Friday, January 31, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 21

LoveIsSatisfiedInGod
~~DAY 21~Love is satisfied in God~~
The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire. —Isaiah 58: 11
God alone can satisfy our needs. He is always there, keeps his promises, and is dependable!
Our spouses are human!! They will never meet all of our expectations. They will let you down and disappoint you!  This does not mean they are not the one or that they are not a good spouse! It means they are  human!
We need to learn to trust God and depend on Him!!
~~TODAY’S DARE~~
BE INTENTIONAL TODAY ABOUT MAKING A TIME TO PRAY AND READ YOUR BIBLE. TRY READING A CHAPTER OUT OF PROVERBS EACH DAY (THERE ARE THIRTY-ONE, A FULL MONTHS SUPPLY), OR READING A CHAPTER IN THE GOSPELS (MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN), AS YOU DO, IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE LOVE AND PROMISES GOD HAS FOR YOU. THIS WILL ADD TO YOUR GROWTH AS YOU WALK WITH HIM.

How do you think spending time daily with God will change your situation and perspective?
How can you make Him a bigger part of your day? 

Thursday, January 30, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 20

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~~DAY 20~ LOVE IS JESUS CHRIST~~
While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. —Romans 5: 6
Do you feel loved by God? You should. Deeply. You will never fully love others until you first grasp His love for you personally. “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4: 8).
God not only loved you in how He created you and has provided every breath and sustained your life, but He loved you the most through the gift of His Son. The most famous verse in the Bible says this: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3: 16).
Once we begin to understand the love God has for us; we can begin to share that love.

To love our spouse even when they may not act lovable. To see past the flaws and imperfections and still love. To give them the grace and blessings of that love. To share with them the True Love we have found in Christ.

~~TODAY’S DARE~~
DARE TO TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD. DARE TO TRUST JESUS CHRIST FOR SALVATION. DARE TO PRAY, “LORD JESUS, I’M A SINNER. BUT YOU HAVE SHOWN YOUR LOVE COR ME BY DYING TO FORGIVE MY SINS, AND YOU HAVE PROVEN YOUR POWER TO SAVE ME FROM DEATH BY YOUR RESURRECTION. LORD, CHANGE MY HEART, AND SAVE ME BY YOUR GRACE.”
Write about what this experience has been like for you.
Even if you are only renewing your commitment to receive and express His love, what has He shown you today? 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 19

Heart6
~~DAY 19~LOVE IS IMPOSSIBLE~~
Let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. —1 John 4: 7
Uh oh. Not a very encouraging title for today’s dare. Is it?

Almost half way in and now the writer’s of the Love Dare share that you can’t manufacture unconditional love (Agape love) from inside yourself alone. Sure – you may show kindness, unselfishness. You may be thoughtful and considerate. But truly unselfish, unconditional love is something entirely different.


Well… here’s the bad news: Unconditional love that is able to face any obstacle and stand strong is out of your reach if you are only looking within yourself to find it.

But… here’s the good news: God can give you that type of love!  And while we may always fall short of this type of love – He can (and will!) work through you to express that love to others.

If you don’t know God and His love for us – you can’t truly love. You can’t give away something you don’t have.

When we surrender to Christ and accept Him into our hearts – the full power of His love is available to us. If you put the power of that Love to work in your life and your marriage – there is no telling what can happen!
~~TODAY’S DARE~~
LOOK BACK OVER THE DARES FROM PREVIOUS DAYS. WERE THERE SOME THAT SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE TO YOU? HAVE YOU REALIZED YOUR NEED FOR GOD TO CHANGE YOUR HEART AND TO GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO LOVE? ASK HIM TO SHOW YOU WHERE YOU STAND WITH HIM, AND ASK FOR THE STRENGTH AND GRACE TO SETTLE YOUR ETERNAL DESTINATION.
What do you believe God is saying to you?
Is there a stirring in your heart?
What decision have you made in response to this?

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Love Dare day 18

heart
~DAY 18~Love seeks to understand~~
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. —Proverbs 3: 13
We enjoy discovering as much as we can about the things we truly care about. If it’s our favorite football team , we’ll read any article that helps us keep up with how they’re doing. If it’s cooking, we’ll check out those channels or Web sites that share the best grilling techniques or dessert recipes. If there’s a subject that appeals to us, we’ll take notice any time it comes up. In fact, it naturally becomes our area of personal study.
 Consider the following perspective: if the amount you studied your spouse before marriage were equal to a high school diploma, then you should continue to learn about your mate until you gain a “college degree,” a “master’s degree,” and ultimately a “doctorate degree.” Think of it as a lifelong journey that draws your heart ever closer to your mate.
Do you know his or her greatest hopes and dreams?
Do you fully understand how they prefer to give and receive love?
Do you know what your spouse’s greatest fears are and why they struggle with them?
Some of the problems you have in relating to your spouse are simply because you don’t understand them .
~~TODAY’S DARE~~
PREPARE A SPECIAL DINNER AT HOME, JUST FOR THE TWO OF YOU. THE DINER CAN BE AS NICE AS YOU PREFER. FOCUS THIS TIME ON GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SPOUSE BETTER, PERHAPS IN AREAS YOU’VE RARELY TALKED ABOUT. DETERMINE TO MAKE IT AN ENJOYABLE EVENING FOR YOU AND YOUR MATE.

What did you learn about your spouse that you didn’t know before?
How could you continue this process of discovery in other ways, at other times?
What were some of the moments that made this evening memorable?

Monday, January 27, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 17

love-promotes-intimacy
~DAY 17~Love promotes intimacy~
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. —Proverbs 17: 9 NIV

Who are you the closest to in life? With whom do you share your secrets? It may be a good friend you’ve known since childhood or college. It may be a sibling, parent, or coworker. But nothing rivals the closeness that can be experienced between a husband and wife. Marriage is designed to be the most intimate of all human relationships— emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Marriage should be a safe haven.  A protective embrace.  A promise to help each other deal with all the struggles, the baggage, the negative or embarrassing things we all experience. A place where we are free to make mistakes without fear of rejection. 

Whenever your spouse shares something personal with you - they do not need to be nagged, lectured, or criticized.  They need to be heard.  They need support.  They need acceptance.  We should love our spouse- as one imperfect person to another - offering understanding, grace, acceptance, and safety. 
~~TODAY'S DARE~~
  DETERMINE TO GUARD YOUR MATE'S SECRETS (UNLESS THEY ARE HARMFUL TO THEM OR TO YOU) AND PRAY FOR THEM.  TALK WITH YOUR SPOUSE AND RESOLVE TO DEMONSTRATE LOVE IN SPITE OF THESE ISSUES.  REALLY LISTEN TO THEM WHEN THEY SHARE PERSONAL THOUGHTS AND STRUGGLES WITH YOUR.  MAKE THEM FEEL SAFE.
Given that the safer people feel , the more they open up, what does this say about your marriage in the past?
How hard is it for you to listen and hold back from saying something, critical or otherwise?
What have you learned about your spouse today, simply from listening?


Sunday, January 26, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 16

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~DAY 16~ LOVE INTERCEDES~
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers ~ 3 John 1:2
You cannot change your spouse. As much as you may want to. But that’s what most couples spend a large part of their time trying to do— change their spouse.
The Love Dare isn't about changing your spouse.  It is about making the choice to love.  Once that choice is made, there is a good chance that you personally will be changed.  That change will affect your spouse, and he may begin to blossom also.  It won't be overnight, but with the change on your part, nurturing (not nagging!) and prayer - it may happen.
But you won’t be able to do this alone. You will need something that is more powerful than anything else you have. And that “something” is effective prayer. Prayer really does work. It’s a spiritual phenomenon created by an unlimited, powerful God. And it yields amazing results.
~~TODAY'S DARE~~
BEGIN PRAYING TODAY FOR YOUR SPOUSE'S HEART.  PRAY FOR THREE SPECIFIC AREAS WHERE YOU DESIRE FOR GOD TO WORK IN YOUR SPOUSE'S LIFE AND IN YOUR MARRIAGE.
Have you experienced the power of prayer in the past?
What did you choose to pray about?
Was it easy for you, or did it feel foreign to you?

Saturday, January 25, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 15

love_and_honor_ban-e1362067761962
~DAY 15~ LOVE IS HONORABLE~
Live with your wives in an understanding way...and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life ~ 1 Peter 3:7

hon·or[on-er]
noun: high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor.
verb: to hold in honor or high respect; revere: to honor one's parents.

To honor someone.  To value them as something special.  If you honor someone, they matter - and they know it by the way you treat them.
 
Your spouse should not feel as if he is common or everyday.  He should feel special and unique.  He should know that he holds a special  place in your heart.
It’s marvelous, of course, when a husband and wife are joined in this purpose, when they’re following the biblical command to be “devoted to one another” in love, when they’re giving “preference to one another in honor” (Romans 12: 10). “Marriage should be honored by all,” the Bible says, “and the marriage bed kept pure” (Hebrews 13 :4 NIV). 
But when your attempts at honor go unreciprocated, you are to be honorable just the same, seeking ways to give honor to your mate. That’s what love dares to do— to say,
“Of all the relationships I have, I will value ours the most . Of all the people for whom I’m willing to sacrifice, I will sacrifice the most for you. With all your failures, sins, mistakes, and faults— past and present— I still choose the God-honoring way to a better marriage and a better life. I choose to love and honor you.”

~TODAY'S DARE~
  CHOOSE A WAY TO SHOW HONOR AND RESPECT TO YOUR SPOUSE THAT IS ABOVE THE NORMAL ROUTINE.  IT MAY BE HOLDING THE DOOR FOR HER.  IT MIGHT BE PUTTING HIS CLOTHES AWAY FOR HIM.  IT MAY BE THE WAY YOU LISTEN AND SPEAK IN YOUR COMMUNICATION.  SHOW YOUR MATE THAT HE OR SHE IS HIGHLY ESTEEMED IN YOUR EYES.

How did you choose to show honor?
What was the result?
What are some other ways you could demonstrate honor in the coming days?

Friday, January 24, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 14

Love-takes-delight-980x737
~DAY 14~  LOVE TAKES DELIGHT~
Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life. ~ Ecclesiastes 9:9 (HCSB)
Remember when you first fell in love with your spouse?  Everything about him was so delightful and interesting.  You wanted to spend every moment together.  He was constantly on your mind.  You were just so overcome with these powerful new feelings.
It's unrealistic to expect to always have our feelings for our spouse remain at that level.  We can't expect to maintain a life long relationship on feelings alone.  There are going to be days when you just don't feel very loving toward  our spouse.
As humans, we often have a tendency towards disapproval.  Something he does aggravates us like you would not believe.  Something we do gets on his nerves.  Next thing we know, we are always focusing on those negative things.  We criticize more than we praise.  We nag more than we laugh.  We let those negative feelings lead us down a dark and broken path.
We have to make a choice.  A choice not to always follow our heart, but to lead it. We have to remember that life is too short to bicker over petty things.
Think back again to those early days of the relationship.  All the things you took delight in at that time.  If you felt love and pleasure once - you can again.
Delight in your spouse.  Seek his company.  Talk to him.  Enjoy him. Relearn what you love about your spouse.
~TODAY'S DARE~
PURPOSELY NEGLECT AN ACTIVITY YOU WOULD NORMALLY DO SO YOU CAN SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR SPOUSE.  DO SOMETHING HE OR SHE WOULD LOVE TO DO OR A PROJECT THEY'D REALLY LIKE TO WORK ON.  JUST BE TOGETHER.
What did you decide to give up?
What did you do together?
What new thing did you lean or relearn about your spouse?

Thursday, January 23, 2014

La Beatue Pure Vitamin C Serum

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

I received a bottle of  this vitamin C serum to review!
It came within 2 days and was packaged very well! Not long enough of a time to say how it will work, but am looking forward to see if it really works! So I will be adding to this review after I have used it for a couple of months so wait for the results!
This was taken from Amazon site!!

  • Dr. Oz and leading plastic surgeons endorse Vitamin C for anti-aging, anti-wrinkles, and for taking decades off your face.
  • Safer than a chemical peel and cheaper than a facelift. Vitamin C can give similar results.
  • Applying vitamin C to the skin is up to 20 times more effective than taking it orally.
  • Highest concentration of Vitamin C available at approximately 20%. If we added more the product would be runny and not absorb as well.
  • PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

Organic Vitamin C Serum: Dr. Oz Recommended for Healthy Beautiful Skin

You eat an organic diet, use an organic skincare
-Fades sunspots, dark spots & discolorations
-Prevents free radicals
-Helps Collagen tighten skin
-Fine lines & wrinkles are less noticeable within 2-6 months (results vary)
-Works for up to 72 hours: Does not wash off

Finest Ingredients
-Some use Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. We use Dandelion
-Vegan hyaluronic acid base to plump skin cells
-Dandelion Extract: Skin toner cleanses & improves skin
-Aloe: Healing & soothing
-Gotu Kola Extract: For burns, wounds & stretch marks
-Horsetail Plant: Strengthens tissue
-Geranium: Sebum production for a balance of dry & oily skin
Highest Quality
-Highest concentration of Vitamin C (if you add more it is unstable & runny)
-PH Balanced
-Plant Based
-No parabens, chemicals, preservatives, formaldehyde, phthalates, Triclosan, GMO, Fragrance or Colors
-No animal testing

Packaging
-Double wrapped: 1 oz Bottle w/ phenolic cap

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

LOVE DARE DAY 13

                                         81bbd878561da032b907a270c254610b
                                              ~DAY 13~LOVE FIGHTS FAIR~
 If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. Mark 3-25

Conflict in marriage is inevitable! Even the closest couples have differences!
We are all imperfect, so the closeness in  marriage is going to expose all of those imperfections!  This isn't about avoiding conflicts but how to deal with them in a healthy way.
During a conflict we are at our worst,  and this could cause the most heartbreaking damage. Our anger is hotter and our words more venomous! But love steps in and changes things! Married couples who tend to work through their conflicts tend to be closer!   
But how? The wisest way is to fight clean by establishing rules of engagement. Basically there are two types of boundaries for dealing wit conflict: "we"  boundaries and "me" boundaries.

"We" boundaries are rules you both agree on beforehand!!
These could include:
1. We will never mention divorce.
2.We will never fight in front of our children.
3.We will never go to bed angry with each other.

"Me" Boundaries are rules you personally practice on your own.
These may  be some of the most  effective examples!
1. I will listen first  before speaking.
2. I will deal with my own issues up-front.
3. I will speak gently and keep my voice down.
Fighting fair means changing your weapons.

                                                                 ~TODAY'S DARE~
  TALK WITH YOUR SPOUSE ABOUT ESTABLISHING HEALTHY RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.  IF YOUR MATE IS NOT READY FOR THIS, THEN WRITE OUT YOUR OWN PERSONAL RULES TO "FIGHT" BY.  RESOLVE TO ABIDE BY THEM WHEN THE NEXT DISAGREEMENT OCCURS.
If your spouse participated with you, what was their response?
What rules did you write for yourself?

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 12

                               The Love Dare Challenge br
                                ~ DAY 12~ LOVE LET"S THE OTHER WIN~
                 Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others. Philippians 2:4

Are you as stubborn as me? Well then you know that we don't like to give in, we don't want to lose! But is it worth being right all the time?
Somethings are worth standing up for, our priorities, morals,and obedience to God should be guarded with great effort. Standing up for other things can be a waste of time. And can reek havoc on your marriage, so we need to figure out what is really important and when is a time to bend a little! We can begin by asking ourselves!! Is being right or getting my way more important than the health of my marriage?
                                                   ~~TODAY'S DARE~~
 DEMONSTRATE LOVE BY WILLINGLY CHOOSING TO GIVE IN TO AN AREA OF DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE.  TELL THEM YOU ARE PUTTING THEIR PREFERENCE FIRST.
What issue did you choose?
What did giving in cost you?
How will this help you in the future?

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 11

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                                                     ~~ DAY 11~~ LOVE CHERISHES~~
      Husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies.  Ephesians 5:28
 Consider these scenarios!!
A man has a wheeler that is going to cost more to fix than it's worth, so he decides to use his money to buy a new one.Seems reasonable right!
On the other hand a man is working on his wheeler and smashes his had, gets it looked at and finds out it's broken in a number of places and he is going to have a long and somewhat painful recovery, He uses his savings and has his hand fixed, and nurses it back to health! This also seems reasonable!!
In this day and age it's sad to say but most people view marriage like the first scenario, if its not working get rid of your spouse and find a new one. But we should treat marriage like the second, that our spouse is so precious to us that we do what it takes to make it work!!
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church -- ~ Ephesians 5:28 – 29

When you look at your spouse, you are looking at a part of you. When you show him love; you show love to yourself. When you hurt or mistreat him, you are doing the same thing to yourself. So… treat him well. Cherish him. Respect him. Nurture him. Love him.
                                                                                   ~TODAY’S DARE~
WHAT NEED DOES YOUR SPOUSE HAVE THAT YOU COULD MEET TODAY? CAN YOU RUN AN ERRAND? GIVE A BACK RUB OR FOOT MASSAGE? IS THERE HOUSEWORK YOU COULD HELP WITH? CHOOSE A GESTURE THAT SAYS, “I CHERISH YOU” AND DO IT WITH A SMILE.
What did you do to show that you cherish your spouse?
What did you learn from this experience!

Monday, January 20, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 10

                                   ~ LOVE DARE~DAY 10~~~LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL~~
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8


                                                                         

Why do you love your spouse? Could you make a list of reasons?
What if one day your spouse stopped being every one of those things? Would you still love him? 
Love isn’t (and shouldn’t be) determined by the one being loved, but by the one choosing to do the loving. 
This kind of love is “Agape”. Unconditional love. Selfless love. Agape love is the kind we speak of in marriage vows: “for better or for worse”. This is “True Love”

This is the type of love God has for us. He doesn’t love us because we are loveable, but because He is loving. We don’t have to earn His love. He has made the choice to love us all on His own..


For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39

This is the type of love that makes a marriage strong and lasting. Not love that gives up when it doesn’t like something, but love that loves even when everything isn’t perfect.

                                                            TODAY’S DARE:
 DO SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY TODAY FOR YOUR SPOUSE – SOMETHING THAT PROVES (TO YOU AND TO THEM) THAT YOUR LOVE IS BASED ON YOUR CHOICE AND NOTHING ELSE. WASH HER CAR. CLEAN THE KITCHEN. BUY HIS FAVORITE DESSERT. FOLD THE LAUNDRY. DEMONSTRATE LOVE TO THEM FOR THE SHEER JOY OF BEING THEIR PARTNER IN MARRIAGE.


Has your love in the past been based on your spouse's attributes and behavior, or on your commitment?
How can you continue to show love when it's not returned in a way you hoped for?


Sunday, January 19, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 9

                       DAY 9~ LOVE MAKES GOOD IMPRESSIONS~
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                    Greet one another with a kiss of love.      1 Peter 5:14

How do you greet your spouse,is it as warm of a greeting as you give a friend?
It's probably something we don't think about, but If we greet others politely and affectionately doesn't our spouse deserve the same ~ten times!!
It doesn't need to be bold and dramatic each time. But adding warmth and enthusiasm gives you the chance to touch your mates heart in  subtle, unspoken ways.
Remember, love is a choice. So choose to change your greeting. Choose to love.

            TODAY'S DARE
THINK OF A SPECIFIC WAY YOU'D LIKE TO GREET YOUR SPOUSE TODAY. DO IT WITH A SMILE AND WITH ENTHUSIASM. THEN DETERMINE TOB CHANGE YOUR GREETING TO REFLECT YOUR LOVE FOR THEM.

When and where did you choose to do your special greeting?
How will you change your greeting from now on.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 8

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                                            Love Dare: Day 8

 
              Love is as strong as death, its jealously unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire.
                                                                           ~ Song of Solomon 8:6

There are two types of jealousy:

Legitimate Jealousy: this jealousy is based on love. It’s jealousy that longs to have back what is yours. This is the kind of jealousy God has for His people.

Illegitimate Jealousy: this is rooted in selfishness. It is moved with envy. This is the jealousy we feel when someone is more successful than us. When we want what someone else has. This type of jealousy is also seen in the Bible. It’s the jealousy Cain had toward Abel. The jealousy Sarah had toward Hagar. The jealousy Joseph’s brothers felt when they threw him in a pit and sold him as a slave. The jealousy the Pharisees felt toward Jesus, leading them to have him arrested and crucified.

There is no place for illegitimate jealousy in a marriage. Love is not selfish. It refuses to let wrongful jealousy in. As spouses, we should be cheerleaders for each other in all things. Not competing with each other. We should celebrate our spouse’s successes, not resent them.

                                                                                                      ~TODAY’S DARE~

: DETERMINE TO BECOME YOUR SPOUSE’S BIGGEST FAN AND TO REJECT ANY THOUGHTS OF JEALOUSY. TO HELP; YOU SET YOUR HEART ON YOUR SPOUSE AND FOCUS ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, TAKE YESTERDAY’S LIST OF NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES AND DISCREETLY BURN IT. THEN SHARE WITH YOUR SPOUSE HOW GLAD YOU ARE ABOUT A SUCCESS HE OR SHE RECENTLY ENJOYED.


How hard was it to destroy the list?
What are some positive experiences that you can celebrate in the life of your mate?
How can you encourage them toward future successes?

Friday, January 17, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 7

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                                                                       ~ DAY 7~ LOVE BELIEVES THE BEST~
                          (Love) believes all things, hopes all the things.    1 Corinthians 13:7

  When you think of your  spouse what comes to mind first?
The things that you admire or the things that irritate you?
It is so much easier to focus on the failures instead of the good attributes!
But love chooses to believe the best about people, focus on the positive instead of the negative!!
                                                               ~~TODAY"S DARE~~

                              FOR TODAY'S DARE, GET OUT TWO PIECES OF PAPER. ON THE FIRST ONE, SPEND A FEW MINUTES  WRITING OUT POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT YOUR SPOUSE.  THEN DO THE SAME WITH NEGATIVE THINGS ON THE SECOND SHEET.  PLACE BOTH SHEETS IN A SECRET PLACE FOR ANOTHER DAY. THERE IS A DIFFERENT PURPOSE  AND PLAN FOR EACH.  AT SOME POINT DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY, PICK A POSITIVE ATTRIBUTE FROM THE FIRST LIST AND THANK YOUR SPOUSE FOR HAVING THIS CHARACTERISTIC!

Which list was easier to make?
What did this reveal about your thoughts?
What attribute did you thank your spouse for having?

Thursday, January 16, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 6

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                                                                                           ~DAY 6
 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
                                                                                     Proverbs 16:32

                     Love is hard to offend and quick to forgive.
                    How easily do you get irritated and offended?
                   If you are like me it may depend on the day.  Some days I am easily hurt!
                   Minor things bring on BIG reactions! Not exactly the response that's loving.
Why do people become irritable?
1)Stress: we’re all familiar with it. It drains and weakens us. It’s an open door for irritability. Stress can be caused by relational causes such as arguing and bitterness. It can be caused by excesses such as overworking, overspending, or overplaying. It can also be caused by deficiencies such as not enough exercise, nutrition, or rest.
2) Selfishness: Insecurity or selfishness can send us spiraling down a road of irritability!

Love will lead you to forgive instead of holding a grudge.

                                                                                    ~~TODAY"S DARE~~
  CHOOSE TODAY TO REACT TO TOUCH CIRCUMSTANCES IN YOUR MARRIAGE IN LOVING WAYS INSTEAD OF WITH IRRITATION. BEGIN BY MAKING A LIST OF AREAS WHERE YOU NEED TO ADD MARGIN TO YOUR SCHEDULE. THEN LIST ANY WRONG MOTIVATIONS THAT YOU NEED TO RELEASE FROM YOUR LIFE.

Where do you need to add margin in your life?
When have you recently overreacted?
What was your real motivation behind it?
What decisions have you made today?
This is taken from the book The Love Dare! If you do not own it you should get it because there is alot more in the book!! You can buy it here>>>>http://www.christianbook.com/the-love-dare-stephen-kendrick/9781433679599/pd/679599?item_code=WW&netp_id=1021669&event=ESRCN&view=details

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

LOVE DARE DAY 5!!

                                                                         
   

                                              ~~ DAY 5~~ LOVE IS NOT RUDE~~~

                   He who blesses his friend with a loud voice in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him.
                                                                 Proverbs 27:14


   Nothing irritates others as quickly as being rude.  Rudeness is saying or doing things that are unpleasant  for another person to be around!  To be rude is to act unbecoming, embarrassing, or irritating!
  In marriage this could be a foul mouth, poor table manners, or a habit of making sarcastic remarks!!

Test yourself with these questions!!

       How does your spouse feel about the way you speak or act around them?
       How does your behavior affect your mates sense of worth and self-esteem?
       Would your husband or wife say you are a blessing, or that you're condescending and embarrassing?


Do you wish your spouse would quit doing the things that bother you?  Then its time to stop doing the things that bother them. Will you dare to be delightful?

                              Today's dare seems a little bit harder than some of them!!

                                                           TODAY"S DARE

                       Ask your spouse to name three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated
with you.   You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only.

What things did your spouse point out to you?
How did you handle hearing it?
What do you plan to do to improve these areas?

Thieves!!

essential-oil
Do you use essential oils? I do I have been a member of Young Living for about 10 years  now, and have loved the Thieves oil
now I am all for saving money so am experimenting on making some of my own Thieves oil! I trust Young Living for oils that I may ingest but I have been in a group that has done some independent testing and there are other companies that have tested as well as  Young Living. So I do use some other brands.
   So I will be making my own "Thieves" mixture for cleaning purposes to save a little money!!
This is the recipe I will be using!!

Antibacterial Essential Oil Blend

Makes 280 drops. About enough to fill 1 15ml bottle
Ingredients
80 drops clove bud oil
70 drops lemon oil
40 drops cinnamon oil
30 drops eucalyptus oil (See Note)
20 drops rosemary oil
20 – 40 drops total other oils of choice, including melaleuca, frankincense, lavender, cedar, etc. (optional)
Method
1.  Add oils, one by one, to your container of choice. (I used an old essential oil bottle that used to hold one of the oils in this blend.)
2. Shake bottle and use as desired.
NOTES:
1.  Eucalyptus oils have a component that is poisonous. According to this, you would need to ingest 3.5 ml of the oil to be fatal.  So for sure keep these oils out of the reach of children.  For safety reasons, Eucalyptus Citriodora might be the best choice to use in this blend though the big oils companies use Radiata in theirs. Make sure to read the labels on your essential oils bottles carefully before using.
2.  This oil blend is hot. It can burn sensitive skin, or throat lining, etc. Use with caution and dilute appropriately.  I encourage you to do your own research to find out what dilution works best for you.
3.  Especially if you are going to use this blend internally, it is especially important that you purchase pure oils.  Do your homework and don’t use any oil you aren’t sure is sourced correctly.
I will then be mixing it with witch hazel in spray bottles that we carry with us and use on shopping carts, bathroom seats, and just to spray on our hands between stores!!
images (1)
We have also tried making our own toothpaste which was an epic fail!
I'm glad we didn't make a container each before we tried it!!
This is the recipe we used it seemed to be tooo salty for us so I have ordered some bentonite clay to try again~
6 tsp baking soda
4 tsp coconut oil
1/3 tsp sea salt
15-20 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix all in a baby food size jar. To use, simply remove lid and dip toothbrush in.
We will see how each of the new products we make compares with the real thing!
I have been enjoying making salves, lip balms, and each new thing with my girls!!
downsized_1103131549 (1)Hadassah
We really like the antibiotic salve that we make its uses are endless!!