"The man should give his wife all that is her right as a married woman, and the wife should do the same for her husband." - 1 Corinthians 7:3 TLB
This old childhood rhyme is one that many people remember:
Kiss and hug,
Kiss and hug,
Kiss your sweety
On the mug.
While the rhyme was one children would use in ridiculing the puppy-love behavior of their older brothers and sisters, the practice of kissing and hugging actually has many healthful benefits beyond those of building a loving relationship.
A West German magazine reported the results of a study conducted by a life insurance company. The researchers discovered that husbands who kiss their wives every morning:
* live an average of five years longer,
* are involved in fewer automobile accidents,
* are ill 50 percent less, as noted by sick days, and
* earn 20 to 30 percent more money.
Other researchers have found that kissing and hugging releases endorphin giving mind and body a sense of genuine well-being that is translated into better health. A kiss a day just may keep the doctor away!
Monday, 18 November 2013
A House and A Home
A house is made of walls and beams; a home is made of love and dreams.
"Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred." - Proverbs 15:17 NIV
In Little House in the Ozarks, Laura Ingalls Wilder writes, "I spent an afternoon a short time ago with a friend in her new home. The house was beautiful and well-furnished with new furniture, but it seemed bare and empty to me. I wondered why this was until I remembered my experience with my new house. I could not make the living room seem homelike. I would move the chairs here and there and change the pictures on the wall, but something was lacking. Nothing seemed to change the feeling of coldness and vacancy that displeased me whenever I entered the room.
"Then, as I stood in the middle of the room one day wondering what I could possibly do to improve it, it came to me that all that was needed for someone to live in it and furnish it with the everyday, pleasant thoughts of friendship and cheerfulness and hospitality."
A homey atmosphere is not a matter of the right decorations; it emanates from the thoughts and feelings of the people who live there. Feelings of warmth and welcome can be created only by people who are kind, generous, and even-tempered. Why not determine to "warm-up" the atmosphere where you live today?
"Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred." - Proverbs 15:17 NIV
In Little House in the Ozarks, Laura Ingalls Wilder writes, "I spent an afternoon a short time ago with a friend in her new home. The house was beautiful and well-furnished with new furniture, but it seemed bare and empty to me. I wondered why this was until I remembered my experience with my new house. I could not make the living room seem homelike. I would move the chairs here and there and change the pictures on the wall, but something was lacking. Nothing seemed to change the feeling of coldness and vacancy that displeased me whenever I entered the room.
"Then, as I stood in the middle of the room one day wondering what I could possibly do to improve it, it came to me that all that was needed for someone to live in it and furnish it with the everyday, pleasant thoughts of friendship and cheerfulness and hospitality."
A homey atmosphere is not a matter of the right decorations; it emanates from the thoughts and feelings of the people who live there. Feelings of warmth and welcome can be created only by people who are kind, generous, and even-tempered. Why not determine to "warm-up" the atmosphere where you live today?
Nothing Beats Love at First Sight Except Love With Insight
"The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever else you get, get insight." - Proverbs 4:7 NRSV
Two lifelong friends in their early 50s began to argue over the forthcoming marriage of one of them to a man who was only in his 30s.
"I just don't believe in May - December marriages", the friend said. "After all, December is going to find in May the strength and virility of springtime, but whatever is May going to find in December?"
The bride-to-be thought for a moment and then replied with a twinkle in her eye, "Christmas".
Many couples who claim they "fell in love at first sight" look back after years of marriage and adjust their opinions, saying, "I was infatuated", or "We felt an immediate attraction", or "there was electricity between us when we first met". Love, however, is a word they have come to cherish - it is something they now share that is far richer and more meaningful than the emotions they felt "at first sight."
One of the great qualities about genuine love is that it grows and deepens over time. Time is life's nursery for love. Tend to it as you would your most cherished plant, and love's fragrance will continually remain.
Two lifelong friends in their early 50s began to argue over the forthcoming marriage of one of them to a man who was only in his 30s.
"I just don't believe in May - December marriages", the friend said. "After all, December is going to find in May the strength and virility of springtime, but whatever is May going to find in December?"
The bride-to-be thought for a moment and then replied with a twinkle in her eye, "Christmas".
Many couples who claim they "fell in love at first sight" look back after years of marriage and adjust their opinions, saying, "I was infatuated", or "We felt an immediate attraction", or "there was electricity between us when we first met". Love, however, is a word they have come to cherish - it is something they now share that is far richer and more meaningful than the emotions they felt "at first sight."
One of the great qualities about genuine love is that it grows and deepens over time. Time is life's nursery for love. Tend to it as you would your most cherished plant, and love's fragrance will continually remain.
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Kind Words Can Be Short and Easy to Speak
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
"She opens her mouth with skillful and godly Wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness - giving counsel and instruction." - Proverbs 31:26 AMP
Many years ago a famous singer was contracted to perform at a Paris opera house. The event was told out in a manner of days. The entire city was abuzz with anticipation. That the night hall was packed with stately dressed men and women eager to hear the much-admired musician. The house manager took the stage and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your enthusiastic support. I am afraid that due to illness, the woman whom you've all come to hear found a suitable substitute we hope will provide you with comparable entertainment."
The crowd groaned so loudly in its disappointment that few heard the singer's name. Frustration replaced excitement in the hall. The stand-in singer gave everything she had, but when her performance was over she has met with an uncomfortable silence rather than applause. Then, from the balcony, a child stood up and shouter, "Mommy, I think you are wonderful!"
The crowd immediately responded with a thunderous ovation.
Once in a while we each need to hear somebody say, "I think you are wonderful." Why not be the person who gives that kind word of encouragement today!
"She opens her mouth with skillful and godly Wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness - giving counsel and instruction." - Proverbs 31:26 AMP
Many years ago a famous singer was contracted to perform at a Paris opera house. The event was told out in a manner of days. The entire city was abuzz with anticipation. That the night hall was packed with stately dressed men and women eager to hear the much-admired musician. The house manager took the stage and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your enthusiastic support. I am afraid that due to illness, the woman whom you've all come to hear found a suitable substitute we hope will provide you with comparable entertainment."
The crowd groaned so loudly in its disappointment that few heard the singer's name. Frustration replaced excitement in the hall. The stand-in singer gave everything she had, but when her performance was over she has met with an uncomfortable silence rather than applause. Then, from the balcony, a child stood up and shouter, "Mommy, I think you are wonderful!"
The crowd immediately responded with a thunderous ovation.
Once in a while we each need to hear somebody say, "I think you are wonderful." Why not be the person who gives that kind word of encouragement today!
A Good Deed is Never Lost
A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.
"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap... and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:7,9
Joy Sprague knows how to brighten the days of her customers. As the postmaster for Little Cranberry Island, Maine, she actually has customers competing to get their pictures on her post-office wall. Every 25th customer to use the U.S. Postal Service's Express Mail has a "mug shot" taken, hung on the wall - which is actually a portion of the general store - and then is given a plate of Joy's home-baked cream puffs!
That's not all Joy does to make Little Cranberry, population 90, a friendlier place. She operates a mail-order stamp business that is so popular her tiny post office ranks fourth in sales out of 450 outlets in Maine. Why? Most of Joy's customers are summer visitors who want to stay in contact with the island. Joy sends a snapshot of an island scene and a handwritten note about the island events along with each order.
One of the residents has said, "She invents ways to bring pleasure to others." Joy has received praise from the U.S. Postmaster General and has the warm affection not only of the local residents, but friends across America who delight in corresponding with her.
Why not ask the Lord to give you creative ideas which will brighten someone's life today. Perhaps a brief telephone call or post card will remind them how important they really are to you and to God, their Heavenly Father.
"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap... and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:7,9
Joy Sprague knows how to brighten the days of her customers. As the postmaster for Little Cranberry Island, Maine, she actually has customers competing to get their pictures on her post-office wall. Every 25th customer to use the U.S. Postal Service's Express Mail has a "mug shot" taken, hung on the wall - which is actually a portion of the general store - and then is given a plate of Joy's home-baked cream puffs!
That's not all Joy does to make Little Cranberry, population 90, a friendlier place. She operates a mail-order stamp business that is so popular her tiny post office ranks fourth in sales out of 450 outlets in Maine. Why? Most of Joy's customers are summer visitors who want to stay in contact with the island. Joy sends a snapshot of an island scene and a handwritten note about the island events along with each order.
One of the residents has said, "She invents ways to bring pleasure to others." Joy has received praise from the U.S. Postmaster General and has the warm affection not only of the local residents, but friends across America who delight in corresponding with her.
Why not ask the Lord to give you creative ideas which will brighten someone's life today. Perhaps a brief telephone call or post card will remind them how important they really are to you and to God, their Heavenly Father.
The Things I Have Placed in God's Hands, Those I Always Possess
I have held many things in my hands and lost them all; but the things I have placed in God's hands, those I always possess.
"I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have commited unto him against that day." - 2 Timothy 1:12
Two sisters had held a desire from childhood to one day go to the mission field together. As they approached mid-life, they realized they were both well established in their professions, and they began to investigate where they might go to serve God. After several months of talking to various missionary agencies, one of the sisters quit her job and moved to South America, where she became involved in pioneering churches.
The other sister, however, decided the hazards of the mission field were to great. She would remain at home and make even more money. "I'll go later", she said as she bid her sister good-bye. Two years later she died in an accident on the job. She had "saved" her life...only to lose it.
Safety is an illusion apart from God. Many people trust in their jobs - unaware that their companies are on the brink of bankruptcy. Others trust in the government - unaware that funds are diminishing and laws are subject to change. Still others trust in their own abilities, never counting on accidents or illness.
If the Lord has spoken to your heart to "Go", be swift to respond when He opens the door for you to do so.
Saturday, 16 November 2013
I Love You. God Loves You. I Care. God Cares
Each loving act says loud and clear, "I love you. God loves you. I care. God cares."
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God...for God is love." - 1 John 4:7,8
A warm-from-oven casserole taken to the home of a sick friend.
A bouquet of flowers from your garden given to a neighbor...
A thank-you note sent to the performers who did such an excellent job during a concert or play you attended...
A loaf of freshly baked cinnamon bread brought to the office for coffee break...
A box of cookies taken to the police station on Christmas day to encourage those who are "on duty" during the holiday...
A call to ask with genuine care and concern, "How are you doing?..."
We may not think of these as acts of Christian witnessing, yet they are. Every act of loving-kindness reflects God's loving-kindness for His people. We give because Jesus Christ has freely given His love to us. He is the example we follow.
Never dismiss an act of loving-kindness as being to small or inconsequential. God will magnify even our smallest deeds to reveal His love to others.
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