Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Know Your Spiritual Type!


Think of these survey questions as the first marks on a canvas. Like many quizzes pertaining to faith, this one traces the edges of your spiritual life and how you relate to the sacred. Yet this quiz also reminds us that we are all works in progress, that portraits begun in black and white come alive when we add color. We need space to change and grow, and ways to help us fill out our lives and move ever closer to the Holy.

Thus, your responses are not simply conclusions, they are beginning points for new discoveries, brilliant adventures and fruitful growth. In answering these 10 questions, you can both discern more clearly who you are, and discover new avenues for God's creative spirit to work within you.

Take the survey


My Spiritual Profile

I'm A Thinker

Thinkers are people who naturally connect with the Holy One through the use of their intellect. They want to clearly understand their faith and appreciate having logical explanations for what they are asked to believe. They will read and study, alone or with others, in order to better grasp the truth of their faith. They believe that God wants them to discover the order that may seem hidden in the more abstract aspects of religious faith. They seek to relate to the Holy One through thinking, study, and discussion. They tend to be more formal in their prayer. If they were to meet God face to face, they would want to discuss with God how they have come to understand their faith.

A good Scriptural example of a thinker was Paul. He had a keen and well-trained intellect and was able not only to understand the many layers of faith and spiritual development, but was able to skillfully teach them to others. He was fearless in confronting his enemies and persecutors because he was so confident that he could persuade others of the truth through well-reasoned thought.



Tuesday, July 8, 2008

The Good News in a Bad-News World


"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land."
Proverbs 25:25 (NIV)

This morning, as I was preparing breakfast for my family, I heard this news from the radio that the minimum fare on a jeepney here in the Philippines is now Php8.50 from last year's Php7.50 (which is already a pain in our pockets). Previous news about high inflation rate of 11.4 percent for the past 14 years, which already resulted higher cost of living, food and basic necessities. Also, some news of earthquake felt all over the Asian Region and here in the Philippines. Not only that, countless news about government corruption and anomalies and news of some evil doings of people (like bank robberies and a fetus found inside a basket by the church altar) everywhere! I asked myself, "Where are we going to?". As I opened my daily devotional book, "Today Can Be The Best Day Of Your Life" by Harold Sala, it made clear to me that these things, good or bad, happen for a reason, and that's why the Bible is called "The Good News" for even we are bombarded by lots of "Bad News" around us we can still rely with the "The Word of God" to quench our weary souls. Now, is it just a coincidence that I have read this entry today? Well, there is no coincidence with God, it's all carefully planned out!

Here, I share what is written on my devotional book under the date July 9:

A "BAD-NEWS" WORLD

"Good news gives health to the bones," wrote a wise man long ago (Proverbs 15:30). Yet, have you noticed how little real "good news" there is anymore? First - you probably awaken to the nerve-jarring buzz of an alarm clock. Getting dressed, you turn on the radio and hear about everything bad that has happened in the night. Pick up the morning newspaper and you get the local crime report. Watch television at the end of the day and you see the most recent war zone. Is there no good news anymore? It was not without reason that the writers of Scripture began to refer to the Gospel as "The Good News!" in a bad-news world.

It is good news because it tells you that God is concerned with your life! What a contrast to the reality of life today, which leaves you with the impression that there are few who care about what happens to you.

It is also good news in a bad-news world because the Bible says there is an end to the problems confronting our world. Reading the Bible's last chapter reveals that eventually the Prince of Peace will return to rule and reign. In the meatime, the peace of God can rule in my heart, no matter how much bad news confronts me every day.

The Bible is also good news in a bad-news world because it tells you that your life can be different. That is the best news of all. With God, there is forgiveness and help. You need not be a victim of failure and sin, or live in bondage to the hostilities that imprison. You can be a new person with a hope and a future.

Finally, it is very good news because the Bible says that God is in control. It says there is alimit to how far God will allow humanity to go and will eventually step in and say, "Gentlemen, That's enough." Try the Bible. It's the best news you will ever get.


Source: Today Can Be The Best Day Of Your Life (365 Guidelines for Daily Living) by Harold Sala

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Top Bible Verses (Most Popular)


Rank 1

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

Rank 2

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (NIV)

Rank 3

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (NIV)

Rank 4

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (NIV)

Rank 5

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (NIV)

Rank 6

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – (NIV)

Rank 7

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (NIV)

Rank 8

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (NIV)

Rank 9

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (NIV)

Rank 10

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (NIV)

Rank 20

Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again." (NIV)


Source: http://topverses.com/