Helpful Tips For Writing Thank You Notes

For gifts given on birthdays, anniversaries, religious celebrations, showers and weddings:

Keep it real. Be sure your thank you note fits the person you are thanking by the tone and style of your writing. In your thank you note, mention the gift and how you plan to use it. Even if the gift is a monetary one - you can tell the giver how you plan to use their generous gift. Be sure to acknowledge how wonderful and/or useful the gift is in your thank you note. Always send your thank you notes within two weeks time or as soon as possible so that the gift and what it means to you is fresh in your mind.

Guidelines for a monogram: Example: Susan Ann Doe

When a monogram has a large middle initial, the center initial represents the last name, the initial on the left represents the first name and the initial on the right represents the maiden or middle name = SDA

Today many couples are using both of their names in the monogram.

Example: Susan and John Doe

The same guide applies, however, one person's name is to the left and The other person's name is on the right = SDJ

When you complete a job interview, thank the interviewer for giving you the:

* Time of the interviewer
* Information you received in the interview
* Hospitality of the receptionist, interview and others
* Consideration of the organization to be hired as an employee
* Opportunity to advance in your career

Business reasons to send a thank you note:

Send a personal note of congratulations when someone you know is cited for a personal or business achievement. Promote good will by acknowledging an order or referral with a thank-you note.

And this advise from C.J. Hayden, business coach and author of Get Clients Now: "To most people, an anonymous brochure received in the mail is merely junk. A personal, handwritten note on attractive stationery will get someone's attention. Why? Because you took the time to write it. It makes the recipient feel special. And that's how he or she wants to feel as your customer."

Stay in touch!

Quality and convenience at prices you can afford.
Correspondence cards and folded notes.
Also unique invitations, Holiday and Christmas cards. =>
http://www.classiccommunication.com/stationery.htm

Your Covenant with Death

As we walk in the beautiful raze of the sun, we dont take much time considering our death nor or eternal home. The Bible tells us that we have an appointment and a covenant, with death and an agreement with Hell.

Isa 28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Do men actually believe these doctrines will save them in the time of Christs reappearance? Do they believe, Wood, Hay and Stubble, will keep them from the fire of eternal damnation?

Isa 28:15, are the thoughts and words of those that have, and will reject God and His son Jesus. From the Mosaic Law to the Law of Grace and Mercy.

As was in the Days of the Mosaic Law, today there are multitudes that reject the word of God. The Bible is one of the most read books in the history of the world. Many read it to find salvation and guidance and others read it to find fault.

Many scholars of the past and the present, have tried to avoid this subject, many saying that hell is just an imaginary place created by the church and death is just the end of life, no reward nor punishment. Isa 28:15, Covenant; A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, to do or to forbear some act or thing; a contract; stipulation. Agreement; Union of minds in regard to a transfer of interest; bargain; compact; contract; stipulation.

The covenant with death came with the fall of Adam. We are all born into the curse that Adam and Eve placed us with. We are all of the Family of Man, from the beginning to the end. Now being born so, we also hold the same responsibility of abiding to the covenant that Adam brought upon all. So we are appointed to die.

Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Act 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
The agreement that many sign with hell, is the spiritual and not the physical body, that enters into a contract with hell to abide by no rules nor limitations on our actions as a physical being. Satisfying the flesh while letting Satan have the soul.

Deu 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. The word,Hell is mentioned 55 times in the KJV.

All with the idea that it is a place of utter torment and a result of Gods anger with mankind. Psa 21:8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee. Many say, they dont need God, we are beautiful, we are intelligent, we are in control of our own destiny, we are gods of ourselves. We have attained the summit of intellect, wisdom, knowledge and understanding of our world, and the universe is ours to plunder and shape.

Psa 21:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

In Mat 23:13, we see an example of the things going on in the time of Jesus, but we also see things that are going on in our world today. There are many teachers, teaching for doctrines of man, things that are contrary to the Scriptures, false religions, false doctrines, books written by man, for man, by the will of man and not of God.
Bibles that are written by man that alter Gods word, false prophets are made to be something when they are not, for example, the Books of, Nostradamus, Scientology, Joseph Smith, the Church of Satan bible, Marshal Applewhite, Jim Jones, the new world religion, and many many others.

Man has created himself gods of stone, wood, gold and paper. Its not just these men but also those that believe in them. Mankind has, sense the time of Adam, sought to make gods many that would supply the lust of the flesh and make salvation easier to obtain, these times were the days of darkness.

Mat 23:13; But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Just as with the followers of Nostradamus, his writings are so vague that anyone could intreprete any of his words, to mean anything they wanted. Its not the words but mans use of those words, that create a real and present danger. These writings are the writings of confusion and deception. If they would take the book as a fantasy, things would be different. But the use of these words create a stumbling block to them who teach, and a wall of ignorance to all who listen and believe. Just as Jesus stated; ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. Ignorance and Indifference make men susceptible to all manner of false doctrine, accepting these things, results in a pact with death and an appointment with hell.
False preacher,Prophets and Ministers of Lies; Mat 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Mat 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Ars
Isa 28:9 - shall he teach: Isa_30:10-12; Psa_50:17; Pro_1:29; Jer_5:31, Jer_6:10; Joh_3:19, Joh_12:38, Joh_12:47, Joh_12:48 doctrine: Heb. The hearing, Isa_53:1 *marg.

Weaned: Psa_131:2; Mat_11:25, Mat_21:15, Mat_21:16; Mar_10:15; 1Pe_2:2, Deu 32:22 - For a fire: Deu_29:20; Num_16:35; Psa_21:9, Psa_83:14, Psa_97:3; Isa_66:15, Isa_66:16; Jer_4:4, Jer_15:14; Jer_17:4; Lam_2:3, Lam_4:11; Eze_36:5; Nah_1:6; Mal_4:1, Mal_4:2; Mar_9:43-48; 2Th_1:8; Heb_12:29

shall burn: or, hath burned lowest: Psa_86:13; Isa_30:33; Zep_3:8; Mat_10:28, Mat_18:9, Mat_23:33 shall consume: or, hath consumed, Isa_24:6, Isa_24:19, Isa_24:20 foundations: Job_9:5, Job_9:6; Psa_46:2, Psa_144:5; Isa_54:10; Mic_1:4; Nah_1:5; Hab_3:10

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries A.R.Smith Ministries http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Jesus Speaks on Death and Dying

When Sylvia and I got married, the minister commented that he had done as many weddings as he had done funerals. All of his funerals lasted. Not all of the marriages that he performed have lasted. One thing is for sure, we are all going to die once per lifetime. There will be no second chance to go back and do it over. If God were to call you today, are you ready to die for Him?

In Matthew 20:17-28; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 18:31-34, Jesus prepares the Apostles for His coming death. James and John's mother asks Jesus for preferential treatment for her sons. Jesus challenges their commitment and then informs everyone about how to have true greatness. Are you willing to die to yourself for Jesus?

We're All Going to Die - Matthew 20:17; Mark 10:32; Luke 18:31-32 Jesus and the Apostles are on their way to Jerusalem. Jesus will not leave the city and immediate area alive. He prepares the Apostles again, reminding them that He is going to die as the Old Testament prophesied.

Death is something that is going to happen to everyone who is conceived on this earth. Not even God's Son will escape the pain of dying. We need not lament that we are going to die, but be prepared so that we don't have to "get ready" if that moment should come suddenly.

Best Friends May Betray You - Matthew 20:18-19; Mark 10:33-34; Luke 18:33-34 One thing that makes this situation especially painful is that Jesus declares that He will be betrayed. He doesn't give any clue that it is one of the Apostles, but He knows. He does state that it will be unfair, cruel and final. Jew and Gentile will be involved in His death (murder).

How would you feel if someone that you were close to lied about you to authorities in a way that was quickly going to result in your execution? How would you feel if you knew this person was going to do that, days, weeks, even years ahead of the event? Could you tolerate having them in your company? Jesus did! No matter how much someone has hurt you in your life, you have never experienced the betrayal that Jesus endured!

Bargaining With God - Matthew 20:20-21; Mark 10:35-37 The mother of James and John comes to Jesus upon this announcement and, not realizing fully what she is asking, requests that they be given special honor in Jesus' Kingdom. She may have totally missed that Jesus is going to die and be expecting Him to set up a Kingdom in Jerusalem. That is what most of His followers are expecting from Him. Death is totally out of their minds. Whether she understands or not, she tries to bargain with Jesus for that special favor.

Most people who are dying go through a phase of bargaining for more time. All of us want some kind of "glory" or recognition. We will look to God or someone else for a special favor or title in hopes that it will give us a degree of life after we are dead.

Paying the Cost - Matthew 20:22-23; Mark 10:38-39a Jesus responds to the request for James and John by asking them if they are willing to pay the price to have the honor. They declare that they are willing to do whatever is required in exchange for the recognition.

Nothing "great" comes without a cost. If you want a raise or promotion, you have to deliver more work or assume more responsibility. Although our salvation is not on such terms, privilege on this earth does require a responsibility and special commitment if we are going to receive the honor. Are you willing to die for Jesus, if necessary? Are you willing to pay the price of your life in order to maintain your eternal life with Him?

Jealousy in the Ranks - Matthew 20:24; Mark 10:39b-40 The other Apostles are a little upset at James and John for asking for special favor. After all, aren't they as good (or better than) those two?

Being jealous is a waste of time. You should use your talents for God and not compare yourself to others or complain because they have some talent that you do not have.

Dying to Self - Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:41-45 Jesus sees the resentment towards James and John and must now defuse the jealousy and wrong attitudes in the ranks. He tells them that the one who is truly greatest is not the boss, but the worker who is out there doing something for others.

Which is more important to you, getting the honor or serving the Lord? Is Jesus truly first in your life? If He is, what are you doing to help advance His Kingdom? Are you the best worker at your job? Does your integrity reflect Jesus' presence in your life? Is loving others and serving Jesus more important to you than getting recognition or controlling others? Are you willing to die to yourself (your selfishness) for Jesus? God bless you and have a great week!

These articles are related to the "Getting To Know Jesus" Bible study series, a non-denominational Bible study that is written to help you become more like Jesus! Jesus is a role model and a testimony of God's best being given to us!

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Glen Copple is an ordained minister who has over 25 years of preaching and teaching experience in ministering to non-denominational churches. In 1983, he earned a Master of Arts in Ministry from Pacific Christian College (now Hope International University) in Fullerton, CA, and has had ministries in Kansas, Missouri, and California.

In previous ministries, Pastor Glen taught through the Life of Christ and developed the structure for "Getting To Know Jesus." He knew that God led him to put his years of ministry and Bible study to work to share with you, your family and friends in this non-denominational study of Jesus Christ, his life and teachings.

Creation Versus Evolution - Gods Ultimate Power

You rarely hear the word evolution among scientists anymore and creation seems to be too far-fetched for any educated person to make sense out of. How the world started and where the universe came from has been one of the secrets that even the most educated people on the planet seem to have problem solving.

Creation states that God created the world in seven days. Evolution states that man has evolved from apes. Anyone could make sense out of both of them and with that in mind, we could tear each one of them apart with very little effort. It's hard to imagine modern man believes in either one of them but there are millions of people who do. Christians, Hindus, Judaism and of course the Nation of Islam.

How could we ever prove that God created the earth? I guess if someone invented a time machine, we could go back in the past and watch these events taking place but how would we know for sure, this is actually what we were seeing and would we be able to tell the difference between an illusion and the truth. If you choose to base your review of creation entirely on faith, I have some oceanfront property in Utah I would like to show you.

Evolution doesn't seem to fare much better than creation when it comes to proving scientifically that it's true. A hundred years ago, some of our greatest teachers were convinced that evolution could very easily replace the theory of creation. Nowadays it almost seems like something from our past, something like Greek mythology. At one time people on this planet believed in Greek and Roman gods but they are kind of a joke, while religions like Christianity seem to be gaining more ground.

Evolution is missing more than one link, they're missing links that link the other links together. The theory that our world was created by God makes more sense to me than the theory of evolution. However, if there was a God or being so powerful, why wouldn't this supreme entity intervene on our planet and eliminate hunger.

It's hard to imagine that either one of these theories are entirely true but at the same time each one of these theories could be stepping stones on our ladder of education towards the truth. I'm sure that one day we will know the truth but for now I will choose not to endorse either one of them 100%.

More Spiritual Ideas

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a self help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

Christian Themes in Contemporary Art

Undoubtedly, the first Christian art - or "God art" - appeared during or shortly after Jesus' life here on earth. Indeed, paintings from around 70 A.D. still exist. Over the past two decades, Christian themes in contemporary art have enjoyed a renaissance as artists have sought to express their spirituality and religiosity through their paintings.

Religious Themes

Contemporary Christian paintings incorporate a wide variety of themes. Some fine art adheres to the iconic imagery seen in religious art throughout the ages - what some might call literal Biblical interpretations. These iconic themes include the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Magi, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Stations of the Cross, and the Virgin Mary. Saints are also popular iconic themes in contemporary God art.

Some artists go back to before Christ's birth; indeed, to the creation of the universe. For example, contemporary fine artist Anthony Falbo's Genesis Series depicts the first book of the Bible. Through Falbo's paintings, the creation of the universe unfolds as though it was happening today. Through his abstract style, you can see light emerging, the separation of day from night, the firmament rising, the land appearing, the vegetation blooming, the living creatures coming forth, and the hand of God touching the hand of man.

But just as God created both light and darkness, contemporary Christian artists depict both good and evil. From the shame that Adam and Eve felt after disobeying God in the Garden of Eden to both overt images and subliminal messages of hell, artists depict the darker side of humanity.

A Variety of Styles

Today's Christian artists employ styles and media as varied as devotion itself. For example, some artists may paint in an Impressionist style, using bold colors, loose strokes, and thick dabs of paint to bring a scene to life. Others express themselves through cubism, the art form that rearranges pieces of objects in such a way that the person seeing the painting gains new insight into the object represented. Still others paint in an abstractionist form, stretching, enlarging, or magnifying figure and form to shed new light on everyday subjects. Some artists, like Anthony Falbo, combine forms like cubism and abstractionism into what could be termed "cubestraction," and produce remarkable pieces.

Exhibiting Our Devotion

Christians today are embracing contemporary artists by purchasing both original works and limited edition reproductions. Fine art with a spiritual theme - whether it's the birth of Christ, the creation of the earth, or other "God art" - serves as a reminder of the Creator's presence in our lives, as well as His importance to our safety and well-being. It also keeps us mindful of the need to express our devotion, to spread the Word of God, and to be thankful for the gifts He has bestowed upon us.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about God Art: Christian Themes in Art.

God News For Christians Who Want To Argue With Others - Video

How Can I Know The True Church?

Let's set the record straight. There's only one Body of Christ. It has no name but His Name. It has no creed but the Spirit-anointed Book with 66 parts. It has no head but Christ. Its members are wildly diverse in thinking, looks, skin-color, and giftedness.

That means that my group is not the only group. That means I can't draw circles around my group that exclude you. Even doctrinal circles. Our understandings are growing. No denomination has arrived. They are all flawed. The perfect churches are the ones on fire with God's awesomeness and being persecuted by the fires of man's awfulness. Perfect does not mean only doctrinally pure.

No Pope or Chief Elder or Superintendent died for your sins. They are not worthy to lead. True men of God in the church of Jesus will submit to each other and all to Christ. Little lords are not needed. One big One is enough. Men who are lording over God's inheritance need to step down.

No label fits the child of God. No doctrinal or denominational title says it all. Throw me a label and I will throw it back. I will not be written off or written out because someone has said I do not belong. If my sins are washed away, and if the Word of God is true, and if there is one Lord and one church, I do belong, forever.

"Ah, so you are an ecumenist!" You see, here come the labels already! No, Christ excludes from his church all who are not born again, regardless of their seemingly glowing credentials. Not everyone will be saved!

"A legalist then!" No, the grace of God cuts across assemblies where most of us would not be found dead. Oh the surprised looks there will be when saints are raptured out of groups we had assigned to Hell! Oh the despair as those who attended "good" churches are lost forever!

The church has invisible borders. Only those with God-trained eyes know where the borders run. Follow the blood trail. The blood of Christ. The blood of the martyrs. There is the Church. Not your little group or mine. Not your little ideas or mine. When it is over, only God's Word and those in whom it dwells will stand.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. I have created over 200 blogs and the site features a live news feed, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. I love to write Scriptural works. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

Three Incredible Stories

There is a good chance you have never heard the name Yi Sun Shin. There are great men in every culture of which Americans are unaware. Understandable, but here is one you would truly have profited in knowing. Easily equal to the likes of Sir Francis Drake and Lord Nelson - some say superior to these western naval stars - Yi towered above the petty power-seekers of his day and became a hero beloved of all.

Imagine it. Twenty three major naval clashes with the Japanese who had invaded Korea in the late 16th century. Twenty three victories. After the Japanese landed and destroyed village after village, even to the taking of the capital, the first positive news that came to the King of Korea, in exile, was that of Yi's first battle that crushed a fleet of Japanese vessels.

So you expect me to say that Yi's popularity landed him titles, riches, honor. In fact, jealousy among the ranks led him to prison in the midst of his finest triumphs. That, to me, is the most unbelievable and awe-inspiring part of his story. The seeming failure in the midst of all the triumph.

Consider one Jesus. Healer, comforter, gentle Teacher. Blind eyes made to see, broken hearts forgiven, hungry mouths fed, all by His compassion. Anyone who had faith to receive something from Him, did. Victory after victory. Never defeated.

Then hung on a cross.

Hmmm. That last line doesn't seem to fit either. Seems like we should rip that part of the story out, as Peter tried to do before it even happened. "Not you, Master! Stop talking negative things!"

Incredible stories, these. Yi Sun Shin, Jesus Christ. No, they are not in "the same boat" in terms of significance, I know. Yi Sun Shin's resurrection from prison to return to the battle front and continue his unbroken string of victories is great history and very inspiring, but cannot be compared to Jesus' rising from the grave to give life to all who will receive Him forever and ever. But the parallel is there.

But my title promises three incredible stories. Stories of persons who were incredible in their feats, incredible in their defeats, but somehow rose again. The third story is being lived out as I write. It's going on in North Korea, among those we label the "baekjeong", the low class, because we do not have the same sense of high and low as Heaven does...

The lowly Christian believers of that land do exploits every day. Finding enough food to eat. Working long and hard hours in a mine for money that is not sufficient to support their families. Worshiping carefully and hidden, so as not to incur the wrath of a hostile government. Hiding Bibles and guests. Yet victories. You would expect that someone somewhere would honor these folks and call them heroes.

Unfortunately they are called by at least two governments traitors and criminals. Escapes are often tragic in outcome. Many end in death. All end in some sort of wrenching separation. Even coming to the "free" world can mean enduring suspicion and persecution by those who ought to know better.

So why call this an incredible story along the lines of Yi and Jesus? Because those who are faithful will be raised up with Christ. Their story is not yet complete. It is the lowly for whom Jesus came. They are the only ones who will see thier need of a Saviour and continue to the end. High-born materialists have only a slight chance of making it, according to Jesus.

High, low, baekjeong... Do we really know what these words mean? And "incredible".. Can your story and mine be called incredible when compared to the ones I have described? Have we known the experience of defeating the enemy during a long and difficult war? Have we seen the Power of God move through us to change our sphere of influence? Have we then been sent to further humiliation instead of the reward we expected?

May we search our hearts daily, and always be a friend to the lowly Christ Who still works His wonders among us in the form of Baekjeong...

Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs, over 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos3@gmail.com.

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

Should Women Lead Men In The Church?

There are those in every generation who have tried to explain away Scriptures that annoy. One of the classic doctrines that has suffered at the hands of modern man is the teaching of male leadership of the church.So why is the Church looking for "explanations" of the passages regarding female leadership in the Church? Who is asking that these explanations be made? Are we being betrayed? Are we afraid of political powers that now reign in the world? What is wrong with the Scriptures as they are, and as they have been believed all these many years?

Some may feel the preceding comments and questions to be a bit too harsh a way to introduce the subject at hand, which many believe to be a topic of relative insignificance. I stand with the tone given on the following grounds:

1. Every Word of God is pure, Proverbs 30:5. And Jesus, in Matthew 5:19 says that any man who breaks even the least of the commandments and teaches men so shall be called least in the Kingdom... God speaks today. The Holy Spirit still quickens His Word to the hearts of man. Whatever He says is pure and holy. Let no one despise even the smallest of the commandments of God. And yes, in dealing with our present topic, we are dealing with commandments, not suggestions, of true prophets and true apostles. Let every mouth be silenced as He speaks.

2. Consider how important this topic is even in the Word. First there are direct statements in Genesis , saying that woman was taken out of man, man shall rule over woman. And in I Corinthians , Let your women keep silence, as the law says, and I Timothy's "I do not allow a woman to teach." These concepts are backed up by a goodly number of examples throughout Scripture.

3. Consider the effects of this teaching on men. A strong woman in a local church will tend to put male leaders in the background. Many of them will not rise up and take their proper place. In the secular world , for example, much male unemployment can be attributed to too many females in the job markets.

4. A feminized church cannot model the marriage of Christ and His own. A feminized church cannot picture the Fatherhood of God. Oh indeed, as the poet said, God, give us men!

5. Even if this is were a "little truth" (forgive the expression!) , is it not a truism that when "little" lies become embedded in a congregation, it will not be long before bigger ones are at home also?

6. If any reader still believes this to be a "minor" issue, let him hear Isaiah's lament over backslidden Israel (3:12) "As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths. "Let us now consider the Scriptures. Surely the Lord has not left us without guidance on such a serious matter. Let us go to the beginning of all things.

I urge those who wish to follow the risen Lord to search out what God has said on this matter and obey Him fully.

Consider also the great numbers of women affected by this teaching. As the spirit of lawlessness continues to abound , especially in the Western Church, more and more women will be drawn into this restless desire for authority over men.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

I Can Only Imagine

I can only imagine how there could be such smart people in the world, and such powerful people, and such talented people, and yet no one can find a solution for North Korea.

Men are so arrogant and love to point to their technology and colleges and monuments. But dictators still reign in this "advanced" world. North Koreans starve. Torture and desperation have become a way of life there. Can some smart someone imagine what needs to be done?

Smart men, call on Jesus!

Some days I imagine that the persecution has come to the West. Churches are closed. Radios and TV's are confiscated. The government controls all. Suddenly, wages are what Washington says they will be. No free market... and so on, add what ever other perversions come to your mind, because you cannot imagine something more horrible than what the Word says is coming to this entire world and what is happening in NK even now.

In the midst of all this, I imagine offering a prayer: Father, bless me in the same way I blessed your North Korean people when they called out during their suffering! Exactly what would that mean in our lives if God answered us literally?

It could mean that some well-off saint somewhere will think about us when a special speaker comes to church. Or that a hidden sister will call our name out to God. Some banker brother may try to get us some money. Others may visit us.

Christians, let us call on Jesus on behalf of the suffering church! Today is our day to invest.

Other days I am one of those Zinzendorf Moravians. You know, the ones who deliberately sold themselves into slavery , so as to win slaves for Jesus. Yeah, that's me! I'll defect to North Korea, become a Korean somehow, and suffer alongside my brothers.

Hmmm, so now they have one more suffering saint, but one less person sending in offerings. Maybe that's not so good. Or so I tell myself, knowing that my imaginings are the pure fantasies of a "wanna-be" saint. I loathe, in my flesh, the idea of physical pain and deprivation.

May God give us all the desire to call on Jesus Who is the only One who makes saints. What if God wants to make me holy by sending me to that same old job that seems to be so grievous and worthless? What if I find I can touch North Korea more here than there?

I continue to imagine but I anchor my imagination to the written Word of God so it does not soar out of control.

What do you imagine?

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

The Call is to Die

It's been in the Scriptures all along. The invitation to come die with and for Jesus. I shall not try to explain it away. We must not only "hate" the world around us, but our own life too.

"Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

It starts in the Old Testament. See Joseph off to give food to his brothers. Left for dead. The prophets one by one eating the sweet word of God, but when feeding it to those around them, one by one tasting the bitterness of death. Jesus Himself, and foremost, with His message to give, a life to live, but Who gives Himself freely in love to die. The apostles with that same message, but death is their reward too. They count it a privilege to die with Jesus.

Through the church's history the trail of blood is the pathway along which the narrow way winds. Enemies of the Roman State, then enemies of the Roman Church, and systems like it in many nations. Called to die for Jesus. Nothing has changed.

Why even in the last days, during the last trials of the church, a great company is ushered into heaven and the question rings out, "Who are these?" The answer is that these innumerable members of the Body of Christ got there, not escaping from, but right through the middle of, great tribulation.

Yes, far be it from the Scriptures to say that the "tribulation saints", as we love to call them, are the spineless backslidden Christian wannabes portrayed in slick books and movies in this post-Christian era. That they are some sort of second-class citizens who don't even merit the name "church". No, that same group is described later by John as beheaded witnesses who are lifted up to reign with Christ for 1000 years. They become the brightest stars the church has ever known.

Does the book-reading movie-loving "saint" of our own lazy culture think that somehow our own slovenliness at Christian warfare will be able in any way to compare with those luminaries? That we should be snatched up to glory while the enemy is raging at his highest decibels on earth?

The call is to trouble and suffering and death. If we suffer with Him, we reign with Him. All who will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Those who will follow the crucified Christ must follow Him in this also. There are no exceptions. The one who dies for Christ seals the message of the cross that he has preached.

Even now, readers and listeners may be waiting for the softening of the blow. "Here is what that really means," he will say. No, there is no interpreting away of God's Word. The call upon our lives is the call to die. Yes, surely there is a crown. Yes, surely there is pure joy on the other side. But the other side is reached through the valley of a death chosen by us. A decision to take the cross and be crucified upon it in His time and place. For the joy that was set before Him, Jesus endured the cross. The cross is on the way to the crown. For so many of us we view the cross as "in the way."

Yes, death will come to all regardless of our choices. But how wonderful from Heaven's vantage point to see one who did not have to die, go ahead and give his life anyway.

We've heard the call to salvation. The call to the Spirit-filled life. The call to faithfulness. The call to growth and service. If we are to continue on with Him, we must hear the call to die.

Look for "Bob Faulkner" on http://sermonaudio.com - There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs , ovber 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond .

What Is The "Tribulation" In The Bible?

"Tribulation." What's this about?

Most students of prophecy believe in a time of "trouble". It is well documented by prophets and Jesus and John:

Prophet Jeremiah in his 30th chapter sees a future era he calls "Jacob's Trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7). The reference is to the father of the Jewish nation, a man also known as Israel. He says that this time will be unprecedented in its devastation, the same thing an angel who appears in the book of the prophet Daniel says about a "time of trouble" coming to the planet, in association with resurrections and judgments (Daniel 12:1-3). In other words, this tribulation period is the beginning of the end of all things as we know them today.

That same line of thought is repeated by Jesus in Matthew 24:21. Here the word is "tribulation", but that is simply another translation of the same Greek word translated "trouble" in other passages. Jesus too is speaking of the end of all things, which he says immediately follows this tribulation. And John's Book of Revelation describes the horrors of God's wrath, leaving no doubt to the reader that the time he describes is also the time of the end.

Now what do Bible teachers mean by "Pre"- or "post"- tribulation?

There is some major trouble coming. Unprecedented. Final. And, there's a "snatching up" , a "catching away", a "rapture" coming too. The whole issue we deal with here is , Which comes first, the trouble, or the flight? If one believes the catching up is first, he is a "pre-tribulation rapturist", whether he particularly likes such a label or not. If he believes the rapture is after the tribulation and in fact a part of the second coming of Jesus,

He is "post-trib."

Sadly, the church is seriously divided on this issue? There are those who will not accept the life or ministry of persons on the "other side" of this discussion. How that came to pass is a fascinating study but must be reserved for another time.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

Pitfalls Of North Korea Ministry

Interested in North Korea ministry? I'm told that when one enters the struggle for the lives of this isolated nation, he/she may be up against more than bargained for. North Korea is a Satanic stronghold on earth the likes of which does not come around every day. The fate of this nation will determine the fate of many nations, and the enemy is strategically and therefore firmly entrenched there, or so he thinks. One nod from the Father and a host of angels will be released to defeat him and change the course of history. For this we enter into spiritual warfare, though never forgetting to address the day to day suffering of the people.

Many questions begin to form as the battle is waged as to the nature of the struggle, when one gets beyond prayer. Perhaps many will not be called to "get beyond prayer" since the spiritual battle is the only one that counts ultimately anyway.

But, for those who feel called to give material aid or assist in escapes, what happens if:

• a person that you are helping tries to escape and is killed, or imprisoned for life?
• a person you are assisting does come out, but his family left behind is rounded up and imprisoned or executed?
• you are asked to "pay off" a lot of criminal mafia types and to bribe guards to get your target person out?
• the released person actually succeeds in getting to South Korea or even America, and becomes so engrossed in Western worldliness that they lose the precious faith that once saw them through every difficulty?
• you yourself get caught up in emaciated bodies and forget the higher calling of ministering to emaciated souls?
• you get so involved in people "over there" that you forget the hurting around you?

All of the above have happened, I'm sure you can imagine.

Then must come the question, of course: Is the hurting around me to be compared with the pain of a North Korean? Will your wife or children be pleased with your answer to that question?

What about the cross? you will eventually ask. Am I a soldier of the cross or are those only soldiers who must pay for their warfare in starvation, torture and death?

Hard, hard questions for one who falls in love with North Korea. Do I love her because Christ loves her or because I "feel good" loving her? Is my love "romantic", unreal, unconnected, or do I have scars to show for my love?

Thankfully for my readers, I stopped being omniscient years ago. The questions I have asked are still questions, and must be tackled by those who hear them as they seek earnestly their God. And I'm still trying to hear the answers fully myself.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.