The #1 Secret to a Great Marriage

It's the most simplest concept you'll ever hear, yet it's THE MOST DIFFICULT THING TO DO on a daily basis!

So........ what's this one little secret that will make your marriage great?

Why We Believe the Lies from the Enemy

I turned sweet 16 this past Friday.  On July 6th, 1996, it was the day I became a born-again Christian, a new creation in Christ Jesus.  And as a babe in Christ I had so much to learn (and still do!)

Not too long after my Christian journey began, I heard of false prophets.

False what?

What's a prophet?  Never heard of one.

How was I suppose to know what these liars had to say was a truth or a lie when I didn't even know the truth?

Don't people realize the Bible is a BIG book and you can't read it nor understand everything in it overnight?

Yep.  Those were pretty much my thoughts on the matter.

I'm Married to a Crummy Husband & a Marital Oneness Monday Link Up!

My husband and I are so different.  In fact, you can call us opposites.

I've often wondered what I was thinking when I married him.  I mean, after all, this is not what I thought married life would be like!

Sometimes he's so rude in the way that he speaks to me that I feel like he never considers my feelings.

He just doesn't understand me.

He hardly ever spends any time talking to me like he used to.

All he ever wants from me is sex.

He's certainly not very affectionate like he was when we were dating.

He throws a fit every time we have a disagreement.  Or he doesn't say a word.

I don't like they way he handles conflict with others.  Sometimes he does absolutely nothing about it and sticks his head in the sand.  Other times I wish he'd handle things my way because I'd be much more caring and gentle.

I don't think he works hard enough.  Or he's always working and he's never home.

I wish he'd make more money for our family.

I'm not sure he knows how to parent our children well enough.  Sometimes he acts like a distant father.  Or he acts like a child himself.

He never helps out around the house.  Or he expects the house to be in perfect order.

He's a tight wad with the money.  Or he does a poor job handling the money.

Perhaps if he was a better spiritual leader, maybe all my problems with him would disappear?

Unfortunately, these are the many things that I hear from wives about their husbands.

Other Vessels Pouring Out this Week...

Some of my favorite posts that I've read this week were the following:

How's Your Reputation by Good Morning Girls

Has it ever occurred to you that your reputation makes an impact on your husband's reputation?  Well, it does!  Jen writes, "Your spiritual life is not just about you and Jesus. It starts with you and your Savior, but it leads into and affects the lives of your husband and children and into the public square of your community."

Getting What You Give by Always Learning

Whether it's in your marriage or with others, Lori writes about reaping what we sow in relationships.

Mother in Laws Who Mock Our Values by Bible Love Notes

If you have a mother-in-law who doesn't share your same faith and values, then this post will help you to deal with some of those problems.  I thought this was a great post written by Gail.  

What Changed? by One Flesh Marriage

This post is written by a man's perspective about how his marriage went from being on the rocks to a good marriage and then to a great marriage.  He shares how his wife was instrumental in making those changes, first with baby steps and with hope.

The Great Water Balloon Alternative by Home with the Boys
This post was just plain fun!  If you've got kids or grand kids and (hot weather) then check this activity out.


Live a poured out life for Christ,

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Reading List 2012

I'm a little late to the reading party seeing how this is July, but I know that God doesn't care!

July

Forgotten God:  Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan
Wisdom for Today by Chuck Smith

August

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

September

Helper by Design by Elyse Fitzpatrick

October

Real Marriages by Mark and Grace Driscoll  (I'm curious about this one being that I've never heard him speak but I do know that controversy surrounds his name!)

November

How to Make Brothers and Sisters Best Friends by Sarah Mally

December

A Sacred Marriage:  What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy by Gary Thomas


So many books....so little time!

Sister, what are some good books that you're reading?


Live a poured out life for Christ,

Did you enjoy reading The Alabaster Jar?

To receive future posts you can subscribe via email and Facebook.

I'm linking up with:  Sarah Mae,

When Your Life is a Mess and You Don't Know What to Do

Welcome back to The Power of the Holy Spirit Series!  If you’re new here, then I encourage you to take the time to read the first two posts in this series, My Burning Bush Experience and How Often Do You See Your Best Friend?  

Sometimes life is a big fat mess and we just don't know what to do or where to turn. I've been there, my friend!  But today I wanted to share with you how to grow in your biblical understanding so you can navigate through this world and make the right decisions.  And one of the things that's needed to make wise choices is hearing the Lord and growing in your faith. But first I wanted to give you a glimpse into where my spiritual journey began.

I didn't know a whole lot of Truth, (the Bible) when I was a new believer.  I wasn't raised with learning the Scriptures and seeking the Lord.  When I got saved at 26 yrs. old, I spent the next 15 months of my walk alone.  Outside of my Pastor teaching from the pulpit, I didn't have anyone in the flesh teaching me how to navigate the Christian life, however, Jesus was always with me!

During the first 6 months of my new found life in Christ I went from church to church to church hearing how Jesus loved me and died for my sins.  While I appreciated hearing this important truth, I needed more instruction.  I needed to be equipped so I could walk through this life in a Godly way.  And although I read my Bible from cover to cover during that time I'm sure I didn't understand even half of what I read!

Can Female Friendships Threaten Oneness? and a Link Up!

Sister, I've got a treat for you!  Since I'm in the midst of writing my series on The Power of the Holy Spirit and today is Monday, the day I write on marriage, I thought I'd invite a special sister in the Lord to co-labor in the faith with me and share with you about marriage instead.

Elizabeth is our guest and she writes at her blogging home called, Warrior Wives.  Just the title of her blog alone resonated with my spirit and then when I read her words I knew she had a deep understanding for wedded bliss.  So without further ado, here's Elizabeth....