Verses

I was reading some verses today and these really stood out to me

• She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25
• God, help me be able to laugh at the days to come instead of worry.
• A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13
  
• May this be the only reason I smile, the overflow of my happy heart.
• If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
• What a free life that would be. I want to live at peace with everyone.

God, thank you for your word. It really is a light to my path.

10 Tips To Better Love Your Wife

Here are some things I've learned over the last 6 or so years of being married.

Disclaimer: I have absolutely no authority whatsoever to be writing a post like this. But then again, you're probably used to reading blogs and you know what most of the blogosphere is all about: people writing from life experience whether they have a clue or not (mostly not).

Disclaimer 2 (this one's for my wife): No, I don't actually do all these things currently, but I want to! Doesn't that count for something? :-)

1. Learn her love languages and update your vocab, whether it's words of encouragement, acts of service (dear God forbid), physical touch, gifts (God, double-forbid, please), quality time, whatever. Learn to love the way she needs to receive it.
   
2. Be a good father. If your wife is saying things like "You're such a good daddy," then you're on the right path. If, on the other hand, you're hearing "I just wish you would participate in raising our child," then maybe the 4-hour Halo 3 marathon should be over.
   
3. Let her know how dumb you are. And insensitive. Daily. It's not your fault, but rather part of being a male. You can't help it.
   Dislaimer 3: I didn't really write this list. A woman wrote it... and gave it to me. Her identity shall remain anonymous. Forever.
4. Tell her she is beautiful a lot, every time you see her. Let her catch you looking at her butt (but never someone else's). But be honest when that pair of pants isn't flattering (as long as she is able to change into another -- never be that honest in the car on the way to a party with friends who have nice butts).
   
5. If you think some aspect of your wife (attitude, respectfulness, etc.) should be different, change yourself first. Remember that verse that says something about a speck in your brother's eye and the plank in your own? Yes, dangit, that seems to apply in marriage, too.
6. Work somewhere with lots of ugly women. (And invite your wife to visit occasionally.)
   
7. Love her cooking, whether you like it or not. (I'm just saying that for all the other guys out there with wives who can't cook.)
8. Let her win arguments. All of them. Unless of course, she really does win all the arguments; in that case, of course, just pretend you let her win.
9. In the evenings, change at least 65% of the diapers.
   
10. Don't think that reading lists like this one is really going to make you a better anything.

I love you, Babe.

Who Should Submit

This is an excerpt from Proverbs 31 Ministries Daily Devotions by Renee Swope, by Wendy Pope.

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)

I was driving out of the neighborhood the other day and saw something that broke my heart. A sheriff deputy’s car was parked outside the home of one of my neighbors. Beside the deputy's squad car sat a moving truck. Coming out the front door was the woman of house with an armful of stuff. It didn't take long to figure out what was going on. This was the sight of a broken home.

With this image still heavy on my heart, I later learned that two couples who had been friends with my husband and me early in our marriage had divorced. My mind wondered and my heart cried out, "Lord, what happened? Why does this keep happening?" In the case of my neighbors, I am sad to say that I don't know if they were believers. Our friends were believers and at one time had been very active in the church. Through heartache and prayers I again asked the Lord another question, "How can I keep this from happening in my marriage? What can I do?"

He quickened my spirit to the Book of Ephesians, specifically, chapter five. I had a mental conversation with Him. "Lord, submission? It can't be just up to me." Quickly I felt peace in my spirit as I realized He was talking about verse 21. I have to say I felt relieved once I understood what He was saying. The submission must be to Him. Both the husband and the wife must submit. I daydreamed of what my marriage would be like if both my husband and I fervently submitted to the Lord in every area of our lives. Wow, it gives me tingles just thinking of it.

The purpose of today's devotion is not to debate the pros and cons of submission. Nor is it to discuss the context of chapter 5 in Ephesians. The purpose of the devotion is to make us think. Whether you are married or single this verse applies to you. Submitting to God is not an option. It is God’s prescription for a world of peace. In a world where everyone submitted, God would be heard by all His children and they would willingly and delightfully obey. In such a world families would stay together, murders would cease, and kindness would abound. Wouldn't you like to live in a world like that? It would be heaven on earth!

Dear Lord, Let Your kingdom come. Help me to submit to You as the Lord of my life so that I might reflect the beauty and kindness of who You are. I want to pray for others to do the same, and then this world would be like heaven on earth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Verses:
Job 22:21, "Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you." (NIV)

Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." (NIV)

Psalm 112:1, "Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands." (NIV)

Goals, Desires, Wishes and Dreams for Myself

be wise
be joyful
encourage others
to be a self-less person
be a good wife
* be a supportive wife
* be a submissive wife (I try to lead too much)
* be a help to Tim
* be a good daughter-in-law
* be a support to Diann
to raise Mac to love Jesus and be a disciplined follower of Him
be a healthy disciple
* spiritually
o have a structured "quiet time"
o memorize scripture
o fast (and pray) regularly
o be a good example/witness to friends and family
o know God's Word, well
o know Bible History better
o practice the spiritual disciplines well
o refine and use my talents: especailly singing and playing keyboard
* physically
o live simply
o eat healthy
o learn to prepare 10 excellent meals
* mentally
o read more books
o learn to remember peoples names
* emotionally
o think before I speak
o complain less