Investing Into Your Marriage

People sometimes marry for all the wrong reasons. When a couple marries, it develops into a frenzy of emotion – sadly, for some; it only lasts for a few years before love fades, collapsing into separation and misunderstanding.

Love must be, should be, something more than physical. Regardless how the movies portray marriage – love develops over time. Two people grow in love with each other until more is invested in the marriage than one is willing to withdraw from.

Investing into your marriage becomes the diamond of beauty

Investing in the love, the husband and wife share, is called commitment. It isn’t give and take – it is give and give. Investment usually involves putting someone of value into something we trust. Marriage defined is putting something we value into the one we trust.

For many – to be able to trust the one you love with your soul, your thoughts, your life, your being, your secrets and your dreams is the peak of love. Moving from emotion to trust is a major step in marriage. After the struggle to survive often a couple will find a deeper love and a deeper trust in one another.

Making deposits into your checkbook guarantees’ you will be able to make withdraws up to the balance of your deposits. Making deposits into your marriage guarantees you will be able to make withdraws up to the balance of your deposits. Life has a way of making one withdrawal after the other – depleting the account. We must add deposits intentionally and on a regular basis.

 

The more you put into your marriage the more you are able to take out of your marriage

 

Simply investing more into your marriage than you are taking out isn’t just good business sense but it is simply good sense. Let’s look at some common sense ways we can’t invest into our marriage:

Expressions Of Love Holding her hand as you walk together, rubbing her shoulders, or a gentle hug when she comes in from work is adding value in your marriage. It is said a wife needs seven nonsexual touches a day for emotional well being. Don’t be like one guy who patted his wife on the back seven times and felt he had accomplished his expression of love.

Spend Prime Time Together Taking a walk together, grabbing a cup of coffee, taking her lunch to her at work, watching a movie together after the kids have gone to bed, can be prime time events investing into your love relationship.

Write a Note Slipping a note into her lunch bag, having a note posted to the bathroom mirror or having a card waiting for her on the dinner table can fill the emotional love tank up to full. Write meaningful, heartfelt words that you noted her beauty, her strength, her character or her recent decisions.

Pray Together Discover each other's needs. Pray for each other and confess your own weaknesses. Praying together over your marriage, over your home and over your children will multiply your deposits.

You might think of something that creates a better atmosphere of love in your home but whatever you do you must do regularly, continually making deposits into your marriage.

Comment: What would you add to this list of deposits?

Copyright by Jim Laudell. Materials may not be copied, reproduced or distributed without the written permission from the author. You may share on Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media while giving credit to the author. This post should not be construed as medical, legal or counseling advice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highpoints Book Launch

Consider the biggest announcements of history. “The British are coming,” by the night rider, Paul Revere. Or, Pearl Harbor Bombed splashed across the newspaper. Well, this one isn’t going THAT big but it’s up there in the rankings. Westbow Press has released the publication, my newest book, Highpoints.

Do you dream of the high places, of mountain air and a new-found freedom to believe? Highpoints will lead you into real life adventures of mountain climbers who risked their lives. You will explore the peaks of life-like never before and discover your own Highpoints of life.

Already, Launch Team one is building momentum. Launch Team One is a group ordering five or more copies of the book. Highpoints, for a cell group, Bible Study, Sunday School Class, Men’s group or for gifts. They receive a FREE Dare2climb ebook study guide and autographed copies of the book, Highpoints. If you would like to be a part of this group, please, email me privately via Facebook.

Launch Team Two will be announced in the next few days. Watch for Facebook posts, blog posts and twitter for special announcements.

I am so thankful for the reviews of those on the endorsement team and we will be sharing those next week. Now it is time for you to order the book and begin your ascent with Highpoints. Order here http://www.highpointbook.com/

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Comment: What do you think is the best way to announce the publication of a book?

Copyright by Jim Laudell. Materials may not be copied, reproduced or distributed without the written permission from the author. You may share on Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media while giving credit to the author.

Ten Commandments for Wives

Kiss him when he comes home – A kiss will say more than a thousand words

Give him time to be alone

Pray for his spiritual, mental and physical protection everyday

Surprise him with sexy

Compliment his leadership

Respect his decisions

Remember the way to a man’s heart is still through his stomach – feed him his favorites

His ego is fragile – make sure you instill within him confidence – he is your man

Honor him in front of your children

Be frugal – live within your means

Comment Below: Can you add one more?

Copyright by Jim Laudell. Materials may not be copied, reproduced or distributed without the written permission from the author. You may share on Facebook, Twitter, and other forms of social media while giving credit to the author.

I love love

This is a guest post by Josh Hood. A great young speaker and blogger. You can catch up with him at joshuamhood.com and twitter.com/JoshuaMHood

I love love.

I love how it compels young couples to hold hands. It’s like love makes their hands magnetic.

I love how it fills their stomachs with butterflies and their eyes with stars.

I love love.

I love how it covers a multitude of faults (1 Peter 4:8). I love how it has the power to melt the hardest heart and soften the bitterest soul.

Like the pounding surf washes away words written in the sand on the beach, the waves of love can wash away the offenses and disagreements etched in the sandy soil of our hearts.

I love love.

I love the loyalty and commitment love gives birth to. It compels an old man to stay by the bedside of his dying wife in the hospital. It compels a young mother to sit up all night with her sick child.

A thousand miles seems a long way to drive… unless it is motivated by love; then it seems as nothing. A thousand hours seems a long time to work… unless it is motivated by love; then it seems as nothing. A thousand dollars seems a lot to give… unless it is motivated by love; then it seems as nothing.

I love love.

Love has an impressive resume. A long list of relationships healed and great feats accomplished. But at the very top of the list is the greatest thing love ever did…

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Love sent a Savior.

I smile softly and let out a gentle sigh every time I read those words.

Yes, indeed. I love love.

Comment below: Do you have a story of unending love?

Copyrighted by Jim Laudell. Material contained in this post cannot be reproduced or copied without permission from the author.

Confessions of a Father

The day after Father’s Day and back to work but not without some important changes. Several fathers admit there are some things they would like to change. They want to change their family future.

Most father’s admit they aren’t for sure what is expected of them and what they must do to accomplish being a “good” father. They support their family with a good work ethic, provide for the needs of the family and go to church but father’s are asking, “is something missing?”

Let’s look at what children really need from their father if we are to find adequate answers. It is true families need to be provided for but new shoes will never take the place of a father pitching the ball to his son madly swinging a bat in all the wrong directions.

Of all the requests that come from families for dad to do this or that – the most requested item is – “we just want Dad to be with us.”

“Dad time” is the most important item we can give to a child. Let’s look at some prime “dad time” ideas:

Being one to one with your child The highlight of a child’s week is when he is picked to go with dad. We must be fair to balance it out when there are more children but this “gift” of time with a child being one on one with Dad is one of the most important aspects of a child’s life.

Praying with your child Praying together makes our heart soft and grants a connection with a child, only God can give. When my children we young there were times I asked my son or daughter to forgive me for being angry, only to hear those innocence words come back, “I forgive you Dad.” Precious time is invested in a child when you are on your knees.

Love their mother Your children will find no greater security than when a Dad shows affection to their momma. A dad who expresses honor and affection to their children’s mother is a wise man.

Comment below: Do you have a “DAD TIME” moment you would like to share?

Copyrighted by Jim Laudell. Material contained in this post cannot be reproduced or copied without permission from the author.

Family Fun

The most bonding of all family events is having fun together. Laughing, throwing a ball, a picnic, vacation, surprise visit, birthday parties, and a long list of a lot more. We all stake our claim to busyness but we need to funny business going on win our family life. Taking the children for a walk, a trip to the zoo, a children's event, pizza or camping out in the living room are once in a lifetime events that children and families will remember forever. Take the camera or a video camera and get double the fun by doing popcorn and a video the following weekend. Turn off the TV, set your voicemail to pick up business after your trip out and have fun. One of the greatest investments we made was a condo on the lake that we frequent with our family. Skype the relatives that live a far distance from you and let the children visit with relatives you wouldn't normally see very often.
Fun is spelled Forever - the time you will have will indelibly be etched in a child's memory forever. Unique - the different, outlandish and sometimes, odd will make the most impact. Not expensive - fun doesn't have to cost very much. Look for the free or inexpensive family oriented events in your area. Make a list that can be referred to from time to time.
Let's get started this weekend.

How to Win the Heart of Your Teenager

Even though the years spent raising our teenagers weren’t perfect they were very good years. Now both are married and raising children and we are very proud of them and the advancement in their lives in all areas. All teenagers have specific needs and these needs are summed up in parental love and attention, here are three steps to winning the heart of your teenager.

Listen to them – whoever listens to your teenager will become their friend and guide. You may not agree to all they are saying but listen intently and lovingly.

Spend time with them – spend time with them doing what they enjoy doing.

Pray for them- the greatest thing you can ever do for your teen is to pray with them over their needs and to pray fervently for them.

Moments Change into Milestones

Within the last ten days we have found much to our surprise that my wife was diagnosed with colon cancer. Just the word colon cancer stirs emotions of fear of the unknown. Words of surgery, tests, chemotherapy and more was thrown around like a racket ball. Surgery was scheduled and friends called, emailed, texted and visited to show their support. Within ten days our emotions was torn from despairing words, "my wife died of colon cancer - she was gone within 60 days," to words of faith and love.

Moments of life have been recorded in journals. diaries, books and scripture when at 4:00 you are rejoicing and by 5:00 you are crying. When the children of Israel crossed over the Jordan River it was a divine moment of praise and celebration that was quickly commemorated and memorialized by placing 12 stones inside and outside the Jordan River. "For when your children come by this place they will remember what God has done."

With the surgery, tests, lab work and diagnosis behind us we now are rejoicing. The cancer was removed, found "in time", was contained in the colon, not in the lymph nodes, and no chemotheraphy. So when we talk about the "scare of the last week of May." we will rejoice when a "Moment changed into a Milestone."

Reducing Stress During Recession

Julie and Bob had a good income, a good marriage, and a good life until Julie came up expecting with complications during her last three months of pregnancy. Within a few months she delivered with a normal birth and a beautiful baby boy. But hospital bills, doctor’s visits and the loss of Julie’s income for three months put the young couple at rock bottom. They struggles to pay for diapers, heating costs and even, food. Bob would come home exhausted and Julie felt defeated as she raised her baby as a stay home mother.

Julie prayed.

In the despair of foreclosures, job layoffs, uncertainty of the future, mounting costs and imaginable pain there is a dynamic – a hope that rides through the storm.

First of all, know He cares. Prayer is seeing life through God’s view. To see earth through His window. Jesus feels the pain, sees the hurt and weeps over the mess. “Jesus wept.” Jn 11:35 To know that He knows. He keeps me close. He delights in me daily. Pr 8:30 He is always within reach. Never ignores us.

Know He is with us. We often remind ourselves that His eye is on the sparrow but the scripture actually goes into greater detail. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Matt 10:29. Did you notice? He didn’t say He would watch the sparrow fall but He said the sparrow will not fall to the ground without the Father.

Know we can lean on Him. When we learning to lean we grow stronger. Faith gives up in atrophy. Faith only grows stronger under duration. Becomes greater in practice. Produces greater results when meshed with a trail. As one man stated, “If you don’t have a problem – you won’t need a miracle.”

Know His Word is our strength. One of the greatest strengths on earth is to hear the tender voice of Christ in the day of your greatest struggle. One of the surest ways to hear His voice is to read, ponder, and meditate on His word. The Bible is full of scriptures bringing delight to the hearer. When Elijah was running for his life from the crass Jezebel he hid in the obscurity of a cave, as he pitied his dilemma he cried, “just let me die.” Yet, the Son of God entered the darkness of the cave and whispered his name, “Elijah.” What a comfort, a joy, a celebration of spirit, just to know, He knows your name and He knows where you are.

Know tomorrow is coming. When a Japanese Christian preacher was thrown in jail for his faith it was almost more that he could bear. His dungeon was deep below the earth and no one heard his cries, no sunlight and little food but he kept his faith. After, what seemed eternity, the dungeon door came open, the direct sunlight blinded his dirty face. The noise of men beckoning him to come out seemed to bellow out in his nearly deafened ears. Finally the glad words were heard, he was now free but as he looked around he noticed this was not the home he once knew, not a home, tree or building stood – all but the few men with him , were now gone. The men exclaimed, “Your home here in Hiroshima does no longer exist.” The United States had retaliated against the Japanese for their merciless killings at Pearl Harbor and the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by a nuclear bomb but the old preacher was saved because he had been hid in the deep cavern. His dark cell had become his salvation. Tomorrow is coming.

Essence of a Home

If the home of a man is truly his castle and the heart of the home is a woman then the essence of a home is best defined as love. According to dictionary.com, the word essence means, "the inward nature, true substance, or constitution of anything."

Essence would be the oil of an engine to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.

Essence is the blood flow through the passage ways of a body.

Essence is the warmth of a stove on a cold winter day.

Rare is the moment when the home is a rose strewn path of unceasing ease but rather it has become a ritual, much like tug of war. Yet, each and every one of us can compose this "essence of a home," as a great symphonic sheet of music.

For essence is best blended with atmosphere created by attittude. My determination in the morning sets the mix for the day. Guarding my words, softening my touch, beckoning with a smile bring the desired results of essence.

To create essence however, is not all on my own, one essential ingredient is missing, Prayer.

Prayer is the divine supplier of essence. To create atmosphere we must intialize the presence of God and bring peace into the home. Certainly the umpire of the soul and spirit is the presence of God. To comprise the quietness in the midst of the storm I must invite the one whom the winds and waves obey. To combine two living souls together in harmony I should invite the heavenly maestro.

Yes, essence of the home is the work of a compassionate Savior.