Day 3: Love is Not Selfish
"WHATEVER YOU PUT YOUR TIME, ENERGY, AND MONEY INTO WILL BECOME MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU. IT'S HARD TO CARE FOR SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT INVESTING IN. ALONG WITH RESTRAINING FROM NEGATIVE COMMENTS, BUY YOUR SPOUSE SOMETHING THAT SAYS, 'I WAS THINKING OF YOU TODAY.'"
With current struggling economic conditions, financial gifts may be a strain for you right now, however, does your spouse enjoy a favorite pack of gum? How about a favorite candy bar or granola bar, an inexpensive book, one beautiful flower, favorite magazine, fuzzy socks for a cold winter's night (especially if there's no fire burning right now!)? Or diamonds - if you must. Go the extra mile - fix a favorite meal, rolls from scratch (give me your address), cool basketball, new tackle box or a new sewing box. The list is endless.
It's giving from your heart that matters, but giving when it's truly sacrificial. Giving when you've identified what's important to your spouse - because you know your spouse. (Keep in mind, if you give generously for bragging rights later or for a reward in return - it's - yes, considered selfish.)
VERSE FOR TODAY'S DARE: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).
THOUGHT FOR TODAY'S DARE: Deliberately and specifically sacrifice your wants for your spouse's wants - for the greater purpose of your marriage.
Dale and I are also "thinking of you today." We're praying for your marriages and asking you to pray for one another as well. Let the "Marriage Revolution" begin!
Blessings,
Dale and Susan
(Want to take it a step further? Purchase the “Love Dare” book by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick for additional information and to record your results.)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
LOVE DARE #2
Day 2: Love is Kind
"IN ADDITION TO SAYING NOTHING NEGATIVE TO YOUR SPOUSE AGAIN TODAY, DO AT LEAST ONE UNEXPECTED GESTURE AS AN ACT OF KINDNESS."
Yesterday our LOVE DARE was patience - controlling our emotions and avoiding anger. Today we'll focus on being a blessing to our spouse - showing kindness. Patience deals with a reactive behavior, while kindness is proactive. The "Love Dare" book breaks kindness into four categories:
1. GENTLENESS - Be sensitive and tender when speaking - never harsh.
2. HELPFULNESS - Meet the needs of the moment. Housework? Let's get busy. A listening ear? Pull up a chair.
3. WILLINGNESS - Cooperate, stay flexible, avoid complaining - accommodate.
4. INITIATIVE - The kind spouse will be the first one to greet, smile, serve, and yes, forgive.
VERSE FOR TODAY'S DARE: "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).
THOUGHT FOR TODAY'S DARE: Don't wait for your spouse to be the first one to be kind. Grab a match - start the fire.
Blessings to you as we continue on this forty day journey together. Your comments reveal God truly is at work. We're praying for you!
Dale and Susan
(Want to take it a step further? Purchase the “Love Dare” book by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick to gain additional information and record your results.)
"IN ADDITION TO SAYING NOTHING NEGATIVE TO YOUR SPOUSE AGAIN TODAY, DO AT LEAST ONE UNEXPECTED GESTURE AS AN ACT OF KINDNESS."
Yesterday our LOVE DARE was patience - controlling our emotions and avoiding anger. Today we'll focus on being a blessing to our spouse - showing kindness. Patience deals with a reactive behavior, while kindness is proactive. The "Love Dare" book breaks kindness into four categories:
1. GENTLENESS - Be sensitive and tender when speaking - never harsh.
2. HELPFULNESS - Meet the needs of the moment. Housework? Let's get busy. A listening ear? Pull up a chair.
3. WILLINGNESS - Cooperate, stay flexible, avoid complaining - accommodate.
4. INITIATIVE - The kind spouse will be the first one to greet, smile, serve, and yes, forgive.
VERSE FOR TODAY'S DARE: "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).
THOUGHT FOR TODAY'S DARE: Don't wait for your spouse to be the first one to be kind. Grab a match - start the fire.
Blessings to you as we continue on this forty day journey together. Your comments reveal God truly is at work. We're praying for you!
Dale and Susan
(Want to take it a step further? Purchase the “Love Dare” book by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick to gain additional information and record your results.)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
LOVE DARE #1
Today begins the first of the forty day “Love Dare” emails, culminating on Feb. 12th. On Sunday, Feb. 13th Dale and I will teach a onetime “Championship Marriage” class at College Church – just in time for Valentine’s Day. If you’ve not had a chance to watch the movie, “Fireproof,” do so as soon as possible. (We would be happy to share a copy with you if you need one.) Regardless if your marriage is blazing and amazing – or a fizzle with no sizzle, it’s never too late to ignite the fire! :) (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) It’s our prayer that the marriages of the people we know and love (that’s you) burn with a passion for a “Championship Marriage.” In 2011, let’s all lock arms and encourage one another – pray for one another – to win – and to never settle for just a mediocre marriage. Fire up!
Day 1: Love is Patient
Although we communicate love in a number of ways, words often reflect the condition of our hearts. For today’s dare, resolve to demonstrate patience and to speak only positive words to your spouse. If the temptation arises to complain, hold your tongue rather than to say something you'll regret.
When choosing to be patient, we choose to respond in a positive way to a negative situation. When we're slow to anger, we extend mercy. We choose to control our emotions rather than allowing our emotions to control us. Anger stems from not getting something we want - a reaction based on selfishness. And exhibiting patience reveals wisdom.
VERSE FOR TODAY’S DARE: "He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly" (Proverbs 14:29).
THOUGHT FOR TODAY’S DARE: Few of us easily demonstrate patience well, but wise men and women pursue it. So today, our first dare to express true love begins with - patience.
(Want to take it a step further? Purchase the “Love Dare” book by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick for additional information and to record your results.)
Blessings to you as we embark on this forty day journey together!
Dale and Susan
Day 1: Love is Patient
Although we communicate love in a number of ways, words often reflect the condition of our hearts. For today’s dare, resolve to demonstrate patience and to speak only positive words to your spouse. If the temptation arises to complain, hold your tongue rather than to say something you'll regret.
When choosing to be patient, we choose to respond in a positive way to a negative situation. When we're slow to anger, we extend mercy. We choose to control our emotions rather than allowing our emotions to control us. Anger stems from not getting something we want - a reaction based on selfishness. And exhibiting patience reveals wisdom.
VERSE FOR TODAY’S DARE: "He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly" (Proverbs 14:29).
THOUGHT FOR TODAY’S DARE: Few of us easily demonstrate patience well, but wise men and women pursue it. So today, our first dare to express true love begins with - patience.
(Want to take it a step further? Purchase the “Love Dare” book by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick for additional information and to record your results.)
Blessings to you as we embark on this forty day journey together!
Dale and Susan
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