Marriage Tips

By Mike Shery

Emotional or physical abuse is an all too frequent occurrence for many children and women. Surveys indicate that as many as a fifth of all women are verbally abused at some time during their marriage, and at least 10% of them are abused on a regular basis.

When raging, some men will use verbal or physical intimidation or threats. However, abuse by women is almost always verbal. Remember that verbal or emotional abuse can occur almost anywhere, even online and through e-mail.

Victims of emotional abuse experience intense suffering that interferes with their quality of life,ability to be a good parent, their ability to trust others and their capability to perform well inside the home and the workplace. Some victims of abuse may even attempt suicide rather than continue to endure the harassment.

Men who rant, rave and bully their partners thrive on controlling or dominating them. They have often been the victims of physical or emotional abuse themselves. They can be depressed,angry or upset about almost anything.

Abusers often get involved with women who are passive or easily intimidated. Their victims were often raised in abusive households themselves and look at their chaotic and tumultuous relationships as almost an expected part of family life.

If you are emotionally abusive, you must seek help as soon as possible. Without treatment, your behavior can lead to serious emotional and, even, physical damage to your spouse or children, as well as trying and expensive legal problems.

If your behavior continues, a comprehensive evaluation by a clinical psychologist or other mental health professional should be arranged. The evaluation can help you understand what is causing it and help you stop your destructive behavior.

If you are a victim of spousal abuse, however, do not lapse into denial. You must consult with a therapist and disclose what is happening. You must keep going to counseling regularly, talk in an open and honest way and be prepared to take action to protect you and your kids. Remember that it is not your fault, and that you are doing the right thing by participating in counseling and following your therapists advice.

Other specific suggestions include:

Ask your therapist what he or she thinks should be done. What has worked for others? What does not work?

Read articles and books about verbal abuse. Read about what you need to do and use your communitys anger management training classes and resources.

If at all possible, do not physically fight the abuser or argue back. Use the leave and ignore strategy; get away from the perpetrator by leaving the immediate environment. If it is possible to go to another location, do so. Otherwise, escape to another room and lock the door behind you.

Do not argue and do not acknowledge the abusers behavior. Practice the correct way to respond to your partners behavior with your therapist.

Occasionally, the simple act of insisting that the perpetrator leave you alone, may work. However, remember that the abusers true goals are usually to dominate, enjoy watching you suffer or get a response and recognition from you. Therefore, freeing yourself from the immediate environment and not engaging him at all is often the best way to cope.

Spend a lot of time with family and friends at home and elsewhere. Abusers often try cutting you off from the outside world and attempt to isolate you. However, more than anything, at this time, you must maintain regular contact with your counselor and members of your support network.

A clinical psychologist or other mental health professional will help you develop a strategy to deal with the abuse. Also, remember, that seeking professional assistance earlier can lessen the risk of lasting emotional consequences for you and your children.

About The Author

Dr Shery is in Cary, IL, near Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Marengo and Lake-in-the-Hills. He’’s an expert psychologist. Call 1 847 516 0899 and make an appt orlearn more about counseling at: http://www.carypsychology.com

By Allen Jesson

A wedding anniversary is a special time for any couple and there are many ways that this occasion is celebrated. Every couple is different, some may consider this event a personal affair and do not wish to receive wedding anniversary gifts. Others will pull out all the stops, have a huge party and expect you to take the time to find them a suitable gift.

Generally, if the anniversary is an early one the couple are more likely to have a quite affair and you will not be expected to search high and low for anniversary gifts. Sending a card is always a nice gesture but save the wedding anniversary gifts for later years where historically the day will be celebrated with family and friends.

If you have been invited to celebrate the special day and you are attending a 50th anniversary then you will need to consider suitable wedding anniversary gifts. Think about whether you are going to go with tradition and find something ”Golden” such as a gold photo frame, gold rimmed glasses or even a piece of gold jewelry, or do you want something that is different and stands out?

Is it a silver or pearl anniversary and you need to find something associated with this year?

Finding suitable wedding anniversary gifts can be easier than you think as long as you consider what the couples likes and dislikes are. Would they be moved by something personal such as a family portrait or a poem written for them, and about them and presented in a beautiful card?.

You may even decide to make a speech at the gathering expressing your feelings for the couple, if you do decide to do this but find you are stuck for words why not enlist the help of and online poet or speech writer?. Standing up in front of a room full of friends and family and reading a speech or poem may seem daunting but you will be surrounded by loved ones who will be both moved and honoured to hear your words.

If you are searching for wedding anniversary gifts for your parents or siblings now is the time to really make the effort, especially if the anniversary is for a 25th, 30th or 50th. Reaching such a milestone really is an achievement and the couple should be made to feel very special.

Wedding anniversary gifts do not have to be materialistic or cost you a fortune, quite often the sentiment and effort far out weighs the cost. Spending time finding wedding anniversary gifts that are personal and unique will be regarded highly by anyone because the person you present it to will know you have spent a lot of time when choosing it.

About The Author

Allen Jesson writes for several sites that specializes in helping
you to find the perfect Wedding Anniversary Gifts, Wedding Gifts, as well as creating Unique Birthday Gifts.

By John Abbot

My first vacation in China was, I thought, well planned and well thought out.

I was newly single, having recently separated from my girlfriend of 3 years, the shortest of my 5 long-term relationships with western women, evidence enough that I was incapable of maintaining a lifetime partnership with any woman born and raised in North America. I had always been attracted to Asian women, but had never had the opportunity to act on that feeling, and at 48 years of age time was running out.

I”d been planning the trip for several months and had even managed to combine it with 2 days of business in China which meant my flights across the Pacific were being paid for as well as 2 night’’s accommodation. I was going to spend 2 weeks in China and decided not to try to do too much so I planned to spend time in 4 different cities, and then, more importantly, I had spent many nights on the internet and had managed to line up 4 different Chinese women to act as my dates and my guides in each of those cities.

Did I feel a little guilty about this arrangement – yes. Did I feel a bit like a cad – yes. Was I looking forward to it with baited breath – oh YES!!

The first stage of the trip, for 5 days before business was to start, was to be 1 night in Shanghai, then a train ride to Hangzhou, supposedly one of the most beautiful cities in China for a 4 day stay with one of my Chinese ladies. I”d traveled extensively around the Western hemisphere, I”d studiously studied my “China – The Rough Guide”, and I was perfectly confident in my ability to book hotels, train tickets and domestic flights on the spot and for immediate use. So I boarded my flight on April 29th, drank a few free rum and cokes, swallowed a sleeping pill, grabbed a little sleep, and confidently touched down in Shanghai late afternoon of April 30th. The airport seemed pretty busy but what the heck, this was China.

On the bus into Shanghai I was lucky to be seated by a Chinese university student anxious to practise his English, so I ended up explaining my travel plans to him. My first hint that something was amiss was the mild look of concern on his face. He suggested he”d be happy to help me get to my hotel, and since I had a couple of heavy bags I accepted gratefully. When we arrived at the hotel I planned to book there were surprisingly no rooms available, contrary to the best advice of my trusted travel guide, which indicated you could almost always get a room in any hotel in China. Only when my new Chinese friend said he wasn”t surprised did I start to get a bit of a stomach ache.

“Why,” I queried, “are you not surprised?”.

“Well,” my little buddy responded in what was surprisingly good English, “tomorrow is Labour Day, and everyone in China is traveling tonight and for the next week.”

“What did you say?” was my clever comeback, but his answer did not change.

“I think we should maybe go to the train station and try to get you a ticket now” my little ally added.

By this time I was very happy indeed to have found such a good and faithful sidekick, and I adopted his plan immediately. I would try to get a train now and sleep on the journey. Tomorrow in Hangzhou I would book into my hotel which I had pre-booked because of my pending 4 night date, needing a specified place to rendezvous. Fortunately the train station was nearby, only a few blocks from the hotel we were in. Unfortunately the lineups for train tickets started in the hotel lobby. After fighting to the head of the train queue (the longest battle of my life in spite of being assisted by both my loyal sidekick and a sympathetic Chinese cop) I was advised that there would be no train tickets available for 2 days. My confidence was starting to ebb.

My friend and I decided that the best thing I could do was take a taxi from Shanghai to Hangzhou, because, I stated, I thought it best to escape the craziness of Shanghai at the time. I was not then aware that Hangzhou is the one city in China where Chinese tourists from all over the country will go to congregate with family instead of going home. The bizarreness that is Hangzhou during the 3 national vacation periods is an experience I intend to never suffer again, even if self inflicted death is required to intervene.

My friend negotiated a taxi for me, and I suspect he got a 10% cut of an inflated price, but even so I cannot begrudge him as he had probably saved my life already at least twice. The taxi took over 2 hours and cost me about 90 USD. I was actually able to get my room that night on my arrival because they had accidentally booked me in a day early, and the hotel was a decent 4 star number owned by the Red Army.

So I settled in, then headed upstairs to the hotel bar, and tried to order a cold beer, intending to have a quiet night while waiting for my first Chinese date to arrive the next day. Nobody seemed to understand what a cold beer was, which I attributed to my complete lack of Chinese and their almost as complete lack of English, until I walked over to the bar myself to point to a cold beer only to find all the beer neatly stacked on the counter outside of the empty beer cooler.

This was over 5 years ago now, and at that time the Chinese almost religiously believed that drinking anything cold was a surefire way to bring about an early demise. They were not sure what the beer cooler was for, but it for damned sure was not for cooling beer. I managed to convince them to put a half pack in the cooler just for me, thinking I would enjoy them the next day when they were actually cold, but they dutifully removed them overnight to ensure that no sane person accidentally consumed a cold beer and died while on their watch.

About The Author

John Abbot (nom de plume), married to a lovely Chinese Lady, lives in China. John knows and respects Chinese Women, Chinese People and Chinese Culture.

For more good stuff on Chinese Women, International Relationships and Things Chinese go to http://www.ChinaLoveMatch.net and click on CLM eMagazine.

By Kevin Sinclair

At last, you have found the person of your dreams; the one you”ve been searching for all of your life, and then one day you begin to feel a little trapped, with no time just for yourself. Most people want to a have a healthy relationship with their ideal soul mate but in order to keep this relationship on an even keel, it is imperative to have a little “me” time too.

It is not ideal for you to always be with your partner. This is a common mistake made by many couples, whether they are still in the honeymoon stage of their love affair or they have been together for years. If you create time for yourself you will have a lot more to offer to your partnership.

Many people who spend most of their time with their mate feel lonely and confused when they are away from them for any reason but there are a few ways you can combat this feeling, and at the same time give your best to your partner when you are together.

1. Pass the evening with your head buried in a good book. This peaceful time at home, reading with no interruptions will rejuvenate you when you meet up with your love again.

2. Watch a movie that you have been waiting to see – one that holds no interest for your partner, say, a good chick flick for example. Don”t tell yourself you cannot ever see this movie just because your partner does not want to see it.

3. Pay a visit to your family. They are important and should not be neglected as you maybe did when you were first so wrapped up with the new love of your life.

4. Chill out with your mates. If they are good friends you will be able to loosen up and there will be no need to worry about how you are coming across to them. If your partner displays an unnatural jealousy towards you friends, it may be worth considering whether or not to continue with the relationship. Ask yourself “is this healthy?”

5. Partake in sports or your favorite leisure time activity. For instance, if you play golf but your partner doesn”t there is absolutely no reason why you should not get yourself down to the golf course for a few rounds. There is nothing you should not be doing, just because it is not an interest of your partner.

6. Sometimes it just great to stay in and have a pamper night. Relax in a hot tub with candles and soothing music. This is sure to enhance your mood for later on when you see your partner again.

7. Shop ”till you drop. Go and treat yourself to something nice, and if you are feeling generous you can always buy your partner something new too. If you are short of cash you can always window shop making plans for your next payday.

Stop for lunch while shopping and enjoy that whopping chocolate desert, you know, the one you would be too ashamed for your lover to see you plowing your way through.

Keeping your relationship alive and healthy requires “me” as much as “we” time. Likewise when your partner discovers their own time is important, don”t be jealous, allow them to chill in their own way too. This can only strengthen your relationship and prepare the way for a long a happy future together.

About The Author

Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of My-Personal-Growth.com, a site that provides information and articles for self improvement and personal growth and development.

By Mike Shery

Sometimes you may need to talk to someone who can help…an expert. When you feel like you have hit a brick wall… When you feel trapped, overwhelmed with nowhere to turn…

When you worry all the time, and never seem to find the answer… When your anxiety affects your sleep, eating habits, job, your relationships, concentration or everyday life… When even the advice offered by family or well-meaning friends does not really help you feel any better.

Getting professional help is the important initial step in getting the anxiety relief or goal attainment you may seek. Counseling can be of real benefit, providing help for a wide range of problems such as depression, despair, marital strife, parent-child conflicts, or excessive stress.

It can also help fulfill aspirations for personal development, self-actualization and self-improvement. Counseling has one goal only: That something positive and meaningful will result.

Some of the most common reasons for seeking therapy include:

Emotional Distress
From time to time, we all experience anxiety or stress. But sometimes it can be particularly severe or long-lasting . It may interfere with your functioning in daily life. If your sadness, grief, or anxiety is particularly persistent, therapy can help relieve the symptoms, address the underlying causes, and provide you with help in restoring emotional well-being.

Growth and Development
Therapy can help you overcome obstacles that have interfered with your ability to reach your goals. Counseling can help you learn more about yourself, as well as others, and how you can live your life with greater satisfaction.

Relationships
Distress commonly comes from dysfunctions in relating to spouses, parents, kids, co-workers or other relatives.
Therapy can help you to understand the root of the problem and provide you with the understanding and skills needed to generate that feeling of closeness again.

Coping Mechanisms
Sometimes emotional or relationship problems are associated with poor or impaired coping skills, such as denial, poor communication, excessive passivity, or poor anger management.

Loss
Experiencing the loss of someone who is important through death, divorce or separation often results in intense depression or anxiety and therapy can be effective in eliminating it.

Trauma, Violence or Abuse
Victims of trauma or abuse often become so overwhelmed by feelings of fear, anxiety, or hopelessness that their ability to function becomes seriously impaired. Counseling provides a safe and confidential way to discuss these issues with an expert in order to discover ways to move forward.

Depression, ADHD, Anxiety
Those who experience these issues can often benefit from therapy and another treatment method, such as medication. Importantly, recent studies demonstrate that individuals with ADHD, major depression or anxiety symptoms benefit much more from a combination of counseling and medication than from the use of drugs alone.

About The Author

Dr Shery is in Cary, IL, near Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Marengo and Lake-in-the-Hills. He’’s an expert psychologist. Call 1 847 516 0899 and make an appt orlearn more about counseling at: http://www.carypsychology.com

By Mike Shery

Finding a counselor for your troubled relationship can be confusing and frustrating…answering machines, insurance, credentials that look like alphabet soup etc….

Of course, you want a high quality therapist, but, what specifically should you look for to select and find that therapist that just may forestall a possible divorce?

1. My first suggestion: Find a marriage counselor or psychologist who demonstrates concern for your peace of mind…not only in therapy but also where his fees and business arrangements are concerned.

Some professionals will require you to pay the entire fee at each visit and then reimburse you later for any amount your insurance may pay. That’’s no longer the standard for payment in Cary, Chicago, Crystal Lake or anywhere else in Illinois.

Get a professional who takes your insurance and only requires you to make the co-pay at each visit. That’’s the current standard and it should ease your cash flow and quell your anxiety.

2. Next, find a mental health professional who takes a sincere interest in both of you as people and does not rush. Some counselors, even in smaller towns like Cary or Algonquin, Illinois seem so disinterested that they seem to push you out the door before you barely get in!

Patience is a critical quality. Listen to your counselor carefully: You should feel that you”ve never had someone listen to your concerns so thoroughly.

Expert marriage and family counselors should ask questions that, even if only occasionally, turn on a light bulb in your mind…that Ah Ha! feeling. Your counselor should pose important and even hard to discuss questions. For example, do you stay…or leave? Or, how nasty does your anger really get… Are you living up to YOUR expectations…?

3. Also, this field changes faster than the nightly news. Ask your counselor or psychologist if he or she attends advanced trainings specifically about marriage and relationships. He or she should do so regularly or your marital therapy may be out of date.

Frankly, many practitioners in Cary and elsewhere often do the minimum advanced training in relationship counseling because it cuts into relaxation time.

New counseling approaches may appear that better target your needs or achieve your goals more quickly. Whether you live in Lake-in-the-Hills, Palatine, Cary or anywhere else in the country, you should be able to benefit from many of the same techniques that are provided at state-of-the-art marriage counseling facilities like those in New York, Chicago, Boston and their great universities.

These include cognitive-behavioral, advanced communication, problem-solving and reality-based therapeutic approaches. Each treatment method used should be skillfully applied by an expert counselor, to provide the best results in the shortest period of time.

Remember, this is only possible if your counselor stays on top of important changes by participating in advanced education in marriage and relationship therapy.

4. Look for additional demonstrations of concern. A No Waiting Policy is another example of that. It is not a good sign if you arrive at the appointed time… and then are ignored and left to wait.

It is rude too; so… ask if the counselors clients are scheduled so that they do not get backed-up.

Barring an unexpected emergency, you should not have to wait more than 10 minutes or so.

5. Look for promptness and enthusiasm in providing you with an appointment. Run from those who have the take a number and wait in line mentality. Under-staffed and impersonal commercial practices are not sufficiently concerned about you. They will often tell you to wait days or weeks for an appointment…without giving it a second thought!

Your counselor should show concern by providing an appointment in no more than 7 days. If necessary, appointments should also be available in the evenings to make it easier on your kids and work schedule.

6. Also, be sure your relationship therapist or psychologist works seamlessly with your insurance company or employee assistance program to take all the billing headaches off your shoulders. The counselors office should do the paperwork for you; after all, you already have too many things to worry about.

Here is a summary of what to screen for:

1. Unhurried visits
2. An up-to-date therapist who can provide many of the same techniques that are used in Chicago, Boston and their distinguished universities and clinics.
3. An initial appointment provided within a week.
4. All paperwork done for you
5. Evening, Saturday or day appointments as necessary.
6. “No Waiting Policy.”

About The Author

Dr Shery is in Cary, IL, near Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Marengo and Lake-in-the-Hills. He’’s an expert psychologist. Call 1 847 516 0899 and make an appt orlearn more about counseling at: http://www.carypsychology.com

By Adrian Adams

Most guys think that the wedding is the domain of the bride. That may have been true in the past, but more brides are expecting their prospective grooms to get more involved in the planning and execution of such a special day in both their lives.

The most important thing for the groom to remember is that this is a day that his bride has dreamed about for a long time. She wants everything to be just perfect, so the closer the wedding day gets, the more nervous she may become. Though she may say she doesn”t need your help, she certainly wants you to care about your wedding ceremony and reception as much as she does.

Who Pays for What?

Finances and a budget play a large role in planning a wedding. It can ease everyone’’s mind if they all know their financial responsibilities from the start. It is usually the groom and his family that pay for not only the bride’’s engagement ring, but her wedding ring as well. The groom is also responsible for paying for his wedding attire, the fee for the license and the person who will officiate. There are no hard and fast rules anymore, but usually the groom and his family pay for the honeymoon, the gifts for the wedding party and the flowers for the bride and her attendants.

How The Groom can Help

When your lovely wife-to-be asks you to go along with her to pick out invitations, go with her. Even if you could care less about what the invitation looks like, it will make her happy to have your input. If you have already selected a theme, finding invitations to reflect that can be a fun outing for the two of you.

Go with your bride to pick out your wedding rings. Though the wearing of the wedding ring is an entirely personal matter, you will still need one when the officiant asks you to exchange rings. Picking out wedding rings is something you should do together so you can both compromise if there is any disagreement as to style and price.

Take care of the groomsman’’s suits as well as your own. Your bride will care about how you look on your wedding day, so taking care of your suit needs before she has to tell you is a sure fire way to make your intended happy. Be sure that all your attendants will be well prepared for the day as well.

What Your Bride will Expect from You on Your Wedding Day

Of course she will expect you to be at the altar waiting for her on your wedding day, but what else can you do to please your future life partner on such a special occasion? You can be sure that you are clean shaven and well groomed. Check your tuxedo or suit a few days in advance so that there will be no unexpected surprises to ruin the day. Keep a handkerchief handy if you or anyone near you gets emotional. Be sure you have your car keys and the wedding rings as well as your notes for the speech you will be expected to make later.

Lastly, but most importantly, have a good time. This is your day too and enjoying the food and the company on such an auspicious occasion should be high on your list of priorities for your wedding day.

About The Author

Check out our Custom Wedding Favors Koozies at http://www.kustomkoozies.com/

By Linda Dipman

I walked out onto my lavish upstairs veranda and looked over the multitude of homes that lined the city. My eyes suddenly fell upon a beautiful woman through the parted curtains of a small house not far from my home. The shape of her breast and the curve of her hips sent feelings quickly into my body filling me with desire. I wanted her, now!

I sought to find out whom she was and if she would see me. I learned that she was married to a person who worked for me. My heart sank, but my aspiration to see her stopped my better judgment. I thought to myself it wouldn”t be doing anything wrong if I just talked to her. She could be my friend. At once I sent one of my messengers to her home with an invitation to join me for a drink.

When she walked through my door my heart began to pound in my chest because her beauty was so stunning. I showed her my lavish home all the while admiring her sheer elegance. She was well versed in her knowledge of my decor and furniture. I was amazed at her culture and realized after a long conversation that her grandfather was one of my closest business confidants.

The more we talked I realized how much we had in common. I could see from how she smiled and tipped her head up to me on one side that she was interested in everything I said. She even listened intently and asked the right questions when I talked about my immense business.

It was a wonderful friendship that I looked forward to everyday when she came over to my home. Before long she was giving me decorating tips and rearranging my furniture. Each time she came, I would embrace her and kiss her cheek. It was not long before we shared a kiss that turned into more days with more kisses.

The day that it happened was a gorgeous day full of the fragrance of fresh cut flowers and the warmth of the late spring air. We had gone into my bedroom for a moment to place a vase on a table and my arm brushed against her back and at once we embraced for a long passionate kiss. Within a few moments I was undressing her and she was unbuttoning my shirt.

Our bodies united as one releasing our passion for each other. It was as if this day was chosen to be the beginning of many times we would spend together loving each other. Neither of us thought about the fact that she was a married woman until our desires were completely satisfied.

What was once the most exciting thing that had ever happened to me turned into worried thoughts? “What have I done? I have sinned against God and committed adultery.”

The expression of sheer delight that had once lit up her face now changed as she hurriedly dressed. I assured her as she began to leave. “No one will ever no what we did.”

2 Samuel 11: 5-11, “Afterward she discovered that she was pregnant and sent a message to David to tell him.

David then sent a message to Joab: ”Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent him to David. When Uriah arrived, David asked him if Joab and the troops were well, and how the fighting was going. Then he said to Uriah, ”Go on home and rest a while.” Uriah left, and David had a present sent to his home. But Uriah did not go home; instead he slept at the palace gate with the king’’s guards. When David heard that Uriah had not gone home, he asked him, ”You have just returned after a long absence; why didn”t you go home?”

Uriah answered, ”The men of Israel and Judah are away in battle, and the Covenant box is with them; my commander Joab and his officers are camping out in the open. How could I go home, eat and drink, and sleep with my wife? By all that’’s sacred, I swear that I could never do such a thing!””

2 Samuel 11:14-17, “The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by Uriah. He wrote: ”Put Uriah in the front line, where the fighting is heaviest, then retreat and let him be killed.” So while Joab was besieging the city, he sent Uriah to a place where he knew the enemy was strong. The enemy troops came out of the city and fought Joab’’s forces; some of David’’s officers were killed, and so was Uriah.””

2 Samuel 11: 26&27, “When Bathsheba heard that her husband had been killed, she mourned for him. When the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to the palace; she became his wife and bore him a son. But the Lord was not pleased with what David had done.”

There are many mysteries in our world, but to understand why things happen like they do, we must begin by understanding why we need God in our lives. In the beginning God made our world perfect. But when Adam and Eve ate the apple they brought sin into the world in the form of Satan, because they wanted to understand the difference between right and wrong. Read Genesis chapter two in the Bible.

If we are to understand evil we must have examples of what is wrong. David was the first good king of Israel, because he loved God and did His will. Because of his faith he conquered many nations, but he was still a man who had to learn the difference between good and evil.

David was well versed in the laws of Moses. Laws, that came in the form of the Ten Commandments as found in Deuteronomy chapter 5. The laws were instilled within him since he was a little boy. Do not murder, do not commit adultery, were embedded into his mind. He also knew the punishment for such crimes which was an instant sentence of death. Yet because he had conquered many lands and had become very rich, he put aside the very commands that he was directed by God to strictly follow, and gave into his human desires.

1 Peter 5: 8, “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

When you are in a world especially designed to teach you lessons of right and wrong you will be tempted. Sex is the biggest player in the game of life. It stimulates your senses and fills your body with desires that keep you from thinking with your head. Of course Satan will use what you see as a means to tempt you into doing wrong. It goes without saying that Satan will tell you within your very own conscience that it’’s okay, even when God tells you in the Bible it is wrong.

Knowledge brings freedom to all people who commit their ways unto the Lord. Christians walk through the world with their eyes wide open because they read their Bibles and pray. They also have the indwelling Holy Spirit that acts as a guide telling them when they are about to stray from the narrow path of God.

Because David had the voice of the Holy Spirit within him, he suffered a very harsh punishment. In 2 Samuel chapter 12 God sends Nathan a prophet to tell David what his punishment would be for committing these horrible sins.

2 Samuel 12: 7b-14, “And this is what the Lord God of Israel says: ”I made you king of Israel and rescued you from Saul. I gave you his kingdom and his wives; I made you king over Israel and Judah. If this had not been enough, I would have given you twice as much. Why, then, have you disobeyed my commands? Why did you do this evil thing? You had Uriah killed in battle; you let the Ammonites kill him, and then you took his wife! Now, in every generation some of your descendants will die a violent death because you have disobeyed me and have taken Uriah’’s wife. I swear to you that I will cause someone from your own family to bring trouble on you. You will see it when I take your wives from you and give them to another man; and he will have intercourse with them in broad daylight. You sinned in secret, but I will make this happen in broad daylight for all Israel to see.”

”I have sinned against the Lord,” David said.
Nathan replied, ”The Lord forgives you; you will not die. But because you have shown such contempt for the Lord in doing this, your child will die.””

When you are in a life game there must be repercussions for sin. In order to understand how bad evil is, we must have consequences for giving into evil. Because David was a wealthy king his punishment had to be greater than most people would have suffered. If you read the entire story about David’’s sons in Samuel chapter 12 through the end of second Samuel, you will see that not only did the baby die, but also three of his older sons died violent deaths as a result of his punishment for sin.

Adultery is always done in secret. It is a very big player in the game of life because people are constantly around other people through the work environment, church, and friendly gatherings. You can meet at the Mall or even out jogging in the park. Adultery can change the entire course of a person’’s life devastating and impacting the children, grandparents and friends forever of the individuals that are involved. Follow God and resist Satan’’s traps!

About The Author

Linda C Dipman author of THE GAME OF LIFE IT”S ALMOST OVER http://outskirtspress.com/gameoflife presents AND HIS LOVE SHONE DOWN my true life story! It describes all the persecutions I endured. It will put you on the edge of your seat as you read each vivid detail. You will feel terror and experience love like nothing you have ever read before. lovinghandsministry.com