Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Letter's To My Wife | Being Like Minded...

What it means to be in love

There isn't really anything that I can add to this... 1st Corinthians 13:3-7 (Msg)

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Letters to My Wife | The Essential Lesson...

The Essential Lesson

Focus: Job 1:20-21
Reflect: Job 1:1-21

It is what Job knew at the end of the first chapter that we should never forget. It is the essential lesson that if we can learn we will never get caught up in the "why me?" trap.
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
Job was dealing with what no one would argue was an unbelievable set of bad circumstances. However, instead of cursing God or wallowing in self-pity, he recognized that "The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof". With that knowledge he could move on. That is one of the things about our relationship that is refreshing. We don't run from God when times get tough. We press in and rely on him. Let's make sure that we never forget this essential lesson.

You are loved!
The Husband...

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Letters to my Wife | Don't Manipulate...

Don't Manipulate

Focus: Esther 7:2
Reflection: Esther 7:1-10

My prayer tonight is more of a praise and thanksgiving to God.
I am so grateful that we are not manipulators. We operate from transparency and I am happy about that. That is not to say that we do not exercise judgement in how we bring things up to one another. Like Esther did in Chapter 7 of her book.
So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther, 2 and as they were drinking wine on that second day, the king again asked, "Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted."
Esther knew that timing was key to making her petition known to the King. You have a talent for doing this as well and I appreciate it. Let us continue to be vigilant in how we work with each other. Know that you are loved. I hope that this is a blessing to you.

Your Husband...