Temptations draw on your weakness. But, Satan did not take the fruit and put it in Eve’s mouth. He can tempt but he cannot force. Adam and Eve were totally responsible for their actions. When God allows temptation, He is going after what remains of your “lust.” You will continue to be tempted until the last roots of that lust are destroyed.

Dans la série des co-branding originales, voici venus Sega et Lucozade ! Le plus speed des hérissons s’allie avec la boisson énergisante pour permettre à James Richards de figurer dans le Guiness World Records. Ainsi, ce dernier a pu démontrer tous ses talents au Golden Joystick Awards à Londres le 30 Octobre dernier. Il a terminé le premier niveau de “Sonic the Hedgehog 2″ en 22 secondes sur PS3 et Xbox 360. C’est donc 2 world records !

Source : http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/sonic-the-hedgehog-2-xbox-live-arcade/news/sonic-boomer/a-20091105104517124017/g-20070917102514223084

She is an amazing singer, so distinct and her songs are just genius. I think my favorite is this one.

Etta James – There Is No Greater Love

Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

The Daily Path: Peter, Andrew, James and John. Four men, who, with nothing more than an invitation, immediately surrendered their lives to follow Christ.

Room To Chat: Lord, show me the way. Let the example of your disciples resonate in my mind and heart. Fill me with your grace.

So here it is! Twilight Bargains for Christmas. Great items your Twilighter is going to absolutely LOVE!!

Twilight Music Box – Click here to purchase

New Moon Prop “Replica” Ring

Twilight Bag!

More to come!!

When a Los Angeles hairstylist accepted a collect call from a customer, she had no idea it would run more than $45.

And no idea that’s just what collect calls from pay phones cost in the mobile age.

Barbara James gladly accepted the call from 84-year-old client Pat Devine, who said she was running late and called from a pay phone because her cell phone had died.

James’ bill from Network Communications International showed about $37 for the quick call, about $5 in regulatory fees and taxes, and about $3 for a “billing cost recovery fee.”

NCIC president Bill Pope says the tiny number of collect calls makes such prices inevitable.

Federal Communications Commission spokeswoman Rosemary Kimball says collect calls are largely unregulated since most major companies left the business.

Finally! I cant believe it took this long for James Morrison and Nelly Furtado to hook up and do this song together.

MG

Lebron James, (born December 30, 1984) the current MVP of 2008-2009 season is a very gifted professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. The guy can play with a lot of intensity, power and energy. Lebron James view of the court is the same as an eagle eye that knows where and how to pass the ball with exact accuracy. He’s a very consistent and clever player that knows the opponents offense and defense. I miss the times when Michael Jordan was playing for Chicago Bulls and I see myself this time as exciting as it was during the days back in the 90’s in the name of no other than the “The King”.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of good players in the NBA but you know when you witness one. I’m an avid fan of Lebron James and I personally enjoy watching him and the Cavaliers team and at times even getting emotional when they lost. He works intensely to get into the ground he is in right now and the thing is he gets more valuable and effectively each and every year leading the Cavaliers to the Finals. I can’t criticize the guy, he just wants a championship ring for his team and for the Cleveland.

His career has been fortunate with a bunch of good people sorrounding him. He is just getting started but it seemed like he’s been in the league long enough. He is physically gifted and standing at 6′8″ 250 lbs. can make any point guard look like a midget and neophyte with his agility and athletic ability to dribble the ball. You don’t witness that very often in the league. His will power to score and dominate the game is enough to crash the opponent mentally and physically. Basketball is not a one man show but this guy always put on a show and a show to commemorate that once in a lifetime we witness this gifted young man to inspire us not forever but for a very little while.

Lebron James can jump high and dunk the ball to the ring like any other athlete in basketball but what makes him unique is his capacity to drive the ball with a lot of concentration and will power to score and win. He is an jack of all trades athlete that you can depend on with a good mindset and attitude. Attitiude is what separates a athlete from the rest. His solid leadership is in the right directionwith the help of his fellow players. He makes his fellow players better and make them feel like they belong to the team.

I can only speak for Lebron James and not to discredit the achievements of remarkable athletes like Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Magic Johnson and the greatest player of all time Michael Jordan just to name a few. I wish I was born during those days but I’m just very fortunate to witness a young gifted man like him.

Sunday 29th November 2009

Sunday Sunday!!!

I had a long lie in AND it’s shit weather outside! Happy.
Dragged myself to the gym, as of tomorrow I Start running again, then swim, off to work and weights at night with muff.
News a goal, need something to push me!

But as for today I am treating someone to a mcdonalds and a day of watching family guy!

Ohh a bit of hail just fell on me!
BRING ON THE SNOW!!!!

I am all for people from other country’s working in the uk (well sort of) but when the person behind the counter at McDonalds can’t under stand any English and manages to mess up my order THREE TIMES then the manage f*ucks it upfor a FOURTH TIME!! Mcdonalds need to tighten up their recruitment system! Just my thoughts.

Got our McD’s and headed back fo the flat. te that then we headed out to Oldmeldrum. Had a relaxing afternoon just watching Family Guy then xfactor.

Was winding my mum up, she left her Facebook on so as her son I thought I will type a few thoughts

“I’m a bumble Bee”

21:30 and we are heading back to Aberdeen. I plan to finish House then get an early night with my book. I pLan to be up at 7am.

I have been thinking lot about traveling. I really would love to spend a year traveling Rural China. Would love to learn the language. Need to start making goals.

Start Modern-Image fulltime again next week. Can not wait to put my all in to it again. Plan on doing a lot more of my own photography so expect to see daily photograhs soon.

With traveling Being in my head I have today uploaded a photograph I took at Tiger Temple in Thailand. This monk owns a tiger sanctuary. An amazing man and true heart for helping wildlife.

http://www.tigertemple.org/Eng/index.php

Hi Guys & Girls

What follows is mainly a copy and paste of a comment I recently posted today on the Facebook wall of hypnotist Alan Whitton in reply to a comment made towards me by James Rolph aka James Tripp…

This may very well be my final ever attempt to HELP ALL UK HYPNOTIST’S AND THAT INCLUDES – Stage Hypnotists and also of course Street Hypnotists and even those magicians who want to LEGALLY add a little hypnosis to their acts whether stage or close-up…

It’s up to you, if you’d like to discover the final 25% of the information that you truly need in order to be 100% Legal, Licensed, Insured and to ensure that even for STREET HYPNOSIS you are operating 100% LEGALLY and within the law at all times then take this final chance to post a comment reply to this blog posting making it clear that you would truly like to know more about how to be LEGAL – INSURED & SAFE…

Oh and make it clear that you have looked in detail at the web links in this posting (especially the one at number 6)….

If enough of you comment positively and demonstrate that your ready to learn the truth, that your ready to discover how to do Stage and Street Hypnosis without  potentially harming your subjects and without breaking any laws then leave a comment to let me know that your ready for the final 25% of information that you do need to know and perhaps, just perhaps if enough of you show an interest I may consider setting aside the time in 2010 to sit down and write up EVERYTHING that you’ll ever need to know..

You’ll need to get a lot of your colleagues to leave comments here also for me to even consider writing up such a book, as believe me its cost me thoushands of pounds in time and money to have Solicitors check out my reseach, to do the research myself and of course also the costs involved in finding companies who will actually insure such activities at a price all can afford, rather than £700 – £1K which is what the average UK Stage Hypnosis insurance costs (BUT YES I CAN GET THE SAME COVERAGE MUCH – MUCH CHEAPER)..

And ~YES I can get coverage for UK STREET HYPNOSIS when the Street Hpynosis is done LAWFULLY (as I would reveal in such a book should I decide to write it in 2010)

Get those comments in now as to compile such a publication would take me many months and even if I started writing now I guess it would not hit the marketplace until around August 2010…

But REMEMBER as yet I’ve not decided to do this, in fact to be honest based on the comments, attacks and backlash I’ve had so far to my postings trying to help people to become LEGAL – SAFE & INSURED I am actually inclined not to waste my time on such a project..       

Anyhow heres the copy and paste of what I posted on Alan Whitton’s Facebook Wall today…  

Jame’s, in case your so busy that you’ve missed all the FREE information I’ve given out over recent weeks concerning Street Hypnosis, Laws, Licenses and INsurance etc then perhaps you should check out all these links ALL ADVICE IS 100% FREE.. You don’t have to buy anything…..

01) http://roylehypnotist.wordpress.com/

 02) http://www.metacafe.com/watch/3249046/street_hypnosis_in_uk_is_illegal_plastic_reality_dangers/

 03) http://roylehypnotist.wordpress.com/the-very-real-dangers-of-street-hypnosis-reality-is-plastic-the-manchurian-approach-anthony-jacquin-zap-street-trance-other-things-such-as-hypno-attack-encouraing-people-sometimes-unk/

 04) http://roylehypnotist.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/what-does-ken-webster-the-chairman-of-the-federation-of-ethical-stage-hypnotists-fesh-think-about-illegal-and-dangerous-street-hypnotists/

 05) http://roylehypnotist.wordpress.com/the-very-real-dangers-of-street-hypnosis-reality-is-plastic-the-manchurian-approach-anthony-jacquin-zap-street-trance-other-things-such-as-hypno-attack-encouraing-people-sometimes-unk/

AND IF YOU DON’T READ ANY OF THE ABOVE (WHICH YOU SHOULD) -

Then at the very least do yourself and the general public a huge favour and read every word of this FREE infomration

06) http://roylehypnotist.wordpress.com/stage-street-hypnosis-the-laws-regualtions-red-tape-legal-insurance-issues-surrounding-such-things-as-the-manchurian-approach-street-trance-zap-hypnotism-inductions-a/

 The stuff at above link is still only around 75% of what you all need to know to be legal, licensed, insured and OPERATE LAWFULLY as a stage and street hypnotist, indeed the Licensing Act 2003 (and other laws) have altered some of the above, some things are now easier and many are harder to do legally,

But and this is a big but if I ever decide to reveal on a large basis how to lawfully and legally do street & stage hypnosis 100% legally and insured in the present climate and based on current laws, I’d only ever do so for people who have first an understanding and acceptance of the information imparted above (ESPECIALLY THAT AT LINK NUMBER SIX)

To date I have only revealed that other 25% of information to my very high paying (and I mean high paying) personal one ot one students and those who I have advised for TV shows and such like.

But if I keep getting responses like this (from James Rolph/Tripp and others) then I most likely will never reveal the other 25% and to be honest its that 25% that makes the difference and that difference is being insured and legal as both a stage and even street (yes even on the street) hypnotist..

Currently I’d stake my life on it that no UK Street Hypnotist has the correct insurance, and I’d stake my life on it that they are currently (up to now at least) breaking the law in many manners….

If only they’d get a full understanding of THE FREE INSIGHT’S above, take it on board and then respect the fact that I am trying to help everyone in the industry then, well then I might seriously consider revealing that other 25%

- the 25% which would make you all insured, licensed and legal..

In otherwords the actions of some (James for example) are just convincing me more and more that I have been wasting my time trying to help everyone.

It also amazes me that despite the evidence I have put forward at the above links (read every word and also all of the comments I make after each of the postings) including letters from Local UK Councils, The Chairman of The Federation of Ethical Stage Hpynotists, Copies of actual Hypnosis Laws and much more, that many still are DENYING THE VERY REAL TRUTH of what I have stated and on many forums still INCORRECTLY feel that Street Hypnosis is Legal in UK

THE SIMPLE FACT IS – It’s not Legal in UK to do either Stage or Street Hypnosis anywhere without the correct License/Permission from Local Authority, Without having the correct insurance (and its very different for Street work than stage where insurance is concerned)…

THE TRUTH IS – That potentially breaking such laws and doing Street Hypnosis incorrectly could lead to you being found guilty of CRIMINAL ASSAULT and negligence..

It was my intention to perhaps explain this all further and in-depth so that everyone can put the information to use in order to operate LEGALLY and LAWFULLY at all times, however frankly why should I keep revealing all this information 100% FREE of any Charges, when it seems most are simply ignoring the very real truths that are in front of their face…     

BOTTOM LINE – THIS IS EVERYONE’S LAST CHANCE

I truly desire to help everyone involved in this industry operate in a 100% Legal & Lawful manner whereby (where legally required) they have in place all of the correct licenses/permissions, abvide by all relevant laws and health & safety best practice and are also insured for their activities.

I have this desire to a) protect the general public at large and b) to protect the industry and prevent any negative media articles or legal trials against UK hypnotists occuring in the future..

Indeed on many levels the Legal (and other) information I have to impart is also relevant to Europe, America and Australia on some levels, yes indeed I want to help, but as Doctors often say YOU CAN’T HELP PEOPLE UNLESS THEY WANT TO BE HELPED…

So before I give up completely on my quest to HELP (and thats why I’ve been giving away so much valuable information for free) I’ll give you all one last chance to show that you WANT TO BE HELPED by simply leaving a comment reply to this blog posting to indicate that it would be worth my many months of work to do such for everyones benefit.

Cheers

Jonathan (Alex Smith) Royle

PS: BE WARNED – It will take a lot of you to convince me to reveal this information, I’m not being funny but Lot’s of you have been attacking my me both on my blog comments here and also on forums etc so it will take some serious convincing for me to be convinced to change my mind which currently to be honest has all but given up on the idea of trying to help you all.

PPS: You can find me on facebook as “Jonathan Royle” and also under my private name of “Alex William Smith” – I’ve jus thought what would be best is for you to JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK and leave a comment on my Facebook Wall confirming that YOU WANT ME TO REVEAL THE EXTRA 25% which will enable all Stage and Street Hypnotists to OPERATE 100% LEGALLY & LAWFULLY anytime, anyplace, anywhere (and that means anywhere in the world)….

Yes JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK and leave a comment on my wall and if enough of you do that and also enough of you leave positive comments in reply to this blog posting then I may seriously consider revealing that final 25% inlcuding the cheapest sources for THE CORRECT insurance cover for Stage & Street Hpynosis Work…

Avatar an upcoming 3-D science fiction epic film directed by James Cameron, due to be released on December 16, 2009 by 20th Century Fox. The film is Lightstorm Entertainment’s latest project, and focuses on an epic conflict on a far-away world called Pandora, where humans and the native species of Pandora, the Na’vi, engage in war over the planet’s resources and existence.

The film will be released in 2D and 3D formats, along with an IMAX 3D release in selected theaters. The film is being touted as a breakthrough in terms of filmmaking technology, for its development of 3D viewing and stereoscopic filmmaking with cameras that were specially designed for the film’s production,  and has already been slated for two awards.

Filmed at an cost of $500 million. The most expensive movie made till date.

Related post;

Top 6 most expensive movies made till date.

James 5:13-20, “Let Us Pray”
——————

How’s your prayer life? Prayer tends to be one of those things that everyone knows they ought to do often, but rarely get around to doing it. We see the examples of the early church in prayer – we read of Paul’s exhortation to “pray without ceasing” & we think, “Great! That’s exactly what I want to do…later.” After all, we’ve got work to do now; we can pray when we’ve got the spare time. Wrong! Prayer IS the work we’ve been called to & as James closes out his epistle, we find it’s one of the most consistent primary things that we as a Church are supposed to do.

The letter to this point has been a wonderful (if convicting) book of faith in action – what our Christian faith looks like practically. We’ve been exhorted to change our attitude concerning trials – to be doers of the word & not hearers only – to beware of prejudice & favoritism – to put our faith into action – to tame our tongues – to avoid friendship with the world & wars among each other – to not judge, boast, nor oppress – and to be patient & prepared for the Lord’s soon return. There’s been much exhortation of to do & what not to do & James finishes off with one final exhortation to pray. In fact, the end of the letter comes so abruptly, it’s almost as if James is saying, “No – I’m not going to send any other greetings or niceties to you. You need to pray, so get to praying already!”

We’re to pray at all times in all circumstances (as we’ll see) – and whether our need is for physical healing or spiritual restoration, we’re to take our requests before the Lord & be fervent in our prayers. Consistent fervent prayers lead to miraculous answers – whether we recognize them as such or not.

James 5:13-20 (NKJV)
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.

A. Seems obvious…if you’re suffering, then we ought to pray. But it’s precisely because it’s so obvious that we need to be reminded of it. Too often, we overlook prayer. We’ll pick up books for counsel, search the internet, pick up the phone to call friends – all of which can be good & helpful – but none of which ought to be our first resource. Through Christ Jesus we’ve been given bold access to the throne of God – we’ve been adopted as the children of our Heavenly Father who is the Omnipotent Almighty God. When facing suffering, why would we go to battle with a squirt gun when we’ve been given access to Someone infinitely more powerful? Pray!

B. Two striking things about this statement:
__a. Suffering is assumed to exist within the Church. James isn’t surprised by the suffering, nor does he chastise the Christian for experiencing it; he simply tells us how to deal with the suffering. Some so-called ‘preachers’ today give the idea that if we were truly spiritual, we’d never suffer – or we’d overcome it in an instant with the right word or action. To put it mildly, that’s simply false. Christians DO suffer – we’re even told that there is a fellowship of Christ’s sufferings as we’re conformed to His image (Phil 3:10). If our Lord suffered, we ought to expect to go through the same.
__b. There’s no promise given as a result of prayer; we’re just told to pray. IOW, just because we pray doesn’t mean we stop suffering… Indeed, sometimes God has a purpose to our trials & sufferings – goes back to how James began the epistle in Ch 1. [BIBLE: James 1:2-4] What’s the practical method by which we can count it all joy in the midst of trials? Prayer! When it hurts, we go to God & put ourselves at His feet asking for the grace of Christ Jesus. …

C. Question, if the suffering doesn’t necessarily stop, what’s the purpose of prayer? Prayer DOES indeed have an effect (as we’ll see later today) – but sometimes what’s most needed through prayer (by the hand of God) is NOT immediate relief, but rather strength & power to endure.
.

…Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

A. Not only is prayer necessary to the Church, so is praise! Praise is actually an essential part of prayer as we take our joys & thankfulness to the Lord. Most of us have fallen into the trap of making our prayer time a spiritual “laundry list” when (as much as we would argue otherwise) the focus is on us & not on God. “Lord, give ME ___, I need ____, Do ____ for ME…” We may have started & ended the prayer muttering God’s name, but the content was all about us! One of the wonderful things about praise is that it helps us keep the right priority in prayer…our focus shifts directly to God & gives Him the praise through Jesus Christ.
__a. Just as we need to be reminded to pray in our suffering, we also need a reminder to praise in our cheerfulness. Do we remember to give God the praise in our good times?

B. Singing the psalms is a wonderful response to God as we express our cheerful gratitude. Why singing? Because sometimes words fall short. Our ideas might be expressed, but our heart is constrained…songs let loose our emotions in joyful praise. The Greek doesn’t specifically reference the psalms – any song of worship could be included in this. Remember that Psalms was basically the worship hymnal of the Hebrews & the early church. … The Psalms (among all songs) are especially good for their theological truth & depth – but whatever song you sing, sing it to express your grateful heart to the Lord.
.

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

A. As with suffering, sickness is also assumed to exist within the Church…it’s simply part of living in a fallen world. The Lord Jesus may have healed all who came in contact with Him, but there were many who remained sick after He ascended to God (Paul mentions several in his letters & he himself was afflicted – despite his gifts of healing.) There will be a time when sickness will be completely done away with – but that’s a heavenly expectation; not an earthly one.

B. So what to do when we get sick? 1st, pray! Get the elders involved & pray for healing & intercession. We need to get past the idea that Christianity is a go-it-alone faith – the Scripture repeatedly calls us the “Body of Christ” & one of the obvious aspects of a body is that every member is dependent upon the other. Instead of suffering through sickness & weakness alone, we ought to call upon each other (in this case the elders) for prayer & seek God together. Not because there’s any “magic number” of elders, or that God won’t listen if we pray alone – but simply because that’s what the word of God tells us to do.

C. 2nd, anoint with oil. Throughout the Scriptures, we see the use of oil as a picture of the Holy Spirit – whether it was for the consecration of the priests (the oil ran down Aaron’s beard – Ps 133:2), or the anointing of the king (David – 1 Sam 16:33), or in the parable of the 10 virgins (Matt 25) – James’ thought is right in line with this. Many scholars tend to think this had more to do with medicinal value than anything else, as rubbing someone with oil was a common way to treat illness at the time & bring refreshment (per Mark 6:13). The modern equivalent might be to pray & then take someone to the doctor.
__a. Going to the doctor is NOT a sign of a lack of faith! … God routinely uses doctors today in ways that would have been considered supernatural miracles in Biblical times. This isn’t something we ought to take for granted; rather we ought to thank God that He has mercifully revealed this knowledge to our generation! Every good & perfect gift comes from our Heavenly Father & modern medical science is no exception…
__b. Is there any reason to think that the anointing mentioned here has more intended than just only medicine? Yes. It’s done “in the name of the Lord” – and there’s an expected result. See vs. 15…
.

15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

A. Note that the anointing with oil is inextricably linked to prayer…i.e., it’s not the oil that does the work, it’s God. Whether it’s used as medicine, or as an act of faith as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, when a person is anointed with oil & healed, the healing is always due to the work of the Lord. Thus we seek HIM in all things through prayer. People are not healed according to how loudly & often Isaiah 53:5 is quoted (“by His stripes we are healed”); that would be a work of man – the prayer of faith seeks God Himself & God is the One Who gives the healing.
__a. ALL healing ultimately comes from the Lord…be it miraculous or ‘natural.’ Even at the most basic of all levels, our bodies have been designed to heal themselves from cuts, viruses, bacteria & more…and our designer is none other than the Lord God.

B. Two promises given: “WILL save the sick” “WILL raise him up” — are these promises or general principles? When God wills it to happen, it’s definitely a promise! What happens when that doesn’t happen? Note the word used here: “save” – contextually, it could definitely refer to physical healing, but the NT has a much broader use for the word overall. Could be physical, could be eternal salvation, could be any sort of deliverance. It’d be a mistake to limit it to only a physical cure for illness. Perhaps because of prayers of the church, the suffering person is granted the strength to endure his/her trial. Perhaps the best healing is our ultimate healing as we look forward to our resurrection in Christ Jesus. So do we pray for physical healing? Absolutely! God is the Master Physician. But in the end, we pray in faith, and leave the results to God.

C. Notice the other “healing” that takes place: spiritual healing. Just as we go to the Lord in prayer for sickness of the body, we also go to the Lord in prayer for sickness of the spirit – and through Jesus Christ, we have forgiveness of sins. The word “sick” could technically be translated “weak” which can be true of us both physically & spiritually, and the only One who can bring healing here is the Lord.
__a. Keep in mind this is by far our more important need – no matter how physically ill we might be. [BIBLE: Mark 2:5-12] There are likely some here today who have sought God for physical healing, but have never gone to Jesus for forgiveness of sin. You’re missing what’s most important! Humble yourself before Jesus today & ask Him to forgive your sins & be your Lord – God wants to address that 1st before anything else in your life.
.

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

A. What’s to be combined with prayer when seeking healing? Confession. We tend to think of “confession” as something that only Catholics do in a small booth separated by a small window from a priest. Not the case…confession is a healthy practice for all Christians to maintain. And since Scripture makes it clear we are a holy priesthood of believers in Christ (1 Pet 2:5), we can follow the example of James and confess our trespasses to “one another.” We don’t need an ordination or license to hear a confession; we just need a heart that is submitted to the Lord Jesus!
__a. Is there any particular person we could confess to? Sure – the one we sinned against! To air ‘dirty laundry’ in front of a crowd of people can cause more harm than good. A good measure of confession is to ensure it matches the extent of the sin. If the sin was committed in the midst of a group, the person should go to the group & confess – if it was committed against an individual, the confession should go to the individual.

B. What exactly IS confession? Simply agreeing with God that sin is indeed sin. It’s not some rite or certain memorized statement that is recited without thought; it’s simply telling God (and contextually here, others) that we’ve sinned. Like the prodigal son confessing to his father, “I’ve sinned against heaven & in your sight & am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Luke 15:21) – it’s simple & to the point. Confession is NOT making excuses for yourself or blaming others; it’s admitting you’ve done wrong & accepting the blame. [2-3-4 principle]
__a. Can a lack of confession hold back healing? Apparently so. Both vs. 15 and 16 seem to come to this conclusion. The Bible shows us many examples of Jesus healing the sick in His earthly ministry. Sometimes the sickness was linked with sin; other times it specifically was not.
____i. Sickness with sin: Man by pool of Bethesda – Jesus caused him to walk, yet warned him to “sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” (John 5:14)
____ii. Sickness without sin: Blind man – the disciples were questioning Jesus regarding whose sin (his own or his parents) had caused him to go blind. Jesus responded it was neither his parents nor him, but this was allowed “that the works of God should be revealed in him.” (John 9:3)
__b. Bottom line? Don’t withhold confession. Whether your sickness is or is not linked to sin in your life is only known by God – but if you DO have unconfessed sin (ongoing sin that isn’t dealt with before the Lord), then by all means confess it & be done with it! 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. []

C. Again, just as with anointing with oil, confession is linked to prayer. Prayer is at the heart of a healthy church! … People often ask if prayer actually does anything. After all, we’re supposed to be seeking the will of God. If His will ‘will’ be done, then what’s the purpose of us voicing our requests to God? …Let’s look at the bigger picture: there’s a HUGE difference between God’s predestination (God’s election of us as Christians) & fatalistic determination (mechanistic workings of the universe). Those are big words & hotly debated topics []. Suffice to say that in whatever way God’s sovereign predestination factors into our own salvation (and much is a mystery), it does not follow that we are set into motion like robots & no matter what we do, it’ll always be the will of God. Why else does God continually call out for us to repent? There are some things we do that are absolutely outside of the will of God; that’s why it’s called a “trespass” or “sin.” He may have allowed it to take place, but that does not mean it was His perfect will for you to do it & God certainly did not cause us to sin…our sin is rightfully our own fault of doing things apart from His will. ‘So what – how does that apply to prayer?’ So that means neither we nor God are robots fatalistically playing out what has already been scripted for us to do. Prayer can & does actually have an effect – if for no other reason, simply because God says it does. It “avails much!”
__a. [Abraham & God & Sodom – Gen 18] [Moses interceding for Israel re: golden calf & God relenting – Ex 32:14]
__b. Keep in mind that God invites us to pray… At the most basic level, we pray because our Lord & King invites us to do so! Prayer is not a “have to”; it’s a “get to!”

D. Note the qualifications on prayer. Prayer that avails is:
__a. “Effective, fervent”: One word in the Greek – but the two words here give the sense. ἐνεργέω (‘energy’) = “activity” – that which is productive in its work. (Guzik) “Much of our prayer is not effective simply because it is not fervent. It is offered with a lukewarm attitude that virtually asks God to care about something that we care little about. Effective prayer must be fervent, not because we must emotionally persuade a reluctant God, but because we must gain God’s heart by being fervent for the things He is fervent for.”
__b. Comes from a righteous man/woman of God: Contextually, this seems to refer to one who had already confessed his/her sins & dealt with them before God. Thus they can pray with a clean conscience. More broadly, it’s speaking about Christians. What would be the point in taking a prayer request to an unbeliever? It’d be a waste of words – the one prayer they can make to God would be for their own salvation!
.

- Example of effective, fervent, righteous prayer:
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

A. Context: 1 Kings 17-18. God sent a drought to discipline King Ahab – after 3 years Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal, God shows His power & a mini-revival breaks out. Afterwards, God sends the rain at Elijah’s prayer.

B. The point? Elijah was one of the mightiest prophets in all history – he even stood at the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses & Jesus. But in the end, he was just a man like us. He was just a sinner in need of the grace of Jesus, just like the rest of us – Elijah simply submitted himself to God & saw God use him mightily. Question: Is James saying we can control the weather patterns? … No. God is certainly not incapable of doing the same thing today through a believer as He did through Elijah (God’s arm is not shortened!); but James’ point isn’t a prescription for us to go out & do the same thing with the weather (there was a very specific context & culture involved with Elijah) – it’s to go out & do the same thing with prayer. We’re to be earnest with our prayers…
.

19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

A. Not really a new topic – just a continuation of what James has already linked with prayer. This time, instead of confession on the part of the sinner, James looks at the role of those who seek to restore the one in sin… … Very similar to what Paul addresses in Galatians 6…
__a. Scholars differ in their interpretations here – some see a clear reference to believers who have backslidden & wandered from God; others see a clear reference to a false convert who needs the gospel for his soul to be saved. Good arguments can be made for either point! Perhaps it’s best to see this as a “both/and” scenario. Only “brethren” can “wander from the truth” & only an unregenerate “sinner” still needs his “soul” to be saved from death. Both exhibit the same symptoms: they are people who once were in good standing with the church but fell away into sin. Both require the same solution: repentance towards Jesus Christ. The born-again brother is reconciled & restored; the false-convert is saved. Let God work out the end result; we simply need to plead with people to be reconciled to Him.
__b. With all this in mind, we also need to remember James’ instructions from Ch 4:11-12…we’re not to wrongfully or spitefully judge one another. There are some issues that are crystal clear (someone committing outright fornication); there are other issues that are not. We need to stay to the clear cut truth of the Scriptures & not additionally impose our own personal preferences upon someone else. Ultimately that brother or sister answers to God & not to us.

B. What does it mean that someone could be saved from death? For the backslidden Christian, it means simply that – the results of their sin could kill them. This isn’t a reference to someone potentially losing their salvation; it’s a reference to the physical consequence that often follows a lifestyle of sin. How are the “multitude of sins” covered? In the same way. When a person stops sinning, they forego the sins they would have otherwise committed… For the false convert, it’s much broader – their soul truly is saved from eternal death!

C. When sin is confronted, the goal is ALWAYS restoration!

Conclusion:
So Church, let us PRAY! Fervent prayer leads to miraculous results. Whether it’s physical or emotional healing, reconciliation with one another, or repentance & restoration to God Himself – all of those things are miracles because none of those things happen outside of the supernatural workings of God. … So if all of these good gifts come from our Heavenly Father (Jas 1:17), and if we have not because we ask not (Jas 4:2), may we be quick to ask! May we be a praying church – quick to hit our knees in praise of the Lord & intercession for others.

When do we pray?
A. In times of suffering
B. In times of celebration
C. In times of sickness
D. In times of sin

It’s during those times of sin that we need to be especially fervent. If we’re the ones sinning, may we be quick to confess… … If we see a brother or sister sinning, may we love them enough to seek a gentle restoration…

Hej alla!

Igår var det lördag, och självklart hade vi fest som vanligt!
Jakob hade några kompisar på besök så det var från början ombytta roller på syskonen Lind. (Det brukar ju vara Jakob som är ensam kille bland massa tjejer, men denna gången fick jag känna på hur det kändes att vara “ensam”)

Jakob och James

Jag var riktigt glad, hehe..

Henke, kvällens dj

James kompis från Borås

Lite senare på kvällen kom Johanna och Line



Glada

Per lyckades hitta hit också

Love you, J

Vi lämnade lägenheten vid tolvtiden. Först gick vi till ett ställe här på Grünerlökka, vilket visade sej vara väldigt misslyckat! Det här är fel sida av stan för mej att gå ut på. Det är ofräscht, mörkt, billigt och det bara skriker lowclass! Noup, jag gilllar det inte alls. Vi gick in och ut med en gång.
Så det var bara att hoppa in i en taxi och åka in till centrum.
Nu kände jag mej mer som hemma. Hehe. Vi gick till ett ställe som kanske inte är mitt favoritställe direkt. Men vi har alltid kul där. Yatzi gick vi till.

James och Jakob väl ute på krogen.

Johanna

Lyckades hitta några affärsmens Vipbord och kände oss väldigt välkomna att slå oss ner. Hehe.

Syskonen Lind

Kvällen slutade med en cheeseburgare! Mumsfillibabba! Kul kväll! Längtar redan till nästa lördag!

Kings Arsenal have pulled out of this evening’s game against Team Choc Ice after losing nine players to injury or suspension.

The Kings had salvaged a five man team, but were down to just three on Sunday morning prompting captain Mark Tinklin to throw in the towel.

Powerful defender James Britton dislocated his knee in a bike accident on Friday night and all-action striker Luke Tinklin also has a knee injury.

Of the nine absentees that had decimated the Kings Arsenal line-up five were due to problematic knees.

The highly rated five a-sider Ben Wall was all set to make his Kings Arsenal bow, having starred for Mark’s uni team, but the side were down to just two recognised squad members.

The no-show will result in a 3-0 loss and a £35 fine.

Next up is Non Sensible Soccer in a 6.20 kick-off.

James Coury
844 Cornwall Ave.
Cheshire, CT 06410

Warning: Some of the writings of James A. Coury are lewd. By reading, You agree to hold harmless the site creator.

Another excellent TED Talk by James Balog. This is the shocking truth about the climate change situation right NOW. Wake-up those who are still disputing the scientific evidence and making this a political issue!

James Balog’s latest work, the Extreme Ice Survey, captures the twisting, soaring forms of threatened wild ice.

To see the natural world through James Balog’s lens is to see it as an artist would — through fresh eyes, as if for the first time, with no preconceived notions. His photos of jungle animals, for instance, are arresting in their directness, simplicity, even sensuality. His subjects assume the same weight and importance as a human portrait sitter, and demand (as a human subject would) that the viewer engage with them rather than simply spectate.

His newest work is no less powerful, no less engaging — and it carries an urgent message. For several years, Balog has been going up north to shoot the half-alive ice of the mammoth glaciers for his Extreme Ice Survey, a look at the shocking effects of abrupt climate change in Alaska, Greenland and Iceland. Soaring, dripping, glowing and crumbling, arctic ice under Balog’s eye requires the viewer to engage.

A new Nova/PBS TV special and a new book, Extreme Ice Now, are helping him spread the word that this glorious world is degrading at a speed we couldn’t imagine until we saw it through his eyes.

“Each new series by James Balog represents a quantum leap in creativity, which takes us deeper into the ultimate mystery of humanity’s relationship to the natural world.”

James Nachtwey, photographer and TED Prize winner

http://www.ted.com/talks/james_balog_time_lapse_proof_of_extreme_ice_loss.html

So tomorrow is the last day of our “vacation”.  I’m sad to see it end, but I’ve been so lazy that I think I need to get back to work in order to feel like I’m on some sort of schedule.  I could seriously sleep myself to death because when I don’t have something that needs to be done and I have the option to not do it, I sometimes am taken over by The Lazy, which results in me laying down and sleeping the day away.  It’s nice for a little while, but then you start to feel like a real bum.  It’s lame.

Today was another nice [read:  lazy] day.  We were going to go into NYC but James’ stomach started hurting badly, so we stayed back at Pat/Marisa’s & just relaxed.  James’ parents went to get some Five Guys take-out for us, then we just took a nap.  Yes, a nap.  Soooo lazy.  But don’t judge – it’s my damn vacation and I can do what I please!  When we finally got up, James’ parents came to get us and we went to see “The Men Who Stare At Goats”.  I thought it was a decent film.  I had heard some negative reviews, but I try not to let that cloud my judgement when going to see a movie.  It was very different.  It had elements of a comedy, drama, and indie film, all rolled into one.  After that, we went to the Tick Tock Diner in Clifton, NJ for some eats.  Had an awesome chocolate milkshake there.  It really hit the spot!

Now James & I are chilling at Pat/Marisa’s with their doggies [Einstein & Tesla].  Pat’s at work & Risa is out with a friend who is visiting from FL.  James is reading one of their bagillion comic books [Risa works for DC Comics, so it's to be expected.]  I’m just surfing & blogging, like I tend to do.  It’s nice and relaxing.

Random sidenote:  I’ve noticed that my face has been a lot clearer in the past weeks, and I read something in a magazine that explains something that might have to do with it – drinking green tea.  I knew that green tea has antioxidents in it that make it so good for you, but I think that drinking so much of it [specifically Wegman's Just Tea green tea - it's the best beverage on the planet!] has helped my skin a lot.  I don’t think that’s all of it – I’ve been using Neutrogena On-The-Spot acne treatment daily, and have been washing my face in the am and before bed.  Those things combined have helped me achieve better-looking skin.  So yeah, that makes me feel pretty good.  Now I just want to lose a few pounds.  When I’m back home, I’m going to get back to my workout grind in a hardcore way, so I guess I should mentally prepare myself now!