Helpmeet--Ch. 2/3 & 4/5; Jan-Maree

I recognize that I have yet to contribute to the blog on chapters 2-5! I feel as though I have so much to think about and work on; I get overwhelmed with sitting down and typing it all out in addition to hosting the group.

I want to first say that I am really enjoying our meetings that we have had thus far (3). The first meeting on the Introduction and Chapter 1 (which I have already posted thoughts on) was so encouraging to me! I was amazed at the turnout and interest that I saw. It is awesome to see and share similar interests with those whom I am in friendships with.

This week I was encouraged by my mentor, Joanne, to meditate on the following verse,
"And let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Gal. 6:9

With that said, below I will attempt to consolidate my thoughts on these 2 past discussions. (CH 2 & 3 and CH 4 & 5)

Chapters 2 & 3

What I was encouraged by:

· "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance…" Pr. 15:13

· Joy is visible…Thankfulness is how you think; joy is the abundance it produces…Act like the queen of his heart J

· Your negative responses are not going to make your carnal husband suddenly be the mature man who does what he ought. 'No man has ever crawled out from under his wife's criticism to be a better man—no matter how justified her condemnation.'—pp.29

What I was confronted by:

· He needs to hear gladness and appreciation in my voice.—pp.31

· I can stand on my rights and stand on truth, but it won't [help] save my marriage…

· A woman holds her man with the fragile threads of adoration, thankfulness, delight, and just plain fun.—pp. 31

· A man's spirit tells him his woman is rejecting him and manipulating him when she regularly manifests a broken spirit, and he will react with anger.—pp.33

What I was educated by:

· If you have a reason to be hurt or discouraged and yet you sing with thanksgiving, this is a true sacrifice of worship to God.—pp. 34

"Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing." Ps. 107:22

· A wise woman…knows that a lighthearted home relieves her husband of stress.—pp. 35

Chapters 4 & 5

What I was encouraged by:

· …be the woman who honors, obeys, and loves Jesus, by honoring [my] husband.—pp.47

· I serve Christ by serving my husband, whether he deserves it or not.—pp.50

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." Jms.1:5

· In Ps. 37:3-8, I can apply this to my man and my marriage…

"Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm."

What I was confronted by:

· Viewing myself as the wife/woman God gave my man—a GIFT, a PLAYMATE, his HELPER.—pp.43

· A gift is something you receive that has not been earned or merited.—pp.55

· Joy is lacking in a woman's life b/c she is not thankful.—pp.48

· Traits of a GOOD HELP MEET—pp.48

1. She is joyful

2. She makes love fun

3. She is thankful and content

· There will be times in my marriage when it will take faith and wisdom to believe that God is good, kind, and just in His command for you to submit to your husband in everything.—pp.54

"Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing." Eph. 5:24

What I was educated by:

· Joy begins with thankfulness… "Our delight did not happen b/c he is…the perfect man…or b/c he 'loves me like Christ loves the church'…nor b/c he is a strong spiritual leader…nor b/c he does the right things…it happens and continues to happen b/c of the choices I make every day."—pp. 43

· Being grateful and thankful is the key to spiritual victory.—pp.46

· Having the heart of, "God, I know your Word teaches me to be a woman who is there to help meet all of my husband's desires and dreams, make me that woman." This eternal vision will change your mind, thus changing your actions, and, most importantly, it will change your reactions.—pp.49

· In Eph. 5:24, God's command to that woman is not hinged on the man loving his wife as Christ loved the Church.—pp.54