You might be thinking that the most important decision you'll make is the biggest purchase of your life -- house, cars, investments.

But according to a Filipino business tycoon, the biggest decision of your life is your Partner, your partner to all your challenges and success.

John Gokongwei Jr. said, "The most important decision you have to make in your life is whom you’re going to marry. That decision will dictate the rest of your life, whether you will have a happy life or a miserable one."'

Marry a good person.

Your spouse should be an ally in happiness and not a source of misery. The challenge is to find someone who shares the same beliefs and principles and can be your partner in parenthood and all aspects of your life.

 

 

sure wish i'd known these when i was younger...

 

Why a Christian cannot marry a non-Christian?

The first reason why believers cannot marry unbelievers is that the Bible forbids it.

There are two primary New Testament texts that speak to the issue of marriage between a believer and an unbeliever. In his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul says, after a detailed discussion of marriage and singleness, that a woman whose husband has died “is free to marry whomever she wishes, only in the Lord” (1 Cor. 7:39; emphasis added). The principle in this text is that where legitimate marriage can occur—the believer has never married, or they are released from their previous marriage by the death of a spouse—it can only occur between two believers.

The second text that offers clarity on this issue is 2 Corinthians 6:14 where Paul says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” The phrase “unequally yoked” refers to a close, intimate partnership—like marriage—where each person is meant to be “plowing” in the same direction, at the same speed, with the same purpose. Such a scenario can never occur for the Christian and the non-Christian. For a Christian to enter into marriage with an unbeliever, therefore, is not only an act of disobedience against their Lord, but it is also foolish.
Consider how this change affects every area of the Christian’s life and what basic differences now exist between you and your unbelieving boyfriend or girlfriend:

1. You have opposing masters (Matt. 6:24; Eph. 2:2). 2. You have opposing worldviews (Col. 2:2-8). 3. You have opposing sources of wisdom (Prov. 1:7). 4. You have opposing aims in life (1 Cor. 10:31). 5. You have opposite eternal destinies (Matt. 25:31-46). 6. You are in the Spirit; they are in the flesh (Rom. 8:6-9). 7. You are a slave to righteousness; they are a slave to sin (Rom. 6:20-23). 8. You are led by the Spirit; they are led by the god of this world (Rom. 8:14; 2 Cor. 4:1-6). 9. You are alive in Christ; they are dead in sin (Eph. 2:1-10).

© 2022 Beautiful Christian Life LLC

It's worth the wait.

Wait for someone who lets you be yourself without any fear.

Wait for someone who makes you feel safe, even when the world feels heavy.

Wait for someone who listens to you, not just to respond, but to understand.

Wait for someone who supports your dreams and cheers you on every step of the way.

Wait for someone who shows up for you, not just when it’s easy, but when it really counts.

Wait for someone who brings peace into your life, not drama or confusion.

Wait for someone who loves you through your good days and your bad ones.

Wait for someone who believes in the love that grows stronger over time.

It's worth the wait because the right person will make every second of waiting feel like it was meant to be. In the end, you’ll see that the wait wasn’t a waste— it was preparing you for the love you truly deserve.

~Tanvir

Look for them...

There are some people in this world who are like beacons for your lost soul, sunshine for your dark days, and bandages for your deepest wounds. Look for them.

Find the people who pour light into the shadows they didn’t create. The people who help heal the parts of you they didn’t break and who shelter you from storms they didn’t summon. Look for them.

Because there are people in your world who will do all of this. Quietly. Unassumingly. Sometimes without even realising. Look for them.

Find them.

Let them.

And then do the same for them. Because these are your people.

~ Becky Hemsley Poetry

Jeremiah 33:3

 

 

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, 13-14 [NLT]

1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”

2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky.

3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.

4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.

5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.

6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well.

7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it

13 Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.

14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

Don't let what others think of you define who you are.

Don't let their gossip and judgment worry you.

Focus instead on what makes you happy, what makes you feel proud, and what brings you peace within.

Get to know and accept your flaws and weaknesses; learn to love your individuality, your wonderful weirdness, and your unique strengths and talents.

Invest your time and effort in self-improvement.

Follow your dreams and passions, for YOU are your biggest commitment.

Embrace your true self, rise above the opinions of others, and pursue a life filled with happiness and self-fulfillment.

Your life is like a castle...

The deepest part of the castle may be entered only by you.

The next part of the castle may be entered by the ones who are the most close to you and the outer parts of the castle, by those who you may be less close with but you wish to remain in your life.

How far into the castle they are allowed to travel, and how much of the castle they may glimpse is determined entirely by you, for you are the gatekeeper of your life.

And though you may hold love within your heart for all of humanity, you may choose only to allow those into your life whose presence is for your highest good.

For though many people may be attracted to the castle, you get to decide who enters, and who gets to admire the castle from afar.

And it is entirely possible to love people from a distance without permitting them entrance.”

Words by Tahlia Hunter

from anonymous

My Mom once told me that she walked into a room where a couple of friends were discussing her, they didn’t know she was there. She shook her head, smiled and walked away. 🕊

My Mom also told me that she had a friend who talked bad about her, she never knew that Mom found out, Mom never mentioned it. She smiled and walked away from this friendship. 🕊

She told me she had family who chose to shift her out of their life because she stood up for herself for a change. And because she stopped crossing oceans for them when they would not even help her cross a bridge. She smiled, shook her head and walked away. 🕊

So I asked her how she could just walk away from people that betrayed her while pretending to be her friends or family? 🕊

She answered that every time she came to a crossroad like that, she had to decide who will be going forward on her journey with her. This showed her who she cannot take along with her. 🕊

So she explained to me that you should never get mad at a person who betrays you, even in the name of friendship or family. Just gracefully bow out and enjoy your journey with all the new people God puts in their place. 🕊

Choose...

Choose friends who are choosing you right back.

Choose friends who are willing to get real in conversation.

Choose friends who are making room for you at their table and willing to invest.

Choose friends who lift you higher, let you relax—who make you laugh harder, breathe a little lighter, and come alive a little more.

Choose friends who always give you space to be yourself.

Choose friends who see you (in all your glory and all your mess) and love you still.

Choose friends who love your people too.

Choose friends who celebrate with you when you win.

Choose friends who know you well enough to call you on your crap sometimes (when you really need it).

Choose friends who text you just to check in.

Choose friends who will remind you who you are (when you forget).

Choose friends who believe the best in you and have your back when you’re not in the room.

Choose friends who are vulnerable and real.

Be the kind of friend who loves her friends well, and choose the ones who are loving you right back.

Amy & Jess

in 20 years...

Josiah will be 40    Keilah will be 36    Jonah and Jaelyn will be 35    

Bella will be 34    Calista will be 33    Zoe will be 32    Emi will be 30   

Elijah will be 29 

Hopefully, you will all be established in your respective careers by then
Maybe married with children, making your parents GRANDPARENTS!!

And A'po Dan and I may already be in heaven...

 

"I've noticed something about people
who make a difference in the world:
They hold the unshakable conviction that
individuals are extremely important,
that every life matters.
They get excited over one smile.
They are willing to feed one stomach,
educate one mind,
and treat one wound.
They aren't determined to revolutionize
the world all at once;
they're satisfied with small changes.
Over time, though, the small changes add up.
Sometimes they even transform cities and nations,
and yes, the world."

Beth Clark

k

 

specifically for my 6 granddaughters...

 

 

 

 

 

7 Rules of Life

 

Anacleto Lacanilao, Sr.

 your GREAT-GREAT grandfather, Anacleto Sr., and 
your GREAT-GREAT grandmother, Eduvigis Tejada

remember...

 

Be honest...

 If you want to be trusted, be honest...

Always.

Even if it hurts

We can be totally honest in a loving and

kind way, as well as be firm.

Love and mercy should guide our words.

Being an honest friend is one of the best gifts

we have to give.

Hanti T

Seek Him...

 

from Tahlia Hunter

 

give it all to God...

 

great advice...

 

from Anne Lamont

 

yes...

 

from Tahlia Hunter

 When we say

"I hope you have a good day,"

we are saying,

"I hope that everything

outside of you

goes well

and exactly according to plan,"

putting pressure on the day to unfold perfectly.

But when we say

"I hope you have a good life,"

we are saying,

"Though today

may not be all that you wish it to be,

and while you may encounter

temporary moments of struggle, heartbreak and difficulty,

you may still choose to make the best of whatever comes your way

knowing that a single day or moment

does not define your existence,

for they are merely small chapters

in a far greater story

that is continuously unfolding,

and no matter how bad your days,

you can still choose to make a good life."

advice for my handsome grandsons...

Fall for a woman who makes you uncomfortable.

One who feels completely at home,

in her own skin

and in her own company.

One who’s familiar with her faults

and is always a flight risk.

It’s much harder to hit moving targets,

especially the ones learning on the run—

always learning,

always running.

Fall for a woman who has a list of books

she’s promised herself to read.

And one who knows where to leave her teeth marks on you.

One who has a fire in her belly

and a passion to fuel it.

Fall for a woman so beautiful inside

that you can’t help but stare at who she is.

Fall for a woman who’s multidimensional.

Who has levels,

and layers,

and dark corners,

and curves you must explore.

Fall for her intricacies

and her strange ways.

Do not fall only for her looks;

fall for what the rest of the world continues to overlook.

Fall for someone better than you

someone who will work with you

in lockstep.

When you find her,

fall all the way.

And let her know it’s safe to do the same.

Then,

no matter what,

don’t let her down.

J. Raymond

"Don't Let Her Down"

From my first best-selling collection, Spades. Published 2015.

from Tahlia Hunter...

"And if on the path, you encounter an obstacle and feel discouraged,

you do not say, "This is it, the journey is over, it is not possible

for me to go any further."

Instead, you keep your eyes fixed on the destination,

and stare the obstacle directly in the face and ask it,

"What are you here to show me or to teach me?"

and then thank it for its lessons and wisdom,

for in the obstacle lies the way forward.

For an obstacle is not an ending:

it merely indicates that what you are trying to accomplish

will not come about in the exact timing, in the exact place,

or in the exact way that you previously envisioned,

and so it may be treated not as a hindrance,

but an inevitable part of your path

that you were destined to navigate and overcome.

And so if you encounter an obstacle, do not despair,

for the dream is not lost: it is never lost, so long as you are living,

for there is always a way forward

and you are merely being redirected.

Remember, my dear, that every hero of their own story

must face obstacles and challenges,

for this is how they find their inner strength,

and though the path may be difficult,

you are destined to reach the end."

Being considerate will NEVER go out of style, so...

Return the shopping cart.

Let someone merge on the highway.

Thank the delivery driver.

Forgive a small grievance.

Say something kind to a stranger.

Let the annoyance go.

Acknowledge that there is more to the story that you don’t know, and more to the picture that you can’t see.

We can give so much this season, without paying a cent.

It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture.

It can be gentle and quiet and unnoticed to anyone but you.

It still means so much.

Because consideration for others IS a gift.

Remember this when A'po and I are gone...