Category: Uncategorized

Marriage · Uncategorized

#Monday Marriage Matters Recap

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I have so enjoyed the #MondayMarriageMatters posts on Instagram.  For me, it has helped to foster the intentional thought, “What have I done this week to show that my marriage matters?”  Sometimes it gives me motivation to get after doing something – not for the sake of a post, but so that I can add the special touch that every marriage needs.  After 35 years of marriage, I have learned that it’s all the little, everyday things that make a huge difference!

Here’s my recap of my week of #Mondaymarriagematters for the month of May:

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While on vacation at the beach this week, my husband took the love note to a whole new level – he slipped out of our oceanfront room we were staying in, went down to the beach and wrote in HUGE letters, “I love Denise ❤” Then he came back up to the room with a sheepish expression. I looked out and saw it and I melted at his romantic expression. He didn’t have to do that, I mean we’re alone on vacation and we had said those words many times, but when marriage matters, you look for opportunities to take the simple and make it outrageous! I’ll never forget his gesture and expression of love! #mondaymarriagematters


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We got home from our lovely vacation and hit the ground running. We haven’t stopped or really had time to catch up with one another…until today! Monday is “our day.” We don’t feel guilty for spending this day together, whether anything else gets accomplished or not. I am always grateful that no matter how busy the rest of the week is, I can look forward to the one day we’ve set aside for us!

 

imageMarriage is not about getting my way, but knowing how to serve my husband in a way that honors him. I was taught that the proper way to set the table was to put the drink on the right and the salad on the left, but my husband is strongly right-hand dominant and wants his salad on the right. For years I used to put it on the left and watch him move it every. Single. Time. Finally the Lord brought to my attention that the best thing to do was set it the way he wanted it and let it go! Marriage matters more than me getting my way.#mondaymarriagematters#whatdifferencedoesitmake#loveseeksnotherown

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One of the best things I can do for my marriage is to bring it before God’s Throne. This year I have really zeroed in on praying verses for my husband. This book is full of nothing but Scriptures that I can pray for Dale. I’m watching God answer those requests; what a blessing! My marriage matters to God!
#marriagemattersmonday

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I’m so thankful for a husband who will read scripture and pray with me. I never want to take it for granted. Saying thank you is a way to acknowledge it and let him know how much I appreciate it. #mondaymarriagematters

See what LITTLE gestures they all are?  But they make a huge impact in daily marriage.  I trust you’re pouring into your marriage each day – not just on the “biggie days” (anniversaries, birthdays, and Valentine’s Day).  The seeds you plant now will grow tall in the long run!

What was the last little gesture you did to show that your marriage matters?  

Check out Whitney’s recap that she posted yesterday!

Keep your marriage refreshed!

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Christian growth · Uncategorized

Give It Away

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To a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ a Bible is a really precious Book, and your own personal Bible becomes a treasure as you read, study, underline, mark, highlight and make notes.  You know just where your favorite verses are.  You even know which side of the page it’s on! The worn, jagged pages welcome you, like an old friend, each time you sit down and open  its cover.

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In 2015 my husband presented me with a new Bible for Valentine’s Day.  How sweet!  I knew I needed it.  My current Bible was literally falling apart, but I had put off getting a new one because I hated the thought of parting with what had become my dearest earthly possession.  Now, here laid its replacement, all stiff and unmarked with pages sticking together like staticky socks on knit pants.

Reluctant, but appreciative, I began using the new copy of God’s Word.  It wasn’t long until I realized that I had become dependent on my old Bible.  Because I was so familiar with it, I didn’t need to really know chapter and verse.  I could locate it because of its highlighted color or placement on the page.  I had become a bit of a lazy studier.  Now with a new Bible, I was forced to search and dig – which of course was a really good thing!

It was then that I realized that I must not get into the lazy habit again.  Now instead of holding onto my Bible until it was falling apart, I decided to use it for a couple of years, and then give it away.  I would offer it to my daughters, or a young believer.  Perhaps they could learn from my notes and be encouraged with a relatively new copy of the Scriptures.

At a ladies’ retreat this spring, I encouraged the ladies to share their Bibles with others.  Were you at the retreat?  Did you feel the Lord encouraging you to give your copy of God’s Word to someone?  Have you obeyed?

Yesterday I took my own counsel and gave away my Bible Valentine’s present to my older daughter.  It’s only a year and half old, but it’s time to mark up another one.  Time to dig again – so that I might grow spiritually.

Don’t hoard God’s Word or become lazy as you read it.  Share your copy of God’s Word with someone else so you can be a blessing to them, and also challenge yourself in your study of this Treasure!

To whom have you given your Bible?  Have you been a recipient of one?  What did it mean to you?

Lovingly,

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Uncategorized

Refreshment for Pastor’s Wives

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Fairhaven Ministries web page will have a place to email about information.  The people are helpful and so loving.  If you call or write they will answer and help you with any information you need to know!

Women from many states attended the last retreat I was at.  They came from Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio and many other states.  Please join us and be refreshed!

The theme this year is

Come apart and Rest – The session will come from the word Rest and include:

R – Refreshment for my spiritual life

E – Encouragement for God’s Servants

S – Secrets for Ministry Marriages

T – Truth for my hurts

If I can answer any questions, feel free to leave a comment here!

Stay refreshed,

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Uncategorized · worry

Stop Focusing On the Lizards

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I hate snakes.  I hate them so much that I hate anything that looks like a snake, acts like a snake or moves like one – that would include worms!  I hate anything that is related to a snake – any reptile, like lizards.  Guess what beaches and warm weather attract?  You guessed it – lizards – the snakes even uglier cousin!

Last week while at the pool area on the first day, my chair was right next to the edge of the concrete.  On the other side of the concrete/fenced area were tall grasses and sand and…lizards!  I saw them zooming here and there, always in a hurry.  (I’m sure they were scurrying to scare other vacationers!)  I was okay with them being on that side of the fence, but when I saw one come under the fence and run over to the rocks in front of me, I thought I would die!!!  Those rocks were where I had to set my feet to get out of my chair!  Ahhhh!  My skin was crawling and I was squirming, filled with fear. I failed to mention that I was also squealing, but if you know me at all, you would have assumed that!

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In the meantime, my husband is happy as a clam in his chair.  He was watching the parisailers flying above the ocean, commenting about the beauty of the day.

Parisailers?  Where?  

What beauty?  

ALL I SEE ARE LIZARDS!!!

It was then that I realized I had to get a handle on this.  Here I was looking into the grasses waiting for a lizard (who, I’m assuming, would be more afraid of me…and he should be!)!  I decided then and there that I was going to stop looking for the lizards and keep my eyes upward.  I could slip my sandals on and avoid stepping on a lizard, should he be dumb enough to sun himself on a rock near me!

Guess what?  I never saw another one all week!  I know it’s not because they all left the beach, but my focus was turned from them.

Isn’t it so easy to get our focus on our worries and forget to look up and trust our heavenly Father?  We miss all He is doing.  We miss out on the beauty He was created around us.  We miss out on telling our family about God’s goodness – all because we’re focused on our “lizards.”  It’s what we talk about, dream about and look at.

What “lizards” do you have in your life?  Are you worried about a person?  A situation?  A need?  A health issue?  It’s important and even urgent that you stop worrying and start putting your eyes on the Lord.  Why?  Because

Focusing on Christ instead of the anxiety at hand
has the capability to change
your situation, your attitude and your influence!

  • Your situation – God is omnipotent.  You cannot change the situation, but He is able to do so!  Have faith and trust Him to do what only He can do!
  • Your attitude – When you focus on Christ, He replaces your paralysis with peace, your jitters with joy and your moaning with mirth!
  • Your influence –  People enjoy being with someone who trusts instead of tremors!  Who wants to be with someone who’s always screaming about their “lizards?!”  What worrier do you long to be with so they can go on and on about their woes?  I’m sure my husband was glad when I let the lizards go and started enjoying the fun he was having. We will only have a powerful influence in others’ lives if we are triumphing over worry!

God is bigger than our “lizards,” so enjoy your day!

Lovingly,

 

 

Uncategorized

Some Favorite Vacation Photos

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I took LOTS of pictures during our recent vacation.  But I thought I share a small snippet with you today – some of my favorite shots and remembrances from our days at the beach. From top row to the right I’ll give a brief description.

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  1. Sitting at the lazy river area with an iced coffee we make in our room, my Bible, and notebook was a daily routine.  This was refreshment in many forms!
  2. The path down to the beach is beautiful to me.  The sea oats, grasses and sands are a garden of their own beauty.  With a backdrop of he ocean it’s like the curtain on a platform!
  3. Every morning except one we got up to see the sunrise and walk the beach.  Our girls think we’re crazy for not sleeping in on vacation, but we just can’t resist getting up to see the glory of the sunrise that God paints every day!
  4. We tried a new restaurant near the place where we stay.  They have rooftop seating that offers views of the ocean.  We tried their crab dip upon the recommendation of our waitress.  We were not disappointed!!
  5. Another spectacular sunrise!
  6. We had two rainstorms that came late in the afternoon, then cleared off, allowing us the opportunity to walk the beach afterwards.  This was the sunset after the storm.  What a sweet reminder of what God does for us after a trial!
  7. This is probably my favorite sunrise picture.  The whole sky was ablaze with color.
  8. This house is in an area of adorable homes.  They’re close together, but their colors make me think of Charleston’s downtown.
  9. We rarely ever eat breakfast out, and if we do, it’s NEVER on a Sunday.  However, last week, we got up at 6, walked/ran the beach, then shortly thereafter we headed to get breakfast before we got ready to go to church.  What a fun treat!

I have so many special memoies of this vacation.  How blessed we were to have this time together to strengthen our relationship with one another and the Lord, and to rest up so we’ll be ready for summer ministry that awaits.  We all need rest!  I hope you’ll have some time this summer to get away!

What is your favorit place for vacation?  The beach, mountains, historic sites?  I’d love to hear!

With love