Many of you know what a great relationship my husband and I have. Many of you know that he also reads my blog everyday, and often adds a quip here or there to tease or encourage me. So far, I have not made a point of bragging on my husband, and I'm sure that there are times when he might wonder why. Though bragging on him is not the purpose of my blog, having a great marriage is one of the aspects of this blog. So today, I want to tell the world why I think my hubby's the best. Please don't hate me, because my husband's beautiful. :)
He has the most beautiful green eyes that when they are uncovered (he likes his sunglasses), causes even the most faithful of women to want to stare into them, and drown in their depths. I suppose that could be a stumbling block, but I don't mind. They are beautiful, after all.
He has a magnificent body that he does not have to work at (I'm kinda jealous of this fact, because I DO have to work at any semblance of a nice shape, but oh well.) I like to look at it, so we're even.
He takes me on a date night almost every week. He takes me to dinner or a movie, and some date nights, we just sit and "park." We're married, so it's allowed. I love that we still desire each other even after 7 years. I know that's not a long time, but for a second marriage, complete with four kids, that IS an accomplishment. Thank God for healthy marriages!!!
He sends me flowers just because. And just to say he loves me.
He cooks (sometimes better than I do); he cleans, and he loves to be alone with the kids, while I have time away.
He goes to work everyday (even when he's sick) so that I don't have to go to work anymore. He works at a job he doesn't like (though he is grateful for it), building things he has no liking for (miniature trains) and he does it all pretty much without complaint.
He sends me music videos of love songs all the time, and sometimes he sings to me. He won't sing in public, though he has a nice voice, but he sings to me. I am so blessed!
He encourages me in everything I do, even when it isn't pleasant for him (my blog). He tells me I am a great writer (that's arguable). He encourages me to sing in the choir, though I'm not a great singer- only ok. He tells me I was born to act, though I only get to do it at church. He is my cheering section.
He knows me better than I know myself sometimes. He knows when something is bothering me, and holds me when I need to cry.
He's one of the few men I've ever met that actually likes and wants to cuddle. Yes, he really does!
He joins Women's Health Forums, so that he can get information and answers for me. He takes better care of me, than he takes care of himself, I sometimes think.
All these things I mention are not to make you covet what I have, but just to let my husband know that all the little things he does are BIG to me. I love you so much, My Love!! God blessed me beyond measure when he gave you to me.
Your Forever Love.
There is no "MORE" to this post.
Showing posts with label love and respect. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love and respect. Show all posts
Monday, November 5, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Warm Hands and Warm Heart by Shalene
I'm a little cold blooded. Now, by that I don't mean that I am mean to people. I mean that I am always cold. Especially my hands and feet. I am especially cold when my red blood cell count is low enough that I am anemic. Which, because of my medical issues this past week, happens to be the case right now.
So last night, to combat the chills, I placed socks on my feet like I always do. It doesn't matter what I'm sleeping in, you will find socks on my feet. :) When I gave my husband a hug and kiss last night before I went to bed, he said "Your hands are like ice! Do you need socks on your hands too?" I thought he was joking and said "maybe so" as I laughed. He wasn't joking though, and got out a pair of his warmest wool hunting socks and placed them on my hands. I thought it was funny, but I left them on, because they WERE warm. :) It got me thinking while I was falling asleep too.
I got to thinking: How many times do we, as the hands and feet of Christ, warm them up, before reaching out to others? Do we touch them with warm hands or icebergs? Do we step out with icicles hanging from our feet, or do we warm ourselves up with His Word, and love for our fellow man?
We're not likely to be able to draw anyone close if our hands are cold. They'll more than likely pull away. How do you know if your hands are cold? Well first of all, are you loving towards others? Or do you tend to come across as holier than thou? Do you speak words of conviction with love or condemnation? Secondly, do you KNOW the Word of God? Can you answer other's questions with sincerity and truth? Think on these things today.
--Lord I pray today that you warm my hands and my feet as I step out to minister to others. Let me come across as loving and accepting of my fellow man. Help me to be non judgemental. Help me to realize that there is no Heavenly score board in which souls won for You are kept for me. Help me to glorify you in everything I do and say. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
There is no "MORE" to this post.
So last night, to combat the chills, I placed socks on my feet like I always do. It doesn't matter what I'm sleeping in, you will find socks on my feet. :) When I gave my husband a hug and kiss last night before I went to bed, he said "Your hands are like ice! Do you need socks on your hands too?" I thought he was joking and said "maybe so" as I laughed. He wasn't joking though, and got out a pair of his warmest wool hunting socks and placed them on my hands. I thought it was funny, but I left them on, because they WERE warm. :) It got me thinking while I was falling asleep too.
I got to thinking: How many times do we, as the hands and feet of Christ, warm them up, before reaching out to others? Do we touch them with warm hands or icebergs? Do we step out with icicles hanging from our feet, or do we warm ourselves up with His Word, and love for our fellow man?
We're not likely to be able to draw anyone close if our hands are cold. They'll more than likely pull away. How do you know if your hands are cold? Well first of all, are you loving towards others? Or do you tend to come across as holier than thou? Do you speak words of conviction with love or condemnation? Secondly, do you KNOW the Word of God? Can you answer other's questions with sincerity and truth? Think on these things today.
--Lord I pray today that you warm my hands and my feet as I step out to minister to others. Let me come across as loving and accepting of my fellow man. Help me to be non judgemental. Help me to realize that there is no Heavenly score board in which souls won for You are kept for me. Help me to glorify you in everything I do and say. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
There is no "MORE" to this post.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Forgiveness Part 2 by Shalene
I received a request yesterday by an Anonymous commenter on my article Turning the Other Cheek and Forgiveness:
Now let me address the commenter directly. It was stated that "Jesus could see the end and look back on it." First of all, the end has not come yet. Secondly, we all STILL sin against Him. The end will not come until He returns and stomps out sin once and for all. We ALL still sin against Him continuously, as in "a river, not an isolated pool." How to deal with it? That is not an easy question to answer, as I do not know your exact situation. I am not a professional counselor, nor even a professional minister, however, I will attempt to help you in this issue, based on my limited knowledge from your comments, and my extensive knowledge of the human psyche. (I've been in enough counseling, that I could be one, I suppose.) :)
Let's take pathological lying first. Pathological lying is much like an addiction and is in fact considered by some to be one. And must be addressed in the same manner. There are many roots behind the possible reasons for the person committing this offense. Please see Wikipedia's definition. And for my second point, more often than not, a person is not a pathological liar, but a compulsive one. This is often the result of childhood issues. In which a person developed the habit as a child, and does not even think to tell the truth- even when it doesn't matter. Please see this article as well.
I cannot give you any advice about your situation, as I don't know the details, and therefore cannot begin to tell you what can be done about the situation. However, I can say this: When you are faced with continuous offenses, it is times like these when your attention must be focused on love. Unconditional Love. The only way you can keep your focus on unconditionally loving a person, is to focus on the One that is the only one truly able to do so. God. Pray for forgiveness, pray over the circumstances, and get counseling for yourself, and the offender if possible. There are just some things that don't work themselves out. And remember this: there is a Divine Plan for all that you go through, and it may be that God is working on you (or the person doing the offending) in this situation. Everything works for the good of those that love Him. Remember too, that forgiving a person does not make their actions OK. It just means that you continue to love them regardless.
I pray this article has helped all those that suffer from continued transgressions, and if I can be of any more help, please feel free to contact me at info@prv31woman.org I will keep all information completely confidential.
--Lord, today I pray for a forgiving heart for all of us. I pray that you give us a Spirit of forgiveness, as You have each and every day. I pray that any unforgiveness in my heart, and the hearts of my readers would be brought to light, and that Your Divine Counsel, would help in these situations. You alone, Lord, know our hearts and our motivations, and You alone, Lord can change them. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
Anonymous said... The article is from the perspective (predominantly) of 'past transgressions'.... It is Very difficult continuing to forgive, when an onslaught of transgressions, including pathological lying, barrages each encounter.... Said mathematically, these are not Points in time, the transgressions continue. If they were water, they would not be an isolated pool, they would be a river! :) It is true that Jesus suffered.... but he Knew that the end would occur... and at this moment, he can look back on it, as others can.... Please comment on the continuing transgressions and How To Handle Them on a daily basis.So I am going to attempt to address this comment here today. First, let's address when it's OK not to forgive. In what circumstances are we allowed to say, "Enough is Enough. I cannot forgive anymore"?
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV
Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV (see also remainder of chapter for parable of the king and his stewards)We can clearly see from these two Scriptures (both of which are Jesus' words) that there is no point at which we can say "I do NOT forgive." For as we forgive, so shall He. It does not matter how many times, or how continuously someone sins against us, or hurts us. I do know how difficult it is to forgive grievous wrongs done to you. I have forgiven many things done to me that most would not forgive. And many would agree that I would be justified, had I not been able to forgive. However, that is not what God's Word teaches us. Being a Christ follower means to live as Christ did. Forgiving ALL. Those worthy AND unworthy of our forgiveness.
Now let me address the commenter directly. It was stated that "Jesus could see the end and look back on it." First of all, the end has not come yet. Secondly, we all STILL sin against Him. The end will not come until He returns and stomps out sin once and for all. We ALL still sin against Him continuously, as in "a river, not an isolated pool." How to deal with it? That is not an easy question to answer, as I do not know your exact situation. I am not a professional counselor, nor even a professional minister, however, I will attempt to help you in this issue, based on my limited knowledge from your comments, and my extensive knowledge of the human psyche. (I've been in enough counseling, that I could be one, I suppose.) :)
Let's take pathological lying first. Pathological lying is much like an addiction and is in fact considered by some to be one. And must be addressed in the same manner. There are many roots behind the possible reasons for the person committing this offense. Please see Wikipedia's definition. And for my second point, more often than not, a person is not a pathological liar, but a compulsive one. This is often the result of childhood issues. In which a person developed the habit as a child, and does not even think to tell the truth- even when it doesn't matter. Please see this article as well.
I cannot give you any advice about your situation, as I don't know the details, and therefore cannot begin to tell you what can be done about the situation. However, I can say this: When you are faced with continuous offenses, it is times like these when your attention must be focused on love. Unconditional Love. The only way you can keep your focus on unconditionally loving a person, is to focus on the One that is the only one truly able to do so. God. Pray for forgiveness, pray over the circumstances, and get counseling for yourself, and the offender if possible. There are just some things that don't work themselves out. And remember this: there is a Divine Plan for all that you go through, and it may be that God is working on you (or the person doing the offending) in this situation. Everything works for the good of those that love Him. Remember too, that forgiving a person does not make their actions OK. It just means that you continue to love them regardless.
I pray this article has helped all those that suffer from continued transgressions, and if I can be of any more help, please feel free to contact me at info@prv31woman.org I will keep all information completely confidential.
--Lord, today I pray for a forgiving heart for all of us. I pray that you give us a Spirit of forgiveness, as You have each and every day. I pray that any unforgiveness in my heart, and the hearts of my readers would be brought to light, and that Your Divine Counsel, would help in these situations. You alone, Lord, know our hearts and our motivations, and You alone, Lord can change them. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I've Got Marriage on My Mind by Shalene
In my efforts to be ready for the marriage of my friend and her fiance, I must admit that I'm thinking about marriage quite a bit. I'm thinking about the fact that Christian divorce rates are actually, in come cases, higher than that of non-Christians! I'm thinking that there must be something that we're not remembering. I'm thinking about my own marriage and how blessed we are to have such a strong marriage, seven years after we met, especially with the way it started out.
My husband and I were not believers when we met. My divorce from my first spouse was not even final yet (we had only been separated for a year.) My husband's (to- be) divorce was not final yet either. And yet, we began a relationship that included premarital sex. We had a child together out of wedlock, and we lived together before marriage. Now add all those together with the simple fact that it was to be a second marriage for both of us, and it would seem that it was doomed from the start. And it could have been.
I've made a point to go back and think about what it was that has made our marriage strong, and thankfully that's easy to figure out. Number one, first and foremost, is that we have both made God number one in our individual lives. Dr. Gary Smalley, in his book "I Promise" likens it to a love triangle. Picture a triangle with God at the top and each partner at one of the other corners. As you both move up the sides of the triangle, towards God, you are also moving closer to one another. Number two, has been, I think, the fact that we did a 6 week study of that same book.
This is not an advertisement of that book (though you can buy the book, by clicking on the link to the left, under Marriage Resources.) :) But I do recommend it to anyone that is married or even thinking about getting married. The entire book is built around five "Promises". Those promises are the following:
At the end of the study, you both write a "Marriage Constitution" in which you write out those promises and you both sign it. It can then be framed and hung on a wall, as a declaration to all, the promises you have made to each other. Though we have not hung ours yet (I'm still waiting for my wonderful hubby to build me a frame for it, but he's terribly overworked as it is) we have printed it up and "antiqued" it, so that it looks like one of those old parchment documents. I'm not going to go in to how these 5 promises are applied, but I will include here, our Marriage Constitution, because I do feel that that is another reason that our marriage is strong. We both have a strong desire to honor and love one another publicly. I also pray that even if you do not read the book, that the words of our Marriage Constitution will give you the necessary steps to strengthen your own marriage. So with that said, here for your reading pleasure:
Our Marriage Constitution
Preamble: On April 4, 2003, we stood together to be wed, and promised to love, honor and cherish one another until death do us part. Now that we both have put Jesus Christ in the center of our marriage and our family, we want to affirm that commitment to each other here, today. Each of us loves the other, more than we would have ever thought possible, and we each want the other to know that we honor them and place them above all others in our lives. Our goal is to create in our marriage a place of safety and security, a place in which we can share everything without fear and grow together in deeper love and intimacy. To confirm our commitment to this goal, we both willingly make these five solemn vows to the other.
I Promise: to conform my beliefs to God’s truth. I will gain control of my outlook, emotions and happiness by continually examining my deepest beliefs and striving to make them consistent with what God’s Word says. I take sole responsibility for my beliefs with the understanding that they, not you, determine my emotions, expectations, and actions. Thus I lift from you the burden of being responsible for me.
I Promise: to be filled by God. I will keep God in my heart as my source of joy and love. My love for you will be His love flowing through me. I will receive your love as overflow from Him. I will base the security of our marriage on making Christ my Lord and His will my own. I will strive to conform to His image and follow all His commands, especially the one to love you and care for you all the days of my life. (Ephesians 5:25-26; Philippians 4:19)
I Promise: to find God’s best in every trial. I give you the security of knowing that the negative things that happen in our marriage will not destroy my love for you. I will not expect perfection from you, but will use even irritations between us as opportunities to see my blind spots and foster my personal growth. I will call on the power of Christ to root out my weaknesses. (Romans 8:28; James 1:12; Romans 5:3-5)
I Promise: to listen and communicate with love. I will value every word you speak as a window to your heart. I will honor your opinions, feelings, needs, and beliefs so that you will feel free to speak honestly and openly with full security in my love for you. I will be open with you in communicating my heart and will consider your feelings and needs in all my words. (Ephesians 4:29)
I Promise: to serve you all the days of my life. I will fight all tendencies toward selfishness in me and focus on keeping you, your needs, and your goals before me at all times. I will serve you willingly and wholeheartedly, just as Christ served His disciples not only in small, humble ways, but also by giving His life for them and for us as well. (Galatians 5:13)
--Lord, I pray today that my marriage and those of my readers are strengthened today and every day. That every marriage out there, learns to put you first and each other second, as You instructed. I pray that these words will edify each person that reads them, and I thank You for the blessings that my marriage has been for me and my husband. I thank you every day for him. I thank You for the chance to further Your Kingdom. I thank You for the responsibility to glorify Your Name above all other. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
My husband and I were not believers when we met. My divorce from my first spouse was not even final yet (we had only been separated for a year.) My husband's (to- be) divorce was not final yet either. And yet, we began a relationship that included premarital sex. We had a child together out of wedlock, and we lived together before marriage. Now add all those together with the simple fact that it was to be a second marriage for both of us, and it would seem that it was doomed from the start. And it could have been.
I've made a point to go back and think about what it was that has made our marriage strong, and thankfully that's easy to figure out. Number one, first and foremost, is that we have both made God number one in our individual lives. Dr. Gary Smalley, in his book "I Promise" likens it to a love triangle. Picture a triangle with God at the top and each partner at one of the other corners. As you both move up the sides of the triangle, towards God, you are also moving closer to one another. Number two, has been, I think, the fact that we did a 6 week study of that same book.
This is not an advertisement of that book (though you can buy the book, by clicking on the link to the left, under Marriage Resources.) :) But I do recommend it to anyone that is married or even thinking about getting married. The entire book is built around five "Promises". Those promises are the following:
- I Promise to conform my beliefs to God's Truths
- I Promise to be filled by God
- I Promise to find God's best in every trial
- I Promise to listen and communicate with love
- I Promise to serve you all the days of my life
At the end of the study, you both write a "Marriage Constitution" in which you write out those promises and you both sign it. It can then be framed and hung on a wall, as a declaration to all, the promises you have made to each other. Though we have not hung ours yet (I'm still waiting for my wonderful hubby to build me a frame for it, but he's terribly overworked as it is) we have printed it up and "antiqued" it, so that it looks like one of those old parchment documents. I'm not going to go in to how these 5 promises are applied, but I will include here, our Marriage Constitution, because I do feel that that is another reason that our marriage is strong. We both have a strong desire to honor and love one another publicly. I also pray that even if you do not read the book, that the words of our Marriage Constitution will give you the necessary steps to strengthen your own marriage. So with that said, here for your reading pleasure:
Preamble: On April 4, 2003, we stood together to be wed, and promised to love, honor and cherish one another until death do us part. Now that we both have put Jesus Christ in the center of our marriage and our family, we want to affirm that commitment to each other here, today. Each of us loves the other, more than we would have ever thought possible, and we each want the other to know that we honor them and place them above all others in our lives. Our goal is to create in our marriage a place of safety and security, a place in which we can share everything without fear and grow together in deeper love and intimacy. To confirm our commitment to this goal, we both willingly make these five solemn vows to the other.
I Promise: to conform my beliefs to God’s truth. I will gain control of my outlook, emotions and happiness by continually examining my deepest beliefs and striving to make them consistent with what God’s Word says. I take sole responsibility for my beliefs with the understanding that they, not you, determine my emotions, expectations, and actions. Thus I lift from you the burden of being responsible for me.
I Promise: to be filled by God. I will keep God in my heart as my source of joy and love. My love for you will be His love flowing through me. I will receive your love as overflow from Him. I will base the security of our marriage on making Christ my Lord and His will my own. I will strive to conform to His image and follow all His commands, especially the one to love you and care for you all the days of my life. (Ephesians 5:25-26; Philippians 4:19)
I Promise: to find God’s best in every trial. I give you the security of knowing that the negative things that happen in our marriage will not destroy my love for you. I will not expect perfection from you, but will use even irritations between us as opportunities to see my blind spots and foster my personal growth. I will call on the power of Christ to root out my weaknesses. (Romans 8:28; James 1:12; Romans 5:3-5)
I Promise: to listen and communicate with love. I will value every word you speak as a window to your heart. I will honor your opinions, feelings, needs, and beliefs so that you will feel free to speak honestly and openly with full security in my love for you. I will be open with you in communicating my heart and will consider your feelings and needs in all my words. (Ephesians 4:29)
I Promise: to serve you all the days of my life. I will fight all tendencies toward selfishness in me and focus on keeping you, your needs, and your goals before me at all times. I will serve you willingly and wholeheartedly, just as Christ served His disciples not only in small, humble ways, but also by giving His life for them and for us as well. (Galatians 5:13)
--Lord, I pray today that my marriage and those of my readers are strengthened today and every day. That every marriage out there, learns to put you first and each other second, as You instructed. I pray that these words will edify each person that reads them, and I thank You for the blessings that my marriage has been for me and my husband. I thank you every day for him. I thank You for the chance to further Your Kingdom. I thank You for the responsibility to glorify Your Name above all other. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
