Church
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MORE From The Summit…
Hey SUM family, Tiffany Here! During the leader's meeting on the Friday morning before the conference I said I would share a spoken word piece during the offering time. I didn't have anything prepared at the time of volunteering. In fact I just heard the words come out of my mouth. You know those moments…
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A Full Coffee Measure
Hi everyone, Ann here! Some SUM moments are so tough they’re funny when you look back, and I couldn’t resist sharing one with you. It was the time a well-meant speaker at church said these words from the pulpit: “Every year my wife and I sit down and decide how much to give to church.” …
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Learning to Receive Love
Photo credit: Austin Neill Hi everyone, Ian from Sydney here. For most of my SUM married life I thought I was okay doing the Christian life on my own. I’m an introvert by nature and enjoy my own company and for a number of years struggled with being in crowded situations. I still do and…
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The Finest Food and Drink
Hi everyone, on the last day of our fast – we are so close to the finish line! It’s been wonderful adventuring with you and, as always, we’ve made memories. I often think of this site as a memorial of where we’ve been. I can just imagine sitting in a rocking chair as an old…
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Conflict Is Finished. Now Jesus
SUMite Nation, Well I’m feeling we are at the close of our month-long classroom regarding conflict. And you may not feel as though it was worthy of your time but in the future, the truths of how to approach conflict with other believers will return to your mind and you will walk through it Biblically,…
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Church – My Hardest Act
Hi everyone, Ann here! My husband and I have been 'spiritually different' for almost five years now, and it’s become easier for us both. However, there is one thing that continues to floor me and I thought I’d share it with you today. It’s this: The act of giving my husband a kiss goodbye on…
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Submission vs. Obedience Part II by Martha Bush
Submission vs. Obedience Introduction In Part 1 of Submission vs. Obedience, I told my story of obeying the Lord’s new direction for my life, and the opposition I faced from my husband in doing so. Today, let’s get right down to business and try to decipher what is sometimes a controversial and confusing subject. Submission…
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Could This Be What It’s Like?
Hi SUMites, On Friday I put away the Thanksgiving decorations for the season, put up the tree and the nativity on the table where my Tablecloth of Thanks sat for most of November. Mike didn’t write on it this year. Caitie wasn’t home. We went to the neighbors for dinner, so this year was different…
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Q&A From The SUM Survey (What Our Kid’s Think)
Today I want to answer another question that came from the SUM survey. Laurie F. asked: Q: I would love to know how adult children who grew up in mis-matched homes feel about all of the things we deal with. (Going to church and activities only with mom, not being able to pray/sing/share at home…
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Going To Church Alone
Today, I want to chat about another big issue. This is a re-post for our newest family members. (Jan, 2016) GOING TO CHURCH ALONE. Gang, can I just say – Grrrrrrrrr This is so hard. I know that for me this was an area that was of intense and great struggle. Even today, I truly…
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My Unsaved Spouse and Church This Easter
I am wondering if any of you will be asking your spouse to attend Easter services with you? Are you feeling anxious about asking? About Him attending? Let’s talk about that today in the comments. I’m looking for suggestions and ideas to share with our community to encourage our spouses to attend church and yet…
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GOING TO CHURCH ALONE
Today, I want to chat about another big issue that was mentioned back in December when we began this journey. GOING TO CHURCH ALONE. Gang, can I just say – Grrrrrrrrr This is so hard. I know that for me this was an area that was of intense and great struggle. Even today, I truly…
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Today At Church I Looked Down The Row And Was……
Hi Gang, Well today it’s my turn to write about chapter four of Not Alone re-titled Raising Godly Kids in a Spiritually Mismatched Home. Churched Kids My heart and head is full of thoughts and emotions when I consider raising our kids in church. I share a number of my thoughts and experiences in chapter four about…
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1 Peter 1 & 2: Building Foundations (part 1)
My friends, we’ve been set up. But in a good way. A great way. Let me explain. Or better yet, I’ll let Peter explain… This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of…
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When The Church Hurts You
Hello SUMite Nation, I have to chuckle. Over the past few months reading through comments, Facebook posts and emails I have received, all of the “SUMite” puns. Hilarious! SUMthings about happen. To SUM things up. Is SUMone praying? Can I just say that SUM of you are very witty and hilarious. It’s the little nuances…
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Unity Through Worship
My friends, I have so loved reading your comments on this worship series. You have shared your hearts and prayers. I have found myself inspired many times by what you share, have even prayed your words! And I know other have too. We started this series with discussing Worship is More Than a Song, then…
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The Aftermath
My friends, today I will finish my Bethel story but I want you to know that this adventure is far from over. Our journey with God is an ongoing adventure that unfolds on a daily basis. I’m stunned at times to go back and read in my journal what I’ve written down and then forgotten!…
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I Cried For You, Sunridge
So, this is a difficult post for me to write. However, I’m following the Lord’s lead as there must be one other person, in addition to me, who needs this word. My home church where I have served and worshiped for 12 years is teetering on the precipice of a split. And I am grieved…
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Chronicles of the Donovan Clan – Never, say Never – This is NOT about James Bond
Several months ago, I told you that God was working some new things in my husband, in us. At the time, the Lord impressed upon me to hide these things in my heart until they were settled out. Today, all these months later, the changes that began in January and February have reached a stall…
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That Old Familiar Ache
It snuck up on me again, that old familiar ache. The one I used to walk around with constantly early on in my mismatched marriage. I thought I’d made peace with it, made the choice to trust God with my husband’s salvation and the future of our marriage. I’d learned to bring that ache, that…
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We Are Stronger Together
If you found your way here from the Focus on the Family broadcast, the first thing you heard yesterday was a quote from us. “Isolation steals our joy.” That’s why the first chapter of our book is titled, “Know That You’re Not Alone!” Our marriages are under attack by an enemy who wants to keep…