THE TONE OF VOICEIt’s not so much what you say
As the manner in which you say it,
It’s not so much the language you use
As the tone in which you convey it.
“Come here” I said,
And the child cowered and wept.
“Come here,” I said—
He looked and smiled,
And straight to my lap he crept.
Words may be mild and fair,
And the tone may pierce like a dart,
Words may be soft as the summer air,
But the tone may break my heart.
For words come from my mind
Grow by study and art—
But tone leaps from the inner self
Revealing the state of the heart.
Whether you know it or not,
Whether you mean or care,
Gentleness, kindness, love, and hate,
Envy, anger, are there.
Then, would you quarrels avoid
And peace and love rejoice?
Keep anger not only out of your words—
Keep it out of your voice.
~ Unknown
Painting: Arthur John Elsley
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TEARING DOWN OR BUILDING UP?
In Bible times God had a tabernacle and later a temple where He deigned to dwell in the midst of His people. Today, we have no temple, but God is a dwelling God and He still loves to dwell in our homes.
I have been thinking of the blessedness of motherhood. Yes, along with the blessedness is hard work and heartache. However, I believe that the devil robs mothers of the joys and glory of motherhood. Because God ordained motherhood and created us for this high purpose, the devil hates it. He hates what God mandates. He feeds us with lies to think we are wasting our lives when in fact, we are fulfilling the very perfect will of God. When we embrace motherhood, we are on God’s side.
I wonder if we really understand the power of God’s words that He releases into the universe. He spoke, and the worlds came into being. All it took was for God to open His mouth and speak.
Only two: male or female; feminine or masculine. Completely embrace who God created you to be. You bring glory to God when you live to the full who God created you to be. There’s no need to be confused.
Motherhood is the most powerful, far-reaching, influential career in the nation! Babies and children cannot survive without mothers. Families cannot survive without mothers. Nations will fail without mothers. It’s time for mothers to come back to the home.
Mother, God has chosen you and you are the BEST mom for your children.
The devil loves to break up marriages and he begins by putting negative and deceiving thoughts in your mind. You don’t have to listen to them. Resist them in the name of Jesus. Think of the good things about your husband. Thank the Lord for them. Tell your husband the good things you are thinking about him. When you focus on the positive, everything will become positive. When you focus on the negative everything becomes destructive.
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” A contented spirit brings a peaceful and happy atmosphere to the home.
There is a better way to live than on this lower plane of grumbling and self pity which only hurts you and everyone else around you.
Dear mother, you have the most important and influential career in the nation as you determine the destiny of this next generation—and generations to come. Embrace your calling and do it well.
I am continuing my ABOVE posts for a few days. How important it is to give ROOM in our hearts and minds for the needs of others. God is always looking for hearts that are open and waiting for God speak to them about whom He wants them to bless and minister to. If we are totally taken up with thinking about ourselves, there is no room for anyone else!
As we go into this New Year I would like to encourage you to live above all the troublesome and even petty things that tend to bring you down to live under your problems instead of above them. God says that you are seated with Him in heavenly places. The virtuous and courageous woman of Proverbs 31 is ABOVE rubies, not below. She lives ABOVE her circumstances as she keeps her eyes upon the LORD. Can I encourage you to move into this way of life?