Category Archives: Growing Strong Marriages

Our Winners!

It’s hard to believe Summer has come and gone, but we have proof. Our Summer Lovin’ Photo Contest was sizzlin’ right up until the very end. Thank you to all who entered and thank you to all who took the … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Contests, Growing Strong Marriages, Summer Lovin' Photo Contest | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Happy Hour

It’s been awhile since we’ve posted our Happy Hour. It’s certainly not because there aren’t any good posts to read. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. With our newly formed Christian Marriage Bloggers Association the members have stepped up to … Continue reading

Posted in Blog Love, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Happy Hour | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Happy Hour

Worldview Makes All The Difference

It’s hard to avoid the continual debate taking place in our country regarding the 2012 Presidential Election. Our primary focus here at The Romantic Vineyard is for the building and strengthening of marriages for God’s glory. So what do the … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, The Gospel & Marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s Just Another Day

Since Tom is not working for the time being, this Labor Day feels like every other day we’ve had since mid-July. It is strange, but nice at the same time. 🙂 How do you handle life together when it becomes … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Contests, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays, Summer Lovin' Photo Contest | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Why We Do The Things We Do

This is our 1,001st post. It is an appropriate time to remind ourselves of something very important. We have had the privilege of having the same pastor for most of our married life. He and his wife are two of … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Music, Priorities, Purpose, The Gospel & Marriage, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Our 1,000th Post!

It’s true. It came upon us so suddenly and yet, it does seem a long time since we began this blogging journey with all of you in our vineyard. We have laughed. We have cried. We have been encouraged. And … Continue reading

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

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 , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

God Is Always Listening

We love hearing testimonies of God’s love and grace in the marriages of friends and acquaintances. God is always at work in our marriage helping us grow more in love with Him and each other, yet we often forget His … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Testimonies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 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

Posted in Date Night Ideas, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Mark Your Calendars (time sensitive), Olympics, Orlando Date Ideas, Seasons of Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

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

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Seasons of Life, The Gospel & Marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

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 , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Back To The Basics – Works

They run because it is the fastest way out of poverty in their country. The Kenyan Olympic team uses basic methods that produce olympic results. The residents of Iten is well-known as the “Home of Champions.” And there is good … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Olympics, The Gospel & Marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 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 , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A Lesson From Blade Runner

What Motivates You?

He’s the oldest Olympian taking part in the 2012 London Games, and at 71 he’s the most respected. Meet Hiroshi Hoketsu from Japan. He first entered the Olympics in 1968 where he competed in Equestrian Jumping. His second time at the … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Olympics, The Gospel & Marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, The Gospel & Marriage | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

To Know Him

We are away this week for one purpose only and that is to know Jesus Christ and what his plan is for us in this next season. We are overwhelmed with the number of you who have contacted us to … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Music, Priorities, Spiritual Intimacy, The Gospel & Marriage, Worship | Tagged | 7 Comments

We Are Torchbearers

As we continue our Going For The Gold In Marriage series we cannot overlook the inspirational stories of the Olympic Torchbearers. Each runner is chosen for their personal contribution in life. It may be an 81 year old woman who … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Conflict, Growing Strong Marriages, Olympics, The Gospel & Marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Going For The Gold In Your Marriage

The 2012 Summer Olympics began last night. The opening ceremony took us on a walk through Britain’s rich history. It was quite the show, as it should have been for the entire production took seven years of dedication and practice … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Olympics, Priorities, Testimonies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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

Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, The Gospel & Marriage | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments