So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. Jonah 1:15
The book of Jonah is a short read.
Jonah was a prophet who was sent to do something for God, and didn’t want to. He tried to run away from God by traveling to a different part of the world. While on his journey, he got thrown over on a boat where he was then swallowed by a whale and got spat up three days later. He finally finished the job God gave him to do later on in the story.
Four chapters, go read it.
Every once in a while, my family would have something called, Spring cleaning. We would clean our closets, wash the sheets, clothes, and the car, and sometimes we would paint parts of the house, and even plant seeds. Spring cleaning was a tedious job, but necessary to remove the clutter and get re-organized.
Growing up, I realized that this was also necessary to do in my personal life. Sometimes, I have to take record, re-organize and then remove the clutter in my life.
Jonah 1: 15 says “So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging” and while reading this text, the question kept repeating in my head: What things do I need to throw overboard?
Sometimes when our life is in turmoil, it’s because we are also on the run from God. Sometimes we have to take account of what things/people need to be changed in some way.
What do we need to stop doing?
Who do we need to stop talking to or set boundaries with?
What do we need to start doing?
What do we need to throw overboard?
Some things are meant to stay in our lives for a season, and not all year long. So go ahead and start your Spring cleaning and pray before you start throwing away anything. God will direct your path like He promised in Proverbs 3:6 – Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.
LU
Follow us on Twitter @LoveUnthorned
‘Like’ us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LoveUn … 2288761278
loveunthorned.blogspot.com
Contact us to speak about us at your church at loveunthorned@gmail.com
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Knowing You by TruHart
We place a lot of importance on relationships. It's to the point where you hear the word relationship and what immediately comes to mind is a romantic type of relationship. I believe that too often we place so much interpersonal relationships that we forget all about the intrapersonal: the relationship you have with yourself. This is probably one of the most important relationships that you will ever have.
Are you able to identify your strengths? Weaknesses?
Can you know 5 things that you like about yourself?
What are your pet peeves?
Do you treat yourself the way that you want someone else to treat you?
Ask yourself these questions. Spend a little more time reflecting and introspecting. Spend a little more time with you. You will find that the more familiar you become with yourself, the better your relationships with others will be.
I know that I have the tendency to beat myself up whenever I make a mistake.
Be kind to yourself. Take care of you. Identify your goals, passions, and desires, and then pursue them! These are the things that make life fulfilling. Once you learn to appreciate yourself and LOVE yourself, loving others will be a breeze..and not just any breeze, the kind of breeze that blows while you stand on a beach, cool sand beneath your toes, 82 degree weather. The kind of breeze that you find yourself closing your eyes in appreciation. This wind of love that you generate in your own life, will then waft into the lives of the people you love...but, remember, it begins with you.
Are you able to identify your strengths? Weaknesses?
Can you know 5 things that you like about yourself?
What are your pet peeves?
Do you treat yourself the way that you want someone else to treat you?
Ask yourself these questions. Spend a little more time reflecting and introspecting. Spend a little more time with you. You will find that the more familiar you become with yourself, the better your relationships with others will be.
I know that I have the tendency to beat myself up whenever I make a mistake.
Be kind to yourself. Take care of you. Identify your goals, passions, and desires, and then pursue them! These are the things that make life fulfilling. Once you learn to appreciate yourself and LOVE yourself, loving others will be a breeze..and not just any breeze, the kind of breeze that blows while you stand on a beach, cool sand beneath your toes, 82 degree weather. The kind of breeze that you find yourself closing your eyes in appreciation. This wind of love that you generate in your own life, will then waft into the lives of the people you love...but, remember, it begins with you.
The "Who", "What", and "How" in Relationships.
Hi all. Relationships are usually easy to get involved in but are hard to make work. Based on my experiences, experiences around me, some help from scripture and knowledge on relationships, I've answered the three most important questions, in relationships, in my opinion. I hope this is helpful for you.
1. Who? (Compatibility)
Most of us are pursuing the wrong partners. Pursue "equally-yoked" courtship. The Bible stresses the importance of practicing this principle.
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" - 2 Corinthians 6:14
God says, "Do not court unbelievers." It's very clear that you should not be romantically involved with someone who doesn't share the same faith as you. However, before courtship, by grace converting is an option.
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness..." - 2 Timothy 3:16
Conversion is permissible, but it is risky in terms of relationships, in my opinion.
Being equally-yoked also translates to things like common interest which are important. It's fine to learn and grow together but it is also very helpful to share common interest. But even before this, not everyone needs to be in a relationship. Get yourself together before you involve someone else in your life.
2. What?
Love. Love? What's love got to do with it? Everything!
Most of us want to love, want to be loved or are loving, but do we even know what love is? Well let's talk about love. God made love and if there's anyway to love, I'd suggest doing it the way God made it to be done. It is the only way.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away." - 1 Cor 13:4-10
Please read, reread, and digest this. It is the true and only definition of love. It is also the way we ought to love, especially if we want our relationships to work.
3. How?
Endurance. Some of the "how" was touched with the definition of love. Endurance answers the how to make relationships work. You have to be willing rise above all conflicts and make things work. When it comes to relationships and love, God is clear on how we must live. Enduring, patient, long-suffering, faithful, loyal, humble, kind, and forgiving are just some of the many ways to love and enjoy someone that God has blessed you with.
Thank you for reading. I hope it brings light to your struggling or happy relationship. Be blessed!
Sean L Brereton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sean.l.brereton
'Like' my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sean-L-B … 4093082883
1. Who? (Compatibility)
Most of us are pursuing the wrong partners. Pursue "equally-yoked" courtship. The Bible stresses the importance of practicing this principle.
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" - 2 Corinthians 6:14
God says, "Do not court unbelievers." It's very clear that you should not be romantically involved with someone who doesn't share the same faith as you. However, before courtship, by grace converting is an option.
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness..." - 2 Timothy 3:16
Conversion is permissible, but it is risky in terms of relationships, in my opinion.
Being equally-yoked also translates to things like common interest which are important. It's fine to learn and grow together but it is also very helpful to share common interest. But even before this, not everyone needs to be in a relationship. Get yourself together before you involve someone else in your life.
2. What?
Love. Love? What's love got to do with it? Everything!
Most of us want to love, want to be loved or are loving, but do we even know what love is? Well let's talk about love. God made love and if there's anyway to love, I'd suggest doing it the way God made it to be done. It is the only way.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away." - 1 Cor 13:4-10
Please read, reread, and digest this. It is the true and only definition of love. It is also the way we ought to love, especially if we want our relationships to work.
3. How?
Endurance. Some of the "how" was touched with the definition of love. Endurance answers the how to make relationships work. You have to be willing rise above all conflicts and make things work. When it comes to relationships and love, God is clear on how we must live. Enduring, patient, long-suffering, faithful, loyal, humble, kind, and forgiving are just some of the many ways to love and enjoy someone that God has blessed you with.
Thank you for reading. I hope it brings light to your struggling or happy relationship. Be blessed!
Sean L Brereton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sean.l.brereton
'Like' my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sean-L-B … 4093082883
Dealing with Depression
A lot of my clients have said that once they have allowed themselves to be captivated by the depressed mood; they stay there and are unable to shake it. So the first thing I would suggest is to
1. Get up! When you feel yourself sliding down, get up and do something. Hit the gym, go out with the guys, go see a funny movie, take a road trip to see a long distance friend. Just do something!
2. Reach out! Talk to someone. A friend, your Pastor, a therapist, a family member. Talk about what’s going on with you.
(Life Coaching: http://www.facebook.com/#!/SpringBoardInc)
3. Get involved! Do some volunteering somewhere. Sometimes it helps us to focus on others for a bit.
4. Get healthy! Research shows that diet and exercise can have an effect on our mood. So get a workout buddy and join your local gym.
5. Change your friends. My mother always said ‘If you lay with dogs, you will catch flees.’ So evaluate who you need to spend less time with and who you need to spend more time around.
6. St John’s Wort is a natural supplement that has been shown effective for some people depending on their level of depressed mood. Before taking any medication (natural/unnatural), consult a doctor.
7. Do something for you! Go get a massage, go to the spa, get a hobby, and or take a class.
8. Go to Church. Church can be encouraging for anyone; the sermon, the socializing with like-minded individuals can be a pick-me-up for many. Don’t have a church? Join one!
9. Create a Mental Health Day! A day that you use to do things you enjoy. In addition to Sabbath, do you have a day that you can use to breathe, relax, reflect on your life, organize your mind? Choose one!
I sincerely hope that these tips helped someone in some way. If you don’t think these tips match you, Google some more tips, speak with a therapist, speak with your Pastor.
LU
Follow us on Twitter @LoveUnthorned
‘Like’ us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LoveUn … 2288761278
loveunthorned.blogspot.com
Contact us to speak about us at your church at loveunthorned@gmail.com
1. Get up! When you feel yourself sliding down, get up and do something. Hit the gym, go out with the guys, go see a funny movie, take a road trip to see a long distance friend. Just do something!
2. Reach out! Talk to someone. A friend, your Pastor, a therapist, a family member. Talk about what’s going on with you.
(Life Coaching: http://www.facebook.com/#!/SpringBoardInc)
3. Get involved! Do some volunteering somewhere. Sometimes it helps us to focus on others for a bit.
4. Get healthy! Research shows that diet and exercise can have an effect on our mood. So get a workout buddy and join your local gym.
5. Change your friends. My mother always said ‘If you lay with dogs, you will catch flees.’ So evaluate who you need to spend less time with and who you need to spend more time around.
6. St John’s Wort is a natural supplement that has been shown effective for some people depending on their level of depressed mood. Before taking any medication (natural/unnatural), consult a doctor.
7. Do something for you! Go get a massage, go to the spa, get a hobby, and or take a class.
8. Go to Church. Church can be encouraging for anyone; the sermon, the socializing with like-minded individuals can be a pick-me-up for many. Don’t have a church? Join one!
9. Create a Mental Health Day! A day that you use to do things you enjoy. In addition to Sabbath, do you have a day that you can use to breathe, relax, reflect on your life, organize your mind? Choose one!
I sincerely hope that these tips helped someone in some way. If you don’t think these tips match you, Google some more tips, speak with a therapist, speak with your Pastor.
LU
Follow us on Twitter @LoveUnthorned
‘Like’ us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LoveUn … 2288761278
loveunthorned.blogspot.com
Contact us to speak about us at your church at loveunthorned@gmail.com
When it's more than sadness...
Depression is a word I know too well.
In exactly one month, I will be able to say that I’m therapist, so I hear it in class, I see it in the text books, I read about it in the DSM and I see it in my clients. I’m surrounded by it. I’m surrounded with people who are just having a bad day, who easily proclaim that they are depressed. Then I’m also around people who are so depressed, they can’t even mumble the words ‘I need help’.
Depression is more than feeling sad; it’s this deep deep sadness that is very difficult to just brush off. It’s when you wake up and you wish you were still sleeping. It’s when you can’t see any future because you can’t imagine living the next 2years. Constantly.
This poem sort of sums it up. Take a read:
http://www.loveunthorned.com/member/1/b … isticPoet/
According to statistics, many things might contribute to depression. Two of these things include:
1. Genetics (biological)
Chances are if your mother, father, sister, grandmother, Uncle and Aunt has dealt with depression; you might at some point in your life, deal with depression.
2. Situation
Many situations may affect your mood. In this economy, losing a job has become a big reason some people seek out counseling.
Do I have depression?
I can’t answer that and neither will this brief article. However, according to the DSM-IV, to meet the requirements for depression, certain criterion needs to be met. All of them are not listed, but they include:
•Depressed mood most of the day
•Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy
•Significant weight loss or weight gain
•Sleeping too much or too little
•Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
If you feel you might be suffering from depression, visit a therapist. A list of Christian therapists can be found here:
http://www.findchristiancounselor.com/? … 7QodSjA7-w
A therapist may be able to help you decide what options you would like to take in treating your depression. Maybe it’s some deep-rooted issue that you need to talk about; maybe medication will be the best route. Your therapist will help you decide what’s best for you.
Not ready for a therapist? Consult with a LifeCoach!
http://flavors.me/springboard
'like' them on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpringBoardInc
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Have you dealt with Depression? What treatment method (s), if any, works for you?
LU
Follow us on Twitter @LoveUnthorned
‘Like’ us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LoveUn … 2288761278
loveunthorned.blogspot.com
Contact us to speak about us at your church at loveunthorned@gmail.com
Reference:
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-IV-TR. Washington, DC: bauer, M., Suppes, P. & Thase, M.
In exactly one month, I will be able to say that I’m therapist, so I hear it in class, I see it in the text books, I read about it in the DSM and I see it in my clients. I’m surrounded by it. I’m surrounded with people who are just having a bad day, who easily proclaim that they are depressed. Then I’m also around people who are so depressed, they can’t even mumble the words ‘I need help’.
Depression is more than feeling sad; it’s this deep deep sadness that is very difficult to just brush off. It’s when you wake up and you wish you were still sleeping. It’s when you can’t see any future because you can’t imagine living the next 2years. Constantly.
This poem sort of sums it up. Take a read:
http://www.loveunthorned.com/member/1/b … isticPoet/
According to statistics, many things might contribute to depression. Two of these things include:
1. Genetics (biological)
Chances are if your mother, father, sister, grandmother, Uncle and Aunt has dealt with depression; you might at some point in your life, deal with depression.
2. Situation
Many situations may affect your mood. In this economy, losing a job has become a big reason some people seek out counseling.
Do I have depression?
I can’t answer that and neither will this brief article. However, according to the DSM-IV, to meet the requirements for depression, certain criterion needs to be met. All of them are not listed, but they include:
•Depressed mood most of the day
•Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy
•Significant weight loss or weight gain
•Sleeping too much or too little
•Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
If you feel you might be suffering from depression, visit a therapist. A list of Christian therapists can be found here:
http://www.findchristiancounselor.com/? … 7QodSjA7-w
A therapist may be able to help you decide what options you would like to take in treating your depression. Maybe it’s some deep-rooted issue that you need to talk about; maybe medication will be the best route. Your therapist will help you decide what’s best for you.
Not ready for a therapist? Consult with a LifeCoach!
http://flavors.me/springboard
'like' them on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpringBoardInc
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Have you dealt with Depression? What treatment method (s), if any, works for you?
LU
Follow us on Twitter @LoveUnthorned
‘Like’ us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LoveUn … 2288761278
loveunthorned.blogspot.com
Contact us to speak about us at your church at loveunthorned@gmail.com
Reference:
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-IV-TR. Washington, DC: bauer, M., Suppes, P. & Thase, M.
Dead Soul by Soulistic_Poet
Distant,
Cold,
Empty,
They look into my eyes,
To examine my soul
And what they find,
Is nothing.
Darkness
Has taken me over,
No light,
No fight,
Just broken.
Body cut up,
But not by blades,
Nor knives,
Nor swords.
It was their words,
Their actions,
Their cruelty,
It was the rumors,
The hate,
The lies,
The betrayal,
The assault of my body,
And the rape of my mind.
Suffering I am,
And I'm running out of time.
A cold heart is what's left of me,
No warmth,
No love,
No hope.
Just frozen,
Frost bitten,
Hypothermia is killing me.
My heart pumps ice,
My blood is hard,
Below zero degrees,,
And melt proof.
My heart bleeds blood,
That's hell proof.
But as cold as it is,
It's still shattered,
With an ice pic of hate,
They chipped away,
Leaving pieces of my heart,
All over the floor.
And they were so slick,
Small were the chips,
I didn't realize what was happening,
Before it was too late,
Now all I have left,
Is broken pieces,
Of a frozen heart.
Alone is one thing,
But loneliness is my thing,
In a room filled with people,
I feel like the room is empty.
But it is I that is empty.
A blank slate,
No memories,
And no plans for the future.
I am not even present,
In present moments.
I float with the angels,
And I dine with the demons.
I watch my body move.
It goes from place to place,
With this flat look on it's face,
Walking on the earth,
But it's soul is lost in space.
Numb is my home,
No joy,
No pain,
No tears.
No faith,
No hope,
No fears.
I am simply existing.
I have the emotions of a brick wall,
Which is ironic,
Since I have made it my mission,
To live within my self made wall.
No one is allowed in,
My thoughts are mine to hide,
My emotions is none of your business.
And all my efforts to keep them from the world,
I end up keeping them from myself.
My feelings and I are strangers,
We haven't seen each other,
Since I was child,
And I'm sure if I see them,
I wouldn't recognize them.
But here's the tricky part,
Numbness still hurts,
And it hurts more than actually feeling the pain.
But since I can't shed my tears,
Survival of a dead soul is my aim.
© Soulistic_Poet, 2012
'like' the fan page at
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Soulis … 5091484160
Cold,
Empty,
They look into my eyes,
To examine my soul
And what they find,
Is nothing.
Darkness
Has taken me over,
No light,
No fight,
Just broken.
Body cut up,
But not by blades,
Nor knives,
Nor swords.
It was their words,
Their actions,
Their cruelty,
It was the rumors,
The hate,
The lies,
The betrayal,
The assault of my body,
And the rape of my mind.
Suffering I am,
And I'm running out of time.
A cold heart is what's left of me,
No warmth,
No love,
No hope.
Just frozen,
Frost bitten,
Hypothermia is killing me.
My heart pumps ice,
My blood is hard,
Below zero degrees,,
And melt proof.
My heart bleeds blood,
That's hell proof.
But as cold as it is,
It's still shattered,
With an ice pic of hate,
They chipped away,
Leaving pieces of my heart,
All over the floor.
And they were so slick,
Small were the chips,
I didn't realize what was happening,
Before it was too late,
Now all I have left,
Is broken pieces,
Of a frozen heart.
Alone is one thing,
But loneliness is my thing,
In a room filled with people,
I feel like the room is empty.
But it is I that is empty.
A blank slate,
No memories,
And no plans for the future.
I am not even present,
In present moments.
I float with the angels,
And I dine with the demons.
I watch my body move.
It goes from place to place,
With this flat look on it's face,
Walking on the earth,
But it's soul is lost in space.
Numb is my home,
No joy,
No pain,
No tears.
No faith,
No hope,
No fears.
I am simply existing.
I have the emotions of a brick wall,
Which is ironic,
Since I have made it my mission,
To live within my self made wall.
No one is allowed in,
My thoughts are mine to hide,
My emotions is none of your business.
And all my efforts to keep them from the world,
I end up keeping them from myself.
My feelings and I are strangers,
We haven't seen each other,
Since I was child,
And I'm sure if I see them,
I wouldn't recognize them.
But here's the tricky part,
Numbness still hurts,
And it hurts more than actually feeling the pain.
But since I can't shed my tears,
Survival of a dead soul is my aim.
© Soulistic_Poet, 2012
'like' the fan page at
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Soulis … 5091484160
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Time By Sean L Brereton
A well-known secret
Falsely telling the truth always.
Tenaciously ticking you off
Here and there.
Making you rush as you impatiently
Pace yourself Like a private college by the Brooklyn bridge.
This was built in 1883.
And that was this evening.
Good night!
Would you like turkey bacon
And orange juice with that?
Embrace yourself and never try to be A punk
Tual timeless tired tyrant
You go out and get wasted
And they say you can never be regained.
What was done in the past can never be renamed.
But the past is the present’s future.
And as it was passing, it will be valued
As presents in the future.
It was a long wait for a short arrival.
Righteous ridiculous recorded reasons requestioned rhetorically.
But we all know how precious time is.
It traps you in the future.
Never stopping for you.
It’s impatient.
Waiting on no one.
Today was fall,
Yesterday is June
and next weekend Is Halloween
and Christmas is around the corner
So we might as leave our Christmas trees up
All year around,
because today is Independence Day
But the forecast said it is snowing tomorrow. So live today like tomorrow and live tomorrow like next year.
Because no matter how many times you ask,
You will never know what time it is.
Falsely telling the truth always.
Tenaciously ticking you off
Here and there.
Making you rush as you impatiently
Pace yourself Like a private college by the Brooklyn bridge.
This was built in 1883.
And that was this evening.
Good night!
Would you like turkey bacon
And orange juice with that?
Embrace yourself and never try to be A punk
Tual timeless tired tyrant
You go out and get wasted
And they say you can never be regained.
What was done in the past can never be renamed.
But the past is the present’s future.
And as it was passing, it will be valued
As presents in the future.
It was a long wait for a short arrival.
Righteous ridiculous recorded reasons requestioned rhetorically.
But we all know how precious time is.
It traps you in the future.
Never stopping for you.
It’s impatient.
Waiting on no one.
Today was fall,
Yesterday is June
and next weekend Is Halloween
and Christmas is around the corner
So we might as leave our Christmas trees up
All year around,
because today is Independence Day
But the forecast said it is snowing tomorrow. So live today like tomorrow and live tomorrow like next year.
Because no matter how many times you ask,
You will never know what time it is.
Author: Sean L Brereton
Buy his book, As Eye See The World
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Even the hairs on your head are numbered
Even the hairs on your head are numbered
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:7
We all get lied to some time or the other. However, I believe that the lies that you end up believing are the worst lies because they have the most devastating effects on you. They keep you up at nights, stopping you from being better, from having meaningful relationship or from loving God the way that you can.
These thorns around your heart; full of lies, pain and shame, are carried around every day weighing you down. Some of these lies started from childhood when you were told by your mom that you were stupid and will never amount to anything. Or when daddy told you that you did everything wrong, and called you worthless.
These things causes our hearts to be scarred filled with pain, guilt, and shame. In response to this, you might have put up a wall for protection. It does more harm than good, blocking out not only the ugly, but the beauty.
So we start believing that the thorns are just a part of life and that we are stupid, and that we aren’t worth it.
Don’t make them win.
God is your creator and He knows how many hairs there are on your body. What a thought! He loves you so much that He took the time out to count the hairs on your head. Such an intricate detail, yet he took the time to find it out, to show you that you are worth it and that you deserve a life that is purposeful and driven.
Letting go of those lies can be hard but knowing that there is a God who thinks so highly of you helps with the process. He loves you so much that He sent His ONLY son to die for you so that you and I can have a good life (John 3:16). Because you are worth it.
So work on those lies by first identifying where they come from. Every time you feel very insecure about something (a job opportunity, meeting someone new, or speaking in-front of someone), try and identify the voice you hear. Is it your father saying you’re worthless, your mom saying you will never become anything, or your own voice repeating their words? Write them down and later on, take time out to challenge them.
For example,
• Situation: New challenging job opportunity
• Thought: I can’t do it because my mother always said, ‘all I’m good for is laying on my back’
• Challenge: She lied because God says I’m beautiful and I’ve accomplished a lot.
o I’m a better mother than she was,
o I got my GED/diploma,
o I have kept this job for 8 months now.
Take the time to figure out exactly what the thoughts are that stop you from accomplishing your goals and challenge them because God loves you and wants you to be happy. He thinks that you are worth it. Isn’t it time you start believing?
Are you Bold enough to share?
-What are your thorns?
-How did you work through them?
LU
Follow us on Twitter @LoveUnthorned
‘Like’ us on Facebook
loveunthorned.blogspot.com
Contact us to speak about us at your church at loveunthorned@gmail.com
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:7
We all get lied to some time or the other. However, I believe that the lies that you end up believing are the worst lies because they have the most devastating effects on you. They keep you up at nights, stopping you from being better, from having meaningful relationship or from loving God the way that you can.
These thorns around your heart; full of lies, pain and shame, are carried around every day weighing you down. Some of these lies started from childhood when you were told by your mom that you were stupid and will never amount to anything. Or when daddy told you that you did everything wrong, and called you worthless.
These things causes our hearts to be scarred filled with pain, guilt, and shame. In response to this, you might have put up a wall for protection. It does more harm than good, blocking out not only the ugly, but the beauty.
So we start believing that the thorns are just a part of life and that we are stupid, and that we aren’t worth it.
Don’t make them win.
God is your creator and He knows how many hairs there are on your body. What a thought! He loves you so much that He took the time out to count the hairs on your head. Such an intricate detail, yet he took the time to find it out, to show you that you are worth it and that you deserve a life that is purposeful and driven.
Letting go of those lies can be hard but knowing that there is a God who thinks so highly of you helps with the process. He loves you so much that He sent His ONLY son to die for you so that you and I can have a good life (John 3:16). Because you are worth it.
So work on those lies by first identifying where they come from. Every time you feel very insecure about something (a job opportunity, meeting someone new, or speaking in-front of someone), try and identify the voice you hear. Is it your father saying you’re worthless, your mom saying you will never become anything, or your own voice repeating their words? Write them down and later on, take time out to challenge them.
For example,
• Situation: New challenging job opportunity
• Thought: I can’t do it because my mother always said, ‘all I’m good for is laying on my back’
• Challenge: She lied because God says I’m beautiful and I’ve accomplished a lot.
o I’m a better mother than she was,
o I got my GED/diploma,
o I have kept this job for 8 months now.
Take the time to figure out exactly what the thoughts are that stop you from accomplishing your goals and challenge them because God loves you and wants you to be happy. He thinks that you are worth it. Isn’t it time you start believing?
Are you Bold enough to share?
-What are your thorns?
-How did you work through them?
LU
Follow us on Twitter @LoveUnthorned
‘Like’ us on Facebook
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Contact us to speak about us at your church at loveunthorned@gmail.com
Give yourself a Break!
January is self love month and before the month is over, we would like to give ten, inexpensive ways that you can show yourself love throughout the year!
1.Make your own Orange Juice (Check out our The Dangers Hidden in Orange Juice blog)
2.Eat better potatoes (Check out our Super Potato blog)
3.Spend time Worshipping (watch Alexandrea’s video, ‘How to Actually Study the Bible’)
4.Sleep 8 hours a night. No naps!
5.Get organized
6.Spend more time doing what you LOVE. Be inspired.
7.Read a good, encouraging book (Into poetry? Check out AS Eye See The World by S. Brereton)
8.Start running!
9.Eat breakfast
10.Join LoveUnthorned.com for a lot of information on loving God and self<3
What are additional, inexpensive ways to show your-self love? Share your ideas!
LU
Outside Links:
Alexandrea Wilson, founder of the Mt. Ephraim Center has a video titled, ‘How to Actually Study the Bible’ at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tmec/2012/ … radio-show
Sean L Brereton, As Eye See The World
http://seanlbrereton.tumblr.com/
Join LoveUnthorned.com
Follow us on Twitter @LoveUnthorned
‘Like’ us on Facebook
loveunthorned.blogspot.com
Contact us to speak about us at your church at loveunthorned@gmail.com
1.Make your own Orange Juice (Check out our The Dangers Hidden in Orange Juice blog)
2.Eat better potatoes (Check out our Super Potato blog)
3.Spend time Worshipping (watch Alexandrea’s video, ‘How to Actually Study the Bible’)
4.Sleep 8 hours a night. No naps!
5.Get organized
6.Spend more time doing what you LOVE. Be inspired.
7.Read a good, encouraging book (Into poetry? Check out AS Eye See The World by S. Brereton)
8.Start running!
9.Eat breakfast
10.Join LoveUnthorned.com for a lot of information on loving God and self<3
What are additional, inexpensive ways to show your-self love? Share your ideas!
LU
Outside Links:
Alexandrea Wilson, founder of the Mt. Ephraim Center has a video titled, ‘How to Actually Study the Bible’ at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tmec/2012/ … radio-show
Sean L Brereton, As Eye See The World
http://seanlbrereton.tumblr.com/
Join LoveUnthorned.com
Follow us on Twitter @LoveUnthorned
‘Like’ us on Facebook
loveunthorned.blogspot.com
Contact us to speak about us at your church at loveunthorned@gmail.com
Organic or Not by S. Brereton
The formula for successfully conducted business is giving the consumer what they want. This has always been the trend since the Marketing Era in business. Well if that's the case, if I am the president of my cereal company and I don't think it's morally right to use car paint (for example) as a preservative in the ingredients of our product but the general public doesn't mind it in their food, then of course I'll use it in our ingredients, especially if our competitors are. One another note, recently the public has become more aware of the advantages of using organic and natural foods and the dangers of doing otherwise. Now, all of a sudden the food industry seems to be cleaning up their act. I hope it bothers you that the people in the food industry always knew of these dangers, but they didn't and don't care.
Like I said, their main focus is profit and our health is definitely not their best interest. Now the trend is organic and natural foods. But how can you be certain that the products are genuinely organic?
How do you know which companies to trust? Well my advice is to trust companies that have always or have already been making organic and natural products. That's apart of their mission statement. For example, a company called Natures Path is and was always known as a company to produce organic and 100% natural cereal despite whether the public wanted organic cereal or not. Now on the other hand a company like Kelloggs (sorry to the founder who happened to be Seventh-day Adventist...no biased opinions here) has not been producing organic goods but may be doing so now to satisfy the consumers wants.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08 … introd.php ---Kellogg's Introduces Organic Cereals ---I don't know about you but I don't trust that. You might say, well none of this really matters because all you have to look for is the round green and white (sometimes black and white) "USDA"- organic label. I hope we can trust that. Why spend more money for something that is "organic"? There is even another organization certifying goods organic called Quality Assurance Intelligence. I'd put my trust in them before trusting the USDA. Anyway, try to get organic food instead of conventional when possible. It's called 'organic' for a reason, it’s good for your 'organs' =) Also, ask God to bless your food and water and you will be fine.
Like I said, their main focus is profit and our health is definitely not their best interest. Now the trend is organic and natural foods. But how can you be certain that the products are genuinely organic?
How do you know which companies to trust? Well my advice is to trust companies that have always or have already been making organic and natural products. That's apart of their mission statement. For example, a company called Natures Path is and was always known as a company to produce organic and 100% natural cereal despite whether the public wanted organic cereal or not. Now on the other hand a company like Kelloggs (sorry to the founder who happened to be Seventh-day Adventist...no biased opinions here) has not been producing organic goods but may be doing so now to satisfy the consumers wants.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08 … introd.php ---Kellogg's Introduces Organic Cereals ---I don't know about you but I don't trust that. You might say, well none of this really matters because all you have to look for is the round green and white (sometimes black and white) "USDA"- organic label. I hope we can trust that. Why spend more money for something that is "organic"? There is even another organization certifying goods organic called Quality Assurance Intelligence. I'd put my trust in them before trusting the USDA. Anyway, try to get organic food instead of conventional when possible. It's called 'organic' for a reason, it’s good for your 'organs' =) Also, ask God to bless your food and water and you will be fine.
The Dangers Hidden in Orange Juice by S. Brereton
Please be advised, there is a new hidden danger present in our favorite bottled juices. Before we discuss this new danger, let’s talk about the “not so new” ones. First off, we drink juice or should drink juice, primarily because it's healthy and yes, taste good. But when we consider the process in which bottled juices go through, is it really healthy? So the first reason why these juices aren't healthy is because they are pasteurized. Yes, pasteurized. We all see this marked on most of our food products but what does it mean?
Pasteurization is a process of heating a food, usually liquid, to a specific temperature for a definite length of time, and then cooling it immediately. This process slows microbial growth in food. It is also known to prevent spoilage and fermentation.
Now this can be debatable because the USDA and many others will argue that bottled juices are healthy because they ARE pasteurized. However, thought this may be true, because pasteurization does slows down and eliminates bacteria growth in the juice, which prevents you from getting sick. This process also slows down AND eliminates nutrients in the juice, which prevents you from getting sick. A little confusing at first glance, right?
I can't dispute the fact that this process is present in our beverage distribution and manufacturing process for our safety. But at that very same time this heating process eliminates all of the good/healthy things in the juice - valuable nutrients, vitamins, and enzymes. Tropicana developed Flash pasteurization which as a method which isn’t as harmful as pasteurization. In this process the liquid moves in a controlled, continuous flow while held at temperatures of 71.5 °C (160 °F) to 74 °C (165 °F), for roughly 15 to 30 seconds. Better? Yes, but unfortunately your end result still isn’t a raw food.
Now, second reason, the juice is old and probably not organic. Old food lacks essential vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes and much more. Vitamins and digestive enzymes are time, light, and heat sensitive. Non-organic foods contain harmful chemicals such as fungicides, pesticides, insecticides, chemical fertilizers and much more. Also, adding to that, “100% juice”-or not, even if it's organic, if it's bottled, it still isn’t good.
Now let's talk about orange juice. The government allows food companies to add
ingredients to their products without mentioning them on their labels. One newly discovered mystery ingredient added to most orange juices companies which we love called "Flavor Packs" is a chemical used to enhance whatever is left of that dead, watered-down, pasteurized, flavorless liquid. Most if not ALL of your familiar orange juice brands are custom to this. In their partial defense, they have to do it or else they wouldn't be in business. Pasteurizing prolongs shelf life and the chemical additives gives it the flavor of the fruit juice it is advertising. However, I eagerly condemn it!
This article also mentions that most of these companies sit their juice in tanks for up to a year before they are fully processed. Disgusting! I mean if it’s not fresh (days old), the most I would expect is juice that is weeks old. So despite most of these companies "100% juice" and "all- natural" claims, most of what they are doing to juice and putting in it deems it harmful and unhealthy.
My advice to those people that want to drink some good, healthy orange juice is to buy a bag of oranges, and a citrus juicer and make your own juice!
It is a little more expensive, but it is well worth it in the long run, in regards to your health.
It is THE healthy alternative, not to mention it is safe, unpasteurized, "flavor pack"-free and delicious!
http://updatednews.ca/2011/12/17/orange … nded-moms/
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sean.l.brereton
My poetry book:https://www.seanlbrereton.tumblr.com/
Pasteurization is a process of heating a food, usually liquid, to a specific temperature for a definite length of time, and then cooling it immediately. This process slows microbial growth in food. It is also known to prevent spoilage and fermentation.
Now this can be debatable because the USDA and many others will argue that bottled juices are healthy because they ARE pasteurized. However, thought this may be true, because pasteurization does slows down and eliminates bacteria growth in the juice, which prevents you from getting sick. This process also slows down AND eliminates nutrients in the juice, which prevents you from getting sick. A little confusing at first glance, right?
I can't dispute the fact that this process is present in our beverage distribution and manufacturing process for our safety. But at that very same time this heating process eliminates all of the good/healthy things in the juice - valuable nutrients, vitamins, and enzymes. Tropicana developed Flash pasteurization which as a method which isn’t as harmful as pasteurization. In this process the liquid moves in a controlled, continuous flow while held at temperatures of 71.5 °C (160 °F) to 74 °C (165 °F), for roughly 15 to 30 seconds. Better? Yes, but unfortunately your end result still isn’t a raw food.
Now, second reason, the juice is old and probably not organic. Old food lacks essential vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes and much more. Vitamins and digestive enzymes are time, light, and heat sensitive. Non-organic foods contain harmful chemicals such as fungicides, pesticides, insecticides, chemical fertilizers and much more. Also, adding to that, “100% juice”-or not, even if it's organic, if it's bottled, it still isn’t good.
Now let's talk about orange juice. The government allows food companies to add
ingredients to their products without mentioning them on their labels. One newly discovered mystery ingredient added to most orange juices companies which we love called "Flavor Packs" is a chemical used to enhance whatever is left of that dead, watered-down, pasteurized, flavorless liquid. Most if not ALL of your familiar orange juice brands are custom to this. In their partial defense, they have to do it or else they wouldn't be in business. Pasteurizing prolongs shelf life and the chemical additives gives it the flavor of the fruit juice it is advertising. However, I eagerly condemn it!
This article also mentions that most of these companies sit their juice in tanks for up to a year before they are fully processed. Disgusting! I mean if it’s not fresh (days old), the most I would expect is juice that is weeks old. So despite most of these companies "100% juice" and "all- natural" claims, most of what they are doing to juice and putting in it deems it harmful and unhealthy.
My advice to those people that want to drink some good, healthy orange juice is to buy a bag of oranges, and a citrus juicer and make your own juice!
It is a little more expensive, but it is well worth it in the long run, in regards to your health.
It is THE healthy alternative, not to mention it is safe, unpasteurized, "flavor pack"-free and delicious!
http://updatednews.ca/2011/12/17/orange … nded-moms/
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sean.l.brereton
My poetry book:https://www.seanlbrereton.tumblr.com/
Super Potato by S. Brereton
Let’s talk about potatoes. No, not potato chips, no, not the French-fries neither, potatoes, good ole potatoes. Potatoes are the number one vegetable crop in the world! It is easy to harvest and is available all year around. They belong to the Solanaceae family. Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and tomatillos are also members of this family. They are the swollen portion of the underground stem called a tuber which provides food for the part of the plant above soil. These are probably some of the reasons why potatoes are so rich in nutrient content. One serving of potatoes offer 15% and more of the daily requirement of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, tryptophan, manganese and dietary fiber. Potatoes also have anticancer substances. They contain a variety of phytonutrients and powerful antioxidants. Some of these health-promoting compounds are carotenoids, flavonoids, and caffeic acid, as well as patatin which exhibit free radical activity. But what about the prettier potato, which many of us still, hasn’t met yet. It is the purple potato.
"The purple potato is native to the Lake Titicaca within the high plains and mountain slopes of Peru and Bolivia. They are among thousands of varieties that have been cultivated for nearly 8000 years in the Andean regions of Peru, Boliva, and Ecuador. The diversity of purple potato varieties, their resistance to disease and ability to withstand harsh conditions has allowed them to evolve for thousands of years into a 21st century food crop. Purple potatoes are cultivated in potato growing regions of South America, North America and Europe. "
It features all of these benefits of a white-fleshed potato but rich in one antioxidant white-fleshed potatoes lack. It is the antioxidant that purple potatoes are rich in, anthocyanin. It is a flavonoid mostly found in blue, red and purple produce and has been shown to be an immune system booster and aid in the prevention of most cancers. The purple potato’s nutritional value and energy rich properties helped explode its popularity in the late 20th and early 21st century. It has extremely high quantities of vitamins, antioxidants, and proteins propelling it to be what I call a super potato. So find out which one of your local produce markets carries it and enjoy it’s many health benefits today!
http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce … es_641.php
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sean.l.brereton
My poetry book:https://www.seanlbrereton.tumblr.com/
"The purple potato is native to the Lake Titicaca within the high plains and mountain slopes of Peru and Bolivia. They are among thousands of varieties that have been cultivated for nearly 8000 years in the Andean regions of Peru, Boliva, and Ecuador. The diversity of purple potato varieties, their resistance to disease and ability to withstand harsh conditions has allowed them to evolve for thousands of years into a 21st century food crop. Purple potatoes are cultivated in potato growing regions of South America, North America and Europe. "
It features all of these benefits of a white-fleshed potato but rich in one antioxidant white-fleshed potatoes lack. It is the antioxidant that purple potatoes are rich in, anthocyanin. It is a flavonoid mostly found in blue, red and purple produce and has been shown to be an immune system booster and aid in the prevention of most cancers. The purple potato’s nutritional value and energy rich properties helped explode its popularity in the late 20th and early 21st century. It has extremely high quantities of vitamins, antioxidants, and proteins propelling it to be what I call a super potato. So find out which one of your local produce markets carries it and enjoy it’s many health benefits today!
http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce … es_641.php
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sean.l.brereton
My poetry book:https://www.seanlbrereton.tumblr.com/
Dear Santa
Christmas is here and most people have a list of things reminding them of their “to do’s” or of “things to get” for your family, friends, whomever.
But let’s talk a little about that list you have had all year long. The list that describes how you want your partner to be, what you want them to look like and how much you want them to have. Many times these lists are created because of a bad experience from an ex, or from a movie we saw and aren’t really realistic.
The list can be important to help guide you on your journey into marriage. The list has two major reasons for existing:
1. To help you identify what you don’t want.
Having a list helps you sift out people who aren’t compatible. For example, many people may have on their list “someone who loves God” and that sifts out any potential prospect who doesn’t share that love for God as you do.
2. To show who you are.
The list identifies things that are important to you and reflect the type of person you are and what you would be able to bring to the relationship.
Creating your list probably took some time, effort and maybe even input from others close to you. It has its advantages; however, if the list isn’t realistic it can certainly be sabotaging you in your relationships and your journey into marriage. For example, if you place on your list that one of your preferences is someone who has purple hair, then you might miss the person who would be compatible with you but has turquoise hair. (You get the idea). Make sure that your list is helping you and not hurting you.
Tips on creating your list:
1. Pray on your list. Who knows you better than your Creator? Luke 12:7 says” Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows”
2. Write down characteristic traits. Write down how you would like your partner to be. For example, instead of writing that you’d like your wife to be a great cook, write instead that she is caring and giving. (She can always learn how to cook later, or you can choose to be the cook)
3. Do some reality testing with your list. It’s important to ask yourself, “Is this realistic for anyone?” or “Will I be able to be all these things?”
4. Shorten your list. How many things do you have on your list? Try and keep your list short, not more than ten things (and that’s pushing it)
5. Question others. Ask someone who you trust, about the things on your list. Ask them to be honest with you about what you have listed. Maybe they can give you some input on things that can be tweaked, subtracted, or added?
What’s on your list? Does it need some tweaking?
LU
Join LoveUnthorned.com
Follow us on Twitter @LoveUnthorned
‘Like’ us on Facebook
loveunthorned.blogspot.com
Contact us to speak about us at your church at loveunthorned@gmail.com
But let’s talk a little about that list you have had all year long. The list that describes how you want your partner to be, what you want them to look like and how much you want them to have. Many times these lists are created because of a bad experience from an ex, or from a movie we saw and aren’t really realistic.
The list can be important to help guide you on your journey into marriage. The list has two major reasons for existing:
1. To help you identify what you don’t want.
Having a list helps you sift out people who aren’t compatible. For example, many people may have on their list “someone who loves God” and that sifts out any potential prospect who doesn’t share that love for God as you do.
2. To show who you are.
The list identifies things that are important to you and reflect the type of person you are and what you would be able to bring to the relationship.
Creating your list probably took some time, effort and maybe even input from others close to you. It has its advantages; however, if the list isn’t realistic it can certainly be sabotaging you in your relationships and your journey into marriage. For example, if you place on your list that one of your preferences is someone who has purple hair, then you might miss the person who would be compatible with you but has turquoise hair. (You get the idea). Make sure that your list is helping you and not hurting you.
Tips on creating your list:
1. Pray on your list. Who knows you better than your Creator? Luke 12:7 says” Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows”
2. Write down characteristic traits. Write down how you would like your partner to be. For example, instead of writing that you’d like your wife to be a great cook, write instead that she is caring and giving. (She can always learn how to cook later, or you can choose to be the cook)
3. Do some reality testing with your list. It’s important to ask yourself, “Is this realistic for anyone?” or “Will I be able to be all these things?”
4. Shorten your list. How many things do you have on your list? Try and keep your list short, not more than ten things (and that’s pushing it)
5. Question others. Ask someone who you trust, about the things on your list. Ask them to be honest with you about what you have listed. Maybe they can give you some input on things that can be tweaked, subtracted, or added?
What’s on your list? Does it need some tweaking?
LU
Join LoveUnthorned.com
Follow us on Twitter @LoveUnthorned
‘Like’ us on Facebook
loveunthorned.blogspot.com
Contact us to speak about us at your church at loveunthorned@gmail.com
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