Stuck in a Rut? 7 Ways to Live Life to the Fullest

By Carly Young, LifeScript Staff Writer
Thursday, December 28, 2006

Are you charting a course to fulfill your dreams? Or are you wandering around without a compass, hoping you’ll somehow find your way? If you’re stuck in a rut, let our happiness experts help you get back on track. Then take our quiz to see if you’re living your life to the fullest…

1. Don’t Try to Buy Happiness

Would you be happy if you had a hundred new pairs of Jimmy Choos or a brand new BMW? Maybe at first you would, but as time went on you’d “just want more, bigger, better and different in a never-ending fashion,” explains Alan Gettis, Ph.D., author of The Happiness Solution: Finding Joy and Meaning In An Upside Down World (Trafford, 2006). The pleasure centers in your brain come alive when you score the perfect skirt or a great pair of jeans, but the feeling fades. After all, if you could really buy happiness, everyone would have bought it already!

If you still believe money is the secret to satisfaction, consider this: According to a University of Illinois study, the Forbes 400 (the wealthiest billionaires in America) and the Maasai tribes of East Africa (simple, pastoral herdsmen) exhibit the same levels of happiness, regardless of their monetary differences. In plain English: Money doesn’t buy happiness.

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Is There Proof of the Soul?

Posted by David Romanelli
on Mon, Oct 23, 2006, 5:40 pm PDT

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” - Mother Theresa

I received a message this weekend that my friend’s boyfriend passed away in his sleep. He was a young guy and something like this leaves loved ones with lots of pain and even more questions. Death happens to everyone and in cases of sudden and surprising loss, we are reminded of the human body’s extreme fragility. Many believe that unlike the body, the soul is immortal and indestructible. “Is there proof of the soul?” is a question that often graces the covers of major news magazines.

One such magazine featured an article discussing how the advent of neuroscience has created a divide between doctors and scientists that believe in “the soul” vs. those that don’t believe. Is there proof of the soul? One faction feels that all there is to be known can be seen and understood thru the machines and gadgets of modern technology. The other faction notes the reality of the soul may be wrapped in the mysteries of quantum physics.

As the article concluded, the Buddhists may have the most truthful perspective. They use the Sanskrit word Anatman to describe the ever-changing quality of life. When we try to put a shape and an identity on life, it proves elusive and slips out of our firmly clasped hand. With much practice, courage, and wisdom, one is able to open the firmly clasped hand and recognize what Emerson said best: “It’s not length of life but depth of life.”

More at: http://health.yahoo.com/experts/yeahdave/4821/is-there-proof-of-the-soul

Personal note: This is from a Buddhist point of view. I believe in a soul. I believe in the Christian worldview of life after death. Our soul is never dying & eternal. It all depends on where we spend our eternity. I know many people don't like to talk about hell. But hell & heaven are spiritual realities that we must someday grapple with. Don't be like the young man mentioned in this article. I don't know whether he is a Christian but if he is then fine. Death comes unexpectedly sometimes. We never know when. I pray all can come to Christ.

"Abba, Father!"

Galatians 4:7 "And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying "Abba, Father!"

Once we become Christians & reborn again on the inside, we becomes sons of God. And when we become sons of God, God will send his Holy Spirit into our hearts. We become renewed on the inside & since the Holy Spirit is God incarnate, Jesus who is also God incarnate, comes to live in us-in our hearts. We are clothed then with the righteousness of Jesus since He is in us. We can cry out "Abba, Father"-such an affectionate term. We are a new creation. Our spirit is made alive & we can enter into heaven when we die or gets raptured. Christianity is not a religion but a relationship. We are related to God thru Christ. God is our heavenly Father & we are His children. Salvation is by faith thru Christ Jesus & His precious blood. His blood washes us clean so that we can come close to God's throne & to God Himself as He is holy. Since He is our Father, He hears our cries & prayers & He will answer in His time. All things work together for the good of those who love Him.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Part 2)

I would like to continue tonight in our study on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. First of all, we will look at the promises of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist said,

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

And then Jesus gave the promise of the baptism with the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:4.

Being assembled together with them [the disciples], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:4-5)

So that promise of John the Baptist and that promise of Jesus was fulfilled. And in Acts 2:1-4 we read:

And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

I have no doubt that this experience in Acts chapter 2 is the fulfillment of the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Here it is declared that they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. And the word "filled" with the Holy Ghost seems to be used interchangeably with the term "baptism" of the Holy Ghost.

Now the issue that arises is whether the disciples were converted before the experience in the second chapter of Acts? Were they born again prior to this experience? You see, whether or not the baptism, the gift, or the filling of the Holy Spirit—which are all interchangeable terms—whether or not that is subsequent to and separate from conversion is a matter of debate within the church. And it is my belief that this baptism with the Holy Spirit, this filling of the Holy Spirit, was an experience that was subsequent to conversion.

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WHAT ABOUT MY SECURITY IN CHRIST?

From: http://www.threshingfloor.org/spiritsoul.htm

(Rom 8:16 KJV) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

(1Cor 2:10-12 KJV) But God hath revealed them unto us by his: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

(Rom 8:9-11 KJV) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

(1Cor 5:5 KJV) To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

So much misery and destruction has come from failure to rightly divide the Word of Truth. There rages constant, vehement, ungodly debate over the question of whether we are saved eternally or can be lost by committing one too many intentional sins. A simple understanding of the clear and unwavering Word of God erases this debate and settles the question. It is clear and certain for everyone who will discern with the spirit and not reason with the sin adulterated mind of the flesh.

In the scripture above the Apostle Paul clearly states the reality as the Holy Spirit inspired him to write it. The unredeemed, unrenewed fleshly self, that is the soul and the body can be destroyed and thus "lost" but the new creation spirit of even this intentional sinner, the worst of the church, will be "saved " in the day of the Lord Jesus". Note this action was ordered before the man had repented. His eventual repentance saved him from physical death not from losing his salvation. The intent of the Apostle's order was to stop the man from further wanton sinning and the harm such action causes, knowing his spirit was born of incorruptible seed and therefore would not be lost in death.

(1Pet 1:22, 23 KJV) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

(1Pet 1:5 KJV) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

(1Pet 3:4 KJV) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

(1Cor 6:11, 12 KJV) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

(2Cor 1:22 KJV) Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (Spirit and soul together).

(1Cor 6:17 KJV) But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (With Him!)

(Gal 4:6 KJV) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

The only way the spirit of a born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ could be "lost" is for Jesus and therefore God Himself to die also.

Who says a believer must not take medicine?

http://www.nagalandpost.com/leisuredesc.asp?sectionID=25767

At the outset, I would like to state that the purpose of this article is not to support or either to criticize groups or any individuals or state that God does not heal without medicine but to show from God's Word that God heals the sick either with or without medicine.

Jesus is the Healer. But the method of healing should be left to Him. We cannot dictate to God how He should heal us for He is a sovereign God.

I know of a well reputed leader who preached for several years saying that if the needle of a doctor touches a believer's body, such a believer will not rapture when the Lord comes. But recently he had to get one of his legs amputated and right now he is under powerful medical treatment suffering from diabetes. I understand he has now apologized to his church members for teaching them wrongly that those who take medicine will not be rapture when the Lord comes. Before he started teaching it right, many had died and lost their loved ones listening to his unscriptural teaching. I am not writing this to accuse him or to anyone much less to condemn him either to any Denominations. But I am happy that this dear leader was able enough rather humble enough to correct himself and others atleast now.

In fact, how did this leader get into this unscriptural teaching? If a believer takes medicine he/she will not rapture when the Lord comes! Believers who take medicine should not participate in the Holy Communion! (Table of the Lord)."I AM THE LORD THAT HEALETH THEE". Many who are caught up by this wrong teaching ask "When God says I am the Lord that healeth thee, is it not wrong for a Christian to seek medical help? That is a very thought provoking question. But let us go to the Word of God for the answer. Nowhere in the Bible it is stated that a Believer must not take medicine. Never does it state that it is the lack of faith that makes a man to take medicine. Nor does the Bible say that taking medicine defiles the body of a believer. Not once does the Bible say that a believer who takes medicine must not be allowed to participate in the table of the Lord. Such ideas are ABSOLUTELY manmade. The leader who teaches such kind of manmade teaching, feel free to wear reading glasses prescribed to them by their Doctors and they even wear dentures placed in their mouths by some of the best dentists available to them. If they could go to the doctors for their eyes and teeth why not their faithful go to them for other kinds of physical ailments? Perhaps it is about such leader that Jesus said, "Ye have taken away the key of knowledge: Ye entered not in yourselves, ye hindered."(Lk.11:52). Did not our good Lord Himself declare that they that are sick need a physician? (Mt.9:12).

Divine healing through medicine: Right at the time of the early Apostolic age, when young Timothy developed some kind of stomach trouble that bothered him frequently, Apostle Paul advised him saying, "Use a little wine for your stomach's sake and for frequent infirmities." (1 Tim.5:23). (Friends kindly don't misunderstand to me that here, I don't mean that you should take wine). Not only does the present day medical science acknowledge the medical value of wine but it was prevalent believed by the Jewish community during f Jesus’ time. When the traveler from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked and wounded by the thieves, the Samaritan helped him out. Jesus Himself describing this story said, "So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and WINE "(Lk.10:34). This clearly indicates that wine was considered to have had medical value even durng the time of Jesus. Paul the great apostle whom God used to do mighty miracles of healing and even raising from the dead gave some medical prescription for the latter's stomach problem. Perhaps apostle Paul received some advice from "Luke the beloved physician" who was his traveling companion. We read in 2 Kings chapter 20 that King Hezekiah was sick unto death. But he shed tears and prayed for his healing. Our prayer answering God heard that prayer and told him through prophet Isaiah, "I will heal thee"(II kings 20:5). These words are just like what God had told to his people "I am the Lord that healeth thee" (Exodus 15:26). After promising that to Hezekiah, the same God told him, "Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for plaster upon the boil, and he shall recover" (These are not human Doctors but of the Lord who said, "I am the Lord that healeth thee"). When our sovereign Lord chose to heal His child through human help i.e. medicine, how can we, His followers say, "I would rather die than take medicine." When our God Himself advised His son Hezekiah through His prophet Isaiah, to take medicine how could any one ever tell to any persons that those who take medicine should not take communion. It is to such people, the Bible says, "Be not righteous over much, neither makes thyself over wise, why shouldest thou destroy thyself" (Ecc.7:16).

May good God bless you all!
Mhonbemo Patton, Dimapur.

Personal note: God can heal but do we have the faith yet to be healed? And God can heal thru medicine & surgery etc. Why then did God provide the trees & herbs in the first place for healing & also provide doctors with their God-given talents to heal? In many cases, God heals thru natural means but in severe cases, a miracle might just happen.

Sin stains the soul, wrecks the body & injures the spirit

We should stay away from sinful deeds, habits & thoughts etc. Cos sin stains our soul & affects our mental & psychological health. Our minds become corrupted gradually & our personalities are affected. The more we think of evil the more we act evil. The more we act evil the more evil we become. It forms a habit so that we can't break free.

Sin also wrecks our body. You might think it's ok to sin as no harm to body. But consider some overt sins like smoking & drinking. They harm the body right? What about less harmful sins like worrying or anxiety or fear? Just as harmful to body & mind. Stress hormones are secreted causing degradation of body performance & lowered immunity to disease. Anger also is a sin & can cause great harm as now proven by science. Your blood pressure goes up & in comes all sorts of kidney disease etc. How about masturbation & prostituting? Very harmful. Loss of sperms cause testes & reproductive system to work harder at replacing sperms & ova etc. Nerves & hormones need to be replaced but how? Sexual disease like AIDS or STDs. Bondage to sexual sins & relationship problems etc. See so much problem sin causes to body & I am not listing the whole list of sins?

Sin also injures our spirit. We cannot see nor feel our spirit but in the spiritual world, sin affects us also. We are cut off from God as He is holy. We become attacked by demons or satan & great harm is done to us spiritually. Sin places a block between us & God & only Christ's blood can save us. A Christian cannot lose his/her salvation but attacked by devil. Pray for God's forgiveness Christian. A non-Christian is forever lost to hell unless he repents & believes Jesus is the Christ & there is no other.

But we cannot take God's grace for granted. I pray for mercy God. Pls heal me. Jesus was wounded for my transgressions & bruised for my iniquities. By His stripes, I am healed. God pls heal me & forgive me in Jesus name. Amen.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Part 1)

We are studying the subject of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This will be part one of three parts that we will examine on the subject of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

In Luke 3:16, we read concerning John the Baptist that,
John answered saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

In John 1:33, again John the Baptist is speaking his testimony concerning Jesus. He said,
And I knew Him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

So John was prophesying of the one who was coming after him, who was mightier than he was, and who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. And John now testifies of Jesus, declaring that he really did not know that Jesus was the one until he saw this Spirit of God descending and remaining upon Him. For the one who sent him to baptize, told him that the one upon whom he saw the Spirit descend and remain was the one that would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 1:4, Jesus was assembled together with His disciples and He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father, of which, He said,
Ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:4-5)

What do we learn from these verses? First of all, that there is an experience that is properly called the baptism with the Holy Spirit. John said, "There is One coming after me, mightier than I am. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Luke 3:16) And he testified that Jesus was that one. It teaches us that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is separate and distinct from regeneration. It is one thing to be born of the Spirit, and yet another thing to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

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