Secrets of a Happy Home

Today I was gleaning through the free shelf at the Moody Library and came across a booklet entitled: SECRETS OF A HAPPY HOME LIFE by J.R. Miller, published in 1894. One passage that caught my eye was an encouragement to us as men to bring the presence of Christ into our homes everyday.

screen shot from google books

From Ephesians 5:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

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One more law…

Robes, courtesy of Library of Congress

We were reading from Mark chapter 2 and 3 today when the pharisees are trying to find fault with Christ–and finding it in Jesus’ seemingly cavalier attitude regarding their laws.

All through chapter two Jesus is seen upsetting the Pharisees by forgiving sins, by not encouraging his disciples to fast, by walking through the fields–eating heads of grain, and finally, the quietus, healing a whithered hand on the Sabbath. After which, the Pharisees are seen rushing off to the Herodians to plot against Jesus.

This provided an opportunity to talk about the various things the Pharisees wouldn’t allow on the Sabbath. After awhile, Elliot offered a very profound addition that the Pharisees SHOULD have introduced into their many laws…

“I don’t think they should be plotting on the Sabbath…”

Well said son.

From Leviticus 24

Every Sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.

Ohhh and Ahhh

Smiley, courtesy of Photobucket.com

Today we went to the Shedd Aquarium. While we were there we watched the dolphin show…we’ve seen it dozens of times–and its always one of our favorite parts of the trip–but today we watched it with new eyes. This was due to the fact that the audience included a very large grade-school field-trip. Each time the dolphins would jump, breach, tail walk, or splash in the water, these grade school kids would “oohh” and “aahh”. We laughed to ourselves at the obvious delight these children received at the sight of these trained mammals bidding every command of their trainers. A slight move of the hand, a short whistle, a slap on the water was all that was needed to send the dolphin to do a task that it has done 1000 times before.

As I reflect back on the experience I am challenged in a number of ways…

First, I am too easily underwhelmed by those things that should overwhelm me. These children reminded me to take delight in God’s creation and wonder at His handiwork.

Second, I think of how prone I am to wander–or how difficult it is for me at times to obey. These “simple creatures” seem to take such delight in following the wishes of their trainers. The dolphins don’t need but a slight instruction and they’re off to do it. Am I, who should be so much more grateful for God’s prefect gifts in my life, ready to get up each morning and incline my will to His in obedience to His revealed purpose for my life?

Thirdly, I hope that as those around me observe my life and my family, that they are amazed at what they see God is doing in our home–Not for the applause of men, but to bring glory to my Father in heaven as through the work of His Son and the empowering of His Spirit we accomplish things in this world that make the people around us “oohh” and “aahh”.

From Job 2

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”