Even Unto Death

As we walk another day, we see many Christians in peril, and even being killed. We see this in India, Africa, and many points around this world. When Jesus spoke of the end days, He spoke of His sacrifice as well, as the sacrifice that many today will, and must make.

Churches burn, Christians suffer and the world speaks not of these things, but rather they speak of governments, leaderships, and the over all good of man. Who then is man that we should speak highly of him? Who is saying that man has the answers, has the wisdom, and the knowledge, to bring peace upon this earth? Do you realize that with each conflict, struggle and war, we approach the end of man as we have know him?

Have you not seen that when a conflict comes between the poor and the rich, many times the poor are the first to suffer. They burn down their own homes, businesses and churches, this is all madness, for the rich are not influenced by these things, but rather rejoice over the destruction that the poor have brought down upon themselves. Are these things new to the Christian or followers of God? No, many things that we suffer today are being suffered by other brothers and sisters around the world. There is nothing strange about these events, for even in the beginning it was accomplished, lets read;

"Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." (Heb 11:35-38)

"being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
(Of whom the world was not worthy:)"
We are the Children of the Most High God, we suffer, for Christ suffered, we roam in a world, and a land, that is strange to us, for we have no home as Christ had none. He was from above, and not below, He was from God, and is God, we are to be as He is, and not as we think. This world is not our home, but a place to witness and testify of the Glory of Salvation threw the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Destitute(Not having or possessing; wanting; as destitute of virtue, or of piety; destitute of food and clothing.)
Afflicted(The cause of continued pain of body or mind, as sickness, losses, calamity, adversity, persecution.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Psa 34.)
Tormented;(To tease; to vex; to harass; as, to be tormented with importunities, or with petty annoyances.)

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous."
We are to be harassed and tormented in these end days. Do not think that it is strange that war, murders, conflicts and persecution comes upon you, for as the word has stated that these things shall come about, it has.
These are the times of the end. A countdown was started when Jesus was born and we are almost at the midnight hour, when all this earth will be rocked as a drunkard.

"And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again." (Isa 24:18-20)

We are to endure many things, for we are, my brothers and sisters, the terminal generation that shall see great signs, and wonders, in the Heavens, and upon the earth.
"Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (Act 20:23-24)

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself." This is what we are to be about. These things that are coming upon this earth shall try our faith and also our patience. For it all comes down to faith and how we handle it.
Can your faith save you in these times of trouble? Yes. Can your faith keep you from these troubles that will come? No. Your faith gives you a weapon that you can rely upon. Many afflictions shall come upon those that believe. Just as with the conflicts that are taking place today, many Christians have their churches, homes and businesses burnt to the ground, and many will be beaten, suffer nakedness and even hunger. This all according to the will of God that must try the faith of this generation. This is not new for it happened even unto our Savior.

Our lives are purposed to be, born and die. There is always a reason for everything that happens to a believer in Christ. Are you unhappy or even disappointed in the life you have? Do you believe that you shouldn't suffer because you have faith? Have you not heard of our teacher of distresses? Read again;
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. (2Co 11:22-30)

"in perils by mine own countrymen." Do you not see this today? Have you not heard of Nations being divided, riots and conflicts? So then we must, as Paul taught, If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
Thank the Lord that we are counted worthy to suffer as Christ suffered. Hold to your faith and hope, look up our redemption draws nigh.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Rev 2:11) ars

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

Issues Concerning Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ

Here are some things to ponder as one decides upon the value of the box-office great "Passion of the Christ."

First is the fact that this movie is ecumenical in its scope, and has persons of all religious persuasions working on a common project. While it always seems good to have people put aside their differences to serve Christ together, there is always the danger that many of the converts, as in Graham crusades, will be ushered into Romanist or liberal Protestant churches.

Second is the issue of reliability. The difference of this movie from the ones which have preceded it is that all of the others were billed as imperfect, where this one seems to carry a weight of authenticity that is misleading. How many years will it take even the best of saints to unlearn all the false additions to the life of Christ here portrayed. As is typical of Roman concoctions there is a deadly mix here, portrayed by a powerful medium. One thinks immediately of the Left Behind movies that have people absolutely convinced that Jesus is going to make them bypass the Tribulation, though not one Scripture clearly indicates such.

The following internet article is insightful: "The scholars have had a field day. They say the soldiers of imperial Rome would not have spoken Latin, as they do in Gibson's film, but Greek. Then there is the question of sourcing. Gibson has admitted that his screenplay was based not so much on the Gospels as on the reinterpretation of a 19th century nun... whose hypnotic visions of the Passion included frankly anti-Semitic details missing from the Gospels. According to his critics, Gibson has the Jews clamouring for the death of Jesus in ways that neither the Bible nor the historical record suggest." No one can take blame away from Jews or any Gentile groups either for the death of Jesus. But the Scriptures are sufficient to prove this point.

Third is the unprecedented union of Church and culture, Church and Hollywood. Is Mel Gibson a born again Christian? One doesn't know for sure, so "judging" is not allowed. He seems to be a man of some measure of faith, but is he associated with the spreading of the Gospel in other aspects of his career? And is it not true that the same man who wrote the musical score for Bruce Almighty is writing for The Passion of Christ? This is a world that hates Jesus Christ, by and large. Why is it suddenly in love with Him? Why do we need worldly methods to bring people to Jesus? Recently in my Church, the pastor preached a simple but powerful message exposing the truth of God and the hearts of men. Five people responded to the invitation. Is this not any longer acceptable ?

Fourth is the violence. How bloody is the Bible story? The blood has been saving men for these many centuries, without Gibson's, that is, Emmerich's, blood and guts portrayal. God has gripped the hearts of men with a still small voice about His undying love. As Bill Jackson of Christians Evangelizing Catholics says, "even graphic photography cannot capture the reality of Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Fifth, consider the mysteries associated with this film. What of lightning striking the main character, and his full recovery? What of the healings purportedly associated with the making of this film? I can only answer with another question: What of the healings and other attested mighty miracles associated with the alleged appearances of Mary throughout the world and throughout history?

This is a Romanist event. The Roman religion is no stranger to the miraculous. Is this confirmation of the truth of Romanism? Rather, have we not been warned that the enemy will be working miracles alongside believers? False Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders so as to deceive if possible the very elect (Matthew 24:24). Does not the Lamb-like beast of Revelation 13 perform great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men (Revelation 13:13) ? "And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do..."

We must cling to God's Word and let no man deceive us. Saying No when everyone else is saying Yes is not easy, but it is often necessary. One day it may be a matter of life and death. This movie is just another testing ground to see whether God's people are going to start using discernment or are going to be swept along with the flow.

Sixth is an issue that I am not yet qualified to describe. It has to do with whether a human being should ever portray Christ in anything but words. It is a question of the Ten Commandments, and the idea of making anything, even an actor on a stage, in the image of God. I leave this one with my readers to contemplate.

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

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

The Christ That Should Never Be Followed

The vital importance of knowing and being obedient to God's word cannot be overstressed as it guarantees protection from the greatest deception planet Earth is facing and will continue to face for some time.

What is this deception? Jesus repeatedly and forcefully warned his disciples that, "...there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Behold he is in the desert; go not forth, behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (KJV, Matthew 24:-27).

The great and terrible deception is the following of a false Christ who possesses great supernatural power to perform signs and wonders to convince people to believe he is God. The scripture above reveals much valuable information about the great lie that so many will believe. First, it should be observed that the manifestation of diabolical power that the false Christ will display will not be distinguishable by the natural eye or reasoning. This is why he would be able to deceive the very elect of God if they made the decision to follow him based purely on what their eyes witness.

The reasons why so many will be deceived into following such false Christs and prophets vary. However, many of these people have willfully rejected the true Christ, closing their eyes to his word and covering their ears to not hear his voice. They invited the hardening of their hearts just as the Egyptian pharaoh did when he refused to let the children of Israel go. This is why the Bible warns the reader to respond to God's conviction while his conscious is still intact (Exodus 7:3, Hebrews 3:8).

Far too many people do not realize that there is a point of no return regarding salvation. Scripture gives a frightful warning to such individuals. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 says, "even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion (deception), that they should believe a lie, that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

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Inerrancy Of The Bible

How Much Should Mary Be Honored?

These are dangerous waters. Dangerous days. To say only what the Scriptures say will land one in jail in some countries. In my land one can lose favor, or a job, or a reputation. Never has the whole Word been accepted by the whole Church. Nevertheless we keep digging for truth and passing it on when we find it. Let's take a look at some of the titles brother Luke gives to sister Mary, and compare these descriptions to the later interpretations of them.

Have you heard that Mary has been sinless since shortly after her conception? That she is seriously holy in every way, and is to be honored above all mortals? That she is the very Mother of God Himself? All of this and a lot more was derived from conversations in Luke 1.

The angel Gabriel's first word to Mary is where it all begins: "Hail." That's not a word of worship. It's a word of greeting. James (1:1) uses the same word to greet all the Jews scattered throughout his world. Many modern translations have used the more appropriate "Greetings." We say "hello", a word that derives from "hail" , and we mean nothing in particular except, the conversation has begun, I acknowledge you are here.

Hail becomes an awkward word to use in the context of the rote prayer, "Hail Mary, full of grace." Is the pray-er saying, "Greetings Mary..." ? That is what the word means.

Gabriel's "full of grace," has nothing to do with sinless perfection. "Highly favored" is the rendering in most translations. Who can dispute the claim Mary has to the favor of God? It is an amazing grace that allows the very son of God to be carried by a young, poor, unknown virgin of troubled Israel.

There is an equal grace, I think, namely that poor unknown sinners throughout this troubled world, subjects for whom Mary serves as a model, have been allowed to carry the Presence of God in them also, including the forgiveness of sins, power to serve, daily cleansing and sanctification. It is this same grace, Ephesians 1:6 , that has made us equally accepted in the heavens.

But none of us, Mary included, is worthy of worship. Grace humbles us to be worshiping the one who initiated the action. Mary was nothing before Jesus entered her life. So will we all say on that day. Because it is the truth.

Many, many people, in Scripture and out, have found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Remember Noah? Who is Noah, but one full of God's favor, allowed of God to save the world from utter destruction? But praise not Noah. Moses? The Deliverer? He would give all glory to God, and so will we. Mary? What a unique task. What high favor. What a wondrous opportunity. Never before, never after, shall one do such a thing.

But no statues called for. No prayers. No bowing. She did her part. She glorified God. No one in Scripture ever glorified her. So must it remain.

Another conversation in the same chapter is with Elizabeth. The Spirit of God enters this dear woman and calls Mary "blessed among women." Indeed! But in Judges 5:24, Jael, the woman who put a quick end to one of Israel's enemies, is honored with these same words. And honor to whom honor is due is the rule. All those who were given a task from God and performed it will be honored throughout history. But neither Jael nor Mary is to take upon her the glory due only to Him Who created us and died for us. God is jealous that way. He will not endure it. No one is to be lifted up before Him.

And then she is called by Elizabeth the "mother of my Lord." A little stretching of the language and you have "Mother of God." That's a subtle jump from Christian to pagan thought. Many early believers seem to have used this term, and we can almost justify it, because Jesus truly is God. God the Son. And there is a sense in which Jesus and the Father are one. But there the whole teaching breaks down and needs to be discarded. Mary is not the mother of the Father God. Nor is she the source of the Spirit of God, as early Christians were taught on their way to heresy.

She is Mary. In one isolated moment of Divine visitation she was permitted to bear in her body the Lord Christ. Hers was the humanity added to the Divinity. She was the mother of the One called Jesus. She was responsible then for directing Him to His Heavenly Father, a task well on its way by age 12. Then, like John the Baptist, she was to back off. In the story of the Bible, she is essentially gone from the picture after the resurrection story.

It is that balance of emphasis for which we must strive. We love her for what she did. No one else did it. But it was grace. And we honor Him who gave her the grace, as she did. Her role has long since ceased in Jesus' life. But the grace of God continues to move around the world, calling one here and one there to experience that same life of Christ. Those who say yes, as Mary did, will live with Mary, but especially with Jesus, forever.

My work is regularly dedicated to North Korean believers. Join me, will you, in prayer for the North Korean land today, that God will call many into His Heavenly Kingdom, so that when their life of suffering here is done they will be allowed to enter the Glorious Kingdom prepared for those who love Him.

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

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

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Commentary on Real Religion

Swami Vivekananda presented the talk, Real Religion at the World's Parliament of Religions in 1893. With this speech, he introduced Vedanta (AKA Hinduism) to the West. It is more than 100 years later and the Christian West continues to struggle with the world's religions. This is a brief opportunity to comment on Vivekananda's speech.

"Religion does not consist in doctrines or dogmas." What simple and wise words. However, the religion of the West, Christianity, is devoted to its doctrines and dogmas. Doctrines about Christianity as the exclusive path to salvation are the roots of Christian evangelization and, sadly, of Christian intolerance. Such intolerance extends to the ends of the earth. The Catholic hierarchy, for example, sets its gaze upon every religious tradition and judges. The proselytizing view of the Catholic Church and all of Christianity, peruses its own house. In Catholicism, for example, Catholic theologians who dare to present theological arguments for salvation in religions other than Christianity are silenced, taken from teaching positions, indexed.

I agree with Vivekananda. Doctrine is not the same as the experience to which doctrine points. God-realization cannot be achieved by reading doctrines or encyclicals. The Christian Testament points to a reality that must be experienced. The purpose of the Gospels, for example, is to encourage faithful to embark on a journey home to God and to portray the unfathomable source of pure love that is God. But, the words are not the journey. "The raft is not the shore." If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.

This does not mean that doctrines, dogma, sacred texts are disposable and without real spiritual value. I merely suggest that the source of strife among the peoples of the world is inordinate reliance upon religious teachings at the expense of emphasis upon an experience of God and the consequent comprehension of the interrelationship among all people and the cosmos.

For religious leaders in any religious traditions, why is it so incomprehensible to agree with Vivekananda: As soon as a man stands up and says he is right or his church is right and all others are wrong, he himself all wrong. Of course, in order to be consistent, I suppose I must admit that I could be wrong.

Sandi Fults has a Master's degree in Systematic Theology from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas. She also attended the graduate Middle Eastern Studies program at the University of Texas at Austin. Her area of specialization is Interreligious Dialogue and the world's religions, with emphasis on the South Asian Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions. She is convinced that interreligious dialogue is a way to peace.

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Understanding the God Consciousness Gestalt and Evolution of the Soul

Two words we will be using often in this discussion are (Hierarchy and Gestalt). For our purposes, Hierarchy will mean the stratified organization and layering of consciousness based on it's abilities, maturity and development. Gestalt will mean an organized and united whole that equals more than the sum of it's parts, and cannot be defined by knowing and categorizing the totality of it's components. When we think of consciousness in light of what we know and see in our everyday activities, we are presented with evidence that some living forms seem to possess more developed abilities than others.

This leads us to the assumption that we are the living epitome of consciousness expressed in human form. We assume that we are the top of the pile of living consciousness, with all other living forms below us. Of course, the word "living" itself is arbitrary, as we all tend to draw our own line of demarcation between what is "alive" and what is not alive. We attribute consciousness to things that are alive, that move, that think, reason, etc. In other words we like to consider ourselves and some animals as possessing consciousness.

If we were able to trace the evidence of consciousness downward on the scale of "living things" we would be amazed to learn that birds, insects, flowers, grass, bacteria and even the cells that compose the human body have their own and value oriented type of consciousness. Their consciousness is not equal in egotistical development as ours, but it is not less in quality, it simply has not developed in the same way as our reasoning mind consciousness. The natural instinctive consciousness of the animals serves them well for their necessary interaction with nature and the environment. We humans are part of a beautiful tapestry of consciousness composing a system of reality rising out of need and developed with a purpose. All consciousness contained within our realty has it's purpose and that purpose is to BE. What we don't understand as yet is that EVERYTHING possesses it's own type of consciousness.

Consciousness is even somewhat aware of itself in the ubiquitous electron, the atom, and even the cells and molecules are aware of their motion within a life form. The American Indian knew only a few hundred short years ago, that there is consciousness in the tree, the rock, the river and mountains. It is rather easy to accept this premise in light of other spiritual enigmas that confound us. Unfortunately with the evolution of our precise physical manipulation in a three dimensional reality, it became necessary for us to focus intently on physical performance of the biological form and we lost some of the intuitive truths that were inherently ours from the beginning. These truths are not lost, they just became buried deep within our psyche waiting to be activated again, to bring about the natural blending of the physical reasoning mind and the inner knowledge that still awaits activation.

So if we were to attempt to stratify and categorize consciousness, we would probably put ourselves near to top of the ladder with a huge gap between ourselves and God. Why would we assume that there are unending gradations of consciousness below ours but seemingly none above ours until you reached that ultimate "God Reality"?

The truth is that there are countless gradations of conscious entities above us of such psychic sophistication that we could only contemplate them as godlike psychological structures and their reality would not be translatable in words. There exist countless very mature, sophisticated entities that we cannot perceive and never will be able to perceive. These are the entities, some of which have experienced Earth reality at sometime in the distant path, have evolved through Earth reality and gone on to other more challenging worlds. Because we cannot perceive these entities with our Earth tuned senses does not mean they do not exist. They exist more assuredly than you or I do in an actuality that is so evolved that even if I were able to explain it, you could not understand. To these "super entities" Earth reality was once their kindergarten just as it is now ours. Earth is the beginning playground for new consciousness. We are here to learn, create, experience, yes, make mistakes for sure, but to learn from our mistakes and create again and again, improving all the while.

Now finally, there is therefore a PYRAMID GESTALT of consciousness with newer consciousness on the lower levels, evolving and moving upward within the pyramid structure as they progress. Of course the very top of the pyramid is ALL THAT IS (GOD). This Prime Being is composed of all consciousness below on the pyramid structure. Conversely speaking if we were to carry that thought to it's logical conclusion, in some very real way, your existence NOW on the lower levels of the psychological pyramid structure speaks of your very real connection with Top of the pyramid. Everything is connected and part of another everything.

Everything is part of something else. Nothing in the Universe stands alone. You are a part of this Pyramid Gestalt, this Hierarchy of consciousness that and between you and All That Is are unimaginable sophistication that you can hardly envision. The fact that you are part of countless entities above and below you as they are part of entities above and below them. "I use the term above and below, when the meaning is more advanced in consciousness development". I am saying that within this Hierarchy, you are part of something else, that is itself part of something else and so on forever. In entity development there is no better or best, there is just more advanced, mature, developed, but all are of the same quality, as they came from the same Source.

This kind of psychic oneness should not in the least bother you or make you in any way feel insignificant. It is quite like the following analogy. You live within your family at the same time you live within your city or county. You also live within your country and live on your continent and there is no contradiction, no jealousy of one above the other even though you are part of all simultaneously. The entity of which you are a part, scarcely notices you, but it's development depends on the structures upon which it rests and give it strength. You are a part of grander entities, and you don't even notice it. You are evolving in that direction yourself, and as your position on this pyramid of consciousness increases in depth and awareness, so will it increase maturity and psychic sophistication.

If you have been anxiously awaiting your unification with God, forget it. You are already as closely connected as you will ever be. As you increase and become more, All That Is increases multitudinous amounts multiplied by the number of all consciousness on this earth. From this you can see that as you increase, All That Is increases exponentially. As an example, as you progress an inch, All That Is progresses a million miles in terms of distance as an analogy. All That Is experiences through all entities beneath itself including you, as you to are also an entity of considerable worth and always becoming more. All That Is doubles itself in nanoseconds. So as there are countless layers of consciousness below yours, there are more above yours also. There is no huge gap between yourself and God and there are others that have gone before you. The more sophisticated and evolved the entity, the more entities involved with it and a part of it.

An entity can perceive dimensions of reality that are not yet as not as developed as it's own, but cannot perceive dimensions that are more evolved.

My name is W. Allan, single male 62, a resident of Naples Florida. I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and have in the past, written a column called SECRET REALITY which was carried by spiritual and metaphysical magazines. I have recently started a blog to publish my work with the intent of incorporating expanded versions of my blog in book form. You can contact me any at my e-mail address: beachinguy@hotmail.com You may also read other articles at my blog at: http://answersbygod.blogspot.com and have a small company recording and selling CD's of the sounds of nature from my web site at http://www.naturesong.net Published author and writer of Spiritual columns (Secret Reality) and books. Owner of a Naure CD company (NatureSong), recording and distributing nature sounds CD's to retail outlets including a wide variety of bird song CD's and over 36 different sounds of nature. All of our nature sounds and bird songs are continuous, ambient sounds of nature without music.

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Religion and Yoga

Etymologically the word religion denotes duality, as it is a combination of Latin re and ligare, meaning to bind or connect again. Cicero, Lactantius and Augustine slightly differ from each other in their meaning of religion, which is quite natural. Through millennia, after many definitions and interpretations, the word religion has become a loaded word, and organised religion has further distorted its meaning. But shorn of the dross gathered around it, it means reunion with something from which we have separated earlier (fall of man). Similarly, yoga means to yoke or join together in Sanskrit, denoting--again--duality. Therefore, translation of religion should be yoga-not dharma, as is the case-and vice versa.

Like religion, Yoga, too, has also become a loaded word, by and large meaning a regimen of exercises, breath control and meditation (dhyana) to tone up the body and control the mind.

From the above, it follows: Bind or connect again to what (in case of religion)? And yoke or join to what (in case of yoga)? You reconnect with something where the connection has been snapped. Likewise, you yoke or join two things that once constituted one undivided whole.

Both the words were coined by the aspirants in the distant past to describe what they thought to be the source, since lost somewhere along the line. But, was there really a source? If yes, then, how the source was lost? There has to be a self or I together with something dividing it from the source; however 'I' is nothing but first person, singular pronoun.

The famous American philosopher Daniel Dennett maintains in his book, Consciousness Explained, that the self is an illusion-no more than a series of shifting "multiple drafts" or narratives, with no central focus or continuity.

On the other hand, the illustrious British mathematician Roger Penrose says: The world is an illusion created by the conspiracy of our senses.

When these two statements are juxtaposed with each other, we find that "the self is an illusion" according to Dennett, and "the world is an illusion" as per Penrose. Hence, the self is an illusion and so is the world. Is it then all Maya? The word Maya means illusion in English. In Sanskrit, however, Maya means measurement. What can be measured is Maya. English words like measurement, myth, meter, matter, and music, share a common ancestry with it. All measurements start from the point called 'I' or 'self'. When this I or self is knocked off, then Maya collapses along with religion and yoga. Then what is left is the Source.

Currently, I am working on a book for children.

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The Similarities and Differences of Pilates and Yoga

You can barely turn on the TV nowadays without hearing about Pilates or Yoga. When you take up a magazine, you are bound to find articles about these two exercise methods and it seems like everyone is doing either one or the other. What is all of the excitement about? Why are these techniques so special? What are the differences and similarities between Pilates and Yoga?

Yoga aims to unite the body, mind, and spirit. The person who aspires to do Yoga views that the body and mind are one. They believe that if the body is given the right tools and is taken to the proper environment then the body can find harmony and will be able to heal itself. Yoga is considered to be therapeutic. You will have a heightened awareness of your body's alignment, posture, and patterns of movement. Yoga tends to make your body more flexible and it will help you to relax even if you are in the middle of a stress stricken environment. Therefore, one of the most important reasons as to why people start practicing Yoga is that they want to feel more energetic, be more happy, feel more fit and be at peace.

One performs Yoga mainly in a group setting on a special Yoga mat with the help of a Yoga instructor. You use your body's own weight for resistance. You must also focus a great deal of your attention to the flow from one posture into that of another. Yoga styles are varied and there is not one style that is considered to be better than another. These styles also vary in their emphasis, and the style you choose is a matter of personal preference.

Pilates also seeks to reach many of the same goals as does Yoga by way of a series of movements that are very controlled. The major difference between Pilates and Yoga is that while doing Pilates exercises not only makes use of a mat, but it also incorporates work on different Pilates machines. The main thrust of the Pilates exercises is to improve posture, strengthen the abdominal muscles, improve balance, lengthen and stabilize the spine and improve overall strength. Pilates will tend to give you a leaner, longer, dancer-like line.

A Whole Body Workout

Unlike a variety of other training programs, Pilates makes an effort to work the whole body and places its emphasis on precision, control, and concentration in both the body as well as the mind. There is no attempt made at doing many repetitions at a time in a rapid, haphazard fashion. Instead, the focus is placed on quality and not the amount of reps you do. The "powerhouse" that consists of the lower back, abdominal muscles and the buttocks are at the center of all movement and this allows the rest of your body to move fluidly and freely. When one focuses on core stabilization, it makes the student stronger from the inside out.

This is critical for the advancement of the Pilates student. Pilates is low impact by nature and, therefore, it is ideal for the prevention of injury and for rehabilitation. Pilates has six guiding principles - concentration, centering, flow, control, breathing and precision. These principles train the body to move more efficiently while placing minimal impact on the body. With Pilates, there is a definite balance between flexibility and strength that creates a vigorous, symmetrical and health workout for all of the different muscle groups, which will result in a more balanced, leaner, and stronger body.

There are a range of DVD's on sale at http://www.pilatesorstretchforbackpain.com which have been recommended by a leading British Osteopath/Physiotherapist

Please visit my blog at http://www.stretchorpilatesforbackpain.com

The author, Steven Giles is a 55 year old former accountant who has been suffering from back pain for several years and has found that Pilates provides relief from this. He lives in Greater Manchester in the North-West of England

Should Christians Buy This Book?

Personal Development
Was Jesus A Good Example

Change Our Thoughts to Change Our Lives

We learned in science that objects and our bodies are comprised of atoms which are in constant motion. Matter vibrates. If the motion increases, the state of the object changes. Ice is heated to water. Water is heated to steam. Light, heat, and electricity vibrate. Colors form a spectrum from red to violet. As the pulsation increases, the colors shift from red to orange to yellow to green to blue to violet. All energies move and shift. We energy; we are vibrations.

What is true of our physical bodies is also true of our mental states. Just as physical objects modify their state, such as water to steam and lights from red to orange, our thoughts adjust. Thoughts are vibrations. We can stimulate our ideas and move them to a higher state, or we can lower them and become caught in negative emotions. We change. How we do that is our choice.

A practical spirituality teaches us that we can't cling to old ideas or patterns that are no longer useful or positive. We can think better thoughts. We can think higher thoughts. Our emotions are influenced by people around us. While we may not sense, observe or describe the differences as vibrations, we are aware that some people are more uplifting. Others bring us down.

We choose those who surround us. We choose which thoughts and emotions dominate our lives. Each mental or emotional state has its own rate of vibration. We can transform that rate at will and maintain a mental calm, unaffected by the opinions around us. Negative beliefs do not have to alter our positive state. We manage our thoughts. We do not have to get caught in the up and down drama of family, friends and associates.

Our challenge is to rise above the normal, material thoughts and be more positive, more evolved, and more spiritual.

Cheryl A. Chatfield, Ph.D. is a writer, teacher and inspirational speaker. This article is an excerpt from her recent Do It Yourself Guide To Spirituality: Seven Simple Steps . Visit http://NottInstitute.org to download and read this 40-page booklet, or to receive a free monthly Practical Spirituality Newsletter. The Nottingham Institute is a nonprofit organization that promotes material for an everyday, practical spirituality for people who don't find answers in traditional religions.

Don't Tithe If You Can't Afford to - Poor Christians Beware of Motivated Church Leaders

Will All Men Ever Hate Jesus
When Do We Get To Meet God

My Walk With Farrakhan - The Reality of the Million Man March

"Call to the way of thy Lord

with wisdom and goodly exhortation,

and argue with them in the best manner."

Continuing on in the series, My walk with Farrakhan, we will examine the Million Man March on October 16th, 1995 called by God through The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

It is amazing to think that 12 years have passed since that beautiful day on the Washington mall with nearly 2 million black men congregating in love. From that day until this day many have not understood the purpose for the march nor its goal by the author. Who was the ultimate author of the Million Man March and for what cause?

Minister Farrakhan while speaking to the gathered men reminded them,

"You came not at the call of Louis Farrakhan, but you have gathered here at the call of God. For it is only the call of Almighty God, no matter through whom that call came, that could generate this kind of outpouring. God called us here to this place. At this time. For a very specific reason."

Minister Farrakhan said that he called for the "march" in response to the pitiful global image of black men as portrayed in film, music and the some media. He further stated that he wanted to show an example to the world that black men can and must unite together in love and harmony to affect positive change in our communities.

The call of the Million Man March is rooted in biblical tradition of Jesus calling Lazarus from the grave. However, today a modern day man of God is calling a people, not from a physical grave of death, but from a spiritual-mental grave of death and ignorance.

Let us review John 11: 43-44 for clarity

"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, loose him, and let him go."

The Holy Qur'an bears witness in similar words

"We have revealed to thee that

thou mayest bring forth men, by their

Lord's permission, from darkness

into light, to the way of the Mighty, the Praised One,"

When you look at the black community then as well as now it becomes clear that we are in need of a healing and resurrection of our minds.

My condition at the time of the Million Man March

At the time of the call of the Million Man March my life was similar to the life you see many young black men participating in. I walked with my pants hanging of my behind(sagging). I didn't attend school much and didn't take authority serious. I spent my nights getting drunk and/or high with drugs. I thought I was living the good life in my downgraded life of sin. I didn't know at the time, but Almighty God was preparing me for bigger and better things.

I was told by my mother, who was fed up with my behavior, she was requiring me to stay home and watch the Million Man March. She told me that since I can't do anything with you maybe Farrakhan can put some sense in your head.

I sat at home watching the many men and speakers on that blessed day on October16th, 1995 and was being transformed on the inside by Almighty God's spirit. However, when I heard Minister Farrakhan speak I received a message, not so much in words, but I felt him speaking directly from his spirit to my spirit. I took the pledge of the Million Man March and decided to begin the journey towards elevation.

The pledge of The Million Man March asked(by Minister Farrakhan) encouraged us to do the following things,

"Take this pledge with me. Say with me please, I, say your name, pledge that from this day forward I will strive to love my brother as I love myself.

I, say your name, from this day forward will strive to improve myself spiritually, morally, mentally, socially, politically, and economically for the benefit of myself, my family, and my people.

I, say your name, pledge that I will strive to build business, build houses, build hospitals, build factories, and then to enter international trade for the good of myself, my family, and my people.

I, say your name, pledge that from this day forward I will never raise my hand with a knife or a gun to beat, cut, or shoot any member of my family or any human being, except in self-defense.

I, say your name, pledge from this day forward I will never abuse my wife by striking here, disrespecting her for she is the mother of my children and the producer of my future.

I, say your name, pledge that from this day forward I will never engage in the abuse of children, little boys, or little girls for sexual gratification. But I will let them grow in peace to be strong men and women for the future of our people.

I, say your name, will never again use the B word to describe my female, but particularly my own Black sister.

I, say your name, pledge from this day forward that I will not poison my body with drugs or that which is destructive to my health and my well being.

I, say your name, pledge from this day forward, I will support Black newspapers, Black radio, Black television. I will support Black artists, who clean up their acts to show respect for themselves and respect for their people, and respect for the ears of the human family.

I, say your name, will do all of this so help me God."

I know where I came from and where I was inspired to go as a direct result of the call of the Million Man March. I will never let anyone disrespect that day by saying it didn't achieve anything. I was a man that was lost, but was inspired to be a better person by the truth and presence of Minister Farrakhan at the Million Man March.

I like to use the example of a patient going to a doctor as an example of the Million Man March. You can't blame a doctor if you are sick and you go to a doctor to heal you and the doctor prescribes you a prescription, however you never go home and take the prescription, so you die. Such a doctor cannot be charged with malpractice. It is the responsibility of both the doctor to prescribe and the patient to take the medicine to affect healing.

In conclusion what medicine did "doctor" Farrakhan give to black men at the Million Man March?

In the following words he gave the ultimate medicine and purpose for our presence at the "march",

"Well, some of us are here because it's history making. Some of us are here because it's a march through which we can express anger and rage with America for what she has and is doing to us. So, we're here for many reasons but the basic reason while this was called was for atonement and reconciliation. So, it is necessary for me in as short of time as possible to give as full an explanation of atonement as possible."

He gave us the following summation of 8 steps of atonement

1) Point out the wrong

2)Acknowledge the wrong

3)Confess fault

4)Repentance

5)Atonement

6)Forgiveness

7)Reconciliation and restoration

8)Perfect union with God

Long live the spirit of the Million Man March!

Mustafaa Muhammad is an "African American" who is a follower of the Islamic faith. Through independent religious studies developed an ecumenical view of the world's religions and the people of God. And while he is devoted to Islam as his faith he is at home in the Church(or other religious institutions) as he is in the Mosque.

He has been featured on the Radio, Newspapers, public speaking events and at Mosques/Churches telling his story and offering his understanding of Almighty God's plan for salvation.

Mustafaa is involved in community activity. He believes that our faith must inspire us to greater service to humanity or we may be making a mockery of the purpose of faith. Contact him @ http://brothermustafaa.com

Was Jesus Really Born On December 25th - Video

How Did You Choose Your Religion
Powerful Beliefs In The Bible

Born and Bred in the Briar Patch

Remember the marvelous tar baby? Joel Chandler Harris's "Uncle Remus" tales were part of my childhood too. One came winging its way back toward me recently. This snippet occurs after Brer Rabbit gets stuck in the tar baby and is about to be finished off once and for all by Brer Fox...(translated from original African dialect).

"Skin me Brer Fox," says he [Brer Rabbit]. "Snatch out my eyeballs, tear out my ears by the roots," says he, "But please, Brer Fox, don't fling me in that briar patch, " says he.

Of course, Brer Fox wanted to get Brer Rabbit as bad as he could, so he caught him by the behind legs and slung him right in the middle of the briar patch. There was a considerable flutter when Brer Rabbit struck the bushes, and Brer Fox hung around to see what was going to happen.

By and by he heard someone call his name and 'way up on the hill he saw Brer Rabbit sitting cross-legged on a chinquapin log combing the tar pitch out of his hair with a chip. Then Brer Fox knew he had been tricked.

Brer Rabbit hollered out, "Born and bred in the briar patch. I was born and bred in the briar patch!" And with that he skipped out just as lively as a cricket in the embers of a fire.

Martyrs are the most honored of all God's children. Those willing to give their very lives for the One Who died for them shall be honored throughout eternity. The church began with a backdrop of persecution that granted this glorious status to many of God's finest. We were born and bred in a briar patch, a place that looks like certain misery and finality but in fact opens the gate to immortatlity anf fellowship with God.

Men like Kim Jong-il of North Korea create the perfect breeding ground for saints and martyrs. Though he cannot possibly comprehend what he is doing in his present darkness, he is working ultimately for the purposes of God. Mis-treated saints have gotten the attention of believers worldwide. Now the church arises, sending in missionaries, Bibles, tons of food and other aid. The Gospel is being preached as never before by air waves and balloons. A "closed" nation isn't closed after all. Every soul that passes from this life for Jesus' sake taps others on the shoulder and invites, "Follow me as I follow Christ."

We pray and work for the deliverance of God's people, of course. But perhaps some of our pity is mis-placed. Poor "Brer" Kim Jong-il. An anti-Christ if ever one lived and breathed, but that to which he is giving his life is totally wasted effort. He has helped create a pure church that is a standard of excellence the world over.

Please, Brer Kim! Don't fling me in that briar patch!

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

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

Use Religion Responsibly

Was Jesus Really Real - Video

What The Bleep Do You Know
Dale Carnegie

Is Jesus The Real Messiah - Video

Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Can We Prove That an Invisible God Lives

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

.

Peaceful Warrior God

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

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

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

Powerful Life Changing Thoughts
Spoiled Children

Why Read The Bible?

How easy is it for you to let dust collect on your Bible?

There was a time when I was first searching out the truth about Jesus Christ that I was embarrassed to let friends see the bible I had purchased sitting in my living room.

Then there was a season during which I was so proud to have my study bible laying open with a bookmark, highlighter and note paper nearby.

Then my bible started to just feel like an extension of my own body... always there, always ready.

Then the bible collection began... I wanted different versions, different purposes, different looks and different styles. A bible for my bedroom, a bible for the car and a bible just in case someone needs one.

And sadly... there has been a season in my life where my bible collected dust. How can that be?

Why read the Bible?

A. It shows you the right path.

B. It alerts you when you are getting off the right path.

C. It teaches you how to get back on the right path.

D. It empowers you to stay on the right path.

Isn't that what life is all about? Finding and staying on the right path? And isn't life always trying to get us off of the right path? The Bible is our Path Guide. We dare not let it collect dust - or worse yet, be left behind completely.

Joel Osteen and his father before him begin every service at Lakewood Church by leading the entire congregation in a simple prayer of confession and it starts like this:

"This is my Bible:

I am what it says I am;

I have what it says I have;

I can do what it says I can do."

When you open your Bible to spend some quiet time with your God - Do you believe that you are what the Bible says you are? Do you believe that you have what it says you have? Do you really believe that you can do what it says you can do?

How will you approach your Bible today?

About the Authors: Kelly McCausey and Sandra Jensen lead the Me Skills Discipleship Community, a private membership website for Christians who wish to enjoy a deeper relationship with Christ. Subscribe for free daily email devotionals at http://www.meskills.com

Christianity Saved My Life

Christians Need To Watch This Video

Problem Solving Tips
W Clement Stone

Christ Is Christmas, It Said

It was just a week ago today that I pulled my little Echo into the driveway after pushing it all the way to Florida. And we don't live in Georgia. We live in Chicago.

While driving through Clearwater during that most wonderful trip, we happened upon a sign posted at a large Presbyterian Church. It said simply, "Christmas IS Christ." I was at least a little while distracted from the birds and the flowers and the most un-Chicago-like temperatures.

Christmas IS Christ? Does that mean, the celebration as we know it today? Are they saying that what we celebrate every year is truly a Jesus event?

Christmas IS Christ? Is that supposed to be a historic statement? Was the holiday meant from the beginning to honor the Lord and remember His birth?

As more Florida miles got away from me, I began thinking, if there had been no incarnation of the Son of God, would there have been a winter celebration anyway?

I wasn't too happy with any of my responses to my questions.

Yes, Christ is honored by some, but those folks honor Him all year. No, most of what goes on in the season has to do with greed and paganism. Yes, the winter holiday itself goes back way before Jesus came and honors the birth of the sun. It has a life of its own. Rome baptized the festivities when it declared it would celebrate the Christ-Mass at a time that coincided with the pagan celebration. Take Christ out of it, and it continues merrily on its way. Ho-ho-ho.

There is of course no command to celebrate any event in Jesus' life except His death (Lord's Supper) and burial (baptism) and resurrection (by our daily fellowship with the risen Lord.) I guess there is no explicit prohibition from other celebrations, but when they start looking like the world, we need to flee from them as from anything else babylonian. Or at least not call them "Christian".

It's over for a year. But the damage is done in so many lives. I counsel students whose parents, I'm sure many of them believers, obviously went into great debt to buy them the things that their peers were getting. The pressure is so incredible. And it trains and feeds a greedy spirit.

It's over. But the church is no richer. Every year, for a month, the church is stuck on a handful of songs that teach only one thing about Jesus. The Biblical texts and sermons, ditto. Then there's the cancellation of truly profitable programs as they are replaced by parties and food. These things ought not to be.

Let the world celebrate and go into debt and be gluttonous and drunken. Don't we have more than they? Has Christ ordained this strange time of year? Is Christ truly "Christmas"?

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 .

Learning From The Four Agreement

The Deity of Jesus Christ - Genesis

There is no question in my mind about the humanity of Jesus of Nazareth. Nor do I doubt the existence of what we have called trinity, a 3-in-one concept of the Godhead. In the case of this study I should speak of two-ness rather than three, for I center on the Son, and His identity with the Father. And in making that statement I am admitting a distinction between the two.

But there is a growing discomfort with the idea of two as we understand that numeral, as the Person of Jesus Christ the Lord is studied in detail throughout Scripture. One graduallly and then fully realizes that "two" just won't do. Yes, the distinction is there. Yes, a Father and a Son. Multitudes of passages point out the difference. But quite a number say the other truth: "I and My Father are ONE." "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." "And His Name shall be called ...the Prince of Peace...the everlasting Father!"

It is this aspect of our marvelous Lord that I wish to trace through Scripture. What a sublime mystery unfolds before us. And unlike some mysteries of Scripture that unfold themselves at last upon careful scrutiny, this one stays intact from start to finish as an enigma that shall not be solved until we have the mental equipment, viz., our glorified bodies, to comprehend it.

This Jesus. This wonderful Jesus. He is indeed a man. A perfect sinless man. He is also the very Son of God. But that phrase can lend itself to interpretations and explanations. After all, are not we sons of God, also? one will be asked. Therefore let us proclaim this other truth: Jesus is GOD. No explanation, no interpretation. Let it stand! Jehovah's true witnesses all agree, Jesus is God. Here is the proof from Genesis:

1:1, the Creator "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," says the Holy Spirit through witness one, Moses. But another witness, John, under that same Holy Spirit says in his Gospel, 1:3, "All things were made by Him (referring to the Word in verse 1) and without Him was not any thing made that was made." Paul chimes in, too, in Colossians 1:16, that the Firstborn, the Head of the body, the church is the One by Whom all things were created! And the writer of Hebrews, in an attempt to show the superiority of Christ over the angels, quotes the Psalmist as though the Father was speaking to the Son: "Thou, LORD, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth!"

But wait! Who is "the Lord" who speaks to Job in that book (38:4)? Whoever He is, He challenges Job with the same words: "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?" God did it. Jesus did it. The Lord did it. And who are the 24 elders worshipping in Revelation 4:11, when they proclaim the worthiness of the One Who "hast created all things"? Although in the very next chapter we see the Lamb interacting with One on the throne, in this chapter we see only the throne. And on that throne the one God. The Creator. The Word. The Firstborn. Truly in creation, Jesus is God.

11:7 speaks of Us as the singular God is speaking. "Let Us go down, and there confound their language," says God to God. But 11:8 reads, "So the Lord (singular!) scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth. Insights like this let us know that our God, though He is One, is more than "one" as we reckon numbers. God the Father speaks to God the Son, Jesus. As a member of the "Godhead", Jesus is God.

and 17:1, Almighty God.We have become comfortable with assuming that everything that happens Divinely in the Old Covenant happens because of God the Father, Jahweh, Jehovah, or some such name. With this title, Moses introduces us to the fact that there is a constant overlapping of Father and Son. One called "the Lord" introduces Himself to Abraham thus: (17:1) "I am the Almighty God..." A quick trip to the other end of your Bible will bring you face to face with Jesus Christ, who appears to John in the book of Revelation, and says in 1:8, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord ...the Almighty."

What a presumptuous title for someone to take. Unless that Someone truly is God. What other conclusion can be drawn? In His might, Jesus is God.

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

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

12 Apostles Of Jesus Christ

Watch This to see if Jesus was Born From A Virgin - Video

Can One Book Change Your Life
Going To Heaven Or Not

Is There A Rapture? Oh Yes!

However,

• It was not meant to be an escape from the cross of Christ to which all are called; it is rather the blessed hope of those who carry that cross to the very end.
• It was not intended to create a division of the saints whereby some are feasting in Heaven while others suffer on earth. There is one church. The members of Christ will receive their bodies in one final resurrection of life.
• It is not a secret appearing; rather, the most public act of all human history.
• It does not herald the evacuation of the Spirit of God; it precedes the entrance of the Son of God and His Kingdom to Planet earth.
• Saying the rapture comes after the Tribulation is in line with the historic as well as the Scriptural accounting.
• The pre-tribulation rapture theory is a modern invention with but scanty evidence before the 18th century and no clear Biblical evidence at all.
• Proof that the rapture is "post" is from Biblical statements. Proof that it is "Pre" is from logic.
• There are absolutely no clear and provable distinctions between the rapture of the saints and the revelation of Christ: these are two aspects of the same event!

Therefore:

• We should be looking for His coming and praying for it according to the will of God,even though we understand that other things must come first.
• We should be prepared to meet Him at a moment's notice, as He can come to us by our death today.
• We should live in hope, not in fear, for we know His wrath is not intended for us.
• We should have the mind of Christ in us to suffer as He did, without complaining, and in fact with rejoicing as the apostles showed us.
• We should begin to buffet our bodies, and tighten our belts now, so that we will be ready to endure what must come.
• We must share the truth of this matter with other brothers in the Lord , who truly believe they will be exempted from the suffering of that day. What a huge disappointment will be theirs as they see the Temple being built, and antichrist rising to world power.

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.

Use Religion Responsibly

Find Out Why The Christians Don't Want You Watch This

Listen To Advice From Confucius
My Childhood Religious Beliefs

Were You Born in a Barn?

Kids are pretty cruel, they say. Seems like I remember such cruelty in my own day. Was it I that said it, or someone else, I can't recall... But it was said more than once. "Were you born in a barn?" The query usually followed the reckless entry into a room from the cold outside, without bothering to close the door. "Were you born in a barn?" came the insult quickly and automatically.

Not that there is anything particularly ignominious in having been born in a barn. It was just meant to describe the offender as a low-class person...

I imagine Jesus being asked that question, and replying calmly, "As a matter of fact, I was."

We call it Christmas morning, named after the Roman Catholic ritual which evolved centuries after the Holy Birth. All is bright and cheery and fun on that day. But the One born in the barn... they say the day is about Him, yet I wonder how bright and cheery and fun that day was for Him? God's first hands-on experience in the new planet. Surrounded by two humans and a cast of animals. And their droppings.

To us that sounds horrendous. To the Creator of those animals , perhaps it was not so bad at that. Yet we esteem Him to be low-class, and are thankful that we can look down and bless Him. We feel the same way about His fellow "baekjeong" [Korean for low-class] I fear. They are down. We are up. They are out. We are in. They have nothing. We have everything.

And so we give our gifts to the lowly One and the lowly ones, we feel better, we move on. We ignore the fact that the "Christ-child" had already been told, "No room" and was relegated to animal status for that reason. No room for the lowly of any nation, especially the lowly followers of that same Christ. And we forget one other major factor: All of this was by choice. Our feeling sorry for the Son of God probably needs re-direction. Our pity for the Christian baekjeong, too. They all made a choice which has brought them joy. Can we comprehend it?

It is easy to take an offering to a baekjeong, then go on clueless about what we have done. And what we have left un-done. The informed among us will linger with the baekjeong awhile. Listen. Feel. Learn the wisdom of all ages. And eventually choose to become lowly ourselves.

For only the baekjeong in spirit will ever see the Kingdom of God. Only the low-class in heart will inherit the earth. And they will wonder for ever, why?

So the next time someone asks me, "Were you born in a barn?" perhaps I will say, "No, I never had that honor, but I wish I could have been..." That ought to start a conversation.

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.

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A Dollar And Ten Seconds

North Korea surely is in great need. And for months, I've been trying to help God's people be aware of that need. But slowly and surely I am seeing the evils of my own nation, as we creep into a godlessness that can only mean death and destruction to the American civilization. And then there's me...

Two e-mails awaited me this morning. You've probably seen one of them circulating. It's a picture of the new dollar coins. The sender of the e-mail is urging that all of us refuse to accept these new dollars as change. Why? The words "In God we trust" are curiously missing. Well, we can be angry about that. But is America a land that trusts in God? Or does it trust more in its military might? And its strong economy? I sorrow not for the words on the coin as much as I do for the fact that most Americans cannot say truthfully that they do trust Him. And you? And me? Subtract the comfort and ease and great food and prosperity? Trust still there?

The 2nd e-mail was from the school system for which I work. It too was stating only a symptom of the disease. It too was a scary reminder of how far America has backslidden. Its freefall seems irreversible now. The memorandum from headquarters, which was really our own way of enacting a bill that came out of the Illinois legislature, demanded that every student be asked to give 10 seconds to "silent reflection and prayer."

Yuk. America's public schools were founded on the Scriptures. Ever heard of the McGuffey Reader? Reading the Bible and studying spiritual truths were the in thing. Slowly that Christian base eroded, to the point where now any official mention of our beginnings is verboden. But as a nod to someone or some political pressure, we shall be allowed to stop what we are doing first thing in the school day and have a full 10 seconds worth of reflection. (But no religious content is to be mentioned by the teacher.)

All sad enough. Then I heard the sermon that came up on my ipod. It was about "enemies of the cross." Right away you think I'm talking about the government agencies and public schools, or the Communists, or the Muslim extremists. Of course they are our enemies. But they are not the worst.

When the Bible uses that phrase, "enemies of the cross of Christ" it is talking about believers, that is, church members, who are only concerned about earthly things. One who knows about the things of God and still cares more about the things of this world is the worst enemy Christ has. For he is a daily advertisement of what it means to be a Christian.

Since I have entered the struggle for my brothers in Korea, I have been made aware of my own need to be liberated from this world and to take up the cross of Jesus where I am. To stop crying and fussing and complaining and be a true soldier of Jesus. Without such an attitude how can we be a blessing to the 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.

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The North Korean Says, No, Shoot Me!

Christianity in North Korea, what a remarkable history. Truly some of the most remarkable information a Christian treasures is recounting the story of those willing to die for Christ.

Is it hatred that motivates us to tell the whole truth about North Korea? No. Love demands that you know so you will pray. Do we call curses from Heaven in judgment of those who have ruined the lives of so many millions of people? No. God is able to forgive. And it is God who will judge the unforgiven. We must "judge" ourselves and those given to our care, and even this, in love.

We call for His mercy. We desperately plead for His intervention.

Consider again today the sad history of the Korean Christians: (Per Hefley's By Their Blood) We are in the late 40's, when the triumph of the World War soon led into the disaster of the Korean War. But just before that conflict, while the sides were still being chosen, multiplied thousands of Koreans from the north rushed south to escape the Communist threat of horror, a threat they have made good on for 60 years.

Before the lines were clearly drawn and Communism was clearly evicted from the South, chaos reigned in some areas. Communist infiltrators agitated local rebellions and brought about the demise of more saints. Consider Tong-In and Tong-Sin, sons of one Pastor Son.

"Number one son" Tong-In refused Japanese pressure to worship at a Shinto shrine and was thrown out of school. But after the War he went back, and was even elected president of the Campus YMCA. When the Communists instigated their uprising, he was once more in danger. Eventually a pistol was in his face with the order to renounce Christ. Tong-In's reponse was to preach to his enemy and plead for him to accept Christ.

At this moment the second son, Tong-Sin, rushed up and demanded to be shot in his stead. The brothers quarreled awhile over who should be martyred, when finally the Communist shot them both.

Not end of story. The pastor-father was of course sad but proud of his boys. And soon he had a chance to avenge them, for the uprising was quelled and their murderer was on trial. His response: Since nothing can bring my sons back, what good is it to kill this man? Let me have him. Maybe he can finish for Christ what my sons left undone.

Further response: The murderer's parents are overcome with gratitude and offer to feed and clothe the pastor's 16-year-old daughter in return.

Who knows how many "further responses" there have been to this courageous series of events? Perhaps you are responding even now. It is for such responses that we pray. When Christ is truly seen in North Korea, when the cross is truly lifted up, when love's message is told and understood, the present message of fear and hatred and deceit and tragedy will go. Perfect love casts all this out and more.

May our God send His perfect love to North Korea.

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.

Is The Bible Historically Accura

North Korea's Purgatory

Thirty or so years ago a 10-year-old boy entered a North Korean labor camp with his family. He lived to tell about it, the first story of its kind*:

The family was among the many that had, a generation earlier, relocated in Japan and become strong supporters there of Socialism, Communism, and North Korea . With the rise of Kim Il Sung, the family was enticed to come back to the fatherland and complete the reforms so badly needed there.

This very rich but very dedicated family moved back to a near hero's welcome. But growing suspicions about their wealth and their connection to the traditional foe of Korea slowly led the family from fame to ghastly impoverishment. The entire family was arrested and a new life begun in one of Kim's infamous reeducation centers.

How does one wind up in jail with all these credentials? To get to a North Korean Camp, one must be either "a land-holder, a capitalist, a U.S. or South Korean agent, a Christian, or members of purged Party circles deemed noxious to the state." Division is made then between "redeemable" and "unredeemable" prisoners. Once classed unredeemable, life is over. Your only worth to the state is hard labor. You will be taken to work at secret sites since there is no hope of you taking those secrets anywhere but to the grave. You will work until you drop dead.

Redeemables, like the author of this book, have a chance. They are taught Kim propaganda. They are thoroughly redone in their thinking processes, and after a number of years, released to live their new life as a trusted member of society.

I present these horrid but true story to encourage you to pray for North Koreans, that in their distress they will call upon the Name of the Lord, and that in calling they will unleash the Power that no dynasty can withstand.

*The Aquariums of Pyongyang by Kang Chol-Hwan

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.

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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.

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North Korea - The Villagers of Goksan

North Korea. There is a constant price to pay for one's faith there. The story is told of 29 persons arrested there one morning in the remote village of Goksan. Among the group is a mother and her young daughter. They and the rest of this Christ-loving group, with their pastor, are bound and placed before a crowd of Communists.

They are told by a guard: "Deny Christ, or die." They all refuse to deny Him.

The guard addresses the adults: "Deny Christ, or we will hang your children." The young girl looks up at Mom and grips her hand. She knows she is loved. Her mother whispers to her, "Today, I will see you in Heaven."

For those who are looking for a happy ending to this story, you should stop reading now.

All of the children are hanged.

The adults, in agony already, are now forced to lie down on pavement in front of a large steamroller. "Deny this Jesus or you will be crushed." But they are already crushed. Their children are gone. And their life is hid in Christ anyway. they are ready to meet Him, and see their children again.

The driver starts the engine, and the villagers softly sing (in Korean). "More love, O Christ, to Thee, more love to Thee."

Please pray for North Korea tonight. And for believers in the West, that they will be ready to make this sacrifice if called upon.

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.

12 Apostles Of Jesus Christ