my happy blog

Are you and your spouse worried about what’s happening with your savings, your pension, your children’s college funds, or just staying employed? The Dow Jones is under 10,000 and European banks sound as shaky as the US banks. Do you find yourself fearful of your futures together? Do you find yourselves disagreeing with your partner about how to weather this financial meltdown? Do you find yourselves arguing because one of you makes more money and feels like they have more control over how money is spent? When money gets tight as a result of reduced income or increased mortgage payments and is combined with financial fears of the future, those old money arguments (my money vs. your money) may be causing you problems again. It is time for the two of you to have discussions again about money.

In his book Love & Money, Jeff Opdyke says: “It’s not really about the money. It’s about creating another level of intimacy in your relationship and bestowing trust on each other.” He further recommends joint accounts for couples which explicitly demonstrates the trust you have with your spouse.

When we keep secrets from our spouse about how much we make, how we spend money, or even how much money we have, this indicates a measure of distrust in the other person. When times are tough like now, you need to trust and have faith in your legal and romantic partner. All your money and all your debts are consider joint by the state. If you are not considering them joint, you are losing out. You lose resources that your partner brings to solving financial problems. You lose a feeling of honesty about yourself. And you lose some ability to manage your family finances in the best way possible.

If the two of you are not quite ready to combine your accounts, at least try to agree on and be committed to the following:

1. Agree to live within your means, so that expenses do not exceed your income.

2. Agree to open, honest communication about money.

3. Promise not to blame one another, judge each other, or keep secrets about money.

4. Be prepared to listen to your partner and understand their perspective.

You both need to be fully aware of the family gross and net income, to know where household (and individual) money goes each month and to know how much debt you have and the interest costs you are paying.

If you are unable to have a frank and open discussion about your money with your spouse, you may benefit from seeing a marriage counselor. The National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists (www.marriagefriendlytherapist.com) is a good resource for finding a therapist who is invested in helping you save your marriage. If you are unable to curb your spending, you might consider Debtors Anonymous, an organization for people trying to reduce debt and regain solvency. If you need a housing counselor or help with your mortgage, go to the web site of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (www.hud.gov) and click on the Hope for Homeowners link.

It’s important to realize you are not alone. Many couples and families are struggling. Don’t let your marriage be a casualty of the worst financial disaster most of us have ever seen. You and your spouse are in this together. Get the help you need to keep your marriage stable and safe.

If you decide that you might need marriage counseling, check out my website, http://www.PamLipe.com My specialty is marriage and relationship counseling. For 20 years, I have been helping couples find the love and support they want in their marriages. My therapy practice serves the metropolitan area of Minneapolis/St.Paul, MN.

Sun Yat-sen

Leader of the Chinese revolution

Father of the Chinese mainland

The first provisional President

When the Republic of China was founded

Developing a political philosophy

Upon which the government was grounded

The Three Principles of the People

Nationalism, democracy, and livelihood

Sun Yat-sen loved his people

And dared to do good

Because he did deeply care

He sought their betterment and welfare

His legacy still influences China today

The Republic growing stronger economically by day

Sun’s foundation did certainly pave the way.

Sun studied English at the Anglican Diocesan Home

Where he learned a new song

Sun was taught also by the orphanage in Hong Kong

About the struggle of other kids

And the necessity to fight to win.

To apply yourself regardless

With or without the approval of your kin.

In April 1884, Sun was transferred to Queen’s College.

Sun was happily baptized by an American missionary

Wholeheartedly embraced Christ and Christianity,

Which led to the making of this great revolutionary.

Sun pictured a revolution as similar to salvation

The mission and mandate of Jesus Christ

And for China’s salvation he gave his devotion and life.

Sun’s conversion to Christianity led to the development

Of his revolutionary ideals and push for advancement.

The Spirit of Christ brought Sun life enhancement.

As a result, his baptismal name, Rixin was given,

“Daily renewal” is its literal meaning.

Greatly troubled by a backward China

That demanded exorbitant taxes

Levies from its people

Though they be obedient and humble

Honorable, harmonious, and not apt to quarrel.

The people were conservative and compliant

Hence they needed a spokesperson a bit defiant

Upon whom they could be reliant

The Chinese ancient methodology

Left no room for expression or creativity.

Freedom of thought and opinion was nonexistent

So Sun Yat-sen did cosmetics encourage, and make a place for it.

From the influence of Christian missionaries in Hawaii,

Sun learned to question things and ask “Why?”

Sun developed a disdain for traditional Chinese religious beliefs.

Which he knew experientially to be fruitless and weak.

One day, Sun and his childhood friend Lu Hao-tung

Thought to challenge the people and do something fun

Challenge the false gods and prove them to be powerless

Passing by Beijidian, a temple in Cuiheng Village,

He beheld dead religion which was nothing more than pillage

They saw many villagers sincerely and ignorantly worshipping

The Beiji (literally North Pole) emperor-god in the temple.

So they boldly broke off the hand of the statue,

As expected nothing in retaliation did the god to them do

The wrath of fellow villagers however did they incur

Nevertheless for truth they considered the persecution

Inevitable and were willing to endure

To open unto their people a divine door

Through Christ of whom they were sure

The joys of heaven and freedom, their hearts it did lure.

As for the Beiji god, it never defended itself

Being unable and lacking in divine power

This defining moment was therefore the hour

In which Sun Yat-sen broke free from religious ignorance

And endeavored to launch a new move with brilliance

Liberating and uplifting his people would be glorious

Set on a course to accomplish national transformation

Sun, who had grown increasingly troubled

By the conservative Qing government

And its refusal to adopt knowledge

Quit his medical practice in order to devote his time

To transform his beloved China.

In 1894, Sun wrote a long letter to Li Hongzhang,

The governor-general of Zhili and a reformer in the court,

With suggestions on how to strengthen China,

But Sun was rebuffed and of him they made sport.

Since Sun had never been trained in the classics,

The gentry did not accept Sun into their circles.

From then on, Sun began to fervently call

For the abolition of the monarchy and its fall

The monarchy’s blind eyes that could not see

Sun worked for the establishment of a republic in liberty.

In October 1894, Sun went to Hawaii

Believing for national renewal and a political strategy

Sun founded the Revive China Society

He became China’s revivalist that touched eternity

To unveil the goal of a prospering China

His ideas formed a platform for revolutionary activity

People of lower classes who were disenfranchised came

Upheld the ideals and virtues of his name

Laboring for China’s liberation just the same

Fellow Cantonese expatriates joined the cause

Birthing breakthrough for a civilization today we awe

1.2 billion citizens of splendid China

A pleasant people scattered across the planet

Their delicious culinary delights, we do taste it

The stronghold of imperialism, Sun you did break it

Transcending the wall of China and those who made it

A magnificent cultural phenomena

Today Caucasians say, “Nee how ma?”

As this world power is known economically

It is also exquisite culturally

Mighty and to be feared militarily

Increasingly being awakened spiritually

By Chinese revivalists preaching throughout China

Today saying, “Yay-soo eye nee!”

Renewal is sweeping the land triumphantly!

Sun Yat-sen, father of China,

Your efforts and acts done diligently

Have surely brought your homeland victory

Sun Yat-sen, for China, we thank and salute thee!

Paul Davis is a FL real estate professional, life coach (relational & professional), worldwide minister, and change master.

Paul is the author of several books including Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat; Are You Ready for True Love; Stop Lusting & Start Living; Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; Poems that Propel the Planet; and God vs. Religion.

Paul’s compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul has served in many war-torn, impoverished and tsunami stricken regions of the earth. His Dream-Maker Inc. is building dreams, breaking limitations & reviving nations.

Paul’s Breakthrough Seminars inspire, revive, awaken, impregnate with purpose, impart the fire of desire, catapult people into a new level of self-awareness, facilitate destiny discovery and dream fulfillment.

Contact Paul to minister, speak at your event or for life coaching: RevivingNations@yahoo.com, 407-284-1705.

For additional info: DreamMakerMinistries.com CreativeCommunications.TV