Psalm 119 Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God

This is the fourteenth section of Psalm 119 – the longest chapter and the longest Psalm in the Bible. There are 8 different terms referring to Scripture used through out. These are: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, word and ordinances.

Nun. 

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

Father, Your Word sheds bright light in my life,

And a light leading me on the path of your will for me.

¹⁰⁶ I have sworn and I will confirm it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

I have surrendered all to you and confirm it here,

This means I will be true to your law and Word.

¹⁰⁷ I am exceedingly afflicted;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.

Father, I am some times very upset;

When I turn to you, you revive me as your word promises.

¹⁰⁸ O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your ordinances.

Father, Accept the praises and thanks offered to you,

Continue to teach me your Holy Word.

¹⁰⁹ My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.

My life is controlled by my hand,

Yet I don’t forget you and your precious way.

¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.

Father, the wicked world lays many snares for me,

Yet I stand strong in following your precepts.

¹¹¹ I have inherited Your testimonies forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.

Father as a child of the king I have inherited your testimonies forever,

And they are they joy of my heart.

¹¹² I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.

Father I bend my heart to do your will,

Forever and even to the end.

Blessings, Dottie

 

Psycho Info: What is Marital Therapy?

Q.  I’m wondering how marital therapy works as I believe this is quite different from individual therapy. My wife and I saw a counselor for six sessions this past year and it helped us a great deal. I’m still trying to understand how and why it helped. I also wonder if we stopped too soon. We aren’t as close to each other as we were at the time we stopped treatment although our relationship is much better than when we began. What do you think?

A. You are accurate in your assumption that marriage counseling is quite different from individual counseling. In marriage counseling the “patient” is the marriage. The focus is on the relationship between the couple and the patterns and problems there, rather than on the inner conflicts or the childhood issues of each individual. The focus is on the couple and their communication patterns, their resentments or disappointments in each other and on the positive areas in their relationship. The past may be explored to give the counselor some diagnostic understanding of the couple but it is focused on only as it affects the marriage today. 

        

In marriage counseling the counselor comments actively on the issues raised, focusing on the process that is occurring between the couple. This is done in a non-blaming way, simply helping the couple see the roles they assume in their relationship. Initially, there may be a great deal of resentment or anger which needs to be dissolved. The counselor helps couples hear the underlying hurt or pain behind the anger.        

As couples talk in the safety of the counselor’s office, they gradually are able to let go of negative emotions. They begin to see their relationship in a different way. They may discover new meanings to their partner’s behavior. They may listen to each other and be able to put themselves in the other’s place for the first time. They also may share things never before revealed. All of this leads to a new level of intimacy.

Marriage counseling is not an easy or painless procedure. It takes courage and a willingness to risk opening up about painful issues. However, marriage counseling often produces dramatic, positive results in a short period of time.

At best, brief marriage counseling helps couples wipe the slate clean, heal old hurts, rediscover the many positives in their relationship, and learn to communicate clearly and openly. A method is learned but it needs to be put into practice on a daily basis after the counseling ends. 

        

Many couples who have been through successful brief marriage counseling decide to return for further help later on. Usually this is not due to a failure of the initial counseling although the couple may fear this is so. Invariably, they have reached a new snag, a new conflict, which has pulled them back into one of their past dysfunctional patterns and they are ready for further growth.

If you and your wife feel you have reached an impasse or have regressed to a state of chronic distance or if resentments are building, then a return to counseling is indicated. Working on your marriage is worth the pain and struggle. Both spouses grow through the process and the marriage grows stronger. You, your children and your extended family will benefit. Marriage counseling is worth the struggle and the cost.

Select a counselor who is trained and skilled in marriage counseling. Choose a Christian counselor if you are a Christian. The counselor’s worldview does make a difference. 

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NIV

Blessings, Dottie

Tags: psycho info, marriage counseling, marriage problems

THE BIRTHDAY OF THE CHURCH

This Sunday is the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church. Most Christians know that the birth of the church occurred on the day of Pentecost, but I suspect most Christians don’t know what Pentecost meant to the Jewish people at that time. Pentecost was a Jewish festival fifty days after Passover. Pentecost celebrated the giving of the law to Moses and two loaves were offered to God in gratitude for the harvest. The Jewish law required that no work be done on the day of Pentecost. Crowds of Jews gathered in Jerusalem from various countries to celebrate this Jewish festival.

At the Ascension Jesus ordered the disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait. Just wait. Waiting is not easy for most of us but they obeyed. Scripture says: “They all joined together constantly in prayer.” (Acts1:14)

There were 120 believers gathered together including the disciples, and other followers both men and women and Jesus brothers. They prayed for ten days! Perhaps this is a lesson to us that we need to pray more in order for the church to be in tune with and full of Holy Spirit power.

On the day of Pentecost the disciples were in the upper room praying. Scripture says:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)

Hearing the noise, a crowd gathered. Peter preached to the throng of people. He gave a powerful, convicting message explaining that Jesus was the Christ and was crucified, died and rose again. He was seen by many witnesses for forty days and then He ascended to the right hand of God and sent the promised Holy Spirit.

When the people heard Peter’s message, “they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off— for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:38-41)

Following this “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer….And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42, 2:47)

As a result, of this small group of Holy Spirit empowered men and women, within a century half the then-known world came to Christ.

There is so much more in the first two chapters of Acts. Read all of it today; learn more and be inspired by the birthday of the Church. And vow to spend more time in prayer and in the Word.

Blessings, Dottie

MOTHER - DAUGHTER CLOSENESS

Q. My daughter and I had a good relationship when she was a child, but in her teens she disliked everything I did and became very independent. This was difficult for me, but I knew I had to let go. Now, at age 25, she and I have become good friends again. The problem is this closeness happened after I was diagnosed with cancer. I’m afraid she’s involved out of guilt or duty rather than love, though she seems very loving. What is a normal adult relationship between a mother and daughter? Is it OK for us to be close?

A. One of the many myths about motherhood is the myth that mother - daughter closeness is unhealthy. Children need to learn to take care of themselves. When young they need to learn to dress and feed themselves. As children grow up they need to move out into the world of school and then work. In the process of all this they need to learn to think for themselves and communicate with others.

        

Children need to learn how to relate to others, how to connect, how to maintain relationships. Our society in recent decades has made a virtue out of independence. To be a mature adult we are to assert ourselves, be who we are, do our own thing and not “need” anyone else. 

        

Yet women long for connection and intimacy. We want this not only in our marriage but in all our relationships. A study found that “women do not want to separate from their mothers. They went to keep that relationship authentic and add other strong and close relationships.”  
    

We often mislabel connection and closeness, assuming its dependency. Much has been written about “enmeshed” or “fused” relationships. There is a difference between enmeshment and a healthy close relationship. An enmeshed or dependent relationship is based on an inability to think and act for oneself. In these “fused” relationships there is no room for disagreement, no room for differences of opinion or taste, no room for independent thinking or action.

        

A healthy, close relationship is based on love and trust. There is acceptance of the other person as a separate personality yet there is a loving bond that also unites you. It is a relationship of equals. There is give and take. Differences of opinion are not taken personally. 

We have been sold a bill of goods about the virtue of independence. We are social beings. We thrive when we are in relationships - close relationships. When we are isolated we become emotionally and physically sick. It is normal to want and need closeness.

        

It also is normal to feel sad when we lose a close relationship. It’s normal to feel sad when a child begins school, goes away to camp for the first time or goes off to college. We can feel sad about our loss yet also feel happy and excited about the future ahead for our child. 

        

Your daughter’s decision to be closer to you after you had cancer is OK.  Your illness was “a wake up call” to her that you won’t be with her forever. There is nothing wrong with this. We tend to take our closest relationships for granted until illness or misfortune strike. 

        

You are fortunate to have such a loving, close relationship with your daughter. It’s a precious gift we all want. Enjoy it this Mother’s day.

“Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10

Blessings, Dottie

ASCENSION DAY

High and Lifted Up!

Scripture tells us that forty days after Jesus resurrection, that is, forty days after Easter, He ascended to heaven. This means that Ascension Day 2018 is this week on Thursday, May 10th. There are accounts of this in Luke and Acts.

Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus met His disciples on the Mount of Olives. Imagine their excitement, believing that now Jesus would establish His kingdom on earth and fulfill the great promise the Jews had clung to for centuries. Christ would be king, not just of Israel but of the whole world. Then the moment was upon them; their beloved Jesus was with them. 

The Scripture account in Luke reports:                              

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continuously at the temple, praising God. Luke 24:50-52

The Scripture account in Acts reports:

They asked Him,” Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times of dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood before them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:6-12

We need to take note today of this amazing event in history. Barclay says, “The Ascension was an absolute necessity. There had to be a final moment when Jesus was taken back to the glory that was his.” Barclay notes that the end of his resurrection appearances had to come to a definite end rather than just peter out. Also he says, “If Jesus was to give his followers unanswerable proof that he had returned to glory the Ascension was absolutely necessary.”

There is much to ponder about this amazing event in history when Jesus

returned to glory. And He’s coming back!

Blessings, Dottie

Two Book Reviews on Health Remedies

If you’re uncertain about your doctor’s orders for medication, surgery or testing or if they don’t help, you may be interested in these two books. The second one will cure you by dealing with unconscious issues! The first book will teach you ways to improve your health by taking less medication, eliminating toxins and boosting the immune system through diet, exercise, probiotics and supplements.

Natural Remedies for Essential Tremor     

By Donna Gagnon

Natural Remedies for Essential Tremor by Donna Gagnon is chock full of information about remedies other than drugs and surgery that may offer symptom relief for those suffering from essential tremor. Gagnon supplies background information on Essential Tremor and on conventional drugs and surgery treatments and then covers a multitude of natural remedies that will help our health today including food choices and life style choices, eliminating toxins, nutritional supplements, alternate therapies and more. The book is well written and easy to understand plus it is documented with references. At the end of the book Gagnon puts it all together with a step by step plan for implementing lifestyle changes gradually. The information in this book will help all of us be healthier and hopefully will reduce or even eliminate tremors.

The Divided Mind: The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders

By John Sarno

The Divided Mind by Dr. John Sarno is about the principles and practices of psychosomatic medicine written by a well known doctor who for decades specialized in helping people with back trouble using mindbody methods. Sarno is concerned that medical care in this country is in crisis. He says that over six million Americans suffering from fibromyalgia are being treated by specialists who don’t have a clue about what causes this disorder. The same is true for other disorders. He says there are hundreds of disorders that are psychosomatic. In spite of the prevalence of these disorders psychosomatic medicine is almost unknown today. Instead, doctors treat the symptoms.

Sarno writes the first four chapters in this book – about half of the book. He writes excellent chapters on the history of psychosomatic medicine, and the psychology and treatment of psychosomatic disorders. Case examples amplify his convictions about proper treatment for many people. His treatment involves teaching patients to at least keep an open mind to the fact that their problems are often due to underlying unconscious anger and the pain experienced by patients is to protect them from these feelings of rage. The patients who are open to this are often helped by realizing their unconscious issues and some accept a need for psychotherapy. Their unbearable pain goes away.

The second half of the book is written by six doctors who studied with Sarno and who use his methods. They support with their stories the need for an understanding of psychological needs and childhood or background issues. They include a doctor who specializes in hypertension, one who works in rehabilitation, a rheumatologist, an orthopedic surgeon, a doctor in sports medicine, and a family doctor. All of these doctors have similar stories of success with helping many people who were hopelessly sick prior to using this method. Chapter six by the orthopedic surgeon is terribly long and not well edited. The rest are excellent.

For those of us who recall seeing a family doctor in a leisurely setting in which time was not rushed and the doctor really knew you – I wish many of you could realize what we are missing today with managed care and doctors looking at their computers and doctors pushing medication or surgery for every ill. I know most doctors are caring but are trapped in the system. I hope some doctors will read this and open up their own practice to a kinder, more helpful way of treating illnesses. People need to exercise and eat right and quit most meds

“O Lord, my God, I cried out to you and you healed me.” Psalm 30:3

Blessings, Dottie