RESPECT

Everyday whether I am at the office, in the mall, at the supermarket, or walking down the street; I hear people using profanity as if its just a natural part of Life. There is no respect for children, the elderly, or anyone. Mothers curse their children in public as if it's a natural and normal thing to do. Why? Is it because their mothers or someone else who raised them did the same thing to them? The bible says "The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out."-Proverbs 10:31(KJV). Using profanity when speaking to kids potentially creates a pattern. When the kids grow up they will do the same thing to their kids. It's learned behavior. Then we wonder why kids act out. People we don't have to curse our kids out to correct them. We must teach our kids respect. We have to give respect in order to get respect, whether it's to our kids or others. The bible tells us in Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." This is God's word. God would not want us to curse at our children or anyone for that matter. When you do this, you are not abiding by God's word.
Nothing good will come out of disobeying the Lord. We are to raise our children according to the word of God. There is a blessing and a covering that comes with being obedient to God's word. When you lose control, lose respect for yourself and others, you have wondered outside of the will of God. The bible tells us, "And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."-I John 3:24. This tells us that if we keep the Lord's commandments that he will dwell with us.. In I John 3-22 it reads, " And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. Again, perverse language is not pleasing in the sight of the Lord. If we want to receive the blessings of the Lord we MUST keep his commandments and also teach our children to do so as well. When we teach our children bad habits, such as cursing and telling lies. We are setting them up for failure. We are also held responsible for what we teach our kids. The bible says, "Train up a child in the way that he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6
Again, if we teach our kids to respect themselves & others, they will learn to be responsible, loving adults and they will teach their kids likewise. Please Bless your children and not curse them! This is good in the sight of the Lord. Read your bible daily & study God's word. When you read the word of God regularly, something wonderful happens. You will learn what is pleasing and acceptable to God. You will also learn what is not acceptable and the consequences of doing what is right and what is wrong. Yes, you reap what you sow! If you sow good seeds you will reap a harvest of blessings. If you sow bad seeds then a harvest of corruption will come. The bible says, "Be not deceived: God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." -Galatians 6:7-10
Let us guard our tongues, hearts, & minds! Put a smile on your face, be slow to anger and honor the word of God! Be Blessed! -Janie Brodie

What does "Love" mean to you?

What is the meaning of the word love to you? If you could describe the word love how would you do it? Would you try to put it into words or would you say that it is indescribable? I know we hear that question being asked a lot, but have we really tried to sit down and actually answer it? Have we given it any thought, or have we just brushed it aside because the word sometimes is just too difficult to describe. Love, to me is much more than physical need. It holds a deeper meaning than what we hear sometimes. The first type of love that comes to everyone's mind is romantic love, but what about the love that you can't see? What about the love that surrounds you and holds you everyday? It is unconditional, dedicated, loyal, and everlasting. This love, God's love is with you forever. Love is a powerful gift from God meant to be cherished, not written off as unimportant or expendable. It is a complete expression of spiritual and emotional bonding from God to us and passed from person to person. God gives us many verses in the bible that speak about types of love Romantic love: Genesis 29:20 So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days. Proverbs 5:19 A loving doe, a graceful deer-may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. Friendship love:Song of Solomon 2:16 My lover is mine, and I am his.John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends Our first experience with love is our family and then it matriculates to the people we meet in our everyday lives. It could be a friend, coworker, or neighbor. Our affections for these people reach all levels because of the time, energy, and relationship we develop with them. The dedication that we have for people comes from our hearts. I found that a pure heart, one that is unspoiled and unselfish, can hold onto any loving relationship. I believe that God's love manifest itself through us by the word and teachings so that we can worship and share with others. Tell us your thoughts.... -Wanda Fox