Spiritual Direction

Abusive Relationships | Betrayal | Domestic Violence | Effects of Abuse | Grief | Insights | Intuition | Marriage | Reconciliation | Self-esteem | Shame | Spiritual Direction

Engaged at Christmas – Part 2
ByPaula Silva December 23, 2019December 23, 2019

In the last post, you were introduced to Eva and Jason who had a whirlwind courtship. They met in July, quickly fell in love, and before Eva had the chance to catch her breath, Jason proposed—in October, three months after they met. Eva was beginning to pick up on a few things, in her spirit but…

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Abusive Relationships | Domestic Violence | Grief | Insights | Intuition | Marriage | Self-esteem | Spiritual Direction

An Engagement Ring for Christmas – Part One
ByPaula Silva December 17, 2019

Eva and Jason were in the throes of a whirlwind courtship. They met in July, quickly fell in love, and before Eva had the chance to catch her breath, Jason proposed—in October, three months after they met. It was Christmas Eve and they were at her parent’s home for dinner. Out of the corner of…

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Abusive Relationships | Insights | Spiritual Direction

POWER – VICTORY – AUTHORITY IN THE NAMES OF JESUS!
ByPaula Silva December 11, 2019

The calling out (to cry unto, speaking aloud) of His name brings enormous victory! So, the next time you are caught in the midst of fear, anger, grief, etc. call out and depend on the name that is guaranteed to make demons tremble! The name that is above all names! Which of the names below…

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Abusive Relationships | Domestic Violence | God's Faithfulness | Insights | Spiritual Direction

Really God?
ByPaula Silva December 6, 2019

Heading into the Christmas (Christ More) season can be extremely hard on someone experiencing domestic violence. I mean, commercials express perfect happy families blissfully smiling as they sit around the beautifully color-coordinated Christmas tree. Office parties gear up and on your desk in a greeting card envelope, you’re dreading opening, sits the invitation for your…

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Gratitude | Insights | Joy | Spiritual Direction

‘Tis the Season for Joy and Gratitude!
ByPaula Silva November 21, 2019November 22, 2019

Have you ever shouted with joy and been extremely grateful because God answered your prayer? You have joy so unspeakable that your insides quiver like jelly! You go about your day with a smile, a hum, a little tune. People on the street wonder, “What’s happening with her?” I have! Why? Because God Is! The…

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Abusive Relationships | Effects of Abuse | Insights | Marriage | Spiritual Direction

Deciphering the Profound Mystery
ByPaula Silva April 17, 2019

After 20+ years of being in an unhealthy marriage, I finally realized that I had been abused all that time. Not physically, but definitely both emotionally and verbally. But even as I started to wrap my head around the new vocabulary, I was using to describe my relationship with my spouse, I still struggled with…

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Abusive Relationships | Betrayal | Church Response | Domestic Violence | God's Faithfulness | Insights | Spiritual Direction

Is There Any Hope For Me?
ByPaula Silva November 9, 2016November 9, 2016

Ann sat gazing at the stain-glass window as she listened to the worship songs being sung. She noticed the varied colored pieces that had been carefully placed to form the intricate design. Her mind wandered to the hopes and dreams she had once carried inside now stomped on and broken by the person who was…

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God's Faithfulness | Insights | Spiritual Direction

What Do You Want Me to Do for You?
ByPaula Silva September 22, 2016September 22, 2016

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on…

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Abusive Relationships | Effects of Abuse | Insights | Spiritual Direction

What’s in Your Grip?
ByPaula Silva September 22, 2016September 22, 2016

When life is chaotic and out of control, we have a tendency to hold on to areas of our life that are detrimental to our well-being. We hold onto: LABELS Labels become badges of negativity: ugly, fat, dumb, too sensitive, uncooperative, no talent or abilities, unlovable, reject, etc. ANXIETY AND WORRY Racing thoughts compounded by…

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Betrayal | Insights | Reconciliation | Spiritual Direction

A Time of Testing
ByPaula Silva May 17, 2016May 19, 2016

When someone has sinned against us, we must choose our response carefully. We may hear various voices from church leadership claiming to know what we should do. Forgive and forget are often the words they choose to say followed by a forceful push toward reconciliation. This approach places a heavy weight of guilt on the…

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