Cultivating a Beautiful Marriage
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Posted:Aug 18, 2008 3:05 am
Last Updated:Aug 21, 2008 7:27 am 2698 Views
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Micca Monda Campbell
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
I Thessalonians 5:11(NIV)
Devotion:
Have you ever secretly compared your husband to another man or your wife to another woman? Perhaps you've wished they were more thoughtful, spiritual, or a better dresser like "so-and-so."
If so, let me reassure you. The grass is not greener on the other side. Trust me. That man you've got your eye on doesn't clip his toenails either. Nor does that woman rub her man's feet while feeding him grapes after a long day of work.
Your spouse and mine are the people we fell in love with. No, they're not perfect. Maybe all they need is a bit of tender loving care. Instead of comparing and complaining about our partner's shortcomings, you and I should try nurturing our mates lovingly in the area they need most. We might be surprised by the results.
I heard an encouraging story about an attractive millionaire who married an ordinary woman. The marriage instantly became the talk of the town.
"Why would he marry her when he could have any woman he wanted?" The people whispered among themselves. "It won't last. She's just not good enough for him."
The man took the ordinary woman away for six months on an exotic honeymoon. When he returned, there appeared to be another woman on his arm. She walked with confidence and poise. The countenance of her face glowed with beauty.
"Now that's the kind of woman a handsome man should be with," announced the town's biggest loud mouth.
As the happy couple causally strolled past the gossipmonger, she got a closer look. To her surprise, it wasn't someone new holding the gentlemen's arm at all. It was the average woman he had married months ago--completely transformed!
The wise millionaire had taken his common bride away and nurtured her inward beauty. He lovingly spoke positive and encouraging words to her day and night until she believed she was beautiful. The once ordinary woman now carries herself with confidence and exudes the exquisiteness that her husband saw in her all along.
His secret, you ask? He took time to care for and fertilize her confidence until she grew into the grandeur display she was always meant to be.
You and I shouldn't dream about taking off our shoes and walking around on the neighbors' grass. Instead, we should try fertilizing our own yard. We might be surprised how it blossoms into a thing of beauty.
Dear Lord, Thank you for my mate. Protect my thoughts and help me to see them as I once did. I'm not perfect either. I don't want to judge my spouse. Instead, I want to encourage them to be all they can be. Today, I will put away any discontentment, any anger, any lustful thoughts toward another, and work at building a beautiful relationship that brings joy to our marriage and glory to Your Name, In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
You and I can cultivate our marriages by choosing to see the good in our spouse or by acknowledging their effort to improve. Build up your spouse with encouraging words. Tuck a poem or card under their pillow.
Be their cheerleader and offer your support often. For instance, if they are trying to get fit, go on a walk with them. Nurture and support your spouse, and at the same time, you'll be cultivating your marriage.
Reflections:
How did you support and nurture your spouse in the beginning of your relationship?
When is the last time you dated your spouse? What's keeping you from a date this weekend?
How can seeing the best in your spouse improve your marriage relationship?
Power Verses:
1 Peter 1:22, "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:4, 7, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres." (NIV)
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Sign of the times.....
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Posted:Aug 18, 2008 1:24 am
Last Updated:Aug 20, 2008 8:10 am 2827 Views
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Runner-up for Nobel Peace Prize - TRUE story (A MUST READ)
Have you heard the story about the runner-up for the Nobel Peace Prize?
Irena Sendlerowa
1910-2008
May 12 marked the death of a 98-year-old lady named Irena.
During WWII, Irena received permission from the Nazis to work in the Warsaw ghetto as a plumbing/sewer specialist.
She had an ulterior motive...
Being German, she knew the Nazis' plans for the Jews and smuggled infants out in the bottom of the large tool box she carried. Larger were placed in a burlap sack in the back of her truck. Also in the back was a that she had trained to bark each time the Nazi guards allowed her out of the ghetto and back in.
The soldiers, of course, wanted nothing to do with the dog, and its barking covered any noise made by the infants and small . Irena managed to smuggle out approximately 2,500 before she was finally caught. When she was captured, the Nazis beat her severely, breaking both her arms and her legs.
Irena kept a record of the names of all the she smuggled out of that Warsaw ghetto and kept them in a glass jar buried under a tree in her back yard.
After the war, she tried to locate any parents who may have survived so she might reunite the with its family. Most, of course, did not survive the Holocaust, and the vast majority of the surviving were placed in foster homes or adopted.
Last year Irena was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, but she lost to Al Gore, who won the award for presenting a slide show on Global Warming
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Godly Talk or Gossip?
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Posted:Aug 18, 2008 1:05 am
Last Updated:Aug 20, 2008 8:11 am 2435 Views
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Melanie Chitwood
"Tell the older women to behave as those who love the Lord should.
They must not gossip about others or be slaves of wine.
They must teach what is proper." Titus 2:3 (CEV)
Devotion:
Have you ever said words such as: "I'm just telling you this so you will pray for her," or "I'm really not supposed to share this; just don't tell anyone else." Truthfully, I've been guilty of trying to hide gossip with words like this, but God has really been convicting me lately about my words. Specifically, God is challenging me to speak godly words. Now that this subject of godly words is on my heart, it seems that God is bringing verses and life-lessons about this topic wherever I turn.
As I drove home from Bible study, I realized that God had used my friend Debbie that night to deliver one of those life-lessons about godly words. Out of all the discussions that night, Debbie's words were the ones that stayed with me. Her words had pointed me to a deeper understanding of God, so much so that I wrote them in my journal and even shared them with another friend.
Over the ten years I've know her, I've learned many lessons about godly words from Debbie. First, I've never heard her gossip about another woman. The definition of gossip is "idle talk; rumor; talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature." In Titus 2:3 we women are instructed not to be "malicious gossips." God knew that we women might struggle with our words. Debbie has never even hinted at gossiping about another woman. That's an amazing track record.
The second lesson about godly words from Debbie has been the way she talks about her husband and her marriage. We've had many honest conversations about our marital challenges. Once again, Debbie has never gossiped about her husband. Even at times when she's been angry or frustrated with her husband, she doesn't berate him or share details that would embarrass him.
Finally, one of the keys to Debbie's godly words is in the amount she speaks. She is neither overly quiet nor overly talkative. The words she says are wise and point me to God. Her example in the amount she speaks teaches me to ask myself: Do I really need to say anything in this situation, or do I just want to hear myself talk?
I'm very much a work-in-progress in this area of godly talk. I've spent plenty of time lately confessing the sin of my ungodly talk, and I'm thankful for my heavenly Father who doesn't give up on me but calls me to His standards. I'll end with two things that are really helping me in this area. I have a friend who is also working on this and we hold each other accountable. And I have a question that I'm trying to use as a guideline for godly talk: Are my words going to lead to gossip or to God?
Dear Lord, You know what's in my heart and You know that godly talk is something that's challenging to me. Lord, I want to honor You with my words. I want to be a woman who can be trusted by others not to harm them, and I want to be trusted by You, Lord, to speak only what honors You. Make me aware of situations or people who might tempt me to gossip, and give me the strength to avoid these situations. Lord, if I sin with my words, convict me, cause me to repent, and to have a change of heart, a heart that wants what You want. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Related Resources:
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues
The Power of a Woman's Words by Sharon Jaynes
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Application Steps:
Read through Proverbs chapters 6,10, and 13. Write down any guidelines you learn for godly talk.
Ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable to speak in a godly way.
Ask God to make you more aware of your talking.
Reflections:
Do I listen more or talk more?
Are my words going to lead to gossip or to God?
Are there situations or other people who tempt me to gossip? Can I avoid them?
Power Verses:
Proverbs 6:16, 19, "There are six things which the Lord hates ... a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers." (NAS)
Proverbs 13:3, "Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything." (Message)
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Cinderella @ 75
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Posted:Aug 17, 2008 11:30 am
Last Updated:Sep 1, 2008 12:58 pm 2670 Views
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Cinderella is now 75 years old. After a fulfilling life with the now dead Prince, she happily sits upon her rocking chair, watching the world go by from her front porch, with a cat named Bob for companionship.
One sunny afternoon, out of nowhere, appeared the Fairy Godmother. Cinderella said "Fairy Godmother, what are you doing here after all these years?" The Fairy godmother replied, "Cinderella, you have lived an exemplary life since I last saw you. Is there anything for which your heart still yearns?"
Cinderella was taken aback, overjoyed, and after some thoughtful consideration, and almost under her breath she uttered her first wish: I wish I were wealthy beyond comprehension." Instantly, her rocking chair was turned into solid gold. Cinderella was stunned. Bob, her old faithful cat, jumped off her lap and scampered to the edge of the porch, quivering with fear. Cinderella said, "Oh thank you, Fairy Godmother".
The Fairy Godmother replied "It is the least I can do. What does your heart want for your second wish?" Cinderella looked down at her frail body, and said: "I wish I were young and full of the beauty of youth again". At once, her wish became reality, and her beautiful youthful visage returned. Cinderella felt stirrings inside her that had been dormant for years. A long forgotten vigor and vitality began to course through her.
Then the Fairy Godmother again spoke "You have one more wish, what shall you have?" Cinderella looks over to the frightened cat in the corner and says,"I wish for you to transform Bob, my old cat, into a kind and handsome young man". Magically, Bob suddenly underwent so fundamental a change in his biological make-up, that when complete he stood before her, a man, so beautiful the likes of which neither she nor the world had ever seen,so fair indeed that birds began to fall from the sky at his feet.
The Fairy Godmother again spoke, "Congratulations, Cinderella. Enjoy your new life."And, with a blazing shock of bright blue electricity, she was gone. For a few eerie moments, Bob and Cinderella looked into each other's eyes . Cinderella sat, breathless, gazing at the most stunningly perfect man she had ever seen.
Then Bob walked over to Cinderella, who sat transfixed in her rocking chair, and held her close in his young muscular arms. He leaned in close, blowing her golden hair with his warm breath as he whispered, "I bet you regret having me neutered now, don't you?"
(Borrowed from Tom's blog)
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You are victorious!
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Posted:Aug 14, 2008 6:45 am
Last Updated:Aug 20, 2008 8:11 am 2763 Views
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Dr Jack Graham
Little , you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
--1 John 4:4
I want to share something with you that Satan doesn’t want you to know:
As a follower of Christ, you are victorious!
Yes, you have a very real and very deadly enemy. Yes, you’re engaged in a spiritual battle with him every single day. But, you are victorious in Jesus Christ! According to our Scripture today, the battle is already won.
As believers, we fight from a position of strength, not from a position of weakness. We fight from victory… not for victory. When Jesus cried out “It is finished!” Satan was finished. And because of the cross, we have victory in Jesus.
When we came into the Kingdom of God, we were not only transformed, we were translated from the kingdom of darkness into the glorious Kingdom of God. We were born again into the family of God as His . And because we’re of God, we are joint heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ. That means everything is ours because of Him!
You and I have been born into the family of God, and now the risen, resurrected Redeemer is living in us. The Holy Spirit has taken up residence in our lives and as a result, “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
That is our victory in Jesus and that’s why we can say we fight, not for victory, but from victory, from the strongest possible position of strength! According to God’s Word, through Jesus Christ we are invincible against the attacks of the enemy… invincible.
For the Scripture says in 1 John 2:17, “Whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
I want to leave you with one last thought today: Satan may frighten you, but he cannot hurt you. Because as God’s , you are in His omnipotent grip!
As it says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed”!!
It’s my prayer that the Lord Jesus would encourage you with these words no matter what you may be going though today!
FACE THE CHALLENGES OF TODAY KNOWING THAT YOU ARE VICTORIOUS IN CHRIST!
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Another biggy.... I decided to quit!!!!
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Posted:Aug 14, 2008 3:02 am
Last Updated:Apr 17, 2011 5:31 pm 3469 Views
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My sister and I decided to quit smoking. Now we have tried before lol, obviously without success.
Any advice and prayers will be appreciated,
today is D-day.
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Great Sermons are Not Preached, They're Lived
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Posted:Aug 14, 2008 1:32 am
Last Updated:Aug 20, 2008 8:26 am 2667 Views
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Lysa TerKeurst
"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13 (NIV)
Devotion:
What if someone followed me around with a video camera all day documenting my every move? Catching on camera all of my words, facial expressions, actions, and reactions. And then what if someone packaged it all together and played it on some sort of reality TV show for all the world to see. What would be the glaring message of my life?
I am convicted thinking about this.
You see, if someone were to ask me, what are you all about? I would have some nice sounding answers. But what actually happens during the strains of everyday life can sometimes betray my best intentions.
I want to be a loving wife. Yet I can sometimes be found in a grumpy, selfish mood and view my husband as a business partner that better hold up his end of helping out.
I want to be a wise and patient mom. But my know the exact buttons to push that send me into a tailspin of emotion and exhaustion.
I want to be a strong witness for Christ. So why is it that I can read my Bible first thing in the morning and then find myself honking at the person that cuts me off in traffic just an hour later?
I realize there is a place for God's tender mercies for me in all this. But I also know that while no TV cameras are following me around, my life is speaking a message about what I really believe and I want that message to honor Jesus. I once heard, "Great sermons are not preached, they are lived." Oh how I long to live a message that speaks loud and clear, "Jesus is true and the principles found in His teachings work!"
Let's just be honest, it's tough being a sold out soul for Christ stuck in a flesh-filled body. That's why it is essential that I view my time with God each morning as a preparation and an invitation. Every verse, devotion and prayer is all part of God's preparation for me that day. Instead of just using it to quiet my soul for the few minutes of devotion time, I must with allow it His teachings to seep into my heart and mind. Then I must ask God to interrupt my natural flesh response throughout the day the truths He taught me that morning. That's the preparation part.
The next essential view of my quiet time each morning is the invitation part. Spending time with God first thing invites His presence into my life and acknowledges, "Not my will God, but Yours be done." So if my husband forgets to do something he promised, or my push my buttons, or a person cuts me off in traffic, or one of the other one million things happens that causes my flesh to want to rear up and act ugly... I can say, "Not my will God, but yours be done."
This slight pause and acknowledgement of God redirects my frustration and replaces it with grace. Then and only then will my life speak to the fact that I have spent time with Jesus.
Dear Lord, please teach me how to reveal more and more of You through the way I live my life. I want to tell the whole world about You using words only when necessary. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Who is someone today that might have the propensity to push your buttons? What are some Bible verses that you could think on and pray through today to prepare your heart to respond with grace?
What is your typical response when something in life happens that frustrates you? What is a more God honoring response?
Reflections:
Are you having a daily quiet time first thing in the morning?
If not, why not start today.
Power Verses:
Hebrews 6:1,3, "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity... and God permitting, we will do so." (NIV)
Romans 7:21-24, "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (NIV)
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Got it...
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Posted:Aug 13, 2008 4:56 am
Last Updated:Aug 20, 2008 8:26 am 3247 Views
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The visa appointment went smooth and they awarded me a 10 year multi entry visa. Lol, they must have liked my face.
The process is quite smooth and I was impressed with the professional service received at the consulate.
I also got my International Driving Permit and it allows me to drive anywhere in the US.
My ticket to the USA is confirmed and I will be leaving August 24th and arrive on the 25th. I cannot say that I am looking forward to the 25 hour trip but the excitement overrides all lol. I only have short layover of about 4 hours in Atlanta, which is convenient just to refresh and stretch some lol.
From there it is on to Wisconsin and Tom.
It is a relieve now that things are in the final stages, lol only a few last to do lists to draw up. All the bon voyage parties have been organized.
I was quite surprised at the restrictions on carry-on baggage. I thought it would be weapons and stuff, and of course scissors and sharp objects. Unfortunately it is also on liquids, which includes creams and gels. YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED A TOTAL OF 3 OZ. I am still trying to figure it out, on a 25 hour flight, what is it that you cannot go without, your toothpaste, your facial cream or deodorant. Lol now to figure out how much 3oz is in ml.
Now, another main concern is the shower facilities at Atlanta airport. Europe is quite well organized and their facilities are well kept and easy to access. Any tips on Atlanta airport?
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“My strength comes from the Lord.”
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Posted:Aug 10, 2008 11:26 am
Last Updated:Aug 14, 2008 3:07 am 2373 Views
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Where does your strength come from? If it comes from your bank account – or your education – or your emotions – then these things can fade.
“If God is for us, then who can be against us.” As a Christian, your true strength comes from Jesus Christ who lives within you. The good news is – you can never truly be defeated! If someone is stronger than you – they are not stronger than God. If someone is wiser than you – they are not wiser than God. Christ in you is the hope of glory.
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.” So you can go into life victorious – because the God of the Bible lives in all those who have truly accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior.
God is in you! He is the source of the greatest power the world has ever known. “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”
(Romans 8:31 - 39)
“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own , but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:31-39 (Amplified Bible)
31What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?](A)
32He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?
33Who shall bring any charge against God's elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?]
34Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?
35Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?
36Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter.(
37Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors [a]and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
38For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,
39Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This week, let us pray that God will help you know the power and strength that you have in Christ
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Romantic quotes
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Posted:Aug 8, 2008 8:32 am
Last Updated:Aug 17, 2008 9:50 am 2534 Views
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Lisa's blog, What Gifts Are Romantic To You, gave me the idea to post some romantic quotes to use on those lunchbox cards or cards you leave all over the house for your loved one to find.
Pen, maybe I am also catching spring fever, ours is also about a month away. Wanna share some cornflakes lol?
Here goes:
"If right now, a smile should appear on your face, it's because at this very minute, I am thinking of you and I am smiling too. "
"I thought about you today, and for some reason after that I couldn't stop smiling!"
"In the rhythm of life, we sometimes find ourselves out of the tune, but as long as there's someone which becomes our melody, the music plays on. Thanks for being one of my best songs."
"If ever you remember me, I'll be thankful. If ever yours lips meets mine, I'll be grateful. If ever we fall in love, I'll be happy. If ever we fall apart, I'll be sorry."
"Your presence in my life brings wonderful smiles and loving thoughts within my heart."
"Your smile is infectious and one that I hold dear, for whenever I feel down your smile brings me cheer."
"Never had I seen the sun shine brighter, so many days seem so precious, my life so complete, and the feeling of my dreams being placed into the palms of my hands ... never had I, until the day you touched my soul with your love."
Let these words not only touch your eyes, let them travel through your soul, and let them rest in your heart as you rest in mine…I love you.
Just when I thought it couldn't get better, you prove me wrong! I love you!
Falling in love with you was the easiest thing I've done in my life.
Rains fall, winds blow, the sun shines... it all comes naturally, just like loving you.
Being with you is like having every single one of my wishes come true.
There is no long distance about love; it always finds a way to bring hearts together, no matter how many miles are between them.
You are the sun in my day, the wind in my sky, the waves in my ocean, and the beat in my heart.
Thank you for being the one who calms all my inner fears.
"Happiness is falling asleep next to you and waking up thinking I'm still in my dreams."
"Just when I thought that love could never be a part of me, that's when you came along and showed me happiness!"
"If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you made me smile, I'd have the entire night sky in the palm of my hand."
"...all the little things that make me weak, your eyes and the way you speak, with out you baby I'm not me..."
"Happiness was something I only dreamt of....until you walked into the room."
"I thought I knew happiness ... it wasn't 'til the day we met when I realised I only just discovered it!"
"I love it when your smile touches mine."
"If anyone ever asks me what part of my life you are, I will look at them and smile and say, The best part. The happiness you give me is something I'll never be able to get enough of. I love having you in my world, and I love having you to love."
PLEASE ADD SOME NEW ONES
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