“‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” […] Read more »
A New Command…Love One Another AS I HAVE LOVED YOU
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). Seems easy enough, right? Yet, how we give and receive love may be spoken through different languages, and […] Read more »
Groundhog Day… New Day… Same Same
While many of us are familiar with the Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day, what is comical on screen is not so funny when we are living it. The day-after-day cycle of the same old feelings brought about in a disconnected relationship are the antithesis of hilarity, in fact, that same-old-pattern even robs us of joy […] Read more »
“S.T.O.P. in the Name of Love”
“Stop! In the name of love. Before you break my heart. Think it over.” Lyrics from the 1965 song by The Supremes can give a couple who are escalating into disconnection a “way out.” The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God […] Read more »
All In
Happy Valentines
Lovers Give. They give their best. They sacrificially set aside personal agendas to honor needs and requests of others. Lovers are selfless and are energized by their ability to extend a kindness or a blessing. Lovers currency is not money; it is a gentle smile, a warmed heart, a peaceful knowing their message is received: […] Read more »
Celebrating Events When A Loved One is Gone
Today is the first birthday (19th) of a daughter taken way too early, and yet, in God’s perfect timing. So, how are we celebrating? Honestly, with mixed emotions. The same way we celebrated Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Every “holiday” is an understood more challenging day. My spiritual side is ecstatic as I picture her first birthday […] Read more »
Hardened Heart
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:46). How do you apply the intent of others words in your life? Do you receive them with appreciation, or do you add a filter of judgment or ill will? Does a simple gesture of your partner feel like a stab at your vulnerability? […] Read more »
One Word
If you could capture your innermost desire this year by offering one word to your future mate, what word would you choose? One word to offer as a gift, a vow, at the altar to your spouse and lay at the feet of God. One word to hold in your heart when life gets challenging. […] Read more »
Preparation
“Preparation, I have often said, is rightly two-thirds of any venture.” Amelia Earhart It was Amelia’s preparation that allowed her to achieve so much of her success. “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.” Winston Churchill Marriage can “rightly” be related to a great venture and even at times a great war. It […] Read more »