Hundreds of battle-dressed Marines swarmed ashore to bolster the defenses of Da Nang air base in Vietnam. Communist North Vietnam protested to the International Control Commission for Vietnam that sending the Marines was a "scheme of intensifying and expanding the aggressive war in South Vietnam."

I had remembered that only one Sunday we were not allowed to go to the beach ( I mentioned this in an interview for a woman's college history class last year) because the American Government was making films of Marines hitting the beach to show people in the States and they didn't want us walking around in swim trunks in their propaganda movies with girls in bikinis. When I saw this mentioned in the paper, I checked and March 7 in 1965 was a Sunday. Our beach was the safest in Nam and if the marines were really going to Da Nang they would have had a long helicopter ride after they "swarmed ashore" (probably they got back on their boats). They could have arrived by jet passenger planes like the rest of us. A lie and deception can be remembered 45 years later. And apparently the news media is still deceived. People question why some people don't trust their governments. Sometimes governments lie and deceive and earn distrust. As Christians we must make an effort to be honest and cultivate trust. Dishonesty may out live honesty in memories at times. Also, God is very hard on liars (Revelations 21:8).

To refresh what you have learned in our Workshop or entice you to experience our Workshop

In February 2010, a CBS poll found that 9 out of 10 married Americans said they would marry their spouse again. As we give you the tools to improve your marriage, remember that over 75% of married Americans are still on their first marriage and 90% are happy with their choice of spouse.

When a discussion seems to be turning negative, it is time to say, "I need a time out". For those of you who have never had a discussion get bad, this might be when voices get louder and louder or when you are calling each other names that are not nice or when you both are hearing things more negatively than intended or when there is a subject that one of you refuses to discuss. After you say "I need a time out", it is a good time to take authority over the enemy (the devil) and pray for your marriage. Once you are both calmer, it is a good time to resume the conversation by using the Speaker Listener Technique. Click on the preceding link and learn more about how to use the Speaker Listener Technique and as always if you have any questions about how to use it you can email me at Ed@JesusCenter.net or call me at (918) 835-3787 (any day but Tuesday) Note: the Speaker Listener Technique is one of the most important concepts that we teach in our Marriage Workshops. It is so important that we teach it in all six workshops.

The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage. Jesus said, "all things are possible with God", Mark 10:27 NIV). When a discussion is turning negative, you can stop your contribution to the conflict. This is a good time to pray privately for your marriage and for guidance on what to say and do. This is also a good time to take authority in the Name of Jesus over the enemy who wants to destroy your marriage. Remember that over 75% of married Americans are still on their first marriage and 90% are happy with their choice of spouse.

A Psalm for reflection "Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with You forever in Your home."Ps 23:6 (TLB)

Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote). .

Jesus says, "I am telling you the truth: those who hear My words and believe in Him who sent Me have eternal life. They will not be judged, but have already passed from death to life"1. When we talk about the good news of Jesus, this is definitely good news that we can avoid being judged and move straight into eternal life. Some Christians are so locked into the idea of judgment day that this scripture is almost offensive. If a teaching of the Son of God conflicts with what you think or believe, change what you think or believe. Fortunately this is a repeated theme in Jesus' teachings. One of Jesus most well known statements is "God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life"2. Notice Jesus did not say that you have eternal life, if you survive judgment day. Jesus is not a deceiver who tells you, you have eternal life and then tricks you with other conditions. Jesus only condition is "everyone who believes in Him". Jesus did not say just to say you believe in Him. Believing in Jesus is a lifestyle that you cannot fake when dealing with God. If you say you "believe in Jesus" as most Christians say and then think or act like you do not believe, you are not fooling God. Jesus knows our thoughts and what is in our hearts3. One time Jesus stated, "If anyone obeys My teaching, he will never die"4 and the people misunderstood and thought Jesus was saying that our physical bodies would not die. Is it easier to understand "obeys My teaching" than "believes in Him"? The end result of not dying going directly on in eternal life is the same. The exciting good news is that we can miss judgment and move right on into eternal life. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS? This is what Jesus teaches and asks. Even though Jesus' teachings are very clear about the results of obeying Jesus or believing in Him, most people who call them selves Christians believe otherwise and daily millions more are being taught in Christian settings and Bible schools to believe different than what Jesus teaches. One time in frustration, I complained to God about this. He then reminded me how one time Elijah thought He was the only one following God correctly until God told him there are "seven thousand" others6. Then God told me "don't worry, keep on sharing the truth. When the time is right, many will recognize the truth". For those of you who are reading this teaching of Jesus and still are uncertain, there is one more statement Jesus tells a close friend named Martha and is frequently included in funeral services. Jesus said, "He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?5" DO YOU BELIEVE THIS? If you can answer yes you are one step closer to living forever. Yes, some will go to be judged and then move on to eternal life or eternal death. But a believer who obeys Jesus can enter eternal life NOW and not have to face judgment. You may know Christians who refuse to believe that you can enter eternal life now. Don't push it. They may know that they prefer human teachings to what Jesus' teaches or they may know that personally they are not living in obedience to Jesus. Just tell the truth and enjoy being in eternal life.

"God help us to have the courage to put aside all teachings and follow Your son Jesus' teachings. Help us to live in such a way that even though our body dies we will continue to live with You in eternity. Thank you for helping us, in Jesus' name, amen."

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