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Even though Property Index must be rated a rather young concern, set up only in March 2007, they have become experts very quickly. They are actually a unbelievably trouble-free concern focusing on proposing expert advice to anyone who is meaning to buy, sell, etc. real estate assets in the most popular regions of the world. Their assurance is to aid you spot just what’s desired quick plus, of course, painlessly.

Real estate can be bought in the most popular regions of the world these days, one of the most fashionable areas being real estate available in Spain. It should really be a no brainer to write a list of the fun real estate available for sale in Spain, the motivation for hunting for properties here is the houses and apartments on the market and the possibility of spending your life amid this vibrant, fervent and strenuous populace.

It is one of the most trendy areas these days, and with the beauty and agreeable sunshine surrounding you, how can you say no? Real estate in Spain is immersed in culture, art and history, this part of the world is and has always been home to a number of nations.

Around 20 years ago there’d be merely a tiny number of British people in search of real estate in Spain. Ask anyone who has emigrated to Spain and they’ll tell you the same thing. Some people would would view it as a brief vogue and others would view it as a that’s quite a compulsion. People keen on transferring over here may range from young urban professionals looking for a life perspective to older generations who want to loosen up and enjoy themselves.

Bear in mind, though, that you are liable to encounter some catches when buying real estate abroad — you’ll learn that there are hundreds of differentiated, occasionally conflicting, actions whether organizing, surveying or buying. Even if one single action is missed this can easily escalate wide-reaching catches and, critically, financial loss.

As everyone would expect with this well-liked region, real estate might well be expensive in this destination and that is only a consequence of the steep market pressure. Notwithstanding real estate buyers are doubtlessly particular in a part of the world so rich in marvelous land and cheerful scenery. Indeed it has the whole ball of wax you could ever itch for and then some.

Want to invest in Spanish real estate? Check out the Property Index inventory of properties for sale in Spain here!

If you walk up to a stranger in the grocery store and ask them to define “simple,” as in “simple life,” they’ll probably say something like “having less stuff.” Or they might hit you with a frozen turkey. But probably they’ll associate simple with stuff.

The thing is that simple is not about how much or how little you have. You can have all the stuff you want and have a simple life. That’s the key, thoughthe stuff you want. Simple is about having more of what you want and less of the things that get in your way and trip you up.

If you continue questioning the guy with the turkey, he may hit you with it again, or he may spit out some more associations with the word “simple.” Those words might include “nature,” “inexpensive,” “boring,” “organized,” “miserly.” Those are words we think of when we think of simple living, but none of them has to be associated with simplicitycertainly not boring and miserly. Sure, if you want to live your simple life with nature, you can. If you want to get rid of most of your life and live on a shoestring, you can.

The key to simple living is to have, as much as possible, only what you want. Naturally you have to have things in your life that you don’t want, like traffic and Monday mornings. But your goal in reaching simplicity is to have more of the things you do want, like good books and doughnuts on Sunday morning, and maybe a good CD to listen to in the car while you’re in traffic on Monday morning.

Simple is really simple. It’s what you want, not what you don’t.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angie Dixon helps small business owners get their acts together. She is a personal development coach specializing in helping people integrate their home and work lives so they feel less stretched and more balanced. Get her FREE EBOOK on balance at http://www.discoveringtruenorth.com. For questions or to discover how coaching can change your life, contact Angie at mailto:angie@discoveringtruenorth.com.

The relevance of prophecy to Christians in these days rests on their view of the rapture. Whether consciously or not, a person who believes they will rapture before the Tribulation, will probably not be that concerned with prophecy or events that are going to take place during the Tribulation. I don’t mean to paint with a broad brush and say that ALL Christians will feel this way, but certainly most will. The fact that a fourth to a half of the Bible deals with end times prophecy doesn’t seem to mean much in churches today where it is highly unlikely you will hear a message on the subject. Action follows belief and vice versa. If you strongly believe you will be gone, you are not likely to be concerned or do anything about it.

The teaching of the pre-tribulation rapture has the Lord coming for the church in a “secret” rapture prior to the tribulation and then coming with the saints at the end of the tribulation where they meet up with new saints that have been saved and martyred. The arguments for this position are not based on the clear teaching of the Word but supposition or what the scripture calls “private interpretation”. I’m not going to go into great detail. There are many excellent works on the subject by authors such as Dave MacPherson, Marvin Rosenthal, Robert Van Kampen and others that deal with all of the arguments pro and con for those who want to study the issue in detail.

We need to see the clear teaching of the Bible on this issue. There is no justification for two raptures. The plain reading of the Bible can only bring one to a single conclusion. There is the final trumpet, the Lord returns in the clouds and the church meets Him in the air. The main argument for the pre-trib position is that the church is “not appointed to wrath.” (I Thess. 5:9) They are absolutely correct. The problem is that they don’t understand the timing of events in Revelation. They also don’t understand that the church is always the object of wrath of the world and the “enemy” - although, we agree, never the recipient of God’s wrath.

Their failure to understand this distinction has led them into systematized error. If you look on Google or go to your local “Christian Bookstore”, you will see hundreds of books on the pre-trib rapture. What began as a little seed has grown to a huge tree with hundreds of oblique explanations for this false doctrine. The fact that proponents say there are people saved called “tribulation saints” after the church is raptured begs the question, why is God allowing them to suffer? What is different between them and me other than timing?

Why is this important?

Read the rest of the story By clicking the link directly below:

About the Author

FIRST LOVE RECOVERY MINISTRIES

THE DESTINY CROSS

Matt. 5:10-12(KJV)
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. “
“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
1 Peter 2:19-25(KJV)
“For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.”
“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: “
“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:”
“Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. “
“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

We have already examined the challenges confronted on the ‘the cloudy side’ of the Christian faith in ‘The precious coin’.
In the journey of destiny,as we follow Christ,we are bound to partake of his sufferings(1 Peter 3:14).
The sufferings of Christ are what make up ‘the destiny cross’.
The cross of Christ signifies the climax of his sufferings for mankind to be saved from sin as portrayed in the second text above.
As followers of Christ,we ought not to avoid or despise ‘the destiny cross’.
What constitutes the crises of ‘the destiny cross’?
These are times when some people decide to ignore you as if you don’t exist because they don’t know or accept what God has called you to be.
These are times when some people decide to criticise you as if you’re not good enough to do what God has called you to do.
These are times when some people decide to flatter you when they don’t really accept you for who you really are in God.
These people knowingly or unknowingly make themselves the enemies of your destiny as seen in ‘The heavenly vision’.
A brief study of all the four gospels of Christ in the Bible proves to us that Christ our Lord suffered all these kind of crises.
And we are not exempted from them as his followers even if we live in ‘the free world’.
‘The comfort zones’ of life are not reserved by God for anyone who will fulfill his/her divine destiny.
Let us browse over some ‘don’t s’ so as to demonstrate the mind of Christ when confronted by such challenges:-
*Don’t be afraid of your persecutors;be bold in the Lord:-
1 Peter 3:14(KJV)
“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”

*Don’t be mystified about your persecution;it is a normal Christian experience:-
1 Peter 4:12(KJV)
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:”

*Don’t be sad about your bitter experience;rejoice in the Lord:-
1 Peter 4:13(KJV)
“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

*Don’t suffer for evil doing;only suffer for well doing:-
1 Peter 4:15(KJV)
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.”

*Don’t be ashamed about what you are going through;glory in the Lord:-
1 Peter 4:16(KJV)
“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”

*Don’t curse your persecutors;be a channel of God’s love,goodness,and forgiveness:-
Matt. 5:44(KJV)
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

*Don’t deny the Lord before your persecutors;faithfully confess him:-
Matt. 10:33(KJV)
“But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

Because we have the mind of Christ(1 Cor. 2:16;Philippians 2:5),we are enabled by God’s grace to demonstrate positive and healthy attitudes towards our persecution and persecutors.
Remember that a persecutor of the Christian faith today may be a faithful follower tomorrow like Saul who became Paul the apostle(1 Tim.1:11-16).
We should graciously receive good criticisms (Prov.9:8b)even when they are ruthlessly delivered if not ‘we’ll throw away the baby with the bath tub’!
Finally for anyone who is yet to make a personal commitment to Christ:don’t be put off by the candid discourse above-it’s just part of the wonderful package of the Christian faith which is vital in the fulfillment of divine destiny.
When a man and a woman fall in love,we witness both their enjoyment and sufferings in the love affair;how much more when one falls in love with the Lord Jesus Christ!
Therefore don’t delay your decision any further(2 Cor. 6:2)!!!
1 Peter 1:6-9(KJV)
verse 6 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:”
verse 7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: “
verse 8 “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: “
verse 9 “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

About the Author

British-born Nigerian Christian writer living and working in London,UK with website:www.firstloveministries.org.uk

For Thanksgiving, serve up special cocktails to celebrate the season and bring out the flavors of Thanksgiving dinner.

Sage, a common spice in turkey stuffing, also tastes great in traditional mojitos. It’s delicious to sip before Thanksgiving dinner. Hazelnut, a warm-weather flavor, adds a great touch to cider with Frangelico. Below you’ll find delicious ideas for Thanksgiving cocktails.

Thanksgiving Mojitos

• juice of 1 lime
• 2 mint leaves
• 2 sage leaves
• 1 sage sprig (for garnish)
• 1 oz. syrup (recipe below)
• 2 oz. light rum
• seltzer

Steps

• Prepare Syrup: combine equal amounts of sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat until boiling and sugar has dissolved. Cool and transfer into a cruet or bottle.
• Add juice, mint, sage and syrup into a tall glass. Crush mint and sage using a muddler. Fill cocktail glass with crushed ice and add rum. Fill remainder of glass with club soda and stir. Garnish with a sage sprig.

Autumn Cider

Ingredients

• 1 gallon apple cider
• 2 pears, cut into wedges
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• Franjelico Liqueur

Steps

• Place cider, pears, cinnamon sticks and ginger in a large pot. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
• Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove the cinnamon sticks.
• Serve cider in the pot over a low flame so guests can serve themselves a hot drink.
• Set a bottle of Franjelico nearby for adults to add to their drinks.

As we traverse this spiritual journey there are several skills that we
must incorporate into our repatare of spiritual beliefs if we are to
grow on the spiritual path. I think that the most important is the
balance we have between the esoteric and the “real” world. This
balance is often called “Being Grounded.” What does that really mean?
I think it is being involved in the physical world and taking the
teachings one learns from the esoteric into the physical world and
manifesting them. How does one do this? I think starting with putting
spiritual knowledge to work in our families, then our work, physical
exercise, eating healthy foods, and just plain laughter and fun. If one
spends time each day in prayer and mediation one will find that
balance. This balance is really important as other wise we may fall
under the egos wants, or our wishes and desires, or our fears. Many
people who first traverse the spiritual path get lost in these things.
They loss perspective of the reasons they are going each day to the
spiritual plane is to better live on the physical plane.
When we are in this balance or being grounded we are less likely to
fall prey to flights of fantasy.

When embarking on a spiritual journey people need some just plain good

old common sense. In exploring the many subjects of the esoteric
realm one can lose perspective. It is always a good idea to keep a

skeptical attitude toward some of the things that are presented to us.

The internet is always presenting a new theology or a new way to

magically have the life you want.

So investigate, think on these things, meditate, pray ask the angels
and your Higher Power what is real, what is for you.
That brings up a really good point since we are created to be very
unique spiritual beings our truths are not the same. So no matter what
is revealed to us or how much we believe that you have found the
answers keep in perspective they are your answers and not someone
else. Each of us must come to our answers for ourselves. My beliefs
tell me that the whole purpose is to live the best we can on this
physical plane and use our spiritual knowledge in creating a more
wonderful place. The best way to do this for me is to know myself and
only try to change me. Think what would happen if each of us sought
spiritual truth daily and lived it to the best of our ability. Pray
for one another to find their truth but do not impose your truth on
others.

About the Author

About the author: Judi Singleton is the publisher of nine lists

including subjects of business, spiritual journey, angels, art and

writing, her.bs, creating your world, and goddess religion. You can

join her lists at http://www.motherearthpublishing.com

Though PropertyIndex.com is only a fairly young house, founded in March 2007, they have proven their mettle very quickly. They are actually a very hassle-free house devoted to offering expert advice to essentially anyone who is designing to let, sell, rent, etc. realty across the globe. Their promise is to lend you a hand to find exactly what’s looked for very quickly and, likewise, painlessly.

Property can be located almost anywhere in the world in our times, one of the coolest areas being real property you can purchase in Spain. It should be a no brainer to list some of the superb property available for sale in Spain, the motive for investigating properties here is real estate for sale and the opportunity of being able to live together with this effervescent and active people.

It’s one of the most trendy property markets in our times, and considering the gorgeous landscape and wonderful climate surrounding you here, how could you conceivably say no. Property in Spain is steeped in history, art and culture, this country is home to quite a number of sophisticated civilizations.

Only thirty years back there’d be merely a trickle of English people who are looking for property in Spain. Just ask anyone who has chosen to remove to Spain and they’ll substantiate it. Lots of people would tend to see it as a plain craze and others tend to see it as a virtually an obsession. People actually moving over here will typically range from young freshly weds looking for a new perspective to older people who are looking to enjoy themselves and chill out.

There could well be obstructions when attempting to acquire property in a foreign country — expectably there are a hundred disparate, rather complex, procedures whether brainstorming, sightseeing or buying and completing. If you only miss but a single step this can definitely generate impassable obstructions not to forget, preeminently, money loss.

Naturally, as can be counted on with this well-liked destination, property could well be dear in this area which is, of course, merely because of the high market pressure. Notwithstanding homebuyers are really a bit spoilt in terms of choice in such a part of the world boasting such a pleasant countryside. It has just about everything a client could conceivably require and lots more.

The Property Index site has a vast range of property for sale in Spain, view the range online.

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

O Lord God, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?

Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live? Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt.

The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the Lord thy God brought thee out: so shall the Lord thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid. Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible. But the Lord thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed.

For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.

And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the Lord made me have dominion over the mighty. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.

Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name’s sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house; Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God.

After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty. And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.

Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.

But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?

But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it.

He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no man is sure of life. In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.

He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.

When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.

Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice. Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise?

Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.

Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.

Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the Lord of hosts, is his name, Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.

Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan. Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord God.

How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

——————————————————————————–

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

and as the voice of many waters

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

and as the voice of mighty thunderings

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: And Simon he surnamed Peter; And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

——————————————————————————–

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds). Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

Glimpses of God © by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/
This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.

About the Author

Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist. In addition, she founded and maintains the e-mail ministries “Heavenly Inspirations” http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and “Share a Smile” http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/. Joyce’s writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other.

“Mom, what am I going to do?” I moaned as I shared with my mother my woes of the hour.
I was working a full time job and my heart was aching to be home with my daughter instead. This was a pretty difficult decision for me, especially since my job was providing a source of financial security for me and my family. Without it, we would definitely be in a rut to make ends meet.
Very calmly she replied “Did you seek the Lord about it?”
“Yes!” I cried, “and, well…I’m just not sure that He’d have me leave my family in a financial rut just so I could stay home with my daughter. What do you think?”
The smile in her voice when she spoke eased my mind, and I knew immediately what I should do.
Months later I had quit my job and was home with my daughter, raising her and being there to see her most precious moments and milestones. The Lord had protected our financial well being and had blessed my husband with a raise at his job.
But before long, I was calling Mom again.
“Mom?” I began slowly. Mom waited.
“Well…” I hesitated, “I love being in school right now and everything, but…” and there I continued my woes of the hour as Mom patiently and attentively listened to every word I spoke.
And once again, she not only listened, but spoke words of truth to me that I knew only God could have given her to share with me for that very moment.

I have never seen her falter. In the face of adversity and moments of desperation, I have seen her call out to our Heavenly Father, and with such faith and trust in Him that it literally moves me. In the midst of her troubled situations I have observed the peace of God which resides upon her life and the joy of the Lord that radiantly shines from within.

Oh, and although joy is something each individual has to receive on her own, I believe my Mother’s joy is contagious, because I feel quite joyful around her!

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” the psalmist David says. And it’s true. Mom is a strong and determined virtuous woman who would go the extra mile just to have the assurance that our Savior is pleased with her. Because Mom never gives up on God, she is always joyful. And the joy of the Lord will cause one to smile even if she feels unhappy. So, although I’ve done my share of crying, when I go to visit Mom and tell her all about my woes of the hour, I can’t help but to leave with a bright smile on my face. She leaves with me a kindled fire within my soul and continually reveals to me with her quiet smile and patient words how I can attain the same joy. As a treasure of jewels found in the desert sand, is the joy of the Lord I have found in my mother. My prayer is that I will reflect her image of extreme joy in Christ, now and in the years to come.

–
Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.

About the Author

Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.

Judaism and Reincarnation

How prevalent is the Jewish belief in reincarnation today? How does it differ from the Asian belief? What do the Rabbis think of it?

The root of the word ” Torah” is the verb “to instruct”. Torah’s primary function is to teach us how to live Jewishly, in harmony with G-d’s will. As such, the basic levels of scriptural interpretation lead to a practical understanding of mitzvot and related Jewish values.

” Many Jews are surprised to learn, or may even wish to deny, that reincarnation…is an integral part of Jewish belief…”

The Torah, however, is a multi-layered document. Many of its deeper levels of interpretation are not readily accessible; and they may not lend themselves to obvious, practical application in daily life. As such, these more esoteric aspects of Torah are not of interest to significant segments of the Jewish population, including some rabbis and scholars.

Consequently, many Jews are surprised to learn, or may even wish to deny, that reincarnation - the “revolving” of souls through a succession of lives, or “gilgulim” - is an integral part of Jewish belief. But this teaching has always been around. And it is firmly rooted in source-verses.

Examples abound. Ramban, one of the greatest commentators on the Torah (and on the Talmud), and a seminal figure in Jewish history, hints several times that reincarnation is the key to penetrating the deep mysteries involved in the mitzvah of yibum (the obligation of the brother of a childless, deceased man to marry the widow). In his explanation of Gen 38:8, he insists that Yehudah and his sons were aware of the secret of reincarnation, and that this was a major factor in their respective attitudes towards Tamar.

” The responsibility
lies with us…”

The Jewish understanding of reincarnation is different from Buddhist doctrines. It in no way leads to fatalism. At every point of moral decision in his life, a Jew has complete free choice. If not for freedom of choice, how unfair it would be of G-d to make demands of us - especially when reward and punishment is involved! Reincarnation does not imply pre-determination. It is, rather, an opportunity for rectification and soul-perfection.

The holy Ari explained it most simply: every Jew must fulfill all 613 mitzvot, and if he doesn’t succeed in one lifetime, he comes back again and again until he finishes. For this reason, events in a person’s life may lead him towards certain places, encounters, etc., in ways that may or may not make sense. Divine providence provides each person with the opportunities he needs to fulfill those particular mitzvot necessary for the perfection of his soul. But the responsibility lies with us. At the actual moment of decision in any given situation, the choice is ours.

One of the ways in which heaven maintains our ability to exercise complete freedom of choice is by not allowing us conscious knowledge of previous incarnations. Consequently, it might seem to some people that there is little practical benefit in being aware of this doctrine. Furthermore, many scholars contend that these mystical concepts can easily be misunderstood, or carried to erroneous and misleading conclusions. We can therefore understand why this and similar subjects are only hinted at in scripture, and why some knowledge and a great deal of determination are often required in order to gain access to this information.

For an in-depth English treatment of the Jewish doctrine of reincarnation, see the running translation and commentary of Shaar Gilgulim on www.KabbalaOnline.org.

About the Author

Yerachmiel Tilles is the Co-founder of Ascent-of-Safed (www.ascent.org.il) and its educational director for 18 years. He is the creator of www.ascentofsafed.com and www.kabbalaonline.org, and currently the director of both sites. He is also a columnist for numerous chasidic publications and a staff rabbi on www.AskMoses.com