The Plan Of Salvation

Posted on September 20, 2008
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If you are a Christian and have an interest in witnessing to people about their need to be saved then certainly you already know that the word gospel simply means good news. The good news quite obviously is that for people recognizing that they had failed God and are sinners that there is an alternative to being ostracized from God Almighty. Naturally we have to assume that when the Christian holy Bible speaks about the existence and reality of both a Heaven and a hell that the individuals you are speaking with can at least give intellectual acknowledgment to this reality.

Can You Easily Explain How can I Witness More Effectively?

Many of the people that you speak with will not consider this to really be good news but rather it is simply a curiosity hardly worthy of noting in their passing through life. While some may give some kind of intellectual acknowledgment regarding Jesus Christ being either the Messiah or a messiah, unless they are somewhat convinced of the reality of them personally spending eternity in hell just because they are not perfect then your witnessing is virtually pointless.

Christian, do you know God’s Plan for Salvation?

If you intend to be more effective in your witnessing opportunities then it is imperative that you move from generalities to specifics in the people that the Holy Spirit brings you into contact with. In the normal course of events it simply is not effective to say to someone that they are a sinner in need of salvation. Rather it is an absolute necessity to give the opportunity to the Holy Spirit to convict them specifically as to why they are sinners in the eyes of an all-powerful God.

Picture for just a moment someone who is in water that would be over their head if they just stopped swimming and allowed themselves to sink. Especially if this were to happen in the middle of a lake or an ocean and you threw them a life preserver they would grab for it desperately because they realized that they could not swim far enough under their own power to save themselves. They would grab the life preserver because they knew without it they would die.

In the same way unless an individual is convicted, that is to say, they absolutely positively know that they are going to spend eternity in hell unless things change they really have no interest in being saved because they simply do not understand that they are lost from spending eternity with Almighty God.

In your witnessing then consider using the 10 Commandments as a powerful tool to point out to people so that they can see clearly that they are sinners. Obeying the 10 Commandments will not save anyone if only because perfect obedience is impossible. What the 10 Commandments are intended to do is to prove to people that they are not perfect because they have undoubtedly violated one or more of the 10 Commandments in their lifetime and one violation proves that you are not perfect.

Kabbalah Symbols – A Brief Guide

Posted on May 18, 2008
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The following extract is from a series of mystical knowledge articles and videos about Kabbalah …

Kabbalah symbols have an important meaning to the followers of the Jewish faith, much like Christian symbols mean something to Christians. The tree of life symbol and the Kabbalah red string bracelet are symbols that are instantly recognized within the Jewish community as a part of Kabbalah faith. The Kabbalah talisman means something more than just a pretty item of a necklace. It has a unique meaning and symbolizes a history within the Kabbalah faith that cannot be mistaken for just some bling and glitz regardless of which famous celebrity wears it as decoration.

With regard to Kabbalah symbols, the tree of life symbol was originally called the Etz haChavim and is looked upon as a blueprint of creation. It is a representation of a tree and how we are all bound together as one. We all come from the same common root and are all interconnected in the same tree even when we are on separate branches of life.

The Kabbalah tree, known as the tree of life symbol, is called the diagram of the Sephiroth and is a drawing of how creation came to exist. It comes from the holy texts of Sefer Yetzirah, Bahir, and the most widely known, the Zohar. It would be extremely impossible to explain without drawings how the tree of life symbols actually look since so many of the texts differ on the numbers, path and even plants that the Sephot actually represent. It is a matter of which representation of the books and beliefs that the tree of life actually takes on that make up the life pathways for the drawings themselves. You would need to look it up to know.

Christianity worships the cross. Those who follow different religions each have symbols that they believe to be sacred. Kabbalah symbols, such as the Kabbalah tree are no different. It takes on a life of its own to those who follow Kabbalah and truly believe in the representations of each of the branches that originate from the words and inscriptions. The red string Kabbalah bracelet is more than just a piece of jewelry. It is a representation of history and a way to understanding the path to creation for the Kabbalah follower to journey upon.

For more resources on religious beliefs, go here: The Zohar

Miss Humbug & the True Spirit of Christmas

Posted on November 11, 2007
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The following intro by the author really resonated with me. So much so, I was inspired to read the story. I highly recommend you do the same.

“Are you tired of seeing “X” taking the place of Christ in Christmas?” Has your child’s Christmas program become a “Winter Solstice Celebration?” Or perhaps you’re tired of looking at “Holiday Trees.” If so, then here’s something fun you’ll enjoy. This romantic little novel will fill you with the true meaning of Christmas.”

Free Copy of Miss Humbug!

It’s Christmastime. Cold, competitive Elaina Houston would rather work than celebrate. Not only is Christmas a complete waste of time and money in her opinion, but also it brings with it haunting memories that drive Elaina further into her frigid shell. Work is the only answer, but she’s surrounded by coworkers who bask in the holiday glow, constantly reminding her of painful memories from Christmases gone by.

Then one night, a week before Christmas, her past comes back to haunt her, and she’s given an ultimatum. Either she learns the Spirit of Christmas or she won’t live to see another December 25th. Can Elaina experience a change of heart before she runs out of time?

Find Out! Download your FREE Copy of the ebook “Miss Humbug” by Marnie L. Pehrson by filling out the form below:

Quitting Smoking Again – Day 6: On my own

Posted on November 1, 2007
Filed Under Faith, Healthy Living, Quit Smoking | 1 Comment

Okay it’s almost been a week. I can’t say I don’t think about having a smoke, because truth is I think of it a lot. But I believe that’s because its been such an ingrained part of life for so long, that it’s going to take quite some time before it starts receding in conscious thought.

However, it’s interesting that even though I think a lot about smoking, I don’t feel driven to fall off the wagon. Days 3 and 4 were the hardest so far – nothing insurmountable, but did feel a pang or two that a smoke sure would’ve cured fast.

quit smoking There’s been a few times where I found it useful to pull out the book again and re-read certain parts. Have to admit that changing your thinking makes a significant difference. Smoking really is a weird kind of addiction where it’s the mental, not the physical that turns out to be where the battle plays out.

By the way, for those who may be interested, I’m not using any “stop smoking aids”, but it seemed to only make sense to get as much going for me as possible. Since it worked so well that one time in the past, I have definitely kept praying for any divine help along the way.

It’s sort of funny, but this time I get the sense I’m on my own in that regard. What I mean is it’s like the good Lord’s saying “I made it too easy that time – you successfully quit, but chose to start again”. Must admit He’s right. This time I get the sense He’s there and supportive, but I’ve got to do the work.

Admittedly, there’s a lot of truth to the saying that “we often don’t appreciate what comes too easy”.

Next goal is the 3 week mark – that’s supposed to be a significant one.

Next quit smoking post: Day 20
Previous quit smoking post: Day 1

Faith – It’s a Matter of Choices

Posted on January 21, 2006
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I had written earlier about how funerals of those who die unexpectedly or prematurely can often increase our awareness of living a more meaningful and deliberate life. However, that is generally the case only for those not intimately connected. For those like immediate family who are closely affected, the death of a loved one in the “prime of life” can raise more serious questions, such as “why did this have to happen?”. continue reading….

Carpe Diem – Seize the Day

Posted on January 14, 2006
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Funerals have a way of stopping you up short. I can think of few other events that have such an ability to make one pause and reflect on the important things in life. I’m not one of those who get morbid when someone dies, but I do find myself more contemplative, and more so as I get older. Of course the mere fact of getting older brings the inevitable end of life closer than it seemed when I was in the first third of life feeling very much immortal as most of us do… continue reading….