Thrive

  • How do I Overcome Feelings of Regret?

    How do I Overcome Feelings of Regret?

    Dear SUMites, Ann here. Quite often I’ll receive an email from a reader saying "Help! I am overcome by feelings of regret about having married out of disobedience to God." For these dear ones, it is a truly difficult battle, where they are wrangling deeply with the life they've constructed; and, of course, they cannot…

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  • In the Moment

    In the Moment

    Image courtesy of tiverylucky at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Hello dear friends, Ian from sunny locked down Sydney. If you’ve followed my recent posts at the beginning of each month there’s been this consistent theme of connecting with God in the ordinariness of our day. For years, I think I often sought God in the big moments, hoping…

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  • Jehovah Perazim – The Lord Who Breaks Through

    Jehovah Perazim – The Lord Who Breaks Through

    Hey SUM Family, Tiffany here! I don't know about you but I have really been yearning for breakthrough! It gets me fired up thinking about the breakthrough needed in my life as well as others. I am really struggling to completely detach from my old self. I am not saying that I am not growing,…

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  • A Road Well Worth It

    A Road Well Worth It

    Hi friends, Ann here! Have you ever looked in the rear-view mirror, glimpsed the road behind you, and realized that something’s changed? That happened to me recently in relation to a friend who didn't want to know about faith. I thought I'd share the story today. When I first turned to God, I began to…

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  • The Marriage Saver & Taking RISKS for the Kingdom!

    The Marriage Saver & Taking RISKS for the Kingdom!

    This is the painting I'm speaking about in the video Hello my dear friends, I have had a heavy heart for all of you who are in the throes of battle right now. So, today, I’m not going to talk about marriage killers. NO! I want to talk about the marriage saver. Jesus Christ. I’ve…

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  • The Wicked Marriage Killer

    The Wicked Marriage Killer

    What is the Wicked Marriage Killer?Many years ago, my mother-in-law looked at my father-in-law and quoted me to him, “Just deal with it, Caitie.” I bet my mouth hung open. It became obvious that Carole, was teasing and poking back at her dear husband with words I’d said to my then, hmmmm I guess ten-year-old…

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  • The Power of Receiving God’s Love

    The Power of Receiving God’s Love

    Hi SUMites, Ann here! I've been praying about what to write this week after our wonderful communal fast. I'm sure you're still reflecting on it as I am. Anyway, a phrase has kept coming to me for today's post, and it's this: One of the most important things you can do, in your place of…

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  • A Tablecloth of Thanks 2018

    A Tablecloth of Thanks 2018

     Every year I share a wonderful tradition that I began when my daughter was little, A Tablecloth of thanks. I’m reprinting the story today for all the new readers. It’s never too late to begin a tradition of faith. And this one is perfect for believers and our pre-believers as well. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.…

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  • Fill Your Kitchen With Love

    Fill Your Kitchen With Love

    Now for something completely different. You know, I have discovered a secret to a happy marriage. Well at least it applies to the Donovan Clan. Feed the man. I’ve learned to cook. I didn’t know much more than spaghetti when we married. But I find cooking is one of the creative expressions I enjoy, a…

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  • I Am because He Is

    I Am because He Is

    My friends, (Invitation at bottom) Your words about Jesus on Monday’s post were amazing. I also realized that for many believers we have a disconnect to one or more of the Godhead. I know that for years I struggled to relate to Father, God, and was absolutely puzzled as to why I felt distant from…

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  • He Opened It. I Waited With a Butterfly Stomach

    He Opened It. I Waited With a Butterfly Stomach

    The following was written by Dorothy Fleming, a long-time reader here at SUM. She shared this story with me and I knew all of us need to receive it. Thank you Dorothy for your love, example and your Christ-like heart. Hugs, Lynn *** January 6, 2018 Making My Husband Cry on Christmas It started with…

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  • When Survival Is The ONLY Option…

    When Survival Is The ONLY Option…

    First, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to share my heart with you all. I am so blessed and even more grateful for the door that God has opened for me! The Holy Spirit has  given me many spiritual gifts but there is one that I cherish the most. He has given…

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  • Was I Really Lamenting?

    Was I Really Lamenting?

    I was tired. Weary. Drained. I thought I heard from God that my spouse’s salvation was supposed to come last year. When God told me to be more specific with my prayers, I was more specific with my questions. I asked when, Lord, when?? I heard two years. Well, those two years came to pass…nothing.…

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  • Celebrating 10 Years:  Waiting for Lynn and Dineen to Grow Up

    Celebrating 10 Years: Waiting for Lynn and Dineen to Grow Up

    “Mama, you are the Christian in your marriage, but you are not showing respect to Daddy,” my two daughters said to me,” as they detailed times, places and events that covered several years.  And with that, my two grown daughters, Crystal and Heather, shoved a book in my hands, called Love and Respect, and said,…

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  • Broken In A Thousand Pieces But….. Jesus..

    Broken In A Thousand Pieces But….. Jesus..

    SUMites, ANOTHER profound email. What is happening in our community? Ten years of praying, believing, trusting. The fruit is ripe and I celebrate every victory in our SUMite Nation. And I continue to pray and trust for those yet to come. Today, please meet Kim Valentine. Her story is TRULY miraculous!!!!  Thank you Jesus. (Read…

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  • Conference At Merriman in Garden City, MI

    Conference At Merriman in Garden City, MI

    Perhaps for a moment in time, just perhaps, we stood upon holy ground.   Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”   I bet many of you know…

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  • Are You Lonely In Your Unequally Yoked Marriage?

    Are You Lonely In Your Unequally Yoked Marriage?

    Hello SUMite Family, I want to talk about loneliness in marriage. I may be off in my thinking. Do we, the unequally yoked, live in a kind of perpetual loneliness? I know for me, I’ve battled against loneliness for years. I’m coming to understand some common denominators that are present in our kind of marriages.…

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  • Back To School…. And A New Series Begins

    Back To School…. And A New Series Begins

    SUMite Nation: We are shifting gears. Following the SCOTUS Ruling last month I quickly realized that many of us were staring “Fear” straight in the face. As mamas we were grappling with questions such as. How do I handle it when little Johnny asks, “Can I go to my best friend’s house to play. Oh…

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  • What Gods Love Looks Like

    What Gods Love Looks Like

    SUMite Family,  I have to share that the word “family” has taken on an entirely larger implication in my life this past week. So, to say that you are my family, please know that I’m overwhelmed with authentic love and hope for you. Let me explain.  I’m working on a new writing project and praise…

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  • God’s Preparation: Recognizing God’s Preparation

    God’s Preparation: Recognizing God’s Preparation

    Welcome back to the God’s Preparation series, my friends. I hope you are finding this encouraging and enlightening. God’s ways are so beautifully intricate and simple at the same time. I know that probably doesn’t make sense, but that’s how I’ve begun to see Him. Lynn and I speak often of this and how we,…

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  • And The Walls Came Tumbling Down

    And The Walls Came Tumbling Down

    SUMite Nation:  Let’s finish this journey of Walking The Walls of Jericho.  Remember, we are in the seven times around. I’m not sure exactly where I am, five, six, seven times around but I’ve come so very far and will never relent. There are promises behind those walls. There are captives to be liberated and…

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