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Showing posts from February 10, 2019

"The Codependency Recovery Plan" by Krystal Mazzola. A Review

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The Codependency Recovery Plan: A 5-Step Guide to Understand, Accept, and Break Free from the Codependent Cycle by Krystal Mazzola MEd LMFT My rating: 3 of 5 stars It's a very readable book. The author shows writing skill, keeps readers' attention, and easily guides them along the path. "The Co-dependency Recovery Plan: A 5-Step Guide to Understand, Accept, and Break Free from the Codependent Cycle" is a 170 page softback made to instruct and give practice. Krystal Mazzola is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist living in Phoenix, Arizona, co-owner and practicing therapist at Dantia Wellness, who has some skin in this rugby scrum called co-dependency. The manuscript is clearly written, and obviously intended for use as homework during therapy or in self-care. Mazzola leads readers and recoverers through a very simple set of explanations and exercises. She begins the volume with data, definitions and descriptions. Also, using the family systems model, she map

Devotional Journaling.

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It's not original with me. But years ago, for the purpose of keeping my head on straight and focused while reading my Bible every morning, and turning the reading time into prayer and worship, I started journaling. It's very simple: Date, passages read, and reflective thoughts that lean toward prayer. All pretty simple. The picture shows three recent days (with the names covered up to protect the innocent). The following is today's prayer entry. It pulled together from my Scripture readings, the pain in my heart for several people, and the trust I have in our great liberating and loving God. Lord, mighty and strong, a refuge in the storm and a shelter in the squall - you see clearly through the fog of human confusion, the stifling smoke of worry, the crushing blanket of darkness of depression - you set captives free, open prison doors and release the entrapped, lift up the oppressed and put the oppressors down. O Lord, mighty and strong, liberating and loving: hear m

Vespers - 10 February 2019

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Almighty and indestructible God, who never grows old, and never succumbs to Alzheimer’s, dementia or amnesia; you never forget your promises and never misplace your valuables; you speak and your word is solid and sure; you plan out the end from the beginning and all you have planned comes about. It is to you that we come, worshiping you in your greatness, adoring your majesty, singing your might, and offering ourselves as living, whole-person sacrifices, made holy and acceptable to you through Jesus Christ your Son, and in the power of your Holy Spirit. O Lord, hear our prayer. Turn your eyes and care onto those who are having trouble and turmoil in their marriages or with their children…; those who find that life hasn’t gone where they had dreamed and are disheartened…; and those who are in the ravenous grip of rapacious urges...; Because you have not given us a spirit of fear, but the Spirit of power, love and self-control (2 Timothy 1.7), fortify them with the righteous res

"O Lord Mercifully Look Upon..." - 10 February 2019

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O Lord Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior, your mercies and loving-kindnesses have been from everlasting. You became man and stooped to endure crucifixion and death for the salvation of all your people. You rose from the dead for our justification, ascended into heaven, and sit at the right hand of God the Father, from whence you shall come to judge the living and the dead; and as our great High Priest you regard the humble prayers of all who call upon you with their whole heart. Incline your ear and hear. O Lord mercifully look upon your Holy Universal Church, which you have purchased with your precious blood, this congregation, and these churches in the greater OKC area: Edmond Trinity Christian Church, First Christian of OKC and of Edmond, and Hilcrest Christian Church ; and your servants who are under persecution for your sake and for the sake of your holy gospel. Preserve your Church unconquerable by the gates of hell forever. Heal the factions, quench the fuming of