How is Your Teen Wired?: Your Teen’s Sensory Preference:
“Sensory preference refers to the type of sensory input that registers most quickly in one’s brain. Unimpaired, we’re able to use all the senses. But each of us tends to rely on sight, sound or touch for more of our “data collecting” than on our other senses. We feel most comfortable and understood when we get data through our preferred system — visual, auditory or kinesthetic.”
An excellent article on capatilizing on one’s strengths.
The Debate Between the Spiritual or the Physical World
Sex: Guilty Pleasure or Godly Pleasure? – TrueU.org : Men’s Hall:
“In my last article on 1 Corinthians, I looked a little at some of the various contexts that characterized Corinth during the first century A.D. One of them involved these two opposing groups: the hedonists, who thought that various perversities were just fine, and the ascetics, who thought that things having to do with the physical world (e.g. sex) were inherently evil, whereas spiritual things were inherently good, or at least better.”
An interesting article on the extremes of good and evil. I disagree that we are to be made righteoous. We already have been in believing in Christ’s resurrection.
The Motives for Confession VS Just Being Reminded of Grace
Mere Accountability
“God-honoring accountability does not circumvent the cross. Instead, it draws all of us toward holiness through faith in its sufficiency in both victory and defeat. If we sin, Christ offers us forgiveness through the cross. If we succeed, it is because Christ has made us new creatures through the cross. The sacrifice of Christ has purchased both our holiness and our forgiveness.”
The first part of the article gives a lot of the arguments for the motivations of accountability. However the second part seems to contradict itself when it talks about pursuing, promoting, constant fighting, asking God for conviction to kill the flesh when it already has been in Christ. The discussion of temptation is valid as on just resists by faith in the promises ofGod and the Finished work of Christ.
Why Christians do not dominate the world.
2006-09-26 12:23:29 PM Tatsuma [TotalFark]
muninsfire: It’s on account of those people who believe their way is best, and refuse to compromise, or even think of talking over their differences.
Definitely. I heard a rabbi once on Talk Rabbi that struck me. A man called to talk about how JC was the son of G-d and he said
“Listen, I’m trying to turn Jews into better Jews, into observant Jews. You go on into making Christians good Christians, I make Jews good Jews, someone tries to make Muslims good Muslims and we’ll all live in peace. Deal?”
I wish more people thought like that.
Stop trying to impose your values
Stop trying to convert the world
Work on your own house. Make Christians and Christianity better. If all Christians acted like JC, you can be sure they currently dominate the planet and people would flock to them.
The above comment is written by a young Canadian Jewish man from Montreal. He is a devote Jew who has memorized the entire OT law and is a stunningly brilliant debater. He is currently in Israel in training to join her military — voluntarily.
While I can’t agree with all of it (the second last and the last line are completely contradictory for example), the last line caught my attention. Even a Jewish person can recognize that Jesus had it right — so right that if we simply did what He called us to do (to love others as He did), Christianity would be the only world religion.
Isn’t it interesting how the Church seems to have been the last to get the potential we are sitting on???
Most people assume that men are just less religious than women, but this is untrue. Other religions have little trouble attracting males. Jesus was a magnet to men. But today, few men are living for Christ, even as many are dying for Allah. Why do rival faiths inspire male allegiance, while ours breeds male indifference?
A business guru once said, “Your system is perfectly designed to give you the results you’re getting.” Christianity’s primary delivery system, the local church, is perfectly designed to reach women and older folks. That’s why our pews are filled with them. But this church system fails to stir men’s hearts, so men (especially masculine ones) stay away.
What do I mean? Most churches offer a safe, nurturing community, an oasis of stability and predictability. Studies show that women and seniors are the groups most likely to seek these things. Our comforting congregations provide women with what they long for, so naturally they show up in large numbers.
On the other hand, men and young adults are drawn to risk, challenge, and daring. While our official mission is one of adventure, the actual mission of most congregations is making people feel comfortable and safe – especially longtime members (Pastors, can I have an amen?) Church insiders routinely block anything challenging or innovative because it might make people feel uncomfortable or unsafe. This caution keeps the peace in the short term, but it drives men and young adults away over the long term.
You know, someone had to say it…
The Issues of the Singleness Calling
Get Married, Young Man
“t’s significant that an elder should be one who manages his own family well (1 Tim 3:4). Paul apparently saw this as a litmus test of how a man will lead in God’s church. By trying to love my wife as Christ loves me (sacrificially, intentionally, perseveringly), I am blessed by reaping the good fruit that comes from a joyful partner and friend. Likewise, my failures are amplified because both she and I suffer. “
This is a good article on the questions of determining singleness or marriage. I find it contradicts in places, especially that it is by God’s grace that we reflect our growth through the Lord’s redemptive efforts. It is helpful to know some of God’s desires come slowly and seem unnatural. However Jesus will make it unmistakably clear.
Aquinas believed it was possible to discern truths about God based on reason (human rationality) and revelation (divinely revealed truths not available to reason). Aquinas lived at a time when Aristotle’s teachings were popular and so used this as basis for his theological writings.
This is a foundational piece of philosophy for much of the Roman Catholic and Protestant Church today in that it details the fundamental premise that existence implies origin.
Later philosophers have disputed this — thinking that it is just as easy to postulate an eternal universe as an eternal God. However, such can be easily addressed through the realization that our assumptions about the cosmology and it’s functionality may, themselves, be limited to that universe and, as such, incomplete. In such, an eternal origin (AKA. God) is only slightly more plausible — but enough to make the examination of nature for signs of created (as opposed to random) origin a worthy pursuit.
As such, this is a critical piece of philosophy that everyone in the church should understand for it forms the philosophical fork in the road between Christianity and atheism.
“The timing of the initiation of hormone therapy is important in significantly reducing the risk of the coronary heart disease (diseases of the arteries in the heart), and there are significant protective benefits if a woman begins hormone therapy near the time of menopause (average age is 51 years). This study, ‘Hormone Therapy and Coronary Heath Disease: The Role of Time since Menopause and Age at Hormone Initiation,’ was published in the Journal of Women’s Health in January, 2006.
Similar to the above findings, women between the ages of 50 to 59 who take estrogen have a lower risk of developing heart disease. Another key conclusion to this study is that women starting estrogen at greater than age 60 will not have a heart protective benefit from hormone therapy, and, in fact, my have an increased risk for heart disease. This study, ‘Conjugated Equine Estrogens and Coronary Heart Disease,’ was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in February, 2006.
If a woman starts taking estrogen around the time menopause begins, and continues to do so for three to ten years, her risk of Alzheimer’s disease is significantly reduced. This study, ‘Hormone Replacement Therapy and Incidence of Alzheimer Disease in Older Woman: The Cache County Study,’ was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in November, 2002.
Women who take estrogen alone (without progesterone) have a reduced risk of invasive breast cancer. Menopausal women who are on hormone therapy and who have not undergone a hysterectomy (that is, their uterus is still intact) usually take progesterone along with estrogen, because progesterone reduces the risk of cancer of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus). Menopausal women who no longer have a uterus take only estrogen. While numerous studies have suggested that estrogen alone carries an increased risk of breast cancer, the arm of the WHI study among women who took estrogen alone found that estrogen did not increase the risk of breast cancer, although there was an increase in the frequency of mammography screening. “
This is intersting because we often only hear the negative.
Understanding Your Teen and Letting Go: Difficult Teen Stages:
“The eighteenth year is the time of greatest conflict between parent and child, typically. But the thirteenth and fourteenth years commonly are the most difficult twenty- our months in life for the youngster. It is during this time that self-doubt and feelings of inferiority reach an all-time high, amidst the greatest social pressures yet experienced.”
This is a good article of understanding the pressures of teens.
Grace in Activism
Ask Theophilus: Truth, Love, and Other Details
Ask Theophilus: Truth, Love, and Other Details :
“he important question is not whether he ardently believes something, but what it is that he ardently believes; the Christian faith doesn’t believe in those things! As the early Christian writer Lactantius wrote in his Institutes, ‘Religion is to be defended not by putting to death but by dying, not by cruelty but by patient endurance, not by guilt but by good faith: for the former belong to evils, but the latter to goods, and it is necessary for that which is good to have place in religion and not that which is evil. If you wish to defend religion by bloodshed, and by tortures, and by guilt, it will no longer be defended but will be polluted and profaned.’ The upshot is that cruelty isn’t caused by believing things; it’s caused by believing cruel things. “
This is an inspired article regarding compassion towards those of different beliefs. It encompasses Pascal’s wager. Living as though there were no god will keep you form discovering Him and your humanity. When I prayed abut judging values God seemed to say no. It is important to surrender our beliefs to God and allowing His way in us. Another’s beliefs are God’s business not ours.
Really, these “Marriage = One Man One Woman” people need a lesson in cultural anthropology.
Much of the evangelical church today is obsessed with ethics. The basic strategy usually used in creating such is simply a searching of the writings of Paul and then a subsequent codification of his statements into a law seen as, “The way it always was.”
The irony is that, as this blogger so clearly points out, it really never was. In fact, usually what was is stunningly different from what Paul had to say for himself.
So, should we punt any sort of ethical standard and rush off into a three-some, a gay marriage or maybe a sexually open relationship? No. But, we do have to pull our non-thinking heads out of the sand and start to engage our worlds instead of our simplistic presuppositions. In case it isn’t already clear, the rest of the world responds to a line of logic that starts with, “Well the Bible says…” with a well deserved sneer. While it may be a mental starting point, if that’s all we got, we are already dead in the water.
There is a place in Christianity for ethics — but it is not the starting point nor is it ever a self contained entity. Ethics must always start from the solid foundation of Grace and total freedom to, for example, engage in that three-some and know that God’s heart has not changed towards you (for we are totally free from the law) though tears are running down His face. Not tears of rage — but tears of love for your heart has been smashed by the decision to engage in such.
In other words, ethics must always start from our anthropology. Anthropology is the study of what it means to be human. It is an assessment of our hearts, minds, souls and bodies that determines how we function — or don’t function as the case may be. It is the core of an assessment of what is good for us or for a society.
Yes, it almost goes without saying that Paul’s writings are a study in great wisdom in this area — but they are, at least to some degree, culturally specific and require generalization to present day life. That generalization is, by it’s very nature anthropological.
A marriage between one man and one woman is the best idea — but not just because the Bible (Or for that matter the Koran) says so. It is a good idea because there is clear evidence of design (Or, if addressing a secular audience, evolutionary programming) present in the hearts of men and women that enables each to meet the needs of the other and offers critical developmental resources to any children present in ways that no other combination (Say two men) allows.
We have further found that a high degree of security and intimacy is required for such to occur and this is why most cultures have instituted the rite (and thus the standard definition) of marriage. While other combinations may have varying degrees of success, they are less then optimal and are less worthy of protection/promotion then that which is optimal.
Once we have actually thought out why we would state that marriage between one man and one woman is the best idea, we can then go back to Paul as a credible voice of historical thought who arrived at the same conclusion.
Otherwise, we just end up looking like idiots…
(Just for the record, I don’t have enough faith to believe in evolution…)
THE ART OF NOT PROCRASTINATING:
“Step One: Fight Fear. God doesn’t want you to be afraid. God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.(2 Timothy 1:7). The point is not to be afraid when test time comes. Step Two: Flunk Failure. God wants you to work hard and do your best, but He doesn’t require you to get straight A’s. Your worth in His eyes doesn’t depend on performance. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24). But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). If God sacrificed His only Son for you despite all the awful stuff you do, certainly messing up on a test (even though you tried your hardest) won’t bother Him. “
I think surrendering the fear and asking God to live out this verse is more helpful than repressing the feelings.
“So, I spent much of my adolescence making my own rules, seeking my own way, and consequently hurting a lot of people.
There were the loyalties I broke, the girls I defrauded, and the responsibilities I neglected. I betrayed a friend by sleeping with his girlfriend. An aborted child could have been mine; I didn’t ask. And by the time I was a junior in high school, I was arrested for stealing; at the time, I had a pocket full of money earned at my summer job.
You could say I was arrested for being stupid. More precisely, though, my sins were maturing and controlling my life.”
This is a touching article on the effects of father abandonment. There is a hope in the fathering of God.
“Kinesthetic Learner:
I get bored easily at school.
I have a hard time sitting still in class.
Science labs are the best!
I learn better in groups.
My favorite thing to do after school is play computer games.
What’s Your Style?
God gives you the ability to learn. He wants you to get the most out of your brain. This means whether you’re home-schooled or attend a public or private school, you have to work hard. Understanding your learning style will help you gain knowledge using methods that work best for you.. Check out these ideas! You may even find you’re a combination of learning styles.
Visual Learner:
Sit in the front of the class so you can easily see the teacher and the board.
Take good notes.
Draw pictures that will help you remember key concepts.
If you can, type out your homework or write with colored pens.
Read illustrated books.
Do your homework in a quiet place.
Try to picture what you are reading.
Auditory Learner:
Read out loud when you can.
Use musical jingles to memorize information.
Talk out your homework with a parent or sibling before you sit down to actually do it. This can also help you study for a test!
If you’re allowed, record your teacher with a tape recorder so you can listen to the lesson again later.
Ask lots of questions.”
local6.com – Family – Survey: Americans More Active In Religious Life
Researchers found that only 10.8 percent of Americans have no ties to a congregation, denomination or faith group. Previous surveys had put that figure at 14 percent, overlooking about 10 million people involved in some form of organized religion, the Baylor report said. Other surveys have also overlooked millions of evangelicals because respondents who belonged to nondenominational groups or megachurches would often report that they had no denomination and were wrongly counted as unaffiliated, the study’s authors say.
Among the more religiously observant Christians, the term “evangelical” is unpopular, according to the study. Nearly 70 percent of evangelical and black Protestants say “Bible-believing” better describes their views. Nearly as many liked the term “born-again.” Only 15 percent of all respondents called themselves “evangelical” and within that group just 2 percent said it was the best description.
So much for the death of Christianity…
Helping Children Grieve through Fears
Focus on the Family Magazine: Facing Fears:
“I’m afraid you will die! Or I will, Ashley admits.
Children are sometimes afraid of being left alone or hurt in some way. If you don’t carefully monitor your child’s TV viewing, children take in horrid scenes of war, terrorist attacks and natural disasters. Some fear death when a parent is in the military.
Children are also bombarded with news of accidents, murders and fires. Some children will face traumas of their own, such as the death of loved ones or serious illnesses. Though many children are able to work through fear and grief, others can become emotionally paralyzed.”
This is a great article on grieving. I believe the line where it says that some people don’t follow God’s ways needs to be expressed differently. Perhaps instead of saying they are not following God’s ways. It could be stated that they are not making the best choice of allowing God’s ways in them. They are following their own. I also believe that the verse, Cast ALL your cares needs to take precedence over do not fear.
Freighting Facts About the Foods We Eat :: Main Page
Freighting Facts About the Foods We Eat :: Main Page:
“The problem is the body cannot properly digest and eliminate some of these foods and the substances they contain–and they can become lodged or stuck in the lining of our intestinal tract in the form of old dried fecal matter and mucus. It is estimated the average person can have between 4 to 25 pounds of this ‘built-up’ intestinal toxic matter in their colon–and it can just keep accumulating over the years!Besides ‘pushing out’ and bloating the abdomen, this build-up can also contribute to unhealthy weight gain, the inability to lose weight or flatten the waistline (even when dieting or exercising), a slow metabolism, and constipation or improper elimination (even those who eliminate regularly can have this build-up). Poisons from the build-up can also contribute to wrinkling and skin ailments, including acne and rashes, cramping and fatigue, stiffness in joints, lack of mental clarity, as well as sinus problems, a weakened immune system and many other health problems.The first step in any weight loss program should be cleansing. Colon cleansing is one of the most important steps–and usually the most overlooked–when attempting to lose weight, shape the body, flatten the waistline, improve the immune, digestive and eliminative systems, help certain health problems, and achieve optimum health. “
This is an excellent article on comparisons of cleanse systmes. Intracleanse is comparable but less expensive.
Custody/access evaluations (also called psychological parenting evaluations) assist parents and courts in determining the best plan for their children with respect to the division of parenting time and parenting responsibilities.
Mostly self promotion — but solid info.
“On an average day in Judea, the disciples enjoyed a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee while Jesus took a nap. Suddenly a strong wind kicked up and gigantic waves began crashing over the boat. The disciples were sure they were about to die, so they shook Jesus awake. “Teacher,” they screamed, “don’t You care if we drown?”
Jesus spoke to the storm: “Quiet! Be Still!”
The disciples, wiping the salt spray from their eyes, stared in disbelief as the water went still.
“Who is this?” they murmured in amazement. “Even the wind and the waves obey Him!”
Did you see a common theme? In each of these situations, God used the storm to accomplish a specific purpose. Jonah learned obedience. Paul found people who needed help. The disciples discovered that Jesus was more than a man. And although the storms were scary, God was in control.
Isaiah 51:15 says: “For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar.” Storms are an amazing display of God’s power. And because He controls nature, He can end a storm as quickly as He allowed it to start: “You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them” (Psalm 89:9).
Storms of Life
The Bible uses the storm as a picture of hard times in our lives. These life storms may include danger, sickness, persecution or the death of a loved one. When hard times come, people sometimes feel as if their circumstances, like giant waves or howling winds, are about to destroy them.”
This is a good basic article of the purpose of grieving.
When we tell Jesus our fears, He will bring the stillness.
Grieving Through Why Questions
BA: Embracing Heartbreak
“On one side you’re encouraged because you know that this hasn’t taken God by surprise, that He won’t leave you in the midst of your pain, and that Jesus can empathize with you, knowing first-hand what it feels like to be rejected by the ones He loved (and loves). On the other hand, knowing that God could have prevented the pain but didn’t, makes us wonder if He really cares about us. Why, if He knew this would happen, wouldn’t He prevent the relationship from ever getting to this point? Why wouldn’t He help us work out our problems? Why didn’t He give us more wisdom? ‘Why’ becomes our mantra. We think and pray and think and pray and the answers, if they come at all, never seem to satisfy.”
This is a good article on more questions to direct at God, especially after a the ending of a relationship. I didn’t agree with the comment about a sinful world. It is our choice not to give/recieve grace that seems to cause pain.
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A professional record of confidential information including records, assessments, treatments, and rendered opinions obtained during counselling involvement.
