One wintry day Nathanael Hawthorne, the American author, went home with a heavy heart, having lost his government appointment. He cast himself down, as men generally do under such circumstances, and assumed the very attitude of despondency.  His wife soon discovered the cause of his distress. But instead of indulging in irrational hysterics, she kindled a fire, brought pen, ink and paper, and then, lovingly laying her hand on his shoulder, exclaimed, as she gazed cheerfully in his face, “Now you can write your book!” The words worked like a magic spell. He set to work, forgot his loss, wrote his book, made his reputation, and amassed a fortune.

—Heartwarming Bible Illustrations, 235

“Let us therefore follow after… things wherewith one may edify another” —Romans 14:19

Funny Things Dads Say

• Proud father to mother as they watch small boy lying on floor studying by light from TV screen: “Reminds you of Abe Lincoln, doesn’t it.”

• Father calling daughter, as date waits: “Dreamboat! Your barnacle is here.”

• Father greeting daughter’s date: “You must be the one who defies description.”

• Father to daughter’s beau: “I’m glad to meet you, Johnny, but I somehow pictured you with a telephone attached to your head.”

Paying Respects...

Two men are fishing in a boat under a bridge. One looks up and sees a funeral procession starting across the bridge. He stands up takes off his cap, and bows his head. The procession crosses the bridge and the man puts on his cap, picks up his rod and reel, and continues fishing. The other guy says, “That was touching. I didn’t know you had it in you.” The first guy responds, “Well, I guess it was the thing to do, after all I was married to her for 40 years.”

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it”

—Ephesians 5:25

Ten Commandments for Children Online

1. I will talk with my parents and we will set up rules for when I go online. We will decide the times of the day that are right for me to use the computer, how long I can use the Internet, and the kinds of places I can visit and the places I will always avoid.

2. No matter who asks while I’m online, I will never give out my home address or phone number, the name of my school principal or teachers, where my parents work or their telephone numbers at work without getting my parents’ direct permission.

3. If anyone online does anything strange or writes anything that makes me feel confused or uncomfortable, I will tell my parents right away.

4. I will never send anyone anything, especially a picture of me or my family, without getting my parents’ direct permission.

5. I will never meet anyone I’ve talked to online without talking with my parents.

6. I will never give out my online passwords to anyone—not even to my friends. No matter how “official” it looks, I understand that this is just a way to trick me into giving out the password.

7. If I want to download any games or programs, I will show them to my parents first and ask permission.

8. If I receive any messages or pictures that are mean or dirty, I realize that this is not my fault. I agree to tell my parents right away so they can notify our Internet service provider and stop it.

9. I will never use bad language or send mean messages online.

10. I understand my parents have the right to look on my computer whenever they want to see where I have gone on the Internet, the e-mail I have sent and received, or what I do in a chat room.

The Internet can be a blessing or a curse. Parents, keep an eye on your children.  Guide them in the proper use of this modem marvel just as you do in any other areas.

    —From the Internet

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” —John 17:15

Property Laws of a Toddler

If I like it, it’s mine.
If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.
If I can take it from you, it’s mine.
If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
If it looks just like mine, it’s mine.
If I saw it first, it’s mine.
If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
If I’m doing/building something, all the pieces are mine.
If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
It it’s broken, it’s yours.

Flattered

Concerned that his students were not really learning the material, an algebra teacher sent a note home to parents, asking them not to do any of the homework assigned to their children. The next day, one student turned in a reply from his parents: “Dear Mr. Wood, we are flattered that you think we could.”

“...teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children” —Titus 2:4