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Giving-LL&L Monthly July 06
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Benjamin Devey
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Jul 12, 2006 11:04 PDT
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Learning Love and Life
Monthly Relationships Newsletter
No. 150 - July 2006
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Learning Love and Life is a free e-mail newsletter sent monthly to
subscribers. If a friend forwarded this file to you and you'd like to
receive your own free subscription, you can get it online at:
http://LearningLove.com
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I'm working with a fun group at a new job and feel a great sense of
gratitude for the blessings of life. I'm grateful for family and
friends. I see the awesome ridge lines of mountains virtually across the
street and have the joy of hiking in the foothills during lunch breaks.
I'm grateful to you for bearing my ramblings and for the difference you
make in your world.
Thanks for being along for the ride.
Benjamin
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The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work
A Practical Guide
from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert
by John M. Gottman
http://snipurl.com/GottWed
In five minutes, Gottman, can predict--with 91 percent accuracy--which
couples will eventually divorce. He shares the four not-so-obvious signs
of a troubled relationship that he looks for, using sometimes amusing
passages from his sessions with married couples. Gottman debunks many
myths about divorce and reveals surprising facts about couples who stay
together. He shares experiences, quizzes, checklists, and exercises,
designed to spot weak spots and strengthen marriages.
The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work
by John M. Gottman
http://snipurl.com/GottWed
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THE GIFT OF GIVING
by Benjamin Devey
Would you like to have the richest blessings of life poured out upon
you? Do you desire more loving relationships with dear friends and
family? Would you enjoy seeing your world recreated into realms of
unlimited possibilities?
Then give abundantly.
There is a simple, yet certain correlation between giving and receiving.
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and
shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For
with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you
again."
Although the result is direct, giving with the expectation of receiving
is not the best motive. The formula works however you apply it. But
expectant giving doesn't bring the richest blessings. Those come through
a deeper soul process.
One of the greatest challenges in life is to overcome our selfish
nature. William Wordsworth wrote, "Give all thou canst; high Heaven
rejects the lore of nicely-calculated less or more." Don't tie
expectations into your giving. Give freely. The person who advertises
his good deeds enjoys the immediate reward in the praise of the world,
but that's all he gets for his effort.
The ultimate gift was Christ's atonement for all of us. His grace makes
it possible for each of us to return to God's presence. Although the
gift was freely given, we each choose or refuse to willingly accept it
for ourselves.
Giving from the heart is a part of genuine love. It becomes the very
nature of a person who has Christ-like love. Caring for others is
internal--the right hand is unaware of the deeds of the left.
Giving is an expression of an abundant life. John Wesley said, "Earn all
you can, give all you can, save all you can."
Generosity changes lives in endless ways. It literally taps into the
powers of heaven, opening up a world of possibilities. It works in
relationships, spirituality and work, as well as in areas of time
management, finances and wealth. Want to have abundance? Give where you
see a need. Do you want love in your life, or happiness or mercy? Give
it generously.
With generous giving love flourishes, efforts improve and esteem grows.
If nations learned the art of giving, resources would grow instead of
diminish. The promises are there, the natural laws in place; the results
speak for themselves. All it takes is for an individual to make the
sincere effort of giving.
Bless Those You Love,
Benjamin
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READERS' FORUM:
What Is Love?
I would like to share with the others what I think about love. True love
is best described in the Bible (Corinthians 1:13). Love is about
sacrificing yourself and putting the needs of the other person above
your own.
Love is certainly not about changing other people and their flaws. If
you really love somebody you will accept his or her weak points.
Dreaming about meeting a flawless "queen" or a "king" is nice, but
unfortunately people are not perfect. Besides, if you truly love
somebody, you constantly look out for this person's well being,
especially if this person is depressed, sick or needs help.
Love is sharing good moments, jokes, etc., but it is also sticking
together in bad times. Good relationships can go through bad times and
fights without breaking up. Devotion and commitment are vital to build a
strong relationship. Love has a lot to do with forgiveness and
unconditional acceptance. That's why God's love is the best love of all.
As far as love between men and women is concerned, there should be some
kind of attraction and passion, but this is not the most important
thing. You can't base your relationship just on attraction; you should
consider things like common values, faith and character. Sex is not
love, but I think that in a marriage it is quite important. Learning to
love just like Jesus did, is in my opinion the best way to build stable
relationships.
With God's blessings
Anna, Germany
We enjoy everyone's thoughts. Thank you for sharing.
In the Readersí Forum we respect everyoneís opinions, so feel free to
say what you think. Share your ideas with the Love Discussion group.
Post your responses (to the whole group) at:
http://www.topica.com/lists/LoveTopics
Your comments and thoughts are welcome. If you would like to be included
in the newsletter, please mention in your e-mail: "You can print my
submission in the Reader's Forum section." Also, please write whether or
not you want your first name mentioned and the state or country you're
writing from. You can post online or send your comments or submissions
to: mailto:lea-@4u.net
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Copyright (c) 2006 by Benjamin Devey. All rights reserved. Permission is
granted for use on web sites, in news groups or mailing lists as long as
this file is left intact.
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