Finished off tonight at college with the following poem by Michael Leunig (he has quite a way with words!)
When the heart
Is cut or cracked or broken
Do not clutch it
Let the wound lie open
Let the wind
From the good old sea blow in
To bathe the wound with salt
And let it sting
Let a stray dog lick it
Let a bird lean in the hole and sing
A simple song like a tiny bell
And let it ring
Reminds me of my Christmas present to Jesus last year!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Blog by mail??
A friend of mine who lives a few hours north of me, and I, have decided that we are going to take part in an event (for want of a better word!), called Blogging by mail!
We found it at Anne's food blogspot (a place I often go to for cooking inspiration!), and you follow the link to Dispensing Happiness and she will share the instructions on how to go about taking part in it!
Try it out, and see what you think!
We found it at Anne's food blogspot (a place I often go to for cooking inspiration!), and you follow the link to Dispensing Happiness and she will share the instructions on how to go about taking part in it!
Try it out, and see what you think!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Forgiveness and essays..!:)
I am trying hard to get my head around my assignements that have due dates that are approaching rapidly! I am having fun reading up on the topics and deciding what exactly I am going to write about- though am having issues with all the technical jargon that comes with counselling...!
But anyways! The reason I write here tonight, is forgiveness! I am doing an essay on Forgiveness as related to counselling practice and theory.
So, forgiveness! I have been thinking through what happens when we do, or do not forgive someone, or God even, for something that has happened, whatever it is.
My brainstorming has got me this far, but I wondered if you could help and add some more to the lists...? Feel free to go for your life, would love to hear what you have to say!
But for now, my list is as such:
To forgive:
Freedom
Release
Joy
Wholeness
Can move on with life, relationships, direction, and purpose.
Forgiveness brings life, space for the Fruit of the Spirit to grow!
(Short list.... i know there is much more, but these are pretty encompassing)
NOT to forgive:
Guilt
Anger
Rage
Stress
Destructive relationships
Fester
Eats away at the person, and relationships
Manifests itself in other ways, and relationships
Stuck in the situation, feelings, can’t move on
brokenness
Symptom of other things that aren’t right
Impatience
Un-forgiveness needs something to feed on, takes energy, time, is a downward cycle.
Others suffer for it
I was reminded of what the Bible says about this too, so finish of with some encouragement to all
Ephesians 4:30-32 (NIV)
30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Thanks:)
But anyways! The reason I write here tonight, is forgiveness! I am doing an essay on Forgiveness as related to counselling practice and theory.
So, forgiveness! I have been thinking through what happens when we do, or do not forgive someone, or God even, for something that has happened, whatever it is.
My brainstorming has got me this far, but I wondered if you could help and add some more to the lists...? Feel free to go for your life, would love to hear what you have to say!
But for now, my list is as such:
To forgive:
Freedom
Release
Joy
Wholeness
Can move on with life, relationships, direction, and purpose.
Forgiveness brings life, space for the Fruit of the Spirit to grow!
(Short list.... i know there is much more, but these are pretty encompassing)
NOT to forgive:
Guilt
Anger
Rage
Stress
Destructive relationships
Fester
Eats away at the person, and relationships
Manifests itself in other ways, and relationships
Stuck in the situation, feelings, can’t move on
brokenness
Symptom of other things that aren’t right
Impatience
Un-forgiveness needs something to feed on, takes energy, time, is a downward cycle.
Others suffer for it
I was reminded of what the Bible says about this too, so finish of with some encouragement to all
Ephesians 4:30-32 (NIV)
30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Thanks:)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
How does one say...
How do I say…
- You are loved- in the right way that is heard
- You are missed- that you hear I value your friendship in my life
- I want to help- in a way that is truly helpful
- I am here if you need me- no matter how near or far away that may be
- You are special to me- that I want to learn and understand how best to be a friend to you
- You can trust me- to be here, no matter what
- You are safe- there is nothing to judge and find wanting.
- There is no pressure to be anyone but who you are- that’s the person I care about, who’s friendship I value so highly, the whole person.
- You are loved- in the right way that is heard
- You are missed- that you hear I value your friendship in my life
- I want to help- in a way that is truly helpful
- I am here if you need me- no matter how near or far away that may be
- You are special to me- that I want to learn and understand how best to be a friend to you
- You can trust me- to be here, no matter what
- You are safe- there is nothing to judge and find wanting.
- There is no pressure to be anyone but who you are- that’s the person I care about, who’s friendship I value so highly, the whole person.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Hasten slowly
For some time now, I have been thinking through what it means to hasten slowly, in its various thoughts and concepts! As I have settled back in, in many ways, I have felt like the brakes have been on, that while I have recognised the pressure that's placed on each of us (inadvertantly) to be busy, busy, busy, I haven't specifically felt overwhelmed with the need to live under that expectation.
Tod Boslinger describes it by saying “We should pay attention to the difference between hastening to what is important, and hurrying after what is not. Between hastening to hug, to care, to forgive and to serve and hurrying around frazzled, distracted and spent. Between being busy as an outward reality and being hurried as an inner state of being.”
I put that in my most recent newsletter, and had some most intriguing responses, which have me continuing to think on the topic, and how long I hav ebeen thinking along these lines, even without realising it. One person wrote back saying ' it is God who leads us but the devil who drives us....so we can distinguish who is behind our motivation if we feel driven (the enemy) or led (God). How cool, is that! And challenging too!!
Anyway, something to keep thinking about!:)
Tod Boslinger describes it by saying “We should pay attention to the difference between hastening to what is important, and hurrying after what is not. Between hastening to hug, to care, to forgive and to serve and hurrying around frazzled, distracted and spent. Between being busy as an outward reality and being hurried as an inner state of being.”
I put that in my most recent newsletter, and had some most intriguing responses, which have me continuing to think on the topic, and how long I hav ebeen thinking along these lines, even without realising it. One person wrote back saying ' it is God who leads us but the devil who drives us....so we can distinguish who is behind our motivation if we feel driven (the enemy) or led (God). How cool, is that! And challenging too!!
Anyway, something to keep thinking about!:)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Silent vs silence
I was reminded tonight of why I started a blog in the first place.... in some circumstances, times, with certain people and contexts, I have absolutely nothing to say, and am, to all extents, completely silent. It may not be because I have nothing to say- far from it, but because of whatever is happening, I have absolutely no desire to share!
As a person though, who is far more comfortable being silent and listening to others, it's always an interesting situation when I suddenly find myself in a place where I am the one doing all the speaking... and communicating, though. Of being the one listened to. One such examle of recent times has been in interviews (eugh!). It's funny being on the other side of the silence barrier, and wondering what on earth the silence means. Sometimes it's a comfortable silence, and other times it's really not. And at other times again- I just can't 'read' the silence. Most of all though, it makes me wonder what people think of the times when I am silent, or just listening.
That said though, it was an interesting weekend last weekend, when I spent 4 days with 2 different groups of people, almost completely unknown to me.... and I had almost completely lost my voice, and was therefore forced into silence..!:)
As a person though, who is far more comfortable being silent and listening to others, it's always an interesting situation when I suddenly find myself in a place where I am the one doing all the speaking... and communicating, though. Of being the one listened to. One such examle of recent times has been in interviews (eugh!). It's funny being on the other side of the silence barrier, and wondering what on earth the silence means. Sometimes it's a comfortable silence, and other times it's really not. And at other times again- I just can't 'read' the silence. Most of all though, it makes me wonder what people think of the times when I am silent, or just listening.
That said though, it was an interesting weekend last weekend, when I spent 4 days with 2 different groups of people, almost completely unknown to me.... and I had almost completely lost my voice, and was therefore forced into silence..!:)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Human nature and counselling
Well, I am technically well and truly into semester and all that it involves! There have been hiccups, but in all, the biggest problem already is the lack of time, and I just don't know where to start in terms of reading the books I currently have, so I can at least try to make a start on the HUGE assignments that are due just around the corner!
But for now, here's something I read in " The biblical basis of Christian Counselling for people helpers" the other day.
Human being are not hollow on the inside, empty selves who hide behind masks and have no purpose for living or no hope for the future except decomposition after death. Instead, we are created in God's image, valuable to Him despite our sinfulness, and challenged to be pure and holy. We can bring honor to God, even in the way we eat, drink, work, or engage in other of our daily activities, including counseling. At death, though out bodies return to dust, each of us has a spirit soul that continues to live and eventually will be reunited with our resurrected bodies. For believers there is promise of an eternity with Christ, where there are none of the tears we see in our counseling rooms.
Gary Collins Phd (In terms of the tears...Maria adds-0r anywhere else for that matter!:))
How cool is that! I love the reminder that we are indeed valuable to God in all our brokeness, and that no matter what our lives look like now, we have the promise of eternity with Christ. What an amazing gift for each of us, and gift we can pass on to others in all we do, say and are!
But for now, here's something I read in " The biblical basis of Christian Counselling for people helpers" the other day.
Human being are not hollow on the inside, empty selves who hide behind masks and have no purpose for living or no hope for the future except decomposition after death. Instead, we are created in God's image, valuable to Him despite our sinfulness, and challenged to be pure and holy. We can bring honor to God, even in the way we eat, drink, work, or engage in other of our daily activities, including counseling. At death, though out bodies return to dust, each of us has a spirit soul that continues to live and eventually will be reunited with our resurrected bodies. For believers there is promise of an eternity with Christ, where there are none of the tears we see in our counseling rooms.
Gary Collins Phd (In terms of the tears...Maria adds-0r anywhere else for that matter!:))
How cool is that! I love the reminder that we are indeed valuable to God in all our brokeness, and that no matter what our lives look like now, we have the promise of eternity with Christ. What an amazing gift for each of us, and gift we can pass on to others in all we do, say and are!
Monday, August 04, 2008
Leading by example..
On Sunday at church, the person speaking was sharing about various things, but one thing that was talked about was love. Specifically 1 John 4:19, which says 'we love because he first loved us.'
It reminded me again, of when I became a christian, and how I was taught by the overwhelming and daily example of others, and seeing them love Jesus, and love each other as a result. Through them, I learned about who Jesus really is, and came to know him properly for myself.
It got me thinking about how we all learn best, how children learn through the example of their parents, and those around them, especially when it's stuff that parents don't want their children to pick up..:)
But what happens when people, whoever they are aren't loved first (yes, I know God does love all of us), aren't cared for in a way they understand, who aren't shown the difference between right and wrong.... who is going to come in and show them love, care, joy, compassion, thoughtfullness, grace if someone doesn't first show them to us. How would we know how it feels if we don't have the opportunity to experience it ourselves...? We can hear about it from others, read it in books and the Bible, but till we experience it ourselves...
Something to continue to think about...:)
It reminded me again, of when I became a christian, and how I was taught by the overwhelming and daily example of others, and seeing them love Jesus, and love each other as a result. Through them, I learned about who Jesus really is, and came to know him properly for myself.
It got me thinking about how we all learn best, how children learn through the example of their parents, and those around them, especially when it's stuff that parents don't want their children to pick up..:)
But what happens when people, whoever they are aren't loved first (yes, I know God does love all of us), aren't cared for in a way they understand, who aren't shown the difference between right and wrong.... who is going to come in and show them love, care, joy, compassion, thoughtfullness, grace if someone doesn't first show them to us. How would we know how it feels if we don't have the opportunity to experience it ourselves...? We can hear about it from others, read it in books and the Bible, but till we experience it ourselves...
Something to continue to think about...:)
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Friends and 'Friends'
I have been thinking a bit about some of the friends I have, and how contexts and circumstances bring different things to light. With the revolution of Facebook and facebook friends, I have been really struck again by Facebook friends I have, vs actual friends(beit on facebook, or in person!). Sometimes I feel like I observe people's lives from the outside, and know about them, and what they are up to, but when I see them in person... I suddently think... are we friends, or just virtual friends? Do I know them enough to go up and say hi... or.... not??
I was reading one of my textbooks for college about the biblical basis for counselling, and we were reminded that... it is important, too, to recognize that knowing ABOUT God is not the same as KNOWING God...! It's an interesting comparison to make, and in the case of God, a personal relationship can't be fakes, assumed, or glossed over. We each need to know him ourselves!
We all need to be in relationship with each other, not in our own little virtual zone of the world, but sometimes it can become a false sense of security against the potential fears of getting out there, and knowing others, and being known.. much more fun than the virtual replica:)
I was reading one of my textbooks for college about the biblical basis for counselling, and we were reminded that... it is important, too, to recognize that knowing ABOUT God is not the same as KNOWING God...! It's an interesting comparison to make, and in the case of God, a personal relationship can't be fakes, assumed, or glossed over. We each need to know him ourselves!
We all need to be in relationship with each other, not in our own little virtual zone of the world, but sometimes it can become a false sense of security against the potential fears of getting out there, and knowing others, and being known.. much more fun than the virtual replica:)
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