Creativity as part of God’s nature By Mike Goatman In this Guest post, Mike Goatman explains and explores how he sees creativity as part of God’s nature and our identity as His image-bearers. Mike’s love of art began at school, grew through study and marriage, and later flourished in church groups where painting became a […]
There are many people today who struggle with a sense of rejection, to a greater or lesser degree – are you one of them? Have you ever experienced an unkind word from someone you have cared about, been belittled by a work colleague or blanked by a neighbour? Some causes of that feeling of rejection are deep-seated because they are deep-rooted going back many years, even to childhood. You may have heard from friends who tell you of something a teacher said to them at school (which the teacher would probably have long-forgotten) or of the breakup of a romance when off-the-cuff words cut deep. Sometimes, it can be the words of a parent or sibling that will lead not only to the powerful negative emotion of rejection but also to a relationship breakdown that lasted for months, years or maybe even lingers on. How can you deal with it in yourself or help others struggling with the debilitating consequences as they carry this deadweight around with them? There can yet be a breaking through of the sun for a sunrise can change everything.
Forgiveness Freedom Family Forever. ONLY EVER … Reflections (connect4life.org.uk) OUTSIDE OF YOU … Reflections (connect4life.org.uk)
Few people like to admit that they have a strong need to be in control, unkindly or perhaps aptly referred to as ‘control freaks’. Some of the signs are that they often correct or belittle others, find themselves judging people, refuse to admit when they are wrong, sometimes use the silent treatment as emotional blackmail and always need to have the last word. Whilst this may apply to how they relate to others, ironically they themselves lack self-control over many things including the desire to be in control! There is also a healthy type of control for otherwise chaos reigns. Yet if you take control to its unhealthy extent you head into areas of domination and manipulation which indicate personal insecurity. Those who love power love to use it and to flaunt it as these armour-plated limousines and this fierce Presidential bodyguard demonstrate.
Can you be anything or anyone you want to be? Do you know what and who that is? What is it that defines you – gender, ethnicity, nationality, family, abilities, wealth, achievements, history, sexuality, politics, religion? How do you want people to think of you?
‘When you have a lot of people telling you what you are and perceiving you in a certain way, it’s difficult to find your own identity’ – Sia (Kate Isobelle Furler)
