Every Christmas the Yuletide card portrays a silver star in a navy blue sky and every year the same heavenly object sparkles from the top of the decorated evergreen. At season's end the three wise men and their fellow shepherds gather at a hastily set up manger for the familiar nativity scene. Though it shimmers on the greeting card and its brilliance lights up the tannebaum, it wasn't a star that erupted into a supernova on that dark Judean night. The star that shone so brightly two thousand years ago was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

So it was with John the Baptist, the martyr Stephen, the apostle Paul, John Kennedy, John Kennedy Jr. They have all joined with countless others, the gallant march with God’s greats who went to their glory with their work undone, their business unfinished, their dreams unfulfilled, and their lives incomplete.

It’s the most powerful weapon on Earth. It can turn the impossible to the possible in a matter of seconds. Yet, few people even Christians seem to take advantage of this free, priceless commodity. The name of this mighty weapon you may ask? Prayer: The act of conversing with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. If it’s not the constant bombardment of the media focusing only on negativity, it’s the monotony of our daily life which causes many to forget this simple task at our fingertips.

Let us grasp from the outset that success as understood in the usual secular sense of the word is not promised in the kingdom of God. God never promised anybody a star-studded career. He never promised achievement in the worldly understanding of the word. In fact, He seem to promise the exact opposite.

The universe is much more than the ego can contain but the ego does try to limit what it does not comprehend.

To a shaman a kachina isn't really a doll or a child's toy. Also, it isn't a collector's piece of art or a decoration. However, it is often used that way, and that's ok too. There is a place for that approach in our lives. They do make a powerful addition to any home's decor, and make a great conversation piece.

This week you may get knocked down off your feet. It may take you a while to get on sure footing and it may take strength of the heart to move forward. But keep the initiative, spring forward and live the life God has always wanted for you.

We reap what we sow. Whatever your heart needs or desires, give it away. Give it away until your heart becomes a reservoir of life.

When I stand on the Prairie, a living entity. Flowers blooming, animals flashing through it, if for only a moment, across paths worn by walking humans. Eagles and hawks overhead eyes so keen, I swear they can see my soul. I am swept away by scents, sounds, sights and life brought to the spot where I stand by the winds of Mother Earth.

Do you ever wonder if a life of faith is worth it? I once read that is a mark that you're living right, and perhaps it is. Still, it's difficult to look around and see people getting away with acting in ways that are clearly in defiance of our faith - and getting away with it! Fortunately, we know that the Lord also sees this, and we are assured that He will deal with it in His way and timing. This story tells how to find humor in such frustrating situations, and how to rest in knowing that in the end, it will all work out for good.

It's not easy to face old habits to change. Most of us don't do it until we are up against the wall. But once we do, we realize the rewards are will worth the pain.

And then we ask ourselves upon what principles are we allotted our looks. What is it that makes us ugly or attractive or “plain?” What is it that gives us a musical ear or an artistic eye; an affectionate disposition or an uncontrollable temper, a talent for mathematics or skills of language?

If we will abide in the Word, the Word will instruct us and teach us in the way we should go (Psalm 32:8). He will also guide us to pray according to His will and our prayers will have a guaranteed effect.

Life, no matter how we choose to look at it, is a constant battle. It is the beginning of a struggle that continues until we breathe our last breath.

We all long for love, but the defensive reactions of the ego often get in the way. However, your ego plays a very positive role in your life as well. Once you learn the secret of ego and its role in Creation, it will stop getting in your way and become the biggest ally in your journey through life.

Many of us already know that all humans, animals and our planet Earth are highly influenced by the Moon phases in many different ways. This article will demonstrate how we can use these powerful energies consciously to easily bring us our intentions and desires more quickly and efficiently.

In this essay, I will seek to show that the testimony of my conversion to Christianity is based upon the teaching of Scripture.

One of the most frightening things about melting from a normal, Solid, ego-based lifestyle, to a more Liquid, dynamic, spiritual one is that some concepts that you always assumed to be sound and good and true, start to lose their solidity.

While the majority of people do at some time or another worry about something in their life whether major or trivial, there are some people who worry constantly on a day-to-day basis, week in and week out. If you are one of these people then you have what is classed as a generalized anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder is classed in those who feel anxious or fearful on the majority of days. The feelings they have with the fear are varied and the depth at which they feel the feelings can be different from one day to the next. The feelings associated with generalized anxiety disorder are the same as those anyone who suffers any anxiety disorder feels. The most common are a fast heart rate or beat, palpitations of the heart, a sick feeling in the pit of the stomach or stomachache, sweating, a dry mouth, chest pain and a feeling of not being able to get enough breathe.

Discover how your anxiety may be the result of not accepting how things are and of trying to control things that you cannot control.

Anxiety - the distress evoked by life's pressures - is perhaps the emotion with the greatest weight of scientific evidence connecting it to the onset of sickness and course of recovery. When anxiety helps us to prepare to deal with danger, it serves us well, but in modern life, anxiety is more often out of proportion and out of place. Repeated times of anxiety signal high levels of stress.

Do you find your shoulders hunching up by themselves? Can’t sleep peacefully? Time for a trip to the Athens spas.

If you're a working professional in the world today, you're probably a very busy person. Work, relationships, friends, volunteer activities, the gym, grocery shopping, checking email - somehow everything seems to beckon all at once. And if you have kids, I'm surprised you manage to get any sleep at all!