1 Corinthians 13:4-7

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁴ Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful orvainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

⁵ It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful orresentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

⁶ It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

⁷ Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

"As they stared blankly in dumb misery deepening as they slowly realised all they had seen and all they had lost, a capricious little breeze, dancing up from the surface of the water, tossed the aspens, shook the dewy roses and blew lightly and caressingly in their faces; and with its soft touch came instant oblivion. For this is the last best gift that the kindly demi-god is careful to bestow on those to whom he has revealed himself in their helping: the gift of forgetfulness. Lest the awful remembrance should remain and grow, and overshadow mirth and pleasure, and the great haunting memory should spoil all the after-lives of little animals helped out of difficulties, in order that they should be happy and lighthearted as before."
- Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, Ch. 7

"Dear God

We surrender our relationship to You and ask that it be used for Your purposes.  May our resources and talents and energies be used for Your service.  May we become together more than we are apart.  May the light around us forever shine.  May the space of our love be a space of healing for ourselves and all the world.  AMEN"

we can turn our acceptance of each other into a disciplined compassion...until we do that we will be tempted to attack...low level, neurotic relationship dramas do not support our own or the planet's movement in the direction of GOD


Marianne Williamson

meeting our needs

Empathy for self has us focusing on what we want and where we want to go instead of focusing on what is wrong with others or ourselves.  When we practice self empathy it helps us to be clearer about our goals and desires.  We are, then, more likely to behave in ways that get our needs met.

God helps marriages

Matthew 7:24-27

New International Version (NIV)

The Wise and Foolish Builders

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash,

look at each other and say "you may not be perfect but you are a goodwilled Husband/Wife and I believe in you.  Lord help me to love, repsect and support my spouse with YOUR help and guidance and may I listen togod helps arriages you!" Amen

marriage helper

https://www.facebook.com/harvillehendrix?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser   

Let's talk

Lots and lots of times a couple will come in the office thinking that their partner has problems that need to be changed if the relationship is to improve.  Not infrequently the wife will say that she wishes her husband would talk with her more.  Emerson Eggerichs talks about this in his book  Love and Respect.  I like to laugh when I see patterns common to my marriage and to may others!  "Let's talk" have different meanings for men and women.  Often for women it means "let's get closer" while for men (my husband included) it means "uh oh here it comes".  When women try to get on the emotional track, men sometimes feel inept and, in response, defensive.  One of the most important things for a woman to understand is that his reluctance to talk doesn't mean that he doesn't care, is self-absorbed, etc.  Some have had success in scheduling short time limited talks.  I've had success in piling on the positive reinforcement when my husband stretches to try to talk!!!  I have noticed that backing off a bit and developing a different repertoire in my attempts at closeness has a big payoff.  I have learned lots of ways to soothe myself and let him be a man and figure things out on his own.