Are You Too Dependent On Your Spouse?

We see it so often in movies and books; a couple meet and their romance is culminated when they express their feelings in a “you complete me” or “you are the world to me” moment followed by a life of bliss. While I’m sure we all realize this is unrealistic (the technical/historic definition of the word romantic is exaggerated liar) I think many of us still live in view of the idea that our needs will ultimately be met in our spouse. I definitely bought into that idea and never knew it was wrong until many years into marriage. But why is this not true?

Embrace Humility

Humility is not natural to anyone. It goes completely against our nature to put others first, to yield in any way, to deny our right to promote ourselves. Our society, especially, encourages us to live contrary to humility. We are pushed to seek our own good, to climb that ladder at all costs, to fight for our rights, to defend ourselves against any offense. Indeed, in our culture those who exhibit humility are looked down upon as weak, and often our Savior who is the epitome of humility is viewed in a negative light in some ways. It begs the question, is humility that important? Is it just one of those old fashioned ideas or mannerisms that do not apply to modern Christians? What is the benefit of it anyway?

Light-hearted And Solemn

Elves. They have often been a puzzle to me, for even when reading tales by the same author, there seem to be inconsistencies in their nature. Some stories depict them as quite light-hearted and cheery, who even make up the silliest songs and make jest of those who are more serious. Yet others show them as being quite grave and somber, though wise. I have wrestled with these accounts (some even in different parts of the same story), but at last I think I have discovered their secret, and if you will humor my trail into fantasy I will even draw some spiritual insights from the study.

A Bad Attitude Will Make A Bad Situation Worse

I had this problem yesterday. My daughter’s birthday was that evening, with all the grandparents coming over. I was busy in town until after noon and had a lot of cleaning and prep to take care of in just a few hours. Knowing this, I had asked my husband the day before if he would help me since he wasn’t working. When I arrived at the babysitters to pick the kids up, he was there but obviously had no intention of coming home with me thinking that sweeping that morning was enough. I wish I could say that I calmly asked him to help me with other chores, or just went home without getting upset…but I didn’t.

A Bad Day Doesn't Mean You Have A Bad Marriage

We all have those days, or weeks, even months, when nothing seems to be going right. You aren’t

necessarily fighting every day, or even most days, but you’ve lost that connection and harmony. To be honest, my husband and I rarely (by that I mean maybe 3 times in our marriage) fight. Our disruption comes with silence; in things left unsaid, isolation or cold shoulders. Regardless of how it plays out in your home, it feels awful. At the core of the pain is that disruption and disunity of oneness God intends for marriage.

Imperfect Progress

No one is perfect. One look at our world (and ourselves) is full proof of that. But the way people respond to that fact varies greatly. Some say that since we will never be perfect there is no need to try. Others make perfection their absolute, immovable standard and will not accept anyone who falls short. But what is right?

The Bible says:

Romans 3:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

But it also says:

Matthew 5:48 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

How do we reconcile these two ideas?

Light In The Darkness

John 8:12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

As followers of Christ, we know that He holds the world. We have a purpose here on earth that He made specifically for us. We have hope of eternal life with Him. We can have joy because of who He is and what He has given us. But what about those who don’t follow Him? What about those who don’t believe, or are overwhelmed with doubt?

The Greatest Treasure

What is your greatest treasure? What do you value above all else?

Psalm 119:162 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

I rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great spoil.

Fear Of Dying

Many people have a fear of dying. No one will escape death, but no one knows how or when they will die. Many also do not know what happens after death. Especially in America, the idea of Hell has many people worried even if they do not believe in God or life after death. That fear can actually be good, as a motive to discover eternal life, but that fear should never overwhelm us, especially as believers.

Psalm 116:15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.

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