One of the commitments that a happy family will make is to learn how to avoid strife.

James 3:16 says: “For where envy and strife exist, there will be confusion and every evil work.”

One day while our four children were in the middle of some loud disagreement, I just went and opened the front door to our home and said to the kids, “OK, do you all want to just open our house up to confusion, strife and every evil work?  When we can’t get along, it’s just like saying ‘come on in’ to confusion and those evil things”

Let’s decide today that our home will be free from strife.  Make a commitment to let your words be filled with grace and speak good things to everyone in your family. 

Strife will cease and the peace of God will begin to fill our homes.

January is always a special month in our family: it’s the month we celebrate the birth of our first two children, twin daughters, Christine and Jessica.

Two cribs, two high chairs, two strollers…two of everything! When the girls were born, people would say: “O my, double trouble.” We would very quickly respond “They’re our double blessing!”

Having infant twins is a challenge, but the rewards far outweigh the temporary extra work.

We should remember: children are not to be viewed as a burden. Psalm 127:3 “Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD.”

Happy Birthday, Christine and Jessica; you’re our double blessings from the Lord!

A big part of building a happy home is being able to control your tongue.

1 Peter 3: 8-10 says it this way: “Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless.  You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.  Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here’s what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good;”

What could happen if you began to say nice things to your spouse and your children?

Weigh your words before you speak and find a way today to speak good things to your family and about your family. 

Let’s make a commitment in this new year to fill our homes with words that bring harmony and peace.

We’re praying for you to have a happy home in 2009.

An important part of building a happy home is forgiveness.

Billy Graham’s late wife, Ruth, said that a good marriage is made up of two good forgivers.

Mark 11:25-26 says “And whenever you stand praying, if you have any­thing against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also for­give you your trespasses.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

It’s been said that unforgiveness is like drinking deadly poison and waiting for the other person to die.  You are only hurting yourself when you’re unable to forgive.

We’ve got to learn how to say “I was wrong, please forgive me,” and more importantly, “I forgive you.”

Find a way to show forgiveness today to members of your family.  It’s a big step toward a Happy Home.