Happy Easter!

Praising God today ~ Jesus is alive!

From our family to yours - Happy Easter!

The date

Ok, many of you wonder what happened. I will tell you - life! Lots of work and the balance was not all there. So, sorry, the blog suffered. We are back! Basketball is down to the final four. One of the teams is Butler! BUTLER - who picked them for the final four? Many will want them to win, as they seem to be the underdog. I would love to see them knock off a Duke or West Virginia. That would be an awesome story. In today's society, we see the same underdog. Marriage. 51% of all marriages end in divorce. Marriage is an underdog. Why do they end that way? Simple. TIME. We stop putting the time in to make our relationship the best it can be. I know trying to get 90 minutes a day can be rough, but it can also keep you in the game. God wants us to love our wives as He loves the church. He was willing to die for the church! He gave His all. You need to look at your spouse and love them with everything you have today. The importance of what you are doing is more than you will ever understand. I wonder if Satan has a bracket for all the people getting married? Satan does not want you to make it. If he can control your time, then he can make sure you do not stay close to each other. How do we make sure we are spending our time right?

1. God first. If He is first - then put Him in the morning. How can you be the spouse you need to be, when you have not talked to God and heard from His word. So get up and get in spiritual shape first! Then, you can work out or whatever!!

2. Family. You must make sure you family knows how important they are. Men, your wife is glad you work, but needs YOU! They need you to fill their love tank daily! M90X is designed for you to have time everyday to love them. We will spend 8 - 10 hours at work. Making all this money so that they can have all the toys and gadgets, when all they really need is YOU.

3. Work. Overworked and underpaid. I have heard that many times. It seems you are putting in 45 - 52 hours a week and no one seems to appreciate it. Why do you put that time in? Your job has a tendency to take your family over. It becomes more important then they do. Do not let that happen. Keep things in perspective. Use your money wisely, then maybe you can have some left over and not have to take that overtime!

OK, assignment for April... Date night. Take your spouse on a date. Ask the waitress to order for you. Give her your budget and tell her to surprise you. Then, while at the table ask a couple of question - would you rather: live in Alaska or Hawaii, fold clothes or vacuum, make the bed or watch sports...... just come up with a couple of these to get things going. Hold hands while you wait. There is nothing like seeing couple holding hands and looking into each others eyes. Keep the passion alive! Give God your best! Post what the waitress orders you and how it all went! Remember, the food is not the issues it is the time with each other!

March Madness!

~ SHE SAID~

Sorry guys - not the madness of basketball this time! (Although, I was able to watch a bit of the tourney today! And how about those UAPB Golden Lions??) Our March madness comes from the everyday events of the Compton household! It's so hard to find time to be with each other when you have the demands of sick children, work, the household and then the unexpected things that come along our way! As many of you know, I'm not a morning person and Doug is WONDERFUL with getting up with the boys and taking Levi to school. Oh, how I love my sleep, but how much more do I love my husband! Maybe part of my madness is that I don't sacrifice the time in the early morning to be with my Lord and with my husband for a few minutes before the day begins. . . . . . .


~HE SAID~

Getting up with the boys in the morning is a simple way of saying, "I love you." I know my wife enjoys her sleep, and I love spending time with my boys in the morning. It is such a joy to get that morning hug. The quiet of the house is so nice. The quiet house is a great time to reflect and spend time hearing from God. I know that it is something that will not last for long, but it is nice to know it can be that way. It is easy to get caught up with putting things off that you need to say and do. Yesterday a 27 year old died of a heart attack at work. He left a wife and 2 small kids behind. This made us hold our kids and each other a little closer. It brought so many things into perspective. I think about the madness I place in my life that does not need to be there. I put so much added pressure on myself, when my wife and kids really just need me. All the things I work for and things I THINK we need mean nothing! They just need me to be the best I can be. When the madness gets to me and life seems out of control, I have to place priorities back in line - starting with my time with God. I know that many days I neglect that time or rush through it to catch some news before the madness begins. I wish I was wise enough to realize that the madness would not consume me if I would put God where He needs to be. I love my wife and want to give her everything, but if I am not giving her the things she needs then what am I doing?


March is full of madness. Do not let the madness impact your marriage. Spend time encouraging and spend time putting things in perspective!

Proverbs 31 Woman

Characteristics of the Proverbs 31 Woman:

* Works willingly and is a good steward over finances.

* Does chores diligently and makes sure that her family is well fed and groceries are stocked.

* Keeps herself physically fit. Works hard. Not afraid of physical labor. Takes care of her home and family.

* Productive and wise in business dealings. Always seeking ways to grow and learn.

* Not a professional seamstress, but knows how to sew a button or repair a seam.

* Has compassion for the poor and less privileged. Has a heart of charity and love.

* Chooses quality over quantity. Is prepared for the winter (difficult times) and makes wise purchases.

* Respects and prays for her husband. Supports him publicly.

* Has the ability to manage business and/or self-employment opportunity.

* Has strength and dignity about herself. She is confident and trusts in God for all things.

* Speaks words of wisdom. Is trusted by others to give sound advice.

* She is aware of what is happening in her household. She is not lazy or slothful.

* She is respected and trusted by her husband and her children.

* More concerned with integrity and inner beauty, than physical beauty. But keeps herself well-maintained.

* Others compliment her on her character, talents, and integrity.

M90X Starts Now!

This blog is designed to encourage and help couples grow deeper in their walk with God and each other. The simple truth is that if you are not putting God first, you will not be giving your spouse your best. So, over the next couple of months we will be posting things that help us in marriage. This is an opportunity to draw strength from other couples and understand that God has to be first in your life. This was birthed during a marriage conference with New Hope Baptist Church from Yellville, AR.

It is amazing to watch how many people desire to get in shape. The cost of videos, eating right, gym memberships and new clothes can be quite expensive. People are willing to get up early, stay up late and spend time away from their spouse to get in shape. The only way to get fit is to make this a daily habit. To eat right, to drink water and to exercise are all ways to be in shape. We will begin to look at some of the things that we will need to do to create an "in shape" marriage. This will be a journey for all of us!

This week we will focus on where to start!

I wonder how many people are taking the time to be in the Word daily. In Psalm 20:7 the Psalmist writes, "Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but we trust in the name of our Lord." Is your trust in your spouse or in God? It is easy to place characteristics of God on our spouse. God may use people in your life to provide security and financial and emotional peace but the ultimate way they provide is through the power of God! Are you resting in God's presence so that you can have the presence of God in your life to provide for your spouse? We are willing to get up and go to work, willing to wash and fold clothes, but when it comes to something that will really matter it tends to be placed aside. The number one thing you can do to love you spouse is to spend time trusting in God. Trust is something that is tough to ever rebuild when broken. God will never break your trust. He loves you. It is His desire that you trust in Him. Today, how much time did you spend putting God first? Did you take time and pray? This is something that is nonnegotiable if you plan on having a M90X marriage. It begins by spending time with God.

The plan is actually very simple:

The first part of the M90X plan is to spend 20 minutes with God and your spouse in the morning before work. I know this requires you to get up early and to actually wake up and talk, but if your marriage is important to you this will not be a problem. It might be that you spend 15 minutes with God and 5 minutes talking with your spouse, just as long as you spend time with each of them in the morning. Make sure you let your spouse know you have prayed for them and you love them! Tell them something you learned from your quiet time. Tell them about what your day holds.

Today, spend time with God so you can be your best for Him and your spouse!