"out of sight. . .out of mind". . .

Out of sight, out of mind is not only just a saying, but it has been proven to have become a practice in the lives of many marriages; and not just marriages, in life in general; which is why our topic today is so very important.

Often in our adventure through life, including married life, we encounter situations that appear to be unconquerable which often makes you feel helpless and sometimes inadequit; never ever stopping to consider that we live in a world where there exists a "greater power" than ourselves. Sounds real religious doesn't it? Well it isn't, it's just a plain truth.

We take the path of "out of sight, out of mind" too often as an excuse to say: well there are just some things we aren't able to do, and you are exactly right! However; allow me to remind you of the written Word of God, In Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

The misunderstandings, the fears, the inadequacies that we experience in our relationships and in our lives are actually thresholds for us to take another look! By that I simply mean this: if really and truly in your heart and mind, you want a solution to any dilima, especially in your marriage, you surely can find it by going one step further and seeking a higher authority. That's right my friends, you probably know where I'm going with this: it's God! want to really save that marriage?, seek an answer from the Lord Almighty. Call it what you will, but you'll never know unless you've tried. Don't just take my word, try it for yourself! After all, it's your marriage and your life.

Yes my dear friends, inside of you all is the real deciding factor and it is the link necessary to solve any situation in your life and relationship. It's called desire.
How often do we use the old famous "out of sight, out of mind" clause to proclaim: well I guess there is no other way". Are you getting my point here?
The real message today is: God allows situations to occur in our marital relationships sometimes as a test, and sometimes to see where our heart really is, and sometimes just to give us an additional option! WOW. . . How great Thou art. . .

Once you recognize that life doesn't just revolve around you, but it is rather just the reaching out and not necessarily the putting out.

Marriages and lives are saved through someone just reaching out! Have you reached out for God's guidance. . . .you'd be surprised at the results!
Have a wonderful day and remember. . .

You are Blessed!

..you got...you got...what I want. . ..

Well my dear readers, even though our topic today comes from an old Teddy Pendergrass pop album leric, it is the profoundness of it's meaning.

You got, you got what I want seems to be a common mindset of many marriages today. The new house, the new car, the prestigest job,and don't forget,plenty of money; (of course I understand that you need money to live in this world), and even sometimes the apparel.
Now don't get me wrong, nothing is wrong with any of those things. It's just that they are not necessary to build a strong marriage relationship.
Let's take a look at the Holy scriptures and see what our Lord has to say about that subject. Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Interesting isn't it? You see the key word here is covetouness which comes along with some other baggage such as envy, jealousy, etc.; I'm sure you understand.

So what am I saying here? Simply this. . . .your marriage is fulfilled with so many other wonderful attributes that gives you the sense of accomplishment that many other marriages never attain. . . such as: Love,trust,honesty,forgiveness,faithfulness,happiness,contentment,joy, peace. You will never be able to substitute these attributes with THINGS!
Let's be honest, how many couples do you know with new houses,cars and etc., and are still unhappy?

Here's the perspective: Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: . . . that's the real truth!
Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Do your friends, neighbors, or anything in this world really have what you want in place of your happiness in marriage? Think about it!

Contrary to popular belief, when you look at relationships as a whole, you find out that most people would love to have all those impressive things, but more importantly, they would rather have some one to share them with.

The message today is: seek after the "real thing" for your marriages and not those superficial things that only satisfy you but for a little while.
Marriage God's way takes longer, but boy is it lasting!
Have a wonderful day. . .and remember. . .

You are Blessed!

Does it really matter?

Does it really matter?. . . .is the question in today's segment.

In many marriages today, hidden agendas seem to be a common practice; or is it just not letting your right hand know what the left hand is doing. Nevertheless, both husband and wife should be accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to their marriage relationship, or stewardship if you will.

The Holy scriptures tell us that the married couple possesses an ownership or has a control or power over the other. Let's check it out. . .
1 Corinthians 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. . . .so as you can see it is equal, (it is very important that you understand that)

Now some believe that this power is not just physical, but it also deals with honesty,respect,loyalty,trust,and most of all integrity. So wouldn't you say that what we do when no one is looking matters too? As you can see my faithful readers, all of the above characteristics are compiled into one word. . .
L O V E! . . and this Love is described in the Bible as a God type love. . .meaning without conditions or secrets, or hidden agendas, or dishonesty, pretense of virtue, and etc.

Often in our relationships we say or do things that are one-sided or self centered,(if you know what I mean). Yes my friends, it does really matter!

"If you're going to play the game, you must abide by the rules" an author once wrote;
and if you want a healthy and lasting relationship, you should play by "the Rule" in other words, God's rules for marriage. You see, it only takes one small turn from the rule, or one slip of the tongue, or one hidden deed, that can destroy a destiny. Think about it. Does it matter. . .of course it does! How we prioritize is just as important as what we prioritize!

Does your agenda include your partner or spouse. Will it please him or her? Will it please God? Ask yourself the question, does it really matter? Just a little food for thought!
Have a wonderful day and a happy and fulfilled marriage. . .God's way!

And as always, You are Blessed!

The Balance

In today's article, we discuss the word balance.
Simply because it is the "balance" that is necessary in you life, and in your relationships in marriage to keep you focused in allowing this element of balance have it's place in your emotional and physiological well being.

Often times, we find ourselves not allowing balance to become an ingredient of our lives, and more often in our marriages.

What exactly is balance?
Well, basically balance is the ability to allow equal portions of humanity to take it's place in our day to day life styles. Here's an example: How we deal with death is just as important as how we deal with life. That's right my friends it's OK to cry, it's OK to feel remorse, it's OK to forgive, yes it's OK to walk away, and it's even OK to feel overwhelmed.
You see my friends it is the strong man or woman who can experience the realities of life; be it good or bad, and still be functional. With marriage, it is the same way.

The obstacles of marriage have never guaranteed a smooth sailing; which is why the phrase "for better or for worse" was incorporated into the declaration of our wedding vows; and the only way you will have the "balance" in your life or in your marital relationships is to allow your self to react to these realities and encounters of life; and yes, sometimes we are overwhelmed. It's called being human!

The Bible even informs us that there are times for every purpose: a time for everything. . .Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

What's the message here?. . .simply this. . .it's not necessary to pre-occupy ourselves and pretend that life and it's realities don't affect us; because the truth of the matter is, they do affect us, and rightly so.
It's how we choose to deal with these realities that releases the "balance" necessary to live and go on with life.

Together with God and prayer we stand and live, and have balance. We are all a part of the human family that the Lord has ordained. He has given us the ability to even choose a helper, a lover, a friend, a companion, and most of all a supporter. That's what marriage is really all about.
Am I saying that we all need someone, yes, that is why balance is so important.
Won't you decide today to share the load with someone. (and to the married, I say: share the load together)
After all, your tomorrow counts on what you have decided to do today!
Have a wonderful week and remember "Balance" is the key!

You are Blessed!

The One-Sided Marriage

In today's segment,we are discussing "the one-sided marriage".
Generally in these types of scenarios, married couples barely survive; simply because those relationships are always lopsided. Let me explain:

Although God type marital relationships are based on giving and receiving, the one-sided relationship boils down to one always giving and the other always receiving.
In many many cases the "giver" usually reaches a point of no return and then has no other alternative but to give, that is if he or she wants to keep the relationship going. How sad is that?
On the other hand, the "receiver" is usually the dominating force of that marriage and ultimately becomes sort of a dictator. You know: "my way or the highway". These are commonly known as threat tactics that the dominating spouse be it he or she uses for leverage to manipulate the other; and in most cases, that person will go to any lengths to keep that control; which brings me to my next point.

Holy Scripture tells us this: Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. which is referring to the blatant sins of this world. Yes that's right, including "manipulation"

The true love story of a married couple should possess the attributes of the Spirit:
love ,joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, which the Bible says: against such things, there is no law. Isn't that poweful. However, if you have manipulation in your relationship, it falls under the category of "the works of the flesh". . . Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, withchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,murders, drinkenness,revelligns,and envyings, which the Bible says that they which do these things will not inherit the kingdom of God, no matter how many times you go to church or how much money you give to charity, YOU WILL NOT ENTER INTO GOD'S KINGDOM. . .GALATIANS 5:19 You know who you are!

Here's my point; manipulation is not a tangible thing; it is a concept and intent of the heart which can only be seen by it's devastating results. ( the partner who is being manipulated typicaly is unhappy but afraid to challenge the manipulator for fear of the destruction of the marriage.)

My dear friends, it is God's will that your marriage be void of this type of practice but rather be filled with His words of life, health, love, and longevity.
Here's what I'm saying: It's never too late to change; and in Christ, you can make that change. God has given us a road map to guide us to the true essence of our marriage relationships as we follow the Holy scriptures.

Galatians 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. . You see, real love doesn't manipulate, it rejuvinates.
Put your marriage in the balances of God's Holy Word and see if there's anything that needs to be corrected. You just might be surprised at what you find.

Have a wonderful day and always remember:

YOU ARE BLESSED!