A Holiday Gift Idea List for Gardening Enthusiasts

 Gardening Gift Idea: Buying a holiday gift or holiday gift basket for a gardener.

Pleasant Holidays – The words means different things to everyone, the holidays are a season of giving, pleasant holidays for a gardener means a holiday gift basket filled with things a gardener loves. You could fill your holiday gift basket with a gardening tool or gardening accessory, gift certificates for seed companies and gardening centers, or subscriptions to gardening magazines.

Giving a holiday gift basket like this might seem mundane to you – but to the gardener enthusiast, it will be a treat! For great ideas for your holiday gift basket from Christmas and Easter, to New Year’s (or even birthdays, etc.) to spur your imagination and aid in your search for the ideal gardening gift, read on…

1. Gift Certificate

Find a gardening holilday gift and gardening gift certificate online. Many customers have found the gift certificate a unique present for gardening friends and relatives. Click on the amount of gift certificate you want to order, and enter the recipients name in the shipping address field on the order form. There is no shipping charge for gift certificates.

2. Seeds

What gardener wouldn’t love a holiday gift basket containing money to purchase all the seeds his or her heart desires? A purchase from Brooklyn Botanic Garden not only delights the recipient but also gives again by supporting BBG’s education, science, and community programs, as well as the Garden itself. The wide array of unique treats in BBG’s Garden Gift Shop complements a garden lifestyle and will bring joy to anyone on your list!

3. Personalized Garden Stakes

It’s a beautiful accent to any garden, garden stakes are a perfect way to mark that special tree, rosebush, or pet memorial. These sassy stakes provide reminders – gentle or not so gentle – for your plants to keep on growing, while their colors help you remember what’s planted where. Personalize them with names, dates or special message. Your gardener friends will love the encouragement!

4. Plants
– Plants as Presents or Commemorations

Warning: Regulations and restrictions may apply to sale and/or movement of seeds, plants, plant material (living or dead), potting media or soil, even locally. Please check with appropriate authorities.

New Gardeners: A plant you know is easy to grow (avoid specialist plants like bonsai, orchids, cacti)

Housewarming: Fruit tree, Extra-special feature tree (suitable for the size of garden), Topiary, Plant chosen to suit decor of new home (Mediterranean, Tropical, Traditional, and/or colour scheme etc).

 Apartment-warming: Indoor plant, Balcony plant (suitable for balcony conditions), Herbs in pots.

Birth, Birthday, Christening, Naming Ceremony: Shrub with same name as recipient or other meaningful name, Feature tree.

Anniversary: Named variety or type of plant for year (gold, silver, emerald, etc. )

Commemoration: Favourite plant, flowers in favourite colours, flowers/foliage in club, national, state etc colours, floral emblem of country, state, association, plant native to region of birth, any beautiful tree planted as a feature (provided it is suitable for the location on a practical level), plant with same name or other meaningful name.

5. Garden Ornaments

Over the years we have seen that certain items would come up and be requested to be sent out as gift items more often than others. As a result, there are a variety of ornaments designed for garden decoration, they has become more popular home décor products that would make lovely garden gifts and home accents for anybody, which will complement the gardener’s home and garden décor setup.

6. A Pair of Foxgloves

Foxgloves make for great home décor garden gifts. This product has been featured in over 17 major magazines proving that they are the ultimate in home décor garden gifts. A pair of gloves were developed with comfort and durability in mind in the gardening environment. Constructed out of contemporary fabrics such as lycra and supplex nylon, foxgloves give the feel and sensitivity of 1950 style dress gloves, but are built to last. Now foxgloves are available in original style or grip style. These comfortable glove products are resistant to abrasion and fit snugly on one’s hand to protect fingers, nails, and cuticles.

7. Special Cosmetics

Another popular choice for garden gift ideas would be a cosmetic for skin protection. You can find an extensive supply of Burt’s Bees products ranging from carrot complexion soap to foot cream to carrot nutritive lotion in many Garden shops. For, example, A carrot complexion soap is blended with aloe vera and beta-carotene to clean the pores, improve the skin tone and color and aid in the rejuvenation of mature sun-exposed skin, and a piece of foot cream product is a lightweight moisturizer that is fortified with vitamin E and beta-carotene that is also conducive for healing and soothing sun-exposed skin. As for our carrot nutritive lotion, this product is a lightweight moisturize enriched with vitamin E and beta-carotene.

8. Gardening Tools

How about a well-engineered gardening tool? At the other end of the spectrum, you could pay to have their lawns for mowed for them for a year!and there is a wide selection of garden tools and gardening related items that would make wonderful gifts for your friends, loved ones and co-workers, such as bulb planter, cultivator, carrying case, trowel, transplanter, 3-prong fork, digging fork, hose fittings, foam kneeler, pruner, hose nozzle, weeder/cultivator, all these choices are great for the green thumb in your life.

9. Garden Accessory such as a bird house, bird seed, bird feeder, bird bath, gazing ball, and “welcome to my garden” signs, garden statues.

Last, if you are near the downtown for the holidays, be sure to check out their wonderful train display, upside-down hanging tree, and other special holiday events and attractions running from late November to January 7th.

* Garden Gifts for Distant Friends

Following are gifts which are easy to send:

– gift vouchers with a garden centre close to your friend
– subscription to magazine or club- books, videos, DVDs, CD Roms
– clothing, gloves
– hand tools
– donation to horticultural or environmental charity
– almost any item by mail order
– have it sent directly from the supplier to your friend with your friend’s permission.

Make it clear to the vendor that you’re paying for the goods and give your contact details also in case there’s a problem with the order. There may be restrictions on movement of plant material or other items to certain areas – check first!

Gardening gifts may be a good option for those hard-to-buy-for men in your life. If you’re stumped for present for Father’s Day, a brother’s birthday, or your husband at Christmas, whichever gardening gift you include in your holiday gift basket for the gardening enthusiast, be sure they will prefer it above a tie, socks, or a fruit cake! I hope these holiday gift ideas will help you select the perfect gardening gift for the gardener on your list!

Source by Krista QQ(www.123giftfactory.com)

Christmas Gifts Online… From The USA… To England! Good Luck Amulets, Money Attracting Good Luck Charms!

Whether you live around the USA, or you have them mailed to you somewhere in England, the rest of Europe, or even Australia, you can get some powerful and effective Good Luck Amulets as Christmas Gifts! Good Luck Charms that really work! Granted, they are not for everyone, but some people LOVE good luck amulets and such!

When buying Christmas gifts online, it is easier to order items that you can easily have mailed to you and if there are any free shipping deals, then that is even much better! Sometimes items are tiny and can be mailed anywhere, even as far as to folks “Down Under.”

When you have someone to buy a gift for, such as an acquaintance or a co-worker, and you won’t be spending a lot, perhaps you want to get a lot of bang for your buck, as they say! Imagine you give someone a good luck charm and then THEY end up winning some money in a casino or a lottery drawing? That would be awesome, and YOU would be the hero!

There are so many different little and interesting gifts that can be given as gifts, for the holidays, or anytime, really! My name is Father Time, a purveyor of good luck charms and amulets that really work. At www.FatherTimePublishing.com we have many items and big gift baskets too! But sometimes you need something small and discreet to give as a gift!

Most of our merchandise can only be sent to the continental United States, but the tiny good luck charms and amulets can easily be mailed almost anywhere in the world, and we do not charge for shipping! Imagine a bloke in England getting a good luck amulet to help him win gambling, it costs him only 14 quid, with no VAT, and free shipping? Now, that’s a nice deal!

Our biggest seller is the Indian Medicine Bag Good Luck Amulet, but people also seem to love the Lucky Gambler Playing Cards Amulet, which is a powerful way to attract gambling winnings into your hands! There are many other great money attracting amulets, which are ideal for gamblers and anyone who wants to attract more money into their lives!

When you are ready to finish your gift shopping, you can just turn on your computer and hop onto the web, but don’t wait too long, because the Holidays are almost here!

Source by Father Time

Gift – a Symbol of Love and Gratitude

A small gift can be worth a million dollars. Yes, the value of a gift is not judged by it’s price in dollars but by the warmth and love with which it has been given. Gifts have been part of our tradition since ancient times. The exchange of gifts between lovers is very common. But the gift could actually be given by anyone to anyone as a symbol of love, gratitude, etc.

There are various types of gifts available in the markets today and often people find it difficult to choose one. One of the gift concepts involves gift baskets wherein a number of gifts are packed together as a single gift (gift baskets are very popular among parents who want to demonstrate affection for their college going children by sending them a gift basket).

Quite often people run out of Love Gifts Ideas. Moreover, an individual might not be able to zero-in on the perfect gift or gift basket that is not only representative of his/her affection but also useful to the person they are gifting it too (this especially holds good in the case of gift baskets). Moreover, new kinds of gifts and gift ideas always keep flooding the markets. With the advent of internet, getting all such information and sending gifts to loved ones has become really easy.

Are you looking for that perfect gift for a business associate or a friend? Just think what gastronomic joy you could give when you choose that ideal gift from a wide selection of gift baskets. If you’re looking for delicious fruit assortments with scrumptious pear varieties, apple varieties, cherries and more, the Premiums Fruit Company is just one of many online merchants that offer taste tempting gift basket ideas to whet anyone’s palate Tasty nuts and cheeses are also available in their handcrafted gift baskets and towers.

Other great gift basket ideas for those you know with a with a hearty appetite, what could be better than a gift of delicious meats? When you do your shopping online, you can select from marvelous gift baskets featuring prime steaks and chops, or delicious cheese and sausage.

And, let’s not forget nuts (also a popular item—not only at he holidays, but year ‘round.} Fresh, delicious shelled pecans and pecan treats are all available in a wide assortment of eye-pleasing baskets that would be a welcome gift for anyone on your list.

And have we mentioned chocolates? No one could really resist a gift basket of mouth watering decadent goodies—including chocolate covered nuts and regional favorites from around the country—all beautifully packaged and wrapped to delight any connoisseur of fine eating. In fact, one doesn’t have to be a connoisseur to enjoy a good piece of chocolate!

When you want to send something that’s not too personal, yet shows you’re thinking of the recipient, a gift of food is always appropriate. Gift baskets not only offer you a wide choice of content, but also a wide price range to suit your gift giving budget.

Romantic Gifts Ideas are always a hit and are bound to bring a smile to the face.

I am a webmaster of http://www.giftsronline.com, and publishing article for the various article sites, feel free to visit http://www.giftsronline.com for more information on gift, dating and other online gifts.

Source by Andy Steave

Living in Downtown Austin

Living In Central Austin

Downtown Austin residents are passionate about their neighborhood.  The community is filled with restaurants, theaters, museums, outdoor activities, one of a kind retailers and an eclectic entertainment scene – all of which create a vibrant scene that is uniquely Austin.

A wide range of residential choices exist in and around the downtown area, from single family homes to more than 3,300 unique residential units available for purchase or rent.  The downtown community is made up of a diverse population – from students to empty nesters and more.

Most downtown dwellers will tell you that the real benefit of living downtown is being within walking distance of work, dinner, a play or a nightclub.  Currently, almost 363,000 people live within 10 miles of the heart of downtown Austin.  Downtown is home to almost 6,000 diverse residents, 90,000 daytime employees and well over 100,000 evening patrons.

Downtown Employment

Many top law firms, financial institutions, nonprofits, technology companies, professional services firms and governmental agencies house their operations in downtown Austin.  Downtown serves as the world headquarters to large corporations such as Whole Foods Market, GSD&M and Silicon Labs.  With all of the things to do and see downtown, employees often consider working downtown a huge perk!

Transportation

There are lots of ways to get around downtown.  Capital Metro operates numerous bus routes from all parts of town and a free ‘Dillo service that quickly circulates around downtown making short trips hassle-free.  The city also features several bicycle and pedestrian paths that help residents get to their destinations quickly and safely.

Health Care

Downtown residents have access to some of the best medical care in the nation.  Brackenridge Hospital, an acute-care hospital and outpatient facility located downtown, is the only Level ll Trauma Facility serving the Central Texas area.  Its facilities are recognized for demonstrating superior clinical, operational and financial performance.

Education

From public to private, elementary and secondary schools, downtown Austin is home to some of the best recognized educational opportunities in the city.  Downtown is also home to the Rio Grande campus of Austin Community College and the University of Texas and the nearby Houston-Tillotson University.

Outdoor Activities

Downtown Austin is host to many recreational activities and events.  At downtown’s Republic Square, Brush Square and Wooldridge Square visitors can log onto free wireless Internet, enjoy the weekly farmers’ market, attend the “Movies in the Park” or yoga classes, play Giant Chess, visit the O. Henry Museum or just relax.  Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, Auditorium Shores and Zilker Park are all within walking distance of the heart of downtown.  With activities ranging from canoeing to watching the famous Mexican Freetail bats leave the Congress Avenue Bridge, downtown serves as a recreational hub for all of Austin.

Music

Austin doesn’t brag about being the “Live Music Capital of the World” just for the fun of it!  The district has more than 60 live music venues- a number that grows substantially when South by Southwest rolls into town!  If a club’s got an open spot on the floor, it’s a live music venue too!

Dining

Whether your’ looking for authentic Southern cooking, Tex-Mex or international cuisine, a meal on a budget or cuisine fit for a king, downtown Austin’s more than 125 restaurants have something to tempt your taste buds.

Arts and Culture

Downtown Austin’s numerous historic and culturally centers, libraries and museums are home to some of the world’s most prominent collections, including the Gutenberg Bible, Woodward and Bernstein’s papers, folk art and Texas historical documents.  Downtown also is home to the Texas State Capitol, more than 20 museums, 22 performance venues and 50 galleries..

Shopping

With more than 300 retailers, downtown is home to some of Austin’s most unique shopping opportunities in the city.  From home décor stores such as Design Within Reach, Loft, Mercury, and the Home Retreat to funky clothing stores like Estilo or Cowboy Cool, downtown shopping is sure to please.  Get unique gifts at Authenticity, Enchante, the Mexic-Arte gift shop or Tears of Joy Hot Sauce Co.  Looking for the perfect piece of jewelry?  Then head to Kruger’s, Koen and Son, Anthony Nak or Eliza Page.  Find that great piece of art at one of the many wonderful art galleries.  These and other retailers provide a one of a kind shopping experience in the vibrant setting of downtown.  Casual, cosmopolitan, eclectic, five-star, techie, hippie, historic, chic, intellectual, fashionable, artistic and weird…  The adjectives used to describe downtown Austin are as numerous and diverse as the people who live, work and visit here.

Source by Kris Colquette

The Great Gift of Health Food Gift Baskets

I believe many people are starting to try to eat healthier now.  It used to be tougher for those people who used to have a hard time finding gift baskets for those that were more health conscious.

Not that there is anything wrong, with getting the traditional cheese, chocolate, or cookie gift baskets that many people get.  As a matter of fact, that will probably never go out of style.

But what about those times, when you want your gift to say, “enjoy, but stay on that diet of yours”?  For those, they can be really thankful for the popularity that has grown from health food gift baskets.

Health food sometimes has a negative connotation.  Many people think because its healthy, it means it tastes lousy and nothing could be further from the truth.

Actually, most health food gift baskets carry food such as sugar free cookies or baked (not fried) potato chips, so just because it has the word “health” on the title doesn’t meant that you can’t enjoy a good snack.

There are also many gift basket companies who have gotten in to organic foods.  For example, Givens & Company has wide variety of organic gift baskets, such as all organic nuts such almonds, cashews, California nuts, and many more.

You can find out more about them by going to the gift basket reviews page.

These kind of gift baskets are perfect for any kind of occasion. They could be a congratulations for finally getting a promotion at their job.  It could al be as simple as for a birthday or anniversary of some kind.

The main goal is to splurge for a loved one, but also keep it on the healthy side. It also never hurts to get a fruit gift basket.  These will never go out of style, as they have been around for many years now, and will continue to do so.

Source by Tom Womack

Longaberger Review – Scam or Legit?

I recently came across Longaberger as a home based business, and wanted to provide my readers with my thoughts in the form of this Longaberger review.  I will be providing information to answer some key questions.  Who is Longaberger?  Do they offer high quality products to build a business around?  Does Longaberger offer a legitimate business opportunity?  Lets begin my Longaberger review.

Dave Longaberger established Longaberger in 1973 with only five basket makers, and today, they are America’s premier maker of handcrafted baskets.  Along with their extensive line of handcrafted baskets, Longaberger also offers pottery, wrought iron, fabric accessories, and specialty foods.  These products are offered exclusively through Longaberger Independent Home Consultants from around the United States.

Longaberger offers their multi-level marketing (MLM) business opportunity for those who are looking to earn some additional income to pay for the extra things in life, as well as for those who desire to build a substantial and unlimited income.  This avenue will provide you with the ability to work a schedule of your choosing, earn the income that you desire, and spend more time with your loved ones along the way. 

To become a Home Consultant, Longaberger offers their Easy Start Kit for $49, their Business Basics Kit for $229, or their Business Builder Kit for $459.  Before you make your initial product purchase, I encourage you to contact a Home Consultant directly to verify whether or not your income potential will be limited if you choose the less expensive kit.  Many times in MLM companies, your earning potential is a direct reflection of the dollar amount that you spend at the time of your registration. 

As a Longaberger Home Consultant, you will earn 25% on every product that you sell on their behalf.  As you begin your recruiting efforts, you will earn additional bonuses based upon the production of your individual team members.  Build a large and profitable organization, increase the sales volumes throughout your team, and Longaberger will reward you accordingly. 

How will I be trained to build my Longaberger business?

The majority of product sales throughout Longaberger are generated in a home party atmosphere.  Your mission will be to schedule parties in the homes of your loved ones, and to encourage them to invite their friends and family members to attend.  Longaberger offers a free hostess rewards program to provide your hostesses with free merchandise and product discounts based upon the sales that are achieved by you in their home.  You will also be provided with a free replicated website where you can refer customers to shop for and purchase products.  Your training as a new Home Consultant will be based upon these network marketing methods.

In my opinion, Longaberger is a very legitimate company.  They have been offering unique and high quality products for more than 30 years, proving that this company is not a scam.  However, it will be important to take into consideration the challenges of building a business where your success is going to be dependent upon your warm market purchasing your products, and joining your business.  Many who participate in these methods only fail in this MLM industry, and it is important to begin this business with the proper expectations.  This is not a quick fix to your financial situation, or an opportunity that is going to fulfill your financial goals overnight.  This business will take a lot of hard work and a huge commitment before you are able to reap the rewards that this business can offer.  If you begin your Longaberger business with this attitude and with realistic expectations, Longaberger offers great potential for your success.

As always, I wish you the best of luck and success in your home based business endeavors.  

Source by Dave Fennell

Happy 21st Birthday! 21st Birthday Flowers and Gifts

Turning 21 is a defining moment in every person’s life. This particular birthday milestone is marked by tradition and rites of passage. Each country has differing traditions which are followed and South Africa is no exception. On the day of a 21st Birthday, the gifts given are special and symbolic. A flower arrangement delivered to a 21 year old on their birthday will always be appreciated. The gesture shows thought and originality as it is not simply another bottle of champagne or plastic key!

21 was the previous age of maturity in countries such as the USA, the UK and the rest of Europe and South Africa. The age of maturity is the age at which an individual is recognised legally as an adult. At the age of majority a person can sign contracts without a guardian, apply for loans, marry and take responsibility for their own major life experiences which are the stepping stones to living life as an adult. The age of maturity for many of these entitlements in these countries has now dropped to 18 years, but some privileges and responsibilities still only come into effect at 21 years old.

The key-giving tradition is one that is well practiced in South Africa. Typically, a person turning 21 will be given a mock-key by their parents as a symbol of freedom and entrance into adulthood.

21st Birthday flowers

Birthday flowers are a memorable gift to send on a 21st birthday. Florists generally have an extensive catalogue with many birthday gift baskets and hampers to accompany a bright bouquet of freshly cut flowers. Champagne, chocolates, fruit and other snacks as well as wine hampers and other special gifts are a perfect accompaniment to a gift of bright and exotic flowers.

Birthday flowers are generally bright and extremely striking. Just as birthday wrappings and decor is eye catching, jovial and bright, flowers should be too. A 21st is one of the most important birthdays a person will celebrate and gifts should reflect this. A masterpiece can be created for a 21st gift by presenting a bouquet of flowers with a colour scheme, mixing large blooms such as brightly roses with large lilies for a more formal feel.

Online florists and fresh flower deliveries

A fresh flower delivery on the day of a 21st birthday is a special surprise. A hand-delivered bouquet of beautiful flowers accompanied by a gift basket or hamper will be a memorable gesture for someone special on their beginning of adulthood.

Online florists provide an easy to use service for ordering flowers. Their websites are easy to navigate and have extensive catalogues featuring detailed product ranges with clear and descriptive photos. Some florists will feature special collections for birthdays with simple menus which help to make the choosing and ordering process hassle free.

Online florists will provide a delivery service which will hand-deliver flowers and gifts. These delivery services are reliable and extremely punctual, ensuring that flowers, gift baskets and hampers arrive at their destination in pristine condition. Many international online florists provide same-day deliveries if orders are placed before a specific time. International deliveries are also available, allowing family and friends to send a stunning bouquet with gifts to destinations all over the globe.

A 21st Birthday is a special day for the person entering the age of adulthood, as well as for their friends and family. This is a day when celebrations and gifts are important and each gift should carry a little extra effort and meaning than normal birthday presents. The services provided by an online florist makes the process of sending a gift on someone’s birthday a stress-free experience whilst providing the opportunity to make a unique gesture which can be personalised according to the recipient’s tastes.

Source by Alter Sage

Golf Shops: www.wowgolfclubs.com

Golf is a game that one can learn easily if one has enough determination and can invest in the right equipment. Beginners or professionals in the sport of golf should always use the best that is available which can be purchased from a reputable store and the best place to get it is in golf specialty shop. Places like these have everything from golf clubs, to balls, to shoes and clothes which are the essentials when one is an enthusiast of walking the green.

If one is not sure where to find one, that person can check the local directory or go online since there are many websites, such as www.wowgolfclubs.com that offer brand new and second equipment that a person who is just a beginner or an expert can choose from and buy. All it takes is putting it in ones shopping basket, giving some credit card details then after a few days, it will be delivered so the person can bring it to the club and start having fun.

Should the person still have a hard time in looking for a specialty shop, one can ask people for directions on how to get there. Some of these places can be a bit more expensive than others so before buying anything, one should check out the other stores and look for bargains before making any decisions.

There are many brands in the sport of golf and if the person has a hard time picking a certain item, one can ask the assistance of the sales person who will be able to tell which are the best selling items and the benefits and features of each.

Having the right set of clubs is the determining factor which will tell whether a person will do well in a tournament or not. Since this is very important, one should take the time to feel the grip of each model available first in the store so one will be able to choose the right set that the person can use and will feel comfortable with when playing in the green.

Playing golf is being with nature. It makes one get up early in the morning while the sun isn’t out yet and enjoying the game in the company of people from work or with friends. By having the right equipment on hand, it will make the person enjoy the game which provides a great escape from the pressures of the city.

Source by mysurbuy

Faith in the New Testament – Different Meanings

The word “faith” is a word that has different meanings in different places where it is found throughout the New Testament.  It can be a little disconcerting when one first learns this but at the same time we benefit from knowing it.

In preparation for this article I looked up the word “faith” in a little paperback Merriam Webster Dictionary that I have curious as to what I would find.  I found 4 meanings listed as follows:  (1) allegiance to duty or a person which you could call loyalty (2) belief or trust in God (3) complete trust and (4) a system of religious beliefs.

I then went to another book I have entitled “An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words” by W. E. Vine.  This is a standard work, a word definition book quite well known by Bible students.  This book allows you to take the English word found in your King James Bible, look it up in this dictionary, and it will give you the Greek word or words behind the English, and give you the meaning of those Greek words as used in the scriptures. 

When I looked up the word “faith” in Vine’s dictionary I found the Greek word behind it to be “pistis.”  Vine says the word means, depending on the passage in which it is being used, (a) trust (b) trustworthiness or faithfulness (c) what is believed, the contents of belief (d) the grounds for faith, assurance and (d) a pledge of fidelity.  He gives scriptural references for each of these usages.

If I was to stop this article now and go no further with it than I have we all ought to be forewarned already from what has been stated that we need to be a lot more careful in reading our Bible when we are reading about faith.  Faith is one of those words that we have heard about so long and so much that we read right over the top of it not giving it a thought thinking we understand what is being said without even a pause to consider it.

We think it means trust in God or the Lord Jesus and it most certainly does.  The word is used with this meaning more than any other meaning given the word in the New Testament scriptures.  I think the classic example of this kind of faith (trust in God) found in the New Testament is found in Heb. 11:17-19 referring back to Abraham.  The text reads as follows:

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.” (Heb. 11:17-19 NKJV)

That is trust (faith) in God to the utmost degree.  It is a faith we all need to develop but note one thing about this faith – note what it is based on.  It is based on the “word of God.”  What had God promised Abraham concerning Isaac?  Abraham had been given God’s word and was thoroughly convinced God cannot, would not, lie (Titus 1:2).

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17 KJV)  Scriptural faith is never based on what a man thinks, a man’s opinions or ideas, but upon God’s word.  If there is no word from God then whatever a man believes is not faith but opinion.  Abraham had word from God – “In Isaac your seed shall be called.”  Noah had the same thing with regards the coming flood and the need to build an ark.  It was not his opinion that a flood was coming.  He had God’s word on it.

Another use of the word faith that is an uncommon usage but a scriptural one is faith as a spiritual gift.  In 1 Cor. 12 the subject is spiritual gifts (see verse 1).  In verse 8 Paul begins listing various spiritual gifts that had been given the Corinthians and in verse 9 includes faith.  He says, “to another faith by the same Spirit.” (1 Cor. 12:9 NKJV)  I do not understand the nature of this faith but it was of such strength, evidently, that it could only be acquired by a direct spiritual impartation.  At least that is the conclusion I draw be it right or wrong.  I do not bind my thinking on anyone else.

This might explain what Jesus was talking about in Matt. 21:21.  “So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.'” (NKJV)

Another different use of the word faith is found in Rom. 14:23, “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” (NKJV)  Here the word refers to having a good conscience with regards to what you allow or do.  If you violate your conscience in doing a thing it is sin for one must act on the basis of faith with the belief that what he is doing is in accord with God’s will.  One cannot doubt and do a thing without it being sin.

Taken in context the verse is found in a discussion about the eating of meats.  Under the Law of Moses certain meats were unclean and to eat them was sin.  Under Christ this was no longer so but some doubted and thus for them to eat, thinking it was possibly sin to do so, and eating anyway, to them it became sin.  Their conscience was not clean.

Faith is at times used as a reference not to trust in God but as a reference for the whole Christian system, the entirety of New Testament teaching.  The best example, and one all can readily see for such a usage, is found in Jude 3, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (NKJV)  The phrase “the faith” is reference for the entire gospel system of salvation. 

What a lot of people do not know is that the phrase “the faith” is found in your Bible more times than you know.  Why do I say that?  Because those who translated our Bibles left it out thinking it unnecessary to translate it in several different places instead just using the word faith without the article “the” that preceded it in the Greek.  Let me give you some examples.

Gal. 3:14, “That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through (‘the’ is in the Greek text here but omitted by most translations – DS) faith.” (NKJV)

Gal. 3:25, “But after (‘the’ is in the Greek text here but omitted by most translations – DS) faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” (NKJV)

Gal. 3:26, “For you are all sons of God through (‘the’ is in the Greek text here but omitted by most translations – DS) faith in Christ Jesus.” (NKJV)

There is a difference between “the faith” and “faith” thus such omissions are a serious error in translations.  By the way if you doubt me just type in “interlinear” in your search engine and check me out.  I used the interlinear at biblos but any of them should do just fine.  Young’s Literal Translation accurately translates these verses leaving the word “the” where it belongs. 

Other places where “the faith” is used to mean the gospel system is 1 Tim. 4:1, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith,” (NKJV) “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith,” (2 Cor. 13:5 NKJV) “… and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7 NKJV)  In fact, this phrase “the faith” is used 39 times (without the omissions already mentioned) in the New King James Version.  I do not claim every single instance refers to the gospel but many of them do.

Another phrase often used in the Bible is the phrase “by faith.”  One finds this especially in Hebrews chapter 11.  By faith this man or this woman did this or that.  We read of that in verse after verse.  The phrase generally means they “acted” on the basis of faith or because of faith.  One would be hard pressed in life to find any meaningful act ever done by a rational person without a motivation of one kind or another behind it.  Faith is the motivating factor for the man or woman of God.  People act on God’s word because they believe it.  When one does not believe one does not obey.  This disbelief is one reason so many who claim the name Christian are never baptized.  They do not believe what the Bible says about it.  Others who do believe are baptized.

Actually, the Hebrew writer explains this earlier in the book.  In Hebrews chapter 3 the writer is talking about those who came out of Egypt with Moses headed to the promised land.  As you know that generation did not enter therein for they refused to go up and fight in direct violation of God’s command.  The Hebrew writer is talking about those people when he says, “And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”  (Heb. 3:18-19 NKJV)  He ties their disobedience in directly with their unbelief.  They did not trust God’s word and thus refused to obey.  So it is today.  Jesus is “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” (Heb. 5:9 NKJV)  Only those who believe will obey.

There is no such thing as saving faith without diligent seeking of God which means in part obeying him in all he commands us to do.  “But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11:6 NKJV) 

A good goal for all of us would be to so live that when we die that it could be said of us that we lived by faith while living and then died in faith in passing.  We all ought to try and live such a life.  “The just shall live by faith.” (Heb. 10:38 NKJV)

Finally, let us all try and read the Bible with more discernment.  I include myself in that.  We will all get more out of it if we put more time into it instead of just rapidly passing over the text.  It is great to read the Bible but far better to read it and study it.

Source by Denny Smith

Diversify your Business

By: Celesta Lee

In business, diversification is the equivalent to not put all your eggs in one basket. This is sound advice to many aspects of our lives but more so in business. There are so many uncertainties in the business world, such as the ups and downs of the stock market, a new technology that now makes the previous version obsolete,or a new product or service that outperforms others that are similar to it.

Focusing all your business attention on a hot money-maker today can potentially make you a lot of money up front, but what happens to your income when the product cools or is replaced and you have no other income stream available?

Three ways to diversify your business:

Introduce new but related products or services to the existing market. This gives more choices to the existing customers, like new flavors, new styles and colors, or new versions of the products. This will also draw new customers who may not have cared for your original products but prefer your new offers.

Expand the market reach of the present line of products or services. This is the expected move if the present market is already near its saturation point. Reaching out for a wider market is bound to increase sales volume.

Introduce new products for a new market. This is the combination of the first two ways of diversification. The recommended move is if it research determines that new products are needed in a new market.

When to diversify your business:

Do a thorough and reliable research on the potential market and potential customers of the products to be offered. The result could help guide any possible modifications to make the product or service more matched with the customer.

Find the availability of resources to carry out the necessary research, product development and product/market testing. Lack of resources could delay the completion of the product or service to market.

Determine the availability of resources to cope with the results of diversification. Hopefully, the resources needed are for the increase of demands for the products or services as a consequence of the diversification.

Diversifying your business can carry a lot of risks and a thorough study should proceed any move. There is no single rule and it depends on a lot of factors that are determined through research and data analysis. But keeping up with your market trends and diversifying into several areas related to your product or service will create more avenues of profits, should the times change and you are left holding a basket of broken eggs.

Celesta Lee is an internet marketer providing diversified Online Business Opportunities to Make Money from Home. To learn more about these opportunities please visit http://www.HomeMoneyMakingGroup.com and sign up for our tips and strategies newsletter.

Source by Celesta Lee