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Marriage Going Up in Smoke?
Marriage burnt out? Free showings of the movie “Fireproof” will be held at Smithville Mennonite Church on Saturday, January 10 & 17, at 7 pm. All are welcome.
Produced by the church behind the unexpected hit "Facing the Giants," "Fireproof" is the story of a firefighter (Kirk Cameron) whose marriage fast is turning to ash. He's challenged to put the book "The Love Dare" into practice. But can taking a 40-day dare bring back the fireworks?
Learn more, and read how "Fireproof" has been helping real marriages at www.fireproofthemovie.com.
"Fireproof" will be out on DVD this month. But you can come and see the #1 inspirational movie of 2008 now, for free - at SMC.
Also, a 5-part sermon series based on the bestselling book "The Five Love Languages" starts Jan. 11 at 10:30am by Pastor Martin.
Gary Chapman, the book's author, says people express love through time, affirmation, gifts, service, and touch. When love languages differ, spouses can feel unloved. Learn more about better speaking your spouse's language at www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Sermons will be available online by searching for "SMC sermons" on www.youtube.com.
Smithville Mennonite is located at 6097 Akron Road, which is north of Smithville on SR 585. Whether seeking realistic hope for a marriage going up in smoke, or just curious about better communication for any relationship – come, and join us.
Use The Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin
by Mark Lewis
Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, but to call him just a scientist would not do him justice. He was a noted author, satirist, civic activist, inventor, statesman and diplomat.
Franklin is credited as being foundational to the roots of American values and character, a marriage of the practical and democratic values of thrift, hard work, education and community spirit.
Also famous for a number of quotes, let's use the Benjamin Franklin ethics of hard work and persistance to help you forge ahead in your efforts of business and self promotion: Planning "Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today." I have heard this put in another, more direct, way by Carnegie and Schwab: "Eat the frog first". That is, whatever is your most unpleasant task, get it out of the way first! Then everything after that will seem easy.
Teamwork "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." Whether you work alone or in a group, at some stage reliance on others can be necessary and better still, extremely useful to fulfilling your needs.
"Many hands make light work", so lighten your load both mentally and physically when you can.
Achievement "Little strokes fell great oaks."
Many people are daunted by the enormity of a project or promotion. Breaking it down into manageable tasks and defining the 'critical path' can have you speeding to a successful outcome.
Success "A little neglect may breed mischief: for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost." Don't forget to do the groundwork for a project. Enormous structures are only as stable and strong as the foundations they sit upon.
"Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand than kings and parliaments. If we can get rid of the former, we may easily bear the latter."
What measure of satisfaction can a person get for not pursuing a path or dream? Pride in one's achievement is acceptable and expected after a comparable effort has been made in pursuit of the task.
“God helps them that help themselves." This is another of the universal laws. With the correct mindset and effort, you "reap what you sow".
Money "Remember that time is money." Making one million dollars is not the same if it was done over 3 years compared to 30 years. So don't delay another minute and forge ahead!
"A man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his nose to the grindstone."
If you desire to be wealthy and successful then educating yourself in ways to maintain and grow such wealth is an important skill to learn.
Time "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of."
Learn to 'live in the now'. Don't put off things until tomorrow, don't dwell on past failures or achievements just as you shouldn't fear or get too excited over future events. The only things you can do and influence are happening right now.
This is an online version of our local paper, we try to keep the events published of that nature too. Occasionally, we will publish other articles as we have room. Thanks so much for your support!
