Archive for the ‘Charity’ Category

A Note on Christian Evangelism

Sunday, July 10th, 2011

If you have been a Christian for a long time, and have been reading your Bible as well, you would understand that Christian evangelism is perhaps the central theme of the Bible particularly from the New Testament.

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Theologians also call it “The Great Commission” that Jesus gave his disciples before he ascended into heaven, and is something that we are instructed to live by until Jesus comes back from heaven to take his followers with him.

While the Word of God should be the focus of every believer, there are certain doctrines that have become popular with believers, hence leading them astray from the faith. Calvinism is one such doctrine that explains that salvation is not based on free will but is only for certain people who God has chosen to give it to. According to John Calvin, Jesus did not die for everyone (and this is directly against John 3: 16) but only for a certain set of people even if they did not accept the salvation that he had to offer.

Catholicism, on the other hand, seems to follow the tenets of the Bible yet the practices of the Catholic Church indicate anything but. As strange as this might sound, you are born again believer as soon as you take water baptism as well as partake of the Holy Communion which is anything but how God wants you to lead your life according to the great commission.

The real truth is that when we accept Jesus into our lives, a new life begins in which we must seek holiness and move away from our old ways. Accepting Jesus as your personal savior is anything but a physical ritual yet the most important tenet by which every Christian must live by is to talk about the love of God.

Are The Doctrines Of Grace True Or False?

Friday, July 8th, 2011

Living a daily life with Christ is not necessarily an easy one as there are many temptations that beset the man who walks in the ‘narrow way’. This might be pertaining to your own sinful desires or even doctrines that people might present to you, and which might seem right.

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John Calvin and his doctrines of grace are one of the most popular (and unscriptural) doctrines that have become a part of the teachings that the apostate church has accepted.

As strange as it sounds, it says that Christians do not have any free will in term of salvation, and God has only offered this salvation to only an accepted few people even if they reject it themselves.

But what if it is true, a new believer might ask.

The first thing that you must do when you accept Jesus into your heart is to know what is the gospel of Jesus Christ but that’s not all: you have to understand that the Bible works as a “double-edged sword” which distinguishes between right and wrong very clearly.

Understanding this will save you from the various doctrines and cults that have formed as a result of interpreting the Bible wrongly (one among them being Jehovah’s witnesses beliefs) and then spreading this altered message (rather diligently) to people who have been Christians for years.

Yet again the only way to distinguish between what is true and false is to determine whether or not their doctrines or teachings are in line with God’s Word or not.

This is how people who have lived strong Christian lives have made it past unscriptural dogma or theology that is based not on the Bible (which is Word of God) but their own interpretation of the Bible.

A Note On Imputed Righteousness Among Others

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Perhaps the doctrine of earning salvation without living a holy life has been disputed for some time now. While this might seem confusing for new Christians, most people who have been in the faith for a long time now know that imputed righteousness is completely false.

How do they know this?

The Bible clearly demarcates between what is true and false only if you look a little closer, and in doing so on a daily basis, you will then truly grow stronger in the faith while clearly being able to separate what is lies from the truth.

It’s no wonder that Paul exhorted Christians to crucify the flesh that means to put our old ways aside, and instead, take up our Cross and follow Jesus unto the very end. Paul himself as a man knew that he had to run the race and complete the course of righteousness that was set for him.

So, there’s no chance of eternal security when every day is considered to be a struggle against holiness, be it by your own desires or the temptation that takes you completely by surprise.

 The truth, however, is that you have to ask for forgiveness even though you might be weak, and God will most certainly forgive you yet there is no doubt that you have to live every day and maintain your salvation if you want to go to heaven.

When it comes to the forgiveness of sins, there is but one unforgivable sin among all others and that is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was very clear about not going against the Holy Spirit as he was sent down from heaven to be with man when Jesus departed.

No matter how you look at these Biblical teachings, you must still understand that nothing must be taken at face value but should be judged using the scriptures in the Bible, no matter who says what.

So What is The Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

As soon as you are born into the Kingdom of God, the goals in your life change to ‘higher pursuits’, if you will. Yet so many people continue to be confused about the question that has baffled every Christian at some point of time or the other: What is the gospel of Jesus Christ?

To put it simply, it is God’s love and grace that allows sinners like us to draw closer to Him despite our shortcomings and failures. Yet there’s more than meets the eye!

The tendency to misinterpret God’s Word has become evident for some time now where false teachers preach the gospel of greed (with an emphasis on financial prosperity instead of Heavenly riches) instead of focusing on the qualities of  gentleness, kindness, and faithfulness that Paul wanted Christians to live by. And people can keep away from such false teachings by studying God’s Word closely, as the answers to all your modern-day questions can be found in this Book that is indeed timeless.

At another level altogether, the doctrines of grace are another false doctrine that was preached by John Calvin who said that salvation is only given to a select few people and is not based on free will. And the Bible is very clear that this is anything but true.

For a new Christian, it is important to not only continuously read God’s Word daily, but also be careful of these false doctrines that will lead you astray. In doing so, you will find yourself losing your salvation, and thus it is important for you to also spend time with believers who do not buy into any doctrines except that which is taught in the Word of God.

To tell you the truth, if you’ve only recently been saved and want to know more about the faith of Christianity, the Bible is all you might ever need.

Is The Once Saved Always Saved Doctrine True?

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

If you are a Christian, then there will be times when you might be confused about certain concepts and beliefs that you often hear from pastors and preachers who might be gifted in the rhetoric. But what they preach might not necessarily be true.

For example, some of them mention the fact that believers should find reassurance in the once saved always saved doctrine, and which takes away the fact that you do not have to work for your salvation for the rest of your life.

While this might be very enticing to believe in, you will find that most answers to the doctrine as put forth by these preachers, can be found in the Word of God that is subject to misinterpretation.

Similarly, there are a lot of questions about the post trib rapture.  While many believe and are pretty sure about how it will take place, it is important to understand that the Word of God is the only place where you can find the answers.

One place that can not only help you understand what you believe in but also help you grow stronger in the Christian faith is at various sites over the internet that are very clear about these simple or complex concepts.

All in all, no matter what questions or concerns you might have about the gospel of greed or about the faith of Christianity itself, you should do as much research as possible in order to confirm whether what you believe in is true or not.

Looking For Bible Answers?

Sunday, March 20th, 2011

So where do you go if you are looking for bible answers especially in a world where interpretation is such a deadly weapon that is used to alter your core beliefs?

While you can visit the nearest church and meet with a pastor or a preacher to discuss the doctrines of Christianity, regardless of whether you are a Catholic or a Protestant, there is another way by which you can have answers to your questions.

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And since this faith has been related to as the narrow way, there are times when people play with the doctrines of grace and misinterpret it for their own benefit. Calvinism is one such example.

Some believe that “once saved always saved”.  Does this mean that after accepting Jesus into your heart, you can sin as much as you would like, and still go to heaven?

The truth is very different, and in being able to discuss these topics openly in a forum such as the Internet, in gaining access to information about being saved and all, you can then understand which ones are the myths and which ones are the truth.

Most of all, if you want to know what is the gospel of Jesus Christ, you should be able to find your spiritual food on the Internet sites.  With the nearing of the second coming of Christ, it is about time to find the truth.

Osho Sannyasins – Working Hard to Carry on the Memory of Osho

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

It has been more than 20 years since Osho died, but his teachings and memories live on through his followers, who call themselves ‘Osho Sannyasins‘. Thanks to Osho discourses, Osho photos, and Osho books, Osho Sannyasins around the world are hard at work, trying to make sure the teachings of Osho live on.

Who was Osho?

Formerly known as ‘Rajneesh’, Osho changed his name to Osho in 1989. Before that, he was known as Acharya Rajneesh in the 1960′s, then called himself Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in the 1970′s and 1980′s. Osho was actually born ‘Chandra Mohan Jain’ in 1931, in India.

What did Osho believe?

While his name changed several times, his message never wavered. Osho was an Indian mystic, philosopher, and spiritual teacher who believed that meditation should be a way of life. He created active meditation techniques that focused on relieving stress and tension through activity, instead of techniques that forced people to sit still and remain silent. Many of his techniques have been used by teachers, psychotherapists, and doctors all over the world.

What are his followers doing today?

While Osho wrote plenty of books of his own, Osho Sannyasins have also written countless books, themselves. Some of the books focus on Osho’s life. Other books focus on his philosophies and teachings. Other books focus on the self-enlightenment journeys that other Osho Sannyasins have experienced.

Osho Sannyasins say that their books are a great way to begin learning about Osho’s teachings. By learning about Osho first, you will have a better understanding of his message.

His followers have also collected many Osho discourses, so that people can listen to Osho in his own words and learn more about his beliefs and principles. Available on CD, DVD, or mp3, Osho discourses focus on a variety of subjects, such as emotions, maturity, children and their parents, and meditation. Osho’s followers want to make sure that his discourses can be listened to anywhere, anytime.

Many Sannyasins also choose to surround themselves with Osho photos, as a constant reminder of his teachings and his path. Sannyasins place Osho photos in their homes, businesses, and yoga studios.

Nadabrahma Meditation

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Find a meditation technique that is right for you such as the simple Nadabrahma Meditation designed to help you relax and reduce stress.

Meditation is a great way to unwind and reduce stress. Yet with such a large selection of both ancient and new meditation techniques available to modern humanity, it can be difficult to find a technique that suits your personality, beliefs and physical abilities. Here is a quick look at Nadabrahma Meditation, a simple meditation technique created by the well-known Indian mystic and spiritual guide Osho.

Nadabrahma Meditation is a gentle, sitting meditation technique that can be practiced by Osho Sannyas and other people who wish to tap into the health benefits of meditation. It consists of an hour-long, three-part meditation technique featuring humming and hand movements designed to create an inner balance and harmony between the mind and body.

Unlike the Osho dynamic meditation, which is active and wild, Nadabrahma Meditation begins with 30 minutes of humming as you are seated in a relaxed position with eyes closed. The humming should be loud enough that it creates a vibration in your body.

After 30 minutes of humming, participants are led into 15 minutes of slow hand movements designed to represent releasing energy outwards to the universe and then taking energy in. The final stage consists of being seated quiet and still for 15 minutes without Osho meditation music or other sounds.

The humming portion of Nadabrahma Meditation is part of an old Tibetan technique, which was practiced in the morning; however today it can be done at any time, alone or with others, as long as it is practiced on an empty stomach.

To learn more about Nadabrahma Meditation or to purchase Osho discourses on other meditation techniques, please visit http://www.oshoviha.org/.

The Teachings of Osho

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Today, it’s not hard to find information on Osho sannyasins and more for anyone looking to learn about this popular Indian mystic. During his decades of teaching, Osho imparted much wisdom to his followers, who have made Osho meditations quite popular in the modern world. However, those merely reading about the techniques that he taught have missed out on an aspect of his teaching that can’t be easily replicated, and that is the style of discourse that he preferred.

Unlike some of his contemporaries, Osho discourses bore little resemblance to what one would consider academic settings. Rather, his focus was on charismatic oratory, one that many listeners found riveting. Additionally, he often included jokes when he spoke, which helped create a more relaxed atmosphere. What he taught changed over time, and much of his philosophy was based in the concepts of paradox and contradiction, which makes it difficult for most people to sum up what exactly the teachings of Rajneesh Osho were about.

Osho was no stranger to the major religious and spiritual practices that surrounded him. In fact, he spoke about most of them, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Hassidism, Tantra Jainism, and a variety of other Eastern and Western scriptures, mystics, and traditions. The very basis of his school of thought was actually based in Hindu Advaita, however, which states that all of reality is part of the same divine essence. Individuals are a play or dance of the cosmic consciousness, and this existence is one in which everything is worthwhile and even sacred.

There are many notable influences on Osho’s teachings that can be seen. His idea of a new man seems to draw from Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche. His idea of unifying opposites shows the influence of the work of Heraclitus. Gurdjieff and Freud can be seen in his discussion of the machine qualities of man, acting in repeating neurotic patterns that they aren’t even conscious of. And the aspect that many people focus on, his ideas of sexual liberation, seem to have some things in common with the work of D. H. Lawrence.

Osho Around the World

Friday, June 11th, 2010

The teachings of the spiritual guru Osho have endured throughout the years, with interest in his words spreading through books, CDs and DVDs published in a wide range of languages.

The power of Osho truly transcends cultures, as evidenced by the thousands of followers of the teachings of the Indian mystic sage more than 20 years after his death. Osho Sannyasians) are drawn by the power and wisdom of his words, helping them to reach spiritual fulfillment by making connections to unconscious truths hidden by the social constructs of modern society. Through meditation and self-actualization, disciples are able to transcend their limitations and become Osho’s vision of the “new man.”

Osho’s message has spread around the world as followers have come to understand his preaching of inner peace. The global reach of Osho is reflected in the fact that books of his teaching are currently available in more than 55 languages around the world. As a point of comparison, the “Harry Potter” series of worldwide best-selling books are available in 64 languages, a testament to the interest by the public in Osho dynamic meditation) and other techniques preached by the guru.

Osho discourses) teach disciples the deepest thoughts and secrets of the master. They are also a living testament to the ever-changing and developing world view of one of the most influential religious figures in modern times. Unlike other spiritual leaders who are wrapped up in dogma, Osho was also seeking enlightenment – as such, he was willing to revise his teaching to incorporate new thoughts and ideas.

Books written by Osho have topped the best-sellers list in countries like South Korea and Italy. Along with books, people can also purchase CDs and Osho MP3) recordings of his discourses. These are great options for people who want to learn more while driving, exercising or meditating.