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Is Consolidating Credit Card Debt A Good Option?
Well, the answer will more often be yes than no. Consolidating credit card debt is often regarded as the first step towards credit card debt elimination. However, even before you move to take first step towards consolidating credit card debt, you must understand that consolidating credit card debt (or balance transfer) is an action that you are taking to eliminate credit card debt. Consolidating credit card debt is not a means of deferring the problem for later.Consolidating credit card debt is indeed a good option in more than one sense. Not only do you get relief from the rapid increase in your credit card debt, but also get other benefits too. Offers for consolidating credit card debt are in abundance and are very attractive indeed. Almost all the offers for consolidating credit card debt have an initial low APR period during which the APR is generally 0% (or some low figure). In fact, this is one of the main things which make consolidating credit card debt a very attractive option. Besides this low APR, the offers for consolidating credit card debt also include things like no interest rate on the purchases made during first 5 months (or some other initial period) of balance transfer. This is another thing that lowers the speed at which your credit card debt gallops. So these are the two most important benefits that credit card suppliers deploy to attract people into consolidating credit card debt with them.Then there are other benefits which include things like additional reward p

inthians: "Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace." (2 Corinthians 13:11)

Some claim "perfection" is an unrealistic goal. It can only lead to frustration and failure; therefore, we should lower our expectations and be satisfied with "pretty good." The problem with that is: We never do better than our mark. Those who aim at "pretty good" usually don't even achieve that much.

Picture in your mind two Olympic runners. The first runner dedicates himself to setting a new speed record for the five hundred meter dash. The second runner's goal is not to embarrass himself by coming in dead last. Which do you think is likely to do better?

Christ told us to: "Be perfect." Some aim for perfection; others try to behave decently so long as they are in a good mood. Which do you think is more likely to please Christ?

Returning to the young lady at the dinner party, I happen to know she owns a car. Can you imagine her saying: "I for one, don't want a perfect automobile. I think every car needs a flaw or two of some sort."

Oh, what type of flaw would she like to see in her own car? Faulty brakes? Faulty clutch? Faulty steering? Flat tires? Broken headlights? The young lady would be quick to tell you that is an entirely different matter. She would like for her car to function properly.

God made us. He wants us to function properly too. For that reason Jesus and his apostles gave us certain principles to live by: charity, courage, faith, humility, justice, knowledge and wisdom, obedience, perseverance and faithfulness, prudence, and temperance. Notice Christ did not tell us to pick and choose which one we want. He tells us to practice all these virtues. They are to become the backbone of our character. That is what it takes for a human to function properly.

What of faults? What of sins and vices? Can you name one which would improve your own character? How about anger? lust? theft? gossiping? lying? No? Certainly not! None of them would help a human to function anymore than a flat tire would help an automobile to function. Isn't it clear? God knows what makes us tick. He issued those commands for our own good.

Question to Consider:

Christ told us to aim for perfection. Can you think of a better goal?

"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither." C. S. [

Fast Cash Payday Loan Is A Quick Solution For A Short Term Financial Crisis
In today’s world, everything has become convenient for us. Even a fast cash payday loan is easy and quick to get. All it really takes is a few clicks on the internet and you get your quick payday loan, fast and easy.Things You Should Know About A Fast Cash Payday LoanWe all know that it is easy to get a cash advance approval. As long as you can prove that you are above 18 years, have a job which pays you on a regular basis and hold a checking account in a bank, you can get a short term payday loan. In fact, you can get an approval within an hour if you do it online. What you need to check is the credibility of the lending company. You should also check online for all the companies who grant such loans and compare them before going ahead with one. This also called a no fax payday loan as there is no paperwork involved.The main things for you to check are the fees, the annual percentage rate or APR, and their terms and conditions. Due to the present competition, you can get a loan at lower interest rates.How Does It Work?Getting a fast cash payday loan is very easy. All you need to do is fill up and submit an online form, furnishing details like your employment status and bank checking account number. After verification of these details, your loan is approved. Since these are for small amounts only, usually less than $1000, you can get approval very quickly, sometimes within an hour. The online fast cash loan companies are able to depos

Jesus and his apostles explicitly warn us about the sins of blasphemy, disloyalty, disobedience, idolatry, materialism, oaths, swearing, sorcery, and witchcraft. Should we ignore their advice? or listen to what they have to say?

Aren't all sins against God? Yes, but some are more direct than others. Here's one way of looking at it: Imagine a sailor at sea. He could destroy himself by debauchery, drunkenness, idleness, or sexual immorality. These are sins of the flesh.

Likewise, he could destroy himself with anger, bitterness, arrogance, cowardice, envy, folly, hatred, hypocrisy, jealousy, lust, pride, selfish ambition, or worry. These are sins of the mind or spirit.

Then too, he could create havoc among his shipmates. He could physically abuse them by murder, revenge, theft, extortion, or swindling. Or the sailor could stir up trouble for his mates by bragging, lying, gossiping, quarreling, or slandering. Again, the sailor could provoke others into wrongdoing or encourage others to join him in mischief.

What we have said so far is that the sailor is capable of abusing both himself and his shipmates. But another type of wrong is possible. The seaman could offend the captain of the ship. He could be disloyal; he could be disobedient; he could mutiny. By the same token, we can sin directly against God through blasphemy, disloyalty, disobedience, idolatry, materialism, oaths and swearing, and sorcery and witchcraft.

Blasphemy

Blasphemy means impious, untrue, or profane speaking against God. In Mark, Jesus says: "Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." (Mark 3:29) Mark goes on to explain the circumstances: He said this because they were saying, "He has an evil spirit." (Mark 3:30) Matthew and Luke also carry versions of this statement. (Matthew 12:32) (Luke 12:10)

Apparently, the unpardonable sin is attributing evil to the Holy Spirit.

Peter spoke of those who "blaspheme in matters they do not understand." (2 Peter 2:12) He compares them to wild beasts who will be destroyed. Paul expressed a desire to teach Hymenaeus and Alexander not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:20)

Disloyalty

Disloyalty is another sin which God will not tolerate.

Jesus: "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37)

Jesus: "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38) (Luke 9:26)

Jesus: "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (John 15:4)

We must remain faithful to Christ. In fact, he must be number one in our lives. He won't settle for any other spot.

Disobedience

Jesus and Paul both caution us against disobedience.

Jesus: "He who does not love me will not obey my teachings." (John 14:24)

Paul: Let no one deceive you with shallow arguments. God's wrath falls on the disobedient. Have nothing to do with them. (Ephesians 5:6-7 REB)

Idolatry

Idolatry has two meanings: one is the worship of idols, the other excessive admiration or blind infatuation with anybody or anything. Personally, I don't know of anyone who is tempted to worship an idol. On the the other hand, I know plenty of wildly enthusiastic devotees to, well, you name it - music, sports, games, work, exercise, health foods, grandchildren - practically anything you can think of.

These days common sense and moderation seem to be out the window and fanaticism in. But those who want to follow Christ must keep their perspective. Our favorite rock band, basketball team, or committee to save the environment does not hold eternity in their hands. Christ does. Our priorities ought to reflect that fact. Christ first, everything else after.

Here are our warnings against idolatry:

Paul: "Idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Ephesians 5:5)

Paul: "Do not be idolaters, as some of [our forefathers] were; as it is written: 'The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.'" (1 Corinthians 10:7)

Paul: "Flee from idolatry." (1 Corinthians 10:14)

Paul: Put to death idolatry. That belongs to your earthly nature. Because of sins such as this, God's wrath is coming. (Colossians 3:5-6)

Jesus: But the idolaters - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

Materialism

This is another area where our society is at odds with a fundamental precept of Christianity. The advantages of having money are so obvious. Let's be candid, if we were given a choice between living as a millionaire or as a pauper, which would we choose?

In this highly materialistic environment we run headlong into Jesus' explicit warning: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 6:24)

He couldn't put it any plainer than that. We have a choice to make.

Paul adds his own commentary on materialism: "Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things." (Philippians 3:18-19)

Again Paul: "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

And Paul offers this advice to the wealthy: The wealthy should not be proud. Their riches are uncertain, they should place their hope in God, be rich in good deeds, ready to give generously and share with others. (1 Timothy 6:17-18)

We brought nothing into this world; we will take nothing out of it. Whatever wealth we have is merely on loan, and that for a short period of time. Materialism, we discover is too simple; it is a philosophy for children.

Oaths

Jesus says don't make them. A plain "Yes" or "No" is all you need to say. Anything beyond that comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:36-37)

James repeats Christ's warning: "Above all, my brothers, do not swear-not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No,' no, or you will be condemned." (James 5:12)

Magic Arts

Magic arts include: fortunetellers, mediums, spiritualists, witches, and wizards. Jesus condemned them all. Those who practice magic arts - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

Today many dismiss fortunetellers, palm readers, witchcraft, and mediums as so much superstitious nonsense. No doubt, fraud and superstition are part of what we call "magic arts." But Paul believed there is more to it than that. In his words: "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)

He also predicts: "In later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Timothy 4:1)

Jesus, Paul, and the book of Leviticus (See: Leviticus 19:31, Leviticus 20:6, and Leviticus 20:27) all tell us that supernatural powers other than God do indeed exist. All three warn us to stay away from those powers. Don't practice them. Don't consult them. Don't follow them.

Conclusion

Say you were in court on a civil suit. Do you think it might be a good idea to do something to intentionally antagonize the judge? No? Then why do anything to annoy the Eternal Judge? Don't blaspheme him; don't disobey him, don't put anybody or anything before him; don't swear oaths; and don't practice or consult with any type of magic arts.

God demands our obedience. We should give it. Considering our position, it's the only reasonable thing to do.

At a dinner party, I overheard a young lady say: "Well, I for one, don't want to be perfect. I think everyone needs a flaw or two of some sort."

It sounded very chic, and a couple of people were quick to agree, adding their own favorite "flaws" to the conversation. Jesus, of course, did not agree. He told us to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

But Paul tells us: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

James echoes the same thought: "We all stumble in many ways." (James 3:2)

John goes so far as to say, "If we claim we have not sinned, we make [Jesus] out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." (1 John 1:10)

So what is Jesus talking about when he says: "Be perfect"? Surely he means we should aim at perfection. We know we will never achieve it on our own, but that should be our goal.

That is how Paul interprets it. He tells us perfection is his own goal, and we are to follow his example. Paul says he has not yet reached perfection, but he is pressing on toward that goal to win the prize for which God has called him. The prize he speaks of is heaven and that through Jesus Christ. Follow my example; he says, our citizenship is in heaven. (Philippians 3:12-17)

And Paul advises the Corinthians: "Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace." (2 Corinthians 13:11)

Christ told us to: "Be perfect." Some aim for perfection; others try to behave decently so long as they are in a good mood. Which do you think is more likely to please Christ?

Question to Consider:

Christ told us to aim for perfection. Can you think of a better goal?

"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither." C. S. [C

5 Key Strategies For Protecting Your Ideas And Stopping People Ripping You Off!
We have all had that Eureka moment when we think we have thought of something new. Sometimes we think there may even be a viable business behind it. So how do you go about protecting that idea, particularly if it is so fundamental and integral to the success of your business model?Ask yourself a few questions: Can I protect it so that my competitors cannot copy me? How practical is it to do so? How much will it cost me? Can I enforce it? Is it really that unique? Would I be better off just getting on and doing it?To protect a business idea or model there are five key areas not all of which will be relevant to a particular business:Law of confidence – this is a general duty of confidence which protects confidential information and ideas from unauthorised use or disclosure and is relevant to the early stages of a business idea or model. You can disclose information and retain legal protection from unauthorised use or further disclosure if (a) the information is itself not trivial and (b) it was disclosed in circumstances where an obligation of confidence exists. Read more about confidential agreements and non-disclosure agreements here.Copyright – this protects the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves, for example, the software, text, image or design. Particular care needs to be taken with photography and website code. We have seen many businesses that have been caught out regarding ownership. The creator of a work will usually be the first owner of the copyright

r more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37)