Shortly after we were married, my husband and I went to a marriage conference sponsored by Family Life Today. Although the overall experience was not positive for me (no fault of the sponsoring organization), there was a pair of sketches that made an impression on me.
The first sketch was of two foxholes, opposite each other. The wife was in one foxhole, pointing her weapon at the other foxhole. Her husband was in the other foxhole, pointing his weapon right back at hers.
The second sketch was of one foxhole, with both husband and wife working together as a team, pointing their weapons outward towards the world.
Rather than pointing weapons at our spouse and blaming him/her for situations, let us work together to create an emotionally safe place within the home and point our weapons outward towards the influences that work against a healthy, happy marriage.
TV~
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: [Ecclesiastes 4:9]
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
When We Can't See the Way
The Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their unbelief. Sometimes I feel like I'm wandering. Am I living in unbelief? Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)
TV~
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. [Ps. 119:105]
Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way
He will make a way, He will make a way
~Donald James Moen
TV~
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. [Ps. 119:105]
Sunday, September 8, 2013
An Effective Life
"The index of your life's overall effectiveness will be the amount of praying you do for other people." ~Dr. Robert A. Cook
This quote caught my attention today, and gave me renewed resolve to be faithful in prayer not only for loved ones, but for the not-so-lovable.
TV~
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray... [Luke 11:1]
This quote caught my attention today, and gave me renewed resolve to be faithful in prayer not only for loved ones, but for the not-so-lovable.
TV~
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray... [Luke 11:1]
Saturday, September 7, 2013
God Will Make A Way
How exciting it is when God opens doors to "make a way, where there seems to be no way!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4DgESWtCus
TV~
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
[Matthew 19:26]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4DgESWtCus
TV~
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
[Matthew 19:26]
Friday, September 6, 2013
A Closed Heart
"The worst prison of all is the one inside of a closed heart." This quote came from my kindergartener's phonics book!
A prayer: Lord, in areas where my heart is closed, I am unable to open it. I don't want to open it. It will have to be Your work in my heart. I don't even have the desire to ask you to do this work, but I do give you permission. Amen.
TV~
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people...
[Ephesians 1:18]
A prayer: Lord, in areas where my heart is closed, I am unable to open it. I don't want to open it. It will have to be Your work in my heart. I don't even have the desire to ask you to do this work, but I do give you permission. Amen.
TV~
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people...
[Ephesians 1:18]
Sophia Sez....
Please accept my apologies. I cannot locate the list of things that Susie said! Instead, it'll be the usual "Sophia Sez."
Once we hit about 40, it's tempting to look back at crucial decisions we made that have shaped where we are today. We think, "If I'd taken that path instead, I'd be in a better place today." Maybe, maybe not.
Moving forward, in each decision, every day, we can seek God, saying, "Show me thy ways, O Lord. Teach me thy paths Lead me forth in thy truth... What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose." (Psalm 25: 4, 12)
TV~
O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. [Psalm 25:20]
Once we hit about 40, it's tempting to look back at crucial decisions we made that have shaped where we are today. We think, "If I'd taken that path instead, I'd be in a better place today." Maybe, maybe not.
Moving forward, in each decision, every day, we can seek God, saying, "Show me thy ways, O Lord. Teach me thy paths Lead me forth in thy truth... What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose." (Psalm 25: 4, 12)
TV~
O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. [Psalm 25:20]
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Courage to Change
No problem lasts forever. No matter how permanently fixed in the center
of our lives it may seem, whatever we experience in this ever-changing
life is sure to pass. Even pain.
Difficult situations often bring out qualities in us that otherwise may not have risen to the surface., such as courage, faith, and our need for another.
All of our experiences can help us to grow. But we may need patience. Some wounds cannot be healed quickly. They must be given time.
In the meantime, we can appreciate the new capabilities we are developing, such as the capacity to mourn and the willingness to accept. Let us share our losses and triumphs with each other, for that is how we gather courage. (From: Courage to Change, Al-Anon - reading for March 17)
TV~
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [Matthew 5:4]
Difficult situations often bring out qualities in us that otherwise may not have risen to the surface., such as courage, faith, and our need for another.
All of our experiences can help us to grow. But we may need patience. Some wounds cannot be healed quickly. They must be given time.
In the meantime, we can appreciate the new capabilities we are developing, such as the capacity to mourn and the willingness to accept. Let us share our losses and triumphs with each other, for that is how we gather courage. (From: Courage to Change, Al-Anon - reading for March 17)
TV~
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [Matthew 5:4]
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