Right Brain vs. Left Brain Majors

http://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report/right-brain-vs-left-brain-majors

Right Brain vs. Left Brain Majors

Find out how majors that favor logical left-brained thinkers to right-brained creative types compare on salary potential, job meaning and more.

We all know that STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) majors lead to high-paying careers – that’s why schools that graduate the most engineering majors have topped our school rankings year after year. But this visualization points out that creativity is vital to many fields of study, and that there is no shortage of potential college majors that benefit from a little abstract thinking.

Most majors require a combination of both the logic of the left brain and the creativity of the right in order to succeed. PayScale has categorized 214 common bachelor’s degree majors by the side of the brain they favor and compared them on their salary potential, sense of job meaning and what percentage of graduates with that major recommend it to others.

First we categorized majors as Left Brain, Left Dominant, Evenly Mixed, Right Dominant and Right Brain. Left Brain and Right Brain majors rely almost exclusively on skills associated with one side of the brain only. Left Brain majors, like electrical  engineering and actuarial mathematics use logic, ration and reason while Right Brain majors like theater and English literature require creativity, intuition and subjective analysis. Left Dominant and Right Dominant majors definitely favor one side of the brain, but are greatly aided by complementary skills from the other side. For example, mechanical engineering majors use right brain skills to build models and creatively solve engineering challenges, while marketing majors complement their creative ideas with logical analysis of case studies and metrics. Finally, Evenly Mixed majors use a nearly fifty-fifty blend of both skillsets in their coursework. Examples include industrial design and psychology.

We also compare the majors on job meaning (what percent of graduates with that major say their jobs make the world a better place). A high paycheck is nice, but doing work you really believe in counts for a lot as well – and both right and left brain majors can earn big marks for job meaning. 

The size of the circle representing each major represents what percentages of graduates recommend their major. 

THE QUEST: The Hero's Journey Outline

The Quest comes with the question: What have I come here tondo with my life?

http://www.thewritersjourney.com/hero's_journey.htm

The Hero's Journey Outline

The Hero’s Journey is a pattern of narrative identified by the American scholar Joseph Campbell that appears in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development.  It describes the typical adventure of the archetype known as The Hero, the person who goes out and achieves great deeds on behalf of the group, tribe, or civilization.

Its stages are:

1.        THE ORDINARY WORLD.  The hero, uneasy, uncomfortable or unaware, is introduced sympathetically so the audience can identify with the situation or dilemma.  The hero is shown against a background of environment, heredity, and personal history.  Some kind of polarity in the hero’s life is pulling in different directions and causing stress.

2.        THE CALL TO ADVENTURE.  Something shakes up the situation, either from external pressures or from something rising up from deep within, so the hero must face the beginnings of change. 

3.        REFUSAL OF THE CALL.  The hero feels the fear of the unknown and tries to turn away from the adventure, however briefly.  Alternately, another character may express the uncertainty and danger ahead.

4.        MEETING WITH THE MENTOR.  The hero comes across a seasoned traveler of the worlds who gives him or her training, equipment, or advice that will help on the journey.  Or the hero reaches within to a source of courage and wisdom.

5.        CROSSING THE THRESHOLD.  At the end of Act One, the hero commits to leaving the Ordinary World and entering a new region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values. 

6.        TESTS, ALLIES AND ENEMIES.  The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World.

7.        APPROACH.  The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special world.

8.        THE ORDEAL.  Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear.  Out of the moment of death comes a new life. 

9.        THE REWARD.  The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death.  There may be celebration, but there is also danger of losing the treasure again.

10.      THE ROAD BACK.  About three-fourths of the way through the story, the hero is driven to complete the adventure, leaving the Special  World to be sure the treasure is brought home.  Often a chase scene signals the urgency and danger of the mission.

11.     THE RESURRECTION.  At the climax, the hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of home.  He or she is purified by a last sacrifice, another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and more complete level.  By the hero’s action, the polarities that were in conflict at the beginning are finally resolved.

12.       RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR.  The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing some element of the treasure that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been transformed.

The Heroine's Journey  (adapted from Maureen Murdock)

STAGE

1.         SEPARATION FROM THE FEMININE

2.         IDENTIFICATION WITH THE MASCULINE & GATHERING OF ALLIES

3.         ROAD OF TRIALS, MEETING OGRES & DRAGONS

4.         FINDING THE BOON OF SUCCESS

5.         AWAKENING TO FEELINGS OF SPIRITUAL ARIDITY: DEATH

6.         INITIATION & DESCENT TO THE GODDESS

7.         URGENT YEARNING TO RECONNECT WITH THE FEMININE 

8.         HEALING THE MOTHER/DAUGHTER SPLIT

9.         HEALING THE WOUNDED MASCULINE

10.       INTEGRATION OF MASCULINE & FEMININE 
 

THE ARCHETYPE

ARCHETYPES are recurring patterns of human behavior, symbolized by standard types of characters in movies and stories.

HEROES

Central figures in stories.  Everyone is the hero of his or her own myth.

SHADOWS

Villains and enemies, perhaps the enemy within.  The dark side of the Force, the repressed possibilities of the hero, his or her potential for evil.  Can be other kinds of repression, such as repressed grief, anger, frustration or creativity that is dangerous if it doesn’t have an outlet.

MENTORS

The hero’s guide or guiding principles.  Yoda, Merlin, a great coach or teacher.

HERALD

One who brings the Call to Adventure.  Could be a person or an event.

THRESHOLD GUARDIANS

The forces that stand in the way at important turning points, including jealous enemies, professional gatekeepers, or your own fears and doubts.

SHAPESHIFTERS

In stories, creatures like vampires or werewolves who change shape.  In life, the shapeshifter represents change.  The way other people (or our perceptions of them) keep  changing.  The opposite sex, the way people can be two-faced.

TRICKSTERS

Clowns and mischief-makers, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy.  Our own mischievous subconscious, urging us to change.

ALLIES

Characters who help the hero through the change.  Sidekicks, buddies, girlfriends who advise the hero through the transitions of life.

Video: Former Atheist Lee Strobel’s Powerful Conversion Testimony

http://godsnotdeadthemovie.com/blog/lee-strobels-testimony-atheist-believer/

Video: Former Atheist Lee Strobel’s Powerful Conversion Testimony Proves God’s Not Dead

Video: Former Atheist Lee Strobel’s Powerful Conversion Testimony Proves God’s Not Dead

October 1, 2014

(God’s Not Dead) Former atheist, award winning Chicago Tribune journalist and Yale Law graduate, Lee Strobel shares his powerful “Saul-to-Paul” testimony of how the living God supernaturally grabbed his heart and mind to reveal Himself.  Lee Strobel began investigating the credibility of Christianity, as well as the Bible’s authenticity and inerrancy. Lee’s journey and research uncovered overwhelming evidence that he couldn’t ignore or deny.

Ultimately God prepared Lee’s heart to accept the truth. Since that faithful day, God has been using His new creation mightily – his gifts, skills, talents and passion for spreading the Good News Of The Gospel.  According to his web site, after investigating the evidence for Jesus, Lee became a Christian in 1981. He joined the staff of Willow Creek Community Church in 1987 and later became a teaching pastor. He joined Saddleback Valley Community Church as a teaching pastor in 2000. He left Saddleback to write books and host the national network TV program Faith Under Fire.

Atheist-turned-Christian Lee Strobel, is a New York Times best-selling author of more than twenty books and serves as Professor of Christian Thought at Houston Baptist University.

Described in the Washington Post as “one of the evangelical community’s most popular apologists,” Lee shared the Christian Book of the Year award in 2005 for a curriculum he co-authored with Garry Poole about the movie The Passion of the Christ. He also won Gold Medallions for The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, and The Case for a Creator, all of which have been made into documentaries distributed by Lionsgate. To learn more about Lee’s amazing journey and his resources – visit his web site at www.LeeStrobel.com.

God’s Not Dead Updates:

Recently released, initial sales and demand of this powerful film have already exceeded expectations (ranking #2 in DVD & Blue-Ray Sales-Read More after just a couple of weeks) Grab copies for friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers while supplies last. As we move from theaters to the retail and digital release, we are once again encouraged by the hunger for this message – we continue to praise God that he is able to use this unique evangelical film to strengthen our faith, sharpen our swords and reach a lost world with the good news of the Gospel. Amen!

Check out what “God’s Not Dead” fans are saying on Facebook and post your own photo as so many others are doing – Click Here Now.

Bring “God’s Note Dead” To Your Church And Host A Movie Outreach Event. If you are interested in getting your own copy of the “God’s Not Dead” Bible Study – Click Below:

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Retire a Millionaire on Just $35 a Week

http://www.daveramsey.com/blog/retire-a-millionaire-on-35-a-week/?ectid=elp.facebook.post.8-15-2014

Retire a Millionaire on Just $35 a Week

Not everyone has a big cushy salary. Plenty of folks out there work hard just to make minimum wage. Or maybe you make a decent salary but have suffered financial setbacks due to emergencies. Heck, even providing for a family of four can be expensive!

But that doesn't mean you can't save money for a comfortable future.

A Surprising Formula for Success

Typically, we talk about investing in percentages: Dave recommends contributing 15% of your household income into tax-advantaged retirement accounts to retire comfortably. Everyone’s 15% is different and may be big or small depending on your salary.

But what if we broke it down into a number that’s easy for everyone to relate to—a figure that could easily cover a dinner out or a week’s worth of daily super-sized lattes?

Let’s see what kind of future $35 a week could afford you if you invest in good growth stock mutual funds. That would be 15% of an approximately $12,000 salary—$3,000 less than what you’d bring home in a year if you worked 40 hours a week at the federal minimum wage.

—In 20 years, you could retire with $110,000 to $150,000.
—In 30 years, you could retire with $330,000 to $490,000.
—In 40 years, you could retire with $890,000 to $1.5 million!

Keep in mind, this example doesn’t take annual raises into account. You’re not stuck at today’s income. Work hard for your money and you’ll get raises along the way. Imagine how your nest egg could look if you increase your contributions as your income grows!

Don’t Have 40 Years to Invest?

That’s okay! It just means you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and give it everything you’ve got in the time you do have.

—Pick up the pace. Add oomph to your retirement savings by bringing home a little extra bacon and rolling it into your nest egg. If you doubled down and contributed $70 a week, you could retire with $230,000 to $290,000 after 20 years and $660,000 to $980,000 after 30 years.
—Work a few extra years. There’s no rule that says you have to retire at 65. If you’re 45 years old, adding five more years to your timeline could boost your savings to $200,000 to $270,000 if you continue to contribute just $35 a week.
—Pay off your mortgage. This is a big one, but think about how much further your money could go without a mortgage hanging over your head. It might mean sacrificing a bigger home in the short term, but it will be worth it in the long term.

Make the Most of Your Nest Egg

Now that you know the difference $35 a week can make on your future, let’s talk about how to get the most bang for your investing buck.

—Clear your financial plate. You should be debt free (except for your home) with a fully funded emergency fund before setting anything aside for retirement. It’s the only way to free up your biggest wealth-building tool—your income!
—Choose wisely. Put your money in good growth stock mutual funds with a long history of above-average returns. Dave recommends spreading your investment dollars evenly across four categories: growth, growth and income, aggressive growth and international.
—Stick with it. Your retirement fund is not a short-term investment. That’s the only money you’ll have when you leave the workforce. Consider it off-limits until you retire and don’t let a temporary downturn scare you into a decision that will lose you money in the long term.

Take Advantage of Free Advice

You don’t have to bring in big bucks to win with money, but talking to an expert helps. It doesn’t cost a thing to sit down with a financial advisor and just look at your options. A true pro will take time to explain their recommendations in terms you can understand, so you can decide how to spend your hard-earned dollars.

If you’re looking for advice you can trust, we can put you in touch with an advisor in your area who has the heart of a teacher and can put you on the smart track to a future you can feel good about.

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SPIRITUAL GIFTS

http://mintools.com/gifts-list.htm

Spiritual Gifts List & Definitions   

What are the different spiritual gifts?

Training Category: Spiritual Gifts
 

There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. (1 Cor. 12:4-5)
 
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (1 Pet. 4:10)
 
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. (Romans 12:4-6a)

Although opinions differ on the actual number of spiritual gifts, God's Word clearly indicates a variety of gifts. You will find twenty different Greek words used for the gifts listed in the key passages on spiritual gifting. Herein you will find definitions for those possibilities.

Also Read:

• How to Arrive at Definitions
• What's in a Definition

You will also find an additional listing of five possible gifts not found in the key spiritual gifting passages. In the scripture references listed by those gifts the context of the verses includes the same original language for spiritual gifts used in the key passages. This spiritual gifts list is limited to the possibilities listed in the key gifts passages and those that are suggested by context.
 

List of Spiritual Gift Possibilities in Key Bible Passages 

Click on the name of a gift in these lists for its definition or simply keep scrolling down. The gifts in italics are repeated in one of the other passages.

Misc. Passages

celibacy
hospitality
martyrdom
missionary
voluntary poverty

 

Definitions of Spiritual Gifts Specifically Listed in the Bible:

ADMINISTRATION: 1 Cor. 12:28 - to steer the body toward the accomplishment of God-given goals and directives by planning, organizing, and supervising others (Greek Word: kubernesis - to steer, guide, helmsmen)

 

APOSTLE: Eph. 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:28 - to be sent forth to new frontiers with the gospel, providing leadership over church bodies and maintaining authority over spiritual matters pertaining to the church (Greek Word: apostolos - 'apo'=from 'stello'=send; one sent forth)

 

CELIBACY: 1 Cor. 7:7,8 - to voluntarily remain single without regret and with the ability to maintain controlled sexual impulses so as to serve the Lord without distraction

Back to gifts list
 
 
 

DISCERNMENT:  1 Cor. 12:10 - to clearly distinguish truth from error by judging whether the behavior or teaching is from God, Satan, human error, or human power

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

EVANGELISM: Eph. 4:11 - to be a messenger of the good news of the Gospel (Greek Word: euaggelistes - preacher of gospel; eu=well, angelos=message - messenger of good)

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

EXHORTATION: Rom. 12:8 - to come along side of someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel to help them be all God wants them to be (Greek Word: paraklesis - calling to one's side)

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

FAITH: 1 Cor. 12:8-10 - to be firmly persuaded of God's power and promises to accomplish His will and purpose and to display such a confidence in Him and His Word that circumstances and obstacles do not shake that conviction

 

GIVING: Rom. 12:8 - to share what material resources you have with liberality and cheerfulness without thought of return

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

HEALING: 1 Cor. 12:9,28,30 - to be used as a means through which God makes people whole either physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually

 

HELPS: 1 Cor. 12:28 - to render support or assistance to others in the body so as to free them up for ministry

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

HOSPITALITY: 1 Pet. 4:9,10 - to warmly welcome people, even strangers, into one's home or church as a means of serving those in need of food or lodging (Greek Word: philoxenos - love of strangers; 'philos'=love; 'xenos'=stranger)

 

KNOWLEDGE: 1 Cor. 12:8 - to seek to learn as much about the Bible as possible through the gathering of much information and the analyzing of that data

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

LEADERSHIP: Rom. 12:8 - to stand before the people in such a way as to attend to the direction of the body with such care and diligence so as to motivate others to get involved in the accomplishment of these goals

 

MARTYRDOM: 1 Cor. 13:3 - to give over one's life to suffer or to be put to death for the cause of Christ

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

MERCY: Rom. 12:8 - to be sensitive toward those who are suffering, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally, so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery, speaking words of compassion but moreso caring for them with deeds of love to help alleviate their distress

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

MIRACLES: 1 Cor. 12:10,28 - to be enabled by God to perform mighty deeds which witnesses acknowledge to be of supernatural origin and means

Books & Internet Resources:

• Prayer

 

MISSIONARY: Eph. 3:6-8 - to be able to minister in another culture

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

PASTOR: Eph. 4:11 - to be responsible for spiritually caring for, protecting, guiding, and feeding a group of believers entrusted to one's care

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

PROPHECY: Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:10; Eph. 4:11 - to speak forth the message of God to His people (Greek Word: prophetes - the forth-telling of the will of God; 'pro'=forth; 'phemi'=to speak)

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

SERVICE: Rom. 12:7 - to identify undone tasks in God's work, however menial, and use available resources to get the job done (Greek Word: diakonia - deacon, attendant 'diako'=to run errands)

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

TEACHING: Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11 - to instruct others in the Bible in a logical, systematic way so as to communicate pertinent information for true understanding and growth

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

TONGUES: 1 Cor. 12:10; 14:27-28 - to speak in a language not previously learned so unbelievers can hear God's message in their own language or the body be edified
 
INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES: 1 Cor. 12:10; 14:27,28 - to translate the message of someone who has spoken in tongues
 
 

VOLUNTARY POVERTY: 1 Cor. 13:3 - to purposely live an impoverished lifestyle to serve and aid others with your material resources

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

WISDOM: 1 Cor. 12:8 - to apply knowledge to life in such a way as to make spiritual truths quite relevant and practical in proper decision-making and daily life situations

   Back to gifts list
 
 
 

 

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

God’s Not Dead: Interview with John Lennox Part 1

http://godsnotdeadthemovie.com/blog/world-renown-god-defender-john-lennox-interviewed-part-1/

Watch Interview With John Lennox – The Oxford Professor Quoted In “God’s Not Dead” Interview Part 1

Watch Interview With John Lennox – The Oxford Professor Quoted In “God’s Not Dead” Interview Part 1

August 13, 2014

By Dr. Rice Broocks “Defender Of The Faith Series” Special Interview With Professor John Lennox – Interview #1.

John Lennox is professor of Mathematics at Oxford University and is one of the leading defenders of the Christian faith in the world. He was referenced by Josh Wheaton (played by Shane Harper) in the movie “God’s Not Dead” when atheist Professor Raddison read a quote in class from Stephen Hawking, arguably the most famous scientist in the world today, who claimed God was not necessary to explain the beginning of the Universe. Professor Lennox responded to Hawking’s work directly in his book “God and Stephen Hawking”.

I was able to sit down with Dr. Lennox recently in Vancouver B.C. and record a series of interviews that give greater insight and clarity in responding to the challenge presented by Hawking. These interviews will definitely encourage and equip you to more confidently defend your faith. In this first interview I asked Dr Lennox to talk about his journey in becoming one of the leading Christian intellectuals as well as a passionate preacher of the Gospel.

Born in Northern Ireland, he was brought up by his parents to believe in God as well as to be an open-minded learner.  He studied at Cambridge University and actually attended lectures by the legendary C.S. Lewis. He has doctoral degrees in Mathematics, Philosophy and Science. He has debated the world’s leading atheists as well as speaks at the most respected Universities in the world on the issues surrounding faith and science.

Dr. Lennox is the author of several books including “Seven Days that Divide that World”, “God’s Undertaker- Has Science Buried God?”, and “Gunning for God- Why the New Atheists are missing the target” He possesses a keen sense of taking complex scientific issues and communicating them in such a way that people of all ages and backgrounds can grasp their meaning.

Check Out & Purchase “Seven Days That Divide The World” and other books by Dr. Lennox – click here.

Look for more interviews with Dr Lennox, coming soon on this “Defenders of the Faith” blog. You can view his profile and find out more about his work at JohnLennox.org

Dr. Rice Broocks is the co-founder of the Every Nation family of churches, with more than one thousand churches in more than sixty nations. The senior minister of Bethel World Outreach Church, Nashville, Tennessee, Rice is also the author of several books, including God’s Not Dead, The Purple Book and Every Nation in Our Generation. A graduate of Mississippi State University, Rice has a master’s degree from Reformed Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary.