Having been there - done that - I could not quit until my reason for quitting was much stronger than my reason for continuing.  

I asked the Lord to give me his perspective on it - he told me that it was another god (idol) in my life - that I went to that cigarette for feeling peaceful instead of to his presence and His words of comfort which have so wonderfully been preserved for years.   That he would be there for me if I would just breathe deeply  of His Spirit instead of that cigarette.  

J.

I am a pastor who committed  myself to officiating at a wedding the 4th of June.  I knew this man had anger issues but it was only this week that I saw how lacking in impulse control he has.  During a pre-marital discussion he left the room and yelled at her "I hate you".  I have since learned from another source that he has hit her twice.  She is pregnant  and still wants to marry this man.

Now, I know that as minister's we unite people who are less than perfect with all sorts of issues.  However, my heart is troubled at sealing this union in the name of Christ.   How could Christ bless this union with so much anger?  

Please may I have your quick thoughts on this since I meet with them tonight to let them know my thoughts.

J.

I fully understand the dangers of same sex "nesting"...although this would probably never be my problem.   If I ever felt that a man needed to spend a day with me, it would also include my husband.    

I am in a counseling ministry with mostly women (a few couples also), but these women are for the most part just very lonely, and need to be around someone who will spend time with them.    As I said, I tend to keep people at a distance when the ministry or counseling part is over.  I have set boundaries that I feel Christ is asking me to set aside.  And involve myself in a more personal way.   To be more available for even "fun times".   As I said before, I would rather curl up with a book.  And be alone.  

It is growing me in a very different direction.   That is the wonderful thing about being discipled by Christ. You never get to stand still in one place for very long.

Well - I did a word study (which I should have done first before writing) and it is a type of dove.   So we can imagine the coo of a dove.   Does sound sort of spring-time along with the intent of the verse.

In the 2nd chapter of Song of Soloman, the voice of the turtle is mentioned.  Since I have never heard a turtle's voice, why was that used?  any ideas?  And why "voice?"

First find out what the person "needs" from their point of view.  Sure, they all need Jesus, but there is a way to put all their frustration and depression in one "need" word that is tangible to them and within their frame of reference.  

Then, meet them at that place..and slowly, prayerfully, work in how Jesus could help them with that need.   I love how Jesus told us to give our enemies a drink of water ( a very touchy, feely sort of thing.)  He healed people and met them at their point of need  before preaching.

Maybe you might hear they need a friend - they are lonesome - now don't just tell them about Jesus.  Remember, you ARE Jesus to that person, and you might have to hang around them a little (read my nesting post)  

Most need love - or to be heard - and you can certainly do that.  They will meet Jesus through your actions first.

I'm a pastor of a small church, counsel many, work as a chaplain at the local hospital - but all these things had boundaries I had imposed.  Like I could "drop" little morsels of wisdom and truth into various lives, then walk away when I was done.   It is like dipping my little toe in the waters of people's lives.

I am by nature a very solitary person who loves to be alone with just my bible and Jesus.  However, not long ago, the Lord showed me that  I had to come down from my "top of the mountain" place and let those who needed to spend time nesting with me.  Ouch ! that hurt - like I really don't have the time Lord!      
He showed me that spending time with people (especially those you don't want to) is much like the Shepherd who carries people close to his heart.  Nesting is letting them spend time with you - providing them with a safe non-threatening place. Most people are not so hungry  to  hear spiritual truths as just lonesome for God's presence.  

And that is what we are -  

So, I'm off today letting someone who I have been counseling and then kicking out the door when her hour was up spend the whole afternoon with me, doing whatever she wants to do.  

Isn't this was the first chapter of Psalms is all about - becoming that tree by streams of water that others can nest in?   And be fed just by the presence and love of Christ that resides in us?    

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.  And don't judge by how the Holy Spirit deals with others.  Only stay with what is made real to you.  I'm sure that there are instances of where people fake "it"...or whatever...however, there was a group that I was leading once and we were all surrendering to the Holy Spirit and had trouble standing.  We all just sat on the ground, and I know that I felt a wonderful sense of my weakness and His strength.  I literally could not stand.  Call it what you want - it was an overpowering of His wonderful presence.  

The same thing happened in the early Temple when the glory of God filled the place and the priests could not stand.  

I know what they were feeling.