ABOVE RUBIES NEWSLETTER #1, Mar 2016
MINI ABOVE RUBIES, No 1 for 2016
FILLED WITH INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION!
Dear Above Rubies readers,
I am so glad that we at last have the new Above Rubies, #92 printed. They are now sent out across USA and the United Kingdom. Other countries will gradually receive their magazines. I am sorry you had to wait so long for this issue to come. I pray that finances will come in quickly and that we will be able to get out the next magazine much more quickly to you.
JACK AND RASHIDA'S BABY SHOWER
MARRIAGE QUOTES TO INSPIRE YOU
YOU ARE A LIFE-GIVER TO THE WORLD
UNITED KINGDOM TRIP
Colin and I have just returned from the United Kingdom. I ministered at two Above Rubies Ladies’ Retreats, plus meetings in between. We praise the Lord for His blessing with us to speak the word of truth and for safety all the way.
The day before we left, we had the privilege of going up into the Highlands of Scotland for a walk. This is the third time I have been blessed to walk in the highlands of Scotland. This time we walked up to a Loch. It was still frozen, but just beginning to thaw.
Before leaving for UK, Evangeline gave me a beautiful shawl which she knitted for me from pure angora wool. She asked if I’d take picture of wearing it in the Highlands of Scotland, so here I am. We took it all the way up, just for Vange! It was cold, but I took off my hat and big coat to take the picture!
COMMENTS ON ABOVE RUBIES #92
If you have received your new magazine, I know you will have been abundantly blessed. There are so many powerful testimonies in this issue of Above Rubies. There are testimonies that minister to many areas of our hurting society. Don’t keep this magazine to yourself. Share it with others. If you need more copies, don’t hesitate to ask for them. Email me at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your mailing address.
SUBJECTS IN THE MAGAZINE
Physical Disability and Death, Pages 4-5.
Abortion and Rape: Pages 22-23 and 26-27.
Caring for Elderly Father: Pages 20-21.
Living Stress Free: Pages 16-19.
Marriage Restorations: Pages 21 and 24.
Motherhood: Pages 7, 10-13, 14, and 15.
Prayer and Missions: Pages 6 and 8-9.
Pregnancy Problems: Pages 18 and 19.
Here are some updates for you to refer to as you read through:
OUR HOME TO YOURS
I mentioned in the Editorial that our daughter-in-law, Monique was expecting a baby in October. Sadly, since writing, she miscarried this precious baby. Monique had been longing and waiting for this baby and had nearly given up hope. Now she is having to wait again. Pray God will bless her with conception.
We still have three lovely mothers waiting for their babies and so every day I see one or more of these lovely mothers. It’s so beautiful to watch their babies growing in their womb.
Monique's email is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ARDEN AND ESTHER’S WEDDING
Since printing the magazine, we have enjoyed Arden and Esther’s wedding. Because they both come from a family of 13 children each (including adopted children--the Allisons adopted five and the Vanderlaans six), they had a big wedding party. Nine bridesmaids and nine groomsmen and six little flower girls. It was amazing to see Arden standing up with seven cousins and two brothers standing with him. Actually, they are all like brothers and see each other nearly every day.
Here are some wedding pictures for you:
I love the atmosphere of this picture as they have the closing prayer and his groomsmen also reaching out their hands in prayer.
Cousins together. Young men who are going to change the world for God.
JACK AND RASHIDA’S BABY SHOWER
Rashida's growing baby.Our first baby to be born this year is Jack and Rashida’s whose wedding picture is on the front cover. We are having the Baby Shower the 8th April, but it won’t be a normal Baby Shower, especially since Evangeline is putting it on! She emphatically stated that this Baby Shower is not only for mothers, but for the men as well, the reason being that Jack is so very involved in this coming baby and would be terrible to have it without him! He is going to be a doting father.
Evangeline is calling it the -
BURGER BABY EMPOWERING NIGHT - Jack and Rashida's blessing blast-off into World Dominion! Only Vange would think of such a name!
Evangeline is organizing a sit-down gourmet burger evening. The men will toast Jack with great stories and exhilarating words of encouragement to this new father. The women will spur Rashida on to the greatest new adventure of her life. It’s going to be a great night.
AGENDA FOR STATE SCHOOLS
In the Editorial I printed a few quotes about the underlying agenda of public schools. It is most important that parents are not hoodwinked. God gave the authority to parents to teach and make the decisions for their children’s lives. They are their guardians, not the state.
I will print a few more for you, although they are only the tip on the iceberg. As you read the following quotes and information, I pray you will no longer be silent. We must speak out against such diabolical evil. We must rescue our children from the jaws of the lion. Christian parents cannot hand their children over to the enemy. They must take responsibility for the teaching of their children.
THE HUMANISTIC AGENDA IS WINNING
"The battle for mankind’s future must be waged and won in the public school classroom. The classroom must and will become an arena of conflict between the old and the new ─ the rotting corpse of Christianity and the new faith of humanism.”
~ John Dunphy in The Humanist magazine, January-February 1983
“There is no God, and there is no soul. Hence, there are no needs for the proofs of traditional religion.”
~ John Dewey - Father of American Progressive Education
“You can’t make socialists out of individualists. Children who know how to think for themselves spoil the harmony of the collective society, which is coming, where everyone is interdependent.”
~ John Dewey, First honorary president of NEA (National Education Association).
The NEA (National Education Association) is the largest labor union in the United States and has been instrumental in implementing John Dewey’s humanist agenda in the public schools through the increasing federal control over the American educational system. The NEA has 3.2 million members and represents public school teachers, faculty and staff at colleges and universities, and retired educators. Robert Chanin, the NEA’s top lawyer, retired in 2009 and let the cat out of the bag in a fiery farewell speech at the NEA’s annual national convention, which was held in San Diego that year:
“Why are these conservative and right-wing bastards picking on NEA and its affiliates? I will tell you why: It is the price we pay for success. NEA and its affiliates have been singled out because they are the most effective unions in the United States. And they are the nation’s leading advocates for public education and the type of liberal, social, and economic agenda that these groups find unacceptable . . .
And that brings me to my final and most important point, which is why, at least in my opinion, NEA and its affiliates are such effective advocates. Despite what some among us would like to believe, it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we care about children. And it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child. NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power. And we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year.”
The NEA has become the most powerful special interest group in the United States, using its power, and its money, to lobby for ever more federal education spending. Unfortunately, instead of using its influence to improve the quality of education in American schools, the NEA has pursued policies that have resulted in just the opposite.
“The battle for mankind’s future must be waged and won in the public school classroom by teachers who correctly perceive their role as proselytizers of a new faith.... The classroom must and will become an arena of conflict between the old and the new – the rotting corpse of Christianity, together with all its adjacent evils and misery, and the new faith of humanism.”
~ John Dunphy, 1983
ISLAM IN PLUBLIC SCHOOLS
Maury County, Tennessee (This county is the next county to where I live!)
Todd Starnes writes, September 10, 2015
“I am not pleased that my 12-year-old was taught the Islamic conversion prayer,” parent Brandee Porterfield told me.
Joy Ellis discovered the Islamic lessons after examining her daughter’s class work.
“I was very angry that my child, my Christian child, was made to profess that Allah was the only God,” she told me. According to the lessons, students were instructed to write the “Shahada” – “There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” Students also learned the five pillars of Islam.
“That was crossing the line between teaching the culture and teaching them the Islamic faith,” Porterfield told me. “This is not teaching. This is indoctrination.”
Could you imagine the outcry from liberal activists if the students had been forced to write “Jesus is Lord’?
“It tells me they are trying to convert my children to being Muslim,” she said.
Please check this link as there are too many incidents to type here: http://www.akdart.com/islam4.html
THE GAY AGENDA IS INVADING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM
President Barack Obama recently appointed GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Educational Network) founder, Kevin Jennings to head the “Safe Schools” effort. America has fallen into the hands of the wicked!
Hundreds of homosexual teachers and school officials gathered in Chicago not long ago to attend the annual Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) conference.
The keynote speaker at this event was Robert Chase, head of the National Education Association, the nation's most powerful teacher's union. Chase told his audience that the NEA supports homosexual teachers. He observed, "I am here today precisely out of concern for the children our members teach. The NEA does not have what the right wing has branded a quote 'radical pro-homosexual agenda.' Rather, we have a radical civil rights agenda ? A pro-human agenda."
Chase is engaging in Orwellian Newspeak, designed to shield parents from the truth: The NEA has an aggressive pro-homosexual agenda and has promoted the normalization of homosexuality for years.
The NEA (National Education Association) support for homosexual activism should be cause for great alarm to parents who are concerned about their children being taught deviant sexual practices in the public schools. Last March, GLSEN held a workshop at Tufts University where homosexual HIV instructors taught teenagers how to "fist" their sexual partners.
GLSEN's conference featured workshops designed to help activist teachers introduce pro-homosexual themes into kindergarten social studies curricula. Children who can barely read, will be shown photos of lesbian mothers and daughters in a book called "Celebrating Families."
Homosexual teachers are also encouraging a new group of sexually confused individuals known as "transgenders." These are boys and girls who are suffering from gender identity disorders. Instead of helping them recover from gender confusion, homosexual teachers consider transgendered teens the new persecuted sexual minority. GLSEN is urging transgender teens to begin lobbying for unisex bathrooms on their campuses.
GLSEN also encouraged homosexual teachers to threaten their schools with lawsuits if school officials refuse to allow GLSEN to start Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Clubs on campuses. Not only does GLSEN want a GSA on every campus, they want to violate the rights of parents to keep their children out of such clubs. In one workshop, homosexuals were told that GLSEN is looking for a legal case involving a teen who wants to attend a GSA, but is prevented by his parents from attending. GLSEN will then file a suit against the parents to prevent them from protecting their child from homosexual recruitment.
Homosexual teachers obviously believe that children with sexual identity disorders are "their" children--and that parents have no right to protest homosexual recruitment programs.
What occurred at the GLSEN conference should be a wake-up call to all parents who are concerned about the moral and physical well-being of their children on public school campuses. If GLSEN has its way, parental rights will be a thing of the past. Once free from parental oversight, radical homosexual teachers will indoctrinate a generation of children to embrace a deviant and dangerous sexual lifestyle.
During a celebration of National Ally Week, Tara Miller, a teacher at the Faith Ringgold School of Arts and Science in Hayward, Calif., passed out cards produced by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to her class of kindergartners. The cards asked signers to be "an ally" and to pledge to "not use anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) language or slurs; intervene, when I feel I can, in situations where others are using anti-LGBT language or harassing other students and actively support safer school efforts."
The above are only drop in the bucket of information that is available. What are you doing about your children? What are you doing about standing against these evils? The future of our children, our grandchildren and future generations depend on our speaking out and protecting our own children.
A FATHER’S PERSPECTIVE, PAGES 4-5.
Weren’t you touched by this beautiful testimony from this father as he shared about their precious little boy, Torian? He was mainly motionless during his life of only 15 months, and yet brought such love, blessing, and joy to their family.
When Torian was first born I shared the challenges of his medical problems in one of our newsletters and I know many of you prayed for him. Ethan and Deb asked me if I would give you this message from them: “Thank you so much to all the mamas who took time with their families to pray for our family and our sweet little Torian. His life was a gift from God and we miss him dearly, but what a joy and comfort we have in the Lord Jesus Christ knowing we will see him again.”
Their email is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MY GREATEST GIFT TO MY CHILDREN, PAGE 7.
Did you read this lovely testimony from Tish Kleindeinst? Tish has two sets of twins, and after a reversal, they are now excitedly expecting their sixth baby in July.
Tish writes a little update:
“Our little fella in the womb, Hudson, is growing fast and doing well! Praise God! We are looking forward to his arrival. I would appreciate your prayers for a safe delivery for us both. I will be delivering him naturally after having 3 c-sections and the reversal. I'm trusting God through it all!"
Tish.
Can you take a moment now to pray that God will wondrously enable Tish to enjoy a natural birth with this coming baby? Her email is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
TRY DIFFERENT PRAYER BOXES * LINKS TO CHECK OUT. PAGES 8-9.
Have you made a Prayer Box yet? I would dearly encourage you to do so. You will find it will make such a difference in your prayer times as a family and really help to get your children into a new place of prayer and praying for needs they would never have thought about. And I’d love you to tell me how you are getting on with your Prayer Boxes in your home.
You will notice that I have listed links at the end of this article. The more you can be aware of needs to prayer about the better. It is so much easier if you can just click on them than type them out from the magazine, so I will list them here for a “one click” to make it easier for you.
Check out these links:
http://tinyurl.com/OurPrayerBox
http://tinyurl.com/IdeasForPrayerCards
http://www.worldwatchlist.us/world-watch-list-countries/
http://win1040.com/
http://www.1040windowreporter.com/#!prayer-points/vnvdq http://tinyurl.com/RecommendedLinks
http://tinyurl.com/PrayerInTheHome
http://aboverubies.org/morning-evening-principle
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR EVERY DAY, PAGE 23.
Once again, here are the links mentioned for easier clicking:
ABOVE RUBIES FACEBOOK
Go to: http://facebook.com/AboveRubiesUS
ABOVE RUBIES DAILY BLOG
If you don't get Facebook, you still receive all the encouraging posts by going to:
http://tinyurl.com/WomensDailyDevotionalBlog
ABOVE RUBIES WEEKLY DEVOTION
This devotion comes right into your email box. It is a more meaty devotion than the daily Facebook posts, but will give you something to really get your teeth into. If I miss a week, it’ll come the next week! To sign up, go to:
http://aboverubies.org/magazine/subscribe-to-womens-devotional
ENCOURAGEMENT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
To read hundreds of articles and testimonies on nearly 40 different subjects of family life, marriage, and mothering, go to:
http://aboverubies.org/index.php/articles-stories
INSTAGRAM
Type in Above Rubies to receive inspiring picture posts to encourage you as a wife and mother.
PINTEREST
When you have a moment to relax, choose one of these links to be inspired with beautiful pictures of marriage, mothering, and children.
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-marriage-it-is-gods-design-and-plan/
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-older-couples-who-are-still-in-love/
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-motherhood/
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-motherhood-paintings/
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-beautiful-pregnant-mothers/
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-mothers-breastfeeding-their-babies/
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-mothers-and-babies/
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-babies/
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-baby-wearing-mothers/
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-mothers-reading-to-their-children/
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-children/
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-fatherhood/
FOR HUSBANDS AND FATHERS
Facebook: Meat for Men
If fathers and husbands do not do Facebook, they can receive Colin Campbell’s meaty messages for men by going to: http://tinyurl.com/MensDailyDevotionalBlog
BOOKS ADVERTISED IN THIS ISSUE * HERE ARE THE LINKS.
40 DAYS, 40 BITES, A FAMILY GUIDE TO PRAY FOR THE WORLD, page 6
http://tinyurl.com/40Days40Bites
BLESSED FAMILY TEE SHIRTS, page 29.
www.aboverubiesblessedfamilytee.com
NANNY’S NURSERY RHYMES for a New Millennium, Back page.
http://tinyurl.com/NannysNurseryRhymes
ONE FLESH MARRIAGE
I recently posted this on Facebook, but as many of you don’t do Facebook, here it is for you to read.
GOD DESIGNED MARRIAGE:
1. DIVINELY
The Creator of male and female divinely designed His perfect plan. It is God who joins the man and woman in marriage: “What therefore GOD hath joined together.”
2. PROPHETICALLY
God revealed His plan in the beginning for all future marriages: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Where were the father and mother? They were nowhere on the scene when God spoke these words. Adam and Eve had never seen a father and mother! God was prophetically revealing His plan and how it would work for all future mankind.
3. INTENTIONALLY AND FACTUALLY
God unmistakably states His plan: “They two (the man and his wife) shall be one flesh. Wherefore they are no more two, but one flesh.” It does not matter what mere man thinks, it is what God states! His Word is eternal. It doesn’t change from the beginning to the end.
4. EMPHATICALLY
There are no “if, buts, or maybes,” but “And God said.” Not man (the created), but God (the Designer and Creator) has the last say!
5. PHYSICALLY
The coming together of male and female to be “one flesh” in marriage is a perfect fit. The sexual organs of male and female are opposite, (the man’s external and the woman’s internal), but they fit perfectly by God’s design. Male and male or female and female are not a perfect fit. This lifestyle is outside the Creator’s design.
When Jesus answered the questions of the Pharisees He said: “Have yet not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, FOR THIS CAUSE. . .” It was FOR THIS CAUSE (because He created them male and female) that the man cleaves to his wife. Please notice the words “man and wife,” not two of the same sex.
6. GENERATIONALLY
The coming together as “one flesh” results in the potential procreation of children and children’s children. From the two come one, or many, each bearing genetic genes of both the father and mother. This is impossible in a homosexual relationship which is outside of God’s blessing. These relationships end in nothingness and future destruction. It is the male and female oneness that God blessed: “Male and female created he them. And God BLESSED them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” Children only come through the blessing of God.
7. DELIGHTFULLY
God must have been filled with joy and delight when He designed the “one flesh” marriage. Who but our amazing God could plan for the man and his wife to experience such ecstatic joy, fulfillment, and wonder together? Proverbs 5:18,19 speaks of the married couple ravishing and intoxicating one another with their love.
8. EMOTIONALLY AND MENTALLY
Human beings are not animals. We are created in the image and likeness of God. We are body, soul, and spirit. Because God created us with a heart, mind, and soul, the “one flesh” statement is more than physical. It is also a oneness of soul. I am not whole without my husband. He is not whole without me for “they are no more two, but one.” We complement one another and each one brings different strengths to the marriage to make it complete.
9. SPIRITUALLY
Our bodies are only the house of the real person, the spirit--the part of us which was made for fellowship with God. God’s highest purpose for us in marriage is to become one together in spirit--connected to one another by our spirits and God’s Holy Spirit. We are to be glued together as one.
10. PURPOSEFULLY
God brings the male and female together to accomplish His purposes. God’s primary purpose for male and female is to have children. As husband and wife, and together with their children, they are to be fruitful, fill the earth, and “subdue it: and have dominion.” Purposefully together they advance God’s kingdom in the earth, reveal His image and likeness, and bring more of His love, truth, justice, and peace to the earth.
11. UNDEFILEDLY
Marriage is called “holy matrimony” and the marriage bed is holy and sacred. At the beginning of the wedding vows, the minister says: “Into this ‘holy estate’ these two persons come now to be joined. Therefore; it is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly.”
Marriage is God-mandated and to be enjoyed according to God’s pattern, but it is designed only for male and female. Hebrews 13:4 (ESV) states: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” God created the sexual act to be totally fulfilling without the use of “toys,” alternative ways that are not according to God’s Word, or anything that violates the conscience.
12. UNENDINGLY
The traditional wedding vows state: "I take thee . . . to love and to cherish, till death do us part (or, as long as we both shall live), according to God's holy ordinance.”
Sadly, we don’t live in a perfect world and there are times when it is no longer safe to live in a marriage where one of the two continues in a despicable, ungodly, and unrepentant lifestyle. Jesus admitted when talking to the Pharisees that Moses allowed divorce because “of the hardness of your hearts,” but He continued, “From the beginning it was not so.” It was never God’s plan.
Jesus also forcefully stated: “What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder (or separate).” Or, let no man or woman, no organization, no church, no Facebook, or anything at all separate a man and wife from each other. They are to be fused as one.
Read the following Scriptures referred to above: Genesis 1:26-28; 2:23, 24; Proverbs 5:18, 19; Matthew 5:27, 28; 19:4-9; Mark 10:2-9; 1 Corinthians 6:16,17; 7:1-5; 11:8, 9; Ephesians 5:31-33; and Hebrews 13:4.
HOW CAN I LOVE MY HUSBAND?
A while back I asked our readers to share the little things they do to show their husbands they love them. The following are the replies I received. Each one of us are different personalities and therefore we show our love in different ways. You may not do all the things written in this list, but take time to read it through. You are sure to find some new ideas. Never be content with a boring marriage. Always be thinking of new and exciting ways to love your husband. Surprise him with something you’ve never done before. And why not do it today.
If I love my husband I will...
Love to serve him.
Love to cook his meals.
Love to have a wholesome meal prepared for him when he arrives home in the evening.
Love to serve him breakfast.
Love to make his lunch to take to work.
Love him to come home to a clean and fresh smelling house.
Love to keep an orderly home for him.
Love to make sure he always has clean laundry.
Love to make him coffee.
Love to encourage him and affirm him.
Love to purchase special goodies for him that he loves.
Love to buy him his favorite dark chocolate.
Love to do extra nice things for him.
Love to smile at him.
Love to ravish him and satisfy him sexually.
Love to follow him even though I may not agree with him.
Love to praise him instead of criticize him.
Love to wake up and cuddle with him.
Love to greet him passionately when he comes home from work.
Love to run a bath for him.
Love to encourage and compliment him with my words.
Love to make him smile and laugh.
Love to tell him that he is the best.
Love to text him during the day to remind him how much I love and appreciate him.
Love to speak well of him to my friends and to praise him in front of others.
Love to be his BEST and closest friend.
Love to be his only confidante.
Love to pray with him.
Love to respect him and his decisions.
Love to pay attention to him when he talks to me.
Love to look at him adoringly.
Love to encourage the children do special things for him.
Love to give him massages.
Love to softly tickle him.
Love to rub his back, shoulders, legs, and feet.
Love to be with him while he works.
Love to do what he asks me with a smile and cheerful attitude.
Love to listen to his dreams and ideas and support them.
Love to raise the children in the way that pleases him.
Love to take an interest in his passions.
Love to do everything I can to keep him healthy.
Love to kiss him when he comes near me during the day.
Love to blow him kisses.
Love to give him surprises.
Love to appreciate him for working hard so I can stay home with our children.
Love to hold hands with him at every opportunity.
Love to admire and adore him.
Love to be faithful to him until death or we meet the Lord face to face.
MARRIAGE QUOTES TO INSPIRE YOU
“Connubial happiness is a thing of too fine a texture to be handled roughly. It is a sensitive plant, which will not bear even the touch of unkindness; a delicate flower, which indifference will chill and suspicion blast.” ~ Thomas Sprat
“A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” ~ Ruth Bell Graham
“When we first met we were two people who loved each other. Now we are one person—two lives inextricably entwined and held by love.”
~ Peter Gray
“A marriage where not only esteem, but passion is kept awake, is, I am convinced, the most perfect state of subliminary happiness: but it requires great care to keep this tender heart alive. ~ Frances Brooke
You can never be happily marriage to another until you get a divorce from yourself. Successful marriage demands a certain death to self.
~ Jerry McCant
“There never has been a generation whose view of marriage is high enough.” ~ John Piper
“As God by creation made two of one, so again by marriage He made one of two.”
~ Thomas Adam
“Many marriages would be better if the husband and the wife clearly understood that they are on the same side.” ~ Zig Ziglar
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” ~ The Holy Bible (1 Corinthians 13:4-6).
"My wife tells me that if I ever decide to leave, she is coming with me." ~ Jon BonJovi
“In marriage, each partner is to be an encourager rather than a critic, a forgiver rather than a collector of hurts, an enabler rather than a reformer.” ~ H. Norman Wright and Gary J. Oliver
“Love seems the swiftest but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.” ~ Mark Twain
“One of the great illusions of our time is that love is self-sustaining. It is not. Love must be fed and nurtured, constantly renewed. That demands ingenuity and consideration, but first and foremost, it demands time.” ~ David Mace
“Marriage isn't supposed to make you happy - and satisfied. It's your job to make your marriage happy - and satisfying. Same goes for sex. It isn't supposed to make you passionate and "hot". It's up to you to make it passionate and "hot" - and intimate.” ~ Diane Sollee
Do you think you married the wrong person? Zig Ziglar gives some good advice:
“I'll be the first to admit that it's possible that you did marry the wrong person. However, if you treat the wrong person like the right person, you could well end up having married the right person after all. On the other hand, if you marry the right person, and treat that person wrongly, you certainly will have ended up marrying the wrong person. I also know that it is far more important to be the right kind of person than it is to marry the right person. In short, whether you married the right or wrong person is primarily up to you.”
DISCOUNT ON MARRIAGE BOOKS
We have the following books on marriage in our Book and Music Store. I know you will find them a blessing.
ME? OBEY HIM?
By Elizabeth Rice Handford
This classic book gives biblical advice on how to enjoy a successful marriage. Homes across America are in serious trouble. Quote often, the roof of the problem lies with the confusion of authority. But doesn’t a wife have rights? What if the man is truly wrong? Is there a way to biblically confront him? Elizabeth Rice Handford answers these questions and more in Me? Obey Him?
Usually $9.95 * Purchase for only $6.95!
LOVE YOUR HUSBAND, LOVE YOURSELF 
By Jennifer Flanders
I can’t recommend this book too much. Your husband will be so glad you purchased it. I know he won’t mind your spending the money. Every wife needs this book. Purchase one for yourself and some to give to others.
Jennifer addresses the subject of sexual intimacy in this book. This book is the talk your Mom never had the nerve to have with you! Did you know that increased intimacy with your husband -
* reduces the risk of cancer, stroke, and heart disease
* releases energy and more youthful appearance
* are leases stress, anxiety, and depression
* deeper and more satisfying sleep
* adds more years to your life
* enables a strong, happy, and divorce-proof marriage
This is only beginning. Read the book to find out the rest!
Usually $14.95 * Purchase for only $12.95!
AND HERE IS A PAIR FOR YOU - ONE FOR YOUR HUSBAND AND ONE FOR YOU!
25 WAYS TO COMMUNICATE RESPECT TO YOUR HUSBAND
A Handbook for Wives
By Jennifer Flanders
* Would you like for your husband to be more attentive?
* Do you long for him to notice and admire you?
* Wish he'd recognize and appreciate all your hard work?
* Want him to be respectful of your wishes and opinions?
* Would you like for him to spend more time with you?
Read this book and find out how!
Only $9.95 (+S&H)
25 WAYS TO SHOW LOVE TO YOUR WIFE
A Handbook for Husbands
By Doug Flanders MD
* Do you wish she were more joyful and affectionate?
* Do you want her to show appreciation for all you do?
* Do you hunger for her admiration and respect?
* Do you wish you could have more fun together?
* Would you like for your wife to stop nagging?
You’ll find the answers in this book.
Only $9.95 (+S&H)
WARNING: Reading these books may alter the way you look at your spouse, your family, and life in general. Read at your own risk. Side effects from implementing the principles set forth in these pages may include a stronger marriage, a happier home, a more satisfying sex life, improved communication skills, and a deeper love for your spouse.
PURCHASE BOTH BOOKS TOGETHER FOR ONLY $17.70.
ADOPTION ON STERIODS
Older readers of Above Rubies (I mean those who have been receiving Above Rubies for some time (not that you’re old!) will know that Serene and Sam Allison adopted children from the war-torn country of Liberia. Their oldest daughter, Selah, is now married and they are expecting their third baby in July. You can see Selah in this family picture at Arden and Esther’s wedding. Lovely Selah is in the apricot dress, her husband Samuel is in the front with Eureka and little Sammy beside him. Selah is a most beautiful wife and mother.
Samuel and Selah, who were both adopted from Liberia are now wanting to adopt themselves. They have family members in Liberia who are in desperate plight. Samuel’s sister died during the Ebola epidemic there, leaving two children (eight and six years). Selah’s cousin died in childbirth, leaving her little one who is now three years old. She was bleeding internally but when she got to the hospital they would not take her as she had no insurance and she died right at the hospital door.
Samuel land Selah want to bring these children (who are already family) into their family and give them a loving and stable home life. They feel it is their responsibility because they are family. Sadly, they cannot receive any concession even though these children are their family. Each one will cost $30,000.00 = #90,000.00! However, as funds come in they hope to go to Liberia and work on the adoption there which could reduce the costs.
Please pray that God will work miracles for them. Every day these children are getting older and the sooner they can receive them into their loving home the better. Although Selah is already expecting another baby, she is a very capable mother. Even before she was married we always used to say she could manage a huge homestead and a big family. She is not only a wonderful mother but a loving and wonderful sister to all her adopted siblings.
To find out more about the children and also to help towards this need, go to:
TEACHING CHILDREN CHARACTER
Do you want your family to become more kind, thankful, honest, patient, responsible and forgiving? Here's a website with 130+ free values lessons. It has ideas for all ages: stories, activities, games, movies, object lessons and more. It's used worldwide by families, schools, churches, after-school clubs and homeschoolers.
Check it out at: www.valueslessonsnz.com
Or email Jenny Jenkins * This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Jenny is part of our Above Rubies team in New Zealand).
WHEN BABY WAKES
When baby wakes--the whole house grows
Alive and active! Goodness knows
How one small human being’s voice
Can make us hurry--and rejoice,
Life is his game--he always wins--
When baby wakes the day begins!
CHANGING THE NATION!
Dear happy homemaker in both word and deed,
God’s purpose for you is to raise godly seed,
Obedient children who are righteous and pure,
With mother at home, they’ll be happy and secure.
Secure in God’s love and protected from the world,
Guarded from evil and grounded in His Word
By a mother who embraces her calling divine,
The mandate God gave from the beginning of time.
You’re now planted at home, you’ve found your “glory,"
Left your career behind--that was another story!
You’ve now been promoted to a much higher career!
You’re in God’s perfect will so you don’t have to fear.
You’re nurturing, nourishing, and building your nest,
Under your husband’s covering you’re totally blessed.
God has promised to provide, He is Jehovah Jireh,
He will always be faithful, He is not a liar.
You are an “arrow polisher," sharpening your arrows,
You’re not pecking on the ground like little sparrows,
But soaring like the eagle, your stature is high,
You’re changing the nation’s course as on God you rely!’
Dear mighty mother, stand up and be strong,
Don’t be fooled by the enemy and the worldly throng,
Don’t be deceived by the mindset of this society,
Embrace your motherhood, it’s your highest priority!
Don’t be conformed to the humanistic trend,
It only leads to heartache in the final end.
Be a non-conformist, stand against the tide,
You don’t have to be governed by this world’s pride.
Instead be transformed by God’s living Word,
He is restoring His truth, will you be stirred?
Will you be part of this end-time restoration,
To train godly children and change the nation?
God is preparing a people for Jesus’ second appearing,
He wants an army of arrows, trained and unfearing,
Straight arrows to go forth from the parents’ bow,
The deceptions of Satan to overthrow.
May you experience God’s anointing and His renewing
As you become part of this revival which is all God’s doing.
You will be part of heralding the coming of the King
As you build God’s army–and His praises will ring.
~ Nancy Campbell * Malachi 4:5-6
FROM WEAKNESS TO STRENGTH
How much to do you believe in the power of God’s Word? I read this morning in Psalm 19:7-11 that His Word restores the soul, makes wise the simple, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, gives us warning, and “in keeping of them there is great reward.”
I believe God’s Word has the power to fill up weaknesses in our own lives and our children’s lives. If you have a weakness in your life, search the Scriptures for God’s victory in this area. Meditate on and memorize the appropriate Scriptures you find. Constantly confess these Scriptures out loud. As you do, you will find that the weakness will turn into strength in your life.
I also used this principle as I raised our children. When I saw an area of weakness in their lives, or an area where I knew God needed to work in their lives, I would search the Scriptures to find answers. I would then minister these Scriptures into their lives. I wrote them out in big letters and pinned them up in appropriate places. I encouraged them to memorize the Scriptures. We talked about them at Family Devotions. It is not our words, but God’s Word that changes their lives.
I would encourage you to do this also in the training of your children. Write the applicable Scriptures up in big print and pin them in appropriate places on your walls. Teach and explain the Scriptures you researched to you children. Talk about them at Family Devotions. Use them as memory verses. Repeat and recite them over and over again.
You will be amazed at how the Word brings change into their lives and molds them into the image of Jesus. It’s the greatest way to fill up their weaknesses.
YOU ARE A LIFE-GIVER TO THE WORLD
The Hebrew word for Eve is havvah and means “life-giver.” Eve was the prototype of all women to come. God created her, and all future women to be life-givers to the world. What a privilege we have.
The word, havvah comes from another root word, chayah which means “to make alive, to revive, to repair, to restore, to recover, to nourish, to preserve, and to be whole.”
What a great purpose we have as mothers. We are firstly life-givers through our womb, but we are also to be life-givers in every way. It is good to constantly remind ourselves that we are life-givers.
Here is a little acrostic to remind you of your great calling of life-giver:
L Life-giving to the world through the power of my womb.
I Inspiring my husband and children daily with life-giving words.
F Feeding my husband and children life-giving foods (never dead or devitalized).
E Embracing my life-giving role of birthing and nursing babies.
G Giving freely as I pour out my life for my family and others.
I Interceding for my children and the strengthening of families in the world.
V Valuing life in the same way God values life.
E Engraving God’s life-giving words into the hearts of my children.
R Reviving, repairing, restoring, reconciling, recovering, refreshing, renewing, and rescuing lives and relationships.
What a great vision.
Be encouraged dear wives and mothers. Truly you determine the destiny of the nation.
In His love,
NANCY CAMPBELL
www.aboverubies.org