If a couple has never prayed together, they should begin simplly and practically. Over breakfast, the husband might say to his wife "What are you doing today darling?" The day ahead might include a dentist appointment, lunch with a recently divorced friend, or a long day at work. The husband could then say "Okay, I'll pray for you." He can pray about her work, the dentist appointment and that she would able to help her friend.
The she might ask him "What does your day look like?" He can tell her and she can pray through his day. Or they might do this at night, praying about what happened that day. Sometimes a couple just doesn't know what to pray about; this way they are giving each other the specific things they need prayer for.
If they have trouble coming up with additional things to pray about, they can think about other people they love. Concerns about close friends and family members can give them another common area for prayer.
God bless
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Stand for what's right
You can't force someone to change, or to get help if he or she doesn't want it. Paul, speaking on the issue of unequal values among spouses, didn't tell women "Try to change your husband to be a different man." Rather, he said "Be faithful to Christ. Carry out your marital responsibilities in the best way you can, and somehow the faithfulness of your life will speak to him in the long run" (1 Cor 6:6-10).
There is a story about a wife who took this approach with her husband over a period of about 25 years. Eventually, our of respect for her Christian faith, he began to seek Christ himself, and they finally achieved a true unity.
This quality of courageous patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). In the King James version, the term is "long suffering." It seems that significant character is not possible without pain; look at what it cost Christ to buy us the ability to change. Perhaps it's not possible for us to help another person grow without pain, either.
But there's a special power in the kind of suffering that takes place when a person stands, day in and day out, for what is right. It's the kind of power Jesus displayed when he was reviled but did not revile back. The person who desires change doesn't try to force it, but chooses to live the best way he or she can under the circumstances, trusting in God for daily strength and the final outcome.
God bless.
There is a story about a wife who took this approach with her husband over a period of about 25 years. Eventually, our of respect for her Christian faith, he began to seek Christ himself, and they finally achieved a true unity.
This quality of courageous patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). In the King James version, the term is "long suffering." It seems that significant character is not possible without pain; look at what it cost Christ to buy us the ability to change. Perhaps it's not possible for us to help another person grow without pain, either.
But there's a special power in the kind of suffering that takes place when a person stands, day in and day out, for what is right. It's the kind of power Jesus displayed when he was reviled but did not revile back. The person who desires change doesn't try to force it, but chooses to live the best way he or she can under the circumstances, trusting in God for daily strength and the final outcome.
God bless.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
About forgiveness - Moments for couples
To forgive others means we give up the right to punish them. We no longer hold the offenses against them.
Forgiveness is at the heart of Christianity. Your marriage, and mine, must be the union of two people who are not willing for anything to come between them.
Forgiveness is at the heart of Christianity. Your marriage, and mine, must be the union of two people who are not willing for anything to come between them.
Dusting each other off - Moments for couples
Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Picture the major league baseball pitcher taking his warm-up pitches just before you. The batter steps up to the plate. The first pitch sails over the catcher's head and slams into the screen. The next one burrows wildly in the dirt and bounces up, almost hitting you in the on-deck circle 20 feet from home plate.
Nervous and uncertain, you finally step up to the plate. After three swings at the missile burning across the plate at 90 miles an hour, you're glad to trot back to the safety of the dugout.
Ryne Duren, former pitcher for the New York Yankees, liked to intimidate batters like that. He was known as the patron saint of the "psych out." He knew how to mentally harass opposing batters, "dusting them off" with an assortment of wildly launched pitches that left them terrified.
Unfortunately, words are sometimes hurled like that in the home. Instead of a baseball, we launch hurtful, intimidating words at each other, inflicting fear, pain and guilt. We learn what the wise man meant when he said death is in the power of the tongue.
Winston Churchill was a master at "dusting off" his opponents with such missiles. Once, after he had overindulged, his spiteful opponent, Lady Astor, said to him, "Mr. Prime Minister, I perceive you are drunk." Churchill smiled and replied, "Yes, Lady Astor, and you are ugly. But tomorrow I shall be sober."
Even though you may be this skillful with the quick retort, what do you gain when you fire off such verbal volleys? Scripture warns that those who love to use the power of the tongue destructively will "eat its fruits." Often, those fruits are resentment, discord and revenge. They not only hurt others; they poison relationships.
Prayer: Since Jesus Christ is "the Word," pray that your speech in every aspect of home life will reflect His role as Prince of Peace and Mediator.
Discuss: What is the overall tone of the conversation in your family? What influence do parents have on this issue? What can you do to decrease the inclination to attack each other with hurtful words?
Picture the major league baseball pitcher taking his warm-up pitches just before you. The batter steps up to the plate. The first pitch sails over the catcher's head and slams into the screen. The next one burrows wildly in the dirt and bounces up, almost hitting you in the on-deck circle 20 feet from home plate.
Nervous and uncertain, you finally step up to the plate. After three swings at the missile burning across the plate at 90 miles an hour, you're glad to trot back to the safety of the dugout.
Ryne Duren, former pitcher for the New York Yankees, liked to intimidate batters like that. He was known as the patron saint of the "psych out." He knew how to mentally harass opposing batters, "dusting them off" with an assortment of wildly launched pitches that left them terrified.
Unfortunately, words are sometimes hurled like that in the home. Instead of a baseball, we launch hurtful, intimidating words at each other, inflicting fear, pain and guilt. We learn what the wise man meant when he said death is in the power of the tongue.
Winston Churchill was a master at "dusting off" his opponents with such missiles. Once, after he had overindulged, his spiteful opponent, Lady Astor, said to him, "Mr. Prime Minister, I perceive you are drunk." Churchill smiled and replied, "Yes, Lady Astor, and you are ugly. But tomorrow I shall be sober."
Even though you may be this skillful with the quick retort, what do you gain when you fire off such verbal volleys? Scripture warns that those who love to use the power of the tongue destructively will "eat its fruits." Often, those fruits are resentment, discord and revenge. They not only hurt others; they poison relationships.
Prayer: Since Jesus Christ is "the Word," pray that your speech in every aspect of home life will reflect His role as Prince of Peace and Mediator.
Discuss: What is the overall tone of the conversation in your family? What influence do parents have on this issue? What can you do to decrease the inclination to attack each other with hurtful words?
Wives were meant to soar! - Moments for couples
1 Peter 3:5 "For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands"
There is a story about a kite that was soaring high in the sky when it saw a field of flowers some distance away. It sure would be fun to fly over there and get a closer look at all those beautiful flowers, the kite thought.
But there was one problem. The string holding the kite wasn't long enough to let it fly where it wanted to. So it pulled and tugged and finally broke loose. Happily, the kite soared for a few moments toward the field of flowers. But soon it came crashing down-falling far short of its goal. What had seemed to be holding the kite down was actually enabling it to fly.
The wife is the kite in this story. The string symbolizes the scriptural principles of a man's responsibility to lead and of a woman's responsibility to submit to his headship. The string was not intended to be a hindrance. Together with the wind, it is actually what is holding up the kite.
The husband's love is the wind that enables the kite to soar into the sky. Without this wind-the secure, encouraging environment the husband creates through his leadership-the wife can feel tied down, not uplifted.
A husband can help his wife soar by reminding her verbally of his love and expressing his need of her in specific ways-notes, calls and love letters. And he can show appreciation to her for all that she does for him.
Husbands need to give the kind of servant-based leadership that uplifts their wives. God means for this leadership to be liberating, not limiting. God made wives to soar.
Prayer: As a husband, take your wife's hand and express to God how grateful you are for her.
Discuss: As a wife, share with your husband ways he could enable you to "soar." What are three things he can do to add "lift" to your life?
There is a story about a kite that was soaring high in the sky when it saw a field of flowers some distance away. It sure would be fun to fly over there and get a closer look at all those beautiful flowers, the kite thought.
But there was one problem. The string holding the kite wasn't long enough to let it fly where it wanted to. So it pulled and tugged and finally broke loose. Happily, the kite soared for a few moments toward the field of flowers. But soon it came crashing down-falling far short of its goal. What had seemed to be holding the kite down was actually enabling it to fly.
The wife is the kite in this story. The string symbolizes the scriptural principles of a man's responsibility to lead and of a woman's responsibility to submit to his headship. The string was not intended to be a hindrance. Together with the wind, it is actually what is holding up the kite.
The husband's love is the wind that enables the kite to soar into the sky. Without this wind-the secure, encouraging environment the husband creates through his leadership-the wife can feel tied down, not uplifted.
A husband can help his wife soar by reminding her verbally of his love and expressing his need of her in specific ways-notes, calls and love letters. And he can show appreciation to her for all that she does for him.
Husbands need to give the kind of servant-based leadership that uplifts their wives. God means for this leadership to be liberating, not limiting. God made wives to soar.
Prayer: As a husband, take your wife's hand and express to God how grateful you are for her.
Discuss: As a wife, share with your husband ways he could enable you to "soar." What are three things he can do to add "lift" to your life?
Friday, May 16, 2008
Satan's Schemes - Moments for couples
I've noticed that many Christians are somewhat naive about the devices Satan uses to tempt us to follow him. The "harmless" office flirtation, the casual attitude toward immorality in the media, it's as though we are unaware that such schemes can wreck our homes.
The world isn't going to issue warnings. If we are to stand the test, we will have to become more aware of Satan's tactics.
For instance, I've never seen a video rental store that placed warnings above certain movies: "Caution: This movie contains provocative material that could create an addiction to pornography, cause infidelity and violence and result in the loss of your dignity and family."
There are times when I find I can be vulnerable to the enemy's schemes.
When I am alone. Like most people, I'm tempted when no one else is looking-when I'm away on a trip, isolated from those who know me.
When I'm with someone else who is willing to be a part of Satan's scheme. If the enemy can't get me when I am alone, he throws me with people who tempt me to gossip, or to go with the crowd to be a people pleaser.
When I am tired. When I tire physically and emotionally, I become susceptible to erroneous thoughts about God, myself and others. I've learned that temptation is easier to withstand when I'm not "living on the edge." I need to retreat periodically to allow God to replenish my strength.
When I think I can justify my actions. I am constantly amazed at my ability to rationalize wrong choices.
I think there's a mistaken tendency to think that these schemes and temptations decrease as we grow older. Biblically and practically speaking, my flesh is no better today than it was 30 years ago. The mistake is made when we drop our guards to seemingly "small temptations" and give the enemy an opportunity to get a foothold in our lives.
"Be on the alert!"
The world isn't going to issue warnings. If we are to stand the test, we will have to become more aware of Satan's tactics.
For instance, I've never seen a video rental store that placed warnings above certain movies: "Caution: This movie contains provocative material that could create an addiction to pornography, cause infidelity and violence and result in the loss of your dignity and family."
There are times when I find I can be vulnerable to the enemy's schemes.
When I am alone. Like most people, I'm tempted when no one else is looking-when I'm away on a trip, isolated from those who know me.
When I'm with someone else who is willing to be a part of Satan's scheme. If the enemy can't get me when I am alone, he throws me with people who tempt me to gossip, or to go with the crowd to be a people pleaser.
When I am tired. When I tire physically and emotionally, I become susceptible to erroneous thoughts about God, myself and others. I've learned that temptation is easier to withstand when I'm not "living on the edge." I need to retreat periodically to allow God to replenish my strength.
When I think I can justify my actions. I am constantly amazed at my ability to rationalize wrong choices.
I think there's a mistaken tendency to think that these schemes and temptations decrease as we grow older. Biblically and practically speaking, my flesh is no better today than it was 30 years ago. The mistake is made when we drop our guards to seemingly "small temptations" and give the enemy an opportunity to get a foothold in our lives.
"Be on the alert!"
Watch your step! - Moments for couples
Matthew 26:41 "Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
How many marriages have been poisoned and even slain by our frequent failures to take seriously the serpents of temptation coiled in our pathways? One trouble is that many of us don't carefully watch for them. In fact, we may flirt with them, daring them to strike, as though we didn't realise their deadliness.
Someone once told me: "I'm grateful that early in marriage, my wife risked sharing with me a great temptation. Almost instantly the "snake" slithered away as we talked and prayed together."
Jesus knew that temptations would always be just a step away. That's why He counseled: "Watch your step." Are you watching yours?
Prayer: Consider yourself a "watchman on the wall" on behalf of your marriage and family, and pray that you will be personally alert in avoiding temptation.
Discuss: What recurring temptation have you faced recently that you need to tell your spouse about? What can your spouse do to help you?
To this we can say that the key to any relationship succeeding is communication, solid and clear communicate between you and your partner. I'm sure you have heard this before, but communication is key. If you or your partner are struggling with something, an issue in life which could potentially break your bond, the only way out is to talk and pray together.
Im ashamed at times to admit to myself that this simple rule would have saved my own relationship. If my partner and I had committed to pray and read together, then God would have been placed in the centre of our relationship. He would have been the foundation which we would eventually build our marriage on. We have often heard the phrase 'God centred' when referring to relationships.
It is key, essential, that you and your partner not only attend church together, but read and pray together. Open the doors of communication and do not be afraid to tell you partner things you think are embarassing or difficult. Remember, they are there to show you love. They won't judge you or humiliate you or make it much harder than it already is for you. Your partner will support you and guide you in the right direction, after all you are both there aiming for the same goal right?
OPEN UP AND DON'T BE ASHAMED!
How many marriages have been poisoned and even slain by our frequent failures to take seriously the serpents of temptation coiled in our pathways? One trouble is that many of us don't carefully watch for them. In fact, we may flirt with them, daring them to strike, as though we didn't realise their deadliness.
Someone once told me: "I'm grateful that early in marriage, my wife risked sharing with me a great temptation. Almost instantly the "snake" slithered away as we talked and prayed together."
Jesus knew that temptations would always be just a step away. That's why He counseled: "Watch your step." Are you watching yours?
Prayer: Consider yourself a "watchman on the wall" on behalf of your marriage and family, and pray that you will be personally alert in avoiding temptation.
Discuss: What recurring temptation have you faced recently that you need to tell your spouse about? What can your spouse do to help you?
To this we can say that the key to any relationship succeeding is communication, solid and clear communicate between you and your partner. I'm sure you have heard this before, but communication is key. If you or your partner are struggling with something, an issue in life which could potentially break your bond, the only way out is to talk and pray together.
Im ashamed at times to admit to myself that this simple rule would have saved my own relationship. If my partner and I had committed to pray and read together, then God would have been placed in the centre of our relationship. He would have been the foundation which we would eventually build our marriage on. We have often heard the phrase 'God centred' when referring to relationships.
It is key, essential, that you and your partner not only attend church together, but read and pray together. Open the doors of communication and do not be afraid to tell you partner things you think are embarassing or difficult. Remember, they are there to show you love. They won't judge you or humiliate you or make it much harder than it already is for you. Your partner will support you and guide you in the right direction, after all you are both there aiming for the same goal right?
OPEN UP AND DON'T BE ASHAMED!
Friday, May 09, 2008
Are you a gossip?
"Even so the tongue is a little member and boats great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles." James 3:5
There's a saying that goes, 'The deepest wounds in life come not from swords but words.' If you don't believe it, look at the walking wounded; they're all around you! Are you yourself still struggling with the hurtful words of an insensitive parent, a school teacher, a marriage partner, or a boss? Or worse, a Christian who thinks God's Word on the subject of gossip doesn't apply to them? God takes the sin (yes, it's a sin!) of gossip so seriously that He devotes an entire chapter of the Bible to it. If we were to read James 3 regularly, we might show more consideration before opening our mouths. The Bible says: 'Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.' (Eph 4:29)
One day a woman came to her pastor with a troubled conscience. She had 'sliced and diced' just about everybody in church. He said, 'Take a box of feathers and drop one on the doorstep of each person you've criticised.' After doing so, she came back and said, 'Is that all?' 'No,' he said. 'Now go and pick them all up and bring them back to me.' A week or so later, the woman returned without a single one. 'The wind blew them all away,' she said. After a long silence, the pastor said, 'That's how it is with words; they're easily spoken, but you can never take them back again.'
Are you a gossip? Amend your ways! 'Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails man.' (Jm 5:16)
There's a saying that goes, 'The deepest wounds in life come not from swords but words.' If you don't believe it, look at the walking wounded; they're all around you! Are you yourself still struggling with the hurtful words of an insensitive parent, a school teacher, a marriage partner, or a boss? Or worse, a Christian who thinks God's Word on the subject of gossip doesn't apply to them? God takes the sin (yes, it's a sin!) of gossip so seriously that He devotes an entire chapter of the Bible to it. If we were to read James 3 regularly, we might show more consideration before opening our mouths. The Bible says: 'Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.' (Eph 4:29)
One day a woman came to her pastor with a troubled conscience. She had 'sliced and diced' just about everybody in church. He said, 'Take a box of feathers and drop one on the doorstep of each person you've criticised.' After doing so, she came back and said, 'Is that all?' 'No,' he said. 'Now go and pick them all up and bring them back to me.' A week or so later, the woman returned without a single one. 'The wind blew them all away,' she said. After a long silence, the pastor said, 'That's how it is with words; they're easily spoken, but you can never take them back again.'
Are you a gossip? Amend your ways! 'Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails man.' (Jm 5:16)
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Get off the guilt train!
"Those ... in Christ ... are not judged guilty." (Romans 8:1)
The Bible says, 'We all fall short of God's ... standard' (Ro 3:23 NLT). The strongest among us struggle with areas of weakness. But by continually wallowing in guilt, you're not only punishing yourself, you're allowing others to punish you too, because you think you deserve it. Surrendering your life to Jesus doesn't mean you become sinless. Even Paul, who had 'the desire to do ... good' admits that sometimes he couldn't 'carry it out' (Ro 7:18 NIV)
The good news of the Gospel is that whenever you're 'in Christ ... [you're] not judged guilty', and when you repent and seek forgiveness, God's bound to honour His Word. Nothing you do surprises Him. He knows 'we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.' (2 Co 4:7). In Disciplines of the Hungry Heart, Pastor R Paul Stevens writes: 'While our church was worshipping ... as I looked at the people I've come to love, I saw that each was an earthen vessel ... I looked into each mud pot and ... saw exquisite molten gold. Each person frail, vulnerable, and half-fashioned had treasure inside ... each pot was cracked ... and the ... gold was oozing through the cracks. That's how ministry comes into the world, not poured out of expensive vases, but through ... the faults and weaknesses of real people who are being transfigured by Christ.'
Now Satan, 'the accuser of our brethren' (Rev 12:10) will try to make you guilty over sin of which you've already repented. That's his specialty! But you can defeat his influence in your life by reminding yourself that Jesus paid the price for your sins - past, present and future. So get off the guilt train today and begin to 'serve the Lord with gladness' (Ps 100:2)
(The word for today form UCB Australia)
The Bible says, 'We all fall short of God's ... standard' (Ro 3:23 NLT). The strongest among us struggle with areas of weakness. But by continually wallowing in guilt, you're not only punishing yourself, you're allowing others to punish you too, because you think you deserve it. Surrendering your life to Jesus doesn't mean you become sinless. Even Paul, who had 'the desire to do ... good' admits that sometimes he couldn't 'carry it out' (Ro 7:18 NIV)
The good news of the Gospel is that whenever you're 'in Christ ... [you're] not judged guilty', and when you repent and seek forgiveness, God's bound to honour His Word. Nothing you do surprises Him. He knows 'we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.' (2 Co 4:7). In Disciplines of the Hungry Heart, Pastor R Paul Stevens writes: 'While our church was worshipping ... as I looked at the people I've come to love, I saw that each was an earthen vessel ... I looked into each mud pot and ... saw exquisite molten gold. Each person frail, vulnerable, and half-fashioned had treasure inside ... each pot was cracked ... and the ... gold was oozing through the cracks. That's how ministry comes into the world, not poured out of expensive vases, but through ... the faults and weaknesses of real people who are being transfigured by Christ.'
Now Satan, 'the accuser of our brethren' (Rev 12:10) will try to make you guilty over sin of which you've already repented. That's his specialty! But you can defeat his influence in your life by reminding yourself that Jesus paid the price for your sins - past, present and future. So get off the guilt train today and begin to 'serve the Lord with gladness' (Ps 100:2)
(The word for today form UCB Australia)
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
History of Maliks
In simple terms, a Malik is a tribal leader. Maliks represent tradition of the Assyrians of the north. Maliks were tribal elders who were respected by the peoples of their respective tribes. They were considered intelligent, although illiterate, the Malik would act as mediator between his people and local Governments and officials. Maliks were appointed by the Assyrian Patriarch.
According to Assyrian legend, a man from the family of Nebuchadnezzar, his name Mandu, went out from the city of Assyria. It is not clear from which city. He travels accompanied with four brothers, Barut, Yosip, Bakus and Essi. Mandu has promised that he would settle in a place where they could feed him head and shanks of a sheep. After a long trip Mandu and his brothers arrived at a place named Pachu. (This was the birthplace of ‘Paa – Cha’, an Assyrian dish using tripe or the linings of a sheep’s stomach) A poor man fed them head and shanks of a sheep. Mandu saw that he had reached his destination and decided to stay there and become the head of the town. He chose a good place opposite to the town which now is known as Zara’ish. He built a house for himself here.
One day as Mandu was walking in the forest, he saw four birds. He also saw a black stone and nearby a Church whose door was closed. In his dream on that very same night, he saw the key to the door of the Church and a chandelier buried under the black stone. Next morning he went and picked up the key from under the black stone. He opened the Church and entered into it and prayed. From that day that Church has been a place for worship for all the residents of the town.
One day as Mandu was walking according to his habit, he saw a large cave filled with bones of men. He inquired and was told that men had escaped from Persians and had hid themselves in this cave. The Persians found the cave and lit a fire before the entry into the cave and the men in it were killed. Around the town used to live some pagans who Mandu converted to Christianity. He killed those who refused to accept Christianity. Mandu did not kill known families and ordered them to go and live in a nearby town. They went as ordered. Their descendants still remain but have not increased.
Descendants of Malik Mandu became Maliks who also took the name of Mandu.
During the time of one of the Maliks, Mar Shimon (this was the name of every Assyrian Patriarch) fled from Assyria. The Persians came and captured the entire region. They took Mar Shimon to Persia and permitted him to live in the town of Shinu. When Mar Shimon settled there, he built a large Church. After a long period of time, Malik Mandu rescued Mar Shimon from Persians and took him to the town of Zarnish. From that time for 60 years, the Patriarchs lived in the town of Zarnish. The grave of one of the Patriarchs is in the town’s cemetery.
It is not clear why Mar Shimon left Zarnish and settled in Tirgonia. He later moved to Qochanish which was given to him as a gift by Malik Mandu. Mar Shimon did not stay long in Qochanis because the town was near Gulamarj and was under the rule of a Kurdish Mira. Therefore he was obliged to move to Dizen. Malik Mandu was not pleased that Mar Shimon had left Qochanis. He conferred with the Kurdish Miras of Gulamarj on how he could return Mar Shimon to Qochanis. He went to Dizen and burned Mar Shimon’s house. Later, they collected money and built a house for him and invited him to Qochanis It was in this way Mar Shimon was made to accept the invitation to go and settle in Qochanis.
The chair of Malik Mandu was inherited by Malik Aron. He attacked the Kurdish Khirwat castle, took it and destroyed it. It was a big victory. Malik Aron was followed by another who took the name Mandu. He, also like former Maliks, was a man of war. When there was a friction, Malik Khubyar of the tribe of Baz, attacked the town and killed its inhabitants.
Malik Mandu was followed by Malik Suleiman and during his time the Ottoman Government thought it was necessary to place Government officials in these regions. The Government appointed local Rayis (Chiefs) in each of Gulamarj, Gawar and Shamdinin (Shamsdin). These Rayis were trying in every way to prevent fighting between the Assyrian tribes. Therefore Malik Suleiman and Malik Shlimon who followed him, both had kept peace among the tribes. Malik Shlimon was followed by Malik Warda. They say that he was bribed by Urmar, Chief of a Kurdish tribe, not to help the Assyrian tribes when Kurdish tribes attacked them. The Kurds attacked, plundered and killed and stole cattle. Malik Warda did not interfere to defend the Assyrian tribes that were attacked by Kurds.
Malik Eshu, who followed Malik Warda, attacked Assyrian tribes of Tkhumi and took away 2000 heads of sheep. At this time the tribes of Diz attacked Tkhumi, occupied the lands of Kirsu and put cattle in their planted fields. Malik Eshu attacked the tribes of Diznayi, and took their cattle. He controlled their fields and collected their farming produce for himself.
Malik Eshu was followed by Malik Mirza. Nothing is known about this Malik. During the time of Malik Khalil, who followed Malik Mirza, Kurdish tribes attacked Jilu tribes and took 2000 heads of sheep.Malik Khalil complained to the Turkish government. Later, he took 400 strong men from his tribe and 40 Turkish soldiers and attacked the Kurdish Urmar and forced him to pay Malik Khalil 400 Liras, 682 sheep, 7 mules, 4 cows, some carpet/rugs and other items.
In 1909, Malik Khalil traveled to Europe to collect money. He was dressed in his native clothes and was introduced in the presence of the Pope. He explained to the Pope that he was Malik of Jilu and added that there was no education in his country and requested the Pope’s permission to collect money to open schools. The Pope gave his permission and in a short time he collected 18,000 Manati and returned home where he began to build a school. He again went back to Europe to collect money. It appeared that he was impersonating a Catholic monk in his travels in Austria. As was learned later from the Austrian Consul, the Austrian Government had arrested Malik Khalil as they suspected that he was collecting money in the name of the Church, but keeping it for himself and had requested the Consul to introduce him personally to Austrian Government.
Upper Tyareh Maliks
The first Malik of Upper Tyareh is known as Malik Hormis. During his time, the Khan of Gulamarj, Karem Khan, became chief of the Sodan - Baba. Karem Khan attacked the Assyrians of Upper Tyareh. Malik Hormis and his men fled from the enemy. He found a safe place atop a mountain. They defended themselves for 20 days fighting ceaselessly against the attacking Kurds. After Karem Khan destroyed the villages of Upper Tyareh, he returned to his village. Malik Hormis came down and gathered all the Assyrian men who had escaped from the Kurds and settled in the village of Chamba where Malik Hormis took care of the village until his death. Every year following his death, they worshipped him and on Christmas day all the men and women of Upper Tyareh would assemble at his grave which to them is a Holy place. Here, they would conduct a funeral service. Near his grave, other Maliks that followed him and died are buried.
Little is known about the three Maliks that followed Malik Hormis, Maliks Kanawa, Benyamin and Yona. The most known Malik in this period was Ismail.
All Assyrian villages were again attacked by Kurds this time under the leadership of the Kurdish chief Badr Khan. After a three day battle, Malik Ismail was wounded. He fled to a high mountain and thought that the Kurds could not harm him. Malik Ismail later came down from the mountain near a spring and began talking with Badr Khan. By the end of their talk Badr Khan requested that Malik Ismail accept Islam and if he did he would give him anything he wanted. Malik Ismail angrily answered that he would give him anything he wanted if Badr Khan accepted Christianity. When Badr Khan heard this, he signalled his men to kill him. Malik Ismail was thus killed.
Following Malik Ismail were Maliks Benyamin, Pittu, Gindu and Yaku. There is scarce information surrounding these Maliks. The last Malik was Ismail. He was well educated and could read and write.
Lower Tyareh
The first Malik of Lower Tyareh is considered to have been Odishu, who together with Patriarch Mar Awrahim Khan, had raided the Iranian border plundering and destroying. After one of his victories Mar Awrahim Khan went to Constantinople and received from the Turkish Sultan permission to mint money on the condition that he would build roads in Gulamarj district. Mar Awrahim Khan carried out this condition, partially. The grave of Malik Odishu is in Salabagh. Every year on the second day of Christmas, religious services are held by the family of the Malik and by other families in the village. They come to his grave bringing various kinds of food and place them on Malik Odishu’s grave. The priests would first pray and after the prayers they would sit around the grave and partake of the food. Up to the present day the tribe of Upper Tyareh swears by the grave of Malik Odishu.
Malik Barkhu followed Malik Odishu. During his time the Kurds of Jezira Botan attacked Gulamarj and occupied it. Malik Barkhu joined with the leader of the Kurdish tribe of Artush, in the district of Betleshabab, Shakir, who helped the commander of Gulamarj. They attacked the Kurds of Jezira Botan and expelled them from the borders of Gulamarj.
Malik Barkhu was followed by Malik Odishu II who administered his lands peacefully. Even today his tribe point out to his grave in Salabagh. Malik Odishu II was followed by Malik Daniel. He attacked the leader of Barwar, destroyed the Qumri castle and returned with much treasure. Pleased with the bounty from Barwar, the villagers lived well and in peace for some time. Malik Daniel then proceeded to build some roads which were used for trade.
Malik Daniel was followed by Malik Barkhu. During his time the Kurds of Chal raided his villages and looted Assyrian sheep. Malik Barkhu chased them and recovered the sheep. As he was under the influence of Catholic missionaries, Malik Barkhu became Catholic. For this reason Mar Shimon removed him from the chair of Malik and replaced him with Malik Kashun. Malik Kashun up to 1909, ruled Lower Tyareh tribes.
Maliks Of Tkhumi
The Chief of the Tkhumi tribe was known as Malik Shirinshah, who had come from Nineveh to Tkhumi together with other Assyrians. He saw a Church in a forest and decided to settle near it. When he was settled, he began to fight against the Yezidis who were in that area.
After Shirinshah, came Malik Manu. During the time of Malik Manu, Kurds of Artush attacked the village of Khan and the Yezidis who lived there and killed many of them. The Yezidis were expelled and their lands were confiscated. Later the Artush Kurds began to kill Assyrians who had recently arrived and settled there. Malik Manu fought against them and protected his people. Malik Manu was followed by Malik Oraham who joined with the leader of Gulamarj, Mir Matan, and attacked the Kurds of Badin near Mosul, crushing and dispersing them. Later, the leader of Gulamarj attacked the Kurds of Bardasori of Iran, crushed and looted them.
Malik Oraham was followed by Malik Lachin, who attacked the Kurds of Chalm and Mirza Agha and beat them on the Zab River. He was followed by Malik Dinkha, who organized a force of three thousand men and attacked the Kurds of Artush, crushed them and took rich bounty.
Malik Dinkha was followed by Malik Gewargis, who followed the example of Malik Dinkha and attacked the tribes of Artush. Malik Gewargis was still alive in 1909 when missionaries visited the land. He attacked the tribes of Artush several times and captured a large number of cattle. As he became emboldened by his victories against the Artush tribes, he attacked the head of Urmar, Satu Agha who had stolen two thousand sheep from Assyrians and recovered them all.
The clans of Maliks in the north are divided into five families which consist of about seventy clans. It was therefore decided that the chair of Malik should be inherited, but every three years, the Malik must be elected from one of the families most qualified to be Malik.
Maliks of Baz
It is said that the tribe of Baznayeh had fled from the Assyrian cities and settled in Shiwala, a town in the Artush district. They lived there a number of centuries and were constantly attacked by Kurds who wanted to settle in the district of Baz, named after the name of the Assyrian tribe.
The earliest Malik of Baznayeh whose memory is mentioned, was Malik Yonan who repulsed the attacks by the leader of the Pizan Kurds, Mustafa Beg. Following Yonan, came Malik Daryawush who was nicknamed, Darwish. He fought against the Kurds near the city of Mosul and had tried to attack and capture the Baz district. After repulsing the Kurds, Malik Daryawush ruled freely over Baz district.
Malik Daryawush was followed by Malik Ayub who built the Churches of Baz. After Malik Ayub came Malik Kanoon. He attacked the leader of Gulamarj, Rashid Pasha and was killed in the battle field. Later, the new leader of Gulamarj, Abdullah Beg, agreed with Malik Solomon, and together attacked the Kurdish tribes of Jezira Botan and inflicted on heavy destruction on them, but Malik Solomon was killed in battle.
Malik Solomon was followed by Malik Shakha. Although he was from the family of Malik Yonan, he was from the Sha’ota village.
Following Malik Shakha was Malik Yonan II. It should be remembered that Assyrian Maliks, as Turkish subjects, used to pay a sum of money as tax to the leader of Gulamarj. Malik Yonan had however, not paid taxes for eight years and freely ruled his tribe. After meeting the leader of Gulamarj, Nuri Beg, in the Khoi village, Yonan agreed to pay taxes to avoid bloodshed.
Malik Yonan was followed by Khoshaba who was Malik for nine years and was toppled by the leader of Gulamarj for not paying taxes and was fined nine mules.
Malik Khoshaba was followed by Malik Shakha II. During winter, as it was a custom, men of the tribe were away from Baz, working near Mosul. At this time, Kurdish tribes of Pinyanis, Urmar and others raided Baz and looted its villages. In April, when men returned home, Malik Shakha gathered a strong army and attacked the Kurds killing 80 Kurds, looted them and returned home.
Malik Shakha II was followed by Odisho. Malik Odisho’s efforts must be mentioned. He applied to the Turkish Government and reduced the taxes from 60 Liras to 30. This was a significant achievement because it meant that trading in the Assyrian region was could now flourish and grow.
After Malik Odisho, other Maliks followed one after the other; Maliks Zatu, Shimon, Yaku, Yonan III and Eshai. During 1909, Malik Hormis, who several times repulsed raids by Kurds of Urmar, when necessary, could raise 900 volunteer fighters.
Maliks played a significant role in the mountainous regions where the Assyrians resided. As they were surrounded by armies of Turks and Kurds, who were pressing the Assyrians into Islamic conversion, it was the Maliks under the guidance of the Assyrian Patriarch, who negotiated battles and transactions between the so called enemies. Maliks are yet another forgotten and unknown part of Assyrian history.
Written and compiled by John Isaac 1995
Original text in Syriac / Aramaic translated, 1997 by John Isaac, Rui Tsiaris and Ninos Melki
Published, 1995, Monash University – Akkadian / Aramaic / Hebrew studies journal
Published, 1997, United Press of Victoria – The Ancient Near East
References
Jennings, (1932) Nineveh and her Children
Wallace / WCM (1876) Missions to the Ancient Near East – Rescue of the Assyrian
Gosse (1852) Assyria, her manners, customs, arts and arms
M.Y.A Lilian, (1914) Assyrians of the Van District – During the rule of the Ottoman Turks
Syriac scripts courtesy of Monash University and Oxford University (Faculty of Oriental Studies)
According to Assyrian legend, a man from the family of Nebuchadnezzar, his name Mandu, went out from the city of Assyria. It is not clear from which city. He travels accompanied with four brothers, Barut, Yosip, Bakus and Essi. Mandu has promised that he would settle in a place where they could feed him head and shanks of a sheep. After a long trip Mandu and his brothers arrived at a place named Pachu. (This was the birthplace of ‘Paa – Cha’, an Assyrian dish using tripe or the linings of a sheep’s stomach) A poor man fed them head and shanks of a sheep. Mandu saw that he had reached his destination and decided to stay there and become the head of the town. He chose a good place opposite to the town which now is known as Zara’ish. He built a house for himself here.
One day as Mandu was walking in the forest, he saw four birds. He also saw a black stone and nearby a Church whose door was closed. In his dream on that very same night, he saw the key to the door of the Church and a chandelier buried under the black stone. Next morning he went and picked up the key from under the black stone. He opened the Church and entered into it and prayed. From that day that Church has been a place for worship for all the residents of the town.
One day as Mandu was walking according to his habit, he saw a large cave filled with bones of men. He inquired and was told that men had escaped from Persians and had hid themselves in this cave. The Persians found the cave and lit a fire before the entry into the cave and the men in it were killed. Around the town used to live some pagans who Mandu converted to Christianity. He killed those who refused to accept Christianity. Mandu did not kill known families and ordered them to go and live in a nearby town. They went as ordered. Their descendants still remain but have not increased.
Descendants of Malik Mandu became Maliks who also took the name of Mandu.
During the time of one of the Maliks, Mar Shimon (this was the name of every Assyrian Patriarch) fled from Assyria. The Persians came and captured the entire region. They took Mar Shimon to Persia and permitted him to live in the town of Shinu. When Mar Shimon settled there, he built a large Church. After a long period of time, Malik Mandu rescued Mar Shimon from Persians and took him to the town of Zarnish. From that time for 60 years, the Patriarchs lived in the town of Zarnish. The grave of one of the Patriarchs is in the town’s cemetery.
It is not clear why Mar Shimon left Zarnish and settled in Tirgonia. He later moved to Qochanish which was given to him as a gift by Malik Mandu. Mar Shimon did not stay long in Qochanis because the town was near Gulamarj and was under the rule of a Kurdish Mira. Therefore he was obliged to move to Dizen. Malik Mandu was not pleased that Mar Shimon had left Qochanis. He conferred with the Kurdish Miras of Gulamarj on how he could return Mar Shimon to Qochanis. He went to Dizen and burned Mar Shimon’s house. Later, they collected money and built a house for him and invited him to Qochanis It was in this way Mar Shimon was made to accept the invitation to go and settle in Qochanis.
The chair of Malik Mandu was inherited by Malik Aron. He attacked the Kurdish Khirwat castle, took it and destroyed it. It was a big victory. Malik Aron was followed by another who took the name Mandu. He, also like former Maliks, was a man of war. When there was a friction, Malik Khubyar of the tribe of Baz, attacked the town and killed its inhabitants.
Malik Mandu was followed by Malik Suleiman and during his time the Ottoman Government thought it was necessary to place Government officials in these regions. The Government appointed local Rayis (Chiefs) in each of Gulamarj, Gawar and Shamdinin (Shamsdin). These Rayis were trying in every way to prevent fighting between the Assyrian tribes. Therefore Malik Suleiman and Malik Shlimon who followed him, both had kept peace among the tribes. Malik Shlimon was followed by Malik Warda. They say that he was bribed by Urmar, Chief of a Kurdish tribe, not to help the Assyrian tribes when Kurdish tribes attacked them. The Kurds attacked, plundered and killed and stole cattle. Malik Warda did not interfere to defend the Assyrian tribes that were attacked by Kurds.
Malik Eshu, who followed Malik Warda, attacked Assyrian tribes of Tkhumi and took away 2000 heads of sheep. At this time the tribes of Diz attacked Tkhumi, occupied the lands of Kirsu and put cattle in their planted fields. Malik Eshu attacked the tribes of Diznayi, and took their cattle. He controlled their fields and collected their farming produce for himself.
Malik Eshu was followed by Malik Mirza. Nothing is known about this Malik. During the time of Malik Khalil, who followed Malik Mirza, Kurdish tribes attacked Jilu tribes and took 2000 heads of sheep.Malik Khalil complained to the Turkish government. Later, he took 400 strong men from his tribe and 40 Turkish soldiers and attacked the Kurdish Urmar and forced him to pay Malik Khalil 400 Liras, 682 sheep, 7 mules, 4 cows, some carpet/rugs and other items.
In 1909, Malik Khalil traveled to Europe to collect money. He was dressed in his native clothes and was introduced in the presence of the Pope. He explained to the Pope that he was Malik of Jilu and added that there was no education in his country and requested the Pope’s permission to collect money to open schools. The Pope gave his permission and in a short time he collected 18,000 Manati and returned home where he began to build a school. He again went back to Europe to collect money. It appeared that he was impersonating a Catholic monk in his travels in Austria. As was learned later from the Austrian Consul, the Austrian Government had arrested Malik Khalil as they suspected that he was collecting money in the name of the Church, but keeping it for himself and had requested the Consul to introduce him personally to Austrian Government.
Upper Tyareh Maliks
The first Malik of Upper Tyareh is known as Malik Hormis. During his time, the Khan of Gulamarj, Karem Khan, became chief of the Sodan - Baba. Karem Khan attacked the Assyrians of Upper Tyareh. Malik Hormis and his men fled from the enemy. He found a safe place atop a mountain. They defended themselves for 20 days fighting ceaselessly against the attacking Kurds. After Karem Khan destroyed the villages of Upper Tyareh, he returned to his village. Malik Hormis came down and gathered all the Assyrian men who had escaped from the Kurds and settled in the village of Chamba where Malik Hormis took care of the village until his death. Every year following his death, they worshipped him and on Christmas day all the men and women of Upper Tyareh would assemble at his grave which to them is a Holy place. Here, they would conduct a funeral service. Near his grave, other Maliks that followed him and died are buried.
Little is known about the three Maliks that followed Malik Hormis, Maliks Kanawa, Benyamin and Yona. The most known Malik in this period was Ismail.
All Assyrian villages were again attacked by Kurds this time under the leadership of the Kurdish chief Badr Khan. After a three day battle, Malik Ismail was wounded. He fled to a high mountain and thought that the Kurds could not harm him. Malik Ismail later came down from the mountain near a spring and began talking with Badr Khan. By the end of their talk Badr Khan requested that Malik Ismail accept Islam and if he did he would give him anything he wanted. Malik Ismail angrily answered that he would give him anything he wanted if Badr Khan accepted Christianity. When Badr Khan heard this, he signalled his men to kill him. Malik Ismail was thus killed.
Following Malik Ismail were Maliks Benyamin, Pittu, Gindu and Yaku. There is scarce information surrounding these Maliks. The last Malik was Ismail. He was well educated and could read and write.
Lower Tyareh
The first Malik of Lower Tyareh is considered to have been Odishu, who together with Patriarch Mar Awrahim Khan, had raided the Iranian border plundering and destroying. After one of his victories Mar Awrahim Khan went to Constantinople and received from the Turkish Sultan permission to mint money on the condition that he would build roads in Gulamarj district. Mar Awrahim Khan carried out this condition, partially. The grave of Malik Odishu is in Salabagh. Every year on the second day of Christmas, religious services are held by the family of the Malik and by other families in the village. They come to his grave bringing various kinds of food and place them on Malik Odishu’s grave. The priests would first pray and after the prayers they would sit around the grave and partake of the food. Up to the present day the tribe of Upper Tyareh swears by the grave of Malik Odishu.
Malik Barkhu followed Malik Odishu. During his time the Kurds of Jezira Botan attacked Gulamarj and occupied it. Malik Barkhu joined with the leader of the Kurdish tribe of Artush, in the district of Betleshabab, Shakir, who helped the commander of Gulamarj. They attacked the Kurds of Jezira Botan and expelled them from the borders of Gulamarj.
Malik Barkhu was followed by Malik Odishu II who administered his lands peacefully. Even today his tribe point out to his grave in Salabagh. Malik Odishu II was followed by Malik Daniel. He attacked the leader of Barwar, destroyed the Qumri castle and returned with much treasure. Pleased with the bounty from Barwar, the villagers lived well and in peace for some time. Malik Daniel then proceeded to build some roads which were used for trade.
Malik Daniel was followed by Malik Barkhu. During his time the Kurds of Chal raided his villages and looted Assyrian sheep. Malik Barkhu chased them and recovered the sheep. As he was under the influence of Catholic missionaries, Malik Barkhu became Catholic. For this reason Mar Shimon removed him from the chair of Malik and replaced him with Malik Kashun. Malik Kashun up to 1909, ruled Lower Tyareh tribes.
Maliks Of Tkhumi
The Chief of the Tkhumi tribe was known as Malik Shirinshah, who had come from Nineveh to Tkhumi together with other Assyrians. He saw a Church in a forest and decided to settle near it. When he was settled, he began to fight against the Yezidis who were in that area.
After Shirinshah, came Malik Manu. During the time of Malik Manu, Kurds of Artush attacked the village of Khan and the Yezidis who lived there and killed many of them. The Yezidis were expelled and their lands were confiscated. Later the Artush Kurds began to kill Assyrians who had recently arrived and settled there. Malik Manu fought against them and protected his people. Malik Manu was followed by Malik Oraham who joined with the leader of Gulamarj, Mir Matan, and attacked the Kurds of Badin near Mosul, crushing and dispersing them. Later, the leader of Gulamarj attacked the Kurds of Bardasori of Iran, crushed and looted them.
Malik Oraham was followed by Malik Lachin, who attacked the Kurds of Chalm and Mirza Agha and beat them on the Zab River. He was followed by Malik Dinkha, who organized a force of three thousand men and attacked the Kurds of Artush, crushed them and took rich bounty.
Malik Dinkha was followed by Malik Gewargis, who followed the example of Malik Dinkha and attacked the tribes of Artush. Malik Gewargis was still alive in 1909 when missionaries visited the land. He attacked the tribes of Artush several times and captured a large number of cattle. As he became emboldened by his victories against the Artush tribes, he attacked the head of Urmar, Satu Agha who had stolen two thousand sheep from Assyrians and recovered them all.
The clans of Maliks in the north are divided into five families which consist of about seventy clans. It was therefore decided that the chair of Malik should be inherited, but every three years, the Malik must be elected from one of the families most qualified to be Malik.
Maliks of Baz
It is said that the tribe of Baznayeh had fled from the Assyrian cities and settled in Shiwala, a town in the Artush district. They lived there a number of centuries and were constantly attacked by Kurds who wanted to settle in the district of Baz, named after the name of the Assyrian tribe.
The earliest Malik of Baznayeh whose memory is mentioned, was Malik Yonan who repulsed the attacks by the leader of the Pizan Kurds, Mustafa Beg. Following Yonan, came Malik Daryawush who was nicknamed, Darwish. He fought against the Kurds near the city of Mosul and had tried to attack and capture the Baz district. After repulsing the Kurds, Malik Daryawush ruled freely over Baz district.
Malik Daryawush was followed by Malik Ayub who built the Churches of Baz. After Malik Ayub came Malik Kanoon. He attacked the leader of Gulamarj, Rashid Pasha and was killed in the battle field. Later, the new leader of Gulamarj, Abdullah Beg, agreed with Malik Solomon, and together attacked the Kurdish tribes of Jezira Botan and inflicted on heavy destruction on them, but Malik Solomon was killed in battle.
Malik Solomon was followed by Malik Shakha. Although he was from the family of Malik Yonan, he was from the Sha’ota village.
Following Malik Shakha was Malik Yonan II. It should be remembered that Assyrian Maliks, as Turkish subjects, used to pay a sum of money as tax to the leader of Gulamarj. Malik Yonan had however, not paid taxes for eight years and freely ruled his tribe. After meeting the leader of Gulamarj, Nuri Beg, in the Khoi village, Yonan agreed to pay taxes to avoid bloodshed.
Malik Yonan was followed by Khoshaba who was Malik for nine years and was toppled by the leader of Gulamarj for not paying taxes and was fined nine mules.
Malik Khoshaba was followed by Malik Shakha II. During winter, as it was a custom, men of the tribe were away from Baz, working near Mosul. At this time, Kurdish tribes of Pinyanis, Urmar and others raided Baz and looted its villages. In April, when men returned home, Malik Shakha gathered a strong army and attacked the Kurds killing 80 Kurds, looted them and returned home.
Malik Shakha II was followed by Odisho. Malik Odisho’s efforts must be mentioned. He applied to the Turkish Government and reduced the taxes from 60 Liras to 30. This was a significant achievement because it meant that trading in the Assyrian region was could now flourish and grow.
After Malik Odisho, other Maliks followed one after the other; Maliks Zatu, Shimon, Yaku, Yonan III and Eshai. During 1909, Malik Hormis, who several times repulsed raids by Kurds of Urmar, when necessary, could raise 900 volunteer fighters.
Maliks played a significant role in the mountainous regions where the Assyrians resided. As they were surrounded by armies of Turks and Kurds, who were pressing the Assyrians into Islamic conversion, it was the Maliks under the guidance of the Assyrian Patriarch, who negotiated battles and transactions between the so called enemies. Maliks are yet another forgotten and unknown part of Assyrian history.
Written and compiled by John Isaac 1995
Original text in Syriac / Aramaic translated, 1997 by John Isaac, Rui Tsiaris and Ninos Melki
Published, 1995, Monash University – Akkadian / Aramaic / Hebrew studies journal
Published, 1997, United Press of Victoria – The Ancient Near East
References
Jennings, (1932) Nineveh and her Children
Wallace / WCM (1876) Missions to the Ancient Near East – Rescue of the Assyrian
Gosse (1852) Assyria, her manners, customs, arts and arms
M.Y.A Lilian, (1914) Assyrians of the Van District – During the rule of the Ottoman Turks
Syriac scripts courtesy of Monash University and Oxford University (Faculty of Oriental Studies)
Friday, April 18, 2008
Dealing with guilt
What do you experience when you feel guilt?
Sometimes you feel that something bad is going to happen, or you feel unworthy, dirty, like a failure, thereare lots of feelings when people experience guilt.
There are 3 types of guilt we deal with in life and we need to realise they are different and need to be dealt with differently.
def. Guilt is a sense of wrong doing and emotional conflict that arises when you have 2nd thoughts on something that we have done. we think about somethingthat has happened in the past and we think we have done something wrong. you keep bringing up something old and trashy which God has forgiven you for.you need to let it go.
Read 1 John 1:5 - (walking in light) This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all
Read Eph 1:7 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Why do we feel guilt?
- Sometimes it is because we are taught wrongly, we are taught to have a sense of wrong guilt. if we are brought up thinkingeverything is wrong then i will grow up having a sense of guilt. whether we are taught within the church or within our family. maybe when we were youngerwe were told we were always wrong, we were no good and unworthy.
- We also may have childhood memories which effect us now. someone when we were young something bad happened and you were blamed for it for no reason, someonethrew blame on you and told you it was your fault. you grew up with that guilt without knowing what you had done wrong. God would never tell you thatyou were wrong or that you are bad.
- Low self esteem. feel like you didnt get the breaks in life, not up to your expectations. you feel inadequate and no matter what you do you never feelthat you have done it correctly.
Any guilty feeling which does not have a biblical origin, is wrong and false guilt. God doesnt lay guilt on his chidren. satan uses false guilt to harrassGods children.
There is biblical guilt though. this stems from an act of sin you have committed with the knowledge you have done something against God, the Holy Spirit convicts you and tells you you shouldnt have done that. He will NEVER tell you that you are bad or unworthy.
So what is the result/consequences of these guilty feelings? (false guilt leaves the same effect on us as true guilt)
- Doubt. one of the first things that happens is doubt. whether God loves us or not, doubt His presence, His promises and provisions. You doubt His answering your prayers.
- Fear. Fear of the judgement of God, or of Gods rejection. fear of loss of health, financial security etc-desire of punishment. you get used to the punishment like when you were a child. you felt better after you were spanked as a child cos you knewy ou deserved it.
- Insecurities. not enough money, friends, approval etc. you may end up with no friends, limited money, afraid of getting sick etc. you are clouded
- Compulsive behaviour. you get busy and stay busy. you are trying to pay God back. you dont realise that you dont need divine approval, you just needto realise that Christ is your saviour and you dont need to bring upon emotional pain upon yourself. there are many women in the ministry because theirpast has brought them to church. you dont need to pay God back, you cant. how can you repay Him for you sin? do not get into ministry trying to pay God backHe already loves you!- inability to experience the goodness/pleasures of life. you push everything good away cos you believe nothing good exists anymore. you dont realise God places good things in your life whether its experiences or people, you believe no one is worhty enough cos YOU are not worthy enough.
- Physically. you end up with illnesses, depression, mental instability.
Now you can go to the doctor and get prescribed pills and medicine etc. but it takes more than that. You need to realise what you have done or not done in your life. You need to deal with it once and for all, You need to confront those people who have taught you you are wrong and unworthy whether its friends or family. You need to deal with it and accept Gods love for you and that you were created as a special unique person in His image. you need to affirm that He looks upon you and loves you, He forgives you even when you have done something wrong BUT you need to understand He forgives those who have done wrong against you also. That is the key, if you have been blamed by your family for things of the past, remember God forgives them and that satan has used them to get to you and to break you, but you are greater than that! You are worth more than that! Understand what God thinks of you. He wants you to fill your life with happiness and people who make you happy and can provide for you so that you may all grow in Him and know Him intimately.
There is no reason to feel guilty IF you understand why certain things happened in your life. Do not blame other people! do not blame yourself! Don't waste time being bitter and angry and upset, focus on WHY things happened and work it out, deal with it and get on with life. for if you dont, you will miss out on good experiences in life which God is giving you which can lift you and take your life to levels you had never believed in before.
Truth is the only thing that liberates us from satanic harrassment. Find the truth within your dark experiences and take it on board and apply it to your life. God doesn't place Godly people in your life to hurt you, He places them in your life to show you what He can do for you and how you can live a Godly happy life with people, that is what He intends for your life. dont reject it! do not go against God.
As we mentioned before, there are 3 types of guilt we deal with in life and we need to realise they are different and need to be dealt with differently.
- Civil guilt. we have violated a civil law eg. speeding.
- Biblical guilt. violating Gods law, divine law. eg. stealing, killing
- False guilt. psychological guilt. based on something which happened in the past or something we feel about ourselves but has no biblical grounds/basis.
If you keep bringing up old trash, feeling guilty over something God has already forgiven you for, it is false guilt. also if you cannot name a single thingas to why you feel guilty, it is false. it is not from God and does not fit who we are as children of God.
How to deal with bibical guilt?
Identify the type of guilt you are experiencing. If its something you have not dealt with, you need to acknowledge it and accept it and believe God will forgive you of that sin if you confess and repent. He is faithful and just and will cleanse us of all unrighteousness and wrong doing.
God will not make you pay for something that His son has already paid for!
How to deal with false guilt?
Whats the source of this guilt? It is most likely something I am not responsible for. However, there IS a source. Ask God and you will be able to trace back to dark times in your life and you will see the truth and be able to accept it no matter if other people cannot accept it.
You affirm these 3 things once you have identified the false guilt from your past:
- I am special. God sent His son for you. God has predestined that He will conform you to the likeness of His son.how much more special can you be?
- I am loved. i am loved by God first of all, you are forgiven by Him AND He has placed people in your life which will love you. do not reject both.
- I am forgiven. if we are faithful and we confess to Him and repent, we are forgiven
But first you need to identify the source of this false guilt. what happens when you identify and realise these 3 things?
You maybe someone who has guilt hovering over them for years, day in day out but when you realise these things, you will reject it. You will reject the satanic harrassment which has clouded your personality and your being for all these years and that cloud will disappear. The blood of Jesus Christ is continuingly cleansing you and making you pure in the eyes of God. You are forgiven for your wrongs BUT you must forgive those who have blamed you for those dark experiences in life, no matter when it was or what happened. You are not responsible for their bitterness or anger or hurt. It is their fault they are angry and bitter towards you cos THEY haven't dealt with those issues. THEY need to realise that God forgives and cleanses people. THEY need to accept Christ and begin living a Godly life and let go of all those unGodly things in their life, THEY need to reject satan and his ways which turns them against you and other people.
All your bad experiences in life stem from one initial bad experience which you haven't dealt with. Look back and see when things went wrong, Have they got better? I will bet my life that your answer is no. You know why? Cos you didn't initially deal with that sin/experience at that very moment! Maybe you didn't have any support or love from friends or family, maybe you were not able to communicate with friends or family and let things out. But with God, it's never too late, look back at that initial experience or issue and deal with it now, today, let someone help you deal with it, do it together and let it go once and for all and allow God's love to rain down on you. do not carry this false guilt with you in life, for if you haven't got anywhere in life till now, you never will until you deal with those unresolved issues in your life, if you dont, they will continue effecting every relationship and decision you make in life.
Does God want this for you? I don't think so. Is this why He created you? I don't think so.
Resolve those issues and start living a life He wants you to live!
Sometimes you feel that something bad is going to happen, or you feel unworthy, dirty, like a failure, thereare lots of feelings when people experience guilt.
There are 3 types of guilt we deal with in life and we need to realise they are different and need to be dealt with differently.
def. Guilt is a sense of wrong doing and emotional conflict that arises when you have 2nd thoughts on something that we have done. we think about somethingthat has happened in the past and we think we have done something wrong. you keep bringing up something old and trashy which God has forgiven you for.you need to let it go.
Read 1 John 1:5 - (walking in light) This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all
Read Eph 1:7 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Why do we feel guilt?
- Sometimes it is because we are taught wrongly, we are taught to have a sense of wrong guilt. if we are brought up thinkingeverything is wrong then i will grow up having a sense of guilt. whether we are taught within the church or within our family. maybe when we were youngerwe were told we were always wrong, we were no good and unworthy.
- We also may have childhood memories which effect us now. someone when we were young something bad happened and you were blamed for it for no reason, someonethrew blame on you and told you it was your fault. you grew up with that guilt without knowing what you had done wrong. God would never tell you thatyou were wrong or that you are bad.
- Low self esteem. feel like you didnt get the breaks in life, not up to your expectations. you feel inadequate and no matter what you do you never feelthat you have done it correctly.
Any guilty feeling which does not have a biblical origin, is wrong and false guilt. God doesnt lay guilt on his chidren. satan uses false guilt to harrassGods children.
There is biblical guilt though. this stems from an act of sin you have committed with the knowledge you have done something against God, the Holy Spirit convicts you and tells you you shouldnt have done that. He will NEVER tell you that you are bad or unworthy.
So what is the result/consequences of these guilty feelings? (false guilt leaves the same effect on us as true guilt)
- Doubt. one of the first things that happens is doubt. whether God loves us or not, doubt His presence, His promises and provisions. You doubt His answering your prayers.
- Fear. Fear of the judgement of God, or of Gods rejection. fear of loss of health, financial security etc-desire of punishment. you get used to the punishment like when you were a child. you felt better after you were spanked as a child cos you knewy ou deserved it.
- Insecurities. not enough money, friends, approval etc. you may end up with no friends, limited money, afraid of getting sick etc. you are clouded
- Compulsive behaviour. you get busy and stay busy. you are trying to pay God back. you dont realise that you dont need divine approval, you just needto realise that Christ is your saviour and you dont need to bring upon emotional pain upon yourself. there are many women in the ministry because theirpast has brought them to church. you dont need to pay God back, you cant. how can you repay Him for you sin? do not get into ministry trying to pay God backHe already loves you!- inability to experience the goodness/pleasures of life. you push everything good away cos you believe nothing good exists anymore. you dont realise God places good things in your life whether its experiences or people, you believe no one is worhty enough cos YOU are not worthy enough.
- Physically. you end up with illnesses, depression, mental instability.
Now you can go to the doctor and get prescribed pills and medicine etc. but it takes more than that. You need to realise what you have done or not done in your life. You need to deal with it once and for all, You need to confront those people who have taught you you are wrong and unworthy whether its friends or family. You need to deal with it and accept Gods love for you and that you were created as a special unique person in His image. you need to affirm that He looks upon you and loves you, He forgives you even when you have done something wrong BUT you need to understand He forgives those who have done wrong against you also. That is the key, if you have been blamed by your family for things of the past, remember God forgives them and that satan has used them to get to you and to break you, but you are greater than that! You are worth more than that! Understand what God thinks of you. He wants you to fill your life with happiness and people who make you happy and can provide for you so that you may all grow in Him and know Him intimately.
There is no reason to feel guilty IF you understand why certain things happened in your life. Do not blame other people! do not blame yourself! Don't waste time being bitter and angry and upset, focus on WHY things happened and work it out, deal with it and get on with life. for if you dont, you will miss out on good experiences in life which God is giving you which can lift you and take your life to levels you had never believed in before.
Truth is the only thing that liberates us from satanic harrassment. Find the truth within your dark experiences and take it on board and apply it to your life. God doesn't place Godly people in your life to hurt you, He places them in your life to show you what He can do for you and how you can live a Godly happy life with people, that is what He intends for your life. dont reject it! do not go against God.
As we mentioned before, there are 3 types of guilt we deal with in life and we need to realise they are different and need to be dealt with differently.
- Civil guilt. we have violated a civil law eg. speeding.
- Biblical guilt. violating Gods law, divine law. eg. stealing, killing
- False guilt. psychological guilt. based on something which happened in the past or something we feel about ourselves but has no biblical grounds/basis.
If you keep bringing up old trash, feeling guilty over something God has already forgiven you for, it is false guilt. also if you cannot name a single thingas to why you feel guilty, it is false. it is not from God and does not fit who we are as children of God.
How to deal with bibical guilt?
Identify the type of guilt you are experiencing. If its something you have not dealt with, you need to acknowledge it and accept it and believe God will forgive you of that sin if you confess and repent. He is faithful and just and will cleanse us of all unrighteousness and wrong doing.
God will not make you pay for something that His son has already paid for!
How to deal with false guilt?
Whats the source of this guilt? It is most likely something I am not responsible for. However, there IS a source. Ask God and you will be able to trace back to dark times in your life and you will see the truth and be able to accept it no matter if other people cannot accept it.
You affirm these 3 things once you have identified the false guilt from your past:
- I am special. God sent His son for you. God has predestined that He will conform you to the likeness of His son.how much more special can you be?
- I am loved. i am loved by God first of all, you are forgiven by Him AND He has placed people in your life which will love you. do not reject both.
- I am forgiven. if we are faithful and we confess to Him and repent, we are forgiven
But first you need to identify the source of this false guilt. what happens when you identify and realise these 3 things?
You maybe someone who has guilt hovering over them for years, day in day out but when you realise these things, you will reject it. You will reject the satanic harrassment which has clouded your personality and your being for all these years and that cloud will disappear. The blood of Jesus Christ is continuingly cleansing you and making you pure in the eyes of God. You are forgiven for your wrongs BUT you must forgive those who have blamed you for those dark experiences in life, no matter when it was or what happened. You are not responsible for their bitterness or anger or hurt. It is their fault they are angry and bitter towards you cos THEY haven't dealt with those issues. THEY need to realise that God forgives and cleanses people. THEY need to accept Christ and begin living a Godly life and let go of all those unGodly things in their life, THEY need to reject satan and his ways which turns them against you and other people.
All your bad experiences in life stem from one initial bad experience which you haven't dealt with. Look back and see when things went wrong, Have they got better? I will bet my life that your answer is no. You know why? Cos you didn't initially deal with that sin/experience at that very moment! Maybe you didn't have any support or love from friends or family, maybe you were not able to communicate with friends or family and let things out. But with God, it's never too late, look back at that initial experience or issue and deal with it now, today, let someone help you deal with it, do it together and let it go once and for all and allow God's love to rain down on you. do not carry this false guilt with you in life, for if you haven't got anywhere in life till now, you never will until you deal with those unresolved issues in your life, if you dont, they will continue effecting every relationship and decision you make in life.
Does God want this for you? I don't think so. Is this why He created you? I don't think so.
Resolve those issues and start living a life He wants you to live!
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