baptist theological seminary http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for baptist theological seminary Copyright 2008 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:25:30 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/baptist+theological+seminary Choose A Seminary Wisely http://www.artwoo.com/article/choose-a-seminary-wisely http://www.artwoo.com/article/choose-a-seminary-wisely#comments Mon, 31 Jul 2006 12:27:13 +0000 seminary educationlife goalseducational choicescompromiseprioritiesleadlot http://www.artwoo.com/article/choose-a-seminary-wisely educational choices are best for you. If it is true that education in the means to freedom, which I believe that it is, then what kind of education you choose is extremely important in determining what kind of life you will have. The same is true when you are deciding about what seminary is right for you.

Having thoughts of going to seminary reflects a of previous decisions that you have already made about the kind of person you want to be and the kind of life you want to . In fact, your desire for seminary means a lot of things about you, probably more than you even realize. But don't let the fact that you're on the right track hinder you from realizing the supreme importance of what seminary you choose for your next step of education.

Before you begin to research any particular seminary, it is a good idea to sit down and make a list of your in the decision making process. For example, deciding whether location is more important to you than theological association is a very important decision to be made. If you want to stay within your home state or within your denomination for your seminary training than your options will be narrowed immediately and your choice will be much easier. So take a look at your priorities for your and let that lead you in the process.

Once you have learned what is most important to you, then don't when looking for those things. Continue searching with patience and preseverance until you find a seminary that matches the very things you want. Realize too, however, that you may have to compromise on some aspects of your choice. So be willing to be flexible on things that are not as important to you.

Choosing a seminary will likely influence the rest of your life. So take your time and make the decision with care. Know yourself and your educational and before you jump into anything. A wise seminary choice will be reflected by great success once you arrive to begin taking classes. Talk with friends and professors for suggestions, but ultimately you must be ready to make the decision for yourself. Hallidae Thomason is a pastor that loves advising people about making the choice to attend seminary. See http://www.seminaryplace.info for more help. ]]> Top 5 Reasons To Live In Wake Forest, NC http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-5-reasons-to-live-in-wake-forest-nc http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-5-reasons-to-live-in-wake-forest-nc#comments Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:30:01 +0000 wake forest universitysoutheastern baptist theological seminarywake forest north carolinabringing home the baconbaptist theological seminaryquiet residential neighborhoodsmedian family income http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-5-reasons-to-live-in-wake-forest-nc Wake Forest University, but the former Wake Forest campus is now occupied by the . If you are considering a move to Wake Forest, North Carolina, you may want to consider some of the top reasons residents enjoy living in the area.

Rich History

Residents are proud of the rich heritage attached to the town, as they visit the downtown area, which has earned the recognition as being an officially registered historic district. A distinct academic history is also deeply seeded at Wake Forest, as the town attracts many students to the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Southeastern College at Wake Forest. The area schools are also great for students interested in studying religion. Both higher learning institutions offer undergraduate and graduate degrees related to preparing for the ministry.

Decent Household Numbers

In Wake Forest, numbers regarding the town showcases that out of the little over 4,500 households in the area, 60.3% were comprised of married couples living with one another, while 26.2% of the households were made up of non-families. As for , the median income for the typical household living in town was about $52,000 with the centered on $60,000.

Great Downtown Area

The community often congregates in the thriving downtown section of Wake Forest to enjoy the wares and services offered by more than 100 businesses. When you are interested in grabbing a bite to eat, an assortment of restaurants offer a wide-range of cuisine. Specialty shops also line the streets accommodating the needs of townsfolk.

Close Proximity to Other Cities and Attractions

Some people enjoy living in the outskirts of larger cities so they may enjoy . While they situate their lives away from the hustle and bustle of highly populated locations, they are still close enough to enjoy the attractions and activities offered in the vicinity. When it comes to Wake Forest, residents benefit from easy access to the Research Triangle Park, Atlantic Coast Conference athletic competitions, professional sports, as well as well-known golfing events. Residents also head for the mountains or beach for vacations, located close to Wake Forest.

Breath of Fresh Air

Relaxation and natural beauty is spread across a 12,000-acre lake and 26,000 acres of a wooded playground associated with the Falls Lake State Recreation Area. Residents enjoy a wealth of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, and swimming. Visitors also spend their time walking about the land, mountain biking, and camping. The author would like you to visit http://www.buyersadvantagegroup.net/wake_forest_real_estate.php and http://www.buyersadvantagegroup.net. ]]> Is Seminary Right For You? http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-seminary-right-for-you http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-seminary-right-for-you#comments Thu, 27 Apr 2006 10:50:05 +0000 seminary studentsalready completedreligious peopleundergraduate degreeprofessional goalschristian ministrymaster of divinity http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-seminary-right-for-you religious people kind of environment. However, if you feel like seminary might be the next step in your educational process, then there are a few things you should consider before you let the idea of seminary turn you off.

Seminary can be a great place for people to spend a few years studying and growing personally and relationally. At the most basic level, seminary is a place for people to gather who want to study of some kind. Seminary is typically for students who have an and who want to pursue a master's degree in a variety of fields relating to ministry. Do you fit the picture so far? Have you completed your undergraduate degree or are you about to graduate from a university? Having an undergrad degree is the first step to take if you think seminary might be in the picture for you someday.

If you have an undergraduate degree completed, consider what your personal and are. If you hope to work in a Christian ministry, do you know what area of ministry suits your gifts and goals? The most typical degree that is earned at a seminary is called a . This degree is most commonly earned by people who desire to pastor a church, though it can be more general in focus to include those simply wanting more knowledge for personal than professional reasons. Some seminaries also offer programs that relate to more specific areas of ministry such as youth ministry, women's ministry, or counseling. Take some time to research a seminary near you and learn more about what they offer.

When making the important decision about if seminary is right for you, there is no reason to rush. Do an internet search and make a list of potential schools that interest you. Make phone calls and see if you can speak with current at each school. Try to narrow in on the kind of ministry that seems to fit you best and then only consider a seminary that offers that program.

If, after some research, it seems that seminary is the direction you want to head, then the process of choosing a seminary becomes similar to choosing a college for undergraduate work. Do not hesitate to make a personal visit to the seminary and gather all of the information you need. Deciding to attend seminary can be an exciting thing to do, however, choosing the right seminary for you should be just as important and exciting. Enjoy the process and good luck as you embark on the journey that seminary can be. A seminary graduate, Hallidae Thomason enjoys helping people in the process of discovering whether or not seminary is right for them. See for yourself at http://www.seminaryplace.info ]]> Who Should Sit In Communion Chairs In A Baptist Church? http://www.artwoo.com/article/who-should-sit-in-communion-chairs-in-a-baptist-church http://www.artwoo.com/article/who-should-sit-in-communion-chairs-in-a-baptist-church#comments Mon, 02 Jul 2007 03:24:59 +0000 communiondo this in remembrance of medeaconsacts of faithsymbolic actsblood of jesuswine http://www.artwoo.com/article/who-should-sit-in-communion-chairs-in-a-baptist-church communion as one of its two -obedience. Much of the time, this is called an "ordinance" rather than a "sacrament." In other words, you cannot receive salvation or grace through communion. Instead, these are purely that were commanded of Christ's followers by Christ Himself. This is actually the second ordinance in the Baptist church and it is patterned after the Last Supper, which was recorded in the Gospels wherein Jesus says to "." With this in mind, participants in communion break and eat bread and drink a small "shot of ." These items are symbolic of the body and the , respectively.

Traditionally, Baptists serve communion to participants wherever they are seated. However, it is up to each individual church how communion is arranged, because the arrangement itself has no theological significance. More important than seating or arrangement is the communion itself. For instance, the bread used is unleavened, as it is believed that this is the type of bread the would have been served at the Last Supper. As such, bread cubes, wafers or small crackers are passed around on plates to those who wish to participate in communion. Of course, it is also acceptable to do the "breaking of bread" from loaves, as well.

The cup is filled with unfermented grape juice. However, the Gospel passages only mention the "fruit of the vine." It is never called wine therein. Usually small individual cups are used to represent the "cup." A "common cup" that the entire congregation drinks from can be used, but it is usually reserved for small gatherings for practical reasons.

Most of the time, both the bread and the wine are served by the pastor to the . The deacons then serve the congregation, followed by the pastor. In bigger churches, the pastors may often serve one another, allowing the deacons to focus on serving the congregation. Once the entire congregation has been served, everyone takes the elements at the same time. This symbolizes unity.

Communion can be held as frequently as the church desires. However, most of the time communion takes place during a regular worship service. It is important to note that communion is only taken by those who have undergone a believer's baptism, though this does vary from congregation to congregation as well. As such, there are three types of communion:

1. Open communion allows anyone who professes to be a Christian to take communion. 2. Close communion occurs whenever only members of a Baptist church can take communion. 3. Closed communion takes place when only members of that local congregation can participate. MBI offers the ultimate in selection and price. Banquet chairs, church chairs, office chairs and more. http://www.millbrookindustries.com/ ]]> Curious? Do A Bible Search! http://www.artwoo.com/article/curious-do-a-bible-search http://www.artwoo.com/article/curious-do-a-bible-search#comments Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:32:08 +0000 bible search toolsbible search toolbible classproactivecuriousityseminary studenti love http://www.artwoo.com/article/curious-do-a-bible-search seminary student, I am always looking for more information about the Bible. As I study to become a pastor for other people, it is extremely important that I learn all I can about the Bible and that I utilize all of the resources that are available to me. I had never heard of a Bible search until recently, but doing them has radically changed my ability to learn and process information about the Bible.

What about studying the Bible is that I am always curious and hungry to learn more. I am a firm believer that people should spend their lives doing things of value that they deeply enjoy. So when the change came for me to further my education with seminary I jumped at it. Just a few months into my classes, the s that I have been taught have by far been the most valuable source of new knowledge that I have discovered.

Are you curious to learn more about the Bible? Perhaps you are taking a or are just wanting to learn for your own benefit. It doesn't matter why you want to know more, it simply matters that you can know more by doing a Bible search or two on the information you are seeking. I love that a Bible search can both satisfy my and yet leave me desiring more knowledge. What a great thing!

A Bible search can happen in many ways. There are many great tools to be used, but by far some of the best can be found in libraries, at bookshops, or even on the internet. Basically, a Bible search is done whenever a learner uses tools to try to gain more knowledge about a particular passage or theme in Scripture. The Bible search doesn't have to be official, it simply has to be helpful in teaching you more about the Bible.

If you are curious about learning more about a Bible search tool or two, find someone to talk with. This may mean talking with a pastor or setting up a time to meet with a Bible professor at a local college. Do whatever you can to be about doing a Bible search to do more. You will be so glad that you did and the knowledge you learn will be the most helpful thing in the world for you and your future. Hallidae Thomason is a seminary student and a published author. She has discovered a Bible search and wants you to as well. See http://www.allbiblesearch.info for more on finding great Bible search tools. ]]> John The Baptist Preaching In The Wilderness Of Judea: Repent And Be Baptized http://www.artwoo.com/article/john-the-baptist-preaching-in-the-wilderness-of-judea-repent-and-be-baptized http://www.artwoo.com/article/john-the-baptist-preaching-in-the-wilderness-of-judea-repent-and-be-baptized#comments Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:25:00 +0000 locusts and wild honeypharisees and sadduceeswilderness of judealocusts and wild honey john the baptistleathern girdlegeneration of vipershoney john http://www.artwoo.com/article/john-the-baptist-preaching-in-the-wilderness-of-judea-repent-and-be-baptized wilderness of Judea. His message was to repent because the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The prophet E-sai'as foretold about John the Baptist saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."

John the Baptist wore a about his loins and wore other clothes made of camel's hair. His meat was . John the Baptist did not dwell in fine luxury and wear the snow white shirts and perfectly pressed outer garments as many of our evangelists do today. After his sermons he sat down to a meal of locusts and wild honey. He was not served lavishly on banquet tables full of varieties of meats, vegetables, pies, cakes and any and everything else the congregation cooked up. He had serious work to do and serious messages to bring. His goal was only to preach to others "repentance." He did not look for gold or silver or any kind of payment from anyone that he preached to. Many of our evangelists today will not even go to a group of people to deliver any kind of message unless they know there is a certain salary and the finest of accommodations waiting for them.

In those days many repented at the preaching of John the Baptist from Jersualem, Judaea and the regions around Jordan. John the Baptist baptized them. If these people brought forth good works until their own deaths, they are not sleeping, awaiting the great trumpet sound for all the dead in Christ to arise first.

John the Baptist saw the who came to the baptism. He called them a and asked who had warned them to flee from the wrath to come? He asked them to bring forth fruits now if they had repented. He told them not to say within themselves (for John the Baptist read the hearts of the Pharisees and Sadducees) that you have Abraham as your father. John the Baptist told them God is able to make the stones rise up children to Abraham. In other words, God had much greater power than Abraham, and was the father even of Abraham.

He further told the Pharisees and Sadducees that every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. And in other words this means if you the Pharisees and Sadducees do not actually repent and turn from your wicked ways to prove to the others and to God of your true repentance in actual "works or behaviors," then you will in time be brought down and cast into the fire. So who did the Pharisees and Sadducees think they were fooling? They might be able to fool Abraham, and John the Baptist, but God is greater than Abraham, and God they could not fool. John the Baptist told them he could go ahead and baptize them with water, but he that comes after him, which is God, is mightier than John the Baptist.

John the Baptist told the Pharisees and Sadducees God would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire (if they so deserve). God will use the fan in his hand and thoroughly purge the floor to gather up his wheat, but the chaff shall be cast into unquenchable fire. In other words, you will never be able to hide from God anything you do that is unrighteous.

After all this, came Jesus from Galilee to Jordan and asked John the Baptist to baptize him. John the Baptist forbade this to happen. He told Jesus, I am in need of you baptizing me and you ask me to baptize you. Jesus had a purpose for why he asked John the Baptist to baptize him. Jesus told him, I need you to baptize me now so it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness.

After John the Baptist baptized Jesus and he came back up out of the water, the heavens were opened up to Jesus, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. Then Jesus heard a voice from heaven which said: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Through these scriptures we are taught we must first repent, which actually means to turn away from all unrighteousness and sin to receive a "born again spirit of God" and then be baptized in the name of the Father, the son and the Holy Ghost. After which time, we are to bring forth fruits of good works in the hopes that some day we like Jesus will hear God say to us: "this is my beloved son or daughter, in whom I am well pleased. We also taught that simply baptizing with water does save a man or woman from their sins. Water baptism is in answer to a good conscious toward God. Repentance and then good works until death brings man or woman the actual rewards of eternal life. Connie Limon Visit us at The Spiritual Guide, http://www.thespiritualguide.info for spiritual teachings and guidance. Visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com for a variety of FREE reprint articles for your websites, newsletters or blog. ]]> Robie House Floor Plan | A Scandalous Abomination In Hyde Park http://www.artwoo.com/article/robie-house-floor-plan-a-scandalous-abomination-in-hyde-park http://www.artwoo.com/article/robie-house-floor-plan-a-scandalous-abomination-in-hyde-park#comments Wed, 13 Sep 2006 08:27:06 +0000 robie househouse floor planfrank lloyd wrightprairie style architecturehyde parkpark neighborschicago http://www.artwoo.com/article/robie-house-floor-plan-a-scandalous-abomination-in-hyde-park Robie House was completed in 1910. It was a horrible eyesore to the neighbors in . The Robie was the culmination of 's ability to think outside the box. It was at the height of it's expression and clashed outrageously with the Gothic manors lined up in at the turn of the century.

The Robie House floor plan, named for its original owner, was the expression of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Style architecture at its most expansive and expressive. With its low pitched roof cantilevers that hung over literally dozens of oddly sized balconies, it was an outrage to Chicago's high society Hyde . The hidden front door reached down an alley and rooms radiated from a central fireplace. Bricks were laid in a pattern that highlighted the stretched-out horizontal feel and the living room is on the second floor rather than the main floor as would be expected of most homes.

The Robie House suffered more indignities than just the disdain of the Hyde Park neighbors over the course of its life. Used for a dorm and dining hall for the Chicago Theological Seminary from 1926 to 1959, it was nearly demolished twice to make room for a more normal style dorm. Frank L. Wright, who was in his 90s at the time, protested so loudly that it was spared. Registered as a National Historic Landmark in 1963, demolition of the Robie House floor plan was a subject never raised again.

The floor plan of the Robie House is eccentric to say the least. The interior space speaks to Mr. Wright's meticulous attention to design detail. The living room is tapered into a prow not unlike a boat with lighting divided into a andquot;sunandquot; type globe fixture in a wooden frame as well as a andquot;moonandquot; fixture located behind panels. The second floor balconies lining an entire side of the house were deteriorating rapidly, which is an unfortunate effect of Wright's outrageous designs requiring frequent restoration.

For those who would like to visit the Robie House, it's located on the University of Chicago campus at the corner of Southwood Lawn Avenue and 58th Street. Guided tours are conducted on weekdays every 15 minutes between 11 a.m and 3:30 p.m. Cost is $9.00 for adults and $7.00 for children and senior citizens. Get fantastic ideas for your new house! http://www.buyhouseplansonline.com come in all shapes and sizes. Find the right house floor plan for your family today! ]]> The Fame Of Jesus Spreads While John The Baptist Is In Prison http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-fame-of-jesus-spreads-while-john-the-baptist-is-in-prison http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-fame-of-jesus-spreads-while-john-the-baptist-is-in-prison#comments Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:35:00 +0000 locusts and wild honeysea of galileetwo brethrengod of heavenway of the seagospel johnfishi http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-fame-of-jesus-spreads-while-john-the-baptist-is-in-prison locusts and wild honey. You can never know the true men and women of women solely by the clothes they wear, the houses they live in or the cars they drive.

When Jesus heard the news he went to Galilee. He left Nazareth and lived in Ca-per'na-um, which was on the sea coast in the borders of Zabulon and Neph'tha-lim. This came to pass as it was spoken by the prophet E-sai'as: "The land of Zab'u-lon, and the land of Neph'tha-lim, by the , beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.

Now=85one thing I want to note here with prophesies is when the original foretelling of the future came to E-sai-as, the prophet, and the words alone gave no real clue as to what is actually going to come to pass. Go back up and see what actually happened, then compare it to prophesy again. This is because foretelling of the future through the powers of is always done in parts that often resemble some kind of a puzzle or riddle. Most of the time when the words come to pass it vaguely resembles what was actually spoken.

Jesus now begins to preach the same the Baptist was spreading, which is to repent for the sake of earning an eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.

As Jesus walked by the he saw , Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother who were fishermen of the sea. Jesus asked them to follow him and he would show them how to become fishers of men. Jesus knew this was a much more worthwhile way to spend time than sitting by the sea ng for fish. Peter and Andrew dropped their fishing gear and followed after Jesus.

As Jesus, Peter and Andrew continued on their journey they came upon two other brethren which were James, the son of Zeb'e-dee, and John his brother. These two men were mending their nets on their father's ship. They also followed after Jesus.

Then Jesus went about all Galilee teaching in their churches and synagogues. He preached the gospel of the kingdom. He told the people he had power to heal all the sicknesses and diseases among them. The fame of Jesus spread through Syria. Sick people with divers diseases, torments and people possessed with devils, lunatick people, and those who had palsy were brought to Jesus. Jesus healed them all.

Everywhere Jesus went; great multitudes of people followed him from Galilee, and from De-cap'o-lis, and from Jerusalem, from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.

Then came the great sermon of Jesus on the mountain, so simple are the words of Jesus, so easily understood that even a small child could understand the meaning to his words. Connie Limon Visit us at The Spiritual Guide, http://www.thespiritualguide.info for spiritual teachings and guidance. Visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com for a variety of FREE reprint articles for your websites, newsletters or blog. ]]> John The Baptist Is Beheaded In Prison And Peter Walks On The Water http://www.artwoo.com/article/john-the-baptist-is-beheaded-in-prison-and-peter-walks-on-the-water http://www.artwoo.com/article/john-the-baptist-is-beheaded-in-prison-and-peter-walks-on-the-water#comments Sat, 22 Sep 2007 09:35:01 +0000 king herodfollowed jesuswanted jesusdisciplesmultitudetetrarchfather in heaven http://www.artwoo.com/article/john-the-baptist-is-beheaded-in-prison-and-peter-walks-on-the-water tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus and thought he was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Herod bound John and put him in prison for He-ro'di-as' sake. He-ro'di-as' was his brother's wife. John told Herod it was not lawful for him to have his brother's wife. Herod feared to put John to death for his saying because the said he was a prophet.

At Herod's birthday celebration, the daughter of He-ro'di-as danced before him and pleased Herod. Herod then promised her with an oath to give whatever she asked. Her mother instructed before she danced for Herod to ask for John the Baptist's head in a charger. The wickedness of sexuality being used in an evil manner can only bring about more evil.

Even though the King was sorry, he commanded it be given to her because of the oath's sake, and those that sat with him at mealtime. sent the order for John the Baptist to be beheaded in prison. John the Baptist's head was brought in a charger and given to the damsel that danced before King Herod and gave him pleasure. The damsel took the head to her mother. The came and took the rest of John the Baptist's body and buried him. The disciples told Jesus what had happened to John the Baptist.

When Jesus heard the news he left in a ship into a desert. When the people heard the news they on foot out of the cities. Jesus saw the great multitude and was filled with compassion toward them. He healed their sick.

When evening came the disciples to send the multitude away to the villages so they could buy themselves victuals. The disciples feared there would not be enough food to feed everyone. Jesus declined and said they did not have to leave, feed them. The disciples then told Jesus they only had five loaves and two fishes.

Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fishes and looked up into heaven in prayer to God the . Jesus was able to feed the disciples and the entire multitude with only five loaves and two fishes. They all ate and were filled. There was some leftover, which were twelve baskets full. About five thousand men, beside women and children ate this day. I believe this to mean for the rest of us to know that although at times we may have little food in our refrigerator and cabinets, but if we will look toward the heavens and trust in God the Father in heaven, we also will have plenty to eat.

Jesus told his disciples to get into a ship and go before him into the other side while he sent the multitudes away. Jesus went up into a mountain apart from the disciples to pray after the multitudes left. He was there until evening alone.

Jesus became aware of the ship where he sent his disciples in the midst of the sea were being tossed with waves from the contrary winds. During the night Jesus walked on the waters of the sea to get to them on the ship.

His disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and were troubled. They said, it is a spirit, and they cried with great fear. As soon as Jesus knew of their troubled hearts he said, "Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid.

Peter asked the Lord if it was truly him walking on the water, then bid him to come to him on the water as well. Jesus said, "Come, Peter." Peter come down out of the ship and walked on the water toward Jesus. When Peter noticed the boisterous wind around him he was afraid and began to sink, then cried, Lord please save me. Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught Peter. Jesus asked Peter if he had little faith and why did he doubt?

As long as Peter kept his mind and his eyes upon Jesus he was able to walk on the water just as Jesus, but as soon as he realized what he was actually doing, and noticed how fierce the winds were around him, he lost faith, took his eyes off Jesus, and began to sink.

For us today, the bible story of Jesus and Peter walking on water reveals to us how we must always keep our eyes upon Jesus to stay above the troubling waves, problems and cares of our lives. When we stop looking toward Jesus, when we stop trusting in him is when we can get into greater trouble than ever.

However, our trust in Jesus does not keep us from the hour of death as with John the Baptist. Death is an appointment we all must keep and cannot escape from regardless of the God we trust or serve.

As I read these passages and in times before now, the Holy Ghost has taught me some differences in the death of saints and the death of sinners. God takes great pleasure in the calling of his saints to rest from all their labor. I believe John the Baptist was in this group.

The devil does not have power over the death of a saint. He has power over the death of sinners and can cut their life short. As with Job, however, God told the devil, you can torment him, try him, tempt him, but you cannot take his life.

I believe this means to all people after these, the devil has no power to take the life of a saint of God. Any saint of God can die in prison at the hand of anyone that God allows it to be, but only at the appointed time for that particular saint, and he or she is actually being called to a rest from spiritual labor in which God takes pleasure in.

However, if a man or woman dies without repentance or as a sinner, that death is brought about by the devil. They will lay sleeping until the Day of Judgment for all mankind. Furthermore, the true elect of God will only sleep for a short while, and then rise at the sound of the first trumpet, while the others lay sleeping. When that first trumpet sounds, all the dead in Christ will rise first to meet him in the air and will help to judge the rest of the world.

John the Baptist will be in that group and all those after him who have been chosen, called and who have answered as God's elect. You might say, "Who told you this?" I can answer, "The Holy Ghost told me." The Holy Ghost will lead and guide you into all the truth and will show you things to come.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

=A9 2007 Connie Limon. All Rights Reserved Connie Limon Visit us at The Spiritual Guide, http://www.thespiritualguide.info for spiritual teachings and guidance. Visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com to submit your original articles for website promotion and back links. ]]> The Coming Of The Prophet Elijah http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-coming-of-the-prophet-elijah http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-coming-of-the-prophet-elijah#comments Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:20:00 +0000 old testament prophetsprophet elijahprophecies of malachijesus of nazarethgreat expectationtestament godfinal verses http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-coming-of-the-prophet-elijah Old Testament prophets who had in days past delivered regular messages from God Almighty suddenly went silent. But in the of the Old Testament, God gave a promise to Israel. He promised to send the before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. In the first century, many Jews lived in a state of constant alert, ready for the arrival of Elijah at a moment's notice. It was this very atmosphere of expectation into which John the Baptist and first appeared.

Below is the prophecy which prompted of Elijah's coming. It appears in the Book of Malachi:

"Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse." Malachi 4:5-6 (NLT)

For the past 2,000 years, many Christians have believed Elijah's identity is an open-and-shut case. The conventional wisdom is that he's already appeared, thus fulfilling completely the 4. It's easy to see why this is a commonly held belief, because Jesus Himself said John the Baptist was Elijah:

"And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come." Matthew 11:14 (NLT)

But did Jesus really identify John the Baptist as the Elijah of Malachi 4:5? Was He saying, "this is THE Elijah, and there is no other"? Careful examination of the scriptures reveals that Jesus was not saying this. Yes, John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah, but he was not Elijah. Just as the first century Jews expected a conquering Messiah rather than a suffering one, they also expected a much more powerful Elijah than the one they received. In his place, they received a man who, like his Messiah, would suffer greatly at the hands of his contemporaries.

Malachi 4

In order to better understand the prophecy of Elijah's coming, let's examine the context in which the verse appears:

"The Lord of Heaven's Armies says, `The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed =96 roots, branches, and all. But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,' says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. `Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant =96 all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai for all Israel. Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.'" Malachi 4:1-6 (NLT)

First and foremost, this passage describes the great Day of Judgment of the Lord Almighty. This day and the day of Christ's Glorious Appearing are one and the same. The "Lord of Heaven's Armies" is the conquering Messiah the Jews expected when Jesus first came. He is Lord of the same armies identified in Revelation 19:14, and the Antichrist and all his armies will bear the wrath of this heavenly force. This event, "the great and dreadful day of Lord," is the one which will be preceded by the coming of the prophet Elijah.

However, the last two verses of this passage provide us with a valuable clue. They offer two possible outcomes. When Elijah comes, his preaching will either "turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers," or it will not. If it does, then Israel will be prepared for the King to Come. If it does not, then God will come and strike the land with a curse.

In the first century, the nation of Israel chose the latter option.

John the Baptist came, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to fulfill this prophecy. Yet, although many hearts were transformed by his ministry, like Christ, he was ultimately rejected. Therefore, the land of Israel was cursed. A few years later, it fell to the Romans, and the Jewish people were scattered all over the earth. The Day of Judgment was delayed, and along with it, complete fulfillment of the prophecies of Malachi 4. What this means is that before the Day of Judgment arrives, the nation of Israel will witness the appearance of the prophet Elijah, and his coming will fulfill to the letter every prophecy of Malachi 4.

The Elijah of the End Times

Some have put forward the argument that John the Baptist completely fulfilled the prophecy of Malachi 4:5 to send "the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives." They say that the appearance of John the Baptist over 2,000 years before the great and dreadful day of the Lord qualifies as his coming "before" that day.

Yet the Lord Jesus did not think in such terms. In fact, when He first came, He specifically told the people of His generation that the Day of the Lord had not arrived. He did this in His own hometown of Nazareth, where He read a prophecy from Isaiah and, by exclusion, proclaimed it only partially fulfilled:

"When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: `The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come.' He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. `The Scripture you've just heard has been fulfilled this very day!'" Luke 4:16-21 (NLT)

This prophecy was indeed fulfilled on that very day by the Lord Jesus Christ. But let's examine the same verses in their entirety:

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord's favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies." Isaiah 61:1-2 (NLT)

Jesus specifically chose not to read the final part of verse two, "and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies." This verse is a direct reference to the Day of the Lord Almighty, the same day referenced in Malachi 4. Jesus was telling us that this day is still a future event.

In the Book of Revelation, the Lord promises to send two witnesses prior to the Day of Lord Almighty:

"And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will be clothed in burlap and will prophesy during those 1,260 days. These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of all the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from their mouths and consumes their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die. They have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish." Revelation 11:3-6 (NLT)

The powers of these two witnesses in Revelation 11 directly correlate with the powers God provided Moses and Elijah in the Old Testament. Elijah is the only Old Testament prophet who called down fire to consume God's enemies (2 Kings 1:8-14). He also prophesied that it would not rain for three and a half years, the biblical equivalent of 1,260 days. In similar fashion, Moses was given the power to unleash plagues on Egypt and to turn the Nile red with blood. As a result, it seems likely that Moses and Elijah are the two witnesses of Revelation 11, for they will hold the same God-given powers.

In the Book of Matthew, we read of the event commonly known as "the transfiguration." This is when Jesus was suddenly transfigured "so that His face shone like the sun, and His clothing became dazzling white" Matthew 17:2 (NLT):

"Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter exclaimed, `Lord, it's wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials =96 one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, `This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.' The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. Then Jesus came over and touched them. `Get up,' he said. `Don't be afraid.' And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus." Matthew 17:3-8 (NLT)

The transfiguration seems to highlight both the present and future importance of Moses and Elijah in God's Kingdom, and it can be interpreted as strong evidence that they are "the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of all the earth."

What's also noticeable in this passage is that this event is witnessed by Peter, James, and John. All three of these disciples were contemporaries of John the Baptist. They knew what he looked like, and yet, they immediately identified Elijah as the Old Testament prophet Elijah and not John the Baptist. If John the Baptist were the second coming of Elijah (which would have been possible since Elijah was taken up to heaven before he died), then the disciples would've asked to build shelters in honor of Moses and John the Baptist, not Moses and Elijah.

John the Baptist Was NOT the Elijah of the End Times

As further evidence of this fact, John the Baptist himself states that he is not the expected coming of the prophet Elijah:

"This was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, `Who are you?' He came right out and said, `I am not the Messiah.' `Well then, who are you?' they asked. `Are you Elijah?' `No,' he replied." John 1:19-21 (NLT)

John the Baptist clearly states that he is not Elijah. Does his statement contradict the one Jesus made in Matthew 11:14? No, it does not. Both Jesus and John the Baptist knew the distinction between the Messiah's first and second comings. Both knew that each coming would be preceded by the prophet Elijah. The first instance would be John the Baptist coming in the "spirit and power of Elijah" and the second instance would be the appearance of the Old Testament prophet Elijah himself. Britt Gillette is author of http://BrittGillette.Com, a website studying the links between bible prophecy and advanced technology. To learn more about bible prophecy and the coming of the Prophet Elijah, visit his site: http://brittgillette.com/WordPress/?p=60 ]]> Florida Gators, The Pride Of The University Of Florida http://www.artwoo.com/article/florida-gators-the-pride-of-the-university-of-florida http://www.artwoo.com/article/florida-gators-the-pride-of-the-university-of-florida#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:01:31 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/article/florida-gators-the-pride-of-the-university-of-florida In 1851, Florida Governor Thomas Brown approved a bill to provide assistance to higher education. Two years later, Gilbert Kingsbury took advantage of that legislation and instituted the East Florida Seminary. The effort was closed during the American Civil War, but EFS would later become what we now know as the University of Florida.

When the Civil War ended, James Henry Roper offered his land to house the East Florida Seminary in Gainesville, where the University of Florida stands to this day. The university has come a long way since then, having become one of the most respected educational institutions in the world.

The University also has one of the best athletic programs in the nation. The Florida Gators represent the university in Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and has been a leader in the SEC for the past twenty years. Overall, they have seventeen teams, seven for men and ten for women. All the teams have top-notch facilities, including football, baseball, basketball, and softball. No wonder you can find Florida Gators merchandise just abut anywhere you look.

The Gators have a strong football team, holding the record for the most wins in the 1990s. Since the formation of the team in 1906, the Gators have appeared in thirty-four bowl games. They have also contributed quite a few All-American, and three Gators have received the Heisman Trophy. The team has a total of seven Southeastern Conference championships, and have numerous players who have gone on to the National Football League.

There was little success in the men's basketball team up until the early 90s, when Lon Kruger took over the coaching of the team in 1993, leading the Gators to the National Invitation Tournament of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Kruger left after a losing record and was replaced by Billy Donovan. When Donovan took over the program, things were looking brighter. After his third season, the Gator's men basketball has reached the NCAA tournament eight years in a row, from 2001 to 2008.

The Florida baseball team had its best season ever in 2005, making an appearance in the College World Series. However, the following years were tough; head coach Pat McMahon was fired and 2007 and Kevin O'Sullivan took over.

The Gator softball team is also doing well. They recently reached the College World Series in May 2008.

Aside from that, they also have the strongest Volleyball team. The Florida Gators, under the leadership of May Wise, has garnered several achievements including seventeen consecutive SEC division banners for the regular season and fourteen titles for SEC tournament.

Almost all Florida sports have excelled in many ways. They have produced some of the great women tennis players and have also won team titles in golf four times.

The athletic program of the University of Florida is just one of the indications of its growth since its establishment in 1853. Some of the teams in different sports had tough years; however, they have also contributed some glorious years for the institution. The university is the Alma Mater of many successful professional athletes in the major leagues. That alone is a strong sense of pride for the university.Freddie Brister is a huge fan of Tim Tebow, current quarterback for the Florida Gators and 2007 Heisman winner. He enjoys going to SEC games and watching the Florida Gators play. Look for his favorite Florida Gators Merchandise .]]> Jesse Tree and Advent http://www.artwoo.com/article/jesse-tree-and-advent http://www.artwoo.com/article/jesse-tree-and-advent#comments Thu, 31 Jul 2008 22:01:25 +0000 advent wreathpagan traditionconversion pointjesse treetestament passagescallop shellshepherds crook http://www.artwoo.com/article/jesse-tree-and-advent Jesse Tree and Advent are tied together where as the Jesse Tree has biblical root. Some parishes defer the use of a Christmas tree to a Jesse Tree in the Altar or sanctuary area. Of course some of the Christmas Tree roots do go back to Pagan believes around the time of Constantine, who added some of the into Christianity as a . The use of a Jesse Tree and now the variation the Jesse Tree provide solutions for those with concerns. The Jesse Tree is steeped in Jewish tradition and henceforth Christian tradition.

Running in parallel with the Advent wreath each week ornaments are placed on the Jesse Tree. But these ornaments are not the frosty little snowmen, or Santas they ornament well thought out to show the evolution up through the birth of Christ. In some places the ornaments are placed daily and there is a coinciding Old to be read each day that highlight a person who contributed to moving God's word forward. If doing this daily you may choose to draw on construction paper a Dove or fish or maybe a tree. And as Genesis 1:1-2:3 is read aloud you would place this item on the tree.

Churches may do this weekly and make it coincide with the lighting of each of the advent wreath candles. They selected Joseph, David (son of Jesse), John the Baptist and Jesus as the Sunday persons that the ornaments are to be based on. For Joseph, the ornament should be a Sack of Grain or a Coat. For David's representation it should be a Shepherd's Crook or a Harp and for John the Baptist, a . And for Jesus, the ornament prescribed is a manger.

As parents struggle to keep Christmas about Jesus, the use of the Jesse Tree, especially if the parish is using one, is the reason that a Jesse tree advent wreath may be a perfect addition to the home. The scenes are displayed around the wreath to make a circle. The daily practice of speaking about Biblical Figures helps shift the focus from commercialism and the chorus of "I want" when it comes to toys.

The other nice thing about the Jesse Tree is this can be a great opportunity for you to read the Bible stories that go along with each person. It is a great refresher for the parent where as many under forty were not as well catechized as their parents. Rome recognizes this problem and is starting adult education programs. However, to go with a Jesse Tree themed advent wreath it's a great way to brush up on who the major figures of the Old Testament where as well as the Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth and her husband, Zachariah as well as the Magi.

Advent can be a season used not only as a penitential season but it can also be used to strengthen the core of the family. The Jesse Tree is sometimes called an Advent Tree because it functions throughout Advent, foretelling of the good news that is coming, the birth of our Savior.Full line of Advent Wreaths and Advent Candles ]]> The Difference Between Private And Public Colleges In Toronto http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-difference-between-private-and-public-colleges-in-toronto http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-difference-between-private-and-public-colleges-in-toronto#comments Sun, 16 Dec 2007 06:14:59 +0000 liberal arts institutionontario college of art and designontario college of artcolleges in torontoryerson universitypublic schools in torontopolytechnic institution http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-difference-between-private-and-public-colleges-in-toronto
When you're talking about public , you're talking about the University of Toronto, York University, and the and Design. With the exception of the Ontario College of Art and Design, which has only 3,000 students, Toronto's public schools are very large, with enrollments ranging from 30,000 to 70,000 students.

The University of Toronto is Canada's largest university and offers a very broad range of courses in the humanities and social and physical sciences, as well as professional programs in medicine, engineering, architecture, dentistry, social work and teaching. The U of T conducts many research programs and boasts a world-class medical facility.

York University is a smaller with a long history dating back to 1859. Ryerson is Canada's only , offering notable journalism, multimedia and business programs as well as programs in fields like the Applied Arts or Engineering.

are relatively affordable, costing around $12,000 to $17,000 Canadian dollars per year for a non-international student living away from home. Toronto's public schools all offer financial aid and scholarships to high achieving and/or financially needy students.

Toronto is home to dozens of private schools offering an immense variety of experiences, knowledge and training. Unlike their public counterparts, Toronto's private schools tend to be smaller and more oriented toward specific types of career training.

In the last few years, some of Toronto's smaller private schools have come under fire for misleading international students into attending what students thought were high quality programs with attractive campuses, only to find shabby buildings and sub-par course offerings. Though some of Toronto's small private schools fall into this low class, many don't.

Tuition at Toronto's private college varies greatly depending on which college. Toronto's institutions of religious education such as Master's College and Seminary or Tyndale College and Seminary tend to cost the least, about 8,000 Canadian dollars per year for residents. Other schools, such as George Brown University, which focuses on career training and offers only a few bachelors' programs cost upwards of 5,000 Canadian dollars per semester.

Many of Toronto's private colleges, such as Metropolitan College or the Canadian College of Business, Science and Technology offer affordable continuing education and career training that costs a lot less and takes less time to earn than a Bachelor's degree.

The ultimate difference between Toronto's public and private schools has to do with the type of experience offered to students. If you want to attend a large school, with lots of young students living on-campus, experiencing an academic community and choosing from a vast array of educational opportunities, sports teams, concerts, clubs and social events, then you would probably appreciate a public college. If you are interested in vocational or career training, continuing education or a religious certification, then you would be best served by a private school. triOS is one of the top Colleges in Ontario. Further your career opportunities in Business, Criminal Justice, Technology and Healthcare career programs. http://www.trios.com/ ]]> Church Pews: A Historical Perspective http://www.artwoo.com/article/church-pews-a-historical-perspective http://www.artwoo.com/article/church-pews-a-historical-perspective#comments Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:20:00 +0000 free pewschurch pewschurchesseating arrangementscollapsemedieval timescoining http://www.artwoo.com/article/church-pews-a-historical-perspective Churches have seen a lot of radical changes over the last couple of centuries. Some of the changes have revolved around ideologies while some were reflected in the different styles of that have evolved over the years.

Some of the early Christian designers and architects had developed a centralized plan that was based purely on a circular shape, or the polygon or square. The most important aspect of the centralized plan was the centre of the entire structure that was dominated by a dome at the top. This plan worked well because the congregation attending churches were standing and not seated. Hence pews were not used in the .

The pews were a dominant feature in various churches in the period between 1600 and 1800. During this time, social rank was considered as a major influence in the and those with higher social status were able to sit in the church pews closest to the pulpit. All churches had a separate section of pews that were meant for seating general public while others were set aside for special groups. The different types of seating arrangements in a church included pews for the poor, adolescents, deaf/hard of hearing, widows and black people. Church pews for black people were known as Negro Pews. Some of the churches had numbered Negro pews and even labeled them as "Negro."

Another seating arrangement in churches in the bygone era included slave owners paying to purchase pew space for their servants or slaves. In the period between 1840 and 1930, the church shifted from having private seating arrangements to and open seating arrangements. This led to the of the term: "free church".

The early years of the 19th century brought in several reforms and led to the of the old parish system. The old parish system was set during the 12th century and meanwhile the surrounding landscape in England was changing at an enormously rapid rate. Cities were growing up fast like Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester and London. In spite of that there was no guarantee that you may find pews even in the neighborhood church. Seating accommodation was still haphazard and disorganized. Most of the churches rented out their pews to individual families and in some of the churches, there were pews in the name of a house. As a result, there was great pressure in the church as no one else could sit on the pews except the ones who have rented it. Churches resorted to making free seating arrangements along the galleries to cope up with the problem but this was insufficient especially in the light of increasing population.

Since 1930, there have been major changes in the seating arrangements in churches across the world and also in the US where an increasing democratic ideology was removing the demarcation that separated the white from the black people. In the post Civil War era, most of the churches added new fittings and furniture that included box pews and pulpits.

The post war era also saw reformation that affected the design of the church. The pulpit became a prominent feature, and was placed behind the Communion Table. The communion table replaced the altar. If we look over the different periods when the church architecture and pews went through changes, we will find that the changes were driven by theological considerations. Today, theological considerations have no place within the modern architecture of churches all over the world.

Some of the churches have even experimented with the rearrangement of the church pews and there was a time when parishioners sat across each other in a face to face seating arrangement. The church pews were introduced in the Middle Age and the seating arrangements were meant only for those who needed to sit like the elderly or infirms. As time passed, Bishops got their chairs and this was followed by church pews for the ministers and the congregation. In the modern world, all churches have pews to accommodate most of people attending mass.

The pew seating arrangement was seen as a Northern European invention and there was a time when the wealthy people bought their pews. In some of the churches, there were pews based on the gender. But those were the medieval ages and things have changed radically in the 20th century. Today there is no difference between white or black, no gender separation or wealthy and poor: anyone and everyone can sit on the church pews and reach out to God. Graciella Chairman is a Church chairs designer based in Muenster Texas dedicated to providing churches, sanctuaries and temples with quality Church Chairs. http://www.chairs4worship.com/ http://www.affordablechurchseating.com/ ]]> Grab A Bible Commentary http://www.artwoo.com/article/grab-a-bible-commentary http://www.artwoo.com/article/grab-a-bible-commentary#comments Sat, 27 May 2006 12:32:06 +0000 bible commentarybible readingbible teacherdaily biblechristian bookstoreslocal churchscripture http://www.artwoo.com/article/grab-a-bible-commentary Bible commentary can be one of the best tools for getting the most out of .

Do you remember using Cliff's Notes to make it through a literature class during school? Basically, a Bible commentary is like a Cliff's Notes for the Bible. It gives explanation to difficult passages and gives in depth description about things like characters, setting, and theme. A Bible commentary is a great supplement to your daily . Consider reading a passage of Scripture and then reading what your Bible commentary has to say about that same passage. You will be amazed at the depth and insight your Bible commentary gives.

Having a good Bible commentary or two is a great resource for people who are studying the Bible for classes or for those who are preparing to lead studies or discussions on the Bible. Almost like having your own , a great Bible commentary is one of the best tools you will ever have. It is great because unlike a teacher, your Bible commentary can be with you all the time.

If you are thinking of purchasing a Bible commentary for the first time, check with your pastor or with other friends for their recommendations about which Bible commentary might be the best for you. Every Bible commentary is written from a different theological perspective, so be sure that you buy a Bible commentary that matches with the beliefs of you and your . You may even be able to borrow a Bible commentary or two from a friend so that you can try them out and compare them before making a purchase of your own.

You can get a Bible commentary at most local bookstores, , or online. If you live in a town with a college or university, you can check out their bookstore as well. Whatever it takes to get your hands on a Bible commentary, it is worth it. Your reading and understanding of Scripture will never be the same. You will grow deeper in your knowledge of the ways of God with each reading of Scripture and with each time you use your Bible commentary. Just be sure not to stop reading your Bible just because you have a Bible commentary. Even the best Bible commentary cannot replace the treasure of the Bible itself. Martin Stoleman is an expert in using Bible tools such as the Bible commentary to make stuyding the Bible easier and more effective. Find a great Bible commentary to start your study at http://www.finebiblecommentary.info.. ]]> All Gourmet Coffee All The Time http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-gourmet-coffee-all-the-time http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-gourmet-coffee-all-the-time#comments Sun, 20 Aug 2006 08:27:11 +0000 gourmet coffeecoffee machinecoffee machinescoffee expertscoffee historyperform betterethiopia http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-gourmet-coffee-all-the-time gourmet coffee all the time? If you were to try and get your hands on gourmet coffee, it might cost you up to five dollars a cup, but with the right knowledge and equipment you can make it yourself at home. Coffee from Central America has a smooth acidity and easy drinking taste. This makes gourmet coffee a superb choice over regular coffees.

1. Get A Machine

The trick to brewing great coffee is a great . There are still the old- fashioned drip machines, that are one of the easiest types to use for beginners and alike. Of course, for the hard- core experts we have the old- fashioned presses and hand brew machines, that are back in favor. Then you have the newest technology, the pod . These are like a European coffeehouse machine, infusing hot water through coffee pads. Also, then for espresso lovers, there are pressurized steam espresso makers.

2. Filters

Make sure, whatever machine you use, to also shop for the proper filter to put between it and your gourmet coffee. The best filters are gold, nylon, or some other permanent filter material. Thats because permanent filters allow most all of the flavor molecules from the coffee grinds to make it into the water.

3. Best Brew

A superior brew doesn't just taste better, it will also . Having more time in your day to focus on other things is a great opportunity. Great coffee should not just taste great, it should also be highly caffinated to get you up in the morning. Of course, it should also be low in sugar - try using sugar replacements instead.

4.

Coffee has its history back as far as the 9th century CE. It was said to originate from and spread to the rest of the world via Egypt and Europe. Over the ages, coffee has met both resistance and acceptance by many.

The word Coffee is derived from the Arabic word Kahweh, which originally meant wine or other intoxicating liquors. Partly due to the Islamic prohibition on drinking wine, preparing and drinking coffee became an important social ritual. In 1511 it was condemned at Mecca by a theological court. In Egypt coffeehouses and warehouses containing coffee berries were sacked. For more great coffee related articles and resources check out http://superiorcoffee.info ]]> Retaining Walls http://www.artwoo.com/article/retaining-walls http://www.artwoo.com/article/retaining-walls#comments Sun, 17 Jun 2007 09:15:01 +0000 retaining wallsangle of internal frictiondownward sloperetaining wallwatertight bulkheadsfloodmississippi http://www.artwoo.com/article/retaining-walls retaining wall with water of of catch in test. To note the buildings on the right side half-are submerged. May 1973, river of , the United States. The structure in the foreground is called a "mud box", a type of established retaining wall with water of flood of catch in test. To note the buildings on the right side half-are submerged. May 1973, river of Mississippi, the United States. A retaining wall is a structure which holds behind the ground of a building or any other structure. The stabilize the ground and/or the rock of the movement or the erosion of and provide the support for the vertical or close relation-vertical changes of category.

Batardeaus and , structures which the water of obstacle, are sometimes also considered retaining walls. Retaining walls are generally made of masonry, hones, brick, concrete, vinyl, steel or timber structural. Once popular like material of inexpensive reserve, ties of railroad fell out of the favor due to the environmental concern. They also break up finished time. The seminary retaining walls gained the favor above the concrete walls of pour-in-place or the treat-wood walls of construction. It is more economic, easier to install them and more ambient noise. The most important consideration in the suitable design and the installation of the retaining walls is that the maintained material tries to advance and downward slope due to gravity.

This creates a pressure of ground behind the wall which depends on the (phi) and the cohesive force (c) of the maintained material, like the direction and importance of movement which the structure of reserve sudden. The side pressures of the ground are in general smallest with the top of the wall and increase towards the bottom. To put at the ground the pressures will push the wall ahead or to turn over it if not correctly addressed. Moreover, any subsoil waters behind the wall which is not absorbed by a drain cause an additional horizontal water pressure on the wall. You can find more info in the http://www.glueguns.net portal, which is administrated by the author of this article. ]]> The Bible: Original Text Versus Translations http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-bible-original-text-versus-translations http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-bible-original-text-versus-translations#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:20:00 +0000 literal translationssometimes also referredaramaic languagejohn wycliffekjv 1611old testamentbible http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-bible-original-text-versus-translations Bible were written in Hebrew (the ) and Greek (the New Testament). Parts of the books of Daniel and the Gospel of Matthew might have been originally written in Aramaic.

Many translations have been made over the years. In the early days of Christianity the Hebrew Old Testament was usually read in a Greek translation (the so-called Septuagint). As the church spread, the need for translations grew, taking the sacred text into widely accepted languages as well as local tongues. The Bible was soon translated into Latin (the language of the Roman Empire), Syriac (an Eastern ), Coptic (Egyptian), and Arabic. By 500 AD, some estimate, scripture could already be found in more than 500 languages.

Unfortunately, translations were not always accurate and errors were made. For this reason =96 and also because they did not want "ordinary" people to be able to read the Bible =96 the (Roman) Catholic Church banned any further translations and used only a particular Latin text known as the Vulgate, which had been translated from the Greek around 600 AD. In the 1380s the first English translations were made by . By 1455 the printing press was invented (Gutenberg), and mass-production capabilities made additional English versions and other language translations more readily available.

Hundreds of translations into English (estimated around 450) have been made over the years. Some of the best known are: the King James (KJV, 1611), the New International Version (NIV, 1978), the New King James (NKJV, 1982), the New American Standard Bible (NASB, 1971) and the English Standard Version (ESV, 2001). This large number of translations is usually grouped into three main categories:

1) : These translate the original texts word for word into the best English equivalent words. These translations are to as interlinear translations, placing the English rendering along side the original Hebrew and Greek. Although they are undoubtedly the most accurate translations, they can be difficult to read because the flow of language follows the original Hebrew and Greek, quite different from modern English. The NASB as well as the ESV are good examples of literal translations.

2) Dynamic equivalent translations: These translations attempt to be as literal as possible, but restructure sentences and grammar from the original language to English. They attempt to capture thought and intent of what writers wanted to say. As a result, these are more readable in English, but have a higher degree of subjective interpretation than the literal translations. These translations include the KJV, NKJV, and NIV.

3) Contemporary language translations: These translation paraphrase the thought and intent of the original text into contemporary English. The result is easy to read, but the text is largely a subjective interpretation of the translator. These versions, such as the well known The Message and The New Living Translation, should be approached with great care. Use them perhaps for supplementary readings, but be aware that these texts can (and often do) differ significantly from the original Bible texts.

Every translation requires interpretation. Why? Because languages do not translate one on one. That is, not every word has a unique word to match it in the other language. Also some tongues are richer in expression than English (such as Greek) or smaller in vocabulary (such as Hebrew). A translator must interpret the original meaning and find an equivalent wording, but this makes the result subject to the biases of the translator. Bottom line: interpretations differ and errors can occur. When translations differ significantly, research into the original language can help clarify the message.

To complicate things a bit, a small number of NT verses are not supported by all ancient manuscripts; this forces translators to decide which verses to incorporate. Most translators are cautious to err on the safe side and note for the reader any verse not supported by the majority of manuscripts.

As an illustration, let's look at the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6:9-13 in the New International Version and the King James Version:

The Lord's prayer in the King James:

"After this manner therefore pray ye: `Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.'"

Now read the Lord's prayer in the NIV:

"This, then, is how you should pray: `Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

Apart from "old" English versus more modern English style, notice the two differences in the last verse:

1) "The evil one" versus "evil." The KJV asks for deliverance from "evil" while the NIV asks to deliver us from "the evil one." There is no little theological difference between the two. The original Greek text actually uses an adjective with an article, making "the evil one" the only correct translation. We pray to be delivered from the evil one, not from any danger, disaster, or from the general ugliness of the world.

2) An extra sentence. Compared to the NIV, the KJV has an extra sentence at the end: "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen." This is a good illustration of a later addition to the oldest preserved Greek manuscripts. As the NIV mentions in a footnote: "some late manuscripts: for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." Other verses in the NT have similar additions. None of these are of vital theological consequence, but it is important to be aware of these variations.

Therefore the differences between the various English translations are not the result of differences in the extant (still in existence) ancient manuscripts, but merely the result of choices (and sometimes errors) made by the translators during the translation to English. Rob VandeWeghe is a sceptic turned Christian by studying the foundations for Christianity. Rob's book `Prepared to Answer' and more evidences for Christianity are available at http://www.windmillministries.org. Read more about the reliability of the Bible at http://www.windmillministries.org/CH8.htm ]]> Turkey Casinos http://www.artwoo.com/article/turkey-casinos http://www.artwoo.com/article/turkey-casinos#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:24:00 +0000 turkeymerit crystal covestreet fightsgamescasino optionscasino enthusiaststurkish version http://www.artwoo.com/article/turkey-casinos Turkey and the images that flitter by are those of spiraling turrets, whirling dervishes and belly dancers. The birthplace of many a civilization including the Armenian and the Ottoman, this Eurasian country has charmed many. Strategically located, it is a unique blend of the East and the West. Turkey holds varied attractions for those whose interest's range beyond the architectural or theological.

One can make fortunes here faster than you can blink your eyes or perhaps even lose them just as fast. One of the few countries that allow gambling legally - Turkey is a haven for . The Turkish city of Kyrenia is home to the largest numbers of casinos in the country and many a happy tourist can be found here having a good time. The Casino is by far the largest and the most popular.

There was a time though when all was not well with the gambling scenario in the country. In the last decade attempts were made to ban the then 1 billion dollar industry by the Islamist collation government. The new century though has dawned to see the industry reviving from the back breaking laws imposed by governments of the past and bitter amongst local syndicates and has helped the country on its way to becoming one of the largest growing economies in the world.

Other than the regular like Roulette and Black Jack, slot machines and card are especially popular. The standard 52 card deck is used to play a variety of games including Papaz Kacti which roughly translates into 'king escapes', Maca Kizi - a of Hearts, Dost Kazigi or 'friend soak'. These games amongst many others are indigenous to the region and can be great fun for those with an adventurous streak.

The Mediterranean climate is ideal for vacationing and you have an option of enjoying the hot, dry summers or the mild but wet winters. Most of the acclaimed global hospitality chains have a presence here and offer their guests a chance to win the favors of lady luck. If the idea of winning back your exotic trips expenses appeals to you, then stepping into one of Turkey's Casino's is a must! The New Turkish Lira (YTL) is approximately 70 cents, making it an economically viable holiday destination. Add to that the chances of winning back your money at Turkey's local casinos and the propositions sounds a lot more exciting! This article is the property of http://www.turkey-casinos.com ]]> Florence's Fortezza Da Basso http://www.artwoo.com/article/florences-fortezza-da-basso http://www.artwoo.com/article/florences-fortezza-da-basso#comments Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:25:01 +0000 medici familyfortezza da bassofacade300viterboflorence gift martexhibitions http://www.artwoo.com/article/florences-fortezza-da-basso Fortezza da Basso, called also Fortezza of Saint John the Baptist (the patron saint of Florence), was commissioned by the and built in 1533 in the northern area of the historical city centre of Florence.

The architecture and design of the Fortezza

The complex of the "Fortezza" was built like those of a mediaeval city thanks to the idea of Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, one of the greatest architects in Florence, with the help of Pierfranceco da : the of the dungeon are designed with spherical spearhead made of stones, to resemble the symbol of the Medici family. At the time of the demolition of the Florence city walls dating back to `, during the brief period of Florence capital of Italy, the fortress was isolated and its walls were levelled.

Once a house of correttion, nowadays the ,most important exhibition space in Florence

Under Piero Leopoldo Fortezza da Basso was used as house of correction: today, Fortezza da Basso is the largest exhibition centre in Florence, with an area of 34,000 metres, to hosts the most significant and fairs of the city (Pitti Immagine, , EuroCamper, Prato Expo, International Craft and Trade Fair).

All the main events in Florence are staged at Fortezza da Basso

All the main events in Florence are staged at Fortezza da Basso, even the "strangest" ones, like "do-knit-yourself", a national meeting of fans of knit-bars, the new fashion that broke out in USA and Japan, or "Terra Futura", and international meeting about sustainability in the future world.

This year "Terra Futura" in Florence

Terra Futura, born during the World Social Forum in Nairobi, is coming back to Florence at Fortezza da Basso. 3 days for a project promoting a more sustainable development of social, environmental and industrial issues: alternative energy, international cooperation, ethic finance. Institutions take part to the event that stages meetings, workshops, other than exhibitions and pure entertainment. I stayed at Lorenzo il Magnifico http://www.lorenzoilmagnifico.net is aluxury hotel in Florence near Fortezza da Basso Expo center for the Internation Craft Fair. ]]>