A Successful Failure, part 2

Last week we embarked upon an urgent concern surrounding family success or failure. The point was made by defining success as "fortune" and failure as a careless regard for the original institution. Marriage and family failure has reached epidemic proportion in today's society.

There are many families who have a sincere concern for marital maintenance or marriage recovery. The major cause of marital failure is the lack of respect for, or the understanding of, the marriage institution. Since marriage originated with God, it is reasonable to assume that God must always be in the marriage. A loss of respect for the creator and originator of marriage is a sure recipe for a marriage failure.

The best approach to marital maintenance or recovery is to establish or renew your relationship with the Creator. Trust Him to begin the process for full recovery to a normal, healthy marriage.

Marriage is something that will influence and affect your life both in this world and in the life to come. A sincere partner will not advance his plans in the direction of marriage without the knowledge that God approves his course. Weigh every sentiment and watch every development of character in the one with whom you are thinking of linking your life destiny.

You may have a very successful marriage. A successful marriage is a happy one and breeds happy, successful offspring. Thus you are building a strong foundation for future success for many generations. Take the time to nurture your partner. It takes love, patience, and hard work to achieve true success in your marriage and family.

God bless you,
Pastor Jones

A Successful Failure

It appears that the fortune of a very wealthy golfer is threatened by any number of external variables, both public and private. You can decide for yourself what you believe the variables to be. No, I do not speak of the sponsors who are dropping him one by one.

We sometimes use the word fortune to describe wealth or material accumulation. The truth of the matter is that each of us has inherited a God-given fortune that should be treasured: life and family. It is my opinion that family is the most vital source of wealth and fortune one could ever realize in this life. It is an extension of God Himself. God created human fortune on the sixth day of creation week when He created family. Family may not only be considered a fortune (by some) but it is a treasure. This is much more than the wealthy golfer can ever earn after 18 holes.

There is too much at risk when a man allows a temporary thrill or fling to threaten the fortune that he certified with an oath at the altar. This may very well be the beginning of many lives heading toward a dysfunctional future. The wife and children in the family are an essential part of the wealth and happiness to one another and to society. It is always disastrous to gamble with a life. Life is too precious, it is not ours to give, to take or to destroy.

I am personally thankful to be fortunate enough to be born into wealth. Please don't misunderstand, I am part of a very humble family with hardly any material wealth. We are still fortunate to be part of a strong family foundation.

You too are wealthy. Please be sure that you do not squander this treasure. I intend to expand upon this blessing of fortune of which you are also recipients. Let's talk again soon.

God bless you,
Pastor Jones