A particular set of verses stuck out to me when I was studying the first few chapters of Genesis.
This particular passage was just after the flood waters God had sent dried up from the Earth. I can only picture the sight of Noah and his family stumbling out of the ark in thankfulness and gratitude after thinking it was likely that they would live out the rest of their days in a boat full of stinking, filthy animals.
Animals that, God in His new covenant with mankind to Noah, He gave us mere humans domain over.
Not only did God give us authority over all the animals on Earth, He also told us to; “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.” -Genesis 1:28
He has given us all of these things since the dawn of time.
Now think of the burden you are carrying on your heart today.
What makes you think that God is unable to handle your problem when we already have authority through Him over all of creation? His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. - 2 Peter 1:3
It is hard. Believe me, I know. We want so much to be able to handle our problems for ourselves.
We want solutions now, not later.
Yet having everything now would require no act of faith on our part in a God that is ultimately BIGGER than we even have imagined.
But as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind-- God prepared this for those who love Him. - 1 Corinthians 2:9
Blessings,
Emily
It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments. Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday Three rules to this link up: 1. Must be a {Christian} faith post. 2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!) 3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.
It has been a rough past few days for my family (you can read more here). So instead of writing to you today, I wanted to share a video from a few years ago. Please excuse the poor quality. The topic of this video, warming up with God, is something I am deeply passionate about. I pray it encourages you.
Unexplainable suffering and loss happens in the world. Tragedy can strike both genuine Jesus followers and unbelievers alike. I have experienced and witnessed both God's miraculous intervention and protection in our lives as well as experienced Him allowing us to go through loss and suffering that for years left me looking for the good He promised to work all things together for. It's a conundrum, isn't it? This mysterious God we serve just won't let us pin Him down into predictability. Yet, we human beings tend to continually search for the reasons why God allows the innocent to suffer while at other times He blesses and protects those who certainly haven't earned or deserved it. If one of us could figure this all out, we'd have a best selling book for sure!
Two days ago our second born daughter was hit by a pickup truck while out jogging. While she did sustain some skull/brain injuries that aren't to be taken lightly, our girl is alive and recovering. Her husband and children, her dad and I, and her sisters are so thankful that she is. For others, their story hasn't ended this way. For others, they too had hundreds of prayers beseeching heaven on behalf of their loved one, but their loved one didn't come home from the hospital. All I do know is that it certainly has nothing to do with deservedness. Perhaps it has more to do with God's calendar and the divine appointment each of us has with death that only God knows. Perhaps it has to do with His plan and purposes and maybe He wasn't done with my daughter's yet. But there I go again, trying to figure out God's mysterious ways.
What I do know is that I have made a choice to trust God. Every day I commit myself, all that I am, all that I have, and all that I love to Him and to His care. I don't trust Him because I have Him and all of His ways figured out. I trust Him because I've come to know and trust His character. I've come to trust His love, His faithfulness, His goodness and His kindness. I have no neat all wrapped up in a bow ending to these thoughts today. What I do have is some shaken up emotions, but a heart full of gratitude and a continued determination to trust God, even when I don't understand Him.
"22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall."
Psalm 55:22 NLT
In my
devotional from yesterday I read Psalm 55:22 (NLT). The writer of
the devotional made mention that God promises to bear our burdens; He also
assures us that He will sustain us when we're sad, desperate, hurt, and so
on. The writer didn't stop there. It's this next statement that I
been pondered all day, into the night and still this morning!
"There is no circumstance, lack, or loss that I may endure
that is
greater
than God’s love and compassion for me."
What a
relief it is to know that the Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, the
Omnipotent Father promises to bear my burdens...that He will sustain me when I
am sad, hurt, distraught!!! What a
blessing it is to know that there is NOTHING...NO-THING...that will change the
way He loves me!!! Thank you, Lord, for
always being in my corner...even when I'm not in my own corner!!!
This is a huge comfort to me. Especially when things don't seem to be going my way. It reminds me that God will never leave me, nor will He forsake me. He will always be right where I am. And that's not just what He does for ME. No! He does it for you, too!! Are you going through something? Are you feeling lost? Are you feeling like no one is there for you? Take my word for it; God is with you!!! There isn't anything you go through of which He isn't completely aware! Trust Him! Just let go and let God!!
As I am studying the book of Job this month, I came across a verse in the second chapter that struck me in particular.
Think about it.
Do you learn the most when everything is on track with your life?
Or, do you learn more when you are struggling?
I know that even though I may not like some of the hardships I go through in this life. Yet, when I look back, those times are the times God has taught me the most about himself.
Next time you are facing a hardship in your life, I would encourage you to lift up your head. Praise Him in the storm for that lesson that He has in store for you!
Blessings,
Emily
It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments. Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday Three rules to this link up: 1. Must be a {Christian} faith post. 2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!) 3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.
In Exodus chapter 17 we see the story of the Israelites in battle with the Amalekites. While they battled, Moses stood at the top of the hill. Verse 11 tells us that when Moses raised his hands up, the Israelites were winning. But when his arms grew weary and he put them down, they began losing the battle. Thankfully, Moses had a tribe. Friends that stood by his side and held his arms up when he grew tired. Aaron and Hur held Moses arms up to let him rest so that the Israelites would continue to win the battle.
Do you ever grow tired? Feel alone? Feel like you need someone to come along side you and hold you up? My friend, it is time to find your tribe.
Find someone who will be there to call on when you are struggling. Someone you trust to lift you in prayer. Someone you trust to keep things between the two of you. And someone you can trust to speak truth and life into you, even when it hurts.
We know that we should always go to God first. He wants us to call on Him in times of trouble. But we can also know, from His Word, that He wants us to call on others too. God didn't create us to do this life alone.
Iron sharpens iron,
and one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts.
For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls
without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep
warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers
one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
So how do we find our tribe and what should we expect?
Pray.
Begin to pray and ask God to help you find a woman, or a few women, who can be your tribe. God wants this, therefore He will honor your prayer and lead you to someone. Be open, who God has for you may not be who you thought. Listen to His leading and be open.
Look around for a woman.
Are you in a women's Bible study? This is a great place to get a tribe! My Bible study group at church is incredible! These women are definitely part of my tribe. You can also talk to your Pastor's wife, she may have a few women you could approach.
Be honest.
Transparency is important. Your tribe will not know how to pray for you and how to help you if you are not completely open and honest, even when it may be embarrassing or hard.
Don't get offended.
A good tribe will not only pray for you and be available to you, but will also speak truth into your life. They may say things like, "Have you talked to God about this yet?" or "Are you in the Word?" or "Why haven't you been in church?" They don't say these things to hurt or offend you, but to help you and encourage you.
We don't need to walk through this life alone. We need our tribe to hold us up. If you have a tribe, praise God for them and pray for them. If you don't have a tribe, I am praying for you today that God would lead you to finding your tribe.
For the past twenty four hours the news has been reporting non-stop about the U.S.A.'s current "government shutdown". Though in actuality there have been seventeen government shutdowns since the modern budgeting process began, you would think that it's the end of civilization as we know it. Obviously, it's a frustrating situation, is not beneficial to our nation, and will be harmful if it continues too long. But, it is also an example of the way fear seems to be running rampant.
Turn on the radio or television and every other commercial is for some product that you need in case of natural disaster, in case the banks fail or the stock market crashes, to protect your home from invaders, or something you need to keep you safe from all manner of potential physical ailments. Each commercial is banking on fear to motivate you to buy their product.
Clearly, there is wisdom in being prepared for the future and emergency situations. The reality, however, is that no one can prepare themselves or protect themselves from every worst case scenario. You could drive yourself crazy and bankrupt trying to do so. Eventually, we have to accept that we can only do our best and then we must simply trust God for the rest.
In order to not be tossed to and fro by evil tidings, bad news, and current events, Psalm 112:7 says that our heart needs to be "firmly fixed" in our confidence and trust in the Lord. In the Hebrew this word for firmly fixed or steadfast is "kun" which means like a house built upon unshakeable pillars, a strong support, stable, secure, prepared, ready. Isn't that powerful? Wouldn't it be awful if we were running around trying to be prepared to protect ourselves and our loved ones from every possible eventuality but forgot the truth that all this world's systems and all this world's things are fallible and temporary, but the only safe, immoveable, unshakeable, strong, stable, secure, steadfast place for us is smack-dab in the middle of God's steadfast love and faithful care? Don't put all of your hope in the Democrats or the Republicans to fix the budget or our sin marred nation. Don't place all of your trust in your retirement savings for your security. Don't fully rely on your home security system or that gun in your nightstand to protect you from harm. The best way to be prepared and ready to face evil tidings without fear is to first make sure your heart is firmly fixed in the Lord.
Woke up this morning with this song on my heart. There are so many people in this world who are hurting. They just need Jesus. Are you one of those hurting people? Read these lyrics, listen to the song. Worship the Lord God Almighty! Let Him take your burdens and give you rest.
O Come to the Altar
Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today there’s no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes a new life is born
Jesus is calling
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Oh what a savior
Isn't He wonderful?
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen
Bow down before Him
For He is Lord of all
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen
Oh what a savior
Isn't He wonderful?
Sing hallelujah, Christ is risen
Bow down before Him
For He is Lord of all
Sing Hallelujah, Christ is risen
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ
Bear your cross as you wait for the crown
Tell the world of the treasure you found
Songwriters: CHRISTOPHER
BROWN, WADE JOYE, STEVEN FURTICK, MACK BROCK
Happy Wednesday Friends - I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I will be stepping down from my position here at Woman to Woman Ministries, in order to devote more time to my health, and my own personal blog at Shari A. Miller - Living to Leave a Legacy. I would love for you to follow me a long as I begin sharing more of my journey of living with metastatic breast cancer. I want to thank you all for how supportive you have been. I will miss sharing with you here at Woman to Woman Ministries. From here on out, my daughter, Emily Miller, will be taking over Wednesdays posts. I know you will enjoy hearing from her. All for Him- Shari
By: Emily Miller
This week, I want to talk about my one word for 2018. Now, I am the type of person sets both goals and picks a "one word" for a new year. My one word for 2018 is discover.
This word was laid on my heart on New Year's Eve, by the Holy Spirit.
When it comes down to it, I want to discover, who God has truly intended me to be in 2018.
This year presents its own set of challenges. I have numerous health issues that I need to take care of before I can feel like I can take the next step in my life. Even while I have these health issues to manage, I feel as though it is going to be a sense of discovery as I dig down deep to find the strength from God that I'll need deal with these difficult matters.
I also want to discover the career path that God has in store for me as I apply for grad school, as well as devote myself to digging down deeper into my own personal writing and study of God's Word.
Lastly, I want to discover what it means to rely on God for 100% of my life. I'm sure some of you deal with overcoming anxiety and fully trusting the Lord like I do. This is why I believe God wants me to have discover as my word for 2018 most importantly because I need to discover what it means to believe that He is in complete and total control.
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
- 1 Chronicles 16:11
What about you? What is your one word or goal for 2018 that God has laid on your heart? Blessings, Emily
It is time for the Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments. Use hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday Three rules to this link up: 1. Must be a {Christian} faith post. 2. Link back to W2W somewhere in your post. (Feel free to use our button if you want!) 3. Visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.
In Matthew 14, we learn about when Jesus walked on water. His disciples were in the boat and strong winds came and they were in trouble. The boat was far out on the water, so Jesus went toward them. When the disciples saw Him, they were afraid and thought he was a ghost. Jesus said, “Don't be afraid, take courage, I am here!” Peter then called to Him and said “Lord, if it’s really You, tell me to come to You, walking on the water.” Jesus said “Yes, come." So Peter stepped out onto the water and started walking to Jesus. But when he saw the strong winds and waves, he became terrified and yelled for Jesus to save him. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.
Do you see where Peter kind of went wrong? He saw the storm and took his eyes off of Jesus! This reminds me of life sometimes. We are so full of faith, trusting God with everything. Focused solely on Jesus. Then a big storm comes (a.k.a. financial trouble, marriage problems, stress, failures, etc), and we take our eyes off of Jesus and start focusing on our problems! And then we begin to sink, just like Peter! Sometimes we try to fight our way out and fix our problems on our own, but we keep sinking deeper and deeper. And we just can’t figure out how we are going to get out of it. When issues arise, we take our eyes off Jesus! We focus more on our problems and worry about how WE are going to fix them, instead of calling out to Jesus for help. It’s a very simple concept, if you think about it. If we need help, we should ask for help. All we have to do is cry out to Jesus saying “save me Lord,” just as Peter did, and he will immediately reach out and grab us. He will save us from sinking further and further into our problems. We have to keep our eyes on Jesus, or we will keep sinking and we will flounder. We will keep staggering helplessly in life, not getting anywhere. Even in the good times, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, so that when bad times come, we stay the course and it will be that much easier to focus on Jesus rather than our problems! We must keep our eyes on Jesus in this race we call life!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Go to church on Sunday.
Worship God.
Raise your hands.
Give in offering.
Participate in a Bible study.
Read the required material.
Join in on the discussion.
Share your heart.
What about the rest of the week?
How are you living life? Do you live fully for God on Sunday but the rest of the week live how you want? Watch the shows you want, no matter how inappropriate they may be? Listen to the music you want, no matter how offensive the lyrics are? Stick your Bible on the shelf to remain until the next church day? Say words you wouldn't dare say in the walls of the church?
Are you living part time for God?
Now, think of these questions: Do you expect God to be there to answer your cry of distress? To heal you on command when you are sick? To stop bad things from happening?
Do you expect God to be full time?
That's the thing. God is full time. We know from the Word that He will never leave us (Heb. 13:5, Deut. 31:6) and we know that He doesn't sleep (Ps. 121:4). God is always there. He is always right next to you, always listening to you, always guiding you, and always fighting for you.
God cannot be faithless, even when we are faithless (2 Tim. 2:13). He is always faithful to us and when we are faithful to Him, He honors that. It is time to stop living part time and start living full time for Him. It is time to start being fully faithful to Him.
I was nine years old when Daddy left Mama and us kids for another woman. I remember staring into the darkness out of my bedroom window at night, tears running down my face, asking God to make my daddy come home. I was too young to theologically reason that God doesn't violate a person's free will. All I knew is that I wanted God to answer the cry of my hurting heart.
As I got older my prayers changed. I became old enough to surmise that perhaps it was best for my mama and us kids if Daddy didn't come home. We were doing well, involved in a good church, and growing in Christ. My prayers changed. I began to pray that my Daddy would get right with God. I assumed that when Daddy left us, he had also left Jesus. What I didn't realize was that Jesus hadn't let go of Daddy. I prayed for Daddy for years. I was pregnant with my second daughter when Daddy had to have a triple bypass. Evidently, that was an incentive to him to make sure things between him and Jesus were okay. My prayers were answered.
There are simple little prayers that I've prayed that God has answered almost immediately. There are other prayers about much more significant and life impacting things that I've prayed for years that I've yet to see Him answer. What I have learned through the years is the truth of this saying, "God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him" (Jim Elliot) There were times I couldn't see this-when we went through a "Job season" of loss after loss and trial after trial, when our oldest daughter struggled with infertility and loss for over a decade. But, in hindsight, I now see all of the beneficial things God brought to pass through our Job season. I also thank God daily for the two wonderful granddaughters that God eventually blessed our daughter with, and there is a maturity and strength of character beyond their years that He worked in our daughter and son-in-law in their long waiting years.
Jesus said, "What father among you, if his son asks fora loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks fora fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [giftsthat are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who askandcontinue to ask Him!" Luke 11:11-13 The way I see it, getting a stone when you ask for bread would be a cruel disappointment. Getting a scorpion would be getting something harmful when you expected something good. Jesus indicated that our Father God doesn't answer our cries with something disappointing or harmful to us. Psalm 34:10 promises that He will not let us lack any beneficial thing. When we pray we can trust God with our requests and desires. His answer will be what is best and what is beneficial for us. Even His timing will be what is best. We all would prefer what we want when we want it. But, we must remember and trust that our good, good Father really does know what is best.
There are times in life that come more often than not that require you to cowgirl up and deal with something.
For us highly sensitive people, this can be an issue.
The very nature of being a highly sensitive person may make it seem like that you can cry at a drop of a hat.
I am here to tell you today that crying is not the bad thing that some people in your life may make it out to be.
It is merely a part of how you, the highly sensitive person, cope with your surroundings.
Yet, there comes a point in time, and trust me to say that I am still learning this and hope to improve on this in 2018, that you have to pick yourself up and move on.
This is where the "cowgirling up" portion comes into play.
I spent too much of 2017 basically unpacking and living in whatever emotional turmoil that I was feeling in whatever circumstances I was facing that week.
That made for a pretty miserable summer of 2017 for a lot of people around me, not to mention myself.
You all have goals, dreams, plans, and "one words" that you are focusing on for 2018.
However, with all these things lined out, you are still going to experience hardships and setbacks through the year.
You absolutely cannot let these setbacks get you down!
Look ahead to all the plans you have for this year. Look ahead to all the things that you see God has ordained for you!
I will leave you with this scripture from Jeremiah that is undoubtedly well-known to you.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you, and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come to pray to me, and I will listen to you!
The Lord has been dealing with me on a couple of fronts lately. The Word of God tells us that Jesus came into this world to "seek and save those who are lost" (Luke 19:10) and that He "came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45) Have you ever read and heard a verse hundreds of times when suddenly you read and a light bulb pops on? I can almost see a physical light bulb over my head that miraculously pops on!!! See, I've read these 2 verses so many times. I've preached them just as many times as I've read them. But during the last 4 or 5 months God has been really bringing them to my heart in a newly illuminated way.
It's almost as if He's telling me that I need to go back to the beginning. I feel like He's telling me I've forgotten what it's all about! A couple of weeks ago, I told my congregation that God had revealed to me that we, as Christians, are SELFISH! At least, some Christians fall into that category...and sadly, I'm one of them. Next to the Lord, my husband and my family are the most important things in the world to me. Yes, I know, that's just like it should be. Well, I am almost obsessed with my family. I would rather be with them than almost any other place in this world. If I have the opportunity to be with them, I'm going to be with them. There is little in the world that would take me away from an opportunity to be with any one or all of them. We are a very close family (but there's always room for more closeness, right! Lol!) I won't miss an opportunity to be with them. That being said, I really feel like God is telling me that that's how I need to be with His children! Oh! Really! But God... I feel like His 'agape' love has somehow escaped me. If no one else but me needs to hear this, then so be it! We are to love others...even the unlovable...like He loves us. We need to have a heart for the lost like He does. It needs to break our heart to see the lost of this world. It needs to be a forethought, not an afterthought, to serve others. We need to love so much that we would be willing to lay our own life down for the lost...just like Jesus did! I truly believe that God has brought these 2 scriptures to my heart for a reason. I feel like He's telling me that I haven't been living up to my full potential as a child of God! Let me ask you something. Are you finding yourself in the same boat? Do you feel that you've been giving 100% of YOU to the work of the Kingdom? Do you believe that there's room for you to do more? If you do, then why not join me in going back to the beginning. Let's really begin to see others through the eyes of God. Let's really take some time to listen; because when we truly listen to the hearts cry of the lost, we'll have the compassion we're supposed to have. We'll want to share the Light with them. We'll want to serve others with the love of Jesus! Think about these things. Make up your own mind as to whether or not God is speaking to YOU like He is me. Have a wonderful day!
2018 is upon us, full of new adventures, new possibilities, and new beginnings. Whether you set New Year's Resolutions, goals, or choose a One Word, no matter what you call it, this is a great time to evaluate the previous year and see where you can grow.
There are two areas that we can all grow in. By choosing one, or both, of these areas to focus on for growth, you can never go wrong. One area is getting into the Word more, which we talked about last week. To read more, click here. The other area is our marriage. My One Word for 2017 was marriage. My marriage wasn't in trouble, I just wanted to grow more. I choose six areas of my marriage to focus on. Some I did really good with, others not so much. What I did learn is that it is an on going process. Even had I done incredible in all six areas, I would still have plenty of room for growth.
Today I want to share my six areas of growth with you. Whether marriage is a goal you want to focus on this year or not; whether your marriage is in rough waters or is sailing smoothly; these are areas we can all afford to focus on.
Pray harder over your marriage and for your husband
Are you a praying wife? Pray harder. Is prayer for your husband and marriage something you haven't really done? Start. Intentionally pray daily for your husband and your marriage. I don't mean prayers of "Help him to not be so selfish" or "Make my husband romantic" or "Show him that he needs to help with the kids and house more." No. I mean prayers that God would help him to have a sound mind, prayers for health, prayers over his relationships, prayers that He would desire to be a Godly man, those kind of prayers. I've said it a million times, but it bears repeating: you are the only one who can pray for your husband in this way and you are likely the only one praying over him. Your prayers are vital.
Date your husband more
Date your mate ladies! My grandparents had eight children. Their lives revolved around their children and their work. Once all of their children were grown and out of the house, my grandparents didn't know each other anymore. Their marriage was on the brink of ending. Your children will one day grow up and move out of your home. If you don't date your mate and spend real time with each other truly getting to know each other and grow in your relationship, you will look across at each other and see a stranger. Not sure how often to date? Do what works for you. If you can date weekly, do it! If monthly works better for you, do it! Every six weeks, do it! Whatever it is, just date. A date doesn't have to be a bank-breaking event. Find things to do that are inexpensive or even free. My husband and I love doing things like driving around to garage sales, picking up our favorite restaurant and taking it home to eat while we watch a movie together, or get ice cream and go for a drive around the lake. Whatever it is, just do it.
Intentionally think of him throughout the day and let him know you were thinking of him
Daily activities keep us so busy. We need to intentionally think of our husband throughout the day. When you are at the grocery store, pick up his favorite candy bar. When you wash his clothes, go back to the prayer and pray over him. When you walk past your wedding photo hanging in your hallway, pause and think of the day, then text him and let him know you are thinking of him and you love him. Those little moments of thinking of him throughout the day bring a sweet romance to your heart, which helps later on in the bedroom.
Read marriage books by trusted pastors and authors
There are so many great books out there on marriage. There are also so many books out there that do not hold good, Godly advice. Seek out books to read by pastors and authors you trust. Don't have the time to stop and read? Totally okay! Audio books and podcasts are great! You can listen while you go about your day. I love listening to podcasts while in the car or cleaning the house. Not sure where to get books by trusted pastors and authors? Lifeway has a wonderful collection by people you can trust. Just a few of my favorites are: Power of a Praying Wife, Love Dare, Kingdom Marriage, Uncommon Marriage, and The Marriage You've Always Wanted.
Become your husband's biggest cheerleader
The world isn't always nice. Your husband likely deals with negativity at work. Maybe a boss who isn't always kind or co-workers who don't treat each other nice. Maybe you have neighbors who aren't always friendly. Or maybe he has family members who don't treat him right. There are so many chances for negativity to enter your husband's heart and mind throughout the day. This is where you can help. Become his cheerleader. When the world throws him negativity, you praise and encourage him. Tell him that you are proud of him and that you appreciate him. Point out his good qualities and hard work.
Be kinder to your husband
It's easy to take our frustrations out on our husband. When we are upset with something not going right or the kids not listening, it's easy to spew that anger on our husband. He's there. He's an easy target. Let's strive to be kinder. To use kind words and to not take out frustration on him.
What are other ways you can grow in your marriage this year? Share in the comments.
**********
Forever My Girl is a new movie coming out January 19th telling the story of country music super-star Liam Page who left his bride, Josie, at the altar choosing fame and fortune instead. However, Liam never got over Josie, his one true love, nor did he ever forget his Southern roots in the small community where he was born and raised. Liam unexpectedly returns to his hometown for the funeral of his high school best friend, he suddenly faced with the consequences of all that he left behind. Liam and Josie face hardship and learn about forgiveness. But will they find their way back to each other?
Check out the trailer:
Forever My Girlwould make a great date night movie! And what better way to start 2018 out than with a date! So, grab your husband and head out on January 19th to see Forever My Girl. While you're out, snap a picture and post on social media using hashtag #forevermygirl and tag Woman to Woman. We'd love to see your date night pictures!
The turn of a new year can be a mixed bag of emotions. It can bring hopeful expectation of new beginnings with empty calendar pages, pristine planners and clean white journal pages waiting to be filled with new resolutions, plans and goals. The changing of the year can be accompanied by anticipation of the future - plans for travel and vacation, an upcoming wedding, the expected arrival of a new baby, or the anticipation of a hard earned graduation or retirement. But, the arrival of a new year can also be the reminder of the unfulfilled hopes and dreams of the previous year, of failure, of aging and the relentless speed of life zooming by. In other words, to some the new year reminds us that the passing of time means we are day by day growing older and will one day pass away. It can cause us to evaluate our life's accomplishments and to question if we've lived our life well. Yes, the passing of an old year and the arrival of a new year can definitely be a mixed bag of expectation and introspection. So, how do face the new year with more hope and less discouragement?
First of all, I think there is some wisdom in the serenity prayer. "God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."
We cannot change our yesterdays. The old year with all of its highs and lows, successes and failures, triumphs and tragedies, is gone. Courage accepts the challenge to not remain a victim of yesterday and the things we cannot change, but to do something about the things we can. We cannot change the past. We cannot rewrite the ways we might not have lived up to our own expectations. But, we can change our today. May I suggest that, perhaps, we set ourselves up for failure by looking at the whole package of a 365 day year. It's much easier to make significant changes when we take it in little bites of one day at a time. I remember when I was a young wife and mama, with a husband who was still in college and also working full time on the swing shift and working in youth ministry on the weekends, crying out to God to help me be the wife and mama I should be for that day. The next morning I prayed the same prayer. One day at a time God gave me the wisdom, strength, love and grace to do what I saw as an overwhelming and daunting job. What is something you regret not accomplishing last year or something that weighed you down last year that you don't want to drag into 2018? What courageous change can you make, one day at a time, to work on your goal or to let go of whatever hindered you in the past? Ask God for His help!
We cannot change the simple fact that we are aging and that as we age we go through some inevitable physical changes. We can, however, courageously choose to be the best us we can be for the age we are. We cannot reverse time or its affects, but we can take care of ourselves physically, spiritually, and emotionally, so that we don't age prematurely. "Courage to change the things I can" could be translated, "it takes some grit and some guts and some gumption to be the best you you can be no matter your age!"
Our inner being can be renewed and get stronger and stronger with age. God's intention and will for us is that our innermost being gets stronger and more and more like Him day by day. But God also gave us a free will. We can resist God's purposes and processes within or cooperate with Him as He does His transforming and renewing work in us.
I want more than a happy new year-I want a happy renewing year. I want to let go of yesterday's disappointments and to courageously change the things I can in 2018. I want to yield joyfully to God's transforming and renewing work within me. I want you to have a happy renewing year, too!
Needless to say, 2018 did not get off to a great start for me.
First, my horse passed away on New Years Day. He lived a long, good life. Yet, it is still a bitter pill to swallow after you came into the new year intending for it to be a good year after having somewhat of a rocky 2017.
Then, the neverending saga of having a mom struggling with stage four breast cancer just continues to write itself.
This combination has shall we say, kinda distracted me from the goals I had set for the year this week.
Yup.
Not a great 2018 so far.
If your 2018 happened to start out just like mine did, I want to remind you today of a couple things.
First, His mercies are new each and every single morning!
Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!
Lamentations 3:22-23
Second, He is faithful. We all will have our rough patches this year. Despite all the ups and down you may face, He promises to never leave you, nor forsake you!
The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Remember these truths as you head into your second week of 2018!
January 5th remains a very special date to me. Way
back in 1979, I was a mere child of 5 years of age when I trusted in Christ as
my Savior.When I share my testimony
with others, I find that I don’t have a very long tale to tell. There is no
history of sinfulness and shame to be rescued from, only a child’s
understanding that she had on many occasions disobeyed her mommy and daddy and
therefore had sinned against God.She
knew after listening to her daddy preach about the “wages of sin being death”
and that ultimately without Jesus that death meant Hell.I have very clear memories of that day and my
desire to ask Jesus into my heart and to save me from my sinfulness.
As I am reminded of this day “in history” so to speak, I
thought that perhaps we as mommies, aunties, daycare providers and teachers and
even Sunday School teachers might need a reminder that even the littlest ones
are watching and listening as we live our lives and teach them truth.
May we always be sharing the salvation message with our
children and other young ones around us.The good news can be understood by even the youngest and when we are
faithful to proclaim God’s goodness, He has promised that his Word does not
return void. Let us be sure to give them God's Words faithfully and diligently and even more importantly consistently. Be encouraged that though this labor may feel in vain when they scamper off to play that one day that seed that you have been faithful to sow will produce it's fruit in them!
Isaiah 55:11 So will My word be which goes forth from My
mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And
without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
