He must have spent some time in some of the classes I had in college. Quoth the King, "Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless. Everything is meaningless." I’m sure he was talking about the Elements of Research class I had in graduate school. The one for which we had to go to the library and find out what refrigerators and gas pumps looked like in the 1950s.

If you take the time to read through the book of Ecclesiastes, the one in which Solomon wailed on about meaninglessness, you’ll see that David’s son had some issues. He was the wisest man in the world, but he found wisdom to be meaningless. He was richer than Bill Gates, but he said wealth was meaningless. He built more big buildings than Donald Trump, but in the end he decided it was all . . . you know . . . meaningless.

On and on Solomon complained—detailing enough meaningless items to make anyone miserable.

So, what’s the point? If everything is so meaningless, where is the value of life?

Have you ever talked to someone who is well-educated but unhappy? Rich but sad? Talented but depressed? Beautiful but dejected?

What makes people this way? They have discovered the truth Solomon is describing: Life without God—no matter how seemingly valuable—leads to emptiness.

Flip over to the end of Ecclesiastes, where you read this hopeful verse, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth" (12:1), and this one, "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (v.1.

Without God at the center, life indeed lacks meaning. With Him there, it has purpose. Let’s give meaning to every day, every class, every relationship by letting God be right in the middle of them all. —DB

REFLECTION

What seems meaningless to me sometimes? Can I put value in it by including God?
When have I taken something that had little or no value and used it for God’s glory? When can I?
Do I know anyone whose life seems meaningless because he or she doesn’t know Jesus? Should I talk to that person this week about it?
If you’re looking for meaning, look to God.

Or any other religion.

God takes different forms in different religions, and thus saying 'look towards God' is actually not true. Doesn't apply to each religion. Christianity.... too many empty rules and phobias.

Hi Morphine,
Empty rules and phobias?
How do you mean? Care to expand upon that statment?
I am curious.

Sincerely,
Samichking

I would have to say the easiest one to attach rules and phobias to would be sex Sam..
Tell me the answer to this..

You are in love with a person, they are in love with you as well. To engage in sex, one must be married to that person. But to be married to that person, both must goto the politicians to get a permit to do so.. God knows that they are devoted to each other and the potential family unit. But MAN says no without forking over material gains..
And the church cannot approve of the marriage without 'mans' ok. Is sex wrong at that point? Or does 'mans' ok override it?

fun to ponder, isn't it

Hey there Tig,

I guess my response to that would simply be that every culture has it's own rules and laws as to what officially constitutes a marriage. In our country you must have a marriage license or certificate.
The reason for doing so I believe is to make you realize just how sacred and important marriage is. A couple shouldn't just rush into marriage because they have all these warm and fuzzy feelings. Marriage is a life long committment to your help mate.
Getting a marriage license says you are willing to go through the steps to do what is necesarry to show your love approved. If you are willing to follow the laws our country requires of you, then you, in theory, show you are more likely to stay committed to your spouse whereas if you just jumped over a log holding hands as they do in some cultures you might not feel as obligated to stay with your loved one and could break up the marriage union for any reason.

Of course here in America, we have "no fault" divorce. Which basically allows you to do just that; break up the marriage union for no reason at all. Maybe you just decided your spouse is no longer attractive and say, "Ugh

That is what is so pitiful about divorce. Not only do you wreck your relationship, you hurt others involved in the process. Not to even mention the phycological and emotional damage and stress it gives to the children.

I believe that if you are not officially married, you should not be having sex. It would be wrong. For the sex act is the ultimate act of love in a relationship and should never be treated lightly. Especially just for the short term purpose of only gratifying the desires of your flesh. Their are way to many risks involved and entirely to many emotions at play to have sex out side of marriage.

Of course, human nature being what it is, will sway to the side of being selfish if you choose to not keep it in check. Our culture in particular encourages us to "go for the gusto". Get it NOW. Why wait for something later when you can have it NOW. People apply this same logic to sex.
They feel the urge. They satisfy that urge. And many times in the process bring home a brand new sexually transmitted disease, hurt feelings, broken promises to remain pure until marriage and biggest of all of couse.......HEY CONGRADULATIONS....IT'S A BOY.

If we would only stay within the confines of God's love, we would be able to spare so much heartache and pain not only for ourselves, but those we care so deeply about.

Hey, was that a long enough answer for ya?

Sincerely,
Samichking

Well.......

I must say I've a very different perspective on sex then you Sami.

I think that that one single moment of joy is the single most potent moment possible.

I agree that if you are going to have sex there must be some emotional link between you and your partner. That can't be right. one night stands are psychologically destructive.

BUT saying that, if there is a link say like between friends, then why not. As long as both parties are fully aware of the relationship risks, are practising safe sex and are sober (alcohol is it's own devil & Angel.) then why not.

Equally if partners follow the rules above and mutually whole-heartedly agree to the above conditions, then again why not.

The only thing is when one party is unhappy or unsure as to open relationships, then it can't work its time to end relationship or agree to monogomy.

Monogomy is the single most true act of devotion to one-another.

I agreed to it with my girlfriend because I love her dearly and do, at some point, intend to marry her.

However. Had in an earlier stage of the relationship she wanted a mor eopen relationship. I would have considered the do I want this, or do I ask the make or break 'it's me alone or me not at all' question.

But I disagree with sex only between married couples. But sex outside of marriage I disgree with totally, because at that point you vow one for the other until death.

Neon

*waves at Sam*

Think about it for a moment, Christians live in fear to some degree of God and it seems more of an act of OCD than of faith that they follow the rules of their religion. They become narrow-minded and sometimes discriminatory. Although, I was born into Catholicism it makes me wonder how anyone could truly repent for their sins through confession. It's one thing to have someone tell you 'you've been forgiven my child' ... it doesn't make things better, it's more of a peace of mind than anything else. Although, I believe in God, I don't believe in organized religion. Some of what's said in the Bible is offensive even at times. But I don't bother with it since it serves me no purpose.

Remember Sam, i said Would be married but for the restrictions of man, not God. In feeling like that, and having the feelings returned equally, Don't you think God Knows of the love? and there belief in it?

Or are you saying that man's law is above God's law?

pick one or the other..
one: the church must abide by man's law
other: the church must abide by God's law

your choice..

OH, and a twist on the (whispers)sex thing.

In fornication with your "legal" spouse. What is allowed by God, and what isn't?
I could get detailed here, but won't out of politeness for the <clears throat> gentiles out there

*taps finger impatiently*
Anwser Sam, I've been wondering this myself. (And saying something like "whatever God compails you to do" is not allowed. Sorry. It just isn't.)

This world? And everything in it, Illusions, Richard! Every bit of it, illusions! Do you understand that?

taken from _Illusions_ by Richard Bach

It means whatever you want it to mean. The point of it all is what you make of it. You can even decide that there is no need for meaning at all, if that makes you happy...

and since he(Sam) has yet to answer either of them, i'll add this addendum to my marriage one..

If a marriage in mexico is legal there, but illegal here. if you get married there, are you still legal in gods eyes if you live here(where the marriage is null and void) ?????

If a christan minister marries me to a monkey is that a holy bond?

Wow Red, thats taking it a bit to the extreme.. wouldn't you say?

But i still wanna hear the answer

In my opinion, the marriage that counts should be between the two who are involved. I live in a state that still recognizes common law marriages, you simply need to live together for six months and have a piece of property in both names. On the other hand, a couple can go through all the legalities and rituals and while they may be wed "in God's eyes" if neither honors the marriage, than it's not a real marriage. God, law or any other beign should have no say.

Yes Jordan (Hmm, biblical place is it not?), But we are waiting for Sam's version of this at the moment i believe.. If he will ever answer that is....

Maybe God called him.

called him what?

(yeah, bad pun. But what the hell..)