Marriage Monday is Coming!

Call for Submissions
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

Please join us for Marriage Monday on Nov. 2, 2009.
By majority vote this month's topic is, "A Love Letter to My Husband."

Every marriage begins on a high note. We're full of love, and we trust that the days ahead will be full of joy and fulfillment. Early in your relationship, no doubt you received (and sent) a love note or two from your sweetie. When was the last time you scribed a few words of appreciation to your man? Let's recapture some of those romantic good feelings this month.

Our challenge is to write prose, a poem, or even a song that expresses our love and gratitude for the man God gave to us as our life partner. Celebrate your husband in words, and let us share in your excitement! I guarantee you'll have some fun in the process.

Please Bring a Friend

Feel free to copy any part of this announcement and post it on your blog. As always, the more participants we have, the better.

For Newcomers

Our community of Marriage Monday bloggers is a diverse group of joyful, Godly women. We are young, old, seasoned, and newlywed. For the past two years, we've been meeting at Chrysalis the first Monday of every month. Please join us! You definitely don't want to miss out. You'll meet some amazing women, and gain a little of wisdom along the way.

Your entry doesn't need to be fancy, clever, or very long. Just speak from your heart. Once you've posted, come back here and add your permalink to Mister Linky. Then, take a few minutes to visit a few of the other Marriage Monday contributors.

Photo: sonson (Flickr)

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Up Next—Marriage Monday: A Love Letter to My Husband

Will you be joining us on Monday?

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Let Grandparents Shine at the Holidays

Three Ways They can Serve As Family Story Tellers
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

If your parents are bored, shy, infirm, or inactive during your Thanksgiving get-togethers this post is for you. Or, if you're a Grandma who wastes hours of precious energy every Christmas season searching for perfect gift for each of the grandkids, read on.

Your parents may be the kind who love to "spoil" their grandchildren with trips, gifts, and money, but your parenting values may quietly be at odds with this natural impulse. Perhaps their limited retirement income prevents very much shopping for material things. One of the most important roles you can ask your Mom or Dad to play is that of the Story Keeper.

God graciously gives grandparents a second opportunity to teach important lessons to the next generation. It’s especially meaningful if they were too overwhelmed with life when they were raising you. Encourage your parents to forge special bonds with your children by quietly reading and telling them stories before or after your holiday meals.

Story telling is a powerful way to give children a sense of wonder and understanding of the marvelous world God has designed. Story telling takes lots of time, and your kids will thrive on their grandparents’ attention. Here are three ways your parents can prioritize their role as Story Keeper at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings instead of focusing on media or expensive toys.

1. Grandparents Can Build Your Library of Children’s Classics

Help your parents select books online or through bookstores that are proven classics. Best sellers lists, librarians, and other booksellers have lists of award-winning literature that will capture your children’s imaginations and teach spiritual values. This is an incredible opportunity to help your children discover the great stories of the ages. Make sure they autograph each book and include a date, before they wrap them up.

2. Grandparents Can Tell Their Own Life Stories

Don’t forget your parents have their own library of classics right inside their head! Your children will thrill to the real life adventures of Grandpa as a young man, or Grandma as a little girl. Your parents’ own memories may be jogged during their cosy reading sessions, so encourage them to have a pen and paper handy to jot down notes. Or be ready to record their entertaining anecdotes while they snuggle with your children on the sofa.

3. Grandparents Can Create Living Stories

After your family meal, encourage your parents to take your children on a casual walk to the nearest viewpoint, to walk the dog, or go next door with a plate of cookies. Remind them to share their favorite childhood songs along the way. This is also an excellent time to dream about the next visit with Grandma or Grandpa. With a little forethought and planning "Living Stories" can be created that will become treasured memories for your kids.

Grandparents play a unique role in the lives of children. Let your parents be the Story Keepers in your family. Encourage them to share their journey of faith, and to be open to your young questions about the Jesus Christ. Perhaps they will even have the privilege of leading one of your children to the Lord. Above all, allow them to "spoil" your children with an attitude of wonder—the wonder of God’s world, the wonder of His love and grace, and especially the wonder of his workmanship in their own lives.

"We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done." (Psalm 78:4 NIV)

Awesome Blogging Grandmas

1. Grammy Girlfriend at Teresa's Treasures

2. Susan at Forever His

3. Vicki at Light for the Writer's Soul

4. Jan at Mile High Scribes

Writing Resources

• How to Write Your Autobiography by Chrysalis
• Book: Spiritual Autobiography

If you’re a grandparent, you’ll discover some excellent resources at The Christian Grandparenting Network. This post was adapted from information provided in this article, "Grandparents: The Story Keepers."

FREE Legacy Journal

The Christian Grandparenting Network is offering each family a free fill-in-the-blank journal to record family history information, personal information and thoughts about important topics grandparents want to pass on as a legacy for their grandchildren. This attractive 80 page journal is wire-bound for ease of writing and reading. (An $8.50 value) I received mine; order your FREE copy here.

Join the folks over at the Carnival of Family Life. If you enjoyed this article, Tweet about it!

Photos: NikkiMcLeod, seandreilinger & robbplusjessie (Flickr)

A Wee Blogging Break

This week, e-Dad and I are off to sunny California for a short vacation to celebrate our 31st anniversary. We'll be back in 10 days. Until then... God bless you!

Coming Soon—Bible Study: Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree?

Do you remember your grandparents reading to you
as a child?

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Random: Chrysalis & Counting

One Fish, Two Fish

Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

What's your Dad like? My Dad really enjoyed reading bedtime stories to my sister and me when we were kids. Dr. Seuss is one my father's favorite children's authors.

My Dad is also a math whiz, and a lover of life’s littlest details. You know the kind. He’s the sort of guy who runs random calculations in his head—just for the fun of it. One of his favorite grown-up books is the World Almanac and Book of Facts. He calls it his book of "little known facts of little interest." Funny, eh?

Chrysalis Demographics: Age

In the spirit of my father's "little known facts of little interest" I’m presenting the following data. (Inquiring minds want to know, right?) The results of two recent surveys held on this blog are in. The first? Age. When asked to identify their generation, 32 readers kindly answered:

• 0%.... Silent (1925-1945)
• 34%... Baby Boomers (1946-1964)
• 43%... Gen X, Busters (1965-1980)
• 18%... Gen Y, Next, or Millenials (1981-1995)
• 3%..... Gen Z (1996-2010)

Chrysalis Demographics: Working Moms

The recession has sent a lot of SAHMs back to work. SAHMS are a smaller group in the population to begin with, and I was curious to know the current working status of the Mommy readership here at Chrysalis. This is how 59 generous readers responded:

• 59%... Stay-at-home Mom (29)
• 10%... Work-at-home-Mom (6)
• 15%... Part-time working Mom (9)
• 10%... Full-time working Mom (6)
• 5%... Sole-Bread-winning Mom (3)
• 10%... Other (6)

Thursday Thirteen

More numbers! Some of you are new readers at Chrysalis, and you might not have seen a few of the more popular articles here. If you have an interest (and a spare 30 minutes) take a look at the top 13 most googled and StumbledUpon posts.

1. Beth Moore in the Spotlight

2. Kay Arthur in the Spotlight

3. Beth Moore’s Study Stepping Up

4. Susannah Wesley in the Spotlight

5. Classic Books for Kids

6. Marriage Monday Meme

7. WFW: Flag of Surrender Devo

8. Jewish Feast of Tabernacles

9. 20 Ways to Please Your Lover

10. Marriage Monday: Bathtub Wisdom

11. How to Write Your Autobiography

12. Who Needs Christianity?

13. Why Men Hate Going to Church

For more T-13 links, click here.

COOL Ice Cream Giveaway

One last thing... Crickl at Crickl's Nest is the winner of my $25 Ice Cream Giftcard Giveaway. She's a wonderful PW (pastor's wife) and sudoku-lover living somewhere out there in Arizona's hot Valley of the Sun.

I've decided to throw in an extra bonus to thank Crickl for being such a faithful commenter and blogging friend. How about a new crockpot for your kitchen sweet 'ums? Read about Crickl's work with foreign refugees here.

That.is.all. Thanks for participating in my surveys, and have a wonderful weekend!

Photos: Mattdm, CraftyGoat & Roboppy (Flickr)

Up Next—Let Grandparents Shine at the Holidays

Do you have any reflections on or interpretations of the data?

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Spiritual Growth: Oprah's Spirituality

"O" God follows the conversations of two girl friends, Lindsey and Avatari... who unwittingly place their faith in the hodgepodge of spirituality embedded in her popular TV talk show, magazine and webinars. In the end, a life-altering crisis helps crystallize the truth from counterfeit teachings.

Book Review by WorldNet Daily

Posted by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

"'O' God: A Dialogue on Truth and Oprah's Spirituality provides an in-depth look at the controversial spiritual beliefs of one of the greatest media influences of all time: Oprah.

Between The Oprah Winfrey Show, O Magazine and her national webinars on faith, millions are being exposed to Oprah's splintered beliefs. As many exit the doors of traditional religion, the church of Oprah has become a viable alternative to a world looking for a savior—but without the strings. Christians and those of other faiths are asking the nagging question: “Where do Oprah’s teachings lead?” In "O" God, mega-bestselling Christian author and evangelist Josh McDowell teams up with Dave Sterrett, a gifted writer and popular speaker. Together, they provide a cutting-edge response to popular inquiries about Oprah's spiritual teaching and the advice of the colorful teachers she promotes.

...while appearing to use Christian and inclusive language that at first seems similar to that of Christianity, Oprah teaches a message that is radically different and absolutely contrary to the true teaching of Scripture...

'The danger is that while appearing to use Christian and inclusive language that at first seems similar to that of Christianity, Oprah teaches a message that is radically different and absolutely contrary to the true teaching of Scripture and historic Christianity,' McDowell and Sterrett warn." Read the rest of this important review at WorldNet Daily.


"0" God Offers Answers to Pressing Questions

1. Are there many ways to reach God, as Oprah teaches?
2. Who was the real historical Jesus?
3. Why would I worship the God of the Bible when he is described as jealous?
4. Is it okay for a Christian to embrace other forms of spirituality?
5. Do we have the potential to discover that we are indeed God or the Supreme Being?


Related Articles

• Oprah or Jesus: Who's Right?
• The Gospel According to Oprah

Photos: Nayrb7 (Flickr)

Up Next—Survey Results & Thursday Thirteen

Can you think of someone who would benefit from reading this book?

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Relationships: Caring for Ministry Wives

25 Ways to Bless the Lady Who Loves
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

1. Ask for her specific prayer requests.

2. Take up a special cash offering just for her.

3. Send her a musical e-card of encouragement.

4. Celebrate her birthday with a special cupcake dessert.

5. Take over a casserole when her children are ill.

6. Buy her a nostalgic vintage apron.

7. Offer her free childcare.

8. Give her a gift certificate for a facial.

9. Invite her to go for an evening walk or run.

10. Pay her way to a Christian music concert.

11. Buy her some beautiful stationary and a book of stamps.

12. Buy her a giftcard from your favorite ice cream seller.

13. Offer to accompany her to a veterinary appointment.

14. Pull some weeds or rake some leaves in her garden.

15. Pay for a manicure, pedicure, or hair coloring session.

16. Take her shopping to buy her a pair of shoes.

17. Offer to pay for new throw pillows for her sofa.

18. Send her one dozen chocolate-dipped strawberries.

19. Offer to buy her Family Feasts for $75 a Week.

20. Buy her a new DVD.

21. Buy her a new crockpot.

22. Help her choose a color and paint a bedroom.

23. Help her to clean a bathroom.

24. Take a package to the post office for her.

25. Buy her a bouquet of autumn flowers.


National Clergy Appreciation Month

October is National Clergy Appreciation month each year. Some churches celebrate Clergy Appreciation Day on the second Sunday of the month (October 11, 2009). Since spouses play such a vital role in ministry, I believe we should honor pastor's and missionary wives as well.

Related: Christian Ministry Wives: 5 Myths

COOL Ice Cream Giveaway

Hey ladies! Today, I have a $25.00 Giftcard from Cold Stone Creamery waiting to be snail-mailed to one special random reader.

If you're a ministry wife (pastorate, arts ministry, missionary etc.) just say, "Ice Cream please" in the comment box and I'll add your name to my drawing. Thank you for your faithful service to the body of Christ.


The winner will be announced on Friday, October 16, 2009.

Photos: AaronLandry & Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream by Roboppy (Flickr)

Up Next—Book Review: "O" God: A Dialogue on Truth & Oprah's Spirituality

Can you think of other ideas to add to this list?

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Humor: Friday Funnies

Holy Land Burial
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation to Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife passed away.

The undertaker told the husband, "You can have her shipped home for $5,000, or you can bury her here, in the Holy Land, for $150."

The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home.

The undertaker asked, "Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your wife home, when it would be wonderful to be buried here and you would only spend $150?"

The man replied, "Long ago a man died here, was buried here, and three days later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance."


More Great Laughs

• Four Good Reasons Why You Shouldn't Mess With Children

• Join Kim at Homesteader's Heart for her popular Friday Funnies meme.

Photo: Templar1307 (Flickr)

Up Next—Relationships: Caring For Ministry Wives

Smilin' darlin'? So what are you up to this weekend?

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Word-Filled Wednesday: 1 Sam 15:3

This is what the Lord Almighty says...
'Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'
(1 Samuel 15:3)

Word-Filled-Wednesday is run by the lovely Amydeanne at The 160 Acre Woods. This week, please join us for God's Word at PennyRaine.com



Reflection: Understanding Difficult Bible Passages
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

My friend, Buffy is a an intelligent English woman blogging “across the pond” at Buffy’s Salon. She writes about many topics of interest to Christian women including beauty, Bible, books, children, culture, health, lifestyle, manhood, nostalgia, philosophical, science, spirituality, travel, and womanhood. Go visit!

Chapter & Worse

Recently, Buffy blogged about a discussion going on at Ship of Fools, a Christian website whose mission is "to help Christians be self-critical and honest about the failings of Christianity, as we believe honesty can only strengthen faith."

Buffy writes, “they invited readers to nominate and then vote for the verses in the Bible that they found difficult to swallow. They then published the top (or should that be bottom?) ten verses. The results say as much about modern society as they do about the vagaries of the Bible.”

In second place came 1 Sam 15:3 where the Lord via the prophet Samuel, instructs King Saul to carry out a full-scale ethnic cleansing: "This is what the Lord Almighty says... 'Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'" (1 Samuel 15:3)

Buffy says, “It seems like a rather disappointing elucidation of what the Lord did and didn't mean by, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”

Can We Practice “Holy War?”

In this post, I’d like to address this difficult subject of biblical ethnic cleansing (herem). How do we reconcile our concept of God as an all-loving spiritual being, with his direct command to carry out such full-scale violence against an entire people group?

In their (straightforward, easy to read) book, Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer shed some light on this issue:

“The book of Joshua records Israel’s conquest of Canaan. God commanded his people to destroy Canaan’s citizens, sparing no one. How can Christians deal with such passages of Scripture? Does the Bible encourage us to practice “holy war?”

Regarding Israel’s conquest of Canaan, we need to remember the following points:

1. The people of Canaan were exceedingly wicked, and their social and religious customs angered the Lord
(Lv 18:24-30).

2. God had given them time to repent, but they had not done so (Gn 15:13-16).

3. God used the Israelites as his instruments of judgment against the people of Canaan (Jos 11:18-20), just as he later used the Assyrians and Babylonians to judge Israel and Judah (2 Kgs 17:6-7; 24:20-25:7).

4. “Holy war” (or the practice of herem) occurred only at certain times during Israel’s history (1 Sm 15:1-3;
2 Chr 20:15-23), and we should not view it as a pattern for future generations.

Israel’s destruction of the Canaanites demonstrates how seriously God takes sin. He governs the nations, and he can and will judge those who oppose him. Christians should heed his warnings in their nation. We dare not assume God will tolerate evil forever.”

In the conclusion to her post, Chapter & Worse Buffy asks a pertinent question, which bears repeating (below).

Photos: purplemattfish (Flickr) & prophecystudy.com (Google Images)

Up Next—Humor: Friday Funnies

So what's your view? Do we have to admit that there are a few "unacceptable" verses in the Bible?

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Welcome to Marriage Monday

Extreme Makeover
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader.

Welcome to Marriage Monday! Today's topic is "Extreme Makeover: How God Renewed Our Marriage Against All the Odds." Today we get to share our wonderful stories of growth. I'm excited to read how God has transformed your relationship to give you a brand new outlook on your life together.

In case you need them, here are a few suggestions to help you write about this topic.

Please scroll down or click here if you want to read my personal entry.

Marriage Monday in November

Mark your calendar now! We'll meet at Chrysalis for Marriage Monday once again on Monday Nov. 2, 2009.
(Is it really autumn already?)

Please Vote for Our Next Topic

Our general topic next month is "Romance in Marriage." Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Please vote for your preferred angle/title.

Let’s Connect on Facebook

If you’re a member of the Marriage Monday blogroll, and you would like to connect on Facebook, please accept my invitation to be “friends.” Search for “e-Mom Chrysalis” and I’ll accept your friend request ASAP. Thanks!

Information for Newcomers

You may be brand new to Chrysalis, so let me cover a few of the basics. Generally, we meet the first Monday of every month. Here's your opportunity to jump in and share what you've learned about Christian marriage.

Power up your laptop, post your thoughts on today's topic, then come back here and leave your permalink in Mister Linky. I hope you'll take some time to visit a few of the other contributors. Remember to be generous with your comments!

Photo: jordansmall (Flickr)

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Up Next—Word-Filled-Wednesday

Was this a difficult subject to write about?

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Relationships: Extreme Makeover

How God Renewed Our Marriage
Against All the Odds
Written by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

God works in mysterious ways. I found His Needs Her Needs without really looking for it—the result of one of those synchronous events I was becoming alert to. Some people would call it a "God Thing."

On the surface, I was doing what I always did on Fridays: filling up my shopping cart with groceries. Pushing my way through our local Costco warehouse store, I carefully worked down my shopping list, trying very hard to maximize the few dollars we had budgeted to feed our household of five.

At the same time, I was aware that my spirit was ultra-sensitive that day, perhaps awakened by the worship music I’d been listening to in the car. At the back of my mind, behind my careful mental calculations, a wordless question kept its vigil: "How can I find happiness in my marriage?"

It was the early nineties. My husband of fifteen years was incommunicative, tense, and distant. That fall, his computer hardware business had failed. Low cost PCs were beginning to flood the market, and e-Dad’s clients were no longer interested in purchasing his larger, more expensive machines. In the ensuing months, e-Dad was unable to find comparable employment, and our marriage was really suffering.

I knew that we were weakened as a couple, even before our business floundered. Running a small enterprise in our home had its own unique stresses. The phone was constantly ringing in the kitchen, and the fax machine on the counter ground out reams of paper in the midst of my cooking. At times—I’ll admit—I really wished e-Dad would get out of the house and find a "real job" away from the "nest" I was trying to feather. He had tried, but he couldn't find a "real job" in the down economy.

My husband’s income slowed to a trickle and the bills kept mounting. While raising our children, I was also doing my best to bring in part-time income where I could. We took in a student boarder, and drawing on my Fine Arts background, I started a neighborhood Arts & Crafts program in our basement.
e-Dad handled the massive juggling act of keeping our major bills paid, and my earnings paid the food bill and bought all of our clothing (which I purchased on sale days in thrift stores).

Many days I felt alone, exhausted, and terrified. While I juggled the demands of the children, the housework, and my part-time jobs, e-Dad worked until after midnight every week night and usually all weekend too. He was unable to do much to help around the house, and romance and intimacy were nearly non-existent. Most of the time, e-Dad was worn out and he couldn’t bear to hear me express my feelings of desperation. He was simply too exhausted.

What had happened to all our dreams? Where had my super-social Psych-major college sweetheart and best friend gone? After fifteen years of marriage, how had we ended up so estranged from each other?

It was against this backdrop then, that I found myself pulled in the direction of the book display that memorable Friday in Costco. Suddenly, I became aware of the wordless question keeping vigil in my unconscious mind. "How can I find happiness in my marriage?"

Almost simultaneously, my eyes fell upon a copy of His Needs Her Needs by Willard Harley, Ph.D. Later, as I devoured the book in the warehouse parking lot, I was awed by the simplicity, yet profundity of Dr. Harley’s insights. "How could I have missed this?" I wondered. Men and women are supposed to be different! I still marvel at the mystery and blessing that gave me the book that day—it was a Divine gift of Love.

We are supposed to be different. Our psychologies are different because wives need their husbands to solve problems rationally in times of crisis. I soon began to understand that my husband’s non-existent emotional intelligence (EQ) was only temporary. I realized that his over-preoccupation with work was a good thing, and I began to thank him for working so hard.

The second thing I began to grasp was that e-Dad truly did want my happiness. He was expressing his love—not with tender words or bouquets of flowers—but by faithfully trying to earn a living. I also learned the wisdom of asking directly the small things. Instead of hoping e-Dad would offer his love and affection, I learned to politely "cue" him.

For instance, we live in the coffee capital of the country, and I truly love my java (French Roast, thanks). Often, when he went out to meetings, I asked e-Dad buy me a "single short extra-foamy cafe latte" on the way home—which he was always delighted to do. When he came through the door with a hot fragrant cup, I learned to thank him profusely for his thoughtfulness.

Now, whenever our relationship seems tense, I ask him nicely to please-go-get-me-a-latte. e-Dad always feels like a hero, and the smile on my face really warms up the atmosphere between us.

Another very important thing that I learned during that period is that it was hard for e-Dad to sympathize with my complaints because it made him feel like he was failing me. I had no idea he took so much responsibility for my happiness! This also explained why he instinctively offered his advice or tried to solve my problems, when all I really wanted was to explore my feelings. Rather than being hurt and annoyed when he couldn’t listen to me "vent," I learned to appreciate that he feels personally responsible when I am hurting.

(Now after a few years of practice, e-Dad does a terrific job of listening quietly. He's learned how to give me the sympathy and understanding that every woman craves in times of stress.)

Shortly after e-Dad found a new job, we went hiking in the dense rain forests of the Pacific Northwest (USA) near our home. After reflecting on what we were learning about each other and how encouraged we felt, e-Dad bent down and drew a line across the dirt trail in front of us. "Let’s commit to a new beginning," he said. "Let’s leave our old marriage behind and leap forward into a brighter, better future." So we linked arms and jumped over that dirt line together.



As time went on, our financial situation improved. Eventually it returned to normal. But our relationship never did return to its pre-crisis state. We learned so many key lessons during that period, that we were catapulted to a vastly superior level of marital happiness. Needless to say, I’m thankful we not only stayed together, but grew stronger through the hardest, most challenging period of our 31-year marriage. (Our anniversary is this month!)

e-Dad and I experienced an extreme makeover. We’re so thankful God renewed our marriage against all the odds.

For more Marriage Monday posts, please scroll up or click here.

Related

1. Help! I Married an Entrepreneur (Part 1)

2. Help! I Married an Entrepreneur (Part 2)

Photos: (1) bsimser (2) joshbousel (4) logicalrealist (Flickr); (3 & 5) e-Mom & e-Dad

Up Next—Word-Filled-Wednesday


When was the most challenging period of your marriage?

Read More

Marriage Monday is Coming!

Call for Submissions

Posted by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

On Monday Oct. 5 2009 please join us for Marriage Monday. By majority vote this month's topic is, "Extreme Makeover: How God Renewed Our Marriage Against All the Odds."

Every marriage goes through rough patches—and some are severe—but the good news is God's Word is completely adequate to help us through. (2 Tim 3:16 NIV) Here are a few ideas to consider as you write your post:

• Tell us which Scripture verses spoke the loudest when your marriage was under seige.

• If God brought a you special friend or prayer partner please share how they helped you.

• Was there a Godly book that a pastor or counselor or pastor recommended?

Suffice to say, whatever was instrumental in helping your marriage survive, please tell us about it! Let's give hope to other Mom bloggers who may be in the midst of fierce marriage challenges.

For Newcomers

Our community of Marriage Monday bloggers is a diverse group of joyful, Godly women. We are young, old, seasoned, and newlywed. For the past two years, we've been meeting at Chrysalis the first Monday of every month. You definitely don't want to miss out! I guarantee you'll meet some amazing women, and gain a little of wisdom along the way.

Your entry doesn't need to be fancy, clever, or very long. Just speak from your heart. Once you've posted, come back here and add your permalink to Mister Linky. Then, take a few minutes to visit a few of the other contributors.

Please Bring a Friend!

Feel free to copy any part of this announcement and post it on your blog. As always, the more participants we have, the better.

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Today's Treat: A Guest Blogger

I've asked our dear sister and Marriage Monday contributor, Susan Amato to share a few thoughts to get us warmed us up for Monday. Married to Rick for a whopping 31 years, I encourage you to take Susan's timeless counsel to heart. (Aren't they a handsome couple in the photo above?)

Please Welcome Susan Amato

Greetings from Forever His! e-Mom asked me to write a guest post for Marriage Monday, which is coming up on October 5th. What a privilege this is for me to participate seeing how blessed, encouraged and instructed I’ve been by e-Mom’s posts myself. She truly shares a wealth of insight and wisdom for all of us at Chrysalis.

The question that I was asked to write about was, "What Scriptures have helped carry you through the most difficult seasons of your marriage?"

Now I first want to make it clear, I am by far no expert on marriage! Even after being married for 31 years, we are still learning each day what it takes to live out the example Christ has given us in His Word.

Marriage holds both the greatest potential for hurt and the best environment for healing and grace! So the scripture that has really been the anchor for our marriage is found in 1 Cor 13:4-7. (I'll be using the message translation).

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

• Love never gives up.
• Love cares more for others than for self.
• Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
• Love doesn't strut,
• Doesn't have a swelled head,
• Doesn't force itself on others,
• Isn't always "me first,"
• Doesn't fly off the handle,
• Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
• Doesn't revel when others grovel,
• Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
• Puts up with anything,
• Trusts God always,
• Always looks for the best,
• Never looks back,
• But keeps going to the end



What I see throughout these verses is the Holy Spirit calling out for us to put the other person's needs ahead of our own. Even though this is no easy task, at the same time we are to offer room for failure and always hold out the free gift of forgiveness. This really is “Love in Action” and what I believe it takes for any marriage to make it through the tough times.

Rick and I celebrated our 31st anniversary this past August. We are the parents of 5 sons, and now grandparents of 3 beautiful granddaughters and one grandson. After all these years, there is still no one in the world I would rather spend my time with as I see our love for one another continue to grow daily.

I once read a quote by Joe Beam about marriage that is simple yet so poignant. He wrote…

"No matter what has happened in the past, your relationship can have a great future."

Life can be very difficult at times and our marriages will be tested. With Jesus as the foundation, you can always find a way through any challenge. All you need is a willing heart.

Thank you Susan! Susan is overflowing with joy, a faithful minister of the Truth, and a mature woman of God. Be sure visit Susan's blog, Forever His to get acquainted with this delightful sister and her large, loving family.

Photos: Forever His

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