Instant Menaces or Instant Messengers?

Many vendors offering Instant Messaging (IM) services have added new capabilities such as voice messaging and file sharing. Among others, AOL, Microsoft, and Yahoo offer these IM services.

Clients of Instant Messaging services are also easy prey for the community of hackers. Using a simple monitoring program, the plain text from Instant Messaging can be easily captured and creates vulnerability to electronic eavesdropping. .

In one version of AOL's Instant Messenger, aka AIM, a user was found to have been the target of a hacker attack. The villainous hacker had crafted a URL which, when clicked by the user with AIM on their desktop, allowed the hacker to execute a virus on the victim's system. What is particularly sinister about this is that AIM does not have to be running for this type of virus to deploy.

Another avenue of attack is when victims are simply sent an HTML email with a link that when clicked will execute one or all of the following: a privilege elevation attack, a denial of service attack, or the installation of a backdoor for later use, to name a few.

Using a computer phone service that operates on secure lines with high end encryption codec on proprietary patented technology that features IM capability will optimally protect you against these vicious hacker attacks.

The above information is an excerpt taken from an in-depth and exclusive Report entitled "Why Hackers Love Computer Phones ? A Shocking Report You Must Read!" by Dee Scrip available only at http://www.whypay4calls.com/gtp/to.pl?l=ART-01

Understanding the Gospel of Matthew and Why it Matters - Part 1

An Introduction to Matthew

SETTING

Have you ever been promised something wonderful, and then been made to wait for it? Have you felt the eager anticipation of a child on Christmas Eve, or the desperate longing of a wife awaiting a letter from a husband at war? Many Christians look forward to the return of Jesus in this way, occasionally glancing up at the sky and wondering if maybe ? just maybe ? today might be the day.

If you can relate to that feeling, then you can begin to understand what the Jewish people were experiencing in the first century AD. They had been promised a Messiah who would come and be their King. It had been four hundred years since they had last received a word from God. There were no longer any prophets proclaiming "Thus saith the Lord?" In a sense, this was Israel's Dark Ages.

Some felt that the wait was too long, giving up on the promise and assuming that God had forgotten His people. But the faithful trusted in God's promise, and waited expectantly for the coming Messiah. Though many generations came and went during this period of waiting, parents and grandparents ensured that the children were well educated in the stories of the early saints and the promises that God had made to their forefathers. As time passed and Israel was made captive to Roman rule, the expected Messiah began to be described more and more like a military hero who would lead the Israelites to political freedom. These Jews failed to realize that their greatest bondage was to their sin, not the Romans. The emperor had burdened them with heavy taxes, but their sin had condemned them to spiritual death. The Messiah they wanted was a warrior, but the Messiah they needed was a Savior.

Suddenly, after four hundred years of silence, God began again His special work in Israel. First an angel appeared to the elderly Zechariah , then John the Baptist emerged as the forerunner of the Christ , and then Jesus Himself, "like a root out of dry ground," appeared in a little stable outside an inn in Bethlehem. Matthew's gospel is the faithful recounting of the story of this man. It is a clarion call to the Jewish people of past and present declaring "The wait is over! Your Messiah has come!" We could speculate about many reasons why God waited until the first century to send His Son to earth. I am convinced that God was delaying until the proper time when the followers of Jesus would best be able to take His message far beyond the borders of Israel to the Gentiles. Here are just a few reasons why the first century was ideal:

* The Hellenistic Greek language had become a common language throughout most of the Roman Empire, providing different cultures the ability to communicate with one another. This allowed the message of Christ to be shared more easily and effectively with non-Jews than would have been possible in prior centuries.

* With the rise of the Roman Empire came the beginning of urbanization. Cities began to appear in many different regions of the empire, allowing the first missionaries to impact a greater number of people in a shorter amount of time.

* The Roman road system was revolutionary for its time, making travel much quicker and safer than it had ever been before.

* The Roman conquests had caused many pagan nations to lose faith in their gods. This was compounded by the rise of the Greek philosophers, which influenced many to think critically about life and to reject mythological deities. This created a "spiritual vacuum" ready to be filled by the message of Christ.

While the first century was ideal for Christ's message to reach the Gentiles, it was also ideal for the Jews. By the time of Jesus' birth, a movement known as Pharisaical Judaism had risen to prominence in Israel. Theses religious conservatives imposed incredibly strict laws on the Jewish people, proclaiming that God's favor could only be gained by those who conformed to the strenuous rules put forth by the Pharisees. The standards for righteousness were impossible to reach, causing many to despair of any hope of pleasing God. Thus, the stage was set for a Messiah who could offer His own righteousness as a substitute for theirs.

AUTHOR

Of the four gospels, the authorship of Matthew is by far the most disputed. Those who deny his authorship argue rightly that the gospel nowhere speaks of Matthew as its author, and only refers to Matthew in the third person. They claim that the original author was forgotten and that Matthew's name was attached to the title in order for the work to receive credibility.

This argument is unlikely, however, because the early church fathers unanimously attributed the work to Matthew. It is doubtful that these men would have forgotten the original author of the most often quoted gospel of the first centuries. Indeed, as one commentator notes, the author would have most likely been the last thing that the early fathers would have forgotten. Early tradition credits Matthew as the author, and until more convincing evidence to the contrary appears, I think it is wisest to accept its testimony. Even if Matthew was not the author, however, this gospel has been accepted as a part of the inspired canon of God and is completely true and trustworthy.

Matthew, who was also called Levi by some, was part of the most hated group of men in the first century: he was a tax collector. With the authority of the Roman government behind them, these men were responsible for collecting the income and land taxes that burdened their fellow Jews. Every penny they were able to collect above the required amount, they were free to keep for themselves. Thus, tax collectors tended to be cruel and greedy. Furthermore, they were viewed as traitors by their own people, since they had chosen to work for the Roman government that held power over Israel.

Matthew was probably not a very religious man; tax collectors tended to be shunned from the local synagogues and even from the Temple. His friends were probably other tax collectors and disreputable sinners. He records the story of his calling in one verse:

"As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he rose and followed him." (9:9)

It is difficult to appertain what caused Matthew to immediately leave his life's work and follow Christ. He almost certainly had already heard of Jesus and His miracles, and may have even heard him preach before. Whatever the reason, Matthew became one of Jesus' most devoted followers.

Matthew's life was one of unfettered dedication to Christ. This man of greed was converted to a man of sacrificial love. Foxe's Book of Martyrs records Matthew's death this way:

"[Matthew], whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer, was born at Nazareth. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60."

It is no wonder, then, that Matthew's gospel contains some of Jesus' most pointed statements about the cost of discipleship. Matthew knew first hand what it was to labor and suffer for the cause of Christ.

MAIN THEMES

It is by divine design that Matthew is the first of the gospels and the first book of the New Testament. It best connects the teaching and promises and prophecies of the Old Testament with their fulfillment in the New. Matthew references the Old Testament as many as sixty times and quotes it close to forty times, often using phrases like "all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet?" Unlike Mark, Matthew's gospel is less concerned with chronology and more thematic in nature. He groups many of Jesus' miracles together into sections, and provides several blocks of teaching, including the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) and the Olivet Discourse (chapters 24-25).

The central message of Matthew's gospel is that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised King, the long awaited Messiah. In a sense Matthew's gospel is an apologetic work, seeking to defend the claims of Jesus by providing a Scriptural foundation. It should be noted that Matthew was a Jew writing primarily to his contemporary Jews. This is not to say that this gospel has no benefit for 21st century Christians; indeed, for those longing to be disciples of Jesus, it is a goldmine of instruction. Nevertheless, it should be kept in mind that though God's providence saw fit that this gospel be written for us, it was not written to us. To properly understand Matthew, we must remember the audience to whom it was directly addressed.

3 Revolutionary Truths

Matthew's gospel presents three truths that would have been absolutely revolutionary to the original readers: First, Matthew declares that the kingdom of God is not a physical kingdom, but a spiritual one. Jesus' kingdom is not a nation, but the "kingdom of heaven", a phrase that appears thirty-two times in Matthew's gospel. Instead of a military hero come to save the Jews from the Romans, the Messiah is a lower-class carpenter from Nazareth who lives thirty-three years and is brutally murdered. His reign is not over the nation of Israel, but over all who trust in Him for the forgiveness of their sins.

Second, Matthew reveals that this Jesus is more than just the Messiah; He is the very Son of God! Jesus is the image of God Himself in human flesh. This was not something expected by the Jewish people, and was met with a great deal of opposition. Nevertheless, Matthew unashamedly presents this doctrine, including in his gospel passages like Peter's Confession to Jesus: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Third, Matthew's gospel becomes even more controversial in teaching that the Jews do not automatically inherit the kingdom of heaven on the basis of their ethnicity, but rather by repentance and faith in Christ. In fact, one of Matthew's most shocking truths is that some Gentiles will be ushered into the kingdom while many Jews will be cast out. This was a very hard pill for the Jewish people to swallow, having been taught since childhood that they alone were God's chosen people, and that He was their God.

The gospel of Matthew includes some of the most endearing, difficult, and glorious verses in the Bible. It has long been viewed as the first place for disciples to start in learning how to follow their Lord. Do you long to know more perfectly the character of Jesus? Do you long to know more completely the values He loved and the sins He despised? Are you willing to face the challenge of dying to your own wants and pursuing Christ as King? Then brace yourself. Prepare your heart. Ask the Spirit to make you ready.

Let's go!

Justin Nale is pastor of Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC http://www.mhmbc.org

Is Sales Profession an Oxymoron?

If you are in Sales, you have probably heard these before:

Q: "How can you tell a sales person is lying?"

A: "His lips are moving."

Q: "Why do lawyers like sales people?"

A: "They give them someone to look down on."

Sadly, the term sales professional is often seen as an oxymoron, in much the same manner as plastic silverware, accurate forecast, or affordable housing in the metro DC area.

In the interest of complete candor, many of our predecessors, and some of our contemporaries, have earned this less than stellar reputation for our profession. You know who you are, especially if you just felt the urge to stop reading. In the interest of fairness though, every profession has its bad apples. Would you want to face the IRS backed with Enron's accountants? Or how about looking up at your surgeon to see that he is one of those weight loss infomercial doctors? An entire profession should not be judged by the behavior of a small minority.

The next time you meet a sales person, ask them about their thoughts on the "Ethics Triad." The Ethics Triad is something that all professionals should have, and the salesperson is no exception. True sales professionals subscribe either consciously or unconsciously to the Ethics Triad - rooted in the trio of questions of "is it legal?" "is it moral?" "is it ethical?"

Is it legal? Are the actions you are considering, or the recommendation you are making conform to the laws of your community, your country, and the policies of your firm? If there is some question in your mind, then you owe it to yourself, your firm, and your customers to review what you are doing with senior management or legal council.

Is it moral? Is what you are doing fair to all parties involved? It is said that a person's character is measured by what they do when nobody is looking. In the harsh light of day, are you pursuing a course of action that you would be proud to have broadcast on the evening news in your hometown?

Is it ethical? The ethics of the medical profession are rooted in three simple, yet powerful words: do no harm. The ethics of the sales profession can be rooted in three equally simple, and powerful words: serve your customer. The true sales professionals seek to achieve his goals, through helping his customers achieve their goals. By subordinating his wants to the needs of the customer, the sales professional demonstrates his commitment to service, and inoculates himself against the twin demons of temptation and greed.

The most precious asset of the sales professional is his or her reputation in the marketplace. By focusing on your customer, keeping the ethics triad in mind, and building a relationship with your client, you will earn a reputation for being trustworthy, honesty, integrity, and a commitment to service. These are the pillars upon which your professional reputation rests-think about it.

Brian is the Chairman and Founder of the the United Professional Sales Association (UPSA). UPSA is a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington DC that has addressed the concerns and challenges of individual sales professionals. Brian has authored the world's first universal selling standards and open-source selling framework for free distribution. This 'Compendium of Professional Selling' containing the commonly accepted and universally functional knowledge that all sales professionals possess. The open-source selling standards have been downloaded in 16 countries by over 300 people. Over 30 people have made contributions.

Because UPSA is not owned by one person or any company, it is a member organization and guardian of the global standard of entry into the sales profession.

Find out about the membership organization and understand the processes and framework of professional selling at the UPSA Website at http://www.upsa-intl.org. Find out more about Brian at: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert_bio=Brian_Lambert

A Natural Phenomenon? Really?

Sure. What else do you call a human discipline whose very nature is firmly rooted in the principle that people act on their own perception of the facts. Then goes on to create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action the very people whose behaviors affect the organization?

I call it public relations, and one heck of a natural phenomenon!

In fact, I believe it's the fundamental premise of public relations. Especially when it deals with the survival of just about any organization by successfully altering the perceptions and, hence, the behaviors of certain groups of people important to the success of that organization.

Because public relations problems are usually defined by what people THINK about a set of facts, versus the truth of the matter, we are well-advised to focus on that fundamental premise.

Does it become any less of a phenomenon as it works its magic in the real world?

No. Instead, it's the degree of human behavioral change it produces - through quality planning and execution - that defines the success or failure of a public relations program.

In my experience, most agree that people really do act on THEIR perception of the facts, and that how they react to those facts actually does affect their behaviors. So, to me, it follows that individual understanding of those facts must be continually informed if the follow-on behaviors are to help achieve the business' goal and objectives.

When all is said and done, a sound public relations strategy combined with effective communications tactics leads directly to success - perceptions altered, behaviors modified, client/employer satisfied.

In other words, when those changes in perceptions and behaviors clearly meet the original behavior modification goal set at the beginning of the program, the public relations effort is successful.

So, what comes first? I believe acceptance that individual perception of the facts is the guiding light leading to behavioral change, and that something can be done about those perceptions. While not everyone buys that, I must say that it actually helped shape my career in public relations.

I asked myself some time ago, why am I working in public relations anyway? The answers only strengthened my conviction. Was it simply to create major publicity for my employer or client? Often yes, but I realized that the tactic called publicity - like all tactics -- is designed primarily as a message carrier to a target audience in order to alter its perceptions and behaviors.

Tactics are not the endgame of public relations because, fact is, NO organization - business, non-profit, association or public sector - can succeed today unless the behaviors of its most important audiences are in-sync with the organization's objectives. And that means public relations professionals must modify somebody's behavior if they are to help hit the employer/client's objective and earn a paycheck. Everything else leads to that end.

Once public relations' "phenomenonal" characteristics are understood, an action pathway begins to appear:

-- identify the problem
-- identify target audiences
-- set the public relations goal
-- set the public relations strategy
-- prepare persuasive messages
-- select and implement key communications tactics
-- monitor progress
-- and the end-game? Meet the behavior modification goal

And we get a bonus because we're using a near-perfect public relations performance standard. I mean, how can you measure the results of an activity more accurately than when you clearly achieve the goal you set at the beginning of that activity? You can't. It's pure success.

So, as we apply our tactics, we'll nurture the relationships between our target audiences and our employer/client's business by burnishing the reputation of the organization, its services and products. We'll do our best to persuade those key audiences to do what our employer/client wants them to do. And while seeking public understanding and acceptance of that employer/client, we'll insure that our joint activities not only comply with the law, but clearly serve the public interest.

Then, we pull out all tactical stops to actually move those individuals to action. And our employer/client will be pleased that we have brought matters along to this point.

But when will s/he be fully satisfied with the public relations results we have produced? Only when our "reach, persuade and move-to-desired-action" efforts have produced visible change in the behaviors of those target audiences they wish to influence.

Big words but, in my view, the fundamental premise of a natural phenomenon called public relations, and the strategic context in which we must operate.

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net.

Robert A. Kelly ? 2003.

Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to business, non-profit and association managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia University, major in public relations.

Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com; bobkelly@TNI.net

Guide to Choosing a Computer System for Your Child

Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe that you would like to know the answer to the following question:

Why do children need computers?

The easiest answer for this one is: "A child needs a computer so that he can play computer games". Everybody agrees. Nevertheless, let's not just limit on the short term use of the computer? Let's analyze a little the world we live in and see what can acomputer do for children.

Computers are starting to have more and more importance in our daily life. Almost everywhere you go, you find computers. At office or at home, a computer is almost indispensable.

Not knowing to use a computer, you find many difficulties. Moreover, things will not get easier in the future, because the world is getting more and more computerized. That is why your child should get accustomed and work with computers from an early age. If your child does this, it will be much easier for him to adapt to the ever-changing technology.

Educational products are nowadays released mostly on computer CD's.

More and more educational products for children are now released in the form of programs and electronic encyclopedias and can only be viewed with a computer, somehow forcing you to buy a computer for your child. Unlike the traditional learning methods, learning with a computer has the advantage of interactivity. Children love to learn with computers, because they can control the way they learn and what they learn.

Of course, a child will use a computer mainly to play computer games. At first, the computer will be for your child like a more expensive toy. The computer will be his favorite toy. Your child will play computer games the entire day. However, after a while, the child will settle down and start exploring the other sides of the computer.

At first, the only thing I was doing at my computer was playing. Then, as time passed, I started being interested in how computers work, the internet, 3D modeling and so on. Now I can say that I know a lot about computers.

The disadvantage of computers as toys is that it is a lot more expensive than other toys for children, but on the long term, the money you spend will come back multiplied many times in the form of knowledge for your child. That is why I do believe that a computer is a very good investment on the long run for you and your child.

Which computers for children to buy?

Since the main use of the computer for your child will be to play games, you should choose a fast system on which modern games will run smooth. Also, because modern computer games use lot's of space, a high capacity hard drive is recommended. The computer you choose for your child should be equipped with a DVD, because DVD's are starting to replace CD's as main data transport medium.

Now that you have chosen a computer system for your child, all you need is a monitor. You can choose from two types of computer monitors: CRT and LCD. LCD monitors are the ones you usually find in a office. They are flat and do not produce radiations. However, they are not recommended for the purpose your child will use it, because of the slow reaction time. CRT computer monitors are bigger and cheaper. They are more indicated for children who like to play computer games a lot.

Read the whole article located at http://www.child-toys-guide.com/computers-for-children.shtml

Eugen Lisov is the creator of http://www.Child-Toys-Guide.com , a site that helps parents worldwide to choose the best toys for their children. Please feel free to browse my site; it will only help you when choosing toys for your child.

Cellular Phone Contract Tips

Choosing a cellular phone contract and choosing a cell phone for you can be very challenging. Choosing a cell phone that's right for you depends on your personal preferences and your needs.

Cellular phone choices vary from the multi-featured and cool style to the strictly functional and unassuming. It is strictly a personal choice, and you'll want to choose a cellular phone that is right for the way you use it.

A good cellular phone choice is one that has features you'll enjoy using. While there are many factors to consider, it all boils down to choosing a cell phone that will offer you the best design, features, and performance.

If you thought choosing a cell phone design was hard, choosing your features isn't any easier. Cellular phone choices range from simple and functional to complicated features. As a general rule, don't buy anything more than you will use.

If you want your phone to strictly make calls, stick with the basics. If you're going to use your mobile for e-mail or multi-tasking, go with a higher-end cellular phone choice. If you want to have fun with your phone consider one with a camera.

When choosing a cell phone plan, think carefully about how much you'll actually be using your phone. Usage time is the basis of every cellular phone contract. The more minutes in your plan the more money you will have to pay. Most cellular phone contracts from the major carriers vary from 300 minutes a month up to 5,000 minutes.

You also have to think about when you'll be making most of your calls. Most carriers consider only those calls made during peak periods typically, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., as minutes that actually count toward your plan minutes.

Calls made during the weekends, nights, and holidays, are usually free and are considered unlimited anytime minutes. Calls made to other cell phones on a carrier's network can also be free.

You'll need to find out if checking your voicemail, incoming and outgoing calls count toward unlimited anytime minutes. Be sure you know how everything works when comparing cell phone plans.

When choosing a cell phone plan that is best for you, you're better off overestimating the number of plan minutes you'll need rather than paying extra, expensive airtime charges each month.

If you find that you've overestimated or underestimated your usage, you can easily change your rate plan. When comparing cell phone plans, keep in mind that this may affect your contract date by moving it out further, so ask.

7 points to consider before agreeing to a cellular phone contract:

1. Verify the unlimited anytime minutes you have and what kind of calls count toward them.

2. Be aware of all roaming, overtime, and extra charges.

3. If you travel a lot, or have lots of friends and relatives all over creation get a cellular phone contract nationwide plan with free long distance.

4. Know where your local calling area begins and ends.

5. Many of the great deals require a two-year cellular phone contract. Make sure you understand this commitment and how much it will cost you to break it.

6. If you're in the middle of a cellular phone contract or not on a contract and just want to buy a new phone you don't need to sign a new contract. But you probably won't get any discounts that would come with a new contract.

7. Extended warranties and insurance can come in handy if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged. Just be sure to find out the total cost.

Before you sign any cellular phone contract just be sure you know how everything works so there are no surprises.

Copyright ? 2005 1 Stop Shopping Online.com. All Rights Reserved.

This article is provided by http://www.1stopshoppingonline.com offering you access to top wireless providers that make it easy for you compare and choose the perfect phone and cellular phone contract at http://www.1stopshoppingonline.com/wireless.html

Finding the Secured Homeowner Loan for You

If you've been thinking of getting a secured homeowner loan, you'll find it worth your time to do a little research on these loans and to shop around for the best deal.

Getting a secured homeowner loan can help you to take care of any of a variety of expenses? from autos and vehicles to home improvements and debt consolidation, these loans have a much wider spectrum of usage than most secured loans.

Just because you can use a secured homeowner loan for any of several purposes doesn't mean that you should rush into a loan agreement, though; careful consideration of several loan quotes from a variety of sources can save you both time and money in the long run.

A matter of security

Obviously, a secured homeowner loan is a secured loan. If you're not familiar with this term, all that it means is that the loan has some physical piece of property with some value that serves to guarantee repayment of the loan, which is known as collateral.

In the case of a secured homeowner loan, the value of your house or other real estate is used as collateral; the value of the house is determined by looking at the equity that the homeowner has in it, with equity being the amount of money which has been invested into the house to pay off the mortgage.

This basically means that lenders are going to look at how much of the house or real estate you actually "own", or what percentage of the mortgage has been repaid.

The larger the percentage of the mortgage that you've paid is, then the more equity you'll have in your house or real estate? and the larger the amount of your secured homeowner loan can be.

Careful comparison is the key

One of the most important things when looking for a secured homeowner loan is to make sure that you don't rush into a loan agreement without exploring all of your options.

Take the time to get quotes for a secured homeowner loan from several banks and finance companies? these quotes will let you compare the interest rates and other lending terms that the different banks and finance companies are offering you so that you can determine which one will serve you and your loan needs the best.

The extra time that you spend shopping for your loan in this manner will likely result in both a lower interest rate and more flexible repayment terms than what you would have gotten by taking the first loan offer that you received.

The money that you stand to save makes the extra time more than worth it.

You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:

About The Author

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.