FATHER - It's Your Day!

We honor You...We esteem You...We love You...

Fathers generally hold a special place in our hearts that is so unique, it is hard to define. 

I suppose that has to do with the fact that they are quite often the first true male role model we have in our earthly family.

For the newborn, the toddler, and the young child - Dad is the main man.  He is the one you cuddle-up with in his over sized easy chair. He is the one who holds your tiny hands as he leads you across the room step by step. He plays peek-a-boo and chases you through the house as you squeal in delight. He tucks you in bed and scares away bad dreams and dreaded monsters in the closet. He reads you stories and answers endless questions. He stands guard as you venture out into your strange new world...

Our heavenly Father likewise cares for us - both in the natural world and the spiritual realm.

When we are hurting and venerable, we can approach our Abba (daddy) and crawl up into His lap of mercy. There we feel secure and safe. When we acknowledge His positional sovereignty, we begin to grasp His great power and authority. As the child's song Jesus Loves Me says, "We are weak - but He is strong".

In Luke 12:32 Jesus says, "Do not fear little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Our heavenly Father longs for us to solely rely upon Him. Our efforts apart from Him are futile and empty. When we give Him our availability - He will give us our ability to do what He has called us to do. He is our advocate and counselor. He is our teacher and mentor. All of our dreams and desires are nestled safely in our God ordained destiny.

Celebrate this Father's Day knowing that your heavenly Father rejoices in the day your were born. 

God longs to make us children of His Kingdom. He draws us unto Himself and awaits our spiritual rebirth. We were created for His good pleasure and fellowship. Celebrate that relationship.

Here are a couple of past posts to read and share with others for Father's Day

A Tribute to my Dad on Father's Day

Military Dad Far From Home

Finally, when life is pressure filled and complicated  - make time with your Father and sit in His presence. I enjoy visualizing sitting in a tranquil garden communing with my heavenly Father.

Imagine the wonderment, the serenity, the beauty...

Smell the flowers' fragrant scent. Listen to the trickling water as it flows downstream. Gaze upon the colorful flora. Listen to the cheerful singing of the birds. Feel the gentle breezes on your cheek. Touch the grassy carpet beneath your feet. Engage your full senses as you rest in His creation.

Psalm 46:10 tells us to, "be still and know He is God."  That means stilling your mind and thoughts. Let His holy Word infuse you with truth and life. Meditate on His goodness, His faithfulness, and His promises.

Have a journal nearby to write out questions or jot down Scriptures that come to mind. Pour your heart out to Him as the psalmist David did. Be real with God - after all, He knows your inner most thoughts. He knows your pain and your disappointments. He loves you with His perfect love...

Jesus prayed for all believers in John 17:24 

 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."

Enjoy the hymn "In the Garden" as sung by Alan Jackson... 

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

FATHER - It's Your Day!

Is Your Testimony - Open Mouth and Insert Foot?

Yep - I had to bite my tongue... again.

Never return evil for evil or insult for insult... but on the contrary blessing - praying for their welfare, happiness and protection, and truly pitying and loving them. For know to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing (from God) - obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection. (I Peter 3:9 AMP)

I suppose I'm the only one that routinely visits this scenario. I'm having to once again swallow my pride, humble myself and return a kind word in exchange for a gruff remark.

"Did he get up on the wrong side of the bed again?" I ask myself.  Why do I feel that any little thing sets him off like a firecracker? Lord, I'm tired of getting my feelings hurt and my ego bruised again. Why must I always be the one to back down and extend grace?

Yes - I'm being melodramatic here for a reason.  First of all, when we continuously refer to ourselves and our feelings as we complain to the Lord, we are in effect answering in the rhetorical because we already know what the answer is.  We are Christians and we don't act like the world. We are to act like Christ.

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  (Proverbs 15:1)

Here is a brief excerpt from my book  MISSION POSSIBLE   

Chapter 6   In The Meantime - Serve

I Peter 5:7 says, [in humility] "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." Sometimes we have many concerns and burdens to cast upon Him. There are days we must ask God to forgive us for an attitude that is less than honorable. When my husband hurt me with a comment or action, I would find myself saying to God, "Forgive him, Lord, for he knows not what he does."  

We cannot afford to hold a grudge and give place to the devil. We must be peacemakers.  Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."  Love is the "bond of perfection" and you must "let the peace of God rule in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:14-15). We need to remind ourselves that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).  Your husband is not the enemy - Satan is!    © 2010-2015

I was listening to a sermon the other day via a pod cast by a well-known pastor. He was teaching on the subject of repentance with reference to the crowds that surrounded Peter as he was preaching during Pentacost. His boldness had dramatically increased after the Holy Spirit had empowered him and the other disciples. The Apostle Peter confronted them with the death of the promised Messiah and their own sin (Acts 2:36-41).

Paul writes to the Corinthians telling them that he rejoiced in the fact that their sorrow led them to a true repentance that in turn led to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).  I began to see with my spiritual eyes that godly sorrow in me would produce true repentance - not just "lip service" to the Lord.  My actions needed to align themselves with what I was "saying I would change." Christians have to repent too! 

I needed to turn from my former ways of coping with the difficulties in my marriage to a more Godly response that was born from a pure heart's motive.

Thankfully Jesus is a God of second chances. He knows our frailties. He sees our innermost struggles. If we ask Him for strength, perseverance, and wisdom He will oblige us in our request. Purpose to submit yourself to His plans and His ways. Remember, taking on His yoke is easier than trying to do it all by yourself (Matthew 11:29-30).

Speaking of submission - always view it from the perspective of submitting to Jesus. That will help you as your spouse's helpmeet to do what is required by the Lord to preserve harmony and a safety zone within your marriage.  Here is a link to one of my popular posts about submission:  Oh No - Not the S Word .

So tell me - what is your greatest stumbling block in your spiritually mismatched marriage?  Do you cry out to the Lord in frustration?  Have you seen a rise in spiritual tension in your home?

Stay on your knees... that just might be a sign of a pending breakthrough in the heavenlies...

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Is Your Testimony - Open Mouth and Insert Foot?

Divorce - Has It Affected Your Family?

I have been walking through a desert of swirling sadness and dusty disappointment.  My soul has been parched and lifeless.  A blanket of heaviness hangs over me.  I’ve replayed hundreds of conversations, thoughts and pictures over and over in my mind. 

It’s okay to grieve.  I’ve given myself permission to “feel” the pain and sorrow.  I admit I’ve struggled with depression.  I’ve attended a funeral of sorts – another marriage has gone by the wayside.  Another couple has called it “quits”.  Another marital commitment has been laid aside, and vows once proudly proclaimed have been quietly dismissed.

I don’t mean to be so melodramatic – but I have to verbalize what I’ve been feeling these past few months.  It’s a type of therapy for me.  Everyone deals with pain in a different way.

There are too many of us...  We are the parents of adult children who have decided to divorce.  A new generation has broken all records with their half-hearted visits to marriage counseling and a quick trip to the divorce attorney.

 

Here are some startling statistics from http://divorcerate2011.com/divorce-statistics

• Almost 49 percent of the marriages end up in divorces
• First marriages end up in divorces in an average duration of just less than 8 years
• 60 percent of all divorces are related to individuals aged 25 to 39
• There were more than 21 million divorces in the year 2000. In the same year, 58 million couples were married and still lived separated
• The average male age for a second divorce was 40.4 years and the average female age was 37.3 years in 1990
• The divorce rate of first time marriages is almost 10 percent lesser than the divorce rate for second marriages
• Over a 40 year period, 67 percent of first marriages terminate in a divorce and 50 percent of these divorces take place within the first 7 years
• Every year more than 1 million children are affected by divorce  

Our son and former daughter-in-law are now a statistic. 
They have a daughter who is a toddler, and they are now living in different states.  Theirs is an all too familiar story regarding marital strife and miscommunication.  It always takes two to unravel a marriage.  There is plenty of blame to “go around”. 

I wrote a blog post last year titled:  Grass is greener or just an illusion?

 

It addresses the problems of discontentment and disillusionment in your marriage.  Many young couples simply have unrealistic expectations when they enter holy matrimony.

I am, however, writing this post as an encouragement!  
Someone else out there in the World Wide Web will read this post and cling to hope regarding their family situation.  My message to you is:  Hold onto your hope (Psalm 27:13-14) and watch what God can do in the midst of an impossible dilemma.  God is a God of Restoration, Regeneration, and Renewal.  Anything is possible with God…

I have chosen to not be judgmental and overreacting when it comes to the “how” of their divorce.  I have not taken “sides” and been vindictive.  I love both my son and his wife.  They are the parents of our first grandchild.  They are both emotionally and psychologically damaged by the trauma of their divorce.  No one is a winner… they are both on the losing end of it all.

One thing I am determined to do is be a lighthouse and safe-house for both of them during this transition period.  
They both need to be ministered to.  They both need to understand that God still loves them and has a plan for them individually.  They both must discover who God is and submit to His Lordship.  They both need to mature and set aside their differences and work together for the benefit of their daughter.

God has specifically given me a mandate to minister to my daughter-in-law.  She is a wonderful mother and needs support as she steps into a new and unfamiliar role – namely – that of a single parent.  God has lain on my heart to be kind and helpful and understanding and patient. He would have me “sow seed” into her life, let others water, and watch as God brings the increase (I Corinthians 3:5-9).   

Please pray for me as I reach the edge of the wilderness and behold meadow ahead.  I desperately need rest.  I need spiritual refreshment and strengthening that only the Holy Spirit can give me.  Pray that I will continue to walk in wisdom and discernment, letting God lead my steps and direct my path (Psalm 37:23). 

I know you have a story to share or a burden to bear.  There is life after divorce for our adult children.  Please leave me a comment and encourage someone else today with your words of wisdom or your life experiences.  

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit

http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

Divorce - Has It Affected Your Family?