toward H.I.M.
::: tonight i reflected at length about marriage and my ministry as a husband...i thanked God for the good and growing marriage claire and i have...over six years and we're still madly in love as ever...in the spotlight of prayer God reminded me of several things:
...first, you are to be content...as a husband, i will not compare or contrast my spouse with another person -- either to make her look better or worse...nor will i compare or contrast my spouse with my projections...rather, be content with your spouse...cherish her as God does her: uniquely gifted and wonderfully made, precious in every way...in other words, seeing my spouse in truth, not illusions...
...second, you are called...as a husband, God has called me to love my spouse along the highest lines -- Christ's sacrificial and pure love for the church...is the bar set too high?...no, we settle for far too less...God Himself is rooting for us...my calling to love and serve my spouse is not a matter of feelings...it is an ongoing reality grounded in the very Ground of my existence...
...third, you are kept...moving closer to HIM in spirit and in truth, in word and deed, is how we move closer to h.i.m. (health in marriage)...with the gospel as the center and source of marriage, i can indeed love my spouse daily far beyond what i can ask or imagine...
...fourth, you are to cultivate...words are important in marriage...words reflect the heart and mind...words can be gifts, so healing...likewise, words can be weapons, so hurtful...silence, too, can be so hurtful...as a husband, God has called me not only to avoid hurting my spouse with words or silence...rather, He has called me to use my words to heal and help...
...as i write this post, i sense God's deep peace...i rest in His resources...i recline in genuine thankfulness...but i'm also mindful that -- by His grace and truth -- i must growing closer to HIM so that claire and i can grow ever more closer to health in marriage...
::: content, called, kept, cultivate...i pray these things for you, dear friends and family :::
...first, you are to be content...as a husband, i will not compare or contrast my spouse with another person -- either to make her look better or worse...nor will i compare or contrast my spouse with my projections...rather, be content with your spouse...cherish her as God does her: uniquely gifted and wonderfully made, precious in every way...in other words, seeing my spouse in truth, not illusions...
...second, you are called...as a husband, God has called me to love my spouse along the highest lines -- Christ's sacrificial and pure love for the church...is the bar set too high?...no, we settle for far too less...God Himself is rooting for us...my calling to love and serve my spouse is not a matter of feelings...it is an ongoing reality grounded in the very Ground of my existence...
...third, you are kept...moving closer to HIM in spirit and in truth, in word and deed, is how we move closer to h.i.m. (health in marriage)...with the gospel as the center and source of marriage, i can indeed love my spouse daily far beyond what i can ask or imagine...
...fourth, you are to cultivate...words are important in marriage...words reflect the heart and mind...words can be gifts, so healing...likewise, words can be weapons, so hurtful...silence, too, can be so hurtful...as a husband, God has called me not only to avoid hurting my spouse with words or silence...rather, He has called me to use my words to heal and help...
...as i write this post, i sense God's deep peace...i rest in His resources...i recline in genuine thankfulness...but i'm also mindful that -- by His grace and truth -- i must growing closer to HIM so that claire and i can grow ever more closer to health in marriage...
::: content, called, kept, cultivate...i pray these things for you, dear friends and family :::
posted by B & C at
11:02 PM
2 Comments:
Bobby and Claire-
I thank God that your marriage is so strong, and that you are seeking to strengthen your vows and commitment to each other through Him daily. Our small group is piloting The Marriage Course- an Alpha program - for our church. Can I share this Blog with them, as testimonials are a huge part of this program?
blessings,
Rob and Kati
thanks for setting such a great example bobby.
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