tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58581398205155001302024-03-12T16:12:32.178-07:00A Thought for YouAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-27404685656520848652015-02-03T10:13:00.001-08:002015-02-03T10:13:36.545-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A Change <br />
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I have moved my blog to the following site: <a href="http://thoughtsforyou.net/">http://thoughtsforyou.net </a><br />
Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you will continue to be blessed by this blog.<br />
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Please see the new post A Gift and A Shift<br />
<a href="https://ag1989.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/an-unexpected-gift-that-caused-a-practice-shift/">https://ag1989.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/an-unexpected-gift-that-caused-a-practice-shift/ </a><br />
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Blessings<br />
Annie George</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-18465724075861089542014-11-20T05:01:00.001-08:002014-11-20T05:09:13.107-08:0010 Life Lessons on Being a Homeowner <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">One morning as I woke up, a thought welcomed me,"what have I learned on being a homeowner?" Besides my parents' home and my husband's parents', I have lived in 4 rented homes and two homes which I called our own. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">All homes varied in sizes from two rooms to many rooms. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">I have stayed in the homes of family and friends as well. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">I offer the top ten lessons to you as a source of inspiration to search and see what you have learned. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">This does not mean I have learned everything and finished learning. I hope to be still learning. But for right now, these are what I have.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">For this one I searched my heart to see which ten I would include. For right now, enjoy reading and pass it on to others. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08zvJ_D4-1RSOcr2nLXYduhRacUTxNRxEGm-v0oIXU-o3itJOl5t20ILcGPELr91-CLhXR_Sq8x6JIA1FfjTDmkSX0StNaWkKUk1ihXlo9V8YZlqzA-Db6C4b6AEzl-uW4ElvPKiguqNO/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08zvJ_D4-1RSOcr2nLXYduhRacUTxNRxEGm-v0oIXU-o3itJOl5t20ILcGPELr91-CLhXR_Sq8x6JIA1FfjTDmkSX0StNaWkKUk1ihXlo9V8YZlqzA-Db6C4b6AEzl-uW4ElvPKiguqNO/s1600/download.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">1. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">It is not the designing or decorations that make the
house beautiful but the people who invest their lives in each other through love, trust, and honesty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.9499998092651px;">2. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Do not worry about how spectacular our house is as we invite friends and family, may our hearts reach out to them in sincerity and serenity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.9499998092651px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">3. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.9499998092651px;">It is not in the rich cuisine you serve that your friends are satisfied but the warmth they feel in their spirits.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.9499998092651px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.9499998092651px;">4. Our home can become a home for others only if we are thoughtful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.9499998092651px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.9499998092651px;">5. Love all our neighbours but draw clear boundaries.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">6. As we open our home for others, never allow our
own to always feel ignored.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">7. The chinaware or the expensive dishes are not just for special guests but also for us to enjoy with kith and kin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.9499998092651px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14.9499998092651px;">8. If bricks and wood were to testify let them echo stories of forgiveness more than strife.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">9. There is nothing called the dream house. Every house
big or small will eventually be our dream home as lives are weaved together through
times of joy and tears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">10. Never get our hearts fixed on any home; see it just as a
temporary shelter as we will move on to our eternal home sooner or later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Please share lessons you have learned in the comments. </span>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-77027263491708416062014-10-22T06:13:00.002-07:002014-10-22T06:13:46.548-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">10</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> Life Lessons on Being Human</span></div>
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Here is my list of Life Lessons. They are lessons learned from various experiences. I offer them to you as a source of inspiration to search to see what life has taught you.<br />
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This does not mean I have learned everything and finished learning. I hope to be still learning. My top ten will change as I grow older. But for right now, these are what I have. Do not think I had a heart breaking search to write these. Not at all. It just flowed as I began to scribble in my note book. Enjoy reading and think of what life has taught you. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjczhdwn0bJXXM4hhaK9Z3aqq9ukok1uh1vENKHAMibikyz4_NJgxaiHNtii6CzkQlgoxBMa8uWPakie0muIonK84YPl3Ggs4Qcqs8imSqI2r0gHVbWkqlXJhlXq9zP1Fdra5VgbAhLq9o/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjczhdwn0bJXXM4hhaK9Z3aqq9ukok1uh1vENKHAMibikyz4_NJgxaiHNtii6CzkQlgoxBMa8uWPakie0muIonK84YPl3Ggs4Qcqs8imSqI2r0gHVbWkqlXJhlXq9zP1Fdra5VgbAhLq9o/s1600/images.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>Rejoice with all your heart when others rejoice.</li>
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<li>Stay close to those who suffer even if you have no words of comfort to offer. It is not the time to dig out the past to discover all whys and what ifs. </li>
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<li>Life is not meant to be lonely. There are many who enjoy your company.</li>
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<li>Once you've helped someone, learn to walk away. They do not owe
you anything.</li>
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<li>Those who have helped you, learn to be thankful regardless flaws you may discover later.</li>
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<li>Life is not a rat race; so enjoy the smile of a baby, smell of jasmine,
touch of loved ones.</li>
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<li>You do not have to get ahead of everyone all the time in
life. Stand back and watch how others enjoy when they achieve something important.</li>
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<li>No need to always explain why you are misunderstood. If it
is to be settled it will otherwise it will develop resilience in you.</li>
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<li>Blessings in your life are never to be hoarded. Sharing gives you an opportunity to witness others enjoy their lives.</li>
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<li>You will often find yourselves in dead-end but that is not
the end of your life. </li>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-59912611024687442642014-07-23T09:12:00.002-07:002014-07-23T09:12:33.133-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Perspectives...Empty Nesters<br />
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This year is a significant year in our life as husband and
wife. We celebrated our 25<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary. We are still
dreaming for many more years together. Another important event was our daughter
leaving home for college which created an empty nest for us. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLcJamx3OGrtYnLdQTVzmvTbX5oAVcykiD8ZM9CK-Zb8Z8IMFJm6uzskRtRo23eZD_agKWM8MwR5ESD_GLoc-5vwuvt3naOZ2YIlzJahIrrKAsSQsWKFVVrFwMjycT0s1h2hbaKKIkJtk/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLcJamx3OGrtYnLdQTVzmvTbX5oAVcykiD8ZM9CK-Zb8Z8IMFJm6uzskRtRo23eZD_agKWM8MwR5ESD_GLoc-5vwuvt3naOZ2YIlzJahIrrKAsSQsWKFVVrFwMjycT0s1h2hbaKKIkJtk/s1600/download.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a>So often people ask "how is life now?" "Are you sad as no
children are home?" "Do you miss them?" "Do you cry?" Yes we miss them. Life is
different without kids. But often I have mixed emotions. Sad at the same time
happy! Sad that they are not home. But happy that they are where God wants them
to be and they can manage their lives without the constant supervision of
parents. I know they will come back home but still they are adult children
steering their own lives with little direction from us compared to their
childhood. <br />
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This is the dream of any parent. Children trailing their way
to move forward in the path they see as theirs.
Moving from dependence on parents to interdependence is indeed an adventurous
task for any young adult. It becomes a risky phase if the child was not
prepared for this transition. <br />
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For parents too it
can be a difficult task if they are not preparing themselves for this phase in
life. Even though the sense of loss is normal, some parents feel a great sense
of loss when the last child leaves home to the extent that it affects the sense
of purpose and life. For others it is a constant
feeling of regret. (Here I am not taking
about elderly parents but middle aged parents. Of course the aged need constant
support and care of children.)<br />
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How can middle aged parents live without losing their sense
of direction and purpose when children leave home? It has to do with certain
perspectives of marriage, parenthood, and life. The perspective of marriage is
that husband and wife do not live for children or anything else or anybody else
but for each other. In the bond as husband and wife, next to their relationship
with God comes their relationship with each other. They become best friends and
companions as they invest their time and resources to grow in these terms. So when children leave home their friendship still
grows.<br />
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Second is the perspective of parenthood. Parents need to see
themselves as stewards of children not owners.
They have been entrusted in our care to their wholesome development. In this
process we want to give them space, resources and freedom to grow into the
design set by the creator God. Here, dreams of children and their parents about
their lives are only secondary to that of their creator. <br />
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Third is the perspective of life. Of course parenting is a
fulfilling experience. But there are also other meaningful experiences in life
which can bring joy to us and to many in our community. This may
not be a full time 9 to 5 job, yet being available to others in their time of
need. Here the involvement not at all
suggests ignoring your family but using the time, energy, talent and resources appropriately
to enrich others. Today people generally do this through employment which also
produces a monetary reward. Yet the focus here is not money but leading a
fulfilling life to bring smile to others who may not be our kin or kith. Then life
presents a bigger role than being parents and couples. <br />
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When does the preparation for this phase begin? Is it after
kids are born? Or after they become teenagers? I think the preparation begin
from the day of marriage. On that day begins the commitment to be best friends,
enriching children’s lives to fit into the design of their creator, and to encourage
each other to have an other- focused life. Thus even after children leave home,
there is still opportunity to enrich each other, children, and many others as well. </div>
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Young couples begin the process now and empty nesters there is more to it than being empty.</div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-15626465856730456862014-06-02T18:45:00.000-07:002014-06-02T18:45:41.535-07:00Honoring Our Family Members<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As my daughter and my husband were returning home after securing admission for her, I cleaned her room, made her bed with clean sheets. There is nothing new in doing these. But this time I did so being conscious of doing this with a spirit of honoring her. I experienced a new sense of delight and pleasure not the attitude of doing my mundane chores.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF6qPJx1fUeJUN7mZMEIo4i7ZP7Sri4utBr3s-M9svVOrMI9L1jK7nqvGKxZgPMLCBRuZSpNzml2zgeH_wueFAT6TC3Kn6SLh2v-7wWnr9ddUrVpnzTURxdB655CnqJiys_QCGDcS7xQ5/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF6qPJx1fUeJUN7mZMEIo4i7ZP7Sri4utBr3s-M9svVOrMI9L1jK7nqvGKxZgPMLCBRuZSpNzml2zgeH_wueFAT6TC3Kn6SLh2v-7wWnr9ddUrVpnzTURxdB655CnqJiys_QCGDcS7xQ5/s1600/download.jpg" /></a>It is quiet easy to honor and even overlook an offense if the person is our guest or a person of honor. We may go an extra mile to honor such people. It is important to practice the biblical principle of being hospitable.<br />
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Yet, how often we have the same attitude towards our family members, our acquaintances, and those whom we see all the time. As my mother died during my mid-teen years, I have learned not to take our dear ones for granted. I learned to cherish my time with my family and extended family. I made sincere efforts to let my children meet their extended family. <br />
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Still honoring is different from not taking someone for granted. How is it different? To take someone for granted means to appreciate the ways by which a person enhances and contributes to the quality of your life and the relationship. Honoring also involves appreciation but it is to value the person not just valuing the person for his/her contributions. <br />
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As I began to think more about this after listening to last week's sermon of the visiting pastor, I realized that it is a perspectival shift which leads to practice shift. I am able to appreciate my dear ones as those whom God gave me to cherish and love not just because of their contributions. This naturally leads to not to take them for granted. But the starting point is honoring not the other way.<br />
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Imagine extending this perspective to all whom we come across. What a solace we would experience and smile we are able to bring in the hearts of those we meet! But let us begin this in our family. </div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-68036025742748449962014-05-02T08:57:00.001-07:002014-05-05T08:13:51.707-07:00Setting Godly Boundaries for Your Marriage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Boundaries are well-defined and clearly identified
in land deals. This helps owners to know their limits of ownership. Respecting
the limits allows neighbors not to encroach into other’s space. In any organization,
job descriptions, rules and regulations have the same effect. Effectiveness and
productivity of the organization rest upon respecting each other’s boundaries
of space and work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If respect of the other is the basis of functioning
within the set boundaries in the above instances, growing in love with each
other is the basis for setting boundaries in marriage. Or to develop oneness in
spirit, mind, and body is the goal rather than controlling each other or to
force the other into your mold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzdg3sP4zc6QNMGOB1H5OAENY2uMn6fKWrCTHcm3Mj0D-r04T4X4qrmGdCWDVi1TkRNaDPfdZ3AWJj1paUiZFeIIW1JGbkUm1AM9_oJd9-Bw5C_uqzSI5D924ApiNlRR3-wSK-z0Ogqkv/s1600/th+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzdg3sP4zc6QNMGOB1H5OAENY2uMn6fKWrCTHcm3Mj0D-r04T4X4qrmGdCWDVi1TkRNaDPfdZ3AWJj1paUiZFeIIW1JGbkUm1AM9_oJd9-Bw5C_uqzSI5D924ApiNlRR3-wSK-z0Ogqkv/s1600/th+(1).jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the first stage of
marriage, namely romance, even when boundaries are not well defined, this stage
will care for itself as the newness the couple enjoy, may cause them to focus
on loving each other. Here the couple ignores each other’s faults thus getting
along and pleasing each other become their priorities. Brain also comes in our
aid as it releases chemicals like Oxytocin, Phenylethylamine and Dopamine which
set one’s heart thumping thus feeling similar to being “high on drugs.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, it is necessary to set boundaries in
Romance stage itself. Just like all other stones in a foundation will be set in
reference to the cornerstone in a foundation, <span style="background: white; color: #252525;">some key patterns of words and deeds set during this stage
will further guide couple’s life. Setting of boundaries may not naturally
evolve. It needs deliberateness from both partners but either of the two can
take the initiative. Thus it is neither an autocratic process nor just the interest
of one person. Even in the midst of enjoying each other’s company both husband and
wife can create a list of boundaries to steer their life together. This may not
be an exhaustive list but surely it is the cornerstone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As there is an urge in pleasing each other during
Romance stage, the couple may be willing to do anything for each other. This is
the stage in which they have certain high ideals about one’s marriage. Thus it
is easier to set boundaries during this stage. One limitation may come from the
fact that couple sees each other only through the beautiful, rose coloured
glass which can create fuzzy vision. Yet with little effort realities can be
brought to one’s perception. Besides this is just the initial attempt<span style="background: white; color: #252525;">, the beginning of listing boundaries of
their married life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Boundaries can be set during any stage in marriage.
Yet newlyweds have an added advantage. <span style="background: white; color: #252525;">From the beginning itself they can avoid causing damage to their
relationship and others. Yet for others who have been married for some time, it
is better late than never. If the couple has the intention of creating oneness,
let a new chapter emerge in life with clearly defined boundaries. While past
issues are to be resolved they can avoid creating further damage in and through
them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What are some common
boundaries that couples usually set? Family will pray together twice/once a day. Settle all disagreements before sleep. Always sleep in the same
bed even when there is disagreement. Discuss disagreements not in anger. Not to
use words like “divorce” and “suicide” in family discussion. Not to hit each
other or use foul language. Not to
discipline children in anger. Family will have at least one meal together. The
family will visit their parents once a week/month/year. Never tease each other
before others. Never to place one in a
vulnerable situation where one is mentally/emotionally/physically attracted or
attached to someone else other than one’s spouse. Take money from each other’s
purse only with mutual understanding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The list can go on. It
is to be tailored according to context of one’s family but with the aim of
growing in oneness in spirit, mind, and body. One life to live, why don’t we
live life to the fullest and enable others to do so!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">photo courtesy </span><a class="site" href="http://ri.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A2oKiHMsv2NTojEA9v_GHAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTBtdXBkbHJyBHNlYwNmcC1hdHRyaWIEc2xrA3J1cmw-/RV=2/RE=1399074733/RO=11/RU=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ladiesflight.com%2f2012%2f05%2f29%2fhow-to-protect-the-boundaries-in-marriage%2f/RK=0/RS=MrNhPUxvCSZzfVSfuV0k9AkkHK8-" style="background-color: #fafafc; clear: both; color: #1e7d83; font-family: helvetica, arial, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.003000259399414px; text-decoration: none;">www.ladiesflight.com</a></div>
</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-91080704835052825822014-03-19T19:01:00.001-07:002014-03-20T09:41:29.686-07:00Home Sweet Home <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Home
Sweet Home,</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where
I was a child, where my siblings and I, laughed, played and argued</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where
we cried and laughed together</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whose
walls echoed our shouting, rooms witnessed our deeds.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5rnMKMzEZgPM8ABV4POzubJoHcQ1MdhkVo6jlYiervxzIcuNrNGi4453faKddWN_bqYYsrIK_GjnAna5PHUQ6RfrinBvGknzHwLMsDMyvsJxkHjdN3FZ2bTdPF0uGxsFyL2cIrt4_Tck/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5rnMKMzEZgPM8ABV4POzubJoHcQ1MdhkVo6jlYiervxzIcuNrNGi4453faKddWN_bqYYsrIK_GjnAna5PHUQ6RfrinBvGknzHwLMsDMyvsJxkHjdN3FZ2bTdPF0uGxsFyL2cIrt4_Tck/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
the needle moved</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">My
second home appeared where my husband and I, </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">made
our home, </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where
our children were born,</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
share our joys and sorrows,</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where
our kids laugh, play and argue</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whose
walls have their fingerprints and rooms have stories to recite.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
the needle moves they will move to their own homes</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
they and we, joined with many others will go to our eternal home-</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our
home with Jesus where others and us,</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Will
laugh, play, and sing</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where
the walls will echo our praises and rooms behold His Glory</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
never have to switch the home again</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Home,
sweet home</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Photo courtesy: www.pinktruth.com</div>
</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-89590742625069651822014-03-19T09:44:00.002-07:002014-03-19T09:53:19.932-07:00Taking Risk to Build Our Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hannah is a a unique
woman in the Bible. She was dearly loved by her husband Elkanah. Yet
she also lived with his other wife who provoked her to irritate her.
This misery intensified during the family visit to the house of the
Lord. The reason was her childlessness. Her response to this dilemma
was not quarrel, jealousy, retaliation, or gossip but just tears. Her
husband tried to comfort her through words and action. Yet none of
these could not pacify her. This scenario went on for years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJeAfSJ0-bIDfMTzox78hKlGiU2ORWgNA821GwTmU7j3U8MpX4veQpNP0qfXgtSe9xutdkNQ-qQjYeTw-33qU7VoPRdy-2_WE-KDjLY9Q-6eRj3OhX2U8u_n3KkD7_W1yHp8aR3frjtxW/s1600/4b6ace146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJeAfSJ0-bIDfMTzox78hKlGiU2ORWgNA821GwTmU7j3U8MpX4veQpNP0qfXgtSe9xutdkNQ-qQjYeTw-33qU7VoPRdy-2_WE-KDjLY9Q-6eRj3OhX2U8u_n3KkD7_W1yHp8aR3frjtxW/s1600/4b6ace146.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hannah could have been
content by her husband's love, yet she turned to God who could meet
her need. I do not know why Hannah waited for many years before she
decided to bring this issue before God. During one of their visits
to the house of the Lord, she did something which made a difference
in her life. In the midst of her weeping and prayer with bitterness
of soul, she made a vow to the Lord: she would give her firstborn son
to the Lord for all the days for his life. This was a risky decision
as no mothers have done this before. Also she did not know
whether she will have other children or if God would accept her son.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hannah's prayer was
first of this kind! Samuel was God's reply for her prayer and rest is
history! She bore other children as well. She is a woman who was not
willing to be buried in her misfortune and tears. She built her home
with her trust in God. Besides, by giving her son to the house of the
Lord, she decided to build God's house with her gift. She transformed
her bitterness to bless the entire Israel from Dan to Beersheba. And
all Israel recognized Samuel as the prophet of God.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Many mothers want a
son like Samuel, but only to a Hannah a Samuel will be born. Only in
Hannah's home Samuel can be raised. Only a mother who makes risky
decisions on behalf of their children can build God's house.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What is special about
Hannah and her home? Hannah's was not a perfect happy home that one
dreams of. Hannah had a resident rival in her home who would cause
irritation and tears. Yet this did not result in fight neither with
her husband nor her rival. Besides, this was not a hindrance to her
to express her devotion and trust in God. Also she could have tried
to forget her misery in her husband's love. Yet, she decided to end
her misfortune by turning towards God-a bold step towards building
her home. Thus the key to unlock the door towards the answer to her
problem was in Hannah's hands and not in anybody else.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What are somethings
that bother us about our home? Are we trying to live with it thinking
that it would never change? Are we waiting for some others to take a
step towards the change? If change is needed, what can we do towards
it?
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
One cannot build home
alone. God is the One who builds, yet he gives us an opportunity to
partner with him in building our home which necessities us to take
risks with prayer, courage, wisdom, and perseverance.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Photo Courtesy: www.unhcr.org</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-13487234066459227272013-11-15T19:45:00.000-08:002013-11-15T19:51:11.026-08:00Women Who Cared for Their Child by Passing on Their Sincere Faith (II Tim 1:5-6, 14-15)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
The grandmother Lois and the mother Eunice are mentioned in relation to their child</div>
<div>
Timothy. In Lystra Paul's, the great missionary and Timothy's paths crossed (Acts</div>
<div>
16:1-2). Paul was greatly impressed by him. Brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him to Paul. He came to know that Timothy was a son of a Jewess who believed in Jesus and his father was a Greek. Timothy became Paul's companion in his missionary journey. Thus began a strong bond between them. Paul saw in Timothy a faithful minister of God and entrusted many responsibilities to him.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Paul calls Timothy his “true child in the faith” (I Tim 1:2). He enjoyed Timothy's company that Paul asked him to come to him (II Tim 4:9). Paul wrote two letters to Timothy to encourage him as a leader. His name is mentioned in 6 books of the New Testament.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCsXbkmhfmo9cw9BfIMNa-fkYTCbbwml8l4z-kIn1LqJNCyy1C" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCsXbkmhfmo9cw9BfIMNa-fkYTCbbwml8l4z-kIn1LqJNCyy1C" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing on the Sincere Faith</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How did Timothy, a half Greek, who lived in a Roman city become a Christian and later a prominent leader of the church? The answer is in II Tim 3:14-15 which shows the role of his mother and grandmother in his life. From his infancy he knew the Holy Scriptures. Who might have taught him? I believe it is his mother and grandmother. Thus they left a legacy- a legacy of “sincere faith” (II Tim 1:5). Sincere faith was his inheritance.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Even in an unfavorable environment, a devoted Jewish mother and grandmother built a strong</div>
<div>
foundation for Timothy’s faith by teaching him Scriptures from his infancy. They were not</div>
<div>
influential women, yet simple ordinary women. But their gift for the Kingdom of God was</div>
<div>
precious-A great man of God.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Timothy’s mother and grandmother gave him God, scriptures, and sincere faith. Some of us are</div>
<div>
mothers and grandmothers. What have we given to our children? What do you like to give them?</div>
<div>
We may have properties, treasures, bank balance and many other good gifts for them. These are</div>
<div>
temporary. Yet these good things will aid in their wellbeing only if they fear the Lord and serve him.</div>
<div>
Giving all the good stuff without God will not enable them to enjoy the gifts. With God</div>
<div>
they will can enjoy the blessing of God and these gifts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We really need to ask the question along with John Westerhoff, the Christian educator -Will the</div>
<div>
children in my home, my church have faith? Faith comes from hearing the Word and experiencing</div>
<div>
Christ in the faith community. How diligent are we in caring for our children by teaching the Word</div>
<div>
of God? We may be busy helping children to be knowledgeable with their school subjects but what</div>
<div>
about the Word of God? How diligent are we to take our children to prayer meetings so that they</div>
<div>
can be with the faith community? Many of us in India prefer special tuition to worship thus</div>
<div>
allowing children to skip Sunday worship.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now think about children in our churches. Who will teach them Who will pass on</div>
<div>
the faith to them? Can we take time to pray and introduce them to the Scripture through Sunday</div>
<div>
School? Can we encourage them by a phone call when they are troubled? Can we let them know</div>
<div>
that we care for them when they are away for studies or job?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Lord, l</span><span style="line-height: 0.18cm;">et me not be engrossed in many limiting life situations. Let me not
overlook my role in God's </span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18cm; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">plan for children around me. Amen</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-85724828323131514672013-10-18T09:40:00.002-07:002013-10-18T09:40:32.752-07:00Blessing the Children Around Us: The Woman Who Blessed The Child by Witnessing about Him <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This is the second blog in the series on women who blessed children around them. This woman mentioned in the Gospel according to Luke.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Anna is an unusual aged woman in the
Bible. As a widow she might have faced many years of loneliness in
her life. Number of years she lived as a widow was much more than the
total number of years she had lived with her husband and with her
parents. It is not clear whether she had children. If she had
children most probably she would have been living with them. Any how,
she decided not to dwell in these sorrows and misfortunes. She turned
her from a life of misfortune to the life of a prophetess.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77XlfCxuYTNzAFEk0AmefaWDAdkIB6QJ5tq4qfXxvYIiACHp6Uf63pUTMD-eF8wuMhApyLyVLXKGp5iIRhc2RWdrSemp_auLTM9JYBc42Rql3gOX9bwfDgOM5L5IuGFSr_f_xrvJDGvi3/s1600/worship-children01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77XlfCxuYTNzAFEk0AmefaWDAdkIB6QJ5tq4qfXxvYIiACHp6Uf63pUTMD-eF8wuMhApyLyVLXKGp5iIRhc2RWdrSemp_auLTM9JYBc42Rql3gOX9bwfDgOM5L5IuGFSr_f_xrvJDGvi3/s320/worship-children01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are waiting for us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Another factor is her decision to take
up the journey to live in the temple. She traveled a long way from
her tribal territory of Asher to come to Jerusalem. We do not know
for how long she had been living in the temple without leaving that
place. We read that she was a worshiper, a never ending worshiper of
God. She worshiped day and night. She had a life of fasting and
prayer. This shows she is a adherent worshiper of Yahweh.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Anna's worship and devotion came to a
climax as she saw the child of Joseph and Mary who is the fulfillment
of all she believed and practiced. She blessed the child by her words
and action. When she came to know in her spirit that Messiah had
arrived in the temple, she came to him. She not only she came to him
but also gathered all those who were waiting for the Messiah. She
spoke about the child. She gave thanks to God for sending the
Messiah. Thus she praised God and became a channel to lead others to
praise. Knowing all the unusual qualities of this aged widow, I can
guess that people noticed and listened to her words about the baby.
She became the third woman to believe that Jesus is the messiah next
to Mary and Elizabeth. Yet she became the first woman who publicly
announced the truth that Jesus is the Messiah. And she did so in the
temple.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What a source of blessing she became to
Joseph and Mary and also for the child! Many had a questions
regarding the father of this child. Neighbours of Mary and Joseph
might have had a lot of unanswered questions before he was born and
after he was born. Yet Anna brought joy to the life of this family by
affirming that this boy is the Messiah. She indeed blessed the baby.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Can you imagine living a life of
misfortune as Anna lived? How many of us are willing to lift up our
eyes from our sorrow to God to wait upon Him in prayer? How can we
turn our misfortunes to be a life of blessing to children who may not
be accepted by others? There are many women among us who live in
their past sorrow. Unlike many, Anna decided to enjoy her life by
being a worshiper who sought the coming of the Messiah. Thus she not
only saw the child but also blessed the child.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Jesus took children in his arms and
blessed them whom his disciples thought were not worthy to be touched
by Jesus. How many of us notice children as they walk through the
doors of our churches? Or are we immersed in our own sorrows and
joys? Or in our own private spirituality? How many of us recognize
the need of affirmation in the life of the children we see? Or are we
busy with our own credentials as a prophet or worshiper of God? Take
time to bless a child.</div>
</div>
</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-90929009052819643572013-09-20T18:07:00.000-07:002013-09-25T10:22:40.009-07:00Blessing the Children Around Us: Women Who Saved the Lives of Infants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
For next couple of blogs I would like to look at a few women who have blessed the lives of children around them. Many of us might haven't heard much about them. They are not in the limelight of many of our sermons. Yet what they did for children were so unique that their names are mentioned in the Bible. This blog is about two women who blessed many children by saving their lives.<br />
<br />
Imagine living in a country where the king has decided to eradicate your race. With the help of his advisers he found that you are the key person to accomplish his plan. You were invited to his court. He shared his plan to recruit you to a cruel plan of killing innocent boy infants as soon as they are born, on the birth stool itself even, before the mother sees the baby. Your heart began to beat fast. The king did not expect your consent, once said it is a command. <br />
<br />
I can imagine Shiphrah and Puah, (Exodus 1:15-21) the Hebrew midwives walking out of the court discussing what to do. They believed that they have an option which is to disobey the king and let the boys live. The simple reason was that they feared God. Their fearless acts saved the life of many boys who lived to see the deliverance of God during Exodus. These women indeed lived up to their names. Puah means "splendid" and Shiphrah means "brightness" in Hebrew. Together these splendid women brought brightness into the lives of the children and their families in the midst of danger. Thus they became part of God's plan for the nation of Israel. <br />
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What did their actions say about them?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77XlfCxuYTNzAFEk0AmefaWDAdkIB6QJ5tq4qfXxvYIiACHp6Uf63pUTMD-eF8wuMhApyLyVLXKGp5iIRhc2RWdrSemp_auLTM9JYBc42Rql3gOX9bwfDgOM5L5IuGFSr_f_xrvJDGvi3/s1600/worship-children01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77XlfCxuYTNzAFEk0AmefaWDAdkIB6QJ5tq4qfXxvYIiACHp6Uf63pUTMD-eF8wuMhApyLyVLXKGp5iIRhc2RWdrSemp_auLTM9JYBc42Rql3gOX9bwfDgOM5L5IuGFSr_f_xrvJDGvi3/s320/worship-children01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are waiting for you</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>When the king decided to kill these innocent boys, these women decided to let them live. </li>
<li>When the king's deceleration meant death of the boys, these women's decision was life. </li>
<li>When the king decided to bring sorrow to the family, these women decided to be a channel of happiness. </li>
<li>When the king expected these women to fear him, they chose to fear the king of kings, their God who is the giver and sustainer of life. </li>
<li>The king expected them to be a curse to infant boys, but they decided to be a blessing. </li>
<li>When the king wanted them to be part of his scheme to eradicate God's people, they wanted to be part of God's scheme to make the people numerous. </li>
<li>These women rejected the kindness of the earthly king and became a vessel who received kindness from the eternal king. He established a family for them. </li>
</ul>
Wherever you are, whatever you do, God wants us to be a channel of blessing to children who are destined to die. They may be living in poverty with regards to money, education, love, security, and care. If you look around there are hundreds of girls and boys who suffer injustice from the hands of those who should be protecting them: parents, teachers, family, neighbors, and community. Many see them as nuisance and a burden. But you and me are the ones who are there to change the destiny of these children. <br />
Let us step out of our comfort zone. God only expects our readiness. He will do the rest. Be like these fearless women who blessed many children who were not even their own.<br />
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Photo Courtesy: <a class="irc_hol irc_itl" data-ved="0CAQQjB0" href="http://www.affinitymbc.org/worship-children.shtml" style="background-color: #222222; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="irc_ho" style="color: #d6d6d6; margin-right: -2px; padding-right: 2px;">www.affinitymbc.org</span></a><span class="irc_dim" style="background-color: #222222; color: #7d7d7d; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><br />
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-65341222281629783212013-08-31T10:39:00.000-07:002013-09-01T08:07:40.786-07:00A Habit Worth Investing Your Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"> I</span><span style="font-family: 'Liberation Serif', serif;">t
was in 2001 that I first learned about The Four-R's in reading the Bible. The method grabbed my heart even though I regularly</span><span style="font-family: 'Liberation Serif', serif;"> read the
Bible. My husband and I decided not only to use this method for
our daily devotion but also to teach this to our children. More than the method, our goal was to develop a habit of daily
devotion in our children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyDfLJqzD_qLbp6-X459scQJhdWmvwqnOzCJVhyR8Fz-PSSd5JSx95yyt34HUX8dpuCnNMPe8QBQbcpA5dszmQgFbwdjdOduCZ4cB-bS78nlPIP8hYBWCNpl_b61I9Jr-CL617DBWK52N/s1600/bible-and-coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyDfLJqzD_qLbp6-X459scQJhdWmvwqnOzCJVhyR8Fz-PSSd5JSx95yyt34HUX8dpuCnNMPe8QBQbcpA5dszmQgFbwdjdOduCZ4cB-bS78nlPIP8hYBWCNpl_b61I9Jr-CL617DBWK52N/s320/bible-and-coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"> Mornings
were busy as usual with getting children ready for school and both of us leaving around 7:15 am to the seminary where we teach. However we adapted our routine. Four of us read the Bible at the same time around our dining table along with our morning tea. We would wait for
our children to wake up to read the Bible. Our son who was 8 years began with Genesis 1
and our daughter who was 6 years began with Psalm 1. We asked them read a chapter a day and to write a verse from the chapter in their dairy. As they grow older we were able to witness how they respond to God through their devotion. Through the years we enjoyed the fellowship of reading the Bible at the same time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"> Now
12 years have passed. Even though we do not read around the dining
table anymore, devotion has become part of our day. Both of our
children have read the complete Bible at least once. Hopefully my
son, who is now separated by continents, daily reads his Bible. Every morning I see my daughter engaging in this practice. Our children and us together have made reading the Bible and responding to
God our family's genetic code. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"> I
got the opportunity to teach the Four-R's to many others. Why do I do this? The simple answer is that I just want to pass onto
others a practice that blessed my family. This has helped us to
grow in our relationship not only with God but also with each other
and others. </span>
</div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Liberation Serif', serif;">Briefly, the Four-R's are as follows:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Liberation Serif', serif;">Ready</b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Liberation Serif', serif;">:
Prepare your mind to hear from God. Find a
quiet place and time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Liberation Serif', serif;"><b>Read
and Reflect</b>: Read slowly and reflect on what God is talking about you and about him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Respond</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">:
Based on what God has spoken to you, respond appropriately.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Record</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">:
Record your response in a book noting the date and the reference.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Liberation Serif', serif;">Recently
I am learning to end my devotion by </span><b style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Liberation Serif', serif;">Resting</b><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Liberation Serif', serif;"> for few minutes in God's
love. </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Liberation Serif', serif;">I encourage you to develop the habit of daily devotion. If there are others whom you care for like your siblings, spouse, children, friends, encourage them as well in this practice. </span><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Four-R's does not have any magic in it. The key is to daily
set apart a time to read and quieting yourself to listen and respond.
In 15 to 30 minutes you may practice six spiritual
disciplines: Prayer, reading, silence, listening, meditation, and
journaling. </span></span></span>
</div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Liberation Serif', serif;">I
am often reminded of what Isaiah wrote, “He wakens me morning by
morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed” Isa
50:4. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;">Photo courtesy: </span></span><a class="irc_hol irc_itl" data-ved="0CAQQjB0" href="http://themasterstable.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/mens-morning-with-god/" style="background-color: #222222; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="irc_ho" style="color: #d6d6d6; margin-right: -2px; padding-right: 2px;">themasterstable.wordpress.com</span></a><span class="irc_dim" style="background-color: #222222; color: #7d7d7d; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"> </span></div>
</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-84272439822567371812013-07-11T07:49:00.000-07:002013-07-15T10:52:59.187-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Raising Resilient Children</div>
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Recently I came across stories of two
children-one from North and other from South India. In the South, the
only son of a doctors' family was expected to be a doctor.
When his class 12th result was published, he called his mother to let
her know that he has failed for one of the subjects. In the North,
the scientist father expected his son to be a scientist. The
son heard a lot of discouraging words from his father because he got only 83% in Class 12. Both sons chose suicide as their
solution.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNlIX9JiWeJSZ1j75Vh-TYg7hl3UtkeKHpC_g1vm4h8Acb-zUSqdWaxaN9N692k8lOHyQ7Y9yfYzadV_5HzJQAD0XLbTvzKT3TJhljLX_uu2Camf3R-zHQtIAhtFKC0pfiJsbIWG307pi/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNlIX9JiWeJSZ1j75Vh-TYg7hl3UtkeKHpC_g1vm4h8Acb-zUSqdWaxaN9N692k8lOHyQ7Y9yfYzadV_5HzJQAD0XLbTvzKT3TJhljLX_uu2Camf3R-zHQtIAhtFKC0pfiJsbIWG307pi/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Child, You're Safe Here</td></tr>
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I have heard stories about parents who
avoid talking to their children when they get less than 90% marks.
What has gone wrong with such parents? Has our education helped us to
really understand our children's talents, gifts, and hopes? Or have
we become more ambitious after all? Do we really know what causes
pain, grief, shame, or discouragement in children? Or are we busy
making them to fit into our unfulfilled dream or to make them like
our heroine or hero?
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Resilience is the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. Resilience develops when children perceive success and
failure as part of life. Ups and downs have been part of life ever since life began. Even though
this also has been repeatedly our story, we, parent,s tend to expect only
success for our children. Rather we are to create a space in our
homes where they can share their fears and hopes, success, and
failures without a thought of rejection. Only then they will trust us with their feelings. The first step towards this is to be
transparent and share our sorrows and happiness according to the
maturity of children.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Parents think over-protection is the way to
develop resilient children. We tend to protect our young ones so much so that there are no possibilities for them to fail. Later, during
teenage years when their independence blooms they tend to move away
from overprotecting parents. Then when disappointments meet them they
may not find those around them good enough to get them out of the
pit of sorrow. This is because they won't see such parents
as someone in whom they can confide in their feelings. It does not mean that parents should not be involved in their kids' lives. Yet, we
can enable them to solve their problems and to make decisions
according to their age. This indeed build confidence in their
ability to handle life issues.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Besides,
when we, parents only glorify success, it communicates to children that they are
valuable as long as they earn awards and trophies. This
conveys conditional love which in turn creates fear of losing their
relationships. <span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">T</span>his is
not to say that they are not expected to excel in their talents.
But as we encourage them to excel, let them also know and feel that
they are valued just because they are our children. Let them see that
home is always a safe place for losers and winners alike. Last but
not the least, help them to taste and know that their almighty God
will never leave them nor forsake them.</div>
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photo credit www.essentialparenting.com</div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-33237168073147903352012-11-23T17:54:00.000-08:002012-11-23T17:59:29.685-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGglWdK96NFgAs-xFT78UtpOQPHbkwGo9OgN_fhXvsBf-zrDHg4TGe7el9DgO_RYJkvH8Wtw_ZMH0VBgvY5aDzYobfkKiBqK1_j6PNlim9KjwYCFY7-f-3EuqjUzGSTJaUhm5OvGMzOOXU/s1600/inner_beauty-465605b712594973d3f6403d22684f66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGglWdK96NFgAs-xFT78UtpOQPHbkwGo9OgN_fhXvsBf-zrDHg4TGe7el9DgO_RYJkvH8Wtw_ZMH0VBgvY5aDzYobfkKiBqK1_j6PNlim9KjwYCFY7-f-3EuqjUzGSTJaUhm5OvGMzOOXU/s320/inner_beauty-465605b712594973d3f6403d22684f66.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>COSMETICS FOR THE INNER
SELF</b></div>
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Today our markets are full of cosmetic
products for both men and women. Regardless of gender and age, people
spend time and effort to look beautiful. Display of beautiful women
in advertisements like showpieces convey the wrong message that
happiness is guaranteed for beautiful women. As outer beauty is
valued, people often identify this with their personality. This
association with self-image causes unnecessary problems in many women
both young and old.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I suppose concern for beauty was
present even among first century women in the churches in certain
parts of Asia Minor. Their main be concern was outward beauty and
they dealt with it by adorning themselves with braided hair, gold
ornaments, and fine clothes (1Pet 3:3). Their concern was on
something that is temporal which fades away by age, and other
circumstances.
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There is nothing wrong with being
beautiful. Patriarchs in the Bible had beautiful wives. Job's
daughters were beautiful. God has created many beautiful things and
even God enjoyed the beauty of his creation. Outward beauty is not a
hindrance in being beautiful in our inner self. Sarah is an example
of a woman who had both outward and inner beauty.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Yet, when the concern for outer beauty
takes priority over inner beauty, many unnecessary problems may
arise. The apostle Peter addressed this issue by giving an
alternative perspective on beauty. His answer for this problem is
the inner beauty, which will not decay by age. This is of great
worth in God's sight (1 Pet 3: 4). Gentleness and quiet spirit are
the two virtues of our inner self. This was the secret of the inner
beauty of holy women of the past. This enabled them to put their hope
in God as they did what was right. They were submissive to their
husbands. They were not subject to fear. In short this inner beauty
enabled them to lead holy lives (1 Pet 3:5-6).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
How do we become beautiful inside?
The apostle Paul noted that the transforming power of the Spirit
works in our inner being (Eph 3:16). I believe that as we allow the
Holy Spirit to work in our inner being these qualities and other
fruit of the Spirit will develop in us. This is the only cosmetic for
inner beauty. However, this work of the Spirit in our inner being
will be evident also in our behavior patterns. Others will see it in
our relationships, our faith, our trust in God, our dealings, our
words, and even in our smile. As women, let us care for our
inner self or inner being so that we can present our bodies to God as
instruments of righteousness. May our generation rise up and call us
“holy women of the past.”</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-22852849168082744152012-10-19T02:26:00.002-07:002012-10-19T22:59:32.831-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>For
Every Hour of Every Day</b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Things
that I learned through our marriage which I pass on to you.</b></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS0pGdbn-uaKHiFPIY-KePhEYB5pTcQtl8_boB9PAF3lZesOo8lqQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS0pGdbn-uaKHiFPIY-KePhEYB5pTcQtl8_boB9PAF3lZesOo8lqQ" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To Hold and to Cherish</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. You have received a precious gift from God on your wedding day.</span><br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. You’re married to the right person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allowing the thought that it is the wrong person is detrimental to your relationship. You’re married! It is too late. “What God has joined together, let no man separate.” So make the best out of your marriage.</span><br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3.Your
spouse is not Jesus and not perfect; only Jesus is perfect. Only
Jesus can meet your deepest needs as He is the source of your life
not any person or things.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Remember to strengthen your relationship with God. When it is there, you will have the blessing of having a good relationship with your spouse because God is a God of peace and love.</span><br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5.
Find time for a “circle of two,” for prayer and Bible reading.
Your family is a "miniature church."</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6.
“Clean hands and a pure heart”- let this be your prayer.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7.
Your first year together is only a year of romance. Years of true
love are coming. So hang on. If there is no wine left, Jesus can
still do miracles. He loves to give to those who ask him. He is
always for you and your marriage.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8.
Love is a decision, not just feelings. The commitment you make on your wedding day is to your spouse and to God.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9.
To honor and love each other in words and deeds is also a decision,
a daily decision may be an hourly decision. Seek opportunities to
give not just receive.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10.
Be determined to strive and work hard for a great marriage. If there
is a will there is a way. God will give you the desires of your
heart. To have a great marriage, the partners need to be authentic
and transparent. So there may be differences in opinion on various issues.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11.
“Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” Control your temper
and be polite when you argue. </span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you discuss difficult issues, make
sure to at least hold each other’s hand. Learn to solve these
disagreements constructively to avoid big “blow ups” that
devastates the relationships.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12.
Forsake the “blame game.” It started in the Garden of Eden. It
is not your spouse’s fault.
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">13. Forget all the hurt from the last argument. Once forgiven, its forgiven. So try to forget or ask God to help you to forget.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">14. Say sorry even when you know your spouse has wronged you in the particular incident. You reap the result in great measure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">15. Never compare your spouse with anybody. Comparing is unfair. Your spouse is unique.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">16. Do not take your spouse for granted for they have chosen to love you and to make your life brighter each day even by simple acts of kindness. Be thankful. It is also applicable to your family members and your friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">17. Your spouse is your best friend next to Jesus. See that you value your relationship with your spouse in the midst of the pressures of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">18. Listen to your mate. Communicate verbally and non-verbally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">19. Encourage each other. Next to God you are your spouse’s best cheer leader.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">20. Find time to have fun and laugh. Create opportunities to reminiscence your “good old days.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">21. Let each of your “cup of love” be filled with your spouse’s love. It is a safety measure against temptation. Our efforts to participate in God’s vision will be effective when we are at peace with ourselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">22. If you know a particular thing is God’s will for your life do not hesitate to accomplish it. It is part of being a mature person. This will only lead to fulfillment in marriage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">23. Difficult times develop pearls and rubies in your marriage. These times help one to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” It also provides fertile ground to grow in love towards each other and to appreciate how others care for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">24. Taking time to bless your extended family, your church, and those in need is an opportunity to bring a smile in the lives of others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wrote the first draft of this piece of writing to give it to my youngest sister when she got married in June 1998. My daughter told told me one day "I do not want daddy to get old any more." I explained to her the joys of getting old. One of the joys of getting old is to see the fruits of our hard work to build great marriage and family. </span></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-51295794379593587302012-04-27T03:21:00.001-07:002012-04-27T03:21:21.838-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">How to Develop Oneness in Marriage</span><br />
Is it 50/50 or 100/100?</div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vgMKMBp5Pxug6uVVhan-Pkj5PhWJvv9n3HVaZ8qiWjxO77kHY4ufNc2AcEFsyFTeyJUeomYQb3kc3t_JM1OA1HtrGqIBi0iZN2Mj6bdDfDbdX2tC6sUHNnDlYHdYSKe9QNboqv0SgPu_/s1600/older+couple.+jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vgMKMBp5Pxug6uVVhan-Pkj5PhWJvv9n3HVaZ8qiWjxO77kHY4ufNc2AcEFsyFTeyJUeomYQb3kc3t_JM1OA1HtrGqIBi0iZN2Mj6bdDfDbdX2tC6sUHNnDlYHdYSKe9QNboqv0SgPu_/s320/older+couple.+jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Developing oneness is worth our effort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
While I was pregnant with our first child, my husband took a half-day leave to accompany me to
the doctor. As his co-workers knew that he tried his best to be with
me during visits to the doctor, one of them counseled him, “Annie
can go alone to the clinic, it is 50/50, isn't it? Annie does 50 and
you do 50 and then marriage will work out.” But my husband replied, “No, it
is 100/100 and this is how it works.”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This happened
almost 18 years ago. Our life went through a lot of changes in these
years: Another child, returned to India, teaching, pastoring, studying, caring for dying parents, pain and inconveniences that come
with a herniated disc, and many other challenges and blessings. But I
continue to see that my husband was right; it is 100/100 not 50/50.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Viewing
marriage as a 100/100 relationship seems to be an unreasonable m<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">ath
equation. Marriage as a 50/50 partnership makes sense </span>as both
spouses put 50% and thus moving towards a 100. One does the cooking
and other does the cleaning, one does the washing and the other does
the folding. This sounds practical and workable. Those who have been
married for sometime know that this is not the way things work in
real life.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I believe that marriage is a higher calling. This calling involves God's plan
for families to display the nature of God's love for his people—with
love Jesus died for us even when we were yet sinners and in his love
he continues to sanctify his people to be his own. Such an
expectation from two ordinary people <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">may
sound unfair.</span> It is not only unfair but also from our
experiences we know that it is not that easy. Yet God is giving us a
privilege to live towards his greater vision for our life.
<br />
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Moreover,
100/100 effort is needed to fulfill God's specific purpose for each
family. God has a special niche that each family has to carve out.
If attaining God's general calling for families is difficult, then
think about the goal to attain a special purpose for our
families. The path to attain this will bring us unique sorrows and
joys one after the other. Yet families that have attained it can
testify that at the end will be well.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As God reveals to us the unique purpose of each family, he is inviting each of us to
put 100% towards his dream. This demands self-denial and
self-affirmation. Self-denial or unselfishness involves putting aside
everything from within and without that may hinder God's general and
specific vision for the family. This does not mean one is not
selfless. Each family is determined to persist to attain the purpose
and vision of the family. This is part of self-affirmation.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Imagine you
see all the houses in a city or village from a higher altitude. You
may see the buildings in the size of something like match box. If
each home puts in 100/100 to fulfill God's general and specific
purpose, then we can join with Balaam in the Bible and say “How
beautiful are your tents....”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The delight in
this endeavor is that both spouses are active in doing their 100% in
carving out their family's unique niche. In reality, in many families
spouses are only willing to put their 50, or only one spouse is
determined to give 100, or others have the desire but may not have the
needed stamina. In such cases let us hope that they would see the
pleasure of 100/100 and persevere to preserve the sanity of marriage
and soon would enjoy the oneness that God desires for the husband and
his wife.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-58222221792795798342012-03-15T19:24:00.000-07:002012-03-15T19:24:05.002-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Present but Absent</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In my school days teachers
regularly marked attendance by calling out students' names. Those who
were present would reply “present sir” and if anyone is absent,
some other student will say “absent sir.” However, as classes
began some of our minds might have wandered many places thus making
us oblivious to the happenings of our classroom. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">These
students were </span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">present</span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
but </span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">absent</span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
in their minds.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuOM-9VG8ui3KHa-0wNO2FLoUy_Bne34eC9Gx_QheOvHZG9m-nQa6Rx9MZqrcy7ItZyJJekhOH4J1jmCglxhZMY1KGpKF4vpe3Itenq6ia1MCvNSa3hc8c2zrSdm7trGy3XfYcbHuEBZs/s1600/tumblr_lpu9caEBTy1qzya49o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuOM-9VG8ui3KHa-0wNO2FLoUy_Bne34eC9Gx_QheOvHZG9m-nQa6Rx9MZqrcy7ItZyJJekhOH4J1jmCglxhZMY1KGpKF4vpe3Itenq6ia1MCvNSa3hc8c2zrSdm7trGy3XfYcbHuEBZs/s320/tumblr_lpu9caEBTy1qzya49o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our house will be a home for us and many others</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Is such absenteeism
prevalent in our homes too? This is not about parents who stay away
from their homes for employment or children who stay in boarding
schools. But there are many homes were physical presence means
nothing. Recently one teenager told me “I do not share any of my
feelings with my parents.” Family members are physically present in
such houses but some of them or all of them are emotionally absent.
Then house is reduced to a stop over place. Essential aspects of
family like cooking, eating meals together or praying together may be
ritualistically practiced. However a mechanistic pattern of doing
rituals do not give needed life support to its members. This is when
we are present but absent in essence.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Machines have robbed
opportunities of family members to share the workload. This has
reduced the work for its members but also decreased the time families
spend for a common purpose. Each of the family members have their own
friends to talk to in the privacy of their own rooms and their own
mobile phones. They enjoy their own favorite programs in their own
gadgets. With less time spent together and less common space, family
members grow distant from each other.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Who suffers the most from
such distant relationships in families? I believe that each of the
family members become victims of such emotionally absent but
physically present life in our houses. When children are young, by
nature they extend their physical and emotional touch to others. Yet
as they grow older they will soon learn to adopt various distant
behavior patterns. Here each of the family members live in their own
worlds. They may share their joys together but pain and hurt are
safely bottled up in their own lives. This is when houses become in
essence lodges.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But houses can be homes
where there is openness, love, acceptance, sharing, and forgiveness.
It is where our good and bad experiences will find meaning. It is
where one feels safe and secure. Even the very remembrance of the
place makes one want to live even in the midst of despair. There is
such an home in the Bible. The home of the prodigal son was not
perfect but it was a home according to the above standards. Even
after the son left home for his own personal happiness, his memory of
his home was that of safety and abundance even for the servants which
gave him the hope to live.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Who has the responsibility
of making the house a home? Parents and other adults have a major
role in this process. But as children grow older they are to be
trained to build their home. As each member places the necessary
bricks in the structure, it will become a home not only for its
members but also for many others. Let each of us get to work to be
always present in our homes. Remember each brick counts!</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
</div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858139820515500130.post-86732867047811734172012-02-17T22:46:00.001-08:002012-02-17T23:17:55.067-08:00Family Vision Statement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoIqHKgLzzOsdXAl4pB_TC_Jx4qFrxkzNW3es8n1Qkb3e4eAF4iGSiSh8P9OKyCOyzGFR1Cn7G56-DYGlcAXilMKU_5nTC0jV5nryX0mcOxSJ8CBeP2zK7CJTIebs3rMfR1I77hbIzPDA/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoIqHKgLzzOsdXAl4pB_TC_Jx4qFrxkzNW3es8n1Qkb3e4eAF4iGSiSh8P9OKyCOyzGFR1Cn7G56-DYGlcAXilMKU_5nTC0jV5nryX0mcOxSJ8CBeP2zK7CJTIebs3rMfR1I77hbIzPDA/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow remains us of our hope in God</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>February
19, 2010 is family Sunday at Lifetime Vineyard, Adoor. It is a time
to honour and bless families and to rejoice and mourn together as a
faith community. Pray that God will continue to enable you to be
godly husbands/wives/parents and to be a blessing to all around you. </i>
</div>
<div align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Family Vision
Statement: Where is your family heading to?
</div>
<div align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Once I participated in
target shooting. The event made me realize that even when I aim at
the center, often the arrows fell on different points on the board
and sometimes flew outside the board. Then imagine shooting with no
aim. This idea led me to introduce this topic—to develop a vision
for the family.
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
Many of us are familiar
with company's vision statements. How important is a vision statement
for a family? When my husband and I began traveling with the same
vision for our life together, we become more productive and our life
together became a blessing to us and others. It does not mean that
our first few years of life were boring or less colourful. We have
enjoyed each other and grew in love with each other ever since we got
married with a deep desire to serve God and to raise a godly family.
But a common vision gave us a focus to move forward and together
cling to God in good and happy times.
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Proverbs 29:18: “Where
there is no vision, the people perish.” Instead of simply living
our lives together for 40 or 50 years how fulfilling it would be when
we have a vision for our families! God's desire for couples is to be
one flesh which implies oneness in every aspect of life even though
they are two people. A well framed vision statement will help to
answer life’s great questions as far as the family is concerned. It
is like a compass that guides the course of a ship in the vast ocean
or in today's term the GPS that directs us when we are unsure of the
way. Imagine how meaningful it will be when everyone in the family
knows and lives up to the purpose to which it exits! When followed
closely, it can be one of the means to help to move forward with
vigor and grace and every decisions will be a step towards your
destination.
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US">
I guess you got my point. Why wait? Now let us get to
work...</div>
<div lang="en-US">
As a family (include children if they are old even to
understand the discussion) prayerfully ask the following questions
which can help you to frame a vision statement.
</div>
<div lang="en-US">
Why is our family here? Or What is God's purpose for
our family? This expresses the purpose of your family.</div>
<div lang="en-US">
Where are we going? Or What do you want to achieve?
This has to do with the vision of the family.</div>
<div lang="en-US">
How will you get to the goal? This deals with means
to achieve the vision.
</div>
<div lang="en-US">
What are your important values? This explains
important values of your family.
</div>
<div lang="en-US">
As you answer these questions you are framing
different parts of your family's vision statement. Put all these
answers together to one meaningful sentences. This may not be the
final one but a start to see God's unique purpose for your family.
</div>
<div lang="en-US">
You can post your family's vision statement in your
bedroom or kitchen and read it at least once a day!
</div>
<div align="CENTER" lang="en-US">
Hope you will have the vision statement
ready before I share my thoughts with you next thoughts. Until then
may you live in peace with God and others!</div>
</div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694064894265523509noreply@blogger.com1