ALWAYS KEEP YOUR COMMUNICATION OPEN AND HONEST.

Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth. Proverbs 16:13.... “I tell you the truth…” Jesus often began. Then He would do just that. Sometimes He would offer incredible promises, and sometimes He would throw down hard truths. He didn’t always tell people what they wanted to hear, but He never failed to say what they needed to hear. Jesus modeled open and honest communication. It’s critical that you and your spouse keep the dialogue flowing in your marriage, and that you are straightforward with each other. You can resolve problems with honest, heartfelt communication. You may need outside help in a time of crisis, but it all starts with honesty. Never forget that dishonesty can, and will shipwreck your marriage. Invite God into your conversation. He will guide you through the chaos; and you and your spouse will emerge from the experience stronger, more united, and with a deeper understanding of and love for one another.

Weekend Quote (Sat)

To try to find the common ground between the message of the cross and man’s fallen reason is to try and find the impossible, and if persisted in must result in an impaired reason, a meaningless cross and a powerless Christianity. ~ A.W. Tozer

DON’T TAKE THINGS TTO SERIOUSLY

A cheerful heart is good medicine Proverbs 17:22…. Husbands, how do you handle it when your wife bangs up the side of the car while backing out of the garage? Wives, how will you react when your husband tries to fix the washing machine and ends up flooding the laundry room, ruining the brand new carpet in the hall way? The quicker you can see humor in a stressful situation, the better for your marriage! This is especially true with situations that involve destruction or loss of material possessions. Why lay blame and struggle with guilt and bitterness? Since nobody was hurt, the damage is already done, and you know you’ll be telling jokes about the disaster someday, why not just have a good laugh over it now and move on? Laughter takes faith. It requires trust in God, who has unlimited resources and has promised to provide for our needs. Somehow or another He will come through for us. A person who trusts God’s and believes in His power to fulfill them “laughs with no fear of the future.” So the next time things are amiss, just shake your head and chuckle- and think of the stories you’ll tell!

SPEND QUALITY TIME TOGETHER EVERYDAY- EVEN IF IIT’S JUST A FEW MINUTES

There is a time for everything, and a season for activity under heaven Ecclesiastes 3:1.... He rushes through the kitchen toward the hall closet, where he grabs his coat. “Have you seen my keys?” he asks as he searches the coat pockets. She spots them on the counter and brings them to him, holding their two year old in one arm and cradling the cordless phone against her shoulder, the doctor says to give her ibuprofen and keep checking her temperature,” she says. “If the fever gets much worse, we may have to take her in.” He picks up his brief case. “Okay, I’ve got to run.” She ends her call and gives a little wave as he heads for the door. Halfway out he suddenly stops. He turns and sets down his briefcase, then hugs his wife and kisses her. After a moment she pulls away, but he holds her tight in a prolonged embrace. Finally the toddler begins to squirm, and he steps back, taking her from his wife. “Are you doing alright?” he asks, looking into his wife’s eyes. “Well, I’m concerned about our daughter”, she answers. He nods and says, “I’ll tell you what. I’ll keep in touch throughout the morning, and we’ll decide together what to do. Okay?” She smiles and agrees. Sometimes emotional connection takes just a moment, yet it means so much. Even on the busiest of days, be sure to grab that moment. Make a point to grab that moment today!

DON’T GET MAD OVER LITTLE THINGS—THEY’LL SOON PASS

Love covers over all wrongs Proverbs 10:12.... Newspaper advice columns often print letters complaining about a spouse’s snoring or some other small irritation. But whenever those letters appear, they are soon followed up with letters from widows and widowers with statements like these: “I used to hate my husband’s snoring, but now that he’s gone, I would give anything to have him lying beside me during the night- snoring and all.” Or they write, “My wife used to nag me about my appearance. But she died, I can see that no one cares about me the way she did.” These people have learned that in the end, those little irritations mean less than nothing. My wife and I are distinctly different individuals- that’s the way God created us. It is the same with you. One of you may be laid back and messy, while the other may be intense and obsessively neat. One of you may be fun loving and friendly, while the other is serious and empathetic. All these types are guaranteed to produce irritations. But that doesn’t mean you have focus on them. Don’t get angry about the little things. Let God help you gain a deep appreciation for your spouse- even for those things that make you CrAzY!

IF YOU CAN’T CHANGE SOETHING LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT

I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content Philippians 4:11.... There are people living in the northern states who, if they had their choice, would move to Florida, where the weather is pleasant year round and they wouldn’t have to deal with ice and snow and freezing temperatures. Some of them withdraw into their homes during the cold season and curse old man winter. But others have learned that the best way to beat the winter doldrums is to dress warmly, and go outside, and get involved in some of the exciting activities that only snowy weather can offer. There are people living down south who think it’s too hot and miss the beauty of the changing seasons. They remember the color of autumn, the splendor of a bright winter morning, the thrill of watching the earth return too life each spring. Some of them loath their environment and long to be elsewhere. But others put on the sunscreen and head to the beach or the golf course and take full advantage of the warm climate. There is no perfect place to live. And there will always be some aspect of your situation that you wish were different, whether it be something about your home, your neighborhood, your workplace, your city, or even your spouse. Many of these things are beyond your power to change. So learn to make the best of things! What will you make the best of today?

ALWAYS TRY YO PLEASE EACH OTHER

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading too edification Romans 15:2.... What delights your spouse? Are you aware of the things that put a smile on their face, a sparkle in their eyes? Do you know how to gladden your spouse’s heart and bring pleasure, gratification, and contentment? Try to discover what pleases your partner. It begins by getting to know your spouse better and better, through observation and communication as you spend time together. Pinpoint your mate’s needs and desires. Then, as you go about your daily lives, do your best to satisfy both. A good way to please your spouse is to meet their expectations. If it’s your turn to do the dishes, make sure you get them done! Even better, exceed expectations. Remember the golden rule, and do for your mate what would please you: a service, a gift, a gesture of affection, anything that demonstrates to your partner that you were thinking of them and wanted to please. That’s the real key. Your desire to make your spouse happy will brighten their day and leave them feeling loved. Do something to please your spouse today!

Weekend Quote (Sat)

It’s easy to learn the doctrine of personal revival and victorious living; it’s quite another thing to take our cross and plod on to the dark and bitter hill of self-reunification. ~ A.W. Tozer

FEEL LUCKY TO BE MARRIED!

Rejoice in the wife of your youth…May you always be captivated by her love. Proverbs 5:18-19.... Sitting at a red light in your unwashed minivan, listening to the kids fighting and the mind numbing songs from the toddler tunes CD, it’s hard not to be envious of the person who pulls up in a shiny, bright-red convertible top down, CD player pumping out real, adult music. Probably single, you think, fighting pangs of jealously as the light turns, and you’re left in the dust. Or perhaps you don’t have any children, but lately you feel as if you’ve been tied to the fence and forced to stand there nibbling nubs of grass while the rest of the herd gallops off across the wide open plain. Ah, freedom, you sigh, greener pastures! Be reminded that in most cases, the reason why so many others are running hard and fast is that they are lonesome and longing for something you already have. Think back- you remember that feeling! But “God places the lonely in families” (psalm 68:6), and He has set you in a loving relationship with the special person He has chosen just for you. Your spouse is heaven-sent, a priceless gift from above. YOU are truly BLESSED! You haven’t been confined to a corral; you’ve been saddled up for one of life’s greatest rides. The thrills are subtle- but the joy runs deep. Today- dedicate yourself to this journey that is like no other…

USE THE COMMMON SENSE GOD GAVE YOU

Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind? Job 38:36.... What is common sense really? If we think of it in terms of public knowledge or universal opinion, we’d better be careful. Although many platitudes are rooted in Scripture and therefore sound enough to build a marriage on, there are a lot of “truisms” out there that aren’t rooted in Scripture and will cause a marriage to crumble and fall. 1 Corinthians 3:19 says, “The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” So perhaps we’d better rework our definition. The good sense we all have in common is, first, the truth God has revealed to humankind in the bible and through His Son, Jesus Christ. Second, this good sense is the wisdom that God freely offers, relating to specific situations, if only we ask Him for it. Third, the God-given ability to reason with our minds and make wise choices based on truth and wisdom He has provided us is also part of our good sense. The Lord has made this type of common sense available to us all- It’s time we thank Him for it and honor Him by using it! Today is the perfect day to put into practice in your marriage!

SPEND AS MUCH TIME TOGETHER AS POSSIBLE

Since they are no longer two but one, let no one separate them, for God has joined them together. Matthew 19:6.... In Matthew 19:1-12 Jesus teaches about the permanence of marriage, and in Malachi 2:16 God says outright, “I hate divorce!” He knows the hurt and scares people have from it. When a man and a woman marry, they are meant to stay together. However, God’s intention for marriage is not simple longevity; but a happy, mutually fulfilling, lifelong union. Unfortunately, some couples’ marriages long outlive their vow. For one reason or another, perhaps for economic convenience or for the sake of their children, they remain married physically- but they have divorced emotionally. They inhabit the same house yet live separate lives. A relationship is a living thing, and tie is the oxygen it requires. Are you and your spouse behaving like a married couple these days, or more like roommates?

CULTIVATE THE ABILITY TO SEE EACH OTHER'S POINT OF VIEW

The Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6.... Do you know the secret of holograms, 3-D movies, and depth perception? The answer is, it takes two! A split laser beam, a couple of camera lenses, a pair of eyes. With just one, all you get is a flat, one-dimensional image. Add another, and the result seems to jump off the page or leap out of the silver screen. You need your spouse’s viewpoint to more accurately perceive the world you live in. Ask for their input. With the insight your partner can provide, you will better understand not only your mate but also you children, other family members, your friends, coworkers, and associates. Best of all, your spouse can help you to see God more clearly, to experience His grace, to “grasp how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18). And if two vantage point give you three dimensions, imagine what a third, omniscient viewpoint would contribute. Prayerfully seek the Lord’s wisdom as you try to understand your spouse, attempt to relate to others, and in everything you do. A Godly perspective will add an entirely new dimension to yours.

HAVING THE SAME INTERESTS ISN’T CRUCIAL

He crested them male and female Genesis 1:27.... Each person is unique. Learn to celebrate this in your marriage! Our differences begin at conception. Every human being is lovingly fashioned by God to be special, distinct, unlike anyone else- and therefore precious in His sight. Long ago, King David said, “You shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God- you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made!” (Psalm 139:13-14) Spouses sometimes share a few similarities. But God often joins two people who have vastly different strengths, weaknesses, talents, interests, personalities, and perspectives. The character traits of each spouse complement the other, making the couple stronger, expanding their potential, and creating a life that they could have never known apart. You and your spouse are unique individuals, created and cherished by God, brought together according to His wisdom for His great purposes. Tell your spouse today of one great quality you appreciate in them that you don’t possess!

Weekend quote (Sat)

Our lives are either producing fruit or fertilizer... What is your life producing?

LEARN TO ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES

God causes everything to work for the good of those in Christ Jesus Romans 8:28.... When a cowboy is thrown from the saddle, he can either tens his muscles, stiffen his arms, and resist the fall- or he can relax his body and hit the ground rolling. If he tenses up, he runs the risk of further injury, perhaps torn ligaments or broken bones. But if he roles with the impact, often he will be able to spring right back up, remount his horse, and ride on. A man named Saul, a devout Jew, once took a fall because he was resisting. He was fighting Christianity with all his might, hunting down Christians so they could be imprisoned, tried, and put to death. On his way to Damascus, he saw a great light, fell to the ground, and heard the resurrected Jesus say, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14). Eventually Saul stopped opposing the church, accepted God’s will for his life, and proclaimed the gospel far and wide as the apostle Paul- as unbelievable change of heart. When you and your spouse face adversity, pray for wisdom to know whether to stand firm or roll with the punches. Perhaps God is working powerfully in your circumstances to bring about His plans for you and take you places you cannot imagine!

SPEND QULITY TIME WITH YOUR SPOUSE AND YOUR CHILDREN

Sell your possessions and give to the poor….Then come, follow mw Matthew 19:21.... It’s always a challenge to find time to spend with your partner, your kids, even with the Lord. Bu there is one surefire strategy you can employ to make the time you need in order to nurture your most important relationships: simply your life. One of the easiest, most effective ways to do this to get rid of some possessions. The things we own require a great deal of our time, effort, and money. Much of the busyness in our lives is dedicated by the need to pay for, insure, maintain, and repair our material assets. Our possessions also rob of us of mental and emotional energy as we think and worry about where we’ll keep them, how we’ll take care of them, and over how much overtime we’ll have to put in to pay of the credit card we used to buy them. God want YOU to adopt His priorities, which are to love Him and love each other. Making time for relationships involves making some choices. Choose wisely and simplify your life so you can spend time with God and family.

FIND INTRESTS YOU CAN ENJOY TOGETHER

Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless. Isaiah 1:17.... Having trouble finding something the two of you can do together? The bible suggests many activities that would be pleasing to God. If you take any of these ideas separately, think about it awhile, talk it over, and ask the Lord to show you how you could go about implementing it, you may discover a pursuit that both of you enjoy but also find deeply fulfilling. Here are some activities that matter to God: righting injustice, helping the oppressed, sharing the gospel, comforting the brokenhearted, freeing the captives, looking after widows, feeding the hungry, providing drink to the thirsty,, showing hospitality to strangers, clothing the naked, tending to the sick, visiting the prisoners. Can you see the possibilities for involvement? Can you imagine the excitement of working side by side to meet other’s needs, all the while serving God in the process? What better way to spend your time!

REALIZE THAT NEITHER OF YOU IS PERFECT

Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32.... “Nobody’s perfect.” Sometimes common sayings are rooted in eternal truth. God’s Word agrees wholeheartedly with this one! The bible says, “There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). We’ve all made mistakes, we’ve all done wrong, and we’ve all fallen short of God’s standard of perfection. God is the only one righteous, perfect, and good. Both marriage partners are flawed, sinful people. No matter how hard we try to make our marriage perfect, we will have t deal with persona failings and hurt feelings. Unless we want to carry around a lot of anger and resentment for the rest of our lives, we will want to learn the best way to handle situations. This is hard truth. But here is the good news….God’s way works! He has chosen to handle failure according to His good nature, which is gracious, patient, merciful, compassionate, and loving. He immediately and freely pardons anyone who asks for forgiveness. And He never recalls it again. If you and your spouse, imperfect as you both are, desire to build a good, lasting marriage, you must remember two things about love: It is slow to become angry, and it holds no memory of grievances. Let today be the day you begin cultivating Christ in your marriage!

COOPERATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN A MARRIAGE

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:25-26.... Marriage is a partnership. Partners work together to achieve a common objective, for their mutual benefit. The bible describes such a relationship as being yoked together. When two oxen are teamed up, they must cooperate, or nothing will be accomplished. If the animals pull in different directions, the plow will have no effect. The same is true of the marriage partnership. Are you and your spouse straining harmoniously toward a common goal? Or are you moving in opposite directions, bickering and fighting as you strive for separate visions of your future? Have you Identified God’s purpose for you as a married couple, and are you both working hard making sacrifices to fulfill that purpose? If you will allow Him to, Jesus will provide the leadership you and your spouse need to cooperate successfully, giving you purpose, direction, and strength. Though you cannot see Jesus walking before you, His Spirit is present nonetheless; and if you listen carefully- as you pray, as you read the bible, as you’re counseled by other believers-you will hear His voice clearly enough to follow! How will you apply this to your marriage today?

Weekend Quote (Sun)

Hold loosely ALL that is not eternal. ~ Agnes Maude Royden

Weekend Quote (Sat)

Idolatry is not only the adoration of images…but also trust in one’s own righteousness, works and merits, and putting confidence in riches and power. ~ Martin Luther

KEEP YOUR LOVE, YOUR HEALTH, AND YOUR FAITH IN GOD STRONG.

Train yourself to be Godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8....It takes work to keep the flames of romance burning brightly. Kind words, helpful deeds, a listening ear, the willingness to share (remote doesn't count), time together- all are like logs to be placed on a fire, carefully, tenderly, at just the right time and in just the right way. A fire requires skillful stoking, or it will slowly die. In the same way, our bodies need attention. We must eat right, get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, etc… Taking common sense measures to stay healthy is a precious gift we give ourselves and our spouse. It’s also a way to thank God for the bodies he gave us. To remain steadfast, marriage and health demand effort- is it any different in our faith with God? The bible speaks of our need to be encouraged, built up, and strengthened in our faith. We must work out spiritually to keep our faith in shape. It’s important to exercise your body. It’s important to exercise your heart and your love. But it’s even more important to exercise your faith. How will you apply this to your life and your marriage today? Train yourself to be Godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 It takes work to keep the flames of romance burning brightly. Kind words, helpful deeds, a listening ear, the willingness to share (remote doesn't count), time together- all are like logs to be placed on a fire, carefully, tenderly, at just the right time and in just the right way. A fire requires skillful stoking, or it will slowly die. In the same way, our bodies need attention. We must eat right, get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, etc… Taking common sense measures to stay healthy is a precious gift we give ourselves and our spouse. It’s also a way to thank God for the bodies he gave us. To remain steadfast, marriage and health demand effort- is it any different in our faith with God? The bible speaks of our need to be encouraged, built up, and strengthened in our faith. We must work out spiritually to keep our faith in shape. It’s important to exercise your body. It’s important to exercise your heart and your love. But it’s even more important to exercise your faith. How will you apply this to your life and your marriage today?

ALWAYS BE TOTALLY HONEST AND OPEN WITH EACH OTHER.

An honest answer is like a warm hug. Proverbs 24:26.... Every person has a deep need for intimacy, to know and to be known by another human being. The first man, Adam, felt this need even in the Garden of Eden as he gazed over the wide variety of animals and realized there was none like him. The God gave a wife to be his loving companion. At first there were no secrets in paradise. “Although Adam and his wife were both naked, neither of them felt any shame” (Genesis 2:25). Adam and eve enjoyed perfect intimacy, both physically and emotionally. But after they disobeyed God, they felt the need to hide- from God and each other. Wrongdoing was the enemy of intimacy and trust. When you think about it, why would you want to hold anything back from your spouse or deceive your beloved in any way? You might gain some short term peace. But there is much to lose in the long run. True intimacy begins by being completely honest with God. Confess your short comings to the Lord and receive His forgiveness and acceptance. He’ll give you the power to change. You will no longer feel the need for even the smallest deception. Best of all, the intimacy you long for- with God and with each other- will grow.

YOU HAVE TO LIKE EACH OTHER- NOT JUST BE ABLE TO TALK. BUT REALLY COMMUNICATE!

Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united. Ephesians 4:3.... Your marriage is affected by the quality of each of your individual relationships with God. Blessings come to you as a result of your faithfulness to Him. As 1 John 1:7 promises, “if we walk in the light, God Himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another.” Your primary responsibility is to keep God’s commandments and live in a manner pleasing to Him, emulating Jesus in your attitudes and behavior. God changes you and your spouse into loving people as you both spend time with Him, and you then begin to relate to your spouse in a way that encourages closeness, unity, affection, and love. Nurture your relationship with God through reading bible reading, prayer, and obedience. Let God bring His blessing upon your marriage by letting Him teach you loving ways to communicate to your spouse. Today is the perfect day to invite or re-invite Christ back into your marriage!

LEARN TO BE UNSELFISH. ALWAYS PUT THE OTHER’S INTEREST FIRST

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others. Philippians 2:4.... It is healthy for a married man or woman to pursue personal interests and engage in individual activities. This provides an outlet, a sense of freedom, perhaps some exercise, and interaction with others- plus, it makes for a more interesting, well rounded spouse, which keeps the conversation at home lively! However, the level of your involvement in these pursuits must be weighed carefully against the effect it will have on your marriage. We must consider our partner’s needs as well as our own. Recognize how precious and limited the resource of time that God has given you as a couple. Your spouse has a large stake in any decision you make concerning how you spend your hours, because every choice has important ramifications for you both. Too much time apart will both erode the unity and deprive you both as a couple. What can you do today to put your spouse’s interest first?

NEVER GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT WITHOUT SAYING, “I LOVE YOU”- AND MEANING IT!

He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:3-4.... As husband and wife, you have a wonderful chance to connect with each other meaningfully every night as you retire for the evening. If you take the time to embrace one another and speak tender words of affection. It’s such a comfort and a joy to drift asleep wrapped in the arms of your beloved, with the words, “I love you” echoing in your ear. You not only sense your spouse’s love, you can almost feel God’s touch and hear his voice! It’s a gentle reminder that He is always watching over you, even as you sleep. Have you come to a place where you simply take each other, and the time God has so graciously together for granted? Remember:” Love must be sincere” (Romans 12:9).

Weekend Quote (Sun)

O God, I have tasted thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to know Thee; I long too be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Weekend Quote (Sat)

God impoverishes only to make rich, becoming in secret Himself the substitute for all that He takes away from the soul. ~ Jeanne Guyon