As much as I profess that GOD IS MY SOURCE, there is a part of me that also subconsciously thinks, “but I got it God, don’t worry about me.” When I want water I turn on the tap, out comes clean cool water. The City Water Board has never let me down.
All in Faith and Family
THE TRUTH & the lies
Now lies hold a common place in life today. If you don’t think so, watch any 24-hour news network or listen to a politician speak for more than 5 minutes. They know just how to phrase something to convince you it is truth and keep up their ad sells, viewership and voting numbers.
5 Ways to Abuse Proof Your Marriage
Ponder this: To a God who sees lust as adultery, and hatred as murder (Matthew 5:21-30), how do you believe He sees evil words and angry outbursts? I believe that God sees emotional abuse no less a sin than physical abuse. Both expose an ugly side of our heart – the side that is rebellious and must have its own way at all cost. Whenever we hold ourselves in higher regard than our spouse, we sin!
One Love!
In today’s post Jody, my wonderful husband, and I will share in the writing. We feel inspired to share with you our hearts about love from one of our favorite passages, 1 Corinthians 13 - God’s view of love.
You Wash, I Dry
If there is friction each week on who has done what, leaving someone feeling overworked, it is time to sit down and take another look at how you are managing your household. There are many ways to skin a cat 😊, clean a house, do laundry, and prepare tasty meals for your family!
Scruffy Beards and Yoga Pants
In rank order, your relationships should be God, then your spouse, then your children, then your extended family, friends and neighbors. NOTE! Children, and the demands of raising them, should never be allowed to unseat your spouse. Keeping your relationship with your spouse a priority is good for you AND for your children.
Who Needs a Piece of Paper?
Like a passport, a marriage license allows you to stake claim to a relationship with your spouse. It tells the world who you are and that you are part of a forever union with your spouse.
3 Godly Goals
Micah was asking rhetorical questions and providing God’s answers. In verse 8, he asks “what does the Lord require of you?” In light of today’s topic, he is asking- “what are God’s goals for you this year?” “How does God want you to live your life?” And then Micah states God’s answer. It is simple, yet perfect- act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. This, my friends, should be our top three goals this year and every year. Keep reading.
The Best Gift
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!
Get Down this Christmas!
This Christmas, I want to encourage you to get down... on your knees. Spend time in prayer and meditate on God's word. Take some time from the wrapping of gifts and trimming of the tree and reflect on the true meaning of this season.
Bad -isms!
Let me explain. In marriage, consumerism happens when we treat the holy covenant we made with our spouse and God as a mere business transaction. This happens when we look at marriage as a commodity – when the marriage is no longer producing or pleasing, we sell and get out of the agreement.
Making Peace with the In-Laws
I feel this is a valuable and timely topic as we approach the holidays. Why? It is a rare day that I meet a young married couple who feel like they had the in-law’s blessing from the beginning of their courtship. Often, and when exploring this further, one or both get very emotional. Everyone wants to be known and loved by those in their family. It is important deep down in our being.
BACK TO THE FUTURE: Marriage Advice
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!
Thank you, Lord!
That song was a perfect prelude to my parent's testimony about their own trials and pursuit of Jesus. At the time I sang this sweet song, I had not yet walked through any great trials – I was a child. But the words of that song became buried deep in my heart where they would help prepare me for my own journey. These words are echoed from Romans 3: 3-5: "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
Precious Lil' Idols
It was Christmas Eve 2013. I was busy in the kitchen chopping the salad, mixing fondue seasonings and fretting over each detail of our traditional fondue meal when my daughter, Maddy, called me into the living room. She had a surprise gift for me. I saw the size of the package and immediately knew what it was – telescoping fondue forks. I had seen them at the store the previous week. Sweet, but not tradition. I considered that Jody, her dad and keeper of all traditions, would not be happy with the change. Nevertheless, I put on my brave face and opened the gift. But as soon as I began to unwrap it, I realized that I was wrong. This was not trendy fondue forks. Instead, I found a picture of a POSITIVE pregnancy test!