Cultivating Spiritual IntimacyWritten by Omaudi Reid
When two people - destined for each other, come together, there is often an incredible amount of combustibility. Combustion occurs when two or more substances react chemically together, resulting in giving off of heat and light; often called burning. In same manner, two people joined together by God can spiritually set each other on fire.However, after being married a while that sense of combustibility can easily be lost if spiritual life of marriage is not cultivated. But, a couple that intentionally, and actively engages in maintaining spiritual life of marriage continues to be a strength one to another, and ignites new sparks that blazes through every area of marriage and family. I believe that through personal devotion, mutual support, joint devotions, spiritual dialogue, and spiritual activities, a Christian couple can maintain spiritual intimacy in their marriage. First, each spouse must keep their fire burning. Each partner keeps their fire burning by maintaining a growing and intimate relationship with Lord Jesus, through personal prayer and Bible study. When we first got married, my wife and I mistakenly thought we could depend on each other’s spiritual life for our personal growth. I thought to myself “my wife is such a great Christian, she will be able to help me solve my spiritual struggles”. The mistake we made was instead of pursuing Lord for our personal growth, we began to depend on each other. Eventually instead of helping, we began to drain each other. What we learned is that we must maintain intimacy with Lord in order to have true spiritual intimacy with each other. Once our personal lives are burning with spiritual fire, then we can conduct that heat to our partners. If you have ever touched a hot pot, then you understand what a conductor is. Metal pots are good conductors because they transmit heat coming from stove. The person whose spiritual life is hot and on fire can conduct that spiritual strength to their partner. To be spiritual heat conductors we must intercede for our mates in prayer, and support them with our encouragement. An effective intercessor believes God for success of their partner. Exercising faith in prayer for your partner is crucial. Why? Well, we know more than anyone else strengths and weaknesses of our partners. We see their faults, joys, and sadness. Thus, not only do we have opportunity to intimately intercede in faith for them, but also our encouragement means a lot to them. Essentially, we must be our partner’s own spiritual cheerleader – fanning flames.
| | How To Completely Ignore Valentine's Day Without Having To Sleep In The Dog HouseWritten by Julie Hunt
Forget mass marketed, red hearted Valentine Day pressure that starts heating up about now. Steer clear of high priced flowers, tasteless candy hearts and stuffed bears. Follow these tips to make woman you love feel cherished. Tell her Valentine's Day means more than romance and gifts. It means she'll be focus of your caring attention, dutiful doting and loving affection. Here are 9 quick tips to escape Valentine’s Day commercialism and still snuggle with your hunny! 1. Concentration is Name of Game. Guys, you have an amazing ability to focus and solve problems! Focus on how special she is to you. Instead of stressing about perfect Valentine’s gift, think about all fun, silly, spunky, sexy, serious and loving things that she does for you. Chances are she’s doing exactly what she wants you to do in return. Think about who she is. What makes her smile? What she is truly passionate about? What small little things could you do at home every day that would make her feel more loved? Get out your love tools! 2. Under Promise and Over Deliver. Make promises early and make them often…just keep them. No emergency is more important than her love. Show your love and respect for her by honoring your time together and your commitments. Leave work early and call her on way home and tell her you just couldn’t wait to see her. Ask her if she’d like you to pick up something special before you get there. 3. Be a Mirror. We reflect world around us… good, bad and ugly. Be mindful of her moods. When she approaches you with love and joy, mirror it back to her and she’ll feel especially loved and close to you. Or, if she’s had an especially bad day, initiate her cheerful reflection by filling up bathtub with floating candles and tell her to soak in flickering flames of reflective delight. 4. Note It. Love notes are a sure way to inspire a loving connection everyday of year. They don’t all have to be sappy poems. Buy a calendar, keep it in bathroom and write a reason a day that you appreciate and admire her. Follow her to store or dry cleaners and leave a note on her car in parking lot. Drop them in her purse or write them on bathroom mirror with a dry erase pen for her to wake up to. If you were thinking more along lines of tagging freeway overpass try 24 hour disappearing ink.
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