The Dart Maker Blog

A crucial consideration for many students is what to do in their gap year between school/college and university, or even the period after graduating. While travel is the obvious pick, there are different choices to consider, such as volunteer work, or to immerse yourself in church leadership training for 11 months with the organization DNA (dna-uk.org). This article explores in greater detail this particular option.

DNA are providing an almost year long experience of total immersion into Christian Discipleship, running from October to August. This is seen as a “year in with God, not a year out.”, needing the enrollee to dwell within a Christian environment - either inside your own church if you currently attend one, or an assigned church if you’re not currently a member of a church. Your typical day will require helping out with the day to day projects of the church, and to be schooled by its members in bible studies. The course ensures faith in action, so those who enroll can expect a really practical experience of Christian faith, and not only the theoretical study.

More selling points of the placements include:-

• being risky, radical and life changing
• dependence on the person and power of the Holy Spirit in and through you
• relational, non religious Christianity; it’s fun!

There are 3 varieties of course available : Track 1 is the predominant entry point to DNA - it is the most complete DNA expereince. The overwhelming bulk of individuals choose this as the best choice for them. Track 2 is more acceptable to you if taking a complete gap year is not practically achievable. This could be for issues like work or family commitments. Track 2 therefore offers some tractability. Track 3 provides individuals the opportunity of joining us for as many specific training sessions or days as they wish.

I believe that this is the most asked question in todays world. As mankind races toward Armageddon and the end of Days. Many are seeking a place of peace and safety, not knowing what is on the rise for tomorrow. The general conception of God may be said to be that of an infinite being who is supremely good, who created the world, who knows all and can do all, who is transcendent over and immanent in the world, and who loves humanity.

By the majority of Christians God is believed to have lived on earth in the flesh as Jesus. To find out who God is we must also look at who He isn’t. Lets Read from Gods word.

Exodus 3:14-15; And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

I am, that I am - That is, “I am what I am.” The words express absolute, and therefore unchanging and eternal Being. The Eternal, who passes not away. I am he who exists.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
God is;

1. The Eternal.

2. Spirit.

3. Lord Jehovah.

4. The Holy One of Israel.

Isa 45:21-23; Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? Who hath told it from that time? Have not I the LORD? And there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Here we see the absoluteness of God.

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.(A declaration from God on His of Being the only God that there, was, and is, and ever will be.)

I have sworn by myself,( God cannot swear an oath to any one that is higher in power, so He must swear to Himself.) the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return,( All mankind shall hear the word of God. Being preached by those that He, has and will call unto Himself.

There will be no excuse as to mans state when he dies.) That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.( This includes the saved and the unsaved.) God is all power and His demands will be required by everyone born upon this earth and those spirits in Heaven and under the earth. This includes Satan.

Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers ( These are those that Christ took captive after the resurrection.), he made a shew of them openly( These are the unrighteous, Devils, Demons also including Satan. Which were paraded before God in Heaven, as a defeated foe.), triumphing over them in it.( making Death, Hell and the Grave his to control.)

This is repeated in Phi 2:10-11; That at the name of Jesus ( We see that at the declaration of the name of Jesus, all will bow, and all tongs will declair, Jesus as Lord and Christ.) every knee should bow, of things in heaven,(The Spiritual angels in Heaven) and things in earth,( Those that are present upon the Earth.

Teaching that the earth will burn with fire but it will survive and man will be present, under new Laws set down by Jesus from Jerusalem.) and things under the earth;( These are the ones that have been in captivity in Hell.)
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(God is not a respecter of man.)

Romans 11:4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. God is all knowing, knowledge and wisdom. Mans actions upon this earth are being recorded daily. God knows who is and is not true to Him. God being a jealous God, will not be put in second place by anyone, For He has declared it.

Jesus stated that there are many false gods, but these are formed, not by God, but by the hands and the imagination of man. Such as, Mohamid, Buddah, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Mohandas Gandhi, Gopala-
cowherd; protector of cows .

Govinda-protector of cows, Hari-the fawn (or yellow or gold) colored one, Hrshikesha- master of the senses , Jagannatha-lord of the universe, Keshava-
long haired; in some accounts, the killer of Kesi, Madhava-bringer of springtime, and Vasudeva. These are but a few. The word,”God”, is mentioned 1196 times in the New Testament and 2705 in the Old. Scripture.

Gen 6:5-7 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Why? Because God had made man in His image and gave man of His spirit. When man walked away from God and His spirit, man became unrighteous and fell from Gods grace.

And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. God not only destroyed man the first time but also the animals and Birds. Why? Because mankind had violated animals and the Birds.

Having introduced animal husbandry and using all animals as sacrifices to false Gods. They had to be destroyed. We see the same thing today, Animal Husbandry, False religions trying to say that Jehovah is their God but De nighing Jesus and His word. The filthiness of man is coming again, full circle. God sent down His judgment upon all mankind and only found 8, that were worthy of Salvation.

God is, and will do this again as the world comes to an end.

Henry States of God; Does God thus hate sin? And shall we not hate it? Has our sin grieved him to the heart? And shall we not be grieved and pricked to the heart for it? O that this consideration may humble us and shame us, and that we may look on him whom we have thus grieved, and mourn!

Zec. 12:10. It does not imply any change of God’s mind; for he is in one mind, and who can turn him? With him there is not variableness.

But it expressed a change of his way. When God had made man upright, he rested and was refreshed (Ex. 31:17), and his way towards him was such as showed he was pleased with the work of his own hands; but, now that man had apostatized, he could not do otherwise than show himself displeased; so that the change was in man, not in God.

God repented that he had made man; but we never find him repenting that he redeemed man. What God is not, is, unrighteous, uncaring, hateful, deceitful, a murder, a thief, a lier, unforgiving and self centered. These are all the attributes of all other false gods.

Tempel of Spirit & Truth Ministries

A.R.Smith Ministries

http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

The existence of a Buddhist organization in an Eastern European country may seem surprising. But Buddhism has come of age in the secularized West. Its reach is expanding beyond its original Eastern context and Hungary’s East-West Research Institute is bringing this worldview to the rest of the globe.

Although Hungarian culture is largely influenced and informed by Christian values and perspectives, many Hungarians “have a traditional interest in Eastern cultures, because they are thought to have come from Inner Asia,” said Tamas Agocs, director of the institute.

This may be why the only state-accredited Buddhist institute of higher education in Europe, the “Gate of the Dharma” Buddhist University, was founded in Budapest in 1991.

The university subsequently established the East-West Research Institute “to provide framework and conditions for scientific research into the possibilities of Buddhist education and the dissemination and application of Buddhist principles in the country,” said Agocs.

As globalization continues to make the world smaller, participants strive to increase the dialogue between the “East” the Asian cultures that have been shaped by Buddhist thought and the “West” the modern, scientific cultures that originated in Western Europe. With this goal in mind, they also work towards making the values of Buddhism known in the West.

Without forsaking the integrity of Buddhist views, values and practices, Agocs said their goal is “to enter the East-West dialogue not just in order to find interesting parallels and differences between Eastern and Western discourses, but with a view towards the constructive and creative application of Buddhist principles in all walks of life.”

According to Agocs, the open attitude of Buddhist thought is the ideal starting point for furthering the science-and-religion discussion.

“Buddhism shares many methods with Western science. They both emphasize the unbiased examination, thoughtful analysis and critical testing of experience,” said Agocs.

However, the direction of the approach is different, he said. “The basic difference is that Buddhist inquiry is directed mainly inwards, towards the consciousness, while scientific research is mostly targeted outside.”

In addition to participating in the science-and-religion dialogue and organizing conferences on the intersection between the East and the West, the institute promotes research on the study of the Buddhist tradition and explores Buddhism as an applied science that can provide answers to challenges faced in the world today.

Current programs include the Milky Way project, which is establishing a Buddhist school. The institute is also sponsoring research on the mind and the application of Buddhist mind training methods to psychology and community building. Eventually, Agocs said he would like to build cooperative relationships between the center and other international organizations for interdisciplinary research projects.

Anne Reilly is an editorial intern at Science & Theology News.

Apostles’ Creed “He shall come to judge the living and the dead.”

Terry Dashner (www.ffcba.com)

“He shall come,” says the Creed. This is the unequivocal declaration of the oldest creed of Christendom. It is in the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Constantinopolitan Creed, the Westminster Confession of the Presbyterians, in the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Anglicans, the Augsburg Confession of the Lutherans. It is in all of the great creeds of Christendom. It is found in all of the systematic theologies, the lectionaries, and the hymnals of all of the Christian churches of history. It is part of the great faith of Jesus Christ! He shall come again!

The Old Testament distinctly prophesied it. Scores of passages in the New Testament expressly declare it. Jesus Himself told us unmistakably that: “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64) The Apostles also say we are: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13) Philippians 3:20 says, “Our conversation [our life] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” In that day we are to be:…”unblamable in holiness…at the coming of our Lord Jesus…We which are alive and remain shall be caught up…to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord…When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven…When the chief Shepherd shall appear…”

How will Jesus come again? This Second Advent of Christ is the great hope for the Christian. It is to be the final culminating point of history–the great climacteric of the ages. How shall he come? He will come, bodily. The Bible says that Jesus will appear the second time and every eye shall see Him. This will be a physical return of Jesus to the same place where He ascended–the Mount of Olives. He will come gloriously. His first advent was His coming like a meek and lowly Lamb of God to be slain for the sins of the world. This He fulfilled having been born in a manger, living a simple life, declaring the works of God as being “at hand,” and His rejection and crucifixion by men. His Second Advent will be much different in that Jesus will come as a Lion from the tribe of Judah. He will come as the conquering Lord of Lords and King of Kings. No one will simply overlook Him because there is no beauty to be found in Him. He will get everyone’s attention when He comes the second time. He will come triumphantly. Those who cursed Him will wail because of Him at His return. Jesus will crush His opposition with His perfect justice–a rod of iron. He will set up His kingdom in triumph in the capital city of Jerusalem. From His throne in Jerusalem, He will rule over the nations for a thousand years. He will come unexpectedly. He’s coming like a “thief in the night.” Will you be ready for His soon return?

Jesus made a promise that He will keep–you can bank on it! Jesus keeps all His promises. He has told us in His word that He will come again. If you fail to get ready for His return, you are going to be left behind. He doesn’t want to leave you behind. He wants to embrace you–just like you are–and change your life into eternal life, abundant life. Can you receive this message? If so, call upon the name of the Lord, and He will hear you and save you. All the current world events are drawing us closer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Call on Jesus. He’s as close as the mention of His name. He will save you, now.

Keep the faith. Stay the course. Jesus is our soon coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Pastor T

According to God’s word, his favor surrounds us like a shield.

Wow, that is an awesome thought.

You ought to write Psalm 5:12 on an index card and tape it to your refrigerator.

I did!

“For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”

God didn’t put anything in the book he didn’t want us to take to heart, and I really feel 90 percent of the problems we blame on the devil would be eliminated if we just started disciplining ourselves to view our circumstances through the eyes of God.

As Christians, I know we all believe God’s word. But ask yourself this question: If the Living God, creator of everything seen and unseen has supernaturally surrounded you with his favor and provision, why are you worried about the light bill?

Nine times out of ten, we are fretting and worrying because we have chosen to believe the enemy’s assessment of our situation instead of God’s.

When our minds start believing the enemy’s lies, we need to remind ourselves of what God says about us. Doubt and unbelief may cause you to feel that you are not good enough, or qualified enough, or attractive enough.

Tell the enemy, outloud, that according to God’s word you were wonderfully and fearfully made and you are well able to do exactly what God has called you to do. When the enemy lies to you and tells you you’ll never get married, you declare to him that your God will withold no good thing when you walk uprightly.

When the money is running low in the checking account and rent is due, throw your hands up toward the sky and thank the Creator of everything that he supplies all of your needs according to his riches in glory.

It is this type of faith and expectancy that activates God’s promises and provision in your life. Concentrate on becoming favor-minded. In every situation and in every circumstance, realize his desires for you are to prosper you and not to harm you (Jer. 29:14).

In every circumstance or trial you face:

1. You must admit that God is fully able to meet your need.

2. Find promises in his word that directly relate to your need and clearly illustrate that he wants to meet that need.

3. Declare, outloud, his promise so he, the enemy, and you can hear it. Repeat it every time doubt or fear try to raise their ugly head again.

4. Pray and wait on him.

Folks, when we combine prayer with a new commitment to saturating our mind with his word, we are conducting spiritual warfare.

In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul writes that “the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

It is very interesting that his next sentence deals with cleaning up our thought life.

He admonishes us to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Every thought that disagrees with God’s assessment of your situation should be met instantly with a promise from his word.

If you are disciplined and make this a habit, you will continually walk in a process of renewing your mind with God’s word.

Once you begin to get your thinking in line with his thinking, you will see the doors supernaturally fly open around you and you’ll walk in the favor of God like never before.

Now, it is extremely important for you to keep in mind that you have an active role in seeing God’s goodness come to pass in your life. If you eat junk food three times a day, your body is going to deteriorate. You can quote Isaiah 53:5 until you are blue in the face. If you are not taking the proper steps to take care of your body, you are not doing your part.

God gave you wisdom. Use it. Don’t expect God to make a miraculous deposit in your bank account and dig you out of a hole when you haven’t been faithful in giving and you’ve wasted your money on other things.

This message is for those who are faithfully walking after Jesus, putting him first place in every area of their lives.

If that is you, he shields you with his favor. His blessings are chasing you down! You are blessed coming in and blessed going out! By his stripes you were healed! Get all this in your spirit…if God is for you, who can be against you?

Like the blind men in Matthew 9, your need will be met “according to your faith.” Are you believing for a touch from God to heal your body, or are you afraid your situation might get worse?

Do you know in your heart he plans to bring a healthy love relationship into your life, or are you worried that this one will be a painful failure like the rest?

Are you convinced your business will explode so you can provide an abundant life for your family and seed for God’s kingdom, or are you a little concerned the economy is going to take another downturn?

Are you trusting him to bring the unsaved members of your family into his kingdom, or are your convinced some of them are too far gone?

Today, I encourage you to begin reprograming your mind with the promises of God. You are highly favored by the creator of the universe. He has wonderful plans for your life.

Don’t take my word for it! Get into his word. Read what he says about your situation…

Then, believe it!

About the Author

John Tyler is a Houston-based writer and public relations professional who publishes an online column on Christian living. Be Transformed! Vist http://www.JohnTylerMinistries.com