Archive for November, 2007

Difficult Wedding Invitation Wording Situations Part 2

Tuesday, November 27th, 2007

By Jennifer Strahan As tradition states that the party who is hosting the wedding should do the inviting on a wedding invitation. Traditionally, this would be the brides parents. However, what happens if the grooms parents are hosting or if the bride does not have parents. There are two ways to remedy this wording problem. If the grooms parents are hosting the wedding, then you can use wording similar to this: Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth McDonald request the honor of your presence at the marriage of Miss Elise Brennan to their son Jason Harold McDonald Another way is to word the invitation so that the couple is hosting their own wedding. See the example below. The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of Ms. Valerie Atwood and Mr. John Thomas Some couples also struggle with invitation wording when they want to let their guests know that children are not allowed. Many times, couples will have printed, Adults Only, or Adults Only Reception. According to etiquette, this is not correct. If you do not want children, simply do not invite them. Another option is to have a family member or close friend spread the word. What if you want to provide registry information to your guests? It is not traditionally acceptable to provide gift registry information on your wedding invitation. However, more and more couples are turning to the internet and establishing their own wedding webpage. The Knot (www.theknot.com) allows you to create your own webpage, at no cost. Your wedding website can include information about how you met your fianc, the proposal, the wedding party and even your gift registry. Travel and accommodation information can also be included on your wedding webpage, along with local attractions. More and more couples are using their wedding webpage so that their guests can obtain registry information and much more. Situations may seem difficult when trying to explain them formally, on a wedding invitation. The best advice to remember is to say on your wedding invitations what you are comfortable with, and use etiquette to guide you along. If you say what is best for you and your fianc on your wedding invitations, you cant go wrong! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Strahan http://EzineArticles.com/?Difficult-Wedding-Invitation-Wording-Situations-Part-2&id=472837 cheap online pharmacies xanax cod loretabs and xanax without a prescription low cost xanax online buy cheap xanax

Are Your Clothes Becoming Intolerable?

Monday, November 26th, 2007

By Michael Lackman Chemical toxins are a growing problem for everyone you, me, your family, people everywhere. Dr. Dick Irwin, a toxicologist at Texas A&M University, stated that Chemicals have replaced bacteria and viruses as the main threat to health. The diseases we are beginning to see as the major causes of death in the later part of (the 1900s) and into the 21st century are diseases of chemical origin. The chemical toxic overload growing around us is taking many forms including increases in cancer, asthma, and a condition called Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) is a syndrome of medical conditions ranging from mild to life-threatening and include headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing, irregular heart beat, and seizures. Usually the symptoms fade between exposures, but some people have the symptoms all the time. MCS symptoms in children include red cheeks and ears, dark circles under the eyes, hyperactivity, and behavior or learning problems. Medical researchers believe MCS to arise from a physiology that has been weakened by an overexposure to chemical toxins. This overexposure probably occurs gradually over many years. Researchers have long known that chemical toxins can be stored and accumulated in the fatty tissue and organs such as the liver. MCS is thought to be a result of the chemical straw that breaks the back of our bodys natural ability to purify and remove toxins and it causes a temporary or prolonged breakdown in the bodys natural balance. Multiple Chemical Sensitivities is sometimes known medically as Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance IEI). The discomfort from chemical sensitivities might be triggered by a wide range of causes such as the off-gassing of chemicals from a new carpet or new, fabric-covered office partitions, lawn pesticides, cleaning solvents, or clothing grown and manufactured with toxic chemicals which is the vast majority of clothing produced today. Many common chemically-intensive products such as laundry detergents, perfumes and skin care products can trigger physical reactions. Our skin can act as a protective barrier but it is also very absorbent, especially in areas where the skin might be damaged, have a rash or where the top layer of skin might have been rubbed off or abraded. Chemicals and toxins applied to the skin are easily absorbed and enter our blood systems. The liver and large intestine are the primary organs involved in detoxifying the body. One of the livers primary functions is in breaking down toxins so they can be eliminated. As the liver becomes overwhelmed with a constant barrage of toxins from the environment, toxins are not effectively eliminated and they begin to be stored in fatty tissue within the body. Nothing is closer to our bodies than our clothing and our clothes today are too often chemical toxin storehouses. Synthetics and man-made fibers such as polyester, nylon, acrylics, and rayon begin their fabric lives in a chemical vat. Most people are aware that cotton, once considered the symbol of purity, is grown in fields heavily drenched in pesticides and insecticides. California’s cotton fields are blanketed each year with more than 17 million pounds of pesticides. In the U.S., it takes nearly a third of a pound of chemicals to grow enough cotton for just one t-shirt. Does that favorite conventional cotton shirt still seem innocent? The environmental damage due to toxic herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, and synthetic chemical fertilizers is significant and sometimes deadly to farm workers and wildlife near the cotton farms. Irrigation and rainwater runoff contain high levels of chemical pollutants which poison streams, rivers, lakes and seep into wells and reservoirs used for community drink water. Many municipal water treatment centers lack equipment to eliminate these toxic chemicals before they enter city water lines. Residues of pesticides have been measured in human amniotic fluid and they accumulate in fatty tissues and have been found in human breast milk. For the chemically sensitive and everyone concerned about the levels of chemical toxicity that ultimately travel into our bodies, the cotton fields are just the beginning of the long, chemical road to our wardrobes and closets. The garment manufacturing industry is huge internationally and notoriously chemically-intensive and polluting. All stages of the conventional garment manufacturing process, except for the spinning process, rely upon a blizzard of synthetic chemicals, many of which are toxic. Polyvinyl alcohol is often used as a sizing to make the yarn weavable. Harsh chlorine is used to bleach and whiten. Fabric is scoured, cleaned and de-pigmented with sodium hydroxide, heavy metal salts and cerium compounds in preparation for dying. Dyes often contain heavy metal impurities, chrome mordant and formaldehyde-fixing agents. Some Azo-based dyes (Azo dye group III A1 and A2) shed carcinogenic aryl amines. Not only do toxic residuals of these chemicals remain in the clothing, but they also find their way into ecosystems as waste and waste waters from the manufacturing processes. This is especially true in developing nations where most garments are manufactured and where environmental protections are lax and ignored. Finishing is the last step of the manufacturing process and it is here that the last remnants of the natural fibers are paved over with harsh chemicals. A urea-formaldehyde product is frequently applied to cotton fabrics to reduce shrinkage and wrinkling. Cotton is a fiber designed by nature to absorb and heat is used to lock finishes into the cotton fibers. When heat is applied, these chemical finishes expand and are permanently bonded into the fabric preventing them from being removed by washing or dry cleaning. People concerned about chemical overloads should be anti- any garment that is advertised as being anti-shrink, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-static, anti-odor, anti-flame, anti-wrinkle, anti-stain, or any of the other anti- easy care garment finishes. Easy care finishes for cotton garments are achieved through chemicals, most of which will not wash out. That new clothes smell found in most conventional clothing chains is because of the chemical finishes used on their clothing. So what is the chemically sensitive Cinderella to wear? Begin with natural fiber organic clothing such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and organically grown wools that have been grown organically and manufactured using organic and eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Both the growing and the manufacturing phases are critical to produce healthy clothing. If the finest natural organic fibers are smothered during manufacturing with harsh and toxic chemicals, the result will still be wrapping your body like a toxic sushi and allowing these chemicals to be introduced through your skin into your body. In a sense, your skin eats your clothing because chemicals in your clothing do pass through your skin into your blood system and throughout your internal organs. For babies and young children, this is even more of a concern because they often put their clothing in their mouths and suck on their clothing. Because Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is a syndrome of symptoms and can have many different causes, clothing that might be acceptable for one person will be intolerable for another person. At LotusOrganics.com, we have worked with many people with chemical sensitivities and have found that people with mild sensitivities can often wear organic clothing dyed with low impact dyes but people with more acute chemical sensitivities can only wear natural, non-dyed or color grown organic cotton clothing. Clothing made from hemp and various wools is often intolerable for the acutely chemically sensitive; probably not because of some problem with the natural fiber but with chemicals added during the manufacturing process. Certified organic cotton from Peru generally receives the best ratings for its purity and comfort from the chemically sensitive. Some manufacturers in India are also starting to produce some healthy organic cotton garments. Organic clothing from Turkey and Egypt can be iffy often because of the dyes. Garments manufactured in Asia tend to be the most problematic as Asian manufacturing processes are often more chemically intensive and there is less transparency into their manufacturing processes. These are just general guidelines based upon our experiences helping many people with chemical sensitivities find healthy and tolerable clothing. Another area of problems for the chemically sensitive is the presence of elastic and latex in clothing. Some people are very sensitive to direct contact with elastic or latex. This is especially a problem in underwear where the waistband and leg openings have elastic or latex that comes into direct contact with the skin. This is why some manufacturers wrap their elastic or latex within organic cotton. New clothing wrapped in white tissue or packaged in some plastics can cause discomfort and health problems for the very chemically sensitive. White tissue wrapping paper has usually been treated with harsh chlorine bleach and colored tissues have been soaked in strong chemical dyes. Packaging and wrapping plastic is made from petrochemicals and some plastics off-gas fumes that can causes physical discomfort. New shipping boxes are bonded and held together with adhesives which can off-gas into clothing being shipped inside. At LotusOrganics.com, we prepare clothing for shipping by wrapping it in unbleached, non-dyed tissue and, when requested, use old cardboard boxes for shipping because they are largely off-gassed after time. For people with MCS, the modern world is becoming a chemically toxic labyrinth and MCS is an environmental disease that can affect anyone. For more information, visit the Chemical Sensitivity Foundation (http://www.chemicalsensitivityfoundation.org/), the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/faq/mcss.htm, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service report on MCS (http://web.health.gov/environment/mcs/toc.htm) We must all do what we can to reduce toxins and improve the purity of our environment including our clothes closets. Michael Lackman is the founder of LotusOrganics.com, an online organic clothing store offering purely beautiful and healthy organic clothing for exercise, yoga, casual wear, and sleepwear. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Lackman http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-Your-Clothes-Becoming-Intolerable?&id=121136 where to buy cheap ultram 120 buy cheap tab tramadol tramadol no prescription required 200 tablets can i buy ultram online

Employee Benefits - Right Or Privilege

Saturday, November 24th, 2007

By Richard Hall Over the years, one of the most important factors candidates cited in searching for employment was benefits. Surprisingly this was second to salary. Considering the high cost of healthcare and prescriptions, benefits have played a vital role in the way people look for jobs. Unfortunately, in recent years, we have seen a decline in the benefits being offered. Companies are finding it difficult to keep pace with the rising costs of insurance and other employee benefits, forcing them to either reduce or eliminate their offering. Many believe that employees are entitled to benefits, feeling it is the companys responsibility to offer some level of support. Others believe that employee benefits are a privilege not a right. For this group, they believe that any offering is better than nothing at all. Adding further fuel to this hotbed issue the number one reason that people file for bankruptcy is medical bills. So, what is the truth about employee benefits is it a right or a privilege? Lets begin by addressing the many inaccuracies and misconceptions relating to employee benefits. Myth: For Only large companies are required by law to provide benefits. Truth: The truth is that while some benefits are mandated, the majority are not. Standard benefits such as healthcare, holiday pay, and vacation are routinely offered by companies of all sizes as part of a benefits package. While most companies do offer some or many of these benefits, from a legal standpoint, these benefits are not actually governed by the law. In a competitive marketplace, employee benefits can be the deciding factor for many candidates. Organizations offer these benefits in order to attract and retain high quality employees. Business owners know that providing perks to employees is a worthwhile investment to attract a higher caliber of employee. Therefore, while the company has to spend significant money to provide this type of coverage, they do so as an investment to growing business, and attracting and retaining a talented workforce not because they are required to do so. Todays world is highly competitive. Individuals who have graduated with a BA or even MBA usually only work for top companies. This means that for small to medium size organizations to compete they have to find creative ways to make the opportunities more appealing. Another misconception is that people are entitled to time off for vacation. Again, this is something offered, not mandated by law, as most people believe. Now, when it comes to receiving vacation time, if it is provided by the employer, it must be treated in the same way as wages, being earned daily, which is law. The other factors protecting the employee from accrued vacation is that once it is earned, the company cannot renege by taking it back and if the employee leaves the company, regardless of termination or voluntary leave, he or she must be paid earned income. The examples listed below will provide you with an idea of what is the employees right versus privilege: Any company with a minimum of one employee is required to provide unemployment insurance, which is covered 100%, meaning the employee pays nothing. Workmens Compensation This too must be provided for any company with one employee to include disability income, medical benefits, and time off, paid for by the company at 100%. Pregnancy Disability Leave For companies with a minimum of five employees, reasonable accommodation must be provided, typically between four and eight weeks. Vacation This benefit is not required under current law although any vacation must be accrued and paid out to the employee upon separation from the company. Sick Pay Again, by law, this is not required. However, under the Federal Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employees under certain circumstances would be provided time off (up to 12 work weeks within a 12 month period) without pay while the current job is protected. FMLA would cover issues pertaining to death in the family, medical leave, adoption and serious health issues of immediate family members. Holiday Pay This too is at the discretion of the company and not mandated. Pension and Retirement While this would not be mandatory, any coverage provided would need to follow strict ERISA regulations and tax laws. Healthcare Insurance Finally, health insurance is not required by law. However, when coverage is offered, it would fall under the direction of COBRA, Cal-COBRA, and HIPPA regulations. As you can see, most employee benefits are in fact a privilege and not a right. While job seekers and employees might deem it unfair or even immoral, it is what the law currently states. Having an understanding of the law, enables you to tailor and market your employee benefits package appropriately highlighting the perks that your company can offer. Richard A. Hall is founder and President/CEO of LexTech, Inc., a legal information consulting company. Mr. Hall has a unique breadth of experience which has enabled him to meld technology and sophisticated statistical analysis to produce a technology driven analytical model of the practice of law. As a busy civil trial attorney, he was responsible for the design and implementation of a LAN based litigation database and fully automated document production system for a mid-sized civil defense firm. He developed a task based billing model built on extensive statistical analysis of hundreds of litigated civil matters. In 1994, Mr. Hall invented linguistic modeling software which automatically reads, applies budget codes, budget codes and analyzes legal bill content. He also served as California Director and lecturer for a nationwide bar review. Mr. Hall continues to practice law and perform pro bono services for several Northern California judicial districts. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Hall http://EzineArticles.com/?Employee-Benefits—Right-Or-Privilege&id=360413 merchant terminal credit card debt elimination elimination default on credit card debt student loan consolidation debt elimination bad credit free payment phone credit card debt elimination

Can Tea Strengthen Your Bones?

Saturday, November 24th, 2007

By Kate Lindemann It has long been said that caffeine is not good for building strong bones. In fact, drinking more than three caffeinated beverages a day is listed as a risk factor for developing Osteoporosis (porous bone). But a study reported in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” indicates that the tea may be helpful for keeping bones strong. A study done at the University of Cambridge in England examined the tea drinking habits and bone densities of over 1200 British women age 65 - 75. The researchers found that “tea drinkers “had stronger bones than “non-tea drinkers.” The tea-drinkers in the study had a 5 percent higher mean bone-mineral density than non-tea-drinkers. This could mean a 10 percent to 15 percent decline in fracture risk! These results are very different from those found among coffee drinkers. The researchers said that perhaps antioxidants in tea are key players or it may be the flouride found in tea. Flouride has a positive effect on bone. Researchers from National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Taiwan also found tea to have beneficial effects on bone. The surveyed 1,037 men and women age 30 and older who had bone density tests about their tea drinking habits. Most of the habitual tea drinkers consumed green or oolong tea. Those who had been drinking tea for at least 6 -10 years had a hip-bone density 2.3 percent higher than in non-habitual tea drinkers and those who drank tea regularly for more than 10 yearshad a hip-bone density was 6.2 percent higher than in non-habitual tea drinkers. Since Asian tea drinkers do not use milk in their tea, these results can not be attributed to any calcium found in milk. So, tea drinking may be a pleasant and easy means of strengthening your bones. This article was written by K. Lindemann Ph. D. of http://www.osteopenia3.com Permission is given to reproduce it in whole or in part as long as the author and the url of the web site are included. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Lindemann http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-Tea-Strengthen-Your-Bones?&id=36627 global pharmacy phentermine buy phentermine overnight delivery phentermine diet pills com cheap phentermine no prior prescription

The Kitchen Hot Spot

Friday, November 23rd, 2007

By Kadence Buchanan If you belong to those lucky people who have had the privilege of enjoying a warm breakfast or the happy voices of the family crowd gathered around the kitchen table, it is most likely that this cooking spot in your family’s house brings back a lot of happy memories every time you enter its premises. Like many of you, my family kitchen has been the focal point of my life from childhood to adulthood. Although I cannot always recall with confidence, whether or not a conversation took place in any other room inside my family’s house, I am usually able to remember the one that took place inside the kitchen. My cultural background evolves around food. When people in my home country decide to spend some quality time together, they usually do it around food. Asking a visitor if he is hungry the moment he enters our house is not considered rude or inconsiderate. On the contrary, this is a question one asks in order to make sure that the other feels welcomed. It is actually impolite not to ask if your guest needs to drink or to eat anything even before they are sited in the living-room couch. Although this practice made me wonder while I was a kid why people popped the “million-dollar” question after the guest has been comfortably seated, I realized as the years went by that there is a big difference between asking someone if he or she want to eat or drink anything from inviting that person to enter the sanctuary of the kitchen. The process of opening the door of the kitchen and letting the other person explore its content is saved to be offered to those who have successfully passed the line between “I like you” and “I love you.” Even though my father, in particular, was the one that usually left the fridge door open to everyone’s sight, the understanding that this was an act of goodwill was more than obvious. Those who managed to stay in the kitchen room more often became clearer to me as I grew up that were the people my parents really cared for and wanted to share their lives with. Two of those welcomed individuals were me and my brother. Since my mother was the master-cook of the family, our bright and lively kitchen became over the years that unique place where we would look for to find the needed comfort and support. In addition, my father, who was always capable of creating the kitchen mess my mother later had to clean, preferred the warmth of the kitchen to sit us down and discuss our problems or thoughts. In that room I heard for the first time how my parents met and fall-in-love, what my mother asked after she gave birth to me, who was the teacher that gave my brother his first excellent grade, what I should do in case of a family crisis, and so much more. Our kitchen was the room that I stayed in late to study for my exams, while it was the only room one would enter without having anything particular to do apart from catching up with the rest of the family members. Creating with the help and advice of my mother our birthday cakes was a one-year event my brother and me never wanted to end. Warm chocolate cookies, sugary syrup and lots of other “healthier” food ingredients were the toys with which we adored playing for hours. If I had to advice one thing every couple I meet, it would be to create the kitchen of their dreams by keeping it always accessible to fun and games, while enjoying the process of preparing the family breakfast, lunch or dinner. Parental guidance and support can uniquely be combined with the hottest place in a house; its kitchen. Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Cooking, Women’s Interests, and Food. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kadence_Buchanan http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Kitchen-Hot-Spot&id=281817 prescription drug ultram bupropion buy tramadol online bupropion antidepressant anti buy tramadol online from oregon ultram tramadol order

Dubai Jobs

Thursday, November 22nd, 2007

By Damian Sofsian Dubai is a leading cultural and trading hub, offering a free/open market with no exchange controls, restrictive quotas or trade barriers. It is found to be a strategic location at the heart of the worlds richest region by many multi-national companies. The Dubai economy is served by more than 170 shipping lines and 86 airlines. Most of the business operations deal with trade, transportation, tourism, distribution, consulting and processing. Labor law is protective of employees. It governs hours of work, leave, termination rights, medical benefits and repatriation. Employment for foreigners is on a contract basis. Vacations generally follow the rule of 21 days for every year of the first five years of service and 30 days for every year thereafter. The total gratuity will not exceed two years’ wages. Vacations can also be pro-rated after the first year. Trade unions do not exist. The normal working hours are eight per day or 48 per week. However, these hours may be increased to nine daily for people working in the retail trade, hotels and similar establishments. Difficult or dangerous jobs carry shorter workweeks. Many businesses work on a two-shift system. As in all Muslim countries, Friday is the weekly day of rest. Private companies work 40-45 hours a week and government bodies about 35. During the holy month of Ramadan working hours are usually reduced by about two hours a day. The weekend has traditionally been Thursday afternoon and Friday, but a number of organizations have changed to a five-day week with Friday and Saturday as the weekend. Dubai provides detailed information on Dubai, Dubai Hotels, Cheap Flights Dubai, Dubai Jobs and more. Dubai is affiliated with Egypt Travels. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Damian_Sofsian http://EzineArticles.com/?Dubai-Jobs&id=222336 finasteride pharmacy finasteride online usa compare online propecia propecia on line prescription

Your Strategic Thinking Coach’s Ten Questions To Diagnose Fear Of Marketing

Wednesday, November 21st, 2007

By Glenn Ebersole Whenever I hear complaints about not attracting enough new business, I start asking many questions. As a strategic thinking business coach I need to ask those who complain many questions to find out if there is a fear of marketing that is preventing the growth of their business. In order to determine if this fear exists, I developed ten (10) questions to ask them. The ten questions are: 1. Are you afraid of rejection if you market yourself and your business? 2. Are you afraid of speaking in public about yourself and your business? 3. Are you afraid of contacting someone you have never met before to talk about your business? 4. Are you afraid to ask your clients for referrals for your business? 5. Are you afraid to ask your clients for testimonials for your business? 6. Are you afraid to develop a written strategic marketing plan for your business? 7. Are you afraid of being labeled as a salesperson? 8. Are you afraid of being held accountable for the time and money you spend on marketing your business? 9. Are you afraid of making an error and not making a perfect presentation? 10. Are you afraid of being viewed as ignorant or unqualified if you do not always have the answers to questions immediately after they are asked? As a strategic thinking business coach, I can tell you that if you answered YES to any one of the ten questions you have given yourself a perfect excuse in your mind to not market your business or yourself or to keep putting it off until tomorrow. However, a decision to not market or to continually postpone marketing yourself and your business is a dysfunctional decision, which results in little or no business growth. So there is a real need to change that faulty decision-making process to a strategic thinking process immediately. If you follow a strategic thinking process you will want to attract new business. And to attract new business and grow your business you must commit to overcoming any fear of marketing you may have. One of the best ways to overcome the fears of marketing and to become an effective marketer is to work with a business coach. Glenn Ebersole, Jr. is a multi-faceted professional, who is recognized as a visionary, guide and facilitator in the fields of business coaching, marketing, public relations, management, strategic planning and engineering. Glenn is the Founder and Chief Executive of two Lancaster, PA based consulting practices: The Renaissance Group, a creative marketing, public relations, strategic planning and business development consulting firm and J. G. Ebersole Associates, an independent professional engineering, marketing, and management consulting firm. He is a Certified Facilitator and serves as a business coach and a strategic planning facilitator and consultant to a diverse list of clients. Glenn is also the author of a monthly newsletter, Glenns Guiding Lines Thoughts From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach and has published more than 250 articles on business. To find out more about the benefits & rewards of effectively working with a strategic thinking business coach, please contact Glenn Ebersole through his web site at http://www.businesscoach4u.com or jgecoach@aol.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Ebersole http://EzineArticles.com/?Your-Strategic-Thinking-Coachs-Ten-Questions-To-Diagnose-Fear-Of-Marketing&id=503233 delivery free shipping buy soma cheap prescription drug soma information carisoprodol online buy soma soma online carisoprodol soma

Profile Photo Tips - Dos and Don’ts

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007

By Lester Thompson The question often comes up on what types of pictures to put up on dating sites, and how many. Generally, you want to put up more than one picture, and include photos of yourself in different places and circumstances, engaging in different activities. This gives potential dates an idea of what kinds of things you enjoy, and where you like to go. Beyond that, here are a few dos and don’ts that may help you decide on which photos to upload. 1) Do post pictures of yourself smiling. This generally is regarded more positively by most people, and makes you seem friendly. A friendly, smiling face is also more likely to generate interest and encourage communication. 2) Do not post pictures that include ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends. This may seem obvious, but many people post pictures with previous romantic acquaintances, sometimes in cuddly situations, and this can be a turnoff to many people. Remember, people are on dating sites to start new relationships, and if you have photos of yourself in previous relationships, it may seem like you are not over them yet. 3) Do include full body photos if you can. Many people express a preference for more than just a head shot. If you show just your face, some people think you may be hiding something. Even if you don’t have the best figure, it’s better to show at least 1/2 to 3/4 of your body to give a better idea of what you look like. People are going to find out how you look eventually anyway, and it’s better to be upfront. 4) Do post recent pictures. 2 or 3 year-old photos may still be okay, but a picture from 5 to 10 years ago is probably not appropriate or representative of how you look now. We all looked better when we were a lot younger, but the point should be to post photos that are accurate and show who you are today. 5) Do post clear, well-lit pictures. Many people have photos that are too dark or otherwise unclear. Again, this may come off like you are hiding something. It should not be difficult to get a clear photo using any decent digital camera. Dark/light photos can be adjusted with photo imaging software, and if you don’t have one, a friend can probably edit the picture for you in 5 minutes. 6) Do use natural photos instead of glamour shots. 7) Do edit your photos. Do not make them too small, and crop out unnecessary things or empty space from the photo. The pictures should be about you, so eliminate anything that does not relate directly to who you are. Make sure you pick your photos carefully. Have fun selecting your photos, and as much as possible, use photos that bring out what makes you unique and special. Use what you’ve learned! Lester Thompson is co-founder and editor of e-singlesguide.com, a premier dating research and review site. Read in-depth reviews of popular dating sites, then sign up for free and begin your dating adventure. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lester_Thompson http://EzineArticles.com/?Profile-Photo-Tips—Dos-and-Donts&id=309960 buy xanax ativan buy ativan valium buy valium lora cheap low cost prescription xanax valium fast cheap valium generic valium prescription

What You May Not Know About House Churches

Sunday, November 18th, 2007

By Michael Tummillo As many of you are aware, I am a strong advocate of The Church, the ‘ekklesia.’ Though many have heard that word, surprisingly few are aware that it is NOT a religious term. Actually, it is a Greek word that means “the called out ones.” It referred to a forum of Roman men - a council - that the Roman Empire would send into any region that its armies had conquered so that they could teach their captives to become Roman citizens. Get that? Rather than crush their defeated foes, wipe them out, they allowed them to remain as farmers, blacksmiths, shopkeepers, etc. so that they could collect their taxes and assimilate them into Rome’s culture. Again, Rome’s goal was to make them Roman Citizens. The early Christians related to the Roman concept of ekklesia and saw the similarity of their mission. So, they adopted the term for themselves. The concept was short-lived, unfortunately, as the Empire struck back! Constantine declared Christianity the state religion and, at that moment, the ekklesia lost its impact. Through the generations, any time any group has attempted to return to New Testament Christianity and revive the ekklesia, they were ostracized, persecuted and murdered by the thousands - even by others who called themselves ‘Christians.’ Philemon 2 …and to the church that meets in your house; Colossians 4 …and the church in her house; Romans 16 …also the church that meets at their house…although we read these verses and others, sometimes wondering what that style of Church-life was like, we forget that, throughout the planet to this day, Christians STILL gather in homes. Likewise we forget that, even today, many of these brothers and sisters still face persecution and even death. What do we mean by ‘House Church?’ Some call them simple churches. Others use the term ‘organic churches’. The Bible refers to them simply as “the Church.” By definition, they are rapidly multiplying, simple communities of believers, meeting in homes, offices, campuses…wherever God is moving. This is the pattern common to many parts of the globe, and is now becoming more and more common in the U.S. as well. Where are two or more are gathered in His name, there is Church. The House2House website says, “Where “DNA” is present among people, there is church. “D” stands for Divine Truth (loving God/Jesus) “N” stands for Nurturing Relationships (loving one another deeply) “A” stands for Apostolic Mission (being on Jesus’ mission to the world)” Buildings, programs, titles and professional clergy are NOT essential elements of a church. Never have been. That happened when the ekklesia attempted to get organized and even began blending itself with pagan religions. Let’s bear in mind that Constantine took the title Pontificus Maximus (highest priest, forgetting that Jesus Himself is High priest) and was head of ALL things spiritual, Christian and pagan. He did what anybody would do, choosing the path of least resistance and merging the two extremes the best he could. Do you see what happened to the early Church? She became absorbed in the ways of the world. The House2House site continues: “By ’simple church’, we mean a way of doing and being church that is so simple that any believer would respond by saying, “I could do that!” “By ‘house church’, we mean the kind of church that is described in the New Testament. Not constrained by structure but by the needs of the extended family of God, and driven by a desire to extend the Kingdom of God.” This style of Church can more easily listen to God and mobilize, led by His Spirit and obeying His commands. One day a gathering can be a healing center. Another time, a teaching center. Another time a worship center. Another time, a fellowship hall. Another time, a prayer meeting. We can mix and match and we can spontaneously load up the cars and head out to minister to others as well (my first gathering was a dinner where a woman called threatening to kill herself. We left our meal and sped over there. She’s doing fine these days.) We’re describing a family who shares the same Father; not a heavenly being inthe clouds but One who dwells within and works through us. We have a greater opportunity to become spiritual parents raising spiritual sons and daughters to establish their own families in their own realm of influence. Church as unusual This kind of church may or may not meet in a house. It can meet anywhere we are because we ARE the Church. Statistics reveal that people are leaving traditional church to find God. Traditional churches are shrinking while house churches are growing. Personally, I have met with groups in coffee shops, hair salons, bank conference rooms, bed and breakfasts, a spare room over a noisy bar, hotels and nursing homes. Church Planting Movements (apostling) occur when simple churches multiply rapidly. And they DO multiply rapidly. Why? because unlike traditional churches, individuals gathering in homes are free to explain the concept at their friends’ homes or offices, attracting an entirely NEW group of people instantly within that sphere of influence. If the individual has an opportunity but is a novice, no problem! More experienced people are always available to assist. It’s NOT rocket science, as you can tell. The spiritual climate is RIPE for this outreach today. People are SO receptive to this concept of Church and becoming more so all the time. Does this style of Church lower the quality of disciples? Absolutely not! While no structure or format can guarantee quality, we believe that the small, participatory, family-like environment of a simple church is ideally suited to the goal of helping people become passionate disciples of Jesus Christ. The proof is in the pudding and there are multitudes of testimonies to back that claim. As you see, this is not really a new concept but a very old “new” idea. Two more examples from Scripture include: “Greet Priscilla & Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful for them. Greet also the church that meets at their house.” Romans 16:3-4 “But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’ Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.” Acts 18:6-7 Acts 16 shows us examples of others. Does this ‘movement’ hurt the local Church? If by that we mean do House Churches strengthen the Body of Christ in our nation, the answer is a resounding YES! This IS the local Church! Those affiliated are being taught that the traditional Church is NOT the enemy. They are our relatives in Christ. Fact is, of those 22 Million who say they attend home groups, only 3 Million do so exclusively. The balance claim to be Members of traditional denominations (whether they actually participate or are content to have their name on the role is another matter). When statistics reveal that “church as we know it” is shrinking in America and house church affiliates are increasing by around 4% annually, personally, I see it as a move of God. My recommendation? If the cloud is moving, move with it; don’t resist. Interested? If you’d like to learn more, let’s dialogue today! If you’re within 200-300 miles of Dallas/Fort Worth, plan on joining us for the North Central Texas House Church Conference Jan 27 in Carrollton, Texas. Stay in touch for details! Need help with your group? Chances are, we just might be available to help you plant your own simple Church. Just ask! At the very least, please communicate by email and phone. We’re thrilled to assist. Talk soon! Every blessing, ABOUT THE AUTHOR Michael Tummillo http://www.YourTown4Jesus.org His mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Since ‘99, he has broadcast over 600 inspirational articles and a dozen booklets on subjects sure to interest the thinking Christian and accelerate the process of spiritual development. He is the founder of t.e.a.m. ministries. An Author, Pastoral Counselor and Teacher, his eMail broadcasts, known as “Your Town for Jesus” are read around the globe. Subscribe at team1min@our-town.com.com A licensed/ordained minister, a Certified Workplace Chaplain, and a Professional Member of NIBIC, he has ministered in Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, College and Cowboy churches. He is the Workplace Chaplain for a Texas firm, overseeing the Spiritual Development of over 500 employees at ten facilities throughout the state. He is a strong advocate for the House Church Movement, readily available to assist. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Tummillo http://EzineArticles.com/?What-You-May-Not-Know-About-House-Churches&id=372025 cheap order prescription tramadol buy dreampharmaceuticals online tramadol without prescription tramadol online pharmacy ultram

How to Diet

Sunday, November 18th, 2007

By Martin Stanwyck Wouldnt it be great if life came with a How To manual? Some people think the same is true of dieting. With so many fad diets on the market and so many rules to follow, many people wonder how to diet and lose weight properly. It can become confusing and overwhelming for a dieter. While some diets praise the virtues of low fat pasta, other diets may view that same pasta as something kin to poison. Carbohydrates are terrible, right? One diet may say to dine on a baked potato rather with fat-free margarine while the other diet says youd be better off eating a steak. One diet views a turkey sandwich as a healthy choice while the other diet says bread is off limits. Its understandable why people become confused on how to diet. When it comes to knowing how to diet, the best strategy is the easiest one. Regardless of all the recent fad diets or the hype you may be hearing about one type of food being a better choice than another, it all boils down to one simple, often overlooked scientific fact. If youre looking to lose weight, you probably already know how to diet. Its by the easiest, simplest method by cutting calories. If you havent heard of this concept in a while, youre not alone. With all the new diets claiming calories arent so important, its easy to forget how to diet best. Science, however, cant be argued. A calorie is the measure of energy we gain from food. To lose weight, you must burn more calories than you consume. So, it doesnt matter if you have a baked potato for lunch. It doesnt matter if you have a piece of steak. When figuring out how to diet, you need to start counting your calories. Some people may be thinking, That cant be true. If I ate Hershey bars instead of salads, Id be sure to gain weight. Youre right and wrong. Although a Hershey bar isnt a healthy choice, one calorie from a Hershey bar is the same type of calorie as one calorie from a turkey sandwich. Granted, dining on Hershey bars isnt how to diet because youd be racking up a load of calories, but its important to realize that calories dont come in different varieties. It takes just as much work to burn off one calorie of turkey as one calorie of chocolate. So whats the best solution on how to diet, and more importantly whats the sure answer to the pressing issue of how to diet without being hungry? Although cutting calories to lose weight seems great in theory, its hard to drastically decrease your food intake when you have a growling stomach. Now, you can easily follow the best plan on how to diet without being hungry, without dealing with the side effects that accompany diet pills, and without spending a fortune stocking your refrigerator with health food. Although this concept is one thats new to the market, Hoodia Gordonii, a cactus-like plant with appetite suppressing properties, has actually been around for centuries. Although not originally intended as an answer for how to lose weight, Bushmen ate this plant on long journeys in the African desert to ward off hunger. When animal testing was done on this vegetable in the 1990s to determine whether it was toxic, the results were surprising. The animals that ingested Hoodia actually lost weight. More studies revealed that Hoodia Gordonii contained an ingredient that cuts the appetite by up to 2,000 calories a day making it easy to lose calories and achieve that physique youve always dreamed of. Finally its easy to know how to diet without being hungry and without spending a fortune. When weight loss is the necessary outcome, using Hoodia Gordonii is almost essential. Visit Martin Stanwycks site http://www.hoodia.info.ms to learn more about how it can change the way you look, your health, and your self esteem. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Stanwyck http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Diet&id=238404 phentermine with out a prescription buy phentermine master card phentermine diet pills cod cheap phentermine online consultation