Wedding and Marriage

In preparing for marriage, young people devote their time, energy and resources to wedding but pay little attention to marriage. Somebody can have a flamboyant wedding but end up with an unhappy or broken marriage. To avoid the mistakes people made in the past, you must know the difference between marriage and wedding.

Wedding is a ceremony which can be colorful, exciting and flamboyant but marriage is the act of the fusion on a union of two members of the opposite sex in order to become husband and wife. Wedding will declare and pronounce you as husband and wife but you become husband and wife by marriage.

Wedding is a special event, but marriage is a process. Marriage starts from the point of searching, finding, proposing, engaging, and courting, down to when the marriage is consummated. Wedding is one of the special events in marriage.

Wedding is a one-day affair, but marriage is "until death do us part". Sometimes, wedding is a four-hour affair which people invest so much on, but marriage which is for life is not given required attention, preparation and quality investment.

Wedding is a public event, that is why it is usually attended by people from all works of life, but marriage is a private affair. After wedding, witnesses, supporters, sponsors, ministers of God, bridal train withdraw to their homes, and marriage between the bride and groom begins privately in their newly found home.

The success of one's wedding does not guarantee the success of the marriage. Wedding is adjudged successful if the couple is able to have a beautifully dressed bridal train, the bride wear good and flamboyant gown and the groom a well sewn suit, both drive in expensive borrowed cars, provide costly wines and give delicious food at the reception. But successful marriage is measured by how skillful you are in managing marital relationship, keeping your home in peace, putting your children under control, training them in the ways of the lord, and so on.

*Written by someone in ESL Forum"

What's Growing in Your Garden? (1st Part)

What's Growing in Your Garden? (Part One)
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
Crosswalk: Moments Together for Couples

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.(Exodus: 34:6-7- NIV)

Dag Hammerskjold, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, once said, "You cannot play with the animal in you without becoming wholly animal; play with falsehood without forfeiting your right to truth; play with cruelty without losing your sensitivity of mind. He who wants to keep his garden tidy doesn't reserve a plot for weeds."

Did you know that what you grow and cultivate in your garden today could spread to your offspring? Did you know that a sin you now tolerate could still be tormenting your great-grandchildren in the year 2140? That's four generations from now.

Consider the warning of Scripture at the top of this page. What does it mean? Why would God set up a system that visits one generation's sins on three or four other generations?

I have a hunch that God is trying to tell us that the way we live impacts others and is of supreme importance to Him. Possibly He's using a warning of future judgment on our descendants to keep us on the straight and narrow today.

Whether you like it or not, your children are becoming just like you. Their little eyes are watching to see how you relate to your mate, how you pray, how you walk with Christ on a daily basis. They hear your words and subconsciously mimic your attitudes, actions and even your mannerisms.

And as time goes by you'll find that they've "inherited" some of the same tendencies towards sin that you learned from your own parents. That's why so many children from broken homes, for example, grow up and fail in their own marriages.

Your kids will grow up to be like you. Is that a sobering thought, or an encouraging one?


Is there a sin that you've tolerated in your life that you need to go to God in prayer right now and confess? As you repent, you may want to ask God for grace to protect your children from that sin in the future.

In what ways do you want your children to be like you? In what ways do you not want them to be like you?

Serving in Love

Honoring Your Husband...

"The more skilled a wife becomes in meeting her husband's legitimate needs, the more indispensable she is to him. Her act of serving in love builds her own security in the marriage."

What's Growing in Your Garden?

What's Growing in Your Garden? (Part Two)

Deuteronomy 5:10
But showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

"I'll be honest with you: The thought of my kids sinning in the same areas that I sin has bolstered my obedience to God. I'm reminded of the piercing statement by C. H. Spurgeon, "Sin would have fewer takers if its consequences occurred immediately."

Just think for a moment of the sins that could be visited upon your children. What do you struggle with? Lust? Selfishness? Anger? Lack of discipline? Jealousy? Pride? How about deceit? Broken promises? A gossiping tongue?

The twenty-first century could be a scary time to be alive. I wonder how the sins of adultery, divorce and addictions will affect future generations?

So what are we to do? Wallow in guilt because we are far from perfect? Are we enslaved to our ancestors' wrong choices and, thus, permanently under the punishment of God?

No, we can stop the chain reaction by our repentance and confession. God in His grace stands ready to forgive us and grant us favor. You can, by faith, stop even the most tyrannical control of a sin that has beset your family for generations.

The good news is that God also gives us a wonderful promise: Your righteousness can still be influencing others a thousand generations from now. That's encouraging!

One of our FamilyLife staff members is committed to breaking the chains from his past. When speaking to individuals considering vocational Christian ministry, he always says, "I grew up in a broken home and I don't want to end up like my father. He lived his life for himself, and at his funeral there were only 10 people in attendance. I want a packed funeral-full of people my life has impacted. I want to leave a heritage that would outlast me."

Ask God to protect your life, marriage and family from sin. Ask Him to enable you to leave a legacy of righteousness to a thousand generations.

Discuss: What type of faith would you like your children and grandchildren to have?

Source: Crosswalk: Moments Together for Couples

Faith and Love

Finding Treasures in Trials...

"Every problem--great or small--has in it a treasure waiting to be discovered. The secret to successful treasure hunting is understanding two life-changing words: faith and love."

What treasure did I find today?

_the treasure of knowing my husband even better/ deeply.
keeping in mind that as human we do have sinful nature, and that comes out when least expected. as husband and wife, we ought to help each other and have faith in God always.

to take our full meal of prayers each day (",)

How about you? what treasure did you find today?

Purity of Character

Keeping Alive Romance and Security...

"If you want to raise the passion level in your marriage, increase the purity of your character."

Loving Actions for a Quiet Thursday

Honoring God...

"Probably the most important thing that negative emotions reveal is our own self-centeredness. We need to admit our level of self-centeredness, because out of such an admission comes the freedom to refocus our expectations away from God's creation and onto God Himself."

Loving Action for a Lovely Wednesday (",)

Honoring Your Husband...

"Become a channel of God's love to your husband. Jesus calls on you to love God with your whole heart and your neighbor (especially your husband) as you do yourself (see Matthew 22:37-40)."

My Gracious Moment with God:

Lead me Lord as I pour out on love for Jesus name.
I may do this to Glorify your Holy Name in our Marriage and our Everyday Lives.
With this I surrender my heart, use it for Your Glory.

Help me God. Only YOU can lead me and walk with me to be loving today.

Love Everyday (",)

LOVING ACTIONS

Honoring Your Wife...(Husband)

"If a husband (wife) can overlook the actual words his wife (her husband)uses to express herself and instead actively pursue what she means, fewer arguments will take place."

I just thought now, what if we fill our everyday marriage with Loving Actions?
What will be the results?
I believe we will have a Heavenly Marriage that God intends us to have.

Awesome!!

Finding Treasures in Trials

1 Thessalonians 3:3-5 (The Message)

Not that the troubles should come as any surprise to you. You've always known that we're in for this kind of thing. It's part of our calling. When we were with you, we made it quite clear that there was trouble ahead. And now that it's happened, you know what it's like. That's why I couldn't quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith. I didn't want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.

The hardest struggle I've ever known is spiritual.
The struggle of sins....The sins of distrust, doubt, insecurity or loosing confidence, the sin of pride, and selfishness. All these am struggling, but never stop praying that HE will purify and refine me within, and lead me to GENUINE REPENTANCE (",)

Because of these sins, am not doing good to my husband which made me feel sorrow within but I just want to lift this up to GOD as I believe HE has confidence in me that by HOLDING TO HIM, I will get through my weaknesses. As I look up to HIM as MY ONLY REDEEMER and SAVIOR

“Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread.”

by Max Lucado

What a statement of trust! Whatever you want me to have is all I want. Some days the plate runs over. God keeps bringing out more food and we keep loosening our belt. A promotion. A privilege. A friendship. A gift. A lifetime of grace. An eternity of joy. There are times when we literally push ourselves back from the table, amazed at God’s kindness. “You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup fills with blessing” (Ps. 23:5 MSG).

And then there are those days when, well, when we have to eat our broccoli. Our daily bread could be tears or sorrow or discipline. Our portion may include adversity as well as opportunity.


This verse was on my mind last night during family devotions. I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables and some Oreo cookies. “Every day,” I explained, “God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?”

The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren’t they? Some days are “three cookie days.” Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables—twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn’t it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all. Vegetables, which are healthy but dull. Fruit, which tastes better and we enjoy. And even an Oreo, which does little for our nutrition, but a lot for our attitude.
All are important and all are from God.

The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did. In the garden of Gethsemane his Father handed him a cup of suffering so sour, so vile, that Jesus handed it back to heaven. “My Father,” he prayed, “if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39).


Even Jesus was given a portion he found hard to swallow. But with God’s help, he did. And with God’s help, you can too.


MY GRACIOUS MOMENT WITH GOD

There were times I thought am on my way to get over a certain struggle of weaknesses and some sins. I've been into sin of distrust and doubt, all because of my fears and insecurities. I've told HIM, and always beg HIM to lead, guide me in my repentance in renewing my mind, heart and spirit. Then after a few days, I go back again to the struggle.

Am encouraged to read this devotional from Max Lucado.
I realized, God is giving me a plate of discipline & sorrow.
It's amazing to remember, oh yes! It's God who prepare this meal, and He knows I need it. He knows perfectly I have to be refined and shaped and disciplined for my own good and for his good will in our marriage. I didn't realized that, I just kept on complaining because that meal is not something I expected. Now, I bow down my whole heart to God, am humbled to experience this refinement.

After all, all these shortcomings made me realized how weak and sinful I am, that there's nothing to be proud or brag. If there is, I could only brag about JESUS, about God that HE is amazing, mighty yet loving, kind and GRACIOUS!!

Happy Sunday Everyone!!

Homework from Proverbs 31:12 - Humble Attitude Over Duty

Homework from Wife's Biblical Submission Study:
Proverbs 31:12 - Humble Attitude Over Duty
Week #6, Lesson 2


Questions to ask self:


How's my husband's vigor, is it depleting or depleted?

Does he enjoy coming home?

Are my children obedient and respectful (not perfect), but practicing honoring me and my husband? (Not applicable to me as of the moment.soon in God's time)

Do I spend the hours necessary every day training my children in the love and admonition of the Lord?


Is my house in order? Maybe not perfect, but at least picked up?

Did I include a love note in my husband's lunch?


Was I up and ready to serve him when he awoke?
(sadly, no. it's not a reason that he prepares for work at 2am and sometimes earlier)

Do I take every opportunity I have to teach my children, not only with words, but through my actions, how to honor and respect my husband? (again, can't answer this at this time. soon when God thinks it's perfect time to have. we want to have kids.....yet HE knows when, only HIM knows the perfect time.


Is my husband satisfied with my wife and motherhood?

Has he made request I refuse to honor, not because he's asked me to sin, but only because I think his requests are unnecessary or unreasonable?

Proverbs 31:12 - Humble Attitude Over Duty

She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life."
~ Proverbs 31:12


good adj. ~ 1) morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious; 2) of high quality; excellent; 3) well-behaved; 4) kind, friendly; agreeable; pleasant; 5) honorable or worthy; 6) financially sound or safe; 7) genuine, not counterfeit; 8) reliable; dependable; responsible; 9) healthful; beneficial; 10) not spoiled or tainted; 11) cheerful; optimistic; amiable; 12) free of distress or pain; comfortable

harm n. ~ 1) physical injury or mental damage; hurt; 2.moral injury; evil; wrong
my Father reminds me by the power of His Holy Spirit:



Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."


"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
~ John 16:33

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

MY GRACIOUS MOMENT WITH MY LOVING GOD

I realized the more I long to do good to my husband, the more I fail.
The more I hurt him without consciously knowing.
Somehow, God wants me not only to repent from my shortcomings but more to draw to HIM closely amidst my countless failures.

With so many things that I may want to do to make my husband happy and loved, I am still reminded of the most beautiful reason I've ever known in my life, in my journey....and that is JESUS, HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD gives beauty to all the good things we desire to pursue in this journey called LIFE.

Have a Beautiful Saturday Everyone!!

Unforced rhythms of grace

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.
I'll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Matthew 11:28-30
The Message Version

Isn't God so sweet?

Daily Message for Married Couple

Last Wednesday, Jan. 21st, I asked husband to buy me a desktop calendar organizer,
to my surprise he also bought one box of quotations and messages for marriage.

With that, we randomly pick one card each in a day. We started yesterday, Jan 25th, Sunday. Here are the messages!!

Husband's card:

"That quiet mutual gaze of a trusting husband and wife is like the first moment of rest or refuge from a great weariness or a great danger."
George Eliot




Wifey's card:

"You can never be happily married to another until you get a divorce from yourself. Successful marriage demands a certain death to self."
Jerry McCant




Our Gracious Moments With God.

We took time sharing our hearts and how we perceive the message.
For me, God is calling me to have a pure and genuine trust towards my husband and a firm trust.

On the card, I picked, we believe God is always reminding us to leave our single life or our former way of life and have a new mind and heart towards life now that we are married.

We continue to do this inspiring activity along with our habit of 6pm prayer time together everyday.

Have a Blessed Week Everyone,
Bon & Jeff Galicia
Bahay BJ ~A Home of Love~

God's Perfect Love

Perfect Love
by Max Lucado

Isn’t it good to know that even when we don’t love with a perfect love, he does?
God always nourishes what is right. He always applauds what is right.
He has never done wrong, led one person to do wrong, or rejoiced when anyone did wrong. For he is love, and love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6 NASB).

God passes the test of 1 Corinthians 13:6. Well, he should; he drafted it.

So where does this leave us? Perhaps with a trio of reminders.
When it comes to love:

Be careful.

Until love is stirred, let God’s love be enough for you.
There are seasons when God allows us to feel the frailty of human love
so we’ll appreciate the strength of his love. Didn’t he do this with
David? Saul turned on him. Michal, his wife, betrayed him. Jonathan
and Samuel were David’s friends, but they couldn’t follow him into
the wilderness. Betrayal and circumstances left David alone.
Alone with God. And, as David discovered, God was enough.
David wrote these words in a desert:
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.…
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods” (Ps. 63:3, 5 NIV).

Be prayerful.

What if it’s too late? Specifically, what if you’re married to someone you don’t love—or who doesn’t love you? Many choose to leave.
That may be the step you take. But if it is, take at least a thousand others first. And bathe every one of those steps in prayer.
Love is a fruit of the Spirit.
Ask God to help you love as he loves.
“God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love”
(Rom. 5:5 CEV).
Ask everyone you know to pray for you. Your friends. Your family.
Your church leaders. Get your name on every prayer list available.
And, most of all, pray for and, if possible, with your spouse.
Ask the same God who raised the dead to resurrect the embers of
your love.

Be grateful.

Be grateful for those who love you. Be grateful for those who have
encouraged you to do what is right and applauded when you did.
Do you have people like that in your world? If so, you are doubly
blessed. Be grateful for them. And be grateful for your Father in
heaven.