My husband and I have been reading "The Love Dare" by Stephen & Alex Kendrick. There is a lot of great advice in this book. As the book suggests: "Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong, The Love Dare is a journey you need to take. It's time to learn the keys to finding true intimacy and developing a dynamic marriage."
We started reading the book in the summer and we haven't been reading it every day for 40 days as it suggests. However when we are done reading it together I think I will start it again from the beginning. There is a place to write about your journey at the end of each daily chapter, so I plan to study it more thoroughly and record my journey.
Last night, we read Day 30. The title was "Love Brings Unity". It begins by reminding us of the Trinity.
"Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father is there, creating the heavens and the earth. The Spirit is "moving over the surface of the water" (Genesis 1:2). And the Son, who is "the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature" (Hebrews 1:3), joins in speaking the world into existence. "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness" (Genesis 1:26)."pg. 146, p4
Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, are united together. There is no denying that they are together, unified, as one. Just like the Trinity. Husband and Wife are unified.
"In the unique relationship of husband and wife, two distinct individuals are spiritually united into "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). And 'what God has joined together, let man not separate' (Mark 10:9)." pg 147, p3
Unity, oneness, togetherness. As the Trinity is one, so are the Husband and Wife. I think that we forget this when we go through our daily lives. Many of us (including myself) make decisions based on our own needs. If I do this - how will it profit me? Should I buy this, do I need it? What are My hopes and dreams? When we pursue life selfishly, this leads to brokenness. You cannot have a prosperous marriage if you are only concerned with yourself.
The Love Dare proposes a few questions near the end of the chapter which I have copied word for word, emphasis added:
Husband - What would happen in your marriage if you devoted yourself to loving, honoring, and serving your wife in all things? What if you determined that the preservation of your oneness with this woman was worth every sacrifice and expression of love you could make? What would change in your home if you took that approach to your relationship on a daily basis?
Wife - What would happen if you made it your mission to do everything possible to promote togetherness of heart with your husband? What if every threat to your unity was treated as a poison, a cancer, an enemy to be eliminated by love, humility, and selflessness? What would your marriage become if you were never again willing to see your oneness torn apart?
- pg. 158, p 1-2
Men, are you living like this? Would you sacrifice everything in order to devote yourself to your wife? Are there areas of your life that you do not want to let go of because you are married? Is the consequence worth keeping those things? How much more fulfilling could your life be if you focused not only on God, but also on protecting the unity of your marriage?
Women, our hearts are so susceptible to outside influences. Our heart's walls so easily broken. It is very important for us to evaluate our hearts and minds on a daily basis to protect our unity with our husbands. Advertising, movies, TV, other women.. They all influence our perceptions. We're not pretty enough, not wealthy enough, don't have the best husband. Whose opinion matters to you? The worlds? If you let outside influences (poisons) penetrate your heart and mind - then you will be poisoned. You will be unhappy, sick, unfulfilled. However if we can learn to spend each day glorifying God, aiming for holiness, and for unity... then I think we will be happier, healthier and fulfilled.
Another question that comes to mind: (I can't find it in the book but if I do I will update it here later).
~ If you got very sick, and the only way to save your life would be to cut off your foot, would you do it? I think most of us would. Or we would pay whatever we had to for medical attention. We would do whatever is possible to cure ourselves. If you think of your marriage as a body, then why wouldn't you do the same? Why wouldn't you do anything and EVERYTHING possible to save your marriage? Or would you just let the disease spread and kill the body.
There are so many great quotes and topics in this book; I really do suggest that you read it! If anyone else has read it I would love to hear how/if it has helped or inspired you!
We started reading the book in the summer and we haven't been reading it every day for 40 days as it suggests. However when we are done reading it together I think I will start it again from the beginning. There is a place to write about your journey at the end of each daily chapter, so I plan to study it more thoroughly and record my journey.
Last night, we read Day 30. The title was "Love Brings Unity". It begins by reminding us of the Trinity.
"Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father is there, creating the heavens and the earth. The Spirit is "moving over the surface of the water" (Genesis 1:2). And the Son, who is "the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature" (Hebrews 1:3), joins in speaking the world into existence. "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness" (Genesis 1:26)."pg. 146, p4
Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, are united together. There is no denying that they are together, unified, as one. Just like the Trinity. Husband and Wife are unified.
"In the unique relationship of husband and wife, two distinct individuals are spiritually united into "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). And 'what God has joined together, let man not separate' (Mark 10:9)." pg 147, p3
Unity, oneness, togetherness. As the Trinity is one, so are the Husband and Wife. I think that we forget this when we go through our daily lives. Many of us (including myself) make decisions based on our own needs. If I do this - how will it profit me? Should I buy this, do I need it? What are My hopes and dreams? When we pursue life selfishly, this leads to brokenness. You cannot have a prosperous marriage if you are only concerned with yourself.
The Love Dare proposes a few questions near the end of the chapter which I have copied word for word, emphasis added:
Husband - What would happen in your marriage if you devoted yourself to loving, honoring, and serving your wife in all things? What if you determined that the preservation of your oneness with this woman was worth every sacrifice and expression of love you could make? What would change in your home if you took that approach to your relationship on a daily basis?
Wife - What would happen if you made it your mission to do everything possible to promote togetherness of heart with your husband? What if every threat to your unity was treated as a poison, a cancer, an enemy to be eliminated by love, humility, and selflessness? What would your marriage become if you were never again willing to see your oneness torn apart?
- pg. 158, p 1-2
Men, are you living like this? Would you sacrifice everything in order to devote yourself to your wife? Are there areas of your life that you do not want to let go of because you are married? Is the consequence worth keeping those things? How much more fulfilling could your life be if you focused not only on God, but also on protecting the unity of your marriage?
Women, our hearts are so susceptible to outside influences. Our heart's walls so easily broken. It is very important for us to evaluate our hearts and minds on a daily basis to protect our unity with our husbands. Advertising, movies, TV, other women.. They all influence our perceptions. We're not pretty enough, not wealthy enough, don't have the best husband. Whose opinion matters to you? The worlds? If you let outside influences (poisons) penetrate your heart and mind - then you will be poisoned. You will be unhappy, sick, unfulfilled. However if we can learn to spend each day glorifying God, aiming for holiness, and for unity... then I think we will be happier, healthier and fulfilled.
Another question that comes to mind: (I can't find it in the book but if I do I will update it here later).
~ If you got very sick, and the only way to save your life would be to cut off your foot, would you do it? I think most of us would. Or we would pay whatever we had to for medical attention. We would do whatever is possible to cure ourselves. If you think of your marriage as a body, then why wouldn't you do the same? Why wouldn't you do anything and EVERYTHING possible to save your marriage? Or would you just let the disease spread and kill the body.
There are so many great quotes and topics in this book; I really do suggest that you read it! If anyone else has read it I would love to hear how/if it has helped or inspired you!
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