Tom and Debi
Our Book Offers Daily———Encouragement
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Category Archives: Christmas
Comfort and Joy
It’s Christmas week and we’ve been more aware in recent years of our need for comfort and joy. Tom’s stepdad is in the final stages of life with Hospice overseeing his comfort. He has lived a full life and at … Continue reading
Focus
This has been a challenging season for most marriages. The reasons vary, but the pressure is similar. How can we turn our focus from what troubles us to what blesses us? Pray. Ask God to give you an idea on … Continue reading
How Advent Informs Our Marriage with Love
If it weren’t for Christ coming to earth as a baby, we wouldn’t be able to express true love to our spouse. He paved the way in the darkness to bring light and love to all who believe in Him. … Continue reading
Posted in Advent in Marriage, Christmas
Tagged How Advents Informs Our Marriage, Love
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How Advent Informs Our Marriage with Peace
Peace. We all long for peace. But peace isn’t what many of us expect. It isn’t silence or a lack of any thing that irritates or troubles us. This is one of our favorite scenes from the movie, What About … Continue reading
How Advent Informs Our Marriage with Hope
We are in the first week of Advent where we are encouraged to focus on the Hope of the Gospel. Jesus was born of a virgin bringing with Him the hope of the world. It is a lasting hope that … Continue reading
Posted in Advent in Marriage, Christian Marriage, Christmas, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays
Tagged Advent in Marriage, Hope
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It’s A Wonderful, Wild Life (Drive, that is!)
Tom and I woke to an empty home yesterday for the first time in 38 years–when we first became parents. But we weren’t alone. God met us in special ways throughout the days leading up to Christmas. Our kids kept … Continue reading
Physical Intimacy – Unwrap Yourself
One of the best gifts you can give your spouse is yourself. As Gary Thomas says often, “Your wife is your Eve–the only woman in the world created by God for you. In the same way, your husband is your … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Christmas, Holidays, Intimacy, Physical, Sexual Intimacy
Tagged Christmas, marriage, Sexual intimacy
1 Comment
‘‘Tis The Season” Means More To Us This Year
This has become a God-ordained season of reflection. A time to pause and remember all that has transpired in our family at Christmastime through the years. I remember many hardships and sorrows as well as joys and laughter that have … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Christmas, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays
Tagged Christmas, Spiritual Intimacy
1 Comment
One Of My Favorite Things
I love discovering the story behind songs I love. Tor Constantino, a friend we have come to know through blogging, asked his FB friends to share their favorite Christmas Carol. I was surprised at how many chose my favorite song … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Christmas, Holidays, Music, Worship
Tagged Favorite Christmas Carol, History, O Holy Night, Tor Constantino
4 Comments
10 Ways to Defer and Prefer Your Spouse This Christmas
If you have managed to open this post, you most likely have a minute to spare this Christmas Eve. Congratulations! Let me encourage you in this minute to make the most of this time. Pause. Breathe. Remember why we celebrate … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Christmas, Encouraging Your Spouse, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays
Tagged Deferring and Preferring, honor, Intentional Christmas, loving your spouse
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Focus On Thanksgiving This Christmas
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for many reasons. The main one is it is the only holiday that isn’t bombarded with commercialism. Thanksgiving is the one day set aside where we pause and reflect on the blessings we have been … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Christmas, Holidays, Thankfulness
Tagged Christmas, Holidays, Merry Thanksgiving Christmas
2 Comments
It’s December – Enjoy
Posted in Christian Marriage, Christmas, Finding Joy, Holidays, humor
Tagged Children tell the Christmas story, humor, The Christmas Story
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Date Night Challenge 2018 – The Letter “X” – Xtra Special Advent Calendar
I love it when November has an extra week after Thanksgiving. It makes it easier to transition from one big holiday to the next. If you’re like us, it’s easy for our marriage to take a back seat to all … Continue reading
Posted in 2018 Date Night Challenge, Alphabet Dates, Christian Marriage, Christmas, Date Night Ideas, Holidays, Priorities, Romantic Ideas
Tagged Advent Calendar for Marriage, Advent Calendar ideas, Being intentional, Christmas, Romantic Christmas
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Anticipating What’s to Come
What a privilege it is to encourage you and your marriage to grow. It is a responsibility we don’t take lightly. When life requires our attention there is a constant struggle of wanting to give you our best, yet take … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Christmas, Holidays, Priorities
Tagged Cloverton, Hallelujah
3 Comments
The Romantic Vineyard 