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<title>Christian Living Feed</title><link>http://www.bibleversesbytopic.com/index.html</link><description>Best of the Bloggers</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>bob_larranaga@yahoo.com</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2010 Bob Larranaga</dc:rights><dc:date>2010-09-18T08:26:49-04:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:48:46 -0400</lastBuildDate><item><title>Five Steps to Setting Goals with Your Spouse</title><dc:creator>bob_larranaga@yahoo.com</dc:creator><category>Goals</category><dc:date>2010-09-18T08:26:49-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.bibleversesbytopic.com/bloggers/bloggers_files/share_your_goals_with_your_spouse.html#unique-entry-id-21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bibleversesbytopic.com/bloggers/bloggers_files/share_your_goals_with_your_spouse.html#unique-entry-id-21</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In order to set goals, you must decide what is important to you individually and as a couple. ...  To be realistic, you should limit the number of short-term and long-term goals to a manageable number; prioritize them; and set a deadline with mileposts along the way.


...In the goal-setting process, you have to decide what resources you&rsquo;ll need to reach your goals, determine what steps you have to take to reach them, and agree on how you will measure your progress.


Inevitably, goals involve some sacrifice and compromise so it is important that you engage in open dialog and listen attentively to what is said and how it is said.


Many couples start out with the goal of having successful careers, a large home in the suburbs, 2.5 loving children, luxury cars and dream vacations. ...  But achieving any goal is not a matter of luck; it takes a concerted effort by both spouses in the face of numerous challenges and setbacks.


...At the outset, the ideas may seem a little vague and unrealistic, but avoid criticism and listen actively &ndash; playing back what each other have to say in order to make sure you understand. 

...Decide which one of you is responsible for the family finances, draw up a budget and sit down once a month to review where you are at on routine household expenses and the money you need to set aside to achieve your goals.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Spiritual Journaling: The Diary of a Soul</title><dc:creator>bob_larranaga@yahoo.com</dc:creator><category>Spirituality</category><dc:date>2010-09-18T08:20:54-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.bibleversesbytopic.com/bloggers/bloggers_files/spiritual_journaling_diary_of_a_soul.html#unique-entry-id-20</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bibleversesbytopic.com/bloggers/bloggers_files/spiritual_journaling_diary_of_a_soul.html#unique-entry-id-20</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[But the quote-a-day format can pose an artificial limit on the length of your entries so you may prefer a simple, but sturdy cloth or leather bound book with a spiral spine in which the lined pages lie flat when the book is open. 

...Then begin by reading a passage from the Bible or a daily devotional aid followed by a few moments of reflection on how it applies to your life.


...Read slowly, and reflectively: The key to working with reference materials is to read slowly, even aloud, underlining or highlighting passages that trigger thoughts you may want to journal about. 

...Write quickly: Start each day&rsquo;s entry on a separate page, dated at the top so you can later find out how your thinking has changed over time. ...  The length of your journal entries will vary from day to day, depending on what&rsquo;s going on in your life, but most days you should be able to fill one or more pages with your thoughts and feelings. 

...Use your journal as a road map for your spiritual journey: Keep in mind that a spiritual journal differs from a traditional diary in that the focus is not solely on you, but on you and your relationship with the Lord.   It&rsquo;s not meant to be a chronological recital of the events of your life, but rather an exploration of how God is revealing Himself and His plan for your life, day by day. ...  For the most part, you will write in the first person when expressing your thoughts and feelings, but at times, you may find it helpful to switch to the second person singular or third person singular. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Creating a Sacred Space in Your Home</title><dc:creator>bob_larranaga@yahoo.com</dc:creator><category>Home</category><dc:date>2010-09-18T08:16:22-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.bibleversesbytopic.com/bloggers/bloggers_files/creating_a_sacred_space_in_your_home.html#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bibleversesbytopic.com/bloggers/bloggers_files/creating_a_sacred_space_in_your_home.html#unique-entry-id-19</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This passage from Exodus makes clear we are to create a sanctuary in which to meet with Almighty God. ...  The home is your haven &ndash; a place where you retreat from the cares of the world to renew yourself in body, mind and spirit.


While you&rsquo;re surrounded at home by things that give you a sense of peace, comfort and joy, you&rsquo;re also in the midst of a busy household where space is at a premium and contemplation can be difficult.


To put yourself in the right frame of mind for prayer, you&rsquo;ll want to create a sacred place within the home.   It can be in your bedroom, den, patio or garden but in any case it should be out of the normal traffic pattern and away from distracting sounds, such as television commercials and ticking clocks.


Your sanctuary might be denoted by a small area rug and furnished with personal items that make you mindful of the Divine Presence: an inspiring quote, a crucifix, a piece of religious art or a statue, a plant and cozy lap blanket. ...  Of course, your sanctuary should also have a cozy chair, reading lamp, desk or writing surface and the books you need for prayer, Bible study and journaling.


It&rsquo;s best to enter your sacred space at the same time each day and to follow a set ritual that will help you calm down and center your thoughts on God&rsquo;s numinous presence.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Finding Your Soul Mate</title><dc:creator>bob_larranaga@yahoo.com</dc:creator><category>Soul Mate</category><dc:date>2010-09-17T18:49:27-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.bibleversesbytopic.com/bloggers/bloggers_files/finding_your_soul_mate.html#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bibleversesbytopic.com/bloggers/bloggers_files/finding_your_soul_mate.html#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[An individual&rsquo;s personality or tendency to react in certain ways throughout life can determine whether he or she would make a good soul mate; that is, whether your temperaments complement one another.   That is not to say that both of you need to have the same temperament; in fact, opposites often attract and complement one another.   But both of you will have to be willing to adapt and grow, led by the Holy Spirit to become all you are meant to be..


Basically, there are four temperaments known by names that date back centuries: choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic and melancholic.


Choleric personalities are enthusiastic, highly motivated, strong-willed, task-oriented, no-nonsense people who know how to get things done. 

...Phlegmatic personalities are laid back, easy going people with a quick sense of humor who are fun to be around. 

...Though our basic temperaments never change, we can and should grow spiritually by capitalizing on our strengths and overcoming our weaknesses.   Thus, a spirit-controlled temperament is the most important trait to look for in a soul mate.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Freedom of Choice Isn&#x27;t Free</title><dc:creator>bob_larranaga@yahoo.com</dc:creator><category>Decisions</category><dc:date>2010-09-17T17:58:53-04:00</dc:date><link>http://www.bibleversesbytopic.com/bloggers/bloggers_files/freedom_of_choice_is_not_free.html#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bibleversesbytopic.com/bloggers/bloggers_files/freedom_of_choice_is_not_free.html#unique-entry-id-17</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If we knew how every decision would turn out, it wouldn't be a matter of choice, it would be a foregone conclusion.


...But most of the time, we don&rsquo;t have to think through our choices. 

...However, when faced with a choice of some magnitude, we have to think things through or be prepared to pay a steep price for any mistake we might make in haste.   It could be an important choice that we gladly make, such as getting married, having a baby, accepting a better job or moving to another city and starting a new way of life.   But it  could also be a choice that we&rsquo;re forced to make as a result of a natural disaster, mounting debts, sickness, divorce or some other personal calamity.   In any case, when the situation is too big to ignore, we have to pause and think it through in order to make a smart choice.


...If we make the wrong choice, we are not the only one to pay for our mistake. ...  They may mean having to tell an elderly parent that you can no longer care for him or her; that it is time to move into a nursing home. 
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