Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Renewing Your Marriage Vows

Marriage can become like a pair of old slippers, comfortable, worn in all the right spots and possibly taken for granted. 

After more than 20 years of marriage, Bob and I had the opportunity to renew our vows.  It was meaningful and brought to the forefront our commitment to each other in a fresh and new way.

If you would like to renew your vows with your spouse, here are the vows that we used. 

Dear ______,
I want to take this time today to renew the covenants of marriage with you. 


I vow to keep these covenants of marriage will all my heart and for the rest of our lives together. 
I vow to honor your family, as well as my own, in a way that is pleasing unto the Lord.

I vow to love you with every fiber of my being, in all of our good times and bad.

I vow to keep you as my best friend and have no other friend that takes your place.

I vow to support you and encourage you in word and in deed and to lift your spirits when you are down.

I vow to set aside time especially for you, to keep our love fresh and strong. 

I vow to give myself and my passions to you alone.

I vow always to have a heart of gratitude toward you and to always be honest with you. 

And I vow to never look for love in anyone else.

Furthermore, I vow to be the Father/Mother I should be, in raising our children in the love and commandments of God and not the leave that great responsibility to you alone.

I vow to keep all of the covenants with you, with the help of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 
Amen.

Thankful for my marriage,


Monday, May 23, 2011

Miracles

Do you believe in miracles?

I do.

Does God answer prayers these days?  Does He care about the "little things" or should we just pray for the "big things"? 

In January, my dear husband, Bob, was working outside in the cold.  Somehow, his wedding ring slipped off of his finger and it was gone, totally and completely gone.  He searched everywhere that it could have fallen off but could not find it anywhere.

It really bothered him and me because our marriage is so precious to us and the ring is a symbol of that relationship.  Not to mention shortly after that in February we renewed our vows in a church service with all the married couples. 

We prayed and prayed to find it.  We prayed that God would show us where it was.  Nothing, no ring.


                                     

Four months later, in April, Bob looked down at the ground near our front door because he saw a glimmer of gold.  Sure enough, it was his ring!! 

We have no idea how it could have ended up there.  He had even looked in that spot before.  Only God could have arranged that!


I believe God cares about the little things!  I believe He wants to answer our prayers about small things.  He wants us to come to Him as the loving Father that He is and ask Him for help, guidance, the things that we need. 

To us, this is a miracle.  Something that only God could do.  It's like He is telling us not to worry, that He will take care of us and even give us the desires of our hearts.   Reminding us again that He cares for the little things.

It's not about a gimme attitude, it is about relationship.  It's not just going to God with our want list.  It's about having a relationship of praise, worship, adoration and trust... trusting God to provide our very needs.   Because He loves us.

Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.




Psa 37:23-25 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.




Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.


 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.




John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

So, if you have a need today, pray.  Bring it to your loving Heavenly Father.  Trust Him to do the best for you. 

Lay your burdens at His feet.  He will sustain you. 



Trusting Him today,

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Great Weekend at GHEA!

 This is Julia's booth before the GHEA conference started.  She had a lot to sell!

 The booths were usually very busy so it was hard to get a picture of all the people coming and going.  She did very well and sold quite a bit.  She also enjoyed seeing friends that she doesn't get to see often.
 Here is Mark and Steven's booth.  They also did very well and sold almost ALL of the weapons that they brought. 
People were amazed at the concept and parents of boys were really intrigued with the idea.  It was a great learning experience for the children to speak to customers.  They kept their cool even when their booths were swamped! 

You can download a free Shield and Buckler booklet from the Warfare by Duct Tape website.  Click here to go there.

All of the ebooks are available as a download from their websites.  Julia's is HERE.  The boy's website is HERE.

Julia is planning a freebie in the near future, so you may want to bookmark her website and check back later. 

I also had fun seeing friends, (Hi Vickie!) and others that I only get to see at the conference. 

Blessings,