10 Creative Ways To Spend More Time With Your Wife

10 Creative Ways To Spend More Time With Your Wife

Many of us date, fall in love, get married, launch our careers, start a family… and then drift apart. Why? The reasons vary, but sometimes it’s all because we stop spending time with our wife – not often enough nor long enough to stay connected and madly in love.

It turns out that two of our best-known clichés: “Familiarity breeds contempt” and “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” are both completely false when it comes to marriage. Together time is a necessary ingredient if we value relationships that last.

However, and like anything else worthwhile, carving out time with your wife is going to require creativity and intention. All Pro Dad thinks your wife is worth the effort. We’ll give you a jump-start on the creativity – the intention you’ll have to provide for yourself.

Talk about it: A declared objective is the first step toward change. Talk about “together time” with your wife. Let her know you want to increase time, then make your plans together.

Measure it: There’s a tried and true principle in psychological measurement that declares the following. Self-assessment has a positive effect on the behavior being appraised. If, for example, you keep track of money spent on soft drinks, the act of measuring will reduce the number of drinks. If – in fitness – you keep track of miles walked, you tend to walk more. If, in a relationship, you measure the amount of time spent with your wife, the time count will necessarily increase – independent of any other intervention.

Exercise together: This is win-win. Both you and your spouse benefit from the exercise and – additionally - the relationship benefits from the time together.

Sign up for a class together: Community college: cooking, art appreciation, and gardening. Then you can carry her books and – later – help her with her homework.

Work your way through a “One Tank Trips” book together: Extra points if you try this one. Most communities offer excursion guides to places within a half-tank of gas from home. It’s a great way to learn about your region while enjoying personal time.

Volunteer together: This is another “two-fer.” Doing good, together with your wife and growing your marriage in the context of service to the community.

Take it in turns to organize a “mystery adventure date”, once a month: The key here – when it’s your turn – is do the research to find out what she enjoys. It could be a weekend tour of local lighthouse, or the night launch of a space shuttle, or a simple picnic on a tablecloth in her favorite state park, or a series of local museums. Use your imagination, make it count, take turns.

Step out together down memory lane: Collate and organize some scrapbooks that document family history – on both sides of the tree. You’ll end up retelling the stories, laughing together, remembering, spending time together, plus you will have a resource that you’ll treasure the rest of your lives.

Interview some elderly relatives: Work up the questions together, record or video the dialog, and take photographs. She’ll love that you’re interested in her family – you’ll be astounded how much cool stuff you’ll learn.

Interview one-another: Help each other come up with a list of questions, and then go through the process. Take notes, listen, learn, and take it from there!

Life Verses

2 Corinthians 5:17 — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here!

Psalm 46:10 — Be still and know that I am God.

Philippians 1:6 — Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:5 — Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 — Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Jeremiah 29:13 — You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Luke 12: 22-24 — Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat' or about your body, what you will wear. For life more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!"

Galatians 6:2 — Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Hebrews 12:1 — Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race market out for us

Jeremiah 29:11 — For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

James 1:2-4 — Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Psalm 61:2 — From the ends o the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Philippians 1:21 — For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Colossians 3:23-24 — Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

2 Corinthians 5:17 — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!

James 1:12 — Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

1 Corinthians 10:13 — No temptation has seized you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Proverbs 29:23 — Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

Joshua 1:9 — Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Hebrews 12:7 — Endure hardships as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

The Lines Are Drawn!

The call to War.

What is going on? We are in a war with the world, the flesh, and the devil (collectively “Evil” or “The Enemy” in this writing)! The stakes are high! The kingdoms of light and darkness are colliding. The battle lines are being drawn – this is the epic battle of Good vs. Evil! This is THE Great War – and you are essential to the cause! You are being called upon to fulfill your destiny to be a “mighty hero.”
This War is invisible, internal, and often unexplainable. But it is real! Of course you feel it! The odds against us seem overwhelming and evil feels relentless. These are very important days – very possibly the last days! But there is great hope because our King is raising up an army of fully devoted followers! The Kingdom forces are led by Jesus Christ, and His armies are advancing. And in spite of what sins have been committed, you are being asked to join Him. It’s what you were made for! It is your destiny!

When Christ returns to earth in visible form, He will return armed for battle – ready to strike down the nations, with his robe dipped in blood and the armies of heaven following him on white horses. (see Rev. 19:11-16) “On his robe and thigh [will be] written this title: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Jesus came last time as suffering servant, a lamb as a sacrifice for our sins. He will return as a military commander – a conqueror and king to execute judgement.

“I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.” (Isa. 45:3)

“I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” (Eph. 4:1)
( Band of Brothers)

It’s Tough to Be a Man

Men's Ministries is the mobilization of the men of the church to provide fellowship, training, and opportunities for ministry and outreach.



We are living in very difficult and confusing times. It is hard for men to balance their careers, family and personal lives. I would like to look at five factors that will help enhance and insure successful productive lives.

1.Remember ddisappointments are inescapable. Christ’s love is always there. When life lets us down, Jesus lifts us up. Truth is the source of true peace. True peace does not come as a result of eliminating sorrows and disappointments. It comes as a result of one thing, and that is an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is where anxiety ends and peace begins. John 14:27 (NLT) says, “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid.”
2.Look for the truth in the right place. Many voices shout at us, but one that speaks the truth is calm and soft. Seek the truth in the word of God. Whether you realized it or not, truth is the most important issues in your life. It is more important than what you do for a living, who you are married to, or what you earn. I am convinced that truth is the bottom line of life. You cannot have a real life without truth. John 14:6 (NLT) "Jesus told him I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
3.Obedience expresses our gratitude. Obeying God can be hard, but when we look at the cross and realize Jesus did that for us out of love, our course becomes clear. Our love is a response to God’s love. Likewise, our obedience flows from our gratitude for what he has done for us. 1 John 5:3 (NLT) “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really, that isn't difficult.”
4.Humility is possible when we know our place with God. We feel humbled knowing that through Christ, we are fully accepted by a perfect, Holy God. To become successful in the Lord is a comforting prospect for those striving to mature in their relationship with him and move his Kingdom forward. Psalm 147:6 (NLT) “The LORD supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust.”
5.Materialism is modern day Idolatry. Owning the latest electronic breakthrough pales in comparison to building Christ like character. Use temporal things but desire eternal. You cannot be satisfied with any temporal goods, because you were not created for enjoyment of such things but for the purpose and fellowship of the Lord. Matthew 6:19-21(NLT) “Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.”
Remember no weapon that is formed against you will be successful and nothing can prevent you from obtaining all the Lord has for you. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments or if I can be of assistance to you. Together, Moving His Kingdom Forward....

Pastor jeff

Don't Quit

January 19, 2011



Take One More Step
"We get knocked down, but we get up again." - 2 Corinthians 4:9 TLB

Failure can feel like a punch in the gut. And when it keeps happening it's tempting just to give up. But you can't; you must 'get up again.' Failing doesn't make you a failure, quitting does. H.E. Jensen said, 'The man who wins may have been counted out several times, but he didn't hear the referee.' A failure-free life feels safe, but it fosters boredom, apathy and low self-esteem. Ever noticed that the devil never reminds you of what you've learned? No, he wants you to keep reliving the painful details. Learn the lesson, then forget the details! Victory requires building on what you've learned and moving on. Theologian Brooke Foss Westcott said, 'Great occasions don't make heroes or cowards, they simply unveil them... Silently, as we wake or sleep, we grow strong or weak, and at last some crisis shows us what we have become.' This article ran in The Wall Street Journal: 'You've failed many times although you may not remember. You fell the first time you tried to walk. You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim. Did you hit the ball the first time you swung the bat? Heavy hitters, the ones who hit the most home runs, also strike out a lot. R.H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York caught on. English novelist John Creasey got 753 rejection slips before publishing 564 books.' H. Jackson Brown gives us two rules for winning: Rule One: Take one more step. Rule Two: When you can't take one more step, refer to rule number one.



At Whit's End:

As Christians, we need to remember that it may seem as though we are at the end of our rope, but not the end of our hope! Our perishable bodies are subject to sin and suffering, but God never abandons us. Because Jesus has won the victory over death, we have eternal life. All our risks, humiliations, and trials are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate His power and presence in and through us. Pushing forward, step-by-step, is much easier with God on our side. Come on, you can do it...Jesus will help!

--Whit

Faith

Only faith in the redemptive work of Jesus can bring us into right relationship with God; not even a profusion of good works can do that. (Ephesians 2:8-9) But “works” do have an important role – they are the steady companion of faith.

As Christ’s followers, we’re called to be His ambassadors: We are to testify that God has reconciled the world to Himself through His Son, who lived, died, and lives again! (2 Corinthians 5:14- 20) Our personal responsibility is to reveal who God is by the way we live and the choices we make. God – honoring acts done in His way and timing are evidence that our convictions are genuine.

Faith without works is simply “dead” (James 2:17), but real faith is living and consistently expressed through action. When we let ourselves be instruments in God’s hands, He blesses the undeserving, strengthens the discouraged, provides for the needy, and offers saving grace to those in spiritual darkness. He rewards us richly when faith leads to obedient acts – we will not only see Him working; we will also grow closer to Him. Scripture says that our faith – filled actions will also put to shame those who are antagonistic toward Christ. (Titus 2:7-8) What a powerful combination – faith and works!

The depth of our faith is revealed through our conduct – not just in deeds that others observe, but also in actions we take when no one sees. (Matthew 6:1) God expects believers to be imitators of Jesus, pouring themselves into the lives of others whenever the Father asks.

Question: How do you keep focused on works without allowing your deeds to become the basis of your salvation (which comes from God alone)?

About this Author: Charles Stanley

hope

Hope

"My strength has perished, and so has my hope from the LORD." (Lam 3:18)
___________

When sorrow and trouble drain us of strength, when we have nothing left in
ourselves- the Lord understands. Did Jeremiah lack faith because he cried out?

"Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness. Surely my
soul remembers and is bowed down within me." (Lam 3:19-20) Crying out to God is
not a lack of faith. He knows where we go and where we are at and the bitterness
in this world. He cares for you.

"This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses
indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail." (Lam 3:21-22) Our faith is
little... mine is anyway, small like a mustard seed and I cause myself much
trouble.

But it's about the Lord's mercy, compassion, and kindness. "They are new every
morning; Great is Your faithfulness." (Lam 3: 23) Though all else is taken away,
you have this unshakable: "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I
have hope in Him." (Lam 3:24) Let's pray.

Heavenly Father, when encouragement seems far away, and our soul is bent and
humbled, help us remember: What we have is You.

Thank-You for true hope in the midst of our own weakness- hope that depends on
You. Your lovingkindness and mercy never comes to an end. Help us wait upon You-
for Your hand of mercy that never fails. Amen.

Today's very great and precious promise

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is
good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD. (Lam 3:25-26)

We have God's Word on it.