who was now living in the United States,

and said:
“Once again, the earth has become wicked and over
-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me.”

“Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing
along with a few good humans.”

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying:
“You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will
start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.”

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah
weeping in his yard – but no Ark.

“Noah!,” He roared, “I’m about to start the rain!
Where is the Ark?”

“Forgive me, Lord,” begged Noah,

“but things have changed!!!”

“I needed a building permit.”

“I’ve been arguing with the inspector
about the need for a sprinkler system.”

“My neighbors claim that I’ve violated the
neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my
yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to
go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.”

“Then the Department of Transportation demanded a
bond be posted for the future costs of moving power
lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the
passage for the Ark’s move to the sea. I told them
that the sea would be coming to us, but they would
hear nothing of it.”

“Getting the wood was another problem. There’s a ban
on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl.”

“I tried to convince the environmentalists that I
needed the wood to save the owls – but no go!”

“When I started gathering the animals, an animal
rights group sued me. They insisted that I was
confining wild animals against their will. They
argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and
it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in
a confined space.”

“Then the EPA ruled that I couldn’t build the Ark
until they’d conducted an environmental impact study
on your proposed flood.”

“I’m still trying to resolve a complaint with the
Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I’m
supposed to hire for my building crew.”

“Immigration and Naturalization are checking the
green-card status of most of the people who want to work.”

“The trades unions say I can’t use my sons. They
insist I have to hire only Union workers with
Ark-building experience.”

“To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets,
claiming I’m trying to leave the country illegally
with endangered species.”

“So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10
years for me to finish this Ark.”

“Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine,
and a rainbow stretched across the sky.”

Noah looked up in wonder and asked,
“You mean you’re not going to destroy the world?”

“No,” said the Lord.
“The GOVERNMENT beat me to it.”

Photo by PieterMusterd.

For many years I witnessed <and still do> the wonderful marriage of my parents. Although they are not perfect, they did make specific choices when they exchanged vows at the altar. Their choices included making God the center of their relationship and letting God guide their family. That is why I now stand and consider myself blessed for having such parents.

Today, although a few months short of my fifth anniversary, I am very happy and grateful for the marriage God has given me. With my husband, we have learned and grown in ways we could not even imagine. I am very blessed.

Here is a continuation of the letter a wise man wrote to his two sons regarding women (a future wife):

First, know that the woman you marry will be the lifelong mother of your children. All that she is in the accumulation of her past experiences will be present as the mother of your children. There is not a more major decision affecting the future of your children than the choice of your life’s partner… Treat your wife as a delicate flower, and she will “bloom” with energy to be a more giving mother.
Be sure to cultivate your relationship with your wife. Meet her needs. Make her happy. Enjoy her thoroughly … If you love and cherish your wife, the children will love and cherish her also.

Here are basic qualities you need to look for when choosing your wife:
That she loves the Lord and is his true disciple
Cheerfulness
Thankfulness
That she is a creative and hard worker
Love for children

Never marry a girl who feels she is not getting the best man in the world when she gets you. A girl who enters marriage thinking she could have done better will never be satisfied for wondering what it might have been like if…

Avoid like a plague the girl who will pursue her own career outside the home. A wife must be your “help-meet.”

Photo by zaza_bj.

I am very grateful that my dad chose to take upon him the responsibility of rearing and training his children in the way of the Lord. It is because of my dad’s and mom’s commitment to honor God as parents is that my five siblings and I honor and worship one God. I remember spending a lot of time, as a little girl, with my father and mother. It is from them that I learned almost everything I now know.

And now, I am extremely blessed to be married to someone who has chosen to step up to the call and be the father that God wants him to be. He has turned his back to society’s ideals for young men about ‘success.’ He has chosen his family over what the world wants from him. He has accommodated his work so that he can spend all day at home. I am so happy he is looking forward to the day our children can help him. THANK YOU ABE!

Here is an excerpt of a letter one wise man wrote to his two young sons:
Now I want to speak to you about being good fathers. While you are still young and unmarried, with no children, do what all of God’s creatures do – prepare the nest for their arrival. DON’T PUT YOURSELF IN AN OCCUPATIONAL POSITION THAT WILL LEAVE YOU OUT OF POSITION TO BE A GOOD FATHER. Plan your life’s trade so as to maximize your role as a father. Fathers who become absorbed in their success in business will make lousy fathers. If you gain the whole world and lose your child’s soul, what profit it is? Some workaholics will say they are doing it for their children – providing security, a good education, etc. Why is it that children of hardworking, absent fathers never appreciate their sacrifice, and even show disdain and contempt to their father’s success? The reason is that children are not fooled. They understand their father’s absence to be selfishness on his part and lack of lack of interest in them. They see their father get more satisfaction from his job that from their presence. Whether this be true or not, the results are the same. Business success always passes away; time spent with your children becomes permanent, eternal part of them. The education your child will need cannot be purchased at a university. It is purchased by the father in the many hours spent doing things with his children.

Photo by ramoo76.

As a Christian, when I think about life I try to see the big picture.

God created the world and mankind.
Man sinned against God.
Man no longer has the privilage of fellowship with his Creator.
Out of love, God provided a bridge for man to get to Him.
Jesus became that bridge, when He defeated death at Calvary.
I have been made free through Christ.
I am saved to spend eternity with my Creator in a Perfect World, Heaven.

So remind me again, why am I still on earth?
Paul said that for him to live was Christ, for the benefit of the ministry (Phil. 1:21,22). So I must conclude, every day should be an opportunity to get closer to being like Christ. Loving others, serving, forgiving, gving, praying, worshiping God, obeying Him. But, why?

I find two importante reasons:

†That my life is used to help others find the love & hope that is only found in Christ
†That my life is an encouragement to all brothers and sisters to shine with Christ’s love & hope

 These are high and noble callings.

Photo by carlosm76.

This was originally posted at SilverKey by one of my sisters.
She is currently living and working in Bolivia.

Last night I came home with a huge grin on my face

I couldnt believe my life

I was blessed

Last night I saw tears on my friend’s face

I heard about her life

and I felt blessed

Words fail me to truly expressed how grateful and blessed I feel right now. It’s like a light bulb has gone on inside my head or a veil has been lifted from my eyes … yesterday I stopped midday and realized I AM TRULY BLESSED. While others feel lonely, Ive never felt more loved. While others struggle financially, Ive never felt that I lack because God provides. While others are losing their faith, mine has never been stronger. And God has been soo good to me that he gave me amazing parents, the best brothers and sisters anyone can ask for – and though, I am away from them, He has made sure that I have the same support (emotionally and spiritually) in Bolivia. He has allowed my eyes to see His amazing creation. He has let me meet interesting and wonderful people from all over the world. I know that I am loved. I know that I am forgiven. I know that I am blessed. And its the most wonderful feeling in the world!

Photo by carf.

• You know what he likes and dislikes.
• You know what he is passionate about.
• You know what attracts him to certain friends.
• You know why his friends are attracted to him.
• You know what bad habits he struggles with.
• You know what strengths he is aware he has.
• You know what he would choose to do if he had all the money and time in the world.
• You know what music he listens to, and why he likes it.
• You know what type of people disgusts him.
• You know what type of people he admires.
• You tell him God is directing you to help him/her make changes in his behavior and he humbly and readily accepts it.

Photo by Brian Auer.

Be their friend. A real friend knows true feelings and passions. Determine to know your child’s.

Be part of their lives. It’s not just about knowing what they like. It’s about sharing the passion alonside them.

Be the one who teaches them about important things in life. Relationships. Career. Sex. Politics. Controversial issues, etc.

Share YOUR life with them. Involve them in everything that interests you.

Guide them. Without them even realizing it, children always need consistent guidance. A parent who has already traveled a road should take iniciative to lead and guide. Note: beware of becoming controlling.

Help them make God the only god in their lives. There is a need to continually help your children intentify and radically eliminate any idols in their lives.

Require a more disciplined lifestyle. When they are very young. When they are teenagers. When they are young adults. And as long as they live under your roof.

Photo by Planet Love.

Today strident female voices are raised to remind us, shrilly and ad nauseam, that women are equal with men. But such a question has never arisen in connection with the history of Christian missions. In fact, for many years, far from being excluded, women constituted the majority among foreign missionaries.

Missionary, of course, is a term which does not occur in the Bible. I like the word witness, and it is a good, biblical word meaning someone who has seen something. The virgin Mary saw an angel and heard his word and committed herself irretrievably when she said, ”Behold the handmaid of the Lord.” This decision meant sacrifice–the giving up of her reputation and, for all she knew then, of her marriage and her own cherished plans. “Be it unto me according to thy word.” She knew the word was from God, and she put her life on the line because of it. The thing God was asking her to do, let us not forget, was a thing that only a woman could do.

The early history of the Church mentions other women who witnessed–by ministering to Christ during his earthly work, cooking for him, probably, making a bed, providing clothes and washing them–women who were willing and glad to do whatever he needed to have done. (And some of you who despise that sort of work–would you do it if it was for him? “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren,” Jesus said, “ye have done it unto me.”) There was Priscilla, coadjutor of the Apostle Paul. There was a businesswoman named Lydia who opened her heart to what was said and then opened her home to those who said it. There must have been thousands of women like these who did what lay in their power to do because with all their hearts they wanted to do it. They had seen something; they had heard a word; they knew their responsibility.

Today I moved to my new office. For months I had been working at a nice cubicle until today. Even though I like my old cubicle, I really like my new office space. It offers privacy, a little more space, a view of downtown Miami. I have installed a white erase board, ordered colored markers for creating my daily To Do lists. I put all my binders in order and within easy reach, for better organizing my projects. This morning everything felt different; fresh. I am enthusiastic about my tasks this week. I have organized my schedule and mapped it in my new white erase board. My desk is paperless, except for the documents that I’m working on; all other documents are just waiting to be scanned and put away. My title is the same; my job is that same as last week. I have the same responsibilities and tasks. But somehow, with my new space, I feel empowered to take everything to the next level.

Next time you feel you’ve hit a wall, a dead end, or a dull moment in life, try changing something. Move furniture around your home or office. Buy a plant. Change shampoo and toothpaste brands. Paint your room. Sleep on the other side of the bed. Do something special for someone. One small change can provoke a much needed revolution of the soul.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Picture by Casey Serin.

Habakkuk 2:6,7
“Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, ” ‘Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?’  Will not your debtors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their victim.

Reality check:
 You are caught in the never-ending debt carrousel (aka rat race)
 You suffer from Stress/anxiety… Health problems
 One problem leads into another
 Experience feeligs of insecurity
 You are forced to change priorities
 The choices are made for you