10 Rules to a Happy Life

Here’s a few rules to have a happy and fulfilled life. They are not the only ones. You can find the rest in the Bible.

10. Don’t worry so much. Most of what we worry about never happens.

9. Remember failure is an event, not a person.

8. Simplify your life. Keep what you need and what makes your life run smoothly. Give away the rest.

7. Remember that the story of your life is not about you. It’s about God in you.

6. Our lives are remembered by how we bless others.

5. If we don’t have anything worth dying for, we don’t have anything worth living for.

4. Love others enough to tell the truth.

3. Stay true to your convictions, but disagree agreeably.

2. God’s opinion is the only one that counts.

1. A life without God at the center is a wasted life.

So, can you think of any I missed. Leave a comment.

 

10 Things You Can Do To Show Your Husband You Love Him

1. Write love notes and tuck them in his lunch, briefcase, or on the visor of his car.

2. Text him on the cell phone and say “I miss you”.

3. Tell someone else how much you respect him or how proud you are of him in front of him.

4. When he shares his dreams, don’t tell him why they won’t work.

5. Say I love you everyday and mean it.

6. Initiate sex, and tell him you can’t get enough of him.

7. Wear nothing to bed.

8. Let him decide which movie to watch.

9. Ask him how his day went.

10. Make him his favorite meal and serve it on your best dishes.

So what’s on your top 10 list?

Finish It!

This is the time of year when everyone is setting forth goals and making resolutions. Many times, they’re the same resolutions that were made last year, and the year before, and the year before that. Making goals to write a novel, get out of debt, lose weight, or get close to God are noble goals. But setting goals is only the first step. The difference between people who make resolutions and who succeed in achieving their goals is that the second group has learned how to finish it.

Here’s some tips to help you finish what you’ve set out to do.

Narrow Down What You Want: Some people set goals they think sound great, but those goals aren’t really what they want. Decide what you want out of life before you set your goals. What are your deepest desires and dreams? People who succeed are the ones who decide what they want most and focus on that. For instance, if your desire is to be healthy and have energy, you will want to set a goal of exercising regularly and eating healthy. So if that’s your goal, don’t make a resolution to join a gym and run five miles everyday. Instead make a goal that works with your desire. Plan healthy meals, and decide on an exercise plan where you work out a half hour every day. Then use the extra time to fulfill other desires you have.

Set Measurable Tasks: If your goal is to write a novel in a year, break it down into chunks. The first month, you might want to do research for your novels. The second month, you could devote to plotting and developing characters. The third month, you might plan to write 3,000 words a day ro write two hours a day. Whatever the case, break down your goal into measurable bite-size pieces and schedule them.

Schedule Your Time: It’s easy to fritter away your time and never accomplish what you want if you don’t schedule your time. Whatever your goals are for this year, schedule time in your calendar to work on those goals. Evaluate what your time wasters are and work on them. For instance, you might want to set a timer when you’re on Facebook to make sure you don’t spend the whole day there. Or you might want to turn off your phone during certain hours.

Evaluate Monthly: Sometimes your desires change, or it may take you longer to fulfill a goal because a major life event gets in the way. Take time a the beginning of each month to evaluate where you are, the progress you’ve made, and reset your goals accordingly.

Plan Your Week: Every week, plan tasks that will fulfill your goals.

Accountability: Set up a system of accountability. You might want to ask a friend or family member to ask you how your doing. Or you might set up a system of rewards that you receive when you make progress.

Deadlines: Set up a deadline to finish what you’ve started. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t meet the deadline. If your late, set another one.

A Writer’s New Year’s Resolutions

  
People from all walks of life are forming a list of New Year’s Resolutions this week. Some will diligently pursue these goals; others will lay them aside by the middle of January. Every writer who wants to become successful should have these resolutions and keep them.

1. Have a set word Count: Decide on a word count you will do every day and stick to it.

2. Have a time set for writing: If you have a designated time for writing, your creativity will show up at that time. If you’re having a hard time finding time to write, click here.

3. Read: The more you read, the better writer you’ll become.

4. Study the Craft: Plan to go to writer’s conference. Read blogs of writers, publishers, and agents. Subscribe to a writer’s magazine. Read writing books. However you do it, plan to learn more about writing this year.

5. Exercise: Writing is a sedentary activity. Plan a time to exercise. You’ll feel better, and it will get your creative juices flowing.

6. Find a Critique Group: Every writer needs a small group of people to help critique his or her work.

7. Marketing: Learn more about marketing, and start a blog if you don’t have one. It’s an important part of a writing career.

8. Get Organized: It will help keep you from getting distracted. To organize your office area, click here. To organize your computer, click here.

9. Don’t Get Discouraged: Writing is a discouraging profession. This year, plan ways to encourage yourself so you don’t allow discouragement to take hold. For encouraging quotes, click here.

10. Dream Big: Click here to learn more about how to dream big.

This year, may all your writing dreams come true.

Happy New Year!

How To Prepare For Christmas In One Week

 Here’s a handy little guide on how to prepare for Christmas in one week. It takes some work, but it can be done. If you work full-time or don’t want to cram it all in one week, do two days a week for four weeks and you’ll have it all done. This works better and is more fun if you have the entire family participate.

Tuesday: Clean the house and get it ready to decorate in the morning. In the evening, order all presents online. You may not be able to get the latest gadget that everybody is running out of by shopping online, but the peace of mind is worth it.

Wednesday: Decorate the house. This is more fun if you play Christmas carols and involve the whole family. Or if you’re not married, invite some friends over for a decorating party.

Thursday: Now that the house is decorated, spend the day doing Christmas cards, planning menus, and making grocery lists. Use email cards if most of your list is online. Take a couple of hours off to watch your favorite Christmas movie or read a classic Christmas story. Here’s a great list of movies to watch. Here’s a list of classic Christmas stories.

Friday: This is your shopping day. Since you’ve bought all your presents online, use this day to go to the grocery store and buy the things you need for baking and for Christmas dinner. You can also get any stocking-stuffers you need like batteries, candy canes, and chocolate. If you enjoy holiday decorations at the mall, this is the time to go. You’ll be able to enjoy it without having to stand in line for hours because your shopping is done.

Saturday: This is your baking day. Have the family help and spend the day baking cookies, deserts, and holiday dishes you can prepare ahead of time.

Sunday: Go to church for the annual Christmas program. In the afternoon, watch a Christmas movie, go to a Christmas musical or play, or go to Christmas brunch at a restaurant with friends or family. Then in the evening, drive around to see all the Christmas decorations. This should put you in the mood for Christmas.

Monday (Christmas Eve): Spend the morning wrapping the presents that should have arrived by now. Hide them or place them under the tree. Buy some donuts or pastry for everyone to eat while they’re opening up gifts. In the evening do something special. Many churches are having Christmas Eve services. That would be a great way to celebrate the reason for the season. Read the Nativity Story from the Bible and A Night Before Christmas to the children before you tuck them into bed. Before you go to bed, set the table with your best linens and china.

Christmas Day: Get up early before the kids and fix a pot of hot chocolate and place the pastries on a Christmas tray in the livingroom. Enjoy knowing you have everything under control.

10 Ways to Prepare Kids to Go Back to School

This month children are headed back to school. The fun and excitement of getting ready is running through them. Here are ten ways to help your children get ready.

1. Start the school routine early. Most children stay up a little later during the summer. It takes at least a week or two for their bodies to get adjusted to the new sleep schedule. It will help them get a head start if you place them on that schedule at least a week before school starts.

2. Help your children decide a homework time. Children are more apt to follow through on homework assignments if they have a say in initiating it. Discuss with your child how much time he’ll need to do his homework, when’s the best time, and where he should work. Some children would rather do their homework as soon as they get home and get it out of the way. But other children need to unwind before they can concentrate on more work. Work with them instead of against their natural work habits.

3. Set up a homework station. Some children like to work out in the open where everybody is so they don’t feel isolated. Other children want privacy and quiet. Find out what’s best for your children.

4. Discuss extracurricular activities with your children. Most children are so overburdened with sports, dance, music, art, and other activities that they never have downtime just to play. Give your children limits. Let them know they have decisions to make about which activities to participate in. They can’t do them all.

5. Schedule and limit TV, computer, and video game time. Let your children know that, during the school year, these activities will be limited. Tell them how much time they have on each device, and let them decide how to use that time.

6. Buy a number of easy and healthy breakfast items for your children. If they’re running late, they’re much more likely to eat breakfast if there’s a banana or breakfast food readily available.

7. Take your children to the grocery store and let them help you pick out items for their lunches. If your goal is for them to eat healthy, let them know that, and help them choose foods they’ll eat and not throw out.

8. Go school shopping. This is an exciting time. Make a day of it.

9. Visit the school your children will attend. If possible, try to meet the teacher.

10. Decide how your children will get to school. If they ride a bus, what time will the bus pick them up? If they walk, who will they walk with? Have they met the crossing guard? What route will they take? If you drive them, you might want to set up a car pool with other parents. Also give your children a secret password that you can use for anyone you might send to pick them up in an emergency.

10 Things You Can Do For Mom

Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Here’s some ideas of things you can do for Mom.

10. Cook dinner for her. Everyone tries to take Mom out for Mother’s Day to crowded restaraunts with an hour wait. This year, why not cook her dinner at home.

9. Give her a present. Flowers and candy are always nice.

8. Buy her a massage gift certificate. A day at a spa is always a wonderful gift for a mom.

7. Clean her house. Acts of Service are the best gifts you can give her. If her house is clean, do her laundry or yardwork.

6. Buy her a mushy card that tells her how much you love her or make your own. She’ll treasure it.

5. Skype with her if you live out of town. If she doesn’t know how to skype or doesn’t own a computer. Arrange with someone to help her ahead of time.

4. Watch her favorite classic romantic movie with her.

3. Give her a list of the ways she’s been the best mother in the world to you.

2. Buy her a plaque or make a framed certificate that says “Mother of the Century” on it.

1. Tell her how much you love and appreciate her. That’s what she wants the most.

You Are a Leader

You are a leader! You may not believe me, but it’s true. Everyone has somebody who is watching them, somebody who looks to them as a leader. This is especially true if you’re a mom, if you work at a job with co-workers, if you’re married, if you have friends, or if you’re a Christian. Since we’re all leaders, it’s important to know how to lead the right way.

Exodus 32:34 (NCV) So now, go. Lead the people where I have told you, and my angel will lead you.

As a leader, there are certain principles to remember.

Leaders are servants.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

You are called to serve God by serving others. This is true of leaders even more so. Christ led by serving. We are to do the same.

Leaders have a vision and communicate it.

Habakkuk 2:2 Write the vision, and make it plain upon the tables, that he may run that reads it.

Leaders know what God wants them to do. They have a vision for their lives that they don’t let get clouded by busyness or dirty dishes.

Leaders are examples to follow.

As a leader, you have a responsibility to be an example of integrity and character. Be an example others can follow.

Ephesians 4:1 (NKJV) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.

Leaders have people following them.

John Maxwell says “If you think your leading and nobody’s following, you’re not leading. You’re taking a walk.” Look for people you can mentor in everyday life. It may take extra time, but it’s worth it.

Leaders plan, set goals, and organize their time.

Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

There are no shortcuts to this. A leader has to learn time management and the art of setting manageable goals. If you don’t do this, you’ll only be able to grow to a certain level. There are a lot of time management blogs on the Internet. Take some time to read them and learn.

Leaders overcome struggles.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

If you are a leader, you will have struggles. You’ll be misunderstood. Some people will lie about you or will try to turn others against you. Many times you’ll feel all alone. Welcome to Leadership 101. Expect it so it won’t capture you unaware. But when this happens, remember you’re not alone. God will go through the struggles with you. Lean on His strength.

Leaders grow.

Guard against the attitude that you know how to do this, that you’ve got it together. Unfortunately this type of attitude is what trips people up so that they will never be the leaders God wants them to be.

Leaders never stop growing. Read books, go to conferences, and check out other leaders’ blogs. Also never be afraid of change. Allow yourself to consider new possibilities and methods of doing things.

Stay at Home Moms vs Working Moms – The Debate

An age-old debate about stay-at-home moms verses working moms is in the news this week, and I’m surprised. I really thought we as a nation was past this pettiness. My mom was a working mom. I was both a stay-at-home mom and a working mom at different times in my life. My daughter-in-law is a stay-at-home mom. I don’t see how any of this is relevant to anything. Almost every mom makes choices based on what’s best for her, her children, and her family based on her situation and economic realities. There are no cookie cutter lives with God. He expects us to treat each other and the decisions we make with respect.

Historical Reference: This wasn’t an issue 100 years ago. Almost all moms stayed at home. Almost all dads stayed at home. The homestead farm was their family business, and everyone in the family contributed. The industrial revolution started to change that. Men began to work in factories while the women tried to keep up the family farm and raise the children. Then World War 2 came along, and women were called upon to help out in the factories because of the shortage of men. When the war was over, that’s when the debate started. Media worked at getting women back in the home so the returning veterans would have employment. The debate hit its highest point during the women’s rights era circa 1960′s through 1980′s. But in the 90′s, the debate calmed down because the issue wasn’t so cut and dry.

Many Choices: There are many choices families can make which makes the debate a mute point in most circles. Of course politics isn’t in tune with what most people debate.

Women can choice to work a full-time job and hire well-trained people or relying on family members to take care of their children while they’re at work. Moms who do this show an example to their children that gender isn’t a factor in doing a job well. They also usually are the ones who shoulder most of the parenting responsibility after working eight hours a day. Some women make this choice because they feel it’s best for them and their families. Some have no choice because of economic realities or because they are single moms and the only source of support for their children.

Some stay-at-home moms choice to pinch pennies, clip coupons, and forgo some luxuries to stay home and take care of their children instead of paying someone else to do the job. They may even choose to continue to stay at home That choice should also be respected.

But there are many other choices people make. Some stay-at-home moms do volunteer work that working moms don’t have time to do. They may be president of to PTA or children’s pastor at their local church. Others may choose to babysit working moms’ children so they can stay home with their children. Then there are the stay-at-home dads who do an excellent job raising children while the moms make a living.

The main reason the debate is no longer valid is because the lines are blurred. Moms can work out of their homes. Some moms are able to work for their companies from their homes because of computers and the Internet. Some moms have home businesses such as being 31 or Arbonne consultants, selling homemade products at trade shows and flea markets, or writing novels or magazine articles. Other moms work part-time or are stay-at-home moms until their children start school then shift to full-time working moms. Only some politicians don’t realize that the choices are endless.

Scriptural Reference: Some point to the Bible to decide whether working outside the home is valid for Christians. If you really search Scripture, you’ll find that it is vague on the issue mainly because it wasn’t an issue back then. Moms and dads worked in the home and sold their goods in the marketplace.

Many point to the Proverbs 31 woman as someone to emulate. Let’s look at a few verses in Proverbs 31.

vs. 13-14 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

vs. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

These verses imply she’s a working mom.

vs. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.

No wonder she can work so hard. She has servants. This verse shows that if you work hard outside the home, there’s nothing wrong with hiring help.

vs. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

It looks like she also volunteers.

vs. 21-22 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

vs. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

These verses make it sound like she is a stay-at-home mom.

vs. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

Maybe she works out of her home to make a living.

The only thing I really get from Proverbs 31 is that if I honor God with whatever I prayerfully choose to do, then I’ll be a Proverbs 31 women.

It’s time to end the debate and accept one another’s choices. What do you think of this debate?

10 Things to Do Easter Sunday

Here’s 10 things you can do with your family on Easter Sunday to make it special.

10. Cook steaks on the grill. There’s nothing that says you have to have ham. Easter reminds us of Spring. So clean off that grill and use it.

9. Watch an Easter movie about Jesus with the family. This link  shows some of my favorite.

8. If you have young children, watch a children’s Easter movie about Jesus. Here’s a link to some of my children’s favorites.

7. Go to a restaurant for Easter Dinner. This is especially good if you don’t like to cook.

6. Order Easter dinner. This is also a great option for those who don’t like to cook. Bob Evans and other restaurants are selling pre-cooked Easter dinners.

5. Go to the park and have an Easter egg hunt with real Easter eggs.

4. Spend the day in service to others. Serve Easter dinner at a homeless shelter.

3. Wear your best Easter outfit complete with hat.

2. Invite someone to dinner who doesn’t have a family.

1. Go to church. Whatever other plans you have, this is the most important thing you can do. Easter is about celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ after He died on the cross for our sins. If we don’t make the day about Him, what’s the point.

So what plans does your family have for making Easter special? Leave a comment.