Thankful Thursday - Marriages

Every once in a while we give thanks on Thursdays here at SUM. And considering all that transpired in the past few days, Dineen and I have so much in which to be thankful.

As I think over the opportunities we had to reach out to people who are unequally yoked, I'm undone. Let me just share just a few of the miracles and praises. Please celebrate with us.

From the Forum on Tuesday at Focus Communities: Hello Ladies, my name is Mark and I heard the announcement about this FOTF program while on the way to pay for a divorce with my wife....... The Lord stayed my hand on divorce yesterday, so I know He's up to something.

From 1 Peter 3 Living: Gill ~My mom was married to an unbeliever for 19 years. She prayed and prayed of course, but she didn't push, just lived her quiet example. In 1999 we were at a baptism or a first communion celebration for some family friends and for the first time in years he went up for communion, and when he came back and knelt down beside her she could tell he was really praying. A week or so later he had a stroke and died 2 days later.

With God, as long as our spouse is alive there is time, there is hope!

From Facebook: Tisha ~I realize now that I can do this, that I am not alone, and my faith has been strengthened by letting the truth sink in that my God will never forsake me, no matter what circumstances I find myself in. I also have renewed hope that my marriage can be everything I have always dreamed it could be, and that I TRULY need to get out of the way, not just say it, but do it!

From the comments: Brenda ~ I want to be sure to give God all the glory for turning my life around when He did... the light dawned for me that IT'S OK TO STAY WITH MY HUSBAND! IT'S OK TO HAVE A HAPPY MARRIAGE! IT"S OK TO GO TO CHURCH ALONE!

Juliane ~  I left a little later for work today and caught FOTF in its entirety. I cried all the way to work. I believe the message you both delivered today was God's way of telling me that there is always hope and that I am never alone with Him. Thank you for sharing your story!

CamDon ~ Hearing you guys on FOTF this morning gave me hope and reminded that we serve an amazing God that has everything planned out. Like one of you ladies said this morning, "God does NOT need our help" That simple phrase convicted and humbled me at the same time! I just wanted to say thanks for being obedient to God and giving a woman like me hope!

From email: Dave ~ I just wanted to thank you for articulating so well what many of us in unequally yoked marriages feel and, more importantly, reminding us that God still has a plan for us, our spouses and our children.

My friends, Dineen and I are in the trenches with you. We are only servants. But we are servants of the MOST HIGH God and His son, Jesus. It's all about our Lord. Every word of honor belongs to Him.

Giving thanks and praising our Lord can change everything. 

What are you thankful for today?

And tune in tomorrow because a few days ago when I was out on my walk and pray God gave me a question to ask every single one of us who is in an unequally yoked marriage. Your answer to this single question will determine what God will do in your marriage. Stay tuned.

Be blessed and let's storm heaven's gates with praises. Lynn 

Thankful Thursday - A Focused Moment

Hi Everyone,

It's a bit late in the day to join Thankful Thursday but my heart and Dineen's heart overflows with gratitude. We thank our Lord for allowing us to share the hope we have for our unequally yoked marriages with the team and eventually the listeners of the radio program, Focus on the Family.

We arrived at the Focus campus yesterday and went straight into the recording session. We will share more at a later date. For today, Dineen and I want to offer praise to Jesus for this day and to thank our Lord for the community here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

You are our eternal family and we love you very much. Lynn and Dineen

Thankful Thursday - Holy Chill Bumps

Gave me Holy Chill bumps.
(only 2 short minutes)

 Shut down distractions.

Turn on Speakers.

Be moved. 

So thankful this Christmas. So utterly thankful. Lynn 

Thankful Thursday - My Good Bye

Thankful Thursday is back here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage for the month of October. Next week visit Laurie at Women Taking A Stand for Thankful Thursday.

I have been a participant in Thankful Thursday since 2006. Whew, a very long time indeed. I have been a host for this online gathering for a very long time as well. And I LOVE sharing my thankful heart with all of you and reading your posts of thanks.

But, I'm now following the call of the Lord as He moves my focus and time to new areas of service so today will be my last time to HOST Thankful Thursday.

I still plan to participate in Thankful Thursday as time allows but my hosting of the event is ending. I have LOVED to read your posts. I have walked through many seasons, struggles, triumps..... There have been births, marriages, adoptions, changing of the season, pumpkin butts, silly jokes, sharing of the Lord, miracles.......

There has been LOVE.

We have shared love and community with one another and I will alway hold a special place in my heart for all of you who offered praises to Jesus, who left words of encourgement, who wrote about your faith and your spiritual journey. These are the gems in my crown that I will one day throw at the Father's feet.

One day I will meet each of you face-to-face. I will hug your neck and celebrate the days we gathered over a computer and raised our voice, our written voice to give thanks to God. I can't wait for that day.

I am so utterly thankful for all of you my online community of believer in Christ. You are my treasured friends. 

Lord, I bring each one of these, your children, my brothers and sisters before your throne. Lord, bless them as they use their voice to bring glory to your son, Jesus. In His powerful and life-changing name, Jesus.

Here are some of the memories from TT posts and days gone by. Hugs, Lynn

 

The Chicken

The Pumpkin Butt

Does anyone have some pants for this big boy???

This is our season to shine.

 

 

And Well Done kiddo! These are only a few.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES. Love and hugs, Lynn

Thankful Thursday -

Thankful Thursday is back here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage for the month of October. Woo Hoo!

Achoo! Sniffle, sniffle. 

Good day every one and pass the Kleenex. Where's the Nyquil? Do you feed a cold and starve a fever or feed and fever and starve a cold? 

Sheesh! 

Yep, cold number four this year. Thankfully, I don't need to use my voice for blogging because I have laryngitis as well. This morning I reached down to pet my dog and say, “Do you want some breakfast?” And my voice came out sounding like a cross between a drugged up bear and a Giant South African Bullfrog. 

The dog freaked out and ran away. 

Mercy! 

I don’t look much better than that bullfrog either *grin.* 

In spite of the dramatics (too much Nyquil is my guess) and the cold, I’m still filled with joy. It’s Thursday and I love Jesus. That is all I need. But God has given me so much more than I could ever dream. 

I’m thankful for so much my heart could explode (or could that be my sinuses?). 

My Top Ten:

1. Daughter’s play opens tonight ~Break a leg Caitie. I know you will ROCK it.
2. Husband is home from business trip.
3. The dog warmed up to me by two in the afternoon *grin*.
4. My BFF, Pam, covered for me at Bible Study.
5. Enjoying this beautiful fall day, even if it’s from the view of my kitchen window.
6. God is still on the throne.
7. My sins are at the bottom of the sea.
8. Jesus is the answer to every problem.
9. I have a hope and a future.
10. I will live forever. 

Can I get an AMEN? 

What’s your Top Ten? Achoo and God bless you my friends, Hugs, Lynn

Thankful Thursday - Honor God

Thankful Thursday is back here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage for the month of October. Woo Hoo!

-----

Yesterday I was privileged to sit down and share lunch with Pam Farrel. Many of you may know Pam and her husband, Bill. They have been writing and speaking about Godly marriages for years and years. One of my most favorite books they authored is, Men are Like Waffles and Women are Like Spaghetti. This book is a hoot. If you want to understand your spouse better, I highly recommend it. 

Pam spoke yesterday at our church prior to lunch and shared a verse and a story that filled me with such hope, I shall never be the same. 

1 Samuel 2:30... Those who honor me I will honor... 

Did you know that Pam was raised in an unequally yoked home? She faced enormous struggles as a child. Too much of a story for today (a later post). It was her mother who was intentional to raise Pam and her siblings to know God. I will be interviewing Pam's mom soon and will share more. 

But what strikes me so much about Pam and her story is this. Pam believed God. She was saved at age eight and believed this verse so much that she has lived to honor God all of her life. In turn, God has honored Pam, her husband and now her children and down to the next generation even her grandchildren. 

Pam poured Christ’s love and teaching into her children, determined like her mother, to instill Godly principals as the strength of their character. 

Pam told the story of her eldest son who stepped into a new high school and was determined to live for Christ. All those years of teaching him as a boy were about to be placed on display. Her son started a chapter of Fellowship of Christian athletes and he also determined he was going to honor God with his life. Pam shares that as the football captain he asked his players to join him at the 50 yard line following their big rival game to pray and give thanks. This was a first for his school. 

The game was a route and they lost something like 30-0. They players were in no mood to pray following the loss but Pam’s son made his way alone to the center of the field. 

He knelt. 

He prayed. 

Slowly her son’s Youth Pastor made his way toward the 50-yard line, following him, his Young Life Leader, they knelt, heads bowed. Then the players on the opposing team began to shuffle out onto the field as hundreds now knelt before the Lord in humble thanks. 

Pam’s son was living out his love and giving honor to his Lord. 

He was awarded athlete of the year, received numerous scholarships. He is now married to a wonderful Christian woman whom Pam adores and has kids. This is a legacy of love. This is what happens when we honor God. 

What we do today, no matter our past, our pain, our circumstances, if we live to honor the Lord, He will honor us. 

Pam, her husband Bill, their ministry, and their legacy is living proof that God’s Word is true and He delights to honor those who honor Him. 

Give Him thanks this day. Honor Him with your words, your actions your whole life. 

Praising Him, Lynn

 

 

Thankful Thursday - It's all about Perspective

Thankful Thursday is back here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage for the month of October. Woo Hoo! We have a busy month around here and for all of you joining us today, welcome to our marriage challenge. 

Out-Love Your Husband/Wife 

If you missed the video posted Monday, I promise it’s worth your time. Just read the comments. AND join us this month to put God’s love in action in our marriages and then watch and see what our Great BIG God will do. 

I love this time of year. Our first winter storm rolled in off the ocean and I headed for my sweatshirt and jeans. I turned on the central heat to chase the morning chill away and that familiar smell of fall washed over the house. Yep, burnt dust. But, there is something about the fall colors the smell of the heater the first time it fires for the season this fills my heart with joy. 

I looked around my home and was moved to stop and just thank God for all I have. For the changing of the seasons. The provision of a job for my husband. The amazing community of believers, all of you, with whom I share my life. My husband, daughter, son and my wacky dog Peanut. I could go on and on. 

If you are struggling in your life, stop right now and write down 10 blessings that you know are from God and thank Him for each one. If you are in on the marriage challenge, make this specific to your spouse. 

1. He’s ferociously loyal to me.
2. He loves Fantasy Football (so do I)
3. He is tall, dark, and handsome with blue eyes.
4. He puts his butt in a plane every week to provide for his family.
5. He loves his mother.
6. He is a great dad (and can still help her with high school math. Sheesh I gave up when she was in fourth grade *grin*)
7. He fixes computers for me and the entire neighborhood.
8. He respects my faith even if he doesn’t get it (that was a long time coming.)
9. He puts up with my impulsive need for change.
10. He loves me, really loves me. 

What are you thankful for this week. If you are a blogger, join the fun. If you aren’t write your list in the comments. Honor the Lord with your thankful heart. Thankfulness is at the core of our heart change. Thankfulness is perspective that can change everything. 

Happy Thursday. I will be around to read your posts this week. Love you all, Lynn

Thankful Thursday - Eerie Beauty

Thankful Thursday is hosted this September with Iris.

Yesterday I stepped outside for my morning walk; the fog had rolled in overnight. As I was walking I watch the grace sky melt away and the brilliant blue appear overhead.

As the sun spayed its light around me it illuminated the many spider webs that are present this time of year. The webs were sparkling with tiny drops of crystal dew.

Spectacular in their eerie beauty.

The webs appeared to be everywhere and would normally go unnoticed if it weren’t for the fog that brought them to light.

I walked.

I worshiped.

I’m thankful for the unexpected beauty found in an ordinary garden spider web.

What are you thankful for? Join us over at Iris’ place and let’s praise the Lord. Have a great day, Be blessed, Lynn

Thankful Thursday - The Miracles

Welcome to Thankful Thursday. Hosted here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage each Thursday in July. August- Laurie and September- Iris. Remember we are at Laurie's next month.

Wow, my month to host Thankful Thursday is over. My friends, time is rushing forward. Prepare yourselves as the days hasten when every knee will bow and every tongue confesses that....

JESUS IS LORD!!!

Earlier today I sat in my favorite Fresh-Mex restaurant with four of my Bible study gals. We caught up on life and as always, our conversation turns toward what God is working out in our lives. I love that. I hope you have friends who love to talk about the Lord.

I listened to one of the gals share that once again her husband is unemployed. We have prayed for their employment situation for over two years now. I felt moved by this unexpected turn in the employment situation in her life but as I listened and watched her face I saw something.

There were no tears. There was no mention of "poor me." She actually glowed. She looked better than I have ever seen her. You know why? Her spirit was soaring. She was still a little fearful of what their future holds and earnestly prays for full-time employment for her and her husband.

BUT, she sat at the table today and said this:

"I have watched all the tiny miracles of God all around me."

"I have seen His provision in crazy and the most unexpected ways."

"And my husband has even started to take interest in the things of God."

She went on to say that their budget is so tight she was wondering where she would find the money to get her son a hair cut. She said she even mentioned it to her mother. Then the next day, in the mail arrived a coupon for a free haircut.

You should have seen her face where she shared this story. Glowing, rejoicing and absolutely filled with belief in her God of provision.

Now, this may seem like a silly coincidence but I assure you, God KNOWS exactly what we need and He is faithful, if we are faithful, to give us exactly what we need. And if you ask anyone who is utterly dependant on God, He gives you just enough. Not too much, not too little. Just enough. She needed a $10 haricut. Not much to many but it was a lot to her and God sent her that coupon exactly when she needed it.

Many of you know that we, The Donovan Clan, were unemployed for nearly a year in 2009. I, too, have witnessed these tiny miracles. You can read about some of those miraculous accounts in the archives.

As the four of us sat around the table we rejoiced because we have discovered how to open our eyes and see the miracles all around us.

I pray that you also learn to see God's miracles all around you. Every. Single Day.

On this, my final day of hosting for July, share a miracle that the Lord revealed to you. I can't wait to read your posts on your blogs and if you don't blog, leave your story in the comments.

Happy TT. Be blessed, Lynn

Thankful Thursday - Random Abundance

Welcome to Thankful Thursday. Hosted here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage each Thursday in July. August- Laurie and September- Iris.

Dineen did such a great job last week with the Thankful Thursday topic. Thank you my friend. 

I'm back home from Wisconsin and we have another Thursday.

Jack in the Bean stock has nothing on me. I returned home from Wisconsin and in just a week my garden exploded.

Take a look at this:

  I'm in there somewhere. Can you see me?

That sunflower is at least 16 feet tall. Sheesh. It's a beauty.

And look at this tomato bush. 

Mercy!

This is a yellow pear tomato plant. I have three words to say about that. 

Yum and eee.

I write about my garden in our book, Winning Him Without Words, it is a special place. And gals and guys may I say, God has blessed it abundantly. I can't wait to see what kind of pumpkin shapes grow this year. Remember last years butt pumpkin? Ahem, *grin*

I am up to my elbows in zucchini that weigh more than a small infant. And tomatoes are abundant. It's salsa time.

I wish I could share my garden with you. That is where I meet with the Lord every morning, coffee and Bible in hand. That time is the best part of my day.

I'm thankful for God's grace in my ordinary and abundant life. What are you thankful for today.

I will be around to read your posts this next week. I can't wait to visit your place. Please leave a comment and a link if you have a blog. 

Also, Dineen and I have added several new free resources to our Freebies page at www.winninghimwithoutwords.com. Please use them. Share them with your Bible study friends. Email them to others who need encouragement. It is our desire to serve the community of God and to help others as others have helped us. Hugs, Lynn