Recently I was without access to the Internet for several days and I was shocked how dependent I was on the Internet. Yes, I use the Internet a lot for ministry and no email or access to web pages is frustrating. It reminded me of the first time God told me to not watch TV for a period of time. God said He is "jealous" Ex 20:5 (KJ) and anything that can distract you from God is not good. Stay focused on God and let every thing else be secondary.

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

There is a decrease in sensuality after marriage. Sensuality is like touching, hugging, snuggling, holding hands, light kissing, etc.. Sensuality can be some of what happens on your weekly date night. If you take a walk, hold hands. Encourage habits like hugging and kissing when leaving and coming home.

If you are watching TV together, a little cuddling is good. Communicate your desires and check what your partner likes. People change. Some people know how to please their pets better than they do their spouse, try asking. Protect your sensual time together by having a weekly couples meeting.

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 ("all things are possible with God", Mark 10:27 NIV). If you take a walk, hold hands. Encourage habits like hugging and kissing when leaving and coming home. If you are watching TV together, a little cuddling is good. Communicate your desires and check what your partner likes. People change. Some people know how to please their pets better than they do their spouse, try asking. Even the most selfish, self-center spouse will respond to what they like. Remember Jesus said, "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." (Luke 6:31 NAS)

A Psalm for reflection "My eyes are ever looking to the Lord for help, for He alone can rescue me" Ps 25:15 (TL)

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).

As we grow as followers of Jesus, it is good to develop firm roots so we not fall away or be easily distracted by concerns of this world. Jesus tells us that in the end times followers of Jesus will be mistreated or persecuted and put to death because of Jesus. Many will turn away from their faith and betray each other. False prophets will deceive many people and because of all this and the increase of sin, "the love of most will grow cold"1. The deceiver is effective in fooling people who consider themselves Christians. One time a highly educated Christian told me that this would not concern him because he would not be here and referred to a popular doctrine in a part of Christianity called the "rapture doctrine" that was made up in the last 200 years. Although I try to not be aware of false doctrines, I understand that a key ingredient in this doctrine is that Jesus will come back secretly for certain Christians. (back in my early days as a Christian, I was guilty of following many popular doctrines) Regarding a secret coming, Jesus says "as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man". In Jesus' revelation to John, John wrote, "He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him"2. Sure doesn't sound like a secret coming. Some who follow this rapture doctrine refer to where Jesus compares the end times to the days of Noah and Lot and says some will be taken away and some left. If you remember the story of Noah and Lot, it was the bad or evil people who were taken away and the good people (Noah's and Lot's family) that were left. When Jesus' followers asked where the people were to be taken Jesus replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather"3. I once had a woman who claimed that she had a dream/vision of her family being raptured and said, "I don't care what is in the bible, I know what I believe" and left the church with her family. Although I tried to be kind to her, I thought to myself, {"I don't care what you believe, I believe what Jesus says"}. My goal is to share the truth and help people have eternal life not to build a large church group with false teachings. There are Christians who believe that Jesus' mother has spoken in a dream/vision to them and encourages them to worship her or pray to her, even though Jesus teaches against worshipping anyone but God. I do believe that the devil can deceive people. Regarding persecution or tribulation, some claim that more Christians have been killed for being a Christian in the last 100 years than in all the 1900 years before combined. This may just reflect better reporting. I know that sin is so bad that in our country most people, including many Christians, believe some people were created to be perverts or homosexuals. Society evolves in acceptance of sin while God clearly states, "I do not change"4.

How do we help others be stronger so their love will not grow cold? First is to protect against false teachings and confusing doctrines by encouraging everyone to follow what Jesus teaches. Support and encourage experiences and beliefs that are in line with what Jesus teaches. Christian religious doctrines can be confusing. One teaching may be totally accurate and the next may totally inaccurate. With twenty different churches there may hundreds of different teachings. There is only one Jesus. Although there may be slight differences in bible translations that sometimes reflect translator's doctrines, most of Jesus words are recorded in the same manner. For example when Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" or relating the end time discourse from above Jesus says, "he who endures to the end shall be saved"5. These statements are consistent in most translations and yet there are Christians who think there are many ways to God and some who believe "once saved always saved". The safest and most secure way is to follow Jesus exclusive. Some may try to discredit what is written in the bible or twist a translation. It is really simple when Jesus says, "No one comes to the Father except through Me". Believe what is written in the bible the way it is written and you will be stronger than those who are mislead by religious doctrines. Then when times are tough or your Christian social groups are against you or the increase in sin is discouraging, you will be able to stand strong. If you love God instead of just loving church people and teachings, your love will not grow cold when the people turn on you and the teachings of men fail you. Please remember also that it will help you to stay strong if you communicate daily with God and talk with God about every part of the day or stay prayed up. We cannot obey God if we don't hear Him.

"God help our love for You to be strong by being based on what You and Jesus teach. Give us the strong roots provided by the unchanging truth from You. Help us to be firm in our relationship with You and be in communication with You daily. Thank You in Jesus' name, amen."

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