CLIMBING OUT OF THE DEPTHS OF SHALLOW LIVING

By definition, love must be sacrificial for us to know that it is true. God asked for an unblemished animal to be offered to Him on the altar. This was written in the Old Testament. We were to sacrifice our best sheep or goat. There is only one source of true love. Accepting Jesus’ love opens the door to a new life. Our value and identity is protected for all eternity with Jesus, who loves us so devotedly that He gave His own life that we may live. As we understand this truth, it transforms the way we think about love. For true love is sacrificial and giving inspires loving service to our spouse. Choose to love one another in marriage, realizing that love is a commitment, not a feeling. Love requires us to reveal our true self to one another. One of the most misunderstood aspects of marital love is the fact that true love is totally volunteered, genuine, and free of exertion of shrewd or devious influence for one’s advantage or control. Make time together a priority. Time is ...

Marriage can quickly deteriorate into a tedious, unemotional, and lonely existence for one or both spouses when the couple loses emotional intimacy. Marriage should be the most cherished relationship anyone experiences in life. One of the greatest ways to enjoy something is to share it with someone else. The contentment of intimacy and that emotional anchor of matrimony are why we marry in the first place. To be married without intimacy is worse than being single, although it must be stated that some people enjoy being single.  In marriage, sex is never just about sex. It's about soul blending, which is a fundamental part of marriage, found in no other human relationship. A marriage void of intimacy can: stir resentment, foster distance, make it easier to rationalize infidelity, invites the enemy into your home and bedroom, and increase interest in other forms of sexual fulfillment. Too long with little to no emotional intimacy can lead to a lack of physical intimac...

A person who relies on another person for support ( especially financial support ) is extraordinarily different from one who marries into a situation out of love, which happens that their spouse has a greater income. It is important for the one with the greater income to remember that ones value in the relationship is not determined by their fiscal valuation. Although men customarily hold the accomplished position in marriage, there are increasingly more women holding the purse strings in today’s society. A life partner, although once blindly, excessively devoted or adoring to their mate, can begin to feel being under the power or dominance of their spouse if care is not taken to ensure against such emotions. When one exerts shrewd or cunning authority over their partner, feelings of being discarded, abandoned, relinquished, not wanted or needed may surface. One may feel so undesirable in the eyes of their partner, as to be incapable of arousing even jealousy. Their opin...

Make an allegation that someone is guilty of a fault, offense, a formal charge of wrongdoing, or alleging blame, and they will begin defending, explaining, or making excuses for their actions by reasoning. Even when faced with something ( such as a fact or circumstance ) that makes the charge comprehensible, they can spin on a dime to vindicate and defend against criticism, while delivering themselves from suspicion as they are being relieved from blame and/or obligation.

Our marriages can fall into a pattern over time like many couples, but when this happens in less than one year, newlyweds beware. In our quest to be the perfect parents to our children, child to our parents, and sibling, we often neglect our spouse. However, a healthy marriage is the greatest example you can demonstrate to your children. They feel protected and loved when two parents work as a team, take interest in each other, and display both affection and respect. Married couples are not roommates, they’re partners and lovers. A marriage that is placed in top priority can last a lifetime. Often our spouse may attempt to talk to us concerning their feelings of being left out. They can feel left on the outside, to always wonder, “What about me?” This causes uncommitted emotions. Once we begin to pay attention to what is being said, we may learn there is some validity in their concerns. We still may not be totally ready to admit that we are setting the family and marriage up f...

To generate suspicion is akin to committing a distrustful action.  Often we believe that an omission, falsehood, or denial makes everything alright. When in fact, this produces an atmosphere of uncertainty which over time can lead to the breakdown of a relationship. Our partner may never know what is definite fact, but they will know the energy that is transmitted when their trust is being placed at jeopardy.  To be a habitual liar creates just as much tension in a relationship than being caught red handed in the act of cheating. If we have to tell lies or leave out details of our daily lives when communicating with those we claim to love, maybe reconsideration is in order if we should consider taking on a serious relationship.  There must be a desire to shed the habits and patterns of a previous way of life. Honesty and transparency are essential elements of a relationship.  When we constantly lie or omit things to paint a picture of perfection, what we are ...