Is Satan Setting a Trap for You?

Reposted from April 2007.

Isn’t it cute? Don’t you just want to pick it up and snuggle it?

This lion cub is a metaphor for what sin can represent to us. It starts out seeming so sweet and cuddly and safe, but when it grows up- and it will- it can destroy us.

I have sat with a few different women who were involved in an adulterous affair or on the threshold of one. They would tell me how wonderful this relationship is, that it makes them feel so good and how could anything that feels so good be wrong?

Ladies, any time we are entertaining the thoughts of another man and how much we enjoy spending time with him and look for ways to connect with him- it is dangerous!We have to recognize that satan doesn’t come in like an attacking lion- he comes in like a sweet, wonderful, playful little lion cub. He says to us, “What harm could it do?”

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. NIV

There’s nothing sweet about sin. It is bitter all the way to the grave.

Unforgiveness and gossip are just as dangerous. Our words can seem so harmless, but they can lead to bitterness which can harden our hearts and render us lifeless and devoid of the fruit of the Spirit; peace, love, joy…

Acts 8:23
For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." NIV



1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. NIV

Ladies, I woke up at 4 AM and this was stirring in my heart. I knew I was to share it with you. I pray that these images will stick with you and remind you of the fact that when the enemy is tempting you with sin that seems so sweet- it’s ultimate goal is to “grow up” and destroy your life.

Thankfully, we have a Savior that died to set us free- then He raised up from the grave and gave us victory over the sin that satan wants to hold us captive with!

Gal 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. NIV

Father, I pray that you would open our eyes to the traps that satan sets for us. Like Jesus Himself prayed, “keep us from temptation” and help us to walk in the freedom purchased for us at the cross. Lord, we desire to do Your will, give us wisdom and discernment in all situations. We love you Lord. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Praise and Coffee Night Plainwell, MI June 2010

We had a great night!
Thanks Lorilee Craker for coming out and sharing the story of writing the book "Through the Storm" with Lynne Spears.

What an amazing story! I was so surprised at the depth of faith that Lynne Spears has had and developed through everything that has happened in her family.

If you haven't read it yet, pick it up!

You can order it directly through this link:

Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World By Lynne Spears with Lorilee Craker / Thomas Nelson Lynne was just an ordinary Southern mom when the overnight success of her daughter Britney shoved the Spears family into the blinding limelight glare. Through the Storm takes readers beyond the reach of the paparazzi and outside the narrow orbit of the Hollywood glitterati to share the inside story of the Spears family-as only a mother can tell it. In this openhearted memoir, Lynne speaks about Britney, Jamie Lynn, Bryan, ex-husband Jamie, herself, and their lives together from Louisiana to Los Angeles, including: Lynne's backseat role in Britney's path to fame and how it forever changed their family Her regret in abdicating parental authority to managers, agents, and record companies The challenges that shaped Lynne and Jamie's marriage and how that affected Bryan, Britney, and Jamie Lynn Her response to Jamie Lynn's pregnancy The startling events that led to Britney's meltdown and Lynne's showdown with manager Sam Lufti How faith, family, and friendships have been her harbor in the storm of paparazzi, tabloid scribblers, and gossip hound s Sincere, self-effacing, sometimes spunky, Lynne's memoir reveals the heart of a mother who has struggled through difficult times and how she has held onto her faith and her sense of humor as she tries to hold onto her family.

Author Lorilee Craker

Here are a few pics of the evening...

Next Praise and Coffee Night in Plainwell, MI will be August 5th with guest speaker Kristine McGuire author of "Escaping the Cauldron"

She'll share with us her journey out of witchcraft and ghost hunting.

Praise and Coffee Nights meet across the country, check out our website to find one, or start one in your community!

Don't Run Away From Your Marriage

Words to think about in this "throw away" society that we live in.

"We only regard those unions as real examples of love and real marriages in which a fixed and unalterable decision has been taken.

If men or women contemplate an escape, they do not collect all their powers for the task.

In none of the serious and important tasks of life do we arrange such a "getaway."


We cannot love and be limited."

Quote by Alfred Adler

Marriage takes commitment.

Much More Than An Annoying Stranger...

It's been a while because Denise has been busy with her new gig as the Morning Mom on FOX 17, but here is another great article- you're going to love this one!

And I also want to add that Denise is one of the most wonderful and thoughtful friends ever! She has been a HUGE blessing to me this week!

I called and woke the poor woman up to ask if she can take Lauren while I run to the hospital again with my mom- and of course, she took care of everything.

THEN she sends her home with AMAZING brownies and cookies! It's hard to find such good friends!

Click on her button here and check out her very fun blog, you will love it!



You Are Much More Than An Annoying Stranger...

“Luke 18:1 Jesus told them a story showing them that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit.”

I have had this verse taped above my kitchen sink for years – so long I have forgotten it. But my son lived it out in front of me and I learned a lesson about God from him…again.

S2 (son 2 of 4) has become his Daddy’s shadow recently. When he gets home from work, S2 is right at his side, following him around, doing his best to think ahead of his Daddy so he can do such things for him as open the door, grab his coffee, rub his back, carry his lunch pail, etc.

If my husband sits, S2 sits near him or on his lap. When it comes time for bed for S2 and his Daddy isn’t home from work yet, he cries for him. If Daddy has to be away somewhere he laments how much he misses him.

But here is the real amazing thing. This eight year old boy can be sound asleep, hear his Daddy start his car as early as 4:30 in the morning and instantly wake up and run down the steps. Usually he is crying, afraid he missed a chance to tell his Daddy goodbye before he leaves for work.

We have gotten so used to it, my husband and I, that when he goes to leave in the morning my husband will intentionally start the car and then head back into the house to finish pouring his coffee…and get his kiss and hug from S2.

We were laughing about this recently when we had a spare moment in the afternoon when S2 wasn’t being his shadow. “Think he loves you?” I teased.

Husband nodded seriously. “Makes me think about God.”

Yup, our kids taught us yet ANOTHER lesson about God.

S2 was so in tune to his Daddy. My husband wondered what would happen if we were that in tune with God. If we pulled a Samuel and heard when God whispered our name, how much more would we get out of our life that was lived in tune to God’s plan for us?

It’s not that S2 was my husband’s favorite. He worried the other boys would feel that he was. It’s just that S2 was ALWAYS there so when there was a trip to be taken, say to get gas for the tractor, S2 was the one to go along. And when S2 came home to ask if he could attend basketball camp, it was easy to say yes.

In Luke 18, the widow received her request just so the judge could be left alone.

How much more we bestow upon our children whom we love? Much more than just an annoying stranger like the story in the Bible. And as much a we love our boys, God loves us more than that. I cannot wrap my head around love like that. And it makes me want to run to my Father God, be in tune to His voice, just like my son showed me.

Who Beat Up Your Husband Today?

I was thinking about this story…

Luke 10:29-37 "Story of the Good Samaritan"

30 Jesus replied with an illustration: "A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

31 "By chance a Jewish priest came along; but when he saw the man
lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.

32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

33 "Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity.

34 Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.

35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told
him to take care of the man. 'If his bill runs higher than that,' he said, 'I'll pay the difference the next time I am here.'

36 "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked.

37 The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy."

Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same." NLT

We always think of this in regards to our neighbor… or as someone who lives OUTside of our home. But humor me and consider that this Jewish man could represent our husband.

We know that the Jewish people and the Samaritans were enemies, but unfortunately some of our homes can feel like war zones too.

The Jewish man was beat up, stripped of all he had and left for dead.

I would venture to say that some of our husbands are feeling just that way after being out in this world today. With the job situations, the economy and so many other variables…many men are feeling “beat up” by their world.

I believe the enemy of our souls is hell-bent at destroying homes. He doesn’t care what weapon he uses, he just wants to demolish the family (period).

Our husbands are on the front line.

I encourage you as a wife to take the time to tend to your husband’s needs.

Be the Good Samaritan right in your own home.

Sooth the wounds.

Show mercy.

Help bring healing.

Strengthen your family.

Our husband is our neighbor too.

June Praise and Coffee Giveaway- this one's BIG!!!!!!

("Two shall become One ~ Tuesdays" will return next week-checkout our archives if you're looking for something to read on marriage today)

The praise this month is:

WOW Worship!

You're going to love this, it's packed full of awesome songs!

You'll also receive some of our Praise and Coffee coffee!

Also! Becky Schultea wants to share her beautiful cards with you!!

You will receive a darling set of homemade cards! Check out her website for her beautiful cards available for purchase. Thank you Becky for sharing your gift with us!

Here is the set you will receive for the June giveaway:

AND!!! I told you it was BIG!!!

I was a complete cotton-headed ninnymuggins and missed the May giveway (as told in this post) so I am doing ANOTHER giveaway for June!

Yes, for those of you counting, that's 2 drawings!

In the second drawing you will receive one of our fabulous mugs- you can choose, ceramic or travel (see pics on the sidebar).

AND another set of Becky Shultea cards!!
This will be the design for that giveaway:

To enter the drawing, it's simple:
1. Leave a comment on THIS post.

2. Make sure I have a way to contact you if you win or check back on June 10th.

3. If you have any of my blog buttons on your blog, let me know in your comment and you will be entered twice.

4. AND...for those of you willing (not required), I would love to hear in one word, what "season" God has you in right now. Feel free to add more than one word- I LOVE hearing what God is doing in your life!!!

Mine would be: REST ~ I am in such a wonderful season of resting in Him right now...and truly loving it!

Feel free to tell your friends on Facebook and Twitter about the giveaway and thank you if you do!!

EDITED TO ADD:
Winners: Beth Vogt and Jill Vernia!!!