Lists

I like lists. I always have. Putting check marks next to the completed tasks, returning to the old messages and wisdsom to remember what I needed or thought was important at one point in my life, it's good.

So, this morning in my new reading plan on You Version on Love on Marriage (only 5 day plan...SO doable people). I was given just what I needed. A list, a good list and a bad list. Goods to check out - bads to cross a line through. Doable - I like that. I want/need to be a better wife and through my lists I believe that Paul and  I will continue to check off the goods and rid the bads from our lives. People - if you haven't gotten this yet, today is the day, the Bible seriously tells you everything you need to know.

So, we start first wtih Colossians 3:1-19 (MSG)

1 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides.2 Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.3 Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life.4 When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.5 And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That’s a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God.6 It’s because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger.7 It wasn’t long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better.8 But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.9 Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire.10 Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.11 Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.12 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.13 Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.14 And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.15 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.16 Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!17 Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.18 Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.19 Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them.

Let's break it down:

The bad list:
sexual immorality
impurity
lust
evil desires
greed
anger
rage
malice
slander
lying
(you know what....lets color these red and put a line through them right away. We are chosen people and not longer have to live this way, in the world or in our marriages)

Now onto the good - leaving the best for last because we have made that choice to rid ourselves of the junk and get on with the good in life and love

The good:
compassionate
kind
humble
gentle
patience
forgiving
thankful
peaceful
loving
wise
gracious
thankful

I know there are a few on there I need to work on, heck we probably all do. But I like lists and I think this is one I will carry in my pocket, tape to the back of phone, tuck away in my Nook and make note of in my ipod touch. I need to see this one everyday and pray every day that the old me will be tucked away and the new me, and the mostly new wife in me, will gracious, gently, patiently, peacefuly, thankfully and compassionately love my husband every single day!