100 Ways and 100 Days To Love Your Spouse

Day 13-  Focus on what he’s doing right, instead of focusing so often on the negatives. There are so many things that my husband does right, we’d be here all day if I were to attempt to list them. J  But, it does take effort sometimes to think of those things.  And, usually, it has NOTHING at all to do with him.  Tonight, compliment him on a job well done or thank him for helping with the dishes, the clothes or the kids.  You’d be surprised how far that goes with him.  I have found when Darrell feels appreciated, it’s a lot easier for him to receive…ahem….criticism.  And, he begins to take initiative on helping out instead of having to be asked to help out.  J

Tylar & I at a MCHS Bulldog game!

TODAY'S WORD WITH MARIA FULCHER

TODAY'S WORD WITH MARIA FULCHER

"…Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered"
(1 Peter 3:7, NLT)

Did you know that the way you treat others has an impact on the effectiveness of your prayers? The Bible says that the prayer of the righteous person is powerful. But if we aren't treating others with honor, kindness and respect, then we aren't allowing His righteousness to operate in us. When we don't treat others the way we should, it closes the door to God's power and hinders our prayers.

This is especially true in a marriage relationship. Marriage isn't just an agreement between two people to live life together. Marriage is a God-ordained institution that helps us understand love and unity. When two people are married, they become one physically, spiritually and emotionally. This particular passage is directed toward husbands, but it applies to all believers as well. We should always treat others "with understanding," which means considering their needs above our own. We should always aim to treat others with kindness, dignity and respect, and quickly choose forgiveness.

Remember, the way we treat others is the only thing that matters in eternity, and it impacts our prayers on earth. So today, choose love, choose forgiveness, and choose to treat others with respect so that your prayers can be powerful and effective the way God promises!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I want to live in Your ways. I want Your power to flow though me. Show me how to treat others with the highest level of love and respect. Let my words and actions always honor You so that my prayers will be powerful and effective in Jesus' name. Amen.

100 Ways and 100 Days To Love Your Spouse

Day 12- When you go out on a date together don’t bring up problems—have fun instead.  Darrell enjoy our “alone” time together.  We talk about everything but problems.  We can truly ride down the road together to the store and have fun.  Date night is for the two of you to “unwind” together.  It’s difficult to achieve that if you are bringing up issues that can truly wait for another time to be discussed.  Our favorite date night activity is dinner and a movie. 

Christmas 2010

TODAY'S WORD WITH MARIA FULCHER

Today’s Word with Maria Fulcher:  Raising Godly Sons

I was recently blown away after seeing a young teenage boy on Facebook wearing a T-shirt exploiting a young, beautiful woman almost completely naked.  What shocked me about this particular child wearing the shirt was this….his mother claims she is a very religious person.  So, what do we have in this situation?  What boundaries are we setting for our young male sons?  Are there any? 

I would NEVER allow my teenage son to wear such a provocative shirt exploiting women.  My son is being taught to admire women, respect them and hold them to high regard.  He will not ever be allowed to exploit women in such a despicable way. 

What is at the heart of your desire to raise a Godly son?

In our secular society, it is difficult enough for teenage boys to “fit in”.  For any boy to be a “good” child, he MUST be raised by God’s truth.  I want my son to know all the principles taught in the Bible about growing into a Godly man.  I want my son have a love and a passion for God which will, in turn, spill out into a love for all mankind, especially women. 

My expectations and goals for my son are far too important to sacrifice his reputation by wearing such “garb”.  There are many voices telling me how to parent my child in our secular society.  But, I choose to listen to only one voice.  God’s voice.

This is what God tells me about raising my son up into a Godly man:

            Establish and live God’s standards (Deuteronomy 6:1) Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the LORD your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it.

            Pass it on to next generations (Deuteronomy 6:2) So that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.

               

What God says about women who falsely teach our sons (Revelation 2:20) But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

So, I beg of you ladies, raise your son up to respect women; to put them on a “pedestal”, so to speak; to listen and learn righteous things from them; to lead them and their future children in the way you would want your husband to lead you and your family. 

Thomas, 10 and Dalton, 15~my precious sons.

100 Ways and 100 Days To Love Your Spouse

11. Try not to make sudden major changes without discussion, giving him/her time to adjust.  It takes all of us time to get used to new ways of doing things.  Consider your spouse’s consideration and input on anything majorly different that you hope to accomplish….together.  Darrell & I discuss every single minute decision in our lives, together.  It doesn’t matter how small the matter or how large.  We ALWAYS consult the other.  If you don’t consider your mate’s wishes and input and ideas, you shouldn’t be changing anything. 

Destin 2010, One of my favorite pictures of the two of us!

TODAY'S WORD WITH MARIA FULCHER

TODAY'S WORD WITH MARIA FULCHER:  MONEY ISSUES!!!

1.      The Bible teaches the proper attitude toward money. Money becomes a problem when it is misused. Paul taught Timothy,

But godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; but having food and covering we shall be therewith content. But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Tim. 6:6-10 NKJV).

      2. Secondly, discipline is necessary in order to handle money properly. In addition to having the right attitude about money, we must practice biblical discipline regarding the management of our resources.

Paul taught:

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat. For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread (2 Thess. 3:10-12).

What did Paul mean when he wrote to Christians at Rome saying "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law"? (Rom. 13:8NKJV). This does not mean that one cannot buy anything on credit. You don't owe anything until the payment is due. It does mean "Pay your bills." It also means that we should not over-extend our selves.

Here are some ways to tell if you are living beyond your means:

• "Maxing-out" your credit cards.
• Borrowing from the cash value of your insurance policy.
• Making new loans to pay off old ones.
• Using credit to buy luxury items or to take vacations.
• Borrowing money from your friends or relatives.
• Always paying your bills late.
• Having nothing in a savings account.
• Paying the smallest amount permitted on credit cards.
• Applying for new credit cards for more borrowing power.

If you find that you are living beyond your means, then begin to take action to either increase your income or decrease your spending.

Debt can be a millstone around the neck and can ruin a marriage. We must discipline ourselves to live within our means. Remember:

"If your out-going exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall."

Reagan & Taylor at Cheer Comp!

ICEBREAKER QUESTION OF THE DAY

Icebreaker Question: 

If someone made a movie of your life would it be a drama, a comedy, a romantic-comedy, action film, or science fiction?