Just popping in & still thinking & praying for you - apologies for my absence
Some pearls of wisdon I came across:
Quote:
Prayer Can Change a Marriage Sharon Jaynes
Today's Truth
"I tell you the truth, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20 NIV).
Friend to Friend
I am always stunned when I hear someone say, "Well, I guess the only thing left to do is pray." My goodness, I've even been shocked to hear the words come out of my own mouth. Prayer should never been seen as a last resort but as a first line of defense. No matter what condition your marriage is in today, prayer will make it better. God can make a bad marriage good and a good marriage great. God's answers to prayer healed the sick, fed the hungry, stopped the rain, kept the earth from revolving on its axis for an hour, divided the Red Sea, poured forth water from a rock, opened wombs, confused enemies, opened jail doors, made leprous skin reform, caused the lame to dance, gave courage to the fearful, and raised the dead. Jesus said, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20).
Have you noticed that it's hard to say mad at someone when you're praying for them? Somehow walking into the throne room of God with a pack of anger and resentment strapped on your back doesn't feel comfortable. I've noticed when I'm angry at my husband, but I begin to pray for him (And I'm not talking "God help him when I get a hold of him" type prayers) God begins to soften my heart. The Bible says that God is love and it is difficult to be in Love's very presence and remain angry. Oh, you can stay mad, but it takes a lot of effort.
Sometimes it is hard to pray for our husbands when we're mad at them. But God tells us to "pray for our enemies." How much more should we pray for our God-given, lifelong mate!
I know there are many of you who are reading this devotion with anger or resentment in your hearts. You may be wondering, how did my marriage drift so far from where I hoped it would be? How did my marriage get to this state of desperation, mediocrity, frigidity, mutual tolerance, and co-existence? Is it too late for me? Is it too late for us?
Friend, the answer is no - it is not too late. I have good news for you. God's specialty is resurrection. He excels at bringing life from death. In the Old Testament, you may have heard of the couple, Abraham and Sarah. When Sarah laughed at the angel who said she would have a child at ninety-years-old, the angel said, "Is anything too hard for God?"
The following year, the joke was on her. She had a baby boy and named him Isaac, which means laughter.
Nothing is too hard for God, my friend. Absolutely nothing. Jesus said, "All things are possible to him (or her) who believes" (Mark 9:23). A baby is born to a dried up womb, fingers and toes materialize on the nubs of a leper's hands and feet, sight is given to a man blind from birth, a son is raised right in the middle of his own funeral procession, and the Red Sea is parted and thousands walk across on dry land. Now, tell me, is there anything in your life too hard for a God like this?
Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for my marriage today. I pray that you will make me into the woman that You intended all along. Help me to see my husband through your eyes today - as a chosen, dearly loved, child of God. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Now it's Your Turn
Today, I'm giving you a list of Bible verses to pray for your husband, from head to toe. This is your assignment for today - for always.
Lord, I pray for my husband, from head to toe:
> His Head - That he will look to You as Lord of his life. (1 Corinthians 11:13)
> His Mind - That he will have the mind of Christ and think as the Holy Spirit would lead him and not the flesh. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
> His Eyes - That You will keep his eyes from temptation and that he will turn his eyes from sin. (Matthew 6:13, Mark 9:47)
> His Ears - That he will hear Your still small voice instructing him. (1 Kings 19:12, Psalm 32:8)
> His Mouth - That his words will be pleasing to You. (Proverbs 19:14)
> His Neck - That he will humble himself before You and be strong, courageous, and careful to do everything written in Your Word so that he will be prosperous and successful. (James 4:10, Joshua 1:8-9)
> His Heart - That he will love and trust You with his whole heart. (Deuteronomy 6;5, Proverbs 3:5)
> His Arms - That You will be his strength. (Psalm 73:26)
> His Hands - That he will enjoy the work of his hands and see it as a gift from You. (Ecclesiastes 3:13, 5:19)
> His feet - That You will order his steps and that he will walk in Your truth. (Proverbs 4:25, Psalm 26:3)
More from the Girlfriends
There is nothing more important that we can do for our marriages than pray for our husbands. Sharon has these Scripture prayers on a beautiful inexpensive laminated prayer card that fits snuggly in your Bible for quick reference.
I did give her the DR book, but I know she didn't really READ it. She's starting to listen to me now though. I know that she tried to do what I said before, but she wouldn't try long enough. It would be a week maybe, and then she'd say nothing changes. Well, we all know 1 week is nothing, so I hope she really stays focussed this time.
I have a question for all.
her H has a daughter that they take custody of every other week. What should she do? The mother is not a great mother and they were even in the plans of trying to get full custody. Right now, he hasn't been to work in 3 days (been drunk), a job our dad got him on a couple weeks ago.
There is so much junk involved, and I won't go thru it all, but basically I told her she needs to.
1. Do the 3 DB things 2. Don't move out of the house (they just built it a year ago) 3. Plan on not getting any money from him and try to figure out making things work w/o him, just in case. 4. talk to an attorney 5. Treat H like a roomate, don't be rude, but don't try to be overly nice either. don't initiate contact unless it's necessary . 6. Start working on yourself.
She's really confused what to do with the step daughter. She doesn't want to cause confusion for her and make things messed up for her, she already has issues from how things are already. I thought that she should she continue the normal routine, but maybe advise H in a calm confident way that you will not be there at these times and that it will be his responsibility to take care of his child such and such.
I really didn't have advice that I felt confident about. What does everyone else think?
Me 33 H 34 S9 S3 M 6 yrs (2gether 11 yrs) EA/PA 1/2006 DB 5/2006 H wants D 6/2006 H wants ME 8/2006 H "said" PA/EA over 8/2006 H erased OW off phone! 2/2007
"It is far better 2 choose humility & change oneself, than 2 wait in vain trying 2 chang someone else."
Me 33 H 34 S9 S3 M 6 yrs (2gether 11 yrs) EA/PA 1/2006 DB 5/2006 H wants D 6/2006 H wants ME 8/2006 H "said" PA/EA over 8/2006 H erased OW off phone! 2/2007
"It is far better 2 choose humility & change oneself, than 2 wait in vain trying 2 chang someone else."
The stepdaughter is a tough one...she probably feels very close to her, but if they D obviously she won't see her much, if at all.
It is hard to choose between trying to keep up the normal routines and letting her H see what life will be like if they D. I really don't know which to pick as it depends so much on the situation and personalities and what would be 180s for her and also best for the stepdaughter.
I hope that your sister really starts to internalize the DB stuff. It definitely doesn't sink in the first time around, or even the second. Of course, you have been there, done that and know her better than any of us, so I'm sure your advice will be awesome.
Michelle - Proud DR Rockette S: 28JUL07, D'd: 29OCT09 http://tinyurl.com/27j9qo2
yes, I hope that she will let DB sink in. I've tried before, but she's that stubborn little sis that never learns unless she experiences it herself.
I wish she had a computer so she could go on here herself.
What I believe needs to happen for her is...
Get to a healthy weight (she's obese and has been for many years) Get the house in an orderly working fashion (it can get very bad) get a life because she does nothing, but she also doesn't have $ stop yelling/griping (this is a character for her)
HE needs to... wake up and take responsibility instead of loosing his jobs, which he just did this week, stop drinking and realize he's an alchoholic, and stop wasting $, and start being responsible period.
and pray pray pray pray pray!
Me 33 H 34 S9 S3 M 6 yrs (2gether 11 yrs) EA/PA 1/2006 DB 5/2006 H wants D 6/2006 H wants ME 8/2006 H "said" PA/EA over 8/2006 H erased OW off phone! 2/2007
"It is far better 2 choose humility & change oneself, than 2 wait in vain trying 2 chang someone else."
supposedly, I just found out that he went to work the last two days. so thankfully he hasn't lost his job. my dad talked to him too I guess. I hope that helped. my dad is the one that got him the job. I definitely have a different respect for my dad now. He cheated on my mom, so we weren't very close. But he had a lot of good things to say during my sitch, and was very compassionate about the whole thing, even towards my H.
Me 33 H 34 S9 S3 M 6 yrs (2gether 11 yrs) EA/PA 1/2006 DB 5/2006 H wants D 6/2006 H wants ME 8/2006 H "said" PA/EA over 8/2006 H erased OW off phone! 2/2007
"It is far better 2 choose humility & change oneself, than 2 wait in vain trying 2 chang someone else."
Just checking in to see how your sis is doing. You know, I have not talked to my dad about anythign that is going on in my sitch. He cheated on my mom and eventually married one of the OW. I am still angry with him, 24 years later. I wonder if I should talk to him?
I am glad thtat your BIL has been getting back to work. No matter what, his family needs to be supported. Prayers and {{{{{hugs}}}}} to your sis and family.
SMW
M40/H36 T16/M14 4K B2/08 S4/08 current
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. I Corinthians 13:7
thanks very much SMW! I haven't talked to her this week, but she sounded better last time we spoke. I need to touch base with her.
yes, I do think you should talk to your dad. My dad even regretted what he did with my mom.
Me 33 H 34 S9 S3 M 6 yrs (2gether 11 yrs) EA/PA 1/2006 DB 5/2006 H wants D 6/2006 H wants ME 8/2006 H "said" PA/EA over 8/2006 H erased OW off phone! 2/2007
"It is far better 2 choose humility & change oneself, than 2 wait in vain trying 2 chang someone else."
