Beautifying your Home with Nobel Carpets and Rugs

So you’ve got that nice apartment, close to work, just like you always wanted and you’re wondering what you would do to the floor. Make a statement in your home with floor décor from Nobel Carpets and Rugs. 

There’s a reason everybody owns a carpet or rug from Noble – All Noble carpets and rugs exude quality, comfort and style.

Here are a few tips to beautify your home with Noble Carpets and Rugs:

Carpets

If you’re a big fan of carpets (or you have a rowdy set of kids),

•  Transform your living room with the Highway range of patterned carpets. They come in colours such as blue, brown, grey etc. For a classic look, go for Parquet (brown) or Shell brown which gives off a wooden ambience.

• Illuminate the children’s room and create a fun floor with bright-coloured carpets like Jigsaw, ABCD and Bubble (blue and pink).

• Kindle the romance in your bedroom with a wall to wall Sparkle Wine carpet.

 Rugs

If rugs are your thing, dig into a wide range of rugs at Noble Carpets and Rugs to find that perfect match for your interior décor.

•  Go natural with centre rugs from the FeatherCollection depicting animals like antelope, lion, elephant, giraffe etc.

•  Showcase your contemporary and artistic taste with centre rugs with unique abstract designs from the Aafreen collection. The beautifully designed green centre rug pictured here is my favourite.

Want a personalized rug carpet or rug that speaks eloquently about your creativity and taste in interior décor? Head over to the Noble Carpets and Rugs website and collaborate with their design studio to create a carpet or rug!

Do you own a carpet or rug from Noble Carpets and Rugs? Share your experience and let us know how you used it to beautify your home.

Christians and Persecution

Realizing that Christians were facing persecution during his day, Peter wrote on the ways Christians should conduct themselves during persecution in 1 Peter 1:3 -17 and 1 Peter 4:12 -19. Persecution refers to the act of molesting, threatening or killing a person or group of persons for the sake of their faith.

Inter-personal Relationships among Christians

Peter's teaching on how Christians should relate with each other is found in 1 Peter 5: 1-11. There, Peter described the role of Christian elders in the church and how they should relate to other Christians so as to ensure discipline and unity. He emphasized that it was the duty of the elders in the church to tend the flock of God under their charge. They should do this eagerly, willingly and selflessly, not for shameful gain, but not by a domineering attitude towards those under them, but through exemplary lives. See how Christians should relate with non-Christians here.

Christians Living among Non-Christians

Peter’s teaching on how Christians living among non-Christians should behave is found in 1 Peter 2:9 – 25. There, he described Christians as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, who are called out of darkness into the marvelous light of God, and who have received the mercy of God. As God’s own people living amidst Gentiles, Peter encouraged Christians to maintain good conduct in order to silence those who speak against them. By living exemplary lives, Christians give glory to God.

Prayer and its Meaning

Prayer is means of communication with God. It is one of the important rituals in Christianity and is based on the fact that Jesus, while on earth prayed (and taught his disciples to do the same). Christians see prayer as a means of expressing the heartfelt desires to God, a way of seeking and obtaining encouragement from Him, a weapon of defense in times of crisis and an avenue of showing appreciation for what God has done for them. Some of the apostles of the early church taught on prayer, its importance in the life of a Christian and how effective prayer can be. For example, see James’ teaching on effective prayer.

Types of Prayer

In Christianity, there are many types of prayer. Some of them are as follows:

• Prayer of Petition where the Christian presents his needs to God.
• Prayer of Thanksgiving where the Christian expresses gratitude to God for His favour, grace and mercies.
• Prayer of Adoration/Praise where the Christian recognizes God’s goodness and greatness in his/her life.
• Prayer of Confession where the Christian where the Christian confesses his/her sins and pledges to forsake such sins and do good.
• Prayer of intercession where the Christian pray for others.
• Prayer of Dedication where the Christian commits himself/herself afresh to the ways of God.

Effective Prayer

In his teaching on effective prayer found in James 1:2-8; 5:13-18, James taught about the factors that make the prayer of a Christian effective, the right attitude towards prayer (when facing different situations)and used the example of Elijah to buttress the efficacy of prayers. For the meaning and types of prayer, click here.

Impartiality

The term “impartiality” refers to the attribute or quality of giving everyone his due whether it refers to rights or privileges. This means that when one denies another of things due him/her such as his rights and privileges, such a person is said to be partial or discriminatory.
Impartiality as a Christian virtue originates from the belief that we are all created equal and are equal in the sight of God.
In the epistle of James, the apostle condemns this vice (impartiality) which was found in the Church, and encouraged Christians to be impartial in order to ensure the virtues of unity, peace, justice and equality.

James’ teaching on Impartiality (James 2: 1-13)
The teaching of James on impartiality served as a correction to the problem of partiality which threatened the unity and interpersonal relationship in the early church. The rich were more favourably treated than the poor and this led to a class distinction among Christians (who were supposed to hold the faith of Jesus Christ which was invoked upon them at baptism).

James condemned the signs of impartiality he observed in the church. For example, the rich were regarded and treated as more important than the poor at public gatherings. The former (who were well dressed with gold rings) were given the best seats while the poor (who were obviously poorly dressed) were forced to sit on the floor or told to stand at the back. James noted that by such actions, Christians have shown themselves to be biased and partial judges.

James further clarified Christians on the implications of giving preferential treatment to the rich to the detriment of the poor. He said that the poor in the world (who are discriminated against) are chosen by God and made rich in faith in order to be the rightful heirs of the Kingdom of God promised to all who obey and love God. Also, James reminded Christians that the rich whom they prefer over the poor (and by so doing disrespect the poor) are the same group of people who are quick to oppress them, drag them to court where justice eludes them, and blaspheme the good name of the Lord.

James concluded by advising Christians not to be impartial, but to make the royal law their watchword: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” He warned them that if they continue to discriminate against the poor, they commit sin and are guilty of disobeying the law. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of disobeying/not fulfilling all the requirements of the law. For instance, if one commits adultery, but does not kill, such a person is still guilty of breaking the law. James cautions that the thoughts and actions of Christians must be in line with the law of liberty because a Christian who does not show mercy and compassion to the oppressed will be condemned by God.

Significance of James’ teaching on Impartiality
1. Partiality is a dangerous vice because it discourages merit and encourages mediocrity and sycophancy.
2. Christians should therefore desist from acts that discriminate against others.
3. Partiality in all its forms destabilizes unity, cordial relationship and encourages tribalism, favouritism which are contrary to Christian virtues.
4. Impartiality in words, thoughts and deed should be imbibed by all Christians as it is a sign of true Christian followership.
5. Material wealth should not be a means of classifying people in the church as undue attention to the socio-economic status of people derails their faith in Christ.

Manifestations of Partiality in our society
1. In the education sector, there is discrimination in the admission of candidates into higher institutions.
2. In the public service, promotions, appointments and employments are not based on merit but on favouritism, tribal or religious affiliation, monetary gain etc.
3. In the banks, there is discrimination in the way loan applications are treated- the rich are given preferential treatment over the poor.
4. In churches, the allocation of offices, promotions and postings are done equally or based on merit, rather tribal affiliations, cliques, and monetary gains are considered.

How Christians can fight against partiality/promote Impartiality
1. Christians can fight against partiality by speaking out against all forms of impartiality such as sectionalism, tribalism, favouritism.
2. In this era of mass media, the social media can be used to protest, condemn and create awareness on partiality in different areas of life such as the judiciary, education sector, government institutions etc.
3. Individually, Christians can promote impartiality by treating all equally, respecting the rights of minorities/women and the less privileged.