Do You Grumble?

"The Lord has heard all your grumblings against Him!"

 Exodus 16:8

Does God really hear every discontented word which I ever speak?

Does He hear when I grumble about the weather . . .
about the hard winter,
about the late spring,
about the dry summer,
about the wet harvest?

Does He hear when I grumble . . .
about the frosts,
about the drought,
about the high winds,
about the storms?

Does He hear when I grumble . . .
about my circumstances,
about the hardness of my lot,
about my losses and disappointments?

If we could get into our heart, and keep there continually, the consciousness that God hears every word we speak—would we murmur and complain so much as we now do?

We are careful never to speak words which would give pain to the hearts of those we love. Are we as careful not to say anything that will grieve our heavenly Father?

"I tell you this—that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak!" Matthew 12:36

"He who complains of the weather—complains of the God who ordains the weather!" William Law

-JR Miller

If You Will Not Work, You Will Not Eat

"Every skilled woman spun with her hands—and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen." Exodus 35:25

It didn't harm their hands a bit either! Some dainty women are like the lilies, "They do not labor or spin!" 

They keep their hands soft and white. They think any kind of work would mar the delicate beauty of their fingers. But they make a great mistake. The hands that are beautiful in heaven's sight—are not the dainty ones that are never roughened or hardened by toil.

Anything is beautiful, just in the measure in which it fulfills the mission for which it was made. Hands were made to work; and an idle, useless hand, no matter how delicate and fair, is not a lovely hand!

These ancient women had learned to spin, and now they spun for God. Here we see how everyday talents and occupations, may be turned over into God's service. The young women of today do not spin much; many of them never saw a spinning-wheel; but they have other common talents and abilities which they may consecrate to Christ.

                                                               - JR Miller

"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat"

2 Thessalonians 3:10

Today, not Tomorrow

"She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying." Mark 14:8

       Many people would have kept the jar of perfume until Jesus was dead, and would then have broken it to anoint his cold body. At least, that is the way too many of us do in these days. We wait until our friend dies—and then send our flowers and speak our words of appreciation.

      Should we not learn a lesson from Mary? The kind words we mean to speak when our friends are dead—let us speak while they can hear them! The flowers we mean to send for their coffin—let us send to brighten the rough paths for their feet. The epitaphs we mean to put upon white marble—let us carve in deeds of gentle love while our friends are with us. Words of cheer today—are what people crave.
     "Withhold all eulogies when I am dead, All noisy sorrow;Give me the tender word today Instead of tears tomorrow."
(JR Miller)

Walk with God

     

 "So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran." Genesis 12:4

      

      That was faith. Obedience proved it. Abram did not know where he was going; he had simply the call of God and a promise. But he asked no questions. He did not insist on knowing how his journey would come out, how profitable it would be, just what he would get in exchange for the land he was leaving and the sacrifice he was making. Quietly, without question or hesitation, he arose, cut the ties that bound him to his old home, and departed.

      

      That is the kind of faith all of us should have, whenever God gives us a call and a promise. Some people want to see where they are going before they will begin to follow Christ; but that is not walking by faith at all.

      We should not trouble ourselves to know where we are to be led, if only we know that God is leading us. His guidance is safe; and we should be willing to trust him, do precisely what he says, and go just where he leads, without asking any questions. Abraham's life is a picture of a true "walk with God."
- JR Miller

Sorrows are but incidents in life...

        "After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said—Now that my servant Moses is dead—you must lead my people across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them." Joshua 1:1-2

          Sorrow came to you yesterday—and emptied your home. Your first impulse now is to give up and sit down in despair amid the wrecks of your hopes. But you dare not do it. You are in the line of battle, and the crisis is at hand. To falter a moment, would be to imperil some holy interest. Other lives would be harmed by your pausing. Holy interests would suffer—should your hands be folded. You must not linger even to indulge your grief. Sorrows are but incidents in life, and must not interrupt us. We must leave them behind, while we press on to the things that are before.

        Then God has so ordered, too, that in pressing on in duty—we shall find the truest, richest comfort for ourselves. Sitting down to brood over our sorrows, the darkness deepens about us and creeps into our heart, and our strength changes to weakness. But if we turn away from the gloom, and take up the tasks and duties to which God calls us—the light will come again and we shall grow stronger!

(JR Miller)

Jonah and the Whale

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

            Such words of wisdom from the Bible inspire me to teach Sunday School kids during my “single” days aside from the benefit I personally and spiritually gained from teaching.  I enjoyed teaching that I totally miss it when I stop to tend to my first born child.

            Then just recently I am challenge once again to teach and get involve in the ministry. We only have one Sunday school teacher in our mission church and I have to step in every time she is not able to teach. I never realize how I have missed teaching until I was once again in front of the children.

            More so I am challenge because I can see that there are a lot of things to be done in the children’s ministry. I am challenge when I saw that we lack lot of materials for activities and crafts. I am challenge that their classroom needed a makeover. And I am challenge to make a difference in the lives of these kids. I believe in a good foundation so it is but right to teach children the ways of God as young as they are.

I am grateful that brethren in our mother church are more than willing to give some materials for the Sunday school so we can have something to use. I also scoured some of my materials which I used and keep not so long ago (at this moment I thank God that I am quite such a hoarder) =) at least we have something to use and I don’t need to buy much.

            My journey once again as a Sunday school teacher began, this time it is more challenging and quite difficult because I have with me my one year old son as I taught. Just blessed that he is not so hard to handle during class time (though there are times =)

            Last Sunday I taught them about Jonah, his disobedience to God and him learning that Salvation is of the Lord. The kids are excited to learn, I can see that but they are more than excited during crafts/activity time. I can tell that they enjoy doing their crafts so much. Below is the picture of the craft they made to go along with the lesson on Jonah and the Whale.

            We made a boat and put some people on it. Use a popsicle stick to stand the sail. And write their memory verse on the sail. The kids then paste their boat on a piece of construction paper (some on bond paper), draw some waves and a whale. You can never tell how creative kids can be when it comes to arts and crafts, so just let them bring out their creativity. Some of them make a little Jonah in front of an open-mouthed whale as if ready to swallow.

            If you are wondering how we made the boat, check this out:

How to make a boat (paper folding)

            There goes our Sunday, how about you? If you are a Sunday school teacher too, you can use the crafts we had made. I forgot to take a picture of the crafts we made when we had our fruit of the spirit lesson. But I made the kids draw nine fruits of their choice, colored it and write the fruits of the spirit on each fruit they made. Never forget to tell them to write their memory verse on their crafts/activity so that they will not forget it. I made them bring home whatever crafts they made to show to their parents.

             If you used this craft, don't forget to leave a comment and maybe some pointers too=)

            Happy crafting! =) God Bless!

            

A New Journey

Many times I tried so hard to be up to date in publishing new posts here in my blog but poor me I couldn't keep up. With my husband finally commissioned to be the Pastor of a mission church, we basically come and go from our house to the mission place.

I know there will be great adjustments and some difficulties and lots of challenges ahead of us but on top of that I am actually excited to what God has prepared for us in that new place. Being a missionary family and a missionary wife post great responsibilities but I know that God had chosen us to be in that place and God will enable and will qualify those He had chosen.

We had been living in two places and sleeping in two houses for the past months since we did not fully move in yet to the new place. We are here in our old house (staff house actually of the church where my husband is working) during weekdays and go to the mission place on weekends. It’s not that far but sometimes travelling is a challenge if we won’t go early in the afternoon of Fridays. No taxi will say yes to us especially if they see that we had tons of loads =) (that’s because we are slowly gathering and moving our things and we carry what we can every time we go there).

So those are the things that are going on with me and this family of mine for the past months. And so now we love what we are doing and loving the new place and loving the new journey God has given us.

And I am excited to tell you all that finally we had our first Ladies Fellowship last Saturday. We are using Myrna Alexander’s After God’s Heart Bible Study Series on Loving and Obeying God based on the Book of 1 Samuel. It’s a great study and as a Christian Woman it is my desire to be a woman after God’s heart. I am happy that God had given me the privilege to lead a Bible study as part of our church’s ladies ministry.

We finish our first topic, Coping with Pain where we study how Hannah coped up with her pain of being barren and for being constantly ridiculed by her adversary. We learn some Biblical ways and principles on dealing with painful and difficult situations. We also discover about faithfulness both of Hannah and of God.

And one thing I could not shake off is the principle that when we are facing life difficulties, we should turn to God first not to anything or anyone else and just give Him our emotions and tell Him everything. Oftentimes we seek relief in life’s hardships by turning to people, friends and relatives or by going out and relaxing instead of facing them and laying them at the feet of Jesus first.

So there goes my week =) Thanking and Praising God for His blessings! =)

Glorify God in the Fire

"Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit!" John 15:2 

"I have refined you in the furnace of suffering!" Isaiah 48:10 

Fire not only burns and purges, but it separates one thing from another.

God Almighty knows that we are often purged more in one hour by a good sound trial — than by a "thousand manifestations of His love. It is a fine thing to come purified, to come pardoned out of the furnace of affliction. The furnace is intended to purge us to separate the precious from the vile, the chaff from the wheat. And God, in order to do this, is pleased to put us into one fire after another.

There are some roads which are finely paved and smooth — but the King's road to Heaven is strewed with crosses and afflictions!

My brethren, we need to be purged! How apt are we to want to go to Heaven upon a featherbed. But many go lying upon beds of pain and languishing, which is the King's highway there.

God will not put us into the fire — if there was not something to be purged away. The grand thing, is to learn to glorify God in the fire.

We glorify God in the fire, when we quietly endure it as a chastisement, and when we bear it patiently. It is a dreadful thing when we are saying with Cain, "My punishment is greater than I can bear!" But the language of a soul that glorifies God in the fire is this, "Shall I, Lord, shall I a sinful man, complain for the punishment of my sins?"

We glorify God in the fire, when, though we feel pain and anguish, we at the same time say, "Lord, we deserve this and ten thousands times more!" 

We glorify God in the fire also, when we are really and fully persuaded that God will put us in the furnace only for our good, and His own glory. 

We glorify God in the fire when we say, "Lord don't let the fire go out until it has purged away all my dross!" 

We glorify God in the fire when the soul can say, "Here I am, my God, do with me as seems good in Your sight! I know that I shall not have one unnecessary stroke!"

We glorify God in the fire when we are not grumbling, but humbly submitting to His will. When that awful message was brought to Eli, what does he say? "It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him." Let my children be killed, whatever is done, it is the Lord's doing! 

We glorify God in the fire when we rejoice in Him — when we can thank God for striking us — when we can thank Him for whipping us!

Happy are you who have got into Christ's fire!

-George Whitefield

Rejoicing in Suffering

 Rejoicing in Suffering

A little reminder for the day:

^“ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” Romans 5:3-4

"At first we would say that a home into which no sorrow had ever come, is the happiest home. It has had only prosperity. It is a Christian home, too, and has all the blessings of true religion. It is a home of love, ideal in its fellowship. But it has never known a sorrow. The circle is unbroken. No tears have been shed in it. We would say that this is the happiest home we know.

But it takes sorrow to perfect 'love's happiness'. There is little doubt that the sweetest home, is one in which there has been grief. We do not find the richest things in the Bible, until we pass into shadows. We do not see the stars, until night comes. There is no rainbow, except when there are clouds. We do not find out the richest love, even of our human friends, while we are strong and well and prosperous; it is only when we are in some grief or trouble, that we discover how much they love us. And we do not get the best of God's grace—until we are in sorrow.

Besides, grief softens our hearts, makes us capable of deeper affection and sympathy, and draws us nearer to each other. After a household has stood together around the coffin of one of its own—it is a new tenderness that unites the members. Suffering together, brings a new closeness in loving. Thus, even sorrow may be put among the elements of home happiness."

-          (JR Miller - Miller's Year Book)

Suffering is one thing that all Christians experience but the blessing of it all is that as a believer we have the Holy Spirit that gives us the ability to rejoice in the midst of suffering. Others may not understand this especially the non-believers but the way we, believers weather the hard times in our lives can become a wonderful testimony to others.

There is pain, that one cannot be denied, we can be honest about it but it is still possible to experience genuine rejoicing. We can have peace and joy in spite of our circumstances. As for me when I am going through one of these experiences, I reflect on it, I try by God’s grace to listen to the truths and see the lesson that He want to teach me. Suffering is a good thing because they produce a fruit of righteousness in my life. God is using life’s difficulties to build my character. As the verse say: it produces patience which in turn strengthens my character, deepen my trust in God and give me confidence about the future: that is hope =) Sufferings should draw us closer to God. 

Help me Lord, to rejoice in sufferings knowing that you are working something in my life. Help me not to panic but have a steady and stronger faith in You.

HOW TO STOP PROCRASTINATION

Proverbs 27:1 “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

Are you a procrastinator? I have to admit that at times am really I a procrastinator. I thought of doing things but when the time comes I put it aside for some reasons. More often than not I just don’t have the rush to do it. Maybe you can count me in that group of “adrenaline people”. I do not know; but I can put more focus and words just pour in when I am betting the deadline. I know this is not healthy and it can affect my life in the long run. And as a Christian this should not be the case.

I made this article as a sample for an online writing job I applied before and was gladly take in by the admin of the site. Ever since I always use this article everytime a client ask for a work sample before awarding a writing project. And I want to post this now here in my blog because I have been procrastinating too long… procrastinating in posting some articles. I have been meaning to update my blog but I just cannot do it for so many reasons. Now that at least I found some time to really update this, I am hoping that I can do it regularly. Many things happened to me and my family these past months that I believe is worth sharing for to my readers and followers. Many things I have learned and want to share it with you my dear readers. But I will do it one at a time. For now, I want to post this article which I wanted to do so for some time now. I hope you can learn from it and may even have some insights on how to stop procrastinating. Here we go: =)

"People have their own reasons why they usually put things off. To some, it is because they have many things on their hands, to some just the plain reason of “they don’t want to do them for now”, to some because they are afraid to do things, the task is boring, difficult and to most because it became a habit and it works for them. They love the adrenaline of doing things in haste and with the clock ticking. (that last one works for me)

Procrastination has been around for a long time and the truth is everyone does it. But it became a bad habit. (which I want to change) Procrastination might stop us from achieving the goals we have set for ourselves. (true) Getting better with your goals means you should stop procrastinating now. It can be a reason for our failures. Time is a very costly resource since we are only allocated limited fraction of it. We are not going to live forever and as the verse says above we do not know what tomorrow will bring, we do not even know if we are still alive comes morning. So what better things to do than doing it now and doing it well? Once time has passed we can never get it back.  That’s the danger of procrastination.

Unrewarding lifestyle is one result of delaying things needlessly. It also shows that we do not have discipline and are poor time managers and sometimes shows our disobedience. (ouch! This one hurts) So how can we prevail over it?

Later is not always better so let us take a few steps each day that will help us stop procrastination. We have many excuses when it comes to putting things off but we can overcome it if we really want to. We should take a few small steps each day to becoming more diligent in our tasks. When setting goals, make sure it is realistic and attainable. Make sure to follow the steps you set for your goals and as you work ahead that goal avoid making excuses along the way. Finally pray for strength and persistence for we can not do things apart from the grace of God.

Let us take every minute counts by changing the way we think. Let us enjoy and love the things we do. Make certain to lessen interruption when you are set to doing a task at hand. Time Management is very important when it comes to working toward stopping procrastination. Make sure to prepare a to-do-list and prioritize your duties by ranking them accordingly. Put on top the task that needs to be done right away, then the once that require to be done soon and so on and so forth.  

Time is moving fast so let us not waste our lives and instead use the short time lent to us to make ourselves useful for today. Never let yourself fall into the trap of putting off things tomorrow what can be done today. By changing our attitude towards our duties and responsibilities we will find joy in seeing our tasks get accomplished. For one day we may find that tomorrow may not come."

Indeed, I want to reiterate that last line, One day we may find that tomorrow may not come at all. This life has been given to us by Almighty God. Only one life and soon it will pass. I want to make the most of it. I want to live a life pleasing to God, a life that will give glory to His name. I am praying that as I live my life people will see Jesus Christ in me.  

Time Will Come...

 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Since I resign from my work and became a stay-at-home mom, I have been very busy with all the things inside the house that making a new post here in my blog becomes a struggle. Oh, but how I miss reading posts from both my followers and those I am following. So here I am again=) At least my younger son now had some kind of sleeping schedule that I can fit some of my time blogging. Thank God! For the past months my schedule is compose mainly of doing all the stuff a homemaker is supposed to do. I am happy doing them. I am still adjusting maybe that my adrenaline pumps up almost all the time and I get stressed keeping up with my schedule as if I am still at the office doing the things an office worker normally do. You know betting the deadlines, before the deadlines and the likes. Then I remember I am not working for anybody anymore and that I have to relax just a little bit =) 

A friend of mine asked me one time if I miss working at the office and I told her almost in an instant without even thinking: NO! =) Not that I was surprise at the question and give an impulsive answer but that was really what's in my heart at that time and until this time. I don't miss getting up early in the morning, getting ready for the office and have my breakfast at the office because I might be late if I eat at home. I don't miss all the office stuffs at all. I enjoy and love waking in the morning now. I love it when my little one makes such cute noise when he's already awake and trying to shout to the world: hey Mom, I'm awake! =) and when I turn to look at him, oh boy, the smile on his face can remove all the "sleepyheadedness" (if there's such a word, hahahah!!) in me. Such sweet smile, telling me that he is ready to begin his day. I love waking in the morning listening to my older son say "Good Morning Mommy! =)

Of course I would be lying if I say there are no days where I am not overwhelmed with the tasks and responsibilities at hand. There were such days and I cried at those days. I even feel that I am failing as a wife and as a mother when at the end of the day I did some things wrong. My older son wants to play with me and told him I just can’t because I have to tend to his little brother or that I have still have to do this and to do that. Then he will cry trying to get some of my attention. I look at him when he is sleeping and say I am sorry my son, I will do better tomorrow. And I will because there might be a time when I can no longer play with him. It might be the last time. I want to grab every chance I've got. Time flies they say and it really is. My kids are growing up so fast I may not notice that time will come when I can no longer carry them in my arms. There will come a time when they don't want me to hold their hands anymore while walking or crossing the road because they can manage to do it on their own. Time will come I won't be scrubbing their hair and feet in the bath because they want to bathe alone. Time will come I won't be singing lullabies and telling them stories at bedtime or there will be no more goodnight kisses. There will come a time when it will be the last time and time will come when there's no more time left to do it.

It seems so overwhelming doing the same things day in and day out but I ask the good Lord to give me grace to do them. I want to cherish every moment because I don't want to have regrets. Motherhood is a blessing and so is being a wife. 

Our new Bundle of Joy

Friday afternoon, September 12, I started to feel the pain from my lower back going to my abdomen. I thought to myself, Is this true labor or not? The pain is not that intense (yet) though it is quite painful so I continued doing the things I needed to do at home. I never thought the pain will persist and will intensify as nighttime came. Around 3 in the morning, I could not sleep through it anymore, so I get up and prepare my older son’s things. I was thinking to bring him to the hospital but I know it would not be possible. My grandmother just died and my mother who is supposed to take care of my son when I gave birth went home to our province. So I am now confuse as to what to do until my sister called and told me to leave my eldest son at my brother’s and my mother would pick him up there and bring him to the province. I was relieved. It’s a good thing my son cooperated. I labored for the whole day of Saturday and night time comes still no progress. My cervix would not open. I could no longer bear to go another whole night of laboring and so I and my husband decided for a C Section like before. I gave birth September 13, Saturday night. Oh I wanted so much to have VBAC but I failed. I am glad though for the strength God had given me during those times. Now we are at home and adjustments are around the corner. I never thought it could be this hard taking care of the baby with my eldest son also craving for my attention not to mention my role as a wife. Maybe in his young mind he is wondering why things at home suddenly change. It breaks my heart to see my son cry when mommy cannot be with him at some pointy of time because the baby also needs mommy. He told me "to put the baby down and sleep here in my room mommy". I am exclusively breastfeeding my baby (thinking to do so until he reach 6 months before mixed- feeding with formula) and we all know especially those who have done it before that breastfeeding really requires a lot of time. It is time consuming but I believe it is the best for my baby. No matter how much I explain to my son about our situation, I know he doesn't understand it yet.  I am trying my best to be there for him and the baby at the same time. I told him that when the baby grow up just like him they can play together and I can see the excitement on his face and he added that they will ride a bus and swim in the river=) (Two of his favorite thing - bus and river) My husband told me to just hold my peace because I am still adjusting to the situation. I know “this too shall pass”. I live each day doing the best I can and with a lot of help and grace from my Almighty Father, I will be able to be the mother and wife God wants me to be.

The Earth is The Lord's

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1

Who enables the cock to crow at dawn?

And the sun to rise everyday at morn

The melodious sound of birds when they sing

And the breeze each morning that’s so soothing?

Who paints the extensive clear blue sky?

And the fragrant flowers that you pass by

Who made the canopies of verdant trees?

And all of those spiky cactuses

Do you marvel, wonder, and ponder?

About the things, you see that’s so grandeur

He made it! The One who’s ever present

Coz everywhere you look, God’s finger prints

The face of a baby when he smiles

And the look on a child’s face when she cries

The different races and our uniqueness

That makes this world a very exciting place

Who cause the rain to fall on a thirsty land?

And put oasis in every desert ground

Who restrain the ice over the Atlantic?

And holds the water on the grand pacific

From the mountain slopes down to the valley

For every single cell inside your body

God’s working hands in there you will clearly see

There’s no doubt about it, nothing more to say

Who lift you up every time you are down?

And put smile on your face instead of frown

Who dries the tears you shed when you are hurting?

Strengthens you when the storm’s assailing

Who permits the moon to cast its light?

And give us the chance to star-gazed at night

Who answers prayers from a troubled heart?

It’s God and alone He does with all His might

From the heart of every woman and a man

To the preacher who preaches until he can

And a missionary to a distant land

The marvelous grace of God in them abound.

The Blessings of Being at Home

 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.Proverbs 31:27

It’s been a while since I posted something here. I’ve been very busy since the day I resigned from the office and assume my “stay-at-home-life”. Indeed it’s so great being at home and being able to see to your family’s needs personally. The joy it brings me can never be compared to anything else. I know I am just starting and there are challenging days ahead but for now I am happy and I will enjoy every moment of it. Most of my first few days at home were spent cleaning, reorganizing and rearranging things at home. It’s only now that I realize how much things are needed to be done inside the house. Spending your whole day at the office working somehow drained my energy that some tasks at home were usually put off until they piled up. I need to clean and thoroughly clean, meaning I need to have a general cleaning. My pantry needs reorganizing and some furniture needs some rearranging. Those were the things I badly needed to do before the baby comes out. Though what I can do is being limited by my pregnancy, I still manage to do some things. I thank and praise God for strength and good health. I started with my son’s room and I am so glad with the outcome. (Though it still needs some finishing touches =)) Another great thing about being at home is to be able to prepare meals for your family. Wow, sometimes I run out of ideas what to cook that's why I now plan my menu for the week =)

                As I am doing all these chores, I remember one woman telling me that I will be having a grand vacation when I resign from work. I laughed at the thought of it now. What?! People think that when a woman or mother chooses to stay at home that she will be idle and do nothing but work a little and sleep. I can’t believe such ridiculous thinking. There are a lot of things to do at home. Actually, more work than working in an office but no monetary benefits. People have different views about women being a homemaker. It’s a choice that you have to make on your own. If you have prayed about it and you believe with all your heart that it is what and where God’ wants you to be; then be one of the millions of homemakers around the world. It will be worth it. 

A prayer for my Son

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 127:3

            Three years! Wow! How time flies, I still remember the moment I first held you in my arms. How can I forget? You evoked in me a feeling I have never felt before. I realized that I can be a selfish person when it comes to you, that I can be so protective. Everytime I look at you I realized how blessed I am that God so graciously gives us such a wonderful blessing.  I and your Dad love you so much. We are not perfect parents but you inspire us to be the best that we can be. You remind us of God’s faithfulness and promises.

We pray:

• ·      That you will respond in faith to God’s call and will come to the knowledge of Jesus’ saving grace.

• ·        That you will have that increasing desire to hate sin, to please God and heed His commandments.

• ·        That you will be kept pure and not be unequally yoked in intimate relationship especially marriage.

• ·        That you will respect those who are in authority.

• ·        That when the time comes and God calls you; you will gladly go and give your life generously to the Lord’s work.

Happy Happy Birthday my son! =)

The rules for domestic happiness

The rules for domestic happiness

The rules for domestic happiness are few and simple. He who runs, may read. They are mighty. We can but admire the effects produced in a Christian household by such maxims and precepts as these!

1.  Be humble. "Pride only breeds quarrels." 

2.  "Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit." 

3.  Find your own happiness in trying to make others happy. 

4.  Mind your own business. Do not be meddlesome. 

5.  Beware of a fretful, suspicious, or censorious temper. 

6.  "Overcome evil with good." "Bless and curse not."

7.  "Love one another deeply, from the heart." 

8.  Do not magnify the trials or afflictions of life. 

9.  Beware of sloth. There is no greater enemy of peace and happiness. 

10. Make it your business to serve God. 

11. Keep out of debt. "Owe no man anything." Loans breed bad tempers and harsh dispositions.

12. Keep the ultimate purpose of life in view — to glorify God. This will repress many vain wishes and chasten immoderate desires. 

13. Let your prayers be frequent and fervent. 

14. Never listen to scandal nor backbiting. 

15. Do not grieve or worry over things which cannot be helped. 

16. Set the Lord always before you. Seek His glory. Do and suffer His will with readiness. Let Christ be all and in all. Trust in the Lord forever. 

(William S. Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")