A Couple Thoughts on World Suicide Prevention Day

Today has been World Suicide Prevention Day. I posted about it over on my other blog, but here is a story I didn't share over there.

Many years ago, just a few years after I'd married my first husband (my oldest two children's father), we were living in a tiny basement apartment in Missoula, Montana, while he attended the vo-tech. Even though it was considered a daylight basement apartment (because there was a door to the outside, with a large window in it), winters were still hard to handle: short daylight hours; frequent overcast skies.

Just a few days after my 26th or 27th birthday, I seriously considered suicide. I'd even decided on the method, and was about to follow through. Then for some reason, I decided to wait until the next day.

Just a few moments after I'd made that decision, there was a knock on our door. Dear friends, whom we highly respected from our time spent in British Columbia, were on our doorstep. They were passing through from Washington state on their way East somewhere. We had a pleasant visit, and they prayed with us before they left.

Later, when I told another friend of mine, she made me promise to never consider or attempt suicide again. I did promise. To this day, I've kept that promise, because I keep my promises.

Now, I will admit, I often feel like I'm such a burden that my family and friends would be better off without me. Maybe I wish for a fatal automobile accident or something, or a heart attack. But I don't actually consider methods of suicide.

I suffer from insomnia, and chronic pain. Sometimes I wish that all could end. Sometimes teetering on the edge of this pit of depression gets to be more than I can handle. And often God seems so far away, and like He doesn't hear my prayers.

Speaking of insomnia....maybe I better try to get some sleep.

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Scripture and a Snapshot, September 9

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV

Scripture & a Snapshot

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Seek God's Approval {a devotional}

The approval of God rests with loving assurance upon the children who cheerfully take their part in the duties of domestic life, sharing the burdens of father and mother. They will be rewarded with health of body and peace of mind; and they will enjoy the pleasure of seeing their parents take their share of social enjoyment and healthful recreation, thus prolonging their lives. Children trained to the practical duties of life will go out from the home to be useful members of society, with an education far superior to that gained by close confinement in the schoolroom at an early age, when neither the mind nor the body is strong enough to endure the strain.

At home and in the school, by precept and example, the children and youth should be taught to be truthful, unselfish, industrious. They should not be allowed to spend their time in idleness; their hands should not be folded in inaction. Parents and teachers should work for the accomplishment of this object—the development of all the powers, and the formation of right character. But when parents realize their responsibilities, there will be far less left for the teachers to do.

Heaven is interested in this work in behalf of the young. The parents and teachers who by wise instruction, in a calm, decided manner, accustom children to think of and care for others, will help them to overcome their selfishness and will close the door against many temptations. Angels of God will co-operate with these faithful instructors. Angels are not commissioned to do this work themselves; but they will give strength and efficiency to those who, in the fear of God, seek to train the young to a life of usefulness. ~Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, by E.G. White

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Saved by God’s Grace {a devotional}

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8, 9.

The divine favor, the grace of God bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ, is too precious to be given in exchange for any supposed meritorious work on the part of finite, erring man. Man has nothing in himself. The most exalted talent does not originate from man, but is the endowment of his Creator, and can purchase nothing from God. Gold and silver cannot buy the favor of God; for the wealth of the world is the entrusted talent of the Lord. Let no one think that costly offerings to benevolent enterprises will elevate him in the sight of God, or purchase for him the favor of Heaven, or procure for him a place in the mansions which Jesus has gone to prepare for those who love Him. The precious blood of Christ is wholly efficacious....

The resurrection of Christ from the dead was the Father’s seal to the mission of Christ. It was a public expression of His entire satisfaction in the atoning work. He accepted the sacrifice that Jesus had made on our behalf. It was everything that God required, perfect and complete. No human being by any work of his own could piece out the work of Christ. When on the cross Jesus uttered the cry, “It is finished!” glory and joy thrilled heaven, and discomfiture fell upon the confederacy of evil. After that triumphant cry, the world’s Redeemer bowed His head and died,... but by His death He was a conqueror, and He has opened the gates of eternal glory so that all who believe in Him may not perish, but have everlasting life.

The sinner’s only hope is to rely wholly upon Jesus Christ.... Our acceptance with God is sure only through His beloved Son, and good works are but the result of the working of His sin-pardoning love. They are no credit to us, and we have nothing accorded to us for our good works by which we may claim a part in the salvation of our souls. Salvation is God’s free gift to the believer, given to him for Christ’s sake alone. The troubled soul may find peace through faith in Christ.... He cannot present his good works as a plea for the salvation of his soul. ~Our High Calling, by E.G. White

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Scripture and a Snapshot, January 1, 2017

The Way of Righteousness Is Life {a devotional}

In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. Proverbs 12:28

Another year now opens its fair unwritten pages before you. The recording angel stands ready to write. Your course of action will determine what shall be traced by him. You may make your future life good or evil; and this will determine for you whether the year upon which you have just entered will be to you a happy new year. It is in your power to make it such for yourself and for those around you.

Let patience, long-suffering, kindness, and love become a part of your very being; then whatsoever things are pure and lovely and of good report will mature in your experience.

Angels of God are waiting to show you the path of life.... Decide now, at the commencement of the new year, that you will choose the path of righteousness, that you will be earnest and true-hearted, and that life with you shall not prove a mistake. Go forward, guided by the heavenly angels; be courageous; be enterprising; let your light shine; and may the words of inspiration be applicable to you—“I write unto you, young men, because you are strong and have overcome the wicked one.”

If you have ... given yourself to Christ, you are a member of the family of God, and everything in the Father’s house is for you. All the treasures of God are open to you, both the world that now is and that which is to come. The ministry of angels, the gift of His Spirit, the labors of His servants—all are for you. The world, with everything in it, is yours so far as it can do you good. Even the enmity of the wicked will prove a blessing, by disciplining you for heaven. If “ye are Christ’s” “all things are yours.” My Life Today, by E.G. White

Scripture & a Snapshot

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Music for Your Christmas

O Holy Night

Mary, Did You Know?

Joseph's Song

Joseph's Lullaby

Do You Have Room?

When Love Was Born

The Star Still Shines

Carol of the Bells

I'd Sing You a Song

O Come All Ye Faithful

I pray you will have a very merry and blessed Christmas. And finally, enjoy this concert by the Fountainview Academy.

O Come All Ye Faithful-Fountainview Academy concert

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G is for Gateway {100 Themes, link up}

*This post will serve two purposes: Blogging Through the Alphabet, and 100 Themes.*

I guess the purpose of this post is to possibly tie "gateway" and "graduation" together in some form. I've been thinking about graduation, because in the Homeschooling High School Blog Hop, that is our topic for this month.

I won't go in to that right now; you'll have to come back on the 30th for that. <grin> But I'll talk a little about that gateway.

One of my favorite online resources is BibleGateway. I use it often, to look up passages, to do some of my Bible reading (because the font is larger than in my large print Bible), and it's handy if I want to copy and paste Bible verses in to my blog post or something like that.

I just learned that "gateway" is mentioned several times throughout Ezekiel, chapters 40-47, as well as a couple other places (in the New King James Version).

There is also this reference: And it came to pass in the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, ‘Aha! She is broken who was the gateway of the peoples; now she is turned over to me; I shall be filled; she is laid waste.’ Ezekiel 26:1,2, NKJV. But God's response was: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up.  And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers; I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.  It shall be a place for spreading nets in the midst of the sea, for I have spoken,’ says the Lord God; ‘it shall become plunder for the nations.  Also her daughter villages which are in the fields shall be slain by the sword. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.’ Ezekiel 26:3-6, NKJV.

Aren't we, as parents, protective of our children, as God is of His children (us)? Only, He is even more so.

We homeschool parents teach our children, prepare them for life, both here on earth, and for eternity. Those of us who homeschool through the high school years, then face that graduation day, that gateway, to their futures independent of us. They begin college, or jobs. They move out on their own. Eventually they may marry, and have homes and families of their own.

As they pass through that gateway, all we can do is pray, and be there for them if they need us. And continue to love them with all our hearts!

Blogging Through the Alphabet

100 Themes link up:

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Do You Have Room? (Shawna Edwards)

(Do You Have Room?)

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I missed an important date...

I've been so busy with the blog hop this week, I missed an important date. Tuesday was our "blogiversary." Ten years, none the less! It all started out with one short post.

Pretty amazing, isn't it? I think so.

My blogging abilities have grown, as has my blog itself. I hope over the next ten years, it will grow even more. I hope you'll continue joining me on this journey.

Well, I don't share very many of my poems on the blog (although I guess I'd like to share more...), but I'll share one today. It's not necessarily "anniversary" related. It's just one I'd like to share at this time.

         1 John 3:1,2

What manner of love it is,

The love the Father has

       lavished upon us.

We are now called the sons of God.

Not yet does it appear what

        we shall be.

This we do know, though:

We will be like Him when

         He comes for us.

Then we'll see Him as He is,

And be changed into His

         glorious image,

Until that approaching day

All we can do here is

         work, watch and pray.

My dear friend, won't you right now

Accept this gift of love

         He gives you now?

                       by Wendy KAR,

                             written September 7, 1982

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Thank you to my faithful followers and readers.

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Lord, Take My Heart...

No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.

It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this renunciation of self is to be made. At every advance step heavenward it is to be renewed. All our good works are dependent on a power outside of ourselves. Therefore there needs to be a continual reaching out of the heart after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the soul before Him. Only by constant renunciation of self and dependence on Christ can we walk safely. 

The nearer we come to Jesus and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly we shall discern the exceeding sinfulness of sin and the less we shall feel like exalting ourselves. Those whom heaven recognizes as holy ones are the last to parade their own goodness. The apostle Peter became a faithful minister of Christ, and he was greatly honored with divine light and power; he had an active part in the upbuilding of Christ’s church; but Peter never forgot the fearful experience of his humiliation; his sin was forgiven; yet well he knew that for the weakness of character which had caused his fall only the grace of Christ could avail. He found in himself nothing in which to glory. ~Christ's Object Lessons, by E.G. White.

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Scripture and a Snapshot, Easter, April 5

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:33,34.

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. Matthew 27:34.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:45, 46.

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Luke 23:46.

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Matthew 27:51-54.

When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. Matthew 27:57-60.

And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment. Luke 23:54-56.

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. Matthew 27:62-66.

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. Luke 24:1

In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:1-6.

Scripture & a Snapshot

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All For Me

“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me;…
yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
Earnestly, He prayed in anguish, agonizing with God;
great drops of sweat fell from His brow, like blood.
Alone He petitioned His Father, while His followers slept,
yet He prayed not for His will to be done, but His Father’s.
The soldiers came, led by one of His disciples,
who betrayed his Lord with a kiss.
He did not resist, but meekly went with the mob,
to the mockery of His trial.
They took Him to Pilate, but he found no fault;
he sent Him to Herod, who sent Him back.
He was flogged, given a cruel crown of thorns,
and a purple robe--the King of the Jews was He.
Pilate washed his hands, signifying he was innocent;
the people cried, “His blood be upon us, and our children.”
Upon His shoulders they placed the heavy cross,
but He couldn’t stand beneath the load, and fell.
Finally they reached Golgotha--The Skull,
and drove spikes into His hands and feet:
the hands which had touched and healed, and blessed;
the feet which had walked many miles, doing good.
Into the air they raised Him upon the cross;
now He was suspended between earth and heaven,
between His Father and the people for whom He died.
Still, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.”
His heart still reached out to others, not Himself;
He remembered His mother; He promised the criminal life.
He died for all mankind, for a world of sinners.
Clouds rolled in, thunder rumbled throughout the air,
lightning streaked the sky; nature showed her protest.
God withdrew His loving arms--He had to do it.
The whole universe watched in horrified amazement,
the angels had to veil their faces, they couldn’t bear it.
Alone and separated from His Father He hung,
with the weight of the world’s sins upon Him.
They crushed the life out of Him, and the dreadful
pain of being separated from God killed Him.
The waiting throng mocked Him, and cried,
“If You are the Son of God, why don’t You save Yourself?”
He could have called a multitude of angels,
one would have been sufficient, to free Him;
but He chose to die, instead, in man’s place.
At last He could bear it no longer;
He cried, “It is finished!”, then bowed His head and died.
The universe stood back in amazement.
God had really allowed Satan to kill His Son!
He was taken from the cross and laid to rest
in a new garden tomb over Sabbath.
But Sunday, death’s chains were broken;
Christ rose the victorious King; the sacrifice was sufficient.
All heaven rang out in triumph and praise,
redemption had taken place; salvation was complete.
Oh, amazing fact that while He was in the tomb,
His wounds started to heal--for Christ’s blood can never die.
But He bares the scars of love for eternity.
They are constant reminders of the price He’s paid.
If only one man had sinned, still He would have died.
Infinite love; amazing thought!
My sins were born by my Creator, my Brother;
He became my sins: impatience, anger, selfishness…
He took them on that I might live.
But what is more, He promised to return to take me HOME.
He paid the price, all for me…all for me.

Wendy
written April 25, 1981

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I will contend with him...

"Every man is free to choose what power he will have to rule over him. None have fallen so low, none are so vile, but that they can find deliverance in Christ...No cry from a soul in need, though it fail of utterance in words, will be unheeded. Those who will consent to enter into covenant relation with the God of heaven are not left to the power of Satan or to the infirmity of their own nature. They are invited by the Saviour, 'Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.' Isaiah 27:5. The spirits of darkness will battle for the soul once under their dominion, but angels of God will contend for that soul with prevailing power. The Lord says, 'Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? ... Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.' Isaiah 49:24, 25." ~The Desire of Ages, by E.G. White.

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"Old Fashioned"

There has been a lot of discussion about a certain movie that will be coming to theaters Valentine's Day weekend. I wish to discuss a different one, a wholesome movie, which centers on an old fashioned, God-honoring courtship.

 Old Fashioned Trailer

I want my children (yes, the two twenty-somethings) to experience this type of friendship, which may grow in to courtship, and maybe even in to marriage.

To be honest, I have been praying for their future spouses since my children were tiny. And I've prayed that my children will be prepared to be the Godly husband or wife, fit for their future spouses.

Heart of Old Fashioned

Synopsis

A romantic-drama, OLD FASHIONED centers on Clay Walsh, a former frat boy who gives up his reckless carousing and now runs an antique shop in a small Midwestern college town. There, he has become notorious for his lofty and outdated theories on love and romance as well as for his devout belief in God. When Amber Hewson, a free-spirited young woman with a restless soul, drifts into the area and rents the apartment above his shop, she finds herself surprisingly drawn to his strong faith and noble ideas, which are new and intriguing to her. And Clay, though he tries to fight and deny it, simply cannot resist being attracted to her spontaneous and passionate embrace of life. Ultimately, Clay must step out from behind his relational theories and Amber must overcome her own fears and deep wounds as the two of them, together, attempt the impossible: an "old-fashioned" and God-honoring courtship in contemporary America.

I look forward to seeing it, myself. Check to see if it's coming to a theater near you.

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Scripture and a Snapshot

Scripture & a Snapshot

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The Blessed Hope

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13.

Jesus said He would go away and prepare mansions for us, that where He is there we may be also. We shall ever dwell with and enjoy the light of His precious countenance. My heart leaps with joy at the cheering prospect. We are almost home. Heaven, sweet heaven! It is our eternal home. I am glad every moment that Jesus lives, and because He lives we shall live also. My soul says, Praise the Lord. There is a fullness in Jesus, a supply for each, for all, and why should we die for bread or starve in foreign lands?

I hunger, I thirst for salvation, for entire conformity to the will of God. We have a good hope through Jesus. It is sure and steadfast and entereth into that within the veil. It yields us consolation in affliction, it gives us joy amid anguish, disperses the gloom around us, and causes us to look through it all to immortality and eternal life.... Earthly treasures are no inducement to us, for while we have this hope it reaches clear above the treasures of earth that are passing away and takes hold of the immortal inheritance, the treasures that are durable, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fade not away....

Our mortal bodies may die and be laid away in the grave. Yet the blessed hope lives on until the resurrection, when the voice of Jesus calls forth the sleeping dust. We shall then enjoy the fullness of the blessed, glorious hope. We know in whom we have believed. We have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. A rich, a glorious reward is before us; it is the prize for which we run, and if we persevere with courage we shall surely obtain it....

There is salvation for us, and why do we stay away from the fountain? Why not come and drink that our souls may be refreshed, invigorated, and may flourish in God? Why do we cling so closely to earth? There is something better than earth for us to talk about and think of. We can be in a heavenly frame of mind. Oh, let us dwell upon Jesus’ lovely, spotless character, and by beholding we shall become changed to the same image. Be of good courage. Have faith in God. ~Maranatha, by E.G. White.

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Antichrist Unity Agenda: Benchmarks of the Beast

(Find on YouTube)

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Happy New Year!

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12.

Another year of life is now in the past. A new year is opening before us. What will be its record? What will we each inscribe upon its spotless pages? The manner in which we spend each passing day will decide this question....

Let us enter upon the new year with our hearts cleansed from the defilement of selfishness and pride. Let us put away every sinful indulgence, and seek to become faithful, diligent learners in the school of Christ. A new year opens its unsullied pages before us. What shall we write upon them? ...

Seek to begin this year with right purposes and pure motives, as beings who are accountable to God. Ever bear in mind that your acts are daily passing into history by the pen of the recording angel. You must meet them again when the Judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened....

If we connect with God, the source of peace, and light, and truth, His Spirit will flow through us as a channel, to refresh and bless all around us. This may be the last year of life to us. Shall we not enter upon it with thoughtful consideration? Shall not sincerity, respect, benevolence, mark our deportment toward all?

Let us withhold nothing from Him who gave His precious life for us.... Let us all consecrate to God the property He has entrusted to us. Above all, let us give Him ourselves, a freewill offering.

May the beginning of this year be a time that shall never be forgotten—a time when Christ shall come in among us, and say, “Peace be unto you.” John 20:19. Brethren and sisters, I wish you, one and all, a happy new year.

“We live in deeds, not years;
In thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count time by heart-throbs.
He most lives
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.”
~Our High Calling, by E.G. White.

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Counsel from the Apostle Paul to Timothy

To hate and reprove sin, and at the same time to show pity and tenderness for the sinner, is a difficult attainment. The more earnest our own efforts to attain to holiness of heart and life, the more acute will be our perception of sin and the more decided our disapproval of any deviation from the right. We must guard against undue severity toward the wrongdoer, but we must also be careful not to lose sight of the exceeding sinfulness of sin. There is need of showing Christlike patience and love for the erring one, but there is also danger of showing so great toleration for his error that he will look upon himself as undeserving of reproof, and will reject it as uncalled for and unjust.

Ministers of the gospel sometimes do great harm by allowing their forbearance toward the erring to degenerate into toleration of sins and even participation in them. Thus they are led to excuse and palliate that which God condemns, and after a time they become so blinded as to commend the very ones whom God commands them to reprove. He who has blunted his spiritual perceptions by sinful leniency toward those whom God condemns, will erelong commit a greater sin by severity and harshness toward those whom God approves.

By the pride of human wisdom, by contempt for the influence of the Holy Spirit, and by disrelish for the truths of God’s word, many who profess to be Christians, and who feel competent to teach others, will be led to turn away from the requirements of God. Paul declared to Timothy, “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

The apostle does not here refer to the openly irreligious, but to the professing Christians who make inclination their guide, and thus become enslaved by self. Such are willing to listen to those doctrines only that do not rebuke their sins or condemn their pleasure-loving course. They are offended by the plain words of the faithful servants of Christ and choose teachers who praise and flatter them. And among professing ministers there are those who preach the opinions of men instead of the word of God. Unfaithful to their trust, they lead astray those who look to them for spiritual guidance.

In the precepts of His holy law, God has given a perfect rule of life; and He has declared that until the close of time this law, unchanged in a single jot or tittle, is to maintain its claim upon human beings. Christ came to magnify the law and make it honorable. He showed that it is based upon the broad foundation of love to God and love to man, and that obedience to its precepts comprises the whole duty of man. In His own life He gave an example of obedience to the law of God. In the Sermon on the Mount He showed how its requirements extend beyond the outward acts and take cognizance of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The law, obeyed, leads men to deny “ungodliness and worldly lusts,” and to “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Titus 2:12. But the enemy of all righteousness has taken the world captive and has led men and women to disobey the law. As Paul foresaw, multitudes have turned from the plain, searching truths of God’s word and have chosen teachers who present to them the fables they desire. Many among both ministers and people are trampling under their feet the commandments of God. Thus the Creator of the world is insulted, and Satan laughs in triumph at the success of his devices.

With the growing contempt for God’s law there is an increasing distaste for religion, an increase of pride, love of pleasure, disobedience to parents, and self-indulgence; and thoughtful minds everywhere are anxiously inquiring, What can be done to correct these alarming evils? The answer is found in Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, “Preach the word.” In the Bible are found the only safe principles of action. It is a transcript of the will of God, an expression of divine wisdom. It opens to man’s understanding the great problems of life, and to all who heed its precepts it will prove an unerring guide, keeping them from wasting their lives in misdirected effort.

God has made known His will, and it is folly for man to question that which has gone out of His lips. After Infinite Wisdom has spoken, there can be no doubtful questions for man to settle, no wavering possibilities for him to adjust. All that is required of him is a frank, earnest concurrence in the expressed will of God. Obedience is the highest dictate of reason as well as of conscience. ~Acts of the Apostles, by E.G. White.

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Dear Future Husband of My Daughter

Perhaps you two have already met. Perhaps you two have yet to meet. There are a few things I’d like you to know about my daughter, some of which I hope you already see and know about.

My daughter has a very large, loving, forgiving heart. She is not prone to hold grudges. I hope you will always gently hold her heart in your hands, and not abuse her willingness to forgive.

One thing I am sure you already know is that she is passionate about animals, especially cats (both domestic and wild)! Perhaps you love animals/cats as much as she does; I hope so! Because I think animals, especially cats, will always be a big part of her life.

Another thing about my daughter is she has an amazing rapport with young children. They seem almost drawn to her. She seems able to put them at ease, and is quick to comfort if someone gets hurt.

One of the most amazing things about my daughter is her strength. She was only 10 ½ when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. The need to daily take care of that has made her in to a very strong young lady.

I know there are days she wishes she could just quit: quit having to check her blood sugars every day; quit having to take insulin shots 3-5 times a day; quit having to worry about her blood sugars going too high or too low.

Quit being scared of having it go so low, that it could send her in to a diabetic coma, or of dying because it’s gone so low. Quit worrying that she could go blind, or lose a limb, or have kidney failure, because it remains too high over the long term.

I hope you have the strength to encourage her, and morally support her, on her daily journey of diabetes care. I hope you will take the time, if you haven’t already, to learn about diabetes and how to “manage” it. Learn the signs of both high and low blood sugar. (I’ll give you one clue: when her blood sugar is high, she is a bit grouchy! ;-) ).

My daughter isn’t perfect. She was raised by a mother who isn’t perfect, either. She has lost a couple fathers in her life, too. I am hoping and praying she never experiences the pain of her own divorce!

Please be the spiritual leader of your family. Take my daughter (and my grandchildren, when/if they come along) to church each week. Pray with my daughter each day. Lead your family in daily family worship/devotional time.

Please, take my word for it: Communication is key to your marriage! Take time to have meaningful conversations with my daughter. Take time to really listen when she talks to you, too. “Be kind in speech and gentle in action, giving up your own wishes. Watch well your words, for they have a powerful influence for good or for ill. Allow no sharpness to come into your voices. Bring into your united life the fragrance of Christlikeness.” (Adventist Home, page 107)

Mrs. White further counseled: “In your life union your affections are to be tributary to each other’s happiness. Each is to minister to the happiness of the other. This is the will of God concerning you. But while you are to blend as one, neither of you is to lose his or her individuality in the other. God is the owner of your individuality. Of Him you are to ask: What is right? What is wrong? How may I best fulfill the purpose of my creation?” (Adventist Home, page 103)

Encourage her to keep her individuality, to better herself, to continue learning and growing each day. Encourage her to seek and improve her talents. And don’t neglect to seek and improve your own talents! I know God has given you both several.

By the way, I hope you enjoy cooking, because she doesn’t really. Baking, yes. ;-) I’ve done my best to teach her to cook, and other homemaking skills. Maybe by the time she becomes your wife, she will actually enjoy cooking a bit.

In closing, I’d like to admonish you to love my daughter, cherish her: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.” Ephesians 5:25-28, KJV.

“Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” Colossians 3:19, KJV.

Because I have done my best to teach her: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.” Colossians 3:18, KJV. And “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” Ephesians 5:22-24, KJV.

“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Ephesians 5:33, KJV. The New Century Version says it this way: “But each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself, and a wife must respect her husband.”

Love her, show her you love her, and I know you will earn her respect. I know one method she likes to show her love for others is by giving small gifts or cards; I believe that is also how she feels loved by others, is when they bless her with small gifts or cards as well.

Son, I want you to know that I have been praying for you from the moment my daughter was born. I pray she will be a blessing to you, and that you will be a blessing to her, as well. Always keep Christ the Center of your home.

I love you; and welcome to the family! <3

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