Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Fear


Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your sons will be like olive shoots
around your table.

Thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD

Monday, September 7, 2009

Thinking Good Thoughts


".... whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phillipians 4:8

Children are like little sponges. They absorb things from us and everyone they encounter. Sometimes they see and hear "stuff" that we later come to realize was not exactly a healthy influence. ( Like that silly TV that stays on for way too many hours every day. )

Maybe, just maybe, if they don't hear and see too much violence and inappropriate stuff on TV or on the street - may they'll be prone to think healthy positive thoughts more often. Maybe we can ever so subtly lead them towards healthier choices. Like reading more. Studying a little harder.

Maybe if they see us doing unselfish and anonymous acts of kindness - maybe they'll become accustomed to helping those who happen to be less fortunate than us.

Maybe if they see us make the choice to turn off the TV and go for a run or head out to the golf course. Maybe they'll want to go out and play more and watch that stupid box a little less.

Maybe....

"Educate your children to practice self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future and crimes from society." Benjamin Franklin

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Sharing


"I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. " John 8:12

Alms given in secret; that is the charity which brings a blessing.

What sweet enjoyment to be able to shed a little happiness around us!

What an easy and agreeable task is that of trying to render others happy.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Give Your Children a Head Start - Enjoy a Healthy Breakfast


And Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst" John 6:35

The annual crowds at Flushing Meadows signal the unofficial end of Summer! This weekend millions will hit the beach or the lake or just hang out and enjoy the final weekend of Summer. For many children the new school year has already started.

One way we can help our beloved little ones as they embark upon another new school year is feed them a healthy breakfast before sending them off to school. Numerous studies have arrived at the conclusion that children do better in school when they start their day with a healthy breakfast!

To fire up your metabolism furnace, start with good nutritious breakfast

Here are some ways that you and your family can eat better:

Eat breakfast every day. Try a whole-grain cereal like raisin bran with fat-free or low-fat milk, or whole-wheat toast spread with jam. Enjoy some fruit with your breakfast too.

Teach kids that healthy foods taste good. Make macaroni and cheese with fat-free milk and low-fat cheese. Try a peanut butter (spread thin) and jam or preserves sandwich instead of a burger and fries.

Choose fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese instead of full-fat dairy products.

Choose whole-grain foods like whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice, or whole-wheat pasta more often than refined-grain foods, like white bread, white rice, and white pasta.

Snack on fruits and vegetables. Keep a bowl of fruit on the table, bags of mini carrots in the refrigerator, and boxes of raisins in the cupboard.

Do not keep a lot of sweets like cookies, candy, or soda in the house. Too many sweets can crowd out healthier foods.

You don't have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen or shell out a wallet full of money to eat well.

Buy foods that are easy to prepare, like pasta and tomato sauce, rice and beans, or canned tuna packed in water.

Plan ahead and cook enough food to have leftovers. Casseroles, meat loaf, and whole cooked chicken can feed your family for several days. (Be sure to freeze or refrigerate leftovers right away to keep them safe to eat.)

Buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. Buy only as much as you will use, so they will not go bad.

Buy frozen or canned vegetables (no salt added) and canned fruit packed in juice. They are just as good for you as fresh produce, and will not go bad.

Try canned beans like kidney, butter, pinto, or black beans. They are loaded with protein, cost less than meat, and make quick and easy additions to your meals.

Maybe if we teach our children to enjoy eating healthy foods they will do better in school!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Walk the Talk


Today's thought comes from Psalm 119:

1 Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, Who walk in the law of Our Lord.

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.

3 Yea, they do no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways.

4 Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.

5 Oh that my ways were established To observe thy statutes!

6 Then shall I not be put to shame, When I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7 I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart, When I learn thy righteous judgments.

8 I will observe thy statutes: Oh forsake me not utterly.

9 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Jehovah: Teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I declared All the ordinances of thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Lessons for a Sunday - or Anyday


Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man that learns to be understanding.

For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that keeps her.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Thoughts for a New School Year


Some Lessons for the new School Year:

Study hard!

Play Hard too!

Laugh Often!

Practice random acts of Kindness!

Love Your Family.

Love and respect others - even when they may not seem to deserve it. They are the ones who just may need love the most!

Play outside more.

And watch less TV.

Join a club.

Try something new!

Smile and Say something nice to as many people as you can each day!

Read as much as you can!

Play often!

Don't worry about stuff.

Exercise a little every day. Run around the school yard!

Share something - a smile, a cool drink or a kind word!

Have Fun!