Okay, so my Downtown Abbey post is a little late. The Day After Downton post was supposed to be up and ready the day after. But last Sunday, my wife and I attended the Winter Jam concert and missed Downton Abbey all together. So instead of watching it Sunday night, we did not get an opportunity to watch it until Monday night. And then my scheduled filled up the rest of the week. And finally today, I am getting a chance to sit down and write my thoughts about Episode Three.
www.pbs.org
Thoughts / Observations for Episode Three
Anna refuses to tell Bates, or anyone else except Mrs. Hughes, what has happened to her. Bates is earnestly trying to find out; and Anna is avoiding him at every opportunity. She has even requested to move back in the Abbey and way from Bates. Anna does not want Bates to know what has happened to her because she fears that he will seek revenge on Green.
Lady Mary is moving forward in her role as executor of the Downton Abbey. She travels to London to meet with tax advisors to find out what can be done about the death tax. While in London, she meets up with Gillingham at the request of her mother and Lady Rosiland. Their relationship takes the fast track and by the end of the episode, Gillingham asks Lady Mary to marry him, despite being engaged to another woman.
Edna is trying to manipulate Branson into a relationship with her. After spending the night in his room, Edna asks Branson if she would marry her if she was pregnant. Not knowing what to do, Branson turns to Mrs. Hughes for advice. Mrs. Hughes calls Edna’s bluff and dismisses her from Downton. Branson is relieved and Edna leaves in disgust.
Alfred, upset that he cannot get move forward with a relationship with Ivy, has set his sights on attending cooking school and learning to be a chef.
While in London, Sir John Bullock invites Lady Mary, Lady Rosiland, Lady Rose, Branson, and Gillingham go out for the evening to the Lotus Club, a jazz club. While at the club, Sir John is dancing with Lady Rose. Sir John leaves Lady Rose alone on the dance floor while he runs away, in a drunken stupor. Jack Ross, the African American band member, leaves the stage and comes to Lady Rose and finishes the dance with her. The family is observing Jack dancing with Lady Rose and gives disapproving looks to her. Branson comes over to Lady Rose, telling it was time to go.
Lady Edith and Gregson move forward with their relationship as Gregson get ready to leave for Germany. They spend the night together in London to the disapproval of Lady Rosiland.
Questions for Episode Four
With Anna moved back in the Abbey, how will this effect her relationship with Bates. Will Bates find out what has happened? Will Mrs. Hughes be forced to tell him or the family what has happened? Will Green be at Downton more often since Gillingham wants to marry Lady Mary.
Will Lady Mary give an answer to Gillingham? Will she wait until she has fully grieved for Matthew? How long will it that? Will there be other men who arrive at Downton who will try to get involved with Lady Mary, knowing that she is again a single lady.
Having escaped the lusts of Edna, will Branson get himself together and accept his role in the family? Will he work with Lord Grantham and Lady Mary to run the estate or will he run away all together and start a new life, maybe back in Ireland or maybe in America?
Will Alfred get the chance to go to London to train as a chef? Will he finally end his quest to get Ivy? Is this the last we see of Alfred?
Being a person of color, how will the family react to Jack if he tries to anything with Lady Rose? Will such a relationship further break down the barriers that have been created by the aristocratic family?
How will being in Germany affect Gregson? Will he get caught up in the German politics in any way? Will he just be there long enough to officially divorce his wife? Will he return to London? Things seem to be going to good for Lady Edith right now, considering her history will men and relationships.
Ten musical acts, one pastor.
Five hours of ministry, one mission.
The Winter Jam 2014 tour stormed into the Gateway City last night and left the 18,000 concert-goers with a message of hope for the future and God’s enduring love.
Billed as one of the largest concert tours of the year, now in it’s 19th year, Winter Jam features many of today’s biggest and newest acts in the Christian music scene. I had not been to many Christian concerts. However, when our friends Eugene and Roxanne invited us, we immediately jumped at the opportunity when we saw that the performer list included Newsboys, Lecrae, Plumb and Newsong. By going to the concert, we were introduced to Derek Minor, Everfound, Love & the Outcome, Colton Dixon, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Tenth Avenue North. It was mixture of hip-hop, rap, pop, rock and heavy metal. Not your typical mixture of musical acts, but than again, this not your typical concert.
It was awesome to see, in total, ten musical acts take to the stage during the five-hour event. Each act took to the stage and performed between fifteen and thirty minutes. Keep in mind that this was much more than a concert with chart-topping singles and Grammy-winning performers. The artists and their music will pull you in. However, when the artists share with you their message about how important God is in their lives and how He has changed their life, you know that this is much more than a concert. It is an opportunity for you to see and to experience that same joy and peace of knowing God and His Son Jesus Christ. The performers offered their testimonies on what brought them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Nick Hill also gave a brief lesson on The Prodigal Son, coming to Christ and ministered salvation. People stood up all over the hall, accepting Christ in their lives.
What an awesome and beautiful sight to see!
Lecrae
Another blessing, concert goers had an opportunity to learn more about Holt International, an organization that helps families adopt needy in foreign countries for over 60 years. They also provide sponsorship a child in a bridge program that prepares the child for adoption. The bridge program allows you to sponsor a child for $30 a month, which will help if the child with necessary surgeries or shots before the adoption is finalized. Holt’s motto is, “every child deserves a home”. It was special to see a local family who was brought on stage to share about how they adopted six children. Holt International had volunteers at the Winter Jam concert. If you would like be a Holt International volunteer please check out its site. To learn more about adopting a child or helping a child by sponsoring a child through the bridge program please click on HoltInternational.
Plumb takes to the stage.
Concert organizers want to make the event available to as many people as possible. So, instead of charging a high price tag, tickets were only ten dollars, payable at the door and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. VIP tickets can also be purchased prior to the show. There are two levels of VIP tickets, one for the individual rate ($50) and one for the group rate ($40). With a VIP ticket, you get a concert ticket, a T-shirt, access to the hall an hour before it is open to the genera public with first-choice of seating, and a question-and-answer session with some of the performers. A third option is available for ($30), if you do not want a T-shirt.
I would recommend that you consider the VIP (Jam Nation) ticket if you are planning to attend a future Winter Jam concert, for a couple of reasons. 1) You have your own red-carpet entrance into the hall and you can avoid standing in the general admission lines. We arrived an hour and a half before the start time and there were already at least a thousand or more people waiting. 2) You can get into the hall early and not have to wait outside, especially now if you are in a winter weather climate. 3) If you are planning to purchase a T-shirt at the show, the price already includes one for you. 4) You get early access to the merchandise tables if you would like to purchase additional T-shirts and CDs.
One insider tip if you have a VIP ticket for a future show: you will want to find out where the VIP entrance is. When we arrived at the concert and parked in the garage and walked towards the hall, lines were forming all around the building. However, we saw no signs that indicated where we needed to go. We stood in a line thinking it was for all of the VIP ticket-holders. However, as the line started to move and as we got closer towards the entrance, some people were being moved into another line and the VIP entrance came into view; and we got in with no problem. As we entered in and were checked in, security checked our bags to made sure that we did not bring any food or cameras into the building. We picked up our T-shirts and lanyards because we purchase a last minute pass online. We found a great seat and settled in. It was only a little after four o’clock. And the general admission ticket people would be coming in for another 45 minutes.
Paying a little extra was well worth it.
JT enjoying the concert!
Jay helping with the offering near the end of the concert.
The Winter Jam 2014 is just getting underway and will be on the road until at least the end of March. Check here for tour dates and time of the shows in your area. If the tour is coming to a city near you, you don’t want to miss it.
I was recently given the opportunity to review a book for Faith Village called “Living the Psalms,” by Charles Swindoll.
The book is a devotional that gives encouragement for the daily grind.
I have dreams! I am not unworthy!
However, sometimes I feel I am overweight and look in the mirror and realize I am not twenty anymore.
JT working out.
I run to my Lord and Savior for strength and wisdom. This devotional takes you through a week of thought-provoking questions that need to be answered and involves self examination. Self examination helps keep me in check because I want to live with purpose and in order to live with purpose this is an important key.
The first week sets the stage with The Grind of Compromise: Psalms 1. I read Psalms 1 and was asked the question. What are my priorities in life? This entails soul searching and really makes me look at what I am putting first in my life.
My relationship with Christ has to be first. If He is not first; nothing else will go right in my life.
That means:
1. In order for my marriage to flourish, I have to put God first.
2. In order for me to treat my doggies and family well, I have to put God first in my life.
3. In order for me to be stellar in my career and as a professional blogger, I have to put God first in my life.
4. I have to put God first in every area of my of life.
Swindoll says.
“Compromise occurs when our behavior fails to reflect our priorities. In what ways have you compromised, and how can you get back on track?”
Wow, I get hit right between the eyes with that one. Soul searching time.
The things of life try to take my time away from my relationship with God and I have to rebuke that and cast those imaginations down.
Swindoll’s book makes you look at where you are in life and if you are putting more before God.
I am keeping a notebook because I want to record what I need to work on and any prayers or ideas that come to my mind.
Here’s an excerpt from Youtube on a brief snippet of the book.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to grow deeper in his or her relationship with God. The book stretches you to dive into the word of God.
For me to have an impact I have to walk the walk. Not perfect by no means but growing from day to day because I am a Child of the King.
I enjoyed my visit to Chicago, my mornings were so relaxing and serene.
JTWisdom at Under the Ginkgo Tree Bed & Breakfast in Chicago for Wedding Anniversary
Going the the Art Institute of Chicago really verified what I always say, “a person never stops learning.” We are growing and changing and should pursue learning something new everyday. This is an exhibition I am so happy I had the opportunity to see it.
JTwisdom having breakfast before going to the Art Institute of Chicago
I have quite a few favorites. Click on the portrait to enlarge and see the brush strokes and dresses in more detail.
This painting is of Madame Georges Charpentier and her children. Her son is sitting on the couch and her daughter is sitting on the cute doggie and they are dressed the same. Renoir paid attention to detail in this portrait. Do you see the pleating in her son’s and daughter’s dress? Madame Georges Charpentier’s dress is beautiful and her gold jewelry is exquisite.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Madame Georges Charpentier and Her Children, 1878. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Collection, Wolfe Fund.
Renoir looks so relaxed and at ease in this portrait. He is dressed very dapper and looks very approachable and care free.
Frédéric Bazille. Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1867. Musée d’Orsay, Paris, on deposit to the Musée Fabre, Montpellier, DL 1970 3.
This portrait was quite risque for the time. A woman being painted in her robe. She’s a very brave lady to be painted this way. I know we consider this very tame now but back then it was as if she had not a single bit of clothes on.
Édouard Manet. Young Lady in 1866 (also called La Femme au perroquet, 1866. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, gift of Erwin Davis.
This is one of the famous paintings that’s house at the Art Institute of Chicago, Georges Suerat (1859-1891), A Sunday on La Grande Jatte-1884. Everyone looks so relaxed and having fun at the Park. This painting is amazing to see with all of those series of continuous dots.
I had to add a couple of pictures of my favorite dresses.
Installation shot of Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity at the Art Institute of Chicago.
The portrait in the foreground is by Édouard Manet, The Parisienne, 1875. This dress is haute couture of the time. Fashion at it’s best, this lady struts and holds her head up high in this dress. Beautiful!
Installation shot of Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Whatever field you may be in communication is vital and a necessity.
In this highly competitive business world, many small companies look for phone options small companies look for phone options that will give them the advantage over its competitors. In many instances, the success of a business is driven by how well its employees communicate with each other and with its clients. Strong communication skills, whether verbal and non-verbal, are essential to make any relationship a success; especially in the business world. Without dynamic communication skills, even a company with the best products or services will not survive.
In my experience, strong workplace communication is not only important but a necessity. Whether it is telephone conversations or email messages, I am in constant contact with co-workers, clients and external contacts, all throughout the day. About.com offers several tips for improving workplace communication, but here are a few of my own tips that have worked for me through the years.
JT at Work
1) Know who you are talking to.
If you are talking with someone on the telephone, or sending an email at the computer, you need know who is on the other end of that conversation. You need to know what your coworker’s role is with the company. Or if it is a client, what is that person’s relationship with your company. If you do not know who you are dealing with, you may say the wrong thing to them and can cause a potential project to be missed. For example, if your client prefers to be called Mr. Smith and you keep referring to him as Jimmy; he may not want to continue his partnership with your company. It is a simple mistake, but often times it is the simple mistakes that have the greatest impact.
2) Know what type of communication is appropriate.
Each person that you come in contact with during the day has his or her own style of communication. Some people mainly communicate on the phone; while others are exclusively email people. If you are new on the job or you are working with new coworkers, it is critically to know how they want to be informed of necessary information. You do not want to send countless emails to someone who never checks his or her email. Check with the person and find out for certain and make sure that in the future any communication is done with the preferred method.
3) Monitor your word choice.
Whether it is in an email message or on the phone, sometimes your word choice can make or break the success of that conversation. Sometimes your word choice may be too rough and people will not respond in a positive way or may not respond at all. Your word choice may confuse the people and produce undesired resulted. Take an extra few moments to construct your email message before sending it out. Or, have the telephone conversation in your mind prior to making the call. This extra time will produce the results you are looking for.
JT at work
The work environment is filled with a diverse group of employees. With a wide variety of lifestyles, viewpoints and backgrounds, it is vital to know how to communicate with each of these people. I have learned that the same method does not work for everyone. Through trial and error, I have learned what works best. But I have had to take the time and learn habits and learn what the specific needs are. If you make the same effort, I know you will have a successful work experience.
I am focusing more on reading the Bible and books that I have in my library. How can I talk about what I believe in if I don’t study and continually develop a personal relationship with the Lord.
I am part of FaithVillage.com and they have a great book review group where I can pick out a book from their selection, they send it to me, I read it and give my honest review of it.
Jesus the One and Only by Beth Moore
The book I selected was Jesus the One and Only by Beth Moore. Beth Moore is the Founder of LivingProof Ministries. In the early chapters of this book, Beth gives a realistic interpretation of what Mary felt like and what she might of went through when giving birth to the Son of God. One highlight for me is that she made me feel like Mary was human, which she was, not that she was someone that I should worship. I have never read a book that described Mary in so much detail, and Beth writes in a way where she gives her own personal experiences. For example, what she felt like when she first gave birth and how if felt to see her little girl in her arms.
She said that God gave her an example of what Mary’s first moments might have been like as a mother.
A snippet of the book Moore writes:
“Her body lay sapped of strength, her eyes were heavily closed, but her mind refused to give way to rest. She ached for her mother.”
This book really made me think of Mary differently. I knew she was the mother of the Son of God; but to see her imagined in a different light was quite interesting and refreshing.
This book gives a view of Jesus all the way to the crucifixion and is so good at giving observation and specific detail. I felt like I was right there. The author never says that this is the way it was when she describes a specific scenario. She always says that it is an interpretation or what she imagined it might be like. She incorporates scripture so the book is not only of her thoughts.
This book also has a sample of the study guide that can also be purchased if you want to delve into the bible study.
If you want to have a deeper relationship with Jesus, this is good book to start. The number one book is your Bible; but this is a good book to read.
I received this book free from Faith Village.com. I am giving my honest review and didn’t have to give a positive review. This in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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