[StillStanding]

Fear is the cheapest room in the house.
I would like to see you living
In better conditions.


Even after all this time,
the sun never says to the earth,
"You owe me."
Look what happens with a love like that.
It lights the whole sky.


Now
That
All your worry
Has proved such an
Unlucrative
Business,
Why
Not
Find a better
Job.


The moon asked me to meet her in a field tonight. I think she has amorous ideas.


I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.

—Hafez (Hafiz), 14th Century Iranian poet

[StillStanding]

http://praisehouston.com/relationships/nzinga/meet-the-longest-married-couple-in-the-world/

Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher have an extraordinary story to tell.  They’ve been married for 86 years. Together, they endured the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam, they have seen the impact of the Civil Rights Movement,watched man land on the moon, the dropping of the atomic bomb, lived through the terms of 15 presidents and still live to tell about it.  But there are many centenarians for whom the same holds true so what makes Herbert and Zelmyra so extraordinary?  Throughout everything, they have remained married.

Married on May 13, 1924, 105-year old Herbert, and 103-year-old Zelmyra do not pretend to know any secrets to a lasting marriage.  They have been married longer than any known living couple, had five children and have watched countless grandchildren and great-grandchildren come into the world.  They are a sweet, aging pair that will tell you truthfully that they were married because Zelmyra “did not give [Herbert] any trouble” and Herbert “was not much to look at… [but] he was quiet and kind.”  After 86 years, they remain in the home where they raised their five children, sleep in different bedrooms and love each other all the same.  They hold the world record for length of marriage for two living persons.  Is your union built to last the test of time?

Marriage Advice:

Question: You got married very young – how did u both manage to grow as individuals yet not grow apart as a couple?
Answer: Everyone who plants a seed & harvests the crop celebrates together. We are individuals, but accomplish more together.

Question: At the end of bad relationship day, what is the most important thing to remind yourselves?
Answer: Remember marriage is not a contest – never keep a score. God has put the two of you together on the same team to win.

[StillStanding]

Stop what you are doing and watch these videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8ZuKF3dxCY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8ZuKF3dxCY&feature=related

Then think about whether or not you can muster the strength, courage, and compassion make it through your situation.

[StillStanding]

Some self-focus/Standing motivation:



(Source: http://www.trainwithmandy.com/2011/11/words.html)

[WarriorPriestess]

Love it!

[StillStanding]

The Bible Says Love Is a Choice
by Rick Warren

“That you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:20 NIV)

Today we’ve bought into this myth that love is uncontrollable, that it’s something that just happens to us. In fact, even the language we use implies the uncontrollability of love. We say, “I fell in love,” as if love is some kind of a ditch. It’s like I’m walking along one day and — bam! — I fell in love. I couldn’t help myself.

But I have to tell you the truth: That’s not love. Love doesn’t just happen to you. Love is a choice, and it represents a commitment.

You must choose to love God; he won’t force you to love him (Deuteronomy 30:20). You can thumb your nose at God and go a totally different way. You can destroy your life if you choose to do that. God still won’t force you to love him because he knows love can’t be forced.

This same principle is true about your relationships: You can choose to love others, but God won’t force you to love anyone.

During the Christmas season, we gather to celebrate with family and friends. It is often a joyous time. But I’ve been a pastor for more than 30 years, so I know it can also be a time of tension and heartache.

Is there someone you might have trouble loving this Christmas season — someone in your family, a friend, or a neighbor? God will help you love that person if you make the choice to do so.

That doesn’t mean everything will become perfect; it doesn’t even mean that person will accept your love. But you are the only person who can stop you from loving someone else — because love is a choice you make.

[StillStanding]

Discouraged? Don't Give Up
by Rick Warren

“Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn't find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus. Impressed by their bold belief, he said, ‘Friend, I forgive your sins.’” (Luke 5:18-20 MSG)

Here is the fourth of seven ways a small group can reach people for Jesus this Christmas season:

Your small group must overcome difficulties.

When the four friends saw the path to Jesus blocked, they had every reason to feel discouraged, but they didn’t give up. They looked for another way to bring the man to Jesus.

Everybody gets discouraged at times, even and sometimes especially during the Christmas season. But in order to share Jesus with our friends, we must persist through those difficulties. I remember a small group at Saddleback who prayed for a lost friend for two years before that person made a commitment to Jesus. I know that man is glad the small group didn’t give up after a year and a half of prayer.

Jesus told a parable about seeds falling to the ground. Some of the seeds never developed deep roots, so they fell away once they encountered problems (Matthew 13:21). But Jesus wants us to deepen our faith in him so we can “produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Matthew 13:23b NLT)

[Synicca]

Thought I would share this here....from Charlnecares daily emails..

Be Blessed everyday! ((hugs)) Syn



Will you have compassion and love for your husband, wife or child when they call or knock on your door, asking if they can come home? Are you waiting, expecting the Lord to bring your beloved husband/wife or child home, suddenly as in the Prodigal Son story?
Are you ready for your spouse to come home suddenly through Christmas or the New Year holidays? Yes, I am asking if you are really ready for your spouse to call you and say,"I am sorry, will you forgive me? I want to come home." Another telephone call may say, "Will you come back home? I have forgiven you. Now let's start working on our marriage." What a day to remember! You may not see or hear the words today, but I believe the Lord is moving on thousands of spouses' hearts to make a commitment to, "Go Home now!" Are you praying for that every day? Are you praying for other marriages?
Are you ready? Are your closets and drawers ready for your beloved spouse? Are you keeping your house ready for a special family member to come over? I know you may be battling depression or fatigue, but will you just get up and start expecting something exciting to happen? Every day will you thank and praise the Lord in advance for what He is going to be doing for all marriages around the world for the next two to three weeks?
How are you doing with blessing the ones that are insulting you, persecuting you or falsely saying all kinds of evil about you? Do you want to retaliate or get even? What would Jesus do? What does the Lord teach us in Romans 12? Look it up and read it.

Are you angry with your spouse's behavior, words and actions? What is God saying to you about your spouse? Ask Him and then listen for His soft answer. The enemy is using your spouse to push your buttons. May you choose to erase your spouse's wrongs daily. Yes, forgive your spouse daily. Do not allow your unforgiveness to turn into anger and bitterness. Instead, choose to pray a scripture with your and your spouse's name in them every time something happens, then the enemy will decide to leave you both alone. You will accomplish much more in the Heavenlies. Remember, zip your lips, but let the Lord speak to your husband/wife. Let the Lord take revenge and deal with them. The Lord is the only One in the heart-changing business. Remember, let unconditional love radiate in your heart and memorize this scripture:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.  1 Corinthians 13:4-

[StillStanding]

https://twitter.com/#!/DivorceBusting/statuses/150260665041428481

DO NOT debate with the spouse going through a midlife-crisis about the validity of their feelings. This will push him/her out the door.

[StillStanding]

http://www.divorcebusting.com/blog/new-years-resolutions-for-a-rocky-marriage/

When your marriage is on the rocks, you start to wonder how relationship goals that require two people’s active participation apply to you. You read articles about setting goals for the new year and you feel downtrodden and left out.  In fact, even thinking about the new year can be emotional for you. After all, this is the time we think about starting new things, not ending them.

But don’t despair.  Here at the Divorce Busting Center, I’ve developed a method that truly helps individuals to improve relationships single-handedly.  It also is designed to help you feel better so that you can apply principles that work instead of giving up.  That’s why I decided to write Ten New Year’s Resolutions for Divorce Busters, those people who don’t have the luxury of their partner’s support. Here are ten goals that you can accomplish yourself in 2012.

1. Envision positive outcomes
There is no way that you can begin to accomplish positive change your marriage if you don’t believe it is possible. Start by imagining what your life will be like when your marriage truly turns a corner. The more you can picture every detail, the easier it will be to eventually step into this picture at some later date.

2. Act as if you expect miracles to occur
Once you can imagine positive outcomes, reflect on how you will be behaving differently when they happen. Then start doing that right now!

3. Be kind, even if you think your spouse doesn’t deserve it
You may be angry, disappointed, or even devastated by your spouse’s choices and actions. However, rather than react to unsettling behavior, assume your spouse is lost and confused. Be patient, kind and steady and your efforts will pay off.

4. Focus on small, positive changes
Don’t expect big changes overnight or you will be disappointed and it will make it hard to stay on track. Imagine the smallest change possible that would signal a shift in how things have been going. Then focus on that.

5. Promise yourself this will be a great year, no matter what
You can not control what your spouse does, but you can control what you decide to do with yourself and your children , if you have them. Take a deep breath and envision how you are going to make this a good year regardless of your spouse’s choices.

6. Exercise your worry away
The most popular New Year’s Resolution is to join a health club and exercise to become more fit. That is well and good. For you, exercise will be a lifesaver. It will help to assuage worries, feel good about yourself and increase feel-good hormones like endorphins. Go for it!

7. Do one new thing you enjoy
Don’t become stale just because you are having a shaky time in your marriage. Novelty will stimulate your brain and maybe even your heart and help you have a more positive outlook about the future.

8. Make sure you have quality time with your children or other loved ones.  Be present.
Many times, when people are teetering on the brink of divorce, their pain makes them become self-absorbed and staying the moment becomes and challenging task. You will never be able to do your children’s childhood again, so do your best to be with them mentally when you’re with them.

9. If you get off track, get back on quickly without self-blame
What separates the winners from the losers is not whether or how many times you get off track, it’s how rapidly you get back on track. If you’ve veered from the Divorce Busting plan, hop right back on track without self-recrimination.

10. Do activities that help you rediscover serenity
Meditate, pray, hike in the mountains or watch a sky full of shooting stars. On a regular basis, do whatever it takes to bring you back to yourself. You and everyone around will benefit from your peacefulness.