War, as Viewed by a Patriotic Christian

Life is precious in God's eyes, whether it is yours or your neighbors. The only goal in war as a Christian should be defensive, and just to prevent someone or something from killing you, or your nation. What I want you to understand is that I AM NOT advocating you to take a life, even in defense of yourself, unless it is the only last resort for your own or your nation’ s survival. Jesus said that "the meek shall inherit the earth." But my mind and heart tells me that statement didn't mean NOT to defend you, a loved one, or a nation from harm or your continued survival. Each of us resisting evil on whatever level is truly a battle or war.

Interesting Facts About Buddhism

An interesting fact about Buddhism is its history. Buddhism first developed in India through the teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha about 2500 years ago. His teaching is carried on in the Theravada tradition of Buddhism or the Teaching of the Elders. So the Theravada tradition is the Shakyamuni Buddha's original teaching. It is called the Path of the Elders. It is also called Hinayana Buddhism or the lesser vehicle. This is in comparison with Mahayana Buddhism - the Greater Vehicle. An interesting fact about Buddhism is that it is a living seed and the Buddhist teaching has grown over the centuries under the influence of other enlightened masters.

How You Can Find Comfort in Jesus in I ll Stand By You Lyrics By The Pretenders

Oh, why you look so sad? Tears are in your eyes Come on and come to me now Don"t be ashamed to cry Let me see you through cause I"ve seen the dark side too When the night falls on you You don"t know what to do Nothing you confess Could make me love you less. Oh, why you look so sad? Tears are in your eyes As a man that suffers from Bipolar Disorder (manic depressive disorder) I have my blue days and often find my eyes filling up with tears. Sometimes the load can get so heavy and I really need the anointing and peace of the Holy Spirit just to cope. So often when I get sad I withdraw from all people and often I withdraw from Jesus also.

The Law of Sowing and Reaping Pt. 2

In pt.1 of this study we primarily discussed the law of sowing. We talked about the seed and how God ordained seed to have life in itself from the very beginning starting in the book of Genesis. We also discussed how the whole purpose of the seed was to produce after its own kind. Genesis 1:11 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth''; and it was so. 12. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind.

The Jewish Passover Feast Process Start To Finish

The Passover meal consists of several readings, prayers and stories which are linked to the exodus story. This collection makes up what is called the Haggadah (telling) whose contents dates back to the medieval period. All entries in the Haggadah are recited at certain stages of the Seder. The Haggadah which has been translated into the vernacular can be understood by all who partake at the feast.An example is the opening prayer which is said by the oldest boy of the family. He prays, "this is the bread of poverty which our forefathers ate in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry enter and eat;

Abra Cadabra

Halacha (Jewish law) is the "bridge over which the Torah moves from the written word into the living deed." There tends to be a built in tension between the two, because whereas the Torah is the written word and static, life is organic, forever in motion and evolving. There are many Jewish laws which were rendered as such resulting from the Talmudic ruling that "minhag din hoo" (custom has the power of law). Many of the customs and traditions in Jewish life which we may understand as halachic in nature and origin are merely a reflection and expression of the society and culture which it sought to bridge.

Without Faith

Without Faith. Faith is something that we cannot take for granted. There are those in this world that have no faith. Faith is what gets us up in the morning, and what puts us to sleep at night. It gives us the strength to work all day, and gives us the desire to give away, what we have worked for. For we, as the Bible tells us, work to give to others. Our faith lets us see stars on a cloudy night, and the sun shine in the midst of a thunderstorm. Faith lets us see flowers during the winter snow, and a cool breeze, on a hot summers day. For Faith is a substance. Faith has healed many, and the lack of faith has allowed many to die.

Great Irish Saints

Saint Patrick is of course the most well-known Irish saint, and today millions of Irish and non-irish alike celebrate the feast held in his name. Patrick was originally of a Roman family, and a child was taken hostage by an Irish raiding party and forced to work as a shepherd in Ireland. However, guided by a dream, he escaped and studied in several monasteries around Europe. Unembittered by his Irish experience, he heeded a request from the Pope to return and travelled throughout the country, his mission effectively marking the conversion of Ireland to a Christian country. Saint Brigid was the daughter of a local pagan Irish king;

Fooling Ourselves

Have you ever noticed how we fool ourselves? It"s quite an amazing thing. We think, "Boy, If I can only achieve this or get that, then I"ll be set, " but we are never quite set. Even if we are fortunate enough to achieve it all, it is never enough, and we remain unhappy in our relentless pursuit of success. We think that our beliefs or ideals have insured us happiness, but when we look at the realities of life, this is but an illusion. We always need more, and a pattern develops, but seldom are we astute enough to catch the pattern, we are too busy pursuing those things that we should know by now will never make us happy, except perhaps, for a fleeting moment.

The Law of Sowing and Reaping Pt.1

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. The Living Bible says it like this... Galatians 6:7 Don't be misled; remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows! Through out God's Word there is much said about sowing and reaping. This is a spiritual law that can't be negated. The Living Bible says it so simply, a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows. The analogy here of spiritual sowing is being compared to sowing seed for a crop. This is not so hard for farmers or gardeners to understand.