Essay on Introduction to Nehemiah

Essay on Introduction to Nehemiah Essay on Introduction to Nehemiah NOTES FROM NEHEMIAH - INTRODUCTION â€Å"Separating life into distinct categories of â€Å"sacred† and â€Å"secular† damages, sometimes irreparably, any attempt to live a whole and satisfying life, a coherent life with meaning and purpose, a life lived to the glory of God. â€Å" – The Message Bible Nevertheless, the practice is widespread. Where did we get the notion of and the habit of separating the created of God and the world around them into these two camps? It surely wasn’t from the Bible. The Holy Scriptures, from beginning to end, resists such a separation. It is common for us to refer to the work of pastors, priests, and missionaries as â€Å"sacred,† and that of farmers, engineers, military, carpentry and homemaking as â€Å"secular†? Work, by its very nature is holy. It is talent, passion, and creativity given by God to do the work intended to complete the tasks and conquer the challenges of one’s calling. Nehemiah was one of these. He started out as a government worker in the employment of a foreign king. Then, according to his memoirs, he was a building contractor, called to rebuild the walls of the city of Jerusalem. While Nehemiah worked with stone and mortar, his co-worker, Ezra, was a scholar and teacher. The stories of these two men are woven together in vocational holiness to accomplish the great challenge of rebuilding the walls of the city. Neither job was more or less important. Nehemiah needed Ezra, Ezra needed Nehemiah. God’s people needed them both. The plan of God has not changed. He incorporates the gifts of all to accomplish the greater good. The work of the kingdom of God is highly detailed and it cannot be accomplished solely on the work of one calling. This incredible plan of God’s interweaving of life callings unfolds itself in the book of Nehemiah. Although Nehemiah was the leader, every person’s contribution was necessary to see the task to completion. Nehemiah is quick to give accolades to all who contributed to the work of God. As a worthy leader, Nehemiah organizes and structures one of the greatest Old Testament accomplishments and God is glorified. OBSERVATIONAL NOTES FROM NEHEMIAH, CHAPTER ONE Nehemiah’s opening comments in chapter one create for the reader a setting and a timeframe. These first thoughts take place in the month of Kislev, which is in November – December of the Gregorian calendar. The month of Kislev is often known as the â€Å"month of dreams. â€Å" The dream of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem seemed such a far- fetched idea to many. The walls lay in ruins and were a constant reminder of defeat, pain and complete exposure to the enemies of God’s people. When Nehemiah first heard the news of the condition of the walls of Jerusalem, he sat and wept. The overwhelming news of God’s city lying in crumbles and its gates being burned was most disturbing. It is interesting that Nehemiah heard this news where he lived in the beautiful city of Susa – or the citadel of Susa. This was the place where most of the story of Esther took place. Esther saved her people, the Israelites, from certain death and destruction. It was also there in the palace of Susa that Daniel would have a vision of the future events. Nehemiah lived in a period of time between the two great events. The rebuilding of the walls, which parts of still stand today, lend to the events told in the book of Daniel. In the midst of all the beauty of Suza, Nehemiah’s own home, he wept for the city of God, Jerusalem. In Nehemiah’s time of distressful news, he began to pray. His prayer is interesting and instructive. He did not immediately begin to ask for favor or for answers to prayer. Instead he asked for forgiveness, not only for his sin, but for the sins of his father, his father’s father, and for the sins of the people of Israel. It was the sin of disrepair of the Israelites own hearts that led to the disrepair of their great city. Nehemiah did not ask for

Prohibition Era Timeline

Prohibition Era Timeline The Prohibition era was a period in the United States, lasting from 1920 to 1933, when the production, transportation, and sale of alcohol was outlawed. This period began with the passage of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and was the culmination of decades of temperance movements. However, the era of Prohibition was not to last very long, for the 18th Amendment was repealed 13 years later with the passage of the 21st Amendment. Fast Facts: Prohibition Description: Prohibition was an era in American history when the production and sale of alcoholic beverages were outlawed by the U.S. Constitution.Key Participants: Prohibition Party, Womans Christian Temperance Union, Anti-Saloon LeagueStart Date: January 17, 1920End Date: December 5, 1933Location: United States Timeline of the Prohibition Era Although Prohibition itself lasted only 13 years, its origins can be traced all the way back to the temperance movements of the early 1800s. Many early advocates of temperance were Protestants who believed alcohol was destroying public health and morality. 1830s The first temperance movements begin advocating abstinence from alcohol. One of the most influential dry groups is the American Temperance Society. 1847 Members of Maines Total Abstinence Society convince the state government to pass the Fifteen Gallon Law, the first prohibition law. The legislation banned the sale of alcohol in amounts smaller than 15 gallons, effectively limiting access to alcohol to the wealthy. 1851 Maine passes the Maine law, banning the production and sale of alcohol. The law includes an exception for medicinal uses. 1855 By 1855, 12 other states have joined Maine in banning the production and sale of alcoholic beverages. Political tensions began to grow between the dry and wet states. 1869 The National Prohibition Party is founded. In addition to temperance, the group promotes a variety of social reforms popular with progressives of the 19th century. Topical Press Agency  / Getty Images 1873 The Womans Christian Temperance Union is founded. The group argues that banning alcohol will help reduce spousal abuse and other domestic problems. Later, the WCTU will focus on other social issues, including public health and prostitution, and will work to promote womens suffrage. 1881 Kansas becomes the first U.S. state to make prohibition part of its state Constitution. Activists try to enforce the law using a number of different techniques. The most peaceful demonstrate outside saloons; others attempt to interfere with business and destroy bottles of liquor. 1893 The Anti-Saloon League is formed in Oberlin, Ohio. Within two years, the group becomes an influential national organization lobbying for prohibition. Today, the group survives as the American Council on Alcohol Problems. 1917 December 18: The U.S. Senate passes the Volstead Act, one of the first significant steps toward the passage of the 18th Amendment. The law- also known as the National Prohibition Act- prohibits intoxicating beverages (any drink containing more than 0.5 percent alcohol). 1919 January 16: The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified by 36 states. Although the amendment bans the production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages, it does not actually outlaw their consumption. October 28: The U.S. Congress passes the Volstead Act and establishes guidelines for the enforcement of prohibition. The law goes into effect on January 17, 1920. New York Times Co.  / Getty Images 1920s With the passage of Prohibition, a large black market develops around the country. The darker side includes gangs of bootleggers led by figures such as Al Capone, the boss of an organized crime syndicate in Chicago. 1929 Prohibition agent Elliot Ness begins in earnest to tackle violators of Prohibition, including Al Capones gang in Chicago. It is a difficult task; Capone will ultimately be arrested and prosecuted for tax evasion in 1931. 1932 August 11: Herbert Hoover gives an acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination in which he discusses the ills of Prohibition and the need for its end. PhotoQuest  / Getty Images 1933 March 23: Newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Cullen-Harrison Act, which legalizes the manufacture and sale of certain alcoholic products. Support for Prohibition continues to wane, and many call for its removal. 1933 February 20: The U.S. Congress proposes an amendment to the Constitution that would end Prohibition. December 5: Prohibition is officially repealed by the passage of the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Rana Plaza building collapse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Rana Plaza building collapse - Essay Example Every structure is design specific observing the building codes and laws accurately. Rana Plaza buildings failure to observe building codes rendered it a failure. Gomes reports on an article open security published on 9 May 2013 that in Bangladesh, any permission for constructing high-rise building is obtainable through bribes, and the building built without procuring suitable materials. Unsuitable materials in most cases comprise substandard materials lacking the desired strength to withstand the forces and pressures exerted and imposed by the structure. That automatically leads to an eventual failure and collapse of the structure. In addition to the substandard materials used, the load bearing columns were found to have been erected haphazardly. Live loads in a structure exerts pressure it as well as the dead loads. The workers form part of the live loads exerting a weight on the structure. The overcrowded workers at Rana Plaza building exerted more loading than the structure could bear. That could lead to an eventual collapse. An early assessment conducted by NGO Asian Disaster Preparedness Center reveals the building was built primarily and purely for retail purposes. However, the building hosted three garment factories with electrical generators. The generators together shook and vibrated the poorly constructed building exerting a weight estimated to be six times more than the intended weight bearing capacity of the building. The excess loading on the structure led to its eventual collapse. Industrial police asked the garment factory owners at Rana Plaza to keep the factories shut and only proceed further procedures after consulting with expert structural engineer. The bosses failed to respond to the directives and forced the workers in threatening them of pay cut. The presence of the workers in the already weak building exerted more pressure on it thereby causing the collapse. The bosses ignored calls by the employees who saw cracks on the