Un- Godly Soul Ties
|
Posted:Jun 18, 2006 7:53 am
Last Updated:Mar 8, 2010 7:31 am 1408 Views
|
Gen 2:24
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
This is a spiritual principle that many people don’t fully understand. This verse of scripture says that when a husband and wife are joined together, they become one. Within the bounds of marriage, when they are joined together sexually, there is a bonding of the souls. In Genesis 34:2-3,8 it says, “that their souls clave together.” (KJV) The word clave in the King James Version is from the Hebrew word “dabaq” which means, “to be joined together; to cling or adhere to.” There is also a bonding of the souls between a man and woman who are not married to each other.
1 Cor 6:16
16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh."
God has ordained marriage and the sexual intimacy that a husband and wife share with each other. From the very beginning, Satan has taken what God has created and tried to pervert it, and has come up with his counterfeit of the original. In this generation of “If it feels good, do it,” Satan has convinced many people that sexual relations outside of marriage is the perfectly normal thing to do. He tells them, “Everybody is doing it,” but he doesn’t tell them of the consequences of their actions. Some of those consequences can be unwanted pregnancies and sexual diseases, but these are the things that we see with our eyes. There are also some consequences that will be reaped which can’t be seen with the eye.
Remember, when a man and woman comes together in a sexual union there is a bonding of the souls. Within the confines of marriage, this can be called a “Godly soul tie.” Outside of marriage, there is still a bonding of the souls, and this is called an “ungodly soul tie.” This is Satan’s counterfeit of the original.
1 Cor 6:16-20
16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh."
17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
The word of God says “when we commit sexual immorality, we are sinning against our own body.” This is where “ungodly soul ties” are made. When a man and woman comes together in a sexual relationship, there is a bonding and there is a tearing. A piece of that man’s soul cleaves to the woman, and a piece of the woman’s soul cleaves to the man. This will occur even if it was just a “one night stand.” Many people, including some in the church, have left pieces of themselves all over the world. We are created in the image and likeness of God, and when Satan can get us to sin against our own body, it is an affront to God.
These “ungodly soul ties” will open the door for evil spirits to enter into our life. Anytime we sin and don’t deal with it quickly, we will always give place to the devil, and he will never miss an opportunity to enter into our lives and set up house. This is a spiritual principle from Ephesians 4:26-27.
Prov 29:6
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
This snare that results from the ungodly soul ties will be an evil spirit that will enter into our life and begin to bring torment. There is also an added snare that many people receive whenever they have a sexual relationship outside of marriage. We have all heard the saying, “A man who lays down by a with fleas, gets up with fleas.” There is a parallel in the spiritual realm to this, and it is, “Whenever you lay down with someone to commit sexual immorality, you will get up with the same evil spirits they had.” 1 Cor. 5:6 asks the question, “Do you not know, that a little leaven will leaven the whole lump?” A little bit of sin that we allow into our life will quickly spread and bring corruption to every part of our life.
If we have made an “ungodly soul tie” at some time in our past, and it has not been broken, it will hinder any future relationships that we may enter into. It will keep us from properly bonding with our spouses. If you have gotten a divorce and are remarried, those soul ties from that previous marriage are still there. Just because you have a piece of paper in hand that says the marriage is over, doesn’t nullify the principles that God spoke forth from the beginning. Marriage is a covenant relationship and not a contract. It is very important that all ungodly soul ties be broken, and also those from previous relationships.
Have you ever heard people talking about a marriage where the husband is very abusive to the wife, even to the point of beating her? Then you hear that she finally couldn’t take it anymore, and leaves him, only to return after a short time. You may ask yourself, “How could she return to that kind of lifestyle?” It’s because of the soul tie that has been made and it seems that there is an invisible cord between them. This can explain how two people can have a sexual relationship, even if only once, and still after many years have thoughts of one another they just can’t seem to get rid of. It’s because of the soul tie, and until it’s broken, you will never be totally free.
I’m also going to share something with you that many people have a problem with, and frankly I don’t fully understand myself, but I know that it happens. Whenever a person, man or woman, is sexually abused or assaulted, ungodly soul ties can be made. Also, as unfair as it may seem, there can be a transference of evil spirits to the victim. It is very important that these soul ties be broken and all ties to the one who committed the abuse or assault be severed through prayer.
Before we go into how these ungodly soul ties can be broken, I want to talk about two other areas that can be a serious problem in many people’s lives. Whenever a husband and wife have a baby and hold it in their arms for the first time, there is a bonding of the souls between parent and baby. God has ordained this and it is a godly soul tie, and many times it can be much stronger between mother and . The problem arises when the grows up and gets to the place that he or she should be getting ready to go out into the world on their own. But, instead of the parent breaking the “apron strings,” they continue to try and control the young man or young woman’s life, and make decisions for them that they should be learning to make for themselves. When this begins to occur, the soul tie that was once godly, becomes ungodly and needs to be broken. If it continues, this will become nothing more than witchcraft. Witchcraft seeks to control, dominate, and manipulate someone else. Sometimes, with this type of parent- relationship, it may seem that they can’t live without each other, or that they just seem to know what the other is doing or thinking. This is not of God, because God does not allow us to know other people’s thoughts.
The other area where soul ties can be formed, is in relationships where two people are just close friends.
1 Sam 18:1
1 Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
In this passage of scripture in 1 Samuel, we see that David and Jonathan became such close friends, that their souls became knitted or bonded together. David and Jonathan both esteemed the other more highly than themselves, and neither one tried to control the other’s life. In God’s eyes, this was considered a godly soul tie. Many times, two people will become close friends, and before long it seems that one can’t function without the other. One will begin to try and control the other’s life, and the one that is being controlled won’t be able to breathe or make a move without the other one knowing about it. This has become an ungodly soul tie and the one being controlled has come under the control of a spirit of witchcraft. This person needs to break the ungodly soul tie that has been formed and end this relationship.
How to break ungodly soul ties
1. Make sure that all unforgiveness has been dealt with. See "Do you have ought against any?" This will be listed on the Deliverance Teaching Index page.
2. Be willing to submit yourself to the Lord and come under His Lordship.
3. Be willing to acknowledge and confess any sexual immorality leading to the ungodly soul tie as sin.
Prayer of release
Dear Lord:
I want to be free from every “Ungodly soul tie” that I have ever made. I now confess to you as sin any actions that may have led to the “Ungodly soul tie.” Forgive me Lord, and close that doorway into my life. Separate me from the iniquity with the Blood of Jesus. (If you have been sexually abused or assaulted, you need to forgive those responsible, calling out their names verbally, and ask God to forgive them also). Lord, I now ask you to return to me, any part of my soul that may be attached to another person. Return to every person, any part of their soul that may be attached to me. Restore the fragments, Lord, and heal my soul. In the Name of Jesus, I take authority over every evil spirit that has gained entranceway into my life because of these “Ungodly soul ties,” and I command you to leave me NOW! I reclaim all surrendered ground in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Note: If you are aware of any spirits of sexual perversity such as lust, etc., that may be afflicting or tormenting you, this would be the perfect time to renounce those spirits by name, and command them to leave you in the Name of Jesus.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Generational Curses... Breaking Free
|
Posted:Jun 18, 2006 7:46 am
Last Updated:Mar 8, 2010 7:32 am 1349 Views
|
Iniquities of the Fathers
Exod 34
7 "keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the INIQUITY of the fathers upon the and the 's to the third and the fourth generation." (Emphasis mine)
For much too long the church has talked about the finished work of Christ on the cross, but too often we have not been told we must appropriate every part of that finished work. We must go beyond just having knowledge of the finished work of Christ at the cross and realize that knowledge alone will never set us free. We must apply the knowledge of that finished work to gain freedom and liberty in every area of our lives.
John 8:32 says, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Emphasis mine) Many people have read that verse of scripture over and over, and some have quoted it hundreds of times, but they still don’t feel free. In Vine’s expository dictionary, the Greek word for know has a much deeper meaning than what most people are aware of. It can be used to convey the thought of connection or union, as between man and woman, (Matt. 1:25; Luke 1:34). When looked at in that sense, John 8:32 takes on a much deeper meaning. When a man and woman who are married, come together in an intimate union, this denotes a very close and familiar relationship. In it’s fullest sense, this would denote two people who have gotten to know each other very well, and are aware of each other’s most intimate desires and needs. When Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth,” He meant a deep understanding followed by application of that truth.
Most people know about the truth, but they really don’t know or completely understand the truth, and there is a big difference. Remember, Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” God wants us to have the knowledge we need to be over-comers in this life, but we must also pray and ask for wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to make proper application of the knowledge we possess.
In this teaching, I want to discuss a topic that has been misunderstood in many churches, and in some it has been deemed unnecessary for believers. The topic of the “Sins of the fathers and the resulting curses”, otherwise known as “Generational curses”, is being brought to the forefront by the Holy Spirit in these last days in which we are living. This situation could very well affect you and your family, or the family that lives next door. Or the person who works side by side with you every day, or one you attend church with. Whoever it may be, their life is a history of disappointments, frustrations, and even tragedies. Somehow, it is a cycle that appears to never end. On the other hand, we know of families who appear similar in background, and yet, trouble never seems to touch them. Everything they touch seems to turn to gold. In both of these cases, invisible forces are at work which determine each person’s destiny; good or bad. The Bible defines these as blessings and curses, and in fact, has much to say about them.
First, let’s go back and look at what Exodus 20:3-6 says. "You shall have no other gods before Me. "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” (NKJ)
God tells the of Israel that He is a jealous God. Not only is He a jealous God, but He expects them to keep His commandments. In Deuteronomy, the 28th chapter, God lays out the guidelines that He expects the of Israel to live by.
Deut 28:1-2
1 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.
2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God.”
Notice that God said they were to diligently obey His voice as well as to carefully observe ALL His commandments. Then, He said all these blessings shall come upon you, and even overtake you. This promise from God was conditional, that is, if they were obedient, the blessings were theirs. But, verse 15 of this same chapter reads, "But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: (NKJ)
In verse 15, God plainly tells them that IF they were disobedient, then all these curses would come upon and even overtake them. In verses 16-68, God lists the different curses that would come upon them. In the first five books of the Bible, God explicitly tells the of Israel what he considers to be an abomination, and Leviticus, chapter 18 is a good example. After God plainly revealed to them what he considered to be sin, they didn’t have any more excuses. The apostle Paul said in Romans 5:13, where there is no law, sin is not imputed. After God spoke forth the commandments, any violation was a sin.
So, after this point, when they broke God’s commandments and sinned, a curse came upon them. When they continued to practice a particular sin, it became a tendency or iniquity. The Hebrew word for iniquity is Avon. It means perverseness; to be bent or crooked; to be wrung out of course. It signifies not merely that which is wrong, but the "tendency” to do wrong. The iniquity is what is passed down to the . It is not the sin nor the punishment for the sin that is passed down, but the iniquity or the tendency to do wrong.
Many people quote Ezekiel 18:20 as the basis for saying that curses don’t belong to born again believers. The King James says “the shall not bear the iniquity of the father.” This is not a literal translation. The New American Standard says “The will not bear the “punishment for the father’s iniquity.” Notice it says the will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity. It does not say the will not bear the iniquity of the father.
To make sure that you have a clear understanding of this principle, I am going to ask you to think back to situations you know that have happened to family and friends. Do you remember someone saying, “My great-grandfather had cancer, my grandfather had it, and my father had it. This also could have been diabetes, heart conditions, strokes, allergies, asthma, and many other sicknesses that medical science has no explanation for. Do you know people who have had problems with anger, alcoholism, sexual deviance such as lust, incest, and . All of these can be tendencies or iniquities that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Deut. 28:20-35 talks of sickness and diseases that will come upon us when we are under a curse, many of which, verses 27 & 35 says “cannot be healed.” When we see alcoholism, diabetes, cancer and other sicknesses from one generation to the next, “KNOW” it is a “Generational Curse.” Also iniquities or “Tendencies” such as uncontrollable anger or rage, sexual perversions, , incest, & molestation, or mental illness can be signs of a curse!
When one of our ancestors committed a sin and it wasn’t repented of, it became an iniquity. We must know and understand that unconfessed sin always brings the curse, ALWAYS! I want to address something that is being said by a few people who teach against believers being affected by generational curses; that is, they say God is the one who curses, and that Satan can’t curse anyone, therefore curses can’t come on believers. We need to understand that God has spoken forth His Word concerning blessings and curses. He has set before us blessings and curses, life and death, and He desires for us to choose life. (Deuteronomy 30:19) When we, or our ancestors sin, we choose the curses and death; at this point we have cursed ourselves, and open the door for Satan to begin to bring the sicknesses, diseases, and even death against us. God is not the one who is bringing these things on us. He said, “I am the God that heals you.” (Exodus 15:26) You can plainly see from the book of Job that Satan and his cohorts are the agents that bring sickness, disease, and destruction. We can also see in the book of Acts who the author of sickness and disease is.
Acts 10:38
38 “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
This passage of scripture plainly says that Jesus healed those oppressed by the devil. Some verses say that Jesus rebuked fever, sicknesses, and even the wind. If these things were sent by God, then Jesus was rebuking His own father. God has given us the ability to open up our mouths and to speak blessings or curses. Satan is only too ready to empower evil or negative words that we may speak, just as the angels of God are ready to empower words of blessings we may speak. The Word of God is full of examples of men speaking blessings and curses by the words of their mouths.
At this point, you may be wondering, “What can I do if a generational curse may be at work in my life?” I’m so glad that you asked that question, because the answer is in God’s word.
Isaiah 53:5 tells us that “Jesus was bruised for our iniquities,” and Galatians 3:13 tells us that “Jesus became a curse for us by hanging on the cross.” With this knowledge in hand we must proceed to appropriate these provisions, but there is one principle that God laid out in His word that many people overlook.
Lev 26:39-40
39 And those of you who are left shall waste away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; also in their fathers' iniquities, which are with them, they shall waste away.
40 But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness….
Neh 1:6
6 “Please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father's house and I have sinned.”
Neh 9:2
2 Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
God requires us to confess our ancestor’s sins as well as those of our own. (1 John 1:9) With this in mind, we will proceed to the steps that will allow us to be released from generational curses.
How to Break the Generational Curse
1. We must make sure that ALL Unforgiveness has been released from our lives. (Chapter 4)
2. We must confess the sin of our forefathers as well as our own. (Lev. 26:40)(Jeremiah 14:20)(1 John 1:9)
3. We must appropriate Christ’s finished work on and at the cross to be released from our iniquities or tendencies, to break curses, and to recover legal ground from the enemy. (Gal. 3:13)(Col. 2:14)(Isaiah 53:5)
Prayer of Release
Dear Heavenly Father:
I want to make sure Satan’s power over my family line and me is completely destroyed. I confess my sins Lord, and I ask you to forgive me. I now confess to you Lord, the sins of my ancestors. (If you know of specific sins, confess each one) Dear Lord, please forgive them and close that doorway into my life. Separate me from the iniquity with the Blood of Jesus. In the name of Jesus, I go back fifteen generations on both sides of my family and I break every generational curse, and I break all cords of the past. I now appropriate the blood that Jesus shed in the bruises (according to Isaiah 53:5) and I apply it to every iniquity! I specifically break the curse of _______. Satan, I tell you that you will proceed no further into my life or the lives of my . I now renounce all familiar spirits attached to these curses and I cancel your assignment and I call your mission null and void. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I now renounce all evil spirits attached to every curse and command you to leave me now. I call every curse broken and reversed based on Galatians 3:13. Thank you Lord, for setting me free, and it’s in the mighty Name of Jesus I pray. Amen
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
When It All Seemes Out Of Control
|
Posted:Apr 27, 2006 3:49 pm
Last Updated:Mar 8, 2010 7:32 am 1267 Views
|
I thought that the following was worth sharing here. It spoke to me and perhaps will encourage you as well. Thursday, April 27
This week's promise: The gift of salvation
Formed and reformed
I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.
Proverbs 8:23 NLT
Lord my God, You have formed and reformed me.
St. Anselm
Sin and assurance
Our human pride often reverses the order of things. We think God came into our lives rather late. Our identity was firmly established, and then He invited Himself in, trying to woo us into a relationship with Him. We were in control of the heart that opened up to Him. Or so we thought.
In spite of our sense of independence, God has a prior claim on us. He created the world that became our necessary environment. He began the genetic process that eventually resulted in our birth. He even fashioned us in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13). He is no late-coming Redeemer. He and His wisdom have been there all along.
This is extremely important to know when it seems as if your life is falling apart. It isn't. The life you have constructed may be falling apart, but the life God has fashioned is not. His wisdom has known all things before the foundations of the world– including you. If God has let you be undone, He has allowed it for a reason. He is bringing you to the end of your sinful self and to the beginning of life in His secure arms. God is bringing you home.
Do you realize how thoroughly rooted in eternity your life is? It was not an afterthought in the mind of a play-it-by-ear God. Did you think your sin was a surprise to Him? It wasn't. He has already made provision for it. Before the foundation of the world, He did at least two things: He brought forth His wisdom; and He thought of you (Ephesians 1:4). His wisdom and your existence went hand in hand. Does that boggle your mind? It should. Rest in the assurance of a forever-wise God.
Adapted from The One Year® Walk with God Devotional by Chris Tiegreen, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for May 7.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Subject: Push-Ups
|
Posted:Apr 17, 2006 8:59 am
Last Updated:Mar 8, 2010 7:33 am 1321 Views
|
Subject: Push-Ups
There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her major.
Although Dr Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.
This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.
One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him.
"How many push-ups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."
"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.
Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it"
Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."
Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.
Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"
Cynthia said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"
"Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.
Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"
Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"
Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut.
Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.
When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"
Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?"
Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."
Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."
Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"
With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten pushups.
Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"
Dr. Christianson said, "Look!, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.
Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.
Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"
Sternly, Jenny said, "No."
Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"
Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.
By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.
Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.
Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.
Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.
Steve asked Dr Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"
Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"
Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."
Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him?"
Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut"
Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"
Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut."
"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?"
Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.
Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.
The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"
Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"
Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda.
Then Dr Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"
Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"
Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work.
Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."
"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"
As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."
Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.
"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding "Not all sermons are preached in words."
Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten , but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."
"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Love Addiction
|
Posted:Apr 7, 2006 10:21 pm
Last Updated:Apr 9, 2008 5:38 pm 1353 Views
|
The following is a excerpt from The Good Shepard Ministeries website
"Love is all you need." For the person addicted to love, this becomes more than a popular lyric. It becomes literal truth. What is love addiction, and why are some men and women addicted to love? How can the problem be identified, and how can those addicted be helped?
Love addiction is a psychological addiction, a result of unfulfilled childhood needs. whose needs remain unrecognized may adjust by learning to limit their expectations.
This limitation process may take the form of harmful ideas such as, "My needs don't count," "Getting close will hurt" and "I'm not worth loving." Such ideas do not satisfy childhood needs, leaving them still to be met later in life. As adults, addictive lovers remain dependent upon others to care for them, protect them and solve their problems.
Love addicts are characteristically familiar with desperate hopes and seemingly unending fears. Fearing rejection, fearing pain, fearing unfamiliar experiences, and having no faith in their ability--or even their right--to inspire love, they wait, wish, and hope for love, perhaps their least familiar experience.
For addicts, love:
Is all consuming and obsessive.
Is inhibited.
Avoids risk or change.
Lacks true intimacy.
Is manipulative, strikes deals.
Is dependent and parasitic.
Demands the loved one's devotion.
Addictive love is obsessed with finding the world in one lover. Their own growth and development having been thwarted earlier in life, addicted lovers attach themselves to their lover's identity. Often, this dependency results in their drawing unearned pride from their lover's accomplishments. Sometimes it leads to their demanding, for themselves, undeserved recognition for their lover's achievements.
Fearful of change, addictive lovers will stifle development of their own self, finding the ultimate security in believing they can become indistinguishable from their mate. Sometimes the fear of change is so great all individual development of abilities, interests, and desires is suppressed. Stagnation is a common characteristic of addictive love relationships.
The desperate need for security leads to emotional scheming. Addictive lovers are inclined to think that doing things for their mate will secure their love. The resulting opportunities for disappointment and resentment are sufficient to make such scheming futile. But addictive lovers are obsessed with impossible needs and unrealistic expectations.Love demands honesty and self-integrity. And it is a dynamic relationship, itself cultivating growth and change in lovers. The dependent, frightened attachments of love addicts are destructive to love.
If you discover you are in an addictive relationship, you may want to learn more about "Love Addiction." We recommend you read "Facing Love Addiction: Giving yourself the Power to Change the Way You Love" by Pia Mellody. You may also want to seek specialized counseling.
In order to experience real love... in order to give and to receive unconditional love, you must first receive God's love by grace! The Good Shepherd Restoration Ministries can help put you on your pathway to serenity.
In association with "Overcomers Outreach," we have established a Twelve-Step, Christian, Co-Dependency Support Group that provides spiritual support for those dealing directly or indirectly with this form of addiction.
"Overcomers Outreach" program model is very similar to other "Twelve Step" programs, however, "Overcomers Outreach" encourages its participants to confront their issues in light of their Christian faith.
This group model fosters an exchange of views between participants and allows them to view their situation with a fresh perspective, in a sense, allowing them to step out of their situation and examine it with some objectivity.
Moreover, this interaction fosters spiritual growth among the participants resulting in their desire to take responsibility for their life choices and learn to experience and accept "Unconditional Love." As group participants broaden their understanding of love addiction and its destructive consequence, their desire to seek healthy relationships draws them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Tag
|
Posted:Apr 7, 2006 9:17 am
Last Updated:Mar 8, 2010 7:33 am 1591 Views
|
Ok here goes and by the way Marcos and Paul you are in so much trouble, here I have been keeping such a low profile!lol Just Kidding. 6 wierd things hmm
1. my name is Deabra...and that is the correct spelling
2. I grew up in a town that was 60 miles from the nearest shopping center, movie theatre, or fast food.
3. I took Bubba to a gay bar not realizing that it was. Place called the Poop Deck lol here's our clue.
4. I worked in at a mission called the Streets of Joy in Phoenix Arizona with the homeless.
5. I get on my knees and pray anytime, anywhere, when told to do so by the spirit.
6. hmm and just one more...I was nearly in a fight one time when my prosthetic arm begain hitting a guy on his rear end standing in the line in front of us...unknown to me and his wife became upset.
Ok now who to tag hmm
will get back to this lol
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
