Tom and Debi
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Category Archives: The Gospel & Marriage
21 Day Fix For Marriage
Three Weeks. Three weeks pass quickly, especially when you’re on an extended vacation. Ah! Doesn’t a three week cruise sound wonderful? But it’s not happening for us and probably not for you either. <sigh> But three weeks really does go … Continue reading
The Lord Is Risen…
Happy Easter! We encourage you to take Christ at His Word when He said, “He whom the Son sets free is free indeed!” – John 8:36 Are you walking in this freedom? Is your marriage? Take your burdens to Him … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Holidays, Thankfulness, The Gospel & Marriage
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Crossroads
We all know what’s it’s like to be at a crossroad–that’s where two roads intersect and you have to decide which way to go. If you’ve set your course ahead of time, then the decision is easy–hardly noticeable. If you’re … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Conflict, Difficulty, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged Crossroads, Isaiah 30:21
5 Comments
What Marriage Is And Isn’t To Us
Today is our 36th anniversary–3 dozen years! It’s been quite the journey, and we couldn’t be more grateful to God who has made it all possible. In 36 years we’ve learned about what marriage is and what it isn’t. If … Continue reading
Everyday Romance – Life Giving Words
Today’s idea was founded centuries ago when men of old were writing letters of encouragement to other brothers and sisters in Christ. What they didn’t know was how the Holy Spirit was infusing every Word with the life-giving power of … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Encouraging Your Spouse, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays, Love is, Romance in Marriage, romancing your spouse, Romantic Ideas, Spiritual Intimacy, The Gospel & Marriage, Valentine's Day
Tagged 1 Corinthians 13, Encourage Your Spouse, Holy Bible, marriage, Valentine's Day Ideas
4 Comments
A Christmas Infused Marriage
Infusion is a popular term used today in regards to the craft of making a good cup of tea. It’s the process of steeping to promote strength and character. I love to look up the definition of words from Noah … Continue reading
We’re Home And We Carry With Us A Lasting Metaphor
We hope you enjoyed our photos from our trip to California. I took a total of 1480 pictures over fourteen days–yeah, I’m grateful for digital cameras, but not nearly as much as Tom is. 😉 We would have never been … Continue reading
Posted in Aging, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Seasons of Life, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged Apple Trees, Bearing fruit, California vacation, Come grow old with me, Phillips Hill Winery, Winery
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If Our Thoughts Were Pictures–Would You Want Your Spouse To Look At Them?
A picture captures a moment in time to help us remember the experience, the people or the place photographed. I love to look at pictures as much as I like to take them. I see it as a type of … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, The Gospel & Marriage, Troubled Marriage
Tagged Inner Critic, marriage, Think The Best, Thoughts in Marriage, What About Bob?, Zechariah 4:10
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One Way To Become A Better Wife, Mom, Nana And Friend
This afternoon I’m heading to south Orlando for my first National Women’s Conference sponsored by The Gospel Coalition. To say I’m excited would be an understatement. It’s good to go to conferences such as these. It’s a time to pull away … Continue reading
Posted in Growing Strong Marriages, The Gospel & Marriage, Wives
Tagged John Piper, Kathy Keller, Nehemiah, Noelle Piper, The Gospel Coalition, Tim Keller, Women's Conference
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The Hazards Of Growing Closer
Did you know that marriage comes with a warning label? Ok. We all know it doesn’t, but it should. Marriage is the closest you’ll ever be to someone in this life. Your spouse knows everything about you, your good side, … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged Gary Thomas, Sacred Marriage
2 Comments
When Jealousy Whispers–Flee!
Do you or your spouse struggle with jealousy? Is it towards your spouse or is it towards others who have more than you or something you want, but don’t have? Jealousy is a destroyer of marriage. It is an impostor. … Continue reading
When Love Requires More Than You Can Give-The Captain and Tennille Story
I grew up listening and singing along with the Captain and Tennille. Their music had a way of sticking in my head even when I didn’t want it too–“I will, I will, I will…” See? On January 16, 2014, after … Continue reading
When You’re Not Living Your Happily Ever After
Face it. Most of us married with rose-colored glasses on. We expected our love would carry us through whatever storms life sent our way. But.life.is.hard. Tom and I married when I was only 19 and he was 24. I moved … Continue reading
Posted in Aging, Christian Marriage, Conflict, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Parenting, Seasons of Life, The Gospel & Marriage, Troubled Marriage
Tagged Natalie Grant, No Happily Ever After, Troubled Marriage, When I Leave The Room
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If Marriage Had A Fountain Of Youth
I remember as a child hearing of Ponce de Leon’s pursuit of The Fountain Of Youth. It was said to be somewhere in Florida, and it was told he spent his life trying to find it. But he never did … Continue reading
50 Shades Of Grace In Marriage – Part 5
41. Grace allows us to look back and see the good, and look forward with faith for the future. 42. Grace doesn’t demand, instead it gives and gives and gives. 43. Grace helps us stay the course when we don’t … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged 50 Shades of Grace, 50 Shades of Grace in Marriage, Christianity, God, Grace, Jesus, Lord, marriage, Religion and Spirituality, Theology
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50 Shades Of Grace In Marriage – Part 4
31. Grace helps me celebrate their victories and accomplishments as if they were my own. 32. Grace helps me refrain from competing with my spouse and see that we’re on the same team. 33. Grace helps us become one flesh … Continue reading
50 Shades Of Grace In Marriage – Part 3
21. Grace helps me grow my friendship with my spouse over all other friendships. 22. Grace helps me continue to study my spouse in order to love them in the way they need it most. 23. Grace helps me remember … Continue reading
50 Shades Of Grace In Marriage – Part 2
Today we have a post on the 31 Days To A Better Marriage website. It’s titled, Being Intentionally Intentional. We invite you to click on over once you’re finished here. FYI, the post goes up 8a. PST, so if you … Continue reading
50 Shades Of Grace In Marriage – Part 1
Grace helps me do for my spouse what I, in my laziness, don’t want to do. Grace helps me love my spouse when they have wronged me. Grace helps me overlook things my spouse does or … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, The Gospel & Marriage
Tagged 50 Shades of Grace, 50 Shades of Grace in Marriage, Christ, Christianity, Divine grace, God, Grace, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality, Theology
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50 Shades Of Grace In Marriage
I was thinking the other day about the trilogy and soon–to-be-made movie of 50 Shades of Grey, and how it has been such a detriment to what a healthy relationship is as defined by God. It makes me appreciate all … Continue reading
The Romantic Vineyard 