Two shall be One ~ Win-Win

Do you walk away from arguments with your spouse feeling as though you just lost? While the other person is talking, are you thinking of what you can say to change his or her words?

No? Well, I have, so humor me! ;)

I have even had arguments with my husband while he was out of the room!

But seriously, this is so destructive to our marriage. We are partners after all. We are both on the same team, but sometimes we treat each other like arch enemies. We think that there is a winner and a loser, when in fact if we are against each other- we both lose.


Eph 5:29-31
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
NKJV

Can you imagine what would happen if your body tried to function according to the rules of a win-lose system. Suppose your heart and your lungs got into a heated debate about which one most needed more blood supplied to it. Or if our mouth decided to punish the body by not breathing anymore.Does it really matter who wins?

In marriage, you have to find a win-win solution,

because when there's a winner and a loser, you both lose!

We have to find a win-win solution.

To do this, it’s going to take humility and maturity.

It really doesn’t matter who is right or wrong, we may never agree on that. But can we chose to lay down our own rights for our spouse?
God will reward a humble heart.

When we walk in love, we both win.
Your nugget for today is, Win-Win!

Here’s some food for thought (and prayer):

Ps 25:9
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them His way.
NIV

Eph 4:2
2 Be completely humble and gentle;

be patient, bearing with one another in love.
NIV

James 4:6
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
NIV

James 4:10
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord,

and He will lift you up.
NIV

1 Peter 5:6-7
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand,

that He may lift you up in due time.
NIV

Are You Losing Control?

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I'll be giving away:

PRAISE CD
AND

COFFEE! (1 bag)

To enter drawing:

* Leave a comment on this post (one per person)

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BONUS: I do monthly drawings for Praise and Coffee starting on the 1st of every month, I draw a winner on the 10th of every month.

So this Friday, you can enter again for my normal monthly drawing!!!

*****************************************************************************

Stop over to Internet Cafe' for my post today:

"Are You Losing Control?"

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Free from our suffering!

Mark 5:24-29
A large crowd followed and pressed around Him.

25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.

26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.

27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak,

28 because she thought, "If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed."

29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that

she was freed from her suffering.

NIV

I love this story!

Have you ever been in a situation where the only hope was the Lord?
No earthly answer can be found, it's going to have to be a "God thing."

It is going to take radical faith to believe that He can get you out of "this one."

That faith pleases our Lord.
When every other option is depleted, God loves to pour Himself out on us and bring the healing and deliverance we need.
That's when HE receives the most glory!

She knew that if she could just touch Him, she would be healed.
Sounds like:
Rom 4: 21
being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.
NIV

God wants us all to look to Him in the face of impossibilities.
When it all seems dead...watch Him breath life!

Sometimes, GOD will close the door to all human reasoning, bypassing all means of rational deliverance.

Not only does God WANT us to believe Him, He expects us to!

Believe Him, trust Him...crawl through the crowd til your knees are bloody with faith!

Lord, we bring you our impossible situations. Because we know that with You, all things are possible!

His Timing, Not Ours

His promise to us:

1 Peter 5:6-7
6 Humble yourselves, therefore,

under God's mighty hand, that

He may lift you up in due time.

7 Cast all your anxiety on Him

because He cares for you.

NIV

No, God's not late...He's right on time.

Are you feeling blue?

Today is officially "Blue Monday." There are various reasons for this, from the lack of daylight hours to the timing of Christmas bills. Today has been dubbed the most depressing day of the year.

Isn't it good to know that we have so many reasons not to be depressed?!

So how do we get out of a funk if we're feeling one?

Psalms 68:3
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.
NIV

Make the choice to rejoice.
Thank the Lord for all the things He has done. Rejoice in Him today.
He has been good.
Think of all the things we have to be thankful for, they are many.

Prov 15:30
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
NIV

Spread some cheer, SMILE at someone.
Give a compliment, do something to lift someone elses heart.
Call a friend, drop an email just to say hello.
I promise that it will lift your spirits also.

Got worry??
Phil 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
NIV

Remember that as children of God, the fruit of the Spirit abides in us.
Gal 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness
and self-control.
NIV

Can we stay depressed when He has given us so much?
If it was only that He loved us, I believe that would be enough.

Hope you have a wonderful Monday!!!!
Hugs,
Sue

Seeking His Face

I watched a program on Christian TV this morning that grieved my heart to the point of tears, so I did what any blogger would do, I wrote about it. After spending some time with the Lord, I realize that the Word of God dispels lies better than anything I could say to you about the twisted scripture being spoken as truth. So I choose to focus on seeking His face this morning!


1 Chron 16:8-11
8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name;
make known among the nations what He has done.
9 Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;
tell of all His wonderful acts.
10 Glory in His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
11 Look to the LORD and His strength;
seek His face always.
NIV


Psalms 27:7-8
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek His face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
NIV

Psalms 105:4
4 Look to the LORD and His strength;
seek His face always.
NIV

Luke 12:27-31
27 "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.
30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
NIV

Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power...Forever!!!!
In Awe of You, we worship.



Lord, we love You, be magnified in all the earth today!

Friday Fluff and other random happenings

Hello friends,
This week's posts have been so serious, I feel the need to post about nothingness. Kind of like a Praise and Coffee version of Seinfeld.

Don't worry, I will not be starting a new meme, "Friday Fluff" and posting a button with cotton candy on it for your sidebar!

So here's some randon thoughts about things going on around the Cramer household these days.

*** Did I tell you that I got a speeding ticket? Yup.
I haven't had a ticket in years, but this time he got me. It was the first time I was out of the house without Lauren in quite a while and I was feeling FREE!
The speed limit goes from 50mph down to 35...but I didn't.

He asks, "do you know why I pulled you over?"
Of course I knew, didn't he see me slam on my brakes?
Then, "do you know how fast you were going?"
Me: "I think 50."
Him: "no, 47 but the speed limit is 35." (I would think that honesty here would have gotten me somewhere!)

It just went downhill from there. I wanted to tell him that I was without the 3 year old and feeling free, no limits! But I didn't think that would go over well.
I thought about breaking into the ugly cry, but really- I knew that I deserved a ticket.

You would think that would have helped me slow it down, but no.
I have had to slam on my brakes on that road 3 times since because I keep forgetting that the speed limit goes down there.
I don't have a problem speeding on the highway, but going 35 and below seems to be an issue for me. If I could just drive 50 mph everywhere I go, I'm sure I would never get a ticket.

*** I was at the doctor this week with my son and asked him about my arm (we tend to make one appointment and them bombard him with every problem we have). I have been having alot of pain in it and thought maybe I was getting carpal tunnel or something. He did a few little pain tests on me and said that I have tennis elbow.
Tennis elbow?!
I've never even picked up a racket.

What he meant to say is that I am 40, out of shape and strained a tendon while using a screwdriver to hang my new curtains.
For the love of donuts, can you believe it? There is really nothing I can do about it, but try to let it heal. Do you know when I feel it the worse? When I reach in the top of my fridge all the way to the back to get out my 2 gallon container of cream for my coffee. That hurts.
I guess I'll have to lay off the tennis for a while too.

*** Took Lauren to speech class the other day. She is still in the evaluation process. The teacher shows her pictures and asks her to say what they are.
The teacher shows her a duck and Lauren says, "dut."
The teacher shows her a cow and she says "moo."
The teacher shows her a candy bar and she makes the (sign language) sign for Meijer (our neighborhood grocery store).
This much she knows, if we are out of chocolate, it's off to Meijer we go.
Yes, I'm training her up in the way she should go...she should go to Meijer for chocolate.

*** After speech class we go to McDonalds for lunch (after stopping at Meijer because I remembered that we needed chocolate).
Lauren loves to play in the playland there.
My goal is get her through 3 bites of her chicken wrap and 10 french fries before the shoes come off. The best part about playland is the de-shoeing.

A couple other things note worthy...

*** On Monday, Mitt Romney called me 38 times. He wanted me to vote for him on Tuesday. That was thoughtful.

*** I noticed a few more gray hairs this week, and you know what that means. That's all I going to say about that.

*** Lauren STILL loves the movie Elf, so I listen to it everytime we are in the car as she watches her DVD. Because we can not see it, only hear it...15 year old daughter and I describe what is happening in all the scenes and then laugh hysterically.

That's about it for me, I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
I love you, I'll call you in 5 minutes!

Sue

Bring God Your Brokenheart

Hello friends,
I know that I have written before about God healing our brokenhearts, but I feel that as I read your emails and talk to some of you, it is an ongoing issue for many of us.
I have combined a few of my old posts to hopefully minister healing to your hearts today.


I was talking with a friend once about the battle that takes place in our mind and thoughts. I had been struggling with depression and discouragement after walking through an extremely difficult and painful situation.

I told her how I had forgiven those involved, but I could not seem to get past the pain even though it had been months since it happened. I knew that in my heart I had forgiven, I was even able to see those involved and not have anger in my heart. So why was I still hurting?

I was praying on a regular basis for God to reveal to me if there was more that I needed to do in the situation, but it seemed I was without direction.
Did I really forgive them?
Was I just fooling myself?
I didn’t think so, but still I couldn’t get past it.

My friend spoke to me from the heart of God, she said ‘I think you have forgiven, you’re not doing anything wrong, but it sounds like you need healing from a broken heart.

Psalms 147:33
He heals the brokenheartedand binds up their wounds.
NIV

I knew at that moment that those words were from the heart of God.

It hit me like a fresh wind. I was so excited that I got off the phone with her right away and went to be alone with the Lord. I poured my soul out to Him and asked Him to heal my wounded heart.

Once again I prayed for those that had hurt me and thanked God for completely healing my heart. It was wonderful! I know that He did a deep healing in my heart that day. For weeks I didn’t hurt and joy overflowed in my heart.

But, Satan lurks and waits- sometimes he’s more patient than we are, and a day came when I had an opportunity to once again pick up the pain from the past.

As if I was rehearsing for a play, I re-enacted scenes in my mind of what this person had done, how I would respond and what they might say. Before I knew what was happening, the hurt started to creep back in. This time though was different than all the rest, because I knew that God had healed me and I realized that satan was trying to get me to fall back into that pit of pain and depression.

I stood my ground and started to pray. I cast those thoughts out of my head and thanked the Lord for healing my broken heart.

2 Cor 10:5
Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
NKJV

I believe that if I had continued on that thought pattern, I could have fallen into that pit and started the horrible cycle of pain all over again. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit helped me recognize that attack.

As wonderful as it is when God reveals and heals a heart in this manner, I realize that not all healing happens this way.

I picture some of our pain like a spider web. Our heart can be broken and the effects can affect many different relationships and situations that we don’t even realize at the onset. Then as we walk through this life, different seasons reveal the need for healing from events in our past.

Let me tell you about another time when my heart was broken.

When I was a young girl around 8 years old, I was sexually abused by a friend of the family for over a year of my life. The abuse has affected so many areas of my life. I have since forgiven the man and God has healed my heart, but that does not mean that it is over and done with.

There are still times that fears and pain will come up that I can trace back to this event. When I see it affecting my relationships, I have to address the root of the issue and go to God with it.

When I was a teenager, I heard a speaker at church talking about God healing people who had been abused. He talked about forgiveness being part of the process of healing. I really broke down that night. I prayed for God to heal me and prayed for the man who had abused me all those times.

I felt God’s love and I felt protected. I know that God has healed me because if I saw that man today, I could share God’s love with him. I could tell him that I forgive him. Not because he deserves it, but because I need that same forgiveness from God that I don’t deserve.

I could let my heart be bitter towards him and wait until he begs on his hands and knees for me to forgive him, but that would only hurt me.

Matt 6:14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
NIV

I will not let Satan continue the abuse in me by holding on to unforgiveness in my heart. To keep bitterness in me is to continue being a victim. I don’t want to be a victim ever again.

God healed my heart, and the “sting” of the pain is gone. However, I still remember what happened, I still struggle with trust and security.Thankfully, I now have a relationship with my Heavenly Father that is safe and secure and I know that He will never stop loving me.

The truth of the matter is that life can break your heart. But GOD. He can bind us up and bring healing. He makes beauty out of life’s mud.

Bring your pain and sorrow to Him. Let Him hold you close and heal you.

Psalms 40:2-3
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rockand gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fearand put their trust in the LORD.
NIV

Glory to God for a new song!!!!

I'm praying for you,
Sue

Two shall be One ~ Stop Stewing

(This was originally posted at CWO, I added it here so that I would have it in my files for any of your searching through old posts)

My husband and I have been married for 20 blissful, uneventful years!
NOT!
I interrupt this figment of my imagination for a dose of reality.
Marriage is not always fun.
Marriage is work!
Marriage is sacrifice.

We’ve been on mountaintops and spent our fair share of time in the valley. I think we’ve also experienced a few times on the sea of life, while a typhoon was roaring through.In this life, nothing worth having comes easy. There is always a price to pay.What I have learned about marriage is that the price to pay has to begin with me.I would like to say that HE (hubby) holds all the responsibility as the leader of the home…and say that if he would just get his act together, things would be fine.*grin*I learned the hard way that is not true.

More often than I'd like to admit, I’m the problem. In fact, there are times when we are in a storm and he doesn’t even seem to notice. Can you believe that?!

How can he just go on as if nothing has happened when he so obviously trampled all over my heart and I am laying here bleeding all over the laundry.I’m being silly, but seriously…I have spent more hours of my day stewing over something that he did or said that completely offended me and he never even realized that he did it. The argument (that we’re not even having) could be over with and I could stop slamming cupboard doors if I would just let it go.

I looked up the Webster's definition of 'stewing' and it is:...to be in a state of suppressed agitation, worry, or resentment

Yes, that would pretty much sums it up.I believe that the strongest marriages are made up of two "forgivers."Forgive. (Didn’t we talk about that 2 weeks ago??)
I hear you…you’re saying…”oh HE knew what he did, and he meant to do it!”

Well, so what if that IS true?(I heard you gasp.)I’m just going to say it again…SO?So what?

If I choose to let it go, it could be over with. Life could more on. In fact, I could act like it never even happened and possibly have a wonderful day. My kids would be happier, my cupboards would be happier, and I will have done what it takes to make my marriage better/stronger- sacrifice.

Let me just take a little break here and say, I love you all, really I do. I am telling you this because I know how hard this can be- I've lived it sister!
Please know that I am not pointing fingers... I am just sharing with you whathelped me!

Have you ever watched those shows on climbing Mt. Everest? I would never choose to by my own volition, but my husband loves them.
Do you know what these people go through to get to the mountain top???
Some sacrifice their life! Some of them die on the journey! Some lose fingers and toes or their noses turn black with frostbite.
None of them get to the top of that mountain easily or comfortably. They all suffer along the way.
Are you seeing the picture I’m painting?
The mountaintop does not come without sacrifice.

Being happily married does not come without sacrifice. Maybe you could not relate to any of my cupboard slamming situations, but I am sure that there have been times in your life when you have "stewed" on things instead of giving them over to God.....MY feelings were hurt, what about ME???

I have often thought that if I could just get “me” out of the way, things would go so much better for me.Yes, marriage is work, but I like to think about this verse when I consider the sacrifices that I have to make in my marriage.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if wedo not give up.
NIV
Isn’t that good news?! It’s not all dying and sacrifice…harvest comes! It’s our promise!Just don’t give up! Oh please don’t give up.

Psalms 30:5
Weeping may go on all night,but joy comes with the morning.
NLT

I think our nugget to hold on to this week is: stop stewing!
Let it go, forgive! Yes, that can be hard work, but it's worth it.
A harvest of joy awaits.

I am praying for our marriages!

Two shall be One ~ Stop Stewing

My husband and I have been married for 20 blissful, uneventful years!
NOT!
I interrupt this figment of my imagination for a dose of reality...

You can read the rest of this article over at the CWO Internet Cafe'

Come see me!!Sue

Refuel ~ Refresh ~ Restore

Three powerful words that I hope represent this blog and the reasons behind it.

Refuel

Just like a car running out of gas, we need fuel or we will sputter out and end up on the side of life’s highway watching the world go by.

The fuel that I crave is eternal.
Give me life, give me words to live by.
That is what God’s Word is to everyone on the planet, if only we all understood and believed how much He loves us and wants to fill us with His life and joy.

Acts 2:28
You have made known to me the paths of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence.
NIV

That is some wonderful fuel, JOY.
The Bible also says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. I am so thankful that He also fuels us with strength. I need His strength, not just occasionally, but always.

Psalms 119:28
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to Your word.
NIV

“Fuel” can also represent the coffee side of this blog. Coffee refuels me in a whole different way! And depending on what time of the day it is, I drink it leaded or unleaded.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret too…
I’m in the process of starting my own private label coffee,
“Praise and Coffee- COFFEE”
I will be giving it away in my monthly giveaways and offering it for sale to anyone interested.

I’m in the taste-testing process right now and choosing just the right blend for us.
I’m all hopped up these days and getting tons of stuff done around the house!

This coffee is so good, you are going to love it!
It should be available within the next few months.

Refresh

Jeremiah 31:25
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."
NIV

The Lord refreshes me when I am weak and tired or weary from the battle.
His word is a fresh rain on my thirsty heart.

Life can be hard, life can break your heart, but God is so faithful.

Acts 3:19
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord
NKJV

Refreshing comes with repentance and forgiveness.
That is what the cross is all about.
Bringing our empty lives to Him,
laying them down and choosing to live the life He’s called us to.

It will not always be easy. Thankfully, He never expects us to do it alone, and the dividends of joy, peace and love are worth more than anything this world has to offer!

I know so many people who just walk through their days existing.
Climbing the corporate ladder
or drowning their sorrows in a bottle.
What’s the point?
There is so much more to this life.
There is hope.
He offers us hope.
I pray that we would all take that hope.

Restore

Ah, that word even sounds peaceful doesn’t it?

It can be defined with words like:
To turn back
Deliver
(again)
Recover
Repair
Regenerate
Improve
Refresh
Relieve
And one of my favorites…RESCUE.

Have you ever seen a piece of old furniture that’s been restored?
It is beautiful.
I think it’s even more beautiful than in it’s original state, because now it has the marks and scars of it’s past days, yet it is restored to new glory.

There is something quite wonderful about the depth and character of something that is restored.

When that something is a someone…it is extraordinary!

I believe that God wants to restore those who need mending,

those who are lost,

those who need to be rescued,

and all of us who have scars.

My prayer and the “mission” of this blog is to be a place where people can find hope.
Hope and belief that God wants to refuel, refresh and restore all of us.

Thank you all for contributing so beautifully to this cause with your open and honest comments!

Much love,

Sue

Life's Not Fair

This morning I read this in the Message Bible and just loved it!

1 Peter 4:1-2
Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more,
learn to think like him.

Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit
of always expecting to get your own way.

Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue
what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.

How cool is that?

"learn to think like Him..."
How easy is it to focus on how unfairly we are treated and fall into a -poor me- mentality?
God's Word blows that out of the water and right onto our lap.

Who says life is fair?
Jesus never did.

There is freedom in seeing that Jesus was mistreated and we will be too.
When we let that unfairness be a 'weaning of self' to us, and it will set us free!

It's much better than being "tyrannized by what we want."

I'm just saying...
Sue

The January Praise and Coffee Winners

Girls!!!
Can I just start by telling you how overwhelmed and excited I am about

"Two shall be One" Tuesdays?!

Wow! Your reponses have been wonderful and I can see that the Lord is doing a huge work in marriages today. Thanks so much for your input and encouragement.

Now on to the contest!

Note: The next Praise and Coffee Giveaway will start February 1st and they will continue every month starting on the 1st and drawing on the 10th of that month.

I will also be participating in the:

Bloggy Giveaway! It starts on January 28th and will end on February 1st.

The January Praise & Coffee giveaway winner is:
Sharon

The winners of the magnets are:
1. Susanne
2. Happy Home
3. Homeschoolmum4Christ
4. Sara
5. bebemiqui
6. ~java mama~
7. lady_msnow
8. penless thoughts
9. pennies in my pocket
10. Lisa Writes

Congrats to all the winners!
Email me your home addresses and I will get your gifts right out to you!!
PraiseandCoffee (at) yahoo (dot) com

Sue

Edited to add: Winning one of the magnets does not make you ineligible to win praise and coffee for the rest of the year! These are just for fun!

Two shall be One ~ BUILD

Hello girls,
I am really looking forward to Two shall be One ~ Tuesdays.

Mark and I have spent so much time ministering to couples who are struggling in their marriage. I would have to say it is what we have spent MOST of our time doing over the past several years.

We spent many years sitting under great marriage teaching in our church, we went to conferences on marriage, we watched several video series by Gary Smalley and have attended accredited classes on marriage relationships.

We are not professional counselors by any stretch of the imagination, but the Lord has seen fit to use us in marriage ministry time and time again. Sometimes learning right along with that couple!

We are also not the perfect couple. Those of you who know us just let out a hearty- “that’s for sure!” We are a normal couple, have normal arguments and trials, but we have an amazing, loving and forgiving God.

When Mark was Pastoring we did several series together on marriage and I want to share some of that with you and mix it with new things the Lord has been showing me in my own life.

So, let’s start at the beginning, and we will probably swing through this station again and again as it is the foundation for any good marriage.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells a story about 2 houses.

One is built on the rock and one is built on the sand.

When the “storms” come, the one built on the rock stood

wile the one built on the sand fell with a great crash.
Let’s look at this verse and instead of the word house,

let’s use the word marriage.

Matthew 7:24-27
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house (marriage) on the rock.
25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house (marriage); yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house (marriage) on sand.
27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house (marriage), and it fell with a great crash."
NIV

Puts a little different spin on it doesn’t it?

What I find to be so interesting about this story is the storm and the lack of definition of it.

So many times when we would ask people what their marriage was built on, they would want to focus on how awful things were and if the circumstances weren’t so awful they would be fine. They just needed to “get through” this.

That’s just not true.

The truth is, the storm is not your problem.
I believe that’s why the storm is not the focus…the foundation of the houses is the focus.

Now, I realize that I am only speaking to one half of the marriage here (unless you sweet ladies are copy and pasting this in an email to your hubbys!). And I know that some of you feel that it is out of your hands. Yes, parts of it may be.

However, in verse 24 it says, “everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house/marriage on the rock.”

I am an everyone, I think you are an everyone.

We are not responsible for our husband putting God’s words into practice, but we
are accountable to the Lord for the Word that WE put into practice.

Prov 14:1
The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
NIV

One of the most profound things I ever learned about my marriage was to stop pointing my finger at my spouse and start pointing it in the mirror.

What can I do differently?
I would literally ask myself that, and still do!

I could tear my marriage down so quick (and have done it), but the Lord specifically tells us women…BUILD YOUR HOUSE!

If you tear down your husband,

you tear down your house

and the word of God calls you/me foolish.

I want to be wise.

I want to obey God’s Word and put it into practice and that will build my house on the solid foundation. So that WHEN the storms come…my home will stand.

There is so much to say…but I really feel like these messages are to be nuggets for you to chew on. I don’t want to overwhelm you with so much that you just go away spinning.

So here’s the nugget…BUILD.

You know in your heart how to build.
Start with yourself and then bring it into your marriage.

Build yourself up on God’s word and pray.
Don’t just pray that your husband would change!
I challenge you to pray that God would change you.

Lord, I lift up every person reading this. I pray that you would strengthen their marriage by showing them how to make You their foundation. Lord heal marriages. Heal brokenhearts and give hope to those who have none. You are able Lord to do exceedingly abundantly above all I could ask or think, Father please do that in marriages. Forgive us our sins and help us to forgive those who’ve sinned against us.
In the mightly name of Jesus, Amen.

Much love and prayers!

Sue


Don’t forget to enter the January drawing!
Click HERE to enter the January drawing!

I Want to Talk About Me

Not really, but you keep bugging me about it! :-P

I have been sent several meme’s and always give empty promises to do them but never have. Although you must give me some credit for my 100th Post. I let you all ask me questions and you were ruthless! You asked, deep meaningful-thinking kind of questions.

Well, here’s some of the 411 on me….

1. Pets?
Yes, 1 dog (indoor) and 2 outdoor cats (I’m allergic).

2. Jobs besides being a stay at home Mom:
When I turned 16, I started working right away at Little Caesars so I could get some money for new clothes. I worked there for over 2 years and became an asst. manager.

Then I worked for my parents small Christian bookstore then I worked at a couple different health clubs teaching aerobics (it was the 80’s after all- leg warmers and all).

I worked at a bus company doing reception and office work.
(I got in trouble one day for abbreviating the word associate incorrectly.)

Then I worked at a Hallmark store in a mall until my son was born.
Since then I have not been paid for my work.

3. Favorite food:
Hands down, chips and salsa, I could live on them.
More of a salt person than a sweet, but have an undying love for milk chocolate.

4. Favorite drink:
Silly question.

5. Favorite TV shows:
Foxnews, anything- even the market reports and I'm very interested in politics, but I won't talk about it much here.
Although, let me add a disclaimer to this:
I have Foxnews on a lot, but I don’t SIT and watch it often. It is mostly background noise as I am working around the house or playing with Lauren.

The Apprentice- LOVE it! My affection is for “people watching” and insight into team dynamics- not for “The Donald”- but he’s funny too!

And Reba, I love reruns of her show. Oh that Van!

Yes, I’m a complex individual.

6. My middle name is Kay.

7. Siblings? One brother 2 years younger than I.

8. Perfume: J'adour
Lotion: Vanilla whatever

9. A pet peeve:
Radio jockeys that think I want to listen to them talk, play the music please!

10. I drive a gas-guzzling, 3 miles per gallon-diesel Excursion (the color’s not even green sorry!)

11. Favorite flower
Hydrangea

12. I met my husband at the car accident that killed his grandfather.

13. I talk back to my TV on a regular basis.
The TV never answers. But my kids tell me to stop.

14. I get horrible headaches if I eat/drink anything with artificial sweeteners.

15. My 17 year old son has Type 1 diabetes, he was diagnosed at 13 years of age when my husband happened to be in Israel. No fun! Spent almost a week in ICU with him and couldn’t talk to Mark until we were about to go home. Definitely one of the scariest times of my life. I remember calling my girl friend and trying to tell her as I was rushing him to the hospital and she just kept saying…"hunny I can’t understand you" as I bawled my eyes out.

16. I graduated from a Catholic High School.

17. I grew up in the city and we moved out to the country 9 years ago and I would never go back! I love to visit, but would not want to live there again.

18. I love Chicago though! Been there shopping several times and would love to go to New York City shopping!

19. Favorite restaurants:
A little hole in the wall Mexican place and a very fancy restaurant in Nashville that I can’t remember the name of!

20. Oh yeah, I sing too. I have done lots of weddings and led worship.

That’s all I can think of right now!
There you have it, me in a big nutshell.

Hope that satisfies enquiring minds, sorry I never did the meme's you sent me, hope this makes up for it and you still love me!

Edited to add: Susan reminded me...I was going to ask any of you to throw in your answers to these things too!!!!

Hugs,
Sue

Don’t forget to enter the January drawing!
Click HERE to enter the January drawing!

Let's also choose to forgive ourselves!

Who knows ME better than ME?
No one but God.
He sees all, He knows all.
The good, the bad and the ugly.

And yet, He loves us and offers us mercy and grace for every sin we’ve ever committed.

I have spent far too much time beating myself up over things in my past.
Mistakes that I’ve made, sins that I’ve committed.

Here is God’s response to our sin:
Jer 31:34
"For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."
NIV

Once we have repented and turned from that sin, we are forgiven.

Sometimes it can be easier for me to forgive others than myself because I hold myself in higher scrutiny. I can get so disappointed in myself that it continues the cycle of pain that the initial sin caused.

God wants us free to forgive others and ourselves.
If God chooses not to remember our sins any longer, why do we choose to keep bringing them back up?
We won’t necessarily forget what we’ve done, but we can use those memories as a springboard of thankfulness that we are not in that place any longer.
Thankful that the Lord has forgiven us and it is a new day!

Here is the same powerful verse we used in talking about forgiving others:
Heb 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
NIV

Throw off those weights of confessed and forgiven sin!
Don’t let them entangle you one more day.

Repentance and turning away from sin is what God asks of us, not penance.

We have a race to run this year ladies, let’s get this baggage off and run it!

Don’t forget to enter the January drawing!
Click HERE to enter the January drawing!

Blessings,
Sue

This Year, Let's Choose Forgiveness

Hello Ladies!
At the start of a new year, I like to look back and think about the past year and how I want this year to be different.
I always have new ideas and aspirations at the new year, but none of them will come about by chance. I have to be intentional about the decisions I make if I want anything to change or improve in my life.

For the rest of this article, jump over to CWO,
I'm at the internet cafe' today! Please come see me!!!!!

After you enter the contest from the previous post that is!!!

Happy New Year ~ January Giveaway!

Happy New Year!!

I love new beginnings.
I especially love that we serve a God who loves new beginnings too.
I need lots of do-overs!

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
NIV

If you are like me, you also need His mercy new every morning!

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
NIV

That fills my heart with hope!

Here’s something else new…
I will be giving away Praise and Coffee EVERY MONTH!!
Sign-up on the 1st and the drawing will be on the 10th of every month.

This month the praise will again be Mercy Me’s “All That is Within Me” CD.

The coffee will be Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla.


(Specify if you are a hot cocoa drinker and I will substitute that for you!)

I will also be giving away 10 of these 4x5 magnets.

Because this will be ongoing every month, I have a button you can (but not required to) grab if you want to add it to your blog sidebar.

Here are the guidelines again:
1. Post a comment to THIS post.
2. Make sure there is a link to your blog or email so that I can contact you if you win. 3. One entry per person please!
(You can win one time per year, so everyone starts new this month!)
4. Feel free to advertise on your blog if you like!
5. In your comment, include a short (or long) note about your hopes or dreams (or, if you prefer the word resolution) for 2008.

Blessings,

The contest is closed. Next one will start February 1st!