Car Rentals are a great way to help you navigate your way around a foreign city, providing you with a sense of both independence and adventure as you tour new locations. But whether you are an experienced or novice motorist, driving in a new location can be challenging, as you try to navigate your way through unknown streets governed by myriad rules that might be different from what you are used to.

So before you hire a car in any unfamiliar place, it is wise to first learn as much as you can about your destination, and the particular motoring laws that might apply there.
Be aware of speed limits in any unfamiliar driving environment - it is always wise to find out what limits apply in different zones before you get into the car, as signage might not be as plentiful as you are used to. Read up too about parking laws, and find out whether you will require permits for any of the locations you plan to visit - this will save you an investigation into towing information later! Find out also if there are any particular local laws or habits, and remember that simple things, such as traffic lights, may operate differently than what you are used to. Try not to take any of your driving habits for granted - the things you do without thinking in your usual driving environment could very well be dangerous in an unfamiliar place.

Take precautions to protect your safety when driving in a new location - when driving in large cities, for example, it is always sensible to keep your windows closed, and to avoid getting out of your car if approached by a stranger. Take steps to ensure the security of your rental car too - always remember to lock your doors, and leave nothing valuable on display when you park the car to explore. Be vigilant about your safety when driving too, and avoid all alcohol - different destinations will have stricter views on driving under the influence, and it is hardly worth getting into trouble with the police on your vacation! Driving in an unfamiliar place requires that you have your wits about you at all times too, so focus on the road, and take regular breaks.

Renting a car is a great way to see a new place - do your homework, and know what to expect at your vacation destination, and then go see the sights in style.

About the Author

This article was written by Carl Spanier an avid traveler and rental car expert. You can visit his website at
Car Rental Resources

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When evaluating a home you are considering buying, it is easy to get caught up in the visual aspects of the home. Water pipes are just one unseen area you remember to inspect.

Water Pipes - Drip, Drip, Drip

Alright, I’ll admit right away water pipes are not exactly the most glamorous aspect of a home. In fact, water piping in most homes is more than adequate to keep you in hot showers while you live there and take care of all your water needs. If there is a problem with the interior water pipes, however, you are in for a very costly and disruptive experience.

The main issue with water pipes on the interior of a home is their location. It is easy to forget about them because they are primarily hidden behind the walls of the house. While this is good from a visual perspective, it quickly becomes a negative if a pipe starts leaking or, god forbid, actually bursts inside a wall. Leaks lead to rot and mold problems that can effect the health of you family. A burst pipe leads to flooding, new carpets, rebuilt walls and large bills.

When evaluating the water pipes in a home, keep in mind the following issues.

1. Copper - The best piping material for water pipes is copper. It will last forever and is resistant to hard deposit build ups which can impact the amount of water flowing through the pipes. Copper pipes are also the sign of a quality construction effort as they tend to be more expensive than alternatives.

2. PVC - If you see PVC water pipes anywhere other than on the sprinkler system or from the main street line to the house, red flags should wave before your eyes. The presence of PVC piping is an indication of an owner doing the piping themselves, as most construction companies will not use PVC. In a majority of locations, such use of PVC is outright illegal. Do not buy a home with PVC piping in the walls! Ever!

3. Iron Piping - For a long time, iron piping was pretty much the standard in home construction. There is nothing particularly wrong with using such piping with one exception. Iron piping is susceptible to water and will rust over time. If you find this grey, metal piping in the home, find out when it was put in and check for rust. Iron piping should last roughly 30 years without any major problems. If replacements must be made, go with copper.

The pipes moving water around the interior of a home may seem uninteresting. Your attitude, however, will change if one of them bursts in the middle of the night.

Raynor James is with the FSBO site - www.fsboamerica.org - FSBO homes for sale by owner. Visit our home buying page - www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm - to view and buy homes, houses, condos, land and real estate.

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Are you living a purposeful life? One of the main factors involved in people who are feeling depressed and unhappy is the simple fact that they feel that their life lacks meaning and direction. Fortunately, it is simple to give your life meaning and direction. All you need to do is find a purpose for your life.

Even if you aren’t depressed and unhappy, defining your purpose can help you. Knowing who you are and what you want out of life can help you achieve more and be more. It can also help you make better decisions each day.

Finding your purpose may take some time and thought because what you are doing is very important and very meaningful. You are going to create your personal mission statement. Nothing is more important than that mission statement because ultimately it will define what you do and who you are. Try to set aside several hours to focus your energy on this task. If you don’t have a large block of time then you can set aside smaller time periods and work through these five steps one at a time.

Step One: Look Back

Think about your past especially the high points and successes. Make a list of all your successes and all the points of pride and accomplishment. Spend time simply thinking about your childhood, school years, and other phases of life so you can make your list as complete as possible. Do you spot any trends among these accomplishments and successes?

Step Two: Look Inside

Make a list of positive words or attributes that people use to describe you, such as hard working, creative, passionate, or determined. Then make a list of words or attributes you use to describe yourself. What are your gifts and talents? Make sure to list the ones that you don’t currently use as well as those you currently develop and utilize. After reviewing and comparing these lists make a list of five or six core values that are your top priorities.

Step Three: Look At Your Dreams

Now take the time to dream a little. If time and money were no object how could you contribute to the world, your family, your career field, your friends, and your community? What are your passions? What moves you, excites you, or angers you?

Step Four: Look Ahead

Review your notes from Steps One, Two and Three and identify your top goals and priorities. Make a list of these and then number them in order of importance.

Step Five: Look For Your Mission

Your mission statement can have three levels. The top level should be a simple one-sentence action statement that becomes your personal mission or vision. Simply complete this sentence: My mission is to …

For example, my personal mission or vision is to nurture, educate, and stimulate enlightenment for human development.

The second level can be your professional mission statement. Some people may decide they don’t need a separate professional mission statement. I don’t because as a teacher and writer I feel my professional mission is the same as my personal mission as a mother, wife, friend, and community activist.

The third level is actually a longer and more detailed description of your mission or vision.

For example, I chose the action verbs nurture, educate, and stimulate because I believe
at heart that I am a nurturer. That is why I write, that is why I garden, that is why I teach, and that is why my family is so important to me. I love taking the germ of an idea, a tiny seed or an eager mind and helping them grow and reach for new possibilities. I think it is no great stretch for a nurturer to also be an educator. I am a lifelong student. Whenever I learn something new about the world or the people, animals or plants that inhabit it I cannot wait to share the knowledge either through my writing or a classroom and hope that knowledge will help others learn and grow as well. Last, but perhaps most important, growth does not have to be a passive, boring experience. It can be active and fun. I believe true growth and learning only occur when the experience is stimulating. I chose enlightenment because I cannot imagine a greater gift to the world or to the individual than to be enlightened. I know every article and story I’ve written in my lifetime did not enlighten, but in recent years I have been working to reach that goal. It does not have to be a grand enlightenment, for often small shafts of light can have a profound influence on another and that is what I hope to provide.

And, finally, human development, because I cannot imagine a more impact-filled area than human development. I am a strong believer in the fact that we should spend our lives in continuous development and we should each do our part to help others develop, too. If we do not continue to develop and grow as an individual, and as a society, and as a world, then we cannot hope to survive let alone thrive.

Creating my own personal mission statement did change my life. It helped me to change careers, start my own business, and make important decisions about my professional life and personal life. Having a mission statement, giving myself a vision for my future has helped me give my life focus and purpose which has greatly added to my personal happiness. Why don’t you give it a try?

Deanna Mascle publishes the free ezine Words Of Inspiration. You can learn more at http://WordsOfInspirationOnline.info

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With real estate prices ever on the rise, first-time home buyers are facing more difficulties in buying a home. Who ever thought they’d buy a $500,000 starter home?

Mortgage lenders have acknowledged the problem by creating new and innovative mortgage products, mostly designed to lower the borrowers’ payments in the first few years of the mortgage. Many of these products allow borrowers to buy homes that they traditionally couldn’t afford, but they aren’t without risk.

The latest and most exotic mortgages out there include:

1. The 40-Year Mortgage

2. The Portable Mortgage

3. The Interest-Only Mortgage

4. The Negative Amortization Mortgage

5. The Flex-ARM Mortgage

6. The Piggy Back Mortgage

7. 103s and 107s

8. Home Equity Line of Credit

9. Loan Modification Mortgage

10. Short-Term Hybrids

1. The 40-Year Mortgage

This is similar to a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, except the payment is being stretched over an extra 10 years. The lender will charge a slightly higher interest rate, as much as half a percentage point.

A 40-year mortgage gives you lower monthly payments than a 30-year loan, while allowing you to lock in today’s interest rate. If you buy a $300,000 mortgage at a 6.25% interest rate, you could be saving $95 each month in payment.

But by extending the length of the mortgage, you are increasing the amount of interest paid on the loan. For a $300,000 mortgage, a home buyer will spend an additional $170,030 in interest with a 40-year mortgage.

These mortgages are best suited for first-time home owners who don’t plan to live in the home for more than a few years. If they can’t afford the higher payment of a 30-year mortgage, the 40-year may give a good start to home ownership.

2. The Portable Mortgage

E*Trade has a program called Mortgage on the Move. It allows a home buyer to lock in a low interest rate and then take the rate with them to their next home in a few years. A second mortgage can be used if the buyer needs to borrow more money for the new home.

When interest rates are low - and looking to rise - locking in a rate for the next 30 years is attractive.

But interest rates for portable and second mortgages are higher than for standard loans. You may be looking at paying to a percentage point more than on a typical 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

This product is good for those who know they will move in a few years, but still want to lock in a low rate.

3. The Interest-Only Mortgage

With an interest-only mortgage, the lender allows the borrower to pay only the interest for the first so many years of a mortgage. After the grace period, the loan essentially becomes a new mortgage with the interest and principal being stretched only the remaining years. For example, you may pay no principal for the first ten years, and then pay the principal and interest for 20 years.

This gives you a smaller monthly payment during the interest-only repayment period, and during this time, all the money being paid is tax deductible.

But if home prices don’t rise, your equity won’t build during the interest-only years. When your principal-payment period begins, the monthly payments will jump significantly. Most of these loans feature variable interest rate, which puts you at risk for even higher monthly obligations.

This type of mortgage is great if you know for sure that your income will rise significantly in the next few years. Interest-only loans are also a good fit for professionals who receive large bonuses as part of their pay. They can pay interest during most of the year and then put the bonus towards the principal.

4. The Negative Amortization Mortgage

This interest-only type of mortgage allows a buyer to pay less than the full amount of interest. The difference between the full interest payment and the amount actually paid is added to the balance of the loan.

This gives you the option of a much smaller monthly payment during the first years of a loan.

But, this is probably the most risky mortgage available. If the value of your home falls, you will easily be upside down in your load. You would owe more money on the house than it is worth.

These loans are great for those with large cash reserves who need to make lower payments during certain parts of the year, but can pay off the difference in large chunks at other times.

5. The Flex-ARM Mortgage

This is a cross between a hybrid ARM, which offers a low fixed interest rate for the first five to seven years and then adjusts annually, and a negative amortization loan. Each month you receive a coupon that gives you four possible payment options: negative amortization, interest-only payment, 30-year fixed and 20-year fixed. The homeowner decides how much he wants to pay.

The bank handles all of the calculations for you. But if not used wisely, you could owe more on your mortgage than your home is worth.

A Flex-ARM is good for those who prefer to have options. The borrower should have large cash reserves for when the mortgage payments enter the later part of the loan. Like interest-only loans, they are great for those who receive bonuses during the year.

6. The Piggy-back Mortgage

This is actually two mortgages, one on top of the other. The first mortgage covers 80% of the property’s value. The second covers the remaining balance at a slightly higher interest rate.

In most cases, borrowers choose a piggy-back mortgage because it allows them to put less than 20% down and still avoid paying private mortgage insurance. The money that would be used towards private mortgage insurance is now tax deductible as interest paid.

Homeowners should expect to pay a higher interest rate on a second mortgage. The rates you pay vary greatly depending on your credit score. Since the borrower has very little equity in the home, there is the fear of the home losing value and the borrower owing more than they can sell it for.

Piggy-back mortgages are a good fit for young professionals with reasonably high salaries, but no savings.

7. 103s and 107s

You may not need to save for a down payment at all. You could borrow 3% or 7% more than your home is even worth.

These loans give you the option of borrowing money needed for closing costs and moving costs. You can include it all in the mortgage.

The interest rates for these mortgages are high. You run the risk of negative equity if your home loses value.

If you have large cash reserves that work better for you in the stock market than in investing in your home, you may want to look at this type of mortgage.

8. Home Equity Line of Credit

These aren’t just for those who own a home! They are commonly known as HELOCs, and they can finance an original home purchase using a credit line instead of a traditional mortgage. HELOCs are variable-rate mortgages tied to the prime rate. If you use this mortgage as your first mortgage, all of the interest is tax deductible. You simply make a down payment, and the HELOC pays the remainder. You can usually use one for up to 90% of the home’s appraisal value. For a higher interest rate, you may qualify for 100%.

HELOCs can offer more attractive interest rates. You can also use the equity you build in your home at any time.

HELOCs are usually structured for 10 to 20 years, instead of 30. The interest rate is variable, which means that your payment can rise at any time.

If you want to pay off your home quickly, but need the ability to access your equity at any time, you might consider a HELOC as your primary mortgage.

9. Loan Modification Mortgage

This mortgage allows you to change your terms whenever you want, all you have to pay is a $1,000 closing cost for every million dollars borrowed. No paperwork is necessary; all you have to do is make a phone call.

You can expect to pay about 3/8th of a percentage point higher interest rate.

People who like to follow interest rates can call and have their rate changed when interest rates are down. But borrower’s must take into consideration the closing fees charged each time they modify their mortgage. Many customers with this type of mortgage have financial planners who manage the mortgage.

10. Short-Term Hybrids

These mortgages are much like traditional hybrid ARMs with fixed-rate periods and then interest rate that floats. But the fixed portion on a short-term hybrid is for a very limited time, for example, six months to a year. Lenders offer very competitive rates on these mortgages.

The interest rates are very low for the fixed portion of the loan, making the initial monthly payments relatively small.

But six months or a year is not a very long period of time, but rates can change dramatically in just that amount of time.

People who plan to flip a house or move in a very short period of time are good candidates for a short-term hybrid ARM.

Martin Lukac, represents http://www.RateEmpire.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate/mortgage market. We specialize in daily updates, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies! Visit http://www.RateEmpire.com today

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Let us take a look at the two faces of static electricity. One is destructive, like lightning. What happens in this phenomenon is that when the voltage gradient of static electricity in clouds reaches a certain point, the energy is unleashed through what is called electrostatic discharge (ESD). It manifests in sparks and lightning. The same destructive force can cause fire and explosion.

The other face is gentle, delicate, and life sustaining. This is seen in pollens sticking to a bee because of the static electricity on the insect’s body. (Static electricity can be either on the surface only, or volumetric.) But the same power attracts dust to expensive electronic equipments, damaging them or causing them to malfunction.

This is an energy that can be, and is, harnessed and put to beneficial use. But it often wreaks havoc particularly in the electronic industry resulting in damages to the tune of billions of dollars every year. It does not spare men and materials. Therefore, it has to be controlled, and in some cases, eliminated. There are several ways to do this. Generally speaking, they include induction, grounding and ionization.

Experts can measure and analyze the problem and recommend case-specific solutions. They are mainly aimed at preventing generation and buildup of static charge and dissipation of what has accumulated. In successful static control there is an element of education. Awareness of the basics of static issues and the importance of cleanliness should be imbued into the employers and employees. Identification of electrostatic sensitive devises is important. Attempts should be made to follow the U.S. Federal Standards for clean room environment. Conductive shoes, flooring and clothing add to safety; cotton, linen or specially made antistatic fabric is preferable.

Static control equipments include static bars, ionizing guns that can do focused cleaning and dissipation, neutralizing power supply systems, sheet cleaning systems, carbon fiber brushes, ionizing blowers and nozzles, inline ionizers for conveyors, and additives.

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The bid day is coming! That’s right, your wedding is approaching. Don’t be nervous, everything will fall into place. We’ve heard it all before: your wedding day is around the corner and you still haven’t found the perfect garter. Take a deep breath and relax. You aren’t the only bride-to-be who has been in this situation. Fortunately, there are other married women out there who’ve sat in your seat before. So lend your eyes to this advice: don’t choose a wedding garter that is store-bought. We mean it! Unleash your creativity and customize your own bride’s garter! Don’t roll your eyes, it’s actually quite simple.

There’s something special to be found when customizing once piece of your wedding attire. No other bride will have a garter like yours. Your wedding garter will be unique in design and can pretty much convey anything you want it to. Whether your garter is elegant, fun, simple, or cute; it should employ your personality. Let your imagination run wild.

A bride who has decided to customize her own garter should immediately measure her thigh. Once she has an accurate measurement, she can start purchasing supplies. First you’ll need the elastic, which will be needed for the garter. The elastic should be 2-3 inches shorter than the measurement of the bride’s thigh. Next you’ll want to start shopping for a fabric. Please note: whatever fabric the bride chooses should be 3 times longer than the elastic. It should also be 4 inches in height.

A word of advice: avoid fabric that may irritate your skin! While lace may look very beautiful, it can certainly drive some women insane! Bear in mind that you’ll be dancing and mingling all night long. The last thing you want to feel is discomfort on your special day. Silks and satins are strongly recommended, as you won’t even know that they’re on your thigh. The goal here is to work with something that you’ll feel comfortable wearing. Ideally, you want a garter that you barely know is there.

Now that you’ve purchased the brides garter items, you can fold the 4″ (in height) material you’ve selected in half. Insert the elastic through the fabric. Stitch the fabric together with a matching color thread. Now that you’ve finished, you can sew trinkets onto the garter like a charm bracelet. Hearts, flowers, a key to the best-man’s apartment (that’s a joke!) — anything light that dangles will do just fine. It makes for excellent presentation. Remember, a brides garter is meant to be fun and quirky. Get creative with your design!

Jen Carter is owner of My Wedding Blog, a free wedding planner. You may publish our articles on your website only if you do not edit the article in any way, and include the above html as a direct link to our site.

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In the annals of history, mythology and fiction someone has always been assigned the arduous task of gatekeeper of information. In ancient Greece, sage sibyls like the Oracle of Delphi, Pythia veiled her revelations to those seeking the god, Apollo’s favor. To those who could glean approval from the seer’s sacerdotal message, victory and conquest were assured. Advantageous information is there if you know where to look, this is data’s potential weak point, its Achilles heel, and it’s called meta data.

Meta data is literally “data about data”, it’s information that describes another set of data that provides information about or documentation of other data managed within an application or environment (1). The metadata information is stored within each file created.

Computer software from Microsoft Office applications like Word and Outlook to the widely used graphics programs of Adobe CS’s Version Cue and Adobe Bridge capture this meta data information to track document use. Metadata describes how and when and by whom a particular set of data was collected, and how the data is formatted.

It tracks the authors, machines, and versions of Office used to create a document. Many collaboration features, including comments and revision tracking, result in significant amounts of metadata being included in documents (2).

Metadata is essential for understanding information stored in data warehouses and has become increasingly important in XML-based Web applications. This automatically generated information is probably more than you or your business wants to disclose. For example, you create a job proposal template, this is sent out to each prospect only changing the client’s name and bid price. Each time this document is reused, each person receiving that over email could access the previous prospects information loosing jobs to your firm.

The complexities of meta data are even more compounded in industries like legal, medical and financial fields where monetary fines are attached for intentionally or unintentionally sharing private information. Unintentional trade secrets amongst chemical or pharmaceutical companies could wash away time and research dollars invested in a project. Between a client and lawyer, leaked litigation information could derail court proceedings. Patient information on forms or diagnosis notes can be used for identity theft. Even your financial security is in jeopardy if your broker or financial planner is careless with the electronic files kept in their firm’s database.

Each of these potential weak points can be an open chink in your business’s armor. Preventing these weak points of data transmittal and arming your business intelligently allows you to lessen the impact of sharing documents with colleagues, clients and potential clients.

Even in ancient times the arena of commercial competition outlasting one’s rivals. The agoras (malls) of the ancient world were among the fist to take advantage of mass-marketing from carved walkways, signage on pillars and placing information kiosks all to out-do their competition. Security in the ancient world may have been a godly altar or burly man named Herakles (or Hercules).

Protection of intellectual property, creativity, and innovation today is as imperative as it was for the ancients. Success in business means not only creating a viable product or service, but also protecting innovations you business creates within that market.

Protecting your digital assets through digital rights management (DRM) software ensures the possibility of creating future business endeavors. With the growing number of trojans, viruses and malware, the need for a company to secure and control its digital assets is greater than ever before.

Small business entities are an integral part of the American and global commercial landscape and need to protect their creative capital:

• Small Businesses produce 13 to 14 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms.
• Employ half of all private sector employees.
• Pay 45 percent of total U.S. private payroll.(3)

But how can a small or medium sized business invest in expensive ERM solutions? Rights management solutions can now be for small to medium-sized businesses or sole-proprietorships too. SBRM solutions provide businesses of a smaller scale an equal level of user rights management and encryption previously available to large corporations and enterprises. ERM or SBRM software gives content authors the power to determine how recipients may use their documents and email. For example, senders can prevent unauthorized distribution (no forwarding, printing) and prevent unauthorized editing (no cut, copy, paste) of content, i.e. copy prevention.

Sharing proposals, information, or other businesses assets no longer has to be one’s Achilles’ heel. This weak point can be strengthened and the integrity of a business is kept in tact through actively using Rights Management tools.

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End Notes:

1.) definition from Dictionary.com

2.) Michael Silver, “Microsoft Office metadata: What you don’t see can hurt you,” Tech Republic, 4 March 2003 http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-1035_11-5034376.html#.

3.) Small Business Administration (SBA),SBA Office of Advocacy Frequently Asked Questions Document “How important are small businesses,” http://www.sba.gov/, October, 2005, 1.

- - - - - - - - - -

Ms. Veniegas is an alumni of the University of Washington Marilee joined the Marketing team at Essential Security Software, Inc. in 2005. She also serves as one of the ESS site editors for I Want My ESS! a stolen work and Small/Medium Business (SMB) resource site.

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Whether you are a seasoned copywriter or writing your first ad, you must
understand and relate to “How People Think, Feel and Respond”.

You must also know the common sense tips and tricks that will help you
create killer ad copy.

Following is a list of key elements of writing successful ads:

- Appeal to the reader’s emotions and instincts.

- Must convince even the most hardened skeptics.

- Overcome any objections the buyer may have.

- Use power words that literally force people to act.
http://216.147.104.180/powerwords.shtml

- Capture and keep the reader’s interest.

- Appeal to the reader’s ego and self-interest.

- Show the facts and proof of your claims.

- Help the reader justify the purchase.

- Write copy that coincides with current attitudes in your target group.

- Motivate you reader to buy NOW.

- Use “special” benefits to make your product more attractive.

- Make your reader believe in you.

- Ad copy must relate and communicate like average people.

- Know what your target market really wants.

- Be able to easily lead into your back-end offers

- Emulate other successful (but not over used) ad copy structures.

- Make your product so attractive that your reader has no choice but to buy.

- Remember that your HEADLINE is the most important part of your ad.

- Write, re-write and re-write and re-write and re-write again…

These are the various techniques and rules of reason used by the
professional copywriters to develop successful advertising campaigns.

I would like to impress upon you however, the importance of HEADLINES. No
one will read the ad copy that you have spent countless hours researching
and re-writing, if you don’t grab their attention with a great Headline. It
may take you dozens of tries before finding that one Headline that will have
the Attention Pulling Power that you need to get your ad read.

About the Author

“Wild Bill” Montgomery
http://www.MakingProfit.com
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In California, at present, Licensing or Certification Requirement does not exist. To be a paralegal in California you do not need to present any certification, but, even so, in order to single out yourself from other job interviewees, you might think about achieving one of the two voluntary certifications:
• Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)
• Registered Paralegal (RP)
Only differencaiting from the others you could find a good work and mantain it without problems, since paralegal / legal assitant is a profession that need not only facility with his document but some good skills that only an education institution can develop in you.

Detailed: How to Become a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)
Most people in California usually use the CLA exam. You need to satisfactorily finish 50 hours of approved continuous legal education credits in order to renew your certification within a five-year period. You could get certified as a California Advance Specialist (CAS).

To Become a Registered Paralegal (RP): If they want to become known as a Registered Paralegal (RP), a individual must write and pass the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE), an exam designed by the National Federation of Paralegal Associates (NFPA).

To renew the certification (every 2 years) proof of completing 12 hours of approved continuing legal education credits (within the last 2 years) is necessary.

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Why do we differ on Passover and Pentecost? Is it because our Father God left us in the dark? Has the God of law and order left us in chaos and confusion? Are we unable to “prove all things” from the Scriptures - as we’re commanded - because we’re unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the correct dates to observe God’s holy days? DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

Since there are many questions on this holy subject, we must start from the premise that God’s Word is true, consistent and does not contradict itself (Jn. 10:35) We must look for those basic Scriptures that are black and white and build our Biblical case upon them. Such supportive Scriptures are actually abundantly available and the BIBLICAL EVIDENCE is overwhelming! Let us shine the Light of God’s Word on our prayerful study with open minds, hearts and Bibles (Isa. 8:20; Jn. 3:19-21; Acts 17:11).

The apostle Paul was inspired to write for the record that “the oracles of God” were COMMITTED TO THE JEWS. The sacred calendar is clearly a part of “the oracles of God” (Ex. 12:2; Lev. 23:4). The purpose of the sacred calendar is for the Jews to determine and declare when the holy days of God are to be observed.

Jesus clearly revealed which Jews were responsible for these holy matters. Jesus declared that “the scribes and the PHARISEES sit in Moses’ seat” of AUTHORITY (Matt. 23:2). God has ordained that the Jews preserve His Word on the Law, Prophets and Writings - despite themselves (Rom. 3:2-3). God will not renege on giving Judah this special calling and precious gift (Gen. 49:10, Rom. 11:29).

God has also ordained that Church officials can make binding decisions based upon Biblical legal precedents, affecting CHURCH issues (such as discussed in Acts 15 at the Jerusalem council of elders), that do not undermine the foundation of the Church - the Law and the Prophets (Rom. 11;18; Eph. 2:20). God has not given Church leaders a license to “kill” the brethren by destroying them doctrinally, uprooting and overturning foundational truths, or “playing God” by stealing divine prerogatives (Matt. 5:17, 19; 2 Thess. 2:3-4)!

The correct dates to observe God’s holy days should not be a Church issue, having been settled by God thousands of years ago and preserved throughout the ages by faithful Jews!

So why do we differ on Passover and Pentecost? Because some have refused, rejected, denied and attempted to dismiss the BIBLICAL TESTIMONY! (Rom. 1:18; 3 Jn. 9-10). We don’t differ because God’s forgotten or neglected to properly instruct His children in His ways! (Deut. 6:7). We don’t differ because we’re unable to prove from the Scriptures, beyond a reasonable doubt, what’s right and what’s wrong!

“Come now and let us reason together, saith the LORD” (Isa. 1:18), “for the LORD has a controversy with His people, and He will plead with Israel” (Micah 6:2).

We differ because some have questioned God’s right to choose the Jews to preserve the Bible and doubt God’s ability to see that they fulfill their serious responsibility! (Ex. 4:11; Isa. 45:9).

We differ because some won’t submit to the BIBLICAL FACT that Jesus clearly decreed that the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat and attempt to usurp that authority by forcibly installing the Sadducees in that position instead! God destroyed the power-base of the Sadducees when the Temple was destroyed but preserved the Pharisees! The Sadducees are history! We must make sure that we support God’s chosen and not find ourselves in the enemy camp! (I Kgs. 2:27,35; Acts 5:39).

God’s Church, as a general rule, has stubbornly followed the blind Sadducean dates for Passover and Pentecost. That is to our shame! We must reject the rebellious traditions of men for the commandments of God, otherwise God will reject us as His Priest-King (Mk. 7:7-9; 1 Sam. 15:23). It’s that serious!

Some, knowing better, continue to enjoy bitter strife and envying, getting caught up in proud personality clashes rather than humbling themselves before the Word of God ( 2 Tim. 2:23-26; Jas. 3:13-18). Truth is truth. It shouldn’t be a matter of “I’m right and you’re wrong,” but what does God’s Word say? God is truth. None of us owns the truth, only God does. Any truth that we might have God’s revealed it to us (1 Cor. 4:6-7). We’re not to take credit for it - all credit goes to God (2 Cor. 4:7).

Thankfully, a growing number of the brethren are beginning to see that the Bible does prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, which holy dates God would have us to observe. Therefore, may we celebrate God’s holy days as He would have us to - “in Spirit and in Truth.”

About the Author

David Ben-Ariel, an American author who has travelled widely and who has lived throughout Israel, shares a special focus on the Middle East and great interest in Jerusalem, reflected in hard-hitting articles that help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out www.benariel.com

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