Death is coming

The closer death creeps up upon me the less I am able to understand the reasons for life or living.

Yes I have experienced a close family member dying and unlike television it takes decades to handle such a thing. To think I am going to put my family through such a thing when I finally leave is more horrific to me than the thought of death itself.

My life was and is still a learning experience but when all said and done what am I to do with all this accumulated learning over my lifetime if I just die. There is no logic or reason to this.

Long ago I became aware that the God story that is sold to the majority is just a nice story to give mankind with a message of a basic layout of how nice life could be if everyone followed these ideas. Not many in life do and if one thinks about it the good and evil structures actually depend on each other. The good that can be experienced in life is only understood as good when there is it's opposite to compare it to. This is not rocket science only common sense in reality. I am not saying we need to experience bad but understanding in it is needed to appreciate the great things many of us can have in our lives. From birth to death there are many ways mankind helps his fellow man. How many ways can you help?


Friday, May 27, 2011

Thoughts On Divine Healing

By Wayne Sutton


Divine Healing is a prophetic promise - all through the Bible we see that God healed his people. Then, Jesus commanded us to do the same. Yes, we have been told to heal the sick. So, how can you experience and deliver divine healing? The first thing we must understand is that sickness is not from God. Sickness, disease, death, it is all from the enemy and this fact must be remembered. Too many people today believe that sickness is from God, and that he brings sickness to teach us or guide us. They believe that sickness glorifies God? So, lets examine the facts.

If sickness glorifies God, then why would we ever seek healing? If that were true then we should only seek further sickness, yes? Fire your doctor, throw out your medicines and vitamins, and pray for more disease. Of course, we would never tell people to follow this silly advise, yet we tell them sickness is from God? Ludicrous. God is love and he brings love and healing.

Also, if sickness brings glory to God, then Jesus robbed his father of the glory as he went forth and healed all of the sick. Also, Holy Spirit would also be guilty of robbing God of his glory by healing the sickness. God is not so desperate for "glory" that he has to destroy his people to gain it. Healing is good, and God is good! I am not trying to make it sound so simple, yet it is.

Jesus told us to go and heal the sick. He did not say, "heal the sick unless..." There were no requirements or clauses for healing. Just heal.

Healing is often misunderstood and people have a number of opinions on the subject. Yet, the foundation for all healing is faith. Faith is built on a foundation of what we believe, so if you have misguided beliefs, then it will be impossible to build a foundation of faith. It really is simple as your understanding that God is for you and not against you!

Need healing? Then first understand it is God's will that you are healed. If you doubt that, then healing will be difficult to receive. Ask Holy Spirit to give you revelation of his divine will for divine health and healing. Then simply receive - you have prayed, so rest in his promise and receive what the Lord has for you!

Want to minister healing to others? Then you MUST come to realize that divine healing is for you and for those you pray over. It is God's will to heal, and in the healing God will receive the glory he is due!




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What Makes Japanese Buddhist Art Special

By Takamitsu Hairi


Buddhist art actually originated in the Indian subcontinent. With the passage of years and communication with other cultures throughout Asia the religion and the art form expanded to other places including Japan.

The growth of the Buddhist religion and art was very fast in Asia. It entered all corners of the continent including northern, central, eastern and south-east Asia.

Before the arrival of Buddhism in Japan, various other cultures and movements had influenced the Japanese art. Especially the Kofun and Yoyoi times had a great impact on the culture and art style of Japan.

It was in the 6th century that Buddhism made its way to Japan. Missionary people made their way to the country with their scriptures and art work hoping to attract the uneducated masses. Today Japan stands as the largest Buddhist nation in the world. When Buddhism was vanishing in India it was picking up in Japan.

Following the arrival of the religion into the country Buddhist art began to flourish in various ways. The landscape was dotted with numerous monasteries and temples. Some of the most eminent buildings inspired by Buddhism are the Golden Hall of the Horyuki, the five story pagoda and the Kofuku-ji temple in the city of Nara.

Buddhist art also improved in the form of paintings and statues. The government was engaged in sponsoring a lot of artists in order to create numerous paintings and sculptures. The art of the time concentrated on realism and had a very graceful attraction. This was the result of Korean, Chinese and Hellenistic impacts that had come together to form a unique style.

The period ranging from the 8th century through to the 13th century witnessed Buddhist art develop to a great extent. The Nara period as well as the Heian and Kamakura period is known for their Buddhist art. The Japanese artists developed rich figurative art that was used in order to depict their deities. Hindu and Shinto influence were also apparent in such works. In general Buddhist art appeared to be extremely varied but at the same time very innovative and bold.

The time period after the thirteenth century saw a transition from the orthodox Buddhist art towards Zen art. This was the philosophy introduced into Japan through the Eisai and Dogen on their return trip from China. A host of original pottery and paintings reflecting their desire to reveal the true meaning of life can be found belonging to this time period. Other art forms like Ikebana and martial arts also sprung up during these times.

An overwhelming number of Buddhist temples, reaching up to 80,000, can be found in Japan today. Most of these temples had been repaired a lot in order to preserve them.




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