Relationships

      Reality is a strange thing... It isn't what we think it is either. There is a whole other alternate realm in which we move about, yet can't see. I know there are some twisted teachings on this, some more new age twisted ones. I know because I used to read the material and "practice" it. As always the enemy takes what is good and twists it.

    There are things that we can't see that we're protected from, sometimes we find out what those things were and other times we don't. We are always in danger of some snare somewhere.
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 
     There are things God protects us from and there are pitfalls we can avoid but being aware and by praying continually. "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
It sounds complicated, praying all the time. I think of it as talking to Jesus all day long, even if what you're saying is what you would deem boring. It's a relationship in which you share everything, even your silly little trivial thoughts. He already knows what you're thinking, the obedience and gesture of friendship is in saying those things out loud.

     Jesus can even help you make decisions. "Lord, is this your will? What do you want me to do in this circumstance?" The Holy spirit knows when it's time to speak and when it's time to keep your mouth shut. If I didn't heed the Holy Spirits prompting I would say all kinds of things that weren't helpful or of use to others. It's not hard, it just requires a bit of obedience on our parts. Talking to God all day is far more real than the chair your sitting in. God is eternal. This world is temporal. That sums it up. And if Jesus Christ is your Lord and savior and you're going to spend eternity with Him, don't you want to talk to Him everyday- all day long? I know I do! I get distracted. There are so many things to distract me away from what is most important. But that is also part of the enemy's plan too.

    When you're feeling that ancient spirit of getting over whelmed- know that readjusting your gaze back to God will diminish it. Life says- do everything NOW. God says- in My timing. Our enemy comes only to steal and kill and destroy. (John 10;10) Talking to God will help you discern what needs to be attended to immediately and what doesn't. It's amazing the things that will distract us away from what matters more.

     We also live in an age where being social means logging into our social media account. Which doesn't supplement real human contact but in some cases, we've allowed it to. We have successfully substituted real friendships for "only at my convenience" and "just give me a quick rundown." Does that really replace face to face communication? No! We are accepting cheap substitutes for real friendships. Is social media nice to keep in touch with people who don't live in the same country or state as you? Absolutely, yes. But if it's a legitimate friendship, you're not keeping tabs on one another just by your status update and choreographed pictures that are posted.

     Our enemy is quite crafty when it comes to the allure of what he has in mind. Everything that he does offer is nothing but a cheap substitution. It's like paying Prada prices for a knock off bag where the stitches are all misaligned. That's not Prada.
      I listened to a sermon yesterday that served as a good reminded for all friendships, not just marriages. There was one scripture that stood out to me the most-  "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." Proverbs 17:17 
Born for a time of adversity... Real family and friends are the ones that stick around. Real friends and family are the ones that bear your burdens with you so the weight of it isn't so heavy. Jesus was the ultimate weight bearer but we are designed to be in community with one another too. Do you step up when your friend is in need? Or just when it's merely convenient to be friends with them? The light and trivial stuff.
     I've seen a recent outcry against fake friends and superficial relationships but where is the effort? Where is your effort? Are you putting in the time and the effort? Or are you happy to live in the superficial world that has been laid out before us? The one that will not stand the test of time. First and foremost our relationship with God needs to be in good order, constant communion with Him. Second, our family relationships and friendships will either fall into place to lay by the wayside. I know there comes this point of frustration where you've exhibited the effort necessary to sustain a relationship but the effort hasn't been reciprocated. What answer is there for that? Pray for them and forgive them. We all must live from a place of constant forgiveness. Many times the offense against us isn't on purpose but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

   God is sovereign, if God is sovereign then our friendships are contingent upon who He allows in our life too. If a relationship is wildly out of balance as concerns effort maybe it's just a closed door and it's time to stop banging on it and walk away.

    God is so good. His goodness is all around us if he are willing to be of sober mind and thank Him continually for His goodness. Don't settle for less than God's best in your life, that goes for everything that is available to us. Whether it's friends, things or places. There isn't anything that isn't from God that is worth having. You will always be left with a feeling of emptiness.

   Have a blessed day friends.

Trust

    It's been a long week and it's only Wednesday... This happens often. It's been a whirlwind few months, this happens often too.
 
      Our trust isn't in ourselves alone because it's fallible. Our strength isn't in ourselves alone because our strength runs out. We don't rely on our own wit or wisdom because we can't see what will happen even 5 minutes from now. I do know Who has an endless supply of strength; wisdom and who is faithful. God!

     God brings us through with each step, His Son never leaves our side. He is the steady hand on my shoulder as I work quickly to bring a fever down. He is the quiet voice amidst the crying, He is the calm in the middle of the storm. He is, I am.

    We've seen Him present in everything over the course of the last several months. From the femur fracture with Cookiepants, to the surgery and it's timing and now this monster cold that has over taken her. We trust in His loving care to cause her to thirst again. We trust in the fellow believers praying on her behalf, that those prayers are affecting her recovery in a positive way. We trust in His leading, knowing what to do with her and when.

    To the world and the worldly mind it sounds like utter madness but it makes perfect sense to us. There is this path we have been traveling along for a few years now that has brought us to this point. To a point of utter reliance and being present. We are here, being who God created us to be, doing or not doing the things He has ordained or asked us to refrain from. That is all. Worry doesn't cloud our thinking nearly as much as it used to. Worry doesn't add to a circumstance, it only takes away your presence of mind. Trying to do everything and all at once- no longer necessary. It never was necessary, we just hadn't understood that yet.

   Though our problems aren't solved and our circumstances haven't changed much- though they've improved slowly, I still have peace today. We don't know what the day will hold, as it is unpredictable every day. There is no general thrumb to pick up on and ride the wave through the day. Floating through the day would take away from the intricate details, the little ones that are the reminders that God is still here and His hands are all over everything. I want to see that, I don't want to bury myself in mock busyness just to take my attention away from my current reality. I don't want to displace the pain because I know it would inevitably revisit me and show up somewhere else. Pain has a way of doing that. So don't avoid it, stare it in the face. Be bold. Be brave because God is right there with you.

    "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do no be afraid." John 14:27

     This is why I trust Him, if He said it, it will be so. Or the peace that surpasses all understanding. He said it, it will be so. I know that I can trust Jesus, trusting Him doesn't make things easier but I know His promises are true. Much of the things that happen, I don't understand but He does. And I trust Him.

    We're still here being who God created us to be, exactly where we are supposed to be. Brighter things are on the horizon, we know this but for now, we trust in His timing and trust His direction.
We used to live within the most common option, which was to trust in ourselves for everything. It didn't work out well and we were exhausted. Trusting in God has alleviated much of the stress and mental and emotional exhaustion. This is where I would rather be, this is where I would rather live my life- over here with God.

     With trust, comes peace. Reach out to the only one that knows, He will never leave you nor forsake you.

For more insight on this subject matter pick up a copy of: Human, being. Now available online.
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     God bless.

We're still here!

    2016 gave us white knuckles at times, barely holding onto much of anything and certainly not ourselves. Once again it was another year of learning; trial/error, crashing and burning too. It was a year of sitting and watching as those around us were living their lives while it felt like we were living someone else's.

    We watched families lose loved ones and mourned with them. While at the same time we gained an addition to our family and rejoiced in God's goodness. We watched milestones met, with the realization that others were surpassed a long time ago. At times the reality of it was overwhelming and other times we simply celebrated where we are. We are whatever we are, whatever that is. We're here, we're alive and we're still breathing. While there may have been many things that were meant to harm us, with tear stricken faces as times we still praised. God is still good. Even when we haven't understood, God is still good.

    If 2016 taught me anything it was a continue to praise even when I don't feel like it and also not to get comfortable with my plans. There isn't much that happened in 2016 that happened just as we planned. Judah came into the world quietly and gently, healing parts of my ever broken heart. Cookiepants decided that she would hold her own bottle the day we brought her brother home from the hospital. Another thing I learned is that help comes from the most unexpected places and people. And the ones you would believe would be there scatter still. I'm not mad though, it's just life and it's all a part of God's grand plan. I know that He is sovereign over that part of our life too. Sometimes old friends are drawn back together while others drift further away. I've learned not to count on anything but God's hand in this life, who He draws near.

   He has been faithful when I haven't been, He's loved me when I was unlovable. Jesus has been there every step of the way. There were many times I felt alone or overwhelmed, you'll have that with this set of circumstances... I'm still learning that, everyday.

     I've finally come around to the concept of making some plans and having dreams and hopes again. Those things were dashed away a few years ago, all felt lost. I am often reminded, because we're still here that God has a plan for our life. A plan to prosper us and not to harm us. I'm comforted by that. There were times where I just about scoffed at that scripture in my darker moments. But I've learned that even when it's hard to believe, I must believe.

     One thing I must carry into 2017 is the knowledge that plans and dreams are fine and good, they give me something to strive toward. But God ultimately determines where we go and who we're with. We will continue to make plans for the future and pray that they turn out better than we had hoped for. God is capable to knitting things together for our life far grander than anything that we could ever dream up or imagine. Oh how wonderful does that sound!?

     I'm looking forward to 2017 and all that it has to offer, I'm hoping there won't be so many bumps and bruises this year but this is life and those happen. They hurt, often badly... I just have to remember to feel them instead of just tossing those feeling aside. I am only human after all, though most of the time, my obligations should be assigned to someone who is super human. But God takes care of that piece too, filling me with His strength. I know that I can't go a day without Him.

    The end of 2016 felt like a tidal wave of sewing up gaps and it hit pretty hard. The week of Christmas especially. I praised as I held my cat for the last time. I praised as I waited in the waiting room for Cookiepants to get out of surgery. We praised as Cookiepants opened Christmas gifts for the first time ever, as did Judah. It was adorable. It was quiet and it was just the four of us, just as God intended I guess. We sat in our Christmas light lit home, watching old movies, enjoying one another's company and holding each other close. Just as we were supposed to.

    There is nothing else that could have taught us to love one another and appreciate each other the way that we do. Whatever we have been through has gotten us here and whether it was "good or bad" we wouldn't be the same without it. I wouldn't love and admire my husband the way I do today had it not been for everything we've been through together. When Judah calls out for his "mama," it wouldn't sound as sweet as it does had it not been for nonverbal cues from Cookiepants. One day we will appreciate a bigger home that much more, after having lived in a home that we're convinced we've out grown. And winter (don't get me started) I'll soon appreciate the meaning of winter one day when we move somewhere more temperate. It's all there, it's all in the plan. But mostly, I recognize it's not my plan. And I can't look back and state without a doubt that this or that happened because I needed to learn this. But what I do know, I'm just going to trust Him in this new year. I'm going to try and press into Him harder and when I want to throw my hands up in agony and give up- that's when I just need to drop to my knees and pray/praise. Truth be told, I just don't know... I can't see tomorrow. I don't know what I'm going to do next week or even what I'm going to eat for lunch tomorrow.

    So here I am. I'm waiting and I'm watching and I'm praying. He see's me. He hears me and He knows. He know's the desires of my heart.

   Thank you to those of you who are still here or who I've had the great pleasure of reconnecting with. And to those who have fallen behind- if you have to think about it, yeah, it's probably you... But to you, we were what we were for a time and that is all. And I'm grateful for what it was because it was all a part of this wonderful web called life.

     2017, here we come!
     God bless.

The purpose in life...

   Let me just preface this by saying, I love the book of Ecclesiastes... I think about the wisdom in just that book alone because I have a lot of time to think about life and what it's all about. I don't know many people who do enjoy reading it, if you don't interpret it correctly, it's the most depressing book ever! But I love it.

   So, we're going to go through and ponder some of the things that are brought forth to our attention and how it relates to now. Don't be shy, read on. And No I'm not gonna hit you over the head with a Bible either.

    "I have see all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Ecc 1;14
    Now what do you suppose that means? He digs in...

   "I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. I undertook great projects; I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them...... I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." Ecc 2:3-5, 9-11

    Wow, this guy had everything imaginable but still his ultimate revelation was- he wasn't happy and really, it was all still just meaningless.

    Have you ever been there? You thought to yourself that you had everything that you wanted (without even being greedy) this was it, this was all you needed? I think we all have. I know I have at one point or another. But then, something else came along, something else that would make the picture even more complete. It would be the icing on the cake- so they say. Let's say you achieved it, but there is always going to be something else.

   Have you ever wondered if everything that you do serves no purpose but to keep you entertained while you're here? We take everything so seriously, it seems. Except the right things. Think about that for a moment. Your car that you wax every weekend during the summer, do you buy your wife flowers every weekend too? Or the cell phones that never leave our sides, do we take such notice and care to regarding the food we put in our bodies?  I think you get my point, I hope so...

   I'm not standing on a soap box as I type this, I'm guilty on where my priorities are, I write these blogs more for me than for all of you. I'm just hoping to start some kind of a revolution here, one that's filled with love instead of hatred. I know the word love gets tossed around an awful lot but is it really love???

   What else does the teacher say in this book?

   "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil- this is a gift from God." Ecc 3:12-13

   Oh I love this book!
   ... set eternity in the hearts of men? Somewhere deep within us, we know this isn't it. I think to fill the void, the grasping and grabbing, we try to fill this "knowing" with everything imaginable other than God. Oh yeah... guilty. I used to love shopping, it made me happy for a little while, then I'd find something else that I wanted.

   "There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. 'For whom am I toiling' he asked, 'And why and I depriving myself of enjoyment.'  -This too is meaningless- a miserable business." Ecc 4:8

  That's really sad, all that stuff and work put into it, with no one to share it with. Notice, the teacher says, 'miserable' here? It is miserable and lonely and meaningless!

   "Naked a man comes from the womb, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand." Ecc 5:15

    When you pass on, who gets your empire? Okay, so you have a beneficiary designated. Will they spend it wisely? Share the wealth while you're here, at least then you'll be obeying Gods commands AND you'll know where the good are going.

   "The man who fears God will avoid all extremes." Ecc 7:18

   All extremes of what? (to paraphrase) perishing in righteousness, wickedness, overly righteous, foolishness...

   "Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every detail into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil." Ecc 12:13-14

   Why these? These are some of my favorites from this book, outlining some of the key points made through out the book. What good is wealth with no one to share it with? Finding satisfaction in what we're doing, knowing that it's a blessing from God, not just luck or fate. We came here with nothing, we will leave with nothing... It's not depressing, it's just facts. Solomon, who was said to be the wisest man to have ever lived is the one known to have written this book. The entire book is packed with wisdom. Wisdom is what he was known for.

   Keep Gods commandments... Jesus came and had what is often referred to as the greatest commandment. It's found in Matthew 22:36-40

   "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Jesus replied; "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. this is the first and greatest commandment. and the second is like it; 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments."

   If you're loving God with all you have and loving others, which often gives birth to enjoyment in what you do while you spend your days under the sun... This is the point of life then, isn't it? So If you've even wondered what the point to life is, this is it. The root of it is love, love God and love others.

   Hey, thanks for reading along with me. Read Ecclesiastes on your own if you wish, it really is a fantastic book. And it's not break neck long either.

   Love! It's all about love, the real kind. Not the manufactured garbage the world pumps out, love originates from God. We can love others because He loved us first.


 

Where I end and where you begin...

                                                Where I end and where you begin

            Marriage… For some that’s almost a loaded word. Unfortunately, marriages have been left open for a lack of respect; infidelity, abuse, or just not realizing and respecting the magnitude with which marriage is to be taken seriously. I can fully understand why the word marriage would be a hit below the belt for some.

           

        Marriage can truly be a beautiful thing. It can be an amazing thing. But no one ever said it was going to be easy. Even Paul warned: “But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.”(1 Corinthians 7:28)  Stern warning, right? Absolutely, even more so if you don’t intend on doing marriage God’s way. Read all of 1 Corinthians 7:28-34. Which leads us to 1 Corinthians 7:35, this is where I want to go with this. “I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”

            

        I will write from the view point of a woman, as it is easiest for me. Ha… Let me set this all up by saying I am not a model citizen (you chuckled if you know me). Our marriage is not perfect but I do believe that my husband and I have something of a rare quality. We recognize that we (ourselves) are not number one. First and foremost, is God, secondly, each other. This is the relationship we are called to pour ourselves into. This is the earthly relationship that is to be sacred. There is no man other than my husband. Nor is that concept even a possibility. There are too many options couples unfortunately leave on the table when entering into a marriage. The possibility of leaving or divorce. The twisted ideology that a man is to rule over a woman (in a brute, harmful way). The idea of living completely separate lives. A marriage of convenience. None of this is marriage. Not as it was intended at least. There is a mutual dance that was set afire when God created marriage. It was meant to be beautiful; deep, personal and lifelong.

           

          I have grown very passionate about the subject matter of marriage. It means something completely different to me than it had. I once had a worldly view of marriage too. I am grateful that the Lord opened my eyes to the truth.

            

         Alright, let’s crack open an often twisted and misunderstood scripture about marriage and a wife’s role. I think I’m ready for this…

            “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”

Let’s read on: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” Ephesians 5:22-28 (emphasis mine)

            Alright, let’s look at this in context. This is not sexist, as some may think. I have no problem “submitting” to my husband because he regards me as a part of himself. And-because he follows the Lord’s leading in his life, his intentions aren’t impure nor displeasing. My husband isn’t reckless with our life. Once we said our wedding vows, my life and his life were merged, we became one- just as we are called to in the bible. That a man would leave his parents and join with his wife to become one. We are also called to take care of our bodies because they are God’s temple. (1 cor 3:16, 6:19) Therefore, if we are treating each other as we should and treating our bodies as we should where is the fear coming from? Here is another scripture to set things into place too. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

            Some women would contend that they would have no power or say over anything in their life. I know I used to think that way until I understood the scriptures right. What do you want the power to do anyhow? Ask yourself that if you’re struggling with these scriptures. The only thing you truly have control over is your attitude. If the plans you make for your life as a married couple aren’t a part of God’s plan or will, those plans will be thwarted. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

            A husband has a tall order and a wife has no small feat either. In this world our natural inclination is to just take care of ourselves and look out for our own interests. It’s like a default setting. A man must love his wife like Christ loved the church (all the people, not the building) Christ died for all His people, the church. That was the ultimate sacrifice. Husbands are being called to love their wives with the same kind of intense resolve. The kind of – I will stop at nothing and do whatever it takes to love my wife. A wife that is dearly loved, adored and cherished is a beautiful thing. That is a means for motivation as well. It motivates a woman to hold up her end of her responsibilities in a marriage.

            Wives are also called to respect their husbands and submit to them. Respect your man for what he does for you. Respect your husband for going to work each day. Respect your husband for all of the little things he does that either you are incapable of doing or just don’t like to do, you know, the manly type stuff. There isn’t much else in this world that makes a man feel like a man when it is evident that he is respected by his wife. Now that, is something to go home to each night! Also, trust in the Lord that the direction your husband wants to take for your home has been well thought out and taken to the Lord in prayer. Both of you should take it to the Lord in prayer. With that as a baseline, both what husband and wife are supposed to be doing, what they are supposed to be to each other and how they are to act- that’s a pretty good start. 

          All too often we take each other for granted, as though they are always going to be there. Now we are called to always be there but that doesn’t mean you should take a person for granted. Love is the staying power. Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

How much more do you suppose we are called to love our spouse if we are asked to also love our neighbor as ourselves? Loving God and doing what is pleasing in His eyes is number one. There is NOTHING that escapes His view. That in itself is a good remedy to keep a clear conscience. We get our love for one another from God. It is because He loved us first that we are capable of loving one another. This is why it is important to maintain an open, devoted and loving relationship with our Father.

            If each of us is doing what we’re supposed to be doing in a marriage we should be good, right? As in, everything is hunky dorey, right? Heck no… not in this world. It’s hard work. But the best work you will ever do! It is a masterpiece worth fighting for. I think that was one of the supporting factors to Paul’s warning. Here is a major factor in why, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). “For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them” (Matthew 18:20). The reason why I led us here is because this is where the trouble comes in. These scriptures in regard to marriage are fighting words for the evil one. These two scriptures are the definition of unity, oneness, closeness. Our enemy doesn’t want anything of the sort for us. If it were solely up to him, married couples would just be feuding all the time. Here’s a couple scriptures to get a good idea of his nature.

 I know I’m jumping around a little bit but stay with me, this is so rich… “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him…..” 1 Peter 5:8-9

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10

            

        What can we gather from all of this? First of all, the devil is real. He’s not the red guy with horns and a pitch fork but he is indeed real, the scriptures say so. (Isaiah 14) Second, the greatest lie the devil ever told was that he isn’t real. (some variation of that was in the usual suspects, origin unknown otherwise) So, if there is no enemy to defeat or stand guard against, what threat is there on your life; marriage, or even the well-being of your children? That’s a pretty twisted and cunning lie then, isn’t it? But, if you know the truth you have more than a fighting chance. Without it, you will fall into the worldly thrum of life.

            

       We have to be careful not to fall into the devil’s traps and fall for his disguises. He is the master of deception. It is what he has prided himself upon. The world is filled with temptation. If you seek God and seek godly council you will know the difference between what is pleasing to God and what isn’t. There is a very thick line between right and wrong here.  Keeping God at the center, living right and honoring your marriage vows you will have more hope than most. Not letting go of that first and foremost strand, this is a huge key to it all. Praying together for your lives; marriage and family, the Lord will be present. Recognizing the devil’s ploys to get you both fighting against each other rather than standing in arms together. A marriage united is power! That is one of the reasons why it was meant to be so sacred. Unfortunately, it has been made cheap and disposable by the world. It has been taken too lightly and it has been abused and damaged. I know all too personally, I fell into that worldly trap myself when I was in my mid-twenties. I made my amends to God for my ignorance and disregard for what He had intended. I am very blessed that I was allowed a second chance and have been blessed with a wonderful husband now and a marriage we both take to heart and both fight for.  

             

            In conclusion, if within our marriage, we come to God together- a cord of 3 strands is not easily broken. Your marriage will be stronger with God as the center point. He has the power to change, heal and restore. He has the power to keep you on track in your marriage and keep your intentions pure. Your marriage is greatly opposed by the enemy because it holds a power he doesn’t have. Even with all of your struggles and trials, if at the end of the day both of you can take a quiet few moments and pray together, the Lord will be there with you. And that, is quite the threat to our enemy. Because as you know, the overall battle is won but the daily battles still rage on. One way to knock down those daily battles is to stay united. Stay on the right side of the fence. Know your roll in your marriage, know your boundaries. Your marriage isn’t a place to push on boundary lines. Your marriage is the most important asset you have, next to your relationship with God.  Take the scriptures for what they are, in proper context. Marriage isn’t about power. It’s about unity if you’re living it right together. It is two minds working as one. Two bodies being one. What more a beautiful thing can there be? Go back and read the first pages in genesis about Adam and Eve. Marriage should make more sense. If you’re approaching marriage with the right mind set, there should be no sense of where your husband ends and where you begin.