Iron Sharpens Iron

Good morning loved one. It’s officially winter in Nashville, people are getting sick. Ella managed to throw up on the dog last night and then in her bed this morning so that was a fun thing to wake up to at 6am.

Moving right alon onto decision 2 this week: “I WILL BE INTENTIONAL”

EXCERPT: “Dreams that aren't followed by deliberate choices don’t come true. Winston Churchill’s words ring true: “We make our choices and then our choices make us.” Love rests on choice and action rather than on feelings... Courage is accepting whatever it is and choosing on a DAILY basis to leave a bright, loving stroke on the canvas of your marriage, no matter what amount of effort it takes to follow through. Even if you are the only one choosing to exert effort.” LifeMates pg. 39-40

REFLECTION:
Guys, we are not intentional enough in our marriages. We treat our marriages like gambling. Put in the coin, pull the lever and lets see what you get. The odds are always against you.

When you are trying to get back into shape, which becomes the goal for all men who gained sympathy weight after their wives had kids, you have to be intentional. It means downgrading to “light” beers and only drinking 6 instead of 12 at a time, it means skipping a desert here or there and it even means eating salad occasionally! If you choose to do nothing and simply wait it out, I would suggest saying goodbye to your feet, you may never see them again.
 
Natalie has been mentioning her desire for me to lead her deeper spiritually. I know all of you have that one figured out but I am learning :) Well here’s the deal, unless I make some intentional decisions, some deliberate choices, it’s not going to happen and we will be in the same place a year from now!

I am working on some choices that can help us get there...

1. I need to spend more time with God alone, my own passion and motivation won’t get me far, I need to be plugged into the source.
2. I  need to setup some weekly reminders in my calendar that will always pop. Reminders like...
        “Pray with Natalie before work” - 3 times a week
        “Plan time to read the Word and Worship together” 1-2 times a week
        “Have communion together” - Monthly
3. I need to make an effort to constantly learn about what it means to lead your wife and family spiritually.

Remember take baby steps. Thinking you can go from never praying with your wife to choosing to pray with her 7 days a week is probably not going to happen. Also re-read the last line of today’s excerpt... Your choices before God are worship and honor Him and should not be dependent on the actions of others.

CHALLENGE:
The spiritual, practical, romantic and  relational sides to you marriage have needs that require you to make some deliberate choices. Pick one of two areas you can work on and write down some deliberate choices you need to make in order to get to the goal. If you have problems finding any areas to work on, just ask your wife!

PRAYER:
God makes us men of intention, direct our steps God, cover our marriages with peace and restoration, fill our homes with gladness. Amen

Rob