Life Planning: Thoughts on a Growing Marriage
For years, I’ve given newlyweds our “Signposts on the Road to a Happy Marriage.” It’s simply a collection of short sayings that keep a marriage going. Along with the Signposts Card, I give a $2 Bill as a reminder that in God’s eyes, “Two become One.” During this first week of the new year, I’m working on my Life Plan. Having a healthy marriage and relationship with DeDe is a top priority with me. It’s hard to believe that we’re entering our 35th year of marriage. A year in Africa has seasoned our marriage even more. We have to depend on each other to make it. Additonally, we spend a better part of each day together. We jokingly say, “As much time as you spend together on the mission field, it’d be tough if you didn’t like each other. Enjoy the Marriage card. Feel free to copy, share, and make your own card. Thoughts on Marriage Signposts along the road of a happy marriage- 2 shall become 1 Say “I love you” everyday*keep dating*write love notes and cards*hold hands forever*Live a life of forgiveness: build a bridge and get over it*walk and talk together*use a sense of humor*go on trips together*pray together*say “thank you” often*love and accept your spouse’s family (but don’t take their money)*split up the child rearing*love Jesus with all of your heart (Matt. 6:33)*be kind*be trustworthy*be faithful*laugh often (esp. at yourselves!)*get angry and get over it*be the first to say “I was wrong”*lean on each other in the tough times (they will pass)*expect the best from each other*treat your spouse with the same dignity you would extend to a stranger*help each other with the chores* Finally, make your own list and pass it on. God’s best to you and your marriage! Curt loves DeDe 8/9/79 Creekbank Stories http://www.creekbank.net
A New Year: A Few Questions to Ask
2 January 2014 A new year is always a time to take inventory. I view it as an opportunity to look back as well as look ahead. I’ve developed the habit of using the week after Christmas to solidify about what will be most important to me in the new year. I invite you along on the journey. I’m not sharing this due to any arrogance on my part. I’m simply a fellow struggler on this journey called life. View these suggestions simply as signposts to guide you. I always start my new life plan by asking several key questions. Here is question number 1: What is your heart song? That’s probably a new one. A heart song is simply the song/words that reverberate in your heart. Mine is currently the powerful hymn, “How Firm a Foundation.” I’ve posted the complete lyrics below. The final verse (7) is my favourite: “The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes: That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never – no, never, no, never forsake!” The author doesn’t use a double negative. He uses a quintet of negatives. Never . . . no . . . never . . . no . . . never forsake. Pretty emphatic. A God who will not forsake us as in Hebrews 13:5: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” A pretty firm promise. A firm foundation to build your faith, life, and hope on. Here are the complete lyrics: 1. How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word; What more can he say than to you he hath said? You, who unto Jesus, for refuge have fled. 2. In ev’ry condition – in sickness in health, In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth, At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea, As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be. 3. “Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed! For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 4. “When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow; For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. 5. “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply; The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design, Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine. 6. “E’en down to old age, all my people shall prove My sov’reign eternal, unchangeable love; And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn, Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne. 7. “The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes: That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never – no, never, no, never forsake!” As the week moves on, we’ll talk about living the regret-free life. [gravityform id=5 title=false description=false ajax=true tabindex=49] Go for it.
Six words in my Life Plan
Hunger, Commitment and more. Wednesday, January 25, 2012. On Wednesday’s I’m trying to write about my Life Plan. I’ve discovered that I need this written plan to keep me focused and on task. I hope you enjoy and are challenged by my thoughts on this. I’d love to hear your ideas and comments. I place my “6 Words to Live By” on Pin 1: my walk with Jesus. These are the current words that I’m passionate about. I’m currently gleaning my final six for 2012 from these great words: Commitment: my keyword for 2012. Focus Passion Hunger Balance Hospitality Compassion Gratitude Prayer Missional Living I’ll be expounding on what I’m learning on each word in the coming days. Still walking. Still growing. Curt Iles
Why do we exist? Thoughts on Life Statements
“To bring glory to God…” “We exist to bring glory to God by making disciples who treasure Christ &carry His name to the ends of the earth.” This is our church (Dry Creek Baptist) Life Statement. A life statement is simply a declaration of what you’re about… where you stand… why you exist. It says, “I’ve driven a stake in the ground and this is where I stand.” A life statement helps us stay focused on what’s really important. As “Curly” said in “City Slickers”, “Boys, there’s just one thing that matters.” Our Life Statement is a visible expression of that “one thing.” My personal Life Statement is “I want to be a man God can use and be respected by wife, sons, and their families– especially my six grandchildren.” As we say in the Piney Woods, “Nuff Said.”
