ONLINE VIRTUAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE
SINCE 2013
NCMC MASTERGUIDE
ARTICLES & EVENTS
PHILANTHROPY
What Comes Naturally?
Posted November 20, 2013
My job was to take care of the dog and the chickens while my son and his family enjoyed a vacation in Hawaii. It wasn’t so bad until one afternoon I found that two of the chickens had “flown the coop,” literally. They were happily pecking right outside the fence while their girlfriends stuck inside were busy clucking their displeasure. They needed to be inside because my son’s foxhound, Sammy, needed a bathroom break after being cooped (pun intended) up in the house all day.
I called my son for his advice and was surprised when he said. “Open the gate to their enclosure and let Sammy out; she likes herding them back inside.” I was skeptical. Although I love Sammy, she seems pretty clueless about anything but running around, eating and sleeping. With nothing to lose, I let her out. One chicken ran in without much prompting, but one was stubborn. With much squawking and flying feathers, the errant one finally made it inside.
More Puzzling
After researching about foxhounds and their hunting nature, it was even more puzzling that Sammy, instead of hurting the chickens, herded them. I don’t know how her natural instinct to capture was replaced by the urge to herd.
I also have natural instincts and it’s to sin. I’m right there with Paul when he says, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate” (Romans 7:1, NLT).
Why is that? “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NKJV).
Fortunately for us, there is one who knows our heart – knows the wicked things we want to do – and can change what comes naturally to us. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10, NKJV).
One Monday morning, as I was stuck in parking-lot traffic over the Fairbanks overpass, I decided to kill time by searching for bumper stickers. Even though most would consider this ridiculous, I had a great time! Among the different stickers I found, was one that made me laugh out loud: "I love cats, they taste like chicken!" An avid fishing enthusiast had the entire back of his pick-up truck decked out with fish and fishing pole stickers. His amusing bumper sticker read "Fish TREMBLE at the sound of my name."
Bumper Stickers
Posted November 20, 2013
I don't know if this happens to you, but for those of us who have to commute to work in the mornings, there is one inescapable, unavoidable and at times frustrating phenomenon we have to endure--traffic. Having lived in different cities across the U.S., I can say with certainty that Interstate 4 in Florida should be put on the cover of U.S. News and World Report’s Top 10 Traffic Roadways! For those of you who don't travel on the I-4, I'm sure you can still relate. Traffic congestion is everywhere!
In the few miles left of my commute, I must have seen at least half a dozen "Proud to be an American" stickers. There was also an SUV that had a great big "I hate I-4" bumper sticker on it, and another one that said "Proud parent of an Apopka Middle School Honor Roll student." Upon reaching the traffic light at the Princeton exit I read a profound question on a bumper sticker: "Torturing one animal is cruelty, torturing many animals is science?"
Speaking Your Mind
Bumper stickers say a lot about the people who put them there. Opinions are expressed and beliefs are shared, like the bumper sticker we've all seen that asks the simple yet thought-provoking question: "Got Jesus?" One simple bumper sticker can publish to everyone who sees it your lifestyle, your way of thinking, and essentially what you are about.
In the similar way, what we say, the way we act and the way we carry ourselves from day to day can be our "bumper sticker" for others to see. The Word of God urges each and every one of us to show others the gospel of Christ through our conduct, to be "as shining stars" in a dark world, bringing light to those who live in darkness. "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe" (Philippians 1:27 and 2:14, 15).
UPCOMING EVENTS
Class Starts
Online Classwork
November 28, 2013
First Assignment
Online Classwork
November 29, 2013
First Activity
Online Classwork
December 1, 2013
First Quiz
Online Classwork
December 5, 2013
Second Assignment
Online Classwork
December 8, 2013
Second Activity
Online Classwork
December 9, 2013
Second Quiz
Online Classwork
December 14, 2013
Third Assignment
Online Classwork
December 16, 2013
Third Activity
Online Classwork
December 18, 2013
Third Quiz
Online Classwork
December 20, 2013
Prelim Examination
Online Classwork
December 22, 2013
Oxygen Boost
Posted November 20, 2013
When I was a little kid, I liked to see how long I could hold my breath without bursting my lungs or passing out. My dad and older brother would sometimes time each other and see how long they could hold theirs before they had to gasp for a breath. I even knew someone that liked to hold their breath until they passed out, for the pure fun of it. (It’s actually dangerous and I don’t recommend that.)
What pain do we feel when we hold our breath for a long period of time? It is our cells crying out for oxygen. When our cells are deprived of oxygen for too long, they begin to die. That is why deep breathing and exercise are so important. It helps flush oxygen over all of our cells.
But where does all of this oxygen come from? We breathe in oxygen, but we exhale carbon dioxide. So how is all the oxygen on earth replenished? Look to the trees. Amazingly, trees breathe in the exact opposite way that humans do. Instead of breathing in oxygen, they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Isn’t it amazing how God created trees so perfectly for our benefit?
Amidst the Trees
Actually, one acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people (U.S. Department of Agriculture). When you’re looking for a home to buy, take that in mind! Living in the country amidst the trees, provides you and your family with a huge boost of oxygen compared to the city dweller.
This is why exercising out of doors is superior to working out in a gym. Inside a gym, many people are exhaling carbon dioxide and the oxygen level decreases every minute. But outside amidst the trees, oxygen is constantly being resupplied.
So, even though some people have contests to see how long they can hold their breath, it’s never a good idea to deprive your body cells from a good supply of oxygen. For better amusement, go for a jog in the forest and picture all of the oxygen washing over your cells, giving them health and vitality.
