Kim Il Sung And The Foxtail Millet

Rodong Sinmun is North Korea's propaganda headquarters. On a daily basis there is a stream of strange-sounding information, or mis-information, emanating thence. Recently I picked up there another entry in the large collection of Kimmian mythology. This one is about the annual birthday celebration of the [deceased] grandmother of North Korea's present leader, i.e., Kim Il Sung's mom. Fascinating North Korea speak.

The writer introduces this maternal figure not as a mother or grandmother, not as someone's wife or descendant. No, Kang Pan Sok is "an indomitable revolutionary fighter and an outstanding leader of the Korean women's emancipation movement..." Doesn't it warm your heart? Wouldn't you love to be snuggled close to this cuddly mommy if you needed some solace?

Once upon a time, when this mom was very critically ill, soldier son Kim Il Sung, forever battling the pesky Japanese, took a break in his endeavors to buy some foxtail millet and bring it to her, as it has certain medicinal value. She was touched inside, but would not allow her son even to mention her sickness. Instead she wanted to talk about political topics. Japan. The struggle. The revolution.

At least, that's how the story goes.

In response to his spending the night, gathering firewood and such, Mom said, thanks for being a good son, but you really need to get back to the great cause of Korea. She gave him some seriously-hard-earned coins, and sent him on his way.

The story ends as it begins. The author indicates that what the mother had shown was not "simply motherly love. It was true revolutionary affection..."

Our hearts ache over a people who have sold out natural affection for military-political ideals. We hurt for those who honor nation above family, society above the individual soul. We pray for those who give their lives away to start a revolution and have never heard of the revolution Christ began here centuries ago. And we grow weary of hearing stories like these being told as historical fact.

Yet, there is something about this story, even this perversion of NK history, that is worth taking away and contemplating. No less than the Christ Himself has called us to a comparable life, has He not? Did He not say that those who follow Him are to love Him more than mother, father, brother, sister? Did He not call us to lay down our very lives for the sake of promoting the Gospel Revolution that He ignited?

So, on second sight, we do not necessarily disown every feature of the dismal lifestyle of the North Korean, but rather we object to the target of Korean affection. We desire for One worthy of all this pain and suffering to be honored in this way, One Worthy of the daily sacrifice, One who will richly repay, not with more restrictions and more poverty, and more famine and death, and international shame, but with everlasting life, with joy unspeakable and full of glory, with the unabashed delight of sins forgiven, all items that are not within the NK government's power to offer.

Lord Jesus, we pray that Your message will permeate the darkness. Show us our part. Amen.

By the way, the real history of this revolutionary mother of North Korea indicates that she and her husband were faithful members of the local Presbyterian Church.

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 Chosun 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 .

Inerrancy Of The Bible

Some Questions About Religion

It's all the rage, you know. Down with "religion", up with Jesus. I understand the concept, but I'm beginning to question the premise. In fact, I have a lot of questions for religion-bashers.
You who despise "religion", could you tell me which Biblical apostle you are quoting in your anger? Which Bible writer actually condemned religion? If the Bible does not condemn it, what is your basis? Do you know where the word religion is found in your Bible, and do you know what it means?

May I answer? The Greek threskeia means "a ceremonial observance." A form of worship. The King James translates the word into "religion" a few times, and into "worshipping" once. In none of the "religion" passages is anything negative connotated. In Colossians 2:18, however, where the word is "worshipping", the apostle rebukes angel religion.

He warns believers that there are false teachers out there who are puffed up with pride because of their supposed relationship with angels, and who are therefore pushing their angelic religion on to the Body. That sort of "religion" is condemned. Strange that the strongest false teachers of our day have a similar emphasis. As is my custom, I will not name names. But the state of Kansas that I mentioned in a previous blog, is the source of much of this angelic religion.

Religion is a positive word in the Scriptures. It is our brother James who points out that there is pure, undefiled religion and then there is vain religion. In both cases, these religious practices have nothing to do with the Sunday meeting. A man whose religion is pure is one who cares for such as the orphans and widows, and one who keeps away from the defilements of this world. A man whose religion is useless is one who cannot control his tongue but still keeps on telling himself he is a true believer. Notice, he has a religion. He does "worship", and maybe with great enthusiasm. But his religion is vain.

Let me be charitable then to the attackers of religion and suggest to them other questions. Did you really mean "down with bad religion" ? Are you talking about the quiet forms of worship versus the louder more "free" expressions? Truly dead formality deserves a shake-up. But are you sure your target is even then a valid one? When you divide churches between the quiet and the loud, are you sure that the loud ones are the ones following Jesus? Could some of them have a vain religion? And could you have missed some pure ones on the other side?

Is a quieter method of getting God's work done to be despised? Is it possible that some who are quiet in church actually are very vocal in their own prayer times? Is it possible that the quiet ones love the Lord with their gifts as much as the loud vociferous types?

Are some good things being thrown out in the name of this revolution? Like song books? Like use of Bibles? Like rich doctrinal teachings replaced by scanty messages so that there is more time for shouting? Is it not true that there will come a time when people can no longer endure sound teaching? Is it not true that they will heap to themselves teachers because they have itching ears?

Is it possible, forgive me for suggesting it, that there are men among us trying to upset the old order so that they can come to power in a new one? Will their new hyped-up style that is meant to replace "religion", itself deserve the title "religion" in just a matter of weeks? Can people be at this fever pitch for long periods of time? How many new "signs and wonders", real or imagined, can be introduced to the people of God before they see it as just ho-hum and a new form of ceremonial observance?

Bottom line, for those who seek the presence of God, is the sign of that presence some miraculous show, or is it in fact a changed life? Though most of the "healings" in your non-religious meetings cannot be substantiated, even if they were real, do they compare to the standard God has set for His people in terms of holiness, and transformation, and repentance from dead works?

Only questions. But it seems to me, important ones.

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 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. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

Water Damage Cleanup

How To Find The Perfect Will Of God

There is a way to find the perfect will of God. And there is a way not to find that will. There is a way to know exactly what God says and wants. And there is a way to arrive at a network of guesses. Many believers, some even known as "scholars" have fallen into the trap of guesswork, based on culture, history, and semantics. The following comments will be based only on the words given by the Spirit to apostles and prophets.

That royal way of searching is prescribed in the Scriptures. Psalm 119, for example, says in 176 different ways that the written Word of God is our source. eg, v. 2: "Blessed are those who keep His commandments, who seek Him with the whole heart." v. 30: "Your judgments have I laid before me." v. 31: "I cling to Your testimonies. v. 42: I trust in Your Word . v. 75 "I know Lord, that Your judgments are right ."

Many such sentiments gives the Psalmist. Couple this with the sage words of our beloved apostle Paul to his son in the faith, Timothy," ...the Holy Scriptures...are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine..."(II Timothy 3:15, 16), and the resultant warning in chapter 4: 1-4 (there is no break in the original document) "... I charge you therefore...Preach the Word!...for the time will come when they will not endure sound teaching, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears...they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned to fables... "

Thus, the royal way of which I speak is to see the clear statements of Scripture, and find in that precious Book examples and patterns, written expressly for us through God's Holy men. But the itching ear gives rise to that other way of finding the truth : the statements of and examples and patterns of men. Every cult uses this method, and alas! many of God's own seem to fall therein.

The process happens something like this: a pastor or leader, quite content with the Scriptures as they are, nevertheless is turned aside from this contentment by a straying member of the flock, a malcontent, one who has seen the Word and decided it is not for all men of all time. This fleshly one has further decided that he personally will not obey this word, and that there must be a clearer interpretation, a more modern one that fits our time. The pastor wishes to be loyal to his sheep, but without realizing it becomes disloyal to his Master. If the pastor insists on the pure Word of God, the brother of the itching ear will find another church where his interpretation and practice will be more readily accepted. So Pastor offers to research the passage, though he has known for years exactly what it means. He suddenly desires, as Balaam, a second opinion. And lo! Upon further searching he discovers that the old truth is just that, old.

He finds fathers of the church who have been in favor of the new rendering. He discovers that godly people from every generation, even his own, have digressed similarly. Certainly these godly ones cannot all be wrong. Of course in the process of his discovery, he ignores the words and lives of those who have continued on in the old truth, and found it to be sufficient.

The itching ear has been scratched. But no one thought to ask Mr. Disgruntled whence came his itch in the first place. The discernment of the Spirit will reveal that the tendency to want more or less than the prophets have spoken is from the one who appeared in the Garden and spoke to our first parents, "Did God REALLY say that? Oh my, he actually MEANT this!" His lies are oh so convincing. Only a few care to challenge them and cling for dear life to what God has said.

I trust that you, dear reader, are one of these.

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.

Goal Planning For Success

For North Korea, The Lamb That Was Slain

Whether in North Korea or North Chicago, "MAY THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN RECEIVE THE REWARD OF HIS SUFFERING!"

It was shouted over the waves as the ship passed out farther and farther from the world these Moravian missionaries had known. They had just sold themselves into a life of slavery for the sole purpose of bringing the Gospel to an island of slaves where the Gospel was forbidden. Motivated not by glory or money or power but only by the Worthiness of Him Who died on the accursed tree, these men made eternal history on that day as their haunting cry reaches deep into the caverns of our own selfish hearts still.

Why do we love North Korea and the victimized people there? Why should we daily pray for them, send money on their behalf, go to visit them via Bibles or tracts or our own person? Is it because they are worthy? Is it because we need "something to do for Jesus" ? Is it because they are in pain and we have seen their needs? Because we want to make them happy in this life? Why, any pagan with any kind of a heart at all can feel sorry for a North Korean. How is the Christian motivation different?

The answer that comes resoundingly back from Heaven was voiced so exquisitely many years back by Paris Reidhead, missionary, preacher, and much more. Brother Reidhead tells in the classic sermon Ten Shekels and a Shirt of his own experience of human compassion on the "poor Africans" and his desire to "improve on the justice of God" by giving the heathen a chance to go to Heaven. Well, these are not motives to be spurned. We all understand the call of missions, and videos of lepers and dying children that grip our hearts. But it is not enough.

The preacher was spoken to in the depths of his soul one night, as he was complaining about the fact that these "monsters of iniquity" had no interest in the things of which he spoke, and asking how could God have sent him there in compassion when they cared not one whit for the light of the Gospel?

God simply said, "I didn't send you here for their sakes. I sent you here for My sake."

Try that on in relationship to the subject at hand, Christians working for the North Koreans. God sends us to these precious souls, as lost as the Africans, many of whom have no desire for any more light than that which Kim allows, I say, He sends us not for their sakes, but for His own. He died for them. He deserves a hearing. He deserves their obedience, their devotion, their forever love.

It was God who hung on the cross. Never can man understand or repay this wonder. Never can man suffer more than did the God of Heaven murdered by His own creation. Our sympathy must be turned to the Creator and what He did, and not focused on the hurts of the created. And that includes our own hurts.

I can feel this message as deeply as I have ever felt anything in my life. I cannot say that it has permeated my being and changed all my personal desires. But oh! how I want it to. Let the plaintive call go forth in our hearts every day...

"May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!"

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.

Suggestions For Lifes Problems

Refugee, Definition Please

Seems to be a semantics game going on in China, while thousands of their south-eastern neighbors continue to perish from hunger. A new famine is on the way, but China continues to hide. Hiding behind what they think is international law, but most certainly is not, China stalls the UN, decent people worldwide, and hungry Koreans day after day. And hiding behind their supposed friendship with Kim Jong Il, they have become the sworn enemies of human rights.

Problem is with the word refugee. Simply put, the word means "An exile who flees for safety". But there are other ways to say it. How about, A person afraid of his government? Or, A person who has been placed in the sub-basement of humanity by the leader of his country and denied food and basic human dignity, and therefore tries to escape? A person not allowed to worship on the pain of death, and who yearns to breathe free, as the "wretched refuse" that used to come to our own shores so freely? A person not permitted to hold a second opinion about anything political and who just wants to have an honest conversation, and so runs across the border? What do you think, good definitions for refugee?

And by those very valid - I think - definitions, wouldn't you agree that the North Koreans are refugees? China doesn't think so. They're just hungry, says China. They're "economic migrants," or at best "environmental refugees" and as such are entitled, say the Chinese, to no special privileges. Nice. We won't talk about why they are hungry, because they are in the wrong political class, or said something to offend someone, and are therefore being starved to death. "They're just looking for food." Not fleeing. So they are routinely gathered up by the ever-diligent, and often rewarded, Chinese military and quickly sent back to Kim Jong Il, where they face torture and death.

And why torture and death? It is widely known that the NK government fears associations with the West, including and especially, Christians. Christianity represents America, George Bush, and the failed ways of democracy. Can't have our folks mixing with such corrupt ideas. And throughout northeastern China, where Koreans have shown up by the hundreds of thousands, there are such folks. Americans. South Koreans. Christians. Pure poison.

When the refugee -for he is a refugee- is forcibly returned, there is a possibility that if he was "merely hungry", he will not be punished so long and so ferociously for having gone to feed his belly. But it is almost certain that if he contacted a Christian or a South Korean, he's in for trouble.

Hungry Christians knew that when they left. All North Koreans know that. Why then are they not considered refugees when they try to escape? Doesn't the Geneva standard clearly state that a refugee is a person who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of... religion...or political opinion... is outside the country of their nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail him/herself of the protection of that country"?

The fact that they are hungry on top of all that should not diminish the notion that they are fleeing from a government that hurts religious people and people whose ideas are different than Kim's.

When will the UN and the international community step in and make the difference that they are supposed to be making in the world's governing? Who will stand up to China and say they must obey international law? And the question that everyone seems to be asking still, except the Chinese government, how in the world could the unprecedented privilege of hosting the Olympics - humanity's masterpiece- have been awarded to a nation that defies the very foundations of humanity by its cruelty to so many millions of people?

I know that ultimately prayer is the key to it all. Jesus must intervene. But is not the Spirit that strives in all of His people to speak truth, a little portion of that intervention?

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 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. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

Hypnotic Writing

Youth Ministry Myths

1. All Play and No Work. Whoever believes this one has never hosted a Junior High Lock-In. As in any ministry, working with youth has many unaccounted hours that the members never see. They see the cookout, but miss the 1 a.m. call from the police station. They see the beach retreat, but miss the flat tire along the way. They see the pizza party, but miss the 10 hour drive back from the work camp.

Tip: Combat this myth by keeping the congregation more informed about mission trips and service projects and less informed on the fun activities (since thats all they think you do anyway).

2. Keeping the Church Informed Will Solve Any Misconceptions. Dont use this as an excuse to keep people in the dark, but there will be some who think the worst of you and your ministry no matter how hard you try to explain it. Some will think the lock-in is a sex-in. Some will think the contemporary praise is Satans tool.

Tip: Combat this myth by thoroughly explaining the purpose behind each event.

3. Working with Christians Is Easy. Christians can be some of the most unforgiving, harsh, and judgmental people you will ever encounter.

Tip: Combat this myth by being like Christ no matter how unChrist-like some of the people you work with may seem.

4. Staff Relations are Fantastic. Sometimes the staff will seem like a dream, and other times like a drip. Jealousy, gossip, clashing personalities, can quickly grip a staff. One co-worker may feel that another is trying to take over his position. Another may feel that she is being pushed out because of age.

Tip: Combat this myth by putting forth your best effort to make the staff fantastic. Never let it be said of you that you are the one being difficult.

5. If You are Open and Honest with Teens, They Will Be Open and Honest with You. You can be as open as an entrance with no door and some kids wont tell you a thing. Instead, they may go behind your back and make fun of your openness.

Tip: Combat this myth by continuing to be open because of the impact it will have on the teen who will choose to open up. Never let the negatives of the few over come the blessing of the many.

Protect your youth ministry from these myths and create a stronger base for your support and longevity.

Al Millergren is the co-founder of Teen Life Ministries a youth ministry resource site. Teen Life's free weekly tips reach over 35,000 youth workers. Sign up at http://www.teenlifeministries.com or visit the youth ministry blog.

Lord, Start This Thing!

On the 13th of September, just a couple of weeks ago, Chicagoland gets the rain of all rains for this area. Of course that means the rain of all rains since they started recording rainfalls. There were no weathermen measuring such things in Noah's day. We have to take by faith that that was the real record-setter. But this one feels like a close second. No scary thunder and lightning. No heavy threatening winds. Just drop after drop of ceaseless moisture. An incredible day.

Our house holds up pretty well. The day after the rain, I notice that people on our street are literally emptying their basements and setting it all out for the garbage. We lose only a couple of area rugs.

I first notice we have a problem when I 'm in the washroom. From somewhere across the basement there is a drip-drip-drip . Then that sinking feeling. Oh no. We've sprung a leak. Water is seeping in in small amounts and slowly directing itself to a drain made for that purpose. Not bad. We can live with that.

It occurs to me that I ought to check the sump pump in our crawl space. I open the door, and there in all its glory is most of Lake Michigan, with the rest on the way. Or so it feels to me. I don my flood control outfit and crawl over to where I can take a look. The pump is dead. And buried. In water. I am definitely going to have to change socks later.

I unplug the pump and begin a wrestling match with it. I want to get it out of there so I can take it to the store and replace it. But nothing doing. The ejection pipe to which it is attached is situated in such a way that I can't move it out of its final resting place.

Meanwhile my wife is on the phone calling contractors, who are telling me what needs to be done, but unable to come help because they're suffering a deluge of a different kind: phone calls for help. After more struggling, and hearing the price quotes on a new pump, I finally take it to the Lord.

"Lord, start this thing." Not even an exclamation mark. Just your basic cry motivated from pure exhausted desperation.

And God really does it. I am motionless, I've given up. I stop. I pray. And within a few seconds, I hear something. Oh me of little faith calls out to the wife, "Did you turn the furnace on?"

She hasn't. It's the pump. I tell her it's running. She cries. I sit down and watch the most beautiful hole in all of Chicago slowly empty itself of gallon after gallon of water.

On and on it goes, until it gets to the bottom. Then that sound Junior gets when his straw reaches the end of the glass and there just isn't any more. Now what do I do?

Hey! Why not the same thing? I start to pray for it to shut off, but that doesn't happen. Even if it would, I'd have to be praying for the initial miracle to repeat itself and so on and on. It is time for me actually to learn something.

I see the switch laying out on the dry ground. Through some playing with it, and a few other purely human activities, I finally put this once-dead pump into full gear. It's been running fine ever since.

Now this is the day that I am to be carefully preparing for my first Voice Of The Martyrs presentation on Sunday. Also on Sunday I am to be starting the book of Job with my Korean students. I've planned a calm easy afternoon shut away by myself, praying, listening, reading... Instead Niagara Falls and a wrestling match. About four and a half hours of trauma.

Plenty to learn on a day like that. God still works miracles when needed. God still refuses miracles when not needed. God "gives to each day what he deems best." And the best preparation for the ministry is life itself.

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 .

Asking Amiss

Sometimes when we pray asking God for some things we want in our lives, God answers back with a big NO! This is not that he does not want us to have those things we are asking for but because the motive behind wanting them is wrong. We are asking amiss. God never blesses you for your own sake. He does not want you to have money so that you can only satisfy your needs and wants. God wants you to use that money to reach out to the needy in the society. Bless the work of God with what you have.

Other times, we want to have things so as we can show of to our friends, enemies and relatives. As a Christian, this is very wrong. In fact you will miss on your blessings because of your wrong motives. We want to be seen in the best of cars, clothes and houses. This is not wrong, in fact God wants his children to have the best. Let all these good things come, not because you are seeking for them but as a reward from God.

When you are asking amiss, too many things start to go wrong in your walk with God. Sometimes we tend to be offended with God. Yet we do not know that we are worsening our situation. When your work with God is holy, things in your life start to line up. You don't even care if you have the best of worldly stuff. All that matters is your walk with God. When you get to this point, God releases blessings in your life. Blessings you do not have room to contain.

Angela Mwema is a messenger to the world with the true and living word of God. Please visit her site for more spiritual nourishment. This is why-does-god-bless-us

Creation With a Message

The existence of God & His power was & still is made clear to all of mankind through what can be observed since & as a result of creation (cf. Ps.19:1-4; Isa.40:26; Rom.1:19, 20). Apart from this general revelation (cf. Isa. 46:10), God has also provided us with special revelation through His prophets (cf. Luke 16:29, 31; John 5:39; Jude 1:3). He did not leave us clue-less as to what the purpose & manner of our existence is supposed to be (cf. Ps. 50:15; Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 15:3), but gave us His Word, the Bible, as a guide to life (cf. Ps. 19:7-11; Luke 1:2; 2Tim. 3:16).

Obviously, there will be those who don't like this message, because it exposes their sin & calls for change (cf. John 3:19; 8:44-45). Their reaction is normally an attempt to eliminate the truth of the Bible from their minds either by clever reasoning and/or the invention of their own god(s) according to their preferences (cf. Rom. 1:21-25; 2Tim. 4:3). This ignorance will however not change God's everlasting Truth (cf. Ps. 119:89; Matt. 5:18; 24:35; Acts 5:38, 39; 1Pet. 1:25), but will end in the judgment of those who continue in their unbelief / ignorance (cf. John 15:24; Acts 17:30; Eph. 4:18). After all, by not believing something, it doesn't automatically become invalidated and/or false. For example, a blind man may not be able to perceive light, but that doesn't void the reality of light.

Over the ages there has been many onslaughts against the Truth and presently, in my opinion, a certain well-known church-movement forms part of the antichrist's means of paving the way towards a unified religion whereby most, common religions are accepted & even included. And what better way to inject society with this kind of tolerant attitude than through a world-renown person? Straight-out lies & falsehoods can be recognised quickly whereas half-truths, such as a religion that makes mention of Jesus, but doesn't acknowledge His diety, are easily accepted & even believed (cf. 1 John 4:3-5).

Jesus warned us about false Christs & prophets that will deceive many with signs, wonders, & appearances (Matt. 24:11, 24), and He also taught that there is no other way to salvation than through Him (cf. John 14:6) as both Lord & Saviour (cf. Rom.10:9; 14:11; Php.2:11). Those who only want Jesus as Saviour, but not as Lord of their lives, will eventually contradict the Gospel by way of their lives (John 12:48; 1 Thes. 4:7-8; 2 Tim. 3:5; James 2:20, 26), and that is exactly what distinguishes geniune faith from the false (cf. Luke 3:7-9; 6:44; John 15:5).

2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you- unless, of course, you fail the test?"

Deon (Ditto / D)

The Whole Armor of God

"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6: 11-12.

As a Christian we must embrace the battle that rages in the realm of the spirit. We being mind, body, and spirit must always first trust our spirit. This is the place that God speaks to our inner soul. This spirit also moves in a realm that is more real than our natural existence. As a child we move first in body then mind. As a young adult and older, maturity has us move more in our minds first. When we mature in Jesus Christ we learn that our mind must cling to the spirit of God.

When we accept this spirit of God it gives us power in the spirit realm that can directly affect what happens in this natural world. It is no doubt our battle is not in flesh and blood. We truly battle against demonic forces beyond our natural perception. These forces oppress and possess the minds and bodies of men. The fall of mankind from the first Adam till present day times has been affected by these forces. All Evil Spirits have a mission of diluting and destroying the message of Jesus Christ through whatever means necessary. This includes killing those who preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Knowing that Satan and his demonic forces look to destroy the works of good, Christians, must put on the "whole armor of God". These pieces include...The Breastplate Of Righteousness, The Shield Of Faith, The Belt Of Truth, The Shoes Of The Gospel Of Peace, The Helmet Of Salvation, and The Sword Of The Spirit.

1. The Breastplate Of Righteousness refers the a man keeping himself away from sin, therefore protecting him from death, which is the result of sin.

2. The Shield Of Faith is our protection from doubt in turn protecting us from all the lies and deception that exist in this world. Paul refers to these deceptions as "fiery darts of the wicked"

3. The Belt Of Truth is what keeps us from stumbling in our understanding of God. The bible says that we worship God in spirit and truth.

4. The Shoes Of The Gospel Of Peace refers to Gods desire that we be peacemakers. "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." 2 Cor. 13:11

5. The Helmet Of Salvation refers to mans choice to believe in Jesus Christ therefore securing a place for the soul(mind) in heaven.

6. The Sword Of The Spirit is the word of God. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus fought him by quoting the word of God.

These pieces are essential to fighting against devils. If we choose to not embrace these principles it will certainly result in a spiritual death. Spiritual death is what cuts us off from God and this is why Satan works so hard to achieve this.

Friends, trust in God in all you do. "That ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, stand therefore." Eph. 6:13-14

James Alford

http://www.singleseed.com

I Was Not Placed Here to Condemn - But to Shine

I was not placed in this position to condemn anybody. I was placed here to shine in order that those who do not know light may witness light and be drawn to the light.

I frequently notice how Christians tend to lash out at non-christians. They hit them on their heads with the bible and condemn them of their sins. Why? Do you not know that we are here not to judge but to shine so that others may see our light and in their witnessing our light that shines through, that they too will seek after the light and come to the light.

John 12:45 "And he who sees me sees Him who sent me."

12:46 "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness"

12:47 "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him: for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world".

Verse 45 states that when someone sees Jesus, they see God. Likewise when someone sees you they should be seeing Jesus, or possibly it could be that you will be the closest thing to Jesus that they will ever see.

Verse 46, in my personal translation, says let your light, which is Jesus in you, shine through that others will see the light and come to know the light and darkness in their lives will automatically be gone.

Verse 47 Jesus says that He did not come to Judge but to save. Do we set out to Judge the world or do we go into the world and let our light shine.

John 3:17 "For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved". Do we as Christians, rush out and start to bash people over their heads with the bible and convict them of their sins, or do we quietly go out, sit amongst the sinners and let our lights shine so that they are automatically drawn to the light? I wonder which approach Jesus chose?

How many Christians do you know that have absolutely no fellowship with non-christians. How will the non-christian ever come to see the light if we do not take the light out. We open churches in nice buildings, which is great, but sometimes the church building acts as a lampshade and all the christians go hide their lights in the building. When they leave the building many turn their lights off that they may go unnoticed! How can we ever be the light of the world and shine to the lost if we hide in buildings and keep turning our lights off?

I remember many years ago, how my earthly father, who was a fairly devout Roman Catholic at the stage, proudly explained to me how religion was a personal thing and how he hid his religion so well that most people in his work place thought that he was an atheist. SHAME. I did eventually, many years later, manage to lead him into a true relationship with Jesus. How? I never ever preached to him and never hit him over the head with the bible, but my light shone through and when he was sickly, he called for me. He had seen the light and realised that he needed the same light as what I had.

Now I am not saying to any of you that we should stop preaching and close the churches. I am saying that we should go out into our own little worlds and shine so that others will see the light. The light will attract them and they will be drawn to the source of the light which is Jesus. They will want Jesus and will come to him of free will, not because you hit them on the head. If you hit someone every time you see them , they will avoid you and run away from you. If you carry the light while you hit them they will come to hate the light as it starts to represent punishment to them.

Love them. Everyone craves to be loved and when you love them with your light, they associate the light with love and are then attracted to the light.

Now my great commission to you, the Christian, is to go into the whole wide world and let your light shine. Go to places where you would not normally go, and let your light shine into the darkness there. Do not let the darkness overcome the light, so make sure that the lamp in you has sufficient oil, so that it does not go out.

I frequently notice how Christians tend to lash out at non-christians. They hit them on their heads with the bible and condemn them of their sins. Why? Do you not know that we are here not to judge but to shine so that others may see our light and in their witnessing our light that shines through, that they too will seek after the light and come to the light.

John 12:45 "And he who sees me sees Him who sent me."

12:46 "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness"

12:47 "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him: for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world".

Verse 45 states that when someone sees Jesus, they see God. Likewise when someone sees you they should be seeing Jesus, or possibly it could be that you will be the closest thing to Jesus that they will ever see.

Verse 46, in my personal translation, says let your light, which is Jesus in you, shine through that others will see the light and come to know the light and darkness in their lives will automatically be gone.

Verse 47 Jesus says that He did not come to Judge but to save. Do we set out to Judge the world or do we go into the world and let our light shine.

John 3:17 "For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved". Do we as Christians, rush out and start to bash people over their heads with the bible and convict them of their sins, or do we quietly go out, sit amongst the sinners and let our lights shine so that they are automatically drawn to the light? I wonder which approach Jesus chose?

How many Christians do you know that have absolutely no fellowship with non-christians. How will the non-christian ever come to see the light if we do not take the light out. We open churches in nice buildings, which is great, but sometimes the church building acts as a lampshade and all the christians go hide their lights in the building. When they leave the building many turn their lights off that they may go unnoticed! How can we ever be the light of the world and shine to the lost if we hide in buildings and keep turning our lights off?

I remember many years ago, how my earthly father, who was a fairly devout Roman Catholic at the stage, proudly explained to me how religion was a personal thing and how he hid his religion so well that most people in his work place thought that he was an atheist. SHAME. I did eventually, many years later, manage to lead him into a true relationship with Jesus. How? I never ever preached to him and never hit him over the head with the bible, but my light shone through and when he was sickly, he called for me. He had seen the light and realised that he needed the same light as what I had.

Now I am not saying to any of you that we should stop preaching and close the churches. I am saying that we should go out into our own little worlds and shine so that others will see the light. The light will attract them and they will be drawn to the source of the light which is Jesus. They will want Jesus and will come to him of free will, not because you hit them on the head. If you hit someone every time you see them , they will avoid you and run away from you. If you carry the light while you hit them they will come to hate the light as it starts to represent punishment to them.

Love them. Everyone craves to be loved and when you love them with your light, they associate the light with love and are then attracted to the light.

Now my great commission to you, the Christian, is to go into the whole wide world and let your light shine. Go to places where you would not normally go, and let your light shine into the darkness there. Do not let the darkness overcome the light, so make sure that the lamp in you has sufficient oil, so that it does not go out.

Compliments of http://www.his-love.us a place of daily inspiration and where you are able to contribute your testimonials in order to touch others. We encourage your participation.

He is God? Or He is Nuts, a Liar, a Blasphemer?

"Christianity is not the only truth in the world but it is the only complete truth." C.S. Lewis

There is a big problem in our world today, "What do we do about or what do we think about Jesus. For the Christian, He is everything. For believers of Judaism He is yet to come, for the Muslim he is but a great teacher and for other religions he is insignificant. Regardless of what you, dear reader, believe on the subject, I would think you would have to agree that Jesus is probably the most divisive subjects and the reason for much of the hatred that exists in the world today.

The opening statement by C. S. Lewis, "Christianity is not the only truth in the world but it is the only complete truth," will be offensive to some, but I want to explore is merits or it faults with you. Lewis is saying that he is willing to declare that there are elements of truth in all religious beliefs, but after much study and "sole" searching, he has determined Christianity is the most complete of all beliefs. Is it?

For us to get a definitive insight into the statement by Lewis, we need to get a glimpse of Lewis in real life. C. S. Lewis (Better know for his books The Chronicles of Narnia) was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1898. Lewis, a confirmed atheist, was accepted at Oxford; and two friends he met there, J.R.R. Tolkien (A Roman Catholic and author of Lord of the Rings) and Owen Barfield (a new Christian convert) challenged him and in 1929 Lewis became a theist, acknowledging the possibility that a God did exist; two years later, 1931, he became a Christian. Some of the other books by Lewis are: Pilgrim's Regress, Mere Christianity, The Abolition of Man, Miracles, The Problem of Pain, The Screwtape Letters, and the Great Divorce are a few.

Being inspired by the life and works of C.S. Lewis, I have determined to try to reason with those of you who do not believe in God, to those of you who say that somebody had to create the world (theist), to those of you who believe in only one God, (monothiest) to those of you who believe in a triune God, and to those of you who are in a state of spiritual confusion, a task for which I am not sure I am up to. Nevertheless, the following is my attempt at doing just that.

Theist, atheist, monotheist and agnostic

A theist is someone who believes that there is a creative force behind the universe coming into existence. An atheist is someone who simply does not believe in God. A monotheist is a person who believes in one God and one God only. An agnostic is a person who wants to believe in God but is always confused as to his existence.

I tell you about Lewis, because he goes from not believing in a God, to the possibility of there being a God and ultimately that not only was there a God, but that God became flesh and dwelt among men. In other words he came to believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God as well as God Himself and that the Holy Spirit is God also. In other words, Lewis believed in the Trinity, that God was God, Jesus was God and the Holy Spirit was God.

That may very well parallel your life or it could be the complete opposite of your life. At this point in time I am not concerned with whether you acknowledge Jesus as being God or not. What I want to explore with you is both sides of the issue. If Jesus was not who he said he was, God incarnate, he was the biggest nut, liar and blasphemer the world had known at the time. Why do I say that?

One of the many problems a writer has to deal with is, "Where do I start?" I have chosen to start with Jesus Christ. He either was who he said he was, God, or He was the biggest nut, liar, or blasphemer that ever lived. Since we find his claim to be God, found in the Christian Bible, we will use that as a basis to prove or disprove his claim to be God and thus be able to forgive sins.

Let's explore some of the passages in the Christian Bible concerning Jesus:

" But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins," is found in three of the Gospels: Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:10 and Luke 5:24.

If you walked down Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana today and heard someone saying they had power to forgive sins, what would you think about that? Go back in time to when the above text was written. This "man" Jesus was telling the multitude that exact same thing. Was he nuts, or was he who he said he was, God incarnate and the very Son of God?

Suppose we are intrigued enough to continue listening to this prophet of Bourbon Street, and before long he said the following, which is found in the Gospel of John chapter 1:1-3: " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.

The Prophet of Bourbon Street is intimating, that in the very beginning, not only was he with God, but that he was God and everything in the world that was made was made by him. Was he nuts, or was he who he said he was?

We are still standing there listening and we hear this said, as is found in John 1:10-14: He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

And now the Prophet of Bourbon Street is telling us he has the power to make you and I become the sons of God. And quoting from John 1:18: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. This Prophet of Bourbon Street is now telling us that you are looking at God. Was he nuts, or was he who he said he was?

I do not know about you, but I would be very skeptical about this so called Prophet of Bourbon Street and I would probably say not only was He nuts but somebody ought to lock the man up or do away with him completely. And that is exactly what happened in 33 AD/C.E. when the Jewish leaders of the day did not accept the words of Jesus and demanded that he be killed (crucified).

Matthew 15:9-10 : But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

Matthew 15:12-13: And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him.

Perhaps you are Jewish and are still looking for Messiah. Perhaps you are as skeptical, or envious, about Jesus too, perhaps not. Perhaps you do not know enough to "make the call one way or the other." Perhaps you are Muslim and believe as the Quran does, that He was a prophet but not the Son of God, and surely not God himself, but only a messenger of God.

Quran 4:171 O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three" - Cease! (it is) better for you! - Allah is only One Allah. Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender.

Quran 5:75 The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) had passed away before him. And his mother was a saintly woman. And they both used to eat (earthly) food. See how We make the revelations clear for them, and see how they are turned away!

This we know: The Jews are expecting Jesus to come someday. The Muslims say he came but was only a messenger from God. The Christians say not only has he come but that he is God. We can say for certain, that all of these religious viewpoints acknowledge a Jesus. Was he who he said he was, or was he a nut?

If he was not who he said he was, he was completely nuts and should not be taken seriously; If he was who he said he was, you need to find out more about him. That is what I have done, and I challenge you to do the same.

I believe that Jesus is God and that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe the Son of God came to earth where He dwelt for 33 years. I believe that the Jews of that time thought him to be a blasphemer and persuaded King Agrippa to allow his crucifixion. I also believe He was crucified and buried for the sins of the world and that three days later God resurrected him for the justification of man's sin.

You see, I do not believe Jesus was a nut nor a liar nor a blasphemer. I believe He was who he claimed to be: God.

In 1975 Obed began a non-denominational church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was the pastor-teacher there for twenty-five years. In 2000 he and his wife Linda moved to Franklin, Tennessee to be near three of his six grandchildren.

Obed has published two books on how one should study the Bible and numerous pamphlets on religious issues. He often travels to speak at Bible conferences in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and his adopted state of Tennessee.

Obed and Linda have three sons, Wayne, who lives in Brentwood, Tennessee with his wife Fran and three children, and is a songwriter/producer; Karey, who lives in Pacific Palisades, California with his wife Nada and three children, and is a screen writer/director; and Brent, who lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife Agneiszka and is a singer/songwriter.

A Spotless Mind

How marvelous is the human mind. It has the capacity to amass hundreds of thousands of thoughts and memories. It is the only organ in the human body upon which every other organ and member is totally reliant. No other organ or member of the body has such magnificent responsibility as the brain. Speaking of members; do you realize that your head is the only member of your body that contains every one of the body's senses? Of the body's five senses sight, sound, taste, smell, and even touch four are located within the head.

I do not think it coincidental that Christ is called the "Head" of the "body, which is the church (Eph. 4:15 & Col 1:18)." The body consists of many members, but there can only be one head. The abilities to see, hear, to taste, smell and feel are totally and exclusively dependent upon the head. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you support your pastor. He has been called by God to lead the members of the body of Christ in your community. He is given the unction that makes us function.

Support your pastor. He is to cast the vision of the church (i.e. evangelism), you are to catch the vision, and then you are to cast your nets into the sea of humanity; Cast, catch, cast. You are called to be fishers of men not hearers of sermons. Remember to obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for them. I am certain that they have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. (Heb 13:17-18. Paraphrase and emphasis mine)

Colossians 1:20-23 teaches, "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard..." (NIV, Emphasis added.)

1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Sweet is the blessing that drips from the brow of a spotless mind.

Author's Bio: Born in 1973, raised in Southwest Louisiana, Joshua Olmsted is a divorced father of four, raising his children while serving his local assembly, Jesus Worship Center of Jennings, LA (Rev. Clifton J. LeJeune, Sr. Pastor). His professional career involves Offshore Natural Gas & Petroleum Facility Operations in which he has become a senior operator/supervisor over the past 10 years of service to the industry. He is a former Deputy-Sheriff of the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Department, a former locally-licensed minister of the U.P.C.I. and, served his country as a U.S. Marine. He is a frequent freelance writer and contributor to many publications, including; The Pentecostal Herald magazine, The Louisiana Challenger magazine, Apostolic Information Services, Indiana Bible College Perspectives Magazine, PreachIt.org, Jennings Daily Newspaper of Jennings LA, and more.

Struggling With Spiritual

I have wrestled with this thing called your spiritual side for many a year. When someone would say to me, you need to get in touch with your spiritual side I would close down. I was brought up in a strict religious, church going family. I started rebelling against the church when I was a teenager, so when someone said I needed to get in touch with my spiritual side; to me they were saying go back to church.

Now for me that was not an option. I had tried going back to a few different churches and I could never find one that I felt comfortable with. A few years ago I started re-reading the Bible, it had been at least forty years since I had even looked at one. I guess I picked up one that had been changed, because it was saying things that were different than what I had been taught as a kid. Of course it was the same bible that my folks had given me when I was about fourteen. I guess maybe because I was just reading it without any preconceived notions, or maybe because I read the whole thing and not just the selected parts.

This started me on a quest, which Ill probably be on for the rest of my life. The problem I have with most churches is that they accept the bible as the final word and wont even look at any other evidence of history. If there is anything said that might contradict how they have been told to interpret it, they just say its not possible. To me that is just not acceptable. Im sure there are those who say we dont have to look because we know this is the truth. For myself, I have found that a lot of what we thought we knew as truth, turned out to be something entirely different.

About this point your probably wondering ok where is he going with all of this, weve heard all these religious arguments before. True enough, I am just trying to establish where I am coming from. This spiritual thing is a whole new ball game for me.

OK what is this spiritual side? To me it is getting to know and accept yourself. Once you start down that path, then you start to realize, you have to also love yourself. For those of us that have been around for over a half a century that is a little hard to come to grips with. After all, men had to be tough, showing emotions was not allowed. Wonder whom the insidious jackass that came up with that was?

Lets go back to loving yourself, just what does that mean. Like any form of love putting it in words is never easy. I mean, gee whiz I want to be taller, more muscular, better looking, etc. I dont believe that is what this is about. We have to accept our inter-self, how we think, act and react. When someone cuts you off in traffic, can you just forgive them? How about when it happens apologize to them for being in the way. Wow now hes gone off the deep end. Well maybe, but I have read some who say that any negative reaction is caused by our own self and if we apologize to the person that we think created that negative reaction then both will benefit.

If we cant love ourselves then how can we love anyone else? Is love, hate too strong? Well if we are uncomfortable with who we are, isnt that going to cloud how we see others? When you look up the original word for devil in the bible, one of the definitions in Strongs concordance when translated into English is adversary. Now who is our biggest adversary? In my opinion our biggest adversary is our own ego. Does your own ego keep you from loving yourself? I think it does, because we dont want to admit that we are wrong, or something we did caused the problem, no it had to be the other person. That brings to mind a saying I heard years ago, My situation is myself. Darn I think that means Im responsible for myself.

Once we can love ourselves, we can begin to love others. Now the bible says to love your enemy, thats a tough one. Well how about when someone does something that we disagree with or is against your core beliefs. What if instead of getting mad or upset with that person or thing you stopped and thought to yourself, that poor person sure must be lacking in love. Put your love out, if you cant direct it directly to that person or thing just put love out to the universe and let it go where it will do the most good. If they will accept it good if they cant then someone else can have the benefit.

If I had heard that a few years ago, I probably have said what in the world is he talking about? Has he become one of those New Ager guys with all kinds of wild ideas? Putting love out into the universe, how can you do that? Maybe thats what this spiritual side is about. Because it makes sense to me now and I can feel love and wish love to go out from me to someone or just out to the universe for whom ever needs it. Its actually a great feeling when you do it and as the old saying goes what goes around, comes around. Now I dont know about you, but for me I prefer to have love coming back to me.

Charlie Phillips has been in construction, and has done everything from labor, carpenter, heavy equipment operator and contractor. Owned and operated of his own truck over forty-eight states and three provinces in Canada. He never attempted much writing until he came across a little tool called spell checker. There are no titles after his name, just a lot of life experiences. Website: http://www.charliephillips.net

What Does Christ's Church Look Like?

If we know anything about the mind of Christ, then we must also know something about His mind for His church. In other words, if any of us have caught a glimpse of Christ then we should also have a pretty good idea of what His church should look like. Otherwise, if we can't imagine what Christ's church looks like, then how can we claim to know Christ?

So, if Christ were leading His church, what would that look like? My answer to this is... I don't know. Or at least I don't know from watching this play out before my fleshly eyes. This is the honest answer for anyone whose primary idea of "church" has been a building, a paid pastor and all the usual, western fixin's.

If your idea of church is not these things and yet you're still taking part in these things, then why? Maybe you know better... or maybe you're fooling yourself into thinking you know better. I'll believe you when you say "I know better" as soon as you start acting better.

But God's Spirit will lead us into freedom.

The first step toward freedom and obedience is to take care of our unfinished business with the Almighty. When our consciences are clear before God, then we will be free to confront any life-circumstance.

The same quality of freedom applies to God's people despite all the hardship or opposition that the world can assemble against us. Our successfulness or lack thereof is not ours to measure. It is our place to obey Christ directly and then trust Him to work out the end product of these things.

If we belong to Christ, then it is fitting that we should stumble around and fail miserably every time we try to live apart from Him.

by Patrick Roberts

http://www.BooksByPatrick.com

Patrick is an average Christ-seeker. His goal is to turn people to Jesus Christ.

Confucius

52 Ways to Live a Better Life by Shadonna Richards

Infinity Publishing (2009)

ISBN 9780741451675

Shadonna Richards, a Canadian registered nurse, freelance writer and former newspaper columnist, has put together a simple but concise book on how to live a better life. As a nurse working with terminally ill cancer patients, who are told they have only six months to live, she was inspired to write empowering words of wisdom. Richards also interviewed many individuals for her newspaper columns, thus compiling inspirational stories to encourage us to look at our own lives, makes changes as necessary, and to live a fulfilled life. Although her resources are Canadian, the concept of her book is global and I'm sure readers will find similar resources in their respective countries and areas.

"A Gift of Hope" is designed to be used as a workbook, with each week having an exercise to be done daily. For example, the first week starts with "Stay Mentally Fit." The text talks about the stresses in our lives and then gives exercises. The first exercise for the first week is to "Identify, then rectify." Richards says "A crucial part of any solution is locating the problem. Do worries keep you up at night? Go directly to the source of your tension." The second exercise for the first week is "Detox Your Mind." Richards says "We always have a choice. We can choose to dwell on being hopeless in situations or dwell on having hope."

The second week covers "Dare to Dream: Believe that Anything is Possible" and captures president-elect Barrack Obama's "Yes We Can" powerful slogan. Using his story and his dreams, Richards iterates that our dreams can become reality if we persist and believe.

Other weeks cover topics like: Understand That Money Isn't Everything, Reach out to those in Need, and Be the Friend You Desire to Have. For the purpose of this review I didn't have the opportunity to test the system for a full 52 weeks; however, being a student and teacher of transformation, I know it works. Shadonna Richards has provided a book, "A Gift of Hope," to take us to a higher level of consciousness, a place where we can manage our personal lives with ease and contentment.

http://www.readerviews.com/

My General Spiritual Beliefs

Your Covenant with Death

As we walk in the beautiful raze of the sun, we dont take much time considering our death nor or eternal home. The Bible tells us that we have an appointment and a covenant, with death and an agreement with Hell.

Isa 28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Do men actually believe these doctrines will save them in the time of Christs reappearance? Do they believe, Wood, Hay and Stubble, will keep them from the fire of eternal damnation?

Isa 28:15, are the thoughts and words of those that have, and will reject God and His son Jesus. From the Mosaic Law to the Law of Grace and Mercy.

As was in the Days of the Mosaic Law, today there are multitudes that reject the word of God. The Bible is one of the most read books in the history of the world. Many read it to find salvation and guidance and others read it to find fault.

Many scholars of the past and the present, have tried to avoid this subject, many saying that hell is just an imaginary place created by the church and death is just the end of life, no reward nor punishment. Isa 28:15, Covenant; A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, to do or to forbear some act or thing; a contract; stipulation. Agreement; Union of minds in regard to a transfer of interest; bargain; compact; contract; stipulation.

The covenant with death came with the fall of Adam. We are all born into the curse that Adam and Eve placed us with. We are all of the Family of Man, from the beginning to the end. Now being born so, we also hold the same responsibility of abiding to the covenant that Adam brought upon all. So we are appointed to die.

Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Act 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
The agreement that many sign with hell, is the spiritual and not the physical body, that enters into a contract with hell to abide by no rules nor limitations on our actions as a physical being. Satisfying the flesh while letting Satan have the soul.

Deu 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. The word,Hell is mentioned 55 times in the KJV.

All with the idea that it is a place of utter torment and a result of Gods anger with mankind. Psa 21:8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee. Many say, they dont need God, we are beautiful, we are intelligent, we are in control of our own destiny, we are gods of ourselves. We have attained the summit of intellect, wisdom, knowledge and understanding of our world, and the universe is ours to plunder and shape.

Psa 21:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

In Mat 23:13, we see an example of the things going on in the time of Jesus, but we also see things that are going on in our world today. There are many teachers, teaching for doctrines of man, things that are contrary to the Scriptures, false religions, false doctrines, books written by man, for man, by the will of man and not of God.
Bibles that are written by man that alter Gods word, false prophets are made to be something when they are not, for example, the Books of, Nostradamus, Scientology, Joseph Smith, the Church of Satan bible, Marshal Applewhite, Jim Jones, the new world religion, and many many others.

Man has created himself gods of stone, wood, gold and paper. Its not just these men but also those that believe in them. Mankind has, sense the time of Adam, sought to make gods many that would supply the lust of the flesh and make salvation easier to obtain, these times were the days of darkness.

Mat 23:13; But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Just as with the followers of Nostradamus, his writings are so vague that anyone could intreprete any of his words, to mean anything they wanted. Its not the words but mans use of those words, that create a real and present danger. These writings are the writings of confusion and deception. If they would take the book as a fantasy, things would be different. But the use of these words create a stumbling block to them who teach, and a wall of ignorance to all who listen and believe. Just as Jesus stated; ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. Ignorance and Indifference make men susceptible to all manner of false doctrine, accepting these things, results in a pact with death and an appointment with hell.
False preacher,Prophets and Ministers of Lies; Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Mat 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Ars
Isa 28:9 - shall he teach: Isa_30:10-12; Psa_50:17; Pro_1:29; Jer_5:31, Jer_6:10; Joh_3:19, Joh_12:38, Joh_12:47, Joh_12:48 doctrine: Heb. The hearing, Isa_53:1 *marg.

Weaned: Psa_131:2; Mat_11:25, Mat_21:15, Mat_21:16; Mar_10:15; 1Pe_2:2, Deu 32:22 - For a fire: Deu_29:20; Num_16:35; Psa_21:9, Psa_83:14, Psa_97:3; Isa_66:15, Isa_66:16; Jer_4:4, Jer_15:14; Jer_17:4; Lam_2:3, Lam_4:11; Eze_36:5; Nah_1:6; Mal_4:1, Mal_4:2; Mar_9:43-48; 2Th_1:8; Heb_12:29

shall burn: or, hath burned lowest: Psa_86:13; Isa_30:33; Zep_3:8; Mat_10:28, Mat_18:9, Mat_23:33 shall consume: or, hath consumed, Isa_24:6, Isa_24:19, Isa_24:20 foundations: Job_9:5, Job_9:6; Psa_46:2, Psa_144:5; Isa_54:10; Mic_1:4; Nah_1:5; Hab_3:10

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

History Written for Children

When is history fun? When it is told or written in story form. Children are more responsive to stories of true events than they are to reading a conventional history book.
Shirley Nelson author of What Happened Here? saw the need for a local history book and wrote it so that children and adults would enjoy learning from it.

Shirley Nelson, author of What Happened Here, took time out from her very busy schedule to give us at Far West Books and Gifts an interview.

What made Shirley want to write a book about the history of this area (Coos and Curry counties, Oregon)? Shirley taught school in Medford, Oregon for several years. The last couple of years she taught fourth grade. At that time, fourth grade children learned Oregon History. Shirley thought they would enjoy stories more and they could learn history that way. She read to them stories about true events written in a way that children could understand. Shirley found that the children responded better to the stories written about history better than reading history.

When Shirley retired and moved here to Port Orford, Oregon, she started to learn about all the rich history of this area. Her idea was to write a book about the stories of the local history, a book which children would like and was in a simple vocabulary that children could understand but adults would read also. Many adults buy the book not only for themselves but for their children also. It was the idea that these stories are interesting, they tell us about who we are and where we come from. Shirley wanted to do it in a form that people would enjoy. There are many excellent history books written on this area, but they are big and long and technical. Many people will not pick them off the shelves and read them. (Shirley included a bibliography of Oregon History books in What Happened Here?)

What Happened Here? is in its second printing and available at several local stores. Far West Books and Gifts now has it available at our on-line store at booksatfarwest.com.
What Happened Here? has received very good reviews from Librarians, Historians and other authors.

When you are ready to learn more about the local history of Coos and Curry counties of Southern Oregon, this book should be on your list. It has fourteen short stories about local stories and legends based on the history of Coos and Curry counties, five maps, 22 pictures and a historical time line from 1848 to 1945. It is also very informative to new residents or visitors of the area.

Catherine Dahrens is the owner of Far West Books and Gifts, an on-line book store located at http://www.booksatfarwest.com

Bible Studies For Women

In difficult times, studying the Bible is more important than ever. Following Jesus with whole-hearted devotion means clinging to Him day by day. And this means really digging into the Bible. As a wife, mother, professional, homeschooling parent, student, or young teenager--whatever life stage you're in-Bible studies for women can help you rise above difficulties, discover new joy, and fall in love with the Savior.

But these times are also busy times, so how do we create the space to do Bible studies for women? Here are some ideas that might inspire you:

1) Read the Bible during meals. We need God's Word as much or more than eating! Develop a reading plan that follows chapter by chapter in each different type of book in the Bible, like historical, wisdom literature, prophets, gospels, letters, etc. If this is too much planning for you find some kind of Bible studies for women and use the verses as a devotional.

2) Read a Psalm from The Message right before you go to sleep at night. Choose a short passage that strikes a chord deep in your heart, memorize it, and make it your mission for the next day. Remember and pray about it even before you get out of bed.

3) Find a woman's small group and get encouragement for Bible study. Many Bible studies for women are online.

4) Search for a mentor that will help you study the Bible for yourself.

5) Use a One Year Bible or the reading plan in the back of a study Bible.

6) Aim to spend time with Jesus first thing in the morning, even if it's just for five minutes! Spending time with Jesus and doing Bible studies for women is not meant to be a burden or another item you check off on your to-do list, but a source of true joy! Whether we acknowledge it or not, we need Him moment by moment, day by day.

7) Practice the presence of Jesus. Imagine Him there with you throughout the day. What is He doing? Where is He? What is He saying? What is His facial expression?

Bible studies for women is not about "cranking the blanks" and getting all the right answers. It's about deepening your relationship with Christ, for you to grow, and for you to become a more fruitful vessel, an instrument of God!

For more inspiration, including a newly published Bible study for women called Becoming God's Bride, go to http://www.angelartswebstore.com/books.html

You will be inspired to cling to Jesus and walk with Him in whole-hearted devotion, in difficult times and good times alike!

The Source of Every Good and Precious Gift

"They will gnaw their tongues in anguish but they will not repent."

This quotation from the Book of Revelation describes very accurately what is happening in our society today. The notion that this was once a Christian nation is misguided.

Even so, we once acknowledged the existence of God and respected His moral laws. We did not always keep them but we knew we were wrong when we did not. In Natural Theology that is the glue that binds together a society. Now it is coming apart. Secular atheism has convinced the people as a whole that if there is a God (and most likely there is not), He is wholly other and we do not need to be concerned.

The anti-God, anti-Bible, anti-morality trends have become so pronounced and oppressive that we are now under divine judgment. Fifty years ago we did not believe what is happening to us now could take place. But it is and it is only going to get worse because while many people know that something is very wrong, no one will acknowledge what it is.

We are close to an unprecedented outbreak of natural disasters, plagues of new diseases that we have no medicines to deal with, and moral and economic collapse. Soon our military will be second rate (or worse) and who knows what will happen then.

Repentance is the only solution but no one is talking about that and no one is interested. Thus the God we profess not to believe in has decided it is time for this civilization to go the way of history-and it will.

Dr. D. Earl Cripe

Honest Opinion on God

Spiritual Dictionary
Christian Articles

Hoping to Enter Heaven - Religious Views Based on Hope

I was told by an advertising executive one day that all of your advertisements need to deliver some sort of hope for the people you're trying to persuade into buying your products. Funny, if you think about it, I got some and great advice about life from someone in the advertisement business.

Most people are looking for hope, in everything they do. Most of our daily activities revolve around hope and this gives our lives some sort of direction. If you believe in an almighty being and creator of the universe, often you will try to please him, ....or her, ....or it, in hopes of entering the kingdom of heaven or the promised land after you die.

Often our fears will increase our levels of hoping, the fear of doing something against your religion can often inspire you to become a more spiritual person, a good and moral person. Fear of making the wrong choices will inspire us to make better, moral choices, all for the sake of acquiring a ticket to Heaven or Nirvana. You're hoping, your good deeds on earth will earn you a place in heaven.

Most people are afraid of dying and leaving this world, for good. They don't know where they're going and that seems to scare most people. If we can offer someone a little hope, that they are going to a much better place than here, we can often ease the pain and suffering associated with death. I have to admit, most religions of the world promise another world, after we're done with this one.

If you're living a honest and moral life with the hopes of living a bountiful life in heaven, could you be wrong. What if you're seeking Hope in the wrong religion? If you're a Christian and the Hindus are right and you're wrong, do you get to enter there eternal kingdom.

Think about this question, I'm about to ask you. What if spend your whole life studying your religion and it's wrong? There is no heaven and when you die, that's the end of your existence

Have you ever wondered why you believe in your religion and someone in another country or even a couple of miles away believes in something entirely different.

Don't get mad at me or yourself, simply think about the question for a while, this question has transformed my life and put me on a wonderful spiritual path of learning.

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, The Power of Intention

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.

Creating Success For Teenagers

Receiving Your Just Reward As a Christian

Most Christians believe that their life is about glorifying God. Living a life on Earth as a representative of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These people read the Bible often receiving what they perceive and believe as visions or understandings of the Scripture. If you ask a Christian, "What is your ultimate goal in Christianity?" You'll probably get a response like," To be a good Christian," or maybe "Seeking the glory of the kingdom" are how about "To actually perform a task like helping others, starting a church, missionary work or something along the lines of Mother Teresa.

I was listening to a sermon the other day when the pastor said, "That he would not do this if it wasn't true if I couldn't expect the resurrection from the dead, where everything would be paid back to me a thousand fold for everything that I have laid down for the service of Jesus. I wouldn't go this way."

Do you think this person is looking to receive their just reward as a Christian, living a life of a pastor at a mega-church and converting thousands to Christianity should give him plenty of rewards in the promised land. Now the problem I have is, when he mentions that he would not do this if it wasn't true. How does he actually know that it is true? Just stop and think about this statement for a second.

Some people respond when asked this question with total confidence. They might even respond with a look on their face like, "Helloooooooooooo!" You've got to be kidding me, Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior, he was God's son put on earth to fulfill prophecy or any other answer that sounds good but provides very little factual support to this religion. In other words, it might not be true, what if it isn't true and you've been caught up in a false prophecy.

How many Christians are living a life, seeking their just reward? These people are living a life of denial, wanting to do other things but can not because of their religious beliefs. If they were to try something new or different, this could somehow penalized them and eliminate their final payment or reward, for providing years of service to the faith of Christianity.

Christianity controls its faith like most religions, through fear, suffering, love and of course guilt. Without guilt, modern religions would have problems functioning. How many people give money or time to their religions based on fear instead of love? If you search your soul to justify your actions or beliefs, how many of them are based on guilt, fear or suffering, instead of love.

Life Changing Books

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 religious help 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.

Fighting In Gods Name

Inspiration at the Movies

Finding something you don't like about yourself is usually very easy for most people. Most of the time you don't even have to ask your family or friends because you have heard them complain about the same thing for years. How many times have you heard someone mention, I need to lose weight?

There are plenty of things that people would like to stop doing or start doing. If you're a smoker and you seem to shop excessively near the casinos, I would advise you to start with something small and work your way up to the big stuff.

What are you going to change today about your life? Make a list of things that you're not happy with about your life and start making the changes today that you need to create the life you deserve and desire.

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 personal development video library filled with great movies 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.

Always Question Your Religion
Wandering Or Lost Souls

Think Twice About the Following Your Leaders - Don't Follow to Close

Large organizations do it, world governments and religions also do it. I'm not talking about sex, I'm talking about imposing their wills and doctrine on their followers. The control others have on our lives can be extremely stressful and full of guilt if we choose to believe that these people are right.

It never has made sense to me that God could let all the horrible things in the world continue to go on, even though he is a loving and compassionate parental figure. Religions and governments seem to be the biggest culprits here, they impose their will and doctrine on others less fortunate. When I say less fortunate, what I'm referring to is the people that don't get to make the rules and are known as the followers.

If the United States government chooses to go to war with another country, it can print money on paper and scraps of metal while convincing the rest of the world and United States citizens that this means something and has value attached to it. They can then use this money to finance what they would like to acquire or accomplish, even if it doesn't benefit others.

A good example of this would be sending your child to war to fight for something you believe in, at that time, but 10, 20 or even 30 years in the future you could find yourself changing your mind. This would become even more devastating if your child was killed in the war. Believing in someone else's cause might not benefit mankind and that's what we need to focus on. Improving the lives of people on the entire planet.

When you impose your will on other people, you eliminate free thinking. Freedom of thinking has added more good to the world than bad with great inventions, literature, people, philosophy, medical treatment and of course the list goes on and on. Some of these great thinkers had to change their thinking and sometimes is required going against their religion or government. Galileo was one of these people.

Think about it the next time you impose your will or your beliefs onto someone else without stating the fact that this was just your opinion and maybe you would like them to think about. But stating something in a way that suggests you're right and someone else is wrong will not benefit you or them in the long run.

Believing you're right, and someone else is wrong, seems to create limited beliefs. Closed minds lead to followers and we have plenty of followers in the world. We could use a few good leaders.

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, Thinking Grow Rich.

Power Of Visualization