Archive for April, 2008

Book Review - Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership by Gary L McIntosh and Samuel D Rima

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

Overcoming Latent Failures While Becoming an Effective Leader”Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership” looks at the paradox of personal dysfunction. In this revised edition the authors, Gary McIntosh and Samuel Rima reflect on experiences and observations on Christian leadership over the ten years since the first edition of the book was first published.The book addresses three issues, understanding how the dark side of personality develops, and discovering the issues experienced most frequently by those in Christian leadership. The author’s intent in parts two and three is to help the reader determine their dark side, and to provide them a five-step plan for redeeming or overcoming this dark side.Gary and Sam share from conflicts they have experienced in their own lives which brought them to a place of recognizing their personal dysfunction and the importance of taking proactive steps in self discovery, to find healing and fulfillment.Additional information has been added to cover topics such as: The dangers of the dark side, and the process of spiritual composting. The appendix has also been expanded and now includes a section to help the reader identify their personal dark side.The book includes examples from the Biblical and contemporary Christian leaders who have failed in their pursuit of following God and are used to illustrate various dysfunctions in the leadership styles of the compulsive leader, the narcissistic leader, the paranoid leader, the codependent leader, and the passive-aggressive leader.I personally found the “targeting insights,” and “applying insights” features at the end of each chapter to be practical tools for self examination and self discovery.I also found the material in the appendix helpful. It provides: lists of available personality profiles, an accountability group covenant, a sample personal constitution, and a performance evaluation.This edition of “Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership” has a new subtitle which offers new help to the reader, “How to Become an Effective Leader by Confronting Potential Failures. The melding of relevant and significant information with proactive steps for today’s Christian leaders, help the reader avoid the risks and consequences of making those untimely and often devastating decisions that taint the effectiveness of their testimony and the reputations of the Christian church.”Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership” is a significant and relevant for every Christian leader. It provides important and helpful tools for pastors, and leadership at every level of church ministry.As reviewed for Midwest Book ReviewRichard R. Blake, Christian Education Consultant, Book Store Owner
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Storage Chest - Perfect For Any Room In Your Home

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

Let

Fishing With Floats

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

A float when fishing does two jobs: it lets the angler know when his bait has been taken, giving him a visual point where the line enters the water. It also dangles the bait at a pre-determined distance between the top of the bottom and the bottom. As with every other piece of tackle, the angler must know what fish he is after and what the characteristics of that fish are in order to select the correct tackle.Some fish are naturally suspicious of bait attached to a float. Although it appears to float invisibly in the water, the bait resists attempts to move it or swallow it. Some fish, particularly a luderick, will immediately release bait from its mouth when it feels the drag of a float from above. A float should bob on the surface in a state of neutral buoyancy. The slightest tug from below will be transmitted to the angler and will not alert the fish to its presence. The ideal use of the float therefore requires a careful balance between the weight of the float and the use of a splitshot sinker or weight.The difficulty of using a line with a float is usually in the length of line between the float and the hook, which is hard to manage during casting. Ideally a float should be rigged so that it runs along the line and stops at a pre-determined point on the line with the use of a splitshot sinker or swivel. This point is the desired depth at which the angler would like his bait to dangle underneath the water.The shape of the float is almost as essential as the weight or buoyancy of the float. The bobbing cork of the rock fisherman must be able to support the weight of the bait as well as the turbulence of the water washing back from the rocks. There is no need for it to as sensitive as the float of the estuary fisherman who would use a long slender float with a sensitive tip.The bubble float is a favourite among trout and mullet fishermen. It is a clear, plastic ball with plugs, which allow the angler to partially fill the ball with water and hence regulate its weight and where it sits on the surface of the water. Some floats are designed to lie straight on the surface of the water and only stand upright when registering a bite from below. These floats are not popular however as they are difficult to locate and track before the bite. Luminous floats can also be used, however these are not popular either as the luminous fades after a short time.Colours of a float are important only to the individual angler and the best is determined by their ease of sight in various types of water.With the exception of the lying-down type of float, all other floats should ride upright in the water. If they don’t, it is because they are either out of balance, or need an extra weight affixed to the line underneath them to draw them into an upright position. The bait may also be resting on the bottom, the water being shallower than anticipated by the angler.To thread the float, simply pass the line through the eyelets of the float and then at the depth at which you want your bait to dangle, affix a splitshot sinker or other device to stop the running of the float along the line beyond that point. There should be just enough pf the float above the water to make it visible to the angler. Too much and the wind will catch the stem and blow it away. Experienced anglers can then watch their float and know instantly what is happening beneath the surface where their bait is. The float disappearing from view is a good indication the bait has been taken and time for the strike.Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Fishing
We also recommend: float fishing

Lamp Shades Decorate a Room

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

When redecorating a room, don

How To Buy Running Shoes

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Buying running shoes is about much more than looking for the best price. You need to find the right type of shoe to fit your running style. You first need to identify your foot type from these three basic types:Flat Foot - PronatedWhen running, your foot lands on the outside of the heel and rolls inward.A large area of your foot touches the ground.Many types of running over-use injuries are associated with this foot type.Over 1/2 of the population has this foot type. High-Arched Foot - SupinatedThe foot does not roll inward (pronate).A large area of the arch of your foot does not touch the ground. Neutral - Ideal FootYour foot lands on the outside of your heel and rolls slightly inward.This is the ideal running style to absorb shock.Only a very small percent of the population has this foot type. You can get a good idea of your foot type by using the “wet test”. To do this:Remove your shoes and socks and get into your bare feet.Get the bottom of your foot wet. Step into a bucket of water or something.Step on a surface that will show the imprint of your foot. A sidewalk, light-colored driveway or construction paper works well.Compare your imprint to the descriptions below to determine your foot type and best shoe for that type. Flat Foot - Pronated - Look for shoes with a straight or semi-curved shape with max support for the inside of the foot. They might be identified as motion control or stability shoes.High-Arched Foot - Supinated - Look for shoes with a curved fit and a lighter outsole. They might be identified as cushioned shoes with a lot of flexibility.Neutral - Ideal Foot - Look for shoes with a straight fit and moderate cushioning.After determining your foot type, look for shoes that match the descriptions above.There are a number of places online to buy running shoes and many great deals to be found. Just make sure that you are purchasing a pair that fits your foot type properly.Charles Dee is an avid Endurance Junky!. He is a contributor to the http://www.endurancejunkies.com web site, a resource for runners, triathletes, ultra marathoners, marathoners, trail runners and more. Daily News, Gear Reviews and Endurance Related Articles are available.
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Futon Chair - The Perfect Dorm Room Decoration

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Futons have long been the mainstay of dorm rooms and other small spaces because they are so versatile and now you get that same great adaptability in a smaller sized futon chair. Futon chairs are similar to futon sofas with an adjustable frame and a mattress, except that they are smaller. One of these chairs will sit one or two people and it can be placed horizontal to create a small bed for one person.Often dorm rooms come furnished with two beds, two desks, two bookshelves, and two chairs. Rooms are often small and cramped, leaving little space for extra stuff. If allowed, many students choose to build lofts or other structures that give the occupants more room. Some have opted for futons to sleep on rather than the traditional beds because the futons can serve as both a bed and a sofa for lounging on during the day. For students who sleep in lofts, the futons serve as guest beds for visiting friends.Futon chairs offer a great option to traditional futon sofas. With such limited space in a dorm room, a futon chair fits in easier and leaves more space for other furniture. Meanwhile, you’ve still got a place to put guests for the night or for you to take a nap on during the day. The comfort is the same as with the sofa futon but it’ll fit better in tight spaces.Another option for dorm rooms is a futon bunk bed. These feature a flat mattress on top and a futon on the bottom that can be adjusted to make a bed or a sofa. These bunk beds also save space and give you comfort at the same time.An advantage to using futon chairs or futon bunk beds is the cost. Futons are often much less expensive than buying a sofa bed or a chair bed. You can also switch out the mattress if yours gets worn or damaged, something that you can’t really do with a regular sofa or chair. Another advantage is that it’s easy to change the look of your futon or futon chair by buying a cover that you can wash and change out whenever you want.If you’re furnishing a dorm room for yourself or for your child, think about getting a futon chair to add comfort and style to the room. The adaptability of the chair and its low cost makes it a good option for small spaces like dorm rooms.Look no further than My Chair Pro. We cover everything from discount office chairs to the relaxing hammock chair. Come see for yourself.
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Is Your Fabric Softener Toxic?

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

When I walk my dog, Prin, I have this little “smell” game that I play. I got the idea from watching him sniff at his favorite checkpoints around the block.I observe the many smells that I encounter in my neighborhood and try to decide what is natural and what is chemical, and see what wins out.In the spring and summer the natural smells usually win with the flowering of plants and the fresh cut grass.The chemical smells win out on various days throughout the year when I smell exhaust fumes from cars and perfumy vapors from clothes dryers.Most people would enjoy the wafting scents from the clothes dryers but I don’t because I know those “spring fresh” scents are from:–Benzyl acetate –Ethyl Acetate –Chloroform –Pentane –Camphor –Alph-terpineol… and that these chemicals, when built up in the body, can cause:–Central nervous system disorders –Headaches –Nausea –Vomiting –Dizziness –Blood pressure reduction –Irritation to skin, mucus membranes and respiratory tractAll this for soft scented clothes? Wouldn’t you rather use a natural solution if you knew of one?If you do not want to experience these effects from the chemicals and would like a more natural approach, there are natural solutions to soften fabric. Here are two of them:–Add a quarter cup of baking soda to wash cycle–Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to rinse cycleTo reduce static cling you can bunch up a piece of tin foil and put in your dryer.Visit http://www.HomeSpaLady.com for simple tips on natural health and beauty that you can do at home. Subscribe to Home Spa Lady’s free “Tips of the Week” newsletter delivered to you each and every Wednesday in your e-mailbox. Visit Home Spa Lady’s blog to read tips right now!
We also recommend: fabric softener

Marble Tile As A Decorative Choice For Your Home

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

This is probably one of the reasons why marble was as popular as a building material during the times of the Greeks and the Romans, wherein they used slabs and tiles of this natural stone to create works of art and sculptures, as well as wonderful architectural structures, which is why marble tiles are a great decorative choice for your home.Marble

Making Installing a TV Tuner in Your Car a Simple Project

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

In-car TV tuners aren’t just for mini-vans and large SUV’s anymore. Technology and car audio have joined forces to make those long road trips seem enjoyable for once. With their hard work even the smallest compact car can now benefit from a drop-down screen to watch the latest DVD’s or to even watch the local television stations. Thanks to this latest innovation in car audio that whole “are we there yet” is dead and hopefully gone forever.What also makes TV tuners in your car a great thing is that they are absolutely an affordable option for any car owner. It can be as simple or as complex as you want with choices such as a portable all-in-one system that hangs from the roof or to custom component integrations which are stowed away in your dash or headrests. They pretty much can be installed virtually anywhere in your car.The intricacies in wiring it, mounting it, and deciding which of your current stereo components can stay, which can go, and which get hooked to what can be overwhelming to someone less experienced in car audio installation. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t or can’t try however. Here are a few quick and simple steps to show you how. Before you go uninstalling your car’s dashboard or actually anything at all, read up on which TV tuners are compatible with your current video system. There are certain tuners that will only work with the same brand of video equipment for your unit to work correctly. Lift up your car’s hood and, with a wrench or socket, disconnect the battery cables from the battery. If you are not sure which size socket you should use, your owner’s manual can tell you the correct size.Now you need to make a decision on where you are going to mount the TV tuner. The spot should be in a location where it won’t be hit, bumped, or crushed which is one reason why under the seat or in the trunk are two of the more popular choices. The tuner unit should have come with mounting brackets and screws for you to install it correctly. The tuner will be powered by your car’s power supply and battery so you’ll need to route the TV tuner’s power wire to that fuse block. The power wire is then connected to an accessory power output in the fuse block. If you have any questions about the location of the accessory output or the fuse block, refer back to your car’s owner’s manual again. The tuner’s infrared receiver or also called its “eye” is attached. The spot should be placed where the eye is accessible to the IR remote control. The tuner’s manufacturer’s instruction should help you with any installation questions you may have with this step. Now, route the audio/video cable from the tuner’s video output port to the monitor’s video input port and securely connect the cable to receive the best signal.
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Hello world!

Monday, April 28th, 2008

Welcome to WordsOfMine. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!