Tuesday, September 30, 2014

‘PLECTRUMELECTRUMARTOFFICIALAGE’ Live Stream Celebration

PRINCE & 3RDEYEGIRL TONIGHT ON THE LIVE NATION CHANNEL ON YAHOO Live Stream Celebration on Tuesday, September 30 PLECTRUMELECTRUMARTOFFICIALAGE Album Release Party with a Behind the Scenes Look at Prince's Iconic Recording Studio, Paisley Park Live Nation Entertainment today announced that music icon, Prince and his band 3RDEYEGIRL will appear tomorrow evening at 9:30 PM/CT on the Live Nation Channel on Yahoo for PLECTRUMELECTRUMARTOFFICIALAGE an exclusive album release party. In addition to the live stream, fans will get an exclusive behind the scenes look at Prince's legendary Minnesota studio complex, Paisley Park, the creative sanctuary where Prince has recorded many of his most recognized musical creations. Fans around the world can watch the free live stream on mobile via the Yahoo Screen app or online at www.yahoo.com/live. The exclusive window into Prince's world is a celebration marking the release of two brand new albums on the same day: 'ART OFFICIAL AGE,' a classic Prince album produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince and Joshua Welton and 'PLECTRUMELECTRUM' a classic band record, with 3RDEYEGIRL, which include Prince, Donna Grantis (guitar), Hannah Ford Welton (drums) and Ida Nielsen (bass). Fans first got to experience select songs from PLECTRUMELECTRUM during Prince & 3RDEYEGIRL's recent critically acclaimed UK 'Hit & Run' tour. For more information and to purchase Prince's album ART OFFICIAL AGE visit - www.ARTOFFICIALAGE.com For more information and to purchase Prince & 3RDEYEGIRL's album PLECTRUMELECTRUM visit - www.3RDEYEGIRL.com

Monday, September 29, 2014

Amazing Grace

So here we are getting ready to starting a New Week with this For by grace you have been saved through faith. —Ephesians 2:8 Pressed into service in the Royal Navy, John Newton was dismissed for insubordination and turned to a career trafficking in slaves. Notorious for cursing and blasphemy, Newton served on a slave ship during the cruelest days of trans-Atlantic slavery, finally working his way up to captain. A dramatic conversion on the high seas set him on the path to grace. He always felt a sense of undeservedness for his new life. He became a rousing evangelical preacher and eventually a leader in the abolitionist movement. Newton appeared before Parliament, giving irrefutable eyewitness testimony to the horror and immorality of the slave trade. We also know him as the author of the lyrics of perhaps the best-loved hymn of all time, “Amazing Grace.” Newton described any good in himself as an outworking of God’s grace. In doing so, he stands with these great heroes—a murderer and adulterer (King David), a coward (the apostle Peter), and a persecutor of Christians (the apostle Paul). This same grace is available to all who call upon God, for “in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). —Philip Yancey Amazing grace—how sweet the sound— That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see. —Newton Lives rooted in God’s unchanging grace can never be uprooted. Bible in a year: Isaiah 7-8; Ephesians 2 Insight Here in Ephesians 2, Paul contrasts a person’s life before being saved by the grace of God to life after salvation by grace through faith. The first contrast is in verse 1: We were once “dead in trespasses” but have been made alive. Another contrast is in our behavior. We once “walked according to the course of this world” (v.2). Now, as believers, we walk according to good works prepared by God (v.10).

Friday, September 26, 2014

A Matter Of Trust

Well it's here FRIDAY! Yes we have made it to the end of the week a lot has transpire over the course of the week we step into the first day of autumn and also celebrate the jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah so that's saying alot so as we come to the close of the week let's take a moment to just REJOICE for our loves that we have. Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them. —Psalm 5:11 A news item from Australia told the story of Pascale Honore, a paraplegic woman who, after 18 years of being confined to a wheelchair, has taken up surfing. How? Ty Swan, a young surfer, straps her to his back with duct tape. After getting the balance perfect, Ty paddles out into the ocean so they can catch a wave and Pascale can experience the exhilaration of surfing. This requires a tremendous amount of trust; so many things could go wrong. Yet her confidence in Ty is enough to enable her to enjoy a dream come true, in spite of the danger. Life is like that for the follower of Christ. We live in a dangerous world, filled with unpredictable challenges and unseen perils. Yet, we have joy because we know Someone who is strong enough to carry us through the churning waves of life that threaten to overwhelm us. The psalmist wrote, “Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You” (Ps. 5:11). In the face of life’s great dangers and challenges, we can know a joy borne out of our trust in God. His strength is more than enough! —Bill Crowder I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end. —Stead Our faith is stretched by exchanging our weakness for God’s strength. Bible in a year: Isaiah 1-2; Galatians 5 Insight In Psalm 5, David celebrates the nearness of God. Though He is Lord, God, and King, He is near to those who love and trust Him. God defends those who trust in Him (v.11), blesses the righteous, and surrounds them with a shield (v.12).

Thursday, September 25, 2014

ROSH HASHANAH-The Jewish New Year

On Sundown Yesterday we entered into what we called Rosh Hashanah it's what the Jewish community celebrates at Sundown. So I would like to take a moment to share with you the meaning behind why we Celebrate Rosh Hashanah...In the seventh month, on the first of the month, there shall be a sabbath for you, a remembrance with shofar blasts, a holy convocation. -Leviticus 16:24 Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year." Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American midnight drinking bash and daytime football game. There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one: Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making "resolutions." Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. More on this concept at Days of Awe. The name "Rosh Hashanah" is not used in the Bible to discuss this holiday. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25. Shofar: Click to hear it blow!The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. A total of 100 notes are sounded each day. There are four different types of shofar notes: tekiah, a 3 second sustained note; shevarim, three 1-second notes rising in tone, teruah, a series of short, staccato notes extending over a period of about 3 seconds; and tekiah gedolah (literally, "big tekiah"), the final blast in a set, which lasts (I think) 10 seconds minimum. Click the shofar above to hear an approximation of the sound of Tekiah Shevarim-Teruah Tekiah. The Bible gives no specific reason for this practice. One that has been suggested is that the shofar's sound is a call to repentance. The shofar is not blown if the holiday falls on Shabbat. No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in synagogue, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. In fact, there is a special prayerbook called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays. Another popular observance during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a sweet new year. This was the second Jewish religious practice I was ever exposed to (the first one: lighting Chanukkah candles), and I highly recommend it. It's yummy. We also dip bread in honey (instead of the usual practice of sprinkling salt on it) at this time of year for the same reason. Another popular practice of the holiday is Tashlikh ("casting off"). We walk to flowing water, such as a creek or river, on the afternoon of the first day and empty our pockets into the river, symbolically casting off our sins. Small pieces of bread are commonly put in the pocket to cast off. This practice is not discussed in the Bible, but is a long-standing custom. Tashlikh is normally observed on the afternoon of the first day, before afternoon services. When the first day occurs on Shabbat, many synagogues observe Tashlikh on Sunday afternoon, to avoid carrying (the bread) on Shabbat. Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d's sovereignty. The common greeting at this time is L'shanah tovah ("for a good year"). This is a shortening of "L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem" (or to women, "L'shanah tovah tikatevi v'taihatemi"), which means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." More on that concept at Days of Awe. You may notice that the Bible speaks of Rosh Hashanah as occurring on the first day of the seventh month. The first month of the Jewish calendar is Nissan, occurring in March and April. Why, then, does the Jewish "new year" occur in Tishri, the seventh month? Judaism has several different "new years," a concept which may seem strange at first, but think of it this way: the American "new year" starts in January, but the new "school year" starts in September, and many businesses have "fiscal years" that start at various times of the year. In Judaism, Nissan 1 is the new year for the purpose of counting the reign of kings and months on the calendar, Elul 1 (in August) is the new year for the tithing of animals, Shevat 15 (in February) is the new year for trees (determining when first fruits can be eaten, etc.), and Tishri 1 (Rosh Hashanah) is the new year for years (when we increase the year number. Sabbatical and Jubilee years begin at this time).

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

First Day of Autumn

WOW! The dog days of Summer as come to an end and we are transitioning into the Autumnal Equinox or to paraphrase it we are Celebrating the First Day of Autumn as we see the leaves turn to a shade of autumn umber we are delighted to enter into a New Season. So gone are the extremely HOT Days and HOT Nights we get a chance to embrace the gently soft breeze and the crisp in the air the gently early Sunsets. Yes you can see that ALL with your very own eyes if you take the time to just STOP and take it ALL in and a moment to look around you,you can see that Autumn has return. This is What CBS New as reported on the Autumnal Equinox. On Monday, Sept. 22, the Earth will have nearly equal amounts of light and darkness, as summer ends and a new fall season begins. Depending where you live, the changing colors of leaves or a sudden briskness in the air may have made it seem like the seasons had already shifted, but the equinox on Monday signals the official start of autumn. The autumnal equinox will occur at 10:29 p.m. EDT on Monday (0229 Tuesday, Sept. 23 GMT), according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office. Sometimes the autumnal equinox falls on Sept. 23 or 24 because of irregularities in the calendar and Earth's orbit. In addition to the autumnal equinox in late September, the Earth undergoes the vernal, or spring, equinox in March; in both cases, the Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the sun, NWS officials said. At those times, the lengths of day and night are almost equal across the world. [Turning Leaves: The Rich Colors of Fall Foliage] During each equinox, the sun is exactly over the equator at noon. As the world turns, the sun's rays are refracted, or bent to make it look like the sun is above the horizon for a longer period of time, even though it is not, NWS officials said in a statement. Though this happens with every sunset, it's longer during the equinox. Also, the days last longer at places farther from the equator because the sun takes longer to rise and set. Though the word "equinox" translates to "equal" (aequus) and "night" (nox) in Latin, the days and nights aren't precisely equal. On the equinox and the days just before and after it, the day will last roughly 12 hours and six minutes, as the sun passes directly over the equator. As autumn progresses, higher latitudes receive fewer hours of daylight and longer nights. This seasonal change happens because of Earth's 23.5-degree tilt. The fall and winter seasons happen at those latitudes when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere experiences spring and summer during that time because they're tilted toward the sun. But, people living at the equator will see little difference, as those parts of the world experience less seasonal change because of the planet's tilt, the NWS said. The change from summer to fall can be difficult for some people. As the sun sets earlier, between 1 percent and 10 percent of the population experience seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Symptoms include weight loss or gain, daytime sleepiness, irritability, withdrawing from friends and family, and lack of energy. Doctors recommend that people with SAD get as much natural daylight as they can, such as going for walks during the day or sitting near windows. Exercise and connecting with family and friends can also help, as can "light therapy," or sitting near an artificial bright light. In some cases, medication can also help people cope with SAD. But others associate autumn more with crisp walks and leaves to rake, until another seasonal shift happens, with the winter solstice on Dec. 21.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Repeat Warnings

Here we GO! We are getting ready 2 start the New Week and we are starting it Off with these word of wisdom. I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel. —Galatians 1:6 “Caution, the moving walkway is ending. Caution, the moving walkway is ending.” If you’ve ever used an automated walkway at an airport, you’ve heard this kind of announcement repeatedly. Why do airports repeat this announcement over and over? To ensure safety and to protect them from liability if someone were to be injured. Repeated announcements can be annoying, but they do have value. As a matter of fact, the apostle Paul thought repeating a warning was so vital that he did it in the text of Galatians. But his statement had value far beyond the danger of tripping at the airport. Paul warned them not to listen to, nor believe, him or an angel from heaven if they preached “any other gospel” than what they had already heard (1:8). In the next verse, Paul said it again. It was a warning worth repeating. The Galatians had begun to believe that their salvation was dependent on good works instead of the true gospel: faith in Christ’s work. The gospel of Jesus—His death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins—is the story that we have the privilege and responsibility to share. When we present the gospel, let’s share that the risen Jesus is the only solution to the problem of sin. —Dave Branon He is the way, the truth, the life— That One whose name is Jesus; There is no other name on earth That has the power to save us. —Sper Only one road leads to heaven— Jesus Christ is the way. Bible in a year: Ecclesiastes 10-12; Galatians 1 Insight Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia addresses Christians who were being persuaded to return to a lifestyle that sought to earn God’s favor through good deeds and obedience to the law of Moses. Today’s passage is part of the introduction to the letter. In these few verses, Paul introduces the topics that will be covered in the rest of the letter, provides the reason this should be of interest to the reader, and establishes his own authority to address the topic. Paul will be writing about the true gospel of Christ (vv.6-9), and the reader should pay attention to his words because he is the bondservant of Christ (v.10). Anyone who preaches another message is “accursed” (vv.8-9).

Friday, September 19, 2014

TAKE STEPS: Join Today Walk This Fall! Support Research and Patient Programs

Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis is a family friendly community walk dedicated to raising mission critical funds and awareness for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In the past 6 years, we have raised almost $40 million in the search for cures for these debilitating digestive diseases. Join us in 2014! Take Steps is in all 50 states and more than 150 communities across the country. Find your walk today!

On Being Known

YES! We have made it to the end of the week, now as we are preparing for the weekend here is something for us ALL to think about as we head into the weekend. I acknowledged my sin to You . . . . I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. —Psalm 32:5 One of the most difficult inner conflicts we have is our desire to be known versus our fear of being known. As beings created in the image of God we are made to be known—known by God and also by others. Yet due to our fallen nature, all of us have sins and weaknesses that we don’t want others to know about. We use the phrase “dark side” to refer to aspects of our lives that we keep hidden. And we use slogans like “put your best foot forward” to encourage others to show their best side. One reason we are unwilling to risk being known is that we fear rejection and ridicule. But when we discover that God knows us, loves us, and is willing to forgive even the worst thing we have done, our fear of being known by God begins to fade away. And when we find a community of believers who understands the dynamic relationship between forgiveness and confession, we feel safe confessing our sins to one another (James 5:16). The life of faith is not about showing only our good side. It’s about exposing our dark side to the light of Christ through confession to God and also to others. In this way we can receive healing and live in the freedom of forgiveness. —Julie Ackerman Link Lord, help me to expose my sin, Those secret wrongs that lurk within; I would confess them all to Thee; Transparent I would always be. —D. DeHaan The voice of sin may be loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder. —D. L. Moody Bible in a year: Ecclesiastes 1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Insight In James 5, James defines and describes the deep and intimate connection that should exist between Christian brothers and sisters. Confession (5:16) requires deep openness and revealing of that which we would rather hide—our sins. But James says that confession of sin is to be met with prayer, not judgment. He goes on to say that the healing mentioned in verse 16 is related to the covering of sins in verse 20. Confession must be coupled with a change of action. Without change, confession is merely a response to guilt feelings. Godly sorrow for sin leads to a different direction in life. When we hear others’ confessions, we help each other to continue on the path of righteousness.

Monday, September 15, 2014

The Blame Game

WOW! Here we go we are headed into the week and we are going to be coming up against many things so we want to take a moment to reflect on these words of encouragement. My wrong be upon you! . . . The Lord judge between you and me. —Genesis 16:5 When Jenny’s husband left her for another woman, she vowed that she would never meet his new wife. But when she realized that her bitterness was damaging her children’s relationship with their father, she asked for God’s help to take the first steps toward overcoming bitterness in a situation she couldn’t change. In Genesis 16, we read the story of a couple to whom God promised a baby. When Sarai suggested that her husband Abram have a child with their servant Hagar, she wasn’t fully trusting God for the child He had promised. When the baby was born, Hagar despised Sarai (Gen. 16:3-4), and Sarai became bitter (vv.5-6). Hagar had been the slave with no rights and suddenly she was special. How did Sarai react? By blaming others, including Abram (v.5). God’s promise was realized in the birth of Isaac 14 years later. Even his weaning celebration was spoiled by Sarai’s attitude (21:8-10). It may never have been easy for Sarai to have lived with the consequences of their decision to go ahead of God. It may have taken a miracle of grace to change her attitude but that could have transformed everything. Sarai couldn’t reverse the decision, but through God’s strength, she could have lived with it differently, and given God the glory. —Marion Stroud Thank You, Lord, that though our situations may not change, Your grace is strong enough to change us in our situations. Help us as we struggle sometimes to live in this sinful world. By God’s grace, we can reflect His light in the dark times. Bible in a year: Proverbs 22-24; 2 Corinthians 8

Saturday, September 13, 2014

18 Years Ago Remembering Tupac Shakur 1971-September 13,1996

WOW! I can't believe it's been 18 years since the death of Rapper Tupac Shakur. Today marks the 18th Anniversary of Tupac Shakur's death on September 13, 1996 Tupac Shakur was gun down while in Las Vegas watching the Mike Tyson Fight. My heart was CRUSH when I heard the News that we had lost 1 of the GREATEST Rappers of ALL Time. So on this day I want to reflect and Celebrate the Life and Music of Tupac Shakur who to ME will NEVER be forgotten.

Friday, September 12, 2014

The Small Giant

OK we have made it to the end of the week it's Friday YES! so as we head into the weekend let's take a moment to reflect over this week with The Lord . . . will deliver me. —1 Samuel 17:37 The towering enemy strides into the Valley of Elah. He stands 9 feet tall, and his coat of armor, made of many small bronze plates, glimmers in the sunlight. The shaft of his spear is wrapped with cords so it can spin through the air and be thrown with greater distance and accuracy. Goliath looks invincible. But David knows better. While Goliath may look like a giant and act like a giant, in contrast to the living God he is small. David has a right view of God and therefore a right view of the circumstances. He sees Goliath as one who is defying the armies of the living God (1 Sam. 17:26). He confidently appears before Goliath in his shepherd’s clothes, armed with only his staff, five stones, and a sling. His confidence is not in what he has but in who is with him (v.45). What “Goliath” are you facing right now? It may be an impossible situation at work, a financial difficulty, or a broken relationship. With God all things are small in comparison. Nothing is too big for Him. The words of the hymnwriter Charles Wesley remind us: “Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, and looks to that alone; laughs at impossibilities, and cries it shall be done.” God is able to deliver you if that’s His desire, and He may do so in ways you don’t expect. —Poh Fang Chia Not to the strong is the battle, Not to the swift is the race; Yet to the true and the faithful Victory is promised through grace. —Crosby Don’t tell God how big your giants are. Tell your giants how big your God is. Bible in a year: Proverbs 13-15; 2 Corinthians 5 Insight David was young at the time he faced Goliath, so his courage in confronting the giant is impressive. His confidence was in God and was based on His actions in the past. David considered the heroic actions of his shepherding days (17:34-35) as victories of the Lord (v.37). His boldness was encouraged by the faithful strength of God.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

NEVER FORGET SEPTEMBER 11TH

Today Marks the 13th Anniversary of September the 11th so on this day we want to reflect and Remembering The Lives and Families of September 11th. Here is The White House Observing a Moment of Silence to Mark the 13th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Sow What

We are starting the week off after a long and somewhat short weekend with this On the clock tower of my alma mater is an Art Deco bas-relief sculpture titled The Sower. The inscription beneath it is from Galatians 6:7, “Whatsoever a man soweth.” Michigan State University remains a leader in agricultural research, but despite many improvements in farming techniques and crop production, this fact remains: Seeds of corn will not produce a crop of beans. Jesus used many farming metaphors to explain the kingdom of God. In the parable of the sower (Mark 4), He compared the Word of God to seeds sown in different types of soil. As the parable indicates, the sower sows indiscriminately, knowing that some seed will fall in places where it will not grow. Like Jesus, we are to sow good seed in all places at all times. God is responsible for where it lands and how it grows. The important thing is that we sow. God does not want us to reap destruction, so He wants us to sow what is good and right (Prov. 11:18). The apostle Paul elaborated on the metaphor when he warned believers not to sow seeds of corruption. Instead, we are to sow seeds that will reap eternal life (Gal. 6:8). The answer to the question, “Sow what?” is “Sow what you want to reap.” To reap a good harvest in your life, start sowing seeds of goodness.—Julie Ackerman Link Sow a thought, reap an act; Sow an act, reap a habit; Sow a habit, reap a character; Sow a character, reap a destiny. —Anon. A buried seed brings fruit; a selfless life reaps an eternal harvest. Bible in a year: Proverbs 3-5; 2 Corinthians 1

Friday, September 5, 2014

With Him Forever

It's Friday and many of us are still on a Holiday schedule due to the fact that Labor Day fell on a Monday, as we are still in that vacation mode let's take this time to reflect on this week. In 1859, during the turbulent years prior to America’s Civil War, Abraham Lincoln had the opportunity to speak to the Agricultural Society in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As he spoke, he shared with them the story of an ancient monarch’s search for a sentence that was “true and appropriate in all times and situations.” His wise men, faced with this heady challenge, gave him the sentence, “And this, too, shall pass away.” This is certainly true of our present world—it is constantly in the process of deterioration. And it’s not happening just to the world; we also face the reality in our own lives that our days are numbered. James wrote, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). Although our current life is temporary and will pass away, the God we worship and serve is eternal. He has shared that eternity with us through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. He promises us a life that will never pass away: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). When Christ returns, He will take us home to be with Him forever!—Bill Crowder Awake, my soul and sing Of Him who died for thee, And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity. —Bridges/Thring For hope today, remember the end of the story—eternity with God. Bible in a year: Psalms 146-147; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 Insight The New Testament book of James is often compared to the Old Testament book of Proverbs. Both contain a great deal of practical instruction about daily life lived in faith. Proverbs says that if we acknowledge God, He will direct our paths (3:6). Today’s passage reminds us of the same idea. While cautioning us that our lives are fleeting (James 4:13-14), James comforts us with the knowledge that we are in God’s hands (vv.12,15). He is the one who saves, and it is by His will that we live our lives.

Monday, September 1, 2014

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Well, Well, Well Summer is coming to a close as we know it has we take this moment to enjoy Family, Friends and Food let's take a moment to reflect on ALL that has gone on this Summer, we've had many of vacation's, Family reunions, plenty of time spent at some of the Amusement parks and OH YES! there has been plenty of fun at the beaches across America. So the time has come to wind down and get ready for Back to school, Back to work and Back to some what of normality. I just want to wish every one a very HAPPY LABOR DAY! May this time of Fellowship be a Blessing to ALL. Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, parades and athletic events. Labor Day, an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters. In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages. People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks. As manufacturing increasingly supplanted agriculture as the wellspring of American employment, labor unions, which had first appeared in the late 18th century, grew more prominent and vocal. They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay. Many of these events turned violent during this period, including the infamous Haymarket Riot of 1886, in which several Chicago policemen and workers were killed. Others gave rise to longstanding traditions: On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history. The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, caught on in other industrial centers across the country, and many states passed legislation recognizing it.Congress would not legalize the holiday until 12 years later, when a watershed moment in American labor history brought workers’ rights squarely into the public’s view. On May 11, 1894, employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. On June 26, the American Railroad Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, called for a boycott of all Pullman railway cars, crippling railroad traffic nationwide. To break the strike, the federal government dispatched troops to Chicago, unleashing a wave of riots that resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen workers. In the wake of this massive unrest and in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.More than a century later, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified. Many credit Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, while others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, first proposed the holiday.Labor Day is still celebrated in cities and towns across the United States with parades, picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays and other public gatherings. For many Americans, particularly children and young adults, it represents the end of the summer and the start of the back- to-school season.

I Am Not Forgotten

As of today Summer is Official OVER so as we are winding down this last day of Summer I want to leave you with this. Waiting is hard at any time; but when days, weeks, or even months pass and our prayers seem to go unanswered, it’s easy to feel God has forgotten us. Perhaps we can struggle through the day with its distractions, but at night it’s doubly difficult to deal with our anxious thoughts. Worries loom large, and the dark hours seem endless. Utter weariness makes it look impossible to face the new day. The psalmist grew weary as he waited (Ps. 13:1). He felt abandoned—as if his enemies were gaining the upper hand (v.2). When we’re waiting for God to resolve a difficult situation or to answer often-repeated prayers, it’s easy to get discouraged. Satan whispers that God has forgotten us, and that things will never change. We may be tempted to give in to despair. Why bother to read the Bible or to pray? Why make the effort to worship with fellow believers in Christ? But we need our spiritual lifelines most when we’re waiting. They help to hold us steady in the flow of God’s love and to become sensitive to His Spirit. The psalmist had a remedy. He focused on all that he knew of God’s love, reminding himself of past blessings and deliberately praising God, who would not forget him. So can we.—Marilyn Stroud Lover of my soul, who draws close in the darkest and longest night, please keep me trusting You, talking to You, and leaning on Your promises. God is worth waiting for; His time is always best. Bible in a year: Psalms 135-136; 1 Corinthians 12 Insight All believers go through times of frustration due to unanswered prayer. Yet the Scriptures provide hope for this apparent dilemma. Psalm 13 illustrates the release that grows out of praying through a problem. David asks God four times “how long” he must wait to get an answer to prayer (vv.1-2). Eventually he understands that his perspective has not been a divine one. He then asks God to “give light to my eyes” so that he can have the strength to endure opposition (vv.3-4). David redirects his heart to trust in God’s unfailing mercy. The Hebrew word for “mercy” here is hesed, which connotes enduring, unfailing, and gracious care. With a new perspective, David now sings of God’s goodness with petitions of praise (vv.5-6).