Constant reassurance seeking. Do you love me? Are you mad at me?
Feeling responsible for problem-solving.
You can’t say “no.”
You need to avoid conflict. Do you worry about asserting boundaries?
Do you say and do things you usually wouldn’t do around certain people due to fear.
Co-Dependency and Freedom, Part III In the Human Behavior Series Read Post »
Somewhere in your life, there’s probably a martyr martyring herself right now. She’s that friend, parent, spouse, co-worker, roommate, etc., who makes sure you know she’s sacrificing—for you and for the good of everyone but her. Those with martyr syndrome suffer out loud, in full display. The martyr is committed to being the one who doesn’t get to be happy, who doesn’t get what everyone else gets. The martyr always has a reason why he can’t let you help him… you’ll do it wrong, and then he’ll have to redo it; it’s just easier if he does it; he’s already started; he doesn’t really mind, blah blah blah. But the point is, it’s not possible, now or really ever, to let you take the burden off of him.[2]
The Martyr Complex, Part II of the Human Behavior Series Read Post »
Money is something we all deal with, and most of us wish we had more of it. My grandparents were survivors of the Great Depression. Years later, my grandmother was still counting her pennies, washing out her pantyhose, mending socks and shirts, gardening, canning, and not wasting anything. Every dollar and cent was accounted for. Today we have become more wasteful. We may have excessive spending, spoiling others and ourselves. Balance is needed. We even have a reality show called hoarders.
Money, Money, Money– The Root of All Evil Read Post »
The Bible speaks of people who wear pride like jewelry. An adornment of pride– sparkling jewels, but these are not jewels given by the Holy Spirit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. No, this adornment brings destruction.
Psalm 73:6: They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. Psalm 73:6, CSB: Therefore, pride is their necklace, and violence covers them like a garment.
Righteous Job had a different attire and clothed himself in robes of righteousness.
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban. Job 29:14.
One thing I noticed and have noticed about us humans is we can be so sure of ourselves and our knowledge that we think we know, and if we receive attention, accolades, and applause for it, we can become pompous. A head too big to fit through a door. Puffed up.
The Know it All, Part I in the Human Behavior Series Read Post »
A moment in time—a “Then suddenly”—a lifetime of moments has just occurred in Joseph’s life and his brothers within a matter of minutes. Joseph has been validated, vindicated, and he has forgiven. Joseph feels as if he has sprung forth from a sheath. Like his mother’s identity stolen from her on her wedding night, his identity has been hidden for so long behind a mask, but now he knows exactly who he is.
Joseph the Seer, Sees, an Allegory–Part II Read Post »
Joseph knows the Egyptian sun god Ra has no power over the dry, cracked earth, nor does he look to Neir, the god of wisdom from which his wife, Asenath, is named–a wife given to him after years of loneliness and grief. Asenath is lovely to behold and interested in the God of His Father, Jacob, but at times still clings to the many gods of Egypt.
Joseph slips on his leather sandals and paces past terracotta pots and serving tables surrounded by guards. Back and forth, he paces, replaying the words he’s rehearsing in his head. It’s a dialogue of what he will say and do next concerning his brothers.
Joseph, the Dreamer, an Allegory–Part I Read Post »
Five is the number of grace and the scrolls of the Torah (the 1st five books of the Bible). Joseph is storing up more than grain as a precursor for Yeshua. Benjamin’s portion was five times more than his brothers’. The feasts affiliated with the Messiah’s return is the 5th one, the Feasts of Trumpets or Yom Teruah. This feast occurs in the 7th month of the Hebrew Calendar.
The Number 5 and the Story of Joseph Go Hand in Hand Read Post »
You take a deep breath and enter and are instantly greeted with “Shabbat Shalom!” You mouth an almost silent “hello.” And walk with head down to the back of the assembly. Shofars start blaring, and prayers are being said in Hebrew, then English. People are turning to face in a direction. Meanwhile, you are frozen with two left feet. You make a note to look up the word “Shema” and oneg, because people keep inviting you to come after the service to oneg– whatever oneg is?
From Torah Terrorist to Slightly Normal Human–a Comedy Read Post »
James 5 says, “If he committed sins,” not if he or his father or his grandfather. No instructions to break generational curses. I am not entirely against generational traits, personalities, hereditary diseases or even spiritual issues, but many things affect each individual situation.
Eli, the high priest, was righteous, but his sons were bent on evil. They were not wicked because of a generational curse, but scriptures suggest that Eli did not discipline them:
Generational Curses, Spirits Unveiled, New Series Available Read Post »
In my teaching today, Jacob is meeting his brother Esau. It’s been over 20 years. That’s a long time not to speak to a sibling. There are times when we leave people for seasons. Having a brother or sister who is a twin and shared the womb must be unique. We often see identical twins and hear stories of how bonded they are, but Jacob and Esau were said to be two different nations. They were fraternal and looked drastically different–one was hairy wearing a fur coat and one smooth skinned.
Forget What Esau Said, It’s What You Said, Father! Read Post »
