{"id":25044,"date":"2023-05-26T16:34:16","date_gmt":"2023-05-26T16:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/?page_id=25044"},"modified":"2023-05-26T19:20:23","modified_gmt":"2023-05-26T19:20:23","slug":"stages-of-maturity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/stages-of-maturity\/","title":{"rendered":"Stages of Maturity"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"25044\" class=\"elementor elementor-25044\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-10063c5 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"10063c5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4b15556 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"4b15556\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a159da sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8a159da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Stages of Maturity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1f4e6e4 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"1f4e6e4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e52447e sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"e52447e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2132f70 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2132f70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Taken from LifeModelWorks.org- Jim Wilder<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-32cdd86 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"32cdd86\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2242a81 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"2242a81\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80c72f2 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"80c72f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">INFANT STAGE\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-102aa56 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"102aa56\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>I have experienced strong, loving, caring bonds with mother\/women. I have experienced strong, loving, caring bonds with father\/a man. Important needs were met until I learned to ask.<\/li><li>Others took the lead and synchronized with me and my feelings first. Quiet together times helped me calm myself with people around. Important people have seen me through the &#8220;eyes of heaven.&#8221;<\/li><li>I can both receive and give life.<\/li><li>I receive with joy and without guilt or shame.<\/li><li>I can now synchronize with others and their feelings.<\/li><li>I found people to imitate so that I now have a personality I like. I learned to regulate and quiet the &#8220;big six&#8221; emotions:<\/li><li>Anger<\/li><li>Fear<\/li><li>Sadness<\/li><li>Disgust<\/li><li>Shame hopeless\/despair<\/li><li>I can return to joy from every emotion and restore broken relationships. I stay the same person over time.<\/li><li>I know how to rest.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-28b67f7 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"28b67f7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec0993a sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ec0993a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infants_Boys_Smile_442245-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-25084\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infants_Boys_Smile_442245-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infants_Boys_Smile_442245-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infants_Boys_Smile_442245-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infants_Boys_Smile_442245-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infants_Boys_Smile_442245-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infants_Boys_Smile_442245-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infants_Boys_Smile_442245-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infants_Boys_Smile_442245-840x560.jpg 840w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infants_Boys_Smile_442245-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infants_Boys_Smile_442245-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-d8af7ce elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"d8af7ce\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-dd4780e sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"dd4780e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f8647c sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5f8647c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1667\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/david-beale-168546-unsplash-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24887\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/david-beale-168546-unsplash-1.jpg 2500w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/david-beale-168546-unsplash-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/david-beale-168546-unsplash-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/david-beale-168546-unsplash-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/david-beale-168546-unsplash-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/david-beale-168546-unsplash-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/david-beale-168546-unsplash-1-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/david-beale-168546-unsplash-1-840x560.jpg 840w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/david-beale-168546-unsplash-1-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/david-beale-168546-unsplash-1-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-00beb11 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"00beb11\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cfb3902 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cfb3902\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CHILD STAGE\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67b5555 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67b5555\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>I can do things I don&#8217;t feel like doing.<\/li><li>I can do hard things (even if they cause me some pain.)<\/li><li>I can separate my feelings, my imagination and reality in my relationships.<\/li><li>I am comfortable with reasonable risks, attempts and failures.<\/li><li>I have received love I did not have to earn.<\/li><li>I know how my family came to be the way it is&#8211;family history.<\/li><li>I know how God&#8217;s family came to be the way it is.<\/li><li>I know the &#8220;big picture&#8221; of life with the stages of maturity.<\/li><li>I can take care of myself.<\/li><li>I ask for what I need.<\/li><li>I enjoy self-expression.<\/li><li>I am growing in the things I am good at doing (personal resources and talents.)<\/li><li>I help other people to understand me better if they don&#8217;t respond well to me<\/li><li>I have learned to control my cravings.<\/li><li>I know what satisfies me.<\/li><li>I see myself through the &#8220;eyes of heaven.&#8221; (This means through God\u2019s eyes, how God sees us, and through other\u2019s eyes who see what God has placed in me)<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-c50f055 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"c50f055\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a2bf06d sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"a2bf06d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4641644 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4641644\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ADULT STAGE\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b17708a sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b17708a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>I have had a rite of passage into adulthood by the community I am comfortable relating to the same sex community<\/li><li>I have a peer group where I belong<\/li><li>I can partner with others<\/li><li>My relationships are marked by fairness and mutual satisfaction<\/li><li>I protect others from my power when necessary<\/li><li>I protect my personal and group identity when boundaries are violated I live in a way that expresses my heart<\/li><li>I have a diverse set of roles and responsibilities<\/li><li>I make important contributions to my family and community<\/li><li>I can bring two or more people back to joy at the same time<\/li><li>I use my sexual power wisely<\/li><li>I can proclaim my spiritual identity<\/li><li>I can see others through the \u201ceyes of Heaven.\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-17f9edc sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"17f9edc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bdfe35 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0bdfe35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5184.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-25085\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5184.jpg 800w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5184-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5184-768x573.jpg 768w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5184-370x276.jpg 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5184-410x306.jpg 410w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/5184-600x448.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e49fa81 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"e49fa81\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-78d4176 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"78d4176\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9053f22 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9053f22\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/291975-P6RE6U-467-scaled-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-25086\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/291975-P6RE6U-467-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/291975-P6RE6U-467-scaled-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/291975-P6RE6U-467-scaled-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/291975-P6RE6U-467-scaled-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/291975-P6RE6U-467-scaled-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/291975-P6RE6U-467-scaled-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/291975-P6RE6U-467-scaled-1-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/291975-P6RE6U-467-scaled-1-840x560.jpg 840w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/291975-P6RE6U-467-scaled-1-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/291975-P6RE6U-467-scaled-1-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f09baa sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6f09baa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>I give life to the \u201cfamilyless\u201d<\/li><li>I help my community mature<\/li><li>I build and maintain the community identity<\/li><li>I don\u2019t abandon when I disengage<\/li><li>I share others\u2019 feelings but still know who I am and who they are I continue to be the same person when provoked or tempted<\/li><li>I bear up well under: Misunderstandings Accusations &amp; Rage Contradictions<\/li><li>I see some of what God sees in every situation<\/li><li>I enjoy what God put in each and everyone<\/li><li>I live transparently and spontaneously<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-537ae42 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"537ae42\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-320fe30 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"320fe30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">PARENT STAGE\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb77e73 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fb77e73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6><strong>(Note: this does not have to be actual parents but can include those that have mentored and been surrogate parents for others) <\/strong><\/h6><ul><li>I have brought others to life<\/li><li>I have an encouraging partner<\/li><li>I receive guidance from elders<\/li><li>I have peers that hold me accountable<\/li><li>I have a secure and orderly home and community<\/li><li>I can give without needing to receive in return<\/li><li>I see my family through the eyes of heaven<\/li><li>I include others in family activities<\/li><li>I am present with my family<\/li><li>I am protective of my family<\/li><li>I am attentive to my family<\/li><li>\u00a0I am calming to my family<\/li><li>I enjoy my family<\/li><li>I comfort my family<\/li><li>I help my children mature<\/li><li>I can synchronize the needs of wife, children, family, work &amp; church<\/li><li>I have a community of people to call my own<\/li><li>I am recognized by my community<\/li><li>I have a proper place in the community structure<\/li><li>I am valued and defended by the community<\/li><li>I demonstrate hospitality<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-909672d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"909672d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3267b48 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"3267b48\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c739fe3 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c739fe3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ELDER STAGE\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fd6c51 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9fd6c51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>I have a community of people to call my own<\/li><li>I am recognized by my community<\/li><li>I have a proper place in the community structure<\/li><li>I am valued and defended by the community<\/li><li>I demonstrate hospitality<\/li><li>I give life to the \u201cfamilyless\u201d<\/li><li>I help my community mature<\/li><li>I build and maintain the community identity<\/li><li>I don\u2019t abandon when I disengage<\/li><li>I share others\u2019 feelings but still know who I am and who they are I continue to be the same person when provoked or tempted<\/li><li>I bear up well under:<\/li><li>Misunderstandings Accusations<\/li><li>Rage Contradictions<\/li><li>I see some of what God sees in every situation I enjoy what God put in each and everyone<\/li><li>I live transparently and spontaneously<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-afae482 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"afae482\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f083d7 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8f083d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24517\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-1290x725.jpg 1290w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-840x473.jpg 840w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-410x231.jpg 410w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wp5561186-270x152.jpg 270w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5ce44c2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"5ce44c2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-38d63b2 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"38d63b2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b2a400 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7b2a400\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wedding-day-scaled-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-25087\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wedding-day-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wedding-day-scaled-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wedding-day-scaled-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wedding-day-scaled-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wedding-day-scaled-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wedding-day-scaled-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wedding-day-scaled-1-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wedding-day-scaled-1-840x560.jpg 840w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wedding-day-scaled-1-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/wedding-day-scaled-1-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-03dec2f sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"03dec2f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-edc18d6 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"edc18d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">PRE-MARRIAGE CHECKLIST FOR MEN\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80eb616 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"80eb616\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>I have a community of people to call my own<\/li><li>I am recognized by my community<\/li><li>I have a proper place in the community structure<\/li><li>I am valued and defended by the community<\/li><li>I demonstrate hospitality<\/li><li>I give life to the \u201cfamilyless\u201d<\/li><li>I help my community mature<\/li><li>I build and maintain the community identity<\/li><li>I don\u2019t abandon when I disengage<\/li><li>I share others\u2019 feelings but still know who I am and who they are I continue to be the same person when provoked or tempted<\/li><li>I bear up well under:<\/li><li>Misunderstandings Accusations<\/li><li>Rage Contradictions<\/li><li>I see some of what God sees in every situation I enjoy what God put in each and everyone<\/li><li>I live transparently and spontaneously<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9eeaa0b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"9eeaa0b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eab418b sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"eab418b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70ef9d3 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"70ef9d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Brief Description of Maturity Stages<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb1fcfa sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cb1fcfa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">From The Complete Guide to Living With Men \u00a9 2004 E. James Wilder\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-015f7a4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"015f7a4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-51bf61d sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"51bf61d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36b9bcf sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"36b9bcf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter Zero\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b01a19 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8b01a19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This book was written for men, but the principles apply to either gender. This explains the biased gender references leaning toward men. Please include all adults, all parents, all children of either gender in each stage as you read this.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbc8ae1 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fbc8ae1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Goals for each stage:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-944eae9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"944eae9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8706c4b sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"8706c4b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f870f38 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f870f38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">THE LIFE CYCLE FROM BIRTH TO DEATH\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-470d3d5 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"470d3d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Both men and women need to understand these growth stages but for different reasons. There isn&#8217;t any difference between the life cycle for boys and girls. They must pass through the same stages and transformations, but this book will use mostly male examples. We need to have clear pictures of what male maturity looks like at each stage. Perhaps because so few men mature, they need a clear trail to follow. Men need examples that aren&#8217;t too bland. Women need to recognize maturity and the lack of it in men, or they will end up depending on men (that are unreliable for them). Both men and women will need maps and supplies so they can raise their sons to be men, husbands, fathers and elders<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e4d773b sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"e4d773b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-933cfc3 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"933cfc3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"614\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/eephP4prgcw.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-25096\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/eephP4prgcw.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/eephP4prgcw-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/eephP4prgcw-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/eephP4prgcw-370x222.jpg 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/eephP4prgcw-840x504.jpg 840w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/eephP4prgcw-410x246.jpg 410w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/eephP4prgcw-600x360.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-684b2fb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"684b2fb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5aef7ce sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"5aef7ce\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebdf0b8 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ebdf0b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"433\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25097\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i.webp 433w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-300x222.webp 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-370x273.webp 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-410x303.webp 410w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 433px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8ab6bb sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b8ab6bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>These years of infancy prepare him for weaning. In our culture, weaning from the breast or bottle is rarely timed to coincide with when the child can take care of himself. We rush our children into independence as fast as possible. Weaning from infancy is the change from baby to boy. Once a baby has learned to take basic care of his needs, he can transform into a boy who can begin living in his father&#8217;s world. He moves from life in his home toward life in both his home and community.<\/p><p><em>The goal for infancy<\/em> is for babies to organize a strong, joyful, synchronized identity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-00df09f sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"00df09f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d36986 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5d36986\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">THE FIRST GOAL: BABY<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-706f385 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"706f385\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In chapter one we will look extensively at the INFANT STAGE of the baby boy. The infant must experience strong, loving, caring bonds with his parents. These bonds must meet his needs without his having to ask. He must receive life, and learn to express the life that is in him, to everyone&#8217;s delight. During infancy the baby learns to live joyfully in his mother&#8217;s world.<\/p><p>The first four years are the baby years. Babies need to receive all good things and learn to express themselves. Each baby learns the value of &#8220;just being me&#8221; without having to earn anything. During this time his identity will either be built around joy or fear. The child whose &#8220;backpack&#8221; is filled with joy becomes strong. He will not fear the trails or mountains.<\/p><p>Keeping a baby from beginning a life of fear requires breaking life into baby-sized pieces. Each effort leads to letting the baby rest in a timely way. The baby years are synchronized to the baby&#8217;s needs. When life comes in his size, the baby learns to synchronize and control his mind and emotions. He learns to quiet himself and soon is ready to synchronize himself with others. Relationships that are both joyful and peaceful result from getting his timing right.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-957d742 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"957d742\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5ec2e6b sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"5ec2e6b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e48dbf2 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e48dbf2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">THE SECOND GOAL: BOY\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a5f19e sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4a5f19e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The CHILD STAGE begins as the baby becomes a boy at about age four. We will explore the boy&#8217;s world in chapter three. Once weaned, and able to begin taking care of himself, he will be called a boy and will get quite angry if called a baby.<\/p><p>A boy is more complex than a baby. Boys must learn to ask for the things they need. They must make themselves understandable to others. Boys must discover what satisfies them each day. To do this, each boy must learn to act exactly like himself&#8211;like the boy he is in his heart. Boys must develop their talents and resources. Their performance must be self-expression but not as a way to earn approval or love. Boys must learn to receive and give life freely. They must learn to do hard things, things that they don&#8217;t feel like doing at the time, but which are important and satisfying later. Each boy learns how to pack and carry his own backpack, read a map, keep moving on the trail and enjoy the view.<\/p><p>In preparation for manhood, boys must learn the &#8220;big picture&#8221; of life. This overall picture of life and maturity becomes his &#8220;topo&#8221; map. He must also learn the history of his own family because his big picture of life must first apply to people he knows. Family history tells him where he is on his map.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2c940f3 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"2c940f3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-298afb2 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"298afb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25099\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-1.webp 480w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-1-370x247.webp 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-1-410x273.webp 410w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 480px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cfc13c2 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cfc13c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>The goal for childhood<\/em> is to teach a boy to take care of one person&#8211;himself. Taking care of himself must be second nature before he can take care of two or more people at the same time, as men do.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-577945e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"577945e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-453df7b sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"453df7b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa020f7 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fa020f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_NTP0uvVw0vI1LU6daA-8Mg-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25100\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_NTP0uvVw0vI1LU6daA-8Mg-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_NTP0uvVw0vI1LU6daA-8Mg-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_NTP0uvVw0vI1LU6daA-8Mg-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_NTP0uvVw0vI1LU6daA-8Mg-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_NTP0uvVw0vI1LU6daA-8Mg-840x560.jpg 840w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_NTP0uvVw0vI1LU6daA-8Mg-410x273.jpg 410w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_NTP0uvVw0vI1LU6daA-8Mg-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1_NTP0uvVw0vI1LU6daA-8Mg.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32c5e44 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"32c5e44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.1px; background-color: var(--theme-color-bg_color);\">Because he and she are both adults, they can each take care of themselves and others simultaneously.<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.1px; background-color: var(--theme-color-bg_color);\">\u00a0<\/span>This kind of partnership is characteristically adult. Sharing life in a way that creates a mutually satisfying story&#8211;or imprint on history&#8211;brings great joy to adults.<\/p><p><em>The goal for men<\/em> is to become a satisfying part of history. A man knows that what he does impacts other people. Therefore he carefully insures that his impact on history (his story) is a good one.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-b99e329 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"b99e329\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c2ebce sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9c2ebce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">THE THIRD GOAL: MAN\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02742e4 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02742e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ideally, the ADULT STAGE begins at age thirteen. The well prepared boy can take excellent care of one person, himself. Given the necessary guidance, the young man is now ready to satisfy the needs of more than one person at a time. Like the other transformations, this one is physical as well as mental and social. His identity will try to reorganize itself and without an older guide, he will end up in a disorganized state. We will look at this in chapter five.<\/p><p>It takes a while to climb the many peaks that separate a self-centered boy from a both-centered man. Adult terrain is where he learns to drive a hard bargain, fair for him and fair for the other. A man looks out for the needs of others as though they were as important as his own. When a man does business, the person he is dealing with gets equal, fair treatment. This stage of development usually takes men into their early twenties. By that time, a man should be able to bargain hard, get a fair deal, not be intimidated by other men, protect others from himself when necessary and take care of a small group to everyone&#8217;s satisfaction.<\/p><p>A man wants his effects to reflect his personal character and style. Everything he does must meet this heart-based standard.\u00a0<span style=\"font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.1px; background-color: var(--theme-color-bg_color);\">His adult identity finds its highest challenge in marriage. A man is ready for marriage near the end of the adult stage. By that time he is proficient in sharing life for mutual satisfaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-73cfa88 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"73cfa88\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9f2c456 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"9f2c456\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d49755d sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d49755d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">THE FOURTH GOAL: FATHER or MOTHER\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92f15db sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"92f15db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the PARENT STAGE a person uses all he has learned in the first three stages to reach his highest peak&#8211;giving life. He already knows what he needs and feels. He is looking out for others like he does for himself. He now learns to give without receiving in return, as we will see in chapter eight. This makes him a father (Or a mother)<\/p><p>You know that you are a father when your child keeps you up all night, screaming in your ear, spitting up on your shirt, and then showing no appreciation for your efforts. You could have bargained hard, like a man, and said, &#8220;I&#8217;ll stay up with you tonight but tomorrow night you must carry me around,&#8221; but you didn&#8217;t. Instead you gave without demanding in return. This is the mountain peak you have trained for all your life. As you start this ascent, you know you are a dad.<\/p><p>The father knows what he needs. He already reached his infant goals. No one stays up all night and says, &#8220;I never need to sleep.&#8221; He can express his feelings about it as well, &#8220;I&#8217;m tired but I love my child.&#8221; He can take care of himself in the morning using the skills he learned as a boy. When his wife takes over, both are satisfied with the baby&#8217;s care. At work he drives a hard bargain, but at home he climbs above the tree line into unselfish giving. Only the man who has completed the first three stages can enjoy the climb.<\/p><p>Dad passes on the gift of grace by his unselfish giving. His child learns about having value without having to earn it. By staying up all night Dad says, &#8220;My child, you have great value to me. Even if you keep me up all night, spit up on my shirt, mess in your diapers and scream in my ear. Even if you do not care that I am here, you have more than enough value to lose sleep over.&#8221; That is a dad&#8217;s heart.<\/p><p>Dad represents God to his family. The chance to portray God is the greatest honor that anyone can have. The father becomes an example of God&#8217;s heart and character through his unselfish giving.1 This takes a while, and a father is getting the hang of it about the time his children<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8cd4087 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"8cd4087\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a398eab sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a398eab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Depositphotos_1826037_l-2015-1024x680.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25101\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Depositphotos_1826037_l-2015-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Depositphotos_1826037_l-2015-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Depositphotos_1826037_l-2015-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Depositphotos_1826037_l-2015-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Depositphotos_1826037_l-2015-370x246.jpg 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Depositphotos_1826037_l-2015-840x558.jpg 840w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Depositphotos_1826037_l-2015-410x272.jpg 410w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Depositphotos_1826037_l-2015-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Depositphotos_1826037_l-2015.jpg 1999w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0984402 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0984402\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 17px; background-color: var(--theme-color-bg_color); letter-spacing: 0.1px;\">1I know that some of you have forgotten already that fatherhood is after adult mutuality. Adults understand that representing God to children is a mutual task. Father and mother both represent God. Immaturity makes us think that it must be one or the other. It is both parents as 4 become teens. By that time, unselfishness should be second nature to Dad, he will need it.<\/span><\/p><p>To be a giver of life, a father must have received enough life that he can spare some. He must share a home where he can protect, serve and enjoy. He must have a share in finding the resources that allow his children to mature.<\/p><p><em>The goal of fatherhood<\/em> is to give life joyfully. As a father gives life, his children grow strong.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-992bc59 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"992bc59\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-19ce233 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"19ce233\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3551e36 sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3551e36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-2.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25102\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-2.webp 480w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-2-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-2-370x247.webp 370w, https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/i-2-410x273.webp 410w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 480px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c32e0d sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4c32e0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 17px; background-color: var(--theme-color-bg_color); letter-spacing: 0.1px;\">Old mountaineers die when they have no one to guide. Each elder must have a community of his own, a place where he is recognized and trusted as an elder. Elders must be given a proper place in the community structure for they would not use force to take it.<\/span><\/p><p>&#8220;I know just what you need,&#8221; must echo again in the canyons.<\/p><p>Every elder prepares to face his greatest transformation&#8211;a plunge into Iceberg Lake. When elders die, it is a time of great blessing. This is the final decontamination process from all that may have gone wrong on his journey. Everything about him that received and gave life emerges beyond Iceberg Lake. Anything about him that gave death, stays in the lake forever.<\/p><p>The goal for elders is to help their community grow up. Elders raise communities the way parents raise children. Under elders, communities reach their full maturity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1a12c66 sc_inner_width_none sc_content_align_inherit sc_layouts_column_icons_position_left sc_fly_static\" data-id=\"1a12c66\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d249d7f sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d249d7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">THE FIFTH GOAL: ELDER\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-212ad9d sc_fly_static elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"212ad9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>An elder is a father to his community. He is able to treat children who are not biologically his children with the same unselfish care he learned to give to his own. We will study the ELDER STAGE in chapter twelve.<\/p><p>After his children have become men and women, a truly grand-father becomes a guide. He helps those who are climbing for the first time. He rescues those who didn&#8217;t bring maps, forgot their supplies, or even got lost. Elders give life to the &#8220;familyless&#8221;&#8211;the widows, orphans and strangers. They help their community to mature and reach its identity.<\/p><p>Trust is built by elders because they live transparent lives. They no longer hide what they feel so they can be \u201ccool.\u201d They are real in ways they haven\u2019t been since they were children. They no longer need to protect themselves because they have learned to suffer well. Elders don\u2019t withdraw when things go wrong and people fail to live from their hearts. Through authentic involvement, elders resynchronize their community from its broken relationships, failures and failed trust. Elders may not do the work but they help others get their timing right. \u201cThis is not the time for that,\u201d they say and then again, \u201cthis is the time to do something else.\u201d<\/p><p>Many people could use an elder or a grandfather. In our society we expect older people to buy a Winnebago and drive into the sunset. We, therefore, have few elders, few spare fathers, few guides, and few people helping those in need. There is a great lack of elders in our churches and communities. We need men who have been to the mountain.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Stages of Maturity Taken from LifeModelWorks.org- Jim Wilder INFANT STAGE I have experienced strong, loving, caring bonds with mother\/women. I have experienced strong, loving, caring bonds with father\/a man.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-25044","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25044","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25044"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25044\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25105,"href":"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25044\/revisions\/25105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/demo25.mystagingserver.site\/alignwithgod\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}