GL: 20 Things I Want to Tell Engaged and Newlywed Women

Today's Guest List (GL) post comes from Joy over at Grace Full Mama.

I happened to land on Joy's blog several months ago and then revisited it again recently when a friend posted a link to her site on Facebook. 

The following marriage advice list is chocked full of rich truths and wise reminders. Most importantly, it comes from the heart of a woman who is rooted in the Lord's strength and not her own.  I pray that it will be an encouragement to you as it was to me. 

So without further ado, here is Joy!

One Simple Way to Serve Your Man

Fill Up His Cup- Now your husband's beverage of choice may be something different, but as for my Jared, he loves a nice cold glass of sweet tea (sweetened with stevia of course:). So, as a small gesture of saying 'I love you', I try to serve him by keeping his cup full. 

In the morning, if I'm in the kitchen before he is, I'll pour him a glass and set it on the table... 

In the afternoon, I try to make sure he has a fresh glass waiting for him when he comes home from work...

In the evening, I keep an eye on his glass at dinner and refill it when it gets low... 

On the weekend, when he's reading on the couch or catching up on emails, I'll set a cold glass beside him on a coaster...

Now some of you may be thinking, "Listen, lady, I'm no waitress. Just wait until you have kids and you'll see how unreasonable this idea is." Well, I'm not a waitress either and you're right, I don't know what it's like to have children, yet. But I do know that it takes approximately 9.3 seconds to do the task I am suggesting (5.2 seconds if he prefers no ice) and there are multiple opportunities throughout the day to attempt it at least once. 

Maybe you feel that you already spend an ample amount of time serving your man by cleaning up his dishes, washing his clothes, and buying his groceries.  While these tasks are by all means good and servant-oriented, do they specifically show your man that you are attentive to him and care about his needs?  Whether it's by preparing him a beverage or not, find something you can do that communicates these things to him. 

As a follower of Christ our attitude should be that of a servant-- striving to meet the needs of others (i.e. you husband is your number one 'other') and not only look to our own interests (Phil. 2). This is not easy to do, but we serve "with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things Christ may be glorified!" 1 Peter 4:10-11

So ladies, go pour a glass of something refreshing for your man! I believe it will do a lot more than quench his thirst. 

In what way do you "fill up your man's cup" ?

Love never fails, ya'll!
~Charity~

GL: 5 Ways to Sabotage Your Marriage Before it Starts

Today's Guest List is an article that I ran across from the President of Focus on the Family, Jim Daly.  The ministry of FOTF provides ample materials and resources to 'help families thrive'. Explore the website if you get a chance...there are many articles full of sound and wise counsel on a multitude of issues. 

In the Fall of 2007, I had the opportunity to study at the Focus Leadership Institute, a branch of Focus on the Family. I attended excellent classes on Biblical Worldview, Marriage and Family, and Leadership Development. Furthermore, I got to experience the beautiful surroundings of Colorado Springs, Colorado! If you are between the age of 19-26, I highly recommend you check out this 8-12 week spiritually enriching program. 

Without further ado, here is Mr. Daly!

Blessings, 

Charity 

Fourteen Books to Strengthen Your Marriage

Marriage can be very difficult, but it can also be extremely delightful if we allow the Lord to work in our hearts.  The world tells us to look within ourselves for resources, but in reality, you will never be able to discover an inner goodness or supernatural power to sustain you or your marriage. These are books that will encourage you to look outside of yourself to a Greater Strength that will enable your marriage to stand strong-that Greater Strength is the Lord Jesus Christ. Although there are still a few in this pile that I have not read yet, they are in my home library and I plan to get to them one day. Maybe you will beat me to it!

Marriage Books

1. Marriage Under Fire by James Dobson
2. The Busy Mom's Guide to Romance by Heidi St. John
3. The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason
4. Sheet Music by Kevin Leman 
5. The DNA of Relationships by Gary Smalley
6. Communication: Key to Your Marriage by H. Norman Wright
7. The First 90 Days of Marriage by Eric and Leslie Ludy
8. It Takes Two: The Joy of Intimate Marriage by Andrew Lester
9. Two Becoming One by Don and Sally Meredith
10. The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
11. What is it Like to be Married to Me? by Linda Dillow
12. Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
13. Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll
14. And last, but not least, Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas (I gave my copy to a friend)

What Christ-centered marriage book would you recommend?

Happy reading, ya'll!
~Charity~