One of the benefits of reflecting on the past year is that it affords me the opportunity to see areas where I need to continue to grow. It also reminds me of the importance of my role as a wife. Carolyn Mahaney has taught me so much (through her writing and speaking, of course) about God’s design for me as a woman and as a wife. The last few days I have been listening to some of her messages and in her message “Loving Your Husband” on Titus 2:3-5 she highlights two things that were really convicting to me:
After Three Years of Marriage: Part 1
It’s hard to believe, but my third wedding anniversary is this coming Friday. When we got married everyone said it would go by fast, and while I believed them I didn’t fully understand just how fast it would go by. In some ways it feels like we’ve been married forever, not in the sense that some describe forever (i.e. monotony, boring, etc.), but in the sense that I simply cannot imagine my life without or before Daniel. My life is so much more enriched and blessed by him. He is my best friend. He knows me sometimes better than I know myself. He loves me and cares for me. He is fun to be around. He is my dear, sweet husband.
Friday is for Food and Fotos
Last week we were in Dallas for Daniel's job. While we were there we also got to experience all of the culinary awesomeness that is in Dallas. We ate a lot of good, good food. In-n-Out Burger has added locations in the DFW area, and while we had seen it on our recent travels there, we had yet to try it. It was my first experience with In-n-Out, and I was not disappointed. But I'm easily pleased by a hamburger, so I might be an easy critic! Here are some pics to document our dining experience. As you can see, I could not wait to try my burger!
Radio Interview on the Family
A few weeks ago I was interviewed by a radio station in Pennsylvania and New York on my Her.meneutics post Mourning the Death of Family-Friendly TV. The Christian radio station specializes in music, teaching, and cultural and family issues. We talked about a variety of things related to the article, including over-programming, the local church, and God's design for families. It was my first radio interview and I had no idea how it would go. I was really nervous! Here is the link if you are interested in listening.
Infertility Does Not Define You
One of the constant struggles in my journey of infertility is to not believe the lie that I am defined by my infertility. Many times it feels like if you were to look up the word infertile in the dictionary my picture would be there staring back at you. Of course, it is easy to feel this way. Regardless of the medical condition causing the problem, the diagnosis from the doctor is that for the time being I am infertile. Infertility is keeping me from getting pregnant. Treatments, medicine, tests, and the like occupy my thoughts.
Reading on the Cross: What's Up Next
I've heard it said that we should never stray far from the cross of Jesus Christ. It's a common misconception that as believers we somehow move on from the message of the cross and on to more practical, weighty matters. This could not be more untrue! We need daily doses of the gospel. We need regular reminders of what the cross accomplished for us. And we need a clear view of the wonderful place called Calvary, where our Savior bore our sins and died the death that we deserve.
Mourning with Those Who Mourn on Mother's Day
Her.meneutics (the Christianity Today women's blog) just posted an article I wrote on navigating the difficult waters of the joy and grief that surrounds Mother's Day. I link the exhortation in Romans 12:15 ("Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep") to the celebration that surrounds the day. I know a lot of women who, like myself, want to be happy for others this coming Sunday but feel a sting in their soul regarding their own longings for children. Romans 12:15 is for days just like that.
Finding Your Home on Mother's Day (repost)
What a Girl Wants (and How She Can Get It): Part 3
Even with the most comprehensive and put together discipleship program girls today have a responsibility to act rightly. Women, and girls, have tremendous power at their fingertips. While most young women would say that they want a man to lead, provide, and protect them, many of them settle for far less than God’s ideal for a godly man. As John Ensor so helpfully says in his book, Doing ThingsRight in Matters of the Heart:
What a Girl Wants (and How She Can Get It): Part 2
Yesterday, I discussed the disconnect between what many younger girls want and what they actually do to go about getting it. The local church is the place where they can learn about what it means to be a woman and live according to God's guidelines for them. And the Bible has a lot to say on this. Here is the continuation on yesterday's post.