Week Four of Revive Your Marriage Challenge

I missed Week 3 of Revive Your Marriage because we were at the beach last week.  I'll have to go back and check it out.  In the meantime, I've worked on:
Week 1- Praying for your husband- I liked the reminder of the wedding ring to trigger my memory for praying for Jason throughout the day.
Week 2- Changing your attitude- The reminder to think back over the good times we've had together and choose to have that good attitude in the midst of every day was a good one.

I saw that last week's challenge was about friendship- an area in which we excel.  I love being friends with my husband, and I think we both agree that we like to just "hang out."

This week's challenge is about praise:

This is something that I am much better at than I was at the beginning of our marriage.  But, I'm always up for the challenge of finding new and creative ways to praise my husband.  So, here we go.

You can join the challenge at Time Warp Wife (and her fellow bloggers).

Bible in 90 Days: Week 6

Today begins week 6 of reading through the Bible in 90 days.  Throughout the last week, we've read most of the Psalms and are into the Proverbs.  It has been very nice reading chronologically to see where the Psalms and Proverbs fit in.
I am caught up in my reading.  I think Kathryne is a bit behind.  But, she always manages to read and read and somehow catch up. :-)

Week Two of Revive Your Marriage Challenge: Choosing a Good Attitude

I'm good at reminding the kids all the time to choose to have a good attitude.  I know the importance of choosing a good attitude.  But sometimes I admit that I get caught up in a bad attitude and decide to just stay there.

This week's marriage challenge is to choose a good attitude.  To help with that, we're encouraged to remember times when we were dating or our marriage and how it felt to be in love with our husbands.  Then remember the vows we made when we were married and choose deliberately to be that kind of person even when it is difficult.

I was pretty good at last week's challenge.  I really liked the symbol of the wedding ring to be a reminder to pray for my husband.  Time Warp Wife has some great cards to remind of of things to pray for our husband every day.

You can read about this week's challenge and join in at Time Warp Wife and her blogging cohorts.

Bible in 90 Days: Week 4

We are beginning week 4 of reading through the Bible this week.  Using the chronological plan, I'm in Judges right now.  I am really liking the chronological plan- especially using this NLT chronological Bible.  I never realized how much of Israel's history was reviewed in Chronicles.  With this Bible, I'm going back and forth to read chronologically, so I get that picture.

Kathryne is reading along too.  She's behind this time, but the child reads even more than I do if that's possible.  I think she'll get caught up, and hopefully both of us can stay on track while we are at the beach next week.

Week One of Revive Your Marriage Challenge: Something I'm Not So Good At

I almost forgot to read Week 1's blogs about reviving my marriage from Time Warp Wife and fellow bloggers.  And then I almost wished I had forgotten.

This week's challenge is to pray for your husband.  That may sound easy.  But prayer has never come easy for me.  I'm sorry if that doesn't sound spiritual.  But when I pray I get distracted.  And I think of all the things I need to be doing.  And I wonder if maybe praying really isn't a good use of my time.  Because it's hard to measure the effectiveness of prayer, you know.

I mean, if God is sovereign and in control of everything, why does He need me to pray?  And if He isn't in control, then what good does my prayer do?  Because maybe He just can't answer it.

Maybe this sounds unspiritual of me.  But, it is what it is.

Now, even though this is what I *feel* when I approach prayer, I *know* from God's Word that prayed is important.  It is important to God.  And it is important to me.

So, I want to pray even when I don't feel like it.  And I do want to pray for my husband.  I know that spiritual intimacy is important in our marriage.  I know we need to pray for each other and with each other.  And thankfully I have a husband that knows this also.

So, we pray regardless of what we feel.  We pray for and with each other even when it is difficult to focus and even when it may seem out prayers are pointless.  We pray because we realize that, even though we can't explain, can't define it, can't always see it, there is a power in our prayers.  And we are blessed when we pray.

So, I love the idea in this challenge of letting my wedding ring be a physical reminder to pray for my husband.  I'm going to think of that this week when I see my ring.  I'm going to let that symbol be a reminder of the power of prayer.  And I am going to pray for my husband when I see it.

You can get in on the Revive Your Marriage Challenge at Time Warp Wife, and then check out the other bloggers who are participating.  There is also a free book about prayer offered through today (Tuesday, Sept.4).

Bible in 90 Days: Week 3

We are headed into week 3 of reading through the Bible in 90 days.  I am really enjoying reading chronologically this time.

If you've been around my blog for a while, you might remember that one of my favorite things about reading through the Bible in 90 days is that it easy to see the overview of the Bible, the big picture if you will, when you read through so quickly.  Reading chronologically is even better for this.  I am seeing the historical flow of the Bible because the sections I'm reading link historically.  And the cool NLT chronological Bible I bought (who doesn't need another Bible?!) has , get this, a TIMELINE and dates given for each section!  Woohoo!  So much fun for a history/timeline buff like me.

Right now we are reading in Numbers.  It is hard sometimes to read through all the laws, and the sacrifices, and the counting of people; but it easier to "get it" when I am reading chronologically and getting the big idea of what is going on.

If you've thought of reading with us, or if you are reading but aren't registered for a group, check out the resources from Mom's Toolbox.  Amy has reading schedules as well as information about each book.

A Marriage Challenge

I am blessed beyond measure to have a great marriage with my husband who truly is my best friend.  But, all good marriages need maintenance.  So, for the month of September, I'm going to join up with some of the marriage bloggers I read for a Revive Your Marriage Challenge.  I'm looking forward to it.  Anyone want to join me?  Check it here at Time Warp Wife, and see who else is joining.