To Have

From this day forward, I take this person to be...
Nothing appears to be sacred any more. People run through life looking only for what makes them happy. If it doesn't make them happy it is thrown on the trash heap with how many items of broken dreams and broken promises?

Broken dreams and broken promises most often go together. True it is that sometimes things just don't work out consequently you end up with broken dreams, but often it comes about because of another person's failure.

When I was young even though my upbringing was not religious we were in some way belivers in the Golden rule.

 Mattew 7:12  "All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets."

Or as in our shortened view: Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you.

In the mid-80's it became: Do unto others before they do unto you. With the idea of getting the other guy before he gets you. The difference in the two philosophies is an upside down society, an upside down world.

Here are some ideas for changing our world back from the precipice that it is wavering on:

• Be real-- Don't put on a face. This means you are who you are. Romans12:9  "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."
• Strive to not just do right, but to be right. 1Peter 1:22  "Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:" (unfeigned=unpretended)
• Remember the principles taught by Paul here in Acts and try to follow them: Do not covet another persons' money, possesions or good fortune: Acts 20:33 "I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel."  
• Do minister to your own needs, and in such a way as to help others: Acts 20:34 "Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me."  
• Follow good examples, again helping the weak, and less fortunate: Acts 20:35 "In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."
• Try to do good unto others and live peaceable lives:  Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men."
• Lastly, realize that the scripture says--"If it be possible...and as much as in you lieth". You should strive to never be the cause of a problem, but there are some people that will not live peaceable with you. 2Timothy 4:14 "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works: 15) of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words." 

Broken dreams and broken promises--it isn't always possible to avoid these happenings, but by living the way we need to live ourself we can minimize the chance of it happening. By encouraging others to live right and do right we make our society better one life at a time.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!