“I was very impressed during my time in Nainital, India with how clean the area was. This is partly the result of stiff penalties for littering. Plastic bags are illegal in Nainital, so they won’t be found in use at local shops. Lake Naini is meticulously cared for, including a complete aeration system to ensure freshness of the water. As a result, the lake is full of fish. From what I could see, there was nobody fishing. This is probably due to the predominant Indian culture of compassion toward all living creatures. From casual observation, there were very few people smoking, and most of them were smoking what seemed to be a natural chemical-free rolled tobacco. I’m usually bothered by second-hand smoke because of the chemicals and toxins in commercial cigarettes, but I wasn’t bothered by the second-hand smoke here. It’s not hard to find nutritious and delicious vegetarian food here since that’s the standard diet of most people. As a result, the restaurants were plentiful and quite good.” ~ Gregory Johnson
Photos. Follow the links below to photo galleries of Nainital, India.
Summary. Adamantine Spine Moving is Iowa City’s premier moving company offering world-class moving services at very economical rates. For more information call 319-325-6683 or visit their website at SpineMoving.com.
“I searched the Internet for a moving company, and saw several listed for the Iowa City area, but didn’t know where to begin calling.
After seeing the SpineMoving.com website, I was really impressed. I was surprised to receive an almost immediate email response call to the inquiry I posted on the website. Then, what seemed like moments later, a large colorful moving van pulled up. It was like magic. The van had the same cheerful design as the website.
They really handled all of my items with care, but also expediency, as they quickly loaded up the van. Their speedy and efficient work reduced the amount I would pay, since they charge by the hour.
I never thought I’d ever say this, but I’m looking forward to moving again! Thanks, Adamantine!” ~ Gregory Johnson (9 July 2010)
Problem Summary. After upgrading the iPhone 3G or 3GS to the Apple iOS 4 software for the iPhone you may notice rapid depletion of the battery. This can even happen without upgrading. Sometimes poorly written applications will continue running, seemingly even when the phone is in sleep mode.
Problem Solution. Follow these steps to resolve the problem.
Synchronize your data using iTunes. Remember that iPhone synchronization with iTunes will put your appointments into iCal, contacts into Address Book, and notes into the Apple Mail program. However, to save any camera roll photos or video it’s necessary to manually import them with iPhoto. To save SMS messages and other internal data not synchronized in any other way, you may want to use PhoneView by ECamm.
Reset (format) the iPhone by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Settings.
Using iTunes, synchronize the phone again as a new phone without recovering from previous backups. This will give you a fresh, stable, fast phone.
Battery Depletion Sample – Prior to Reset. Below are times listed using 24 hour time format (0538 = 5:38 AM, 1540 = 3:40 PM) and battery power level percentages during a typical day when there was a battery depletion problem.
0538 100%
0635 98%
0639 97%
0654 96%
0705 95%
0725 93%
0748 92%
0751 91%
0756 90%
0802 89%
0809 87%
0833 81%
0847 76%
0904 70%
0918 65% turn off wifi
0929 60%
0937 55%
1043 31%
1107 24% turned off notes sync
1112 21% turn off find my phone, turn off hourly fetch
1131 13% realized that tweaking wasn’t fixing the problem
1238 66% after some charging
1242 65% disable all notes sync
1255 60%
1540 65% reset the phone and erase all settings
1705 57% over an hour later, the battery is holding up well
Battery Depletion Sample – After Reset. Below are times listed using 24 hour time format (0538 = 5:38 AM, 1540 = 3:40 PM) and battery power level percentages during a typical day after resetting the phone and erasing all data to resolve the rapid battery depletion problem.
0414 100% after full charge
0436 98% after downloading 500 emails
0507 93% after reorganizing icons
0518 92%
0606 91% begin charging
0642 100% after charging
0810 99%
0817 97% after phone call
0838 92% after more phone calls
0943 89%
1036 84%
1646 65%
Summary. Apple recently made world news because the antenna array on their iPhone 4 was reportedly providing irregular signal reception when touched. Supposedly, consumers and journalists worldwide were astonished to learn that touching an antenna would reduce signal strength.
Update: On Friday, 16 July 2010, about two weeks after we first published this story, Steve Jobs held a press conference about the iPhone 4 antenna reception that reiterated what we said here. Apple has now published a web page (more eloquent and concise than ours) that documents mobile phone reception problems as industry-wide and includes videos to demonstrate it.
Hoax Exposed. Part of the iPhone 4 signal reception story is simply a well coordinated misinformation campaign and hoax launched by Apple competitors and those unfamiliar with antenna technology. The other part of the story is simply based on general truths about how mobile technology works. In summary, the iPhone 4 signal issue is an unfounded hoax, and so are the recent frivolous threats of class action lawsuits against Apple regarding the iPhone 4. This is all explained below.
Antenna History. Since the invention of the first radio devices in the late 1800s, it’s been common knowledge that the antenna of a radio receiver or transmitter should not be touched because this can interfere with reception and transmission. This knowledge was broadly disseminated worldwide during the forty years from 1970 to 2010 for anyone using CB radios, cordless phones, walkie talkies, handheld radios, televisions, and cellular phones. Anyone using an AM or FM radio knows the importance of antenna adjustment. Even walking near a radio can result in a faded signal. Television antennas known as “rabbit ears” and external array antennas were common for many decades in the late 20th century and continued to be in use early in the 21st century. For this reason, consumers became very aware of the importance of antenna positioning, direction, and placement. Antennas are designed to be a fraction (usually) of the wave they are receiving. Outside roof-top television antennas offer a visual image of varying antenna lengths corresponding with the wavelength of the frequencies they are designed to receive. Since the 1970s, consumers would purchase equipment from Radio Shack used to “Tune” CB antennas. Tuning a CB antenna is the process of lengthening or shortening it so that it’s length is optimally suited for channel 18 (a midway frequency in CB Radio broadcast and reception).
Signal Measurement. Because mobile phones and devices are transceivers (they receive and transmit), there are four considerations with signal measurement: incoming signal strength, incoming signal quality, outgoing signal strength, and outgoing signal quality. It is difficult to convey something as complex as the changing aggregate signal connection of a mobile device with only a 1 to 5 rating represented by some small bars. When any of these four properties are hindered (usually by obstructions), most devices attempt to boost transmission levels to compensate (which typically uses more battery). As the phone increases signal output, usually the connection (aggregate signal strength/quality) gets better. Signal strength is like volume is to music, whereas signal quality is how clear and accurate a signal is. Just as music can be loud but distorted, a radio signal can be strong, but have interference. Since mobile phone antenna towers are typically high in the air, interference is usually causes by obstructions in the proximity of the phone. Similarly, having sufficient signal strength from a mobile phone antenna tower is usually not a problem.
Exposed Metal Antenna Array Offers Breakthrough Design. Other than inexpensive walkie talkies with telescoping antennas, most portable transmitters and receivers have internal antennas or external extruding antennas with rubber or plastic insulation. The reason for this is to prevent direct conductive contact with the antenna. Here’s the trade-off: Internal antennas make sleek design possible yet have reduced performance, and external antennas get in the way yet can offer better reception and transmission by having a less obstructed antenna. According to technology specialist, Gregory Johnson, ”The exposed metal antenna array on the Apple iPhone 4 is a breakthrough in advanced antenna design that can either be protected by a simple case, or enhanced by third party antenna boosters.”
Building a Safer Mobile Phone. With concerns about RF radiation back in the news (Time Magazine, 10 March 2010), people are looking for ways to reduce their RF exposure. Because of its external metal antenna array, the iPhone 4 potentially offers the potential for lower RF exposure. You might think that a bare antenna could have greater possible RF emissions. However, the opposite is true (when used properly). A bare antenna has greater reception and transmission potential which lowers the phone’s need to transmit at higher output levels. Because proximity interference is a known potential issue for all mobile phones, many people choose to use a bluetooth headset and keep their phone at a distance. This also reduces any possible adverse impact of exposure to RF radiation in two ways: (1) reduced proximity obstructions increases signal quality and strength which decreases the required intensity of transmission output, (2) strength of RF radiation intensity is reduced substantially at even a small increase in distance.
Analysis and Commentary. Below is an analysis and commentary by Gregory Johnson.
“Having been granted a technician-class broadcasting license (N0YOD) from the Federal Communications Commission, I’m quite familiar with antenna technology. I grew up using AM, FM, CB, shortwave, and long-wave radio receivers and transmitters. So, I was immediately curious about Apple’s decision to place a metal, non-insulated multi-array antenna on the outside of their new iPhone 4.
After further research, I realized that the exposed metal antenna array on the Apple iPhone 4 is a breakthrough in advanced antenna design that can either be protected by a simple case, or effectively enhanced by third party antenna boosters — reducing battery drain. The problem with most antennas is that they are internal, or external but covered in plastic. The iPhone 4 antennas are conductively accessible, making it possible to connect a longer antenna of proper length for better reception or transmission. It probably won’t be long until companies offer cases with conductive contacts for antenna accessories that enhance the reception of the iPhone 4 beyond anything we’ve seen before. To be small enough for mobile devices, antennas are usually hindered and limited by smaller size. This isn’t the case with the iPhone 4 exposed antenna array.
Obviously, the conductivity of of the human hand on a bare antenna will vary depending on the person’s skin moisture and other factors, but it’s likely to influence reception and transmission. Any metal objects shorting between antennas could present a problem.
Radio transmitters are designed to have a specific antenna length. For example, owners of Citizen’s Band (CB) radios are advised not to use the radio until a properly tuned antenna is attached or else the radio may overheat and burn out. Most people know that an automatically extending radio antenna on a car will not receive FM radio properly until it has extended to the optimal length. As the antenna extends, reception gradually improves. The antenna length is set to be a fraction of the average wavelength for FM radio. These are things most people know intuitively through experience.
For these reasons, the colorful bumpers offered by Apple seemed to be more of a necessity than an optional accessory. Yet, such is the case with most electronic devices today for anyone wanting to protect them. This is probably why Apple doesn’t include them for free with the phone. Consumers will undoubtedly want to pick their own case, and Apple doesn’t want to cut into the sales of third party manufacturers who offer a wide variety of protective case options.
I was sure that other consumers and those in the press would have at least a basic knowledge of antenna technology, but apparently that wasn’t the case. Those predisposed to malign Apple’s reputation (competitors and haters) used this as an opportunity to launch a hoax on unsuspecting consumers and a smear campaign against Apple. The hoax aspect of this story is to suggest that reception problems are new, since reception issues have been present with every radio transmitter, receiver, and transceiver since the 1800s and this includes AM, FM, CB, Shortwave, Long-wave, television, and mobile phones.
The supposed reception issue with the iPhone 4 is nothing new. The 3GS and other mobile phones have similar variations in reception quality and signal strength depending on how they are held, as illustrated below.” ~ Gregory Johnson
Video Commentary. Below is a video commentary updated to include the latest news of the 16 July 2010 Apple press conference regarding the iPhone 4 antenna reception.
Pictured here is the iPhone 3GS with a full 5-bars of signal strength prior to being held in the hand.
Pictured here is the same iPhone 3GS in the same location being held in the hand which produces a drop in signal strength to 2-bars or sometimes 3-bars depending on the position of the iPhone in the hand.
Statement from Apple Regarding iPhone 4 Reception. Below is the official statement from Apple, issued 2 July 2010, regarding the iPhone 4 reception issue. [source]
Letter from Apple Regarding iPhone 4
Dear iPhone 4 Users,
The iPhone 4 has been the most successful product launch in Apple’s history. It has been judged by reviewers around the world to be the best smartphone ever, and users have told us that they love it. So we were surprised when we read reports of reception problems, and we immediately began investigating them. Here is what we have learned.
To start with, gripping almost any mobile phone in certain ways will reduce its reception by 1 or more bars. This is true of iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, as well as many Droid, Nokia and RIM phones. But some users have reported that iPhone 4 can drop 4 or 5 bars when tightly held in a way which covers the black strip in the lower left corner of the metal band. This is a far bigger drop than normal, and as a result some have accused the iPhone 4 of having a faulty antenna design.
At the same time, we continue to read articles and receive hundreds of emails from users saying that iPhone 4 reception is better than the iPhone 3GS. They are delighted. This matches our own experience and testing. What can explain all of this?
We have discovered the cause of this dramatic drop in bars, and it is both simple and surprising.
Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don’t know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place.
To fix this, we are adopting AT&T’s recently recommended formula for calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength. The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone’s bars will report it far more accurately, providing users a much better indication of the reception they will get in a given area. We are also making bars 1, 2 and 3 a bit taller so they will be easier to see.
We will issue a free software update within a few weeks that incorporates the corrected formula. Since this mistake has been present since the original iPhone, this software update will also be available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G.
We have gone back to our labs and retested everything, and the results are the same— the iPhone 4’s wireless performance is the best we have ever shipped. For the vast majority of users who have not been troubled by this issue, this software update will only make your bars more accurate. For those who have had concerns, we apologize for any anxiety we may have caused.
As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.
We hope you love the iPhone 4 as much as we do.
Thank you for your patience and support.
Apple
Press Contacts:
Natalie Harrison
Apple
harri@apple.com
(408) 862-0565
Steve Dowling
Apple
dowling@apple.com
(408) 974-1896
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Document History. This document was originally published on 2 July 2010. It was revised and republished on 20100708fr2140. This document was updated on 20100716fr to include news of the 16 July 2010 Apple press conference.
Summary. Consumers face many challenges when trying to research products and make purchasing decisions. This document provides an overview of these challenges and offers some suggestions.
Aggregate Reviews Needed. Most reviews are done by individuals testing a single unit. It would be more accurate to have information about a large number of units tested by many people. For example, if one very vocal reviewer like Walt Mossberg gets a defective unit, while 100 little known YouTube vloggers get 99 functioning units, the public perception will be that the product is bad, even though there is just a 1% failure rate, because reviews by mainstream media journalists influence more people.
Differing Model Numbers. Some products are available in so many different model numbers that it’s hard to find a review for the specific one you can find at your local store. Computers are a good example. Some computer manufacturers will change model numbers depending on who is selling the product. So, the model available at Best Buy could be different than the one sold at Staples. Fitness equipment is another product line that is sometimes sold exclusively to certain outlets. So, a certain model ProForm elliptical machine sold at Sears might not be available anywhere else. Similar products may be reviewed by Consumer reports, but the differences are significant between models.
Fake Comments and Product Reviews. The Internet is full of fake comments and product reviews. Some companies pay people to write good reviews of their own products and negative reviews of their competitor products. Consumers have trouble knowing what reviews are genuine and which ones are paid. Learn more by reading our document on Internet Authenticity and Accountability of Advertising Reviews and Content.
Long-Term Usage and Durability Reviews Needed. There are many feature reviews available that describe what a product can do. However, these feature reviews are usually done over a short period of time. A person could simply visit a product page on the manufacturer’s website to find the information presented in most product reviews. What’s needed are long-term real-world evaluations of products to test reliability (does it work all the time) and durability (is it sturdy).
Personal Preference. The usefulness and value of many products is widely dependent upon personal preference. Skechers Shape-Ups shoes are a good example of this. Some people love them, while others hate them. It’s a matter of personal preference. It’s hard for many reviewers to offer a balanced unbiased presentation of products in a way that takes into consideration the diverse preferences and needs of consumers. A quality review is more than just one person’s opinion of a product. It should be more like a journalist impartially reporting on a product.
Short Product Life Cycles. Products typically have a one year life cycle. So, most reviews are about products that simply aren’t available anymore, or will soon be replaced by a new model. Rather than reviewing specific product models, it’s more meaningful to have a review that looks at a product line if possible.
User Error. Products should be designed to reduce user confusion or damage from misuse. However, this isn’t always possible. Many negative reviews are the result of user error.
Endorsements. Critics are calling the book “Excellent” and “Thought Provoking.” Below is a commentary from Gregory Johnson about the book.
“The housing and workplace revolution has now reached critical mass as alternative dwellings of various shapes and sizes are showing up everywhere around the world.
Minimalism, green living, sustainability, micro convergent technologies, have joined forces in advancing the smaller living movement.
Shedworking by Alex Johnson is an essential contribution to the movement. It’s an encyclopedia quality reference guide that will undoubtedly ignite a revolution in housing and work spaces. It is a book that is as beautiful, efficient, precisely, and carefully designed as the architecture it describes.” ~ Gregory Johnson, Director of the Small House Society
Learn More. The excerpt below about Shedworking is provided from Amazon.
Featuring shedworkers and shedbuilders from around the world who are leading the alternative workplace revolution, Shedworking looks at why having a shed office is a greener way of working, improves the work-life balance, and accelerates one’s productivity.
Inspired by the author‘s Shedworking website, which has been internationally acclaimed for the groundbreaking scale of its architectural coverage, the book features many previously unpublished images of garden offices and shed-like atmospheres: offices on roofs, sheds inside “traditional” offices, and even sheds on wheels, as well as cutting-edge Le Corbusier-designed models for the back garden, all-glass shed offices, and buildings “built” using living trees. Along the way it offers a whistle-stop tour of famous sheds from Pliny the Younger‘s summerhouse and the retreats of 19th-century composers Edvard Grieg and Gustav Mahler to award-winning 21st-century fantasy writer Neil Gaiman’s gazebo.
In short, Shedworking offers a manifesto for those wanting to change their working lives for the better and go to work in the garden.
Summary. The Mighty Wallet by Dynomighty Design of New York City is a product that transcends traditional paradigms of price and quality.
Unique products of high quality, innovative design, and impressive durability are often priced high.
The Mighty Wallet is inexpensive enough ($15) that after you buy it you’ll still have some money left to put in it.
It may be that one of the world’s least expensive wallets is actually one of the best.
Available in many designs, these wallets are made partially from recyclable Tyvek and 25% recycled plastic water and milk containers. Tyvek is a material from DuPont that is highly durable and strong, yet easy to imprint and work with.
As a company, Dynomighty Design is, like their products, high quality, innovative, and dynamic. Theirs is a business model worth emulating.
Wallet Features Video. Below is a video showing the many benefits and features of the Mighty Wallet.
Magnetic Jewelry and Desk Accessories. In addition to amazing wallets, Dynomighty Design also offers intriguing magnetic jewelry.
Desk DOTS – Magnetic Organizers (video below)
Magnetic Jewelry (videos below)
Recognition. Dynomighty Design is approved by the ResourcesForLife.com Free Advertising Program.
CUPERTINO, California—June 22, 2010—Apple® today announced that it sold its three millionth iPad™ yesterday, just 80 days after its introduction in the US. iPad is a revolutionary and magical product that allows users to connect with their apps, content and the Internet in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.
“People are loving iPad as it becomes a part of their daily lives,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more people around the world, including those in nine more countries next month.”
Developers have created over 11,000 exciting new apps for iPad that take advantage of its Multi-Touch™ user interface, large screen and high-quality graphics. iPad will run almost all of the more than 225,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone® or iPod touch®.
Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface. iPad is 0.5 inches thin and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life. (Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.)
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, then reinvented the personal computer with the Macintosh. Apple continues to lead the industry with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system, and iLife, iWork and professional applications. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store, has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.
Summary. Decorated Shed is a business that brings beauty, function, and sustainable design to housing, studios, garden offices, and other outbuildings.
In addition to creating beautiful dwellings, their business meets the highest standards of creativity, excellence, and elegance in everything they do, including their website design.
The Decorated Shed range has been developed as a direct result of a need to create design-led, sustainable and innovative buildings.
The demands of the modern consumer have led to issues of ‘planned obsolescence’ and the ‘throwaway aesthetic’ in everyday products – leading to a continual repeated cycle of buying, using and discarding that has become accepted practice for most people.
Here at Decorated Shed we reject this trend, and firmly believe that products should be designed and built to last, giving a continued functional application as well as visual satisfaction day after day, and year after year.
The best old wooden structures can last for hundreds of years and yet retain and develop character over time without degrading or losing functional performance.
At Decorated Shed the meticulous selection of materials and expert craftsmanship ensures that each design is developed to the highest standards, with a durability that will stand up to both the elements and everyday life.
Website Design. The elegance, beauty, function, and attention to detail found in Decorated Shed structures and dwellings extends to their website design as well.
Beautifully Engineered Buildings for work, leisure and life. Every Decorated Shed design can be adapted to suit your needs so there are very few limitations for your garden building design. We are the perfect solution to extend your home without having to move house or get a traditionally-built extension which will cost more and take a lot longer. Our garden buildings can take as little as 4 days to build and we will handle everything for you from the planning permission to the aftercare advice.
Environmental care is important to us. We use recycled materials where ever possible through our buildings inside and out. We source our materials worldwide to get the best quality and we use top of the range tri fold door systems which provide all our buildings with high insulation in all seasons.
Green Benefits of the Garden Annex. Decorated Shed garden annexes and holiday homes – including the Barn – are built to exacting standards that meet and exceed current building regulations on energy efficiency and insulation. This dedication to quality results in a garden annex building that not only looks amazing, but performs to incredibly high standards when it comes to heating, powering and general running.
With such class-leading efficiency – combined with a strict adherence to a sustainable material supply chain – our garden annexes represent truly green investments, providing low-impact living solutions.
The prefabricated build process – with highly-insulating composite panels developed off-site – enables the Decorated Shed team to complete a full project in around four days, massively faster and more efficient than a traditional build of similar proportions.
As with all Decorated Shed garden buildings, our garden annexes and holiday homes are built to specification. This means that the building is designed precisely around your own personal needs, and will begin performing a life-enhancing role from the moment it is completed.
Increase Home Workers. The past year has been a difficult time for many of us and the number of people working from home has risen dramatically. In some cases though people would prefer to work from home and benefit from a healthier and cheaper way of living but employers have not been crazy about it, even though it will reduce over heads and the companies carbon footprint.
We touched on Is telecommuting really green? In our previous blog this week, and the answer was yes, telecommuting is growing and eco bosses and workers are giving the carbon footprint solution a go. If the unfortunate situation arises and you don’t have a boss anymore there are plenty of options and well paid jobs out there for home workers.
Decorated Shed have become strong supporters of the working from home theory due to the recession and carbon foot print solutions. We build and design bespoke garden offices and garden studios which have become a popular product recently. We act on environmental issues through our high performance energy efficient insulation and our triple sealed doors and windows buildings. Decorated Shed also use recycled material where ever possible. Our Garden Offices are built to your specific requirements and our objective is to build a eco friendly, beautifully engineered garden office with natural and relaxing interiors to enhance your new work place.
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Disclosure Statement. Decorated Sheds is also a financial sponsor and supporter of ResourcesForLife.com
Effective Living
Through Kindness by Gregory Johnson
We are living in a challenging time when the healers of the world (activists) need to live as effectively as possible.
The journey of effective living is to take on those things (tools, knowledge, habits, virtues, and training) that make a person more effective, and remove those things that make us less effective.
In one of his public letters, the first century life coach Paul, speaks of “throwing off everything that hinders.” [Hebrews 12:1]
There’s a perplexing statement in a public letter from Paul to the Romans, where he says:
“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” [Romans 11:22]
Paul seems to be suggesting that those who pursue the path of kindness, will receive kindness from God. There is a kind of power and effectiveness that comes to those who live lives of kindness, forgiveness, mercy, and grace toward others.
Physiologically, there can be medically measurable stress-induced health injuries and illness that result from the ongoing burden of holding onto anger, resentment, unforgiveness, and bitterness toward people. The same sentiments projected toward life and the world manifest as skepticism, negativity, pessimism, and hopelessness. When we increasingly see the negative in people, or in the world, it can grow like the darkness of night and obstruct our vision to the point that we no longer see the good.
For further reading, below is a comprehensive article by Francis Frangipane about the importance and power of fasting from judging. Although article is written from a Christian perspective, the concepts and principles presented are largely universal and transcend religion. If you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the language of Christianity, I’d encourage you to become familiar with it and comfortable with it since Christianity offers many helpful lessons in living more effectively.
If you have ever gone on an extended fast, you know it can be a life changing experience. There are many types of fasts. The king of Nineveh along with the people of his nation fasted three days from food and water. God heard the sincerity in their repentance and spared their nation, making them an example of the power inherent in fasting and prayer (see Luke 11:32) .
A fast can be a powerful tool to help stimulate revival or, conversely, it can degrade into a religious exercise that has almost no spiritual significance. The Pharisees fasted twice a week, but did so to be seen of men. Their fast became a thing of pride. At its essence, the purpose of a fast is to help us reach our spiritual destination faster, hence the name fast. Jesus said “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6). The goal of our hunger is for righteousness to prevail, either in us personally or in our family, church, city or nation. Fasting takes us there faster.
Yet, we must not allow our fast to become a form of self-inflicted punishment. Fasting is not about “severe treatment of the body” (Col. 2:20-23). During the time you would have nourished your body, nourish your soul instead. Draw closer to the Lord. Read the Word of God, memorize Scriptures or pray for yourself and your loved ones or church.
Isaiah 58 tells us that a fast can also be a time to show God’s love to others. The Lord says, “Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him . . .?” (Isaiah 58:6-7).
Therefore, when you are fasting from food, consider also ways to help the disadvantage and hurting. You might even devote your food money to a relief agency that is caring for people suffering in destitute places.
The Intercessor’s Fast
Perhaps the most life changing fast is the one I urge intercessors to employ. I ask them to take a month and fast from judging. It is interesting to watch their reactions. “What will we think about?” they query. I am only saying do not let your concluding thought end judging a person, rather, let it end in a prayer for mercy.
The instinct to judge, to criticize, is a curse upon the church, and it brings death upon us as individuals. A curse? Death? Yes, every time we judge, we are simultaneously judged by God, and each time we condemn another, we ourselves are condemned (Matt. 7).
Many Christians will pray, engage in spiritual warfare and rebuke the devil, yet often the enemy they are fighting is not demonic. It is consequential. Life is being measured back to them according to their attitudes toward others. They are under judgment because they are always judging (see Matt. 7:2).
When I say “fast from judging,” I do not mean we should abandon discernment. No. But judging people is not discernment. Fault-finding is not a gift of the Spirit. When we see something wrong, instead of only turning critical, we must learn to pray for mercy for that situation. We will still see what is wrong, but we are harnessing our anger and seeking to redeem what is wrong by the power of Christ’s love.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matt. 5:7). When we resist the impulse to judge or condemn and, instead, pray for mercy, an amazing thing happens: a door of fresh mercy opens before us. You see, in every moment of every day there are two doors in front of us. One is a door that brings waves of mercy into our lives, while the other door opens to a life full of obstacles and difficulties. How do we enter the mercy door? The key to a life blessed by God’s mercy is to give mercy to those around us (See Matt. 18).
There are Christians I know who have not made spiritual progress for years. They attend church, they tithe, yet they maintain a judgmental attitude. They always have something negative to say about others. As such, they position themselves under God’s judgment. Their capacity to receive divine mercy is closed because they do not show mercy toward others.
James wrote: “Judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). It is a sobering verse: judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy.
Are you pondering why your version of Christianity doesn’t quite feel like the abundant life Jesus promised? (See John 10.) Perhaps it is because you are too judgmental. The good news, however, is this: mercy triumphs over judgment. If you know you are a sinner and that there are areas wrong in you life, yet you strive to be merciful, God promises He will respond to you as you have responded to others. The areas in your heart that need mercy will find healing in the life God grants to the merciful.
Beloved, ponder the next season of change in your life, perhaps it is time to embrace the mercy fast. Yes, for thirty days, see what changes occur when you fast from judging.
Click here for a video of Francis Frangipane teaching
on this topic from a Christian perspective.
To learn more, visit Frangipane.org
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Summary. This page offers general information about Nainital, India. This is part of a series studying Indian culture and urban planning.
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Effective Living
