Book Review

“The Man of Her Dreams, the Woman of His,” by Kathy & Joel Davisson.

(I highly recommend that you read the book, before reading this review. You may find that I am opinionated and wrong, or decide I am right.) Edited 9-8-23

I used to think I understood how to “filter” out the problem (and my desire to fix the problem) from the words a woman spoke, and that I would be able to focus on the underlying emotions to hear the real meaning behind the words. I was wrong.

The Davissons made it clear that men are required listen to “how” a woman speaks and not the actual words assigned to conversation. They are silent regarding the importance of reciprocity, namely that both men and women must listen with care and in love. For instance, they never say women have faults or problems that contribute to the stress in a marriage. This egregious omission implies women are lie-detectors, purity inspectors, faultless and innocent and have no problems (except the Neanderthal in the room). All trouble in a marriage is the man’s – so they think.

It is impossible for women not to bear some fault for the problems of a marriage, in how they approach men, how they communicate, and so on. If, as they assert, it is important that men meet women at their point of need, then this too is true (according to Podesta) of me, of all men, and YES, of all women. Every human being has the responsibility to meet the other person at their greatest point of need. In fact, this is an entirely biblical approach to marriage. Quite unlike the Davissons, who seek to blame the man when this doesn’t happen.

The Davissons deny that women need to be more open to saying what she needs. In this I agree with Connie Podesta, and say that the Davissons are very wrong. Podesta says that men are better at getting their emotional needs met because we just say what we want. Women don’t. Women walk around an issue, they don’t just come out and say what they mean, and they have to learn to do so. Podesta cited an example. Imagine a man and woman on a long drive. He’s hungry, more than hungry. He sees a sign that says, “Food Next Exit.” He turns, drives to the nearest fast food place, orders a burger, gets a drink. Back in the car. On the road again. Nine, ten minutes.

Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHrGauNbvqc

Now imagine she’s hungry, seeing the same sign, she turns to him and asks, “Honey? Are you hungry?” He thinks about it and says, “No. I’m not. Thanks for asking.” Keeps driving and passes the exit. Next food is 78 miles. She becomes upset that he did not know she was hungry. She pouts. She gives him the silent treatment, which is a big mistake. According to Podesta it takes the average man one hour to realize he’s not being spoken to. So… another hour goes by, then she gives a loud sigh. No answer from him. Another hour and now she hits or smacks something, so then he has to ask, “Honey? Whats wrong.”

The point to all this is IF SHE’D BEEN MORE DIRECT, there would have been no problem. The point is NOT- he should just know what she wants, because no one can know the unspoken, unknown words in some one else’s heart.

The human mind has been compared (by Podesta and others) to a computer. It is the most complex, orderly arrangement of matter in the universe. YET…. no computer can give an answer to data not programmed into it, nor can a male mind act on female words NOT SPOKEN. According to Podesta, the average male mind just does not wonder what a woman thinks inside her heart, because the average male is very literal. As in the road rage example above, if she is quiet, he thinks, “This is great. We’re here together, we don’t need to talk.” In other words, his actions are based on what he can sense, and thus he believes they are connecting on a level so deep words are not necessary. He is wrong precisely because she has with held vital information.

This is something the Davissons don’t seem to understand. Both men and women are responsible for accurate communication if they want their lives to remain entwined together in proper relationship. Both men and women need to communicate effectively – one alone is not enough. The Davissons place the entire load on the man for the mistakes of the couple – as if the woman has no standing before Messiah for her own actions, or understanding to make this possible. They underestimate women, even if (biblically speaking) the man is the head of the household, responsible for the household before G0d.

The Davissons’ book, like the leaven of the Pharisees, is unwise to read alone without an intimate understanding of the word of G-d. Where they discuss Greek, when they discuss the meanings and usage of a word they are correct, BUT the conclusion they draw from their study misses a reality. Women are far more sensitive to unspoken truth, to sub-vocal communication than men, sensing things that men miss entirely, and women act on a level of intuitiveness that most men find absolutely baffling – but this does NOT mean women have a built in marriage manual, anymore than men have a built in “how to” or “fix it” manual. Explaining why Davissons think this is difficult, even if they come close to the truth walking next to it, but walking near to something, or around something (not quite touching it) is to obscure some simple basic facts about human needs.

We all come equipped with some pretty basic needs, food, comfort, shelter, love, affection, and so on… nothing inside us is built to know how to accomplish these complex tasks without instructions, and marriage is as complex as it gets in our world. Though women are more attuned to relationship matters, they don’t have a personal indwelling of the Holy Book of Matrimony. If they did, they’d read the part that says men need straightforward (verbal) communication, men need to feel respected more than they need to feel loved (if forced to choose between them), men need the reassurance that she admires him for himself (just watch any little boy ask his Mom to “feel my muscle” as he holds up his arm). Yes, men have needs too and the most direct one, almost a primal need within them is to feel respected.

It is appropriate here to quote Veronika Amaya

…many women treat the men in their lives quite harsh – they are very critical, use a sharp, commanding or condescending tone of voice, treat the man like a child etc. This makes the man feel disrespected and although he knows that the woman deep down loves him and that she’d show up to support him if he’s sick or injured, it makes him resent her. Why?
Because men feel loved when they are treated with respect!”
https://www.veronika-amaya.com/blog/why-respect-is-so-important-for-men

They (the Davissons) seem to think that women are holy and sacred and it is the mundane and profane men who miss out on the message of G-d in a holy marriage. Yet, I read passages in other books, other testimonies of restoration, other websites, and in scripture, which more accurately paint a picture where BOTH men and women are responsible for their marriage. If it succeeds, or fails, both bear the praise or the blame. The following quote, written by Erin Thiele, illustrates this point;

It is the same with all who find their marriages in shambles or completely destroyed, including you. You will soon find, if you are not aware of it yet, that it is not just your husband who violated God’s principles. You will find, as I did, that you have done much to contribute to the destruction of your marriage. This understanding will be the turning point as you accept and look at your sins only, not your husband’s (italics added.)

https://hopeatlast.com/c1/d1-chapter-1-my-beloved/

This failure to recognize her own sins, failure to seek salvation in Messiah was what doomed her.

Another real problem in the Davissons’ book is they stress the “if” factor; if you do not believe as they do you cannot restore your marriage. Yet, it is very clear from the testimonies of many women that the Davissons view is not the only one, nor (in my opinion, is their example anything more than what worked for them).

The problem here is the same as the following example; I knew a couple with four naturally compliant children. Great kids who’d do whatever was asked of them with no disobedience. If you guessed the couple began to give advice on child rearing to every one else around them, you are right, much to their annoyance. Their fifth child was a different spirit entirely. Constantly asking why, constantly looking for loopholes, constantly upsetting their apple cart. They stopped giving advice.

It is obvious from the examples (cited in other paragraphs above) that women, as well as men, have problems. Consider the following (from Thiele);

The Lord showed me that I had violated many of the principles of marriage, and He also showed me other sins that I was unaware of or had never dealt with (by repenting of them). All of these sins and violations led to the destruction of my marriage.

https://hopeatlast.com/c1/d1-chapter-1-my-beloved/

Thiele admits to having violated principles of marriage (relationship building principles) and had hidden sins, which she buried, or ignored, or pretended to resolve, but had not worked on to them to repent… where repent has the meaning of… to feel regret or contrition, to change one’s mind, or to feel sorrow, and/or regret, but also to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life. And if this is not clear enough, repentance also includes restoration:TO RETURN what was stolen, rebuild the relationship.

According to scripture when one repents it is as Zaccheus repented – to feel sorrow, to change your mind about the sin, to actively seek to amend (fix, repair, restore) the conditions brought about by the sin, and return in larger measure that which was stolen. In a marriage it means to accept your sin, stop blaming your spouse for those sins, to repent of those sins which caused the separation, and to go home again. It DOES NOT mean to remarry in a final act of rebellion and desert your spouse FOREVER. Nor does it mean to stay single outlasting your spouse until their hope of fulfillment in a new marriage is found. If neither of you have remarried, it means to remarry each other.

When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house, and she leaves his house and goes and becomes another man’s wife, and if the latter husband turns against her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her to be his wife, then her former husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again to be his wife, since she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the LORD, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (NASB)

There are many sins one may not repair; murder, mayhem, sexual sins… which have unalterable consequences (loss of human life, the death of a loved one, loss of a limb, pregnancy, or STDs), but marriage is unique in that the prodigal has every opportunity to turn it around and return to the husband/wife of their youth…. if they will listen to the Spirit of G-d and not to human reasoning and sectarian interpretations of the Word. It is also a uniquely human, G-d ordained organism within which to raise well adjusted, strong children preparing them for a godly life.

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-17579-002

While it is true if you can apologize to the spouse you harmed, or someone you wronged and pay back their losses, replace their property, restore the marriage and so on… restoring the loss of security, or of the deep sense of being safe in a marriage is not as easy. Nothing you can do will fix that because that is entirely up to the one you harmed. In marriage, the apology, the loss, the theft of security is still up to the one you harmed, but YOU are the property (1 Corinthians 7:4), and YOU can restore that loss by going home. The restoration of emotional, spiritual, or internal losses will be difficult, but in the end it works better than giving back physical goods. (Bear in mind this does NOT mean going back to any form of abuse!)

Lysa TeraKeurst, like Podesta, recognizes that the truth about marriage is a far distant place from the Davissons. Read the following with quotes from Lysa taken from an article (web site follows) by Carol Heffernan, which illustrate this point;

“I went into marriage thinking of all I was going to get out of it, not of all that I had to give another person,” Lysa admits. “To be honest, Art and I were very selfish in our approach to marriage.”

Another problem in their relationship was expectations that went both unmentioned and unfulfilled. Lysa emphasizes having open and honest conversations about expectations, saying, “You cannot possibly meet the expectations of another person if you don’t know what they are.”

“A lot of women make the mistake of placing their children above their husband, and the children become more important. It’s a good thing for a mom to have the desire to really love her children, but setting her husband aside is a great disservice to her family,” she says, (emphasis added).

From http://www.family.org/marriage/a000001137.cfm (Link no longer exists as of 2021. Try https://web.archive.org/web/20080704212253/http://www.family.org/marriage/a000001137.cfm)

Marriage is all about shared responsibilities, not about blaming the man for not following a hidden marriage manual placed inside a woman as the Davissons imply. Yet, this is the approach that worked for the Davissons, but it worked because BOTH took responsibility for the marriage. What is true is that it takes two to win the battle in marriage.

A decided down side of their book is that they both seem to be in agreement that the man bears full responsibility for the end of a marriage. Though, as I said, this worked for them, advice like this could and probably will push a fragile marriage over the edge of divorce (for those who ignore the clear message of scripture 1 Corinthians 7:10–13).

The implication alone (that men are at fault) is harsh enough to one looking for a way out of their marriage; and a good man convicted of his sin in his marriage may come to believe he alone is at fault when the truth is that more than two must work toward restoration. Allow the Ruach (Spirit) of G0d into your marriage, repent of YOUR sin and pray for your loved one.

As I said earlier, there is a lot of good in the Davissons’ book, but you have to read it AFTER you’ve filled your heart with the Word of G-d. Be strong in the might of the L0rd in order to discern where to reject what is wrong or flawed, and dig down to the diamond (if one exists).

So, if you read the Davissons’ book to find help for your marriage do so with caution, and do NOT let the leaven of legalism (of men bashing, or casting blame) pierce the armor of light with which you must clothe yourself to remain in the gap for your marriage, because marriage is about more than making us happy, it is to make us holy.

Dr. Ramón Argila de Torres y Sandoval

Edited: August 12, 2020, September 09, 2023

Christians Have NOT Replaced Israel

If you are a Christian, then it is likely you may have a difficult time understanding many things within the pages of the bible. The first is readily apparent, there are so many versions with so many translations that coalescing them all into one narrative is revealing (though these differences do not doom the bible, since there are virtually no concepts that contradict biblical soteriology). The second is much more complex because so many Christians believe that they have replaced Israel in G-d’s plan, but unless you are Jewish and a believer in Yeshua Hanatzriy, Melekh HaMashiach you are not a Messianic Jew. That is both a genetic and cultural phenomena with respect to salvation and understanding how Eastern people think is important to understand scripture in context. Take marriage and remarriage for instance.

Christians, especially Western Christians live lives radically different from ancient Jews have a difficult time fully understanding ancient biblical customes in the word. The Bible was written within a culture of a nomadic people who lived 1,900 to 3,400 years ago. For Western Christians, this may be a bridge too far, a cultural gap. This process becomes more complicated when one adds the unique character of the varied genres in which it was written; law, poetry, songs, wisdom literature, prophecy, personal letters, and apocalyptic literature. Finally, the fact is remains that G-d still has a plan for His people. He initiated His plan for mankind through the Jews to the nations (goyim). Christians do not replace Israel in the bible.

“The Bible is not the book many American fundamentalists and political opportunists think it is, or more precisely, what they want it to be. Their lack of knowledge about the Bible is well established.”

“The Bible: So Misunderstood It’s a Sin,” Kurt Eichenwald, published in Newsweek in January 2015

Another misunderstanding is the contention that Yeshua contradicts G-d’s revealed word (in the Torah). The grave error here is that Yeshua is G-d, and is perfect for HE is G-d. He is the great I am (John 18:6) and said so with such power the men rushing to arrest Him fell to the ground, “I AM he.” So it is apparent that Yeshua in pre-incarnate form as revealed in the Torah would not contradict His own word.

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Numbers 23:19

Rav Shaul (Paul) wrote, “…it is not as though G-d’s word has failed,” and again “if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). G-d can not lie, nor will He change His mind on matters of doctrine given in the Torah. But with regard to people? Yes, he can and hasa repented of the evil they deserved when they repent of their personal evil (sin).

When He “repented” or changed His mind after we have repented of sin He will do good for us for our own good. He does not judge or destroy unless we refuse to repent. For instance, the story of Nineveh in the book of Yonah whom G-d sent to warn Nineveh they were doomed unless they repented. He fully intended to destroy that nation, but the entire nation repented. Through their choice to accede to His will and repent, He showed mercy consistent with His character and holiness and forgave them putting off judgment for a time.

This leads to an interesting question: Does this same thing happen today?

When we repent G-d can and does, in warning us of sin, show mercy to withhold the judgement we rightly deserve. King David saw a beautiful woman bathing in full view of the parapet of her home. He desired her. He took her. He tried to hide what he had done after she said she was pregnant. He killed her husband. And he remained married to Bathsheba. Later, G-d (through His prophet) did NOT command David to divorce Bathsheba, though He required the life of the child conceived in adultery. They remained married and had Solomon who later became king of Israel and in whose line was born Yeshua Hanatzriy, Melekh HaMashiach, Immanuel. (The point is not that David had many wives for this is wrong, though culturally accepted, but that he remained married to Bathsheba.)

Some preachers preach if you remarry after divorce, to fully repent of adultery, you MUST divorce your spouse. Some go further preaching you must remarry your original spouse. The problems with this teaching have profoundly impacted many people and destroyed marriages and are false.

…The former husband who sent her away shall not be able to return and take her to himself for a wife, after she has been defiled; because it is an abomination before the Lord thy God, and ye shall not defile the land, which the Lord thy God gives thee to inherit.

Deuteronomy 24:4

Those who teach your first marriage is the only holy marriage are in error. Consider that Israel disobeyed G-d and intermarried with unbelievers and when they repented they sent those first wives and their children away in divorce. Yes, I did say being a believer was not the same as being Jewish, but this sin of intermarriage was a sin nonetheless and Israel divorced their wives (Ezra 10). It is possible (given the debate surrounding this event) that it took months to give their wives a choice to convert – or to leave, but it remains that Israel divorced unbelieving pagan wives and sent them away.

From reading Ezra we are not told if this was good or bad decision, just that it happened, and no where does the bible hold that the men of Israel who divorced pagan wives were condemned to remain unmarried. This would have been unthinkable given how important family, descendants and inheritances were to Israel.

Are you divorced and remarried? Then stand. Obey G-d and live in His will with your present spouse.

Dr. Ramón Argila de Torres y Sandoval

Learning to Live with Marriage Norms

One day at a time

I discovered several important things long ago.

When I consider how to react to a collision of wills, I find that if I slow down and ask myself two questions; one is, “Is this worth arguing over?” And the next is, “Will this be something I will be upset about tomorrow.” Usually, I discovered that the answers to both questions were, “No.” Then I’d use this as an opportunity to improve my relationship.

Let me cite an example: I know a couple, just an average couple who were on their 2nd and 3rd marriages. As to be expected they were concerned the habits of yesterday would continue on into the 3rd and 4th marriage (for each) respectively, that is, to disrupt another marriage. They knew how their former marriages had failed and were determined that the past would not dictate the future. They both chose to consider how to make good habits through choice.

By habits I mean those ingrained, almost instinctive reactions we all have to life’s events. While it is true that small things bothering you can build up, it is equally true that you can choose how you respond to negative input.

When she left the shower light on after an evening shower the light would illuminate the room and make sleeping a challenge. He decided that this was not worthy of an argument, nor was it something that would last into the next day, and he deliberately chose to improve instead of letting it fester day by day.

He began to recite in his mind all the reasons he loved her and decided to look at the light as a way to perform a service to his wife. Each time he saw the light it became less of an intrusion and more of a loving service to the woman he dearly loved. He was essentially becoming joyful as he said, “I can do this for her. I can help her.” And his love for her grew with each day.

Little things can grow, but you choose which ones to water.

Here is a suggested document you may consider as an aid to scriptural Marriage Norms.

Marriage Norms

1. Remember that we love each other.

Ephesians 4:2-3 – Always be humble, gentle, and patient, bearing with one another in love, and making every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit gives through the binding power of shalom.

2. Listen respectfully when the other is speaking.

Luke 11:28 — But he said, “Far more blessed are those who hear the word of G-d and obey it!”

3. Provide an opportunity for the other person to speak.

Proverbs 15:23 — People take pleasure in anything they say; but a word at the right time, is very good.

4. Choose to be solution-oriented.

Proverbs 3:6 — In all your ways acknowledge him; then He will level your paths.

5. Acknowledge that Adonai is the ruler of the Universe and also our home.

Joshua 24:15If it seems bad to you to serve Adonai, then choose today whom you are going to serve! Will it be the gods your ancestors served beyond the River? or the gods of the Emori, in whose land you are living? As for me and my household, we will serve Adonai!

5A. Acknowledge the plain meaning of scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17 — All Scripture is G-d-breathed and is valuable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults, and training in right living; thus anyone who belongs to G-d may be fully equipped for every good work.

6. Take time to relax together, unwind, and have a date night.

Ecclesiastes 11:10 — Therefore, remove anger from your heart; and keep from harming your body; for neither adolescence nor youth has any lasting value.

  6A. Sex – I Corinthians 7:5 — Do not deprive each other, except for a limited time, by mutual agreement, and then only so as to have extra time for prayer; but afterwards, come together again. Otherwise, because of your lack of self-control, you may succumb to the Adversary’s temptation.

  6B. Personal time – Matthew 6:6 — But you, when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. Your (heavenly) Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7. Honor your vows and do not make rash promises.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 — Better not to make a vow than to make a vow and not discharge it.

Barriers and Concerns:

1. Schedule time for each other’s needs – body clock, wake, sleep, work, or leisure

Ecclesiastes 3: 7– a time to tear and a time to sew, a time to keep silent and a time to speak.

2. Pray and seek wisdom. At times the articulation of situations is difficult because it may be stated in a way that is not received well by the other person.

Jeremiah 33:3 — Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

3. Express needs promptly; seek to clarify not confront or diminish. Schedule time for discussion.

Ephesians 4:26 — You can “Be angry, but don’t sin – don’t let the sun go down before you have dealt with the cause of your anger…”

4. Pressures regarding personal health – hormone levels, allergies, health matters, family – social relationships – personal preferences with time usage, and other events.

1 Peter 5: 7 — Throw all your anxieties upon him, because he cares about you.

5. Time to focus and listen for meaning in silence.

James 1:26 — Anyone who thinks he is religiously observant but does not control his tongue is deceiving himself, and his observance counts for nothing.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 — a time to tear and a time to sew, a time to keep silent and a time to speak,

Potential Solutions

1. Prioritize/Honor scheduled times, whenever possible. If not then reschedule the next opportunity.

Colossians 4:5 — Behave wisely toward outsiders, making full use of every opportunity

2. Articulate the feeling in difficult situations in a way that is received well by the other person.

Ephesians 4:29 — Let no harmful language come from your mouth, only good words that are helpful in meeting the need, words that will benefit those who hear them.

3. Never assume understanding, ask for clarification before action.

Proverbs 4:7 — The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Goals and Opportunities:

1. Honor scheduled times.

2 Timothy 2:15 — Do all you can to present yourself to God as someone worthy of his approval, as a worker with no need to be ashamed, because he deals straightforwardly with the Word of the Truth.

2. Articulate feelings in a kind and timely manner.

Proverbs I6:24 — Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and healing for the body.

G-d bless and Shalom.

Dr. Ramón Argila de Torres y Sandoval

Christians Violate the Laws of Hashem in Divorce

While surfing the web I found a website by a woman who realized she’d erred horribly in ending her marriage. My thoughts on this are by design rather narrow, after all, Matthew 7:14 tells us that the way to life is through the narrow gate, finding it and entering therein is hard.

This woman is still hurt by her own actions ten years after she deliberately divorced her husband. She cries out, “I have never found anyone I loved nearly as much as my ex-husband.” Even though she still aches for her ex, his actions taken after the damage done to his heart demonstrates his profound sense of betrayal. He found another woman and was remarried within 6 months of the divorce; which, in itself illustrates how torn he was inside for he found another woman who showed him loving kindness and then married her. Thus the first violation of G-d’s law was her divorce, not his 2nd marriage.

Why do I phrase it this way? The answer is partly that I was married for 23 years to one woman. Her mother had passed on and she was devastated. Her sorrow began to intrude into our marriage. I had read books on how to have a good marriage, I convinced her we should to counseling (but she quit), I made so many changes to be the man she wanted I lost count. I tried in every way to save my marriage. My heart was shattered and torn. I felt like a loser no one could love and continued to feel that way for nearly 2 years afterwards. It wasn’t until I looked up to heaven and cried out, “Lord, I am tired of being alone” that I found a marvelous and beautiful, loving and kind woman who fell in love with me. That was 15 years ago and we are still very happily married, but I digress. I was writing about another couple, another woman who walked out of her marriage.

I believe (having been abandoned myself) that her husband must must have been thoroughly devastated by the divorce. This unknown woman never mentions his feelings about being divorced, except to say, almost casually that her ex is “unhappily remarried.” Then she continues to say she is still in love with her ex-husband after realizing their marriage wasn’t perfect but it was brilliant. “Perhaps one day, when his kids are grown up, we might be able to have another shot at happiness,” as if happiness is the measure of your relationship with Messiah. Thus the second instance of violating G-d’s law, whereas the first was her committing the divorce itself (while selfishly seeking “happiness.”) Yet, what does scripture tell us about divorce and remarriage. The following passage tells us that a woman who is divorced by her husband, who then goes out and remarries may not return to her first husband after the remarriage.


“When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house, and she leaves his house and goes and becomes another man’s wife, and if the latter husband turns against her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her to be his wife, then her former husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again to be his wife, since she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the LORD, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance.”

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (NASB)

So this woman left her husband and found a new man, says it didn’t work out (she never says if they married) and now yearns to be reunited with her first husband. He, at least, is staying with his second wife because he has children and a sense of moral obligation to stay married for their sake.

I truly hope this woman who let her emotions destroy her first marriage won’t pursue what she left and lead to the destruction of her husband’s second marriage. That would be worse than the first divorce for it would be an “abomination before the LORD.” Furthermore, innocent children do not deserve to experience what she has done to herself!

Dr. Ramón Argila de Torres y Sandoval

Here’s how to detox from the COVID spike protein – from the jab or the virus: reprinted from Mercola.com and LifesiteNews.com

This is a small collection of research I’ve done concerning detoxing from the graphene oxide found in the different vaccines. For a more thorough methodology go to https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/heres-how-to-detox-from-the-covid-spike-protein-from-the-jab-or-the-virus/

Graphene oxide (GO), a substance that is poisonous to humans, has been found in the Covid 19 “vaccines,” in the water supply, in the air we breathe through chemtrails, and is even in our food supply. GO interacts and is activated by electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs), specifically the broader range of frequencies found in 5G which can cause even more damage to our health.

The symptoms of GO poisoning and EMF radiation sickness are similar to those symptoms described as Covid. The good news is, now that it has been identified as a contaminant, there are ways to remove GO from our bodies and restore health.

This is a holistic approach of using several different methods simultaneously for the best effect, including, specific supplements to help degrade the GO in the body, and how to control EMFs in the environment to minimize GO activation.

This information comes from several sources and is based on scientific studies. Links are referenced at the bottom.

Glutathione is a substance made from the amino-acids glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid. It is produced naturally by the liver and involved in many processes in the body, including tissue building and repair, making chemicals and proteins needed in the body, and for the immune system.  We have a natural glutathione reserve in our bodies. This is what gives us a strong immune system.

When glutathione levels are high in the body, we have no problems and our immune system functions well. But when the amount of GO in the body exceeds the amount of glutathione, it causes the collapse of the immune system and triggers a cytokine storm. The way that GO can rapidly grow to exceed glutathione in the body is by electronic excitation.  Meaning, EMF’s that bombard the graphene to oxidize it, which rapidly triggers the disease.

At the age of 65 glutathione levels fall drastically in the body. This can explain why the population most affected by Covid-19 are the elderly. Glutathione levels are also very low in people with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, obesity, etc.  Likewise, glutathione levels are very high in infants, children and athletes. This can explain why Covid-19 has not affected these people.

GO when oxidized or activated by specific EMF frequencies overruns the body’s ability to create enough glutathione, which destroys the immune system and causes the illness.  In events of illness (such as Covid symptoms and all the “variants”) it is necessary to raise glutathione levels in the body in order to cope with the toxin (GO) that has been introduced or electrically activated.

ICU Intubated Covid Patients Healed Within Hours When Treated with Glutathione and NAC:

Example from Dr. Ricardo Delgado

“We have seen clinical trials with hundreds of patients who were in the ICU, on a respirator and intubated, practically on the verge of death. With bilateral pneumonias caused by the spread of GO and subsequent 5G radiation in the lung plaques. Well, this diffuse stain in these patients is symmetrical, which would not happen with a biological agent since it would be rather asymmetrical, as for example when there is a pneumococcal infection, right? Well, in that case a diffuse stain usually appears in one part of the lung, but not in another, not in both symmetrically. So, when treated with glutathione via direct intravenous —or even orally as well— or with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 600 mg or higher doses, people within hours began to recover their oxygen saturation” -Dr. Ricardo Delgado   https://www.orwell.city/2021/07/NAC-glutathione.html

Magnolia Bark helps to produce glutathione, which is an antioxidant that the brain uses to help reduce free radical damage. Magnolia bark can also be effective as a nootropic is by boosting levels of serotonin and dopamine, important neurotransmitters involved with mood regulation.

N-acetylcysteine or “NAC” is a supplement that causes the body to produce glutathione, it is known as the precursor to glutathione and causes the body to secrete glutathione endogenously, just as it does when you do sports intensely. You can get NAC as a supplement or a prescription drug.

 N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) comes from the amino acid L-cysteine and is used by the body to build antioxidants. Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair cells from damage.

Zinc in combination with NAC are essential antioxidants used to degrade GO. Dr. Ricardo Delgado states that with these two antioxidants he has personally helped people affected by magnetism after inoculation.  This is in people with two doses of Pfizer who have become magnetic and after these supplements they no longer have this symptom.

Other supplements that can be taken to assist in the removal of GO are:

Vitamin C Researchers have discovered that vitamin C may help increase glutathione levels by attacking free radicals first, thereby sparing glutathione. 500–1,000 mg of vitamin C daily.

Selenium 55 mcg; At ground zero, China, the role of selenium in various provinces has helped determine that selenium may help in aiding general cardiac health. A role for selenium may also help explain phenomena such as the recently reported blood clotting in COVID-19, because selenium is known to have an anti-clotting effect. (7)

Foods Naturally Rich in Glutathione

The human body produces glutathione, but there are also dietary sources. Spinach, avocados, asparagus and okra are some of the richest dietary sources may help decrease oxidative stress.  Whey protein is a good source of cysteine, which helps maintain adequate glutathione production.

Milk Thistle: greens, seeds, and root can all be eaten separately as well. All are known to be bitter. The roots can be boiled or roasted similarly to carrots. You can peel the stems and cook them as you would asparagus. Overnight soaking is a good idea when preparing the stems as this will help to remove some of the bitterness. You can use the leaves like spinach both in cooked dishes and in salads. You can also make tea with milk thistle leaves, which one of the main ways to consume it for its medicinal benefits. You can use milk thistle seeds to replace coffee by roasting them, or you can eat them raw. Experts recommend that you let the plant dry for at least a week before trying to harvest the seeds.

Sulfur is important for producing glutathione. Sulfur is found in proteins such as beef, fish and poultry, as well as allium and cruciferous vegetables: garlic, shallots and onions, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, watercress and mustard greens.

Turmeric (found in curry) may be used as turmeric extract vice the spice, but the spice is readily available in grocery stores. Additionally, a chronic lack of sleep may decrease glutathione levels. Recent research shows that exercise is also helpful in maintaining or increasing antioxidant levels, especially glutathione.

Citations:

1. https://rightsfreedoms.wordpress.com/2021/12/21/detoxification-protocol-against-graphene-oxide-and-body-magnetism/

2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-milk-thistle/art-20362885 Liver and stomach protection

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17852500/ antioxidant

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8250405/ impedes the entry of the SARS virus

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8573830/

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8421583/ no side effects or toxicity

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19381356/  physiologically effective antioxidative properties and expressing health-promoting characteristics

6. Reg’Activ: A Probiotic Strain that Makes Antioxidants Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3.

7. https://news.uncg.edu/research-link-covid-19-selenium/

His Mercies Have No Limit.

Human events continue to unfold today as they did when the patriarchs were alive. We are born, grow up, grow old, marry, and have children and life is now as it was then. There are failures and successes. Marriages and divorce. The key factor appears to be there are many people who have no respect for the Word of El! I say this not about unbelievers, but of believers who randomly pick through the bible (even if they don’t read it consistently) to justify what they already believe rather than read and understand through prayer and study.

They want to believe the law and the prophets are obsolete as if they now have some divine permission to ignore the Old Testament anyway because… Jesus. That is because parts of the bible do not fit with their philosophy of religion they are asking, “Has G-d really said…?” (Genesis 3). They deny the truth of the word He says is set-apart, or holy. Because G-d ties his holiness to His law; because He is forever, His law is forever.

The New International Version translation of 1st Timothy 4 records these words,

“But the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, cleaving to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons, in lying speakers in hypocrisy, being seared in their own conscience, forbidding to marry, saying to abstain from foods, which God created for partaking with thanksgiving by the believers and those knowing the truth.”

The reference to forbidding marriage and then to avoiding certain foods is easily clarified with the understanding that scripture interprets scripture. In reverse order knowing that El has previously defined what is food and what is not food (Leviticus), we can easily understand this is not about permission to eat unclean things as if the unclean things have magically become food. Thus, when the bible refers to food, it means clean things are food, and not unclean things. Simply put; food is what God has already defined as food.

As to the former reference to forbidding of marriage, even though there is seeming unanimity among early commentators, namely that papists forbade marriage, this view cannot be true given the direct reference to the Catholic church, specifically to papists (of the pope). This is true because the Catholic church did not exist when 1st Timothy was written, notwithstanding Catholic false teachings.

It is well known that for 280 years after Yeshua’s resurrection and ascension his talmidim (believers or followers) were persecuted, tortured and martyred by the Roman Empire. Thus, since forbidding marriage is not a reference to Catholicism it is most certainly a reference to early Gnostic cults desiring control and power; whom the author of Timothy would certainly condemn for their errant views. There is no lack of those whose mindset is the same today.

These descendants of Gnostic thought see emotionally vulnerable people whose spouse has walked away from their marriage, perhaps into an affair, but most certainly into adultery (scripture holds that to divorce an innocent spouse is adultery) and say, “You have been divorced and you cannot remarry.” They embody the old saw that a Puritan is a person who senses that “someone, somewhere is having fun;” and they cannot abide that thought.

They readily quote Malachi 2:16, “ ‘For I hate divorce,’ says the LORD, the God of Israel. ‘He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,’ says the LORD of Hosts. So, guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith,” but will deny Deuteronomy 4:1-4 because it does not fit their emotionally charged agenda.

The Old Testament law concerning divorce, though seemingly quite clear, recorded in Deuteronomy 24:1 is not yet without little difficulty because modern interpretation adds what is not there. This changes the interpretation of the verses. Two versions change the apparent meaning; the King James and Revised Version.

The KJV has written, “then let him write a bill,” and so on, while the Revised Version (British and American) records, “that he shall write,” etc. This is not true of the Hebrew original having neither “then” nor “that,” but the conjunction “and” tying together the halves of verse 1. It says (paraphrase) “he has found something unclean (morally) in her AND he writes her a bill of divorce…” and nothing more. Yet, it seems Moses’ aim to codify divorce was not to make a terrible event easier, it was to protect the woman from an ancient form of the modern “No-fault divorce.”

Understanding Moses’ hearts intention (under inspiration of the Ruach) to add some measure of protection for a wife, he continues on stating what is read in verses 3 and 4; the prohibition of a woman thus divorced. After a perfunctory divorce a woman shall NOT go back to her former husband under any circumstances. Depending on the version you read, G-d hates this because He finds it detestable, or an abomination. Nevertheless, this verse clearly states no remarriage by divorcing a second spouse to go back to a former spouse.

Additionally, the Old Testament through the law tells us (as Israel believed) that certain acts were sin. Though this continues to be true, for example; stealing, mayhem, murder, Yeshua stated, “It is not the thing entering into the mouth that defiles the man, but the thing coming forth out of the mouth, this defiles the man,” and “For out of the heart come forth reasonings, evil things, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, blasphemies.” (Matthew 15). It is the intention to divorce a spouse that is adultery, not the remarriage. Nor does sexual relations within that subsequent marriage form the basis for adultery. The adultery begins in the heart.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (17:9) – The spirit of G-d is essentially saying only G-d can know a human heart. Thus, we understand that adultery is a heart issue, which if continued into fornication or divorce only magnifies the sin already present in the heart. Thus, adultery is the thought/sin taken root and acted upon, where fornication is sexual relations outside of a lawful marriage. Both are equally egregious in G-d’s sight.

If your spouse wasn’t in love anymore and left, if they found someone else, or if they “fell from grace” and let their sins overwhelm them; no matter what reason that you’ve found yourself newly single there are many options – contrary to what modern Gnostics claim. Certainly of these is the option is to stand and believe that G-d changes hearts and can restore your marriage. But this is by no means the only option. That depends upon the heart.

And understand this, because we are in need of a Savior it makes no sense to believe that remarriage after divorce is a salvation issue as these Gnostics (also claim). He died ONCE for all to save us from the penalty the Law invoked after sin. He died to set us free. Through the Law He tells us what is right and what to do, but through the Son, He saves us from the Law of Sin and Death.

I hope by now you understand that the motivations of the heart are what define sin and that because of human fallen nature it is impossible to not sin. Because of His propitiatory death on the cross, we are saved from the penalty of the Law. Though sin still remains while we are in the flesh because of His sacrifice we have His forgiveness. Think of it this way; those random thoughts that seem to erupt from nowhere, or that momentary uninvited thought about another person is the reason we need a Savior. We are unable to redeem ourselves and walk in righteousness as He did. And it is His sacrifice that allows us to approach the throne of G-d and ask for help avoiding sin and walk in victory.

Dr. Ramón Argila de Torres y Sandoval

Why Reasoning with Those Who Drink Emotional Kool-Aid Won’t Work

 Write it on your heart
 that every day is the best day in the year.
 He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day
 who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.
 Finish every day and be done with it.
 You have done what you could.
 Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.
 Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;
 begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit
 to be cumbered with your old nonsense. 
 This new day is too dear,
 with its hopes and invitations,
 to waste a moment on the yesterdays.”
  
 Ralph Waldo Emerson  

Have you ever had an hour, or a day, even a week in trying times that your heart didn’t hurt? Have you ever wondered why you’ve been thrown into standing for your marriage? Your heart? Your life?

Trusting is the key to being able to have that time. The bible records this saying, “Throw all your cares on Him for he cares for you.” As good as that sounds, it depends on the level of mental and spiritual conditioning you have, or have exercised. I admit I am guilty of allowing extraneous thoughts to slide into my mental flow and disrupt my peace, especially when I relax and believe family is family, where everyone cares for each other. Let me explain.

I know a man, who was involved in an accident years ago which left him with three broken ribs, bleeding kidneys and a hematoma in his right buttock the size of an adult fist, tears across his knees, and trauma to his mid/lower back. While he lay supine with his knees drawn up, he felt the Spirit of the L-rd manifest. The heat and pain, the noise and light all faded away. He said he became the best version of himself possible as the L-rd’s spirit took charge. Everything he felt, thought, spoke… everything was of the L-rd, yet he remained himself. To this very day he says that all fear of death, of loss, of pain from that accident fades when he remembers the glory of being transformed, even if for a moment, to more than he was in human terms by the Holy Spirit.

In this trauma he came away with a deeper, clearer sense of how the Holy Spirit works in human beings. No more fear of death, no more fear of being out-of-control. No more fears of being cheated on, or of separation or divorce. Yet, there are others, whose experience coming out of trauma or sin (adultery, sexual sins, separation or divorce) does not leave them with this… glory. These are those whose lifestyle is dependent upon emotional reasoning, on fear and loss and a stubborn determination to hold onto those emotions. They do so because emotional control is all they know, even as it fails them, time after time. Almost all people have some difficulty admitting to errors, to apologizing for those errors in judgement or lapses in decorum to other people; yet this is beyond that!

While some have no trouble admitting to and owning their mistakes because they are determined to make things improve, if not the situation or confrontation with another, then to improve themselves. These are the people everyone likes, but there are others. These people are those who ‘sort of’ apologize, sort of own their errors. If they are angry and call you a name (racist, bigoted, sexist, cheater, adulterer – projecting their sins/failures on you) they may say, “I am sorry your feelings are hurt, but if only you wouldn’t say/do those things,” meaning their ‘sort of’ apology is more about your fault than admitting theirs.

You may notice that the ‘sort of’ apology never admits to any fault except in others. It is as if to say, “You were hurt by that because you don’t understand how that is (racist, bigoted, sexist, cheating, adultery),” and in darker undertones how you were to blame! The people who are unable to admit to their own part in any argument or divorce action are unable to see they had anything to do with, projecting what they do onto others. And a ‘sort of’ apology admits to no fault through humility and repentance.

They are unable to see that arguments and marriages have two participants within which both share. And because they find it so unimaginably horrible to accept their error, a defense mechanism honed over years, causes them to literally distort their perceptions (to see things as they want them to be rather than as they are). This is why they can’t accept blame, or to share blame when there is mutual error, seeking rather to project their faults onto others. They remain unable to do so as long as they hold onto the past (defense mechanism or sin).

People who do this are in pain and in need of prayer, and forgiveness (even if they have trouble accepting it because this means they share blame). They have such a weakened sense of self, a fragile psyche that to admit they were in error threatens their already brittle ego. It makes apologizing impossible or nearly so. Hence the ‘sort of’ apology blaming the victim of their anger, or embarrassment, or pain, or for their affairs (as if you were the cause). The nature of the threat to their psychological health remains insurmountable until they learn to accept themselves as they are and forgive themselves. Indeed, until then they remain entangled until they learn to accept they can go to G-d ‘just as they are’ for forgiveness , restoration and healing.

So, yes, they may cry real tears during a confrontation – as if they feel the pain or shared blame for unpleasant events which engendered the disruption. And you may see what appears to be introspection or realization; you may also believe they are considering your point of view or beginning to see and accept their part in events. Yet the corona of distortion they create to preserve their ego literally warps reality to make it less painful, less of a threat. This process ultimately transforms what they fear or have retreated into becoming something it never was. This is the crux of their denial of (perceived) reality into a non-threatening mental safe space.1 This retreat from or conversion of reality into something else explains the ‘sort of’ apology, if they make one at all. To quote from the Matrix –

You have to understand. Most people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured2, so hopelessly dependent on the system that they will fight to protect it.

— Morpheus, The Matrix

The very thought that they may be in part responsible for any unpleasantness (name calling, blame shifting, or divorce) is so powerful they will immediately become angry and defend their frangible ego.  Do not make the mistake of believing their adamant refusal to back down is a sign of strength or of determined character. Their inability to humble themselves, to feel sorrow and repent for their words or actions is the polar opposite of humility and repentance. And only G-d can change a broken heart. Only G-d can forgive and restore!

In the words of a popular song, “Give them all to Jesus. Shattered dreams, Wounded hearts, Broken toys.” Give your prodigal to Jesus!

I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.…

Ezekiel 36:25 -27

Dr. Ramón Argila de Torres y Sandoval

Edited: August 22, 2020

1 There is a video narrated by a black professor (specialist in black history) explaining the history of the Democrat party. Nothing she said was untrue, nothing distorted – just the unvarnished historical facts. A family member, who believes the Democrat’s lie that the party’s switched, after viewing the video histrionically exclaimed, “I can’t believe it! She literally said everything backwards!”

2 Inured: in•ure ĭn-yoo͝r′ – transitive verb “To habituate to something undesirable, especially by prolonged subjection; accustom.”

Marriage No More? Part 2

I used to know a woman a believer in the L-rd, (I have to wonder how much difference there is in the quality of faith) who related a story to me about a man whose wife sued him for divorce. While they were separated he would drive by her house calling out to G-d and crying, “L-rd save my marriage.”  When the divorce was granted he stopped praying and let go. She said that sometimes G-d wants divorce because He is working in an individual’s heart. She left out a great deal in that short story.

What she left out was that the word for echad is one that means “unified” but more, it implies a bond that is like glue, or better, welded where the joining is body, soul, spirit. One. The same word is used to speak of G-d as one, echad. For instance, the Word [Mattityahu (Matt) 19] speaks volumes, but two things of the many it discusses stand out; an unbeliever may leave and the believer is not bound (enslaved), and when two believers marry – DO NOT divorce; a command of G-d.

We All Fail and Are Weak

The things is do we fail and are weak and therefore sin, or do we live in deliberate sin and fail because we choose to do so. There are distinct differences in these two positions. The saint of G-d may fail because he/she is weak, but that is different than outright rebellious celebration of sin. We are the righteousness of Maschiach, clean before a Holy G-d. And the prayers of a righteous man (woman) are mighty. Being in Yeshua is win/win.

So when she told the story she didn’t say is this an unbelieving wife? If she was a believer, was he? If both were and he stopped praying then he was sinning [Yakov (James) 4:17]. Lies can come out of just not saying enough.

When is Sin Only Weakness

If a believer divorces a believer, the follow up with Matthew 19 is to remain single and do not remarry, or reconcile. Why would a believer choose what one could only assume is the lesser of two evils, so to speak. It is as they say, “I choose to divorce and stay unmarried.” But why? What is greater than the fear of the L-rd? What fear drives a believer to divorce in the clear light of the command to not divorce?

What if he or she is so wrapped up in their own issues which end up hurting the marriage? What if they feel compelled to divorce to either, stay away from the pain, or keep their pain away from their spouse? Both are very real issues. For the first I’d say, why did you NOT involve your spouse or engage them enough to let them into your private world?

For instance; if you have health issues, did they go with you to counseling or to the doctor? Did you invite them and they refused? In the second instance, were they divorcing to save their spouse what they thought, perhaps, was years of their own agony as they battled either mental or physical illness? I say invite them in and find out what they do. If this drives them to divorce you (as perhaps you feared) it is a shame on them and not you.

When Two Walk Together

If they remain the scripture says in Ephesians 4 two can keep each other warm, and a cord of three strands is not easily broken. Don’t divorce someone because you are trying to spare them pain. They married you for better or for worse. Evidence proves that after 5 years people who stick to their marriage VASTLY improve compared to those who divorce and remarry, and are far happier and rate their marriage as high quality compared to those who take their baggage in divorce.

In marriages where they do nothing but stubbornly cling to each other, five years later their marriage is better than those who divorce and remarry. In marriages of faith where they go to counseling religiously (pun intended), they are closer and happier together than those who divorce and either remain single or remarry. The common factor is staying together, and it doesn’t matter if they are believers or non-believer, of the faith or pagan. Staying together and relying on each other is the key, and I have to believe, because G-d designed marriage (and hates divorce) He is in all marriages and will bless them as they struggle to remain married.

My goal is to remain, to accept the struggles of life and love my spouse with all of my being; body, soul and spirit. That involves struggle, and certainly a great deal of grace, forgiveness, respect and love. If your spouse is not worth the effort of staying married (when G-d says they are) then reconsider why you married them, who changed? And if you decide on divorce, then was that change what G-d truly wants?

Dr. Ramón Argila de Torres y Sandoval

Edited: June 28, 2020

Marriage No More? Part 1

It occurs to me that the focus of this website is too narrow. Marriage. Life and our relationships are more than just marriage. Singles have a relationship with G0d. Children have a relationship with G0d. Widows and widowers have a relationship with G0d. Did I leave anyone out? Thus expanding this site to include singles means letting ALL who come here and read, that marriage is G-d’s design for human beings. BUT having said that, not all of us have to be married.

While I will always value the topic of marriage, since G-d laid it on my heart, I may occasionally to expand these pages to deal with subjects related to our relationship with Abba Father, through the Spirit and in Yeshua haMaschiach both as if to singles, where it applies, and especially to those married.

My belief is the people prone to believe that G-d, the Holy Spirit, or a dream of a loved one (alive or dead) have fragile ego’s and a fragile psyche and will go to any length to stop the pain of sin, any length except obedience. In this case, the pain is G-d’s Spirit convicting them of sin. The same may be said of singles; they too may fall for this deceptive spirit and take actions not in accordance with the Word.

G0d’s promises are IF/THEN. IF you follow His ways, THEN He rewards you. IF you don’t follow His ways, tTHEN He allows things in your life that may hurt. Yet even this is His hand of discipline reaching out to you. My wife came home. I had nothing to do with it. I had to stop praying she would come home and had to pray for her safety, welfare, for blessings on her. I had to give up on restoration and give in to a Holy G0d!

This is for all who believe!

Shalom

Dr. Ramón Argila de Torres y Sandoval

Edited: June 28, 2020

 

Marriage and Love

Love is not something you experience like feelings that come and go, love is a commitment, a firmness of purpose, a decision you make. True love unites, true love binds, you are echad (welded soul to soul) with another person in sickness and health; until death do you part.  Love is an action word, love is a verb, love is a challenge that you demonstrate day by day.

Love is not a feeling precisely because feelings are ephemeral and as intransigent as the wind.  To define love as a feeling is to deny the reality of the commitment, the covenant relationship you promised to honor for life. The reality is that love is not only a decision, a firmness of purpose, but true love is a garden, maturing with time, needing constant care and watering. The responsibility to tend the garden is yours and your spouses through a lifelong commitment.

True Love and Faith

True love is like true faith in the Father, without works, it dies. True faith exists not because of feelings or emotions, but is a reality that exists unseen and unfeeling, it just is. The commitment to true faith and true love exists whether your feelings or emotions agree; the covenant of marriage means you must love this person you have committed to for life. In this way, being echad, you resolve to fulfill your purpose because you are as one before the L-rd.

Like the seasons we use to track the passage of time, true love also tracks over time. The difference is that true love does not change or waiver, just as true faith does not change or waiver. What changes there are come with physical age, and health, and in various other life circumstances, but the true love underlying the relationship remains, a firm resolve to love for life. True love is like the steel structure of a skyscraper, bearing the weight of the changing seasons of life.

Marriage and Prayer

An integrally important part of marriage is to pray for one another. The following prayer is only a template to help you understand the reality of your commitment to another person in love and in marriage. You may customize this prayer to suit your life’s purposes.

Blessed are You L0RD our G-d, King of the universe, who created all things for your glory and who created male and female in Your image and in Your likeness.  I pray that my commitment to true love for my husband/wife will weather the seasons of life’s changes. I willingly bind myself to my husband/wife to honor You L-rd, to bring glory to the Father of Light in whom there is no shadow of change nor darkness.

Let the glorious light of Maschiach be the witness to my true love commitment to my husband/wife for life. Grant me the supernatural ability to show true love to my husband/wife just as you demonstrated your commitment to obey the Father through your life, death and resurrection. I glorify you L-rd in my marriage as I glorify you in my life. Father I ask you in the name of Yeshua haMaschiach (Jesus Christ) to direct my feelings and emotions in support of my marriage, to guide my heart into your true love for my husband/wife.

All glory, honor and praise is yours oh L-rd. In You we are one, welded together body and soul for life. By faith and for your purposes our marriage will continually conform to the image of Your Son, whose blood was spilled to redeem us. By faith we will grow in true love and commitment one to the other for life. By faith we support and challenge one another to walk in Your ways, oh L-rd. By faith we shall remain echad so long as we both do breathe.

I make this commitment without reservation to support, defend, and honor my husband/wife before all others for life – in the name of your son, Yeshua haMaschiach, I pray. Amen.

Dr. Ramón Argila de Torres y Sandoval

Resources:   

http://spiritualgiftstoday.com/divorce-god-can-save-your-marriage/

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Special_Events/Wedding_Blessings/wedding_blessings.html

Edited: June 28, 2020