Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was set up in 1976 and in those days their main business was in highly leveraged transactions. However, in the pursuit of making the companies in their portfolio have less environmental impact, they have established an extraordinary venture that has entirely changed the method by which business concerns and environmental groups operate. Green business processes became more widely acceptable a year ago when Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co’s Henry Kravis and the independent Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) merged. Their company mission is to offer encouragement to their associated firms to oppose environmental threats such as hazardous waste and any irresponsible consumption of water resources. In order to implement these goals, they employ eco-efficiency which makes use of concepts like maximum use of renewable resources, increasing the durability of products, and reducing the intensity of materials. Even though the project was a tremendous success, managment just did not understand how far-reaching the results really were until Ken Mehlman, the head of the project and global public affairs, finished the review of the first year.
Knocking off everybody’s expectations, Ken discovered that this program not only lessened ecological impact, but was increasing the the profit from each company too. To date, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman have nearly all of their companies actively involved in the program. Still, when you consider that the group has a 2009 business portfolio worth $86,000,000,000, you may be certain this was not an easy accomplishment. The original program has grown beyond its initial purpose and today includes new and groundbreaking initiatives. For example, KKR joined the Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Corps Program an organization which instructs MBA students how to encourage financially strong, green principles. What is more, Ken Mehlman has been in close collaboration with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co to formulate a package of analytical tools which business organizations can use to evaluate and administer a wide range of resources. These systems can track an organization’s environmental impact and discover any problem areas.
The business community has been transformed forever by the work of these individuals. Their radical concepts have set a high standard for firms in every industry and illustrated that running a profitable business need not entail the hefty price of damaging the environment.
Written by admin on November 29th, 2009 with comments disabled.
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When Jesus departed, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
He put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Abraham received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all.
Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above). But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
One Lord, one faith, one baptism … Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, (for he is faithful that promised).
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith … building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Glimpses of God © by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/
This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.
About the Author
Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist. In addition, she founded and maintains the e-mail ministries “Heavenly Inspirations” http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and “Share a Smile” http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/. Joyce’s writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other.
Written by admin on November 29th, 2009 with comments disabled.
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Placed handily between Sheffield and Manchester, the Peak District is a perfect getaway from the pressure of town and city day to day life. If you’re from Manchester or Sheffield, it’s reachable in about an hour going by car or train and a fantastic location for a weekend break. If you’re travelling from a place further away, we advise you can stay in the Peak District for about a week since there’s a lot to discover and do in the Peak District.
A good number of people connect the Peak area with the summer period, yet it’s scenic the entire year, and nowhere are the four seasons more emphasised than in the Peak District.
As highlighted previously, there’s a great deal you can do in the Peak area. The lovely hillsides entice holiday makers out of their travel accommodation and into their walking boots, and there’s lots of trails to walk - up to 30 well tramped walks.
To add to that, there’s also lots of places to go fishing in and around the Peak District, especially the Ladybower area. If you’re not into physical activities, try Buxton for lunch and a stroll in their pavilion gardens, or even the opera (yes, Buxton has its own Opera house). Lastly the Castleton and Hathersage in the Hope Valley that are lovely.
How can one find accommodation in the Peak District? We advocate renting a Peak District cottage. That way you have the privacy of your own place, and the chance to chill out with your family in a comfy surrounding. The best place to find cottages is to use a search engine. Use a keyphrase like places to stay in the Peak District and one is certain to discover a good deal of potential choices.
Written by admin on November 29th, 2009 with comments disabled.
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Non-riders have a tendency to laugh at the shiny, often gaudy cycling clothes worn by even casual bicyclists, but if they rode even a few miles, they would understand that cycling shorts are second only to a helmet in crucial importance to the rider. Cycling shorts may not be made for fashion, but they provide a critical element of comfort to any kind of bicycling effort.
The first cycling shorts were nearly more work than worth. Made of wool, with a leather chamois stitched for padding in the crotch of each pair, they were hot and they were nearly impossible to launder. The wool took forever to dry, and the leather became so stiff it often hurt more than it helped. Today’s cycling shorts are as far from these old models as our laptops are from main frames. They weigh next to nothing, they dry in no time, and their padding stays soft and supple, just as it’s supposed to be. With or without straps (the so-called “bib” style), a pair of cycling shorts is essential for any bike rider.
Really, the only thing today’s cycling shorts have in common with their ancestors is their style. With the exception of some of the models made for mountain biking, cycling shorts are still long enough to cover most of the rider’s thigh and basic black is still the predominant color. However, any ride through a town with a sizable population of road riders will also reveal what passes for fashion sense among bicyclists: the basic black cycling short is now frequently festooned with so many advertisements for events and products and companies in the most garish colors on the spectrum that the black is all but unseen! For some reason, road riders seem to thrive on clashing colors and excessive advertising. And the more devoted a cyclist you observe, the more logos and screaming slogans you are likely to observe!
Still, there is a real reason to wear cycling shorts, no matter what they look like: their padding. It, especially if combined with a good bicycle seat, will vastly increase your comfort level as a rider. It, rather than a particularly delicate area of your anatomy, will absorb a lot of the shock of bike riding. Cycling shorts are made as they are for good reason. They absorb shock, let perspiration evaporate, and keep you aerodynamic on your bike. Being aerodynamic matters to speed, of course, but also to safety. Loose fitting clothing can get stuck in a bicycle’s moving parts as well as making your form more resistant to any wind you encounter.
Find further information on cycling shorts at http://www.bike-cycling-reviews.com, your online resource on road and mountain biking reviews, the hub of cycling information.
Written by admin on November 29th, 2009 with comments disabled.
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