Remember you will not pay a price for setting goals. You will pay a price for not setting them.
Tips:
Be precise about how you state your goal.
Challenge yourself but be realistic.
Choose performance oriented goals as opposed to outcome oriented goals.
Select a goal that is easily measured.
With extraordinary success and happiness in my own life, I want to share the best information from all of the seminars, Cd's, videos, DVDs and of course all of the books I have read on Self Help.
I used to suffer from depression and thought about suicide often. I just didn't see the point in what my purpose was in life. I purchased a cassette program recommended by a friend of mine Personal Power 2 by Tony Robbins.
This really started to change my life in a positive way. Soon I was a self help junkie and could not get enough books to read.
The Biggest Change in my life was was soon to come, my relationship with other people. I used to look at most people in a selfish way as if they always wanted something from me.
Guess what I always seemed to give them what the needed. :) I changed the way I looked at things and soon the things I looked at changed. I have had a life since then I can only describe as Great.....
To make changes that last, you absolutely must develop positive ones to fill the void so you don't slip back into old patterns of feeling and acting or develop new bad patterns.
Greg Vanden Berge presents an entirely new way of understanding life and the forces that shape it. start living your dreams today is a modern method for personal growth based on ancient wisdom, He has helped people find new meaning, purpose, and direction in their lives.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Prayer Beads
Prayer beads are traditionally used to keep count of the repetitions of prayers, chants or devotions by adherents of religion. Since the beads can be fingered in an automatic manner, they allow one to keep track of how many prayers have been said with a minimal amount of conscious effort, which in turn allows greater attention to be paid to the prayers themselves.
There are three widely accepted uses for prayer beads:
Repetition of the same devotion a set (usually large) number of times. This is the earliest form of prayer beads (the Japa Mala) and the earliest Christian form (the prayer rope). This is also the type of use in the Bahá'í Faith
Repetition of several different prayers in some pattern, possibly interspersed with or accompanied by meditations.
Meditation on a series of spiritual themes, e.g. Islam.
Bahá'í
Bahá'ís recite the phrase "Alláh-u-Abhá", a form of the Greatest Name, 95 times per day, sometimes using prayer beads.
Buddhism
Prayer beads, or Japa Malas, are also used in many forms of Mahayana Buddhism, often with a lesser number of beads (usually a divisor of 108). In Pure Land Buddhism, for instance, 27 beads rosaries are common. In China such rosaries are named "Shu-Zhu" ("Counting Beads"); in Japan, "Juzu". These shorter rosaries are sometimes called 'prostration rosaries', because they are easier to hold when enumerating repeated prostrations. In Tibetan Buddhism, often larger malas are used of for example 111 beads: when counting, they calculate one mala as 100 mantras, and the 11 additional beads are taken as extra to compensate for errors.
Prayer Beads Rosary Beads
There are three widely accepted uses for prayer beads:
Repetition of the same devotion a set (usually large) number of times. This is the earliest form of prayer beads (the Japa Mala) and the earliest Christian form (the prayer rope). This is also the type of use in the Bahá'í Faith
Repetition of several different prayers in some pattern, possibly interspersed with or accompanied by meditations.
Meditation on a series of spiritual themes, e.g. Islam.
Bahá'í
Bahá'ís recite the phrase "Alláh-u-Abhá", a form of the Greatest Name, 95 times per day, sometimes using prayer beads.
Buddhism
Prayer beads, or Japa Malas, are also used in many forms of Mahayana Buddhism, often with a lesser number of beads (usually a divisor of 108). In Pure Land Buddhism, for instance, 27 beads rosaries are common. In China such rosaries are named "Shu-Zhu" ("Counting Beads"); in Japan, "Juzu". These shorter rosaries are sometimes called 'prostration rosaries', because they are easier to hold when enumerating repeated prostrations. In Tibetan Buddhism, often larger malas are used of for example 111 beads: when counting, they calculate one mala as 100 mantras, and the 11 additional beads are taken as extra to compensate for errors.
Prayer Beads Rosary Beads
Forms of Praying
Muslims at prayerThe great spiritual traditions offer a wide variety of devotional acts. There are morning and evening prayers, graces said over meals, and reverent physical gestures. Some Christians bow their heads and fold their hands. Native Americans dance. Sufis whirl. Hindus chant. Orthodox Jews sway their bodies back and forth. Quakers keep silent.
Among these methodologies are a variety of approaches to understanding prayer:
The belief that the finite can actually communicate with the infinite;
The belief that the infinite is interested in communicating with the finite;
The belief that the prayer is listened to and may or may not get a response;
The belief that prayer is intended to inculcate certain attitudes in the one who prays, rather than to influence the recipient;
The belief that prayer is intended to train a person to focus on the recipient through philosophy and intellectual contemplation;
http://spiritualityinformation4u.com/Prayer.html
Among these methodologies are a variety of approaches to understanding prayer:
The belief that the finite can actually communicate with the infinite;
The belief that the infinite is interested in communicating with the finite;
The belief that the prayer is listened to and may or may not get a response;
The belief that prayer is intended to inculcate certain attitudes in the one who prays, rather than to influence the recipient;
The belief that prayer is intended to train a person to focus on the recipient through philosophy and intellectual contemplation;
http://spiritualityinformation4u.com/Prayer.html
Strategic Prayer
by Angela Watkins
Stra-te-gic also stra-te-gi-cal: Importamt or essential in relation to a plan of action.
Without question, prayer is the most important - and potentially the most powerful - tool in a Christian's arsenal.
It's time we learn to pray practical, specific, result - oriented prayers. The earth is our Lord's, the fullness of it, and everyone who lives in it.
Eddie Smith, the author, the cofounder and president of the U.S. Prayer Center, equips pastors and intercessors worldwide.
Michael L. Hennen (coauthor) has served as a pastor, missionary, and church planter to diverse cultures and people. He and his wife spend most of their time in the Middle East.
Eddie's wife, Alice is one who was called at an early age to pray for the nations.
This book addresses the practical need to identify and prioritize prayer targets. Its prinicpal reflect a theology born more out of life experience than the classroom.
The effectiveness of spiritual methods depends largely on the conditions of the spiritual environment and the experience of those employing them. Attentive to spiritual principles, regardless of environment or experience, always bring positive results.
The overriding purpose of Strategic Prayer is to equip you to pray more strategically.
The power of our prayers is resident in the person of God, and our effectiveness as intercessors is wholly dependent on the quality of our relationship with Him.
Effective prayer is faithfully aligning oneself under His authority to speak and to do His word and will.
Wait for the Spirit's leading, through those who cover you, before proceeding with any strategic and corporate prayer initiatives.
There are 1,200 - 1,500 demolition companies worldwide that raze skyscrapers, chimneys, towers, bridges, and other structures.
CDI, founded in 1960 by Jack Loizeaux (retired in 1964), today is a family business run by his two sons, Marc and Doug, and Marc's daughter Stacey.
Each project CDI accepts requires months of precision planning by a world-renowned team of engineering experts to determine the best equipment, materials, manpower, and methods to be used.
What targeted, strategic prayer can destroy in a few minutes, satan has neither time nor resources left to rebuild.
As for spiritual structures, one of the biggest challenges facing any intentional intercessor is knowing how to prioritize prayer. And how can we be certain that our prayer coverage is adequate? Prayer targeting. We must carefully evaluate and select ours.
We use strategic prayer targeting to prioritize our prayer to acheive a specific goal.
In both physical and spiritual warfare, strategic timing is "mission - critical information."
We must engage in thorough research and become well informed of circumstance3s in natural and spiritual realms.
George Otis Jr. has defined spiritual mapping, our reconnaissance of the spiritual world, as "superimposing our understanding of forces and events in the spiritual domain onto places and circumstances in the material world" (Last of the Giants, 85).
In the summer of 1994, while Michael was serving as a missionary in Russia, he was asked by a television crew for an interview. One of his friends suggested that it would be great publicity for their new church, so reluctantly, ignoring the check in with his spirit, Michael agreed.
When their visa ran out, they had to leave the country to get it renewed. Upon returning, they were told that the interview had done more harm than good - because of it some had even left the church.
From that day, Michael banned all recorders and video cameras from the church and never again agreed to another interview. He decided that God doesn't need publicity!
When we leave the doors of our hearts open and unguarded to the world's influences, we can expect unwanted guests.
When the Sunni mosque was being built, Eddie, would drive by and prayer - walk their property.
As it reached completion, he wrote a letter of apology for the medieval crusades in which millions of Muslims were slaughtered in the name of Christ. He had the apology written calligraphically on parchment, took it to the five closest evangelical churches, and asked the pastors to sign it with him. Then he placed it into a gold frame and presented it to the iman. He was moved with tears and asked him to speak at the mosque's grand opening. Since then,he has developed a meaningful relationship with one of his elders. He is very near a decision to Christ.
2 Chronicles 7:13 - 14: Intercessors, we must stand in the gap and "repent the land (turn from and sincerely apologize to god for the sins that have defiled the land, whether our own or others)."
Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (I Timothy 2:1 -2 NKJV)
When we pray for those in authority, we pray for those who occupy positions of leadership in our community.
Our responsibility to pray for our leaders is twofold:
We must certainly pray for our church leaders.
We must also pray for our community leaders.
First, we must identify the leaders in our communities and churches.
But when we cannot know the leader personally, we should pray for those that do. We can pray for them and for their influence in his life.
In the spring of 1988, Michael was about to realize a dream for which he'd prayed for more than a year. He was being sent as a missionary to Venezuela. He had two problems: not enough money and not enough time to get the money needed.
When he arrived at his Messianic Jewish Congregation, he was greeted by his travel agent and handed a ticket.
Finally, the time for his ordination came; he was prayed over and officially sent out. The pastor called him up, gave him an envelope with a check that would cover the cost of his ticket and gagve him eleven dollars besides. He could have shouted!
Money is not a problem for God, and God is always on time!
But by God's grace the riches of heaven are at the disposal of those who have faith to apprehend them, and time is only a hiccup in our eternity with Him.
Ask God to supply the financial resources necessary to expand His Kingdom through our lives.
Several years ago, Eddie attended a national conference on world evangelism in a midwestern city.
There he met Rasheed, from Pakistan. He asked him, "Has anyone this week shared with you the good news of Jesus Christ and His Salvation?" Rasheed shook his head. Eddie took the time to present Christ and His gospel, and Rasheed prayed to receive Christ!
When Eddie arrived at the meeting, a long discussion developed on strategies the American Church might employ to complete the Great Commission. Eddie said, "Gentlemen, the longer we sit in rooms like this, discussing the problem, while ignoring people like Rasheed - the young Pakistani man who manages the gift shop across the hall, who just gave his heart to Christ - the further we will be from the goal."
Strategic positions, high places can also be called "the gates of the city." The basic types are (1) geographic, (2) political, (3) commercial, and (4) religious.
Geographical gates are actual physical locations. It's said that in the world of retail marketing there are three essential criteria: location, location, location.
Political gates are "gates of influence - positions of influence in a society." People need influential favor and blessing for their endeavors.
Commercial gates are gates of financial influencde within a community. God will hold us accountable for the ethical use of the "talents" He's given us, and we should pray accordingly.
Religious gates are institutions that primarily exixst to shape a people's worldview. Because people who accept religious postions influence society's general worldview these "places" can be extremely financially and politically profitable. Therefore, we must not neglect to pray for the righteous of religious leaders.
The four "inner gates" through which all society passes are (1) health and human services, (2) education, (3) mass media, and (4) culture. Those who occupy the inner and outer gates control the communities destiny.
When Michael visited El Vijia, they were able to bring together in one room thiry-two of the city's thirty-six pastors in a historic meeting.
This was the launch of their plan to visit El Vijia to bring a word regarding Israel to its pastors.
Followers of Christ, regardless of denominational affiliation, usually agree that Jesus Christ, who is God, came to earth as a man, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died an atoning death, was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is coming again. This agreement is the basis on which we come together to do Kingdom Business.
We must remain vigilant to the Holy Spirit's voice when establishing strategy. He alone knows which one is best applied at any given time.
The Bible is replete with examples of God's perfect timing.
Consider, for instance, the story of Esther, the Jewish girl who came to a postion of influence with the king at the appropriate time (Esther 2:15).
Targets are timing - critical. There is always an appropriate, strategic time for focusing on any target.
Timing - critical prayer targeting depends on discernment. Discernment deepends on sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is the hallmark of intercessors and prophets.
The Holy Spirit (called the Spirit of Truth) given by the Father at the request of His Son, is as a Counselor (John 14: 16 - 17).
Tools and Knowledge is worthless until applied.
Paul says, "Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance."
God endows individuals, communities, and nations with gifts designed to help lead the nations to Christ.
All authority and power in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus. God will hold us accountable for how we use His power and authority.
Do not try to accomplish His purposes with His power.
SPIRITUAL RECONNAISSANCE:
As a church, is our faith in God sufficiently evident to adequately reflect His glory to the communtiy?
PERSONALIZE IT:
Has God's glory ever invaded my/your life or home and brought with it a spirit of repentance and weeping?
Writer, Web Publishing, Book Reviewer, Freelancer, Christian Freelancer About the Author
Writer, Web Publishing, Book Reviewer, Freelancer, Christian Freelancer http://www.writers.net/writers/21422
Spiritual Thinkers
Stra-te-gic also stra-te-gi-cal: Importamt or essential in relation to a plan of action.
Without question, prayer is the most important - and potentially the most powerful - tool in a Christian's arsenal.
It's time we learn to pray practical, specific, result - oriented prayers. The earth is our Lord's, the fullness of it, and everyone who lives in it.
Eddie Smith, the author, the cofounder and president of the U.S. Prayer Center, equips pastors and intercessors worldwide.
Michael L. Hennen (coauthor) has served as a pastor, missionary, and church planter to diverse cultures and people. He and his wife spend most of their time in the Middle East.
Eddie's wife, Alice is one who was called at an early age to pray for the nations.
This book addresses the practical need to identify and prioritize prayer targets. Its prinicpal reflect a theology born more out of life experience than the classroom.
The effectiveness of spiritual methods depends largely on the conditions of the spiritual environment and the experience of those employing them. Attentive to spiritual principles, regardless of environment or experience, always bring positive results.
The overriding purpose of Strategic Prayer is to equip you to pray more strategically.
The power of our prayers is resident in the person of God, and our effectiveness as intercessors is wholly dependent on the quality of our relationship with Him.
Effective prayer is faithfully aligning oneself under His authority to speak and to do His word and will.
Wait for the Spirit's leading, through those who cover you, before proceeding with any strategic and corporate prayer initiatives.
There are 1,200 - 1,500 demolition companies worldwide that raze skyscrapers, chimneys, towers, bridges, and other structures.
CDI, founded in 1960 by Jack Loizeaux (retired in 1964), today is a family business run by his two sons, Marc and Doug, and Marc's daughter Stacey.
Each project CDI accepts requires months of precision planning by a world-renowned team of engineering experts to determine the best equipment, materials, manpower, and methods to be used.
What targeted, strategic prayer can destroy in a few minutes, satan has neither time nor resources left to rebuild.
As for spiritual structures, one of the biggest challenges facing any intentional intercessor is knowing how to prioritize prayer. And how can we be certain that our prayer coverage is adequate? Prayer targeting. We must carefully evaluate and select ours.
We use strategic prayer targeting to prioritize our prayer to acheive a specific goal.
In both physical and spiritual warfare, strategic timing is "mission - critical information."
We must engage in thorough research and become well informed of circumstance3s in natural and spiritual realms.
George Otis Jr. has defined spiritual mapping, our reconnaissance of the spiritual world, as "superimposing our understanding of forces and events in the spiritual domain onto places and circumstances in the material world" (Last of the Giants, 85).
In the summer of 1994, while Michael was serving as a missionary in Russia, he was asked by a television crew for an interview. One of his friends suggested that it would be great publicity for their new church, so reluctantly, ignoring the check in with his spirit, Michael agreed.
When their visa ran out, they had to leave the country to get it renewed. Upon returning, they were told that the interview had done more harm than good - because of it some had even left the church.
From that day, Michael banned all recorders and video cameras from the church and never again agreed to another interview. He decided that God doesn't need publicity!
When we leave the doors of our hearts open and unguarded to the world's influences, we can expect unwanted guests.
When the Sunni mosque was being built, Eddie, would drive by and prayer - walk their property.
As it reached completion, he wrote a letter of apology for the medieval crusades in which millions of Muslims were slaughtered in the name of Christ. He had the apology written calligraphically on parchment, took it to the five closest evangelical churches, and asked the pastors to sign it with him. Then he placed it into a gold frame and presented it to the iman. He was moved with tears and asked him to speak at the mosque's grand opening. Since then,he has developed a meaningful relationship with one of his elders. He is very near a decision to Christ.
2 Chronicles 7:13 - 14: Intercessors, we must stand in the gap and "repent the land (turn from and sincerely apologize to god for the sins that have defiled the land, whether our own or others)."
Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (I Timothy 2:1 -2 NKJV)
When we pray for those in authority, we pray for those who occupy positions of leadership in our community.
Our responsibility to pray for our leaders is twofold:
We must certainly pray for our church leaders.
We must also pray for our community leaders.
First, we must identify the leaders in our communities and churches.
But when we cannot know the leader personally, we should pray for those that do. We can pray for them and for their influence in his life.
In the spring of 1988, Michael was about to realize a dream for which he'd prayed for more than a year. He was being sent as a missionary to Venezuela. He had two problems: not enough money and not enough time to get the money needed.
When he arrived at his Messianic Jewish Congregation, he was greeted by his travel agent and handed a ticket.
Finally, the time for his ordination came; he was prayed over and officially sent out. The pastor called him up, gave him an envelope with a check that would cover the cost of his ticket and gagve him eleven dollars besides. He could have shouted!
Money is not a problem for God, and God is always on time!
But by God's grace the riches of heaven are at the disposal of those who have faith to apprehend them, and time is only a hiccup in our eternity with Him.
Ask God to supply the financial resources necessary to expand His Kingdom through our lives.
Several years ago, Eddie attended a national conference on world evangelism in a midwestern city.
There he met Rasheed, from Pakistan. He asked him, "Has anyone this week shared with you the good news of Jesus Christ and His Salvation?" Rasheed shook his head. Eddie took the time to present Christ and His gospel, and Rasheed prayed to receive Christ!
When Eddie arrived at the meeting, a long discussion developed on strategies the American Church might employ to complete the Great Commission. Eddie said, "Gentlemen, the longer we sit in rooms like this, discussing the problem, while ignoring people like Rasheed - the young Pakistani man who manages the gift shop across the hall, who just gave his heart to Christ - the further we will be from the goal."
Strategic positions, high places can also be called "the gates of the city." The basic types are (1) geographic, (2) political, (3) commercial, and (4) religious.
Geographical gates are actual physical locations. It's said that in the world of retail marketing there are three essential criteria: location, location, location.
Political gates are "gates of influence - positions of influence in a society." People need influential favor and blessing for their endeavors.
Commercial gates are gates of financial influencde within a community. God will hold us accountable for the ethical use of the "talents" He's given us, and we should pray accordingly.
Religious gates are institutions that primarily exixst to shape a people's worldview. Because people who accept religious postions influence society's general worldview these "places" can be extremely financially and politically profitable. Therefore, we must not neglect to pray for the righteous of religious leaders.
The four "inner gates" through which all society passes are (1) health and human services, (2) education, (3) mass media, and (4) culture. Those who occupy the inner and outer gates control the communities destiny.
When Michael visited El Vijia, they were able to bring together in one room thiry-two of the city's thirty-six pastors in a historic meeting.
This was the launch of their plan to visit El Vijia to bring a word regarding Israel to its pastors.
Followers of Christ, regardless of denominational affiliation, usually agree that Jesus Christ, who is God, came to earth as a man, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died an atoning death, was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is coming again. This agreement is the basis on which we come together to do Kingdom Business.
We must remain vigilant to the Holy Spirit's voice when establishing strategy. He alone knows which one is best applied at any given time.
The Bible is replete with examples of God's perfect timing.
Consider, for instance, the story of Esther, the Jewish girl who came to a postion of influence with the king at the appropriate time (Esther 2:15).
Targets are timing - critical. There is always an appropriate, strategic time for focusing on any target.
Timing - critical prayer targeting depends on discernment. Discernment deepends on sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is the hallmark of intercessors and prophets.
The Holy Spirit (called the Spirit of Truth) given by the Father at the request of His Son, is as a Counselor (John 14: 16 - 17).
Tools and Knowledge is worthless until applied.
Paul says, "Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance."
God endows individuals, communities, and nations with gifts designed to help lead the nations to Christ.
All authority and power in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus. God will hold us accountable for how we use His power and authority.
Do not try to accomplish His purposes with His power.
SPIRITUAL RECONNAISSANCE:
As a church, is our faith in God sufficiently evident to adequately reflect His glory to the communtiy?
PERSONALIZE IT:
Has God's glory ever invaded my/your life or home and brought with it a spirit of repentance and weeping?
Writer, Web Publishing, Book Reviewer, Freelancer, Christian Freelancer About the Author
Writer, Web Publishing, Book Reviewer, Freelancer, Christian Freelancer http://www.writers.net/writers/21422
Spiritual Thinkers
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Learn About Money From Jesus
Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25: 14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast now strawed. And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For the novel by Octavia Butler, see Parable of the Talents (novel). The parable tells of a master who was leaving his home to travel, and before going gave his three servants different amounts of money. On returning from his travels, the master asked his servants for an account of the money given to them.
The first servant reported that he was given five talents, and he had made five talents more. The master praised the servant as being good and faithful, gave him more responsibility because of his faithfulness, and invited the servant to be joyful together with him.The second servant said that he had received two talents, and he had made two talents more. The master praised this servant in the same way as being good and faithful, giving him more responsibility and inviting the servant to be joyful together with him.The last servant who had received one talent reported that knowing his master was a hard man, he buried his talent in the ground for safekeeping, and therefore returned the original amount to his master. The master called him a wicked and lazy servant, saying that he should have placed the money in the bank to generate interest. The master commanded that the one talent be taken away from that servant, and given to the servant with ten talents, because everyone that has much will be given more, and whoever that has a little, even the little that he has will be taken away. And the master ordered the servant to be thrown outside into the darkness.
The parable is apparently the origin of the use of the word "talent" to use a skill or ability, from the common interpretation of the story to teach that we are under a moral obligation to use our abilities rather than bury them; compare the phrase in Milton's sonnet on his blindness,And that one talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless... The parable of the talents, as depicted in a 1712 woodcut. The lazy servant searches for his buried talent, while the two other servants present their earnings to their master.The Parable of the Talents (sometimes just the Parable of Talents) is a parable of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 25:14-30). It was told to illustrate the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven, and that diligence in carrying out one's responsibilities is essential for more important tasks in the future.A similar parable, called The Parable of the Minas or The Parable of the Pounds is found in the Gospel of Luke 19:12-27, the main difference being that the master entrusted his servants with equal amounts, and that a mina was of much less value than a talent.Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven using the perspective of Jewish society at that time.
He begins with the Parable of The Ten Virgins to illustrate, and continues with the Parable of Talents. Talents were used as a unit of currency. It is impossible to be exact about their value, and different kinds of talent were in use. However, even the lowest value for a talent puts it as worth several thousand denarii, and a denarius was the usual payment for a day's labour. So a talent was the value of many years of work by an ordinary person.
Matthew 25: 14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast now strawed. And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For the novel by Octavia Butler, see Parable of the Talents (novel). The parable tells of a master who was leaving his home to travel, and before going gave his three servants different amounts of money. On returning from his travels, the master asked his servants for an account of the money given to them.
The first servant reported that he was given five talents, and he had made five talents more. The master praised the servant as being good and faithful, gave him more responsibility because of his faithfulness, and invited the servant to be joyful together with him.The second servant said that he had received two talents, and he had made two talents more. The master praised this servant in the same way as being good and faithful, giving him more responsibility and inviting the servant to be joyful together with him.The last servant who had received one talent reported that knowing his master was a hard man, he buried his talent in the ground for safekeeping, and therefore returned the original amount to his master. The master called him a wicked and lazy servant, saying that he should have placed the money in the bank to generate interest. The master commanded that the one talent be taken away from that servant, and given to the servant with ten talents, because everyone that has much will be given more, and whoever that has a little, even the little that he has will be taken away. And the master ordered the servant to be thrown outside into the darkness.
The parable is apparently the origin of the use of the word "talent" to use a skill or ability, from the common interpretation of the story to teach that we are under a moral obligation to use our abilities rather than bury them; compare the phrase in Milton's sonnet on his blindness,And that one talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless... The parable of the talents, as depicted in a 1712 woodcut. The lazy servant searches for his buried talent, while the two other servants present their earnings to their master.The Parable of the Talents (sometimes just the Parable of Talents) is a parable of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 25:14-30). It was told to illustrate the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven, and that diligence in carrying out one's responsibilities is essential for more important tasks in the future.A similar parable, called The Parable of the Minas or The Parable of the Pounds is found in the Gospel of Luke 19:12-27, the main difference being that the master entrusted his servants with equal amounts, and that a mina was of much less value than a talent.Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven using the perspective of Jewish society at that time.
He begins with the Parable of The Ten Virgins to illustrate, and continues with the Parable of Talents. Talents were used as a unit of currency. It is impossible to be exact about their value, and different kinds of talent were in use. However, even the lowest value for a talent puts it as worth several thousand denarii, and a denarius was the usual payment for a day's labour. So a talent was the value of many years of work by an ordinary person.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Mindfulness and Laughter
Gaining Clarity While Giggling
By: Maya Talisman Frost
Life is funny. Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous moments that we tend to ignore. We get so caught up in being earnest that we miss opportunities to gain clarity while giggling. Sure, there are times when it is considered inappropriate to laugh, but if we're honest, we'll see that if we're suppressing a smile it's a sign that we're fully present. Not only that, but these are times when we could most use a little laughter to bring levity to an overly-serious situation. The best business meetings--and funerals--I've ever attended included plenty of bust-a-gut moments. Years ago, during a two-week silent meditation retreat, I got the giggles. Oh, I know, you're supposed to be *serious* about meditating for five hours straight, but I couldn't help it. It all started when I was roused from my peaceful posture by a certain "KLUNK!" from across the room. I opened my eyes to see that one of my retreat buddies had fallen asleep and landed with his head against the wall. Momentarily unnerved, he quickly straightened up, closed his eyes and put on his best meditator's face. I, on the other hand, completely lost it. I managed to stifle the first few giggles, but then they started escaping in little bursts. I tried the ol' coughing technique, hoping to disguise my snorts as expectoration, but I wasn't fooling anyone. Pretty soon, I saw (well, I did have my eyes open) others looking my way. Nobody else was laughing. In fact, nobody else was even smiling. Clearly, I was the only one who had allowed myself to get caught up in that unexpected moment of hilarity. I was chagrined, and then annoyed, and continued to watch my response to this incident shift over the next few minutes. Had it been funny? Of course. Were we supposed to be concentrating fully on the moment? Absolutely. Anything else would be attachment to past regrets or worries about the future. Okay, so we were focusing on watching our thoughts, and this little interruption was not part of what was going on in our heads. But isn't ignoring what's happening around us the same kind of thing that gets us into trouble back in the Real World? We go about our lives, obsessing silently, moving mindlessly, getting things done. We fail to notice the wonder and joy and beauty all around us because we are in full scowl mode about the things in our heads. Well, I'm all for taking time to laugh. Give me a giggling guru over a dour taskmaster every time. The greatest guides--in business, education, and personal success--are those who encourage us to invite hilarity into our lives whenever it happens to appear. Open your eyes to the silliness around you, and laugh out loud. It's good for your heart in every way.
About The Author
Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse offering specialized mindfulness training in Portland, Oregon. She teaches eyes-wide-open ways to get calm, clear and creative. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, please visit http://www.massageyourmind.com/ maya@mindmassuse.com
Significance Of Colors In Feng Shui Practice
by: Andrew Jones
Have you ever wondered what feelings do you have when you look at bright red rose in the garden? Can you imagine if a garden that does not have colorful flowers but only the green foliage? Early in the morning when you see a newly opened flower in your garden, your heart is filled with joy and happiness. Each flower in the garden has a different color and hue that affects you differently. While the white lily touches your soul for its serenity, the red rose with its vibrant energy elicits a feeling of love and passion.
The feeling is different because the flower is reflecting a different color and Feng Shui uses this natural magic of colors to transform your life. A rose is red because it reflects red color and Feng Shui makes use of this reflected energy to create a balance between yin and yang energies that suits your personality or your environment. You may be aware of two types of energies (yin and yang) that the colors in Feng Shui represent. You can think of yin energy as like a plant growing from the earth. It comes from the soil, raising itself upward and moving toward the sky. As yin energy moves up to the sky it becomes diffused and dissipated. Yin energies have an element of dreaminess about them and the colors like blue, white, green and purple according to Feng Shui are believed to have yin energies. If your home office is full of creative and dream-inducing objects or colors, Feng Shui may ask you to get rid of them (at least some of them) and introduce in their place more vibrant colors that will help you get in the right spirit to do some work and be enthusiastic. Every association you have with a color contributes in some way to how you are. That is why colors play a meaningful role within the practice of Feng Shui. It is very essential for you to understand why toning down or playing up certain Feng Shui colors in your home will help you to achieve the goals you have set for yourself in your life. The guiding principle in using Feng Shui Colors should be to achieve balance rather than excess.
Whether you are planning the color scheme of your home, office, garden or personal appearance, the following characteristics of the colors in Feng Shui practice will give you an insight into how they can be used in Feng Shui design - http://www.thespiritualfengshui.com/feng-shui-design.php Yin Colors & Feng Shui Yin colors according to Feng Shui are the colors which bring about healing and relaxation. The relation between colors and Feng Shui can be better understood by taking the example of some colors as given below. Blue: Blue color according to Feng Shui has yin energy and it is calm and soothing. This color has great significance in Feng Shui as it reflects love as it heals and relaxes. Blue creates a feeling of peace and trust. Since it is the color of the sea and sky, Feng Shui associates it with adventure and exploration. Navy blue it the color of intellect and wisdom. Black: Black color in Feng Shui symbolizes money and income, black is great for careers, especially when combined with metal. It is the Feng Shui color of emotional protection and power. Purple: Purple, the color which lies at the end of the spectrum, has a great significance in spiritual Feng Shui.
The color is excellent for physical and mental healing and Feng Shui associates it with spiritual awareness. White: The color in Feng Shui represents poise, confidence and purity. Because of its yin energy, Feng Shui uses this color mostly in combination with gold or silver to generate an atmosphere The other yin colors of Feng Shui are pink and green which also have their individual properties that are used in Feng Shui practice. Yang colors and Feng Shui Yellow: Yellow color in Feng Shui is considered to be as auspicious as red. Yellow represents sunbeams, warmth, motion, cheerfulness and friendliness. However, according to a noted color Feng Shui consultant, prolonged exposure to large amounts of intense yellow can cause anxiety. Orange: With a lot of yang energy the orange color has great significance for spiritual Feng Shui practice as it strengthens your concentration. You might use this color when your creative well runs dry. Orange color in Feng Shui is used to give you a sense of purpose. Orange is the color of organization. The other yang colors of Feng Shui are Tan/Beige, Brown, Red, Mauve, Maroon and lavender and gold. Each color has its significance such as money, luck or romance.
hese colors can be used in different combinations with Feng Shui elements for balancing the chi of your Feng Shui home, Feng Shui bed room, or Feng Shui office. Colors & Feng Shui also have a lot to do with the direction in which your home sits. There are different colors that Feng Shui defines for the use in exterior facades of your house. Exterior colors of your house in Feng Shui practice can be used for matching or enhancing the basic house type that you have. For example if your house is facing towards the south, painting its exterior with white, grey or blue enhances the flow of chi in your home. For houses facing towards East, the colors in earth tones or metal tones are thought to be of much use for enhancing the positive energies of the house. The above article has been written with the sole aim of introducing you to the significance of relationship between colors and Feng Shui. But in actual Feng Shui practice there are many other factors which need to be given importance, it is very essential for you to understand the core of Feng Shui. Once you know what is Feng Shui, you are in better position to understand the significance of Feng Shui tips. Remember that opening your heart to universe is more important than knowing meaning of colors and Feng Shui practice, because it is from there that you allow the healing energies to flow in your heart and living environments. The book on The Spiritual Feng Shui has been specially written for Feng Shui study - http://www.thespiritualfengshui.com/feng-shui-study.php, for beginners to bring home the significance of spiritualism for Feng Shui practice.
About The Author
Andrew Jones is an expert author on Feng Shui related topics. Colors Feng Shui - http://www.thespiritualfengshui.com/feng-shui-color.php andrew@orientinfosolutions.com
Have you ever wondered what feelings do you have when you look at bright red rose in the garden? Can you imagine if a garden that does not have colorful flowers but only the green foliage? Early in the morning when you see a newly opened flower in your garden, your heart is filled with joy and happiness. Each flower in the garden has a different color and hue that affects you differently. While the white lily touches your soul for its serenity, the red rose with its vibrant energy elicits a feeling of love and passion.
The feeling is different because the flower is reflecting a different color and Feng Shui uses this natural magic of colors to transform your life. A rose is red because it reflects red color and Feng Shui makes use of this reflected energy to create a balance between yin and yang energies that suits your personality or your environment. You may be aware of two types of energies (yin and yang) that the colors in Feng Shui represent. You can think of yin energy as like a plant growing from the earth. It comes from the soil, raising itself upward and moving toward the sky. As yin energy moves up to the sky it becomes diffused and dissipated. Yin energies have an element of dreaminess about them and the colors like blue, white, green and purple according to Feng Shui are believed to have yin energies. If your home office is full of creative and dream-inducing objects or colors, Feng Shui may ask you to get rid of them (at least some of them) and introduce in their place more vibrant colors that will help you get in the right spirit to do some work and be enthusiastic. Every association you have with a color contributes in some way to how you are. That is why colors play a meaningful role within the practice of Feng Shui. It is very essential for you to understand why toning down or playing up certain Feng Shui colors in your home will help you to achieve the goals you have set for yourself in your life. The guiding principle in using Feng Shui Colors should be to achieve balance rather than excess.
Whether you are planning the color scheme of your home, office, garden or personal appearance, the following characteristics of the colors in Feng Shui practice will give you an insight into how they can be used in Feng Shui design - http://www.thespiritualfengshui.com/feng-shui-design.php Yin Colors & Feng Shui Yin colors according to Feng Shui are the colors which bring about healing and relaxation. The relation between colors and Feng Shui can be better understood by taking the example of some colors as given below. Blue: Blue color according to Feng Shui has yin energy and it is calm and soothing. This color has great significance in Feng Shui as it reflects love as it heals and relaxes. Blue creates a feeling of peace and trust. Since it is the color of the sea and sky, Feng Shui associates it with adventure and exploration. Navy blue it the color of intellect and wisdom. Black: Black color in Feng Shui symbolizes money and income, black is great for careers, especially when combined with metal. It is the Feng Shui color of emotional protection and power. Purple: Purple, the color which lies at the end of the spectrum, has a great significance in spiritual Feng Shui.
The color is excellent for physical and mental healing and Feng Shui associates it with spiritual awareness. White: The color in Feng Shui represents poise, confidence and purity. Because of its yin energy, Feng Shui uses this color mostly in combination with gold or silver to generate an atmosphere The other yin colors of Feng Shui are pink and green which also have their individual properties that are used in Feng Shui practice. Yang colors and Feng Shui Yellow: Yellow color in Feng Shui is considered to be as auspicious as red. Yellow represents sunbeams, warmth, motion, cheerfulness and friendliness. However, according to a noted color Feng Shui consultant, prolonged exposure to large amounts of intense yellow can cause anxiety. Orange: With a lot of yang energy the orange color has great significance for spiritual Feng Shui practice as it strengthens your concentration. You might use this color when your creative well runs dry. Orange color in Feng Shui is used to give you a sense of purpose. Orange is the color of organization. The other yang colors of Feng Shui are Tan/Beige, Brown, Red, Mauve, Maroon and lavender and gold. Each color has its significance such as money, luck or romance.
hese colors can be used in different combinations with Feng Shui elements for balancing the chi of your Feng Shui home, Feng Shui bed room, or Feng Shui office. Colors & Feng Shui also have a lot to do with the direction in which your home sits. There are different colors that Feng Shui defines for the use in exterior facades of your house. Exterior colors of your house in Feng Shui practice can be used for matching or enhancing the basic house type that you have. For example if your house is facing towards the south, painting its exterior with white, grey or blue enhances the flow of chi in your home. For houses facing towards East, the colors in earth tones or metal tones are thought to be of much use for enhancing the positive energies of the house. The above article has been written with the sole aim of introducing you to the significance of relationship between colors and Feng Shui. But in actual Feng Shui practice there are many other factors which need to be given importance, it is very essential for you to understand the core of Feng Shui. Once you know what is Feng Shui, you are in better position to understand the significance of Feng Shui tips. Remember that opening your heart to universe is more important than knowing meaning of colors and Feng Shui practice, because it is from there that you allow the healing energies to flow in your heart and living environments. The book on The Spiritual Feng Shui has been specially written for Feng Shui study - http://www.thespiritualfengshui.com/feng-shui-study.php, for beginners to bring home the significance of spiritualism for Feng Shui practice.
About The Author
Andrew Jones is an expert author on Feng Shui related topics. Colors Feng Shui - http://www.thespiritualfengshui.com/feng-shui-color.php andrew@orientinfosolutions.com
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