CLIMBING OUT OF THE DEPTHS OF SHALLOW LIVING

People authorized to conduct religious worship services spend too much time teaching about hell in church, thereby making it the attraction. Being in the devil's grasp should not be the message, but being in God's favor. Parishioners flock with great anticipation to hear the deeds of the evil one as if attending a horror movie. God cannot use us if He loses others in the process. Those gifted with a teaching anointing should not use this power to control. It should be used to serve God. To spend our limited time teaching on Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Heresy, Violence, Fraud and Treachery, while ignoring that the worst of these sins is the betrayal of trust undermines true wisdom. As with subliminal advertising, "a subliminal message is a signal or message designed to pass below (sub) the normal limits of perception." The goal of the church is to teach that, it is better to serve in Heaven than to have power to direct or determine any means of control in an ...

The most common excuses people give for their marriage dissolving are lack of commitment, too much dispute, unfaithfulness, marrying too young, unreasonable expectations, lack of fairness in the relationship, lack of preparation for marriage, and abuse. Guilt-ridden parents feel responsible about their family breaking apart which exhibits itself in their unmanageable need to please the emotionally hurt children. Aware of the emotional toll of divorce, guilt-ridden parents vie for favoritism by fulfilling a child’s every impulse. They, at the same time become a toy store, ATM and doormat. Guilt-ridden parents throw discipline out, steer clear of compliance of household rules, and spoil their kids with an accumulation of material items. Even worse, they completely resign the role of disciplinarian, allowing the new spouse to take on the terrible role of “Enforcer”. When conflict is too strong, parents will divert and shift it onto their spouse. This is where problems can begin. In pl...

People around us with a yearning for benefit that we can provide them are only loyal to the things they stand to gain and therefore will put on a disgraceful display of trustworthiness. We allow them into our inner circle to gather more details of our life that advances their suppressed loathing of us. All the time grimacing their face as they express criticism of our achievements to others for which approval is important to us to obtain. Therefore, we close our eyes to the possibility of betrayal, disloyalty, or deception because proof of it destroys our self inflicted illusion of those who we select as honorable friends.     

When entering into our third trimester of life, there are only a few simple necessities required to fulfill us for the remainder of our lifetime. These are years to be treasured. We find that material things aren't the focus of our existence, nor our grown-up children as they have matured and left the nest. It's important to feel love and appreciation from those within our circle of influence. During the sunset of life, we are less tolerant of uncalled-for mean, devious and obnoxious behavior. Especially from nonfamily members we have allowed to have too much undeserving authority. Once our nest become emptied of parental obligation, it's easier to enjoy the unwavering companionship of a domesticated animal than to spend the latter part of our life in unhappy states of existence which fails to stroke us for the people we truly are, and accomplishments of a life well lived. This stage of life is not about enduring people who refuse to acknowledge and commend our endeavors, a...

Many would argue that a first sign of trouble in a marriage is when a spouse works late daily, finds other hobbies outside of the union or denies the other intimate relations.  Any of these signs are cautioning that something needs to be done, but all of the signs spells looming catastrophe.  However, when any attempt made to address an issue of concern is viewed as critical or met with denial, finger pointing and/or anger, the problems become evident as worst than originally thought to be.  Both parties are blameworthy of allowing a state of disconnect to widen while remaining silent regarding what has led to the breach regardless to what side of the matter they find themselves.  What we mean by that is, you are either on the side of being the one staying super busy to avoid your spouse or the person noticing the void and feeling a need to address the problem. Nevertheless, both partners have allowed the space between them to expand to the point of disrepa...

Why allow small matters, not worthy of keeping secret from your spouse, tear down the trust in the marriage?  Underhanded behavior is sometimes difficult not to do when you've made the conduct a pattern.  Just because your spouse doesn't call you out on every little white-lie or omitted detail doesn't mean that you were successful in keeping it from them.  Instead, they've learned to pick their battles wisely, and you've chipped away a little more of the trust in the marriage.  Face uncomfortable situations head on, not lie or omit speaking on the matter until you've destroyed the fabric of trust that once existed.    

We can only change ourselves to be a reflection of what we yearn for in others. Maybe our love example has the ability of being transmitted to those around us. Our expression of love is not necessarily the only way however, it should come close to an equal expression by those meant to be our life partners. In love, we are protector, an advisor whose views are taken as definitive. Someone regarded with affection and trust, a defender who speaks, pleads and argues in favor of those loved.

A man who neglects to give his wife medicine when she's ill is not worthy of a wife. Should he elect to continue to exist if though he weren't married by denying intimacy and affection both publicly and privately, has he failed to honor the sanctity of the union he has been blessed with? If he fails to express gratitude or show appreciation to his wife of twenty years or two months for being his helpmate, best friend, assistant, attendant, supporter, companion, spouse, and life partner, by being the same to her, maybe someone more appreciative should have been blessed with such a person. The two-way treaty of a good marriage is not measured by one's own personal interest, but the attentiveness to the other's needs and desires. This leads our spouse to act, feel, or give mutually or in return. Be open regarding passed failures, for doing so can be a blueprint to help someone else who may really want to be married. There are those who are just better o...