't, actually, important and that many companies such as LTSB are still in a strong position both financially and with respect to brand despite this?

I should point out that I don't necessarily share the above views (especially since I have both an internal and external blog myself!), but am simply passing on the question.

The most common resistance I hear is, 'our clients are very conservative and pay no heed to social media.

The comments to this entry are closed.

The VB Book

VB Social Media Watch

Find us on Facebook

Blog powered by TypePad
Member since 12/2004

VB on Twitter

  • VB on Twitter

    Industry Feedback

    • “Christophe's book is really the must-have synopsis of the current state-of-play in social media in banking. Christophe has taken a deep passion for the topic, and turned it into an account of the landscape valuable to anyone who has social media responsibilities in financial services”
      James Gardner, General Manager at Spigit

      “Christophe is extremely well informed about the banking and financial services industries. He's at all the right conferences, and digs deep with his interviews of all the influencers and innovators. He's also a tremendously nice guy :-)”
      Aaron Patzer, Founder & CEO at Mint Software

      “Christophe seems to have his finger on the pulse of the financial services industry. Visible Banking has become "the" source of information for innovations in the financial services industry.”
      Tim Collins, SVP-Experiential Marketing at Wells Fargo

      More Linkedin endorsements


text:
A Bucket List in the Face of Obama/Reid/Pelosi … and Cory Booker!

Written by William Pauwels on October 22, 2013

With the election of Newark Mayor, Cory Booker, the voters of New Jersey have once again confirmed their support of the Obama/Reid/Pelosi/liberal-leftist Democrat, deficit, tax-and-spend agenda.

With the US federal deficit now surpassing $17 trillion – and a continuing federal spending deficit in excess of $700 billion – with no end in sight – the citizens of New Jersey have clearly voted for more of the same – more government entitlements – more deficit spending – more borrowing – and a continuation of Obama’s sluggish economy.

Apparently, Garden Staters are not bothered by the obvious failed leadership of the liberal-leftist Democrats in control of the federal legislature and economy since 2007 – and presidency since 2009. Their bungling and stumbling are to be sustained regardless of the disastrous consequences on the horizon for our children, grandchildren, etc.

One need look no further than the ObamaCare implementation fiasco to appreciate the incompetence of the Obama/Reid/Pelosi/liberal-leftist Democrats.  ObamaCare is Pres. Obama’s signature “accomplished” and yet, after three years, it’s implementation is a debacle of the first order.

Trending: WATCH: Pretty Blonde DESTROYS Morons Who Think ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ Is A Rape Song

Hopefully, Cory Booker will help fix the leadership problems in the Senate and administration – but I doubt it. He has done little to fix the jobs and economic problems in Newark. Like Obama, he is a self promoter, a charismatic and colorful speech maker with little demonstrated leadership and managerial ability.  Like Democrats of recent decades, Booker will be a tax-and-spend supporter of the Democrat practice of passing our bills on to future generations.  I suspect Booker will kiss-up to the Obama administration and Senate leader, Harry Reid, and the liberal-leftist media – while continuing his self-promotion priorities.

As the American people face the Obama/Reid/Pelosi – and now Booker! – steamroller, we must continue to focus on those truths and policies that will challenge them and get our nation back on track.

The Republican Party, the Conservatives, the Libertarians, the Independents, etc. would enhance their political prospects by communicating their values and principles as succinctly as in the Bucket List. To sell the voters, use the KISS Principle: “Keep It Simple, Salesman.” Call it …

1. Obama: Gone!
2. Put “GOD” back in America !!!
3. Borders: Closed!
4. Congress: On the same retirement & healthcare plans as everybody else .
5. Congress: Obey its own laws NOW!
6. Language: English only!
7. Culture: Constitution, and the Bill of Rights!
8. Drug Free: Mandatory Drug Screening before and during Welfare!
9. NO freebies to Non-Citizens!
10. Balance the budget.
11. Stop giving away our money to foreign countries! Charge them for our help! We need it here.
12. Fix the TAX CODE!
And most of all …

Image: Courtesy of http://philosophistry.com/archives/2008/03/obama-clinton-c.html

William Pauwels
William A. Pauwels, Sr. was born in Jackson Michigan to a Belgian, immigrant, entrepreneurial family. Bill is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and served in executive and/or leadership positions at Thomson Industries, Inc., Dow Corning, Loctite and Sherwin-Williams. He is currently CIO of Pauwels Private Investment Practice. He's been commenting on matters political/economic/philosophical since 1980.

Join the conversation!

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please hover over that comment, click the ∨ icon, and mark it as spam. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.


text:
Hey, guys! Verdaccio here, back to you to share some deck guide with you. Today it’s going to be the Lumberjack Balloon Deck story.

I’m so excited to present to you guys my fun deck. It is a cycling deck. Hence, this is a win-condition deck, I assure you.

Without any further ado, let’s get into it.

Lumberjack Balloon Deck

Average Elixir Cost: 3.0

Play This Deck

Remember, the deck up above is still optional. As long as the job description or the character of the cards are still similar, you can change it, though.

If you find that the other cards you have and you are confident more with the particular card, you might as well use it, instead.

Anyway, having a point in mind, let’s just discuss the one in front of your face right now. Let’s hit it!

ice-spirit-card-clash-royale-kingdomfire spirits-card-Clash-royale-kingdomzap-card-Clash-Royale-Kingdomice-golem-card-clash-royale-kingdom

Ice Spirit is the one you have to include in this deck. Aside from the benefit of cycling card. It costs only one elixir. Most noteworthy, this walking ice can freeze the enemy for a while, making them vulnerable. This is just currently meta, you know.

Fire Spirits can deliver three splash damages. These hot balls are just the ones we need in supporting the attacking army. Minion horde? Skeleton Army? Goblin Gang? You name it. With these sons of fire are in your deck, you will always have the elixir advantage.

Zap is just the one efficient spell in this deck. Zap can give any Inferno Dragon/ Inferno Tower users such a hard time. You have to utilize the ability of the card in resetting and restarting the inferno’s gradual damage.

Ice Golem is the cheapest kiter around. Yes, you have to use this card to kite any incoming attack from your enemy. Ice Golem can make any high damage dealer end up chasing this walking ice instead of hitting your tower.

Primary cards

fireball-Card-Clash-Royale-Kingdom musketeer-card-clash-royale-kingdom balloon-card-clash-royale-kingdom Lumberjack-Card-Clash-Royale-Kingdom

Fireball is the end-game card. The Fireball can deal an average-damage. Also, since the Fireball is the only damaging spell you have on this deck, you might want to rely on your patience in deploying this card. When you see some massive or critical tower, then you can deal it using the card.

Musketeer is the only ranger on your deck. She is the primary damage dealer on this deck. She can take out any cards in the game. All we need to do is just to protect her. Always put at the very back of the line in your attacking style. She is essential in both attacking and defending.

The Balloon is the primary card here. You have to always consider this card as the primary destroyer. The Balloon can destroy any building. The balloon can deliver a massive damage. This building-targeting card is just the most efficient card to use in destroying the enemy’s base.

Lumberjack! This rage spell spiller is the main supporting card for your attacking strategy. Most noteworthy, we all want this card to die first, so the Rage spell will make the rest attacking force go insanely crazy in ruining the enemy’s base.

First Minute

At the beginning of the game, you can start giving the enemy a little attempt using the Lumberjack and the Ice Spirit or Fire Spirits.

Once, you deploy the Lumberjack, and the enemy will fight back. It will be a beautiful baiting style for the enemy to launch any troops they possess in their deck.

You can then, preparing a defensive strategy to counter their attack. Since this primary deck purpose is counter-attacking.

Once, you can overcome the enemy’s attack, in the early game, you can use several cards to push the lane, for instance, the Lumberjack with the Balloon and Fire Spirits.

From 2 minute

In mid game, you can now start being annoying, push the lane with three cards, pick any of them by all means.

Nevertheless, keep in mind that if the enemy has the Elixir advantage, you might want to hold on your play like in the early game.

The Lumberjack’s Raged Balloon if you have a clear chance

Late game

Your time has come. This is the time where you can deliver your all-out attack. You can deploy all the eight cards in the deck at this double Elixir moment.

That’s the reason why a cycling deck is currently meta. All eight cards in cycling deck will counter any troops in the game. Don’t forget to use the Fireball as the end-game spell card.

End it with the Fireball

Well, that’s it for me guys. If you something to add, suggestions, questions perhaps, feel free to fill in the comment column down below. Verdaccio, peace out!

Related Posts


text:
The Puzzly – The ISOTCMN Book Of The Month – November 2018

Going to have to be brief this month, which is a bonus as I didn’t manage to read much – just seven books. I blame these:

As I now need reading glasses, reading while multi-tasking is becoming a little more challenging. But hopefully I’m getting used to them now so things should get back up to speed in the future.

Most of the books in question were part of my Countdown to my 1000th review (and indeed my 1000th review itself) but which of these gets the Puzzly this month?

The books in question (with a short comment that usual) were:

So the Puzzly this month goes (rather easily) to the latest from Anthony Horowitz, that rather wonderful The Sentence Is Death, a properly clued, hugely entertaining page-turner.

Next month, a bunch of new releases – hopefully more than seven – as I try and adjust my reading habits to compensate for my specs. First off is another classic detection homage from Dolores Gordon-Smith, Forgotten Murder.

One comment

  1. Yeah, eyesight issues for me too, a big floater. It is diminishing but slowed ny reading horribly for months.
    Of course the obvious explanation is that the scales have not fallen from your eyes – I cite the Hammett as evidence!
    Do try The Thin Man. Radically different kind of book. Obviously a key influence on Q. Patrick Quentin-Stagge.

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: Logo

You are commenting using your account. Log Out /  Change )

Google+ photo

You are commenting using your Google+ account. Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


text:
• AKC Yellow Labradors

  • $450
Yellow AKC lab puppies. Puppies are ready for their forever home. I have four females and six males. They have had their dewclaws removed and are up to date on worming. They have had their first series of puppy shots. I have both parents on site. Sire is a beautiful yellow lab, weighing around 85 lbs. He has a very good disposition and great temperament. Dam is very smart, so smart we have to keep our doors locked all the time because she has figured out how to open them. She comes from show bloodlines and is a very pretty yellow lab. Her granddad was the number on Lab in the US in 2013. She is on the smaller side. Around 65lbs. They together have produced some beautiful puppies. Puppies are farmed raised, getting so much love from my four kids, my husband, and I. If you have any other questions call or text Candace at (913)244-9627 I can send you more pictures.
(913) 244 - 9627

Contact the advertiser

Send me a copy


text:
Thanks to the Internet, it's easy to look up any type of information. From census records, to marriage certificates and military records, information about it can be obtained online. If you are looking to find out if you are of Jewish descent, there are a few things you can do, both online and off, to discover your background.

Talk to your mother's family. For centuries, Judaism has been passed on through matrilineal descent. This means, if your mother was Jewish, you are considered Jewish. However, if your father is Jewish, that does not necessarily make you Jewish. Inquire of family about your mother's religious and ethnic identity as well as that of other women in the family who are directly related your mother, such as her mother and grandmother.

Contact a genealogy-driven DNA testing organization. Organizations like FamilyTreeDNA use cheek-swab DNA testing to identify a person's genetic haplotype, a distinct genetic pattern within chromosomes, to connect the person with an indigenous group or tribe.

Look through family obituaries. Obituaries have a wealth of information concerning genealogy. You can use the information from the obituary to research other people within your family unit, search surnames, dates of birth and death, and places of burial. Find out if funerals where held at synagogues and if surnames hint of Jewish heritage.

Visit or research cemeteries where your family is buried. Since cremation is against Jewish tradition, cemetery records can serve as a thorough resource for information on your genealogy. People who are Jewish are most often buried in Jewish cemeteries. Some cemeteries have databases with names, birth dates and photos of the deceased.

Check the Consolidated Jewish Surname Index. According to Avotaynu, the leading publisher of books on Jewish genealogy, the index cross references close to 699,084 surnames, most of which are Jewish, against databases that "combined contain more than 7.3 million records of Jewish descent."


text:
reported as spam3 times, discovered Oct 28, 2013, last activity Dec 14, 2018 07:30:28.

CleanTalk API response. Learn more about API.

Check IP Addresses, Email, Subnet, Domain for Spam in BlackList DataBase

Why CleanTalk? It's simple.

Growth of registrations/visitors

Convenient registration/commenting forms increase the number of registrations. Real-Time Email Address Existence Validation to increase your conversion rate.

Save time and resources

Our service allows you to focus your time on developing and improving the website and business, without being distracted by extraneous tasks.

Visitor loyalty

Your visitors are more loyal and not annoyed guessing characters or puzzles. They become your regular visitors.

Have you ever wondered how to stop spam?
Let us show you how
It's easier than you think spam attacks, abuse log
The log shows up to 50 last spam activities Status

Anti-Spam protectionNot in listDec 14, 2018 12:30:28
SpamFireWall [?]Not in listDec 14, 2018 12:30:28
WordPress Security FireWall [?]Not in list-
Type of attacksSpam-

Blacklisted - a sender will be rejected by CleanTalk. Suspicious - a sender might be rejected by CleanTalk. spam and brute force activity on date recently detected spam active IP addresses

#Address (DNS name)DetectedLast seenAttacked sites
1115.239.212.69Feb 23, 2014 04:24:48Nov 14, 2018 20:33:593
2115.239.212.71Apr 04, 2014 11:09:55Dec 14, 2018 07:30:283 Details

DNS name-
AS number58461
Org nameNo.288,Fu-chun Road
Spam rate39.74%

Recently BlackListed Spam IPs


text:
Leadership Lessons Learned Facing Death At 8,000 Feet

March 2013

“Hey Bruce, your crampons are coming off!”

As my beloved brother-in-law turned to look at his boot and check what had
triggered my alarm, I didn’t for a second imagine that that he was going instantly
to lose his balance and initiate a fourteen hundred foot, hundred-mile-an-hour
plummet to his death at the foot of the glacier.

So begins my story presented within “Five Seconds at a Time” (Harper Collins,
2010)…an account of my having to spend the night near the top of Mount Ruapehu
(New Zealand), at temperatures of -30 degrees Celsius, dressed only in a sunhat,
tee-shirt, shorts and boots. The miracle of surviving the 8 hours before being
rescued by helicopter taught me several profound lessons about leadership and has
remained with me as truly a mountain-top story.

These lessons include the following…

1. To seize the day! There is no guarantee for tomorrow, so Carpé Diem! How
we see each day, primarily comes down to our attitude. I am now convinced
that leadership is a disposition, not a position; a thought-choice, not a title.
We become what we think, so as leaders we simply have to make the most of
every day/hour/minute/second that we have been granted.

2. That tragedies are potential blessings, and that we choose to be bitter or
better. Choice is our greatest freedom.

3. We can overcome the seemingly impossible as long as we keep our eyes
fixed on the vision. In my case it was to get through the longest night in my
life five seconds at a time, by hanging on to the image and expectation that I
would see the rising sun.

4. An obstacle is that which we see when we take our eyes off the vision.

5. Taking one step at a time isn’t just a cute expression – it’s a way of life and
means to survival/accomplishment…

6. Yes, we CAN eat an elephant! One mouthful at a time.

7. That mastery is the art of correction, not protection. Constantly correcting
my thinking and tendency to be pulled by fear off my determination to see
the rising sun was what saved my life.

8. Aristotle was right…. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not
an act but a habit”. We are slaves to our habits. Therefore…

9. …strive unceasingly to develop useful leadership habits.

10. Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care. It
was Bruce’s love (by pulling his hand back from grasping my out-stretched
hand) that remains the supreme act of a leader.

Denis tells his harrowing story and lessons learned in “5 Seconds at a Time”

See it on Amazon here

About the author: Denis Shackel (left) and associate Jay Gilbert are a high performing
duo that work with corporate managers, executives, and their teams.

With Denis’ touching mountain top story as a foundation for the leadership curriculum, the giant
team of two will actively take your team through a journey of their own in pursuit of
unlocking their talents and reaching their highest potential.

On the web: www.shackelassociates.com

Watch Denis on TEDx…


text:
... Zealong Heritage Grey Tea – Organic NZ Grown Tea – Clevedon Woolshed

Zealong Grey Heritage Organic NZ Grown Tea
Zealong Grey Heritage Organic NZ Grown Tea
Zealong Grey Heritage Organic NZ Grown Tea

Zealong Heritage Grey Tea – 15 Pyramid Bags in Black Gift Tin

Regular price $32.00 Sale

or 6 weekly interest-free payments of $5.33 Laybuy What's this?
Zealong Tea Estate is the only commercial tea estate in New Zealand, producing 100% organic award-winning tea from an Oolong varietal - Camellia Sinensis.

A unique take on a classic blend Zealong’s own Grey is a delicate combination of well-loved herbs and flowers, and just a slight hint of bitter citrus.

Dry leaf A brightly coloured blend of flowers and herbs with a whole black leaf
Liquor Rich blush pink
Aroma Floral and spicy
Texture Full mouth feel with complex flavours
Taste Intense floral flavour with a spicy citrus bergamot peel finish

 The all-natural tea bags use plant starch as their base material. They are made from non-GMO, renewable plant sources, and leach out no harmful matter if burnt or buried, so they are 100% food-safe and non toxic. They are also compostable under the right conditions.

15 biodegradable pyramid bags / 35g

Tea bags are reuseable up to 5-8 times (pop in the fridge between use). Initial infusion is around 1.5 minutes with an additional infusion time of 30-60 seconds for each following infusion.


text:
Welcome to Cleveland Estate Liquidators

About Us

Cleveland Estate Liquidators:

  has years of experience in sales and service. We offer no upfront fees. We pay for advertising,signs and we issue you a check within 72 hours of completion of the sale. We also offer clean outs We offer security for your items and have a professional staff. With us  your items are protected and secured.

Why choose us:

No upfront costs,quick turn a round time,checks issued quickly, free advertising and signage. We are a caring and compassionate company. We understand our clients feelings and we offer the best rates in northeastern Ohio. Cleveland Estate Liquidators will make your transaction as smooth as possible.

Contact Us:

Drop us a line!

Better yet, see us in person!

We offer free consultations

or reach us by email Clevelandestateliquidators@yahoo.com

Cleveland Estate Liquidators


text:
Seniors Health and Activity Research Program-Pilot (SHARP-P)

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. Identifier: NCT00688155
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : June 2, 2008
Results First Posted : December 7, 2017
Last Update Posted : January 4, 2018
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Wake Forest University Health Sciences

May 29, 2008
June 2, 2008
May 25, 2017
December 7, 2017
January 4, 2018
May 2008
June 30, 2009   (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Composite Cognitive Function in Z-scores (i.e. Which Converts Raw Data to Standard Deviation (SD) Units: [Score-mean]/SD]). This Composite is Formed by Averaging the Z-scores From Individual Tests. [ Time Frame: Changes from baseline at 4 months in z-scores. ]
6 measures of executive functioning: Self-Ordered Pointing task (24): working memory 1- and 2-Back tests (25-26): working memory Eriksen flanker (27): response inhibition Task Switching (28): attentional flexibility Trail Making (29): executive function z-score=(raw score-mean)/standard deviation 4 measures of episodic memory Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (30) Wechsler Memory Scale-III (31) A composite of 10 scores: dividing each's difference from the baseline mean by the baseline SD, averaging the 6 executive function and 4 episodic memory z-transformed measures, and norming to have SD 1. 24. Petrides. Neuropsych 1982;20:249-62. 25. Dobbs. Psychol Aging 1989;4:500-3. 26. Jonides. J Cog Neurosci 1997;9:462-75. 27. Ericksen. Br J Sports Med 2009;43:22-4. 28. Kramer. Acta Psychologica 1999;101:339-78. 29. Reitan. Per Motor Skills 1958;8:271-6. 30. Brandt. Clin Neuropsych 1991;5:125-42. 31. Wechsler D.1997. Psychological Corporation, Harcourt, Inc: San Antonio.
Composite of six executive functioning and four episodic memory measures that have been previously validated [ Time Frame: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months ]
Complete list of historical versions of study NCT00688155 on Archive Site
  • Change in Executive Function: Z-score Formed by Averaging the Individual Z-scores From the Five Tests Listed Below. [ Time Frame: Baseline to 4 months ]
    Composite of 5 tasks: Self-Ordered Pointing Task of planning, working memory, and monitoring. Subjects view 16 abstract shapes and choose a shape so that each is selected by the 16th trial and none is chosen more than once. (Eriksen, Percept Psychophysiology 1974;16:143-49). N-Back Test of working memory. Subjects see individual letters and indicate whether the letter is the same as the nth back letter, with n equal to 1 and 2. (Dobbs, Psychol Aging 1989;4:500-3.) Eriksen flanker task of response incompatibility. Subjects see an arrow facing either right or left and indicate the direction.The target displays can be neutral congruent, or incongruent. (Eriksen, Percept Psychophys 1974;16:143-49.) Trail Making Test-Part B of alternating attention. Subjects connect 25 labeled circles and are scored by completion time. The lower the scores the better the performance. See details in the primary outcome. Raw scores for each test were converted to z-scores.
  • Composite Episodic Memory [ Time Frame: Change a 4 months ]
    Composite of 4 components. The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) of verbal learning. Subjects hear 12 words and repeat as many as possible. This is repeated twice for a total of 3 trials. 20 mins later the subject is asked to recall as many words as possible. Subjects also do a recognition trial with 24 words. Scores for immediate and delayed recall, and recognition are calculated.(Brandt J. Clin Neuropsych 1991;5:125-42). The Logical Memory (LM) test The LM test has 2 parts. In Part 1, subjects hear a story and recall as many pieces as possible immediately and after a 30 minute delay. Subjects receive a story unit score for accuracy of re-telling story details and a thematic score for recalling story themes. The higher the scores the better the performance. ( Wechsler D. The Wechsler Memory Scale-3rd Edition (WHM-III). Psycholog Corp, Harcourt, Inc.) Individual scores are converted to z-scores and averaged to form the composite.
  • Speed of processing, visuospatial skills and verbal fluency [ Time Frame: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months ]
  • Perceived cognitive functioning problems and quality of life [ Time Frame: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months ]
  • Domain scores [executive function (five tests); immediate memory (two tests); delayed memory (two tests)] [ Time Frame: Baseline, 2 months, and 6 months ]
Not Provided
Not Provided
Seniors Health and Activity Research Program-Pilot
Seniors Health and Activity Research Program-Pilot
The purpose of this pilot study is to develop and conduct well-designed trial to assess whether a multi-factorial intervention involving physical activity and cognitive training reduces the risk of significant cognitive decline in older individuals.

Evidence from small or uncontrolled studies indicates that physical exercise and cognitive training have considerable promise as prevention strategies, to the extent that they are often recommended; however, their efficacy has not been established by an adequately powered randomized clinical trial.

This pilot study will provide the experience and data to assess whether physical activity and cognitive training separately improve cognitive function over 6 months. It will also determine whether a combination intervention holds promise beyond individual interventions without compromising adherence, and will provide information necessary to design a well-organized and efficient full scale, multi-center randomized clinical trial.

The Physical Activity Training (PAT) will consist of center-based and home-based sessions to include aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance training. The actual time spent exercising will vary from person to person and will also vary depending on what stage of the study they are in.

The Cognitive Training (CT) intervention was developed to improve consciously-controlled memory processing or recollection of episodic memory information and produces changes in performance that transfer to executive function, such as working memory, planning and memory monitoring, as well as long term item memory and cognitive processing speed.

The Healthy Aging Education (HAE) control will combine health education-based lectures with light stretching and toning. HAE will include an experiential component, in which participants will learn how to take charge of their health and seek out appropriate medical services and information. Topics such as medications, foot care, traveling and nutrition will be covered.

Not Applicable
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Intervention Model Description:
Participants were randomly assigned, with equal probability to one of four conditions: an educational control condition, moderate-intensity physical activity training, repetition lag cognitive training, or both physical activity and repetitive lag training.
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description:
Data collection related to study outcomes was performed by staff who were masked to intervention assignment.
Primary Purpose: Prevention
Cognitive Function
  • Behavioral: Physical Activity Training
    Two 1-hour center and two 15- to 45-minute home-based training sessions per week to include aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance training for 6 months. The ultimate goal is to accumulate 150 minutes of walking per week between center and home-based sessions.
  • Behavioral: Cognitive Training
    Two 1-hour sessions per week for the first two months and then one 1-hour session per week for months 3-6.
  • Behavioral: Healthy Aging Education
    One 1-hour lecture each week for 3 months, then monthly.
    Other Name: Healthy Aging
  • Experimental: Physical Activity Training
    The Physical Activity Training ((PAT) intervention consisted of center-based and home-based sessions comprised of aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance training with a targeted duration of 150 mins/wk.
    Intervention: Behavioral: Physical Activity Training
  • Experimental: Cognitive Training
    The Cognitive Training (CT) intervention was developed to improve consciously-controlled memory processing or recollection of episodic memory information.
    Intervention: Behavioral: Cognitive Training
  • Experimental: Combined Intervention

    The Combined Intervention (PACT) was designed so that participants received both cognitive and physical activity training on the same day.

    • Behavioral: Physical Activity Training
    • Behavioral: Cognitive Training
  • Active Comparator: Healthy Aging Education
    The Healthy Aging Education control intervention consisted of weekly lectures based on health education.
    Intervention: Behavioral: Healthy Aging Education

*   Includes publications given by the data provider as well as publications identified by Identifier (NCT Number) in Medline.
June 30, 2010
June 30, 2009   (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 70 to 85 years
  • Summary score between 88 (80 for less than 8 years of education) and 95 on the Modified Mini-Mental Exam
  • Sedentary lifestyle, i.e., not actively participating in a formal exercise program within the past 3 months (defined as 30 minutes or more of formal exercise at least once a week; brisk walks will be considered formal exercise, leisurely walks will not)
  • Fluency in standard American English (to limit staffing and translation costs in this pilot)
  • Willingness to be randomized to any of the four intervention conditions

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Failure to provide the name of a personal physician
  • Living in a nursing home; persons living in assisted or independent housing will not be excluded
  • Unable to communicate because of severe hearing loss or speech disorder
  • Severe visual impairment, which would preclude completion of the assessments and/or intervention
  • Neurologic disease, e.g. Alzheimer's (or other types of dementia), stroke that required hospitalization, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or prior diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
  • Abnormal functioning based on the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (less than 30)
  • Positive screen for MCI or dementia
  • Scores greater than or equal to 1.5 standard deviations below normal on memory and non-memory domain tests (speed of processing, and verbal fluency)
  • Severe rheumatologic or orthopedic diseases, e.g., awaiting joint replacement, active inflammatory disease
  • Terminal illness with life expectancy less than 8 months, as determined by a physician
  • Severe pulmonary disease, e.g., on home oxygen or chronic steroids
  • Severe cardiac disease, including New York Health Association Class III or IV congestive heart failure, clinically significant aortic stenosis, history of cardiac arrest which required resuscitation, use of a cardiac defibrillator, or uncontrolled angina
  • Other significant co-morbid disease that would impair ability to participate in the exercise-based intervention, e.g. renal failure on hemodialysis, severe or acute psychiatric disorder (e.g. bipolar disorder or major depression, schizophrenia), excessive alcohol use (more than 14 drinks per wk); persons with managed depression (on stable dosage for at least 3 months) will not be excluded
  • Baseline Geriatric Depression Scale score greater than 6
  • Other significant factors that may affect the ability for cognitive training, including a history of head trauma resulting in a loss of consciousness, current use of benzodiazepines, hypnotic or anticholinergic agents, and current use of cognitive enhancing prescription or investigational medications (e.g., donepezil, selegiline, tacrine)
  • Member of household is already enrolled
  • Lives distant from the study site or is planning to move out of the area in next 3 years or leave the area for more than 3 months during the next year
  • History of participation in a cognitive program in the last 2 years (includes research studies involving memory training)
  • Myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, or valve replacement within past 6 months
  • Serious conduction disorder (e.g., 3rd degree heart block), uncontrolled arrhythmia
  • Pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis within past 6 months
  • Stroke, hip fracture, hip or knee replacement, or spinal surgery within past 4 months
  • Receiving physical therapy for gait, balance, or other lower extremity training
  • Severe hypertension, e.g., systolic blood pressure over 160 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure over 110 mmHg
  • Other temporary intervening events, such as sick spouse, bereavement, or recent move
  • Participation in another intervention trial; participation in an observational study may be permitted
  • Inability to commit to intervention schedule requirements
Sexes Eligible for Study: All
70 Years to 85 Years   (Older Adult)
Contact information is only displayed when the study is recruiting subjects
United States
1R01AG029285-01 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract )
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No
Plan to Share IPD: Yes
Plan Description: Available on request and development of a data sharing agreement.
Supporting Materials: Study Protocol
Supporting Materials: Informed Consent Form (ICF)
Time Frame: On request
Access Criteria: Data sharing agreement.
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Principal Investigator: Mark Espeland, PhD Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
December 2017

ICMJE     Data element required by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and the World Health Organization ICTRP


text:
for people ages 18 years and up (full criteria)
at San Francisco, California and other locations
study started
estimated completion:
Lawrence Kaplan

This phase I trial studies the side effect and best dose of ibrutinib in combination with rituximab, etoposide, prednisone, vincristine sulfate, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin hydrochloride in treating patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive stage II-IV diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Ibrutinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, may interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as etoposide, prednisone, vincristine sulfate, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving ibrutinib and etoposide, prednisone, vincristine sulfate, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin hydrochloride may work better in treating patients with HIV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

Official Title

Phase I and Dose-Expansion Study of Ibrutinib and R-da-EPOCH for Front Line Treatment of AIDS-Related Lymphomas

  1. To assess the safety and tolerability of ibrutinib and rituximab (R)-dose adjusted (da)-etoposide, prednisone, vincristine sulfate, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin hydrochloride (EPOCH) in participants with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related lymphomas (ARL).

  1. To evaluate the complete response (CR) rates of ARL to ibrutinib and R-da-EPOCH.

II. To measure the 1-year and 2-year overall and progression-free survival of participants with ARL treated with combination ibrutinib and R-da-EPOCH, including preliminary comparison of non-germinal center B-cell (GCB) with historical controls treated with R-da-EPOCH.

III. To categorize and compare the cell-of-origin by gene expression profiling (GEP) gene expression-based classification (GCB, activated B-cell-like, unclassifiable) to immunohistochemistry (IHC) classification (GCB, non-GCB), estimate the discordant classification, and correlate each biological classification (IHC and GEP) with treatment response rates and survival.

IV. To calculate the percentage of participants who receive two or more cycles of R-da-EPOCH, and are able to continue on a minimum dose level of cyclophosphamide of -1 and above after dose adjustments for hematologic toxicities.

  1. To determine the average number of days per cycle participants are able to stay on planned dose of ibrutinib at the recommended phase II dose (RP2D).

VI. To assess the effect of ibrutinib and R-da-EPOCH on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) long-term latency reservoir.

VII. To assess the effect and degree of ibrutinib and R-da-EPOCH on T-cell receptor signaling via ITK inhibition.

VIII. To assess the effect of ibrutinib and R-da-EPOCH on B-cell receptor signaling pathway including BTK activity in ARL.

IX. To evaluate the soluble cytokine response to ibrutinib and R-da-EPOCH. X. To characterize the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin, etoposide, and vincristine in the presence of ibrutinib, and vice versa, and assess the clinical relevance of any drug-drug interaction and correlate with pharmacodynamics outcomes.

OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation study of ibrutinib.

Patients receive rituximab intravenously (IV) on day 1 (for CD20 positive patients only), etoposide IV over 96 hours on days 1-4, doxorubicin hydrochloride IV over 96 hours on days 1-4, vincristine sulfate IV over 96 hours on days 1-4, prednisone orally (PO) daily on days 1-5, cyclophosphamide IV over 1 hour on day 5, and ibrutinib PO once daily (QD) on days 1-21. Treatment repeats every 21 days for up to 6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also receive pegfilgrastim subcutaneously (SC) from 1 calendar day up to 48 hours or filgrastim SC beginning on day 6 for up to 10 days until absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is satisfactory.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months for 2 years, and then every 6 months for up to 5 years.

AIDS-Related Lymphoma Ann Arbor Stage II Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Ann Arbor Stage III Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Ann Arbor Stage IV Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma CD20 Negative CD20 Positive Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Lymphoma Lymphoma, B-Cell Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome HIV Infections Lymphoma, AIDS-Related HIV Seropositivity Cyclophosphamide Rituximab Liposomal doxorubicin Etoposide phosphate Doxorubicin Prednisone Etoposide Vincristine Podophyllotoxin Antibodies Immunoglobulins Antibodies, Monoclonal Lenograstim Cortisone acetate Cortisone Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Filgrastim Ibrutinib Laboratory Biomarker Analysis Pegfilgrastim Pharmacological Study Vincristine Sulfate

You can join if…

Open to people ages 18 years and up

  • Participants must have histologically (via at least a core or ideally, incisional or excisional biopsy) documented CD20 positive or negative diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)
  • Tissue available from the diagnostic biopsy in the form of blocks, tissue cores, or slides available for submission to central pathology is required for all participants enrolled to this study; formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from diagnostic tissue is acceptable and recommended; submission of the institutional diagnostic slides is also preferred for all participants enrolled in the study
  • Stage II-IV disease; participant will need measurable disease by computed tomography(CT) or positron emission tomography (PET) scans if enrolled in the dose-expansion cohort
  • HIV positive; documentation of HIV-1 infection by means of any one of the following:
  • Documentation of HIV diagnosis in the medical record by a licensed health care provider;
  • Documentation of receipt of ART (at least three different medications) by a licensed health care provider (documentation may be a record of an antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescription in the participant's medical record, a written prescription in the name of the participant for ART, or pill bottles for ART with a label showing the participant's name);
  • HIV-1 ribonucleic acid (RNA) detection by a licensed HIV-1 RNA assay demonstrating > 1000 RNA copies/mL;
  • Any licensed HIV screening antibody and/or HIV antibody/antigen combination assay confirmed by a second licensed HIV assay such as a HIV-1 western blot confirmation or HIV rapid multispot antibody differentiation assay
  • NOTE: a "licensed" assay refers to a United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved assay, which is required for all investigational food drug (IND) studies
  • Only participants whose lymphoma is untreated are allowed for the dose-finding portion; for the dose expansion cohort both untreated and participants who have received a maximum of one cycle of combination chemotherapy, including rituximab-containing regimens R-cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride,vincristine sulfate, prednisone (CHOP) and R-EPOCH, prior are eligible; the start of previous chemotherapy cycle must occur at least 21 days prior and 28 days maximum to beginning treatment under this protocol, and such cycle will count towards the maximum of 6 cycles under this study (i.e. cycle off study will count as cycle 1)
  • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =< 2 (Karnofsky >= 50%)
  • CD4 count >= 100 in the dose-finding cohort; once the dose-finding cohort is complete and if safety is established, participants with any CD4 count, including CD4 count <100, will be allowed in the dose-escalation phase
  • Absolute neutrophil count: >= 1,000/mm3, unless decreased due to bone marrow involvement with lymphoma

  • Platelets: >= 75,000/mm3, unless decreased due to bone marrow involvement with lymphoma

  • Total bilirubin: =< 1.5 institutional upper limit of normal (ULN); if potential due to lymphoma, the first cycle may be given without ibrutinib and if transaminitis and bilirubinemia improves to meet parameters, participant mat be enrolled on the clinical trial
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase[SGOT])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase [SGPT]):< 2 institutional ULN; if potentially due to lymphoma, the first cycle will be given without ibrutinib and if transaminitis and bilirubinemia improves to meet parameters,participant may be enrolled on trial
  • Creatinine levels within normal institutional limits; or, creatinine clearance >= 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for participants with creatinine levels above institutional normal;unless decreased due to renal involvement by lymphoma

  • Participants must not be on medications, including antiretroviral (ARV) regimens such as cobicistat, indinavir, or ritonavir, or agents with moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibition; if on a moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitor regimen prior to study enrollment, participants must be switched to a qualifying regimen with the last dose of the strong CYP3A4 inhibitor taken at least one week before administration of ibrutinib
  • Willingness of sexually active participants to use adequate contraception; both men and women of child-bearing potential treated or enrolled on this study must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence)before study entry, for the duration of study participation, 90 days after completion of ibrutinib, and 12 months after the last dose of rituximab, whichever comes last;men who only have sex with other men do not need to use contraception specifically for this study (should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately)
  • All participants will be required to be screened for hepatitis B; all participants who present with acute hepatitis B or show normal transaminases and are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive (+) and IgM+ for hepatitis core antigen will not be eligible for trial enrollment; per Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Assistance for AIDS Specific Drugs (AASD) guidelines, those participants that show no immunity, defined by the lack of hepatitis B surface antibody, and show evidence of chronic infection (i.e. hepatitis B [HB]sAg+, HBcore+, hepatitis B surface antibody[HBsAB] negative [-]) will be required to be on anti-hepatitis B therapy, during the study, in order to be eligible; the exact hepatitis B therapy will be at the discretion of the infection disease specialist or investigator; if infected with hepatitis B, participants will be permitted to enroll in the study provided liver function tests meet criteria listed above, there is no evidence of cirrhosis AND participants will be required to be on anti-hepatitis B therapy
  • All participants will be required to be screened for hepatitis C; if hepatitis C antibody positive, with or without a positive hepatitis C RNA level, participants will be permitted to enroll in the study provided liver function tests meet criteria listed, and have no evidence of cirrhosis; participants diagnosed with hepatitis C less than 6 months from trial enrollment will be considered to have acute hepatitis C,and will be excluded from study UNLESS hepatitis C viral load is undetectable
  • Adequate cardiac function defined as an ejection fraction on echocardiogram (ECHO) or multi-gated acquisition (MUGA) that is at or above the institutional normal limits
  • Participants must be able to swallow oral pills
  • Ability to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document

You CAN'T join if...

  • Participants who have had chemotherapy other than R-EPOCH or R-CHOP, or radiotherapy other than palliative radiation for medical emergencies (like cord compression),within the last 4 weeks
  • Prior cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiotherapy for this lymphoma
  • Rituximab within 12 months prior to study registration; only exception will be if rituximab was given for indications other than the treatment of aggressive lymphoma,or for one prior cycle of treatment
  • Participants who are receiving any other investigational agents
  • Participants who have previously received ibrutinib for another indication
  • Expected survival < 2 months
  • Participants with a history of an opportunistic fungal infection or active fungal infection requiring, or at high risk of requiring, prophylactic or treatment with fluconazole, voriconazole or posaconazole
  • Participants with known brain metastases from solid tumors should be excluded from this clinical trial
  • Presence of second active tumor, other than non-melanoma skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) that requires systemic therapy
  • In the dose-finding portion of the study, participants with known or suspected parenchymal brain, spinal cord, leptomeningeal disease prior to study enrollment will be excluded; in the dose-expansion portion of the study, known or suspected parenchymal brain or spinal cord disease, and/or suspected or symptomatic leptomeningeal disease prior to study enrollment will be excluded; asymptomatic leptomeningeal disease only will be allowed in the dose-expansion cohort
  • History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to ibrutinib or other agents used in study
  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding; a pregnancy test must be performed within 7 days prior to ibrutinib initiation in women of childbearing potential; pregnant women; breastfeeding must be discontinued because of unknown but potential risks in the nursing infant
  • Unable to comply with the requirements of the protocol, or unable to provide adequate informed consent in the opinion of the principal investigator
  • Serious, ongoing, non-malignant disease or infection, which in the opinion of the investigator and/or the sponsor would compromise other protocol objectives;participants with active opportunistic infections are ineligible
  • Major surgery, other than diagnostic surgery, occurring 4 weeks prior to study entry;splenectomy will not be considered an exclusionary major surgery
  • History of cutaneous or mucocutaneous reactions, or diseases in the past, due to any cause, severe enough to cause hospitalization or an inability to eat or drink for > 2 days; this exclusion relates to the long-term possibility of severe cutaneous or mucocutaneous reactions to rituximab that might occur at increased frequency in participants who have had severe skin disease or reactions in the past
  • Myocardial infarction (MI) within 6 months prior to study entry, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or greater heart failure, uncontrolled angina, severe uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmias, clinically significant pericardial disease, or electrocardiographic evidence of acute ischemic or active conduction system abnormalities

  • UCSF Medical Center-Parnassus accepting new patients
    San Francisco California 94143 United States
  • UCLA / Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center accepting new patients
    Los Angeles California 90095 United States

Lead Scientist

  • Lawrence Kaplan
    Professor, Medicine. Authored (or co-authored) 39 research publications

accepting new patients
Start Date
Completion Date
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Phase 1
Study Type
Last Updated


text:
How we handle money can make or break our relationships with our spouses. Although we all know that managing money is important, a 2011 Couples & Money Survey showed that nearly all Americans in committed relationships (91%) agree that it is important to discuss their partner’s financial history before marriage, yet more than one quarter (26%) admit they tend to avoid talking about finances.

The truth is, combining marriage and finances can be quite challenging, and our beliefs about how to handle finances in a marriage are often shaped by a number of factors, including how we were raised.Despite all of this, it’s incredibly important to be open with your spouse because the more you work together when managing money, the more likely you are to reach all of your financial goals and become wealthy someday.

Below are our top three savings tips to help facilitate those money conversations and help you handle money more successfully than ever.

Tip #1: Have a Finance Date

Going on a date to the movies or to a candlelit dinner sounds way more fun than having a finance date. I get it; I know. (A calculator doesn’t exactly whip someone into a romantic frenzy.)

However, I recommend couples have a “finance date” because by calling it that, you take something you might dread and transform it into something enjoyable. It’s hard to argue on a date or get frustrated. It’s a date after all, right?

So, all you need to do is schedule a time each month to sit down and talk about money. This is the number one best way to learn how to handle finances in a marriage because it forces open communication, helps you to verbalize your savings goals, and encourages you to work together with your spouse.

According to an online poll commissioned by ForbesWoman and the National Endowment for Financial Education, “one in three Americans (31%) who have combined their finances admitted lying to their spouses about money.” If you don’t want to become a part of that statistic, you need to try to talk and communicate about managing money regularly. It won’t always be easy but I believe that the more you communicate with your spouse about your savings goals, the more likely you are to reach them.

When couples hide money secrets from each other, it damages not only their spouse but their future together. If you want to become financially successful in the future and retire with millions, you have to work together with your other half.

We all have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to money. Even the most disciplined saver might not be able to resist a chocolate bar every time they’re in the grocery checkout line (not that I know anyone like that, of course.)

Acknowledge these differences during your finance dates and laugh about them. It’s far better to come to a middle ground or a compromise than it is to try to force someone to follow your exact money philosophy. Remember that you married your spouse because you love the way they think and you enjoy their personality. The way we handle money is an intimate and integral part of who we are. We are all capable of positive change, but it often starts with respectful conversation.

So remember, have a date. Make it fun. Keep things light. Accept one another and work together towards your goals. The more money dates you have, the more open you will become with one another when it comes to your finances.

Tip #2: Give Each Other An Allowance

I was a financial writer for years before I discovered this trick, and it has worked wonders in my own marriage. My husband has amazing taste, and because of that, his wants in life are often more expensive than my own. Whether it’s his high-end shaving cream or the nice shoes he wears to work, my husband takes great pride in his appearance. Although I try to look nice, I’m perfectly fine with a pair of yoga pants with T.J.Maxx as my daily outfit of choice.

Over the years, my husband’s small and seemingly innocuous purchases always seemed to take away from my savings goals. I’d plan on saving a certain amount each month, but then I wouldn’t take into account some of his purchases. It wasn’t fair of me to try to control everything he spent. After all, that’s not healthy in a marriage. However, I also wanted to save and invest so we could become experts at managing money and becoming financially independent millionaires someday.

So, we started giving each other an allowance.

Every month, we each get a certain dollar amount that is put on a prepaid debit card for each of us. The past few months, we’ve each received $100 to spend as we please every month, but the amount varies depending on how aggressively we’re paying off student loan debt or trying to save for other goals.

The benefit of having our allowance on a pre-paid debit card is that I don’t have to see his purchases and he doesn’t have to see mine. If he wants to get a $60 haircut, he can do that without any judgement from me. Similarly, I can buy whatever I please too, without any sideways glances from him. We each have a choice, and that’s an empowering feeling.

Additionally, because our personal money is set each month, there is no way either of us can dip into our checking account again. Once the allowance is gone, it’s gone, which helps to cut down on unnecessary spending, individual shopping guilt, and money arguments.

Tip #3: Automate It to Make it Easy

My last savings tip for married couples is to automate everything. Much like taking out the trash or cutting the grass, there is a long list of financial chores that have to be tended to each month like paying bills or tracking spending.

I’ve found the very best way to save for both short-term and long-term goals is to automate everything to make it easy. The allowance I mentioned above is automatically deducted and moved to our pre-paid debit cards each month. Putting money in a retirement savings planis also something that’s extremely easy to automate.

If you’re not currently saving 15% of your income into your retirement funds, start trying to increase your savings amounts incrementally over time. If you have a specific savings goal like refinishing your basement or saving for a new car, have $25 or $50 or whatever you can afford automatically moved to a separate savings account for that specific goal as soon as you get paid.

Ultimately, the more you automate your bills and your life, the less financial stress you will have. Couple that with an allowance to make you feel like you have some independence and some productive finance dates, and there’s no doubt you’ll be saving your way to becoming a millionaire couple once and for all.

Reposted with permission. The original article can be found here.

Brightpeak financial is an award-winning not-for-profit organization helping Christians gain financial strength.

Sign Up For Email Updates

Sign Up For Email Updates

Want to get our latest marriage content delivered directly to your email inbox?

Sign up and we will add you to our email list! And we won't send you and spam—we promise.

You have Successfully Subscribed!


text:
Are you at a crossroads?

Easily Live A Life of
Perspective, Passion and Purpose!

This Special Gift will help you:

  • Calm the overwhelm, so that you can find peace!
  • Become clear so that you know exactly what you want!
  • Get confident so that you can have real impact in your life and the lives you touch.
  • Answer some simple questions so that you know exactly who you are.
  • Create a clear plan so that you move forward knowing exactly what to do.

You’re not alone! I’ve helped many overwhelmed women who are overachievers like you to easily live the life of their dreams with the simple strategies revealed in this Free 5 Steps to Perspective, Passion & Purpose Guide!

Submit your name in the form to the right and you'll receive this Special Gift ... PLUS some more surprises to help you quickly get started living the life of your dreams.

 I have peace of mind and confidence!

Before I coached with Wendy, I was constantly worried:  How I was going to ever get my new home livable?  How there was ever going to be free time?  How I could ever entertain again?
This was a very stressful time in my life.  Everything was so much harder than it is now.  As in, if you need tylenol where in there world is it?
I finally said yes to coaching when I realized I was worth spending money and time on to get what I wanted.
After coaching, I feel confident to deal with challenges.  I have peace of mind and confidence.  I also noticed that when I’m faced with a challenge, I can break it down and figure it out much more easily.
One of my favorite aspects of coaching was figuring out the why behind holding on to possessions.  It was peaceful and good to let them go.
Kathy E., R.N.

FREE help you begin your journey to set your perspective so that you can live your life with passion and purpose.

PLUS More Free Resources!

Sign up below and get your FREE gift today!

Sign me up for Coach Wendy's monthly newsletter!

Complimentary Session

Book your 45 minute no obligation complimentary strategy session.


text:
Coal Macerals MA20 | Petrographic Atlas | SIU

Southern Illinois University

Crelling's Petrographic Atlas of Coals and Carbons

College of Science

Frame ID:  MA20
Sample ID:  Elkhorn #3 seam Appalachian high volatile A bituminous coal, eastern Kentucky
Maceral Group: Liptinite
Maceral Type: Sporinite
Magnification: As given
Illuminator: Vertical
Objective: 50x oil
Polarizer: In
Analyzer: Out
Retarder Plate: Out
Filter: None
Important Features: A dark sporinite maceral in the center of the field.
High Resolution Image (300 dpi)

Description: The dark folded structure in the center of the field is a typical megaspore. It shows the characteristic flattened-sphere structure resulting in a bilateral symmetry around a central fissure. The much smaller dark bodies are microspores with less developed symmetry.