Mysteries of the Bible - Advanced Bible Study Techniques

Have you ever wanted to really know what the mysteries of the Bible really are? Was Jesus more important than God? Why were the Jewish people considered to be the chosen ones, even though they don't get to go to heaven, because they don't believe that Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior? I would like to help you solve some of the mysteries of the Bible.

Whether you're a Jewish or believe in Christianity, each if you share an interest in the Holy Scripture. Jewish people obviously don't believe that Jesus was the Messiah and are still waiting for their Messiah to come and free them. Christians obviously believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messiah and fulfilled all the prophecies.

One of the mysteries of the Bible that I would like to share with you, is that your actually going to need to read the Bible to find them. The biggest mystery of the Bible is actually reading it. You don't need to read the entire Bible, to figure out, what it's actually saying.

Start reading certain sections that interest you. Two of the most read books in the Bible are the books of Genesis, which is the first book in the Old Testament and the book of revelations, which is the last book in the New Testament. Both of these books are extremely popular reads.

The book of Genesis is about the beginning and the book of revelations is about the end of times and this seems to be the biggest interest for Christians. In other words, you're not going to be able to find the mysteries, within the Bible if you don't at least start to read some of it.

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

If You're a Christian Woman, You Had Better Watch This Video on Problems With Women Speaking in church. Are women really allowed to speak inside the church, you won't believe what you're about to see.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development. Check out one of his recommended books, You Can Have It All

Thanks

Are Your Prayers Being Answered by God - Christianity

I spent a large portion of my life praying for things that never seem to come about, like most of us. I would pray for a better life, help with solving certain problems, good health, a new car, to attract abundance into my life, wealth and happiness. I can tell you that I am in good health and have a better life than I used to but I never got the new car and seemed to have a hard time solving certain problems that I was praying for.

Now here's the catch in Christianity. If I pray for something and I get it, great God has blessed you and you must have done something good to receive what you had prayed for. If you don't receive what you prayed for within the next couple of days, maybe it isn't the right time to receive what you were asking for. If I receive what I have prayed for after that, God has answered my prayers and has given me what I needed at the right time. God knows best and I will continue to pray.

When I ask someone who prays often, how do you really know that God has answered your prayers. In Christianity, I'm talking about God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. I'm not talking about Zeus, Krishna, or any other unspecified creator of the universe. How do you really know that your God has given you what you ask for.

Now think about this for a second, I know that as a Christian you believe in your God but what if, the Hindu god Indra has actually answered my prayer and blessed you. How do I know that Jesus is not one of the Hindu gods, hiding under another name. Could I actually be manifesting my desires from the universe somehow and I am actually God. Think about it, if this doesn't make sense to you, have you ever thought about why yours does.

The minute that I accept something as a fact, I have closed my mind to other possibilities. The world was flat at one time and now it is round. I do not accept the earth has being round, simply because someone has told me this. I can look at pictures, read books, watch movies and come to my own conclusion that there is a very good chance that the earth is round, but I can't seem to forget at one time people thought the earth was flat.

Most of us never even question what we are taught. If you were taught that Jesus, Krishna, Satan or any other god answers your prayers, that's what you probably still believe. Whether your prayers are being answered or not, does not guarantee the existence or deny the existence of God. What you're thinking caps on, Seek and You Will Find.

Eliminate Bible Propaganda

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author and a inspiration to millions of people. He has been involved in religious research for almost 30 years, and his influence in the Christian community is growing. The Holy Bible, is the core to Christian beliefs and most Christians don't even question it. Was the Bible actually written by men?

His newest book," Did God Actually Say That?" Was written specifically for Christians who are interested in gaining additional knowledge about the Bible. This book provides Christians with advanced biblical knowledge, answer some tough questions and should be read by every faithful follower of Christ.

Click here if you're Interested in Christianity.

When Do We Get to Meet God's Parents?

If God is the creator of the universe, who is the creator of God? When I was born, I had a mother and a father and supposedly the two of them together had created me. One could not have created me without the other and therefore I am a product of my parents. I know who my parents are and I even know who their parents are but who is God's parents and were we made in the images of our parents or creators.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth but before that, we know very little about God. Did he have brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents and even God parents. If he did have brothers and sisters, did they create worlds like he did or she did, we don't know whether God is a man or a woman, transvestite, homosexual or a combination of all of these. We really don't know what God is, even though Michelangelo painted him on the Sistine Chapel.

In the book of revelations it mentions, Revelation 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." God says that he is the first and the last, does this mean that there was no one or no entity before him. It goes back to the chicken and the egg, what was first the chicken or the egg, no one knows. Well god knows doesn't he. I don't know why I keep referring to God as a he but bear with me on this one.

I wonder if God was disciplined as a child or even if he was a child. Maybe God was born a full grown person or even a mysterious entity in the form of a smoky cloud. That couldn't be, because God made us in his image and I'm sure that his mother and father look like us. Well, hopefully they look better than us, maybe someone like Brad Pitt or Jennifer Aniston. I hope that he wasn't an ugly person or entity. That would be discouraging.

I guess that's enough of the humor, I rarely hear anyone talk about, who created God. If God formed out of nothingness, why couldn't our earth have formed from nothingness, without God. If God did have parents, brothers and sisters, have they created other universes and what is the purpose of their creations. Are we just one big experiment, part of a big science project?

Anyone interested in using this article to make a movie, feel free to use this information at no charge, I would love to see the movie, when it's done.

Good Christian News

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

If you're really seeking the kingdom of heaven, the glory of God and the true vision that Jesus had, check out some great Christian articles. These articles are designed to teach and educate Christians.

Where Did God Come From?

If you believe in certain religions, like Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and even Buddhism, there's a good chance that you believe in some sort of God like being or cosmic force, especially the one that created our world that we live in today.

Where did God come from? What are we doing here? And where are we going, after we die. Some of these questions, are hard to answer and scientifically difficult to prove. There is very little evidence to prove, where God actually came from, what are we suppose to be doing here and where we are going to go, after we die.

If nobody knows where God came from, why are there so many religions, that believe in a God? Think about it for a moment, the Christian God, was the creator of the universe, and the creator of everything. Where's the proof? Why do people continue to study the Bible, and believe in a God, that they can't really even put their hands on?

If God is truly real, why wouldn't we have ever seen him? It doesn't make a lot of sense, to believe in imaginary beings, or invisible entities and pray to a God that we might not ever see or touch. It might not make a lot of sense, but if you ask serious religious followers, of these religions a question like, can you prove that there actually is a God, there's a good chance that these religious believers will reply, with a simple yes.

They have no proof, no evidence, and almost base their entire beliefs on faith, instead of facts. Rarely do they seek any evidence or even read their religious text, with a goal to understand what they're reading. Most of these people take everything that they learn, lock it away in their head, and never ask any serious questions about their religious beliefs, like these.

If there is a God, why wouldn't he show himself? If there is a God, why wouldn't he prove that he does exist, so that others wouldn't have to doubt his existence? Something to think about, on the days that you're not going to your place of worship.

Who's God Is More Powerful

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

If your interested in a different point of view READ THESE ARTICLES - Great Articles For Christians

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author and a inspiration to millions of people. He has been involved in religious research for almost 30 years, and his influence in the Christian community is growing. The Holy Bible, is the core to Christian beliefs and most Christians don't even question it. Was the Bible actually written by men?

His newest book," Did God Actually Say That?" Was written specifically for Christians who are interested in gaining additional knowledge about the Bible.

Mysteries of the Bible - Advanced Bible Study Techniques

Have you ever wanted to really know what the mysteries of the Bible really are? Was Jesus more important than God? Why were the Jewish people considered to be the chosen ones, even though they don't get to go to heaven, because they don't believe that Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior? I would like to help you solve some of the mysteries of the Bible.

Whether you're a Jewish or believe in Christianity, each if you share an interest in the Holy Scripture. Jewish people obviously don't believe that Jesus was the Messiah and are still waiting for their Messiah to come and free them. Christians obviously believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messiah and fulfilled all the prophecies.

One of the mysteries of the Bible that I would like to share with you, is that your actually going to need to read the Bible to find them. The biggest mystery of the Bible is actually reading it. You don't need to read the entire Bible, to figure out, what it's actually saying.

Start reading certain sections that interest you. Two of the most read books in the Bible are the books of Genesis, which is the first book in the Old Testament and the book of revelations, which is the last book in the New Testament. Both of these books are extremely popular reads.

The book of Genesis is about the beginning and the book of revelations is about the end of times and this seems to be the biggest interest for Christians. In other words, you're not going to be able to find the mysteries, within the Bible if you don't at least start to read some of it.

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

If You're a Christian Woman, You Had Better Watch This Video on Problems With Women Speaking in church. Are women really allowed to speak inside the church, you won't believe what you're about to see.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development. Check out one of his recommended books, You Can Have It All

Thanks

Are Your Prayers Being Answered by God - Christianity

I spent a large portion of my life praying for things that never seem to come about, like most of us. I would pray for a better life, help with solving certain problems, good health, a new car, to attract abundance into my life, wealth and happiness. I can tell you that I am in good health and have a better life than I used to but I never got the new car and seemed to have a hard time solving certain problems that I was praying for.

Now here's the catch in Christianity. If I pray for something and I get it, great God has blessed you and you must have done something good to receive what you had prayed for. If you don't receive what you prayed for within the next couple of days, maybe it isn't the right time to receive what you were asking for. If I receive what I have prayed for after that, God has answered my prayers and has given me what I needed at the right time. God knows best and I will continue to pray.

When I ask someone who prays often, how do you really know that God has answered your prayers. In Christianity, I'm talking about God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. I'm not talking about Zeus, Krishna, or any other unspecified creator of the universe. How do you really know that your God has given you what you ask for.

Now think about this for a second, I know that as a Christian you believe in your God but what if, the Hindu god Indra has actually answered my prayer and blessed you. How do I know that Jesus is not one of the Hindu gods, hiding under another name. Could I actually be manifesting my desires from the universe somehow and I am actually God. Think about it, if this doesn't make sense to you, have you ever thought about why yours does.

The minute that I accept something as a fact, I have closed my mind to other possibilities. The world was flat at one time and now it is round. I do not accept the earth has being round, simply because someone has told me this. I can look at pictures, read books, watch movies and come to my own conclusion that there is a very good chance that the earth is round, but I can't seem to forget at one time people thought the earth was flat.

Most of us never even question what we are taught. If you were taught that Jesus, Krishna, Satan or any other god answers your prayers, that's what you probably still believe. Whether your prayers are being answered or not, does not guarantee the existence or deny the existence of God. What you're thinking caps on, Seek and You Will Find.

Eliminate Bible Propaganda

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author and a inspiration to millions of people. He has been involved in religious research for almost 30 years, and his influence in the Christian community is growing. The Holy Bible, is the core to Christian beliefs and most Christians don't even question it. Was the Bible actually written by men?

His newest book," Did God Actually Say That?" Was written specifically for Christians who are interested in gaining additional knowledge about the Bible. This book provides Christians with advanced biblical knowledge, answer some tough questions and should be read by every faithful follower of Christ.

Click here if you're Interested in Christianity.

When Do We Get to Meet God's Parents?

If God is the creator of the universe, who is the creator of God? When I was born, I had a mother and a father and supposedly the two of them together had created me. One could not have created me without the other and therefore I am a product of my parents. I know who my parents are and I even know who their parents are but who is God's parents and were we made in the images of our parents or creators.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth but before that, we know very little about God. Did he have brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents and even God parents. If he did have brothers and sisters, did they create worlds like he did or she did, we don't know whether God is a man or a woman, transvestite, homosexual or a combination of all of these. We really don't know what God is, even though Michelangelo painted him on the Sistine Chapel.

In the book of revelations it mentions, Revelation 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." God says that he is the first and the last, does this mean that there was no one or no entity before him. It goes back to the chicken and the egg, what was first the chicken or the egg, no one knows. Well god knows doesn't he. I don't know why I keep referring to God as a he but bear with me on this one.

I wonder if God was disciplined as a child or even if he was a child. Maybe God was born a full grown person or even a mysterious entity in the form of a smoky cloud. That couldn't be, because God made us in his image and I'm sure that his mother and father look like us. Well, hopefully they look better than us, maybe someone like Brad Pitt or Jennifer Aniston. I hope that he wasn't an ugly person or entity. That would be discouraging.

I guess that's enough of the humor, I rarely hear anyone talk about, who created God. If God formed out of nothingness, why couldn't our earth have formed from nothingness, without God. If God did have parents, brothers and sisters, have they created other universes and what is the purpose of their creations. Are we just one big experiment, part of a big science project?

Anyone interested in using this article to make a movie, feel free to use this information at no charge, I would love to see the movie, when it's done.

Good Christian News

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

If you're really seeking the kingdom of heaven, the glory of God and the true vision that Jesus had, check out some great Christian articles. These articles are designed to teach and educate Christians.

Daring to Study The Sabbath

The Sabbath. Is it for me?

It is good to be free. I highly recommend it for all God's people. Free from sin. Free in conscience. Free from a denominational stance that demands a "proper" explanation of all things Scriptural. Though I serve one local church and attend another , I am not bound by either of those groups to pursue any man's agenda. I am free.

It is especially helpful to be un-attached in regards to the subject at hand. When one begins speaking of the Sabbath it is assumed that the speaker is headed to the Seventh-Day Adventists, or some cult. In less generous days, Mother Church would have sniffed out this heretic as a Judaizer, one bowing to the ways of Judaism and thus fit for severest of persecution. At the very least, a sincere seeker along this trail will be branded as a legalist for whom Christ's death is meaningless, since he is now seeking to place himself squarely under the law that cursed him.

May I quickly rid myself of these accusations and fears that may be in the minds of my readers. Those who know of my aversion to female leadership, something I picked up from a fellow from Tarsus, will be assured that I am not about to join a group which is in slavish servitude to the teachings of a self-styled prophetess, as the one who founded the Adventists. As to other groups, they may exist in Chicagoland, but I have never contacted them or been contacted by them. The Jews do enter favorably into this discussion, because Messianic, that is, Jesus-believing, Jews, do tend to stay with their own and keep the Sabbath as revealed in Scripture. But never have any of them suggested to me that Gentiles must join them in this practice. As to questions of the law, it will be my purpose in this study to deal carefully with that very matter.

No, this is a sincere desire of a still-growing believer to be and have all God is and has for His own. I have noted some inconsistencies in Christian teaching and practice when it comes to things we have considered "Jewish", and I have been forced to grapple with these issues, as one who feels called to teach the people of God the whole counsel of God. It seems to me that what the Hebrew calls a "repose" a "desisting from exertion", an "intermission" weekly for God's people must be a valuable gift, if indeed it still exists for us. If it is for me, I want it!

An examination of this sort should fall broadly into four categories, three basic questions. I trust that I will be able to keep the attitude of a questioner throughout, yet at the same time affirming without question that which God has specifically stated through an apostle or prophet, that is, in His Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Covenant.

First then would be to search those Scriptures from beginning to end looking for clues as to God's meaning in giving a Sabbath. Next , what of the testimony of Church History for the first three centuries? After that, Sunday observance was codified into Church Law, so I would examne those laws from Roman Catholic sources. Finally, and I believe most importantly,it is necessary to discover the present status of the law of God.

For, as one does research on this matter, it becomes clear early on that Sabbath vs. Sunday is not the issue. In the minds of many godly believers the issue is rather law vs. grace. The observance of a Sabbath, Jewish as it is, seems to fly in the face of an unmerited salvation. After all, was not the law of God "nailed to His cross"? This is the thorniest issue of all, and demands a close look at Scriptural principles.

May God answer these questions and give us grace to abide by His answers.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. For one year I wrote a blog featuring news, book reviews, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

The Story of Chosun, Part 16

Tragedy. Ancient and modern tragedy. It is the only way to describe Korean history, though of course there are many bright spots...

It's the early 1590's. After the initial invasion of Japan, through much struggle Chosun is able to beat the enemy back until they finally leave the major cities of Seoul and Pyongyang. But the worst is yet to come. A famine envelops the land. Children are found sucking milk from a dead mother. Vomit is fought over for sustenance. Men kill other humans to eat them. A typhus epidemic ensues, and many more are consumed.

Meanwhile the Japanese are forced south and trapped. But there is no pursuit by otherwise occupied Koreans, so the Japanese dig in and fortify the area.

The Chinese, always conditional allies, leave, but still are present to the war for years.

In October of 1593, the king re-enters Seoul, returning to Myung-ye-gung where the author we have been following, Henry Hulbert, lived when this book was written in 1905. The people want the king to abdicate. He is totally pleasure- mad. But the crown prince, the concubine's son, is not responsible either. A leaderless land is bound to fail.

Though many higher-ups continue to toy with the idea of abdication, the Chinese object, and the King is forced to reform. These same Chinese, represented by the military leaders, want peace with Japan so that they will become vassals of China. In the end of 1593, Japan astonishingly agrees to this proposition! But the enemy is only trying to gain time. Though many are homesick, and want to leave for Japan, when it comes down to it, they stay until 1596.

In 1596 General Konishi finally does head home, with Chinese and Korean envoys. Now the king feels it is time to turn over power to the prince. But Hideoshi in Japan treats the Korean envoys poorly, and decides on a second invasion,to punish Korea for stopping his original plans. Hope springs eternal, they say.

A Japanese plant named Yosira pretends to be a friend of Korea and gives out false information. He suggests that Admiral Yi Sun Sin be sent to battle with Kato who is coming. But Yi knows it is a trap to set him aside, and he refuses to go. For this disobedience to the King's orders, his enemies have him brought to Seoul and busted. He becomes a common soldier.

In 1597, Kato & Konishi both invade. Korea makes its traditional appeal to China. China says Yes.

Admiral Yi's replacement is soon defeated and in desperation the nation turns to its imprisoned Admiral. Yi is restored. But there is a major massacre by Japan before he can get back together.

When he finally arrives on the scene, the Chosun navy is down to about a dozen ships! Japan's armada is in the hundreds. Incredibly, Yi pulls off the win of his lifetime, and perhaps the nation's history. Other Japanese that are on their way to Seoul are stopped.

I have said often that Korea should not still be on the map, as witnessed by incidents as the above. God has preserved this land for His own purposes, which even now are being worked out as people pray. Don't give up on Korea. It seems that God has not!

Next time: How the Roman Catholic Church entered Korean society.

Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs, over 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos3@gmail.com.

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

You Have the Power

Matthew 18: 19-20 I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they make ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered in My name, I am there in their midst.

There is power in the name of Jesus. There is power in fellowship and in numbers. Power to live the life promised to you comes in fellowship and agreement with others. Dont isolate yourself from other believers.

When you come into agreement with other believers, Satan has to flee. He cant stand it when two or more believers in Jesus get together in prayer. For many years, Satan has tried to stop the movement of Jesus but like a mighty army, the church keeps moving onward.

We have the power in the name of Jesus. Though Satan rages, you cant be defeated because you have the power in the name of Jesus Christ. Use His name when you face battles you cant win.

Remember Jesus promised that when two or more of us get together in His name and ask for help He would answer. Today find another Christian and ask Jesus to give you the power to overcome whatever obstacle stands in your way of victory.

The battle has already been won all you have to do is walk in that victory. You will not be defeated in the name of Jesus. You will soar like an eagle today in the name of Jesus. In the name of Jesus, you will see mountains moved. In the mighty name of Jesus, you will see your life change.

Today be determine to find other believers and join hands with them in prayer and power. You dont have to go through this life alone, find others, and find power in the name of Jesus Christ.

Prayer Focus: Lord, lead to me to others who share my faith in You. Teach me how to use your power to overcome obstacles in my life.

Dr Bob Wilkerson is author of the book, "I Will Not Be Defeated Anymore". He is dedicated to helping others recover from life altering circumstances. Dr. Bob is a motivational speaker/singer with a true life story of God's power to change any individuals life. If your Church or organization is looking for a dynamic speaker/singer please email him today. challenger7777@gmail.com

Jesus and Paul and The Problems

Dreams and Jesus

(Below is a poem that hopefully will inspire you about faith, Jesus, and the walks that we take in life. It enlightens us to have faith, and really believe what is true to our heart. If one believes in Eternal Life and their Lord Jesus, I believe that they can accomplish anything.)

-----------------------------------------------

Into the midst, lies a flame of untold glories....

Just breathe...

Just breathe, and the night will go away.

Into the fog, I hold out my hands.

"Come and touch me, I've been waiting...

See me, for there is a drought throughout the lands."

Just breathe, and he will hold me,

"Just breathe my child, and your faith will awaken."

I am afraid

I am forsaken,

A man tells me the story of a drought in the land...

Who will bring me water?

Who will bring me hope?

"Just breathe, and your questions will be answered."

And the man opens my closed eyes.

"My child, here is your land..."

My heart is restless.

My mind aches of confusion.

Who will bring me faith?

Who has brought on this resurrection?

Who will provide me water to my lands?

Again, I close my eyes,

and a strange man holds ot his hand.

"Just breathe and I will hold you.

Let your steps become mine and I will carry you.

For thou name is Jesus, and it is I who has brought on this resurrection.

I will bring you your water."

http://www.arianacherry.biz

The Year the Super Bowl Hit My Town

These comments are addressed to fellow-believers.

Can't blame the devil for everything. Your own heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, says Jeremiah the prophet (17:9). The unredeemed unsaved heart is the center for evil on the earth. Satan would be powerless without it.

The heart and mind have been corrupted since those first wonderful days in Eden. There we were free and happy and innocent. When we toyed with and then grabbed disobedience a pattern began to form. Now we lie to ourselves about everything.

In my own family there is a history of neurosis, or something akin to it. One family member fears thunderstorms, another cannot drive over bridges. In my life I have noticed over the past few years a growing nervousness in enclosed spaces, especially if those spaces are 40,000 feet in the air.

I had flown all my adult life, nearly 30 years. But one night something went wrong.I had had too much caffeine, I was sitting in the back, it was night, etc. I panicked. Only in reading Scripture and offering inner praise to God was I able to come out of it.

The lie had set in. "You are in trouble. You are going to die. You will have a heart attack on this plane. You must get off NOW." I bought it. And for over two years I have dreaded the air, even though a missions call has been growing stronger.

Yes, it is "sick" when people believe lies like that. Thinking things are bad when they are good. But there is a lie that potentially is worse. Thinking things are important when they aren't.

Consider the Super Bowl. Yep I'm one of the "lucky" guys living in one of the team's cities. I have the privilege of watching grown adults around me totally stressed out about whether a bag of air will make it down a 100 yard field, safely in the possession of a man with a blue and orange uniform, BEFORE a man with another color grabs it and goes the other way.

Churches are having Super Bowl parties. One church had even decided to show the game via a live feed in the sanctuary on a screen that comes down right next to the crucifix... The NFL decided not to power the image to that connection. They could not mix the religious symbolism with the secular. Strange that the church seemed to have no trouble with it.

Our minds and our hearts just keep lying to us. Remember this song sung by Evangeline Carmichael?

The heart is a rebel, and cannot be trusted,It always is seeking its own will to do.

It has no allegiance, so desperate and wicked, The heart is a rebel, it's true.

Its love is brief as springtime, quickly growing old; Its hate is like the winter, desolate and cold.

But some day the rebel will bow and surrender, Then God's love will make his heart new.

Amen. Let's give our hearts to Jesus fully while we can.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. I have created over 200 blogs and the site features a live news feed , lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosen together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. I love to write Scriptural works. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

Creative Approaches to Family Gatherings

Do you find yourself dreading family gatherings? Is the family situation trying and very draining on your emotional state?

Staying centered when others around us are spinning in excitement, anticipation or agitation is never easy. It is challenging to hold our own position at times. The energy encountered in your family can be overwhelming. When you have to be at a family gathering, remember to take a few simple steps before getting out of your car:

1. Take three deep breaths.

2. Pull in your energetic field closer to your body (this contains your energy so it is not so porous and expanded- keeping you from picking up others energies). You can also do this by crossing your arms over your heart, hugging yourself tightly and feeling very contained.

3. Focus your energy on your feet- feeling how rooted you are to the earth.

4. Clear your mind and focus on the task at hand, knowing you are centered within yourself and nothing can truly harm you or hurt you.

These few simple methods will help you have a better experience. They seem like very simple concepts, but each has a specific purpose and work together to bring you into a state of conscious awareness. This awareness is the most powerful tool we possess. If you have conscious awareness you are remaining empowered in your personal space. This can assist you in holding your own energy rather than being drained by the swirling energy around you.

Its easy to get caught up in family tension, experiencing undue demands on yourself and the guilt that comes with living according to old feelings of expectation and duty. Simply because something has been unchanged for years, does it mean it is the only way it can be done? Think about the ramifications of some of these expectations that have been passed down through the family for generations.

Do the family expectations make you uncomfortable? Do you visit members of the family out of duty rather than out of excitement and joy? Are you weighed down by the expectations placed upon you? Is there a sense of loyalty that is defining your every move? What would happen if you created a new way of responding? Would it be more fulfilling to you personally? Would you feel guilt? Would it bring you joy? Would it be exciting? Would it be too uncomfortable?

Only you would know inside yourself what your response would be.

Is it worth finding out? Step out on your own and do things differently the next time you are at a family gathering. Why not take the risk to change? Change is the healthiest thing we can ever do for ourselves. Being caught in a routine is stifling and can cause our energies to stagnate.

Samsara is a Sanskrit word that means to me, the only thing that never changes, is the fact that everything changes. Samsara is about flow. Energy in flowing motion is free and openly being expressed. Energy held in expectation and tradition can be stagnant and unmoving.

Which do you prefer? Which do you choose? Take the leap and make a change! And most of all, remember its about your wellbeing. Do what brings you joy. Allow that to be the guiding force within you.

2005 Jaelin K. Reece

Jaelin K. Reece, is a whole life coach, intuitive and guide. Jaelin uses her complementary skills as a gifted intuitive to facilitate people in realizing their true potential in their personal lives, relationships, career, and prosperity. She assists people in transforming their lives and creating the life they love to live.
Jaelin serves as a mentor, consultant and success partner for her clients. She is also the featured columnist Ask a Life Coach for About.com Holistic Healing. If you are interested in partnering with Jaelin as your mentor and life coach you may arrange a session with her through her website: Jaelin K. Reece, Life Coach or by visiting her blog Intuitive Innovations.

Christian Online Dating - What is it All About?

Religion is still a large and pervasive part of our world today. I see religion as another colour on the spectrum that makes man unique. Belief and faith has divided and united us in the past few thousand years, and in these modern times, and in more modern and contemporary settings, there is an environment of tolerance that has blessed these times. There are very few of us who would lift the vanguard of religion as a weapon against those who are different and religion in society has as much place as ethnicity, as colour, as belief, as educational status.

Once we can view religion as just part of an individual, then we have matured as a society. I think this has been most succinctly been produced in the Christian online dating scene. Yes, there is a Christian online dating scene, just like there is a Jewish and a Muslim one. I do not really see it as a another form of segregation but an identification of mutual interests reaching out. The internet has focused the dating scene thoroughly and it is through sites like these that the bad cycles of 'fall out' dating does not happen. Why? Have you ever been in a position where you just want to find the right one and you are going through dates night after night? We do not want to be in that cycle of mismatched personalities and interests and sometimes we cannot deny that religion does get in the way.

While some of us float along on the grey areas of religion and love, others have a much more focused vision of what we would like to see in our partners. Maybe its down to traditionalism or even belief, a cyclic pathological inculcated by generations of co-existence. I have had friends who have lost the ones they loved, or who have been in difficult relationships because of the issue of religion. Why put yourself through the pain if you know it is going to be a problem? Find someone who shares the same monotheistic beliefs as you do, if you find arguments over theology not a good way to spend a candle lit dinner over. It is unavoidable. But it also makes us unique.

I shudder to think of the day when we are all equal, thinking equally and sharing the same interests - a wallpaper paste existence of no colour, no dynamism and of no vibrancy. Love can be nurtured in almost any setting, and Christian online dating is for those who have chosen a path in their life and would like to walk within this valley with a partner of equal stature; one who sees the same things; who hears the same voices as they do and who believes in the same realities. If that is happiness then the internet and dating sites such as these have helped them achieve it. What ever your orientation or your belief, the internet has allowed you to find someone of some likeness to you.

Jane Sanders, an expert in psychology, researched human dating behaviors for years. She has currently released her findings in a FREE Copy of her "Online Dating Success! In 5 Simple Steps!" Click Here! to Download the Free Ebook Now!

The Three Cs of Marriage.

Marriage & Relationships. Ephesians 5:20-5:33 The Three Cs of Marriage The three Cs that aid in a successful Marriage Ephesians 5:20-33 There are many different ways according to the scripture to have a successful marriage, here are the Cs in Marriage

1.Commitment, to give, to care for, to entrust, trust,etc.
2.Conversation, to speek to another, to communicate,talk.
3. Christ, The Anointed, The Anointed One. Lets take commitment first, in Ephesians 5: 25, The Bible tells us that the Husbands must Love their wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it..., We all know the basics of a commitment to a wife, but did you know that there is no where in scripture that tells a wife to love their husbands?

Well take the men first. A husband must CARE for his wife as Christ cared for the church, not only in the short term but in the long term as Christ instructed. When Jesus cared for the church ,He set a plan into existence that He knew, would last for eternity. He GAVE Himself for her so that she would live. He ENTRUSTED others to look out after Her as He did His Mother Mary at the Cross. And He put His TRUST in the Disciples to carry on the nurturing of the church to build Her up to maturity. A husband must be Committed to his wife with no longing for another, giving himself fully to her and trusting in her to support his efforts to provide a suitable living, not only for her but their children, which is good and acceptable to God.

There was a humorous story, that I heard a Pastor tell a while back, about a husband and wife that were talking one day of how much one loved the other, after the wife finished her side the husband said, "Honey, I love you so much, I would die for you." and the wife look at him with a serious look on her face and said, " John, Ive heard you say that for twenty years now, and you've never done it" It seems that women today have a different outlook on what a marriage is supposed to be. So it is often , good to look at what God says a marriage is supposed to be. If a man allows his wife to rule over the house, then they are dealing with witchcraft, and God will not be a part of that union. So men, we haft to be very careful to rule the house as God instructed, for the Scriptures say, if a man cannot rule his own house, then how can he rule the House of God ?

Now remember a husband is not ruler or lord over the wife but she is subject unto him as Sara called Abraham Lord out of respect for him. We are not to enslave the wife or abuse her, for the scripture says that, there is no man that has hated his own flesh...., or would we harm our own flesh, and since husband and wife have become one body, we protect and nurture her as we would ourself. Ministers today and in the time of Paul, cared for their congregations as they would care for their own children, lovingly and with patience. If a man abuses his wife, he also condemns himself , being in transgression of Gods word.

Now lets take the same word and delegate it ,to the women or wife. A little while ago, I said that a wife, in scripture, was not told to Love her husband. Ephesians 5:21 states to the wives, "Wives SUBMIT yourselves unto your own husbands , as unto the Lord. lets look at the word submit first, as the Hebrew and Greek translation states it, To surrender, to yield,to obey and to subordinate. As unlike the world, a Christian wife must be yielding and submissive unto her husband, and not as head of the house or him. This is as with the woman and God, having a humbleness and a Godly fear or we would call it a respectful attitude toward the stronger of the two.

The Bible states that the wife is the weaker of the two, in strength and probably because of the transgression of Eve at the garden of will. Being an easier target for Satan and his deceptive powers. A wife must not only be a lover but also a friend to her husband. In my relationship to my wife ,we are best friends. Its good most times before marriage that a man and woman become friends first. Wives, TRUST in your husbands, knowing that as he has committed himself to you ,he has also committed himself to God to fulfill scripture in his relationship to you.

Care for your husbands ,as one who cares for Christ in all things. GIVE yourself to your husbands, knowing that he is the one who has promised not only to you but to God himself, before wittinesses, to Love, Honor and Cherish you. So as you can see the "C" or commitment for the husband also applies equal for the wife. So wives, you must, Trust, Care and Give yourself to your OWN husband as God has instructed. If you look at that verse again, it tells a wife to submit to your OWN husband, stating that you are no longer under submission to anyone save him, whom you have married. End of Part 1

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries A.R.Smith Ministries http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

The Carnal Mind

It has come to my attention, many years ago, that the mind, body, and spirit, are at war with each other. This knowledge coming threw the teachings of the Holy Spirit. The Mind is carnal, seeking after the control of the flesh, and the spirit. The carnal mind is a self serving entity and will resist all out side influences to change or control. The mind of man controls, memory, and all decision making processes. The choice to sin or not, comes from the mind.

The Bible tells us that where there is no law, there is no sin, for sin is a transgression of the Law. Sin comes into being when the mind accepts the idea that there is good and evil. A man is born into sin, but he is not born with sin, this comes later, when the mind obtains freedom of choice, and the knowledge of good and evil.

This is proved in Rom 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

David stated; Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psa 51:5) The flesh controls nothing, but is controlled by one, or the other, spirit or mind. The flesh is a container of both of these.

Is the mind necessary to the function of the body? Yes. The body tells the mind when it is hungry, thirsty, or in pain.With this knowledge the mind takes the appropriate actions. The flesh does have the ability to influence the mind, when it desires to be satisfied by its own lust for, pleasure, or satisfaction. But within itself it can do nothing.

As I have said before, the carnal mind is a self serving identity, it begins it quest for control at the time of conception, and resist change. We are carnal when we allow the mind to control all aspects of our lives, this also includes the workings of good and evil. The mind does not only control the decisions that we make, but it also resist the very faith that we exercise. Yes, the carnal mind resist faith. Here is when the carnal mind starts putting doubt within the believer, and doubt turns into unbelief. For me unbelief is the second greatest sin of all, preceded only by the blaspheme of the Holy Ghost. Where does the mind gain all of its power? From God. This is what God explains as the freedom of Choice, the fallen angels had it, as we do. So with this power, the mind does everything it can to control.

The mind becomes a danger when Satan gets control of it. This is where we see lawlessness and war, greed and lust, theft and murder. The mind will resist only the truths that interfere with its control of the lust of the flesh, and the pride of the eyes, and the pride of life. This is why many reject Jesus, because they are still carnal minded. We see this also in the double minded. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:7-8.)

A double minded man is allowing the mind, to share control of the body, with the spirit. This is a dangerous situation, and must be eliminated. For a mans salvation depends upon total faith, in Jesus being the Son of God. With doubts taking over from time to time, this mans life is a miserable one, with many pitfalls, and trouble.

The carnal mind will allow deception within itself, to stop, or at least, hinder the truth, from becoming easily known. We see this here in 2Pe 3:16 ; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. We even have a witness to this control in scripture, when Jesus had to explain flesh, and spirit, to Nicodemus. (John 3:8-10) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? To be carnal minded is to be un-regenerated; not renewed in heart; remaining at enmity with God. Many say they speak from the heart, but what they are actually saying is, they are speaking from their spirit. Each and every man has a spirit, also do the animals of the earth, but what separates us from the animals is, our freedom of choice, the mind, body, and spirit, in wisdom of good, and evil.

Those that refuse the truth, and those that are in doubt of the promises of God, are still yet carnal minded. This is proven in; 1Co 3:3; For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? We cannot allow the carnal mind to take hold of our way of life, this will lead to destruction of not only the body, but also the soul.(Spirit.) I see a wonderful explanation of this in James 4:17; Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. If we know to have faith, and then refuse to allow the spirit free reign over our actions, do we not then commit a sin? If we see our brother, hungry, naked, thirsty, or in need of the carnal things, and close up our spirit to him, do we also sin? Yes. For if we say the Love of God dwells within us, and we do not do that which is good, we have lied, and the Love of God does not dwell within us.

As the carnal mind resists faith in God, we must look within ourselves, and seek additional faith, and strength, to resist doubts. Is faith easy to show, is it easy to obtain? No. Faith must be first accepted by the spirit, and forced on the mind. For the carnal mind will resist things that it cannot see or feel. Faith must be practiced and grown. Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Our spirit overcomes the world by over coming the carnal mind. If we control the mind, the world can do nothing to change us, even when the greatest of trials and troubles befall us. We are made overcomes by the word of God.

1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. My brothers and sisters, control the mind, and the mountain can be removed, control the mind and the sickness shall be healed, control the mind and we can see the gates of heaven open up to us. Ars.

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries A.R.Smith Ministries http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons

Is the Bible Full of Stories or Truth - Video

Ways To Promote Yourself

Its amazing how many new businesses fail. The owners always seem surprised because they felt they had a great idea or product. One of the main reasons they failed is that they didnt apply the rule promote yourself.

If you don't promote yourself or your business, how can you expect people to buy your product or service? These business failures are especially tragic because there are many simple and cost effective ways to promote yourself.

10 Low Cost Ways to Promote Yourself

Apply these quick and easy ways to promote yourself and you will be rewarded with more customers and of course, more revenue!

1. Write articles and offer them for free publication. Publishers are looking for content for websites, newsletters etc. Make a stipulation that your bio (a subtle technique to promote yourself) and contact information is maintained at the end.

2. Create and giveaway a free e-book. In the e-book include an 'About the Author' section which is where you will promote yourself or your business.

3. Use your email mailing list. One of the best ways to promote yourself is to provide your list subscribers with interesting information that occasionally promote yourself or your business.

4. Get into directory listings! There are tons of industry and product specific hard cover and online directories that will let you have a free listing. Take advantage of these free chances to promote yourself!

5. Become an 'expert' speaker. Take every opportunity you can to get speaking engagements. Every opportunity, no matter how large or small is a great chance to promote yourself.

6. Send media releases. One of the easiest ways to promote yourself is through media releases. Write a media release announcing a new product or interesting industry event.

7. Establish a training class. Your class could be live, online or even over the phone. Make sure to promote yourself through your 'teacher bio' which includes information about yourself and your business.

8. Create case studies. Case studies can promote yourself because they are a well-crafted stories about another of your client's successes. Post these case studies online or even consider them for a press release.

9. Add a business card/bio to the end of every email. Every email is another chance to promote yourself. Keep it short and simple.

10. Use the 'About Us' section of your website. People like to know more about who they are doing business with. The 'about us' section is an ideal opportunity to promote yourself and your expertise!

Start applying these ten easy ways to promote yourself and before you know it, you will have many new customers knocking at your door!

Matt Bacak became "#1 Best Selling Author" in just a few short hours. Recent Entrepreneur Magazines e-Biz radio show host is turning Authors, Speakers, and Experts into Overnight Success Stories. Discover The Secrets To Unleash The Powerful Promoter In You! Sign up for Matt Bacak's Promoting Tips Ezine ($100 value) just visit his website at http://www.powerfulpromoter.com or http://promotingtips.com

Eyewitnesses Of Christian Persecution, NK

We who speak of Christian persecution within the DPRK are not guessing or exaggerating. Eyewitnesses see it all. Here is today's collection of quotes for you to peruse and consider for serious prayer. The speakers are all North Korean refugees who have come out in the last few years. They are part of a collection from a free online report .

"My relative brought a Bible from China and gave it to some close friends. But the rumor spread...the police heard about it. His entire family was taken to the prison camps... I don't think they will ever be released."

"There was even a case of a child (16 years old)... They made that kid stand on the platform, in front of gathered parents...There, the kid's entire family was arrested in order to show an example... That kid had learned whole Bible Scriptures by heart and that was the reason he was arrested..."

"A person was shot to death...I asked why... and they said, 'A person from Musan took a Bible from South Korean [church leaders]."

We used to talk about how there are so many Bibles gathering dust in American homes. Now it is sad to say that Bibles are similarly unneeded in many churches. In this electronic age it has been discovered that verses appropriate to the service can be flashed onto a screen. Gone is the fumbling through Bibles trying to catch up with the preacher. Gone is the confusion of various translations giving people fits trying to follow along. Gone also is the bringing of God's Book into God's House.

Don't I sound old today! Well there's no doubt I have seen much younger days. But there's also no doubt that some of this talk about the good old days... is totally true. A church without a Bible is heading in the wrong direction. Just ask a North Korean.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website made to ask believers to pray for North Korea. Recently I have added Bible teachings to the menu. There are nearly 300 blogs , a live news feed , lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com . Audio teachings at sermonaudio.com under my name.

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond .

North Korea - God's Open Door Policy

North Korea calling? To those who would touch a needy nation I offer the following:

An available position does not always mean an open door. Men can open doors too. And shut them. The doors that God opens cannot be opened by men. Or shut.

Look at it this way. Guys that are blessed with looks, charm, and all the rest, will have any number of "open doors" into a woman's heart. Although these are issues with which I have never had to deal, I can well imagine a line-up of females, each one telling my heart, "She is THE ONE." At least, in my dreams I can imagine such things! Are all these women to be his?

Or try this. A multi-talented person seeking employment will face the same dilemma. He will be hunted down like a white-tailed deer and pressed into any number of services. Are all these jobs "the right one"?

But consider Paul (I Corinthians 16:9). "An open door has been set before me, and there are many adversaries." That is true vision. Paul was not "excited" about going through his open door. First he was genuinely invited. Then he was persistently determined. He did not see all happy scenes. Paul's foretold and actual ministry was a series of incredible victories coupled with incredible suffering. Those who go through open doors because they are "excited" about "helping Jesus" need to go sit under a tree somewhere and count the cost. If the cross is not a part of the final tally, and so-called "call," it is probably a human door, not a Divine one that is presenting itself.

Also, doors in the Scripture are entry-ways to the furtherance of the Gospel, not personal furtherance. When the "vision" sees a human (usually yourself) elevated and Christ negotiable, it's not God's vision. When one sees a road of hardship but Christ lifted up, good things can follow.

There are, I have found, many doors open to North Korea. I have leaped for joy to know I can be of use in this dry and thirsty land. It would be the same for anyone reading who wants to go. There is something for you to do! But which door is yours? I counsel myself and anyone who cares to listen:

Walk carefully in the Spirit before the momentous decision is made. Listen carefully to what God is saying and to what various men are saying too. If the "call" does not "fit" and you find yourself volunteering to do someone else's work just to "be used", much damage can come your way, and to the ministry.

The Lord of the harvest knows just where we belong. Some of us may well be asked to stay right here and pay the bills of those who go... but if Christ is glorified, so be it.

Bottom line, LORD save your people! Lord deliver the prisoners! Lord, whatever it takes, whomever it takes, however you want it done, oh just do it!

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

Outsourcing Your Article Writing

Not all internet architects have the time - or accomplishments - to be capable to compose efficient internet articles. Therefore, it is assertive of you to determine somebody competent of composing articles that are engrossing, enlightening, absorbing, in addition to as convincing. How do you come up with the correct individual for the line of work? We are happy you enquired! Here are 4 methods to outsource your article writing demands.

The following are a 4 article outsourcing tips:

1. Look for and you shall discover. Determining the correct writer for the good line of work is an issue of causing a bit of search. Whenever you like the expressive style of a confident writer, get hold of this individual and enquire them right away if they will work for you. E-zines are capital spaces to discover gifted writers and a lot of writers who frequent these places already recognize how to compose for the web. Even if the subjects you desire handled are about contents dissimilar from what the writer presently writes of, a superior writer will be capable to write of just about anything.

2. Look for and affirm. At one time you have constricted your listing of latent writers cut down to a superior some, assure the writer's contacts on the web. If they are a productive writer, their name had better come along entirely over the place. You can as well check how efficient their back links are by inscribing "hyperlink: www.writerwebsite.com" in your Google lookup bar and then calculating the effects. If they have been publishing extensively the lookup returns had better be many.

3. Go to publishing Sites. In that respect are a lot of web sites that spring to mind. Writers in reality pay up to have entry to these web sites. You can give in your project, get biddings, and choose the authors of your personal picking out.

Alakh Arpan is a successful search engine optimizer, internet marketer and successful online entrepreneur. Please visit his website and find out how he can help you accomplish your Article Writing and boost your Search Engine Optimization campaign.

Romance - Why Write It

If you think Romance is a lesser form of fiction, go off immediately and read Pride and Prejudice.

There are many kinds of genre fiction, but nobody accuses Ian Rankin or Ruth Rendell of being lesser writers - simply because they write Crime. Genre fiction has certain expectations and constraints. But what else you do with it is up to you - and your talent.

While writing classic Romances, Jane Austen managed to comment on society, give a feel for time and place, and for people's absurdities, strengths and flaws.

Some Romance is published just for the escapism. And that's fine, too. We all need to escape from time to time. Whatever you choose to do with it, Romance can be fun to write - but don't make the mistake of thinking it's easy. It can be as hard to execute well as any other kind of writing.

Many people believe there's an easy-to-follow formula - a cookie cutter to shape the story with their eyes closed. But this would make Romance fiction incredibly boring - to read and write. Every book would be the same.

As I said, it can be fun to write. But in order to write well, you have to like romance. You must enjoy daydreaming sappy stories. You must go aaah when you hear of love that works out.

Besides being enjoyable, romance can be good practice for writing any form of fiction. You're constrained by the expectations of genre, which frees you up in a strange way to be really creative within those limitations.

It gives you the freedom to concentrate on the important things - every story worth turning a page should have believable characters, conflict that carries us through it, a satisfying ending, a world we can believe in, and language that entertains us.

These are the things that make any book good, no matter what you are writing. Romance forces you to concentrate on these aspects, since these are the aspects that will make your story stand out above the crowd.

Readers want to know that certain things are likely to happen in a Romance, and that other things won't. But we also like to be surprised. We like to be held on tenterhooks - not quite sure which way you'll swing our emotions. And this is what makes any story great.

Jo-Anne Richards is the author of four novels. Her latest is My Brother's Book, published by Picador.

She is co-founder of allaboutlove.net, a website dedicated to romance reading and writing. The site publishes novels and short stories, and runs interactive online writing courses in romance writing. It includes a basic lesbian romance writing course - thought to be unique.

Can We Prove That an Invisible God Lives

Here's a pretty good interview about someone explaining the existence of God.

.

Peaceful Warrior God

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a christian video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world.

Studying on Faith Alone - Education Can Often Be Hard on Religious Faith

It's probably hard to find facts if your mind is already made up. If you're trying to find information on anything, more than likely you will find exactly what you're looking for, if you look hard enough. With all the information out there, available in books, media, and of course the Internet, would we really know the honest to God truth if we ran into one.

Not something that man made up and forced our ancestors to believe in.

If you're studying on faith alone and trying to prove or disprove something, you will succeed. If you're reading the Bible and looking for answers to problems in your life, eventually you will find the answers. All you need is to believe in your God and he will show you the way. Has he truly shown you the way or are you basing your religious beliefs on faith alone.

I have studied the Bible for many years and came to the conclusion that, I was often blinded by the way I view the information and couldn't get the facts most of the time. I always enjoyed reading Proverbs and the story of Job, both of these books in the Bible inspired me to become a better person.

By studying the Bible without faith and looking for information based on facts, it wasn't long before I realized this book could be and I say could be a group of stories that man over the centuries combined into one book during the Council of Nicaea in 325A.D and became religious doctrine for Christians.

In order to study anything effectively, you need to keep an open mind, this might require you to reprogram your thinking. You have been taught for years that only your religion is correct and all other religions are wrong. You can't think like this and gather information effectively.

Studying on faith alone could close your mind and keep you on the path of spiritual resistance. You know you're on this path if only the things you believe in make sense. Nothing nobody else says can make much sense if you're studying on faith alone.

What would it hurt to read a life changing spiritual book on another religion or form of spirituality? If you can't read another religious book, because you're religious organization tells you to only read their spiritual books to gather information, you're following a path of spiritual resistance.

If you're really going to study on faith alone then I suggest studying with intention to learn instead of follow.

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development. Check out one of his recommended reading, Stories from the Old Testament

Greg is currently working on a religious and spiritual answers library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

A History of Iraq

Ancient Mesopotamia was settled and conquered by a number of ancient civilisations, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians and Chaldeans. Nebuchadnezzar II was a ruler of Babylon during the Chaldean Dynasty, he is mentioned in the Bible, constructed the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (one of the seven wonders of the world) and conquered Judah and Jerusalem. Various invaders conquered the land after Nebuchadnezzar's death, including Cyrus the Great in 539 BC, Alexander the Great in 331 BC and it was under Greek rule for two centuries under the Seleucid dynasty.

They were followed by an Iranian tribe named the Parthians who annexed the region, then the Sassanid Persians, with the Arab Muslims took control of the area in the seventh century. During the 1500s the region was controlled by the Ottoman Empire, this lasted until the outbreak of World War One when the Ottomans allied themselves with Germany. Britain invaded the country, capturing Baghdad in 1917, Iraq was carved out of the Ottoman Empire and Britain was given it's mandate.

Britain supported the traditional Sunni leadership over the burgeoning urban based nationalist movement, the mandate officially ended in 1932. The British installed Hashemite monarchy was overthrown in 1958, Brigadier Abd al-Karim Qasim led a new government which proclaimed Iraq a republic. Qasim was assassinated in 1963 when the Ba'ath Party took power under the leadership of General Ahmed Hasan al-Bakr and Colonel Abdul Salam Arif, nine months later Abd as-Salam Muhammad 'Arif led a successful coup, though the Ba'ath Party re-took power after the 1967 Six Day War. In July 1979 Saddam Hussein assumed power, starting a costly eight year war with neighbouring Iran which devastated the economy.

Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, when Saddam refused to withdraw, the Gulf War began with a US led invasion of Kuwait. Economic sanctions were imposed upon Iraq. In 2001, the US government began to call for regime change in Iraq, in March 2003 the US and UK with military aid from other nations invaded Iraq.

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source: Russell Shortt, http://www.exploringireland.net

The Story of Chosun, Part Six

In world history it is now the entry into the "Dark" or "Middle" ages. Romanist priests throughout Europe and Buddhist priests in the far-eastern nation which will one day be Korea,

But there is political trouble in the East also. A tribe called the Khitans in the northern part of the Korean peninsula continues to aggravate the area and seek dominance. They attack their southern neighbors (Koryo, eg) in 1010 with an army of 400,000, and are even successful until they reach the capital Pyongyang (still capital of North Korea). They are resisted and beaten back.

But every year they try again, and every year Koryo, heir of the old "Korguryo", ancestor of modern Korea, appeals to China, and is denied by same. Many thousands continue to die. China today seems to be ignorant of Korean woes also, as it sends NK refugees back to certain tragedies in their own land. China then and China now is for China.

In 1019, Koryo wins a major and decisive battle, gaining kudos from surrounding regions. All of this with no help from big Sister. By 1020 there is a formal peace with the Khitans. So much for negotiation being better than might.

Enter a new, but really continuing, struggle, between Confucius & Buddha. It is frustrating to see Korea trying to choose between two equally damning philosophies. One might appreciate the high moral standards of one like Confucius, the problem being that the wise one did not die for his people, and unless someone can be counted on to be the sin-bearer, all the wisdom and morality under heaven will be to no avail.

In 1032, Khitan threatens again. A certain bridge is left standing by the people of Koryo and the Khitan kingdom is insulted. An attack is considered. And while they consider, Koryo builds a wall from the Yalu River (present northwestern boundary of North Korea,) across the peninsula to the Japan (East) Sea! Appeasement is not their style.

Ironically, after China has denied Koryo any assistance for so many years, she has the boldness in 1077 to ask Koryo to aid against Kitans, who now threaten a weakened Empire.

One more note of interest in the 11th century. In 1093 a 2nd capital now appears in Koryo: Han-yang . Today we call this city Seoul. It is the capital of South Korea.

Century twelve sees the continued rise of Koryo, but with continued conflict with challenging neighbors. A splinter group of the Khitans, the Yujin tribe, receives a welcome visit from a monk of Koryo. He marries there. A couple of generations down, one related to him, Agolta, actually becomes the chief of that tribe. In 1114 the Yujin tribe breaks away altogether from the Khitans, eventually even conquering them.

So Koryo has a dangerous neighbor to the north again. Much later in the century, Cho-Wijong of Pyongyang rises up, gathers a following, fails in a bid to threaten Koryo. In fact, the king of Koryo lays siege to Pyongyang, starving its residents. A famine even leads to cannibalism, as we have seen in the modern version of this land today.

Eventually the rebels are defeated and scattered, the whole country is in a state of anarchy. And the king, like Nero of Rome, parties through the entire debacle. Once again we are reminded of modern times and the present reign of a dictator who lives like the richest of the world's monarchs while his people suffer and die.

The history of Korea is a sad story, century after century. Next time: enter the Mongols. Things don't get better.

Only Christ can save a Korean heart. Please pray for more and more of Jesus to be sent to more and more Koreans.

Category: NK: History

Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs , ovber 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos3@gmail.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

In North Korea - Help! Someone Call 911!

Behold one cup of rice. During the dark famine days, and in certain portions of North Korea today, in certain people groups and ages, this is the rationed amount for an entire day. Eight ounces. Eight or nine hundred calories. Every day. Until you die by starvation.

The international minimum standard for calories per day is said to be two to three times that much . North Korea sets the standard at 1,600 calories per day, about 450 grams, less than two cups per day. Some people in Korea actually are given that much. In fact Party faithful are given up to 900 grams, twice the standard set by the Kim government. Some receive as little as 300. Perhaps less.

That's one topic. The amount of food the government expects one to live on. The other topic is, even with the low NK standard, will North Korea have enough food to meet its goals? If the state is now giving, as I have read elsewhere, 550 grams per day to its adults and 300 to children and elderly,that's 15 million persons times 550, and 7 million persons times 300. Therefore, 12,000 + tons of grain per day, or nearly 4 million tons per year.

Can North Korea produce 4 million tons per year? It hasn't always. During the famine years of the 90's it was about half that much. No one is daring to say that the situation has improved dramatically, only mildly. Free markets have popped up here and there but if the rice isn't there to sell, the proper economy means nothing.

And don't forget the recent floods. And don't forget how donated foods are still misdirected to feed the government's loyal ones. There is still so much to do. In fairness, there are projects scattered over the country attempting to right the problem. But so far no one has come up with a workable solution.

No, we're not out of the rice fields yet.

On the way home tonight, the car in front of me on the freeway suddenly veered to the center lane and almost crashed into a truck. Then a hard right and off went that same car went onto the shoulder and beyond, finally turning on its side and sending up a stream of smoke. I was shaken. I pulled over, got out of my car, and since I do not carry a cell phone, I began madly waving my arms to try to get people to stop and/or call 911. Many did, both. And creative Americans found the way to get the needy victim taken care of. They smashed a window. Pulled the man out, as it was obvious he was not only conscious -though bleeding- but quite aware of what was happening and willing to cooperate. He'll be fine now.

Perhaps I philosophize too much, but it occurred to me as I climbed back in my little car, shaking but thankful, that there are some of us, due to age, due to lacking skills, etc. whose only job is to wave our arms and hope that God will send help. Maybe there's some creative prayer warrior, some gifted financier, some talented economist, who will get on over to North Korea and start doing what needs to be done. Surely most of us don't have things on our agenda that are more important? I mean, I wanted to get home tonight after a day at work. But this man who was possibly dying in a car...

Anybody out there? These articles are not written to make people cry and sigh, but to motivate them to action. Chosun is in serious trouble. Dying as a nation. Almost totally without Christ. Doomed therefore forever. Hidden from the light and the truth found in Jesus Christ alone. There's got to be something you can do. Will you pull over and help a vehicle spinning out of control?

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

Countries Which Celebrate Christmas

Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. This feast was created by the pope to promote Christianity and remove pagan festivals celebrated at the winter solstice.

During the 4th century, the pope decided to bring the Christmas day on December 25th.

This day has always been represented by religious ceremonies and gifts and greetings exchange.

Here are some Christmas symbols:

* The Advent consists of a burning candle each Sunday four weeks before December 24th; which symbolize the rebirth of light after the winter solstice.

* The December 24th Midnight Mass; which celebrates the birth of Jesus.

* The Christmas Crib; which symbolizes the birth of Jesus in Christian homes.

* The Christmas tree, a symbol from the pagan celebration and representing life.

* The Yule log; which represents the log that we put in the fireplace to warm up on December 24th Eve.

* Santa Claus, an American creation, inspired by the Christian Saint Nicholas (celebrated in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Alsace). This character wears a luxurious red cape, he has a long white beard and wears a red miter, he also holds a golden crosier. Saint Nicholas rewards good children while his companion Pere Fouettard/Black Peter punishes nasty children) and the elf Yule Goat, celebrated in Scandinavian countries.

Over the centuries, Christmas has evolved and December 24th Eve with our family, replaced the religious ceremonies.

The gift exchange: luxurious for the rich people and useful - sometimes only one orange - for the poor people, has been replaced by the modern marketing. People not only buys gifts but also spend lots of money in decoration items, food, drink...

The secularization of our society removed the true meaning of Christmas Time; which is, obviously, becoming a pagan feast.

Here are some countries which celebrate Christmas:

Belgium:

We have a festival especially dedicated to children; which is Saint Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) on December 6th. The Great Patron of Schoolboys, who is supposed to bring candies in their shoes, brings in fact toys by the thousands to our children.

In Belgium, Nol is rather reserved for adults: the streets are decorated and illuminated, we decorate our houses, windows, gardens, trees. Belgium seems to forget that it is a Catholic country and closes more and more churches, therefore, the Midnight Mass on December 24th usually happens at 6 or 8 PM. We then eat with our family and at 12 PM we exchange our gifts. Children usually receive a book or some clothes.

Christmas Day has little meaning but practicing Catholic go to church. Belgian people visit their family on January 1st. In the Belgian Ardens, people celebrate December 31st.

France:

Nol is dedicated to children. The streets and the houses are decorated several weeks in advance. French people have lots of Christmas customs: Christmas Markets, tree, the Christmas Dinner, Pere Noel, gifts, stories, songs, turkey, The Christmas Crib, the Yule Log, and so on. In Alsace, however, Saint Nicholas predominates on Santa Claus.

The Netherlands:

They organize their St. Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) festival: the old bearded man traveling by boat and accompanied by many black aids, who distributes gifts to good children. Dutch people reserve the big gifts for Kerstmis Time because they profit for some great bargains after Sinter Klaas.

Germany:

Weinhachten in Germany lasts two days. On December 26th they visit their family and their friends. Christ-Kind offers gifts to the children on December 24th families and friends. Germany has also a Saint Nicholas festival on December 6th.

Great Britain:

This holiday is celebrated in England with enthusiasm. Children sing "Carols" in the streets, they eat the famous "Xmas Pudding" at the end their family dinner on December 25th. In England, Santa Claus fills the English children socks with gifts. British people also exchange greeting cards; which are a British creation.

Spain:

If Santa Claus has little importance in Spain (Magi distribute gifts to children on January 6th), Spanish people decorate the streets with lights during the month of December. The windows of the shops are filled with lots of gifts and Spanish celebrate the Navidad Evening with their family.

Portugal:

Natal Eve is a holiday. The Portuguese attend the Midnight Mass; which is the "Missa Do Galo". If there is no Christmas tree in Portugal, there is nevertheless a "Wooden Natal".

Italy:

Natale lasts three days, from December 24th till 26th. However, Natale traditions vary from one region to another one and, depending on the region it is Babo Natale (Father Christmas) or the "Gesu Bambino" (Little Jesus) who brings gifts on December 25th. The Italian Christmas dessert is "Panettone".

Scandinavian Countries:

During the Christmas Dinner, Scandinavian people reserve a place for the souls of the deceased members of their family. Once they finish to eat, they read the bible. The whole family is singing Christmas songs and dance around the Christmas tree.

Other European countries:

In Romania, on December 24th, there is a Christmas candle burning until the morning of December 25th. In Russia, Christmas Day happens on January 7th, according to the Orthodox calendar. In Greece the Christmas period begins on Christmas Eve and ends at the Epiphany. Christmas is less important than Easter.

USA:

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Santa Claus is coming to announce the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. American people love to celebrate Christmas and set up a decorated Christmas in their home. Children hang empty stocks empty on the fireplace and on the Christmas morning they find them filled with candy and small toys.

Canada:

Houses, shops and streets are decorated with lights. Canadian people decorate their house with a Christmas tree, a Christmas wrap, a Christmas Crib... After the "Midnight Mass" people have a Christmas Eve with their family. Turkey and the Christmas log are the essential ingredients of a Canadian Christmas Dinner. They send greeting cards to their friends and family who live far away.

South America:

Peruvian people have Christmas parties but also learn to live better on christmas time. Their Christmas season lasts a full week. Mexican people celebrate Christmas with Las Posadas (pilgrimages representing the path by the Mary and Joseph). They celebrate the last Posada on the Christmas morning and then start the Christmas dinner. I Guatemala, immigrants have imported their German customs and the Christmas tree is essential but the Christmas gifts are reserved to the children. Gift exchange for adults is on January 1st.

Australia:

Christmas happens during the summertime, so Australian people celebrate Christmas at the beach. People eat cold turkey and pudding.

New Zealand:

If there are few decorations, New Zealand people organize Christmas parades and people sing in the parks. They also organize their famous "Christmas barbecue".

Japan:

Christmas is merely commercial significance in Japan. This festival represents Saint Nicholas and it is an opportunity to offer gifts to small children.

China:

If Christmas Day is not a holiday, Christmas is celebrated in Chinese cities. This festival was imported into this country by foreign missionaries. For the Chinese people who celebrate it, Christmas is a religious event.

Prosperity66 is an European History, Holidays and Tarot cards passionate. She writes articles and creates websites dedicated to these subjects.

For more Christmas Costume, Christmas Cards, Christmas Recipes, Christmas Traditions Information, feel free to visit Christmas Time Guide. You may also ask for a Letter From Santa To Your Child.

Did Jesus Pray to God - Christianity

When Jesus was a little boy, did he know that he was God? He was obviously Jewish and we can't argue with that, but did he pray to God when he was little or even when he was older. Do you think Jesus's mom had him pray even though she knew that he was God, the creator of everything. Did Mary pray to Jesus when he was a baby? It was obviously established very early in his life that he was a king or someone special to his parents.

I can of course based this on the visit from the wise man or the three Kings from the east. Why these people never came back to visit or find out what happened to Jesus is another story.

I want you as a Christian to put yourself in my shoes for a moment and try to visualize the statement that I am about to make. If Jesus is God, what good would it do for him to pray to himself. I know, it probably makes sense to most Christians and they can probably make sense out of it but for a moment, just think about it. Stop reading and reread the first sentence in the paragraph.

If Jesus wasn't God, it would make sense to see him praying or even read about him praying in the Bible. It wouldn't however make a lot of sense for him to pray to himself. Maybe he was trying to create an illusion for his followers and was just going through the motions or pretending like he was praying so that they wouldn't feel out of place. I don't really know and am only guessing why there are so many pictures of him praying in churches all over the world.

If there truly is a Trinity and this consists of the Holy Spirit, God and Jesus, do they pray to each other? Does the Holy Spirit pray to Jesus or when Jesus is on earth he prays to the Holy Spirit or God. I don't want to start confusing anyone but I would like you to think about this when you're reading the Bible, was Jesus praying to God and if so why.

A little bit of thinking can go a long way and often change someone's point of view.

If you want to read something funny and get your daily laugh in, you need to read this, it's funny Using Religion Responsibility. It's based on overindulgence.

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing and personal development.

Would you still be reading this article, if you had no desire, for better life. Find out more by visiting changing life skills.

Feeling the Philous Love

When you receive the Seal your love becomes the greatest of all loves known to people--the philous love. And that is when you become the friend of God and eventually His Bride too. When you are sealed you will love God and love other people with the greatest of loves, the philous love. The reason your love is the greatest is because of your self-sacrifice.

When you are sealed you are put under the feet of Jesus. That is when you let yourself die. And that is only the beginning. Then you will die daily, letting your old self perish and be replaced by the new living person God makes you.

It is the Commandment of Jesus that you love one another as Jesus loves you. When you are sealed you will fulfill this Commandment because you will love with the greatest of all loves. Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses but He also gave you the Commandment to love. And Jesus loves you with the love of friend and even the love of a husband for his wife.

"Greater love than this no one has," Jesus said, "that one should lay his life for his friends." You lay down your life at the feet of Jesus when you become sealed and then you lay down your life daily to receive new Life.

So you will have the greatest of all loves people can love with. You may not have the most passionate feeling of "love." But that is usually not love. That passionate feeling is usually something else, like lust or covetousness. You will have the greatest love spiritually. You will have the greatest love in God's eyes. And His Opinion is the one that matters. If you are concerned about what people think, then you will soon experience Judgment Day.

Judgment Day is only a number of short years away. And that is the Day when God will consider how well you followed what Jesus told you to do. And you know how you can follow His Commandment to the greatest possible extent.

"You are my friends," He said, "if you do as much as I command you." You will become the friend of Jesus by becoming sealed, for that is when you will die and have the greatest love, thereby doing what He commanded you. And to become the friend of Jesus you must love one another as well as love God. You must carry the message of the Seal to other people. But you are not limited to being a servant of God this way.

"No longer do I call you servants," Jesus said, "for the servant knows not what His Lord does. But I have called you friends, for all things which I heard of my Father I have made known to you."

So you become the friend of Jesus and not just His servant by doing His Commandments. And when you are sealed Jesus chooses you, for that is when He writes His Name upon you.

"You did not choose me," Jesus said, "but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and your fruit should abide; that whatever you should ask the Father in my Name He should give to you."

When you are sealed you will bear fruit as the chosen of God. And you may ask God for something in prayer and He will grant it to you because you bear fruit for His Purpose when you receive the Seal.

Jason Witt is a sinner healed and sealed. He has been transformed by Jesus, who came and made His Home in Jason's heart and in his mind. Come and see what Jesus foretold that is starting to happen today. Jason Witt dot org