CLIMBING OUT OF THE DEPTHS OF SHALLOW LIVING

Do good a little at a time, but often. One should never give beyond the possibility of reciprocation. He who gives much does not give but sells. Nor drain gratitude to the sediment which is found at the bottom of appreciation. For when the recipient sees all return is not possible he breaks off communication. With many people it is not necessary to do more than overburden them with favors to lose them altogether; they cannot repay you, and so they withdraw, preferring rather to be enemies than permanent debtors. The idol never wishes to see before him the sculptor who shaped him, nor does the benefited wish to see his benefactor always in front of him. There is a great skillfulness in giving what costs little yet is much desired, so that it is appreciated the more.

Be a person who pleads for the cause of those around us for which we have no individual responsibility. We are a good people who should use our resources, knowledge, and intellectual ability to advance the wellbeing of a child who is not our own, or someone not of kin who may be less fortunate, just because. Restore someone by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken by filling an area of a heart which holds nothing. Place order where there is none.

When those who we consider near and dear endeavor to organize a pleasant surprise or assist us by looking out for our best interest, it's easy to overshadow their efforts by being the person who controls everything. Our control of every detail of life makes it almost impossible for others to plan an event or outing meant to pleasantly surprise us. We do not realize that our controlling manner of how every minute of our time is spent prevents others from planning even a simple meal meant to ensure that we are eating healthy while going about daily routine task or to celebrate an occasion. This is more apparent when we observe others who may be happily surprised with a simple dinner gathering because they dared to allow someone to lead them to the event without the need to question every detail. It really doesn't take much thought to recollect how the state of mutual dealings involving other people seem to exist under strain or fail to exist at all when other's are not al...

Let us not sink to be a jumbled mass, an awkward stupid person, or clod. We should strive to stay away from ungodliness, while embracing what's good, true, just, and holy. For the influences of sin keeps us out of touch with God. Our attitude towards God and others is controlled by our temperament. Our purity in spirit, acknowledges that we know it's not about us. In our most fruitful seasons in life we must develop a poverty spirit. In so doing, we are no longer impressed with ourselves. The heaviness of our burdens is dropped into the sea and we develop a gentle and humble heart. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. We lose no strength when we exercise control; in fact we demonstrate strength under control. Blessed are the pure at heart, which are on the lookout for others in need. Blessed are the peacemakers, who find ways to make peace. Blessed are the persecuted, those who press on when the world turns their back on, mistreats, or takes advanta...

Be careful not to facilitate everyone else's satisfaction while being prevented from a quota of the happiness yourself. We pray for a helpmeet with all of the qualities desired. God sends us the right person and yet there is no room for them because of those we have allowed to exercise authoritative control or power over our heart and all of the empty areas of our life. Although, those we go out of our way to make happy, are themselves doing very little for their own happiness. The happiness of everyone else overshadows the jubilation of those most worthy. We must demonstrate an aggressive willingness to contend with anything in the way of having our own personal pleasure in life.

How should misunderstandings be handled within marital relationships? The manner in which something is received is most often based on how it's presented. A statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question, request, criticism, or accusation is merely a reflection of how the respondent views the appeal. This response is the phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon. But in marriage, common ground must be found where matters to be discussed, can be, without need for dispute. Any discussions which make one or the other person uncomfortable appears marked by or capable of arousing controversy. Solving a problem or dispute within a marriage cannot be met with the strategy of an intelligent but argumentative child, poised with a witty come-back as if a comedian with perfect timing.

In many cultures, marriages are formed through faith and family. Many around the world believe that marriage is an expression of faith. Cultural differences in selecting a spouse vary from place to place. Some cultures allow the parents to select their spouse. Many times there are no divorces and no trial period in such arranged marriages. Can an arranged marriage by the parents lead to a marriage between the couple? Can the couple create a relationship beyond I do? Getting to know your spouse as you are being vulnerable while exposing weaknesses to one another, yet feeling safe and in good hands as all married couples want to feel takes commitment. Tradition and community can play a part in modern day romance. We can't have love without devotion. Whether we select our own spouse, they select us, or our parents get together and make the choice for us, the parties involved must be committed and devoted to the concept of marriage. As children sometimes do, the latest model, ...

When we present conflicting facts, claims, opinions, and arguments within our marital union, a state of disagreement among those expected to cooperate is created. This discord splits unification and a state of opposition between people, ideas, or interests now divides one of the portions which together constitute a whole. Maybe it's best to have no personal belief or judgment that differs from our spouse. Is that ability given up when we decide to become as one?

The same inflexibility that gave us the insight that we could not live with people who were bad for us will cause us to drive away the good people as well. We either are part of the team, or we must admit that we cannot be. Lets be discerning, while anticipating the outcome of a situation but never take advantage of people who are at our mercy. Because friends provoked become the bitterest of enemies. Be willing to give a little and not allow things to come to a breaking point.

Evenly yoked couples, equally matched or balanced are able to exist together and perform their marital responsibilities to God and each-other in a harmonious agreeable system of methods followed in a particular discipline. They are a compatible married couple whose deeds are without conflict with their ideology, and therefore they are suitable; appropriate together under God in opinion, action, and love.

When in love, it shouldn't take a strenuous effort to prioritize the needs of another above our own. It is not the norm for a life between two people in love to only manage with great toil. When each person in the union denies the other every pleasure, it's akin to a flaw in crystal which can cause it to shatter. When there is any defects in our marriage we cannot send it back to the manufacturer. Before entering into marriage, we must know and comprehend its nature or meaning. It is not always infidelity that leads to divorce. A person can be made to feel as if they are without an escort in life's travels. In marriage, we must form a trustworthiness; a trait of being answerable to someone or being responsible for one's conduct. We should endeavor to make our spouse happy by exerting an earnest and conscientious effort against opposition to the alliance. Our marriage is a state of being or existing in a specific place and time, together. Anything short of this i...

When a series of bad events rise up like waves of the ocean in our lives, we as believers in Christ are to remain calm, still, and free from disturbance. Our belief in God lessens the intensity of bad situations and sets us free from the unmistakable current of confusion. As we depend on God, we are free of the noise or uproar that nonbelievers may experience. Once we come out on the other side of whatever annoying, frustrating, and/or catastrophic event we may face, we become aware that our endurance and the demonstrated power of our Lord and Savior, increases our faith, while others widely admire, accept, and seek after God for themselves.