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Uncle Buddy:  The Moth-Eaten Garment (part 2)

5/21/2018

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Now if we will turn to Isa. 51:8, we have in a sense the same figure used. For the old prophet says, "The moth shall eat  them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation." Here the reader will notice that God makes a comparison of sin and salvation, using the moth to represent sin. You see there is no power in the world that can offset sin but salvation; and as truly as a moth consumes a garment, sin consumes a sinner.
​

Some people may imagine that there would be no reason to write about any insect as small as the moth, feeling that he is not large enough to be used in illustrating sin. But as small and insignificant as a moth is, he is used throughout the Scriptures as a type of that destructive thing that we call sin. So we offer no apology to the reader for writing about this peculiar  insect; in fact the moth is so powerful in its work of destruction that it might be discussed by the most brilliant minds of the nation, before the most cultured and refined and intellectual congregations of the earth. When the prophets of old and the apostles of latter days and even our blessed Saviour himself made such frequent use of it, in all of their wonderful teachings, we see that the moth has a wonderful place in the history of our homes.

Who has not seen this
little, white, shining, silver-colored insect that our text speaks about flying about in our homes at night, that creeps in so silently among the furs and flannels and other woolen stuff and gradually eats through them until a garment becomes perfectly useless and is fit only for the scrap pile. And yet a few days ago it was so valuable to us and such a precious garment, or a fur that was to us of almost untold value. What a picture we have here now of the destructive work  of sin!

It may be interesting and profitable to us to note t
he striking resemblance there is between a moth and sin. Perhaps by studying this comparison closely and scripturally we may be led to see the awful effects of sin, which is so destructive to human happiness, and forsake it.

First, the moth is a little, insignificant insect, and i
ts smallness is quite apparent, but that very  smallness makes it no less destructive. The smallness of this little insect is absolutely in its favor, and very much against us and to our great disadvantage. If it were very large it would be no trouble to either see it or hear it as it made its approach. But how small it is, and how silently it makes its way into the best wardrobe, and what  fearful destruction it makes of the winter clothing! Its deadly work is always on the best garments. It is even so with sin. To so many people Adam's sin was so small that it did not amount to anything, and yet see how it has  affected the whole human race. It has made the earth to heave and groan. It has robbed heaven of millions of its brightest ornaments and has also built our great state prisons, which are in a sense our hells on earth. Our state prisons are places of banishment and punishment, and sin has filled them with precious human souls, and has kindled its fires of sin and vice and degradation, and has finally populated hell with precious souls, where "the smoke of their torment ascends upward for ever and ever."

The devil has tr
ied to make you believe, no doubt, that the thing you have committed is so small it doesn't amount to anything, or will never harm you; but just stop and think a moment of that one sin of Adam. Think of the wrecked homes, broken hearts, ruined lives, blighted prospects; think of the wails, moans, and groans of the offspring of Adam; and all of this misery and wretchedness was brought about by only one sin.

Here is a plain, practical illustration that w
ill illustrate this one little sin. Think of this. Just one little leak in the vessel will sink the whole ship and drown everyone that is on board. The vessel doesn't have to have a thousand leaks in it. Let it spring one leak, and that leak be allowed to remain there unchecked and unstopped, and it isn't long until that great  vessel is lying on the bottom of the sea. So these so-called little sins may prove just as destructive to the soul as the leak did to the vessel.

​Here i
s another point that I want you to notice. A pin wound may destroy the life of the most useful man in the nation and prove as fatal as a rifle ball. A pistol will kill as surely as a cannon. A penknife will open the vein and let out the life's blood just as easily as a sword. You had better be on the lookout for that little moth that will enter the home and destroy the best garment in the building; and just so you had better be on the lookout for that little sin that may enter in without notice and destroy both soul and body in hell.

Robinson, Reuben A. (Bud). The Collected Works of 'Uncle Bud' Robinson. Jawbone Digital. Kindle Edition. 





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Uncle Buddy:  The Moth-Eaten Garment (part 1)

5/20/2018

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We want to talk with you awhile about the moth-eaten garment. I had preached many years before I gave any thought at all to the many passages of scripture on the moth-eaten garment, and I am indebted to an old friend of mine, Dr. MacCammon, who gave me light on many of these peculiar passages concerning the moth and the moth-eaten garment.

Our readers will remember that in reading th
e Holy Book we very  frequently run across the word "moth" or "moth-eaten garment."

One rema
rkable passage is found in Isa. 50:9, "Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up." The Bible has much to say concerning the moth, and we very frequently hear the peculiar expression "a moth-eaten garment." That expression is a very familiar one in the reading of God's Word.

We next notice,
in Job 4:19, Job speaks of our bodies as "houses of clay ... which are crushed before the moth."  In speaking of those that have suffered severe judgments, Job also says they are "as a garment  that is moth eaten" (13:28). To further illustrate man's folly in providing earthly things, or in building up his fortunes by methods of injustice, Job also says, "He buildeth his house as a moth," to set forth God's judgment against the priest and the people and the princes of Israel for their manifold sins (27:18).

We find the little pro
phet Hosea comes to the platform and sets forth his warning. Here is his peculiar statement: "Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness" (5:12); but in the margin it says, "as a worm."

The
Apostle James, in threatening the rich men says, "Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten" (5:2). This seems to unite two strange facts, corruption and moth-eaten garments. My judgment is it would be the black, dark, subtle things that are hidden in the  hearts of men that crave this world more than they crave righteousness and holiness.

Now we
notice that Jesus comes at this place and refers to the little moth. If the reader will turn to that wonderful Sermon on the Mount, Christ says to us, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matt. 6:19-20)." Then He adds this wonderful statement: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

​
The reader will notice
here the strange similarity between a thief and a moth. Jesus seems to put the little moth along side of the thief. I suppose that He is revealing to you the fact that the thief will come uninvited, unsolicited, and, in fact, undesired, and pilfer your home, and carry away your most valuable treasures. It would be common for a thief to carry away your best fur coat and flannel wear and woolen blankets, and all the household goods that are so valuable. Just so with the little moth. He also will come uninvited and unsolicited and undesired, and enter into the house without your knowledge and simply make havoc of the best things on the plantation.

The reader will
remember how in our first text quoted, Isa. 50:9, the prophet there compares the wicked to moth-eaten clothes, and tells us they will all wax old as a moth-eaten garment, and that the moth will eat them up. So we see the wicked will finally be consumed and be as worthless as a moth-eaten garment. 

Robinson, Reuben A. (Bud). The Collected Works of 'Uncle Bud' Robinson. Jawbone Digital. Kindle Edition. 


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He Gave His Life for the Sheep

5/19/2018

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Out on one of the great sheep-ranges of the northwest of America, a shepherd was left in a very lonely station in charge of a large flock of sheep.  He lived in a little cottage which was fitted up with the necessary comforts for all seasons of the year.  There was not another house anywhere near.

This man, Hans Nielson, lived there with only his dog Shep for company.  After he had lived out there for two years, there came a dreadfully severe winter.  The sheep-sheds were old, and the shelter for the sheep was poor.  New sheds were to be built the following spring.  

It was hard work for Hans, but he succeeded in saving all his sheep until the last and most violent blizzard of all.  The wind blew and the snow fell for three days.  

After it was all over, help was sent from headquarters to see how Hans had fared.  They found his dead body near the sheep-folds, and his dog standing on guard by his master.  The sheep were alive and well, and it was quite clear to the men that Hans had been trying to place additional protection at the broken places in the old sheds when his brave battle ceased and he was overcome by the intense cold.

He might have saved his life by neglecting the sheep, but he had literally given his life for his sheep.

J. Learmount, page 24 in ​​One Thousand Evangelistic Illustrations, edited by Webb, A. (1924).  New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers


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It's Temporary

5/18/2018

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"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV)

Trouble abounds. Sin seems to run rampant. Nearly every media outlet (and there are many!) constantly reminds us of the heartache, evil, and trouble around us.

While it is good to stay informed, sometimes the intense and constant influx of messages full of fear, death, and trauma can overwhelm even the most faithful and optimistic believer.

We Christians are certainly not called to ignore the world’s troubles. We are to be actively engaged with the needs of those who are victims, who are struggling, who are imprisoned, and who are homeless (Matthew 25). Jesus Himself prayed that we would be “in the world” while not being “of the world” (John 17).

However, the constant bombardment of darkness can make us cynical and can take away the dynamic nature of our witness. Part of our dynamic witness is that we can be bearers of hope in the middle of the world’s difficulties.

We bear witness to the fact that darkness has been overcome by light. We declare with words and actions that death has been defeated by life.

Most of all, we consistently remind one another that, thanks to the resurrection of Jesus, all of these earthly troubles are temporary.

In the words of retired Methodist bishop Will Willimon, “The time is coming when God will fully get His way!” And God’s way is rooted in all-conquering love.

How can we remind others of the victory of love? How can we engage a hurting world without becoming addicted to its bad news? How can we be voices of hope, when hopelessness abounds?

The answer begins with a reminder that all troubles are temporary. This is because sin and death have already been defeated, and from here to eternity, we are instruments of God’s Spirit in spreading and living out this victory.


Prayer:

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen. (A prayer from St. Augustine)
​


This post was written by Charles W. Christian who is the managing editor of Holiness Today.


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Fearing What Other People Think

5/17/2018

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But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned; for until certain people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But after they came, he drew back and kept himself separate for fear of the circumcision faction.  Gal 2:11-12.

Observation:

Peter (also known as Cephas) had been doing the right thing, fellowshipping with the Gentile believers in Antioch. They had been sitting at the table and eating together, without concern as to whether the food was ceremonially clean or not, for he knew that the Gospel opened up all kinds of freedoms. However, when certain people came, who may have now been associated with the leadership of James, Peter backed off. We can only imagine that the ones whom he had befriended, became suddenly confused. Why was it okay for him to be with them before? Now, because he feared what others thought, he may have acted as if he did not know them.

Paul, never seeming to be one to mince words, confronts Peter and points out his wrong-doing. He knew that Peter was condemned by his own behavior.

Application:

We’ve all experienced what it’s like to be shunned by others. If you haven’t, I’d like to suggest that you may find yourself in a highly unusual circumstance. I remember moving to America and wanting so badly to be accepted and to fit in with the other children in school. Unfortunately they already had their friends, and they weren’t sure that there was space for another person within their circle. I soon discovered that, while I spoke English, the children in California thought I had a funny accent. They made fun of the way I talked and laughed at the German clothes that I wore. There were a few who were kind and would be my friend when others weren’t looking. However, it wasn’t “cool” to be friends with me so when others came around, they shunned me and acted like they didn’t know me. But everywhere I moved, there was always someone who was willing to genuinely show kindness and stick up for me, even in the face of what others thought. Some of these remain my friends to this day, and for this I am so grateful. They helped to change my life and give me confidence that I could be who I am, without the fear of ridicule. These friends, many of them from my High School days, created a protective environment in which I could flourish. I will be eternally grateful.

We are called to go out into all the world, and rub shoulders with those who may not be like us. Are we ashamed of people who are not like us? God may just call us to go and work among those who are addicted; or suffering from severe mental illness; or in prison; or who have a lifestyle completely different from ours. Sadly, if we live in fear of what others think, we will live within a very safe perimeter. It’s a place where we will never get to experience the joy of the miraculous transformational work of the Holy Spirit. In our safe zones we don’t need radical faith or dependence upon God.

Let’s be honest with ourselves and realize that we all have succumbed to peer-pressure at one time or another. We have lived in fear of what others think. Whether it’s about hanging out with people different from ourselves, choosing to live a modest lifestyle, wearing a certain type of clothing, or driving a used car, we probably all take a moment to think about what others think! I even stop to think about this when ordering food in a restaurant.

The good news is that Jesus came to set us free from anything that we find confining. There is no one to please, but our Lord Jesus Christ. We should be opposed to our face when we allow the opinions of others to crowd in and hamper the freedom that we are to have in Christ. Then, this freedom for our own lives ought to take us to minister to those whom others reject. Without fear we are to love and embrace those who are not like us. 

Prayer:

Lord, I confess that there have been times that I have lived in fear of what others think. May I live in freedom which you have already provided for me, and may I be faithful to you in the ministry where you have called me to serve. Amen.

This post was written by Rev Carla Sunberg.  You can find her original post here:  reflectingtheimage.blogspot.com/2018/05/in-fear-of-what-others-think.html


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When Your Spouse Won't Go to Church with You

5/16/2018

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It’s incredibly painful when your spouse isn’t interested in engaging with you spiritually. This could be a difference you’ve had since early in your relationship, or it could be a new development. Whatever the case, experiencing a spiritual mismatch in your marriage is challenging.



​There are a number of scenarios that can create a spiritual divide between spouses:


  • You started your marriage with similar beliefs, but your spouse has since decided to leave church
  • The two of you disagree on the finer points of doctrine or theology, and haven’t been able to find a church to attend together…so you attend separately
  • You each hold vastly different beliefs–maybe your spouse is atheist, agnostic, or a follower of another religion
  • Neither of you were believers when you married, but you have since converted to Christianity and your spouse doesn’t share your conviction
It’s understandable why you want your spouse at your side for worship. You value your faith deeply, but it’s creating pain and disconnect in your marriage. This is a heartbreaking place to be.

The good news is that there are things you can do to ease the ache and keep the intimacy alive in your marriage despite your differences. Let’s dive in.


DON’T NAG OR PRESSURE YOUR SPOUSE TO GET INVOLVED

Whether your spouse attended church with you in the past or has never attended, nagging them won’t get them there. In fact, it might drive them further away. The last thing you want is for your spouse to dig their heels in and avoid the subject even more.

Instead of bringing up church over and over, let your life be the message. Respect your spouse’s decisions, even if you disagree, because this is their choice to make. After all, worship that is compelled or demanded isn’t truly worship at all, so you want it to come from the heart. In the meantime, you can live out your faith as an example to them.


MAKE SURE YOUR SPOUSE ALWAYS KNOWS THEY’RE WANTED AND WELCOME

While you don’t want to fuss over your spouse’s absence at church, it’s never a bad idea to let them know they’re always welcome (from time to time). For example, if there’s a special event or service coming up in the next month or two, you could mention it casually: “Honey, this event is coming up in a few months. I’m not asking you to go right now, but I’d love for you to think about it. Maybe in the next few weeks, we can talk more about it.”

Instead of laying on the guilt, you’re leaving your spouse the freedom to choose whether they want to be involved–which could actually encourage them to join you.


ALLOW YOURSELF TO GRIEVE AND ADJUST TO REALITY

Being in a “spiritual mismatch” with your spouse is a painful experience, so allow yourself to grieve over the situation. This is a genuine loss, and it’s not what you envisioned for your life. It’s okay to process that in an emotionally healthy way.

Your spouse’s faith will only develop if it’s internal. It’s not productive to try convincing or converting your spouse, and you’re not likely to win them over through debate. So stay focused on your own spiritual journey and keep moving forward together, even though you mourn this missing piece.


STAY FOCUSED ON WHAT YOU HAVE IN COMMON

Moving forward in your marriage means focusing on the other common values and interests that brought you together in the first place. Stay connected to one another through the things you do still have in common. That, combined with nonjudgmental awareness of your differences and mutual respect, will keep your intimacy alive.


STRIVE TO UNDERSTAND YOUR SPOUSE’S PERSPECTIVE

When the occasion presents itself, it can be healthy to have intellectual conversations together about faith–as long as they don’t morph into hard-lined debates. Invite your spouse’s perspective and be open to what they have to say. Do your best to resist the urge to shut down or feel threatened because your spouse isn’t telling you what you want to hear.

In order to stay close, you’ll both need to be committed to keeping a sense of openness and honesty. If your spouse’s faith isn’t there, you don’t want them to pretend it is. Instead, create a safe place for your spouse to be open and vulnerable.

The more you know and understand your spouse’s sense of spiritual doubt, the deeper your intimacy will be. A lot of times, genuine faith journeys have seasons of doubt–these don’t necessarily mean your spouse will never come back to belief.


FOCUS ON WHAT YOU ADMIRE ABOUT YOUR SPOUSE–AND TELL THEM

Often, when something feels amiss in our lives, it’s easy to laser-focus on that. Instead, make an extra effort to tell your spouse how much you respect and admire them. Compliment their good qualities, their character, the values they uphold, and the moral choices they’re living out.


PRAY FOR YOUR SPOUSE

The most effective and productive thing you can do for your spouse during this time is to pray fervently for them. Pray that whatever has hardened in their heart or mind will be softened again. And pray for your spirit, too, because having a spiritual rift with your spouse is deeply painful.


With time, prayer, and patience, there is hope. Your story isn’t over yet, and a change of heart is possible for your spouse. Until then, continue to be a source of love, connection, and intimacy for them.

This post was written by Drs Les & Leslie Parrott.  You can find their site here:  www.lesandleslie.com



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Don't resent your spouse...deal with it!!

5/15/2018

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One of the most difficult issues to face in your marriage is the realization that one of you resents the other. This can be a devastating revelation, but it doesn’t mean you can’t overcome these intimacy-killing emotions.

Resentment tends to arise in marriage when one spouse is either knowingly or unknowingly taking advantage of the other–or taking the other for granted. Habitual poor behaviors or unhealthy patterns feed resentment. Some common issues that cause resentment between spouses include:

  • Habitual selfish behaviors
  • Being “married” to a job
  • Favoring one of your children over the other(s)
  • Spending too much time with one side of the family
  • Not being fully present at home or with the kids
  • Expecting too much out of your spouse (or vice versa)
  • Not carrying your weight at home or stepping up to responsibility
  • Failing to celebrate your spouse on holidays or special occasions
One or both spouses can contribute to this environment in a marriage; it’s important to pinpoint what’s happening, address it, and work together to find a solution. The good news is that it is possible to set things right and overcome the hard feelings between you.

Today, we’re sharing a few tips for how to tackle and deal with feelings of resentment–whether it’s resentment toward your spouse, or your spouse’s resentment toward you.


IF YOU RESENT YOUR SPOUSE…

If you’re resentful of your spouse, chances are, you’ve been holding in some unpleasant feelings for a long time. The issue could be as simple as your spouse neglecting to take out the trash every day; on the other hand, it could be a more complicated issue like him or her spending all their free time with your in-laws.

First, write down everything you’re feeling. Writing can help you gain clarity in an upsetting situation, and it can help you drill down and pinpoint what’s going on inside you that’s causing you to feel such intense resentment. Most likely, you’re feeling the pile-on of many events over a long period of time–maybe even over the span of your entire marriage.

Through your writing, do some serious self-reflection to become more aware of the root of the problem. Is it something that happened in the past that you’ve been carrying around all these years? Is it a theme or pattern that has never resolved itself?

Next, explore whether there’s some positive perspective you can take from what you’re dealing with. Are you holding onto unrealistic expectations you can lower or let go of? Is there an alternative viewpoint you can take once you’ve pinpointed the source of your resentment? We know that while there are situations that don’t warrant simply taking a positive point of view, asking that question of yourself can be helpful as you move toward a solution. Remember, though, that positive perspective doesn’t give your spouse license to continue in their unhealthy patterns. You’ll still need to address the issue head-on.

The most difficult step in this process is approaching your spouse with the problem. Keep in mind that right now, your spouse isn’t feeling any pain. Whatever behaviors or patterns are creating this resentment in you, as long as they’re allowed to continue, you’ll be the one feeling all the pain. And nothing is going to change until you let your spouse know how you feel.

There are multiple ways to go about solving a resentment issue. You may be able to offer your spouse a positive solution or compromise that works for you both; for example, if your spouse wants to use vacation time to spend with his family, ask that he reserve a portion of that time for you. You might choose to set boundaries instead; for example, if your spouse is a workaholic, ask her not to answer the phone during dinner or date nights.

It’s important to note that you won’t experience a truly positive change if you make unreasonable demands. Can you meet in the middle to make things work more smoothly? Think about small adjustments your spouse can make to his or her habits that would make a big difference in your life.


IF YOUR SPOUSE RESENTS YOU…

When your spouse feels resentment toward you, you might not notice it in the beginning. But sooner or later, it’s going to become noticeable…and uncomfortable. While it’s easy to blame your spouse’s shifting attitude on them, what you may be perceiving could actually be a building resentment toward a habit or behavior you’re displaying.

If you think your spouse might resent you for some reason, try to dig deep as to why. You might not be able to pinpoint it right away–or even on your own. Sometimes it takes another perspective to be able to see your own flaws.

Approach your spouse with vulnerability and care, and ask them if there’s something you’re doing that is bothering them or if you’ve done something hurtful. It may be difficult for you to hear their answer, but be receptive to their answers. Don’t let yourself become defensive. Instead, listen to what your spouse has to say and echo it back to show your understanding.

Once you know what’s triggering your spouse’s resentment toward you, it’s time to act. Because you’re taking on an emotional burden your spouse has been carrying for a long time, it’s going to be painful. Change is difficult, but we promise you the results will be worth the effort.

This post was written by Drs Les & Leslie Parrott.  You can find their site here:  www.lesandleslie.com



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The Secret to a Happy Marriage

5/14/2018

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What do you picture when you imagine a happy marriage? Some people think of financial security, a nice house, physical beauty, good health, high-profile careers, a thriving social life, or societal status. Others picture a quiet life, surrounded by comfort, children, and extended family.

In reality, a couple’s well-being has little to do with material wealth or external circumstances. While these things can lend themselves to a happy life, the real key to happiness in marriage is adopting and maintaining a good attitude together. Because life can turn on a dime, we can’t rely on externals to keep us happy. The real work is an inside job.

Today, we’re sharing some ways you and your spouse can create an enduring, positive attitude–and a happy marriage. Let’s dive in!


BE ADAPTABLE

If you want your marriage to be a happy one, you and your spouse will have to master the ability to be adaptable to your changing circumstances–particularly if they’re unpleasant or out of your control. Happy couples have learned to work together to adopt a positive mindset when faced with issues that they can’t influence.

Life is unpredictable; you never know what each day will bring. You’ll experience good times and bad times together. If you can’t weather storms and rise above unfortunate circumstances, you’ll never find the happiness you both desire.

Being adaptable means being able to cultivate contentment, no matter what’s happening around you. In order to build that contentment, work together to nurture a positive attitude in your marriage. Do your best to banish negativity and put your focus on the good things that are happening in your life. In the end, positivity will enable you to adapt to life more readily.


DON’T SABOTAGE YOUR HAPPINESS

In our years of working with couples, we’ve seen three major happiness saboteurs over and over again. Think of these as the three big DON’Ts of marriage:

  • Blaming: Spouses have been casting blame on one another since Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. When you blame your spouse, what you’re really doing is trying to dodge responsibility for your own unhappiness by placing it on him or her. And when your spouse (predictably) reacts angrily to your accusation, that sparks a cycle of anger, blame, and more anger.
  • Feeling Sorry for Yourself: When you wallow in self-pity, it can eventually consume your life. Complaining becomes your primary form of communication with one another, and eventually with your friends and family. Spouses who feel sorry for themselves make their spouses miserable, and self-pitying couples make their friends and families miserable. Your marriage can’t be happy if you’re stuck in self-pity.
  • Resenting Your Spouse: It’s normal to feel pain, anger, and disappointment when you’re treated unfairly, especially by your spouse. But brooding and holding onto those negative emotions will eventually create resentment. And when you allow resentment to thrive, it grows under the surface of your marriage like cancer.
If any of these issues has already become rooted firmly in your life, you may need to seek professional counseling in order to change your patterns. It will take some time, healing, and hard work to change track, but it will be worth it. Keep your marriage free of blame, self-pity, and resentment, and you’re well on your way to lifelong happiness.


REMEMBER YOU’RE IN CONTROL

You and your spouse are in control of your happiness because marriage itself doesn’t make you happy. Instead, you make your marriage happy.

Having unrealistic expectations about marriage will ultimately make you miserable. We can’t afford to think of marriage as the magic bullet that solves all our problems and keeps us blissfully happy for the rest of our lives. Instead, accept that you’re both humans with flaws. It takes both of you, flaws and all, to create that fulfilling, lifelong bond you’re longing for.

This post was written by Drs Les & Leslie Parrott.  You can find their site here:  www.lesandleslie.com



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Uncle Buddy:  Paul's Contentment

5/13/2018

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In my work in the ministry for the past many years, I haven’t met or seen or read of a man who was equal to St. Paul in one point, at least. In Philippians 4:11, Paul says, “Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

​St. Paul was not dissatisfied in the ministry, he was not discouraged, and, thank God, he was not discontented. What a victory he had achieved! What a glorious thought! Although he was tired and hungry and not half clothed and often beaten and driven from place to place, yet Paul was content.

​He had a contented mind, a satisfied heart, and a soul on fire for God determined to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified. Paul himself said that he was pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Robinson, Reuben A. (Bud). The Collected Works of 'Uncle Bud' Robinson (Kindle Locations 4393-4399). Jawbone Digital. Kindle Edition. 

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Cost of Salvation

5/12/2018

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"Mamma," said a little child to her mother when she was being put bed at night.  "Mamma what makes your hand so scarred and twisted, and unlike other people's hands?"

"Well," said the mother, "my child, when you were younger than you are now, years ago, one night, after I had put you to bed, I heard a cry, a shriek, upstairs.  I came up and found your bed on fire and you were on fire; and I took hold of you, and I tore off your burning garments, and while I was tearing them off and tried to get you away, I burned my hand, and it has been scarred and twisted ever since, and hardly looks any more like a hand; but I got that, my child, in trying to save you."

I wish today I would show you the burned hand of Christ.  Burned in plucking you out of the fire; burned in snatching you away from the flame.  Aye, also the burned foot, and the burned brow, and the burned heart, burned for you.  "By His stripes we are healed."

T. De Witt Talmage, page 24 in ​​One Thousand Evangelistic Illustrations, edited by Webb, A. (1924).  New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers

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