Denzel's Biggest Supporter

Denzel Washington's wife, Pauletta, of 30 years recently said, "I live with this man.  I see the down part.  I see the sad part.  I see every part. He has and he knows he has that stability in me as his wife.  That gives him strength regardless whether if he misuses it.  I can't dwell on that but I do know that gives him a great platform to go and fly." 

I love to hear of Hollywood couples doing it right!  It isn't often, but it does happen.  It is said that behind a great man is a great woman.  I believe this to be true.  God created men to need a help meet and a man is blessed if he has an encouraging, forgiving, and loving help meet.

Yes, your man has flaws.  Everyone does but to know that he is accepted regardless of his flaws is a very secure place to be.  Pauletta has decided to love her husband for better or worse, in good times and in bad times.  Denzel is blessed.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing
 and obtains favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 18:22

Kay Treats Phil Like A King

There is a video of Phil Robertson and his wife speaking about their marriage. I was very curious to see what they said about it so I listened. I am very happy I did! These are his words exactly ~

"Miss Kay is an exact replica of Sarah, Abraham's wife: kind, gentle-spirited and great work in God's sight...She treats me like a king. She literally treats me as her master. I don't force her to. She's just that kinda woman."

Kay is a godly, submissive wife who honors and obeys her husband, very rare indeed in this day and age.

For ten years while Phil lived as a "heathen," in Kay's words, she remembered her godly grandmother's words, "'One man, one wife' and they never left me. You're going to have to fight for your marriage." After fighting for her marriage for 10 years and realizing she couldn't do it on her own, that is when she fell to her knees and came to her own faith.

Kay said that for ten years, Phil was mean while living a godless life. She would tell her three small sons that this mean man that they called "dad" was not who their real dad was. She stuck by his side through the "worse" part of "for better or for worse" and won him to the Lord without a word {I Peter 3:1}.

Phil finally found Jesus. "The resurrection of the dead trumps the momentary pleasure of sin." He pointed to Kay and said,"That's my little sex machine over there and that's all I need."

By staying by his side for better or for worse, Kay sanctified her husband as the Bible says {I Corinthians 7:14}. She "renders him due benevolence." Kay is a great example for us to follow.

Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord:  

whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, 

and are not afraid with any amazement.

I Peter 3:6

Using Rats For His Purposes

The Assyrian army was terribly wicked during Old Testament times.  They desired to rule the world.  When they would take over a country, they would throw babies under galloping horses, use their swords on anyone they rode past cutting off hands and heads, skin kings alive, use torture for days to get out information, etc.  They were very effective in taking over many countries and putting fear into kings and their people.

Judah, during King Hezekiah's reign, was the only kingdom still standing that was not ruled by the Assyrians.  One day, the people in Judah heard a low rumbling.  They knew it was thousands of Assyrians coming to take over their land.  They shook in fear. 

King Hezekiah decided to call upon the name of the Lord.  He knew their was no way humanly possible that he could protect his people against such a powerful foe.  He went to the temple and petitioned the Lord.  He also went around to the people quoting powerful Scripture verses of God's power and protection.  Isaiah the prophet finally prophesied that the Assyrians would be beaten.

As the Assyrians were camped out all around Judah, an infestation of huge, healthy rats started taking over their tents.  Then a terrible plague broke out killing almost every single Assyrian with a violent, painful death. God had used rats to accomplish His will! {The Biblical account states that it was the angel of the Lord who killed 185,00 men in one night. 2 Kings 19:35}

Recently, I have been reading Lynn Austin's series called Chronicles Of The Kings.  I have to admit, I don't read the Old Testament much.  I prefer the New Testament since it teaches me who I am in Christ and instructs me how to live.  However, this series has taught me the value of the Old Testament.

It is truly fascinating to read how God blessed His people when they walked in obedience and worshiped Him and punished them, or let their sin's consequences come when they walked in disobedience by worshiping idols.  The Old Testament proves over and over again the awesome power of our God to save and protect His people who call upon His name.

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, 

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, 

my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; 

you save me from violence.  I call upon the LORD, 

who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22:3,4

Privileged To Be A Doormat

Most women, when they hear about submission, respond with, "Well, I sure don't want to be a doormat!"  One of my readers recently wrote this on one of my posts ~

  "Doormats serve a very specific and even edifying purpose, do they not?  What if the doormat said, 'I don't want to be a doormat anymore' in a grumbling, complaining attitude?  Then what would the floors of the house look like?  All manner of dirt and filth from the outside world would be spread throughout our homes.  But if the doormat takes pride in serving the home, filtering it of all the junk that would otherwise enter that home, then I say, 'God, would you allow me to count it a privilege to be a doormat for my home?  Can I serve my husband so that before he enters his castle, he can swipe his shoes of all the outside mess he's stepped in all day?  Would you let me count it a privilege to be that good man's doormat?"

Where in Scripture does it say to not be a doormat?  This is what the Bible says about the God of the universe whom we are to model our lives after ~

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

 Philippians 2:5-9

We are so selfish, always protecting ourselves and our rights instead of becoming like Jesus, sacrificing our lives for others, and yes, even becoming a doormat for others.  He is our example.  Stop listening to the counsel of the unsaved or Christians who are not teaching God's Word.  Listen to God's Word instead and model your life upon it.

God tells us the greatest of all is the servant of all.  He calls us to be living sacrifices. {For all of you who are still concerned about physical abuse, NO, this does not include allowing physical abuse by a husband.}    God left His throne in heaven to seek and save that which was lost, namely us.   If He was a doormat for us, the least we can do is to be a happy, privileged doormat for our family.

Married For 33 Years!

Ken and I celebrate 33 years of marriage today.  The road has not been easy.  The first 23 years we argued all the time.  I was not a godly, submissive wife.  The past ten years, my health has been poor.  However, we have weathered the storms because our marriage is built upon a Rock and that Rock is Christ.

The Bible only gives one admonition to believers about who to marry.  Marry a believer. Period. My mom married a believer.  My sisters married believers.  Now, my children are marrying believers.  My parents raised godly offspring.  My sisters and I raised godly offspring.  I am confident my children will raise godly offspring.

Like I said, just because you marry a believer doesn't guarantee an easy life.  No one has an easy life but with Christ at the center and the foundation of a marriage, the chances of having a good, solid marriage are much stronger.

All of our beliefs come from our faith.  Our political views, our morals and values, the way we raise our children, our hope and joy, the way we handle money and think about the future, even the way we eat come from how we view God, were created by and for Him, and knowing who we are in Christ.

Therefore, if you are considering marriage, make sure you marry a believer.  Speaking from one with many years of experience and many trials, I am extremely thankful to be married to a believer.  Our marriage has stood the test of time and we are reaping wonderful fruit from it.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. 

For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? 

Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14

Phil Robertson ~ Head Of His Household

Phil Robertson met his grandson's girlfriend.  His grandson was going to take her on a date.  Phil told them to go fishing and then he went with them.  While they were fishing, he told them to not have sex.  It leads to gonorrhea, syphilis, etc.  He told them they should not touch each other anywhere but the neck and above until they signed on the dotted line.  He said a peck on the cheek is just fine. He told his grandson to always treat her with respect.  Then encouraged him by saying, "Find yourself a good girl who will cook you fried squirrel and walks around with a Bible in her hands."   

At dinner that night when the whole family was gathered together, they bowed their heads in prayer and he prayed that his grandson and girlfriend would stay pure during their dating years.

Phil Robertson is the head of his household.  He speaks Truth to his children and grandchildren whenever he has a chance.  He warns them of the dangers ahead and tries to steer them on the narrow path.  He is not afraid of embarrassing them if it means protecting them from future harm.

We saw many parents afraid of their children.  They were afraid to tell them to not see naughty movies.  They were afraid to speak to them much about sex and its consequences outside of marriage.  They thought if they were too strict with them, they would rebel.  And they would never dream about praying for their sexual purity in front of the whole family.

I admire Phil Robertson for not being afraid of doing any of those things.  Children and teenagers need guidance, especially being given by their fathers, the heads of the household.  They need continual reminders of what is right and what is wrong in this filthy society.  They need strong, protective boundaries. If you are not continually teaching and reminding them and even praying about it, they are going to be easily sucked into the cesspool around them.

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sit in thine house, and when thou walk by the way, and when thou lie down, and when thou rise up.

Deuteronomy 6:7

Merry Christmas Everyone!

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6,7

With love from the Alexander Family!

Abide In Him

We would be better Christians if we spent more time alone, and we would actually accomplish more if we attempted less and spent more time in isolation and quiet waiting upon God. 

 The world has become too much a part of us, and we are afflicted with the idea that we are not accomplishing anything unless we are always busily running back and forth.  We no longer believe in the importance of a calm retreat where we sit silently in the shade.  

As the people of God, we have become entirely too practical.  We believe in having "all our irons in the fire" and that all the time we spend away from the anvil or fire is wasted time.  Yet our time is never more profitably spent than when we set aside time for quiet meditation, talking with God, and looking up to heaven.  

We can never have too many of these open spaces in life ~ hours aside when our soul is completely open and accessible to any heavenly thought or influence that God may be pleased to send our way.  

People living in cities today would do well to follow the example of Isaac and as often as possible visit the fields of the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  After having grown weary from the heat and noise of the city, communion with nature is very refreshing and will bring a calming healing influence. 

{From Streams In The Desert}

Abide in me, and I in you.  

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, 

except it abide in the vine; 

no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  

I am the vine, ye are the branches:  

He that abides in me, and I in him, 

the same brings forth much fruit:  

for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:4,5

If you have a chance, watch Andy Stanley preach a 30 minute sermon 

on abiding in Jesus and being free from the law HERE.

Our Yearly Christmas Morning

Every Christmas morning, our whole family gathers at my parent's home.  It is my parents favorite day of the year {and maybe for the rest of us!}. There are ten grandchildren and every year we keep adding more between marriages and babies!

My parents have been married for 61 years.  Alisa, my sister, and Greg have been married 28 years, and Debbi, my youngest sister, and Jonathan have been married 26 years.  All of our marriages have had their trials, like everyone, but they are all strong, good marriages.

  After we have a yummy brunch, we all sit in a big circle in the living room and share what the Lord has taught us that year.  It's a beautiful time of listening to God's work in everybody's lives.

This has been a very tough year for me as many of you know, with having to go through brain surgery, a very difficult recovery, and then Cyber Knife treatments.  However, I have had a lot of love and support, a solid family support system, and I know who is in control resting in Him.

This blog has been an incredible blessing to me during this time.  God always knows just what we need.  He is so good. May you all have a wonderful Christmas remembering the birth of our wonderful Savior.  

Merry Christmas!

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: 
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, 
and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

For Those Pondering Divorce ~ DON'T!

AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.  

Mark 10:8.9

 How would you ever learn grace to pour out your favor on someone who did not deserve it if you were married to someone who was always deserving of all good things?

The main purpose of your marriage is that through marriage 

you become conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

You are married to a person that does not meet all the conditions 

so that you might learn unconditional love.

You are married to a person that needs mercy so that you learn to give it.

You are married to a person that does not deserve so you learn to pour lavishly out on a person who does not respond appropriately and thus you become like the God you worship.

Man cannot unjoin what God has joined.  The one flesh union God has created in marriage is permanent until death; for richer for poorer, in sickness in health,  for better or worse.  

Let me ask you something is adultery for better or worse; 

it is for worse but it is covered in the marriage vows. 

{Paul Washer, John Piper, and Voddie Baucham: 

please watch this amazing youtube!}

This is why I say that Christianity is NOT for wimps!!!  It is hard.  It is dying to self.  It is grace ~ treating others better than they deserve.  It is walking in the footsteps of Jesus who suffered wrongly and was ill-treated but never demanded His rights and continued to serve those who persecuted Him.  This is basic Christianity, not some back woods demeaning way of punishing wives.  It is what is demanded of ALL who follow Jesus.  We don't get a free pass just because the one who mistreats us is our husband.  God's word still applies. 

Thank God, Lori, that she came to you and not others who would have led her on to tear down her home with her own hands! {Candi May commenting on She's At Her Wits End}

Trick For A Tender Turkey And Gravy

Most turkeys are not tender.  I have tried many ways to cook a turkey to try and get it tender and it has been difficult.  I have finally figured it out!  Even the breast was very tender and the trick is fairly easy.

I buy an organic turkey.  I don't want turkeys fill with antibiotics.  My turkey was about 18 pounds.  Clean out the innards and set it in a roasting pan UPSIDE DOWN.  Soften a stick of butter and brush the butter all over the turkey.

Stuff the turkey with an onion, lemon, and rosemary.  Sprinkle the turkey with salt, pepper, and thyme.  Put a meat thermometer in the deep part of the thigh.  Put it in an oven preheated to 325 degrees.

Let it cook until the thermometer reads 165 degrees.  The key is to get it out of the oven as soon as it hits this temperature.  What makes a dry turkey is overcooking it.  As soon as it reaches that temperature, take it out,  and cover with tin foil.  Let it rest for an hour or so.

Then cut off the legs and thighs.  Lay them down in the juices from the turkey and cook them for another half an hour at 325 degrees if they aren't completely done.  Take it out, carve the turkey, and enjoy!  It will be moist and delicious.

What has been your trick for a tender turkey?  If you have one, I sure would love to hear!

Turkey Gravy

Melt a stick of butter, then add 1/4 cup flour.
Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Pour the above ingredients into the pan that the turkey was in with all the drippings plus a cup or two of chicken or turkey broth {I used the innards of the turkey and put them in a pan with water.  Then I cooked them on low for all the hours the turkey was cooking to make turkey broth.}.  Stir until thick.

Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, 
and drink thy wine with a merry heart;
for God now accepteth thy works.
Ecclesiastes 9:7

Utah Judge Allows Polygamy

Did you know that Utah wasn't allowed to join the Union until it banned polygamy?  Have you heard that a judge has overruled this ban {Read it here.} by saying it is unconstitutional?  Many people warned that if gays were allowed to get married, the floodgates would be opened and they are opening.

The gay marriage advocates said that anyone should be able to marry who they love.  By using this line of reasoning, if you love your brother, sister, dog, cat, four women, or four men, you should be able to marry them.  Yes, anyone should be able to love whomever they want.  That is not the issue.  The issue was going with feelings instead of wisdom and changing the definition of marriage as it has been since the beginning of time.

How do we respond to this?  Do we curse the darkness or light a candle?  How are we told to overcome evil?  By doing good.  So how do we fight this particular battle with good?  By having strong and happy marriages.  By loving, obeying, pleasing, and serving your husband.  By winning him without a word.

Our world is being controlled by the prince of darkness.  We know this. The Bible tells us so.  We cannot expect it to act any differently than it is acting.  Therefore, we need to love those who are lost and are heading in the wrong direction which is full of emptiness, boredom, and dissatisfaction.  We need to share the love of Jesus and show them through our lives and marriages what God can do for them.

We shouldn't speak evil of them. They are doing only what they know to do.  They have not been freed from sin.  They have either rejected the Truth or have not heard it.  Show them the Truth.  Tell them the Truth.  Speak light into the darkness.  It is a spiritual battle that is being waged in the heavens.  We must be faithful to walk the narrow road, live in obedience to God, and love others.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but {wanting} to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.

2 Timothy 4:3

Great article ~ God's Plan For Marriage: Dealing With Old Testament Polygamy

Sleep Training Babies

We trained our four children to sleep through the night when they were six weeks old.  Waking up every few hours was taking a toll on my health and my emotions.  It took almost a week for each of them and it was difficult letting them cry {and not being able to sleep ourselves}, but after that, they all were very good sleepers.

Many women disagree with this approach.  They even tell me my advice will cause neurological and emotional problems.  Some even accuse me of being selfish!  However, yesterday I read on another blog these words,  "Postpartum hormones, six months of sleep-deprivations and the neurological impairment it engendered and the adrenal response of my exhausted body to prolonged stress ~ this is what rendered me a weepy, terrified mess staring teary-eyed into the frightened eyes of my children."

She then had to go on anti-depressants.  This became a light bulb moment for me.  I wonder if all the postpartum depression women are experiencing today is from not getting enough sleep. There are many health consequences of not getting enough sleep.

Dr. Marshall teaches that we need five solid hours of uninterrupted sleep without raising our heads above our chests for the adrenals to repair themselves every night.  The adrenals have so much to do with our hormones and health.  I know that a lack of
sleep greatly suppresses the immune system, thus making one more susceptible to getting the flu, a cold, autoimmune diseases, or even cancer.

Mothers hate letting their babies cry. I get that, but crying never hurt anybody. Not getting enough sleep can greatly hurt you. It is imperative for the health of the mother that the baby sleep through the night as soon as possible. You should, at least, try to train them to sleep a good five straight hours of sleep at night.

Everyone wakes up several times a night but we learn to go back to sleep. Babies need to be taught this and the sooner the better. We would make sure our baby was well-fed, warm, and dry. Then we would let them cry when they woke up during the night until they fell asleep exhausted.

After about a week, they were sleeping through the night along with the rest of the house.  This made functioning through the daytime much easier for me. Rest and sleep are vital for good health and babies can be trained at an early age to sleep through the night if you want them to and you can endure a week of a crying baby.  It was well worth it for us and all four of my children are happy, secure, and well-adjusted adults.

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, 
eating the bread of anxious toil; 
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalm 127:2

***I realize this is a very volatile subject but please remember there is no right or wrong way.  It is not a sin issue.  It is a decision made between a husband and a wife so keep that in mind with your comments and try not to throw harsh judgments towards those who you disagree with.  Thank you!

Young And Madly In Love

Ken and I mentored Erin and Taylor a few years back.  They were 21 years old at the time and had been in love since they were 16.  Both of them had very teachable spirits and wanted to do the marriage thing right.

They got married in July of 2011.  They were just blessed with adorable identical twin girls.  She began a blog and wrote a post 21 Interesting Facts About Me.  The several that caught my eye were ~

My goal in life is to be a Titus 2 wife.

It's pretty disgusting how much I love my husband.

I hope to one day, if it's in God's will for us to do premarital counseling.  God created marriage to be such a beautiful thing and I believe he wants everyone to truly enjoy tit.

I love my life as a wife and stay at home momma.

I follow her on Facebook.  She consistently raves about her husband and loving marriage.  Yes, she's only been married a few years but she could mentor many older women who have been married for many years on how to do marriage right.  It doesn't matter how old you are or how long you've been married, when you obey God and do things His way, you reap His blessings.  They are reaping His blessings at a very young age.

She knows how to love and obey her husband.  She wants to please Taylor and make him happy. She understands the value of being a keeper at home.  Her twins are two very blessed little girls who were brought into this world with parents who are deeply committed to the institution of marriage and each other.

Erin makes being married look easy.  I am sure it is not always easy and she fails at times, but she knows the right path, the narrow path, and has chosen to walk on it and someday her husband and children are going to rise up and call her blessed.

Enjoy life with the woman whom you love 

all the days of your fleeting life which 

He has given to you under the sun; 

for this is your reward in life, 

and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 9:9

She's At Her Wits End

This young woman is having a difficult time in her marriage. 

 This is the email she wrote to me {the names have been changed} ~

Remember me...I'm the one who is going to school full time because my husband wants me to, and so is he.  George {my husband} REFUSES to help me AT ALL with Susie {my daughter} at night.. All he does is he will bring her to me when she first wakes up, but I am always the one to feed her, burp her, get her back to sleep. I'm the one up at 11, 1, 3, and 5 every single night. I'm also the one putting her down for bed every night. He's put her to bed a total of three times her entire life.  

I've tried asking him nicely that I need him to help me with Susie at night and he said he would. We even talked to our marriage counselor about him helping more and he agreed he needs to help me out.....however, when the rubber meets the road time and time again I'm taking care of her all by myself and he sleeps the entire night through every night. I've even tried just leaving her to cry in bed with Jon, and I went to the living room couch to sleep but all he did was grumble and plop her on me on the couch. I'm so sick of his selfishness and laziness and the lack of him doing his part.......what am I to do? Not to mention he never does the laundry or cooking, and I do 90% of the cleaning.  If I keep doing what I'm doing without him helping me I'm going to become bitter/resentful towards him. I'm already very angry with him as I'm sure you can tell. 

My biggest problem is that if I just keep my mouth shut and he keeps being lazy and selfish, I am becoming angry and resentful towards him. I don't LIKE him and I don't want to be around him.   What am I suppose to do?

The world would counsel her to give him ultimatums.  Do anything to get him to help you even if you have to use manipulation techniques, right?  God tells her to love him, obey him, please him, serve him, submit to him, and learn to be his help meet. Completely opposite of what the world would tell her to do.

Most men aren't homemakers.  They aren't built to do housework and help with babies.  It is definitely much more of a woman's role.  Sure, it is great if your husband does help, but if he doesn't, it is okay.  Don't ruin your marriage over it.  We are called to be living sacrifices so live your life as a servant, serving others.

Another thing I encouraged her to do was to get her baby to sleep through the night as soon as possible.  Let her cry herself to sleep and learn to go back to sleep by herself without having to be nursed or picked up.  We all need sleep desperately and I think this mother is exhausted getting up so many times a night.  She said within four days, her baby fell asleep within five minutes.

Lastly, she needed to stop thinking and saying negative things about him.  Dwell only on thoughts and words which build him up as the Bible commands.

This was the last email I received from her ~

 Thanks for the advice.  It is helping so far. Also, I've been praying more for my husband and giving him good sex and speaking to him more respectfully. It is nice to be nice to him, and I know God is pleased!

Teach the young women to love their husbands.  

Titus 2:3,4

***Update: Her baby now sleeps through night and her husband just told her he wants her to be home full-time taking care of the family!!!

Tossing The Purity Ring

The Jonas Brothers grew up in a Christian home. Their father is an ordained Baptist minister. The boys became famous when they were young by singing together. Fame and Christianity never seem to be a good mix, especially for children when they are younger.

Joe Jonas admits to tossing his purity ring and losing his virginity when he was 20 years old.  He admits to having some hook ups since then and now is with a steady girlfriend. It is extremely difficult for single men to keep pure in this society today. It's heartbreaking to see these young adults who have grown up knowing Truth turn away from it and be conformed to the world and it's ways.

Brad Furges wrote a wonderful essay on this very topic.  He writes ~

As singles we face an onslaught of pressure and challenges daily. We are in a real battle to stay pure in a very impure world. The Internet, TV, the entertainment and music industries, pornographers, the news media, our educational system…the list goes on…are keeping countless singles saturated in an intoxicating, lust-filled atmosphere.

The world, the flesh and the devil work relentlessly together to ensnare and rob us of the purity of heart the Lord desires for us. But we have HOPE in the midst of such a decadent culture, beyond even what Joseph had, because of what Jesus Christ did on the Cross and because of the power of His grace. His grace is truly amazing.

Yes, it is difficult but with God all things are possible. It is easy to find the world and it's ways attractive but in the end, it all leads to dissatisfaction and ultimately death. Dennis Prager has a male/female every Wednesday. Last week, he once again talked about the male sex drive and how women should try to be understanding towards their husband in this area.

He said men will always love to look at beautiful women and the more flesh a woman shows, the harder it is for men not to lust. However, most men are happiest if they can shop at only one store instead of many. Yes, he admitted it is in a man's nature to want to try out many different shops but they are much happier if they can shop in one.

Even Dennis Prager, who is not a Christian but a Jew, understands the value of monogamy and its impact on men. Yes, the world is enticing but deadly. Teach your sons Truth while they are young.  Don't pursue fame for them. Instead, encourage them to pursue Jesus, purity, and holiness. In the end, they will be much happier. God's ways are always better.

Oh, and teach your daughters to cover up and dress modestly. Encourage them to want to protect their precious Christian brothers instead of entice them.  Then be extremely grateful when your husband only wants to shop in your store!

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.  But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

I Timothy 6:10-12

Does Our Thought Life Matter?

Do you think your thought life matters to God?  I believe every sin begins with a thought.  Sure, we all have bad thoughts at times.  These are temptations.  Temptations are not sin.  It is what you do with those thoughts whether or not they become sin.

God commands that we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. {II Corinthians 10:5}  He commands us to fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. {Philippians 4:8}

When a negative thought about someone comes into your mind, replace it with a good thought.  When a sexual temptation enters your thoughts, kick it out and begin thinking about something pure.  We do have power over our thoughts!  God has given us a sound mind.  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. {2 Timothy 1:7}

Therefore, take control over your thought life.  Don't let yourself get too hungry, too tired, angry, or lonely.  These are the times you are most likely to allow temptation turn into sin.  If you are hungry, eat.  If tired, go to sleep.  If angry,  remember that anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God.  If lonely, call someone up or get involved in your local church and make friends.

Put on the full armor of God.  Be daily in His word.  Pray always.  Do not let Satan have his way with you.  Have someone hold you accountable in your weaknesses.  Do whatever you can to walk in obedience to God for His ways are the path to life.

Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his won lust, 

and entices.  then when lust has conceived, 

it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.

James 1:14,15

Dealing With Irritable People

Carol Hopson's mom had a very bad stroke.  She was around 90 years old.  Carol quickly bought a ticket and flew up to be with her mother for ten days.  Her mom was in a long-term care facility.  Another woman shared her room whose name was Ruby.

Ruby was extremely irritable.  Nothing anyone could do ever pleased her.  Carol wondered why God would allow such an awful person to share a room with her mother.  Every night, Carol would sit by her mother's bed, read books and the Bible to her, and pray with her.

One evening, she asked Ruby if she would like to listen.  Ruby grunted that it was okay.  Carol opened up the curtain that separated the room.  Each side of the room had a small whiteboard.  Carol had decorated her mom's with Christmas things to make it festive.  Ruby's whiteboard was bare.

She went out, bought some Christmas items, and decorated Ruby's board.  Every night, she would spend time reading and praying for them.  If either of them needed anything from the store, Carol would go out and get it.  If they needed a bedpan, Carol would make sure they got one.

When the ten days were up, Carol went over to Ruby and told her it was time for her to go home.  Ruby asked her to come closer.  Then she looked at Carol and said, "Would you come help me to pray and get the peace that you and your mom have?"  She believed in Jesus that day and began walking with Him.

Carol uses every opportunity, no matter how exhausted she is to share the love of Christ to those around her.  She is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes {Romans 1:16}.  May we all learn from Carol and see every situation God puts us in as an opportunity to share His love with others.

Nothing Like A Foot Massage!

Her job is a nurse to care for those who are dying.  She massages their feet.  She brushes their hair.  She encourages them to eat and take their pills.  She fluffs their pillows and speaks encouraging words to them trying always to make them as comfortable as possible.

Ken and I watched Christmas in Conway last week.  It was about a woman who was dying from cancer and the nurse who took care of her.  This touched me deeply.  After this past year, I truly appreciate those who try and make your life comfortable when you are in deep, physical pain.

My mom and dad would come over often.  My dad would give me long foot massages.  My mom would brush my hair.  Those acts of love meant so much to me...Just having that physical touch and pampering helped me through those dark difficult days.

Many times it is hard to know what to do to help those who are ill or hurting in some way.  Just being there goes a long way as well as the physical touch.  For one thing, it is relaxing and for another, it helps you feel loved.

I didn't feel like talking much for many months.  I didn't want people coming over and mourning over me.  I also didn't want people laughing and acting like everything was okay.  I just wanted to know people cared...

Cards, prayers, little emails and notes with encouraging words on facebook, all those kinds of things I appreciated very much.  I firmly believe that God loves others through people.  He never means for us to be alone for He puts the lonely in families.  We need each other to hold us up through hard times.

Watching this woman slowly die in this movie and watching her nurse tenderly care for her was a beautiful thing to watch.  She also had the complete support of her husband who grieved when she needed to sleep downstairs in a single hospital bed.  It didn't stop her husband from curling up next to her and cuddling her. One time Ken crawled in my hospital bed with me and the nurse made him get out...He still would crawl in with me whenever he could.

So if you know of anyone hurting or ill, be there for them.  Make their lives as comfortable as possible for them.  Massage their feet.  Life is hard but loving acts of people make it easier.

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2