Spiritual Life - Some Thoughts

 

God created space and time and matter – creation – all to reveal Himself to us by entering into His creation and redeeming us from it. Becoming the 'firstborn of many brethren.'

Everyone seems to be seeking a spiritual awakening all while having no clue what spiritual is other than what they themselves decide. This logic is faulty - and we can clearly see we are souls with bodies that are dying, body = physical .. soul = not physical .. soul is who we are. We can also see that our soul is connected to the body now and has been since we came into existence – but we also “know” instinctively we are not “literally” our bodies (ie. If a man loses his arms and legs – he is no less of a man than before – because in reality he is a soul) 

So what if who we are (our soul) needs true life in order to live forever?  This is just the case. Physical life is the blueprint for true, spiritual life. God Himself is Spirit and lets us know how we can be reborn in spirit and exist with Him forever in perfect peace. Free from sin.

How else would you suggest we come to know God but that He did all the work in introducing Himself to us and removing us from this realm? Are we not merely humans? The word human literally means “lowly one.”

I came into the spiritual world with no background in churches or religion of any kind. So since coming to know God and what He has done for us, I am simply more shocked daily at what people are doing in His name; but still unashamed and eager to discuss with anyone willing. 

I find most "Christian" television and music appalling. No wonder everyone thinks we are crazy. From what they allow on TV and in music production sounds like we are all about ourselves and money. Sad that others can represent you before you yourself get a chance to. 

If only people would turn to God instead of allowing their opinion of Him to remain based on the words or actions of other sinners. But - I remember what it was like not to know Him. How can you turn to Someone you have never met? Well folks, therein lies the mystery of God. He has always been and always will be. We must “call upon Him while He is near.”

He is Spirit and must be worshiped in Spirit and in Truth. Acknowledge His truth and receive your spirit. Take Him at His word - let no one else's words throw smoke over His...We are born separated from Him but it does not have to remain that way.

You can bring nothing to Him but He has given everything to you. Your life, your body, and even HIS life and HIS body – He died on the cross and rose again to reveal His power over sin and death. He did not sin while in the body, so His innocent blood is sufficient to forgive us all our sins. We need only acknowledge God as Truth and Love – made manifest in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth.

Unbelievable? Yes. It takes a work of God to believe it. You must be born again. You will surely die - but if you receive new spiritual life by surrendering to God you will never really die, but instead be ushered into the presence of God upon your physical death and see what He has in store for His children.

If you do not receive spiritual life, you will simply remain separated from God, as you were in the body. Your soul will have no spiritual life to allow your soul to go be with God - Who is Spirit. You will remain as you were, as you chose and saw fit, for all eternity.

We must see that God knows better than we.

The Grand Proposal

My maiden name means "burnt meadow" or "burnt woodland clearing" - shortly after coming to know God, I came to know my husband. My maiden name, fittingly, "burned up" and I took on a new one.

Because of the tradition of swapping names, I actually looked into it to see if it was something I cared to do. Brides originally took the last name of their bridegroom not to show he is greater, but to signify them surrendering their life, their being, to this man, all that he is, and for his love that he will provide for her. The man, likewise, surrenders his very name, and being, to the woman. Extending his existence into another being - hers alone.

Beautiful - at least I think so. Maybe you do, too.

That's because God made man and woman to be a picture of Christ and His Bride (the church - the entire born again population that exists with Him forever) In heaven, God will provide everything, perfectly for everyone, and (of course) know everything...and by definition God is eternal (we were made to learn......about Him.....hence eternity is "set in our hearts") There - this new world (coming after this one is somewhat like a "burnt meadow") this...Heaven we've heard so much about, He will have perfect union with His people.

It is as if God proposed to us...the human race, if we follow the Bible's logic. He gives us a new identity, and we gladly give our lives to Him for it.

Hey - you think maybe that is why men began "popping the question" ... ? Makes it harder to say ... no. ;D !

<3 But God...He is patient.


'All flesh is grass,
    and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades
    when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
    surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
    but the word of our God will stand forever.'
Isaiah 40:6-8

Dying to Live

On April 3, 2011 - I acknowledged the fact that I had sinned. I acknowledged God's existence. And I knew in my heart of hearts that I wanted something truly pure and beautiful in my life for the first time but also knew I could never manifest that purity and beauty myself. In that same moment, it was as if God answered me in my heart immediately and said, "Me. It is Me." I knew I needed Him more than I needed anything. I wanted Him to take control of my life, and I asked Him to forgive me for everything. For ignoring Him for so long. I gave myself over to Him.

Seconds later, crying, I realized I truly was forgiven because I still felt God's presence and was at total peace; I could literally feel that the weight of my sins and the torment of sins others had committed against me had been lifted from me, this is unexplainable other than the way I just told you. I could even see how He had been with me throughout my life, guiding me, protecting me. And past sins I had buried were cleared up and revealed to me for what they really were.

Months later, I had still done nearly no growing spiritually for many reasons, but to keep this as concise as possible, I will say truly it was because I was not seeking Him. See, I didn't understand how this spiritual life worked. I didn't even realize I was now spirit, or even that Jesus was (is) God and that He was the whole reason I now had communion with God. I had still barely opened a Bible and did not know it was the inerrant word of God (until later). All I knew was that I was different than before and desired new things, but I didn't know what those new things were or how to pursue them. One night though, I read the following verses:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1 

 "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Now, I only read to "became flesh" of the second verse and then threw my hand over my mouth as if I couldn't believe what I had just read. Tears came to my eyes, I remembered with clarity the Gospel. I can not tell you how many times I heard the Gospel in my life; I can not tell you who told me the Gospel, I might say no more than 5, but in reality, I am totally unsure.) Even though for some reason, I had not understood it before, at that moment, I did. I understood and believed that God had come as a man, Jesus, and died for our sin. That was WHY and HOW I was experiencing the forgiveness and the communion with God. I spent the rest of that night pouring over Bibles and pretty much have ever since. That very night I even researched and wrote about the Temptation Of Jesus, and it was that night I discovered that God had introduced Himself to us in ways I had never imagined. He put on flesh, was born, walked with His feet, worked with His hands, and delivered His body up to death on a cross without uttering one vile word. He lived the only sinless life, being the only one that ever could. He prayed for those who murdered Him. Then, three days after His burial, He rose. To reveal to us that He was God, and He had power over death, and if we believed Him, we would be able to share in His victory over death as well and be granted everlasting life. THIS was the NEW life I had been experiencing, feeling, longing to nurture and make thrive.

I needed truth. God must be worshiped in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

Now, backing up a bit, because of this experience and my near no-knowledge rebirth, I had examined myself many times to ensure I was not lying when I said I was born again on 4/3/11 - but as my husband says, the level of knowledge about your salvation does not determine your salvation. The question is, are you saved? Are you born again? I knew that day I had a new nature, but as a newborn, I still needed to grow, and even though I did so extremely slowly (nearly not at all), I feel, during the months leading up to the point I read those verses, I still could tell I was not the same person I used to be as of that day. It is intriguing, but the way I have come to explain it is:

When you are born, do you have any knowledge of what you are? Do you even realize that you are human? No. We know nothing, only that we need the breast; we need milk. We need nourishment; we must live.

When I was born again, I truly was like a little baby, lying there on the floor of my inner being, crying out for milk but circumstances and my lack of knowledge led me to try and continue living as I had been while still just thinking about God on my own, wondering when He would move again, or show me some sign. In fact, He did. Someone did a tarot card reading on me (though now I know this is borderline heresy, hehe, it was "just for fun" - a three-card reading). Not only that, but I was told to "ask the cards a question" - well, I knew these inanimate cards would not give me an answer, but I knew full well God could. So I prayed, "Lord, I do not feel I am on the right path. I want to be on Your path. Please show me that I am on the right path or show me how to get there. I trust You."

The three cards were laid out. They were meant to represent the past, present, and future. I do not remember what the first two cards said. In fact, I basically forgot right after they were read. But the future card resonates with me. It was THE SUN. And the first sentence of the reading: "You will receive a spiritual teacher" - I knew God had used the cards to answer my prayer..and He did - it was He, Himself.

It has been 3 years, 3 months, and 13 days since my rebirth. I have gotten so close to God so fast yet still know I have so very far to go. I have removed myself from the world in many ways, and it has allowed me to meditate on His truths and learn more than I could before. I cannot explain how God has placed me where He has so that I would come to know Him and be with the right people that lead me to this beautiful place in my life. We are burdened by debt and many other issues that, at first, were almost overwhelming for newlyweds with a new baby and no real parenting experience. But with God's help, guidance and love, we persevere and follow Him in faith. I see Him working in our marriage and in the lives of those around us.

As a result of all this, I simply cannot live my life in the same ways I have been. Compassion for others has been set in my heart, one that bloomed the moment I laid eyes on my baby girl. It was as if when I held her and brought her to my chest for the first time, I was holding every human ever born.

We were all babies once.

I know all too well evil is alive and active in this world, as I am sure you do as well, and things are happening that make me weep if I think on them too long. But the greater thing that is happening is that God is saving people, no matter what evil people commit. And the one perfect way He set it all right, the reason He is able to save us, is because He came and died on the cross and rose again. Defeating death and sin. Because of that, we all have a chance to live.

In order to live, though, we must die. What do I mean by this? We must die to ourselves. We all know we are going to die at some point. We can ignore that fact and try and build ourselves up here in this life all we want, but the reality of it will creep in faster than you think, and many people don't even see it coming, but they have known their entire lives, it would certainly come. To prepare for our day of death, we must give our lives over to God; being born again, we can die to ourselves, give up our old ways of life, and seek new ways, righteous ways, and His ways. Only by Him giving us His nature and allowing us to be born of the Spirit are we able to do this. So it is truly a work of God so that none of us can boast. We are all equal in Christ.

I was dying to live before I met God, but in reality, I was just dying. Now, I am alive in the spirit. But by choosing to die to my flesh and live for Him, I am discovering profound truths I never thought possible and seeing the beauty I craved before I met Him, in Him.

Are you dying to live? Try dying to self. If you have not surrendered yourself to God, though, this will be impossible. He will not force you, but He is waiting for you.

Biblical Validity Found Outside the Bible

If you deny Jesus' existence by simply stating you don't believe in the Bible - or don't know how accurate the Bible is - or any other reason based on the Bible's validity - this post is for you.

We have documentation of Jesus' existence, death, and resurrection. And not just in the Bible, there are other accounts from other sources that support and offer more credibility to the life, death and divine nature of Jesus Christ.

Below are some of those accounts - I have highlighted some of my favorite key points.

source (and where you can read more): http://carm.org/non-biblical-accounts-new-testament-events-andor-people

1. "Flavius Josephus (A.D. 37?-101?, a Jewish historian) mentions John the Baptist and Herod--Antiquities, Book 18, ch. 5, par. 2
   1. "Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness."
2. Flavius Josephus (A.D. 37?-101?) mentions Jesus--Antiquities, Book 18, ch. 3, par. 3.
   1. Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles.  He was [the] Christ.  And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, (9) those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; (10) as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him.  And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.
      1. There is debate among scholars as to the authenticity of this quote since it is so favorable to Jesus.  For more information on this, please see Regarding the quotes from the historian Josephus about Jesus
3. Flavius Josephus (A.D. 37?-101?) mentions Ananias the High Priest who was mentioned in Acts 23:2
   1. Now as soon as Albinus was come to the city of Jerusalem, he used all his endeavors and care that the country might be kept in peace, and this by destroying many of the Sicarii.  But as for the high priest, Ananias (25) he increased in glory every day, and this to a great degree, and had obtained the favor and esteem of the citizens in a signal manner; for he was a great hoarder up of money
   2. Acts 23:2, "And the high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him [Paul] on the mouth."
4. Pliny the Younger mentioned Christ. Pliny was governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor.  Pliny wrote ten books.  The tenth around AD 112.
   1. "They (the Christians) were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food but food of an ordinary and innocent kind."
      1. Pliny, Letters, transl. by William Melmoth, rev. by W.M.L. Hutchinson (Cambridge: Harvard Univ. Press, 1935), vol. II, X:96 as cited in Habermas, Gary R., The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ, (Joplin, MO: College Press Publishing Company) 1996.
5. Lucian (circa 120-after 180) mentions Jesus. Greek writer and rhetorician.
   1. "The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account. . . . You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws.  All this they take quite on faith, with the result that they despise all worldly goods alike, regarding them merely as common property."
      1. Lucian, The Death of Peregrine, 1113, in The Works of Lucian of Samosata, transl. by H.W. Fowler and F.G. Fowler, 4 vols. (Oxford: Clarendon, 1949), vol. 4, as cited in Habermas, Gary R., The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ, (Joplin, MO: College Press Publishing Company) 1996.
      2. Though Lucian opposed Christianity, he acknowledges Jesus, that Jesus was crucified, that Christians worship him, and that this was done by faith"

The Bible is a historical document packed with information that is helpful, applicable, and endlessly interesting. Once you take the first four words at face value "In the beginning God.." you can start to read the rest of it in the manner it was intended.

Christ's life, death, and resurrection are not mere bits of history for us to dismiss. They are vital pieces of truth that if we do not come to terms with we will wrestle with for the rest of our lives.

He died, so that we do not have to. His resurrection is the proof and justification of our faith. If we don't believe the words our brothers wrote so long ago - why do we push forward another day reading the words of other men and running them through our filters? Judging them with our faulty minds?

Friends, if we pay no heed to what they decided was so important that we all read - so important they all died for it - then what are you heeding? Who do you trust? People who will die telling you something you don't want to hear or people who will tell you anything to help themselves live?

And no matter what anyone says about Jesus, His actions speak as loud as His words. All the way to the cross. Yet His words were so hard hitting we still have them today.

God is not mocked.

"and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously" 1 Peter2:23

"A Baby Girl is Nothing to Celebrate"

"At last, the baby began to crown, and with him came the fulfillment of his parents’ wishes. Five years of barrenness, five years of bitter arguments—this baby would put it all in the past. He would bring pride to the family, reap a dowry from his bride and help provide for the family. He would restore his family’s joy.

As the baby took his first breaths, however, something wasn’t right, and hopes built up over the last nine months quickly died away.
Mayuri and Rafat’s little boy turned out to be a little girl—and that was nothing to celebrate.

Drunken Father Abuses Family, Steals Wages"

Click to read more about the reality of treatment of our sisters (and brothers) in Asia, and what you can do to help them.

http://www.gfa.org/news/articles/a-baby-girl-is-nothing-to-celebrate/

Test Drives and Sex Drives

"You have to take test drives before you buy a car.”
a.k.a.
“You need to have sex before marriage” (some think a little, some think a lot, some think a whole lot.) This is in order to “make sure” it will be “good” the rest of your life. They may also think the “experience” will help them in bed with their future spouse. 

To dispel these lies, I want to start by saying that there is absolutely no way you will be able to tell, no matter how many times you have sex (with whomever) how “good” it will be in the future. The act(s) will not give you any determining factors for that, unless you are thinking of something in the ballpark of physical appearance, and guess what – that changes, too. Not one, nor can any number of sexual experiences in any way hold information as to what future experiences will be like. There are far too many determining factors. For these same reasons, no amount of “experience” is going to help you with your future Mr. or Mrs…a basic sex-ed class will do (you just need to know how things work.) 

In addition, there are a slew of vital details that one must take into consideration before saying, "I literally want to see you every day for the rest of my life. I want to breathe the same air, eat the same food and share the same bed, and, oh yea, everything else." 

If the person is right, the sex will be, too.

I committed enough sexual sin before my marriage to know that it is NOT something I want my daughter to partake in. I want her to know that after my choices (all of which resulting in some form of negativity, high-emotion and/or high-stress situations, and much more that was all, ultimately, pointless.) But, not. Because now I can tell her boldly and with certainty what her mother advises her to do, with sound reasoning. I want her to know that waiting for your husband is wise, healthy, and loving (towards him, though you may not know him yet)

So back to the car. Do you want one with a lot of miles on it? Get zero if you could…wouldn’t you?

If you could ;)

Noahic Flood

*blog is currently a work in progress*

This blog is dedicated to the geological and archaeological evidence that has been found that points to Noah's Ark, and a global (or, Noahic) flood.

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VIDEO: Discovery and exploration of the Ark site, located in Turkey.

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Here are a few great images of what is believed to be the Ark photographed at different times (no I don't know when). Personally, after examining the evidence I, too, see no reason to believe 

that this is not the boat that Noah and his family were in.

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Culturally, we find stories of a flood all over the world that depict a man and his family being saved in a boat. (This does not discredit the true version of the Bible, rather it points to its accuracy, the fact that flood stories exist solidifies the fact that one happened.)

Below are some comparisons about the stories cited from: http://www.icr.org/article/570/272/

"Over the years I have collected more than 200 of these stories, originally reported by various missionaries, anthropologists, and ethnologists. While the differences are not always trivial, the common essence of the stories is instructive as compiled below:

1. Is there a favored family? 88%
2. Were they forewarned? 66%
3. Is flood due to wickedness of man? 66%
4. Is catastrophe only a flood? 95%
5. Was flood global? 95%
6. Is survival due to a boat? 70%
7. Were animals also saved? 67%
8. Did animals play any part? 73%
9. Did survivors land on a mountain? 57%
10. Was the geography local? 82%
11. Were birds sent out? 35%
12. Was the rainbow mentioned? 7%
13. Did survivors offer a sacrifice? 13%
14. Were specifically eight persons saved? 9%"
    
    
    And here is a nifty little chart of the stories also 

(source: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n2/flood-legends) 

Visit that link to read about some of the other stories, if you like.

Click to enlarge.

Chart adapted from B.C. Nelson, The Deluge Story in Stone, Appendix 11, Flood Traditions, Figure 38, Augsburg, Minneapolis, 1931.

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Abortion and the Pro-Life Stance

Here you can find facts and resources on abortion and the pro-life stance. This page will continue to grow as I locate more resources I would like to list. I created this page because the reality is that we are killing our children. Whether or not it is legal is not my issue. I used to hold a pro-choice stance. I am now vehemently pro LIFE and do not condemn anyone in regards to their opinion about this  - I simply want people to know the truth and for those that do know the truth, to stop lying.

We are killing humans.

"There is a tremendous consensus in the scientific community about when life begins.  This is hardly controversial.  If the claim were made that life was discovered on another planet, for example, there are well-defined criteria to which we could refer to conclusively determine whether the claim was accurate.  How do scientists distinguish between life and non-life?

A scientific textbook called "Basics of Biology" gives five characteristics of living things; these five criteria are found in all modern elementary scientific textbooks:

1. Living things are highly organized.

2. All living things have an ability to acquire materials and energy.

3. All living things have an ability to respond to their environment.

4. All living things have an ability to reproduce.

5. All living things have an ability to adapt.

According to this elementary definition of life, life begins at fertilization, when a sperm unites with an oocyte.  From this moment, the being is highly organized, has the ability to acquire materials and energy, has the ability to respond to his or her environment, has the ability to adapt, and has the ability to reproduce (the cells divide, then divide again, etc., and barring pathology and pending reproductive maturity has the potential to reproduce other members of the species).  Non-living things do not do these things.  Even before the mother is aware that she is pregnant, a distinct, unique life has begun his or her existence inside her."

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"180" - An award winning documentary. Do you remember Adolf Hitler? It seems he and his mass killing is already being forgotten. No surprise in a country that kills the unborn...we are experiencing "The American Holocaust"

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BABIES ARE MURDERED HERE (Documentary)




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True story of Melissa Ohden - saline abortion survivor. Yes, survivor. Which is what every single aborted baby would be if they had indeed - SURVIVED.



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WARNING: GRAPHIC
This film contains a live ultrasound video of an abortion procedure on a 12 week old baby.



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Former Abortionist and father tells his story: http://www.lifenews.com/2014/06/10/he-did-thousands-of-abortions-but-stopped-and-dedicated-his-life-to-god-after-this-happened/

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Visit ( http://www.lifenews.com ) for inspiring, informative and interesting stories regarding abortion and people who chose life.


Visit ( http://www.prolifephysicians.org/app/ ) to see what physicians are saying about when life begins...including the FATHER OF MODERN GENETICS...this is also where I got the excerpt I quoted at the top of this page.


Visit ( http://fallibleblogma.com/index.php/when-does-science-say-human-life-begins ) for a good read on when SCIENCE says life begins.

Biblical Submission

 The Biblical view of "submission" unraveled.

Some folks think that the Bible instructs women to submit to their husbands, in turn dismissing all their rights etc. .. that the husband rules the wife with an iron fist .. or in some way they have a negative view about the terms “submit” and "submission."

This view is a misconception, mostly stemming from the Bible being read out of context. If I may...

For starters, the Bible actually instructs us ALL to submit to one another (ref Ephesians 5:21) it repeatedly affirms that all men/women/HUMANS are equal...regardless of age skin color status or gender. (Galatians 3:28, Romans 2:11, John 13:16 to name just a few references)

Moving on, the term "submit" means to CHOOSE to care for and love someone with all your heart...to put them first in your life. (If this sounds odd then I must ask, why get married? Why unless you're saying "I want to know everything about this person, care for them, grow with them in every way and love and respect them, they mean more to me than, me" .. ?

In the marriage institution (Biblically) the husband is representative of Christ, the wife representative of the body (the bride, the entire born again population) so to get married means to display the choice of a partner, a lover, someone you are choosing to become "one" with...and since you are now "one" ... you treat them just as you would treat your own body (ref Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Corinthians 7:4)

To clarify further... husbands are instructed to love their wives as Christ loved the church...not tell them what to do with their own opinions/hearts (unless guided by God) that way it is not the husband ruling/leading the marriage, it is GOD – Who the wife would be subject to as well. So there is no disputing who rules who. They are perfect equals. So there is a CO-submission going on, a constant act of loving your spouse and putting them first.

So...husbands loving their wives AS Christ loved the church = Christ DIED for the church...laid down His life so that "we might have it more abundantly." (ref John 10:10) Husbands are to live lives in which they have their wife's best interest in mind at all times...to lay down their lives for their woman to symbolize how Christ laid His down for all of us. That, my friends, is also SUBMISSION.

And wives are to want to learn about their husbands...love them actively as he actively loves her also…in whatever way(s) that may be for them.

You don't get married to find flaws in someone or change them to your liking, that is selfish and why (I feel, and sources claim) many marriages end in divorce, because of unrealistic and therefore unmet expectations of the spouse.

In marriage, we get to embrace someone for all that they are (baggage, issues and all) and love them with all our hearts, learn what makes them tick as they do the same with us allowing the marriage bond to grow and truly, "get better with age” in all ways.