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Tom and Debi
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Category Archives: Difficulty
When Honesty Hurts
We all know that honesty is the best policy when it comes to business, social media, and acquaintances. But what about marriage? What if the words you need to say are going to hurt your spouse? Like confessing sins committed … Continue reading
5 Ways to Avoid Suspicion In Marriage
Suspicion is a helpful tool when you’re trying to solve a murder mystery–everyone is suspect. But when suspicion hits close to home it can actually cause great harm in a relationship. We live in a culture of suspicion. Politicians are … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages
Tagged Bible, Christ, God, Infidelity, marriage, Merriam-Webster, Religion and Spirituality, Suspicion
13 Comments
I Choose Us
It was one of those date nights where you think it’s normal and predictable, but I was soon to learn otherwise. Tom and I had decided to watch a movie at home, something we rarely do on date nights because … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Conflict, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Movie Dates
Tagged Family, Film, God, Grandparent, Home, Nicolas Cage, Parent, The Family Man, Tia Leoni, touchstones
11 Comments
Closings
Tonight the Olympics will broadcast the closing ceremony of the 30th Olympiad, and I’m sure it’s going to be worth watching. Imagine the thoughts of the athletes who won a medal? This closing is the end of a long training … Continue reading
Re-Employment Update
As you know Tom no longer has a job. We went away to the mountains of North Carolina last week to be alone and mostly to listen. Tom prayed. I prayed. We prayed together and read God’s Word. It was … Continue reading
A Huge Slip Flop
It was bound to happen. Olympians are, after all only humans. But oh, to be the one to whom it happens–embarrassing to say the least! German Diver, Stephen Feck slipped as he was launching off the board and ended up … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Olympics, Temptation, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged Feck, Germany, God, marriage, NBC, Olympic, Olympic Games, Stephen Feck
5 Comments
A Lesson From Blade Runner
If you’ve been watching the Olympics at all, you’ve certainly heard of him. He’s one of the most talked about participants in the 2012 games. His nickname is Blade Runner and for good reason, Oscar Pistorius from South Africa lost … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Olympics, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged BladeRunner, God, Jesus, London, Olympic, Olympic Games, Oscar Pistorius, South Africa
Comments Off on A Lesson From Blade Runner
Not Good Enough
We have been considering the Olympics in light of marriage – applying the analogy of a good Olympian to a good marriage. Yesterday we watched as Michael Phelps went for his 18th medal in swimming the 200m butterfly. If he … Continue reading
Gimme Some Sugar
You’ve heard the classic song, Just A Spoonful of Sugar, sung by Julie Andrews in the Disney movie, Mary Poppins. It speaks of taking a spoonful of sugar to help the bitter taste of medicine “go down.” Well, we’re not … Continue reading
When You’re Forced To Wait
It’s Tuesday night. One week ago was Tom’s first night unemployed or as the government likes to call it, “reemployed.” No matter the terminology, he’s without a job. There are many ways to look at it…he’s not tethered to anyone … Continue reading
It Was Unexpected – Really.
Last week was one we’ll not soon forget. On Tuesday it was my 53rd birthday. Tom left for work to meet with his boss only to find out this meeting was to inform him he would no longer be needed. … Continue reading
Part 4 – One Simple Key to Resolving Quarrels
What if there was a simple key to help us unlock the door of conflict resolution? Imagine how quickly those doors that slammed shut in your face could be reopened allowing the sun to shine on your marriage again. Wouldn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Conflict, Diapers, Toddlers & Romance, Oh My, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Parenting, Romance in Marriage, Seasons of Life, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged Christian, Conflict in Marriage, Conflict resolution, Defense of Marriage Act, English Standard Version, Ephesians 4:26, Epistle to the Ephesians, God, James 4:1, Jesus, marriage, Relationships
10 Comments
Part 3 – What Pressure Reveals
This is Part 3 of our series titled, Diapers, Toddlers & Romance, Oh My, where we are talking about how to keep the home fires burning in the midst of raising a family. We have talked so far about the issue of … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Conflict, Diapers, Toddlers & Romance, Oh My, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Hindrances to Romance, Parenting, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged Christ, Christianity, English Standard Version, Evangelism, God, Jesus, Parenting, Religion and Spirituality, Romance in Marriage, Sin
1 Comment
Part 2 – We’re Exhausted
This is Part 2 of our series titled, Diapers, Toddlers & Romance, Oh My, where we are talking about how to keep the home fires burning in the midst of raising a family. Yesterday we began by talking about the … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Conflict, Diapers, Toddlers & Romance, Oh My, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Hindrances to Romance, Parenting, Romance in Marriage, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged Christ, Divine grace, English Standard Version, Epistle to the Philippians, God, Lord, marriage, Parenting, Romance in Marriage, Second Epistle to the Corinthians
4 Comments
Part 1 – I’m Exhausted
It’s amazing how much energy is required to raise a family, yet with each baby that’s born time doesn’t slow down. It marches on whether you’re in step or not. How can a couple continue to make the most of … Continue reading
Posted in communication, Conflict, Diapers, Toddlers & Romance, Oh My, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Hindrances to Romance, Parenting, Romance in Marriage
Tagged Child, Christ, English Standard Version, Epistle to the Philippians, Exhausted parents, God, Husband, marriage, Parents of Toddlers, Romance in Marriage, Wife
8 Comments
Bump In The Road
Marriage is a journey, and we never know when we’re going to hit a bump in the road. This is why it is good to always listen closely and take action when necessary. On our way home from Atlanta yesterday … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Conflict, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages
Tagged Atlanta, Car dealership, God, Tire
2 Comments
I Surrender….All?
Today we head home. I am torn–ready to be back to our special place in this world, but not wanting to say goodbye yet again to my daughter, son-in-love and precious (now 3) grandchildren. 🙂 But I have another daughter, … Continue reading
The De-Masking Of Prince Charming
Each of us on a specific day of a specific year stood before others and exchanged our marriage vows. Most likely we were full of great anticipation of this being our fairy tale come true. We were committing our life … Continue reading
Wanted: Forgiveness
While we were on vacation we heard a new song by Matthew West titled, Forgiveness. It hasn’t been released yet, so the only video we could find was of a live performance he recently did in CA. The best part … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Music, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged Christ, Forgiveness, free, Hosting, Matthew West
2 Comments
The Lazy Lover Syndrome
Today is our second guest post by friend and fellow blogger, Scott Means. He and his wife Jenni host the Journey To Surrender blog. We love their honest approach to dealing with common issues all marriages face. What is uncommon … Continue reading
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