“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11) Paul exhorts us to wake up from our slumber or sleep. Medical science also provides a lot of insights about sleep. Rapid Eye Movement sleep is when brain is active, while body is inactive. This is the normal sleep. Non–Rapid Eye Movement sleep is when body is active, brain is inactive. In the spiritual life of a Christian it is possible to fall asleep. Like Jonah we could fall asleep in disobedience. Like Samson, we could loose our spiritual vitality by being in the wrong place with wrong people. The Lord calls us to awake and be alert. Awake From Your Slumber
“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11) Paul exhorts us to wake up from our slumber or sleep. Medical science also provides a lot of insights about sleep. Rapid Eye Movement sleep is when brain is active, while body is inactive. This is the normal sleep. Non–Rapid Eye Movement sleep is when body is active, brain is inactive. In the spiritual life of a Christian it is possible to fall asleep. Like Jonah we could fall asleep in disobedience. Like Samson, we could loose our spiritual vitality by being in the wrong place with wrong people. The Lord calls us to awake and be alert. 
Why do people make the calling of God some out-there, super-spiritual, phenomenon? Calling in simple terms is obedience and faithful allegiance to God. It stems from a relationship with God—not own merits. Calling is so often misunderstood . . . the way God is working on my life, I may not know what my 'calling' is until my death. I am finding out more and more that I do not need to sit around and wait for a calling to do something such as helping out in a ministry for the time being or going on a short-term mission trip. Get out there and God will guide you. I want to go to different places just for the experience and opportunities. That is when God speaks to you and you grow in Christ and become a more mature person. 
Ashish Joy writes a rather strong arguement in 'Jude - Genuine Christianity'. In today's culture, Christianity has been somewhat distorted and the fear of God lacking among many. Feel free to share your feedback in part one of this two-part essay. 
With post-modernism settling well into our culture and the wealth of conflicting belief systems in the world, many believers especially teenagers feel they are inadequately equipped in presenting the gospel. What then is the best arguement or the best defense for our faith? 
How will people remember you a hundred years from now? Successful CEO? Top entrepreneur? Mesmerizing Speaker? Popular Pastor? Gifted Student? World-Class Worker? How can you make a world of difference? 
The question of how tens of thousands of people survived forty years in the desert, raised their children, warded of enemies, and fulfilled a God-given plan and purpose continues to baffle many. Benita writes a compelling analysis of Exodus and sheds further light on how this story has shaped the workings of the society of the time and those of subsequent generations. 
2004 ended with the worst of natural calamities with the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster but 2005 began with a display of the best of humanity's virtues. The outpouring of giving and care internationally in the disaster's wake has indeed been commendable. However, it dawned on me that every situation wherein we have the opportunity to give, no matter how much we give we can always offer more. And that gives pause for reflection.