Do we allow our children to take a greater priority over our marriage? The divorce rate among Christians are just as high as the world’s divorce rate.  Would the divorce rate be as high if we kept Genesis 2: 23-24 close to our heart?

²³ The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;  she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man. ”

²⁴ That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

We as women have a tendency to change who we are as we go through different stages of life. For example, when I was pregnant I would often visit a baby website that had a forum so that mothers could connect with other pregnant women.  On the forum the reoccurring question most moms asked each other was, ” Are you going to get the mom haircut?  Or when are you going to get the mom haircut?  Whatever you do, do not lose yourself once you have children.  Having a child should change us in some ways, but not physically.

Our mentality should be different.  We should adjust our home in a way that our children will be safe as they grow up to be independent people.  We should be more aware  of the things we say and the places we go realizing that we have little people that are following our lead.  When I was growing up my father would only watch cartoons.  I often teased him because in my opinion cartoons were for kids.  The old saying, “You will understand your parents better  once you have children” is accurate.  I understand now that  it was not so much that my dad enjoyed cartoons, all though I believe he did!  He knew that his children were going to watch whatever he was watching and he wanted it to be something that was ok for them to watch. I believe changing your mentality is what most caring parents would do, but we should not change to the point that we lose ourselves. Click to continue…

Happy Mother’s day!  May we all strive to be the very best mother and wife for our family.  Our greatest example of what a Christian woman ought to be like can be found in Proverbs 31.

^{10 [b]}A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. ¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  ¹² She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. ¹³ She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.  ¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. ¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. ¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. ¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. ¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. ¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. ²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  ²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. ²² She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. ²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. ²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. ²⁶ She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. ²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. ²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ²⁹ “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” ³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. ³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. click to continue…

On Sunday most people will celebrate Mother’s Day.  We will spend time thanking our mother for all that she has done for us throughout the course of our life.  In Proverbs 31:30 the Lord tells us that whether it is mother’s day or not a Christian woman will be praised.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

I will be thankful for any acts of appreciation that my family will give to me this weekend, however there is no gift greater than knowing that my children have accepted the Lord as their savior. I try to have praise and worship with my children most days in the morning.  I am thankful that my children love to sing  praises to God because their praise have often encourage me throughout the day.  It is not always easy to have praise and worship, there are some days that I could and should be doing something else during that time.  However, I tell myself “How will your kids know that they need to put God first each day if you do not show them.”  I have found that when I put God first I am able to get more done.  It seems as though the clock has slowed down and I am able to get everything done that I planned on doing. Click to continue…

Our Christian marriage  has the ability to influence others around us even when we do not speak a single word.  We do not always have to tell people that they are living in sin whether it be cohabitating or otherwise. Our Christian presence can speak volumes in making people reflect on the way they are living.  There will come a time when we must stand firm in the word  of God and speak up against wrongdoing.  When we do this we must be careful because there is a fine line between judging and holding someone accountable for their actions.

How do we hold people accountable for their actions and not judge them?

The dictionary defines “judging: to infer, think, or hold an opinion; conclude about or assess.”  This definition is basically implying that the person who is judging has no proof.  On the other hand, accountable is defined as ” subject to the obligation to report, explain or justify something.”  In other words, we are dealing with facts.  We as Christians must hold people accountable for their actions or the Lord will deal with us. Click to Continue…

In multiple places of business you may find the following quote near the exit: ”Silence is golden.”  Why is silence golden?  The bible tells us in Matthew 12:33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.”  We do not have to announce what we stand for because our actions will speak for us.

People in various stages of their relationship have been very impressed with the commitment that Jonathan and I have shown toward having a great relationship.  Our decision to keep our relationship in its’ rightful priority has sparked a desire in others to nurture their own relationship as well.  The central point of our relationship has always been to put God first, and then how can we enjoy our relationship. 

Jonathan and I knew that we wanted to get married when we were in high school.  We also knew that marriage was forever.  We decided back then that we wanted to work on having a great relationship so that we would enjoy the rest of our lives together.  When people speak about marriage it is often spoken about in a negative way.  We were determined to have a different marriage.  We didn’t want to become like so many others who were “just” married. Click to continue…

There are a few things that our marriages could learn from children, for example, how to relax!  Yesterday my children and I were outside enjoying the nice weather.  I normally play with them but this time I felt like relaxing.  I put my hood over my head and laid down on the ground looking up at the sky.  The clouds were so beautiful. I watched as the clouds moved and changed form.  Rarely do I ever get a chance to sit down without one of my children climbing on me, so this was very relaxing for me.  After a few minutes my youngest daughter came over and sat on my stomach.  She wasn’t bothering me, she just wanted to sit down.  I continued to watch the clouds.

A few more minutes had gone by, my oldest child came over and sat on my stomach.  She is a bit heavier than my youngest but I didn’t want to make her get up.  I wanted to be fair, I allowed my youngest to sit on my stomach for a few minutes, so I decided I would let her sit on me for a few minutes as well.  I tried to enjoy the clouds but it was not the same.  I could only think about how much weight was on my stomach and suddenly something that was  so peaceful and beautiful was no longer enjoyable.  The clouds had not changed, they were still there moving and adjusting their form but my circumstances had changed.  I waited a few more minutes and then I asked everyone to get up, I couldn’t take it any longer. I  am so thankful that my son did not want to sit on me as well!

This reminded me of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  In Corinthians 10:13 the Lord tells us that he will never put more on us than we can bare.  No matter what you are facing right now be it unemployment, health issues, marriage problems, a wayward child whatever it is know that if God allowed you to face it, He knows you can overcome it.  This reminds me of a quote I read when I was in college: Click to continue…

Every once in a while it is nice to spend time with another Christian married couple.  I went to a dinner party with my family this past Saturday.  The host family prepared wonderful appetizers.  The entrée  consisted of a vegetable platter with dip, chips, and salsa.  They also served an hors d’oeuvre I haven’t had before,   I do not remember the name of this appetizer but it was delicious.  It resembled a small pastry, gently placed on top were onions that were sautéed in cinnamon and butter. The only time I usually eat onions are when they have been chopped into small pieces.  However, the host wife sparked my curiosity when she stated that she  added cinnamon to the onions, so out of my curiosity  I tried it and discovered that it was tasty.

There was no harm in me exposing myself to  a new appetizer.  What is the worst that could have happened?  I wouldn’t like it and then silently vow to never eat it again, no big deal.  However, it is not always a good thing to satisfied our curiosity.  There are two kinds of curiosity, one that will broaden our horizon and one that will ultimately destroy us.  There is nothing wrong with satisfying our curiosity about something that will not harm us but why do we attempt things that we know will not be good for us?  Click to continue…

The Easter season is a wonderful time for everyone it is full of beautiful colors, candy and games.  This is also one of the few times of the year that most people attend church even if they are not “religious.”  For those of us who are Christians we understand that Easter is about much more than eggs, baskets, and family gatherings.  Christians have an additional benefit for celebrating this holiday season.  This week is when Jesus was crucified for our sins and rose so that we may have everlasting life.

As Easter Sunday approaches I would be remissed if I didn’t talk about our Lord Jesus the Christ and the love that he had for all of mankind.  Jesus suffered humiliation, being mocked, abuse, and death all because he loved us. Even as he hung on the cross His love for us spoke volumes as he  prayed for us and those who were killing him.  When Jesus died, He left a legacy that He was, who He said He was.

 ⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”^[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last. ⁴⁷ The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”  Luke 23: 44-47 Click to continue…

I hesitate to write on  topics such as divorce, getting remarried and affairs,  because people are not interested in the truth anymore.  We have become more concerned with hearing things that make us feel better about the choices we have made or are going to make rather than the truth.  The bible tells us that this is exactly how the world will be when Jesus returns.

¹ But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—2 Timothy 3:1-4

However, I must be obedient to  God and share with you the concerns he has given me. It is becoming very hard to distinguish between Christian marriages and  secular marriages.  And yet, we are instructed to be different from the world.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Divorce,  getting remarried and affairs have taken over families across the country.   Why?  I believed the reason for this is due to the fact that we want our cake and we want to eat it too.   I have read blogs from fellow Christian bloggers who believe that God does not mind divorce.  Let’s deal with the truth , not as I see it but  the truth about God’s feelings on it all. Click to continue…

Is fear holding you back from fulfilling your purpose?  When I was young I would sing in the church choir.    I was never nervous about singing in front of people as long as we did it as a group.  The minute I had to sing by myself I would become very fearful my stomach would be unsettling, my hands would shake, and I suddenly couldn’t sing as loud.  I was fearful of singing in front of people for most of my childhood.

Now that I am older, married with children.  I found myself wanting to be more involved in our church but there was nothing for my age group.  With the blessings of my pastor, we started a group for the middle aged people in our church called the Young Adult Network (YAN).  We even formed a choir!  I enjoy singing, however, I haven’t been a  part of a choir since High school.  We formed a choir at the request of another YAN member.   I soon realized that the YAN members were also fearful of singing solo’s in front of the church.  I found myself in a situation where I either needed to take the lead or be satisfied with not being a part of the church service.   The word tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Click to continue…