Tag Archives: God

Five Stages to Building Solid Relationships

Posted on by yolandaberry
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woman and man sitting on brown wooden bench

Our lives are based on relationships. We desire to develop and build satisfying relationships. We strive so hard to find someone who truly understands and relates to us. When we do find that special connection, we are considered very rare and special.

Social media has made communicating even more interactive to share and learn about others in detail. However, we should not forget how important it is to connect with one another in a social setting or individually.

There are five basic stages of building a relationship:

  1. Casual Conversation; also known as small talk; discussing things like the weather, sports, work, etc.
  2. Developing Trust; Sharing feelings, ideas, thoughts and opinions
  3. Deeper Trust; Sharing deeper issues such as dreams, mistakes, pain and frustrations
  4. Intimacy; sharing another’s quiet space and enjoying each other’s company without conversation.
  5. Union; sharing a bond of emotions, feelings, actions and communication as one.

There are many layers to a person’s personality and history. It is a process to learn someone and each stage should develop naturally and not be rushed.

When you develop a relationship in your personal, social and business settings, it will allow you to find the right mate, friend or business partner. It’s fine to have high standards and not settle for less than you deserve. Respect, honesty, trust and communication should be the basis of any relationship. It doesn’t just work one-sided. The key is finding someone who shares the same values and belief system that you do. “Do not be unequally yoked with non-believers. 2 Corinthians 6:14

Heartaches and several headaches can be avoided if only we apply the simple standards that God desires us to live. Prosperity, peace of mind, healing, joy and fulfillment are just some of the benefits that God has promised us.

We should also apply the same five stages in developing our relationship with Christ before we even try to develop relationships with others. Our main goal should be striving for a union with Christ. Through our relationship with Christ, we understand how to treat others and walk as an example for others to follow. Developing a union provides a secure foundation to build a strong, solid healthy relationship.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He that abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in e, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. B this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit so you will be my disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep my commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15: 5-12

References:  Elijahlist.com

In the Eye of the Storm

Posted on by yolandaberry
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“Be strong and of good courage: be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee wherever thou goes.” Joshua 1:9

 My heartfelt prayers goes out to all those who was affected by the tornadoes in Oklahoma.

There are many storms in life that interrupts our plans, our dreams, our goals, our way of life. Without warning, we find ourselves in a situation or circumstance that is completely overwhelming. We may lose a job, a home or a loved one. Dealing with lose is never easy. We do not expect it nor do we deserve it. Life just dishes us unwarranted chaos and heartache. “If when evil comes upon us, to the sword, judgment or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house and in thy presence, for thy name is in this house; and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou will hear and help.” II Chronicles 20:9

When Jesus fell asleep on a boat in the middle of a horrific storm. The disciples panicked and awoke Him in fear that they would drown. Jesus calmly wiped the crust out of His eyes and said, “O ye of little faith.” Then he He rebuked the raging wind and He said, “Peace, be still.” And, the storm ceased. Luke 8:23-25

We may find ourselves in a similar storm in life. When the storms continue to rage and you don’t know what to do or which way to turn, remember the words of Jesus. It is possible to have peace in the midst of your storm. When you call on His name, the presence of God is always present. He always makes Himself known in the center of disaster. That’s when He can do His greatest work within us. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” II Corth 4:6-10

We may not understand why terrible things happen to us, but there is always a greater purpose. Love never fails and God always prevails rising above every storm. Be encouraged and take heart. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.” Lamentations 3:18-25

“And the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send us in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid. John 14:26-27

The Unpopular Vote

Posted on by yolandaberry
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Leaderboard with Voting Day

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever.” I John 2:15-17

As I watched, “The Voice,” on TV, I imagined how it must feel to shine in the spotlight among millions of people after giving a spectacular performance. It must be an exasperating experience. It must feel so good to hear the cheers and screams from so many people.

So many people desire fame and fortune. It is all over the media. We watch celebrity reality shows, dancing and singing competitions and internet sensations. We are consumed with being followed on Twitter, liked on Facebook, and shared on YouTube. We are obsessed with appearance, personalities, talent and style.

We also live in a very competitive world which creates more stress to be the best. Sometimes by striving to be the best, we sometimes lose sight of the deeper connections to ourselves. We start comparing ourselves to others and trying to be better or do better than our neighbor. In the long run, we become dissatisfied or discontented with who’ve we’ve become in the process.

After thinking about things, it just made me realize how many followers we have in this world. Some people will lose themselves just to fit in. It just doesn’t feel good to stand alone in the midst of a crowd. People are easily swayed to go along with the majority or simply ignore conflict to blend in.

Children are constantly bullied in school because they are different. Women are judged for not keeping up their appearance, so they get plastic surgery to be approved by society or to feel better about themselves. Men are criticized for not being the stereotype of what a man should be. Men often cannot show their sensitive side or express the desire to be in a committed relationship.

We all have a role or a mold to fit into to keep others comfortable. It crosses all cultural, ethnic, class and social groups. We have roles in families, we have roles in our workplace and roles in our communities. If we step outside of expectation, we may realize that we’re standing alone which is a very cold place to be. It made me realize that the lack of leaders are slim to none.

What makes a good leader? It takes courage and strength to be a leader. You must not be afraid of the opinion of others. You give direction and guidance, but also know your strengths and weaknesses which allow you to delegate tasks appropriately. You take the blame when things don’t go as planned but know when to apologize when you make a mistake. You walk with integrity and authority and let go of ego and control. It’s a place where you stand in your convictions despite what others may think or say. True leadership is a place of solitude. It’s a place where not only your character is tested and challenged, but also your intentions and motivations.

Great leadership is hard to find. There is only one true leader who was not recognized for his miraculous work. Jesus, led by example and fulfilled the great commission.

However, I also wondered how many followers Jesus would have if He was physically living in the 21st Century? By unpopular vote, He would not agree with the gay right issues and gay marriages being passed, He would not agree with abortion rights or gun laws. He would not agree with women living with men and men living with women without being married or having children outside of marriage. So, He would definitely be a man who stands alone among a few followers just like He did over 2000 years ago.

As a leader, let’s remember that we will not always be praised or honored for the work we accomplish but we should work to please the Father in all that we do.

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Gen 1:27-28

“But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife. And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Mark 10:6-9