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Eisla Sebastian
Rachel Carpenter (joyful327)
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Nicole HammondReligion & Spirituality
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- U.S. Military Taught Officers to Use 'Hiroshima' Tactics to Destroy Mecca, Medina in 'Total War' on IslamThe U.S. Military taught officers that a "total war" against the world's 1.4 billion Muslims would be necessary to protect America from terrorism in a course at the Joint Forces Staff College.
- Breaking the Religious Code of Silence in Rape, Incest, and Domestic ViolenceA recent NY Times article reveals the consequences faced by Hasidic Jews for reporting sexual abuse. Yet sexual assault and domestic violence transcends religions. Religious communities often side with abusers and blame victims, blocking aid efforts.
- How Personal Trauma Helped Me Find a Deeper PeacePersonal traumas can lead to devastating emotional pain. This is the story of how one woman turned it around and has brought joy from the ashes.
- The Street ChurchWhat comes to mind when you think of the word ‘Church’? Do you think of the people, the building or the experience? Well, have you ever heard of The Street Church?
- Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia--A Love StoryNot many people know about CDH, and nobody knows the fear, pain, joy, and confusion unless they've lived it first hand. This is our journey and we welcome you along for the ride.
- A Lack of EmpathyIncreasingly since the 1980s our society has focused on self-reliance and self-interest at the price of social consciousness and empathy for others, enabling the greed-driven financial and housing bubbles triggering this recession. Empathy matters.
- I'm a Christian...For Real This TimeI called myself a Christian for 2 years, and even I believed it. A tragic event led me to revisit the cross and get it right this time. Now that Jesus is the Lord of my life, I can honestly say, "I'm a Christian."
Yoga; The Absolute Truth of BeingIn New Age parlance we call it "grounding" or "centering." Allow Yoga's multi-faceted approach to universal truth to guide you in your centering.
How I Lost 45 Pounds - Taking a Daily Walk with God!As a 60 year-old "baby boomer" I found a way to lose weight, and get both physically and spiritually fit! All I had to do was take a "walk with God"!- Gender Equality and the Biblical Ideal of RolesMany people dismiss the Bible as being misogynistic, condoning many acts of female enslavement and mistreatment. However, upon a closer examination of the biblical text, one can clearly see that no such condoning is actually given.
- Dan Savage's Remarks About the Bible are Not So ShockingDan Savage, the syndicated advice columnist behind the “It Gets Better Project” has apologized for remarks he made after several students walked out on a lecture that he was giving. What did he say that was so offensive that the students walked out?
- Truth Still Matters in an Age of RelativityWe all want to base our decisions on truth. Where does absolute truth come from?
- Spirituality for Busy People: 7 Ways to Stay Spritual on the GoLearn 7 ways that even the busiest person can maintain a satisfying spiritual practice in their lives
Taking a Stand Against the Death PenaltyI sometimes get into discussion with supporters of the death penalty. This opinion piece can be seen as an excerpt of those discussions.- Keeping Memories of Loved Ones AliveThere is nothing more loving than keeping the memories of loved ones alive after they pass on. Yet we see in society that families drift away when the patriarch or matriarch passes on. Here are some great ways to ensure that our family stays united.
What Anders Breivik Can Teach Us About HateIs there a lesson that we learn about our collective attitude towards Muslims from the atrocities committed by Anders Breivik?- Why This Christian Decided to Convert!After years of trying to conquer my moral failures, I decided to let God conquer me!
- Faith and How It Helped MeThis is an opinion piece about faith and how it has helped me deal with two deaths in my family so far this year.
- Major and Minor Tools in WiccaStereotypical witches brew potions and ride on broomsticks. But the tools of Wicca transcend these stereotypes, enhancing worship and facilitating individual spiritual growth. Here are some of the most common tools in Wicca explained.
- The Non-Conventional Religious ConversionI explored through food, art, and reading the vast worlds of religions, and lifestyles, and cultures. But it was due to a course in philosophy of religion that I really felt the most comfortable with the fact I did not have to have one.
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- The Latest Vatican Scandal is a Red HerringCOMMENTARY | Some tout Paolo Gabriele, the Pope's former butler, as some sort of hero for allegedly leaking documents which expose the internal strife within the Vatican. I don't. While MSNBC covers the Pope's sadness over the issue, I can't help but...
Part 1 of Last Days Strategy for the BodyJude is just before The Revelation of Jesus Christ as if to give a final warning before the impending judgments upon the earth. This message, from Jude 20 -21, shows The Church needs to be internally strong. More: sapphirestreams.com/life/audioM.html.
Part 2 of Last Days Strategy for the BodyAfter first strengthening itself, The Church needs to reach the lost as directed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. This message, from Jude 22-23, deals with the external strategy. Hear more at sapphirestreams.com/life/audioM.html.- Pinky: A Wise and Faithful PetThis is a story of a very low point in my life, one that a family pet helped bring a new perspective to.
- Cherished MomentsA reflective piece over how life is short and something to be cherished.
- Business Insider 'Jew Hate' Question Has a Simple AnswerPeople of different religions hate each other due to selectively choosing unpleasant scripture to obey.
Undercover BossWho are you talking to?
Why Does God Allow Us to Suffer?This article talks about the process of healing with God's work.- How God Protects Fish in WinterThis article shows two ways in which the Lord preserves fish when a solid sheet of ice covers a body of water. I applied these principles to specific waters with which I am personally acquainted.
- Be like the MasterBased on Mark 10:45, this message draws from additional portions of Mark 10 to describe how to be Christlike in thought and action. Hear more helpful messages at http://www.sapphirestreams.com/life/audioM.html.
- The Cat: Paintings Beyond the Household CompanionA dive into religious and every day paintings, attempting to enlighten about the cat's role in art.
Paying Your Respects: Sending Funeral FlowersAlthough there are no hard and fast rules for sending funeral flowers, many people are concerned about doing the right thing and call my floral shop for answers. Let me share my secrets with you.- The Ultimate Dominion of the KingdomThe Bible teaches us as Christians to have hope, not despair: to expect victory, not flight and defeat. How we view the future dramatically shapes our present goals, our ethical behavior, as well as the job description of the Church.
Too Many Christians Are Too Busy Being JudgmentalHere we are looking at Paul at the end of his life. He is coming to the end of his race of faith. Unfortunately not many Christians can say what Paul said, at least not with a clear conscience. No they are side-tracked and being judgmental toward each oth- Thousands Protest North Carolina’s Pastor for Anti-Gay SermonThis past Sunday there was a huge protest happening in North Carolina. Many people were protesting against Rev. Charles Worley for delivering what many people believe was a homophobic sermon on Mother’s Day at his church, Providence Road Baptist Church.
- Pascal's Wager in a NutshellUnbelievers hate Pascal's Wager, because they recognize the force of the argument. The Wager demonstrates the irrationality of irreligion.
- Perfect Storm at the VaticanPope Benedict’s trusted butler, since 2006, had foraged secret documents that did not belong to him. Allegedly, the documents have been the source of so-called “Vatileaks” for Italian journalists.
- Should We Fear God? A Father's ViewMany Christians identify themselves as "God fearing." But is the fear of retribution different than faith?
- Poem: Snowy HallowedSnowy grey location, with a graveyard
Transcendence in Life – Effervescence to Natural Spirituality and FreedomPeople fall a prey to conditioned responses unknowingly. As a result, their reactions to others become robotic . They can release themselves from this sad state of affairs through transcendence brought about by simple awareness to inner freedom.
