...naturally, we call it a gift. But God also gave us another special gift. These gifts were assigned to us so we can help spread the gospel and further fulfill our duty within the church. They are called spiritual gifts. "The term charisma ("spiritual gift")... signifies redemption or salvation as the gift of God's grace (Rom. 5:15; 6:23) and a gift enabling the Christian to perform his service in the church (1 Cor. 7:7), as well as defining a special gift enabling a Christian to perform a particular ministry in the church." (Elwell, 2001) The spiritual gifts include: Woking of Miracles, Gifts of Healing, The Gift of Helpers, The Gift of Governments or Administration, The Gift of Faith, Apostleship, Prophets, The Gift of Discernming of Spirits, The Gift of Teaching, The Gift of Exhortation, The Gift of Wisdom, The Gift of Knowledge, The Gift of Tongues, The Gif of Interperetation of Tongues, The Evangalist, Service, Contribution, Acts of Mercy, and Giving. According to Galatians 5:22-23, "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Personally, I believe spiritual gifts are no good without the fruit of the Spirit. Because one can have the fruit of the Spirit without spiritual gifts, but the gifts are useless if one does not do it out of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindess,...
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... The song “this little light of mine” is a source rom Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before men, they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heaven. This is a gospel children’s song written by Harry Dixon Loes (1895-1965) in about 1920. “This little light of mine” inspired millions. People still sing the famous well-known song today and they don’t really have a clue what is means. “This Little Light of Mine” is a traditional Negro spiritual about the importance of unity in the face of adversity. The first spirituals were inspired by African music even if the tunes were not far from those of Christian hymns. Some of them, called “shouts,” were accompanied by dancing, hand clapping and foot tapping. Drawing on the Bible for inspiration and imagery, most spirituals instruct listeners in how to live with the Spirit of God. These songs often had multiple meanings. The literal interpretation reflected the personal relationship between the slave singer and God. However, the spirituals also translated to code for slaves looking to escape to the North to freedom. For example, as part of the spiritual’s lyrics, “home” can mean Heaven, but it covertly means a free country and haven for slaves. The refrain of “This Little Light of Mine” refers to the light inside each individual and how, whether standing up alone or joining together, each little bit of light can break the darkness. The song has since been applied to many struggles. It was especially popular...
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...Spirituals Swing Low, Sweet Chariot If you view the song as carrying a religious message, explain what the chariot represents. What is meant by the word "home"? What is the overall subject of the song? The chariot represents death. The poet asks it to come carry him/her home. Home means heaven. The subject of the song is being tired and wanting to die peacefully. This is an old slavery song and is sung in many churches. If you interpret this song as a protest song, depicting a slaves desire for freedom, explain what the chariot represents. What is meant by the word "home"? What does Jordan, the river that formed the boundary to the Promised Land in ancient times, represent in this case? What does the "band of angels" represent? I do not view this song as a protest song, but if it were, the chariot would mean rescue and home would still mean heaven or a place of freedom. Jordan would represent the gate to heaven and the band of angels would represent a rescue party. For what types of situations would people write protest songs today? People might write protest songs about events like the attack on Paris or about certain political figures. Give an example of a modern-day protest song (name and artist who performs it) and briefly summarize what message it contains. (You do not need to provide the lyrics.) An example of a modern-day protest song is “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day. The song is protesting the Bush Organization and 9/11. Go Down, Moses Whom...
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...Liberty University Discipleship Ministries Project A paper submitted to Dr. Zabloski In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the course DSMN 500 Liberty Theological seminary By Jonathan L. Keene Lynchburg, Virginia Sunday, May 12, 2009 Table of Contents Introduction 4 Diagnosis of Need 5 Target Group 6 Vision Statement 6 Goals 7 Lessons Gleaned from Scripture 8 Formulation of Objectives 12 Competencies Expected of Disciples attending Recovery in Refuge 12 Selection of Content 13 Setting Captives Free 13 Life Principles for Worship from the Tabernacle 14 Celebration of Discipline 14 Shatter the Darkness 14 Scope and Sequence Plan 15 Phase 1: Repentance, Redemption, Recovery 15 Phase 2: Regeneration 16 Phase 3: Rescue-Reaching Out 18 Phase 4: Real Life 20 Partnership with the Refuge Counseling Center 20 Conclusion 21 Self-Assessment of How the 5 Essential Activities of an Education that Produces Disciples Was Incorporated and Integrated 22 Resources to be used in Recovery in Refuge 25 Bibliography 26 Works Consulted 27 Introduction At Crossroads Community Church in Nampa Idaho the catchphrase is ‘Refuge.” The church has developed what it calls a “Theology of Refuge.”[1] They state, “Crossroads is built around the idea of being a church...
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...The Fully Realized Hot Tub Human -Marilyn Owen Poet and speaker, David Whyte, likes to sprinkle his talks about poetry, creativity, and philosophy with wry references to the “fully realized hot tub humans in California”. (1) I understand the stereotype he gently mocks; those who believe enlightenment will come easily through the pursuit of pseudo-spiritual states of ‘bliss out’. The remark never fails to make me smile and wince, because I am one of those humans. Sort of. Here’s the case for my thesis. You be the judge. My love affair with hot tubs started, appropriately, with sex. Not just any sex, but passionate, sensual, first-of-its-kind cosmic sex in a backyard Jacuzzi. You don’t have to be a brain scientist to imagine the neurological frenzy that ensued of mapping the erotic pleasuring of the body with heated water and air jets. Scientifically speaking, repetition of the experience created a finely tuned sequence of synaptic firings that ensured a conditioned response. In other words, just dipping my toe into hot water began to make me feel happy. And this was good. Then came the first visit to Esalen, where I went to look for myself during my early 30’s. I was transfixed by the nirvana of those mineral baths, perched above the cliffs, full of contentedly naked people. Being considerably “plus-size”, it took a lot of courage to bare all in order to join the Esalenites in their sacred spring. But this act of bravery proffered the most important gift of that...
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...Presented to Dr. Jon Bishop Liberty Theological Seminary _____________ In partial fulfillment Of the requirements of PLED 520 __________ By John Smith, Jr. January 27, 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 2 Author 2 Book Summary 2 Book Critique and Evaluation 6 Personal Application 9 Resources 10 Introduction One of the most intriguing things about the Christian faith is the lack of participation that each believer exhibits in the spiritual discipline of prayer, all though they are constantly reminded that it is the pathway toward a more intimate relationship with Christ. There are a multiplicity of spiritual disciplines that the believer is expected to practice, however, the one that is most pervasive across the varied spectrum of Christianity is the spiritual discipline of prayer. Most believers are encouraged to spend vast amounts of time participating in prayer, although the average spiritual leader spends less than 15 minutes each day praying. As this writer was growing up he would consistently hear people in his home church state, “much prayer much power, little prayer little power, no prayer no power.” Author Dr. Dave Earley is currently is Chairman of the Department of Pastoral Ministries and Church Expansion at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves as Director of the Center for Ministry Training at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Director of the Center for Church...
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...would you improve the spiritual aspect? | Weight | Most of the time | More exercise | Remind myself I am beautiful no matter what I weigh | Pray for the strength to stay on track to accomplish all of the goals | Blood Pressure | Always | Continue the path I am on | Make sure I deal with situations in the appropriate manner without getting worked up | Learn to talk to God on a daily and help me guide myself down the right paths | Eating Habits | Most of the time | Research and better understand what I am putting into my body | Feel better about the choices | Pray for the strength to avoid things that may taste very good but not very good for me | Drinking Habits | Always | Control the amount I drink socially | Realize that drinking does not in any way help or solve situations | Turn more to prayer than liquid to help clear my head | Activity Level | Always | Continue to stay positive that everything I am doing is for the right reasons | The more active I am the better emotion state I can maintain | Pray for the health and support from friends and family to keep my head going in the right direction | Support System | Most of the time | Positive state of mind will help to continue help with support | Emotionally having support will maintain positive | Turn to prayer when extra support is needed | Spiritual Vitality | Most of the time | Stay positive and strive for the best situation | Staying positive | Turn to the power of prayer | Spiritual Habits | Sometimes |...
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...The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. * Introduction: I am primarily going to refer to the gifts of the Spirit as spoken in 1 Corinthians 12-14. Would be cool to work through these three chapters verse for verse, but time will not allow this. Before I am even going to touch on the gifts of the Spirit, I do think its important that we look at the context of the book. Why did Paul find it necessary to discuss these gifts with this specific church. So important context pointers (which we read about in Acts and 1 and 2 Corinthians): * It was rebuild by Julius Caesar in 44 BC, after being a waste for about 100 years. * It had a lot of economic advantages, because of where the city was build. (BETWEEN TWO TRADING ROOTS; one land route and one sea route; NOT NECESSARY RICH GROUND; also had unlimited supply of water). Strategic place for a city – the wealth attracted people from all over. * Also known as a place where free slaves came to live, after they received their freedom, and many of them worked their way up into society. Roman soldiers also settled their – less Gentiles, Jews also immigrated to that place. * Temple of Aphrodite (goddess of love) was a famous temple in the city – had over 1000 cult temple prostitutes. * Greeks had a famous proverb in that time, namely, “to act like a corinthian” – referred to the moral decay in the city. * The situation in Corinth have been viewed as a hopeless situation – you do not want to go there as a minister of the...
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...Stefanie Cortes Yoga Research Paper Yoga is an ancient, Indian art and science that seeks to promote individual health and well-being through physical and mental exercise and deep relaxation. Although known to be at least 5,000 years old, yoga is not a religion and fits well with any individual's religious or spiritual practice. Anyone of any age, religion or life condition can practice yoga and derive its benefits. Yoga is the practice of putting the body into different postures while maintaining controlled breathing. It is considered to be a discipline that challenges and calms the body, the mind, and the spirit. By focusing on the breath entering and leaving your body, you are performing an exercise in concentration. After learning the history and practicing the throughout this fall semester, I have a new found respect and outlook for yoga. I would like to share with you an experience my family and I had to endure and probably how I was lead to signing up for this class. I come from a very close-knit family and, as such, all my life, so far, my cousin has always been more like a sister to me. We had children at the same time and always remained close. Last fall her son, Mikey was diagnosed with cancer. I can't even begin to describe the overwhelming devastation and complete sadness this brought to our family. My cousin was on an emotional roller coaster, and I can remember asking her how she stays so strong and how she got through all the treatments and still...
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...1. What is your personal view of the Philippines today? I think our country today is in its dented form. Philippines is in a bad shape because crime rates are going up, more people are becoming HIV-positive every day, the government, despite its promises to change is still corrupt, foreigners are scared to visit our country and less people go to church. Our current state is saddening. We have a dented reputation because of the ugly things that happen here every day – and the world knows about it. It’s shameful that we allow these tragedies to come about – it’s as if we are not a Catholic country. 2. How can you contribute for the betterment of the country? As a concerned Christian who wants to make a difference, I can start by praying, not for my personal wishes but for the good of my country. I should also influence people around me by telling them to be selfless in prayers and pray for the improvement of our poor nation. Prayer makes a big difference, but the Philippines have such enormous problems that it also needs enormous prayers. I believe in the power of prayer because I grew up seeing how it made our family overcome problems and trials – we only have to call on to God and he will lead us to His plan – at the end of day, everything has become well. I believe that it is not too late for the Philippines, that there is still hope, but there is work to be done. We should start proving that we are a Catholic nation – we should learn to pray and call on to God,...
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... 2 The Charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit have been in debate among the Christian Community since the emergence of the Charismatic movement: An expression used to refer to a movement within historic churches that began in the 1950’s. In more recent years it has frequently been referred to as the “charismatic renewal movement”. Therefore members are known as “charismatics”. The background of the charismatic movement is “Pentecostalism” dating from the early twentieth century with its emphasis on baptism with (or in) the Holy Spirit as an endowment of power subsequent to conversion, speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of this baptism, and the initial evidence of this baptism, and the continuing validity of the spiritual gifts (charismata) of 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (W. Elwell 2001). “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.” (King James Easy- Reading Study Bible). The debate is: Are sign gifts for today or have they ceased? What is the purpose of the sign gifts, and if they are being...
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...My spiritual journey is probably much like yours, with the main goal of trying to discover myself. What I like, and what I don’t like. What I believe, and what I don’t believe. Who I want to be, and who I don’t want to be. Although I’ve only had 21 years to work on this, I’ve come quite a long way from where I started. My grandfather was a minister, so ever since I can remember I have been attending church. It wasn’t until I was 12 however that I really found a connection to what some would call The Mystery, a Higher Power, or as I refer to it, God. There is a place in Jaffrey, NH called Monadnock Bible Conference. They run Christian based week long retreats year round for young adults, and it is here that I consider the beginning of my journey. These retreats were full of fun and games along with two worship services each day. These worship sessions were much like sermons, but catered to youth to keep us engaged. We listened to youth pastors and young adult speakers from all over the country who challenged and guided us in our faith. Along with these speakers were incredible Christian rock bands who played songs that moved us to get up and dance, and even knee down and pray. I remember attending one of the retreats right after starting 7th grade. I was overwhelmed by my new school, the peer pressure of new friends, and other typical 13 year old problems. I was listening to one of the speakers talk about how amazing God is, that when you have a relationship with him you have...
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...this type of crisis individual, group, and community suffer loss of property, love ones, cultural unity and spiritual belief in isolation. Although they are given material supports and even moral supports, it cannot be compared with the spirituality effectiveness that survivors gone through. This is a major issue which needs to be addressed apart from medical treatment, spiritual restoration should be put in place to help resolve the immediate crisis and help restore the victim to a sense of normalcy or level of functioning equal to or higher than prior to the crisis. Most disaster survivors tend to look for higher power as a source for strength and hope during these difficult times. Therefore spiritual care providers should be made available to assist them to regain their trust in God and healing of minds. Many people will experience spiritual stress reactions during or after a disaster. During disasters, a diverse cross-section of people seek spiritual care. Religious leaders will be challenged to support and offer an open environment with respect to religious diversity, social diversity, and unfamiliar cultural and mass care settings. These tips can guide you as you help your congregants and the broader community during relief efforts and as they recover from the impact of a disaster. Pay attention to self-care as you care for others. To be effective, spiritual care providers should become educated in various aspects of disaster response. Community nurses are among the...
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...Spiritual gifts are defined by “www.biblicalstudies.com” as “things characterized or controlled by the spirit”, In my definition, spiritual gifts are gifts given to Christians by God so that they can further administer the gospel (good news) of the coming/resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Examples of Spiritual gifts listed in the New Testament are : 1. Prophecy 2. Serving 3. Teaching 4. Encouragement 5. Wisdom and Knowledge 6. Faith 7. Healing 8. Miracles 9. Speaking/ interpreting tongues 10. Discernment "False christs and false prophets are going to appear and produce great signs and wonders to mislead, if it were possible, even God's own people. Listen, I am warning you." Mat 24:25 Spiritual Gifts are, in my opinion, given to Christians by God for the purpose of making non-believers of Christ believe, by doing miraculous actions allowed by God, in order to spread the message of his Holy Church. Question 2 “Define each spiritual gift and its operation as recorded by Paul” 1 peter 4-10 states “just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God”. Bible scriptures referring to spiritual gifts are: 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14; Romans chapter 12; Ephesians chapter 4; and 1 Peter chapter 4. Spiritual gifts must be important to the Spirit of God who inspired the writing of the Word of God and thus they should be important to us. 1. Prophecy: The gift of prophecy is...
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...• Disciplines of Abstinence • The spiritual disciplines of abstinence reveal the nature of the battle between the flesh and the spirit. By abstaining from food, social interaction, or sleep, we are "exercising" our spiritual muscles against the lower nature. It is like lifting weights; silly in itself, but useful to prepare us for real physical tests in the future. The things we abstain from in the spiritual disciplines are not evil; it is for the sake of the exercise that we deny ourselves; to prepare us for real temptation--tomorrow, or the next day. 1 Cor 6:12 (KJV) All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. • The disciplines of abstinence give us much needed experience and insight into the spiritual battle going on within us, and the lessons learned cannot be taught any other way. What is it like to say "No" to the lower nature? What tricks will it play? The way in which desire, habit, distraction, and other factors effect you will not be like anyone else. You must learn by doing how to live in holiness before God in your body. The disciplines of abstinence are an opportunity to train in safety. 1 Pet 2:11 (Phi) I beg you, as those whom I love, to live in this world as strangers, and "temporary residents", to keep clear of the desires of your lower natures, for they are always at war with your souls. 1 Pet 1:13 (NIV) Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled...
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