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A husband usually doesn't think of "romance" in the same way his wife does, if you know what I mean. Romance means something entirely different to a man than it does to a woman. Now I must let you know that my husband is very romantic and a lot of the inspiration for this article came from of him. So, buckle up, and get ready to read some hot ideas for heating up the "romance" in your marriage this Valentine's Day.

1. Prepare Your Heart

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Prepare your heart to have a great night with your husband. With all that goes on in our lives, it is important to make sure we are not burdened by the circumstances of life. If you have been struggling that day with the kids, the house or anything else, take time to pray and give it all to God so that you can have a joyful attitude when your husband walks in the door. Put the cares of the day in God's capable hands.

2. It Starts in Your Mind

"My lover is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand. His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven. His eyes are like doves by the water streams, washed in milk, mounted like jewels. His cheeks are like beds of spice yielding perfume. His lips are like lilies dripping with myrrh. His arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite. His body is like polished ivory decorated with sapphires. His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars. His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem." Song of Songs 5: 10-16 (NIV)

Start early in the day to thinking about making love with your husband. Set your thoughts on having a great time with him. When you think about it during the day it helps you to be emotionally and physically tuned in that direction.

3. Chase the Little Foxes Away

"Catch for us the little foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom." Song of Songs 2:15 (NIV)

Get rid of all distractions. Send the kids to a friend's house or to the grandparents for the night. Turn down the answering machine and turn off the ringer.

4. Prepare Yourself

"You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice! Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like that of Lebanon". Song of Songs 4:9-11 (NIV)

Put on your most romantic outfit. Put on make-up; do you hair in a soft, feminine style; put on perfume. Transform the "everyday" you into a beautiful woman that will captivate him.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight". 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)

While it is important to look your best for your husband it is more important to remember that real beauty come from what is inside of you. It's that gentle and quiet spirit that is attractive to men.

5. Set the Mood

"Come, my lover, let us go to the countryside, let us spend the night in the villages. Let us go early to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded, if their blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates are in bloom-there I will give you my love. The mandrakes send out their fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you, my lover." Song of Songs 7:11-13 (NIV)

Cook a sumptuous dinner (recipes to follow), champagne or some other sparkling drink (can be non-alcoholic apple cider), light a fire in the fireplace, set the table with your best china and silverware, put candles on the table, and a Valentine card as a place card. Play soft music. Turn the lights down low. Burn a scented candle. Greet him when he come home with a meaningful kiss.

6. Give Your Heart

"Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love" Song of Songs 2:3-4 (NIV)

At dinner tell him how much you love him and what you appreciate about him. Give him a card and a gift. The gift doesn't have to be expensive. There is a list of ideas at the end of this article. I have used the above scripture in a card to my husband. It really fits the occasion. 7. Make it Hot

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth- for your love is more delightful than wine. Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens love you! Take me away with you-let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers." Song of Songs 1:2-4 (NIV)

Ask him what he'd like to do in bed. That'll get his attention! Give him a night to remember. If he's game, you could start with a candlelit bath and then give him a massage.

Gift Ideas

* Coupons: a back rub, a full body massage, a foot rub, do what you want for the day (football, fishing, etc), cook one favorite meal (advanced notice required), a day trip going where ever he wants to go, and a night alone without the kids.

* Check here for some cute printable gift certificates http://www.grandmageorge.com/free/valentine/valcert.html

A candy bouquet, handmade of course!

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your husband!

About the Author

Martha Matthews is the Editor of Christian-Homemaking.com, a web site with resources dedicated to Christian homemaking. In addition to her web site, she also has a popular free monthly newsletter for Christian wives called The Wives of Excellence Newsletter. To subscribe send a blank email to wivesofexcellence-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Or visit our web site at http://www.christian-homemaking.com/newsletter.html