I could damn myself for being philosophical. But in the immortal words of that infamous, spinach eating sailor, "I y'am what I y'am." So with that, I question, I think, I wonder. I seek truth. And one profound truth that holds no attachment to spirituality is: Don't worry. Be happy.
No solution has ever emerged from worry. Whether one believes that like energy attracts like energy, so therefore the solution can't exist within the contrary vibration of the problem. Or if one proposes the idea that perception crafts all things, so if one is perceiving only the problem, they are blinded to the solution. However one looks at it, worry has never solved anything.
And when it comes to how one expends their energy its a futile exercise. Its drain on the physical being is actually detrimental to one's overall health and well-being; this having been proven time and time again. And yet, so easily it is the rut in which we sink. We worry. We stew. We grumble. We fret. We project out a million possible bad scenarios within our mind, or set on a continual playback loop all our troubles from the past. It is an odd thing that we do this so naturally when it has no benefit. It comes to us as easily as breathing and yet breathing has its place – worry does not.
Whereas the feeling of happiness can immediately make one feel better; even when out-of-place, unexpected or silly. The cells within the body respond to happiness by bolstering the immune system. If one believes in chakras, the energy centers within the body, those too get strengthened and spin to life; allowing for a cleaner vibration. The body ages differently when one is happy. The body processes everything from food to sensory signals better when in a state of happiness. Our perception of the world shifts when our mental countenance is lifted. Happiness should be like breathing.
But often it seems as if life itself works hard to thwart the pursuit of happiness. I can't say if this is the case or not. All I know is that regardless of what is happening, try not to worry. Not because the moment isn't critical. Not because the issues aren't serious. But but because worry accomplishes nothing. And your time, your health, your emotions deserve the best from you, so tend to them with a conscientious hand. Yesterday was a hellacious day for me. When it rains it pours, it seems. But something within me knows that I can't permit myself to stay in the rut of sadness for too long, as it's a toxic place to be. Slowly I will claw my way out of the trench. Or maybe listen to my children laugh. Maybe I will find the fortitude to set aside all my troubles and breathe deep the knowledge that happiness is always there, waiting for me. I just have to lure it from its hiding place and allow it in. I hope you do the same. We are worth as much. Life may not always be a happy place. But within life there is always happiness. Fight for it.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on May 29, 2013 by SaneSamantha.
Here's to those who've stopped to notice the life force in the most benign, routine of things. In that moment, you found awe in what others so easily overlook. Anyone can be left breathless by a lavender sunrise, the birth of a child or the face of one's lover when kind words are said. But everyday life doesn't always offer these things.
So here's to you if you've ever stopped and appreciated a beating heart; it's an unseen masterful device, held within us all, each and every day. Here's to you if you've ever noticed the life energy surging through a simple blade of grass. Without being as grand as the moon or the sun, it still pulsates with the same energy. And here's to you if you've ever fallen deeper in love with the one your with not because they said poetic words, but because they revealed a painful truth; they gave you this part of themselves; a part most likely not shared with another.
It is up to each of us to determine not only the meaning of life, but what things give our life meaning. It's a two-fold question, and a two-fold answer. But it is an answer that will define us in the end.
Oddly enough some of the most off-the-cuff, un-rehearsed, seemingly inconsequential things are those that make the biggest impression upon me. That isn't to say that I'm not in awe of a sky that resembles a masterpiece so magnificent it solidifies my belief in God, or the earnest words said by the one that holds my heart in their hand. Those things are decadent and when given to me I savor them. But I also savor the undertones of life. Sometimes a simple warm breeze after a long hard day is enough to remind me of the grand, magical nature of this planet we're on; not to mention how this ever-important sphere manages to stay suspended in the milky way. There are times when the presence of gravity alone puts me in awe. I'm also prone to sitting for moments at a time pondering the force that causes a seed to seek the sun from under the ground. We humans tend to think we are the end all of all things, and yet we are constantly reminded that we're clearly not.
With that said, here's to you if you've felt the presence of both pain and happiness all within the course of a single day. Here's to you if you've chosen to see the beauty that is within you, without first having received the accolades of others. Here's to you if you've taken the time to truly savor the things you've placed upon your tongue; a great deal of time and energy went into the creation of each. Here's to you if you've stood in the rain from of desire to feel alive, much like the seed. Here's to you if you've ever woke early to watch your lover sleep, just because you're so appreciative of having them so near. Or if you've found yourself loving them deeper upon watching them display their frailty. Here's to all those who've held tight and to those who've known when it was time to let go. I'd like to think all of these things, the little and the grand, are signs of the universe pushing through us – just as it does that blade of grass.
So whether you feel accomplished or not, loved or alone. Whether you feel defeated or a success. Life moves through you. And it does so with meaning. But what does it mean to you? I will spend my life articulating what it means to me.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on May 28, 2013 by SaneSamantha.
It's an odd feeling, realizing much of life is like that of a house of cards; where so much time is spent building a structure that collapses easily with the wind. Yet once the cards have fallen flat on the floor, and the dust has settled, we notice the one constant still standing – ourselves.
We build. We orchestrate. We meticulously and methodically plan our lives. At times we glide forward. But for much of us we push hard against the current to reach a desired end. So hard it is to love tenderly, to live passionately and with earnest, all the while never holding on too tight; to appreciate, and yet allow only a partial absorption of the very thing we want to drown within; to taste without consuming in excess.
Along one's spiritual evolution it is a dicey thing crafting the art of detachment. To live fully without allowing the dark cloud of concern over losing the very thing that infuses us with enthusiasm. To laugh with deep resonance and feeling, all the while never feeling the pang of loss when all grows quiet. It is easy to let the emotional pendulum swing too harshly and grow insensitive in the pursuit of self protection. But what does such a life bring? To be safe and sound is not to be insensitive or guarded. Do not build castle walls so high the sun can not shine in.
With this in mind I say – live fully. Unbuckle a bit the reigns that hold us at bay. Life is nothing if not lived. So live. Breathe deep the fragrance of apple blossoms in full bloom. Gaze with appreciation at the sunset plunging into the horizon. Dive into your desire. Dive into your dreams. Don't be afraid to laugh with deep sincerity. Don't be afraid to color your world boldly. When the chance arrives for you to dance, do so with wild abandon. And when love stands before you, swim in its sumptuous waters.
There is no shame in living one's life in full. Shame comes from being given a life, yet never embracing it with vigor, sincerity and passion.
If love leaves you, if the blossoms fall to the ground; if the desire and dream shifted and you never reached the heights for which you'd hoped – know you did more than most just by reaching high where dreams reside. You lived deep in the moment. Try not to worry about the unfolding. Try not to worry about protecting your heart, your ego or rocking the status quo, and thereby missing out on all the splendors of life. There will come a time when all is said and done. So as you live your life, be sure that all you do, and all that you say, is all that is within you. You are that flower awaiting its time – now is the time to bloom.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on May 26, 2013 by SaneSamantha.
There have been times in my life when I have felt more connected with the moon than with any other human being. Likewise, I've also looked deeply into the eyes of an animal, and felt a resonance not felt with another person. I have to believe these were times when my soul pushed aside the veil weaved by my mind, and finally I was able to perceive without hindrance.
I should always view the world with clear perception. But doing so is not easy. Instead, the mind takes such a prominent position that we often forget it is a secondary mechanism. At best it is the assistant to the soul. It is my deepest knowing that we do not possess a soul. We are soul. All of us. And these soul's possess bodies. It is by way of the soul that we're all connected. And as hard as we try to distinguish ourselves from each other; as hard as we try to separate ourselves; there is no separation. There is only the veil of separation.
The soul understands the energy of life. Whereas the mind tries to interpret and reason with the energy of life. And yet, as we all know, for the most part, energy is something with which can't be reasoned. It simply is. It simply is in the same way the soul is. Both are connected to all that is. Within each cell that creates our physical body is energy. Energy is at the core of even our physical manifestation. The soul is this energy. And yet, we set it aside as if the soul is secondary.
We try to tap into it, we try to express it, we try to understand it and yet it is always, and forever will be fully expressed by virtue of our being. But the mind fools us into believing otherwise. I say for a moment, listen less to the mind and more to how you feel. One's feelings are the closest and purest indicator of the workings of the soul. Go beyond the fear though. Go deeper. If you are without a gateway to this deeper place, ask how you would feel if without fear. Don't forget that within you is the stuff of the universe. It has to be. Energy does not lose its power once held within the physical frame. Perhaps it's not being utilized to its fullest potential; but there is no difference between the great energy that pulls the ocean waves and the energy that resides within you. There is no difference between the energy that colors the sky and the energy within you. Energy is energy, just held in different places. The universe is energy. God is energy. Energy is your soul. So don't doubt you. You are this great energy.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on May 22, 2013 by SaneSamantha.
I have no idea why it is we're as hard on ourselves as we are. For some the level of excellence we demand is great. Such an approach to life is grueling. Such an approach is one I know all too well.
But along the way I came to discover that my ego, the mind that twirls with as much anxiety and fear as it does hope and excitement, responds best to a light touch. I am not my mind. I am the teacher, my mind the student. And it is through my loving guidance that my mind responds best. An iron fist rarely solves anything, both inwardly and outwardly.
When I'm buckling under the stress of life, demanding exceedingly more of my skill, intellect, time and energy, it is my inner being that calls my attention back to where it needs to be, and says: Go easy on yourself. The pressures owned by each of us are great. True, if all were to stand in a line and share stories, there would be those whose troubles are small. Just know each of us carries a burden or two regardless of size.
So when the world has clouded over, and the words needing to be said have escaped you; when you haven't the answer for the problem requiring a solution; close your eyes. Breathe deep. And within your mind see your thoughts transformed into words. Then see those words as sentences traveling across the landscape of your mind like trains traversing along a single track – one after the other. Look closely. You will notice your thoughts are separated. There is a gap showing itself between the trains. This gap is the silent place of meditation that sits behind your thoughts. It's always there. But you only see the trains as you move throughout your day. These trains fill your mind, blocking what rests beyond. They demand of you your attention as they chug and billow steam. But for a moment, focus on the gap between. Within the gap is silence. Within the silence is peace. Stay there not with forced focus, but with a soft gaze. The trains will pick up again. But now you know how to find the place of silence within yourself. Now you have proof that it was there all along.
Give yourself a moment sans thought; a reprieve from having to solve all the problems that face you. Keep catching a glimpse of the space that exists between the sentences that fill your mind. God can be found in those spaces; a quiet peacefulness. So whether you are ending your day or just starting anew, notice the trains that fill your mind. Catch a glimpse of the gap that rests between. Go into the gap, and if you can – stay there awhile. There will be plenty of time for the trains later. But for right now, focus on the gap.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on May 21, 2013 by SaneSamantha.
There are two kinds of what if's in this world; one that gives life to fear; and one that births hope. So if you find that you've become the captive audience to fear, ask yourself what hope would say if it were allowed to speak.
There are many things in life that will stop us from living the life of our dreams, or from being with the one we desire, or from stopping us from taking the first steps onto the path of a different direction. Fear whispers into our ear words that hold us prisoner. What if I fail. What if they do not love me as I love them. What if I go broke trying. What if no one buys my new design. What if she one day decides I'm not what she wants. What if his sweet words are a lie. What if I fall on my face in front of everyone. What if I'm simply not good enough. What if.
But what if we are good enough. What if in the midst of listening to fear speak, and thus determining one's fate, we allowed another voice to step forward. For a moment, take every fearful what if sentence, and change the ending. What if it all works out in the end. What if he does love you. What if she does too. What if your new design, business or job was the creative outlet for which you've always been searching. What if instead of failing, you succeed. What if today is the day your life changes forever. Changes happen both big and small. We never know when life will take its next shift. But maybe by allowing hope to speak within our mind, and letting our inner being rest in the energy bed of hopefulness – the next shift is a good one.
Fear is there under the guise of protection. It is not bad in its entirety. Once burned we know to never again rest our hand on a hot surface. Fear reminds of the pain. And when our choices or fate brought heartbreak our way, fear is there to bring to mind the memory. And yet, fear should never stop us. Fear should never be what decides our steps. Because often fear doesn't allow us to move at all. And if it does, it usually sends us in the opposite direction of our next chance for love, joy and fulfillment. Fear tries to shelter us and yet nothing can ever be found when buried behind such walls. So what if, when you step out, your feet hold steady, the sun shines and what you've always wanted for yourself is lying in wait. But it won't be discovered unless you walk on.
Maybe today is just a day like the others. You will wake and you will fall asleep never knowing, never seeing, what is swirling on the horizon. But what if it is the first day of your new beginning; because today you silenced your fear, and let hope fill your mind. What if.
This entry was posted in life, Uncategorized and tagged happiness, Life, love, relationships, spirituality on May 17, 2013 by SaneSamantha.
For many years I envied those who grew up in homes like the Leave it to Beaver home. The old television show emulated well the household that experienced no turbulence beyond minor miscommunication or drama beyond that of the wayward baseball thrown through the neighbor's window. It wasn't until years later that I realized my soul chose my parents, and the subsequent home life and upbringing they would offer.
My soul knew what it needed to accomplish in this lifetime, and it made certain to send me all the things necessary to get me there. Certain aspects of my inner being required expansion and fulfillment, and I've been exposed to numerous opportunities allowing me such expansion. I haven't always made the right choices however. So at times the lessons have been many. My mind could, and has, cursed all the wrongs done to me during my lifetime. Furthermore my mind has damned my turbulent upbringing, screaming, "Why me?" But such questions are not necessary, as I know the answer. These were the areas within my soul that needed to be experienced. What I did with the experiences has always been up to me. My soul is patient though, and never tires of the journey; even when my mind has asked to be released.
What I know now is that, if it weren't for all the hurdles that have been placed at my feet, I would not possess the belief system and perception on life that I own. We are all given opportunities; they arrive daily. Each choice invariably brings a set of consequences. And our family was the first set of opportunities given us.
So when you look at the family that surrounded you upon your emergence into this realm realize that if they are challenging it is because your soul is at a level that requires such. You are now pushing forward along your journey where you're being handed opportunities requiring a great deal from you. The hurdles are high only because you have logged many lifetimes developing your spiritual muscles; you are meant to leap higher. I don't have the answers as to why the soul chooses what it chooses. I just know that it does. So its best to see the purpose in the ways of one's soul, versus buck against it and fritter away many lifetimes having to undergo the same lessons repeatedly.
So if you can, view those in your life as the opportunities they are. Some have shaded the lens of your perception in such a way for a reason. Try not to view the easy-go-lightly upbringing possessed by others with envy. Try not to look upon your parents or siblings with anger, resentment or hostility. And if you are absent a parent or two, try to understand that your soul knew such a set of circumstances was what you required if you were to evolve in the way it knew was needed. Look at all of the rough edges in your lifetime and see them as the opportunities your soul requested for your refinement and enlightenment. A very hard thing to do when those areas are painfully rough, this I know. But I ask that you try. Because once you do, you will have taken an enormous leap. Difficult to believe, but true.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on May 14, 2013 by SaneSamantha.


text:
package org.pm4j.core.pm.impl.pageable;

import org.junit.Test;
import org.pm4j.common.pageable.TestBean;
import org.pm4j.common.pageable.PageableCollection;
import org.pm4j.common.pageable.PageableCollectionTestBase;
import org.pm4j.common.query.CompOpStartsWith;
import org.pm4j.common.query.QueryAttr;
import org.pm4j.common.query.QueryOptions;
import org.pm4j.common.query.filter.FilterDefinition;
import org.pm4j.common.query.inmem.InMemSortOrder;
import org.pm4j.common.selection.SelectMode;
import org.pm4j.core.pm.PmAttrString;
import org.pm4j.core.pm.PmObject;
import org.pm4j.core.pm.PmTableCol;
import org.pm4j.core.pm.annotation.PmBeanCfg;
import org.pm4j.core.pm.annotation.PmFactoryCfg;
import org.pm4j.core.pm.api.PmFactoryApi;
import org.pm4j.core.pm.impl.*;
import org.pm4j.tools.test._RecordingPropertyChangeListener;

import java.util.List;

import static junit.framework.Assert.assertTrue;
import static org.junit.Assert.assertEquals;
import static org.pm4j.common.pageable.PageableCollection.EVENT_ITEM_UPDATE;
import static org.pm4j.tools.test._PmAssert.setValue;

public class PmBeanCollectionTest extends PageableCollectionTestBase<PmBeanCollectionTest.BeanRowPm> {

  private BeanTablePm beanTablePm  = new BeanTablePm(new PmConversationImpl());

  @Test
  public void testUpdateEventPropagation() {
    PageableCollection<BeanRowPm> pmPc = beanTablePm.getPmPageableCollection();
    PageableCollection<TestBean> beanPc = beanTablePm.getPmPageableBeanCollection();
    _RecordingPropertyChangeListener pclPmUpdates = pmPc.addPropertyAndVetoableListener(EVENT_ITEM_UPDATE, new _RecordingPropertyChangeListener());
    _RecordingPropertyChangeListener pclBeanUpdates = beanPc.addPropertyAndVetoableListener(EVENT_ITEM_UPDATE, new _RecordingPropertyChangeListener());

    TestBean firstBean = beanPc.getItemsOnPage().get(0);

    beanPc.getModificationHandler().registerUpdatedItem(firstBean, true);

    assertEquals(1, beanPc.getModifications().getUpdatedItems().size());
    assertEquals(1, pclBeanUpdates.getNumOfPropertyChangesCalls());

    assertEquals(1, pclPmUpdates.getNumOfPropertyChangesCalls());
    assertEquals(1, pmPc.getModifications().getUpdatedItems().size());
  }

  /**
   * Extends the basic add test with an update after add. This can be tested
   * only on PM level because the update mechanism observed PM changes.
   */
  @Override
  public void testAddItem() {
    super.testAddItem();

    // extends the base test by mo
    BeanRowPm addedItem = collection.getModifications().getAddedItems().get(0);

    setValue(addedItem.name, "another name");

    assertEquals(1, collection.getModifications().getAddedItems().size());
    assertTrue(collection.getModifications().getAddedItems().contains(addedItem));
    assertEquals("The modified item should not be part of the updates because it is already in the set of added items.",
        0, collection.getModifications().getUpdatedItems().size());
  }

  @Override
  protected PageableCollection<BeanRowPm> makePageableCollection(String... strings) {
    List<TestBean> beans = makeBeans(strings);

    QueryOptions qo = new QueryOptions();
    QueryAttr attrNameValue = new QueryAttr("name", String.class);

    FilterDefinition fcd = new FilterDefinition(attrNameValue, new CompOpStartsWith());
    qo.addFilterCompareDefinition(fcd);
    qo.addSortOrder("name", new InMemSortOrder(attrNameValue));

    // here PmTableUtil.setPmBeans() is not used because we fake here some query options.
    beanTablePm.setPmPageableCollection(new PmBeanCollection<BeanRowPm, TestBean>(beanTablePm, BeanRowPm.class, beans, qo));
    beanTablePm.setPmRowSelectMode(SelectMode.SINGLE);

    return beanTablePm.getPmPageableCollection();
  }

  @Override
  protected BeanRowPm createItem(int id, String name) {
    return PmFactoryApi.getPmForBean(beanTablePm, new TestBean(id, name));
  }

  @PmBeanCfg(beanClass=TestBean.class)
  public static class BeanRowPm extends PmBeanBase<TestBean> {
    public final PmAttrString name = new PmAttrStringImpl(this);

    @Override
    public String toString() {
      return name.getValue();
    }
  }

  @PmFactoryCfg(beanPmClasses=BeanRowPm.class)
  public static class BeanTablePm extends PmTableImpl<BeanRowPm, TestBean> {

//    @PmTableColCfg(sortable=PmBoolean.TRUE)
    public final PmTableCol name = new PmTableColImpl(this);

    public BeanTablePm(PmObject pmParent) {
      super(pmParent);
    }
  }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Home Fire (novel)
2017 novel by Kamila Shamsie
Cover picture of Home Fire
Kamila Shamsie
Home Fire (2017) is the seventh novel by Kamila Shamsie. It reimagines Sophocles's play Antigone unfolding among British Muslims. The novel follows the Pasha family: twin siblings Aneeka and Parvaiz and their older sister Isma, who has raised them in the years since the death of their mother; their jihadi father, whom the twins never knew, is also dead. Parvaiz attempts to follow in his father's footsteps by joining ISIS in Syria. He soon decides he has made a serious mistake and his twin sister attempts to help him return to Britain, in part through her romantic relationship with Eamonn Lone, son of British Home Secretary Karamat Lone, who has built his political career on his rejection of his own Muslim background. The effort to bring Parvaiz home fails when he is shot to death trying to escape ISIS, then Eamonn and Aneeka, trying to return Parvaiz's body to the UK over the objections of Karamat Lone, die in a terrorist attack.
Home Fire won the Women's Prize for Fiction 2018,[1][2] and was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2017 and shortlisted for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018.
The concerns of the novel include the identity and security of Muslims in Britain. It speaks of the troubles of Muslims as they struggle to maintain a unique cultural identity while defending their ''Britishness'' and loyalty to the state against political and social activists who wish to alienate them.[3]
1 Development and publication history
Development and publication history[edit]
Shamsie began Home Fire at the suggestion of London theatre director Jatinder Verma that Shamsie write a modern update of Antigone, by Sophocles. Shamsie was interested in the project and quickly decided on what the story she would tell, though she preferred to pursue it as a novel rather than a play.[4]
In an interview with The Jakarta Post, she described her writing process:
''When I read the play—which has at its center two sisters who respond differently to the legal repercussions of their brother's act of treason—I knew immediately that I wanted to connect it to a story that was very much in the news at the time, that of young British Muslims and their relationship with the British state...When you write a novel you don't think about subjects as being sensitive or not—you just think of them as being interesting and complex, and you wonder how to tell them in a story that's about a group of characters.''[5]
The book's epigraph quotes from Seamus Heaney's translation of Antigone: "The ones we love ... are enemies of the state."[6]
The 288-page novel was published on 15 August 2017, by Riverhead Books.[7] It was serialised for BBC Radio 4 in April 2019.[8]
Synopsis[edit]
The novel begins with Isma Pasha detained in security at Heathrow airport. A 28-year-old Muslim hijabi woman who has been raising her younger, twin siblings since their mother's death when the twins were 12, their reaching adulthood (now 19) has allowed Isma to pursue her long-deferred graduate studies, doing so in Massachusetts at the invitation of her former tutor at LSE, Hira Shah. Prolonged interrogation in security causes Isma to miss her flight from London to Boston, but she eventually makes her way to Amherst, Massachusetts where she settles into a routine, spending mornings in a cafe working and keeping an eye on Skype, where she sees both her younger siblings' names appear briefly each day. Isma is in contact with Aneeka, but Aneeka's twin brother Parvaiz is a source of conflict between them. At the cafe one morning, Isma spots a young man, Eamonn Lone, the son of British politician Karamat Lone, for whom Isma has a fierce dislike. Nevertheless, she strikes up a friendship with 24-year-old Eamonn, not acknowledging she is aware of his father, and soon Eamonn is joining her daily at the cafe. He is in Massachusetts staying with his white, American mother's relatives and living off family money while taking a year off from work, contrasting sharply with Isma's own modest circumstances; she worked at a drycleaner to support her younger siblings when they were orphaned.
Meanwhile in Britain, Eamonn's father is made Home Secretary, prompting Eamonn to discover Isma both knows and sharply dislikes his father. Offended, Eamonn abruptly leaves. Isma is very hurt but Hira advises her to open up to Eamonn, as Isma clearly has feelings for him. Isma is initially reluctant but in the meantime she receives a distraught call from Aneeka, who demands to know why Isma had informed on Parvaiz to the police. Aneeka says that it's Isma's fault Parvaiz can't return to the UK. She cuts off contact with Isma, who is devastated and texts Eamonn asking to meet. She greets him without her hijab for the first time and tells him the story of her father, who was absent much of her life (and the entire lives of her young siblings), fighting as a jihadi in various conflicts. Her father was captured and held at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan before dying in transport to Guantanamo Bay. After his death, Isma's family had sought help from the local MP to learn the details of his fate—they don't know where or even if he was buried—but the MP had brusquely turned them away, declaring the family was better off without him. This MP was Karamat Lone, Eamonn's father. Eamonn is pained to learn this, though he tries to defend his father. They reconcile, partially, though Isma is wounded when he refers to his relationship to her as like a "brother" and she makes an excuse not to see him again before he ends his sojourn in the U.S. and returns to London. But seeing photographs of her siblings as well as a pack of M&M's she has wrapped to send to her aunt, he insists on carrying the candy back to mail for her in London. When he leaves, Isma breaks down in tears, heartbroken that he does not reciprocate her romantic interest.
Back in London, Eamonn treks to Isma's aunt's house in Preston Road in Wembley--the neighborhood where his own father's family had lived--to deliver the M&M's in person. He encounters Aneeka, who is very cold to Eamonn, though when they meet a little while later on the Tube, she invites herself to his apartment and the two of them begin a romantic relationship. Eamonn finds himself falling for Aneeka and though they grow close, Aneeka insists on secrecy around their relationship, not even giving Eamonn her phone number; she tells him this is a sexual fantasy but he does overhear her once on a furtive phone call saying, "I'm making sure of things here." The secrecy stresses their relationship but they reconcile and grow closer, with Eamonn giving her a set of keys to his apartment and ultimately proposing to her. Eventually, Aneeka confesses that her brother--who she had previously described vaguely as traveling to see the world--has in fact gone to Syria to join ISIS. Aneeka says he wants to come home but that as Home Secretary, Eamonn's father has made it very difficult. Eamonn realizes Aneeka is using him to seek assistance for her brother and is furious. However, Aneeka insists that she has fallen for him and the two make up. Eamonn goes to talk to his father about Parvaiz. But Karamat Lone absolutely refuses to help and forbids Eamonn from any further contact with Aneeka.
Moving back in time to just prior to Isma's departure, Parvaiz is working at a grocery and pursuing his interest in sound engineering; while a scholarship allows Aneeka to attend university, he cannot afford tuition. The twins spend more and more time apart, and Parvaiz encounters Farooq, whose father had fought in Bosnia with Parvaiz's father. Farooq encourages Parvaiz to learn about what happened to his father at Bagram; he is also sharply critical of the matriarchal family in which Parvaiz grew up, as well as of the British austerity measures that affect Parvaiz's life as well. He persuades Parvaiz that the ISIS Caliphate in Syria has remedied all this, showing him photos of his own time there. With Farooq's assurances that Parvaiz would be allowed to leave at any time if he wished, and also that Farooq would introduce him to others who had fought with Parvaiz's father, Parvaiz makes arrangements to visit family in Pakistan, but skips his connecting flight in Istanbul and instead travels with Farooq to the Syrian border to join ISIS. While the house they arrive at is beautiful, the rest of Farooq's promises immediately prove empty--Parvaiz's passport is confiscated on arrival and Farooq departs for the battlefront without helping him locate anyone who knew his father, leaving Parvaiz behind in Raqqa. He receives a panicked call from his sisters, who know he has missed his flight and are being interrogated by police in London, cementing Parvaiz's regret for his decision, but he is trapped. He works for the media wing of ISIS until his twin calls a few months later saying she is making a plan to help him escape, promising a new passport for him. A trip to Istanbul with Farooq to collect new recruits and audiovisual equipment provides Parvaiz an opportunity to meet Aneeka and make his escape. But Aneeka is stopped at the airport in London and, as Farooq has discovered Parvaiz has tried to escape and is now determined to find and kill him, Parvaiz decides to put himself at the mercy of the British consulate, though his father had died in the custody of British allies. But the question is moot: Parvaiz is killed in a drive-by shooting as he approaches the building.
A media frenzy around the Istanbul shooting of the British-born jihadi ensues. Karamat Lone, who has ordered an investigation, publicly discloses that Parvaiz's sister, Aneeka, had seduced his own son in an (unsuccessful) attempt to win special consideration for her terrorist brother. Additionally, as Karamat Lone's policies as Home Secretary had denaturalized Parvaiz, the UK refuses to repatriate his body and sends it to relatives in Pakistan instead. Karamat's denunciations of the Pasha family draw praise in Parliament but Aneeka is outraged and travels to Pakistan to insist that her brother be returned to the UK for burial, setting up camp in a public park with his body. Eamonn, who has been sent to a family friend's home in Normandy, returns to the public eye with the release of a video denouncing his father for preventing Aneeka from burying her brother in the UK. He then departs Normandy to join her, still keeping a vigil with her brother's body in Karachi. In London, reports of terrorist "chatter" sends Karamat Lone and his wife and daughter in a safe room. They soon receive the all clear, informed the chatter had been a hoax, but as they depart the safe room, they learn this is mistaken: there was a threat, but for Eamonn. Attacked as he arrived in the Karachi park in search of Aneeka, two men strap Eamonn into a belt loaded with explosives. The gathered crowds flee as Eamonn struggles in vain to free himself and he screams at Aneeka to run away, but she runs toward him. For a final few seconds, they embrace.
Style[edit]
Akin to a play's five acts,[9] the book is in five sections, each focusing on a different character's point of view,[10] told in free indirect discourse.[11] The novel is also set in five locations: London; Amherst, Massachusetts; Istanbul; Raqqa, Syria; and Karachi, Pakistan.[12]
Themes[edit]
Home Fire is a contemporary reimagining of the Greek tragedy Antigone[13] and New York Times book critic Dwight Garner argued the novel "hews to [the original's] themes: civil disobedience, fidelity and the law, especially as regards burial rights."[14]
The main themes include sacrifice, loyalty, and identity. Isma is the embodiment of sacrifice who discontinues her higher education to earn a living for her family consisting of a brother and a sister. Her frugality helps her family survive difficult times. Through Aneeka, the author talks of a sister, who must defy her state to fight for her brother Parvaiz's return after he joins ISIS. Karamat Lone leaves behind his Muslim identity to appeal to the wider British audience as he climbs the ladder of success in politics.
Reception[edit]
The novel received widely favorable reviews. In The Guardian, Natalie Haynes said, "Shamsie's prose is, as always, elegant and evocative. Home Fire pulls off a fine balancing act: it is a powerful exploration of the clash between society, family and faith in the modern world, while tipping its hat to the same dilemma in the ancient one."[13] In The Washington Post, Katharine Weber said the novel "blazes with the kind of annihilating devastation that transcends grief."[6] Garner said the novel "may seem to wobble" in middle portions, "lurching shifts of tone as it moves between matters of the heart and of state," but strongly encouraged readers to stick Home Fire, as "builds to one of the most memorable final scenes I've read in a novel this century."[14]
Home Fire was longlisted as a candidate for the 2017 Man Booker Prize,[15] shortlisted for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018[16] and won the 2018 Women's Prize for Fiction[17][18][19][20]
On November 5, 2019, the BBC News listed Home Fire on its list of the 100 most influential novels.[21]
^ Flood, Alison (6 June 2018), "Kamila Shamsie wins Women's prize for fiction for 'story of our times'", The Guardian.
^ Associated press (6 June 2018), "Kamila Shamsie's 'Home Fire' wins Women's Prize for Fiction", The Washington Times.
^ "Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie: provocative work from a brave author". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
^ Dutta, Amrita (2017-08-06). "'When ultra-nationalism is on the rise, it divides citizens into those whom the state should be proud of, and everyone else'". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
^ Post, The Jakarta. "Interview: Kamila Shamsie talks about 'Home Fire', minorities and terrorism". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
^ a b Weber, Katharine (7 August 2017). "What is a sister's responsibility to her 'terrorist' brother?". The Washington Post. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
^ "HOME FIRE by Kamila Shamsie". Kirkus Reviews. June 6, 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
^ Abridger: Sara Davies; Readers: Lisa Zahra, Sanjeev Bhaskar; Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery (1 April 2019). "Home Fire: Episode 1". Home Fire. BBC. BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
^ Chambers, Claire (August 5, 2017). "'The ones we love are enemies of the state'". The Hindu. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
^ Rahim, Sameer (2018-06-06). "Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie review: what if you love an enemy of the state?". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
^ Chambers, Claire Gail (2018). "Sound and Fury : Kamila Shamsie's Home Fire" (PDF). Massachusetts Review. 3: 202–219.
^ a b Haynes, Natalie (10 August 2017). "Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie review – a contemporary reworking of Sophocles". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
^ a b Garner, Dwight (8 August 2017). "In 'Home Fire,' Lives Touched by Immigration, Jihad and Family Love". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
^ Beer, Tom (August 14, 2017). "What to read this week". Newsday. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
^ Staff, Images (2018-11-15). "Kamila Shamsie, Mohsin Hamid shortlisted for DSC Prize for South Asian Literature". Images. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
^ "Announcing the 2018 Women's Prize winner!" Women's Prize for Fiction
^ "Women's Prize for Fiction: Kamila Shamsie wins 2018 award for Home Fire", BBC News, 6 June 2018.
^ Hedges-Stocks, Zoah (6 June 2018), "Women's Prize for Fiction 2018: Kamila Shamsie wins with Home Fire", The Telegraph.
^ "British Pakistani author Kamila Shamsie wins UK's most prestigious literary award for women", The Express Tribune, 7 June 2018.
^ "100 'most inspiring' novels revealed by BBC Arts". BBC News. 2019-11-05. Retrieved 2019-11-10. The reveal kickstarts the BBC's year-long celebration of literature.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Home_Fire_(novel)&oldid=997155399"
2017 British novels
Works based on Antigone (Sophocles play)
Novels set in London
Novels set in Massachusetts
Novels set in Syria
Novels set in Istanbul
Novels set in Pakistan
Novels set in the 21st century
Novels about terrorism
AC with 0 elements

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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OTTAWA — Canada's director of public prosecutions cited the "nature and gravity" of SNC-Lavalin's alleged corruption in Libya in making a preliminary decision not to negotiate a special plea agreement on the criminal charges it faces, the company says in a new court filing.
The prosecutor's office also pointed to the "degree of involvement" of senior company officers and said the Montreal-based firm "did not self-report" the conduct that gave rise to the charges, SNC-Lavalin reveals in the court documents.
Lawyers for the director of public prosecutions provided the three reasons during a brief Sept. 5, 2018, phone conversation with SNC-Lavalin to explain the prosecutor's "preliminary indication" that an invitation to negotiate what is known as a remediation agreement with the company would not be forthcoming, the filing says.
The company's submission to the Federal Court of Appeal is the first public mention of the prosecutor's apparent rationale for not pursuing an agreement with SNC-Lavalin that would see the company avoid a criminal trial and a possible 10-year prohibition from receiving federal contracts.
However, SNC-Lavalin says in the court submission there is no basis for the three concerns expressed by the prosecutor's office, and that the entire process of determining whether to pursue a remediation agreement "was completely flawed."
In a March ruling, the Federal Court tossed out the company's plea for a judicial review of the decision. The court said the law is clear that prosecutorial discretion is not subject to judicial review, except for cases where there is an abuse of process.
In its new filing with the Court of Appeal, SNC-Lavalin says "new and deeply troubling facts" that came to light in the political drama show that checks and balances intended to ensure accountability were "critically circumvented," amounting to a "clear abuse of process."
The company notes testimony before the House of Commons justice committee made it clear that on Sept. 4, 2018, director of prosecutions Kathleen Roussel provided Wilson-Raybould with a memo that apparently outlined the prosecutor's case against a remediation agreement.
By Sept. 16, Wilson-Raybould told the committee, she had formed the view it was unnecessary to intervene in the prosecutor's decision.
SNC-Lavalin says Wilson-Raybould made no mention of these developments and was likely not aware of them. As a result, her conclusion not to intervene "was based on incomplete information," the company contends.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wouldn't discuss the appeal when asked about it at an event in Scarborough, Ont., on Friday.
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said SNC-Lavalin was given reasons for being denied a remediation agreement on Sept. 4, 2018. In fact, the call was on Sept. 5.


Calculate/estimate the weight of the liquid metal.
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Calculate the percentage of filling in the shot sleeve, .
Find the number from Figure .
Use the number found to calculate the plunger velocity by using equation ( ).


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Awesome things to do in Glasgow rain or shine
Michael Anderson / 16 March
Although it's a fairly under-the-radar city destination outside of Scotland, Glasgow is by no means the lesser destination. It's a place chock full of independent shops, cafes and bars, small batch coffee roasters and beer brewers, food trucks and festivals and a city full of culture; art galleries, pop up exhibitions and fashion shows. It's also a city with a huge passion for live music and a buzzing music scene. It's canny marketing slogan "People Make Glasgow" really captures the true essence of the place as the locals are proud to welcome people to their city – in fact it's often cited as one of the world's friendliest cities. Here's what you can experience in this fun and lively city, whatever the weather…
On sunny days explore the fabulous green spaces
There's plenty to see and do in Glasgow and you will always be welcomed with open arms but there could still be one thing holding you back – its reputation for bad weather! It's not a myth, Scotland can face some pretty awful weather at times but if you plan your trip well, it needn't put you off. If you're lucky enough to get a sunny, clear day on your trip to Glasgow your potential list of activities is endless. Known as the 'Dear Green Place' there is plenty of greenery around the city, across its many parks and open spaces.
In the centre of the city there is Glasgow Green on the River Clyde, which is perfect for a scenic stroll through to reach the People's Palace; a glasshouse containing The Winter Gardens which is brimming with tropical plants. Across the road is the Templeton Building, which is actually modelled on the famous Doge's Palace in Venice and houses a German brewery offering fabulous Bratwurst and Hefeweisse to enjoy in their large beer garden (which also welcome lots of cute dogs).
Known locally as "The West End" the west side of the city also has great green spaces for picnics when the sun comes out. Kelvingrove Park is a local favourite and if you're fit enough to make it up its steep hills you're in for a treat at the top. There are spectacular views of the city here as well as endless people-watching opportunities.
If the weather's not great then Kelvingrove Park is still an option as you can head inside to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum to view classic works of art by Dali, Monet and Van Gogh and by local artists The Glasgow Boys.
Head to the lively West End (in all weathers)
Walking through The West End – which consists of three main streets conveniently connected by the subway – come rain or shine is a must do on your Glasgow trip. There are a number of alleyways full of quirky shops, pubs and restaurants; the most notable being Ashton and Cresswell Lanes. The architecture around here is spectacular, with the streets often cut off for film crews to capture the buildings in film or TV scenes. Finnieston, another part of the West worth visiting, has experienced a period of regeneration over the past five years which has enabled it to flourish into a hub of great local restaurants and bars. If you like seafood or gin, or even seafood and gin, then this is your spot.
On rainy days head to The Merchant City and Trongate
To experience Glasgow as a true Glaswegian then you'll have to embrace the rain. Don't worry, there are plenty of places to retreat to. The people of Glasgow love their coffee and there are a number of fantastic cafes and small-batch brewers serving up great cups. You might already have heard about The Merchant City as an area to head to for something nice to eat or drink but its lesser known neighbour, Trongate, has a wider variety of more unusual options. Jazz bars, vintage shops, vegan and Russian restaurants, militaria, bespoke watch shops, hot yoga, art galleries, a theatre and a pub full of classic arcade games – you can spend hours wandering around here and experiencing something new (or rediscovering something old).
Immerse yourself in the arts
The Arts also flourish throughout the city, highlighted in 2016 when it played host to The Turner Prize. There are a number of great galleries and venues including the CCA, the GOMA and The Lighthouse which all curate cutting edge exhibitions, host spoken word and literature festivals whilst promoting local or up-and-coming artists. If the sun's out then you could follow The City Centre Mural Tour – a series of huge artwork painted by local artists on buildings across the city. The self-guided tour can be done on foot or by bike (bikes are for hire across the city at various points) thanks to a map highlighting the impressive pieces.
Explore the surrounding countryside
You also don't need to venture far out of the city to be surrounded by seriously beautiful countryside. For those looking to really immerse themselves in nature, Loch Lomond is only a 45 minute drive north of the city and has a plethora of options to get outside and explore. If you can fit your walking boots in your rucksack then do so for the 3 hour "sight-doing" tours on offer which guarantee forests, hills, waterfalls and wildlife. You might even spot a wallaby (yes they really do have wallabies living there)! Reward yourself afterwards by heading down to Balmaha on the East side of the loch for dinner on the water at a warming pub.
Sample the local nightlife
So, you've had a real experience of Glasgow during your day, either inside or out, and now you're ready to experience its nightlife. No matter what your music tastes are, there is somewhere in Glasgow that will get you toe tapping. In the centre there are a number of jazz bars and a 1920's club all serving up inventive cocktails. Alternatively there are smaller haunts with indie and 80's playlists, including one hidden venue at Charing Cross disguised out front as a pawn shop that hosts reggae nights on Thursdays dubbed 'Walk n Skank'.
The alternative spirit is something that's been alive in Glasgow for a long time; showcased no better than through its musical heritage. Art and music go hand in hand and bands like Franz Ferdinand formed after meeting at The Glasgow School of Art (which, unsurprisingly, makes for a great night out at its club nights). Glasgow has a huge dance music scene and, as well as nurturing local talent, it attracts renowned DJ's from all over the world. Gigs, therefore, aren't on short supply and if you can time your trip accordingly then there are some fab festivals with a variety of great line ups on offer. They include Summer Nights at The Kelvingrove Bandstand, Bellahouston Summer Sessions and the Electric Frog & Pressure Riverside festival. So don't let the potential lack of sunshine put you off, there's still more than plenty to do in Glasgow!
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Ever since he was knee-high to a grasshopper Michael has always been a sucker for an adventure. As a kid he was lucky enough to live for many years in some exotic far-flung locations and since then he's developed a taste for new cultures. So much in fact he now travels the world as a trading digital nomad, exploring the sizzling street markets of Bangkok to yoga retreat dotted Sri Lanka and everything in between! He also has a special fondness for exotic cuisine and fine wine and definitely knows his clarets from his chiantis. He counts Cuba, Tanzania, Amsterdam, Laos and Cambodia as his favourite destinations.
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A dog-friendly holiday in the New Forest (with Shorefield)
Alastair Dinsmor
Why not visit the award winning Glasgow Police Museum at 30 Bell Street, Merchant City, Glasgow. It is one of the few museums open 7 days/week in the City at the moment. No booking required, just come in and meet our friendly staff.
Feeling so proud (it's my home town 😉
James Dutreaux
Cool post, would also recommend Thaikhun and Kitty O'Shea's always good fun!
Becky Moore
Thanks for the tip James, we'll be checking them out next time we return! 🙂


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The Battle of Jassin (also known as the Battle of Yasin, the Battle of Jasin, the Battle of Jasini or the Battle of Jassini)

was a World War I battle that took place on 18– 19 January 1915 at Jassin on the German East African side of the border with British East Africa between a German Schutztruppe force and British and Indian troops. Jassin had been occupied by the British in order to secure the border between British East Africa and German territory, but was weakly defended by a garrison of four companies of Indian troops, commanded by Colonel Raghbir Singh
 and numbering a little over 300 men. Colonel Raghbir Singh was killed during the battle.

The German commander, Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck, decided to attack Jassin in order to prevent further danger to Tanga, which lay more than 50 kilometres to the south and had previously been successfully defended against a British attack. Nine companies of Schutztruppe with European officers were gathered for the assault.

Immediately after the British force surrendered, British Captains Hanson and Turner were taken to see Lettow-Vorbeck. He congratulated them on their defence of the town before releasing them on the promise they would play no further part in the war.

Aftermath
Brigadier-General Michael Tighe arrived too late, just hours after the surrender to support the British at Jassin. Although the British force surrendered, Lettow-Vorbeck realised that the level of German losses of officers and ammunition meant that he could rarely afford confrontation on such a large scale and would need to make use of guerrilla warfare instead—he turned his attention away from seeking decisive battle against the British, concentrating instead on operations against the Uganda Railway. The British response was to withdraw and concentrate their forces in order to reduce their risks and make defence easier.  As a result, the invasion of German East Africa was postponed for some time.

References

 Detailed report on the Battle of Jassin by Dennis L. Bishop and Holger Dobold

1915 in German East Africa
Battles of the East African Campaign
Battles of World War I involving Germany
Battles of World War I involving the United Kingdom
Battles of World War I involving British India
Conflicts in 1915
January 1915 events

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Q: Close vote disappeared on a question just as I closed it There is a question on PMSE that I've been watching. It's a shopping question. I planned to close it, but I wanted to give the community some time to catch it in the reviews and take action themselves, so I waited a few days.
I had the question open on my screen, and it had 1 close vote, which had been there for possibly 4 days. According to Jeff, close votes expire after 4 days. I'm not sure if this is accurate as I thought I read somewhere that it's based on views, but in this particular case, I can see in our review history that a 900+ rep user voted to close the question 2 days ago.
When I went to cast my close vote, I noticed the modal window that shows what categories close voters voted in was blank, so I refreshed the screen, and the close vote was gone.
Since it was only 2 days, and the question really didn't get a lot of views, I'm wondering if it is a bug, or if I'm just missing something about how this process works. It doesn't make sense that a close vote would age away that fast.

*

*The question

*Close Review History

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AISD Doubles Capacity For Pre-K3 Next Year
Posted on May 6, 2016 by Ricky Deakyne
(Via Austin ISD Press Release)
Austin ISD will nearly double its capacity to teach prekindergarten for three-year-olds (Pre-K3) next year, thanks to funding from local donors. View photos from the press conference at Pleasant Hill Elementary on May 5th.
"When students have a strong start, they have a strong future," Superintendent Paul Cruz said. "We want make sure all students are given a path to success. Starting early improves the chance that students graduate college-, career- and life-ready."
AISD will be able to add Pre-K3 to 13 more schools: Barrington, Casey, Harris, Houston, Jordan, Kocurek, Metz, Ortega, Palm, Perez, Read, Sanchez and Widen elementary schools.
Three years ago, AISD offered the Pre-K3 program to 42 three-year-old students at two pilot schools. This year, the program expanded to provide Pre-K3 for 550 three-year-old students funded by United Way for Greater Austin and its major donors. Next year, there will be space for more than 1,000 students thanks to the latest expansion.
The partners who made this expansion possible: Buena Vista Foundation, Cullen Family Charitable Foundation, the Gottesman Family, Tapestry Foundation and Eric Stumberg with support from United Way for Greater Austin.
AISD Early Childhood Director, Jacquie Porter, emphasized the strong foundation students build in Pre-K.
"Prekindergarten is more than just shapes and colors. It's about getting students ready for life," Porter said. "In prekindergarten, students learn socializing, social and emotional learning, and how to work with others."
Registration for Pre-K is open through the beginning of the school year. However, capacity at some schools will fill up quickly, so families are encouraged to sign up soon.
To be eligible for enrollment in the Pre-K program, a child must be 3-years-old on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year, live in the district, and must:
Be unable to speak and/or comprehend the English language; or
Be educationally disadvantaged (qualify for free/reduced-price lunch); or
Be homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11302; or
Be the child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States; or
Be the child of a member of the armed forces of the United states who was injured or killed while serving on active duty; or
Currently or ever have been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing under Family Code 262.201.
For more information on Pre-K3, call 512-414-PREK. To learn about opportunities to support early childhood, please call Michelle Wallis at 512-414-4850.
Learn more about United Way's role in Austin early childhood education.


Is there anything better than guacamole? Yes, the guacamole with pomegranates. A combination that will make you leave behind the routine when you prepare this traditional and popular Mexican recipe.
In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, cilantro and salt. Don't mash it too much if you like your guacamole a little chunky.
Fold in the pomegranate seeds and onion.


Just prior to each year's annual meeting LifeWay releases the previous year's Annual Church Profile statistical summary. Baptist Press reported on it yesterday, ACP: Worship attendance rises, baptisms decline. Last year I had an article on the previous year's data: ACP 2016 Stats: Add a chapter to Lamentations. There's a pattern here and I have the freedom to be more creative in my titles than BP.
1. Baptisms are down, and by almost 10 percent. We in the SBC are highly spiritual and prefer not to talk about money. Baptisms are the coin-of-the-realm. If they're down, we're down. They have been trending down consistently for years. Churches reported 254,122 baptisms, 26,651 less than 2016. I have a medium-term solution: start having more babies. In a decade numbers will be up. Steve Gaines' all-male Evangelism Task Force, chaired by none other than Paige Patterson, will report to the convention this year. Let's see if they have a better idea than I.
2. The number of churches are up a tiny bit. It's extremely difficult to close an SBC church, so this figure is easier to manage. There were 272 churches added, an increase of 0.58%. That's not impressive but good.
3. Church membership is down slightly. We are at 15,005,638 members now and dropped by 1.39% from last year. First person to say "15 million strong" has to stand in the corner.
4. Weekly worship average attendance is up significantly. The percentage increase is small, 2.3% but that's good, since the change last year was down by more than double that.
Overall there's nothing much to brag about in all this, although we should brag on every single baptism. No need to despair. I'm not agonizing over declining numbers. I do my job. You do your job. I don't think Jesus holds us accountable for denominational trends and results.
The most significant item in the 2017 statistical report is this: the number of churches that report their data through the Annual Church Profile dropped to 74% of all churches. Over 12,000 SBC churches did not file an ACP report last year. The reporting percentage was 80% in 2013. Looks to me like an additional 500 or more churches per year drop the report. It is good to see that "LifeWay Research plans to release statistical analysis of the current state of the SBC that includes estimates of the congregations that did not report." I look forward to seeing that.
Adrian would say: "Don't brag, don't sag, don't lag, and don't nag." There's been too much of all of that in the Good Old SBC.
Coming next week: a look at the state conventions.