Marriage Tip Monday

Do Good Things – Daily

"Doing goods things doesn't necessarily require spending a lot of money. Simple things, like picking up your dirty underwear, giving a free back rub, preparing dinner, writing an appreciative note, hand picking flowers or taking on a chore that your partner normally does, build intimacy and closeness in your marriage like nothing else.
Attraction often follows on the heels of serving each other like you did in the early years of your relationship. Often it's the little things that count – not the big ones."

- Focus on the Family

I love little gifts that Bobby brings home, or the fact that he will oblige my OCD tendencies and put things away a specific way. Surprise your spouse with a good deed this week! 

Marriage Tip Monday

Start Dating Again

"Go out at least once a week. It doesn't have to be an expensive date – just something simple.
A brown bag dinner in the park, a walk around the lake, a cup of cappuccino at a coffee shop or simply putting the kids to bed early and just talking will often do the trick. Or, revisit the things that you did when you were dating, like going to a movie, the theater or a nice relaxing dinner for two.

After being "pulled apart" by all the pressures of modern life, it is imperative to reconnect each week. If you don't, you won't feel close."

-Focus on the Family 

I can honestly relate to this. When Bobby and I don't make time for just the two of us, I feel so disconnected from him. Boys-surprise your bride with a date! Girls-make a picnic dinner for you and your man and head to the park, or even your backyard. You'll be glad you did! :-)

Shane & Shane

Denton, TX - The One You Need Tour

Time	October 20th, 2011 7:00pm
Location	First Baptist Church - Denton 1100 Malone Street Denton, Texas
Info	w/special guests Bethany Dillon, Freely Doors Open at 6pm Advance Tickets: $10 Day of Show Tickets: $15 To purchase tickets, please visit: shane.cta.gs/018

Upcoming Events

On Sunday evening, November 6 we are honored to host Christian artist Josh Wilson in a time of worship and music. That evening will also be a time for us to see the ways God is working in the missions ministry in our church and to hear of ways to be involved in moving the Gospel forward through all our Global Impact Points. November 6 at 6:30 p.m. - Save the date!




Christmas on Main Street this December will include a concert with Shane & Shane and Phil Wickham. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased in the Hub starting next Sunday, October 23.

Planning your Marriage

We wrapped up our last unit by hearing from The Stamps and their mission work. We had a great time at The Durham's house for a class cookout. I don't think anyone took pictures, we were too busy eating and talking! I hope you all had a great time, I know I did.

Sunday October 23rd we start our new unit:
"Planning Your Marriage" - it will be a study that goes through the end of the year to share very practical wisdom from scripture and other couples about how to lay the foundation for your marriage for the next 50 years. 

I am so excited about this! I love being married and I love my husband, so anything that is going to bring the two of us closer to Christ and each other is awesome in my book. I hope that you will join us on Sunday morning.

Care Group Activity

Gareth & Leslie and their care group had a fun filled night carving pumpkins! Here are a few of their pictures. You can view the rest of them HERE. Enjoy!

Praying for your Man!

I was looking around on Pinterest tonight, and came across this little bookmark.

Wear your feelings

Hey Rolling Stone Peeps,

I came across Union 28 Marriage Apparel today. First I like their clothes. They have cute shirts like this:

I love telling others how awesome my husband is, now I can just wear it! 

Even precious baby clothes!

But my favorite thing about them is their Mission:

You can go HERE to read more about their company. There is an article that goes in great detail about why they started Union 28. They are all about encouraging marriages, and they felt God was leading them to do this through their t-shirts. 

They even have Marriage Tip Monday!  Here's just a sample: 

Something Old & Something New: Go on your first or favorite date again, then go on a totally new date the next week. (Idea: Visit a farm or orchard to pick blueberries or another fruit in season and get ice cream afterwards.) 

Couples Devotionals

Bobby and I have discovered that our marriage is so much stronger and healthier when we have some type of devotional to read together. I thought I would share the ones we have read, and some others that we will read in the future. We like the ones that give you discussion questions or topics. That really makes us start talking, even if we don't want to! :-)  If you and are spouse are not in the Word and praying together already, I challenge you to start this week!

Night Light by James & Shirley Dobson 

(This was our first book to read and we really liked it!)

Moments with You by Dennis & Barbara Rainey

365 Meditations for Couples 

The Love Dare Day by Day

The One-Year Love Language Minute Devotional

( I love the 5 Love Languages book, so I think I will want to try this. It doesn't look like it has discussion topics, but I bet you could think of some)

Praying for our Marriage

Please comment if you have any good ones y'all have read.

Peacemakers

What is it? Discipleship program for nearly and newlywed men who desire to lead and love their wives as Christ does the Church.

When is it? Men will commit for almost ONE full year, beginning in September 2011 and ending in May 2012.

How do I get involved? If you're interested, email brad.ledbetter@yahoo.com

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

1 Peter 3:7 " Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."

Information Overload!

I always love the beginning of the school year. New pens and pencils, new spirals and folders, new opportunities! In case you've missed what's been going on at First Irving, here's the quick overview.

If you miss a Sunday, check out the Audio Sermons on iTunes HERE. I love being able to listen to them again.


Girls: Check out what's going on in the women's ministry HERE. Fall Bible Studies are starting soon!

We Have Found Our Hope: 9/11 Remembrance
Please mark your calendar for Sunday, September 11 as a day when First Irving thanks our first responders, prays for our nation, and remembers the 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 attack on our country. With a full orchestra and choir, our church will be saluting men and women of the armed forces, our local police and law enforcement, and our local firefighters. You will not want to miss this special day in one of our three services will be identical. There will be childcare provided up to 1st grade, but no ABFs that day.





We hope to see you there on Sunday!

Women's Ministry Events

There are several Bible Studies coming up this summer for the girls.


Click HERE for details.

There is also the Women's Retreat Breathe A Spirit of Fresh Prayer October 21& 22 in Grapevine. You can register for the event HERE.

Into the Fire Bible Study

So a few months ago, Brett led a group of guys in the Equipping U series, Into the Fire. The concept was for the guys to fellowship around the grill, where Brett would bring God's word. Bobby really enjoyed it and took some pictures on one of their last times together.

Cinco De Mayo

We had our annual Cinco De Mayo party at Tyler & Lauren's house. The piñata made a return, but it didn't last very long!

Save the Date- Marriage Retreat Weekend

When: July 15-17, 2011

Get there around 6:00 on Friday, leave after lunch on Sunday.

Where:  The Texas Star in Weatherford

How much: $100/person. This includes 2 nights and all your meals during your stay.

We will be staying in the dorms. Guys in one dorm, girls in the other.

Be on the lookout for an evite soon with more details.

The Secret to Contentment

Webster's dictionary defines contented as feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation. 


Seems pretty easy I think! But in reality, after hearing Pastor John preach about this, it appears I was not very content with my life. I want this or I want that. I don't think a day goes by that I don't list off a few things that could make my life better: more clothes or shoes, new things for the house, losing weight, having kids, more money in the checking account, more time, the list could go on and on. 


Notice I said things...can these things really make my life complete? Why can't I be happy with exactly what God has chosen to bless me with? Society tells me I shouldn't be; I need a newer car, a nicer house, more clothes in my closet, more jewelry, and to go along with all that, more debt! So that sermon has led me to open my eyes everyday to a life that I can be content with. And every morning, I pray to my wonderful Father to help me be content with the life He picked out for me! 


I loved the 2 myths about discontentment! Discontentment is NOT fixed by possessions. Buying more stuff does not make me happy in the long run. I think in general, it turns out to be the opposite. I am happy for awhile, but then I need something else to make me happy again. 


I leave you with the top 10 ways to be content:


1. Trust God.


2. Jesus comes & stays. (He does not come and then leave us) 


3. Stuff isn't big enough to fill my soul. Nothing else but Jesus can satisfy me.


4. Money doesn't own me, I own my money. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matt 6:24


5. Learn the difference between NEEDS and WANTS


6. I will NEVER have all that I want, unless all that I want is Jesus!


7. God is faithful.


8. He watches over me.


9. Be thankful for what I have, don't think "the next one will...."


10. Learn to know Jesus. 


I love this verse that he gave: 1 Tim 6:7 "For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." Kind of puts things in perspective huh?   




If I'm not content with what I have 2 things are possible.


1. I can wander from my faith. This is a huge deal! Being discontent can actually separate me from my God!


2. I can pierce myself with many sorrows, many disappointments.


So my goal for myself, and each of you, is be content with every day that God has given you. Be content if everything God has (or has not) given you. It's so easy to say this when times are good, when things are easy. When times are hard remember Paul in prison saying: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

Cinco De Mayo Party

Just a reminder:

Cinco De Mayo Party at The Self's House @ 5:00 pm

Bring $15 to help with the catering.

Hope to see you all there!

Verse of the Week

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9~

CHRIS TOMLIN -- HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD (HD version)

Verse of the Week

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Have a great week Rolling Stoners!