My God Given Birthday Gift!

Hello All,

On September 24th, I will celebrate my birthday. That may not mean much to you however, this year I have learned that any day new life is born is a good day to celebrate! Learned you say.

Yes, indeed. Until a few weeks ago, I was not really planning to celebrate my birthday. Frankly, I am tired and had visions of sleeping for a few days while someone/ anyone else took over my responsibilities. That was all the birthday celebrating I needed. Here is why.

My writing and speaking has grown steadily while my children have grown in huge spurts. My bank account experienced deposits while my heart for you has been overdrawn by your sad stories and marriage challenges. My day time filled with volunteer service while the work God has assigned piled high on my desk. The Holy Spirit whispered "Lisa, hear the Word of the Lord" while my husband shouted "You don't listen".

In my tired state, slumped over in my comfy chair, I prayed. Why? That is what good Christian women do. I prayed for peace, rest, and clarity. Through a series of amazing events, conversations, and chastening, God answered.

He revealed truth. I was not serving with same diligence. He was birthing new life with more book signings, support calls, and other good work. He was creating my reasons to celebrate. through this growth process my attitude and actions were realigned with God's will. It's my birthday and God loves me! What a great reason to celebrate.

Hebrews 12:6-11New King James Version (NKJV) reads:
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,and scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?  But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

I have learned that in our zeal for using our gifts, operating in our calling, and working for the Church, we often slip off track. We settle into complacency and frequently allow the needs of people to dictate our decisions. The funny thing about being married is that God will use your husband to warn you. Has your husband been calling to you?  Are you really listening?

Once you get tired enough to pray, God delights in turning things around.

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 NKJV

Another year older and I have grown in new ways. Help me celebrate.

Wives On Purpose Support Calls. Don't let your married friends suffer any longer when you know I am here. Bring them with you and get on these life changing calls. There is no other place where you can speak freely in a place without judgment. Share your deepest feelings and get wisdom from God's chosen women to guide your thoughts and actions. I am a master group facilitator. You will be so glad you came. The hardest thing about these calls is deciding to let go of pride or fear or other excuses to dial in. Enjoy new reasons to celebrate and ask me what I did for this birthday.
The next call is October 18th.  Register today.

I am also happy to invite you to my online workshop.
"You, Me, and He"  Need creative ways to keep faith alive in your marriage even when you husband doesn't seem to be interested. Think you are alone? Even the Pastor's wife may wonder if her husband believes what he preaches on Sunday. Let me help you ignite faith and fuel passion in an everlasting love. Register today.

Well, September 24th is coming soon. The Wives On Purpose and a weekend alone with my husband are my very best gifts. I luv you all and thanks for sharing life with me.

Who would have thought that being tired could lead to making my birthday.... Happy!

Ministering to your marriage,
Lisa
 

Wives Head Back to School!

For many of us wives who are also mothers, back to school is a wonderful time of year. We are proud to send our children to a new level of learning coupled with new expectations of character growth and blessing from God. We even brace ourselves for new challenges. This school year has been all of that for me.

I wonder... if it has occurred to you that God gives our marriage relationship new school years too. If we stay married long enough there will be times when we are forced to grow to new levels of learning. We must learn new things about our spouse or find new ways to cope with difficult circumstances. We must adopt new expectations attached to the ways we receive love from our husbands. Back to school for marriage may include lessons on resolving conflict, handling finances, and even child rearing can be used to test our ability to live godly "til death do we part."

But what about bracing ourselves for new marital challenges? Do you look forward to that part of any new marriage year? Do you treat new learning years in marriage the same as you do new school years for your children? I suggest you do and look to God who offers ways to make it easy.

Let me take you on a quick back to Wife School shopping trip.

1) Invest heavily in new clothes. Designed by Colossians Chapter 3, load your shopping bag with tenderness. This comes in soft tone of voice, smiles on your face, even gentle kisses when you don't feel like it.

2) Next stop by the shoe section and try on humility. Now these are hard to walk in but buy them anyway. If you wear them every day they will become the most comfortable shoes for walking in love with your husband this year.

3) Finally I say, use the coupon code and get forgiveness. You won't take it at regular price because you don't think you will need it. Get it anyway. It is good for all matters you will study this year with your husband. 

My book Wife School, Using God's Word to Build a Stronger Marriage offers more tips and lessons on how to prepare your marriage for new growth. You really can go back to school for marriage!

If you want a personal connection and the help of a study group join me each month for
Wives On Purpose Support Calls. Married women gather to pray, solve common problems in marriage, and encourage one another to stay close to God and their husbands. Join the call with your gift of any amount.

Space is limited so register now!

• First call is Saturday 9/13/14 at 7:00am. 

In the mean time, I hope your back to school season is a great one. Every new marriage year is an opportunity for God to impact our character, family, business, community, Church and the world!

Luv you much!
Lisa