The Way to Happiness

Public Service Announcement about precept 5 of The Way to Happiness: Honor and help your parents.

Habits Become Character

Various patterns of behavior and responses tell everyone who and what we are—what we stand for. Character develops out of the habits of behavior we have learned and practiced.

Quality habits produce quality character and a quality person. Being a truth-seeker is an example of character that has been developed by good habits. Jesus said God's Word was truth and that truth will set you free (John 8:32; 17:17). We have the ability to examine and change our habits. God's Word is the best guide possible for positive change.

Why God made moms

Enjoy the answers given by elementary school age children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of they're when we were getting born.

Guarding Our Tongues

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me," the old saying goes. But it's not really true, is it? We have all been on either end of hurtful words. Words can do more damage emotionally than being hit by a stick or stone. James said the tongue is an unruly evil and that to bridle the tongue is to accomplish a great thing (James 3:2, 8). If only we could surrender our tongue to glorify God! Words can also be used in a gentle manner to change even the hardest mind.

Good Names, Bad Names

A good name is of great value (Proverbs 22:1). A bad name, though, has no antidote and no automatic healing process.

Your name is what you are known by, and it represents all that you are. Honest, hard-working, kind, considerate, God-fearing, law-abiding, wise—these are among the qualities of character that make up those who have striven to have a good name. Be a person of your word—let your “Yes” be “Yes” and “No” be “No” (Matthew 5:37). Protect your good name.

Giving to Get!

The card game of bridge is interesting, in that in order to gain a maximum number of card tricks, a player often needs to lose a few. There is a good principle that “giving to get” teaches us.

In life, there is an unseen good thing that happens when we are givers. That is why the Bible tells us it is more blessed to give than to get (Acts 20:35). When we understand that principle, it becomes clear that the giver receives much more than he loses.

Friends: False and True

The rich have many "friends," but the poor are often shunned (Proverbs 14:20). Funny how many false friends are to be found. They are there when things are very positive and going well—usually hoping to get in on the success or wealth. True friends are rare indeed. They are the ones who will hear what you have to say, sort the wheat from the chaff and blow the chaff away with one breath. They trust you, and you can have confidence in them.

Forget the Painful Past

Past blunders, defeats, mistakes and misfortunes have an impact on each one of us. Rising above them is the way to a happy future. The past is gone forever and we can do nothing about it—no matter how much we want to. We know that forgiveness is the only way to heal the hurt from others. Forgiveness is also the way to heal the hurt from ourself. We cannot simply forget a great pain – but not allowing it to dominate our thoughts is the first step to putting it in a place that does not hurt us.

Feel Good—Do Good

Rain was pouring from the sky as I pushed my cart out of the grocery store. I made the mad dash to my car and unloaded my groceries as quickly as I could. Just as I finished emptying my cart, I saw a hand grab my empty cart and take it along with hers to place it in the cart stand, which was a distance away. I was speechless for a moment, but then I thanked her and got into my car. I was amazed that a perfect stranger took the time to help me while getting drenched herself!

Marriage Is Art

There are many thoughts and ideas about what marriage is and isn't, what it should and shouldn't be. Those thoughts arise because, in fact, marriage is the attempt of two incompatible people to live together compatibly. No two people are the same. No matter how passionate and fervent love may be, differences exist.