Pray For Your Husband

Recently I was linked to a blog with a list of reasons why the wives who were polled respect their husbands. I thought it would be interesting for you to read through and consider your own husband's strengths. As you read through this list, don't use it as an instrument against which to measure how respect worthy your husband is, rather see your husband in the list. Ask yourself today, what are the top reasons I respect my man. In followup, please share those thoughts and affirmations with your husband. You'd be surprised how one piece of affirmation from you, his best friend, can put the wind back into his sails.
         "Father, thank you for my husband. Wash me with the water of your Word that I may respect him in all seasons to praise of your glory. In Jesus name, Amen."

1. He carries the responsibilities in our daily life
2. He sacrifices so much to make our lives work
3. He supports our family
4. He is hard working
5. He is God fearing
6. He is selfless
7. He neglects himself and his needs to ensure I am ok
8. He is trustworthy
9. He has self control
10. he helps anyone in need
11. He Protects me and our family
12. He helps me see the good in everything
13. He makes his relationship with God priority
14. He is a role model to our kids
15. He shows the boys how to be Godly men
16. He stands for what he believes in
17. His Christ-likeness
18. He does the right thing even when it’s not the popular thing
19. He goes above and beyond what is expected of him
20. He loves me for who I am and helps me be a better person
21. His commitment to our family
22. He loves me unconditionally
23. He defends our marriage to his family
24. He treats me with a kind and patient heart
25. He loves God more than he loves me.
26. He is always following his call
27. He is driven
28. He has goals and ambitions
29. He stayed by my side when no one else would
30. He makes the choice for our family to go to church
31. He is a true man of a God
32. He has integrity
33. He is a great leader to our family
34. He works hard to support us and I have never once heard Him complain about going to work
35. His giving attitude
36. He spends quality time with our kids
37. He is patient
38. He is a man of his word
39. He is always in His Bible learning about God
40. He is not afraid of admitting his mistakes and changing his life according to God’s Plan

To My Salty Friend

A while back I posted a series on being the Salt and Light of the earth and asked for submissions of examples of how your family lives as salt and light.  My dear friend Sarah sent a great example I would like to share with you all.

"Our family has really adopted the neighbors that live on our court.  There are 15 houses and almost all need God deeply.  We try to keep an open home with kids always over to swim in the summer and a few events during the year where we invite our Christian friends and then our whole court.  Yesterday night we invited everyone over for a Movie and Mingle night.  We set up chairs and blankets in the garage and used a projector to show Charlie Brown Christmas which is fun, but still tells the true meaning of Christmas.  Then we had a fire pit outside on the driveway with all the smore fixins.  There were multiple kids out playing basketball at the edge of the street and the house was also open with toys, food, Christmas music and friends all around.  We provided hot cocoa, apple cider and some fun treats then asked anyone who wanted to, to bring something to share.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship and an opportunity for our neighbors to feel God's love through us.  We also used a bunch of Christmas cards (I save all the ones with lovely pictures of Jesus) and we hung them on the wall right over all the food - Christ front and center.  There were probably about 40 people who came to celebrate Jesus - good times."

--So clearly Sarah is not living in the deep freeze of Minnesota, but her family's example is exemplary and reproducible nonetheless. Sometimes we over think how to be Jesus to others and we overlook those living around us. Great job Sarah! So proud of you guys! Keep up the good work friend. Thanks for the example and encouragement for all of us.

Pray For Your Husband

Every man needs a Paul in his life, and every man will need to be a Paul to someone else. I am talking about the importance of relationships that mirror Paul & Timothy (New Testament) in our husband's life. Every man needs to be both a Timothy and a Paul. How?
1. Your husband is a Timothy when he is learning from a "Paul," a more mature man in the faith. I used to think that a mentor relationship meant you hunt someone down, ask them to be a mentor, meet on a regular basis, etc. I mean it can be but it is more. Our husbands need to observe men around them who consistently emulate Christ in all they do. Through prayer, this is the type of man your husband can use as a tangible example of Christ on earth (ie--an example of how to be a good dad/husband, how to be honest and successful, how to stand for the Truth, how to be Jesus consistently to the world). This occurs continually over a lifetime as our husband identifies the Paul in his life and watches him and goes to him for questions and is physically led by example through an open Bible.
2. Your husband is a Paul when he is a leader to another brother in Christ. It is important that our husband not to be a consumer who is constantly being served without giving of himself. Every man at every stage can come along side another and pray with him/for him/model Christ to him.

Holy God,
Thank you for my husband.  God, I pray that you will raise up within him a passion for your Truth that is unquenchable. Show him a man that lives for You with his whole heart. May this man be more mature in the faith. May he display how to live as Christ as a husband, a dad, an employee/employer, etc. May my husband receive solid biblical instruction and advice from this man.In turn, may my husband grow, not to be more like this man, but more like You Jesus, more into your likeness.
God, as my husband grows, I pray that another man would be taking notice. I pray that to this man younger in the faith my husband would be a living example of Jesus. May my husband physically open the Your Word allowing You to lead this man.
Thank You my Lord that you never planned for us to go through life alone.
Thank You for others in the faith who have gone before us and can help us.
Thank You that your Spirit empowers us to help others.
Thank You Holy Spirit of the living God that You are ever with us, ever with my husband.
You are real and I love You and believe in You and Your power at work in this world.
Amen.