Somewhere along the way we as men stop pursuing our wives. A woman's design is to be pursued. They want to be captured by your love. Since the day a girl is about 7, they want a prince to rescue them. They want to feel like a beautiful princess. They need to feel special and lovely. They want to be rescued, feeling secure in your love for her. She wants to know your heart is soley for her.
It's the hunt of the game. When we first date and want to get to know a girl, we do whatever it takes to show how much we love them. We send them flowers, give them a card with words that exactly explains how you feel about them.
Do you remember staying up until the wee hours of the morning just talking? The world around you stops and all you can do is focus on the beautiful creation in front of you. Even if she talks for hours straight, you engage her with your eyes. Even if the conversation isn't that interesting to you, you know it means everything to her that you are listening. You would hold her and encourage her with positive words of affirmation.
Down the road you get married. You got your prize and the 'hunt of the game' stops. Why not? You got what you wanted. Then, everything about you that she loves starts to fade away. You have her now and the passion you once had for her diminishes. Your eyes start to wander around the room when she talks, or you won't look up from the newspaper(or computer) when she is talking to you. You brush her off with an "Uh- hum" or give her a quick answer so you can go back to what you were doing.
The flowers that would absolutely make her day- stops. The special message in a card- stops. The loving eye contact- stops. Her world of feeling secure and loved- stops. The girl who once felt like a beautiful princess, now feels second rate. She feels ordinary and feels taken advantage of.
Somewhere along the way, this princess you would guard with your life has taken on the role of a mother. Disheartened, she continues to cook, clean, and wash your clothes. Her passion for you starts to fade too. You once were a prince, now you are another 'responsibility' in her daily chores. The luster you once had in your marriage has turned into a "honey do" list and a discussion for the week's agenda.
Your wife, your lover, is your biggest ally. She is the help-mate God designed and gave to you. Just like Adam, God thought up the perfect match for your life. She desires to love you to her fullest. But, if you treat her like a mother, expecting her to keep up with the daily chores and take away the passion and the special gifts that once made her feel exclusive and important-- then no wonder her heart hardens and she starts talking to you like your mother. She becomes bitter, snappy with her words, demanding, and complaining often. Why is that? She's unhappy and is slowly dying inside.
She wants her prince back in her life. Your wife craves to be pursued again. She wants to know that you don't just see her as a 'cleaning machine', rather as a "help-mate".
Men, maybe you feel desperate and worn out. Maybe you feel like she doesn't appreciate you anymore. All you can do is fix the damage that is already done- before it's too late. Look back and see how you've failed as a loving husband. Look back and remember how you were able to capture your wife when you were dating-- and start doing them again.
Start with forgiveness. Let her know you've failed her. Let her know how much you appreciate her and love her. Let her know you will pursue her. Fulfilling her needs.
Never stop pursuing your lover. Guard her, fight for her love. . . do "whatever it takes"!
Honey, forgive me for failing you. I love you, but I can love you more. I will do "whatever it takes to turn this around". I haven't been the best husband and you deserve more. I promise to continue to pursue you and make you feel like the beautiful princess that you are. I will not stop fighting for our marriage. Thank you for your patience and endless love. Thank you for loving me for who I am and who I am becoming.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
FUN TRIVIA - POLL RESULTS
Which One is NOT Noah's Son?
81% - Meshack
18% - Ham
0% - Japheth
0% - Shem
Yes, Ham is a funny name, but he was one of the three sons of Noah. Meshack is NOT one of Noah's sons.
Genesis 5:32, "After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth." (NIV)
><>
P.S. I don't know where the 1% disappeared to for the poll results?!
All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
81% - Meshack
18% - Ham
0% - Japheth
0% - Shem
Yes, Ham is a funny name, but he was one of the three sons of Noah. Meshack is NOT one of Noah's sons.
Genesis 5:32, "After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth." (NIV)
><>
P.S. I don't know where the 1% disappeared to for the poll results?!
All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
Monday, September 8, 2008
COFFEE LOVERS
I love my cup of joe. Give me basic cream and sugar and I am a happy man! I do enjoy an occasional Cafe Mocha or Iced coffee. Well, to all those heavy coffee drinkers- Here are 10 Signs that you are a Coffee-Addict!
10. You jog 20 miles on your treadmill before realizing it's not turned on.
9. Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.
8. You name your cats "Cream" and "Sugar".
7. You can type 60 words per minute. . . with your feet!
6. You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.
5. You think CPR stands for "Coffee Provides Resuscitation."
4. You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.
3. You don't sweat, you percolate.
2. All your kids are named "Joe".
The #1 Sign you are a Coffee-Addict:
1. You answer the door before people knock.
May this bring a smile to your face!
><>
All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
10. You jog 20 miles on your treadmill before realizing it's not turned on.
9. Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.
8. You name your cats "Cream" and "Sugar".
7. You can type 60 words per minute. . . with your feet!
6. You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.
5. You think CPR stands for "Coffee Provides Resuscitation."
4. You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.
3. You don't sweat, you percolate.
2. All your kids are named "Joe".
The #1 Sign you are a Coffee-Addict:
1. You answer the door before people knock.
May this bring a smile to your face!
><>
All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Marriage Is a Wonderful Thing!
A very close friend of mine is getting married this Saturday. He has given me the honor of being a groomsman in his wedding. As I think back in the life of my friend and his steady love and obedience for God, he's been patiently waited for the right help mate. Yes, he has dated some good and godly girls (a couple not so good) = P . He has broken some hearts and I know he has been heart broken through the process of dating.
The point is, he's always been waiting for God's best for his life. Just like God gave Adam a help mate, my friend was waiting for the exact help mate that God intended for his life. I truly believe he has found her- or should I say, God has given her to him.
You see, my friend could have 'settled' (I've been there before). He could have 'settled' for someone who could fill the loneliness in his life. My friend could have 'settled' for someone who could meet some of his needs. He could have 'settled' for someone who could fill some of the voids in his life...
As I have watched his life over the years, he's been in search for the "right one", not just a filler. He's been waiting for the one who brings out the best in him. The one that will compliment his weaknesses. The one he can serve God with. Because of his patience, God has blessed him with a wonderful woman, who he will soon be able to call, Wife.
It will be exciting to see how their journey together begins and continues as they impact the lives around them, through Jesus Christ.
This is a great devotional and reminder to all who are married.
Ephesians 5:19-33: "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body.
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."
This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." (NIV)
><>
All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
The point is, he's always been waiting for God's best for his life. Just like God gave Adam a help mate, my friend was waiting for the exact help mate that God intended for his life. I truly believe he has found her- or should I say, God has given her to him.
You see, my friend could have 'settled' (I've been there before). He could have 'settled' for someone who could fill the loneliness in his life. My friend could have 'settled' for someone who could meet some of his needs. He could have 'settled' for someone who could fill some of the voids in his life...
As I have watched his life over the years, he's been in search for the "right one", not just a filler. He's been waiting for the one who brings out the best in him. The one that will compliment his weaknesses. The one he can serve God with. Because of his patience, God has blessed him with a wonderful woman, who he will soon be able to call, Wife.
It will be exciting to see how their journey together begins and continues as they impact the lives around them, through Jesus Christ.
This is a great devotional and reminder to all who are married.
Ephesians 5:19-33: "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body.
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."
This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." (NIV)
><>
All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The Tender Heart of God
The heart of a father is strength, leadership, and discipline. Also, the heart of a father is tenderness and compassion. Whenever one of my kids fall and scrapes their knee or 'bonks' their head on the ground or coffee table, their whole world comes crumbling down.
The best thing to do is hold and craddle them until they quiet down. At that very moment, my child doesn't understand what has happened. One minute they are running around playing and giggling, then in a split second they injure themselves and cannot understand what their pain is. They are overwhelmed by emotion and their heart is hurt by confusion and insecurity.
How often we go through life happy and fulfilled. Then in a split second you open up your mail and find out that your house is foreclosing, the bills are piling up and you just don't have the means to pay them off - You just received a call about a dear one close to you has just passed away - Maybe your marriage is failing and there is such a loneliness in your life. Your heart is full of pain, confusion. . . and insecurities.
Our heavenly Father is there to hold you, comfort you, and He's singing a love song to quiet your soul.
Read this obscure passage that has changed my perspective, my love for God.
Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)
God will quiet you with His love. He is rejoicing and singing over you. Call out to your Daddy today! You mean so much to Him. The more you are hurting, the more fearful you are, the closer He gets.
><>
All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
The best thing to do is hold and craddle them until they quiet down. At that very moment, my child doesn't understand what has happened. One minute they are running around playing and giggling, then in a split second they injure themselves and cannot understand what their pain is. They are overwhelmed by emotion and their heart is hurt by confusion and insecurity.
How often we go through life happy and fulfilled. Then in a split second you open up your mail and find out that your house is foreclosing, the bills are piling up and you just don't have the means to pay them off - You just received a call about a dear one close to you has just passed away - Maybe your marriage is failing and there is such a loneliness in your life. Your heart is full of pain, confusion. . . and insecurities.
Our heavenly Father is there to hold you, comfort you, and He's singing a love song to quiet your soul.
Read this obscure passage that has changed my perspective, my love for God.
Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (NIV)
God will quiet you with His love. He is rejoicing and singing over you. Call out to your Daddy today! You mean so much to Him. The more you are hurting, the more fearful you are, the closer He gets.
><>
All posts are the sole property of the Heart Like Jesus blog. You must obtain permission to use any of the information on this blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)