While Bobby and I were dating and we would go out to eat, I would see couples just sitting there, not talking. I thought, we'll never be that way. We'll always have so much to talk about. Fast forward 5 years, and we are that couple. We are comfortable with each other and don't feel the need to fill the silence all the time. Thanks to Pinterest, I came across this list of 50 questions you can ask your spouse, so I thought it would be fun to list a few of them. Here are the first 10. Check out the blog to see the rest of them.
1. What are your 5 favorite foods, with the most favorite first?
2. What are your 5 favorite kinds of meals, with the most favorite first?
3. What are your 5 favorite desserts, with the most favorite first?
4. What are your 5 favorite restaurants, with the most favorite first?
5. What is your favorite color?
6. What are your 5 favorite hobbies, with the most favorite first?
7. What are your 5 favorite recreations, with the most favorite first?
8. What are your 5 favorite sources of reading, with the most favorite first?
9. What gifts do you like?
10. What is your favorite books(s) of the Bible? Why?
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Facebook Group
If you haven't heard, Philip set us up with not only a Twitter account, but a Facebook group also! Check us out and ask to join. I think we have all the major media outlets covered now :-)
Remember, if you ever have anything to post to the blog, let me know. If you come across a great devotion that spoke to you, or another blog that lifted you up, send it to me. I would love to have something everything that helps strengthen our marriages!
Remember, if you ever have anything to post to the blog, let me know. If you come across a great devotion that spoke to you, or another blog that lifted you up, send it to me. I would love to have something everything that helps strengthen our marriages!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Marriage Tip Monday
Here's something fun to try for a week...set up a ratio of "together-time" to TV-watching. So for example, "allow" yourselves 1 hour of TV for each hour you spend together doing non-TV activities, like going for a walk, talking, playing a game, having family devotions or dinner together, etc. Or choose another increment...maybe 15 min of together-time will "earn" an hour of TV. Sometimes starting small is an easier adjustment. The ratio can always be tweaked the following week!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Sunday ABF
Don't forget this Sunday, February 19th, we are meeting with the
Roads Group. Plan on meeting in the Fellowship Hall during our regular
ABF time (11:15). The topic will be Singleness and Marriage.
In case it's been awhile since you've been, First Baptist Irving is at 403 S Main St. Irving,TX. You can get more directions HERE.
Hope to see you all there!
In case it's been awhile since you've been, First Baptist Irving is at 403 S Main St. Irving,TX. You can get more directions HERE.
Hope to see you all there!
Friday, February 17, 2012
100 Ways to Make your Marriage Rock
Thursday, February 16, 2012
A Night of Psalms
Sunday night February 26, at 6:30 PM, First Baptist Irving is proud to present, " A Night of Psalms" - An Extraordinary Night of music and worship to benefit the SEALS ministry of First Irving, which feeds the homeless in downtown Dallas week in and week out.
First Baptist Irving is asking guests to fill one brown paper gift sack with travel size toiletry items (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, comb, lotion, & disposable razors) to the church, which will serve as your ticket for "A Night of Psalms." Please bring the filled bag with you to the church that evening.
It is an honor to be able to be the hands and feet of Christ in Irving. Please make plans to join us and participate that evening, as we seek to minister to the community of Irving and sing worship to our God on February 26.
For more information, contact the church office.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Change in Plans
Don't forget this Sunday, February 19th, we are meeting with the Roads Group. Plan on meeting in the Fellowship Hall during our regular ABF time (11:15). The topic will be Singleness and Marriage.
In case it's been awhile since you've been, First Baptist Irving is at 403 S Main St. Irving,TX. You can get more directions HERE.
Hope to see you all there!
In case it's been awhile since you've been, First Baptist Irving is at 403 S Main St. Irving,TX. You can get more directions HERE.
Hope to see you all there!
Embracing the Other
Brad brought a great lesson on Sunday regarding the roles within a marriage. Here are just some key points.
Both men and women play the role of Jesus in marriage. They will play it differently, but both still get that opportunity.
Husband's Role: Jesus in His sacrificial AUTHORITY (Matt 20:25-28)
The role of the Husband is to model Christ's example of servant leadership. One of the passages that best displays this is John 13:1-17 in which Jesus washes the disciples feet. Authority and leadership means that you become the servant, you die to self in order to love and serve the Other.
Wife's Role: Jesus in His sacrificial SUBMISSION (Philippians 2:4-11)
It is important to note the equality of the Father and Son in the Trinity. Both are absolutely equal. Yet the Son displays His willingness to submit to the Father. This submission is 100% voluntary, a gift to the Father. A women's submission in marriage should not coerced, but a voluntary gift to her husband.
The Son takes a subordinate role, and in doing so, shows not weakness, but unbelievable strength.
The Result
The common them is sacrifice. Each wishes to please the other. Love and honor are given, accepted, and given again.
Discuss with your spouse this week:
1. In a normal day of the week, how can each of you fulfill your role in marriage?
2. In life's big decisions, how can each of you fulfill your role in marriage?
3. Wives, tell your husband 1-3 things that would help you feel served, loved, and appreciated. Husbands, tell your wife 1-3 ways that you would feel more supported and encouraged. Commit to putting this in a place where you will see it daily and try to begin doing these things without being asked. Also think of other ways you could show this. Marriage is most amazing when both spouses are proactively fulfilling their roles.
Both men and women play the role of Jesus in marriage. They will play it differently, but both still get that opportunity.
Husband's Role: Jesus in His sacrificial AUTHORITY (Matt 20:25-28)
The role of the Husband is to model Christ's example of servant leadership. One of the passages that best displays this is John 13:1-17 in which Jesus washes the disciples feet. Authority and leadership means that you become the servant, you die to self in order to love and serve the Other.
Wife's Role: Jesus in His sacrificial SUBMISSION (Philippians 2:4-11)
It is important to note the equality of the Father and Son in the Trinity. Both are absolutely equal. Yet the Son displays His willingness to submit to the Father. This submission is 100% voluntary, a gift to the Father. A women's submission in marriage should not coerced, but a voluntary gift to her husband.
The Son takes a subordinate role, and in doing so, shows not weakness, but unbelievable strength.
The Result
The common them is sacrifice. Each wishes to please the other. Love and honor are given, accepted, and given again.
Discuss with your spouse this week:
1. In a normal day of the week, how can each of you fulfill your role in marriage?
2. In life's big decisions, how can each of you fulfill your role in marriage?
3. Wives, tell your husband 1-3 things that would help you feel served, loved, and appreciated. Husbands, tell your wife 1-3 ways that you would feel more supported and encouraged. Commit to putting this in a place where you will see it daily and try to begin doing these things without being asked. Also think of other ways you could show this. Marriage is most amazing when both spouses are proactively fulfilling their roles.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
If you are on twitter, make sure you follow the Rolling Stone's class at
http://twitter.com/RollingStoneFBC
Monday, February 13, 2012
Valentine's Day Ideas
PSSSTTTT....Boys...(and maybe you girls too)....tomorrow is Valentine's Day! My personal opinion is this is a made up holiday so that card and flower people can make money. But alas, not everyone shares my opinion. To your spouse, this might be the best day on Earth! Here a few ideas for how to make tomorrow special :-)
1. Create an indoor picnic with available props, i.e., picnic tablecloth, paper goods. Share finger foods and favorite treats. Spice up “dessert.” Enjoy your picnic on the living room floor or in bed. Play card games,
board games, or make up your own.
2. Leave a note on your mate’s pillow expressing how special you think he/she is. Place a couple of mints on the pillow, too (or a single rose)…all to be discovered at bedtime.
3. Watch an old movie at home together, with popcorn and soft drinks and candy – movie-theater style.
4. Write a “Top 10 Reasons Why I Love You” list.
5. Write “I love you because….” notes and insert them into balloons. Blow up the balloons, and spread the balloons throughout your bedroom for your Valentine to pop and capture each message.
I am sure there are plenty more wonderful ideas. I hope you have a fabulous Valentine's Day with your beloved! Remember to take time every day to let them know how much you love them, not just on February 14th! :-)
Monday, February 6, 2012
Marriage Tip Monday
Pick one evening a month to set aside for just you and your spouse - maybe the first Friday of each month or the10th of each month - choose a day or date you can look forward to. Then put it on your family calendar...children notice when mommy and daddy like and prioritize spending time together.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Marriage Tip Monday
Make a commitment to do what's right when it comes to honoring your marriage. This can be a great conversation between you and your spouse! Find out what's important to each other (not being demeaning in public, guarding what you view on the internet, speaking respectfully in disagreements, etc.) and then discuss regularly. It's not about being perfect; it's about building trust and intimacy through honesty, respect, forgiveness, and cheering each other on!
Union 28
Marriage Tip Monday
Can You Dish It Out?
And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23
Did you know there are four ways for a man to load a dishwasher?
1. The way he's been trained by his mother.
2. The way his wife likes it done.
3. The way he does it at his mother-in-law's house.
4. The way he does it when no one's looking.
Now, is one of these methods right and all the others wrong? Can't a man just cram in as many pots and pans and bowls and plates as possible, in whatever arrangement it takes to get the door closed?
Can any woman prove me wrong on this with absolute certainty?
Sure, the proper dishwasher loading method is not a big marriage deal. But it's an example of those little tastes and preferences we have, those minor points of difference that can often fester into major arguments and problems.
If you're going to keep the little things your spouse does from becoming real irritants and obstacles in your relationship, you need to deny yourself, like Jesus said in today's verse. Rather than insisting that your way is right in matters of minor importance, let some stuff go. Rather than nagging and nitpicking-which is like being nibbled to death by a duck-express your dislikes in ways that don't rankle and threaten and lead to even bigger blowups.
Throughout your marriage, you'll have hundreds, perhaps thousands, of opportunities like these to either die to yourself or rise up in your own defense. Remember that there are a lot worse things in life than rewashing the cereal bowls. And yes, I do know how to load a dishwasher now- since 1972, Barbara has been training me!
DISCUSS
What is something your spouse does that drives you crazy? Can you cover it with grace?
PRAY
Thank you Lord Jesus for setting us an everyday example of patience in His dealings with us.
This was taken from the book Bobby and I are reading called Moments with You by Dennis & Barbara Rainey. We love reading this book every night! And in our house, Bobby is training me to load the dishwasher correctly :-)
And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23
Did you know there are four ways for a man to load a dishwasher?
1. The way he's been trained by his mother.
2. The way his wife likes it done.
3. The way he does it at his mother-in-law's house.
4. The way he does it when no one's looking.
Now, is one of these methods right and all the others wrong? Can't a man just cram in as many pots and pans and bowls and plates as possible, in whatever arrangement it takes to get the door closed?
Can any woman prove me wrong on this with absolute certainty?
Sure, the proper dishwasher loading method is not a big marriage deal. But it's an example of those little tastes and preferences we have, those minor points of difference that can often fester into major arguments and problems.
If you're going to keep the little things your spouse does from becoming real irritants and obstacles in your relationship, you need to deny yourself, like Jesus said in today's verse. Rather than insisting that your way is right in matters of minor importance, let some stuff go. Rather than nagging and nitpicking-which is like being nibbled to death by a duck-express your dislikes in ways that don't rankle and threaten and lead to even bigger blowups.
Throughout your marriage, you'll have hundreds, perhaps thousands, of opportunities like these to either die to yourself or rise up in your own defense. Remember that there are a lot worse things in life than rewashing the cereal bowls. And yes, I do know how to load a dishwasher now- since 1972, Barbara has been training me!
DISCUSS
What is something your spouse does that drives you crazy? Can you cover it with grace?
PRAY
Thank you Lord Jesus for setting us an everyday example of patience in His dealings with us.
This was taken from the book Bobby and I are reading called Moments with You by Dennis & Barbara Rainey. We love reading this book every night! And in our house, Bobby is training me to load the dishwasher correctly :-)
Monday, January 23, 2012
Affair Proofing Your Marriage
This came from Lysa Terkeurt's blog. She is the president of Proverbs 31 ministries, as well as a bestselling author.
"Charles Spurgeon is quoted to have said, “It’s not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.”
When my husband and I got married we had a tough time transitioning from being two strong-willed independent people into a unified couple. We didn’t have huge marriage issues to overcome — we had a lot of little everyday annoyances that started to chip away at the foundation of our relationship.
Slowly, we stopped seeing all we had and started focusing on all that was lacking in each other.
Honestly, enjoying each other got lost in all the efforts to fix each other. If you’ve ever been in this place with a relationship, you know how disillusioning it can be. You know how it can open your marriage up to a world of attack and the temptation to think, “Did I marry the wrong person? I didn’t know it was going to be this hard.”
One day I was pouring my heart out to God in utter frustration. I desperately wanted to get off the hamster wheel of aggravation we seemed to be stuck on. We just kept going around and around with what was lacking in our relationship but never made any effort to progress in doing something right.
As I was praying, an idea popped into my head… The Love Jar Activity.
This would be an activity where each of us would have a jar with 5 slips of paper inside. Art would write one thing on each of his papers that I could do for him that would speak love to him. And I would do the same with my papers.
Then we’d switch jars and once a week for 5 weeks straight, we’d draw a piece of paper from each other’s jar. Whatever that paper suggested, we’d do that special thing for the other person sometime during that week.
Of course, we established some parameters going into the game that fit our schedules and budget. And I can’t say Art was jumping up and down when I introduced this idea to him… but eventually he warmed up to the idea and in the end wound up loving it!
As the weeks went on this simple activity did 3 crucial things in our relationship…
1. It reintroduced a sense of fun that had gotten lost in the minutia of life.
2. It taught us how important it is to be a life long student of your mate… Really seeking to understand how this other person receives love and needs to be loved.
3. It reminded us that love is a choice. We can’t rely on “that loving feeling” to always find us… we have to choose love and let the feelings follow.
Honestly, I think this simple activity did more to help recapture the love in our relationship than anything else we could have done in this really tough season."
She goes on to mention two different books of hers: Capture Her Heart for the guys, and Capture His Heart for the girls.
"Charles Spurgeon is quoted to have said, “It’s not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.”
When my husband and I got married we had a tough time transitioning from being two strong-willed independent people into a unified couple. We didn’t have huge marriage issues to overcome — we had a lot of little everyday annoyances that started to chip away at the foundation of our relationship.
Slowly, we stopped seeing all we had and started focusing on all that was lacking in each other.
Honestly, enjoying each other got lost in all the efforts to fix each other. If you’ve ever been in this place with a relationship, you know how disillusioning it can be. You know how it can open your marriage up to a world of attack and the temptation to think, “Did I marry the wrong person? I didn’t know it was going to be this hard.”
One day I was pouring my heart out to God in utter frustration. I desperately wanted to get off the hamster wheel of aggravation we seemed to be stuck on. We just kept going around and around with what was lacking in our relationship but never made any effort to progress in doing something right.
As I was praying, an idea popped into my head… The Love Jar Activity.
This would be an activity where each of us would have a jar with 5 slips of paper inside. Art would write one thing on each of his papers that I could do for him that would speak love to him. And I would do the same with my papers.
Then we’d switch jars and once a week for 5 weeks straight, we’d draw a piece of paper from each other’s jar. Whatever that paper suggested, we’d do that special thing for the other person sometime during that week.
Of course, we established some parameters going into the game that fit our schedules and budget. And I can’t say Art was jumping up and down when I introduced this idea to him… but eventually he warmed up to the idea and in the end wound up loving it!
As the weeks went on this simple activity did 3 crucial things in our relationship…
1. It reintroduced a sense of fun that had gotten lost in the minutia of life.
2. It taught us how important it is to be a life long student of your mate… Really seeking to understand how this other person receives love and needs to be loved.
3. It reminded us that love is a choice. We can’t rely on “that loving feeling” to always find us… we have to choose love and let the feelings follow.
Honestly, I think this simple activity did more to help recapture the love in our relationship than anything else we could have done in this really tough season."
She goes on to mention two different books of hers: Capture Her Heart for the guys, and Capture His Heart for the girls.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Marriage Tip Monday
Communication involves listening and speaking in a loving manner. Practice speaking in a way that encourages your spouse to listen. In the heat of the moment, put the dramatics aside and speak in a controlled manner with kindness and a guarded tongue. The goal is to facilitate understanding not to start a war.
From Union 28
From Union 28
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The Meaning of Marriage
Sunday we started our new study that follows along with the book The Meaning of Marriage. Brad brought a great message on our our marriages should look completely different from society's views on marriage. Our marriages should be Christ-centered and divorce should not even be an option!
One thing Bobby and I agreed on when we got married was to completely take that word out of our vocabulary. We don't even joke about it! You never can tell if that joking is half serious, or if it truly is just a joke. Sometimes that's hard because I will find myself about to say something (of course joking 100%) and I have to bite my tongue because I know that would cause some serious damage!
Another thing I heard that I agreed with was not saying anything negative about your spouse in front of other people. And I think it should go even further and I will say never in front of your parents! People tend to hold on to negatives and they will always remember that one time you said something bad about your spouse. Just don't do it! :-)
Have a great week Rolling Stoners! I can't wait to see what next Sunday brings us.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Marriage Tip Monday
Your body language makes all the difference when interacting with your spouse. This week, practice listening with your face – communicating love and respect by giving your full attention with a good attitude.
From Union 28
From Union 28
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Marriage Tip Monday
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year! I can't believe 2012 is here already. Due to being in vacation mode, here's Marriage Tip Monday on a Tuesday. This came from yahoo...surprise they actually do have good relationship advice sometimes :-)
Keep your relationship from feeling too platonic by making sure that nonsexual touching is a part of your everyday interaction with your partner, advises Dr. Block. That means a warm hug, an arm around the waist, a shoulder massage or caressing your partner's hand. Men especially respond to touch as a conveyance of affection, and it fulfills an intrinsic need for attachment that everyone craves--plus, it doesn't take any additional time out of your day. Also keep in mind that when people feel appreciated they are more likely to extend appreciation in return. "As busy as you might be, take a minute or two to leave a sexy note in lipstick on the bathroom mirror, or write a naughty letter and hide it in the book he's reading," suggests Denay. Or create a "Love Arsenal" for sneak attacks: "Fill a box with his favorite candies and romantic cards so that when you want to show him you care you have the goods on hand," says Denay. "The romantic quotient is turned up a notch when someone finds something unexpected, and the benefits you'll reap are worth a hundred times the effort."
Keep your relationship from feeling too platonic by making sure that nonsexual touching is a part of your everyday interaction with your partner, advises Dr. Block. That means a warm hug, an arm around the waist, a shoulder massage or caressing your partner's hand. Men especially respond to touch as a conveyance of affection, and it fulfills an intrinsic need for attachment that everyone craves--plus, it doesn't take any additional time out of your day. Also keep in mind that when people feel appreciated they are more likely to extend appreciation in return. "As busy as you might be, take a minute or two to leave a sexy note in lipstick on the bathroom mirror, or write a naughty letter and hide it in the book he's reading," suggests Denay. Or create a "Love Arsenal" for sneak attacks: "Fill a box with his favorite candies and romantic cards so that when you want to show him you care you have the goods on hand," says Denay. "The romantic quotient is turned up a notch when someone finds something unexpected, and the benefits you'll reap are worth a hundred times the effort."
Monday, December 19, 2011
Marriage Tip Monday
Love in marriage should be given unselfishly and unconditionally. This is easier said than done, but in the end, it's a choice - we choose to love because we've made a covenant with our spouse that says, "I do" despite the circumstance, or a bad attitude, or a rough day. "If you're loving your spouse only to get love in return, that's not love, that's trading." - Gary Thomas. Trading is for baseball cards & recipes...in your marriage, choose to give love based on your promise, not your expectations. This kind of love sets you free!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Marriage Tip Monday
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season tensions can mount and stress can run high. Patience is often replaced with impatience and we can easily be offended by our spouse’s words and actions, even when no offense was intended. This Christmas, give the gift of grace to your spouse; it may just be the best (and most appreciated) gift you give.
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