Same religion, same church, same circle, and even same school with most interests’ common -will these guarantee a happy marriage? What do you think? Before proceeding further it would be proper to talk about happy marriage. What is a happy marriage? I would broadly define happy marriage as one in which the partners like to be with each other, enjoy depending on each other, love each other, and are happy to be with each other. In a happy marriage when a partner meets the other in the evening, he/she will feel genuine joy. They will miss each other when separated for any reason. They like each other, and their love is not only romantic but also friendly. They respect each other as persons and when asked if they could live on an island all alone only with the partner, they would answer yes without hesitation. They don’t need other distractions such as friends, kids or television to live with each other in the pretension of happiness.

If you look around, you may be surprised that many marriages are not happy. The marriages still sustain because of the fear of pain of separation. It is not the pleasure of happiness together that binds them but the pain of separation. What would happen to kids? How will I live alone? What about division of assets? The fear of the pain of separation is so massive that unhappy existence together is considered better. Is this good life? No, it is mere existence.

Coming back to the title of this article, what role does the personality of partners play in making a happy marriage? The first requirement that has nothing to do with personality is love. Not the love of the passionate kind that may dies soon but genuine care and affection for each other. The personality traits that contribute may be for example - cleanliness. If the husband believes in extreme cleanliness and the wife does not bother a bit about that, do you think they will be happy with each other? Half of the time they will have arguments about cleanliness. This was only an example. Let us take another example. The wife is of giving type and the husband is a real stingy person. What then? Habits, nature, values, life goals, beliefs, and all such traits that make us a human being are the important role players in making a happy marriage. Emotional makeup plays an equally important role. For example if one partner is quick tempered he/she will make life difficult for the other. Think about all personality traits, emotional make up and find out if there is commonality in all these. Small differences are always ignored because of the love between the couple, but if the difference in personalities is big, love will also get sacrificed. Love that bound them in the beginning will become the first victim of the differences.

CD Mohatta writes on living, motivation, love, values etc. He is a content writer for egreetings and screensavers. You can see some of his work at love flowers desktop wallpapers, crazy in love ecards and wedding anniversary ecards.

href="http://www.yourfloors.co.uk">flooring to get fitted. Getting new flooring fitted in your

home can breathe new life into it and can be a great way to reinvigorate your living environment. It

may not be as expensive as you think either.

An important factor when choosing flooring is what the role of that room is. Flooring which is

suitable for the front room may not be suitable for the kitchen or bathroom for example. Some of the

most widely used types of flooring are carpet, vinyl, wood, and laminate.

Laminate flooring can be a great substitute for solid wood floors if you are looking for a wood

effect floor for a fraction of the price. Laminate flooring consists of a sheet of MDF with a wood-

effect plastic surface fixed to it. One pitfall of laminate flooring is that whilst it is resistant

to sctratches once it is scratched it is not possible to repair. That aside it can still be an ideal

choice for a kitchen, where the plastic coating provides an easy to clean surface. Conversely solid

wood flooring would not be a good idea in a bathroom, or in fact any room which is likely to get

very wet. Some woods are particularly sensitive to moisture such as beech.

If you are planning to install a wooden floor, its important you have the right surface to fit it

on. Ideally your existing floor needs to be flat, and dry. There are options however to counter

uneven flooring problems, such as laying ply throughout, or employing an underlay to create a

floating floor.

More often than not laminate flooring is sold as a product you can assemble without help which is a

great way of keeping costs down. Solid wood flooring requires a higher degree of DIY competence, so

it can sometimes be advisable to get solid wooden floors fitted professionally which on the downside

can add a considerable cost.

Something many people do not realise when they measure their room to work out how much flooring they

will need ” is that it is crucial to include a 10mm gap around the edge of the room for the wooden

flooring to expand and contract.

As an integral part of any interior design scheme, it is crucial to choose the correct flooring.

Whilst wooden or laminate floors can be ideal ” often for a more chic minimalist look; carpet can be

a better option if you are trying to achieve a more traditional home feel. The important thing is

you take into account the various factors you need to consider before ordering new flooring.

Having worked as a videographer I’ve shot dozens of weddings and had an absolute
blast doing it. I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a wedding video great.
There are things that I can do as a shooter and there are things you can do as a
couple.

Act Natural. The most important thing that I tell all my clients is don’t be
camera shy! When I shoot I like to wander around the reception and capture little
pieces of conversations here and there. I always keep an eye on the bride and
groom and from time to time will try to sneak up on them and capture a nice
moment. These always make great pieces in the final video except when the bride
and groom freeze up the minute they see the camera. Of course it’s natural to get
stage fright, but if you see the camera pointing at you don’t act like you’ve just been
arrested and are trying to hide your face from the world, just keep doing what
you’re doing. As I like to tell people, act natural. Don’t worry about looking bad. The
last thing I want to do is include something in the video that’s going to make my
clients look stupid.

Talk to Your Videographer. Be sure to tell your videographer if there’s
something special you want included. I always keep an eye out for things that look
special, but there might be something you’ve spent extra time on and you really,
really, really want in the movie. Let your videographer know. I love to get input like
that because it makes my job easier.

Talk to Your Coordinator. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been
outside shooting a nice little interview with a bridesmaid and suddenly I’ll have to
rush back inside to get the cake cutting or the bouquet toss. Usually there’s
someone in charge of the timeline, sometimes it’s an actual coordinator or caterer,
sometimes the band leader, sometimes the DJ and sometimes the photographer. I
always find that person and tell them before the reception to let me know when
things are going to happen so I can be ready. But every once in a while they forget
and I wind up scrambling. Talk to your coordinator, talk to whoever is calling the
shots and tell them to make sure the videographer and the photographer are
informed, there and ready when important events are going to happen. A word
from you can work wonders. Remember, for tonight - you’re the boss.

Point a Toe. I know this sounds crazy but it really does seem to work and
it will help your still photos as well. All you have to do is extend one foot out
slightly and point your toe. It causes all kinds of amazing things (lines, as we image
people like to say) to happen to your body. Try it out, stand in front of a full-length
mirror flat-footed and then point a toe. You just look better. And I’ll bet you can’t
do it without smiling.

Talk to Each Other. Toward the end of the evening, I always ask the bride
and groom to step outside and record a little message to themselves. It’s always a
nice moment and years from now it will be really nice to look back on and see what
you thought at the time. But it can be hard to just look at the camera and say what
you think, so the best way to do it is to tell your spouse. Pretend the camera isn’t
there and just talk to each other.

Ronald J. Thomas is a wedding videographer based in Los Angeles. He can be found
at Cherish Video.com. He is also the
owner and operator of My
Unique Wedding Favors a site specializing in affordable wedding favors and
advice.

I hate it when I see someone belittle or be critical of their spouse in a public setting. It personally makes me feel uncomfortable to witness the situation and I’m sure it brings embarrassment to the person being ridiculed. On the other hand, when a husband or wife says something flattering about their spouse or stands up for them in front of others, it is such a joy to see their smile or blushing cheeks knowing they felt encouraged from the comment.

You see, we have the power to build up or tear down our partner. We need to use that power responsibly to enhance our marriage life instead of adding tension to it. I know that when my husband builds me up in front of others, his comments go miles within my heart. But if he were to make a comment that put me down, I would be crushed.

As a wife, sometimes my attention can be so focused on giving my children what they need that it is easy to forget that my husband needs motivation, encouragement, affirmation and understanding also! I desire that for myself so why wouldn’t he? And I find that when I get into a pattern of delivering kind remarks or gentle attention, he will reciprocate those attitudes to me. When I get stressed and irritable, that same mood is contagious.
Marriage relationships do take work and effort at times. The glory of encouragement is that it is so simple to offer, yet so rewarding to receive. And it’s one of the best communication tools we have in expressing our love for our mates.

So find some time today to encourage your spouse and give them some positive input that will affect the whole mood of your marriage. You both will feel closer because of it.

~Dionna Sanchez has been married for almost 12 years and encourages moms to not forget their marriages while they parent! Visit Emphasis On Moms at http://www.EmphasisOnMoms.com/

This is completely understandable - it is a bit on the daunting side. Planning a wedding is definitely not something you can throw together in a matter of days, and there will certainly be quite a few projects along the way to keep you busy.

But these ‘projects’ can actually be fun - a lot of fun! And with a plan, you may even find yourself looking forward to them…

Most importantly, keep things SIMPLE.
There will always be another photographer to interview, another centerpiece idea, another wedding favor website. When you find something that “clicks” with you, go with it! You’ve just crossed off one more thing on your wedding checklist.

Decide on a good filing system before you begin.
Order a box of file folders or an accordion file with multiple sections to hold all of your contracts, notes, etc. If you’re really ambitious, consider investing $20-30 in a labeler at an office supply store - it keeps things especially neat and organized. As you go along, designate one folder for each aspect of your planning — caterer, rehearsal dinner, guest list, etc.

Get started! Begin tackling items on your wedding checklist.
Look at the first group of to-do’s on the list. Don’t try to do all of these at once - take one at a time and consider putting the others on your calendar so that you know they’ll get taken care of, just not all today.

Don’t be afraid to delegate.
Family members and attendants will more than likely be willing to help take on some of the planning tasks - if they offer, take them up on it! If there are parts of the planning that you know you don’t need to be (or care to be) directly involved in, ask for help.

Have FUN
While some tasks will take longer than others, there will be others that will balance out all of the hard work - treating yourself to a day at the spa for example. Also, consider subscribing to one or more bridal magazines - when you think you’ve run out of wedding ideas, these glossy guides are a great pick-me up.

And lastly, don’t worry that you won’t possibly be able to do all of these things…
Everything will get done, in due time, and you’ll see all of your hard work pay off when things really start to come together. So start planning, and have fun!

Allison Campbell is the editor and creator of “The Little Wedding Guide,” a free bridal resource devoted to sharing unique and creative wedding ideas with its readers. Sign up for their free newsletter for more tips, or check out this wedding planning checklist to get started planning right away.

Throughout the ages, the Powers-that-be have used the Bible as a means for pushing their own agenda, omitting that which did not suit their needs or adding that which supported their doctrine of choice. Rex Lex, it’s called; the King is Law or, better put, the Law is King. Some verses have even been omitted from some Bible versions with an explanation. I have my own explanation: the Powers-that-be and their appointed editors didn’t have the faith to believe what the verses were declaring.

Editors? Yes, every Biblical version has Editors, people with many impressive letters after their names who are chosen to determine what spiritual food is best for Christians to digest. In the case of the New International Version, for example, my own research has revealed that one of its editors was a lesbian. This might explain why the NIV is so “weak” in its stand against homosexuality. I’ve also learned that Rupert Murdock of Fortune Magazine fame - once known as Rupert the Red for his stance in favor of Communism - actually owns the copyright to the NIV. Gee, I wonder what agenda HE might be subtly pushing?

Do you catch my drift? We mustn’t check our brains at the door where our spirituality is concerned. That rule of thumb must also apply in light of the recent revelation, something called the Gospel of Judas.

I, JUDAS.

Judas, whose name means “Jewish man,” was NOT inserted into the Gospels as some sort of “EveryJew” in order to breed anti-Semitic hatred. Judas was apparently a quite common name just as “Jesus” was. The apostle Thaddeus is also known as “Judas, the brother of James,” as well as “Judas, not Iscariot.” The Book of Jude is attributed to a man named Judas, too. Judas Maccabeus, one of the great heroes of Judaism, is one possible reason why so many kids were once tagged with that name. I live in Texas and have met more than my share of kids named Dallas, Austin and Travis.

Here’s what the Associated Press had to say about the Gospel of Judas:

AP - For 2,000 years Judas has been reviled for betraying Jesus. Now a newly translated ancient document seeks to tell his side of the story.

The “Gospel of Judas” tells a far different tale from the four gospels in the New Testament. It portrays Judas as a favored disciple who was given special knowledge by Jesus - and who turned him in at Jesus’ request.

“You will be cursed by the other generations - and you will come to rule over them,” Jesus tells Judas in the document made public Thursday.

The text, one of several ancient documents found in the Egyptian desert in 1970, was preserved and translated by a team of scholars. It was made public in an English translation by the National Geographic Society.

Apparently, these papyrus manuscripts consist of

- a Gnostic codex in Sahidic dialect containing the lost ‘Gospel of Judas’ known from history only through Saint Irenaeus (c. 140-202 AD), Bishop of Lyon,

- the “First Apocalypse of James”

- the “Epistle of Peter to Philip”…

- the ‘Book of Exodus’ in Greek…

- ‘Letters of Paul’ in Sahidic dialect…

- and a ‘Mathematical Treatise’ in Greek”

…whatever that is.

All these manuscripts are priceless historical documents (I’ve read the figures of $3,000,000 to $10,000,00 being tossed around in association with these pieces), only comparable to major finds like the Dead Sea Scrolls from Qumran. Though some say they belong to mankind and must be publicly preserved and studied, others are being driven by greed and the whole story reads like some kind of dramatic suspense saga that reminds me of the Nicholas Cage thriller, National Treasure or the more recent Tom Hanks flick, The DaVinci Code. The Associated Press wrote that “the journey of the text to Switzerland was “replete with smugglers, black-market antiquities dealers, religious scholars, backstabbing partners and greedy entrepreneurs.”

If you’re interested, all of this comes from a number of articles on the web site of Michel van Rijn, who monitors the art market. His site is http://www.michelvanrijn.nl/artnews/artnws.htm. A search for ‘Gospel of Judas’ reveals other details of the negotiations.

MORE EXPERT OPINIONS

The Associated Press reported (3/2/06) that “an expert on ancient Egyptian texts is predicting that the “Gospel of Judas,” a manuscript from early Christian times that’s nearing release amid widespread interest from scholars, will be a dud in terms of learning anything new about Judas.”

That expert is James M. Robinson, considered America’s leading expert on such ancient religious texts from Egypt. Robinson is an emeritus professor at Claremont (Calif.) Graduate University, chief editor of religious documents found in 1945 at Nag Hammadi, Egypt, and an international leader among scholars of Coptic manuscripts. He predicts that the text won’t offer any insights into the disciple who betrayed Jesus because it’s not old enough.

“Does it go back to Judas? No,” Robinson told the AP.

The AP story said that the text, in Egypt’s Coptic language, dates from the third or fourth century and is a copy of an earlier document. The National Geographic Society, along with other groups, has been studying the “Judas” text.

National Geographic said Thursday it will release its report on the document “within the next few weeks” but didn’t specify whether that would come via a book, magazine article or telecast. Robinson has not seen what National Geographic is working on, but assumes it is the same work assailed by Bishop Irenaeus of Lyons, the heresy-hound of his day, around A.D. 180.

Here is what I found on the Roberts-Donaldson translation of this section from the pen of St. Irenaeus:”Others again declare that Cain derived his being from the Power above, and acknowledge that Esau, Korah, the Sodomites, and all such persons, are related to themselves. On this account, they add, they have been assailed by the Creator, yet no one of them has suffered injury. For Sophia was in the habit of carrying off that which belonged to her from them to herself. They declare that Judas the traitor was thoroughly acquainted with these things, and that he alone, knowing the truth as no others did, accomplished the mystery of the betrayal; by him all things, both earthly and heavenly, were thus thrown into confusion. They produce a fictitious history of this kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas.”

Irenaeus was saying that the writings he saw came from a “Cainite” Gnostic sect that stood against orthodox Christianity. “They produce a fictitious history of this kind, which they style the Gospel of Judas,” Irenaeus wrote in “Against Heresies.” He also accused the Cainites of lauding the biblical murderer Cain, the Sodomites and Judas, whom they regarded as the keeper of secret mysteries.

The AP story goes on to say that Robinson admits that the text is valuable to scholars of the second century but dismissed the notion that it’ll reveal unknown biblical secrets. He speculated the timing of the release is aimed at capitalizing on interest in the film version of “The DaVinci Code” a fictional tale that centers on a Christian conspiracy to cover up a marriage between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

“There are a lot of second-, third- and fourth-century gospels attributed to various apostles,” Robinson said. “We don’t really assume they give us any first century information.”

H.C. Puech and Beate Blatz write (New Testament Apocrypha, vol. 1, p. 387): ‘Dating: the Gospel of Judas was of course composed before 180, the date at which it is mentioned for the first time by Irenaeus in adv. Haer. If it is in fact a Cainite work, and if this sect - assuming it was an independent Gnostic group - was constituted in part, as has sometimes been asserted, in dependence on the doctrine of Marcion, the apocryphon can scarcely have been composed before the middle of the 2nd century. This would, however, be to build on weak arguments. At most we may be inclined to suspect a date between 130 and 170 or thereabouts.”

That’s odd. Another so-called “expert” named Charles Hedrick, Missouri State University - and other scholars - are saying the codex was produced in the fourth or fifth century. Hmmm. These dates are derived through radiocarbon dating, a commonly used method to determine the age of archaeological finds. Fool-proof? Not by any means. I recall reading about some chicken bones from dinner the night before that were carbon-dated and the results clearly showed that they came from the Bronze Age or something like that. Tasty!

In every case, the experts seem to agree with Irenaeus that the Gospel of Judas reflects the theological traditions of the Gnostics, a second-century sect, a community that believed true spirituality was derived from a self-knowledge, or “gnosis,” not the New Age self-knowledge we see being touted today.
Figures depicted as sinful in the Old Testament, such as Cain and Esau, were typically lauded under Gnostic theology.

For Robinson, the significance of the Gospel of Judas has to do not with first-century history but with second-century mythology. Still, he offered these half-serious reflections in his closing remarks in an interview last month: “Where would Christianity be, if there had been no Judas, and Jesus - instead of dying for our sins on the cross - had died of old age?” he asked. “So: Thank God for Judas? Even the most broadminded among us would call that heresy!”

Then call me a heretic, Professor. Though I won’t go so far as to thank God for Judas, I CAN and WILL thank Him that He had a plan and that plan DID call for the shedding of innocent blood for the atonement of sins. Yours, too. Jesus was born to die. If it hadn’t been Judas, it would have been somebody else. Besides, it’s not about Christianity, the religion; it’s about having a relationship with God and how that gruesome death on the cross made that relationship possible. More importantly, it’s not so much about HOW Jesus died so much as that he was RAISED from the dead. He could have died in a donkey cart accident, so long as his blood was shed, but what matters is that He lived again.

Besides, many prophecies were fulfilled in the way that Jesus died, including His betrayal by one of His friends. Compare these Old and new Testament verses regarding just a few of those prophecies and you’ll be amazed. Makes a GREAT Bible study!

Psalms 41:9 to Matthew 26:47-50;

Zechariah 11:12 to Matthew 26:14-15;

Isaiah 50:6 to Matthew 26:67-68;

Isaiah 53:5 to Matthew 27:26;

Isaiah 53:7 to Matthew 27:12-14;

Zechariah 11:13 to Matthew 27:5-7;

Psalm 22:16 to Luke 23:33;

Isaiah 53:12 to Matthew 27:38

This is certain; God had a plan all along and His ways are higher than ours. Isaiah 55:8,9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

THINKING LIKE THE ENEMY

Let’s say, for a moment, that you are Lucifer. Not comfortable with that? Ok, let’s say that I am the devil incarnate. What ELSE would I do to shake the faith of the Christian world that I haven’t already done? My war with you is on several fronts, remember: your flesh, your mind, and your spirit. Satan’s opposition against the church is not a frontal attack, but a subversive attack through intrigue, deception, and trickery. The demons were shocked to discover that Jesus had come in a manger. They were expecting Him to come later, for one final confrontation (Matthew 8:28-29). Satan’s strategy for the present time (until the final conflict) is that of subversive activity. Terrorism, for example. He is presently employing deception and intrigue to trip up the Christian world at large. This is a time of guerilla warfare, of snipers and booby traps, not of frontal attack.

Where the Gospel of Judas is concerned, all I can say is, nice try, devil. He’s done this before, maximizing the number of reporters looking for an Eastertime “religious” story to discount Christianity. This is the season when those “Jesus” programs hit their peak all over cable TV. My goodness, the results of the “official” research are to be released after Easter, when Christians around the world traditionally will have marked the official version of Christ’s death as told by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Monsignor Walter Brandmuller, president of the Vatican’s Committee for Historical Science, calls this “a product of religious fantasy.” He said the “Judas” manuscript would not have any impact on church teaching. Seeing as how the Church has already addressed this matter between 1500 and 1900 years ago, it’s not surprising that he doesn’t think there will be much of an impact.

I’m inclined to agree. Sadly, there will be many who are sitting on the fence or those looking for an excuse that will be swayed by the scientific findings. Yes, there will be those baby Christians - some who’ve been warming pews for 50 years - who will become confused by the outcome. But any Christian who is well versed in Scripture will not be moved. We can get some insights into one of the primary Christian heresies that has never completely disappeared, and may even perhaps get some personal insights into our own walks with God. This may prove to be a test for you. Just remember what it is that we’re reading. Eat the meat and spit out the bones.

JUDAS: FRIEND OR FOE?

William Klassen, author of “Judas: Betrayer or Friend of Jesus?” considers the manuscript an asset to any attempts to rehabilitate Judas’ image. “It’s important to look at this Gospel of Judas very carefully, because this is evidence that in the late second century, in the time of Irenaeus, there was a group who held up the banner for Judas,” he said.

While we’re at it, let’s discuss the kinder, gentler side of Satan and the love sonnets of Hitler. I guess there will always be those who hold up the banner for that which is blatantly evil. Although Judas cooperates in the arrest of Christ, Hedrick said, the codex does not depict him as a villain. “He is the good guy and he is serving God.”

Hedrick, who saw the Judas papers, agreed with Robinson that the original Gospel of Judas was probably written in Greek in the second century AD. Most scholars agree that the scribal hand used in the Coptic translation would date that text to the fourth or fifth century.

“I don’t think it will unsettle the church,” Hedrick said in an interview. “I mean we are not talking history here. We know very little about Judas from the New Testament, and some people have even challenged whether Judas was a historical person.”

Hedrick said the last six pages of the Judas document describe a heavenly scene in which Allogenes (see below) is being tested and tried by Satan, followed by an earthly scene in which Jesus is being watched closely by scribes. At one point Judas is told, “Although you are evil at this place, you are a disciple of Jesus.” The last line of the text says, according to Hedrick: “And he [Judas] took money and delivered him [Jesus] over.”

So, Hedrick said, “it appears that Judas is working at the behest of God when he betrays Jesus as part of the divine plan.” When translations of the Gospel of Judas are released with accompanying commentary, Hedrick does admit that “there will be a lot of sensationalism, but it will dribble out, leaving only the scholars interested.”

Church discussions conceivably could revolve around the extent to which New Testament Gospels present events in Jesus’ life and passion as ordained from the start. Hardly anything is known about the document’s contents “other than a few personages” it names, said Professor Robinson, identifying them as the mythological figure Allogenes (literally, “the stranger”) known from some Nag Hammadi texts, and Satan, Jesus and Judas.

THE SO-CALLED GOSPEL OF JUDAS

If you read online, the text placed at the New York Times website (why their keen interest?), read it with one eyebrow raised…remembering that “Gospel” means “Good News.” Then go study your Bible like a good follower of Jesus Christ. We’ve got work to do.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael’s mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Since 1999, he has broadcast over 300 hundred inspirational articles and a dozen booklets on subjects that will interest the thinking Christian, all designed to accelerate the process of spiritual development in God’s people.

He is the founder of t.e.a.m. ministries (team1min@aol.com). An Author, Pastoral Counselor and Teacher, his eMail broadcasts, known as “Your Town for Jesus” are reaching millions around the globe WEEKLY. Write team1min@aol.com if you’d like to SUBSCRIBE.

A licensed/ordained minister, a Certified Workplace Chaplain, and a Professional Member of NIBIC, he has ministered in Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, College and Cowboy churches. He is also a Speaker on the Christian Speaker Network and may be available to speak to your church or Christian group.

Unmistakably some buys are considerably more critical than others; therefore you may well give additional time when taking into account which cooker or tumble dryer you want rather than contemplating your next bread maker. Although, even the tiniest of items can radically improve the look & feel of your kitchen. Furthermore, buying several products from one place provides you the ability to give your kitchen a more standardise look and feel by synchronising the style of your purchases. Surfing through the John Lewis website you may also find ideas for kitchen goods you may not have contemplated before - sandwich makers for instance.

But it is not simply the ‘look’ of the kitchen appliances that you ought to ponder over but also the functionality; e.g. what particular size of toaster are you needing? How many buttons must you have on your washing machine? Do you fancy a gas or electric cooker? For added information & suggestions on picking the perfect kitchen appliances take a look at John Lewis’s buyers’ articles, which can be read on their website. Planning to purchase a bread maker? Then let John Lewis find the best product for you!

Purchasing from the John Lewis site couldn’t be any more straightforward or more useful. Not only will you get given free postal delivery on all orders; you can also upgrade to next day delivery if you require that kettle in a crisis; and also free returns should you be disappointed with the manufactured goods. John Lewis also recently gives 2 day express delivery on a number of domestic appliances for example washing machines, dishwashers & cookers. As a result, you can defiantly buy from John Lewis’s internet store with huge belief.

In these feelings we are not alone. Down through the centuries, holy men and women of God have zealously given themselves to God for His use, but many of them suffered abuse, exile and martyrdom. Often, the fruit of their labors became fully developed only after their deaths. Some accomplished their greatest works for God in their deaths, like Abel, whose blood still speaks as a witness (Hebrews 11:4; 12:24).

The Case of Elijah

Elijah the Tishbite, prophet to Israel during the ninth century BC, felt like this near the end of his ministry. With God working through him, he had accomplished great works and been the sole instrument of restoring the true worship to Israel during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel. Having established at least three schools of the prophets–in Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho–he spread the knowledge of God’s way throughout the land (II Kings 2:1-5). He was also well known in the surrounding nations (I Kings 18:10).

At his word a three-and-a-half year drought had plagued the land, when not even dew would fall on Israel because of their idolatry (James 5:17; I Kings 17:1). During the drought, God had hidden the prophet from Ahab’s agents sent to bring him back to Samaria, and ravens fed him morning and evening (verse 6). Later, staying with a widow and her son, he had provided them with flour and oil for over two years (verses 8-16). And when the widow’s son died, God had used Elijah to resurrect him (verses 17-24).

But maybe his most astounding work was still before him. Assembling all the prophets of Baal and Asherah on Mount Carmel, where Baal supposedly lived and was the strongest (verse 19), Elijah had called down fire from heaven, which consumed the sacrifice he had prepared and drenched with water (verses 30-38). After the execution of the prophets of Baal (verse 40), he had climbed a promontory and prayed seven times for the drought to end, which God did (verses 42-44). In yet another miracle, running before Ahab’s chariot, he had beaten the king back to Jezreel about nineteen miles away (verses 45-46).

But Jezebel, after hearing of his exploits, had threatened his life, and Elijah fled to Beersheba (I Kings 19:2-3). Why? Some commentators feel that he ran, not in fear, but out of conviction that he needed to commune with God. He may have thought that, after the tremendous works on Mount Carmel, the whole nation would be converted–but now he was in danger of losing his life! His expectations and God’s purpose did not coincide by a long shot. Like us, he did not always know where God was leading him and His people. His apparent lack of success and his doubts drove him to seek God’s counsel in the wilderness.

Unfortunately, because “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17), he fell into deep despair and self-pity (I Kings 19:4), when he should have been the most excited and anxious to forge ahead with God’s work. Rather than take advantage of God’s victory over Baal, Elijah left the country in the lurch. So God had to teach him a lesson about the way He works.

A Hard Lesson

First, He sent an angel, possibly the Word, the Angel of the Lord (cf. verse 7; Genesis 22:15; Exodus 3:2), to give him food and drink (verse 5). He needed revitalized after expending so much energy in God’s service. But after eating, Elijah did a typically human thing–he went back to sleep (verse 6)! How often have we studied deeply into God’s Word, consuming meaty material, then sunk back into spiritual drowsiness after we were satisfied?

Second, He sent the angel back again with more food from heaven with an explanation of its purpose: “because the journey is too great for you” (verse 7). To paraphrase the angel’s reason, he said, “You need more strength to do what is beyond your natural abilities.” God often calls upon us to do more than we humanly can, but He always supplies us with the strength to do it. After this, Elijah understood what God wanted of him, and he made his way to Mount Sinai (verse 8).

Possibly in the same cave where Moses saw God (Exodus 33:17-23; 34:4-7), Elijah finally vocalized to God why he had fled to the wilderness: in his zeal he felt alone, rejected and ineffective (verse 10). By God’s blunt response, it seems that He had decided that Elijah needed a quick and effective dose of reality.

In the tremendously powerful wind, earthquake and fire, God showed that though He causes or allows great works that destroy, punish or expose the ungodly, His greatest work is elsewhere. He was in the “still small voice” (verse 12). He does His most astounding and effective work in the background, working His salvation in (Psalm 74:12) and giving His gifts, His grace, to His people (Ephesians 4:7). In a sense, He told Elijah He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).

Undaunted, though humbled, Elijah still insisted that he was alone, rejected and ineffective (verse 14). Almost curtly, God gave the prophet something to do, though nothing on the scale of his former work (verses 15-17). But before He sent Elijah away, God reminded him that in his self-absorption he had forgotten all the other people with whom He had been working. “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (verse 18).

A Lesson for Us

Throughout this episode God had worked to restore his prophet’s faith and hope, and with this accomplished Elijah returned to Israel and began a new phase of His work (verse 19). But what lesson can we draw from this?

Except as we see the fruits of God’s Spirit in evidence, we cannot know where God is working today. As He worked in Elijah’s day, He is working in ours, doing His main work in the lives of individual Christians. His purpose is to reproduce Himself, to bring sons and daughters into His Kingdom (Romans 8:14-17; II Corinthians 6:18). God taught Elijah that a spectacular public work–even with stupendous miracles, signs and wonders–is not more important than the salvation of His people.

After realizing this, we can push on in renewed confidence with what God has given us to do. We can know that God will take our efforts and multiply them, making our work far more effective than we could humanly. And we can boldly move forward in faith and hope, understanding that God is in charge of His church.

Richard Ritenbaugh is the managing editor of the Forerunner magazine (http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.forerunner), produced by the Church of the Great God (http://cgg.org). The original article is available at http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/ARTC/k/621/Elijahs-Dose-of-Reality.htm

There are nowadays many types of Digital Versatile Disc recorders available in shops, each with unique qualifications and features. This means that whatever your needs are, there will be a particular model of Digital Versatile Disc recorders available in retail shops to suit you.

DVD Recorders have never been so inexpensive to buy. In actuality, prices are dipping so fast that ditching that old Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) & switching to DVD or HDD recording makes further sense. Yet, it’s a marketplace affected by technology & innovation and as a result means product features are changing every week.

If you are puzzled by the differentiation between DVD-R, DVD-RAM and DVD+RW, we also present you with a straightforward breakdown of the configurations on offer - which makes are supporting them and what the newest developments are.

Pioneer creates a range of Digital Versatile Disc recorders, some of which have HDD capability; permitting you to record countless hours of telly before transferring them on to DVD when desired. Pioneer also manufactures an array of great DVD players & DVD home cinema systems including HDMI compatible models.

Pioneer is a universally recognised TV and hi-fi company which caters for the home, car, multimedia and DJ equipment industries. Pioneer began as Fukuin Shokai Denki in Tokyo in nineteen thirty eight. The company originally began life manufacturing speakers and switched its name to Pioneer in nineteen sixty-one. It has since launched a number of firsts onto the consumer market, including the world’s first Global Positioning System car navigation gadget in nineteen ninety and the first ever Digital Versatile Disc recorder in nineteen ninety nine. Great Deals on Pioneer DVD recorders online at Digital Direct!

Ten Magical Keys To Finding Your Faith

I have a Magic Genie friend named Glorious. He has taught me a lot about finding my faith. Glorious has revealed to me 99 Magical Keys to finding faith. In a spirit of kindness and caring that Glorious has instilled in me, I thought I would share ten of the Magical Keys with you.

Couldn’t you use a little more faith today? Sometimes it takes a little magic to believe in what we cannot see or understand.

1. Caring about others is a Magical Key to finding your faith.

2. Remember that only God has the right to sit in judgment.

3. Try and do something worthwhile with your life.

4. Have the grace to share your faith and learn to express it.

5. Have forgiveness in your heart for your fellow human beings.

6. Take responsibility for your own actions.

7. Be willing to repent for your sins.

8. The most meaningful thing you can do is to have faith in God.

9. Have faith that God loves you.

10. Your state of mind will determine how easy it will be for you to find your faith. Glorious has taught me many more Magic Keys to finding faith, but he has advised me not to overwhelm you with too many things to do all at once. I think that makes sense, don’t you? Oh, I almost forgot, Glorious told me that making sense of what you do is an important Magical Key to finding your faith. I guess that’s number eleven, but Glorious never said I had to be a mathematician to try and help you find your faith. What about you, are you spending too much time counting up what you have done to find your faith, and not enough time relying on your faith in God?