Miracles provide great hope for a hurting world Essay

Miracles can provide great hope for a hurting world because they can be a last resort when all else fails. If someone has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and doctors have given up on them, the hope for a miracle can be the only thing that keeps them from total despair. When nature seems insufferably cruel, believing that God can overcome nature is infinitely reassuring. Miracles also reaffirm the believer’s faith, thus providing hope. Miracles by their very nature are sign that reveal God’s great nature. For example, the Bible records that when Jesus was crucified a great darkness covered the land. This miracle has been historically verified by contemporary middle-Eastern historians Thallus and Africanus. Miracles such as this can be used to convert people to God and give them a sense that he cares for them, thus providing hope. Theologians such as Dr Michael Brown assert that miracles are proof of God’s continued presence in this world through the Holy Spirit, and if we pray earnestly we may be able to experience a miracle. Jesus himself said, â€Å"ask and it shall be given unto you. † Finally, miracles point to an eternal hope beyond this world. They suggest that this world is not all there is; there is another much greater world that we catch glimpses of through miracles. The miracle central to Christianity – Christ’s resurrection – can give a hurting person hope. Christ said that, â€Å"In my father’s house there are many rooms, I will go to prepare a place for you. † Even if they are not healed in this world, the miracle of the crucifixion gives them the hope that they can experience heaven. On the other hand, miracles may not provide hope and happiness because they are so sporadic and seemingly random. Wiles said that miracles were the work of, â€Å"a capricious and arbitrary God. † By this he was referring to the fact that God heals some and not others. Why doesn’t God heal all sick children, instead of a select few? This calls God’s traits into question. If he was omnibenevolent he would want to heal everyone, and if he was omnipotent he would have the power to do so. But he doesn’t, so this calls his very existence into question. Therefore miracles do not provide hope. Dawkins also disagrees with the premise that miracles could provide hope. He claimed that miracles were simply events that fell towards the end of the probability spectrum, and if they do occur they are immense luck. He believes that there is no point in raising people’s hopes for an event that statistically will never occur to them. Many believers, particularly more conservative ones, would believe that miracles and wonders have mostly ceased in our time and what the hurting world really needs for hope is faith. Scholars such as Dr James White believe that modern churches that place far too much emphasis on needing miracles for hope are pushing people away from true, saving faith in Christ. Jesus himself chastised the people for only wanting to see signs and wonders rather than having true faith. Furthermore, miracles are not what is needed to provide hope for a hurting world. Science is. Instead of wasting time praying for individual healings, we should pour out time and energy into discovering cures and vaccines instead. Atheists such as Hawking use smallpox as an example. The human race was able to eradicate this disease through effort, intelligence and science. There was no need for divine intervention to cause hope. Overall, even if miracles are not real, what is wrong with giving desperate people a bit of hope? Nearly all nations have their own accounts of miracles which bring their people hope, it is unlikely they are all wrong.

Fashion Istitute of Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fashion Istitute of Technology - Essay Example The essay "Fashion Istitute of Technology" explores the Fashion Merchandising Management in the FIT. The use of the right colors and sketching has since been my passion. The details involved in every art work amazed me and that sowed the initial seeds of my interest in the field of fashion. Thus it was this interest in fine arts and detailing, which I had acquired at a very early age that instilled a sense of fashion within me. It subsequently urged me in my later years to take up designing as my field of study in my university study programme. I successfully completed a four year major course in interior design at the Udmurtskij State University, which is in my home town Izhevsk, Russia. This course helped me to study the detailing and finer aspects of fashion. Though it was pertaining to interior design the course however, gave me a broader perspective about fashion designing. Additionally, the course also included management concepts and helped me realize the importance of managem ent in the fashion industry. Later on, when I moved to the US and took up a bartending job initially, I got the opportunity to mingle with people and improve my basic communication skills. It was then I realized that I had a flair for communication and an interest to work with people. The job taught me people management and the different ways to interact with people. Though I had deviated from my interest of work, the bartending job gave me a first course in management. My decision to take up a course in fashion.

Every nurse is a leader 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Every nurse is a leader 2 - Essay Example The third advocacy strategy involves consulting and building relationships. For any successful change process, the consultation process must be open and free from conditions. This would encourage the subordinates to support the change process. For instance, bringing a change in a rehab nursing home would involve the managers, employees, clients, and even donors. Consultations and building of relationships plays a significant role in reducing the level of resistance (Paton & McCalman,  2008). The other strategy involves training the employees and informing of them on the change process and the benefits it will bring in the working environment. This strategy aims at identifying the allies and opponents of the change process. Therefore, the opponents are explained to the importance of the change process (Hughes, 2006). On the other hand, the rest of the employees are enlightened on how to take advantage of the change process. Once this is done, the implementation of the change process is undertaken. Any issue that arises is addressed in order to avoid any

Assignment 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 9

Assignment 2 - Essay Example In his book, Diamond argues against this notion, and in its stead, he proposes the environmental and geographical theory. In his postulates, he attributes Eurasian success on various environmental and geographical factors that played a significant role in their civilization’s development and advancement. These attributes are reflected in the book’s title, in the sense that their civilization produced guns, steel and germs that were used as weapons against other lesser civilizations. The dog is scientifically referred to as Canis lupus familiaris and as ‘man’s best friend’ due to the fact that it is a widely accepted that it was the first animal to be domesticated by man. Archeological evidence indicates that man began domesticating wolves approximately 33,000 years ago (Diamond 94). According to Diamond (88), dogs are a subspecies of the gray wolf, with DNA evidence indicating that there was an evolutionary split between wolves’ and dogs’ lineage at around 100,000 years ago (Diamond 211). This is attributed to disruptions and variations in climate, and the subsequent changes in the environment that led to genetic and morphological adaptations to facilitate continued survival of the species. This is reflective of Diamond’s postulate that the environment played a key role in influencing the supremacy of the Eurasian civilizations. Dogs are used for various purposes, uses and needs in the daily lives of humans, where they have been kept for working, as pets, for hunting, protection and in assisting handicapped people. The initial domestication of dogs was to aid in man’s hunting activities, which was one of his basic modes of acquiring food, with the other method being foraging or gathering of wild fruits, seeds, tubers and roots. According to Diamond (162), the Eurasian region was geographically conducive for the domestication of more wild animals than other in the world. The earliest signs of dog or wolf

Reflective writing - Personal and professional development Essay

Reflective writing - Personal and professional development - Essay Example Personal Centered Therapy Personal Centered Therapy (PCT) is one of the theories I have learned in class. From the beginning, I thought that I could put into practice what I had learned about personal centered therapy. However, somehow this has not proved to be an easy feat for me. For instance, I found it difficult to think of its challenges or how I can administer it to a particular client or group. I had to challenge the fact that I could show unconditional positive regard, be emphatic and congruent when having to deal with a client who is a peoadphile. I have always thought it a nightmare dealing with peoadophiles. After taking this course, I have had to question myself and particularly in regard to how my character and beliefs would interfere with the way I administer person centered therapy. CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) In studying cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), I really enjoyed my lectures on various theoretical models. Class exercises on CBT record were great especiall y when learning how to the use of our thoughts and common thinking traps. Person Centered Therapy theory was always interesting to me and after writing my case study on CBT, I got to like the concept and the principles involved. This is because to me, it suits my character as a method of behavioral study. The structure used is practical in nature and applicable to most client groups. On reading the books CBT for Beginners by Jane Simmons and Rachel Griffiths as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Adults by Stefan Hofmanand Mark Reincke, I successfully prepared for my assignments on this course. Psychodynamic I learnt new and interesting skills while studying psychodynamic psychotherapy. The least favorable theory I learned in the process was psychodynamic approach to counseling. The lecture on psychodynamic theorists challenged my perception and concept of the theory. However, I enjoyed my tutor’s perspective of the various theorists that contributed to this genre. Alth ough I am not a fun of Freudian theories, I was able to relate this theory to that of Melaine Klein and her approach interested me. I must admit that I greatly enjoyed the lessons learnt about psychotherapy and will surely apply whatever I learnt in theory. Assessment-Case Study Our assessment was a case study which proved to be challenging but enjoyable at the same time. It is through this process that I discovered that I enjoy solving problems presented in the form of case studies. I was able to improve my client’s character and use cognitive behavior therapy which was quite encouraging. Using CBT with my client proved to be easy for me as I analyzed and treated her problem, putting theory into effective practice. Through my reading about CBT, I discovered that the therapy is a suitable form of therapy from a multicultural perspective because of its basic nature and how it is practiced. Counseling Skills The lecture on counseling skills reminded me of the basic principles i nvolved in counseling. It also reminded me always to use words which help the clients to tell their stories freely. Initially, I felt that the counseling assessment went well although I always believe in making improvements. However, after receiving the feedback sheet, I felt that it did not reflect the skills I thought I had learnt over the years and this made me feel deflated. I contemplated discussing this with my client as I never wanted to appear confronting. I decided to discuss with my teacher who reassured me that the mark to her was not as negative as I thought it was. I thus felt better about my assessment and I also gained a better understanding of how she interpreted my practical skills.

Why did good people do bad things (commit white-collar crimes) Essay - 1

Why did good people do bad things (commit white-collar crimes) - Essay Example Jeffrey Skilling was a former Enron Chief Executive officer who was convicted of several counts of conspiracy and actual fraud. Russell Wasendorf was the CEO of the bankrupt Peregrine Financial group. Jeffrey Skilling was convicted of making false financial statements, wire fraud and securities fraud and sentenced to 24 years in prison. He was accused of committing a series of frauds that were geared at misleading investors and business analysts (Friedrichs 325). On his part, Russell Wasendorf admitted to stealing millions from about 13,000 investors who had entrusted him with their investment through his Peregrine Financial group. The judge sentenced him to 50 years jail imprisonment depending on the huge financial loss and sophistication of the fraud. Jeffrey Skilling and Russell Wasendorf were both not born criminals. Jeffrey Smilling was born in Pennsylvani and graduated from West Aurora High school. He attained a Bachelor of Science degree at Southern Methodist University in 1975 and after an MBA from Harvard Business School. Jeffrey was smart in class and in his early career since he was the youngest partner at Mckinsey consulting. There is no evidence that shows that Jeffrey Smilling had negative behaviours in his early childhood. On the other hand, Russell Wasendorf was born in 1948 and never displayed any signs of criminal behaviour in his early childhood. In the case of Jeffery Skilling, it was a case of a good person doing the bad things. According to his previous employment records, he displayed financial discipline and intense management qualities that helped McKinsey attain higher profitability and customer satisfaction. Russell Wasendorf is also a case of a good person doing the wrong thing. This is evidenced by his ability to stand the best direct online trading system that could connect the traders with the CME’s Globex in 1998 (Friedrichs 325). The two fraudulent crimes can be explained by the fraud triangle theory that asserts that

Howard Street Jewelers Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Howard Street Jewelers - Case Study Example This gave her a good chance of covering up her fraudulent actions. Many frauds of this nature are made possible by ignorance of owners when it comes to studying books of accounts and awarding of a lot of trust to employees which is dangerous. The fraud was detected due to the receipts from the shop that showed high costs for such a small business. Studying of the account books by Alvin more often also allowed them to detect the fraud. The Levi’s should have paid attention to Betty’s lifestyle as it was changing inconcurently with her earnings. The increase in costs of operation for the shop should have also been a sufficient heads up. The ratios of costs of operation and the size of the business are the ones that raised an alarm to the accountant. In addition, the shop was facing downward movement in terms of profits and earnings. The business was going downhill. The cash shortages were not directly related to the fraud. The reason why businesses have cash shortages even if there is no theft of cash is because of the exaggerated receipts that show high operational costs. The accountant does not bear any responsibility because he is an external accountant and doing an audit for a private business is not one of his legal duties. He is only expected to do it if contracted by the owners of the private business (Petrucelli