This is all about your private time with God, Him speaking to you. The more time and effort you spend praying and studying and memorizing God’s word, the more power and confidence in Him you will receive.

 You may not see the roots growing deeper by pulling from the nutrient rich soil and water, but be assured it is growing.

Roots are for storage

Jeremiah 17:8 says, “He will be like a tree planted by the water
 that sends out its roots by the stream. 
It does not fear when heat comes. Its leaves are always green. 
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

A trusting soul will not be afraid

No matter what may be the trial or how long it lasts. The Word says that we “will bear fruit faithfully and not cease even in times of drought.” When the rough times come, we won’t be depleted instead we’ll go from “strength to strength”. Psalms 84:7.

Roots are for support

Nothing can blow you down and we can gain strength in time of need and pressure. Colossians 2:6-7 says, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Truly the treasures of God’s word are fathomless. Let us spend time gaining what is eternal and life changing.

Quotes taken from A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George

Jesus spoke of Heaven as a remedy. But how can Heaven solve life’s problems? What if I’m not a Christian? “I don’t believe in heaven”, one may say. Or you often hear, “God brought me into this in the first place. Why should I care about the one who is the source of my problems?” Some Bible believing Christians are even angry at God, feeling deserted. Jesus said to his disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled: Ye believe in God, believe also in me.”


When we look at the setting of this story, Christ and his disciples have just finished communion. But he finished with very striking statements. “One of you shall betray me.” As this rang through through the disciples’ ears, just imagine what was going through their minds—especially Peter’s mind. Jesus had just finished telling him; “the cock shall not crow, before though hast denied me thrice.” Peter’s heart was troubled! They all missed the fact that Jesus identified Judas as the betrayer. They thought Jesus sent him away to go feed the poor according to John 13:29.

So imagine Peter’s heart. In the beginning of the story Peter asked Jesus to not only wash his feet but his hands and his head. Now Jesus says, “one of you shall betray me.” Then He follows by saying Peter will deny him three times? What anxiety, what anguish, what pain in Peter’s stomach as he felt he may betray Jesus.

Jesus follows this scene by saying in chapter 14; “Let not your heart be troubled.” Recognize, Judas has already left. Jesus continues; “ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Jesus recognized the bleeding pain resting internally within them when He said, “one of you shall betray me.” Then He tells them, “Wither I go, ye cannot come.” Can you see the disciples saying with pain in their faces with anguish in voice “Well, why not Lord?” Jesus read their hearts. He knew what they where dealing with, He knew the anxiety they were facing and how the anxiety was affecting their hearts.

In Greek, the word ‘let’ that begins verse one of chapter 14 translates as ‘me tarassestho’. Which is the same as trouble, the same Greek word used for troubled farther into the verse. In translated words He is really saying; “Trouble not, because your mind is troubled.” or “Your mind be troubled, trouble not.” He identified and recognized them as being troubled. Then He follows; “Ye believe in God don’t you? Well believe in Me.”

Christ is providing the solution not only for the disciples’ troubles, but for us today. He is simply saying; “believe in me.” Christ is assuring you He knows and feels your pain, He resonates with the internal sorrows you can’t even comprehend. And His answer is simply “Believe also in me.” He then directs your mind to Heaven by saying; “I go to prepare a place for you.” Then he says; “Where I am, there you may be also.” It’s the best Christ can do. That has always been His answer.

Remember when He said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you?” What about when He says, “Store not your treasures here on earth where thieves steal and moth and rust corrupt.” Christ is telling us you may cry here in earth, you may mourn, but know that I’m preparing a place for you! Don’t lose hope, I’m preparing a place for you! Don’t give up on God; you believe in God don’t you? Well believe me to—I’m preparing a place for you. And then when we get to the final story in Revelation John says this of Heaven: “God shall wipe away all tears from your eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Look forward to this friends.

Seek Gods Word, yearn for his Truth and His ways. He wants to bring us to Heaven, but He wants to give us time to remove the things in our lives that are separating us from Him. Yes, keep supporting your family, keep doing your best to survive in this world of sin. But while striving to do so, don’t forget this is not our home. When you have lost your job, and your home, and have lost extended family support, don’t give up on God. Remember He is preparing a home for you in Heaven, and if He can do so in Heaven, He can sure do it for you on this sinful, dirty, retched, torn, and painful Earth. Seek the presence of Christ in your life, and please find hope in security in seeing Him someday.

Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don’t need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits. If you can’t do an actual workout, get more active throughout the day in simple ways — by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household chores.

No. 2: Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.

No. 3: Exercise improves mood

Need an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.

No. 4: Exercise boosts energy

Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores.

Talk to God, and if you have God-fearing parents, talk to them also. Pray over the matter. Weigh every part of the character of the one you are seeking in the balance. Watch every development of character in the one with whom you think to link your life destiny.

Today there is a lot of underhand dating and marriages going on, and it is this that causes great amount of misery. The young today become so infatuated with human feelings and emotions that they have no desire to search the Bible and come into close relationship with God.

Satan knows just what he has to deal with, and displays his demonic wisdom in various ways to trap youth to their ruin. He watches every step that is taken, and makes many suggestions, and often these suggestions are followed rather than the counsel of God’s word. As a result, we see wrecks everywhere. When will our youth wake up? How long will this kind of thing go on?

Ask yourself, Will this relationship help me reach Heaven? will it increase my love for God? and will it enlarge my potential of usefulness in this life? If these questions raise no flags, then in the fear of God move forward. But even if your engaged without a full understanding of your future spouse, don’t think engagement positively pushes you to take upon yourself the marriage vow, linking yourself for life to someone whom you don’t love and respect.

Be very careful how you enter into conditional engagements, sometimes it is better to break the engagement before marriage than divorce or separate afterward, as many do.

Ladies, who desire a peaceful, happy marriage, ask yourself, Has my lover a mother? What is the stamp of her character? Does he recognize his obligations to her? Is he mindful of her wishes and happiness? If he does not respect and honor his mother, will he respect me? When the honeymoon is over, will he still love me? Will he be patient with my mistakes, or will he be critical, overbearing, and dictatorial? True affection will overlook many mistakes; love will not discern them.

Men and woman, do not give yourselves away to easily, nor captured by the beauty. Dating, as carried on today, is a trap of deception and hypocrisy, and Satan has far more to do with it than the Lord. Common sense is needed here if anywhere; but the fact is, today it has little to do in these important decisions. Let us be prayerful and consult the Lord in our relationship decisions. Remember, love is patient.

In this, the most important period of their lives, they need an unerring counselor, an infallible guide. This they will find in the word of God. Unless they are diligent students of that word, they will make grave mistakes, which will spoil their happiness and that of others, both for the present and the future life. With many young there is an attitude to be stubborn and headstrong.

They have not listened to the wise counsel of the word of God; they have not battled with self, and obtained precious victories; and their proud, unbending will has driven them from the path of duty and obedience. Look back over your past life, and faithfully consider the path you have chosen in light of God’s word. Have you cherished regard to your parents that the Bible speaks of?

Have you treated with kindness and love the mother who has cared for you from birth? Have you regarded her wishes, or have you brought pain and sadness to her heart by carrying out your own desires and plans? Has the truth you profess sanctified your heart, and softened and subdued your will? If not, you have a work to do to make past wrongs right.

“In the Bible they will find revealed their duty to their parents and to their brethren in the faith.” 
The Bible presents a perfect standard of character. This sacred book, inspired by God, and written by holy men, is a perfect guide under all circumstances of life. It sets forth distinctly the duties of both young and old. If made the guide of life, its teachings will lead the soul upward.

It will elevate the mind, improve the character, and give peace and joy to the heart. But many of the young have chosen to be their own counselor and guide, and have taken their cases in their own hands. Such need to study more closely the teachings of the Bible.

In its pages they will find revealed their duty to their parents and to their brethren in the faith. The fifth commandment reads, “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Again we read, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.” Save yourself the pain.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Verses 4, 5.

“Satan is that wild vine, and we must somehow be transferred—grafted—from Satan to Jesus. “

But we have a serious problem—getting connected. By nature we are branches of an evil, “wild vine.” Satan is that wild vine, and we must somehow be transferred—grafted—from Satan to Jesus. Paul helps us to understand the grafting process in Romans, Chapter 11. He points out that we need to be cut away from our old connections and grafted into Christ.

As a plastic surgeon and an amateur horticulturist, I have done quite a bit of human tissue grafting and much plant grafting. There are several principles common to both fields. First, the graft must be fully severed from its original area. Next, the recipient site must be “wounded” (cut into) so that deeper tissues can be exposed and the appropriate layers of graft and host be permitted to make vital contact. Then, the graft must be held in the exact position to prevent further movement, while the graft cells grow into the stock and the stock cells grow into the substance of the graft.

As connection takes place, the graft is nourished and union and healing take place. Over time, as the tissues are fully joined, the graft grows and expands and takes its place as a functioning part of the host.

Joining with Jesus

In the spiritual sphere, we must consent to be severed from all connections with Satan and the world. Then we allow ourselves to be joined in a close and loving relationship to Jesus, to follow Him in all things. He has already been “wounded for our transgressions” at His death on Calvary. From the earliest stages of being grafted into Christ the young Christian needs to be carefully kept from being bruised and torn away from Jesus. Human spiritual helpers and heavenly angels play a part in this as they watch over the “new born” Christian who in due time will grow up into a firmer union with Christ and thus bear much spiritual fruit to the glory of his heavenly Father.

Sometimes human and plant grafts fail to “take.” There may be many reasons for this, but a common one is that the graft tissue may have moved out of position. In the spiritual realm, the graft may fail because of worldly temptations that overcome the new Christian, interrupting his tender connection with Christ. Without immediate intervention, the graft then dies and does not “take.”

Judas was a graft that did not take. He was tempted through his greed and pride, which eventually led him to “sell” his Lord for thirty pieces of silver. He died by suicide as a lost man.

In the natural world, a graft retains its character qualities and does not gain the characteristics of the root stock. For example, a red apple graft placed on a yellow root stock will still produce red apples. But in the spiritual experience, a sinner saved by grace and grafted into Christ will in time lose his natural character and gradually take on the character of the root stock—even Christ.

As long as we grafted Christians “abide” in Christ, He will abide in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Study carefully John, Chapter 15 and Romans, Chapter 11. Here you will find knowledge to help you become connected and abide in Christ.

Lloyd Rosenvold MD has written books on health and has also written the book The Battle for the Mind: Spiritual Warfare–False and True.

In most of the world the Authorized Version (also known as King James Version in America) has passed out of copyright and is freely reproduced.

This is not the case in the United Kingdom where the rights to the Authorized Version are held by the British Crown under perpetual Crown copyright. Publishers are licensed to reproduce the Authorized Version under letters patent.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the letters patent are held by the Queen’s Printer, and in Scotland by the Scottish Bible Board. The office of Queen’s Printer has been associated with the right to reproduce the Bible for centuries, the earliest known reference coming in 1577.

In the 18th century all surviving interests in the monopoly were bought out by John Baskett. The Baskett rights descended through a number of printers and, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Queen’s Printer is now Cambridge University Press, who inherited the right when they took over the firm of Eyre & Spottiswoode in 1990.

Other royal charters of similar antiquity grant Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press the right to produce the Authorized Version independently of the Queen’s Printer. In Scotland the Authorized Version is published by Collins under licence from the Scottish Bible Board.

The terms of the letters patent prohibit any other than the holders, or those authorized by the holders, from printing, publishing or importing the Authorized Version into the United Kingdom. The protection that the Authorized Version, and also the Book of Common Prayer, enjoy is the last remnant of the time when the Crown held a monopoly over all printing and publishing in the United Kingdom.

The task of translation was undertaken by 47 scholars, although 54 were originally approved. All were members of the Church of England and all except Sir Henry Savile were clergy. The scholars worked in six committees, two based in each of the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and Westminster.

The committees included scholars with Puritan sympathies, as well as High Churchmen. Forty unbound copies of the 1602 edition of the Bishops’ Bible were specially printed so that the agreed changes of each committee could be recorded in the margins.

The committees worked on certain parts separately and the drafts produced by each committee were then compared and revised for harmony with each other. The scholars were not paid directly for their translation work, instead a circular letter was sent to bishops encouraging them to consider the translators for appointment to well paid livings as these fell vacant. Several were supported by the various colleges at Oxford and Cambridge, while others were promoted to bishoprics, deaneries and prebends through royal patronage.

Another upholder of the truth on scene was the Trinitarian Bible Society (TBS). They survived crisis and issues with the Roman inspired compromises in the translations and gradually developed in the nineteenth century. Today it follows a most commendable policy in respect of the Scriptures. Its present Law and Regulation No. III states:

This Society shall circulate the Holy Scriptures as comprised in the Canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, without note or comment to the exclusion of the Apocrypha; the copies in the English language shall be those of the Authorized Version (AV – King James Bible). In promoting and editing new translations, and selecting versions in foreign languages, the competency of the translators employed, and the faithfulness and Christian character of the versions, shall be ascertained by the Committee, before the publication or circulation of such versions is in any way aided by this Society. The Trinitarian Bible Society, Cambridge, and Oxford stood very firmly for the distribution of the King James Version, and stood steadfast when the Catholic church sought to change the translation of the Bible in the 1820’s and 1840’s.

As upholders of Truth, by God’s grace let us stand for God’s downtrodden law and show forth the standard of God, and stand for that which these faithful men and women stood for.

Not having a father in the home makes a large impact on choosing the right husband. Having a good father infuses within the child’s mind self worth, protection and balanced love. A home filled with not only motherly love, but fatherly love allows the daughter to interpersonal connections between the mother and father, whether bad or good. She’s able to see how a man should respond in disagreements and conflict with his wife. If this dynamic is not seen it will manifest in bad relationships.

In a dysfunctional home true love has not been seen. It’s selfish, unloving, conditional, and horrid. Women think in a great sense with emotion and have a deep desire to be loved which is a good thing. She should feel peace safe in the arms of her husband, and he should feel the deep sense of manhood in protecting his wife.

But there is an even a deeper craving for lustful love, coming from a home of dysfunction. There is a quicker response to lust, regardless of the character of the man. A woman from a dysfunctional home is at great risk of having a higher tolerance and patience with a selfish, egotistical men. Read Ephesians 5:25.

Many dear young woman make a great mistake because of ignorance. Being able to perceive characters whether happy, sad, mad, abusive or good is a skill that can be hampered or improved. And in the case of some young ladies, abusers just slip right past the radar.

When a young lady experiences dysfunction in the home it makes them more likely to leave home, friends, and family, which is what an abuser will strive to do. The support system is almost always broken down. This idea that submission to abuse is “what Jesus would do?” must be challenged. Some young ladies from Christian backgrounds are prone to think that physical, mental, or verbal abusive is God’s lot for them in life, allowing the abuser to have more freedom to abuse.

Proverbs 10:18 says, they hide their “hatred with lying lips.” Today catch phrases, and pick up lines have been refined to excellence causing the most seasoned woman to be caught off guard, and hang at every word. Abusers cultivate the talent of speech and manipulation from their abusive home. They have seen this from knee high to the ground, and if not checked have no fear to use it at an accountable age.

It would be wise to test the words of your new-found love. Trust your “gut feelings” and don’t ignore the warning signs. Would you be soothed by the horrifying roar of an Alaskan Grizzly bear? Of course not. Deception is the route an abuser will take to maintain an emotional connection. Bountiful gift giving after explosive outburst may be common as well.

So let’s take this a little deeper. Deception. What is it? To conceal ulterior good or bad motives. Throwing a surprise birthday party for your love may be tricky without concealing your daily preparations. But imagine someone concealing their motive for control through Christianity and religion. One of the best ways abusers hide their hatred is to speak the language of a true Christian. Some do artfully well, winning the love of a girl by the externals of Christianity.

Some will go great lengths to attend church and seek baptism. Mind whom you marry. It is so critical to test the waters. Listen to the voice of God speaking to you concerning the satanic spirit of others, and don’t ignore it. These are, no less, the most “successful agents of Satan.” Youth Instructor May 3, 1894.

Many industries stem from prostitution, including what we know of today—pornography. The greek word for prostitute is porne. This word is derived from the word pernemi meaning to sell. The word prostitution also has historical meanings. It is two fold pro and statuere, meaning “to expose”, or “to place up front”. Prostitution in many countries is mostly illegal. Including most of the United States, Asia, Russia, and many other countries. In some countries it is legal to a certain degree where it is regulated.

But how has prostitution affected the world as we know it? the number of full-time equivalent prostitutes in a typical area in the United States (Colorado Springs, CO, during 1970–1988) is estimated at 23 per 100,000 population (0.023%), of which fraction some 4% were under 18. In Australia, a survey conducted in the early 2000s, showed that 15.6% of men aged 16–59 have paid for sex at least once in their life, and 1.9% had done so in the past year. A research reported that a mean number of 868 male sexual partners per prostitute per year of active sex work. This industry has influenced the whole world.

The Attire of a Prostitute
The attire of a prostitute is the clear distinction to know whether one is a prostitute or not. It was required in the days of old, and is somewhat of a requirement to attract the eyes of men today. You can see them typically on street corners of downtown or rundown areas. These prostitutes are also known as Brothels. They tour the streets at night waiting for someone that they can exchange sexual services. The name and meaning of prostitute clearly identifies how they present themselves. As mentioned before “to expose”, or “to place up front”. But now the issue we face as we approach the year 2011 is distinction.

The clothing of a prostitute is not hard to obtain. Just to name a few, clothing lines such as Bebe, Express, Jones New York, American Apparel, Style&co, DKNY, Jessica Simpson, take pride in how sexy, or revealing they can make a woman feel or look. 1 in 6 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. 17.7 million American women have been victims of attempted or completed rape, and 9 of every 10 rape victims were female in 2003. Now these statistics are not to show that clothing raises the risk of being raped. But it is clearly an issue, and the mindset of men is getting worse and more disdainful. Why is it that clothing industries are seeking to make women more sexy when statistics look like this? Why are women seeking to look more sexually tasteful when faced with statistics as these? Prostitutes face so much danger in this industry. Men laden with HIV and STD’s give at will their disease to these women, and the women in return spread in anger the disease they have been given. Health Matters of Asia reports,”One of the main reasons for the rapid spread of HIV in Asian countries is the massive transmission among sex workers and clients”.

Singers such as Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Carrie Underwood, and Alicia Keys are not concerned about the dangers women face when they dress like these celebrities. If you had full-time bodyguards armed and ready to defend, maybe you could dress like them. We would not be writing this article. Ex-Porn star, Danielle Williams comments, “A lot of women are dressing provocatively because society tells them that this is acceptable—this is the fashion now. Unfortunately, the young women have Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton as their ‘role models’. And they tell them that being slutty is cool. People imitate what they see”. Her words, filled with emotion are so true.

In the Church and Everyday Living
King Solomon, one of the wisest kings this world has ever seen acknowledges his fall to the lustful pull of sexually-clad women. He counsels young men to avoid women who give the appearance of a harlot. The Bible mentions in Proverbs 7 his words, “Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.” He begins his story by mentioning a simple boy. Walking at night towards the pathway of a prostitute. He says, “he went the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.” So many men, and young men are confronted with this everyday. You don’t have to go down the dark alley of a harlot to see the ‘sexy’ attire of a harlot anymore. You can go to Walmart. 7-Eleven. You can even go on the internet. He continues, “She caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.” Solomon says with her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him later to stab him in the liver with a dart. How sad a story but yet so true today. Today the only way you can distinguish a prostitute from a ‘sexy’ woman is seldom to none.

In Orlando, Florida they have a street called OBT (Orange Blossom Trail), that many youth are counseled to avoid. You will have no problem finding a woman in a tight pants or a short miniskirt, laden with fishnets, high heels, and a cleavage camisole roaming the streets at night. But isn’t this the apparel seen in school? Isn’t this seen in the pews of your church on young woman who do not work in the sex industry? The work-place? We can go on, and on where this apparel is commonly seen. We can only say that there needs to be a change, and the clothing and music industry is not paying any attention to the dangers. It is just as much a sexual sin to lust as to cause someone to lust, with no intentions to do so. We are not here to tell young women how to dress. But we are here to say that there are better things to dress like than to dress like a prostitute. Our hearts yearn with pain as we hear the stories of women in the sex-industry fall under numerous diseases and pains. But then our hearts rain with joy as we hear of the baptisms of ex-porn stars and prostitutes leaving the sex-industry seeking after Christ!

The Victorious Come Out
The Pink Cross Foundation has sought to lead women to victory in the porn industry. Star Neesa, an ex-porn star says. “I left porn 3 ½ years ago because I just couldn’t do it anymore, especially after the rape. I found out about The Pink Cross Foundation at a booth at AVN. I think very highly of The Pink Cross team and Shelley Lubben. They have taught me important information about the industry that I should have known before I even got in. They treat me like I am human.” These stories bring hope and joy! God is leading woman in the industry to victory, while singers are still encouraging young-women to dress like them. Why? Our only encouragement is to pray. Please pray. Find out the influences behind your own clothing and see what can be done to avoid those influences. For more information concerning women’s clothing and how to dress, please contact us and we would be more than happy to guide and help. This is something we at Pertaining to Life are passionate about and our only desire is to lead others down the pathway to Christ.

Some time ago, while I was reading the news paper, the question was asked “What Do You Men Marry?” The following reply was no less than true:—”Some young men marry dimples; some ears; some noses; the contest, however, generally lies between the eyes and the hair. The mouth, too, is occasionally married; the chin not so often. Poor partners, these, you will own. But young men do marry all these, and many other bits and scraps of a wife, instead of the true thing. Such as the marriage is, such is the after-life. He that would have a wife must marry a woman. 

If he can meet with one of equal social position, like education, similar disposition, kindred sympathies, and habits congenial to his own, let him marry. But let him beware of marrying a curl, or a neck, however swan-like, or a voice, how ever melodious. Young ladies do also make some terrible matches, and unite themselves to muscles and whiskers.”

Could you see a man on his wedding day saying “I take this straight nosed, regular teeth, luscious lips, pretty feet, musical skill, and money, to be my lawful wedded wife.” Good qualities are far beyond all these put together. A woman may be very plain in her personal appearance, but if she have good qualities of character she will prove a real treasure. A step like this, involving so many serious considerations, ought to have that deliberation which shall insure the full consent of the judgment and the heart, therefore—No intimacy should be seriously entered upon until you have made yourself acquainted with the personal habits and friends of the young woman. In other words, mind where you pick her up. 

Acquaintances of this kind should not be hastily formed. The saying that a man only married his wife, and not her relations, is only true to a very limited extent. He becomes one of the family the moment he joins hands with a daughter of it at the altar, and he takes a share in it, for the better or the worse, in good or evil report, for the rest of his life. Act from principle rather than from impulse.

Remember, you want a companion whose society will be acceptable at all times and under all circumstances, and as you look about you in search of a partner, ask yourself the question, “Will she be a suitable person for me?” If you are wondering whether a bar, a club, a casino, or theatre, is a good place to pick up a wife: we should say certainly not.

But if you find a young woman in the habit of attending a place of worship, a Bible class, a gardening workshop, or such like places, then she is very likely to be a suitable person to marry. Wisely, I say, you must seek wisely; not jump to conclusions without evidence. Bear in mind that it requires a sensible woman to make a sensible wife and a good mother, and, as there are a great many deceptive ones about, “mind Whom You Marry.”

Taken from the book Happy Homes and How to Make them. Download this book for free.

John William Kirton Was a 18th century Christian and prominent author of many acclaimed religious books, famous for Happy Homes and How to Make them, as well as The Four Pillars of Temperance.