For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
--2 Corinthians 1:5

The Chicago Tribune published a story once about 15-year-old Douglas Maurer. He had suffered from a high fever and flu-like symptoms for several days, so finally his mother took him to the hospital. It was there that Douglas was diagnosed with leukemia.

The doctors explained the disease to Douglas and said he would have to undergo intense chemotherapy for the next three years. They told him about the side effects that would follow…baldness and a bloated body…and Douglas became very depressed.

To lift his spirits, Douglas' aunt called a local floral shop to send him a flower arrangement. She told the clerk it was for her teenage nephew who had leukemia.

When the beautiful flowers arrived at the hospital, Douglas read the card from his aunt. Then he saw a second card attached that said:

"Douglas - I took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old. I'm 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you.
Sincerely, Laura Bradley."

For the first time since his diagnosis, Douglas' face lit up.

Douglas Maurer was in a hospital filled with sophisticated medical equipment and technology. He was being treated by some of the best doctors and nurses around. But it was a simple sales clerk in a flower shop that took the time to care. She was the one person who gave Douglas hope to carry on.

Is there someone in your life suffering from some sort of affliction who needs comfort? If so, seek to show them love, compassion, and encouragement. You could be the one person who can make a difference in the life of another who is suffering without hope.

PRAYER CHALLENGE:

Pray that the Lord would help you to bring comfort and encouragement to someone who needs it more than ever today.

By Eric Scalise, Ph.D.

When I talk with couples who are interested in growing their marriages, they frequently ask about practical strategies they can integrate into their daily lives, things that will both deepen and strengthen the relationship. I often give them the One Another challenge - a purposeful way to walk out the various "one anothers" found in the New Testament. Some themes such as love and encouragement, are repeated a number of times, but I found 30 unique, proactive verses (from the NASB) - one for each day of the month—that offer husbands and wives an opportunity for God's Word to accomplish its transforming work both in and through the marriage. Here, in Part One, are the first 15 passages to reflect on.

Take a moment and read each verse in context. Then, prayerfully ask God for how He wants you to respond to His commandment. Communicate this intentionally and as a blessing to your spouse… in word and in deed.

Day 1: "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Mk. 9:50

Is there an area within the marriage that is a constant source of conflict and strife? Where are you out of rest? Fire cleanses and salt is a preservative. What is one thing you will do today to "preserve" the peace in your home—not merely as a peacekeeper, but as a peacemaker?

Day 2: "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet." Jn. 13:14

Washing feet is symbolic of taking the lowest place when it comes to serving another person. It is an act of loving and gracious care. How will you wash your spouse's feet today? In fact, consider doing exactly that as a model of humility for your life partner.

Day 3: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you." Jn. 13:34

Love is a noun, but it is more of an action word. Choose a meaningful and tangible expression that demonstrates love to your spouse. Jesus walked out His love through the message of the cross. It was His altar. What sacrifice do you offer today?

Day 4: "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love." Rom. 12:10a

Devotion often speaks of unfailing loyalty and commitment to another…to an organization, a task or a cause. In what way will you devote yourself to your spouse today? Consider this as a gift, given not out of obligation or necessity, but with great joy, faithfulness and enthusiasm.

Day 5: "Give preference to one another in honor." Rom. 12:10b

Showing preference is a way to communicate that others are more important than you are, that their needs and concerns have precedence or higher priority at the moment. When done publically, it also conveys honor. Honor your spouse today and give him or her the higher place.

Day 6: "Be of the same mind toward one another." Rom. 12:16

There is always power in unity, even a blessing. Saying, "I love you!" is personally meaningful for so many. Saying, "I love us!" speaks to the greater quality of the relationship. Where do you need to seek unity with your spouse today? How can you have an "us" moment?

Day 7: "Let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." Rom. 14:19

The very foundation for a biblical marriage is Christ Himself, and we can be confident that it is both firm and secure. Building up something speaks of increase, development, expansion and growth. You need the right plans, the right tools and must put forth the effort.

Day 8: "Accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God." Rom. 15:7

Most people don't necessarily fall in love with someone who is opposite, as much as someone who is different. Aren't you glad you didn't marry your clone? Yet, we still wrestle with our differences. Acknowledge, affirm and celebrate one treasured aspect of your spouse today.

Day 9: "Greet one another with a holy kiss." Rom. 16:16

In Jewish tradition, this is an outward expression of affection, kindness, and abiding friendship. Physical touch is important in any marriage, and not just sexual touch. There are also ways to verbally, relationally and spiritually touch another. How will you greet your spouse today?

Day 10: "Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer…" 1 Cor. 7:5

Hurt feelings, anger, and disappointments, foster emotional and physical distance within the marital bed. Intimacy, or the lack thereof, can be used to manipulate and control one's spouse. When is the last time you had an intentional, planned out, romantic and passionate date night?

Day 11: "…but God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to the member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another." 1 Cor. 12:24-25

We tend to nurture, cherish and take care of what we think truly belongs to us. Your soulmate is the most precious human relationship you will be given on this side of eternity. We really are our brothers' and sisters' keepers. Where does your stewardship need to show honor or care?

Day 12: "Through love serve one another." Gal. 5:13

Sadly and far too often, servant leadership is absent in the home. Human nature tends to be too self-centered and "me-focused." The highest form of love is called agape because it is covenantal. How will you serve your spouse today in a manner that could never be paid back?

Day 13: "Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Gal. 6:2

The Greek word used for burden here is "baros," a heavy load too much for one to lift or carry. Originally it was a nautical term referring to an overloaded and unbalanced ship. Where is your spouse burdened down? What ballast will you provide today to help lighten the "cargo?"

Day 14: "Show tolerance to one another in love." Eph. 4:2

Fairness, objectivity, safety and the freedom to express one's beliefs, thoughts and opinions on a matter, all create the necessary breathing space in a relationship. Have there been any suffocation points in your marriage? An invitation to open dialogue is wonderful gift.

Day 15: "Be kind to one another." Eph. 4:32

Kindness is recognized as a virtue in almost every culture globally and is one of the fruits of the Spirit. A pleasant and unthreatening disposition is Christ-like in its character. Surprise your spouse—shower him or her today - with generosity, tenderness, empathy and compassion.

next week we'll share the next 15 days from Dr. Scalise. Here is the link:

Family Special: 30 Days To A Stronger Marriage - Part Two

About The Author:

Eric Scalise, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT, is the Vice President for Professional Development with the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 34 years of clinical and professional experience in the mental health field. As the former Dept. Chair of Counseling Programs at Regent University, Dr. Scalise provides academic oversight as the Vice President for Academic Affairs with Light University Online.

by Bob Proctor

We all make mistakes and go through tough times, but people who thrive during those times are the successful ones. They learn from their mistakes and find ways to turn things around quickly.

What do you do when you mess up or you're simply out of sorts? When things just aren't going your way?

I suggest that you become aware of your thoughts, realizing that if you're unhappy for any reason, you're focusing on the wrong things.

Change what you're thinking about to something that will not only make you feel and act better in the present, but also improve your vision of the future.

Start by remembering that life is divided into three phases: the past - where you've been; the present - where you are now; and the future - where you are going.

Then do what many successful people do - learn from the past to profit in the present and live better in the future. They do that by combining the past, present and future in a winning way.

Adopt their way of thinking, and do these three things the next time you want to change your circumstances:

1. Remember the good times.

Reflect on positive experiences or successes from your past that will cause you to see the positive circumstances that exist in the present.

2. Mix things up.

Mentally mix the exciting experiences from your past with your present, so you feel and act better right away.

3. Create a vision.

Use your new "mental mix" to create an interesting and dynamic vision of your future.

Since each of us visits where we have been many times each day, get into the habit of giving your mental energy to your past accomplishments, your successes, the experiences that brought great joy into your life.

This allows you to see all of the opportunities that surround you. It makes where you are now suddenly become very exciting, and positive circumstances will pop up one after another.

Many of the successful people I know keep a win list, a record of their accomplishments. They carry it with them and read it periodically.

How to Do What You Really Want for a Living
(Fast-track to Your Retirement)

Math-Minded Financial Advisor Lays Blueprint for Rethinking Your Earning & Distribution Years

What does it take to be comfortable during retirement? Conventional wisdom calls it the 4 percent rule – withdrawing about that amount from your nest egg each year to live comfortably. And, for that, millions of Americans believe they need to stick to a job they don't like during their earning years.

"Unfortunately, the kind of money retirees want to spend each year for a comfortable lifestyle tends to be about $60,000, which means someone's nest egg would have to be $1.5 million for that rate of withdrawal to sustain for 25 years," says financial advisor Dave Lopez, a mathematics and computer science major who applies his analytical mind to solving retirement challenges.

"Of course, there are additional sources of income during retirement, such as social security, but the program may not survive the coming decades. And, there are additional costs of retirement, including legacy interests and the likelihood of needing long-term medical care."

The fact is that millions of retirees simply do not have or will not have the kind of income they'd like to have during retirement. Lopez, founder of ILG Financial, LLC (www.theilg.com), discusses an alternative approach to the golden, or distribution years.

• Remember, Social Security is a welfare program. Before President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act in 1935, seniors worked. America was an agrarian culture, and many who were in their 60s and 70s usually continued duties on the family farm, albeit handling lighter tasks. Social Security is essentially a Socialist idea. A response to the Great Depression, its purpose was to move out older workers in favor of employing younger Americans, but times have changed.

• You don't have to remain stuck in your "earning" job. "The U.S. government is the biggest employer in the world, and I work with many of its employees," he says. "They usually have high-stress jobs and usually want to retire as early as possible and, while leaning on their pension, start working on their own terms as government contractors."

• Consider retiring early and working the job you've always wanted. The model frequently followed by retired government workers can be replicated by millions of other retirees. You don't need a $1.5 million nest egg when you combine Social Security with a smaller withdrawal amount and a fun job earning $20,000 a year. Retirees can be creative in how they earn this "fun money."

"Let's say your passion is water skiing – why not parlay this hobby into a career?" Lopez says. "You'll likely have decades of experience and plenty of contacts. You might work for a ski shop or create a small business giving lessons. Doing something you love is a great way to stay active as an older person."

• No pension? – Create your own. The days of working 30 years for a single company and collecting a sizeable pension are mostly over. This means retirees need to get creative and rely on other sources of income, including IRAs and strategies for annuities – effectively creating their own "pension." Annuities are contracts with insurance companies. The contracts, which can be funded with either a lump sum or through regular payments, are designed as financial vehicles for retirement purposes. The money used to fund the contract grows tax-deferred. Unlike other tax advantaged retirement programs, there are no contribution limits on annuities.

"Annuities provide plenty of opportunity," he says. "Of course, creative options also yield the risk of complexity. You'll want to be sure to know what you're doing, or at least consult with an accredited professional."

• Consider lifestyle changes. Through the distribution years, you should consider moving to a place where the cost of living is cheaper than major metropolitan areas. Simply put, you'll want your money to go further. Take a play from younger folks who are cutting their cable in favor of only Wi-Fi access. Learn how to cook delicious meals on a budget. For many, learning how to make one's money work better for them, rather than working for their money, is a preferable lifestyle.

About Dave Lopez