Archive for January, 2008

Tropical Bedding to Take You Away

Thursday, January 31st, 2008

By Pat Bowlin If you’re of a certain age, then you probably remember the commercials where the stressed out woman soaking in her bath tub exclaims take me away! If you just love tropical breezes, beaches and warm island sunshine, then why not get bold and add some of that same feeling to that bedroom of yours..? Take yourself away with some of the festive touches of the islands, sand and sun! Why not try out a gorgeous tropical print comforter and sheet set? Or how about considering a complete bedding set that has every other single thing you’d need included- like coordinating shams, decorative accent pillows, bed skirt, valence and draperies..? Tropical prints of every style are highly popular now. Whether you’d like more of a floral motif featuring ferns, palm trees or hibiscus- or even beaches, palm trees, surf boards, sunsets or cool tiki huts..they’re all rich, colorful and relaxing options for any bedroom. Just about any colors you’d associate with the tropical feel are available. Select from soft floral pink, warm sun yellow, relaxing sea green or soothing sky blue-to name a few. The only limit to creating your tropical bedroom getaway is your imagination! Some folks have an aversion to buying complete bedding sets that feature themes like this though. They may feel constrained by someone else’s creativity or not like some of the fabric choices. They might prefer to build their bedroom design from scratch, gathering this from here and that from there to complete the look they want. No trouble either way! Remember to keep some balance in your bedroom’s overall look as you’re redecorating for that island feeling though, no matter if you opt for something like a bedding set or do the designing yourself. Don’t go nuts and get matching wallpaper and drapes with any one style of the same tropical theme. It’ll be too much for your senses. Remember that neutral tones, rustic wood, bamboo and jute textures will add that extra touch of authenticity to your tropical bedroom. You could add some tasteful accessories like candles, maybe some incense and a bamboo or jute area rug. How about a ratan, banana leaf, wicker or sea shell lamp for the bedsides? Those would tie everything together nicely. If you have a master bath attached, then feel free to add some of the same tropical touches there too. Maybe try coordinating towels, rugs, soap- holders, soap dispensers or even toothbrushes! With tropical bedding sets sporting names like Tahitian Sunset, Martinique and Kauai, it should be an easy breeze to create a perfect island getaway right there in your very own bedroom! Get hundreds of free, helpful tips about bedding for your home. Visit here for details about bed linens comforters, pillows, blankets, kids and baby bedding here so you can create that perfect bedroom! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pat_Bowlin http://EzineArticles.com/?Tropical-Bedding-to-Take-You-Away&id=276409 phentermine with no prescription required buy phentermine no prescription phentermine foreign pharmacy www phentermine diet pills

Did You Send Your Thanksgiving Cards?

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008

By Tom Domin If you didn’t, plan on doing just that this coming Thanksgiving. You’re probably asking…as a Mortgage Professional, why in the world would I send Thanksgiving Day cards? The answer is…because you want to be different! You want people to remember you! You want to stand-out from the rest of the crowd! You want to present your message at a time and place when people can and will take notice. To do that, you need to think differently than most other people in business. You need to send Thanksgiving Day cards. Here are some facts to consider. The average family receives anywhere from 10 to 22 Christmas cards and the average business receives about 21 to 42 cards. If your card is apart of that mix, it’s just going to get lost in the shuffle. Your card may not even make it to its rightfully esteemed place…the card display on the family mantle. But, how many Thanksgiving Day cards did you receive last year? If you’re anything like me, probably none, zilch, zero. And, this is what I’m talking about. Here’s the perfect opportunity to make a statement and have people take notice of you and your business. Send Thanksgiving Day cards to your customers, prospects, and contacts instead of the same old traditional year ending Christmas/New Year card. I’m sure you know how to send a greeting card…but the Internet does give you a couple more options that you may want to consider. Option #1: The traditional method - Shop and buy your Thanksgiving Day cards, sign them, address them, and then mail them. Option #2: The electronic card or eCard (Emailed) - Just Google “greeting cards” or “Thanksgiving Day cards, choose a supplier, pick a greeting card, edit your card and message, enter the email addresses of the folks you wish to send, pay as required (remember, free isn’t always the best quality), and then send it! The disadvantages to this option are that the card is truly electronic or digital with no hard copy, is geared more for viewing by a single individual rather than a family or husband and wife, and there’s no continuing marketing value. Your card has a very short life…once your card is viewed; it’s probably going to be “deleted.” Option #3: The electronic card (Mailed) - Although the steps involved are exactly the same as in the previous option, in this option you would provide the names and mailing addresses instead of email addresses. The card is actually printed with your details and mailed for you. If you hate addressing cards like I do…this is a great option and can be used for other occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. You just need to supply a good mailing list. In my humble opinion…cards that are humorous and/or animated should probably be reserved for occasions other than Thanksgiving and the year ending holidays. In the end however…it’s your call! Lots of websites provide free access to cards. Large sites like AmericanGreetings.com, Hallmark.com, and Bluemountain.com also offer free cards. Many of these sites have paid membership subscription areas if you’re looking for attractive and quality cards for your mortgage customers and prospects. It’s sometimes worth the addition expense for a timely, professional, and truly unique card to carry your mortgage marketing message. Here’s hoping that you’ll continue to think outside the box, and that your mortgage business is a huge success! About the Author: Tom Domin has over twenty-five years of experience in sales and training in Real Estate and as a Licensed Mortgage Broker. He is currently publisher of “Tom’s Mortgage Tips” a twice monthly Mortgage Newsletter for Mortgage Professionals. You can sign-up by visiting http://www.MortgageMarketingToolKit.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Domin http://EzineArticles.com/?Did-You-Send-Your-Thanksgiving-Cards?&id=484900 phentermine online with no prescription direct pharmacy phentermine buy phentermine no script buy phentermine no prescription

Boost the Sales Power of Your Trade Show Exhibit

Monday, January 28th, 2008

By Dick Wheeler - To get started, enlist the early interest and participation of your Marketing Director. He/she should be a dedicated promotional partner in getting your exhibit program launched. If you do not have a communications department in your company, consider hiring your trade show exhibit company or an outside trade show marketing consultant. If you do not have the budget for a consultant, take the time to educate yourself and your sales team on the basic essentials of trade show selling. - Recognize the importance of trade show exhibiting and give it your very best. Business-to-business marketers in greater numbers every year are adopting the trade show exhibit function as an increasingly valuable component of their promotional toolkit. A study on the nine basic marketing approaches used by the nation’s top companies, trade show exhibits rank #3 in marketing dollars spent, only behind advertising and sales promotions and ahead of sales force management, direct and online marketing, premiums, public relations among others. What this means is you need to spend time and effort on exhibiting at trade shows to remain competitive. - Set standards for trade show exhibit quality, design and staff conduct to optimize the trade show exhibit area experience. A well-presented exposition area can be a very compelling attraction especially if you make it a first class event with strict standards for quality trade show displays with a set of guidelines. Portable and custom modular exhibits are now available through professional exhibit specialists who handle the entire design and build function from initial graphics to delivery of the finished exhibit at the trade show site. New lightweight materials and collapsible construction make assembly, breakdown and shipping both easy and affordable. - Train your staff to effectively sell at your trade show booth. Keep in mind who you are exhibiting to, what your specific message is and why visitors to your trade show booth need to know about your product, service or message. Practice your message with your staff to make it clear and brief. Be sure you have the informed staff at your booth to answer specific questions in detail. Make sure they are effective representatives for your company and that they have proper trade show booth etiquette no eating, no lounging, no chatting amongst themselves and ignoring client prospects. - Seek guidance from reliable sources. As the trade show exhibit industry has grown, so have its resources for providing support for those interested in making the trade show exhibit function an important part of their marketing efforts. As you plan your sales and marketing function, take a closer look at the added value of a well-conceived or upgraded trade show exhibit. In today’s business environment, where the high tech conveniences of e-commerce and cell phones eliminate face-to-face encounters, your company is probably craving the high touch experience a trade show exposition can add to assist your sales team. Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. His firm is a full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. Go to http://www.proexhibits.com for more information on excellent full service trade show display, graphics and management services. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Wheeler http://EzineArticles.com/?Boost-the-Sales-Power-of-Your-Trade-Show-Exhibit&id=150403 purchase phentermine without prescription discount phentermine online buy phentermine no prescription required buy cheap phentermine 37.5 mg

6 Weight Loss Secrets Revealed!

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

By Burgess Xavier Eating is great, but getting fat and staying that way is not cool. Here are six ways to fire up you fat burning 2007 resolution. Tip Number 1: Eat to lose…and Lift to lose.huh? I know, it is hard to convince you that you have to eat to lose fat. Yes eating the right foods to maintain your metabolism will keep you in fat dropping mode. I know its also tougher to convince you that you have to lift weights to drop the fat and to lose weight. What you are use to, is someone telling you that you have to jog around the park, or take brisk walks to burn the fat, that is true too. However, every thing helps and eating the right food and lifting weight, is an excellent combination. In reality, strength training has the power to keep your body burning fat for up to 2 days after the work out. You read that right, 2 days after a strength training workout, you body is still in weight losing mode. Tip Number 2: Use it lightly……Saturated Fat This type of fat is found in meat and diary products. Do you need it in your diet? well, let see, technically you do not. However, they are important for body cell structures especially the testosterone levels in men. Other than this, you need to reduce the amount of saturated fat you consume. Read the label people , the label will tell you. If its 5% or more, do not eat it - Simple and sweet. Tip Number 3: Stay away from the other bad foods….. Trans fat. Trans fat as the name suggest, is artificial fat. It is fat transformed from one fat to the next. Food to stay away from, are Margarine, French fries and processed foods. Just look on the label for "partially hydrogenated food and you got it, Trans fat. Let us put it this way, all the issues that saturated fat is blamed for is caused by Tans fat. It is just not a required fat, it is more for taste and comfort but not nutritional value. Tip Number 4: Rev up you work out…. Jump rope style If you go to the gym, or the park, pick up a jump rope to rev up your workout. You will burn calories for hours after the jumping session. Skip for 2-3 minutes, rest for 1 minute , repeat 3 times per session and 2-3 times per week. You will be amaze at the effect this will have on your total weight loss program. Tip Number 5: Focus on small baby steps Focus on making small changes each step of the way. For most people, successful weight loss involves not only a diet change, but a lifestyle change as well. Since this can be overwhelming for some, it is best to take baby steps. For instance, instead of signing-up for a full year’s membership at a gym, go for a few months or try walking in the neighborhood three times a week for thirty minutes. Once this is done habitually it becomes part of one’s lifestyle. Tip Number 6: Heads up ..be positive… its a lifestyle..not a fad Be positive! Do not say you are going to lose weight, instead say I am going to improve my fitness,improve my health, lose weight and feel great." The definitive way to lose weight and keep it off is by eating smart and exercising on a regular basis. Take full control of your eating and you will begin to see the effects on your body - slowly and steadily. You will lose weight by eating, by being more active or preferably by doing both. Do not skip any meals. Lose weight by eating. To lose weight safely, effectively, and for the long term - you need to truly commit to eating and exercising consistently. Eating more often, not less is the way to lose weight. Burgess is a health and fitness writer. If you are fed up with all the “expert” weight-loss and fitness information which promises you quick “weight loss tricks” and ripped muscles, but leaves you with no real results, then visit my website where I will show the Simplest, Step-By-Step Guide To Building A Powerful Nutrition Plan That Will Feed Your Body With What It Needs To Burn Fat, And Gain Muscle and keep it off for life. Go now http://www.justintimeliving.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Burgess_Xavier http://EzineArticles.com/?6-Weight-Loss-Secrets-Revealed!&id=398444 buy phentermine in missouri rx pharmacy phentermine buy phentermine with discover online pharmacy selling phentermine

Bad Credit Repair

Saturday, January 26th, 2008

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Damian_Sofsian]Damian Sofsian Bad credit stops you from obtaining mortgages and loans, or making any purchases on credit. Generally, consumers who accumulate large credit debts and do not pay those debts earn bad credit ratings. A person who tries to obtain credit with poor credit scores will pay higher rates and fees. Their failure to pay the amount due results in additional debt in the way of high interest rates and accumulating charges. This can start a cycle of debt that is seemingly impossible to get out of. That’s where bad credit repair companies step in. Bad credit reports cannot be ignored. Bad credit repair can begin by securing a copy of your credit report. Missed payments and delayed payments should be noted and settled as quickly as possible. Creditors can be contacted and a payment schedule drawn up, which has to be maintained. Free credit repair information can help you improve your credit ratings. However, before starting to repair a poor credit report, you first need to recognize all the negative items and resolve them. Poor credit habits that extend over a long period, showing no signs of improvement, make things much worse. Creditors can be fairly understanding of a bad credit incident, if corrected. A systematic repayment of debts due will, over a period of time, generate positive points, reducing the negative score. However, it is vital that you do not generate more debt and stick to a practical budget plan. Otherwise, you will slip right back down that slippery slope into bad credit all over again. [http://www.z-CreditRepair.com]Credit Repair provides detailed information on Credit Repair, Credit Report Repair, Bad Credit Repair, Credit Repair Services and more. Credit Repair is affiliated with [http://www.e-CreditRating.com]Free Credit Ratings. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Damian_Sofsian http://EzineArticles.com/?Bad-Credit-Repair&id=220956 order phentermine with no prescription buy phentermine without a rx buy phentermine no prescription needed diet pills and phentermine

How To Prune Your Grape Vine

Saturday, January 26th, 2008

By Ronald Doherty Pruning grape vines is best managed right from the start. This means doing a little bit of research before you put the vine in the ground to make sure the soil is well prepared, the grape vine is has full sunlight, it has a trellis to grow on, and that the ongoing growth is then managed to produce the best results year after year. My first thrill with growing a grape vine came when I discovered a self seeded vine in the backyard of a clients garden. The house belonged to an English lady and as her gardener; the garden belonged to us both. It was largely an untamed and somewhat rambling garden free of the contemporary need for gardens to be neatly ordered and manicured. In the character of the garden there was a rambling grape vine. It was not there when I took over the garden and we did not buy it. Our grape vine invited itself into our garden and we found a place for it to grow. There is an amazingly abundant and wonderful feeling about finding something of value growing itself from seed in an untamed garden. At some point the emerging leaf shape will reveal a treasure competing among the weeds or it will earmark itself for destruction. You just have to wait patiently for the distinctiveness of the plant to emerge before you can make the salvage or scrap decision In this case, while the leaves were a giveaway, the origins and type of the grape seed remained a mystery. It could have been a pip cast aside from a delicious grape, dropped by a visiting bird, or simply, an escapee from the compost bin. Once identified as a grape vine, plant placement became the next problem. Now, I didnt manage my first grape vine very well. It survived a couple of transplants until I finally replanted it against a fence where it grew happily until at least the house was sold. During that time, because the vine was for effect more than produce, I basically just let it run rampant along the fence. It grew quickly and covered what had previously been an eyesore. Looking back, had I known then what I know now, I could have turned that grape vine into a great producer, enjoyed the fruits and possibly even, learned how to make wine. What are the things I should have known and how would I do it differently? Basically, I would look at four critical elements: Location.Grapes are culturally important, especially for their wine, and of commercial interest for their edible fruit, juice, and dried products such as raisins and sultanas. The versatility of the grape has resulted in a diverse range of available plants. Rather than waiting for a self-seeding plant, you could grow your vine from a cutting taken from a known plant, or you could check with your local nursery to find which variety is most suited to your area. Grape vines prefer full sunlight this means 6 or more hours per day and they prefer a fairly protected position. Less than full sun weakens the vine, invites pests and predators and encourages fungal and viral infection; in addition, grape vines can be susceptible to frosts and are drought tender. Growing Structure.Vines are a creeper so they send out tendrils that wind themselves around anything convenient. Set and build your trellis so that the vine gets full sunlight. Remember that leaves grow toward the sun and roots grow away from the sun so use the sun to get your vine growing naturally over its trellis. Make the growing structure convenient for the plant, and convenient for managing feeding and pruning the vine to obtain abundant produce, Grape vines are deciduous so make the trellis aesthetically convenient so it complements the garden in both its luscious summer and its dormant and bare winter. Soil quality. Grape vines are deep rooters so give your vine a depth of good soil to grow in. They also prefer rich organic and well drained soil so prepare and maintain the soil so that the harvest is plentiful and delicious. Soil is a living thing and a teaspoon of fertile soil may contain 10 to 12 thousand million micro-organisms all feeding off and contributing to the process. Therefore, even if you start out with great soil, unless you keep the soil alive and organically rich, in a couple of years it will no longer have the organics and nutrients required to support abundant growth. The organic matter in the soil is divided into two broad types, undecomposed and decomposed. The undecomposed matter made up of roots, leaves, stems and twigs that still retain the structure of the plant. This is visible to the human eye and it keeps the soil open and porous and allows water and air to circulate throughout the soil. Decomposition often begins with earthworms is carried on by micro organisms and then converted into humus by soil bacteria. The plant depends on nutrients in the humus and these must be both available, and available in a form that can be taken up by the plant. Soluble salt is a form of nutrient that can be taken up through the water drawn up into the plant. You can manage the soil quality by adding mulch, providing compost and by adding organic fertilisers made from farm manure, seaweed or other organically active ingredients. Plant Management.The first task in growing a grape vine is to get it to reach the trellis. After the cutting strikes and sufficient new growth appears, plant the vine into its final location and use a stake to guide the grape vine to its support structure. Once the main stem is attached to the trellis the vine can then be trained as you want. The desirable fruit buds usually appear on one-year-old wood, while older wood usually results in watershoots that are not immediately useful for fruit. However, cut back to two buds, watershoots may be useful for fruiting in the following year. Vines should be heavily pruned in winter during their dormant season. Grape vines can be managed to obtain grapes in the second year and the grape clusters can be manipulated for better color, taste and sugar content. Unlike some other fruits, grapes do not ripen after picking so taste the grapes from the vine to judge when they are right for the picking. Once the vine is producing, you can train the vine as you want it to grow. You can optimise your harvest by avoiding the mistakes people commonly make and engaging the tricks that professionals use. Once established, your grape vine will be around for many, many years. One of our wine producing areas has a vine that is reported to be around 150 years old. The oldest grape vine in the world grows against the side of a house in Maribor, Slovenia. It is believed to be somewhere between 400 and 500 years old, it produces some 30 to 50 kg of grapes a year and provides around 15 bottles of wine. Nobody knows if it was self-seeded. For more information on building a trellis and growing a stunning grape vine please visit my site Ronald Doherty is a writer and experienced gardener who enjoys both and is now trying to cultivate a wider audience for his ramblings. One of my gardening clients changed my life and she did that by seeing the beauty in everyone and everything and by passing joy on to all of those around her. She has passed on but her message of simple joy lives on. I aspire to her simplicity and joy through my writing. Enjoy. http://www.1stpromotion.com/pro2/prosite1/?id=billy202 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronald_Doherty http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Prune-Your-Grape-Vine&id=502025 overnight cheap viagra cheap order sildenafil buy viagra viagra purchase uk

Dieting Mistakes to Avoid

Thursday, January 24th, 2008

By Jim O’Neill Many people set out to lose weight with good intentions of sticking it out until they reach their goals. In fact, they intend to lose those unwanted extra pounds for good without ever seeing them again. So then, why is it that so many people lose weight only to gain it all back again? And why is it that so many people get frustrated and quit trying before they even lose any weight? Of course dieting to lose weight takes some planning and some will power to stay with it, but a big part of the reason why so many people seem to be on a perpetual diet but never seem to lose weight often has less to do with their will to want to do it, and more to do with falling victim to some common mistakes dieters regularly make. Let’s look at some of these mistakes and some solutions to them. One big mistake that dieters make is assuming that certain foods can be eaten in high quantities such as fat-free foods. It needs to be understood that just because a food is fat-free doesn’t mean it is calorie free. When you consume more calories than you use, you will gain, not lose, weight. Many people who tried one of the many low-carb diets out there thought that they could eat as much as they wanted as long as the food they ate had low or no carbs. This way of thinking is wrong. It is still a matter of controlling the size of your portions that makes the difference. Keeping track of your overall calorie intake each day is imperative to a proper weight loss plan. Another mistake that is made by dieters is expecting too much too soon. When you come to the conclusion that you want to lose 30 pounds, this is a realistic goal. When you decide that you want to lose those 30 pounds in one month, this is not a realistic goal. Maybe your 25th high school reunion is coming up and you want to be able to fit into that dress or suit you wore 25 years ago. This is only possible if you take the time to allow yourself to properly attain that goal. Weight loss is best done at 1-2 pounds a week, not at 1-2 pounds a day, so set a small goal of say losing 5-7 pounds in a month, then set another similar goal and so on, until you reach your ultimate goal. Not eating enough is yet another common mistake dieters make. The fact is, if you eat too little calories, your metabolism will slow down and you will go into what is known as “starvation mode”. This promotes major fat conservation for survival purposes and any weight loss will therefore come from the breakdown of muscle tissue, not fat! For the average adult female, it is not recommended to consume below 1000 calories and the average adult male should not consume below 1200 calories unless under the direction of their doctor. One of the biggest mistakes dieters make by far is not planning for how to keep their weight down once they lose it. Often, people make the mistake of going on a “miracle” diet that promises super weight loss and although these types of diets are very dangerous and I absolutely do not recommend them, some people actually do lose weight on them. The problem is, these types of diets are designed to end at some point (which is a good thing since you would probably make it into the obituaries with a prolonged stay on these diets). That means that you would likely resume your old habits when it’s over thus accounting for the returning of all the weight you lost on the diet. Of course getting some exercise is a key part in successful weight loss as well, but putting together a well thought out eating plan designed to stay with you for the rest of your life is the real key to taking that extra weight off and keeping it off for good. Be careful not to get caught making the mistakes mentioned here and you will have a much better chance at weight loss success. Jim O’Neill gives you tons of valuable information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle. Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at: http://www.mrgymfitness.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_O’Neill http://EzineArticles.com/?Dieting-Mistakes-to-Avoid&id=150257 viagra mail order cheap price viagra prescription sildenafil citrate buy viagra now online

Finding Release Fom Earthly Bands

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

By Tim Tuohy The trees were reaching for the open sky above. They had been for years. They knew no other life. They grew thicker at their bases and the distance from the earth to their branches continually increased until one needed the gift of flight to reach them. High over head the wind moved their branches gently resulting in a pleasant sweeping sound from their needles. The sun reached the forest floor in laser straight streams that cut through the fog at angles giving the whole scene a mystical feel. Then I heard it. The sound that only comes from non-mechanical flight. The sound of the air being pushed through the feathers of a strong bird with huge wings and large feathers. I knew the sound from goose hunting on the Eastern Shore of Maryland when the swans flew slowly overhead. Swans fly slowly using their wings only slightly so they can talk amongst themselves as they fly. This, was that sound but, it was more vigorous. It had more purpose. It was not as relaxed but it was every bit as composed. I searched the early morning air for its source. Then I saw him, the magnificent eagle, passing deliberately through the upper trunks of the trees, his talons extended like landing gear on some futuristic space vessel. As he neared the targeted landing zone he flapped his wings more rapidly but only twice to slow his approach. For a moment, I was with him, up there in the mist. For a moment I could fly, rising on the spring breezes. For a moment, there was I … no longer wishing I could fly. Jesus gives us the ability to soar well beyond the reach of our own capabilities. He bears us up as the wind carries the eagle. This article is an attempt to share who Jesus is and share the risen Son of God’s personality and way with you. This is not based solely on my own limited experience. For some time now I have been asking Christians, “Tell me about Jesus.” Not just the effects of Jesus; but about Jesus. Not the doctrine of salvation or grace but, about Jesus. Not the distant Jesus but the Jesus who lives in us and is among us, the Jesus who’s body we are supposed to be. I am finding that most Christians do not ‘know’ Jesus. They only know the things: that are taught them in church … how a Christian acts … what is right … what is wrong … scriptures that are difficult to assimilate into their being so they will have meaning. Because there is no relationship with Jesus, there is little or no healing and they are generally indistinguishable from those who profess to hate Christ. (I am not saying this to cause havoc, I do not think Christians should dress up in long stone age robes. We should not dress by a dress code. We should not groom our hair according to our leader’s regulations. We should not hide in remote enclaves or in our mountain valleys. We should not exclude ourselves in our Christian clubs. Christians should not be physically distinguishable from every one else. They should be distinguishable only by their love.) I am finding the majority of Christians are ‘in it’ for the control; either that which is placed over them or that which they can place over others. Neither is evidence of Christianity. Why is this important? Because Jesus said, ‘Where ever two or more of you are gathered in my name, there I am also.’ If we believe in Jesus then one of the clues of his presence is the love that he commanded. If there is no love among us then Jesus is not there. In accepting Jesus we are imbued with the power to become children of God. This is only done through faith in Jesus. Where Jesus is there is love for each other and for those out-side of the Body of Christ as well. Remember: God (our Father) loved the world so much, he gave his only Son (Jesus) that who ever believed in him would not perish but would live eternally. Jesus said that if a tree bares good fruit it is a good tree; if it bares bad fruit it is inevitably a bad tree. This means that we should likewise look for the fruit of the tree. Let’s see what is really happening among us. If it walks like a duck. If it floats on water. If it waddles when it walks and quacks when it talks … in all likelihood it’s a duck. So, tell me about Jesus. Tell me about the Jesus you know. Don’t tell me about the Jesus the apostles preach. Tell me about the Jesus you know. Come, let’s get to know this Jesus together. Can we put personality traits with Jesus based on our own experiences with Him? Should we fear getting this intimate with Him? (Yes!) Can we say Jesus performs similarly each time we experience Him? Yes. Does it always leave you satisfied, happy and ‘full’ (yet still wanting more) when you pull away from His presence? Yes. Does He ever take you by surprise or demonstrate His sense of humor when He answers your prayers, and leaves you no doubt He was there? If Jesus came back in a physical body today, how would you know him? Would he be just another face in the crowd. (Remember his disciples were not sure it was He they talked with after the resurrection, John 21!) Who is this Jesus? We can get to know Him. Yes we can! Jesus knew the struggle we have to be free. He knew that in this physical realm our controls are external. He was downcast by the people who exploited others by these external controls. To hurt people is easy, to heal is greatness, and to forgive is the image of God himself. In Matthew 23 Jesus issues His seven woes. Since this is the strongest point that He makes against these human external controlling behaviors and beliefs, let’s start here. Jesus is talking to the preachers, lawyers and scribes of His day. This is what he has to say … in this and all quotations; please get your Bible and read it for yourself. I am not worthy to instruct anyone in doctrine, that is not my intention, Jesus is my best friend, I love him more that my own brother. I want to introduce you to Jesus, to the Jesus I know. Jesus was in the synagogue one day when the Pharisees had decided to test Him today, asking which was the greatest law. Jesus had answered that to love God with everything you are, is the greatest law and the second was similar, love your neighbor as yourself. Then He turned the tables on them with a trick question of his own. Whose son is the Christ? He asked. They could not answer. Now, he addressed the crowd. Now, he addressed those people who had been following him, hoping in every word he spoke. “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat, so you must obey them and do every thing they tell you to do. But … don’t do what they do …they don’t practice what they preach. They tie heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but are not willing to lift a finger to move the loads themselves.” After saying this he turned to the Pharisees and in deeply felt dismay he said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees: * you shut the Kingdom of Heaven in men’s faces, you don’t go in yourselves … but you don’t allow those who want to go in, go! * you travel over the land and sea to win a single convert … and then you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are! * you blind leaders of the blind! You don’t even understand what you swear by! * you tithe but you neglect the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy, and faithfulness - you should have done the latter first and still done the former! * you clean the outside of the cup but leave the inside dirty … clean the inside and the outside will also be clean! * you are like white washed tombs, filled with dead bones, wickedness and hypocrisy! * you say you wouldn’t have killed the prophets as your forefathers did … but you do! You snakes! How will you escape from hell? (’Woe’ is an expression of grief and dismay, like saying ‘Oh man, what a bummer! I can’t believe you do this.’) Every time I attempt to control your thoughts regarding Jesus I am no different from these Pharisees. Every time I attempt to put laws over you relating to your behavior … (under the guise that it is your behavior that causes you to gain favor in the eyes of God) … then I am no different from the Pharisees. Every time I teach a person (who is or is not a Christian) that behavioral adherence is the key to that person’s acceptance by God; and that person takes the cue and begins to enforce such rules of adherence on others with whom they come in contact; I am no different than the Pharisees. If I say ‘I swear to God …’ in order to reinforce my position, I am no different from the Pharisees. In short, if anyone is led by my teaching to anything other than Jesus and his grace and love then I am no different from the Pharisees. How will I escape from hell? Only through the grace of our Father that he provided to us through Jesus. Even the faith I have in Jesus is a gift from the Father. Jesus wanted to save the Pharisees just as he wants to save us. If we can accept Him, if we would just repent of our need to control, and call on Jesus to control us, we can be saved. Jesus came for you, he came for us. Upon grasping this I am set free to trust God and soar like an eagle. To rise above the gossip and hearsay. I am free to love my neighbor as myself. Tim Tuohy is the senior network engineer for mainframe systems at one of this country’s largest railroads. He is an honorably discharged, decorated veteran of the Air Force. His extensive training and education, as well his travels throughout the North American continent, bring reality and excitement his novels and stories. His accomplishments include many highly technical designs and installations. He has been a lay minister in small group ministry for ten years. He lives outside Atlanta where he is working on a new novel. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Tuohy http://EzineArticles.com/?Finding-Release-Fom-Earthly-Bands&id=129437 buy lady uk viagra prescription viagra cheap viagra in the uk how to buy sildenafil citrate in india

El Naturelle?

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008

By Alayna A. Fries I dont know what you are reading on here or I dont know who these people are that are talking about natural skin care, but its a bunch of crap and I have the proof. When you are shopping for your products you may discover a skin care product that says on the label it is natural. You may assume it is good and safe for your skin so you buy it and use it in the comfort of your own home. If you take the time to read, you may notice the ingredients on the label and you realize that there are some natural ingredients in the product. You believe it is natural because it says so on the bottle, but the product is not all together natural, you are using the product because of the way it is labeled. Realize that there are other ingredients in the product you have never heard of before and you hardly know how to pronounce them, so is the product natural? The simple answer is No. Just because the product may have natural ingredients, the rest of the product probably has toxic, synthetic chemical ingredients in it. In my opinion, the ingredients are not good for your skin, let alone your health. Many ingredients have also been known to cause skin irritations, and have acne promoting properties, and these claim to be natural products? Dont think so. You the consumer is tricked into buying these products and before we know it we are using them on our skin. Lets buy our products right the first time. It will save us a lot of money, a lot of hassle and frustration. Maybe they will even work. Know what you use on your skin. Always investigate the ingredients. Let me suggest it would be much healthier for you and safer for everyone if you would search for products containing less chemicals. Save your beautiful skin. Save your one precious life. Alayna A. Fries, Licensed Esthetician Author, If Your Skin Could Talk, What Would It Say? Get more details at: http://www.ifyourskincouldtalk.comI cover what ingredients to avoid, what ingredients in skin care products are causing the common skin symptoms we all experience from time to time and what ingredients to look for when purchasing products for your skin. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alayna_A._Fries http://EzineArticles.com/?El-Naturelle?&id=138198 xanax online consultation buy xanax cash on delivery xanax prescription xanax from the us no prescription

Writing Nonprofit Marketing Copy That Works - 5 Tips for Success

Saturday, January 19th, 2008

By Nancy E. Schwartz 1. Be reader-centered, not writer-centered. Many brochures, websites, and direct mail I see from nonprofits is focused on how great their services, products and organizations are. Hello? Audience, anyone? Consider your reader thinking, “What’s in it for me?” If you can, talk with some of your current donors, volunteers, members and clients and ask them 1) why they chose you, and 2) what they get out of your product, service or giving. HINT: To instantly make your copy more reader-focused, insert the word “you” often. 2. Focus on the benefits - not just the features. The fact that your program, service or giving and volunteer opportunities offer a lot of neat features is great, but describing these features is not enough. Focus on benefits - what the features do for your audience. Let’s say your organization provides health services to the uninsured and to Medicaid and Medicare patients. Feature/ benefit sets to incorporate into marketing materials might include: Feature: Access to healthcare services for everyone. Benefit: You’ll be healthier, feel better and have more energy. As a result, you’ll miss less time from work and family responsibilities. Feature: Appointment times guaranteed within 15 minutes. Benefit: You have to take off less time from work and can accurately predict when you’ll return. Feature: Medical staff is skilled in environmental health problems in the local community. Benefit: Peace of mind. You can rely on the medical team’s skill in diagnosing and treating health issues that are unique to your community. 3. Draw audiences in with a whammo headline. The first line your reader sees means the difference between success and failure. Today’s promotions are typically clever headlines that play on words. They’re cute, but most of them aren’t effective. There are many ways to get attention with a headline, but it’s safest to appeal to your reader’s interests and concerns. And again, remember to make it reader centered. That’s what counts. Blah: “Nonprofit Leadership Center Offers Unique New Accounting Training Program.” Better: “Turn Your Nonprofit’s Finances Around in 60 Days!” 4. Use engaging subheads. Like mini-headlines, subheads help readers quickly understand your main points by making copy “skimmable.” Read through your copy for your main promotional points, then summarize those ideas as subheads. To make your subheads engaging, it’s important to include action or sales elements. Bad: “Our Organization’s Success Stories.” Better: “Meet Three Clients Who Won Their Legal Battles With Our Help.” 5. Be conversational. Write to your audiences like you talk to them. Don’t be afraid of using conversational phrases such as “So what’s next?” or “Here’s how you can join today.” Avoid formality and use short, simple words. Why? Even if you think your copy can’t be misunderstood, a few people won’t get it or take the time to decipher it. Nancy E. Schwartz helps nonprofits succeed through effective marketing and communications. Subscribe to her free e-newsletter “Getting Attention,” at http://www.nancyschwartz.com/getting_attention.html and read her blog at http://www.gettingattention.org for more insights, ideas and great tips on attracting the attention your organization deserves. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_E._Schwartz http://EzineArticles.com/?Writing-Nonprofit-Marketing-Copy-That-Works—5-Tips-for-Success&id=300763 xanax without a prescription prescription drug xanax order xanax paying cod find money order xanax