Lying on God's Couch; Loneliness Therapy for Christian Singles

 Have you ever felt that nobody understands what you’re going through—including God?

If you’re unmarried, you may feel that way most of the time. You haven't yet found another person you can share your deepest, most intimate secrets with.

In the midst of our loneliness, we forget that Jesus Christ understands us even better than we understand ourselves. Jesus knows about loneliness.
Why Jesus Understands Loneliness
Jesus' disciples didn't really grasp his teachings. He was constantly at odds with the legalistic Pharisees. He bristled when people came only to see miracles and not to hear what he said.

But there was another side to Jesus' loneliness that was even more poignant. He had all the feelings and desires of a normal human being, and it's not far-fetched to believe that he also wanted to have the love of a spouse and the joy of a family.

Scripture tells us about Jesus: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin." (Hebrews 4:15 NIV)

Wanting to be married is not a temptation, but loneliness can be. Jesus was tempted by loneliness, so he does know what you're going through.
Therapy that Gets to the Heart of the Problem
We don't take our loneliness to God as often as we should. Because it's not an audible, two-way conversation, we may wrongly assume that he's not listening. We also have the odd notion that God can't relate to our fast-paced, information-overloaded 21st century.

It Will All Pay Off. :)

"God, I know it will all pay off… I know good things come to those who wait for you, and I’m sure that you know my heart far better than I do, and you know what you are doing. It’s hard to be patient and obedient Father; especially when I see something that I always wanted pass me by, chase me, but I didn’t grab it because you told me not to. It hurts, but I do delight in letting go of myself to give way for more of you in this life. I never realized how much you wanted me until I found myself today, making a choice, maybe a choice that was not that hard, but a choice that led me to realize that my journey is not getting any easier anymore… It led me to see that I really cannot hold on to myself if I wanted to follow you. Though I have always known that, I only came to understand it when I felt the pain of slowly opening my hands and giving up even my dreams to wait for you and for your will to be unfolded before my eyes, It’s hard to not know what would be next, knowing that my dreams could possibly not be fulfilled anymore, But I trust you Father that you know what’s best, even if it means forgetting what I’ve always wanted.

This could be a turning point for me, and I would definitely not forget this, the moment when I learned to really let go of something good for the first time with no reservations at all. I really have no idea of what could be in store next for me, but instead of doubt, it gives me more security and peace; if only I knew from the start that trusting you this much would lead to this kind of contentment, then I could’ve not wasted myself trying to hold on too much on things and trying to make them work on my own. You truly make me love you more each day Lord. As I look on how I’ve walked this life so far, I can never have enough words to describe how good you are to me. Even this whole life cannot fill the gratitude I have towards your faithfulness you’ve shown me through the years. And today Father, I am not afraid to tell the world that I’m not afraid to let go of anything because I know you’re not letting me go, I’m certain that you have everything in your hand and I shouldn’t be afraid of missing anything in this life, for I know that when I have you, I have everything I need, and everything I wanted is found in you. Even if I lose anything in this life, regret won’t fill my heart because you are enough. Even if no one recognizes, cares, honors, helps, believes or looks after me, I know you do; and whenever, wherever, whatever and however I may be, I know you never change. I know it won’t be easy, but I know better how you hold everything in your hands, nothing would be too hard for you.
Once again I will say, “God I know it will pay off” I know you see my heart and my faith. I want to do your will Father, though I haven’t completely Fathomed where you’re leading me, but I want that. Wherever it is, be it.

A Poem Written In the Park

Lord, my God,
the Creator of the heavens and the earth,
and all the things both seen
and unseen,
I thank you for Your eternal love,
for your faithful and everlasting presence
in my life...

My Lord Jesus Christ,
You died on the cross
in my place
so I would be saved from all my sins,
and delivered from
the fire of eternity.

I thank you for letting me see
the beauty of the earth,
the majesty of Your creation,
and for allowing me to listen
to the silent language of the trees around me
in the coolness of this park,
though my eyesight is temporarily blurred,
and the faces of strangers
have been misty for me.

There are many things I wish
to thank you for
in the past two days since I arrived here
in Saigon...

Thank you, dear Lord,
for protecting me
in my travels,
for Your daily provisions,
for the new friends You gave me on my way
who help brighten my day...

Thank you for the soft breeze
in this park,
where I can rest for a while,
under this green shade
where I can hear
the soft melody of the birds
in the park
of this ancient city...

Thanks (^_^)

Ocha Samohito

SPIRIT AND LIFE

Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (John 6:63, ESV).

Consider the part that says, "The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."

His words are "spirit and life." They are not just ordinary words that we, human beings, speak.

His words are words of the Living God!

Those words are the words we read in Genesis, "Let there be..." and physical things appeared out of nothing.

God declares:

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:10-11).

His words will surely accomplish the purpose that they are sent for. When Jesus called for Lazarus, "Lazarus, come out," he came out (John 11:43-44) though he was already dead for four days!

Now, during our time, what's the purpose why we have His words?

GOD IS IN CONTROL

YOU HOLD THE STARS IN THE SKY AND BRING FIRE TO THE BURNING SUN
YOU FORMED THE EARTH WITH YOUR MIGHTY HAND AND THE UNIVERSE IS YOUR MARVELOUS WORK...

FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING YOU ARE SO AMAZING
THE BEAUTY OF YOUR CREATION AND GOODNESS IN EVERY SITUATION
THERE IS NO TIME FOR FEAR, FOR YOU ALREADY WIPED MY TEARS
IN THE SKY I WILL FLY AND THIS WINGS YOU GAVE I WILL GLIDE

LIKE AN EAGLE IS WHAT I AM FOR I WAS CREATED TO EXCEL
IN THE AIR I WILL SOAR FOR YOU HOLD MY VICTORY IN EVERY CORNER OF THE ENDLESS HOLE

WHY SHOULD I’D BE ANXIOUS OR WORRY ABOUT WHAT TOMORROW WILL BRINGS
WHEN ALL I HAVE IS YOU MY GOD THE OWNER AND CREATOR OF LIFE
EVEN IN MY MISTAKES YOU NEVER LEFT OR IN THE BATTLE OF ADVERSITIES YOU NEVER SLEPT AND IN PERFECT TIMING I’VE BEEN SAVED

GOD IS IN CONTROL, JUST LET GO OF THE WHEEL AND LET GOD STEER
GOD IS IN CONTROL, HE IS FAITHFUL AND HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER....

Thanks (^_^)

Ocha Samohito

Risk

“RISK” We often think of danger, failure, bankruptcy, losing big-time! Believe it or not there are some who love Risks. It builds up excitement, unlimited potential, and reward. To remove risks from our lives leaves us stagnant, complacent, safe and maybe sorry. Don't live with regrets!

Living by ‘Risk’ is a Leap of Faith! We don’t know what God has in store for us every time we obey Him. Trusting God is risking our reputation, our future and our lives. The truth is when we ‘Leap’ when God tells us, He will always catch us. Believe Him with all our heart! Let’s not live by sight – where’s the fun in that? JUMP with JESUS!

Thanks (^_^)

Ocha Samohito

Forgiven, Reconciled and Saved?

By Paul Ellis Escape To Reality (http://escapetoreality.org) The world sure is a strange place. Just when you think you’ve seen everything, something new hits you on the side of the head. When I was growing up, the number one theological question was this one: “Once saved, always saved?” People who asked this question wanted to know whether it is possible for a Christian to lose their salvation. Well if bullfrogs and butterflies can turn back into tad-poles and caterpillars, then I guess it’s possible.  But now there’s a whole new question being asked, which is this: Is everybody saved? Many are saying yes: “Jesus is the Savior of the world. Therefore everyone is already saved, they just don’t know it.” Now before you write this off as universalist heresy, let me add that those who preach this brand of historical reconciliation do not believe everyone is going to heaven. It’s just that everyone is in until unbelief kicks them out.  Since this is a popular teaching today, I think it would be good for us to take a closer look. Let’s start with an oft-heard statement: “All are forgiven, reconciled, and saved.” To these three points I respond: (1) it’s true (we are forgiven), (2) it’s sort of true (God has reconciled the world but you still need to be reconciled), and (3) it’s not true (not all are saved).