Hebrews 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
Showing posts with label God is great. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God is great. Show all posts
Monday, July 29, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
There is freedom in forgiving
http://theresurgence.com/
At the same time, you can’t be gracious to someone if you are too needy and insecure. If you know God’s love and forgiveness, then there is a limit to how deeply another person can hurt you. He or she can’t touch your real identity, wealth, and significance. The more you rejoice in your own forgiveness, the quicker you will be to forgive others. You are rooted in emotional wealth.
The experience of the gospel gives us the two prerequisites for a life of forgiveness: emotional humility and emotional wealth.
You can remain bitter toward someone only if you feel superior, if you are sure that you "would never do anything like that!" To remain unforgiving means you are unaware of your own sinfulness and need for forgiveness. When Paul says he is the worst among sinners (1 Tim. 1:15), he is not exaggerating. He is saying that he is as capable of sin as the worst criminals are. The gospel has equipped him with emotional humility.
At the same time, you can’t be gracious to someone if you are too needy and insecure. If you know God’s love and forgiveness, then there is a limit to how deeply another person can hurt you. He or she can’t touch your real identity, wealth, and significance. The more you rejoice in your own forgiveness, the quicker you will be to forgive others. You are rooted in emotional wealth.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Christian Marriage
This is reprinted (Ce4Less.com Marriage and Family Counseling - A Christian Perspective Stan E. DeKoven Ph.D.) as one of my clients recently said "I never knew all this stuff" and she went on a search of biblical truths which led to a stopping of divorce proceedings...
The Biblical understanding of marriage is related to the nature and purpose of God. Biblical views of man, marriage, sex, and family refuse to explain life in terms of man’s self-chosen aims. The Bible insists that attempts to understand life apart from the divine purpose are ultimately foolish. The Creator’s design establishes the dignity of the divine gift of marriage.
Marriage is for Fellowship Men and women were created for fellowship with God and for His glory. Their dignity rests in their relational capacity. Men and women were designed for fellowship with each other and for fellowship in the greater human community (Genesis 2; Exodus 20:2-17; Isaiah 11:6; 54:1-3; Matthew 19:4-11; John 15:1-17; 17:6-26; Ephesians 1:9-10, 2:13-21). Marriage and human sexuality cannot be understood simply as the result of physical drives, rational formulations, social imposition, or religious moralism. While marital union is not in the realm of things commanded by God, as are fellowship with God and his people, it is a divine gift not to be profaned. The intimacy of marriage gives expression to the human desire for relatedness. The relationship of husband and wife is often compared to the reciprocal relationship of God and his people and is described in the language of the covenant. The covenant between God and his people is sacred and is not to be violated. It has great power and purpose in it. (Isaiah 61:10; Hosea; John 3:29; Ephesians 2:19-22). Marriage is a covenant bond designed by the Creator. It is redeemed in Jesus Christ, and is best realized amidst the Covenant people of God.
Marriage is for Human Fulfillment
Marriage is designed to bring persons into their God-intended human fullness. Humanity in its wholeness involves both male and female. The interdependence so essential to human completeness can be expressed in marital union and also in the larger community. In marital union, husband and wife become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).3
This unity involves far more than a sexual encounter. It is the joining of lives at many levels. With it come mutual love and knowledge. Marriage provides opportunity for mature love so vital to the wholeness of persons (Genesis 24:67; Proverbs 5:15-19; Song of Solomon 1; 2:16, 8:7; Ephesians 5:21-33). Marriage is a covenant commitment which protects the mutuality of sex and the meaning of personhood. It acknowledges responsibility for the continued well-being of another person. God is concerned about marriage because he is concerned for people. (Malachi 2:13-16).
Paul’s instructions regarding marriage and family as a picture of the church. Marriage partners should show mutual respect, for each other which effectively meets the needs of women for love and men for respect. These are essential elements of an effective and happy marriage.
This last part is summarized in Ephesians 5:33,
"Nevertheless, let each individual among you (men) also love (agape) his own wife even as himself, and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband." This theme, love and respect, is also seen in Paul’s other writings (Colossians 3; 1 Corinthians 7) or at least assumed. It is also the focus of a fairly recent book by Emerson Eggerichs titled "Love and Respect". In his work he cites a 20 year study of 2000 couples that gives evidence that love and respect are foundational ingredients to a happy and successful marriage.7
7 Study by John Gottman from "Why Marriages Succeed or Fail."
Wives need to know they are loved, really loved by their husbands. When they feel unloved, they internalize it as hurt, often reacting in criticism towards their husband. The average husband will most often respond to criticism with withdrawal, experiencing the criticism as a lack of respect. This cycle, often seen in dysfunctional and "normal" marriages, demonstrates the continual effect of the Fall and sin in the lives of even God’s people. When husbands learn to love, demonstrated in a way that is sensible and understood by the wife, and when the wives respect, not worship, but affirm and bless their husbands, it shows that God’s Kingdom rule has come to the marriage. Since the marriage is foundational to the family, the children of that union will have greater opportunity to grow as God intended, when love and respect in harmonious balance are seen in the marriage
The Biblical understanding of marriage is related to the nature and purpose of God. Biblical views of man, marriage, sex, and family refuse to explain life in terms of man’s self-chosen aims. The Bible insists that attempts to understand life apart from the divine purpose are ultimately foolish. The Creator’s design establishes the dignity of the divine gift of marriage.
Marriage is for Fellowship Men and women were created for fellowship with God and for His glory. Their dignity rests in their relational capacity. Men and women were designed for fellowship with each other and for fellowship in the greater human community (Genesis 2; Exodus 20:2-17; Isaiah 11:6; 54:1-3; Matthew 19:4-11; John 15:1-17; 17:6-26; Ephesians 1:9-10, 2:13-21). Marriage and human sexuality cannot be understood simply as the result of physical drives, rational formulations, social imposition, or religious moralism. While marital union is not in the realm of things commanded by God, as are fellowship with God and his people, it is a divine gift not to be profaned. The intimacy of marriage gives expression to the human desire for relatedness. The relationship of husband and wife is often compared to the reciprocal relationship of God and his people and is described in the language of the covenant. The covenant between God and his people is sacred and is not to be violated. It has great power and purpose in it. (Isaiah 61:10; Hosea; John 3:29; Ephesians 2:19-22). Marriage is a covenant bond designed by the Creator. It is redeemed in Jesus Christ, and is best realized amidst the Covenant people of God.
Marriage is for Human Fulfillment
Marriage is designed to bring persons into their God-intended human fullness. Humanity in its wholeness involves both male and female. The interdependence so essential to human completeness can be expressed in marital union and also in the larger community. In marital union, husband and wife become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).3
This unity involves far more than a sexual encounter. It is the joining of lives at many levels. With it come mutual love and knowledge. Marriage provides opportunity for mature love so vital to the wholeness of persons (Genesis 24:67; Proverbs 5:15-19; Song of Solomon 1; 2:16, 8:7; Ephesians 5:21-33). Marriage is a covenant commitment which protects the mutuality of sex and the meaning of personhood. It acknowledges responsibility for the continued well-being of another person. God is concerned about marriage because he is concerned for people. (Malachi 2:13-16).
Paul’s instructions regarding marriage and family as a picture of the church. Marriage partners should show mutual respect, for each other which effectively meets the needs of women for love and men for respect. These are essential elements of an effective and happy marriage.
This last part is summarized in Ephesians 5:33,
"Nevertheless, let each individual among you (men) also love (agape) his own wife even as himself, and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband." This theme, love and respect, is also seen in Paul’s other writings (Colossians 3; 1 Corinthians 7) or at least assumed. It is also the focus of a fairly recent book by Emerson Eggerichs titled "Love and Respect". In his work he cites a 20 year study of 2000 couples that gives evidence that love and respect are foundational ingredients to a happy and successful marriage.7
7 Study by John Gottman from "Why Marriages Succeed or Fail."
Wives need to know they are loved, really loved by their husbands. When they feel unloved, they internalize it as hurt, often reacting in criticism towards their husband. The average husband will most often respond to criticism with withdrawal, experiencing the criticism as a lack of respect. This cycle, often seen in dysfunctional and "normal" marriages, demonstrates the continual effect of the Fall and sin in the lives of even God’s people. When husbands learn to love, demonstrated in a way that is sensible and understood by the wife, and when the wives respect, not worship, but affirm and bless their husbands, it shows that God’s Kingdom rule has come to the marriage. Since the marriage is foundational to the family, the children of that union will have greater opportunity to grow as God intended, when love and respect in harmonious balance are seen in the marriage
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Starved for LOVE
http://www.intouch.org/search/?search=starved%20for%20love
at intouch.org is good cd or dvd to order for Christians or those interested in Christian Love principles...it is called starved for love
at intouch.org is good cd or dvd to order for Christians or those interested in Christian Love principles...it is called starved for love
Saturday, June 8, 2013
We look for answers that we can touch such as a message that will tell us how to change a person , usually a spouse!
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
Sometimes we pray for years for people with hearts on the hard side. My sister prayed for me for years and it payed off after many years when she was with me when I gave my life to Christ. I wonder if she prayed for brokenness as I was suicidal after a car accident/head injury and a horrible relationship. We pray for people who still love their sin, for those who have turned from their faith in God and pray that God will give them a new heart and a new spirit and that their heart will be softened so as to let GOD mold it.
All is possible with GOD. For marriages "Please, Dear Lord,let my relationship with you lead me to start a new relationship with my spouse. Guide us in making our hearts pliable to your ways"
Psalm 139:23-24
New International Version (NIV) Bible Gateway
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Friday, May 17, 2013
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
New International Version (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Amplified Bible (AMP)
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful orvainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful orresentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
Thursday, May 9, 2013
"Dear God
We surrender our relationship to You and ask that it be used for Your purposes. May our resources and talents and energies be used for Your service. May we become together more than we are apart. May the light around us forever shine. May the space of our love be a space of healing for ourselves and all the world. AMEN"
we can turn our acceptance of each other into a disciplined compassion...until we do that we will be tempted to attack...low level, neurotic relationship dramas do not support our own or the planet's movement in the direction of GOD
Marianne Williamson
We surrender our relationship to You and ask that it be used for Your purposes. May our resources and talents and energies be used for Your service. May we become together more than we are apart. May the light around us forever shine. May the space of our love be a space of healing for ourselves and all the world. AMEN"
we can turn our acceptance of each other into a disciplined compassion...until we do that we will be tempted to attack...low level, neurotic relationship dramas do not support our own or the planet's movement in the direction of GOD
Marianne Williamson
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
God helps marriages
Matthew 7:24-27
New International Version (NIV)
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash,
Monday, September 10, 2012
Search for God
The search of all people is for God. They may think they are looking for other things, but they must eventually admit that it is God they seek...Charles Fillmore
Friday, June 1, 2012
Healing
"We must choose to ask questions, listen, seek to understand, and speak words that bring healing" Gary Chapman in Homelife mag
Monday, April 30, 2012
Back to work
Back from Eleuthera and reading Stephan Bodian's WAKE UP NOW,,, p. 33 "Who knows? 'Why' questions are the mind's attempt to make sense of the incomprehensible. The only truly honest answer is, because that's the way it is."
p. 35 "...suffering is not required but it does have the uncanny ability to pull the rug out from beneath your comfortable little world and open you to a deeper source of meaning and fulfillment. It's a powerful motivator. You don't have to go looking for it, of course--it will find you eventually."
p. 35 "...suffering is not required but it does have the uncanny ability to pull the rug out from beneath your comfortable little world and open you to a deeper source of meaning and fulfillment. It's a powerful motivator. You don't have to go looking for it, of course--it will find you eventually."
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Love
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Paul, Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Re: reading Jack Kornfield and the Bible
I love his book The Wise Heart: p. 244 "We are all subject to aging and illness, to losses that nothing will change. Loneliness, betrayal, insecurity have no outer cure." He goes on to quote the buddha: "It seems that although we thought ourselves permanent, we are not. Although we thought ourselves settled, we are not. Although we thought we would last forever, we will not." Jack concludes that "facing our pain honorably is the only way we can grow...feel the pain of grasping and then relax to set the burden down."
The Bible also says that there is a positive side to suffering and that God will help us!... in Ps 119:71: "It is good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees." 1Cor 10:13 is the first verse I ever memorized....
The Bible also says that there is a positive side to suffering and that God will help us!... in Ps 119:71: "It is good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees." 1Cor 10:13 is the first verse I ever memorized....
Sunday, January 29, 2012
1 James 3-15
I was struck by my preacher's message today (Jim Gallagher) about how we are lured away from blessings of abundant life just as fish are lured away from their life by actual lures. He said that the fisherman doesn't have the fish's best interest at heart but has an idea of batter and oil. How like it is for us as being tempted by desires already in us (1:14). We have the idea that sin is bad only because God said so instead of it being bad because sin is bad. That is-bad for us. We covet and are drawn away but the enticing lures rarely, if ever, last. We demonstrating character can be used by God for his glory and our well-being.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Mindfulness can be practiced by Christians as well as buddhists
The Psalms talk about resting in Christ and taking every thought captive to Christ so it, too, is focused on our thoughts. Cognitive psychologists have long known that our thoughts can lead to our feelings so all of this is good clinical advice whether we are talking about self- growth, relationship growth or parenting. Mindful practice that I gravitate to is taking time to practice just being present in one’s surroundings-just noting such like I try to do when walking Rudy and Buttons. I will never be the same after walking them at night and hearing the night sounds after walking them night after night engrossed in thoughs of the next day. So much more pleasant listening and feeling the night air. While many thoughts may race through the brain, the mindful person may choose to not follow them but focus on God's creation and the beauty around them which delight (or don't) the senses. This is a form of discipline best practiced when calm so that it will be available during a "crisis" such as when a family member is on your last nerve!! Resting without grasping what seems good is how we learn to walk with God in the tough times as well as the glad times. We need compassion for ourselves as well as compassion for others too!!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Manatees
Tues morning I went for a surf being crabby, burned out and overwhelmed!!! Practicing mindfulness was not easy that day...being still and knowing God is God-more difficult than it is on some days...All the gross seaweed in the water and the small wave size gave the whiner in me a reason to keep complaining in the face of trying for an "attitude of gratitude"!! but then...suddenly...a fin in the water-a flipper and a rolling motion. A manatee!!! Well I paddled over and saw it go up on the beach and then back out in the water and finally I saw it was really three manatees-a trinity!!! Thanks God!!
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