Soul Nourishment #9

A way for me to share what has been most nourishing to my soul recently. . . .

The Mission of Motherhood Book Study - take time to watch the 8 minute video

Hebrews 10:39, "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."

Marriage and Pastoral Ministry - C.J. Mahaney gives practical application for husbands in ministry, but all husbands can benefit from these ideas and I as a wife was encouraged

"If I don't plan I will always do the urgent over the important." - C.J. Mahaney

"The most effective mothers are the most cared for wives." - C.J. Mahaney

"We can have a burning bush experience (Exodus 3) everyday with the Bible." - Grant Gaines

2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

"The best way to discover the will of God is to search the Word of God." - Donald Whitney

Strengthening Your Marriage In Ministry Panel Discussion

"The temptation is to view the home as a refuge for relaxation rather than a context to serve." - C.J. Mahaney

"When I'm reluctant to forgive, it's because I'm self-righteous." - C.J. Mahaney

40 Years of a Grace-Filled Marriage - Dennis Rainey shares 40 tips
1.  Purpose of marriage is God's glory
2.  Context of marriage is a battleground, not a romantic balcony
3.  Spouse is not our enemy
4.  Pray together (daily), stay together
5.  Isolation is a subtle killer of relationships
6.  It's easier to build a house with the same set of Biblical blueprints - are we on the same page theologically?
7.  It is healthy to confess my sins to my spouse - give your spouse access to the interior of your soul
8.  Be liberal and lavish with your forgiveness of one another - bitterness does not lead to oneness
9.  The greatest threat to marriage is losing a teachable heart
10.  Every couple needs a mentor couple who is one lap ahead of them in the season of life
11.  What you remember is just as important as what you forget
12.  Marriage was designed by God to be missional
13.  It's okay to have one rookie season in marriage - it's not okay to repeat it repeatedly
14.  Never let the "D" word (divorce) cross your lips, instead use the word commitment
15.  Honoring your parents brings life to your marriage
16.  Different isn't wrong, its just different
17.  Marriage and family is redemptive - they save us from self-absorption
18.  Your wife is your #1 disciple
19.  Go near the orphan...150 million of them
20.  Make your home a storm shelter
21.  Suffering will either drive you apart or merge you together
22.  Men and Women process suffering very differently - give each other grace
23.  Loss is a part of life and increases as we age - process it well
24.  Communication is to marriage what blood is to the body - the life giver of a relationship
25.  Husbands, no shepherd can lead any faster than the sheep can follow
26.  Maximize your wife's talents, gifts, experience, and passions as you would an olympic athlete
27.  Wives, your respect will fill your husband and your contempt will empty his tank - 93% of communication is non-verbal
28.  Women spell romance differently than men; Women spell it... relationship / Men spell it... sex
29.  Our romance gives us children and our children try to stop our romance; your marriage must be built to outlast your children
30.  Build too many guardrails rather than too few - don't trust yourself alone with the opposite sex
31.  Wives, generously use your sexual power in your husband's life
32.  Disciple your children - help them find their identity (including sexual)
33.  Teach your children what real love is - how to love and experience love (relationships)
34.  Disciple your child to be wise and not a fool (character)
35.  Help your children to be about the great commission (kingdom work)
36.  Determine your core values as a couple as you raise your children
37.  Interview your daughter's date and train your sons to not be clueless
38.  Your adult children need you to become smaller not bigger in their lives
39.  Laugh more, gripe less, and give more love, grace, and mercy to your spouse
40.  The most important thing about you as an individual and as a couple is what you think about God


The Search for Joy and the Supremacy of God In the Gospel - John Piper speaks at the Gospel Coalition's 2012 National Women's Conference