Bob Barnes - Together Moments for Couples: Devotions to Draw You Closer

BOB & EMILIE

BARNES

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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TOGETHER MOMENTS FOR COUPLES
Previously published as Minute Meditations for Couples
Copyright 2001 by Bob and Emilie Barnes
Published 2011 by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Library of Congress Catalog-in-Publication Data

Barnes, Bob., 1933

[Minute meditations for couples]

Together moments for couples / Bob and Emilie Barnes.
p. cm.

Originally published: Minute meditations for couples. 2001.

ISBN 978-0-7369-2952-3 (pbk.)

1. SpousesPrayers and devotions 2. MarriageReligious aspectsChristianityMeditations. I. Barnes, Emilie. II. Title.

I. Barnes, Emilie. II. Title.

BV4596.M3B38 2010

242'.644dc22

2010028943

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 / LB-BG / 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Throughout Scripture we are encouraged to be united. Togetherness gives marriages a strength that is not seen in other social institutions. One aspect of the Christian church that gets attention from the world is the strength of its families. Weve written this book so that you can grow together in your faith.

Together Moments for Couples gives both of you an opportunity to read, discuss, and pray together. If you arent used to praying aloud, there are sample prayers you may use; however, if you are accustomed to praying together then use your own.

Another unique feature of this book is that you dont have to start at the beginning and go straight through. You can skip around to find the devotions that speak to you that day. At the top of each devotion there are three boxes. Put a check mark in one of the boxes each time you read that devotion. This way you can keep track of the readings you have shared previously.

At the end of each meditation, under Reflection, we have included space to journal your thoughts. Jot down any items that were especially meaningful or that you would like to remember for future study.

We are all in a hurry doing our various things. These short devotions will encourage both of you to develop a habit of getting into Gods Word together. Research has shown that if someone does an activity for 21 days in a row, a new habit will be formed.

May the meditations touch you as a couple, and may you be challenged to live more godly lives.

Thank You!

This book is dedicated to the many couples we met at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. Each of you has been an inspiration to us. Your commitment and dedication to each other have been such an encouragement. We have often said that God only permits good people to have cancer. He knows the ones who can handle such a journey. Those couples at the Hutch for treatment have already been tested long before their arrival. It has been so touching to see how the caretakers have so lovingly attended to all the personal needs of their mates.

The courtesy, the love, the tenderness, the cuddling being freely exhibited show what tragedy does to bring couples closer together. To those of you who have been our support group we say, Thank you! Many of you we may never meet again, but for this brief time in our lives you have made the journey bearable.

A special dedication goes to the professional medical providers who took care of our every need. Your tender, loving support gave us a calm when many times we didnt know what to expect. You made the unknown bearable. Your bedside manners were such a comfort. For those in research spending hours, days, weeks, months, and years behind the microscopewe salute you. Without your dedication to curing this dreaded disease we would not have been able to undergo this radical treatment successfully.

We also want to say thank you to the staff that runs the Residence Inn by Marriott at Lake Union. Each of you greeted our days with a warm smile and a mention that you were praying for us. Each of our needs was met, and often you went beyond the call of duty. You truly care for those who stay in your hotel.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

PHILIPPIANS 4:13

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:10-20

T he burning of a little straw may hide the stars of the sky, but the stars are there, and will appear (Carlyle). Have you ever considered that you are a star people can touch? Does your life light up the room when you enter? Do your children and grandchildren reflect the love you give them? Do the elderly say you make a difference in their lives? Yes, you can become a star in so many areas if you will only think in the larger terms of life.

We each have 24 hours a day, seven days a week. What are you going to do with your time? Most of the great conquests of life started as a little idea in someones headfor example, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Weight Watchers, and Campus Crusade. Its what is done with that idea that counts.

Scripture says that without a vision a nation will perishand so will we. As Christians, we either grow or we begin to slide backward. No one advances by accident; all achievements are reached by vision and hard work.

What are your deepest dreamswriting a song, starting a business, authoring a book, helping children, being a nurse, being a gourmet chef? Reach out today and plan how you are going to energize that thought into reality. Dont let the dream fall to the ground and die. Plant it, nurture it, and water it until God makes it grow. Daniel H. Burnham said, Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir mens blood.Make big plans, aim high in hope and work.