My only goal for this blog is for God to be glorified and Christian marriages strengthened through the power of the gospel! I hope you will join me on this journey to a fully word washed life. Philippians 1:9-11
All in God's plans for you
“Who do you want to be this year?” This question floats around every costume store around the 31st of every October. This post takes a moment to look at who you want to be, what your life confirms or denies about this statement and an encouragement to pursue Christ and His holiness. Keep reading, friends!
Complementarianism is a $20 word used to describe how men and women are to work together in marriage, in ministry and in the body of Christ. It is a buzz topic these days in Christian circles. I believe that there is a fair amount of confusion surrounding the topic and today, I’d like to walk through what God says about our roles in marriage and in the body of Christ.
I believe that fear plays a role in the dysfunction of many marriages today. Deep inside each one of us is a need for attachment with another human. Keep reading as I explore the effect fear may have on your marriage.
In March 2016, Olive, my oldest granddaughter, was born with cytomegalovirus (CMV). This virus is virtually harmless to everyone but neonates. The early detection of CMV, although hard to process in the moment, was a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Olive’s story is miraculous, and I do love sharing it.
I think that what I feel about my children is kind of like what God must feel with us. He has no needs, but He loves spending time with us. As I consider what God wants from us this Christmas, I am sure that His answer is the same as Jody’s and my classic answer to our kids, “You!” And God wants you too!
I am feeling very nostalgic, probably because it is the season. It is the time of the year that we look back and give thanks for all that God has done in our lives. And this is exactly what I have found myself doing. I've been looking at old pictures of Jody and I, our life together, our three beautiful children, and past holidays spent with family and friends. My conclusion is that God has richly blessed my family! I know this from my 2017 vantage point, but I didn't always know this to be true. I wish there was a way I could go back and encourage my younger self in the faith!
God knew that inside each man and woman there would live a struggle. This struggle would revolve around issues inside a man’s heart and in a women’s mind. God knew men would have little difficulty loving themselves and that women would desire to rule over their husband. I do not for a minute believe that either struggle was shocking to God. He created Adam and Eve and fellowshipped with them as they lived in the Garden of Eden.
Now, I love a spontaneous adventure as much as the next girl, but I don't want the entirety of my life to be such. Jody and I do and have discussed the plans for almost everything. Early on, we discussed what concepts did we wanted our children to embrace during their childhood and what holiday traditions did we want to incorporate into our family in order to bring a sense of family unity and a dependence on God. Later, we discussed what joint physical fitness goals we wanted and what financial security goals we believed we needed, and we discussed how each would contribute to meet this accomplishment.
Listening to every word in directions is very important when building something. I know this from experience. The latest reminder occurred about three weeks ago. Jody and I took a week off from work to build a bar on our pool deck.
Our vows to God are what makes a marriage stick together during hard times.
The spirit led walk is implied in John 10:27, and it is one of my favorite verses - “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” So let's break down the three steps Jesus described in this verse. Hear. Know. Follow.
