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Marriage Minutes

Every day, I receive an email from marriagevine.com. The marriage minutes are great reminders for us to implement a change into our lives or an awareness on how we live. This minute was basically saying that our actions need to line up with what we speak because others are watching. As a Christian, it is important that we try our hardest to uphold God's standards before others(believers and non-believers) to not stumble anyone. And, above all else, to glorify God's name. This was timely information for me. So far, I have shared this with one friend and plan on reading it to others. Below is the minute !!!!!!

Unbelievers Can Spot Inconsistencies In Our Lives

Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. Jonah 1:7

Often unbelievers can see more clearly the discrepancies in our lives than we can. Although they may not hold our values or belief system, they can sense when our behavior is out of sync with our profession of faith. When Jonah was discovered to be running from God, the pagan sailors were terrified. "What have you done?" they demanded. It was no doubt superstition that caused them to ask the question. Due to the terrible storm at sea the sailors could see that Jonah had infuriated his God. But from God's perspective, Jonah had seriously compromised his faith in front of pagans and unbelievers.

We too need to show great care in how we live in front of unbelievers. Though they may not share our faith or values, they nonetheless know hypocrisy when they see it. Let's resolve to love and treat one another in our marriages in a way that validates our profession of faith in Christ. Let's conduct our business dealings in a way that glorifies God. Above all, let's be ready to admit when our actions or words have been inconsistent with our faith. If unbelievers can spot hypocrisy, they can also spot genuine integrity and humility. Let's verify the truth of what we believe by how we behave.

Robert and Cheryl Moeller, authors of Marriage Minutes.

Return to Love

Today, I was interested in adding this book to my must read collection, but it was unavailable. A student had checked it out. Now, I am even more interested in reading it. I know that it is a good read. I especially like the synopsis of the book from Barnes and Noble website.

Williamson reveals how we each can become a miracle worker by accepting God and by the expression of love in our daily lives. Whether our psychic pain is in the area of relationships, career, or health, she shows us how love is a potent force, the key to inner peace, and how by practicing love we can make our own lives more fulfilling while creating a more peaceful and loving world for our children.

And, there are two movies that I have seen and enjoyed very much which used her writing about "our greatest fear". They were Coach Carter and Akeelah and the Bee.

Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed author and lecturer. She has published eight books, four of which -- including the megabestseller A Return to Love -- have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. Her titles include Illuminata, Everyday Grace, A Woman's Worth, and Healing the Soul of America.

What's Your Deepest Fear?

Our Greatest Fear
Author: Marianne Williamson

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

Watch this clip from the movie, Coach Carter!

Relationship Assessment Test

CLICK ON THE TITLE TO TAKE THE TEST!!!

According to the website, the purpose of this assessment is to help you see how your evidence of connection compares to your level of clarity about your relationship. This assessment is structured to be helpful both for those who have seen a relationship grow over a period of time but want to know if it's moving toward a more formal romantic relationship and those who want to know if their formal romantic relationship is moving toward marriage.

The Bend in the Road

When we feel we have nothing left to give
And we are sure that the song has ended,
When our day seems over and the shadows fall
And the darkness of night has descended,
Where can we go to find the strength
To valiantly keep on trying?
Where can we find the hand that will dry
The tears that the heart is crying?

There's but one place to go and that is to God,
And, dropping all pretense and pride,
We can pour out our problems without restraint
And gain strength with Him at our side.
And together we stand at life's crossroads
And view what we think is the end,
But God has a much bigger vision,
And He tells us it's only a bend.

For the road goes on and is smoother,
And the pause in the song is a rest,
And the part that's unsung and unfinished
Is the sweetest and richest and best.
So rest and relax and grow stronger,
Let go and let God share your load.
Your work is not finished or ended,
You've just come to a bend in the road.

A poem of encouragement by Helen Steiner Rice.

A Story of Cancer and Comfort

This broadcast brought tears to my eyes, this morning. Listen to the broadcast by clicking on the title and click on "listen now". The Rev. David Jeremiah describes how his faith in God sustained him during two bouts with cancer. He also explains why he believes God allows suffering, and offers encouragement to those facing trying circumstances. (Part 1 of 2) This was very comforting to me because I have gone through some circumstances that were difficult. Yet, after hearing this, I am even more convinced that suffering builds character and draws you closer to God.

Related Article , "Suffering Brings Wisdom," Perspective by Randall Murphree

“I want to tell you, you can learn a lot from being sick,” said Dr. David Jeremiah. The popular author, speaker and media teacher made that observation to a national group of Christian journalists gathered May 6 - 10 in San Diego for the annual convention of the Evangelical Press Association.

Participants included writers and editors from Charisma, Christianity Today, Moody, AFA Journal and scores of other Christian periodicals.

Dr. Jeremiah is qualified to address the issue of suffering and sickness. Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, Calif., he was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1994. After treatment, he thought he had weathered the storm, but in 1998 the cancer recurred. Surgery removed a nodule from his neck, and in early 1999 he had a stem cell transplant.

“It was the darkest night of my soul, a nightmare with no hope of waking,” he wrote in his latest book, A Bend in the Road: Caves In Experiencing God When Your World (Word, 2000). The book is a chronicle of his battle with cancer and the life lessons God taught him in the process. Today, he again has hope and lives in remission.

Jeremiah told the journalists he has learned many things through his experience with cancer, including the power of prayer, the persistence of Satan and the perspective of attitude. He says studies show that attitude can be as important as medical treatment for a cancer patient. “Attitude comes from your personal walk with the Lord,” he said.

Dr. Jeremiah’s "Turning Point" program is aired internationally on more than a thousand TV and radio stations. In addition to serving as pastor at Shadow Mountain, he is chancellor of Christian Heritage College in El Cajon and has written 12 books, including Jesus’ Final Warning and The Handwriting on the Wall.

Randall Murphree is a freelance writer and editor of American Family Association Journal in Tupelo, Miss.

Bott Radio: 640 AM Station

If you are not familiar with Bott Radio, you need to invest some time and listen to some of the programs. They are so insightful...covering everything imaginable with the Word of God as the authority on the issue.

I must admit that Familylife is one of my favorite links. And, I am going to recommend you to read any books that are on the programs since they are written by God-fearing men and women.

This morning, I heard a great program on Bott Radio called Hazard of the Road. It was about the danger that a married couple faced when Sam, the husband, traveled alot for his business, spending alot of time in hotel rooms. He had much sexual temptation and it became impossible to resist. Finally, he gave in to it. The broadcast features him and his wife, Toni, talking frankly with Dennis Rainey about his struggle with pornography and the moral failure that turned out to be his wake-up call.

Things that were discussed in the program and worth mentioning to YOU:

• Sam was a CHRISTIAN.
• He REASONED that since he was away from home and his wife, why not sin since no one would know.
• Couples need to agree about the time that they will spend apart to avoid SEXUAL TEMPTATION.
• The relationship, the covenant, in marriage has got to supersede ALL OTHER THINGS.
• The D word might come across your mind but do not make it an OPTION.
• The wife, Toni did not get involve with another man during this time. Yet, she precoccupied her mind and time by decorating her home and the result was still a struggling marriage. Do not avoid the issue CONFRONT IT.
• Men beware in hotel rooms because cable is accessible and you are ALONE.

There is much more! Listen to the broadcast for yourself...click listen on this link http://www.familylife.com/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dnJHKLNnFoG&b=3789887&ct=6018859





Sam Gallucci is senior pastor at The Harbor Community Church in Ventura California, and is president of CRM Associates, a management consulting firm. He is the author of Road Warrior. Sam and his wife, Toni help lead men out of sexual sin, and offer hope and healing to women who have been wounded in the aftermath. Sam and Toni have been married for more than 25 years, and have three sons.