Sunday, March 21, 2010

30 House Rules

Hey Guys - Can I share with you 30 house rules I came across? They are gold!



1. Be at peace with each other (Mark 9:50)

2. Love one another (John 13:34)

3. Be joined ot one another (Romans 12:5)

4. Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)

5. Honour one another (Romans 12:10)

6. Rejoice with one another (Romans 12:15)

7. Weep with one another (Romans 12:15)

8. Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)

9. Accept one another (Romans 15:7)

10. Counsel one another (Romans 15:14)

11. Greet one another (Romans 16:16)

12. Agree with each other (1 Corinthians 1:10)

13. Wait for one another ( 1 Corinthians 11:33)

14. Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)

15. Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

16. Carry one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)

17. Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32)

18. Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32)

19. Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)

20. Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13)

21. Teach and admonish each other (Colossians 3:16)

22. Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

23. Build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

24. Spur one another on (Hebrews 10:24)

25. Offer hsopitality ot one another (1 Peter 4:9)

26. Minister gifts to one another (1 Peter 4:10)

27. Be humble toward one another (1 Peter 5:5)

28. Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16)

29. Pray for one another (James 5:16)

30. Fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)

Trust this serves you as you read over them. I am humbled and encouraged...

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Mum's - Do What You Can

Hey Guys - our experience has been that when you have little ones in the house, quite times, devotions, time to read God's Word can be quite minimal, especially for mum.

This can often bring discouragement and frustration. Yet how can we serve our wife in this?

Here is a great article, written to encourage mum's not to beat themselves up but 'doing what they can' when it comes to reading the word.

One mum says she has a bible in several rooms. Like in the baby's room, in the lounge room, in the kitchen. She finds that when she has just a minute, while the baby bottle heats up, she can read just a verse and think about that.

The important message is, you are not loved any less because you don't get to read God's Word. You are loved greatly & are fulfilling a wonderful role. Thank you!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Accountability

When you think of accountability, what sort of thoughts race into your mind?

I think accountability is a good thing. It is something that I need in my life and it is something I want in my life. But sometimes as guys we fear accountability. Especially when we read something like this:

These guys meant business!

Early in the 18th century, Samuel Wesley (brother of John Wesley) formed a religious society with regular small-group meetings. Called "Band Societies," these single sex groups were designed to facilitate mutual accountability. All who wished to join were required to answer the following questions as evidence of justification and an accompanying desire to grow in God:

Have you peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ?

Do you desire to be told of your faults?

Do you desire that every one of us should tell you, from time to time, whatsoever is in his heart concerning you?

Consider! Do you desire that we should tell you whatsoever we think, whatsoever we fear, whatsoever we hear, concerning you?

Do you desire that, in doing this, we should come as close as possible, that we should cut to the quick, and search your heart to the bottom?

Is it your desire and design to be on this, and all other occasions, entirely open, so as to speak everything that is in your heart without exception, without disguise, and without reserve?

After joining, group members could be asked the preceding questions "as often as occasion offers," while the following questions were asked at every meeting:
What known sin have you committed since our last meeting?
What temptations have you met with?
How were you delivered?
What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?

Now, I would have at one time dodged this sort of accountability, but for some reason I long for this kind of accountability. Why? Because I don't have anything to hide. You see, I hid many things from people I loved and it bound me up so badly. Then Jesus revealed to me that He died for my sins and would change me if I would put my trust in Him. You see, I need/want others looking and watching at how I am living my life. I know in my heart that I avoid accountability when I am doing something that I am ashamed of or in fear of being rebuked or found out for... Oh brothers - learn from my mistakes and make yourself accountable. Many of us are living like this man pictured below. And it ought not be!
Brothers I urge you, make yourself accountable. It will serve you as you seek to lead your wife and children.