WHOM SHOULD YOU MARRY?

"A good partner can make or break your life..."

In ancient times women are often viewed as men's property, good for bearing children, prepare foods and all the needs of her husband and not much more.

The Book of Proverbs addressed to young men approaching the age of marriage, takes a different view. It holds up marriage as a crucial choice, to be made with great care.

A good wife (or husband, we can assume) will make or break her partner's life. Her duties lay the foundation for her family's welfare. She shares with their husband the most significant task of teaching their children the way of wisdom. Therefore, her character matters far more than her physical beauty. (Proverbs 31:10-31)

Not that the Bible ignores the physical side of love. It urges marriage partners to rejoice in their love, to be captivated by it. It warns young people against sexual sin precisely because this waste sexuality on unsatisfying, unloving relationship. That's why sex ought to be saved for the long-lasting, productive joy of marriage.

"Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."- Proverbs 21:9

Lessons I've Learned about Friendship

I've learned that God sends friends
When we NEED them the most
and every friend has a SPECIAL purpose
in our lives.

I've learned that we often find new friends
in UNEXPECTED places.

I've learned that despite the DISTANCE between us,
a real friendship grows ACROSS the miles.

I've learned that though we sometimes expect
someone to kick us down,
A TRUE friend helps us STAND back up.

I've learned that we should not wait to express
our APPRECIATION for our friend ---
If we do, it will be too late.

I've learned that we should be OPEN to a friend's view,
As two people can look at the same thing
and see something different.

I've learned that we should not judge our friends,
But RESPECT their way of life,
Even if we disagree with it.

I've learned that we should not only take time
to talk to our friends,
But we should also LISTEN and TRY to understand.
If we can't understand, we should ACCEPT.

I've learned that our friends should always TAKE
something GOOD away with them,
Each time they cross our path.

I've learned that friends sometimes
hurt us UNINTENTIONALLY,
But we should FORGET and FORGIVE.

I've learned that friends CHANGE over time,
and that such change should be welcomed,
as its necessary for growth.

I've learned that friends sometimes need
TIME and SPACE, and we should be
THOUGHTFUL and UNDERSTANDING
of their needs.

I've learned that you should treat a friend
KINDLY today, for the people we love most are
often taken away from us too soon.

I've learned that FRIENDSHIP is a
CANDLE that lights our way,
And though it flickers against the
wind of TIME, DISTANCE and CHANGE;
It's beauty ENDURES and SHINES FOREVER
in our HEARTS!!!

TO MY SWEET FRIEND

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. - Proverbs 17:17

Once I sat and thought of what is a FRIEND to ME???
And I came to a Conclusion which I would like to share it with
My Dear Friend.
And that is you.

It is BY CHANCE we met,
BY CHOICE we became Friends...

Friendship is a strange thing...
We find ourselves
telling each other the details of our lives...
Things we don't even share with our
families who raised us...

But What is a FRIEND???
A Confidant?
A Lover?
A Fellow email junkie?
A Shoulder to cry on?
An Ear to listen?
A Heart to feel?
A Prayer Partner...

A Friend is all these things and more.
No matter where we met,
No matter where you are, I'm here
praying for you.
I call you Friend...

A word so small...
Yet soo large in feeling
A word filled with emotion.
It is true great things
come in small packages.

Once the package of FRIENDSHIP has been opened,
it can never be closed...
It is a constant book always written...
Waiting to be read and enjoyed.

We may have our disagreements...we may argue
We may have some concerns on one another...
FRIENDSHIP is a unique bond that lasts through it all...

A part of me is put into my friends...
Some it is my humor...Some it is my listening ear...
Some it is real life experiences...Some it is my romanticism...
but with all, it is friendship.

Friendships forged are a construct stronger than steel build as a foundation...
Necessary for LIFE, and Necessary for LOVE, service for the LORD.

Friend...
You and Me
We started our circle of friendship...
And like that circle there is no beginning, no end.

We have been friends for just a short and lovely time, but our friendship cannot just be measured just by length of time we've known each other...

Thanks for being a VERY GOOD FRIEND
This may be a dramatic message...
But I just want to tell you...how our friendship means to me...

THANKS MY SWEET FRIEND!!!

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

The Wife of Noble Character

Proverbs 31:10-31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

A Timely Reminder for this upcoming Election

"When there is a lack of honor in government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned. There is no such thing as a no-man's land between honesty and dishonesty. Our strength lies in spiritual concepts. It lies in public sensitiveness to evil. Our greatest danger is not from invasion by foreign armies. Our dangers are that we may commit suicide from within by complaisance with evil, or by public tolerance of scandalous behavior." - President Herbert Hoover

My Dear God

Dear God,

I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked you a thousand times for my roses, but not once for my thorns. I have always looked forward to the place where I will be rewarded for my cross, but I have never thought of my cross as a present glory itself.

Teach me, O Lord, to glory in my cross. Teach me to value of my thorns. Show me how I have climbed to You through the path of pain. Show me it is through my tears I have seen my rainbows...

Nell c",)

Trusting the IMPOSSIBLE

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." - 2 Chronicles 20:12

Living a life of faith often requires us to leave things alone. God taught me that if I have completely entrusted something to HIM, I must keep my hands off it. He can guard it better than I can, and He doesn't need my help. (Ps. 37:7)

I've discovered that there is no burden so heavy that when lifted cheerfully will not become a blessing to me. To REFUSE to bend my shoulders to carry a load, is to miss a new opportunity for growth. (Is. 40:71) No matter how overwhelming any burden God has lovingly placed with His own hands on my shoulders it will be a blessing.

Trusting even when it appears I have been forsaken, praying when it seems my words are simply entering a vast expanse where no one hears and no voice answers; believing that God's love is complete and that HE is aware of my circumstances even my world seems to grind on; desiring only what God's hand have planned for me and waiting patiently while seemingly starving to death - that is genuine FAITH.

In the end, I've learned that He knows the way I take, when HE tested me, I will come forth as gold - I'm more than a CONQUEROR.

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!! MBR