Some good Love Dares the last few days.

Day 23: Remove anything that is hindering your relationship, stealing your affections, and turning your heart away from your spouse.

Day 24: Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it.

Day 25: Is there anything you haven't forgiven in your spouse, forgive today.

Now, the first one or two you might thing porn or another person like an affair or something like that, but if you think about it, there are other things in your life that might do the same. Such as reading a book. Do you read more than talk to your spouse? What about going out with friends? Or constantly picking up every little thing that falls on the floor or dirt you see, or do you watch too much TV? On the computer too much? There are so many things that can hinder or steal your affections... even an animal! You think of lust as a body thing; you lust after the flesh of another. Actually lust is:

LUST, n.

1. Longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy; as the lust of gain.

My lust shall be satisfied upon them. Ex. 15.

2. Concupiscence; carnal appetite; unlawful desire of carnal pleasure. Romans 1. 2Peter 2.

3. Evil propensity; depraved affections and desires. James 1. Ps. 81.

4. Vigor; active power. [Not used.]

LUST, v.i.

1. To desire eagerly; to long; with after.

Thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after. Deut. 12.

2. To have carnal desire; to desire eagerly the gratification of carnal appetite.

Lust not after her beauty in thy heart. Prov. 6.

Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her,hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matt. 5.

3. To have irregular or inordinate desires.

The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy. James 4.

Lust not after evil things as they also lusted. 1Cor. 10.

4. To list; to like.

So you can see lust is not just a bodily lust but can be lusting after other things as well. A vacation, a new car, new outfit, or anything that you crave or want that would hurt your relationship with your spouse.

Let's say you want a new car. You want it so bad you drive by the car lot purposely to make sure it is still there. Your spouse knows you want it and probably would love to give it to you but it is not possible. You constantly talk about it or mention it to friends and family. How do you think that would make your spouse feel? Knowing they cannot give that to you would probably make them feel bad. Maybe even make them feel like they are inadequate and can't meet your needs, even though it isn't a need. They may think my spouse needs this to be happy. Then they feel your happiness is based on that and not them. You aren't lusting after your spouse but things.

Yes, I know it can mean other persons or bodies and dirty magazines and movies and what not. I do know that, but I think it can also mean things in our life that we can live without even though we don't think we can. Does that make sense?

Now, day 25: Is there anything you haven't forgiven in your spouse, forgive today. That is a good one too.

John and I fight but I usually just walk away. I am made as a hornet for awhile, but usually let it go and we are done. Sometimes if we don't talk it out, that will creep back into my mind and next time we fight, guess what... That is right there. I think actually telling your spouse you forgive is important. If you don't, it will constantly creep back up and will ruin your relationship. If he does ask for forgiveness, give it to him, but if he doesn't... You still need to forgive him. It will take the help of the Lord at times but you do need to forgive them. That is when it is hardest when they don't apologize and let it go.

A lot of food for thought these last few days. It has been hard to swallow.

***Side note: I got the definitions for lust from the Webester's 1828 dictionary online at http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/search/word,lust

So I am a day late ;-)

I know I said I would do this yesterday but it just didn't happen. To be honest, I am so exhausted right now, I don't want to do it, but I will. I need to because I will be busy this weekend and probably won't be able to. Then Monday is here and it all starts over. lol Blah, blah, blah. lol

First the Love Dare. I am sort of doing it still. The reason I say sort of is because some of the things it asks you to do, I do anyway. Some though make you think and you try to come up with ways to show them you love them. Like doing something out of the ordinary or do something special. Last night was make a special dinner and focus on getting to know your spouse better. Well, we had to go to the funeral home last night so that put a damper on that. Plus the fact that we have kids made it a little harder. So after the funeral home we went to the Spaghetti Warehouse. That was the first time either of us were there. I must say I didn't really learn anything new about him, but we did have a nice time together and enjoyed the food and company.

Another one was to make a list a list of positive things about your spouse and sometime during the day, thank them for having that characteristic. That was a little tricky. I was trying to find a good way to thank him without being obvious.

Today's is a little easier as it has nothing to do with my husband, but with myself. It is to ask God to show you where you stand with Him and ask for strength and grace to settle your eternal destination. That was is easy because I know my eternal destination. The Lord Jesus saved me from my sins and because He sacrificed His blood I have eternal life. I could be closer to Him. That is always an ongoing thing but I do know where my eternal home is.

Anyway, it is all going well. I am sorry that I haven't updated more but I know you all understand being busy and time getting away from you.

John called a few minutes ago. He has to go down to 40 hrs a week. OUCH! When he got hired he was told he could have 50 a week. That is a lot of money to lose. He did say though that he can work whatever hours he wanted. So he can go in when he wants and come home when he wants. That part is cool but financially... OUCH! Ho hum! The Lord will provide.

I need to update!

Life has been a tad bit busy for me and I know I need to update. I will tomorrow, I promise! I know you are eager to hear the Love Dare update. Sorry about leaving you hanging but I know you all understand.

Love Dare update

I didn't get a chance to update on my Love Dare challenge. So here goes...

I did call John, twice actually the other day. I never had a chance to ask him what I could do for him, but I knew a few things that would make him happy and I did them. I made sure his dresser was full of clothes and also gave him a back rub. When I was talking to him I told him I was going to go to the store to pick up a few things, including dinner. He said he was planning on bringing dinner home that night! I was excited. So he Chinese take-out home that night. Yeah!

Yesterdays (Friday) was to ask your spouse what to tell you three things make him uncomfortable or irritate him. You are not supposed to attack them or get upset with them for telling you. He hasn't answered that one yet. I did find out that he was doing the Love Dare thing too. Or attempting too. We will see if he makes it all the way. LOL

Today, Day 6, is Choose to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation. Nothing has happened yet today. This could be an easy day. LOL Or I can hope anyway. ;-)

Photo Tag

1. Choose the 4th folder where you store pictures on your computer.

2. Select the 4th picture in the folder.

3. Explain the picture.

4. Tag four people to do the same.

5. No cheating (cropping, editing, etc.)



This is just a random Christmas picture. Noting exciting.

TAG:

Jenileigh

PuduGirl

Nicole

Theresa

Roses

I went out yesterday and bought my husband some sesame sticks and some strawberry cream savers. I also put them with that other bag of peanut butter m&m's and made a little gift bag. I got a card and put the normal "love you" stuff on it then wrote "I was out shopping today, saw these, and thought of you." or something like that. I had to work last night so I left it on the table so he would see it when he got home. The kids knew I did it too so they were going to make sure that dad got it. I come home and he had found his bag and was eating his sesame sticks. He didn't say much but I was yelling at Seth for loading the dishwasher (or waiting to load it) at 10:00 last night. I shouldn't have done that. Coming home and yelling is not a good thing to do. Anyway once I got things sorted, I went to the bedroom to get my work clothes off and jammie on. On the bed were 4 roses. He had bought them on his way home from work. That made my day! I made big deal about it and thanked him for them.

Now, did I get the roses because of the little bag of m&m's or did I get them because he is doing this Love Dare thing too? lol Either way, I will take it! I like roses, but they die. That part is depressing because the roses are given in love and they are beautiful and then they die. I do love the roses and am thankful for them. I felt like he actually thought of me today.

Today is day 4... Contact your spouse sometime during the day and ask him how he is doing and if there is anything you can do for him. Psalm 113:17-19.

I think I forgot to add the verses that go with the daily dare. It is never to late to join in!!!

Love Dare

If you haven't seen the movie Fireproof, be sure to do so when it comes out on DVD. It is a great movie and my hubby, who was reluctant to see it, loved it. It is encouraging for marriage, but it gives the plan of salvation in it. It isn't KJV, but it is in there. In the movie it talks about a book called (link) The Love Dare. It is a book to help your marriage or encourage your marriage. You don't have to have a troubled marriage to get help with this book. John and I have a wonderful marriage. God first, each other second... Always! But sometimes the little things I miss and I want to make sure I don't miss them. So I found this website (link) 40-day Love Dare Challenge. It sends you an e-mail every day with what to do on it. Today is day three so you will be a few days behind, but I truly believe in the end it will help our marriage out.

Day 1 was Resolve to say nothing negative about your spouse today. I have to admit that one was easy for a Monday. I didn't see him much. I knew he would go to scouts and then come home to watch the Ohio State game so I wouldn't talk to him much. At the same time... it wasn't just to him I couldn't say anything negative but also about him to other people. Again, it was easy as I wasn't upset with him. I wonder if I had been upset with him if it would have been different. I should say I am sure it would have been different. Anyway, I made it through that day. But the funny thing is, the next day (Tuesday) I had did say something negative. It wasn't a bad negative but it was still negative. It actually made me stop and think.

Day 2 was Do at least one unexpected gesture to your spouse as an act of kindness. The problem was he was at work all day then when he would be home I would be at work. I never know when I will get home so I thought how am I going to do this. Well after work I went across the street to BP and picked him up his favorite... peanut butter m&ms. I actually got him 2 bags. I gave one to him last night and planned on putting the other in today's lunch but forgot. He asked me where I got them. I told him I went across the street to get them for you. He said, "Yeah only because you got a drink". I said, "No, I went to get those. Seth had gotten me a drink earlier." You could see the "oh" in him and then he thanked me. Now if I had just gotten it because I was there to get a drink, I still think he would have been thankful, but it was have been a different kind of thankful. Does that make sense? Anyway, it made a little impression on him so... we shall see.

Today is Day 3. It says Buy your spouse something that says "I was thinking of you today." As you can see... I should have waited a day on the m&ms. LOL I will figure out something. I am not sure what though.

I am going to try to stick with it and see what happens. The Love Dare started Jan. 5th and ends on February 13th. That just happens to be his birthday and the weekend we plan on going away. I am hoping to have it planned out to go to the creation museum and I found an awesome hotel to stay at with a city window view. Oh it looks beautiful at night. It is a little more expensive, so I don't know if we will be able to, but I will try.

Check out the websites I have listed and think about doing it or getting the book. It is easier to see the movie to help you understand it more but give it a shot.

Back to the Monday blah! ;-)

Life is now back to normal I guess. John went back to work and we started school back up. We are getting a slow start though. That is okay. Tomorrow will go better I am sure. I have to run to the grocery store today as well. I am just not up for it all. I think after they finish up before lunch then we will quit for today. I want to run to the library and to the grocery store so that is probably what we will do. Take it easy the first day. :-) Lazy, aren't I?

John and I are planning a mini vacation for February. It is to celebrate his birthday and Valentine's Day. I am so excited!!! It will be nice to get away for the weekend. It will just be a weekend. I hope we find a good place to go. I am looking forward to it.

Vacation is over

Well the Christmas/winter vacation is over. Now life is back to normal. I say that it is over because it is Saturday and I will be doing the normal stuff from here on. It was a nice vacation but I didn't do all that I wanted to. I had so many ideas but they never came to be. Part of that was because hubby didn't have the same ideas, but that is okay. He needed a vacation to do what he wanted. He didn't need to be doing what I wanted. I think he had a nice vacation. Or at least I hope he did.

I will probably look at school stuff today or tomorrow to find out where I am and where I need to start back up. That is the bad part about vacation you lose your place in life. LOL I hope we can get back into the swing of things with school and get motivated to be done. No more breaks until spring, if then. I think we may have some math to catch up on as I remember we didn't get as far as I had hoped before break.

Pray for my friend's step-dad. He is in ICU and very sick. I believe they think he will recover but it will be a long road. Also another friend lost her mom yesterday. Pray for that family as well please.

Enjoy the weekend!

2009

May the Lord bless each of you throughout the new year!