Children are a blessing from God. Many people treat them as if they are anything except a blessing. They'll be more of a blessing if you apply God's Word in the way you raise them. Stand on God's Word for your folks. Believe His promises.
For He has reinforced the bars of your gates; he has blessed your kids inside you. Psalms 147:13 NKJ
Behold, youngsters are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a soldier, so are the youngsters of one's youth. Five Satisfied is the man who has his quiver packed with them ; they shall not be abashed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate. Psalms 127:3-5 NKJ
The righteous man walks in his integrity; his kids are blessed after him. Proverbs 20:7 NKJ
Your other half shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your youngsters like olive plants all around your table. Psalms 128:3 NKJ
A smart kid is a fantastic blessing, but a silly child will bring years of pain and grief. Foolish, undisciplined children disrespect their parents. Your youngsters will give you the respect due you as a parent if you discipline, correct, teach and train them as the Word of God teaches. Look after your children and be careful over their chums and whom they associate with.
A smart child makes a pop satisfied, but a foolish son is a grief to his mum. Proverbs 10:1 NAS
A sensible boy makes a pleased dad, but a self-confident and silly man despises his ma and puts her to embarrass. Proverbs 15:20 AMP
A dumb son is a grief to his pa, and resentment to her who bore him. Proverbs 17:25 NKJ
Whoever keeps the law [of God and man] is a sensible boy, but he who is a companion of gluttons and the carousing, hedonistic, and indulgent shames his pa. Proverbs 28:7 AMP
The dad of the righteous will significantly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will pleasure in him. Twenty-five Let your pop and your ma be happy, and let her who bore you rejoice. Proverbs 23:24-25 NKJ
Take accountability for the raising of your own youngsters. You shape their future! Eli got in trouble with God because he allowed his sons to do whatever they wanted to do. Undisciplined, untrained youngsters luck out on their inheritance -spiritual and material.
Train up a kid in the way he should go and in accordance his individual present or bent, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 AMP
A servant who acts cleverly will rule over a son who acts shamefully, and will share in the inheritance among siblings. Proverbs 17:2 NAS
Don't be startled when your kid does dumb stuff. They are kids! You'll need patience and you'll need to be consistent in your discipline and coaching -not just for a day -for at least eighteen years!
Rodney Howard Browne points out to us that foolishness is tied up in the guts of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it some distance from him. Proverbs 22:15 AMP
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a kid left undisciplined brings his mum to embarrass. Proverbs 29:15 AMP
Correct your boy, and he is going to give you rest ; yes, he will give pleasure to your heart. Proverbs 29:17 AMP
Pastor Rodney Howard Browne shows us to withhold not discipline from the child; for if you strike and punish him with the reedlike rod, he won't die. Fourteen You shall whip him with the rod and deliver his life from Sheol Hades, the place of the dead. Proverbs 23:13-14 AMP
About the Author
Rodney Howard Browne gave his heart to the Lord at the age of five. He came to America with a passion burning in his heart to see souls saved and lives touched. In December 1987 he traveled to America to fulfill the call and plan and purpose of God. The Lord told him to, “Stir up the churches and tell them to get ready for the coming revival.” in order to see a great harvest of souls.
In the Bible versus the Quran: Jesus Rebuked the Demon, and the Boy was Healed
The mustard is mentioned five times in the Bible, all of them are in the New Testament being not mentioned at all in the Old Testament.
The mustard is mentioned two times in the Quran.
Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?
Jesus replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
The Quran mentions more miracles that have been done by the Lord Jesus e.g. when he talks while he was a new born.
In addition, The Lord Jesus put two difficult criteria for a faith that is as small as a mustard seed.
According to the Lord Jesus, you will never ever find a Christian who has a faith as small as a mustard seed.
The Quran does not put such criteria for a small faith.
In addition, the Quran says that Allah shall set up scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least, and if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, Allah will bring it (to account): and enough are we to take account.
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The Mustard in the Bible:
Matthew 17:20
New International Version
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
New American Standard Bible
And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
English Standard Version
He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."
King James Version
and jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
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Luke 17:6
New International Version
He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.
New American Standard Bible
And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you.
English Standard Version
And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
King James Version
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
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The Mustard in the Quran:
Chapter 31: LUQMAN (LUQMAN)
Verse 31:16
QARIB:
On the day of resurrection we shall set up just scales, so that no soul shall in the least be wronged, even though it be the weight of a grain of mustard seed we will bring it we suffice as reckoners.
SHAKIR:
And we will set up a just balance on the day of resurrection, so no soul shall be dealt with unjustly in the least; and though there be the weight of a grain of mustard seed, (yet) will we bring it, and sufficient are we to take account
PICKTHAL:
And we set a just balance for the day of resurrection so that no soul is wronged in aught. though it be of the weight of a grain of mustard seed, we bring it. and we suffice for reckoners.
YUSUFALI:
we shall set up scales of justice for the day of judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least, and if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, we will bring it (to account): and enough are we to take account.
The meaning of the verse:
And Allah shall set up the just balances for the Day of Resurrection; on the Day of Judgment, there will be a balance which will weigh only good and bad works (so that no soul is wronged in aught) no one will have his good works diminished nor his evil works increased. (Though it be of the weight of a grain of mustard seed, Allah will bring it; He requites for it.
And Allah suffices for reckoners to count all things; Allah is enough as Preserver and Knower.
================================
Back to my question to the smart and interested reader:
Is the Quran quoted from the Bible?
About the Author
Professor Dr. Ibrahim Khalil
Prof. of Clinical and Chemical Pathology,
Head of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control Unit,
Ain-Shams University. Cairo, Egypt.
And, President of the Egyptian Society of Inventors.
Member of the Egyptian union of Writers
Can those with a questionable past become a saint?
In regards to recent media coverage regarding Holocaust survivors asking a Rome rabbi to tell the pope of pain over Pius sainthood”, it seems that the Catholic Church has no shame at all. In the wake of the Child Abuse cases here is another blow to a vulnerable group of the population.
If we look into history we can see that this is not the first time someone with a questionable past is up for sainthood.
The definition of how one becomes a saint, according to Wikipedia, is: “The act of canonization occurs at the conclusion of a long process requiring proof that the person proposed for canonization lived and died in such an exemplary and holy way that he or she is worthy to be recognized as a saint.” How does someone who idly stood by and did little, or nothing, when millions of people were brutally tortured and killed, fit into this definition?
To add insult to injury the Catholic Church stated in another article that “the decision was a recognition of his Christian faith and not a judgment on his papacy.”
Does this mean that as long as one has “faith” one can do or not do anything?
As long as we are mentioning Christian faith, Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount that the one who, not only believes in but, FOLLOWS what He taught is a wise man. This stands to reason then that it is not enough to merely have faith, one also needs to put into practice what one professes to believe in the teachings of Christ. Can the Vatican substantiate this at all in the case of Pius?
I find honest the view of a small group in Germany called "The Free Christians for the Christ of the Sermon on the Mount in All Cultures Worldwide." They have taken the Catholic Church to task and have filed a lawsuit against the Archbishopric of Freiburg as representing the Catholic Church, enjoining it from continuing to call itself "Christian." Their arguments are sound and quite valid and available for study. They do not want to remain silent any longer on the, as they put it, "brazen labelling fraud," with which "Christ is mocked and His name abused to such an extent." They can be found at: www.christ-or-church.de
Before one approaches seriously the study of metaphysics, magick, the occult, or mysticism, it is appropriate that one prepares oneself on all levels: mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is of vital importance that the student be psychologically prepared for the reception of Cosmic truths; for without adequate preparation, without the required purity, the right attitude and the right motive, one simply deludes or sidetracks oneself from all that which is essential in occult study to those phenomena and teachings that are unessential, delusive, and misleading; to phenomena that simply strengthen one's hold in a world of illusion, glamour, pride and ego; aside from this, should one attempt occult work without due preparation one exposes oneself to certain dangers which are far-reaching. Without adequate preparation the student would abuse and misuse occult, spiritual teachings and powers.
The karmic consequences of this abuse may stall or cause stagnation in one's spiritual evolution for countless incarnations. Basically, religion without the theological dogmas, is an appropriate basis for the study of metaphysics. Students of metaphysics are advised to deepen their religious activities by engaging in personal study of their scriptures or holy book without relying on the usual channels or interpreters for clarification. This is to preserve one's bicameral mind from external influence and dependency on "authority figures" that may be damaging to the psyche in the long run.
Purity, sincerity, humility, and a selfless motive which seeks to serve one's fellow men are qualities to possess or develop when requesting from, or studying the teachings of a spiritual/ metaphysical teacher, or even when embarking on our own by studying books on the occult. These qualities or virtues are our safeguard. They protect us from negative forces which affect our mental and emotional stability.
One of the keys to preparation is to eliminate the false ego from our thinking and centeredness. Think from the Christ level. Think the thoughts of Jesus, Muhammad-the Prophet, Krishna, Lao Tze, or Buddha. What do you think these avatars and prophets of God think constantly of? They think of God, Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. Therefore we advise each student to do likewise. Thinking abstract thoughts, divine thoughts, spiritual thoughts, and holy thoughts raises the vibrations of the physical, etheric, astral and mental bodies. This facilitates metaphysical and spiritual development so needed by the human race. It improves the quality of humanity.
One of the problems which poses as an obstacle to occult and metaphysical study is that of the crystallized mind. As a preparation, the first step that has to be undertaken by the student of metaphysics and the occult is to temporary put away all previous concepts and beliefs regarding them. There are many false beliefs and superstition concerning the occult perpetuated by ignorant individuals, by psychics of a low caliber, by secular education, and even by religion, that we have to cast all of those beliefs aside and prepare our minds to really think and use our reason and intuition. Even if we had learnt metaphysics or branches of it previously from genuine teachers, it is still required of us to shelve them aside when we begin our apprenticeship under a new tutor.
Our minds should be open and receptive to the teachings of the higher worlds, but if our minds are closed and crystallized, we fail to register the truths concealed in occult and metaphysical teachings regarding the laws of the cosmos, the higher worlds, the principles of mind and one's psychic nature. If the teachings of any metaphysical system or teacher (including this writer) contradict your personal notions and feelings and you have trouble accepting them, simply shelve them aside for the time being and consider them again at a later date when you have acquired more experiences and knowledge. Realize, however, that most of the time opinions and beliefs do not reflect Truth. We teach what we personally know or what others personally know. We do not proselytize or impose our words upon others against their will. We are happy to give to others the teachings of the Spiritual Masters should they be receptive and just as happy not to give should they be non-receptive. We can lead a horse to a drinking trough but we are unable to make it drink.
Granted, that information concerning the occult the tyro or neophyte often has to regard as hypothesis, or working theories, but in time the student is given methods for investigating and proving to himself the verities of metaphysical truths and the realities of the higher worlds.
We seek knowledge, wisdom, and experience--not mere beliefs. For the student of Nature's mysteries, beliefs will not do. Beliefs are blatant expressions of one's ignorance, for if one knows, why is there a need for beliefs? If one should say that one believes in the existence of something, one implies in that statement that one does not really know if that something exists. Belief and knowledge are poles apart.
In spiritual and occult training one invokes intense energies, powers and forces emanating from the spiritual worlds. These energies flow into the whole microcosm even down to the physical level. Should the physical body and its force-field vibrate at a very low level because of the presence of impurities, toxins, and negative forces, the nervous and energy systems of the physical and etheric bodies would explode and rupture during the influx of those higher energies. This is one reason why one embarks upon the Path of Purification prior to engaging in advance occult work.
The Master's Advice
In days gone by, when a student approached a spiritual or occult master for instructions, the master would say "empty your cup." The master illustrates the purpose of this by pouring fresh tea into a cup already filled to the brim with the liquid. The tea would naturally overflow. "Likewise," the master would say, "will the teachings I fill your mind be rejected by all of your previous thoughts and false beliefs. Therefore, empty your cup." Which means, in other words, "empty your mind of previous ideas and conceptions." Most people are disinclined to accepting new ideas. They dislike change, and yet we must change towards a positive direction if we are to progress. There is a senseless fear and laziness in most people in operating their brain faculties such as using their mind to reason. Our minds must be open and flexible, yet putting all new ideas to the test where possible before accepting them. We must strive to see the logic and rationality in concepts, if any, that are new to us. In other words, we must think! It would not hurt to be critical in a positive and constructive sense of novel ideas or even religious ideas if we believe that our criticism is valid. Although the mind is limited, it has its purpose and we should not shirk from using it.
It is an important requirement for the occult student not to form any false ideas concerning himself and lower his self-esteem. He should not limit his mind and divine expression by saying "I can't do this," "I can't do that." One never knows what one can do until one tries. This applies to all branches of learning and study. Often we hear people say "nobody's perfect," and they use this as an excuse not to improve their morality, their character, their minds or even their social standing. If one approaches the study of metaphysics and the occult in this manner, one is bound to fail. Metaphysics is hard work, and those who are not interested in work should leave metaphysics alone. Metaphysical truths awaken a person from self-complacency and the slumber of mortal errors. The student of metaphysics should be prepared for this and not rebel when it occurs. When you come to the point where you can think of nothing but metaphysics in your everyday activities, you shall succeed in being a metaphysician. Metaphysics has to be incorporated into one's life 24 hours a day.
Studying the occult and metaphysics requires great perseverance, endurance, patience, and fortitude. It even requires a certain degree of intelligence. Note that we do not say education or intellect, for the educated mind and intellect at times can be more of a hindrance than an asset. Unless our mind is receptive and open to modify previous findings or concepts expounded by science or religion which from the point of view of metaphysics are erroneous, one would simply fail in metaphysical study and the probing of Nature's higher laws. The intellect, as the result of education is simply the building blocks that we accumulate, whereas intelligence is the conscious directive power that builds an edifice out of those blocks. Being educated implies gathering data and information that may or may not be true or even relevant to one's life. We should seek the sort of knowledge that is applicable to our everyday lives with its countless challenges and problems. Overcoming human problems is mastership. Intelligence is a necessary attribute to comprehending metaphysical principles. You need not be concerned of any lack of intelligence, however, for metaphysical practices itself raises one's I.Q., E.Q., and S.Q.
Some occultists, metaphysicians, and mystics have declared that it is much easier acquiring an academic degree than getting fruitful results from occult study. This is indeed true, for occult study requires unfolding the inner senses to register higher vibrations and the various phenomena of the higher dimensions, and this takes much time and energy for practice and training. The purpose of metaphysical study is to make each and every one torchbearers of Truth. Work for Truth, live in Truth, promote Truth and it is guaranteed that you will evolve into God's Light. However, seek no reward.
Metaphysical development requires time, patience, perseverance and great concentration--the type of concentration not normally possessed by the average person. This training of psychic and metaphysical faculties may take a whole life time for its perfect functioning and control. We should not be daunted by this, however. The Master jesus said, "In patience possess ye your soul," and this each student of metaphysics must be conscientious of. The student must have patience and possess his or her soul and not allow the Dark forces to possess it. In metaphysics we learn to direct our lower self, if we do not do this, negative beings will.
It is expedient that the student remove religious and any form of prejudice from his mind and heart. At times teachers of metaphysics may refer to the text of one religion in preference to another to illustrate or substantiate certain metaphysical concepts. This they do, not because of their personal background and not because of any animosity toward the other religions, but because of convenience sake. We know that the essence of all religions is Truth itself. Metaphysicians, therefore, teach and refer to the Truth in all religions whenever possible. This brings up another subject to mind: fanaticism. Fanaticism is not to be tolerated, not in metaphysics, not in religion, not in any human endeavor whatsoever. Fanaticism simply indicates a blind belief in principles and opinions, most of which may be dubious as to their validity. Fanaticism is separatistic, narrow-minded and destructive, and should be avoided. It breaks up unity by creating divisions and schisms. It is the very antithesis of the spiritual precept: "unity in diversity." The motto of the Dark forces will always be "divide and conquer."
Man is a microcosm of the macrocosm. In religious terms, man is a reflection of God, for he/she was made in God's image. Since God is perfect, man likewise, in a spiritual sense, is perfect. Man carries the seeds of perfection within him. He only needs to unfold this divine seed of perfection lying dormant within him. When this is done all things become possible to man. In order to nurture these divine seeds, one must overcome inertia and work with the evolutionary forces of Nature.
The Motive of Study
One of the first few things that a student of metaphysic has to do is to introspect and analyze as to the motive for approaching metaphysical study. Why does one want to study metaphysics, its branches, and its various arts such as magick, mysticism, esotericism, psychometry, dowsing, or telepathy? For what reason? For what motive? Is it simply to gain advantage over another, for power over others? Or is it simply to acquire name and fame or the riches that it will produce? Approaching metaphysics with such motives would retard one's spiritual growth and is not condoned by any spiritual teacher of worth. A true and noble motive would be to serve God and humanity in spiritualizing this physical world, in manifesting Heaven on Earth, where Truth, Justice, Righteousness, Love, Peace and Goodwill between men prevails. Should your motive be negative, you are advised to transform it now. Do not deceive yourself as to your motive.
Another thing that we must not do, is to steal the secrets of heaven or gain entry into it by force, meaning that we should not force our occult growth by engaging in dubious exercises obtained through sources with no real integrity or authority to transmitting them and hoping for an instant development with their application. Should occult abilities be "instantly" procured, it would not be permanent and would result in adverse effects in most cases. We all know the low quality of plants cultivated in greenhouses as compared to the cultivation done underneath Nature's roof. It is the same with metaphysical growth. Heaven is not willing to release her secrets to the profane, and if by chance any of us acquire her secrets and apply them without the proper motive and purity, we unknowingly curse ourselves. The scriptures say that God is not mocked. This is a symbolic way of saying that the Law of Karma is operative and no one is able to avoid its influence.
The student should be aware that there are false Gurus in the metaphysical field. Every student should be wary and cautious in accepting what they have to teach, for though what they teach be sweet to the mouth, their effects may be bitter to the stomach. These Gurus have no sense of responsibility, and they control and manipulate the minds of their followers for their own nefarious reasons. They create a morbid dependency on the part of the student.
Without the adequate and correct preparation through the Path of Purification, although one may unfold in a psychic manner, if accepted and trained by a "Guru," one would limit one's psychic development and stagnate in one's spiritual evolution. The higher occult and mystical abilities requires that one be spiritually developed, and this cannot be attained without the necessary purification of the microcosm.
Spiritual Masters of the occult and metaphysics are wary and watchful of students with impure motives. It is not unusual for Spiritual Masters to reject applicants for study or to put them through certain tests, or to give them some advise and told to return at a later date, perhaps a week, or a year later. Just because a student is anxious to study the occult does not imply that he is ready for it or that he should be accepted by a Spiritual Master or Adept. Acceptance by a Spiritual Master and the initiations that he has to offer requires sincerity of motive and more besides. The false Guru may perhaps accept such a student for personal reasons--for fame, name, glory or wealth. The true Guru, however, never consider these things as criteria for accepting students, although he may work in strange ways that sometimes seem amoral or irrational in order to test candidates. An occult axiom states that, "When the student is ready, the master appears." The advise here is to make oneself ready through proper preparation and not sit and wait and twiddle one's thumbs. The master in this axiom may refer to a spiritual being, one's personal spiritual guide or guardian, or even to a metaphysical school.
It should be known that the metaphysical path is a strenuous one requiring every minute of the day. One does not engage in metaphysics at certain spare moments available. One must make time for the study and practice of metaphysics. Reduce unnecessary socializing and reduce watching TV and movies to a bare minimum; preferable not at all wasting time on them. This may result in some conflict between your friends and relatives as you settle-in to your new metaphysical routine, but consider this: what is more important, their egoistic and personal gratification and demands or your study of Truth with its eternal worth and its spiritual application in the affairs of men? It is up to you to decide; however, if results are not forthcoming from your practice because of your lack of application, you have no one to blame but yourself. One piece of advice: you may drop-out from metaphysical study but never drop-out from life, for it may be that your real metaphysical teacher and lesson is life itself. Accept whatever life brings and learn from it; otherwise, seek to change it using your God-given creative powers.
The Contemplation of Life and Death
Perhaps one of the things that a novice of metaphysics is told to do at the very outset by a true metaphysical or spiritual teacher is to contemplate the meaning of death and the opportunity that life offers. This dual theme is a healthy, sane, and balanced contemplation that when analyzed individually tends to produce an unhealthy pessimistic or overly hopeful attitude. How does one begin this contemplation? By reflecting on the following: first of all realize that we are all heading toward physical death, This might seem discouraging nevertheless is a true statement that cannot be contradicted. With every second, with every breath that we take we approach closer to our grave. Nature guarantees us nothing in life but our coming demise. This is her promise. We do not know when we will leave the physical body permanently. It may be the next hour, today or tomorrow, but leave it we shall. From these musings questions would arise: "What then is the meaning of life?" What is the purpose of life?" Shall we say as the materialists would say, "let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die"? What sort of a philosophy is that when our query remains unanswered? It would be preferable to say "let us study the purpose and meaning of life for we know not when we will pass away and God's purpose for us here may not be carried-out if we spend our time on frivolous matters."
Contemplating further, we will realize one major thing, and that life here is an opportunity. Opportunity for what? An opportunity to grow, to become, and to be. Heraclitus, the philosopher of ancient Greece said that everything is becoming. This is the Law of Change. From our metaphysical point of view, we understand that he was referring to the Law of Evolution.
Leonard Lee aka Luxamore
Metaphysical teacher, counseler, healer and merchant of occult/magickal items of Indonesia. Magickal Items from Indonesia: talismans, mustika pearls, kerises, etc. Magickal Bezoar Mustika Pearls from Indonesia.
Bridging Heaven & Earth Show # 195 with Sonia Choquette
Where Angels Walk
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Online you will find a wide range of travel, discounts, promotions, group or other packages to suit your needs. The Internet abounds with offers incredible. For example, you can buy a kit package to Rome Paris for as little as $ 819.
For that price, you'll enjoy spending time on a huge beautiful journey to discover one of the globes most popular of the universe. The first day you can enjoy walking through Paris to visit the many stores, discos, pubs, diners, cafes and others. Throughout the city, you will enjoy glamorous adventure that the city draws you into the adventure and romance. Paris is the capital romantic in the world that takes you to tourist attractions in vogue throughout the beautiful city of Paris.
On the journey, you have a visit the beautiful Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is to Paris's Iron Tower Loom. The Tour was established on the banks of the Seine. The tour stretches from Champ de Mars and the beautiful areas around Rome. This building is the highest membership in the city of Paris. Gustave Eiffel is the man who undertook to build the Eiffel Tower. It is one of the most visited structures in Paris.
Once you finish your visit to the Eiffel Tower, you will enjoy a trip to the beautiful cathedral Notre Dame. The place of worship was followed by the novel, which is the style and architecture of the southern and western Europe throughout the 9th century and 12th century. In addition, the Gallo-Roman Holy Place, which extended to Jupiter caused Paris to undertake the construction of Notre-Dame.
The Romans built the temple design with many views in mind. The windows were structured so that the doors were structured as arcades. Arcades groin vaults, walkways, galleries, etc., make up this magnificent cathedral environment.
After visiting Notre Dame you take a walk to the Louvre. Throughout the Louvre, you can spread through the streets enjoying manufactures elegant restaurants, cafes and shopping arenas. Louvre museum also hosts popular art in Paris. It is the largest institution in the world built in 1793. The former Royal Palace attracts millions of tourists worldwide every year. The oldest art gallery you can enjoy a wide range of well-known arts in the gallery. You can enjoy art created by famous Venus de Milo, Leonardo da Vinci, the beautiful Mona Lisa, and more.
When you leave Paris, you will board your flight and take a hike over to Rome. In Rome, you can release of your wings and enjoy the beautiful Eternal City. Throughout the city, you will enjoy the Italian culture. NOTE: Eternal City is the seat of Jerusalem and Italy. Rome is home to the Roman Catholic pope. Throughout this region is an amazing story. The region in the present environment will take you through Latium you cross Convergence Aniene and the Tiber. At one time, this region has been crucial and Roman empires was deemed the most hugest, powerful and permanent civil western empire.
On your journey you can enjoy the famous ancient Colosseum amphitheater in the Rome area. As you pass through the city, you enjoy a view of the Trevi Fountain. Traveling to Rome puts you in the loop of Italy and France combined. You can enjoy many cultures on your Vacation in Paris, Rome.
Rome Paris arena is the most popular hiking area which will captivate you and take you back in the day Cathedral of the Roman Empire. For more information on packages to Paris and Rome go online.
About the Author:
A quick guide to fouls in snooker can be found at the Snooker Rules website. Visit the Boxing Workouts website for a short guide to circuit training boxing exercises. Interesting info on more common golf terms can be found at the Golf Terms website.
Christmas Day or Holiday is said to be the most important date in a calendar. There we will be able to share and show how much we love a person. But, it does not mean that we have to wait for Christmas for love to happen. It is just considered as one of the most beautiful times of the year and that is no doubt right? God gave us this special day, to reminisce the goodness that we have, enjoy, feel the spirit of love and of course sharing.
That is the time of year where we have celebrations like all sorts of party, decorations everywhere, snowflakes, foods, drinks and events. For that reason, some family love spending it on hotels, great place and great time to celebrate in different venue at this time. Seeing and hearing people talk how these hotels were filled of tourists. So, as soon as possible, book now for an early accommodation if you wanted to.
But let us bear in mind that in choosing a venue it is wise to look for cheap hotels. With that, you will be able to spend it interestingly. As long as you have the spirit of Christmas in your heart, no matter what place, that will surely be memorable for you. Well-situated hotel, near to everything like for instance a hotel in the center of the city where you choose to stay is more convenient. For there are cases that we want to eat something different not offered in that certain hotel and so our tendency is to look for it.
For couples, who wanted to enjoy this special time of year, I am sure that they are planning for this romantic place. Place where both of them could share for this special moment. Moment of fun and privacy for them to really tell how important each day without each other. As a writer that love writing things like this, even I is dreaming of experiencing that kind for myself. How romantic that would be.
Give yourself a break and think of ways on how you could create a more exciting, thrilling and unforgettable experience while staying there at your private getaway. Do not be worry for even before the end of the night, you will surely going to enjoy the nightlife offered by your hotel. Explore every area of that hotel for I know that you will be able to enjoy its facilities.
There are also times that a hotel, hosts a small party or simply a thanksgiving for all guests, giving treats for early accommodations made, feel free to join and with that you will be able to spend time creating an atmosphere of togetherness as one community. Sharing yourself to other people, letting them know a bit about you.
As Christmas, also described as one of the Holy season of the month, do not forget to center your attention to God, thank him for giving you that special day, letting you experience again this wonderful time of the year, giving you lots of graces and guiding us all the way. Enjoy your Christmas!
About the Author
Michael Adam works as a full time staff in cheaphotel.com.au that has lots of travel information and guide about Cheap Hotels throughout Australia and the world. He even works as writer for the company in Sydney Hotels .
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The Mystic syllable OM is the choicest point of concentration prescribed for the benefit of the student of Vedanta, who is constitutionally more intellectual than emotional. In their early attempts at developing a highly concentrated mind and intellect, such students too need the help of a symbol or an idea which has infinite possibilities to entertain them with its inexhaustible contents. The genius in the Vedic Masters gave us OM as an ideal-idol to worship in the inner temple.
Life is a constant flow of experiences, and these experiences, when observed, are found to fall in three layers, as the experiences of the waking-state, of the dream-state, and of the deep-sleep-state. The life of everyone of us is certainly influenced by our experiences on all these three different planes of consciousness, and they all have totally a positive influence in molding our character and personality. This would read slightly strange to the modern young man, because Western philosophy has been so far striving to discover the fundamental in life by an analysis and close study of merely the life available for us in our waking-state. It is indeed difficult, if not almost impossible, to come to a right evaluation of life and its meaning by observing only a third of its field.
When the Rishis more and more closely observed these three fields of experiences they discovered that an individual identifying with his physical body comes to live his waking-state of outer gross objects as the ‘waker’.
The same entity, totally in oblivion of his body and the outer world, when he exclusively gets identified with his mind and intellect, comes to revel in an inner world of dream, and experiences subtle objects of imagination, as a ‘dreamer’.
When, again, the very same entity becomes forgetful of His body and its outer world, the mind and intellect and their feelings and thoughts, and comes to experience a world of nothingness, no doubt peaceful and joyful, but conscious of nothing but ‘nothingness’, he becomes the ‘deep sleeper’.
The ‘dreamer’ experiences are totally different and sometimes even contrary to the ‘waker’s life’ and the experience of the ‘deep sleeper’ is common to all and seems to have no relationship with the waking and dream conditions of experiences. Yet, it is the experience of all of us that we can remember, on our waking, all about our experiences during our last ‘waking-state’, yesternight’s ‘early dreams’ and also the ‘peaceful sleep’ that we had afterwards. From these observations the Rishis conceived their bold and adventurous theory.
The ‘Law of Memory’, is that one cannot oneself remember the experience of another. If one can remember anything at all, they are all actual experiences of the individual himself. That is to say, the law of memory enunciates that the rememberer and the experiences must be one and the same individual or else, memory is impossible. Applying this ‘Law of Memory’ as a test, we find that the ‘waker’ and the ‘dreamer’ and the ‘deep-sleeper’ are strangers among themselves, each living in his own world, and has seemingly no passport to travel beyond its frontiers. Since we can remember all our experiences in all the three different planes, there must necessarily be a single Common Factor which was a witness of all the happenings in all the three planes.
The Sages of the Vedas, after indicating this much to the students of Vedanta, want them to experience the Pure Subject who, in the waking-world becomes the ‘waker’, in the dream becomes the ‘dreamer’ and in the sleep becomes the ‘sleeper’.
The sound OM is constituted of three syllables. A, U and M; and while chanting continuously the sound OM in the mind, the Upasaka is advised to superimpose upon these three sounds the three different planes of consciousness we have been describing so far, viz., the ‘waking’, ‘dream’ and ‘deep-sleep’. The process of superimposition is the same as the principle underlying all idol worship. We have already discussed this technique by which the Mighty is seen or imagined in the meager; Siva-Tattwa in the Siva-linga; the Divine Mother of Knowledge in the River Ganga; Sri Narayana in the Saligram; Christ on the Cross!
The practitioner at his meditation thus trains himself consciously to superimpose the waker in him on the sound A; and then, as the sound A merges with the sound U, he gains a mental dexterity to forget totally his identity with the waking state experiences and to come to life in meditation consciously the entire identity with the ‘dreamer’ in him; so too, when he comes to the sound M, he is able to black out the entire state of plurality and arrive at a state of semi-conscious experience of all negation. Thereafter his spiritual growth is assured in proportion to the intensity of his pursuit, purity of his life and his intelligent sense of detachment.
Even this practice of keeping oneself fully conscious and making the sounds A, U, and M each marching into the other and getting telescoped into themselves, is in itself a severe training for the mind at concentration. The conscious superimpositions unfolded, and again folded up as explained above, is an equally all-absorbing occupation for the entire intellectual capacity in us so that the true practitioner, if he be sincere and regular, gains in a very short time an infinite amount of integration both in his mind and in his intellectual equipments.
Thereafter, the sensitivised instruments of the within become subtle in him so as to dare seek the Pure Awareness which, in the grosser three planes, illumines the objects and sustains the mirage personalities of the ‘waker’, the ‘dreamer’ and the ‘deep-sleeper’. The silence between two successive OMs is the point of concentration which the Yogi attempts to merge with, and experience thereby the infinite contents of one split second completely divorced from the past, and entirely free from the mental slavery to the future. To live thus dynamically free from within and from without, one second of a human life, is all that is needed to peep over the veils of ignorance and realise for ourselves eternally thereafter the True Nature of the Self, the Godhood.
As we explained above, since OM represents a symbol for the waking, the dream and the deep-sleep states of consciousness, and since our entire life is the sum total of different experiences on all these three planes, OM, the symbol, represents ‘All This’. As OM is the symbol of the Infinite Reality that is behind the seeming multiplicity and painful plurality, it becomes self-evident that the Rishis were not illogical or deliberately mystical when they declared that OM is ‘all this universe’. Thank you for reading my article, I love to hear any ones opinion or suggestions. Good luck to everyone.
About the Author
Alka Kaushik is a freelance copywriter and journalist with a particular interest in health and wellness. She is M.phill in Political Science having deep interest in Vedic Sciences. For more related Articles kindly visit http://www.shreevedic.com
The coverage, the networks' slick graphics and official storm logos. The death toll.
The pain.
Maybe I watched so much TV during the days following Katrina because I couldn't turn off my photographer's inner lens. It saw more than the water and filth, it saw the survivors' eyes crying for help. Many cried with their mouths too, cursing at camera crews and pleading for rescue.
Some also cried with cardboard signs:
WHERE'S FEMA?
PAGING BUSH & CHENEY!
LOOTERS WILL BE SHOT
KATRINA KILLED MY BABY
NAGIN LIED
During a commercial I sat back on the futon and relaxed my neck and shoulders. I hadn't noticed how sore they'd become from my leaning forward and craning toward the TV hour after hour. That realization made my eyes hurt. And once again I was drawn back to the memories of September 11th and felt the toll the constant coverage had taken on my mind and soul.
I decided some fresh air and lunch in Little India would serve me well. As was my custom, I carried my camera along. The walk was energizing.
I was sitting in Pio Pio's in Jackson Heights when my cell phone rang and displayed an unfamiliar number from area code 504.
"Hello?" I answered.
The man's low smoker's voice was unfamiliar. "This Luke Millward?"
"It is."
"Jerome Harris callin' from New Awlins."
I switched my cell phone from one ear to another. "What can I do for you?"
"Your father is Charles?"
"Yes." I wondered if this call might come. I never imagined I'd be sitting in a Peruvian restaurant.
"Have you heard from 'im?"
"Not lately, no."
"How long it been?"
"Two years, maybe more."
Just then I remembered a larger-than-usual package I'd received a couple of months ago from Dad. I hadn't bothered to open it. It was the most recent in a string of packages that arrived every six months or so from some new zip code. They usually contained an odd trinket Dad had bought or occasionally one of his random personal belongings he wanted me to have.
I'd always wondered if sending old car keys or a lucky dice keychain from Vegas was his way of making peace. When I asked, he'd said he just wanted me to have those things in case something ever happened to him.
Like all the others packages, it was stacked in a corner of my apartment building's storage closet.
"What's this about?" I asked the man.
"Your daddy is missin', Luke. Been livin' here in New Awlins for 'bout a year."
Here it comes, I thought, closing my eyes.
"Nobody's seen 'im since a couple Sundays ago. Night before-"
"Katrina."
"Tha's right. He's been teachin' and playin' with me and my guys at a place on Chartres Street for on about seven months. Livin' in a place in the five-four."
"Five-four?"
"Lower Ninth, son."
I imagined his body was one of those rotting in a public restroom or floating facedown and bloated under a bridge somewhere.
So this is what it feels like to be an orphan. "I'm sorry to hear that, sir." The words carried unexpected uneasiness. My father is dead.
"Don't be sorry, Luke. Get on down here and find 'im."
"Excuse me?"
"It's why I'm callin'."
"Won't someone just call me when he's found?"
"You kiddin'? You must not got a TV."
Point taken.
"Even the good-meanin' guys down here don't have the time for much of that." He paused. "Come find your father, Luke Millward. For alls we know he's alive somewhere. Most our cell phones aren't workin'-he could be hurtin' somewhere, or in San Antonio or up north. We're hopin' he is.
We're prayin' it."
"Even if I wanted to, I can't just pause my life and go on a wild-goose chase. I just can't."
"Then do it for his fiancée."
"Come again?" I switched my cell phone back to the other ear. "My father was engaged?"
"To a wonderful one. Gettin' married sometime 'fore Christmas."
Who is she? I thought.
"Luke, she's my kid sister." He let the words have impact. "Her name is Jez."
Jez. I didn't know what shocked my system more: my father's probable death or a woman marrying a practicing alcoholic who had a premonition problem.
"I'll call you back," I said. "This number on my caller ID, it's yours?"
"It's one of the club's cell phones. Call it anytime. But service is hit-and-miss, know that."
"I'll call back."
"Soon?"
"Yes, sir. Good-bye. And thanks." I hung up and stepped out of the restaurant and into the noise of the city. I moved through the crowded afternoon streets toward the subway.
I don't remember riding it home.
That night I sat in my apartment with Jordan and listened as she repeated back to me the details of Jerome's call. She seemed to hear things in the story I hadn't said.
"This guy, Jerome, he was your dad's best friend."
"Who knows?"
"And your dad is getting married to this guy's sister-or was anyway . . ."
She scratched my back. "Sorry."
"No need."
"I have to wonder, how did he get your number? You should ask him that. What if this is some sort of scam? I see this a lot."
"Jordan, it's not a scam."
"Probably true, but still, how did he find you? You sure he doesn't want money or something? Maybe he thinks you're loaded because you helped your dad when he needed it."
I'd forgotten I'd ever told her that. "I haven't sent Dad money in a long time. Not since last time we spoke."
"Still, Luke, I'd ask. How'd he find you?"
I agreed it was a smart question and promised to pose it when I called Jerome back.
"Huh. Your dad was living in New Orleans." She looked down at her Diet Dr. Pepper. "You've hardly told me a thing about him."
Not much to tell. I haven't talked much about my mother either.
We picked at our sesame chicken and brown rice.
"So you're going," she asked. "Right?"
"I dunno yet."
"You've got to go, Luke. Just to know, for sure, you've got to."
"I dunno."
She took both my hands. "I'll go with you."
"You can't leave right now, Jordan. Not at the end of the quarter. You've got closings to push through."
"Yes I do, but I'd go with you if you asked."
We returned to our Chinese food while the Killers' Hot Fuss played on the living room stereo.
An hour later I hugged Jordan good-bye at the elevator in my building and got ready for bed. The bathroom mirror reminded me of the dark circles under my eyes that I'd inherited from my father. When I was particularly tired or stressed I looked like I'd been popped in both eyes. The rest of the time I looked like a raccoon. When I was young, Mom said they were so dark because I was an only child. If they'd had more children the effect would have spread across the other kids.
I cued up a classical playlist on my iPod. Tracks from the Boston Pops, some Mozart, newly added songs from a Jenny Oaks Baker CD that Jordan had given me for my birthday. I killed the lights, put in my headphones, and for a moment Jenny's majestic violin transformed my room into a concert hall, drowning out the steady stream of horns and sirens below.
My mind dropped sheets over the images of Katrina's wrath.
***
Mom wasn't always unhappy.
Dad wasn't always a drunk.
Just before my sophomore year of high school-the year before Grandma died-the three of us took a road trip to Yankees spring training at Legends Field in Tampa Bay. Mom let me ride up front for most of the trip while she read or slept in the backseat of our white Saab. Dad drove us east through Shreveport, Jackson, Mobile, and across the Florida Panhandle. Each stop brought a little history from Dad's AAA guidebook, a keychain for Mom's collection, and snacks.
I bet Mom ate fifteen pounds of licorice on that trip. It's funny, I used to tease Mom about her addiction to those little bags of Nibs.
Dad's official travel treat was Tab cola and Planters salted peanuts. I remember him dropping a few peanuts at a time to the bottom of every can as Mom playfully teased, "You're gross. Yuck. Who puts peanuts in their soda?" Even Dad couldn't explain the appeal, but I don't recall a single mile of that trip, or any other for that matter, when Dad didn't have a can in his hand or at-the-ready in his cup holder. I always threatened to tell when Mom stole sips as Dad pumped the gas or checked the tires.
But all she had to do was slip me a handful of licorice and I'd pledge to keep her secret for another leg of the trip. I didn't even like licorice.
My staples were Twinkies, Ho-Hos, and Big League Chew, the only bubblegum worthy of a little leaguer. That is, unless you were crazy Mrs. Armstrong's kid. She made a big show one day at practice that Big League Chew was a "gateway candy" to those fake cigarettes, then real cigarettes, then real snuff. So Mrs. Armstrong banned it from the dugout and told her son, Magic Mikey, our only left-handed pitcher, that she'd make him chew a hundred packs at once if she ever again caught him with the stuff. Dad said some things weren't worth fighting over.
Sometimes, when he and the other coach were working with the infielders, I'd take a couple guys behind the dugout and give them a wad of the shredded pink gum from its tinfoil pouch. Few things are more exhilarating for a thirteen-year-old than providing forbidden bubblegum to a teammate. Not long after Mrs. Armstrong's ban took effect, Dad stopped at a Circle K on the way to practice and came out with three packs of Big League Chew. "Just in case." He winked. "You never know when you might run low."
My dad told me that Mrs. Armstrong was a sweet woman who just had a few "issues." I guess he thought I should know what that meant. I didn't. I was only a right fielder.
On that spring training vacation, Mom sat reading in the stands for hours while Dad and I jostled for autographs and fought professional sports memorabilia hounds and little kids alike for signatures and foul balls. She smiled so kindly when I arrived at our spot above the third base line with a ball I'd caught off a rookie's splintered bat. I can't even remember his name anymore.
"That's spectacular!" Mom took the ball from me and pretended to examine it. "I bet this will find a special spot in your room, won't it, dear?"
"Sure will!"
Dad bought us matching, old-school, cotton Yankee baseball caps. I misplaced mine a couple months later and never found it again.
(Excerpt from Recovering Charles and reprinted with the permission of the author, Jason F. Wright)
(Originally published at GoArticles and reprinted with permission of the author, Jason F. Wright).
About the Author
Jason F. Wright is a regular contributor on Fox News and is founder and managing director of the political destination, PoliticalDerby.com. Jason is the New York Times Bestselling Author of Christmas Jars and The Wednesday Letters. To Learn more about Jason and his most recent novel, Recovering Charles, visit: Recovering Charles
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