The Purpose behind Life's Challenges

Are you often puzzled by what happens in your life? Do you wonder why you have experiences you do not really want?

The Law of Attraction, a universal law, determines the kind and character of our experiences. And we participate in this law by our very nature.

We attract what we are. What we are is our personality nature. We also attract who we are, and who we are is our soul nature. We need to understand how both of these natures function.

If we are ‘reactors’ we will attract people and situations that trigger our reactions. If we see ourselves as victims we will attract people and situations that seem to victimize us. If we refuse to take responsibility for our actions we will find someone or something to blame. If we do not accept ourselves we will have relationships in which we experience rejection. If we do not manage our economy we will find plenty of occasions to spend more than is prudent.

These characteristics of our personality describe what we are – reactors, victims, irresponsible, non self-accepting, unwise in our personal economy, and so forth.

Every one of these occasions or situations that we attract is totally determined by what we want to justify or validate in our thinking, feelings and behaviours. In a deeper sense they are opportunities to overcome the limitations of our personality. We need these opportunities to prove to ourselves that re-enforcing limitations does not bring satisfaction or happiness. And we need them to challenge ourselves to understand ourselves and life more, and to free ourselves through making choices for change.

Who we are at essence also attracts the circumstances we need. This essence, in a more profound sense, is soul. As soul, we are beautiful, powerful, wise and loving.

As soul we attract people and opportunities to relate in loving ways without fear of rejection. We recognize needs and respond to them courageously without fear of failure or feelings of inadequacy.

As soul we attract to our awareness the natural inner goodness of all people, despite appearances to the contrary. As soul we are forgiving and compassionate to ourselves as well as others.

When we have experiences in our life that we don’t like or don’t want, we need to ask ourselves what in our personality is attracting that reality.

Our challenges and difficulties are there to prompt us to express more of who we are so that we attract and experience real quality.

When our challenges are pushing us to gain greater understanding we must do that so that the soul quality of faith can manifest in our lives. Faith puts us in intimate contact with what is real and true. Faith is heart-knowing.

When our challenges are asking us to let go and open up we must release some attachment or restricting thought, belief or behaviour pattern so that hope can manifest in our life. Hope is a trusting attitude and feeling that all is meaningful and everything experienced is useful for creating a better future.

And when our challenges are demanding that we make different choices and act in new and different ways, we have an opportunity to manifest ‘caritas’ (charity) which is love in action.

Most often, we attract challenges to force us to be more genuinely who we are, authentically expressing beautiful, loving, intelligent and supportive actions and attitudes so that the world may be positively affected.

Our life is purposeful. That purpose involves the meaningful expression of who we are as a contribution to the good of all.

The degree of consciousness we have about who we are determines what we attract and is also the measure of the quality we contribute to the world through our relationships.

Exercises:

1. Identify some of your personality characteristics, and see how you attract that reality in your experiences.

2. Identify some real challenges you experience and ask yourself these questions with regard to the purpose of each challenge:

- What do I need to understand?

- What do I need to let go of?

- What do I need to open up to?

- What choices do I need to make to change?


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What You Believe, You Can Achieve

Have you ever given the phrase, "What you believe, you can achieve" much consideration? If that is really true then why are so many people not living the life they truly want?

One of the reasons that most people aren't really living the life they truly want is because they don't understand how their beliefs got into their heads in the first place. Why do you believe what you believe?

It starts as early as your childhood and continues with the culture around us. At a young age we aren't able to create an independent sense of self or a unique identify of our own. We have been told or taught so many different things that your subconscious mind has programmed that as being the truth. It doesn't know what's real and what isn't. You were raised with certain values and beliefs.

It has been known that your core level values have been presented to you and locked inside your subconscious since the early age of thirteen. What this means is that you think the same way as far as your values go unless something significant happens in your life to change the way you believe. You have become a by-product of other people's habitual ways of thinking. Strange concept, isn't it!

The question now is, "How do you go about changing your beliefs that have been engrained into your brain at such an early age"? It all starts with knowing that every single person is their own unique individual self. Without discovering who you are as a person, you can never truly be who you want to be.

So how do you start changing your belief system? You can start by looking at the people that you surround yourself with. Isn't it true that if you are always around people who have a negative attitude then the way they think rubs off on you. If you surround yourself with people that have limiting beliefs about what life has to offer, you end up with those same limiting beliefs. If you want to be successful, hang around with successful people. You can read books on success. Put yourself into a different environment. Remember, what you think about you bring about.

Reverse your mindset by remembering that everything in existence has an opposite and cannot exist otherwise. If there's an up there has to be a down, if there is a right there has to be a left, if there is a wrong there has to be a right, if there is hot then there is definitely cold.

By reversing your mindset you are choosing the opposite belief. For example, if you have always thought that you "aren't smart enough" then turn that around to "I have a PhD in life experience". If you think "I'm fat" then turn that around to "I'm healthy and strong". If you think "I'm too old" then turn that around to "I have wisdom to share with others". Do you see how that can start changing the way you believe?

Remember, change your thoughts which will change your actions. Your external world is a reflection of your inner world. Always remember who you are.


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5 Essential Christian Teachings Christians Need to Know

There is a lot of misunderstanding about Christianity and what the Christian faith actually teaches. Because there are so many doctrines that have been added to the Christian faith, many may be confused about what Christianity actually teaches.

Here are five essential teachings Christians need to understand.

1. Without the Resurrection, Christianity doesn't exist.

The core belief of Christianity is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The reason this is the central teaching of Christianity is really very simple: Christ's resurrection was his proof that he wasn't just a man, he is God. It was also about proving that he was the savior of mankind.

2. Jesus is God.

Although Islam teaches that Jesus is a prophet, and Judaism teaches something else, what the Bible teaches is that Jesus was very clear: He is God. He never said he was a man, a prophet. Those beliefs are a misreading of the Christian scripture, as well as heresy.

3. Saved by faith, subject to grace, not judged by the law.

One of the big fallacies non believers commit when it comes to Christians is that they think Christians believe they're perfect. Nothing is further from the truth.

We recognize that we are sinners and that the only path to heaven, and Christ, is to accept Jesus as the Messiah.

Christians are subject to grace because grace is the unearned gift of love from God. In the end, Christians will not be judged on whether they go to heaven or hell, but what their reward in heaven will be.

4. Love God, love your neighbor, love yourself.

In the Old Testament, there are 10 Commandments. When asked about observing the 10 Commandments, Jesus made basically the same statement in every gospel: that we love God, love our neighbor, and then love ourselves.

The Bible is clear that a neighbor is anyone whereas a brother is a fellow believer in Christ. In essence, Christ told us to love everyone.

Loving someone is very different from liking someone. When you like someone, it's about who they are. Love is about who you are. Also, the Bible tells us that God is love. Since God is love, then in order to love others, God must be a part of your life. Otherwise, it isn't love at all.

5. Being saved has nothing to do with being good.

In one of the gospels, someone calls Jesus good. Jesus replied by saying that only God is good. The truth is, none of us are good. No one is good.

Being saved is about accepting Christ as your Savior and putting your faith in him. It is about accepting that Christ is the only road to eternal life, not good works, purgatory, or "being good".

Jesus once said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavty laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28). If you want to find true peace, true happiness, you'll find it in Christ.

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Publish Post

How to Write Great Christian Articles

Want to write great Christian articles? Would you like some tips on how to do it? Here are some simple techniques to create great, creative Christian articles!

First, know and understand the meaning and definition of the word Christianity. From Encarta's online Dictionary comes: "1. religion that follows Jesus Christ's teachings: the religion based on the life, teachings, and example of Jesus Christ, and 2. holding Christian beliefs: the fact of holding Christian beliefs or being a Christian."

The word Christian has a parallel description: "believer in Jesus Christ as savior: somebody who believes that Jesus Christ was sent to the world by God to save humanity, and who tries to follow his teachings and examples." So, Christianity is a religion that follows Jesus Christ and his teaching and a Christian is one 'who is a believer of Jesus and tries to emulate His teachings and examples." Your Christian article will be lively and informative if you first understand and apply these basic truths.

Second, keep in mind that it helps but is not necessary when writing a Christian article, to be a Christian, or know of and communicate with other Christians. Researching the Bible will enable you to write a better Christian article, supplying you with facts, information and interesting tidbits. Living a Christian life and or communicating with Christians, will give your article authenticity and believability.

Third, pray for guidance on how to write your article. If praying is uncomfortable for you, then take time during the day, particularly before you begin to write your article and practice praying. Continue to pray as your article evolves. Prayer will help you stay focused and offer guidance and inspiration. Prayer is food for the Christian writer and Psalms 23 and 91 are high quality nourishment.

Fourth, create a comprehensive outline for your article. Use the familiar writing word outline techniques of: what, when, where, how and why to form your outline and explain your story. These five writing word techniques will help establish an interesting and informative Christian article.

Fifth, take advantage of the Internet and its Research and Search engines. Much information can be gleaned from these research tools. Online dictionaries, encyclopedias, Search Engines and library resources, will help you gather important data. In addition, some of the following resources may be of help: Sally Stewart's Christian Writer's Market, The Christian Communicator Magazine, 100 Portraits of Christ by Henry Gariepy and Bible Questions & Answers, Nelson Publication. These and other Christian publications will make your article "zing" with truth, credibility and factual information. Be sure and create a Reference list, for the quotes and information given in your piece.

Sixth, do your Christian writing in the morning when you are fully alert.

Writing early, will give your Christian article a heightened edge. Most people feel more positive in the morning, their creative juices flowing easy and consistent. However, if you're an evening person, prepare your research material during the day, highlight parts you want to include in your article, so that when you're ready to write, your tools of writing will be ready for you. Keep material gleaned for your Christian articles in a separate folder, ready for use. This will help keep your articles organized and in order.

Seventh, should you feel the need to witness in your article, do so but be careful not to elaborate too long. Perhaps something in your life has tested your faith in God or a miracle brought you closer to Him. If you can relate these events in an honest and clear fashion, it will add to flavor to your article and be attention- getting. Keep your witness simple, truthful and honest. People pick up fast on a phony and your story could soon become irrelevant.

Keep before you the life of Christ. He was simple, direct, honest, and truthful. He didn't belabor issues unless injustice was rampant. He said what he had to say and then moved on. He never forced His religion on anyone. If you keep these truths in mind you will create a wonderful Christian article and in the process may win souls to Christ.

A simple truth from the famous author Irving Wallace might energize your joy for Christian writing. He wrote, "If I could not earn a penny from my writing, I would earn my livelihood at something else and continue to write at night." In other words, hold on to your desire to write, for it will sustain you in good and bad times.

To summarize, do your homework, know your Bible, do the necessary research, life your life as a Christian and keep your article simple and honest. If you follow these guidelines, then you will create a great Christian article!

References & Sources

1. Encarta Online Dictionary, definitions of Christianity and Christian, Retrieved June

18, 2003

2. Online Source, How to Write Good by Michael O'Donoghue, Retrieved June 18, 2003,

Quote from Irving Wallace

3. Sally Stuart's Christian Writer's Market

4. The Christian Communicator Magazine

5. 100 Portraits of Christ by Henry Garpiepy

6. Bible Questions & Answers, Nelson Publication

Toni Star is a freelance writer/author and a master's graduate from Capella University. She hopes to do some online teaching upon graduation. You can see more of her work and books in the links below:

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Why Write Christian Articles?

Why should you write articles for a Christian audience? Christians everywhere are looking for good Christian web content, and when you write quality articles, you help provide that content. When you write Christian articles, you are providing yourself and your web site with web exposure. And when you write articles, you increase your own web credibility.

1) There is a dearth of good Christian articles on the web. Perhaps because there is a perception that there is not as much profit in a Christian consumer (I happen to think the opposite---if you have a quality product, the Christian consumer will purchase from you). Perhaps because the Christian author is not willing to place his articles on a secular web site. Perhaps because Christian authors feel compelled to ‘water down’ their article.

2) By writing to the Christian audience, you provide a much-needed service to the Christian Internet market. Many Christians are simply discouraged by the lack of good Christian content on the web, and thereby spend less time on the internet. By creating good content for a Christian audience, you can help increase the Christian market size.

3) By writing Christian articles and posting them to your own web site or blog, you add good quality content to your own site, helping to increase your search engine visibility.

4) When you write Christian articles and submit them to the various article directories, you create exposure for your own web site. Simply place a link back to your own web site at the end of the article, or in the resource box, whichever the particular article directory prefers. When your article is read, and the reader appreciates your content, they will often click through to your site, providing much-needed web traffic for you.

5) By writing Christian articles and submitting them to the various article databases and directories, you establish backlinks to your own website, which can help with some search engine rankings.

6) When you write Christian articles, you establish yourself as an authority on whichever Christian topic you write about. From your website, you can link to the particular article directories that accept your article, giving you and your web site added credibility.

7) We want your articles! When you write your articles, submit them to both the web site where you are reading this article, and to my website, listed below.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article marketing success, 'Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide'


Sean Mize is a full time internet marketer who has written over 9034 articles in print and 14 published ebooks.

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Hearing the Voice of God

When you ask Christian people for advice, often you will hear them say "Just ask God". The assumption being that one CAN hear His voice. But can we? John 10:27 says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." With all the voices competing for our attention - people, media, TV, the devil, even our own voice - how can we tell which one is God's?

We have the complete bible, which is the inspired Word of God. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 1 Timothy 3:16-17 God's voice never tells us to take a direction that is counter to what His Word says. If you have need of direction or have a decision to make, go see what His Word says about it first.

We also have the Holy Spirit residing in us. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." John 14:26 As you feed on the Word, the Holy Spirit will quicken it to your remembrance as you have need of it for specific situations in your life. This is why it is so important to keep making "daily deposits" of the Word into your heart. The Spirit will quicken the Word already deposited in your heart in a variety of ways. Often I have been stumped about a problem and all of a sudden a scripture will *pop* into my brain; it is the exact road sign I need to direct me to the answer I need. In other words, I am hearing God's voice.

The time you spend in the Word and communing with Him will help you get to know Him more and more. You will have a plumb line in which to compare all the other voices you hear - if they don't line up with what the Word and the Holy Spirit speak, you know they are not of Him.


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What is the Difference Between Praise and Worship?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Sinfield]Thomas Sinfield

For so long in churches praise and worship have been stereotyped as 'praise being the fast songs, and worship being the slow songs'. I don't know about you but this has never sat right with me - because sometimes I feel like I am praising even during slower songs at church and worshiping in parts of the faster songs. There has to be a better way of describing the difference between praise and worship.

Let's take a quick look at a couple of verses that mention praise and worship, then we will discuss them as well as a few dictionary definitions to try and find the difference between praise and worship - when we look at it from a music perspective in church.

Verses On Praise:

By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, this is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. - Hebrews 13:15

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. - 1 Chronicles 16:8-10

Then David said to the whole assembly, "Praise the LORD your God." So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king. 1 Chronicles 29:19-21

The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: "He is good; his love endures forever." Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud. 2 Chronicles: 5:12-14

You can see from these 4 verses how large the scope of what praise really is. We have:

* A sacrifice of praise

* Singing

* Telling of his wonderful acts

* Bowing - being prostrate

* Musical instruments

That is from4 verses on praise. However praise is mentioned 351times in the Bible and gives us a lot more ways to praise God. The reason for this is because of our English language. The english language has one word, praise, for 7 Hebrew words - each giving a different definition for praise. They are:

* Hallal: "to laud, boast, rave, to celebrate" - It is used approximately one hundred times in the Old Tes tament.

* Yadah: "to worship with extended hands, to throw out the hands" - It is used over ninety times in the Old Testament. (Yad means "hand.")

* Barak: "to bless, to declare God the origin of power for success, prosperity, and fertility" - It is used approximately seventy times in the Old Testament as praise to God.

* Tehillah: "to sing or laud" - It is derived from hallal and is generally accepted to mean "the singing of hallals." It is used over fifty times in the Old Testament.

* Zamar: "to pluck the strings of an instrument, to praise with song" - It is used almost exclusively in the Psalms and occurs approximately forty times in the Old Testament.

* Todah: "to extend the hands in thanksgiving, a thank-offering" - It is used only a few times when trans lated "praise" but occurs many other times in connection with thanksgiving.

* Shabach: "to commend, address in a loud tone, to shout" - This is the exclamatory form of praise in a special sense and is found only about seven times in the Old Testament.

You will notice 'Yadah' which actually means to worship with extended hands. Does this mean that worship as we know it is actually just a form of praise?

As we continue to discuss the difference between praise and worship lets take a look what the Bible has to say about worship.

Verses On Worship:

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice,acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship. - Romans 12:1

Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD. - Genesis 24:25-27

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." - John 4:23-25

I guess when we are looking at the difference between praise and worship from a worship service perspective that praise seems to be more an outward showing with hands raising, clapping, dancing, bowing and singing. Whereas worship is something much deeper. It is where we are offering our bodies, and ourselves, giving them to God to have his way.

Learn more about worship at http://www.iheartworship.com

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