The Duggar House Rules and More

1. Always use soft words, even when you don’t feel well.
2. Always display kind actions and joyful attitudes, even if you have been mistreated. Have the right response by quickly forgiving others in your heart even before they ask.
3. Always be enthusiastic and look for opportunities to praise others' character.
4. Always deflect praise and be grateful to God and others for the ways they have benefited your life.
5. Always use manners and be respectful of others and their belongings.
6. Always do what is right, even when others may not, or when no one is looking.
7. Thank God for how He made you, for what He has given you and everything He allows you to go through. (Romans 8:28)
8. Don’t mock or put others down. Develop compassion and pray for others.
9. Never argue, complain, or blame. Quickly admit when you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness (even if you were only 10% at fault). Don't wait till you’re caught. Be sure your sins will find you out. He who covers his sin will not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes it shall find mercy.
10. Have a tough accountability/prayer partner to daily share your heart with and to keep you in line (your parents, spouse). The power of sin is in secrecy.
11. Be attentive and look for ways to serve others with sincere motives and no thought of self-gain.
12. Think pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8, Romans 13:14).
13. Always give a good report of others. Don't gossip! Never tale-bear unless physical harm will come to someone. (Use Matthew 18.)
14. Never raise a hand to hit.
15. Never raise a foot to kick.
16. Never raise an object to throw.
17. Never raise a voice to yell.
18. Never raise an eye to scowl.
19. Use one toy/activity at a time. Share!
20. Do your best to keep your surroundings neat, clean and organized.
21. Never let the sun go down on your wrath. (Don’t go to bed angry or guilty)
22. Amendment J.O.Y. -
    Put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.

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I've posted the Duggar Guidelines here before, but this is just a reminder for myself. I find many of them hard to do, because well 1) I am human and 2) people delight in annoying me.

I don't know if many are familiar with the Duggar's www.duggarfamily.com but I am really fascinated with them. Not so much with their large family, but with the impression they leave of kindness, love and patience. If I could only have 1/10th of it, I'd be happy.

I think things work so well for them because they are both dedicated Christians, respect each other's opinion (at least what I've seen) and truly try to live a godly life. They have their critics, and many feel they are sheltering their kids, but I don't agree. I think kids could use with a lot more sheltering, and a little less of their parents throwing them to the wolves. They aren't just kept at home and away from the "world", you can see this by the activities they participate in, their trips, business ventures, and even their extended family is not exactly like them. I believe they are living the way God wants for them to, and quite possibly the way the rest of Christians are supposed to live, but they have no idea how to accomplish. Myself included.