Homescreens. I cannot even imagine how much time I have invested in getting the homescreens on my tablet and my Sensation just the way I want them, only to change them again a few weeks later! Android skins like Touchwiz, Sense, and Blur all try to add extra options and features when it comes to customization, and while I was never a fan of skins, I have to admit that this new “skin” not only caught my attention, but honestly really impressed the hell out of me. If you’re looking for the next big skin for Android Ice Cream Sandwich, I seriously encourage you to have a look at Chamel…

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Chameleon For Android: Now THAT’S A Homescreen!

By Jeff Chase

The Kentucky Wildcats plan on taking the national title this year, but no victory will feel sweeter to them than a defeat over the Indiana Hoosiers in the Sweet 16 of the 2012 NCAA tournament.

The Wildcats lost just one regular-season game this entire year, which dated back to December 10, 2011, as the team visited the Hoosiers at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, IN.

Both teams were off to an 8-0 start, but the Hoosiers were unranked at the time. The game was close, as the first half closed with a score 30-29, Hoosiers.

The second half was even closer, as both teams scored 43 points, to end the game with a final score of 73-72.

Considering how things ended in that game—with a Hoosiers buzzer-beating three-pointer to take a one-point lead to finish the game—the Wildcats likely feel that they were stripped of a win they deserved.

 

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It Pays to Discipline Your Children
Frank King  

There is no substitute for parents being proactive in disciplining their children. I'll be the first to admit that it is much more difficult to discipline children these days. We live in an extremely mobile society. Because of mobile devices such as laptop computers, tablet computers, and smart phones, it is hard for us to control the objectionable content that our children can be exposed to through these mediums.

Many parents today allow these mobile devices, along with widescreen TVs and social networks like Facebook and Twitter, to virtually raise their children. Of course, our children have no objections. If we allow them to, they will indulge themselves in these activities 24/7.

As Christian parents, we should not allow this non-parenting approach to parenting. It will never yield positive results in the area of disciplining our children. It will come back to haunt those who practice it. "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame," the Bible warns (Proverbs 29:15).

This verse reveals that in order for us to instill wisdom in our children, two things are required: the rod and reproof. For us today, the rod can be punishment, spanking or beating, temporarily taking away privileges, etc. Reproof refers to verbal correction. We can't be passive toward the things we hear our children say that we know they should not because their words reveal what's in their heart.

I don't want to oversimplify what the aforementioned verse is saying. Disciplining children is not a job for the passive. To realize success, we must be diligent. It's not a one-time deal. We must be persistent. And we should never become discouraged. We know the Word of God works. If we are persistent, we will realize the results that God promises.

So what is the alternative if we are not up to the job to discipline our children? We can allow the high-tech gadgets and social networks to take our place. This is the same as leaving our children to themselves. And remember what the Bible says about that: "a child left to himself brings his mother to shame."

Karla Downing  

This Christian relationship help will enable you to understand the five common fears people have in difficult relationships. Whether it is due to someone's addiction, irresponsibility, personality, mental illness, or abuse, life has uncertainty and complications. Here are the five common fears:

1. Fear of the Person's Reaction

Difficult people are reactive. They are punitive, manipulative, angry, moody, and unpredictable. There is typically a price to pay when you attempt to set a boundary, confront an issue, expect cooperation, or ask for something to done.

2. Fear of Change

No one really likes change, especially change that they have no control over and may not want. Due to the unpredictability of dysfunctional people, unwelcome changes come up and after a while, you begin to fear change because it feels overwhelming.

3. Fear of Divorce

Divorce isn't what people in difficult marriages want. Most people feel they must try everything before resorting to ending the relationship and Christians struggle with whether God approves of divorce. Living with a difficult person is hard. Divorcing is also difficult.

4. Fear of Consequences

Even if you learn how to let go and allow the person to experience the consequences of their own choices, the consequences still affect your life. It is also painful to watch someone you love suffer.

5. Fear of Being Out of God's Will

Christians desire to follow God's will for their lives. Dealing with difficult relationships can be confusing, as many have misconceptions about what the Bible teaches about how to respond.

God wants us to deal with our fears and let them go by trusting Him. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18, NIV). We can be tormented by the fears. The fear can keep us paralyzed and unable to do what we need to do, unless we face it and do what we need to do in spite of it. This Christian relationship help empowers you by identifying five common fears in difficult relationships. Understanding them will help you to face the fears.

Relationship Prayer: God, help me to identify my fears and then let them go by trusting you.

Relationship Challenge: Identify how these fears are affecting your life.

Use the information in this Christian relationship help to empower you to deal with these five common fears and any others you are struggling with in your difficult relationships.

Next, if you need more practical tips and Biblical truths to help you change your relationships, get my FREE "15-Day Relationship Challenge" designed to give you back the power over your life.

Just click here: http://www.Free15dayChallenge.com

Scott Bruton  

The Bible tells Christians to let their light shine out into the dark world around them. (Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others") Jesus explained to His disciples that light was made to shine into all of the house and not be hidden. "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." Matthew 5:15. God's word teaches Christians to Stand up for Jesus before people, while at the same time, providing us a genital, yet stern, warning; to deny Christ before man is to have Christ deny us before the Father. "But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven". Matthew 10:33. The magnificent Church Hymn, "Stand up, Stand up for Jesus", encourages believers to "lift high His royal banner" because we are "soldiers of the cross". We teach our Children that Christian soldiers are to serve as if they are "marching as to war", knowing that "at the sign of triumph, Satan's host doth flee".

We teach these things because the Bible is abundantly clear that Jesus has already overcome the evil in this world. John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." We also teach these things because the Bible tells us that in the end, after defeating the devil and his angles of darkness, Jesus will prevail triumphantly. Knowing all of this, I ask; "if God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 In 1 peter 5:8, we get our answer. "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." The intriguing thing here is although God has already won the war, the devil does not see it. He thinks he still has a chance, so he continues to wage war on God, Jesus, the Church, and Christians. Here, is the encouragement; If God so wished, He could put an end to the devil and his plans with one stroke of His mighty hand! However, God wants to use us, His people, to fight for Him! We are soldiers in God's army, and He is our commander and chief. As God's soldiers, it is essential that we keep our light shining upon the shadow of evil that Satan brings into this world. There can never be darkness when light is present. The dark forces of Satan and his angles flee at the light God shines. When we receive Christ, we become His royal ambassadors. It is up to us to continue holding His banner high so that this world has no doubt whose side we are on.
There are two reasons why our task must not fail. 1) Even though Gods army will prevail victoriously, we must continue to fight for new recruits; those who do not know Jesus as their Savior. We must continue to "send the light, the blessed gospel light", because "there are souls to rescue, there are souls to save". (HymnSend the Light) We cannot stop fighting and let Satan pull those millions of souls into everlasting damnation. "Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.
The second reason we must continue fighting is to encourage the believer. The only light that cannot beam into darkness is a light that has been either covered up, or smudged with dirt and grime. Paul encouraged believers not to be part of the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2. We cannot let the world's dirt and dust smoother out the light of Jesus in this world. We must engage the enemy in order to help each other keep that dirt and grime of sin away from our hearts door. We must inspire, and encourage the discouraged; the ones who have fallen victim to evil; the ones who have given up the fight. It is our duty to ensure that our lights, and the lights of other Christians, stay clean and bright. It is our duty to help each other stay away from the pleasures of this world that dim Christ light and influence in this world. Through the journey down the dirt road of life, we all pick up some dirt. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 The dust of sin takes away our power, takes away our joy, takes away our witness and creditability. Let us all be lighthouse washers for God.
Jesus told His disciples to let their light shine before others. He knew that there can never be darkness when light is present. Pray this week for courage and strength to let your light shine before men so that we all shine on God, our Father by giving Him all the glory that is rightfully His.

I am the author and editor of paraklesisblog.com, a website blog created to encourage the Christian believer in their faith. I am also a Parkinson patient at age 48. This article is free to be distributed as long as my name and website address are attached to the print. Copyright 2012, Scott Bruton

Hugh Houchin  

In the Bible, prayer is an integral part of the Old and New Testaments. In fact, the Bible's first reference to prayer is in Genesis, where the first book of the Bible says humankind called on (prayed to) the Lord. (4:26). Then, too, another reference to prayer is in Revelation, the final book of the Bible. (8:4) In addition, the 64 books between Genesis and Revelation refer to prayer, or a form of the word prayer, over 500 times. 

Therefore, for you as a believer, God's Word points to prayer as a major component of your relationship with Him, for example: 

The book of Matthew demonstrates praying is the highest expression of faith you lay before God, because, through prayer, you build a relationship with Him (7:7-8). 
The book of John explains that through this relationship with Him you bear spiritual fruit (15:4). 
The book of Luke says that by way of His grace and blood you enter His presence (Lu 22:20).
The book of Romans expounds that the Holy Spirit is the vehicle that delivers your prayers to His presence (8:26-27).

Thus, through prayer, you experience God's sovereignty via His immediacy. When you express your needs, hopes, and dependence on Him, your soul delights with humility to that immediacy. Humility submits to the presence of God, and invokes complete reliance on Him. You've exposed yourself, yet you're not vulnerable, because, in His Majesty, He protects your humility. 

Prayer falls under the umbrella of worship, which in reference to God's sovereignty includes adoration and reverence, along with impotence and resignation. Next, under the umbrella of prayer, are the three basic types of prayer: requests, fellowship and intercession:

Basic to a prayer are requests and you may request anything you desire, either physical or spiritual. However, remember that prayer is a major component of your relationship with an almighty, sovereign, God, and He's not a slot machine where you insert a prayer, pull a lever, and your requests tumble out. Along with other advice concerning prayer, the book of Matthew warns about trying to finesse God, because He knows your needs before you ask. (6:1-8).
As your walk with God matures, your prayer life will include listening to Him. When this happens, your fellowship with Him ripens and He discloses more of Himself to you. Matthew tells of Jesus being alone with the Father, which is an example for you to follow (14:23).
The third type of prayer is intercession, or arbitration. Intercessory prayer is unselfish prayer, because you pray for others, over and above your needs. John records an intercessory prayer of Jesus; it shows His love for those the Father gave Him for eternal life. He prayed this prayer, for others, even though He knew His own crucifixion was just hours away. (17:1-26)

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28. Prayer is your rest.


All quotes from the Bible are from an NASB translation.

Hugh Houchin
Scottsbluff, NE, US

While on Facebook today, I noticed a few of my friends and family who didn’t get the memo that the Android Market had now officially been renamed Google Play and mistakenly assumed they deleted the app from their phone altogether. Needless to say, they were in a bit of distress over the miscommunication. This actually got me wondering how many more people were possibly going through the same thing? A quick search and I noticed there was quite a few. So, I created this post to help those who are searching through Google, and for the rest of us to get a good laugh at (all in good fun, of course).

For those of you who came from Google — welcome to the gr…

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Accidentally Deleted The Android Market From Your Phone? How To Get It Back [24 People Who Thought They Deleted It]