On Saturdays we will post relevant articles from our archives that will address common spiritually mismatched issues in marriage. This is a re-post from July 19, 2010 at the Internet Cafe. This post over at the Cafe remains one of the most viewed posts of all time. So many people are lonely. Praying for your heart today. Hugs, Lynn ***** I'm Lonely In My Marriage - Internet Cafe by Lynn Donovan My mother is visiting this week from Colorado. She turned 70 years old earlier this year. She is as sharp as a tack and on Tuesday we went to Disneyland along with my teen daughter and her friend. My Mom jumped on the California Screamin' roller coaster without hesitation and we all shrieked in unison as our train launched from zero to 59 miles per hour in four seconds and sent careening down the track with our hearts racing.... Read more →

Today, I'm wondering how you have dealt with your mismatched marriage. Out of my mismatch came so much anger. Join me and some discussion over at the Cafe. Oh, and this is my last post at the Cafe. I started writing there over six years ago. I kinda grew up as a writer there. But, God has given all of these opportunities to me for a season, such a time as this. I'm deeply thankful to the Lord for allowing me to share the hope I have in Jesus through the Cafe. Join me today for Angry and Married. Hugs, Lynn Read more →

You know what scares me? The Wal-Mart checkout line.... I'm sharing a story today that is simple yet filled up with Jesus and it happened in all places, Wal-Mart. Join me today and share with me your encounters with the body of Christ. Lynn Visit the Cafe: Encounter in the Wal-Mart Checkout line? Say What? Read more →

Sometimes I hate Hallmark. Well, not really. Sorta…. I don’t hate the store but I sincerely “dislike” what I call “Hallmark Holidays.” You know these days, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, Ground Hog Day (well maybe not this one) and the sometimes dreaded….. Join me at One Plus, The Internet Cafe today for the rest of the story: I Hate Hallmark on Valentine's Day. Hugs, Lynn Read more →

Will Power. Do you have it? Why we, the unequally yoked, need this old, old story as we begin a new year. Visit the Cafe. Have a blessed week, Lynn Read more →

I grew up waiting each Christmas season for two special TV shows to appear on our old television set. Yes, I grew up in the “Dark Ages”, according to my teenager. There weren’t video recordings nor hundreds of channels with millions of re-runs. You had one chance, once a year. That was it. I anxiously awaited, A Charlie Brown Christmas which was followed by The Grinch That Stole Christmas. I would sit in the basement, next to the aluminum Christmas tree with the weird color wheel turning. Mom, would bring down the freshly popped corn which was coated with the most divine candy coating and we would make popcorn balls. With popcorn ball in hand, I sat criss-cross apple sauce on the floor and watch as Charlie Brown and the gang lit up our small television. This is my personal testimony of the meaning of Christmas in my life. Join... Read more →

Football rages in the family room, the aroma of a roasting Bidzilla satisfies the kitchen, kids play outside, red cheeked and with hands frozen. Ahhhh, Thanksgiving. This is my favorite traditional holiday of food, family and ……stress. Read more at the Internet Cafe Devotions, Marriage Counter. Read more →

I'm also writing at the Cafe - Marriage Counter today. Living With The Enemy. Lynn Read more →

The big three. Alcohol addiction, pornography addiction, and rage. These three are the destructive sins in marriage that I see women deal with the most. I share some experience and some insights. I pray this article will encourage one woman out there who is dealing with one or more of the "Big Three." Lynn Read more →

.....To be the spiritual leader of our home. .....To be a consistent Godly example to my spouse – to my children. .....To bare the physical demands of a career – raising the children – cleaning my home – cooking and the sum total of all the expectations placed on me. I ‘m at the end of my rope…….. and I feel like a failure. If you ever feel like me, I'm not strong enough, this story is just for you. Join me at the Internet Cafe Devotions - Marriage Counter for I'm Not Strong Enough. Read more →

A few weeks ago I watched my friend Kelly walking through the foyer of our church. In tow, her three children. They passed by me smiling and saying, “Hello” to passersby who were heading out to eat or going home after church. But, as I looked into her face, I saw something no one else could see. I bet you may have experienced what Kelly is living. Join me today at the Internet Cafe, The Marriage Counter for Married and Disillusioned. Read more →

There is a lot of shame that accompanies the unsavory title of unequally yoked. In fact, now that our book has released I am discovering there are many more women and men living in a marriage where they and their spouse are on significantly different planes in their faith walk, than I suspected. Read the rest of this article today at the Internet Cafe Devotions: Unequally Yoked and Ashamed at Church. Read more →

So...... I must live under a rock at times. I was listening to the radio a few days ago and the radio host threw out the term, missionary dating. Read more at the Inernet Cafe, Marriage Counter, today. Read more →

Submit to your husband. Why is it, this very short sentence makes my emotions bristle? For far too many years the teachings from Ephesians 5:22 have been misunderstood and misrepresented. So let’s have some real and honest talk about God’s intention of this passage and let’s take it a step further. Can you submit to your unbelieving husband? This is a compelling post from my experience in submission in my marriage. You will look at this passage in an entirely different light and see the beauty God intends for all marriages. Join me today for : Submit To Your Husband - You Win in the End, at the Internet Cafe, Marriage Counter. Have a blessed day and I pray you discover what I did about God's Word and marriage. Hugs, Lynn Also, I want to give a shout out to my friends who are offering a copy of our book... Read more →

Today I'm going to tell you about two friends I met way back when I was a tiny baby blogger. I began blogging, let's see, it will be five years ago in May. I stumbled my away around in this crazy and fantastic cyber community and was blessed to find two amazing friends, Iris Nelson and Darlene Schacht. Darlene was the editor of Christian Women Online, an online magazine and devotional site. Almost everyone who was a Christian woman and a blogger found each other through CWO and we all read and loved Darlene's writing. Through Darlene's ministry I join the devotional writing team, now named Internetcafedevotions.com (read my articles here) and that's where I met Iris Nelson. I wrote for the cafe for a year, took a break and then returned there last summer. Darlene was instrumental in launching Spiritually Unequal Marriage and so was Iris. I joined Iris's... Read more →

Today at the Internet Cafe Devotions, The Marriage Channel they are giving away a copy of Winning Him Without Words. Stop over today for some snippets from the book and enter for the giveaway. Hugs, Lynn Read more →

Hey, I almost forgot to tell you that I have shared a facinating interview I did with my daughter a few years ago and it's over at the Cafe. Take a minute and read this if you are trying to raise children in a mismatched home: A Child's Faith When Raised in a Spiritually Mismatched Home. Read more →

Prayers for Our Unsaved Spouse Visit the Internet Cafe Devotions, Marriage Counter. Hugs, Lynn Read more →

Thanksgiving is fast approaching in America. I love the holidays and Thanksgiving dinner is a family tradition that brings me great joy. I will tell you that in the early years of our marriage, I would set myself up for such high expectations that my husband would assume the spiritual leadership of our home and over our table and offer grace before we ate. He never did. I remember I would find myself feeling a little depressed at the end of day. I bet some of you have also been in this place. What can we do now to be better prepared for Thanksgiving this month. I am sharing a story over at the Internet Cafe today that might bring you hope. Join me there today for Spiritually Mismatched at Thanksgiving. ***THIS FRIDAY**** Join me for our online TV show, The Intentional Marriage. I will share with you one of... Read more →

If you have been a reader here for very long, you might have discovered I believe one of God greatest gifts to humanity is..... drum roll.........a steaming cup of coffee. I am pouring today at the Internet Cafe. I am behind the counter, The Marriage Counter, dispensing a hot brew and sharing a story. Please pull up to the counter and let's chat. After all women have a great need for conversation. I heard they speak on the average of 16,000 words a day? But, what happens when that need is not met in their marriage? It happened to me. Join me for the whole story and I pray you will discover a secret to contentment in conversation. My Husband Doesn't Listen To Me. Also, it's Marriage Monday. And we have an opportunity to share a story from our Marriage. So this story at the Cafe is perfect. I love... Read more →

I’m Going to Break Your Heart! I have a really scary challenge for you. You should carefully consider what I’m about to ask of you. Don’t enter into this venture unless you are truly ready for your heart to change. Before I ask you to join me in this challenge I want to share a story..... Do you ever wonder how God feels sometimes? Well, a few months ago the Lord allowed me to gain some understanding.... My experience was so intense, I told the Lord I couldn't take it any longer. Today, visit me at the Cafe where I share this experience and challenge you to experience God yourself. I am a contributor to the Internet Cafe, The Marriage Counter. Join me for: I'm Going to Break Your Heart (This is a good thing, I promise) Hugs, Lynn Read more →