Chapters 3, 4, & 5...quick reads

"My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

Chapter 3 is titled "His Finances." It was a pretty short chapter- straight to the point and what God says is important in regards to money and how we view it. "...the key to life is knowing the Lord and living His way. This means giving time, energy, love, talent, and finances according to His direction." (pg. 56) I liked the prayer..."May we both be good stewards of all that You give us, and walk in total agreement as to how it is to be dispersed...Show me how I can help increase our finances and not decrease them unwisely." (pg. 57-58) As the one who stays at home, I'm automatically the one who handles the majority of our finances. It made me do a quick check of myself as to how I am handling them. One thing Tim and I started doing when we first got married was to make an Excel spreadsheet of our finances (checking..savings...tithes)- every thing we spend, we put it on that spreadsheet- every thing. Before, we were solely keeping up with it online, which is better than not keeping up with it at all, but we found that it's not always completely accurate because not every thing clears as soon as you make a purchase. So, now we know exactly how much money we have and exactly where it goes. It's so helpful!

Chapter 4 is titled "His Sexuality." This was pretty specific :) But, actually, it talked more about the woman's role, than it talked about the husband's. I think it should've been titled "You do this" :) However, the author had a lot of great things to say and a little yada yada yada for filler, but whatever, it was a good chapter.

"Let no one seek his own but each one the other's well-being."

1 Corinthians 10:24

Chapter 5 is titled "His Affection," which just happens to be "A woman's greatest need..." (pg. 71) I find myself really liking the prayers in this book. The prayers are specific, which makes them very hard to pray, unless your heart is totally in it. "Enable us to be warm, tender, compassionate, loving, and adoring." (pg. 72) I think this was my favorite statement in this particular chapter was related to our children..."Where any lack of affection has planted a negative view of marriage in our children, or taught them an incorrect way of relating to a marriage partner, help us to model the right way so that htey can observe it. Show us how to openly confess our errors to them and demonstrate our commitment to live differently." (pg. 72) That is something so important for us to remember as a wife, mother/ husband, father is that we are the example to our children, in every way, especially in marriage, so we better make it the right one. "Change our habits of indifference or busyness. May we not so take each other for granted that we don't make the effort to reach out and touch one another with affection." (pg 72) What can I do to show my husband his top priority for me? Fold the laundry earlier?..Turn off "Say Yes to the Dress" (Which makes me think...Why do I care about that anyway? I don't even know these people.)..Those are some that are coming to mind for me.

"If there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of that Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

Philippians 2:1,2

Chapter 1, Chapter 2