SelfGrowth.com articles for Religion

Stressful Times at Church? Do What I Say, Not What I Do!

coaching4clergy@gmail.com — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:04:48 am

In a list of the most stressful jobs you can have, being a minister came in as one of the top ten. Pastors weren't surprised by that at all, but what if things were different? What if we practiced what we preached? When I mention the stressful nature of ministry to people outside of the ...

Muhammad and the Angel of Light

morten2@mortenstgeorge.info — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:00:00 am

This is not the first time it is being suggested that parts of the Qur'an (Koran) were authored by an alien. It seems the Qur'an contains scientific information that could not have been known in Muhammad's (Mohammed's) time and that was subsequently proven to be correct. This lies in sharp ...

Why Do You Think the Church is in a State of Crisis?

steve@stevemcswain.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 3:29:28 pm

The church today appears to be more lost than the world it's trying to save. One reason is that the church has so wedded itself to western culture that Christians today look and live more like the culture around them than the Christ before them. The irony is, while the church almost continually ...

Questions I’m frequently asked: Are you still a Christian?

steve@stevemcswain.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 3:29:28 pm

Interesting you would ask me this, as others have asked me this question, too, and I suppose it is because I no longer pretend to believe that Christianity is the only way to know God. Yet, as far as my own faith journey is concerned, I regard myself as more Christian today than I've ever ...

While Many Have Left Organized Religion, There's Still an Interest in Spirituality

steve@stevemcswain.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 3:29:29 pm

There is in everyone the longing to know intimacy with the Divine. The only difference between people is that a few are aware of this longing, while most are not. For those who are not, life is a constant challenge, even a frustration, as they search for God everywhere but the one and only place ...

Buddhism beliefs simple technique for the freedom of troubling thoughts

guruvirk@hotmail.com — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 4:02:24 pm

Beliefs of Buddhism is the spiritual philosophy to understand his individual life of man, the absolute life, consciousness and subtle problem of human suffering and human suffering that can be controlled based on meditation and conscious experience. It helps understand the metaphysics of the ...

God's Self Imposed Concussion

wbbeachnews@yahoo.com — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 4:27:38 pm

Spring means the birth of new beginnings, but it also signals a dawning of mowing the lawn. For many, home improvement ideas begin to dance around in our heads. My wife and I live in an older home and we had a concrete pad in front of the side door for as long as I could recall. The ...

A Random Act Of Kindness Defined

wbbeachnews@yahoo.com — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 4:26:39 pm

With so many responsibilities and pressures tugging at us, it’s hard to think of much else than self. “Oh, we’re just human!” Some might say. It must be instinctive, for even kids wanna horde. Of course there could be something said for adult toys too. We could learn a lot from ...

A.A. Steps Five through Nine: Teachings by Dr. Bob's Wife Anne Smith

dickb@dickb.com — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:31:47 am

Alcoholics Anonymous & “The Mother of A.A.” Anne Ripley Smith, Wife of Dr. Bob Dick B. © 2010 Anonymous. All rights reserved Part Three: Key Teachings in “Anne Smith’s Journal” on Steps 5 – 9 Materials Sources The best source of information about Anne Ripley Smith, wife of ...

Pastors: Steer Into The Shift Or Be Left Behind

coaching4clergy@gmail.com — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 5:22:41 pm

Ministry is going through a shift – really, a kind of death (of the pastor-centered approach to ministry) and resurrection (of a team approach). We see it in the numbers: more and more pastors out of work, more and more churches closing their doors, less and less money available for programs and ...

Minister Ordination as a Means of Spiritual Growth

zorger@spiritualhumanism.org — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 5:00:11 pm

Everything happens for a reason. Most people have an unfilled sense of longing for something they just can never quite put their finger on. Our modern world is so full of technological distractions that it becomes nearly impossible to hear the inner voice that comes from somewhere deep inside ...

Reflections on the Fermi Paradox

morten2@mortenstgeorge.info — Fri, 9 Jul 2010 3:38:08 pm

In a period of less than one hundred years, humankind advanced from traveling by horse and buggy to making a trip to its planet's satellite. Just imagine what the humans might be able to accomplish over the course of the next ten thousand years! That is possibly enough time to develop techniques ...

In Search Of True Friendship

wbbeachnews@yahoo.com — Fri, 9 Jul 2010 3:38:17 pm

The passing of a relative made the thought of inward examination all too evident - funerals have a way of doing that. The words, "What if?" were a constant pry upon my mind for days. "How old will I be when I go?" A probe of, "What will it be like when the end comes?" spun around in my head ...

Your Destiny Depends on It - How to Overcome the Flesh

abc123pcj@yahoo.com — Mon, 2 Aug 2010 2:05:06 pm

How to fulfill your divine destiny? Christians have struggled with the flesh since the early apostles walked the dusty roads of Jerusalem, hence the Bible states, "The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41b KJV). How do you overcome the flesh to fulfill your divine ...

The New Jerusalem

francois@lets-live.co.za — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:00:00 am

The New Jerusalem Greek

Angels ángelos

francois@lets-live.co.za — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:00:00 am

Angels ángelos Late Latin angelus < Greek ángelos < Mystery of Angels Late Latin angelus < Greek ángelos < Hebrew "one going" or "one sent"; messenger Angel- a word signifying, both in the Hebrew and Greek, a "messenger," mal-awk' From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; ...

The Kingdom of God

francois@lets-live.co.za — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:00:00 am

The Kingdom of God Greek: ( βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ, Basileia tou Theou) The kingdom of God - Basileia tou Theou The kingdom of Heaven - Basileia tōn Ouranōn For the past centuries there’s been a controversial myth about the kingdom of God that is to come. The miss interpretations of the ...

The Book of Revelations Part 1

francois@lets-live.co.za — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:00:00 am

The Book of Revelations For the past decades many people were lead astray by false doctrines and religions. Fear and superstition overwhelmed and blindfolded many believers and kept them away from the true power and knowledge of Jesus Christ. I believe the reason for all this madness is, ...

Alcohol Is a Major Sin

dbarter123@gmail.com — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:00:00 am

Ayahs of Quran related to alcohol It is stated in the Quran: “They ask you regarding wine and gambling. Say, in both of them is major sin, and there is some benefit for men, but the sin of them is far greater than benefit” (Surah Baqarah) "O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, idolatry and ...

Maximum Christian Victory - Why You Desperately Need to Pray in Tongues

abc123pcj@yahoo.com — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:00:00 am

There is a reason you are not experiencing maximum victory in your life. Of course there could be several reasons, but let me zero in on one of the main reasons. You have not obeyed God's Word to pray in tongues as you should according to Romans 8:26,27 and Jude 20,21. Maybe you do pray in ...

Is Jesus the Only Way to God

steve@stevemcswain.com — Thu, 3 Jun 2010 12:00:00 am

For centuries, Christians have not only believed but vigorously defended the view that Jesus is the one and only way to God. As a Christian myself, I was one of these who not only believed this but was ready to argue and debate with anyone who questioned what I thought was an unquestionable ...

Is Little League Killing the Church?

coaching4clergy@gmail.com — Fri, 4 Jun 2010 1:51:57 pm

I was clicking around my LinkedIn account, minding my own business, when I ran into church consultant Barbara Stechert. She had started a juicy discussion by writing that organized children's sports is either the new religion or is killing the old church. People were very emotional in their ...

Trimbakeshwar Temple – one of 12 jyotirlingas in India

majoripc09@gmail.com — Fri, 4 Jun 2010 1:51:58 pm

Trimbakeshwar Temple – one of 12 jyotirlingas in India Trimbakeshwar temple, an ancient Hindu Pilgrim centre, is located in the Nasik district of Maharashtra state in India. Trimbakeshwar is famous for one of the twelve Jyothirlinga temples in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. The holy ...

More Power To You (Part 6)

grrtvnvrn@gmail.com — Fri, 4 Jun 2010 1:49:51 pm

We now reach the climax of this series of articles on Christian Spiritual power. As we saw in the previous article, the power of the Holy Spirit works through believers because of the authority of the name of Jesus. When the sons of Sceva tried to rebuke evil spirits ‘in the name of the Jesus ...

More Power To You (Part 5)

grrtvnvrn@gmail.com — Fri, 4 Jun 2010 1:49:51 pm

We are now proceeding to the climax of this series of articles on the power of God in us. As we have seen in previous parts, the power comes from God, through the Holy Spirit, after we repent of our sins and receive the salvation of Jesus Christ. Having the power of God is not for personal use ...

More Power To You (Part 4)

grrtvnvrn@gmail.com — Fri, 4 Jun 2010 1:49:52 pm

In the previous three parts of this series, we discussed the source and direction of power available to Christians. We learnt that Jesus promised the Apostles that they would receive power from on high when the Holy Spirit falls on them, and saw that this actually happened just as Jesus ...

A Defense of Buddhism Against Some Tired Old Criticisms

charles@spiritualsolutionsnow.com — Fri, 4 Jun 2010 1:51:58 pm

A few years ago the journalist and author John Horgan wrote an article about his personal exploration of Buddhism, and the unfavorable view of Buddhist practice and philosophy that he had with some regret arrived at. Mr. Horgan, who as a writer specializes in covering the world of science, ...

State cannot claim sovereign immunity in Motor Accident cases-Says Delhi High Court

nkacyber@gmail.com — Fri, 4 Jun 2010 1:51:58 pm

The already devastated legal heirs of deceased victim of the vehicle accident involving government vehicle now, no longer have to run from pillar to post to get compensation which is denied to them on the ground of government vehicle engaged in so called sovereign duty and thus claim sovereign ...

What Every Christian Leader Should Know

grrtvnvrn@gmail.com — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:07:20 pm

God’s Word, is very outspoken concerning the leaders of His people. This is the case in both the Old and New Testaments. God’s love for His humankind is such that He will not tolerate leaders that exploitation their subjects neither will He tolerate the abuse of power and authority. Someone ...

Is Your Religion Working for You? Really? (A Fresh Approach )

eraymondrock@aol.com — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:07:20 pm

How about a fresh approach to religion? What if we observed life as it truly is? What if we tried to see the truth of life without preconceived ideas about life, without the filter of our past conditioning and entrenched beliefs? Is there an approach to life that plainly, logically, and ...

More Power To You (Part 3)

grrtvnvrn@gmail.com — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:07:21 pm

In parts 1 & 2 of this series of articles on the POWER of God in us, we saw that firstly, Jesus promised us the power; secondly, that He paid the full price for the dominion and authority over everything above the earth, on the earth, and beneath the earth. Then thirdly, we saw that His promise ...

More Power To You (Part 2)

grrtvnvrn@gmail.com — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:07:21 pm

In the first article in this series, we dealt with how Jesus promised the disciples the coming of the comforter, the Holy Spirit, which would come to the followers of Jesus after He left for His Father. Now, taking it on from there... After having been crucified and freeing humankind from the ...

More Power To You (Part 1)

grrtvnvrn@gmail.com — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:07:21 pm

That we are living in difficult times, is no secret. People who have a negative inclination can identify problems in almost every sphere of life. The world economy apparently reached record lows; there are worldwide health crises with all sorts of pandemics evolving and then we have not even ...

A Walk In The Garden

the.foundations09@gmail.com — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:07:23 pm

I wish that I could have walked behind Elijah and Elisha as they headed to where Elijah would rise up to heaven in a storm. I can’t even imagine what the two giants, Rebbi and student, were discussing as they walked. I wish I could have walked alongside Moses as he led the Children of Israel ...

And That's My Take... (Buddha Must Be Weeping)

curtis@sagmeister.ca — Fri, 28 May 2010 11:32:53 am

AND THAT’S MY TAKE… (BUDDHA MUST BE WEEPING) © 2010 by Curtis Sagmeister. All Rights Reserved. Not one known to show emotion, Buddha must now be weeping over the civil unrest in Thailand. For more than two months, protesters have camped out at a downtown Bangkok park, using it as a ...

Holy communion is central to the Christian Religion

burnsrudy@ymail.com — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:53:11 am

Holy Communion is central to the Christian Religion. While it is a central component to Christian religious denominations, the emphasis and meaning of Holy Communion varies among the various Christian denominations. There is big difference in how for example the Roman Catholic Church treats and ...

Fighting against Black Magic Spells

leon@levievs.com — Sat, 15 May 2010 12:00:00 am

Black magic is a dark art that is used by people who want to achieve their evil goals by controlling the powers of nature. In most cases such goals contain an evil intention which harms innocent people. The power of black magic spells is quite impressive and may be too dangerous for a common, ...

Prophet, pundit or newsman – America’s Confusion

ameripro@cox.net — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:53:12 am

A simple scan of current events, a gander at the online or TV news will leave you reeling in disbelief. Never before have newsmen and reporters been so highly lauded for the work they do. Yet in the end it is like the adage; water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink. The nature of news ...

Just What is the Pastor's Role, Anyway?

coaching4clergy@gmail.com — Thu, 8 Jul 2010 9:26:30 am

At every church, there is usually a Board of Directors or some other governing body that hires the pastor, creates a job description and a set of expectations for that pastor, and evaluates how the pastor is doing in their role. These expectations are laid out to the pastor, of course, but ...

The reality of Christian Rehab

perdomoluis01@gmail.com — Wed, 12 May 2010 12:00:00 am

The reality of Christian Rehab The very idea that someone would want to chose rehab is important to their future and shows that they are ready to admit that there is a problem and possibly be committed to making that change to their lives for the better. Christians are not exempt from drug ...

Using Prayer Beads in Religious Practice