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The Dakini is the medium of Creative Expression. And as I get close, as I close in on the core of this energetic expression, I am getting closer and closer to the Heart of the Dakini. Now, the source of that energetic experience, is my unique sense of being. That would be analogous to what people would call the ‘Divine Spark’ of Being. And Vajra Yogini, the Dakini, is the entire spectrum of manifestation into which that ‘Divine Spark’, sparks.

How would we distinguish the essence of transformation from Divine Change as embodied in Shiva? Shiva is Divine Change. Vajra Yogini we could almost say is aspect of Divine Change, and this aspect of Divine Change has the quality of the feminine. Now what is it about the feminine? The feminine has the ability to take the Divine Spark from the masculine and transform that into new life.

And it’s not just the physical activity of procreation, it isbecause we’re talking in terms of divine, herethe very spark of God that is radiating into creation and coming into manifestation. This whole sense of manifesting possibility is Vajra Yogini.

One could say, “Well, it’s really Vajra Verahi,” but, I don’t want to get into names. In Tibetan Buddhism, it’s a Semi-Wrathful Deity. And yet, if we look closely, the Dakini Vajra Yogini is very, very similar to Shivain fact, there’s even a practice which is quite similar called the Chd practice.

Now this practice, which Tibetans consider to be exclusively a Tibetan practice, actually tracesat least elements of itto an ancient Vedic practice with Kalika. Kalika is the young woman, the beautiful young woman aspect of Kali.

Yogi Sean is the student of Swami Ramananda and the author of Dancing in the Fire of Transformation, The Everyday Sanyasin, and Experiments in Awareness, a workbook for yogis.

Missional church is definitely a buzz-phrase that is everywhere these days. the notion that we need to compartmentalize churches, missional, has for eternity been somewhat different to me. I mean, shouldnt all churches be missional in their very core? it should be expected from a church, at its very core, shoot to engage their culture and area with the good news as a missionary would in a different country? Isnt it what the churches is encouraged to do in the sending out by Jesus in Matthew 28:19? Our own hometown begs for this type of church. North Austin church is slowly gravitating to what Jesus instructed in Holy Word.

The Son of God gives the challenge in Acts 1:8 saying, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 justifies this concept as, right before Jesus Christ rises to Heaven, He commissions the disciples on a journey that would initiate right in their personal community. He begins with their origin of Jerusalem, and then enlarges the call to the far parts of the creation.

As believers, we are not urged to social clubs, but to be missional persons who are aggressively going out and meeting people right where they are with the gospel. We have gazed at this throughout history: God urges Abraham on a mission to leave his place of origin and his people and go to the town that God would show him (Gen. 12:1), God moved Moses on a mission to rescue an enslaved people and lead them to independence (Exodus 3:8-10), God motivated Jesus on a story to creation to bring back all things to Himself through the death of Jesus (Colossians 1:20). And now God is sending believers on a exploration to engage neighborhoods, cities, tribes, and even nations with the good news (Matt. 28:19 Mark 6:7 Luke 10:1 John 20:21 Acts 1:8). If we resist this encouragement and continue to treat the bodies of Christ like a invite only country club ” urging that people resolve their abilities, pay their deposit, and come to our place of worship God will continue His journey without us.

Ah, Valentine’s Day. A day to shower your loved one with gifts of flowers, chocolates and teddy bears in order to let them know how much you love them. A day of hugs, kisses and romance. Who could ask for more in this world? A day of love!

The origin of Valentine’s Day is a bit on the murky side and nobody knows for sure how it came to be. Here, however, is what (we think) we know.

There are two parts to the story. First, a bit of history about the date, February 14th. It appears that this date, or one close to it, was used as a pagan Roman festival of Lepercalia long before it was named after St. Valentine. This festival, in one form or another, dates back to the 8th century BCE. These roots sound simply barbaric today with the advent of women’s rights and sexual equality, since one part of the festival called for a young man to draw a name in a lottery and the prize was a young woman that he would keep as a sexual companion for a year. We can only hope that the women put their name in the draw voluntarily! So how did the Festival of Lepercalia turn into what we know as Valentine’s Day? Let’s turn our attention to Valentine.

The best guess is that Valentine was a bishop, or perhaps only a priest, in the 3rd century CE. This was a nasty time to be a Christian. The Roman emperors were not fond of Christians and spent a good deal of energy having them persecuted and killed. It was in this climate that we understand that Valentine lived.

There are two stories that are attributed to Valentine’s ministry. One is that he, despite the emperor’s ban, continued to preach the word of Christ even to the guards when imprisoned. The other seems more suited to the Valentine’s Day theme. Historians tell us that Claudius II was trying to add men to his army in order to expand the Roman Empire and the order was that all un-married men had to serve when asked. Claudius II decreed that marriage was to be banned and that all engagements were to be broken off. The legend is that Valentine defied this ban and chose to marry couples anyway.

Whether it was for preaching or marrying lovers against the wishes of the emperor, Valentine ended up in prison. Rumour has it that while he was there, he became very attached to the jailer’s daughter. Just before he was executed on February 14, 270, he wrote a note to the daughter and signed it “from your Valentine.” A rather familiar greeting, isn’t it?

So, just how did the festival of Lupercalia become St. Valentine’s Day? Well, by the year 469, Christianity had a pretty strong foothold and was working to replace pagan festivals with others more acceptable to Christianity. Pope Gelasius, it seems, was not fond of the lottery of a sexual companion that was part of the Festival of Lepercalia. So, he replaced the festival with St. Valentines Day. Many were very disappointed when the lottery was replaced by one of a very different sort. A lottery of the Saints was instituted and the men would now draw to get a Saint’s name and then emulate the Saint for the year. Popular as getting a woman for the year? Doubtful…

As it is with humans, the old and the new came together over the years. The Saints lottery was dropped, strands of the Festival of Lepercalia endured, and the pairing up of people through gifts of love came to be and is celebrated to this day, in the name of Valentine’s Day.

Evolution is taught in schools to the youngest of the young. Creationism is thrown out the window, just because the liberals say so. Evolution is not an exact science. At least with Creationism, you have a system that works to answer our questions. Let’s explore some of these, shall we?

Has anyone ever seen a human born unto a monkey? I haven’t either. In fact, no one in recorded history has. If man evolved from an ape, a human child should have been born from a monkey by now. Evolution is a bunch of hooey. It doesn’t exist. Sure we can evolve in our character, but we’re not going to wake up tomorrow with another ear. It isn’t possible, it never was.

The above paragraph should have left no doubt in anyone’s mind about evolution, but I know some people aren’t sold yet. What about the fossils that have been dug up? There has never been a species discovered in a half-evolution state. All of the bones found are of full developed creatures. There’s no inbetween stage there. I hear someone asking, “How do you explain the cavemen and their abnormal skulls?”

The cavemen were placed here on Earth by God. God created man in his image. The book of Genesis tells of the giants of the earth. A long time ago, giant men roamed the planet. As with most physical oddities, there will be birth defects. The cavemen were victims of their size. Now, that I have explained that one, let’s look at dinosaurs.

Dinosaurs are in the Holy Bible. They are called by many names, the most common is the leviathan. Some believe this to be a whale, and it may be. I wasn’t around in those days. However, the leviathan is noted as a fire breathing creature according to the Word. Could it have been a dragon? Possibly. There is a small beetle in South America that can spray a mist of fire to capture it’s food. It’s not that far fetched. I’d rather believe that than in evolution.

We could go on forever with this subject. The point that I want to make is believing in evolution is a blind faith. With Christianity you don’t have blind faith. The Old Testament tells of prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It’s not wise to put faith in to things that aren’t proven and evolution is not proven. The Bible has been proven true and it’s not going to change.

If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, it isn’t too late. Jesus said, “Anyone who calls upon Me shall be saved.” Admit to the Lord that you are a sinner and ask for HIS forgiveness. You can have an eternal home in Heaven today! It will be the best decision you ever made in your life. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past. Everything erases when you call upon Jesus with an open heart and ask him to enter your life. It doesn’t matter what your family will say. It doesn’t matter what your friends say either. You can have an eternal home with the Father through the Son, Jesus Christ.

It doesn’t matter if you were brought up in church or not. The Lord said that He will return in the twinkling of an eye. Don’t hesitate. You can know for sure that you’re going to Heaven right now! It can be a scary experience, but there’s no need to be afraid. I’m telling you, it’s the greatest thing you could ever do.

The menorah is used during the eight day celebration of Hanukkah. The Hebrew word for menorah is Hanukiyah. Some people also call it a candelabra or candelabrum.

Hanukkah is celebrated each year on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. Depending on when that date falls, Hanukkah is celebrated in late November or early December.

The first menorah had seven branches. Each branch symbolized one day of the week and it burned olive oil. The second menorah also had seven branches, but when the first and second Temples were destroyed seven branched menorahs were no longer used. Seven branched menorahs are available in today’s modern times though, in honor of and as a reminder of the first menorah.

Today the more common menorah has eight branches along with a ninth branch to hold the candle that is used to light the other candles. On the first night of Hanukkah one candle is light, the candle on the far right side of the menorah. It is lit by the Shamash candle (also called the server candle), which is the candle in the center of the menorah (the one that is higher than the other candles). The Shamash candle is always the candle used to light the other candles in the menorah. On each succeeding night of Hanukkah another candle is lit. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left; but they are lit from left to right. By the eighth day of the Hanukkah celebration, all the candles on the menorah are lit.

It is encouraged that the menorah try to be lit as soon as the first stars can be seen in the night sky, but it can be later in the evening too. A blessing is spoken when the menorah is lit. The ceremony of lighting the menorah is traditionally witnessed by the entire household. After the menorah is lit, it is customarily placed in or near a window so people passing by can see it. The menorah stays lit until the candles burn themselves out.

The menorahs available today vary from simple to elaborate. There are special menorahs just for children brass; tabletop menorahs; floor menorahs; and menorahs that are electrified instead of burning candles. Some types and styles I’ve seen include: crystal, etched glass, aluminum, ceramic, wood, silver, gold, and even various animal menorahs such as a dove menorah and elephant menorah.

The menorah is an important Jewish symbol and is widely recognized. Many non-Jewish or gentile people may not be familiar with Jewish history and traditions but they likely know what a menorah is.

Dorrie Ruplinger is the publisher of http://www.hannakahinformation.com which provides information and resources about Door County Wisconsin parks.

Self esteem is something I believe that we would all like to
have but when you have some powerful addiction one of the first
things you lose is your self esteem.

None of us like to think we are addicted to something and are
adamant that we are in complete control, only doing what we do
because we so enjoy it and that giving it up would be so easy -
it’s just that we don’t want to give it up isn’t it?!!!

There are many different type of addictions such as alcohol,
drugs, overeating, sex, perfectionism - the list could go on and
on and we all think that one addiction is worse than another -
well that is not really the case - each addiction affects the
self esteem and well being of the affected person and probably
their loved ones and family as well.

Once the person faces up to the fact that they do have a
problem, and that is most certainly the first stage, then they
might seek some form of professional help - now I am not
knocking these professionals because I truly believe that they
do a great job but unless you reach the inner being of the
person I truly believe that it is only a matter of time before
that person who was supposedly cured starts all over again with
their addiction - that is why you see people who’ve been stopped
smoking for many years and those who have not touched a drop of
alcohol suddenly start again.

How do I know this? - well I reckon I’m pretty much an expert in
the field of addiction to alcohol and cigarettes - they were
such an important party of my life for so many years and when I
finally admitted I had a huge problem I took all the help I
could find, some of it I even paid for. I did well for almost
one year but boy was it hard and I soon started again this time
with such a vengeance that it caused my business and marriage
breakdown and I found myself living in a mobile home on my own
with drink being my only companion.

What happened to me on that day in December 2002 was nothing
short of a modern day miracle - overnight, and I mean overnight
I stopped both drinking and smoking, have never touched either
of these but more importantly NEVER EVER have had the desire for
these in the slightest. A few months later I was reunited with
my wife and children and couldn’t be happier with my life if I
was to win the lottery - I wouldn’t swap this inner peace and
complete happiness that I have for anything in this world.

I just had to write about what happened on that day which is
what I have done in the hope that the same release from powerful
addictions can become a reality for others who are living their
lives addicted to something in the same way I was - the
difference it makes is incredible and I just hope and pray that
you can all find the release and subsequent inner peace and
contentment that I’ve now got, I really do.

A recent testimonial, exerts of which are included below, show
just why I want this book to reach and touch people who are
looking for what I’ve found.

I LAVISHED your book. My life was in shambles; my wife had
divorced me and tonight I was in such a state of despair that I
had rung my Mother to tell her that suicide was my only option -
after reading your book I have a peace about me that I have not
had since I was 19 and I’m 56 now. Thank you thank you for
allowing God to speak through you to me - I now feel a complete
relief from all the pain and misery I have known for the past 37
years and I thank you for saving my life - actually GOD SAVED MY
LIFE but you threw me the life preserver - may God continue to
bless you, your family and your ministry.

Roy Thompson, Atlanta, Georgia - royjrthompson@bellsouth.net

Do you worry? Are you concerned about your future to the point where it steals your joy? Jesus said in Matthew 6:25, “Take no thought for your life.”

That seems simple enough, but for some reason we don’t get it. We think we have to run our own lives and make things happen. If something isn’t going right we think we have to fix it. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to make something happen that is never meant to happen.

I’ve heard it said that if you try to teach a pig to sing, it will frustrate you and irritate the pig. If that pig is meant to sing God will lead him to sing without your help.

Sometimes, we are to just take our hands off of things and let God take care of it. Let Him do what only He can do and not worry about the outcome. Believe that He has your best interest in mind for He has a wonderful plan for each believer. (Jeremiah 29:11)
God wants to govern our lives. When we become saved, the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts and wants full control. We must die to the flesh and give Him that control or else we will be fighting against Him. “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

I encourage you to read Mathew 6:19-34 where Jesus is saying, “Take no thought for your life.” Ask God to make it alive to you so that you may fully grasp this portion of scripture. You are meant to be free of stress, reasoning, worry and everything else that weighs you down.

You don’t have to struggle, worry, try to figure everything out, and try to make things happen. God wants us to dwell in His secret place and abide under His shadow (Psalm 91:1) and cast all of our care upon Him, for He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) He is our Heavenly Father who wants to take care of His children.

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

About the Author

Daniel N. Brown is the publisher of the “Living the Abundant and Prosperous Christian Life” Newsletter. A free weekly publication that teaches people how to live the abundant and prosperous Christian life. Receieve a free copy of Dan’s 14 page report entitled, “5 Biblical Keys to Outrageous Prosperity,” when you sign up. www.secretplaceonline.com