A few encouraging and challenging words for the men in my life!

"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." 1 Chronicles 28:20

 

 

Blessed to be a leader/facilitator of a new Men's group at the Salvation Army Emergency Lodge meeting weekly.

  ...also part of other small groups meeting in Milwaukee...

It is NOT a Bible Study or a therapy session!

 

Goal is to encourage and challenge the men!

 

One of the men asked, "What does it mean to be a man?" Further discussion for our next session! 

 

Getting the men to start to be transparent...and talk. I will do alot of listening...helping the men to get to know each other.  

 

 

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

 

The men are at the Lodge for 60 days...so they come and go.

 

We will also be discussing what it means to be the "church" and the importance  of "Friends", not just "acquaintances" 

 

●  It's always good to have a trusted friend where we can be transparent and share in confidence. 

 

Importance of listening to people experiencing trauma.

 

Sometimes people just need to have someone to talk to. Someone to listen to them. 

 

Available to meet with them one on one any time.

 

We don't really know how they "feel"...because we  haven't walked in their shoes...so we listen, listen, listen...and pray. 

 

Perception is reality! 

 

What we have experienced and learned as volunteer Salvation Army Chaplains

 Each man receives a Men's Devotional Bible. Probably one of the best Bibles for men...with all the articles and resources.  

 

 

My prayer for them!

 

  "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." 1 Chronicles 28:20

 

  God will make a way!

 

Who I Am In Christ

 

Who I Am In Christ ( A short video)

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

Alot starts with us believers! More than we may realize!

 

 ● In Jesus Christ God gives us our identity, our purpose and our meaning in this life and in the life to come. 1 Peter1:1-12

  

A few of my favorite Bible verses.

 
"For in him we live and move and have our being..." Acts 17:28

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will” Romans 12:1-2

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-19”

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the LORD forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which bonds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians  2:16-17

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like the precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the color of his robes It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133:

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful  in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 13:12-13

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Check out this link, but be sure to come back!     Who we are!

 

Having a bad day? 

 

Solutions: Relational healing for the next generation

 

 

 Solutions: Healing for the Next Generation By Cathy Morrill with Wendy Coy and the cross/fire team.

A PDF of the entire book!

 

 

 I have permission from the author, Catherine Morrill  for referencing her book!

Although this book was written as an outgrowth of a dynamic ministry to young people..

anyone of any age can benefit! It is written in easy to read and understandable language with a lot of graphics that help communicate vital truths!

It's a PDF of the complete book!  


Check out the Table of Contents.

It is good to start at the beginning and scan or read through the whole book...and then go back to the topic that you sense the  Holy Spirit directing you to.  

...but here are a few key subjects that have a profound affect on our lives! 

P.13: How to use Solutions 
        You can go through the book by yourself or with a small group. But start and continue with prayer. This is a great book to read, and remember that this is a prayer ministry, NOT a counseling ministry. 

P. 76: Tools: "How to pray to break the power of generational sin"...a topic we don't hear  much about!

P. 87: Not the Brady Bunch...Every family has a story.
Siblings & sibling rivalry. Blended families, Adoption...Common childhood experiences, but healing is possible.

P. 98: Forgiveness..."Forgiveness heals. It removes bitterness and sin from our hearts, and gives Jesus more room..."

 P.122: Mom, Dad & Me. "Our heavenly Father really cares. He has not left us to work out our relationships on our own. Family is His idea and He has the power to bring change."
Need to watch out for that bitter root growing up in us..."See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Hebrews 12:15.  
 A bitter root starts with a seed of discontent being sown...usually by the enemy...and then we can nourish it...with unforgiveness  and the roots can grow deep. That "bitter root" will eventually destroy all relationships in our lives... with God and our families. 

Appendix 2: Who I Am in Christ

As a first step in relational healing, I highly recommend this book!

 

● It was part of a ministry called "The River" many years ago.

There would be a time of Worship.

Then a short Teaching. Interactive.

Then 2 small groups...of men alone and women alone.

A confidential Prayer ministry...NOT Counseling.

It was and  is a ministry of  Relational healing.

 

Cathy's blog! 

  Catherine gives some insights why we sometimes get "stuck" in our relationships...and can't seem to improve or change!

●  It's always good to have a trusted friend where we can be transparent and share in confidence. 

 

Importance of listening to people experiencing trauma.

 

Sometimes people just need to have someone to talk to. Someone to listen to them. 

  

We don't really know how they "feel"...because we  haven't walked in their shoes...so we listen, listen, listen...and pray. 

 

Perception is reality! 

 

What we have experienced and learned as volunteer Salvation Army Chaplains. 

 

It's all about "Relationships", "Communication" and "Forgiveness"!.... Healing begins!

Where the 3 circles intersect...there can be shalom or peace!
Relationship with God & others.
Communication without judging
Forgiveness of others & self. 

Watch out for that "Bitter Root"

 

How it relates to Reconciliation! 

 

As my good friend Ron says, "It's all about relationships"

● With "social media"...it's about "friends", "connections" and "followers".

● If you can't wait to get to the end of this post...It's all about Forgiveness! 

● Over the course of time, I have added, "Yes, and it's all about Communication."

● Communication, Communication, Communication.

● All about Relationships: Yes, with Jesus through God our Father...and then relationship with each other.

● "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Psalm 133:1

● It's only through him alone do we have access to one another, joy in one another, and fellowship with one another."

● To develop any relationship, we need to listen and to communicate.

● So it's all about Communication, Communication Communication.

● With God, we communicate through Prayer.

● With each other, we communicate in many ways.

● But in any relationship...even with the best of Relationship and Communication, we mess up.
 It's called sin.


● With God we can repent and ask for forgiveness.

● So to complete the circle...I have added yes, and it's all about Forgiveness.
                          Forgiveness, Forgiveness, Forgiveness.

●  Family life can be messy.

●  "Never be defined by your past. It's a lesson not a life sentence.”

● "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you." -Corrie ten Boom

● Just as we can have a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ and with each other...We can communicate our love  and needs to Him and also to other...but in the process we have a tendency to mess up. But again, we can ask God for forgiveness...and as He has made His forgiveness available to us, we then also need to forgive each other.






"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and clearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the LORD forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."  Colossians 3:12-14

As Eugene H. Peterson says in The Message: Matthew 6: "In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part." 

Alot of times...when there is a lack of joy in our lives and we have forgiven others and ourselves...we might forget to forgive our parents for real or imaginary hurts. Perception is real.

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you." -Corrie ten Boom

 "Never be defined by your past. It's a lesson not a life sentence.” 

  So how can we NOT forgive others?

As we truly experience God's forgiveness and grace, it's then pretty easy to forgive others! Or at least it should be!

So, do we have joy?


If not, might be a good time to examine our relationships with others...our spouse, family members and maybe more important to examine our relationships with our parents...if we still have living parents. 

I also remember a verse from the Bible in Exodus 20:12  "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."

"Make every effort to live in peace with all  men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the LORD. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Hebrews 12:14-15


So don't forget to forgive parents, even if they are long gone! Time is short, eternity is long.  

As Don Wilkerson says, "Never be defined by your past. It's a lesson not a life sentence.”

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you." -Corrie ten Boom


A parent's greatest joy is found in this verse: "I have no greater joy than to hear that  my children are walking in the truth." 3 John:4

When we do that...we can truly have JOY! 

 

Maybe not as easy as it sounds!

 

There IS help available!

 

 

Check out this book;Solutions: Healing for the next Generation

By Cathy Morrill with Wendy Coy and the cross/fire team.

 

 I have permission from the author, Catherine Morrill  for referenccing her book!

Although this book was written as an outgrowth of a dynamic ministry to young people..

anyone of any age can benefit! It is written in easy to read and understandable language with a lot of graphics that help communicate vital truths!

It's a PDF of the complete book!  

Check out the Table of Contents.

It is good to start at the beginning and scan or read through the whole book...and then go back to the topic that you sense the  Holy Spirit directing you to.  

...but here are a few key subjects that have a profound affect on our lives! 

P.13: How to use Solutions 
        You can go through the book by yourself or with a small group. But start and continue with prayer. This is a great book to read, and remember that this is a prayer ministry, NOT a counseling ministry. 

P. 76: Tools: "How to pray to break the power of generational sin"...a topic we don't hear  much about!

P. 87: Not the Brady Bunch...Every family has a story.
Siblings & sibling rivalry. Blended families, Adoption...Common childhood experiences, but healing is possible.

P. 98: Forgiveness..."Forgiveness heals. It removes bitterness and sin from our hearts, and gives Jesus more room..."

 P.122: Mom, Dad & Me. "Our heavenly Father really cares. He has not left us to work out our relationships on our own. Family is His idea and He has the power to bring change."
Need to watch out for that bitter root growing up in us..."See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Hebrews 12:15.  
 A bitter root starts with a seed of discontent being sown...usually by the enemy...and then we can nourish it...with unforgiveness  and the roots can grow deep. That "bitter root" will eventually destroy all relationships in our lives... with God and our families.

Appendix 2: Who I Am in Christ

As a first step in relational healing, I highly recommend this book!

 

● It was part of a ministry called "The River" many years ago.

There would be a time of Worship.

Then a short Teaching. Interactive.

Then 2 small groups...of men alone and women alone.

A confidential Prayer ministry...NOT Counseling.

It was and  is a ministry of  Relational healing.

 

Cathy's blog! 

 

●  It's always good to have a trusted friend where we can be transparent and share in confidence. 

 

Importance of listening to people experiencing trauma.

 

Sometimes people just need to have someone to talk to. Someone to listen to them. 

  

We don't really know how they "feel"...because we  haven't walked in their shoes...so we listen, listen, listen...and pray. 

 

Perception is reality! 

 

What we have experienced and learned as volunteer Salvation Army Chaplains.