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Archive for the ‘Spiritual Thoughts’ Category

African American Clergy Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

Contacts:
Rev. Mark Whitlock, Co-Director, phone (949) 955-0014
Rev. Najuma Smith, Alumni President, Phone (323) 873-7724
USC Launches Third Annual Program for African American Clergy and Lay Leaders For Immediate Release Los Angeles - The USC Passing the Mantle Clergy and Lay Leadership Institute is now accepting applications for its 2008 program. Created to develop a new generation of black church leaders in California, the program trains emerging and established African American clergy and lay leaders in community organizing, economic development and leadership strategies. “This effort is important because the essence of the struggle for black equity is based in the black church,” said the Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, John R. Tansey Professor of Christian Ethics, and director of USC’s Passing the Mantle program. “If you want to affect the larger black community, your point of contact will ultimately include the church.”

The USC Passing the Mantle Clergy and Lay Leadership Institute, known as PTM, includes dynamic speakers and structured mentoring meetings with leading ministers in the Los Angeles area. PTM is led by the Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, the former pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church Los Angeles. The institute is co-directed by Rev. Mark Whitlock, founder and pastor of Christ Our Redeemer African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Rev. Eugene Williams, founder of Regional Congregations and Neighborhood Organizations. Prof. Donald E. Miller, executive director of the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, completes the leadership team as co-principal investigator.

The institute takes place August 3-9, 2008 at the University of Southern California and is limited to 40 pastors, lay leaders, and community development professionals. Clergy and lay leaders in California will be given priority consideration. The application deadline is May 30, 2008. Program tuition is $500, which includes accommodations, materials, food, and fellowship with other church leaders. A limited number of scholarships are available for those with financial need.

The Passing the Mantle Clergy and Lay Leadership Institute is supported by a grant from The James Irvine Foundation (http://www.irvine.org/). PTM is housed at the University of Southern California’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture, (www.usc.edu/crcc), a catalyst for new partnerships and research on the role of religion in society.

For more information on the Passing the Mantle program and to download an application, please visit www.usc.edu/ptm, or call 213.740.8562.

Comedy at it’s best…….

Wednesday, March 26th, 2008

You wouldn’t believe this….

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

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Helping Christians Define there faith

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

 Below is a copy of a release I’d like to share with our community.


New online survey helps Christians define their faith

  For Immediate Release                                                                                     Feb. 26, 2008

                                                                                                                                         18-08


Contact:      The Rev. Marsha Cutting, M.Div., Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counselling
Waterloo Lutheran Seminary
(519) 884-0710 ext. 3576 or mcutting@wlu.ca


or                 Kevin Crowley, Associate Director: News and Editorial Services

Wilfrid Laurier University (519) 884-0710 ext. 3070 or kcrowley@wlu.ca

WATERLOO, ON. — If you identify yourself as Christian, what kind of Christian are you? That’s the question being asked by researchers in an online survey designed to give participants personalized insight into their faith.
The Rev. Marsha Cutting of the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary heads a team of researchers from Wilfrid Laurier University, Liberty University and Boston University in developing the research instrument, called the Inclusive Christian Scale.
After responding to questions about their faith, participants will receive a score showing where their beliefs lie across six different emphases that an individual Christian might have: Congregational Involvement, Evangelical, Christian Conservative, Golden Rule, Activist, and Mystical. Participants are then asked how accurately they feel these scores reflect their own understanding of their faith.
“We need to have a good instrument that accurately represents the people we’re trying to study,” said Cutting, an associate professor of pastoral care and counselling at Laurier. “Our research on religion and its relationship to other issues is undercut if we can’t do a good job of defining who is religious.”
Researchers hope to attract participants representing different ages, genders and ethnicities. Those interested in participating can visit www.religiosityscalesproject.com.
The instrument being tested in the study will be used in research that examines how religion relates to specific subjects such as health, prejudice or voting behaviour.
The Inclusive Christian Scale is the second part of the larger Religiosity Scales Project. It is designed to address the limitations of previous scales, which tended to be more conservative in nature and didn’t accurately capture the full range of Christian faith.
All responses are completely anonymous. For questions regarding the survey, please contact Cutting at 519-884-1970 ext. 3576 or mcutting@gmail.com.

Masters of the Secret

Monday, January 14th, 2008

     This week one of the masters of the secret, Lisa Nichols shares a one hour audio on her insight into how powerful the Law of Attraction can be if used correctly.

I have shared the secret with many friends and colleagues and have found this powerful tool to be a great asset in my business and personal life.  In order to correctly use this powerful law of attraction it is important that you take the time to learn how to develop a way of clearly focusing on what it is you want to attract.

A friend of mine recently told me that she have watched “The Secret” over and over many times, and each time she views it, she find that there is more information and knowledge to absorb.  Many of us would love to know how to master the secret of “The Secret” law of attraction, and I think that with the new holosync program being offered by the masters of the secret, you will be able to master the secret in no time.

With each instruction you will begin to create the things in life you desire.  You will begin to focus your thoughts to become a co-creator of the things you desire.  As with anything that we choose to learn, the more we use it, the better we become at it.  Creating your desires is something you can easily master, by learning “The Secret” Law of Attraction and putting it to use in your everyday life.

Do you desire more money?   Do you desire a better Job?  Do you desire a mate?    All of these things and more, can be yours, by taking the time to learn and master the secret.

Free Holosync Meditational CD

Wednesday, January 9th, 2008

Free Meditational CD

 

    Recently, after watching the secret some 20 times, I decided to visit the website and learn more about how to use this wonderful law of attraction.

 

     Holosync meditation is what is most used in accessing this method of attracting what you want.  I found a site that offers a free holosync demo and decided to order it.

 

     After receiving my CD I was more then impressed.  It was an unbelievable experience, listening to the meditationnal cd and immediately falling into a deep meditational state, which is something that has taken years for some.

 

     I enjoyed the CD and the effects that it had on me, so much that I decided to purchase the entire Holosync package.

 

     This is definitely a must have for anyone that is truly trying to change there life.

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Tips of Attaining Wealth

Monday, January 7th, 2008

 Attaining Wealth

Many people want money as a primary goal.  And there certainly is nothing wrong with desiring money.  But first, be sure that your true goal is money.   Can you live, breathe, eat, and sleep money?  Do you dream about money, and want it more than anything?

For true money-seekers, you must be your own boss.  The great money-makers all started and ran their own businesses.  And, even though it seems as though all the good ideas have already been taken, there are plenty out there.

The secret of the wealthiest people is to find a special need and fill it.  Like quick-food chains; like supermarkets; like electronic games.  Whether you invent a new toy or gadget, or see a spot to market special items in a new way, the world is open to true entrepreneurs.  And they do make it.

LEARN YOUR TRADE

Almost any goal you choose - whether riches and material abundance or spiritual attainment - requires learning.  How much education do you have?  Do you want more?  Perhaps your goal is to get another degree or to secure a special license.

There are countless opportunities to learn more about your own industry or to learn about a new skill.  Not only do you have the colleges and universities, but there are many trade schools, correspondence schools, and special groups that teach skills - at very reasonable prices.

KEEP THE END IN MIND

What do you need to know to get to where you want to be?  You may not need a degree, but the actual experience.  So you’d need to change jobs or accept a part-time job at night to develop your skills.

More than ever, people are leaving their present occupations to learn a new trade and then starting at the bottom again to be happy in their work.  Maybe you’ll need to put in extra hours at work now so that you can save money to take the time off next year.

Even though most entry level positions are offered to the younger people, you can find many companies willing to give you a chance to change your occupation.  Many times you might find an older master willing to apprentice you to learn the skill or trade.

Once you’re enrolled to learn new skills, put everything towards learning.  Apply yourself one hundred percent.  Take advantage of asking questions and getting criticism from teachers and fellow students.  Read everything you can study well.  It is your developing expertise that will get you ahead and closer to your goal.

It’s always a good time to learn more.  Even if you are happy in your job,expanding yourself through education is a very rewarding activity.  Take dacing or tennis, gourmet cooking or sculpture.  Any activity is taught and shared by many enthusiasts.

STOP WASTING TIME

Consider the most important things you need to accomplish.  These are high priorities.  Then think about those things that seem to take up a lot of time and get you nowhere.  Those are the low priorities.

Understand what’s important to achieve and do those things first.  Let go of all the busywork for paperwork that piles up.  It’s better for you to stack those low priorities somewhere else and finish the important material than to spend time clearing your desk to get down to the essential things.

You’ll be noticed more quickly for the big things you achieve than for keeping paper flowing.  Don’t let co-workers waste your time with chitchat if you’ve got things to accomplish.  Save that for lunch hours or for after work social activities.

Handle paper once; decide the action and finish with it.  Keep interruptions to a minimum and delegate responsibilities.  Although you’d like to believe you’re indispensable to the job and you are the only one to take care of many things, you can teach someone else and move on to your own goal achievements.

DON’T PROCRASTINATE.

What are you waiting for?  Few opportunities are thrown at you; you have to create the right positions and situations to move up.  Make lists of things you want to accomplish and do them.

If you’re busy in an office situation, make daily lists and reward yourself with praise upon completion.  Catch yourself achieving.

Concentrate on what you’re doing and do one thing at a time.  But do it quickly and handle the next thing.  Be efficient in telephone calls, maybe taking them at appointed times or calling back at your convenience.

Don’t generate copies or correspondence that make you look like you are doing things.  Your superiors will know what you accomplish.  Be busy doing important things rather than writing about what you’ve done.

And take the time for physical exercise.  It will energize you - not take away from your effectiveness.  It relaxes your mind and stimulates your capacity to achieve.

LOOK WITHIN

An inner core of all accomplishment is the positive energy from the subconscious.  If your subconscious mind has tapped into your goal and believes it is good for you, your energies will direct themselves towards that goal.

You can consciously create circumstances and conditions of environment and physical presence.  But it is that level behind the outwardly physical that directs your true being.  When the subconscious mind accepts an idea, the inner power will complete it.

That’s why you can accomplish anything you want - by creating all outward manifestations to trigger your subconscious into action.  As you decide on your goals and write them down, repeat them twice a day out loud.  This in essence brings it to the inner level.

When you think about your goals and desires, the subconscious hears it.  So direct your energies - both outer and inner - to your goal with one-pointed devotion.  In that way, you can control your destiny.

In order to connect to your inner self, relax - let your thoughts go.  Feel that part within you that actually makes the decisions - the reflexes, the instincts, the intuition and hunches.  Let your mind be quiet from its usual chatter.

Some people present problems to their inner consciousness by asking themselves a question before they fall asleep.  Often the answer is in their minds when they wake up.

Clarity rids confusion.  If you find you’re filled with worries and anxieties, spend the time to think them through.  Approach them logically, considering the consequences of all possible actions.  When you’ve made a decision, follow through and don’t agonize over what-if’s.

Everybody has creative potential.  And you don’t have to be an artist to be creative.  Each moment of the day is creating your own self, becoming your true inner person.

Let yourself look within.  Release the handicaps of fear and anxiety - even for a moment.  You’ll be relaxed and refreshed.

USE AFFIRMATIONS

The same technique has been used by great inventors, financiers, business people, political figures and enlightened beings:  constant repetition of the goal and the belief that you can attain it.

Never dwell on self-criticism or what you think are your inadequacies.  Instead, repeat your goals  and the qualities that will make you successful.

Write out your outstanding goal.  In a few words, describe what you want to attain.  Then write what you will do to achieve that.  What energies and efforts will you trade for that success?

Give yourself a specific date to accomplish this goal, and specific times to carry out the interim steps.  Put this paper or note card in a visible place - such as taped to the mirrors - so you can review it and repeat it at least twice a day.

It is those people who convince themselves taht they are failures.  And successful people believe that they will rise to the top and will achieve their goals.  Believe in yourself.  You are everything worth believing in.

CREATIVE VISUALIZATION

Form the habit of accomplishment.  With every step you take and every decision you make, bring yourself closer to your goals.  Walk through your life with this sense of direction and they will come to you.

Develop self-confidence and esteem.  Assert yourself and acquire all the excellent qualities and traits you admire most.  What is your ultimate goal?  How to you see yourself?  Be specific.  Precisely specific.  Visualize the place you live in - the rooms, the paintings on the walls, the furniture and swimming pool.  Consider the family situation and financial stability.  Think about the place you’ll be living in.

Then look at yourself.  What clothes are you wearing and what do you look like?  Consider your physique, your hair, the condition of your body.

Then think about the things you do.  What sports do you play, what groups do you belong to?

As if you’ve already accomplished your desires,  look bhack and see what you did to get to where you are.  Think about the classes you took, the jobs you worked at, and the places you moved to.  Think about the places you’ve traveled to and the friends you’ve made.

Be comfortable with your new self-image.  Put it on for size and change your fantasy to adjust perfectly to you.  Why don’t you live as though you’re already there?  What’s stopping you from becoming the person you are totally capable of becoming?

BECOME YOUR FULL POTENTIAL

Keep your goals and ambitions to yourself - don’t share them with anyone, not yet.  Write them down and refer to them.  Look back at what you wrote in a month, then in a few months.  Work on them constantly, and odn’t be afraid to revise and rewrite.  Goals are always changing.

Think in possibilities.  What is possible for you to achieve in the next six months?  And go for it.  Don’t play it safe with what you;ll probably achieve anyway.  Push yourself to go further.  The rewards are greater.

Feel the winning feeling.  Feel successful already.  Try on the clothes of total accomplishment and peace of mind.  Live each day as though you have already reached your goals.  There are always new ones to place in front of yourself.

Don’t announce your goals.  This will set you up for failure.  Even is you make a pact with yourself to attain a specific goal, don’t chastise yourself if you don’t make it.  It may have been unrealistic or you may not have tried hard enough.

Do it yourself.  There is nobody better to help you achieve your desires than you.  Tap into the power of the subconscious and practice being your own fantasy.

Then go ahead.  Act on your convictions.  Follow them through with devotions and then reap the rewards.  You CAN accomplish anything you want in life.don’t have to be an artist to be creative.  Each moment of the day is creating your own self, becoming the person you want to be.