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

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      

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.      

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/     

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/     

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      

Monday, December 19, 2011

You don't have to wear a cape!

It has been implanted in our brains by our television screens, our books, our fairytale DVDs, our parents, our friends, and our culture. The idea can be so detrimental to our lives because it affects different parts of our lives in many ways.

Strong, Masculine, Hero, ‘Knight in Shining Armor’, Powerful, Protector, Prince Charming.

What comes to your mind as you hear those words/phrases?

More often than not, in many Cultures, these are the words used to describe a man.
In our society, men are supposed to be all of these things plus more. And if they fall outside of these requirements they are often looked down upon and looked at as weak.

How many times have you witnessed a guy being called a sissy because he didn’t catch the baseball, or he wanted to take the Home economics class instead of Auto-tech, or he was smaller than his peers, or because he didn’t know how to fix his car? These are the lies that our society has fed us.

The Bible has a different view of the characteristics a man should aspire to have.

From the Bible we can gather that God wants a man to:

1. Live by God’s example. In Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”.
2. Be a team with his partner. Genesis 2:24 we read, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh".
3. Loving. 1 Peter 3:7 “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect…”
4. God-fearing. Deuteronomy 6:1-9 “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”

The Bible does not describe the ideal man to be someone who doesn’t cry (after-all, Jesus wept), is good at sports, knows what, when, and how to talk to a woman. Every man is different. Men were not meant to be Prince Charming or the Knight in Shining Armor.

We have to change our view of how we perceive a “Real man”. Until we do that, we will always search or aspire for something that doesn’t exist. If you’re a woman, you will not be able to recognize who God has sent for you because you’re too busy looking for a Prince riding on his white horse, or in today's times, a 2012 BMW. Instead of looking down upon the man who doesn’t wear the latest fashion or drive the newest car, give him a second look. He might have all the important stuff on your list (and we’ll get to that list later).

For males, with so many opinions on who you’re supposed to be, what you’re supposed to be like and how you’re supposed to be it, I encourage you to let go of society’s lies and be who you are and embrace the truths of the Bible. This fairytale idea can be so damaging because you are placed in this tug of war between society’s rules that are constantly changing. God created you unique, don’t try and fit into another person’s idea of perfection.

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