#MarriagePrayers: James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. — James 1:5 ********** If there is one verse I pray more than any other, it's this one. Rarely a day passes that I don't beg God to help me be wise in one area or another. With a 16-year-old daughter, I find myself asking for wisdom more times and about more situations than I ever imagined possible. I also consistently pray for Scott to have wisdom as he leads our home and ... [Read More]

#MarriagePrayers: Philippians 3:8

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. — Philippians 3:8 ********** After nearly 20 years together, you would think Scott and I would know each other pretty well. And in some ways we do. But even after all this time, there are still things we learn about each other. For example, until just a few months ago, I thought ... [Read More]

#MarriagePrayers: John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. — John 16:33 ********** Life is hard, y'all. For real. And even though I have never experienced any real persecution for my faith, I know a little bit about suffering. We all do. As individuals and as a couple — suffering is the reality of living in this fallen, broken world. The question isn't, "Will we suffer?" and it really isn't "What will we ... [Read More]

#MarriagePrayers: 1 Peter 4:19

Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.  — 1 Peter 4:19 ********** ... entrust their souls to a faithful Creator ... Honestly, I know very little about suffering while doing good {besides the shame of scrolling past and not liking or sharing a picture of Jesus on Facebook}. I’ve read the stories of the persecuted church and been moved. I've been horrified by the stories {and photos} of mass executions that faced by ... [Read More]

#MarriagePrayers: Galatians 5:22-23

Before you read this post, you need to know this: I hated writing it today. Because Scott and I had an argument last night and this is one of those days when marriage is hard and I feel like the least qualified person in the world to encourage anyone else on the topic. As I read through the verses for today, my heart was saying, "I don't wanna!" The fruit of the Spirit doesn't leave much room for my hurt feelings and my desire to be right and my need for affirmation ... in fact, it leaves ... [Read More]

#MarriagePrayers: Acts 28:2

The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. — Acts 28:2 ********** Sandwiched in between two very bad experiences we find this mention of being shown unusual kindness. Just prior to this display, Paul finds himself shipwrecked. Following the unusual kindness,  Paul finds himself in the midst of my own personal nightmare — being snake bit. It reads like a scene from a Three Stooges skit or one of Captain ... [Read More]