Is There Anything New Under The Sun?

By Vivian Gordon

With the perplexities going on in my own life, I was directed to the book of Habakkuk. I gained spiritual insight for my life but I want to talk about the prophetic message for all of us. In this short little book, contains a lot of truth that is coming to pass in the near future. The Bible is full of prophecy, which means it was foretold long ago that nothing new under the sun would ever occur. We can read God's Word almost like a newspaper of today's events. It should make one sit up and take notice. I know I do.

In the book of Habakkuk, this prophet was perplexed as to why God would allow the wicked to prosper. Today we see this happening in the middle East. The Iranian president Ahmadinejad was granted a visa to speak from New York. He has made it clear from an interview on 60 Minutes that he is waging psychological warfare. The president of Israel said that 90% of the war on terror is in fact a media war. Ahmadinejad understands how to manipulate the media to fight the war on terror and win. This is exactly what he is doing. This terrorist presides over a fascist state known for its blatant support of terror. He arrests men whose hair is too long, and even supports the death penalty for gays. His purpose was not to show his sympathy for Americans who suffered great loss on 9-11, but rather to exploit this hallowed place as an arena to wage his psychological warfare. He used it as a platform to build his case on why he believed we were attacked. As with the denial of the Holocaust, he also denies that America was attacked by al-Qaeda. This man is gaining political strength depending on his ability to manipulate the media of the West for idealogical purposes. Now I have to ask, "God...why would you allow these people to prosper?"

Back in the days of Habakkuk, he asked this same thing concerning Israel's enemies the Chaldeans. They were a fierce and ruthless bunch of people. They prided themselves on wicked behavior. They treated other societies like the fish of the sea and creeping things with no ruler.
In other words, they gathered these people up for their selfish pleasure. The Chaldeans credited themselves for all their gain and military might. Habakkuk wanted to know why God would allow these ruthless people to pursue injustice and engage in such wickedness. "How long God, will you allow them to destroy Your people?" was the repeated question of Habakkuk. He just didn't understand, can we?

If anything, I understand now that God did not use the Chaldeans to destroy Israel, but to chastise them. Is there a lesson for us today as well? What can God be telling us as Iran and Iraq and Afghanistan seem to be rising up against the free world? The most important thing to consider is the outcome. God had a plan then as He does today. There is nothing new under the sun.

The prophecy of Habakkuk is fulfilled in our generation. In the first chapter of this book, Yahweh informs Habakkuk that He Himself has raised up these ruthless people. Well, just who are they? They are modern day Iraq, Iran, part of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Syria. Do these countries sound at all familiar?
God finally responds to Habakkuk's complaint in the second chapter. He announced that He would judge the wickedness of the Chaldeans. He told Habakkuk to write the vision down as a reminder that it would surely occur. He gave Habakkuk a description of the wicked in a comparison to the righteous.

"Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous shall live by faith." Habakkuk 2:4

Being proud means to trust in one's self, not God. Who does the Iranian people trust in? It certainly isn't God. But the righteous man shall continually live by his faith. A true believer which is declared righteous by God, will persevere in his faith as a pattern of his life. Then the Lord continues to give five "woes" of warning in His coming judgment. God teaches us in this book that the lesson of sowing and reaping is a serious matter for everyone. That saying that says, "What goes around comes around" eventually will.

These five woes are directed to 5 different classes of evil doers. It is applied to nations as well as individuals. Found in the second chapter, God explains the woes which will result in the Chaldean's demise. If God did this once, I believe He will do it again.

First God charged exhortation against the Chaldeans, such as plundering weaker nations in order to gain more. Sound like anyone in the news media today? The result to this was God would make them plunder for those nations who remained. I wonder how they will like it!

Secondly, God charged premeditated exploitation which was due to covetousness. These people wouldn't stop until they had it all! Who does this remind you of? The result was the Chaldean leaders would shame themselves for their actions. They harmed their own souls in the end. Anyone who will not recognize Christ their Savior will be judged.

Thirdly God accused them of being ruthless despots. They lived in the lap of luxury with money gained from bloodshed and forced labor. Don't these leaders live in palaces while their people suffer? The result for this was all their efforts were futile. Nothing lasted. Can you begin to see the bigger picture here?

Fourthly, God accused the Chaldeans of debauchery. These people were drunkards and forced others to become intoxicated as well. They made innocent people behave shamefully, making them easy prey. God's response to this charge was to force them to drink His cup of wrath and expose them to public shame. This charge alone would be enough to turn me around!

And lastly, God accused them of idolatry. These countries are polytheistic. They serve many gods. They want to force their religion on the world, which does not include the Supreme Being and Creator of the universe. God destroyed them and demonstrated His superiority over all other gods. He didn't stand for it then, and He won't stand for it now.

"The thing that has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which shall be. So there is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9

Take it from Solomon, a man who knew firsthand. After all he wrote it because God inspired it. Solomon takes a look at the effect of repetitious, enduring activity in God's creation over many generations as compared to the brief and comparatively profitless activity of one man which fails to produce and enduring satisfaction. He concludes that it is wearisome and futile. He also comes to the hard fact that nothing is new and nothing will be remembered. In other words, written records which serve as reminders of events, people, places and things will all be short lived. I suppose the Iranian president considers himself an exception to God's rules. In the end, it doesn't really matter what any one thinks about God. The truth is, God is still God!

The key lesson to be learned from all this is, no matter what happens in life...trust God! After all was said and done, Habakkuk just praised his Lord thus causing him to relax in the midst of the storms of life. We can't alter what has already been predestined in heaven, but we can pray that God would touch the ruthless hearts of these people who devise wickedness in the world. Be thankful that your salvation in Christ will not be judged.

When facing a crisis, trust Jesus and move forward!

All scripture taken from the MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard version.
Vivian Gordon is led by the Holy Spirit to reach out and give the Christian and non Christian alike something to think about in their own lives. These articles are meant to edify the reader and bring them deeper. They are based on spirituality, inspiration, and today's morals and how we need to get back to basics.
Supporting Christian Communication Online

http://www.churchwebsitedesign.org.uk A Christian based organization that seeks to encourage clergy and church leaders to identify the potential in developing an online church community.
This project provides support and advise on ways that the internet can enhance the work of your church and also provides the tools to meet your needs. and how we need to get back to basics.

Get Off The Sun Lounger - Adventure Vacations Are All The Rage!

By Russ Pooley

For some people a holiday is all about relaxing and doing very little aside from laying by the pool and chilling out. But for the adrenaline junkies of the world this is all a little, well, boring. And that’s where adventure holidays come in.

There are several adventure holiday providers, each offering various thrill seeking activities. If it has always been your dream to fly a plane then an adventure holiday could bring you one step closer to achieving it.

You can book a trial flight where you will have the chance to take the controls and actually fly the aeroplane and explore your surrounding with a birds eye view.

If flying isn’t your ambition, how about skydiving? You can make your first jump attached to an instructor or on your own, depending on how brave you feel!

Or how about paragliding? Described as “the art of soaring like a bird above the countryside or sea without a care in the world” paragliding is something everyone should experience. Courses are available for both beginners and pros.

One of the ultimate adventures is on a scuba diving holiday. Tours range from beginner to advanced, so whatever your level of experience you’re sure to find a group that accommodates your needs

If you still want to spend your holiday on a beach but want a little more activity than just sunbathing then why not try a surfers holiday. You’ll be taught the basic skills you need to ride the waves and impress your friends.

For an adrenalin-fuelled break that will really be an experience to remember, try a thrill- seeking adventure holiday.

Russ Pooley writes for Drake & Cavendish who provide a luxury hotel research directory featuring over 5,000 luxury hotels in over 700 resort locations around the world. As a content provider we are committed to developing entertaining and informative travel related information. You can read further articles and details at http://www.drakeandcavendish.com

- Seniors Soak Up The Desert Sun

By Austen Lansing

Las Vegas has long been famous for its graft and sin, but now with the fastest growing seniors population in the country, it's getting attention for being a retirement mecca. Though Florida still holds the crown, Nevada is tempting retirees with its low cost of living, lack of state income tax and hurricane-free fair weather.

MORE LIVING, LESS RETIREMENT
When Grandma retires to live Nevada, expect less retirement and more living. World class shopping, entertainment and the constant action in the city of Las Vegas are all part of the attraction. Add this to the beauty of the desert hill country and abundance of wide open space and you have a winner.

Today's seniors are not like they were 30 to 50 years ago. They are living longer and living better. More active and involved than ever before, today's retirees are demanding choice when it comes to lifestyle. In Las Vegas, builders have responded to that demand by developing a wide range of retirement communities that revolve around activity and healthy living. A far cry from the hospital setting of the old fashioned nursing home, these communities are just that - communities. Often age-restricted to keep the riff raff out, modern retirement communities give residents access to the kinds of services and recreation they want. Some of the most popular of these are built around one of America's favorite games - golf.

BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GOLF IN THE SNOW
What better place to practice the perfect shot than the leisure capital of the world? With beautifully manicured greens, it's easy to see that Las Vegas golf communities are here for the love of the game. Great surroundings and great neighbors make them popular choices. And for golf lovers who have had to spend their working lives in more wintery climates, the Nevada climate is a perfect reward. Annual inches of snowfall for this state? Zero. When you live on a golf course, anytime is tee time.

For more information about the great golf communities around Las Vegas Nevada, contact John C. West at Specialists Real Estate, in Las Vegas Nevada. With over 25 years experience in the Nevada Real Estate market, John and his professional team will help you find the perfect home in Las Vegas - start to finish. Visit them online at http://www.summerlinrealty.com

Spider Veins and Sun Spot Removal

By Gordon Petten

Spider veins on the face and legs are actually broken vessels which are no longer useful to the body. Beneath the skin there is vast network of fine capillaries and vessels which nourish the largest organ of the body which is the skin. Sometimes, these vessels break or burst due to pressure, genetics, trauma to the skin, going from extreme hot to extreme cold, poor circulation, hormones etc. These superficial spider veins or facial telangiectasia appear as fine red capillaries or purple vessels.

Since these broken capillaries are no longer useful to the skin, they may be treated/removed through laser treatment. The appropriate laser for removing superficial vessels is a 1064 nm laser. This laser coagulates or thickens the blood in the vessel. Once the vessel has been treated, the body will naturally absorb it. The gold standard for spider vein removal is the Coolglide 1064 nm laser from Cutera.

Many people aren’t aware of what sun spots, liver spots or age spots really are. The truth is that sun spots are a sign of skin cancer. You see, after the age of forty and onwards, the body becomes less able to regenerate and heal itself after extensive sun exposure. Now don’t worry, sun spots wont kill you, although they can eventually lead to small stages of skin cancer, but the vast majority of sun spots are just ugly looking not deadly. That’s why sun spot removal is a very important part of leading a healthy life, not just for those extreme cases where sun spots do lead to cancer, but sun spot removal can be important just to have clear skin.

There are many forms of sun spot removal including bleaching creams, chemical peels, laser resurfacing and intense pulsed light therapy, while all of these have their advantages, there are problems with each. Its best to consult your family physician about sun spot removal, and the best treatment of all is prevention, if you use sunscreen and watch your sun exposure, then you wont need sun spot removal at all.

Laser Hair Removal

Miami for Art Lovers - Miami Offers More Than Sun and Sand

By Carlos Giraldo

It may be famous for sun and sand, but Miami also has a thriving arts community. Whether you prefer performing arts, fine arts, or historical treasures, you’ll find world-class arts just around the corner.

Film fans know that Miami is the place to see groundbreaking films. The most famous is the Miami International Film Festival, a star- studded showcase for Latin American, North American and world cinema. If you prefer live theater, Miami offers a range of venues, with the Coconut Grove Playhouse, Actor’s Playhouse, and the Jackie Gleason Theater as the most well- known. Music lovers will enjoy the incredible variety in Miami, including performances by the Florida Grand Opera, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, the Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition, and the Miami Bach Society, as well as contemporary performances by the biggest stars in the entertainment and music world. Dance lovers will enjoy the world-acclaimed Miami City Ballet and the contemporary Dance Now! Ensemble.

Fine art enthusiasts will find galleries, festivals, and studios throughout the city of Miami. The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious outdoor fine arts and crafts festivals in the United States. Art Basel Miami Beach is a new type of cultural event, combining an international art show with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events that include music, film, architecture and design.

Historic treasures, from local to international, can be found at the cultural and art museums in Miami. The Miami Art Museum presents international art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Permanent exhibits at the Lowe Art Museum include Italian Renaissance and Baroque, Greco-Roman Antiquities, 17th-21st century Art of the Americas and Europe, and Asian, African and Native American art. The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is an extraordinary European-inspired estate and National Historic Landmark, which includes a house filled with art and furnishings, and ten acres of gardens on Biscayne Bay.

If you are traveling to Miami, CRSHotels.com has the ideal hotel for you. Choose the Winterhaven, the Colony, the Kent, the National, the Palms, or the Bentley Beach. Stay at the Shelborne Beach Resort, Hotel St. Augustine, the Richmond Hotel, or the Clinton Hotel & Spa. Enjoy the Bentley, the Blue Moon, the Sovereign Oceanfront, the Best Western Atlantic Oceanfront, or the Beacon. Try the Essex House, Haddon Hall, the River Park Hotel & Suites, the Clevelander, or the Hotel St. Michel.