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Some of the main points of Calvinism, or Reformed Theology, can be summarized in the acronym TULIP. The letters of the acronym stand for what has become know as the five points of Calvinism. These points help to succinctly describe the fundamental theological assertions of the Reformed faith and were crystallized in the Cannons of Dort, which were issued in 1618-19 as a response to Arminianism.

The first letter of the TULIP acronym stands for ‘total depravity.’ This is the notion that man is completely and utterly hopeless in his pursuit of self-made righteousness. At conception, the sin of Adam hangs over the head of the new person condemning them to death and life of complete and utter God rejection.

They are incapable of faith and thereby barred from pleasing God in any way. Even though actions may appear to have merit or praiseworthiness, these actions have none and only serve to condemn the individual to death since they are born of a complete disregard for God and his splendor. In sum, man is in a very deep pit of his own making with absolutely no way for him to get out under his own power.

But there is hope in the second letter of the TULIP acronym, ‘unconditional election.’ God, in his great mercy and love, has chosen to save men from the greatness of their sin and misery. This choosing certain men to receive this benefit is called ‘election.’ It is ‘unconditional’ because there is nothing in the object of the election that somehow moved the subject to make that particular election.

Instead, it is despite the condition of the object that God chooses to elect any given man. The fallen nature of man puts us at war with God so this act of God is one where he brings reconciliation and peace between himself and his enemy. Calvinism asserts that he does this freely and without respect to the individual whom he elects.

This election is done to a certain number of individuals, a principle summarized in the third point of Calvinism ‘limited atonement.’ What Calvinists mean by this is that Jesus Christ, the means of salvation to all who believe, died only for those that God has elected unconditionally.

His death is only atones for the sins of the elect because that is the only group of people that Jesus died for. Christ did not die for those that will eventually spend eternity in hell for the rejection of the glory of God because that would mean that Christ’s death was insufficient to save those individuals.

The next point of Calvinism is that the call of Christ is an ‘irresistible grace.’ When God elects you, you are unable to resist that election. God is so beautiful and so marvelous that when he wills that we should perceive a portion of him as he truly is that our human hearts, so starved of true life and beauty in this sin infested world, are forever locked to him in a bond of affection and devotion. Momentary lapses in sin are not able to keep us away from the all encompassing love of God.

This leads to the final point of Calvinism - the ‘perseverance of the saints.’ What a Calvinist means by this is that all those that God has truly elected will persevere in the faith despite momentary setbacks of sin or suffering.

They will continually be transformed more and more into the image of Christ and become more and more obedient to the law of God, not as a way to justify themselves before him, but because they know that sin hinders their experience of joy in Christ and because it dishonors the God that saved them. The true believer will stop sinning and act righteously.

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Gift giving by astrology sign is easy and fun. Here you can shop for signs Virgo through Pisces and find some great gift ideas.

Virgo (August 22 - September 23). The Virgin has a reputation for being very orderly, organized and well…quite the neat freak. Which sometimes makes people think about giving her one of those newfangled vacuum cleaners as a gift! But Virgos are all about caring for people and service to others. Their orderly, organization is just a way that they care. Give a donation to a charity that they care about - they will be thrilled that you made a difference in their honor. Or give them a gift that somehow helps the environment or sustains the earth. Fair Trade Coffee anyone?

Libra (September 24 - October 23). Libras are known for their diplomacy, charm and their inability to make a decision. If you are giving a Libra a gift - for heaven’s sake do not give them a decision to make. Do not say to them: would you like to go to dinner? Where would you like to go? You’ll be waiting two weeks for an answer. The best gift you can give a Libra is a charming, entertaining soiree in their honor with lots of charming and fun friends in attendance. Make sure to invite everyone and tell them to all get along. A Libra in the room will make sure everyone plays nice.

Scorpio (October 24 - November 22). This sign is known for its passion and intensity. If you are buying them a gift - you may be a little nervous because you really want them to like it. But we’ll let you in on a little secret: it is rare that a Scorpio doesn’t like a gift. Scorpios love happy surprises. The more unique and fun the better. Try to gift wrap something in a creative way so opening it is a true adventure. Better yet…make it like a treasure hunt! The anticipation of the gift can be as much fun as the gift itself. Now for some hints: Scorpios are known for liking sex (the wild kind), the occult and having a mad sense of humor. That should keep you busy for awhile!

Sagittarius (November 23 - December 22). Sags are fun, friendly and adventurous. Many Sagittarius’ have a true sense of adventure - even if the one you know is a passionate armchair traveler. You can’t go wrong with a travel book - or plane tickets somewhere. Leave the return open-ended. A Sag never likes to be told what to do or when to do it.

Aquarius (January 21 - February 19). Some think that water bearers can be hard to shop for. They have a reputation for being a little quirky and different. But truthfully, they adore plants. You can’t go wrong with a plant - Aquarians speak the same language as plants do. They also love sparkly things, so jewelry in all forms tend to be quite welcome. Don’t skimp on the bling by the way - they may protest, but we think they protest too much!

Pisces (February 20 - March 20). These fish faces are easy to shop for. Pisces are dreamy, imaginative folks that love magical and mystical things. They love fabrics, velvet, chiffon and satins of all types - so clothing that is just a bit dramatic is always a great idea. A Pisces loves to make a great entrance. Pisces also have a great interest in the spiritual - so a spiritual statue, relic or even some tarot cards would be a welcomed gift.

Biotrend is a great free horoscope website and Facebook application where you can learn much more about astrology, zodiacs and biorhythm

Virgo (August 22 - September 23). Children under the sign of Virgo are known for always wanting to help in some way. They have a true caring heart. Many grow up to be teachers, doctors, nurses or police officers. They are calm souls who can handle any type of stressful situation like a pop quiz or a fire drill at school. Whenever a classmate is in trouble, they are the one the kids will go to. You never have to nag a Virgo about cleaning their room - it is spotless!

Libra (September 24 - October 23). This child is one with true charm and lovely manners. You’ll never have to tell this child to behave when you are out in public. The biggest challenge with a Libra child however is getting them to make a decision. If you offer them chocolate or strawberry milk - you will probably be waiting for quite some time while they consider this delicious option. Better just give them both! The Libra child has a beautiful smile you will often receive compliments from strangers on how lovely your child is.

Scorpio (October 24 - November 22). A Scorpio child is rather unique. Many of these children are known for wanting to investigate things. Not only do they have bright minds and an inquisitive nature - but they also have a great intensity about wanting to know simply everything. The challenge with a Scorpio child is that they will apply this intensity to what pleases them. So if they love history then they will exhaust the library and The History Channel learning all they can. But their math homework will go ignored despite pleas, bribes, begging and outright threats! Even if the Scorpio child is not seen as a good student - they are always very, very smart.

Sagittarius (November 23 - December 22). Everyone knows and loves the Sagittarius child. This child has a wonderful sense of humor. But sometimes they can take things a bit too far - they can have a real love of practical jokes and gags. Once you’ve been the victim of one of the Sag child’s little pranks - you know they have a natural talent and skill for this that goes far beyond what the everyday child possesses. Sag children are also confident travelers. This is the child who at a very young age is asking to go places. They want to go to Grandma’s by themselves. They want to go to the store by themselves. They want to go to Timbuktu by themselves. You get the idea. Gotta love that Sag child!

Capricorn (December 23 - January 20). These children are wise old souls. Capricorn children will look at you and you know that they understand things far beyond their years. They are not just intelligent: they are wise. These children also possess a great business sense. Their lemonade stand is the best on the block. Capricorn children are able to create their own business in the blink of an eye. They are the child that winds up having everyone work for them and make it fun. Just like Huck Finn had everyone paint that fence - the Capricorn is an excellent negotiator!

Aquarius (January 21 - February 19). These children are quite inventive and original. Aquarius children love to take things apart. You may be a little frustrated by having your DVD player taken apart piece by piece on a regular basis - but it is quite impressive that they can put it back together so very well. Even the ones without mechanical ability are very inventive. They create recipes, new dances, new inventions of every stripe. These children certainly hear the beat of a different drum.

Pisces (February 20 - March 20). These dreamy, imaginative children may look like they are looking off into space at nothing - but that isn’t quite the case. They are very much with it. But often these children have great psychic abilities. Or sometimes they are talking to relatives that are off in the great beyond. Fish children love the water, everything about it. They learn to swim at a very young age - basically the same time they learn to walk. Sometimes they can throw real tantrums but that’s just their dramatic streak.

Biotrend is a free horoscope application on Facebook. Learn more about astrology, biorhythm and zodiac matching by installing it.

Every parent knows: their child is different, special. Truly every child is unique. But many who are around children notice that some children act one way and others act another. Children born in the early summer (Geminis) tend to be very social but those just a little later (Cancers) are a wee bit shy. You can learn a lot about your child simply by learning about their astrology sign and what this means to them.

You can easily find your child’s astrology sign by knowing their birthdate - and checking against the dates below. Children born on the cusp - the edge of any of the signs may have some of the characteristics of both of the signs they are born near. So a child born on March 20th may be sometimes a Pisces and other times an Aries. Try to read both and see which one rings more true for your child.

Aries (March 21 - April 20). Ram children are brave, courageous and adventurous. This is the child that is most likely going to try anything and everything. Can you actually fly by jumping straight out of the tree house? The Ram child will try and see if this is possible. An Aries child is usually quite popular and confident with their peers, they have lots of charisma.

Taurus (April 21 - May 21). The Bull child is one with a patient and very sweet personality - most of the time. Let us be truthful…have you noticed that your child can sometimes have a bit of a stubborn streak when they want something? Now being stubborn is also another word for determination and we all know that determination is an excellent characteristic to have to get you all sorts of good places in life! Taurus children love the arts and are often musical. They also have lovely singing voices.

Gemini (May 22 - June 21). The Twins are a true social butterfly - always flitting from friend to friend or fun thing to the next thing! The biggest challenge with a Gemini child is sometimes getting them to simply sit still and focus: to eat a meal, get their homework done and spend some time with the family. These Gemini children are always on the go. Gemini children are well-known for having many different types of friends - from the school jocks to artists/drama types to the kids with straight As. Sometimes they wind up running for Class President because everyone trusts them and really knows them quite well.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22). The sweet Crab child is one who truly loves their mother so much. This child is very close with their mother and has a very strong psychic bond that can never be broken. They literally know what you are feeling - all the time. Cancer children have deep, soulful eyes that feel like they go on forever. These children are often a bit shier than their other playmates and they have more serious personalities. While they may have less friends - they are very loyal to their friends and would do anything for a friend.

Leo (July 23 - August 21). A Lion child is one who loves the arts and creative things. This is the child that is always doing something inventive and unique. But more importantly, this is a child that truly wants center stage! Leo children are not shy. Don’t get us wrong - this does not mean they are arrogant or stuck up, simply that they have lots of natural confidence and just like to share what they are good at. Leos are wonderful comedians and many of them are the class clown or involved in the drama group.

Biotrend is a free horoscope application on Facebook. Learn more about astrology, biorhythm and zodiac matching by installing it.

Many that share the same sun sign also discover that they share the very same hobbies. Read about your sun sign to see if you enjoy similar hobbies to others just like you!

Virgo (August 22 - September 23). This sign is known for its serious sensibility and its service to others. Virgos have a real kind heart. Many Virgos do a lot of volunteer work. Volunteering to help children, the elderly and the environment are very popular projects they take up. Often you can find a Virgo taking on the hardest volunteer assignment and making it look easy. Virgos are also quite methodical and determined and make excellent marathon runners. When they set a goal - look out because they will accomplish it!

Libra (September 24 - October 23). The Libra often has many hobbies. Too many hobbies. Sometimes the challenge is that they pick up a hobby and they leave it without completing things. They always think they will go back to something. But they are kind-hearted, they just never think they should drop something - especially if it involves a group of people. It is very hard for them to say no to people. Libras love to take classes to learn new things like crafts, cooking, sports or hobbies because this is also very social.

Scorpio (October 24 - November 22). The word intensity comes to mind when thinking of the Scorpio. So when it comes to a hobby, Scorpios throw themselves into it whole heartedly. Did you know that there are people who decorate for Christmas all year-round? Who would bet a lot of them probably are under the Scorpio sign? Scorpios will research and learn everything they can about their hobby until they exhaust their efforts. Often they wind up teaching about their hobby and sometimes they even write books about it!

Sagittarius (November 23 - December 22). Did someone say hobby? Sags love hobbies! Hobbies are fun! Sagittariuses by nature are inquisitive, friendly and social folks. They especially like nature and hobbies that connect them to the earth. Studying science or animals is of great interest to them.

Aquarius (January 21 - February 19). Many people think that Aquarians only have technology as their hobbies - that they are all out building robots to be their new friends for the future. But that is not (totally) true. Lots of Aquarians are passionate readers. An Aquarian in a bookstore or a library can be known to take out dozens of books and return several days later, ready for a fresh stack. Aquarians have multiple interests. They also especially like MMPORG games - but most won’t admit this publicly.

Pisces (February 20 - March 20). This sign loves fish tanks a little too much. For some reason they aren’t too keen on sailing or waterskiing - they have to be actually in the water. Swimming, scuba diving or anything that dips their toe in the water is an excellent hobby. Even if they just get to swim at the public pool. Many of them also enjoy knitting and crochet. But they’ve been known to drop a stitch or two, they don’t seem to count very well.

Biotrend is a free horoscope application on Facebook. Learn more about astrology, biorhythm and zodiac matching by installing it.

The 7 Spirits and the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) act in complete unity with neither preference nor compromise.

If we hope to obtain anything from the Lord we must approach Him in complete agreement and unity with His very nature, and since the 7 Spirits comprise the very nature of God Himself, we must approach Him in complete unity with the 7 Spirits of God.

But who are the 7 Spirits of God? Before we can answer the question of whom they are, we are unfortunately forced to first answer the question of who they are not.

Some people have taken Isaiah 11:1-2 as being the one verse in the Bible that talks about the identity of the 7 Spirits of God:

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,

And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

The *Spirit of the LORD* shall rest upon Him,

The *Spirit of wisdom* and *understanding*,

The *Spirit of counsel* and *might*,

The *Spirit of knowledge* and of the *fear of the LORD*. (NKJV)

If we look carefully at this passage we notice first of all that one of
these Spirits is called “The Spirit of the LORD,” however by definition each of these would be spirits of the Lord. Second, wisdom, understanding and counsel are all basically the same thing, so the best we could possibly obtain from this passage is four spirits, not seven. Lastly, the passage is basically talking about a single Spirit that would rest upon Jesus Christ, namely the Holy Spirit, which is exactly what this passage is really talking about. It doesn’t discuss the Seven Spirits of God at all!

So Who are the Sven Spirits of God? They are: the *Spirit of Life* (Romans 8:2), the *Spirit of Truth* (John 15:26), the *Spirit of Wisdom* (Ephesians 1:17), the *Spirit of Holiness* (Romans 1:4), the *Spirit of Faith* (2 Corinthians 4:13), the *Spirit of Love* (1 John 4:8), and the *Spirit of Prophecy* (Revelations 19:10). The other two Spirits mentioned in Scripture are the Spirit of Glory (1 Peter 4:14) which refers to the 7 Spirits of God collectively, and the Spirit of Grace (Hebrews 10:29) which refers to the Holy Spirit.

Each of the Seven Spirits is infinite in Her scope: infinite *Life* (hence the need for eternal residences: Heaven or Hell), infinite *Truth* (more than could ever be known by all the created beings throughout all time and space put together), infinite *Wisdom* (complete omniscience: there is at least one solution to every problem or question), infinite *Holiness* (there is only one perfect attitude and action for every situation that is ultimately acceptable), infinite *Love* (everyone is ultimately on the
Lord’s heart in every second of every day of every year of every millennium, and He continually seeks the well-being of every individual without compromising any other individuals), infinite *Faith* (everything is possible), and infinite *Prophecy* (the Lord is always seeking to communicate with everyone at all times). These seven infinite Spirits collectively comprise the very nature and character of the Lord God simultaneously.

If you can begin to grasp the sum total of the infinite influences of these Seven Spirits, you have a glimpse into the character of the living God. If you find these concepts difficult, or even impossible to grasp, remember that God is infinite, and you are not. Each of us, and even all mankind put together, are finite in nature. The finite will never fully comprehend the infinite. It is absolutely impossible. However, the more we do comprehend and apprehend of the full nature of God Himself, the better we can relate to Him and obtain the blessings we desire.

God will only act if all 7 Spirits and the Trinity are in complete and total agreement. There is no division, no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17, NKJV) with the Lord God. See www.7-Spirits.com for more information.