What We See At Church

I have said countless times and in countless ways, that God has never intended for us as believers to walk this life as Christians by ourselves. I thank the Lord for His Word that instructs us, that exhorts us, that reveals God to us. I also thank God for His Church! I thank the Lord that on Sundays and Wednesdays I see things about God’s grace that without my brothers and sisters, I would not notice. What I mean by this is similar to what C.S Lewis states in Four Loves when he speaks of a friend dying. To summarize it, he says that he fears because of the death of his friend there is a facet of God’s love he will not be able to fully see this side of Heaven. The point that this wonderful author is making, is that through God’s grace at work in the lives of different people around us, we see different facets of God’s grace and work that we may not realize.


I think about men and women in my life - some of them were converted out of horrible situations and others of them were saved at an early age and avoided much of the heart ache that sin brings. But both of these two extremes show me a different view of God’s grace. This same thing happens in my home, as I watch my wife and two boys. I have the joy of seeing grace at work in different ways - I have the honor of correcting my boys in some of the same sins that I commit. As I watch their response to correction with the Word and I speak with them, I am also speaking to myself. As I watch and listen to them talk through their thoughts, emotions or confess their sin, I see God’s grace and it exhorts me to rest on His grace all the more.

All of that to say, that when we walk in the doors of the church this Sunday and speak to our brothers and sisters, be on the look out for the various colors in the great spectrum of God’s grace at work in their life! Take a moment and share with them how God uses them to bless you and encourage you. Tell them about the evidence of grace that you see as God works in them and what it does for you. What a blessing it is for others to show us another view of the work of our great God!

Questions for a Godly Wife to Ask Her Husband

Well ladies, now it is your turn. The questions for the men were on the previous blog and now we have some for you. If you have never asked your spouse questions like this before, it can be uneasy and even scary. After all, you may read these and think: “I really don’t even want him/her to answer this!” But the best thing you can do when asking things like this, is simply let them answer and thank them for their honesty. The worse thing we can do is explain why we act a certain way, or “defend” our actions. Remember, you are asking and, usually because no one likes correction, your spouse is going to try avoiding the answer or not giving “the real answer,” but something easier. Just thank them and love them - our desire as Christian men and women should be to better glorify Christ. Our spouse is given to us as a gift, to help us better glorify God. Are you ready ladies?


- What is something I can do that makes you feel loved by me?

- What are some things I can say in front of our children that would make you feel respected and honored?

- How can I make your time when you come home from work more restful and relaxing?

- What are some things I say or do that make you feel like I am being disrespectful?

- What is your desired expectation for physical intimacy?

- How can I spiritually encourage you?

- How can I best care for you when you are discouraged?

- What is the best way to approach you if I feel our schedule is out of control?

- How can I support you in the discipleship of our children?


You can read the entire post at: http://practicalshepherding.com/2011/06/06/what-are-some-questions-a-wife-can-ask-her-husband-to-know-how-to-encourage-him/