How does playing with my grandson all day and marital issues have anything in common? Nothing really, but I learned something very valuable today when I was getting my grandson dressed. As I put his jumper over his head, then his right arm, then I sat him up to pull it down over his body, it didn't take long and I realized that I had forgotten the other arm. Then, it occurred to me from the last time we were together, that as one should never go into a burning building without your partner, not to mention making sure you both get out safely, so a shirt or a jumper is made with two arm holes and two leg holes for a reason.
I must admit, in the last year and half our marriage has been less then pleasant, for either of us. And, if God had given us a ticket out, one or the other probably would have taken it. Not that we didn't love each other, because we did, and still do, but we had 'gone our separate ways' for some time and it was becoming increasingly painful with the same problems that we went to bed with.
But, God saw fit, because of His grace and mercy to keep us together in spite of ourselves.
Though we are far from out of the woods, we're no where we once were.
Do I want to knock his block off? Yes most definitely, because he's a man. Does he still need to flee from this harsh tongue? That too is a resounding, yes.
Sadly, I have a hard time keeping track of it! It seems to have a mind of it's own. Mr. Tongue likes to wander all over my face and down my leg and up my husbands with lightning speed. Before I know it this small 'harmless' creature has left big red welts on my husbands handsome face, as so many of do if we were honest with ourselves.
But as our lashing tongues go wild and our husbands shrink, we find ourselves with a false sense of superiority, which causes men to run.
These are but some lessons I'm learning during this time of strife and friction. Though this is only a part of what I've seen, in our own person lives and in the lives of many others, we must not forget there are some who are going through far worse trials then these.
"Lord, I pray according to Your Word in Romans 15, that, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." in Jesus' Name I pray. amen
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I wonder,
why so many marriages are in trouble today. I wonder why so many men mistreat their wives. I wonder why so many wives feel so insecure in their marriages. I wonder what's not being taught in our churches and why there is so much dysfunction on our families. Or, is it all the churches fault, or is there some personal responsibility involved here?
During my quiet time this morning, I got to thinking how often mom and I talked about the Book of Titus, chapter 2 to be exact. Where it says, "But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,[
But, what so often happens in today's world of utter selfishness, is that men are often NOT sober, and women are NOT obedient. Both are spinning out of control listening to their flesh and not the Spirit of the Living God.
But, what Titus falls short of in it's literal teaching of God's Word is Peter's admonition to husband's, 7 "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered."
Somewhere along the way, there is something broken. Men feel abandoned in the relationship, feeling small. Feeling it's their right to use the 'submit' word out of the Bible to bring their wives to their way of thinking instead of submitting out of love, giving them the power to be tyrants. And wives, do what they want with little regard on how it effects their covering, (their own husbands).
I have to admit, I have been guilty of that very same thing. Not intentionally 'doing my own thing' but somewhere I have lost my way on how to interact with my own husband. And, quite frankly it happens more and more, and will so as the days grow darker.
I challenge everyone who reads this blog, especially those who are going through marriage problems to get a hold of Fireproof, the movie. For we live in dark days, and we cannot leave the burning building without our partners!
a]b]" 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.[
During my quiet time this morning, I got to thinking how often mom and I talked about the Book of Titus, chapter 2 to be exact. Where it says, "But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,[
But, what so often happens in today's world of utter selfishness, is that men are often NOT sober, and women are NOT obedient. Both are spinning out of control listening to their flesh and not the Spirit of the Living God.
But, what Titus falls short of in it's literal teaching of God's Word is Peter's admonition to husband's, 7 "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered."
Somewhere along the way, there is something broken. Men feel abandoned in the relationship, feeling small. Feeling it's their right to use the 'submit' word out of the Bible to bring their wives to their way of thinking instead of submitting out of love, giving them the power to be tyrants. And wives, do what they want with little regard on how it effects their covering, (their own husbands).
I have to admit, I have been guilty of that very same thing. Not intentionally 'doing my own thing' but somewhere I have lost my way on how to interact with my own husband. And, quite frankly it happens more and more, and will so as the days grow darker.
I challenge everyone who reads this blog, especially those who are going through marriage problems to get a hold of Fireproof, the movie. For we live in dark days, and we cannot leave the burning building without our partners!
a]b]" 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.[
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Faint of Heart,
"Matthew 8:23-27"
"Cowards!" Have you ever been called either of these? Well, the disciples sure did after waking up the Master.
And I can't say I blame them either, for I realized this morning, I too failed the test. That I fell victim, like so many, to becoming faint hearted when trails come my way.
As a woman of prayer, I have been known to be a successful instrument in the Lord's hands, but lately I have failed at the most important of tasks, ministering to my own husband. I have fasted for him, and have prayed for him, have exhorted him and even invested in website building to sell his extraodinary paintings, but, nothing has worked.
Maybe, the Lord is trying to tell me that I have going about everything all wrong, maybe I've been doing it all in my own flesh, maybe He just wants me to trust Him.
Even when times are really tough, God, wants me to step back and get on my face before Him and surrender to His plan and not my own.
"Lord, I admit I've been a coward, please rebuke the wind and the rain once again, and restore us back to that peaceful place in You. A sanctuary built not by human hands, but by the Living God."
"Cowards!" Have you ever been called either of these? Well, the disciples sure did after waking up the Master.
And I can't say I blame them either, for I realized this morning, I too failed the test. That I fell victim, like so many, to becoming faint hearted when trails come my way.
As a woman of prayer, I have been known to be a successful instrument in the Lord's hands, but lately I have failed at the most important of tasks, ministering to my own husband. I have fasted for him, and have prayed for him, have exhorted him and even invested in website building to sell his extraodinary paintings, but, nothing has worked.
Maybe, the Lord is trying to tell me that I have going about everything all wrong, maybe I've been doing it all in my own flesh, maybe He just wants me to trust Him.
Even when times are really tough, God, wants me to step back and get on my face before Him and surrender to His plan and not my own.
"Lord, I admit I've been a coward, please rebuke the wind and the rain once again, and restore us back to that peaceful place in You. A sanctuary built not by human hands, but by the Living God."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)