Tom and Debi
Our Book Offers Daily———Encouragement
Member
Category Archives: Christian Marriage
Yoked
I read recently about the purpose of a yoke in training young oxen. They are put in a yoke with an older more experienced ox in order to teach them how to work well together. The picture described was of … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Encouraging Your Spouse
Tagged marriage covenant, Marriage help, oxen, yoked
2 Comments
Solstice
Yes, today is the one where daylight is the longest of the year. The sun stays around a bit longer and does what it does best—shines light. without it all would be darkness—complete and utter darkness. If you’re like me, … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Summer Date Ideas
Tagged Date Night Ideas, moonlight, summer solstice, sunlight
2 Comments
A Weighty Word Indeed
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about a word. It has caused me to stop in my tracks and ponder it’s meaning. When applied to One in particular, it can bring me to my knees. The word is…HOLY It is … Continue reading
In Need of Shade
Must find shade! We have a black car and the temperature difference between parking in a sunny spot and a shady spot is huge as far as comfort is concerned. Add to it the windshield umbrella contraption Tom bought and … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Encouraging Your Spouse, Seasons of Life
Tagged Marriage help, Seasons of Marriage, Shade, Summer
Comments Off on In Need of Shade
Tomorrow
It is said at most traditional marriage ceremonies, yet we often give little thought about it from that day forward. “‘Til death do us part.” A couple of Sundays ago, our pastor taught on 1 Corinthians 5 – 7. The … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Death and Grieving, Keeping It Real, Seasons of Life
Tagged A.W. Tozer, Metro Life Church, Sexual intimacy, until death do us part, Widowhood
Comments Off on Tomorrow
Stay
We have been surrounded by a lot of trying and heartbreaking circumstances. Sharing tears with friends and family about losses that will never be restored. At least not in this life. Scripture tells us to weep with those who weep. … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Difficulty
Tagged endurance, Prayer, stay
Comments Off on Stay
First Gear, We’re Alright
Since Tom retired in 2018 we have had many starts and stops on the way to get here. Retirement for us has been like a standard shift car. Do you remember learning to drive a stick shift car? If you … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Retirement, Seasons of Life
Tagged Change in Marriage, Ford Mustang Fastback, retirement challenges, standard shift cars, vintage cars, VW
Comments Off on First Gear, We’re Alright
Wordless Wednesday – Farmer’s Market Date Day
When I sat down to write today’s post, I had no words. My camera lens oftentimes does a better job of telling a story than I do. So today I’m letting these photos speak. I hope you’ll pause for a … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Date Night Ideas, Fun Dates, Outdoor Dates, Spring Date Ideas, Wordless Wednesday
Tagged farmer's markets, Spring Date Idea, Wordless Wednesday
Comments Off on Wordless Wednesday – Farmer’s Market Date Day
Creative Dates for Parents
We recently read a great post by Dustin with Engaged Marriage blog. He provided a fun idea for parents to help spark creativity in your dates, but also to model what a healthy marriage looks like for them. Let us … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Creative Dates, Date Night Ideas, Dating Your Spouse
Tagged ask your kids, creative dates for parents, date night inspiration, marriage, Romance
Comments Off on Creative Dates for Parents
Favorite Numbers
We want to include you in our recent conversation that made us laugh out loud. How we’ve needed this. To know why the heavy heart—head over to my personal blog, Write From The Heart—to see. But here was our conversation … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Encouraging Your Spouse, humor
Tagged favorite numbers, laughter, lifting burdens, marriage, Pi
Comments Off on Favorite Numbers
Today
Today marks 15,695 days I have been a Mrs. Tom’s one and only Mrs. to be exact. I was 19. Tom was 24. We had our life ahead of us with all its twists, turns and unknowns. These 2242 weeks … Continue reading
Posted in anniversaries, Celebrations, Cherishing, Christian Marriage, Keeping It Real
Tagged 43 years, Anniversary, Everlasting arms of God, marriage
2 Comments
364
What is so special about this number? It’s how many days that fall between this Valentine’s Day and next Valentine’s Day. We have 364 more opportunities to let our spouse know how much they mean to us. In case you’re … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Intimacy, Romance in Marriage, Valentine's Day
Tagged 364, Let’s Do This, Romance in Marriage, Valentine's Day
Comments Off on 364
Vintage Post: A Dozen Valentines Ideas 4U
Valentine’s Day. Many people roll their eyes just thinking of it. You may think it is hokey. You may think it is a gimmick instigated by the card and chocolate industries to get you to part with your money. But … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Creative Dates, Valentine's Day, Vintage Posts
Tagged 12 Valentines Date Ideas, Making Valentines Day Special, Romance in Marriage
Comments Off on Vintage Post: A Dozen Valentines Ideas 4U
This Man
He serves tirelessly. He works hard when someone is depending on him. He is faithful to complete any job well. And He does it with joy. We have had a hard few seasons back to back. We have lacked time … Continue reading
Posted in Cherishing, Christian Marriage, Keeping It Real
Tagged comforts of home, serving, Strong Marriage, This Is Us
1 Comment
One Night
Tom and I are away for a 24 hour getaway at the beach. He got an early check-in which gave us time to rest awhile before dinner. Our meal was at a local favorite called Millie’s, that uses local meats … Continue reading
Kindness Check
Recently I was in the Starbucks drive thru waiting for my Christmas latte. Imagine my surprise when I got to the window to hear, “Your drink was paid for by the car in front of you, Merry Christmas!”? What? I … Continue reading
Two Keys for Devotion in Marriage
Devotion. It’s one of the most important aspects of a healthy marriage. But it’s two-fold. Devotion to God. Tom and I committed our marriage to God—a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. What we promised matters because we said our … Continue reading
The Romantic Vineyard 