Random Religion Articles http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us Robert Blair Kaiser's novel CARDINAL MAHONY http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/robert-blair-kaisers-novel-cardinal-mahony.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/robert-blair-kaisers-novel-cardinal-mahony.html Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Approximately one-quarter through the book, the author, a former journalist who covered the Vatican II council for TIME magazine, introduced a number of thought-provoking ideas to enhance the laity’s participation in all aspects of the church. As the much beloved good Pope John XXIII once said, “The Catholic Church is its people,” as distinguished from its hierarchy. In the novel, the priest shortage leads one church in California administered by a nun to have communion services in lieu of a mass. But the nun in this story does something relatively unique: she invites the small congregation to join her in saying the eucharistic prayer in unison out loud.

When word of these communion services reaches the local bishop and eventually the Vatican, all the conservatives are horrified that this upstart nun is democratizing the mass and letting all the congregation join in feeling they play a role in consecrating bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. But a participant at the communion service describes it this way. “First thing I’d say, we don’t call them Masses. Second thing, these are the most devout, solemn liturgies I have ever seen. When we say the words (of the eucharistic prayer), we say them in the kind of wonder-filled tones we use when we’re reading our nieces and nephews their bedtime stories.” Nevertheless the Vatican and America’s conservative bishops get all in a tizzy over the very thought of people saying the same words used by the priest at mass.

The typical Catholic mass in America involves a priest giving a too-long homily and then making up for lost time by racing through the shortest eucharistic prayer for consecration. Because of this time constraint, the fourth eucharistic prayer, which is the longest of the four prayers available for consecration, is seldom used. Yet Eucharistic Prayer IV contains the most beautiful words of all: “Father, you so loved the world that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. He was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, a man like us in all things but sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation, to prisoners, freedom, and to those in sorrow, joy. In fulfillment of your will he gave himself up to death; but by rising from the dead, he destroyed death and restored life. And that we might live no longer for ourselves but for him, he sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father, as his first gift to those who believe, to complete his work on earth and bring us the fullness of grace.”

Why NOT let the laity -- the congregation -- say these beautiful words out loud during mass? For too long, the conservatives running the Church have tried to maintain the pre-Vatican II notion that the clergy dispense God’s graces and the laity’s job is to seek passively these ministerial graces from clergy – in a process ultimately controlled by the Vatican. Yet, in 1965 towards the end of the Vatican II council, Pope Paul VI noted that the passive nature of the laity had changed. Outside of mass, Vatican II sought to codify and recognize the laity had spiritual gifts equal to (if not greater than) the spiritual gifts of the clergy.

How welcome indeed then are the scenes depicted in CARDINAL MAHONY, in which the Church in California, and eventually across the country, rallies around the renegade nun, forces the conservative hierarchy to back down, and demands a greater say in the administration of the church and the accountability of its bishops. The novel explains the concept of an autochthonous church – which is 100% Catholic and loyal to the pope, yet retains for itself certain decision-making power. As Kaiser explains, autochthony does not mean autonomy; it means “home grown.”

According to Kaiser, as of 2007, the Vatican recognizes twenty-one autochthonous churches inside the Catholic Church. These churches include the Melkites in Lebanon, the Maronites, and an Eastern European branch that has maintained married Catholic priests from its first existence. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church in Africa and Latin America today already has “home grown” elements in the prevalence of priests with unofficial companions. “It's an open secret that many Roman Catholic priests -- especially in African and Latin American nations -- have taken common-law wives,” wrote Don Lattin in a nationally circulated religious article for the San Francisco Chronicle in 1994.

Reading CARDINAL MAHONY will cause readers to reexamine their faith and what they have been taught about the church since childhood catechism classes. Whether it is greater accountability of diocesan finances or censorship of dissenting views by the Catholic press, genuine reforms are still needed worldwide in the Roman Catholic Church. Hundreds of millions of Catholics left the church during the long reign of Pope John Paul II, because they were spiritually unfed. Similarly, the results of polling on religion in America released in late February 2008 by the Pew Foundation showed Roman Catholics were more likely than any other denomination to abandon their faith.

The Roman Catholic Church depicted in CARDINAL MAHONY is so hopeful and inspiring that it comes as a let down when the book is finished, and the reader has to return to reality. I recommend all progressive Catholics read this book, request your local public libraries add it to their collections, and use the book’s themes to discuss whether readers want to play a more active role in the life of the Church.

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Michael A. S. Guth, Ph.D., J.D., has written a variety of articles on religion, spirituality, life after death, the need to reform the Catholic Church, and other topics. His blog is found at http://michaelguth.com/myblog/

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> Make Amends by Forgiving and Forgetting http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/make-amends-by-forgiving-and-forgetting.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/make-amends-by-forgiving-and-forgetting.html Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 When we did something wrong to someone did we do it intentionally or did we do it out of ignorance? Sometimes we aim to harm people and some of the reasons we do this is for personal gain or that we don't like the individual, or because we like to stir things up between others. Gossip is a sure way to hurt others and sometimes it backfires on us. I'm sure if you thought about it you could come up with more reasons.


Well, guess what? We need to think about it and think deeply about it. Just when you think it couldn't get any harder, this walk with the Lord is about to. Making a confession was hard enough, but now it's time to make a list of the people you harmed. You know, the ones you have resentments towards, the ones you talked about behind their backs, etc.,etc. Make a list of these people whether they know what you did to them or not, even the ones that are deceased. Also your employer or company and if you have a business, your customers. You will know the wrongs you did by your conscience. Ask Jesus to help you, He will show you. We need to be willing to make amends to all the people we had harmed. Pride again reigns here.


The wrongs we did, we did out of pride. One example is our workplace, we think that they owe us. So we take advantage of our workplace whenever we can or need to. I'm sure if you think about it, you will begin to recall alot of times you took advantage of your employers. You may think that as long as nobody sees it or knows it, you got away with it. This is so untrue because it is recorded in your conscience, and it will be exposed now or later. This goes for all your wrongs too. Romans 14:12, 'It is to God, therefore, that each of us must give an account of himself.' This goes for all your wrongs. I'm sure that as you were reading this, your mind was opening up to you things you did wrong to others. We need to get rid of these things. We need to be completely cleansed. Making a list of wrongs we did to others and also a list of wrongs others did to us, makes us aware and more knowledgeable of what to do to avoid situations that cause resentments to form, and not just resentments, but things that would disrupt our lives as well as others.


Take for instance when someone hurts your pride (which is basically what they're doing). You tend to have all kinds of bad thoughts about them and sometimes to the point where you will try to get even with them. Well, what do you think you are doing to others when you are the one hurting their pride? You become the stumbling block in their life. Romans 14:13 'Far from passing judgement on each other, therefore, you should make up your mind never to be the cause of your brother tripping or falling.' This is such an important scripture. We need to be so grateful to have the opportunity to be able to see the things that have kept us walking in darkness. Not only will you be able to repave the road that was full of potholes, but you won't cause these potholes in the roads others are traveling as well. This is where you will learn to love your brothers and sisters, instead of hating them. So make a list, both of the things you did wrong to others and a list of things others did wrong to you.


Now that you have made your lists, it's time to make amends. First, you have to understand that sometimes it's not good to open up old wounds. We don't want to harm others again, but this doesn't mean that we're off the hook from making amends. There are ways of making amends for all situations. It's a matter of how you approach it. You could just go to the person(s) and apologize for the things you did wrong to them without going into detail for fear it might get the person riled up. The main thing is that it has to come from the heart in a sincere and remorseful way. It doesn't matter if the person doesn't want to forgive you. Pray for them, one day they may have to do what you are doing now.


No matter what someone does or how they act towards you, pray for them immediately, this will keep you from getting a resentment towards them, we don't need any potholes in our road. This is what being humble is. Romans 12:14-21, 'Bless those who persecute you: never curse them, bless them. Rejoice with those who rejoice and be sad with those in sorrow. Treat everyone with equal kindness; never be condescending but make real friends with the poor. Do not allow yourself to become self-satisfied. Never repay evil with evil but let everyone see that you are only interested in the highest ideals. Do all you can to live at peace with everyone. Never try to get revenge; leave that, my friends, to God's anger. As scripture says: vengeance is mine - I will pay them back, the Lord promises. But there is more: If your enemy is hungry, you should give him food, and if he is thirsty, let him drink. Thus you heap red - hot coals on his head. Resist evil and conquer it with good.' This is love at its finest for your brothers and sisters, and it will keep the waters in your soul calm and peaceful.


Forgiveness needs to be given as much as it needs to be received. Jesus showed us forgiveness that's beyond description. What a beautiful act of love when He said, 'Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.' Luke 23:34. After all they just did to Him, He forgave them. Some of us get angry at the littlest things people do to us. It's up to us to make amends with others. There's a good chance that we can remove that burden of resentment that others could be carrying around that we caused or helped to cause. It doesn't necessarilly have to be our fault, but we were involved in it. If you have stolen whether it be things from work, even time you were paid for, you could make a donation in their name, or work extra time without pay. There are many ways to make amends. Ask Jesus to help, He's always there for us and willing to show us the way. Bless His Heart and Soul.


As for the ones that are deceased, pray and confess your wrongs to them and the Lord. Tell them you forgive them for what they've done to you. So before you act or speak, think about what may arise. You don't want to cause conflicts in your life or be someones stumbling block. Sometimes, it's just best to let it go. Let them be miserable if that's what they choose. Pray for them and have compassion. This is what God wants, for us to be loving towards our brothers and sisters. This is what being Christ - like is about. Judge and you will be judged. Don't let things bother you, it's not worth it. Our flesh is corupt enough, we don't need to add to it. Pray hard to change and pray hard for others, so they may see the light.

May God Bless You Dearly





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I've been a glazier for about 29 years. I enjoy writing articles like these. This web site was set up by the grace of God. http://www.itrustgodonly.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> About Online Prayer Services http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/about-online-prayer-services.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/about-online-prayer-services.html Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:47:10 -0600 It has been said that even a simple prayer can end a war and love can be more than "just a feeling" because of prayers. We'll that's exactly why we adore the art of praying so much. Plus, the fact that it's free to feel and think and thus, a prayer is free as one only needs these two to be able to communicate intimately and ask for help from God makes the task sound more important than anything else. After praying, one miraculously feels relieved -- relieved that someone is actually guiding him and that he's not facing his personal struggles alone.

We all need to remember to count our blessings, and we can do so by praying regularly – well, that is, reciting inspirational prayers. But remember that your inspirational prayer doesn't necessarily need to be as poetic as the prayers from Gospels and Psalms are, so as it can be heard by God. It can be your personal musings about love and life. Even a simple two-word 'thank you' will do.

Another prayer that's definitely close to our hearts is the communion prayer. Christ is our passover -- He was offered, and we share in him as his unique spiritual body. The supper is a covenant meal in which we remember his atonement while eating of the sacrificial Lamb symbolically.

But this space isn't enough to define the very essence of praying. To understand prayers more, you may want to drop by Biblegateway.com. This site is probably the biggest online christian services site on the internet, as it not only serves as a home to 100 versions of the bible (in 50 languages, mind you), but it also has a blog that organizes weekly reading and praying plans. Currently, they have a Lent reading plan that covers all four Gospels in 40 days.



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It has been said that even a simple prayer can end a war and love can be more than "just a feeling" because of prayers.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> Choices: Author Gives the Story of Job a Modern Twist http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/choices-author-gives-the-story-of-job-a-modern-twist.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/choices-author-gives-the-story-of-job-a-modern-twist.html Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:13:13 -0500
Author W. Granville Brown has taken that sentiment, plugged it into a modern-day retelling of the Biblical story of Job, to produce a parable with a contemporary twist.

Brown's book Choices, from Dog Ear Publishing (www.dogearpublishing.net), is a story of love, faith, secrets, lies and fate. Anyone whose faith has ever been challenged, who has faced temptation or triumphed over adversity will find a connection to this book.

Enter the world of Trey and Andrea Edwards and you will find a deep love for one another as well as a deep mistrust. Unaware of this mistrust, they find a rift they do not understand deepening between them. Neither of them is aware that they are being toyed with. The powers that be are using them in a timeless struggle between wrong and right, freewill and fate.

Setting temptation in their path, good versus evil sit back to watch and see whether this family can withstand the path they have been set upon. With their interests being divided, secrets causing a chasm between them and their financial future in the balance, their faith is tested and their family is in turmoil.

"While her husband drove around the city, Andrea was at home driving herself crazy," wrote Brown. "She was walking a marathon around their bedroom. The images of what happened between her and the Pastor flashed across her mind. With every scene, it took all of her will power not to scream or pound her fist into anything in front of her. Every time guilt entered her heart, anger jumped in as well. Her emotions were running wild and out of control."

Roadblocks are thrown in their path. Infidelity, lies, heartache, and despair follow. Their faith is tested in unimaginable ways. Trey, whose faith has been unsure, finds solace in the church, and Andrea, whose faith has always been strong, finds herself shaken to the core by the actions of her pastor.

"Afterward, Andrea staggered from the church lost in a fog of guilt, shame and confusion," wrote Brown. "The fact that a man she thought could be trusted had done what he'd done in a house of worship caused her to lose the contents of her stomach in the empty parking lot."

Andrea and Trey are lost in their world of mistrust and deceit and it looks like their marriage will not survive. Financial disaster is looming and it looks like all secrets are about to burst out into the open. The kindness and generosity of a benefactor saves them from financial ruin, but at a heavy cost. Even with financial worries taken care of, the secrets and lies are still pulling the family apart.

"The greatest feat I've ever accomplished is making people believe that I don't exist," wrote Brown. "They go about their daily lives truly thinking that they are in control. Little do they know that the battle for their souls has been waged since long before they came into existence. Give any man power and it will corrupt them absolutely. Let's see how much faith this couple truly has when they have to deal with the consequences of their actions."

Many lives are affected by the battle for Trey and Andrea's fate. Their friends experience their own ups and downs. One friend finds a new life, one finds a dream come true, and one pays the heaviest price of all. In the end, it is an act of free will that determines what happens to Trey and Andrea and their young family.

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Tony Panaccio is a Staff Writer at News & Experts.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> Spirit of Power, Love and Sound Mind http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/spirit-of-power-love-and-sound-mind.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/spirit-of-power-love-and-sound-mind.html Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 2 Timothy 1:7

The spirit the Lord has given us is not a spirit of fear. It’s a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Let’s see the context in which this verse is said:

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began”
2 Timothy 1:6-9

We can see the Lord saving and calling every one of us with a holy calling, according to His own purpose and grace, even before the foundation of the world (verse 9). We can also see that He has placed gifts on the inside of us, which we must stir (verse 6). That’s God’s image for us. But obviously, there is an opposition; there are spirits of fear, shame, blockages, obstructions, afflictions, etc (verse 8).

So, the Lord has given us a spirit. This Spirit gives us the ability to rise above the image of the devil. It makes us more than conquerors in 3 specific areas which cover the whole spectrum of our life.

1. Spirit of power.

The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of power. His power is greater than all the power of the enemy.

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Luke 10:19

The devil has principalities and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places at his disposal (Ephesians 6:12), but the power of the Lord is greater than them all – so much greater that if we tap into that power, we’ll not even consider the power of the devil.

Please look at Elijah. He was able to confront 850 of the false prophets of Jezebel (1 kings 18:19). They all had been deceiving the people of Israel for years with their magic, their witchcraft; their false prophesies, their tricks, etc. Yet, Elijah knew his God so well, that this event can not even be called “a confrontation”, because Elijah literary made fun of these devil’s worshippers. They could not perform even one trick (1 Kings 18:26-29).

Can you imagine that? Can you imagine yourself standing against 850 occult practitioners? Not only that – can you imagine you being the one to challenge and confront them? Can you imagine yourself saying something like: “Hey, you that worship the devil your god, show me the power of your god, and I will show you what my God can do”? What would make you say such a thing? The image of God in you! Nothing else!

Let’s look at Jesus Christ our Lord. Have you ever thought about the fact that He had Pharisees, Sadducees and teachers of the law right next to Him all the time? Wherever He went, they were there as well. And let me assure you that they were not supporting Him.

Now imagine yourself being surrounded by such negative religious people trying to discredit your life and ministry all the time. Every move you make and they have what to say about it, and it is not an encouragement for sure. They know better about everything. They are self-righteous, considering themselves holy, blameless and beyond reproach. They think they have the right to find fault in every word you say and every thing you do. And you are trying to minister salvation, healing, deliverance and wholeness to individuals and multitudes at the same time. How about that?

And Jesus did not tell His “bodyguards” to get rid of these negative people around Him. No, Jesus functioned in this very environment all the time. He was preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God, He was healing the sick, He was casting out devils and He was doing good everywhere He went. He was so focused on His mission from God that nothing could distract Him.

That amazes me so much, because some times, it takes just one person (a good one too – a Christian brother or a sister) to say just one word or sentence and that could make us stop, retreat and even quit. Just one word! Even if it was not intentional. If it was intentional and was coming from an oppressed by the devil person, the chances are that one such thing ruins our service or whatever we are trying to accomplish at the moment. And if the person is demon possessed and the manifestation is actually purely demonic in its nature, then I don’t want even to think what could happen for the normal, usual Christian minister.

Yet, we are not usual Christians. We are not usual ministers. There’s nothing usual about us. We have been supernaturally recreated in our spirits, we got absolutely supernaturally born again, and the God of the whole Universe came to dwell right inside our hearts (spirit beings). We are being renewed in our mind through the word of God that is so powerful, that He created everything that exists by it (Hebrews 1:1-3). The Lord has placed His fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance in us, which is so supernatural as well (Galatians 5:22-23). He has also placed gifts on the inside of us (1 Corinthians 12) that are the abilities of God Himself. He has also given us ministry gifts, such as apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors and evangelists, intercessors, worshippers, marketplace ministers and so much more (Ephesians 4:11; Romans 12:4-8) so that all the saints can be equipped to do the work of the ministry the Lord has given us all – the Great Commission to take this Gospel to the ends of the Earth.

Well, as you can see, there’s nothing that is not supernatural about us. We are not living by the natural, worldly standards, methods and principles – we are living by FAITH.

There’s no other way to challenge 850 occultists and win. There’s no other way to stay focused in an environment filled with hostile religious fanatics and unbelieving people.

We can do it though, because the Lord has given us a Spirit of power. We can finish our course, fulfill our mandate and be the witnesses the Lord wants us to be for Him:

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8

When the Spirit comes upon us – we will receive power – the Spirit of power. Nothing and nobody will stop us. The demons will fall and the powers of hell will be overpowered by God’s Spirit of power in us.

2. Spirit of love.

The Spirit of power works in the area of confronting and overcoming every demonic power and opposition that could stand in our path. It gets rid of every demonic stronghold, every demonic power, every demonic image and every demonic blockage and limitation. It completely wipes the devil out of our way, so we can serve the Lord and His people fully and most effectively.

Now the Spirit of love covers another area – the area of our relationships with the Lord and the people around us. There is so much hatred in this world – so much division, separation, divorce, racism, prejudice, discrimination, lack of sympathy and compassion, false love (perversion, prostitution, homosexuality, lesbianism, fornication, adultery, and promiscuity) and who knows what else.

We all find ourselves bombarded with this moral and relational degradation on every side. That’s why the hospitals are full. That’s why the cemeteries are full with young people. That’s why the asylums are full. That’s why the prisons are full.

That’s the reason for the family devastation, for the rape rate, crime rate, murder rate, abortion rate and every other negative rate.

We can never even go above the surface of all this except by and through the Spirit of love. We are called to carry another standard – again in an environment filled with scoffers and hostile people (Psalm 1).

I once had a conversation with a “Christian brother”, who was a homosexual. He said: “Love is the greatest power on Earth”.

I said: “You are right, but God’s love, not homosexual love”.

Suddenly, all his “brotherhood” flew away and the demon manifested. He said: “Homosexual love will defeat all evil in this world”. Then he turned at me and said: “You are evil” (me being a representative of God’s love in this conversation).

Can you believe that? The devil calls God’s love – evil, compared to the “love” he is offering to human kind – perversion.

Well, we must bring God’s love to this lost and dying humanity. We must love the people, but hate their sin, because it is the devil that has imposed it on them to destroy them – Christians and Non-Christians alike. God’s love is perfect love – it’s so pure and holy. It’s so unconditional and true. It’s amazing what it can do if we allow the Lord to use us as channels of His love and mercy and compassion. Love is not just a feeling. It’s not just an emotion. Love is an image, because love is a Person. God is Love! And we must have that same image of the God of love on the inside of us, so we can love the Lord back, with all heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27) and so we can show that love of God to our neighbor, as the image of that same love in us is leading us.

Who is our neighbor? Whom shall we show love to? Whom shall we release that image to? You can find the answer in (Luke 10:29-37)

God’s love is indeed the greatest power on Earth. There’s no relationship that can not be healed, restored and brought to life by God’s love. Love will heal our marriage, love will restore our family, love will connect us all in God’s purposes and love will make us whole in each and every relationship we have. Love will keep it going with more and more of God’s power and fulfillment. Love will also keep our faith strong, because “faith worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6).

Here’s what love is. Who can resist that? Who will not give in to that? What relationship will not bow before that?

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:”
1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Love is all consuming. It should be the motivating force behind our every word and deed. We can have all the power, but without love – we are nothing. Love is the cement that holds everything together. Love works in the motives. Everything we say or do – if we say and do it with love as our motivation, it will succeed in God’s eyes and bring reward. Otherwise, it will be worth nothing.

Love is the main thing. It’s the greatest thing. We should be moved only by love. God loved the world and that’s why He sent Jesus to die for us (John 3:16). When Jesus indeed came, the Bible says He was moved by compassion (Matthew 9:36; 14:14; Mark 1:41; 6:34). Compassion and love are the same. He was moved by it. He didn’t have any hidden agendas for His relationships. He was not moved by promotion possibilities, by offers, by His abilities, by His gifts, by His power, or even by His faith. He moved when God on the inside of Him moved. God’s essence is Love and Compassion. When God stirred the heart of Jesus with His image of love for a person, a given relationship, or a situation – Jesus was moved by that image. He was moved by love. The Spirit of love was upon Him to preach the Gospel to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, opening of the prison for the bound, recovering of sight to the blind, set at liberty those that are bruised, and preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-19).

It’s the Spirit of love that compels us to preach, heal, bind up, care and move in God’s purposes and intentions. Whatever the situation is and whatever point the relationship is, the Spirit the Lord has given us is not a spirit of fear, so we run away from our responsibility, but it is a Spirit of love.

Love is not passive. It attacks the enemy. It’s aggressive. It takes responsibility because it cares for the other person. It does not want to lose the person. It does not say: “I am right.” No, it gives, it loves, it ministers, it sheds abroad, it distributes, it sows, it does not quit.

Love wins all the time!

3. Spirit of a sound mind.

Now, we dealt with the area of outside demonic opposition of all kinds, we saw how love will help us excel in every relationship, and the only other area remaining is the area of our inner life - our thoughts, our inner struggles, our emotions, our heart issues. That’s where we need to exercise the Spirit of a sound mind. Sound mind means wholesome mind, healed mind, active mind, focused mind, dedicated to serve mind.

We all know that everything that is happening in our life – positive or negative – is leaving a mark in our inner being. The way we have been raised, the place of our upbringing, the family we have been a part of, the words we have heard, the Church we have gone to, the conditions and people at work, school, etc, the TV programs we are watching, the places where we go – all this and everything else is leaving its impression in us and thus, is forming our thinking and behavioral patterns, and hereby – our actions.

If we have been surrounded by negative things all the time, those things form strongholds in our mind, our emotions and our overall composure – our way of life.

And since the devil knows that, he is constantly trying to surround us with people, situations and things that will try to exalt themselves above God’s image in us. See for yourselves:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

See? We are to pull down all these strongholds and to cast down every thing that is exalting itself against the knowledge of God and to bring every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Christ the Anointed One and His anointing is teaching us (1 John 2:27). God’s knowledge is bringing God’s image, but there are things that try to exalt themselves against the knowledge of God (the image of God). These include the internal scars, wounds, hurts, agonies, confusions, disappointments and fears.

The Lord though has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of a sound mind – able to rise above every internal (inner) struggle and rejection and bitterness and hurt.

God’s Spirit of a sound mind heals us on the inside and helps us clothe ourselves internally with God’s image. Greater is He that is living in us, than he that is living in the world (1 John 4:4).

All in all, the Spirit the Lord has given us is a Spirit that will lead us in victory in each and every area of our life with God. It will make us more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”
Revelations 15:2




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Nikola Dimitrov is a Pastor and Bible teacher and is also part of Life in Glory Church in Bulgaria. Dimitrov is also the director of In depthMedia ministry, editor-in-chief of Roma Destiny National Media, and the owner of the Metamorphu publishing company which focuses on the publication of Christian children material. More info at: Life of Jesus

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> A Rainbow of Visions, Brightly Shining http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/a-rainbow-of-visions-brightly-shining.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/a-rainbow-of-visions-brightly-shining.html Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Visions are like goals for us to achieve, though visions are more on dreams and desires. But visions can also be achieved with a lot of hard work and self determination. And with a right set of mind, a lot of determination, and a bit of sacrifices, one’s vision in life can also make significant changes in the world around us. And this is what the book by Dr. Ralph McCall titled Bring Your Vision to Life is all about, making a significant change within yourself and on the world around you.
Bring you Vision to life is a book that tackles the issue about our career building goals and our vision in life. It challenges us to see our vision in life and our career building goals as a challenge that draws us to choose from what matters most, oneself or the world around us?
The book brings its readers to examine and to see what is their God given desires, to see their true vision in life and their career building goals. Step by step, the book takes its readers through the process of how to make it all happen and how to make it a reality.
Though some would dismiss the book as another one of those help or feel good books, it any but that. Bring Your Vision to Life is a book that challenges us to bring the best out of us and lets us see the world not with man’s eyes but with heaven’s eyes. It guides us to make our vision in life and gives us a reason for our career building goals.
Throughout the book you’ll find simple basic principles related to your vision in life, as well as career building goals. For more information about the book Bring you Vision to life, then visit www.visiontolife.org for more details about the book and the author.


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www.visiontolife.org

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> Would You Like Some Help Developing Your Own Spirituality? http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/would-you-like-some-help-developing-your-own-spirituality.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/would-you-like-some-help-developing-your-own-spirituality.html Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Naturally, you may call your Higher Power whatever you want to, Natural Force, God, Force of the Universe. More important than the name or label you attach is your the degree of connection and willingness to make use of such an energy and allow it into in your life.

Here are some basic tips to help you improve your spiritual self as well as help you develop a more solid connection with your own life and your part in the spiritual world. Please know that spirituality, just like Rome, was not built in a day. Work on spiritual aspects of your life gradually and consistently. Doing it this way keeps you from being overwhelmed.

Have a quiet time for meditation

As much as possible, try to establish a place and time where you could spend a quiet moment in the morning or during the evening. Ten to fifteen minutes is all it takes. This is also a good time to assess goals or to simply focus and quiet the mind. Your mind needs some personal space too.

Praying is a form of meditation. Having a short meditation phrase helps you focus on your breathing instead of any random thoughts that may come and go in your mind.

Attend a service worship

The point of the matter is involved with like minded people. There are those people who prefer to spend time alone and focus on their spirituality and those who prefer to spend time with people while working on developing their spirituality. Give both a try.

Form connections with people.

You could try singing in a church choir or joining a hobby club. For some of us, having positive relationships and interaction with different people puts them at ease.

Keep your mind active, keep learning

It is always never too late to improve your mind. The mind is like a sponge. Make sure you continually feed it. You could do so by attending some classes at your nearest community college. You can start engaging in a study book group or just by reading books and watching DVD's related to mental health, spiritual concepts or self-help books.

Get healthy

Being physically healthy is always better and feels so good compared to leading an unhealthy lifestyle. Being fit and engaging in an appropriate diet helps keep the body toned and privdes a clearer and more receptive mind.

Have fun

I like this part. Believe it or not, being spiritual does not only mean being serious all the time. In a paradoxical way, being spiritual allows you the freedom to not take yourself too seriously.

You may also indulge in some hobby or activity for the simple fun of it. You could start by exploring sports, hobbies or whatever it is that gets you excited.

Help other people out

For some people, doing some volunteer activities or doing some acts of random kindness works best to help them become more spiritual. Helping someone out out not for some ulterior motive makes people feel good inside. This is a situation where everyone is a winner.

Stop judging

This is hard because everyone makes judgements all the time. In judging someone or something you really are comparing them to your own standards. If they are fall below your standards you can look down on them and feel better than them. If they exceed your ideas you could feel inferior. This is a lose-lose situation.

Give thanks

There is quite a lot to be thankful for . When you discover the many wonderful things that life has to offer, and appreciate what even more possibilities.

Again, try to practice each day appreciating an aspect in your life you know you are grateful for. Thank the universe for another day to spend and another day to make yourself, your life, or others lives better.

See things objectively

Paradoxically, seeing things objectively helps in developing your spirituality. There may be times when we live seeing life with rose-colored glasses. We then become frustrated when the world does not fails to see that only our view matters.

The world is at it is, most things are beyond our control. The world is what you are, and what you perceive it to be. All in all, developing your spirituality takes time and effort. The rewards however, for the time invested are limitless

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Tell your story! Pick up tips and tricks to help your spirtual connection and enhance your life. The author, Bill Urell MA.CAAP-II, is an addictions therapist at a leading residential treatment center. He teaches healthy life styles and life skills. Join our growing community. Visit: http://www.AddictionRecoveryBasics.com/

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> Carnal Striving Spiritual http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/carnal-striving-spiritual.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/carnal-striving-spiritual.html Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:36:26 -0500 www.anthonyjerrod.com), was following Robert Front's direction that "Writing a poem is discovering." In Jerrod's collection of thought provoking and witty poems, the author strives to move the reader to discover a more profound understanding of Christ and one's responsibility to live His teachings while reconciling man's inherent carnal nature.

With each chapter, the poetry speaks to different aspects of the reader. The first chapter, Carnality and the Mind, contains poems that reflect the movement from one whose thoughts are separated from the Lord's teachings to one whose thoughts are secured in Christ's message.

As the mountains rumble and the oceans roar, I focus on planting and sowing in the fields,
So, I can harvest and exercise faith, the size of a thousand mustard seeds.
*from: Sowing Mustards

In the chapter entitled Carnality and the Tongue, the author takes on the power of words and how to move beyond the mundane ways of the person who struggles with carnality to the speech and views of a spiritual Christian.

The flatterer,
The outward exercise of spiritual bipolarism,
He exclaims that he loves, when he honestly despises,
He asserts that he supports, when he actually craves for your failure,
He proclaims that he hopes for the best, when he assuredly longs for your ruin,
He pronounces myriad pleasantries, when he really hungers to speak death in your life.

O, God of wisdom, help me to discern the shrewd delicacies of deceit,
The crafty toxicant of the flatterer.
*from: The Flatterer

Jerrod writes several chapters of poetry about the perception of people that we are different, yet in the eyes of Christ, we are all the same. He expounds on the view that people put themselves above the teachings of Christ, such as politicians believing that their views are more important than the word of God.

Shall the world's policies become more paramount than the Word of God?
Take not thy Holy Spirit away, though you may suffer the consequences of your behavior,
Cry out to the Lord with sincerity, "Don't give me over to a depraved mind."
Freedom in the Lord does not beget every desire of your heart.
*from: Don't Give Me Over

Jerrod takes on the complexities of relationships, whether it be parent to child, man to woman, or friend to friend. He interprets the relationships and the interaction each has with the Lord. He stresses the importance of closeness with Christ and his teachings in all of one's relationships.

You are our heritage from the Lord.
Like a golden prize found in a floating basket of papyrus reeds,
The Moses of our lives,
Yet, we must discipline and train you in the admonition of the Lord and spare not the rod,
So, the Pharaoh in your heart will not materialize and take over.
*from: Write Pass the Margins

The last chapter, Pure Romance and Intimacy celebrates the closeness of husband and wife as they worship the Lord. Jerrod examines the love and devotion between two people as well as the temptation of others.

Searing independently, until I smell
Flame is getting hotter
Fleshliness grows, wantonness who knows
I feel like summer is springing forth
Timeless face, curvaceous base
Reading minds, I am not supposed to be here
I am charred.
*from: Fiery Furnace

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Anthony Jerrod is a Christian author, poet and featured columnist for One Voice Magazine and the International Christian Network that reaches over 85 nations. His columns focus on encouraging and inspiring people from around the world to grow and mature spiritually. He is a native of Louisiana, and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern University and A&M College and Louisiana State University. He also attended Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University and Alabama A&M University. He lives in Louisiana with his wife Cherrino and his son, Austen.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> Celebration of Breaking the Fast and Sacrifice http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/celebration-of-breaking-the-fast-and-sacrifice.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/celebration-of-breaking-the-fast-and-sacrifice.html Sun, 09 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Eid Al-Fitr is the celebration that comes at the end of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of fasting, every day from dawn until sunset. The night before Eid is called Chand Raat, or night of the moon. People visit bazaars and shopping malls with their families and children for last moments Eid shopping. Women, especially young girls often paint each others' hands with traditional "henna" also called "mehendi" and wear colorful bangles.

On the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family is awake very early and then after praying the first normal everyday prayer, eats in a small quantity symbolizing the end of Ramadan. They then attend special group prayers held only for this occasion in mosques, in large open areas, stadiums or arenas.
The prayer is generally short and is followed by a sermon (kutba) in which the Imam (holy priest) gives advice to the Muslim community and usually Muslims are encouraged to end any past quarrels they may have.

When the local Imam declares Eid Ul Fitr everyone greets and hugs each other. Worshippers greet and embrace each other in a spirit of peace and love after the prayer. It is a day of forgiveness, moral victory, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. Muslims celebrate not only the end of fasting but also to thank God for the help and strength that they believe He gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control. It is a time of giving and sharing.

Another one is Eid Ul Adha, this festival is known by several names all over the world but Muslims celebrate and perform it traditionally and ritually in the most efficient way irrespective of where they are. The festival is celebrated to recall the readiness of prophet Ibrahim's to surrender Ishmael, his son for god and so it known as the "festival of sacrifice".

Muslims repeat aloud prayers on this festival and remember God. Muslims wear new clothes on this day and delicious recipes are followed to cook delicious food.

During these times, Muslims give thanks to Allah for His blessings and mercy, celebrate the holy days, and wish each other well. While appropriate words in any language are welcome, there are some traditional or common Arabic greetings that one may use or come across:

* "Kul 'am wa enta bi-khair!"
("May every year find you in good health!")

* "Eid Mubarak!"
("Blessed Eid!")

* "Eid Saeed!"
("Happy Eid!")

* "Taqabbala Allahu minna wa minkum."
("May Allah accept from us, and from you.")

Both the Eid ends with lots of joy, well wishes and blessings. The purposes of both festivals are to thank Allah (God) for giving strength and courage to perform daily work. People send sms and greetings to wish each other “Eid Mubarak”.



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Come on, share what you have got! Wish Eid Mubarak with Eid mubarak sms to your friends and close ones. Find them below:
http://www.smsfunonline.com/category/eid-mubarak-greeting-and-sms/


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> The Seal--Eating Heavenly Food and Not Lacking Oil as a Sealed Person http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/the-seal-eating-heavenly-food-and-not-lacking-oil-as-a-sealed-person.html http://www.articletrader.com/society/religion/the-seal-eating-heavenly-food-and-not-lacking-oil-as-a-sealed-person.html Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

It is only natural to want to share such a blessing. And it is spiritual. When you know you are going to live forever, and you are dining on this elixir of life day by day, it is just an added pleasure to share it with other people also.


Many people in the world today do not have the Bread of Heaven to eat. And many people in the world today do not have enough food of this earth to eat. Since we all need energy too, this has left us with a tradeoff of one shortage or the other.


If people want to create biofuels like biodiesel the ways we currently know how, they have to create them out of the same stuff people could be eating, like corn. This has fueled much controversy about the energy alternatives.


And yet if we distribute all that extra corn to the hungry we find ourselves wanting fossil fuels. We can not keep burning gasoline and oil indefinitely. The supplies run out.


But we can use the "renewable" energy of sunlight to grow new plants. And we can continually renew those crops of plants and create sustainable fuels. How can we do this without limiting the food supply? New research suggests a way.


Termites. Yes, those mischievous little creatures that right now are a threat to eat the house you live in. The secret is in the way the termites process the wood in digestion. Like the wood of your house.


Termites have a series of stomachs, just like cows. And each stomach has its own unique bacterial flora responsible for breaking down the wood pulp into sugars to feed the termite.


We can take sugars like those and ferment them into biofuel. And right now the bacterial life forms of the termites are showing scientists how. This is a breakthrough discovery and needs much development.


Scientists went deep into the rain forest of Costa Rica and found a number of termites. They extracted the stomachs of the little creatures and sent them to a lab in the US for testing.


Millions of "letters" of genetic code were identified in the bacteria. These are going to be further studied for how they can employed on much larger scales--large enough to support whole industries.


The idea is that we do not have to use corn anymore to create biofuels. Or anything else people or animals might eat. Instead we can use waste product like straw and the remains of cuttings in sawmills.


Conceivably, certain plants could be grown for the sole purpose of being converted into biofuels. Millions of tons of these plants could be harvested and then converted into fuel using the secrets of God's creation found in the belly of the termite.


Some plants are quite efficient at growing up and producing hempseed oil and just plain hemp fibers. Hemp plants for instance are one of the quickest-growing of all crops. Great plantations of hemp could afford a significant amount of biofuel for the world's use.


By growing hemp and other kinds of plants in large amounts little resources other than land space and water would be spent. Plenty of land could still be reserved to grow food to feed the world.


And feeding the world is something you are concerned with when you become sealed. But you do not eat the foods of this world as sealed. And you do not end up sharing foods of this world with others.


As a sealed person you eat the food which endures unto everlasting Life. It nourishes you unto eternity. You will live forever because you eat this heavenly food. And it is available to you when you receive the Seal.



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And now Jason would like to invite you to get your FREE report Are You Making These Mistakes as a Christian? and visit to learn about being sealed here
Jason Witt



Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>