Are You One of the 54,559,615 ? I am.

With 54,559,615 abortions performed from 1973-2011 chances are, you or someone you know, has made that choice. When we made that choice we had no idea the impact it would have, even years later. That choice has the ability to affect our marriages, our parenting, our friendships, and most importantly our relationship with God. 

Sometimes the choice isn't ours; someone else has made the choice and there is an obligation to follow through, even if you don't want to.  Sometimes, the choice is ours and we convince our self this is the best decision for all concerned.  Sometimes, the choice is made out of fear; fear that everyone will know, fear that you will never finish school, fear of what everyone else will think, or fear of disappointing someone. Maybe you didn't want her to make that choice, and she did anyway.  Maybe you didn't know there was a choice to make until after it was made. It doesn't matter your reason because the bottom line is the same...the cost was much more than we ever expected.  Sometimes we begin to pay the price right away and sometimes we may not start paying until years later. 

If you are one of the 54,559,615 (plus) men or women that have been allowing the guilt and shame of abortion to control and affect your relationships, your choices, or your emotions, know that you are not alone.

Join me on June 7th and 8th at Peytonsville Church in Thompson Station, TN.  This event is for men and women.  This is a safe place where you will be treated with respect and confidentiality. During the event you will  hear stories from those who have walked in your shoes. You will have the opportunity to take a step towards healing through the different topics and sessions we will offer.  There is hope! 

Come just as you are...the choice is yours

Choose Healing

Click here for more information

 (*if you are unable to attend and are carrying guilt and shame over the choice of abortion and are ready to move forward, please email me and I will send you information and resources that can start your journey towards freedom! ) 

In Jesus we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  Ephesians 1:7

 

One day at a time, one moment at a time, there is always HOPE!  

Ways to Love, Honor, & Serve Your Spouse

Welcome to Blog number two for our Marriage Series.  

Love, Honor, and Serve Your Spouse

Whether you have been married for ten years, thirty years, or maybe you're a newlywed, the desire to love, honor, and serve your spouse is a choice that you make daily.  When we take the focus off of these actions we allow the enemy a foot hold into our marriage.  It opens the door for anger or hurtful words to cover the love we vowed to share.  It desensitizes us to what honoring our spouse actually means. It allows us to serve our selfish desires over serving the one we promised to love,  til death do us part.

We have to be intentional about choosing to love, honor, and serve one another. If we're not purposeful to the one we vowed before God with, then rest assured the enemy's job to destroy marriages (especially christian marriages) will only be that much easier. Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes, and it becomes easy to fool ourselves that we have fallen out of love or it's better to end our commitment now while we can still be friends....oh my heart grieves for the friends I have who have bought that lie. 

I realize no one gets married to face divorce, however, we must be willing to fight for our marriage.  We must be open to loving, serving, and honoring our spouse daily.  If both spouses are truly on the same page and their hearts are bound in this commitment towards one another, there is no way your marriage will fail.  Sure you may face hard times, temptations, and selfish desires, it's all in how you choose to face those situations. Marriage is not a one way street. Marriage is a gift and to be enjoyed as the gift that it is takes commitment and work from both spouses.

One tool that I highly recommend is knowing each others love language (CLICK HERE for The Five Love Languages.  Once you understand how you each hear and feel love, you can build on that and strengthen your commitment to love, honor, and serve one another in your marriage.  

Suggestions to love, honor, and serve your spouse:

 

Love 

1. Speak your spouse's Love Language

2. Leave a "love" note (in their lunch, on the mirror, or in a drawer, etc) 

3. Text 143 to your spouse (143 = I Love You)

 Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering Proverbs 10:12

Honor

1. Be a man/woman of integrity (let your yes be yes and your no be no)

2. Compliment and thank your spouse

3. Encourage and support your spouse

 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin Hebrews 3:13

 

Serve

1. Do something unexpected for your spouse (refilling an empty glass, helping with yard work, order take out, or anything big or small that is unexpected and helpful) 

2. Have a servant heart attitude (SMILE with your mouth and your heart) 

3.Do something that speaks your spouses love language (actions speak louder than words)

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another Galatians 5:13

 Let's continue to say, "I do",  to our spouses and keep the HOPE of marriage alive!