Controlling your anger is important – ask Moses

Losing your self-control in the heat of the moment can be disastrous. Remember Moses? Here he was again with the people whining and complaining of thirst. It wasn’t the first time. God had provided water before and he would do it again. But Moses had had it with the people and his frame of mind was about to get him in trouble.

Moses was so caught up in his growing anger, that he missed the change in God’s instruction.  God said, “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and TELL the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” Now, a couple of things are going to happen here. Moses is going to take the staff from the Lord, and he and Aaron go gather the crowd. By this time, Moses has pretty much had it and says to the crowd, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then disaster strikes. Moses lifts up his hand and STRIKES THE ROCK with his staff – TWICE.  The water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. Everything’s fine. Right?

We know what happens next. Everybody thinks that the striking of the rock was the only offense. But something else happened as well. Yes, Moses was in disobedience when he struck the rock. However, because of anger and pride, he took credit for what God had done (shall WE bring water for you). God’s response, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold ME as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” After everything he had accomplished for God, Moses blew it in an instant.

Many have said that God’s punishment was too harsh. How many times have we spoken to someone in anger and then told them, “I didn’t mean it.” Yes you did. The Bible tells us in Matthew, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Whatever is in our heart, sooner or later, is going to come out of our mouth. Remember, God sees our heart. That was the problem. Moses’ words revealed his heart and it cost him everything. Don’t let words and actions in the heat of the moment cause you to lose everything.

New Book Out!

If you would like to read something new but don’t want it to take you a week, try my collection of short stories. It’s a short read but I believe you’ll like it!

The main story, Looking for Butch, tells the story of four friends and their antics and mishaps. These ladies are invited to get together to read a new book. Since they do this frequently, they looked forward to an evening of food, wine and friendship. They were not prepared, however, for a book that was written about them.

Other stories include a mother and the lengths she will go to protect her child, a self-important man who has a date with karma, a mysterious book, the special love of children, and an unusual psychic ability.

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/looking-for-butch

https://www.createspace.com/4422435

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Finance in a Relationship

Whether you are married or in a committed relationship, personal finance plays a huge role in the relationship’s quality and longevity. Lack of communication and not having an upfront understanding of how each partner values money will likely lead to problems down the road.

“People t…

This is so true!

SavvyThinking

“People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.

A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.

A soul mate’s purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life…”

Elizabeth Gilbert…

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Yes, Kissing IS Healthy!

Effects of Kissing:

 

1. After kissing, the lungs work harder, resulting in 60 inhales per minute compared to regular 20 inhales. Such “ventilation” is a good preventive measure against lung diseases.
2. Some dentists believe that kissing is a preventive measure against dental caries. Indeed, kissing stimulates the flow of saliva that eliminates acid coat on the teeth.
3. Kisses that last more than three minutes help us fight stress and its effects. Long kisses trigger the chain of biochemical reactions, which destroys stress hormones.
4. Those who kiss their partner goodbye each morning live five years longer than those who don’t.

Baffled in Boston

Dear Sylvia:

I met the most wonderful girl a couple of months ago. My friends and I were at our local watering hole when a group of three women came in. Boy, were they hot! We were able to talk them into joining us, and had a great time. I got “Jane’s” phone number and made a date for the next day, which was Saturday.

That was the beginning. We’ve been going out regularly for a few weeks now. Although she’s a great kisser, we haven’t gone any further. She’s very old-school about sex and stuff. I’m making every effort to respect that, but it’s hard sometimes.

Mending Family Bridges

Originally published with The Wellspring Collective

Relationships are difficult. Some of the most difficult are family relationships. Within a family are many and diverse personalities, and they do not always get along. Ideally, family members love each and have a responsibility to each other. However, many families are very “clickish”, causing confusion, discord and division that permeates the entire extended family.  Unless the person is a serial killer, “good riddance” is never a term that should be acceptable to a lost family member driven out by his or her own misdeeds, or another’s hate.

New Stuff

Hi everyone!

I hope you’re enjoying this blog. Just wanted to let you know we’ve added a couple of things. The first is the new advice column, Dear Sylvia. Here you will find letters from people on different topics regarding relationships. Find out what Sylvia has to say to them. The second is the section called Best Love Songs-Videos. Listen to your favorites. If you don’t see it, leave me a comment and request it.

We are always trying to make the site better so you’ll keep coming back!

Talk to you soon,

Sylvia

The Online Dating Game

The Wellspring Collective

by Sylvia Van Peebles

They Mean Well…

I’m sure there are many of you who thought you were perfectly content in your singleness. You come and go as you please, and can be sloppy for days at a time because you only have yourself to answer to. Life is good. That is, until your BFF’s get a hold of you. Don’t get me wrong, they are concerned, loving, and caring people who only have your best interest at heart. They know how miserable and lonely you really are and think you are so brave to try and not show it. They talk in hushed whispers behind your back, and look at you like they’ve just been told you have only six months to live, but you have no clue. No matter what you say, it falls on deaf ears. They are trying to save you from yourself and those titles that follow unattached people like you. You know them, old maid, spinster, etc.

The greatest definition of love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.