..will soon be the home of the love... joy... laughter... life lessons... struggles... pain... tears... blessings.. and much more of one Spoiled Beloved Wife, insane not always bright Homeschool Mom, and best of all... Daughter of a King! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sat, 8 Mar 2008 07:28:00 -0600 Sat, 8 Mar 2008 07:28:00 -0600 Day Eight:   How are you doing with the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge"? In case you've forgotten, here's the challenge: * You can't say anything negative about your husband ...to your husband...or to anyone else, about your husband. * Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband...to your husband...and to someone else, about your husband!   "...but who can find a faithful man?" Prov. 20:6b Faithfulness is a wonderful but rare quality today, especially in regard to marriage. Do you understand how important this quality is? Your challenge is to continue to root out all negative speaking, and plant seeds of encouragement instead. You may be amazed at what will grow. Contemporary culture often entices men to be unfaithful to their wedding vows and spiritual commitments. Appreciate your husband's faithfulness - how he is loyal to you. Let him know that you are glad he has "stick-to-it-iveness" in your marriage. Appreciate his faithfulness to God. (If you have an unfaithful husband, this is a difficult area for you. Pray, speak the truth in love, remain faithful yourself, and discover ways to encourage faithfulness in your mate. The Bible says that husbands may "...be won by the conduct of their wives" [1 Pet. 3:1]. You may also want to seek counsel from a mature, godly individual or couple.) © Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com. Info@ReviveOurHearts.com.   "Every day is a blessed day given to us by His Grace for His Glory." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/494685/ Sat, 8 Mar 2008 07:28:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/494685/   Day Seven:   "Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!...for riches certainly make themselves wings..."  Prov. 23:4-5   "That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries." Proverbs 8:21 Money is the root of much marital discord. Ask yourself, "Am I being negative toward my husband in the area of finances?" Determine not to speak evil of your husband in this area. Discover ways to encourage and help him instead. Does your husband handle finances wisely? Does he make good financial investments, based on biblical principles? Does he have a budget? Does he make wise decisions about purchases - checking many sources before he buys? Is he a good steward of his money before the Lord? Let him know how much you appreciate his strengths in financial matters. If he is weak in this area, encourage any good decisions that he does make. Perhaps you can help him, if he's open to the idea, by organizing financial files or providing other practical assistance. Or, if he wants you to handle the finances, ask for his input before you make decisions that will affect him.                                                              *** Are you enjoying this "30-Day Encouragement Challenge"? Have you learned something about your own relationship with the Lord as you seek to encourage your husband? Why not take a minute to jot a note to us at Revive Our Hearts, to share with us how God is touching your heart? Just go here: http://www.reviveourhearts.com/interact/contactus.htm   © Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com. Info@ReviveOurHearts.com.   "Every day is a blessed day given to us by His Grace for His Glory." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/494675/ Fri, 7 Mar 2008 21:20:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/494675/ Day Six:   "...whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31b Do you recognize and appreciate your husband's creativity? Or do you criticize and demean his efforts? Instead of negativity, determine to be positive. Perhaps you can help your husband see that his efforts are an opportunity to glorify God. Is your husband the "creative" type? Does he have any artistic gifts? What is that special "knack" he has? Affirm him for his handiwork - a hobby, music, gardening, tinkering with cars, working with wood, etc. Remember: Even if he doesn't measure up to your standards, praise his efforts. If your budget allows, buy him a book or magazine that will continue to encourage his special skill or talent. If you have a hard time finding his "creative side," understand that men's creativity sometimes is related to their work. Find something he does to make his job run more smoothly or something he does that adds value to his work...and let him know that you have noticed. Make his day...Praise his accomplishments in public, while he is listening.   © Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com. Info@ReviveOurHearts.com.   "Every day is a blessed day given to us by His Grace for His Glory." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/494673/ Thu, 6 Mar 2008 21:15:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/494673/ Day Five:   "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."  Eph. 4:29 Another way to describe the positive side of this "30-Day Encouragement Challenge" is by using the word "edify," which means, "to build up." Negative comments only discourage and tear down. Positive comments encourage and build. Do you edify your husband before others, adding to his value in their eyes? This is especially important to other family members. Do you praise your husband to his relatives, and yours? Does your husband's mother know how much you love him? How about your dad? Perhaps you can drop a word of praise into a conversation or letter. Be creative in letting your relatives know that you respect your husband, love him, and support him - in spite of whatever flaws and weaknesses he may have.   © Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com. Info@ReviveOurHearts.com.      "Every day is a blessed day given to us by His Grace for His Glory." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/494664/ Wed, 5 Mar 2008 20:58:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/494664/ Day Four: "...let him labor, working with his hands what is good..." Eph. 4:28  We are all accountable for the things we say, both negative and positive words. Have you embraced the challenge to speak only positive things to your husband and to others about him? Here's a suggestion that touches the core of your husband's world. Some women take their husband's career for granted, and they show it in many ways. Do you "dump" on your husband at the end of the workday, or do you strengthen and encourage him with your words? A wise wife will make her husband feel that she values and appreciates his work. Let him know that you are glad he is a hard worker. Take opportunities to praise his diligence and resourcefulness to others. If your husband is out of work, unable to work, or refuses to work, you'll need to be more creative. Praise him for a character quality that you see in him that would be a vital part of a successful career - such as persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, good with people, good listener, determination, etc. © Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com. Info@ReviveOurHearts.com. "Every day is a blessed day given to us by His Grace for His Glory." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/492125/ Tue, 4 Mar 2008 09:25:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/492125/ Day Three:   "...love suffers long, and is kind..."  1 Cor. 13:4   "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19  Love indeed suffers long and is kind. As you consider your Encouragement Challenge, determine today that you will not say anything negative to or about your husband. Speak kindly to him with words of genuine encouragement. If your husband is considerate of your needs, let him know that you have noticed. Thank him for his kindness and consideration. Thank the Lord that your husband knows how to be both tough and tender. Sometimes it's difficult for a man to be gentle, kind or tender - especially if he hasn't had role models in these areas. If he's not a considerate person, appeal to him for help without complaining. Let him know that it's hard for you to handle some things alone. Then, when he moves in to help, don't insist that he do it your way. Be glad that he is responding, and express your gratitude. Ultimately, you can't expect your husband to make you feel more secure, loved, etc. Remember that only God can meet the deepest needs of your heart.   © Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com. Info@ReviveOurHearts.com.   "Every day is a blessed day given to us by His Grace for His Glory."     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/491308/ Sun, 2 Mar 2008 20:36:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/491308/ Day Two:   "...through love serve one another." Gal. 5:13b How did you do yesterday with your first day of blessing and encouraging your husband? Was it easy? Was it hard to hold your tongue when you wanted to say something negative? We hope you're off to a good start. (If you blew it, don't give up - start again today!) There are so many practical things you can praise, if you look for them. Today, find some way that your husband is serving you or your family. Does he help around the house? Take care of the car? Fix things that are broken? If your budget allows, give him a new, small tool with a big bow attached. But make sure he doesn't think it's part of a "Honey Do" list! Maybe your husband's not a handyman, but does he run errands for you? Let you go first? Take care of you when you are sick? Help you make decisions? Praise him for his willingness to serve others. Let him know that you see his unique service as a great strength.   © Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com. Info@ReviveOurHearts.com.   "Every day is a blessed day given to us by His Grace for His Glory." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/491303/ Sun, 2 Mar 2008 20:26:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/491303/ 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives By Nancy Leigh DeMoss We're so glad you've decided to accept the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge" to encourage your husband! Your decision means that you truly want to be a blessing in your home. This challenge will also result in spiritual growth in your own life. We'd like to encourage you to keep track of what God does in your marriage over this next month. We hope you'll take time to share what God does in your home as you bless and encourage your spouse. Day One: "The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." Prov. 31:11-12 To refresh your memory . . . here's the 30-Day Encouragement Challenge: for the next 30 days: You can't say anything negative about your husband . . . to your husband . . . or to anyone else, about your husband. Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband. . . to your husband . . . and to someone else, about your husband! To help you get started, have you ever thanked your husband for "choosing you" above all other women? He found you attractive as a person, and appreciated you. Though many circumstances in your marriage may have changed, let your husband know that you are glad God led you together, and that you want to be a blessing to him for the rest of your marriage. Let him know that he can trust you to be in his corner. One of the best opportunities to express your gratitude is first thing in the morning. How do you greet your husband each morning? Is he confident in your love? Give him a "wake up call" that he'll never forget-a big "I love you" and an "I'm so glad I'm your wife!" © Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com. Info@ReviveOurHearts.com.   ** JUST A REMINDER: I WILL BE POSTING THE CHALLENGES A DAY EARLIER (I'm not an early bird! )  "Every day is a blessed day given to us by His Grace for His Glory." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/490293/ Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:06:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/490293/ O.k. this is my first time joining the  Weblink Wednesday Meme so I didn't get the image or code in time. Anyhow, I have not explored this site completely but so far I enjoy it very much! It's called Kids 4 Truth . I use the colouring pages for our bible reading time/devotionals. And we enjoy watching the beautiful flash clips/videos that go with them. Enjoy! Let me know if you find this site helpful.   Take care and God Bless   "Every day is a blessed day given to us by His Grace for His Glory." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/489142/ Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:24:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/489142/       I mentioned this before in my first entry about my husband getting his real estate license... well as you can already figure all of my beloved husband's hard-work has finally paid off He is a real estate agent now!!!!!!! I'm so proud of him  You have no idea how many times my husband wanted to quit (because of finances) and go back to one of his old jobs. Jobs that he did not enjoy, but at least he knew when he would get paid. Financially, things are still not so great.... Yet! But there is HOPE!!! Starting on March 9th we'll be attaining a Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey  class held at our church. We've already attained this class before... and it helped a lot with creating a budget for our family, but our income was still way too low. Anyways, I'm really looking forward to attaining these classes again  I'm more hopeful this time around!    I also mentioned that I was going to start the 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives this month, but once again... I.. AM.. ASHAMED!!! I failed big time in this department  But I am determined to do this challenge. My husband really needs me to encourage him and also he deserves it! Therefore, my plans are to start March 1st. I have one of my friends from church joining me in this challenge. Wondering if anyone else would like to join?!?! If so I'll be posting more about it later. I might even add Mr Linky to my blog to encourage the wives who are encouraging their husbands! "Every day is a blessed day given to us by His Grace for His Glory." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/485524/ Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:03:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LikeARose142/485524/