Sara Groves – “It’s Me” – New Music Video

Yes, Marriage Takes Work – But It Is Worth It!

Sara Groves’ new release “It’s Me” and commented about it on Tangle:

“Sometimes when Troy, my husband, and I are in the midst of a disagreement, one of us will say something that’s really sarcastic or just so overt. And being on the receiving end of that, it’s is like, “Honey, it’s me … Sara.” Or vice versa. We just forget who we’re talking to and the value of that person. For whatever reason, you cross that line where sensitivity and tenderness are discarded. You’d never talk to anyone else like that or treat someone else like that. Troy and I are working on that…” — Sara Groves

Healthy and satisfying marriages are what God intends and they are possible -
but they do take ongoing work along the way from each partner and -
require God’s help.

As someone who has been married and unfortunately divorced, I’ve been able to see marriage from different perspectives. Now as a single person, looking forward to marriage again, I realize the importance of each person not only going into the marriage committed – but staying committed.

A great marriage resource book I’ve been reading is “Love & Respect” by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. It has a simple but really powerful message about the ‘LOVE She Most Desires’ and the ‘RESPECT He Desperately Needs’.

The message in the book is also followed up with specific things each partner can do and say. Actually, this message of Love & Respect goes beyond marriage relationships, but is guaranteed to help your marriage. I highly recommend it!

Taking the time to personally develop some new skills goes a long way in living a more satisfying life!

God bless you - and may He strengthen all marriages, and heal all those that have been hurt from divorce -

“God is my strength and power: and He makes my way perfect.”
– 2 Samuel 22:33

With God nothing is impossible!

Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. “Love & Respect” is available on Amazon and I see they also have “The Language of Love & Respect Workbook” by the same author.

Now What? After Your Child Graduates and Starts a New Season of Life

My Little Girl Is Growing Up

Within the last few months I celebrated my oldest daughter’s 18th birthday and her high school graduation.

She is very smart, talented, and beautiful. I’ve always been proud of her in many ways. Especially her ability to stand for what is right and make smart decisions.

Within the last six months or so, though – I’ve seen her decision making waver.

My heart has always gone out to other parents who have a child or children that stray from what they know is right and get wrapped up in the dark things of the world. I can now relate to what those parents are going through in a much deeper way. My daughter this year got hooked up with a bad group of friends and overnight turned into someone I hardly recognize. It broke my heart.

Thanks to a praying pastor, friends, and family, she is coming back around and I believe she will prosper in the good plans God has prepared for her.

Earlier this year I had a friend remind me that as much as I love my daughter  – she is also a child of God and He loves her and cares for her way more than I do.  I don’t know how to even explain how much that comforted me, but it still does  . . .

I picture God watching over her and holding her at all times. Something I can’t do. So I continue to pray and trust God to take care of her.

Some Powerful, Encouraging Scripture Confessions to Pray Over Your Child in Accordance With The Word of God:

I pray that in all things my child is more than a conqueror through Jesus who loves her.
Romans 8:37

I pray, God, that You have put a new song in my child’s mouth – praise to her God.
Psalm 40:3

I pray that my child has the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16

I pray that my child is confident that You, God, who have begun a good work in her, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

I pray that, Lord, Your faithfulness will establish my child and guard her from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3

I pray, God, that You have sent Your word and healed my child and delivered her from destruction.
Psalm 107:20

I pray that my child will be strong in You, Lord, and in the power of Your might.  I pray that she will put on Your whole armor, that she may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For she does not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12

I pray that my child realizes that You, Lord, know how to deliver her out of temptations.
2 Peter 2:9

I pray that You, God, will heal my child’s broken heart and bind up her wounds.
Psalm 147:3

I pray that my child loves You, God, because You first loved her.
1 John 4:19

Go ahead and personalize these with your child’s name.

In good times or bad, we need to continue praying God’s will for our children. Then we’ll see growth take place in their lives to become all that God intends them to be!

God bless you & your children,
Brenda

P.S. Is there a verse not listed above that has helped you? Please feel free to share . . . Thanks!

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

To the best mom in the whole world. Here’s Celebrating You Today!! :0)

Here is a fun video that all moms are sure to enjoy. They showed it at church today and I wanted to share it…

I Love You Mom,
Brenda

Stop the Enemy from Attacking the Prosperity of Your Teenager

How to Get Your Teenager Back on the Path to Prosperity

When you are on the path to a prosperous life, you quickly discover there is resistance. Attacks of all sorts pop up along the way to prevent your success. This is common to everyone seeking prosperity. It also seems that the closer you get to your desired result the greater the challenges.

Often times, we find ourselves successful and prospering is several areas. Our diligence and determination begins to produce results. However, the enemy likes to play dirty and if he can’t get to us personally he will go for our children.

Teenagers already experience a great set of challenges of their own. New changes are constantly happening in their lives. They experience physical changes in their bodies, they get jobs, learn how to drive, begin new classes and activities at school, struggle with peer pressures of all sorts, have to make decisions for the future, and begin acquiring new responsibilities, just to name a few.

As parents we want the best for our children and to see them prosper. We invest in them to the best of our ability regardless of how demanding it can be at times. Anyone that has raised a teenager knows that many a time your mental, emotional, and physical reserves will be zapped. Yet, we continue to get up each day and give them the unconditional love they need.

Yet, what do you do after you’ve taught and instructed them in the way that will prosper them and then the enemy takes over? Through temptations, addictions, and rebellion they are on a path to destruction. This is a great turmoil in life to see a child that you love go through. It creates an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness and helplessness in a parent.

There is hope, however, regardless of your situation. Our children are a blessing from God. And God has power over the enemy and we need to stand on His Word to activate this power.

Meditate, confess, and stand on the following verses from God’s Word in faith daily:

“Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping;
Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears;
for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.”
Jeremiah 31:15-17

Stop your weeping. Keep serving the Lord. Refuse to let the enemy have your children. Don’t give up. Put your trust in God and His Word. If He says there is hope, then believe there is hope and that your children will come back from the land of the enemy. God’s plan is for you and your children to prosper.

May you and your children experience growing prosperity as you serve the Lord!

God bless you with hope & encouragement,
Brenda

P.S. If you have a personal testimony of getting your child back out of the hands of the enemy or any advise in this area … please comment and share. I’d love to hear from you as I’m standing on the above scriptures for my daughter to come back!