Debobed

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Shabbat Shalom. Welcome to today’s exploration of the God who heals—Jehovah Rapha.

So, I’ll start by laying out the backstory then we’ll explore healing through poetry.

The very first time we come across this attribute of God is exactly 3 days after ancient Israel left the bondage of Egypt and were en route to the freedom land God promised them. Along the way they became thirsty and the first body of water they came upon turned out to be undrinkable. They murmured against their leader, Moses, he in turn cried out to God who led him to a tree that had transforming power. A branch from that tree dropped in the water miraculously turned it from bitter and undrinkable to sweet.

Just over a week prior the people had witnessed 10 different plagues fall all over Egypt as their leader, the Pharaoh, refused to submit to the authority of God as Almighty. The Pharaoh actually deemed himself to be god. God used the miracle of the water as a teachable moment and in so doing personally introduced Himself as healer. Referencing the plight of the Egyptians, this was His assurance to ancient Israel:

If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statues, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who HEALS you.

Exodus 15:26 NKJV

That assurance extends to this time and to us as well. And God knows, we sure are in need of healing.

The dictionary definition of healing is “the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again”. However, God as Healer/Jehovah Rapha takes healing a lot further. The Hebraic translation of Rapha means not only to “heal” but to “restore”, “cure” or “make whole”.

Now to poetry. One of the reasons why I like poetry as a form of creative expression is the therapeutic potential poems hold to heal.

In traumatic situations for instance, or even for the hardest things to talk about, relief is found when we can find the words to articulate what is being felt. And for this articulation, poetry has often been the ‘go to’ type of expressive writing, including for me. Why? Because in the expression of my own voice through composing a poetic piece, I feel its therapeutic power including for healing if that’s what is needed at the time.

In preparing for this post, I made a discovery. In Chinese, the word poem is composed of two characters — one meaning “word” and the other “temple”. And it’s no wonder that poetry lends itself so well to healing as it is the combination of the sacred and the word.

Now, I know that the Chinese character means just that, word—an element of speech or writing, but I’d like to extend that to the Biblical reference of word:

The Word [God] became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

St John 1:14

And, this proposition of God as word is not at all farfetched because we also know that God’s healing or redemptive work comes from the Greek word “poiēma” (Ephesians 2:10) from which poem is derived.

The healing attribute of God is not only for restoration and cure, but it’s also for wholeness including from the effects of sin. However, God bringing us back to wholeness does not in any way exclude any part of our history or experiences; rather, it builds on it.

The Bible likens the process of God restoring humanity to a potter restoring clayware that’s been broken.

We know that broken clayware is often discarded or if efforts are made to put it back together, the cracks will be evident and the original beauty is therefore lost. It’s now scarred. No longer fit for display. But, in the Potter’s hand a broken pot, a.k.a. a broken human, restored does not mean unmarred—our history and experiences remain but they don’t dictate our lives.

Rather, it’s like God applying the Japanese repair technique, kintsugi. He treats both our breakage and repair as part of our history and experiences, rather than something to disguise, making us His masterpiece still fit for display.

That is what God’s healing does, it makes us more beautiful for having been broken.

And now, a “temple word”/ poem:

Shabbat Shalom. I leave you with the assurance of the God who heals not only sickness and infirmity, but spiritual fatigue, mental affliction, emotional suffering, anxiety and worry. And, He’s a God who embraces your brokenness and flaws as beauty. Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals.

See you next week for an exploration of Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides.

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In our exploration of Jehovah, the God who reveals Himself unceasingly, last week we looked at the attribute of Peace/Jehovah Shalom

Thank you for journeying along. First time to the site? Welcome! Feel free to “like” or drop a comment, I love hearing from you.

In creative solidarity, Dee

Coming from a place of Fury. Never go to sleep with an angry mind so I saved it for waking up on my side of the bed.

Move two steps and three paces backwards, doubts plague me. Dementia ‘s grey cloak veils all I want to retain in my head.

The sheep get weary before I do.

I watch them sleep.

Wolf-like I want to smash through them. Fangs connect -impact on bone and tissue -a red massacre.

I need colour in my life.

This visceral creativity is swallowing me whole. I’m in the bottle – blurred images are all I see on the horizon.

Spin the bottle,maybe I will land in a place with less strife.

Cramming  in mouthfuls of

anxiety,

 self-loathing,

head battering, assault weapons of thoughts.

I’m bloated to the state that my discontentment leaves me, like a sleepy wide-eyed owl – manic in my state – shoving in fistfuls – I need to lucubrate.

Nothing sticks except the whiff of the end of a successful selling day at a  Parisian fish market.

I am the babe the market seller gave birth to. Times up for this broody bird to incubate.

Cord snapped with a fish gutting knife. Abandoned the moment money exchanged hands.

Only enough for a Meal for one. Survival is my greatest chance. Nurture myself and hone in on any innate talents now, so I can control the succession of Fates brass bands.

It is my birthday. I get one day to shine. Tomorrow I could be slapped away with one salty breathe,  inflicted wounds forgotten with yesterday’s newspapers headlines.

I came into this world with the cards I was dealt. I can cry a Seines- full of tears for the life that could have got caught up in the catch of the day fisherman’s net lines.

I refuse to be that inmate -on a bed of foliage, with one glassy eye, staring up at you. Doesn’t matter how well you dress me up – my fate is not to be found in a 5-star Michelin restaurant.

Grill me, poach me,  puree me- see what happens when you try and throw me in the oil fryer.

This amphibian has wings of hope.  Higher consciousness has blessed me with a generous grant.

I soar above all the conventional career options for my kind.

I will never be normal and for that, I will not apologise.

Evolved -a hybrid.

I have to decline your maverick binds.

Today I walk with two legs  and two eyes looking forward. Destiny is a start and thanks to you, dear mother,for letting me find my own way.

 I took my life into my own hands – my heart beats with passion,drive, ambition and the fear.

I have made it this far – so either stick by me and support me in what I do or feel free to stand out of my way and go astray.

No matter what you try to do,
people react how they want to.
If hearts are pure while helping out,
it could still trigger silent doubts.

Some fly through hoops just to be liked,
but still annoyance can be spiked,
or maybe one can change their tune,
just to come off as a dull goon.

People perceive the way they choose,
so be yourself with no excuse,
they may or may not judge your views,
but to your soul you should be true.

The ones that you should care about,
will wipe your tears and stay throughout,
while others you try to impress,
may choke on thoughts of your success.

A lesson that I have learned well,
is how to feel what others sell,
to see if they can accept me,
if they can not, I let them be.

Speak to my guides all day and night,
ask for a life that fits me right.
Hope I encounter beings of light,
so together we all shine bright.

Phenomena Adeniran Mathew M.

How to be a Good Girlfriend in 30 Ways

Being a good girlfriend is not always about cooking his favorite food or knowing how to do all the household chores. You have to understand how men think and what they need in a relationship to be a better girlfriend.

• 30 Ways to be a Good girlfriend

Here are 30 ways to be the best girlfriend to your boyfriend and enjoy a stronger, happier, and lasting relationship with him.

1. Trust him.

Trust is one of the keystones in any relationship. Men feel secure when you trust them because they don’t have to worry about being judged. In that case, they’ll start opening up everything to you without the need of using your interrogative skills.

2. Encourage him.

Be that woman who will encourage your boyfriend to grow and not the naysayer one. Once he knows you believe in him, you’ll be a good girlfriend in his eyes, heart, and mind.

3. Be honest.

Men don’t like a woman who lies. How can he trust you if you can’t be honest to him even in simple things? If you don’t want him to do the same, be that girlfriend who won’t give him any reason to break his trust.

4. Respect his time with friends.

Remember that it is also important for him to have other relationships (Friends) with people. Respect his time with friends and he’ll respect you for valuing those people who are significant to him.

5. Don’t flirt with other men.

A good girlfriend is loyal and faithful; she won’t make her boyfriend feel jealous and won’t flirt around with other guys. Show him how desirable you are and trustworthy by fixing your eyes only on him.

6. Appreciate his little efforts.

Your boyfriend also needs to know and feel that his efforts are being appreciated. Let him know that you value him and you treasure every effort he does for you. It will make him feel better about himself and your relationship as well.

7. Don’t take him for granted.

The worst thing you can do to your boyfriend takes him for granted. Pay attention to him and don’t stop appreciating all the little things you used to love about him.

8. Send him sweet messages.

A quick message telling him “Good morning’ or “I love you” every day can brighten up his day. No matter how short it is, as long as it’s sweet, he’ll appreciate it because it makes him feel like you’re reminded about him each day.

9. Listen when he needs you.

One of the best things you can do as a girlfriend is to listen to him to know what he wants so you can fulfill his needs.

10. Stop nagging.

A nagger is one of the guys’ worst nightmares. Continuous nagging will only annoy your boyfriend and ruin your relationship.

11. Help him break his limits.

Your boyfriend has enough people in his life who discourage him from going beyond his limits. So be his personal cheerleader. Support him and help him reach his full potential.

12. Let him be.

Respect him as a man. Give him the freedom and let him be without always trying to change him.

13. Accept his flaws.

Don’t expect your partner to be perfect. Accepting each other’s flaws is the foundation of a strong and healthy relationship.

14. Don’t dwell on the past.

Don’t dig up the past every time you have an argument with your partner. Let bygones be bygones and give your relationship a chance to move forward and grow stronger.

15. Don’t make a decision when you’re angry.

If you don’t want to regret your decisions in the end, then don’t make it in the first place, especially when you’re in the midst of anger. Give yourself time to cool down so you’ll come up with the best judgment.

16. Don’t let the day end without fixing your problem.

A good girlfriend won’t allow the day to end without fixing the problem. If you truly worry about his feelings, you’re going to settle things down as early as you can, before it gets worst. Because the longer it takes, the harder it is to fix for the both of you.

17. Pamper him.

Cook for him, buy him a little present or prepare his breakfast in bed. Be that girl who’ll give him nice things all the time.

18. Give him space.

Instead of putting pressure on him, why not give him space? Space to be with himself, his friends, work, or whatever he needs.

19. Be independent.

You know you’re a good girlfriend if you don’t rely on him all the time. Your boyfriend also wants you to have a little dependence. You’ll look more responsible if you do so.

20. 

Your ability to step into the shoes of another person, understand their feelings, and recognize their perspectives seems to be in free-fall. It is not easy to be a man, so try to listen to his side instead of constantly trying to tell him yours.

21. Tell him how happy and blessed you are to have him.

Guys also want to hear sweet words coming from their girlfriend. It isn’t hard to tell him how happy you are to be with him today or how blessed you are to have him each day. So why not start doing it?

22. Support his passion.

If your boyfriend has a dream, be that person who’ll support him to achieve it. It would be a success on your part once you see him accomplish it.

23. Tell him what bothers you.

If there is something bothering you, tell him immediately rather than hiding it, so it won’t cause so much trouble in the future. We all know that most women have that “you should know” perspective towards their boyfriend. But, men are also insensitive and oblivious so they won’t know what you really feel unless you say it.

24. Inspire him.

Motivate and inspire your boyfriend every day. Be that woman behind his every success.

25. Don’t force him to change.

Inspire him to change for the better instead of controlling and forcing him to change. Be a role model. If you want him to be a good boyfriend, inspire him by being a good girlfriend first.

26. Surprise him.

Not only girls love surprises, of course, your boyfriend also wants to feel that special feeling of excitement and amazement.

27. Give him pieces of advice that build him up.

Take the time to pinpoint what you like and don’t like about your boyfriend and give him helpful tips on improving himself. This will make him feel like he can improve and become a better person.

28. Take care of him.

Show care to your partner even in simple ways, like cooking a healthy meal for him or giving him a relaxing massage to get rid of stress.

29. Try to keep discussions positive.

Start out a discussion in a positive and productive way rather than constantly arguing about a simple matter.

30. Be a respectable woman.

A good girlfriend knows how to carry herself and behaves like a real lady.

Men usually fall in love with women who have the secret ingredients of true love (See 22 Signs of True Love in a Relationship). You just have to work on it and bring out the best in you in order to achieve it. No matter what stage your relationship is, you can always learn from it. I hope the lists above will help you become a better girlfriend each and every day.

How to Be a Better Girlfriend

1. Appreciate him.

2. Make him feel special.

3. Be his adventurous companion.

4. Be honest.

5. Give him space and freedom.

6. Stop nagging, complaining, and demanding.

7. Look better than ever before.

8. Earn his respect.

9. Be loyal to him.

10. Inspire him to be a better man.

11. Be a wife material.

Please visit how to be a better girlfriend for the details.

12 Signs you are a Good girlfriend

1. You care about how he feels.

2. You understand his silence.

3. You make him want to be a better person.

4. You know how to calm him down.

5. You are strong enough to protect him.

6. You know your worth.

7. You believe in his potential.

8. You have a deep respect for his passion.

9. You care for the people he loves.

10. You can be strong and independent.

11. You have your own personal goals.

12. You always choose him.

Please visit 12 distinct signs of a good girlfriend for the details.

10 Thing a Good Girlfriend should NEVER Do to Your Boyfriend

1. Call him every minute when he’s out.

2. Nag him about every little thing.

3. Stop him from hanging out with his friends.

4. Go through his things.

5. Use emotional blackmail.

6. Jump to conclusions.

7. Turn him to someone else.

8. Get mad at him for no reason.

9. You don’t listen to him.

10. Go behind his back.

12 Signs You are Wife Material

1. You know what you want in life.

2. You’re strong enough to protect yourself.

3. You are focused on her professional goals.

4. You’re financially independent.

5. You don’t rely on anyone for stability.

6. You know how to love and how to be selfless.

7. You know how to inspire and encourage others.

8. You understand the challenges of being in a relationship.

9. You have faith in yourself and believe in his potential.

10. You believe in the power of love to unite two people.

11. You’re ready to build and grow a family with him.

12. You consider God as a central figure in your life.

10 Ways to be a Sweet Girlfriend to Melt his Heart

1. Cook him his favorite meal.

2. Be his number one cheerleader.

3. Call him by his endearment.

4. Spend time with him and his family.

5. Write him little notes.

6. Shower him with compliments.

7. Give him lots of long hugs.

8. Make him a personalized gift.

9. Always have his back.

10. Tell him you love him every day.

The Kentucky Derby has just been run in America. It’s there most iconic horse race – similar to our Melbourne Cup. The winner this year was Rich Strike. He was most definitely a long shot.

Rich Strike had only ever won one race before – hadn’t even placed second in his last five starts. He didn’t qualify for a start in the big race but was listed as a reserve. You guessed it, horses starting pulling out of the race for one reason or another and with exactly 30 seconds before the deadline for acceptances – Rich Strike sneaked into the race.

Rich Strike was considered no chance to win and understandably had the worse odds in the field of 80 to 1. Even during the race, he was at best middle field when they came around the final corner into the home straight. He was an unremarkable horse surrounded by the most famous horses in America – he had no chance. Yet nobody told Rich Strike he was not supposed to win.

Out of nowhere Rich Strike found something, and surged to the lead and held onto win an amazing victory.

Rich Strike’s trainer Eric Reed put it this way; Small trainer. Small rider. Small stable. We should have been 80 to 1. But I knew what I had. I knew what he was capable of and if he ran well, anything could happen.

We can sometimes feel overwhelmed and insignificant. We don’t have the skills, drive or opportunities to succeed in life. Others appear to have it all together and leave us behind. We can get caught in the middle of the pack just treading water, sometimes even going backwards. No sure where we are going or what we should be doing. How can we be successful in life?

Despite what everyone thought; Rick Strike’s trainer knew what the horse was capable of and if he ran well, anything could happen.

With us, it’s not so much what we are capable of but what God is capable of. If you have faith in God anything can happen.

Jesus’ disciples were a mixed bunch. They certainly did not have money, power or success. They were plucked by Jesus from relative obscurity. At times Jesus praised them but he also dressed them down for their unbelief, selfishness and pride. After Jesus was crucified, they all deserted him. Peter actually denied knowing him.

Yet somehow these uneducated men stood up and preached the gospel in the face of stifling religious persecution, even to death. They feed the widows and those in need. They cared for the sick. They respected women and children despite the prejudices inherent in their culture. They modelled a society of caring for others before yourself.

From their fearless and relentless dedication to the Christian cause they changed the world. Our society today is based on their commitment to a just and free society where all are equally valued.

How did they achieve this? They were certainly long shots. At the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, their odds of changing the world would have been a million to one.

They achieved this by the power of the Holy Spirit. Humanely speaking they could not do much. But with the power of the Holy Spirit, they could do so much.

So it is with us. Humanely speaking we might not be able to do too much. But with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can accomplish so much. We don’t have to be all powerful, all talented, all knowing. We just have to ask God for help and accept it when it is given.

Jesus says in Matthew 9:26 says; Humanely speaking this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Don’t fear – just do. Ask God for help and he will see you through. So much more can be accomplished in his power. More than you can ever imagine. He is the God of the long shot.

Go with God.

Phenomena Adeniran MathewC

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I was fascinated the other day to learn the origin of the term, swan-song. We all know what it means; to have a final performance or round of performances from famous singers, musicians, sports people etc. to say farewell to their fans before retirement, before they depart the stage.

I was told the term swan-song comes from swans who are largely mute during their lives but sing beautifully and mournfully just before they die. How interesting and poignant that swans would do that. However on doing some research, I found out that swans do not in fact sing before they die – it is a myth, a legend. A nice story that has been passed down since the ancient Greeks. It is not genuine.

Speaking of genuine my thoughts turn to Andrew Symonds (Roy). Roy died in a single vehicle car accident in North Queensland last week – he was only 46. What a player! This guy could do anything and everything on the cricket field. He was so talented he could bat, bowl and field at the highest level. You just loved watching him play – something exciting always happened when Roy was in the action. Yet there was much more to Roy than his cricketing ability.

He was a team man first and foremost. He revelled in the mateship of the dressing room. If Roy had your back, then you could count on him absolutely. But you had to be genuine with him.

This is what Australian teammate Justin Langer shared about Roy; The great thing about him was he was the great bulls..t barometer. That’s why I loved him so much. He would pull anyone and everyone into line. Sometimes he would just look at you and that was enough.

He looked after everyone else – he was the bodyguard. He was a great stabiliser in any team because he was so real.

There has been much debate over the years as to whether Jesus was genuine. Was he who he said he was? Or was he some charlatan or misguided individual with delusions of grandeur. Or was he just a good man who over time myths and legends have grown to overinflate

We all value friends who are real. Who have our backs no matter what. Who are not afraid to tell us if we are slipping off the rails or veering off course. Who support us when we need some help. Who are genuine in their friendship and care for us.

As I browse through the catalogue
of our enchanted moments,
I cast my mind back to that first kiss:

Bliss! So chaste and pure, yet shot through with
the promise of much more

So happy we have come this far:
have come to this