Working Marriages

Married couples all across the U.S. feel that it is necessary to have two incomes in order to stay afloat. In some cases this may or may not be true. However, this is not the type of work that I am referring to from the title above. What I mean to say is that in order to have or to develop a healthy marriage, it requires a lot more than just paying the bills. The equation is this: MARRIAGE = WORK. Now, although the equation seems simple, the WORK portion is not. Having been married for 18 years, my wife and I are well versed on the many challenges that pose a threat to our relationship. It would be a lie to suggest that most marriages don't experience similar problems. Truth be told, marriage can be taxing on even the nicest of couples but those who are willing to WORK through the many trials encountered along the way, will benefit beyond measure. Although, I can shout from the rooftop about the many blessings I have received while being married to my beautiful bride, it wasn't always so peachy. There are many distractions, obstacles, and sure madness that have come our way throughout the years. By the grace of God, we were able to manage and WORK through them. As tough as it was back then, we are eternally grateful for sticking it out, for better or for worse. Remember this, good friends will help you push through and tell you not to give up. My wife and I have many and the popular "light at the end of tunnel" saying, shall arrive!

Who made you judge?

Whenever I hear people talking bad about others, I immediately reflect upon my own shortcomings. Certainly, we all have, at one time or another spoken negatively towards friends, family, coworkers, etc. This, in and of itself, demonstrates our inability to lead a perfect life, yet, we continue to bad mouth our neighbors. As I reflect upon the many wrongdoings that I have committed, I am forced to recognize, that I too, am no better than the person standing next to me. In other words, who am I to judge? Having made many mistakes in the past, I began to practice finding the good in people and avoid accusing and judging them for their flaws. I find this to be a better way of living my life, by avoiding all of the unnecessary gossip, that quite honestly, serves no purpose. Won't you join me in practicing a mercy filled lifestyle instead of passing judgement on others? Jesus himself, said "He who is without sin, cast the first stone?" Any takers?

You're all Hypocrites!

Ya know, it never ceases to amaze me when I hear people speak about others being labeled as hypocrites. The fact of the matter is, there is not one single individual on the face of this earth that isn't a hypocrite at one time or another. We set standards for ourselves on which to live by and then fail miserably. Yet, if someone else fails to live up to their expectations, we are quick to judge and point the fiinger, proclaiming loudly "HYPOCRITE". I  would suggest a bit of advice to those people, and that is, be slow to speak, slow to become angry, and quick to love others. You might be surprised to see how grace extended to those so- called "HYPOCRITES" might actuallly help them overcome their failures. Truth be told, none of us are perfect and could certainly use a shoulder to lean on, instead of being judged for our mistakes.

Evil Money?

Often times I will hear people misquote a popular passage of scripture by making the statement that "Money is the root of all evil". I have heard it spoken so many times, that in part, I began to believe it myself. Having images of creepy, green paper presidents, chasing me down the road with menacing grins on their face as they plot corruptive activities against my small, yet empty wallet. It's a vision I wish on no man. However, there is something that needs to be clarified here. The scripture actually says that it is the "Love of money that is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). In saying this, the meaning becomes something completely different. Money is not the issue but rather the lust or the love for money. Simply put, it is a matter of the heart. I once heard someone suggest that "Money is good, if it is in your hands, because you can give it away but that it only becomes bad (evil) when it is in your heart". A wise pastor once said "it's important for money to serve you and not get caught up in you serving it. Do you see the difference?