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| Cutting the Cord by Sam Stevens Sometimes, after a relationship has ended, many of us have problems letting go. A lot of my clients often complain of feeling haunted or even possessed by the dearly departed (who probably isn't even thinking of you at all and is busy happily running away with his or her new partner.) It's like the person has left an indelible imprint upon your heart and many of us feel that we can't go on until the ex returns. The energy of the ex might be manifesting itself in all sorts of ways --- in what you perceive to be little omens or reminders that occur in every day life (such as a phrase or song lyric) or even as a visitor in your dreams. There are all kinds of cures for this phenomenon, (everything from burning bundles of sage to clear the room of the ex's vibe to throwing out every single reminder of him or her, including the bed.) Yet before you ditch the Sealy Posturepedic, I suggest you try this little exercise called "Cutting The Cord."The idea behind this is that whenever we connect to someone we connect to him or her at the point of our solar plexus, the area just below your diaphragm. When we first meet someone and fall in love, we spend a lot of time building up this energy which lightworkers say looks like a rope of light that connects two people. However, even after one person disappears, the rope can still remain. Often, the person who is left behind spends a lot of time fortifying that rope with his or her own psychic energy in an attempt to bring the person back. The ex can compare to a psychic vampire, who is gleefully sucking back the energy that the dumped person is sending them. It doesn't even matter if you are sending them bad thoughts or resentment. That energy is often translated to them in the purest form of astral energy -- and they use it to transmute and feed their new relationship. So in order to prevent yourself being sucked dry by the psychic vampire, oops I mean the ex, I suggest you try this: Lie down on the bed, breathe deeply and become as relaxed as you can. Now picture the other person and the cord of light that you created when you thought the both of you would be connected for all eternity. Visualize that cord as best you can and examine it. How thick is it? What colour is it? What is it made of? Now choose your weapon. What will you use to cut this cord? Do you need a knife or is the connection so strong that it can be broken only by hacking at it with a machete? If a machete doesn't work, try a buzz saw. My favourite is a huge pair of golden scissors. Now, in your mind's eye, snip, hack chop, sever ... do whatever you have to do to cut the cord. Picture the other person floating away from you like a helium balloon let loose in the sky ... and smile and wave "bye bye!" Oddly, one of the side benefits (or drawbacks depending on how you look at it) is that the other person senses the detachment. Like a greedy psychic vampire, they will come back to see where their source of energy has gone. So not only does this exercise your astral health, but it often brings the ex back. That is, if you even want them back at all. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sam Steven's metaphysical articles have been published in many high-standing newspapers and she has published several books. You can meet Sam Stevens at http://www.psychicrealm.com where she works as a professional psychic. You can also read more of her articles at http://www.newagenotebook.com where she is the staff writer. Currently she is studying technology's impact on the metaphysics. |
| Chinese Jump Rope by Sheree S. Marty Imagine having a great time playing with just a simple piece of elastic string! Chinese Jump Rope is a jumping game popular around the world! Chinese Jump Rope found me as a child and once again, through my profession as a physical educator. The game is funny like that, popping up from generation to generation, verbally passed from one to another like a folk tale. Chinese Jump Rope is a challenging game played by anyone anywhere. The simple rules test the skill and coordination of all players. An elastic rope is the only equipment needed for play. The game is easily learned and always fun! Chinese children first played Chinese Jump Rope in the 7th century. Rediscovered by English children in the 1960's, Chinese Jump Rope remains as popular as ever. Chinese Jump Rope is no ordinary "rope skipping" game. "Enders" hold an elastic rope while a "jumper" jumps the rope in special ways. The challenge? To jump successfully!RULESA Jumper jumps until a jumping mistake or "miss" is made.-A miss can be made if a jumper jumps "out" instead of "in".-A miss is also made if a jumper touches the rope incorrectly while jumping the game.After a miss, the jumper trades positions with an ender.The jumper starts from the very beginning of the game on the next turn.Every Chinese Jump Rope game begins with the rope held in basic position.Enders:1. Face each other and step inside the rope.2. Place the rope around the ankles.3. Step back until the rope is stretched.Two parallel jumping lines, about 12 inches (30cm)apart, are stretched between the enders.The jumper stands outside the rope, ready to play.Simple words describe simple CJR jumping steps!"IN"Jump both feet inside the rope."ON"Jump both feet on top of the rope. The left foot lands on the left rope; the right foot lands on the right foot."OUT"Jump both feet from the middle to the outside of the rope. Feet land together on one side."SIDE OUT"Jump over both ropes from one side. Both feet land together on the other side of the rope."STRADDLE OUT"Jump a straddle! The left foot lands outside the left side of the rope. The right foot lands outside the right side of the rope."SIDE-BY-SIDE"Jump quickly side-to-side. Both feet start "out" one side of the ropes.-Jump side: The left foot lands outside the left rope. The right foot lands inside the rope.-Jump side again quickly: The left foot lands inside the rope. The right foot lands outside the right rope.Jumpers call the steps out loud while jumping. Calling helps the jumper remember the "pattern" of the jumps!Practice "jumping steps" with these simple jumping games! JUMP 1: IN.. OUT.. SIDE-BY-SIDE.. ON.. IN.. OUT JUMP 2: IN.. STRADDLE OUT.. SIDE-BY-SIDE.. IN.. OUT.. SIDE OUT JUMP 3: SIDE OUT.. SIDE OUT.. ON.. SIDE OUT.. SIDE OUT.. ON .. SIDE OUT JUMP 4: SIDE-BY-SIDE.. IN.. STRADDLE OUT.. IN.. ON.. SIDE OUT No enders around to hold the rope? Draw two parallel chalk lines on a play surface (sidewalk, concrete, pavement). Happy jumping! About the Author Sheree S. Marty is the author and present copyright owner of the games book, "Chinese Jump Rope" c1994. She keeps the spirit of the game alive through her website, Chinese Jump Rope(http://chinesejumprope.tripod.com). Ms. Marty taught physical education for thirteen years. She earned her Master degree in Counseling in 2000 and has worked with elementary school children as a school counselor for the past nine years. |
| The Scarlet Cord by Stephen Kingery From Genesis 1:1 all the way through the Bible to the last verse of Revelation, there is a plan by which man can receive salvation and the promise of God for eternal life with Jesus Christ. This plan is like a scarlet cord which runs all the way through the Old and New Testaments. This plan is embodied in the life, ministry, and deity of Jesus Christ. In this article we shall examine this scarlet cord; the Christ of the Old and New Testament.Many uninformed Christians believe that Jesus Christ "appeared" on the scene in the book of Matthew and that the New Testament is about Christ and His teachings. They also believe that the Old Testament is an account of the history and laws of the Jewish people before the time of Christ. They do not see or recognize the relationship between the two testaments. The relationship is Christ.As early as Genesis 3:15 we see Christ in the Old Testament. The Old Testament is replete with prophesies about the coming Messiah, and God begins to tell His people these in the first book of the Bible. In Genesis 3:15 we see that Christ is the seed of the woman; in 4:25 we see that He is from the line of Seth; in 9:27 we see that the line continues through Shem; in 12:3 the line continues through Abraham; in 21:12 the line continues through Isaac; in 25:23 through Jacob; and in 49:10 we see that Christ shall be of the tribe of Judah.Another way we see Christ in the Old Testament is through types. A "type" is a historical fact that illustrates a spiritual truth. For example, Adam is said to be a type, "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come." (Romans 5:14) How is Adam a type of Christ? Both entered the world through a special act of God as sinless men. We think of Adam as being the head of the first creation, the physical creation of man. Jesus is the head of the new creation. Through Adam, sin was introduced to the world, through Jesus sin is made null and void.There are also what I like to call "pictures of Christ" in the Old Testament. An example of this is Abel's acceptable offering of a blood sacrifice which points to or "pictures" Christ as being the acceptable blood sacrifice for all mankind's sin. In like manner, Cain's murder of Able pictures the death of Christ; both were a result of jealousy.Joseph is also a type of Christ. Both Joseph and Christ were objects of special love by their fathers, both were hated by their brothers, both were rejected as rulers over their brothers, both were sold for silver, both were condemned though innocent, and both were raised out of their humiliation to positions of glory by the power of God. Not all Old Testament books contain direct messianic prophecies. Some books which may not have direct prophecies will be full of types and/or pictures of Christ. Let's take a look at each Old Testament book following Genesis to see what of Christ we can see in each of them.EXODUS: Exodus has no direct prophecies but is full of types. Some of these types are: Moses, the Passover, the seven feasts, the exodus, the manna and water, the tabernacle, and the high priest.LEVITICUS: Leviticus is also brimming with types and allusions of the person and work of Jesus. Some of the more important are: the five offerings, the high priest, and seven feasts.NUMBERS: In Numbers there are several pictures of Christ. Some of these include: a bronze serpent on a stake (a picture of the Crucifixion), the rock that quenches the thirst of the multitude, the daily manna, the pillar of cloud and fire, and the six cities of refuge.DEUTERONOMY: The most obvious picture of Christ is found in 18:15, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear." Also we see Moses as a type of Christ as described above. Also note that Moses and Christ were the only ones to fill the three offices of prophet, priest and king (remember that Moses was never named a king, but fulfilled the duties of a king as ruler of Israel).JOSHUA: Joshua himself is a type of Christ. Joshua led Israel into their promised land, and as such he pictures Christ as the One who will bring "many sons to glory" (see Heb. 2:10). Joshua succeeded Moses and realized the victory which was unattainable by Moses, and in like manner Christ realized the victory which was unattainable by the law. The "Commander of the army of the Lord" which we see in 5:13-15 is evidently a preincarnate appearance of Christ.JUDGES: The judges fulfilled two roles, that of spiritual savior and political ruler. These two roles picture the role of Christ as our Savior and King. The seven judges also functioned individually somewhat differently. Some are warrior-rulers, some priests, and one (Samuel) was a prophet. These different functions all picture the three offices of Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King.RUTH: The book of Ruth shows the redemption of Ruth by her kinsmen. This kinsmen-redeemer relationship is a picture of the relationship which Christ has with us. Also, Ruth was the Great-Grandmother of David and therefore a blood relative of Christ. I & II SAMUEL: Samuel is a type of Christ as he holds the offices of prophet, priest and judge. However we see more of Christ in the life and person of David in these two books. David is born in Bethlehem, serves as a shepherd, and rules as king of Israel. David is the forerunner of the messianic King, and the New Testament calls Christ the "seed of David according to the flesh" (Romans 1:3) and "the Root and the Offspring of David." (Revelation 22:16)I & II KINGS: Solomon is a type of Christ in a number of ways. His wisdom points to Christ; his fame, glory, wealth, and honor also point to Christ. Solomon was indeed considered great, however Christ said of Himself, "indeed a greater than Solomon is here." (Matthew 12:42) In the northern kingdom there were nine different dynasties. However, in the southern kingdom the dynasty of David is preserved and thereby also the linage of David of which Christ comes. Elijah is more a type of John the Baptist than Christ but he reminds us of Christ in that he stressed repentance.I & II CHRONICLES The tribe of Judah figures prominently in Chronicles because it is the tribe from which the Messiah will come. The genealogies in Chapters 1-9 of I Chronicles is a preamble to the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew. The messianic line was threatened by murders, treachery, battles, and captivity but it remains clear and unbroken from Adam to Zerubbabel. (See genealogies of Christ in Matthew 1 and Luke 3) The temple also is a picture of Christ. Note these three passages: "in this place there is One greater than the temple." (Matthew 12:6); "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19); and "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." (Revelation 21:22)EZRA: In Ezra we see the continuation of the promise of God to keep the descendants alive. Zerubbabel is part of the messianic line. The remnant has returned to the land of promise, and it is here in Bethlehem that Jesus will be born. The book of Ezra itself is a picture of Christ and His work of forgiveness and restoration.NEHEMIAH: Nehemiah is also a picture of Christ in His work of restoration. Nehemiah also is a type of Christ in that he too gave up a high position in order to help his people. In the book of Nehemiah, everything except the king is restored: the temple, Jerusalem, the covenant, and the faithfulness of the people. ESTHER: Esther pictures Christ in that she puts herself in place of death for her people and is a picture of Christ in His being an advocate for us. Also in this book we see another attempt by Satan to destroy the linage of David, but God preserves His people and the messianic line.JOB: Job says, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth;" (Job 19:25) He also cries out for a mediator (see 9:33, 25:4, 33:23). The problems raised in the book of Job are answered in Christ who knows of our suffering, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)PSALMS: In the book of psalms we see that the life and ministry of Jesus Christ is specifically anticipated. There are five different kinds of messianic psalms. In some, the subject of the psalm is a type of Christ. In others, the psalmist uses language to describe his present experience which points beyond his own life to become historically true only in Christ. We also see in some psalms that it refers to a king or the house of David but final fulfillment is not come until Christ. Some are purely prophetic in that they refer only to Christ. And in still others we see that the psalmist anticipates the coming of Yahweh and His kingdom, which is fulfilled in Christ.PROVERBS: In the book of Proverbs we see the fabulous wisdom of Solomon, who it is said was the wisest man on earth. However, this wisdom is a picture of Christ who has the ultimate wisdom, the wisdom of God; "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption..." (1 Corinthians 1:30)ECCLESIASTES: This book shows us how empty our life can be without a relationship with God. Only Christ can provide those things which make life meaningful.SONG OF SOLOMON: In the Old Testament, Israel is considered to be the bride of Yahweh and in the New Testament the church is the bride of Christ. This book illustrate the first and pictures the second.ISAIAH: The prophecies in this book are clearer and more explicit than any other Old Testament book. Isaiah is brimming with prophecies of Christ.JEREMIAH: The book of Jeremiah points directly to Christ: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgement and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Jeremiah 23:5,6) LAMENTATIONS: Jeremiah, the author, is a type of Christ in that both wept over Jerusalem.EZEKIEL: This book pictures the Messiah as a tender twig that becomes a stately cedar. DANIEL: In the visions of Daniel we see prophecies of Christ. Also his vision of the 69 weeks pinpoints the coming of the Messiah.THE MINOR PROPHETS - HOSEA, JOEL, AMOS, OBADIAH, JONAH, MICAH, NAHUM, HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH, HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH, & MALACHI: In these books we see several prophecies of Christ as well as types and pictures of Christ. Space does not permit us to give as much detail on these, the minor prophets.I hope that through this discussion of the Scarlet Cord which runs through the Old Testament in the prophecies, types and pictures of Christ you can see that He is the very center, the cornerstone if you will, of God's plan of salvation for man. We should not think of the Old Testament and New Testament as two distinct and separate parts, but as one whole plan by which God will redeem those who want to be His people. There is much which could be said about the differences in the Old and New Testaments, but we will save that for a future article. The thing for us to remember is that though there are many significant differences in the two testaments as to their purpose and so forth, together they form one beautiful and magnificent account of God's love, devotion, and longing to save His creation - man.All scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted. About the Author Stephen Kingery is an author, preacher, teacher and founder of The Home Bible Study Institute. Visit our site at http://www.james1-22.orgPermission to use is granted if attributed to author and his website. |
