Club Vanity

Club vanity

On the brink of insanity

Dance all night

Gotta feel right

Dancing makes you feel good

Like a young man should

Booty dancing

Grinding your man

Up on the dance floor

Dancing with a dummy

That's for sure

Don't know his name

Don't know his game

You're drunk and loaded

It's just so lame

Like a meat market

You come up from behind

Got to go low

Get on your bump and grind

Swapping sweat and spit

Having sex with your clothes on

I guess you can't quit

Jessica Simpson

Brittany Spears

Hollywood imagery

It's oh so queer

Taking that which is fake

Making it look oh so real

Our hearts and minds

It's tried to steal

Wake up ya'll now!

What's the deal?

Tantalize

Seduce me

Let the TV reduce me

No not me!

Save it for you

When you got no brains

It's the thing to do

You got stripped

I got strengthened

You got 50 cents

I got common sense

You get naughty and nasty

Have a fatherless baby

Then go home

Crying to mommy and daddy

Club vanity yeah

It's all you're about

But as for me people

I say "Come out!"

Come out from among

The contaminating elements

Lift up your head

Take back your intelligence

Seek present relevance

Do away with moral decadence

Club vanity

On the brink of insanity

Purporting and polluting

People and society

Dance is good ya'll

It's all good and fine

I'm all about having

A marvelous time

But when it effects your head

And you emerge brain dead

It's time to awake

Up and out the bed

Lift up your eyes

To the God of the skies

Wholeheartedly embrace the truth

Throw away the lies

Club vanity's

Profanities

Teen pregnancies

And druggies

Are deluded dummies

Walking like dead mummies

Tomorrow's obituaries

The next statistical fatalities

This aint some fallacies

It's reality

So awake

Before it's too late

Problems and premature death

Is a heavy test

Club vanity

For sure

It aint' blessed!

Central Union Budget 2011-12: Expectations of the Common People

The General Budget 2011 will be presented to Lok Sabha on February 28 by the Finance Minister of the country. Indian Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee has hinted that the upcoming budget announcements would have certain relief for the commoners as the rising inflation has taken a toll on the lives of the common people. It has been speculated that the latest Budget Speech would have certain rebates for the populace of India starting with Income tax rebate. Under the direct taxes code, the finance ministry is expected to raise the income tax exemption limit from 1 lakh 50 thousand to Rs 2 lakhs that would be probably implied to 2012-2013 tax payers.

Common people of the country are also expecting that the budget 2011 announcement would contain the release of IT exemption limit. This would be comforting for the common people, who have been greatly influenced with high inflation and price hikes of basic commodities. People are seriously looking up to the latest budget announcements, and wanting to get some relief. They want relief from the high raise of petrol prices and a solution that would curb the price inflation on food items. The Finance department is looking for ways to lower the vat tax on fuel and basic commodities that would considerably bring down the prices of these items. If the Finance Minister slashes the VAT chargers by around 50% then general people would take a sign of relief in the coming financial year of 2011-2012.

It is a difficult task for the Finance Minister as well, to plan the country's budget in such a way that it brings relief for the common people and simultaneously fosters a rapid economic growth of the country. He must ensure that he is able to keep a tab on the price inflation of basic goods and bring relief to the common population (especially the working class and economically weaker sections).

Following are the actions expected from the Budget 2011-12 announcements:

1. Rebate on Oil and Gas, Fertilizer, Food etc
2. Tax reforms such as implementation of GST and DTC
3. Relaxation in Service tax
4. Subsidies in FDI norms in sectors like BFSI, Media, Retail etc
5. De regulation of Diesel Prices to contain under recoveries

The country's annual Budget Speech is a major concern not just for the common people but for the elite business class as well. Each and every individual ranging from those who are running hand to mouth to those who are well established, are being affected by these announcements. Even the export import traders wait impatiently for the latest Customs Tariff-2011 announcement during the budget sessions. Those who want to check the latest report of the Customs Tariff-2011 announcement, they can log on to the website on Infodrive India. It is a major export import database site that would hold the latest Budget Speech, once it is announced By the Finance Minister.

Spirits, Ghosts & Entities

No one can speak for anyone else in the matter of spirituality, religion, or one's choice of secular path. However, there are some folks who are sentient, have the gift, and ability of sensing, working, and conversing with spirits, ghosts, and the Netherworld or Spirit world. Some go by the title of Medium, Shaman, Priestess, Seer, Oracle, Priest, Minister, etc. inside and outside of the spirit of the spirit realm. What may be considered real to one person may not be the same for another; yet, spirits do exist within our universe, walk among us each and everyday, and do emit and consume energy-positive and negative.

Spirits of the good, bad, and the ugly (and in between) kind can and have appeared and presented themselves. This just does happens. Spirits present themselves in and through many forms--e.g., voices, shadows and other imagery, taste, smell, living people, non-living people, animals, objects and movement of objects (animism), our dreams, meditation, the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water), and through contacting them yourself or by others placing and/or invoking spirits, and more.

Engaging and dealing with spirits based on their presentation (especially, in visual form) can be just as challenging as those spirits that do not present themselves visually. During ritual and divination, one might invoke (or invite) particular deities and spirits to be present, oversee and preside, help with one's spiritual workings, or just request their presence out of respect and their blessings depending upon what needs to be accomplished.

In many cases, people do not realize that there are spirit entities among them. Some spirits will tell you why they are here; some will mildly or boldly announce their presence to gain one's attention. Some spirits, ghosts, or entities will engage you and some will not. At times, spirits bring forth messages and actions of good tidings, warnings, and sometimes to promote ill will or deeds of the very negative in nature. Call this folklore, madness, hysteria, para-psychic, or just plainly-a spiritually paranormal experience or connection with the cosmos.

As an example, the real or spirit presentation of a snake or serpent generally represents positive change, growth, and/or transformation within the cycle of life-a rebirth of life akin to the daily rising of the Sun (and the powerful, all encompassing influences of the Sun God Re). In addition, animals can present or represent themselves as a spirit guide. The serpent or snake has been worshiped by ancient peoples, Eastern, and Western cultures and religions for eons partly due to this creature's mystical and supernatural powers. Another good example--cats and felines which are some of the most revered life forms within our universe and animal kingdom because of their recuperative powers; cats have the spiritual ability to drive away negativity and negative energies of all types based upon their mystical energies drawn from natural activities of the Moon.

All in all, spirits, ghosts, and entities do exist and walk among us all. It is up to the individual to investigate and interpret the reason for and meaning of their metaphysical presentation, mysticism, and/or manifestation in your life.

Women: Presidents And Prime Ministers In The 20th Century

INTRODUCTION:

From my perspective, I think that democracy is synonymous of equality between women and men in the civil society and government. Ironically, there are more women voters, but fewer women candidates. However, From my point of view I think that "Parity Democracy" is the big difference between democracies and dictatorships.I remembered that the Taliban´s regime -the worst dictatorship in the modern history- prohibited women from participating in Afghanistan´s National Government.In 1990 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a pro-dremocracy activist, won the elections in Myanmar (ex-Burma), but she was arrested and the results were cancelled abruptly by dictator Saw Maung.

Certainly, international organizations reports that 10 democracies have the highest proportion of women in its governmental structures: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, Iceland, Germany, New Zealand, Mozambique, South Africa and Spain.Another example: under the Administration of Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright was the first female Secretary of State.

Sri Lanka, formerly named Ceylan, is the home to Sirimavo Ratwate Dias Bandaranaike. She was often described as one of the most important females in the history: Mrs Bandaranaike became World´s first female Prime Minister. She influenced Prime Minister from Janet Jagan to Gro Harlem Brundtland with her leadership for women´s rights and democracy.

Inspired by example of the "Women Revolution" in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangla Desh, Chandrika Kumaratunga, Bandaraike´s daughter, was elected Head of State in 1994.Her government was very similar that of her mother.
Certainly, there were fewer governments by women´s leaders as Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, who has fought for the democracy and women´s rights in Nicaragua, one of the most poorest countries in Latin America.

Finally I would like to finish my article with my favourite personal motto: "The future is for those people who believe in the beauty of their dreams", by Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Roosevelt, who was First Lady of the United States between 1933 and 1945.

ARGENTINA: In 1974 Maria Estela Martinez de Peron, best known as "Isabel Peron", became the first woman President in the modern history.She is the widow of former President Juan Domingo Peron (1946-1955 and 1973-1974). After his death in 1974, Juan Domingo Peron was replaced by Vicepresident Isabel Peron. On March, 1976, after 2 years in power, she was ousted in a military coup led by Jorge Rafael Videla. She was forced into exile.

BANGLADESH: The country, an ex-British colony, has had two women in the national power. Begum Khaleda Zia was Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996. Khaleda was an advocate for the environment.She escaped assassination in 1995. However, she was reelected without opposition, but Khaleda Zia was succedded by other woman: Sheik Hassina Wajed, anti-governmental activist. Sheik Hassina Wajed was as unpopularity as her predecessor.Bangladesh was one of the few states in the world whose government has been successively held by women.

BOLIVIA:Lydia Gueiler Tejada, former accountant, served as interim President of Bolivia from 16 November 1979 to 17 July 1980.She was elected President by Parliament. Mrs Gueiler Tejada was overthrown by General Luis Garcia Meza Tejada, who was one of the worst dictators in the Latin American history.

CANADA:Dame Kimberley Campbell was ephemeral Prime Minister from 25 June 1993 to November 1993. But she was not the only one in power. Jeanne Sauce was Governor General from 1984 to 1989.Furthermore, Adrienne Clarkson was elected also GG in 1999. Currently, Michaelle Jean, was born in Haiti, has been elected GG in 2005.

DOMINICA: Dominica, a small country in the Caribbean, has been an independent State since 1978. Mary Eugenia Charles governed from 1980 to 1995. During her government Dominica had one of the most highest rate of human development in Latin America.In 1983, Mary Eugenia Charles, an admirer of Great Britain´s Margaret Thatcher, established diplomatic relations with Republic of China (ROC) or Taiwan. She was apparently supported by the United States and Taiwan for its anti-communism.

ICELAND:Vidis Finnbogadottir was Head of State of Iceland from 1980 to 1996.Vigdis was a key interlocutor between the Soviet Bloc and the United States. She was the first woman democratically elected President in the world.

INDIA: Indira Ghandi was one of the greatest politicians of the history. She served as Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and from 1980 to 1984. In the 1970s her government was marked by corruption, human rights abuses and pro-Soviet politics. In 1984, Mrs Gandhi was assassinated by her bodyguards. During her government, she was an anti-Apartheid leader. Many people loved her and others hated her. Currently, she is a symbol of the India.

IRELAND: Mary Robinson was elected Head of State of Ireland from 1990 to 1997. She was a forceful campaigner for women´s rights in the world.The fruits of her efforts continue to flourish: On November 11, 1997, Mary McAleese was elected President.The world recognized Ireland´s Mary robinson for her fight against abuses of refuges.

ISRAEL: Golda Meir governed as Prime Minister from 1969 to 1974. She is remembered as one of the most important women in the Israeli history.During her government, Israel and Egypt, Syria and Iraq went to war. After her death, Israel is the birthplace of important women as Leah Rabin and Shulamith Katznelson.

.
NEW ZEALAND: Jenny Shipley had an ephemeral government. She became the NZ´s first female Prime Minister.In 1999 Helen Clark was elected Prime Minister of NZ. Historically, New Zealand is the birthplace of the "Woman Suffrage".The country´s name in the local dialect means "Land of the Woman Suffrage".

NORWAY:Gro Harlem Brundtland served as Prime Minister for 11 years. She has been described as a "great Prime Minister". She is equally admired as an ecologist and diplomatic.Under her leadership, Norway was an example of human development in the world.

PHILIPPINES:Corazon "Cory" Aquino was the fourth women in Asia to assume the position of President. After her victory, Aquino said that among her political projects were the anti-poverty and human rights.She was Benigno Aquino´s wife. She helped win more representation for women in the Parliament. It was under her government that full democratization began.

SRI LANKA: Sririmavo Bandaraike was the first woman who became Prime Minister in the history. Historically, she has been the first woman with real power in the 20th Century. Under her government, the Island, an ex- British colony, became a democratic republic. Mrs Bandaranaike had taken a prominent role in national affairs during the government of her daughter, President Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranaike (1994-2000).

UNITED KINGDOM: Margaret Hilda Roberts Thatcher, best known worldwide as the "Iron Lady", was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. She was the most powerful woman in the industrialized world.Mrs Thatcher does not herself as a feminist. Thatcher was reelected Prime Minister in the 1980s and she was an active anti-communist leader.Her economical philosophy provided a model for many countries as Hungary, Czech Republic, Mauritius, Botswana, El Salvador, Chile and Cyprus. Under her leadership, the UK´s economy witnessed the most rapid growth in the 1980s.Ironically, she has not made campaigns for women´s rights, but she is an advocate for the ecology.Europe has produced many leaders, but none as Margaret Thatcher...

UNITED STATES:In 1996 Maria Jana Korbelova or Marie Hana Korbel, best known as Madeleine Albright, made history when she was elected Secretary of State of the United States.She was born in Czech Republic, former Czechoslovakia, but Madeleine became American citizen in the 1950s.She gained international recognition for her efforts on behalf of human rights and democracy. She was one of the few American leaders to balance good relations with North Korea...
Did you know that an American woman was Head of State?
Janet Jagan became President of Guyana, an ex-British colony and South American country.Mrs Jagan, a naturalized Guyanan citizen who was born in Chicago, Illinois, came to power from 19 December 1997 to 11 August 1999.

REFERENCES

-ENCICLOPEDIA UNIVERSAL ILUSTRADA EUROPEO-AMERICANO SUPLEMENTO ANUAL 1934-2006, ESPASA-CALPE, BARCELONA

2-GUEVARA ONOFRE, ALEJANDRO. ENCICLOPEDIA MUNDOTOTAL 1999, SAN MARCOS, LIMA, 1998.

3---------------------- MUJER Y PODER, CECOSAMI, LIMA, 2001

4---------------------- NORTEAMERICANAS UNIVERSALES, CECOSAMI, LIMA, 2002

5---------------------- HISTORIA DE LA MUJER DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, CECOSAMI, LIMA, 2002

6-INFORME SOBRE DESARROLLO HUMANO 1995: GENERO Y DESARROLLO HUMANO, PNUD, NUEVA YORK, 1995

7-NOTES FOR SPEAKERS ONTHE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN, NACIONES UNIDAS, NUEVA YORK, 1995

8-THE WOMEN'S BOOK WORLD RECORDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS, LOUIS DECKER O'NEILL-ANCHOR BOOKS, ANCHOR PRESS, 1979

9-THE WORLD ALMANAC AND BOOK OF FACTS 1980-2000, WORLD ALMANAC BOOKS, NEW JERSEY

10-UGLOW, JENNIFER. THE MACMILLAN DICTIONARY OF WOMEN'S BIOGRAPHY, THE MACMILLAN, LONDON, 1982

Supernatural Power to Live Victoriously - Secrets For Supernatural Power

Secrets to supernatural power and victorious living from worldwide minister and author of "Supernatural Fire" and "Waves of God" that ordinary people can use to live extraordinary lives.

Enter through the door of faith in Christ to gain access to God's grace, by which His divine power will flow toward, to and through any person and in any place.

1. Faith - trust in God with the faith of a child, believing in your Creator's great love for you.

2. Prayer - prepare your heart with prayer, talking to God daily and drawing near to your Creator within your own heart.

3. Renew Your Mind with God's Word - renew your mind by reading God's Word, learning and embracing God's thoughts and replacing your earthly thoughts with a heavenly and spiritual mindset (see Romans 12:1-2).

4. Speak God's Word - change your confessions and declarations to be God glorifying, faith filled and empowering.

5. Live God's Word - put feet to your faith and be a doer of God's Word to bring His power into your everyday life.

6. Breakthrough Self-Imposed Limitations - leave miniscule mindsets and self-imposed limitations of the past behind pressing ahead into newness of life in Christ Jesus.

7. Transcend past paradigms, predispositions and proclivities.

We all have human tendencies, some not so empowering or uplifting. Be self-aware identifying your harmful tendencies wherein your flesh and carnal mind draw you. Be inwardly alert and awake spiritually to resist such tendencies to rise above your challenges and live victoriously with the power of God's help moving in and through you.

Central Florida Wedding Minister Criteria

Selecting the right and appropriate minister to officiate your wedding ceremony can be a daunting task. If you aren't overly spiritual and excessively traditional, here are some secrets to properly select and choose the ideal person to officiate your most memorable day.

My experience officiating weddings overseas and throughout Central Florida has proven the following criteria to be most important when selecting a wedding minister.

1. Meet them face to face and hear them speak.

You want a great communicator to be addressing the audience of family and friends. Average and good communicators are many. Great communicators are a rarity. Hence the fear of public speaking for people typically. Great communicators can connect and communicate. Connecting means they know how to disarm, loosen you up, make you feel special, and give extra attention to what is important to you. Some examples of properly connecting are: saying a kind personal remark, a light hearted joke to make you laugh, or an insightful quote with which you can relate to impart invaluable wisdom.

2. Observe their power of presence, or lack thereof.

The ideal wedding minister should be confident, secure, and poised. If they are nervous, unorganized, and frazzled that is not a good sign. A warm presence is often accompanied by a smile, an assuring look, and a tenderness of heart. Those officiants who have the power of presence don't need to be chatty and pretentious. They are secure in themselves and seek to serve you.

3. Visit their website to see what other weddings they have officiated. A picture is worth a thousand words. Often the minister's personality is visible within the website. Are they dull and boring, lively and vibrant, or methodical and monotone? Do they smile or appear stoic?

4. Determine the degree of interaction you want with your minister.

Some people prefer a heartfelt and personalized ceremony. If the minister is all about business and not interested in you personally beware. A true minister has an inner heart's desire and motivation to be a blessing to you. Do you desire a minister who is warm and affectionately expressive? Many sadly are not. Do your homework and seek someone that you feel good about. Feelings are intangible, but they rarely lie. Go with your instincts and find someone who's personality matches your preferred style.

5. How flexible is your wedding minister?

In our day and age many are pulling away from traditional wedding ceremonies. Many want a more contemporary and heartfelt ceremony. Others want to be creative and break the mold. A few are daring and prefer the adventurous. Often outdoor ceremonies are highly sought after in which the couple can enjoy the beauty of the creation as they make their vows in the presence of the Creator.

Therefore it is very important that you find a minister who is flexible and adaptable to your personal ceremonial needs. Unfortunately many Pastors only marry you if you attend their church, faithfully tithe, and your ceremony takes place in their edifice. Remember God is not about the building. He lives within our hearts, which means we can be happily married anywhere out heart desires. That being said, find a minister who is happy to accommodate your unique wedding ceremony. Never forget it is your wedding, which means you should be able to have a say in the way you perform the ceremony.

6. What attire does the wedding officiant wear?

It seems funny to tell your minister what you prefer he or she wears. However a great officiant will happily comply to your culture and customs. When I officiated a ceremony for a Japanese bride and American groom, I considerately asked if there were any colors that would be offensive which I should avoid. These little details are important and should not be overlooked. If your minister is bound by the book and a particular look, your ceremony might become quite rigid and frigid.

Of course if you have a particular request for a ministerial robe or unusual attire, you should also be willing to buy and supply whatever it is you want. Nevertheless upon doing so, the officiant should happily comply and try to dress accordingly.

7. Does the minister provide relational coaching and/or premarital counseling?

Many states require a premarital course before marriage. Others offer a discount on the price of the marriage license for taking a premarital course. A competent minister should also make relational coaching available to you, which typically comes at an additional charge.

Your minister should be in it for the long-term with you and be committed to your marital success. If you ever feel otherwise, look elsewhere for an officiant.

Matrimony is a magnificent celebration of the coming together of two lives. Two are better than one because they can multiply their joys and divide their sorrows. The complexities of life are more easily met and overcome when you have a lifelong companion by your side.

I salute you for committing to a covenantal love that lasts a lifetime.

I wish you love, joy, peace, and happiness.

Gratuity for Wedding Officiants - What to Tip at a Wedding and How to Tip Your Wedding Minister

Many brides and grooms, or their parents, are very shy when it comes to making payments to a wedding professional in person, but they are generally more embarrassed when dealing with their wedding clergy in regards to payment, and especially a giving a gratuity. I have been on both ends of the wedding altar and I can tell you that it's much easier to deal with than you think and there is a smart way.

Everyone is a bit unsure of what is proper mostly because wedding ministers as a whole have historically dealt with rituals and properness in situations and most folks do not want to cross the line. But remember that wedding professionals deal with this issue on a daily basis and so they understand your uncomfortableness and they have seen it quite a bit. To them, it is part of the work day.

Do I tip? Definitely, yes. How much? It depends, but it is not unusual to double a fee. How? There is a good time to pay the gratuity when you pay the balance of your officiant fee. Why? Because t.i.p. stands for to insure proper service. Your marriage officiant is still holding your marriage license when you part ways (they are required usually to file it themselves). Where? At the signing.

How do you pay and tip with class? It is not so difficult after all. Tipping anyone should be done with joy and gratitude. Consider the following wedding information.

Most officiants charge from $275 to $900 for a wedding ceremony. It all depends on your wedding ceremony location, what things you feel you need from your wedding minister and how busy they are. The busier the wedding minister, the more expensive they will generally be.

Most wedding vendors will ask for a deposit in advance and the remainder to be paid on the day of the wedding. Do remember to make a prompt deposit as wedding professionals do get calls and emails constantly. A typical wedding professional gets anywhere from 10 to 100 requests a day. That is a lot time requests to be juggling. Frankly, the first person to commit by putting down a deposit is the one who wins that time slot.

We recommend that you send the officiant you have chosen the deposit by check or by credit card immediately so that you do have a hold on their time and also so that there is a paper trail. However, in my experience, the balance should be paid by cash.

When you pay the balance it is usually more embarrassing for people since it is in person and there is no "right moment". But there is.

The best thing to do is to bring an envelope with each wedding vendor name on it and put the remainder in cash in the envelope. If you are in a large wedding, hand these to your best man or the father of the bride (which makes him feel more important) and tell them to distribute the money for you.

Do make sure to pay by the balance you owe your wedding minister in cash or your license may not be filed in time for the check to clear. Even worse, if you are traveling after your wedding and your check bounces, you may find that you are not married by the time you return from your honeymoon. A wedding officiant is required to file your marriage license within a certain amount of time with the county, usually 10 days. If they are paid by check and it bounces while you are in Tahiti then you may have a bit of a problem as that wedding clergy does not know if you will be paying on your bad check.

The best time to pay is at the signing of the marriage license. There is always a shuffling of papers from each person and when the wedding officiant signs it you can easily hand the envelope over with a "Thank you!"

And do not forget the minister gratuity. You can include that in the envelope as well. What is the proper tip for an officiant? $75 - $150 is the proper officiant gratuity and if that seems to be too much to you, consider this: your wedding officiant is probably the least paid of most of the wedding professionals present at your wedding and yet you need that one person at your wedding ceremony more than anyone else there, or else. . . you would not be married. Yes, you do not need to tip a wedding official but think of it this way: it's good karma and a good way to start your marriage with a positive vibe from the one person who joined you as husband and wife.

The Roles of Pastoral Ministry

A pastoral minister looks into the needs of the ministry or the religious congregation for which they work. In their most basic context, and spend time in preparing sermons and they study holy texts, such as the bible and also texts on biblical geography.It can be called to give marriage seminars and also prepare a curriculum for Sunday school teachings.

As part of the role of being a pastoral minister, the minister offers pastoral counseling, which gives an understanding of life and also religious faith. The essence of pastoral counseling is using both psychological and theological resources for the purpose of deepening the understanding of pastoral relationships. It originated in North America in the early part of the 20th century as different religious organizations sought to bring in elements from psychology and social work into clergy training.

A pastoral minister works in a manner that is similar to that of a senior pastor. It is vital for a pastoral minister to have spiritual goals, leadership qualities and decision-making skills to carry out their activities. Pastoral ministers officiate at weddings, and also offer sacraments during worship services. In a large church, there would be more than one and the minister is available for work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to their normal duties, they might have to attend budget meetings, fill out reports and coordinate with other church departments, if the need arises.

Various roles of a pastoral minister is inclusive of activities such as attending budget meetings, conducting prayer services, mentoring junior staff members, and also involving in baptisms. It is vital to have a Bachelor's Degree in Divinity or Pastoral Studies. However, just a degree is no enough for certain denominations as in such situations, it would be necessary to also have a Master's Level Degree.

Wedding Minister Who Can Dance & Celebrate!

Who said wedding ministers can't be creative, dance, and celebrate? Mr. Miagee on the movie Karate Kid said, "Never trust a spiritual leader who can't dance."

The last wedding I officiated, after the dinner everybody headed to the dance floor. Many were surprised to see me the wedding minister dancing and rejoicing. Though I got many compliments for the wedding ceremony I performed and was warmly received by everyone, I guess dancing is not the norm for most traditional religious guys.

As for me, I believe a wedding is meant to be an unforgettable celebration to be enjoyed by all. Therefore I did not hold back and went straight out to the dance floor with my wife in hand. We had a blast dancing beneath the stars, while we soaked up the cool spring breeze.

The Bible exhorts us to dance, make merry, and rejoice in the Lord. We should praise the Lord with every available instrument holding nothing back. Let everything that has breath rejoice in the Creator (Psalm 149).

The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). That being said it is right and proper that we should exuberantly celebrate every wedding with joy and dancing. Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding in Cana, where He turned water into wine (John 2).

A couple deserves to have a personalized and creatively tailor made ceremony. Anything less is average and borders mediocrity. A wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event that should be extraordinary in every detail, the most important being the minister who officiates and speaks to the hearts of all present.

How to Start A Food Ministry

One of the most rewarding activities that any church or other group can undertake is a food ministry. As someone who has helped start food ministries before, I must warn you that it is also a tremendous amount of work. Don't jump into it on a whim or without doing sufficient planning.

A food ministry can take one of several forms. A soup kitchen is the most familiar to many people. Increasingly, though, food ministries are being built around the idea of providing groceries to individuals and families in the community.

Whatever type of food ministry you decide to start, it is crucial that you have the full backing and encouragement of your church or group's governing board. A significant number of members of the group must be honestly committed to putting in the time and energy to keep it going on a long-term basis.

A relatively new concept is that of outsourcing food ministry organizing to an outside group that is experienced with sourcing groceries, obtaining them at good prices, and helping to set up a distribution system. This does not take away from local church members the responsibility for making the activity a success. What it does do is relieve you from having to reinvent the wheel.

My favorite group along this line is Angel Food Ministries, based in Monroe, Georgia, and dedicated to providing grocery relief to communities throughout the United States.

Non-profit and non-denominational, Angel Food Ministries was started in February, 1994, feeding 34 families that first month. Since then it has expanded to more than 30 states, feeding well over 100,000 families in a typical month.

Angel Food Ministries works through local churches and other community organizations, which are designated as "host sites." Host sites purchase units, or boxes, of groceries through the organization for distribution to needing households. The food is restaurant-grade meats, frozen vegetables, dairy products, etc. It is all first-quality, name-brand food--never "seconds" or "day old" type goods.

There's information on how to become an Angel Food Ministries host site at http://www.angelfoodministries.com, along with complete details of how the program works.

Whether you start your own food ministry from scratch, or affiliate with an organization such as Angel Food Ministries, I know that you will feel richly blessed. Get everyone on board, do your planning, and--assuming the commitment is there--you will succeed.

Near-Term Prospects for a Lebanon-Israel Peace Treaty

On Sunday, August 20, 2006, Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora suggested that Israel, if it 'behaves wisely,' could be in a position to enter into a peace treaty with Lebanon. Don't schedule the celebrations just yet. Throughout the course of its long history, the Middle East has been a graveyard for optimism. There, the promise of peace has typically proved more illusory than a desert mirage. Therefore, the offer needs to be tested to determine if it is credible. Even if it is, major obstacles could still block the way to peace between Lebanon and Israel.

Prime Minister Siniora's willingness to pursue peace with Israel could be ascertained by determining whether he is willing to engage in direct and unconditional negotiations with Israel aimed at reaching a bilateral peace treaty. Israel should test the Prime Minister's commitment to peace by inviting him to Jerusalem for such talks. Afterward, rhetoric would have to give way to diplomacy.

If the Lebanese Prime Minister is serious about peace, the path to peace between Israel and Lebanon is relatively uncomplicated in terms of the substance involved. An agreement would declare that the historic conflict between Israel and Lebanon is "finally terminated," provide for full diplomatic relations between the two countries, resolve the status of the disputed Shebaa Farms area in creating a secure, recognized, and agreed border, provide for the disarming of Hezbollah and offer assurances that both parties would take responsibility to prevent attacks against the other from being launched from their soil, and would end any economic boycotts.

Nonetheless, uncomplicated as the path to peace might be, a host of obstacles would likely make the peace process perilous. A glimpse at those possible barriers is useful in assessing the near- or medium-term prospect for a peace treaty between Lebanon and Israel.

The Historic Arab Narrative:

The historic Arab narrative that sees Israel as an "artificial" and "illegitimate" state could color attitudes against a bilateral peace agreement. The bias could be tilted severely toward a prolonged ceasefire that falls far short of peace and full diplomatic relations.

In 1977, former Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban explained, "...history is the enemy of the Arab-Israeli reconciliation. The past is the adversary of the future. The vision that Arabs deduce form their history has never included the idea of a Jewish sovereignty in the heart of the Middle East..." Such attitudes can be overcome to the extent that a bilateral peace treaty becomes possible, as they were in Egypt and Jordan. However, in a weak state with a weak government, not to mention a fairly large share of the population that is radicalized, the effort could prove much more daunting.

Lebanon's Internal Dynamics:

Lebanon rests on a fragile, often uneasy, balance between diverse religious groups. The religious balance continues to shift toward an increasing Muslim majority and a shrinking Christian minority. Muslims include Shia, Sunnis, and Druze. Christians include Maronites, Roman Catholics, and Greek Orthodox. As a result of its diverse population, the Library of Congress' Country Study on Lebanon explains, "sectarianism (or confessionalism) is the dominant social, economic, and political reality. Divisiveness has come to define that which is Lebanon... While Muslims and Christians have lived together in Lebanon for over a century, their deep disagreements over the Lebanese political formula and state make it unrealistic to treat all Lebanese as members of one social unit... Lebanon's somewhat peculiar political system has reinforced sectarian identification and consciousness." The report adds, "Each sect has its own set of personal status laws... The confessional system of personal-status laws strengthens the role of communal religious leaders and impedes the evolution of Lebanese nationalist or universalist secular ideas."

These dynamics translate into a weak government that might not be able to gain sufficient public support to conclude a peace treaty with Israel. With the Shia population, radicalized by longstanding support from Syria and Iran, now comprising up to 45% of Lebanon's population, popular sentiment in Lebanon is likely to run against a peace treaty. The Christians alone could not conclude such an agreement without the risk of a fresh civil war.

At the same time, Lebanon's internal dynamics also provide an ideal environment in which "state within a state" entities can flourish. In the 1970s, Palestinian terrorist groups enjoyed a large degree of autonomy and used Lebanon as a staging ground for cross-border terrorist attacks against Israel. From the late 1980s to the present, Hezbollah has dominated south Lebanon and launched terrorist attacks against Israel from there. Fresh from what it perceives to have been a "victory" on account of the inconclusive outcome from the recent combat between Israel and Hezbollah, Hezbollah is not likely to be very keen on efforts to bring about a bilateral Lebanon-Israel peace accord. Furthermore, even if Hezbollah could be persuaded by Lebanon's Government to accept such a peace treaty, breakaway factions or newly-formed radical groups would likely have the ability to supplant Hezbollah in the absence of broad-based communal support for bilateral peace.

Regional Geopolitics:

Lebanon is likely to remain an important piece of a growing geopolitical struggle between the Middle East's forces of "Rejectionism" and "Moderation." Such a battle could put further strains on Lebanon's weak government and divisive society.

Iran and Syria will continue to spearhead the Rejectionist element. Both have substantial influence with regard to Hezbollah. Syria still sees Lebanon as a historic part of "Greater Syria" and is vying to keep Lebanon within its sphere of influence. Syria could well attempt to use Lebanon as a bargaining chip for pursuing its own demands with Israel and avoiding increased diplomatic isolation. A bilateral Lebanon-Israel peace agreement would shrink the pool of the Middle East's "confrontation states" and weaken Syrian regional influence. An erosion of Syrian influence could exacerbate internal pressures for reform within Syria.

Iran sees Lebanon's Shia population as a natural base for expanding its Islamic Revolution and building a de facto Shia Caliphate that includes Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon, not to mention incorporating Shia populations spread across other Middle Eastern states and beyond. Moreover, its role is not incompatible with Syria's political realities, as the Shia and minority Alawites have long cooperated against the Sunnis in Syria and Syria has aligned itself with Iran since 1980.

So long as Syria is positioned to exert significant influence in Lebanon and the Shia remain steadfast partners in helping perpetuate the Alawite Ba'athist government in Damascus--and Iran could accommodate Syria toward those ends--Syria likely will not resist a de facto Caliphate. With Iraq being pulled in the direction of Iran despite the presence of more than 100,000 American soldiers there, the regional balance of power is beginning to tilt more toward Iran and away from the United States and West. That trend will tend to further deepen Iranian-Syrian cooperation.

At a minimum, the Rejectionist group is likely to try to harden any tough negotiating positions that might be adopted by Lebanon. Following Egyptian President Anwar Sadat's visit to Jerusalem, Syria and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) launched a diplomatic offensive in the Arab world aimed at blocking the possibility of a separate peace between Egypt and Israel. Later, at a sensitive moment in the early stages of the Egyptian-Israeli peace process, Morocco's King Hassan praised Sadat's "firmness" against what he described as "Israeli pretentions."

If that does not impede progress, terrorists could instigate a major terrorist attack or series of attacks to sabotage the peace process. In March 1978, the PLO seized a bus in Israel and killed 32 Israelis on the eve of Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin's trip to the United States to further the Egyptian-Israeli peace process. If such attacks do little to abort the peace process, a campaign of assassinations and car bombings directed at Lebanese leaders could be undertaken, much as occurred during the early 1980s. Moreover, Lebanon's Shia could be encouraged by Iran to seek a new governing relationship based on current demographic realities. Such a bid could shatter Lebanon's delicate political structure and bring an end to any peace process that might be underway.

Radical Palestinian groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, both of whose leaders are hosted by Damascus, could seek to foment unrest among Lebanon's Palestinian population. Lebanon's political leaders remain opposed to granting Palestinians full rights of citizenship, even those born in Lebanon. They fear that such an arrangement would upset the current sectarian balance upon which Lebanon's political and economic system rests. Hence, even if Lebanon embraces a long-term goal for the resettlement of Palestinians in a Palestinian state, radical Palestinian leaders could still provoke such unrest to help block a possible peace treaty.

Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia are likely to head up the Moderate camp. In no small part on account of those three states, the Arab League is already attempting to counter the money Iran is providing to Hezbollah for Lebanon's reconstruction. "This is a war over the hearts and mind of the Lebanese, which Arabs should not lose to the Iranians this time," a senior Arab League official explained. Concern over Iranian hegemony could tend to erode the longstanding Arab historical narrative, particularly as the Moderate effort is led by two countries that have entered into peace treaties with Israel.

Negotiating Obstacles:

The biggest danger of a breakdown in negotiations would come from an attempt by Lebanon to link a peace agreement to overall Middle East peace. With Syrian and Palestinian demands likely irreconcilable for the time being, such linkage could only preclude a bilateral peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel. Syria would seek to bring the Golan Heights into the calculus while radical Palestinian groups would seek a "right of return" of all Palestinian refugees and their descendants to Israel. Both would greatly complicate the diplomatic calculus and the latter demand would be a "deal breaker."

In addition to linkage, Lebanon could seek the fulfillment of prior conditions before proceeding with possible peace talks. Lebanon could seek that Israel turn over a portion of the disputed Shebaa Farms area to Lebanon as a gesture of good faith. It could seek that Israel turn over control of that area to the United Nations in advance. Early in the Egyptian-Israeli talks, Egypt demanded a guarantee that Israel would commit in advance to turning over all of the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. Later, Egypt requested that Israel demonstrate its commitment to peace by turning over the West Bank to Jordan and Gaza Strip to Egypt before any agreement was reached. Afterward, Egypt sought a transfer of the town of El Arish as a "good faith" gesture. Historically, such gestures have gone unrewarded in the Middle East. Most recently, Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 did little to mitigate terrorist attacks launched from there.

In response to Sadat's demands, Begin replied, "Nobody can get anything for nothing." At the time, Prime Minister Begin's seeming "intransigence" was widely criticized from within and outside Israel. However, well before Sadat had made his dramatic trip to Israel, Israel had agreed to the principle of withdrawal, but the extent and implementation of such a withdrawal depended on the agreement to a peace accord, rather than anything less than a full peace e.g., a ceasefire or truce extension.

Ultimately, Egypt moderated its stance and dropped its demand for prior conditions. That development led to the successful Camp David Summit in 1978. The Summit led to a breakthrough agreement that paved the way to a bilateral peace agreement the following year.

Outlook for Lebanon-Israel Peace Treaty:

Given the above background information, odds appear to run strongly against the achievement of a bilateral Lebanon-Israel peace agreement in the near-term. Given the hazards of a weak Lebanese government, fragile sectarian balance coupled with Lebanon's changing demographics, regional geopolitical situation that is arguably tilting more toward Iran, and possible procedural pitfalls, the obstacles are probably too great to overcome, particularly within the next 3-5 years, if not longer. Neither Egypt nor Jordan faced such an array of barriers. Egypt was a strong state, was guided by a visionary risk-taking leader, and had the political capacity to break free of Arab Rejectionism. Jordan's King Hussein had enjoyed a long period of behind-the-scenes cooperation with Israel and a strong relationship with the United States, and those factors coupled with Egypt's previously breaking the taboo of recognizing Israel, greatly reduced the risks of his formalizing peace with Israel.

Getting Married on the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls

One of the great things about planning a wedding in Niagara Falls is that your options of where to have it are almost limitless.

So you have already decided that the traditional route of a church is not for you and are looking for more unique options that people will want to remember. Well, having your wedding ceremony on the Maid of the Mist is definitely one of the best ways to do so.

For anyone who hasn't heard of it, the Maid of the Mist is a boat tour located in Niagara Falls that takes visitors as close as possible, within several hundred feet, of the Falls themselves. This close up view of the Falls allows people to hear and even feel the thunderous power of the water as it pours over the edge way up above them.

Choosing to get married on this one of a kind attraction is an option that few couples have chosen to do, not because its not a good idea but because many people wouldn't even know that getting married on the Maid of the Mist is even an option for them.

The famous boat tour company does allow couples to marry on their vessels, however you will have to get the company's permission and arrange to bring your own minister onto the boat with you because contrary to popular belief, the captain can not actually perform the ceremony.

Another thing to consider is that each time the boat goes out it is carrying several hundred passengers with it, so the cost to rent it solely for your ceremony may be a bit too steep a price to pay. A way of working around this has been to only allow small numbers of tourists onto the boat during a wedding, reducing the cost and giving the tourists something interesting to talk about when they get home.

If a wedding on the Maid of the Mist sounds like something you would do there are a few things you will have to do before the big day.

1) You will need to obtain a Marriage license for the Province of Ontario. These can be purchased at the City Hall in Niagara Falls for $100.

2) You need to find a minister who will marry a couple on the Maid of the Mist. There are several that have done it and a simple search of wedding planners in Niagara Falls will bring up several good ones.

3) The final important step for this wedding is to make arrangements with the Maid of the Mist Boat Company as early as possible. You will have to give them all the information of what you are planning and work out a the best time of day and how much it would cost.

It is a large company but they do try their best to make your day as perfect as can be as long as you give them as much time and planning as possible.

One thing to note here is that the Maid of the Mist is a private company so it is their discretion if they want to continue holding weddings on their boats. Another good reason to plan well ahead of time.

And now after all that you will still have to plan the reception, photos and transportation around the city because the Maid of the Mist company only provides the boat ride for the ceremony with a one of a kind view.

Youth Pastor Jobs - How to Become a Youth Minister

Have you ever wondered how people find youth pastor jobs? Most youth ministers don't just fall into these careers. There are many steps that occur before getting involved in full-time ministry. If you have a heart for youth, then going full time into ministry may be the right career path for you. If you feel that the Lord has called you into ministry, there are several things you can start doing today to land a job with a church.

The first step is the most important step, and everything begins with prayer. If you feel that the Lord is leading you into a ministry career, ask God to guide your path and lead your steps. Jeremiah 29:11 states "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." It is clear that the Lord has plans for everyone, and your plan may be to serve the Lord in youth ministry.

It has been my own experience that God reveals his plan for you in steps. He does not give you the entire plan for your life in one prayer. If you knew everything God was going to do in your life for the next 20 years, you would probably be overwhelmed with everything you'll have to do to get to where you are going. It is not healthy to know your entire future right away, so God reveals his plan for your life in steps. You may be looking for youth pastor jobs now, but that might not be what God wants you to do at this time in your life.

If you feel God is calling you to apply for youth pastor jobs, you should start by volunteering for the youth group at your local church. Work with your local pastor to see if you really like working with youth. This is going to show you if you really like working with teenagers. You may find that you love it, or you may find that this is not the best career path for you.

Your age plays a role in youth pastor jobs too. While churches can't technically discriminate against people due to their age, the reality is that most youth directors are younger. This is because teenagers have a lot of energy. This is also because youth relate to younger people better than they relate to older people. This is not always true, but someone who is 50 years old will have a harder time getting a youth minister position than someone who is 25 years old. Your personality, interests, and other factors also make a big difference in how well you relate to youth.

Once you have volunteered for other youth ministries for a period of time, you will have a better chance at getting a job working with youth in a church. Churches will be able to see that you are serious about youth ministry, and they know that you already have volunteer experience in the ministry.

There are many youth pastor jobs listed all the time on Christian job sites. If you have a resume that stands out from other people because of your experience in the industry, you will have a good chance to land a job working in full time ministry.

Theophostic Prayer Ministry - Why it is Unique

What is Theophostic Prayer Ministry

So what exactly is Theophostic Prayer Ministry? Quite simply, it is prayer. It is honestly looking at and facing the pain in our life, then asking God to speak to it.

No Diagnosis

In this prayer minister model, the minister does not seek to give advice, diagnose, provide insight, or give direction. So often, Christian counselors inadvertently move people toward victim thinking in seeking to solve their problems for them, or even get a word of the Lord for them. People are happy for you to solve their problems for them, but this brings little lasting fruit and may lead to ego on the part of the minister. Any form of ministry that places the minister as a person's "source" is moving toward dangerous ground. People are really quite capable of hearing from the Lord themselves with a little support.

Discovery

The Theophostic model encourages people into discovery. The minister does not take on the responsibility at any level to resolve a person's problems, issues, or pain in life. His role is to encourage people to "own" their own emotional pain, take responsibility for their own thinking, not blame other people or circumstances for their emotional reactions, and move forward toward God's resolution.

In one case, Joe (not his real name) wanted help with a fifty-year habit of biting his nails. He had unsuccessfully sought freedom many times. At one point in the session he said, "The first thing that popped into my head was a memory involving the first time my step-uncle had molested me almost fifty years ago. All I could feel was anger. It was based on the realization that this was the first time I had been introduced to pornography and the thoughts of the struggle I had with it for many years as a direct result."

Joe had suppressed the pain of this incident but lacked peace and forgiveness. This affected his life in many ways, including biting his nails to the point that they would bleed. In the session, Joe was led to forgive his step-uncle. Then Joe himself heard God speak His truth to lies he believed as a result of this experience such as. Joe reports that the memory is still there, but the anger and frustration within him are gone. He no longer has the compulsion to bite at his nails and most importantly he is at peace. When people are willing to take ownership, they get free every time. When a person chooses to face their pain, God always shows up.

Why Christian Marriages Fail

Many couples get married with the idea that their spouse is responsible for making them happy. Unfortunately, when the other spouse fails to live up to their expectations, a breakdown in the marriage begins. "Well, they're supposed to make me happy, aren't they?" To some degree you're correct. But the problem comes in when you expect them to make you happy. It's your expectations of the other person that pushes the demolition ball into motion.

If each spouse would instead lay down their expectations of what they want out of marriage, and take on the mind set of "I'm going to make my mate happy even if it's not reciprocated", then perhaps marriage success stories would out number the increasing divorce rate among Christians.

Look at it this way, Christian marriage is a ministry and you are the minister. The word minister means to serve. You must forget about what your spouse is and is not doing, and do what your Heavenly Father requires of you. Start ministering to your mate today by demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Minister to them when they've gotten on your last nerve, minister to them, when you've had it up to here. Minister to them when your flesh is screaming they don't deserve you.

"But you don't know my spouse", you say. Your right, I don't know your spouse but I do know that love covers a multitude of sins. I also know that if you took this approach, it would please your Heavenly Father. Now, isn't that what it's all about? Pleasing your Heavenly Father. And all this time you thought it was about you.

What is an Interfaith Minister?

The word "interfaith" is open to many diverse interpretations. And the concept of an "interfaith minister" gives rise to even more confusion. Is this simply a dialogue between some of the major world faiths?; or perhaps it's a mish-mash of new age ideas that straddle several different religions?

The Interfaith Foundation's perspective is clear. All the great faiths of our world can teach us how to live our lives authentically, with compassion for others, and from the bedrock of Truth. Our spiritual essence is revealed in many ways. We require no single definitive creed or answer. Each faith tradition offers us a route to awakening that has been practiced over many generations within their respective cultures. This is a not a competition for the Truth; rather, each tradition has the potential to teach us more lessons and more practices that will bring us closer to the Source of All in our lives.

We might choose to explore other words and phrases such as Inner Faith, Universal, One Spirit. They each embody a sense of inclusiveness; interfaith is about recognising and embracing the 'extra value' that comes from accepting different approaches and traditions. Interfaith Ministry is not simply appealing to all faiths; it is reaching out to those of any faith and no faith, at the same time. It subscribes to no single faith whilst honouring the beauty and wisdom derived from all faith traditions. This is not a new religion - but it might be a new faith movement. It validates the worth of all faiths, particularly in this era of judgement and conflict, without being strictly bound by any prescribed creed. It seeks to rise above specific faiths, whilst drawing inspiration from the sacred teachings of each religion. Interfaith ministry offers a way to experience the Divine within us and around us without the constraints of specific dogma or meaningless ritual. Such practices are not wrong, if they are meaningful to the person using them, but all too often they hold little meaning and are performed by rote.

In the UK, many people view religion in black and white terms: you are either religious or atheist, without any in-between. When I tell friends that I'm training to become an interfaith minister, they often reply "but I didn't know you were religious". My response is that "I'm not; I have a sense of my spiritual nature". To some people spirituality can be equally dismissed is 'irrational'. It conjures up images of the difficulties inherent in their own religious upbringing - perhaps of an omnipotent enthroned godhead dispensing miracles and judgements at will. But for many others, the invitation to explore their own sense of an inner life, of in-spiration, of their role within a larger universe, is a welcome revelation that the choice between religion and atheism is a false one.

This is not 'pick-and-mix' religion. It is far more challenging than the easily packaged belief systems of the fundamentalists or the literalists. It invites us to practice and engage in inner-enquiry, contemplation, reflection, discernment, prayer. Above all, it takes us to the recognition of a place of "not knowing".

The Interfaith Foundation speaks of "Many Ways ... One Truth". The spiritual training offered by the Interfaith Seminary is a guided exploration of this "not knowing". The emphasis is upon an experiential approach to faith and truth. It is less about intellectual learning and more about healing our own spiritual or wounds in order to be of service to self and others. We teach an understanding of each great faith tradition in order to reveal their insights into how we can live and how we can love. We explore the fundamental issues of life: birth, death, relationships, illness, trauma, healing, and the quest for meaning and purpose. Interfaith Ministers are encouraged to practice an active ministry in the community through spiritual counselling and mentoring, and through conducting the major ceremonies of life that people require in their lives. Our work is that of helping people to remember their true selves and return to their inherent wholeness.

There are around 400 interfaith ministers in the UK. There are a myriad of interfaith ministries: some come from their own faith tradition and return to it with their interfaith training, to help broaden others understanding and compassion with other faiths; others are therapists, healers, shamans, life coaches, etc. Some use their interfaith ministry and spiritual counselling skills to better serve their clients. Still others use their ministry skills to bring spiritual principles into the business community.

Those who are certain of their religious convictions may not wish to understand what we mean by 'interfaith'. Those who are open to other possibilities for spiritual expression are often enthused to hear about the Interfaith Seminary and Interfaith Ministers.

Guide to Choosing a Song For Worship & Praise Dance

Choosing a song is one of the most important aspects of ensuring that you will minister effectively. Wrong choice of song can cause your performance to have a low rate of efficacy and be detrimental to the reputation of your dance ministry. There are four major aspects to think about when choosing a song. As a dance director and choreographer, I have had many songs recommended to me that, regretfully, I had to decline, due to some important missing components of choosing the right musical piece.

Firstly, you must ask yourself, "What type of event am I dancing for?" The theme of the music must match the purpose of the event. For example, if you are dancing for Resurrection Sunday, you will want to choose a song in which you and your team can depict the importance of the blood, the cross, or the power of death losing its sting. Although you can make a song's theme fit into the message, you want to find the 'best fit'. Don't settle for just anything- strive to be a ministry of excellence. You should review a variety of songs.

Secondly, the song of selection must have a climax. The word 'climax' refers to a part of the song in which there is a heightened peak or elevation of voice, instruments and sometimes tempo. This climax of the music is important because the songwriter is telling a story and there is a 'turning point' of the song that can be captured through dramatic movement. The song should be a progression and at the peak, there is intensity. Just as a movie or story has a plot, a climax and ending, the same is true for the song of choice. In rare instances, there are songs without peaks that may be appropriate for specific events.

Thirdly, does the song minister to you personally? A song should first minister to the dancer and then the people. When this happens, the song becomes more valuable to you as a minister of dance/mime and you will be more dedicated to making sure that the message of the song is communicated clearly and more effectively.

Fourthly, is the song appropriate? The song needs to be clear about 'Who' you are referring to. Songs in which people are left to decipher whom you are talking about- are best not to use. Psalms 149:3 states, "Let them praise His name in the dance". If the song does not address Jesus Christ as Lord, God or any other name that pertains to our Heavenly Father, then that song needs to be reviewed. Without acknowledgement of God in the ministry of the dance, it is no longer ministry- just dance.

Margaret Thatcher Diet Plan Vs Diet Solution Program

Recently, writings of the former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, revealed the she underwent a rigorous and extreme weight loss plan during her 1979 campaign for leadership of the UK. It seems that she wanted to lose 20 lbs in an extremely short time and was prepared to go to great lengths to do so. Her plan became known as the Margaret Thatcher Diet Plan.

In this article I wish to compare this plan of 30 years ago with a current, successful plan called the Diet Solution Program by a nutritionist named Isabel De Los Rios. Through this comparison I want to help you see the truth about the Iron Lady's crash diet of the late 1970's.

What is the Margaret Thatcher Diet Plan?

This is a high protein, low calorie plan that the former prime minister used. The diet involves eating 4 eggs each day (for a total of 28 a week). In addition, she also had steak for dinner which increased the protein amount even further.

The diet also involved eating salad for dinner and tomato or spinach for lunch. Alcohol was prohibited in theory but there are reports that she indulged herself in some whiskey on occasion.

All in all, this is a crash diet and while it may produce some kind of weight loss, it is not going to be easy to maintain. You won't be able to lose weight continuously on this kind of plan as it's not structured and doesn't help you produce a true lifestyle change. The only good thing about it is that it's free. It's not even clear how the former Prime Minister did on this plan.

When I look at the Diet Solution Program, I see something completely different. For one thing, there's an expert behind this plan, a noted nutritonist called Isabel De Los Rios. I chose this program for this comparison because I found it to be of exceptionally high quality with a real person behind it. This is why you can also get support on this diet because Isabel De Los Rios is actively running it.

In addition, this is not a crash diet. This is a real plan for a real lifestyle change to not only help you lose weight but to remain healthy for many years.

What I like about this program the most is that it helps to create a personalized eating plan for each person so it's like a solution to all the failed diets you may have tried in the past. In addition, you can learn so much about healthy foods and about food you only think is healthy that this program is a real eye opener.

I feel that this program is much better than the crash diet Margaret Thatcher underwent. It is better to follow a real plan and not be tempted by some fad program that's currently making headlines.

Nothing is Impossible!

And though one individual

May say "No!"

God in reply says, "Not so!"

For I can make a man out of nothing

Even the dirt of the ground!

For I can change the speech of man

And create a new sound.

For am I not the God of the impossible,

Who does work with that which is

Invisible?

For My ways certainly

Are not your's,

As Mine are incomprehensible

To the ordinary man

Without spiritual discernment.

Yet from Me comes the learned,

The aged within

Though young in years

And laden with sin.

For I do lessen the burden upon man

And remove the tears.

For My Spirit can transform a life,

A human,

A mere earthly mortal.

For I can take one left for dead

And raise up his head.

I can take from the dunghill

And impart great skill.

So do not limit Me

Says the Lord of hosts.

For in the redemption of man,

I make my boast!

To mankind

My creation

I make a toast

That when you believe in Me

The most

The most high

Destiny draws nigh

Because no matter

How hard you try

Self-sufficiency is a lie

Because no man is an island

Yet there's a God in Zion

Ready to help you through

What you are going through

And lift you too

To help you do

What you want to do

Nothing is impossible

When you believe

Possibilities are all around

With God you will rebound

And mightily abound!

Online Ordination

The list of motives for being ordained online as a minister is long. While you might think most people do it as a joke you would be surprised. Some people have a deep spiritual sense that is just not fulfilled in our modern world. It's not just that technology separates us from some fundamental organic aspect of being human. It is also that the religious institutions that are supposed to foster a spiritual connection have so much baggage the average person flat out rejects them.

Rules, regulations, atrocities in the name of religion, and abuse of power all are diametrically opposed to the emotions and experiences of making that cosmic connection, the unity of realizing you are one with the universe. Online ordination cuts through all that red tape and hierarchy and allows people to just feel the sense of awe and excitement that was the core motive for the creation of the plethora of mixed up religious dogmas currently clouding humanities spiritual aspirations.

Followers of traditional churches often howl in protest at their perception of illegitimacy of simple and easy ordination such as offered by the Church of Spiritual Humanism. But their claims that one needs years of seminary and submission to a rigid pecking order to be as one with the universe ring shadily hollow.

If you have the inclination to take in the big picture and really see your place in this world, don't let the naysayers control you. Be bold and embrace your own spiritual side, heed the call of becoming ordained.

Wild Weddings, An Unconventional and Unforgettable Approach

Weddings have become way too boring. We need to spice it up and kick it up a notch. Certainly an unconventional wedding is not for most people, but if you are reading this article the chances are you are not the ordinary type. Pragmatism and adventure have nothing in common.

If you want your wedding to embody your true personality and you are not the conformist type, than a wild wedding is just for you. More than likely if you are the adventurous type, shock and awe is important to you. Therefore you want your family and friends to have an unconventional and unforgettable experience when you get married.

Florida, where I live, is a fantastic place to break the mold and do something different. Here are some fun, alternative ideas for a wild wedding.

1. Get married in a skydiving plane just before you jump.

2. Tie the knot on a remote island.

3. Marry your beloved in a foreign country with a diverse culture.

4. Get married at sea on a cruise.

5. Go on a safari and get married in the bush.

6. Get married on a jet airplane.

7. Get married at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

I am sure you can think of some more exciting ideas for your wedding.

Whatever your idea is, it is all very doable. It is wonderful when couples are creative and break the mold. Uniqueness is a cause for celebration. Don't ever fear being yourselves. Others will be glad you did.

Tailor make and customize your wedding to your personality needs and preferences. I as a wedding minister am willing to go anywhere and do anything to accommodate the couples for whom I officiate.

Wild weddings are perfectly permissible and memorable. Be bold and tie the knot in style.

Questions Your Pastor Will Hate

When I was kid, I loved to ask my minister questions about things that, to my young mind, made no sense when I read them in the Bible or more likely heard them in Sunday school. His answers were always rather bland and not a little aloof since, after all, he was the pastor and I was just a kid.

I remember asking about how humans and dinosaurs could coexist. After all, they had to be a part of the creation story, even though not mentioned specifically. Or why would dinosaurs be taken on the ark, only to go extinct such a short time after? And how do you cage a T-Rex or fit a Brontosaurus on such a boat, much less a pair of all sorts?

I got a lot of looks but very few answers. As the years went by, I concluded that none of it was either possible or even addressed in the Bible. I realized humans and dinosaurs had nothing in common (unless you live in the SE USA) and the pastor was either ignorant, deliberately deceptive or hung up somewhere in between himself, not knowing what to say to a kid. I honestly think I would have appreciated knowing what I suspect he knew, that being the story of Noah was fiction and I didn't have to worry about dinosaurs or polar bears for tha matter on the ark. It never happened.

I remember asking why the Bible, a book which had to know better since it was written by God himself, said Joshua raised his hands and the "sun stopped for the space of about a day," when clearly it would be the earth that stopped rotating? I asked him how oceans would not slop out of their basins in such a scenario and drown the whole world? I asked him if humans would not be cast into space by such a sudden stop of the entire planet? I even asked if this really happened, why did no one else on the whole planet notice it, or write about it? I got that dumb look again.

I even asked him what would happen to my handicapped brother, who could neither hear, speak or see and thus had no way to become a Jesus accepting Christian. He told me he was saved automatically. Wow! How cool. I, on the other hand, would have to risk getting my beliefs correct or go to hell. Bummer.

I asked what about all those in history and even now who have never heard of Jesus. He said they all are saved in their ignorance, though another minister I asked said they all go to hell of some sort. So depending on who you ask, the ignorant either get an automatic free pass for their trouble or go to hell, having no awareness of what they did to deserve that! Hmmmm. Something ain't right here!

I did respond by asking him why then we should send missionaries and put the ignorant at risk, when if we just leave them alone, they can make it in their ignorance of never having heard the only name under heaven by which a man can be saved. I got the look again.

Our denomination believed in predestination, a very strange belief if you asked me as a kid. So God already knows who is in and who is out, and even if you are one of the outwardly good guys, you could be on the outs with God. The minister said yes. Hmmm, so a killer might actually have it made, while the minister was predestined to be lost? Big look there! He said that one could tell by their fruits who God probably had already predestined to be saved. This was getting confusing to me so I dropped it. I later read that John Calvin, the founding father of our particular denomination, chased a former heretic friend all over Europe for disagreeing with him theologically, and had him burned at the stake. Wow, these theologians are seriously serious people! Sounds like as long as you are a Church Father, you can do this kind of thing and get away with it. I began to think that up to this point, most of the answers I had been given were just someone's educated guesses or ideas, but had no basis in fact.

I went to a Christian college to study these things. Boy if you think I had questions as a kid!

"Why did God not like Cain's vegetable sacrifice but loved Abel's cooked meat?" Answer...Vegetarians are weak Christians.

"Who was Cain afraid would kill him when God put him out of the Garden for killing Abel? There were mom, dad, bro and himself on the whole planet at the time."
Answer...He must have known his sisters were going to have kids with dad, no not that. He was speculating. Cain wasn't thinking very clearly that day.

"Why would God stop the whole earth for a day so Israelites could finish a genocide against the enemy?" I mean, I can see stopping it so there is more time to hug, or feed the hungry, or plant the crops, but more time to kill? Dumb story.
Answer...God hates sin and had to kill the bastards, he just needed more time than he planned on."

"How come the horses in the Exodus die twice in the Ten Plagues and still survive for Pharoah to mount a final attack against the Israelites, and then die again."
Answer...Where do you get this stuff?

"Why, no matter what, is it always the human's fault and God never gets any blame for not making good on his promises?"
Answer...It's a mystery. Have faith. God's ways are not your ways.

"Why does the Apostle Paul, who writes most of the New Testament, NEVER quote Jesus, tell a story of his life or death, discuss a miracle or teaching?"
Answer...Where do you get this stuff?

"Why does neither Mark nor John know anything about Jesus birth, while Matthew and Luke do but tell contradictory stories?"
Answer...Because the Gospels are like four people who see a car wreck...

"Why does Paul only say Jesus was born of a woman like everyone else?"
Answer...Paul was concerned about the risen Jesus, not the earthly one. He was too busy to check up on the details.

"Did Paul ever spend five minutes with the real human Jesus?"
Answer..well no, but Paul's Jesus is the risen Jesus, it doesn't matter.

"Isn't it strange the man who writes most of the New Testament and tells us all how to live, think and believe about Jesus, never met him, while the Twelve who did, vanish into thin air and write nothing/"
Answer...You ain't from around these parts are you boy.

"How come Jesus never wrote anything himself while alive, but then writes perfect Greek after he is dead in the form of the Book of Revelation?"
Answer....He finished his PHD in Heaven.

"If Herod killed all the little children under two to get at Jesus, who escaped, can we not say the little children had to die for Jesus before he died for them?"
Answer...No we can't, sheesh.

"How come Herod couldn't follow the Star of Bethlehem himself to find Jesus, but sent others to report back when they found him?"
Answer...He was busy.

"How could Mary leave town after being warned of Herod's intentions and never tell the women in the town, their kids were about to be butchered?"
Answer...she was under oath not to tell the Angel story.

"Do you think Mary thought, 'I know something you don't know,' as she left town?"
Answer...you're sick.

"How could Jesus family flee to Egypt sometime during the first two years in one story but go home to Narareth quietly after 40 days in the other?"
Answer...It's a miracle.

"How come in Mark 3 Mary and his brothers came to get Jesus and take him home because they thought he was "mad" which I assume means insane. Did Mary forget who he was and how he got here?"
Answer...shut up.

"How come Matthew uses the Old Testament to weave a story of Jesus, where every quote he uses has absolutely nothing to do with the point he is making about Jesus birth?"
Answer...While we might flunk you for such methods, we give Matthew an A, because, well, he's Matthew. Bible guys get to do and say things you're not allowed to.

"If Jesus was asked 'who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?', would that not imply the man had sinned before his birth, perhaps in a previous life, if his blindness at birth was some kind of punishment? I mean, the blindness was from birth, so the sin had to be before that."
Answer...Ummm.., no. Whatever the answer, it's definately not that one.

"So is it just me, or are these good questions to ask about the text and theology of the Bible?"
Answer...It's just you. While we might be marginally informed ourselves, we are very piously convicted of our answers. The wisdom of man, and this would be you in this case, is foolishness with God. You're fired and have a nice day.

And so it goes. If you want to make a pastor, elder or deacon turn white with fear or red with anger, just ask a Bible question based on the actual text or what today we would simple know as common sense. Depending on his denomination, education, candor and personal spiritual confidence, he will react accordingly. Most pastors I know are sincere, but ill informed or duplistic and well informed, not willing to risk all for what they clearly also see is a problem with the "inerrant" text of the Bible. Kinda sad actually, but when it comes to matters of the spirit, it is important to keep asking those questions about a book that proports to have the key to everything and the only right way for a human to think. It's important to ask questions of all such books and ideas. Let's face it, take away the zealots and fundamentalists from Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and the planet might actually find some peace. Killing the messenger for bringing the message some don't want to hear, is however, still the preferred way to handle such things all too often.

Margaret Thatcher Diet Plan - Good Idea Or Bad?

It seems like Britain's Iron Lady had her own human weaknesses. In the 1979 campaign for Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Maggie was worried about her weight and embarked upon an extreme weight loss plan in the hope of shedding 20 pounds very quickly.

This has recently been found out and coined the Margaret Thatcher Diet Plan. In this article I shall review this quaint program and see whether it's a good one or not.

The program is really a high protein diet plan. Here is what the Former Prime Minister had:

One or two eggs for breakfast with the occasional grapefruit. Allowed drinks were coffee.
Tomato or spinach for lunch with more eggs. In total, she had 4 eggs each and every day.
Steak and salad for dinner. It's unclear if there was any dressing or seasoning but I suspect there was very little of either.
Alcohol was not part of the plan as a rule, but it seemed that Thatcher did enjoy a drink of whiskey on occasion.
Is this diet plan a good one or a bad one?

In my opinion, this is a crash diet plan with little hope of long term success. For one thing, it is very low on calories. This may indeed lead to a some weight loss, but not the kind that's easy to maintain. In addition, there are some nutrient shortages on this diet plan which are not good for your long term health.

I don't think this is a sensible eating plan and I doubt that the former prime minister stuck to it for very long after she was elected.

Doctors of the Air

We met at a Saturday afternoon fund-raising and promotional rally sponsored by a para-church organization. His calling card introduced him impressively. He was the pastor of an independent church congregation not aligned with any denomination, and a radio preacher. They called him "Doctor". And why not? After the good reverend's name, his calling card displayed the symbol D.D. for his honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

He was at least fifteen years my senior. For reasons I cannot explain, we became friends. I learned he never attended college or seminary. One day I dared to ask about his degrees. With what I hoped was jest, he quoted part of the thirteenth verse from the third chapter of the apostle Paul's first letter to the young pastor Timothy, which says that a minister "doth purchase to himself a good degree." So I was not surprised to learn later that his honorary degree was from a diploma mill--the same school from which ultimately earned his doctor of theology (Th.D) degree.

Radio and TV preachers, who are typically within the charismatic, evangelical, fundamentalist fold, are not known for having much formal education or having credible academic credentials. Some religious media ministry celebrities are college or even high school dropouts. One college drop-out who conducted a religious radio broadcast for decades told inquirers that he took a few correspondence courses from a Bible Institute but received most of his training from the Holy Spirit. Still he introduced himself as "Dr," and used an N.D. (Doctor of Nutripathy) degree to promote himself as "Dr." in media ministry and as a nutritional therapist.

What is nutripathy? Gary A. Martin, D.N., Ph.D., Th.D., D.Sc., who originated the system in the late 1970s, allegedly thanks to divine influence, taught that "nutripathy is a religious science of experiencing mental, financial, physical, social and spiritual health using specific universal laws."

While no other media minister I know holds the highly suspect Doctor of Nutripathy degree, other radio and TV preachers rely on honorary degrees as the base for their "Dr." title.
I doubt that the use of the honorary doctorate and the abuse of the "Dr." title it conveys has been more popular than among ministers, including media ministers. While the honorary doctorate has no academic standing, because of the "Dr" title, it is a popular degree among those in some ministry settings who have little or limited formal education.

When a featured speaker is introduced as "Dr," people who listen to religious radio and view religious TV programs have reason to ask, what kind of "Dr" the title means: Is the reference to a D.D., (honorary doctorate with no academic value), the Th.D. (doctor of theology), a research degree strictly in theology, a D.Min. (doctor of ministry) a degree based on the practice of ministry, or a Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy), a research degree that adds knowledge to the field in which the degree is pursued?

With the information in hand that the answer to the degree question asks, the next would be: What school awarded the degree? Just as it is no surprise that so many ministers, including those in media, seek honorary doctoral degrees, it should surprise no one that some Doctors of the Air are created by doctorates granted that are diploma mill degrees.

Tea- Earl Grey Tea - Who Was Earl Grey?

Earl Grey tea is a popular flavored black tea named after an historic figure in 19th century England. Earl Grey's existence and historic accomplishments are well documented but his influence on the tea that bears his name is less clear.

Charles Grey was the 2nd Earl Grey, (13 March 1764 - 17 July 1845), and was a British Whig statesman and Prime Minister. His father, Charles Grey, the 1st Earl Grey, was a notable British general in the American Revolution who commanded victories in several battles, notably against the American forces under General Anthony Wayne and at the Battle of Germantown (1777-78).

Descended from a long-established Northumbrian family, Grey was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, and was elected to Parliament at the age of 22 in 1786. He became a part of the Whig movement, and soon became one of the major leaders of the Whig party which befitted his high standing in British society. Grey was noted for advocating strong Parliamentary reform and Catholic emancipation.

The Whig party slowly evolved during the 18th century. In general terms, the Whig tendency supported the great aristocratic families and non-Anglicans, while the opposing Tories supported the Anglican Church and the gentry. Later on, the Whigs drew support from the emerging industrial interests and wealthy merchants, while the Tories drew support from the landed interests and the British Crown.

By the first half of the 19th century, however, the Whig political program came to encompass not only the supremacy of parliament over the monarch and support for free trade, but the abolition of slavery, and, significantly, expansion of the franchise. Eventually the Whigs would evolve into the Liberal Party while the Tories became the Conservative Party.

In 1830, the Whigs finally returned to power, with Grey as Prime Minister. His Ministry was a notable one, seeing passage of the Reform Act 1832, which finally saw the reform of the House of Commons, and the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire in 1833. Grey eventually became more conservative however, and he avoided more far-reaching reforms. In 1834 Grey retired from public life.

Earl Grey tea is named after Grey who reputedly received a gift, probably a diplomatic present, of tea flavoured with bergamot oil. The legend reportedly involved a grateful Chinese mandarin whose son was rescued from drowning by one of Lord Grey's men, although this blend of tea was first made from fermented black Indian and "Ceylonese" (Sri Lankan) teas not found in China.

Since green tea is much more popular in China than black tea, it is improbable that they would have had a recipe for what we now call Earl Grey to bestow on visitors, though over the years many other varieties of tea have been used. In addition, Lord Grey never visited China.

A second version of the legend has the son of an Indian raja being rescued from a tiger by one of Grey's servants and expressed his gratitude through the gift of the newly flavored black tea.

The tea became a commercial favorite as many merchants realized the value and popularity of the flavored tea and began to market Earl Grey intensively. This marketing effort was aided by the tax reductions implemented by the British Government at the end of the prior century.

Get Married This Week in Seattle For $350 Or Less - Here's How to Put Together a "Quickie Wedding"

Congratulations! You want to get married this week in Seattle. Here's your easy "how to guide" for putting together your wedding ceremony and mini-celebration on a budget of $350 or less. Considering the cost of weddings these days, this is a bargain!

Your Quickie Seattle Wedding Plan:

1) Get Your Marriage License: First things first. You need a valid marriage license. You can obtain your marriage license from any Courthouse or Auditor's/Clerk's office in the State of Washington and it is good in Seattle and King County. If you live in King County or are near by, you may visit at King County marriage license office in person to pick up your license. To apply for your license in person, you and your Sweetheart will need to show up in person with proof of ID and $64.

If you are out of the Seattle area or even out of State, you may contact the King County Marriage License office and start the process via phone, fax and mail to get your hands on a marriage license.

The cost of a marriage license in King County is $64 and there is a three-day waiting period from the date the license is issued. So, to get married within a week, you must apply for your license and wait for three days before your legal ceremony. For more information on applying for a marriage license in person or by mail, go to: http://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/marriage.aspx

2) Find a "Marrying Person" To Get You Married: There are dozens of Officiants of all faiths and traditions in the Seattle area. You may do a Google search under "Seattle Officiant" or "Seattle Wedding Minister" to find a few people who appeal to you. Your first quest is to inquire with an Officiant or Minister about their availability and fee. If you do enough searching, you will find there are Officiants available for every budget. On average in the Seattle area, a short and simple wedding delivered by an Officiant or Minister most often ranges anywhere from $75 - $250.

If you have flexibility on your wedding date and time, you might get a best value from an Officiant or Minister. Best pricing is usually Monday thru Thursday in the day time.

3) Find Two Witnesses: In Seattle, you need two witnesses over the age of 18 to witness your marriage. If you have two people to witness your ceremony, no problem! If you require two witnesses, ask your Officiant or Minister about what they can do to help. On occasion, a couple with no witnesses will be married in a public place and invite two people to witness their ceremony. The surprise witnesses are usually touched by be a part of a wedding ceremony and often get a kick out of the unexpected invitation.

5) Do the Math ~ Your $350 Quickie "Let's Get Married" Budget: Okay, let's put the figures together on what it will take to get you married within the week.

Marriage License $64

Officiant $150 (on average)

Bouquet (local market) $35

Celebration Meal $100

Grand Total: $349 (and we saved a dollar!)

If you want to get married for less than $350, nix the bouquet and find a place for a "cheap eats" celebration lunch or dinner!

Margaret Thatcher and Britain

Margaret Thatcher became leader of the Conservative Party in 1975. In 1979 she became British Prime Minister and went on to win a further 2 general elections until she was ousted by plotters in 1990. Unlike some sections of women working in British business today, Margaret Thatcher was not one to complain about the mythical "glass ceiling" or try to introduce new laws to make it easier for women to succeed in the British workplace. Margaret Thatcher succeeded through her own effort, self will, intelligence and determination. She was hated and still is by the left wing BBC for her anti state, pro private enterprise agenda, and her alliance with President Reagan that later led to the downfall of Socialism in Russia and eastern Europe.

It was the wreckage that was Britain in 1978 that swept Margaret Thatcher to power in 1979. Britain was then on the verge of bankruptcy, militant left wing unions were holding the country to ransom demanding higher wages, strikes were called often after rigged ballots, rotting rubbish piled up on the streets, and the state owned British Steel factory was losing millions of pounds each day. This was just a glimpse of how bad Britain had sunk under the socialist agenda of the Labour Party. One of the first policies of Margaret Thatcher was to reduce government spending, promote private businesses, promote a culture of incentives, enterprise and a reduction in taxation. Margaret Thatcher's monetarism plan involved controlling inflation. This required control of the money supply through the reduction of government debt. Interest rates were raised, and government spending slashed. This had the desired effect of reducing inflation. New laws were introduced to stop the dinosaurs of militant leftist unions. Intimidation by flying pickets was banned. Secret ballots of union members became compulsory.

One of Margaret Thatcher's greatest triumphs was the decision to win back the Falkland islands after they were invaded by Argentinian soldiers in April 1982. There has been a British presence living peacefully on the Falklands since 1833. All the people are of British heritage. Despite this, some British ministers especially those in the Labour Party wanted to negotiate and surrender to Argentina and then present the loss and humiliation of the Falklands as a victory for diplomacy. It was also later revealed in secret transcripts from the National Security Council that President Ronald Reagan tried to push Mrs Thatcher into a "diplomatic initiative". The so called Brazilian peace plan involved a so called "ceasefire". In the recorded conversation which took place on May 31 1982, the British Prime Minister had the spine and strength of mind to reject President Reagan's proposal that would basically would have amounted to a British surrender.

Mrs Thatcher did not cave in to weak ministers at home, or Argentinian bully boy tactics. She ordered a naval task force 8, 000 miles to take back the islands. British losses amounted to 258 killed and over 700 wounded. Argentina soldiers killed were 649 with over 1000 wounded. Victory for Britain in June 1982 was welcomed with great relief. Margaret Thatcher played her decisive role achieving a famous victory ensuring that Britain could call itself great once more.

Sir Winston Churchill - The Painter

It was the summer of 1927. King George V was in Scotland at his northern home, Balmoral Castle. Staying with him for a few days was his Finance Minister (or "Chancellor of the Exchequer"). While most visitors enjoyed the outdoor life of the Scottish countryside, during this visit the minister spent much of his time indoors with canvas, oils and brushes.

The king had an idea. He was sponsoring a charity auction in the neighbourhood of the castle, and was on the lookout for good items for the sale. Now he knew where he could get something that would raise a fair price. "Minister, how would you like to donate your painting to the local charity?" Although by no means an authoritarian monarch, a request from the king was as good as a command, and duly the painting was sold to the highest bidder, raising a sum equivalent to around $10,000 today.

Shortly afterwards the Chancellor joked in a letter to the king's private secretary that maybe he should sell some more paintings to raise funds to reduce the national debt. More than sixty years later the story was included in a book about her father's paintings by the youngest daughter of Sir Winston Churchill.

Churchill's paintings (more than five hundred of them over a forty year period) were suited to far more than charity auctions. From Paris galleries to Royal Academy exhibitions in London his works were given honoured place - frequently submitted and displayed under pseudonyms to avoid any favouritism.

How good was he? Maybe we can assess that by the fact that one leading expert almost succeeded in have a Churchill painting excluded from the judging of a prominent amateur competition because, he said, although it was anonymous it was so easily identifiable as having been painted by a professional!

Churchill first took up his hobby only at the age of forty, when he was out of office with more time on his hands, and needed some form of therapeutic relaxation. From then onwards, almost wherever he went, either on private or public business, his artist's kit went with him. In the 1950s an exhibition of more than fifty of his works toured the world. Today there still exist hundreds of his impressions of places he visited, many of them now on display at Chartwell Manor, his former country home which is in the care of the National Trust and open to the public.

Our web site the-churchill-file.co.uk explores the career of this remarkably talented human being and provides links to books on varied aspects of Churchill's life and work, including many available from our own stock.