Last Thursday a group of women took an evening and redeemed the time… we turned an evening on the calendar into something that mattered for eternity. I am keenly aware that when a group of quality, empowering, inspiring women get together in one room, amazing things are bound to happen. That’s why I’m always trying to get women together in one place! And last Thursday’s event at my home was no exception. Some of the initial things that warmed my…
Keeping Love Alive… I love this article from Covenant Keepers (used with permission). Is your love for your spouse alive and well? Do you still have that passion that once burned in your heart? Or has your love slowly died? Has the fire gone out? The Scriptures describe the love between a husband and a wife as a fire. This is how the Shulamite, in the Song of Solomon, described her love relationship with her husband. She said, “…For love…
The “Eve” syndrome. How often I see this destroyer of gratefulness manifesting itself in my life. What IS the “Eve” syndrome in my marriage and how do I get rid of it? Eve failed to appreciate not only all the trees in the garden she had access to, but even the garden itself! Eve was in the midst of a garden whose translation means fruitful, well-watered, pleasure. She had access to “all kinds of trees” which were “pleasing to the…
Friendships There are different levels of friendships. Define: acquaintance, casual friendship, close friendship (mutuality), and intimate friendship. 2. There are different seasons of friendships. Your life is like a skyscraper, with each floor representing a different part of your life. Realize that some friends are there for a season: you may be sharing the experience of a hobby your child likes together, or have children in the same activities or sports, but afterwards it is difficult to keep connections with…
Offenses are heading your way! They will come… as they often do when we get together with large groups of people over the holidays! Remember, James 3.2 tells us we all stumble in many ways, and if any one does NOT offend in word they are perfect! So be ready for not only others to stumble but even we can unintentionally stumble too! Some things to remember: 1. Be kind and gracious. Give the benefit of a doubt….
I love this quote from “Beverly Clark” (Susan Sarandon) in “Shall We Dance?” “We need a witness to our lives. There’s a billion people on the planet… I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you’re promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things… all of it, all of the time, every day. You’re saying ‘Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it….
With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming, we need to brush up on a few important relationship builders! 1. Do everything in love (1 Cor 16.4). If you can’t do something with love, maybe you should consider leaving it off your busy schedule! If you go somewhere, put on — clothe yourself — with love (Col 3.14). Let Christ love people through you this holiday season! Bring Him to the gathering! 2. Do everything without murmuring, faultfinding and complaining (Phil 2.14). If…
One of the psychological defenses we have is to repaint our past to justify our present choices for our future. Have you ever heard someone say, “We were never close…” or “He never really did anything nice for me…” or something that you simply knew wasn’t true? You may wonder why the person would even say something when you can produce video, witnesses, and proofs that their statements were never so. What they are trying to do is convince themselves of something so they…
