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	<title>Gifts of Love and Devotion - Christian Gifts - Blog</title>
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	<description>We provide Christian gifts and unique personalized gifts for all Christian occasions including baptisms, first communion, confirmation, weddings, anniversaries, and bereavement.</description>
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		<title>Choosing Christening Outfits for Boys   by Chris Robertson</title>
		<link>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3477</link>
		<comments>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3477#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 00:14:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Baptism Gowns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christening Day]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christening outfits for Boys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christenings]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3477</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Your baby&#8217;s christening day is among the most special days of his life, and the christening outfit you choose for him is a very special part of that day. Traditionally, christening outfits for boys run the gamut from full-length christening gowns to miniature tuxes and just about everything in between. Since most churches have few [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Your baby&#8217;s christening day is among the most special days of his life, and the christening outfit you choose for him is a very special part of that day. Traditionally, christening outfits for boys run the gamut from full-length christening gowns to <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/baby-boys-cotton-tuxedo-with-pique-vest-p-564.html" target="_blank">miniature tuxes</a> and just about everything in between. Since most churches have few requirements for christening outfits, you&#8217;re free to choose the christening dress style you prefer for your little boy. Here&#8217;s just a glimpse of the many styles of boys&#8217; christening outfits you can choose from.</p>
<p>Christening Gowns for Boys</p>
<p>In Victorian and Edwardian times, there was little difference between outfits for the genders. Whether the outfit was for a boy or for a girl, christening gowns usually featured yards of lace &#8211; handmade, of course &#8211; and intricate embroidery. Today, many parents opt to dress their baby boys in pants or rompers instead of a gown, but there are still traditionalists who prefer a christening gown, even for a little boy.</p>
<p>If you decide on a christening gown for a baby boy, you don&#8217;t have to opt for a feminine design with yards of fussy lace and embroidered details. The most common boys&#8217; gown styles feature styling that resembles a bishop&#8217;s cassock or double-breasted gowns. They may include embroidered white-on-white details and pearl buttons. These little boys&#8217; christening gowns are most common among traditional Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox families.</p>
<p>If you like the idea of a formal christening gown for your baby boy, but prefer to have him in a suit for after the ceremony, you can opt for one of the many convertible christening gown styles that are designed expressly for that purpose. Convertible christening outfits for boys generally feature a romper with a full-length skirt that buttons on for the ceremony and off for the party after.</p>
<p>Christening Gowns for Baby Boys</p>
<p>If you prefer a more masculine look, you&#8217;ll find <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/baptism-gowns-c-45.html" target="_blank">christening outfits for boys</a> in romper, shorts, knickers or long pants styles. You can choose from many different fabrics, including cotton, knit, silk, sateen and duiponi silk. Some of them honor heritage and tradition, like the boys&#8217; Irish blessing outfit, with long pants and a pin-tucked bodice and collar. Others have a modern sensibility, like the adorable knit boys&#8217; outfit by Laura Ashley that features a rib-knit pattern that is both delicate and masculine. Many <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/boys-smocked-cotton-christening-romper-p-672.html" target="_blank">boys&#8217; christening outfits</a> feature handcrafted details, such as hand-tatted lace edgings and embroidered cross motifs, and most come complete with a matching bonnet or hat to complete the outfit.</p>
<p>Dressing your little boy for his christening day can be just as much fun as it is to dress a little girl. You have a wide choice of styles, fabrics and embellishments to choose from, all of them designed expressly to make your little darling boy look like the little angle he should be on his christening day. You can order christening outfits for boys online at most websites that sell special occasion baby clothes, or at a website that specializes in christening gowns and christening accessories for your baby.</p>
<p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br />
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world&#8217;s MOST popular <a href="http://www.majon.com" target="_new">internet marketing</a> companies on the web.<br />
Learn more about <a href="http://www.babieschristeningoutfits.com" target="_new">Christening Outfits</a>.</p>
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		<title>Preparing for A Christening   by Celia Coll</title>
		<link>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3474</link>
		<comments>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3474#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 00:03:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Baptism Gowns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christening Ceremonies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christening Gowns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3474</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The christening or baptism of a new baby is typically one of the most joyous occasions in the life of a young family. The christening ceremony is generally the first milestone event in a child&#8217;s life. This special occasion usually takes place when the baby is only a few weeks to a few months old, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The christening or baptism of a new baby is typically one of the most joyous occasions in the life of a young family. The christening ceremony is generally the first milestone event in a child&#8217;s life. This special occasion usually takes place when the baby is only a few weeks to a few months old, and quite rarely is held after the child&#8217;s first birthday.</p>
<p>The pageantry surrounding <a href="http://samanthagold.hubpages.com/hub/Baptism-or-Christening-what-is-the-difference" target="_blank">christening ceremonies</a> widely varies depending upon the denomination and individual church, but the love God has for the newly christened child and the importance of a <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/baptism-gowns-c-45.html?page=3&amp;sort=5a" target="_blank">christening gown</a> are essential factors to all christening traditions.</p>
<p>In the earliest days of christening ceremonies, centuries ago, families would prepare for weeks or months to get ready for the event. One of the most major tasks to prepare for the ceremony was the mother&#8217;s duty to sew a white christening gown for her child. These gowns were made for both boys and girls, and were an important part of the christening.</p>
<p>Traditionally, <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/smocked-bodice-cotton-christening-gown-p-673.html" target="_blank">christening gowns</a> had long sleeves and covered the child from neck to foot; generally, the gown was made of cotton, silk, or satin and had matching accessories (bonnet, shoes, stockings, etc.) The design of the gown itself was sometimes quite basic, or more often, incredibly intricate. Traditionally, handmade christening gowns became family heirlooms and were worn by children for many generations.</p>
<p>A christening ceremony is intended to be a dedication of a child to God, as well as the parents&#8217; acknowledgment and vow that they will raise their new child in a Godly environment. Though Christening ceremonies can act as a foundation for a child to develop their own Christian faith, and undoubtedly are a public statement of the parents&#8217; intent to raise their child in that faith, it is essential to remember that simply being christened does not make a child a Christian. To become a Christian, the child must personally choose to accept Christ once they are old enough to comprehend that concept.</p>
<p>Parents looking for a more contemporary take on the traditional christening gown will not be disappointed. There are many modern christening gown designs available today. The <a href="http://www.mybabychristeninggowns.com/girls-christening-gowns/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">Christening gowns</a> today come in a wide variety of styles and designs, some very different from the traditional form of attire. Furthermore, gowns are no longer intended for both boys and girls. Parents today will find a wide array of options for their child&#8217;s christening attire, including gender-appropriate clothing for boys or girls. Further adding to parents&#8217; choices are <a href="http://www.mybabychristeninggowns.com/boys-christening-outfits/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">christening outfits</a> that come in a variety of colors and feature detailing from bright buttons to sequins. Lines of specialized preemie christening gowns are also on the market.</p>
<p>About the Author:<br />
Christening Gowns</p>
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		<title>What&#8217;s the difference between a Christening and a baby dedication?   by Christening Day</title>
		<link>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3471</link>
		<comments>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3471#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 23:57:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Baby Dedications]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christening Dress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christenings]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3471</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What&#8217;s the difference between a Christening and a baby dedication? If you&#8217;ve ever been invited to such an event you will understand that it can be easy to confuse what is actually meant by the different rituals and traditions around naming and baptizing a baby. A Christening involves baptism, the first of a number of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What&#8217;s the difference between a Christening and a baby dedication? If you&#8217;ve ever been invited to such an event you will understand that it can be easy to confuse what is actually meant by the different rituals and traditions around naming and baptizing a baby.</p>
<p>A Christening involves baptism, the first of a number of sacraments in life within the Roman Catholic tradition. Baptism is a part of many Christian denominations, including Lutheran, Presbyterian and Methodist. Baptism is a water purification ceremony, so at <a href="http://samanthagold.hubpages.com/hub/Preparing-For-a-Baby-Christening">Christenings</a> you will see a small amount of holy water from the baptismal font, poured by the priest or minister over the infant&#8217;s head. During a christening the child enters the Christian faith and his or her parents and possible godparents, vow to raise the child in the faith they have chosen.</p>
<p>A baby dedication on the other hand is a ceremony where the child&#8217;s parents dedicate their child to God. They may make a statement showing they intend to raise the child according to a particular faith or denomination &#8211; however there may not be any form of baptism as part of the service.</p>
<p>Historically speaking even a <a href="http://samanthagold.hubpages.com/hub/Baptism-or-Christening-what-is-the-difference" target="_blank">Christening and Baptism</a> were once two different things. A Christening referred to the child being given a Christian name while a baptism was usually held for older children or adults and involved fully submersing the body in water. Today both terms are used interchangeably and of course variations exist across different faiths. To avoid any confusion, if you are attending a ceremony and are preparing gifts or a card, use the term used by the parents.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/baptism-gowns-c-45.html?page=2&amp;sort=5a" target="_blank">Christening outfits</a> for children, which can also be appropriate for baby dedications, are usually white, symbolizing purity and innocence. Christening and baby dedication outfits come in a variety of styles and fabrics, with pricing options ranging from the budget-conscious to bridal quality. Traditionally the infant, regardless of gender, is dressed in a gown style garment, or christening dress, which can be changed after the ceremony for something more practical. Christening dress fabrics may range from cotton and linen to organza and bridal quality satin and may feature embroidery, pleats and smocking. The Christening outfit may also include a Christening blanket and blankets make popular gifts too.</p>
<p>Styles for a Christening dress can be modern or traditional. Important considerations include that whatever the style, the fabric used is a breathable natural fiber and is comfortable for the baby. Depending on the weather, a Christening dress may feature short sleeves, or a jacket and bonnet for cooler temperatures.</p>
<p>Whether it&#8217;s a <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/baptism-gifts-c-27.html" target="_blank">Christening</a> or a baby dedication, the event is certainly a special one in any family. It is a way for all involved in the child&#8217;s life to welcome them into their community and to reinforce the extended family&#8217;s commitment to upholding the spiritual values that are important to them. A beautiful Christening dress will add to the joy of this memorable occasion.</p>
<p><strong>About the Author</strong>:<br />
Create your own family heirloom with <a href="http://www.christening-day.com/" target="_new">Christening Outfits</a></p>
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		<title>Christening Invitations for a Cherished Moment   by Dawn Rowlett</title>
		<link>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3468</link>
		<comments>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3468#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 May 2012 23:51:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christening Invitations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Baby]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3468</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For many families with a new baby, christenings are a very special event in the child&#8217;s life. Christenings are a deep and meaningful time for the family also, as the child enters the religious world of the family. Christenings are time when families choose to share the special event with their closest friends and family. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For many families with a new baby, christenings are a very special event in the child&#8217;s life. Christenings are a deep and meaningful time for the family also, as the child enters the religious world of the family. Christenings are time when families choose to share the special event with their closest friends and family. The type of ceremony that occurs for a christening can vary from religion to religion, but the emotional bond created is felt the same for all.</p>
<p>Many parents will send christening invitations to friends and family for the event. There are a great variety of invitations available to mark the christening. Several factors to consider when ordering <a href="http://www.dependableprinting.com/christening-invitation.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_new">christening invitations</a> include the theme or symbolic element that will be incorporated into the christening, as well as gender of the baby. There are many wonderful invitations for both boys and girls. Some ideas for themes are listed below.</p>
<p>There are a number of wonderful themes that can be incorporated into the christening. A cross is always an important element to mark the holiness of the event. Crosses symbolize the washing away of sins and profession of faith. Hearts are a wonderful theme to symbolize love. Baby feet are also a great element that can be incorporated into the theme. Flowers and floral designs are another great element, symbolizing new life.</p>
<p>Bright white is the traditional color used for christening invitations. The baby is usually dressed in a bright <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/baptism-gowns-c-45.html" target="_blank">white christening gown</a> to symbolize purity. Incorporating white into the invitations and decorations of the christening is the perfect way to have a beautiful christening. Other things to consider for a christening are matching party accessories and <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/christian-party-favors-c-49.html" target="_blank">favors</a> such as napkins with baby&#8217;s name and date of christening.</p>
<p>Christenings are a special and memorable event for the family of the child. It is perceived as the time when the child truly becomes a party of the religious family. Mark the event with a beautiful celebration considering the themes and accessories mentioned in this article.</p>
<p><strong>About the Author</strong>:<br />
Dawn Rowlett is an author for <a href="http://www.dependableprinting.com/" target="_new">Dependable Printing</a>, a full provider of <a href="http://www.dependableprinting.com/christening-invitation.htm" target="_new">Christening Invitations</a> and <a href="http://www.dependableprinting.com/baptism-invitation.htm" target="_new">Baptism Invitations</a>. Visit Dependable Printing for a great selection of invitations, announcements, cards, party accessories.</p>
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		<title>The Rite of Water Baptisim  by: Michael Bradley</title>
		<link>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3464</link>
		<comments>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3464#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 12 May 2012 21:45:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Baptism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rite of Water Baptism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Baptism]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3464</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As Christians, one of the first rites I believe every born-again believer should observe, either at the moment of being saved in the Lord or sometime shortly thereafter, is to be baptized with water. You can either be baptized with water at the moment you are receiving your gift of eternal salvation from the Lord [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As Christians, one of the first rites I believe every born-again believer should observe, either at the moment of being saved in the Lord or sometime shortly thereafter, is to be baptized with water. You can either be baptized with water at the moment you are receiving your gift of eternal salvation from the Lord or you can be baptized with water at a later date.</p>
<p>Jesus is definitely telling us that He wants water baptism to be included as a part of the salvation experience with Him. However, I do not believe that water baptism is an actual &#8220;essential&#8221; for a true salvation experience to occur with the Lord. In other words, it is not an actual requirement for salvation.</p>
<p>If you are saved at a Billy Graham crusade, but do not go through an actual water baptism at the crusade, you will still go straight to heaven if you should die on the way home before you could have gone through an actual water baptism at a later date.</p>
<p>As you will see in one of the verses listed below, we are saved by grace through our faith in Jesus &#8211; not by any type of water baptism. Water baptism is still a rite of &#8220;works,&#8221; and the verse I will give you below will definitely tell us that we are not saved by any type of works, but only by grace through our faith in Jesus.</p>
<p>There are some who believe in what is called &#8220;baptismal regeneration.&#8221; This is a belief that we cannot be saved and regenerated by the Holy Spirit unless we go through an actual water baptism.</p>
<p>However, when you look very closely at the verses I will list below, and exactly what water baptism is really signifying and symbolizing with the Lord, I believe these verses are telling us that water baptism should be included as an actual &#8220;part&#8221; of the salvation experience with the Lord, but that it is not an actual &#8220;essential&#8221; or necessary requirement of it.</p>
<p>As you all know, people can receive the Lord&#8217;s free gift of salvation anywhere and at anytime. If you can be baptized with water at the time you are receiving your salvation in the Lord, that is great and you should always do that if at all possible. However, there will be other times that there will be no water or any means to actually baptize someone with water when someone is being saved in the Lord.</p>
<p>If that should happen, then the person who has just been saved should be baptized with water as soon as he reasonably can at a later date. But if by chance he would die before he could have been baptized with water, he would still go straight to heaven. The fact that he could not be baptized with water will have no bearing or influence on him being able to enter into heaven if he should die before he could have been baptized with water.</p>
<p>If we are only saved by grace through our personal faith in Jesus and not by any type of works we can do, which will include any type of water <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/baptism-gowns-c-45.html" target="_blank">baptism</a>, then why is Jesus telling us that He still wants us to include water baptism as part of the actual salvation experience with Him?</p>
<p>I believe there are five main reasons as to why Jesus wants us to include water <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/baptism-gifts-c-27.html" target="_blank">baptism</a> as part of our salvation experience with Him.</p>
<p>1. To Symbolize the Washing Away of Our Sins</p>
<p>When you are being saved through your faith in Jesus, all of your past, present and future sins are now being fully forgiven.</p>
<p>As you will see in the verses below, all of your sins are actually &#8220;washed away&#8221; by the blood of Jesus. When you are being fully immersed during the rite of water baptism, you are going through a symbolic act of having all of your personal sins completely washed away by the blood of Jesus.</p>
<p>The rite of water baptism perfectly symbolizes the purification and cleansing that we are receiving from the Lord during the salvation experience with Him.</p>
<p>2. To Identify With the Death and Resurrection of Jesus</p>
<p>As you will see in the verses below, water baptism is also identifying and testifying to the death and resurrection of Jesus.</p>
<p>When we are being fully immersed into the water, we are identifying with Jesus&#8217; physical death on the cross and His body going fully into the grave. When the pastor raises us up out of the full immersion, this is identifying with the full resurrection of Jesus from that grave.</p>
<p>The rite of water baptism by way of a full immersion is thus a perfect outward symbol act of both the death and resurrection of Jesus.</p>
<p>3. To Symbolize the Death of Our Old Life and Old Man, the Inward Regeneration of the Holy Spirit, and the Resurrection Into a New Life</p>
<p>The Bible tells us that once we are saved, that we have now become new creations in Christ, that our human spirits have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and that our old life and our old man have now died and been done away with.</p>
<p>Being fully immersed in water symbolizes the death of our old life and old man and the inward regeneration of the Holy Spirit &#8211; and the pastor raising us up out of the water represents the resurrecting into a brand new life in the Lord.</p>
<p>4. Signifying Our New Inner Union With the Lord</p>
<p>When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we immediately receive the Holy Spirit on the inside of our human spirits. As a result of receiving the Holy Spirit on the inside of us, we now have a new direct spiritual union with both God and Jesus on the inside of our beings since the Holy Spirit is the One who divinely connects us to both God and Jesus in heaven.</p>
<p>As you will see in one of the verses below, the Bible tells us that we have been &#8220;united together&#8221; with the Lord when we accept Him as our personal Savior. This uniting together with the Lord now forms an actual spiritual union with Him.</p>
<p>We are now all part of the same one Spirit, and that one Spirit is the Holy Spirit Himself. Being fully immersed into the water during the rite of water baptism perfectly symbolizes our new inner union with the Lord since water is one of the main symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Bible.</p>
<p>5. Initiation Into the Body of Christ</p>
<p>I believe that going through a proper water baptism is also an actual initiation rite with the Lord. Not only are we being directly joined to the Lord through the Holy Spirit as a result of being saved, but we now also get to become an actual member of the Body of Christ, which is the Church itself.</p>
<p>Definitions</p>
<p>The word &#8220;baptism&#8221; means &#8220;to dip, to immerse.&#8221; Here are some of the basic definitions from some of the different Bible Dictionaries and Commentaries on what the rite of water <a href="http://samanthagold.hubpages.com/hub/Planning-an-Out-of-State-Baptism" target="_blank">baptism</a> is all about and why the Lord wants us to include this as a part our personal salvation experience with Him:</p>
<p>To dip, to immerse, to submerge<br />
Signifying union with Christ<br />
Initiation into the Christian community<br />
Ritual commanded by Christ to be practiced in the church<br />
Identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ<br />
A rite signifying one&#8217;s cleansing from sin through Christ&#8217;s sacrifice<br />
Outward sign of inward regeneration by the Holy Spirit</p>
<p>The immersion or dipping of a believer in water symbolizing the complete renewal and change in the believer&#8217;s life and testifying to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the way of salvation</p>
<p>Though we do not need the rite of water baptism to actually receive the gift of eternal salvation from the Lord, this rite is still very powerful before the Lord and before the world in general, as we are making a public profession of our faith to the Lord by being willing to be fully submerged in a pool of water. As such, every Christian should make it their top priority to be baptized with water as soon as they can after receiving their salvation from the Lord.</p>
<p>About The Author<br />
Article written by Michael Bradley, you can get the complete article on the fruit of the Spirit at http://www.bible-knowledge.com &#8211; and get 20% off retail on all Christian books at his online bookstore at http://www.bibleknowledgebookstore.com</p>
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		<title>Tidbits For Baby’s Baptism      by: Elizabeth Ellis</title>
		<link>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3459</link>
		<comments>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3459#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 21:34:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Baptism Gifts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Baby's Baptism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Baptism Ceremony]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Baptism Gift]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3459</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As you would expect from the Christians, the baptism ceremony is very crucial for them and for a baby to be baptized it is even important since it signals the beginning of the baby&#8217;s journey into a life of Christianity. That is why it is important to have the closest people to the family to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As you would expect from the Christians, the baptism ceremony is very crucial for them and for a baby to be baptized it is even important since it signals the beginning of the baby&#8217;s journey into a life of Christianity. That is why it is important to have the closest people to the family to come over for the ceremony. Another important part of the baptism ceremony is the favors or small gifts for the guests. There is a weak guideline existing today regarding the appropriateness of various favors and gifts. Normal favors would include the ever favorite Holy Cross, candles, the design in favor of the angels, and also the Holy Bible. If you want a gift that would leave a lasting impression on the coming guests then your imagination is very important. If you find yourself struggling then do not fear since it wold take time. Here are some ideas to help you through the process.</p>
<p>The whole baptism ceremony is a very religious event and the fact that the baby will be given a baptism name might help find an idea for the baptism gift. It is possible to use alphabets in designing the <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/christian-party-favors-c-49.html?osCsid=cf802c4631693fcce275ac14408bfc1c" target="_blank">baptism favors</a>. Imagine how nice it would be for your guests to receive nicely shaped cards with various alphabets shaped out on the card with colorful glitters. It might sound to exaggerating but to bring the gift more towards the whole baptism idea you can give a pretty chain with the pendant shaped like the holy cross as an accompanying gift.The whole perception is to try the right combination to implement the religion aspect of the ceremony and the newborn life of the baby. If you find the idea too weird for your liking, then you might like the idea of scribbling down the baby&#8217;s name on the precious gift card. It would certainly prove to be useful when years pass by and the guests see the card and they remember back the memories.</p>
<p>To quote a verse from the Holy Bible, And he said: &#8220;<em> I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.</em>&#8221; (Matthew 18:3 from the New International Version Holy Bible). Babies are regarded as the purest form of life without any sins and the Holy bible has several quotes on the topic. The shade of white is the symbol of purity without the burden of sins. When in reference to that fact, the parents can make use of such concept to include such symbols for goodness such as the white doves which reflects peace, and the affiliation of the heart shape to the world of love. Small cast ornaments shaped like the white doves can be given as token of appreciations and also cards that are cut to resemble the shape of the heart decorated with the whiteness and elegance of designer silk. You can choose the type of material used according to your style, as long as the act of purity is there. To further enhance the religious fact or verses from the Bible can be rewritten on the cards. To make it even more about the <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/baptism-gifts-c-27.html" target="_blank">baby&#8217;s baptism</a> choose Bible excerpt that are related to the life of young child.</p>
<p>If you are looking for something that is original and different from the usual gifts, then you can start by looking through the world wide web and the endless information floating around it. Going through the websites you might find yourself exploring and thinking of new ideas very soon. Old figures from the bible could also give you some good ideas and that is why you should look all around for ideas and don&#8217;t limit yourself. If you like your baptism gifts easy to prepare and needs minimal effort, then you can consider using flowers and other inexpensive options which might save you significant amount of money. It would not hurt also to look through related magazines and brochures since they might surprise with the many options they have. Imagine how easy it is if you see something you like and you can just order it like that. Also the fact that you can add in anything to make it a package makes the customization process easier.</p>
<p>There are all sorts of different guidelines on how to plan and go through the whole grandness of the baptism of the young infant to welcome him to the world of Christianity. The teachings of Christianity always revolve on the art of giving and that is why there is so much fuss about preparing baptism gifts. In all the chaos, we must always remind ourselves that the whole point of giving is not only on the presents and gifts but the mindset of the person who gave the gifts. Quoting another verse from the bible, &#8220;<em>It is more blessed to give than to receive</em>.&#8221; (Acts 20:35 from New International Version Holy Bible)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>About The Author<br />
Elizabeth Ellis is a leading expert in all personalized gifts and has written a number of articles related to baptism gifts, personalized photo mugs, http://www.peculiarstuff.com/Baby-Shower-Favors.htm baby shower favors and so on.</p>
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		<title>Rosaries &#8211; Excellent Religious Gifts   By: Karen Maclean</title>
		<link>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3452</link>
		<comments>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3452#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 17:00:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Rosaries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rosary gift]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wall rosary]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3452</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A Personal Experience! Rosary beads have long been an essential part of our religious lives. The counting of the decades of the rosary is a highly personal experience, and the rosary beads we use to help the counting should be personal too. With so many gemstones and precious metals available, personalizing your rosary beads could [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A Personal Experience!</p>
<p>Rosary beads have long been an essential part of our religious lives. The counting of the decades of the rosary is a highly personal experience, and the rosary beads we use to help the counting should be personal too. With so many gemstones and precious metals available, personalizing your rosary beads could not be easier. No matter what your personality traits, there is a rosary out there for you or your loved one.</p>
<p>Intimate Choice!</p>
<p>As our prayers are an avenue to cleanse our souls, the choice of prayer beads is also an intimate choice. We want to make sure that our choice of beads will reflect us, or the person that is receiving them as a religious gift. Thus, rosaries have a special place in the hearts of many people who follow this prayer tradition.</p>
<p>Significance!</p>
<p>Whether it is a gift for someone special, or for yourself, you should understand a rosary&#8217;s significance and role. Originating as knots on a string to keep track of repetitive silent prayer, this string of beads is used to ease the process of counting the numerous prayers that are delivered to complete the recital of the rosary. By relieving the mind from keeping mental count of the number of repetitions, it is free to meditate deeply on the prayer.</p>
<p>The string of beads is comprised of a crucifix, a single bead, a set of three beads and another single bead in a line. This is attached to a connector, which is fixed to five ten-bead sets, each divided by a single bead. Each bead represents a prayer that is to be recited and allows us to keep track of the number of times a prayer has been said. After a prayer is completed you move your fingers to the next bead.</p>
<p>What Are They Made Of?</p>
<p>A Rosary may be made from many different kinds of materials. In the past, there have been rosary beads made from bone, glass, wood, crushed flowers and glass. Prayer beads can also be made from different stones like agate, amber, amethyst, and hematite. For those with different tastes rosary beads appear in materials like crystal, coral, silver, gold, mother of pearls, and diamonds. There really is no limit to the materials used in the manufacture of rosary beads. Hand carved Olivewood is a favorite of mine.</p>
<p>Traditional or Not?</p>
<p>Traditional five-decade rosaries are mostly used for private prayer sessions. But there are more types of rosaries than the standard prayer beads. A <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/rose-petal-rosary-bracelet-p-61.html" target="_blank">rosary bracelet</a> is a delicate, stylish piece of religious jewelry that we wear on our wrists. It contains only one decade versus the five decades of a standard rosary. This is a simple yet elegant religious gift that will always be remembered, as it will be worn by the person who receives it every day.</p>
<p>For those that want to carry a one decade rosary with them but prefer it to be somewhat more concealed, the choice of a rosary necklace, or pocket rosary is a perfect gift. You can use them when you want and just put them away when you have finished saying your prayers.Hang It On a Wall!</p>
<p>Another great <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/rosaries-c-28.html" target="_blank">rosary gift</a> choice is a wall rosary. Many people of faith will adorn their wall with a beautiful wall rosary. It is a tasteful piece of home decor but also makes a statement about the beliefs of the people that live there. One of the most popular is an Olivewood Wall Rosary. Each bead is hand carved for a unique item each and every time.</p>
<p>Gift Occasions!</p>
<p>No matter what the preference of your loved one, they make an excellent gift idea for baptisms, first communion, confirmation and weddings. Many become a family heirloom that is passed down through generations. They become keepsakes that are loved and treasured for a lifetime. My mother has one that was blessed by Pope John Paul II, and of course that is her favorite.</p>
<p>So, whether you want to buy a rosary for yourself or want to gift it to someone dear, this gift choice will hold a special place in the hearts of those who receive it.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>About the Author:</p>
<p>Karen MacLean is the proud owner of <a href="http://www.religious-gifts-ideas.com/rosaries.html">Religious Gifts Ideas</a> providing unique religious items for those wanting to express themselves, or find something special for someone important in their lives.</p>
<p>Article Source:<br />
<a href="http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051355784-1-rosaries-excellent-religious-gifts/">http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051355784-1-rosaries-excellent-religious-gifts/</a></p>
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		<title>Finding Forgiveness When You&#8217;ve Been Wronged</title>
		<link>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3456</link>
		<comments>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3456#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 20:08:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Christian Advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finding Forgiveness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[forgiving others]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[forgiving your oppressor]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3456</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So you&#8217;ve been wronged? The first thing that comes to mind when someone has wronged you is a feeling of anger. When this persists, it is easy for it to grow to bitterness, especially when the person who has wronged you happens to have been a close friend. So, you should you make every effort [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So you&#8217;ve been wronged? The first thing that comes to mind when someone has wronged you is a feeling of anger. When this persists, it is easy for it to grow to bitterness, especially when the person who has wronged you happens to have been a close friend. So, you should you make every effort at finding forgiveness when you&#8217;ve been wronged?</p>
<p>The first question that you can ask yourself is which option will make you lose more; is it staying angry and bitter or forgiving your oppressor? Remember that there are high chances that the person who wrongs you may not feel apologetic. He or she may not have even noticed that they wronged you and therefore may easily move on with life. On your side, you can easily start having the sinful, unforgiving hear that is discouraged in <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/personalized-sunshine-first-communion-childs-first-bible-p-852.html" target="_blank">the bible</a>.</p>
<p>If this happens then you will be left to carry the burden of bitterness alone. This will just weigh your heart down and at extreme levels can even make you contract an illness. You have more to gain by forgiving. A quick look at Luke 6:35-36 will show you how God is kind and merciful to all. By forgiving others, even those who have not apologized, we imitate God in this great attribute.</p>
<p><em>Love your enemies!  Do good to them.  Lend to them without expecting to be repaid.  Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. </em><strong>Luke 6:35-36</strong></p>
<p>When the person who has wronged you is a Christian, forgiving them does not mean that you will excuse their sin. In fact the bible clearly stipulates a method that you can use when a Christian sins against you. This can be found in Matthew 18:15-17. The reason this is in place is to make sure that sin is not condoned in the church. This does not nullify forgiveness since the bible clearly talks about consequences of sin, even after forgiveness. For example, David was forgiven but still had to undergo the painful loss of a son.</p>
<p><em>If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense.  If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.  But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.  If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church.  Then if he or she won&#8217;t accept the church&#8217;s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.  </em><strong>Matthew 18:15-17</strong></p>
<p>Therefore as a Christian, it is important to work on having a heart that forgives. The aim is to have a heart that will immediately forgive when someone does you wrong. Remember, even when Jesus was hanging on the cross after going through all kinds of inhuman acts, he still asked God to forgive his oppressors.</p>
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		<title>Sharing Your Love And Care Through Personalized Baptism Gifts</title>
		<link>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3450</link>
		<comments>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3450#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 16:20:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Baptism Gifts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Baptism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personalized Gifts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3450</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nowadays we often rush to the store to buy a gift to show our affection and appreciation. This is much convenient for someone who is always on the go. If it is a man, we buy them neckties, wines or wallets. Commonly we give a lady teddy bears, bags or chocolates. Practically when you are [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Nowadays we often rush to the store to buy a gift to show our affection and appreciation. This is much convenient for someone who is always on the go. If it is a man, we buy them neckties, wines or wallets. Commonly we give a lady teddy bears, bags or chocolates. Practically when you are a child expect toys or books as a surprise. However what if it is a baby? Feeding bottles, stuffed animal or baby items however you may want to consider personalized baptism gifts to welcome him to the Christian world.</p>
<p>Baptism is a sacred ritual that gives us a ticket to the Christian faith. We all should accept Christ as our Savior knowing that saved us from ourselves when he died on the cross for our foolish way. As newborns, we are baptized in fire and water to wash away our original sin. However none of these things will register until the child reached 7.</p>
<p>In our current time, many adults fail to guide a child in performing their Christian duties. We are to busy securing a ham for dinner and living a luxurious life that we forget that our souls need to be fed. Unfortunately such manner reflects on the character of a child as he grew older.</p>
<p>Personalizing your gifts for this event might remind him about the value of his existence. We all have our sentimental sides. Even as a toddler we tend to hold on to <a href="http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/embroidered-christening-god-bless-fleece-blanket-p-608.html" target="_blank">security blankets</a> just because we yearn to be safe. Note that we do not have to spend too much in producing these gifts neither do we have an artist. We just have to find a few trinkets, put them together and add in a few words of wisdom viola a personalized token of your love and concern. A little something that will remind him about this momentous occasion in his life.</p>
<p>Being busy at work is not excuse to create such unique gift. If you are on break, you might want to use the Internet to find what you need. Evidently many shops today use this platform to conveniently serve their clients. Surely you can find one that will give you an idea gift will be suitable for the little tyke.</p>
<p>If you are really in a tight situation order one and personalize it by adding a photo of the child or including his footprint or hand print on the design. Practically segregating this part would not affect its meaning.</p>
<p>Letting your child know you care takes more than a gift to show. Making yourself open and available in his formidable years is the most precious gift you could ever give the child.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>About the Author:</p>
<p>Lynn Rader is the owner of <a href="../../">Gifts of Love and Devotion</a> has a large selection of Unique and Personalized Christian Gifts for every occasion including <a href="../../baptism-gifts-c-27.html">baptism</a>, first communion, confirmation, and weddings. In addition, she is proud to offer heirloom quality baptism and christening gowns and rompers, as well as communion dresses and accessories.</p>
<p>Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlebiz.com/">http://www.ArticleBiz.com</a></p>
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		<title>Parents Leave Your Emotional Baggage at the Door  By: Elena Neitlich</title>
		<link>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3448</link>
		<comments>http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3448#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2012 16:18:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lynn</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blogger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emotional Baggage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.giftsofloveanddevotion.com/blog/?p=3448</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently I ran across a parenting blog in which the writer was reviewing an educational product. She immediately lost credibility with me when in her first paragraph, she wrote that the product made her feel like vomiting, and then used some form of sexual innuendo to refer to the innocuous item.I was curious: What kind [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Recently I ran across a parenting blog in which the writer was reviewing an educational product. She immediately lost credibility with me when in her first paragraph, she wrote that the product made her feel like vomiting, and then used some form of sexual innuendo to refer to the innocuous item.I was curious: What kind of a person could have such an over-the-top, bizarre reaction to something so banal?</p>
<p>Reading her bio and other personal blog entries, I learned that she is haunted by a very sad childhood, filled with sexual abuse and parental abandonment. The non-physical disciplinary technique she was critiquing appears to have triggered her childhood feelings of terror, abuse and abandonment. I wondered, as I read her words, if the pain from her childhood was spilling over into her parenting.</p>
<p>It is important for us as parents to be aware of the emotional baggage that we bring from childhood into our children’s lives. Divorce, abuse, bullying, abandonment, neglect and the many other bad experiences one can have in childhood, often spill over into adulthood, and can have a drastic effect on how adults shape their children. It is hard enough to navigate through childhood without having to shoulder the hurt, anger and frustration of one’s parents.</p>
<p>Parents do not want childhood events affecting their adult decision making. It is natural that feelings are going to &#8220;come up&#8221; when we interact with our children. Parenting is much harder than anyone says and far more emotionally charged. It should be the intent of parents to calmly and rationally assess situations and respond fittingly. It can be irresponsible and counterproductive to make parenting decisions impulsively, stemming from feeling.</p>
<p>As Steven Covey says in The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People: BETWEEN STIMULUS AND RESPONSE IS OUR FREEDOM TO CHOOSE.We have self-awareness, imagination, conscience and independent will. Responsibility is the ability to choose your response. Highly proactive people recognize that responsibility. They do not blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feeling.</p>
<p>Bearing that in mind, the responsible parent lets the feeling come up: frustration, anger, stress, disappointment etc., pauses to choose a response, and then responds based on what is appropriate, not based on what she/he feels. Kids are precious, innocent, and impressionable; they deserve a suitable adult response to their normal child behavior.</p>
<p>The mom blogger above lost her authority as an expert on parenting techniques because her unresolved childhood issues forced her to respond irrationally. The venom that she spewed would have been perfectly appropriate if directed toward, say, a child murderer, but when directed towards a simple product, her reaction was weirdly out of proportion. One can only hope that when faced with parenting issues that trigger her in the same manner, she doesn’t respond with the same rage.</p>
<p>Parents who have unresolved issues leftover from childhood owe it to themselves and their children to take action. Working through painful emotions with a trained professional can free them up to make rational choices. Their defensiveness can be replaced by thoughtful and mature responses and decisions. A well thought out, appropriate response, is far healthier for parent and child.</p>
<p>All people experience hurt and disappointment during childhood. If those childhood experiences are going to have a negative effect on one’s offspring, then it is prudent to deal with the pain. Identifying that a painful past is affecting one’s decision making and then seeking help to resolve those issues, assures parents that they don’t pass on the hurt they are experiencing, to their own children. Kids deserve a positive upbringing and the guidance of a rational, loving adult unencumbered with ghosts from the past.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>About the Author:</p>
<p>Elena Neitlich is the co-owner and CEO of <a href="http://momsonedge.com/">Moms On Edge</a> Her company designs, manufactures and sells helpful children&#8217;s behavioral toys, games and parenting aids. For more info:http://www.momsonedge.com</p>
<p>Article Source:<br />
<a href="http://www.articlebiz.com/article/122766-1-parents-leave-your-emotional-baggage-at-the-door/">http://www.articlebiz.com/article/122766-1-parents-leave-your-emotional-baggage-at-the-door/</a></p>
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