New Zild

? New Zealand English (NZE) which is now known as â€Å"New Zild† is an exciting and newfangled language they speak in New Zealand. New Zild is forever evolving-forming new, abbreviated ways of speech. Their shared language – Te Reo/English makes up their unique, lucid dialect, which unites them as a country and distinguishes them from the rest of the world, this is a great aspect as their language will be fancied in the future. New Zealand English is the newest most fascinating language in the world today. New Zild is the only language that can be tracked since its birth over two centuries ago. The dialogue is forever evolving, changing and advancing. New Zealand English is a continuously developing speech. What makes this language so exclusive is that you can use available resources to show the developing and unfurling of it. Although characteristic features of New Zealand English have evolved from British English, there are no longer any dominant influences. New Zild forms and illustrates a Kiwi, who creates their own language, being New Zild. Their strong accent is greatly noticed overseas. Foreigners find New Zild bizarre, as they talk faster than, they do. Although New Zealand English is closely related Australian English also known as ‘strine’ but they have their individuality, as New Zealanders do. America has major influence in all the languages, including New Zild. American English is the most influential language of the world. The trends it sets are spread by mass communications around the globe, for example, television, movies and music. American English can have a negative impact depending on the kind of influence being portrayed, for example, teenagers listening to rap music, the lyrics or words expressed may have meaning, but would their parents like them talking like the rapper? American English also has a positive impact on New Zild as it creates new characteristics and majorly influences the development of New Zealand English. The American English greatly affects young New Zealanders as they may speak an even stranger language than their elders. Their speech has been hugely influenced which all contributes to the future. The dialect of the younger population is different, therefore change naturally occurs. New Zealand’s younger generation being teenagers forms many, new colloquialisms, increasing yet decreasing their vocabulary. According to Jennifer Hay in Denis Welch’s Listener article, â€Å"By the time someone is seven or eight, it doesn’t matter where their parents came from, they’re speaking like their friends at school. † Older New Zealanders are trying to adapt to the teenage dialect, after all they are the voices of the future. Their dialogue will be the future New Zealand’s English, as the new vocabulary, colloquialisms work their way from the bottom of the social heap to the top. The tremendous variety of languages composed in New Zealand is another impact. New Zild is an exciting language as it includes an assortment of influences from these solitary vocal influences. Maori have changed the way New Zealanders speak because words and sayings from Te Reo have been absorbed into the vocabulary spoken today. There are some Maori who can speak both English and Maori beautifully. Years ago only 1/1000 Maori words spoken were fully understood in New Zealand English, now 6/1000 Te Reo words spoken are understood in New Zealand English. Could this be renaissance? Including Te Reo, there is also one other contributing factor to New Zealand English, such as Pacific Island dialect. Te Reo and the pacific input combined, greatly influence New Zealanders speech and pronunciation of different words. New Zild is the most innovative, peculiar language. New Zealand English is the only language in the world that can be documented from the beginning which helps predict future dialect. Along with the growing Te Reo pronunciation New Zild is evolving into something that is very interesting and distinctly theirs.

Education Is Not Luxury

In † Education Is Not Luxury†, Stephen Joel Trachtenberg discussed about that people should take school seriously and in his opinion, † Topics like these may be putting a squeeze on the time spent on literacy and numeracy. † Years ago, most American worked in farming or in finishing agricultural crops. However, † Agrarian calendar continues to dominate one facet of American life–education. â€Å", even we are no longer agrarian.Schooling was a luxury and it is a long process of educating the young but â€Å"America will never take schools seriously as long as they operate on the ancient agrarian calendar† or â€Å"they are open from only nine to three o'clock or some equivalent. † So people thought that â€Å"this schooling business is a part-time occupation. † So the schools have to do the right thing to make them important to people by spending time on literacy and numeracy. So the schools should be able to teach both acade mic subjects and other things.This would at least show that schools are serious. It could also help teachers to find a job and getting paid. Students would learn what they should learn. † Universities are driven by their double missions of learning and service and the compelling. However young students do not take the class seriously and they do not desired to learn, even have the opportunities to learn. In † Expanding Offerings†, † many students come to school without any training in foreign languages, or that only couple of languages.And † many school districts must deal with immigrant children. † School calendar can help teachers to keep their teaching on track and teaching more. But there are some objections which against to achieve more cause they do not have money, most of learning do not take place at school and extending the school days and making the day longer. Response I strongly agree with Stephen's opinion cause these suggestions whic h he discussed about can really help students to understand why they have to study, what they have to study about and how to study more efficiently.Schools should make people to realize that they are important by spending time on literacy and numeracy. Schools also have to be responsible to the students like making sure they do not spend † additional time to teach what is already being taught. † They are also responding to what is available. † An atmosphere of learning without the first-rate instruction or the various tangibles and intangibles that make learning possible is nothing but a disappointment.† What's more, lengthening the school years can really help to convince † the rest of the world that schools are, at least, serious. † Secondly, â€Å"teachers working conventional hours and a typical work year, it would be possible to begin to pay teacher. † Finally, † it would accommodate all the things that teachers need to teach and young people need to learn. † In my opinion, these are good way to go through and making education more important and common.

Same sex marriage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Same sex marriage - Essay Example Therefore, in regards to marriage, the Biblical teaching holds that a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined with his wife, forming one flesh (Genesis. 2:24). From the Christian teachings, it is apparent that God created man and woman to enjoy heterosexual sexual relationship, in the institution of marriage. This paper discusses reasons why same sex marriages should not be legalized. Christian teachings are replete with many incidents of deviant sexual behaviors including sodomy, incest, bestiality, rape, pedophile among others. The Bible documents God’s objection to same sex through Lot in Genesis 19: 3-14. According to Genesis 19, Lot a resident Sodom was one day approached by two men who wanted to have same sex with the Lot’s visitors. The man wanted to sodomize guests in Lot’s house so that they could save Sodom and Lot’s household from an imminent destruction. However, Lot rejected their demand and instead, he offered his two virgin daugh ters to the men. God came to the rescue of Lot and his family before the men could break his house and have sex with Lot’s daughters. That very night, God guided Lot and his family escaped to safer place. Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed the following day, by falling fire and burning sulfur (Genesis, 19, 27). It is worth noting that God abhorred same sex and other deviant sexual behaviors in Sodom that He ordered Lot and his wife not to look back to the city as they fled to a safe place that God ordered them to flee to. However, Lot’s wife did not heed God’s command and when she turned back to face Sodom, she became a salt pillar (Genesis 19: 28). From the religious point of view, it is apparent that same sex marriage and sex is forbidden. In Christianity, the catholic denomination is particularly intolerant of the union between same sex couples in a marriage. According to Catechism of the Catholic Church (1613), homosexual actions are regarded as â€Å"intrins ically disordered† because they contradict with the natural law, inhabiting the gift of life through sexual intercourse. In addition, homosexual actions do not arise from genuine affection and sexual compatibility. In this case, the church recommends that under no circumstances should homosexuality be permitted in the society. Therefore, the church argues that legalizing same sex marriage would be harmful to the society (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1613). In context to family system and same sex marriage, many studies on marriages have established that families made of heterosexual couples are happier, healthier and have better economic standing (Linda and Maggie, 2001). Moreover, empirical studies have established that unmarried women are more likely to die than married women are, while the probability of unmarried man dying is five times to that of their married counterparts of the same age (Howard and Gary 1995). In this respect, marriage is a key public health issue, which results to adverse health effects if it is not established on the right foundation. In the family system, Yuanreng and Noreen (1990) argue that heterosexual marriage results into complementarities, that is absent in same sexual marriages. There are many differences between men and women and these diversities are complementary. These differences have a profound spiritual and physical importance and without complementarity between man and women,

Homework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 13

Homework - Essay Example She feared about how she would go about her life if Marty got married. This is also emphasized by the words of her sister who is a widow when she sought Marty’s mother’s companionship. She asked what her sister would do if her son, Marty got married. Therefore, in addition, Marty’s mother also represents the old-aged loners, not only to the singles but separated, divorced or widowed wives as well who would know and understand the difficulties people with similar circumstances undergo. In response to this character, Marty’s mother became like his son in the story who bore the burden of having a family living with him/her. The woman also portrays the fears of those approaching their old age as they think about their children having their own families. They worry about who would take care of them when they would be sick or helpless. Perhaps for one reason, Marty’s mother agreed to the request of her sister because she made sense in saying that in case Marty were to marry, they would be there for each other. It is also possible that she considered her because she wants to do to others as she would want them to do, knowing that she is in a similar dire situation as her sister. It is ridiculous to consider how prejudiced people have been during the 1950s. I always thought that racism was the worst during those times but knowing about how people looked at unmarried men, it just strikes me as senseless. The portrayal of the relationship between Marty and Angie is an effect of the prejudice that happened during that time. Being single at an age when they were supposed to be raising children, perhaps Angie considered himself made for his male friends who had the same dilemma that is why he acted strangely towards Marty. It could also be possible that he felt jealous of Marty or threatened that soon, his friend will be leaving him when his relationship with Clara

Management thories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Management thories - Essay Example This research will explore the contribution of Hofestede to our understanding of the effect of culture to international management practices of organisations. Through utilisation of a huge database of statistics on culture, Hofestede managed to come up with an analysis of the patterns describing the similarities and differences of cultures in five main dimensions. His research focused only on international business managers, which enabled him to come up with a true picture of how culture influences management of international organisations. These five dimensions include power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty and long-term orientation (Smith, Peterson & Schwartz 2002, p. 235). Power distance refers to the level of inequality that prevails among people (Smith, Dugan & Trompenaars 1996, p. 241). This inequality is acceptable by all people, both those with power and those without power. A high power distance society accepts inequality in the distribution of power and the members have a good understanding of their position in the system. With a low power distance society, there are an equal sharing of power and a high dispersion of power. The members in a low power society consider themselves equal. This idea means that in a high power nation such as Malaysia, reports will only reach the topmost managers who will hold meetings in a closed room with only the presence of powerful leaders (Smith, Dugan & Trompenaars 1996, p. 246). Individualism is a reflection of the strength of the relationships possessed by the people concerning others in the entire community. A high level of individualism means that there are no tight connections among them. It also means that there is a low degree of sharing of responsibilities except for family members that can only include the few closest friends. On the other hand, in a society where individualism is low, there is

Do We Really Listen To Young Children An Investigation into The Essay

Do We Really Listen To Young Children An Investigation into The Importance of Listening to Young Children In Early Years Sittin - Essay Example The question whether do we really listen to young children brings about a few thoughts to a person’s mind. Questions such as how much importance is provided to listening to children and how they have been they treated by the adult world needs to be unearthed. It is significant to note that children are least noticed or listened to at the earlier stages. In many circumstances the early intervention into the life of the children would lead to solving many issues related to their life. Moreover, the careful examination on the unique individualities of children will help others find out the mysteries that surround children, their feelings, thoughts and creativity during the early years of life. The characteristic attributes are attained at an early stage. So it can be said that the life of each children is highly valued and so the educators at the early years sitting should clearly listen to the activities of the children who are entrusted to their care. It is important to recogni se that a number of factors has influenced the growing interest in listening to children. ... Background: In many countries children are treated as having not much of importance. Much negligence was reported on children all over the world. This prompted various organisations and persons to look into the matter very seriously. In 1904 the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act was established in England and hence forward many laws came into force on the rights of children in the country. The UN assembly too shared its concern for the rights of children all over the world. 1979 was considered as the International year of children and the Assembly decided to pass a convention on the rights of children. It was adopted in the year 1989 and Britain ratified this law in 1991. The country stresses much importance on the well being of the children. Children under five are placed in babysitting and the government makes ample measures for the overall development of children at this stage. Many strategies are implemented for the total development of children in the country. All these nece ssitate the importance of children’s rights as subjects of the state. In the recent years, the government agendas in England have focused on the need to involve children in policy and service design. There has been a strong feeling that the provision and evaluation of services used by children, or which affect them, should be given priority. Whereas consultation with older children is given importance in the recent years, the case for younger children is much different and they are not given due respect for their opinions. Significantly, listening to children has been regarded as an integral part of understanding their needs and feelings from their early experiences. Linda Kinney maintains, â€Å"there were two key outcomes from our work on consultation with

The Causes of the Financial Crisis and the Overhauling of Regulatory Essay

The Causes of the Financial Crisis and the Overhauling of Regulatory Framework - Essay Example Firstly, with regards to the banking and economic meltdown that occurred between 2007/2008, this must be understood as a global crisis. Although it began in the United States as a result of the subprime mortgage crisis, it rapidly spread globally and has affected every extant economy in the world; slowing growth, diminishing export strength, and devaluing a litany of world currencies in the process. Figure 1.0 denotes the issue of debt to GDP within major world economies. Figure 1.0 Preventative Steps: As a function of the breakdown in regulatory mechanisms capable of dealing with the size of the crash of 2007-2008, many of the largest and most effective regulations have been international in scope. But a few of these global regulations include the Basel III International Framework as well as further EU regulations concerning Markets in Financial Instruments Directives (MiFID). Ultimately, these further regulations, in tandem with existing regulations on the banking sector seek to in tegrate a set baseline of rules with regards to the standards underlying capital liquidity within the market. Due to the fact that the ultimate issue that the banking system was faced with during the crash was concentric around liquidity, most of the further regulations that have been passed with regards to seeking to provide a remedy to any further exhibitions of the same problem have been concentric upon speaking to the underlying weakness of the liquidity requirements that existed prior to the crash of 2007/2008. In seeking to identify the overall effectiveness of the current regulations, it can be said that they have kept the world from experiencing any further shocks similar to the ones that precipitated the events of 2007/2008; however,... This essay aims to fully discover the means by which the financial and banking crisis occurred and also seeks to establish whether or not the current regulatory framework is in and of itself sufficient to provide a firewall against any further shocks to the market. The discussion is also briefly concentric upon the future outlook that the global economy has to look forward to; based upon the realities that have been discussed and presented. The financial crisis of 2007/2008 was predicated by the banks which had leveraged bad debt in order to create more debt for their clients. Ultimately, this can understood as a situation in which certain types of outstanding credits that a bank had in the form of loans to various entities or stock market derivatives were falsely identified as suitable contingents upon which further money could be created and/or loaned within the financial system. Any further bailouts or interference on the part of the government within the banking system are deemed ineffective. The ramifications of inaction are strong, the fact of the matter is that a precedent has now been set whereby the banking system can behave in a reckless manner, knowing that as long as their bank is large enough to be considered â€Å"too large to fail† they can always count on being backed by the government, and ultimately the citizen taxpayers. The greatest threat that continues to exist is with regards to the economic threat of unsustainable debt; a risk that has only grown in the years since the economic collapse.

Value chain Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Value chain - Case Study Example Studies from a range of disciplines show that global value chains have become much more prevalent and elaborate in the past 10 to 15 years.' Global value chains now contain activities that are tightly integrated and often managed on a day-to-day basis. The globalisation of value chains is motivated by a number of factors. Continuous growth of competition in domestic and international markets forces firms to become more efficient and lower costs. One way of achieving that goal is to source inputs from more efficient producers, either domestically or internationally, and either within or outside the boundaries of the firm. Emergence of new markets and access to strategic assets that can help tap into foreign knowledge is one of the important motivations of global value chain. Notwithstanding these anticipated benefits, engaging in global value chains also involves costs and risks for firms. Increasing liberalisation of trade and decreasing costs of transport and communication have made it possible for enterprises to split up production processes into more complex parts spread to an increasing degree across national borders. The result is often that each enterprise specialises in a core area of production while other activities are outsourced to suppliers. This leads to a fragmentation of the production process, which is counterbalanced by closer integration between the enterprise and its trading partners http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/24/35/38558080.pdf (Feenstra, 1998). Trade in intermediates Global value chains allow intermediate and final production to be outsourced abroad, leading to increased trade through exports and imports, and to a rapidly growing volume of intermediate inputs being exchanged between different countries. In 2003, 54% of world manufactured imports were classified as intermediate goods which include primary goods, parts and components and semi-finished goods. Relocations of existing activities Relocation of activities overseas is also a factor of growth of international sourcing. Sometimes implying the total or partial closure of the production in the home country while at the same time creating or expanding affiliates abroad producing the same goods and services as in the host country. More often, it is about the substitution of domestic stages of production by activities performed in foreign locations, with goods and services being exported from the host country to the home country. The basic purpose of relocation of activities is to gain higher product quality, efficient assets utilization with lower cost. Outsourcing and off shoring Global value chain made possible fragmentation of the production process across various countries, which have given rise to considerable restructuring in firms including the outsourcing and off shoring of certain functions. Outsourcing typically involves the purchase of intermediate goods and services from outside specialist providers, while off shoring refers to purchases by firms of intermediate goods and services from foreign providers, or to the transfer of particular tasks within the firm to a foreign location (Figure 1). Off shoring thus includes both international outsourcing where activities are contracted out to independent third parties abroad and international in-sourcing to foreign affiliates. http://www.oecd.o

Exam on inpatient and outpatient codinhg Essay Example for Free

Exam on inpatient and outpatient codinhg Essay 1. The three goals of the Physicians Payment Reform are to decrease Medicare expenditures. As well as redistribute physician’s payments more equitably. Also to ensure quality health care at a reasonable rate. 2. I would use modifier -57, decision for surgery with the E/M code for this case. Due to the E/M service and the decision for surgery were made earlier that same day. 3. There are three components of the relative value unit the first component is work, which is the amount of time, the intensity of effort and the technical expertise required for the physician to provide the service. The second would be the overhead component also known as the practice expense, it is identified as the allocation of cost associated with the physicians practice (ex. Staffing) that must be expended in order to provide a service. The third component is malpractice and is identified as the cost of the medical malpractice insurance coverage/ risk associated with providing the service. 4. People age 65 and older, along with patients who are experiencing end-stage renal disease are both eligible for Medicare. As well as people who are eligible for disability benefits from social security, they are too covered by the Medicare program. 5. To find the main terms in the index of the CPT you must use these basic location methods, you must search by the service or the procedure, the anatomic site, condition or disease. You also could use synonyms, eponym’s or abbreviations to find main terms in the index. 6. The E/M code 99253 would be used to report an initial impatient consultation. With a detailed history and exam along with a MDM of low complexity. 7. There are many elements when considering the correct E/M code. There are four elements of history which include chief complaint, history of present illness, as well as review of symptoms and past, family, and/or social history. 8. The complexity of medical decision making is base doff of three elements which are the number of diagnosis or management options. These options can be minimal, limited, multiple or extensive. The nest element is the amount and/or the complexity of data to review. The data can be minimal or none, limited, moderate or extensive. The last element of medical decision making is the risk of complication or death if the condition goes untreated. This risk can be minimal, low, moderate or high. 9. The correct CPT code is 99214 due to the detailed history. As well as the detailed exam and a MDM of moderate complexity. 10. There are three key components present in every patient’s case except counseling encounters and/or time based codes. The three components are the history, the level of examination, the level of medical decision making. These components allow us coders to choose the appropriate level of service.

The Secret to Creation Essay Example for Free

The Secret to Creation Essay The famous genius, scholar, and life scientist Victor Frankenstein already died shortly after he was rescued by Captain Robert Walton in the middle of North Pole. The remains of Dr. Frankenstein lie at his wake inside the ship of Capt. Walton. It is reported that during the wake of the famous life scientist, a creature was seen by Capt. Walton. The said creature is believed to be made by Dr. Frankenstein himself as an effort to discover the secret of creation of living things. The creature is greenish in color, eight-feet tall, resembles the feature of a human, but is extremely hideous in appearance. It told Capt. Walton of the remorse and solitude that he felt upon his creator’s death. The monster went to the North Pole and planned to kill himself because, according to him, he is of no value anymore. Capt. Walton retold Dr. Frankenstein’s account to the local investigator and attested that the culprit in the past murders that happened in the Frankenstein’s family is the monster Surname 2 itself. The death of Dr. Frankenstein’s brother, William Frankenstein,in Geneva, the death of Dr. Frankenstein’s best friend, Henry Clerval, and the death of Elizabeth Frankenstein, wife of Dr. Frankenstein, are done by the monster out of anger towards his creator. Because of the deaths of his loved ones, Dr. Frankenstein followed the monster that he created to get his revenge. However, Dr. Frankenstein was trapped in the floating iceberg where he was rescued by Capt. Walton. Dr. Frankenstein grew up at Geneva and studied natural philosophy and chemistry at Ingoldstadt University. He pursued on researching the secret of life and was successful in finding out how the main element that gives life to a person. He completed his research by creating a monster in his apartment one evening. Unfortunately, Dr. Frankenstein wasn’t able to pass the knowledge about the secret of life that he discovered. Upon his death, this secret will be buried with him and will continue to be a mystery in the human race.

Structured query language: Development

Structured query language: Development Abstract Database technology and the Structured Query Language (SQL) have grown enormously in recent years. This paper presents results of the research on the historical perspective of the development of SQL and its continuing development. Applications from different domains have different requirements for using database technology and SQL. This paper also presents an overview on definition of the Standard Query Language, and highlighted the several benefits and produce literature on risks of adopting a Standard Query language. Keyword SQL, DBMS, XML, Data, Database. Introduction Standard Query Language (SQL) is today the standard language for relational and object-relational databases. Application programs commonly include a relatively large number of SQL queries and updates, which are sent to the Database Management System (DBMS) for execution. The most generally used database management systems, such as Oracle, Access, mySQL, SQLserver, Paradox, Ingres, and others, are all claimed to be relational. Certainly, they all use SQL which itself is often simulated to be an indicator of a relational database system. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the historical perspective of the development of SQL and its continuing development. This article also highlighted the benefits and risks of adopting a standard query language. This paper is based on review history of the Standard Query Language and literature on benefit and risks of adopting SQL. Evolution and current situation of the SQL Abreu, et.al. (2006) described that the relational model came about as a result of E. Codds research at IBM during the sixties. The SQL, originally named SEQUEL (Structured English Query Language), was implemented in an IBM prototype (SEQUEL-XRM), during the mid-seventies. Some years later, a subset of this language was implemented in IBMs System-R. In 1979, ORACLE emerged as the first commercial DBMS based on SQL, followed by several other products such as SQL/DS, DB2, DG/SQL, SYBASE, INTERBASE, INFORMIX, UNIFY. Even those which had not originally implemented SQL as their base query language, offered SQL interfaces such as INGRES, ADABAS, SUPRA, IDMS/R. As a result of this process, Standard Query Language became a de facto standard. In late 1982, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) H23 begins to standardize SEQUEL which is version of the relational data model through the IBM language. In 1986, renamed SQL by H2, basic SQL was completed and become an American National Standard and soon an ISO standard. In 1989, the first version of the SQL standard was revised and an addendum, which included main improvements on referential integrity issues, was published. Meanwhile, ANSI brought out a standard for embedded SQL. In the early nineties, a new version, known as SQL2 or SQL-92, was published by ISO. Both the semantic capabilities of the language and error management were then considerably improved. That standard was complemented a few years later, with the approval of SQL/CLI (Call-Level Interface) and SQL/PSM (Persistent Stored Modules). SQL became a complete computational language, with features such as control structures and exception handling. During the last half of the nineties, SQL was extended by the inclusion of object-oriented capabilities. The resulting standard was divided into several parts. This version, previously known as SQL3 and then finally called SQL:1999, incorporated features such as new basic data types for example very large objects, user defined data types, recursive query operators, sensitive cursors, tables generalization and user roles. According to Abreu, et.al. (2006), The latest version of the standard is the SQL:2003, which is there are major revisions and extensions to most parts of the SQL:1999 standard. This version contains SQL/XML which is XML related specifications, new basic data types such as bigint, multiset and XML, enhancements to SQL-invoked routines, extensions to the CREATE TABLE statement, there are new MERGE statement, schema object which is the sequence generator and two new sorts of columns for identity and generated. He also produced the Table 1 as summarizes the evolution of SQL. Table 1 Evolution of SQL Year SQL 70s Relational model DBMS prototypes (SEQUEL XRM) First relational DBMS 80s ANSI SQL-86 standard ISO SQL-87 standard SQL-89 addendum ANSI embedded SQL 90s SQL 92 SQL/CLI SQL/PSM SQL:1999 2003 SQL:2003 Accordingto Wikipedia, thereis another standard produced at 2006 and 2008, The SQL:2006 by ISO/IEC 9075-14:2006 which defines waysfor SQL for conjunction with XML. It also defines how to do storing and importing XML data for SQL, manipulating the data on database and publishing SQL data and XML in XML form. In addition, by use of Query and XML Query Language, it can integrate into their SQL code the published by World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in order to concurrently access ordinary SQL-data and XML documents. The latest standard is SQL:2008, it legalizes ORDER BY outside cursor definitions. It adds INSTEAD OF triggers and the TRUNCATE statement. Abreu, et.al. (2006) highlighted the SQL:2003 standard is composed of nine parts, which are briefly described in Table 2. The numeration of parts is not contiguous due to historical reasons: some parts have disappeared such as SQL:1999s part 5 SQL/Bindings was included in part 2 of SQL:2003 and other parts are new. The latter resulted either from further partitioning of previous parts such as part 11 was previously included in SQL:1999 part 2 or from the implementation of new requirements, such as parts 13 and 14, dealing with Java methods and XML data, respectively. Since the SQL:1999, the SQL standard has evolved, to support the object-relational paradigm. This paradigm proposes a good compromise between relational and object-oriented databases. The former have a robust data model which is the relational one and powerful query optimization, recovery, security and concurrency mechanisms. The latter incorporate object-oriented mechanisms such as encapsulation, generalization, aggregation and polymorphism, and allow representing more complex elements which are required in several domains, such as CAD, CAM or GIS. Object-relational databases offer the possibility of defining classes or abstract data types, as well as tables, primary and foreign keys and constraints, as relational databases also do. Furthermore, generalization hierarchies can be defined among classes or tables. Table attributes can be defined in a simple domain for example CHAR(25) or in a user-defined class, as a complex number or image. Table 2 Structure and summary of the SQL:2003 standard Part Name Description 1 Framework (SQL/Framework) Overviewof the standard. It describes terms and notation used in the other parts. It also defines the result of processing statements in that language and the grammar of SQL by a SQL-implementation that has been illustrating in the conceptual framework used for other parts. 2 Foundation (SQL/Foundation) Thispart describes the basic operations on SQL-data and data structures. The functional query such as controlling, maintaining, accessing, creating, and protecting SQL-data. It also defines the semantics and syntax of a database language. It deals with the portability of data definitions and compilation units between SQL-implementations and the interconnection of SQL-implementations. 3 Call-Level Interface (SQL/CLI) Itdescribes procedures to execute SQL statements within standard programming language in application written, such the SQL statements will be executed use independent functions. 4 Persistent Stored Modules (SQL/PSM) It defines how the semantics and syntax of a database language has been declare and maintain persistent database language systems in SQL-server modules. 9 Management of External Data (SQL/MED) Extensionsto Database Language SQL is definedfor support management of external data purpose by using data link types and foreign-data wrappers 10 Object Language Bindings (SQL/OLB) Itdefines SQLJQ, which is describes extensions in the Java programming language, for support embedding of SQL statements into programs written. The syntax and semanticsof SQLJ described by this part, as well as mechanisms to make sure binary portability of resulting SQLJ applications. This part also defines a number of Java packages and their classes. 11 Information and Definition Schema (SQL/Schemata) Thispart defines a Definition Schema that characterizes the SQL object identifier, the integrity and structure constraints of SQL-data, the authorization and security specifications associated to SQL-data, the features, sub-features and the support that each of these has in an SQL implementation and also packages of this standard, and an Information Schema. It also includes SQL-implementationinformation and sizing items. 13 Routines and Types Using the Java Programming Language (SQL/JRT) Itdescribes the Java programming language on doing capability of invoking static methods as SQL-invoked routines and SQL structured user-defined types for using classes specified in the Java programming language. 14 XML-Related Specifications (SQL/XML) Thispart describes ways in which SQL also can be used for conjunction with XML. SQL Overview Gardner and Hagenbuch (1983) stated that Relational DBMSs are normally accessed via a data language. In order to allow the DBMS to optimize accesses to the database and to deal with problems related to concurrent access by multiple users, the languages are typically very high level. The SQL is an example of such a language that can be used for that purpose. They also said that SQL statements are non-procedural statements of what data to retrieve, for example the query statements to retrieve employee such as SELECT * FROM EMP , or what operation to perform, for example the query statement to delete some data which is non-queries such as DELETE EMP WHERE NAME = Jones .While simple SQL statements can easily be entered interactively by end-users, the complex sequences of operations required by most applications for example closing the books for the end of month, those are better handled by embedding SQL in a procedural programming language. According to Kuhlemann, et al. (2008) SQL is a database query language used for formulating statements that are processed by a database management system for create and maintain a database. The SELECT statement is the most commonly used by the SQL query which can retrieve data from one or more tables in the database. It can limit the retrieved data using conditional statements in the WHERE clause, the GROUP BY clause can use for group related data and it can limit the grouped data with the HAVING clause; for order or sort data which based on different columns using the ORDER BY clause. He also stated that SQL consists of many statements to create and manipulate database objects. Since its first standardization in 1986, more and more functionality is being included in SQL in each subsequent standard covering a variety of aspects of user interaction. The latest edition of the SQL standard, referred to as SQL:2003, supports various functionality such as call level interfacing, foreign-data wrappers, embedding SQL statements in Java, business intelligence and data warehousing functions, support for XML, new data types, etc. The next standard, called SQL 20071, it will most likely add features like regular expression support, binary and outing decimal data types, materialized views, streaming data support, XQuery support and support for the Resource Description Framework (RDF) and the semantic web. Many researchers have led the huge scope of SQLs functionality to advocate the usage of a `scaled down version of SQL, especially for embedded systems. The hardware limitations such as small RAM, small stable storage, and large data read/write ratio come up from embedded systems. Also the applications where embedded systems are used, for an example such as healthcare and bank cash cards, need only a small set of queries like select, project, views, and aggregations. Kuhlemann, et al. (2008) described that a standard called Structured Card Query Language (SCQL) by ISO considers inter-industry commands for use in smart cards with constrained functionality of SQL. This issue has been proposed to address by some database systems and SQL engines. They are distinguished as `tiny, e.g., the TinyDB2 database system, for extracting information from a sensor network and tinySQL3 SQL engine, which is a Java SQL engine that supports only a few SQL statements like select, update, insert, delete. While the standardization process shows how SQL has increased in size and complexity in terms of features provided, efforts for `scaled down versions show a need to control and manipulate features of SQL. Gardner and Hagenbuch (1983) stated that SQL is a data language designed for use with the relational data model. The executable unit of SQL is the statement, but there are no SQL programs. SQL statements execute in the context of a single enrolled user of the database. The context in which a statement executes chooses what advantages it may exercise on objects in the database. Just only one or two contexts will be absorbed by an application program. Many SQL statements may run within each context. Each statement isdescribed by the DBMS, i.e., prepared for execution. Catrambone and Yuasa (2006) cited in (Smelcer, 1989) described that the Structured Query Language for databases, which sometimes referred to as the ‘‘Standard Query Language, is a command language for relational databases. It was preferred here as the test domain because writing a query with SQL is a relatively complicated task and because the knowledge required to write queries can be fully specified. Moore (1992) said that â€Å"SQL† was once an acronym for the â€Å"Structured Query Language† which was associated with a propriety implementation. When SQL is used to refer to the ANSI standard, it is no longer an acronym, simply a short form of â€Å"Database Language-SQL†. Benefits of adopting SQL Donaho and Davis listed that several features make Standard Query Language at least as good as any other query language currently in use : The basic concepts and syntax of SQL are easy for learned. This short initial learning period can decreases the amount of training required and it also can increases productivity. SQL is a reasonably high-level language. The programmer can write queries without knowing all of the intimate details of the DBMS implementation. For example, a SELECT clause allows the user to identify the needed data without indicating how to access it. SQL associate the data definition and data manipulation languages. Unlike other query languages, SQL uses the same syntactic constructs for definition functions and manipulation functions. This regularity makes the language easier to learn and use. SQL provides the functionality needed for most database applications. That is, the language is powerful enough to do most of the things required in a database application. According to Biggar, Chawla and Meese (2009), other benefits of adopting SQL include: Lower capital and operational costs by reduced IT footprint, easier management, storage platform features and licensing advantages. Improved agility and manageability by isolating application workloads on the storage system, providing heterogeneous storage support, and allowing live automated provisioning of storage. Higher availability by simplified backup and recovery, availability during server maintenance, failover support through physical host clustering, and business continuity or disaster recovery. Hoffer (2009) also stated the benefits of SQL are as follow: Reduced training cost, training for organization can focus one language only. Productivity, IS professionals become more proficient and learn SQL with it from continued use. They can increase the productive, usually programmers can more rapidly maintain the existing program. Application portability, when each machine uses SQL the applications can be moved from machine to machine. Application longevity, when new versions of DBMSs are introduced and the standard of language is enhanced, the applications will simply be updated. Reduced dependence on a single vendor, which may lower prices and improve service because of the market for such vendors can become more competitive,. Cross-system communication, managing data and processing user programs can become more easily communicated. Risks of adopting SQL Maciol (2008) stated that SQL has a row of limitations coming from its foundations such as: It is difficult for defining terms and lists. There is limitation of atomic data. Lack of repetition and iteration. Limited possibilities of data processing control. Lack of deduction possibility. Chan, Lu and Wei (2003) listed the problem while using SQL : Comprehension difficulty : Complex queries are not easy to analyze, usually by another person. The nested maze is quite confusing. This confirms one of the theoretical flaws of SQL not well defined semantics for nesting (Codd 1990). Multiple joins of many tables can lead to uncertainty of the query accuracy. Logical errors are difficult to detect, as compared to 3GLs. Formulation problem : Joins are difficult for end-users. Too many aggregate functions in a single query have led to problems. Use of wrong field and name definition. Unable to format the output as desired. Variables used with wrong variable types, especially for embedded SQL. Performance Response is slow when system does not select the best path to access tables. Database contention occurs by simultaneous accesses A query may need to be broken into smaller queries to speed up processing time. This requires more temporary space. Unclear error message sometimes give wrong impressions. They also stated that usually whenusers encounter problems with SQL, the majority refers to the manual. This also confirms the finding that manuals form a substantial secondary source of SQL knowledge. Mostly prefer try to find the assistance of colleagues or superiors. Only a minority, attempt to query with other languages, while less will try another means, one of which was to try until get it right, to SQL manuals. Brass and Goldberg (2005) highlighted that errors in SQL queries can be classified into syntactic errors and semantic errors. A syntactic error means that the entered character string is not valid SQL. Then there are print an error message because it cannot execute the query by any DBMS. Thus, the error is easy to correct and definitely detected. A semantic error means that a legal SQL query was entered, but the query does not or not always produce the intended results, and is therefore incorrect for the given task. Semantic errors can be further classified into cases where the task must be known in order to detect that the query is incorrect, and cases where there is sufficient evidence that the query is incorrect no matter what the task is. Kiefer and Nicola (2009) observed that the adoption of SQL/XML faces several challenges. When relational legacy applications need access to new XML data, it is often too expensive to convert them from SQL to SQL/XML. Another frequent challenge is to actually write queries and updates with SQL/XML and Query. There are numbers of problem can occur such as: Users need to learn these new languages, which are often perceived as difficult to master. This stems from the differences between the XML data model and the relational data model. SQL/XML involves path expressions that navigate the tree structure of XML documents. To write path expressions, users must know the structure of the XML data in detail. It is not enough to know which data items exist, it is also necessary to know their exact case-sensitive name, namespace, and location within the document structure. But, this structure is often complex, difficult to understand, or even unknown to the user. As more XML documents are accumulated in a database, newer documents may have a different XML Schema than older ones. This requires queries and updates to work across documents for different schemas, which compounds the complexity of writing SQL/XML statements. Also, existing XML queries may need to be changed when the XML Schema evolves. In a hybrid database, where some data is stored in relational format and some in XML format, users need to know which data is in which format before they can write correct queries. Conclusion The SQL (Structured Query Language) is presently available for most database management systems. The SQL:2008 is the latest standard whichlegalizes ORDER BY outside cursor definitions. It also adds INSTEAD OF triggers and the TRUNCATE statement. This paper present briefly overview history of Standard Query Language, it also analyze benefits and risk of adopting SQL. There are benefit of adopting SQL such as lower capital and operational costs, improved agility and manageability and higher availability. There are many risk occur when adopting SQL, but usually the user can easily handle that risks. In future work, it can investigate patterns for SQL queries in greater detail such as analyzing SQL queries from real projects. References Abreu, F.B., Baroni, A., Calero, C., Piattini, M. (2006). An ontological approach to describe the SQL:2003object-relational features. Computer Standards Interfaces, 28, 695-713. Biggar, H., Chawla, A., Meese, L. (2009). The Benefits of Virtualizing Microsoft ® SQL Server ® in Hitachi Storage Environments. http://www.hds.com/assets/pdf/the-benefits-of-virtualizing-microsoft-sql-server-wp.pdf. Brass, S., Goldberg, C. (2005). Semantic errors in SQL queries: A quite complete list. The Journal of Systems and Software, 79, 630-644. Catrambone, R., Yuasa, M. (2006). Acquisition of procedures: The effects of example elaborations and active learning exercises. Learning and Instruction,16 , 139e153. Chan, H.C., Lu, H., Wei, K.K. (1993). A Survey on Usage of SQL. Sigmod Record, Vol. 22. Davis, G.K., Donaho, J.E. Ada-Embedded SQL : the Options. Vii.3-72. Gardner, M., Hagenbuch, B. (1983). Interfacing Apl And Sql. .ACM, 0-89791-095-8/83/0400-0109. Hoffer, J.A., Prescott, M.B., Topi, H. (2002). Modern Database Management. New Jersey : Pearson Education. Kiefer, T., Nicola, M. (2009). Generating SQL/XML Query and Update Statements. ACM,978-1-60558-512-3/09/11. Kuhlemann, M., Saake, G., Siegmund, N., Sunkle, S., Uller, M.R. (2008). Generating Highly Customizable SQL Parsers. ACM, 978-1-59593-964-7/08/03. Maciol, A. (2008). An application of rule-based tool in attributive logic for business rules modeling. Expert Systems with Applications, 34, 1825-1836. Moore, J. W. (1992). Minimizing the disadvantages of embedded sql/ada. ACM, 0-S9791-529-1 /92/0011-0407. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL.

Theme Elements in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart :: Things Fall Apart essays

Theme Elements in Things Fall Apart Achbe, in the novel Things Fall Apart, conveys a flavor of traditional African culture in the 1800`s. But despite this, it seems the tragedy of okonkwo that embodies the theme of the novel. Many of Achebe`s themes are not limited to the events in his novel, but relate to SITUATIONS, in which traditional values are questioned and people from different cultures meet, the most profound impact being related to the themes of religion and justice.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Like any good religion, the Igbo religion comes with many superstitions. Personal chi is one of the superstitions in the Igbo tribe. Chi can be a personal fragment of the Supreme Being, unique for each individual. It determines much of a person's success and character. "When a man says yes his chi says yes also" (19). But at the same time a man does not challenge his chi. "The evil you have done can ruin the whole clan. The earth goddess whom you have insulted may refuse to give us her increase, and we shall all perish" (22). Ezeani said this to okonkwo in response to his challenge against his chi, by beating his wife during the week of peace. Okonkwo BECAME THE EXAMPLE OF A person challenging his own chi. His desperate desire to succeed his chi, does not let him go any further than failure, destruction and death. Chi is simultaneously a destiny and an internal commitment, WHICH cannot be denied.   Ã‚  Ã‚     The Igbo religion has a tendency to symbolize numerous amounts of divine gods. They HAD a god for every different natural phenomenon that occurred. These things of worship were things such as trees, pieces of wood, hills, caves etc.    For every symbolic god there was a being in the clan that represented it. Ezeani the priestess, of the goddess of the earth, represented the goddess of earth (Ani). The clan seeks knowledge from the god through the oracle of the hills and caves. Other symbols in the Igbo religion are the sacred silk cotton tree and the evil forest.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     The festivals, in the novel contribute to the development of this theme as well.   The two festivals "Week of peace" and "The Feast of the New Yam" ARE SYMBOLS OF IMPORTANCE TO the clan and OF THE power WHICH gods have. The week of peace was one of the means of unification FOR the clan and appeasement for the gods in control over the crops.

The Impact of Language on Identity and Social Acceptance in Richard Wright’s Novel, Black Boy :: Race African American

The Impact of Language on Identity and Social Acceptance in Richard Wright’s Novel, Black Boy The entire act, the entire situation, the entire experience of discovery is not only unique to each and every individual, but more importantly, a thrilling tumult of emotions gone haywire and perceptions completely altered. Richard Wright, in his autobiographical work Black Boy, attempts to convey the discovery of nothing less than language itself. Employing a wide variety of rhetorical devices and insightful commentaries, Wright expertly conveys his newfound respect for language and its tangible impact on both identity and social acceptance. Perhaps most notable throughout the passage is Wright’s use of rhetorical questions to both outline his whirling thought processes at the time and create a sense of the urgency in his audience. â€Å"Why did he write like that? And how did one write like that?†¦What was this?† By providing answers to some of his own questions and the allowing the readers to do so for themselves for the rest, Wright engages the readers, bringing them along for the ride of discovery. â€Å"Who were these men?† Wright asks, â€Å"Who was Anatole France? Joseph Conrad? Sinclair Lewis, Dostoevsky, Moore, Gustave Flaubert, Maupassant, Tolstoy, Frank Harris, Mark Twain†¦Ã¢â‚¬  In fact, an entire paragraph is dedicated to these the listing of these authors, whose names were meant to both intrigue the audience and create a sense of fascination. The fast-paced, almost tumultuous wave of new perceptions conveys Wright’s newfound awe over the effect effective use of langua ge could have. Wright’s choice of diction, chosen to convey both imagery and invoke ethos also proves to be effective. He describes Mencken as he pictured him at the time, active and in a furor, â€Å"a raging demon, slashing with his pen, consumed with hate, denouncing everything American, extolling everything European†¦ laughing†¦mocking.† These words, full of fierce emotions, conveys exactly how deeply Wright feels the language of Mencken. With the forming of a realization that one’s use of language could impact how others saw one, and perhaps even influence what one truly was, Wright describes how his impulse to dream of writing â€Å"surged up again†¦I hungered for books, new ways of looking and seeing.

Genetics and Genomics Essay

1. One patient has a grade I tumor of the lung, while another patient has a grade IV tumor of the lung. Explain how tumors in various stages are similar and how they differ. (1 point) Both stage I and stage IV lung cancer is presented with cellular differentiation, loss of normal tissue structure, as well as irregular size and shape of the nucleus. Normal cells are able to divide and die cancer cells are pile up on top of each other forming a tumor. The staging and grading of cancer depends on evaluation of size of the tumor, degree of invasion extent of spread and differentiation of cells. Stage I lung cancer is a tumor less than 3cm ,has no evidence of invasion, well differentiated, whereas stage IV tends to be least differentiated have most anaplasia, can be any size and have spread to other organs. The similarity sometimes noted in symptoms that patient is presenting with. Two patients may present with same symptoms and have two different stages. However the survival rate is the same regardless of stage. 2. If a patient has breast cancer, how would angiogenesis and invasion influence tumor growth and metastasis? (1 point) Angiogenesis is a physiological process of developing new blood vessels. This normal process is not only supplying the normal cells but also nourishes the cancer cells. Small cancers are unable to develop new blood vessels, however larger cancers can. The process of invasion occurs between the beginning of the event and development of obvious tumor, some mutated cells die while others reproduce. The tumor at this point continues to grow and reproduce. Breasts tissue is very vascular and very close located to lymph nodes. Cells break off from the original tumor and travel through the lymphatic system and blood stream, to the other organs where they produce secondary tumors. Chapter 14: 3. Compare and contrast the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. (0.75 point) Sympathetic nervous system originates in a spinal cord. The small neurons enter the ganglia near the cord, the ganglia forms a chain that spreads the impulse to neurons (postganglionic) which are responsible for reaching many organs and glands. Physiologic effects of sympathetic nervous system is vasoconstriction, elevated blood pressure, increased heart  rate and contractility, increased respiratory rate, sufficient amount of blood flow to skeletal muscle, smooth muscle relaxation of the lungs, stomach, and urinary tract, sphincter contractions, dilated pupils and ciliary muscle relaxation, increased sweat gland secretion and reduced pancreatic secretions. Parasympathetic nervous system contrasts in the place of its origin, as it originates from central nervous system through cranial nerves from midbrain and medulla. After leaving the CNS the long preganglionic fibers fiber of each parasympathetic nerve travels to a ganglion near a particular organ or gland, and the short postganglionic fibers enter the organ or gland. The sympathetic has opposite order. With parasympathetic nervous system blood pressure heart rate respirations are measured at low levels, GI tract is active after meal, pupils constricted. These two systems compensate each other’s activities. 3. A patient has increased intracranial pressure of 30 mmHg caused by a massive closed head injury. Explain the process of increasing intracranial pressure, and discuss possible complications if the pressure is not decreased. (1 point) With closed head injury, external force is applied to the head and brain causing a disturbance of physiologic constancy. The injury has an impact on brain’s compensatory mechanisms by overwhelming them to the point where they became no longer effective. This leads to increased intracranial pressure. As increased intracranial pressure continues to rise, leading to increased cerebral blood flow which it causes venous congestion. This adds more increase to intracranial pressure, which at this point causes cellular hypoxia. As cellular hypoxia occurs brain death is imminent. 4. Two individuals come to the emergency department with head injuries. A 25 years old, has just been in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) and has a temporal lobe injury. The other, 65 years old, has increasing confusion after a fall that happened earlier in the week. How could you clinically differentiate between the individual with the extradural hematoma and the individual with the subdural hematoma? Which one of these individuals requires priority surgical treatment? (1 point) To clinically distinguish between these two injuries it is vital to understand the location of the injury, age of the individual, and extent of the injury. In this case the 25 year-old individual post motor vehicle accident has suffered extradural hematoma. The impact of the accident has caused blunt force trauma to head, which caused a rupture of meningeal artery. Arteries are generally are larger and bleed quicker, which predisposes this individual for quick blood loss. Irregular heart beat and breathing can lead to coma. The 65 year-old individual that has suffered a fall is presenting with subdural hematoma which involves veins, stretching of the veins causes them to tear and bleed. However since this patient is older and in older individuals brain cells die and brain shrinks there is more space in a brain so the veins stretch under low pressure and don’t bleed as fast. As this condition can cause increased intracranial pressure and lead to herniation of the brain it defin itely requires immediate intervention. Nevertheless the priority surgical treatment will be the individual with extradural hematoma due to increased risk of bleeding. Chapter 19: 6. What conditions must be present for a diagnosis of Reye syndrome? (0.25 point) Reye syndrome is believed to be caused by Influenza A, B, and chicken pox. Aspirin also should be avoided with children as it may cause Reye syndrome. Some studies suggest genetic predisposition to Reye syndrome. Some of the conditions that must be existent with this disease are persistent vomiting, loss of consciousness, and effects memory function. Reye syndrome affects temporal lobe of the brain where memory is stored. The encephalopathy is caused by liver depositing lipids. While looking at physiologic symptoms, the cerebrospinal fluid is obtain, and will likely be positive for leukocyte. Treatments depend on the extent of the illness.

Echoes of Heaven: God’s Love is Better than Life Itself,” Essay

Abstract Charles Elephant bares his Spirit in a book exalting God in every word, every page, and every chapter. In publishing his new book titled â€Å"Echoes of Heaven: God’s Love is Better than Life Itself,† Elephant shares his faith with the world by lifting select verses from the bible, and explaining how these words have changed his life and formed his faith. Amid all the tragedies, heartbreaks, hatred and confusion in the world today, it seems that everyone is out in the desert of life, tired but still running aimlessly for some clarity, a sense of knowledge that a much higher, much powerful force is in control, and never losing control of the world as they know it. Each person has a way of coping with life’s trials and difficulties. People turn to loved ones; others turn to their friends, others to their support groups, others to their families, while some others turn to books of wisdom that may provide the answers even to the questions they have not really asked out loud. Elephant writes the words of wisdom with the aid of biblical references and tells his readers how God started everything, and how He is still watching over His creation, with every intention of fulfilling His promises. â€Å"Echoes of Heaven: God’s Love is Better than Life Itself† is the book that will accompany its readers in their walk through life. It is a friend, a guide and ultimately, a prayer partner for a more meaningful and richer relationship with God. Author’s Bio Charles Elephant was born and raised in the quiet rural town of Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri in Kenya. Charles’ birth name is Charles Njogu. â€Å"Njogu† means Elephant in his language. Charles completed a Master’s degree in International Finance and Economics at Brandeis University in 2003. Presently, he is taking yet another Master’s Degree, this time under the Science in Management and Systems program at New York University. Charles came to the United States in 2001 and lived in Waltham, Massachusetts for a while, then moved to Newark, New Jersey, where he is currently staying. Life was chaotic for Charles in his search for life’s meaning and the individual role that he is supposed to play in this world. He was on a restless journey through life before he rediscovered God and began to understand His ways in the early 1990s. Along with his renewed faith in God, Charles got a revived outlook in life. Since then, too, Charles has determined that his strongest desire lies in tapping into his Spirit to gather more wisdom from God, and subsequently pass it on to His children. Charles vows to share with the world God’s amazing works and promises through his books and music of Praise and Worship. â€Å"My purpose in this merciless and bitter world is to bring together all the children of the Most High God to understand each other and find a way back to God. It is my responsibility to help others to rise above body-consciousness and have a glimpse of the Lord, with His grace.† –   Charles Elephant PART I Chapter 1 Songs of Praise â€Å"Echoes of Heaven: God’s Love is Better than Life Itself†[1] begins with praise, worship and adoration in the first chapter using verses in Psalm 40. Elephant deems it good to start this way, presumably to honor God before moving forward to what he has to share in his book. He writes, â€Å"It is good to praise and worship God because He is good and worthy of our devotion every moment.†[2] How did Elephant introduce God to his readers? What justifies the statement that â€Å"It is good to praise and worship God,† and how â€Å"good† is God such that He is â€Å"worthy of our devotion every moment?† Elephant lifted verses from Psalm 40 to enumerate some of God’s wonderful ways. He responds to the cry of his people; He pulls His children from a dangerous pit, and a deadly quicksand; He makes His children feel secure; and He teaches who hears Him with a new song. Essentially, readers begin to see an extremely powerful but loving God who saves His people from harm, makes His people feel secure, and soothes the weary to sing a new song. How does Elephant respond to the amazing qualities of God? What is Elephant’s way of showing to God that he does praise, worship and obey Him? Elephant turns to Psalm 40 and says to God, â€Å"Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.†[3] The introduction shows the manner in which a book will move forward from the starting point. This is where readers are given a glimpse of how the author will take them on a journey, and what they could look forward to in the succeeding chapters. In his first chapter, Elephant tells his readers that his book will be a guide to understanding God, a new lens through which God could be seen in a different light, and a friend to talk to when one finds himself feeling insecure or getting trapped in a dangerous pit, and a deadly quicksand. Chapter 2 Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elephant understands that his book is a personal collection of prayers, which can also be understood as private content of his spiritual being. Hence, in Chapter 2, he moves on to share more about himself, his life, where he came from, the kind of family that raised him, how he rediscovered the Lord and increased his faith; and how he found serenity in his newfound faith in the Lord. To anyone who carries or has carried a lot of burden in life, Elephant talks to him and says, â€Å"Before I met God, I was desperate; I hated myself because I had no hope, and my life was nothing but misery.†[4] Elephant furthers, â€Å"I was dying to hear someone whisper, ‘I love you,’ but no one ever did.†[5]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   After having been lost and restless in life, Elephant says he wants to share with his readers the joy he has been feeling in God’s grace. Then he sums up his realizations in one urgent message – the importance of growing and increasing the relationship between man and God.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To bring God closer to the reader’s home, Elephant likens God to a father; a father whose arms await his children who had gone out of His embrace, who had decided to walk aimlessly through life, but are now ready to come back home to Him. Chapter 3 God’s Calling   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the many things that you would normally hear from all kinds of people is that they are waiting to feel or hear God’s calling. Some others are asking whether there really such a thing as God’s calling and who hears this calling and how. Charles Elephant tells his story – the root of his choice, the family situation he was exposed to, and how God gave him a startling message that had set the course for his next choices in life. Elephant courageously shares the story that would convince you to find your own calling, too. Then he recounts a dream where God has spoken to him. Ultimately, Elephant opens his life to further stress one point: the depth of God’s understand and the extent of what He may choose to do for his child. Elepahant closes the chapter by saying, â€Å"I thanked God because He could understand my struggle and what I was going through.†[6] Chapter 4 God Appeared in Person   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Jesus Christ was crucified because the people would not believe that he was the Son of God. But today, Charles Elephant is saying in his book that God has appeared before him in the flesh of a stranger. In the Bible, it is written, â€Å"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.†[7] Charles Elephant unfolds a tale of an encounter that has made him cry positive triumphant tears. He says, â€Å"I had done what was right in the eyes of God.†[8] Chapter 5 God Revealed Himself to Me   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Chapter 5, Elephant continues to reveal his relationship with God and how his visions were coming with accurate news. He also relates to readers the conflicts he had to face externally and internally. Without qualms and even a slight hint of reluctance, Elephant tears his memory apart to gather the point in time when he felt God’s manifestation in his life, as he sensed God revealing Himself to him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In this chapter, Elephant says to his reader, â€Å"Do not harden your heart.† As he was lost and had experienced countless conflicts in his life, he knew how a hardened heart must feel. But after a process of overcoming   the blocks toward his spiritual growth, Elephant says, â€Å"Take my soul and mind because there are no longer my own. God, the Creator of the universe, let your will be done in my life for your glory.†[9] Chapter 6 Submitting My Life to God   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In examining his life, as well as that of everyone and everything around him, Charles Elephant equips himself with the knowledge he needs to understand to carry on in life. Elephant notes the miracle of how he had gone to school despite his lack of resources. In his observation and recall, certain things in His life would not have happened if God had not allowed it. Yet, because they happened, and in fact turned into reality, Elephant calls it a miracle – one of the many miracles in his life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elephant shares yet another miracle in Chapter 6, how he was baptized by God, and how he was anointed by Jesus, the Son of God.   Submitting himself to God by baptismal was the first major step that Elephant has made in the hopes of giving back to God his expression of love. Chapter 7 Exciting Missions   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   After his holy baptismal, witnessing life and death became significant missions for Elephant. He tells of how God has sent him to people, and how the people have turned to him, as well. Charles believed he was doing God’s Will. And ultimately, he was willingly surrendering everything for God, because He has manifested Himself to him, and He has given him missions to fulfill. Elephant is filled with delight, because he has done as God had said. To his reader, he passes the reassurance that God is not taking anyone out of His sight. In fact, God knows and sees everything. Therefore, people who submit themselves to God need not worry about anything, especially not about getting lost.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   He is a child following orders from God. Once again. Surely, Elephant wishes everyone to be alert in the presence of God, the father. He says, â€Å"When we go astray or fail to do His will due to our ignorance, He corrects us with love. His love to us endures forever.†[10] Chapter 8 The Occasion of My Birthday   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Jesus said this is how man should make his petitions know to God: â€Å"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.[11] Elephant tells of birthdays graced by God and how his relationship with Him has made him a completely at peace and content person. Through his birthday stories, Elephant suggests that no matter how simple or grand the petition is, if you say it out loud to God,   then it will happen according to God’s grace. Chapter 9 Love   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Love and pain from heartaches are frequently together; most of the times, where there is love, there is pain. In the same manner, one’s value is diminished in the absence of another.   Yet, Elephant says love is the greatest gift of all. How does love, with pain accompanying it, become the greatest love of all? Elephant says the simple answer, â€Å"Jesus sacrificed his life for our sake because of the Love God had for the world.†[12] If love could result in the sacrifice of life, then there is nothing that love could not do, cause or bring forth. One is still inclined to ask, â€Å"Why do people who love get hurt?† Elephant says, â€Å"God made me to go through the practical experience of being hurt, disappointed, desperate and discouraged. Without suffering, love could have no value; suffering draws us closer to God and helps us to appreciate the gift of life.†[13]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As for his more personal story, Elephant says this about love: â€Å"Genuine love does not attach conditions; it is always a free gift to others.†[14] Chapter 10 A Vision of Heaven   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Heaven is a bright, lively stunning place where a banquet is prepared for everyone. This is just one of the aspects of Heaven, according to Elephant. In his curiosity about death and Heaven, Elephant had prayed for guidance and received it. In his trip to Heaven, two things were made even cleared to him: One, Heaven is home. Two, everyone should be able to find their way Home to the Father. Hence, upon receiving this vision, Elephant’s goal of bringing more people closer to God, so everyone could reach Home when the time comes for death on earth. Chapter 11 Angel Messengers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If people were plants and bushes in the garden, angels are the gardeners fulfilling their biological needs and preserving their aesthetic value. After his own personal encounters with angels, Elephant summarized his realization into this: â€Å"Angels are humble creatures who are always ready to serve and protect us. They are our gardeners. They do not want to see us miserable, sad or doing wrong things.†[15] Chapter 12 Faith   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Every now and then, man will realize his faith is being tested by the situation, by his inner conflicts or by the environment influencing him. In any circumstance where faith is being tested, Elephant is says one has got to understand the breadth and depth of God’s might and His love for man. This way, one’s faith will remain strong amid tempting thoughts, feelings, worries and insecurities. How does one show his faith? How could faith be increased? How could faith be manifested? Elephant answers all these questions by saying, â€Å"Faith and trust are built through the long journey of love. Faith must be reflected by actions.†[16] God makes impossible things happen at His will. Elephant says, â€Å"He is faithful and never fails. He creates ways where there is no way.†[17] Chapter 13 Dealing with Darkness   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It has always been good versus bad since man’s first kindergarten stories. It has always been about good triumphing over evil in the end. In believing in God, Elephant says, it is also important to believe in the existence of the devil, which he relates to darkness as proper metaphor.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In this chapter, Elephant shares how he almost died, and how God has empowered him to preserve his life – by defeating the devil. Elephant explains to his readers the way in which the devil works in the lives of man. He says, â€Å"As I was thinking about God, the Devil was thinking about me. As I was thinking about how to build a relationship with God, the Devil was thinking about how to destroy my relationship with God.†[18] Further, Elephant suggests that man should be ready with armor in anticipation of the devil’s attacks. What kind of armor could protect man from evil? Could this be bought? Is there a practice necessary to build it? Elephant says, â€Å"We need to put on our armor for protection. The name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior is the spiritual supernatural weapon; and the blood that he shed on Calvary is our armor.†[19] Therefore, Jesus Christ has done it all for man. Jesus Christ and his dying at the Calvary, and later on his resurrection, had become man’s salvation against evil for the rest of man’s life. Chapter 14 On Preparing for Death   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elephant had an actual near-death episode in the previous chapter. Here, he talks about his vision on his last day on earth. He had asked for a glimpse of how it would look like on his day of departure from Earth, and he was not very ecstatic about what he saw. Yet, how ecstatic could one be if one is seeing a vision of his wake or funeral? But then Elephant says there is nothing to worry about, not even death. He writes a prayer that one could recite in anticipation of death, and in gratitude to God at the same time: Thank you God for the time you have given me to live in this merciless and bitterness world. Lord I cannot complaint for anything because you have blessed me from the time I came to this world until this day when I am leaving it. It was through your grace and favor that I am the way I am. Many were born with various disabilities, including mental and physical health. Many went without food, drinks or clothing, but for me you had provided well. Millions have died through various causes but you have kept me alive until this day. I have seen the glory of sunrises and sunsets for all those days.[20] PART II Chapter 15 Man is a Complicated Creature Even from the very beginning, seemed to have a special inclination to doing exactly the opposite of what man is told to do. In Chapter 15, Elephant goes back to God’s commandments given to man, and how it everything turned out since the instruction was given. This is a highly reflective chapter in which Elephant arranged the stories in the bible that shows how man, since biblical Day 1 on Earth, has complicated every simple instruction given by God. Elephant concludes in the chapter, â€Å"Our first parent chose to follow or listen to a stranger, the Devil. He ignored the instructions that he was given by God, despite being given everything by his creator.†[21] Chapter 16 Swearing an Oath Big promises are big thing; but small promises are never small things. Hence, when it comes to promises or making oaths, God has instructed man to never take it lightly. Elephant says, â€Å"God discourages mortal man from making promises, because our failure to fulfill them will result in curses.† Elephant further says that there are traps laid by the devil in every promise a man makes. For this reason, in Psalm 15:1-5, God requires man to always do what he promises, no matter how much it may cost.[22] In the same manner, Elephant emphasizes that man should neither promise nor demand anyone to make a promise. In this way, only God is relied upon to keep His promises, as He never fails in His word. Chapter 17 Leadership Leadership comes from God, Elephant says.[23] However, unlike God who rules with glory, man tends to fail because of his ego, according to Elephant. He says, â€Å"Most leaders fail because they walk their own way out of pride.†[24] To become an effective leader, man has to submit himself to God and neither to himself, nor to the devil. Man has to understand that the true power of leadership belongs to one source, and that is God. Elephant’s advice is this: â€Å"Politicians are God’s vessels. Yet, due to ignorance, they are used by the Devil to kill, steal, and destroy. Their power and authority must be used for the glory of God, not for personal interest or gain.†[25] Chapter 18 Amazing Vision about Churches In Chapter 18, Elephant shares yet another vision, one which he received for the preservation of churches in the world. The day in the vision is Sunday, when most people go to church. Elephant sees the difference between and among people going to church, their motivation for doing so, and the difference in results across all people after the worship is over. He saw a group dressed in clean garments, and another group wearing rugs. What the people wore were symbols of their heart, what lies underneath the pretty clothes they don in the church.   How can people be so different when they are going to one common church? In his vision, Elephant was taught that not everyone sincerely comes to God to worship him. There are people who are still confused over the true meaning of God’s existence in their life. Elephant’s guide in his visionary has told him, â€Å"Those who attend the buildings with rugs are preoccupied with many things. Their hearts have no room for God. They are seeking God for their businesses to be smooth, but they have no vision of salvation.† Elephant closes this chapter with revelations and prophecies from true and false prophets alike, and the differences that set one apart from the other. For even among churchgoers, a few more souls are not sure of what they are doing. Elephant says, â€Å"The land is full of people who are unfaithful to the Lord; they live wicked lives and misuse their power. Because of the Lord’s curse, the land mourns and the pastures are dry.† It becomes clear that a man’s land can be dry or thriving, depending on man’s way of tilling his soil. Chapter 19 Living a Double Life In connection to the previous chapter where churchgoers come to church wearing metaphorical rugs, Elephant continues to discuss the â€Å"double life† among God’s children, among the believers, themselves. He says, â€Å"The majority of Christians are believers, but they do not know what they believe in.† However sad the realization may be, there is a certain amount of truth in the state of the confused and lost Christians who were supposed to have been saved. As faith grows among believers, so does the evil ways in which they are trapped. Therefore, Elephant advices, â€Å"God is love and ready to forgive you. The time has come to say no to slavery and to be the master of your soul.†[26] In slavery, Elephant was referring to becoming a victim, hence a slave, of temptations. He offers a practical guide which can be used to find one’s way to freedom from confusion, disbelief and living a double life: â€Å"(A)ccept (God’s) invitation and do not reject it, and the peace, joy, and happiness from God shall be yours forever.†[27] Chapter 20 Why Marriages Break   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Today, man is living in a generation that treats marriage as an almost meaningless piece of paper, with a primary purpose of setting legal boundaries and legal attachments. The â€Å"for better or for worse† part in wedding vows have been set aside, for the sake of freedom of choice and freedom from suffering from wrong choices.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elephant says of marriage, â€Å"Marriage is a contract entered into by the free choice of a man and a woman. Both know the consequence of their choice is to participate in the creation of life. Therefore, they must make sure they do not make the child that they create suffer in any way. It is a sin, and God does not tolerate that.†[28] Chapter 21 What is Death? The tragedy of death strikes all nations and all individuals in many traumatic ways. Cultures and clans across the world have different ways of burying their dead, and remembering them in their hearts. However, death is always a cause of pain to man – to those who were left behind, and those who are awaiting their time. Being exposed to cases of HIVs and AIDS, Elephant heard a voice of why diseases like these have happened to man. The voice he heard said, â€Å"â€Å"Charles, do not be surprised. Not all who are aï ¬â‚¬ected are sinners, and that is why they are suï ¬â‚¬ering. Most of them are innocent, but the prophecy must be fulfilled. These are the last days that the prophets talked about. The world has turned away from God.† Elephant was curious about the dead, and in this chapter he reveals more of his visions that led him to grow further in his faith in God, even in the presence of death. Chapter 22 What is a Soul?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Soul is the energy that God places within a human body so it would receive life.[29] Elephant says the soul should master the mind in harmony, and the mind should not master the soul. He further speaks of preachers who minister differently among people. â€Å"When the preachers are preaching, some minister to the soul and others to the mind. Ministering to the soul results in the repentance of sins†¦ Other preachers entertain the flesh (mind) by telling people what they want to hear. Those are preachers that are either planted by the Devil or have personal interests.†[30] If mind is separated from the soul, and the soul should master the mind, it becomes clear that the mind is of the body, and the soul is of God. What does it take to have a healthy mind, then? Worldly matters, perhaps. What does it take to have a healthy soul? Elephant says it’s a relationship and common communication with God. Chapter 23 Who is right – Christians or Muslims?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In a very concise but meaningful manner, Elephant explains the reality among Christians and Muslims, and how there should be no debate as to who is right between the two groups.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It has already been discussed in the book that man is complicated by nature. Ergo, it is not surprising to see religions clashing even when they are not supposed to, considering that they are worshipping one God, and resisting one enemy, the devil. Ergo, it works for the glory of God that people in spite of all the differences, are worshipping one and the same God, albeit in many varying ways. Chapter 24 The issue of the Da Vinci Code   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The whole world talked of a fictional book by a them emerging author who wrote about the purported symbols in the works of the great legendary artist, Leonardo Da Vinci. Massive talks and debates were held, all for one fictional book. Yet, Elephant shares with the readers why all these debates took place. He says, â€Å"Religion, belief, and faith are parts of our lives, and they give us an identity. When they are challenged, we tend to feel insecure and threatened.†[31] The threat mostly comes from knowing that other groups are saying that what used to be real for most is false all along. This is a threat in that the stability of old beliefs are shaken, and a line is no longer drawn between fiction and facts. However, Elephant says, the threat should not upset anyone, and there should have been no threat at all if man has a competent understanding of what he believes in. The problem starts when one’s faith is weak and therefore the Spirit is not heard. â€Å"We should not walk blindly, because ignorance is as bad as any other sin.. It is our responsibility to follow God’s guidance,† Elephant says.[32] This guidance, when received, will draw the glaring line between fact and fiction, and kill the threat away, and will subsequently set matters straight between fact and fiction. The thing that matters most, therefore, is faith, unshakeable faith in God that seeks guidance all the time. Chapter 25 Kenyan Road of Democracy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Kenya is precious to Elephant because first and foremost, it is his country.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   He also mentions about the amazing relationship between Christians and Muslims in Kenya, together with the other religions. Hence, in Elephant’s country, they were one. All the turmoil that Kenya has gone through, sits deep inside each one of everyone in Kenya, such that even the political situation in Kenya has become a part of Elephant’s vision. Elephant says, â€Å"During the elections, I did not go to vote because I knew the outcome already.†[33] Elephant shares how the amazing change of government in Kenya was hinted in his visions, and what he had to do to see it through. Chapter 26 Pope John Paul’s Revelation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Pope John Paul II was instrumental to Elephant’s continuously increasing faith. Elephant shares with the readers the testimonies of his visions concerning Pope John Paul II, and how his death has affected him, spiritually and emotionally, and ultimately, holistically.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elephant shares, â€Å"I had a lot of confusion in my head about my life and mission until the death of Pope John Paul.†[34] Even after the Pope’s death, Elephant has witnessed a vision, which affirmed the reality of death for him, as well as the awesome glory that awaits those who have been righteous and faithful to God.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In conclusion to this chapter, Elephant says, â€Å"It is true that when we die, an angel of God comes for us in a bright light to take those who are righteous to paradise†¦ Glory be to God.†[35] PART III Chapter 27 Who is the Devil?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In this third and final part of the book, Elephant tells the story of how the Devil became one, and how man is being trapped by this devil’s manipulation over and over again. As for Elephant, he reckons that knowledge of the devil and its ways are necessary in the continuous journey of a believer in God.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Elephant’s summarized story of the devil’s existence, he stresses that the devil is all about pride, power and possession. So, â€Å"the Devil deceives mankind to sin, so that he can remain in power and have authority and power throughout the ages.†[36] Chapter 28 Who is Jesus?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Jesus is the overall manifestation of   God’s love for man. As it is said in the Bible in John 3:16, â€Å"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever shall believe in Him, will not perish, but will receive eternal life.† As such, Jesus was the very representation of God’s immense love for His people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elephant recounts Jesus’ life on Earth, emphasizing on Jesus’ important teachings on love, forgiveness and prayer among others. Knowing Jesus is similar to knowing that God loves his creation. Chapter 29 Who is God?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elephant turns to the Bible and his own personal experience and visions in sharing with his readers the reality he knows of God. He says, â€Å"God’s purpose from the beginning was for man to rule the world. God did not create man to die but to live forever†[37]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In knowing God and His high supremacy, Elephant turns to the Bible to recount the first three commandments in Exodus 20:3-7, which is the ultimate verbal manifestation of God: â€Å"I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves. Worship no other god but me. Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth. Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, because I am the Lord your God and tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation. But I show my love to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my laws.† Chapter 30 Curses   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Curses in this modern age are nothing more than witchcraft manifestation of manipulation and remedies. But in the Bible, curses existed because God has decided to unleash His anger. God, too, gets hurt and gets angry. In fact, He was so disappointed and hurt with what happened to Adam and Eve in the Bible, that He cursed them. This is the story of this chapter: how God was badly hurt, how He has cursed the world and how he redeemed it again by Jesus Christ.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elephant says, â€Å"The curse started from one point where God was standing and spread all over the world. The blood that came from Jesus’ limbs dripped onto the ground, breaking the curses right from the Calvary where the cross was planted to the ground.†[38] Chapter 31 God’s Anger   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In building a relationship with God, it is important to understand what makes Him happy and what makes Him angry. Even before man is born, he is loved. But man’s complicated course of actions is inclined towards displeasing God, resulting in His anger. Therefore, if man would know what angers God and keeps that in mind, his life and his relationship with God would lie strong in faith and he will not feel abandoned or cursed by God.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elephant says, â€Å"God has taught me about the Bible through reading and repeating in my dreams or visions the events that took place from Genesis to Revelation whenever I desired to experience the same.†Ã‚   In his desire to experience God fully, he submits himself for visions, desiring to understand God and His ways. Elephant states how he has shared laughing moments with God, and how important it is to never leave God’s care. Chapter 32 The Grace of God   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Elephant starts this chapter by reminding his reader of one biblical fact: all man are sinners. Yet, despite the sin and the abominable ways of man, God’s grace shines through, so much that His Son came down to die for the salvation of man.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Even before Jesus came, God’s grace was already apparent in the Old Testament. Elephant says, â€Å"God is love and He is merciful. He delivered the Israelites from the hands of their oppressors because He loved their forefathers. There was no price to pay after deliverance.† Truly, there is no higher and holier grace than that. Chapter 33 What is Forgiven? In his desire to further understand God, Elephant has prayed for an understanding of sin, and how sin would be recalled on the last day. How much is too much when it comes to sin? How could man’s unforgiving ways affect the judgment that would fall upon him on the last day? To answer these questions, Elephant leaves one strong statement for his reader: â€Å"The wicked will have to suffer, but those who trust in the Lord are protected by his constant love.† It is worth noting that throughout the book, Elephant is consistently never judgmental, and he keeps inviting his reader to repent and trust in God to experience God’s amazing love. Psalms 51, a prayer for forgiveness is an integral part of this chapter, where man is encourage to put his trust in God and know that for whatever sin, if man comes with sincerity and bow before God, then God’s grace will forgive, and ultimately, save him. Chapter 34 Do Not Test God   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   While Christianity is under attack, man is continuously tempted to ask God for signs that He is real, that He exists, that He is powerful, and that He is, indeed God. But Elephant says in this chapter, man is not supposed to test God.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Deuteronomy 6:16, it is said, â€Å"Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Be sure that you obey all the laws that He has given you. Do what the Lord says is right and good, and all will be well with you.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In maintaining a relationship with God, Elephant says this is what is important: Therefore, it is not a question of what to receive but what to give back to God; not what God is going to do but what God has done for us and what we are going to do for Him; not what we can expect from God but what God expects from us.[39] Chapter 35 Where Does God Live? Believers and followers of God will know where he lives for it is written in the Bible, that Jesus has risen to prepare rooms for God’s children who will find Heaven after a life on Earth. In John 14:1-3, Jesus said, â€Å"Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe on God, believe also on me. In my Father’s house there are many abodes; were it not so, I had told you: for I go to prepare you a place; and if I go and shall prepare you a place, I am coming again and shall receive you to myself, that where I am ye also may be.† Therefore God lives in a Kingdom with many rooms, and this, man is destined to see. Elephant concludes, â€Å"Jesus came to bring salvation to all mankind so that we could inherit the Kingdom of God by showing us the right way to follow.†[40] Chapter 36 Prayers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Chapter 36 is full of prayers for the believers to form a relationship with God and strengthening this relationship to experience God’s grace and love.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In this chapter, Elephant discusses the Seven Steps to prepare the Bread at the Holy Communion. The seven steps are as follows: First, prepare the ingredients while gathering the believers and ask forgiveness from one another; second, ask God to bless the mixture of dough to turn it into the Body of Christ; third, pray for the utensils, too, and ask God for the blazing flame of the Holy Spirit; fourth, pray for God to enrich the bread with spiritual gifts that it may be taken into the body of man; fifth, give thanks to God; sixth, bless the communion and pray for those who are taking it; and finally, pray for forgiveness and thanksgiving before taking in the communion. Chapter 37 Day of the Lord In the final chapter of his book, Elephant calls unto his readers to nourish a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Christ, to become followers and believers acting as God’s hands on Earth, for God’s glory, and for earning the right to get to the Kingdom of God on the last day. Through his experience, visions and dreams, Elephant wishes nothing more for his reader than to enjoy God’s love by rediscovering Him, and becoming closer to Him everyday. Finally, Elephant shares his knowledge of rewards that await the believers on the day of Christ’s   return on Earth. He wishes to enjoy this glorious second coming, with as many believers as possible.