Friday, August 29, 2014

Love Actually


Love Actually

Has your marriage become stale and boring? Has your love lost its excitement and wonder? Think back to when you were dating your husband and his phone calls would have your heart racing. The mere mention of his name was music to your ears? Your love can be new again with a small amount of effort. Start small with holding his hand or put your feet on his in bed at night. Kiss him goodnight, in the morning, and when he gets home from work. Consider looking at all his many good qualities and overlooking his flaws. Romance is on the horizon as you make these simple yet powerful efforts. Believe me a softening will occur in both of you as you take the plunge.

Recommended reading: The Love Dare

"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart."   Proverbs 3:3

Thursday, August 28, 2014

The Rewarding Marriage Defined (Your Endless Love)


 The Rewarding Marriage Defined
Your Endless Love

By Kim Hawkins

Communication:  Is certainly key to any relationship, but it should be considered a top priority in marriage. Are you a good listener? When a person feels like they are not being listened to, they don’t feel valued. We are attracted to people who listen. Be his safe place.

A Biased Listener is tuned out.

A Distracted Listener is not engaged.

An Impatient Listener interrupts.

A Passive Listener gives very little feedback.

The Jumping to Conclusion Listener is majority of the time is wrong. Don’t fill in the blanks.

The Judging Listener is harsh and critical. Do not assume anything or make judgments.

The Pretend to Listen doesn't care.

The Fixer/Solver Listener has missed the point of relationship.

Now Ladies, please don’t try to "fix him" by taking this list to your darling hubby to tell him he’s one or more of these. Allow God to prune you and trust that your hubby will not only see and appreciate the difference but he will allow the same type changes in his own heart.

Healthy communication is spoken in humility, is sincere, loving, positive, respectful, and uplifting. Unless you want to push him away and possibly loose him, words should also not be used as a weapon, spoken in anger, in sarcasm, or with attitude.

Let go of ALL offenses and walk in pure love and freedom. This is where our faith comes in.

“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11

“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13


Intimacy: As we have discussed, vulnerability brings intimacy. If you are operating in fear, harbor unforgiveness, have walls of self protection, anger, resentment or bitterness--that will destroy any chance of vulnerability and ultimately your emotional and physical intimacy. If one or more of these resonate with you, ask the Lord to forgive you as you surrender that specific thing to Him.

Ask God to restore your emotional trust and intimacy with your husband as you walk in obedience by keeping up your end of the deal. Physical intimacy for the wife is the ultimate vulnerability as you receive your husband in total trust. It is such a feminine and beautiful thing to allow your husband to be fully masculine just as he was created.

“As God by creation made two of one, so by marriage He made one of two.”  Thomas Adams

“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine..” Song of Solomon 6:3

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” Proverbs 31:10


Fun: It is honoring to someone when you spend time with them. Laugh at his jokes and even if he pokes fun at you. LAUGH it off. Being light hearted and easy to be with will be so attractive to him and you will love the response you get.

Plan fun outings even if it’s just grabbing a quick bite to eat or running by the hardware store. Steal a kiss from him in the laundry room! Text him flirty messages while he is at work. Look deeply into his eyes and linger there. Just commit to be purposeful. Commit to be tender, happy, silly, and enjoyable and you will see a fantastic response right away, I promise!

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

HAVE FUN! Just do it.

I challenge you to make the most of what you have been trusted with, your husband and children. Be open to the possibility that you have some corrections to be made before too much time slips away. Some past hurts that resulted in a bad attitude, critical spirit, and being over-bearing or passive may need professional counseling. We have greatly benefited from counseling and highly recommend it. The hard work and tears pay off, I promise!!



Monday, August 25, 2014

Genesis Bible Study



Genesis Bible Study – Chapter 33
By Carri Pratt

“But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck
and kissed him, and they wept.” Genesis 33:4



It would have been easy for Esau to have held a grudge against Jacob. After all, Jacob had tricked Esau out of his birthright and his blessing. The most natural response would probably have been resentment, anger and frustration.

The Bible provides the best response, let Jesus deal with it:
Let the Lord judge the peoples. Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.” Psalm 7:8

The best way to handle a wrong done to us is to give it to Jesus rather than allowing the poison of resentment and anger to fester within. It is like a prison that keeps us from being truly free and enjoying life.

Esau chose the right path. He mourned his loss then went on with his life; and God blessed him, But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” Genesis 33:9

Challenge: Give your burdens to Jesus. Walk out of your prison of regret and resentment and feel the amazing feeling of being free.


Friday, August 22, 2014

Trusting Him


Trusting Him

Overreacting, stressing, panicking, and flipping out never helps anything. Ever.

While keeping a calm head, you decide how things will affect you. Respond with patience and love rather than reacting which usually includes fear, anger, and raised voices. This way you put your faith in God while keeping in good standing with those around you.

Keep calm and trust.

(Recommended Reading: UNGLUED by Lysa TerKeurst)

“You keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” Isaiah 26:3

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Retro Wednesday


Retro Wednesday 2011


 


The thoughts of picking up car loads of tired, hungry, and sticky children after a summer of relaxation and poolside lemonade is a bit overwhelming.  But taking a few minutes to prepare a back to school car box in advance will reap great rewards.

 

Suggested items:

Tissues

Wet Wipes

Pens/Pencils

Notepads

Snacks

Water Bottles

Grocery Store Bags

Book/Devotional for mom

Change of clothes and shoes for each child.