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A blog created to E-nspire, E-ncourage, E-ngage, E-nform, and E-mpower!
Friday, January 29, 2010
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FAITH FRIDAY'S - THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE
EDDIE LONG
Jesus, you have done so much for me
Jesus, you have set my spirit free
You delivered me, take good care of meYou have brought me out, taken all my doubts
Thank you for your grace
Thank you for your grace
Jesus, there's none other I can call Jesus, you have been my all and all
Jesus, there's none other I can call Jesus, you have been my all and all
When I was lost in sin, you came and took me in
You have set me free, and you delivered me
Thank you, Lord, for your grace Lord
Thank you, Lord, thank you for your grace
Your grace (your grace)Your grace (your grace)
Your grace (your grace)Your grace (your grace)
Has brought me all the way, answered when I prayed
Your grace (your grace)Your grace (your grace)Thank you for your graceThank you for your grace
I can't live, I can't move
I can't live, I can't move
Would I be without your grace
Thank you for your graceThank you for your grace
Thank you for your graceThank you for your grace
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
DAILY DEAL - FRIDAY'S
Faith & Whiskey 1365 W Fullerton Ave
Complimentary pizza and wings (5-8p) $5 Jim Bean cocktails
Junior's Sports Lounge 2058 W Cermak Rd
$2 Hornito's shots, $5 Vodka cranberries
Blue Line 1548 N Damen
$5 appetizers (3-7p)
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Complimentary pizza and wings (5-8p) $5 Jim Bean cocktails
Junior's Sports Lounge 2058 W Cermak Rd
$2 Hornito's shots, $5 Vodka cranberries
Blue Line 1548 N Damen
$5 appetizers (3-7p)
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Healthy Coffee - www.5starpromotions.ca
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THE POWER OF 1 THING: HOW TO INTENTIONALLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is an excerpt from The Power of One Thing: How to Intentionally Change Your Life by Randy Carlson (Tyndale House).
Do One Small Thing--Intentionally
The person who knows one thing and does it better than anyone else, even if it only be the art of raising lentils, receives the crown he merits. --Augustine "Og" Mandino, twentieth-century motivational teacher
Whoever or whatever is most intentional in your life wins--the difference between winners and losers comes down to this profound truth. What do I mean by intentional? I use it to describe the driving force in an area of your life--physical health, let's say. A woman who is more intentional about shedding ten pounds than sleeping later each morning might begin setting the alarm for an earlier time so she can hit the treadmill for twenty minutes. By following through on one small thing--an early-morning walk--it is clear that she values physical fitness above extra sleep. To make any positive change in your life, you must create an action plan and summon the determination to intentionally get to your goal, one small step at a time.
Notice I say successful people are intentional, not merely well intentioned. The key is commitment plus action. We can have great ideas about what we want to do next, but if we are not committed to actually changing what we do and how we think, nothing much will change. In Luke 18:18-22 (NLT), we read,
Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: 'You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.'"
The man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young."
When Jesus heard his answer, he said, "There is still one thing you haven't done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Jesus was talking about commitment plus action. He knew that the man's wealth and position stood in the way of his total commitment. Although the man had the desire to do the right thing, he was not fully committed and lacked the willingness to act. As a result, he passed up the opportunity to follow Christ wholeheartedly. His life was not transformed.
You need to recognize that something drives everything you do. The rich ruler was driven by his possessions and status. You have only two choices--either you become the most intentional force in your life or you allow someone or something else to exert more influence over your life. If you're not the most intentional about yourself, someone or something else will be--that's a promise. You might know people who would love to run your life . . . or substances waiting to run your life . . . or emotions that are ready to run your life. You decide--who or what is going to win today?
If you're like me, you want to succeed at what is most important to you, but you sometimes find it challenging to stay focused on your top priorities. Your good intentions don't translate into the accomplishment of worthy goals. Some days everything seems to be trying to sabotage your efforts. Distractions come at you from all directions, and your time is probably eaten up by demands every hour of the day.
You can be your own worst saboteur as well. Procrastination, laziness, discouragement, and disorganization strike everyone at some point. You may be skilled at multitasking, which can actually make you feel on top of your game when you are anything but. When you're driving and talking on your cell phone, neither the person you're talking to nor your fellow drivers are getting your best. Recently I heard a radio broadcast in which listeners were told that the brain can't really focus on more than one task at once. Consequently, when you multitask, your brain shift s quickly from one activity to another rather than focusing at least a little on each of the several things you're doing.
From Intention to Action
As you've seen, having good intentions is easy. Being intentional--making an effort to reach important goals--is difficult. But it's not impossible. Intentionality is critical; without it, you would never be motivated to change. But following through on your intentions is oft en manageable only when you focus on the next one thing you need to do to bring about change.
I tend to go off in numerous directions at once. I have lots of interests, lots of questions, lots of projects, lots of what-ifs. If you're at all like me, you can end up on lots of rabbit trails guided by your good intentions. And, as we know, the road to you-know-where is paved with good intentions. So what I'm about to show you comes from my own journey of moving beyond good intentions to life-changing results.
For me, getting focused happened when I was hit with one of those difficult, life-altering events. When my mother died in August 2005, eleven years after my dad, I suddenly realized I was an adult orphan. I was now part of the oldest generation in our family, and the shortness of life came into clear focus. Like the psalmist, my prayer became "Teach me to number my days" (see Psalm 90:12). I knew that if I was to turn my good intentions into reality, I needed to change the way I used my time and resources and start using the power of one thing to change my own life.
I wanted my life to count, and I became focused on my legacy. My parents had lived with integrity and commitment, and they ended strong. I wanted the same for myself. My parents had given up a big house in the suburbs and my dad's high-paying job in order to follow a dream . . . to build a ranch where disadvantaged children could get away from their dysfunctional situations for a while.
I realized that my tendency to overcommit, which sometimes led to procrastination, could keep me from living with a similar sense of purpose. I decided that the only way to finish life strong would be to break the rest of my life into bite-size commitments--one thing done each day in one or more essential areas of life. I realized that my legacy would be the accumulation of a series of "one things" lived out over an extended period of time--the rest of my life. I'm so committed to the power of one thing that I created a One Thing wristband that I wear every day as a reminder to do the one thing that day that will make the biggest difference in my life. Others have asked me about my wristband, and now thousands wear one just like it.
A Lesson from Tiger Woods
Every big accomplishment is preceded by lots of little, seemingly insignificant actions--resulting in the one big thing everyone sees. The other day, I watched as Tiger Woods won another PGA tournament on national television, but what the audience never saw was the hundreds of hours when Tiger, all alone, worked on perfecting his swing--one practice swing after another--far from the eyes of the public. While Woods is a dramatic example, we see the same principle in all areas of life. We cheer when our son or daughter wins a statewide musical competition, but we don't have fi lm footage of the hours the child spent practicing alone in his or her room. We congratulate a married couple on the accomplishment of a fifty-year marriage, but we weren't around to witness how they stuck together one day . . . one challenge . . . one disagreement . . . one illness at a time over those fifty years.
To illustrate how the power of one thing can lead to big accomplishments in your own life, try this exercise. Take a piece of paper and draw a horizontal line across the top. On the left side, write the year of your birth, and on the right side, write this year. In between, mark off the paper in five- or ten-year increments to make your time line. On your time line mark the major events, accomplishments, and changes next to the year they occurred. For example:
when you met Christwhen you went to collegewhen you got marriedwhen you solved a major problemwhen a child was bornwhen you made a decision to go in a new direction in your lifewhen you started a businesswhen you paid off your houseloss of a childloss of a jobmajor health crisis
Most people can list about a dozen "big things" in their lives. Once you have written them down, think about the questions below:
■ What small things preceded and followed each event? List all the "one things" that led up to that one big thing. Were they a series of interactions, a series of choices and behaviors, or people you associated with?
■ What pattern do you see? Are the significant events largely positive? Are they growth oriented? Or are they largely negative events that caused you pain? What does this indicate about how intentional you are? Who or what was most intentional leading up to each big thing?
■ How has your life changed as a result of each event?
Now extend your time line into the future. What is the next significant thing you are hoping for in the future? Are you working toward something that will result in a positive "big thing" in your life? Or are you just letting things happen? Your future will become reality only if today you remain focused on the most important next one thing.
For example, if the next important stop on your time line is to successfully raise your teenage daughter, then it is essential that you have a game plan to make that goal a reality. Start by making a list of all the "one things" you can think of that will be required of you to raise your daughter well.
I need ■ to deal with a bad attitude about my ex-spouse, my daughter's father.
■ I need to establish expectations and routines for myself.
■ I need to pray for my daughter daily.
■ I need to be more confident when I make a decision and not give in so easily to her demands.
■ I need to hold my daughter accountable for her actions and not respond out of guilt.
■ I need to monitor her relationships and get to know her friends better.
■ I need to encourage her strengths.
■ I need to stop criticizing her so much.
Even though the list may get long and feel pretty overwhelming to you, the power of doing the next right one thing is the only path to success. Remember, healthy change will occur only when the power of one thing is used. By doing the first right one thing followed by the next one thing until each is completed or has become a habit, you almost guarantee yourself success in what matters most.
When I look across my time line, I identify the following as the most significant moments in my adult life: my marriage to Donna, the birth of our children, the decision we made to move from Michigan to Arizona, the decision I made to finish my graduate work and go on for a doctorate, my decision in 1988 to write my first book, and the decision in 1990 to start a radio program to help families. I realize that each of these big moments represents a move or a change, something new. But each of these events in my life was preceded by many small "one things."
Why One Thing Really Does Make a Difference
We can only really live today one thing at a time--one thought, one idea, one relationship, one phone call at a time. Matt hew 6:34 (NLT) tells us, "Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." We can't rush ahead; we can't lag behind. So how does change happen? Think of it this way:
One thing done once is an experience.
One thing done twice has your attention.
One thing done often is a pursuit.
One thing done always is a habit.
It has been said that our choices become our habits and our habits become our character. Our choices add up and determine the overall quality of our lives.
As you learn to choose one small change and focus on it one day at a time, your life is going to get better. After you have made the first thing a habit and experienced the satisfaction of having achieved a small but significant milestone, you can tackle one more thing with energy and confidence.
I've seen it happen--in my own life and in the lives of others--doing just one thing differently can produce significant and lasting changes for the better.
The key is how you manage each of the "one things" you do each day--the tasks, conversations, relationships, and projects that make up your life. Remember the advice of Solomon: "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!" (Proverbs 6:6). Ants are commonly thought of as industrious creatures. Ever noticed how absolutely focused they appear as they head back to their colonies, hauling crumbs several times bigger than themselves?
In this proverb, Solomon urges unmotivated individuals to follow the ant's example. He knew that people who do one thing intentionally over an extended period of time can change their lives. Don't be discouraged by how far you think you need to go. Instead, be encouraged as you consider the following:
Doing one thing to intentionally love your spouse each day will change your marriage.
Doing one thing to intentionally read God's Word and pray each day for even a few minutes will lead to spiritual growth in your life.
Doing one thing to exercise each day will lead to better physical health.
Doing one thing to be truthful and reliable each day will result in people counting on you.
Doing one thing to control your anger each day will reduce violence, abuse, and the likelihood of divorce in your home.
Doing one thing to maintain healthy opposite-sex friendships each day will prevent the destructive results from emotional or physical affairs.
Once you begin linking a number of these one small things--like pearls on a chain, each representing one small, positive change--you eventually will have a long, solid chain of improvements.
Warning: The power of one thing can be your friend or your enemy. Unfortunately, a string of negative actions also accumulates. If you ignore the signs and symptoms of poor health, for example, eventually you might find that you have a serious and advanced illness. If month after month you spend a little more money than you earn, you can wind up in serious financial trouble. If you don't discipline your child during the early years because he or she is just so cute, you are likely to raise a brat.
One small action leads to another, and they join together, for good or ill. Perhaps you have determined to improve your life before. As you probably discovered, it's far easier to slip back into destructive patterns than to achieve positive and lasting change. After all, when we do nothing, our situation just naturally deteriorates; improvement takes intentionality and consistent action. If you have tried to change before, only to give up, keep reading. The next chapter was written just for you.
From The Power of One Thing: How to Intentionally Change Your Life . Copyright © 2009 by Randy Carlson. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Epiphany Essentials
DAILY DEAL - THURSDAY'S
6 Corners Sports Bar 1950 W North Ave
$5 Three Olives cocktails
Betty's Blue Star Lounge 1600 W Grand Ave
$3 Skyy Cocktails, $5 Kilo Kai bombs
The Call 1547 W Bryn Mawr
$4 Absolut cocktails
Division Ale House 1942 W Division St
$5 Nachos
Victory Liquors 2610 N Halsted
$.25 wings, $4 select martinis
Rockwood Place 3466 N Clark St
$5 martinis, salads and glasses of wine
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
$5 Three Olives cocktails
Betty's Blue Star Lounge 1600 W Grand Ave
$3 Skyy Cocktails, $5 Kilo Kai bombs
The Call 1547 W Bryn Mawr
$4 Absolut cocktails
Division Ale House 1942 W Division St
$5 Nachos
Victory Liquors 2610 N Halsted
$.25 wings, $4 select martinis
Rockwood Place 3466 N Clark St
$5 martinis, salads and glasses of wine
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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SILENCE IS GOLDEN!
Want to see more of your dreams become reality?
Keep your dreams/plans/goals to yourself, tell God and only speak with those whom you undoubtedly need to help your dreams/plans/goals come to fruition.
Otherwise others will see what your dreams/plans/goals were when they see the manifestation of it!
We think the more we talk the more excited people will get for us and want to help us out. I beg to differ, the more you talk the more your haters will come. Just keep in mind you are giving them a reason to hate on you.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
DAILY DEAL - WEDNESDAYS
High Dive 1938 W Chicago Ave
$1 mini-cheeseburgers, $2.50 bud lights
Juniors Sports Lounge 724 W. Maxwell
$5 mojitos, karaoke (8p)
Hackney's 733 S Dearborn
$10 burger and a beer
The Full Shilling 3724 N Clark
$1 house cocktails, $5.95 NY Strip Steak dinner, $.99 sliders (min 3)
T's 5025 N Clark Street
$5 glasses of wine, $12 all-you-can-eat ribs (until 9P)
Kit Kat Lounge 3700 N Halsted
Half-price cocktails and martinis, buy one entree get one free
Pasha 802 W. Randolph
Half-price bottles of wine, half-price tapas
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
$1 mini-cheeseburgers, $2.50 bud lights
Juniors Sports Lounge 724 W. Maxwell
$5 mojitos, karaoke (8p)
Hackney's 733 S Dearborn
$10 burger and a beer
The Full Shilling 3724 N Clark
$1 house cocktails, $5.95 NY Strip Steak dinner, $.99 sliders (min 3)
T's 5025 N Clark Street
$5 glasses of wine, $12 all-you-can-eat ribs (until 9P)
Kit Kat Lounge 3700 N Halsted
Half-price cocktails and martinis, buy one entree get one free
Pasha 802 W. Randolph
Half-price bottles of wine, half-price tapas
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
OpTrip - Car Rental Deals - www.optrip.com
If you love to travel like I do and love getting deals on rental cars optrip.com is the site for you!
Rock On Mommies - www.rockonmommies.com
Rock on mommies celebrates women that love their children and manage their busy lives keeping being a parent at the utmost importance! Rock on mommy, ROCK ON!
DAILY DEAL - TUESDAYS
Berlin 954 W Belmont Ave
$1 select shots
Brando's Speakeasy 343 S Dearborn St.
$4 Patron shots
Clutch 459 N Ogden Ave
$2 Parrot Bay shots
Kirkwood Bar & Grill 2934 N Sheffield
$3 Jameson and lemon drop shots
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
$1 select shots
Brando's Speakeasy 343 S Dearborn St.
$4 Patron shots
Clutch 459 N Ogden Ave
$2 Parrot Bay shots
Kirkwood Bar & Grill 2934 N Sheffield
$3 Jameson and lemon drop shots
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
CHRISTIANS AND CHURCH
This is an issue I have began to struggle with over the years and prayerfully have grown in so many areas from it.
I know people who used to attend church regularly, were active in ministry in their churches and something that happened within the church changed their perception of the church itself (not God) and they moved away from the church.
Now most Christians will say, you are not going to church for the people you are going to church for God. I will be the first to admit I do not know every verse in the bible but I cannot find a verse that says one must attend church. I do know of Hebrews 10:25 25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." and Matthew 18:19 - 20 "19 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Which brings me to Christians and the church. The majority of Christians believe that you must go to church regularly and they also believe that if you don't go to church regularly you are doing something wrong per se and your relationship with God isn't right! I say the majority of Christians believe that because that is how I see a lot of them treat and talk about those who don't attend church regularly.
I wonder have these Christians taken the time to find out do these people pray on a regular basis, do they fast, do they read the Word, do they gather regularly with a friend or two to discuss the Word and the wonders of God or do those church folk only focus on the fact that these people don't go to church. Do they ask do these people give to others, do things in their communities, do church folks take the time to find out if these people have good hearts and good spirits, if they are filled with love, kindness, patience, self-control or do church folk only focus on the fact that these people don't go to church.
The bible does instruct us in Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Can we go out and make disciples by beating people up, putting them down, telling them all the things that they are doing wrong because they don't go to church and what they need to do right. Or do we take the example of Jesus....Jesus went around to different places and talked to people in common words that they understood, he made it plain. He simply told them what was to come and what was going to happen and why they should follow him and how they should treat others by using parables.
I will go so far as to compare a lot of modern day church folk to the Pharisees. The Pharisees were trying to find ways to discount Jesus, The Word Clothed in Human Flesh! Using law to tell him what he was "doing" wrong.
Conveniently the majority of church folk when they hear the Word they are always miraculously doing everything right and nothing wrong....
Using what Jesus said to the Pharisees I believe goes for modern day church folk:
Matthew 15
Clean and Unclean 1Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"
3Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God said, 'Honor your father and mother'[a] and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'[b] 5But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' 6he is not to 'honor his father[c]' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8" 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'[d]"
John 8: 4-9
4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
Matthew 23:1-4 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Matthew 13 - 39 13"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.[c]
15"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
16"Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' 17You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18You also say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.' 19You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22And he who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by the one who sits on it.
23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
25"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
29"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!
33"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.
37"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 38Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'[d]"
Us church folk/regular goers do not want to be like the Pharisees. We should want to be not only hearers but doers of the Word. Jesus used compassion, love, kindness, understanding, and patience as tools to draw people unto him. He walked the walked and talked the talk! Through his actions men/women were able to see that he was no ordinary man that there was something special about him and they flocked to hear him speak so that even when he tried to get away for alone time they followed him! He did not use force/might/ridicule/judgment....
Our greatest commandment is to love! We are instructed to do unto others and we would have them to do unto us. We are to take the bible in its entirety and not just the bits and pieces that fir our lives at the present moment and put them into practice. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
It is my prayer that more church folk will rise above and separate themselves from the World and let their light draw men unto them. Let their light diminish the darkness and that this be done more so through their actions/behavior than their words. I pray that Christians become less judgemental and more open and welcoming. Not accepting a person sinful behavior but learning to hate the sin but love the person....This is something that I struggle with and I am just grateful that I have learned to become less judgemental of those that do not attend church regularly and less hyped up because I do.
All that I do that is good is because of the God in me, because someone loved me, because someone prayed for me, because my mother has taken me to church since I was a little girl and instilled the values/principles of God in me and now that I am an adult I have not parted from them!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
I know people who used to attend church regularly, were active in ministry in their churches and something that happened within the church changed their perception of the church itself (not God) and they moved away from the church.
Now most Christians will say, you are not going to church for the people you are going to church for God. I will be the first to admit I do not know every verse in the bible but I cannot find a verse that says one must attend church. I do know of Hebrews 10:25 25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." and Matthew 18:19 - 20 "19 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Which brings me to Christians and the church. The majority of Christians believe that you must go to church regularly and they also believe that if you don't go to church regularly you are doing something wrong per se and your relationship with God isn't right! I say the majority of Christians believe that because that is how I see a lot of them treat and talk about those who don't attend church regularly.
I wonder have these Christians taken the time to find out do these people pray on a regular basis, do they fast, do they read the Word, do they gather regularly with a friend or two to discuss the Word and the wonders of God or do those church folk only focus on the fact that these people don't go to church. Do they ask do these people give to others, do things in their communities, do church folks take the time to find out if these people have good hearts and good spirits, if they are filled with love, kindness, patience, self-control or do church folk only focus on the fact that these people don't go to church.
The bible does instruct us in Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Can we go out and make disciples by beating people up, putting them down, telling them all the things that they are doing wrong because they don't go to church and what they need to do right. Or do we take the example of Jesus....Jesus went around to different places and talked to people in common words that they understood, he made it plain. He simply told them what was to come and what was going to happen and why they should follow him and how they should treat others by using parables.
I will go so far as to compare a lot of modern day church folk to the Pharisees. The Pharisees were trying to find ways to discount Jesus, The Word Clothed in Human Flesh! Using law to tell him what he was "doing" wrong.
Conveniently the majority of church folk when they hear the Word they are always miraculously doing everything right and nothing wrong....
Using what Jesus said to the Pharisees I believe goes for modern day church folk:
Matthew 15
Clean and Unclean 1Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"
3Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God said, 'Honor your father and mother'[a] and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'[b] 5But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' 6he is not to 'honor his father[c]' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8" 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'[d]"
John 8: 4-9
4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
Matthew 23:1-4 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Matthew 13 - 39 13"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.[c]
15"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
16"Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' 17You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18You also say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.' 19You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22And he who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by the one who sits on it.
23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
25"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
29"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!
33"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.
37"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 38Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'[d]"
Us church folk/regular goers do not want to be like the Pharisees. We should want to be not only hearers but doers of the Word. Jesus used compassion, love, kindness, understanding, and patience as tools to draw people unto him. He walked the walked and talked the talk! Through his actions men/women were able to see that he was no ordinary man that there was something special about him and they flocked to hear him speak so that even when he tried to get away for alone time they followed him! He did not use force/might/ridicule/judgment....
Our greatest commandment is to love! We are instructed to do unto others and we would have them to do unto us. We are to take the bible in its entirety and not just the bits and pieces that fir our lives at the present moment and put them into practice. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
It is my prayer that more church folk will rise above and separate themselves from the World and let their light draw men unto them. Let their light diminish the darkness and that this be done more so through their actions/behavior than their words. I pray that Christians become less judgemental and more open and welcoming. Not accepting a person sinful behavior but learning to hate the sin but love the person....This is something that I struggle with and I am just grateful that I have learned to become less judgemental of those that do not attend church regularly and less hyped up because I do.
All that I do that is good is because of the God in me, because someone loved me, because someone prayed for me, because my mother has taken me to church since I was a little girl and instilled the values/principles of God in me and now that I am an adult I have not parted from them!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Monday, January 25, 2010
DAILY DEAL MONDAY'S
The Melting Pot 609 N Dearborn Street
Ladies Mini-Spa Night, Indulge in a 3 course fondue dinner, manis and massages. Reps from Mary Kay and other will be there. 5P $37 RSVP required
Fizz Bar & Grill 3220 N Lincoln Ave
$5 for burger, fries, and a draft beer
Matilda 3101 N Sheffield
$5 build your own burgers
Corcoran's 1615 N Wells Street
$5 pub burger with fries, half-price appetizers, $6 chicken sandwich with fries
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Ladies Mini-Spa Night, Indulge in a 3 course fondue dinner, manis and massages. Reps from Mary Kay and other will be there. 5P $37 RSVP required
Fizz Bar & Grill 3220 N Lincoln Ave
$5 for burger, fries, and a draft beer
Matilda 3101 N Sheffield
$5 build your own burgers
Corcoran's 1615 N Wells Street
$5 pub burger with fries, half-price appetizers, $6 chicken sandwich with fries
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Friday, January 22, 2010
FREE CULTURAL DAYS - CHICAGO
Shedd Aquarium Community Discount Days
On our Community Discount Days, general admission is free. Includes the Waters of the World, Amazon Rising, and the Caribbean Reef. Packages including Wild Reef, Polar Play Zone and Oceanarium are available at a discounted rate. Shedd's 52 discount days a year take advantage of civic and school holidays to make family visits more convenient.
Our Monday and Tuesday Community Discount Days in 2010 are
Jan. 4, 5, 11,12, 25 and 26;
Feb. 1, 2, 8, 9, 22 and 23;
Sept. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28;
Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26; and
Nov. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30.
And take advantage of our Community Discount Weeks: Jan. 16–21; Feb. 15–19; and June 14–18.Read more: http://www.sheddaquarium.org/discounts.html#ixzz0dMhwTMeO
Museum of Science and Indsutry 2010 Free Day Schedule
General admission1 is free on the following dates:
January 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29
February 8 14
March 18
April 19 20 21 22 23
May 3
June 7 8 9 10 11
August 30
September 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 20 21 27 28
October 4 5 6
November 11
December 6
Adler Planetarium 2010 Charter One Discount Days at the Adler
Charter One Discount Days at the Adler are made possible by the generous support of the Charter One Foundation.
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/plan/index.shtml#2009discountdays
FIELD MUSEUM2010 Target Free Second Monday dates are:
January 11th
February 8th
March 8th
April 12th
May 10th
June 14th
July 12th
August 9th
September 13th
October 11th
November 8th
December 13th
Target Free Second Monday hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Target Free Second Mondays is generously sponsored by
Other regularly scheduled FREE Basic Admission Days in 2010:
January: 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th
February: 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th
March: 2nd, 3rd
June: 2nd, 3rd
August: 24th
September: 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd
October: 5th, 6th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th
November: 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 16th, 17th, 30th
December: 1st, 7th, 8th, 15th, 16th
Chicago Cultural Center78 E. Washington St.,
Chicago, IL 60602
Free admission
Hours:
Monday–Thursday, 8 am–7 pm;
Friday, 8 am–6 pm;
Saturday, 9 am–6 pm;
Sunday, 10 am–6 pm.
Closed holidays
The Art Institute of Chicago 111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60603-6404
(312) 443-3600
Museum Hours
Monday–Wednesday, 10:30–5:00
Thursday, 10:30–8:00 (Free Admission 5:00–8:00)
Friday, 10:30–5:00
Saturday–Sunday, 10:00–5:00
Please note that the museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days.
Visitors enjoy free admission from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. every Thursday thanks to Target Free Thursday Evenings.
Chicago Children's Museum
Target Free First Sundays
First Sunday of every month: Free admission for ages 15 and under.
Kraft Free Family Night
Thursday evenings: 5-8pm
Free admission for everyone.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
On our Community Discount Days, general admission is free. Includes the Waters of the World, Amazon Rising, and the Caribbean Reef. Packages including Wild Reef, Polar Play Zone and Oceanarium are available at a discounted rate. Shedd's 52 discount days a year take advantage of civic and school holidays to make family visits more convenient.
Our Monday and Tuesday Community Discount Days in 2010 are
Jan. 4, 5, 11,12, 25 and 26;
Feb. 1, 2, 8, 9, 22 and 23;
Sept. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28;
Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26; and
Nov. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30.
And take advantage of our Community Discount Weeks: Jan. 16–21; Feb. 15–19; and June 14–18.Read more: http://www.sheddaquarium.org/discounts.html#ixzz0dMhwTMeO
Museum of Science and Indsutry 2010 Free Day Schedule
General admission1 is free on the following dates:
January 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29
February 8 14
March 18
April 19 20 21 22 23
May 3
June 7 8 9 10 11
August 30
September 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 20 21 27 28
October 4 5 6
November 11
December 6
Adler Planetarium 2010 Charter One Discount Days at the Adler
Charter One Discount Days at the Adler are made possible by the generous support of the Charter One Foundation.
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/plan/index.shtml#2009discountdays
FIELD MUSEUM2010 Target Free Second Monday dates are:
January 11th
February 8th
March 8th
April 12th
May 10th
June 14th
July 12th
August 9th
September 13th
October 11th
November 8th
December 13th
Target Free Second Monday hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Target Free Second Mondays is generously sponsored by
Other regularly scheduled FREE Basic Admission Days in 2010:
January: 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th
February: 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th
March: 2nd, 3rd
June: 2nd, 3rd
August: 24th
September: 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd
October: 5th, 6th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th
November: 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 16th, 17th, 30th
December: 1st, 7th, 8th, 15th, 16th
Chicago Cultural Center78 E. Washington St.,
Chicago, IL 60602
Free admission
Hours:
Monday–Thursday, 8 am–7 pm;
Friday, 8 am–6 pm;
Saturday, 9 am–6 pm;
Sunday, 10 am–6 pm.
Closed holidays
The Art Institute of Chicago 111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60603-6404
(312) 443-3600
Museum Hours
Monday–Wednesday, 10:30–5:00
Thursday, 10:30–8:00 (Free Admission 5:00–8:00)
Friday, 10:30–5:00
Saturday–Sunday, 10:00–5:00
Please note that the museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days.
Visitors enjoy free admission from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. every Thursday thanks to Target Free Thursday Evenings.
Chicago Children's Museum
Target Free First Sundays
First Sunday of every month: Free admission for ages 15 and under.
Kraft Free Family Night
Thursday evenings: 5-8pm
Free admission for everyone.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
FAITH FRIDAY'S - HE'S ABLE
Kirk Franklin's He's Able
He's able(3x)
I'know that he can do it
He said he'd help me through it (2x)
Hold on my brother your change is gonna come
Be strong my sister for your work is not done no
Just keep on believing and hold on tight
He's able to give you joy in the morning light Chorus (1x)
Hold on my brother your change is gonna come
Be strong my sister for your work is not done
Just keep on believing and hold on tight
He's able
he's able Oh yes he is
oh yes he is He's able
he's able Oh yes he is
oh yes he is He can do it
he can do it Oh yes can
oh yes he can He can do it
he can do it Oh yes he can
oh yes he can He's able
he's able Oh yes he is
oh yes he is Oh yes he is
oh yes he is Oh yes he is
oh yes he is Oh yes he is
oh yes he is Oh yes he is
oh yes he is Oh yes he is
oh yes he is He's able he's able
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Thursday, January 21, 2010
SUPPORT A WORTHY CAUSE
FEED CHICAGO KARAOKE PARTY
HOSTED BY BILLY DEC
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22ND
9 - 10p PRIVATE RECEPTION
Suggested $20 Donation to Benefit
Greater Chicago Food Depository
To RSVP info@rockitwrigley.com
CHICAGO HELPS HAITI
TODAY 5A - 11P
1-877-565-5000
The McComick Foundation will matche the first $1MM donated at $.50 on the dollar, up to a total match of $5ooK
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
DAILY DEAL THURSDAYS
42 Degrees N Latitude 4500 N Lincoln Ave
$5 martinis
Five Star Bar 1424 W. Chicago Ave
$1.50 corndogs, $2.50 PBR cans
J Bar 610 N Rush Street
$6 Ketel One Cocktails, $7 dry-aged ribeye sandwiches (6-9P)
Spin 800 W Belmont
$5 Bacardi cocktails and bombs
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
$5 martinis
Five Star Bar 1424 W. Chicago Ave
$1.50 corndogs, $2.50 PBR cans
J Bar 610 N Rush Street
$6 Ketel One Cocktails, $7 dry-aged ribeye sandwiches (6-9P)
Spin 800 W Belmont
$5 Bacardi cocktails and bombs
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
REFLECTIONS OF GRATITUDE
This past Sunday my Pastor challenged us as a church to sacrifice for the nation of Haiti. He asked us to join him as a church in a 3-day fast. We would do the Daniel fast from 6A-6P Monday - Wednesday. I thought to myself no problem. Then he asked us to donate $ last Sunday and this upcoming Sunday. I thought I already gave to Yele Haiti but I will donate with my church as well. Finally he asked us to fast from media and cell phones from 6P-12A as well. Meaning no TV, Internet, computers, magazines, newspapers, etc.
Monday by 3P all I could think about was food! So I told myself I will just go to sleep until 6P. Up to that point I'd eaten an apple and banana and drank some water. At 6P I turned the TV off and began to read a book. My son asked what could he do I told him he could play or read a book. He was sleep by 7:30P and I went down around my usual time of 8:30P.
Last night I did a lot of praying and praising as well as this morning. And then it hit me. I am sacrificing for people who right now have nothing. No water, food. clothing, toilet paper for that matter and I am walking around as if it is the end of the world because my diet is limited and I can't use my phone after 6P. How ungrateful am I?
I began to think about others in 3rd world countries adults and children that go without food and clean water all day on a regular basis.
Then I had to tell myself there is so much to be grateful for that is taken for granted daily. The fact that I woke up in a bed with sheets and covers, I have heat to keep me warm in the winter and air to keep me cool in the summer, running clean water in my home, a bathroom in my home, toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, those basic necessities that many people do not have daily if at all.
I began to reflect on how if we don't feel like cooking we can drive to a restaurant sit down, walk-in, or drive-thru and cure our hunger pangs and I just began to Praise and Thank God for being born in America and to be living here!
There is so much to be grateful for daily that we could come up with a different thing everyday and probably never run out of things to be grateful for!
So I encourage you today to find something in your life to be grateful for. To recognize that you despite your situation or circumstance right now are blessed and that you have a wonderful life whether you are unemployed, underemployed, living in a shelter etc. Be grateful and appreciate the good times, the bad times, and the in between. Your gratefulness and praise in all situations will please God!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Monday by 3P all I could think about was food! So I told myself I will just go to sleep until 6P. Up to that point I'd eaten an apple and banana and drank some water. At 6P I turned the TV off and began to read a book. My son asked what could he do I told him he could play or read a book. He was sleep by 7:30P and I went down around my usual time of 8:30P.
Last night I did a lot of praying and praising as well as this morning. And then it hit me. I am sacrificing for people who right now have nothing. No water, food. clothing, toilet paper for that matter and I am walking around as if it is the end of the world because my diet is limited and I can't use my phone after 6P. How ungrateful am I?
I began to think about others in 3rd world countries adults and children that go without food and clean water all day on a regular basis.
Then I had to tell myself there is so much to be grateful for that is taken for granted daily. The fact that I woke up in a bed with sheets and covers, I have heat to keep me warm in the winter and air to keep me cool in the summer, running clean water in my home, a bathroom in my home, toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, those basic necessities that many people do not have daily if at all.
I began to reflect on how if we don't feel like cooking we can drive to a restaurant sit down, walk-in, or drive-thru and cure our hunger pangs and I just began to Praise and Thank God for being born in America and to be living here!
There is so much to be grateful for daily that we could come up with a different thing everyday and probably never run out of things to be grateful for!
So I encourage you today to find something in your life to be grateful for. To recognize that you despite your situation or circumstance right now are blessed and that you have a wonderful life whether you are unemployed, underemployed, living in a shelter etc. Be grateful and appreciate the good times, the bad times, and the in between. Your gratefulness and praise in all situations will please God!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
DAILY DEAL WEDNESDAYS
BFF NIGHT Trousseau 3543 N Southport Ave
A massive girls night out features episodes from 'Sex in the City', cosmos, mini-makeovers, mini-manis. Get a gift bag with a lingerie purchase. 6PM FREE
Junior's Sports Lounge 724 W Maxwell Street
$5 mojitos
Kelly's Pub 949 W Webster Ave
$.10 Wings, $2 Coors Light Drafts
10 Pin Bowling Lounge 330 N State St.
$4 import bottles, $5 Three Olive cocktails
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
A massive girls night out features episodes from 'Sex in the City', cosmos, mini-makeovers, mini-manis. Get a gift bag with a lingerie purchase. 6PM FREE
Junior's Sports Lounge 724 W Maxwell Street
$5 mojitos
Kelly's Pub 949 W Webster Ave
$.10 Wings, $2 Coors Light Drafts
10 Pin Bowling Lounge 330 N State St.
$4 import bottles, $5 Three Olive cocktails
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
ILLINOIS LEGISLATIVE STUDIES INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Illinois Legislative Studies Internship Program
Application Deadline and Process: (Application attached) *Please note, internships are located in Springfield, IL*
All application materials must be submitted or postmarked by the deadline March 1. After an initial screening of applications, selected applicants will be invited to interview with legislative staff. The interviews are scheduled for April 5 - 9 at the Capitol Building in Springfield. The deliberations of the selection committee are confidential and final. All applications become the property of the University of Illinois at Springfield.
More Information:
As the focal point of policy development and political activity, Illinois General Assembly has become an exciting arena for young people to experience state government first-hand by working as an Illinois Legislative Staff Intern with the legislative leaders who will shape public policy in Illinois for the next decade.
For over forty eight (48) years, the Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program (ILSIP) has provided twenty-four (24) unique internship experiences for keenly interested, deeply motivated and talented individuals to work within state government. With the capitol as both workplace and classroom, ILSIP interns earn eight (8) graduate credits from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Funded by the Illinois General Assembly through the Legislative Research Unit and administered by the University of Illinois at Springfield, ILSIP grew out of a desire to provide individuals with diverse experience and backgrounds, insight into the legislative process. The program offers interns a ten and a half (10.5) month , full-time position as a professional legislative staff member working with either the Illinois General Assembly or Legislative Research Unit. Interns also participate in an academic seminar conducted by UIS faculty.
The ILSIP experience is intended to broaden the perspective of those planning academic, business or government careers so that they will carry into their chosen fields an understanding of the legislative process and how it relates to their work. In addition to providing interns exposure to the legislative process, the program provides legislative leaders with research and other professional staff assistance.
After completing this program many interns continue working in state government, while others gain employment at other levels of government, attend law school, or pursue opportunities in the private sector.
Total number of annual placements - 24
Five (5) legislative analyst positions with each of the four partisan leadership staffs Three (3) research positions with the Legislative Research Unit (LRU) One (1) science writing position with the LRU
Length of appointment: 10.5 months (August 16 to June 30)
Stipend: $2,026 per month
Requirement: Undergraduate degree completed prior to start date.
Location: Springfield, Illinois
College Credit/Tuition/Fees: Interns receive eight (8) hours of graduate credit in Political Science for completing the program. Associated tuition, mandatory University fees, and textbooks are provided by the program. All interns are required to complete the ILSIP academic seminar in the fall term.
Health Insurance: Interns are eligible for regular student health insurance. The premium is paid by the program.
Backgrounds preferred: All academic majors are welcome.
Application Deadline: All materials must be postmarked by March 1.
Final selection/placements announced: Late April to early May
Application materials can be obtained by contacting:
Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program Attn: Barbara Van Dyke-Brown, Director Legislative Internships and Advocacy Programs
Institute for Legal, Legislative, and Policy Studies University of Illinois at Springfield One University Plaza, MS PAC 451Springfield, Illinois 62703-5407Phone: 217.206.6579Fax: 217.206.7397Email: vandykebrown.barbara@uis.edu
For more information, go online at http://cspl.uis.edu/ILLAPS/ILSIP/index.htm
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Application Deadline and Process: (Application attached) *Please note, internships are located in Springfield, IL*
All application materials must be submitted or postmarked by the deadline March 1. After an initial screening of applications, selected applicants will be invited to interview with legislative staff. The interviews are scheduled for April 5 - 9 at the Capitol Building in Springfield. The deliberations of the selection committee are confidential and final. All applications become the property of the University of Illinois at Springfield.
More Information:
As the focal point of policy development and political activity, Illinois General Assembly has become an exciting arena for young people to experience state government first-hand by working as an Illinois Legislative Staff Intern with the legislative leaders who will shape public policy in Illinois for the next decade.
For over forty eight (48) years, the Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program (ILSIP) has provided twenty-four (24) unique internship experiences for keenly interested, deeply motivated and talented individuals to work within state government. With the capitol as both workplace and classroom, ILSIP interns earn eight (8) graduate credits from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Funded by the Illinois General Assembly through the Legislative Research Unit and administered by the University of Illinois at Springfield, ILSIP grew out of a desire to provide individuals with diverse experience and backgrounds, insight into the legislative process. The program offers interns a ten and a half (10.5) month , full-time position as a professional legislative staff member working with either the Illinois General Assembly or Legislative Research Unit. Interns also participate in an academic seminar conducted by UIS faculty.
The ILSIP experience is intended to broaden the perspective of those planning academic, business or government careers so that they will carry into their chosen fields an understanding of the legislative process and how it relates to their work. In addition to providing interns exposure to the legislative process, the program provides legislative leaders with research and other professional staff assistance.
After completing this program many interns continue working in state government, while others gain employment at other levels of government, attend law school, or pursue opportunities in the private sector.
Total number of annual placements - 24
Five (5) legislative analyst positions with each of the four partisan leadership staffs Three (3) research positions with the Legislative Research Unit (LRU) One (1) science writing position with the LRU
Length of appointment: 10.5 months (August 16 to June 30)
Stipend: $2,026 per month
Requirement: Undergraduate degree completed prior to start date.
Location: Springfield, Illinois
College Credit/Tuition/Fees: Interns receive eight (8) hours of graduate credit in Political Science for completing the program. Associated tuition, mandatory University fees, and textbooks are provided by the program. All interns are required to complete the ILSIP academic seminar in the fall term.
Health Insurance: Interns are eligible for regular student health insurance. The premium is paid by the program.
Backgrounds preferred: All academic majors are welcome.
Application Deadline: All materials must be postmarked by March 1.
Final selection/placements announced: Late April to early May
Application materials can be obtained by contacting:
Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program Attn: Barbara Van Dyke-Brown, Director Legislative Internships and Advocacy Programs
Institute for Legal, Legislative, and Policy Studies University of Illinois at Springfield One University Plaza, MS PAC 451Springfield, Illinois 62703-5407Phone: 217.206.6579Fax: 217.206.7397Email: vandykebrown.barbara@uis.edu
For more information, go online at http://cspl.uis.edu/ILLAPS/ILSIP/index.htm
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
JAMES H. DUNN, JR. MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP AND VITO MARZULLO INTERNSHIP
JAMES H. DUNN, JR. MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP and VITO MARZULLO INTERNSHIP
OBJECTIVES: The James H. Dunn, Jr. Memorial Fellowship Program and Vito Marzullo Internship Program are governmental initiatives that strive to meet the public sector’s future need for competent administrators. The Dunn Fellowship and Marzullo Internship serve as public sector management training programs that provide an opportunity for college graduates to supplement their education with experience in such areas as policy analysis and program administration. It is the aim of these programs to encourage talented college graduates to consider careers in state government and achieve affirmative action through the nomination of qualified men, women, minorities and persons with disabilities.
Placements: Office of the Governor and agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction
Duration: August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011
Compensation: $2,611/per month
Qualifying Requirements: Completion of an undergraduate degree prior to the commencement of the program
Background: All majors acceptable
Location: Primarily in Springfield, Illinois with limited placement in Chicago, Illinois and Washington D.C.
CONTACT: CALENDAR (Subject to change)
Central Management Services October 2009--------Applications available
Mary Anne Baker February 28, 2010--Application deadline
Program Manager February 2010------Application screening
503 William G. Stratton March 2010-----------Interview process
Office Building April/May 2010-----Applicants notified/
Springfield, Illinois 6206 placements announced
217/524-1381 August 2010----------Program commences
217/785-3979 (TDD)
http://www.illinois.gov/gov/intopportunities.cfm
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
OBJECTIVES: The James H. Dunn, Jr. Memorial Fellowship Program and Vito Marzullo Internship Program are governmental initiatives that strive to meet the public sector’s future need for competent administrators. The Dunn Fellowship and Marzullo Internship serve as public sector management training programs that provide an opportunity for college graduates to supplement their education with experience in such areas as policy analysis and program administration. It is the aim of these programs to encourage talented college graduates to consider careers in state government and achieve affirmative action through the nomination of qualified men, women, minorities and persons with disabilities.
Placements: Office of the Governor and agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction
Duration: August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011
Compensation: $2,611/per month
Qualifying Requirements: Completion of an undergraduate degree prior to the commencement of the program
Background: All majors acceptable
Location: Primarily in Springfield, Illinois with limited placement in Chicago, Illinois and Washington D.C.
CONTACT: CALENDAR (Subject to change)
Central Management Services October 2009--------Applications available
Mary Anne Baker February 28, 2010--Application deadline
Program Manager February 2010------Application screening
503 William G. Stratton March 2010-----------Interview process
Office Building April/May 2010-----Applicants notified/
Springfield, Illinois 6206 placements announced
217/524-1381 August 2010----------Program commences
217/785-3979 (TDD)
http://www.illinois.gov/gov/intopportunities.cfm
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
OFFICE OF THE GOVENOR 2010 MICHAEL CURRY SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR 2010 MICHAEL CURRY SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Office of the Governor encourages college juniors, seniors and graduate students from all disciplines to apply for a summer internship. Michael Curry interns work in the Governor’s Office and in various agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction learning, firsthand, the operations of Illinois State Government. This ten-week program carries a stipend of $1.264 per month and begins approximately June 1.
The Office of the Governor encourages college juniors, seniors and graduate students from all disciplines to apply for a summer internship. Michael Curry interns work in the Governor’s Office and in various agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction learning, firsthand, the operations of Illinois State Government. This ten-week program carries a stipend of $1.264 per month and begins approximately June 1.
The Office of the Governor complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. All qualified individuals are eligible to participate in the program. To apply, fully complete the attached application. Unless a reasonable accommodation has been requested and approved, handwritten applications will be returned. Applicants must have the Registrar’s Office from your college(s)/university(s) send a copy of your transcript to the program director. PLEASE, NO RESUMES; send completed applications only.
Positions are primarily based in Springfield with very limited placements in Chicago. To be eligible, applicants must be Illinois residents and not have previously participated in the Michael Curry Summer Internship Program. Relocation is at the applicant’s expense.
Completed applications and transcripts should be sent directly to Office of the Governor, Michael Curry Summer Internship Program 503 Stratton Office Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706. If you have any questions, need more information or wish to request a reasonable accommodation, please call Alicia Anderson 217/782-7357 *TTY 217/558-2238) between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.; Monday through Friday. Applications must be postmarked by February 28, 2010. Applications postmarked after this date will be returned.
http://www.illinois.gov/gov/pdfdocs/Curry-application.pdf
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
GET YOUR TAXES DONE FOR FREE!
Free tax preparation assistance from professionally trained volunteers may be available in your community. The Center for Economic Progress and the Tax Assistance Program are Chicago-area non-profit programs offering free tax preparation assistance to families earning less than $50K and individuals earning less than $25K
To find a free tax preparation location in Chicago, call 311, Outside Chicago call 312-409-1555 or 312-630-0273
www.cityofchicago.org/CTAC/
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
To find a free tax preparation location in Chicago, call 311, Outside Chicago call 312-409-1555 or 312-630-0273
www.cityofchicago.org/CTAC/
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
DAILY DEAL - MONDAY'S
The Motel Bar 800 W Chicago Ave
$8 Philly Cheesesteak sandwices
Sopo 3418 N Southport
$2 burgers, $3 drafts, $3 Jameson shots
Mac's 1801 W Division
$4.75 half-pound angus burgers with fries
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
$8 Philly Cheesesteak sandwices
Sopo 3418 N Southport
$2 burgers, $3 drafts, $3 Jameson shots
Mac's 1801 W Division
$4.75 half-pound angus burgers with fries
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Friday, January 15, 2010
FAITH FRIDAY'S - MORE THAN I CAN BEAR
Kirk Franklin
More Than I can Bear
Lyrics:I've gone through the fire And I've been through the flood
I've been broken into pieces
Seen lightnin' flashin' from above
But through it all I remember
And He'll never put more on me
I said Never put more on me
No no Never put more on me
Unh unh Never put more on me
Never His word said He won't
I believe it
I receive it
I claim it
It's mine
No he'll never
Put more on me
Than I can bear Can bear
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
DAILY DEAL FRIDAY'S
The Call 1547 W. Bryn Mawr
DJ Oskar spins 9p-2a $4 Bacardi cocktails
The 44th Ward Dinner Party 3542 N Halsted
$1 traditional grill cheese after midnight, $5 cocktails
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
DJ Oskar spins 9p-2a $4 Bacardi cocktails
The 44th Ward Dinner Party 3542 N Halsted
$1 traditional grill cheese after midnight, $5 cocktails
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Thursday, January 14, 2010
HAITI - WAYS TO HELP AND DONATE
Yele Haiti And Other Organizations Dedicated To Post-Earthquake Relief (Safe Places To Send Money)
For those of us who can spare anything toward the disaster relief efforts for the post-earthquake recovery efforts for Haiti, We've compiled a list of organizations that can help, with links to their sites:
UNICEF - UNICEF has set up a special page for donations for the children of Haiti. In an email, UNICEF's Alissa Pinck reports: "UNICEF™s country office in Haiti and the regional office located in Panama is on the ground and have already deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti."
HaitiArise - HaitiArise has provided education and relief for the past six years. It's a registered Canadian charity and reports that 100 percent of donated funds go directly to Haiti.
Haiti Emergency Relief Fund - by Vanguard Public Foundation in San Francisco. Established for Haiti before the Earthquake.
Mercy Corps - Mercy Corps' website is devoted to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster; they're deploying a team bound for Haiti now.
Epiphany readers we are the change that the World needs, when a disaster happens we can not sit back and say oh someone else will handle that or give. No that someone is you!
Luke 10:30-36 30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The question to ask yourself is not what will happen to you if you do help but what will happen to you if you do not help!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
DAILY DEAL THURSDAYS
6 Corners Sports Bar 1950 W North Ave
$5 Three Olives cocktails
Betty's Blue Star Lounge 1600 W Grand Ave
$3 Skyy Cocktails, $5 Kilo Kai bombs
The Call 1547 W Bryn Mawr
$4 Absolut cocktails
Division Ale House 1942 W Division St
$5 Nachos
Victory Liquors 2610 N Halsted
$.25 wings, $4 select martinis
Rockwood Place 3466 N Clark St
$5 martinis, salads and glasses of wine
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
$5 Three Olives cocktails
Betty's Blue Star Lounge 1600 W Grand Ave
$3 Skyy Cocktails, $5 Kilo Kai bombs
The Call 1547 W Bryn Mawr
$4 Absolut cocktails
Division Ale House 1942 W Division St
$5 Nachos
Victory Liquors 2610 N Halsted
$.25 wings, $4 select martinis
Rockwood Place 3466 N Clark St
$5 martinis, salads and glasses of wine
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
FINISHED WITH FEAR - JOEL OSTEEN
Finished with Fear
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline"(2 Timothy 1:7, NLT)
TODAY'S WORD
from Joel and Victoria
So many people today are living with less than God's best because they've allowed fear to stop them from pursuing their dreams. We have to remember that fear is not from God. It's a lie from the enemy to paralyze us and steal our power.
Today's verse tells what God has given us: power, love, and self-discipline or self-control. When you are confident in God's promises, there's nothing that can stop you. But when fear creeps in, you hesitate. You're not as strong as you were before. You feel powerless. Not only that, but it affects your love. Love prompts us to give, and when we are afraid, we tend to clench our fists and act selfishly. Fear also affects our self-discipline or self-control. It makes us panic and do things without thinking.
If you've allowed fear to steal from you in any area of life, today you can be free—you can be finished with fear. Conquering fear starts with a choice to believe God's promises and then taking a step of faith to act on them. As you step out, God will be with you. He'll give you power, love, and self-discipline so that you can confidently move forward into the abundant life He has for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father God, I come to You today declaring that I am finished with fear. Thank You for giving me power, love, and a sound mind. I choose to stand on Your promises. Fill me with Your peace and joy today as I move forward in victory with You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
DAILY DEAL WEDNESDAYS
High Dive 1938 W Chicago Ave
$1 mini-cheeseburgers, $2.50 bud lights
Juniors Sports Lounge 724 W. Maxwell
$5 mojitos, karaoke (8p)
Hackney's 733 S Dearborn
$10 burger and a beer
The Full Shilling 3724 N Clark
$1 house cocktails, $5.95 NY Strip Steak dinner, $.99 sliders (min 3)
T's 5025 N Clark Street
$5 glasses of wine, $12 all-you-can-eat ribs (until 9P)
Kit Kat Lounge 3700 N Halsted
Half-price cocktails and martinis, buy one entree get on free
Pasha 802 W. Randolph
Half-price bottles of wine, half-price tapas
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
$1 mini-cheeseburgers, $2.50 bud lights
Juniors Sports Lounge 724 W. Maxwell
$5 mojitos, karaoke (8p)
Hackney's 733 S Dearborn
$10 burger and a beer
The Full Shilling 3724 N Clark
$1 house cocktails, $5.95 NY Strip Steak dinner, $.99 sliders (min 3)
T's 5025 N Clark Street
$5 glasses of wine, $12 all-you-can-eat ribs (until 9P)
Kit Kat Lounge 3700 N Halsted
Half-price cocktails and martinis, buy one entree get on free
Pasha 802 W. Randolph
Half-price bottles of wine, half-price tapas
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
NEW JOB POSTINGS
The Presidents Office of Employment Training (POET) strives to provide area businesses with a rich diversity of well-trained workers. POET programs and initiatives give residents of suburban Cook County opportunities to advance professionally and grow this region's economic viability. This publication seeks to inform, entertain and educate intellectually curious workforce development professionals and stakeholders.
Cook County Sheriff set to Hire Hundreds of Correctional Officers
The Cook County Sheriff's Department says it is set to make hundreds of hires in coming months. Sheriff Tom Dart said Wednesday that his department is prepared to hire more than 500 correctional officers next year. The first class of recruits is to come in January. Dart's office says the jobs pay about $45,000 a year and include health, dental and vision insurance and pension. The sheriff's office says the jobs are available because of a federal mandate that more officers be added at the Cook County Jail. Sheriff Dart says the department has noticed "not only the increase in quantity but also the increase in quality of applicants."
To pick up an application go to 69 W. Washington in Chicago , 11th floor, between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm OR go to cookcountysheriff.org to download an application.
Census Workers Needed
Work in your neighborhood and recieve pay up to $17.50/hr
LOCATION
Chicago Workforce Center at Pilsen
1700 W. 18th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
RECRUITMENT DATES
Monday, Wednesday and Friday @ 2:00pm
Starting Monday, January 4, 2010 through end of January
REQUIREMENTS
18 or older, cirizens preferred but not required
Must Pass Background Check
Must be able to attend 4 days of paid training
Veterans will be given preference points, Bi-Lingual is desired
2 forms of Identification: SS Card, Passport, Birth Certificate, Driver's License, State ID
JOB DESCRIPTION
Part-time (15-20 hrs/wk), February through April
Door-to-door, weekends and evenings asking questions
For a practice test go to: www.censusjobs.gov
Commissioner Edwin Reyes
&
Alderman Manny Flores
Invite you to the
Job and Benefits Fair for Veterans
In order to best serve those who have sacrificed so much for our country, we are
hosting a fair that will offer a variety of services provided by our local, state, and
federal governments. Service providers and employers will be on hand to speak to veterans regarding job opportunities. Please bring your resume. For more information, call Commissioner Reyes' office at 312.603.6386 or Alderman Flores' office at 773.278.0101.
When: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: Clemente High School (Lobby), 1147 N. Western Ave. , Chicago IL . 60622
FOR POTENTIAL EMPLOYEERS AND VENDORS
We kindly request your participation in our upcoming Veterans Job & Benefit Fair.
We will be hosting this event to provide the veterans of our community with
employment opportunities and other important information. In April 2009, the
jobless rate for veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan was 11.2% while
the corresponding rate for non-veterans was 8.8%. The details for the Veterans
Job & Benefit Fair are as follows:
Date: January 9th, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Setup Time: 9:00 AM
Place: Clemente High School
1147 N. Western Ave.
Chicago IL , 60622
If you are interested in participating please send an email or fax confirmation back to David Avila at (312) 603-9531 or davila@cookcountygov.com. Each participating organization will be provided with a table and chairs at the fair after we have
received an email confirmation. Please respond by January 4, 2010
I look forward to working with you on this event and
I thank you in advance for your help and participation.
10 Jobs with Good Pay that don't Require a College Degree
The paradigmn is shifting. While the safest and time tested route to making a career is matriculating in one of America's fine four-year institutions of higher learning, there are some professions that pay good salaries without requiring the once all essential college diploma. In fact, there is a growing number of HR professionals, educators and business leaders that understand that a bachelor's degree isn't for everyone. Unintersting to some, unattainable for many and increasingly unnecessary for more and more.
Click Here to read more about careers that don't demand a degree and provide a livable wage in a November article by Michael King.
COBRA Extension to Help
Illinois Jobless
The Illinois Dept. of Insurance is reminding insurance companies and employers they must comply with a new law extending the federal subsidy on COBRA benefits. Companies must provide timely notice to people eligible for the subsidies. COBRA allows workers to remain on a health plan for 18 months after they leave their jobs, if they pay the premiums. The federal stimulus bill provided subsidies for up to nine months to reduce the cost of coverage for workers who lost their jobs between Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009. President Barack Obama recently signed a law that continues that subsidy for workers who lose their jobs between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, 2010. The law also extends the subsidy for up to 15 months.
Stimulus Grant Money Available for Adult-Dislocated Workers
Job Training Opportunities in South & West Suburban Cook County
2009 has been the year of the Dislocated Worker. Since December of 2007, the now officially recorded start date of the current recession, millions of American workers have lost their jobs. For November in the State of Illinois the unemployment rate was 10.9%, although recent national jobs and labor reports indicate that the massive numbers of layoffs nationally have decreased and leveled for now since January '09. Economists advise that America is in recovery from one of its' deepest recessions, but; advise it is a slow recovery and for many non-existent - especially those who have lost their jobs and/or who remain unemployed. In February of this year the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama to stimulate the economy to recover and assist those in need during very difficult economic times.
The Cook County Presidents Office of Employment Training (POET) has been allocated $7.7 million in federal stimulus funds for employment and job training services for eligible adult and dislocated worker residents of south, southwest, and west suburban Cook County. These federal funds provide employment assistance and training opportunities for dislocated unemployed workers as well as economically disadvantaged adults in skills that will re-train them to find jobs in higher growth, high demand sectors such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing and the emerging 'green jobs' sector. Funds will also be available for companies that qualify for Stimulus Grant Incumbent Worker Training projects.
Interested individuals should contact one of the following contracted POET Service Provider agencies for information as to how to access these services:
Name of Organization *Stimulus Funding Amount
Community Economic Development Association $2,114,762.00
Contact: Ira Williams, 312-795-8889, www.ceda.org
Chicago Federation of Labor's Worker Assistance Committee $500,000.00
Contact: Kristen Roberts, 312-565-9431, www.cflwac.org
Employment & Employer Services $160,300.00
Contact: Rosa Marquez, 708-222-3100, www.eesforjobs.com
Employment Associates Group $500,000.00
Contact: Jon Wisniewski, 708-756-2330, eagjwisniewski@sbcglobal.net
Illinois Community College District 508 $375,800.00
Contact: Maria Codina, 773-843-4522, mcodina@ccc.edu
Moraine Valley Community College $501,693.00
Contact: Peter Deeman, 708-974-5738, deeman@morainevalley.edu
National Able Network $980,000.00
Contact: Joyce Lamberta, 708-756-5492, jlamberta@nationalable.org
Prairie State College $629,763.00
Contact: Yvonne Wolfe, 708-709-3917, ywolfe@prairiestate.edu
South Suburban College $280,299.00
Contact: Jose Regalado, 708-210-5738, jregalado@southsuburbancollege.edu
Southland Healthcare Forum $78,471.00
Contact: Maria Crews, 708-756-1000 ext.3443, maria.crews@ssfhs.org
Triton College $1,605,626.00
Contact: Jane Klingberg, 708-456-0300 ext.3805, jklingberg@triton.edu
For specific information regarding incumbent worker Training call the President's Office of Employment Training at 312-603-0200
*amounts originally awarded
. . . and NOW the Good News
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December 29, 2010
Employers see uptick in Hiring in 2010
U.S. Employers expect to hire more new workers in 2010 than they did in 2009, a sign the U.S. recession may be easing its grip, research showed on Tuesday . . . Read More
December 24, 2010
Jobless claims fall, durable orders rise
New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods excluding transportation surged in November (2009), and applications for jobless benefits fell last week, pointing to a firmly entrenched economic recovery . . . Read More
December 22, 2009
U.S. home sales bolster economic growth prospects
Sales of previously owned U.S. homes jumped to the highest level in nearly three years last month, the latest sign the economic recovery was gaining steam after growing below expectations in the third quarter . . . Read More
YMCA
Currently over 150 positions open
Click Here
Union Pacific Railroad
Jobs in West and Midwest Cities
Click Here
Comcast
Current Openings
Click Here
CTA
Current Openings
Click Here
Nicor Gas Company
Current Openings
Click Here
MetraRail
Job Opportunities
Click Here
Exelon
Current Openings
Click Here
FedEx
Current Openings
Click Here
AT&T
Current Jobs in Illinois
Click Here
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Current Openings
Click Here
City of Chicago
Current Openings
Click Here
Cook County
Offices Under The President of the County Board Click Here
Forest Preserve District Click Here
State of Illinois
Current Openings
Click Here
United States of America
Current Openings
Click Here
VOLUNTEER
In Any Community, At Any Time
Click Here
From Myron, Kathleen and Ed (Communications POET) may 2010 be your most prosperous, productive and blessed year of your life. Continued Success.
Online Job Search Sites
If YOU are actively looking, make sure you can also be found
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Alljobsearch.com
Click Here
Beyond.com
Click Here
Careerbuilder.com
Click Here
CollegeRecruiter.com
Click Here
Craigslist.com
Click Here
Execu-Search
Click Here
Hound.com
Click Here
Indeed.com
Click Here
Job.com
Click Here
JobCentral.com
Click Here
Jobster.com
Click Here
Current Jobs in Illinois
Click Here
Linkedin.com
Click Here
Monster.com
Click Here
NetTemps.com
Click Here
Oodle.com
Click Here
onTargetjobs.com
Click Here
SimplyHired.com
Click Here
snagajob.com
Click Here
sologig.com
Click Here
The Ladders
Click Here
Trovix.com
Click Here
True Careers
Click Here
Pleas visit websites of all companies listed as the links did not paste :-( Our apologies!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Cook County Sheriff set to Hire Hundreds of Correctional Officers
The Cook County Sheriff's Department says it is set to make hundreds of hires in coming months. Sheriff Tom Dart said Wednesday that his department is prepared to hire more than 500 correctional officers next year. The first class of recruits is to come in January. Dart's office says the jobs pay about $45,000 a year and include health, dental and vision insurance and pension. The sheriff's office says the jobs are available because of a federal mandate that more officers be added at the Cook County Jail. Sheriff Dart says the department has noticed "not only the increase in quantity but also the increase in quality of applicants."
To pick up an application go to 69 W. Washington in Chicago , 11th floor, between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm OR go to cookcountysheriff.org to download an application.
Census Workers Needed
Work in your neighborhood and recieve pay up to $17.50/hr
LOCATION
Chicago Workforce Center at Pilsen
1700 W. 18th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
RECRUITMENT DATES
Monday, Wednesday and Friday @ 2:00pm
Starting Monday, January 4, 2010 through end of January
REQUIREMENTS
18 or older, cirizens preferred but not required
Must Pass Background Check
Must be able to attend 4 days of paid training
Veterans will be given preference points, Bi-Lingual is desired
2 forms of Identification: SS Card, Passport, Birth Certificate, Driver's License, State ID
JOB DESCRIPTION
Part-time (15-20 hrs/wk), February through April
Door-to-door, weekends and evenings asking questions
For a practice test go to: www.censusjobs.gov
Commissioner Edwin Reyes
&
Alderman Manny Flores
Invite you to the
Job and Benefits Fair for Veterans
In order to best serve those who have sacrificed so much for our country, we are
hosting a fair that will offer a variety of services provided by our local, state, and
federal governments. Service providers and employers will be on hand to speak to veterans regarding job opportunities. Please bring your resume. For more information, call Commissioner Reyes' office at 312.603.6386 or Alderman Flores' office at 773.278.0101.
When: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: Clemente High School (Lobby), 1147 N. Western Ave. , Chicago IL . 60622
FOR POTENTIAL EMPLOYEERS AND VENDORS
We kindly request your participation in our upcoming Veterans Job & Benefit Fair.
We will be hosting this event to provide the veterans of our community with
employment opportunities and other important information. In April 2009, the
jobless rate for veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan was 11.2% while
the corresponding rate for non-veterans was 8.8%. The details for the Veterans
Job & Benefit Fair are as follows:
Date: January 9th, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Setup Time: 9:00 AM
Place: Clemente High School
1147 N. Western Ave.
Chicago IL , 60622
If you are interested in participating please send an email or fax confirmation back to David Avila at (312) 603-9531 or davila@cookcountygov.com. Each participating organization will be provided with a table and chairs at the fair after we have
received an email confirmation. Please respond by January 4, 2010
I look forward to working with you on this event and
I thank you in advance for your help and participation.
10 Jobs with Good Pay that don't Require a College Degree
The paradigmn is shifting. While the safest and time tested route to making a career is matriculating in one of America's fine four-year institutions of higher learning, there are some professions that pay good salaries without requiring the once all essential college diploma. In fact, there is a growing number of HR professionals, educators and business leaders that understand that a bachelor's degree isn't for everyone. Unintersting to some, unattainable for many and increasingly unnecessary for more and more.
Click Here to read more about careers that don't demand a degree and provide a livable wage in a November article by Michael King.
COBRA Extension to Help
Illinois Jobless
The Illinois Dept. of Insurance is reminding insurance companies and employers they must comply with a new law extending the federal subsidy on COBRA benefits. Companies must provide timely notice to people eligible for the subsidies. COBRA allows workers to remain on a health plan for 18 months after they leave their jobs, if they pay the premiums. The federal stimulus bill provided subsidies for up to nine months to reduce the cost of coverage for workers who lost their jobs between Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009. President Barack Obama recently signed a law that continues that subsidy for workers who lose their jobs between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, 2010. The law also extends the subsidy for up to 15 months.
Stimulus Grant Money Available for Adult-Dislocated Workers
Job Training Opportunities in South & West Suburban Cook County
2009 has been the year of the Dislocated Worker. Since December of 2007, the now officially recorded start date of the current recession, millions of American workers have lost their jobs. For November in the State of Illinois the unemployment rate was 10.9%, although recent national jobs and labor reports indicate that the massive numbers of layoffs nationally have decreased and leveled for now since January '09. Economists advise that America is in recovery from one of its' deepest recessions, but; advise it is a slow recovery and for many non-existent - especially those who have lost their jobs and/or who remain unemployed. In February of this year the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama to stimulate the economy to recover and assist those in need during very difficult economic times.
The Cook County Presidents Office of Employment Training (POET) has been allocated $7.7 million in federal stimulus funds for employment and job training services for eligible adult and dislocated worker residents of south, southwest, and west suburban Cook County. These federal funds provide employment assistance and training opportunities for dislocated unemployed workers as well as economically disadvantaged adults in skills that will re-train them to find jobs in higher growth, high demand sectors such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing and the emerging 'green jobs' sector. Funds will also be available for companies that qualify for Stimulus Grant Incumbent Worker Training projects.
Interested individuals should contact one of the following contracted POET Service Provider agencies for information as to how to access these services:
Name of Organization *Stimulus Funding Amount
Community Economic Development Association $2,114,762.00
Contact: Ira Williams, 312-795-8889, www.ceda.org
Chicago Federation of Labor's Worker Assistance Committee $500,000.00
Contact: Kristen Roberts, 312-565-9431, www.cflwac.org
Employment & Employer Services $160,300.00
Contact: Rosa Marquez, 708-222-3100, www.eesforjobs.com
Employment Associates Group $500,000.00
Contact: Jon Wisniewski, 708-756-2330, eagjwisniewski@sbcglobal.net
Illinois Community College District 508 $375,800.00
Contact: Maria Codina, 773-843-4522, mcodina@ccc.edu
Moraine Valley Community College $501,693.00
Contact: Peter Deeman, 708-974-5738, deeman@morainevalley.edu
National Able Network $980,000.00
Contact: Joyce Lamberta, 708-756-5492, jlamberta@nationalable.org
Prairie State College $629,763.00
Contact: Yvonne Wolfe, 708-709-3917, ywolfe@prairiestate.edu
South Suburban College $280,299.00
Contact: Jose Regalado, 708-210-5738, jregalado@southsuburbancollege.edu
Southland Healthcare Forum $78,471.00
Contact: Maria Crews, 708-756-1000 ext.3443, maria.crews@ssfhs.org
Triton College $1,605,626.00
Contact: Jane Klingberg, 708-456-0300 ext.3805, jklingberg@triton.edu
For specific information regarding incumbent worker Training call the President's Office of Employment Training at 312-603-0200
*amounts originally awarded
. . . and NOW the Good News
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December 29, 2010
Employers see uptick in Hiring in 2010
U.S. Employers expect to hire more new workers in 2010 than they did in 2009, a sign the U.S. recession may be easing its grip, research showed on Tuesday . . . Read More
December 24, 2010
Jobless claims fall, durable orders rise
New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods excluding transportation surged in November (2009), and applications for jobless benefits fell last week, pointing to a firmly entrenched economic recovery . . . Read More
December 22, 2009
U.S. home sales bolster economic growth prospects
Sales of previously owned U.S. homes jumped to the highest level in nearly three years last month, the latest sign the economic recovery was gaining steam after growing below expectations in the third quarter . . . Read More
YMCA
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Union Pacific Railroad
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Comcast
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CTA
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Nicor Gas Company
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MetraRail
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Exelon
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FedEx
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AT&T
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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
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Forest Preserve District Click Here
State of Illinois
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United States of America
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From Myron, Kathleen and Ed (Communications POET) may 2010 be your most prosperous, productive and blessed year of your life. Continued Success.
Online Job Search Sites
If YOU are actively looking, make sure you can also be found
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Alljobsearch.com
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Beyond.com
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Careerbuilder.com
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CollegeRecruiter.com
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Craigslist.com
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Execu-Search
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Hound.com
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Indeed.com
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Job.com
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JobCentral.com
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Jobster.com
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Current Jobs in Illinois
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Linkedin.com
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Monster.com
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NetTemps.com
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Oodle.com
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onTargetjobs.com
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SimplyHired.com
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snagajob.com
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sologig.com
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The Ladders
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Trovix.com
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True Careers
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Pleas visit websites of all companies listed as the links did not paste :-( Our apologies!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
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