Proving That an Invisible God Does Exist

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.

Caring About Others Problems

Neural Circuits

It is said that we the humans react and respond to our proximate environment, and absolutely ignore the power (within) us that influence our ends, do blame the external forces. This intuitive question has made many of us to speak on the issue.

Charles Darwin presented his line of reasoning- the survival of fittest by means of natural selection (biological evolution)-the secular version.

Carl Marx, his wits responded to the (adaptation issues) in a rather melancholic fashion, and blamed the religion to be the force of defilement -"religious distress is at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real distress, religion is the sigh of oppressed creatures, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people-the demand to give up the illusion about its condition was the demand to give up a condition that needs illusions".

Seneca perception of the issue -courtesy the German legend 'Dr Faustus', in Christopher Marlowe's-play- the selling of a soul to the devil. Shakes Peare withdrew himself in a scalding sense-as flies to the wanton boys are we to gods; they kill us for their sport (King Lear). GB Shah, in Pygmalion gave an outlet to his pent up emotions by hurling suggestion to the protagonist lady that- "you should find a sentimental hog with a thick pair of lips to kiss you with and thick a pair of boots to kick you with".

And Andrew Brown adapted himself to the misperception (Guardian.co.uk), "the return of the ideology has taken us all by surprise, because no one expected it all to be about religion. Twenty years ago, when the Berlin Wall fell and it seemed reasonable to suppose that all the big questions about how to organize society had been solved by history, if you had asked what could possibly disrupt this progressive consensus? Hardly anyone would have supposed that the answer had any thing to do with God.

There may have been a few prescient pessimists-would you mind naming them, who thought Islam would be an important and dangerous disruption on the forward march to the future-perhaps important and dangerous enough to need quelling with a few brisk, punitive expeditions-but even such pessimists could hardly have imagined the fiasco that what the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have turned out to be, nor 9/11 attacks and the widespread fear and loathing they have produced. Nor could anyone have foreseen the emergence of the religious right as such a dominant force in American politics and its extraordinary takeover of the Republican Party.

The Reaganite model of capitalism is collapsing around the world, liberal democracy is no longer poised to take over the world but worrying about the where and how it might survive, and that the arguments about religion were back as fiercely as ever and almost as popular.

This is extraordinary. Communism would not have fallen in the way it did were it not for the passionate Roman Catholicism of the Poles, and even in the other countries of Eastern Europe there were Christian groupings at the forefront of the revolutions of 1989.

Sure enough, the Catholic Church in Ireland imploded in scandals, and even in Poland lost its influence, the slow growth of liberal Protestantism continued. The simple message of hedonistic liberalism-there is probably no God; there is nothing to worry about; enjoy yourselves-seemed in the West entirely self-evident.

The weirdos who did not know the enjoyment of life was all one could hope for were clearly dying off and religion was no more than a "licensed insanity", in the words of John Bowker, then dean of Trinity College Cambridge.

What changed, what brought us to the contemporary world, where millions of Hindus, Christians, Muslims and atheists understand the existence of infidels and heretics as an existential threat against which almost any degree of violence is something justified?"

The Reaganite model of capitalism was collapsing around the world, liberal democracy was no longer poised to take over the world but worrying about the where and how it might survive, and that the arguments about religion were back as fiercely as ever and almost as popular".

There is a sharp contrast even in all the reflex actions, and a reflection of misperception on the part of people who spoke on the issue, God and for that matter religion has nothing to do with the power politics, we the perpetrators are responsible for the tribulations in the World we reside.
What we lack is the understanding of neural hijacking-instinctive behavior, and the understanding of neural circuit-the procedure of the overlapping of knowledge in human mind, what neural hijacking does is that it takes direct route - apparently the survival route, without taking the sane route of getting the information processed duly by the proper neural circuit in more refined and even manner.

The men of intellect who have been endowed with the wisdom say that- the charity of the intellect is to tolerate the talk of the ignorant, many of us in our childhoods used to believe the false notions owning to our ignorance but such false notions proved wrong, when we reached maturity, there are many aspects that used to be considered as Para psychological are know known as psychological aspects.

In the ever changing world where no final judgment is possible, what actually we, do is that we simply behave impulsively, and often we are unable to withstand the pressure that "Time" poses to our wits. There is a saying in Arabic that- do not curse time, because it is from me (God). The solution-the command of intellect over instinct, we the humans should stop taking selfish route and strive for mutual benefits than strike for the benefit.

Imran Zaka, Faisalabad, Punjab Pakistan,00926636545

What Does Heaven Look Like? (Part 1 of 3)

"I think I would have my own room and not with my brother," says Danielle, 7.

Danielle, if you did share a room with your brother in heaven, you would love every minute. You'll like heaven's version of your brother.

"Well, heaven is big. God has a big house, and heaven is really big like a yard," says Carissa, 5.

Yes, "big" is the key word. Heaven enters our hearts when we receive God's gift of eternal life by believing in Jesus as the only way to heaven. This new life is far more than an eternal life-insurance policy. God wants us to live a big life on Earth before we arrive in heaven. Jesus called this the abundant life.

"Heaven looks like a kingdom. No one dies, and no one cries, and everyone gets a lot of food," says Sam, 5.

Michael, 6, has his ideas about food in heaven, and they're connected with housing: "My house will be made out of Reese's Cups, and filled with chocolate."

Perhaps the expression "eating yourself out of house and home" could be taken literally in this case.

"Yellow dogs are in heaven because the streets are made of gold. They are both yellow," says John, 6.

Remember the movie "Old Yeller"? According to John, there will be many Old Yellers in heaven.

We simply don't know if dogs will bark and run through heaven's fields, but Caroline, 7, has a plan to get her favorite pet past the pearly gates: "I will go up to God and praise him. Then, I will ask him, "If people are supposed to be happy in heaven, then if your pet makes you happy, will your pet be in heaven with you?"

Good logic, Caroline! God knows your heart, and what will make you happy. But when you see Jesus in heaven along with all the spectacular sights and sounds, you might be hard-pressed to remember your pet's name.

"I think that the streets are gold, the waters are crystal and the houses are made of clouds," says Kristan, 10. "In God's room, there are TVs so he can see what we're doing all day."

I doubt there will be television in heaven, but if there is, I can assure you that all the news will be good.

Kristan also mentioned crystal waters. Jesus once told a woman at a well how to have her thirst permanently satisfied: "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, `Give me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water" (John 4:10).

In the New Jerusalem, the river of life will flow from God's throne. Concerning God's throne, Stephen, 8, writes, "Jesus has his own chair. No one can sit in his chair, only if he says, `Probably, yes.'"

Actually, Jesus will invite some Christians to sit on his throne. Those who overcome are those who have fellowship with the Lord (Revelation 3:21). To sit with Christ on his throne probably means to have a position of authority in his kingdom. There is no greater honor. Jesus will reward faithful believers.

"There is probably a huge temple in heaven," says an anonymous friend. Is there? In the Apostle John's vision of the New Jerusalem, he wrote, "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Revelation 21:22).

The temple and all its priestly functions in the old Jerusalem were a shadow of a greater reality. God's presence dwelt in the temple. When Jesus was born, his name was called "Immanuel," which means "God with us."

My anonymous friend also wrote, "There is a spot up in heaven just waiting for me." Reservations for spots in heaven are being taken now. Make one today!

Carey Kinsolving is a syndicated columnist, producer, author, speaker and website developer. To see more material like this, visit http://www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. The Kids Talk About God website contains free, online content for children and families. See Careys Kid TV Interviews. Hear a book talk. Print free lessons from the "Kids Color Me Bible" and make your own book. Let an 11-year-old girl take you on a trip around the world in the Mission Explorers Streaming Video. Print Scripture verses illustrated by child artists. Receive a complimentary, weekly e-mail subscription to our Devotional Bible Lessons.

Bible quotations in this Bible lesson are from the New King James Version.

Copyright 2007 Carey Kinsolving

Chess is My Life - Victor Kortchnoi

There are a variety of books on the market that one can pick up and read to learn to play chess. Why buy from a famous Chess player and biographer over some one else you have never heard of? I can think of a few good reasons. First not only will you learn basic strategy and movements of the different pieces such as Rook, or Knight. These colossal giants of Chess bring with them their wisdom and years of experience with them.

Players such as Viktor Kortchnoi are doubtlessly one of the most electrifying personalities of the chess world. While playing successful & writing his novel My Life of Chess Vol 1 & 2, the 73-year-old former double world championship finalist is also famous for his candid language. Kortchnoi was never one for mincing his words. So it is befitting that such a man not known for his words creates two wonderful books to help you learn to better your game tactics with. This is an extraordinary DVD interactive set that allows you to hear him taunt to praise you in your game. This DVD set 1, presents eight of his most brilliant effort from the years 1949-1979, among them games against Smyslov, Geller, Tal, Huebner and Karpov.

This new Interactive DVD Chess game offers more than three hours of first-class chess training, plus an extensive interview with Viktor himself. His resume he states as "two-times contender for the world championship, is a piece of living chess history. In the 60 years of his career, "Victor the Terrible" crossed swords with practically all great players of the past and presence, including Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. A relentless fighter at the board, he expressed his never-ending love for the royal game in a very simple phrase - "Chess is my life". Victor Kortchnoi.

On Volume two of his DVD you get four hours of Victor presenting among other things his games against Kasparov in 1986, Spassky in 1989 and Short in 1990 in his typical gripping style. Detailed commentaries are embedded within the game of Kortchnoi's biography.

Your Computer requirements you may want to check to ensure you meet these standards before purchasing or installing. A Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Media Player 9.0, DVD drive.

Visit About Chess to find more resources on how to become a better chess player.

Danny A has been playing chess for more than 20 years now and loves writing articles on topics of chess.

The Story of Chosun, Part 9

It is the 14th century . In England, the Reformation of the church of Jesus Christ gets underway. In America, the native citizens still rule. And on the Korean peninsula there's trouble in the south. Its focal point is a little island that is now a honeymoon spot for Koreans. My wife and I visited it once. No love is wasted on Cheju-do (then, Quelpart Island) in the 1300's. Rebellion against Koryo/Mongolia is brewing.

Soon the Mongols overrun the area and the rebellion is quelled. But there is a rebellion that is nearly impossible to stop once it gets underway, namely the corruption that wastes away a people when its king is evil. North Korea to this day suffers from such a malaise.

Several kings in a row vie with each other for low debauchery levels. And rather than take personal interest in their people,they all want to stay in Peking, the center of power and wealth. Chosun suffers from neglect.

In 1329 the horrible excesses of the court defy description. In 1340 the next son is the same, some say even worse. The Emperor has him brought to Peking, from whence he is exiled, and dies. Then there is an 8-year-old king who dies at age 16. "Sin is a reproach to any people," says the Bible.

Then it is the Japanese. Again. From 1350-1400, Korea's neighbors behave much like the infamous Vikings.

In 1333 the last Mongol Emperor comes to throne. He too is licentious. His name is Tohan Timur. Finally in 1355, there is a rebellion against the old Mongol Dynasty. Chu Yuan-chang takes Nanking. The Mongols ask Koryo for aid against the rising Ming dynasty. Koryo is faithful to the end. For Koryo's sake, not just because of a great love for Mongols. And there is less and less loyalty as the Mongols fall.

Slowly the king of Koryo rises to the task of reorganizing the nation as the Mongols slip away into history and the new Ming Dynasty supplants them.

1359. The Japanese raids reach such alarming proportions that a wall must be built.And as they create the wall, yet another threat of trouble appears in the form of the "red head robbers", Hong du juk . They try to set up the Sung Dynasty again. They get to Pyongyang but then are driven out.

In 1360, the Japanese reach Kangwha island, the palace, the center of Koryo's heart. Quickly the Capital is moved to Seoul because it is farther inland, not within reach of Japanese raiders.

Next the Red-heads return, defeat the army, and take Song-bo. There are orgies. Horrible excesses, children are eaten...

But King Ta-jo captures their leader and the story goes that 100,000 people die in one night. Bodies are heaped up in Kaesong, the city in the news this very day as Kim Jong-il says all bets are off on his new cooperation with South Korea in that town..

Many myths grow up about this Ta-jo (as is true of the Kim dynasty heads of today)...

Yet another problem in Korea is pointed out by historian Hulbert, whom we have been following. He says the curse of Korean history is the constant lies given by one Korean man to another in authority, out of jealousy for a 3rd man. The one in authority believes and acts accordingly. Often good men are killed.

Mongolians. Japanese. Red-heads. Corrupt rulers. Liars. Problems within and without. Is there a solution for it all? We are asking that God's people pray that Jesus be allowed to take His place in the North as He has in the South. That should help quite a bit... But Christians are not only out to "change the world." Our job is to preach the Gospel. But even that cannot be done effectively, nationally, at this time. Lots of praying still to do!

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 .

Is The Pre-Tribulation Rapture In Revelation 4:1?

Revelation 4:1 has been used by those who believe in a catching up to heaven seven years before Jesus comes to earth. Let's look at it.

"After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."

Question: Isn't John's "rapture" here meant to indicate that the church is lifted out of the world before any talk of tribulation in the book? Is it not true that the church is not mentioned again after this?

Oh the strange work that popular 'theologians' have done with this verse. In this simple passage, John is addressed by Jesus, and told to come up to heaven for further revelations. Incredible to me is the notion that here, Jesus is actually calling His entire Church to Heaven! The statement is made by believers in this interpretation, pre-tribulation rapturists all, that , from this point on, the Church is 'absent' in the book of Revelation! And when it is pointed out in several places that believers are indeed on earth, the response is made that these believers are really not the 'Church' , but 'tribulation' saints, whatever that means. A conclusion is made, and facts to the contrary are explained away. This is not good exegesis, to say the least!

For those who desire to look at it, the evidence for the Church being in the book of Revelation after chapter 4 is strong:

1. Definition. First, we assume that by 'Church' we mean the 'saints', or as in Daniel, 'holy ones', a term used over 40 times by New testament writers to refer to the Body of Christ, the people of God. We also assume we are talking about a people who have been promised by Jesus, Paul, and Peter a life of persecution often ending in martyrdom .

2. Passages in Revelation that don't say 'Church' but are Church: 5:8, The worshipers in Heaven pour out before God prayers from the saints. 6:10-11, martyrs are here received to God and told that their fellow- martyrs will soon join them. They have been slain for the Word of God and their testimony. 7: 13 ff, the same believers referred to in chapter 6 are now standing before the Throne, having come out of the Great Tribulation by means of martyrdom. 8:4, The prayers of the saints are now seen as incense. 12:11, The same saints as in 6 and 7 are seen in a flashback in the context of the Beast who persecuted them. 12:17, Those who keep the commandments of God, as brother John loved to talk about in his writings (John 12:49-50, 13:34, 14:15,21,31, 15:1-12, I John 2:3-8, 3:22-24, 4:21, 5:3-6, II John 4-6) and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, are distinguished here from the persecuted Israelites who are in the process of being hidden and sealed, and therefore unreachable by antichrist. He now vents his fury on the only 'saints' left, the Church. 13:7, As in Daniel 7, the man of sin is seen here being given the authority to conquer the saints. He overcomes their body, and they overcome him by going straight to Jesus. 14:6, The everlasting Gospel is being preached all over the world. I wonder who does this job? A company of angels? The 144,000? Why not the same group that has always preached it? 14:13, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. To die in the Lord is to be a member of Christ. Members of Christ are the Church. 15:1-4, Singing the song of Moses and the Lamb, those who died in the Lord, those who seemingly were conquered by antichrist, now are around the Throne. 16:15, In the worst of the worst hours comes a message from Heaven: I am coming. Keep your garments clean! Who is He talking to, if not the Church? 18:4, Also in the midst of devastation, God's people are called out, but not up, FIRST. Who are they? The Church!"

Schwertley adds these powerful words: "The argument from silence consistently applied would not prove the rapture of the saints but the annihilation of the saints, for not only is the word church (ekklesia) not used of the saints on earth in chapters 4 through 18, it also is never used of the saints in heaven. Does this mean that all the saints have vacated heaven...? The word church does not even occur in the book of Revelation until Revelation 22:16. Does this mean the church is not involved in the second coming, the resurrection or white throne judgment?...An argument that proves too much is worthless."

Further, he states that this argument [from silence] could also be used to prove many dangerous and heretical doctrines. "In the book of Esther the words for God and Jehovah do not occur even once. Does this fact mean that God does not exist...?"

As with most pre-trib assertions, a little logic, a lot of Scripture, and the notions dissolve in the heat of God's light. Yes, the church is all over the book of Revelation because they never left in 4:1! John made a solo trip at the express invitation of Jesus. And that's all that happened.

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.

Odd Video, You Try and Figure It out

if you don't matter to God, you don't matter to anyone else, that statement doesn't make a lot of sense. If I reversed the phrase, if you don't matter to anyone else you matter to God. Something to think about.

Seek the wisdom and the truth shall set you free.

Hope in Religion

Studying On Faith Alone

Rapture Or Second Coming? Final Distinctions Refuted

So is there a difference between the rapture of the church and the return of Christ to the Earth? Modern theologians have suggested that it is not proper to pray with John, "Come Lord Jesus," if we know He is not coming for seven years (at least). Thus there must be an un-announced and a clearly predictable coming, both. This seems to make

This implies that every time we pray, we are changing God's plans. Rather, when we pray, it must be in accord with God's will. That is, Jesus, I know you are coming, and you are welcome here! Your will be done, Come as you plan to come, Lord Jesus! I want it and I am looking forward to it.

Anyone who has prayed that prayer over the last 2000 years, including John the Revelator, understood that it might not be answered physically and immediately. But the prayer went up anyway, and continues to rise to Heaven. To suggest that a prayer is invalid because God has a fixed moment for its answer is to suggest that our desires should supercede His.

When we pray for healing, He hears us. Or for financial blessing. Or for deliverance. Or for the salvation of family members. He hears. But the answer may be down the road. Our knowing that we must wait upon God does not stop us from crying out to Him, yea, day and night ( Luke 18:1-5).

The Spirit and the Bride call out for these many years, Come, Lord Jesus. But He doesn't come. But He will. When it is time. For now, the world is in a mess, the world needs the Saviour, O come, O come, Emmanuel! Keep praying it saints!

One final suggestion that the rapture and return are two different events separated by seven years is that the judgment seat of Christ and the

marriage of the Lamb must take place in Heaven and with the Church present, and before His coming to earth. Yet he can offer no proof of the location and timing of these events, for, of course, such proof does not exist.

Romans 14:10 and II Corinthians 5:10 simply state that there will be a time when saints stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Revelation 19:7-8 describe not the wedding, but the announcement of same. The marriage has come. The wife is ready. Blessed are those invited. But wait! Some serious work to do first, following this announcement. Now the church descends with Jesus (Revelation 19:7-21) to the earth, taking its first step toward the announced supper. There, as described by prophets and apostles, the Kingdom is set up after Christ's victory over His enemies. Then Jesus keeps His promise to drink the fruit of the vine with His followers (Matthew 26:29). It seems to me that this is a more logical arrangement of details.

But for a "proof text" that this will happen, neither the pre- or post- people can find one. It simply is not there.

In fact, no proofs can be offered anywhere in God's Word that there is such a thing as a "pre-tribulation" rapture, that there is a rapture at all without the revelation of Christ and the setting up of His kingdom on earth, that there is any distinction between our catching away and his coming again. Thank God, much of this teaching is losing its grip, and there are many places in the world where men's books are not available, only God's. These people believe what the church believed for two millennia, namely, "Immediately after the tribulation... they will see the sign of the Son of man..."

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.

Unity - It's Already Here

We were talking in a recent article about how men are trying to organize the church and unify it on human principles rather than accepting the fact that God's church is one even now, and through the Spirit in unity with His Body the work of saving the world has begun and will continue without political force.
It is the Father's intention to continue answering the prayer of His Son in John 17, making people one in Him as He is in the Son. This is true spiritual unity. An externally "United Church" with no opposition was experienced by the planet from the days of Constantine until the Reformation was in full swing. About 1000 years. Not a pretty sight.

Never has Jesus been ignored by the Father in prayer. Jesus prayed the perfect will of the Father and therefore all His prayers were answered, including the phrase, "that they may be one." Yes, that prayer was heard and we humans can stop trying to put the church together. There is one church. It defies description. But it exists in unity with the Father, as the Father and Son have unity. Theirs is not a physical unity because the Father is not physical.

John 17:20-21. How will the later disciples, like us, ever hear of and believe in Christ? Through the Word of the apostles. How will that Word go out? Through unity of Christ with them and in them. He does not say that [external] unity brings people to Christ. He is talking about the Spirit bringing people to Christ. When God and His people are of the right Spirit, the Holy Spirit, that Spirit will reach to a fallen world, calling out His own through men. He prays for our communion with the Godhead, the same communion He had, so that we, Spirit-filled believers, will touch our world.

Collectively, that which the Spirit fills is Christ on the earth today. We start from a position of unity and are perfected from there. We are not striving for unity with God and therefore with each other. The unity already exists. Churches may split. The Church cannot. Denominations may form. The unity continues. Rome, pagan or papal, may rise and control the masses (in more ways than one). But Christ knows His own and His church remains defined by the Spirit, not the Emperor, or any other human leader.

Oh we long for the day when the current world regime moves aside and makes way for new things. We long for Christ to have His rightful place, for people to breathe free and drink in Christ. But we must step aside and allow the Spirit of God to call whom He will to get this task done, not assume that human organizing will do it.

Oh, God, breathe Your Spirit on Your true Church and raise them up from all the earth's peoples, even now, as You choose. May we not be in the way, but following Your Way. May we not assume You need us but may we not be disobedient when we hear Your call.

Amen

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 Repulsive or True - Movie Video

Can you believe this guy, if you look up these verses in the Bible, you will see that there and there, but how did he come up with these ideas about the Sabbath, teenagers and the fact that the Bible is repulsive.

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

Sometimes Your The Problem
Quit Waiting For Help

Finding Friendships With Like-Minded People

Have you ever met someone and right from the very beginning they seem to be a wonderful person. Someone who makes you laugh and feel good, treats others with compassion and is a very nice person. Once you start to spend time with them, you start to notice certain faults and become confused at some of the statements that are coming out of their mouth.

After a while, you start to see less and less of these people and over time they become just another memory. Often there is a problem or difficulty in your relationship that led to the demise of your friendship. Maybe you loaned them some money or let them borrow something and they didn't repay you are never returned the item or items you loan them.

Somehow this wonderful relationship ended and usually it was from a problem, one that just didn't make sense to you.

This has happened to me more than once in my lifetime and I have noticed that people who give can always find someone willing to take. Their friendships are often lighthearted and never serious. To them, you are just another person on a long list of people they have used and discarded like a piece of trash.

Somehow these people convince you that you're the problem, you're the reason why the friendship had failed.

I would like to offer those a little hope who have been used or felt like they have been used in a relationship like this. Opposites do seem to attract and if you're a giving person, stop giving and you won't have to deal with people who are always willing to take what you're giving. Now don't confuse this with, changing your core personality or who you really are but rather, be more observant as you offer your services or friendship to those always willing to benefit somehow from your relationship.

If you're the kind of person who doesn't have very many friends, but wishes to have some, keep looking. People who give often don't associate with other givers and people who take don't hang around other takers. If you're looking for someone like yourself, you're going to need to change or readjust your thinking somehow. You're usually the reason why you keep attracting the same type of friends into your life.

If there's a sports, hobby or something else that you enjoy, maybe you can join a club. Spending your life alone or with the wrong friends can lead to misery. Keep trying to improve your friendship skills and pretty soon you'll have friends that are truly that, true friends, people whom you can really trust and appreciate.

Achieving Your Goals

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

Christie Matheson

Video on Bible Facts

Can you believe this guy, if you look up these verses in the Bible, you will see that there and there, but how did he come up with these ideas about the Sabbath, teenagers and the fact that the Bible is repulsive.

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

Religious Education And Fear
Peace And Religion

False Prophet Are Biblical Facts- Movie Video

Can you believe this guy, if you look up these verses in the Bible, you will see that there and there, but how did he come up with these ideas about the Sabbath, teenagers and the fact that the Bible is repulsive.

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

Create Your Day
You Have Got To Read This Book

Leaders Need to Know That Spiritual Conflict is Arising Globally in Fierce Violent Forms

As I take another group of people through the Gospel of Luke let me share this passage with a wider audience. Do take time and make time to read the actual text - after all, it is The Word of God.

In the Gospel of Luke at Chapter 11 and verse 21, Jesus portrays a picture of Satan - thinking he is safe and secure in his evil palace - surrounded by strong-arm guards - and thinking he will never lose his possessions. What a picture!

When a stronger man appears - when Jesus appears - Satan is overcome - all the armour upon which he has relied is taken away, and all his possessions are taken from him.

It is a total irreversible defeat. What a powerful picture we have of Jesus Christ here. Christ is the strongest man around. In these present times we need to have a good strong biblical picture of Jesus Christ. There are many other modified edited watered-down pictures of Jesus Christ. These will be of little use when spiritual conflict arises and it is arising all over our world in fierce violent forms.

Verse 23. Then Jesus says, He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. What words! It is almost frightening to read them.

Jesus is saying, No man can remain neutral. You cannot sit of the fence. He who is not openly siding with Jesus and His Disciples, is on the other side- and in one sense there is no fence on which to sit. (And if there was a fence, then, when the Holy Spirit comes, He electrifies the fence - and people have to get off - on one side or the other!)

People who have no time for Jesus Christ and His Church are at that point against Jesus Christ and His Church. There is no neutral ground. People like to think that they can tolerate The Church, and let us silly folks believe in all this. O, leave them alone. But that day has gone and those who believe in Jesus Christ and His Word are no longer being left alone.

There is a day coming, when all will see, that there are those who are for Jesus Christ, and there are those who are NOT for Jesus Christ. There is nothing in between.

Jesus says something further. When an evil spirit goes out of a man, it goes seeking somewhere to rest. But if it finds nowhere to rest, it will return to the man, finding the man clean and swept - but empty - and it will bring seven others - and the situation is worse than before.

They seem to go around in gangs. Have you noticed that? Evil spirits appear to go around in gangs!

What is Jesus meaning? What is He saying here? It is not enough just to be clean. We also have to be filled - filled with the Holy Spirit - with His power - and with God's love and grace - so that there is no room for anything else.

An empty heart is a tragedy. An empty life is in great danger. A negative life is a danger too. It is never enough to say, 'You mustn't do that and you mustn't do this'. Jesus Christ has to fill and permeate every room in the house - every corner of our lives.

Jesus not only saves us from our sins and cleans out what not to be there, but He also wants to fills us - and feed us - and satisfy us. There must be both aspects. This is vitally important.

Verse 27. A woman shouts out from the crowd, "Blessed is your mother. God bless the woman who brought you into the world, and nursed you and raised you and produced such a mighty preacher and teacher and deliverer." Jesus turns round and says - "Woman, you have got it all wrong."

Jesus will not accept false compliments. Jesus will not receive sentimental comments, nor will He allow Mary appreciation societies.

"Blessed are they who hear The Word of God and keep it." Blessed are they who hear The Word of God and act upon it - positively!

Jesus was never afraid to correct people when they said wrong things - even when they thought they were complimenting Him by saying nice things.

The true disciple of Jesus, is the man or woman who having been believed - who having been born again - goes on to serve Jesus Christ actively and positively - and hears what Jesus is saying - and agrees with it - and obeys it - and willingly sides with Jesus - and who also stands up with those and in the company of those who openly and unashamedly stand up for Jesus - and who is not afraid of being seen with those who stand for Jesus Christ and His Word - and often we can be challenged within 24 hours.

We are not all called to be preachers, but each of us is called to be a witness.

Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and obey it. You cannot get anything more clear or final than that. Let these words encourage you throughout this coming week.

Sandy Shaw

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.

His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.

Sandy Shaw
sandyshaw63@yahoo.com

Growing Up Around Christians in Organized Religion

I was born in the 1960s and raised in Southern California, United States of America. During that period of time, and in the area I was raised, there was basically one religion that dominated every aspect of mine and my friends lives. That religion was Christianity. When I was in elementary school, I knew one Jewish boy and he looked different than the Christians and even talk different. He was very smart and spent a lot of his time reading, instead of playing at recess.

There were no Muslims or Hindus and it was a predominantly white environment. The first black students I seen was when I entered the eighth grade and by the time I finished high school, I could count all of the black students I had met on both of my hands. So now you have a pretty good idea of my life, living in a white neighborhood that was 90% Christian.

As you can guessed it, I was raised a Christian, but not a regular Christian, I was a Methodist and proud of it, until my parents got tired of the church elders asking for money or if my father could help build the new church. My father explained to them, that he needed to work to support his family and could only contribute, what ever he could to the church and no more. They were very unhappy and made it uncomfortable for us to go to the church anymore.

Hard to imagine, isn't it. Christians asking for money and then when they don't receive it, getting mad at one of their brethren.

Well it was time to switch churches and we are now going to the Crystal Cathedral Church in Garden Grove California. These people had everything and it was a large church. This was before they built the massive glass structure that is presently the church sanctuary. I enjoy going to this church, because we didn't have to go to Sunday school and got to sit with the adults to worship.

By the time I was 15, neither one of my parents were going to church anymore and my life didn't seem to change that much, even though I prayed every night with my brother. Maybe that was it, I didn't have to go to church as long as I prayed every night... By the time I was 18 years old, I was more confused about organized religion than ever before and this included Christianity.

How can someone kill in the name of God? The Muslims were doing it, the Christians were doing it, the Muslims were fighting the Hindus in India and it all seemed normal. It didn't seem normal to me, when I was supposed to love my neighbor and live a life like Christ who never seemed to start fights or even get mad. Maybe a couple of times, over some money, in the Temple.

I have chosen not to be a part of organized religion. I'd figured out that most of our religious beliefs came from our upbringing. This seems to have brainwashed us into believing we are better because were right and know for a fact, that we have chosen to belong to the right religion. What if were not right?

I want to ask you a question, do you think that other religions are wrong and yours is right? If you really spend some time and think about this, you will see, that your religion is not that different than someone else's and neither was their upbringing. Most religious followers, belonged to the religion of their childhood.

Who Is Jesus?

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 spiritual videos filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world.

Crimes Solved With Psychic Power

One of the Best Inspiration Movies

What a great inspirational story about a young man on a high school basketball team. Sometimes it's not all about what you think

Check out one of his recommended books, You Can Have It All

Greg is currently working on a self 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.

Goal Planning For Success

Religion and Spiritual Communication

How do we overcome our difficulties talking about religion with other people? This would also include people that we talk to about religion and agree with us. If someone tends to agrees with us most of the time, this could create difficulties in a different way. Their constant agreement could tell us a couple of things about them, either they don't know enough about the topic you're discussing, have no interest in it or they don't want to upset you and will tend to agree with you often if not always.

The biggest problem, dealing with the difficulties in talking about religion would involve two people who disagree on one or many topics. These topics could range from very important (life changing and factual) to common beliefs. When someone ask you a question like, "Do You Believe in God?", this could lead to an argument with the wrong person.

You can be honest, but always have an exit response if things get a little out of hand. Whenever someone chooses to become animated or mad at me, because of something I said, that they don't believe in, I can simply choose to remove myself from their presence. I would like to point out to my readers, rarely do I ever choose to remove myself from any heated discussion but often encourage or egg them on.

If you don't feel comfortable asking questions about religion, but seek answers from others, start with simple unoffensive questions and lead your way into the bigger ones. For example if I wanted to know, why someone believes in Hinduism, but am afraid to directly ask them... have someone else asked them. Okay maybe that's the easy way out, but you could always start with a question related to their childhood like," How Old Were You When You Started Going to Church?"

They might reply with, we don't go to church, we go to Temple or Mandir. This often breaks the ice that could lead to the end of the conversation, quickly. If you did a little research before you spoke with them, you could always replace church with the word temple but not Mandir. This might give them the impression, you already know about their religion, let them explain their religion to you.

If this is handled in a nonthreatening way, it could lead to a friendship of greater trust and now you can ask the bigger questions. Asking the big questions sometimes, even in a friendly environment this could become frustrating if your intentions are other than just gathering information. Don't try to convert anyone to follow your religion or spiritual practices. This could end the relationship quickly and cause bad feelings.

Treat people like you would like to be treated and if you treat people poorly, disregard the last statement and treat people with kindness and compassion.

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

If you 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.

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

Stop Losing Your Car Keys

Growing Up Around Christians in Organized Religion

I was born in the 1960s and raised in Southern California, United States of America. During that period of time, and in the area I was raised, there was basically one religion that dominated every aspect of mine and my friends lives. That religion was Christianity. When I was in elementary school, I knew one Jewish boy and he looked different than the Christians and even talk different. He was very smart and spent a lot of his time reading, instead of playing at recess.

There were no Muslims or Hindus and it was a predominantly white environment. The first black students I seen was when I entered the eighth grade and by the time I finished high school, I could count all of the black students I had met on both of my hands. So now you have a pretty good idea of my life, living in a white neighborhood that was 90% Christian.

As you can guessed it, I was raised a Christian, but not a regular Christian, I was a Methodist and proud of it, until my parents got tired of the church elders asking for money or if my father could help build the new church. My father explained to them, that he needed to work to support his family and could only contribute, what ever he could to the church and no more. They were very unhappy and made it uncomfortable for us to go to the church anymore.

Hard to imagine, isn't it. Christians asking for money and then when they don't receive it, getting mad at one of their brethren.

Well it was time to switch churches and we are now going to the Crystal Cathedral Church in Garden Grove California. These people had everything and it was a large church. This was before they built the massive glass structure that is presently the church sanctuary. I enjoy going to this church, because we didn't have to go to Sunday school and got to sit with the adults to worship.

By the time I was 15, neither one of my parents were going to church anymore and my life didn't seem to change that much, even though I prayed every night with my brother. Maybe that was it, I didn't have to go to church as long as I prayed every night... By the time I was 18 years old, I was more confused about organized religion than ever before and this included Christianity.

How can someone kill in the name of God? The Muslims were doing it, the Christians were doing it, the Muslims were fighting the Hindus in India and it all seemed normal. It didn't seem normal to me, when I was supposed to love my neighbor and live a life like Christ who never seemed to start fights or even get mad. Maybe a couple of times, over some money, in the Temple.

I have chosen not to be a part of organized religion. I'd figured out that most of our religious beliefs came from our upbringing. This seems to have brainwashed us into believing we are better because were right and know for a fact, that we have chosen to belong to the right religion. What if were not right?

I want to ask you a question, do you think that other religions are wrong and yours is right? If you really spend some time and think about this, you will see, that your religion is not that different than someone else's and neither was their upbringing. Most religious followers, belonged to the religion of their childhood.

Who Is Jesus?

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 spiritual videos filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world.

You Have To Start Somewhere

Religion and Spiritual Communication

How do we overcome our difficulties talking about religion with other people? This would also include people that we talk to about religion and agree with us. If someone tends to agrees with us most of the time, this could create difficulties in a different way. Their constant agreement could tell us a couple of things about them, either they don't know enough about the topic you're discussing, have no interest in it or they don't want to upset you and will tend to agree with you often if not always.

The biggest problem, dealing with the difficulties in talking about religion would involve two people who disagree on one or many topics. These topics could range from very important (life changing and factual) to common beliefs. When someone ask you a question like, "Do You Believe in God?", this could lead to an argument with the wrong person.

You can be honest, but always have an exit response if things get a little out of hand. Whenever someone chooses to become animated or mad at me, because of something I said, that they don't believe in, I can simply choose to remove myself from their presence. I would like to point out to my readers, rarely do I ever choose to remove myself from any heated discussion but often encourage or egg them on.

If you don't feel comfortable asking questions about religion, but seek answers from others, start with simple unoffensive questions and lead your way into the bigger ones. For example if I wanted to know, why someone believes in Hinduism, but am afraid to directly ask them... have someone else asked them. Okay maybe that's the easy way out, but you could always start with a question related to their childhood like," How Old Were You When You Started Going to Church?"

They might reply with, we don't go to church, we go to Temple or Mandir. This often breaks the ice that could lead to the end of the conversation, quickly. If you did a little research before you spoke with them, you could always replace church with the word temple but not Mandir. This might give them the impression, you already know about their religion, let them explain their religion to you.

If this is handled in a nonthreatening way, it could lead to a friendship of greater trust and now you can ask the bigger questions. Asking the big questions sometimes, even in a friendly environment this could become frustrating if your intentions are other than just gathering information. Don't try to convert anyone to follow your religion or spiritual practices. This could end the relationship quickly and cause bad feelings.

Treat people like you would like to be treated and if you treat people poorly, disregard the last statement and treat people with kindness and compassion.

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

If you 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.

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

Do Only A Few Go To Heaven

Growing Up Around Christians in Organized Religion

I was born in the 1960s and raised in Southern California, United States of America. During that period of time, and in the area I was raised, there was basically one religion that dominated every aspect of mine and my friends lives. That religion was Christianity. When I was in elementary school, I knew one Jewish boy and he looked different than the Christians and even talk different. He was very smart and spent a lot of his time reading, instead of playing at recess.

There were no Muslims or Hindus and it was a predominantly white environment. The first black students I seen was when I entered the eighth grade and by the time I finished high school, I could count all of the black students I had met on both of my hands. So now you have a pretty good idea of my life, living in a white neighborhood that was 90% Christian.

As you can guessed it, I was raised a Christian, but not a regular Christian, I was a Methodist and proud of it, until my parents got tired of the church elders asking for money or if my father could help build the new church. My father explained to them, that he needed to work to support his family and could only contribute, what ever he could to the church and no more. They were very unhappy and made it uncomfortable for us to go to the church anymore.

Hard to imagine, isn't it. Christians asking for money and then when they don't receive it, getting mad at one of their brethren.

Well it was time to switch churches and we are now going to the Crystal Cathedral Church in Garden Grove California. These people had everything and it was a large church. This was before they built the massive glass structure that is presently the church sanctuary. I enjoy going to this church, because we didn't have to go to Sunday school and got to sit with the adults to worship.

By the time I was 15, neither one of my parents were going to church anymore and my life didn't seem to change that much, even though I prayed every night with my brother. Maybe that was it, I didn't have to go to church as long as I prayed every night... By the time I was 18 years old, I was more confused about organized religion than ever before and this included Christianity.

How can someone kill in the name of God? The Muslims were doing it, the Christians were doing it, the Muslims were fighting the Hindus in India and it all seemed normal. It didn't seem normal to me, when I was supposed to love my neighbor and live a life like Christ who never seemed to start fights or even get mad. Maybe a couple of times, over some money, in the Temple.

I have chosen not to be a part of organized religion. I'd figured out that most of our religious beliefs came from our upbringing. This seems to have brainwashed us into believing we are better because were right and know for a fact, that we have chosen to belong to the right religion. What if were not right?

I want to ask you a question, do you think that other religions are wrong and yours is right? If you really spend some time and think about this, you will see, that your religion is not that different than someone else's and neither was their upbringing. Most religious followers, belonged to the religion of their childhood.

Who Is Jesus?

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 spiritual videos filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world.

Jim Jones Impact On My Life

Religion and Spiritual Communication

How do we overcome our difficulties talking about religion with other people? This would also include people that we talk to about religion and agree with us. If someone tends to agrees with us most of the time, this could create difficulties in a different way. Their constant agreement could tell us a couple of things about them, either they don't know enough about the topic you're discussing, have no interest in it or they don't want to upset you and will tend to agree with you often if not always.

The biggest problem, dealing with the difficulties in talking about religion would involve two people who disagree on one or many topics. These topics could range from very important (life changing and factual) to common beliefs. When someone ask you a question like, "Do You Believe in God?", this could lead to an argument with the wrong person.

You can be honest, but always have an exit response if things get a little out of hand. Whenever someone chooses to become animated or mad at me, because of something I said, that they don't believe in, I can simply choose to remove myself from their presence. I would like to point out to my readers, rarely do I ever choose to remove myself from any heated discussion but often encourage or egg them on.

If you don't feel comfortable asking questions about religion, but seek answers from others, start with simple unoffensive questions and lead your way into the bigger ones. For example if I wanted to know, why someone believes in Hinduism, but am afraid to directly ask them... have someone else asked them. Okay maybe that's the easy way out, but you could always start with a question related to their childhood like," How Old Were You When You Started Going to Church?"

They might reply with, we don't go to church, we go to Temple or Mandir. This often breaks the ice that could lead to the end of the conversation, quickly. If you did a little research before you spoke with them, you could always replace church with the word temple but not Mandir. This might give them the impression, you already know about their religion, let them explain their religion to you.

If this is handled in a nonthreatening way, it could lead to a friendship of greater trust and now you can ask the bigger questions. Asking the big questions sometimes, even in a friendly environment this could become frustrating if your intentions are other than just gathering information. Don't try to convert anyone to follow your religion or spiritual practices. This could end the relationship quickly and cause bad feelings.

Treat people like you would like to be treated and if you treat people poorly, disregard the last statement and treat people with kindness and compassion.

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

If you 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.

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

A Rich Man To Enter The Kingdom

Growing Up Around Christians in Organized Religion

I was born in the 1960s and raised in Southern California, United States of America. During that period of time, and in the area I was raised, there was basically one religion that dominated every aspect of mine and my friends lives. That religion was Christianity. When I was in elementary school, I knew one Jewish boy and he looked different than the Christians and even talk different. He was very smart and spent a lot of his time reading, instead of playing at recess.

There were no Muslims or Hindus and it was a predominantly white environment. The first black students I seen was when I entered the eighth grade and by the time I finished high school, I could count all of the black students I had met on both of my hands. So now you have a pretty good idea of my life, living in a white neighborhood that was 90% Christian.

As you can guessed it, I was raised a Christian, but not a regular Christian, I was a Methodist and proud of it, until my parents got tired of the church elders asking for money or if my father could help build the new church. My father explained to them, that he needed to work to support his family and could only contribute, what ever he could to the church and no more. They were very unhappy and made it uncomfortable for us to go to the church anymore.

Hard to imagine, isn't it. Christians asking for money and then when they don't receive it, getting mad at one of their brethren.

Well it was time to switch churches and we are now going to the Crystal Cathedral Church in Garden Grove California. These people had everything and it was a large church. This was before they built the massive glass structure that is presently the church sanctuary. I enjoy going to this church, because we didn't have to go to Sunday school and got to sit with the adults to worship.

By the time I was 15, neither one of my parents were going to church anymore and my life didn't seem to change that much, even though I prayed every night with my brother. Maybe that was it, I didn't have to go to church as long as I prayed every night... By the time I was 18 years old, I was more confused about organized religion than ever before and this included Christianity.

How can someone kill in the name of God? The Muslims were doing it, the Christians were doing it, the Muslims were fighting the Hindus in India and it all seemed normal. It didn't seem normal to me, when I was supposed to love my neighbor and live a life like Christ who never seemed to start fights or even get mad. Maybe a couple of times, over some money, in the Temple.

I have chosen not to be a part of organized religion. I'd figured out that most of our religious beliefs came from our upbringing. This seems to have brainwashed us into believing we are better because were right and know for a fact, that we have chosen to belong to the right religion. What if were not right?

I want to ask you a question, do you think that other religions are wrong and yours is right? If you really spend some time and think about this, you will see, that your religion is not that different than someone else's and neither was their upbringing. Most religious followers, belonged to the religion of their childhood.

Who Is Jesus?

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 spiritual videos filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world.

Dreaming And Outer Body Experien

Religion and Spiritual Communication

How do we overcome our difficulties talking about religion with other people? This would also include people that we talk to about religion and agree with us. If someone tends to agrees with us most of the time, this could create difficulties in a different way. Their constant agreement could tell us a couple of things about them, either they don't know enough about the topic you're discussing, have no interest in it or they don't want to upset you and will tend to agree with you often if not always.

The biggest problem, dealing with the difficulties in talking about religion would involve two people who disagree on one or many topics. These topics could range from very important (life changing and factual) to common beliefs. When someone ask you a question like, "Do You Believe in God?", this could lead to an argument with the wrong person.

You can be honest, but always have an exit response if things get a little out of hand. Whenever someone chooses to become animated or mad at me, because of something I said, that they don't believe in, I can simply choose to remove myself from their presence. I would like to point out to my readers, rarely do I ever choose to remove myself from any heated discussion but often encourage or egg them on.

If you don't feel comfortable asking questions about religion, but seek answers from others, start with simple unoffensive questions and lead your way into the bigger ones. For example if I wanted to know, why someone believes in Hinduism, but am afraid to directly ask them... have someone else asked them. Okay maybe that's the easy way out, but you could always start with a question related to their childhood like," How Old Were You When You Started Going to Church?"

They might reply with, we don't go to church, we go to Temple or Mandir. This often breaks the ice that could lead to the end of the conversation, quickly. If you did a little research before you spoke with them, you could always replace church with the word temple but not Mandir. This might give them the impression, you already know about their religion, let them explain their religion to you.

If this is handled in a nonthreatening way, it could lead to a friendship of greater trust and now you can ask the bigger questions. Asking the big questions sometimes, even in a friendly environment this could become frustrating if your intentions are other than just gathering information. Don't try to convert anyone to follow your religion or spiritual practices. This could end the relationship quickly and cause bad feelings.

Treat people like you would like to be treated and if you treat people poorly, disregard the last statement and treat people with kindness and compassion.

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

If you 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.

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

Getting Up Earlier

Growing Up Around Christians in Organized Religion

I was born in the 1960s and raised in Southern California, United States of America. During that period of time, and in the area I was raised, there was basically one religion that dominated every aspect of mine and my friends lives. That religion was Christianity. When I was in elementary school, I knew one Jewish boy and he looked different than the Christians and even talk different. He was very smart and spent a lot of his time reading, instead of playing at recess.

There were no Muslims or Hindus and it was a predominantly white environment. The first black students I seen was when I entered the eighth grade and by the time I finished high school, I could count all of the black students I had met on both of my hands. So now you have a pretty good idea of my life, living in a white neighborhood that was 90% Christian.

As you can guessed it, I was raised a Christian, but not a regular Christian, I was a Methodist and proud of it, until my parents got tired of the church elders asking for money or if my father could help build the new church. My father explained to them, that he needed to work to support his family and could only contribute, what ever he could to the church and no more. They were very unhappy and made it uncomfortable for us to go to the church anymore.

Hard to imagine, isn't it. Christians asking for money and then when they don't receive it, getting mad at one of their brethren.

Well it was time to switch churches and we are now going to the Crystal Cathedral Church in Garden Grove California. These people had everything and it was a large church. This was before they built the massive glass structure that is presently the church sanctuary. I enjoy going to this church, because we didn't have to go to Sunday school and got to sit with the adults to worship.

By the time I was 15, neither one of my parents were going to church anymore and my life didn't seem to change that much, even though I prayed every night with my brother. Maybe that was it, I didn't have to go to church as long as I prayed every night... By the time I was 18 years old, I was more confused about organized religion than ever before and this included Christianity.

How can someone kill in the name of God? The Muslims were doing it, the Christians were doing it, the Muslims were fighting the Hindus in India and it all seemed normal. It didn't seem normal to me, when I was supposed to love my neighbor and live a life like Christ who never seemed to start fights or even get mad. Maybe a couple of times, over some money, in the Temple.

I have chosen not to be a part of organized religion. I'd figured out that most of our religious beliefs came from our upbringing. This seems to have brainwashed us into believing we are better because were right and know for a fact, that we have chosen to belong to the right religion. What if were not right?

I want to ask you a question, do you think that other religions are wrong and yours is right? If you really spend some time and think about this, you will see, that your religion is not that different than someone else's and neither was their upbringing. Most religious followers, belonged to the religion of their childhood.

Who Is Jesus?

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 spiritual videos filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world.

Goal Planning For Success

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.

Life After Death - Fact Or Fiction?

Have you given much thought to what your future holds? There are so many possibilities but one thing is certain; death is inevitable. Many people have had near death experiences or come back from the dead. Is there life after death or do just simply vanish?

What happens?

Have you ever given any thought about what tomorrow holds, or as a matter of fact even today? Without meaning to be melodramatic it is possible that today may be your last day on this planet? Maybe the next hour may be your last. Your age has nothing to do with when it could happen. A run away truck, a drunken or careless driver, a freak electrical storm, sickness, the list of causes goes on and on. Sounds grim, but it is very factual.
Think about it... is your life in your own hands? Call it what you want to, providence, lady luck, departure time, etc. The point is that at sometime your life is going to come to an end. No matter which religion you follow you still have no guarantees as to how long you still might have. Lifestyle gives no guarantees. Smokers live to ripe old ages and abstainers from both tobacco and alcohol die young. Motor manufacturers have come a long way in building safer vehicles. Accidents happen. Still no guarantee.

The only thing that is guaranteed is that one day you will depart this life as we know it. What then?
Knowing that death is inevitable what should we be considering? Surely it is the quality of life that we currently enjoy? Or perhaps it is how much good I can do for others? Maybe it is to try and be a better person? All of these are good motives but should our question not be:

"Where will I spend eternity?"

Most religions have some kind of belief in life after death.

There are various responses to the life after death issue. Besides the religious answers, some people say that they don't believe in a life after death and that when you die that's it... it's over. No more feelings or consciousness, you are just dead. Strangely enough though, these same people, when faced with death quickly change their minds.

I watched a documentary on National Geographic about an Airbus that ran out of fuel over the Atlantic Ocean en route to Portugal. The picture of fear, panic and hopelessness on the faces of most passengers told its own story. When actually faced with death the true beliefs come out. Why fear, when after you die there is nothing? Why panic when you believed that after death there was no feeling? Why hopelessness when you never hoped in anything anyway? The Airbus never crashed but landed safely on some island. Everyone survived. But what now? Will they continue in denial now that the panic is over, or will they reconsider?

The truth is that all these brazen responses to the issue of death are merely facades because most people don't really have any real answers. Deep down inside they know that there is more but they don't know what it is. They do not actually believe what they say.

I am sixty five years old and have had occasion to be at the bedside of a number of people during their last few hours on this earth. For some the fear, emotional agony and anxiety that manifested in the one breathing his last and also in family members, was quite upsetting.

For others, the absolute atmosphere of peace that pervaded the room was glorious. This included my own father. What made the difference?

The answer is:
YOUR INNER HEART CONVICTION CONCERNING LIFE AND DEATH.

Let us go back to what people believe concerning life after death. I am not going to enter into a lengthy debate on the various religions. Most beliefs are centered in one or other religion. Then there are those who do not believe in any form of after life. They have no belief system whatsoever, denying the existence of any form of higher being such as a supernatural being.

I have studied all of the main religious beliefs and can only come to one conclusion. There is only one that offers a definite answer... and that is Christianity. Many would differ with that statement and their disagreement is justified.
Christianity is very disjointed with all the thousands of different denominations and belief systems. The reason for this is very simple. They have a form of religion founded upon human principles which do not line up with the Truth. Each holds to a part of the truth and have then added rules and regulations according to their denominational stand.
True Christianity does not consist of rules, regulations, rites and rituals controlled by man. It is a relationship built on love and trust between an almighty God and mankind.

If one goes back to the root of "Christianity" you will find it in the heart of God. The God of all creation. The God of the Bible. A study of the word Christian will reveal that it was first used in Antioch in about 45 AD to describe the followers of Jesus Christ. It never had a capital letter C and was actually a derogatory term used to mock those who believed in Jesus as the Messiah. God never calls anyone a Christian. When used today it speaks of people who go to a "church"; another fallacy. For the purposes of this article God has made certain promises to "His church" concerning eternal life.

Back to your eternal destiny.

Numerous folk do not believe what is recorded in the Bible. This again comes from man's various interpretations of the Bible trying to make it justify his belief system. That is what has given rise to all the denominations, disagreements and misunderstanding etc. None of this nullifies the authority of the Bible as God's word to us. All through the years people have been trying to discredit God's word but it has stood the test of time and it's integrity still holds true. Written by many authors over many years yet all their writings blend into a beautiful love story. The infallible word of a loving God. A story of the unconditional, sacrificial love of God towards His creation.

My friend are you prepared to lay aside all of your prejudices, philosophies and preconceived ideas? Remember it is your eternal destiny we are talking about. Read on.

Now comes the most beautiful part of life's dilemma... Jesus.

Yes, Jesus Christ the Son of the living God. He, and only He, is the guarantee of a secure haven of peace for all eternity. Governments are passing laws forbidding the use of that Name. It is being removed from constitutions. They may be able to remove the Name, but the Person lives on for all eternity. A wise teacher and philosopher of old once said to a government trying to stop the use of the name of Jesus, "Let it be, because if this is from man it will soon die out, but if it is from God no one will be able to stop it."

And no one has. Think about that!

From His virgin birth to His death by crucifixion and subsequent resurrection many have tried to bring doubt into peoples' minds concerning the truth about Jesus Christ. A lot of people have been deceived into believing the lie but many have also believed the truth. If you are one of those who have been deceived, remember this: a lie can be changed but truth is truth and endures for ever. Are you prepared to go through life being deceived or are you going to exchange the lie for the truth? It is your choice. Should you choose Jesus Christ then you have also exchanged death for life. With Him there is eternal life in which there is no longer any fear of death, for you will be with Him for all eternity. Each day can be lived to its fullest with no anxiety, fear or hopelessness. Jesus said,"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Should you choose Jesus you are in for the most exciting journey of your life. I made the choice at age 35. Today at age 65 I can say that I have never looked back I have a hope and an eternal future, and his name is Jesus.

There is a cost involved. You will have to surrender control of your life to Him. Think of it this way. He created you, so who better to direct your life than the author of life. The long term benefits far outweigh the cost. Think about it, long and hard. It is not a decision to be taken lightly. Your choice will determine where you will spend eternity.

Once you have made your decision to trust in Jesus then you need to read the article on Relationship with the Father. This will help you with what to do next. Should you decide that it is just too much for you to believe then you have sealed your own fate for now. I say for now because God is patient and is waiting for you to have a change of heart. He does not want anyone to be left out of sharing in His wonderful promises. He has not written you off, because He loves you.

I am not part of any denomination. I am simply proclaiming the truth about a loving God, creator of the universe, and His plan for your life. It does not matter what you believe in now or your station in life and not even the lifestyle you are in at present. Forgiveness and acceptance are yours. God has no favourites.

Jesus reigns over all the earth. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Know that in your darkest hour you can always call out to Him. JESUS LOVES YOU.

With much love,

Jack Viljoen.

P.S. If you or someone you know is suffering with High Blood Pressure please visit my Squidoo Lens.