Swan Family Life Guidelines

We endeavor to do everything without complaining or arguing, so that we may become blameless and pure, children of God

without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which we shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life

to all we come in contact with--in order that we may boast on the day of Christ that we did not run or labor for nothing.

Our attitude will be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who though God, made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a

servant. Our joy will be complete by being like-minded, having His same love, being one in purpose. We will do nothing out of

selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than our selves. We will look not only to our own

interests, but also to the interests of others as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, yielding to God as He works

in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. We will seek to constantly improve the talents God gave us for His

glory.

We'll stand firm in one spirit, contending as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who

oppose us, demolishing arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God while taking captive

every thought to make it obedient to Christ. We'll rescue those being led away to death by giving them the Good News of

Salvation. If time allows we'll become their friends, be their friends, and then bring them to Christ.

We will excel in complete earnestness in our love for others and in the grace of giving by looking after orphans and widows in

their distress, and all the less fortunate we can help. We will be wise stewards of God's money in our care, applying all His

principles to our earning, tithing, spending, saving, investing, and extra giving-owing no man except love.

We'll keep ourselves from being polluted by the world by guarding carefully what goes into our minds. We will relentlessly

pursue more and more wisdom, from diligently studying, memorizing, and applying the scriptures, to seeking out and following

the Godly advice of those qualified to give it to us whether in person or through any other media available.

We'll make every effort to add to our faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, Godliness, brotherly kindness,

and love, to keep us effective and productive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We will cultivate and expand our

friendship with Jesus, daily taking time and finding a place to listen to His still small voice through the Holy Spirit, and

showing the world the Holy Glow He leaves on us, starting with a smile. Never yielding to despair or worry, we'll cast our

cares on the Lord.

We'll run hard and straight to our goal-the finish line of our life here-with purpose in every step by disciplining our bodies

like athletes, training them to do what they should. Our bodies will be our slaves- we will not be slaves to them. Living by the

Spirit, we'll put to death our sinful nature and do exactly what we know to be right. Never will we allow laziness to stand in

our way of completing the next useful task at hand. Rather, we'll mow down to completion all our responsibilities like a

stampede of fearless, charging Rhinos consumed by an indomitable determination and focused intensity that never, never, never

gives up until we breath our last. We'll leave no regrets of not having done every conceivable thing in our creative power to

overcome every challenge we face.

We'll have much fun together, and laugh a lot. We'll pray often together, exercising expectant faith for God to hear and

answer, while offering Him the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. We will be grateful in all circumstances, trusting God by

thanking Him for working everything out for our best every time. We'll strengthen and encourage each other on our

pilgrimage here on earth to finish our race strong. We'll constantly look forward to our real home in Heaven with all our

loved ones, where we long to hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant". If we are separated through death for a

season, we will not despair. Rather, we will fulfill our duties here as we eagerly anticipate our grand reunion in our

permanent, imperishable home, where our true happiness remains safe forever.