Secrets to staying Married

We all aspire to be perfect in the things that we do. We all try our best to attain the highest standards in our academic achievements, career, social status and amongst many others...our marriage. So how does one work on one’s marriage? Is there a rule book, that once adhered to, will guarantee a successful marriage? As each marriage is unique to the couple, what secrets are there to maintain a fulfilling married life?

There’s no such thing as a perfect marriage, but that doesn’t mean your marriage can’t be fulfilling and happy. Building a strong marriage takes hard work and commitment. It takes two people who are willing to say to each other: “I know that tough times will come, but I promise to stay with you, no matter what.” When life gets hard, even the best marriages are tested. The ones that survive are those where each person makes a conscious decision to stay the course. In fact, couples who persevere through trials almost always come out stronger than ever.

Take time to remind your spouse how committed you are to your marriage. Use special occasions, like anniversaries, holidays, or other family events to focus on what’s important, and renew your love and devotion, both to your mate and your children. Remind your spouse often, and see if it doesn’t strengthen your relationship. And remember, strong marriages are built on loyalty, and loyalty is a decision, not a personality trait.

blessings, dave

The Story of Father's Day

Historians have recorded that there was a tradition to celebrate Father's Day even thousands of years ago. Their study say that 4,000 years ago in Babylon a son called Elmesu carved a father's day message on a clay card. In his message Elmesu wished his father a long and healthy life. There is no knowledge as to what happened to this father son duo but it is believed that several countries retained the custom of celebrating Father's Day.

The tradition of celebrating Father's Day as seen today originated in the last century. Though there are several people who are credited for furthering the cause of Father's Day, there is far greater acceptance for Sonora Louise Smart Dodd's contribution. A doting daughter from Spokane, Washington, Ms. Dodd is recognized as the Founder or Mother of the Father's Day Festival.

Inception of the Father's Day took place in Sonora's mind when she happened to hear a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. Sonora, who was 27 then, had begun to recognize the hardships her father must have gone through while bringing up his six children alone. When Sonora was 16, her mother had died during childbirth. Sonora's father a Civil War veteran by the name of William Jackson Smart raised six children including the newborn on his own. Sonora questioned that if there is a day to recognize mothers then why is not there a day to honor fathers?

Many people laughed and joked at Sonora's idea, but her will did not droop. She began a sincere campaign lobbying for the cause of Father's Day. Her hard work began to show signs of success when Spokane celebrated its first Father's Day on June 19, 1910 with the support of Spokane Ministerial Association and the local Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). To pay tribute to her affectionate father, Sonora wished that Father's Day be celebrated on her father's birthday on June 5, but it so happened that there was not enough time for preparation and the day came to be celebrated on third Sunday in the month of June.

The noble idea of celebrating Father's Day became quite popular in US so much so that President Woodrow Wilson approved of the festival in 1916. President Calvin Coolidge too supported the idea but it was President Lyndon Johnson who signed a Presidential Proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father's Day in 1966. Then in 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. Father's Day has become a popular festival. World over people thank their father and pay tribute to them.

I have many, many reasons to be thankful. Thankful that God chose for me to have a Godly earthly Father who has cared and supported me all of my life. And thankful that God has blessed me with four amazing boys.

Happy Fathers Day all!!

God's promises

Today I got to talk to a very honored and admired personal friend. If you know me then you know that the last 70 days or so have been both life changing and very disappointing to say the least. Many days I am tired, discouraged, confused and beaten down. My breaking point is very clearly in sight.

Today my good friend said very little. He only said enough to encourage and remind of the things that I have come to know as the truth. Whenever in doubt stay in the light, that is where you will always find the truth.

Again he said very few words and even though this is not what he said, I will tell you what I heard.....

"Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told". Hab 1:5

I first learned of this scripture about 7 years ago. It is always easy to live for today and forgets God's promises of thiings to come.


Today I am reminded of God's promises.

Thnx Bro, I needed that!

Love Dare??

Stacey and I have committed to doing the Love Dare together. I look forward to seeing how this brings us even closer together.

You should buy two copies of this book. One for you, and one for your spouse. See what happens after 40 days, I dare ya!!

Day 1: Love is patient

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 NIV

TODAY’S DARE

The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It’s better to hold your tongue than to say something you’ll regret.

More to come!

dave

18 years and still going strong!!

Today we are celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary. I can honestly say that it has been 18 years of pure joy. I had no idea that marriage could be this much fun! It does take some work but it has been a labor of love. I guess when two people click, they click. I am blessed to have found the perfect person to spend the rest of my life with.

I cannot put into words the way I feel about this amazing, wonderful woman that I am proud to call my wife. God knew what I would need to make it through this life. He knew that me and the boys would need a special lady to keep us going. He sent me a wife, a best friend and so much more. I pray that I will never take her for granted and that I hope that I will always show her how much I love her with my actions, not just my words.

I thank God for her and the life that I have because of her. God’s word is always enough. This scripture says it all

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 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 his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Ephesians 5:25-33

Be blessed, dave