Below are some issues (root: sin) that many (including me!) of us face directly/indirectly in the world we live in-whether we do or don't admit we have. As one grows in their relationship with God, many of these issues become a less of a "hindrance" to grow like a "beautiful flower" that God wants us to become in our life on earth-"abundantly" (John 10:10). Each link has resources (includes some persoanl testimony to build my credibility for you to relate to me) with Biblical references to guide you to come to a refugee to Him "the Counselor" (John 15)-the source of all of our problems!
I (Sal) would love to hear from you if you have any additional links or stories that I can add. I'm hoping to network with one another as we can all work together in dealing with these daily social issues many of us face directly/indirectly.
*Note: I'm no expert on these issues, but I just want to direct or point people the one who can be a "Counselor"-Heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit!
You can't do it by yourself!
A friend was telling me he was struggling with his diabetes as he just keeping eating foods that he knows he shouldn't be eating. I told him, do you want to see your grand kids grow-up? For me, if I was him, I would love to grow old as I can to see them until God takes me to Heaven with Him. I have had this conversation with many others who tell me that they don't care if they die early because of current circumstances. I share that I would love to live as long as I can because life is worth living for. Thus, this is just an extra motivation to taking care of my health. How about you?
This friend kept on repeating that he can't do it on his own. I then (light bulb pop out as I was reminded that I was asking God earlier to show me how I can be used by Him today-was helping this friend with an outdoor painting project) shared, I know you can't do it on your own because you need God's help! I told him everybody has an addicion or some addictions. I then shared (e-mailed this to him this morning to make sure he remembers!) my own story of how I've been able to overcome (just one of my addictions) my "border-line" diabetes (see story) diagnosed 2-3 years ago.
I shared this "open door" (sharing my life) story at my local church this morning, which I wasn't able to share that we can't let these family health (e.g. sin) history repeat itself. Yes, diabetes has been in my family for generations, but I'm not going to let that happen to me-no matter what statistics are out there. I'm a "new creation" in Christ and everything started new when I came to Christ in 1996 (see personal testimony). What has helped me to overcome diabetes and other addictions in life is using the "tools" (Bible verses-see down below) through prayer (e.g. fasting regularly-sometimes once a week from certain foods) that God has equipped me over the years growing in my personal relationship. For example, one of my favorite quoted verses is Galatians 5...
"...But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit...
Earlier this weekend (Sunday, September 20th of 2009), I heard this short message from my local Christian radio on "Using the tools (e.g. what's mentioned in the Bible) God has given us"..One can be the most physical strongest person as a construction worker, but if he/she doesn't have the tools (e.g. hammer) -that own strength is worthless in constructing a house, building, or any construction project. This analogy shows our true self that we can't do things in life on our own, we need to use the "tools" the God has given us to handle our daily life's "projects" or "challenges". Next time you come up with a "project" that seem impossible, just remember to ask God for the "tools" to use to overcome them.
What are your addiction(s)? How are you overcoming them?
Make sure you read all the way down and click on the smile-it is worth it!
The most destructive habit.......................................Worry
The greatest Joy...........................................................Giving
The greatest loss.........................................................Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work.........................................Helping others
The ugliest personality trait......................................Selfishness
The most endangered species................................Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource...................................Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"..................................Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome..........................Fear
The most effective sleeping pill................................Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease..........................Excuses
The most powerful force in life.................................Love
The most dangerous pariah.......................................A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer....................The brain
The worst thing to be without....................................Hope
The deadliest weapon..................................................The tongue
The two most power-filled words.............................."I Can"
The greatest asset.........................................................Faith
The most worthless emotion......................................Self-pity
The most beautiful attire.............................................SMILE!
The most prized possession......................................Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication......Prayer
The most contagious spirit.........................................Enthusiasm
This is one you'll like. Someone put in a lot of effort to compile this.
Just click on the word "smile" below and get ready to enjoy.
SMILE
Music for the Soul
"Hold Fast lyrics" (by Mercy Me-saw them in concert on 3/07)
To everyone who's hurting
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope
Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast
Will this season ever pass?
Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last?
Or could this be our lot in life?
Please do not let go
I promise you there's hope
You may think you're all alone
And there's no way that anyone could know
What you're going through
But if you only hear one thing
Just understand that we are all the same
Searching for the truth
The truth of what we're soon to face
Unless someone comes to take our place
Is there anyone?
All we want is to be free
Free from our captivity, Lord
from elyrics.net
Facing Big Challenges-Giants in your life?
*see Movie "Facing the Giants" (football movie)
"God is bigger than your circumstances (e.g. challenges, giants, etc...)"
Exploring Canaan
(Story of Moses->Josephn leading the people to the "Promise Land")
""We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."..."-Numbers 13
Counselor Training:
Support Groups:
Testimonies
Articles
Counselor Training:
Shelters
-Women
Bible
Books:
Dear Saint of God,
Do you know of anyone who struggles with a poor self image? Maybe you know of a married couple who is struggling to stay together. Perhaps
you know of someone who is contemplating divorce. How about someone who
has/had a problem with pornography or alcohol. If you do, I have a
helpful book that you could give to them that just might help them get
victory!
Ministries
Movies
XTREME:
Rad Night - a scene from Soul Surfer starring Carrie Underwood
"This inspirational clip from the movie Soul Surfer talks about how changing your perspective can help in hard times."
*we just need a different perspective in life
Music
-Country
kelly pickler on the bonnie hunt show, interview, part 1 of 2 , from youtube.com
kelly pickler on the bonnie hunt show, interview, part 2 of 2 , from youtube.com
*saw this taped re-run interview on Christmas Day of 08' and thought Kellie Pickler brought some "motivational" quotes ("You are responsible for you own actions/outcome", "You are what you eat", etc...)on many various social issues & challenges (e.g. depression, family, ) !
-Worship
Mighty to Save-Hillsong United
"Great Praise and Worship Song. Jesus can move mountains, He is mighty to save."
Blessings - Laura Story - LYRICS
"Lyrics:
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace.
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep.
We pray for healing, prosperity.
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering.
All the while, You hear each spoken need.
Your love is too way too much to give us lesser things.
Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?
What if trials of this night, are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear.
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near.
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love.
As if every promise from Your word is not enough.
All, the while, You hear each desperate plea.
And long that we'd have faith to believe.
Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?
What if trials of this night, are Your mercies in disguise?
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win;
We know that pain reminds this heart, that this is not, this is not our home.
It's not our home.
Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?
What if my greatest disappointments, or the aching of this life;
Is a revealing of greater thirst that a world can't satisfy?
And what if trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the hardest nights;
Are Your mercies in disguise?
***I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING***
**ALL RIGHTS TO LAURA STORY**"
Testimonies
Cardboard Testimony (click here=> better audio)
"Real people, real life, real love and forgiveness and healing."
Barry Mayson - Giving Testimony at a Biker Sunday in 2001 - Video 1 of 4
"This is a testimony of Barry Mayson, founder of Heaven's Saints Motorcycle Ministry (http://www.heavenssaints.com) that he gave at Biker Sunday service in 2001 - Barry has given me verbal permission to distribute this video via all media, including the internet. (Due to time and size constraints, this video has been broken up into four parts. All four videos will take time to upload and get approved, so please be patient.)"
Treatment Centers
Girl Ruins Marriage on Game Show « Viral Footage Google Chrome
"Uploaded on Aug 5, 2009
Moment of truth
"
It's an "issue" all over the world due to our global media technology...
Indonesian Friend-" also concern about the lifestyle of teenagers around the world. Here in Bandung and Jakarta, most teenagers are over-curious about sex and they start experimenting. How sad! Also the issue about DRUGS, more and mroe teenagers are using drugs right now. They can bribe the police here. And it is not a secret anymore that police also selling drugs and legaling the protitution if they get a 'free service'. I believe this also happen around the world. We just have to keep our eyes open. A lot of my friends are dragged to this "dark-world". I'm so sad and keep praying for them. Sometime if I have a chance to talk to them, I always try hard to persuade them to repent.
Couples years ago when I was in Mexico, the things are more or less similar....free sex, drugs....EVERYWHERE!!! I saw these things also in Singapore, Thailand, Philipines, Malaysia, and of course in Europe. Is this the end of the world???? I guess this is the time for us to FIGHT! We must fight for our next generation. We are in a WAR, not against human, but another supra natural power controlling this world today. Prepare for the WORLD-WAR. Jesus Christ is our General Officer. We are His soldiers. Our enemies is enormous. This will be a huge war lasting for a very long time.
Other thing to ponder: Sex and Drugs are targeted to teenagers and some adults. But there are other things happens targeted to adults and TO US, THE BELIEVERS! So be ready. Just keep our eyes open and keep praying.
Occultism is blooming here in Indonesia. Although the goverment prohibits the occultism, but here in Indonesia, they can grow easily because of the weakness of the law enforcement and numerous low-educated people. This is why Indonesia is a fertile ground for ocultism.