In honor of this year's theme, my dear friend and member of the Wives On Purpose Support Group wrote this poem for our celebration. I hope it blesses you and your marriage.
LOVE NEVER FAILS
By Vanetta Tate © 3/12/10
Love is not the feeling that one gets in a new relationship
Where you can’t hear the words for looking at their lips
It’s not time standing still waiting for the phone to ring
Or the candy, flowers, or just because gifts that you bring
The kind words, your gentle touch, and romantic dinners
Are all nice, but are really just temporary joy lenders
The walks in the park, a new bottle of perfume
When it is all over, real life will resume
Oh, all of it is wonderful and great
But keep on living, just you wait
In the beginning neither could do any wrong
As life progresses we start singing a different song
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE,… Sent from above
The kind that comes in the marriage deal
Ordained by GOD and not how you feel
Love is hanging in there thru thick and thin
Saying I’m sorry, I forgive you, I love you again and again
Tolerating one another’s quirks
Not dishing, slinging, uncovering, or airing the dirt
Getting over differences and letting go of the hurt
Praying, communicating and keeping GOD first
Keeping you needs along side of mine
Both being mindful we’ll be just fine
Being totally committed to GOD and the cause
To complete the journey life with you without a pause
There is the true test that only time can tell
It endures all things LOVE NEVER FAILS!!
*Written exclusively for Wives On Purpose
I'll share more from our program as the week goes on.
Lisa
4/10/2010
5 years of Ministry
Apart from Him I can do nothing but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! This is the heart of my life especially today as I prepare to celebrate 5 years of ministering to married women, the “Wives On Purpose”.
We have met each month in small support groups to learn ways to practice biblical teaching in our marriages. We have prayed each Monday night for our marriages and those all over the world. We have gathered for Christmas breakfast and summer picnics. We have been purposeful in our role as wives and this evening we will dress up, eat, and rejoice in the Lord for he has made us a good thing!
Pray with me that all present will enjoy fellowship with our Lord, a good meal, and that the marriages themselves will be blessed beyond measure with grace, patience, and God’s unmerited favor.
Thanks to all of you who have supported me over the past 5 years and to those who will stand with me for God’s covenant in the future. I am excited to see what he has in store next!
I love you all with the love of Christ,
Lisa
We have met each month in small support groups to learn ways to practice biblical teaching in our marriages. We have prayed each Monday night for our marriages and those all over the world. We have gathered for Christmas breakfast and summer picnics. We have been purposeful in our role as wives and this evening we will dress up, eat, and rejoice in the Lord for he has made us a good thing!
Pray with me that all present will enjoy fellowship with our Lord, a good meal, and that the marriages themselves will be blessed beyond measure with grace, patience, and God’s unmerited favor.
Thanks to all of you who have supported me over the past 5 years and to those who will stand with me for God’s covenant in the future. I am excited to see what he has in store next!
I love you all with the love of Christ,
Lisa
4/07/2010
Be Strong and Be Encouraged- Our 5th Anniversay Is Coming!
Good Morning All,
As we draw near to our 5Th Anniversary celebration, many of us feel very little like shouting. It seems that husbands have hurt feelings, and children have been more needy. Time is running away from us at jury duty, doctors appointments, schedule conflicts, we have even lived through car accidents. Some have run into communication barriers with husbands and many just have one thing after another going wrong... I am writing to tell you Be Strong and Be Encouraged!
Don't think it strange as we face trials preparing to celebrate God's holy covenant of marriage. Rather take this time between now and Saturday to do the following:
Pick out a cute dress and refrain from asking your husband what he is wearing. He can choose his own clothes.
Pray for all of the marriages connected to Wives On Purpose. There are those coming to see God show up because they are considering divorce. There are some who are very off purpose and need to be close to those who are strong right now. Pray for all of us.
Praise God for all he has already done for us! I have seen him provide and move people in ways I couldn't have imagined. Rejoice with me and wait to see for yourself. For now just give him PRAISE!
Finally whatever is on your plate right now. be....
Patient. God has not overlooked your concern. Maybe he just wants you to stop looking at it long enough to enjoy Saturday....
I can't wait to see you all.
Watch for blessings this week!
Lisa
As we draw near to our 5Th Anniversary celebration, many of us feel very little like shouting. It seems that husbands have hurt feelings, and children have been more needy. Time is running away from us at jury duty, doctors appointments, schedule conflicts, we have even lived through car accidents. Some have run into communication barriers with husbands and many just have one thing after another going wrong... I am writing to tell you Be Strong and Be Encouraged!
Don't think it strange as we face trials preparing to celebrate God's holy covenant of marriage. Rather take this time between now and Saturday to do the following:
Pick out a cute dress and refrain from asking your husband what he is wearing. He can choose his own clothes.
Pray for all of the marriages connected to Wives On Purpose. There are those coming to see God show up because they are considering divorce. There are some who are very off purpose and need to be close to those who are strong right now. Pray for all of us.
Praise God for all he has already done for us! I have seen him provide and move people in ways I couldn't have imagined. Rejoice with me and wait to see for yourself. For now just give him PRAISE!
Finally whatever is on your plate right now. be....
Patient. God has not overlooked your concern. Maybe he just wants you to stop looking at it long enough to enjoy Saturday....
I can't wait to see you all.
Watch for blessings this week!
Lisa
1/11/2010
A Little PEACE!
The past few months of my life have been like riding the fastest roller coaster in the biggest amusement park in the world. Unexpected and unusual events have propelled me forward taking sharp turns that felt like I was tipping over. My circumstances lead me slowly upward only to reach a top peak and fall head first downward. The pace has been fast and furious leaving my stomach nauseous and my head throbbing. Up, down, and around I go! Such has been my life since Thanksgiving. The ride continued through Christmas and into the New Year.
One morning I was thinking about my circumstances. I replayed some of the details of these events and wondered if I was going crazy. I didn’t feel crazy but, my parents had expressed concern for my well being. My closest friends had me placed me at the top of their prayer lists. My husband has just been looking at me with a helpless expression on his face. Maybe I am losing it and don’t even realize it.
“How are you doing Lisa, I asked myself?” (I ask myself a lot of questions).
Fine, I really am fine,” I replied. Then I began to wonder why.
I sat very still and then I heard the small voice. …and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7). The light bulb had come on! I could see clearly. I was not crazy at all. I fine because I had the peace of God and it surpassed all of understanding!
How did I get such peace? I heard the voice again. “Peace” I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27). In the midst of messy circumstances, I had received a little peace. My heart was no longer troubled and I was no longer afraid. Peace had strengthened me. I was prepared to handle what was ahead.
Like everything Jesus offers, peace is not just for me. I began to remember watching other godly women as they faced trials covered in the peace of Christ. When a 50 year old wife buried her husband six months shy of her daughter’s high school graduation, she had peace. She lost her husband but, not her mind. I also saw a devoted wife of over 50 years care for her sick husband until he passed. At the home going service her sigh contained a mixture of sadness and relief as she spoke softly saying “my work here is finished”. She had peace. I had spent the last few months caring for some ideals that had died. I had to bury some other false hopes. I had lost some things, people, and direction. In the midst of it all, I was moving forward. I had peace.
My life is still on that fast roller coaster track. God is full control and I believe he has strapped me in tight and is taking me on the most exciting ride of my life. My heart is pounding with anticipation. My head is filling with hopes and dreams and my stomach is still a bit nauseous. I expect sharp curves. I anticipate uphill travel and it may take a long time to reach the top. I am certain that I will fall pretty fast and hard some times. BUT as long as I have the gift of PEACE, I can enjoy the ride!
How about you?
Lisa
One morning I was thinking about my circumstances. I replayed some of the details of these events and wondered if I was going crazy. I didn’t feel crazy but, my parents had expressed concern for my well being. My closest friends had me placed me at the top of their prayer lists. My husband has just been looking at me with a helpless expression on his face. Maybe I am losing it and don’t even realize it.
“How are you doing Lisa, I asked myself?” (I ask myself a lot of questions).
Fine, I really am fine,” I replied. Then I began to wonder why.
I sat very still and then I heard the small voice. …and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7). The light bulb had come on! I could see clearly. I was not crazy at all. I fine because I had the peace of God and it surpassed all of understanding!
How did I get such peace? I heard the voice again. “Peace” I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27). In the midst of messy circumstances, I had received a little peace. My heart was no longer troubled and I was no longer afraid. Peace had strengthened me. I was prepared to handle what was ahead.
Like everything Jesus offers, peace is not just for me. I began to remember watching other godly women as they faced trials covered in the peace of Christ. When a 50 year old wife buried her husband six months shy of her daughter’s high school graduation, she had peace. She lost her husband but, not her mind. I also saw a devoted wife of over 50 years care for her sick husband until he passed. At the home going service her sigh contained a mixture of sadness and relief as she spoke softly saying “my work here is finished”. She had peace. I had spent the last few months caring for some ideals that had died. I had to bury some other false hopes. I had lost some things, people, and direction. In the midst of it all, I was moving forward. I had peace.
My life is still on that fast roller coaster track. God is full control and I believe he has strapped me in tight and is taking me on the most exciting ride of my life. My heart is pounding with anticipation. My head is filling with hopes and dreams and my stomach is still a bit nauseous. I expect sharp curves. I anticipate uphill travel and it may take a long time to reach the top. I am certain that I will fall pretty fast and hard some times. BUT as long as I have the gift of PEACE, I can enjoy the ride!
How about you?
Lisa
1/05/2010
Enter 2010!
January 2010
Happy New Year!
I know we are 5 days into it now but, this is how I have entered 2010.
VERY SLOWLY… It seems God is doing some amazing things in me and in my life. Can I tell you that amazing doesn’t always feel good? Many of my current circumstances are difficult. I would not have chosen them.
BUT in 2010 I am striving to see God in new ways. That is my heart’s desire and my constant prayer. I want more of Him and to experience the hand of a Big God in my life. That leaves me here:
Slow to write to you on the blog
Slow to face the mundane tasks of my day
Entering 2010 with some pretty bad (oh sorry) amazing battles to fight
In the process I am also here:
Reading the Bible in One Year
Praying Like I have Never Prayed before
Seeing God be Provider (My husband’s pay is a limited resource)
Seeing God be Healer. (Some things come only by prayer and fasting)
Experiencing the blessings of immediate obedience.
Seeing a bigger picture of the Body of Christ. (Ministry really does happen on Twitter) and…
Loving the Lord more and more each day!
How have you entered 2010?
Where is God taking you?
Lisa
Happy New Year!
I know we are 5 days into it now but, this is how I have entered 2010.
VERY SLOWLY… It seems God is doing some amazing things in me and in my life. Can I tell you that amazing doesn’t always feel good? Many of my current circumstances are difficult. I would not have chosen them.
BUT in 2010 I am striving to see God in new ways. That is my heart’s desire and my constant prayer. I want more of Him and to experience the hand of a Big God in my life. That leaves me here:
Slow to write to you on the blog
Slow to face the mundane tasks of my day
Entering 2010 with some pretty bad (oh sorry) amazing battles to fight
In the process I am also here:
Reading the Bible in One Year
Praying Like I have Never Prayed before
Seeing God be Provider (My husband’s pay is a limited resource)
Seeing God be Healer. (Some things come only by prayer and fasting)
Experiencing the blessings of immediate obedience.
Seeing a bigger picture of the Body of Christ. (Ministry really does happen on Twitter) and…
Loving the Lord more and more each day!
How have you entered 2010?
Where is God taking you?
Lisa
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