Soul Therapy

Creflo Dollar

Have you ever felt as though your problem, circumstance or personal pain, although a big deal to you, seemed too small for God to be concerned about? Quite the contrary is true. God is not only your Creator and Father, but He is also your Provider. He cares about every detail of your life. It is important that you believe that God wants only the best for your life. When you put your trust in Him you will find that no matter what kind of sickness you may be dealing with—spirit, mind or body—He is an expert at healing your hurts and pains and providing restoration.

Sometimes you can become physically and emotionally drained because of your circumstances. We have all experienced times where there is such a burden on our hearts, that the emotions we incur from suffering or worry paralyze us. At times, even your soul—your mind, will and emotions—needs healing.

Why Devotions Are Important - Looking Beyond Ourselves

"He must become greater; I must become less." - John 3:30 NIV

There are times when I am doing my devotions that I journal, that is, I keep a diary of what is going on in my life. I sometimes look back on that and gain new insight on what I was going through back then. I have become more adept at interpreting God's leading and plan for me as I further experience life and receive what He has done.

By looking back on what we have been through and seeing the hand of God there, we can have greater comfort and encouragement for what we are going through now or even what lies ahead. As I gain new insight into my personality and the Lord's working into my issues and problems, I realize how small they really are compared to my Lord's holiness and greatness.

Your Sexual Legacy

Fathers are ultimately responsible for their sons' sexual development. It takes more than one talk--it takes honesty, courage and positive role-modeling.

Your son looks to you as a model in every area of his life. Have you ever considered whether or not you are modeling healthy sexuality for him?

I have spent countless hours counseling men whose fathers' sexual role-modeling was either absent or, worse still, destructive. The absent role model never discusses sexuality with his son. He doesn't know what to say about it, so he says nothing and hopes for the best.

This Christian role model has to be honest with other adult men about any lust issues in his life. He responsibly blocks the Internet, and he monitors TV and media intake for himself and his family. He is emotionally connected to his son enough so that they can talk about sex. This father is a good, general role model for male sexuality.

Why A Little Salt in Your Life Is a Good Thing!

  

If there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s that I could improve on my communication skills. I don’t enjoy idle talk, which means I’m not a big fan of “girl parties.” I never talk on the phone unless it is for information purposes. I rarely answer all my emails, thus leading to a full email inbox. I don’t even listen to all my voice mails! Much to my family’s dismay.

All in all, I pretty much don’t feel the need to respond, which makes for a very poor communication plan in my life. But somehow I manage to lead a very fulfilled life. Some may think I’m out of touch, but somehow I manage to go from day to day basically a very happy person.

I can remember years ago when moving to our current church, one of my friends introduced me to a group and said, “All you really need to know is that Deb is a very private person.” I was a bit taken back from the comment since I had never thought of myself that way. Yet after mulling over my friend’s statement for more than 20 years now, I would say that “private” is a very true assessment of my personality.

Most of us communicate exactly as we wish. Whether we are outgoing or shy somewhat depends on our personality and events in our lives. To say I am private is reflective of my upbringing, my personality, and probably mostly because I am a pastor’s wife.

I learned very young that I lived in a fish bowl and that every word or deed was repeated in various forms. Once something was said or done, it was like a tidal wave that could never be called back. Sometimes it has brought destruction and other times it has proven good.

Years have taught me to bite my tongue, to overlook “well-meaning” conversations, and to sometimes speak out when others will not. Each situation brings a new challenge. It is an ever-present challenge to use my words wisely.

In Colossians 4:6, the Scripture tells us that we are to be aware of our speech. We are not to blurt out the first thing that comes into our head but we are “to season with salt.” Any cook knows that salt is the zest of life. But too much, and the palate can’t tolerate it. As women, we are guilty many times of letting our emotions and our egos become the barometers of our communications.

Colossians 4:6 goes on to tell us that we should be gracious. What a lost word for our generation! Most people couldn’t name a gracious person in their circle of friends. But if you are fortunate enough to have a spouse or close friend who portrays this quality, you have a rare gem.

Acquiring the skills presented in this Scripture is not easy. The very fact that we are told it should “always” be the case places most in a very difficult situation. To always be in control of my words means that I have to demonstrate a lot of self-restraint. No longer can I merely say what first comes to my mind. I have to edit every spoken word so that I could fulfill this instruction!

So we are back to the salt issue. Too much or too little is a recipe for disaster. Thus the last bit of instruction. There is a proper and right way to answer each person, and this is where the rubber meets the road. It means and includes all the following communications:

· The friend who criticizes you in front of others to make herself look better.

· The casual acquaintance who speaks negatively about your faith or church.

· The girlfriend who demeans her husband constantly.

· The conversation that turns to making light of moral or holy things or relationships.

· The sharing of personal things or practices in a relationship.

· The repeating of half-truths or innuendos that shed a dark light on another person or thing.

· The use of inappropriate words to make oneself appear worldly.

· And, of course, any reference to an irreverent thought or description of God.

The list could go on and on, but you know what I mean.

Life is a great teacher and hopefully we put to use what God instructs us in his Word and through our fellow believers. Learning to listen to what is behind what someone says is a maturing process. Learning to be gracious in our speech is the height of maturity. Learning to control “TMI” (too much information) is a beautiful thing!

So my prayer for you is that 2011 would be a “salty” year in your Christian life. Salty enough to make you more like our gracious Savior.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (Colossians 4:6, ESV).

http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/powerpoint-with-jack-graham/articles/why-a-little-salt-in-your-life-is-a-good-thing-12944.html