The importance of taking personal responsibility For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ‚ so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body‚ whether good or bad. – 2 Corinthians 5:10 Not long ago‚ a young woman was attacked in a New York residential area while at least 38 neighbors watched from their windows. And during the course of the 30-minute assault‚ not even one person telephoned the police. The young lady sustained critical injuries and died for the simple reason that no one would pick up the phone and call for help. Interviews conducted with the people who witnessed this terrible crime revealed that they were not totally indifferent as many had suspected. In fact‚ many of them were horrified when they saw what was happening. But the main reason nobody did anything was that each person thought someone else would take responsibility and get help. Now‚ most people will never find themselves in such a critical situation. But how often‚ in the seemingly mundane events of life‚ do you find yourself saying‚ "I'll let someone else do it"? Yet all the while‚ everyone else is thinking the exact same thing. This kind of attitude has created a vacuum of responsibility in our society where people simply point fingers instead of doing what's right. But on the day you stand before God‚ there will be no finger-pointing. You'll be judged based on what you did with Christ‚ and then you'll be rewarded for the works you have done in the flesh. So in this life‚ take responsibility for your actions and stand up for what's right when others sit and point fingers. Prayer Challenge Pray that God would give you a strong sense of personal responsibility to do what's right when you're tempted to point fingers. Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post The Importance of Taking Personal Responsibility – Senior Living – March 29 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Historical Events 1943 - Meat (784 gram/week‚ 2 kilogram for GI's)‚ butter and cheese rationed in US during WW II 1961 - After a 4½ year trial Nelson Mandela is acquitted of treason in Pretoria 1971 - 1st Lt William L Calley Jr found guilty in My Lai (Vietnam) massacre 1975 - Only 2nd time Islanders beat Rangers 1992 - Ice Pairs Championship in Oakland‚ California won by Mishuktienok and Dmitriev (CIS) 1996 - 10th Soul Train Music Awards: Patti Labelle‚ Boyz II Men win More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1869 - AleÅ¡ Hrdlička‚ Austro-Hungarian anthropologist and curator (US National Museum)‚ born in Humpolec‚ Austria-Hungary (d. 1943) 1927 - Arthur Ravenel Jr‚ American businessman and politician (Rep-R-South Carolina)‚ born in Charleston‚ South Carolina 1927 - John R. Vane‚ English pharmacologist (Nobel 1982)‚ born in Tardebigg‚ Worcestershire (d. 2004) 1938 - Bert de Vries‚ Dutch minister of Social Affairs (CDA)‚ born in Groningen‚ Netherlands 1946 - Billy Thorpe‚ British-Australian musician (Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs - "I Told The Brook"‚ "Mashed Potato"; solo - "Children of the Sun")‚ born in Manchester‚ England (d. 2007) 1974 - Marc Gené‚ Spanish auto racer (24 Hours of Le Mans 2009)‚ born in Sabadell‚ Spain More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1058 - Stephen IX [Frederik van Lotharingen]‚ 1st Belgium Pope (1057-58)‚ dies 1578 - Arthur Champernowne‚ English admiral (b. 1524) 1953 - Arthur Fields [Abraham Finkelstein]‚ American singer-songwriter (Aba Daba Honeymoon)‚ dies in a fire at his nursing home residence at 68 1970 - Lev Kuleshov‚ Russian filmmaker and film theorist (Po Zakonu‚ founder of Moscow film school)‚ dies at 71 1980 - Annunzio Mantovani‚ Italian orchestra leader (Mantovani)‚ dies at 74 2001 - Helge Ingstad‚ Norwegian explorer (b. 1899) More Famous Deaths »

Exclusive: we talk to Joe Satriani as the setlist for Sammy Hagar's upcoming The Best of All Worlds tour begins to take shape

Also in this issue: Scorpions‚ Sheryl Crow‚ Gary Clark Jr.‚ The Waterboys‚ Kris Barras‚ Big Big Train‚ Gun‚ Peter Green‚ Wolfgang Van Halen and much more

Every journey in the fast-paced urban transportation world presents its own obstacles. For people with visual impairments‚ riding public transit might feel like starting on an undiscovered adventure. Despite these challenges‚ NaviLens‚ an app that is transforming the urban transit environment with its novel approach to accessibility‚ emerges as a shining example of innovation. Challenges in wayfinding: bridging the gap From Vancouver’s colorful streets to Barcelona’s bustling avenues‚ the desire for accessible transportation crosses geographical boundaries. Thor Diakow‚ a spokesperson for TransLink‚ underscores the significance of inclusivity‚ stating‚ “Despite it being not a huge percentage of our ridership‚ it’s very important to make sure that we provide accessibility for people experiencing partial or full sight loss.” These remarks echo the wishes of numerous travelers looking for a smooth trip through congested metropolitan mazes. The origins of NaviLens: a story of innovation NaviLens was born in Murcia‚ Spain‚ and has become a monument to human innovation and technological prowess. Inspired by the needs of visually impaired people‚ NaviLens uses specially created algorithms to provide real-time navigation via audio and tactile cues. Miguel Miñano‚ the visionary behind NaviLens‚ imagines a future where accessibility knows no bounds‚ remarking‚ “There are many potential applications for the app… through integration with a transit agency’s real-time information system.” By scanning the code‚ users “will also know the remaining minutes for the coming train‚ the status of the escalators or elevators and [other] real-time information that changes‚ but the code doesn’t need to change.” So far‚ NaviLens codes have been implemented in transit systems around the world‚ including New York City’s MTA. Testing and implementation: leading the way forward NaviLens’ power can be unlocked in an intuitive and revolutionary way. With a simple download‚ users may embark on a journey of discovery‚ navigating difficult metropolitan areas with renewed confidence.  A pioneering spirit erupts throughout Metro Vancouver as TransLink starts on a transformative adventure with NaviLens. Through a rigorous pilot experiment spanning 16 locations‚ travelers enjoy the promise of inclusivity while testing the app’s effectiveness in real-world scenarios. Richard Marion‚ an accessibility consultant and member of TransLink’s transit access transit users advisory council‚ helped test NaviLens.  Marion recognizes NaviLens’ potential to transform urban transit accessibility and believes it will be most effective in complex environments such as metro stations or municipal buildings.  Of course‚ there are still bumps in the road ahead‚ as on any journey‚ but the spirit of creativity prevails. Challenges such as smartphone ownership and user reliance present daunting obstacles‚ yet the visionaries behind NaviLens remain determined to address them as the technology evolves. The curb cut effect In the pursuit of accessibility‚ every step forward benefits not only the individual but the community as a whole. Embracing inclusion principles‚ NaviLens illustrates the “curb cut effect‚” which refers to the situation in which accessibility enhancements meant for one specific set of people wind up benefiting a much wider range of users. The phrase is derived from the placement of curb cuts‚ which are ramps placed into sidewalks at junctions to help people using wheelchairs or mobility aids. Curb cuts‚ which were originally designed to help persons with impairments‚ have proven to benefit a variety of other groups‚ including parents with strollers‚ travelers with luggage‚ cyclists‚ and people with minor injuries. Curb cuts‚ which make sidewalks more accessible‚ improve mobility and convenience for everyone‚ regardless of ability. In the context of urban transit and accessibility programs such as NaviLens‚ the curb cut effect implies that enhancements aimed to help visually impaired people ultimately improve the transit experience for all passengers. Clearer signs‚ auditory announcements‚ and tactile clues‚ for example‚ benefit not only persons with visual impairments but also passengers who are navigating unfamiliar routes or locations. Cities build more welcoming and user-friendly environments for all by promoting inclusion and constructing infrastructure to meet varied requirements. The curb cut effect demonstrates how accessibility improvements benefit society as a whole‚ enabling a more fair and inclusive world. As advocates have long argued‚ building accessible spaces results in a more egalitarian and user-friendly environment for all. Moving towards a more inclusive future With each passing day‚ the vision of possibilities broadens‚ powered by a firm commitment to diversity. From cities to remote corners of the world‚ NaviLens’ transformative potential knows no bounds. As transportation agencies around the world adopt accessibility programs‚ the path to universal mobility gathers traction‚ ensuring that no traveler falls behind in the goal of seamless urban transit experiences.The post NaviLens: championing inclusive urban transport for the blind and visually impaired first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Maintaining hope in the face of the climate crisis is more than simply a psychological exercise; it is essential for motivating action and behavioral change. The relentless flood of negative news and the overwhelming effects of human activity on the environment can lead to despair and inaction. Balancing perspectives: the power of positive narratives Hope is not about turning a blind eye to the facts; it is about finding a kernel of positivity in our perspective and believing that we can create a better future in harmony with the natural environment. Recognizing biases in the narratives we encounter is essential for a balanced perspective‚ as is realizing that both mainstream and alternative media frequently accentuate negative news. The importance of seeking good news Actively seeking positive news becomes critical in breaking the cycle of negative information overload. Taking breaks‚ tuning out‚ and turning off from negative news cycles allows us to regain clarity and focus on the positive stories occurring throughout the world. Despite the hurdles‚ countless people are quietly acting‚ telling stories of endurance and tenacity that offer hope. Learning from resilience: finding inspiration in small victories Recognizing humanity’s innate kindness is essential for maintaining optimism. Despite the hurdles posed by humans‚ hope rests in our ability to learn‚ adapt‚ and make beneficial changes. Accepting stories of perseverance from both humans and the natural world allows us to celebrate tiny wins while remaining hopeful. Building an optimistic future: a visionary approach to hope Creating a clear vision of what a great future with favorable outcomes would look like is an important step in fostering hope. This mental vision becomes a road map‚ directing our efforts toward attainable targets. Hope‚ in this setting‚ becomes a motivator for positive transformation. Strength in connection: addressing climate challenges together Making connections with people who share your beliefs and encouraging cooperation can help you keep hope alive. Recognizing that we are not alone in our problems boosts our personal resilience‚ allowing us to overcome setbacks and enjoy the good parts of any situation. Choosing hope: a deliberate act of resilience Hope is not naive optimism‚ but rather a conscious decision to trust that positive change is possible. It is a vulnerable but resilient force that may be developed and fostered. Individuals can prevent burnout‚ persevere in their efforts‚ and collaborate to achieve the great outcomes they foresee by deliberately choosing hope and cultivating it like a seed.The post A positive guide to navigating climate chaos first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

So what‚ exactly‚ was finished on the cross?

At the close of Friday‚ there was hurried activity. The Sabbath was approaching. All four Gospel writers tell good news before the good news. They tell of an unexpected triumph before the unexpected triumph. There are many important details in the life‚ death‚ burial‚ and resurrection of Jesus that only one or two of the Gospel writers tell. So we should take notice when all four heralds draw our attention to the same story. New Person After Jesus died‚ we’re introduced to Joseph of Arimathea (Matt. 27:57–61; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–41). There’s no mention of him‚ not even a hint‚ before Jesus died. Who is this new person? Why introduce him now? All four Gospel writers tell good news before the good news. After Jesus’s death‚ we learn Joseph was a “rich man from Arimathea” (Matt. 27:57)‚ a “respected member of the council” (Mark 15:43)‚ a “good and righteous man‚ who had not consented to their decision and action” (Luke 23:50–51)‚ and a “disciple of Jesus‚ but secretly for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38). Who could’ve anticipated this news? In the final days of Jesus’s earthly ministry‚ as one of his disciples‚ Judas‚ began to conspire with the council‚ a member of the council was quietly devoted to Jesus. At the time when Judas accepted a bribe to betray Jesus to the religious leaders‚ one of their own began to plan a generous offering that would honor Jesus. Satan entered Judas‚ and he got outflanked. Jesus had captured the heart of Joseph. New Place Next‚ the Gospel writers tell of a new place. Joseph had “his own new tomb‚ which he had cut in the rock” (Matt. 27:60)‚ where he “rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb” (Mark 15:46)‚ “where no one had ever yet been laid” (Luke 23:53)‚ and he buried Jesus with help of Nicodemus who “earlier had come to Jesus by night” (John 19:39). Joseph needed Pilate’s permission to take care of Jesus’s body‚ and though at first Pilate was surprised to hear Jesus had already died‚ he granted permission for Joseph to take Jesus down from the cross. Death by crucifixion usually took time‚ even days. But Jesus died quickly because of how severely he’d been tortured before. It was common for those crucified to be left on the cross after death to further dehumanize them and terrorize passersby. But not in this case. Here again‚ who could’ve anticipated this news? Condemned criminals weren’t given proper burials by the Roman authorities. If Pilate couldn’t be bothered to spare Jesus’s life‚ why would he be bothered to spare his corpse? Many of Jesus’s disciples who would’ve desired to provide a proper burial simply didn’t have the means to do so. A new and private tomb is lavish. Moreover‚ John tells us Nicodemus helped carry “a mixture of myrrh and aloes‚ about seventy-five pounds in weight” to prepare Jesus’s body for burial. If Judas was offended at Mary’s extravagant anointing of Jesus with “about a pint of pure nard . . . worth a year’s wages” (John 12:1–8‚ NIV)‚ how much more extravagant was this 75 pounds? What were the 30 pieces of silver Judas received for betrayal compared to this amazing offering of love? Judas walked with Jesus in the day and betrayed him in the dark of night. Nicodemus first came to Jesus under cover of night and then helped Joseph care for Jesus’s body while it was still day. Yes‚ Sunday was coming. And what a day it was. But even at the close of Friday‚ there was good news of unexpected triumph. The King of the Jews who received extravagant gifts to celebrate his birth also received extravagant care to mark his burial. New Promise Pilate’s permission‚ Joseph’s tomb‚ and Nicodemus’s help all verify the resurrection’s truth. These signs at the close of Friday testify that amid the evil and wickedness of the crucifixion‚ God’s mysterious providence was at work to bring about the promised new covenant. Jesus was buried‚ not left to the beasts and birds. Jesus was buried alone‚ not to be mistaken for any other person. So when Jesus’s tomb was empty‚ not even the “large sum of money” from the chief priests to the guards (Matt. 28:12‚ NIV) could tell a more compelling story than the truth of the resurrection. The bribes to Judas and the guards couldn’t match the testimony of Joseph’s offering. The King of the Jews who received extravagant gifts to celebrate his birth also received extravagant care to mark his burial. Satan was outflanked. The rulers were outspent. The deceiver was deceived. The conspirators were conspired against. Death‚ which swallows us all‚ was swallowed up in victory. Luke later tells us that Jesus “presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs‚ appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom” (Acts 1:3). Though we don’t know when it would’ve come up‚ certainly their discussions must have included Isaiah’s prophesy of the Suffering Servant‚ the Messiah‚ though silent and led “like a lamb that is led to the slaughter‚” was also identified with “a rich man in his death” (Isa. 53:7‚ 9). When Jesus told them‚ they must have marveled. And each made sure we wouldn’t forget it.

The Gospels have famously been described as “Passion narratives with extended introductions.” The first half of each Gospel highlights select events and teachings in Jesus’s three-year ministry. But then comes Passion Week—and the evangelists show no interest in moving quickly. Here they linger‚ every word dripping with divine mercy‚ every detail unfolding new vistas of God’s unsearchable love for his people. The evangelists don’t simply recount what happens at Golgotha; they tell us the moment’s meaning. One paragraph that takes us to the moment emphasizes four significant events: cosmic darkness‚ Jesus’s cry of dereliction‚ the temple curtain’s rending‚ and the centurion’s surprising confession (Mark 15:33–39). This Good Friday‚ consider one detail: the curtain’s rending. Ripped Apart Have you ever considered what’s the first thing that happened after Jesus died? According to Mark‚ it was the tearing of the temple curtain: “Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two‚ from top to bottom” (vv. 37–38). Mark has anticipated this moment for some time‚ as Jesus’s sights have been set on the temple for five chapters. From ending his triumphal entry at the temple (chap. 11)‚ to arguing with the temple authorities (chap. 12)‚ to predicting its destruction (chap. 13)‚ Jesus has repeatedly made it plain that the old order and old temple are passing away. But this moment is far more than the vindication of Jesus’s final week of teaching. The torn veil resolves a problem as old as creation itself. The torn veil resolves a problem as old as creation itself. At the beginning of the Bible‚ Adam and Eve enjoyed unrestricted access to God. Eden wasn’t any ordinary garden. It was a garden-sanctuary‚ a temple: the place where God dwelled with man. But when Adam and Eve sinned‚ they were exiled from Eden and excluded from fellowship with their Creator. God placed angelic centurions with a flaming sword on the garden’s eastern edge. The point was clear: if anyone tried to reenter God’s presence‚ that flaming sword would come down on his or her head. The penalty for sinners trying to access God’s presence was death. Yet in the Old Testament‚ God made a way to dwell with his people—at least in a limited sense. Both the tabernacle and the temple were made to look like miniature Edens. The furniture‚ the implements‚ and the embroidered curtains all mimicked a lush garden. But this new Eden had restrictions. Temple worshipers could enter the outer court. The priests could minister in the holy place. But the innermost room‚ the Holy of Holies‚ was utterly inaccessible except to the high priest once a year. That’s where God himself dwelled. The curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple wasn’t flimsy and thin like the one in my dining room. This curtain was a wall. Some scholars estimate it may have been a foot thick. Embroidered into it were cherubim (Ex. 26:31–35). Just like Eden‚ they barred access to God’s presence. And just like Eden‚ the access point to his presence faced the east—accessible only from the land of Adam’s exile (vv. 18–22). At the death of Christ‚ that curtain separating man from God was torn in two—ripped by God himself. The angelic centurions were called off duty. The flaming sword was sheathed in Christ’s heart. The threat of judgment hanging over those who dare enter God’s presence fell on his head. In their place‚ condemned he stood. Access to God The torn curtain symbolizes that the barriers separating us and God have now been completely removed. We’re no longer under the threat of his just condemnation. By Christ’s blood and righteousness‚ we’ve been made holy and acceptable to God. No barriers keep us from going to God‚ and nothing keeps him from dispensing his mercy or exercising his love. When we’re in conflict with someone‚ we often use the phrase “There’s something between us.” The torn veil teaches us that Christians must never use that phrase about their objective relationship with God. There’s nothing‚ legally speaking‚ between you and God. There’s no distance between his mercy and those who have trusted in Christ’s work. There’s no barrier separating his grace from those who hunger for it. Fellowship with the Trinity But the image of the torn curtain runs deeper still. The open doorway into the Holy of Holies means we who are in Christ now dwell with God and he with us. The Spirit who once resided in the Holy of Holies has been poured out on his people. As Paul declares‚ “Through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:18). This is staggering. Those who come to Christ enjoy‚ by the Spirit‚ the fellowship with the Father that the Son himself enjoys. His death accomplishes more than the removal of God’s wrath—though that alone would be more than we deserve! He also ushers us into the gloriously happy fellowship and infinite love that has forever existed between Father‚ Son‚ and Spirit. At the death of Christ‚ that curtain separating man from God was torn in two—ripped by God himself. As Bobby Jamieson put it‚ “The Father sent his Son to redeem us‚ and his Spirit to indwell us‚ in order that we would share in the Son’s own relation to the Father. The Christian life is not merely (and not ultimately!) about forgiveness and freedom from condemnation; it’s about being permanently inserted into the love and glory that the Father has eternally shared with the Son.” Or as Jesus prayed‚ “I made known to them your name‚ and I will continue to make it known‚ that the love with which you have loved me may be in them‚ and I in them” (John 17:26). Christian‚ the torn veil is an invitation—an open door to the Trinity’s infinite love. Our destiny isn’t simply eternal gratitude that we’re not in hell. For all eternity‚ we’ll grow increasingly happy as we’re brought further up and further in to the infinitely sweet triune fellowship. Both now and forever‚ God will love us no less than he loves his own Son. Both now and forever‚ he’ll love us with the same degree of intensity with which he has eternally loved Jesus Christ. Those who’ve internalized the torn curtain’s message can be in no doubt that God loves them.