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Day Thirty- Love brings unity

2008-12-17T20:13:51Z

Unity and going through all of life's challenges and joys is paramount to the success of one's marriage is what I am learning. It is hard when you bring two selfish sinners together and expect them to live together and intertwine all of their lives into one rather than two. In our world today there is so much to threaten the unity of marriage whether that be the media, our jobs, or just the busy lives we lead. Heading into full-time ministry will not be easy and I know with the church that there will always be "good" opportunities that could pull Sweetheart and I apart, but I pray that we will seek what is best for our relationships with the Lord and and with one another. Something I want to be cautious of is not comparing and showcasing all of our differences between Sweetheart and I but rather focus on the common bond we have in our love for Christ and one another. Father, keep our eyes fixed on You and what will bring us closer together rather than tear us apart. Bind our hearts as one in You and for Your service. Allow us to bring a unified heart that one day our children will see we love Jesus and then we love Mommy or Daddy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day Twenty-nine Love's motivation

2008-12-17T17:06:04Z

This time of year is crazy for us, but we are striving to focus on Christ and remember why we celebrate with family and friends this specific time of year. There is only one motivation that should be driving all of the festivities and that is Christ's birth and later death and resurrection so we could have eternal life with Him! I love spending time with family and friends and it would be easy to not focus first on Christ and then Sweetheart. Instead I want to find special ways to tell and show Sweetheart that I love him dearly and want to remember our marriage in a special way on our first Christmas together as husband and wife. I pray that my motivation would be pure and not seeking anything in return except to see the smile it would put on my husband's face. Father God, cause me to find time to be still and quiet before you even during the busy festive season! Allow me to connect with my husband which you gave in a way that is loving and pure and pleasing before you. May I always remember why You came to earth to save us. In Jesus' name, Amen

Day Twenty-eight Love makes sacrifices

2008-12-15T18:30:58Z

This weekend Sweetheart and I went on a road trip and did some exploring to see what our future might hold for the two of us. I am so glad that I married a fun guy who loves to be with his wife no matter what we are doing. We had a lot of fun just being together and enjoying the time in the car traveling, listening to Christmas music, talking, being crazy, and just simply loving each other. Knowing that God made the ultimate sacrifice when He died on the cross puts into perspective the fact that sacrificing for our spouses should be second nature not a deliberating act that requires much thought and selflessness. I want to be a wife that sacrifices freely for her husband on a consistent basis not out of guilt or obligation but out of thankfulness to Christ and pure love for her husband. Father, transform my mind and allow me think of Sweetheart before any of my needs or desires. Let me show him how much I value him, how much I love him, and how thankful I am for him because of the sacrifices I choose to make. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day Twenty-seven Love encourages

2008-12-15T17:14:34Z

Encouragement has been an area that naturally comes to me for the most part. I have always enjoyed writing encouraging notes to friends and surprising them with goodies every once in a while just letting them know I am praying for them and thinking about them that particular day. But I have noticed that encouraging your spouse can take more discipline and can be more difficult at times. I reckon this is true because you live with them and see their flaws. But like a previous day shared that should draw me to my knees to pray for the very personal matters that I only know about rather than discouraging them and not being a supportive spouse. God has created me to be the helpmate to Sweetheart and part of my special role includes encouraging him consistently through a variety of ways. Verbal affirmation is great and men need to hear their wives respect them. But I could also jot a note and leave it somewhere in the house to run across one day. I could spend serious time with God praying for Him to protect and encourage Sweetheart as only He can do. Or I could even be more creative and plan an evening that is all about me expressing my love and appreciation to Sweetheart for the way he protects me, provides for us, supports me, and loves me. This last idea I think I should just take some time and after the holidays are over and everything settles down Sweetheart and I just might have a special night of encouragement! Heavenly Father, I pray that my words, my actions, and even my thougths would be an encouragement to Sweetheart. Allow me to invest in him and build his confidence in You. I love you Jesus! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day Twenty-six Love is responsible

2008-12-15T16:39:44Z

This dare took some time to process and really think through. Since I am newly married I don't think a lot of blame and resentment has built up, but I do understand the principle of this lesson. It is so much easier to blame your spouse for your wrongdoing then taking ownership, confessing sin, and asking for their forgiveness. As we have been married longer, children come into our lives, and ministry becomes our way of life I know that it would be very easy to allow my love to dwindle and to not assume responsibility for purposefully loving Sweetheart. I do not want this to occur; instead, I want my love to grow daily for him and in doing this responsibility would follow suit through my actions. Responsibility is such a simple character trait that I desire to instill in our children from a young age. If they mess up, I want them to know that it is okay as long as they admit their wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness rather than blaming someone or something else. How can I teach them responsibility if they do not see their mom and dad living it out for them? I will ponder this question and purpose in my heart to take responsibility for my actions. Father God, I pray that as Your child I will learn to love responsibly through Your grace. Bless our marriage and allow us to choose to love purposefully in our hearts each day. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Day Twenty-five Love forgives

2008-12-15T16:09:16Z

Forgiveness is such a complicated topic when we make it; yet Christ did not seem to have any issue taking on the sins of the whole world and forgiving all of our wrong doing. Why do we as believers especially have a hard time forgiving each other and even ourselves. For me forgiving myself for sinning against Sweetheart is much more of a challenge than forgiving him when he sins against me. I am learning to accept that Christ bore my sins so I would no longer have to live in self- defeat. Rather that I should walk in grace and humility that Christ has saved me. Lord, I pray that forgiveness would flow freely in my life to anyone that offends me and that I would truly learn to forgive myself and not beat myself up over bad decisions. Let your holiness cleanse me and make me pure in Your eyes. I love you Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day Twenty- Four- Love vs. lust

2008-12-11T20:53:35Z

When you read the statistics including Christian men and women one could wonder how can anyone escape the trap of lust and the answer is only through the renewing of your mind each day and a close, deep, passionate relationship with Jesus. Lust is the cheapest form of love out there and it is disgusting in so many ways. I am grateful that for the most part I do not lust after people or objects and I pray that I will keep my eyes on Jesus to keep from stumbling into this sin. Everyone thinks they are the exception to the rule but the fact is the Bible says not even a hint of sexual immorality and so for us this means we will be very selective in what we watch. We currently do not subscribe to TV and I don't see this changing for a while. We have a filter on our computer and will continue to keep each other accountable emotionally and physically when it comes to the internet. We have strict boundaries of hanging out with the opposite sex etc to keep the Evil One away at all costs. We will strive not to compromise in the small ways because we know sin is deceptive and will lie to us. We will choose to live for Jesus and forever choose love over lust.

Day Twenty- Three Love always protects

2008-12-11T19:49:03Z

Protection in marriage is key for both husband and wife. If marriage is supposed to be a place of safety, intimacy then "predators" that the book describes have no place in the covenant of marriage. Sweetheart and I have talked extensively about anything that might try and come between us and how we will safe guard our marriage from attack. We are vigilant with the internet, we strive to be discerning in what we read, and we pray often that temptation would not overcome us because we know how easily it is to let little sins creep in and destroy our relationship with the Lord, and our marriage. May we always find time to spend time together, pray together, and enjoy every stage of our lives TOGETHER! Can you sense the theme in this post? Togetherness, the few months I have been married the more I realize when you are together and you choose to love there is less "predators" that invade your life. My prayer is that Sweetheart and I would lead a "together" life. Heavenly Father, I thank you that You created marriage and with You we can love each other all the days of our lives. Keep us from anything that will steal our joy and take our eyes off of You. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Day Twenty-Two Love is faithful

2008-12-11T17:40:26Z

Today's reading challenged me to think and pray so hard for the protection of our marriage. Being newlyweds it is hard to comprehend that there would be a day when Sweetheart would become my enemy. But I have seen too many godly marriages that I respected fall apart because of immorality, selfishness, and ultimately they lost the desire to make love a choice anymore. I pray that I would be faithful to Sweetheart emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, and sexually all the days of my life. I want to live a life that will result in a legacy of pure, passionate, committed love between husband and wife for all of our days together here on earth. Lord God, You are faithful and Your Word is a promise. Let me live my life based on faithfulness first to You and then to Sweetheart in every area of my life. Protect my marriage and bind our hearts and lives together as one for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day Twenty-One Love is satisfied in God

2008-12-11T17:22:56Z

Love is satisfied in God. What does this mean? How is it fleshed out in marriage? In our pre-marital counseling that Sweetheart and I completed last year the first lesson ever shared with us is that our spouse will fail us and will not be able to completely satisfy us no matter how hard they try. Some might say wow that is a pretty harsh lesson- isn't marriage all happy and good times. Actually though this simple lesson is so freeing if one really understands marriage and God's design for relationships. When we understand that we can never satisfy our spouse this allows us to meet the needs we can such as serving them, but frees us from the pressure to satisfy every earthly longing and desire. God is the only one who can satisfy our deepest longing. He created us, He knows us, and He wants us to be filled in Him alone. Marriage is a beautiful picture of Christ loving us and I pray that I would always seek to be satisfied in Christ alone and then look for ways to serve your spouse and show him I am here but I will never satisfy. Father God, I pray that Sweetheart and I will always look to You first to satisfy us and meet our deepest need for a Savior. Thank you for your love that makes me whole. I love you Lord! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day Twenty- Love is Jesus Christ

2008-12-08T15:50:24Z

This past weekend was a great time to reflect on what is really important in my life, and in our lives together as a married couple. Jesus Christ is the answer, but I'm afraid to say He does not always win out when it comes to establishing godly priorities. Sweetheart had to work all day on Saturday so I ran errands, bought his Christmas gifts, cleaned house, and finished up school for the week. Saturday night was so much fun- we went driving looking for Christmas lights. It was very hard to find any manger scenes or resemblance that the holiday season is about Christ's birth and not Santa or presents etc. My prayer today is one of thanksgiving for all God has done in our lives and one of preparation. That the Lord would prepare my heart to focus on Jesus Christ as not only the reason for this season but the reason I live and move! Father God, You are Jesus Christ. At your name I humbly sumit to You and ask that you would fill my heart with the purpose of glorifying You and bringing praise to Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day Nineteen- Love is impossible

2008-12-05T16:49:54Z

In my quiet time this morning I read Genesis 3. Wow what a good chapter! You might think it is all about the Fall of Mankind. I know, but if you study each individual verse you will learn so much about how God originally had a plan for the universe, then Adam and Eve messed it up, yet God was still faithful and made a way. I love how only 3 chapters in verse 15 there is the first mention of salvation and the coming Messiah. I am so grateful that I was raised in a Christian family and asked Jesus into my heart at a very young age. Even when I was young Jesus Christ was such a big part of my families life that I really don't remember before I accepted God's free gift of salvation. Doing this love dare I have thought a lot about marriage between unbelievers. I don't understand how it works? Marriage requires unconditional love, selflessness, time, energy, etc. If you don't have Jesus then what happens? Needless to say, I am excited for the weekend and a chance to relax and get some stuff done around the house. Tonight I have a special dinner planned and am looking forward to good conversation with hubby. Lord, I pray that you would cause me to daily be grateful for my salvation which you graciously offered and that I would live in light of the cross each day! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day Eighteen- Love seeks to understand

2008-12-04T16:07:19Z

Wednesdays are rough days for me usually with yesterday being no exception. I work 8-5, rush home, to eat dinner and feed Sweetheart all within 20 minutes and then drive over 1/2 hour to church for youth group every week. Sweetheart is a youth pastor at a small, country church. Last night the youth were not cooperating and were just being crazy which set Sweetheart into a bad mood and made me irritable too. But I can tell that I have been doing this love dare because I did not fight. In my mind I kept praying for my heart to change and allow Sweetheart and I to persevere through this rough patch. Well what can I say except God is faithful and He drew us closer together even through our trials. I am striving not to just focus on today's dare but to remember the ones from days gone by. Last night I specifically tried to apply the one on prayer, not saying anything negative, and wanting to create a safe and warm environment. Tonight we have a lot of school but tomorrow I am really excited about fixing a nice dinner for the two of us and having a chance to answer some of the questions and just seek to understand each other better- hopes, joy, disappointments, and fears. I love Sweetheart and want him to know how special he is to me. Father God, I pray that I would seek to be an understanding wife. That I would not neglect to ask my husband questions, to dig into his life, and find out what is at the center of his being. Allow me to initiate deep heartfelt conversation that demonstrtes my love for Sweetheart. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day Seventeen- Love promotes intimacy

2008-12-03T22:02:06Z

Intimacy is one of the building blocks of a great relationship. I have come to learn that finding trust in one another is essential to not only keeping the communication lines open but also sharing a deeper, better relationship. As humans we were created for relationship and we are privileged that on a daily basis we interact with many people. But the way we interact with our spouse is on a completely different level. They are the one who knows our secrets, who loves us despite our flaws, and the emotional bond as well as spiritual if we are believers is so unique that it is hard to define. I want to provide a safe and inviting home for Sweetheart where he knows that what we shares with me is safe and will not be shared. Someone told me that as a wife it was your job to provide a shelter from the storm. I know Sweetheart faces a ton of obstacles and challenges each day, but if he has a safe and comfortable home to return to at night where he is loved unconditionally he will be able to face the next day with that much more strength. Lord God, create in me a spirit that wants to be initimate with Sweetheart by providing a safe and comfortable home. Allow me to speak love and peace into his life despite the "storms" that might arise. Protect our marraige and grow us closer to You and to each other. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day Sixteen- Love intercedes

2008-12-02T17:41:58Z

Today's post is very special and humbling for me. Praying for Sweetheart is of upmost importance and I love to do it, but I am reminded that you can never pray enough. I want to be a wife who lifts up her husband in prayer minute by minute asking for protection, wisdom, and God's grace to overflow in his life. There is nothing better or nothing more important to spend time on than praying for my husband. He is headed into full-time ministry as a pastor and so I know spiritual warfare will be huge. I want to cover all of his needs and ask God to grant him his heart's desires as faithfully as I can. Heavenly Father, I pray that you would protect Sweetheart from the evil one. That you would grant him the desires of his heart as he follows after You each day. That our marriage would be strengthened and become a picture of Your love for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.