abandoned to Christ.

The primary goal for me and my husband as parents, has never been to be our children's buddy, or to win their love. We've never intended to be their best friend or someone they admired. We greatly desire for our children to spend their lives making much of Jesus, rather than making much of us...or themselves. We've always wanted to give our sons what neither of us ever had—parents who love the Lord Jesus Christ with all their hearts, souls, minds and strengths, and love others as themselves (Matt 22:37-40). We can't think of any greater gift or legacy a parent can pass on to their children, except the love of God (Rom 13:8) and the Gospel of Jesus Christ which alone has the power to save and perfectly reveal the righteousness of God (Rom 1:16-17). "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of...

To abort or not to abort...that is the question. But what is the answer? I mean, the right answer? It’s amazing how many people establish an opinion on important issues without having all the facts. If we're honest, we'll all admit, everything we hear or read in the media isn't “the whole truth and nothing but the truth”. The media (depending on the source), will either skew facts or completely dismiss some, so the public will have no choice but to agree with the media representative's opinion. Personally, I don't believe the American people are so feeble-minded. I believe whether Christian or non-Christian, we're all endowed by our Creator with a conscience that allows us to distinguish between right and wrong. And if we're provided with accurate information regarding any issue, we are capable of making decisions that are right in the sight of God.  Almost one and a half years ago (September 26, 2011),  Living Waters Publications  (LWP) rele...

One of the greatest blessings in a marriage is having children. And one of the most damaging aspects of a marriage are—having children. How do you keep your marriage and parenting the blessings that God meant them to be? You do it by remembering these four things: why God created marriage and children, what purpose they serve, who they're for, and the priority they have. God created both marriage and children to make you holy rather than provide you with temporal and sporadic periods of happiness. Marriage and children should always draw you to your knees in prayer and thanksgiving to God as you humbly ask for His wisdom and love so that you might deal rightly and kindly with your spouse and your children (Philippians 4:4-6). All aspects of a Christian's life is contained in the greatest commandment, "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" and to "love your neighbor as ...

Twenty years ago today, the Lord chose to unite me and my beloved husband together in holy matrimony. We were both young, naive about marriage and still a bit prideful and self-serving. Naturally our pride deceived us into believing otherwise. The first several years of our marriage were rocky as we both tried to mold one another into our own image of what we thought a husband/wife looked like. With one child, and conversations about divorce, we were nearly done. But God's plans are never thwarted. Never. The Lord decided that we would be married until death do us part and have two sons with whom He would also use for His glory. As we've learned, our marriage isn't about the two of us—it's about Christ. Out of God's great mercy and compassion for the young fools we were, He granted us the wisdom we finally asked for and committed to love one another always second to Christ. We took divorce off the table and resolved to keep Christ as our First Love; ...

Once the wedding is over and the guests have gone, we’re left alone with our spouse to live out what we've just promised. This is when most of us realize how selfish and arrogant we are and how difficult it really is to love our spouses  “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,  in sickness and in health , to love and to cherish, 'till death do us part” . It takes more than a whimsical “forever after” idea for a marriage to do more than survive; but thrive. A marriage only flourishes if we obey God’s command to love one another with a holy and sacrificial love that puts Christ first and our spouses second. “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves...Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord...Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should  submit in everything  to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanc...

Common emotions that occupy our hearts when one year is ending and a new one is beginning are: longing for the things of old, or hoping for better things in the future. Most often, these ideas are based on what we want and only the things we can conjure up from our own, finite minds. Wouldn’t you prefer to remember the old and look on to the new with the mind of infinite God, rather than be entrapped by the limitations of your own thoughts, dreams and aspirations? Especially for the most important relationship God has established on this earth—your marriage? Marriage is the only relationship that God uses to express the holy union and beautiful love of Christ for His Body, the Church (every Christian). Don’t tarnish this glorious gift from God with your personal desires and thoughts. Rather, use your freedom in Christ to love, do good and bless your spouse without any regard for self-fulfillment. “Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to thei...

My husband and I just saw this incredible movie this past weekend. We laughed, we cried, but mostly, we praised God for the gift of fatherhood and how it is accurately displayed in a media format. So many TV shows, movies, and commercials nowadays depict fathers as the idiotic, nuisance of the family, rather than the respected head of the household God created them to be. Then we wonder why they don't take the lead, or why they prefer to hang out with their buddies rather than their families. I realize not every father is worthy of honor because they are not honorable people. I understand many of us live under very different circumstances with men of authority, who abuse their position in multiple ways. I'm not talking about these men. I'm talking about the average Dad who often gets forgotten. The one that gets told what the family's weekend plans are and if he has an opinion of his own, everyone rolls their eyes and say, "Oh Dad, you don't know wh...

Though 18.4% of abortions are performed on married women, the aftermath of the abortion  and its effect on her and her husband are rarely discussed, researched or published. There are many arguments for abortion , but none of them are sufficient to relieve the husband or wife’s unbearable grief from participating in their own child’s death. Most abortions are performed within the first trimester, during the time the baby is not viable. This is an elementary argument. Why? Because it is common knowledge that babies are not capable of surviving independently, from the day they are born and at least, up until they are three years old. If a parent does not feed, cloth and provide adequate shelter for a child within this age range, the child will die. Every mother and father knows this is true. When is a baby considered alive? Are life and death processes or events? They are both events. You are either alive or you are dead. And nothing dead ever continues to grow and de...

I made this quick, impromptu video after making dinner for my family and realizing I had a couple minutes to spare. As I prayed about how I might best spend these few minutes, the LORD was kind to remind me of a recent video I had seen on Facebook where a Christian woman was telling other women that they are being "fake" or are wearing a "mask" if they looked halfway decent when and if they work from home. She was stating that if we are being "authentic" then we will stop trying to impress others to try to get them to love and accept us. She taught that women should just be who we are, without makeup, without hair combed, without a shower, etc., just as she was in the video (oh, but she did state that she washed her face). While I agree with the concept of being authentic, this poor sister missed a major point...CHRIST! I was very disturbed that she not only professes to be a Christian, but she also has a Christian ministry where she is wrongly teachin...

Waiting is a strange concept in the 21st Century. And it’s relative. When you have to wait more than 5 minutes in a line at Target, you’re sure you’ve been waiting too long and begin to look around to see if another lane is opening. But if that 5 minutes is all you have left with a loved one, then it doesn’t seem nearly long enough. 30 minutes is too long to wait in traffic. But the first time you hold your newborn child, 30 minutes seems to pass quicker than a breath. When most of us are told we must wait for something, our first reaction is to grumble, roll our eyes and let out a huge sigh of dissatisfaction, followed by the usual question, “How long is the wait?” . For the most part, we’ve all become very impatient people, living in a very “instant” world where most things we want can be attained in a matter of only a few minutes -- that is, if we even have to wait that long. We have instant coffee, microwave popcorn, ready-made-meals, and clothes that are already worn and torn wit...

When our husband's come home from a long, hard day at work, what are they expecting? Is it what they find when they get home? I'm often asked about being a biblically submissive wife and what does it "look like". The following,  are some of the questions that arise quite often from mothers with younger children: How can we lay a welcome mat of love for our husbands after a long day of hard work? How can we make our homes inviting places where Daddy longs to be at the end of a long day? How can we involve our children in this process and teach them to show reverence to their Daddy? "The heart of her husband trusts her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life." ~Proverbs 31:11-12 About fifteen years ago when I set out to becoming a Proverbs 31, biblically submissive wife, I not only apologized to my husband for the specific ungodly acts I committed against him, but I also asked him what things ...

“I have been with my present husband for 18 years. About 2 years ago he had an affair with another woman. It was hard for me but I dug in deep and leaned on my church for support. I have forgiven him but there are signs that maybe something is happening again (hides his cell phone, never uses it in my presence). He is also emotionally abusive at times. I am trying to hang in there. I attend church regularly and read my Bible and pray every day. He is a believer but does not share in my spiritual hunger or devotion. I am anticipating on leaving and divorcing him but I want to seek God and what His word says before I jump and make this move. Please help me.” Dearest sister C, My husband and I have been in much prayer for both you and your husband since I received your email. Your situation unfortunately, seems to be a common one, even amongst believers. And my husband and I often pray for God to help His children live as lights of this world, strangers, those who are so differ...

I'm so thankful to the LORD for providing me with my second love -- my darling husband! After listening to many women throughout my life, hearing from many of you here and also from the precious sisters from My Second Love: A Proverbs 31 Study  Bible study, I have come to realize how very rare my husband is. And I don't mean compared to men of this world, as I don't compare my husband to any of them. For what does light have to do with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:15, Galatians 6:4)? But really, I don't compare my husband with anyone else's either, as this too, is not pleasing in the sight of the Lord . I do, however, compare my husband with what God's word says about a husband and what he ought to be like: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkl...

Last week, I received an email from one of my reader's who asked me a few questions regarding Christians divorcing and remarrying. Before I share my answer I'd like to say a few things: First, I'd like to state that my answer is strictly based on God's word regarding His children's involvement in both divorce and remarriage. I am neither condemning nor supporting any of you (or those you love) who have divorced and remarried in a way that is unbiblical. I am very aware that we are all sinners, and by God's generous grace, He has provided us forgiveness for all our sins by the shed blood of His one and only begotten Son, Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Therefore, if you have participated in an unbiblical divorce and/or remarriage, I encourage you to repent of sins before God, carefully listen to His admonition and teach others what He has graciously taught you, then thank God for His forgiveness and His continued blessings He bestows on your life because He ...