tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46192341088676755782024-02-07T19:29:38.606+00:00ATT: All These Things...ISSUES AND TOPICS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY IN AN INCREASINGLY SECULAR WORLD.All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-31019865734900474682011-07-18T16:19:00.003+01:002011-07-18T17:04:01.598+01:00A Beginners Prayer-Guide For Christians Who Do Not Know How To Pray: PART TWO<strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>In Part One, we looked briefly at some of the problems faced by Christians when coming before The Lord to pray.</em></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">We looked at what prayer is and how should we define it and at the difficulties of knowing when and how to pray.</span></strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We also observed that public recognition, eloquence and wordy, or impressive speech, may be simply products of the mind and not necessarily of the heart or spirit and that these can be barriers to answered prayer.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Furthermore, we learned that prayer is often the result of human needs as well as of praise and worship of the God whom we love.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>In Part Two, we will look at why we should pray and when we should pray and we will also look at how our prayers can be truly answered as well as attempting to examine reasons why some prayers are NOT answered.</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will conclude this subject on prayer with some examples from Biblical sources about the types of prayers that can be prayed.</span></span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXjaFvcavIvxK1ZZu1dQu6FkK-g6PWVlXXprLTXYbtnGzSUCVzHPILWXSlloFpVQQuJJqE8VeTTBELd78qSvohiihQ0RM_DnehhOU5oIEVyC0GmdKwBzDE53-UY3oJEoYGThtNYfZWpI/s1600/manKneelingAtTheCross1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXjaFvcavIvxK1ZZu1dQu6FkK-g6PWVlXXprLTXYbtnGzSUCVzHPILWXSlloFpVQQuJJqE8VeTTBELd78qSvohiihQ0RM_DnehhOU5oIEVyC0GmdKwBzDE53-UY3oJEoYGThtNYfZWpI/s320/manKneelingAtTheCross1b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>PART TWO</u></span></strong></div><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The most important thing to remember about praying is that prayer must come from the heart because God, our father, who is in Heaven, looks not on the outward things of a man but only upon the heart. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In other words God looks for genuiness, honesty and truthfulness in those who come before him.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He cannot abide falseness, dishonesty, or lies so we must always approach The Lord with a penitent heart full of sincerity and also believe that He is more than able to provide what we petition Him for.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is what the Bible calls 'Faith'. We must believe that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><em>WHY SHOULD WE PRAY?</em></u></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>The Bible exhorts believers to pray because prayer aids our sanctification in Jesus Christ and helps us to develop our relationship with God. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Prayer helps us to abide in Him and ensure that through a closer walk with God, Jesus abides in us. </strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>John 15:7-10 says:</strong> '<strong>if you <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">abide in me</span>, and <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">my words abide in you</span>, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you'.</strong></em></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Therefore it is imperative, that as believers in The Lord Jesus, we learn to pray regularly.</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSmmX2HLcD9oZpL3_SLhyBH_p8XDIRUCyP4RQ1wioqtcFvrBaEzt1TNc74kPXV_Qc8JFrcvqUZ27iv7L-DH0oFwz9NcCme6b2-NTVCk0xD9yzXV9NMBG8Ueb1C7r2X-NQysUgEfTP0jo/s1600/Young+girl+Praying1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSmmX2HLcD9oZpL3_SLhyBH_p8XDIRUCyP4RQ1wioqtcFvrBaEzt1TNc74kPXV_Qc8JFrcvqUZ27iv7L-DH0oFwz9NcCme6b2-NTVCk0xD9yzXV9NMBG8Ueb1C7r2X-NQysUgEfTP0jo/s1600/Young+girl+Praying1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em><u>WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY?</u></em></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">As Christians, we can pray alone and in secret, which is predominantly the best way to pray. </span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">This method of praying is also the way recommended by The Lord Jesus, himself, in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 6 where He says: </span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>'But when You Pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Heavenly Father, <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">which is in secret;</span> and your Father, <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">which sees in secret</span> shall reward you openly'.</em></span></strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As believers, there are also times when we need to pray as a group such as in worship or the giving of thanks to God. Sometimes we may need to pray together for the needs of one another, which the scriptures also exhort us to do <em>(as recommended in the book of James 5:16).</em></span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><u><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL PRAYER?</span></u></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">You may very well be wondering if there are any special requirements that God may desire of us when praying. The answer to this enquiry is YES! The Lord has set out in His word a particular pattern which believers must follow in order to achieve a successful prayer-life.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A)<strong> The Lord requires us to have a humble heart:</strong> </span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: red;">'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and PRAY and SEEK MY FACE and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, then I WILL HEAR from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land</span></em> <span style="color: white;">(2 Chronicles 7:14).</span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">B) <strong>The Lord also requires us to be wholehearted before Him:</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: red;">'You will seek me and you will find me when you search for me with ALL Your Heart</span></em> <span style="color: white;">(Jeremiah 29:13).</span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">C) <strong>The Lord requires us to call upon His Name in Faith:</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><em>'Therefore I tell You, whatever You ask for IN PRAYER, believe that You have received it, and it will be yours </em><span style="color: white;">(Mark 11:24) [NIV]</span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">D) <strong>The Lord requires that we live in Righteousness and that we are in a state of confession and contrition before Him:</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><em>'..Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another. The effectual, fervent prayer, of a righteous man, availeth much</em><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: white;">(James 5:16).</span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">E) <strong>The Lord also requires of us daily obedience to Him and His Word: <span style="color: red;"><em>'And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we KEEP His commandments, and DO those things that are pleasing in His sight </em></span><span style="color: white;">(1 John 3:22).</span></strong></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV8S4qEV8ykpDLw898ich3kS6yLQSN_MD8ioO8_nOurv37BW1N2n159EtgQuqKLO9c2LpB_vZ9PVdRZcn_JjIgvOURHuOyY5LboJuqT7QdG3pEqjgUOmKTxXgqQitR0i0389fDBD18qs/s1600/Albrecht+Durer%2527s+Praying+Hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV8S4qEV8ykpDLw898ich3kS6yLQSN_MD8ioO8_nOurv37BW1N2n159EtgQuqKLO9c2LpB_vZ9PVdRZcn_JjIgvOURHuOyY5LboJuqT7QdG3pEqjgUOmKTxXgqQitR0i0389fDBD18qs/s320/Albrecht+Durer%2527s+Praying+Hands.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><br />
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<strong><em><u><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">WHAT ASSURANCES DO WE HAVE THAT GOD WILL ANSWER OUR PRAYERS?</span></u></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime;">Psalm 34:17-19 tell us that:</span> <span style="color: lime;"><em>'When the righteous cry' The Lord hears them and delivers them out of ALL their troubles. </em></span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime;"><em><span style="color: lime;">He assures us that:</span> He is near to those who are of a broken heart and saves those who are of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the lord delivers him out of them ALL'.</em></span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">For further understanding of this intimacy with God please read the following scriptures from your Bible:</span></strong><br />
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<ul><li><strong><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 91:15</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">1 Samuel 1:27</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Psalm 4:1-5</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Psalm 18:1-6</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Proverbs 15:29</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Isaiah 58:1-14<em><u> <span style="color: blue;">(is a perfect example of why we should pray for the world).</span></u></em></span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Luke 11:1-13 <em><u><span style="color: blue;">(is a perfect example of how much we put our trust in God our Heavenly Father).</span></u></em></span></strong></li>
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<strong><em><u><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">SOME REASONS WHY PRAYERS MAY GO UNANSWERED.</span></u></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Historically the church has observed that there are times when prayers have been made and have not been answered. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The Bible gives several reasons for why prayers are refused and why there may be apparent causes for failure in prayer.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">It must be understood that our prayers should be in accordance with God's divine will as recorded in <em>1 John 5: 13-15</em> where the Bible specifically states that: </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><em>'..This is the confidence we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His Will, he hears us'</em></span><span style="color: red;">.</span> </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em>'And if we KNOW that He hears us, Whatsoever we ask, we </em></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><em>Know</em></span> [also] <span style="color: red;"><em>that we have the petitions we desired of him'.</em></span></span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BmFNWnGgYF79lGE64JBRs8FLhqBID7tNWRPj2R3FwHYc3q3380iir0hVb48TB_iT1I-owQM351AKTx-OIALqTW9HTLoPuWlgqnudPC8weZ4KqRE7740ue0xnqaNa6RZzpK4m7w_-FG8/s1600/Open+Bible+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BmFNWnGgYF79lGE64JBRs8FLhqBID7tNWRPj2R3FwHYc3q3380iir0hVb48TB_iT1I-owQM351AKTx-OIALqTW9HTLoPuWlgqnudPC8weZ4KqRE7740ue0xnqaNa6RZzpK4m7w_-FG8/s400/Open+Bible+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><u>A list of possible causes for unanswered Prayer:</u></span></em></strong><br />
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<ol><li><span style="color: #a64d79;">DISOBEDIENCE.............................. <em>Deuteronomy 1:45 and 1 Samuel 14:37</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">SECRET SINS................................... <em>Psalm 66:18</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">INDIFFERENCE............................... <em>Proverbs 1:28</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">UNMERCIFUL................................. <em>Proverbs 21:13</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">UNFORGIVING................................ <em>Luke 6:37</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">DESPISING GOD's LAW................. <em>Proverbs 28:9</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">BLOODGUILTINESS....................... <em>Isaiah 1:15</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">INIQUITY.......................................... <em>Isaiah 59:2 and Micah 3:4</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">STUBBORNESS/STIFFNECKED.... <em>Zechariah 7:13</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">INSTABILITY OR DOUBT.............. <em>James 1:6-7</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">SELF INDULGENCE........................ <em>James 4:3</em></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #a64d79;">LACK OF EQUITY........................... <em>Proverbs 29:27 and Revelations 22:11</em></span></li>
</ol><span style="color: #a64d79;">Please note that this is not an exhaustive list as there are many other behaviours that God dislikes in man.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: white;">God answers prayer requests in His own way and in His own time and cannot grant prayer requests that are against His holy nature or His wisdom and purposes. He will not grant prayer requests that are purely selfish in nature or are not in our best interest including those prayers which are immoral or made with impure motives.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRAYERS THAT CAN BE MADE.</u></span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A prayer of praise (Jude 1:24-25)</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Prayer of Paul for those who share his ministry (Phillippians 1:3-11)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of Paul concerning Spiritual wisdom (Ephesians 1:15-23)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of Paul for knowing God's Will (Colossians 1:9-12)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of Paul for Spiritual Growth (ephesians 3:14-21)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: white;">The prayer of Stephen at his stoning <em>(Acts 7:59-60)</em></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: white;">The intercessory prayer of Jesus <em>(John 17:1-26)</em></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Lord's prayer <em>(Matthew 6:9-15)</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Publican's prayer <em>(Luke 18:13)</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of the Prophet Habbakuk <em>(Habbakuk 3:1-19)</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of Ezra <em>(Ezra 9:5-15)</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of Daniel concerning The Captivity <em>(Daniel 9:4-19)</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of Hezekiah who was sick <em>(Isaiah 38:2-8)</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of Jabez for God's Blessing <em>(1 Chronicles 4:10)</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of Elijah on Mount Carmel <em>(1 Kings 18:36-39)</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of Solomon at the Temple Dedication<em> (1 kings 8:22)</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of King David's thankgiving <em>(2 Samuel 7:18-29)</em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">The prayer of Abraham for Sodom & Gommorah (<em>Genesis 18:23-25)</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><em><u>Further examples of the different topics of prayer that can be made are follows:</u></em></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Prayer for repentance, </strong><strong>for salvation, for wholeness, for healing, for miracles, for blessings, for peace, for guidance, for love, for a baby, for conquering fears, for every day issues of life, for overcoming sin, for world peace, for the promotion of the gospel, for the disenfranchised and downtrodden, for unbelievers, for Governments and those in authority over us. for the coming of God's Kingdom, for the dying, for the dead, for the living, for long life, for wisdom, for discernment, for the future, for goodness to triumph, and so on...</strong></span><br />
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<strong><em><u><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">CONCLUSION</span></u></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">We began this study of prayer with the purpose of providing a basic outline of what prayer is and why prayer is necessary. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">ATT-ALL THESE THINGS has set out some biblical principles that we hope those who are unsure about praying may be encouraged to follow.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Please note that the subject of prayer is an infinitely vast area of the bible and is therefore worthy of further study.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">_____________________________________________________</span></strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">HAVE YOUR SAY!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>How often do You Pray? Do You consider Prayer to be important? If so, then Why?</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>If you wish to advance or discuss this subject further then please leave your comments in the comment section of this post.</strong></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-57680777233032336422011-07-15T19:04:00.004+01:002011-07-18T12:05:07.572+01:00A Beginners Prayer-Guide For Christians Who Do Not Know How To Pray: PART ONE<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>This Prayer-Guide is designed to help and encourage Christians to develop a deeper understanding of prayer and why it is important to pray.</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In Part One, we will look briefly at defining what prayer is and how and when to pray.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">In Part Two, we will look at the types of prayer that can be prayed and what the Bible has to say about this subject, as well as providing some suggestions about what to pray for.</span> </span></em></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0PSQFtvrtH6Er4K6pBUhUhXyD-w2d1Gc9AZxa24kzeNp546xQw8Csyex3mJS4vcWNodbDmpw9P3X892M49_iTurrF97qfDZQyslqbLGuiTc29XILP-MiD-Ssf5UOLNFr4C4QRtOt1Tg/s1600/Praying+in+the+street+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0PSQFtvrtH6Er4K6pBUhUhXyD-w2d1Gc9AZxa24kzeNp546xQw8Csyex3mJS4vcWNodbDmpw9P3X892M49_iTurrF97qfDZQyslqbLGuiTc29XILP-MiD-Ssf5UOLNFr4C4QRtOt1Tg/s400/Praying+in+the+street+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Christians can pray wherever they may be.</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>PART ONE</u></span></strong></div><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Understanding our personal need for prayer, and knowing how to pray, as well as being aware of what to pray for, and knowing when and where to pray, can often be a very daunting and scary practice for some Christians. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even the thought of how to behave in our approach to God - what stance to take and what posture to adopt: Kneeling <em>(1 Kings 8:45),</em> Bowing the head down <em>(Exodus 4:31, 2 Chronicles 20:18, Matthew 26:39),</em> Prostrate, Sitting, Standing <em>(1 Kings 8:22),</em> are all common difficulties that many Christians face at one time, or another. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we consider the practice of praying, these thoughts can make a person very fearful of ever coming into the presence of God to 'Pray'. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the Christian who does not know how to pray, or what to pray for, please rest assured that prayer need NOT be the mysterious practice of an apparently select and religiously devout few. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Furthermore, prayer need not be the verbalized outworking of cleverly speaking individuals, be they members of the Clergy, Pastors of a denomination, or the oration of eloquently educated members of a church, or other oganization.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><u><em>WHAT IS PRAYER? - How should we define it?</em></u></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prayer is simply communicating with God. Communicating with God is a two-way process in which, we not only speak to God but that we also pay careful attention to listen to <em>His</em> response to us<em>.</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Communicating with God helps us to grow closer to Him and enables us to become more intimately connected with Him.</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHNltTzHmLQEliJa8cvErp7SL6usBy7E-q5bhDfPOIetYcMhENjdQjst2lG98oNg1EjQ90GPcaRtVpKdMiO6pfDgyVFVK62foJtGJfQAvUn1CfvEFbqekvthHL8XVtwihYLmjcl1y4UY/s1600/Man+in+Secret+Prayer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHNltTzHmLQEliJa8cvErp7SL6usBy7E-q5bhDfPOIetYcMhENjdQjst2lG98oNg1EjQ90GPcaRtVpKdMiO6pfDgyVFVK62foJtGJfQAvUn1CfvEFbqekvthHL8XVtwihYLmjcl1y4UY/s1600/Man+in+Secret+Prayer1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praying is the act, or practice, of addressing God in words but also the act of waiting patiently for God to respond to you. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praying can also be the result of being in a meditative state in the presence of God and can also be an action brought about by the movement of the Holy Ghost upon a person so moved.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Whatever the circumstances may be, praying is something that is accompanied by, or may be in addition to, an act of praise, thanksgiving, or worship.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Praying need not be the result of specially worded forms that some churches prefer to follow in their addresses to God. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In fact, the Bible shows that prayers that come directly from the heart of the person praying, are far more effective with God than those prayed with the mind alone.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Praying is essentially an action of the spirit of a person rather than the flesh (to add a Biblical perspective).</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em><u><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;">HOW AND WHEN TO PRAY</span></u></em> </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Christians should therefore, pray to God devoutly and frequently so that their lives can be refreshed and sanctified, characterized by a heart that is conducively fervent towards God in a loving and prayerful manner.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Prayers that make use of Wordy or Impressive speech, or which are constantly repetative, are deemed to be ineffectual forms of prayer and should be avoided <em>(Matt. 6:7, Eccl.5:2).</em> </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">If you feel that you really cannot pray and that this is in some way a barrier to your communications with The Lord, then you should ask the Holy Ghost to help you overcome this difficulty in your life <em>(Romans 8:26-27).</em></span></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-64170933862658610892011-05-18T19:15:00.005+01:002011-05-18T20:03:51.088+01:00GOD'S ANSWERS FOR YOUR DAILY NEEDS<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> One of the main problems affecting the lives of Christians today is the need to understand the Word of God in a more simplified way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">This has long been a problem for many that has led to newer versions of The Bible being written in a more modern context for easier explanation of the meaning behind the original text. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">This influx of of new versions has the unfortunate effect of reducing the power and impact of the original text in some modern translations and some have entirely altered meanings in others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Another problem facing The Church is that too many Christians are failing to read and know The Bible for themselves and instead they tend to rely on <strong><em>'others'</em></strong> within The Church to interpret and make known God's Word, for them. This means that vulnerable Christians are being subjected to all kinds of issues as a result.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Thus, when they are overtaken by problems in their daily lives, these Christians often turn to the Pastor to resolve their problems instead of calling upon the name of Jesus and standing on the Word of God for themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>If you find that your prayers are not being answered then as a child of the Living God you need to do one of three things:</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Put right any wrongdoing, repent and seek His forgiveness.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Is there someone in your life that you have not forgiven?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Find believers who will stand with you in your need as The Bible says where two or three are gathered together in Jesus Name He is in the midst when we truly believe in Him.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>The Bible, has all the answers to meet the needs of the people of God in every aspect of their lives.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong><em>So if you are seeking God's help in your situation here is a common List of God's Answers to Your Concerns:</em></strong></span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: yellow;">How to abide in Jesus:</span> <span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-small;">John 15:5, 1 John 2:28, 2 John 9</span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How To overcome afflictions: <span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-small;">Job 5:17, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Hebrews 12:11</span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to resolve Your anger: <span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-small;">Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 16:32, James 1:19</span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to know if God has answered Prayer: <span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-small;">1 Kings 18:37, Psalm 91:15, Luke 11:9</span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to end backsliding: <span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-small;">Proverbs 14:14, Matthew 24:12, Hebrews 10:38</span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to know the Love of Jesus: <span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-small;">John 13:1, Romans 8: 35, 1 John 3:16</span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to know contentment: <span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-small;">Proverbs 15:16, Phillippians 4:11, Hebrews 13:5</span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to gain courage: <span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-small;">Joshua 1:9, Daniel 3:16-17, Phillipians 1:28</span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to seek comfort:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Isaiah 40:1, Isaiah 62:1-2, John 14:1</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to trust in Divine Deliverance:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Daniel 6:22, Job 5:19, 2 Timothy 4:18</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to trust in Divine Guidance:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Psalm 25:9, Psalm 48:14, Isaiah 42:16</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to trust in Divine Power:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Romans 4:20-21, Ephesians 3:20, Jude v 24-25</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to resolve doubt:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Matthew 14:31, Mark 4:40, Luke 24:25</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">How to maintain Faith:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Romans 10:17, Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 5:6</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The importance of fearing God:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Joshua 24:14, Ecclesiastes 12:13, 1 peter 2:17</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Have no fear of Man:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Proverbs 29:25, Isaiah 51:12, John 12:42</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Avoid foolishness:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Proverbs 15:14, Proverbs 18:13, Psalm 53:1</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The importance of forgiveness:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Psalm 130:4, Matthew 6:14, Acts 5:31</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The importance of gentleness:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> 1 Thessolonians 2:7, 1 Timothy 2:24, James 3:17</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Knowing God's care for You:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Genesis 28:15, Psalm 121:4, 2 Timothy 1:12</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Knowing God's Grace:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Romans 4:16, Romans 9:16, Titus 3:5</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Knowing The Father's Love For You:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">John 3:16, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Revelations 1:5</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The harmfulness of greed:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Ecclesiastes 5:10, Matthew 27:5, 1 Timothy 6:9</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Assurance of Heaven:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">John 14:2-3, Luke 10:20, Matthew 6:20</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The existence of Hell:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Matthew 13:41-42, Matthew 25:41, Revelations 20:10-15, Revelations 21:8</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The need for Humility:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Micah 6:8, Luke 22:26, Romans 12:3</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Knowing the Joy of The Lord:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 16:11, John 16:24</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Knowing the freedom of God:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Isaiah 61:1, Romans 8:2, 2 Corinthians 3:17</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The importance of Loving Your Neighbour:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Mark 12:31, Romans 13:10, James 2:8</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The importance of obedience:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Joshua 11:15, 2 Kings 18:6, Acts 26:19</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The need for patience:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Psalm 40:1, Isaiah 33:2, Acts 1:4</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The problems of Popularity:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">John 12:43, Acts 24:7, Colossians 3:22</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The Power of Prayer:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Matthew 17:21, Matthew 21:22, John 15:7</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The importance of Praising God:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Psalm 67:3, Hebrews 13:15, 1 Peter 2:9</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The Believers need for Prayerfulness:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> Luke 2:37, Luke6:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:10</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The problems of Prayerlessness:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Isaiah 43:22, Daniel 9:13, Zephaniah 1:6</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The danger of Pride:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Proverbs 16:18, 2 Chronicles 32:25, 1 John 2:16</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">God's promises to the Righteous:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Job 36:7, Psalm 34:15, Matthew 13:43</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The importance of Repentance:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Luke 13:2-3, Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The need for Salvation:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">John 3:16, Romans 10:9-13, Ephesians 2:8-10</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The need for Spiritual Growth:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> Ephesians 4:15, 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 1 Peter 2:2</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The need for Spiritual Power:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> Zechariah 4:6, Acts 1:8, Acts 6:8</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The need for Spiritual Strength:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:10, Ephesians 3:16</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">God's Strength in Weakness:<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">1 Corinthians 1:27, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 11:33-34 </span></span></span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">God's ability to provide for his people in difficult times is not limited to the list above and believers should read The Bible often in order to discover The Truth of His wonderful provisions for us because we serve a Faithful God who says that He will never leave us, or forsake us no matter what the circumstances. He IS God and He changes not.</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The Bible tells us clearly that if we seek Him with ALL our heart and draw near to Him then He will draw near to us and we shall surely find Him.</span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Put your Trust in Him Today and discover the Love of Jesus for yourself. God Loves <strong>You</strong>.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-78261903647731433742011-04-05T16:58:00.004+01:002011-04-06T12:20:16.917+01:00WHY WE NEED JESUS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3llv8-Qw8HWysrHfC_WLlPOGQCO_bGUB4Hi3aPdk2tFy-Kr2Hlj1raZow_WLhK6uJrIriJ8NycM4sFZve71KsAfeQAtE0jmQb8sgsIwVYOo7K8m9KoqVAqnK_ZQDtm_SMo4QxMvTIonI/s1600/05_08_5---Cross-on-a-Hill_web+CROSSBB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3llv8-Qw8HWysrHfC_WLlPOGQCO_bGUB4Hi3aPdk2tFy-Kr2Hlj1raZow_WLhK6uJrIriJ8NycM4sFZve71KsAfeQAtE0jmQb8sgsIwVYOo7K8m9KoqVAqnK_ZQDtm_SMo4QxMvTIonI/s320/05_08_5---Cross-on-a-Hill_web+CROSSBB1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">There are many reasons why we need Jesus.</span> </span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Here are just a few points for you to consider:</span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">We need Jesus because of our past. </span></em></strong><br />
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We have all grown up into a world that is full of the beauty, wonder and splendour of God, but at the same time, we have all grown up into a world that is selfish, arrogant, proud, violent and destructive. People seem to believe that revolution: whether Economical, Educational, Industrial, Technological,Socially-Developed and Multimedia Saturated is the way to solve our problems or whether by Wars, by Empire Building, or by World Domination, the concept of revolution has dominated our thinking and behavior for thousands of years. <br />
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The act of revolution is so ingrained in us that we cannot change it. We cannot go back, but JESUS can. The Bible says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever”~Hebrews 13:8. JESUS is the only true hope for mankind and it is by revelation of who He is, not revolution, and by our acknowledgement of what He has already done for us through His death on the cross, that we can come to a place of recognition and ask Jesus to step into those places of sin in our lives, wipe the slate clean, and give us a new beginning.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">We need Jesus Because we need a friend.</span> </span></em></strong><br />
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Jesus is one who truly listens to us. He also understands us, because He knows the problems of being human, even though He is also divine. Jesus knows the worst about us, yet He believes the best about us too. <br />
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Jesus is always there for us when no-one else really cares, or when all our other friends have abandoned us. Why? Because He sees us not as we are, but as we will be when He completes His life-changing work in us. So that we can truly say: “What a friend we have in Jesus!"<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">We need Jesus because He holds the future.</span> </span></em></strong><br />
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There are those who spend time and money trying to convince us that our futures are safe in their hands but we learn all to often that this is a misnomer, because no human has such ultimate power over life and death. So who else can we trust? In JESUS' hands we are truly safe and secure…today, tomorrow and for all eternity. <br />
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His Word says: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen”~Jeremiah 29:11-12 <br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;">We need Jesus' help in making the right choice for our lives</span></em></strong><br />
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If you would like to begin a personal relationship with Jesus today, simply pray this prayer and mean it from your heart:<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: lime;">Lord Jesus, I invite You into my life. I believe You died for me and that Your blood paid for my sins and provides me with the gift of eternal life. By faith I receive that gift, and I acknowledge You as my Lord and Savior. </span></em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: lime;">Amen.</span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: xx-small;">SOURCE: http://www.ucb.co.uk/index.cfm?itemid=366</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-62213900924031632232011-03-18T19:15:00.003+00:002011-03-27T18:12:54.664+01:00SHOULD HATRED EVER BE A PART OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFf81No4v91kUvNpO0_b5jh1pWCvEz5CfIUMtzMG3o6UcrhET0BBc7B5K_ShssteXW7YEuMVuksrMsfeIXTI1tPMF4odObbTNaEaxaIzflSlnWG4uP-Tw-pvTBBObeX2KXQT6u_1HQFPw/s1600/silenced+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFf81No4v91kUvNpO0_b5jh1pWCvEz5CfIUMtzMG3o6UcrhET0BBc7B5K_ShssteXW7YEuMVuksrMsfeIXTI1tPMF4odObbTNaEaxaIzflSlnWG4uP-Tw-pvTBBObeX2KXQT6u_1HQFPw/s1600/silenced+1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Since the year 2010 it has often been reported in the media that The Government is considering proposals to allow homosexual couples to make use of religious readings, religious music and religious symbols in their civil partnership wedding ceremonies, according to an equalities commission minister.<br />
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The review appears to have created a controversial amendment to the Equality Act which will allow, but not compel, churches to host civil partnerships. <br />
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Lord Tebbit, a former Conservative Party chairman, is reported to have criticised the idea, saying: <strong><em>“I wouldn’t want anything done to add to the pretence that a civil partnership is a marriage…”.</em></strong><br />
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A spokesman for the Church of England was reported to have said: <strong><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_and_Anglicanism">“The Church of England is not proposing to open its churches for civil partnership registrations”.</a></em></strong><br />
However, it is now on record that prior to the General Election Theresa May is quoted as having said that <strong><em>“the Conservatives would consider the case for renaming same-sex civil partnerships as ‘marriages’”.</em></strong><br />
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Furthermore, David Cameron is later reported to have informed Sky News that he was <strong><em>“’not planning’ to change the law…”.</em></strong><br />
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Nevertheless, the numerous debates that have followed these wranglings and procedures provoked initially by the Equalities Commissions Ministers as a direct result of the Equalities Bill being passed, has served to fuel a state of hysteria and confusion on both sides of the debate on the subject of Civil Partnerships being allowed to <strong><em>‘Marry’</em></strong> in church. <br />
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This folly has created a recipe for intolerance that has led some political and religious leaders and other individuals, within the church and elsewhere, to make numerous and untimely expressions that have revived old prejudices that can only lead to hatred and injustice on both sides.<br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>Take the case of The Swedish Pastor sentenced to jail for criticising homosexuality in his sermon</strong></span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: red;">Summary:</span></em></strong><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span><span style="color: red;">A Swedish Pastor was sentenced to one month in jail after giving a sermon in which he said homosexuality was a <strong><em>"deep cancerous tumour in society”.</em></strong> However the Supreme Court of Sweden acquitted him on appeal.</span><br />
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The Pastor’s words highlighted in bold above, are clearly an act of <em>‘incitement’</em> against an already prejudiced group in society, and therefore, shows a lack of compassion and righteous judgment in the delivery of his message. <br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_and_homosexuality">Furthermore, this type of statement appears to suggest that it is a widely held Christian view that appears to validate acts of hatred by Christian groups. This is misguided and misleading as not all Christians or denominations necessarily uphold this view.</a><br />
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Moreover, these statements, and others like them, are guaranteed to embroil innocent Christian bystanders and their families and friends in a hate war, which is ultimately detrimental to The Christian Faith and The promotion and acceptance of The Gospel of Salvation. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><strong>Hatred is not part of the Christian Faith and both the church and Christians today must be made aware of this.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>The Pastor’s Indictment </strong></span><br />
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In July 2003 Pastor Ake Green from Sweden was arrested after giving a sermon in which he stated that homosexuality was a <strong><em>"deep cancerous tumour in the entire society."</em></strong> <br />
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He further asserted that homosexuality is a choice, and that one cannot be a Christian and a practicing homosexual. He also said that: <strong><em>“...adoption by homosexuals is wrong”. </em></strong><br />
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He was subsequently charged under Sweden's<em> 'hate crime'</em> laws and convicted with inciting hatred against homosexuals. <br />
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<span style="color: yellow;">[Cited In: The Christian Institute Archives - Swedish Pastor sentenced to jail for criticising homosexuality in sermon ]</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">Take the case of The Equality Commission’s ‘sorry’ for Christian ‘infection’ jibe</span></strong><br />
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The Government’s equality agency has said sorry for a sneering remark that suggested that: <strong><em>“Christian moral values are like an ‘infection’ that could harm children”.</em></strong><br />
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The taxpayer-funded Equality and Human Rights Commission had warned that ‘children’ could be “infected” by the moral views of ‘Christian’ foster parents, who oppose homosexual behavior, but erroneously makes no mention of the impact that ‘Homosexual’ foster parents views could also have on children in their care. <br />
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Moreover, this view of morals as an <em>‘infection’</em>, is equally ignored in other fields involving children, such as Education environments and even Social Service involved environments in which personnel with extraordinary views and affiliations etc., may also impact on children’s states of mind and their moral consciousnesses.<br />
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The extraordinary remark quoted in the first paragraph above, was published in legal paperwork prepared by a respected QC for a court case involving a Christian couple struggling to be approved as foster parents. This couple, are people who believe that if they fostered children who had either developed homosexual tendencies or came from a background of homosexual influence, that they could not in any way be compelled compassionately to support these children, if they were granted the right to <em>‘Foster’</em>, irrespective of their views.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong><em>An example of the inherent dangers of this type of social conditioning is born out by the film Better Dead Than Gay (1996).</em></strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">The Commission’s Apology</span></strong><br />
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It has been reported that the Commission issued an apology. It also attempted to distance itself from the suggestion that sexual orientation rights take precedence over religious rights.<br />
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The offensive remarks related to a court case involving Eunice and Owen Johns, who say they have been effectively blocked by Derby City Council from fostering, because of their Christian beliefs about homosexual behaviour.<br />
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A statement was published on the Equality Commission’s website that stated: <strong><em>“Earlier this week the case of Johns v Derby City Council, in which the Commission had intervened, attracted some attention”. </em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>The Commission claimed the jibe was a ‘Mistake’</strong></span><br />
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A commission spokesperson said:<strong><em> “Unfortunately a mistake within our legal submission led to an inference that we did not intend and which, was misconstrued, as suggesting that the Commission equates Christian moral views with an infection… Furthermore, the Commission entirely rejects any view (as reported in the media) that rights in relation to sexual orientation ‘take precedence’ over religious rights”. </em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>The Commission’s views on Child welfare</strong></span><br />
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<strong><em>“The Commission fully upholds the rights of ‘looked-after children’ to be supported in their chosen religion or that of their family, in the context of the paramount importance of the welfare of the child…The Equality Act provides protection against discrimination on the grounds of religion, or belief, as well as on the grounds of sexual orientation, and the Commission has produced extensive guidance to explain this legislation, which was introduced by Parliament”.</em></strong><br />
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<strong><em>“The Commission has written to Mr and Mrs Johns to apologise.”</em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">The Commission’s views are seen as ‘Extraordinary’ by The John’s Legal Defense support </span></strong><br />
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It should be noted that The Johns’ legal defence was supported by the Christian Legal Centre and in a statement issued before the Commission’s apology, the Centre said:<strong><em> “Suggesting that Christian moral beliefs on sexual ethics could ‘infect’ children is an extraordinary position for a statutory body to take... It is also deeply insulting both to the Johns, who have a proven track record of successfully raising children, and to Christians in general.”</em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">Gay historian David Starkey appears to defend Christians</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em>“Penalising Christians for their beliefs about homosexual behaviour is intolerant, oppressive and tyrannical,</em></strong> said gay historian David Starkey on a BBC Question Time programme.<br />
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He was commenting on the cases of Christian foster carers and also the Bed and Breakfast owners who suffered under the apparent unjust equality policies. But Labour’s Margaret Beckett, a former Foreign Secretary, said: <strong><em>“racists should not be foster parents, and neither should those who believe homosexual behaviour is wrong”.</em></strong><br />
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Furthermore, the Tories’ Iain Duncan Smith also claimed that <strong><em>“…foster parents should not be allowed to push their views on children in their care”.</em></strong><br />
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However, fellow panellist, Liam Halligan of the Daily Telegraph, said: <strong><em>“Mr Duncan Smith had got it wrong”.</em></strong> He said: <strong><em>“I’m a tolerant guy, but sometimes if you absolutely push tolerant people they become intolerant because you go past the point of no return… and this is a situation where the absolute letter of the law, which may have been drafted with good intentions, has completely blown away any proportion of common sense”. </em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>This viewpoint is seen as a ‘Tyrannous New Morality’ that is every bit as oppressive</strong></span><br />
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The former UN Deputy Secretary General, appeared to share Mr Starkey’s concerns about the state deciding morality. <br />
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Mr Starkey, a self-professed atheist, said: <strong><em>“It seems to me that what we are doing is producing a tyrannous new morality that is every bit as oppressive as the old” and he warned that this new morality was “intolerant, oppressive and intrusive into family life”.</em></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.questia.com/library/book/hatred-bigotry-and-prejudice-definitions-causes-and-solutions-by-robert-m-baird-stuart-e-rosenbaum.jsp"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBkYN6_zIrFjwj4N_UqLKSqyG11YulHC52jaG_pv52UqJQdGdwRIi-bddw-GQeW8t8S-PQl8tseBr7fjKF9k37gKafb_9IOzc8VER2DuwWjLG_lOt7OwROCzgI5S46930hx-RhLJ6aVY/s320/65844763+Prejudice2.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><strong><em>A book about the definitions causes and solutions to Prejudism, Bigotry and Hatred</em></strong></span></div><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>The Danger of prejudice</strong></span><br />
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Mr Starkey further illustrated the danger by pointing to the case of the Christian guesthouse owners who were recently fined £3,600 because of their policy of restricting double beds to married couples. <br />
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He said: <strong><em>“The way to do that is not to ban them, not to fine them. It is for them simply to put up what seems to me to be a quite proper notice in a small privately run hotel which says we are Christians and this is what we believe, otherwise… we are producing a new tyranny.” </em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>Discrimination should be illegal but Christians should be entitled to hold their belief</strong></span><br />
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Mr Starkey said that:<strong><em> “direct discrimination against homosexuality should be illegal”, but insisted that Christians should be entitled to hold their beliefs without fear of state interference.</em></strong> <br />
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Earlier this year Michael Portillo, discussing the plight of the Christian B&B owners sued over their double bed policy, expressed concern at the dangers posed by a <strong><em>“secular theocracy”</em></strong> and although Mr Portillo did not agree with the B&B owners’ beliefs, he was concerned about the erosion of personal liberty.<br />
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The former cabinet minister made the comment on <a href="http://www.christian.org.uk/news/audio-bbc%E2%80%99s-moral-maze-to-debate-christian-bb-case/"><strong>BBC Radio 4’s: th<em>e Moral Maze</em></strong><em>,</em></a> examining the ongoing conflict between religious belief and human rights law.<br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>Restrictions imposed on Religious Beliefs is a major concern</strong></span><br />
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Other members of the show’s panel also expressed concern that the law had gone too far in restricting the rights of people to manifest their religious beliefs. <br />
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Referring to the dangers posed by the emergence of <strong><em>“secular theocracy”,</em></strong> Mr Portillo said: <strong><em>“I’m not on the receiving end of this at the moment at all because I’m not a religious person, but I can easily conceive of how I could be on the receiving end of some future legislation”.</em></strong><br />
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Mr Portillo also cautioned against allowing the common consensus to dictate the law, warning that a minority could use new laws to sway public opinion. <br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: yellow;">This Extract is taken from news reported in The Christian Institute Online News Archives</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: orange;">[The Christian Institute: Gay historian David Starkey appears to defend Christians]</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">Secularisation: A Warning To The Churches</span></strong><br />
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On the subject of <strong><em><a href="http://www.christian.org.uk/news/bb-case-portillo-warns-against-secular-theocracy/">“Secular Theocracy”</a></em></strong> and its links with <strong><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_partnership_in_the_United_Kingdom">civil partnership ceremonies</a></em></strong> and in particular <strong><em>Gay Marriages</em></strong> being somehow <em><strong>Christianized</strong> </em>under new legislation promoted by the Equalities Commission and ‘Others’, how can we, who are <strong><em>‘<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian">Christians’</a></em></strong>, be certain that we are not being led down the garden path by <strong><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_terrorism">Christian Extremists,</a></em></strong> who may actually be privately supporting an Orwellian View of Society that is currently seeking to control the populace and dictate to us how we should behave, when we should go to work, when eat, sleep and play, and then remove our individual rights, silence the dissidents, take away our freedoms, and ultimately Euthanize us when we are no longer considered valuable, or productive to society. <br />
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Is this current drive for<a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0SOR/is_3_60/ai_57533379/pg_4/"> <em><strong>secularisation</strong></em></a> through legalism really a form of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism"><strong><em>Fascism</em></strong> </a>by the back door? Is it part of <strong><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gradualism">The Fabian Society’s ‘Policy of Gradualism’</a></em></strong> or even an expression of <strong><em><a href="http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/pike.htm">Albert Pike's</a> Societal Reforms,</em></strong> being invoked on an all too unsuspecting society? Christians may well be advised to check these links out on the internet for a complete insight into this damning crisis that is fast looming in the churches, and within our society as you'll be amazed at what you thought you knew about this subject.<br />
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The articles described above contain a complex argument that has been raging for several hundred years both within the church and outside of it. For this reason, it is imperative that Christians be aware, that to argue strongly, even vehemently, against such inferred practices, such as that referred to in the articles above, only serves to exacerbate it and strengthen its resolve and purposes with resulting casualties being promoted on both sides, in the process. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">The danger of being spiritually choked by the tares</span></strong><br />
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The judges decision may appear to be wrong in that he clearly favours what was once viewed as <strong><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morality">immoral</a></em></strong> and possibly <strong><em>A-moral</em></strong> as a valuable, social, and moral right over that of another, valuable, social, and moral right, to the detriment of all other socially recognised values, or moral rights that we have developed in society. Surely the proper course of Law should be that these Moral rights must be taken into account as a whole and not viewed individually, although they may be applied that way, so as to maintain moral balance. As a judge, he also has to balance this new-found view with the need to protect the weak from the strong, as does the church, also have this power. The real question here is: <strong><em>Who are the weak in this insidious situation?</em></strong> <br />
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However, failure to Judge righteously only serves to increase contempt and further the causes of evil doers who secretly and privately seek to undermine the fabric of social and religious order both outside the church and also within it. Therefore, individuals, who insist on taking such moral high ground would do well to remember that there are wives and children among the many church congregations that may be inadvertently exposed to risks and unwise practices, not of their making, as well as those who follow a completely different set of morals or beliefs. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">Here-in then, lays the dilemma that should cause all believers to heed the warning: <strong>Beware of the Tares!</strong> <strong><em>(Those individuals or individual groups, who promote the voice of secular theocracy),</em></strong> <strong>that these may well be <a href="http://www.reachingcatholics.org/beware.html">wolves in sheeps clothing!</a></strong></span><br />
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In reality though, Christians and non-christians alike, who persue such immoral attitudes secretly or otherwise, are promoting a society that is fast becoming a society that has had its conscience seared with the hot iron of media science and distorted political values. An approach, that having begun with so-called ‘good intentions, has gradually stripped this country of its historically-earned democracy and freedom in favour of unjust regulations and modern organisations and New Age practices that can only spiral downwards into even more, moral and social decline, leading to an increase in violence at every level of our once great social institutions and beyond. <br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>Historical Prejudice in action</strong></span><br />
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Already this century has witnessed these facts occurring on the streets of Britain. Unless we, as a nation, stop this from developing further, the situation can only get worse. From a Biblical perspective: Was this not the same process that caused the Egyptians to enslave the Israelites and mistreat them any which way that could be dreamt of? <br />
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Is it not the same process that caused Jonah to disobey God's calling to go to Nineveh simply because he hated the Ninevites with a vengeance and wanted to see them destroyed even though Jonah knew that the God he served was a merciful and forgiving God? <br />
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Is it not the same process that saw the Jews persecuted throughout Europe and Britain in the middle ages when many were put to death or suffered in prisons simply for being Jewish? <br />
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Is it not then the same process that led to Hitler killing <strong><em><a href="http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/genocide/holocaust.htm">6,ooo,ooo (Million)</a></em></strong> Jews and Gypsies and Disabled Persons and those with Mental Illnesses etc. simply for who they were? <br />
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Is it not the same process that enabled the Voortrekkers <strong><em>(Dutch Speaking People</em></strong>) of South Africa to mistreat and virtually enslave the Black Populations of that country by stigmatizing them, and putting up signs saying: <strong><a href="http://africanhistory.about.com/library/bl/blsalaws.htm">"NO BLACKS"?</a></strong> Is it not the same then as putting up signs saying <strong><em>‘<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_hair">No Red-Heads’</a> or ‘No Brunettes’ or ‘No Christians’ and even ‘No Homosexuals’?</em></strong><br />
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Is it not the same process that caused coloured people to be put into slavery endorsed by none other than that great Preacher George Whitfield and others?<br />
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Is it not the same process then as the mistreatment of Black People in the Southern States of America who were persecuted and murdered. Is it not the same process that witnessed coloured people being mistreated and persecuted in their thousands in just the same way as those Dutch People had in South Africa. <br />
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God raised up people like Jesse Jackson, Nelson Mandela and many others in past times to turn the tide on those who blindly persecute, bully, hate, maim and kill all in the name of prejudice and for what? <br />
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Is it not that our God is a loving, forgiving , caring and merciful God (Micah ch 7 verse 17-19)?<br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>Serving a Loving and Merciful God</strong></span><br />
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We may not like what these groups do or the way they may behave, talk, or look even, but Jesus Love's them no matter who they are and besides that who are we to go against God's Sovereign Will when He has proclaimed that <strong><em>“The Gospel of Salvation must be preached To EVERY Creature”</em></strong> and that <strong><em>"The End of The Gentiles must be fulfilled".</em></strong> Could this argument that everyone is talking about, actually be the cannon that brings this scripture to its fulfilment? TO ALL christians, What says the scripture: <strong><em>"Love one another"</em></strong> and <strong><em>"NOT to hate them that persecute us"</em></strong> but rather to <strong><em>"do GOOD unto them..."</em></strong> that in all things Our Father which is in Heaven may be glorified. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;"><em>There is another Way and it is the Jesus Way. His Gospel is The Gospel Of Love</em></span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>Heeding the Warning to the Churches</strong></span><br />
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Don’t let Satan bite your heel. So next time you’re called to sign on the dotted line for this political action or for any other, ask yourselves, is this the way God wants me to behave? How can we preach Salvation to others if we behave immorally too?<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span> <br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>THE PYRAMID OF HATE</strong></span> <br />
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<strong><span style="color: cyan;"><em>Genocide:The deliberate, systematic extermination of an entire people</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: red;">Against People</span></em></strong><br />
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• Threats<br />
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• Assault<br />
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• Terrorism<br />
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• Murder<br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Against Property</span></strong><br />
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• Arson<br />
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• Desecration<br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">(violating the sanctity of a house of worship or a cemetery or a country, or a beautiful place etc.)</span></em><br />
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• Employment<br />
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Discrimination<br />
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• Housing Discrimination<br />
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• Educational<br />
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Discrimination<br />
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• Harassment<br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">(hostile acts based on a person’s race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or gender)</span></em><br />
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• Name Calling<br />
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• Ridicule<br />
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• Social Avoidance<br />
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• Social Exclusion<br />
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• Telling Belittling Jokes<br />
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• Accepting Stereotypes<br />
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• Not Challenging Belittling Jokes<br />
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• Scapegoating<br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">(assigning blame to people because of their group identity)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></em><br />
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<strong>Prejudiced Attitudes - Violence - Discrimination - Acts of Prejudice</strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.adl.org/education/courttv/pyramid_of_hate.pdf">©2003 Anti-Defamation League</a> and Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation<div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-89104894864440974482011-02-26T14:08:00.017+00:002011-02-26T15:50:03.109+00:00Why Christians Should Pray For The World...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQiV1-iz82V7DPvH1oM8UJJhcKiNuEr2mMQJsSa2UXfpkjmN9FEuP22DSVjdETCXn-V9BVHOMdrkKy2e_X9gVEc6g88A6YvqlwWnh44IsS2ib469ASnMFHq1oS0yTqJ4T1N_3Qymqi-E/s1600/WarKillsChildren+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQiV1-iz82V7DPvH1oM8UJJhcKiNuEr2mMQJsSa2UXfpkjmN9FEuP22DSVjdETCXn-V9BVHOMdrkKy2e_X9gVEc6g88A6YvqlwWnh44IsS2ib469ASnMFHq1oS0yTqJ4T1N_3Qymqi-E/s1600/WarKillsChildren+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: inherit;"><strong><em><u>No Escape: Vulnerable Children at Risk Worldwide</u></em></strong></span></span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In today’s society it seems incredible that with all our modern technology, medical and scientific advances, modern educational programmes and worldwide charitable organisations that there are still approximately <a href="http://www.worldprayermap.co.uk/globalissues.html"><span style="color: red;">108 million orphaned children worldwide:</span></a> often found in circumstances such as poverty, war, diseases such as HIV/AIDS, which result in millions of children every year being left to fend for themselves. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The disturbing fact is that these figures are increasing year by year and despite our best organisational efforts it would seem that that the world does not really care that 175 million children around the world have lost one or both parents to HIV, for example.</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Throughout the world, many countries operate state-run orphanages, but the future of these children is far from secure. In Russia, for example, 650,000 children live in orphanages and of those children who are leaving orphanages, research shows that 40% become homeless, 20% turn to crime and 10% commit suicide.</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are thought to be at least 300,000 child soldiers currently serving in armies or militia groups worldwide: Over half of all child soldiers are said to be in Africa but notably around 70,000 are in Myanmar.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is also claimed that around 700 million children of primary school age who do not attend school: Although more children around the world are going to school than ever before, there are still hundreds of millions of children who either don’t have the opportunity to go to school, or who drop out of school environments without ever having mastered even a basic set of cognitive skills such as, reading, writing, or arithmetic due to poverty and other socio-economic reasons.</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In numerous countries, Girls in particular are more especially denied the opportunity to attend school and are often kept at home to assist in supporting their families or because they are thought of as not needing an education in those regions where girls might be forced into marriage. Furthermore, an inadequate or incomplete education leaves the children vulnerable to exploitation by abusive employers.</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been suggested that around 42 million girls, under the age of 18, are expected to be married in the next decade: In those areas where poverty is acute, children are often seen as an economic burden and therefore, the marriage of young girls to older, or even elderly men, is believed to benefit both the child and her family, especially financially and socially.</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even more shocking by today’s standards is the fact that there are approximately 1.2 million - children being trafficked each year: According to figures published by UNICEF and other organizations such as The UK Network for World Mission, ‘Trafficking’ is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people, by means of threats, force, coercion or deception. Children that are taken in this way can be trafficked for a whole host of reasons including, sexual exploitation, or to provide cheap labour for domestic, or commercial purposes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to other figures released from concerned organisations in this field, many of these children are likely to end up dead within five years of initially being trafficked, often through sexual abuse and sexual diseases, or pure brutality, either at the hands of their traffickers or at the hands of those who they have been sold to.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Child victims of trafficking often come from poor families and lack economic and educational opportunities and possibly been separated from their families, In some cases these children may have minimal education, but lack vocational skills or have few job opportunities through which they may be able to fend for themselves and therefore, are most at risk.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These factors, when coupled with gender, racial or ethnic discrimination, or family insecurity caused by such things as armed conflict or natural disasters, poverty, and simply being dis-owned by those who are supposed to love and care for them, create the ideal environment for trafficking networks.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nGJbgkO0P-KmPXgDe75unAPL-OK9iIXTaXQvaur3qSkFKGiLbHm8kzAd_aDoDzPKbypNjeAd5G608y2lWtG07LWEKiSGTAplEejkORJVdNgvZ5FFNGqwnx7-8L47PqZrPUDDeLo6xtE/s1600/Sri_lanka_house_tarpaulin+-Picture+of+Poverty1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nGJbgkO0P-KmPXgDe75unAPL-OK9iIXTaXQvaur3qSkFKGiLbHm8kzAd_aDoDzPKbypNjeAd5G608y2lWtG07LWEKiSGTAplEejkORJVdNgvZ5FFNGqwnx7-8L47PqZrPUDDeLo6xtE/s320/Sri_lanka_house_tarpaulin+-Picture+of+Poverty1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"><u>World-Trade and its effects on Poverty and Life in the slums</u></span></em></strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the subject of Aid and world trade, Aid is reported to be a complex, political and economic issue. Whilst we of the west, recognize that the sending of Aid to many countries of the world, has many positive effects, it is equally recognized too, that Aid has also numerous potential negative consequences, particularly in areas such as political governance, human rights, dependency and its impact on local markets which also have to be taken into account. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is now believed, that rather than seeking to apportion blame for the increases in poverty around the globe and other similar such matters, the best thing that Christians can do is to pray persistently for these situations. And in particular, pray for the leaders of Western governments that they would have wisdom and compassion and foresight, as they shape the way their countries relate to developing nations and seek to tackle world poverty correctly rather than to profit from it. We can change and do what is right so that the world will change and do what is right in the eyes of God.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other damning factors involving poverty is that there are an estimated 1 billion people who now live in slums throughout the world. Perhaps even more startling is the fact that this figure is expected to double by 2030. Many slum areas have poor sanitation with little access to clean water and a high incidence of communicable diseases. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once again, there are fewer job opportunities and for those who do work there are extremely poor working conditions. Another serious factor about slum areas in many countries around the world is that they often have a reputation for extreme violence often fuelled by trigger factors such as alcohol and drug abuse, this type of degenerate crime often arises out of a sense of injustice and helplessness that is clearly due to the enormous disparity of wealth.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For many mission organizations operating in these areas, showing the love of Christ to people living in such devastating circumstances, and where physical, mental and emotional needs are paramount, can be overwhelming. Nevertheless, as Christians, we need to pray for more workers to be sent to these areas of the world, and that they would be able to practically demonstrate the love of God to those people, who feel vulnerable and abandoned and without hope in this world.</span></div><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: red;">For more details on these issues please visit the following links below:</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.worldprayermap.co.uk/globalissues.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">http://www.worldprayermap.co.uk/globalissues.html</span></a></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.prayermap.co.uk/"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">http://www.prayermap.co.uk/</span></a></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-87264611242016145822011-02-16T13:26:00.001+00:002011-02-16T13:31:30.955+00:00Longing For YOUR Father's Love?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>All My Life I Have Longed For My Father's Love And His Approval And I found The Answer In God... And This Is What He Says:</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">( Click on the Video Below To See His Message)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>For He Is Better Than Any Earthly Father Ever Could Be...</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><strong>THE WORDS YOU ARE ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE ARE TRUE.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: lime;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: lime;"><strong>They will change Your Life forever - if You let them</strong></span><br />
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<br />
</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ggGwDrxrC2k" title="YouTube video player" width="360"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sources: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">EHC(UK) P.O. Box 391</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.father'sloveletter.com/">http://www.father'sloveletter.com/</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">FATHER'S LOVE LETTER</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-4694482142328681922011-02-09T23:27:00.006+00:002011-02-19T23:41:26.503+00:00THE BIBLE: The Basic Truths Of Everything.<strong><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Whether or not You believe in The Bible, or whether You may have personal doubts about much of it, there are many people who have the same difficulties as You, but nevertheless are genuine seekers who are at least prepared to actually look at what the Bible says, as opposed to just debunking it without really examining it in the light of what it actually says.</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The following article is based on an extract from the book <em><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Right-God-John-Blanchard/dp/0851510450"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><strong>Right With God,</strong></span></a></em> written by John Blanchard and first published in 1971:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em>"... If you want to locate a particular town [or City], you look at a map of the region concerned; if you want to know a person's telephone number, you [might] look in a Telephone Directory. Then surely, if you want to know something about God and Your relationship to Him, the sensible and honest thing to do is look in the only book in the world, which claims thousands of times to have God as its author.</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: red;">That book is The Bible.</span></strong> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Perhaps you have never fully realised [that this book], The Bible, speaks so plainly - but it does.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em>Nearly 4,000 times in the first section of The Bible - The Old Testament - you will find words like 'the Lord spoke', 'the Lord said', 'the Lord commanded', 'the word of the Lord', 'God spoke all these words, saying' and so on. </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em>When you turn to the second edition of The Bible - The New Testament - you will find the many similar statements there summed up like this:</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;">"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" <em>(2 Timothy 3:16).</em></span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>But need we accept that? Could not The Bible have been written by very good men who wanted to spread their teachings throughout the world, or could not The Bible have been written by wicked men with some evil motive? </em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>There have been no lack of ideas on this subject: somebody once calculated that between 1850 and 1910, critics of The Bible had advanced 747 different explanations of The Bible's supposed origins. Hardly any two agreed, and most were contradictory! Yet all the arguments against The Divine Authorship of The Bible fail to answer one simple piece of logic. </em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>John Wesley, who founded</em> <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wesley#Legacy"><span style="color: yellow;"><em>the</em> English Methodist Church Movement</span></a></strong> <em>in the 18th century, put it like this: </em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'The Bible must be the invention of either good men or angels, bad men or devils, or of God. It could not be the invention of good men or angels, for they neither would nor could make a book and tell lies all the time they were writing it, saying <em>"Thus saith the Lord",</em> when it was their own invention. </span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It could not be the invention of bad men or devils, for they could not make a book that commands all duty, forbids all sin, and condemns their souls to hell for all eternity. Therefore, The Bible must be given by Divine inspiration'.</span></span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>There are many other ways to show that The Bible IS God's Word, but these would take volumes. I ask you, as a genuine seeker, to accept The Bible's own claims that it Is the Word of God, and to test that claim by following through its teachings with an open mind. </em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Once you accept The Bible as the Word of God, two important things follow: </em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Firstly, The Bible is completely true</u></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial;">Many people have the wrong idea about The Bible because they fail to understand exactly what it is. It is a collection of 66 books, written by about 40 authors over a period of more than 1,600 years. It has one central theme, expressed in many different ways. It includes History, Prophecy, Poetry, Biography, Ethics, Philosophy, and Science, and in each of these subjects, is infallibly true. </span></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;"><em>Take just two examples.</em><span style="color: black;"><em> <span style="color: #ffd966;">The Bible contains a great deal of History. Is it accurate? Sir Isaac Newton, the father of modern science, had no doubts about its authenticity. </span></em></span></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><em><span style="color: #ffd966;">He once said:</span> <strong><span style="color: cyan;">'</span></strong></em><strong><span style="color: cyan;">There are more sure marks about The Bible's authenticity, than can be found in any [external] profane history!'</span></strong> </span><span style="color: #ffd966;"><em>Again, listen to Professor Robert Dick Wilson of Princeton University in America, who spent 15 years studying Oriental Languages and dialects, 15 years studying Ancient Inscriptions, and 15 years studying Ancient Manuscripts and versions of the Bible. </em></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ffd966;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><em><span style="color: #ffd966;">He says:</span></em> <strong><span style="color: cyan;">'The History given in The Bible is reliable, but in external profane documents, there is an almost universal innacuracy and unreliability'.</span></strong> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><em><span style="color: #ffd966;">The Bible is not primarily a scientific text-book, though it does include statements that can be looked at from a scientific point of view. Is its Science accurate? Listen to Dr Irwin Moon, Principal of The Moody Institute of Science in Los Angeles, USA -</span> <strong><span style="color: cyan;">' </span></strong></em></span><span style="color: cyan;"><strong>I have covered every word from beginning to end many times, and , so far as I know, there is not within the pages of this book [The Bible], one single scientific innacuracy, contradiction, absurdity or blunder'.</strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;"><em>No expert has ever disproved a single statement in The Bible. What The Bible says on any subject is true! </em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><em>The Bible is primarily a book about God and our relationship with Him - the subject that concerns YOU at this very moment. This is how it is put in Psalms 19.7-9:</em> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial;"><strong>"The Law of The Lord is perfect, concerning the Soul: the testimony of The Lord is sure, making wise the Simple. The statutes of The Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of The Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of The Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of The Lord are true and righteous altogether".</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;"><u><strong>Secondly, The Bible is constantly true</strong></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="color: #ffd966;">Many people vaguely believe that The Bible is 'God's Book', but suspect that it is now out of date.</span></em> <strong><span style="color: cyan;">'After All'</span></strong><em>, <span style="color: #ffd966;">they say,</span></em><strong> <span style="color: cyan;">'we live in a scientific age, and even the most recent parts of The Bible were written nearly 2,000 years ago'.</span></strong><span style="color: cyan;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial;"><em>But why should that make it out of date? Truth can never change. One of my sons came home from school one day and said: 'Daddy, do you know, two and two make three!' That was certainly new to me! - and I had to correct him... Truth never changes, and The Bible claims not only to be completely, but constantly true:</em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="color: red;">Here is what it says about itself:</span> </em><strong><span style="color: lime;">"Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever" (Psalm 119:152).</span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial;">"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever" (Isaiah 40:8).</span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em>This answers the strange argument that 'Science has disproved The Bible'. How can truth disprove truth? None of the truth being discovered today through scientific research can disprove truth previously discovered, either in its own field, or in any other. </em></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em>Men's theories and opinions constantly change, often in the light of new discoveries, but truth is united and final. </em></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em>Were The Bible a collection of ideas about religion - even the ideas of good and holy men - then we might say that their ideas were now out of date, or mistaken. But the human authors of these 66 books [of The Bible], wrote by direct and Divine Inspiration in such a unique way that we call the whole collection of books 'The Word of God'.</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by The Word of God" (Romans 10:7).</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">"...The holy scriptures...are able to make one wise unto Salvation..." (2 Timothy 3:15).</span></strong><br />
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<em><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>Are You a Genuine Seeker?</strong></span></u></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Are You a genuine seeker? Then put aside your prejudices and your pre-conceived ideas, come to The Bible and ask God to make [His] truth clear to you. Perhaps this prayer will help you to express your thoughts:</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Almighty and Eternal God, I am out of touch with You and need to find You before my life can have real meaning. There are many things in The Bible that I do not understand.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Enable me to come to it [The Bible] now with an open mind. Speak to me through what I read, showing me who You are, and how I can come to know You.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Help me now to seek You with all my heart, and to find You.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Is that what you want? Then STOP and think it over carefully.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Now read that prayer again, making it your own, from the depth of your heart, but before you do, listen to this wonderful promise, which God makes to all [those] who are in earnest in their search for Him:</span></em><br />
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</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">So then, we can see from the evidence supplied by John Blanchard, that The Bible is indeed the basic truth of everything and clearly the central component to Christian Thought, Living and Worship. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In truth, The Bible is God's own revelation to us concerning Himself. It is God's way of making Himself and His creation and His Laws known to mankind.</span><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ffd966;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Furthermore, It is God's revelation about those things He cannot abide, such as the sins of mankind, which separate us from His love, and it is about His universal method of Salvation, which is the most central theme in The Bible, which He has wrought for us through the life, death, and ressurection of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What do You think about this extract from John Blanchard's book? </strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Do you agree with his conclusions about the The Bible being the basic truths of everything?</strong></span> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-32823091788839881492011-01-29T23:56:00.004+00:002011-02-14T23:04:26.241+00:00Social Learning as a Precedence for Biblical Sin.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E5Boh52oXXl0n-U6a5RUgSRdpiTpEQV6-JOq-MBTOvxDX6k9CAWRhQcJ_07s6WDxRvQ_R8yFovB_VQkWNuOe9u90zh-TPqweTytEYiiJ0HthX7VOQSBQdZ_qEXSPT6nrPCgcFgVTMlQ/s1600/Human+Heart+1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E5Boh52oXXl0n-U6a5RUgSRdpiTpEQV6-JOq-MBTOvxDX6k9CAWRhQcJ_07s6WDxRvQ_R8yFovB_VQkWNuOe9u90zh-TPqweTytEYiiJ0HthX7VOQSBQdZ_qEXSPT6nrPCgcFgVTMlQ/s400/Human+Heart+1A.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">According to The Scriptures, 'the Heart' is the centre of all the operations of human life: (thoughts, intentions, deliberations, emotions and actions). In other words the heart of man is viewed as the 'home' of one's personal life.</span></em></strong> </span></div><br />
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<div>Jesus makes this point abundantly clear in Matt. ch.15:11 that: "it is not that which goes into a man's mouth that defiles him, but that which proceeds out of his mouth that defiles man". </div><br />
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<div>Again in (Matt. 15:16-17), Jesus continues discussing the problems of the human heart and says to those who think they have understanding of these matters that the things that go into the mouth of Man go into his belly and generally passes into the wind. but in verse 18, Jesus says that the things that come out of the mouth of man, usually come from the heart and these are the things that defile man, or, (<em>these are the things that show forth the depravity of man - (my emphasis)</em>). Jesus then emphasises clearly in verse 19 that "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts and intentions, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesses and blasphemies."</div><br />
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<div>The Bible tells us in the book of Jeremiah chapter 17:9 that: "The Heart is desperately wicked above all things and who can know it."</div><br />
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<div>It is for this reason that in modern medicine the heart as an organ is seen as the Physiological centre of the body and therefore as the seat of physiological life. </div><br />
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<div>However, in Psychological understanding, the heart is viewed as the main focus of man's inner personal life and therefore the source, or mainspring of human thought, passions and motives, and is considered to be the source of ones conscience, as the heart is thought to be associated with cognitive, effective, and volitional elements that make up ones personal life. </div><br />
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<div>For example: in Proverbs ch 2:10, the heart is seen as "the seat of Wisdom" along with other factors such as 'Trust', 'Confidence' (Prov.3:5); 'Diligence' (Prov.4:23); 'Perversness' (Prov.6:14); 'Wicked Imaginations' (Prov.6:18); 'Subtlety' (Prov.7:10); 'Deceitfulness' (Prov.12:20); and so on, throughout.</div><br />
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<div>Thus it is this concept, that what comes out of man, is what is commonly considered the driving force for 'good' or 'bad', and for righteousness, or for unrighteousness, and for profit, or gain. The heart therefore, is seen as the '<em>dayspring</em>' of man's attitudes and behaviours.</div><div></div><br />
<div><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>A Modern View of Behaviour</strong></span></div><div><br />
One of the main components that affects or influences human behaviour is how we view, or perceive, what we believe is going on around us, and this '<em>perception'</em> is closely followed by our '<em>interpretation</em>' of these things, and more specifically, by our own '<em>imitations</em>' of such behaviours.</div><div><br />
In other words, '<em>Human Behaviour',</em> is affected by <em>'observational learning'</em> and imitation of others. This concept is based on numerous, long standing studies of human behaviour by Psychologists<em>,</em> who have developed these studies into a theory known as: '<em>Social Learning Theory'.</em></div><div><br />
SLT, states that the actions we imitate, appear to fall into two main categories and these are said to determine, what we as humans, will imitate. </div><ul><li><strong><span style="color: #ffcc00;">What we believe we can and cannot do.</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #ffcc00;">The outcome of the action(s) we are contemplating copying </span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #ffcc00;">The benefits/rewards of such actions.</span></strong></li>
</ul><br />
Generally, it is accepted that we do not try to imitate behaviours that we believe we cannot imitate successfully. However, we generally only copy behaviours that we feel are most likely to have a positive outcome for us. <br />
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This means that we will only copy behaviours that result in making us appear skillful, or popular, or safe. Though it can be said too, that we will also copy behaviours that may be detrimental, or threatening, or contain risks etc., if the outcomes are likely to provide us with some form of individual gratification, or a sense of overwhelming power, or control of others, or personal benefit, or personal esteem, for us. <br />
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The imitation of others, is based largely on our perceptions of the rewards that might be gained and that are the main result of our actions, whether positive, or negative, that appear to reinforce, or strengthen, the perceived actions of others, leading to an apparent positive outcome. <br />
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It must also be said that: behaviours that are seen to be punished by the society in which we live, are perhaps for many, a less likely option for copying behaviours, though this tendency also appears to be changing in the light of an increasingly lawless society.<br />
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The actions or behaviours of the people that we imitate are called <em>'Modelling'</em> and this idea is based on several factors or characteristics of the people,<em> (Role Models),</em> that we copy.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These Characteristics are defined by the following points:</span><br />
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<ul><li><span style="color: #ffcc00;">How significant the person or their influence is in our lives.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ffcc00;">How powerful we perceive them to be in relationship to ourselves and the effect that this imagery has on us.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ffcc00;">How similar we believe the person(s) are in relation to ourselves.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #ffcc00;">How we believe that their actions or behaviours are rewarded or reinforced.</span></li>
</ul><br />
Naturally, this theory changes according to the diversity of cultural and social influences that make up the type of background that we, as humans, grow up in. From a purely scriptural point of view, this can be viewed as the cultural and social differences between the Canaanites, the Perrizites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, that lived in the land to which God was taking His chosen people.<br />
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Furthermore, Aggression, Prejudice and Depravation are also major factors affecting our behaviour with others and are considered to be a result of social learning.<br />
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The Bible says that: "There is a way which seems right to man, but these ways are the ways of death".<br />
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Sin therefore, is the product of a heart not centered on the Love of God and consequently not centered on the love of our neighbour (our fellow man), but solely on the love of self or the Love of money or both.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>What then can we do to change our behaviours?</strong></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial;">Recognise that change is possible</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial;">Recognise the behaviour that needs changing</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial;">If necessary, seek help from a reputable source</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial;">Adopt a better attitude</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial;">Seek Repentance through Jesus Christ</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial;">Request His Forgiveness</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial;">Accept His death on the cross, (He died for us that we might be saved)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial;">Put your Trust in God</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>The Bible says that if we confess our sins before God,</strong> <em><strong>He is 'Faithful' and 'Just' to forgive us our sins.</strong></em></span></span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Bible tells us that this is the reason that Jesus came into the world for God is not willing that all men should die and come to judgement, but that the whole world through HIM, (Jesus), might be saved. </span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">God can bring about change in the most vilest of hearts, but YOU must recognise Him as the only way to salvation. </span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jesus is The way, The Truth, and The Life and no man can come to God except through Him.</span></em></strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;">Turn your hearts toward God. Do it now!</span></strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9HXfbyiR1z56UbtsAdax0X0mUiLH-rcic-CUPBli-2caMOZEPcWqoXNJThoj9Je4DuxlpZvaqUXOVmxcYIr3VxJ5ITmHJKGpnsCpsosqxQ-HFmWzGJFdeoJ56y2uxlNHwoveD4SAHSY/s1600/manKneelingAtTheCross1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9HXfbyiR1z56UbtsAdax0X0mUiLH-rcic-CUPBli-2caMOZEPcWqoXNJThoj9Je4DuxlpZvaqUXOVmxcYIr3VxJ5ITmHJKGpnsCpsosqxQ-HFmWzGJFdeoJ56y2uxlNHwoveD4SAHSY/s400/manKneelingAtTheCross1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;">Pray The Sinners Prayer:</span></strong></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial;"><em>Dear Lord Jesus, Hear my Prayer.</em></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">I turn my heart toward You Lord and </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">I accept what your word says about me. </span></strong></span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial;"><em>I accept that I am a sinner. </em></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial;"><em>I believe that you died on the cross for me and that you shed your blood for me.</em></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial;"><em>And I ask you to Forgive me All my sins Lord and wash me clean in your precious blood.</em></span></strong></div><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Arial;"><em>I Turn my back on all that I have been and all that I have done and I ask you Lord, to come into my life TODAY! Come into my heart Lord Jesus and renew my heart, cleanse me, and make me whole now, in Jesus name, I pray.</em></span></strong></div><br />
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<strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial;">If you prayed this prayer then give thanks to God, praise Him for his lovingkindness and His tender mercies toward you... Then go out and tell somebody about it.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Find a church and get help with your New Life.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">God Bless You!</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;">SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY: Sourced From Bandura et al (1977) <i><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Social_Learning_Theory" title="Social Learning Theory"><span style="color: #0645ad;">Social Learning Theory</span></a></i></span><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-83758201667809629382010-07-09T11:12:00.015+01:002011-02-13T22:39:21.348+00:00THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND: THE END OF ANGLICANISM AND THE ROAD TO DISSAFECTIONISM CAUSED BY THE APPOINTMENT OF WOMEN BISHOPS<span style="color: #33ccff;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-Nx-0lfhtJZgAwFkxHWUdXBQ99H8SoaNSJ4D4UEo8kFyzd1xqc0EU-lGWgHvVRetcQtMjG65Cj9gz-g9vVA28riQQ3xMz0Oax7sFrNUCj4Ewfc5vdl92rC9xJgvSwmrOdHdOe9E9OJc/s1600/N0184161273316138144ACoESynod1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491857089815312642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-Nx-0lfhtJZgAwFkxHWUdXBQ99H8SoaNSJ4D4UEo8kFyzd1xqc0EU-lGWgHvVRetcQtMjG65Cj9gz-g9vVA28riQQ3xMz0Oax7sFrNUCj4Ewfc5vdl92rC9xJgvSwmrOdHdOe9E9OJc/s400/N0184161273316138144ACoESynod1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 120px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /></a><br />
Once again, we read in the news of the <a href="http://www.the-highway.com/amil5_Engelsma.html"><strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;">'destruction from within'</span></em></strong> </a>as The Church Of England falls in line with Jesus' own words that a <a href="http://www.idiomsite.com/ahousedivided.htm"><strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;">"House divided against itself cannot stand"</span></em></strong> </a>.<br />
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This internal form of destruction, which is currently plaguing The Church of England, is something that Jesus himself was debating with his disciples when he revealed to them the results of national, social and religious decline in Israel and the ultimate destruction of the temple. It is interesting to note how prevalent the words of Jesus are in relation to Christian values within the Church today because of the pressures of modernism and secularisation.<br />
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The Church of England is faced with a new crisis as the havoc created by the <strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;"><a href="http://atheism.about.com/od/secularismseparation/a/Critiques.htm">drive for Secularism</a></span></em></strong> brings the fellowship of believers into disrepute yet again, caused more recently by the <a href="http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/newage.htm"><strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;">'New Age'</span></em></strong> </a>thinkers in support of the ordination of gay Bishops and of Women Priests.<br />
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Is this recent legislation proving to be the end of <strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglicanism">Anglicanism</a></span></em></strong> and the start of the road towards <strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;"><a href="http://www.ark.ac.uk/publications/updates/update41.pdf"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dissafectionism</span></a></span></em></strong> within the Church of England, and can this devolution really be caused by the ill-reputed appointment to authority of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordination_of_women"><strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;">'Ordination of Women'</span></em></strong> </a>to the ministry?<br />
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The Church of England appears to be facing another major battle as recent legislation to consecrate women bishops is set to pass a key hurdle.<br />
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It has been widely reported that members of the Church's national assembly, the General Synod, are gathering at York University for a five-day meeting dominated by the issue with a marathon 15 hours of debate scheduled on the topic<br />
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As part of this gathering's main business, the assembly will also consider draft legislation creating women bishops without the relevant safeguards demanded by objectors, such as setting out new dioceses, or creating a special class of bishop to cater for dissenters.<br />
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Instead, women bishops would be granted their own authority to make local arrangements for objectors if necessary, after referring to a special statutory code of practice.<br />
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This legislation is likely to come under fierce attack from many <strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Christianity">conservative evangelicals</a></span></em></strong> and <strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;"><a href="http://anglicanhistory.org/alexander/">Anglo Catholics</a></span></em></strong>, some of whom are threatening to leave the <strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;"><a href="http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/history/">Church of England</a></span></em></strong> if their demands are not met.<br />
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Furthermore, this debate and its subsequent legislation suggests that <em>'Divorced clergy'</em> could also be allowed to become Church of England bishops for the first time.<br />
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It is a fact that Church leaders have been discussing the move for some time and are expected to reveal their decision in July during the General Synod, which is the <em>'national assembly'</em> of the Church of England.<br />
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This convention would mean these changes could face heavy criticism from traditionalists who believe it would undermine the core tradition of biblical teaching.<br />
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According to representatives of the House of Bishops, it is expected that the statement, addressing the relevant legal and theological issues, will be available in July when the General Synod meets.<br />
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A spokesman for the House says that: there is no legal restraint for persons who have remarried after divorce, or are married to spouses remarried after divorce, in becoming bishops. What is required here is a clarification, particularly in an area where there has previously been some uncertainty, both about the legal background, and the specific policy of The Church of England, to be allowed to embrace this process.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #ffcc00;"><strong>The Church of England is continually facing fresh turmoil within its ranks as it published proposals paving the way for the consecration of women bishops.</strong></span></span><br />
Women bishops would be created without specific policies for relevant safeguards demanded by the Church of England's opponents under plans drawn up by a group working on the legislation.<br />
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The scheme, to be debated at the <strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;"><a href="http://www.eauk.org/wales/nalo/the-background-to-the-assembly-liaison-office.cfm">Church's national assembly</a></span></em></strong>, rejects measures such as the setting up of new dioceses or the installation of a special class of bishops to cater for objectors.<br />
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Instead, <span style="color: #33cc00;"><a href="http://www.churchsociety.org/issues_new/ministry/wombishop/iss_ministry_wombishop_intro.asp">women bishops</a></span> who might be appointed in the future, would retain the authority to make their own local arrangements for objectors if necessary, after referring to a common <strong><em><span style="color: #33cc00;"><a href="http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr4210.html">statutory code of practice</a></span></em></strong>.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: #ffcc00;">Have Your say...!</span></span></strong><br />
What do you think about this recent introduction surrounding the Ordination of Women Bishops?<br />
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Do you believe that the Ordination of Women in the Church is against New Testament Teaching and if so?<br />
<br />
What evidence is there for holding this view?<br />
<br />
What are your opinions regarding the debate over Gay Bishops?<br />
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Do you think the Church of England should be more or Less tolerant of others in Church ministry?<br />
<br />
Can someone who is divorced continue as a minister?<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong><em>Have your say on these important topics affecting churches today!</em></strong></span><span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #ffcc00;">Simply click on the word 'Comments' at the bottom of each post below then Click the white dialogue box and enter your details and comments in the white space that appears. Thank you for taking part.</span> <br />
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<strong><span style="color: #e69138;">Acknowlegement: This article contains elements previously reported on by other works on this subject.</span></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-38021880468268951472010-06-25T09:23:00.011+01:002011-01-29T20:15:46.898+00:00TRUE LOVE: The reward of those who embrace it<strong>Probably one of the greatest statements ever made in the Bible, is the one that sums up the whole purpose of God and that is the word's of the Gospel of John which says:</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5TWaNAPvIrPOKjBJVXYGk0WEqSfMv0YOvMbxtFGCZA3QFIKxpHr9QoN9mm7sXKIyn5IycEzJR3EERG2lH7tYxpeGsxqqQ8yErpvDskT1XIS4Ofg_dLHGirZCwfYou62tRUmcVQ9rsOw/s1600/thumbnailCAFSL0NYcross1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487761035682996866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5TWaNAPvIrPOKjBJVXYGk0WEqSfMv0YOvMbxtFGCZA3QFIKxpHr9QoN9mm7sXKIyn5IycEzJR3EERG2lH7tYxpeGsxqqQ8yErpvDskT1XIS4Ofg_dLHGirZCwfYou62tRUmcVQ9rsOw/s400/thumbnailCAFSL0NYcross1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 237px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #33ccff;"><strong><em>"...For God so loved the World that he gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life"</em></strong> (John 3:16).</span><br />
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Many people, born into this world, tend to go through life with various notions as to what <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Is_Life%3F"><span style="color: #ffcc00;">life</span></a> is and <a href="http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Life/life1.html"><span style="color: #ffcc00;">what their version means for them</span></a><span style="color: #ffcc00;">.</span> How, we as humans' take advantage of our existence, also affects, not only how we live and die, but also how others that we influence, live and die too.<br />
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<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/apr/27/genetics.evolution"><span style="color: #ffcc00;">We take<em> 'life'</em> for granted</span></a>, in the same way as we take each other for granted.<br />
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The most common human concept that we have developed is the one that says: <em>"I'm alright Jack so you must be too".</em> This has been transliterated egocentrically to mean <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I"><span style="color: #ffcc00;"><em>"If I'm OK, Your OK".</em> </span></a><br />
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The reality though, is often far different from what we come to believe, or imagine.<br />
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Often, we will find that people do not always fit into this thought mould, and the reasons for this may be as many as the multitude of stars in the night sky. People are, as the Bible puts it: <a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/4-16.htm"><span style="color: #ffcc00;">"...sat in darkness..."</span></a><span style="color: #ffcc00;"> </span>People are overcome with many issues of life such as loneliness, rejection, humilitation, degradation, upheaval, war, depravity, starvation, sickness and even death. These are just a few of the conditions of '<em>life'</em> that we face not to mention also bullying, harrassment, poverty, homelessness, grief, anguish, deep anxiety, mental illness, disease, disability and loss.<br />
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The whole world is suffering, but not everyone experiences all these things, and some people only seem to experience a little of these things in their lifetime. Some people are more comfortable with the life they lead, than others. The strong do not always support the weak. I am not always <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/am-i-my-brother-s-keeper"><span style="color: #ffcc00;">my brothers keeper</span></a><span style="color: #ffcc00;">.</span> The hardships of life are cruel and harsh and debilitating, even crippling.<br />
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Somehow, in the midst of all these things, we manage to maintain our sense of dignity. Somehow, we manage to perpetuate our humanity and to pass on our sense of hope. Hope, that one day, life will not always be like this. That somehow, life will get better for us. Thus we grow up with a sense of inadequacy that despite all our efforts to the contrary, we still somehow cannot get things quite right for ourselves, and for each other.<br />
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Even more so, we feel <a href="http://www.desert-alchemy.com/txt/isolation.html"><span style="color: #ffcc00;">isolation</span></a> as a person, as a nation and even as a planet. We come to believe that we are all alone in this myriad of stars and if there is even the remotest chance that there is a God, working somewhere in the universe, that we have somehow become distant and separated.<br />
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This is just the place that the Bible describes as the true condition of mankind. The bible says that our sins have separated us from God. Our relationships with one another are fraught with inadequacies, yet we continue to believe we are 'ok'.<br />
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Even if we believe in God or not, it is a common fact that because of the way we go through life, our perceptions of God are distorted and often completely inadequate too. We feel that love is inadequate, that we are undeserving and that if God exists, then he cannot truly love us either, otherwise we would not be suffering the way we do. We blame each other for the state of our world and we even blame God too.<br />
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Nevertheless, the Bible says that there is a God <em>"...One who inclines his ear toward us</em> " (Psalms 4, 5, 10:17, 13:3, 17:6-15, 20:1, 38:15, 55:1-2, and Psalm 116 ), and that there is a God that loves us: <em>"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life</em>.<br />
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Jesus said: <em>"...I am <strong>not</strong> come into this world to destroy it, but that the world, through me, might have everlasting life".</em> Jesus also said: <em>"I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly". </em><br />
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The Bible declares that there is a way that seems right to man, but the ways of man are the ways of death. However, if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you shall be saved(Acts 16 : 31). Jesus also says: <em>"Verily, verily I say unto you that whosever believes in me hath everlasting life"</em> (John 6:47).<br />
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The Bible also says that: <em>"... he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him"</em> (John 3:36). The scriptures reveal that mankind has been born in a state of sin since the time of Adam and that God has, since that time, sought to make amends for mankind to be saved fromthe ultimate consequences of sin.<br />
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Sin not only does harm personally and individually, but also does harm collectively and involves the whole ecology of life on earth and in our atmosphere. Ultimately, sin affects the whole equilibrium of the universe that God has created. God knows this and cannot abide the presence of sin, for He is also Holy. Yet, despite the fact that man's sins have separated us from almighty God, He still Loves us as the scripture shows, and he has made a way for us to be reconciled to Himself and that way is through God's only begotten Son: <em>The Lord Jesus Christ</em>.<br />
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God demands blood sacrifice as the means of <a href="http://www.velocity.net/~edju/web/JesusAtone.htm"><span style="color: #ffcc00;">Atonement for sin</span></a> but God hates the idea that mankind commits sacrifices on a daily basis which have no solid foundation of righteousness attached to it. This type of sacrifice is no more than meaningless ritualism and does not work. Men still sin. It is only the pure and righteous sacrifice of God's Son as the perfect Lamb of God, that makes the perfect, one time only sacrifice, that satisfies the demand of God as the price of Sin. No other sacrifice will do.<br />
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Jesus came that we might have Life and in Him is the light of men and if we turn to Him and pray to Him and seek his face, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Righteousness"><span style="color: #ffcc00;">His Righteousness</span></a><span style="color: #ffcc00;">,</span> then he will do what he says: He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from All unrighteousness and He will accept us as His Children. he will save us. Therefore do as the scriptures command: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvation"><span style="color: #ffcc00;">saved</span></a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-74305678000752418592010-06-19T15:49:00.007+01:002011-01-29T20:16:34.039+00:00CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRUE CHURCH<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: 130%;"></span></strong><br />
<div align="center"><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: 130%;">WHAT IS THE CHURCH?</span></strong><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoWXfrOwz2mFGQfmRISgu8ASMVbci6phGCoGFCpeltkxHbLsaoJIjg6mkD8YOXMZG4yQQ4fJ4sXi9JuF1-KfEHYAvdtMknfZGbVVRAKJByfAA_97829aABcgtKFCxfXBEtAnG6bgWMMQ/s1600/80px-Bible_malmesbury_arp66.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485267105594477858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoWXfrOwz2mFGQfmRISgu8ASMVbci6phGCoGFCpeltkxHbLsaoJIjg6mkD8YOXMZG4yQQ4fJ4sXi9JuF1-KfEHYAvdtMknfZGbVVRAKJByfAA_97829aABcgtKFCxfXBEtAnG6bgWMMQ/s400/80px-Bible_malmesbury_arp66.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 52px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 80px;" /> </a><span style="color: #3366ff;">Jesus said:'I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it'.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #33ff33;">According to T. C. Hammond: "'The Church' is a Universal Society' of the faithful, whom God has predestinated from Eternity, to Everlasting Life".</span><br />
<span style="color: #ff6600;">It is generally considered however, that much harm has been done to the church by those who dogmatically assert that their definition of 'church,' is 'the only true way'.</span><br />
Hammond asserts that by some strange irony, those who set themselves up in this way end up by securing to themselves an even greater 'mixed multitude'... under other names, which in turn become liberally and Sacerdotably defined by numerous other perversions of The Apostolic Tradition, of what a 'Church' is.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: 130%;"><strong><em>So what then is 'The Church'?</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #3366ff;">To clarify Hammond's perception of the 'The church' of The New Testament, we must first understand what 'The Church' is not.</span><br />
The Church is not an organization in which certain 'orders of succession,' are handed down in lineage form, often conferred on others by bishops or pastors, on members to whom they are related. Neither is it controlled by a limited few, who dominate its authority, in terms of supremacy of leadership and order.<br />
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As an organization, a church that is so constructed, does not have the leadership of The Holy ghost at its helm, but is rather, superseded by the deliberations and intents of 'rulership', more than that of 'stewardship' despite its dogmatic, or charismatic appearance. The Church is not a hierarchical order, as supposed by some, in which church governance is limited to just a few well placed persons simply because of advantage, who assign themselves to mediatorial work as 'priests' with varying levels of office, as these offices are the God given right of all believers in Christ Jesus. It is not the sole right of any ‘Clerical Caste’, be it ‘Bishop’, or ‘Pastor’.<br />
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Ministers are not to be differentiated from the rest of the body of Christ, as all believers have this right conferred upon them through the laying on of hands by the Holy Ghost. The Bible declares: "Now are we are all Kings and Priests unto God..."<br />
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The Church is not an unguided democracy. Instead it is as scripture tells it, 'that as many as are led by the Spirit of God 'They' are the sons of God'.<br />
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The Church is not of itself a meeting place of worship as defined by the construction of bricks and mortar. Neither is The Church a denotation of the inhabitants of any country and therefore cannot be used to claim a substitute for nationality, as defined by others historically, such as is commonly used to describe Britain for example.<br />
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<span style="color: #33ff33;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 130%;">How then can we understand the true definition of 'The Church'?</span></em></strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="color: red;">What is the True Church?</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #ff6600;">The Church: A People of Worship</span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #3366ff;">The Old Testament definition of The Church was originally understood as,<br />
'The Lord's House'.</span><br />
Initially this 'House' was constructed as a mobile Temple, or Tabernacle, originally used by the Isrealites after their escape from Egypt. This Tabernacle was in a sense, 'The Heart' of the people, as it was placed at the centre of all the Isrealites said and did. Every morning they would look up and see the Tabernacle in the centre of the camp and whenever the Isrealites moved, the Tabernacle moved with them. Here then, is one of the earliest principles of God concerning the benefits of the meaning and purpose of The Temple being at the centre, or heart of the people.<br />
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Later, under king David and his son Solomon, the Temple became a fixed structure, this was a symbolic ideal that suggests the Temple should now be viewed not only as the heart of the people but also as an immovable and permanent force, a visible establishment of the invisible purposes of God for a people whose eyes were always upon The Lord, for direction. It was the place of communication where the people assembled themselves to hear the word of the Lord and Worship God (Acts 19:32, 39, 41).<br />
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In the New Testament, 'The House of The Lord' is translated into 'The Ecclesia' meaning 'the ones’ who assemble' or 'The Gathered Ones', (those who assemble themselves together, or those who gather themselves together to Worship), in Jesus Christ. Ecclesia, also refers to the body of Jesus Christ, as the body of the redeemed: 'The Called Out Ones', or 'The Separated Ones'. These terms signify the whole body of the redeemed of The Lord Jesus Christ comprising all those that the Father has given to Him (John 17).<br />
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There are numerous scriptural references to the concept of 'The Church' in the New Testament.<br />
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Some believers gathered in houses and others out in the open air, whilst others gathered in larger congregations in places such as in Antioch, or Corinth, or Rome. These groups became know as the Church at Corinth, the Church at Antioch etc., this is very different concept from todays 'organised churches', which tend to be the Church 'of' some place, or group or other.<br />
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The True Church then, is made up of people who are redeemed, and saved, and obedient, to the voice and commandments of God.<br />
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<span style="color: #33ff33; font-size: 130%;"><strong><em>Moreover, The Church can be summarised in this way.</em></strong></span><br />
It is not a Human Organisation but the precise workmanship of God (Ephesians 2:12, 1 Peter 2:10) and in this context, The Church is seen as 'the people' of God, which includes Israel, having obtained mercy by the Grace of God.<br />
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It is the Household, or Family of God (Ephesians 2:19, 3:15, 4:6), and consist of those who are adopted by The Lord as Sons and Heirs together with Jesus Christ.<br />
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The Church is the planting of the Lord to bring forth fruit to His Glory (1Corinthians 3:10 and John 15:1).<br />
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The Church is a Holy temple built by God himself through Jesus Christ and is made unto Him a Dwelling Place founded on Holiness and Worship. (Ephesians 2:21, John 2:19, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 1 Peter 2:4).<br />
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The Church is 'The bride Of Christ' cleansed and sanctified awaiting the eternal marriage of the Lord (Ephesians 5:25).<br />
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The Church is the whole Body of Christ and the fullness of him who fills all in all.<br />
As believers, the trust of 'The Church' for its master, comes from the heart, and is demonstrated by the obedience and actions of the Lord's people as a result of the special sanctified work of the Holy Ghost in those who are redeemed.<br />
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God's Church consists of a ‘Spiritually Transformed People’, who are not conformed to this world, e.g. not affected by secularist views of the Christian faith, but who are transformed by the renewing of the mind, proving what is both, good and acceptable and perfect to the Will of God. (Romans 12:2). This transformation is a work of the Holy Ghost in conjunction with believers seeking to humble themselves to walk in the light of God. St Paul says: ‘Brethren, be not deceived, but rather test the spirits to see if they be of God’.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-16217779695486561122010-06-07T21:21:00.006+01:002011-01-29T20:16:50.990+00:00WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX9NDPvHbMDjOdHsyBzWE7AHKiK6YTXcrh2zrhP3WUV_n2y6hg_AOa-9xRQbQp4hSSV-6Ro6py_P-CpW2eo6idwwnhOK7XNYUOY5hnDP2MMNrOiEJIkJ4ReL8ercwq7yIazdjzPKcoJg/s1600/cap001shkl.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480357359742064274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX9NDPvHbMDjOdHsyBzWE7AHKiK6YTXcrh2zrhP3WUV_n2y6hg_AOa-9xRQbQp4hSSV-6Ro6py_P-CpW2eo6idwwnhOK7XNYUOY5hnDP2MMNrOiEJIkJ4ReL8ercwq7yIazdjzPKcoJg/s400/cap001shkl.gif" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 61px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px;" /></a><br />
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One of the hottest debates doing its rounds on the Internet, Radio and Television of late is that of defining what a Christian is. It seems that there are enormous problems arising from this debate and this appears to be caused by specific denominational and non-denominational interpretations and interests that centre around whether or not how strongly Religions, Churches and ‘Christians’ believe their interpretations to be ‘the correct one’.<br />
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No other term used in the Bible has ever caused so much controversy as the term <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_defn.htm">‘Christian’</a>, apart from the numerous philosophical debates surrounding the ideas of <a href="http://www.everystudent.com/features/isthere.html">‘Creation and how Life came into existence’</a> and <a href="http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Life_of_Elijah/elijah_10.htm">the age old question of whether or not, ‘God can actually raise the dead to Life again’</a>, as was also discussed by St Paul in his interview with King Agrippa (Acts 26:8)<br />
Verse 8. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/ine_none9.htm">Ambiguity In Scripture?</a><br />
<a href="http://www.robertmprice.mindvendor.com/art_inspir.htm">Or simply an inability to accept what is written therein?</a></strong><br />
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Some say the Bible is ambiguous about the definition of the meaning ‘Christian’ and in fact some Authorities on the Bible suppose the name ‘Christian’ to be coined by the Greeks or the Romans, but this view is often interpreted probably as a means of reproach, to the increasing number of followers of Jesus.<br />
According to The Bible however, the name ‘Christian’ was used at the first real church gathering in Antioch.<br />
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Some authorities on the Bible suggest that the names by which the Disciples, or early followers of Jesus were known among themselves were, "brethren," "the faithful," "the elect," "the saints," "the believers." But, to distinguish the followers of Jesus from the myriad of other religious groups that also existed around that time, the name "Christian" came into common use, and after a while, was universally accepted, especially from the time of Constantine, and throughout the Roman world.<br />
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• Interestingly enough, the name ‘Christian’ occurs but three times in the New Testament and this can be found in the book of ‘The Acts of The Apostles’ (Acts 11:26), which suggests that the name ‘Christian was coined by believers at the first major church convention held at Antioch.<br />
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• The Church at Antioch had become a fast growing church and appeared to be moving under the power of the Holy Ghost to such an extent that ‘Paul’ and ‘Barnabus’ were sent there by the Apostles, who were based in Jerusalem, to investigate the many stories of what God was doing, that were emanating from Antioch.<br />
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• The second mention of the term ‘Christian’ appears to have come from the lips of King Agrippa himself who, by the time he had met with St Paul and interviewed him about his deeds and Gospel Preaching, and his subsequent incarceration by his captors, because <a href="http://protestantism.suite101.com/article.cfm/is-christianity-dangerous">Paul was deemed a trouble-maker</a> going around preaching about Jesus and how he was raised from the dead, had clearly known about this popularised universal description of ‘Christians’, used synonymously to distinguish followers of Jesus, (see Acts 26:28).<br />
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• King Agrippa was the grandson of the late ‘Herod The Great’, (Acts 25:26), and it is said that by AD 53 he became The Tetrarch of Abilene, Galilee, Iturea and Trachontis in Judea around the time of Paul’s conversion to Christ.<br />
In (Acts 25), we read of Paul having been captured by the ‘Judaizers’ (false Jews) not the real Jews of his day, had been delivered to the Romans for judgement and sentencing of death.<br />
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However, the Romans did not know what to do with Paul as they felt him to be a victim of injustice and were reluctant to carry out the wishes of Paul’s captors. Paul also delayed mattes because he appealed to Caesar. During his incarceration, Paul gets to meet with King Agrippa who visited Caesarea around the time he was a prisoner there.<br />
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<strong>(ACTS 26) An example of the problems faced by Paul, in determining the purpose of Christians and what they stand for.</strong><br />
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‘Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:<br />
I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently...’<br />
‘ ...For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.<br />
King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.<br />
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.<br />
And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds...’<br />
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• Thirdly, the term ‘Christian’ appears to have actually originated with the Hellenistic Greeks and Pharisees, of whom my studies reveal them to be the actual persecutors of the followers of Jesus, these are ‘The Judaisers’ or False Jews that Paul refers to and they are more commonly known as ‘The Herodians’, referred to in scripture, who continuously harassed the early church stirring up the common people in the hope of endangering the lives of the followers of Jesus Christ, (see 1 Pet. 4:16).<br />
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• These’Herodians link back to King Herod and a specific usurper lineage imposed on Isrealites and with connections to Hellenistic Greeks and a hierarchical movement that spawned ‘The Scribes’ and ‘The Pharisees’ movements that developed from this Royal, legal and religious structure that came to dominate Palestine around the time that Jesus was born.<br />
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<br />
<strong>What then is a true definition of the term ‘Christian’ and can there really be ‘False’ Christians? </strong><br />
<br />
It is important to note that history is mirrored and the Apostles were very much aware of this in their day, to the extent that they wrote down their concerns, as these occurred. These are the same issues that affect believers and the Church today. There is one exception however, and that is that God has seen fit to warn believers of these issues that will and have, arisen in the Last Days.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>So What type Of Christian Are You?<br />
‘A Cultural Christian’ or ‘An Authentic Christian’?</strong><br />
<br />
John Woodbridge, a church history professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, points out that "just because a person is part of a church doesn't necessarily mean he or she is a follower of Jesus." Woodbridge argues that there's a distinction between "cultural Christians" and "authentic Christians."<br />
<br />
This argument can be defined by researching scripture, but to take just one such example, as <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_defn1.htm">a possible definition of a ‘Christian’</a>, and one that is retrospectively mentioned by Jesus himself, it can easily be seen that there are two types of ‘Authority’ implied and two types of ‘Churches’ implied and also two types of ’Believers’ implied in Jesus’ statement about the parable of <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_defn1.htm">‘The Ten Virgins’</a> or <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_defn1.htm">‘The Five Wise Virgins’ versus ‘The Five foolish Virgins’</a>.<br />
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<strong>Matthew 25: Example of Christian Definition Referred to by Jesus.</strong><br />
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1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_defn1.htm">ten virgins,</a> which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.<br />
2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.<br />
3. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:<br />
4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.<br />
5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.<br />
6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.<br />
7. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.<br />
8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.<br />
9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.<br />
10. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.<br />
11. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.<br />
12. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.<br />
13. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.<br />
<br />
The Lamps appear to refer to the ‘Christian’, who is truly converted and trims his lamp, not only to conserve oil but as an act of true humility, and in a state of continual repentance, and holiness before God and in expectation of his Lord’s impending arrival. One who truly obeys God’s Word in all things. Loves God and Jesus Christ and truly demonstrates love of all the Brethren, irrespective of who they are.<br />
<br />
Whereas, the Foolish Virgins were the ones who did not have this same approach to humility, and the need for continual repentance and holiness. They did not truly share the Love of God or Jesus Christ or demonstrate their love for all the Brethren and only sought out the popular sections of the people they met with. You know: the ones with plenty of money and prestige and all the right sayings and conformist behaviours etc etc. They did not see the need to trim their lamps, they were the hedonistic self-righteous Christian who unfortunately mirrored the worship of the Scribes and Pharisee that Jesus often spoke about and warn us about, you know, the ones who always know what the Bible says exactly and what God expects of them, but that their motives for doing these things are selfish and popular, just to be revered by men and make long prayers etc.<br />
<br />
Their oil, is of the type that has been purchased through financial gifts just like ‘Simon the sorcerer’ when he offered to pay for to receive the Holy Ghost at the hands of Peter and Paul, during one of their many missions.<br />
<br />
This parable that Jesus spoke of when viewed with many other New Testament references is a clear definition of the meaning of the differences that exist between true <em>‘Authentic’</em> Christians and that of a <em>‘Cultural’</em> Christian’ as defined by Woodbridge and what Jesus contrasts as a definition of a True Christian with that of a False Christian.<br />
<br />
(If you wish to read more then follow this link to Suite101: Is Christianity Dangerous?: Has The Christian Church Been Bad or Good? http://protestantism.suite101.com/article.cfm/is-christianity-dangerous#ixzz0q0sAav3O for further debates of this nature. Or visit Religious Tolerance.com. or simply click on the links in the text to see differing aspects of this difficult topic).<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>What then is a True Christian?</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingigPdnnalgSR1sbyGpdZzvsePky12ezlW-Kvo0swb6LyI8Bf-aglFUIdU_Nlb4XSe5YUnWh5SiAciQB896MWaZ2xd7lS8YAjzSlIbLJohGCbWQ9X9SpU394rD4ERvRq7Lh3GWC5dl1k/s1600/ggw002vc.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480159626774932498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingigPdnnalgSR1sbyGpdZzvsePky12ezlW-Kvo0swb6LyI8Bf-aglFUIdU_Nlb4XSe5YUnWh5SiAciQB896MWaZ2xd7lS8YAjzSlIbLJohGCbWQ9X9SpU394rD4ERvRq7Lh3GWC5dl1k/s200/ggw002vc.gif" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 173px;" /></a><br />
<strong>The Bible says: <em>“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right (or Power), to become children of God.”</em></strong><br />
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According to scripture a Christian is a person who is convicted (or convinced) that he is in all ways sinful. (This conviction is a supernatural (Beyond the capacity of mankind to comprehend without God's help.) <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_defn1.htm">work of the Holy Spirit</a>)<br />
<br />
According to scripture a Christian is a person who recognizes God’s Holiness and His only provision for our sins in the substitution and death of His Son, Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
According to scripture a Christian is a person, who, once awoken to his spiritual condition, (through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit) turns away from sin and turns to God, by faith, through his forgiveness and follows Jesus. (Acts 20:21)<br />
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According to scripture a Christian is one who having received Jesus as Saviour (from their sins) surrenders everything to Jesus as LORD. Lordship is not optional, but integral to <a href="http://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/the-purpose-of-christian-discipleship-faq.htm">Christian discipleship</a>.<br />
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According to scripture a Christian is one who accepts the righteousness of God as his own and does not seek or promote his own self-righteousness above that of God.<br />
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According to scripture a Christian is a person who has received the Holy Ghost and has the Living Word in themselves and through Him, is able to seek God and deny the works of the flesh and serve God daily.<br />
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However, many people who consider themselves to be Christians do not recognize others as Christians and do not recognise the need to surrender to God daily and are not necessarily in the service of others.<br />
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There are said to be about 40 different definitions of the term "Christian" in use today.<br />
<br />
Also included in the definition of a ‘Christian’ are those who consider themselves to be Christian even though they do not identify themselves with any particular religious group.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/gordon-brown/5988706/Gordon-Brown-insists-Britain-is-still-Christian-country.html">Britain for example: was considered to be a Christian Country</a>.<br />
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In my opinion then , a Christian is someone who has truly been touched by God and <a href="http://www.loriswebs.com/lorispoetry/grace.html">saved by Grace</a>.<br />
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However, I believe that the problems regarding the definition of a Christian has arisen because of the influx of Secularism that has increasingly developed in the church today making believers unaware of the need to isolate themselves from worldliness and the temptations of commercialism and individualism that separates us from the presence of the Living God and each other.<br />
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Remember the words of Jesus when he said: <a href="http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/8400.html">“A house divided against itself cannot stand...”</a> Surely <a href="http://www.englishproverbs.org/wise-words/housedividedcannotstand.html">this division</a> is the purpose of the <a href="http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/john_mcgee/british_secular_movement.html">‘Secularist Movement’</a> within the Church today.<br />
<br />
So Believers Beware.<br />
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<em><strong>The topics discussed here are not necessarily the complete view of the author</strong></em><div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-26045619545849684362010-05-24T22:14:00.002+01:002011-01-29T20:17:31.997+00:00How Wonderful God is.When we put our trust in God we are rewarded by Him. <br />
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When we put our trust in God He shows us how merciful He can be toward us, how loving He is, how gracious and how good He is.<br />
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<strong>We know how wonderful God is because He communicates with us.</strong><br />
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All those who believe in God and put their trust in Him can utter the words of the Psalmist and declare with him how much we: <em>'Love The lord...'</em> 'because He hears our voice and our supplications'(Psalm 116 v. 1). The reason why believers can say this is because <em>'The Lord inclines His ear to us...'</em> and this is what gives us the certainty of the knowledge of God's existence and why we can say that: <em>'We will call upon Him as long as we live'</em>.<br />
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King David states that his experience of God's Love for him came at a time when: 'The sorrows of death compassed him, and the pains of hell had got hold upon him: Trouble and Sorrow is all he found!' But then in the midst of his circumstance he says that he: <em>'Called upon The Lord - to deliver his soul...'.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>David tells us of a number of attributes he has discovered about the nature of God.</strong><br />
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He shows us in Psalm 116 that God is patient with us, and long suffering toward us.<br />
That God Loves us, because He is willing to listen to us.<br />
That, although God is Gracious and Merciful toward us, that He is also Righteous.<br />
That God is our helper, when life brings us low before Him.<br />
That God deals bountifully with us, and gives us rest.<br />
That God will deliver us from death, and our eyes from shedding tears, and will not let us slip and fall.<br />
That God encourages us to walk before him in the land of the living.<br />
He gives us the cup of His salvation so that we may call upon The Lord, and pay our vows to Him, in the presence of others, who are also witnesses.<br />
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<em>This is truly a wonderful Biblical fact and especially so, when we call upon the name of The Lord and offer to him the sacrifice of thanksgiving.</em><br />
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For, like the Psalmist, all believers find that they too share this same knowledge of God's abiding presence. The world cannot understand this relationship that God has with all who those believe in Him. The world is dead to the presence of God and conversely all those who truly believe in God are dead to the world but alive unto God who loves them. I too can say: 'I love The Lord, because He hears my voice'.<br />
<br />
Why don't you call upon The Lord today! He says 'call upon me and I will answer'. <br />
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If you shall call upon him with all your heart and truly seek Him he will answer you.<br />
Do it now! The Lord is waiting to hear from you.<div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-53501664615508035032010-05-19T20:03:00.001+01:002011-01-29T20:18:11.746+00:00THE DAY OF THE TARESRecently, I drove past a church and could not help but notice that on one of its walls was a large white banner, but what really drew my attention though, was the words written on it, which read: <a href="http://nationalevangelisticassociation.com/2010/blog/are-we-killing-the-church">"IS GOD DEAD?"</a> Is this really true? Yes___ or No___. <br />
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The banner appeared to be like some kind of a poll and suggested that people who read it should consider the statement and vote accordingly. <br />
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However, my immediate thought was this, what was the church doing posing this kind of arguement in the first place. Surely this kind of thinking, and questioning, goes against the grain of what a church is supposed to believe in, and stand for. <br />
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Secondly: this type of issue appears to be a clear denial of faith, because if the church in question is truly filled with believers in Jesus Christ then there is no way that this question of whether, or not, God is dead, would ever pass the lips of a true believer. <br />
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A true believer knows unquestionably that <a href="http://www.godswork.org/testimony34.htm">God is 'Alive'</a> and that <a href="http://www.eachnewday.com/Sermons/Jesus_Christ_my_Saviour.htm">Jesus is their Saviour.</a> This banner is in my view, a clear indicator that the "end of the Gentiles is drawing near" and that the "tares" have risen up among the "wheat" and are starting to choke the Life of The Gospel out of the Churches. <br />
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It is a situation reminiscent of that old idiom: "If you can't beat them - join Them" and as happens in other places in history "just bleed them dry". <br />
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How have the tares come to be so powerful in the church?<br />
<br />
Well The Church is like a garden and as all gardeners know, plants do well when properly tended, fed and watered. The tares (weeds) are rooted out and the plants grow strong and healthy. <br />
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Jesus says to his pastors "Feed my Sheep" but what happens to the sheep when the Pastors do not feed them, but continuosly neglect them and in many cases even feed them the wrong kind of food. The sheep become aneamic and get all manner of sicknesses, and they become malnourished and starved and die. Satan knows this only too well. <br />
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Secularism is on the rise in Britain's Churches and political correctness is at the forefront of its agenda as it seeks to undermine true faith and Godliness in the church today. <br />
<br />
The Bible warns believers that there is a day coming in the which, will be a famine..., not a famine of bread and water, but a famine of hearing "the Word" Of God...". That day is now! It is a day when men will run to and fro throughout the Earth, a day in which knowlege is increased... A day in which they shall search for the 'Word of God' and shall not find it. <br />
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To the true believer I have this one thing to say: Hold fast to the faith that is in Christ Jesus.<div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619234108867675578.post-57193494878832306742010-05-09T21:05:00.001+01:002011-01-29T20:18:35.388+00:002012: Mayan Mayhem Predicted.There appears to be a growing number of so-called <a href="http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/6123973/The_end_must_be_nigh__Nostradamus_experts_are_at_war_with_one_another/">'experts'</a> that are making some serious predictions about the end of the world. Are they right in their assumptions? Many are adamant that the world will end in <a href="http://www.history.co.uk/shows/nostradamus/nostradamus-effect.html#bottomOfHeader">2012</a>. Is this date a true and accurate account of the facts, or are these assumptions based on wild and speculative misconceptions of the data they claim to have found?<br />
<br />
Take <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostradamus">Nostradamus</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton%27s_occult_studies">Sir Isaac Newton's </a>Bible Code Prphecy as examples: they have both approached the subject of the 'End of the World' from different perspectives - Scrying and Chronology - but have apparently come up with similar results for their predictions and it is also claimed that they have predicted 2012 as a possible date for an apocalyptic end for mankind. Yet when ordinary people attempt to discover their calculations and see how they worked it out there appears to be restrictions on access to their mathematical formulas and manuscripts, which can only be accessed by the elite of society.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.adishakti.org/mayan_end_times_prophecy_12-21-2012.htm">Mayan</a> calenders and Egyptian hieroglyphics are also said to famously stop at this date leading many to believe that the end of the world is imminent. So is this prediction more than a Hollywood blockbuster?<br />
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The Bible does not give any open clues about the date for the apocalypse and there are those who suggest that certain predictions for the last days are encoded in the scriptures and therefore linked to a <a href="http://www.biblechronology.com/articles/1">chronological system</a> that is at best, difficult to interpret, let alone understand.<br />
<br />
My personal view is that the end of the world is not yet but that does not mean that we are not in an apocalyptic phase as the world has currently experienced a number of events which have been foretold by Jesus himself such as wars and rumours of wars, famines, earthquakes and other natural disasters.<br />
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Jesus said: <em>"Be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet... All these things are the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew ch24 v. 6-8</em>).<br />
<br />
Thus it would appear that the so-called experts are wrong. It seems that Jesus is saying that these signs are not the end of the world but the beginning of sorrows, a time of great tribulation and upheaval for all believers. <br />
<br />
I believe that the great conjunction (AKA the great alignment) of the planets is simply God's way of bringing all mankind into perfect alignment with his word to get man to take notice of the things that He says will come to pass if there is no repentance. Some of you folks out there may agree with the 2012 prediction and for those of you who consider this date a fact, I have only this to say: Only time will tell!<div class="blogger-post-footer">(C) Copyright: this page 2011: ATT-ALLTHESETHINGS.BLOGSPOT.COM
(C) Copyright: all posts 2010: att-allthesethings.blogspot.com</div>All These Things... Issues and topics about Christianity in an increasingly secular world.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12007128425690636806noreply@blogger.com0