Archive for October, 2007

Are You Blind Dating

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

By Mark Miller So, going on a fist date, a bit excited or should I say nervous or having fear of facing the unexpected or unacceptable. Well it happens and can be avoided too if you prepare yourself accordingly. Over a period you become more mature and know how to handle situation and react. You may get many sites advising you, giving you tips on dating , but how if I share my personal experience with you? Make sure you make a right selection of outfit and accessories, as first impression has a very big impact. The first impression last forever in most of the cases or till you meet next time with a much notable change in you , well I dont mean you wear your best party gown or suit in a outdoor lunch meet. This will be too loud and uncomfortable to both of you. I only grow my Socrates beard and stay in the same pair of denim for 15 days, the time I am single and not looking. You cant afford to be lethargic and cut down on toilettories and laundries once you initiated the divine hunt of ideal partner or already planning a honeymoon. Its a universal fact that most of the women in the whole world, irrespective of their culture and upbringing crave for beauty and cleanliness, its one of the basic instincts they have. Women need more mental preparation for the first date as they start judging a man with his presence and visible personality to judge a man which is like interiors by the great looking window pane. Man exhibit more patience then they have on the first date, I would say it is natural and they tend to loose the same patience as relation goes stronger.
The male and female basic attitude developed over ages will come to better terms slowly, it will take some more time for men to understand the sensitivity women possess, and women will understand the aggressiveness men live with. Am I elaborating it too much, well knowing the basis behavioral characteristics is the first important thing , the same principle of life will let you overcome common misunderstanding arising from the basic difference of attitude and behaviors of man and women around the world. A first date with known person of not much known always have surprises waiting for you. If all goes well and there is an ideal partner as a pleasant surprise in front of you then you need remember the following not apply the and you have a gala

A Wrong date

If you make a date and then realize it’s a mistake, don’t be afraid to cancel, as long as it’s not at the last minute. Better to be honest and disappoint the guy or the lady than subject yourself to an evening you’ll hate.

A Blind Date

If it’s a blind date set up by friends, or for some other reason you’ve never actually met the person you’re going out with, keep your escape options open by meeting in a public place for “just a cup of coffee.” Be “on the run” when you show up, to be pre-excused for a fast getaway if you don’t like him or her. If you can tell in the first fifteen minutes that there’s no way you ever want to see this person again, don’t prolong the agony. Say something like, “Look, something tells me we’re not a match made in heaven. I’m glad we met, but I really don’t want to waste your time. Let’s both get back to our busy lives.”

Eassssie.

If you are meeting someone you know than do some informal outing instead of a full-evening first date, enjoy some lighter moment by having a coffee at river-side in the afternoon or maybe some popping corns in a nearby multiplex watching your favorite actor in action. If its a holiday then start with breakfast or at least lunch to have an open-ended date for the day.

Qualifying round

Don’t get led into jabbering away about yourself. Instead, focus on him or her. Concentrate on finding out the answers to the questions. Throw in a little self-disclosure, ask the questions with good eye contact and sincerity, and he or she will be flattered by your interest.
A white trail to talk
If your date asks you about your ex, and you can’t avoid the subject, talk in a gracious and kind way. If you badmouth your ex, (or exes), the person listening thinks “Why were you so stupid as to be with someone who was such a jerk?” Or, “Were they that awful when you met them, or did you drive them to act that way?”

Start fresh, reap good thought

Men and women both are drawn to people who are enjoying their lives. Your date is not your therapist. Don’t go into your troubles. As I’ve explained elsewhere, no one wants to be around a depressed man or woman, unless they themselves are too sick to have a good relationship with.

No, lets be friends

Don’t be shy about cutting a first date short if you don’t think you’ll get along. If you just know that the person isn’t right for you, and you’re having a terrible time, you aren’t stuck. Say something like I suggested above, then, as you’re leaving, be friendly and offer to help each other. “You know, I do have a friend who might be right for you, and I’ll be happy to fix you up. Maybe you know someone who would like to meet me.” Well if everything goes in right direction conforming to the general or exceptional laws of attraction, then you dont need to follow the versus of LOmens,
Guys I am getting late, its my first date today with Ms. Reporter (We met online on Where Singles Meet) and I am preparing for the interview, interview, guess what she may ask! Hi. I’m Mark Miller, a New York-based engineer and avid explorer on dating and relationship area. I love to help you develop strategies and actions to improve your chances of connecting with the right person. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Miller http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-You-Blind-Dating&id=120760 ambien online without prescription
order ambien online no rx needed
zolpidem diazepam purchase online
the buy ambien

Green Tea: What a Difference a Date Makes

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

By Mike Linder The object of consuming Green Tea is to derive the greatest health benefits that the brew has to offer. However did you know that Green Tea has a fairly short shelf life, and to get the greatest benefits it should be drunk as quickly after picking as is possible? The actual shelf life of Green Tea is usually written on the packaging by the production company. Note that it has a shorter short shelf life when compared with other types of tea. The shelf life of Green Tea will generally be up to six months after harvesting, when exposed to open air. Indeed there are certain varieties of Green Tea which will be deemed spoiled after four months from harvesting. Keeping Green Tea fresh for consumption in the countries in which it is harvested, although needing care is fairly simple as there is usually no great time-delay in transportation. However with the popularity of Green Tea soaring worldwide it now travels perhaps many thousands of miles from the harvest site before it reaches the customer. So freshness becomes a problem When transporting Green Tea on long journeys most companies, but not all, seal the tea in packages filled with a nitrogen gas, which replaces oxygen and prevents the Green Tea from oxidisation. When sold in packages the Green Tea should be sealed in a bag from which the oxygen has been removed. The contents of the bag should then be used within two months so as to have the Green Tea at its freshest. There is much difference between a Green Tea which has been properly packaged and a Green Tea which has been exposed to air for much of its life. Sometimes you take a risk in the purchase of your favourite flavour of Green Tea, in that some degradation has happened prior to your purchase due to the exposure to oxygen. You should always read the packaging before purchase to make sure of the harvest date of the Green Tea: the better providers have no problem in giving this information. Remember, by purchasing the freshest you will be getting a greater helping of the wonderful benefits Green Tea has to offer. Mike Linder is the author of the definitive guide to all green teas and their health benefits. http://www.benefitsdrinkinggreentea.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Linder http://EzineArticles.com/?Green-Tea:-What-a-Difference-a-Date-Makes&id=284057 soma and vicodin online
cheap watson soma online
carisoprodol generic soma online
ambien soma fioricet online

What are the Facial Lifts of Cosmetic Surgery?

Monday, October 29th, 2007

By David Metzner The various lifts of the face can restore the effects of aging. A facelift can improve many areas: sagging, loose tissues of the mid-face, deep folds of loose skin at the sides of the nose and mouth, jowls or loss of definition of the jaw line, and excess fat or loose skin causing loss of definition and hanging of the tissues in the neck area. A facelift is a great cosmetic and plastic surgery procedure. Dr. David Metzner performs the facelift procedure in his New location in Manchester, Vermont. Look at his facelift photos online at http://www.plasticsurgeryvermont.md/facelift.shtml It is crucial for you to discuss your areas of concern during a consultation and the physician can demonstrate the degree of correction you may be able to achieve in each area. A facelift does not stop the clock. It simply “resets” it. How long a facelift lasts depends on many factors including the inherent characteristics of your tissues. Also, people tend to age in spurts (look at Presidents before and after serving). If you are in, or entering, an aging cycle, your facelift will not last as long as someone who is not in such a cycle. You’ll notice some loosening within a few months following a facelift, but you may never regain the degree of your original aged appearance. On average, patients may request a less extensive tightening procedure in 7-10 years to maintain the best possible appearance. A forehead lift corrects the sagging or low position of the eyebrows. It also softens creases across the forehead and frown lines between the brows. The result is a more relaxed and refreshed appearance. Tiny incisions are hidden within the hair, and no scalp or hair is removed. Eyelid surgery removes the excess fat and wrinkled, droopy skin of the upper eyelids. It also eliminates bags under the eyes and tightens the lower eyelid skin. Eyelid surgery helps to eliminate the appearance of being constantly tired, resulting in a more youthful and rested appearance. Eyelid Surgery is expertley performed by Dr. David Metzner in Manchester, Vermont. The Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty) is a family of treatments that can address problems with the fat, muscle and skin of your neck and jaw line. Is your neck overly full and out of proportion with your face? Have you lost weight only to find sagging skin in your neck? A Neck Lift can help correct a fleshy neck, “jowls”, plastysma or neck “banding”, or that “turkey waddle”. If, however, the skin of the neck is loose, hanging, or crepey, even if there is excess fat, liposuction alone will not produce the desired result. A full Neck Lift may be used to address problems with slack skin, slack neck muscles, or both. Most patients over 40 will require some surgical skin tightening. Each person will have very different requirements for improving the appearance of their neck. If you are interested in any of these cosmetic surgery facial lifts, contact Dr. David Metzner’s office for a consultation to determine the best treatment for your situation. Go to: http://www.plasticsurgeryvermont.md Dr. Metzner combines his special surgical skills, artistic
insight and good communication abilities to achieve a very
natural appearance for his patients.
Dr. David Metzner - Manchester, VT 05254
Call us at (802) 362-5655
Go online http://www.plasticsurgeryvermont.md Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Metzner http://EzineArticles.com/?What-are-the-Facial-Lifts-of-Cosmetic-Surgery?&id=113240 phentermine online no prescription needed
cheap phentermine with no prescription
phentermine pharmacy net
buy phentermine yellow

Fat Burning Pills Work - Fact or Fiction

Sunday, October 28th, 2007

By Morgan Hamilton Most of us are dreaming of miracles in a capsule that will magically melt all of our extra pounds away. Fat burning pills may not necessarily work quite like that but they will help you jumpstart your metabolism effectively. These diet aids are a very valuable commodity in the weight loss industry because of a few reasons. Fat burning pills are so popular because they can really help people as they get started on a weight reduction routine. Looking at the high numbers on the scale and seeing that they have a long way to go can really fan the flames the desire to lose pounds. People can feel this overwhelming feeling during the first stage if they cant get a quick start to weight loss success. People who want to lose weight can kick-start their metabolism from the very start of their weight loss program with the assistance of fat burning pills. A start in the weight reduction game can motivate people to keep going on their diet and exercise program. They are more likely to keep up with their program once they observe that the fat burning pills has helped them achieve success. However, following a healthy diet and exercise regime during a weight loss attempt is still crucial. There are some people who claim that they have achieved success with losing extra pounds just by taking fat burners, but those pounds came off pretty slowly. Some people only use fat burning pills on some stages of a weight loss plan. They do not take supplements throughout their entire diet but they use them only when they are close to failing at their attempts. The plateau is one of the major stumbling blocks that those who want to lose weight need to face. There are times when the body just wont let go of those extra pounds. This is the stage when many people give up on their weight loss plan but stopping isnt the best thing to do. If they suddenly discontinue with their program, then they will only wind up gaining more pounds in the long run. People can get over the plateau obstacle and get back on track to their goal through the addition of fat burning pills in their weight loss program. Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Fat Burning Pills. Visit our site for more helpful information about List of Best Diet Pills and other similar topics. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton http://EzineArticles.com/?Fat-Burning-Pills-Work—Fact-or-Fiction&id=391375 buy valium no prescription
valium roche online purchase
buy anax valium anax
buy mexican valium

Quilting Material - Choosing The Right One

Saturday, October 27th, 2007

By Heather Allen When you’re putting together a quilting project, the quilting material you choose is of the utmost importance. After all, it forms the basis of the whole project. So you need to consider a number of factors to make sure you make the right choice. Color Choosing the right color quilting material for your project can be incredibly confusing - there are hundreds of fabric colors to choose from. Perhaps to begin with you should try starting with your favorite color, then blend some other fabrics that are the same shade but lighter or darker. This gives an effective monochromatic quilt. If you want a multi-colored quilt, then pick a fabric you like and use the colors in that to guide your selection of quilting material. Type There are a number of different types of quilting material to choose from, ranging from polyester through to flannel. Generally, though, most quilting material is made from 100% cotton. Cotton is a great quilting material, because it’s easy to work with, durable, soft, and generally colorfast so the colors don’t bleed. Cotton quilting materials keep their color and shape, so you’ll be able to use your quilt for many years to come. If you’re planning to make a baby quilt, then flannel that’s soft and warm may be a good choice. Style If you want to make a more unique quilt, why not try some designer fabric as your quilting material? That way you can choose a material that matches your own personal style. With hundreds of fabric designers to choose from, you’re sure to find a quilting material that’s just your style. Perhaps you want to aim for a fun type of quilt. In that case, look for quilting materials in a novelty or themed style. Depending on the style of your quilt, you can choose from patterns such as animals, flowers, beach, sports and so on. This can be a great way of matching the style of a quilt to the personality of the person you’re giving it to. The bottom line, though, when choosing quilting material, is to pick material that you like. After all, you’re going to be looking at the material for quite a while, so you want to enjoy it! It’s okay to get a bit creative and experimental, as long as you have fun with it. If you want to learn more about quilting, click over to Heather’s site at http://www.madaboutquilting.com Or click here to get 3 Free Reports about quilting. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Allen http://EzineArticles.com/?Quilting-Material—Choosing-The-Right-One&id=540214 order pal pay ultram
no prescription next day delivery tramadol
what is ultram prescription
no prescription saturday delivery tramadol

Stretching Your Marketing Dollars–7 Cheap and Easy Ways to Market on a Budget

Friday, October 26th, 2007

By Mohamed Rabea Just because you have to stretch your marketing dollars doesn’t mean their effectiveness will decrease. The easiest marketing solution is often to simply throw money at a problem. But that is rarely the most effective. When Businesses are forced to use creativity and ingenuity to market on a budget, that is when some of the best results happen. There are always going to be rough times in any business. But those who throw money at their marketing problems instead of finding alternative means will find themselves in a tough financial situation. Here are a few cheap and easy marketing methods that won’t drain your bank account: 1. Learn to barter. Not every price is fixed. For instance, TV and radio time that goes unsold is wasted forever, so stations will usually accept offers below their normal rates. 2. Create your own marketing materials with desktop publishing programs. These programs are easy to learn and use, so after a few hours of study, you’ll know your way around well enough to create simple marketing materials. If you aren’t confident in your design skills, find a sample piece to model yours after. In the marketing world, looking over someone else’s shoulder for the right answer is permissible. 3. Get a toll-free number. Although long distance rates are more affordable than ever, most people will still hesitate to call a long distance number. If you have a toll free number, there is nothing standing between you and your potential customers. 4. Buy smaller print ads and run them consistently. In the end, the repetitive printing of your ads will elicit more results than running a few large, impressive ads. 5. Buy cable TV ads. Now anyone, no matter how tight their budget, can advertise on television. Cable rates are incredibly cheap and you can even target your commercials to specific parts of the city. 6. Get the cell phone package with the most minutes and give your number to everyone. When customers can get a hold of you anytime of the day or night, you can connect to more person-to-person sales. 7. Don’t sacrifice your image by accepting shoddy production or design. A shoddy advertisement gives you a shoddy image. Continue to hire professionals to design your ads, but shop around for the best prices. Hire a professional designer to create a visual format, then hire a lower-cost designer to do your follow-up ads with the original as a guide. About The Author Mohamed Rabea is the owner of one of the Internet’s most popular home based business and marketing websites, available from http://www.bizpeak.com & http://www.bizpioneer.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mohamed_Rabea http://EzineArticles.com/?Stretching-Your-Marketing-Dollars–7-Cheap-and-Easy-Ways-to-Market-on-a-Budget&id=28417 where can i order xanax without a prescription
fast shipping xanax valium cheap prescription
xanax without us prescription
buy-xanax-online-pay-by-check

Compare All the Latest Mobile Phones

Thursday, October 25th, 2007

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Deshawn_Jon]Deshawn Jon Mobile phones are swish technological gizmos which we all love to use. We all are very fond of different mobiles that are available in the market today. Whether it is the N-series devices, the Samsung’s stylish slider phones or Sony Ericsson’s snazzy walkman phones, we simply just adore them. N-series gadgets consist of brilliant multimedia mobile phones stuffed with music players, megapixel cameras and video recorders. They also incorporate the latest 3G technologies of Bluetooth, WAP and HSDCA. Samsung’s slider phones combine ultra-slim looks with super-smart features.
Be mesmerized by the Samsung’s hi-tech ultra-slim range which offers you the world’s most slim 3G phones. Whether it is the super-slim Samsung D900, Samsung E900, Samsung’s mobile phones exude a class of their own. Especially designed to give the user an enhanced music experience, the walkman range from Sony Ericsson boasts of brilliant devices like W850i, K800i and W950i. These mobile phones boast of superb features like Bluetooth steroes, MP3 players and specialized music software. Each of these mobile phones has been especially designed to give the user an ecstatic music experience. These mobile phones also provide you with some never-beforekind of features like track identification, Megabass and Music Bass. Arrange, reshuffle tracks and make your own song collections. Nokia has also come with some brilliant music devices like Nokia N91, Nokia N72 and Nokia N71. Enjoy a brilliant music experience with these mobile phones incorporating huge memories, A2DP Bluetooth stereos and music players. Motorola, Benq and LG have also introduced many brilliant handsets like LG KG 800 Chocolate, Motorola E1070 and Motorola Razr.
The incredible Motorola Razr is on of the slimmest handsets in the world measuring just 13mm. You will just love this super-sleek and compact handset fully loaded with amazing features. Just go for mobile phones and simply enrich your life. We at [http://www.bestcontractmobilephonedeals.co.uk]Mobile Phone Deals are offered free latest handsets as a part of [http://www.bestcontractmobilephonedeals.co.uk/contractphones.asp]contract mobile phones deal with lots of offers and free gifts. So go for a [http://www.bestcontractmobilephonedeals.co.uk/12monthfreelinerental.asp]12 months free line rental and enjoy the luxuries for a year. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deshawn_Jon http://EzineArticles.com/?Compare-All-the-Latest-Mobile-Phones&id=419527 canadian pharmacy online meridia
buy reductil uk
buy meridia online dream pharmaceutical
sibutramine and prescription and doctor

International School Algarve

Wednesday, October 24th, 2007

By Peter De Beer In 2002, Vale Verde International School opened its large modern premises in Burgau, Luz (on the outskirts of Lagos), fully complying with all the newly-implemented European Community regulations. The school provides parents in the Western Algarve with the opportunity to give their child a secondary education, based on the British National Curriculum with international adaptations. Since its opening, the school has achieved a 100% pass rate for all students in all subjects undertaken in the final IGCSE examinations each year. This remarkable feat has been made possible by the schools well-qualified, dedicated and experienced staff of whom we are justly proud. Vale Verde International School has some of the most modern schooling facilities in the country and is almost daily broadening the range of educational opportunity we can offer. The school employs a fully qualified staff of specialists, recognised by the Portuguese authorities, with a rich diversity of backgrounds, experience and nationalities. Our aim is to ensure that our growing number of pupils will receive a high quality education experience in a healthy environment. The Vale Verde International School offers a wide and balanced curriculum based on the English National Curriculum for Key Stages 3 and 4 and leading to internationally recognised qualifications the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Certificate of Education (ICE) administered by the Cambridge University International Exams. Pupils in Years 6 and 7 follow a common curriculum of English, Maths, General Science, French, Portuguese, Geography, History, I.C.T., Art, Drama and Physical Education. As from September 2006 Chemistry will be offered. In Year 9 individual Sciences are introduced (presently Physics and Biology) and Business Studies is also added to the time table. Pupils are offered the option of English Literature as an IGCSE course as from Year 10. In Years 10 and 11 a limited but expanding option system is put into operation allowing pupils to play to their strengths while ensuring that they continue with priority subjects. Eventually all students will study 12 subjects throughout these two years leading to IGCSEs in 8 or 9 of these. As from September 2006, Chemistry and Food and Nutrition Technology will be introduced. Increasingly throughout the school I.C.T. is assuming the role of a means to learn and exercise other subjects as well as an independent discipline in its own right. You can find out more information by visiting the VVIS website on http://www.vvis.org or e-mailing admissions on admissions@vvis.org Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_De_Beer http://EzineArticles.com/?International-School-Algarve&id=281749 online pharmacy tramadol pharmacy prilosec
hoodia diet pill buy tramadol now
buy tramadol hydrochloride
buy href tramadol tramadollinetblogcom

The Tension Between “Religious” and “Spiritual”

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007

By Donald ODell In many Alcoholics Anonymous meetings I have attended there is a saying that pops up every once in a while: “Religion is for those who are desperately trying not to go to Hell; Spirituality is for those, like us, who have been to Hell and don’t want to go back.” The group will nearly always laugh when that observation is invoked. I’m also reminded of observations by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the esteemed Lutheran theologian, during his time in German concentration camps before he was eventually executed. He had been arrested as an influential community leader, along with other religious leaders: Jewish rabbis, Orthodox and Roman Catholic priests, and other Protestant ministers or teachers. All of these divergent leaders were put in a separate barracks in the camp, away from the others. It took that group only about 5 minutes until they were in a circle, holding hands, and reciting the Lord’s Prayer. All the great theological differences they espoused (and had warred over) had just melted into oblivion. Most of us have some of the “religious” as well as the “spiritual” within us. As Bonhoeffer experienced, in the face of a crisis, we notice that the “religious” seems to melt away. Religion has to do with a system. Spirituality has to do with a knowing. Most spiritual people are also a little religious. However, people can be religious without being spiritual at all. Generally, the pattern goes like this: something spiritual happens; it becomes accepted; eventually it is institutionalized, and I don’t mean some form of hospital. I mean it becomes structured, legalized, and all sorts of rules, order, and custom develop. After a while people tend to forget about the original spiritual event. They focus only on the outward ritual and custom. Soon the outward ritual and custom is all that’s known. It seems to me the Bible tells the rather straightforward story of the constant tension between the religious and the spiritual. The religious aspect focused on mankind’s desire for an explicit, prescribed set of approved behaviors that people learned to believe God wants and blesses. The spiritual aspect remained focused on the inward knowing of God’s actual moral guidelines, which were always a little “fuzzy.” These were extolled first by the prophets and later by Jesus. Some examples of these fuzzy guidelines: The Prophet Micah: “What does Yahweh (God) require of you? To do justice, and to love righteousness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Mic 6:8) Jesus: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But who is my neighbor? Jesus answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The point? Your neighbor is anyone who is in need. These fuzzy instructions provide guidance only, not cut-and-dried answers. They require individual judgment. Consequently, specific actions from these fuzzy directives must be determined each and every time an issue of helping someone in need, for example, comes up. There is no one behavior that is applicable to all people all the time. On the other hand religious tenets purport themselves to be true all the time for everyone. This makes them easy to follow and administer. Want to honor God with your time and money? Tithe to your church. Want to ensure you are a Believer? Trust in the words of the Bible. “The Bible tells you to accept Jesus who died for your sins.”
“But I don’t think I’m that awful.”
“You’re filled with original Sin and only Jesus can save you from that.”
“How do you know that I’m in Sin?”
“The Bible tells me so.” Unfortunately, the Bible’s real spiritual message has been overshadowed (and overwritten!) by those advocating religious systems. But the spiritual message is there once you begin to understand the biblical sources. Jesus’ message, very much like the prophets whose message and purpose Jesus said he fulfilled, was one of transformation. Jesus never preached that he came to save people, but to transform them. He spoke mostly about the transforming presence of the kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven. He described this Kingdom in many different ways. He spoke in parables and in cynic-like one-liners. To paraphrase what he said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you. You have ears, hear. You have eyes, see.” He was describing an internal knowing of the Divine unconditional love that is present within us all. This internal knowing fills us with the knowledge that we are already divine spiritual beings, if we will but allow ourselves to be aware. As C.S. Lewis said, “We do not have a soul. We are a soul. We have a body” We don’t like fuzzy guidelines or suggestions. We don’t like to be told that the answer is obvious, if we’ll just look around us. We want specifics. We want assurances and guarantees. We want teachers to tell us if we do A, B, and C we’ll get a gold star. We want to know specifically what God wants. We like the reassurance we get from sermons that do not focus on us and the fact that we may be selfish, fearful of change, non-trusting, judgmental, and mean spirited, but focus on issues like believing in the Bible or tithing or supporting evangelistic missions in Third World countries. We like sermons that focus on the evil occurring in the world “out there:” communists, or drug addicts, or sexual perverts, or abortionists, or whatever. We like explanations to be explicit, cut and dried, and predictable. We like to be told all we have to do is believe the Bible. We like sermons that reassure us we’re on the winning side. Contemporary biblical literalists are using the words of the Bible in much the same way as the Old Testament priesthood used the temple rites and rituals and early Church fathers used theology. If you listen closely, it is no longer faith in the transformational love of God (as expressed in Jesus) that matters and transforms lives. What matters is the belief in the very words of scripture that one must have faith in, must obey, and must follow. What the biblical literalists do not understand is that to use the Bible in this way would put them at odds with the very prophets they claim to cite, just as the blind use of rite and ritual put the Priestly Class at odds with these very same prophets. The Bible is a spiritual guide, not a religious instruction manual. It records men and women who struggled to put their spiritual experiences into words and images that made sense to them in their times and places. We need to understand that. How do we do this? The same way early Christians did it. Through eating together, serving each other, healing each other, sharing with each other in trust and honesty about the signs, wonders, and miracles that are occurring in our own lives right now. I believe the presence of this Spirit is exactly what transformed me as I attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in damp church basements. This phenomenon of small, Spirit-filled groups is happening all over. I recently heard from an old high school chum, asking about my book, who told me how there are more and more small groups who, outside of their congregations, are meeting in homes to pray and discuss the Bible in order to experience the Spirit. “Spirituality,” he commented, “Seems to be missing in most major denominations. Some of us are realizing that it is sorely missed.” My wife and I are involved with a small group that calls itself Intenders of the Highest Good. Our membership is very diverse: Agnostic/Traditional Christian/New Thought Religion; straight/gay; male/female; young/old. We meet weekly and are focused on the power of Intention as directed by the Spirit of a Loving God (or Universal Spirit, of Life Force, or Higher Power, or whatever.) It works. It is powerful. It is wonderful. Miracles are occurring. The wonder of the spiritual has always been at odds with the control of the religious. This tension between the fuzzy and the explicit is not new. It’s an old, old story. Donald ODell holds a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and is the author of How the Bible became the Bible. He was an active United Presbyterian minister, including a ministry with street gangs. Currently, Unity Institute uses his book in their Bible-related courses and Religious Science International recommends his book for all Bible-related Science of Mind courses. Visit http://www.donodell.com for more information about this acclaimed work. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_ODell http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Tension-Between-Religious-and-Spiritual&id=301364 incest pron
father daughter incest home videos
free gay male incest pics
fake incest porn

#f

Monday, October 22nd, 2007

search engine spamming seo spamming google seo