David Powlison's Seeing With New Eyes: Counseling and the Human Condition through the lens of Scripture
"I once talked with a woman who was picking through the rubble of her marriage. Her husband had treated her very badly, rejecting and betraying her. But she has also contributed to the demolitions of love. She had lived a lifestyle of fear, passivity, and what we came to call her 'I'll-wait-and-see-how-he'll-treat-me' attitude. Over the years she had drifted and nursed her self-pity, rather than wrestling with herself in order to love her husband and fighting to save her marriage. She now faced yet another fork in the road: either continue in the old lifestyle driven by fear of man or forge a new lifestyle driven by faith in Christ. She would have many opportunities to interact with him as the divorce proceedings played out.
"While all this is going on, Christ calls her to deal with God about the log in her own eye, He calls her to bring grace and forgiveness into the rubble. He calls her to speak candid, constructive words to her husband. He calls her to a bold humility, not a cowardly self-absorption.
"She was struggling with all this, but starting to light up. I could finally say to her, 'It is a hard row to hoe, isn't it? but you know that the worst thing that could happen is that you'll be rejected again. He might spurn your wisdom. So what? If you embrace what God is doing in setting you free of the crippling I'll wait-and-see-how-he'll-treat-me attitude, then the minimum good is that Christ is alive in you, and you know him and his love, and you change. And the best that can happen is that you can be an agent of the glory of God in this man's life, as well as with your kids, who observe every tone of voice and facial expression. God alone know, but it is possibly for this marriage to be restored. Your sins and his sins are the only two things making it incinerate. As you deal with yours and find grace, then you'll have grace to give. The rest is between your husband and the Lord.'...."
Monday, October 8, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Numbers 13-14 (Trust and Faith)
"You are now living in the real world. Happy for you." ~Spiritual Dad
The passage talks when 12 spies were called to check on the Promised Land. After 40 days, they brought with them fruits and news of what they saw. Ten spies said things that made people scared. However, Caleb told the Israelites that this land was the land the Lord had promised them and encouraged them that if the Lord was with them, the land would be theirs. But the people heard and saw only the things the ten spies told them. And the Lord was angry at them, though God was merciful, forgiving, slow to anger, and loved His own, God still had to punish them. God told them to leave the place and go back near the Red Sea and that anyone from 20yo up were to die first before Israel entered the Promised Land. The spies were also stricken a deadly sickness except Joshua and Caleb who trusted and had faith in God.
Me of little faith. I fail to focus on the good when I am in the down, especially when my emotions attack my physical body, I lose faith and trust.
Dear God, I am very sorry for my lack of faith and lack of trust. I am sorry for forgetting you and losing focus. Spare me your wrath, I am sorry. Please teach me. Enable me to remember you always. And though I have remembered you, enable me to stand against the pain, the hurt, the emotions attacking my spirit, mind, and body. Help me win against the deception of the enemy. Enable me to live according to your will. Let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Enable me to remember that I don't belong here and I belong in you. This place is just temporary, yet let me learn to live according to your will. Enable me to remember the promise that you are with me and you will fight my battles. Let me trust you. Have me faith that can move mountains. You are God and I am sorry I forget that many times when things don't go well. Help me, dear God. Let me be with you always. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
The passage talks when 12 spies were called to check on the Promised Land. After 40 days, they brought with them fruits and news of what they saw. Ten spies said things that made people scared. However, Caleb told the Israelites that this land was the land the Lord had promised them and encouraged them that if the Lord was with them, the land would be theirs. But the people heard and saw only the things the ten spies told them. And the Lord was angry at them, though God was merciful, forgiving, slow to anger, and loved His own, God still had to punish them. God told them to leave the place and go back near the Red Sea and that anyone from 20yo up were to die first before Israel entered the Promised Land. The spies were also stricken a deadly sickness except Joshua and Caleb who trusted and had faith in God.
Me of little faith. I fail to focus on the good when I am in the down, especially when my emotions attack my physical body, I lose faith and trust.
Dear God, I am very sorry for my lack of faith and lack of trust. I am sorry for forgetting you and losing focus. Spare me your wrath, I am sorry. Please teach me. Enable me to remember you always. And though I have remembered you, enable me to stand against the pain, the hurt, the emotions attacking my spirit, mind, and body. Help me win against the deception of the enemy. Enable me to live according to your will. Let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Enable me to remember that I don't belong here and I belong in you. This place is just temporary, yet let me learn to live according to your will. Enable me to remember the promise that you are with me and you will fight my battles. Let me trust you. Have me faith that can move mountains. You are God and I am sorry I forget that many times when things don't go well. Help me, dear God. Let me be with you always. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Numbers 12 (Jealousy)
This passage is about sibling rivalry and jealousy between Aaron and Miriam towards Moses because God talks close to Moses. God doesn't excuse jealousy, He speaks to Moses because he is the least proud person that time and God trusts that he can lead the people.
I still don't seem to understand the gravity of jealousy. What about it that the 2 siblings would be jealous of Moses because God favored Moses more because Moses was humble, and God became angry with the two?
I got jealous with a spiritual sister (a year older than me) because our spiritual mother (former) favored her more or hugged her more, taught her about God more. I got jealous like I was jealous when I was 5yo towards my baby brother. My doctor and her told me that she had given me the special attention and would take more time and patience with me. However, because of my jealousy (also towards her boyfriend), my church mother got angry at me and one of the reasons she left me.
I get jealous, envious, and then self-pity when I see people doing what I wish for but cannot even have, such as a hug, a quality time with others...and because I don't belong or I'm weird, I'm a loner. I've had many counselors/help already, and they just leave and give up. Would I also experience this with my new spiritual mom? What about my spiritual dad? Both of them are no longer of my city. Dad left because he needed to be near his father's family. Mom only came here for an on-the-job training from her seminary. They're reasonable. At least they didn't leave me by giving up. They only physically left unlike the others, they neglected.
I still don't seem to understand the gravity of jealousy. What about it that the 2 siblings would be jealous of Moses because God favored Moses more because Moses was humble, and God became angry with the two?
I got jealous with a spiritual sister (a year older than me) because our spiritual mother (former) favored her more or hugged her more, taught her about God more. I got jealous like I was jealous when I was 5yo towards my baby brother. My doctor and her told me that she had given me the special attention and would take more time and patience with me. However, because of my jealousy (also towards her boyfriend), my church mother got angry at me and one of the reasons she left me.
I get jealous, envious, and then self-pity when I see people doing what I wish for but cannot even have, such as a hug, a quality time with others...and because I don't belong or I'm weird, I'm a loner. I've had many counselors/help already, and they just leave and give up. Would I also experience this with my new spiritual mom? What about my spiritual dad? Both of them are no longer of my city. Dad left because he needed to be near his father's family. Mom only came here for an on-the-job training from her seminary. They're reasonable. At least they didn't leave me by giving up. They only physically left unlike the others, they neglected.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Numbers 10 - 11 (Trust)
God is a Guide. He is THE LORD. He gives yet he also punishes.
God is scary. We/I shouldn't be demanding to have what I really want, and then not be so greedy when I have it.
The Israelites complained wanted more food than what they already have. Moses became very angry that he complained to God that why was he chosen to lead this people who wanted their way, yet He still trusted God and obeyed, telling the people what God had said. God still gave what the Israelites wanted but killed them those who were so greedy. God also shared Moses' responsibility to prophesy to other leaders to comfort and help Moses even for just this one time.
God is a Provider and Comforter. If we/I just share to God my worries, concerns, and complains to him, yet still trust and obey, God will grant something good for me.
He is God and He can't be underestimated.
Dear God, I am imperfect and I sin against you. For some times, if not many times, I lose focus of you and follow my own ways, trust my own terms. I am sorry. Enable me to always rely on you, remember you, be mindful you. Teach me to be more and more like you, to be more like Christ. Forgive me, dear God. Don't be angry at me. Thank you for the people you brought to me. Thank you for reaching out to me through your Word and your people. I pray, dear God, that they, this time, will not leave me, that we will not fight. I pray, dear God, that for those who have failed me. They may not know that they have failed and and wronged me. Father, forgive them. Though, in my heart, I am very hurt and I want them to repay for what they have done. God let me, enable me to forgive them as you would forgive me. There are in your hands. Just let me get to know you more, have more time with you. Enjoy and glorify you, my Lord, my God, my Father. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Dear God, I am imperfect and I sin against you. For some times, if not many times, I lose focus of you and follow my own ways, trust my own terms. I am sorry. Enable me to always rely on you, remember you, be mindful you. Teach me to be more and more like you, to be more like Christ. Forgive me, dear God. Don't be angry at me. Thank you for the people you brought to me. Thank you for reaching out to me through your Word and your people. I pray, dear God, that they, this time, will not leave me, that we will not fight. I pray, dear God, that for those who have failed me. They may not know that they have failed and and wronged me. Father, forgive them. Though, in my heart, I am very hurt and I want them to repay for what they have done. God let me, enable me to forgive them as you would forgive me. There are in your hands. Just let me get to know you more, have more time with you. Enjoy and glorify you, my Lord, my God, my Father. In Jesus' name, Amen.
I'm back
Hello Blogger.
It's been so long. Here's a quick update. My "rest" is done.
I am back to my home church, obeying God to set an example to the believers in speech, in love, in life, in faith, and purity (1 Tim. 4:12), and to follow and serve God in His terms. It's going to be a difficult challenge for me, especially that I have to somehow help reform my home church. There's still an awkward connection with my church mother though.
I have also, finally, found a job. My boss is a church mate. This is a privilege and an opportunity to grow up (literally) and for Christ. Be taught, trained, and be equipped to become a leader.
I'm still a bit a lone ranger Christian, but with my new spiritual mother from another city is willing to help me out. She's going to call. I would still be contacting my spiritual father.
Anyway.. =)
It's been so long. Here's a quick update. My "rest" is done.
I am back to my home church, obeying God to set an example to the believers in speech, in love, in life, in faith, and purity (1 Tim. 4:12), and to follow and serve God in His terms. It's going to be a difficult challenge for me, especially that I have to somehow help reform my home church. There's still an awkward connection with my church mother though.
I have also, finally, found a job. My boss is a church mate. This is a privilege and an opportunity to grow up (literally) and for Christ. Be taught, trained, and be equipped to become a leader.
"It is an opportunity from God that He had called me to be where I am so that I may glorify His name by making Him known to others."There may be some changes. My next entries would be journals, mostly from devotionals.
I'm still a bit a lone ranger Christian, but with my new spiritual mother from another city is willing to help me out. She's going to call. I would still be contacting my spiritual father.
Anyway.. =)
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