Analyze a Major Retailer Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Analyze a Major Retailer - Term Paper Example Over the years, Macy’s continued success saw the company open regional stores and take over other retailers to increase its presence in the market (Macy’s, 2011) \. Way back in November 25, 1929, another revolution was being made in American retail when Abraham & Straus of Brooklyn, Filene's of Boston, F&R Lazarus & Co. of Columbus, OH, and Bloomingdale's of New York combined together to form Federated Department Stores, Inc. which was later renamed Macy's, Inc. in June 2007(Macy’s, 2011). Each of these retailers had marked and prominent presence in the market with the backing of their rich history. The company grew to be one of the biggest retailers in the company and acquired other stores and retailers in the coming years. It had its own ups and down but in the 1990’s, Federated Department Stores acquired Macys to form Macy’s Inc. Macy's, Inc.  is the owner of both Macy's  and  Bloomingdale's  department stores (Macy’s, 2011). As Fu hrmann (2011) adds, with an annual 2010 sales of $25 billion, Macy’s currently serves its customers in over 800 stores throughout the country and specializes in retail clothing, fashion accessories such as jewellery, handbags and shoes along with household items such as furniture and kitchen items. Macy’s is not just a simple retailer; from its traditional Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the 4th of July Fireworks to its Annual Flower Shows and the tree lightings and animated window displays at the time of Christmas, Macy’s has always been in the forefront in creating its own distinctive and unique identity (Macy’s, 2011). Innovation at its forefront, Macy’s is very well known as bringing many ‘firsts’ in the retail industry. Macy introduced several revolutionary business practices in the industry; it initiated the one price system, in which an item was sold across the shops to every customer at one price. It also was the firs t company to quote prices of different products in the newspapers. Macy also made history when it assigned Margaret Getchell, the first female executive in the retail industry. It also was the first retail store in New York to hold the license to sell liquor. With its corporate philosophy revolving around the customer, Macy’s has always recognized the importance of directing its strategies towards providing localized shopping experience to its customers. The Corporate Financial objectives of Macy’s, Inc. are: Increasing sales; Increasing profitability levels Have better return on invested capital; Shareholder return should be maximized (Macy’s, 2011). According to Fuhrmann (2011), keeping in mind the above objectives, Macy’s has seen an increase in sales in the year 2010 by 4.6 % as compared to the previous year while its operating income increased by 7.6% of sales in the year 2010. SWOT ANALYSIS A  SWOT  analysis critically studies a company's  int ernal Strengths and  Weaknesses in relation to the external  Opportunities and  Threats it faces coming from its environment. To understand the environment of Macy’s, a SWOT analysis has been conducted. STRENGTHS Diversity: With the acquisitions of small retailers at all regional levels, Macy’s has strategically aligned and integrated diversity in all aspects of its operations. For Macy’s, diversity has become the most integral and essential part of business. Macy’s caters to a much-diversified market and this has made it very beneficial to its customers, vendors, suppliers and business

Tourism in Myanmar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Tourism in Myanmar - Essay Example The case of Myanmar is one which shows how negative impressions of traditional media have led to a lack of tourism. The conditions of the country are known for political unrest, tyranny and social communism, all which have stopped the tourist industry. Currently, Myanmar is interested in opening the doors to tourism, specifically to build the economy and to develop a global openness required. The need to change the tourist perspectives; however, is limited by the negative impressions. To change this, the use of social media can be used with strategies that develop positive impressions on the cultural and social activities that one can enjoy in the region. By creating a social media strategy, there will be the ability to reach a larger target market while creating interactions and developments with the tourism and travel industry. Introduction The ability to reach current target markets is one which is no longer dependent on brick and mortar stores and traditional advertising. To reac h the needed areas, there is the need to create more alternatives with the use of online marketing, specifically with the current trends that are available. Social media is one of the areas which invites new opportunities for advertising while ensuring that the correct target market is met. This paper will look at the marketing of a mystical country, Myanmar, with the use of social media. ... The problems with the country are based on multi – faceted perspectives that come from the political and social agendas that are in the area. The problems are based on political issues, interests and agendas that have turned tourists away from the region. Many look at the area as corrupt while other tourists do not regard the place as a destination because of the political and cultural system. The ability to be open for tourism is not a primary concern in the area, making it difficult for travelers to move through the region while finding the best outlets for the travel desired. These particular problems are continuous with the references such as the area being the land of fear, specifically because of the political regime and social closure that is surrounding the area (Henderson, 2010). The development of Myanmar to the current date is one which is continuing to follow this trend, leading to a large number of individuals to not travel into the area. The socialist economy and political agenda is followed by the closure within the country for travel. However, the current changes into a global economy and into alterations with the political and economic system are also indicating that there is the need to open Myanmar to travel and to alter the political and economic perspectives of the country (Toshihiro, 2010). In current years, they have opened to tourism with the recognition that Burma needs to expand into offering more opportunities for expansion in this area. The movement has opened to an average of 3,000 from China visiting the area in 2011, which is a 33% increase from past years. The global number of visitors has increased to 792,000 travelers, which is inclusive of a

Packaging Material Analysis for Food Preservation

Packaging Material Analysis for Food Preservation Troullinos Yannis Packaging Report In this practical class, different films for food packaging were examined as far as their physical properties and their ability to preserve grapes, cheese, meat and potatoes. Appropriate measurements and tests we done on specific time intervals. Results Table 1. Results for the rapid tests for the identification of packaging materials * Materials were identified using the â€Å"packaging materials identification chart for films† in the practical booklet. Table 2. Results of the mechanical and physical properties of the packaging material Discussion Calculations and Questions: 1. Calculate the tensile strength of the three packaging materials tested. Table 3. Physical properties of different packaging materials * More than 25% difference from the mean By using N =  ±100 g, Force mean values for each of the materials can be found. Also, Area = Width (m) x Gauge (m) = X m2. Tensile strength = Force (N) / Area (m2) so for the above materials we have: Cellulose 340 DMS Tensile strength = 25.6 / 2.125 x 10-6 = 12.0 x 106 N/m2 = 12.0 x 106 Pa = 12.0 MPa, as 1 N/m2 = 1 Pa, while 1 MPa = 1,000,000 Pa Polypropylene Tensile strength = 108.7 / 2.5 x 10-6 = 43.5 MPa Polyethylene Tensile strength = 12.5 / 0.75 x 10-6 = 16.7 MPa 2.Define tensile strength and discuss what factors will affect the tensile strength of the packaging material Tensile strength is the maximum load that a material can support without fracture when being stretched, divided by the original cross-sectional area of the material. Generally, as tensile strength increases, the tougher the material is considered (Hui, 2008). Factors affecting the tensile strength are (Yam, 2010; Fellows, 2009): Plasticiser levels (increased values give less tensile strength and more elasticity Degree of crystallinity (crystal structure) Density of the material (increasing density gives more tensile strength) Manufacturing process (orientation, treatment, coatings) Temperature Physical properties of the material (branching, side groups, chain length, molecular weight) Duration of the time that the force is applied 3.Compare your tensile strength results to those found in literature. According to Goodfellow Cambridge Ltd. tensile strength for regenerated cellulose is 50 MPa, which, as mentioned, is affected by a lot of different factors. In our experiment, tensile strength of the cellulose used is a lot lower (12MPa). Paine (1990) gives values of 30 MPa for polypropylene, while in this experiment a value of 43.5 MPa was calculated. Finally, polyethylene gave an experimental value of 16.7 MPa, while Goodfellow Cambridge Ltd. reports 5-25 MPa for low density polyethylene (LDPE) and 15-40 MPa for high density polyethylene (HDPE). In this experiment it is unknown which exactly was the type of PE used, as there are many different types in market. As explained, duration of the force applied affects the tensile strength, so different testing machines give different results. There are numerous more factors as noted in question 2, which greatly affect the measurements and results. Thus, comparing values to literature cannot give objective judgement of the experiment. 4.Calculate the moisture vapour transmission rate (g m-2 day-1) for each of the films tested Table 4. Results of the water vapour permeability test Circle area = Ï€ r2 = 0.005 m2 (r = 40mm = 0.04m) Number of Days = 4, as Day 1 is the day we started the storage Cellulose 340 DMS 1st measurements: Total moisture gained = Weight of Day 5 – Weight of Day 1 = 84.8 – 83.9 = 0.9 g Moisture gained per day = Total moisture gained (g) / Nr Days = 0.9/4 = 0.225 g day-1 Water vapour permeability per 24h = Moisture gained per day / Circle Area = 0.225 / 0.005 = 45 g/m2 24h (1) 2nd measurements: Total moisture gained = 87.6 – 87.1 = 0.5 g Moisture gained per day = 0.5 / 4 = 0.125 g day-1 Water vapour permeability per 24h = 0.125 / 0.005 = 25 g/m2 24h (2) Mean value of water vapour permeability per 24h = [(1) + (2)] / 2 = 35 g/m2 24h Polypropylene 1st measurements: Total moisture gained = 86.0 – 85.9 = 0.1 g Moisture gained per day = 0.1/4 = 0.025 g day-1 Water vapour permeability per 24h = 0.025 / 0.005 = 5 g/m2 24h 2nd measurements: Total moisture gained = 87.1 – 87.1 = 0.0 g Moisture gained per day = 0.0 / 4 = 0 g day-1 Water vapour permeability per 24h = 0 g/m2 24h Mean value of water vapour permeability per 24h = 2.5 g/m2 24h Polyethylene 1st measurements: Total moisture gained = 84.6 – 84.5 = 0.1 g Moisture gained per day = 0.1/4 = 0.025 g day-1 Water vapour permeability per 24h = 0.025 / 0.005 = 5 g/m2 24h 2nd measurements: Total moisture gained = 84.6 – 84.5 = 0.1 g Moisture gained per day = 0.1/4 = 0.025 g day-1 Water vapour permeability per 24h = 0.025 / 0.005 = 5 g/m2 24h Mean value of water vapour permeability per 24h = 5 g/m2 24h 5.Discuss the results of the water vapour permeability test. Water vapour permeability is a measure for breathability or for a textiles ability to transfer moisture. The results show that PP and PE have relatively low water permeability, while cellulose has a lot more. These values agree with literature (Brennan and Grandison, 2012), which states that PP has lower permeability than PE. Cellulose is also stated as a low barrier of water vapour permeability. These results show that using cellulose to pack food sensitive to humidity such as powders is not considered wise. 6.Discuss the results of the packaging and storage of fresh fruit experiment. Explain what is causing the observed changes in the fruit and how the different packaging/storage conditions influence the shelf life of the fruit. Table 5. Fresh fruit (grapes) 3 days interval observations Firstly, the tissues of fruits are alive after harvest and they only die through natural senescence, rotting or when they are consumed, cooked or similarly processed. All these tissues â€Å"breath†, a phenomenon called respiration with obvious relations to maintenance of the quality and prolonging the shelf life of the product. Specifically, grapes do not respire very intensively and this is the reason they get harvested when they are ripe. Reducing respiration can extend the shelf life but stalling it will make tissues senesce and die. Cooling temperatures can also lower undesirable effects on fruits (Jongen, 2002). As far as grapes concerned, mould is primarly because of the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Browning spotted is a chemical process caused by specific enzymes changing the tissues colour to brown, while shrinkage is caused by increased respiration (tissues eventually lose water as shown in the weight measurements causing them to lose volume). Sweating is caused once again because of the respiration in packages where gas permeability is low or very low. In the above experiments, it is shown that when using MS and heat seal, grapes got sweaty in day 2 and 3, while in the same packaging with 2 holes, sweating was only slight. This makes sense as the 2 holes allowed the air transfer between package and the environment, lowering the humidity because of the respiration in the package. In PE and heat seal, sweating was even more obvious as PE has lower gas permeability than MS. Finally, in the open tray, sweating was absent but mould started to show at day 3, as it partially did in the package with 2 holes. This was caused by a microorganism, probably fungus since grapes have low pH. Another change which was spotted in the open tray was the soft, dried and oxidised appearance of the grapes because of the large amounts of respiration. Room temperatures and total contact with the environment allowed this level of respiration, lowering shelf life dramatically. 7.What changes would you make to the packaging/storage conditions to extend the shelf life of the grapes? The most important change to the storage conditions would be to lower the storage temperature, as it would significantly reduce respiration. The package should not have holes, as they allow environmental air to get in allowing microorganisms to grow faster. 8.Discuss the results of the packaging and storage of cheese experiment. Explain what is causing the observed changes in the cheese and how the different packaging/storage conditions influence the shelf life of the cheese. Table 6. Cheese 3 days interval observations Browning of cheese is significant in high storage temperatures (37 °C), less in medium (20 °C) and absent in low temperatures of 5 °C. Light causes the formation of lipid peroxides in medium temperatures, while compounds such as riboflavin are affected by light unrelated to storage temperature (Kristensen et al., 2001). Cheese tend to produce free oil when they melt and sweats during storage in relatively high temperatures because of the high humidity of it. When in open air sweating is more and drying out occurs (Wang and Sun, 2004). From the above, it becomes more obvious in ours experiments why cheese dried out during storage in open tray and why this drying out is more than in aluminium foil (which was not folded enough to keep air from contacting cheese). Another way to see the above is the greater loss of weight in open tray rather in aluminium foil. On the other hand, in both MS and cryovac packages no drying out was noted, as can be seen from the differences in initial and final weight (≠¤0.1g). Relatively high storage temperatures (about 25 °C) caused the oiling and sweating of the cheese. 9.What changes would you make to the packaging/storage conditions to extend the shelf life of the cheese? The storage temperature should be as low as about 5 °C (refrigerator) in dark and should be kept either in MS or cryovac packaging. Ideally, a modified atmosphere packaging should be used (Khoshgozaran et al., 2012), extending shelf life even more than the usual packages. 10.Discuss the results of the packaging and storage of fresh meat experiment. Explain what is causing the observed changes in the meat and how the different packaging/storage conditions influence the shelf life of the meat. Table 7. Fresh meat 4 days intervals observations Film Day Weight (g) Changes In colour Clouding over Moistening Internal and external appearance of package Storage temp. Type of spoilage General appearance of product Storage humidity Other change and/or notes PP And Heat seal 1 21.0 4 °C 75% 2 21.0 slight green Ñ ´ slight 4 °C colour changes 75% 3 21.0 slight green Ñ ´ slight 4 °C colour changes 75% 4 21.0 slight green and browning

Response To Intervention Essay -- Educational Issues, NCLB, teaching

RTI, is an acronym that has become commonly used in education after No Child Left Behind was implemented, but what does that acronym mean? Brown-Chidsey and Steege quoted Dave Tilly, a school psychologist, as saying that RTI actually means â€Å"really terrific instruction!† RTI is defined differently in different states. Some would argue it is Response to Intervention, while others say that it means Response to Instruction. Brown-Chidsey and Steege state that whether you say intervention or instruction, it does not matter; the importance is that teachers use scientific based teaching that responds to students’ learning. There are several benefits of RTI. First, according to the Nebraska RTI website, research states that struggling readers have a higher risk of academic failure and school dropout. With RTI, readers who are at risk of reading difficulties can be identified early and when provided intervention can catch up with grade level classmates. Second, teachers no longer have to wait for students to fail before interventions can begin. RTI provides a consistent model and procedures to make data driven team based educational decisions for all students. Starting the general education classroom, the first indication that a student is not performing at grade level in an academic area, a research based intervention is provided. With data from progress monitoring, and based on IDEA 2004, data from RTI may be used as part of the comprehensive evaluation for special education eligibility. Third, RTI can be set up by district. The district can determine appropriate assessments, curriculum and interventions that meet their needs, as long as they follow the model. According to the RTI Nebraska website, even though some... ...e of students. Works Cited Brown-Chidsey, R., & Steege, M. W. (2010). Response to Intervention: Principles and Strategies for Effective Practice (2nd edition ed.). New York: The Guilford Press. National Center on Response to Intervention. (n.d.). National Center on Response to Intervention Retrieved November 11, 2011 from http://www.rti4success.org Nebraska RtI Implementation & Support Team. (n.d.). Nebraska RtI Implementation & Support Team. Retrieved November 11, 2011, from http://rtinebraska.unl.edu Response to Intervention - Educational Service Unit 10. (n.d.). Welcome - Educational Service Unit 10. Retrieved November 11, 2011, from http://www.esu10.org/programs-services/teaching-learning/rti Response to Intervention. (n.d.). Nebraska Department of Education | NDE. Retrieved November 11, 2011, from http://www.education.ne.gov/RTI/index.html

Global warming and people going green Essay

The natural environment is the place of all life and non life beings. Natural resources are available to human existences without clear cut boundaries in the natural air. H2O and clime. Natural environment has a beginning of energy. radiation and electric charge and all these are non as an influence of human activity but by the bing nature of our planet. It is the huge creative activity that makes adult male enjoy and take pleasance and hence demands to prosecute in preserving and heightening the natural environment. Great challenges have faced our natural and original environment and accordingly devastation. pollution. and loss of life has been seen to happen through the influence of human activity. Pollution in the air. H2O. and in the environment in general has been apparent through the burning of fuels and other non reclaimable stuff. Water. land and air have non been conserved and this poses a great danger on the bing ecosystem. Man’s interferance has threatened the being of species and has led to some of them being endangered or nonextant. This is a direct impact that shows that adult male has had discourtesy of biodiversity and ecosystems in which human existences and other life beings depend on. Human’s activities have been linked to be an environments large challenge. The release of C dioxide from green houses has been on focal point as this is a human and natural environments interaction with gases has caused clime alteration. These strong concerns are associated to greenhouse gases that cause climate alteration. Global heating has been associated to the rise in the temperature on the earth’s air and oceans. Large heat capacity on oceans have caused the sea degree to lift and do utmost conditions alterations. As a consequence of such environmental concerns assorted authoritiess have signed the Kyoto protocol so that they can be after on cut downing green house emanation. hypertext transfer protocol: //www. globalissues. org/EnvIssues/GlobalWarming. asp It is of import at this occasion for adult male to understand that he has a direct influence to the alterations that occur on the Earth surface and should take cautiousness about them. Climate may alter but non entirely by atmospheric concentration of C dioxide from green houses. The ascription of planetary heating can be linked to the industrial epoch where adult male has been vigorous in their activity and have had no cognition on the impact they have to the natural environment. The soaking up of atmospheric gases contributes to warming the lower ambiance and surface of the planet. During the soaking up and emanation procedure of infrared radiation warming occurs. ( Weart 2003 ) . Water vapor. C dioxide gas. methane and ozone are the major green house gases responsible for the heating effects. This is attributed by increased human activity in the industrial revolution such as agribusiness. green houses. motor industries among others. deforestation. One among the greatest human activities that have markedly increased gas emanation is the combustion of dodos. Use of dodo fuel is therefore seen to be lending factor with such dodos fuel militias increasing their emanations through the increased and extended usage of coal and pitch littorals. Evaporated H2O signifiers gas in to the ambiance and as a consequence more H2O evaporates and hence there is more consequence than due to carbon emanations entirely. From the clouds. emitted infrared radiation exerts a warming consequence and when they reflect sunlight they emit infrared radiations that have a chilling consequence. ( Weart 2003 ) . Temperatures were comparatively stable before 1850 but gradual addition in sea temperature than on land is a natural phenomenon. Land has an effectual heat capacity as compared to the oceans which loose heat more readily. Forest glade and Asiatic rice irrigation are human influences that William Ruddiman argued that planetary clime was influenced by these activities. hypertext transfer protocol: //www. incredulity. net/global_warming Global heating consequences to planetary retreat and sea degree rise. The addition in planetary temperatures can take besides to north-polar shrinking and marked pattern alterations in the rainfall. As a consequence inundation or checkerss are a common consequence of the planetary heating. These are utmost conditions events. Death of animate beings and immensely the devastation is really tremendous. Floods and drought seasons cause low agricultural output as endurance of workss is so compromised and the life of animate beings is at interest with addition in diseases. With such catastrophes. inauspicious wellness effects. supplanting and utmost economic losingss destabilize the normal life of the people on planet Earth. hypertext transfer protocol: //www. incredulity. net/global_warming Human activity have great reverberations on their life with the possible decrease of ozone bed and happening of hurricanes and other pelagic interventions that make favorable. the spread of malaria and dandy fever febrility. With political and societal arguments traveling on. hapless parts such as Africa risk the effects of planetary heating. The developed universe and particularly the western portion have accepted the thought that human influence is the major influence to climate alteration. Assorted states now weigh the benefit that would ensue when industrial emanations are limited against the cost they would incur when they adopt new alterations. For the interest of recovering back the natural environment. alternate energy beginnings should be embraced and given opportunity for observation. Vigorous runs that teach on the consequence of planetary activities and stress on adaptation of stricter steps that would cut down gas emanation should have support worldwide. India and Chinas have a batch of C dioxide emanations and the U. S. every bit good. However. worthwhile thoughts and dedications have been recorded in the U. S which is willing to bear the cost and cut down its C emanation. hypertext transfer protocol: //www. globalissues. org/EnvIssues/GlobalWarming. asp Many alterations are bound to be realised with the day-to-day effects related to planetary heating. There is so much uncertainness about other warming marks that may be associated to human activity and ensuing to temperature addition. Vector borne diseases are bound to increase due to the migration of the insects from the north parts and particularly due to the consequence of the warmth addition. As it was recorded in 2004 and 2005. black hurricanes were attributed to the heater Waterss on the ocean and no 1 can expect if they will patronize or be stronger as they hit the parts. ( Leroux 2005 ) As a consequence of planetary warming serious checkerss will hold people suffer and particularly Africa and in Europe. In general. the effects of planetary heating can run out the economic system at a state as they try to reconstruct damaged substructure. remedy diseases and seek to pull off such environmental struggles. Though planetary heating has been attributed to other activities that do non associate to adult male. the major intercession by adult male would be to cover with those that are in their control. Solar fluctuations. volcanic eruptions. orbital forcing. glacier retreats and disease vectors may be associated be causative agents to increased temperature. But a critical expression at it lives the inquiry. Should adult male be nescient of his activities on the Earth? hypertext transfer protocol: //www. canadafreepress. com/2007/global-warming020507. html Man should be at the bow forepart. looking for solutions instead than warranting their non- part to the planetary heating. Small and big graduated table preventative steps can be put in topographic point to assist forestall farther injury and make a better topographic point for our kids to populate in. Without green house emanations temperature would be endurable and more hospitable. Use of fossil fuels used to run autos. heat places and concerns should be under cheque so that carbon dioxide concentration is reduced. In this breath. usage of gas. gasoline and Diesel as used in crude oil merchandises should be reduced. In the same manner that adult male has been able to impact the planet. they should be able to consequence alteration through alteration of practise. They should do usage of fuel-efficient autos. cut down travel errands. and utilize alternate agencies of conveyance like walking or merely working from the house. At place. one should take at utilizing energy salvaging contraptions and illuming stuffs. A great trade of deforestation. industrial activities. excavation and agricultural addition has led to gas emanation. As a scheme. trees should be planted and deforestation stopped. Deciduous trees should be planted as they contribute to taking 50 lbs of C from the air yearly. Industrialization should be minimized and compost cavities made for waste disposal such as foliages. Ignorance about planetary heating should be a forgone phenomenon and adult male should wake up to the call of reconstructing the already damaged environment. Air. H2O systems and the environment have degraded and the issue at manus is to come on and change by reversal the eroding that has already taken topographic point. It is of paramount concern. that adult male should non take opportunities to affect themselves in activities that compromise the planetary call to forestalling planetary heating. The hazards involved in planetary heating are far stretching and the effects can be felt for a life-time. As per the United Nations millenary development ends. work outing the environmental job will be regarded as eliminating poorness. Mankind should take to cut down dodo fuel imports and continue the ecosystem through increased consciousness runs that address the clime alteration issue. Citizens and companies should encompass anti pollution and planetary heating bar steps. ( Pringle 2001 ) Policies at local and national degree should be put in operation so that single activities are governed and implemented at province degree. Why would adult male non be willing to do a better topographic point for him and coevalss to come? The major measure to understand that forestalling C emanation is one of the cheapest intercessions that adult male can utilize to halt the threat. Invention in new engineering of autos and major power workss should hold a 2nd idea on the deduction it has the hereafter. All in all adult male should through accustomed pattern. salvage energy and have another option to utilize of fossil fuels. In 1990 to 19995. El Nino was a force per unit area release that was linked to planetary heating. Heavy rains pounded and several thousand displaced by inundations. Death of human and of farm animal marked the season. Beside such conditions events hurricanes have claimed life. caused devastation and economic loss. hypertext transfer protocol: //www. globalissues. org/EnvIssues/GlobalWarming. asp Why would adult male be willing to put on the line more? It is the responsibility of all adult male to transport aggressive runs and appreciate the fact that they caused it to go on and they can do it alter for better. With dedication and motive. such calamities can be long forgotten as they work on towards one end of forestalling planetary heating and reconstructing the debauched environment. Its effects are black but our control is the manner frontward. Plants Cited Ball T. Global Warming. worlds. Carbon Dioxide. The Cold. Hard Facts. Retrieved from ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www. canadafreepress. com/2007/global-warming020507. htm on Friday. April 11. 2008

Psalms 23

Psalms 23 I find in the historical background of the 23rd Psalm that David was the author. David was a shepherd in his youth, preparing him for the shepherding of God’s flock, the nation of Israel. The Lord chose David as his servant, and brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. There is a possibility that David wrote this psalm as a boy while he was tending his flock, since he spent many lonely hours in the fields. It is hard to understand how a young boy could write of such imagery when young boys knew little of dangers and disappointments in life. There are two imageries, the shepherd and the host. (Deffinbaugh) In ancient Near East time the Israelites were known as shepherds describing leadership of an individual or group, or a king referring to a leader. The shepherd imagery shows the Lord was the leader, the King of all humanity. Jacob spoke of God as â€Å"The God who has been my shepherd all my life†. (Deffinbaugh) David spoke of God as his shepherd, his provider, protector and king. It states â€Å"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want† meaning that he had the Lord and was not in need of anything. The shepherd imagery is that David is describing God’s relationship with him in a loving relationship, in relation to how shepherds tended to their flocks. The author states â€Å"he guides me in the paths of righteousness† the Lord will always be there to guide us in the right direction, yet evil will always be lingering, it is our choice which way we go. In Psalms 23:4, â€Å"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death† could possibly mean that he could have faced some kind of tragedy in his life, or he faced some kind of evil. Therefore, David had possibly used these situations in his life, which could have inspired him to write this psalm. David also wanted to lead a righteous life and follow the way of the Lord. Then we read â€Å"fear no evil†. Evil is always present, yet the Lord will be there to protect us from evil. The author talks about dinning with his enemies. In ancient Near East hospitality to foreigners, strangers, and travelers was a sacred duty. By extending this hospitality the host would take on the responsibility of protecting the traveler as long as he was in his area. As David’s enemies he still took care of them and feed them while they were his guests. He felt that the Lord would reward him for this and he would live in the â€Å"house of the Lord† (referring to the temple) forever. This doesn’t mean he will live in the temple; this attitude will help shape the rest of his life. (Bratcher) Psalms 23 deals with the faith in the Lord, and living a righteous life, which would lead you to a wonderful life on earth and here after. This psalm applies to my live by having faith in God always, even when bad things happen to the people I care about or me. My faith in God is what gets me through the bad things in my life and the good things that he blesses me with. I know that God is there to protect me even when evil shows itself. If it wasn’t for my faith, I would not be where I am today. If we follow David’s example which is the psalm, in the 21st Century we should care for Jesus’ flock in the same way that David cared for his. We should love our enemies and help them find faith in God just like David. This psalm has honesty about life and even in the most faithful people they still know that darkness may come upon them. In the 21st Century there is darkness everywhere, yet we still need to listen to the words of Psalm 23 and reflect on its possibilities of helping us out of the darkness with the help of the Lord, since we know that he walks with us always. Today we look for physical things from the Lord, where in David’s time it was more spiritual. God does provide us with physical needs, yet we can not always be sure when it will occur or what the circumstances might be, but when it happens we know and our faith lives on. Praying this psalm will keep your faith in God.