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Humanity, Religion and Reason: The Transition of the Ages: Part 2

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Humanity, Religion and Reason: The Transition of the Ages: Part 2
Author: Paul Diamond
Because the pursuit of external material power can often be motivated by the darkness of the Soul, by fear and anger, envy and doubt, this dynamic can often reinforce or lead to the propagation of negative vibrations and manifestations of all kinds. Since we are all a part of and share to a great extent the same collective psyche, an injury or injustice done to one individual or party is in essence done in some measure to us all. In some profound way, at some deep collective level we are all One.
Thoughts, words and actions are all various forms of energy to varying degrees. To think ill of someone is to foster negative energy. To speak ill of someone is to create even greater negativity. To actually do ill to someone brings on the weightiest negativity of all. Conversely, to think well of someone fosters positive energy, to speak well of someone promotes positivity and to act well on the behalf of others brings about the greatest of blessings.
We are now entering a critical phase of our planet’s and our global society’s evolution. For roughly two thousand years we have lived in the Age of Pisces, the Age of Faith and Religion. That Age is passing and we are slowly transitioning into the Age of Aquarius, the Age of Science and Reason. In many ways this is exciting and promising, in others quite alarming and disturbing. Through modern technology we are slowly acquiring the power to order and manipulate our environment according to our own designs and wishes. We are probing ever more deeply into the secrets and mysteries of life and existence, grasping knowledge hitherto undreamed of in all manner of scientific endeavors. Major advances in Medicine and the Hard Sciences such as Physics and Chemistry as well as in Electronics have greatly improved the quality of life for many in just this last century. This is especially true and most evident in the world’s most developed countries. Modern travel and the dawning of the Computer Age, the Internet and the modern mass communications era have transformed the world from a planet of separate individual nations into an emerging global conglomerate of interconnected nations on its way toward becoming a single global entity. There is great potential for modern science to provide the keys for solving and eliminating many of humanity’s most pressing problems. There is no denying the positive potential of such impressive flowering technology.
Meanwhile, the Information Age is fraught with peril, not the least of which is information piracy and identity theft. As our computers become more powerful and sophisticated and as we come to rely more heavily upon them and to entrust more of our lives with them, the greater is the danger of exploitation and mishap. Also, sadly enough, there is the other side of the coin to the humane advances made in the Sciences in the past century or so. Mankind has learned and developed new and far more deadly means of waging war upon one another. Man has even gone so far as unlocking and unleashing the power and destructive force of the atom. Whereas in the past he has had the power to kill by the dozens, now Man has the power to kill by the hundreds of thousands in an instant. This modern efficiency in killing has led Humanity to a point of crisis, perhaps even potentially to the brink of self-destruction. Modern violence and warfare have been allowed to spread and to escalate to alarming proportions. This is true whether within and between different factions of the same society or between two or more different nations.
Due to the necessity and nature of Freewill, we as individuals and as a collective humanity are free to make our own choices even if they be mistakes. This is how we learn and evolve. We are even free to commit atrocities and acts of evil against each other and against Mother Earth, although not without consequences apparent or otherwise. Sadly, but true enough, even evil has its place in life and serves God’s Ultimate Purpose. It is part of the Grand Design. 
Between the Mysticism of the East and the Rationalism of the West, not to mention the divisiveness created by the world’s major religions we are living in an increasingly fragmented world, both materially and spiritually. Also, with the advent of the computer we have added an additional coldness and impersonality into the mix. These and other factors have led to the erosion of modern society and a devaluing of human life on a planetary scale.
We are in essence and in the deepest sense One, one with each other and one with all of Creation. We are like one vast Tree of Humanity, each an individual blossom sharing the same collective roots and reaching for the same blissful heights. This Collective Tree is nourished by the pure Light of the Spirit from Above and the sustaining Waters of the Soul from Below, the former symbolizing the Love of the Masculine Force and the latter the Love of the Feminine Force. Together these two Forces provide the nurturing necessary for the Tree and its blossoms to thrive. However, because for the most part this Tree has been allowed to grow wild and with seemingly little or no apparent tending from any Divine Gardener, continuously over the long years, blights have marred the various limbs and blossoms of the Tree. 
Using the metaphor of one vast Tree of Humanity it is easy to see how the wellbeing or lack thereof of each and every individual blossom, cluster of blossoms and limb of the Tree affects the Tree as a Whole. Also, it should be evident that the welfare of the entire Tree as a Whole impacts each and every Part. As with any tree with strong, deep roots and a vital, healthy core the Tree of Humanity continues to flourish despite whatever maladies may appear to plague it.
The Light of the Spirit and the Waters of the Soul continue to empower and sustain the Tree of Humanity which maintains its integrity at its core. Yet in its present state the fruits and branches of modern society are slowly becoming increasingly corrupt and are poisoning the entire Tree in a way which is most disturbing. Even more alarming is that this degradation seems not to be presently abating but is in actuality accelerating. All this negative energy is accumulating and is having a profound impact whose effects are being made felt all around the globe. Even Mother Nature is not immune, as is evidenced by Global Warming and the accelerated frequency and severity of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, droughts, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis and the like. The whole of the world and civilization seem to be poised upon the crux of critical change.
Once energy is created it is everlasting. It is eternal and unending. It may change form or it may be transformed but its potential never ceases unless by the Will of its Ultimate Creator. It may be concentrated or allowed to dissipate whereupon it takes on new shape and new meaning. Consciousness confers the ability to recognize and direct energy. The higher the state of consciousness the deeper is the capacity for the skilled manipulation of energy.
Elevating consciousness is what life is all about. The ascension of the lower self (its transcendence of the Personality and the Ego) rising to merge fully with the Higher Self completing the flowering of the Soul is the true purpose and ultimate destiny of all of Humanity. Each and every one of us is on our own personal path to individual spiritual fulfillment. This concept can be broadened to characterize Humanity as a single Whole, as a single vast Collective Soul.
Because we are intelligent beings endowed by our Creator with Freewill we have the freedom and the means via our degree of conscious development to shape our own thoughts and energies. This may not always be done fully consciously, however, for many times a significant part of our inner thought processes are carried on subliminally. Due to the fact that we generate these energies via our thoughts it is imperative that we recognize and become aware of how our thoughts impact the outer world, our environment and others. Also, our thoughts and feelings are usually the root of our actions and actions can be viewed as being the most concrete and tangible manifestations of our inner personal thoughts and energies. We must raise our inner consciousness to enhance our interaction with and impact upon the outer world, as well as with and upon others.
Like any proficient and resilient organism (for in many ways Humanity can be likened to a single entity) Mankind grows and evolves through undergoing and overcoming adversity. Nature seeks balance in all things and Mankind is no exception. Even with the presence of so much apparent negativity in our world and within society there is a silver lining. Although it is less apparent to most of us, this weight of negativity is being equally counterbalanced by incoming and active positive energy. This state of tension being generated by the two poised opposite energies is propelling Mankind down the road toward higher evolution. Without this particular eternal challenge life would lose its meaning and Man would never rise above the realm of Materiality and evolve ever closer to his true spiritual destiny with his Creator.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ezine/5869640

Yeshua/Jesus – Josephus Jewish Antiquities[part 27]

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Yeshua/Jesus – Josephus Jewish Antiquities[part 27]
Author: C.C. Saint-Clair
The Temple Mount compound, in Jerusalem, the site of Yeshua’s altercations with the priests and the money lenders made famous in the New Testament, was very much unlike modern day synagogues and churches. It was not only Ancient Israel’s single religious centre, but also a financial turning plate where people came to pay their taxes and tithes.
Knowing that the Temple was the hub of all things Jewish, including political networking, the Roman procurators, through their prefects and their spies, kept a close watch on all manner of activities in that area and its surrounds.
It is said that some three years after he began his ministry, Yeshua, himself was at the Temple during the compulsory pilgrimage of Pesach/Passover. This is what he would have seen: thousands of pilgrims and their families arriving from all over the region and far beyond milling around amongst the crowd of local Jews and Roman soldiers. The men were as much praying as they were conducting their financial affairs. In the Outer Court, they wove their way around cattle and cages of fowl.
They patted and checked the animals to find the best one they could offer in atonement for their sins. This court was also a place of prayer open to all, including the local pagans who were allowed to pray there, among the cacophony of animal sounds – as there was no Roman temple in Jerusalem.
All this may appear quite convivial until we remember that if any pagan ventured beyond the enclosure of the Outer Court and into the Second Court, he or she would be liable to death by stoning. Everyone knew that.
Yeshua, himself would have made his way to the Second Court. He would have walked past the pillar corner stone that carried a dire warning to the non-Jews: No foreigner is to go beyond the balustrade and the plaza of the temple zone. Whoever is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his death which will follow – presumably by stoning.
That warning would not have worried Yeshua in the least, as he kept on walking to the Third Court. He, a circumcised man, who lived by the Torah and who, accordingly, immersed himself in flowing water in the daily ritual of tevilah, was a part of the religious ‘elite’ of men allowed in the Third Court. Only the priests in their vestments were allowed in the Fourth Court, the inner sanctum, where lay the tabernacle that housed the Ark, the Holy of Holies.
Understandably, the mere sight of tetchy Roman soldiers in the heart of their religious celebrations annoyed the people no end. Resentment was high and it is within this snapshot of a Pesach festival at the Temple that, according to the historian Josephus, a very tragic incident occurred there a few years before Yeshua was born.
Picture this: Temple Mount and the surrounding area are teeming with Roman cohorts whose duty it is to apprehend anyone showing signs of disrespect to Roman rule and to immediately quell any sign of insurgence against Rome. These areas, particularly at times of high people concentration such as occurred during religious festivals were ‘Code red’ and soldiers were on high alert.
As can be expected, ogling the Israelite maidens, taunting the men and jeering was many a soldier’s favorite pastime on a quite watch. One day, though, one such game of taunting ended tragically.
A group of young Roman ‘flat-foots’ were indulging in loutish behavior, laughing at the men’s dark long robes, uncut hair and beards worn as signs that there was no place for vanity in their lives – another commandment from their god. The Israelites used to such antics deliberately ignored the soldiers. They knew that any reply, no matter how provoked, would be severely punished. It was simply not worth their while and, on their side, self-control usually prevailed.
Some in the group of soldiers upped the anti that day, and the men nearest them kept a wary eye on the louts. The soldiers began making insulting gestures and in a reckless game of one-upmanship, one young soldier suddenly lifted up his tunic and aimed his backside at the men. No content with that, with his backside deliberately still pointing at the Israelites, he emitted very loudly an imitation of breaking wind.
Some men clamored for the removal and punishment of the offensive soldier, but the younger men lost their self-control. They picked up stones and hurled them. A huge melee ensued. Fearing to be overrun and fearing this moment would be the one they had been apprehending – the spark that would ignite the powder keg on which Rome had been keeping a very tight lid – the soldiers raised the alarm. Swords drawn and in formation, reinforcements arrived briskly from all directions.
An incredible panic gripped the Israelites. A stampede broke out. With only one point of entry each, the various courts and adjacent rooms and workshops became traps. Men women and children, whoever fell to the ground, were unable to regain their feet. They were trampled. Those closest to the walls and narrow exit doors were crushed to death as the panicked pilgrims tried to out-run the Roman cohorts bristling with their swords and lances.
In Jewish Antiquities, Josephus wrote that on that day of Pesach, some 30,000 lives had been lost.
Over the next forty years, the rift between the ruling Romans and the Israelites had widened further. Hence the rebellion led by the Issyim and the dagger-men, the Sicarii, that was fomenting in the hills of Galilee. Hence, too, both Yohannan ha-mabtil’s and Yeshua’s involvement with the insurgents and the news they propagated, each in his own way that the hour of deliverance was nigh.
The primary cause of the arrest and execution of Yeshua a few years later was the series of incidents he created at the Temple in Jerusalem. It has been suggested that Yeshua capitalized on the level of civil unrest by intentionally provoking his arrest. After the grand entrance he had made a few days earlier through the eastern gate of Jerusalem, riding astride a lowly donkey – as proclaimed by the Hebrew prophet Zechariah and Isaiah centuries earlier -Yeshua’s arrest was the next essential act in a series.
One day soon, with the cooperation Judah, his favorite disciple, he would transform from a humble preacher with an uncanny conviction that eternal Greatness awaited him, into the messiah, savior of the downtrodden Jewish people.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ezine/5866608

How to Meditate Properly: What You Need To Know

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How to Meditate Properly: What You Need To Know
Author: Trevor Johnson
Meditation assists you to attain inner peace and concentration, whether doing it for spiritual as well as self-healing reasons. When you understand to meditate properly, you are able to lighten up and open the mind to any meditative outcome you aspire to attain. To know how to meditate properly is not something which essentially needs a set-in-stone method, but following the given basic tips can assist you to get what is correct and proper for your personal meditation journey.
Choose a calm area which you cannot be disturbed by strangers, friends and family members. The area may be a secluded spot, bedroom or even bathroom during bath-time. When you have the area wholly to yourself for enough time so as to meditate, then it is adequate.
Prepare the area with things which boost your focus. Light candles and switch off artificial lighting since it is harsh and distracting, whereas candles flames can help you focus. Dimmer light is good in relaxing at the time of meditation.
Light the incense if the pleasant scents assist you to relax during meditation. When you want to meditate for specific purposes, the kind of incense you use brings the difference. For example, spiritual specialists think sage incense defends against negative energy.
Get contented on the cushion or couch. Do not sit on uncomfortable place since it will interfere with your meditative concentration. Begin by relaxing and cooling the mind and body. Clear the mind so that you think of your body and nothing else then focus. Take time and get in touch with the body, for some individuals it can take longer. When doing a silent meditation you can lay down. Then focus on every part of the body one by one until you observe calmness all through the body.
Now that you are relaxed, you have to be patient. Do not do meditation if you have anything to perform right after. Ensure you get yourself much time before as well as after the session. Be patient particularly starting out, it can take one 10 minutes or even an hour. It actually differs from one person to another and day-to-day. Once you attain a clear mind then you can begin the way into a deep meditation. You can feel an irresistible calmness and tranquility in your whole existence the time you reach deep meditation.
Focus on anything in the area where the eyes are comfortable, like a candle flame or anything shiny, or you can choose to focus on nothing. Close the eyes and breathe in deeply. Exhale with a whoosh, intentionally while observing the breath patterns. Attempt breathing from your diaphragm. This breathing assists you to stay balance, and is a known method with those who often meditate and exercise yoga.
Enjoy your time of clarity. The mind should remain on your focus. Keep in mind to remain positive and listen to the body. You may remain in clarity for as long as you wish. This is where the benefits of meditation play a role. Always know that you will only attain the benefit of meditation when you reach this last step. If necessary play light music that soothes if this assists or even drone a low-frequency vibration but some people like silent room. Nature sounds can help and so can influential music.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ezine/5865374

Life Without Knowing

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Life Without Knowing
Author: Matt Burges
Sometimes I am going through my regular day and I just stop for a bit and remember when I was in elementary school. I am 31 now and that was a long time ago. It was just so nice not having to worry about anything. You always had someone to do the work for you. The innocents and discovery of life was so exciting. You start to think of what you want to do with your future or how you want it to be. Life seems so long when you are so young. You may fear death but you really are not to worried about what is going to happen after you die. It is the same for everyone. As time goes on, life goes by faster. You really start to ask yourself, “what is going to happen when I die?” As we advance with age and wisdom. That question pokes more interest each year we grow older. Some of us are sure we know what is going to happen. Some of us really do not care. Weather you know what is going to happen when you die or you don’t. We all have the same fear of dieing. Know one knows exactly what is going to happen when death comes knocking on your door and it will remain a mystery for ever.
Religion and spiritual beliefs are such a touchy subject. There are so many different kinds of beliefs out there. It can really make one think that it is all just a myth and when we die that is it. Your soul is gone and there is no after life. If you have read some of my articles. I am sure you know that I do believe in God. I believe in Jesus and I have given my life to him. I am afraid to die but I also know it in my heart that I am going to heaven. I really do not think of heaven too much and I think it is important to live this life we are given. It is just nice knowing there is a higher power looking after me. It is nice to know that when I die it will only be a new beginning in eternity of everlasting love and freedom. Some of you may think I am crazy or I am wrong but that dose not really matter to me. I really do not like to preach but, God is a major part of my life and I would not be true to myself by hiding my beliefs from everyone else.
The reason why I decided to write this article is not to try to convince anyone there is a God nor do I stuff religion down peoples thought. Understand that Christians are far from perfect people. Honestly they can be very judgmental towards others considering people sinners rather than human beings. That is not what God is all about. That is not how God sees you. Most of the people God used in the bible were sinners and did some horrible things. I think that is an example for us to know that we are all still worthy of Christ no matter what you have done in your life. It is just hard for me to imagine what it would be like not believing in God. Not having God to rely on and pray too. Going through this life not knowing what is going to happen when you die. Not having God to put your trust and faith in him. Going through this life taking on all your struggles by yourself relying on luck. I guess it is hard for me to understand because I have never lived that way.
We all have free will and I am not here to judge. I just want you know that if you are afraid of dieing or not sure what is going to happen and you are going through life without knowing. You do not need to start going to church and change yourself into a perfect person. That is impossible. What you can do is put your stubbornness aside and the opinion of knowing there is no God or after life away for just a bit. Open up your heart and ask God to show you he is real. It may not happen over night but if you call too him he will answer. He loves you more than what are understanding of love is. Life can be so much easier for you knowing you have someone looking after you. Knowing someone has always got your back. Knowing that someone is walking with you by your side through all your heart aces and struggles. Knowing that your life has a purpose and you were created by God for a reason.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ezine/5821487

Yeshua/Jesus – baptism – tevilah in the mikveh [part 25]

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Yeshua/Jesus – baptism – tevilah in the mikveh [part 25]
Author: C.C. Saint-Clair
It is difficult to make sense of Yeshua’s arrest, the lightning-quick trial and the sentence of death by crucifixion – the most humiliating and the most horribly painful sentence in the books. One way to inject a modicum of logic into the series of events that lead to his death is to place them within a context of sorts.
It was only 60 years earlier that the Roman general, Pompey, had captured Jerusalem. That act put an end to the independent Jewish state of Palestine. In one sense, it also put an end to the self-governed, Hebrew, Hasmonean dynasty.
Though Agrippa II, the grandson of the last king Agrippa I, found himself on the throne, it was by the good grace of Rome. For him, the concession of that crown implied walking a thin, tight rope held at one end by Tiberius and at the other, by the Israelites, his people.
By the time Yeshua was born, this dynasty had been well and truly terminated and, more and more, oppressed Jews dared voice their discontent. The fundamentalist Issyim, however spiritually enlightened, were zealots in their own right and they were at the heart of a fomenting rebellion. It has been said that they were the quiet brain of the rebellion while the dagger-wielding, fanatic Sicarii were the brawn.
Then as now in many parts of the world, citizens have rebel led however passively or however violently to eke a degree of independence from authoritarian regimes in situ. Frequent skirmishes broke out between Hebrew civilians and the Roman army.
Yohannanha-matbil/John the Baptist was the voice of the Israelite rebellion. The New Testament cast him as a visionary man, as a prophet. A prophet, he probably was not, but a visionary freedom fighter, he probably was. Through ‘preachings’ in his native Hebrew, a language not understood by the Roman soldiers, he spoke of an apocalyptic end and the arrival of a mashiach who would be the leader of flesh and blood proclaimed in so many ways by the prophets a few centuries earlier.
No doubt, some of Yohannan’s talks contained ‘news of the front’ intended to connect and hearten the men and women of Judea. In the eyes of many of his compatriots, he was the one, the leader, the mashiach, designated by karmic decree to lead the Zealot rebellion to an apocalyptic conclusion that would see the total destruction of the Roman political rule over the ancestral of the Jews.
Out of Roman earshot, while performing in a body of flowing water the Jewish ritual of tevilah immersion with others, Yohannan was in all likelihood also networking as a militant activist. The added act of pouring a palmful of pure water on his companions’ heads symbolised the bond of brotherhood between them. Yeshua eventually came down from Galilee and joined Yohannan in the communal act of mikveh-liaising.
Ready or not, the writing was on the wall! Soon after the political killing ordered by Herod cut short Yohannan’s life, Yeshua stepped into the breach. He began what, in the New Testament, is referred to as his ministry.
In his sermons, also in Hebrew, the only language he spoke, Yeshua urged the people to live their lives by the 613 mitzvots. He urged them to not become lax in keeping the Sabbath, in performing the circumcision of their male children on their eights day, in eating only bloodless meat and to refresh their total faith in YHWY [Yaweh], Adonai – their one and only God.
In his own way, he took over where Yohannan had left off. For all who understood the subtext, he confirmed the imminent arrival of the great leader, the mashiach/messiah that all Jews, young and old, had been taught to pray for.
It has to be understood that by then there had already been a couple of messianic-claimants, men whom others had designated in their lifetime – and despite the lack of any specific achievement – as a god-sent messianic leader.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ezine/5816356

Alzheimer’s Disease and the Link to the Hidden Universe

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Alzheimer’s Disease and the Link to the Hidden Universe
Author: David Almeida
Alzheimer’s disease is a puzzling illness, which according to Alzheimer’s Association affects approximately 5.4 million Americans. This illness is associated with the later stages of life and is why Alzheimer’s disease is now the sixth leading cause of death in this country. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. This disease is degenerative and ultimately leads loss of control of body functions. Alzheimer’s disease is an exhausting ordeal for anyone with the demanding responsibility of supporting the afflicted individual. The resources of caretakers are stretched to the limit both emotionally and financially. What’s most difficult for the caretakers is the lack of control they experience. There is relatively little medical knowledge available to explain this enigmatic illness. The indefinable nature of Alzheimer’s disease is a force to be reckoned with.
To the metaphysical philosopher and spiritualist Alzheimer’s disease is not so mysterious and fearsome. This illness represents an extraordinary period of inner exploration for the affected individual. Many of us have witnessed a person in the later stages of the disease. It seems as if their awareness has left them. It’s like the light is on but no one’s home. That statement is exactly true. I saw this for myself while volunteering for a hospice organization years ago. The patients seemed lifeless. Their mannerisms were mechanical and without intention.
A person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease holds the characteristic empty expression as a result of limited consciousness. People have a tendency to let go of this reality to explore other worlds. Though the person’s mind does not appear to be present there is significant activity taking place on other levels. At the onset of this illness, the individual begins to slowly focus on other spheres of existence. Their attention is drawn to a separate reality. The secret door to universal knowledge is literally open wide to the seeker.
I call this phenomenon “straddling.” Straddling is the act of splitting one’s consciousness between two realities. These two worlds are the known universe and the hidden universe. Alzheimer’s disease brings with it a period of significant learning. I avoid using the term suffering, since the family endures the pain. Straddling is an opportunity for the affected individual and clears the way for a comparatively smooth and easy transition.
This is a metaphysical explanation for a frightening disease. Knowledge brings understanding to those who choose to accept it. In some cases, understanding brings relief. The truth of this disease allows family and friends to experience peace. I hope this article will be of help to those family members and dear friends grieving a loved one given over to the Alzheimer’s journey.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ezine/5814887

How can the Churches Collect Maximum Donations to Meet their Growing Expense?

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How can the Churches Collect Maximum Donations to Meet their Growing Expense?
Author: Gloria
More and more churches are trying to raise as much money as possible to meet the expense of their growing activities and trips. In today’s turbulent economy, churches need to find out effective ways to collect maximum donations from people. Collecting donations will enable a church to spend the money on various charitable missions and staff.
Let’s find out some of the easy and simple ways to collect donations for your church activities.
Online Receiving of Donations
You can offer your existing and potential donors the option of paying you online. It enables instant transfer of money from their personal account to your bank account, eventually leading to higher collection of funds within a short span of time. Various online payment options include credit/debit cards, event payment PayPal, and purchase orders to name a few.
Online Solutions
Many churches and synagogues are taking the help of online donation software to make it easier for the people to send gifts, 24×7. Online church event management software is a simple, easy-to-use solution to encourage people to whole-heartedly contribute for your cause. The software comes with a variety of online payment options to let people easily offer their monetary support for your expanding social events and activities.
Online Registration Option
Many churches are taking the help of online registration software to streamline their church fundraising event registration. You can set up registration forms easily and quickly to let anyone enter their names for attending your fundraising campaign. You can also add specific instructions on the forms to avoid any confusion or miscommunication while filling up the forms. Online registration increases the chance of collecting huge donations, as people residing in any region can easily enter the registration website to complete the sign up process for attending your fundraising campaign.  
Social Media Websites
You can open an account in all the leading social media websites (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and so on) to start creating awareness about your church events and activities. You can upload your church event schedules (dates, venues, and timings) along with such other necessary details like registration and payment options to motivate people to donate for your philanthropic work. You can also upload your past church event photos and videos on these social networking sites as well as on YouTube and Flicker to let the outside world know who you are and what you do.
Set Up and Maintain a Blog
You can create a blog to post everything related to your church activities on an everyday basis. This will help individuals know more about your organization and the work you do to address the needs of specific sections of the society.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ezine/5795879

What is a Psychic Advisor?

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What is a Psychic Advisor?
Author: Vikki Vanoza
Let’s begin with a definition. The term “psychic” means “of the soul” or “mental” and is more often than not used to tell a person’s out of the ordinary ability outside of the five recognized senses to distinguish concealed information.
Psychics acquire an extra sense  not known to the majority of us which is called “extrasensory perception” or ESP, in which many believe to be a paranormal ability.
The perception of psychic abilities is an old one. Although, a lot of people disagree with real psychic’s existence, I’d like to express my gratitude to modern science for it is still more widely accepted than ever.
This psychic industry that popularized the term “psychic advisor” makes available to clients with insight into their future.  By informing the client of the effect of future events or help them get to the bottom of their complicated life problems.
Sylvia Browne and John Edwards are two of the well-admired psychic advisors of the 20th century.
Psychic advisors are not a modern occurrence,  in societies that pursued astrology, psychics date back to the earliest times.
Those that were celebrated in earlier time as prophets and seers were people who were equipped to foresee events devoid of the use of astrological charts or systems.
In  present day, in case there’s really no one called as mentioned, we label these people as psychics and/or clairvoyants.
Those incredible people have at  times been enclosed with mystery. For hundreds of years their visions of the future have astonished and surprised people.
Nostradamus was one of the most famous psychics of the ancient times. Nostradamus was a 16th century apothecary.  His prophecies or visions are still well-known all over the world.
Like earthquakes, wars, murders, plagues, and floods, most of his psychic visions were of horrible disasters. A lot of people on the other hand remain doubtful for the reason that none of his psychic predictions were dated.
Countless people still acknowledge him through predicting several contemporary world events even though he is a highly controversial historical figure.
At approximately the similar time as the Modern Spiritualism had begun another well-accepted psychic Edgar Cayce gained recognition in the 19th century.
Cayce assumed that he could get in touch with dead people.
One of the influential leaders in surveys, says that an astonishing 41% of Americans polled believe in ESP, as established in 2005 Gallup poll. And that 26% trust in clairvoyance and 31% believe in psychic or telepathic communication as established with the similar type of study.
The certainty in psychic phenomena which suggests that people with advanced education level may possibly be more apt to believe in psychic advisors is more common between college seniors (31%) and graduate students (34%) compared among freshman students (23%), according to a 2006 survey conducted by Oklahoma City University.
Psychic ability can be freely given down across countless generations according to group of individuals who are as well believers.
By sharpening mental disciplines like meditation others consider that psychic powers can be improved or “turned on” , on the contrary most bona fide Psychics suppose that you can simply be born with the gift.
People that assert to have psychic gifts by means of their talents frequently search to make a living. They entertain or preside at  psychic websites and hotlines touting  their psychic abilities.
It has turned out to be much more complicated.  To be certain if the individual you plan with is an authentic psychic advisor or merely a bogus psychic wanting to lighten your wallet, because of the size and/or coverage of this business.
Check out my preferred Psychic networks below to be in no doubt you are having a genuine, precise and established Psychic advisor.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ezine/5783089

The Spirit of the Tithe: It Was Never About Money

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The Spirit of the Tithe: It Was Never About Money
Author: Joshua Tilghman
For many religious institutions, tithing is a big issue today. I can understand why. Many of these religious institutions are quite wealthy, and to maintain that wealth, tithing is necessary. But what is the real spirit of the scripture when it comes to the issue of tithing? Does the scripture really teach that God demands a tenth of our income? The answer may surprise you.
Let’s begin with Abraham. Many are taught that Abraham tithed, but nowhere in the Bible does it give any indication of this. The idea is really quite silly. In a single recorded incident Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe on the spoils of war. For some reason, religious leaders often equate this with the modern idea of tithing on paychecks. In Abraham’s case, the spoils of war had nothing to do with Abraham’s income. This voluntary offer on the part of Abraham certainly didn’t set any tithing precedent, either; hundreds of years later, when Moses stated that the Israelites were to give Levites a small portion on the spoils of war, it wasn’t even close to ten percent. And how does an entire nation giving some of the spoils of war away equate to an individual tithing on their weekly or monthly income?
Here is something else to consider: What would Abraham’s regular tithes be used for? To go to the local ziggurat building fund? In Abraham’s day, a ziggurat was a rectangular, tiered temple built by the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, but I don’t think Abraham would have had much use for that! As we’ll discuss shortly, the purpose of tithing was providing food for all the Israelites. But in Abraham’s day there were no Israelites.  
I have heard some use Jacob’s vow to God as setting a precedent to tithing. But this doesn’t make sense either since Jacob’s vow was conditional. Besides, if you do decide to tithe based on the condition of getting bountifully blessed by God, you might be in for a shock. Jacob surely had no life of luxury after making his conditional promise to God. In fact, he had a hard life. He even tells the Pharaoh of Egypt near the end of his life that his years had been “…few and evil…” (Gen. 47:9). You can hardly blame him for such a statement. While God blessed him with a big family, that family often brought hardship and shame to his life. He also lost a son (even though he found him later), lived through some pretty harsh times (like extreme famine), and never lived in a permanent location.
Now let’s go to the Torah where the law of tithing originated. First off I want to say that money wasn’t the issue-crops and livestock were. More specifically, community survival was the issue. There are four types of tithes mentioned in the Torah. The first tithe dealt with those who owned land and raised crops. Ten percent of the raised crops were to go to the Levites. Be reminded that this tithe only dealt with those who raised crops. No money was involved. This tithe was also only required for six years out of a seven-year cycle, and those who did not own land, such as the poor, were not required to give this tithe.
The next tithe I want to speak about involved setting aside food for those in need. It was only required on the third and sixth year out of the seven-year cycle. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 states:
“At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: And the Levite, (because he had no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within they gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD they God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.”
I have included the above scripture because it reveals something that many religious leaders today never consider. Piggybacking on the first tithe that I mentioned, the widow, the fatherless, and the stranger probably didn’t have the means to produce crops. Therefore, they did not pay tithes. Besides, this second tithe that I mention was brought to the storehouse for them.
The third type of tithe I want to mention was set aside for annual festivals. Basically this was a party tithe. Everyone had to put away a tenth of their income (after the first tithe) for the purpose of a feast day. The Bible also clearly states that it was okay to drink “strong drink” (beer) during this feast day. Party indeed! How would your religious leader feel about a portion of your tithe being set aside so that you can drink a six-pack and grill a filet mignon once a year on church property?! Maybe this scripture is the reason why some Rabbi’s don’t consider it a sin to get drunk on this feast day?
The last tithe I mention involved only the Levites. They were required to give ten percent of their best to the priest.
So what was the real spirit of tithing? I can honestly say it is one of the most beautiful examples of community love I can think of. Rather than being a way to amass wealth for church programs, buildings, and high-dollar salaries, it was a practical way to take care of the community. The Levites, the priest, the widows, the orphans, the poor, and even the stranger would have all benefited from the Torah tithe. Many times today tithing is done out of an attitude of obligation, but this should never be the case. Tithing has always been about physical provision for the community as a whole. If a religious leader states that tithing on your yearly income is a requirement by God, they are certainly not getting this teaching from the Bible. Instead it’s a part of their man-made religious program. Religion can only direct us to connect with God on the outside. Religion teaches humanity that God is “out there” and we have to reach out to him. This is why some religious leaders teach that tithing will bless you (Malachi 3:10 anyone?). But they misunderstand the entire concept of Biblical tithing and God. The Bible teaches us to connect to God on the “inside,” for this is the only place God can be found. That’s why Jesus stated the Kingdom of Heaven was within us.
In conclusion I want to say that giving is a wonderful thing. We should all be willing to give, especially out of our abundance. But we should never be coerced into tithing on our paychecks because God requires it. He most certainly does not. I would also like to add that most religious leaders who teach tithing is necessary are probably only teaching what they were taught. Education is the key. Feel free to use this article to help spread the word.

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The Most Common Psychic Scams

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The Most Common Psychic Scams
Author: Vikki Vanoza
57%, a majority of Americans, believe  in psychic phenomena such as telepathy, ESP or experiences that can’t be clarified.
These believers are not alone. For instance, let me tell to you a little about a 30 year veteran physicist named Dale Graf who worked on the Stargate program of the Department of Defense.  They use psychic ability known as remote viewing.
This so called psychic power or ability and can describe a remote area, even one that is located thousands of miles away.
At some point in his interview on Larry King Live, he said “It exists. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. But it’s there and it is real, and it cannot be shoveled away by skeptics.” Graf said.
During that dialogue on the TV program with Larry he stated he worked on the project for 30 years.
The well-known Skeptics
“The Amazing Randi” has to be the biggest skeptic who’s famous for his standing offer of $1,000,000 for any person who can provide evidence that they have real, psychic powers under laboratory conditions.
Leon Jaroff,another skeptic called psychics as “a motley collection of mystics, charlatans, hoaxers and smooth con artists who have successfully buffaloed a good portion of the public into believing they have supernatural powers.”
 Common psychic scam tricks and how they work
Curse
Not merely unethical but clearly illegal tactics in which they try to swindle and rip off people in a fragile emotional state that entails by playing on people’s fears. It begins by means of them seeing a curse or a “darkness”, which in turn might cause an onset of a disease, as a result. For a cost, the psychic can cure both of these.
 Exclusion of Curse
They will ask you to pay money for extraordinary candles, entreaty cards or crystals which on average run approximately$150-$200.  By the time this happens the psychic has you believing that there are more than a few curses on you.
Cursed Egg
You’re requested to bring in egg to their subsequent reading. This is an age old hoax that has been used for hundreds of years.
With you observing, in a snap parlor magic they switch the egg. Just to discover (when they crack the egg open) blood, or a slug in it! Tricky huh!
Then they will advise you to bring $100′s of dollars on you and sometime later they will tell you that the curse is not as good as what they thought.
The psychic will tell you the money is cursed and by way of some more parlor magic they act as if to tear it up once they have taken the cash in an instant from you.
Their Cunning Aggressiveness
They will jeer at, scream or threaten you if necessary when the bogus psychic desires to go for the truly big money.
Every so often they have someone else besides themselves in the room to join forces on you such as the mom & daughter team which are family members, which got me for over $2000 of cash.
Don’t be a victim! It’s important. I am telling you to ask for answers.  I can have compassion with you, as I’ve been there.
Search for a psychic that doesn’t lie to you only to craft a quick buck, except for those who can set you on your course towards a good life.

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