This sermon deals with the common 21st century distractions that rob us of focus in our lives. Pastor Steve deals with notification distractions, tyrannical urgencies and the myth of multi-tasking.
The document summarizes a fire that occurred in Santa Maria, Brazil that killed over 200 people. It was purposely set by four people, which has changed people's trust and raised questions about security and laws. Surveys mentioned in the document found that most people had heard about the fire and felt sad about the tragic loss of innocent lives.
Life and the Challenges of Digital DistractionBen Klocek
Now that we carry tiny computers around in our pockets, that constantly ask for our attention, it is more critical than ever, that we consciously choose the relationship we want to have with it.
What did you say? interculture communication [HICSS 45 2012-01-04Frederick Zarndt
The document discusses the importance of effective communication in global projects due to cultural and language barriers. It provides several studies that found "language, communication, or culture" barriers and poor communications were among the top causes of project failures in global software development and outsourcing projects. Developing cultural understanding and improving communication skills are important factors for maintaining trust and success in global collaborations.
Presentation given at the Division L Toastmasters Humorous speech competition 28th October 2017, Pardubice, Czech republic
by Trevor Smith Vision Presentations
Life is always going to be stressful. To help you cope, here are five skills to help you sleep, keep active, and allow you to focus on the stuff that truly matters.
ASSIGNMENT 1Hearing Versus ListeningDescribe how you le.docxdeanmtaylor1545
ASSIGNMENT 1:
Hearing Versus Listening
Describe how you learned how to listen! Please use between 300-500 words to make a complete description of this learned behavior. Did you learn to listen properly? Do you still listen the same way that you were taught as a child? Why or why not?
“Doctor Aunt”
by Eden, Janine and Jim.
CC-BY
.
A mother takes her four-year-old to the pediatrician reporting she’s worried about the girl’s hearing. The doctor runs through a battery of tests, checks in the girl’s ears to be sure everything looks good, and makes notes in the child’s folder. Then, she takes the mother by the arm. They move together to the far end of the room, behind the girl. The doctor whispers in a low voice to the concerned parent: “Everything looks fine. But, she’s been through a lot of tests today. You might want to take her for ice cream after this as a reward.” The daughter jerks her head around, a huge grin on her face, “Oh, please, Mommy! I love ice cream!” The doctor, speaking now at a regular volume, reports, “As I said, I don’t think there’s any problem with her hearing, but she may not always be choosing to listen.”
Hearing
is something most everyone does without even trying. It is a physiological response to sound waves moving through the air at up to 760 miles per hour. First, we receive the sound in our ears. The wave of sound causes our eardrums to vibrate, which engages our brain to begin processing. The sound is then transformed into nerve impulses so that we can perceive the sound in our brains. Our auditory cortex recognizes a sound has been heard and begins to process the sound by matching it to previously encountered sounds in a process known as
auditory association
.
[1]
Hearing has kept our species alive for centuries. When you are asleep but wake in a panic having heard a noise downstairs, an age-old self-preservation response is kicking in. You were asleep. You weren’t listening for the noise—unless perhaps you are a parent of a teenager out past curfew—but you hear it. Hearing is unintentional, whereas
listening
(by contrast) requires you to pay conscious attention. Our bodies hear, but we need to employ intentional effort to actually listen.
“Hearing Mechanics”
by Zina Deretsky. Public domain.
We regularly engage in several different types of listening. When we are tuning our attention to a song we like, or a poetry reading, or actors in a play, or sitcom antics on television, we are listening for pleasure, also known as
appreciative listening
. When we are listening to a friend or family member, building our relationship with another through offering support and showing empathy for her feelings in the situation she is discussing, we are engaged in
relational listening
. Therapists, counselors, and conflict mediators are trained in another level known as
empathetic or therapeutic listening
. When we are at a political event, attending a debate, or enduring a salesperson touting the benefits of vario.
Textual Evidence in Reading and Writing of SHSMae Pangan
The document provides information about textual evidence. It defines textual evidence as information gathered from a text that supports an assertion or counterclaim about the text. Textual evidence refers to any proof of an argument, claim, or counterclaim cited in the text that leads to a conclusion. It emphasizes finding clues and keywords in the text to support ideas about the text and quoting or paraphrasing parts of the text that helped form the idea.
The document summarizes a fire that occurred in Santa Maria, Brazil that killed over 200 people. It was purposely set by four people, which has changed people's trust and raised questions about security and laws. Surveys mentioned in the document found that most people had heard about the fire and felt sad about the tragic loss of innocent lives.
Life and the Challenges of Digital DistractionBen Klocek
Now that we carry tiny computers around in our pockets, that constantly ask for our attention, it is more critical than ever, that we consciously choose the relationship we want to have with it.
What did you say? interculture communication [HICSS 45 2012-01-04Frederick Zarndt
The document discusses the importance of effective communication in global projects due to cultural and language barriers. It provides several studies that found "language, communication, or culture" barriers and poor communications were among the top causes of project failures in global software development and outsourcing projects. Developing cultural understanding and improving communication skills are important factors for maintaining trust and success in global collaborations.
Presentation given at the Division L Toastmasters Humorous speech competition 28th October 2017, Pardubice, Czech republic
by Trevor Smith Vision Presentations
Life is always going to be stressful. To help you cope, here are five skills to help you sleep, keep active, and allow you to focus on the stuff that truly matters.
ASSIGNMENT 1Hearing Versus ListeningDescribe how you le.docxdeanmtaylor1545
ASSIGNMENT 1:
Hearing Versus Listening
Describe how you learned how to listen! Please use between 300-500 words to make a complete description of this learned behavior. Did you learn to listen properly? Do you still listen the same way that you were taught as a child? Why or why not?
“Doctor Aunt”
by Eden, Janine and Jim.
CC-BY
.
A mother takes her four-year-old to the pediatrician reporting she’s worried about the girl’s hearing. The doctor runs through a battery of tests, checks in the girl’s ears to be sure everything looks good, and makes notes in the child’s folder. Then, she takes the mother by the arm. They move together to the far end of the room, behind the girl. The doctor whispers in a low voice to the concerned parent: “Everything looks fine. But, she’s been through a lot of tests today. You might want to take her for ice cream after this as a reward.” The daughter jerks her head around, a huge grin on her face, “Oh, please, Mommy! I love ice cream!” The doctor, speaking now at a regular volume, reports, “As I said, I don’t think there’s any problem with her hearing, but she may not always be choosing to listen.”
Hearing
is something most everyone does without even trying. It is a physiological response to sound waves moving through the air at up to 760 miles per hour. First, we receive the sound in our ears. The wave of sound causes our eardrums to vibrate, which engages our brain to begin processing. The sound is then transformed into nerve impulses so that we can perceive the sound in our brains. Our auditory cortex recognizes a sound has been heard and begins to process the sound by matching it to previously encountered sounds in a process known as
auditory association
.
[1]
Hearing has kept our species alive for centuries. When you are asleep but wake in a panic having heard a noise downstairs, an age-old self-preservation response is kicking in. You were asleep. You weren’t listening for the noise—unless perhaps you are a parent of a teenager out past curfew—but you hear it. Hearing is unintentional, whereas
listening
(by contrast) requires you to pay conscious attention. Our bodies hear, but we need to employ intentional effort to actually listen.
“Hearing Mechanics”
by Zina Deretsky. Public domain.
We regularly engage in several different types of listening. When we are tuning our attention to a song we like, or a poetry reading, or actors in a play, or sitcom antics on television, we are listening for pleasure, also known as
appreciative listening
. When we are listening to a friend or family member, building our relationship with another through offering support and showing empathy for her feelings in the situation she is discussing, we are engaged in
relational listening
. Therapists, counselors, and conflict mediators are trained in another level known as
empathetic or therapeutic listening
. When we are at a political event, attending a debate, or enduring a salesperson touting the benefits of vario.
Textual Evidence in Reading and Writing of SHSMae Pangan
The document provides information about textual evidence. It defines textual evidence as information gathered from a text that supports an assertion or counterclaim about the text. Textual evidence refers to any proof of an argument, claim, or counterclaim cited in the text that leads to a conclusion. It emphasizes finding clues and keywords in the text to support ideas about the text and quoting or paraphrasing parts of the text that helped form the idea.
Mindset go negosyo thinking well - negosemArdy Roberto
This document outlines 10 mindsets of success according to Ardy Roberto. The mindsets discussed include having an attitude of gratitude, having the right self-worth formula where net worth is not equal to self-worth, welcoming trials as they increase adversity quotient, mastering your mind by controlling your thoughts, mastering fear by getting out of your comfort zone, nurturing your dreams and thinking big but starting small. Examples are given of people who exemplified being fearless, the placebo effect showing the power of positive thinking, and growing a seminar business from small workshops to events with thousands of attendees.
The document discusses how to present textual evidence from a text to support an idea or judgment about the text. It explains that textual evidence can be presented through paraphrasing, referencing, summarizing, or quoting parts of the
1 Tim 1.18-19-How to Have a Good Conscience.docxJohniSPasaribu
This document is a sermon about maintaining a good conscience. It discusses the conscience as a warning system put in place by God. It describes a good conscience as bringing peace and tranquility, while a bad conscience causes fear and unrest. A good conscience is void of offenses toward both God and others. The sermon outlines how a conscience can become corrupted and discusses the importance of cleansing the conscience to avoid spiritual shipwreck. It emphasizes maintaining a clear conscience to face persecution and slander with boldness and without fear.
What did you say? interculture communication [20160308 phnom penh]Frederick Zarndt
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion it has taken place. George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright, co-founder of London School of Economics, and Nobel Prize in Literature (1925).
Projects are about communication, communication, and communication. B. Elenbass in "Staging a project: Are you setting your project up for success?"
What one says to compatriots in face-to-face conversation is often misunderstood; imagine the possibilities for misunderstandings with someone from halfway around the world, natively speaking another language, and living in a different culture! In such circumstances how can you be sure that your collocutor has understood you in face-to-face (hard), telephone (harder), and email (hardest) conversations? Without being fully present in the conversation -- mindfully aware -- whether it's face-to-face, by Skype or phone, or through email, successful communication is difficult, even more so for intercultural communication.
The ubiquity of English facilitates basic communication, but its use as a common language frequently disguises cultural differences. Furthermore, to say that English (or any other language) can be ambiguous, is an understatement. But regardless of language, clear communication is essential for success in any collaborative undertaking whether done by a small co-located group or by a globally dispersed team.
This tutorial teaches mindful communication and describes frameworks useful in understanding cultural differences and gives real-life examples of misunderstandings due to such differences. Expect to take away practical tools to understand your own cultural biases and in-class practice mindful communication with your colleagues from other cultures as well as your own. You will also learn about frameworks for understanding other cultures based on work by Geert Hofstede, Fons Trompenaars, and others as well as on the presenter's own experiences.
CREATIVITY: Individual & CollaborativePaul H. Carr
The Creative Process
1. Individual
"There is no logical way to discover. There is only the way of intuition, which is helped by a feeling for the order.” Albert Einstein
- The 3-step creative process: informed, unformed, transformed
- Neuroscience: listening to music inspires creativity
2. Collaborative
- Searching for truth to expand and share our limited knowledge and worldviews.
This document provides instructions for getting expert help with writing assignments from the website HelpWriting.net. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with a password and email; 2) Complete a 10-minute order form with instructions, sources, and deadline; 3) Review bids from writers and choose one based on qualifications; 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment if satisfied; 5) Request revisions to ensure satisfaction and get a refund if plagiarized. The goal is to get high-quality, original content that fully meets the customer's needs.
Personal Story Essay Examples. Sample PersonRosie Quinones
The document provides instructions for requesting writing assistance from a website. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with a password and email. 2) Complete a form with assignment details. 3) Review bids from writers and select one. 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment. 5) Request revisions until satisfied. It emphasizes the site's commitment to original, high-quality work and full refunds for plagiarism.
The document discusses habits and how they are formed. It explains that habits are conditioned behaviors that we perform routinely without much thought. Old habits, formed over many years through repeated actions, are very difficult to break compared to new habits. Both good and bad habits shape our character and destiny over time. The document advocates forming good habits that improve one's life and breaking any bad habits that cause harm.
Using the Mind To Change the Brain: Talks @Google - Rick Hanson, PhDRick Hanson
Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and other great teachers were all born with a brain built essentially like anyone else's. Then they used their minds to change their brains in ways that changed history. With the new breakthroughs in neuroscience, combined with insights from thousands of years of contemplative practice, you, too, can shape your own brain for greater happiness, love, and wisdom.
Written with neurologist Richard Mendius, M.D., and with a Foreword by Daniel Siegel, M.D. and a Preface by Jack Kornfield, Ph.D., Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom joins modern science with ancient teachings to show you how to have greater emotional balance in turbulent times, as well as healthier relationships, more effective actions, and greater peace of mind.
http://amzn.to/oLTD3B
What did you say? mindful interculture communication [201608 icgse]Frederick Zarndt
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion it has taken place. George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright, co-founder of London School of Economics, and Nobel Prize in Literature (1925).
Projects are about communication, communication, and communication. B. Elenbass in "Staging a project: Are you setting your project up for success?"
What one says to compatriots in face-to-face conversation is often misunderstood; imagine the possibilities for misunderstandings with someone from halfway around the world, natively speaking another language, and living in a different culture! In such circumstances how can you be sure that your collocutor has understood you in face-to-face (hard), telephone (harder), and email (hardest) conversations? Without being fully present in the conversation -- mindfully aware -- whether it's face-to-face, by Skype or phone, or through email, successful communication is difficult, even more so for intercultural communication.
The ubiquity of English facilitates basic communication, but its use as a common language frequently disguises cultural differences. Furthermore, to say that English (or any other language) can be ambiguous, is an understatement. But regardless of language, clear communication is essential for success in any collaborative undertaking whether done by a small co-located group or by a globally dispersed team.
This tutorial teaches mindful communication and describes frameworks useful in understanding cultural differences and gives real-life examples of misunderstandings due to such differences. Expect to take away practical tools to understand your own cultural biases and in-class practice mindful communication with your colleagues from other cultures as well as your own. You will also learn about frameworks for understanding other cultures based on work by Geert Hofstede, Fons Trompenaars, and others as well as on the presenter's own experiences.
What is the true cause of fear in our lives?
How can we overcome it?
How do we remain optimistic about our tomorrow when everything surrounding us tells us the opposite
Chip Evans discusses the concept of "Circles of Chaos" where people enter situations or interact with certain people that create drama and add stress. Each person has a different threshold for how much "input" or stress they can handle from work, technology, family issues etc. before reaching a point of overload. Evans recommends identifying the specific situations or types of interactions that cause you the most chaos and drama, and learning to avoid or limit them in order to reduce stress in one's life. The key is becoming aware of your own tolerance for input and not allowing yourself to be pulled into dramas you don't need or want.
The document summarizes Paul MacLean's Three Brain Theory, which proposes that the human brain is composed of three evolutionarily distinct structures - the reptilian brain, limbic brain, and cortex brain. It then discusses how facial expressions, body language, eye contact, and facial symmetry influence communication and perception of traits like trustworthiness. Marketing approaches that target both the conscious and subconscious minds are suggested.
Short Essay On Sheep In Hindi. Online assignment writing service.Tammy Chmielorz
The document discusses the opposing economic theories of John Maynard Keynes and Friedrich Hayek. Keynes believed governments should intervene in economies to maintain full employment, while Hayek felt free markets could self-regulate without intervention. During World War II, Keynes' ideas were more successful as governments created many war jobs. After the 1930s, Keynes' approach showed problems with inflation and unemployment, leading to greater acceptance of Hayek's view that governments should avoid market restrictions.
This document discusses brain-controlled artificial legs. It describes how signals from the brain are captured using electroencephalography electrodes on the scalp. The brain signals are amplified, converted to digital, and then processed to identify patterns that correlate to intended movements. The digital signals are sent to a microcontroller in the artificial leg that controls actuators to implement movements like walking or running based on the wearer's thoughts. This system would help those who have lost their legs to control an artificial leg using only their brain signals.
Cristal Festival 2015 - "Green Tastes Like Lemon Ice Cream: The Science Of Se...Cristal Events
The document discusses how marketers can use sensory experiences and the senses to engage consumers. It argues that 76% of millennials crave sensory experiences that stimulate the senses. It then provides examples of how marketers can 1) activate imagination through sensory experiences that people can relate to, 2) intensify responses by appealing to multiple senses simultaneously, 3) evoke moods since senses are linked to emotions, and 4) embody values through associating senses with concepts. The overall message is that marketers should consider how to use sensory experiences more strategically to engage consumers on an experiential level.
The document discusses obstacles to Bible study and the heart condition necessary for understanding scripture. It analyzes Jesus' parable of the sower, noting that the problem lies not with the farmer or seed, but with the soil (the heart). Three problems of the heart are identified: hard, shallow, and thorn-invested. The document outlines three schemes of the devil to prevent understanding - distraction, division, and spiritual blindness. Resistance requires putting on the armor of God, including taking up the sword of the Spirit (the rhema, or specific word) from scripture.
20130903 what did you say? interculture communication [hamburg]Frederick Zarndt
This document discusses intercultural communication and misunderstandings. It provides quotes and principles about the importance of effective communication to build understanding between people from different cultures and avoid assumptions. It notes that a lack of communication or poor communication can lead to more assumptions and misunderstandings.
This was a COMPLETE pain to create. I created this for a Business Communication class.. My professor was very strict however this is the best presentation I have created so far...
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
The Prophecy of Enoch in Jude 14-16_.pptxStephen Palm
In Jude 14-16 Jude cites one of the most cryptic characters in the Book of Genesis, Enoch, the man who never died! Jude quotes Enoch, but the words are not found in Genesis nor anywhere else in the Bible. Jude is actually quoting from a pseudepigraphical book named 1 Enoch. In this sermon we will take a close look at Enoch, consider the way that biblical authors at times cited non-biblical books as illustrations and how Jude applied these words to the false teachers of our day.
Mindset go negosyo thinking well - negosemArdy Roberto
This document outlines 10 mindsets of success according to Ardy Roberto. The mindsets discussed include having an attitude of gratitude, having the right self-worth formula where net worth is not equal to self-worth, welcoming trials as they increase adversity quotient, mastering your mind by controlling your thoughts, mastering fear by getting out of your comfort zone, nurturing your dreams and thinking big but starting small. Examples are given of people who exemplified being fearless, the placebo effect showing the power of positive thinking, and growing a seminar business from small workshops to events with thousands of attendees.
The document discusses how to present textual evidence from a text to support an idea or judgment about the text. It explains that textual evidence can be presented through paraphrasing, referencing, summarizing, or quoting parts of the
1 Tim 1.18-19-How to Have a Good Conscience.docxJohniSPasaribu
This document is a sermon about maintaining a good conscience. It discusses the conscience as a warning system put in place by God. It describes a good conscience as bringing peace and tranquility, while a bad conscience causes fear and unrest. A good conscience is void of offenses toward both God and others. The sermon outlines how a conscience can become corrupted and discusses the importance of cleansing the conscience to avoid spiritual shipwreck. It emphasizes maintaining a clear conscience to face persecution and slander with boldness and without fear.
What did you say? interculture communication [20160308 phnom penh]Frederick Zarndt
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion it has taken place. George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright, co-founder of London School of Economics, and Nobel Prize in Literature (1925).
Projects are about communication, communication, and communication. B. Elenbass in "Staging a project: Are you setting your project up for success?"
What one says to compatriots in face-to-face conversation is often misunderstood; imagine the possibilities for misunderstandings with someone from halfway around the world, natively speaking another language, and living in a different culture! In such circumstances how can you be sure that your collocutor has understood you in face-to-face (hard), telephone (harder), and email (hardest) conversations? Without being fully present in the conversation -- mindfully aware -- whether it's face-to-face, by Skype or phone, or through email, successful communication is difficult, even more so for intercultural communication.
The ubiquity of English facilitates basic communication, but its use as a common language frequently disguises cultural differences. Furthermore, to say that English (or any other language) can be ambiguous, is an understatement. But regardless of language, clear communication is essential for success in any collaborative undertaking whether done by a small co-located group or by a globally dispersed team.
This tutorial teaches mindful communication and describes frameworks useful in understanding cultural differences and gives real-life examples of misunderstandings due to such differences. Expect to take away practical tools to understand your own cultural biases and in-class practice mindful communication with your colleagues from other cultures as well as your own. You will also learn about frameworks for understanding other cultures based on work by Geert Hofstede, Fons Trompenaars, and others as well as on the presenter's own experiences.
CREATIVITY: Individual & CollaborativePaul H. Carr
The Creative Process
1. Individual
"There is no logical way to discover. There is only the way of intuition, which is helped by a feeling for the order.” Albert Einstein
- The 3-step creative process: informed, unformed, transformed
- Neuroscience: listening to music inspires creativity
2. Collaborative
- Searching for truth to expand and share our limited knowledge and worldviews.
This document provides instructions for getting expert help with writing assignments from the website HelpWriting.net. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with a password and email; 2) Complete a 10-minute order form with instructions, sources, and deadline; 3) Review bids from writers and choose one based on qualifications; 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment if satisfied; 5) Request revisions to ensure satisfaction and get a refund if plagiarized. The goal is to get high-quality, original content that fully meets the customer's needs.
Personal Story Essay Examples. Sample PersonRosie Quinones
The document provides instructions for requesting writing assistance from a website. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with a password and email. 2) Complete a form with assignment details. 3) Review bids from writers and select one. 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment. 5) Request revisions until satisfied. It emphasizes the site's commitment to original, high-quality work and full refunds for plagiarism.
The document discusses habits and how they are formed. It explains that habits are conditioned behaviors that we perform routinely without much thought. Old habits, formed over many years through repeated actions, are very difficult to break compared to new habits. Both good and bad habits shape our character and destiny over time. The document advocates forming good habits that improve one's life and breaking any bad habits that cause harm.
Using the Mind To Change the Brain: Talks @Google - Rick Hanson, PhDRick Hanson
Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and other great teachers were all born with a brain built essentially like anyone else's. Then they used their minds to change their brains in ways that changed history. With the new breakthroughs in neuroscience, combined with insights from thousands of years of contemplative practice, you, too, can shape your own brain for greater happiness, love, and wisdom.
Written with neurologist Richard Mendius, M.D., and with a Foreword by Daniel Siegel, M.D. and a Preface by Jack Kornfield, Ph.D., Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom joins modern science with ancient teachings to show you how to have greater emotional balance in turbulent times, as well as healthier relationships, more effective actions, and greater peace of mind.
http://amzn.to/oLTD3B
What did you say? mindful interculture communication [201608 icgse]Frederick Zarndt
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion it has taken place. George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright, co-founder of London School of Economics, and Nobel Prize in Literature (1925).
Projects are about communication, communication, and communication. B. Elenbass in "Staging a project: Are you setting your project up for success?"
What one says to compatriots in face-to-face conversation is often misunderstood; imagine the possibilities for misunderstandings with someone from halfway around the world, natively speaking another language, and living in a different culture! In such circumstances how can you be sure that your collocutor has understood you in face-to-face (hard), telephone (harder), and email (hardest) conversations? Without being fully present in the conversation -- mindfully aware -- whether it's face-to-face, by Skype or phone, or through email, successful communication is difficult, even more so for intercultural communication.
The ubiquity of English facilitates basic communication, but its use as a common language frequently disguises cultural differences. Furthermore, to say that English (or any other language) can be ambiguous, is an understatement. But regardless of language, clear communication is essential for success in any collaborative undertaking whether done by a small co-located group or by a globally dispersed team.
This tutorial teaches mindful communication and describes frameworks useful in understanding cultural differences and gives real-life examples of misunderstandings due to such differences. Expect to take away practical tools to understand your own cultural biases and in-class practice mindful communication with your colleagues from other cultures as well as your own. You will also learn about frameworks for understanding other cultures based on work by Geert Hofstede, Fons Trompenaars, and others as well as on the presenter's own experiences.
What is the true cause of fear in our lives?
How can we overcome it?
How do we remain optimistic about our tomorrow when everything surrounding us tells us the opposite
Chip Evans discusses the concept of "Circles of Chaos" where people enter situations or interact with certain people that create drama and add stress. Each person has a different threshold for how much "input" or stress they can handle from work, technology, family issues etc. before reaching a point of overload. Evans recommends identifying the specific situations or types of interactions that cause you the most chaos and drama, and learning to avoid or limit them in order to reduce stress in one's life. The key is becoming aware of your own tolerance for input and not allowing yourself to be pulled into dramas you don't need or want.
The document summarizes Paul MacLean's Three Brain Theory, which proposes that the human brain is composed of three evolutionarily distinct structures - the reptilian brain, limbic brain, and cortex brain. It then discusses how facial expressions, body language, eye contact, and facial symmetry influence communication and perception of traits like trustworthiness. Marketing approaches that target both the conscious and subconscious minds are suggested.
Short Essay On Sheep In Hindi. Online assignment writing service.Tammy Chmielorz
The document discusses the opposing economic theories of John Maynard Keynes and Friedrich Hayek. Keynes believed governments should intervene in economies to maintain full employment, while Hayek felt free markets could self-regulate without intervention. During World War II, Keynes' ideas were more successful as governments created many war jobs. After the 1930s, Keynes' approach showed problems with inflation and unemployment, leading to greater acceptance of Hayek's view that governments should avoid market restrictions.
This document discusses brain-controlled artificial legs. It describes how signals from the brain are captured using electroencephalography electrodes on the scalp. The brain signals are amplified, converted to digital, and then processed to identify patterns that correlate to intended movements. The digital signals are sent to a microcontroller in the artificial leg that controls actuators to implement movements like walking or running based on the wearer's thoughts. This system would help those who have lost their legs to control an artificial leg using only their brain signals.
Cristal Festival 2015 - "Green Tastes Like Lemon Ice Cream: The Science Of Se...Cristal Events
The document discusses how marketers can use sensory experiences and the senses to engage consumers. It argues that 76% of millennials crave sensory experiences that stimulate the senses. It then provides examples of how marketers can 1) activate imagination through sensory experiences that people can relate to, 2) intensify responses by appealing to multiple senses simultaneously, 3) evoke moods since senses are linked to emotions, and 4) embody values through associating senses with concepts. The overall message is that marketers should consider how to use sensory experiences more strategically to engage consumers on an experiential level.
The document discusses obstacles to Bible study and the heart condition necessary for understanding scripture. It analyzes Jesus' parable of the sower, noting that the problem lies not with the farmer or seed, but with the soil (the heart). Three problems of the heart are identified: hard, shallow, and thorn-invested. The document outlines three schemes of the devil to prevent understanding - distraction, division, and spiritual blindness. Resistance requires putting on the armor of God, including taking up the sword of the Spirit (the rhema, or specific word) from scripture.
20130903 what did you say? interculture communication [hamburg]Frederick Zarndt
This document discusses intercultural communication and misunderstandings. It provides quotes and principles about the importance of effective communication to build understanding between people from different cultures and avoid assumptions. It notes that a lack of communication or poor communication can lead to more assumptions and misunderstandings.
This was a COMPLETE pain to create. I created this for a Business Communication class.. My professor was very strict however this is the best presentation I have created so far...
Similar to Coping with a Culture of Distraction (20)
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
The Prophecy of Enoch in Jude 14-16_.pptxStephen Palm
In Jude 14-16 Jude cites one of the most cryptic characters in the Book of Genesis, Enoch, the man who never died! Jude quotes Enoch, but the words are not found in Genesis nor anywhere else in the Bible. Jude is actually quoting from a pseudepigraphical book named 1 Enoch. In this sermon we will take a close look at Enoch, consider the way that biblical authors at times cited non-biblical books as illustrations and how Jude applied these words to the false teachers of our day.
Jude: The Acts of the Apostates: Waterless Clouds (vv.8-13).pptxStephen Palm
Jude continues to paint a portrait of false teachers by piling up Old Testament examples of rebels who rejected God-given authority. This week we will consider the bad example of Satan and three men he worked through: Cain, Balaam and Korah. These examples continue to help us identify what false teachers are like and how to quickly identify them.
Jude: The Acts of the Apostate: High Handed Sins (vv.5-7).pptxStephen Palm
One of the key characteristics of Jude as an author is that he frequently alludes to or directly quotes Old Testament texts. He assumes knowledge of these great stories of the Hebrew Scriptures and without some solid understanding of the Books of Moses, in particular, Jude is almost indecipherable.
In this sermon, we will use a category of sin described in the Book of Numbers, the High-Handed Sin, as a way of organizing Jude 5-7. The High-Handed sin is the sin of the apostate, those who raise their fists against God. Jude, who loves triads, will share three "high-handed sins" committed by unruly mobs. Each of these OT stories are intended to demonstrate the true severity and danger posed by false teachers. In the process of considering these background texts to Jude's words we will grapple with some of the most confusing and even unnerving texts of scripture. Prepare for a wild ride!
Jude: The Acts of the Apostates (Jude vv.1-4).pptxStephen Palm
In this sermon Pastor Ryan Shannon introduces a new sermon series on the Book of Jude entitled, "The Acts of the Apostates". Apostates are the earliest "deconversion" stories of the New Testament. These are false teachers who rejected a truth that they once felt some affinity towards. They preached another gospel and posed a great danger to the early church. Like the first century, the 21st century church faces this same real risk. False teachers are often attractive, charismatic and incredibly positive in their message. But they reject the hard teachings of Jesus and offer a message that offers affirmation without correction. There is nothing sadder than someone who believes a lie and stakes their eternal destiny on that lie that our sin is something God winks at. In this series we will learn the importance of discernment coupled with a bold commitment to stand up, stand out and stand firm for the gospel.
This sermon will explore the broad topic of bioethics from a Christian perspective. The sermon is organized around three points borrowed from bioethicist Dr. Nigel Cameron and Charles Colson: Taking Life, Making Life and Faking Life. We will observe how current innovations offer great hope for healing major diseases but also pose the risk of creating dystopic nightmare scenarios. We will see what God's Word has to say on these relevant topics.
This is the concluding message in the series Trivial Pursuits and the fifth message of "Meaningful Pursuits." This message considers the pursuit of obedience. Shockingly, the words "obey" and "obedience" are not found in all of Ecclesiastes. However, the concept appears in a variety of expressions such as Pleasing God, Doing good, Walking in the "Sight of the Eyes" and Keeping the Commandments. We will explore each of these key phrases and the texts in which they appear, and we will explore what "keeping the commandments" means for the New Covenant believer. We will also explore the "God-rail" of judgment and what the believer in Jesus can expect on the "Day of Judgment."
Meaningful Pursuits_The Fear of God.pptxStephen Palm
In Proverbs Solomon says that "The Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom." The idea of fearing God is peppered throughout Ecclesiastes. It is found in some texts that we have explored in this series and some that we have not. In this message we will bring five key texts concerning the Fear of God that identify five key reasons why we are wise to Fear Him. We will also investigate the Hebrew word that lies behind this concept of fear in order to gain a more accurate view of this important biblical concept.
This sermon is part of the Easter Apocalypse series in which we are looking forward to the Book of Revelations for a sense of the sequel to the Easter story, Jesus in Heaven and King of kings and Lord of lords. In this message we will contrast Jesus' "veiled glory" during His earthly ministry including his post-resurrection appearances and Jesus' full display of his glory in John's vision in Revelation chapter 1.
Today we launch our Easter series entitled "Easter Apocalypse". This Palm Sunday we are going to study a moment from the Book of Revelation where a great multitude, much larger than the crowd in Jerusalem, will worship Jesus, waving palm branches. This amazing moment is found in the seventh chapter of the Book of Revelation. We will look at the entire chapter with a special focus on the middle of the chapter where this scene plays out in heaven.
Ecclesiastes 4: The Pursuit of Companionship.pptxStephen Palm
In Ecclesiastes 4 we find another meaningful pursuit sandwiched between two meaningless pursuits, as is Solomon's style. The Meaningful Pursuit is the pursuit of companionship. This passage contains the great statement that a cord of three strands is not easily torn apart. We will explore the primary meaning in context and then explore an additional meaning that the n+1 formula in this text suggests, that the plus one is also a reference to God. He is the one who truly provides enduring strength to our human relationships, whether we are looking at a marriage or a friendship. Excluding God leaves us "under the sun" and fending for ourselves.
The Pursuit of God's Timetable_Ecclesiastes 3.pptxStephen Palm
This week marks the shift from Trivial Pursuits to Meaningful Pursuits. This week we will look at Pursuing God's Timetable, embracing God's understanding of time and eternity. However, we will see that the jaded side of Solomon continues to intersperse rain clouds of doubt and cynicism. He bears the spiritual and emotional scars of a man who spent too much time in Trivial and sinful pursuits.
Culture Clash_Reasserting the Gospel to a culture that wants to reshape its m...Stephen Palm
This sermon is entitled Reasserting the Gospel to a culture that wants to reshape its message. In this sermon we will look at some key aspects of the gospel which clash with our culture, 5 common distortions of the gospel and finally 3 biblical examples of how to contextualize the gospel without compromising or confusing its message.
The Pursuit of Self Sufficiency_Ecclesiastes 9:11-12.pptxStephen Palm
In Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 Solomon bemoans how random chance falls upon mankind. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race. The smartest person doesn't always get the scholarship; life doesn't operate purely on the basis of fairness. The "under the sun" solution is self-reliance. In this sermon Mike Bealer demonstrates that the mathematics hard-baked into the universe suggest that God does not operate randomly. He creates a purposeful universe and one of His purposes is that we will rely upon Him rather than rely upon ourselves and our meager understanding of God's purpose and plan.
In this service, we will celebrate a child dedication. Then we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper together, and finally believers baptism by immersion. Each section will include a brief devotional focusing on the scriptures that inform and inspire these practices of the Christian faith.
Trivial Pursuits - The Pursuit of Riches_Contentment.pptxStephen Palm
This sermon is a tag team preaching. Pastor Steve Palm will begin with the bad news concerning the "Trivial Pursuit of Riches" in Ecclesiastes 5:8-17. We will look at several active "taxes" that siphon wealth: the Corruption Tax, the Consumption Tax and the Calamity Tax. Those who love money struggle to have enough. Cole will preach on the flip side of the coin in Ecclesiastes 5:18-20. The answer to the love of money is not more money and things. The true answer is contentment.
The Pursuit of Worldly Pleasure_Ecclesiastes 2.pptxStephen Palm
In Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 Solomon is convinced that he can run a dangerous experiment, safe-guarded by his great wisdom. The experiment is to explore every conceivable pleasure taken to inconceivable extremes and yet be unscathed. However, the experiment goes badly and leaves him jaded and empty. In the last three verses he finally allows a little of God's light to shine through. In this sermon we will contrast Solomon's life of empty pursuits with Jesus' balance life. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and set us an example of how to live beyond the "daily grind."
The Pursuit of Worldly Wisdom_Ecclesiastes 1:1-18.pptxStephen Palm
The book of Ecclesiastes is one of the least taught least preached and least read books in the Bible. However, it has one of the most relevant messages for our day. It is a rich tapestry of opposing threads, horizontal threads of an "under the sun" perspective that is worldly-wise and vertical threads of an "under God's Heaven" perspective that reflects the wisdom of God. Which perspective you embrace will determine whether life is a chore or a blessing. Man's wisdom leads to meaninglessness. God's wisdom leads to significance and true joy.
Culture Clash_Antisemitism and the Abrahamic Covenant.pptxStephen Palm
Antisemitism has spiked by 400% in the United States since the beginning of the Hamas/Israel War. However, antisemitism, the hatred and persecution of Jews, has been spiking since 2017. Antisemitism has been described as a "light sleeper" that has awakened yet again. In this sermon, we will look at two definitions of antisemitism, explore the history of antisemitism including the history of Christian antisemitism and then explore what God has to say by examining the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12, 15 and 17 and other prophetic texts. Pastor Steve will assert that the Abrahamic Covenant is an essential lens through which Bible-believers view history and current events. We will also learn what a "trope" is and then explore several insidious antisemitic tropes which are the fuel on the fire of antisemitism.
Christmas List - Jesus: Prioritizing Mission over Everything Else.pptxStephen Palm
4. Jesus: Prioritizing Mission over Everything Else. (Dec. 23 & 24) John 1:1-18
John’s gospel begins at an earlier point than the other gospels. Mark begins at Jesus’ baptism and adds nothing to the Christmas story. Matthew and Luke begin with the circumstances of Jesus’ humble birth. But John begins in Heaven with the story of the pre-incarnate Son of God. Heaven’s Prince was a partner with His Father in the work of Creation; “without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3). He was worshipped by angels and shared in the same divine essence possessed by the Father and the Holy Spirit. As the ancient creed says, “He was God of God, Light of light, true God of True God”. In order to accomplish His Father’s Redemptive Mission, to redeem mankind, he voluntarily chose to forego the heavenly privileges of his throne at His Father’s side, and came to earth, was confined to the womb of a young Jewish girl and then was born and placed in a feeding trough, likely in a cave used for birthing lambs. We know so little about Mary, Joseph and the Wise Men whom we have been studying. We are left with the challenge of piecing their lives together. But we have four gospels that describe the miraculous life of Jesus. We see through their four accounts a common picture of a man who consistently prioritized God’s Mission over everything else, culminating in His crucifixion and death. His was a hard life lived perfectly. The challenge before us is whether we will choose to accept His Great Co-Mission, to join Him in prioritizing serving God over security, reputation, comfort, and everything else this world esteems that God sees as less than?
The forces involved in this witchcraft spell will re-establish the loving bond between you and help to build a strong, loving relationship from which to start anew. Despite any previous hardships or problems, the spell work will re-establish the strong bonds of friendship and love upon which the marriage and relationship originated. Have faith, these stop divorce and stop separation spells are extremely powerful and will reconnect you and your partner in a strong and harmonious relationship.
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Sanatan Vastu | Experience Great Living | Vastu ExpertSanatan Vastu
Santan Vastu Provides Vedic astrology courses & Vastu remedies, If you are searching Vastu for home, Vastu for kitchen, Vastu for house, Vastu for Office & Factory. Best Vastu in Bahadurgarh. Best Vastu in Delhi NCR
A Free eBook ~ Valuable LIFE Lessons to Learn ( 5 Sets of Presentations)...OH TEIK BIN
A free eBook comprising 5 sets of PowerPoint presentations of meaningful stories /Inspirational pieces that teach important Dhamma/Life lessons. For reflection and practice to develop the mind to grow in love, compassion and wisdom. The texts are in English and Chinese.
My other free eBooks can be obtained from the following Links:
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/presentations
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/documents
The Enchantment and Shadows_ Unveiling the Mysteries of Magic and Black Magic...Phoenix O
This manual will guide you through basic skills and tasks to help you get started with various aspects of Magic. Each section is designed to be easy to follow, with step-by-step instructions.
Why is this So? ~ Do Seek to KNOW (English & Chinese).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma teaching of Kamma-Vipaka (Intentional Actions-Ripening Effects).
A Presentation for developing morality, concentration and wisdom and to spur us to practice the Dhamma diligently.
The texts are in English and Chinese.
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
The Book of Ruth is included in the third division, or the Writings, of the Hebrew Bible. In most Christian canons it is treated as one of the historical books and placed between Judges and 1 Samuel.
The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
2. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Stop! My brain
has too many
tabs open.
3. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
First Point
We are overwhelmed
with Notification
Distractions.
4. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Notification
Distractions
5. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Notification Distractions
Beeps
Chirps
Tweets
Buzzes
6. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Robinson Meyer
Technology Reporter for
The Atlantic
7. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
“Our results suggest that
mobile phones can disrupt
attention performance
even if one does not
interact with the device.
8. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
“As mobile phones become
more integrated into more
and more tasks it may become
increasingly difficult for
people to set their phones
aside and concentrate fully on
the task at hand…”
9. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
“If people are genuinely
distracted by notification-
induced thoughts, some
problematic mobile phone use
could be prompted by the
desire to escape that feeling,”
10. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Dr. David
Greenfield
Psychologist
11. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
"The analogy that I use is right
before they go to bed, the last thing
they do before they pass out is
check their phone and the minute
they open their eyes, they check
their phone, Doesn't that sound like
a smoker?”
Dr. David
Greenfield
12. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Psalm 46
1God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will
not fear though the earth gives way, though
the mountains be moved into the heart of the
sea, 3though its waters roar and foam, though
the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
13. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Psalm 46
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God
of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
14. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Psalm 46
10“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
15. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Psalm 119:148
My eyes are awake before the
watches of the night, that I may
meditate on your promise.
16. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Second Point
The Pressure of
E-Tyrannical
Urgency
17. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Tyranny of the Urgent
“There is a regular tension
between things that are
urgent and things that are
important — and far too
often, the urgent wins.”
Charles
Hummel
18. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Exodus 18
17b “What you are doing is not good.
18 You and the people with you will
certainly wear yourselves out, for the
thing is too heavy for you. You are not
able to do it alone.
19. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Mark 1
35 Before daybreak the next morning,
Jesus got up and went out to an isolated
place to pray.
20. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Mark 1
36 Later Simon and the others went out
to find him. 37 When they found him,
they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
21. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
It’s been 5 minutes
since I sent that text.
FIVE. WHOLE.
MINUTES.
22. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Facebook says you’re
awake. Why haven’t
you returned my call
yet!
23. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
I wrote you 3
times. Why
haven’t you
answered my
email?
24. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
“Frequently using a smartphone contributes
to a blurring of the boundaries between work
and leisure time.”
25. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
“It can lead to increased productivity, but that
is often achieved at the cost of higher stress
levels and lower employee satisfaction which
in the long run can lead to impaired
performance.”
26. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Third Point
Too Many Balls
in the Air
27. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
The Myth
of Multi-
Tasking
28. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Dr. JoAnn Deak
Author of
“Your Fantastic
Elastic Brain”
29. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
“We’re creating a generation
of minds who have extreme
difficulty dealing with long-
term input… Anything that
isn’t multitasking is perceived
as boring.”
Dr. JoAnn
Deak
30. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
2 Timothy 1:7
ESV
For God gave us a
spirit not of fear but
of power and love
and self-control.
KJV
For God hath not given
us the spirit of fear, but
of power and of love
and of a sound mind.
31. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Philippians 3
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have
made it my own. But one thing I
do: forgetting what lies behind and straining
forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on
toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
32. Coping with a Culture of Distraction
Proverbs 25:28
A man without self-control is
like a city broken into and left
without walls.
After 3 months of being locked into a series I finally had the freedom to preach a stand alone sermon on any topic I want. These are really hard sermons to prepare. You spend half your week thinking and praying through what to share, which gives me a lot less time to actually research and write. But the pondering is good. It this image distracting you? I hope so. I very much intend it to. I think that this is now we live in the 21st century. I believe that when history has progressed several decades and gains the benefit of looking back at now with a broader perspective the beginning of the 21st century will be described as a culture of distraction. Constantly connected. Continually bombarded with input. 24 hour news cycles punctuated every 15 minutes some notification sound and with the words, “Breaking News” This week I came across a saying that sums up this culture. Before introducing the saying I need to share one habit that I have. When I research I open as many as 30-40 tabs at a time. I literally crash any computer I have. My office computer as 4GB of RAM. I could crash 16 GB. So, with that piece of personal bio, let me share the saying:
Stop! My brain has too many tabs open. The problem isn’t just my browser. It’s me. I’m constantly thinking in multiple directions. I often feel distracted. So I decided to preach on this topic. And guess what happened. I had a week of constant distraction. Catherine could tell you. It wasn’t all bad stuff. But every time I began a task, there was a knock at the door, or the phone rang for me, or something came up at home. Stuff like that happened every day to the point where I was too distracted to think about my sermon on distraction. Friday the air conditioner went out. No big deal. It got fixed really fast thanks to our great landlords and friends. But by the time I came home to deal with it I realized what God was up to. He opened so many tabs for me that I would live my sermon. Not only would I ponder ideas, but I would feel it deeply… the pressure of living with too many tabs open. The feeling that the blue screen of death is just around the corner. Am I alone in this? If I am I’ll stop preaching and call a doctor! But I think I have company in this room. I think that we are all feeling this way to some degree or another. Let’s see if we can understand the problem more fully and explore some of God’s anient wisdom concerning our modern struggles.
My first point is that We are overwhelmed with Notification Distractions.
Notification Distractions are not an entirely new phenomenon. In fact, every one of us in this room has grown up with them. The doorbell or door-knocker are examples of old school notification distractions. When the bell rings you drop what you’re doing and head for the door. Except for our older seniors, most of us grew up with another 20th century notification distraction… the telephone. This one introduced a polite element of choice. If you ignore the door bell you have to hide in another room. You feel rude to the person outside. But the phone can be ignored… by some of us. I, for example, can ignore the phone. If I’m busy, I pause and wait for the answering machine and screen whether the call requires my immediate attention. Don’t look at me that way… most of you do this. But some of you can’t. The phone has a much stronger gravitational pull on my wife. She resists it with discomfort. That’s her gracious side coming through in a big way.
The later 20th century introduced some new technologies, and with them and new set of notification distractions. It started with cordless phones that freed you from the tether within your home. Now your phone could follow you into every room. Then came the first cell phones. They didn’t fit in your pocket, but they did fit in your car. They didn’t fit in your budget easily… I remember one time Cindy and I broke down in our car shortly after getting married. Cindy had a housewares business that involved flea market sales in remote locations. She had one of these ginormous cell phones. I was glad for that phone when we broke down. I was also glad we had AAA. The service rep at AAA put us on hold while finding a towing company. I think she forgot about us. We had to call back. Eventually we got our free tow, but later that month we got a $48 cell phone charge for that call. Back then the biggest problem was expense.
However, the 21st century has introduced a whole new set of sophisticated options. Now our phones are pocket-sized. Not only that, they have gotten smart. Our phones are really pocket computers with more processing power than the computers that put men on the moon in the 1960s. And this new smart phone technology has brought a whole new set of notification distractions. Beeps, chirps, tweets, buzzes and an endless variety of ring tones have become a constant backdrop in our lives. Social media has amped it up big time. Every facebook comment on a post… every tweet from a friend or LinkedIn message announces itself with a notification beep of some kind. Behind these brief and low volume beeps was a theory… if it’s brief enough and low volume enough it won’t break your stride… you’ll simply glance, screen and move on. That’s the theory, but what are the facts.
A new study from three researchers at Florida State University suggests that merely receiving a push notification is as distracting as responding to a text message or a phone call.
The study asked more than 150 students to complete a well-known test of sustained attentional performance. For that test, subjects are shown a series of single digits on a screen. A new digit is displayed about every second. Students are supposed to tap the keyboard every time the digit changes, unless the new digit is 3. Everyone took the test twice: the first time, they did it uninterrupted by their devices; the second time, assistants placed calls or texts to some of the students’ phones.
The researchers found that performance on the assessment suffered if the student received any kind of audible notification. That is, every kind of phone distraction was equally destructive to their performance: An irruptive ping distracted people just as much as a shrill, sustained ring tone. It didn’t matter, too, if a student ignored the text or didn’t answer the phone: As long as they got a notification, and knew they got it, their test performance suffered.
The study Meyer is citing was done by Stothart, Cary; Mitchum, Ainsley; Yehnert, Courtney. They published this conclusion in an article in the Journal of Experimental Psychology entitled “The attentional cost of receiving cell phone notifications” They said, “Our results suggest that mobile phones can disrupt attention performance even if one does not interact with the device.
As mobile phones become more integrated into more and more tasks it may become increasingly difficult for people to set their phones aside and concentrate fully on the task at hand…”
What I found slightly surprising here was the fact that no matter how brief the distraction, it had a measurable effect. However, what the researchers present next was far more concerning.
The researchers added that the feeling of divided attention becomes so uncomfortable that it lures you to look at the phone even when you shouldn’t, like in a business meeting or when driving. They added.
If people are genuinely distracted by notification-induced thoughts, some problematic mobile phone use could be prompted by the desire to escape that feeling,”
Do you catch what they are saying? We feel uncomfortable when we don’t have a phone fix and the discomfort increases over time. Does that sound familiar? To me, that sounds remarkably like chemical addiction! Is it possible that you and I are not just in the habit of constantly checking our phones, but that we are becoming addicted to them?
Dr. David Greenfield, the director of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction, says around 90% of Americans would fall in the category of overusing, abusing or misusing their devices, according to a recent nationwide telephone survey he did with 1,000 people in conjunction with AT&T.
"The analogy that I use is right before they go to bed, the last thing they do before they pass out is check their phone and the minute they open their eyes, they check their phone," said Greenfield during an interview. "Doesn't that sound like a smoker?
Psalm 46 begins with a description of great social upheaval and turbulence.
1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
The Psalmist here finds confidence in the midst of seething trouble. The Psalmist doesn’t fully describe the trouble, though it seems to be related to the boasts and incursions of Israel’s enemies. It is said that when Martin Luther was facing great turbulence in his life as he sought to bring major reforms to an unwilling church, one of his principle sources of comfort was the 46th Psalm. God is our refuge. No matter how crazy the world gets. No matter how many Fox and CNN breaking news notifications you receive, God remains on the throne. We see this especially as we continue through this great psalm.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
There’s that word again. Selah. It is used 74 times in the Bible. It is from an ancient root that means lifted up. It seems to have been initially used to describe a lifted up rock formation. Yet, eventually, Selah seems to have come to be used as a musical notation indicating some type of pause. Some bible scholars combine these usages and suggest that Selah means pause and look up. Stop and meditate on the words you have just sang. This fits especially well as we look at the final two verses of this Psalm.
10“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Being still is fast becoming a lost art. We have filled all of our down time. We play solitaire or Candy Crush Saga on the toilet. We facebook and tweet in the doctor’s office. When we went to New York recently I noticed how much quieter it was in the Subway cars and trains. People used to chat. Now their faces were buried in their phones. So was mine. It was almost eery because I left New York City before smart phones caught on. I was seeing the change all at once. It was quiet, but not still. Jesus fasted and encouraged his followers to fast in order to become more dependent upon God. I find myself wondering whether we would give up food more easily than our phones! Maybe it’s time we try a technology fast. Understand that I am preaching to myself as well. I am one of those people who reaches for the phone in the morning and checks it before turning in. Like many of you, I am one of those people who often falls asleep with the tv on in the background and the phone at my side. Listen to the contrast we see in the psalms concerning the late night.
Psalm 119:148
My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.
Stillness. Solitude. Meditation upon God’s promises. These are the things that fill our souls up. But they have become a rarity for us. Perhaps that is why we are both informed and empty… dialed in and tuned out at the same time.
As I consider our culture of distraction I think that there is another key pressure that is building. I would call it the pressure of E-Tyrannical Urgency.
Now the Tyranny of the Urgent is not something new. In fact, it hearkens back to a book written in the 1960s by Charles Hummel.
Hummel said, ““There is a regular tension between things that are urgent and things that are important — and far too often, the urgent wins.”
Although Hummel coined the phrase, the issue of tyrannical urgency can be seen on the pages of the Bible.
In Exodus 18 Moses is visited by his father-in-law Jethro. You probably remember the story. Moses was the exclusive judge for all of Israel, a nation of 2-3 million people. Folks with routine disputes stood around for hours waiting for Moses to rule on petty matters of law like a dispute over a bridal contract or something that in our day would wind up in small claims court. Jethro witnesses Moses’ burden and the burden of the people dealing with a less than swift justice. He says to Moses:
Exodus 18
17b “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.
In this case Moses had placed himself under a tyrannical urgency. God never told Moses that he was to be a one man legal system. This decision came from Moses. He allowed every small dispute to become urgent and in the process created a ridiculous amount of pressure. It think it’s important for us to see that this burden is often self-inflicted. But that is not always the case. Sometimes it is a result of others who impose their tyrannical urgencies upon us.
No one gives us a better example of balance in life than Jesus. Look at Mark 1 verse 35:
35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Jesus is in the midst of a crushing ministry load. He has been preaching, teaching, healing, delivering and discipling… non-stop. People are constantly clammering for his time. I could easily have used this verse to address our previous point concerning notification distractions. Jesus knew what he needed to do in order to be still. He found a place of solitude and connected with His Father. This is a pattern of behavior that we will see repeated several times. I believe it was Jesus’ every day practice. But let’s look further in our text:
36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
Do you see what Simon and the others represent? The pressure of tyrannical urgency. The sick are looking for the Healer. The demonized and those in bondage are looking for the Deliverer. The downcast came to hear the Encourager. The poor came to hear the one who preached good news to them also. They didn’t come to see the apostles… they came to see Jesus. I think that Simon and the other disciples are feeling the pressure. The natives are getting restless. They want Jesus to feel it too. “Everyone is looking for you.”
A few minutes ago I spoke of E-Tyrannical Urgency. Let me explain the extra letter and this phrase that I made up. I think that e-mail and e-communications have become the new tyrannical urgencies in our lives. When is the last time that someone sent you a message like this.
It’s been 5 minutes since I sent that text. FIVE. WHOLE. MINUTES. I couldn’t resist this picture. This girl gives the stink eye better than almost anyone.
Have you noticed how there is a growing pressure for constant connection? It’s interesting. Cindy and I got a message this week that you can now send text messages to your kids during the school day and it won’t get them in trouble. They are allowed to check their messages at lunch and study halls. I was happy about this. But I bet that I know what lay behind this… parents were applying pressure. Don’t tell us we can’t be in constant communication with our own kids.
Sometime during the past decade we all became pastors, doctors and neurosurgeons. We are all on call.
Or how about this one. Facebook says you’re awake. Why haven’t you returned my call yet! Social media is making it harder and harder to conceal your whereabouts or your availability. And this is causing expectations to soar. If you have time, you should have time for me.
I don’t want to just pick on the females. Here is what I call a frustrated E-male.
I wrote you 3 times. What haven’t you answered my email?
These three examples I’ve given all have to do with pressure from friends. However, there is another key aspect to this tyrannical urgency, and that is the expectation of employers. Often the employer is all too eager to provide a smart phone. But with that phone comes an expectation of constant availability and lightning fast response times.
In a recent article in the Journal of CyberPsychology Daantye Derks and Arnold B. Bakker wrote:
Frequently using a smartphone contributes to a blurring of the boundaries between work and leisure time.”
“It can lead to increased productivity, but that is often achieved at the cost of higher stress levels and lower employee satisfaction which in the long run can lead to impaired performance.”
I want to say a word of thanks to all of you. Honestly, this has not been my experience. I have found that you value my family time and respect my time off and sermon prep time out of the office. I could not keep doing what I do if I were under the constant pressure of responding to every request immediately. But some of you have not been so blessed. You understand this pressure to answer every message immediately.
Some of us have done this to ourselves. We are like Moses. We have a bit of a Messiah complex and think that everything will come apart at the seams without us. This is one of the first let downs of retirement… learning that your company survives without you… Quite nicely!
Some of us have allowed others to place their sense of urgency on us. We need to learn the lesson Jesus teaches us about boundaries and priorities. Jesus took time for himself. He lived on mission, and knew that sometimes being on mission means going off the grid. Accomplishing what is important does mean saying “No” to tyrannical urgencies including the cyber variety of e-communications.
Let’s look at one more aspect of the Culture of Distraction. Too many balls in the air. That is my simple word picture for what has become a major myth in our day… the myth of multi-tasking.
Now multi-tasking itself is not a myth… it is a 21st century reality. Your boss expects you to do more than one thing at a time. So does your family. We expect our students to get straight A’s and hold down a job. Or, might I say the unspeakable… we expect them to succeed in school and do 2 sports without missing a beat.
Multi-tasking is viewed as an essential skill. People who lack this ability have a lid upon their potential. So what’s the myth? The myth is that we can do five things at once and do them all well. It is the belief that there is no down-side to multi-tasking. Now, let’s wrestle with the facts.
Psychologist and Educator, Dr. JoAnn Deak, author of the book “Your Fantastic Elastic Brain” has done some important research into multi-tasking. Her research brought her to the conclusion that your brain is only really able to focus on one thing at a time. We are not like computers. I love Windows. I can open multiple tabs and click between them instantly. There is not much of a loss of time… just a fraction of a second. It’s point and click, or for those of you who are old school and only open two or three things at a time, Alt-Escape will do it. But our brain shuts down a task whenever we open a new task. It can’t bounce between tasks nearly as well as we think. And when we try to do it, guess what happens? Mistakes double in frequency.
But there was a fascinating aspect of her research that explains our determination to mult-task. Although the brain can’t do two things at once, the process of task switching causes the brain to release pleasure hormones. She states:
We’re creating a generation of minds who have extreme difficulty dealing with long-term input… Anything that isn’t multitasking is perceived as boring.”
I think that this research has tremendous application in our faith. Jesus has called us to a mission. The Great Commission. Any mission requires focus and an attention to details. There is a scripture that addresses this very directly. Paul was clearly a man with a mission. And Paul was training Timothy, preparing him to join him in fulfilling the missional call of Christ. Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7:
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Notice that the King James version uses the phrase, a sound mind. For the ancient Greeks this is one of those which came first, the chicken or the egg kind of questions. Does self-control contribute to a sound mind or does a sound mind exhibit itself in self-control. The answer is YES. Having a disciplined mind is an important aspect of serving God well.
I think that Paul adds to our understanding of how to fulfill our God-given mission in this exhortation to the Philippians in Philippians 3:13-14:
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Notice that the pressing forward requires a forgetting? It’s as if Paul read Dr. Deaks. Or maybe the God who created our Fantastic Elastic Brains gave him this insight. We need to task switch. We need to turn off the past and reboot our minds, looking forward towards the prize.
This verse not only addresses the danger of multi-tasking. It also addresses the danger of nostalgia paralgia. We can become so focused on the way things were that we become lame and unable to move forward. Nostalgia is a form of multi-tasking. In trying to live both in the past and present we find ourselves unable to move towards the future.
What is your 1 thing? If you are a Christ-follower then that should be your primary passion. Focus doesn’t just happen. It’s a determined choice. I don’t’ need to give you 5 steps on how to unplug. I really don’t. You already know in your heart what you need to do. You probably have been feeling guilty about the amount of time you spend with your devices, especially when compared to your time with God and His people. The answer isn’t insight. It’s a matter of discipline.
I leave you with a proverb and a powerful word picture:
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
In order to live in a culture of distraction we need to build some walls of self-discipline and create that calm in the midst of the chaos. It is only then that we will be able to live peaceable lives that truly attract others, because the time will come when those living in the culture of chaos will be strangely drawn towards those who live with passion and focus.
After 3 months of being locked into a series I finally had the freedom to preach a stand alone sermon on any topic I want. These are really hard sermons to prepare. You spend half your week thinking and praying through what to share, which gives me a lot less time to actually research and write. But the pondering is good. It this image distracting you? I hope so. I very much intend it to. I think that this is now we live in the 21st century. I believe that when history has progressed several decades and gains the benefit of looking back at now with a broader perspective the beginning of the 21st century will be described as a culture of distraction. Constantly connected. Continually bombarded with input. 24 hour news cycles punctuated every 15 minutes some notification sound and with the words, “Breaking News” This week I came across a saying that sums up this culture. Before introducing the saying I need to share one habit that I have. When I research I open as many as 30-40 tabs at a time. I literally crash any computer I have. My office computer as 4GB of RAM. I could crash 16 GB. So, with that piece of personal bio, let me share the saying: