A Quick History of Bicycles

parašė , 2015-03-05 06:49

Considerations to Look into When Purchasing a Bicycle If only the selections for bicycles are few, selecting one could have never been this hard. But because that the options are very vast, you will find that picking just one vehicle is a tough job. In order that you go through this job in an easier way, take time to check out the tips provided in the paragraphs below. How and Where You Are Planning to Use Your Bike Right now, there are many different kinds of bicycles available out there. Before you decide to make a pick, it is essential that you are determining first the kind of bike that you need. In the case where you are planning to utilize the bike for a ride in valleys and hills, then you have to pick between a trail bike or a mountain bike. Nevertheless, a road bike can be deemed to be a wiser choice if you want to be using your bike on town roads.
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As you move your way to finding the best and the right bike for you, you need to take the size into a great consideration. Right before you make a final pick among various bicycles, see to it that you are fully aware of the right size of a bike suitable for you and your needs. Measuring your inseam is the key to knowing the size of bike that is suitable for you. Even more, you can also ask the sales representative of the store where you are planning to make a purchase to fit the vehicle for you. For sure, they will be very glad to assist you with this. Have a Test Drive on the Bike As a finale, there is a need for you do a test drive on the bicycle before you finally make a final pick. This is so you can be sure that you are getting what you have actually paid for. A test drive is the best way to test if the bicycle is suitable for you. Even though you are not buying a car, just a bike, you have to be critical on this. Again, choosing a bicycle is a complicated process. Keep in mind that your bicycle can be deemed as your work mate or play partner. Thus, it is essential that you are choosing one carefully and meticulously. Although it is not always that you have to take the price into consideration, there are times in which you have to pay attention to it. Wherever side you cast your eyes on, it is essential that you are selecting a bicycle that is priced reasonably and correctly.

Smart Tips For Uncovering Shirts

parašė , 2015-03-05 06:43

Advantages of Compression Clothing To bring out the best of someone’s figure and body shape, it’s believed that the best thing to do is make use of compression clothing. For this reason, athletes and sportsmen and women all opt for this when they play their respective games. This clothing makes mobility easy through the flexible material used such as Lycra; it not only clings to the body but helps squeeze the muscle underneath it as well. Take note that the more Lycra is used, the stronger the compression that takes place. The compression clothing has to have 70% Lycra so it can do it’s job of providing the right level of flexibility and compression to the body. Below is a list of the other reasons why you should be getting your own compression clothing today: The most important benefit that compression clothing can provide is the thermal regulation, which means that the body gets the right temperature to function and perform at their best. When the muscles are warm it can only mean that the athlete will have fewer chances of getting injured or into accidents. But at the same time, too much heat can be a bad thing as well; the good thing with compression clothing is that you can be assured that you’re getting just the right level of temperature that the body needs. The wrong body temperature can not only add stress but also slow down the movements and reactions of the body. Second of all, compression clothing can increase the blood circulation. Athletes benefit from this for the reason that it guarantees the elimination of the unwanted waste products and the keeps the distribution of the right nutrients right where it should be, and more importantly on the muscles. All in all, the metabolism also improves which all the more makes an athlete give out a high performance and also adaptable to injuries, meaning they can heal faster when injuries are experienced.
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With every muscle that’s moved in the body, it would mean that muscles are moving just the same. This can only mean that the muscles are experiencing more and more tearing with every movement and use of the muscles; in sports, the muscles are extremely used as it requires energy and movement constantly. The result to this can only be muscle and joint pains in different parts of the body. The mere fact that the muscles will be reduced can do a lot in making a player’s game his or her best, and determine a successful result as well. Because the clothing is elastic and stretchable, the entire body from head to toe is guaranteed to be fully supported in whatever the sports activity may be.What Do You Know About Shirts

Addictions—A Biblical Perspective

parašė , 2015-03-01 06:31

If we look at the issue of addictions, we don’t have to look far to discover it’s a cultural issue in America, though certainly not limited to America.  Whether one is referring to drugs, sex, shopping, gambling, power, hoarding or a host of other addictions, our culture and our world is permeated with one obsession after another.

Let’s begin by discussing what is included in the definition of “addiction”, and get into the real theological ‘meat’ of the issue:

What Addiction Is:

 An addiction is, first and foremost a sin.  One would be hard-pressed to find a biblical scholar who would dispute that.  Addiction is a sin that one can’t seem to put an end to because the addiction, itself, has such power over that person—an enslavement, quite literally.  It is a sin pattern that is extremely challenging to eliminate or even minimize.  It is a self-selected dependence to an idol; and that kind of enslavement isn’t so much imposed on us as it is chosen by us.   We choose to be a slave to addictions—food, money, shopping, alcohol, technology, video games, work etc. 

Though these things, in and of themselves in the proper context, are enjoyable and are not sinful, it’s when behaviors become our master that we have a problem.  When we lose the joy these types of activities can offer, we enter a realm, a dark realm, where it’s no longer about the pleasure but is, instead, about mastery and control—the only problem is, the addict isn’t the one in control!

Addictions are self-selected slavery .  You shackle yourself to your sin-of-choice and allow it to rule over you or even destroy you; and that ruling or destruction can include your body, your thoughts, your behaviors and your motives.  In this way, an addiction is different than a disease. 

Addiction—A Disease?

Though our culture typically places addictions in the category of ‘Disease’, the problem with that perspective is that, ultimately, it isn’t biblical because the person isn’t held fully accountable.  If the person with the addiction is considered to have a disease, that person is viewed, at least partially, as a ‘victim’– that person isn’t really to blame, he or she isn’t seen as a sinner, repentance isn’t the focus, and the triggers for the addiction can become an emphasis.   Once the triggers are established, one is guided on how to get the addiction ‘under one’s own control’ by reducing external and internal stimulation, esteeming oneself and making a genuine effort to improve one’s behavior and live a better life.  It would be far more (biblically) accurate to view an addiction as a sinful endeavor (though that may sound harsh); and view an addict as someone who doesn’t just have an obsession, but has a ‘worship disorder’. 

For many, it would be troubling to place cancer and a shopping addiction, for example, in the same category of ‘Disease’.   Someone who is battling cancer does have a very legitimate disease; and certainly didn’t choose to take on a potentially life-threatening condition, contrasted with someone with a shopping preoccupation who at some point in the past, made a determination to destroy their bank account or marriage due to reckless and continual consumption. 

Proverbs—Addictive Personality Types:

If we say to an alcoholic, “It’s not your fault!  You have a family history of the disease.  It’s understandable!” Here, we end up excusing the individual for a behavior he seemingly has no control over.  God and His Word, on the other hand, do hold that person accountable.  Even though social sciences delve into the physiology and psychology behind addictions, the Bible goes to the root of the issue—the human heart and the choices we humans all make.

As old as the Book of Proverbs is, it does speak of various forms of addictions.  There are people woven throughout the Bible, and clearly in Proverbs, who had various addictions—the adulteress who is addicted to sexual escapades.  She shows up in Proverbs 5 and 7; and continually cheats on her husband.  Then there are the sluggards mentioned in Proverbs who worship comfort and ease—they don’t want to work or go through any effort or inconvenience that might thwart their relaxation and leisure.  Their addiction is laziness.   How about the mention of those who exude greed—they are addicted to money and the pleasures and things money provides.   Proverbs also mentions those who worship themselves—the proud person who is addicted to, and worships, self.   Alcoholism and the drunkard who worships alcohol are also revealed in Proverbs.   The glutton is discussed who is addicted to food.  For the glutton, even today, food becomes that person’s god.  Food is what provides identity, comfort, security and companionship. 

As you read the Book of Proverbs, one discovers that addictions are readily revealed.  Overall, scripture does speak to addiction; the same types of addictions that are so prevalent today.   The real essence of addictive behaviors and the driving force behind them becomes very apparent.

Beware—Idol Worship!

If we cut to the chase, we realize that biblically speaking, what lies under any addiction is choosing an idol and, figuratively speaking, bowing down to it!   In today’s society, with all the professional intervention, the underlying issues of idolatry are not explored, unless one seeks expert counsel from a Christian therapist.   Secular interventions do not deal with the true root of addictions and as a result, even though genuine efforts might be made to stop drinking, smoking, drugging or hoarding, secular intervention still doesn’t lead to the underlying issues of idol worship.

So often, if one addiction is overcome, such as smoking for example, the first addiction of chain-smoking is many times replaced by a different addiction such as overeating–gluttony.  So what we have now is one addiction, being replaced by a different addiction, and the whole issue of idolatry is never recognized, dealt with and eradicated.  Or, if a person does overcome, say, drug abuse, that person may boast of how he, through dogged determination and self-will, was able to combat the addiction, and now we have pride manifesting itself—the person smugly accentuates his own glory and personal accomplishment.  Idols are simply shifted—the idol of nicotine is replaced with the idol of food and the idol of drugs is replaced with the idol of prideful self.

Addictions Come From The Enemy:

Many people, even Christians, when they think of idolatry, think of primitive people who bowed down to man-made carvings or statues.  But when the Bible speaks of idolatry, it does so in a much more robust, personal and practical way.   All the way back in Ezekiel 14, the first 8 verses speak of idols of the heart.  The lesson here, regarding idols, is much less about what we gaze upon or consume or hold in our hands and much more about what is in our hearts.   Biblically speaking, idolatry, or addictive behaviors, involves clinging to someone or something other than God that gives us pleasure or identity– running to someone or something to make our lives better and make us feel excited, fulfilled and/or satisfied.  Contemporary addictions including too much gambling, drinking, working, eating, video-gaming do, indeed, have their place under the heading of ‘idol worship’. 

Idolatry is one of the major themes that runs throughout the entire Bible.  Romans 1:25 says, regarding those who committed idolatry:  “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised.  Amen.”   Romans 1:25 clearly tells us there is God, who is Creator; and there is creation.  We are to worship the Creator, not the creation.  Idolatry comes into play when there is an inversion and people cling to or worship creation rather than the One who made it all.  Food, relationships, drugs, sports—when we place too much interest and emphasis on these types of things where they become far too important, way too necessary and much too identifying, they, in reality, become a god.   In a contemporary world, then, we find ourselves doing exactly what Romans 1:25 is referring to!

Idol worship can take over your job, your family, your body, your life; and behind these addictive powers lie demonic forces—as if Satan is using these created things to enslave us so he can rule over us.  So when we’re dealing with people who are addicted to one thing or another, it’s not enough to tell them to do better, try harder, get on medications, ask them to see what their behaviors are doing to those who love them the most, or attempt to minimize the triggers.  If we don’t deal with the root cause of idolatry (the condition of the human heart), one way or another, an addict will continue to worship someone or something— money, power, fame, glory, status, consumption—and under it all, is an obsessive revering of something other than God! 

Scripture Makes It Clear:

Throughout the Bible, we are given distinct instructions to be aware of the dangers of addictions and run from them.  The single topic concerning too much drinking, for example, is revealed as something to take very seriously:  Titus 1:7 and 2:3; 1 Timothy3:3; 1Timothy 3:8 and 1Corinthians 6:10.   It becomes very clear that believers must not be dependent on alcohol or any other idol.   We are reminded: “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”  An addiction to anything other than God is wrong; and to occupy ourselves with anything else, habitually, is idolatry. 

Also, Exodus 20:3 explicitly tells us that we are not to place our first interests or excessive affections towards anything or anyone, other than God, Himself:  “You shall have no other gods before me.”  Exodus 34:14 accentuates that same command: “Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

Additional Scripture Concerning Addictions:

God offers help in His word to break free of addictions.   Some verses give warnings while others give encouragement.  These are only a handful:

Proverbs 6:26-29–  “For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread;  and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.  Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?…Whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.”

Romans 13:14– “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts, thereof.”

Ephesians 5:18-20– “And be not drunk with wine….but be filled with the Spirit….giving thanks for all things unto God…”

James 1:12– “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation…”

James 4:7– “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” 

God’s Word tells us He can, and does, make old things new.  That which is broken, can be divinely repaired.  Through faith, prayer and genuine repentance, we have a God who is in the business of working miracles!    It is only through Him that we can break the chains of bondage, heal and have inner peace.

Revelation 21:5– “…Behold I make all things new ….”

Isaiah 42:9– “Behold, the former things are come to pass; and new things do I declare

Matthew 11:28– “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”