Letter's To My Wife | The Esther Challenge...

I have been holding onto this for a few months and have been trying to avoid it because, frankly it scares me. Late last year while I was studying I was taken to that well known passage from the book of Esther Chapter 7 versus 1-2.

So the king and Haman went to dinner with Queen Esther. At this second dinner, while they were drinking wine the king again asked, "Queen Esther, what would you like? Half of my kingdom! Just ask and it's yours." - Message Translation

I always wonder what was it about Esther that made the King want be OK with giving up everything. Was it her beauty? Was it her intelligence? Was it her skills in the kitchen? Was it her skills in the bedroom?

Whatever the reason, Xerxes was comfortable with whatever he thought Esther might ask that he gave her a blank check. So I am going to go out on a limb and take a chance just like Xerxes and offer my bride something different. I am also issuing a challenge to any of the husbands that visit here or over at my other blog God's Man. I know that there are are a few changes that my bride would like me to make and a few that she has not told me. This year I am offering my to take on a change of her choosing.

Starting on February 1, 2010, if she is willing, I will share what my bride has asked of me and my plan to make her request a reality.

Any husbands out there that are interested in taking the Esther Challenge with me?

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.

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...

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...

Letters to My Wife | Find Joy...

My prayer for you tonight is that you will remember that your joy is not determined by your circumstances. You joy is because nothing can separate you from the love of God. Don't let the mundane take away your joy in the remarkable. I love you and am praying for us. The watchman stands at the gate and is looking out over the landscape.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:31-39

Your Husband

Letters To My Wife | Use Me As Your Mirror…

Use Me As Your Mirror…

Use me as your mirror, when the light isn't so great
I want to reflect the beauty that I see for your sake
he is there telling you that you are not enough
That you are not able that you are not tough
You, my dear, are a beautiful in every way
I see how much you've grown each and every day

As a mother you operate with precision and grace
I hear, "I love Mommy" and see a smiling face
When they talk with me when you are out
Don't let him try to fill you head with doubt
Let me be the mirror that drowns him out

As a wife there is none that can compare to you
My life would not be the same without you
I was lost and you helped me find my way
You never judged harshly, you just always had your say
I am grateful for your patience as I began to grow up
Thank you for seeing through all my stuff
He wants to tell you that you are not enough
That I want something that you are not capable of
You, my love, are all that I have hoped and prayed for
This life, with its ups and downs, I need more and more

Use me as your mirror because there is more that I see
I let God show me who you are, and that is more than enough for me.

-God's Man

Letter's to my Bride | Poetry...

These are not mine but they spoke to me.  So I thought I would share them with you.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A gentle word like a spark of light,
Illuminates my soul
And as each sound goes deeper,
It's YOU that makes me whole

There is no corner, no dark place,
YOUR LOVE cannot fill
And if the world starts causing waves,
It's your devotion that makes them still

And yes you always speak to me,
In sweet honesty and truth
Your caring heart keeps out the rain,
YOUR LOVE, the ultimate roof

So thank you my Love for being there,
For supporting me, my life
I'll do the same for you, you know,
My Beautiful, Darling Wife.

- David G. Kelly -

 

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Love Is ...

Love is the greatest feeling,
Love is like a play,
Love is what I feel for you,
Each and every day,
Love is like a smile,
Love is like a song,
Love is a great emotion,
That keeps us going strong,
I love you with my heart,
My body and my soul,
I love the way I keep loving,
Like a love I can't control,
So remember when your eyes meet mine,
I love you with all my heart,
And I have poured my entire soul into you,
Right from the very start.

- Meghan -

 

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When I'm with you,
eternity is a step away,
my love continues to grow,
with each passing day.

This treasure of love,
I cherish within my soul,
how much I love you...
you'll never really know.

You bring a joy to my heart,
I've never felt before,
with each touch of your hand,
I love you more and more.

Whenever we say goodbye,
whenever we part,
know I hold you dearly,
deep inside my heart.

So these seven words,
I pray you hold true,
"Forever And Always,
I Will Love You."

- Chris Engle -