100 Ways and 100 Days To Love Your Spouse

Day 22- Extend God’s grace to him and be forgiving when he offends you.  If you cannot extend God’s grace to your husband, who can you extend it to?  Be swift in forgiveness.  Your husband will see Christ’s face in yours when you do this.  I never hold grudges with my husband.  He, in turn, appreciates my forgiveness and is also quick to forgive me when I offend him.  Darrell & I have decided collectively that life is way too short to live out grudges.  Let your husband see Christ’s face in yours and you will soon see that he, too, will swiftly forgive you in return.

100 Ways and 100 Days To Love Your Spouse

Day 21- Don’t over commit yourself. Leave time for him. We, as women, tend to want to be supermom or superwife or superwoman.  We must put God first in our lives, then our spouse, then our children and so forth.  He should get your attention above all others in your life.  You must nourish your relationship(s) at home first before tending to any and all other commitments. Darrell and I choose to participate in out-of-the-home activities together. We have very similar hobbies and love spending time together always.  Leave time for your husbands, ladies….before ANYONE else.  He should get the “best” of you. All others should get the “leftovers”…LOL.

100 Ways and 100 Days To Love Your Spouse

Day 20- Talk with him/her about having specific family goals for each year to achieve together to feel closer as a marital team.  Darrell and I discuss our daily goals, weekly goals, monthly then yearly goals.  We are a team.  We consider one another’s personal goals and our goals as a family unit.  We are all very driven individuals and even moreso as a strong family. It draws us all closer together as we help each other achieve our individual goals as well as our goals as a  family.

100 Ways and 100 Days To Love Your Spouse

Day 19- Be creative when you express your love, both in words and in actions.  Most men and women, for that matter, like to be “shown” love.  Darrell and I took the “love language” quiz to figure out what our love language is.  This is in “The 5 Love Language” book by Dr. Gary Chapman.  You should check it out.  It’s a great book!  I was not all surprised at our results.  Here is the quiz below….have fun!

Not so sure what your Love Language is? That’s okay, I didn’t know for the longest time. I mean, I suspected, but I wasn’t entirely sure.  If you’re in the same boat as me, or if perhaps you can’t decide between two (or three), a quiz might be the right next step for you!

Below is a quiz adapted from Gary Chapman’s book, “The Five Love Languages.” It is designed to help you to understand the in which you best receive (and give) love.

The Love Language Quiz consists of 30 pairs of statements.  Choose ONE statement in each pair - the one that best represents your desire.  Keep track of your answers: write down the letter of each statement you choose.  (Make sure you’re only choosing one!)

The Love Language Quiz:

1.	I like to receive love notes from my husband. I like to be hugged by my husband.	A E
2.	I like to spend one-to-one time with my husband. I feel loved when my husband gives practical help to me.	B D
3.	I like it when my husband give me gifts. I like leisurely visits and long trips with my husband.	C B
4.	I feel loved when my husband does things to help me. I feel loved when my husband touches me.	D E
5.	I feel loved when my husband puts his arm around me. I feel loved when my husband surprises me with a gift.	E C
6.	I like to go almost anywhere with my husband. I like to hold hands with my husband.	B E
7.	Visible symbols of love (gifts) are very important to me. I feel loved when my husband tells me he loves me.	C A
8.	I like to sit close to my husband. I like for my husband to tell me I am attractive.	E A
9.	I like to spend time with my husband. I like to receive little gifts from my husband.	B C
10.	Words of acceptance, especially from my husband, are important to me. I know my husband loves me when he helps me.	A D
11.	I like being together and doing things with my husband. I like it when my husband speaks kind words to me.	B A
12.	What my husband does affects me more than what he says. Hugs make me feel connected to and valued by my husband.	D E
13.	I value praise from my husband. Small, meaningful gifts from my husband shows me how much he cares.	A C
14.	I feel close to my husband when we are talking or doing something together. I feel closer to my husband when he touches me often.	B E
15.	I like for my husband to compliment my achievements. I know my husband loves me when he helps me with something he hates.	A D
16.	I like to be touched as my husband walks by. I like it when my husband shows genuine interest in what I am saying.	E B
17.	I feel loved when my husband helps me with jobs or projects. I really enjoy receiving gifts from my husband.	D C
18.	I like for my husband to compliment my appearance. I feel loved when my husband takes time to understand my feelings.	A B
19.	I feel secure when my husband is touching me. When my husband runs errands for me, it makes me feel loved.	E D
20.	I appreciate the many things that my husband does for me. I like the thoughtful gifts that my husband makes for me.	D C
21.	I really enjoy the feeling I get when my husband gives me undivided attention. I really enjoy the feeling I get when my husband cleans the house for me.	B D
22.	I feel loved when my husband celebrates my birthday with a gift. I feel loved when my husband tells me how important I am to him.	C A
23.	I know my husband is thinking of me when he gives me a gift. I feel loved when my husband helps with my chores.	C D
24.	I appreciate it when my husband listens patiently and doesn’t interrupt me. I never get tired of receiving gifts from my husband.	B C
25.	I like knowing my husband is concerned enough to help with my daily tasks. I enjoy taking trips with my husband, no matter where we go.	D B
26.	I enjoy kissing & cuddling with my husband. I enjoy surprise gifts from my husband.	E C
27.	My husband’s encouraging words give me confidence. I like to watch movies with my husband.	A B
28.	Gifts from my husband are always special to me. I love it when my husband can’t keep his hands off me.	C E
29.	I feel loved when my husband enthusiastically helps me despite being busy. I feel loved when my husband tells me how much I am appreciated.	D A
30.	I love hugging and kissing my husband after we’ve been apart for a while. I love hearing my husband tell me that he missed me.	E A

Now that you’re finished, count the number of times you wrote down each letter.  One of them should seem more dominant than the others. That one will be your love language!!

Mostly A’s: Words of Affirmation

Mostly B’s: Quality Time

Mostly C’s: Receiving Gifts

Mostly D’s: Acts of Service

Mostly E’s: Physical Touch

TODAY'S WORD WITH MARIA FULCHER

TODAY’S WORD WITH MARIA FULCHER

Revelation 21:8

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral/whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

God’s law will still be in effect once His Kingdom is established.  Even after the Millennium, when New Jerusalem comes down, no lawbreaker will be allowed in the city. In Revelation 22, the last chapter of the Bible, obedience to God's law is the central issue. This is very clear proof that the law of God, which reflects the holy conduct of the Almighty, will be the standard for all eternity! 

Do you see yourself in this verse from the Bible?  You say you are saved, but do you continue bad behavior in the eyes of our Lord?  Are you still cowardly and you don’t speak up and spread the word of God?  Are you ye of little faith?  Have you been an unfaithful spouse?  Do you lie?  God’s word is very simplified in this verse.  Do YOU want your portion to be…..THE LAKE OF FIRE?  Not me.

100 Ways and 100 Days To Love Your Spouse

Day 18-. Compliment him/her often.  Your spouse needs your “stamp of approval”.  When your spouse believes that you admire qualities about them, they will be confident with others.  I compliment Darrell on a daily basis about something.  Just so he knows that I see and acknowledge the good things I see in him.  Try this today and you will be surprised at the positive response you receive back from your spouse.

Me and Cyn-Cyn, love this girl!

100 Ways and 100 Days To Love Your Spouse

Destin 2011

Day 17- Don’t allow family members to treat him/her disrespectfully. Defend him/her to anyone that dishonors his/her place as your spouse.  You have “left” your family to join him/her.  Darrell and I have had situations where we have had to defend the other to family members.  It is definitely a sad situation to have to do so, but is imperative to your well being as a couple.  Darrell honors me all the days of our lives and I him.  We have been joined, by God,  as one and there is nothing or no one, including family members, that can sever the strong bond that we have formed.  What we have tethered, no man or woman will ever undo.