Marriage
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On Joint Interests in Marriage
Hello SUMites Over the last two weeks, Bryce and I have been staying in the north of England, in a town called Haworth. It is a bleak and spooky place. It is famous for being the town where the 19th-century ‘Bronte sisters’ lived: Emily, Anne and Charlotte Bronte. A family of writers, their novels are…
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Your Spouse is Your Talent
SUMites, Ann here. What a beautiful week the fast was. Thank you, LuAnn and Nickole, for leading us through it this year. During the fast I had a little moment, while sitting on a beach. I was deliberately trying to not read books or engage in hobbies that week. So I simply sat. There I…
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Keep Praying!
Photo courtesy of Arina Krasnikova and Pexels.com Following on from Lynn’s post, I too felt led to write a similar post after reading something earlier in the week. As a result of both Lynn and I being led to write similar posts, I’m sensing there’s some of us are feeling discouraged. We’re believing these posts…
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Marriage Adventures in France
Hi SUMites! I said I'd share a little of the marriage adventures we've been having while in France. It's been a funny little time. Being here for a month in this rented house, with few responsibilities and no friends in the neighborhood, has meant we have spent 100% of our time together. We have done…
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Boundaries in Marriage, Part Five: Respect
Hello dear SUMites It's Ann here and I'm writing from France, where Bryce and I arrived yesterday. We're staying for a month in a town called Foix in the very south of France. It has always been a dream of mine to live in France, and so perhaps this is the closest I can get. …
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Community Fast – Day Four Prayer Prompt
Today we are taking our prayers into real preparation for warfare. Today, ask the Lord for revelation. And ask for wisdom. Ask God to reveal or perceive what you don’t see that is going on first in the spiritual realm and then in the natural. Prayer prompt: Lord, reveal the truth about my marriage and my…
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Ephesians Chapter 6 Part ONE
Hello SUM Nation. Lynn Donovan here. Wow, July is coming to an end, and we have reached the last chapter of Ephesians. Let’s jump in. Get out your paper Bible and read these verses. Numerous researchers have proof that retention is much greater when reading from a paper book verses a screen. True that!!!! I…
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An Escape Clause?
Hi family, Ann here. I found this article in our archives this week, and it was so good that I decided to make it today's post. It addresses the issue of 'what if you want to escape?' The article is written by Lynn, and here it is. Hope it helps you along, and I'd love to…
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Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place
“This isn’t what I married.” Said Bryce. “And there may come a point where I say to you enough is enough.” He stood by the chest of drawers suddenly seeming distant. I sat on the bed. My heart was pounding with fear. “Don’t you ever say to me you can’t give it up if I…
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Reflections on Attending Church Alone
Dear friends, Ann here! Today I want to chat about one of our topics that is an old favorite: Attending church alone. I type this with a smile, but it's a wry smile. Whether or not we've got into a routine, I think most of us would say that Church-plus-SUM is super tricky! I shared…
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Sow Bountifully, Reap Bountifully
Ann here! I have a little thought for us today: “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. And he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NKJV) Sowing. In a spiritually unequal marriage? Perhaps we can pause and think about this for a minute. When we’re in a spiritually unequal marriage,…
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Top Three Tips for Thriving in a Spiritually Mismatched Marriage
Ann here! Today I had an interesting faith conversation with a man with whom I cross paths occasionally. I know him in a professional rather than social capacity, but whenever I see him we have a good chat. So, I'll call him a 'friend-acquaintance'. Anyway, today I saw him for the first time in a…
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Wrapping Up Our Series on LOVE
Dear friends, Ann here. Today we wrap up our series on love. Here in our SUM community there are many different marriages. Some have spouses who are easy to love; others have extremely challenging situations. But in every relationship – easy or hard – love is not easy. Nor is it simple. And even with…
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3 am Is Very Telling? Do You Get Me? by Lynn Donovan
SUM Nation, I have a “real” question. When you read this passage does you bristle a little? Do you find it difficult to even begin to understand these words and what they are supposed to look like in real life? Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it…
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Nabal, Abigail, and David -SUMITES in the Bible- Summer Bible Study
We left our story in 1 Samuel 25 with Abigail meeting David with provisions and a great big “SORRY.” Whew, that sorry and the honor she bestowed upon David saved probably more than 100 people from bloodshed. (verse 33 & 34) She went home and arrived to ANOTHER drunken banquet. – Ugh! Abigale was likely…
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Mother’s Day – You Make the Day Great. Here’s How.
In past years prior to the Covid-19 social distancing, us moms would ready our kids in the morning, head off to church to then, sit alone. I’ll be honest, it’s pain to watch other women be honored by their spouse and family at church. I’ll also share that the pain of disappointment will wane through…
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Keep Playing The Christian Music
Hi friends, Ann here! If there’s one passage in the Bible that brings a SUM moment to life, it’s the one where David dances to the Lord, his wife Michal sees him through a window, and she ‘despises him in her heart’. Gulp — Let’s take a look:
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God Will Ask One Question When You Arrive In Heaven
I’m of the belief that upon arriving at heaven’s gate, Jesus will look into our eyes and ask a single question, “Did you learn to love?”
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To Cherish …
Hi friends, Ann here! The other day I noticed something new about marriage in scripture. It was like a big flashing light-bulb going off in my mind, so I thought I’d share it. See what you think of this: In the Bible there are a few key scriptures about marriage, as we know. But what…
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What Readers Are Saying About The Warrior March!
I can testify that this is the most amazing book!!! Full of wisdom, hope, miracles, Gods redemptive power of love and healing. I wept, I laughed, I hungered and thirsted for more as I turned the pages. You will rejoice with Lynn at her triumphs and faithfulness, marvel at her amazing relationship with the Lord…
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Be Like Nehemiah: Rise up and Rebuild
Come with me to the first chapter of Nehemiah, and let’s listen in on a conversation Nehemiah is having with his Jewish friends. “How are the Jews getting along who have returned to Jerusalem from their Babylonian Exile?” “Well, things are not good; the wall of Jerusalem is still torn down, and the gates are…