Amazing Facts – Bible Study 5

“A sense of humor, a cheerful heart, kindness, patience, and affection will banish two-thirds of your marriage problems.”

Kirkwood takeaways

• Love Dare every night as we go to bed together
• Mike gradually get some recipes under his belt – recipes that are “dad’s specialties”
  • Either Saturday or Sunday
  • Existing: Steak, Tri-Tip, Ribs, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs / Bratwurst, Quesadillas, Scrambled eggs
  • New: Salsa, Steak chili, Jumbalaya, Egg skillet – like Marie Calendar style?, Other breakfast?
• Tithing
  • $20 per week to start
  • Keep this private within the immediate family only
• Life list
  • Goals / accomplishments
  • Destinations
    • New York
    • Seattle
    • Mexico (Cancun, Cabo, etc)
  • Family vacations
    • Camping trips
      • Beach camping
      • Lake / river camping
    • Florida – Disney cruise
    • Need to get more organized, planning

Baby on the Way

I am so excited about having another baby!  [My wife] has really struggled these last couple of days with nausea.  I wish I could help in some way, but it’s like she just doesn’t even want me around her.  She’s just been laying in bed all day.  It’s very hard to watch.

Sharing My Faith

Had a good time with mom and [my sister] tonight.  We told them about the baby and they were ecstatic.  Also had a great talk with [my sister] about Christianity and her walk with the Lord.  She definitely appears to be searching, and I opened up to her quite a bit about what it means to be ‘saved’ by God’s grace – similar to WOTM approach.  She expressed that ‘no one has said it to me that way before’, so it seems God was revealing through me tonight, and it feels great!

In Kirkwood

[My wife] and I have been watching a DVD called Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage.  I think it’s been very good material, and presents information in a biblical way, but has spoken to [my wife] in a way that doesn’t come across simply saying “God said so”, which has been good for her, I think.

It would be good to watch the DVD again and take notes.

In Kirkwood

[My wife] and I arrived in Kirkwood last night.  There’s really not much to do here, but I feel that God has a purpose for us being here.  I get the feeling that it’s to put our lives on a bit of a pause so that we can talk about the things that we normally don’t talk about.  It seems that pausing will be a bit uncomfortable at first (we’re so used to constantly distracting ourselves), but it will be worth it for our relationship.

[My wife] has been quite receptive to the plans so far.  We went to see Fireproof yesterday.  She was resistant at first, but I told her that I’d like this trip to be used to strengthen our relationship and that the movie is a piece of that.  She expressed no further resistance.  The movie was great overall – poor acting, but a great story.  I had lumps in my throat the whole time; [my wife] got a bit emotional too at times.  It also had a good gospel message as well.  We had a wonderful prayer time last night.  I prayed, but I could tell that she really appreciated it – we both wept a bit.  We’re just so thankful for the blessing of the baby inside of her and how God is working in our lives.

I pray that God’s purpose would be fulfilled for [my wife] and I on this trip.  Help us grow closer through our relationship with You.

Vacation

[My wife] and I are going to Kirkwood for a week vacation (just the two of us). I’m really looking forward to it. I’m planning to focus the time on us. It’s important for us to be ‘fireproof’; another baby will certainly bring its challenges. We need to proactively focus on our relationship, and I want my love for her to be evident and unquestionable.

Pregnant!

[My wife] and I took a pregnancy test on Friday – and we’re pregnant!!! Words can’t describe the joy I feel in that. I do not feel fear at all. I believe that God’s hand is on my life, I know His Holy Spirit is working through me and I will continue to do my part. Because of this, I believe that God will provide in a manner according to His will and plan for our lives. I do not need material wealth, although this has been a struggle for me – wanting to provide for my family, when really it’s God who provides for us. My desire is for wealth of love and experience of God in my and my family’s life – there’s nothing more important. I am completely comfortable living a modest life for the sake of closeness to God and Christ. I trust in His plan.

The keys to family success

1. God is the builder, not humans
1. If God is not in it, it won’t help to work any longer
2. If God is not in it, it won’t help to work any harder
3. God needs to be the focus – the foundation
4. God must be personally involved in each family
2. Children are rewards, not punishments
1. Aim and fire (motivate) your children into the world
2. Children need direction and motivation
3. Each child is unique
4. Point (and motivate) your child aligned with that child’s gifts / strengths.
5. Find your child’s passion
3. Families should grow from attention, not suffer from neglect
   1. Families need our time – commit to it
   2. Families need our focus – engaged, connected

Sharing my faith

I talked with [my wife] about my faith today and shared with her what I’ve learned, especially from WOTM. She seems somewhat hardened, but I definitely saw some tenderness as we talked through things. She says she’s turned off by the scare tactic approach. I feel that I should simply keep talking of things of the Bible with her so she can hopefully understand that it’s not about anything other than Biblical truth – nothing more, nothing less. She appears receptive, which I’m truly thankful for.