Scripture is very clear on the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21 sums it up pretty well when it says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Our words truly hold weight, particularly when it comes to our relationships. How often do you speak to your husband? I assume the answer for most is a lot! Whether in person, on the phone, or texting, most couples are connecting through words quite a bit. That communication is part of what builds the foundations and structures of your relationship. Now, ask yourself the question: how do I speak to my husband?

I didn’t grow up in a family where intentional prayers for one another were a regular practice. Praying was considered deeply personal rather than public. While both personal and public forms of prayer hold value, the art of praying for others remained an uncharted territory for me. The fear of judgment and the pressure of saying the "right" words in an encouraging manner kept me from praying out loud in front of others. However, as I grew more spiritually mature in my relationship with Jesus, he taught me that powerful prayers stem from the heart, not using eloquent lofty words but with sincerity and filled with scripture! When I got engaged to my now husband, I wanted to take praying for him seriously.

Just kidding! Relationships and marriage are complicated… I prayed for a man that would be my prince charming…yes I am in love with the idea of a knight in shining armor who would ride in on his white horse and rescue me. Stop laughing…we’ve all been there, and ya know what?! That’s totally OK! Years ago, I was in a terrible, I mean an awful relationship with someone where I experienced a constant temptation to do what was unpleasing in the Lord’s eyes. I absolutely knew I was not living a godly lifestyle, but I was scared to break off the relationship for fear of being alone.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines religion as “a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices.” Unfortunately, the unbelieving world thinks along these lines. It likes to equate dedication to God as merely a book of stories one chooses to believe and a set of rules one decides to follow. As Christians, however, we know that the Christian life involves much more than rules and regulations. We serve a living God with whom we have a genuine relationship. But, at times, even we can forget that vital truth. 

Sitting down to write this week's blog post, I felt frustrated and overwhelmed. My family has been struck by illness, leaving us all feeling exhausted and drained. But as I was lamenting the timing of it all, I felt a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit, reminding me exactly why I'm writing about the importance of relying on our relationship with Christ during times of hardship. This year I have been learning what an authentic relationship with Christ genuinely looks like. It’s not based on formal, tidy, pretty prayers and platforms but rather the opposite.

In the Bible, we find many references to friendship. God has made it clear in his word that having the right friends in our lives is not just good but essential, especially regarding our Christian walk. But how do we know what to look for in someone when seeking a godly friendship? What characteristics does a godly friend have? Let's dive into Scripture and find out.

Have you ever felt misplaced, misunderstood, or isolated from other women? I have, and it hurts. Even those with whom I would never have expected, women at my church, have sometimes left me out. Of course, it wasn’t their intention to do this, but the sting of not being considered or invited to a social event made me feel misplaced and forgotten.

Treat others as you want to be treated. Simple right? Sort of…I mean it’s super simple when your friends and acquaintances are getting along. I’m a grown woman with 3 small children and in the last 10 years I have seen and heard more drama than all my middle school, high school and college years combined. Granted most would say I was sheltered growing up because I went to a Christian school and hung out with the same group of kids most of my life but when did our society start thriving off of drama?

“Marriage is all about finding what irritates your spouse and using it strategically…” -Unknown

Just kidding! Relationships and marriage are complicated…

I prayed for a man that would be my prince charming. Yes, I am in love with the idea of a knight in shining armor who would come in on his white horse and rescue me

I still remember the day when my best friend and I broke up. I should have seen it coming. Uninvited events. Distant text messages. She moved on from our friendship, but I wasn't sure why?