TOURISTS :: essays research papers

     There are numerous definitions for the word â€Å"tourist.†Ã¢ â The known meaning of a vacationer is an individual that movements for delight and isn’t conceived in the spot they make a trip to.â To certain individuals, the sightseers that come to Nantucket might be irritating, discourteous, messy, and rotten and they are not local to the island. While others may think they are pleasant, benevolent, and exceptionally liberal individuals that just weren’t brought into the world here, I tend to disgree. Simply think about the numerous day-trippers who rush, similar to seagulls, to the Tavern and don’t leave a tip in the wake of rewarding the persevering server in an impolite way, with their shouting kids crying and burping, and the horny spouse who squeezes her derriere as she leaves.  To back up the meaning of the word that I concur with, I have given some different models dependent on occurences I have been engaged with or seen.  â â â â â A visitor, as I would like to think, is an individual who is discourteous, threatening, pushy, pressing, continually surging, and oblivious with regards to headings and areas. Since travelers aren’t conceived and live in the spot they are visiting, they can’t see all the tourist spots and intriguing locales there is to see.â They are continually racing to fit as much as possible into one day’s occasions before they return to where they live.â They stop you at regular intervals while remaining before The Hub to ask where Main Street is. This additionally integrates with â€Å"being rude† in light of the fact that they don’t ask in an amiable manner as a rule, and they once in a while state â€Å"Thank You.† They can’t be wasted time with moderate people.â I worked at D&B Car Wash the previous summer and I got a ton of impolite clients everyday.â I would ask them what wash they might want, since we have thr ee sorts, and they would toss the cash at me advising me to simply give them a wash.â They were clearly in a rush to do something.â Most of the time they didn’t even skill to drive their vehicle in appropriately, and they would stall out, at that point get agitated and begin shouting and saying they were going to sue the Car Wash if any harm happened to their vehicle. At that point the director would come out and an entire disaster would start.      There are numerous particular highlights a traveler has or utilizes that permits others to have the option to recognize them.

Growth of Online Shopping Around the World Essay -- Technology, Amazon

Presentation When Amazon.com propelled its web based retailing procedure in 1995 and started to receive rewards, numerous investigators saw working together and shopping on the web with incredible hopefulness (Denise, 2004). They foreseen for a day when individuals would have the option to arrange their shopping things from the solace of their homes. Thusly, clients would see almost no need at all to truly visit conventional in-stores to make their buys. It is currently 10 years and a half down the line and internet shopping has overwhelmed the business world with an ever increasing number of organizations picking to test the sweet waters of web based retailing. Examiners predict a quick development of web based shopping in the following decade or so however a few reports despite everything show countless customers over the world who have never endeavored to do their shopping on the web. The development in fame of internet shopping focuses to the nearness of specific preferences, which are not ac cessible in customary shopping. Simultaneously, it suggests the presence of contrasts between the two kinds of shopping. This paper will talk about the development of web based looking the world and give factual proof of this development in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It will likewise clarify the contrasts between internet shopping and conventional shopping. The Internet has fundamentally changed how shoppers search for merchandise or administrations. While conventional in-store shopping despite everything overwhelms in certain ventures in different nations, it has done little to build comfort, effectiveness, and simplicity of shopping and making travel plans. As indicated by a review directed by the Nielsen Company in March 2010, there are a few items that are all around purchased online ... ...d customers need to stay up with the latest with the regularly advancing innovation. Then again, innovation used to encourage customary in-store shopping has continued as before for a long time and doesn't change as frequently just like the case in web based shopping. Web based shopping isn't subject to geogaphical area as exchanges can occur across outskirts. Therefore, access to things offered by retailers isn't obstructed by factors identified with geological area. As it were, purchasers whether nearby, territorial, or global can shop anyplace on the planet through the Internet. Then again, customary shopping is constrained by topographical contemplations. Therefore, the quantity of clients who can get to the premises might be significantly controlled by the area (Differences Between Online Retail and Traditional Retail Businesses, 2007).

10 Benefits of Fasting That Will Surprise You

10 Benefits of Fasting That Will Surprise You Fasting is not a new thing. For centuries, the practice has played a central role in several religions and cultures.The month of Ramadan is known all over the world as a month of fasting for Muslims. Catholics fast on Good Friday and Ash Wednesday. Jews observe six days of fasting, the most known of which is Yom Kippur.Hindus observe a fast during the new moon and during festivals such as Puja, Saraswati and Shivarati. The Mormons observe a fast on the first Sunday of each month.Several other religions, including Buddhism, Taoism and Jainism have their own fasting practices.Many of these religions practice fasting because they believe that there is a connection between the physical and the spiritual state.In the last few decades, there has been an upsurge in the popularity of fasting.However, many of those who are adopting this age-old practice today are not doing so for religious reasons.They are doing it for health reasons.While people used to fast for spiritual reasons in the past , scientists and researchers have confirmed that fasting also provides numerous health benefits.Below are 10 benefits of fasting that will surprise you and hopefully give you the motivation you need to get started with the practice. FASTING HELPS YOU LOSE WEIGHTFor those looking to lose some weight, fasting is one of the quickest and safest ways to get you there.Normally, when you eat, your body burns the food you ate to provide fuel for your body.Any extra food that does not get used up as fuel is converted into fats and stored within the body for future use.This is what leads to weight gain.When you start fasting, there is less food to convert into energy, therefore your body is forced to start converting the stored fats into energy.This occurs through a process known as lipolysis.One of the greatest advantages of fasting as a means of losing weight is that it is more effective in burning through fat cells compared to regular dieting.Fasting also burns through fat cells without af fecting your muscle tissue, which is why many athletes use fasting as a means of achieving low body fat percentages prior to competitions.In addition, fasting is incorporated as a lifestyle change, which makes it more sustainable and more effective compared to many ‘crash diet weight loss solutions’.Actually, several studies have found fasting to be one of the most effective and most reliable long term solutions for weight loss and weight maintenance.FASTING PROMOTES LONGEVITYThis might seem a little bit farfetched, but various studies have shown that fasting can actually help you live longer.There are a number of reasons why fasting can help you live a longer life. The first one has to do with metabolism.As you grow older, your body’s metabolism starts slowing down, which leads to the gradual loss of muscle tissue through a process known as sarcopenia.Fortunately, fasting helps to speed up your metabolism, preventing these degeneration and loss of muscle tissue.Secondly, as y ou grow older, your cells also grow older and their performance decreases. There is an accumulation of old cellular material within the cell.The decreased performance of old cells and the accumulation of old cellular material within the cell is what leads to aging.The deprivation of nutrients that occurs during fasting activates a process known as autophagy.This is the process through which the old cellular material within the cells are identified and broken down.Autophagy also allows the cell to recycle itself and rejuvenates the mitochondria, allowing the cells to perform optimally once again.This helps slow down aging.In addition, fasting also stimulates the release of growth hormone, leading to increased bone strength, better protein synthesis and increased muscle mass.All these effects slow down the process of aging, both internally and in your physical appearance.Research conducted by the University of Chicago has shown that fasting also prevents the early development of disor ders that commonly lead to death.According to Mark Mattson, the head of the neuroscience lab at the National Institute on Aging, cellular regeneration occurs during fasting since the body treats fasting as a constant threat.In preparation for dealing with this threat, the body triggers powerful cellular defenses to protect the cells against molecular damage and also triggers the repair of damaged tissues, leading to a slower rate of aging.Several animal studies have been conducted to test the life-span extending benefits of fasting.In one study, a group of male Wistar rats were fed every day, while another group was fed every other day from weaning till death.The group that fasted (fed every other day) aged much slower and had an 83% longer life span compared to the group that was fed daily.Other studies conducted by researchers from Kyoto University and Kyushu University, as well other independent researchers have also reported that fasting has an effect on increased longevity.It i s good to note, however, that the effects of fasting on longevity have not been tested on humans, though it is believed that the effects still hold true for humans as well.PROMOTES DETOXIFICATIONAnother impressive benefit of fasting is that it promotes detoxification of the body.Many of the processed foods we eat today contain lots of additives, some of which are toxic to our bodies.As the food is digested and absorbed into the body, these toxins are also absorbed into the body and stored in fat deposits around the body.During fasting, your brain treats the nutritional deprivation as a threat and reacts by activating adaptive stress responses to help it deal with the threat.The brain also starts contemplating how it will provide the body with energy in the absence of food.To ensure that metabolism keeps running, the brain triggers the conversion of glycogen stored within the liver into energy.However, glycogen is not a very great source of energy, and after about 12 hours, the glyco gen deposits gets depleted.At this point, the body must find an alternative source of energy, and it therefore turns to the fat stored within various parts of the body.As the fat deposits are burnt to provide energy, the toxins stored within the fats are released.These toxins are then removed from the body with the help of the liver, kidneys and other organs, leaving your body free of accumulated toxins.SPEEDS UP METABOLISMFasting also helps boost your metabolism.A weak digestive system normally affects your ability to metabolize food and burn fat.By fasting intermittently, you provide time for your digestive system to get some rest.When you eat next after your digestive system has rested, your metabolism receives a boost, which means that your body burns calories more efficiently and gets more energy from the food you eat.This is one of the reasons why fasting also contributes to safe weight loss.A study conducted by researchers from the Department of Internal Medicine IV at the Un iversity of Vienna found that fasting can increase your metabolism by up to 14%.Another study also found that fasting may lead to increased levels of neurotransmitter norepinephrine in your bloodstream, which also contributes to increased metabolism.Intermittent fasting has also been shown to encourage healthy bowel function.BOOSTS YOUR BRAIN FUNCTIONNot only is fasting great for your body, turns out it is good for your brain too! Fasting improves your brain function in a number of ways.First, fasting boosts the production of a brain hormone known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Release of BDNF activates stem cells within the brain and converts them into neurons.BDNF also triggers the release of several other chemicals that are good for your brain’s health.Increased production of BDNF has been shown to protect the brain cells from the degenerative changes that are associated with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s, while low levels of BDNF have been associated with depression and several other brain problems.Apart from the production of BDNF, fasting also improves brain function by reducing over-activity in the brain.Sometimes, depending on the type of food you have eaten, the energy from the food can result in your brain going into a bit of an overdrive.In this state, there is too much firing off in the brain, which is not generally a good thing.It also makes it hard for your brain to focus properly.When you fast, your brain goes into survival mode, leading to increased ability to focus on the tasks at hand.Fasting has also been associated with a reduction in oxidative stress, reduced insulin resistance and blood sugar levels, as well as reduced inflammation, all of which are good for the health of the brain.Several studies have been conducted to show the impact of fasting on brain function and health.A 2015 study conducted on both humans and animals and tabled at that year’s Society for Neuroscience meeting demonstrat ed that intermittent fasting enhances memory performance, aids in the recovery following brain injury or stroke, and promotes the growth of neurons.The study also found evidence that fasting may improve both cognitive function and quality of life for people living with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.Another study on rats found that fasting may enhance the growth of new nerve cells, while yet another animal study found that fasting may help protect the brain against damage due to strokes.Several other studies have had similar findings.IMPROVES YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEMEver noticed that when animals fall sick, they stop eating? Have you ever wondered why this happens?That’s a natural instinct through which the animals try to reduce the stress on their internal systems and focus their energy on battling the infection.Therefore, next time you fall sick, resist the temptation to look for food and focus on fasting instead.Fasting does a number of thi ngs to your immune system.Remember, we mentioned that fasting triggers the regeneration of old cells within the body.This includes cells that are part of your immune system.This rejuvenation of the cells leads to improved immune function.According to one study, a three day fast can lead to the regeneration of the entire immune system and the production of totally brand new white blood cells which have a stronger ability to fight disease.As we saw earlier, fasting also triggers the burning of fats and the release of toxins from the body, which can also enhance the body’s ability to fight diseases.Breaking the fast with fruits can boost your immune system even further by providing your body with a source of essential vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamins A and E which are great antioxidants.Fasting also prevents the formation of cancer cells, regulates the likelihood of inflammation and helps reduce the occurrence of free radicals in the body, which cause damage to the cells, D NA and the body’s proteins, thus contributing to disease.FASTING REJUVENATES THE SKIN AND PREVENTS ACNEIf you have been trying cream after cream trying to make your skin look better, you might be surprised to learn that you can achieve the look you want through fasting.How does this happen? Fasting has a number of effects that help improve your skin.First and foremost, fasting gives the body a break from digestion, allowing the body to expend more energy on regulating and improving the function of others organs such as the liver, the kidneys, and the skin.Fasting also helps the body to get rid of toxins that might be contributing to skin conditions.We have also seen that fasting contributes to autophagy.This happens to all the cells in the body, including those on your skin.When you fast, your body regenerates the cells that make up your skin and cleans old cell material from existing cells, thus contributing to a better look.This regeneration can even contribute to faster healing of scars.Remember, we also saw that fasting helps reduce inflammation, which is one of the culprits behind some skin conditions like acne. In addition to improving how your skin looks, fasting also contributes to healthy and strong hair and nails and whitens your eyes.All in all, fasting not only improves how you feel, it also improves how you look.IMPROVES INSULIN SENSITIVITYIn the last few decades, Type 2 diabetes has become increasingly common.This conditions is characterized by reduced insulin sensitivity, which leads to increased levels of sugar in the bloodstream. Normally, when you eat, the food leads to a spike in the levels of sugar in your blood.In response, the pancreas produces insulin, which triggers the absorption of glucose (blood sugar) from the blood by fat and muscle cells, which then use this glucose for energy. In so doing, insulin helps reduce blood sugar levels to the normal range.In some cases, however, the body’s sensitivity to insulin may reduce, which me ans that the body needs more and more insulin to help regulate blood sugar levels.The cells of the pancreas that are responsible for insulin production become overworked and start wearing out.Eventually, it becomes impossible for the body to produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels, leading to increased blood sugar levels and the eventual development of Type 2 diabetes.Fortunately, people with insulin resistance can increase their sensitivity to insulin through intermittent fasting.When you fast, the body uses up the glucose in the blood and the liver since it has no other source of energy, thus helping to lower your blood sugar levels.In addition, insulin becomes more effective at triggering the absorption of glucose by the fat and muscle cells after you break your fast, since some of the excess glucose stored in your body has already been used up.At this point, your body does not need as much insulin to absorb glucose from the blood, therefore your pancreas sto ps producing a lot of insulin, which in turn leads to lower levels of insulin in the bloodstream.All these contribute to a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and better overall health.Various studies have been carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of fasting on insulin sensitivity.One study carried out by researchers from the University of Illinois in Chicago found that fasting reduces insulin levels by 20-31% while reducing blood sugar levels by 3-6%.Another study conducted on diabetic rats found that fasting can help prevent kidney damage resulting from diabetes.What all this means is that fasting can be very beneficial for people who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.FASTING MAY HELP PREVENT CANCERThis may sound too good to be true, but fasting can actually help reduce the growth of tumors and the spread of cancer through the body.Cancer is a disease that is characterized by the uncontrolled cellular growth.Researchers have found out that some of the benefici al effects of fasting on metabolism can help bring down the risk of developing cancer.We also saw earlier that fasting helps the body eliminate some toxins from the cells.The absence of toxic substances within the cells reduces the risk of formation of cancer within the cells.Fasting can also be quite helpful for people undergoing chemotherapy. It can help to suppress many of the negative side effects associated with chemotherapy.Since fasting also helps boost your immune system, it can help battle against some of these side effects.A study carried out by researchers the University of Southern California found evidence suggesting that fasting is beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.Several other tests have also found out that fasting is good for preventing or fighting against cancer.One study conducted on rats by a Brazilian university found that intermittent fasting can help prevent the formation of tumors.Another study conducted on cancer cells inside a test tube showed that exposing the cells to intermittent fasting delayed the formation of tumors the same way chemotherapy did.It also increased the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs in preventing the formation of cancer.FASTING IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEARTAt a time when more people are dying from heart diseases than from any other disease, it is great to know that you can reduce the risk of developing heart diseases through fasting. Fasting has a number of benefits for your heart.First, we already saw that fasting can help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.This is important because people suffering from diabetes have an increased risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.During fasting, the body also burns up some of the LSD cholesterol in the body to provide fuel.This is good on two fronts because LSD cholesterol is a major contributor to decreased insulin sensitivity and diabetes, and because it also contributes to increase in blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for develo ping heart disease.Fasting also helps reduce several other risk factors associated with an increased risk of developing heart diseases, including blood sugar levels, inflammatory markers and blood triglycerides.One study conducted by researchers from the University of Illinois found that alternate day fasting for a period of about 8 weeks reduced levels of triglycerides in the body by 32% and reduced the level of LDL cholesterol by 25%.Another study also found that fasting leads to reduced blood pressure and reduced levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the body.Yet another study found that fasting leads to reduced risk of developing coronary artery disease.All these show that fasting is good for your cardiovascular health.WRAPPING UPWhether you are a religious person or not, incorporating fasting into your daily routine can be a great way for your to give your health a boost.As you have seen above, the benefits of fasting for your health are numerous.Like any other major lifes tyle change, getting started with fasting might be a bit hard as you get started, but it will become easier on your body with time.If you want to reap all the benefits discussed above, you should consider getting started with fasting today.The earlier you get started, the earlier you can start reaping the benefits.

Knowledge, Error, And Accuracy - 1356 Words

â€Å"Error is as valuable as accuracy in the production of knowledge.† To what extent is this the case in two areas of knowledge? It has been a very famous saying that â€Å"nobody or nothing is perfect† , there is some kind of error in them. From the perspective of human beings, an error has been always seen a bad thing, as an error can be a hurdle between their aim. From my academics to daily life I have encountered with errors besides accuracy and I was always wondering why we have to deal with the error when it is considered as a bad thing? The answering to this query is pretty simple. An error is actually helping in the production of valuable knowledge. In my essay, I will be exploring the production of knowledge by an error in two areas of knowledge which are natural sciences and ethics. In both areas of knowledge, there is certainly a great role of error in the creation of valuable knowledge besides accuracy. What does knowledge, error and accuracy means to me? For me, Knowledge is actually the result of data, experiences, procedures and researching. An error is the outcome of certain experience s and procedures which are considered to be against our expectation. Accuracy in on the other hand outcomes of certain experiences which are exactly what you expected. Natural science helps us to understand the world in which we live, which make it very important area of knowledge and it is this natural science which boost up the scientific inventions, ultimately making ourShow MoreRelatedThe Goals Of Language Learning And Teaching1019 Words   |  5 PagesThe goals of language learning and teaching Introduction It is generally recognized that language is a vehicle for the expression or exchanging of thoughts, concepts, knowledge, and information as well as the fixing and transmission of experience and knowledge.(Bussmann, 1996: 253) Language is the method in which people from certain culture organize their thoughts, helping them to communicate with each other. Moreover, language shapes their relationship with other cultural people, and differentRead MoreAccuracy And Accuracy Of Knowledge1595 Words   |  7 PagesKnowledge is considered accurate when there is sufficient evidence that it is the truth. Over time, methods of verifying the accuracy of knowledge change. As learners, we often equate accuracy with the value of knowledge, however, the value of accuracy is dependent on the area of knowledge under consideration. Today, accuracy in the natural sciences is vital as any error can be catastrophic. In 1986, a flawed reactor and human error caused the Chernobyl disaster that exposed millions to radiationRead MoreChemistry Galvanic Cell1634 Words   |  7 Pages |1.143 | [pic] Random Errors: Not enough solution for the experiments, miscalculated quantity needed for the experiment, could afffect the precision and accuracy of the results. Not measuring volumes at eye level (angle of paralllax) will affect the accuracy of results due to the wrong factor of dilution. 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Research on the error types that need corrective feedback has reported mixed findings, indicating that while corrective feedback influenced the improvement of linguistic knowledge, its effects depended on the types of errors. Ferris (2006) categorized errors into five major groups (verb errors, noun errors, article errors, lexical errors, and sentence errors) and reported that students who received feedback only reduced the incidents of verb errors. Van BeuningenRead MoreData Extraction Of Knowledge From High Volume Of Data Essay1233 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction: Data mining is extraction of knowledge from high volume of data. In this data stream mining experiment, I have used â€Å"sorted.arff† dataset contains 540888 instances and 22 attributes. I have tried two single algorithms and two ensemble algorithms, tested the accidents on road for last 15 years. Weka: Data Mining Software Weka (â€Å"Waikato Environment for knowledge Analysis†) is a collection of algorithms and tools used for data analysis. The algorithms can be applied directly or it canRead MoreScience Merit And Scientific Merit1696 Words   |  7 Pagesmight consider as bias within social groups (e.g., Mexicans, Iranians’, Cubans, etc.). Advances the knowledge base and contribution to the theory: The research in regards to the field of the UCR system is not widely researched nor has it been systematically evaluated the impact of classification error from a statistical accurateness. The research significance that would help to advance the knowledge base resides in the fact that a new system tangible system will be able to with missing data or data

The Great Expectations By Charles Dickens - 3420 Words

Archetypes can be found in every piece of literature, even if they are hidden within the writing. For example, even though religion may not be a primary aspect in a piece of literature, the complex idea of angels and demons can still be apparent. In the novel Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, the several diverse characters represent the idea of angels and demons. The novel revolves around the life of a young, common boy named Pip who receives a sudden fortune from an unknown benefactor and is expected to learn the ways of being a gentleman after moving to London. When he falls in love with a heartless woman, his need to woo her clouds his judgment regarding what is important in his life, and the importance of wealth and social class†¦show more content†¦Because of their angelic qualities, Joe Gargery, Biddy, Herbert, and Magwitch are portrayed as angels, Mrs. Joe, Estella, and Mrs. Havisham are portrayed as the demons. Although the novel is centered on Pip’s life, the moral attributes are centered on Joe Gargery. Joe, who is Pip’s brother-in-law, has a naturally humane and obedient personality who understands right from wrong. He lives a rough life constantly receiving verbal, and occasionally physical, abuse from his wife, Mrs. Joe Gargery. Pips describes him as â€Å"a fair man, with curls of flaxen hair on each side of his smooth face, and with eyes of such a very undecided blue that they seemed to have somehow got mixed with their own whites. He was a mild, good-natured, sweet-tempered, easy-going, foolish, dear fellow,—a sort of Hercules in strength, and also in weakness† (6). In the Victorian era, the qualities associated with being a gentleman were different than they are now. â€Å"Gentlemen† back then were known for having wealth, good hygiene, and appropriate manners. But even though the â€Å"gentlemen† described in the novel have those qualities , they appear to be terrible people, being rude and conceited. Although Joe was raised as a blacksmith, receives just enough money to support the people he lives with, and cannot read or speak properly, he is a hard-working, loyal, and honest man who cares for the people he loves. He

Michael Northrop Free Essays

Michael Northrop is originally from Salisbury, Connecticut which is a very small town located in the Berkshire mountains. He says it was a great place to grow up to the age that he lived there. He would also part take in falling out of trees, shooting a BB gun at pop cans, and playing high school football as a kicker. We will write a custom essay sample on Michael Northrop or any similar topic only for you Order Now After high school he left Salisbury and went to New York, New York to attend New York University (NYU). Once he finished at NYU he worked at both The World Almanac and Sports Illustrated Kids, here he was a senior editor for 8 years. The reason he may be a good writer is because from family lore, he may be related to Jonathan Swift, the man that wrote the famous book, Gulliver’s Travels. Here are two more interesting facts about Michael and his life. He is surprisingly dyslexic and had to repeat the second grade. He also stepped on a yellow jacket nest and was stung by them approximately 75 times. He was also able to learn a black belt in karate.Michael, as stated earlier, was a senior editor at two news places, so he was already fond of writing so the transition was easy. He came to fame when his book TombQuest: Book of the Dead was on the New York’s Times best sellers list for three weeks straight. Before this book though, he had a few other books such as Gentlemen in 2009 and Trapped in 2011. His most recent book, Polaris, got a comment from R.L. Stine, the author of the Goosebumps series. He said this, â€Å"The book is scary fun. Loved it!† This was a great honor coming from such an amazing author.All of his books are great for young adults and are very easy to get attached to. From his suspenseful books such as Surrounded by Sharks, to his thriller books, like Polaris, they all encapture you and draw you to read more and more about them. He is all around great author and will always be one of, if not, my favorite authors. How to cite Michael Northrop, Papers

Weighing the Cost of Choosing Between Family or Faith free essay sample

The outcome of this paper is to explore the extent of their applied faithfulness. What Did Jesus Mean? Jesus said in Matthew 10:37 â€Å"Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. † This Scripture baffles many, what is Jesus saying? We must love Jesus not only more than our families but more than our own lives. The moment we become Christs followers, our own lives and wills become forfeit; we die with Christ to sin Rom 6:3-4 and choose a path that could lead any day to our execution for Christs name (Mt 16:24). Although we today in the United States of America may speak convincingly of our cross as the need to put up with Aunt Anna or a roof that is leaking, undeniably taking up the cross in Jesus day, meant being forced to bear the instrument of ones execution past a taunting mob to the site of ones impending death as a condemned criminal, literally taking up one’s cross to death. We will write a custom essay sample on Weighing the Cost of Choosing Between Family or Faith or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Shouldn’t the promise of eternal life be adequate inspiration for any who genuinely believe Jesus claims- doesnt it make sense that the greatest earthly longevity pales in comparison with eternity-but we sometimes prove less dedicated than we suppose? (26:41) Yes, even the first disciples were not at the outset prepared for such a demand (26:56) But, this does not alleviate the level of commitment our Lord seeks from us: if we want to be followers of Jesus, we must be ready to  die. If I rate my life in this world more than I value Jesus and the life of the eternal world, I cannot be his disciple. What Did Jesus Mean in Luke 14:26? Luke 14:26 states â€Å"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. † These are powerful words and  very perplexing. Surely He did not mean hate. The word in the Greek Miseo  is used with several lenses of meaning. Conferring with  Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words,  I found that it is factually used for â€Å"malicious feelings toward others.    But it is also meant to be used to tell â€Å"of relative preference for one thing over another, by way of expressing either aversion, from or, disregard for the assertions of one person†¦to those of another. †Ã‚   The key in understanding this kind of â€Å"hate† for earthly family members that Christ speaks about dwells within an understanding of an â€Å"aversion from† and â€Å"disregard for. † We ca n notice Jesus attention turns almost totally to his disciples. The leadership warned and rebuked. But what does following Jesus really require? This makes it clear that disciples should count the cost of following Jesus, because triumph will not come easily. This passage is unique to Luke, though verses 26-27 are like Matthew 10:37-38. It is significant that this passage is addressed to large crowds. Jesus offered himself to all, but he also was honest from the very beginning of his teaching about what the journey would entail. What Jesus asks for is first place in ones heart. That is what successful discipleship requires. Jesus calls for a follower who literally be willing to  hate in comparison to Jesus -his mother and father, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters, even his own life. The point of the specific list is that no other relationship is first for a disciple. Hate is used symbolical and suggests a priority of relationship. Jesus must be first. Yet, does this mean we must literally hate our own parents, wife, children, etc.? Notice that Jesus says we must even hate our own lives. Clearly this is not absolute or literal. Are we not told to love others as we love ourselves, and no one hates his own flesh? see again Matt. 22:36-40; Eph. 5:29). Hate here does not mean to have no love at all nor to keenly seek the harm of others. All Bible passages must be explicitly compared to other passages within the Bible in its’ entirety. Many other Scriptures command us to love everyone (Matt. 22:36-40). Unquestionably that includes our family. Ephesians 5:22-25 commands men to love their wives, and Titus 2:4 commands wives to love their husbands and children. Clearly, then, Luke 14:26 does not literally mean to hate our family members. At times the Bible uses the term hate in a relative sense. Genesis 29:31 says that Jacob hated his Leah his wife, but verse 30 shows that this really means he loved Rachel, his other wife, more than he did Leah. So hate is used in a comparative sense to explain loving one thing or person less that we love another spoken in Genesis 25:34. This is the point in Luke 14:26. Jesus is not telling us that we are to have malice or ill will toward our family. That would oppose clear Scripture passages. Instead, Christ is saying that we must always put Him ahead of our families. Our love for Christ must be superior than our love for anyone or anything else. Matthew 10:37 helps to enlighten Luke 14:26. Jesus said, He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. We may never truly be faced with completely giving up our relationship with our loved ones to please the Lord, and we may never be required to actually die for His cause, but we ought to be willing to do so. Many have had to do these things. Including Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs in 202 A. D. in Carthage Rome. Even if we dont actually end up having to give up our family, their desires must always come second to the will of Jesus. And even if we dont physically die for His cause, we must devote our lives to seeking His cause above all else. This is what it means to bear our cross and follow Him as is written in Luke 9:23-27. Jesus straightforwardly says that people who are not willing to pay this price clearly cannot be His disciples. They may think they are disciples, they may look just like disciples to others, and no one may be able to know the truth until judgment day. But Jesus does not approve of luke warm hearted followers to be true disciples, despite their appearances. No reason to even try to start serving the Lord, without a genuine , whole-hearted commitment, for seeking His will above all else. More Bible verses that connect what has been discussed include also verse 33 below. Cf. Matthew 6:19-33; 10:34-39; 16:24-27;Luke 12:15-21; John 6:27,63; Romans 8:5-8; 12:1,2;; 1 Timothy 4:8; 6:6-19; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 8:5; 10:3,4; Colossians 3:1,2; Galatians 2:20. The next step is to be aware that such demands of Jesus are to a world already convinced of its rightness that they aggravate that worlds hostility. [1] The world will say how an we possibly choose anything over our family? But, remember, the only words that a Christian must listen to are the very words spoken by Jesus. Jesus commands us to choose faith in Him. Although Jesus values families (5:27-32; 15:4-6; 19:4-9), the division his mission brings is predominantly evident in families (compare 10:21; 1 Cor. 7:16; of course more people prefer to quote Acts 16:31). Jesus example demonstrates how this division is accomplished: although we are harmless (Mt 10:16; 12:19-20), Gods agents proclaim the kingdom uncompromisingly and thus face hostility from others (13:57). Jesus mission separates us from the values of our society, and society responds with persecution. Jesus selects these specific examples of in-laws because young couples generally lived with the mans family. Jesus matters more than the approval or even the civility of our family (10:37). Many viewed honoring ones parents as the highest social obligation for many, God alone was worthy of greater honor (Deut 13:6; 33:9) The bottom line is that according to Scripture, to follow Jesus means to follow Jesus, not anyone or anything else. A disciple is a learner, and the primary teacher is Jesus. It is total loyalty that Jesus is looking for, given the rejection and persecution that are found ahead. If his followers care more about family than about Jesus, when families are divided under pressure during persecution, they will likely choose against Jesus. This is what lies behind Jesus remarks. Discipleship is not possible if Jesus is not the teacher. This is exactly what is meant by bearing the cross and following after Jesus. This is  the  issue of discipleship. If learning from Jesus means following him, then it also means experiencing the rejection he experienced and therefore bearing the cross he bore. We cannot learn from Jesus without being willing to walk this narrow path. Discipleship is basically uncompromising allegiance. To follow Jesus is to rely on him alone. Christ continues to tell us that when we willingly accept the call to be a son or daughter of God that is when our earthly family members will  stand in the way as we begin our walk with God. Consciously or unconsciously, they will obstruct us. Remember it was Jesus Christ that referred to them as the blind and the dead walking. Perhaps some family members seem to have our best interest at heart, Christ says they are enemies endeavoring to frustrate His plan for our new lives in Him alone. Look closely, you will see their plans for–exactly how we should act towards them, it is always about them. God has made His plans for how we are to occupy our minds with His thoughts. As a result we have to choose God’s thoughts for us and â€Å"disregard† their self-centered world, around which they are wanting us to spin. We must do an about face or turn away  our minds and hearts from focusing them instead of Christ. Simply put, they are in contrast to the high calling; they are interference and must be put on the back burner when we are forced to choose between Christ and them. We must set Christ and His plan as the top priority and not antagonistic family members. In a word, we must separate ourselves from them. In the next verses Christ continues teaching, and illustrating the actual cost, the actual price we are required to be ready to pay for discipleship. For He immediately asks, â€Å"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? †Ã‚   For  you may come up short and not be able to finish the project. He wants us to be able to face the question and ask â€Å"Exactly what will it cost me to be serious about following after Christ? â€Å" Are you fully aware that it just may cost a major blow up with a family member? Make sure you understand that it could cost you a husband or your wife. It very well may cost you your relationship with a daughter or a son. Truly following Jesus Christ exactly the way He wants us to follow Him may cost us someone we love. â€Å"For how can two walk together, except they be agreed? And â€Å"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? Wherefore, come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord† (II Cor 6: 14-17). When weighing the cost it takes to be His servant , He says, â€Å"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that  forsakes  not all that he has,  he cannot be my disciple† (Luke 14: 33). The â€Å"all that he has† here is the life on this earth mentioned previously, his earthly father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters. Christ is teaching us that we should ignore, completely turn away from, and in so doing forsake earthly family members if they are constantly being used by Satan to turn us from fulfilling our calling. We must still love them, pray for them so they may know the truth, repent, be set free and turn toward God. This is not optional, it is a must to be willing to listen to Christ’s words over and above their advice. We must take heed, He did warn us about all this. He said, â€Å"For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother†¦and a man’s foes shall be they of his own household† (Mt. 10: 34-36). The Martyrdom How can it be that Vibia Perpetua would willingly enter the Carthage arena on March 7, 202 A. D.? Where did this fearlessness to face a wild maddened cow come from? The diary she left writes that Perpetua had just been baptized to confirm her Christianity weeks prior to her martyrdom. 1] Perpetua recorded how she was arrested, put on trial, sent to prison and killed along with Felicitas her servant and four others. This diary shares how they were all placed in detention, found guilty as charged for admitting Christianity. Perpetua prison diary is remarkable because it reveal on paper this fir-person experience of death by martyrdom. [2] This is not just any diary; Perpetua is known to be the earliest Christian female author. Because of this brave woman’s’ writing the reader can actually get a picture of third century Christianity and details of martyrdom within the North African Christian church. This prison diary of Perpetua known as the Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas, has three There are three main sections of interest. The first component includes her personal viewpoint handwritten [3] an introduction and conclusion authored by perhaps Tertullian in Carthage, and finally an anonymous bystander who actually describes the martyrdom as witnessed. [4] It is hard to deny the impact of reading a Martyr’s experience. Such accounts of knowing God and his grace undoubtedly are purposeful. Like so many of the Bible characters have revealed, each story can edify and encourage every true believer of Christ. Many Christians share their stories of faith and gestures in love, but dying for Christ in martyrdom magnifies the clash that occurs in the spirit realm between the kingdom of Jesus Christ and principalities of darkness. Each narrative of martyrdom is explicitly set for its time and place. The end result is the ultimate wager between obedience to human authority or God Almighty. The story includes five catechumens: meaning of this word is that these five individuals had only just professed Christ and were getting ready to be baptized. Among the five arrested is Felicitas the handmaiden of Perpetua a twenty-two year old noblewoman of Rome. Perpetua is richly born into an important family, properly married and still breast-feeding her infant son is convicted as well as three men named Secundulus, Saturninus and Revocatus. [5] Then the very leader of this baptismal class, Saturus willingly joins this group. Why they all are convicted at the community trial within the Forum? The conviction was based on their decision to refuse to burn incense of sacrifice to the Roman gods. As a result they all became sacrifices to wild beasts themselves in celebration of the Emperor’s sons’ birthday. [6] Perpetua said to Vibius, her father, said I, Do you see this vessel lying, a pitcher or whatsoever it may be? And he said, I see it. And I said to him, Can it be called by any other name than that which it is? And he answered, No. So can I call myself naught other than that which I am, a Christian? [7] Clearly this noblewoman’s problem begins at home with her family, before there is ever a conflict with the culture of Rome. Perpetua’s father has obviously made sure that his daughter was educated, and taken care of in a socially accepted marriage. Indeed Perpetua could read and write and think and debate, perhaps this was much more than her father counted on when he deemed to satisfy his absolute authority of the Roman household. Perpetua loved her father and mentioned that it pained her to see him suffer but she also wrote that her father hurt her faith because of his love. [8]. In Perpetua’s house and every Roman household each child at birth was placed at the feet of the father to find out if it would be accepted or rejected. Still the father-daughter bond was considered special and close. [8] Still there is tension in this relationship as the father begs Perpetua to remember her various responsibilities, Perpetua’s education is evident as she clearly wins in reasoning and debating with her prominent father. It is at this point that Perpetua completely disregard the very order of society within family or state. Her ability to reason and reveal spiritual reality by speaking with everyday theory places her in a superior role of teacher as her father becomes her student. We have know way of knowing whether father or daughter could have recognized they were living out the writing of Socrates as before their eyes â€Å"the quintessential principled prisoner of conscience and a martyr to truth†[9] was played out. Sadly Perpetua’s father’s only response is that of tears of rage. Perpetua write about the four different times that her father comes to her trying to speak that he might be able to â€Å" move all creation† to change her mind , but Perpetua responds by writing her father spoke as if speaking â€Å" arguments of the devil† himself. 10] Writing all the way up to her trial she records that her father and governor get together to beg, as the very symbol of family and state. Exclaiming, think of â€Å"your father’s grey hairs†¦ the infancy of the boy †¦ sacrifice for the prosperity of the Emperor’. †[11] The reader learns that in order for Perpetua to obey Christ, she has to disregar d her responsibilities to family, state and religion. A Roman woman is to have allegiance to all loyalties just mentioned. Here Perpetua proves to be a citizen of the kingdom of Christ, a child of God, a member of His eternal family. Yet, this is not an easy price for Perpetua to pay, as she recognizes her father loves her and this increases her sadness , as she understands there is no â€Å"rejoice at my passion† [12] Perhaps this is too much to expect of a pagan father? To rejoice at the martyrdom of your Christian daughter is an unlikely tradition in Rome. Yet Perpetua was able to do exactly that. Of course, not everyone is born to be a martyr. This could even look to be coincidental as onlookers suddenly recognize the â€Å"blessed deacons,† and give even to care for the martyrs and their needs as prisoners, in the very arena, without facing imprisonment themselves. 13] Many perceived Martyrdom to be an individual calling. [14] To basically never seek after martyrdom but if it is God’s will, receive a personal invitation to share in the sufferings of Christ and enjoy the guarantee that Christ would never leave and supplies all necessary strength to endure to the end. [15] A true martyrâ⠂¬â„¢s thinking can be seen in the courageous maid Felicitas. She is literally about to give birth with one month to go when she is arrested with the baptismal class. When she does indeed end up giving birth in prison she is taunted by one of the prison keepers who has the nerve to ask such a remarkable women that if she find childbirth painful then just what â€Å"wilt you do when you are thrown to the beasts [16] Felicitas responds like a true martyr unconcerned full of faith, telling the guard that she knows â€Å"I myself now suffer that which I suffer, but there another shall be in me who shall suffer for me, because I am to suffer for him. † [17]. Wisely spoken by a woman that knew it was indeed God’s fight. Felicitas unquestionably spoke with the faith of a martyr. Knowing God would be actually fighting this battle inside each martyr. Thus exclaiming Martyrdom is no less than a battle against Satan himself. Just like when Stephen, witnessed the heavens open and a vision of Jesus beside the Father happen before his very eyes in Acts 7:56. Likewise was it understood that the Holy Spirit was part of the learning experienced by the martyr that got them ready for their persecution. All the more likely that the brother of Perpetua would want her to request to have a vision from God. Hoping this vision would reveal if they would live or die. Perpetua wrote in great confidence that she made it a habit to â€Å"converse (d) with the Lord†. [17] As a result indeed she receives a vision. This makes me think of â€Å"You have not because you ask not †in James 4:3 or â€Å"Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Matthew 7:7. So, why is it any surprise that such a faithful woman would receive exactly what she asked for? The vision Perpetua gets tells of the nature and the expected result of the battle she must fight. In this first vision it is a reminder of Jacob’s ladder. She writes of a ladder of bronze that has sharp objects on either side. At the base is the devil in the image of a serpent. Satrurus is in the dream and waiting at the top, waving for Perpetua to follow, but cautioning her about the serpent. Of course Perpetua is of great faith, so in her dream she basically looks straight at the serpent and says an- I don’t think so. Actually, Perpetua says, In the name of Jesus Christ, that serpent can not harm her. Guess what happens? Even in her dream Perpetua’s wisdom to call out the name of Christ fearlessly cause the serpent to tremble. Then this serpent obediently raises its head to the level of the very first step on this ladder. This is written in Genesis 3:15 and Perpetua remembers that she treads on the very head of Satan and easily climbs up the ladder. At the very top she is greeted by a man with white hair wearing clothing like a shepherd actually milking one of the sheep. [18] This is told to her brother who realizes what it means. There is no longer any reason to hope to remain alive in this world. As if to stop wasting their time expecting to be rescued from martyrdom. [19]. There is one last vision, the night before the martyrdom is to take place. Perpetua sees herself ripped of all clothing, actually fighting within the body of a man. She is going up against clearly an â€Å"Egyptian† that is â€Å"ill-favored† The gladiator master of ceremonies proclaims if the Egyptian triumphs Perpetua is killed, If she is the winner, Perpetua will receive a branch of green with gold apples. During her dream she talks about how the Egyptian tries to trip her, but she basically walks on his head like the vision where she steps on the serpents head. She wins and is given the branch of apples as the victor. Awakening from the dream she reveals the interpretation of understanding she will fight not the wild animals but against the devil himself and defeat him. 20] As these are the very last words she has written in the diary, Perpetua is motivated through the Holy Spirit revelation to face the arena. Now Perpetua write to hand over the pen, by saying let him write who will about the games from this moment on. [21] After all of the visions, why should there be any surprise that Perpetua is not concerned about the dawn of the day of her martyrdom? From that day on the narrator says they proceed from the prison to the arena in a public march, being obviously cheerful and bright of countenance; if trembling at all, it was for joy, not fear. Perpetua is the last to follow in this literal walk of faith; the writer described her as â€Å"glorious† in presence, appearing as a genuine spouse of Christ. As a â€Å"darling of God; at whose piercing look all cast down their eyes. †[22] Perpetua saw herself as a man in her dream, but the writer expresses that what is visible is as a courageous noblewoman never looking down as was expected. Instead, Perpetua is seen looking straight ahead with a â€Å"piercing† stare. Then comes Felicitas, the maiden who just had a baby the day before overjoyed that her baby was survived. Now Felicitas is relieved that she may be given the opportunity to â€Å"fight with the wild animals, †¦from blood to blood, †¦ midwife to the gladiator, †¦ after her travail in a second baptism. †[23]   Ã‚   The first battle waged in the arena is a verbal one, started by Perpetua herself. As they enter through the gates, they find they are supposed to be dressed in costumes, as mockery of their Christian faith. It is Perpetua who speaks for them. The writer says, â€Å"The noble Perpetua remained resilient to the end, and would not. For she said: For this cause came we willingly unto this, that our liberty might not be obscured. For this cause have we devoted our lives, that we might do no such thing as this; this we agreed with you. † As usual, Perpetua’s argument here, is so logical and persuasive, the writer states, â€Å"Injustice acknowledged justice; the tribune suffered that they should be brought forth as they were. † And â€Å"Perpetua began to sing†, as is she was indeed already walking on the Egyptian’s head. [24] The first battle is won with words. Now the martyrs will win with the same joyful countenance they displayed in the parade of faith. There was no sign of entering submissively as if they were guilty hoping for a last resort, they enter by their own choice, clothed in rebellion as they face the governor Hilarian who condemned them. â€Å"You judge us, and God you. † The crowd is enraged and demands them to be scourged. The Christians then actually â€Å"gave thanks because they †¦were to receive some of the sufferings of the Lord. †[25] The writer says, â€Å"The devil had made ready a most savage cow, prepared for this purpose against all custom; for even in this beast he would mock their sex. The reference to the devil is evocative of her dream when she realizes that she is battling not the animals but Satan. Other references to the dream emerge, as the women are brought out into the arena naked, except for a net. The body displayed is not that of a man but of â€Å"a tender girl,† and Felicitas is beside her, a nursing mother having given birth only a day earlier. The crowd could not h andle the sight of the women, actually ‘shuddered† and Perpetua and Felicitas were sent back to be dresses in robes. [26] Next the women are left to face the â€Å"savage cow. The crowd is watching keenly the behavior of Christians in the arena, and most especially this Christian noblewoman and her maid. The writer describes what they saw. Perpetua is thrown first and â€Å"when she had sat upright, her robe being rent at the side, she drew it over to cover her thigh, appearing to be concerned with modesty not of pain. Next, looking for a pin, she likewise pinned up her disheveled hair; for it was not meet that a martyr should suffer with hair disheveled, â€Å"lest she should seem to grieve in her glory. †[27]. How does a Christian woman die? She could not allow her self to die with rent robes and disheveled hair, as if she were in sorrow, but with hair pinned up and dressed for this moment of victory and glory. When Perpetua stands up, she sees her maid, fallen, and â€Å"she went up and gave her hand and raised her up. And both of them stood together. † Social order is no longer relevant here. The noblewoman raises up her servant as her very sister in Christ and they stand side by side. In Christ there is no slave nor free. The watching crowd now sees a picture of a new world order. 28] Perpetua goes back to the Gate for amnesty. There fellow Christians wait for her and stand by her side. She seems to be coming awake from her sleep, perhaps from shock, or as the writer explains, â€Å"in the Spirit and in ecstasy,† not recalling anything that has happened. She asks when they are to be thrown to the mad cow and is certain that this has already been done, only when she sees some of the markings of the maulin g does she believe. She shouts out to her brother and says three words before she is taken to the latform to be killed by the sword. She says, to stand fast in the faith, love one another; and â€Å"be not offended because of our passion†[ 29] Christians were given invites for a close encounter of the suffering of the martyrs in intent to detract them from their faith. â€Å"Be not offended because of our passion,† [29] says Perpetua. The result of the encounter was not quite what the Romans were counting on. There was no frightening them away. Yet, it was the very courage and gentle peace of the martyrs that actually confirmed their astounding faith. The ones to change were often the pagan witnesses, soldiers and prison officials, who saw the example of the martyrs and were drawn to their faith. [30] Is this not similar to what we have many times read about in our Holy Bible , where the chosen most faithful ones lead the unbelievers straight to Christ? Still these martyrs have one more chance to prove the very nature of their faith, as they head straight to the platform in expectation of receiving the final stroke of the sword. With the entire crowd witnessing, the martyrs actually kiss each other, to symbolize the act of rites of peace they desire to accomplish in martyrdom. 31] Perpetua is executed by an inexperienced swordsman who stabs her on the collarbone causing her to cry out and then Perpetua guides his hand to place the sword in the correct position on her throat. The writer says that so great a woman could not have been slain had she not herself have willed it. [31] Conclusion After exploration, I can conclude that Per petua and Felicity were indeed faithful to Christ unto death. One of the many proofs includes the various onlookers that came to believe as a result of such great faith visible within these martyrs. Therefore they were even indeed victorious in their death. It may seem strange to say victory in death, but that is the way of the kingdom of God. The devil is defeated. The power of the old order is doomed. The audience saw the beginnings of something new, the kingdom of heaven signified by love, joy, courage, and the kiss of peace. They saw people who could not be intimidated or separated from the Lord they loved. This they saw, the work of the Holy Spirit within these brave martyrs. Anyone reading about these extraordinary deaths is bound to be amazed at the physical and mental strength of the martyrs. Sickly and undernourished as they endured weeks in prison, they not only survive their first attacks in the arena, they also manage to find the energy to stand up again and again before the crowd, even walking to their place of execution. Perpetua’s having to help the inexperienced swordsmen in her own death proves not only that she believes in her heavenly reward, but also highlights that fellow faithful Christians should not be upset by her suffering. [32] These amazing young Christian women illuminated an unshakeable conviction and singleness-of-purpose. This shined forth from the time of their arrest to the time of their death. They knew that the power of God, or the Holy Spirit, was indeed present within them, and that their martyrdom had purpose from start to finish. Yes it would honor them in paradise, but most of all it would bring non-believers to faith in the Lord. [33] Perpetua’s leadership abilities are indeed striking. A young educated patrician mother, who forsakes family loyalty, challenges the authorities to treat her comrades more humanely, reassures the faithful, and dies courageously. Not to discount the likewise striking bravery of Felicitas who faithfully followed both as a servant to Perpetua and a servant of Christ. After reading such accounts it is undeniable that these women where great. St. Augustine recognizes that the woman, in spite of her debility and physical limitations, can have the integrity and unusual strength to face adversities and death with the strength of the spirit, as in the case of Perpetua and Felicity, popular martyrs of Carthage in Africa, whom the Bishop of Hippo admired and talked about in his sermons. 34] For the modern women of the 21st Century having difficulty finding female role models within the early church, â€Å"The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas† will provide what no other literature can: The oldest personal testimony by a Christian woman writing her encounter with the Holy Spirit. Perpetua and Felicitias by living with the purpose to stay focused on Christ, inspire many to seek what their names, Vivia Perpetua a nd Felicitas, represent so beautifully: Happy, eternal life in the Spirit. [35] No wonder Tertullian said, â€Å"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. † [36] It is powerful to remember this story. It tells of God’s powerful acts in the early days of the Christian church. It tells of God’s powerful victory through our sister Perpetua. Thus we are all to remember it is not about our individual lives it is our lives being used to powerfully glorify our God. As a result of Perpetua and Felicitas’s life we can say as is written in Philippians 4:20 â€Å"To our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever.