… than just washing dishes.

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands,

to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good,

obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Titus 2:4-5

This post linked to

5 Minutes for Mom’s Wordless Wednesday

Internet Cafe’s Word Filled Wednesday

I guess it’s because we have a large, noisy family or perhaps the toilet is very comfortable. Maybe the light is better in the bathroom or we keep all the good books and magazines in there. I don’t know. But our children love to read in the bathroom. If a child cannot be found easily you can be assured they are in the bathroom- reading.

Desiring our children to easily memorize their assigned Scripture passages for school, church, or devotions and wanting to capitalize on the power of the printed word in our bathroom, I put Scripture on the walls!

I bought dollar store frames and used scrap-booking paper I had and basically created mini-dry-erase-boards in their bathroom. Then I hung the frames right in front of the toilet. Now, using dry erase markers we write their verses for the week on the frames until they have been committed to memory. A $3 project!

So far, this has worked very well. Mean mom that I am, I have banned books and magazine from the bathroom for the purpose of encouraging them to actually memorize the Scriptures while they sit in the peace and quiet. While they haven’t disappeared in the bathroom for quite as long as before, they are memorizing their verses almost effortlessly!

Now, off to figure out how I can disappear to the bathroom unnoticed…

The following post is a true story written by Lacey D., a sweet Christian pastor’s wife and momma to 3 little girls. I pray you are touched, inspired and encouraged as you read the following heartfelt account.

A miracle is described as: a wonder or wonderful thing; an event contrary to the established constitution and course of things, or a deviation from the known laws of nature; a supernatural event. My story does not have any miraculous healings as you may read about Christ performing in the Bible. There is no mention of the blind seeing, lame men walking and lepers healed in my story. My story, however, is still of unexplainable events that took place around a difficult time in our life. That was God’s miracle to us. And a miracle is a miracle no matter how small!

Moving to Colorado in the summer of 2009 was a big change for our family of four: consisting of Adrian (my husband), Lacey (myself) and our two girls Arianna ( age 8 ) and Isabella ( age 6 ). We had come to know the little town of White House, Tennessee, as our home for the past five years. What made it special to us was the small quaint town, friendly people and more importantly, our church family. Even though we grew up around Colorado Springs, moving to the city of Aurora with over 300,000 people was a bit alarming.

Our family had adjustments to face but we have realized through the years that the Lord has always guided us through transitions and of course we knew He would be with us for this move. He had called us to this city to start a work for Him. And every time we have stepped out in faith and followed Him He has worked out everything for good. (Romans 5:8) An added bonus to moving to an unknown city was that some of our family lived nearby. My daughters had never been able to live near their grandparents. But now my mom and step-dad, Joy and Ronnie Smith, lived just one and a half hours away. As we began to settle into our new life in Aurora, we were excited to have family close. We bought a house , began to unpack, and familiarize ourselves with the city. In the winter of 2009 we started our work for the Lord in our living room, New Heights Baptist Church. Our lives then became extremely busy as we with the Lords help began to start a church on our own.

Months following our first services, my step-dad, Ronnie, began to get really sick. The doctors started to run some tests to see what the issue was. Although Ronnie is my step-dad through marriage, to me he was my “daddy”.  Meeting Ronnie as a rebellious teenager, I wanted nothing to do with him, until he showed me love, unconditional love, when I was unlovable. That moment he became more to me than just my step-dad – he became a father to me. The most important thing that Ronnie, my dad, did for me was he introduced me to a loving Savior, one that would cleanse my sins and make me whole. So when one afternoon we received news that my dad had been rushed to the hospital, my heart stopped. Entering my dad’s hospital room I then realized there was something seriously wrong. My dad began to cry as he grabbed me and held me tight. The gravity of the situation hit me as he told me “I’m not ready to go yet.” See, my dad was only 56 years old, and he was a strong man.  He was becoming weak, but weak is NOT an accurate description for a man who was once a firefighter, Texas Peace Officer, and the best “shade tree mechanic in the West”. “Weak” was something that didn’t fit in his vocabulary, and yet this is what he was becoming due to his illness. That day at the hospital, he began to tell me the reasons for which he was not yet ready to leave this earth. The one that shocked me the most was that he said he wanted to see his new grandbaby being born. Adrian and I had been praying for another baby for 6 years now after the birth of Isabella and to no avail. Dad knew of our struggle with infertility and he had been praying for us as well. So to hear him say such a matter of fact statement threw me back for a moment. I just replied “Oh, dad, you know I’m not pregnant.” I shirked his statement off as I knew he was very emotional at the time.

My dad was soon released from the hospital. Returning home we soon heard the terrible news from the tests results. My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. This cancer had spread into five major organs and no treatment could be done at this time. Hearing the news we all began to pray and seek God’s will for my dad’s life. In the next few days as we all had heavy hearts I began to feel ill. But I ignored it thinking it to simply be emotional stress. A week later after the symptoms just would not go away,  I finally broke down and bought a pregnancy test. We soon found out what the “issue” was – a miracle had occurred. I was pregnant!

Calling my dad that moment I asked him “How did you know?” Although he never gave me a straight answer on HOW he knew, he laughed the kindest laugh that a man could laugh, and I could hear for the first time in two weeks happiness in his voice. But that happiness soon faded as we were told he may only have months to live. My dad was a stubborn man and he was determined now to see his new grandbaby being born, because after all, he had been there when my other two daughters were born. We soon found out that we were expecting our third girl around December 1st. My dad then commented that it would be great if she were born on their 20th anniversary which was November 22nd. Being that my previous deliveries were two weeks late, I just smiled at him, but in my heart I thought that this would be “IMPOSSIBLE”.  

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

The next few months were filled with trips back and forth from Aurora to Fountain every chance we could get to spend time with my dad and to help my mom. Every month the doctors had to add on more pain medication as my dad’s pain increased, appetite decreased, and as the cancer spread. Our girls enjoyed our visits with grandpa as they would plop on the bed next to him trying to smile and giving him pictures they had colored him. As I would also lie next to him we would hold our stomachs as we were both nauseous but obviously for different reasons. He loved to put his hand on my stomach and ask me how the baby was doing. I would bring him ultrasound pictures that he would tape on the wall as to be able to look at them always. They would go right by all the pictures the girls made for him. It seems that thinking of this new life brought us joy in a time of adversity.

As my dad reached his 57th birthday we all rejoiced as he had beaten the doctor’s predictions. My dad, although bed ridden, was a joy to be around and we cherished the time we had. He always tried to have a smile for us. Summer came and went and with the fall temperatures we realized that time was growing short. My dad’s fight was coming to an end. On November 12th I received an alarming phone call from a hospice nurse stating my dad had gone into a comatose state and that we needed to come immediately. My husband got off of work and picked us all up. We dropped the girls off at a babysitter, and headed to my dad’s house.

On the drive there I knew in my heart that being 37 weeks along in the pregnancy my dad was not going to be here to see his new grandbaby. While I entered into my dad’s room as I had so many times before, I realized this time would be different. I began to sob as I looked in and saw that my dad was beginning his journey home to heaven. My mom, Adrian and I stayed by my dad’s bed caring for him for the next few days. Adrian, while trying to give my dad some medicine, said “I love you” and then my dad whispered his last words that he would speak to anybody on this earth – “I love you too.”

For two days my dad hung on struggling to take breaths. I laid by his side one day and put his hand on my belly and said, “Dad the baby is here and it is okay for you to go to heaven.  We will be alright.” I felt that dad would continue to fight until he knew that we were there and until he knew the reasons he hung for so long were accomplished. Later that Sunday afternoon, my mom, being exhausted, went to lay down with my dad and take a nap. As she laid her arm around him she began to drift off into a deep sleep. An hour later, Adrian walking by their room was persuaded to go in. Going into the room he noticed that my dad looked peaceful but had stopped breathing. My dad’s body was lying in my mother’s arms but his soul was with Jesus. God had granted my dad’s wish which was to pass away in his own bed and with my mom by his side. As we woke my mom up from her sleep she began to cry while holding him just awhile longer.

On November 14th, 2010 my dear daddy, Ronnie Smith, a man who loved God, loved his wife and kids went on to live with God in heaven for eternity. We suffered a deep loss that day and though through the midst of it we knew that the God of all comfort was there with us.

Psalm 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

That following week was busy with plans for dad’s memorial service to be held on Saturday. As my dad’s other wish was that Adrian would speak at his service. Surprisingly on Friday I began having contractions and feeling very sick. I started immediately praying that the Lord would not allow me to go into labor early as I wanted to be there at the service. The Lord answered my prayer and that night the contractions ceased. Arriving at the funeral home we were greeted with warm hugs by family and friends. During the speaking I began to have more uncomfortable contractions but just ignored them as I sat there holding my mom’s hand and grieving for my father. The service was absolutely beautiful as we heard testimonies of my dad and all that he had meant to people. All the cars he had fixed and the many memories we all have of him filled the room that day just as “Mary’s ointment” had after her box was broken at Jesus’ feet some 2,000 years ago. We were reminded of how short life is and how we need to make every day count for the Lord. We also were reminded of the fact that although our hearts would ache with missing my dad, he was in a much better place and free of cancer.

Afterwards we all gathered together for a reception.  As I was trying to fellowship with others I realized that these contractions were becoming quite uncomfortable. We hurried home just in case and that next morning, Sunday, November 21st,  my water broke. We rushed off to the hospital, amazed and unprepared that this was actually happening so early. My prayer then became that this baby would fill that grief with joy. I called my mom to tell her of our happy news and she reminded me that “tomorrow” is what would have been my dad and mom’s 20th anniversary. That is the day he had mentioned he would love to see the baby born on. But I replied with the fact that my water was broke and I was having this baby today! But to my and to the doctors’ surprise I could not go into labor that day.

So as you can expect how this whole story has been going….we welcomed Emma Lizbeth on November 22nd , 2010, the exact day 20 years ago that my dad came into my life. That day meant so much to me as on that day in the past I met my new daddy and with his passing that day in the present our baby girl was born. It was as though God was saying “your daddy is here with you”.  That was a true testimony of the verse, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” The Lord turned our grief and sadness into rejoicing as we welcomed a new life into our family. Another reason God had brought her two weeks early is Emma had a true knot in her umbilical cord. Thank God for our beautiful and healthy baby girl!

Every time I hold my precious baby I am reminded of God’s mercy. That God’s ways although seem unfair at times, are always right. He is a loving God! Looking back at the past months you may not see what I saw. I saw many small miracles as God was holding our hand during this difficult time. And although this is my story of God’s small miracles in our lives, let me encourage you that when you are going through a valley or just busy in life, look up to see God’s miracles. Because you may not believe it but they are there leading you along the way.

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Hebrews 13:5 – Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Here is an exerpt:

Tangled is aptly called a fairy tale, because in the real world sins have their rewards and a life of unmitigated bliss is not one of them. Packaging all of this in a humorous, expertly crafted children’s film is ingenious, really. As such, it is heedlessly given the stamp of ‘wholesome entertainment’ and we, leaving our discernment at the door , imbibe the beliefs of a culture that is at war with God. Among children, though, one brilliant exhibition isn’t enough. They’ll consume it, again and again, until, through sheer repetition, their souls are imbued with depravity.

I have often spoiled a movie for our children by showing them the false teachings that you tend to miss if you just, as she said, check your discernment at the door. And maybe that wouldn’t be so terrible once or twice, but if we continually, over and over again, ignore our conscience and push aside any discernment, we will eventually live a life with these false ideas and wrong and unbiblical expectations as our foundation – they will become our reality.

Some might say that’s mean to point out the error to my children – to spoil entertainment for them. Honestly, I think it is mean not to and is the opposite of what Scripture would have me do:

Isaiah 5:20 
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

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

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Romans 12:2 
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

So read the review and tell me what you think!

There is very much meaning in that old English word murmur; just sound it,—it is murmur. Any child can say that; it is one of the easiest words to speak; and that is why, I think, we have that word for complaining and grumbling, because murmuring is such an easy thing; anyone can murmur, anyone can grumble, anyone can complain. – Charles H. Spurgeon

When I came across this verse recently I was struck for the first time with the word disputings. When reading this verse in times past I would always think of a grumbling person and a child back talking or complaining – just as this quote suggests. But this time I was struck with the word disputings and looked the definition up in the dictionary.

Webster’s Dictionary: To attempt to disprove by arguments or statements; to attempt to prove to be false, unfounded or erroneous; to controvert; to attempt to overthrow by reasoning. We dispute assertions, opinions, arguments or statements, when we endeavor to prove them false or unfounded. We dispute the validity of a title or claim. Hence to dispute a cause or case with another, is to endeavor to maintain ones own opinions or claims, and to overthrow those of his opponent.

This really hit me personally. One of my favorite things in time past was to argue and debate, and not necessarily on important issues like contending for my faith, but silly matters of differences or opinions. On matters that would make little difference in our walk with God.

As women especially we are commanded to have a quiet spirit.

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. – I Peter 3:4

A quiet spirit is quite opposite of a disputing spirit. To be quiet means we are not arguing our position. Not getting excited to point out the error of someone’s ways. Not feeling the need to defend our positions as a matter of pride or arrogance.

Are we concerned with what God considers uncorruptible? What God considers of great price? Or are we more concerned with man’s opinions? Are we more concerned with our position or stand on certain issues?

I am afraid to say that I have been more concerned with the later.

Through the years I have closely watched my mother-in-law and I have to say she has exemplified this quiet spirit. I so admire her for that, and she has, with her testimony, helped me to slooooowly (oh ever so slowly) come around to actually change my ways. She didn’t sway me with winning words or forceful arguments or a list of five things I am doing wrong. But over time (almost 20 years!) she lived out an example and gently gave advice when asked and I am just now beginning to see the effect of her testimony on my life.

I am so thankful for the people the Lord has put in my life, and that He speaks to me through His Word.

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; – Titus 2:3

I notice, however, that, while it is true that our gracious Master was very gentle and patient with those who had real difficulties, yet he did not always answer everybody’s cavil. When the difficulty was raised for the sake of questioning and disputing, when it was mere quibbling, when the enquirer were not in earnest, and did not really wish to know the truth, he often declined to answer them. My Master has no desire to be merely victor in a debate: he did not come into the world to fight a battle of logic just for the sake of winning it. – Charles H. Spurgeon

Just a few random thoughts, quotes, and verses I was mulling over this morning…

Christian!

It is not the ship in the water,

but the water in the ship, which sinks it.

So it is not the Christian in the world,

but the world in the Christian,

which constitutes the danger.

Anything which dims my vision of Christ,

or takes away my taste for Bible study,

or cramps my prayer life,

or makes Christian work difficult,

is wrong for me,

and I must

as a Christian,

turn away from it!

J. Wilbur Chapman

How true! But so very hard to practice, isn’t it?

Mark 14:38
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

This is a fantastic article. I have realized that I am a Christian woman who is addicted to romance. I didn’t even know that such a thing were possible and if it were that it was wrong. After all there are Christian romantic novels. I have only just started to research up on it and found stories of Christian women that ended up having affairs. It has also made me realize that one of my friends and female members of my family may also be addicts. How will be ever be satisfied with what we have and what is reality?
I have sat through a couple of somber sermons aimed at men on the dangers of pornography – but what about the dangers of women and romance? – Melissa

Thank you for writing this. I am a 19 year old guy in a christian college and have been recently trying to understand women’s view on romance quite extensively and thoroughly. This is the first time I’ve read anything with this view, that I was wondering if existed. I agree with you. I don’t have all my beliefs down, so I can’t necessarily say I believe the same things, but what you say makes a lot of sense, and it is filled with wisdom and righteousness of heart, as least as I see your message. Because this type of view is unfortunately so rare in this culture, and because I think you’re heart is right, I would greatly encourage you to continue writing similar articles. I see you doing good work my analyzing many different topics and posting your thoughts, and perhaps other related resources online. Thanks again. -Mr. Man

Thank you this is just what God wanted me to hear, I wish I would have read this years ago. – Trying To Do Right

Thanks for this, I am just about to teach this to my youth group girls, encouraging to hear someone else say what i too was thinking. – Amanda

I totally agree!!! Unfortunately I did not see this myself soon enough. The verse that comes to mind for me is Phil. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. To me, that says to stay in the Word..
Something that I believe all young people should be encouraged to do is to read through Proverbs at least twice a year. With these words hidden in their hearts, they will have the wisdom to make right choices and have that wisdom readily available to their young minds and hearts.
Great article! Hope it helps a lot of people not make the same mistakes I did. – Kate

Wonderful post! – Jessica

“The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.” Proverbs 25:23

There is a use for everything. There is a use for the north wind, and for an angry countenance. Rough visaged, ungainly messengers both are; but when sent on necessary errands, they fulfil their mission well. When David wanted a weapon, Ahimelech, the peaceful priest of Nob, having no other than the sword of Goliath, which he kept as a relic, apologized as he offered it, thinking it not sufficiently slim and fashionable for a soldier from the court. “There is none like that,” said David; “give it me.” The man of war had seen hard service, and expected more: The sword that could deal a heavy blow was the sword for him.

According to the translation in the text, it appears that in the climate of Palestine the north wind carries the rain clouds away, and prevents them from discharging their burden on the land. The same phenomenon is to some extent observed in our own island [Britain]. This meteoric fact is framed into a proverb, and employed to describe an analogous feature in the action of moral forces in human life: “An angry countenance driveth away a backbiting tongue.”

There is a place for anger as well as for love. As in nature a gloomy tempest serves some beneficial purposes for which calm sunshine has no faculty; so in morals a frown on an honest man’s brow is, in its own place, as needful and useful as the sweetest smile that kindness ever kindles on a human countenance. A gentle, loving character is much admired, and, where it is genuine, deserves all the admiration it has ever gotten yet. These features, however, constitute only one side of a man, and we must see the other side err we can pronounce an intelligent judgment on his worth. If he has not another side, he will not leave his mark on the world.

If he has not the faculty of frowning, I would not give much for his smile. A worthy matron once showed me her own portrait set in a massive frame, and suspended in the most conspicuous place of her best room. Her sons had secured the services of an eminent artist to fix their mother’s features on the canvas that filial piety, in a future day, might have the double aid of sense and memory in the effort to recall the past. The old lady, after asking her visitor’s opinion, frankly pronounced her own: “It is not in the least like me; I never had such great black blotches in the middle of my face.” The artist’s shade offended her. A shining disc of red and white would have pleased her better. She excelled more in the management of family economics than in judging a work of art. Such, in a more important sphere, is the taste that demands only gentleness in human character, and would dispense with virtues of swarthier hue.

We don’t want a fretful, passionate man; and if we did, we would find one without searching long or going far. We want neither a man of wrath, nor a man of indiscriminating, unvarying softness. We want something with two sides; that is, a solid, real character. Let us have a man who loves good and hates evil, and who in place and time convenient, can make either emotion manifest in his countenance. The frown of anger is the shade that lies under love and brings out its beauty. The wisdom that is from above, whether as doctrinally revealed in the Bible or practically operating in a Christian life, “is first pure and then peaceable.”

Salt is worthless when it has lost its saltiness. The double command of the Lord, corresponding to the two constituent elements of a disciple’s character is, “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another” (Mark 9:50). The gentleness which will have peace on any terms, is neither pleasing to the Lord nor beneficial to men; if there is no pungency there will be no purifying.

By William Arnot (1808-1875), Studies in Proverbs:

While each of these lists was good in their own right, I felt that each one was missing something. Biblical instruction.

I pray that this list will encourage and inspire you to improve your life and in turn the lives of others.

5 Tips to Attain Success in 2010

• Be Thankful
  Are you willing to close your book of complaints and to open the Book of praise?Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. said that “when the fire of gratitude dies on the altar of a man’s heart, that man is well nigh hopeless.”
  An ungrateful and unthankful spirit leads to gross sin and more misery.

  Romans 1:21
  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

• Be Unselfish
  Are you willing to stop looking for friendship and start being friendly?Remember the old Sunday School acronym J-O-Y? Jesus – Others – You. This attitude, while it pleases the Lord and obeys him, it also invites blessings!
  King Solomon, rather than ask for selfish pleasures asked for an understanding heart so that he might be a help to others. This pleased the Lord and look what he was blessed with for his unselfishness:

  I Kings 3:11-14
  And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
  Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
  And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
  And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

• Be Humble
  Are you willing to believe others are quite as sincere as you and to treat them with respect?Spurgeon said: Pride goeth not before salvation, but before
  destruction; and a haughty spirit is no prophecy of elevation, but the herald of a fall.
  Humility not only appeases God’s wrath (King Ahab repented and humbled himself before God and the Lord had mercy on him. See: I Kings 21) but it is a prerequisite for being exalted.

  Proverbs 18:12
  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

  Luke 14:11
  For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

• Be Industrious
  Are you willing to ignore what life owes you and think about what YOU owe to life?Hard work IS the key to success!

  Proverbs 21:5
  The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

  Proverbs 22:29
  Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

• Be Willing to Sacrifice
  Are you willing to cease looking for someone to help you, and devote yourself to helping others?Giving up of your time, your talents, your resources.

  II Timothy 2:3, 4
  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

  Hebrews 13:16
  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

I sincerly hope that 2010 finds you happier and more successful but most importantly I hope it finds you drawing closer to the Lord.

Be blessed!

After a visit to the Doctor and $600 worth of blood tests run (OUCH!) we discovered that I was extremely deficient in Vitamin D and could possibly be suffering from the effects of the Epstein Barr virus when I had mono 3 1/2 years ago.

But I still wasn’t completely satisfied with the diagnosis. So I turned to the Bible to see what it had to say about our health. I was mildly surprised at how MUCH the Bible had to say on this topic!

I wondered if our hearts were right with God and we were living to serve Him and others how our health would be affected?

I wondered if we actually applied Scripture’s solutions we would be healed or at least improved?

Pr 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Pr 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Job 20:11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.

Ps 31:10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

Pr 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Are the women in our homes today virtuous!? Look at the definition of virtue:

Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law. In this sense, virtue may be, and in many instances must be, distinguished from religion. The practice of moral duties merely from motives of convenience, or from compulsion, or from regard to reputation, is virtue, as distinct from religion. The practice of moral duties from sincere love to God and his laws, is virtue and religion.

Could our actions not only effect our health, but our husband’s health as well!?
Prov 3:7 -8 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Have we ever lived in such a time as now where there is little fear of the Lord? Look at this verse:

II Timothy 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Doesn’t sound as if people will be very healthy the closer we come to the Lord’s return does it?

We’ve been told over and over to talk through our problems, figure out why we feel the way we do. But more and more I believe that we are not always to talk through and dwell on our bad moods, our anger and frustration but take our thoughts captive and dwell on Scripture, spiritual music, and prayer.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Philipps 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

II Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Phillip 4:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.