GPS to a Joyful Marriage

It’s already been one of those weeks.  I wasn’t able to post my article on Monday because of the storms that interfered with the service here.  Rick and I are in Ft. Lauderdale at an RV park.  I went to add a few things to the article, today, before seeking a Starbucks for internet usage, and my article was not saved on my computer. (?!?!)  So, I had to start fresh with a new article.  Now I know I may not be impressively savvy on the computer, but I’m certainly keen on saving anything of importance.  I can’t imagine what happened.  I suppose those little computer demons are only trying to add some more chaos to my life.  I really don’t want any more. I won’t even mention how stressful it has been to be away from Spring Hill while Tropical Storm Debby wreaks havoc all around it.  My handicapped brother recently moved in with us, and I’ve worried about him while we’re gone because he stayed behind at our house.  He is in excellent hands though.  Still, they’re not my hands. 

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious for anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” The greatest gift I have received from God, since turning my life over to Him, is peace.  I did not know peace before that.  Even after all these years of striving to live a godly life, I’m still amazed whenever I experience His “Peace that transcends all understanding” .  It doesn’t always seem logical and may not be understood.  I’ve even had well-meaning Christians question my peace in some circumstances where they thought I should have responded a different way. I believe that God’s peace benefits us most in our marriages.  Let’s face it – we don’t marry perfect people.  We are all human and come with flaws.  If we go into marriage expecting our spouse to make us happy, we will fail miserably.  Maybe even before the honeymo

Matthew 10:37-39, “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:24 says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  Verse 26 says – “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” According to these verses, nothing should come before our relationship with Jesus.  Not our parents, not our children, not our spouse.  Matthew 16:24 says you must deny your SELF and take up your cross to follow Jesus. There it is again – the “self” word.  Selfishness keeps you in the world. “Whoever finds his life (life in the world) will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake (life following Jesus) will find it.”  We easily get

It’s not easy – following God’s plan for your life.  We live in a very busy world that offers countless distractions.  If we’re not careful, we can quickly allow these distractions to rule our lives and our marriage relationships. Although we live in the most advanced age ever with technical gadgets and toys to satisfy our every whim and make our lives simpler, life has only become busier, more complicated, and more influenced by the world.  All of this can easily divert us from our dedication to God. How many times have you told God that you are going to make it a habit to talk to Him every day and read His word?  You have every intention of digging deeper into His spiritual realm and becoming the true Christian He desires you to be.  You want “more”.  You want to know all of that almighty power that is available to you.  You want to experience God as you hear others claim to experience Him. Something always seems to get in the way, though.  It may be as innocent as a si