crazygod:
Does gosel rock count?

Rock is Rock

Chanchit:
Hi @chasong I'm also an upcoming rock artist, my first single was produced by qasebeatz, I heard a snipet of your last release at his studio. The link to my song is on my sig'.

Good stuff. Qase is great to work with
Cool guy.

Listened to your song. Good stuff.

Vince77:
ok thanks bt it seems the website doesnt open well on fone.

That's a link on facebook.
You should try again or change browsers.

Cheers

Vince77:
Nigeria get rock artists?

Definitely!
There's me (see link above), there's Clay, 1Last Autograph, Nathmac, Zainab Sule and a host of others.

You should check out Audioinferno.com, an online blog that is solely for Rock, especially Nigerian Rock Music.

I am compiling a list of Nigerian Rock musicians, being one.
www.facebook.com/xtsamurai

I would like to hear from people who their favourite Nigerian ROCK Musician(s) is/are.
No hip-hip, afro or dance hall artistes, please.

Thanks

You should check out XTsamurai, a Nigerian Rock Musician who is really serious about his music.

Check out the youtube and free download links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbAwx1cia40
https://soundcloud.com/xtsamurai

If you don't like his music, I'll owe you a bottle of whatever you drink!

This is a continuum to the first part of this article which you can read here:
http://christmeditations..com/2013/04/why-i-do-not-pay-tithe.html
There were a lot of open and private comments where people expressed their greviances at the article and my response had been quite simple:

If you have a dissenting view that is based on scripture alone – and not experiences or hearsay – let me know about these views, citing relevant scriptures and I would gladly take on this new perspective. My approach to scripture is that we continue to learn and BEND to scripture irrespective of comfort zones we may be used to. Sadly, not a single person who promised to come back with their study did so. Perhaps, it was coincidence or people being generally busy. I will end this article quickly with this short second part. Again, scripture is the basis for my beliefs and like Paul says, Let God be true and all men liars.


Note: If you have not read the first part of the article, I would suggest you do as this is a continuation of that article and certain points have been made already that I will not repeat due to space constraints. http://christmeditations..com/2013/04/why-i-do-not-pay-tithe.html

The tithe (or a tenth) was spoken about in the bible right before the Laws were given to the children of Israel. Prior to the tithe, a free will offering was given by Cain and Abel. Like Abraham’s tithe, we do not know if they gave because it was commanded or if it was the practice at the time.

There are 3 important things you get from the event:
1. Abraham’s tithe did not come from his personal belongings. It came from the spoils of war he had just gotten after defeating some kings in a bid to rescue his cousin, Lot. (Genesis 14: 18 – 20.)
2. What is also interesting is that Abraham’s tithe also came in response to Melchizedek giving bread and wine. (Note that Melchizedec did not give intagibles like prayers and “blessings”. Abraham was already blessed!)
3. The tithe given by Abraham was a one-time event that did NOT repeat itself. Like the animal sacrifice Abraham performed BEFORE the Law, we are not privy to what led to him giving a tithe. What we do know is that it was a one-off and did not re-occur.

So what was the reason for tithing?
Very simply, all of the 12 tribes of Israel were to have inheritance in the land of Canaan, their “promised land” – except one tribe. That was the tribe of Levi, which was the tribe Moses, Aaron and all other priests would come from. Israel was meant to be a model nation that was meant to accomplish several things including:
1. Be the nation through which the Messiah would come.
2. While accomplishing the point above, be a vehicle for reproducing godly virtue
3. Be a prototype for the New Testament Church
4. In preserving itself, some would also add, be a vehicle to clean up the Nephilims from off the earth. (Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, we might be looking at the reason behind some of the seemingly “cruel” wars they fought and interesting characters like Og of Bashan, Goliath and the other 6-fingered relative of Goliath)

The critical point was that unlike other nations, they were not meant to have Kings. They were to literally be a “nation under God”, with God’s representatives on Earth being the priesthood. The priests were meant to come from the tribe of Levi, and because of the enormity of work they would have to concern themselves with, they were not meant to work at farming or cattle rearing or other crafts. So SOME tithes AND offerings were one of the ways for the priesthood not to go hungry.

What do I mean?
When a burnt offering was offered, an animal was killed and part of the meat was burnt on the altar. Sometimes, everything was burnt, but most times, the priest would be allowed to eat parts of that meat. When it was flour, the priest would pour some before God (a handful) and the rest was his to take home. Now, note that there were several burnt offerings on a daily basis, so it was a lot of meat, wine and flour that the priest would be getting as sustenance because they could not farm. (Leviticus 7: 2 – 10)

While a lot of the offerings went to the Priest, one type of Tithe was largely given to take care of ALL who were not in positions to generate revenue and was given once in 3 years. (Deuteronomy 14: 28 – 29). The other type of Tithe was meant for each Israelite to feast and eat up with their families because God incorporated feasting into the lifestyle of the Israelite. (Deuteronomy 12: 17 – 19) This tithe could be eaten at a venue designated by God or if the place he designated was too far, you changed it to money to buy anything you liked including cattle, meat or beer. The Israelites were to eat this up, and again, remember those who were not in positions to generate revenue which included the Levites, the widows and the orphans – and this and this happened every year (Deuteronomy 14: 22 – 27) And yet, another type of Tithe was to be made available to the High Priests by the Levites from the tithes they had collected from the other Israeli tribes. (Numbers 18: 26 – 29)

Like I said in the first part, the Tithe was NOT money. There was penalty for converting it to money which was an additional 20% in the money used by the Israelites at the time. (Leviticus 27: 27 – 34; 5) (Note: It is from this same passage that the strange teaching of ‘First Fruits’ come from, where a person gives their first salaries to a “Church”, forgetting this that was applicable only in the years of Jubilee – and again, it was NOT money!)
Now, when the Old Testament and the practices passed away, the practice of Tithing, which was part of the Old Testament practices also passed away – especially when you consider there are no more special classes of Priests or Levites. ALL who come into Christ have been made Priests and Kings and we are ALL now Brethren (Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2: 9-11; 1 Timothy 2:5). It’s up to you to believe what is written or go with what other men have told you. However, I have come to find that people can get used to anything, even shackles.

To further underscore this fact, you NEVER hear of the Tithe mentioned in the New Testament as a valid practise, either by Jesus or by Paul, who was a master of the Law. I can almost hear some people saying “Gotya!!!” because I said Jesus never mentioned Tithing as a valid practice under the New Testament because he spoke about Tithing. Let me attempt to explain.
There is a difference between the OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS and the OLD TESTAMENT. The Bible BOOKS are divided into the Old and New Testament, with the Old Testament books ending at Malachi. There were 400 “silent years” before God spoke again to herald the coming of the Messiah. Jesus was born and lived under the OLD Testament and when he spoke to people, because the Laws were still in operation, he made them adhere to those Laws pending when they would pass away because HE was going to fulfil the Laws – and we would not need to practice Old Testament acts to fulfil the Laws, but simply fulfil the Laws by being in Him. (Matthew 5: 17)

So he told the PHARISEES that they were to Tithe but also obey weightier matters of the LAW (Matthew 23:23) In the same vein, he also healed a leper and told him to go and show himself to the Priest (Matthew 8:2 – 4) and this was in accordance with the Law given in Leviticus 13: 1 – 8. The New Testament only started AFTER Jesus died and Paul explained this in Hebrews 9: 16 – 17. After the death of Jesus, you will NEVER find any references to Tithing by Jesus, by Paul or any members of the early Church. They only spoke about a free-will offering, not Tithes or ‘First fruits’. (2 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 16: 1 -2; Romans 15:24 – 26; Acts 18: 1 – 4) If you have a ‘Pastor’ or ARE a ‘Pastor’ who lives solely on the Tithes of people, it might be time to dust your CV or start to learn a skill set so that like Paul, you can work and make money so you can GIVE to people and not just TAKE. Besides, in the New Testament model, it is not the job of one person to be responsible for sharing the word. It is a collective role. So the ‘full-time Pastor’ concept has a lot of question marks on it. (Hebrews 8: 11; Ephesians 4: 11 – 15)

So many people have been coerced into the payment of Tithe because they want to ‘ward off’ the devourer spoken about in Malachi. This is nothing but a pile of bogus baloney and a popular lie taught to people who are under a New Covenant. First of all, those who are in Christ, PEOPLE, are the houses of God under the New Testament (1 Corinthians 3:16 – 19; 2 Corinthians 6:16) and your resources are for the individuals in The Kingdom of God, not for an organisation.

People ask me why I seem very averse to Tithing. My reasons are very simple:
1. It is a direct throwback to Old Testament practice, which for the New Testament believer, negates the work of grace. Personally, I do not believe a New Testament believer can be “led to pay Tithe”.
(An individual may be prompted to give 10% of their income under circumstance, but Tithing is not just giving 10% of income, but doing so with the belief that the action is in accordance with Scripture AND that one is obligated to do so. In the same vein, I do not believe a New Testament believer can be “led” to sacrifice a Lamb on an altar for the purpose of atonement.)
2. Because individuals feel a need to pay 10% of their incomes to an ORGANIZATION, there is a very real possibility that in the area of giving, people become insensitive to the needs of those around them – because they feel no obligation to help after they have paid their “tithes”.
3. It is extremely critical for the New Testament believer to develop sensitivity to the Holy Spirit – and this means a willingness to give 10% or 50% or 100% - or even nothing as you live in alignment to the outworking of God’s purposes in your daily circumstances. (Note: Jesus did not heal every sick person he met. He did only what he was led to do, and sometimes, that involved walking away and not doing a “good deed”)
4. The reasons for Tithing is often to ensure the “devourer is rebuked” (Malachi 3:10 – 11) An individual who sincerely (after contemplation) accepts the Lordship and sacrifice of Jesus becomes “saved”, or as scripture clarifies, is born of God, dislikes sin –“ …and cannot be touched by the Evil one” (1 John 5:18) What you choose to believe is up to you…

If you have read thus far, I appreciate the time you have taken to do so. I urge you not to believe what is written, but check the passages I have added from the Bible. It is normally not my style to add so many passages, but I wanted people to be able to check their beliefs against the Bible they CLAIM to follow – and if you are still going to align with the principle of the Tithe, as seen in Deuteronomy 14: 22 – 27, do convert some of the goods to money and buy me a bottle of Champagne. What struck me in the study of the subject is the fact that what is popular and practiced by so many people is not necessarily right or what The Bible or God is saying.

Once again, thanks for reading this lengthy article. You can follow the link below for the first part of the article:
http://christmeditations..com/2013/04/why-i-do-not-pay-tithe.html

Strength and Honour…

Follow me on Twitter & Instagram: @XTsamurai

Love POSITIVE Rock Music?

Then check out XTsamurai, an accomplished Nigerian musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Author, poet and public speaker.

A martial art enthusiast, he explains that the name “XTsamurai” is taken from the word “Samurai” which refers to a highly skilled Japanese warrior and which is translated to mean “One who serves”. “XT”, on the other hand, is an expression for what he calls “The Highest form of virtue and Truth”. In his words “XTsamurai” is explained to mean, “A warrior who serves the highest form of Virtue and Truth, with ‘Strength’ and ‘Honour.”

He has performed in several concerts and events in Nigeria and other countries including Sussex University, The Brighton Dome, and other events in the United Kingdom. In Nigeria, he recounts playing keyboards (and also congas) for the renowned speaker, Myles Munro at an event held at the National Stadium in Lagos. He has also shared the stage with several artist at the Afrikan Shrine for “Felabration”, an annual event held in honour of the late musicial icon, Fela in Lagos, Nigeria.

In the course of being a session musician and performing artist, XTsamurai has worked behind the scenes and performed alongside several artistes including Florocka, Buchi, Lara George, Olan, Ex-O, Eloho, Tinaye Mombeshora and many others....

His songs include:
1. Aiye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbAwx1cia40
2. Shine in my Light feat FLO: https://soundcloud.com/xtsamurai/shine-in-my-light
3. Closed Doors: https://soundcloud.com/xtsamurai/closed-doors

Listen & Download tracks for FREE via the links below:
www.reverbnation.com/xtsamurai
www.soundcloud.com/xtsamurai
www.facebook.com/xtsamurai

hisblud: hi rather than concentrating on the getting of masters, in Him, concentrate on His finished work for your "masters", thus see yourself working out the "masters" not trying to earn your "masters". Thus you are to be committed to His finished work on the cross and your prayer flows from that committment, which is God's help. [note am not saying you should do you masters in nursing oh, just using the example above to explain the above]

Spot on!
It is actually the fallen nature - the flesh - that makes us think that through commitment and grit, we can fight our way out of sin.

God is the one who breaks the hold of sin. Our position is to deepen knowledge of what has been DONE and submit to God, not come up with strategies to overcome sin.

"SUBMIT tO GOD, (then) resist the devil and he will flee from you"

Sometimes, there's the confusion about dealing with sin. I'd like to voice certain views based on MY EXPERIENCE and my CURRENT understanding of scriptures...

The saint is in the flesh - and by flesh, I refer to the fallen nature because the body is NOT evil.
However, though the body is not evil, it is often the medium for the expression of certain desires, which actually originate in the mind.
"It is not what goes into a man that defiles..."

Now, while we are truly saved by the sacrifice of Jesus, the believer will still sin. This is simply because he is trapped in the unregenerate flesh. Many times, he flounders as he struggles to overcome sin - and this very struggle, while from the grandest motivation to please God, can also re-enthrone the flesh through pride a subjugation of grace.

The question then is, how does a believer who is bound to sin find true release?
The answer, of course, is God.


But I will ATTEMPT to break down how that reformation of an ASPECT of one's sinful nature tends to unfold.

I will use the sexual since it is easy to relate to - and is a powerful and popular point of weakness for many. Though there are the more subtle horrors like envy and bitterness, the latter being one of the most destructive of sins to body, mind and spirit...

The complication of sin often comes from the same mechanism that helps us live on earth: Brain function. Just like fear is God-given to keep us alive and run when we see serpents, there is also the aberration of that same mechanism that makes us fear man or fear for the future because of a lack of faith.

In the same vein, we learn by seeing - and by repetition. Every time an action occurs, synaptic action fires in the brain. The more the action is performed, the more "skilled", the individual gets at it. Over a period of time, when the bonds are strong enough, the individual can perform the action with "no effort". Like playing a G chord.....

Even after many years without practice, most guitar players can strum a G chord effortlessly. Hence, due to a great amount of investment in strengthening the synaptic framework in a certain way, the player can play effortlessly.

Same applies to the "player"

At first, the player finds it hard to talk to a girl. He sweats when a lady he's attracted to talks to him. His fingers tremble when he holds her hands and his heart pounds when they embrace.
At first…

As he persists, often due to chemicals designed to ensure reproduction, as well as the pressure of society, he learns to manage these fears. He cracks jokes easily, he learns to make a woman laugh first, which opens the door for other things to follow. He makes "innocent" suggestions to gauge her reaction and learns the effective fall back plan when she seems astonished or offended at his innuendoes. He learns how to bring her home a few times and just watch movies, translate gist to play fights, to peck and sex.....

All the time, the mind is learning and reinforcing complex skill.

Soon, it comes easy. Most people these days flirt almost unconsciously. Movies teach us, society reinforce these actions which abound in the workplace, at school - and even in the choir. The naïve pastor often does not see it happening.

Complex skill has been learnt and skill tends to lead to an outcome – a performance.
The guitarist learns to deliver a skilful solo. The player learns to lay ladies easily.
And like it.


The problem is that, over time, a habit is formed and habits ensure dependency on certain acts

So when a person comes into God, what happens?

The spirit is truly saved.
The soul longs for God - but they are both in a flesh with "archived files".
So, like Saint Paul's quagmire, the spirit and soul long for God in a body that works out what it has been used to. The dilemma for the believer is that not sinning goes beyond saying, "I won't sin".

In the same way you learnt to type, sew, walk, jog, cook, write a program, you can also learn to fight, lie, deceive and commit sexual immorality. Salvation does not rob you of already learnt skill, whether the skill is good or bad.

And here is where the crazy grace of God comes to the fore.
Scripture says: "if we confess our sins, he is able and just to forgive us"

But the powerful portion that is (often) tear-evoking for saint who struggles with sin is the next part...

"And to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness"
If you DARE to believe this, what it means is, Jesus has forgiven you, but he WILL break those synaptic bonds and sin patterns......if you allow him.

And this is right where there is often a world of confusion.

We are supposed to "work out" our salvation with fear and trembling - and yet, it is God who works in us to will and to do. Aren't we supposed to WORK....do something.

Yes, we are.
And No, we are not

When a person accepts Christ’s sacrifice, he becomes perfect – and that involves God embedding a desire to please God. Hence, a true saint can NEVER be happy about sinning or advocating sin – even when he is sinning. Now, as the saint walks with God in an organic and authentic relationship, which is a natural behaviour because of what God has ALREADY done on the inside, gaining awareness and being sensitive, God will shine his light and heighten awareness about areas sin in your life. This, naturally, will frustrate you. You will sin over and over and over again. Yes, you will. Mastery of the skills to beat specific sins will ONLY come after repeated failures. Often, those who are strongest will flounder, will fight, will plan, will join alcoholic anonymous or whatever.......

And you will fail…

Or, of course, become a hypocrite as you try to “blend in” and look good externally.


However, every now and then, as your UNDERSTANDING of his role in your life deepens, He who is at work in you will fly by your broken raft that's tossed to and fro on the sea of sinful passion and he will give an extended hand of grace.

Simply put, you will sporadically get ‘’breaks’’ or a season where your pet sin doesn’t really seem so attractive. This is God at work, providing a “way of escape” from sin patterns and habits formed over years. It provides an opportunity to begin to learn to live in a different way or pattern from what you have been used to. It can be total loss of a desire to masturbate, some degree of irritation when a person speaks in a coarse manner that used to be fun, a ‘’burst’’ of love for people who have wronged you and who you were used to feeling bitter about, etc. That grace will come by every now and then and at some point, you will know it for what it is - power to gain control over ONE (or more) area(s) of sin in your life. And when you submit to God, you will find there's less desire for that sin. This process can take years – and when you gain mastery over that area, the Light will shine again into another area that needs to be purged.

“And every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth much fruit”

So who rescues from sin? God
Do we have a role? Yes
Do we undo sin on our own? No. We will never be able to.

But when he comes by on his rescue chopper, simply lift your hands and fly – for it is GOD who works in you (and I) to will and to do after HIS good pleasure…

The power of the cross is so powerful, so much so that it invades our lives in a real way. It's not some sweet story, but a reality.


"Taste and see that the Lord is good..."



Follow and read more articles at: www.christmeditations..com
Follow on twitter: @xtsamurai

Couple of days ago, my wife told me to tune in to a popular radio program. I tuned in,and interestingly, they were discussing paying of tithes and if it was right or wrong to make sure pastors were accountable for the tithes and offerings that members of worship centres pay. (This is a standard practice in many Worship Centres and denominations popularly called “Churches”, which isn’t very accurate and is quite a misleading term). Well, I heard a few answers that made me laugh, made me angry, and some that were quite emetic. So after dragging my feet for a while, I decided I would write on the subject.

Here is a small foundation for what follows next: After being atheist for a short while,I decided to surrender Lordship of my life to Christ. The implication is that I decided to live according to his word alone, not according to what is popular or generally accepted – even if it is unpleasant or makes me uncomfortable. So sometimes, I would do what a lot of people are doing in the worship of my Lord and many other times, I go in the opposite direction of what people who say they have made him Lord practice.

This is simply because I am only interested in doing what I can see in the written word and what he speaks into my heart – which will always align with the written word. Finally, I am not advocating people mirror what I am doing; that would lead to error in the long run. The only One we are called to follow is the Lamb…wherever he goes. Also, I am not perfect and have major failings in many areas of my life – but in areas where God has been kind to show me the way and given me grace and strength, I have chosen to walk the path without sentiments, or the fear of loss of family and/or friends.

*Exhales*

Now, on to the subject at hand; Tithing.

To start, tithing is NOT the same as giving or a free-will offering. It is the practice of giving 10% of earnings or income to a religious body, which is supposedly in line with the Laws given to Israel by God. Originally, the purpose of the tithe was to sustain the Levites who were representatives (and mediators) between God and the Israelites – and in this role they (Levites and Priests) ruled, gave directions and performed religious rites. They were NOT allowed to work on farms or do any other job. Hence the tithes were received as a form of sustenance. (Numbers 18:21 - 24) It is interesting to note that they also paid tithe as well. (Numbers 18: 26 -28)

In addition to that, there is also the argument that people who pay tithe should not ask Pastors or spiritual leaders what has been done with the money. This in itself is false teaching as each Israelite was meant to ensure they made personal arrangement for widows and orphans (Deuteronomy 14: 28 – 29). It was not meant to be a function left to the Priest and Levites.

(Actually,the total amount paid as tithe in a year by the average Israeli has been calculated by some scholars to be about23% of their income and not 10%, but that discussion is for another day and is not the focus of this article.)

For the New Testament follower of the Lord Jesus, the tithe is an obsolete practice that is often enforced because many have decided that without collection (and often, forceful and manipulative extraction) of the tithe, the “Churches”, which are actually religious enterprises, would simply shut down, because all organisations and corporations require money to ensure continuity of their processes. I use these terms because religious enterprises, these days, are largely (though not in their entirety) run to model secular business enterprises. Hence,cash flow is critical, taxation and expenditure must be minimised, policies (or rules) are in place to ensure a docile pool of individuals that will project the organisational brand – and act in a uniform manner in order to conform to the norms and status quo of each denominational direction, which are as diverse as their logos, slogans and modes of worship. Somehow, the advocacy of the ardent pursuit of Jesus, above all else, which is the most important element, has been lost in the mix.

For those willing to be honest, I will point out 10 of several holes in the argument for the tithes which are based solely on scripture. Now, I hear some people say things like “No one can understand the bible because it is mysterious”. The bible says otherwise: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”(2 Timothy 3:16) God gave us eyes to see, legs to walk and genitals to pee. He also gave us brains to think and a mind to be used to meditate! (Joshua1:8, Psalm 1:2, Psalm 119:48, 1 Tim 4:15) (Sadly,many worship centres are robbing their members of the extremely critical ability to think, question and meditate.)

So, as long as the scripture is also available in a language you understand,either as text or an audio version, it is able to instruct you on how to live – if you are unbiased…

1. Why do people who talk about tithing never talk about the tithe where God says you should use the money to buy anything you like including strong drink (alcohol) and food so you could have a feast and eat it all up with your family and those around you? (Deuteronomy12: 17 – 21; 14: 22 – 26)

2. If tithing is a “principle” to be followed since Abraham tithed before the Law and we are children of Abraham,why do we not also perform animal sacrifices which he also did before the Law? (Genesis 15:9 – 14) (In the next partof this article, we will examine what he actually paid as “tithe”)

3. When Malachi is cited as a reason for tithe, which “house of God” is it referring to, since in the New Testament,believers are the houses of God? (1Corinthians 3:16 – 19; 2 Corinthians 6:16)

4. If the New Testament Christians in Acts had all things in common, from which portion would the tithe have been removed from – and to whom would they pay it to? (Acts 4:32 – 35)

5. In all his instructions to the churches in several regions, why did Paul not give instructions on tithing but on freely giving as you purpose in your heart– and why he working to meet his needs in addition to getting offerings? (2 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 16: 1 -2; Romans 15:24 – 26; Acts 18: 1 – 4)

6. Who do people who advocate tithing never point to the fact that there were several types of tithes and that some people were “tithe-exempt” as tithe was NOT money? (There was money at the time: Shekels) Why do they not point out that there was a penalty for trying to use money of a fifth part or 20%?! (Deuteronomy14: 22 - 23; Leviticus 27: 5, 27 – 34; 2Chronicles 31: 5 -6)

7. Why did Jesus never talk about giving tithe in the New Testament but only as part of the practice of the Law by the Pharisees? (Matthew 23:23)

8. Why do people say the “Pastor”(another misused term) is not be asked for how the tithe (and offerings) are used when God demanded each Israelite was to be responsible for taking care of the widows, orphans and priests in their communities? (Deuteronomy 14: 28 -29)

9. If the tithe was a means of TAXATION to a people who had no King and were ruled by the Priesthood, now that people pay TAX under a different system of government, why are people still asked to pay tithe?

10. If tithes were paid to the Priests in the Old testament, and in the New Testament, we are told that God has made us ALL Kings and Priests, why is tithe still collected for the “Pastor” and “workers” who are erroneously referred to as Priests and Levites – which is a throwback to Paganism and not“Christianity” where a few are in charge as opposed to ALL being Brethren? (Revelations 1:6; Revelations5:10; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2: 9-11; 1Timothy 2:5)

In the next part I will go into these points in some more detail and then look at the often touted concept of how tithing is supposed to be critical in “rebuking the devourer”.

Strength and Honour

To be continued
http://christmeditations..com/
www.reverbnation.com/xtsamurai
@XTsamurai

theolar: congrats , wish u loads of luck.
i am equally interested in Rita and Rita fast track. my email add is deola_odumuyiwa@yahoo.co.uk

Kindly send me the Rita fastrack
email is taichi55us@yahoo.com

I intend to do the PMP exam, but can't deny the thought of the exams gives me butterflies in my stomach.

But I will scale through on first try.

Cheers

Guys, check out XTsamurai's song called "Shine in my Light"

It is completely off the chain!!!

is there any power bike club in abuja

Id like to meet anyone who belongs to such a club

thanks

Thanks a lot for the heads up man

Cheers

Does anyone know how I get linked to any power bike clubs in Lagos



Id love to hear from anyone, espcially a bike club member


Cheers

Mikesonic

Whats number can I reach you on to discuss further

That is an excellent looking bike - though there is nothing said about the specs and the mileage

Looking to hear from you


Cheers

A fast-growing solutions company requires the service of Sales Reps. / Relationship Managers.

Qualifications:
• Minimum educational qualification: OND
• Experience in sales and customer relations is an advantage
• Excellent communication skills (Verbal and written) and Interpersonal skills
• Computer savvy and able to use MS Word, Powerpoint and Excel
• Negotiation skills

Starting salary is part fixed payment, part commission based.

Interview details:
Venue: 1, Olabisi Close, Mende, Maryland, Top floor, left wing
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 2010
Time: 12 am prompt
Come with a relevant resume.
Contact information: 08088467860, 08125286640 or 08028334738

A fast-growing solutions company requires the service of Sales Reps. / Relationship Managers.


Qualifications:
• Minimum educational qualification: OND
• Experience in sales and customer relations is an advantage
• Excellent communication skills (Verbal and written) and Interpersonal skills
• Computer savvy and able to use MS Word, Powerpoint and Excel
• Negotiation skills


Starting salary is part fixed payment, part commission based.


Interview details:

Venue: 1, Olabisi Close, Mende, Maryland, Top floor, left wing
Date: Saturday, November 27th, 2010
Time: 12 am prompt


Come with a relevant resume.


Contact information: 08088467860, 08125286640 or 08028334738

Is it just me, but no matter how much I try to like church, the place bores the hell out of me(no pun intended)

It just seems the same old thing over and over again, the same recycled jokes peculiar to the Christian community.

But I don't want to go to HELL. Somebody help!

PRAISE GOD !!!!!

If you find 'church' boring, maybe you are one of the few who will make it when Christ returns and I am so glad to have found someone like you.
Ok, there are many angles to this thing. I am going to assume that you are a believer, irrespective of your denomination.

The bible says "My sheep know my voice" (Jesus's words). Unfortunately, most people have not learnt to know his voice - they know the voice of the masses and of pastors.

That is why as religous as Nigeria is, it is so friggin corrupt because most people in what they call church - which are actually denominational buildings - are empty, have empty, unquestioning heads, with empty unanointed hands laid on them with empty souls that cannot wait to go out and give and collect bribes, have sex with someone not their partners, lie on the job, be mean and nasty with no 'goodness (the fruit of the spirit)

BUT, they hurry every sunday morning like a bunch of morons to a service, without think of WHY

It may well be you have started to hear the master's call. The world will give you answers from the bible to DULL you spiritual senses, but if you are his sheep, whether you are a pastor or 'worker' (a denominational servant), you KNOW his voice. Accept that in faith.

This is my suggestion. If you are bored - blessed are you for acknowledging it. I cannot think for you, but I hope to trigger thought from you. Find people online, at work, in your denomination who long to please Christ alone, who have not sold their allegiance to the system that man had made called denomination, and fellowship.

GO home and pore over the words of our lover - christ - and start to see newness you never saw before that WILL contradict so much we have accepted. Matthew 23 is a good place to start, and just love him.

And as you reach out to him, he will show you the UNIQUE path that only he knows because he made you. And if he leads you away from your denomination, DO NOT BE AFRAID. The enemy sits on the shoulder of so many brethren and they will try to use fear to keep you bound and threaten you, warning you against 'going into error', but who can know how the spirit leads, like the wind, no one knows where it goes and when it comes. As Jesus said, so are THOSE led by the spirit. So, my brother, if the majority are easy to predict, maybe they are not led of the spirit - maybe they are led by MAN.

God bless you and keep you and no matter what, you can NEVER get lost if you keep your eyes on JESUS

ON Christ ALONE

Strength, honour, peace and love be with you!

Well, my advice may be unorthodox, BUT if you think this guy is honest and wants to be with you, then be with him.

If a guy has known a girl for a long time and decides that he does not want to be with her any more, no matter how painful it is, it is better than getting into an unhappy marriage. He will hate her more, she will be unhappy, they will have kids in a wrong environment who will be messed up because their parents had an unhealthy marriage, leading to dysfunctional relationship choices, and it just goes on.

Man tends to think short term and give wrong emotional and daft advice. It's ok to UNDERSTAND how the girl feels. But a calm, balance and informed judgment should always be the basis for decision making - not emotion and sentiments.

If it's in line with his purpose for him not to be with her, you may just be the best thing that will happen to and for him.

Cheers

Baby, "can a man take fire in his bossom and not be burnt?"

Let's assume you are successful - you destroy his home and he marries you.
If he can't control his emotions to stick with the woman he loved enough to marry, why should he stick with you?

Let's assume you guys are just having a fling - no strings sex
If his wife thinks he is faithful, why do you think he is faithful to you and not seeing someone else?

Let's assume that this guy MIGHT be seeing several people
A man who cannot control his sexuality might have problems slipping on a condom with several sex partners - and with you

Its a dance with all the partners he may be with and a dance with HIV and death.
Like putting your fingers in a snake's mouth and relying on luck that it will not snap shut.

And how would his children and his wife and God not curse you as you allow emotions to push you to pour dirt on a marriage bond?

I can assure you that it may be hard and your emotions and body may fight to want to hold on to this horrible relationship, but start off by seeing it as what it is: Dangerous, evil and dirty underneath all that 'passion' that is just hormones and lack of control.

And ask God for strength, and walk away slowly as he gives you strength.

CHeers

You bible bashing mob are really beginning to show your true colours

You spout such nonsense like 'your defence is sure' and go further to show the blackness of your hearts by attacking Estrella, extending your dumb conjectures to insinuate she is an atheist - and then - like most shallow bible-thumpers, built further on your deluded morbid assumption to question her christian stand

You lying bunch of hypocritical worms!

First of all, I have spoken to Estrella and she is someone who is deep, most likely misunderstood by your shallow sort.

Two, the nonsese of arguing with someone of another religion shows something - you are myopic and narrow-minded and do not seem to get a basic point - YOU CANNOT CHANGE ANYBODY

It is your role to explain your role, your convictions, your point of view - like Paul did before Festus and like stephen explained

But if you were born into a muslim home or background, you would have fought to preserve your point of view and seen people who had a different point of view as blind, unfaithful and dissenters.

Have you not read in scriipture that "No one come to the Son except the father draw him"

Have you not read that "those he PREDESTINATED he CALLED'

have you not read that "If I (Christ - not religion, what you call church, dogma or personal opintion) be lifted up, I (CHRIST) will draw men to me,

Like someone aptly said, it is only Christianity that destroys her own

People fighting for their perspectives of truth. So let me ask you like God said to Jonb, "Gird up your loins like a man"

let me ask you

Have you seen God? Do you have any scientific measures that your beliefs are valid, were you there when the bible was assembled? - IS you whole life not based on faith that CANNOT be proven but you belief and build you life on.

Denominations fighting denomination, pastor wrecks pastor, our houses not in order and then we turn to people who do not see God like we do and try to change them

You worms

I'm not insulting you, but the bible calls Jacob, or Yacov a worm, God said " Thou worm, jacob"

In your abject stupidity, you somehow think that you can comprehend another man, something that No human being can do.

And then you sit in the judgment seats and tear another down, someone you do not even know

And you think this is where balm will flow from to CHANGE someone who is muslim,

If you are a child of God, be a CHILD of GOD who is love

Be salt,
Be light
Be health
be decent
Don't be corrupt
Love
Heal

Radiate his life "and then shall men know that ye are my disciples"

Like goats and rams, we want to take sides, but God - as always - is not into taking sides!

He made and loves the muslim, the christian, the buddhist and whatever man made religion people have chosen to adhere to, all which have been made by man

Understand this, you are called to be SONS of God, "Ye are gods, the sons of the most high, "
and though the following verse says "but you shall die as men and fall like the princes" because the law of death works in our flesh and we have limited time, yet we are to walk like God did on earth "For as HE is, so are we in the world"


And to my muslim friends, I have just one quote from the bible about this God I HOPE we all want to know, please and serve

"Ye will find me, when you seek for me with ALL your hearts"

May the lord bless you and keep you all,

hi ela

my yahoo id is taichi55us

yours is damele2000 but i had problems adding you

see you there,

Praise be to Ayeety!!!!

SHe shall answer for thee

And now after 14 moons, you can finally afford shoes,

Pray, tell me, what part of your exotic kraal will these items that are your life's treasures be hidden?

"If IT a duck, let it quack"

??

Kindly expanciate on your expression as my beffuddled slow mind sometimes finds it difficult to grasp some high level esoteric concepts

cheers

Snoring

I bet you had a long night,

Or maybe you find this boring cos its not a sex-related discussion where you tend to comment with gusto,