Some time ago, after painting realistic landscapes for ten years, I began looking for my own visual voice. I had realized that the landscapes I’d been painting could no longer speak of the depth and magic of my relationship with the natural world. So I set out to paint differently, to paint in a way that truly speaks of who I am, of what I value, of what I want to bring to the world, and to leave behind. This led me to think deeply about what has influenced my visual world and I soon found myself longing for the lazy summer days of my childhood.
When we were little girls, my sister and I would float on the Chenal du Moine close to the small village of Notre-Dame-de-Pierreville. Our family cabin stood on a small dirt hill protected against the yearly spring floods, and we were two little girls free to find time to daydream in the dark waters of this gentle river.
Those delicious summer days flowed into one another as we followed the warm currents that led us to Saint-Pierre Lake. As we sat on our life jackets, the water surrounded us with its love and patience and we reciprocated fully. Trusting in its arms, we stood witness to its infinite creations: the plants, the insects, the trees, the fish. It felt magical and boundless and we sensed we were part of it, savouring the smells, the sounds and the landscape. Our skin drank the sun, the water and the wind and we were nourished by Nature’s infinite wealth.
At night, I would dream. I would dream of water, trees and sky. I would find myself floating again, this time, amongst the clouds. Sitting on my life jacket, I would weightlessly travel the sky. My subconscious reviling the ultimate expression of the freedom that lived within us during those summer days. Protected from the watchful eyes of adults, my visual and emotional world was taking shape, strongly rooted in the water and in the forest.
Today, I strive to reproduce those childhood experiences through my creative process and to visually express the powerful emotions they awake in me. My work is a visual expression of that sense of freedom, of communion with nature, and with the world. I long to reproduce those experiences, but being an adult with a to-do list that never ends, I find the only place I can replicate that feeling is while I paint them. Today, in every piece I paint, I make a deliberate decision to, at least emotionally, plunge back into those delicious lazy summer days and to express the magnitude of their grip on my being. And my hope is that I can share them with you, offering the peace and magic they have instilled in me.


Joanne Rowling (born 31 July 1965), also known by her pen name J. K. Rowling, is a British author and philanthropist. She wrote a seven-volume children’s fantasy series, Harry Potter, published from 1997 to 2007. The series has sold over 500 million copies, been translated into at least 70 languages, and spawned a global media franchise including films and video games. The Casual Vacancy (2012) was her first novel for adults. She writes Cormoran Strike, an ongoing crime fiction series, as Robert Galbraith.
Born in Yate, Rowling graduated with a degree in French from the University of Exeter in 1987 and began working temp jobs as a bilingual secretary. In 1990, the idea for the characters of Harry Potter came to her while she waited on a delayed train; later that year, her mother died of multiple sclerosis. In the seven years before publication of the first Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997), Rowling moved to Portugal, married, had a daughter, relocated to Scotland when her marriage failed, divorced, and earned a teaching certificate. She wrote while living on state assistance as a single parent, deeply affected by her mother’s death. By 2008, Forbes had named her the world’s highest-paid author.
Rowling concluded the Harry Potter series with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007). The novels follow a boy called Harry Potter as he attends Hogwarts, a school for wizards, and battles Lord Voldemort. Death and the divide between good and evil are the central themes of the series. Its influences include: Bildungsroman (the coming-of-age genre), school stories, fairy tales, and Christian allegory. The series revived fantasy as a genre in the children’s market, spawned a host of imitators, and inspired an active fandom. Critical reception has been more mixed. Many reviewers see Rowling’s writing as conventional; some regard her portrayal of gender and social division as regressive. There were also religious debates over Harry Potter.
Rowling has won many accolades for her work. She has been appointed to the Order of the British Empire and made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for services to literature and philanthropy. Harry Potter brought her wealth and recognition that she has used to advance philanthropic endeavours and political causes. She co-founded the charity Lumos and established the Volant Charitable Trust, named after her mother. Rowling’s charitable giving centres on medical causes and supporting at-risk women and children. In politics, she has donated to Britain’s Labour Party and opposed Scottish independence and Brexit. Since late 2019, she has publicly expressed her opinions on transgender people and related civil rights. These have been criticised as transphobic by LGBT rights organisations and some feminists, but have received support from other feminists and individuals.


Delivered digitally as an pdf ebook.
In 2009 Malene Rix published a book on women and negotiation, which has been translated into English and published as an e-book.
The focus of the book is the terms under which we as women negotiate, but also on the many useful tools and skills we can draw on to make our negotiations both more constructive and rewarding for both sides of the table.
The book looks at classic workplace negotiations but also on the agreements we reach at home with family and friends.
The pdf ebook will be attached to the confirmationmail you receive after payment. You will be able to download the pdf ebook 2 times and the link will expire after 1 month.


Dr. Jason G. Coe received his BA in English and Film Studies at the University of California Berkeley. He received his MA in Literary and Cultural Studies and his PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Hong Kong. His research interests include: Asian/American and Transpacific Film and Media, Gender and New Media, and Storytelling, Stardom and Performance. He serves on the editorial team for Global Storytelling: Journal of Film and Media and on the board of the Women's Studies Research Centre (WSRC) at HKU. His publications appear in Journal of Cinema and Media Studies, Asian Cinema, and Journal of Chinese Cinemas. His non-fiction writings appear in the Engendering a Buzz: WSRC Newsletter, CHA: A Literary Journal, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) Blog, and Hyphen.


Carta de George Orwell a su editor Frederic Warburg en 1948, cuando estaba dando los últimos toques a su última novela. Recomiendo llegar hasta el final para no perderse la referencia a Sartre.
Isle of Jura
You will have had my wire by now, and if anything crossed your mind I dare say I shall have had a return wire from you by the time this goes off. I shall finish the book, D.V., early in November, and I am rather flinching from the job of typing it, because it is a very awkward thing to do in bed, where I still have to spend half the time. Also There will have to be carbon copies, a thing which always fidgets me, and the book is fearfully long, I should think well over 100,000 words, possibly 125,000. I can't send it away because it is an unbelievably bad MS and no one could make head or tail of it without explanation. On the other hand a skilled typist under my eye could do it easily enough. If you can think of anybody who would be willing to come, I will send money for the journey and full instructions. I think we could make her quite comfortable. There is always plenty to eat and I will see that she has a comfortable warm place to work in.
I am not pleased with the book but I am not absolutely dissatisfied. I first thought of it in 1943. I think it is a good idea but the execution would have been better if I had not written it under the influence of TB. I haven't definitely fixed on the title but I am hesitating between NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR and THE LAST MAN IN EUROPE.
I have just had Sartre's book on antisemitism, which you published, to review. I think Sartre is a bag of wind and I am going to give him a good boot.
Please give everyone my love.


The first play I wrote was a one-woman autobiographical show about growing up on a goat farm. From there, I’ve gone on to write full-length multi-character dramas, novel adaptations, and pieces that blend a fictional story with text from interviews. I’ve explored motherhood, climate change, bullying, mental illness, the Bosnian War, and witches, among other subjects.
When I write a play, I start with a question - a question I do not know the answer to. A question there is no answer to, at least, not one that is “right.” For an hour or two, I want the audience to live with people who make difficult, different choices – choices that they might never make themselves. Nothing allows us to feel empathy like live theater. That ephemeral magic of a play, the act of witnessing, and how it asks us to suspend our disbelief - no matter how many times I sit in the theatre, it gets me every time and keeps me coming back.


ENGAGING TO LEARN
eKirja ostettavissa Amazonista, hinta 9,99 euroa / You can buy the eBook in Amazon, 9,99 euros.
This book focuses on questions such as: How can activate the learners to learn? How can we help learners to take control of their own learning?
With the help of this book teachers can engage their students in learning by creating learning opportunities that will make learning inspiring. The book offers practical advice and useful tools for teachers in their everyday work.
At the heart of the book lie learning assignments. A learning assignment is an important pedagogical method and a tool for the teacher. You can find interesting topics and appropriate ideas for a variety of teaching situations from classrooms to eLearning.
The book uses text and figures to introduce how to design different kind of learning processes. The book is aimed at teachers at all levels of education, vocational institutions, colleges and universities and other organizations.


The Wisdom of 2 Kings 2:19-22
Welcome to Catholic Engaged Encounter, a faithful community dedicated to exploring and understanding the profound teachings of the Bible. In this article, we will delve into the wisdom found in 2 Kings 2:19-22.
Understanding the Context
To truly appreciate the depth of this passage, it is vital to understand its historical and cultural context. 2 Kings is part of the Old Testament, specifically, the historical books of the Bible. It recounts the events and stories pertaining to the monarchy of Israel and Judah.
The Miracle of Healing
In 2 Kings 2:19-22, Elisha, the prophet, performs a miraculous healing by purifying the water of Jericho. The city's water source was contaminated, causing harm and even death to those who consumed it. The inhabitants of Jericho sought help from Elisha, who, through the power of God, transformed the water, making it safe and life-giving once again.
Faith and Trust
One of the central themes of this passage is the importance of faith and trust in God's divine intervention. The people of Jericho turned to Elisha in their time of need, demonstrating their unwavering faith in God's chosen prophet. It serves as a reminder that, even in the face of adversity or seemingly insurmountable challenges, placing our trust in God can lead to remarkable outcomes.
Lessons for Today
The teachings from 2 Kings 2:19-22 are not limited to the time in which they were written. Instead, they continue to resonate with contemporary audiences, offering valuable lessons for believers today. Some of these lessons include:
- Prayer and Intercession: Like the people of Jericho, we can seek God's intervention through prayer and seek guidance from figures of spiritual authority.
- The Power of Faith: When faced with seemingly impossible situations, having faith in God can lead to miracles and solutions that surpass our human understanding.
- God's Healing Grace: Just as God healed the waters of Jericho, He continues to offer His abundant grace, providing healing and renewal to those who trust in Him.
- Supporting and Strengthening Communities: The story of Jericho illustrates the importance of coming together as a community, supporting one another, and seeking spiritual guidance.
Join Catholic Engaged Encounter
At Catholic Engaged Encounter, we aim to foster a community based on faith and beliefs. By exploring profound biblical passages like 2 Kings 2:19-22, we deepen our understanding of the Scriptures and strengthen our spiritual journey. Join us today and embark on a transformative experience through our engaging programs, retreats, and online resources.
Whether you are seeking spiritual growth, strengthening your relationship with God, or preparing for marriage, Catholic Engaged Encounter offers valuable insights and support every step of the way.
Discover the power of faith and the transformative teachings of the Bible with Catholic Engaged Encounter. Together, let us explore, learn, and grow in our spiritual journeys.
This page is brought to you by Catholic Engaged Encounter - Community and Society | Faith and Beliefs


At the Whim of the Open Road – Now Available from Amazon and select book/cycling shops
At the Whim of the Open Road is the story of William Bennett’s journey across Europe, Asia and Australia, from Limerick to Sydney, the first stage of his attempt to cycle around the world.
After five long years of planning and saving, he takes the leap, venturing out into the world with nothing but a tent and some personal belongings strapped to his bicycle. With one pedal stroke he sets in motion his dream of cycling around the world, leaving his comfortable life behind for one of uncertainty and danger on the open road. His goal: to pedal every inch of the way across the inhospitable deserts, towering mountain ranges and dense jungles of our planet.
Along the way, he faces incredible adversity, including wild animal attacks, debilitating tropical diseases, corrupt officials, robbery attempts and near-death experiences. Yet, more importantly, he witnesses the raw beauty of this special planet and its people, breathing in all the wonder that the world has to offer; all of it heightened as he traverses the open roads of the world alone on a humble bicycle.


Co-founders Allie Young (Diné), Kayla Gebeck Carroll (Ojibwe), and Abigail Jackson Smith (Oglala) have been friends since they met at Dartmouth College in 2008.
Quarterly, Well-Read Native hosts a virtual Indigenous Book Club meeting. During a typical meeting, attendees get the chance to see an Indigenous artist perform, ask the guest author questions, and break out into small groups to meet other Well-Read Native members and discuss Indigenous literature.
Since launching in November of 2020, Well-Read Native is honored to have been joined by 11 Indigenous authors and academics, including David Heska Wanbli Weiden (Winter Counts), Terese Marie Mailhot (Heart Berries), David Treuer (The Hiawatha), Melissa Lucashenko (Too Much Lip), Waubgeshig Rice (Moon of the Crusted Snow), Tommy Orange (There There), Professor Nick Reo, Anton Treuer (The Language Warrior's Manifesto), Jesmyn Ward (Men We Reaped), Danielle Geller (Dog Flowers), Brenda Child (My Grandfather's Knocking Sticks), and Stephen Graham Jones (The Only Good Indians). In May, Well-Read Native will host Lisa Bird-Wilson for a discussion of her debut novel, Probably Ruby. RSVP here.
Well-Read Native held its first virtual Indigenous Book Club meeting on November 5, 2020.
Empowering Native American, Alaska Native, and First Nations children to be readers and storytellers is core to our mission. In June of 2021, Well-Read Native launched its Well-Read Native Youth initiative for young readers of all ages—from picture book through young adult.
The Well-Read Native Youth initiative aims to broaden Indigenous families' and children's access to literature that reflects and celebrates the diverse cultures, experiences, and lives of young readers from our communities. To that end, Well-Read Native Youth's programming centers on children's and young adult books by Indigenous authors.
Well-Read Native Youth's goal is for every Indigenous child in every classroom throughout Indian Country and the United States to see themselves reflected in the books they read.
To learn more about Well-Read Native Youth, follow us on Instagram (@wellreadnativeyouth).
Well-Read Native launched its Well-Read Native Youth initiative this summer.
The Well-Read Native Indigenous Book Club is a global community of readers from all over Indian Country and the globe. Our 1,500+ members represent over 95 tribes and 4 countries (and counting!)
While membership is open to allies, our mission is to read and elevate Indigenous voices in academia and literature. The Well-Read Native team is always open to book recommendations. Got an idea? Please drop us a line at firstname.lastname@example.org
Well-Read Native's goal is to build a community of readers throughout Indian Country and the globe who believe in the impact of books—and friendship!


Embark on a Celestial Journey: Explore Our 360° Mountain Peak at Night
Ascend to the summit of a majestic mountain and immerse yourself in a breathtaking 360° environment that unveils the wonders of the night sky. Step into our mesmerizing mountain peak at night and behold the awe-inspiring beauty that unfolds before your eyes.
As you gaze into the distance, you’ll be greeted by infinite snowy mountain vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. The pristine white peaks, softly illuminated by the moonlight, create a serene and ethereal backdrop. Each snow-capped summit invites you to embark on a journey of exploration and tranquility.
Look up, and a celestial masterpiece unfolds above you. The night sky comes alive with a dazzling display of twinkling stars, forming a celestial canopy that fills you with a sense of wonder. The breathtaking Aurora Borealis dances across the sky, casting vibrant ribbons of color that weave and twist with an otherworldly grace.
Stand at the pinnacle of this mountain peak and feel the cool, crisp air embrace you. The stillness and tranquility of the night surround you, allowing you to immerse yourself in the majesty of the natural world. It’s a moment of reflection, of connection, and of profound serenity.
In this immersive mountain peak environment, time stands still. You can lose yourself in the infinite beauty of the snowy mountains, gaze in awe at the twinkling stars, and witness the enchanting spectacle of the Aurora Borealis. Allow the serenity of this celestial setting to transport you to a place of peace and introspection.
Escape the confines of ordinary life and step into our immersive mountain peak at night. Let the infinite snowy vistas, twinkling stars, and captivating Aurora Borealis captivate your senses and ignite your imagination. This is a celestial journey that will leave an indelible mark on your soul.


I didn’t always love meditation. When I was first introduced, I actually disliked it. My relationship to it has changed over the years, as I’ve found practices that work well for me. Today, I sit every day, teach meditation with One Mind Dharma, and record regular guided meditations for our community across the world.
The Introduction to Practice
I was introduced to practice at a fairly young age. In my early teens, while I was struggling with depression and drug abuse, my dad gave me a book by the Vietnamese Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. The book, The Miracle of Mindfulness hit me hard. I loved the ideas shared, the simplicity of it, and how pragmatic it seemed. However, I didn’t really put it into use.
Somewhere in my head, I thought that reading about these practices would benefit me without any further effort on my part. This is unfortunately a trap I still fall into. We can read, learn all the teachings, or know everything about a practice, but we also need to actually practice. Although I didn’t utilize what I was learning, I do think that this experience really planted the seed that I began watering years down the road.
Meditating while Using Drugs
When I was in college in Oregon, I sat with a meditation group in Portland. I was using drugs and drinking regularly, and using meditation as a way to try to fix myself. Rather than looking at my addiction, I tried everything I could to get better. It reminds me of the words on page 31 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous:
Here are some of the methods we have tried: Drinking beer only, limiting the number of drinks, never drinking alone, never drinking in the morning, drinking only at home, never having it in the house, never drinking during business hours, drinking only at parties, switching from scotch to brandy, drinking only natural wines, agreeing to resign if ever drunk on the job, taking a trip, not taking a trip, swearing off forever (with and without a solemn oath), taking more physical exercise, reading inspirational books, going to health farms and sanitariums, accepting voluntary commitment to asylums — we could increase the list ad infinitum.
This was definitely my experience. My intention behind practicing was to relieve some suffering, but it was really a way of trying to fix myself without addressing my behavior. This led me to eventually realize another important truth: we have to act in a wholesome way if we are to have a fruitful meditation practice. Jack Kornfield often says that it is difficult to meditate after a day of murdering. Although this is a dramatic saying, it’s true. When we are acting in unwholesome ways, practice can be quite difficult.
When I got sober, I was super active in twelve-step recovery. However, as an atheist, it didn’t really click with me super well. I turned toward a meditation center I found called Insight LA in Santa Monica. Although they weren’t recovery-based groups, these meditation classes and sitting groups helped me build a foundation for my recovery.
After a few months, I found Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society, also in Santa Monica. I began attending regularly, and they had a specific Buddhist recovery group. This later evolved years later to become Refuge Recovery. What I found with meditation practice was a way to connect with myself, with growth, and with the relieving of suffering. I was grabbed immediately by the Buddhist recovery program when a teacher said that we all have the power and potential to relieve ourselves of the suffering caused by addiction.
Through my practice, I began to see more clearly the reactions that caused suffering and pain. Through mindfulness, compassion, and concentration practices, I have been able to work with impulsivity, anger, resentment, and many more responses that cause harm.
Today, I teach meditation in Northern California. We just opened a donation-based meditation center, teach at addiction treatment centers, and lead Refuge Recovery groups. Although I don’t think meditation clicks for everyone in the same way it has clicked for me, it’s beautiful to have the opportunity to give this offering to the community.
My experience with meditation has gone through many phases, and today it is the foundation of my life and recovery. It takes practice, continuity, and love. I don’t always want to meditate, but I do it anyway. This is part of life and part of recovery. Sometimes I am excited to meditate, and other times I dread it. Either way, I suit up and show up for my practice. I do this because I see the benefits in my daily life, interactions with other, and behavior in the world.


Elaine Showalter, “Towards a Feminist Poetics,”
In M. Jacobus, ed. Women Writing about Women (1979), pp. 25-33; 34-6
Showalter begins by distinguishing between what she calls the “feminist critique,” which focuses on “woman as reader – with woman as the consumer of a male-produced literature,” and “gynocritics,” which “is concerned with woman as writer – with woman as the producer of textual meaning.” Feminist critique “is essentially political and polemical,” and is metaphorically similar to the “Old Testament, ‘looking for the sins and errors of the past;'” gynocritics, according to Showalter, “is more self-contained and experimental,” and, to extend the earlier metaphor, is like the “New Testament, seeking ‘the grace of imagination.'”
Showalter then provides an exemplary feminist critique of Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge to demonstrate that “one of the problems of the feminist critique is that is male-oriented,” meaning that, in some sense, every feminist critique, even when criticizing patriarchy, is focused toward the male. As an alternative, Showalter presents gynocritics as a way “to construct a female framework for the analysis of women’s literature, to develop new models based on the study of female experience, rather that to adapt to male models and theories.”
To begin to trace out this radically female-centered theory, Showalter notes excerpts from feminist historians and sociologists. She then moves on to an engaging discussion of the experiences of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and other female authors to show the need for “completeness” in discussing women authors’ work way in which “it is necessary to leave oneself room to deal with other things besides [women writers’] work, so much has that work been influenced by conditions that have nothing whatever to do with art.”
From these experiences, Showalter then begins an rough sketch of some of the elements that have characterized women’s writing: awakening, suffering, unhappiness, and matrophobia, among others. She concludes with her classification of women’s writing into three phases that “establish[es] the continuity of the female tradition from decade to decade, rather than from Great Woman to Great Woman.” Showalter sees the first phases taking place from roughly 1840 to 1880; she calls this “the Feminine phase” and declares that it is characterized by “women [writing] in an effort to equal the intellectual achievements of the male culture… The distinguishing sign of this period is the male pseudonym… [which] exerts an irregular pressure on the narrative, affecting tone, diction, structure, and characterization.”
The second, Feminist phase follows from 1880 to 1920, wherein “women are historically enabled to reject the accomodating postures of femininity and to use literature to dramatise the ordeals of wronged womanhood.” This phase is characterized by “Amazon Utopias,” visions of perfect, female-led societies of the future. Finally, Showalter posits the third and (at least in 1979) final phase, the Female phase, which began in 1920. In this phase, “women reject both imitation and protest – two forms of dependency – and turn instead to female experience as the source of an autonomous art, extending the feminist analysis of culture to the forms and techniques of literature.” Significantly, Showalter does not (at least in the excerpt presented in the textbook) offer a characteristic sign or figure for the Female phase, suggesting a welcome diversity of experience that is too broad to be encompassed in a single image.
On the whole, I was rather drawn to Showalter’s writing. It is intelligent, largely devoid of rhetorical extremities, and confidently provocative. Welcomely absent is the stridently ideological tone common to so many theorists; instead, Showalter speaks with calmly convincing authority, as one who firmly believes in the verity of what she’s saying. She is both urgent, in that she sees change needing to occur immediately, and patient, in that she expects that, given time enough, the wisdom and truth of her cause will prevail.


Frozen shoulder is a common cause of shoulder pain and stiffness, and it is even more common as you age. While anyone can get a frozen shoulder, some people are more susceptible. Here’s how to tell if you’re at risk.
This study from PubMed aimed to evaluate if a recent knee injury was associated with accelerated knee osteoarthritis (KOA) progression.
The conclusion: "Recent knee injuries are associated with accelerated KOA. Most concerning is that certain injuries may be associated with a rapid cascade towards joint failure in less than one year…Individuals with a history of joint trauma are 3 to 6 times more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis”
If you have experienced knee injuries or have a history of joint trauma, our team at Restore Osteo of Colorado can offer effective treatments, such as joint injections like hyaluronic acid, to help relieve pain related to osteoarthritis and help you get your life back.
To read more on this study, please refernce it below: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4211979/
We aimed to evaluate if a recent knee injury was associated with accelerated knee osteoarthritis (KOA) progression.
In the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) we studied participants free of KOA on their baseline radiographs (Kellgren-Lawrence [KL]<2). We compared three groups: 1) individuals with accelerated progression of KOA: defined as having at least one knee that progressed to end-stage KOA (KL Grade 3 or 4) within 48 months, 2) common KOA progression: at least one knee increased in radiographic scoring within 48 months (excluding those defined as accelerated KOA), and 3) no KOA: no change in KL grade in either knee. At baseline, participants were asked if their knees had ever been injured and at each annual visit they were asked about injuries during the prior 12 months. We used multinomial logistic regressions to determine if a new knee injury was associated with the outcome of accelerated KOA or common KOA progression after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, static knee malalignment, and systolic blood pressure.
A knee injury during the total observation period was associated with accelerated KOA progression (n=54, odds ratio [OR]=3.14) but not common KOA progression (n=187, OR=1.08). Furthermore, a more recent knee injury (within a year of the outcome) was associated with accelerated (OR=8.46) and common KOA progression (OR=3.12).
Recent knee injuries are associated with accelerated KOA. Most concerning is that certain injuries may be associated with a rapid cascade towards joint failure in less than one year.
While knee osteoarthritis is typically a slowly progressive disorder, it has recently been appreciated that 5 to 17% of knees have a rapid progression of structural damage (e.g. from normal to end-stage disease within 4 years) (1, 2). Characterization of the structural aspects of this phenomenon and its risk factors may provide insights into the nature of osteoarthritis progression and allow us to identify an at-risk subset for intervention. Identification of knee osteoarthritis phenotypes, such as those with accelerated knee osteoarthritis progression, may allow us to refine sampling for clinical studies (2-5) and develop interventions targeted at specific subtypes.
Individuals with a history of joint trauma are 3 to 6 times more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis (6, 7) and are diagnosed approximately 10 years earlier than individuals without a history of joint trauma (8). Within 5 years of injury, knees have structural changes reflective of altered joint health (e.g., altered cartilage composition, altered bone structure) (9-12). Knee injuries are a strong risk factor for knee osteoarthritis and may distinguish knees with accelerated knee osteoarthritis from common knee osteoarthritis progression or knees with no knee osteoarthritis. We aimed to evaluate if a recent knee injury was associated with accelerated knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, we conducted preliminary analyses to determine if participants with accelerated knee osteoarthritis progression, common knee osteoarthritis progression, and no knee osteoarthritis differed based on key baseline characteristics, which we selected a priori. These preliminary analyses helped us verify which variables should be adjusted for in our primary analyses.
To assess the association between recent knee injuries and accelerated knee osteoarthritis we used data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). The OAI is a multicenter observational cohort study of knee osteoarthritis that collected longitudinal clinical and image data (13) as well as biospecimens from 4,796 participants over an eight-year follow-up period. The primary variables (presence of radiographic knee progression and knee injuries) were from baseline and the first four annual OAI visits (months 0 to 48). OAI data are available for public access (14).
Among participants with no baseline radiographic knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence [KL] Grade<2) in either knee (n = 1,930) we evaluated three groups that we defined based on radiographic definitions of OA: 1) accelerated knee osteoarthritis: at least one knee progressed to end-stage knee osteoarthritis (KL Grade 3 or 4) within 48 months, 2) common knee osteoarthritis progression: at least one knee increased in radiographic scoring within 48 months (excluding those defined as accelerated knee osteoarthritis progression), and 3) no knee osteoarthritis: no change in KL grade in either knee at baseline and 48-month follow-up. We omitted 364 (18.9%) individuals from the analyses because missing radiographic data made it impossible to determine group assignment (19 potential individuals with common knee osteoarthritis progression, 345 potential individuals with no knee osteoarthritis).
At baseline, participants were asked during an initial eligibility interview: “Have you ever injured your right knee badly enough to limit your ability to walk for at least two days?”. A similar question was asked for the left knee. At each annual visit participants were asked “Since your last annual visit to the OAI clinic about 12 months ago, have you injured your right knee badly enough to limit your ability to walk for at least two days?”. A similar question was asked for the left knee. Among individuals with accelerated or common knee osteoarthritis progression we focused on injuries to the knee that progressed. Among individuals with no knee osteoarthritis we evaluated if the participant had a knee injury to either knee.
We focused on injuries at 4 time points: 1) prior to the OAI baseline, 2) during the total observation period, 3) within one year of the study outcome, and 4) between 1 and 2 years prior to the study outcome. We defined the study outcome visit for each group as follows: 1) accelerated knee osteoarthritis: the first visit with a KL grade of 3 or 4, 2) common knee osteoarthritis progression: the first visit with an increase in KL grade, and 3) no KOA: the 48-month OAI visit. The total observation period was defined as beginning at the OAI baseline and ending at the visit with the study outcome (ranging from 12 months to 48 months). For example if a participant had a knee with KL=1 at baseline and year one, KL=2 at year 3, and KL=3 at year 4, they would meet criteria for the accelerated group, and year 4 would be the outcome study visit. However, if a participant's knee stayed at KL=2 at 48 months, they would be considered to have common knee osteoarthritis and year 3 would be the study outcome visit. Finally, if the participant stayed at KL=1, then year 4 would be the study outcome visit.
Weight-bearing, bilateral, fixed-flexion, posterior-anterior knee radiographs were obtained at baseline and the first 4 annual OAI visits. Central readers, who were blinded to sequence of follow-up radiographs, scored the paired images for KL Grades (0 to 4). The agreement for these readings (read-reread) was good (weighted kappa (intra-rater reliability) = 0.70 to 0.78). These KL grades are publicly available (Files: kXR_SQ_BU00_SAS (version 0.6) , kXR_SQ_BU01_SAS(version 1.6) , kXR_SQ_BU03_SAS(version 3.5), kXR_SQ_BU05_SAS(version 5.5) and kXR_SQ_BU06_SAS (version 6.3) (14)).
Demographic, anthropometric, and other participant demographic characteristics, which we selected a priori, were acquired based on a standard protocol (data and protocol are publicly available (14)).
At the OAI baseline visit, research staff measured static knee alignment with a goniometer while the participant stood with feet approximately shoulder-width apart and toes directed straight ahead. The staff positioned the goniometer based on a standard protocol: 1) goniometer's axis was proximal to the tibial tuberosity in line with the knee joint line, 2) distal arm of the goniometer was aligned with the tibia and pointed towards the center of the ankle, and 3) proximal arm of the goniometer was aligned with the mid thigh. Normal alignment was defined as 0 degrees and any deviation was defined as varus or valgus malalignment.
We first evaluated the distribution of baseline descriptive characteristics among the three groups with Chi-square tests or analyses of variance (with Tukey HSD post-hoc comparisons as needed). Based on the initial analyses we entered baseline descriptive characteristics that may distinguish individuals with accelerated knee osteoarthritis (i.e., variables with p values < 0.10 and a sufficient sample size) into a multinomial stepwise logistic regression model to determine if they were associated with accelerated knee osteoarthritis progression as an outcome compared with no knee osteoarthritis or common knee osteoarthritis progression.
For our primary analyses, we used multinomial logistic regressions to determine if a history of knee injury or a new knee injury was associated with the outcome of accelerated or common knee osteoarthritis progression before and after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), presence of static knee malalignment, and systolic blood pressure. We also conducted a secondary analysis by replicating these analyses with 71 additional individuals who had accelerated knee osteoarthritis but their contralateral knee had prevalent knee osteoarthritis at baseline. This permitted us to explore our hypothesis in a larger sample size.
Individuals with accelerated knee osteoarthritis (n = 54) tended to be older and have greater baseline BMI and systolic blood pressure (see Table 1). Specifically, in the post hoc analyses we found that individuals with accelerated knee osteoarthritis were older than those with common knee osteoarthritis progression (p = 0.02) and had a greater BMI than those with no knee osteoarthritis (p = 0.01). The frequency of static knee malalignment was not different between individuals with accelerated knee osteoarthritis and the other two groups but individuals with no knee osteoarthritis were more likely to have knee malalignment than individuals with common knee osteoarthritis progression (p = 0.01). None of the post-hoc analyses supported a difference in systolic blood pressures among the groups. Only baseline age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01 to 1.08; per year) and BMI (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.17; per kg/m2) were associated with accelerated knee osteoarthritis progression compared with those with no knee osteoarthritis. In comparison with individuals with common knee osteoarthritis, only age was associated with developing accelerated knee osteoarthritis progression (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.09; per year). Accelerated knee osteoarthritis progression was not associated with a history of injury prior to OAI baseline (see Table 2).
|No KOA (n = 1325) n (%) or mean (SD)||Common KOA (n = 187) n (%) or mean (SD)||Accelerated KOA (n = 54) n (%) or mean (SD)||Univariate Analyses1 p-value|
|Females||759 (57%)||122 (65%)||34 (63%)||0.093|
|Race other than white (n miss = 2)||177 (13%)||34 (18%)||8 (15%)||0.205|
|Age (years)||59.2 (9.2)||58.0 (8.3)2||61.8 (8.6)2||0.023|
|BMI (kg/m2)||27.1 (4.4)3||27.8 (4.5)||28.9 (4.7)3||0.002|
|Abnormal weight circumference (n miss = 78)||847 (67%)||127 (73%)||40 (74%)||0.197|
|Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg)||121 (16)||118 (13)||123 (14)||0.047|
|Fallen in past 12mo (n miss = 27)||433 (33%)||63 (34%)||21 (41%)||0.479|
|Static knee malalignment (Varus or Valgus, n miss = 79)4||992 (79%)5||122 (70%)5||40 (74%)||0.020|
|History of knee surgery (n miss = 1)||132 (10.0%)||13 (7.0%)||2 (3.7%)||0.144|
|No health insurance that covers prescription (n miss = 23)||117 (9%)||12 (7%)||8 (16%)||0.126|
|Income < $50K (n miss = 52)||403 (31%)||48 (27%)||22 (43%)||0.087|
|Less than a college degree (n miss = 8)||434 (33%)||73 (40%)||16 (31%)||0.186|
|Self-Reported Health Assessments|
|Frequent knee pain on most days of a month in past year (n miss = 1)||502 (38%)||77 (41%)||25 (46%)||0.344|
|WOMAC pain score||2.2 (2.8)||2.1 (2.6)||2.7 (3.0)||0.346|
|Charlson Comorbidity Score > 0 (n miss = 2)||264 (20%)||28 (15%)||14 (28%)||0.099|
|SF-12 Physical Summary Score (n miss = 13)||51.5 (7.8)||51.7 (7.6)||50.8 (9.7)||0.773|
|SF-12 Mental Summary Score (n miss = 13)||53.4 (7.5)||53.8 (7.5)||53.4 (7.7)||0.733|
|Depression score (CES-D; n miss = 11)||6.0 (6.3)||5.6 (6.1)||6.1 (5.9)||0.708|
|Physical activity score (PASE score; n miss = 7)||169 (82)||177 (82)||182 (91)||0.250|
|Right hand bony enlargements (n miss = 20)||697 (53%)||107 (58%)||31 (57%)||0.498|
|Left hand bony enlargements (n miss = 21)||617 (47%)||93 (50%)||32 (59%)||0.191|
|Handy bony enlargements (either hand; n miss = 20)||776 (59%)||122 (66%)||37 (68%)||0.128|
|Any back pain, past 30 days (n miss = 2)||781 (59%)||99 (53%)||36 (67%)||0.134|
|Doctor diagnosed back OA (n miss = 55)||190 (15%)||30 (17%)||11 (22%)||0.346|
|Doctor diagnosed hip OA (n miss = 44)||94 (7%)||11 (6%)||5 (10%)||0.624|
|Doctor diagnosed hand OA (n miss = 44)||215 (17%)||21 (12%)||9 (18%)||0.200|
|Doctor diagnosed back, hip, or hand OA (n miss = 48)||357 (28%)||48 (26%)||19 (37%)||0.296|
|Doctor diagnosed hand OA AND hip or back OA (n miss = 65)||101 (8%)||8 (4%)||3 (6%)||0.235|
|Either knee, used meds for pain, past 12mo (n miss = 2)||571 (43%)||86 (46%)||27 (50%)||0.490|
|Either knee, injection for arthritis, past 6m (n miss = 1)||13 (1%)||4 (2%)||2 (4%)||0.094|
|Take any pain medication today (for any pain)||124 (9%)||18 (10%)||8 (15%)||0.410|
|OTC NSAIDs for joint pain, past 30days (n miss = 3)||213 (16%)||27 (15%)||15 (28%)||0.059|
|Acetaminophen for joint pain, past 30 day (n miss = 2)||112 (9%)||12 (7%)||7 (13%)||0.303|
|Rx NSAIDs for joint pain, past 30days (n miss = 1)||56 (4%)||9 (5%)||1 (2%)||0.634|
|COXIBS for joint pain, past 30days||86 (7%)||9 (5%)||4 (7%)||0.641|
|Strong Prescription pain med for joint pain, past 30days||29 (2%)||3 (2%)||0 (0%)||0.485|
|No KOA (n=1325) REFERENCE GROUP||Common KOA (n=187)||Accelerated KOA (n=54)||Common KOA Unadjusted OR (95% CI)||Accelerated KOA Unadjusted OR (95% CI)||Common KOA Adjusted OR (95% CI)||Accelerated KOA Adjusted OR (95% CI)|
|History of knee injury before OAI baseline (n = 1554)||461 (35%)||52(28%)||16 (30%)||0.74 (0.52, 1.04)||0.78 (0.43, 1.42)||0.76 (0.53, 1.08)||0.84 (0.46, 1.54)|
|New Knee Injury|
|Between 1 and 2 years prior to study outcome (n = 1441)1||54 (4%)||5 (5%)||2 (5%)||n/a||n/a||n/a||n/a|
|Within1 year of the study outcome (n = 1558)||39 (3%)||18 (10%)||13 (25%)||3.57 (1.99, 6.38)||10.97 (5.42, 22.17)||3.04 (1.66, 5.58)||9.22 (4.50, 18.90)|
|During total observation period (n = 1507)||145 (11%)||23 (13%)||17 (32%)||1.12 (0.70, 1.80)||3.67 (2.01, 6.70)||0.99 (0.61, 1.61)||3.37 (1.82, 6.25)|
|During total observation period among knees with no history of injury prior to baseline (n = 980)||76 (9%)||12 (9%)||9 (24%)||1.02 (0.54, 1.93)||3.13 (1.42, 6.88)||0.88 (0.45, 1.74)||2.97 (1.33, 6.65)|
A knee injury during the total observation period was associated with accelerated knee osteoarthritis (odds ratio [OR] = 3.37, 95% CI = 1.82 to 6.25) but not common knee osteoarthritis progression (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.61 to 1.61, see Table 2). Furthermore, a recent knee injury (within the year of meeting the study outcome) was associated with accelerated (OR = 9.22, 95% CI = 4.50 to 18.90) and common knee osteoarthritis progression (OR = 3.04, 95% CI = 1.66 to 5.58). Our analyses among individuals with no history of knee injury prior to the OAI baseline and the secondary analysis supported our primary findings.
Knee injuries are an important risk factor for knee osteoarthritis and may lead to an early onset of knee osteoarthritis (6-8). Our findings further support the hypothesis that knee injuries may be an important risk factor for the development of accelerated knee osteoarthritis. Perhaps most concerning is that certain injuries may initiate or coincide with a rapid cascade towards joint failure that may occur in less than one year. Thirteen out of the 17 individuals with accelerated knee osteoarthritis and a knee injury during the total observation period experienced their injury in the year prior to developing end-stage osteoarthritis (KL ≥ 3; definite joint space narrowing). Therefore, the first year after an injury may be an important time frame to differentiate those susceptible to accelerated knee osteoarthritis, common knee osteoarthritis progression, or no knee osteoarthritis. Despite an emphasis on a hypothesis that injuries cause accelerated osteoarthritis, an alternative explanation for our findings is that the onset of accelerated knee osteoarthritis increases the risk of injury. If this is true, this could create a vicious cycle where accelerated knee osteoarthritis leads to an injury, which subsequently leads to another phase of accelerated knee osteoarthritis. If we can identify which injuries are associated with accelerated and common knee osteoarthritis progression then this may enable us to recognize these potential phenotypes.
The odds of having knee osteoarthritis after joint trauma are 3 to 6 times higher than an individual without a history of knee injury (6, 7). During the total observation period, we observed similar odds ratios for individuals who developed accelerated knee osteoarthritis; but, this was not the case for individuals with common knee osteoarthritis progression. Future research to determine why some patients develop accelerated knee osteoarthritis after a knee injury while others develop common knee osteoarthritis progression or no knee osteoarthritis will be instrumental in identifying individuals at highest risk for structural progression after an acute knee injury. Individuals with accelerated knee osteoarthritis tended to be older and more obese; therefore, obesity and age may be important factors. However, after we adjusted for age and BMI the association between knee injury and accelerated knee osteoarthritis was still significant.
While the association between recent knee injury and accelerated knee osteoarthritis progression is independent of age and BMI we could not explore some important factors in this study: the type, severity, mechanism, subsequent treatment of the knee injury. An individual with an anterior cruciate ligament tear and cartilage damage or meniscal pathology (including partial meniscectomy) is more likely to have radiographic knee osteoarthritis later in life than an individual with an isolated anterior cruciate ligament tear (15-18). Furthermore, certain types of meniscal pathology (e.g., meniscal root injuries) may be associated with spontaneous osteonecrosis and thus accelerated joint degeneration (19, 20). While certain injuries may predispose a knee to accelerated osteoarthritis, the role of subsequent treatment (e.g., surgery, rehabilitation, return-to-activity timeline) at modifying the risk of osteoarthritis remains poorly understood. Now that we verified that knee injuries are associated with accelerated knee osteoarthritis we need to determine the type, severity, and mechanism of the injury as well as subsequent treatment so that we can better understand who and why some injuries are associated with accelerated knee ostearthritis. Our findings should also raise awareness that this research needs to include older adults with injuries and not just younger, physically active individuals that tend to be included in these studies (16, 21, 22).
Thirteen out of the 17 injuries among individuals with accelerated knee osteoarthritis and 18 out of 23 injuries among individuals with common knee osteoarthritis progression experienced their injury within the year of reaching their study outcome. This supports a hypothesis that the first year or two after an injury is an important time frame that may set a path to joint failure (23-25). This suggests that we will need to determine which type, severity, mechanism, or subsequent treatment of the knee injury predispose individuals to the onset of accelerated or common knee osteoarthritis progression and then attempt to recognize these injuries as soon as possible. If researchers want to pursue clinical trials among individuals that are at risk for progression then it may be ideal to recruit participants at the time of an injury.
While injuries may cause accelerated osteoarthritis, we cannot rule out that knee osteoarthritis progression (accelerated or common) may increase the risk of injury. This alternative hypothesis may explain why the association between injury and osteoarthritis progression (accelerated or common) is greater during the 12 months prior to the study outcome compared with the association found with injuries during the total observation period, which include time intervals with no osteoarthritis progression. Knee osteoarthritis and knee pain are associated with altered neuromuscular control (e.g., proprioception, muscle activation patterns)(26-28), which may increase the risk of injury or falls (29, 30). If osteoarthritis progression influences neuromuscular control then an individual may be more susceptible to knee injury. If this hypothesis is true, then it may be important for clinicians to monitor older patients who report a knee injury because it could be an indicator that the joint is experiencing the onset or progression of osteoarthritis. This could also introduce a vicious cycle where osteoarthritis progression may lead to a knee injury, which could further hasten the degenerative changes.
An acute injury may be a very important risk factor for accelerated knee osteoarthritis among this sample but we still need to better understand what triggered accelerated knee osteoarthritis among the 70% that did not suffer an acute knee injury during the total observation period. It's possible that some of these individuals suffered minor perturbations to the joint that may not have been reported as an injury but nonetheless compromised the integrity of joint tissues. Subsequently, these altered structures may have exposed the joint to repetitive overloading, which could further compromise other tissues like the subchondral bone and articular cartilage(31).
This study highlights the importance of knee injuries in the incidence of accelerated knee osteoarthritis but has several limitations. As noted previously, we lack granular detail about the knee injury and if joint structures could have been compromised during the total observation period despite the participant reporting that they had no new knee injuries. Conversely, many participants (n = 145) reported an injury despite no radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis progression (accelerated or common). This could be attributable to a lack of data regarding the type, severity, mechanism, or subsequent treatment of the knee injury and limitations of self-reported injury data. Some individuals may have reported an injury that was not an intraarticular injury or only a minor injury that is not associated with knee osteoarthritis. These analyses were also limited to 54 individuals with incident accelerated knee osteoarthritis. We attempted to address this concern by conducting a secondary analysis among 71 additional individuals who had accelerated knee osteoarthritis but their contralateral knee had prevalent knee osteoarthritis at baseline. These analyses supported our primary finding. The limited sample size limits our ability to offer a precise odds ratio but it is unlikely to change our overall findings that knee injuries are associated with accelerated knee osteoarthritis. However, these findings may not be generalizable to the overall population since the OAI is not a populationbased cohort study. Future studies could pursue this research in population-based cohorts but we believe these findings will be confirmed since they complement the existing literature about the association between knee injuries and early onset knee osteoarthritis (8).
We often focus on the association of injuries and osteoarthritis later in life for a younger, physically active population but this study reminds us that even among older adults we need to pay attention to self-reported injuries. It is concerning that certain types or severities of injuries may be associated with a rapid cascade towards joint failure in less than one year. Future studies will need to explore if certain injuries are causing accelerated knee osteoarthritis and/or accelerated knee osteoarthritis is increasing the risk of injury. We must develop strategies to recognize this potential phenotype promptly after their injury and discover interventions to delay or prevent the onset of accelerated and common knee osteoarthritis progression.
Older individuals and those with a recent knee injury may be more likely to develop accelerated knee osteoarthritis.
Recent knee injuries are frequently associated with a rapid cascade towards joint failure in less than one year.
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“The frog in the well does not know the great sea.”Japanese proverb
It should be obvious that this past week brought forth a slew of new beginnings in my life. The beginning of the 14 hour flight from New York to Tokyo, and the beginning of the jet lag that followed. The beginning of my new cell phone plan, apartment lease, and job contract, as I settle into my new home in Kiryu. The beginning of new relationships with my coworkers and newfound friends in my town, as well as the beginning of a new era in my friendship with my native Japanese friends from Geneseo. In the most succinct way possible, this week marked the beginning of a new life for me.
The American bank accounts have been closed, the car sold, and the goodbyes said, replaced with Japanese bank accounts, a bike, and new hellos. I am truly beginning this new life, and only now has it begun to set it, six days after arriving in Tokyo, and four after coming to Kiryu.
But where to begin?
As I write this, there is a festival whose own beginning shall come at the arrival of dusk, and I will soon be partaking in the festivities to take in new experiences. I feel this event shall play a major part in the differentiation of my life in Japan from my life in America. Festivals exist in each country, but Japanese matsuri are a much different beast from the American carnival or festival.
Over here, festivals exist for everything from the blooming of sakura trees in spring, to the celebration of the new year, and even the casting out of the demons in February; while we may have similar ideas behind American holidays such as Halloween and Easter, these Japanese styles of celebration emphasize the roles of spirituality and tradition in a more overt fashion than the undertones common in American celebrations. In the sense that I now find myself at the outset of a new life in the influence of the Japanese tradition, it is only fitting that this new life is distinguished by the festival and the way of life that it represents.
Ironically enough, the moment this week that begot the realization of this new life was an out of body experience. I was sitting in a small restaurant in Hirosawa-cho, the neighborhood in which I find my new apartment, and I was struck by a sudden realization:
I am in Japan.
Sure the realization had been repeated like a mantra over the last week, and, especially when I was traveling in Kabuki-cho in Tokyo with my good friend Arisa or wandering alone around Shinjuku with my camera at dawn, I had felt the sense of being in Japan; however, it was none of those things that brought my epiphany.
I may have been surrounded by Japanese culture in every sense of the word, but at that time, I had still felt like a gaijin. I was in Kaubki-cho, Shinjuku, a section of Tokyo tailor-made for the consumption and marketing of Japanese culture to foreigners, and, even though I was enjoying myself greatly while I was there, I had never felt as though I was truly immersed in the culture.
No, it was not the sensory overload of Tokyo that brought me this immersion. It was instead s quiet moment inside a restaurant in Kiryu, and it was the state of being truly in that moment that brought me such clear thought.
So far as moments go, it was nothing too special, even for a Japanophile such as myself. I was simply sitting in the restaurant, having just ordered my dinner and my drinks in Japanese. As I sat there, I was almost an observer looking into the moment from outside the restaurant. In the booth in front of me, two friends shared dinner and laughter over some cold Sapporo beer, and the booth behind me contained a family that seemed to be having a celebration of some kind; perhaps the son had been accepted into his first choice university. In the far back of the restaurant, the kitchen hummed with the sound of the dishwasher, and the exclamations of the chef as he received and completed orders, a sensation that evoked memories of my first job as a busboy at a steakhouse.
Finally, in front of me, I had beef and pork, which I was then to grill on the small grittle laid into the table before me, and the kimchi, and sake that I had ordered to go with it. The sake label was barely legible to me, as I took my time reading it and trying to practice my kanji readings. Afterwards, I placed the bottle back down, and the fleeting nature of the moment, the fact that it was just a slice of my new life, brought about that realization I mentioned earlier: that I was in Japan.
After all of my imagination, aspiration, and determination, I had finally made it. I was here to begin my new life, and I would have all sorts of moments as I live that life. I guess, in the end that was what made it so special. That it was something that I would be able to appreciate at any time during my stay here. From that moment on, I am comfortable in saying my new life in Japan has finally begun, and I need to stop and appreciate it as much as I can while I am living it.
I am a frog who has been catapulted from my well into the great sea, and all I can do now is learn and master these new waters.
Song of the Week
“Hey Look Ma, I Made It” by Panic! At The Disco
For this week, the song is again tied into the theme of my post. So far as personal anthems go, I have been greatly enjoying this new song by Panic!, especially as I approach these new beginnings and appreciate my past achievements.
“Hey look ma, I made it
Hey look ma, I made it
Everything’s comin’ up aces, aces
If it’s a dream, don’t wake me, don’t wake me
I said hey look ma, I made it”
Taken from the chorus, these words are wonderful in giving me the strength and optimism to charge head forth into my job as an English teacher as I begin work next week. I’ll stop to admire my medals before I go forth onto the next round of challenges that life will throw at me. I hope I can impress the judges, but, come rain or shine, at the very least, I will be able to tell my mother I made it.
If you would like to listen to this song or any of the other prior Songs of the Week, check out the Spotify Playlist linked above!


When I think about where I come from, I think about my mother, and I think about the north. My mother was born in Alaska. My mother's father, grandpa John, was born in Alaska. His mother, great grandmother Selma, was born in Alaska. And before her, my ancestors for the past 10,000 years plus come from the north, from Alaska. Somewhere beyond memory, faded into the very fabric of family history, exists my Inuit mother. My great great great great grandmother. She lived a full life and experienced all the universal moments of being human, all the feelings of hope, sorrow, peace, conflict, love, pain, and so on and so forth.
I believe that all the moments we have as humans are the same. Difference arises from expression, and only in our unique expression do we create a multitude of variation. But in the end, in its fundamental form, all the moments of existence are shared. I like to believe that I can share my great great great great grandmother's experience of being an inuit girl watching the clouds drift across the northern sky. I like to believe that she shows up across the genetic code and is still a part of the migration from generation to generation. Sometimes I see her in my mother's face, and sometimes she gazes at the stars of her youth, through the eyes of her distant great great great grandson.


Quite some years ago, when my mother was elderly but not as elderly as she would become, she attended the funeral of a dear friend right here at St Al’s. Afterward, she remarked to the young priest who had presided what a lovely service it had been, how all its details had so thoughtfully reflected the wishes of the departed. In response, the young priest made the mistake of asking my mother whether she had made her own, y’know, plans. “No!” my mother responded. And then the padre made the further mistake of saying, “you should get on that. You don’t want to burden your children.” To which my mother shot right back, “Oh yes I do, Father! And why not? My children have been burdens to me all their lives.”
Guilty as charged! But were that we could all bear burdens so beautifully. As any child of Elizabeth Julia Veronica Murphy Durkin can tell you, she bore her seven burdens as trees bear fruit, as the kings bore gifts, as Shakespeare bears quoting, as great stories bear retelling.
My mother’s was a great story. As a girl, she – a child of the Depression – had no phone and no car, and used to help her father sift coal in the cellar. As a woman, she routinely dazzled prelates, pooh-bahs and politicians. I can’t begin to tell that story here.
What I am moved to try and do, though, is to mark the passing not only of my mother, but of a kind of mother. My mother emphatically believed that women should have the chance to run the world and everything in it. But she grew up at a time when most women did not have that chance, so even the smartest, hardest-working and most ambitious had to make their home their world, and be content with dominion over only the humans they made themselves. In the wrong circumstances, of course, the concentration of such vast personal force into so few hearts and minds could be toxic. But in the right circumstances – in our circumstances -- it was magic.
To be mothered by our mother was magic. All her brilliance, her wit, her yearning, her dreaming, her moral sense, her aesthetic sense, her optimism, her romanticism, her originality, her creativity, her infinite variety….yes, it went into her college education, which she completed, with high honors, at age 54. Yes, it went into her businesses, her legendary entertaining, her travels. But mostly, all of that – all of her -- went into us.
It went, of course, into our magnificent, much-missed father too, and in light of their almost-65 years of marriage, it seems preposterous to contemplate her life without major reference to his. In 1949, Betty Murphy pledged to love Tom Durkin until death did them part, but we all know she didn’t stop then, or ever. But Mickey has Booper now, and we don’t. So he is going have to forgive me for skipping over the myriad ways in which, as he often remarked, “no man ever had a better wife,” as I touch upon just one of the ways in which no child ever had a better mother.
Now, often when the subject is exemplary motherhood, the tone becomes one of boring beige solemnity: the sacrifices she made, the faith she instilled, the excellence she encouraged, the pain she soothed – and make no mistake, our mother did all of that, all the time, for all of us. But all my life, whenever I have been with my mother or thought of my mother or heard anyone speak of my mother, the word that has always bobbed right up to the surface like a buoy in the ocean is fun. Even words of condolence this week have included the word “fun.” “I’m so sorry you lost your mother. She was so much fun.” “Sharp as a tack, and such fun.” Even amongst ourselves: “Remember that time when Mom and Aunt Doris got the bright idea to…? That was so much fun.”
Last night, as I struggled to find some words for this morning, I found myself fighting with fun. I’d scribble out something weighty and worthy about my mother – but then my mind would stray to this or that hilarious memory and enjoy itself there for a while before I’d pull it back and scold myself like a nun at St. Cecilia’s: I can’t spend the last formal words I will ever speak on behalf of my incredibly accomplished mother describing her as some kind of party girl…even if that was her absolute favorite way to describe herself.
Then, somewhere around dawn’s early light, this dawned on me: what a good, even godly, trait it is to be fun. After all, how do we often describe life as it comes from God? How, if we are so lucky and so wise, do we see life? As a gift. What is the word for opening a gift -- for treating each day as a gift -- if not fun? And what better way to communicate to the human beings that you have brought into the world that they belong in the world; can thrive in it, and find joy and love and purpose in it, than to act as if having them with you in the world is fun?
And so, my brothers and sisters in Christ, without apology, I submit to you: Elizabeth Murphy Durkin was many, many tons of fun.
She had different levels of fun.
Everyday, offhand fun:
Some mothers, if they found themselves serving dinner on a school night at 8:30 p.m., might say, “sorry it’s so late, you must be starving.” Our mother said, “pretend you’re in Spain. This is early.”
General, embrace-the-chaos fun:
Whether her station wagon was headed to Washington, D.C., the Mississippi Delta or the A&P in Verona, it was always packed with kids, who were packed in with groceries or antiques or Irish setters. Sometimes the station wagon of the moment did not have the best brakes, in which event Booper did not panic. Incorporating her general approach to life, she simply learned to swerve.
Soon after Corny got engaged, Mom had the idea of holding a tea party in honor of the prospective bride’s mother, and inviting all the ladies in her family. Not stopping at the traditional spread of finger sandwiches and scones, Booper decided that what would really set the gathering off would be for us to dress up in Edwardian garb, complete with gloves and great big hats, and greet the guests in character and voice of a tentatively-trained Eliza Doolittle: “How kiiiiiind of you to come to teeee.” Miraculously, Mary Ellen went ahead with the wedding.
Good, old-fashioned, party-hardy fun:
Some grandmothers, when they hit eighty or so, would either decline big family parties or sit demurely to the side, leaving the dance floor to the young people. Booper, somewhere around ninety, boogied so big at Teddy’s wedding she had to be hospitalized.
But again, I beg you not to take from this that my mother was more style than substance. Nor was she even best termed a person of style and substance. No: My mother’s style came from her substance.
For many years my parents hosted an annual summer picnic for people who were both visually and economically impaired. Ridiculously late on the night before one such event – maybe midnight -- my sister and I came upon our mother, ironing a huge pile of linen tablecloths. We laughed at her. We said “Mom, what are you doing? It’s just a picnic, and the guests literally can’t see.” My mother continued undeterred. Come noon, a guest was led to her table and the minute she sat down, she took a corner of cloth in her hand. “Ah,” she said, rubbing it luxuriantly between her fingers. “I knew this was going to be nice.”
Those picnics took place at 100 Rensselaer Road. My mother loved that house. Like all my siblings, I loved it too, and even now, I appreciate it, in the form of a painting that hangs on the wall in my mother’s final home in Spring Lake.
A week ago today, just after my mother left this world, my salt-watered eye happened to fall on that picture. And like a shot, it hit me: “That house was never really my home. She was.”
It has long since become the fashion in America to skimp on grieving the way a dieter skimps on gravy. Especially with a decedent of a great age, we are urged not to mourn, but to celebrate! And you might expect that, since I have just devoted a funeral oration to fun, I am going to close on such a note. I’m not. I can’t. When I fall silent, I am going to fall still. And in the stillness, I am going to feel the awful wind blow through the hole that my first friend, my primary pillar, my indelible grace, my model, my mirror, my mother blew in me by her leaving. I am going to feel the cold of that, and the wrench of that, and very often for a good while yet, I am going to cry over that.
But I am my mother’s daughter. We are our mother’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. So Mom, one day that we can’t imagine right now, we are going to find some fun, and that is where we are going to find you. From that moment on, we are going to prove you right on one of your signature points. You always said that your children were your ticket to immortality. And we are.


Teaching Writing in the Right Order
I like this meme! I think it does a simple yet good job at listing the writing modes. But what I really like is that they are in the correct order! By "order", I mean that this is the order in which writing should be taught.
When teaching children to write, start out with narration. The first step of narration is talking, so start having quality conversations with your little ones. Ask them about their day. What did they do? Ask for details, so they must add descriptions. What did they like? What did they dislike? Why! Why! Why! Keep asking questions. Don't settle for descriptions like "cool", "fun", "pretty", "nice". When you read stories together (you're doing that daily, right), ask your children to retell parts of the story. Or, tell it with a different ending, or from the villain's point of view. That's all narration!
At least once a week, scribe for your child as he narrates. Yes, YOU are doing the writing, but it's still his writing. It's the first step. Physically writing is a different skill from composing written thoughts. Don't let the physical skill of writing letters on a page, using that fine motor skill, hinder the development of your child's inner-writer. They will, eventually, write for themselves. They will, eventually, get tired of waiting around for you to write for them and start writing down their own stories...if they have learned the joy of putting thoughts on paper, and have acquired the confidence to do so.
Level 1 of writing is simply getting what is inside your head out and onto paper.
Narrating moves naturally into descriptive writing, as parents and teachers simply ask questions. What did the boy look like? Where does that story happen? Is it cold or hot? What are the characters wearing? What sounds do they hear? Children can write character sketches about characters from books they are reading (or you are reading to them). Have them draw a picture to go along with their words.
Level 2 of writing is getting what is inside your head into the head of another person. That is done through good descriptions. When the reader can see what you see, that is success! Children naturally want you to see what they see, but they don't realize how to do that...so help them...with questions!
Here comes the scandalous part of the blog... I do not teach expository writing before age 12, and I don't teach persuasive writing until the other 3 modes have been developed. If I have a child who wants to write something expository or persuasive (like why she should get a puppy or why he should get an xbox), I certainly allow and encourage that, but I don't push it or formally teach it (unsolicited) before age 12.
The most persuasive writers are also great narrators! They move us through stories then come in for the kill with their logical and descriptive point of view.
Level 3 of writing is using your written words to change the thoughts of another person.
The trouble with some of our state standards in writing--and yes, this includes Common Core--is that they dictate that children learn all 4 modes of writing from an early age. Children as young as 3rd grade (that's as young as 7 years old) are required to write reports and expository paragraphs. Yes, they are simple assignments, but that doesn't matter. When children are asked to do expository writing, before they have experienced the joy of narration and descriptive writing, they develop a hate of writing. They come to view academic (school) writing as something completely different from the writing they do for enjoyment and to get their deep thoughts out onto paper. We don't want that! Because when they are ready to do expository and especially persuasive writing, we want them to be passionate about it. We don't want them to do the minimum to get a passing grade.
The other concern I have is that creative writing (narration) is phased out around middle school. Students need to return to creative writing from time to time, to keep the juices flowing. They need to learn how to incorporate narration and even fictitious creative writing into persuasive writing. So, even as students progress and new modes are added, we should still return to the previous modes periodically.
Here are some ideas for young writers...
Set a timer (just 5 minutes is fine to start and work up to longer) and just write! It doesn't matter what they write. You (parent/teacher) should be doing this right along side them, in your very own writing journal.
Nature makes a great subject for developing descriptive writing. Without naming a plant or animal, can your child describe it so well that you know what it is?
This sounds so tedious, I know! But copy work helps children who are still learning good writing form to imitate it without the pressure of creating it themselves. They can copy anything! A funny poem, a funny part of a story, a recipe, instructions for a game...get creative!
Take pictures and make a book with your child and let her add the narration to go along with the pictures. Family vacations or just an ordinary day...both are fun for kids to narrate.
Letter Writing & Cards
Thank you to grandma for that gift. Get a pin pal. Make cards for friends. Write out their own invitations for parties.
Wish lists. Christmas. Birthday. Pros & Cons for a choice. Plan for getting something they want.
Above all, remember, your priorities are:
Creating joy and building confidence in writing, not grooming the next Shakespeare.


When I was young, I ran away from home to be with the Himalayas.
At that time, the mountains summoned me. Like a soothing Mother, the mountains spoke to me; I heard them say, “Come beloved child. Be here!” Happily, I surrendered to this calling with my whole being and ran straight to the lap of the Himalayas.
Seems only moments passed. She whispered sacred teachings to me; and I received as would a child receive mother’s milk. I was prepared to spend the rest of my life in this cozy lap.
Then suddenly, and to my surprise, the Himalayas said, “Now, go!”
As Her child, I resisted. I refused to leave the Mother.
Somehow living as a mountain recluse was not my destined path, and I had to return to my birth family. But there remained a deep calling; the mountains reassured me, as if to say, “Bring these mountains with you wherever you go. Make the world your cave. Go to the world, but return home to the mountains as often as you wish. You have been blessed a messenger; you are impregnated with teachings. Your job is to give birth to a great conversation. You shall turn sacred the wild, worldly dust. Most important, keep the dialogue going between the modern world and the ancient mountains. Gather seekers who are longing. Guide them to feel called and welcome here.”
Since then, I have been blessed to guide yatras to the Himalayas. We go to the mountains to bow. Two years ago, we journeyed to the Himalayas on a Yatra to Hemkunth Sahib, the abode of Rishi Dushta Daman.
At a very sacred bridge the Bhim Pulh, the Bridge of Bhima, we passed through a vortex that only opens for those who have been initiated into the Dharma.
We had entered the realm of the Shrine of Rishi Ved Vyas. Rishi Ved Vyas was the great sage who downloaded all the ancient yogic wisdom from the Akashic records. With Ganesha — the remover of obstacles — as his trusted stenographer, Ved Vyas penned down wisdom, bringing it into form and structure so that the realm-of-time-and-space can remain in sacred dialogue with the Realm Beyond. This became the Vedic tradition.
Now, our Hemkunt yatra group had entered a sacred experience here that is beyond all time and space. Near the shrine, we noticed a cave. Once again, I felt summoned.
In this cave, a yogi sat alone.
Graciously, he invited me and the yatra group into his cave. In moments that seemed to stretch for an eternity, we enjoyed one another’s presence in this cave.
Here, a space opened up for this yogi and I to engage in a profound heart to heart conversation. Now, this kind of conversation is called Gosti in Gurmukhi, which translates to Conscious Sacred Exchange. Such an exchange is characterized by short, meaningful phrases, silence, and gestures. It is a communication of the highest dignity in that it crystalizes universal unity consciousness.
In this conversation, every word, pause, and gesture is expressed in the now; so, all expression blooms as a call and response that is nearly simultaneous. Every moment of the exchange is here and now. It is a deeply mystical exchange in that it carries profound wisdom of both the ancient past and distant future in the here now.
Such a yogic dialogue is bestowed and flows only in the right time and space; the only condition is reverence — reverence is adab in Gurmukhi.
Really, dialogue is too dualistic a word to use for Gosti because in this conversation, the two sharing the “dialogue” become one. A better word might be uni-logue if the English language had such a word … Even the English word ‘monologue’ does not work here because this is an expression of the Universe, not the individuated self.
This short exchange of words, silences, and gestures is compact in as few as 6 moments. However, contained within this short exchange exists all the wisdom of the 6 philosophical orders of the yogic teachings.
Here is the Gosti we shared:
1. We held one another’s gaze and instantly recognized our connection: I wear the saffron robes, carrying the color of the sun. This yogi wears ashes, carrying the color of the moon. Recognizing we are connected as sun and moon brought big smiles to our faces. With great joy, he sang out in Hindi, “Yogi ko Yogi Meleh!” A Yogi meets a Yogi.
2. Welcomed so, I replied by consciously proceeding into his sacred cave. I placed my right foot into his cave first, as the right foot is the foot of Dharma. As he noticed I did so, he rose to his feet and folded his hands the same time I folded my hands into Anjali Mudra, the lotus seal. Two hands represent duality, but Anajali Mudra brings all duality together into union — the negative and positive mind come to neutral, and the sun and moon energies of the body come to one. We bowed to each other simultaneously, and greeted each other in unison with the Himalayan Yogic greeting: “Matha Tekda Maharaj!” Oh sage, I bow to you!
3. Next, he invited me to sit next to his yogic seat. He said in Hindi, “Bhaout Kripa ke aphne.” Thank you for coming and blessing. Offering the seat is a gesture that carried with it every welcome, every blessing, and every gratitude of all creatures in cordiality. Here is awareness of every expression of giving and receiving hospitality throughout eternity. Here is awareness of every being sharing and deeply cherishing one another’s presence.
4. As I sat on the seat, he asked, “Aph kis Gurpranali se dikshat ho?” Which lineage are you initiated into? He asked my lineage, Gurpranali it is called. The Gurpranali is the lineage to which you have gifted your heart.
This question contained the essence of the Yogic teachings. In the Himalayan yogic teachings, one is known only through a lineage, not as his individual self. I repeat: the Himalayan tradition recognizes you only through your Gurpranli, not as an individual. In fact, there is no individual self on this path. On this path, only the divine through the master speaks through you, and that is what you convey. Only the Guru exists; the small psychological self died ages ago.
This is a path of total surrender to the one who has sparked the fire of wisdom within. The Himalayan sages teach that one has to be initiated into Dharma through a lineage, without this initiation, a being is seen as an Orphan in the spiritual world. One only comes into the shelter after one is initiated into the Dharma.
5. With a smile on my face and mentally bowing to the question, I replied, “Guru Nanak Sut, Baba Sri Chand ke Udasin Gurpranli Se Dikshat Hun Ji Maharaj.” Guru Nanak’s beloved son, Baba Sri Chand’s Udasin lineage into it I am initiated, oh dear one!
6. Hearing the name of the ageless yogi, Baba Sri Chand, a wide smile came on his face. He removed his inner shawl and took out a pendent of Baba Sri Chand that he showed to me as he said, “Hum Bhi Udasin Pranali sey Hai” I am also an Udasin; this is my lineage, too. Together, we laughed. We held hands as two brothers on the path.
One yogi made the Himalayas his world; one yogi brought the Himalayas into the world. Both yogis are Naadi Putras, children born through the word of the Guru and spreading the Dharma of the Guru in their own unique way.
It is said that Baba Sri Chand is the protector of all Yogis, and it makes no difference if the cave is the yogi’s world, or the world is the yogi’s cave.
Our dialogue created unity. What needed to be said was said. What needed to be replied was replied. All was for the purpose of exchanging sacred dialogue that creates unity.
We both bowed to the Gurpranali from which we have sprouted and all the masters that carried the Dharma and thanking them for giving us the shelter in its fold. In the words of the Himalayan masters, I bow to all those who have walked the path of the Dharma.
With Joy in my heart and both hands united above my head, I sealed our Gosti. I called out a Jaikara, a glory proclamation of Baba Sri Chand: “Bolh Bhagvan Sri Chander Maharaj Ke Jai,” may all sing the glories of the great Baba Sri Chand. All those present joined us and chanted along with us as one.
With this exchange of statements between a yogi and a yogi in the cave of the Himlayas, the womb of Yogic teachings, the essence of the 6 philosiphical orders of yogic lineage; Khat Darshan its called, the Gosti was complete.
This completes the dialogue.
We go our separate ways, vibrating unity.
Watch this video of the Mystical Hemkunt
Journey with Yogi Amandeep 2016


Colin Dexter OBE
The College is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of author Colin Dexter, who had been a St Cross Fellow by Special Election since 2005.
Colin was best known for his Inspector Morse novels which were later adapted into a successful television series starring John Thaw. He was appointed an OBE in 2000 for services to literature, and in 2001 he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Oxford.
Colin very much enjoyed his association with the College and regularly attended events. Students and their families, who had enjoyed reading tales of Oxford's most famous detective, were equally delighted to find themselves in conversation with his creator. Colin Dexter's love of poetry, mischievous sense of humour and ready wit left wonderful memories with those he met. He will be genuinely missed by the College community and our thoughts are with his family.
Tuesday 21 March 2017


Celebrant Sean officiates at weddings throughout Christchurch and Canterbury, but is happy to go anywhere in the glorious South Island.
Sean will craft you a ceremony to have you relaxed, confident and in-the-moment. Your family and friends will be enthralled by a ceremony that they feel part of. A validated member of the Celebrants Association, Sean is also a trained speaker, stand-up comedian and popular Christchurch performance poet. He’s happy to travel throughout the South Island for weddings.
Tell us about yourself? Everything I do, from the very first meeting, is to earn the trust and confidence of the couple. I want them to stand in front of all their guests confident they are already a team of two, still private yet powerful and in control. Then it’s easy for me to appear relaxed, professional and fully prepared. “Relaxed” and “entertaining” are the most common words in my 300+ reviews.
Tell us about your style? Relaxed and entertaining.
Best part of any ceremony for you? The guests caught-off-guard by the open sincerity of the couple’s vows.
Favourite things? Spending time with my granddaughter while we eat ice cream and generally philosophise. I enjoy public speaking and MCing. I write a bit and my poems and stories have been published in various publications from the Christchurch Press to Bob Dylan’s home town of Hibbing, Minnesota. My first book will be self-published on Amazon in August 2021.
GET IN TOUCH!
T. 021 951 949


My late mother, DeEtta, had one of those smiles that could light up a room. In my opinion, her smile could light up an entire city! She embodied the sentiment credited to Mother Theresa, “Peace begins with a smile.” I am my mother's daughter and believe that forming meaningful connections with others is our highest calling. We have learned over the past few years the devastation that occurs when we are disconnected and isolated. As a young woman, I have been fortunate to learn from mentors within my family, community, and the Angus industry on what it means to handle differences. Meeting people where they are, communicating with integrity, and leading by example are the essential elements that have enabled me to create profound relationships along my journey.
In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee writes, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."rdquo; There is far too much division in the world in which we live. We must meet people where they are, diffusing opposition with a kind word, with empathy, with a smile. When we take a step back from the situation and put ourselves in another person's shoes, we can better understand and appreciate their unique experience. As a young junior member, I struggled to get involved in the National Junior Angus Association activities. In 2013 at my first junior nationals in Kansas City, I was hesitant to participate in the Cook-Off competition because I would be working with people I did not know. An advisor from my state, Jamie, encouraged me to get involved in the Cook-Off competition. She saw in me the insecurity that was holding me back. She met me where I was and provided the compassion and support that I needed. From that situation, I made new friends and became more active in my state association. By meeting people where they are, we establish relationships. Through these relationships, I recognize that diversity enriches our lives and our moments with others.
Words have the power to unite or destroy. In our society, there seems to be a need to share every thought that comes to mind with little worry of how it might affect others. Our cultural landscape would look different if every single person communicated with integrity. From the leadership opportunities of my teen years and transitioning into college life, I have learned that it is best to express my values honestly and respectfully to others. This practice builds trust so that both parties can work together to resolve differences. While others may not agree with our thoughts or beliefs, they are at least allowed to witness the transparent communication of our convictions. Communication also involves listening to others with an open heart. The Certified Angus Beef brand is a well-known brand that has created a reputation by being honest about its purpose and product through truthful communication with consumers. While market demands fluctuate, CAB has not wavered from its consistent mission to promote registered Angus cattle through offering a high-quality Angus beef product. As a result, the brand has now seen six consecutive years surpassing one billion pounds of sales. We share our vision and create a dialogue that averts conflict and promotes successful collaboration by communicating with integrity.
As we meet people where they are and communicate with integrity, we display purposeful leadership to conquer problems as they arise. Leaders who lead by example are next-level problem-solvers committed to their personal growth and the benefit of others in their community. My brother Justin is one of my greatest role models who retired from the National Junior Angus Association board of directors this year. It was exciting to see him achieve this accomplishment that he had set as a goal early in his youth. However, his time on the board turned out to be more challenging than expected for the reason that no one could have imagined. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the rules for so much of Junior Angus operations. As the Leadership Director, I saw Justin deal with the obstacles of virtual rather than in-person events, the disappointment of canceled events, and the struggle with finding locations to host junior activities like the LEAD conference. When faced with many different ideas about moving forward, Justin kept a level head and stepped up to the leadership position that he was elected to by working with his fellow board members as a quiet example of consistent leadership. Through this chapter in his life, he encouraged others through a difficult time and has certainly inspired me with a desire to be a leader that sets an example for others.
I can still hear my mother's voice in my mind whenever I face potential conflict, “Mary, be the bigger person.” As a child, I did not truly understand what that meant, but by her example, I learned how to approach obstacles. Not surprisingly, she was a woman who confronted difficult situations head-on, creating opportunities for friendship where there might have been strife. Meeting people where they are, communicating with integrity, and leading by example have become the foundation I continue to build upon as I move to the next chapter. But, I always begin with a smile.


By Jordan Tew, Executive Director • Baptist Publishing House
I remember visiting a used bookstore several years ago, and while I was there, I stumbled upon a collection of used Sunday School curriculum. This curriculum was supposed to be a book-by-book study of the Bible. I was intrigued, so I picked up a book and read through it. It did not take me very long to see that the author had skipped many verses and even entire chapters.
Granted, the verses and chapters that were skipped are often considered “controversial” by many. Indeed, Romans 8-10 has caused many a theological debate over the years. I was, however, saddened by the fact that a Christian publications ministry would rather skip verses (and chapters) than deal with what those verses said. Why be timid when it comes to God’s Word?
I will be the first to say there is no need to cause unnecessary strife or friction between brothers and sisters in Christ. However, there is also never any need to be ashamed of the Word of God.
When I became the executive director of Baptist Publishing House (several years after the aforementioned bookstore experience), I knew we must stand upon God’s Word without any compromise or fear. I will admit this is not a popular stand to take in today’s world, where compromise is celebrated and cowering is a virtue.
I believe God’s Word is powerful, authoritative and true. The Apostle Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” Certainly, to be unashamed of the gospel means we also must be unashamed of the Word of God.
These convictions are also shared by our writers. The men who write for Baptist Publishing House are BMA pastors and educators. They work very hard to provide our churches with a true verse-by-verse study of God’s Word, and I am grateful for their consistent and selfless work. I can assure you it would be much easier to skip the “hard verses” in several instances, but we cannot do that because we are men bound by the Word of God. We understand our calling is to proclaim God’s Word faithfully and without compromise. That is what the churches of the BMA of America have commissioned the Baptist Publishing House to do.
This is not a new concept. The BMA has had many faithful Sunday School writers over the years. We are dedicated to preserving this legacy of faithful writers, who possess a devotion to the authority of the Bible and hold to sound doctrine.
Throughout the countless hours of writing, editing, correcting and rewriting each and every lesson, we have all solidified our conviction that we are 100% committed to God’s Word. The phrase “We don’t skip verses” is slowly becoming our motto. Second to the Word of God, our commitment is to the Doctrinal Statement of the BMA of America. Simply put, we will not and cannot produce anything that is not in total agreement with this statement.
Why are we so passionate about it? I think the answer to that question can be found in the Doctrinal Statement of the BMA of America, Article II:
• The Scriptures are God’s inerrant revelation, complete in the Old and New Testaments, written by divinely inspired men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (II Tim. 3:16; II Peter 1:21). Those men wrote not in words of human wisdom but in words taught by the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 2:13).
• The Scriptures provide the standard for the believer’s faith and practice (II Tim. 3:16, 17), reveal the principles by which God will judge all (Heb. 4:12; John 12:48) and express the true basis of Christian fellowship (Gal. 1:8-9; II John 9-11).
While the world is critical of such convictions, God is honored. We are grateful that the Lord has continued to pour out His blessings upon this ministry. Each quarter, more and more churches begin using BMA curriculum in their churches, and they have shared good reports about how it has helped their people grow in the knowledge of God and His Word. Some have even been saved! Indeed, as the Lord said, through the Prophet Isaiah, “My Word will not return void.”


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20/11/2020 à 15 h 19 min #17175Adra KellyInvité
Beyond the Darkness
A Biography of Bede Griffiths
by Shirley du Boulay
- Genres: spirituality
- ISBN: 9781903816165 (1903816165)
- Author: Shirley du Boulay
- Publisher: John Hunt Publishing
- Format: paperback, 308 pages
- Language: english
- Release date: February 4, 2004
About The Book
Even though the English Benedictine monk Bede Griffiths was well known during his lifetime (1906-1993) for his efforts to harmonize the spiritual practices of East and West, the full range of his influence is only just becoming widely appreciated. Now, from respected journalist and biographer Shirley du Boulay, comes the first major biography of Griffith’s life, Beyond the Darkness. Du Boulay shows the transformation of Griffiths from an idealistic, highly intelligent, serious, and sometime irritable schoolboy into a man of profound wisdom who emanated unconditional love, and who was often revered as a holy man and a living saint. During his life of intellectual and spiritual discovery, he became an associate of the Inklings, a close friend of C. S. Lewis, and eventually a leader of an ashram in India.
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