From TODAY, Voices

Friday December 19, 2008

 

By Dr James Dobson

 

There’s a big, hairy monster in your life, and he’s waiting to destroy your marriage.

 

The monster I’m talking about is “busyness.” And he’s broken up more marriages than you and I could count.

 

The worst part is, he does it almost completely unnoticed.

 

You start out your marriage completely enamored with each other. All you want to do is be together. But then along come kids, an apartment and a career that puts you on the fast track.

 

Before you know it, you’re moving so fast that you forget what your spouse looks like.

 

And then you can’t remember the last time you went out on a date, or had a romantic evening alone.

 

And that’s when the busyness monster does his greatest damage. Don’t let it happen.

 

Take time for each other each day – even if you have to schedule it into your calendar. Marriage is too important to leave to chance. 

 

TURN OFF THE COMPUTER, GET SOME SLEEP

From TODAY, Voices

Thursday December 18, 2008

 

By Dr Bill Maier

 

The “World Wide Web” is a great tool, but it can easily lead to “World Wide Worries.”

 

One older woman recently went to her doctor convinced that she had an incurable disease. The doctor told her she was fine and sent her home.

 

But a few weeks later she was back in his office, sure that she had another fatal illness. Again he assured her she was healthy.

 

This pattern repeated several times before the doctor discovered the problem. She’d been staying up late surfing medical sites on the Internet. He told her the best thing she could do for her health was to turn off the computer and get some sleep.

 

The Internet is a great tool for research, but you can’t believe everything you read. Not all information is current or accurate.

 

So, before getting your medical advice online, make sure you know who’s dishing it out. And remember, even the best advice is no substitute for a good family doctor. 

 

From TODAY, Voices

Wednesday December 17, 2008

 

By Dr Bill Maier

 

Any mother can tell you that boys and girls are wired differently. Most little boys are naturally drawn toward laser guns and action figures.

 

They’d rather play race cars and rocket ships than eat ice cream. Well … maybe not ice cream, but you get the point.

 

Mothers who didn’t grow up around boys often have a hard time dealing with this fact.

 

Many parenting experts have told us that guns and tanks are bad for kids, so a lot of moms forbid these kinds of toys.

 

But this attempt to “feminise” little boys is not only naïve; it’s unhealthy. Let boys be boys!

 

As long as play doesn’t get too aggressive, don’t discourage your sons from playing “good guy versus bad guy.” Just make sure the good guys win! 

 

From TODAY, Voices

Tuesday December 16, 2008

 

By Dr Bill Maier

 

A failure to forgive has ruined more marriages than perhaps any other human frailty.

 

When we become too proud to let go of a grievance or to accept a sincere apology, we have all but destined our marriage to failure.

 

The first step in developing a divorce-proof marriage is learning to forgive. Forgiving a spouse doesn’t mean denying that they’ve hurt us in some way. It’s simply acknowledging that we’re all human and we all make mistakes.

 

It also doesn’t minimise what happened. You’re not saying to your spouse: “What you did isn’t important.”

 

Any time someone wrongs another person, the offence is important. What you’re saying to them is: “I believe you’re sorry, and I choose to forgive you. Because our marriage is too important for me to do otherwise”.

 

To extend forgiveness, and to ask forgiveness when we’ve done wrong, is the cornerstone of every successful marriage. 

 

ADVICE FOR NEW MOTHERS

From TODAY, Voices

Monday December 15, 2008

 

By Dr Bill Maier

 

Having a new baby in the house is an exciting experience, but it can also be pretty overwhelming.

 

New mothers have a way of wanting to do everything themselves. They care for the baby around the clock and completely throw themselves into the job of motherhood. They also tend to over worry about every little bump or sniffle.

 

This can easily lead to exhaustion. The best advice I give new mothers is, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you have friends or family nearby, accept their offers of food or babysitting on occasion.

 

Also, get to know other new mothers. Maybe you can join a support group or your local community club.

 

Above all, learn to relax and enjoy your precious little gift. He or she will be grown before you know it. 

 

JESUS is the reason for the season!

Santa and Jesus

 

Santa lives at the North Pole. Jesus is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh. Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year. Jesus is an everpresent help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies. Jesus supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited. Jesus stands at your door and knocks and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa. Jesus is as close as the mention of His Name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap. Jesus lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is, "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"

Jesus knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address, too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our head.

Santa has a belly like a bowlful of jelly. Jesus has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is "Ho, ho, ho!" Jesus offers health, help and hope.

Santa says, "You better not cry." Jesus says, "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers makes toys. Jesus makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle, but Jesus gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under the tree, Jesus became our gift and died on the tree.

 

It's obvious there really is no comparison. We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about. We need to put Christ back in Christmas. Jesus is still the reason for the season.

 

May the Lord bless and watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas. And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year ahead.