Obedience
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Shades of Grey and a Hound from Hell
So, ahem.. Right…. I have a story to tell and I’m about to be very real. It’s a risk to share what I’m about to tell but, I absolutely know there are so many of you who will understand. I know sharing my little escapade will keep you from tripping up like I did, and…
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The Next Generation: Building a Titus 2 Legacy
This past weekend my church held a “Meet the Author” event. I confess I was concerned about it being a bit too much “about me” but instead it turned into a very special opportunity for me to share about our ministry here at S.U.M. These dear women at my church, who I am privileged to…
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Our Place of Influence (Part 2): What does that look like?
Last week I wrote about our place of influence in our marriage. How do we get there and what does it look like? Let’s start where I ended last week. 1. Pray for wisdom and guidance. It starts right here. Without God’s wisdom and guidance, none of this is possible. It’s like groping in the…
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And the Walls Came A-Tumbling Down
Lynn’s post yesterday talked about the walls we erect that keep our guys on the outside. I want to share with you how this translated into my life. I walked into my marriage with the expectations I’d leaned from the pages of romance novels and movies. I’d bought into the fairytale. Everything was fine in…
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Spouse-Based or God-Based?
What is the difference between a spouse-based marriage and a God-based marriage? This is the question my Sunday school leader asked our group this past weekend. We’re currently doing Gary Thomas’ video series, Sacred Marriage, which goes with his book by the same title. It’s a great course, and I have loved hearing different perspectives…
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The Power of a Three-Stranded Cord in an Unequal Marriage
The Power of a Three-Stranded Cord in an Unequal Marriage . . . a three-stranded cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12, CJB) In the verses prior to this, Solomon is speaking of how two are better than one because if one falls the other can help them up. They can keep one another warm…
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Be All You Can Be
I’ve been harboring a lie and I didn’t know it. Last Friday I sat during my quiet time, praising God for the amazing ways He’s using this ministry, and Lynn and I, to reach out and help others in spiritually mismatched marriages. I will tell you I was so overcome with gratitude that God was…
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Building Big Faith
Over the weekend Dineen shared a fantastic post ~Big Faith… If you missed it, scroll down and take a minute. So today I must follow up that post with a question. How do I develop BIG FAITH? I was pondering this very question and the Lord answered. Isn’t that just like the Lord? Sunday mornings,…
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The Unending Trials
One of the heaviest burdens we carry for ourselves and others are those that don’t seem to end. These days we all have some area that continues to challenge us. We pray for healing, release, whatever seems needed, in the hopes that God will rush in and save the day. Sometimes things get better, then…
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This Was Hard, But it Changed My Entire Perspective Forever
Good Monday Everyone: If you remember last Monday, I began a series where I answered some of your questions. Specifically, many of you listen in to my radio interview, which generated some thoughts. You can listen to my interview and Dineen’s by scrolling down and click on the audio link. One of the first questions…
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Partner With God and See the Wonders
Psalm 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. The past couple of weeks I shared with you how I fell off the Hope…
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God’s Preparation
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became…
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When God Leads
“When you sense an answer from the Lord and your husband doesn't, how do you communicate WHY you feel moved to do what God said?” A friend of mine posed this question to me recently. At first I didn’t know how to answer, because I couldn’t recall a situation where this happened. Don’t you know…
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Our Journeys
Welcome to week four of our Open Forum. We've tackled some tough questions the last three weeks, and though difficult, we are honored to be a part of these discussions and to share in any way we can. This week delves a more into our personal journeys, which we are glad to share in the…
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Weekend Devo – Love God and Love Your Spouse
This weekend's devo is from Purpose Driven Connection by Rick Warren. A great way to look at the two most important commandments… "'Teacher,' he asked, 'Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus answered, ''Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is…
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What kind of people are you?
"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the…
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Sacrificial Love
As Lynn mentioned yesterday, we started The Love Dare (by Stephen and Alex Kendrick) at 1Peter3Living. If you feel led to do this book, I encourage you to do it either on your own or with us at 1Peter3Living. Already, God is opening doors and sending a clear message that He intends to use this…
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God’s Umbrella
One morning an interesting thought struck me. All our trials and sufferings fall under the umbrella of God’s protection, but beneath that covering they diverge into two areas: consequences and circumstances. Consequences are the result of our poor choices. Sometime we just make mistakes. It’s inevitable. Sometimes God allows us to experience them in order…
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The “Right” Prayer
I do not believe that there is such a thing in the history of God's kingdom as a right prayer offered in a right spirit that is forever left unanswered. – Theodore L. Cuyler Theodore L. Cuyler's words ring true when held up against the light of God's Word: Is any one of you sick?…
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Triumphant Living is…
Living in Obedience 24/7I am creating this post in a new Word Blogger tool so if it looks weird, bear with me. Last week, I received in the mail, a book from my friend Dee. I am so glad she sent it. Thank you Dee! The book is, I Dared to Call Him Father by Bilquis Sheikh. This…