Mysterious Meanings of God’s Name

If you look up God’s name in ancient Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament, you might be surprised at what you find.

Ancient Hebrew was what I would call a picto-metaphoric language. It was constructed of little pictures that are similar to hieroglyphics. Every letter was a picture, and the meaning of every word was based on the metaphorical significance of the pictures that constructed it. As a result, each word had deep, intrinsic meaning.

The root word for “God” is El. For example: El Roi (God Who Sees Me), El Shaddai (The All-Sufficient God) and El Elyon (The Most High God).

El is made up of an ox head and a shepherd’s staff. The ox head represents strength because back in the day, people plowed their fields with oxen, and just as a shepherd would use his staff to order and direct his sheep, the picture of the staff means “authority” and “order.” So in Hebrew, the root of God’s name inherently means “strong order.”

To complete this line of thought, when we pray to God, we’re asking that whatever we’re praying about would come under his “strong order.”

People often refer to God as their father. The Hebrew word for “father” is ab, which is represented by an ox head and a tent. The ox head again means “strength,” and the tent means “family” or “covering.” In other words, ab is the strong one, or strong covering, of the family.


That is what God is for you, in your life -- your strong one.

We’ve talked about only two of God’s names here, but already you can see how knowing or studying ancient Hebrew could change your opinions about him -- and your judgments, should you have them. You might be surprised.

Learn to study the Bible

True understanding of any subject takes time, exploration, questioning, and reflection. Robert R. Moton, president, Tuskegee Institute writes, “When you eat fish, you don’t eat the bones. You eat the flesh. Take the Bible like that.” True understanding takes delving into the written words for insight and appreciation. A reader must flesh out the meanings and innuendos of words and passages. There is more than one approach to studying and understanding the Bible. One method for Bible study is more suitable than another depending on personal learning styles and goals. With close and analytical reading, you can read and study Scripture to enhance understanding to more completely embrace God’s Word. As understanding matures and grows, so will your grasp of The Word grow and mature. With the correct Bible study method, your faith will grow and mature as well. With the suitable reading approach, you can delve into Scripture and better comprehend and apply His Word into your spiritual and daily life.

Charles H. Spurgeon states, in How to Read the Bible, "...[one] can read a great deal and not read anything." He continues, "The eye glances, but the mind never rests. The soul does not light upon the truth and stay there. Understanding the meaning is the essence of true reading. Reading has a kernel to it, and the mere shell is little worth." Clearly, simply reading the Bible is not enough. Those looking for rewarding Bible study must become involved in the process. For complete comprehension, the reader must take time to be nourished by the Word.

Pastor Andy Deane serves as an associate pastor at Calvary Chapel Old Bridge in central New Jersey where he oversees a vibrant junior high ministry and has written a study guide for those wanting a better understanding of the Bible. Learn to Study the Bible offers forty different step-by-step Bible study methods to facilitate discovery, application, and enjoyment of God’s Word. Chapter topics include study methods such as: question, rethink and restate, verse by verse, chapter study, themes, and word studies. He suggests focused study by Bible types, prayers, miracles, parables, and Psalms. Pastor Andy Deane believes that you must slow down and patiently and prayerfully reflect as you read. Anyone interested in furthering their knowledge and understanding of the Bible will find this book to be an invaluable Bible study tool.



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About the Author: Learn To Study The Bible (www.LearntoStudyTheBible.com), teaches you 40 Bible study methods to approach both difficult and familiar passages and help you to absorb more of their meaning. Visit author Andy Deane's website at www.andydeane.com.

The Purpose Of Prayer

Many people pray to make themselves feel better
when they are down. They enjoy the sense of
comfort received after they have poured out
their hearts to God. While encouragement is
an answer to prayer in and of itself, the purpose
of prayer goes further.
Jesus tells us in John 16:24 to ask. Why? So that
we can receive. Why? So that our joy can be made
full.
"...but now ask and keep on asking and you will
receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight)
may be full and complete" (Amplified Bible).
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that gives us
strength (see Nehemiah 8:10). Strength is what
we need to live in this world victoriously.
Answered prayer gives us joy as we experience
the love of our Heavenly Father who cares enough
to hear us when we pray and to move in our lives.
We should also ask and receive so that the
Father may be glorified.
"And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever
you ask in My Name [as] presenting all that I AM],
so that the Father may be glorified and extolled
in (through) the Son" (Amplified Bible).
I remember once reading a testimony about a couple
who were so low in finances they could not afford
orange juice. It so happened that the wife was
getting over an illness and craved the juice. As
they walked down the street one day, a can of orange
juice rolled towards them. The husband picked up the
can and looked around to see where it came from. No
one was in sight. The man turned to his wife and
said, "Honey, I think this is for you."
That couple's spirit was boosted as they witnessed
first hand the attention of a loving God.
It proved He was with them in the midst of a
difficult situation. I'm sure as they related this
story to others, their hearts were boosted as
well.
God doesn't want to only make you
feel better when you pray. He wants to give to you
your specific requests so that your joy will soar
and be converted into power and strength. He wants
to be show Himself strong so that others can see
His faithfulness.



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About the Author: Karin Peavy uses her pen to help change lives. Her inspirational and faith-boosting writing can be found in her book, Hot Chocolate For the Spirit and her ezines titled What is God Up to Today? and Words of Encouragement. To discover how Karin's writing can help you live your best today, visit http://www.karinpeavy.com.

Children Bible Games

Children Bible Games


In today’s fast paced life, most of the parents are always worried about the influences of media and communication in the lives of their kids. Information is accessible to the children, for any subject they want and this is a cause of concern especially with the world that we live in. Presently; children can be a soft target for many inappropriate influences. And this scenario is increasing the worries of parents. However parents can combat such influences by making sure that children find the inspiration from the correct sources. One such source, that many of us will agree, is the Bible. Introducing Bible to the children can endow them to look at life and judge outside influences.


But Bible can be quite an effort for children to comprehend. But this usual problem can be corrected by Bible games that are educational for your children and helps the firm footing of Biblical teachings in their hearts. The Bible games will teach your children more about the Bible and in turn more about keeping faith in life and on the other hand you will be able to have great time together as a family. When you look for Bible games for your children, you will find that there are hundreds of games available in the market. Making a choice can be difficult considering the large assortment, but you can always keep in mind your child’s interest and inclinations. Moreover, you can also choose the Bible game depending on the age of your child. One of the popular Bible game is the Settlers of Canaan. This game is centered on a Bible story and makes the children to use strategy and team work as well. The game is designed in such a way that children will enjoy the competition, and you will also enjoy the fun of coming up with strategies together and making treaties with each other as well.


Not only the Bible games provide fun, but many of them also teach the children a great deal. One great learning game based on the Bible is the Ten Commandments Board Game. This game is premeditated to help you children learn more about the Ten Commandments and some basic biblical beliefs and values. Apart from the board games, you can also consider Bible computer games as many children enjoy computer games more than board games. Moreover the Bible computer games are fun and fresh-faced. It is for sure that the Bible computer games are a great way to teach your kids more about the Bible. If you want to be sure that your kids get a spiritual education that is based on the Bible, then you need to start educating them about the Bible and what it has to offer. It is better to remember that there is more to education than what is taught at school. Therefore you can always check out the educational Bible games that are available for your kids.




About the Author
Looking for more information on Children Bible Games check out www.ChildrensBibles.Net your guide to Children Bible Games.

Surefire Ideas for a Fun Sunday School Class

You enjoy a great passion for Bible studies and the way of the Lord, but conveying that passion to a classroom of sometimes rowdy and inattentive students requires discipline and creativity. Here are some best kept secrets you can use to transform the "rigors" of Bible study into an enjoyable and memorable educational experience.
First, choose your materials wisely. So many religious texts for children are either overly dry or flowery or even insipid. Today's generation of internet-raised children need to be stimulated -- not with tons of electronic learning tools but rather with great stories that build solid morals. Talk to other Sunday school teachers about which books and materials work best in terms of reaching kids. Experiment with various stories and projects -- your kids can act as a de facto focus group to help you find the best material for your teaching style.

Along those lines, make sure you are prepared for class. Kids can tune out easily if their instructor doesn't command the space. You need not be the most eloquent public speaker or engaging personality to keep peoples' attention. But you do need to have a plan in place and to communicate that plan. Review your lesson each week. Bundle your information thematically. Bring in props or guests or materials that the kids can physically handle to make the lessons come alive.

Engage your students by answering questions -- no matter how ridiculous or potentially heretical. Kids are natural curious about God and about the world around them. If you don't know the answer to a specific Biblical question or prayer-related matter, talk to a church authority who can help you. If you’re overly rigid and dogmatic, you run the risk of turning off children and shutting down their minds.

Make religious ceremonies and prayers concrete. Try games, sports and show and tell projects to involve your students in the myths and rituals you teach. Kids naturally enjoy play acting different Biblical characters - so why not host a Bible-based talent contest? Kids can write Bible-based plays, do a Christian music dance-off, or even do Bible karaoke. Of course, you don't want to turn your Bible class into a free for all -- you do need the kids to attend to the lessons -- but you can find plenty of ways to spice up the classroom without sacrificing the profundity of your mission.

Be passionate about what you are teaching. It may have been a while since you reviewed the classic biblical tales. But the texts of Christianity are rich with important life lessons that are applicable to practically any dilemma the modern kid might face. Bring the Bible to life by letting the children see your own passion for the material. If you don't care about the lessons, how can you expect others to listen and connect with the material?

Keep order. If you have a class disciplinary problem, nip this in the bud right away. Once your classroom senses that you've lost control of the wheel, you may find it very difficult to regain order. While you don't want to be overly strict -- images of stern-faced nuns slapping disobedient children with rulers come to mind -- you do need to make sure that the kids in your class know their place. You can use your support staff to enforce rules. Your priest or administrator can help you manage particularly difficult students or emotionally tricky situations. You can also call in parents if things get really out of control. Lay out the "law of the land" early, so that kids know your expectations. Be clear and regular in your enforcement of these rules. If you go soft sometimes and overreact at other times, you will confuse the situation and undermine your authority.

Above all, lean on your abiding your love of children to see you through the tough times and to guide your instruction. You are going to make mistakes, and you will encounter classroom situations that throw you for a loop. But by leaning on that fundamental love that draws you to teach Sunday school, you can overcome obstacles.

Finally, remember that you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Borrow lesson plans from other, more experienced Sunday school teachers. The internet offers a panoply of courses, ideas, and activities for Bible study. Your school may have its own curriculum that constraints you. Or you may before forced by time considerations to focus only on a set agenda. Even if you are held to rigorous constraints, find some ways to inject your personality and sense of faith into the lessons.

Angels and Demons Are From Other Dimensions Too

If God is an interdimensional being, then that would mean angels and demons are also interdimensional beings. Heaven would be in one dimension and Hell could be in another dimension.
From the evidence I've read and according to some theories I have, the Heavenly dimension is at a higher energy frequency than this dimension and the Hell dimension is at another frequency that is lower than that of Heaven. That could be why Heaven is referred to as being up and Hell being down.


Angels have been able to shift to our dimension every now and then to help people. But some entities that have shifted have been humans that came in the place of angels. A mother may have been allowed to shift from the Heavenly dimension to this one to help a child years after she has died.


Demons, since they come from a dimension that is a lower frequency than Heaven and maybe lower than earth, have come as spirits that can't be seen too well if they have been seen at all. They can inhabit people and cause physical harm at times. Satan is such a being. Since he isn't omnipresent like God, he can't be everywhere at once. He also doesn't want people to think he exists. That allows him to work better.


Jesus was able to confront Satan after spending 40 days in the wilderness fasting because they both are able to shift between dimensions. Since Jesus comes from a dimension with a higher energy frequency, he appears to glow at times like when he met with Moses and Elijah at the Mount of Transfiguration. Satan would either not glow or would have a "shadow glow" that is darker than his surroundings.


Heaven is bright because it is very energetic while Hell is pitch black since it has a lower energy frequency. Yet it is still powerful enough to retain the souls in it.


The people in Heaven can see us. But they are not allowed to shift to our dimension unless God allows them to. When Christ comes back to establish his kingdom in Jerusalem, Believers will be able to shift with him from the Heavenly dimension to this one and become joint rulers of earth.


Atheists don't understand interdimensional existence and don't believe in Heaven, Hell, God, angels, demons, and Satan. When a person dies and goes into the light, that means he is being shifted to either the Heaven or Hell dimensions. The energy shift would appear bright since spirits are a form of conscious energy. They can not be destroyed. It's just that after you are shifted, you normally can't shift back into this dimension. It's either Heaven or Hell. Once your destiny is set prior to death, there is no changing your ultimate destination and dimensional existence.

SODIS Solar Water Disinfection

Studied and proven by scientists for over 25 years, SODIS is simple, inexpensive and sustainable.
Contaminated water is placed in clear plastic bottles and left on a table in the sun for a few hours. Powerful UV rays from the sun destroy harmful bacteria and make the water safe on drinkable.

The most effective vaccine against child death in Africa is a glass of clean water.

Please help us expand this life-giving program. $50 provides a Ray of Hope (SODIS table, 10 one litre bottles and a complete training program for a family of 5.
Clean water for life.

Please make your tax donation payable to "CMA Canada", designate "for the water SCH2OOL" and send to the address below. A tax receipt will be issued.

The water SCH2OOL
112 Lakeside Views Strathmore, AB T1P 1A7
Phone: 403- 934-3736
email: fedwards@thewaterschool.org

www.thewaterschool.org