...Concerning the book Falling in Love for all the Right Reasons I learnt about the twenty-nine crucial dimensions one needs to search for in a future companion. The first group of dimensions is called the Screening Dimensions which consist of Good Character, the Quality of Your Self-Conception, Watch Out for Red Flags, Anger Management, Obsteperousness, Understandings About Family, and Family Background. These first 7 are probably the most important things that must be observed. Character being foremost I would say. A Christian character will easily reveal itself in the heart and attitude of a man or woman. The second group is called the Core Personal Dimensions which consists of Intellect, Similar Energy Levels, Spirituality, Education, Appearance, Sense of Humor, Mood Management, Traditional Versus Nontraditional Personalities, Ambition, Sexual Passion, Artistic Passion Values, Industry, Curiousity, Vitality and Security, and Autonomy Versus Closeness. I personally consider this group as the individual personality traits of an individual. Suprisingly these dimensions are difficult to alter. Once one has a certain amount of Ambition or Artistic Passion it is difficult for them to increase or decrease it. The third group is known as the Skills that Can be Developed. This group consists of Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Sociability. Although these seem to fall under Characteristics they don't. These three; through love, understanding, and soft words are alterable...
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...basic issues that cause a lack of intimacy and sex with marriages. I also intend to use proven counseling methods to help Christian counselors battle this issue within married couples. The title of the paper will be: The Necessity for Sexual Intimacy in Marriage. From pastoral experience, counseling married couples having difficulties in their marriage usually stems from a lack of intimacy. Both husband and wife for various reasons have drawn away from affection, intimacy and sex. There is great value in this information because once the issue of intimacy is explained and resolved. Couples usually go on to live productive marriages, fulfilling God’s design for husband and wife. Several Studies (including The Barna Group, 2006) have shown that a lack of sexual intimacy in marriages can and have resulted in many couple choosing divorce their spouses rather than fix this common issue. The Barna Group asserts that “no moral dimension has changed as much as Americans’ perspectives and behaviors related to sexuality” (2006). This has happened in part by the increase in sexual diversity and immorality. Not surprisingly, Pornography lists high on the list of causes of a lack of sexual desire from many husbands (2006). In the book Why you do the things you do: secrets to healthy relationships; Timothy Clinton and Gary Sibcy assert that the key to a loving, lasting marriage is staying emotionally connected (2006). For the Christian counselor, there are few things more complex than wading...
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...relationship should dictate the level of physical intimacy. By this I mean that the amount of compassion and love in the relationship should be expressed through sexual fulfillment, according to Nelson. Nelson describes four dimensions which are not only components of love but necessary dimensions in order to satisfy sexually and amorously. These four dimensions are Epithymia, Eros, Philia, and Agape. Epithymia is the first of the four dimensions. This is the dimension of love that involves the sexual desire and fulfillment. This dimension involves all the physical aspects and expressions of love. This is a crucial element as all humans have strong desire to satisfy their bodily desires. Eros, the second dimensions of love, could be argued that it is the most natural and deep dimension of all. Eros is the yearning to be united with another. Nelson states it this way “Eros is aspiration and desire for the beloved” (Nelson, pg. 110). This is one of the most basic human instincts. I believe that Nelson would argue this point, by describing how Eve was created for Adam as he craved for the compassion of another. This predates the desire for physical fulfillment and as such can be considered more natural or innate. Philia is the third dimension of love and is a very interesting aspect of it. Philia is the type of love found in friendship. This can sometimes be described as brotherly love, which makes sense in the fact that the city of brotherly love is Philadelphia...
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...between September 5, 1979 and November 28, 1984. John Paul II says that these catecheses could be called “Human Love in the Divine Plan” or “The Redemption of the Body and the Sacramentality of Marriage.” B. Various scholars, in different language groupings, will generally break the theology of the body found in these 129 catecheses down into four main sections, others six. I think the most logical way to do so is to break it down into seven interrelated sections: 1) The Original Unity of Man and Woman as found in the Book of Genesis • 23 catecheses from September 5, 1979-April 9, 1980 2) Purity of Heart versus Concupiscence: Catechesis on the Sermon on the Mount • 27 catecheses from April 16 to December 10, 1980 3) St. Paul’s Teaching on the Human Body: Life according to the Spirit • 13 catechesis from December 17, 1980 to May 6, 1981 4) Marriage and celibacy in light of the resurrection of the body • 9 catechesis from November 11, 1981 to February 10, 1982 5) Virginity or celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven • 14 catecheses from March 10, 1982 to July 21, 1982 6) The sacramentality of marriage based on Ephesians 5:22-33 • 27 catecheses from July 28, 1982 to July 4, 1984 7) Reflections on Humanae Vitae based on the redemption of the body and the sacramentality of marriage • 16 catechesis from July 11, 1984 to November 28, 1984 C. My aim is to summarize accurately and clearly the central themes that the Holy Father examines in each of the sections. This...
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...section of the book, the Penners express that sexuality and sexual intimacy are a gift from God, intended for married couples, to symbolize the one-ness God desires with mankind. The physical dimension section breaks down the mechanics of the sexual organs and their response to sexual pleasure. The total experience section brings together the mechanics, God’s design for oneness, and techniques to explore in order to bring a married couple sexual intimacy and fulfillment. The Penners also discuss certain problems that may arise for a married couple in their sexual experiences and relationship. The last section of the book discusses the importance of enhancing the sexual experience in a marriage and suggests way to improve intimacy. Sex is a beautiful gift from God to bring pleasure and intimacy to a married couple. In the book, “the Gift of Sex: A Guide to Sexual Fulfillment”, written by Clifford and Joyce Penner, the authors discuss in great detail five main sections that can lead to a more fulfilling sexual relationship with one’s spouse. These sections include the biblical perspective of sex, the physical dimensions of the body, the total experience one has, what to do when there are sexual problems, and how to enhance the sexual experience by inviting God into the marriage and sexual relationship. This is a great book to help teach individuals how to have a loving, long lasting, God centered, sexual relationship with their spouse. Section One Summary: A Biblical...
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...Associate Level Material Six Dimensions of Health Worksheet Part 1 For each of the following six dimensions of health, list at least one characteristic, activity, belief, or attitude that reflects that dimension in your life. Provide a brief explanation with each example. Refer to Ch. 1 in the text for explanations of these dimensions. Physical health: Exercising weekly is an activity that helps to contribute to me having better physical health. Social health: Remaining honest and loyal to my husband are some characteristics working towards my social health. It helps me maintain a healthy marriage with him. Intellectual health: Driving every day to and from any place will strengthen my intellectual health. When I drive I have to many decisions and have to constantly think and remain aware of all that surrounds me. Environmental health: When my family recycles we are making good decisions in helping the environment. Emotional health: I practice my emotional health regularly at work. There are many times when people say things to me that I disagree with there are often times I want to go off however, I try to deliver my thoughts in an appropriate manner and if I am really angry I keep it within myself. Spiritual health: Praying regularly is an activity that my family does daily as Christians to strengthen our spiritual health. Part 2 In approximately 125 to 200 words, describe health and wellness in your own words using the ideas and concepts for...
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... The Goods of Marriage in Canon Law Reverend John J. Coughlin, O.F.M. Professor of Law Notre Dame Law School Legal Studies Research Paper No. 07-28 This paper can be downloaded without charge from the Social Science Research Network electronic library at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=983728 A complete list of Research Papers in this Series can be found at: http://www.nd.edu/~ndlaw/faculty/ssrn.html MARRIAGE, THE GOODS OF by John J. Coughlin, O.F.M. I. General Description Saint Augustine provided the classical description of the goods of marriage as fidelity (fidelium), children (proles), and sacrament (sacramentum). According to Augustine, fidelity is the understanding and intention of the married couple to exercise exclusive sexual faithfulness to one another. As the fruit of fidelity, parents accept children in love, nurturing them in affection, and educating them in religion. The sacrament constitutes a symbol of the permanence and stability in marriage. (De Genesi ad litteram, 9, 7, 12). The classical Augustinian description of the three goods of marriage is reflected, but not repeated verbatim, in the 83 CIC. Section One of C. 1055 defines the ends of marriage as the good of the spouses and procreation and education of children. The language of the canon situates the two ends of marriage in the context of marriage as covenant and sacrament. C. 1056 lists unity and indissolubility as the essential properties of marriage. The elements of...
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...16 November 2011 Pre-Marital Sexuality in America In the Bible, we find instruction, along with real life experiences relating to sex and marriage. The Bible contains a lot of insight on intimate passion and how to please your husband or wife. To engage in sexual activity with your significant other in a covenant marriage is supposed to be a totalizing experience; it should be done in regards to not only reproduction, but also to the enjoyment of both people involved. When sexual intercourse is wholehearted in pleasing both yourself and your partner, and erotic emotion invades every part of your body and soul, we actually think about what we are doing and the person we are doing it with. This is a totalizing sexual experience. But there are plenty of married couples who do not have this experience. On the other hand, there are many unwed, Christian couples who do. If you do not need to be married to have a strong relationship with God, and if you do not need to be married to have a fulfilling sexual experience with your partner, why is pre-marital sex frowned upon? In December 2006, researchers from the Guttmacher Institute found through research that about 95% of America’s public population had already had sex before they were married. Out of that percentage, about 84% of them were unmarried Americans between the ages of 18-23 (Regnerus et al. 1). While most of these people have sexual relationships with their first loves at younger ages or involve themselves...
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...Gospel and is the great sign that leads us to believe in the Gospel» (Italian Episcopal Conference, Evangelizzazione e testimonianza della carità, no. 9). 'By its very nature' means that the Church’s charitable work carries and shows the traces of God's love –love that is God - not by virtue of a superimposed, extrinsic, intentionality, but because it consists in an action whose ultimate subject is God, the Trinity. It is therefore important that Catholic charitable organizations, when planning each project, also raise questions as to its evangelization dimension, precisely because this is the unique mission of the...
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...The Effects of the Maternal Decision to Work or Stay Home Elizabeth Simpson Liberty University Abstract Maternal responsibilities to a family makes the decision of working or staying home a difficult decision to make. A look at the societal perspectives of working mothers and stay at home mothers further demonstrates the complexity of this issue. The emotional effect of working mothers on their children from a young age and long term emotional effects will be explored. In addition, the effects of the working mother verses stay at home mother’s maternal well-being will be addressed. Spiritual effects of mothering decisions to work or stay home can be both positive and negative. The effects are largely dependent on the level of spiritual commitment of the mother. The level of spiritual commitment verses the spiritual effects on the mother are parallel to one another. Overall, the effect of the decision on how to mother is personal, but knowing the facts about the effects of the decisions made will assist a mother in making the right choice for her. Becoming a mother is a huge responsibility for every woman God has blessed with a child. Decisions that could affect a child’s life must be made. One of the decisions facing new mothers is whether or not the mother should return to work once the child has arrived. This is a decision that should not be made lightly. Understanding different societal pressures, the emotional effect to the child and mother due to the decision...
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...business in the natural world. But counselling is also a very natural and very essential part of the Christian Church and the Christian life. With this argument postulated by McClatchey I launch my objective analysis of the question “Is Pastoral Counselling Necessary Today?” I do concur with the view that counselling is an integral and essential part of the church and Christian life. However to fully answer this question one has to first answer other fundamental questions, such as what is pastoral counselling? What is its aim and purpose? Also one must also observe the nature of pastoral counselling and its impact on the church, the home and wider society. For the purpose of this paper the proposed questions will be keenly examine so as to justly establish whether or not pastoral counselling is of any necessity in today’s society. A definition of the term ‘Pastoral Counselling’ is what be the first stride in looking at this intriguing argument. Pastoral counseling is a form of psychological counseling which incorporates spirituality into therapeutic treatment. The goal of this type of psychotherapy is to address a variety of underlying psychological needs from a faith-based perspective. As one observe this definition it is clear that pastoral counselling seeks to merge psychology and theology to aid in the counselling process. This merger might even be one factor why many Christians, theologians and spiritual individuals might be in objection of pastoral counselling and thus...
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...An Introductory Note by V.V. Raman We are multi-dimensional creatures. Even as biological entities we have several layers of existence: physical, intellectual, psychological, emotional, and yes, spiritual too. By the last I mean an inner experience and longing to be connected with the Cosmos. This longing expresses itself in a variety of ways, in most instances as a religious call. Evolutionary biologists and cultural psychologists may explain this away in the paradigms that are satisfactory for understanding the observed world. For practitioners, however, religious yearning derives from an external intangible source that is not directly amenable to empirical verification. If there can be neutrinos and dark energy that defy easy detection even through powerful and sophisticated instruments, one could argue, why can’t there be other intangibles whose existence is beyond meters and scopes? The matter continues to be debated, but this is not our concern here. No matter what the source, this heart-felt beckoning and fulfilling framework almost defines the religious person’s existence. There are many in our group who are religious persons. Religion informs and inspires the values and visions that are part of one’s existence. It provides a backdrop for one’s life, present and future, terrestrial and beyond, real and visualized. The spiritual yearning has taken concrete forms in human history as different religions with deep historical, geographical cultural links. Though...
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...INTRODUCTION The idea of time according to Mbiti, has been questioned by many people whether Mbiti had done correct research in clarifying time basing on traditional way of life. Also to say that African had no concept of time, Mbiti might be correct or wrong depending to the judgment and interpretation of the researcher. The matter is to understand why he based to such a conclusion that is very unique ending we are no sure at all, if all African could join Mbiti. Mbiti’s concept of time could have a meaning depending to the circumstance of his experience. But we could be more critical to him comparing our understanding of African way of time; this can help us to arrive at judgment about Mbiti because judging him without referring to our understanding could not help to get a conclusion. He said that African peoples in their traditional life the concept of time is little or no academic, here we should understand Mbiti when he says about the idea of academic where did he rely to?, African academic or western academic?. In this way if we want to talk about the concept of time which Mbiti is relying we must not confuse with the western conceptual of time; mechanical or systematic concept of time. When we relate this two we find that according to Mbiti the concept of time in Africa is based in the phenomenology. In the other hand his conceptualization of time in the western view is based on methodic way that they can have time even in the absence of phenomena at hand. ...
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...Marriage As Sacrament In a sacramental marriage, God's love becomes present to the spouses in their total union. When the Catholic Church teaches that marriage between two baptized persons is a sacrament, it is saying that the couple’s relationship expresses in a unique way the unbreakable bond of love between Christ and his people. Like the other six sacraments of the Church, marriage is a sign or symbol which reveals the Lord Jesus and through which his divine life and love are communicated. All seven sacraments were instituted by Christ and were entrusted to the Church to be celebrated in faith within and for the community of believers. The rituals and prayers by which a sacrament is celebrated serve to express visibly what God is doing invisibly. In a sacramental marriage, God’s love becomes present to the spouses in their total union and also flows through them to their family and community. By their permanent, faithful and exclusive giving to each other, symbolized in sexual intercourse, the couple reveals something of God’s unconditional love. The sacrament of Christian marriage involves their entire life as they journey together through the ups and downs of marriage and become more able to give to and receive from each other. Their life becomes sacramental to the extent that the couple cooperates with God’s action in their life and sees themselves as living “in Christ” and Christ living and acting in their relationship, attitudes and actions. Catholic teaching holds...
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...Christianity is a faith based religious tradition, of which the follower is considered to be a Christian adherent. Thus, being a living tradition, Christianity is continually subject to change in accordance to the needs of the adherent and reaffirming the Christian tradition within a contemporary context. The aspects, which attribute the present existence of Christianity and its dynamism therein, include sacred texts and writings, ritual and ceremonies, beliefs and believers, and ethics. Ultimately, the aforementioned characteristics strive to form and continually validate answers to the enduring questions of life through a process of change, which simultaneously highlights Christianity as a living tradition. Sacred texts and writings are materials that are held significant by a religion as they contain key information that explains how people are connected to the supernatural dimension (Coleman, 2006). The significance of the sacred texts of Christianity is necessarily their ability to timelessly connect the adherent to the divinity of Christ, through which enduring life questions are answered allowing their contents to be expressed and lived differently (Our Lady of Mercy College, 2014). The Bible is given fundamental centrality in Christianity, as the supreme scared text, and it is an essential guide for the Christian adherent to model their life on the ministry of Christ. Christ’s golden commandment, embodied within the verse, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart...
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