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Tom and Debi
Our Book Offers Daily———Encouragement
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Category Archives: Difficulty
Six Years Ago
Seeing this memory on my FB page today is timely. Six years ago we had a trip of a lifetime booked with friends. We had reserved our lodging and airfare. It was only a matter of days before we would … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty
Tagged But God, dark valley, FB Memories, PANDAS
5 Comments
Are You Prepared For A Marriage Hurricane?
It’s nearing the peak of hurricane season in Florida (September 10th). The newest families to call Florida home are the ones most likely to panic as a storm approaches. As a native Floridian, we don’t panic, but we prepare. We … Continue reading
Fog In Marriage
On Monday’s post I shared about the plans we expect vs. what we’re given. It has been a week of asking God to help me see what He gives as a blessing, rather than a disappointment. When I complain about … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Perspective in Marriage
Tagged Fog, Moses on Mt. Sinai, seeing clearly
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Avoiding The Door
Imagine living in a house that had one door you never opened; one room ignored. It is avoided because neither spouse wants to go there. Instead both go the long way around it as they live their days together. The … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Emotional, Growing Strong Marriages, Intimacy
Tagged disregarded, hard questions in marriage, I don’t feel heard, marriage, open door of communication
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When Love Feels Hard
Marriage isn’t always what we pictured on our wedding day. Some seasons feel more like dry, cracked ground—where misunderstandings pile up, hearts grow distant, and love feels like a duty, not a delight. I’ve been there. And if you’re honest, … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Difficulty
Tagged Prayer, Surrender, When Love Feels Hard
1 Comment
Goodbye Is Not The End
My heart has been grieving for the families devastated by the flood that swept their loved ones away. In an hour’s time, those who were are no more. My heart breaks for the loss of those I’ve never met, because … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Death and Grieving, Difficulty, Music, Prayer, Seasons of Life
Tagged Cain, Guadalupe River Flood, Psalm 34 18, Texas, The Commission
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Fighting Fair
Fighting looks different for every marriage. * Some are silent fighters—the cold shoulder is their weapon of choice. * Some are score keepers—their weapon of choice is a list of wrongs suffered. * Some are angry—their weapon of choice is … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Conflict, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages
Tagged Cherish, Fighting Fair, Gary Thomas
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Relaxed?
We have purposed this year to write consistently every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And by God’s grace we have been faithful to do so, that is until now. Most of you know we have a special needs grandson, Elias, who … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Grandparenting, Keeping It Real, Seasons of Life
Tagged anxiety, Megan Fate Marshman, parainfluenza3, Philippians 4:6, Prayer, Proverbs 3:5-6, Relaxed
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Foodie Fridays – Chicken Fried Chicken
Comfort. It’s part of my word for this year, #comfortandjoy2025. This has been one of those weeks I would rather avoid. But I’ve learned in the last few years that hard times produce good fruit. That is, if we are … Continue reading
Time to Kneel
Tom and I have had projects on our to-do list for years that we simply haven’t made or had the time to accomplish well. Things that living in the same home for 32 years demand, e.g. cleaning out and organizing … Continue reading
Conscience
Conscience. The place where the Holy calls the lowly. Only those who are lowly hear the whispers of the Holy. Conscience. The tender place where God speaks and we bow tender in adoration. Conscience. Marriage is built on truth and … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Keeping It Real
Tagged Conscience, Healthy Marriage, Humility, Maturity
4 Comments
Not Helpful
Has someone who was supposed to do something for you or a loved one ever let you down? Did the situation not resolve with the ending you wanted? I’m certain we have all experienced such disappointments in life and in … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Keeping It Real
Tagged communication, not helpful, Resolving Conflict
8 Comments
Dust or Stone
It is time for a heart check up. Not the kind where you go to the doctor, but the kind where you go to God. Marriage is challenging on many levels and the opportunity for being hurt or offended is … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Keeping It Real
Tagged Conflict in Marriage, Dust or Stone, Forgiveness, James 1, Offenses in Marriage
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Why Not Now?
I’ve been thinking how challenging communicating about hard things can be in marriage. – Maybe you don’t agree on your budget limitations. – Maybe you are hurt over something your spouse said, but you’re afraid to tell them. – Maybe … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Conflict, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Keeping It Real
Tagged #tripwithlifelongfriends2024, fighting for your marriage, hard conversations, Leaning In, prayer for my marriage, pulling away, Why not now
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Spiritual Intimacy in Marriage
This week is what Christians call Holy Week. It is the beginning of following Jesus’s final journey on Earth to the cross. It is the most important week of the year. If Jesus didn’t die and 3 days later rise … Continue reading
Pruning Your Marriage
We recently did a hard pruning in our yard. All plants were cut back, except for our azaleas that are showing off this year. They will be pruned later. The first cut is always the hardest. Once you start you’re … Continue reading
When Hard Times Come
We’ve all had them. Circumstances don’t go the way we planned. Or worse something happens that sends your emotions reeling. It’s hard to believe the unthinkable happened and you have to deal with the aftermath of a difficult situation. This … Continue reading
Learning Curve
Tom and I have been learning about difficult issues in marriage that we didn’t know happened. We realize how we have been spared many heartaches in our 45 years of marriage. Not that we didn’t have our own to deal … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Keeping It Real, Troubled Marriage
Tagged Blame-shifting, Conflict in Marriage, Humility, marriage
1 Comment
When Marriage Needs a Reboot
My Smart Phone is only smart when it works. When it starts doing weird and unexplainable things, we’ve all learned it needs a reboot. Marriage is no different. We can know all the right things. We can even have years … Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Repentance, Troubled Marriage
Tagged Breathing life into a struggling marriage, Rebooting your Marriage, Repentance
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