Dear friends of Amazing Facts International,

We are living in unprecedented times.

The coronavirus pandemic has dramatically transformed how we live and do business; of course, we are all being urged to isolate ourselves to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The state of California, in which Amazing Facts operates, is also now in a virtual lock-down, enforcing “shelter-in-place,” and non-essential businesses are closing everywhere.

With this in mind, we wanted to update our friends on how Amazing Facts is responding to the crisis.

While we are adhering to local, state, and national recommendations and ordinances, we want you to know that we are still actively spreading the gospel … without spreading germs!

Of course, Amazing Facts has been asked to restrict our onsite operations, and we are complying. For the foreseeable future, most of our team will be safely working from home so that our mission can continue.

Fortunately, Amazing Facts is a media ministry that operates two TV networks, so we are exempt from many statewide restrictions that require complete closure. This means that we are still able to do our work with a minimized crew at our headquarters to continue basic operations—including shipping Bible studies and witnessing resources.

However, the office building is closed to the public for their safety. Please do not make plans to visit until the all-clear is given.

The good news is that Amazing Facts is still broadcasting present truth!

• Our YouTube sermons and websites have many thousands of visitors every day, searching for Bible answers in these extraordinary times.
• Amazing Facts TV (aftv.org) and our recorded programs on partner networks are still reaching millions around the globe
• Over 200 radio stations are broadcasting God’s truth across our nation.

That means that although many people are now home-bound, Amazing Facts is still reaching their hearts with truth-filled lessons, including through our online and mail-based Bible School programs.

And while Pastor Doug is not able to travel, he is still preaching around the world, presenting new messages each week that will continue to be broadcast online globally. We will still be broadcasting our Sabbath School Study Hour and worship services every Sabbath—with a slimmed-down crew, right from our new office worship room.[PQ-HERE] 

These trying times are loaded with gospel opportunity as people are looking for answers. This is a prime time for us to pray and move forward with the last-day work, proclaiming the hope of Jesus’ soon return.

Please pray for Amazing Facts and for God’s protective hand to be over our ongoing work of evangelism. And pray for our fellow citizens, especially those traumatized by this crisis.

His message is our mission!

There are many stories in the Bible about how God saved people from the pit. The Pit is also a symbol of when we are lost in sin, overwhelmed by Passions, Possessions, and Positions.

'Amid struggles, trials, or even times of great happiness and prosperity, how can we learn to keep Christ at the center of our lives? Why is it so important that we do so?'

'As we face the challenges of the twenty-first century, we need to recapture the perception of God that is so vividly reflected in the book of Daniel.'

'Whenever we face a big problem, we also should recognize that our God is great enough to resolve even the most unsolvable challenges.'

'We show real faith when we pray to the Lord for what we want but trust Him to do what’s best for us, even if at the time we don’t understand what is happening or why.'

'God continues to change lives today. No matter how proud or sinful people may be, in God there is mercy and power to turn rebellious sinners into children of the God of Heaven.'

What are ways in which our society and culture profane the truth of God’s Word? How can we be careful not to take part in that profanation, even in subtle ways? At what point can we say that we are acquainted with all the truth that we need to know?

'What kind of witness do we present to others in regard to our faithfulness to God and to His law? Would people who know you think that you would stand for your faith, even if it cost you your job, or even your life?'

'With the coming of the Son of Man, God’s dominion is restored to those to whom it properly belongs. What Adam lost in the garden, the Son of Man recovers in the heavenly judgment.'

'What should this study tell us about how precious and important the knowledge of biblical truth really is in contrast to human traditions?'

'Christ’s sacrifice in our behalf is our only hope. How should this help keep us humble and, even more important, make us more loving and forgiving of others?'

'How often do you think about just how closely tied heaven and earth are? How might you live differently if you always kept this truth alive in your heart and mind?'

'How can we draw comfort from knowing that, in the end, God and His people will be victorious?'

'Amid the pains and struggle of life, how can we draw hope and comfort from the promise of the resurrection at the end? Why, in a very real sense, does almost nothing else matter?'

My work has been doing mandatory, camera-on videoconference "socials" every Friday -- scheduled at 4pm just to twist the knife. I hate them so much and finally told my manager I'm not going to attend anymore. People seem to think that because we're working from home, they're free to push on the boundaries between work life and private life in a way that is super uncomfortable for me and it has definitely been adding to my COVID stress in isolation.

I think a lot of managers don't know how to manage. When you're in an office, they can perform all sorts of work theater. When they're not, they have to find substitutes to prove they're doing something.

Bing - fuckin' - o

One of the things I do professionally is to help organisations move to flexible and remote working (yes, business is great right now) and the hardest thing is always the cultural and performance management aspects. Many/most managers have never had any training in - nor done any serious thinking about - management. They're like newborns with no object permanence, when things are not in their field of view, they don't exist. When you ask them to evaluate their staff, they give vague answers not backed up by evidence or linked to specific objectives.

It's not that hard. Assign people tasks, check that they have completed them correctly, give feedback. I don't care how much time my team spends wanking, watching prestige television, or reading during the day as long as they deliver me the stuff I've asked for when I've asked for it. I'm genuinely curious what kind of jobs even exist that can be done remotely but are not amenable to an output based way of working. Seriously, name one!

This kind of stuff makes me want to start putting people against the wall.

Hire good people; review their work; correct errors.

This is the "eat food, not too much, mostly plants" of modern management.

"It's silly to say, 'I just trust them all,' and close my eyes and hope for the best," he said. Some workers have grimaced at the surveillance, he added, but most should have nothing to hide: "If you're uncomfortable with me confirming the obvious [about your work], what does that say about your motives?"

Actually, not being able to provide your employees with the least amount of autonomy marks you as a shitty (and ineffective; how much work are YOU getting done if you are spying on your team constantly?) manager.

Hire good people; review their work; correct errors. That is your job as manager (along with putting out fires, managing interpersonal issues, and administrative tasks).

People also respond positively to trust and productivity goes up (as well as problem-solving ability).

Mistrust means people do the minimum, stop caring about their job except as revenue generation, and leave as soon as they can. They certainly won't take initiative, why bother? Clearly their boss/company sees them as ungrateful jerks just itching to slack off and steal.

How you treat your employees affects how they perform. This is not rocket science.

DAVID BIANCULLI, HOST: This is FRESH AIR. I'm David Bianculli, editor of the website TV Worth Watching, sitting in for Terry Gross. Today on FRESH AIR, one of our favorite interviews from our archive - Terry's conversation with comedian, actor and writer Steve Martin. He's also an accomplished bluegrass musician and has been posting occasional videos on social media playing banjo in the woods. Last month he visited CBS's "The Late Show" with Stephen Colbert in a special socially distanced comedy bit with Colbert sequestered inside his house and Martin with his guitar, strolling in a forest, determined to sing a song that Colbert is just as determined not to hear. (SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "THE LATE SHOW") STEPHEN COLBERT: So we go now live to Steve Martin in the middle of the woods. Hi, Steve. STEVE MARTIN: Hey, Stephen. Thanks for having me on. COLBERT: Well, Steve, you're certainly welcome. MARTIN: You know, Stephen, I was thinking that something we as people need to remember right now

Samantha Bee is the host of the late night comedy show Full Frontal, so we've invited her to play a game called "Full Backtal." Three questions about the people who stand in for actors when a posterior shot is required, and the star is either unwilling or unqualified to do it. Click the audio link to find out how she does. Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Nach einem internen Bericht der Europäischen Grenzschutzagentur Frontex ist mit einem Zustrom von Migranten an der Grenze zwischen der Türkei und Griechenland zu rechnen. Der Bericht liegt WELT vor.

Some of Larry's favorite performances from three decades ago. Includes Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III, Sylvia Tyson, Laura Nyro, Leon Redbone, Allen Toussaint, The Holmes Brothers and Ray Wylie Hubbard. Look for the playlist in our ''Podcast'' section at MountainStage.org. Support is provided by Adventures on the Gorge. https://adventuresonthegorge.com/

July fifth 2018 marks the fourth anniversary of "Two Way Street." To celebrate that milestone, we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations: an interview with Diana Nyad, the strong-willed swimmer who was the first to swim from Cuba to Florida without a protective shark cage. She completed the feat, which many thought was impossible, at the remarkable age of 66.

Samantha Bee is the host of the late night comedy show Full Frontal, so we've invited her to play a game called "Full Backtal." Three questions about the people who stand in for actors when a posterior shot is required, and the star is either unwilling or unqualified to do it. Click the audio link to find out how she does. Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: About a third of Americans are working from home these days because of the virus outbreak, and that includes me. I'm speaking to you from my home in Los Angeles. Although it took a pandemic to force so many of us into remote work, the technology has actually been around for many years. Greg Rosalsky from our Planet Money podcast team has been exploring why it still feels off. GREG ROSALSKY, BYLINE: I don't know about you, but this is getting old. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #1: I can't hear you... UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: If there is a... UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #3: You also have a power cable... ROSALSKY: The daily video calls. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #4: Wait, I want to learn from you guys, but there's feedback happening. UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #5: Robert - can you mute, Robert? ROSALSKY: The online group chats. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #6: Addie (ph

There are many stories in the Bible about how God saved people from the pit. The Pit is also a symbol of when we are lost in sin, overwhelmed by Passions, Possessions, and Positions.

It’s a simple fact that many Christians have been living far beyond our means and are now saddled with debilitating debt. Pastor Doug provides a biblical perspective about the dangers of debt and practical steps to get free from financial bondage.

MetaFilter is hiring a part-time moderator for our web-based, text-centric community. You'll work as a member of a small moderation team who collectively provide 24/7 discussion moderation and community management support to the thousands of folks in the active MetaFilter community.

A candidate should be:
- familiar with and interested in moderation or community management practices
- skilled at communicating clearly and promptly in written English to people with a variety of communication styles
- able to coordinate with your fellow moderators, and to do independent decision-making during scheduled shifts
- confident of your ability to respond diplomatically and empathetically in stressful or complicated social situations
- committed to the privacy of user information

Previous experience moderating online communities is preferred but not required; past participation in and familiarity with discussion-based communities and some of the challenges they can present is a must.

MetaFilter's moderators work with and support a diverse community of users around the world. Our community management ethos means trying to be generous with people as individuals, while at the same time not tolerating intolerance. We’re committed to more actively making space for marginalized perspectives—see our recently-updated Community Guidelines document—and you should be aligned with and comfortable working to support these goals.

To better serve our diverse community, we are specifically seeking to expand the diversity of life experiences and cultural backgrounds represented in our moderation team. Currently our moderation team has particular need for perspectives from non-Americans and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color) Americans. Candidates are invited to briefly address how their personal or professional background could contribute to the breadth and strength of the moderation team ability to support the MetaFilter community.

We especially encourage people of color, women, sexual and gender minorities, people with disabilities, and members of other marginalized or underrepresented groups to apply.

This is a remote position; you can work from anywhere you have a reliable internet connection. Primary work hours are negotiable on hire, based on an expectation of at least two regularly scheduled 8-hour shifts weekly during US daytime/evening hours. There is the long-term possibility of growing the position toward a 40-hour work week schedule based on budget and performance.

This is an hourly contracting position with no additional paid benefits available at this time. Starting pay is $28/hr, including paid training.

To apply, email hiring@metafilter.com with the subject line Mod Job Application, and include:
resume/CV, and a brief letter of interest noting (a) your relevant experience with online communities that makes you think you’d be good at this job and you’d like to do it, (b) your username if you’re a Metafilter member, and (c) optionally, how your personal or professional background can help meet our team’s need for more diverse perspectives. If you have other constraints or things we ought to know, feel free to include them.

If you have questions, or would like to schedule a brief informational chat about the position, you're welcome to contact us at that same email address.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application and will keep you posted as the process moves along, including notifying candidates whose application is ultimately unsuccessful. Please submit your application by February 15th to guarantee consideration; while we may extend the application window as needed to find an ideal candidate, we are aiming to complete the hiring process within about two months.

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: Nearly 70,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. Some of them worked in schools - teachers, coaches, counselors. Today we remember three of those people as seen through the eyes of their students. ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: Paula Pryce-Bremmer was a guidance counselor at Careers in Sports High School in New York City. She was 51 years old. Michael Westbrook was 54. He was the band director at Hardin-Jefferson High School in Sour Lake, Texas. And Ron Hill was a coach and substitute teacher at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School in Fulton County, Ga. He was 63 years old. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) BRITT WHITSTEIN: My name is Britt Whitstein (ph). I graduated from Mount Vernon Presbyterian High School in 2017. Coach Hill was one of my varsity basketball coaches. Coach Hill had a way of changing your perspective without you even knowing it. Because he believed in me, I did things in high school and even going into college that I

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: Let's visit the kitchen of an elementary school counselor in Ohio. Her name is Marie Weller, and she has turned to YouTube to help kids stranded away from school during this pandemic. NPR's Cory Turner has been visiting with her. CORY TURNER, BYLINE: In Delaware, Ohio, just north of Columbus, she's known as Mrs. Weller. And if I had to describe her in a word, it would be joyful. MARIE WELLER: (Laughter). TURNER: Once Ohio closed its schools, Mrs. Weller started going through counseling videos she could share with her kids remotely, but she says many of them were just too... WELLER: Boring. So I started thinking - well, I'm bored and can't imagine that the kids aren't. TURNER: And this is the magical moment when Mrs. Weller took her talents to YouTube. (SOUNDBITE OF THE IRISH ROVERS' "WHAT'S COOKING IN THE KITCHEN") TURNER: Weller set up a smartphone in her kitchen, surrounded herself with puppets - of course she has puppets -

When Congress allocated money for higher education in the coronavirus rescue package, it set aside nearly $350 million for colleges that had "significant unmet needs." Most of that money has now been allotted by the U.S. Department of Education to small, private colleges that serve just a fraction of U.S. college students. Meanwhile, public colleges — which serve more than 70% of all college students — are facing a steep drop in state funding . The 20 institutions that received the most amount of money from the unmet-need fund serve less than 3,000 students combined, and about half are religious schools — including Bible colleges and seminaries — several of which serve less than 100 students. Don't see the graphic above? Click here. Lawmakers designed this unmet-need fund to give priority to any higher education institution that has received less than $500,000 through the CARES Act's other pots of funding. As a result, a school like Virginia Beach Theological Seminary, which serves 47

C5 just dropped a fiery single titled "Bay 2 LA" off of his project Interstate 5, which is set to release May 15th. Being perfectly titled after the main interstate highway that runs the length of West Coast, this Oakland, California artist begins on a scenic route as he takes us on a drive from […]

The post C5 takes us on a ride from the "Bay 2 LA" appeared first on EARMILK.

What does the quarantine mean for people who are homeless? We hear how one soup kitchen is adjusting to the shelter-in-place order. Then, we begin a series that looks at how other countries are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, starting with Australia. And, from our project Uncuffed, how to make a wet burrito if you’re stuck in a prison cell.

Today, we hear how people around the Bay Area are experiencing their fifth week of quarantine in our continuing Quarantine Diaries series. Then, a reality show star and social media critic has tips for keeping in touch during the shelter in place.

Nick grew up as a problem child. He was an alcoholic by the age of 12 and was constantly in trouble in school. He joined the military to try to stay out of trouble, but he got involved with the wrong crowd—“the worst of the worst.” All the while, he knew something inside was dying.

Lily was in a dilemma. After discovering the Sabbath truth while listening to Pastor Doug on Bible Answers Live, she approached her work supervisor to request Saturdays off. He flatly refused. But through the prayers of giving people like you, God performed a miracle. Thank you for changing Lily’s life!

For the first time in its 231-year history, the Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments remotely by phone and made the audio available live. The new setup went off largely without difficulties, but produced some memorable moments, including one justice forgetting to unmute and an ill-timed bathroom break. Here are the top five can't-miss moments from this week's history-making oral arguments. A second week of arguments begin on Monday at 10 a.m. ET. Here's a rundown of the cases and how to listen. 1. Justice Clarence Thomas speaks ... a lot Supreme Court oral arguments are verbal jousting matches. The justices pepper the lawyers with questions, interrupting counsel repeatedly and sometimes even interrupting each other. Justice Clarence Thomas, who has sat on the bench for nearly 30 years, has made his dislike of the chaotic process well known, at one point not asking a question for a full decade. But with no line of sight, the telephone arguments have to be rigidly organized, and

Michigan and State Theater executive director Russ Collins is back from Park City, Utah with a lot of great stories to tell! He joins WEMU's David Fair to talk about this year's Sundance Film Festival, as well as all of the new movies opening in theaters, for this week's edition of "Cinema Chat."

A touch of Sundance descended upon Ann Arbor this week, and we have the rundown! In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan and State Theater executive director Russ Collins discuss last night's "Direct from Sundance" event and all of the new films landing on the big screen this weekend.

Scott was a slave to punk rock and worldly parties. But through your gifts, this lost sinner discovered God’s truth and was transformed into a soul-winner for Christ! When you give to the work of Amazing Facts, you cooperate with heaven by creating even more gospel workers for the kingdom. Please send a gift today to multiply evangelists and disciple-makers throughout the world. Thank you!

Damas is sitting on death row. But through your timely gifts, he discovered hope when he watched Amazing Facts on the Trinity Broadcast Network. And right now, this major Christian network is offering to double our airtime, but only if we act now. Please prayerfully consider doubling your gift to reach more souls like Damas—people who are sitting on death row spiritually. Let’s give them hope now! Thank you for sacrificially thinking of others.

Liling desperately searched for truth on the Internet in the heart of the world’s largest atheistic country. Yet even there, she found Amazing Facts and soon became a joyful, baptized believer in Christ—all thanks to loving gifts from people like you! Will you help thousands and thousands more discover Bible truth and be ready for Jesus’ soon return?

You can put Amazing Facts on A&E, reaching a potential 90 million homes every Sunday morning. A&E is the third-largest broadcast network in the nation, and many ministries are vying for time on this popular secular station. Thousands of people channel surf on Sunday mornings, looking for Bible answers to their deepest needs. You can provide God’s truth to these searching souls by supporting this far-reaching project.

What are ways in which our society and culture profane the truth of God’s Word? How can we be careful not to take part in that profanation, even in subtle ways? At what point can we say that we are acquainted with all the truth that we need to know?

'What kind of witness do we present to others in regard to our faithfulness to God and to His law? Would people who know you think that you would stand for your faith, even if it cost you your job, or even your life?'

'How often do you think about just how closely tied heaven and earth are? How might you live differently if you always kept this truth alive in your heart and mind?'

'How can we draw comfort from knowing that, in the end, God and His people will be victorious?'

'Amid the pains and struggle of life, how can we draw hope and comfort from the promise of the resurrection at the end? Why, in a very real sense, does almost nothing else matter?'

Among the small businesses shuttered by shelter-in-place orders are two of Georgia’s historic art-house theaters. How are these independent cinemas surviving, and innovating, now that their screens have gone dark? Christopher Escobar, owner of Atlanta’s Plaza Theatre and executive director of the Atlanta Film Society, said that business had already been slowing down for about two weeks prior to their closing. And Pamela Kohn, executive director of Ciné in Athens, said their decision to shut down the theater was difficult, but necessary.