Hey Covenant Groupies,
I know I've been away for a couple of days. I have an event next week and it's kept me so busy. I don't like missing my times of blogging this is my precious time to share the amazing things God is doing in our life and marriage.
Anyhoo, I want to share something interesting with you.
Recently, my 6 year old niece saw what we see each and everyday; a teenager that has simply refused to pull their jeans all the way up. Immune and highly disturbed by this fashion trend, I said nothing. But she leaned over to me and said, "Auntie, do we like people who don't pull their pants all the way up?" I loved how she phrased, DO WE LIKE; meaning you, uncle, mommy, daddy, Grandma, my teachers and all of the other influential people in my life. That says alot about where children take their lead in life from.
Immediately, I said "Yes, we are kind to everyone, but it would be nice not to see peoples underwear." She concluded, "Oh, ok, then I like him, but can I tell him to pull his pants up."
It was cute banter between an Auntie and her niece, but think just how often conversations like that can go waaaaay wrong; influencing a child to think wrongly and negatively about another human being with prejudice or discrimation.
Kevin and I have committed to be very positive influences in the lives of, not only our nephews and nieces, but any child that comes into our presence. They truly do not do what you say all the time or willingly, but you can believe that they will do what we say.
Conclusion to story: the teenager came over to me and shared that he was trying to play with my niece and she refused. He asked her, "Are you afraid of me?" My niece responded, "No. I just don't think it's nice that you don't pull your pants all the way up. It's not nice" She then walked away from him.
She convicted him far more than I or any other adult could have.
Out of the mouth of babes!!!!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
QUESTION OF THE DAY! - When to Let the Past Go!
Hey Covenant Groupies,
Today's question has to do with past relationships. We all know, or should that we should, at some point, break any and all ties with past relationships, because we can't successfully move into our future iff we have a foot stuck in the past.
So, with that said, how much of your past relationships exist in your marriage? Do you stay in touch with any of your ex's? If so, Why? Do these past relationships create arguments in your marriage?
Today's question has to do with past relationships. We all know, or should that we should, at some point, break any and all ties with past relationships, because we can't successfully move into our future iff we have a foot stuck in the past.
So, with that said, how much of your past relationships exist in your marriage? Do you stay in touch with any of your ex's? If so, Why? Do these past relationships create arguments in your marriage?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Love – The Greatest (Spiritual) Gift
Hey Covenant Groupies,
If you belong to a church that teaches directly from the Bible, and I pray that you are, then you’ve been guided, taught and discipled on Spiritual Gifts; you’ve even allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal yours, right? I ask because lately, I’ve been hearing, from my church and other churches, people talk more about and receive accolades for their own personal Spiritual Gifts, than what the Bible calls the Greatest Gift – Love.
I guess, from a human perspective, we’ve been taught about love from people; how to love, why love matters, things we can do to keep it strong, how to get revenge when you’re betrayed by love. But God’s perspective is simply this: You’ll never know love until and unless you know me. I am the creator of love and nothing pleases me more than when my children love, no matter what their Spiritual Gifts are.
After reading 1 Corinthians 13 today and then studying this in the commentary, it was interesting to read that no matter your gift; whether it be prophecy, knowledge, tongues, teaching, exhortation, wisdom, prayer or whatever, it has a very short and temporary countenance and duration. We can’t take our gifts to heaven. When Christ returns, all supernatural gifts will cease. However, love is greater than all gifts; has a longer countenance and is more durable. Therefore, love follows us into eternity.
Wow, shouldn’t we then seek to do all we can in order to take our imperfect way of loving to God and ask Him, maybe even desperately beg Him to teach us how to love Him and His Children sacrificially. I remember the day I learned my Spiritual Gifts; I was so excited and ready to work, however, I never associated love as the most important ingredient needed to use my gifts in the church. It was not until I begged God to teach me to love like Him was I then able to use my gifts in my church, outside of the church and even in my marriage.
Are we not in Kingdom boot camp here on earth being prepared to live and love perfectly in Heaven?
If you belong to a church that teaches directly from the Bible, and I pray that you are, then you’ve been guided, taught and discipled on Spiritual Gifts; you’ve even allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal yours, right? I ask because lately, I’ve been hearing, from my church and other churches, people talk more about and receive accolades for their own personal Spiritual Gifts, than what the Bible calls the Greatest Gift – Love.
I guess, from a human perspective, we’ve been taught about love from people; how to love, why love matters, things we can do to keep it strong, how to get revenge when you’re betrayed by love. But God’s perspective is simply this: You’ll never know love until and unless you know me. I am the creator of love and nothing pleases me more than when my children love, no matter what their Spiritual Gifts are.
After reading 1 Corinthians 13 today and then studying this in the commentary, it was interesting to read that no matter your gift; whether it be prophecy, knowledge, tongues, teaching, exhortation, wisdom, prayer or whatever, it has a very short and temporary countenance and duration. We can’t take our gifts to heaven. When Christ returns, all supernatural gifts will cease. However, love is greater than all gifts; has a longer countenance and is more durable. Therefore, love follows us into eternity.
Wow, shouldn’t we then seek to do all we can in order to take our imperfect way of loving to God and ask Him, maybe even desperately beg Him to teach us how to love Him and His Children sacrificially. I remember the day I learned my Spiritual Gifts; I was so excited and ready to work, however, I never associated love as the most important ingredient needed to use my gifts in the church. It was not until I begged God to teach me to love like Him was I then able to use my gifts in my church, outside of the church and even in my marriage.
Are we not in Kingdom boot camp here on earth being prepared to live and love perfectly in Heaven?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Marital Facts: Realistic or Not?
Hey Covenant Groupies,
I love it when I find these pseudo-facts and what they truly mean. Seriously, if you married your spouse and they had all of the characteristics you have on your list, then what's up with the HUGE divorce statistics?
Maybe instead of just looking for those top five characteristics, you may want to perform a criminal background check, solidify interests and values, past relationships, whether or not they have addictive personalities, can hold a job or have been abused/abusive in past relationships. Maybe then you'll have someone to build a Holy and wonderful life with.
Furthermore, double check your list. Be sure that everything on that list is realistic by God's standards and not your own. The list I had was severely altered and when God revealed my husband to me, I must admit, my first reaction was, "That's not what I wanted." God quickly reminded me that He had chosen my husband for me when I was in my mothers womb, how dare I deny God's choice or Kevin?
Marriage and Divorce
Top Characteristics People Want in a Partner
1. Honesty
2. Kindness
3. Respect
4. Compatibility
5. Humour
Top Reasons Why People Marry
1. Marriage signifies commitment
2. Moral values
3. Children should have married parents
4. The natural thing to do
5. Financial security
Top Reasons Why Couples Divorce
1. Different values and interests
2. Physical and emotional abuse
3. Alcohol and drugs
4. Infidelity
5. Career-related conflict
I love it when I find these pseudo-facts and what they truly mean. Seriously, if you married your spouse and they had all of the characteristics you have on your list, then what's up with the HUGE divorce statistics?
Maybe instead of just looking for those top five characteristics, you may want to perform a criminal background check, solidify interests and values, past relationships, whether or not they have addictive personalities, can hold a job or have been abused/abusive in past relationships. Maybe then you'll have someone to build a Holy and wonderful life with.
Furthermore, double check your list. Be sure that everything on that list is realistic by God's standards and not your own. The list I had was severely altered and when God revealed my husband to me, I must admit, my first reaction was, "That's not what I wanted." God quickly reminded me that He had chosen my husband for me when I was in my mothers womb, how dare I deny God's choice or Kevin?
Marriage and Divorce
Top Characteristics People Want in a Partner
1. Honesty
2. Kindness
3. Respect
4. Compatibility
5. Humour
Top Reasons Why People Marry
1. Marriage signifies commitment
2. Moral values
3. Children should have married parents
4. The natural thing to do
5. Financial security
Top Reasons Why Couples Divorce
1. Different values and interests
2. Physical and emotional abuse
3. Alcohol and drugs
4. Infidelity
5. Career-related conflict
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Hungering and Thirsting for God’s Marriage
Hey Covenant Groupies,
This past Sunday the sermon was titled, “Seeking God: Send Forth Your Word” from Isaiah 55:6-8, which is mighty powerful and of course and as usual, during the teaching we visited other scriptures as well as verses before and after the day's scripture.
Well, the first verse in Chapter 55 starts by saying, "Come all you who are thirsty!" I’m not sure, at all, why this particular sentence made such an impression on me and stood out so prominently, but as I meditated on the entire sermon over the weekend, I began to think about being thirsty for drink and hungry for food; how we will go to, sometimes, desperate measures for both. We'll even fight if it's not up to par-won't we?
Of course that led me to think about hungering and thirsting for God, His ways, His purposes and His marriages. I wondered, in my own life, when did I begin to acknowledge that I was truly ready to eat from God's plate and drink from His cup? Obviously, it was during a crisis; one that led me to believe that Kevin and I would never make it as a married couple.
Sometimes, I must admit, I hate the fact that we are so hard-headed to God’s nudging and then there are times I am so elated by it. It's the only way, too often, God gets our attention.
There were several times I could not see my life with Kevin as being anything but painful and I’m quite sure he’d say the same. There was a time that God put some distance between us and required me, especially, to sit in His presence and get a glimpse of Kevin from His perspective. I had never prayed for my marriage or my husband the way I did those 5 days and it was during that time that God begin to tell me how “His Ways are Not My Ways and His Thoughts are Not My Thoughts” in a truly personal way.
He shared how He has never seen, looked at or even thought of Kevin the way that I sometimes do; that I was not Him and could not begin to love Kevin or have a marriage He wants to abide in until I saw, thought or loved Kevin that way He did.
I had standards and expectations that I wanted Kevin to live up to, but it never worked out quite the way I wanted. I had to question where those standards and expectations came from. Ultimately, they were not God inspired and our marriage was on the road to failure.
This was my moment of divine thirst and hunger. I was so desperate for God to be pleased to abide with us and make His home in our relationship, but it started with my desire for His plate and his cup. His plate consists of love, mercy, forgiveness, grace, serving others, submitting to the Father’s Will in all situations, and surrendering who I am, what I believe even my dreams and desires to God. His cup was filled to the brim with pain, suffering, lies people told, brutality, hate, betrayal, and then death.
All of this plus more I owe my husband.
This past Sunday the sermon was titled, “Seeking God: Send Forth Your Word” from Isaiah 55:6-8, which is mighty powerful and of course and as usual, during the teaching we visited other scriptures as well as verses before and after the day's scripture.
Well, the first verse in Chapter 55 starts by saying, "Come all you who are thirsty!" I’m not sure, at all, why this particular sentence made such an impression on me and stood out so prominently, but as I meditated on the entire sermon over the weekend, I began to think about being thirsty for drink and hungry for food; how we will go to, sometimes, desperate measures for both. We'll even fight if it's not up to par-won't we?
Of course that led me to think about hungering and thirsting for God, His ways, His purposes and His marriages. I wondered, in my own life, when did I begin to acknowledge that I was truly ready to eat from God's plate and drink from His cup? Obviously, it was during a crisis; one that led me to believe that Kevin and I would never make it as a married couple.
Sometimes, I must admit, I hate the fact that we are so hard-headed to God’s nudging and then there are times I am so elated by it. It's the only way, too often, God gets our attention.
There were several times I could not see my life with Kevin as being anything but painful and I’m quite sure he’d say the same. There was a time that God put some distance between us and required me, especially, to sit in His presence and get a glimpse of Kevin from His perspective. I had never prayed for my marriage or my husband the way I did those 5 days and it was during that time that God begin to tell me how “His Ways are Not My Ways and His Thoughts are Not My Thoughts” in a truly personal way.
He shared how He has never seen, looked at or even thought of Kevin the way that I sometimes do; that I was not Him and could not begin to love Kevin or have a marriage He wants to abide in until I saw, thought or loved Kevin that way He did.
I had standards and expectations that I wanted Kevin to live up to, but it never worked out quite the way I wanted. I had to question where those standards and expectations came from. Ultimately, they were not God inspired and our marriage was on the road to failure.
This was my moment of divine thirst and hunger. I was so desperate for God to be pleased to abide with us and make His home in our relationship, but it started with my desire for His plate and his cup. His plate consists of love, mercy, forgiveness, grace, serving others, submitting to the Father’s Will in all situations, and surrendering who I am, what I believe even my dreams and desires to God. His cup was filled to the brim with pain, suffering, lies people told, brutality, hate, betrayal, and then death.
All of this plus more I owe my husband.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Covenant Marriage - A Video
Hey Covenant Groupies,
I know I've been MIA for about three days, but I have been feeling very blah thanks to our allergy season here in NYC. I have no clue when I got allergies, but obviously I have them now and they really put me down.
Nonetheless, I am back and feeling soooo much better. Thank God!
Check out this video and let me know your thoughts.
Marriage is a most special bond forged between a man, a woman, and the Lord. This is how the Lord intended it in the beginning (Gen.2:24) and how it will continue to be. But marriage does have its challenges, and as Christians, we need to be aware of what St. Paul teaches in 1st Corinthians. Marriage is a very sacred and important relationship. It is a Commandment of the Lord (Matthew 5:32) not to divorce for reasons other than sexual immortality, thus - marriage is a union which must be fortified and treasured. How do we strive to accomplish this? This video addresses the very important Biblical guidelines of marriage.
Covenant of Marriage - Funny bloopers are a click away
I know I've been MIA for about three days, but I have been feeling very blah thanks to our allergy season here in NYC. I have no clue when I got allergies, but obviously I have them now and they really put me down.
Nonetheless, I am back and feeling soooo much better. Thank God!
Check out this video and let me know your thoughts.
Marriage is a most special bond forged between a man, a woman, and the Lord. This is how the Lord intended it in the beginning (Gen.2:24) and how it will continue to be. But marriage does have its challenges, and as Christians, we need to be aware of what St. Paul teaches in 1st Corinthians. Marriage is a very sacred and important relationship. It is a Commandment of the Lord (Matthew 5:32) not to divorce for reasons other than sexual immortality, thus - marriage is a union which must be fortified and treasured. How do we strive to accomplish this? This video addresses the very important Biblical guidelines of marriage.
Covenant of Marriage - Funny bloopers are a click away
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Quiet Inspiration - Just The Push I Needed!
Hey Covenant Groupies,
Ok, so the nasty truth is: I HATE TO WORK OUT!!!!! It’s just so annoying to me to remember caloric intake, workout regimen and taking vitamins. Blah, Blah, Blah! Sometimes when I get questions like, “Which gym do you go to?” “How often do you workout?” or “How do you fit working out into you busy schedule?” It makes me feel like I’m supposed to work out. Not, gonna happen – or so I thought.
You see, last year, Kevin began an amazing journey of working out at the top of the year and by March, he was looking so good, and everyone told him so. His commitment, dedication and resolve to remain focused was so inspiring to see. Well, as he started his new job in September, the gym became non-existent as he became acclimated to work.
Well, here we are now, and he’s back at the gym. Again, very inspiring to see it play itself out. He asked if I wanted to join him, because I did mention that I wanted to tone up, but of course, I said “No, thanks.” I love that he knows when to push and when not to. Then, wouldn’t you know it, this past weekend, during a mini Wii tennis tournament with our family, the loser had to workout on the treadmill – kids and all. (My brother’s idea)
So, as I was on the treadmill I realized that, although I’m very healthy, I needed to get my heart health in check. I did it in the time allotted, but the next morning my arms were burning. My legs are strong; I love to walk, so I had no issues there. But my arms told a completely different story.
So, I started working out and toning up with resistance bands on Monday, and I’m loving it! When I finished, I immediately texted Kevin and told him that I was working out, how good it felt and I thanked him for being just the quiet inspiration that I needed.
Watch out ya’ll. Your girl is about to be bananas!!!!!!
Ok, so the nasty truth is: I HATE TO WORK OUT!!!!! It’s just so annoying to me to remember caloric intake, workout regimen and taking vitamins. Blah, Blah, Blah! Sometimes when I get questions like, “Which gym do you go to?” “How often do you workout?” or “How do you fit working out into you busy schedule?” It makes me feel like I’m supposed to work out. Not, gonna happen – or so I thought.
You see, last year, Kevin began an amazing journey of working out at the top of the year and by March, he was looking so good, and everyone told him so. His commitment, dedication and resolve to remain focused was so inspiring to see. Well, as he started his new job in September, the gym became non-existent as he became acclimated to work.
Well, here we are now, and he’s back at the gym. Again, very inspiring to see it play itself out. He asked if I wanted to join him, because I did mention that I wanted to tone up, but of course, I said “No, thanks.” I love that he knows when to push and when not to. Then, wouldn’t you know it, this past weekend, during a mini Wii tennis tournament with our family, the loser had to workout on the treadmill – kids and all. (My brother’s idea)
So, as I was on the treadmill I realized that, although I’m very healthy, I needed to get my heart health in check. I did it in the time allotted, but the next morning my arms were burning. My legs are strong; I love to walk, so I had no issues there. But my arms told a completely different story.
So, I started working out and toning up with resistance bands on Monday, and I’m loving it! When I finished, I immediately texted Kevin and told him that I was working out, how good it felt and I thanked him for being just the quiet inspiration that I needed.
Watch out ya’ll. Your girl is about to be bananas!!!!!!
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