#communion reflections

[lokoja]

“...we became more capable of coping with difficulty in a constructive, life-enhancing manner.” -Communion: The Female Search for Love by bell hooks

That is what I’m trying to figure out how to get to. 

[lokoja]

“...the most gratifying and satisfying sex is sex you do with the person in your life with whom you are most open.” 

This makes so much sense. This is why I still dreamt about me and my former partner’s sex life way after our break up...He’s someone I’ve been open with about everything. But I must know that it won’t be the last time I will be open with someone. 

[lokoja]

“...but we ultimately prefer erotic satisfaction within a context where there is loving, intimate connection.” -all about love by bell hooks

Thinking about how the sex I’m having rn isn’t the most satisfying sex I could have because I don’t deeply love this person which is fine but I do yearn for that sexual satisfaction that comes with loving someone.

[aproffitt2076]

around the table 6.14

NEW POST. around the table 6.14

At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to vicious harassment. Everyone except the apostles was scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. Some pious men buried Stephen and deeply grieved over him. Saul began to wreak havoc against the church. Entering one house after another, he would drag off both men and women and throw them into prison.

– Acts 8.1-3 (CEB)

Comm…

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[aproffitt2076]

around the table 5.31

Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.

Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored because the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name.

He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God. He has shown…

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[christyhamlin]

Pre-meditated Forgiveness

·         Some of the toughest moments in my life were caused by people who I really care about. Fortunately, I have great family and friends who don't intentionally try to hurt me. But even their best intentions don't protect me from experiencing the inevitable rejection and pain that comes from living in close relationships with people who think and perceive life differently than I do.

     I'll never forget talking years ago to a mom who had 5 kids. She was mentioned that her commitment to being a forgiving person allows her to keep a good attitude when her kids do kid stuff - the unpleasant stuff like making messes, fighting, etc. She described those things as an "offense" which needed to be forgiven. At first this sounded to me like an over-sensitivity on her part. After all, kids do those things all the time . . . which was exactly her point. If she pre-meditated forgiveness, she would be prepared to not take it personally or react in anger when her kids or husband said and did things which were insensitive or caused her additional stress. After a while of being intentional about choosing to forgive instead of stuffing her emotions she experienced the positive results of this new pattern.

     Jesus is also a great example of how to handle life situations - only his was on a much more extreme level. It doesn't get more extreme than betrayal and murder. The thing is, he knew what was coming. Scripture records that he predicted Judas’ betrayal and still served him and washed his feet at the last supper. The next day he hung on a cross asking His father to forgive the people who were torturing him in the midst of their violence. That kind of forgiveness only comes from a lifetime of practicing forgiveness.

     I usually like to see people show some remorse for how they've hurt me before I really let it go - and even then it is difficult in certain circumstances. Jesus reminds me that it is possible to choose a different attitude. I can choose to live in bondage to my offense but if I'm really thankful for how God forgave me I'll have better odds of doing the same for others.