LOVE DARe: Day 34

Love celebrates godliness.

"Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth" (1 Cor . 13:6).

 "The report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil" (Romans 16:19).

The pursuit of godliness, purity, and faithfulness is the only way for me to find joy and ultimate fulfillment.

God's Word is the ultimate expression of what real life is. Scripture is God's ideals and instructions that are the only pathways to real blessing and when we see people follow them in obedience to the Lord, it should cause us to rejoice.

Love rejoices most in the things that please God. We should be doubly thrilled and excitedly cheering our spouses on for what they're allowing God to accomplish in their lives.

LOVE DARe: Day 33

Love completes each other.

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. If two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11.)

Marriage origin intention was for woman and man to complete each other:

Differing Natures and temperaments were meant to provide balance;

Teamwork raise the two to health and maturity;

Where one is weak, the other is strong ;

When one needs building up, the other is equipped to enhance and encourage; 

We multiply one another's joys and divide one another's sorrows.

Our differences can frequently be the source of misunderstanding and conflict, yet they can be ongoing blessings if I respect them.

Working together on purpose honors God's design for my relationship and guards the oneness God intends.

LOVE DARe: Day 32

Love meets sexual needs.

In marriage, romance is meant to thrive and flourish.

The Song of Songs is a good example and a beautiful love story where romance is celebrated. It expresses how honesty and understanding in sexual matters lead to a life of confident love together.

In the act of romance, we join our hearts to each other in an expression of love that no other form of communication can match.

All the Dares so far - patience, kindness, selflessness, thoughtfulness, protection, honor, forgiveness - will play a role in renewing sexual intimacy.

LOVE DARe: Day 31

Love and marriage.

Leave. And cleave. And dare to walk as one.

Leaving = means to break from a natural tie. This, though an issue in many marriages, at least it has not affected my marriage in any significant way. 

We have successfully cut the apron strings.

The purpose of "leaving", is not to abandon all contact with the familial ties but rather to preserve the unique oneness that marriage is designed to capture.

Cleaving = carries the idea of catching someone by pursuit, clinging to her as my new rock of refuge and safety.

Of course tasked with the responsibility of loving my wife "just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25).

As a result we are free to become everything God meant when God declared us "one flesh":

In decision making

In priorities 

In affections.

Leave. And cleave. And dare to walk as one.

LOVE DARe: Day 30

Love brings unity.

Just like love, unity is of God.

Some of the unshakable hallmarks of our God are: Unity, Togetherness, Oneness.

In this spirit of oneness, husband and wife (though two distinct individuals) are spiritually united into the mystery of "one flesh".

The mystery is so compelling that God uses the imagery of marriage to explain God's love for the church.

In today's dare, I am reminded that the preservation of oneness with my wife is worth every sacrifice and expression of love.

I ask of God's strength as I make it my mission to do everything possible to promote togetherness of heart with my wife.