Believing in God Doesn't Make You Right - Compassion and Love

I was talking to a Muslim man who lives in another country through e-mail and we have been having a very pleasant conversation about why we believe, what we believe. This man seems very caring and someone I can actually have a educated conversation with. Some people that believe in their religion so strongly, are hard to communicate with and often start yelling and screaming at me. These conversations and very abruptly and sometimes painfully.

If believing in God makes you right and everything in your religious texts is true, then the least you could do is back it up with some factual information. Factual information is the key to proving any theory or belief. In a court of law, you have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt,... but if my life's at stake here, this really doesn't apply. I won't bet my life on reasonable doubt, but only hard scientific facts and sometimes this doesn't even apply.

Sometimes scientific facts can be proven wrong over time.

Let's say for an instance, that we take the Bible into a court of law and are going to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that one verse is true from this book. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Now that we have our Bible verse, let's just say for the record, that our hypothetical court case was proven to be true, beyond a reasonable doubt. In other words this is now a factual statement.

Just because it's a factual statement based on something that was proven beyond a reasonable doubt doesn't really make it a truth. When someone tells you, for example your parents or a teacher, that something is true (factual information) and you start spreading this rumor as a truth, because you believe these people, without any evidence for factual information, you're spreading a rumor. If these rumors were to be spread for about 2000 years, we come up with a factual belief not a scientific fact.

Nobody wants to hear that their religious text don't make sense to an open-minded person, even beyond a reasonable doubt. The belief that God created the earth isn't a fact, but if enough people say it is, then in their minds it becomes a truth. This doesn't make them right but often makes them feel comfortable.

Life Changing Books

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Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development. Check out one of his recommended books, You Can Have It All

Planting The Seeds Of Suggestion

The Power of Truth

Everything you need to succeed is found within you. How you see yourself and your ability to succeed will be "make or break" of your business. I've seen some amazingly talented people give up because they allowed two words to take over their psyches. These words have had a profound impact on their lives and businesses. The words are, "I can't."

"I can't" are the two most debilitating words in the English language. "I can't" usually starts with the all to familiar "You can't," or "You'll never". These words seem to carry an intrinsic power. For some, it's a call to stand up and say, "Yes I can! Watch me!" For others it's call to sit in the ashes of self-defeat. Which one are you?

For years I allowed, "You can't" to get in the way of my success. There was a time when I believed I would never be a success. My self-esteem was so low I didn't think I could get up again. Then I realized the Power of Truth. The choice to get up or stay down had been given to me. My success or failure was up to me, no one else. I became fully aware that I had the power to choose. I chose to stand. After I made that decision. I made several changes in my life in order to keep my mind set on belief instead of unbelief.

My rules to stay standing are:

1. Start where you are. Don't think about past failures. Start right here, right now, today. Move ahead one-step at a time.

2. For every negative thought that comes into your mind create an opposing positive thought. Say it out loud. Write them down and keep them front of you. Read them daily.

3. Commit to your goal. Write down your goals. Make sure they are manageable and commit to making them happen. Keeping them visible is a great way of keeping them real.

4. Be in good company. Stay around positive people. Read positive material. I highly suggest joining online groups to provide support and accountability.

5. Trust the Power of Truth. No matter where you go there are going to be those who will want to knock you down. Connect with your inner power. Remember who you really are. Don't go back to the ashes.

Make the choice to stand.

Jill Betz Freeman is the CEO of ROAR! Growing Your Business With Pride. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and small businesses grow. Jill has over 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, business development, customer service and corporate training. Shel is a saavy, vivacious, straight on consultant and trainer who is commited to working with companies, business owners and sales professionals who want to increase their bottom line. She has trained sales people involved in diverse industries such as healthcare and engineering. Stacy Kelly, CEO of PM Squared in Houston TX said, "Jill is the go-to person for sales advice." Beth Felege, BSN and Clinical Liason for a major skilled nursing company praised Jill as being, "the person who taught me the most about sales."

Check out ROAR! at http://www.roarcorps.com and contant Jill for more information about services.

Jim Rohn Author Review

Avoiding the Health Risks of Anger

Well, you should have thought about that first!

The womans voice was loud, too loud for the restaurant. We were trying to enjoy a relaxing meal when the argument erupted a few tables over- a couple in open disagreement.

I didnt want to think about it, he shouted at her.
By now my meal was loosing its flavor, disrupted by the unpleasant outbursts projected from across the room.

Its called anger. We all know it. Weve all experienced it. For some of us it happens rarely. Others dip into its dark shadows daily. But did you know that anger isnt just emotionally damaging?

Its true. Anger can do more than upset us emotionally. Anger can have deleterious effects on our physical bodies. It can actually produce heart disease and keep us from having a healthy heart.

Sound far-fetched? It shouldnt. Medical science has known about the harmful effects of anger for hundreds of years, but only lately have physicians been recommending people address their anger.

Dr. Kirk Laman, a board certified cardiologist, with a special interest in heart disease prevention suggests that we look at anger just as we look at other risk factors for heart disease.

Anger is a powerful emotion. If left unchecked it can actually cause a heart attack, said Dr. Laman. All of us are aware of the traditional risk factors for heart disease- smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Yet, recently the American Heart Association has recognized that emotional issues can also place us at risk for developing heart problems.

Numerous medical studies have cited anger as a cause of heart trouble. In the medical journal, Circulation (October 1995) anger was shown to precede and actually trigger a heart attack.

In the article they studied 1623 men and women, evaluating the amount and timing of anger in the peoples lives. These researchers were able to find a direct relationship between having anger and developing a heart attack.

In another study on anger (Circulation, May 2000), 12,986 people who carried more anger were twice as likely to have a heart attack, die, or need angioplasty or bypass surgery when compared to people who were less angry.

Indeed, anger isnt just an emotional issue. It truly can be harmful to our health.

What can we do about anger? Well, the first thing is to become more aware of when we are having anger. We can do this by becoming more aware of our hearts in general. We can also begin thinking more about stress reduction.

One useful thing to do is to set aside 20 minutes each evening for reflection. Journaling can also be helpful. Reflect how your heart felt throughout your day. Were you upset, frustrated? Just by spending time reflecting, you can begin to conquer the harmful feelings that over take your heart.

If youre someone who is angry a great deal seek professional help. Find a psychotherapist or counselor and begin developing the skills needed for creating a more healthy heart.

Anger is a risk, but you can avoid suffering from debilitating heart disease.

Kirk Laman, D.O., F.A.C.C. is a cardiologist, author, and public speaker. His unique message, How Heart Centered Living is the Key to Health and Well Being captivates and motivates audiences to improve their lives.

Dr. Kirk Laman is a board certified cardiologist with a special interest in preventative cardiology. Dr. Laman has written for the Detroit News, Medical Economics, as well as Lansings, Healthy and Fit magazine. He has been interviewed on ABC, NBC, and PBS television in Michigan. His book, How to Heal Your Broken Heart- A Cardiologists Secrets for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Health: http://www.drlaman.com/book.html published by Advantage Press. In the book Dr. Kirk Laman offers readers a simple and easy way to begin the process of healing the psychological and emotions issues that trouble their hearts.

Dr. Laman is also an avid public speaker. He brings his twenty years of practical experience as a cardiologist and healer/pastor to the table as he offers useful lessons in heart felt living. Developing a deep connection with others in one of the key skills for success.

Mental And Physical Abuse

Is Guilt Feeding on Your Conscience, Affecting Your Subconscious Mind Negatively?

Guilt is one of the largest causes of stress in your life. Stop reading this article for a second and think about the people in your lives that often make you feel guilty.

Now did you really stop reading the article and think about the people in your life who make you feel guilty? Okay well if you did this get back to the guilty feelings so many of us have. Guilt goes all the way back to your childhood, your parents, teachers, friends and relatives have gotten to be pretty good at it over the years, often learning from the same group of people when they were children.

Guilt is definitely a big part of our society and can be found almost everywhere you turn. Have you ever turned the television on to notice a commercial about weight loss. A large majority of Americans are overweight and are targets for a guilt creating society.

I was reading a book on writing magazine articles, when they mentioned a fact that I never thought of, most women's magazines run articles on dieting in every issue. Guilt sells magazines.

Do you think weight loss, dieting or nutritional eating habits, sell magazines? If your answer is no, you should check the financial statements of these companies. They know what sells magazines and guilt or fear is one of their best friends. If you answered yes to the question, you won't have to suffer from the guilt of not knowing the answer.

Guilt seems to work on our subconscious mind in negative ways, often producing harmful thoughts that create stressful feelings in our lives. The longer these negative thoughts are held as truths, the harder it's going to be on our self esteem.

If you find yourself around people that make you feel guilty for something you do or don't do on a regular basis, I would suggest finding new people to hang around with. Gathering negative information from people you consider your friends can only create more damage to your conscience.

If you truly and sincerely do not like something about yourself, tell your friends in a nice way, that you would rather talk about your problems in a negative way. If they have constructive and helpful comments, you would love to hear them. Guilt causes stress and stress can lead to death. If you don't believe that, do some research on stress related illnesses.

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

Greg is currently working on a personal development library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Listen To Advice From Confucius

Self-Help Anxiety Advice - Stopping Worries From Transforming Into Anxiety and Panic

Self-help anxiety advice can teach you effective methods to control worries that get out of control and turn into outright panic attacks. Worries can become a frequent unwanted guest in our lives that just won't go away. When worry takes up a significant portion of your minds daily activity, the chances of that worry boiling into a panic attack become soaringly higher.

Worry and anxiety are normal and necessary human reactions. Mankind has always had to contemplate the "fight or flight" dilemma and anxiety is the ingredient that fuels the answer. Without worry we would likely get ourselves in a ton of trouble. It's unlikely that our species would have survived this long without some old fashioned fear to let us know when to run and hide. Like all animals, a little bit of anxiety is key to our survival.

Worry can also become our worst enemy when it appears in all aspects of our lives. When you're mind is riddled with worries, anxiety soon occupies your mood. At some point this overabundance of anxiety can trigger a terrifying panic attack. Self-help anxiety methods that minimize worry may be the solution to such a problem. Learning effective ways to lessen the amount of worrying you do throughout the day will start you on the path to a calmer mindset.

Awareness of when your mind starts worrying or thinking negative thoughts can make a big difference in the amount of anxiety you deal with. Most chronic worriers rarely realize when they're worrying. It becomes such a normal activity, therefore it's hard to imagine life without it. Negative thoughts will run rampant if they are allowed to. Self-help anxiety methods like conscious mindfulness of worrisome thoughts can begin to interrupt the familiar flow of negative thoughts.

When you can actively identify the negative patterns of your mind, you gain the ability of being able to make the decision to stop worrying. When this awareness is practiced, you become an active participant in what kind of thoughts rule your day. If you choose to let worry continue, it will manifest physically into the common symptoms of anxiety. Stop worrying and you stop the cycle.

It's normal to worry about things effecting our life; so don't drive yourself crazy trying to eliminate every ounce of worrying. Allow the common initial worry that may accompany stressful events. But also be aware of how long it lasts, or if the same worry surfaces again and again. This is the kind of worry that is completely unnecessary and guaranteed to transform into anxiety.

This repeating pattern of negative thoughts is what brings about the symptoms of anxiety. Self-help anxiety curing methods are designed to end these harmful patterns and restore order back to your life. Just realizing that this cycle of worry and stress is what causes so much anxiety can make a substantial change in the amount of anxiety you deal with and will have a lasting effect on your overall well-being.

Awareness if the first step in ending the anxiety cycle. You need to practice this awareness of your thought patterns everyday. With enough practice, those anxiety causing thoughts will give up trying to rule your life.

If you're interested in learning about the single most effective anxiety curing method, visit Mike's self-help anxiety website:

http://self-helpanxiety.blogspot.com/

Laws Of Attraction Ideas

The Sun God Of Christianity

Dispel Grief With a Positive Bereavement Poem

After a loved one dies, it feels like the world has come to a crashing stop. Grief and mourning can be so intense that you feel like you are sailing through a hurricane and then sinking in a sea of quicksand. A positive, faith and hope filled bereavement poem can help dispel grief and raise your spirits. The dark clouds of grief and loss can leave you and your family as you rise above the waves of fear and walk on the water of solid emotional and spiritual faith.

Loss and mourning are two obstacles to face and endure after a loved one dies. That might be a spouse, child, or family member. Or a close friend or neighbor, someone at church or even a personal role model. For example, when famous actor like Paul Newman died, many people who loved his example of a faithful marriage, his salad dressing, his famous roles movies like The Sting, and his good humor were shocked and numb. Death hits harder when the people are closest to us. Why do sympathy poems help after the death of a loved one?

Bereavement poems are a form of sympathy prayers that remember your loved one's life, with the hope of eternal life that follows. An effective bereavement poem contains several words of condolence and sympathy sayings, and even sympathy prayers.

The key words of a grief poem are expressions of hope. The virtue of hope looks forward to something new, something better in life, a transformation of even life after death. For example, in the Christian religion, disciples of Jesus Christ believe in the resurrection and new life with God that follows death. In many religions, hope is a gift that points toward eternity - a lasting union and friendship with a Supreme Being.

The symbol of hope in the Christian religion is an anchor, that holds a boat steady during a storm. The rope that holds the anchor to a ship during a stormy time of life relies upon being cast into a sea bottom of faith and love. That rope is a life line to hang on to, when the hurricanes of life come blowing through. The fact is that death happens to every person.

A bereavement poem that contains a prayer of hope and words of consolation brings peace to your mind and calm to your heart. All you need to do is to find a simple sympathy poem that is easy to say and includes the names of your deceased loved ones.

Discover a bereavement poem and prayer that you can customize to include the names of your deceased loved ones. Visit http://www.my3strands.com today.

Dreaming And Outer Body Experien

Education Connection

The importance of a well rounded education is extremely important in todays ever changing world. Although you may know exactly what field or business you want to get into, be sure to fully evaluate your situation and scenario. In order to do this I feel it is crucial test the waters, to get your hands dirty with something a bit unfamiliar.

I went to a a liberal arts school in Staten Island, NY and why, might you ask. I went because I had no idea what I wanted to study and furthermore, what I wanted to do, but I did know one thing, if I was going to find out I was going to find out in the most diverse city in the world, NYC. Here is where I got my well rounded education. I took my sciences, histories, mathematics, religions, and economics courses during my time in the class and learned very much from them. However I feel much of my formal education came from the time that I spent out of the classroom. The time learning and understanding how people work, how the city operated, the speed at which it operated, how trucks came in day in and day out to stock the city, all this baffled me and I was curious to learn about it.

Im not downplaying my classroom time, but rather enlightening on the fact that if I had been a complete classroom student, I would not have been able to apply my classroom teachings to the daily trifles of the real world. Education comes in many forms, shapes, and sizes. One must look beyond the classroom for this while at the same time, remembering and keeping fresh what was taught in the classroom. Once this connection is made then, well my friend, you are an educated individual!

liberal arts

Do You Believe In The Bible

You Don't Become a Wicca, You Either Are Or Are Not

There is a major growth in today's society for older religions, this includes people who want to become a Wicca. First of all, people need to understand that you do not become a Wicca, no more than you become a doctor and an engineer. Sure, there are signs of progress, and as a doctor or an engineer you get a piece of paper, however, that doesn't make you a doctor or an engineer.

As I said you do not become a Wicca. I am sure this raises some degree of curiosity and confusion. If I don't become a Wicca, then why do people call themselves such? See, it's not about becoming as much as it's about being. You don't become a Wicca, you are one.

I learned this a long time ago when I was studying the martial art of Ninjutsu, and it carried over as I began practicing witchcraft. As I gained belt after belt, I wondered at what point I would be a ninja. I couldn't wait to tell people I was a ninja. Once I earned my black belt, I wondered if I was now a ninja. I asked my teacher and his only response was, "you will know."

Eventually I came to understand that I can't become a ninja. It is something I am or am not. It wasn't about becoming, it was about being a ninja. The same is true when talking about how to become a Wicca. I now live, day to day, the way of the ninja. I use the philosophy and strategies I learned as I trained to live my life on a daily basis. The same is true for my spiritual practices.

You see, you didn't become anything, I either was or wasn't. I either lived as one, walked as one, talked as one, made decisions as one based on what I had learned, or I didn't. Learn, study, and apply what you learn as you grow, and you will be a Wicca. Then there will be no need to become a Wicca.

Are you ready to become the most powerful witch you can? Do you want to learn what it means to be a witch, and how to create your own spells at the drop of a dime? Do you want more free spells and the best resource for ancient witchcraft and Wiccan knowledge? Then Click Here Now to learn how! Don't forget to sign up for your completely free spells!

Learning Meditation Or Watching

Light Workers Movie on Estoic Wisdom

This video tells of the estoic wisdom between the three types of light workers and how they are going to bring the earth into a new earth full of love and light.

Life of Jesus

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

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

Greg is currently working on a spiritual help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Thomas Edison
Your Hardest Day In Life

Finding the Lost Sheep

The Bible is full of stories and the stories can teach children as well as adults how to live a pretty decent life. Extracting the meaning from most of the parables isn't that difficult. We cannot say for a fact that our interpretations of these parables are true, I say to you truly, what do you think Jesus really meant.

We have heard stories like these for years, biblical scholars, pastors and other Christian leaders, even my Sunday school teacher could explain most of the parables as they were taught. These teachers of course were taught by their teachers and who knows how long the meaning of these stories have remained the same. Meaning to the parables could have easily changed over the centuries.

Here's one of the parables about the lost sheep, read it and then, spend some time evaluating it, to see if you really know what it means, or at least take your best guess.

If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

If we lost one of our children or were driving through the forest one day and noticed a man upsets and panicking as he's running around furiously looking for something. Most of us would would be curious or nosy, it's our human nature I guess, thanks a lot God, we would probably try to find out what was going on and offer our assistance.

The parable clearly shows an example of someone searching for something that he dearly cares about. This makes a lot of sense but can have different meanings, especially if it's read during different stages in our lives. Whether God created man or we evolved somehow on earth, one thing is for sure, most of us seem to care about our loved ones and will travel to the ends of the earth if they were to lost.

Sometimes lost sheep are standing right in front of us, we reach out to help them and they do not respond. Maybe you're one of the lies sheep, spending most of your time helping other sheep, but really you're the one who needs the help. Education can set you free from religious bondage.

Great Christian Articles

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

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development. Check out one of his recommended books, You Can Have It All

How Buddhists Describe the Universe

The cosmography of the Buddhists regards the universe as consisting of innumerable spheres (cakkavlas), each of which might seem to a narrower imagination a universe in itself, since it has its own earth, heavenly bodies, paradises and hells. A sphere is divided into three regions, the lowest of which is the region of desire. This consists of eleven divisions which, beginning from the lowest, are the hells, and the worlds of animals, Pretas (hungry ghosts), Asuras (Titans) and men.

This last, which we inhabit, consists of a vast circular plain largely covered with water. In the centre of it is Mount Meru, and it is surrounded by a wall. Above it rise six devalokas, or heavens of the inferior gods. Above the realms of desire there follow sixteen worlds in which there is form but no desire. All are states of bliss one higher than the other and all are attained by the exercise of meditation.

Above these again come four formless worlds, in which there is neither desire nor form. They correspond to the four stages of Arpa trances and in them the gross and evil elements of existence are reduced to a minimum, but still they are not permanent and cannot be regarded as final salvation. We naturally think of this series of worlds as so many storeys rising one above the other and they are so depicted but it will be observed that the animal kingdom is placed between the hells and humanity, obviously not as having its local habitation there but as better off than the one, though inferior to the other, and perhaps if we pointed this out to the Indian artist he would smile and say that his many storeyed picture must not be taken so literally: all states of being are merely states of mind, hellish, brutish, human and divine.

To learn more about Buddhist teachings and beliefs, you might be interested in my FREE E-EBOOK Buddhism for the Non-Buddhist Layman

You will also find many free articles about Buddhist teachings, beliefs and practices in my site:

• Buddhism Through Buddhist Eyes

Angels And Demons Are They Real

Pure Yoga - How to Achieve Union of Mind and Body

Originating from the Sanskrit term 'yuj' which means to unite, Yoga is the path taken in the pursuit of uniting oneself with 'God' or 'Spirit'. Yoga goes way beyond the common physical exercises we are familiar with and is actually more a way of life.

The benefits of pure Yoga though definitely involving the physical being, are more about achieving inner peace and tranquility. Any one seeking to fully gain the benefits from Yoga must begin with the understanding that Yoga meditation, spiritual yoga and yoga exercises go hand in hand. One without the others is quite futile. Most of us seem to get carried away by shortcut methods, and simply follow some basic exercises while completely ignoring the holistic advantages of the system.

The human body is complexly linked to the soul and it is imperative to fully understand the benefits of spiritual Yoga, by learning both Yoga exercises and Yoga meditation in sync with each other. Unless the body and soul are both worked upon simultaneously via Yoga and meditation, it is unlikely that full benefits will be reaped.

Being one of the five principles of Yoga, meditation is regarded as the constant observation of the mind. While the physical Yoga positions develop the human body muscles, meditation is designed to enhance the mind power. It is of prime importance to understand that inner peace and outer well-being are linked, and that ignoring one will adversely affect the other.

Seeking literature on pure Yoga that aims towards its holistic benefits is the first step to moving in this direction. Learning about the meaning of the universe and the unfolding of the consciousness and moving on to discovering the various stages on the human mind, are the first few basics that are crucial to the understanding of spiritual Yoga. Knowing about the science of Yoga as well as its practice, will help in reaping the benefits of Yoga in a holistic manner, rather than simply tasting a small bit. The various asanas are of course of primary concern but the advanced stages involving the mental capacities are also as crucial as the basic steps of pure Yoga.

Grab your FREE mini ebook on "Yoga, the Power to Enrich Your Mind Body and Soul" from http://DigitalinformationDownloads.com/wellness/yoga

Backup Plans Feel Good

Affirmations - The Power to Get From Where You Are Now to Where You Want to Be

Think back to a time when you woke up late because your alarm clock did not go off when it was supposed to. You found yourself rushing around, dropping things or not finding things where they should be. The more frustrated you became the more obstacles you encountered. This was the start of a "bad" day and it did not stop there. You seem to hit every red light on the way to work, there were no close parking spots and it started raining. Of course, your umbrella was at home right by the front door, but you were in such a hurry you forgot it. Your day has started so badly, you can't imagine it getting any better. Granted, that is not the ideal way to start the day. But the more focus that is placed on the negative events surrounding you, the more negative situations you attract.

You always have a decision about how you will react to a situation and what actions you will take in response. So what if you are late to work. Unless you have made a serious habit of being late, what is the worst that can happen? Take whatever grief you get and take control of the rest of your day. Tell yourself that this will be a productive day even if you are getting started just a little later than you anticipated. Positive attitude attracts positive responses from others as well. Attitude is contagious.

Something proactive that can be done to help you maintain a positive outlook despite any negative activities or attitudes surrounding you is to use affirmations. An affirmation is a positive statement about yourself or a declaration about your future as if it is already true. This is also known as the law of attraction. The more you see yourself in a positive light, successful in everything you do, already possessing everything you could ever want, living the life you have always dreamed of, the more likely that you will attract these things. This does not mean you can close your eyes, twitch your nose and wish things into existence. But by using the power of affirmations, you are much more likely to attract the things you desire than if you wallow in pessimism and self pity.

Post affirmations on your bathroom mirror - "I will have a productive and energized day today." Post affirmations in your car - "It feels great driving the car of my dreams everyday." And post affirmations in your most occupies spaces -at your desk at work, in your kitchen, wherever you spend the most time each day - "Money comes easily and frequently." You may not know exactly how these things will come to be, but the more you think in this way the more likely these things will happen. Positive thinking breeds positive outcome. It is never to late to start, so why not start today?!

Debbie L. Johnson, successful accountant and entrepreneur for over 25 years, now focused on helping others find success in business. To sign up for your FREE (until January 13, 2009 only) "Business in a Box" system, visit http://www.debbiejohnson.webprosperity.com now!

For more information on how you can take control of your future, visit my website at http://www.quantumwealthforlife.com The time is NOW... your future won't wait!

Religious Faith Or Religious Fac

First Timothy - A Short Exposition Regarding Ministry Focus and Formation

INTRODUCTION

DeSilva (2004:733) tells us that Timothy joined Paul on mission (Acts 16:1-3) and Timothy becomes Paul's "helper" in ministry.DeSilva (2004:734) adds that Paul is regularly sending Timothy on mission trips he himself cannot make, "to strengthen the congregations."For example, Timothy is left at Ephesus to minister while Paul travels on to Macedonia, a place he makes two such visits to, presumably both times from Ephesus (DeSilva, 2004:734).The same author informs us that there are several objective messages of this Epistle to Timothy.It is to:

1. Keep the church at Ephesus on track in Paul's absence;
2. Address "would be" teachers (including those teaching incorrect application of the law);
3. Be attentive of his guidelines for the selection of church leaders; and,
4. Know how the church community should care for, and support, widows.

Overlaying these objectives to Timothy, Paul seeks to paint a picture for Timothy on how to be a model leader, and this is the overarching theme of this Epistle, indeed the three Pastoral Epistles: both letters to Timothy, and Titus.Further, 1 Timothy seeks to encourage Christians of the time to put on the "best possible face", as a reflection of the faith, to the Greco-Roman society (DeSilva, 2004:748).It is also important to note the emphasis the Pastoral Epistles have on the "roles and responsibilities of Christian leaders."(DeSilva, 2004:752).It is appropriate therefore, that we look to these Pastoral Epistles - in this case, 1 Timothy - for guidance and application regarding our ministry call, style and role.

BODY OF ESSAY

Structure and Comments of the Book of 1 Timothy
(Structure modelled from Knight III (1992))

Paul's Command to Timothy to Withstand False Doctrine and to Further the Gospel and its Goal, which is Love (1:3-20)

Towner (1994:42) indicates that when it comes to the teaching of false doctrine and heresy, "history repeats itself."Most if not all commentators denounce heresy much that same way Paul did.In the first part of this section of the Epistle, to verse 11, Paul reinforces to Timothy the importance of a focus on defeating a false approach to the law (the Decalogue) by commanding him to stay faithful to the good; in verse 5 he says:

"The aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith."

Indeed, "[l]ove... is the goal of Christian teaching." (Knight III, 1992:76).It is important as ministers of God to be practically mindful of this verse, not just for self, but in engendering these character qualities in parishioners.Hanson (1982:58) exegetes verse 5 referring to sincere faith as meaning "the content of the faith" and not simply the "mode of believing."Further, Hanson (1982:57) tells us that moralism is driving the theology in his exegesis of a good conscience.This is a vital comment; solid theology must always be constructed through a godly view, summed up in verse 5 - the aim.The style of ministry we employ must seek to reflect this base at all times.

Towner (1994:43) recommends we take 1:3-20 as a unit, building to the problem of false teaching to verse 10 and then climbing out of this with an exhortation to teach correctly.Verse 11 continues the exhortation for Timothy to model himself on Paul - an apostle, with "authority... equal to that of the Twelve" (Hendriksen, 1983:87) - who is infinitely richer for receiving God's mercy, to teach in the full knowledge that Christ came to save all sinners of which Paul says he was the worst (v. 15).In the knowledge of this mercy, and of the "utmost patience" the Lord, Christ Jesus has in believers, Paul implores Timothy (1:18-20) to "fight the good fight", and "[have] faith and a good conscience."Paul reminds Timothy of the potential to have one's faith "shipwreck[ed]", and his humble and desperate instruction is to stay faithful.It is profound that Paul finishes this section (v. 20) with a testimony that he has handed such false teachers "over to Satan"; this shows us his "willingness to handle severe deviance with... rough measures." (Johnson, 2001:186).

The picture that Davies (1996:9-10) paints of verses 18 - 20 is pertinent.The charge here, Davies suggests, is much the same as the circumstances from which Paul came to Christ; we must allow those who would insist on false doctrine and heresy to revisit Satan "to bring about a change in their lives."This is not without first trying every measure to bring them around by speaking the truth in love.

This command early on in 1 Timothy indicates that we must always respond to false doctrine without getting caught up in endless chatter, seeking the fruit of love to clothe our godly responses.It is by recognizing, indeed, being always thoroughly cognizant of, the mercy that God has shown us and brought into our lives by the sacrifice of His beloved Son - that, is what drives us to minister in the spirit of love and truth.

Prayer for all; Conduct of Women (2:1-15)

Exhorting prayer is a very godly pursuit, and Johnson (1996:130) states the motivation for praying in 2:2b - to "lead a quiet and peaceable life", and Johnson further suggests that not only does the peace translate itself in the realms of a life with the Holy Spirit, it also facilitates the "respect of outsiders."As ministers we're loath not to teach our parishioners - and anyone else who will listen - the very many real benefits of a life of "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings."Life can be a complete act of worship; indeed, this is what the Lord intended!Prayer, in general terms, encompasses so much that is worshipful and there is no limit to prayer, how to do it, when, where, with whom etc.

Paul wants us to know there are two groups who we can readily pray for: "for everyone" (v. 1) and "for kings and all those in high positions" (v. 2a).The emphasis here, as Hanson (1996:14) puts it, is on "God's purpose to save all human beings."Again, Hanson (1996:14) is cited as saying another key contribution of the Pastoral letters is their bias toward God's purpose of saving everyone; all people.Towner (1994:63) adds his weight to this charge also.We must minister in faith to this, ensuring every single non-believer is viewed as a potential convert to the faith, completely without exception.Further, we should allow and even encourage prayers concerning the world and world issues, in showing compassion for those who are still bonded to the world, as well as all believers in all situations in life.As verse 3 suggests, "[T]his is right and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior."

There is a subtle nuance in verse 5 - "one mediator... Christ Jesus, himself human" that requires further investigation and thought.Johnson (1996:131) suggests it is Jesus' very humanity that qualifies Him as the ultimate and perfect intercessor - our "representative human before the one God."It is not because of his deeds or the things He taught but the fact He was human and died giving "himself a ransom for all" (v. 6) that makes Him our Mediator in all our prayers.This is key theology that must be taught to our congregations, helping them learn about the real and true Jesus.

On the surface, by far the most controversial passage in the Pastoral Epistles is 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (DeSilva, 2004:749).This author clarifies, however, what Paul is referring to as trying to smooth out the lines of differentiation between those in Christian community and those not - he sought only to have the women appear asnot too distinct from non-Christian women (i.e. Culturally relevant) to aid "building bridges" with the non-believing community (DeSilva, 2004:750).Further, Johnson (1996:139) hypothesizes that extravagant dress by these Ephesian Christian women could send entirely the wrong message to non-believing citizens - this message goes against the grain of the Epistle.Further again, Johnson (1996:141) seeks to highlight it is not the fact that women are women; that their theology or ability to teach is lacking, but it is the "culturally conservative position" he seeks in showing that by honouring their men the women enhance the case for Christianity.

It is interesting to read Hanson (1996:18) on this issue of the applicability and appropriateness of women in public (teaching) ministry.Whilst not arguing one way or the other, she does point out some contradiction in Pauline teaching on the matter (see 1 Cor. 11:5; Phil. 4:2-3 and Romans 16), which further confirms in my mind that Paul was addressing a specific matter in 2:12.

Our challenge in ministry is to confront false theology preventing women from practicing certain types of ministry just because they are women - though the same cultural relevancy issue should always be considered as an aid in "building bridges" in the community.This passage should not disqualify called women from practicing in ministry.This theology supports the general goal of these Pastoral Epistles in encouraging a favourable non-believer response to Christianity.

Qualifications for Bishops and Deacons (3:1-16)

Johnson (1996:155) states that 1 Timothy 3:

"provides us with the closest thing in the pastoral letters to what could reasonably be called a 'church order.'"

The terms overseer, bishop and elder are used often interchangeably (see Davies (1996:23)).The overseer should be a good teacher among other things, whilst the deacon is selected on similar character traits, but is not required to teach (Davies, 1996:26).

Johnson (1996:155) is astounded by the scant level of information in the few sentences, particularly the lack of guidance apportioned to the setting of tasks for each of the roles assigned.There is a huge focus on the "questionable moral character" of some of the churches leaders, and this is perceivably why Paul's focus is on this and not other things - the tasks, whilst important, pail into insignificance behind the real issue of how a church manages its reputation and the reputation of its leadership (Johnson, 1996:156).The message is clear to Timothy: choose leaders wisely!In ministry today, even when we don't pastor the church, we're given the scope in leading teams to entrust others with leadership - here is a golden warning to be highly responsible in what duties and tasks you entrust to whom.

DeSilva (2004:750) reinforces the goal of Christians being "well thought of by outsiders" to be eligible as church leaders.Church leaders had to be "living examples of the fruit of Christian faith."(DeSilva, 2004:753).Johnson (1996:143) informs us that nowhere else in the Bible is the role of "overseer" in this context documented.Johnson (1996:143) translates the Greek equivalent for "overseer" into "supervisor" to lessen the confusion generated by using the term "bishop".Johnson (1996:146) also purports the structure of "the gerousia" (board of old men, elders) in leading a group, underpinned by its "subordinate officials" or "servers" (diakonoi or deacons).

DeSilva (2004:748) elucidates 3:15 ('how one ought to behave in the household of God') as a "thematic statement" for the Pastoral letters.Now, there is some very heavy theology involved in 3:15-16.In using pillar as a metaphor in verse 15, Paul is likely referring to the church as a supporter of the truth of the Gospel (Hendriksen, 1983:136).Taken in ministry terms, being Christ's representatives as leaders in the church, we're to behave entirely in a manner appropriate in supporting the truth of the Gospel.

The importance of verses 15 and 16 in the context of our ministry style cannot be overstated.Knight III (1992:180) propounds the exhortation with paramount significance in highlighting the churches role in undergirding and upholding the truth.It is a land-mark summary for the importance of the previous statements on the qualifications of church leaders.Hendriksen (1983:138) shows us something significant in verse 16b.The remaining six (6) lines are arranged "chi-astically":

He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit,
seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles,
believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.

This means each of the concluding words of each line is linked in a double 'X' pattern - 'X' in Greek is the letter 'chi' (Hendriksen, 1983:139).This is a theologically significant way of closing the chapter, and though there is no space in this essay to address this, it simply highlights the power Paul wishes to present at the end of this section.

Apostasy; A Good Minister's Discipline (4:1-16)

In the beginning of this chapter, Paul seeks to respond to false asceticism (typical of the Pharisees) and an 'overdoing' of the law by saying that everything from God is good and should be received with thanksgiving "for it is sanctified by God's word and by prayer." (v. 5).Paul is found saying often that decisions to restrict certain behaviours or to engage in specific rituals are to be done from "good conscience" and not for "uniformly impos[ing] on all by law."(Johnson, 1996:163)From a practical viewpoint, what we must teach is: sex is not evil "but the misuse of human sexuality" is - again, "no food is bad, but humans can evilly disorder their appetites." (Johnson, 1996:164).

DeSilva (2004:752) writes that it is Timothy's good character that is his authority to preach the Gospel - his youth is irrelevant - in verse 4:12.Paul is passionate in encouraging Timothy to continue "public reading of scripture... to exhorting, to teaching" (v. 13), and "not neglect the gift that is in you" (v. 14a) and verses 15 and 16 carry on further urging of Timothy to "save both yourself and your hearers."This is a breath of fresh air to all entering training in pastoral ministry, to leap in boots and all! - weighed obviously with the character traits referred to in verse 12.Knight III (1992:196) discusses the athletic imagery (verses 7b and 8a) at length and this is a great metaphor for training, training in godliness for Timothy and others.

Duties Towards Others (5:1 - 6:2)

The issues in this chapter are of welfare of the different demographics of the group - general rules and standards for the fair dealing of all including the minorities - for instance widows.Young widows are advised to re-marry and continue their roles in child-raising and to manage their households well in 5:14.This again shows support for the good reputation of the group (DeSilva, 2004:750), and a response as to not pressurise a situation "so as to give the adversary no occasion to revile us."Again and again, there is the concern for the image and protection of the Christian community; therein lies the key lesson for modern ministry in the post-modern era, to be able to respond to all varieties of 'family' situations and do so in such a way as to honour the Lord.There is a discreet pastoral care role in all of this that we must be acutely attentive of.

Rules for discipline are given in verses 19 - 24.These are simple instructions relating to the style or output of the ministry of a church leader.Johnson (1996:189) has said that it might have been the case that Paul was speaking about a situation where an elder of the church was involved in a situation of supporting a woman who may bring the church into disrepute.As ministers, we need to be aware of the circumstances of all aid we as the church provide, seeking God's best in all these provisions.

Final Indictment of False Teachers and Warning Against Love of Money (6:3-10)

There is a key final exhortation of the Apostle Paul in charging Timothy to not desire riches (DeSilva, 2004:753).There are two reasons why it is most important to not seek riches (DeSilva, 2004:753).The first is the hold that money can have on a person ("trapped by many senseless and harmful desires" - v. 9), and the second is purely the immense impact good, sensible monetary policy can have on a community of believers and the spread that money can have used further afield.To do the latter, one must have a freedom from money.

Johnson (1996:199) believes strongly that the Ephesian church at the time was quite affluent.Johnson (2001:297) skilfully extracts the connection of both the "mental errors of the false teachers to a moral sickness: the love of money."Both of these issues are noteworthy in this passage.It is for Timothy, as it is for us, to resist every grip money can potentially have on us.Verse 7 reveals a truth that must be ingrained in us - "we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it."

Final charge to Timothy (6:11-16)

Johnson (2001:313) tells us Paul exhorts Timothy urgently in this passage.Not only does he re-affirm what is good and right in behaviour, but he finishes much the same way as he began in chapter 1 - this time praising Timothy's character and encouraging him to maintain it (Johnson, 2001:313).

Knight III (1992:261) gives us a summary of the attributes in verse 11 that are similar though not the same as the virtues Paul expresses in other epistles (see 2 Cor. 6:6-7; Gal. 5:22-23; Col. 3:12-14; 2 Tim. 2:22-25; 3:10).As ministers, we are to ensure this 'fruit' of the Spirit is alive and well in us, as it was in Timothy. Instructions for the rich (6:17-19)

Paul is read here to encourage the rich to seek "not to be haughty" but to look to God "who richly provides."(v. 17).Johnson (2001:314) highlights the verses in James 1 relating to every good gift coming from God, and to give without grudging, and it is in this philosophy he explains Paul's wish for every wealthy Christian to "take hold of the life that really is life."(v. 19b).

Final charge to Timothy (6:20-21)

A concluding charge to Timothy "reinforces the previous exhortation."(Davies, 1996:55).

CONCLUSION

Comments on 1 Timothy's Approach to Ministry Formation from DeSilva's "The Pastoral Epistles and Ministry Formation" (pp. 770 - 774)

The call

The selection of leaders in the church is a delicate task, and most likely many leaders do not exhibit the "noble mind, virtuous conduct and proven character" that is desired.(DeSilva, 2004:771).This is an opportunity for up and coming leaders to engage with a mentor and develop these very traits.

The Style

DeSilva (2004:770) highlights the importance of 'authenticity' for leaders in ministry, and he mentions the extremely negative effect "a double life" can have on a person's self esteem and limits the power of God in their life.There is an undercurrent of the need to have "trust in Jesus" in the Pastoral Epistles and DeSilva (2004:770) argues for it in response to other commentators counter argument that these Pastoral Epistles lack focus on "faith".

The Role

The role of this Epistle was and is to exhort effective ministry leadership and show how this is to be done.So, the ministry role of the Letter is undergirded by this constant need for church leaders to be abreast with all church relational matters and to respond by speaking the truth in love.

The role of church discipline is probably the hardest issue to deal with, but we are encouraged by Paul to remain faithful to the Word of God, endorsing sound doctrine, and being committed to a lifetime of learning and reliance on God (DeSilva, 2004:771).

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

Davies, M., The Pastoral Epistles (Jones, I.H., gen ed, Epworth Press Commentaries, London, 1996)
DeSilva, D.A., An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation. (InterVarsity, Downers Grove, Illinois, 2004)
Hanson, A.T., The Pastoral Epistles - The New Century Bible Commentary (Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, & Marshall Morgan & Scott, London, 1982)
Hendriksen, W., 1&2 Thessalonians - 1&2 Timothy and Titus - New Testament Commentary (The Banner of Truth Trust, Pennsylvania, 1983)
Johnson, L.T., Letters to Paul's Delegates - The New Testament in Context (Trinity Press International, Valley Forge, 1996)
Johnson, L.T., The First and Second Letters to Timothy - Volume 35A (The Anchor Bible, Doubleday of Random House, New York, 2001)
Knight, G.W. III, Commentary on The Pastoral Epistles - New International Greek Testament Commentary (Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, 1992)
Towner, P.H., 1-2 Timothy & Titus (Osborne, G.R., series ed., Briscoe, D.S. & Robinson, H., consulting eds., IVP New Testament Commentary Series, InterVarsity Press, Illinois, Leicester, 1994)

All Bible verses used are from the NRSV Bible.

Steve Wickham is a safety and health professional (BSc) and a qualified lay Christian minister (GradDipDiv). He is also has training and leadership Diplomas. His passion in vocation is facilitation and coaching; encouraging people to soar to a higher value of their potential. Steve's interest in psychology is matched by years of experience in the psychology of safety in workplaces. Steve's key passion is work / life balance and re-creating value for living, and an exploration of the person within us. An advocate for a fair and just life, Steve implements wisdom strategies to his life through a passion for Proverbial wisdom. His highest goal is doing God's will, in enhancing his life, and the lives of others.

If The Greeks Were Wrong

Positively Respectful - Happy Holidays Everyone

Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings Everyone.

I called a former colleague and wished him Happy Holidays. He corrected me and said Merry Christmas--and that he appreciated that I was trying to be 'Politically Correct.'

It's not a matter of being politically correct.

I suggest inclusiveness, respecting all traditions and people who celebrate this time of year, that's what's important here. I prefer the term Positively Respectful.

Christians do not own this season or the sacredness of it. Long before Christians, pagan nature-based peoples and traditions were honoring and celebrating the Winter Solstice - the darkest day of the year, and rejoicing in the beginnings of new light to brighten the days following. Our Jewish neighbors celebrated Hanukkah long before Christians came along also. Christians honor Christmas as the birthday of a man named Jesus, historically the son of Jewish parents and whose lifestyle Christians try to follow. Having studied religions, I know it is no coincidence that Christmas happens to be celebrated very close to the Winter Solstice. Other people honor this time as sacred also.

All religion aside, many simply celebrate this season because something inside calls them to rekindle a sense of childhood wonder and magic, to remember a time when they believed in a kind-hearted, generous soul called Santa; to be open to the possibility that sometimes miracles happen, and that sometimes we can make them happen for somebody else. For those who catch the spirit, there's something more playful, fun, and lighter in the world.

So yes, I honor, value, and appreciate all of that--the fun and festivities, the wonderful spirits who celebrate the season, and those who add more joy to the world these days. To each of you, Happy Holidays and blessings to all.

Anne Wondra is a spiritual muse, career, life, and wellness coach, growing happier people personally and professionally, from the outside in at http://www.wonderspirit.com

Fantasy Books For Women

If you are looking for some of the best Fantasy Books for Women (or any speculative fiction books written for girls), then read this guide

It's no surprise that women want a different sort of fantasy book then do men. Many women complain speculative fiction books are almost all male-orientated. Fear not though. Not all the best books are for men! There are some great series in the genre for women! If you are a woman tired of male protagonists, pathetic female characters, and lousy romance, you've come to the right place!

While the majority of books in the genre is geared towards males, there is indeed a fair amount of superb books in the genre for girls. I've created a recommendation list of the Top 10 Fantasy books for women.

#1: Liveship Traders (Robin Hobb)
Robin Hobb is one of the best writers in the Fantasy genre. Her characterization and writing skills are sublime. Robb has the ability to create magical (in every sense) worlds that really just suck you in. Hobb's handling of romance is very well done. If you are looking for a book with a fascinating magical world with a very strong female protagonist, Liveship Traders will deliver this. This is one book that will appeal to both men and women alike - but I believe women will find the compelling female protagonist quite appealing.

#2: The Sevenwaters Trilogy (Juliet Marillier)
Without a doubt, Juliet Mariner is a master at creating realistic female characters. Her Sevenwaters Trilogy is a masterpiece - intelligent, complex, adventurous, and sad. This is Celtic speculative fiction with a well-realized world, well-developed romance, and a magical and mysterious world. This is very well-written fantasy for the girls!

#3: Kushiel's Dart (Jacqueline Carey)
Read this book and experience a gamut of emotions: passion, exultation and sadness. Kushiel's Dart is a superb read for both women and men - but especially women. If you are a women looking for some literature geared towards women, then Kushiel's Dart is just what you need. The female character is one of the most complex characters in the genre of fantasy. While the book can be read by both men and women, I think the strong female protagonist makes this novel especially appealing to women.

#4: The Lions of Al-Rassan (Guy Gaverial Kay)
This man has yet to write a bad book. Kay populates his landscapes with fully realized characters. Kay's female characters are always intelligent, thoughtful, and likable heroines. Kay is a wordsmith - he takes his art very seriously. If you are looking for some beautifully written, mature read that lacks all the magical power-ups prevalent in most modern fantasy books, then pick this series up. Women should enjoy the vivid characterization of the main (female) protagonist. A fantastical story for women that absolutely rocks!

#5: Archangel (Sharon Shinn)
If you are looking for a wonderful romance novel set in a fantastical landscape, definitely check this novel out. It's sort of a Science Fiction - Fantasy hybrid with a bit of re-imagined John Milton thrown along for the ride. This fantasy story has a great love story - it's interesting to the relationship between the two protagonists evolve from utter dislike to love. Those women looking for some heavy romance fantasy with a lot of character, check this book out.

#6: The Ruins of Ambrai (Exiles, Vol. 1) (Melini Rawn)
Melini Rawn is a great fantasy author who writes books geared towards women. This story is wholly character-driven, with complex assortment of characters and a very compelling world. Rawn's ability to create layered plots combined with her strong writing really makes this book something to be treasured. Without a doubt, this fantasy novel is a story that all women will love.

#7: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (Susanna Clarke)
Those women who are fans of Jane Austin and Lord of the Rings should definitely check this fantasy book out. It's written in the old Victorian style with lots of big words and flowery prose. But the story, my oh my! It's fabulous. This is not really romantic fantasy (though it does have strong romantic elements), but this is one book that should not be missed. It's one of the best fantasy books out there and it's made my top 25 best fantasy books list.

#8: Dragon and the Phoenix (Joanne Bertin)
This novel is an outright romance hiding in the skin of a fantasy book. But it's also a good romance. If you love fantasy books and you love romance, then I urge you to read this book. This romance fantasy book has everything women might want in a fantasy novel: a powerful hero, strong romantic tension, love triangles, action, and an addicting plot. If there is a fantasy book for women subgenre, then this book definitely qualifies.

#9: Dragon Prince Trilogy (Melini Rawn)
Those ladies lusting after some epic fantasy for women, will find themselves quite satisfied with this novel. This novel is epic fantasy with a strong cast of dangerous females. The romance between the male and female protagonists is the central focus of the book, but world building is pretty good. I felt this was sort of a Robert Jordan for girls series (though, the plot is completely different). It's good to see some epic fantasy for girls. Who says only men can read epic fantasy?

#10: Rhapsody (Elizabeth Haydon)
This is an interesting book. This is another "romance in fantasy clothing" book. Haydon creates an interesting world with a ton of romantic tension. This book makes no apologies about being a pure bodice ripper - so if you are looking for a fantasy novel with lots of romance and lots of sex, well, this book will be sure to deliver those in spades. Despite the heavy prevalence of romantic plots, Haydon's world building is quite good. There are different races, cultures, religions, and magics. I only recommend reading the first book in the series though - the sequels are not as good. If you want a fantasy book geared towards women, well, this book delivers. It's a fantasy book for women!

I hope you found my Fantasy books for women recommendation list useful. If you want a more comprehensive fantasy book guide, check out bestfantasybooks.com.

Ben K -- Lover of Fantasy Books and world traveler.

Philosophy in a Nutshell - Freedom Versus Determinism

Two of the most important and most noble purposes of philosophy are to promote intellectual independence and to awaken the thirst for wisdom. Put simply, philosophy aims to get individuals to think, hopefully to ponder deeply about more fundamental issues than those which occupy most of our everyday lives. A brief examination of the issue of freedom versus determinism helps to define the scope of philosophy and related controversies.

Theories concerned with the issue of freedom versus determinism seek to discover the cause of human behavior. Are human actions predictable in a scientific manner? In other words, are there laws of nature, though complex and largely unknown, which would tell us exactly what a person will do in a given situation and which completely rule out any other possibility? This view, known as determinism, has been bolstered since the sixteenth century by the scientific principle of universal causation: every event has a cause and predictions of results can be made with total accuracy.

Hard determinism further holds that moral responsibility is incompatible with universal causation. Soft determinism argues that some behavior is free of compulsion so that people can be held morally responsible. Libertarians maintain that human beings do possess freedom of action. Otherwise, libertarians claim, human deliberation is an illusion. This, they assert, would be absurd. Furthermore, libertarians believe that exact laws of human behavior will always be elusive. Human behavior will therefore remain unpredictable and uncontrollable. In addition to this, a society perfected through application of science to produce specific human behaviors would be morally unacceptable.

This process of questioning the very foundations of life takes a certain amount of courage and psychological fortitude. Independence of thought is critical for a free society, and philosophy aims to spur us on to deep thought about the things that matter in life.

Kathleen Karlsen, MA is a professional artist, a freelance writer and marketing consultant residing in Bozeman, Montana. Karlsen offers classes and workshops on symbolism, sacred art, healing art and the psychology of design. To learn more about color symbolism, visit http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/infocolorsymbolism.htm

For information about the meaning of flowers, please visit http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/infoflowermeaning.htm

Is Only 24 Hours in a Day - Time Management Tips

We only have 24 hours in each day, if we're working 12 hours each day, six days a week, planning the time required to create a habit will be a little more difficult, than someone who works four hours a day three days each week.

If you're one of those overachievers and can't seem to rest or sit down for even five minutes a day. This tells me, we need to change this habit first. Most people that tell you, they just don't have any time during the day, for anything. These people usually have a lot more time than others.

Their time is normally unstructured and they often find themselves running around like a chicken with its head cut off. They are not organized or very efficient at most things that they do. Keep in mind that there are some extremely successful people that only work four hours each day and some of these people take vacations every other month.

Structuring your time will allow you the extra time you need during the day.

If you have a daytime organizer, use this to figure out, if there is any wasted time during the day. Pay strict attention to any wasted time and make a list you can evaluate at the end of the day. Do this for one week and at the end of the week evaluate your weekly activities.

If you don't have a daytime organizer, carrying around a scrap piece of paper to keep track of your daily activities. If you don't have a daytime organizer or if this is too much work for you, simply pay attention to any time you might feel, has been wasted during the day.

If we can create better time management habits, it won't be long before we have more time than we ever imagined.

Have you ever thought about Getting up Earlier.

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

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

Living With Limited Beliefs video for inspiration

Get off your butt and start your life in motion today.

Question Your Religion

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

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

Greg is currently working on a motivation help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Starting With Simple Things

Inspiring Or Controlling Our Children - Raising Children With Love

I myself was a product of a child brought up in a Christian home, even though I would not consider my parents strong Christians. Both of my parents did what they believed was right and raised me and my siblings to the best of their ability. I sincerely believe my mother and father did the best they could with the information they had available at the time.

Were my parents inspiring me to become a better person, morally with discipline and obedience, or were they manipulating me to become a better person through religion and schooling. As children we don't have a lot of free will and as adults it seems like we have even less, the more we become controlled by our government, religion, family, friends or even our workplace, where we seem to spend most of our waking hours.

I believe we need to inspire our children through education and as a good parental example. This means we need to quit telling our children what to do and how to act and start doing so ourselves. Just because you go to church or your place of worship, does not make you a good person.

Manipulating our children with religion and raising them as products of our society, is often like farmers raising animals to have their lives sacrificed for others to benefit from. The minute we raise our children to fit into society, instead of questioning it, we are basically surrendering our free will and fitting into society to follow the laws and guidelines created by our governments.

Whenever someone in America says they are free, or this is the land of the free, I often look around at the people who have very little say in the lives they lead. Sure you get to choose whether you want to buy an ice cream or take a walk down the street but we are still blinded by the control placed upon us by our society.

I don't believe our children benefit from manipulation and control. I feel our children would do better if we acted as stewards towards them instead of owners. I have always viewed my children as individuals and often guided them through inspiration instead of manipulation.

I'm not asking you to let your children run wild through the grocery stores, raise your children with guidance and discipline but don't impose your will or beliefs upon them, we often do more damage in the long run creating a race of followers instead of thinkers. It seems like spoiled children become menaces to society eventually.

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

Greg is currently working on a inspirational video library filled with great movies on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Here is a rare thought is apparent, why don't you learn to be a good example for your children.

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Religious Fundamentalism Can Create Problems

Religious groups can easily justify their actions by using religious text to benefit and promote their beliefs. The Muslims can sling quotes out of the Quran to justify their treatment towards women as second-class or even third class citizens in society, often removing certain rights from them because they weren't born men.

Shouldn't these women be treated equally. This is where religious fundamentalism evolves into religious fanaticism.

Christians can often use the same tactics to justify their beliefs and Christianity. This list goes on and on and has created hardships in the past on some people in our civilizations and will continue to do so in the future. As long as people continue to turn a blind eye to evil religious and government leaders, atrocities will take place and some of them will even be supported by those who eventually will become accused are victims of their own wrongdoings.

Does anyone remember the Ku Klux Klan? If you live in the south eastern part of the United States, there is a very good chance that you have heard of them or even know someone who belongs to this organization. The Ku Klux Klan was responsible for hanging African Americans throughout the early 1900s to prove that the white race was superior to the race of black people. Their religious beliefs fueled them with righteousness.

If this going on anywhere in the world today, may be issues about abortion or gay marriage. It seems like an oxymoron, if we allow gay people to get married, we won't have to worry about the abortion issue.

Some Christians, but most Americans look at this as a shameful part of our American heritage. It's not something that most Americans would ever support today. I would like to point something out about the Ku Klux Klan, they started out as a Christian organization and made examples out of other white people who weren't conforming to their ideal Christian society.

There are stories of people that abused their wives and the Ku Klux Klan set them straight, one way or another. If it required beating the crap out of them or killing them, something needed to be done and they are morally obligated to perform the task as Christians. These people took their Christian beliefs to an extreme.

When are we as a country and the world going to start fighting religious fundamentalism at its core and stop the atrocities that are going on today, using religion to justify their wrongdoings.

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

Greg is currently working on a self help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Saying No To Street Bums
John Holland

Mono No Aware: The Essence of Japan

Mono no aware: the Japanese beauty aesthetic

Meaning literally "a sensitivity to things," mono no aware is a concept describing the essence of Japanese culture, invented by the Japanese literary and linguistic scholar scholar Motoori Norinaga in the eighteenth century, and remains the central artistic imperative in Japan to this day. The phrase is derived from the word *aware*, which in Heian Japan meant sensitivity or sadness, and the word mono, meaning things, and describes beauty as an awareness of the transience of all things, and a gentle sadness at their passing. It can also be translated as the "ah-ness" of things, of life, and love.

Mono no aware gave name to an aesthetic that already existed in Japanese art, music and poetry, the source of which can be traced directly to the introduction of Zen Buddhism in the twelfth century, a spiritual philosophy and practise which profoundly influenced all aspects of Japanese culture, but especially art and religion. The fleeting nature of beauty described by mono no aware derives from the three states of existence in Buddhist philosophy: unsatisfactoriness, impersonality, and most importantly in this context, impermanence.

According to mono no aware, a falling or wilting autumn flower is more beautiful than one in full bloom; a fading sound more beautiful than one clearly heard; the moon partially clouded more appealing than full. The sakura or cherry blossom tree is the epitome of this conception of beauty; the flowers of the most famous variety, somei yoshino, nearly pure white tinged with a subtle pale pink, bloom and then fall within a single week. The subject of a thousand poems and a national icon, the cherry blossom tree embodies beauty as a transient experience.

Mono no aware states that beauty is a subjective rather than objective experience, a state of being ultimately internal rather than external. Based largely upon classical Greek ideals, beauty in the West is sought in the ultimate perfection of an external object: a sublime painting, perfect sculpture or intricate musical composition; a beauty that could be said to be only skin deep. The Japanese ideal sees beauty instead as an experience of the heart and soul, a feeling for and appreciation of objects or artworkmost commonly nature or the depiction ofin a pristine, untouched state.

An appreciation of beauty as a state which does not last and cannot be grasped is not the same as nihilism, and can better be understood in relation to Zen Buddhism's philosophy of earthly transcendence: a spiritual longing for that which is infinite and eternalthe source of all worldly beauty. As the monk Sotoba wrote in *Zenrin Kushū* (Poetry of the Zenrin Temple), Zen does not regard nothingness as a state of absence, but rather the affirmation of an unseen that exists behind empty space: "Everything exists in emptiness: flowers, the moon in the sky, beautiful scenery."

With its roots in Zen Buddhism, *mono no aware* is bears some relation to the non-dualism of Indian philosophy, as related in the following story about Swami Vivekananda by Sri Chinmoy:

*"Beauty," says [Vivekananda], "is not external, but already in the mind." Here we are reminded of what his spiritual daughter Nivedita wrote about her Master. "It was dark when we approached Sicily, and against the sunset sky, Etna was in slight eruption. As we entered the straits of Messina, the moon rose, and I walked up and down the deck beside the Swami, while he dwelt on the fact that beauty is not external, but already in the mind. On one side frowned the dark crags of the Italian coast, on the other, the island was touched with silver light. 'Messina must thank me,' he said; 'it is I who give her all her beauty.'" Truly, in the absence of appreciation, beauty is not beauty at all. And beauty is worthy of its name only when it has been appreciated.*

The founder of *mono no aware*, Motoori Norinaga (1730-1801), was the pre-eminent scholar of the Kokugakushu movement, a nationalist movement which sought to remove all outside influences from Japanese culture. Kokugakushu was enormously influential in art, poetry, music and philosophy, and responsible for the revival during the Tokugawa period of the Shinto religion. Contradictorily, the influence of Buddhist ideas and practises upon art and even Shintoism itself was so great that, although Buddhism is technically an outside influence, it was by this point unable to be extricated.

Meaning literally "a sensitivity to things," mono no aware is a concept describing the essence of Japanese culture, invented by the Japanese literary and linguistic scholar scholar Motoori Norinaga in the eighteenth century, and remains the central artistic imperative in Japan to this day. The phrase is derived from the word aware, which in Heian Japan meant sensitivity or sadness, and the word mono, meaning things, and describes beauty as an awareness of the transience of all things, and a gentle sadness at their passing. It can also be translated as the "ah-ness" of things, of life, and love.

Mono no aware gave name to an aesthetic that already existed in Japanese art, music and poetry, the source of which can be traced directly to the introduction of Zen Buddhism in the twelfth century, a spiritual philosophy and practise which profoundly influenced all aspects of Japanese culture, but especially art and religion. The fleeting nature of beauty described by mono no aware derives from the three states of existence in Buddhist philosophy: unsatisfactoriness, impersonality, and most importantly in this context, impermanence.

According to mono no aware, a falling or wilting autumn flower is more beautiful than one in full bloom; a fading sound more beautiful than one clearly heard; the moon partially clouded more appealing than full. The sakura or cherry blossom tree is the epitome of this conception of beauty; the flowers of the most famous variety, somei yoshino, nearly pure white tinged with a subtle pale pink, bloom and then fall within a single week. The subject of a thousand poems and a national icon, the cherry blossom tree embodies beauty as a transient experience.

Mono no aware states that beauty is a subjective rather than objective experience, a state of being ultimately internal rather than external. Based largely upon classical Greek ideals, beauty in the West is sought in the ultimate perfection of an external object: a sublime painting, perfect sculpture or intricate musical composition; a beauty that could be said to be only skin deep. The Japanese ideal sees beauty instead as an experience of the heart and soul, a feeling for and appreciation of objects or artworkmost commonly nature or the depiction ofin a pristine, untouched state.

An appreciation of beauty as a state which does not last and cannot be grasped is not the same as nihilism, and can better be understood in relation to Zen Buddhism's philosophy of earthly transcendence: a spiritual longing for that which is infinite and eternalthe source of all worldly beauty. As the monk Sotoba wrote in Zenrin Kushū (Poetry of the Zenrin Temple), Zen does not regard nothingness as a state of absence, but rather the affirmation of an unseen that exists behind empty space: "Everything exists in emptiness: flowers, the moon in the sky, beautiful scenery."

With its roots in Zen Buddhism, mono no aware is bears some relation to the non-dualism of Indian philosophy, as related in the following story about Swami Vivekananda by Sri Chinmoy:

"Beauty," says [Vivekananda], "is not external, but already in the mind." Here we are reminded of what his spiritual daughter Nivedita wrote about her Master. "It was dark when we approached Sicily, and against the sunset sky, Etna was in slight eruption. As we entered the straits of Messina, the moon rose, and I walked up and down the deck beside the Swami, while he dwelt on the fact that beauty is not external, but already in the mind. On one side frowned the dark crags of the Italian coast, on the other, the island was touched with silver light. 'Messina must thank me,' he said; 'it is I who give her all her beauty.'" Truly, in the absence of appreciation, beauty is not beauty at all. And beauty is worthy of its name only when it has been appreciated.

The founder of mono no aware, Motoori Norinaga (1730-1801), was the pre-eminent scholar of the Kokugakushu movement, a nationalist movement which sought to remove all outside influences from Japanese culture. Kokugakushu was enormously influential in art, poetry, music and philosophy, and responsible for the revival during the Tokugawa period of the Shinto religion. Contradictorily, the influence of Buddhist ideas and practises upon art and even Shintoism itself was so great that, although Buddhism is technically an outside influence, it was by this point unable to be extricated.

John Gillespie is a designer, web developer and video editor who lives in Auckland, New Zealand. A member of the Sri Chinmoy Centre, he uses his practice of meditation as a source of energy and inspiration for his many creative activities. Amongst other activities he produces studies art and contributes to a site about art of Sri Chinmoy http://www.srichinmoyart.com/