Self Improvement Site
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
Christianity Articles
We are currently looking for an Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to "Christianity". If you have expertise in Christianity and your own website and/or product for this topic, please review this form for complete details. The Official Guide Position is part of our Premium Placement Package
- Palm Sunday – Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2009 from John AOVThroughout his ministry, the religious authorities were disturbed over the large crowds following Jesus. Even though their Old Testament prophets had performed the same works, the people were impressed with Jesus’ ability to multiple the bread and fishes, to heal the sick, and to raise the ...
Views: 1927 - 35th Day of Lent – Transfiguration - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2009 from John AOVRead the account of Jesus’ transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-13. It is packed with truth the churches have ignored. The transfiguration is the 3rd major event in Jesus’ demonstration to us of the pathway to ascension. Jesus takes three of his closest disciples to a mountaintop. There are ...
Views: 1248 - 34th Day of Lent – Preparing for Transfiguration - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2009 from John AOVJesus incarnated to show us the Way to our own personal ascension into higher consciousness … to lead us along the Path to becoming a Christed being—an anointed one. Each of the five major stages in Jesus’ life depict our own journey into spiritual adulthood. His birth signifies our spiritual ...
Views: 1310 - 32nd & 33rd Days of Lent – Who is Jesus? - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2009 from John AOVJohn 1:1-5 is easily the most esoteric passage in the entire Bible. It reaches back in time to Genesis 1:1-3 – “God created the heavens and the earth in the very beginning. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon ...
Views: 2110 - 31st Day of Lent – Did Jesus Suffer During His Crucifixion? - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2009 from John AOVFor over 1,700 years, Christians have been taught that God required Jesus to suffer and die on the cross so he could forgive us our sins. Many churches teach that unless humanity accepts Jesus as their Saviour, God will punish them for eternity in the hot fires of hell. As a 14 year old, I ...
Views: 2135 - 30th Day of Lent – What is Salvation? - Part II - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2009 from John AOVOf the 4 gospels, John is by far the most esoteric. Many researchers believe John to be a Gnostic gospel and much closer to the actual teachings of Jesus than the other 3. If tradition is correct and the Gospel of John was written by the “beloved disciple,” then this disciple was likely taught ...
Views: 837 - 29th Day of Lent – Seeking Truth for Ourselves - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2009 from John AOVAs we move into the 5th week of Lent, let us “fast” from traditional religious teachings and “feast” on developing our own discernment of Truth. If you find that statement frightening, you are not alone. For thousands of years, humanity has been taught to look to the authorities to learn what ...
Views: 840 - 5th Sunday in Lent – What is Salvation? - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2009 from John AOVWhat is salvation? Orthodox Christianity teaches that God required a blood sacrifice in order to forgive us for our sins, thereby granting us eternal life. Let’s see what Jesus had to say about salvation. In Luke 19:9, after spending the day listening to Jesus’ teachings, Zacchaeus said: ...
Views: 789 - 27th & 28th Days of Lent - Thoughts Create Forms - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2009 from John AOV“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully ...
Views: 1329 - How to Destroy Your Church: Zip Your Lips - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2009 from Paula Marolewski"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." – Edmund Burke If you really want to destroy your church quickly, here is the number one rule: zip your lips when you see something wrong. Got that? Don’t say anything. Don’t speak up. Don’t voice your concerns. ...
Views: 1078 - Tips for Youth Bible Study - by Submitted on Apr 08, 2009 from Pastor DeaneToo many young people think that Bible study is boring and that they have plenty of time to learn and follow the word of God once they are an adult. This is not true, and a lie that Satan uses to stop young people from knowing and loving God. Bible study is exciting because learning and ...
Views: 1185 - 26th Day of Lent – Hidden Effects of Music - by Submitted on Apr 02, 2009 from John AOV"A wise man seeks by music to strengthen the weakness of his soul; the thoughtless one uses it to stifle his fears." ---Confucius According to Corrine Heline, the ancients understood the power of music and sought to use it to attune to higher realms of consciousness. At one time China closely ...
Views: 1267 - 25th Day of Lent – Working in Cooperation with the Angelic Kingdom - by Submitted on Apr 02, 2009 from John AOVDuring Jesus' 40 day fast, he successfully struggled with how to begin his ministry in accordance with the Divine Plan. He defeated his personality ego and rejected methods that would have called attention to himself via the ways of the world. While Jesus wrestled with the temptations, the world ...
Views: 2574 - 24th Day of Lent - The Angelic Kingdom in Nature - by Submitted on Apr 02, 2009 from John AOVOne of the best ways to discover Truth is to commune with nature in all of its forms. To the clairvoyant, the angelic kingdom in nature is glorious beyond words. On this 24th day of Lent, we return to Geoffrey Hodson's clairvoyant viewing of the angelic kingdom as described to his artist friend. ...
Views: 2725 - 23rd Day of Lent – God's Presence within You - by Submitted on Apr 02, 2009 from John AOVThroughout the Lenten Devotionals, I have spoken of the “God within us”---the top figure in the Illustration of our Divine Self. Elizabeth Claire Prophet, who designed this illustration, refers to the top figure as the I AM PRESENCE. This concept of I AM is important. In Exodus 3:13-15, Moses ...
Views: 931 - 22nd Day of Lent – The First Day of Spring - by Submitted on Apr 02, 2009 from John AOVThe 1st day of each season marks one of the four most powerful days of the year. We see evidence of this incoming power at Spring Equinox as we observe nature’s resurrection from what appeared to be death. Tree limbs that looked dead began to sprout new leaves … a tiny flower leaf pushes its way ...
Views: 2031 - 21st Day of Lent – Discerning Truth - by Submitted on Apr 02, 2009 from John AOV"I declare what I have seen in the Father's presence, as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father." (John 8:38) "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of ...
Views: 900 - 20th Day of Lent - "When the Spirit of Truth Comes” - by Submitted on Apr 02, 2009 from John AOVAs Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure from the physical plane, he told them: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he ...
Views: 773 - How to Destroy Your Church: My Way or the Highway - by Submitted on Apr 02, 2009 from Paula MarolewskiDestroying a church is easy, particularly if you are in a position of leadership. Simply insist on “my way or the highway.” It’s a very equestrian position: dig in your heels like a mule, and get on your high-horse at the slightest provocation. If you want to take this position, remember these ...
Views: 1099 - How to Destroy Your Church: Don’t Look in the Mirror - by Submitted on Apr 02, 2009 from Paula MarolewskiMirrors are useful things. They show us when we need to comb our hair, reveal the ketchup stain just out of sight on our shirt, and help us to get the specks out of our eyes. And because of that last item, if you want to destroy your church, you should never – figuratively speaking – “look in ...
Views: 1315 - How to Destroy Your Church: Do Not Touch - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2009 from Paula MarolewskiOne surefire way to destroy your church is to hang a placard around the neck of each person in leadership that says “Do Not Touch!” When you do so, the person becomes exempt from the tap of reproof, relieved from the hand of correction, unaccountable to any accountability. Congregations ...
Views: 974 - Christian Discernment: A Practical Definition - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2009 from Paula MarolewskiWhat is really involved in Christian discernment? Is it something mystical? An inner sense? Or is it more practical than that? Hebrews 5:14 notes that discernment is the ability to recognize good and evil: "Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to ...
Views: 2377 - Bible Study Basics: The Importance of Discussion - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2009 from Paula MarolewskiWhy include discussion in a Bible study, small group, or Sunday School class? Why not just lecture, or watch a great preacher or teacher on DVD, then call it quits for the day? Discussion is an essential part of every Bible study or teaching time for six important reasons: 1. Discussion keeps ...
Views: 1108 - The Trap of Being Offended - by Submitted on Mar 25, 2009 from Holly BoydWow, how many times a day does the devil try and steal our Peace and Joy (that is promised to us) through people who are nasty, events that are slow and frustrating, or things just not going our way? These are lures (just like a fisherman would use) to get us to feel offended. I believe it is ...
Views: 1407 - How Does Deception Begin? - by Submitted on Mar 25, 2009 from Paula Marolewski"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, 'Indeed, has God said, "You shall not eat from any tree of the garden"?'" - Genesis 3:1 Deception entered the world early ... in the very paradise of the Garden. As the precursor to ...
Views: 1167 - 19th Day of Lent – The 12th Quality of Life - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe 12th and last quality/power required to achieve Higher Consciousness is LIFE. Life means more than simply existence. Quoting Fillmore in LET'S KEEP A TRUE LENT: "Life is a phase of Being, the expression of which manifests as animation, activity, and vigor. The consciousness of eternal life ...
Views: 889 - 18th Day of Lent – The 11th Quality of Release - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe 11th quality (or power) required for us to achieve higher consciousness is RELEASE. Once more study the illustration of our Divine Self. The bottom figure, depicting you as a human being living on the physical plane, is enfolded in purple light (or energy)---the Purple Transmuting Flame. ...
Views: 839 - 17th Day of Lent – The Quality of Zeal - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe 10th quality required to achieve higher consciousness is ZEAL. Quoting Fillmore: "Zeal is the affirmative impulse of existence; its command is, 'Go forward!' Zeal is the mighty force that incites all things to action; the eternal urge behind all things. To be without zeal is to be without ...
Views: 967 - 16th Day of Lent – The Quality of Law/Order - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe 9th quality required for us to achieve higher consciousness is Law/Order. Quoting Fillmore: "Divine Law is the logical process by which divine principle, or God, manifests. The inner spirit of the law is the spiritual way of life that Jesus taught and lived. Divine Law is the universal ...
Views: 923 - 15th Day of Lent – The Quality of Will - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe 8th quality required for us to achieve higher consciousness is WILL. Quoting Fillmore: "The will is the executive power of the mind. The commandments of Jesus teach the Father's will. Those who keep them are therefore at one with the will of God.... We can never fully enter into and abide ...
Views: 876 - 14th Day of Lent – The Quality of Understanding - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe 7th quality required in order to achieve higher consciousness is UNDERSTANDING. Study the illustration of our Divine Self. Intellectual understanding takes place within the physical human being (the figure on the bottom). The intellect cannot lead us to ultimate Truth because it is dependent ...
Views: 900 - 13th Day of Lent – The Quality of Imagination - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe 6th quality (or Power) required for us to achieve higher consciousness is IMAGINATION. The imagination is the cornerstone of our capacity to create. All that is now visible in physicality had its beginning as a mental picture. As we visualize, we create ... we bring into form. Thus, the ...
Views: 1012 - 12th Day of Lent – The Quality of Power - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe 5th quality required for us to achieve higher consciousness is POWER. We control our thoughts, feelings, and actions by using our innate inner power. God created us in God's image and likeness and gave us dominion over all things on earth. (Genesis 1) As we awaken to God within us, this ...
Views: 903 - 11th Day of Lent – The Quality of Love - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe 4th quality required for us to achieve higher consciousness is LOVE. "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, for God is love.... if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.... There is no fear ...
Views: 755 - 10th Day of Lent – The Quality of Wisdom - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe 3rd quality required for us to achieve higher consciousness is WISDOM. Wisdom is your ability to discern, evaluate, and make decisions. Every day is judgment day. Heaven and hell are not places we go after death; they are states of mind that we create by the decisions we make in the ...
Views: 1162 - 9th Day of Lent – The Quality of Strength - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe 2nd quality required for us to attain higher consciousness is STRENGTH. "Strength is the ability to hold fast, endure, stand firm, and stay in integrity." The Old Testament story of Samson (Judges 13:24 - 16:31) is an example of physical force. In contrast Jesus shows us the Way of Strength ...
Views: 1093 - 8th Day of Lent - 12 Qualities Required for the Christed Consciousness - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVThe number 12 is one of the most sacred symbols in the Bible because it represents the achievement of wholeness that results in an expansion of consciousness into the higher realms of spirit. As we saw when Jesus' disciples elected Matthias to take Judas' place, it is essential to focus on 12 ...
Views: 1339 - 7th Day of Lent – “The Kingdom of God is Inside of You.” - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVOne of the most difficult concepts to grasp is Jesus' teaching: "The kingdom of God is inside of you." For that reason I am posting this Divine Self Illustration ... the most comforting and enlightening depiction of this teaching I have seen. This all important teaching---that the kingdom of ...
Views: 1849 - 6th Day of Lent – 40 Day Fast - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVLent began on February 25, 2009 --- Ash Wednesday, so I am getting a late start on these Lenten devotionals The word "fast" does not simply relate to doing without food. The more spiritually enhancing fast is to put aside the thought patterns that are not beneficial to your well-being. ...
Views: 1267 - Introduction: Lent ... A 40 Day Fast - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVWho are we? Jesus responded to the Jews preparing to stone him: "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, you are gods?'" John 10:34 Jesus is quoting Psalm 82:6 ... "I say, 'You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you." "Then God said, 'Let us make humankind in our image, according to ...
Views: 846 - 3RD SUNDAY IN LENT – AFFIRMATION - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2009 from John AOVOn this 3rd Sunday in Lent, read Luke 7:1-17. Note that one man is healed ... another rises from the dead ... following the spoken word. Quoting Fillmore: "The science of Spirit is the orderly study of truths formulated in Divine Mind according to the operation of universal law. AN AFFIRMATION ...
Views: 1251 - The Law of attraction: Christianity and the Five Great Myths - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from David AbramThe law of attraction has received a lot of attention in recent years and many people believe that it is something new or at least “new age”. Nothing could be further from the truth! Did you know that there are over 200 verses in the bible that support the precepts of the law of attraction and ...
Views: 1026 - Integrity Under the True Test – Daniel in the Lions Den - by Submitted on Mar 08, 2009 from Gregory CoveyThe story of Daniel in the lions den is truly one of the most pure Christian inspirational stories of all times. His pure love for God truly put his integrity to the ultimate test! We find the story in chapter six of the book of Daniel. We have all heard the story and there is no need to go ...
Views: 2841 - Living Your Faith at Work: The Road to Forgiveness - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2009 from Winnie AndersonThere are many situations that expose us to hurt and anger on the job. From people getting credit for something we did to someone revealing a secret we shared to our not getting a job we were counting on. While it’s human to become hurt and even angry with those we work with, as Christians we ...
Views: 859 - Creating Your Future - by Submitted on Jul 06, 2009 from shayne hammondWith the new year fast approaching, now is the time to decide what the year ahead will bring. By the end of 2009, what will we have accomplished, will we look back and say this was the year i broke through, this was the year i got it figured out. This was the year i realised there's nothing ...
Views: 1214 - Does God Understand Life in a Cubicle? - by Submitted on Mar 02, 2009 from Bette DowdellOr, for that matter, does God understand what’s going on in the life of a road warrior sales person? Or life on a clanging, banging, push, push, push assembly line? Or on an oil rig? As part of a building crew? To tell the truth, the God of our Sunday School days kind of comes across as a ...
Views: 1361(1 vote) - Passion and Responsibility - by Submitted on Jul 06, 2009 from shayne hammondYou will never meet a successful person that is a VICTIM and lacks PASSION. You will never meet a failure who takes RESPONSIBILITY and is PASSIONATE about what he does. This is not a COINCIDENCE. Every extremely successful person will always have two outstanding qualities in their ...
Views: 3785 - Rough Road - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2009 from Joanne PoppA ROUGH ROAD AHEAD The last Sunday of Epiphany is the day we celebrate the Transfiguration of Christ. Epiphany, a sudden sign of understanding, is used to describe this season of the church. In looking closely at the seasonal scriptures you realize we have relived the major events of Jesus’ ...
Views: 1473 - The I AM Cover Story - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2009 from Linda WrightThe I AM Cover Story Even before I had completed my first book, I already knew what I wanted on the cover. I had seen a deep space image captured by the Hubble Telescope, and it utterly mesmerized me. It all happened one day when I walked into the salon where I get my hair cut; there it was, ...
Views: 1252 - Overhaul Dogma, Overhaul Sin - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2009 from Cheryl PetersenUgh. Why am I told to believe Christ Jesus died for my sins? As if that will help me get to heaven? This dogma doesn’t compute; it needs a major overhaul. A serious piece of information is missing. People who lived centuries before Christ Jesus, walked with God and did just fine, some even ...
Views: 1050