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
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