Below are some of the songs that we sung during “worship music” time at church this past Sunday (April 2nd 2017), which I had to reflect and share on how God personally spoke to me through each individual song. Feel free to share yours down below…
“I Worship You In The Spirit” Shekinah Glory Ministry lyrics
Sal: May this song be a prayer daily! We need more of Him throughout the week (not just on church days). “We want more” (releasing of His power to give us strength or whether for His healing power to be show to the people around you that might need it).
How does this song speak to you?
Holy Spirit – Bryan and Katie Torwalt – Lyric Video
Sal: Let us bring His presence outside of the “Church” walls! ..to our families, communities, workplace, nations, etc…! After recording this and singing it again, I remembered how this particular verse took out..
“..Help up become more aware of your presence…”
I pray that we all become more aware of your presence and how God is trying to “speak” to us in our daily life circumstances.
“Come Alive (Dry Bones)” featuring Lauren Daigle – Live from the CentricWorship Retreat
Sal: I thought of the game of “trench” I used to play at school growing -up on how we had to use a kick ball or something soft (ball) and hit one of our opponents to get freed from the “dungeon” behind enemy lines. We as “believers” need to take an “active” role (e.g. intercessory prayer and asking God how we can “reach out” to them) like this game on “rescuing” fellow brethren who have “backslidden” from their faith.
10 Reasons To Make Masturbation Part Of Your Wellness Routine by Alexandra JamiesonMay 5, 2015 10:42 AM mindbodygreen.com “..Through working with thousands of women as a health coach (in addition to my own personal experience), masturbation has been both an uncomfortable topic to talk about — while also being a powerful healing technique. It’s time to finally embrace it.
Masturbation has gotten a bad reputation, mainly because religion and culture tell us it’s a sin. The Bible doesn’t explicitly talk about masturbation, although there is some stern warning against “spilling your seed on the ground.” The Catholic Church decided that masturbation (sometimes referred to as “onanism” after Onin, a Biblical character) was a sin deserving of eternal damnation.
By the time World War I came around, onanism was being called “self-abuse” and described in medical texts as more dangerous to young boys than lying or stealing. Girls and women aren’t even mentioned, as if “the fairer sex” couldn’t even possibly do something so dirty.
So it stands to reason that most of us would feel some traces of shame, guilt, or even fear when practicing this very natural act. But take heart from the animal world and modern science! Dozens of mammal, bird, and insect species have been documented to masturbate in captivity and in the wild. From penguins, to dolphins, horses, and even porcupines, mother nature has no judgment when it comes to wrapping your hand, wing, or fin, around your own personal magic wand. ..”
One of the most common topics that gets debated in our ministry is masturbation. Is it a sin? Does the Bible say anything about it? Does it even matter when talking about sexual purity? These and many other questions come up over and over. This 3-part series will help shed light on this issue from a biblical perspective…”
WOMEN
Masturbation: Is It Wrong? Dr. Juli Slattery todayschristianwoman.com
Yes . . . and no. Guidelines for sorting out a complicated question. “.. 1. What are you thinking about?
While masturbation itself isn’t immoral, the sexual fantasies that usually go with it may be. Most women only masturbate when they are thinking about or looking at something sexual. Sexual fantasies about someone you are not married to are, as Jesus stated, “adultery of the heart.”
“But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman [or man] with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)
If you are single, fantasizing even about some fictional sexy guy is promoting lustful thoughts. If you are married and fantasizing about another man, you are violating, in your mind and heart, your promise to give yourself sexually only to your husband. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with a married woman fantasizing about her own husband…
2. What is your motive?
The Bible makes it clear that God is very concerned about our motives. For example, giving money to your church might be a wonderful act of worship or an empty gesture, depending upon the attitude of your heart. The same can be true of masturbation.
….
3. Is it mastering you? (No pun intended.)
The apostle Paul taught that “nothing should master” us. In other words, we shouldn’t be controlled or addicted to anything…
4. Am I honoring God with my body?
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)….
This video uses common Protestant theology to show that masturbation for Christians does not need to be such a guilt-ridden, condemning act as it is often treated.
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Negative Effects of Masturbation
September 24, 2012 by Andrew Michell howtostopmasturbation.com “…Picture
Does masturbation have negative effects? Scientists published this very revealing graph in the Archives of Sexual Behavior here. You can see that as masturbation increases the satisfaction with life decreases. The more a person masturbates the more dissatisfied a person may become. This leads to depression, unhappiness, lack of motivation, and other problems. (click to enlarge picture)
If masturbation is so healthy as so many claim then why are so many people here complaining of pain and negative effects from masturbating? Religion has nothing to do with it because even non religious people experience the same pains and negative side effects. Actually %100 of the data from this study came from Sweden, which is the most atheistic country* in the western world! The more often atheists masturbate the worse they feel. Some will reply “But masturbation is okay unless you are doing it 10 times a day.” Look at the graph. People who feel the worst masturbate only 10 times a month. ..”
I decided to do this blog on this increasing growing topic after meeting a Vet that openly shared about this P.T.S.D. this morning. I was coming out of the local fitness center (R.F.C.) and as I was about to bike off after unlocking my chain, this “older” gentlemen (with a beard and a cane-thought he was blind as he held on to the rails along the wall. He appeared to be going to the P.E. Center to watch a local high school basketball game as he was wearing a West Central Knights jacket) wandered towards me to chat.
We talked about the nice sunny weather as a popular “Minnesota” topic. Somehow he asked where I was from, which I told him my parents are from the Philippines. He then told me he has had bad memories of being there? He then told me he was stationed there in the army. I then asked, “where-Subic Bay?”. He said, “yes..have you been there before”. I replied “yes too and told him I was there back in 2012 for vacation”. He openly (like many vets has had with me in the Morris area) shared he was in Vietnam. I then quickly replied, “thank you for serving”. He then replied, “not many people agreed when we returned home from Vietnam”, which I can agree with him from my history lesson. I then thought in my mind that it wasn’t his or any of the soldiers fault as I “blame” the “U.S. Government” (based on research I found). Anyways, he appeared to not want to chat more on this topic as he slowly walked away and went inside the RFC. I quickly prayed in my mind for him and thought about other Vets I know and have met.
Below are some notes I’ve collected on this topic on my facebook pic..
19% of veterans may have traumatic brain injury (TBI)
-recent sample of 600 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan found: 14% post-traumatic stress disorder; 39% alcohol abuse; 3% drug abuse. Major depression also a problem.
-in times of peace, in any given year, about 4% (actually 3.6%) of the general population have PTSD (caused by natural disasters, car accidents, abuse, etc.)
-Oddly, statistics for veteran tobacco use are never reported alongside PTSD statistics, even though increases in rates of smoking are strongly correlated with the stress of deployment and combat, and smoking statistics show that tobacco use is tremendously damaging and costly for soldiers.
*see https://www.facebook.com/groups/123846551128031/
Wes Moore joined the US Army to pay for college, but the experience became core to who he is. In this heartfelt talk, the the paratrooper and captain—who went on to write “The Other Wes Moore”—explains the shock of returning home from Afghanistan. He shares the single phrase he heard from civilians on repeat, and shows why it’s just not sufficient. It’s a call for all of us to ask veterans to tell their stories — and listen.”
Questions NOT to ask: “Did you shoot anybody?”
Questions to ask? “How are you doing?” “What was your experience like?” “Thank you for your service!….(then listen)..
Former Navy Seal and the man who is recognized as the most lethal sniper in U.S. Military history, Chris Kyle talks about his book American Sniper in an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV. Kyle also discusses why he felt compelled to write the book as a way to honor the sacrifice of servicemen and woman and their families.”
About Wingmen:
Wingmen is a gathering of men with the purpose of forming transparent, Christ-centered, masculine relationships. As Wingmen, we offer men acceptance, affirmation and accountability.
Wingmen is unique in the fact that it is not an accountability group, bible study, or networking group. It is an entity that emphasizes relationships above all else, relationships with Christ first and foremost and then relationships with other men. Our name, Wingmen, was purposeful in that fact that using military visual pictures/analogies are a powerful tool to bring home the idea of the need for masculine relationships in our lives as we conduct warfare and “spiritual maneuvers” in our daily spiritual battles. We do not dance around sensitive topics – pornography, addictions, over working, and abuse. We are a safe house — a place to get off the front lines and seek a reprieve/respite before jumping back into the battle. Wingmen is a 501C3
About Chad Williams:
Having been a featured guest on Fox News Channel, CNN News Room, Anderson Cooper 360, TBN, Daystar, Hour of Power, CBN 700 Club and more; former U.S. Navy SEAL Chad Williams draws on his experience as a combat veteran SEAL to yield an exclusive perspective rooted in teaching of Jesus of Nazareth.
Prior to entering SEAL training Chad was mentored by U.S. Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston. Just days before Chad headed off to Navy bootcamp, Helvenston took a brisk opportunity to serve his country once again in Iraq.
Shortly thereafter, Chad turned on a television one morning to learn first hand how precious and costly freedom is as his eyes met a screen that portrayed a smiling still image of his mentor followed by Scott’s birthdate separated by a *dash* March 31, 2004. What immediately followed was graphic video footage of Helvenston being mutilated and dragged through the streets of Fallujah, Iraq. Finally he was hung upside-down from the Euphrates River Bridge while an enraged Iraqi mob repeatedly chanted in Arabic, “Fallujah is the graveyard of Americans” and set him on fire.
Steeled in his resolve to walk in his Helvenston’s footsteps and become a SEAL in honor and memory of his good friend, Chad entered the military’s most grueling and difficult training known as BUD/S. BUD/S Class 254 started out with 173 sailors vowing they would die before they ever quit the rigorous training (which requires ringing a brass bell three times and surrendering their class helmet on the asphalt grinder). By graduation day there would only be 13 of those original sailors still standing there and Chad was among them.
Serving his country proudly as a Navy SEAL, on Teams One and Seven, Chad came into contact with the horrors of war first hand, even fighting his way alongside his Team through a premeditated ambush in Iraq, near the location that took Helvenston’s life in a similar scenario.
Today Chad is the author of SEAL of God and an in demand guest speaker, taking the principles and ethos learned as a U.S. Navy SEAL to better communicate the Gospel. As a gifted evangelist, Chad’s message is captivating and eye-opening as he relates to the audience the price of freedom that was not only paid for in the blood of our soldiers on battlefield but most importantly the blood of our Savior at the cross of Calvary.”
Soldier talks about his struggle with depression and PTSD. How his struggle lead him to some destructive behavior and finally to seek the help he needed to cope with his emotions. Video by Gilbert Telles | Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office | Date: 08.15.2013
Thumbs up for the troop!
Favorite this video and subscribe for news updates.
MiliSource – Your online source for up to date military news videos.”
http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2013/October/Wounded-Warriors-Find-Path-to-Healing-in-Alaska http://www.onewithchristministries.org/about-us-1/william-s-testimony/
“….I did not know what to do, I was afraid to go to sleep in fear the enemy (VC) Viet Cong would hurt my family. I decided the only way out where the enemy could no longer hurt me or my family was to take a lot of medication and to commit suicide. I began taking medication and took about 26 or so pills the day of January 17, 1991. I knew that by taking that much medication it could possibly kill me, I was ready to stop living. …n my last breath of air, I just put both of my hands toward heaven and said to God, “DO SOMETHING WITH ME NOW OR TAKE ME HOME”. I took my last breath. The next thing that I remembered wad seeing white and my arms were still stretched toward heaven, I was numb all over and could not move, and was so hot inside, but I felt a peace in my mind. As I looked up toward heaven I heard these words, “WILLIAM YOU MUST NAME ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU HATE EVEN ALL OF THE VIETNAMESE THAT YOU HATE AND ALSO THE ONES THAT YOU THINK THAT YOU HATE, AND THEN ASK ME FOR FORGIVENESS. I said Lord I don’t hate anyone anymore, “AND GOD SAID NAME EACH PERSON.” So I started to name the ones that I hated and then ask God for forgiveness….”
“…Just take some examples: The veterans – men and women – who are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Here we are talking about more than a million vets. Simply coming back and resting for a while doesn’t heal their wounds. Our friend, Rev. Nigel Mumford is a veteran of English military who saw fellow soldiers killed and personally experienced healing for PTSD. He is now planning “Welcome Home” programs for wounded vets and is in touch with the Pentagon and UK military leaders for prospects on future programs. This is a huge need and requires experience and time that most healing ministries simply do not have. For instance, Judith and I spent an entire weekend ministering to a Vietnam vet who hadn’t been able to sleep in a bed for 20 years, but after prayer was able to sleep through the night for the first time in 20 years. And there are millions more who need prayer because human sources of healing are good as far as they go, but they don’t reach down into the very depths of the souls of vets who have been wounded or have seen friends die…” http://www.christianhealingmin.org/current-issue/202-magazine/2006-2010/hl-articles-2010-3
“…ck to that moment to relive it again and again. So what is the answer?
One of the ways to defuse the memories is to expose them. I’ve heard it said that you are only as sick as the secrets you keep but revealing is healing! When you bring the event into the light, darkness loses its power!! The enemy would have you keep the memory under lock and key in the fortress of your mind. But Paul tells us that light and darkness can’t coexist. Darkness loses its power when you turn on the light! Exposing it and releasing it allows Jesus to restore your soul!
The word restoration in itself means to be put back together to its original state. We can infer that this means “before the trauma.” And if it’s before the trauma, then those memories aren’t going to continue to wreak havoc on your soul. You may still remember that place, but it won’t be so painful. I think of it much like a scar reminds you of a past wound or surgery. You see the reminder…but it doesn’t hurt anymore….” http://www.overcomepanic.com/PTSD.html
http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/05/us/fort-hood-gunman-facebook/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
Another post dealt with his time in Iraq: “Celebrating life. It has been exactly 1 year and 2 days since left Iraq seeing in Fallujah the most brutal explosion… I was left paralyzed and started a discussion over the radio… I was only focused on breathing deeply so that I don’t lose focus and continue the mission. [Those] were hours of agony waiting for an attack by the insurgency but we were able to exit Fallujah all alive. I was in vehicle #6.The worst was that #5 was a diesel truck, the perfect target. And I was only thinking about getting back with my family.”
Lopez added: “To be in the line of fire is f—– up but even more f—– is the suffering of the families.”
Lt. Gen. Mark Milley, the post’s commanding general, said Lopez did not experience direct combat in Iraq.
Psychopathology and psychiatric diagnoses of World War II Pacific theater prisoner of war survivors and combat veterans. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8422074
“…METHOD:
A group of 36 POW survivors and a group of 29 combat veterans, all of whom had seen fierce fighting and heavy unit casualties, were compared approximately 40 years later on psychological instruments assessing psychopathology constructs, negative mood states, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and on the computer-administered National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule…”
Before he fought in the galactic battles of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Adam Driver was a United States Marine with 1/1 Weapons Company. He tells the story of how and why he became a Marine, the complex transition from soldier to civilian — and Arts in the Armed Forces, his nonprofit that brings theater to the military. Because, as he says: “Self-expression is just as valuable a tool as a rifle on your shoulder.” Followed by a spirited performance of Marco Ramirez’s “I am not Batman” by Jesse J. Perez and Matt Johnson. (Adult language)
“
What happens when an American Hero comes home from war? What happens when that person is required to assimilate themselves back into civilian life; meantime, coping with what they heard and saw while in the midst of battle.
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ABC Action News, WFTS, covers local news in Tampa Bay and Florida. “ Veteran Brian Taylor Urruela Helps Other Vets Heal Through Sports By Caitlin Keating•@caitkeating Updated September 23, 2016 at 9:40pm EDT people.com “Two days before he was to leave Iraq in 2006, Army Sgt. Brian Taylor Urruela s Humvee hit a pair of roadside bombs, killing his commanding officer and severely injuring him and his comrades.
After 35 unsuccessful surgeries, the life-long baseball player from Tampa, Fla., made the agonizing decision to have his mangled right leg amputated. He thought the worst was behind him, but a new kind of suffering soon began.
“When I got out of the military, all the support was gone,” says Urruela, 27, who was diagnosed with PTSD. “I was drinking away the pain.”
With therapy and a hefty dose of determination, he pulled himself out of that hole and now he is lifting up others with him.
In August 2012, Urruela and a fellow vet founded VETSports, a sports league with 100 players in several cities.
“Sitting home when you re having a bad day is the worst you can do,” says Urruela, who lives with his girlfriend and is studying sports management in college. His work is so inspiring that readers voted him one of 30 everyday heroes through PEOPLE and Major League Baseball s Tribute for Heroes campaign. ..”
I went to film school at USC after returning from Iraq. This is what life was like for me then, and this is 100% a true story. Hopefully others – especially those who’ve lived it – can get something out of this film. It was one of the first I ever made…
by SSG Kyle Hausmann-Stokes
US Army, Infantry, OIF 07-08
Disturbing images and haunting flashbacks plague a young soldier recently returned from the war in Iraq. Re-adjusting to his former life as a college student proves to be more difficult than he ever imagined – connecting with veterans of wars past may be just what he needs.”
A “friend” got “theological” with me this past weekend over the holidays. He asked, why this church doesn’t allow us to “practice” our old ways (e.g. shamanism, see-> Deuteronomy 18). I then thought about my former Catholic up-bringing. I didn’t think about it much when I was growing-up, but friends in college would question some of the “theological” practices (e.g. worship Mary, statues/idols in the sanctuary, priests are called “father, etc…). It’s not just “religious” stuff, but just “old” ways in our “sinful” lifestyle of the past (e.g. drunkeness or any other addictions that controlled/slaved you in bondage, etc…) that prevented one to a “personal relationship” with the Heavenly Father.
(Let there be) no reservations, no walls
But just an open door in my heart for You
I want to give all that’s inside of my heart
I want to give all that’s inside of my heart to You
Everything else is fading away
Only love (only love) only love remains (only love remains)
It’s not the riches, it’s not the fame
It’s not the power, it’s not my name
Only love (only love) only love (only love) only love (only love)
So take the same love that’s inside Your heart
And put that same love deep inside of me
Everything else, everything else,
Everything else is fading (only love remains)”
Above was a song a friend from church played during our weekly prayer get-together (FOCUS), which really touched me about this topic that was discussed this past weekend.
Hope and pray this will touch you all with the “New Year” (2016) coming-right around the corner! 🙂 Any thoughts, stories, shares, additional Bible verses, etc.. related to any of the content above? Would love to hear from ya..thanks!
I just chatted with a “friend” about how it was tough living in an abusive home as a child. She said it was good to talk about it with someone as it was difficult to talk to anyone growing-up. We shared about how it was tough to talk about anything to our high school counselor.
How about you? Have you had any similar experiences? How do you deal with it?
Stories from Adults Looking Back on Abuse burstingthebubble.com “…As a young child, as soon as my dad started yelling when he was drunk, I was locked in my bedroom in the dark, crying while my dad belted my mum. I could hear everything – the yelling, the crying. As I got older I would get my little brother and sister, hide them in my room, then run out of my room to help my mum. Sometimes I would get hit trying to protect her.
I hated going to school – I couldn’t concentrate. Who could be bothered with it – everyone sitting up nicely doing their work and me pretending I wasn’t worried about going home to protect my mum and siblings again. …
I’m now 25 years old and I am working in a women’s refuge for domestic violence. I work with the children who come in to the refuge. It’s a rewarding job, being able to assist the children in living with and leaving domestic violence. I love life – I have a gorgeous husband and son with another baby on the way.
I believe if I can come from the lowest place possible to achieving my goals and believing life really is a good thing, then it is possible for other young people too. Seek help from someone you trust or a professional. There are people out there who care even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. It’s okay to feel the way you feel because of the situation you are in.
“Alesha Dixon explores the trauma and fall-out from domestic violence, from a child’s perspective. Alesha highlights the neglect of children at the centre of domestic violence and how, left unheard, those children can be emotionally scarred for life.
Alesha witnessed her mum Beverley being beaten by her live-in boyfriend when she was very young. In this film, she meets girls and boys who have witnessed domestic violence and discovers how it affected their lives.
This is a journey for Alesha as she, in parallel with her own experiences, examines what happens when relationships break down — between parents, between local authorities and between parent and child. And she looks ahead to see how those broken bonds can be healed.”
Children: The silent victims of domestic violence
By Kelly Wallace, CNN Updated 10:10 AM ET, Wed September 10, 2014 cnn.com “When a case of domestic violence captures the national headlines like the story of fallen NFL star Ray Rice and his wife, Janay, there’s a laser focus on the abuser and the victim.
But what about the children?
Ray and Janay Rice have a 2-year-old daughter.
We don’t know if she has ever witnessed domestic violence in her household or ever will. What we do know is more than 3 million children have witnessed it in their homes every year, according to estimates. What those children see and hear can have a profound impact on their lives, experts around the country who deal with domestic violence tell CNN….
Can you relate? Feel free to share your own experiences/stories? Opening up is part of the healing process. Remember, you “are not alone”! Let’s all help one another through our past pain and move forward together to prevent further abuse for future generations!
ACTION: Do you struggle with “anger”?
Sal: I would pray/meditate on the verse(s) above daily while going to work..
