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He said to me, \u201cMy grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.\u201d \u00a0Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ\u2019s power may rest on me. \u00a0[2 Corinthians 12:9]<\/strong><\/p>\n Trade perfection for authenticity is what Dineen asks us to do in Chapter 6.<\/p>\n Not to sound \u201cholier than thou,\u201d but I aced this chapter. \u00a0A perfectionist, I am not! \u00a0In fact, that is the character trait that divides by husband and me the most.<\/p>\n Oh yes, he is the perfectionist in the family. \u00a0He cleans up most of the things I start because, as he puts it: \u201cYou made a mess of this!\u201d \u00a0It drives me nuts. \u00a0Perfection just isn\u2019t a word in my vocabulary.<\/p>\n I believe there is no room for perfection in our spiritual lives either. \u00a0So, I ask you ladies: \u00a0\u201cDo you really think you can live this Christian life before your husband perfectly?\u201d \u201cDo you really think those old fleshly flaws within you aren\u2019t going to occasionally pop up?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, ladies, you need to get real!\u201d<\/p>\n Authenticity says: \u00a0\u201cYes, I goofed, that is why I need a Savior!\u201d<\/p>\n Authenticity says: \u00a0\u201cI need to stop putting up a front before my husband, and ask his forgiveness when I mess up.\u201d<\/p>\n Authenticity says: \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m not intimidated to speak about the passion I have within me for my Savior in front of my unsaved husband.<\/p>\n Oops! \u00a0I guess I didn\u2019t ace the chapter after all.<\/p>\n Oh, God, forgive me. \u00a0I now see that the passion I have within me for Jesus needs to spill out of my mouth \u201cnaturally.\u201d \u00a0I know not to preach and nag at my husband, nor run my mouth off like a \u201creligious freak.\u201d \u00a0But, I now see that I have become unbalanced in my efforts to say \u201cnot a word,\u201d and have quenched my passion for you.<\/p>\n I hear you saying, \u201cCome on Martha, you need to get real!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet your passion for me flow out of you like a soft stream of water flowing along the river bands – -sweetly and soothing.\u201d<\/p>\n And now, let\u2019s review what Beverly, Jennifer, Donna, and Sarah had to say about Trading Perfection for Authenticity.<\/p>\n *********************************<\/p>\n Monday<\/strong>: \u00a0Perfection for Authenticity \/ A Fine Linen Belt \u2013 Beverly had tried to be the \u201cperfect\u201d wife to her husband for years. \u00a0But, this week, she learned a lesson through Jeremiah\u2019s linen belt. God had instructed Jeremiah to take his belt off and hide it in rocks near a river. \u00a0When Jeremiah retrieved the belt, the elements had ruined it and it was completely useless.<\/p>\n Beverly compared this to allowing certain \u201celements\u201d to damage our relationship with our husbands to the point that we are no longer being the living representation of Christ in our homes.<\/p>\n Beverly challenges us in the following ways to reflect and show our husbands God:<\/p>\n Our heart – -what is in there<\/p>\n Our minds – -what she is thinking<\/p>\n Our soul – -what are our desires<\/p>\n May we accept the challenge.<\/em><\/p>\n Tuesday<\/strong>: \u00a0A Confession \u2013 Jennifer asks us some thought provoking questions concerning how we live our lives in front of our unsaved husbands.<\/p>\n How often do you let your husband see the not-so-Christian parts of you?<\/p>\n Do you fear that you might \u201clook bad\u201d or \u201cun-Christian\u201d if you are authentic?<\/p>\n Do you think you might give Jesus a \u201cbad name?<\/p>\n Jennifer suggests reasons why we might be having problems in this area, such as:<\/p>\n My husband might laugh at me<\/p>\n My husband might mock me<\/p>\n My husband might say I\u2019m not really a Christian<\/p>\n My husband thinks I should be perfect if I\u2019m a Christian<\/p>\n My husband\u2019s words might hurt my feelings<\/p>\n Jennifer challenges us to: \u00a0Lay down the idol of perfection. \u00a0We cannot be an authentic warrior for Christ if we pretend to have it all together. \u00a0It is through our authenticity that Christ uses us to reach other people with the Good News of His saving grace.<\/p>\n May we accept this challenge.<\/em><\/p>\n Wednesday<\/strong>: \u00a0Heart Tablets \u2013 Donna points to the scripture Dineen brought out in 2 Cor. 2:3 as humbling her. \u00a0In this verse, God says we are a letter from Christ to our spouse.<\/p>\n From this verse, Donna saw that the Spirit of God has reached down and written on her heart. \u00a0These reflections from her heart can now be reflected to her un-saved loved ones who does not listen to fleshly efforts of nagging, crying, begging, and anger when she witnesses to them.<\/p>\n Donna makes a very valid point to think about: \u00a0Would you listen to someone who is hassling you? \u00a0Would you see a loving, caring God in that kind of tone?<\/p>\n She challenges us to:<\/p>\n Take a step back in our marriage.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry about planning what to say or do next.<\/p>\n Let yourself be God\u2019s love letter to them.<\/p>\n May we accept this challenge.<\/em><\/p>\n Thursday<\/strong>: \u00a0Sacrificial Giving \u2013 Sarah, uses Dineen\u2019s idea of the perfect gift to give our husbands for Valentine gift, instead of chocolates. \u00a0It comes in the form making a listing of the things that she would not do to her husband anymore. \u00a0Just plain and simple:<\/p>\n No Nagging<\/p>\n No Expectations<\/p>\n No False Assumptions<\/p>\n No Resentment<\/p>\n Sarah leaves it with each of us to determine where in stand on these matters. \u00a0It is definitely food for thought as a means of Sacrificial Giving.<\/p>\n May we expect the challenge and do likewise.<\/em><\/p>\n Friday<\/strong>: Discovery\/Prayer \u2013 Father, God, I thank you for what you have taught us about being real this week. \u00a0Help us to get rid of any hang-ups in our lives that are preventing us from representing Jesus before our husband, be he saved or unsaved. \u00a0Help us to live our lives before him according to 1 Peter 3. \u00a0In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Your Assignment:<\/strong><\/p>\n Think back over the week and name one thing you definitely know you should start immediately doing to be authentic with your husband.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Have a blessed day,<\/strong><\/p>\n Martha<\/p>\n _____________________________<\/p>\n For those who are\u00a0reading this blog and would like to join\u00a0the Bible study, we would love to invite you to join us! \u00a0Click here<\/a>\u00a0and follow the instructions, (you can also click the SIGN-UP link in the menu bar above to be taken to the form). It\u2019s that simple! \u00a0We hope to see you soon!<\/p>\nWeekly\u00a0Review<\/h3>\n