Relationships
What's On Your Soul?
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- Category: Relationships
- Published on Monday, 20 February 2012 12:22
- Written by Damon Booker
- Hits: 3
I have been a victim of my past. I am guilty of holding those in my present, hostage to my past pains. How can we get past the past? No matter how hard we try, the past constantly rears its ugly head. It's not that I hate my past, it's what makes me me, however it is what makes me... me.
I am a firm believer that God allows us to struggle, so that we may be molded into the creature of God that He intended for us to be. We must stop allowing the devil to use our "forging" for his evil, when these experiences are meant to bring out the God in us. We must also make sure that we are not allowing the difficult times to bring about the demise of our relationships... but their growth.
As a child, we were allowed (even encouraged) to explore and experience life. I recall when I was caught trying to stick a fork into an electric socket. My mother tried to kill me. I guess it's better for her to kill me, instead of electricity. However when I attempted to get a chicken pot pie out of the oven, my mom stood by and watched me get burned. You see, she had warned me many times to not to touch the stove. I was too young, so she allowed me the opportunity to learn the hard way. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Right? Well my mother knew that the electric socket would kill me but the oven would only scare me.
I believe there are 3 types of scares. There are light, deep and/or lifetime scares. That day, with the chicken pot pie, my mom allowed me to receive a light scare. The light scares teaches you a lesson with leaving little to no damage at all. These scares are a necessary evil to life, so we may learn something valuable, however the great thing about them, for the most part... their mere blemishes.
Next, there are the deep scares. Deep scares leave marks that can last for a lifetime. The scariest thing about deep scares, is the fact that you do not know the extent of the damage until much later. These scares have so much damaged tissue on top of it, the severity of the wound is hidden. Similar to an old athletic injury that ails when the weather changes, deep scares rear their ugly heads, when life conditions resemble those of how the wounds were obtained. Deep scares plague the damaged and corrupts their perception. Do you recall when you had your feelings hurt?
There was a time when I had a girlfriend tell me I looked good, however if I lost some weight I would be fine! Was that a compliment? I didn't think so. Since that episode, I have been a little sensitive about my weight. That sensitivity is what drives us to pain. A pain that shakes the core foundation of our being and it's the intensity of that shockwave that causes deep wounds to become lifetime wounds. It is through the mishandling/mistreatment of these deep wounds that causes us to suffer throughout our lives. We must believe in the healing powers of God and the fact that any and I mean ANY damage that has been caused, HE CAN RESTORE. We are incapable of healing our own damage, forgiving wrong doings, overcoming strongholds without the aid of the Almighty.
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. (Jeremiah 17:14 KJV)
Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. (Jeremiah 33:6 KJV)
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 KJV)
What doesn't kill you... makes you stronger?!?
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- Category: Relationships
- Published on Wednesday, 15 February 2012 00:14
- Written by Damon Booker
- Hits: 5
They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger... Is this true?!? And if so, how?!? I mean I understand the concept, however I disagree with the fruit of the subject. I challenge you to think on it... if you endure enough, you will become stronger. But at what cost?!? Ex. Let's say a man works a farm and plows his fields. His hands then form calluses from his labor. These sores will hurt and burn for some time, however after some time the skin of his hands will reform and become tougher. So, from that moment on, his hands are more resilient to damage, harder to hurt and just plain STRONGER! Would his touch still feel the same? Would his wife be able to tell the difference in his touch? How about his children? Would this once delicate caress now be hurtful and painful? Would his family accept his affections or recoil from it? So I say... what doesn't kill you make make you stronger... however that strength comes at a cost. It is through Christ that allows us not to lose ourself within these moments.
So, I pray that you, as relationship participates, remind yourself that as you battle against the enemy, yourselves and/or the world, maintain your conversation with God, so He may soften the effect of the situation.
Ad I travel a dark wilderness within my own life, I seek God's voice and will more than ever. For my flesh wishes to rage and turn upon all that I feel has accosted me. I pray that God softens my heart and keep me open to His ways; So my calloused hands may remain soft enough to give affection.
I Am Truly Blessed
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- Category: Relationships
- Published on Friday, 27 January 2012 02:32
- Written by Damon Booker
- Hits: 28
I am extremely blessed to have been added to the Gospel360online company and family. I have been granted the privilege of sharing love and relationship advice with you, our Gospel360online audience. My promise to you, i will never speak a word, that is not aligned to God's word. I take the responsibility of helping you mature, strengthen and nurture your relationships and grow your ability to love very serious; And I alone am incapable, however with aid of the Holy Spirit...Whoa!
We are fortunate to be loved by such a magnificent God and through HIS love we are shown the greatest example of how we are to love. Trust in HIS word and believe in HIS promise, for HE wants what is best for you (Jeremiah 29:11).
Please meditate on this scripture and ask yourself, "Do I truly love?"
He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins. Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another. No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completion (to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected) in us! (1 John 4:8-12 AMP)
The Relationship Prayer
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- Category: Relationships
- Published on Thursday, 09 February 2012 23:19
- Written by Damon Booker
- Hits: 13
We all know that there is power in prayer. Here is a prayer, that God helped me create, that you can use. There is power in numbers, so please recite this with your wife, husband and/or significant other. (1 Peter 3:7 , Matt. 8:20)
The Relationship Prayer
My heavenly father, I thank you for your presence, faithfulness and grace
we rely on you for all things
and you have never failed us
so I ask you to intercede within our relationship
to take the reins of our individual lives and create a unity where you are the bind
deter me from allowing too much of me
within this union
but to encourage more of you
your word said if there are 2 or 3 are gathered
you are within the midst
I rest on your word
I believe in your promise
I trust in your love
so I ask you to build us up
in You
soften our hearts
so we may better love
shorten our memories
so we may forgive easily
open our minds
to the world outside our own
so we may be open to compromising
impart upon us the understanding of Christ
and the fruits of your spirit
grant us a godlike soul
a Jesus like dicipline
God
be our foundation
where we may place our love upon
in this a pray
AMEN
Being Fully Present, Open And Willing
- Details
- Category: Relationships
- Published on Monday, 26 December 2011 14:57
- Written by Iyanla Vanzant
- Hits: 82
I will know peace when... I am fully present in love in order to experience the full benefits of love.
There are many ways to exit a relationship. You can exit mentally by demonstrating that you are preoccupied by more important thoughts. You can exit emotionally by finding somewhere else to express and experience your passion. You can exit physically by finding ways and excuses for not being present. Or, you can leave spiritually by removing your trust, your respect, your love, your compassion from what you do and what you say.
Sometimes we exit a relationship because of unresolved feelings of anger or betrayal, stemming from past experiences. More often than now we exit a relationship because we feel we are not getting the love we need. Unfortunately, we often blame the other person when our desires are not met. In reality, we haven't asked for what we want or need.
How often have you honestly expressed to your partner exactly what you want or why you want it? When was the last time you shared with your partner how you will feel when you get it the thing you need? How can you expect to get what you want if you don't ask for it? How can you expect to receive the things you say you want if you are not physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually present to receive them?
There are some cases when we know, without a doubt that the time has come to leave a relationship. This is not the kind of exit we are examining here. We are talking about taking your mind, your body, your heart or your soul out of where you are being loved because you are not getting what you have not asked for. This type of exit is not only self destructive, it is a sure-fire way to ensure that you never get the very thing you say you want. Could it be that you really don't believe you deserve it?
Until today, you may have remained in a relationship that you exited a long time ago. Just for today, be present enough to ask for what you want, and remain present long enough to receive it.
Today I am devoted to being fully present, open, and willing to receive the things I say I want in a relationship!
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