"How handsome you are, my beloved . . .. " -Song of Solomon 1:16

Fellowship--In and Outside of Marriage

For some reason, I was just thinking about how important it is that people realize that they need each other (cue the Sanctus Real song?). I noticed this especially when my wife came home and was smiling after spending the afternoon/evening with a friend from her high school. It was simply enjoyable to see her just smiling and happy, and it made me think of just how important it is that, as Christians, we fellowship, not just inside church (which, don't get me wrong, is good!), but outside of church as well!

I like this scripture translation, as it describes it best: "We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming." (Hebrews 10:25, God's Word Translation)

Submission, Part 2

My wife recently wrote about submission (see below), and I thought I would add some general notes here as well for the men.

Guys, it's clear that in Ephesians 5, Paul writes that we need to love our wives as Christ loved the Church, that He gave Himself up for it. Later, Paul goes on to say that we need to submit to one another, as unto the Lord. What does that mean?

It means that we cannot sit here and "lord" it over our wives. Yes, we are called to be leaders of the house, but not to an oppressive point. It means that we need to be able to communicate with our wives the good, the bad, and the ugly. And it means that we have to make ourselves vulnerable in order to do so. I guess the best way I can illustrate this is by an example:

As a husband, when I cannot provide for my wife, it hurts me so much that it breaks my heart. When I found out that we might not be able to have done what we wanted to do for our anniversary, well, you can imagine how I felt. On top of this, I had to tell her that we were not going to be able to do this. I could have "lorded" it over her and said we are not doing this and that is the end of the discussion. But I didn't (and I'm so thankful that I didn't!). Instead, she was able to tell me that we could, but we'd have to re-arrange some stuff, so it actually ended up working out for the better!

Guess it just goes to show you that when you submit together, you acheive results, and a harmonious marriage. If you try to "lord" it over your wife, the results are devastating to say the least.

SUBMISSION?!?!?!

"Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of his wife as the Messiah is the head of the church. It is he who is the Savior of the body. Indeed, just as the church is submissive to the Messiah, so wives must be submissive to their husbands in everything." Ephesians 5:22-24

.... Yes submission. Ladies, if we cannot submit to the Lord, how will we ever submit to our husbands. As we work on the fruits of the spirit, yes, this includes, patience, long suffering, and self-control. Hmmmm..... how will we get that? Well, we sure do have husbands to test us in that. And just as much they sure do have US to test them. The cycle of forgiveness and healthy communication for both partners is absolutely necessary!!!
I have soooo much self-control to work on! do you too? Pray, He'll help you, He's helped me and that is the ONLY way your marriage will survive! And the goal is to THRIVE not just survive! Thank You Lord for your love, guidance, counsel and help. Ladies, don't forget to get outside help for your marriage! when necesary "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14 KJV
Love in Christ,
Mrs. Tiffany Phillips
P.S. Think of the word submission as in "sub"=like a submarine "mission" as in a goal. A submarine goes deep under water, so ladies go deep as in under his decisions, support him (as unto the Lord-nothing ungodly!) Little ones, big ones, daily, monthly, weekly, yearly. Have your own mind and freely express especially what you recieve from the Lord and then submit. Allow him room to make mistakes, to lead. Encourage and pray for him and surrender (submit) it ALL to the Lord! Blessings!

Light the Fire Again

"...(E)ach man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. The husband must fulfill his duties to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but her husband does, and likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body but the wife does. " 1 Corinthians 7:2(b)-4.

This passage just simply reminds us that we need to fulfill our duties to each other. Men, that means we have to love our wifes unconditionally (see 1 Corinthians 13 for help there!), and it means that, yes, we need to be serving our wives in love. After all, we are to love our wives as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:33). At the same point, I think that women need to realize that we have needs to that need to be met, and when those needs are met, we not only come out feeling stronger, but (and I'll speak for myself only here!) there are times where I feel like I'm on top of the world!

Photo by Phillips Family
Ps. 146:5 "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God," WE prayed for His help to diminish stress, organize our home and enjoy one another this last night before Jason's schooling and He came thru as always. Thank you Lord.

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." Solomon 6:3 Whether in body, or in serving one another, if we keep our focus off problems and on the Lord's solutions, practical and spiritual and meeting each others emotional needs, I believe we survive!