Study and learn. Be changed. Ephesians 2 Made Alive in Christ 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not
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Flaming the fire of our Marriage...
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We have been married for over more than half of my life. Soon, we will celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary. I know him so well... I know when he is angry even though he says nothing and tries to hide it. I know when he is concerned about something ..without any verbal confirmation. I can see when he has real joy..and when he is just going along for me. Since he is the quiet, logical type.. and I am the loud, creative type, disagreements and not always enjoying what the other person enjoys ..just goes with the territory. However, Russell and I are genuinely crazy about each other. Anyone who knows us would say the same. How after all of this time is this true? We have stresses just like any one else. There is a budget that we must abide by. There are things we long for but don't have. There are things we have..and don't want (like a child with medical issues and various family members with serious hurts that effect us). We have to work, have to clean the continuously messy house. We don't get to go out very often..just the two of us. We have daily times we have to compromise with each other so it is rare that we both get our way. So, with the stresses, with the hurt feelings, with the "I don't get my way" times..how do we still not only like each other, but actually LOVE each other? Lots of Grace! God have been so good to us. I am thankful that He has given us a heart bent towards giving grace to each other. After 22 years, we know that each of us needs grace from the other. There has been times I have hurt him and times he has hurt me. That builds in humility. Humilty in a marriage goes a long way.
Another thing that helps us... going back to 1986 .when I first met him... Thinking about those first dates. Thinking about getting to know him. Listening to songs from our dating years. .. Thinking about a mulitude of sweet memories... one being when he asked me to marry him. He took me and his mom to go see CATS at the Fox Theater. (Now, before you dog him for taking me on a date with him mom.... you have to know that I love his mom... I wanted her to go). It was so late when we arrived back from Atlanta to Byron, that I stayed at his mom's house. He was concerned that a family member was going to tell me about "the ring"... so he took no chances. While I was sleeping on her couch, he came in ..around 1 am or so and woke me up. He got down on one knee and he asked me to marry him. So, I think about the times when things were brand new for us.... it helps...especially when I have those times that I feel that I have to FIGHT for my marriage. ...those moments when he isn't my favorite person. (You know those times are rare, Russ). Thinking about the times I have messed up..helps me forgive my spouse when he messes up. Marriages are always worth fighting for...
Before you jump to the conclusion that I am saying Christian are "brainless" sheep, read this post completely. If you still aren't sure, read this post: Are Christians brainless? Why does He call us SHEEP? ( The Bible makes reference to sheep no less than 220 times). A few of the more notable passages that come to mind are the 23 rd Psalm, Isa. 53:6 and John 10. There are many references to His People being sheep. So why not something more powerful, like a ram or horse? Why not something more graceful and valued, like a prized bird? Well, God chose to use the word sheep to identify His followers, as we are "His sheep." Our shepherd, Jesus, is leading the way, so let's look at the facts about sheep-the nature of sheep. Let's look at the facts about sheep- *Sheep aren’t intelligent . Sheep are not known to be smart or cunning animals when it comes to safety; rather, they are susceptible and tend to wander away from the prote
I hit a milestone. I turned 50 years old. I am thankful that I don't feel 50. I am thankful for things God has taught me throughout those 50 years. . I have learned that God loves mercy and when I feel a sense that justice needs to happen over mercy, all I need to do is remember that I am thankful for when God gives me mercy instead of a just punishment. (Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) ( Luke 6: 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ) I have learned that hurt people end up hurting people. When I am able to see that I didn't hurt them but I am bearing the results of that persons hurt inflicted by other people, it helps me forgive whatever hurt they pushed onto me and move on. (Romans 12 : 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ) I have learned that anyone who thinks they have God
At a certain age... I suppose 18 or so... half-birthdays are no longer as important to you as when you are young. Right now, the kids love having their 1/2 birthdays celebrated. We don't do much. We tell them "Happy half-birthday!"... and they are allowed to choose what we have for dinner (within reason... no super expensive choices .. like crab legs or sushi). And, they do get to have a cake. John-Michael is 8 1/2 today. I haven't had any of my children ask for a character-cake in quite some time...until last night. We were out very late watching the laser light show at Stone Mountain Park. A few hours before... John-Michael springs on me that he wants a Rayman Rabbids cake for his half-birthday. Now, I have church in the morning and knew I wouldn't get home before midnight last night... not much time to figure our how to make that kind of cake. So, like most things...I just went for it. I bought Twinkies ...pretty sure the first Twinkies ,,,. th
SWEET!!! Total tears! At your words and the video. Happy Anniversary to come. :)
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