Will You Add? - Self Improvement

The Single Most Important Use of Any Website
Ok you have built your website, and may be asking yourself what’s next. Most websites are just like an informational brochure. You open it up and all you do is read the information that is inside. You may see some contact information like a telephone number or even a submission form. Many people feel that as long as their website is neatly designed with great graphics and proper content, then it is perfect. This is similar to a situation where you may have bought a brand new Ferrari, but from the day it entered your garage, you have never taken it for a ride. You have never even cranked that baby up and heard that smooth engine run. Friends and family only come by every now and then to look at it and admire its beauty.Your website can provide the type of leverage that will propel your business to heights beyond your imagination. Have you ever heard about amazon.com or even myspace.com? Sure you have. These businesses have become so popular purely because of the effective use of the internet and their websites. These are not just some regular websites with nice graphics. They are more like well-oiled machines a

ch when they are not. In actual fact The Bride is not mentioned in this parable at all and it is not mentioned deliberately because Our Lord Jesus Christ was making a very different point entirely and in places a very mockingly sarcastic point too.

Even in the first century, Jewish weddings had bridesmaids and that is what these Ten Virgins are – bridesmaids. Now what is the role of a bridesmaid? Why, to look after and take care of the bride so she's ready for the wedding – who else? Who is the Bride – The Church that’s who. So who are these Bridesmaids? Ah now we’re getting to it!! The bridesmaids are ministers, pastors, elders and teachers; those responsible for looking after the after the bride. Again, who is the bride? The church of course and the bridesmaids or virgins as they’re called here are supposed to be taking care of their flocks and protecting them in fresh green pastures. Which means

Elephant Conservation
Elephant conservationists are concerned with helping elephants through this difficult time in history. Due to many developments that have taken place in the last several years, elephants are in danger of losing their habitats. Other elephants are abused and mistreated in captivity. Still others are losing their lives due to the ivory trade. The goal of elephant conservation is to protect elephants so that they continue to live in the wild as majestic animals instead of having to become extinct or live in small pens that don’t give them enough room to move around. Understanding why this problem is so serious and how it got this way is the first step to understanding why elephant conservation is so important.Habitat Reduction Elephants are currently experiencing a reduction in the size of their natural habitat. Elephants used to be able to roam freely across their migratory paths and enjoy a lot of dense vegetation. With forestry and other industrial activities taking over in these areas, the paths that elephants have traveled for years have been cut down and the sources of vegetation along th

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

What is this parable all about, for I have heard all manner of explanations of it? None of which, I hasten to add, have ever made much sense other than to be used by ‘ministers’ or 'pastors' to spiritually abuse and bully their flocks. I am sad to have to say there are more than several passages of Scripture that are used in this negative and abusive way. As another example please see my article entitled "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling - Oh really, is that so!?"

This is the general ‘Christian’ ministerial consensus of opinion on this parable. The virgins are always (metaphorically) the membership of the congregation or body of believers, not the ministry. The five wise virgins are those members who are always at 'church' every Sunday putting on their Sunday best, including their Sunday best behaviour and Sunday smiles and sit there without questioning a word the minister/pastor says. They believe everything he says and in reality follow him and his religion not The Lord Jesus Christ. In contrast, the five foolish virgins are those members who do question things, are lax in their attendance and may even be ‘church’ hoppers or very unfulfilled and find their Christian religious walk all a bit too tough and boring. They find the daily cleansing, struggling to 'get right with God', finding time for their quiet time, always getting ready for the next renewal, salvation by process and/or self-improvement, very hard work indeed, even stressful. They don’t understand the apparent contradiction of Our Lord’s words "Take my yoke upon you for it is light;" they find the yoke they are bearing unbelievably heavy. Then to compound their wretched Spiritual condition, along comes old Bible basher Joe the Pastor and gives his sermon on The Ten Virgins and these poor people are now down on their hands and knees under the weight of his man made yoke. Just to make sure, this minister tells them that unless they shape up and get with it (salvation by works) they are just like the five foolish virgins.

So, what is the real meaning of this parable? Well it is fairly easy to work out if you use the correct symbolism and study a little into the traditions of Jewish weddings. First and foremost The Bridegroom is Jesus Christ and His bride is the Church. Now this is where mainstream Christian teachers go wrong and place the Ten Virgins in this parable as the Church when they are not. In actual fact The Bride is not mentioned in this parable at all and it is not mentioned deliberately because Our Lord Jesus Christ was making a very different point entirely and in places a very mockingly sarcastic point too.

Five Fresh Ideas For A Home Based Business
Write product descriptions. There are millions of items for sale online and if you were to do a search of just one product on Google you would find that the product descriptions on each of the sites are virtually the same. How is a company to stand out? Simple, they have you write an original product description for their items. Not only will they stand out, but they also have a better chance to be indexed higher in the search engines. Write a referral blog for local contractors. Blogs are still hot and very easy to use. Here’s a twist on a referral business that’s easy to start and virtually free. First, start a blog and give it a good name. You can use WordPress.com and it’s free. Second, get out the phone book and contact local contractors in your area. Let them know that you would like to feature them in your blog for FREE. Yes free (for now). Third, ask them for a list of references and also have them tell you about their business and exactly what they do. Take good notes. Fourth, enter a blog post for each contractor and tell about their company, what they do, and also the referral testimonial

the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

There Is Life After Divorce
A married woman becomes a single woman for one of two reasons: death or divorce. The former is an honourable state, the latter is not.When a woman loses her husband to death the neighbours all rally round and provide meals and any help they can give with regard to household repairs or cleaning or anything that is needed. They are willing to provide comfort and a shoulder to cry on. They are available for the widow and they include her in their activities, feeling sorry for her that she is now so alone.However, things are quite different when a marriage ends due to infidelity or marital breakdown. That immediately plunges a woman into a new category. She is transformed, instantaneously it seems,from a married woman to a divorcee. Becoming one of many, part of a group of used and discarded women, seen as suspect by all those who are still safely ensconced in the womb of their marriage.People tend to withdraw from her. Invitations to get togethers cease. It appears that women think their husbands might be attracted to the idea of an “available woman” and so the women who used to be friends

lways (metaphorically) the membership of the congregation or body of believers, not the ministry. The five wise virgins are those members who are always at 'church' every Sunday putting on their Sunday best, including their Sunday best behaviour and Sunday smiles and sit there without questioning a word the minister/pastor says. They believe everything he says and in reality follow him and his religion not The Lord Jesus Christ. In contrast, the five foolish virgins are those members who do question things, are lax in their attendance and may even be ‘church’ hoppers or very unfulfilled and find their Christian religious walk all a bit too tough and boring. They find the daily cleansing, struggling to 'get right with God', finding time for their quiet time, always getting ready for the next renewal, salvation by process and/or self-improvement, very hard work indeed, even stressful. They don’t understand the apparent contradiction of Our Lord’s words "Take my yoke upon you for it is light;" they find the yoke they are bearing unbelievably heavy. Then to compound their wretched Spiritual condition, along comes old Bible basher Joe the Pastor and gives his sermon on The Ten Virgins and these poor people are now down on their hands and knees under the weight of his man made yoke. Just to make sure, this minister tells them that unless they shape up and get with it (salvation by works) they are just like the five foolish virgins.

What is a Mobile Notary Public?
A mobile notary public is, in essence, a notary willing to travel to the location of the client, in order to fulfill his or her duties. These typically entail the witnessing of sensitive documents, overseeing their signing, identifying participants and administering oaths when necessary.A mobile notary public makes the process of notarizing documents a great deal easier for individuals or corporations to procure. Most often, mobile notaries are part of a centralized association known as the U.S. Mobile Notary Association. Here, a prospective client can contact them and seek out an individual available for traveling to his or her location.When a company becomes a member of the U.S. Mobile Notary Association, they are qualified to display the Certified Mobile Notary Public (CMNP) designation. Often, other companies will attempt to emulate this designation with other, similar-sounding names, but the CMNP is the official designation for a licensed mobile notary.For those seeking a mobile notary public in the State of Florida, the Florida Mobile Notary Association and Services, Inc. offers a central

don’t understand the apparent contradiction of Our Lord’s words "Take my yoke upon you for it is light;" they find the yoke they are bearing unbelievably heavy. Then to compound their wretched Spiritual condition, along comes old Bible basher Joe the Pastor and gives his sermon on The Ten Virgins and these poor people are now down on their hands and knees under the weight of his man made yoke. Just to make sure, this minister tells them that unless they shape up and get with it (salvation by works) they are just like the five foolish virgins.

How Hypnosis is Used to Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The concept of inducing a hypnotic state to alleviate physical and mental ailments has been around since ancient times; however it is only relatively recently that it has been endorsed by mainstream medicine as a valid treatment. Hypnosis and self-hypnosis have been shown to be effective means of alleviating the pain and discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for many sufferers.Hypnotherapy is used to induce a state of hypnosis, which is a trance-like state resembling sleep. Similar to sleep, a hypnotized patient will enter a state where alpha brain waves are produced. This type of brain activity normally occurs as you sleep, and dreams result. However, in a hypnotic state, patients have a heightened susceptibility to suggestion. Whilst the patient is hypnotized, the therapist can use one of several techniques to make suggestions to the patient that will promote positive thoughts and healing changes.Irritable bowel syndrome is well-suited to hypnotherapy or self-hypnosis, for several reasons. First, a hypnotic state is a very pleasant, relaxing experience. The ability of hypnotherapy t

In Adam Clarke’s commentary He says the oil for the lamps is Grace and he is correct with his analogy for without Grace it is impossible for The Light (Jesus Christ) to shine. The five wise virgins are ministers or pastors who understand Grace and it flows from them. Their flocks carry a light yoke so they are very strong and secure in faith. This in turn means because these congregations are grace (oil) filled The Light (Jesus Christ) shines from them continually. On the other hand we then have the five foolish virgins who are grace killers; they have no oil for their lamps - no grace, so their congregations are oppressed and down trodden. These congregations are very legalistic in nature or full of rules and regulations - The Ten Commandments and some, and all laid down with a big stick from the pulpit every Sunday. This means the lamps of these virgins - ministers and pastors (Pharisees) cannot shine because there is no grace in their teaching. The Light and/or the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ has gone out of their teaching and possibly out of their lives altogether - their lamps have no oil.

One other thing, some people use this parable as metaphor for the saved and the unsaved i.e. the five wise virgins are saved and the unwise are not. This is a gross perversion of the use of this Scripture. How do we know that? Easy, all the virgins slept and this means all the virgins had metaphorically entered The Lord's Sabbath Rest - all the virgins were called by the Father to His Son so they were all without excuse.

Ok, last but not least we have the message of wisdom and foolishness in this parable whereby no symbolism is necessary. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (teach a false graceless unjust message) 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened (no oil, no light). 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (no wisdom and the teaching of a non-gospel) 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, (Man, who turns the worship of God into religion with all his rules, legalism and salvation by works) and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. (Brackets mine)

Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Salvation by works) 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free

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Will You Add? - The Parable of The Ten Virgins - Explained - Part 1

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