Encouragement @ MindSay 
love
( I've only recently come across Katherine's work and enjoy her perspective. )
Living Your Joy Filled Life
What do you see around you that brings you back to yourself and your joy? What reminds you that Life is meant to be joyful? Whatever the little triggers and messages, hints and nudges - watch for them and encourage them in your day to day experiences! When you see or hear them - let them remind you of your own joy and to bring it out and let your joy shine. It might be a bird's song, the unbridled laughter of a child, a butterfly landing near you. Perhaps the lyrics of a favorite song, a smile from a stranger or maybe even just some of the new slang words in pop culture like Sweet and Juicy and Ease. Even in marketing; "Life Is Good" has become a popular slogan. The Discovery Channel has a similar promotion with an uplifting, positive message about loving life on planet earth.
I might be a bit prejudiced toward these messages and nudges; it's the main focus of my on-line work where-ever I pop up on a search. Encouraging people to watch for the magic in their own lives, seeing how little choices can make big differences, celebrating nature and our natural world. Even celebrating the human spirit immersed within it all! It has been my passion to find ways to capture magical little moments in words or photographs when possible and share them through blogs, a website, and a variety of on-line social sharing formats (I've triedFacebook, Twitter, Flickr, Picassa, Photobucket, YouTube, Lulu, Clipmarks , Care2). I've never thought much about what I was doing, rather I seemed driven to learn how and to explore a wide range of computer applications to make it happen.
Over the years the greatest benefit for me has been the ability to see beyond all the bad news, strife and grief that permeates our society. It doesn't make me ignore it or enjoy it - don't get me wrong. Simply, I can also see that there are beautiful aspects to our world as well. There are heroes of all walks of life. There are courageous and generous people in every country in the world. There are lovers and children and grandparents. There are birds and fish, flowers and trees; there are incredible sunsets and there is unmatchable beauty and it is right here in this very same world where some people have lost sight of their joy and have chosen to focus on war and anger and pain.
"I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me." (Song of Solomon 7:10)
The sexual relationship. It's one of those elements--along with money and children--that can derail a marriage through negative comments. Negativity destroys intimacy, but encouragement builds and strengthens the marriage bond.
Let's get practical here. Is your husband a "good lover?" Have you told him so? Be specific. Let him know when he pleases you. Most husbands genuinely want to please their wives, especially in this important area of marriage.
In moments of intimacy, do you find your mind wandering? This can change as you focus on something wonderful about your husband. Realize that your husband wants intimacy with you. His desire is toward you.
Does this area of your marriage need some work? Remember that this is a sensitive area for men. Be sure to encourage his lovemaking and masculinity in positive ways.
Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18; 1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10)
"You are today where your thoughts have
brought you; you will be tomorrow
where your thoughts take you."
- James Allen
Day Twelve:
"With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love."
Eph. 4:2
Part of the difficulty you may face as you continue in this 30-day challenge to encourage
your husband is that you really are struggling to find positive things to praise. Perhaps
the problem is not with your husband. Have you checked your own heart?
Sometimes we get disillusioned because of our own unreasonable or unrealistic
expectations (Prov. 13:12). It may not be that our mates are doing something wrong; it's
simply that we expect too much in some areas.
Our expectations must be met in God alone, and then we will have the right perspective
to ask God for the healing and grace we need to respond to others.
How sad that we give more grace to others than to those in our own homes. Today, try
to look at your husband through eyes of grace. Verbally thank your husband for what he
is already doing.
Prayer
Pray that your husband will discover and live his God-given purpose. Pray that he will offer all his dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those goals that will bring God glory and count for eternity. (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 10:31)
Posting just a little early, I have some early appointments tomorrow and want to get this done so I dont get bogged down tomorrow.
Love and Laughter,
Dawn
Day 11
Women who are constantly negative toward their husbands--especially by speaking evil of them to others--show great disrespect. Determine not to do that today (or ever!). This challenge to encourage is closely connected to submission.
Men respond to women who respect them. What do you respect about your husband? Part of that respect includes submission to his authority. Let your husband know how respecting him makes it easier to submit to his leadership. Show your respect in public by listening to him and smiling at him when he speaks. Place your hand in his as you walk together.
If you feel there is nothing to respect, search harder . . . nearly every man has some core characteristic that can be nurtured and respected. In any case, you must still cultivate a submissive spirit to his position of leadership . . . "as to the Lord."
"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:22)
Dawn's personal notes after listening to the video, I would also like to add:
Submission does not, however, mean that she is inferior or less important. It does not mean she should be uneducated or intellectually inept. It does not mean she never has an opinion, suggestion, or strong will. It does not preclude her expressing her thoughts, desires, ideas, and aspirations. It does not eliminate her industry, contributions, and "savvy" in helping the home, church, community, and nation (Prov. 31). Submission does not negate her influence (1 Tim. 2:15) nor shackle her abilities and talents. Within parameters (and men are restricted in some ways as well), she can teach, counsel, pray, guide, and rule (1 Tim. 5). Submission to her husband does not demand that she disobey the laws of God nor tolerate violence and lawlessness. Submission is not slavery.
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