Friendship With God - The Journey Starts Now

Friendship With God 

Romans 8: 35-39 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 3(As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

I have a question for you. 

Can you really take this scripture and all the promises it holds? Can you with honesty, breathe in the truth of this kind of love and the profound inference thereof? 

I have been asking the Lord to reveal some things to me. I have asked God, what was it like to be Moses. Teach me about the friendship you two shared, still share. Reveal to me and to all of us, what living in the freedom of Romans 8 all about. What is authentic friendship with the creator of the universe? What does it look like, feel like. 

How do we fear God as the Bible teaches yet love God as a friend? How do we reconcile lonely times in our lives with an all loving all knowing God. How does my friendship with God change my life? 

Join Dineen, Angela and I (Lynn) as we follow the Lord’s leading and step out in another journey. Many of you have traveled with us before. The Mind of Christ Experiment and the Kingdom Assignment have been a few. Lives were changed for the cause of Christ and we influenced those around us and literally around the world. I’m still seeing results from both of these adventures and will share more about that another time. 

To get started, sometime over the weekend, sit quietly in prayer and ask Jesus these questions. (Get out a journal, a piece of paper, write on the back of your hand if necessary – no don’t do that- and write down the question and any thoughts that come.) 

• Jesus, do I know you as a friend? 
• Jesus, what area in my heart/life do I exclude you as a friend? 
• Jesus, will you promise to meet me in this journey? 
• Jesus, Lord, what does it mean to be your friend? 

Walk with us. 

We are out to discover a friendship so vast, so full, so honest, and absolutely pure that we will never feel alone again. We are seeking a living hope and a true friend. 

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

Our series will launch on May 4th. Tune in for some great study, some stories, laughter and plan to meet a few new friends along the way. Hugs, Lynn 

Lord Jesus, we offer ourselves as humble children seeking to know you and know real friendship with you. I know you have been standing in the doorway of many homes beyond anxious to share the abundance, security, joy and outright hilarity with us. Lord, I grieve that we hold you at a distance and deny ourselves the riches you are desperate to shower upon us. Oh, Lord Jesus, teach us to let go of our fears and wounding and to discover that vastness of your eternal friendship. In your name I pray this for all of us as we step on the path to Friendship With God. Jesus, Amen.

Thankful Thursday - What's In Store?

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

I am thrilled to be hosting Thankful Thursday in April. Next month we will meet with Laurie at Women Taking A Stand and then in June we will share our thanks over at Iris of Grace Alone.

Can you believe five weeks have past us by? Say WHAT? 

What happened to April? 

WOW, what a month. I shared with you my multiple neighbor encounters of God dealing with my pride while I was out walking the dog and how I was a chicken in the grocery story. 

This month you lived my discovery of the baby bird egg and our Living Hope.

And on the first of April you joined me and a bunch of my friends for our Passover seder. 

 

 

Wow, I’m humbled and thrilled to count you as my TT buddies and friends. Thank you for sharing your life with me. One day in heaven about 100 years from now, we will all sit together and talk about our many Thankful Thursday adventures. I can’t wait for that day my friends. I surely can’t wait. I have a bear hug for each of you. 

I now pass the hosting on to Laurie at Women Taking A Stand. We will meet there next week and I still plan to participate, and will catch up with you then. But for now, I leave you with some coming changes, events, a new series and a miracle. 

On May 3rd we will launch our new blog design. I love the rings and grass my friends but it’s time for a change. You will love our new look. Stop back on Monday. 

On Tuesday, we are launching a new series, Friendship With God. What does that really mean? How are we supposed to fear God as the Bible says yet be His friend. What does that friendship look like in 2010 and ultimately we will discover together a friendship so profound, we will never, ever feel alone again. How cool is that? God is writing this so stop back. 

On Wednesday, I am sharing a personal story of the supernatural. It really happened but it is so weird and different, I’m not sure what you will think. Please let me know if you get goose bumps or do an eye roll….. It’s fantastically strange. 

Finally on May 10th I am going to share my personal story at A Woman Inspired Conference, Who Killed Cinderella? You will want to see what really happened to our Princess. I hope you can tune in.

I am deeply thankful that God held my hand each day of the month of April. He is always near, teaching, correcting, astounding me and loving me to greater heights in His Kingdom. 

What are you thankful for this week? Write you post, link up and give glory to the name of Jesus for all He does in your life. Hugs, Lynn

What Does He Think?

In yesterday's post, Lynn answered Cindi's great question about what our husbands think of what we're doing here on the blog and the S.U.M. ministry. Scroll down to read Lynn's awesome answer. I thought I should answer Cindi's question as well.

Like Lynn, I too have been amazed at the ease in which my husband has accepted our ministry and supported me. I've been up front with him on all of it and even at times sought his approval, especially for our upcoming book. I could not do anything that would dishonor him in any way. So, I can merely say that in that gap where we wonder how it's possible, that's where the Holy Spirit is working in amazing ways.

I completely understand Cindi's struggle to share her faith and position with her husband. I struggle with that, too. But I've found repeatedly that when God is in control and I am following his will, things move in amazing directions. I'm not saying it takes all the conflict and difficulty out of it, by no means. What I hope I'm making somewhat clear is that God uses every bit of it according to his plan for our spouses. He redeems it all. So amazing...

I will say that my husband has never liked the "unequal" part. So I've been sensitive to that and use spiritually mismatched. The key is making sure our husbands understand that we love them no less despite the fact that they don't share our faith. This is unconditional love. And what I'm coming to understand in the big picture about that kind of love is that it's not just about loving them as they are with complete acceptance, it's also seeing the potential of God's work within them in the light that our spouses are so dearly love by God as well.

I recently read this verse:
(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. — 1 Timothy 4:10

I love the part that says God is the Savior of ALL MEN. We have such great promise in our God, and we can see and look for that potential in our unsaved spouses. :-)

Let me also say that I adore my husband even more at this point in our journey. To see this man as excited as I am about our book and his ongoing support speaks volumes of his love for me and God's power. I could not do any of this without our great God, nor could I do it without my husband's encouragement and support.

Will he ever read the book? Not in the near future. Nor does he read this blog, though I've invited him to. He too keeps a distance from this part of my life, but I have faith that God is working in my sweet hubby, and I know God is blessing and protecting our marriage. I'm content to leave the future in God's hands.

Let me also commend Cindi in her commitment to lead a group of unequally yoked women in her church. I'm sure her efforts to reach out and help other women find that they too can thrive in their spiritually mismatched marriages will bless and free many. That's what it's all about, helping each other. And that's why Lynn and I are here. :-)

Praying and believing,
Dineen

Get Real.. A Few More Questions:

Next Question:

Part I 

Part II 

Part III 

Interview: 

From Cindi on April 5, 2010: Jesus was there with you so what a great interview. It touched me. I am constantly intrigued to know just how your husband supports you so much with this ministry but does not believe. When he heard the interview, how did it make him feel? Was he offended in any way? Does he hear what is spoken? I have a hard time wrapping my mind around that. We're to win then without words, however, the blog, the upcoming book, and even this interview is all about words. How is he not affected by it all? And Dineen's as well? I am obviously struggling with this aspect of being married unequally and sharing and expressing the very fact with my husband verbally. I know it is a frustration that needs to be addressed in my marriage and am struggling with really how to inform him of this. I don't want to hurt his feelings. I know he must know, but, we never discuss it. Do you? Well obviously you do but how? Anyway, I loved the interview Lynn, Thanks! 

First, I adore you Cindi. I want to thank you for your willingness to let me share your questions with everyone. You may be frustrated with my answer but I will share honestly the dynamic between my husband, me and the ministry. 

It’s weird! 

Okay, not the best answer but let me explain. 

First, I need to state that when I began this blog four years ago, I went to my husband and said something like this, “I want to write about our marriage, and how you and I were able to find peace and happiness in spite of our spiritual differences.” 

He looked at me with his amazing blue eyes and said directly to my face, “Honey, if you can help one other couple to not go through what we have been through, then go for it.” 

I kid you not. That was his response. Let me further state that over the years I have tried with great focus to always portray my husband in a light that is respectful even when discussing our difficulties and challenges. Additionally, when I write an article that I think might be too personal or something that may make him uncomfortable, I have him read it first. Out of 912 posts (as of today) I can only recall one post where he suggested I make a change because he was not at ease about it. 

What may further astonish you is that it’s my husband’s salary and his income that supports the many expenses of running the ministry. He never complains about me spending money on all my faith efforts. I mail books around the world, he pays. Hosting for the blog, he pays. I fly to speak at events, it’s his frequent flyer miles. And girls and guys, he is so good and willing to support me. I just see God working circles around my man as he supports the Kingdom efforts. Our God is like that you know. Cracks me up. 

But, the real question is, how does he process all of this stuff, the words I speak and write?

He stands at a distance. 

Hard to say but true. He usually doesn’t read my blog entries unless I ask him. I can tell you he hasn’t listened to the radio interview, nor has he heard me speak. It’s strange but the more I ponder this strangeness, the more I see God doing His thing in my husband. 

I am convinced God wants my husband’s salvation to be of His divine hand and NOT through any efforts made by me. My man’s salvation will bring glory to Jesus and not to Lynn. (Thank you Lord and may it be to your honor he is saved.) 

There are times when we discuss some of the miraculous stuff that happens in my life. Things that you can’t explain. He just can’t get it. I ask him, “What do you do with this miraculous event – (I have one to share with you on May 5th). "How do you process it?” 

He replies, “I don’t know.” 

This is where the scripture from 1 Corinthians 2:14 rings loudly as truth: The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

God has set my feet on a path I couldn’t have fathomed in a million years. I am humbled and more thankful than any of you will ever know. It is strange that my husband is my number one fan and my biggest supporter yet he remains at a distance. I can honestly say; I don’t understand. But, I don’t harbor hurt feelings. I rejoice because God has it all worked out and I just watch from my Front Row Seat. And what an amazing show it is…. every… single…. day… 

I am at peace with it. I do have questions such as why my husband’s long unemployment wasn’t the beginning of his faith journey. Perhaps it’s because God wanted me to write our book with authenticity. I don’t know and when I ask God about it, He chooses not to tell me. He tells me to trust, to love, to pray and to live for Him. 

That’s enough for me. That is MORE than enough for me. 

I am an ordinary gal who serves an Extraordinary God. 

Have a fantastic week. Hugs, Lynn 

PS. We have some Big surprises for you next week as we launch our new series, Friendship with God. Stay tuned.

Weekend Devo — God Knows Your Faithfulness

Another great devotional from Rick Warren. I hope it encourages and reminds you that God knows and sees our obedience and faithfulness in our spiritually mismatched marriages. And we can praise him for that! Have a great weekend!
Praying and believing,
Dineen

God Knows Your Faithfulness
By Rick Warren

So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up. Galatians 6:9 (HCSB)

Here's another benefit from God knowing everything: He sees everything you do that is good and right. Every time you choose not to sin, every time you resist temptation, every time you take a stand because of God's Truth, he sees your faithfulness to Him.

The Bible says every good deed will be rewarded, no matter how insignificant and regardless of whether anybody else on earth sees it.

Every encouragement you give to other people, every kind word you give to your children, every time you do a thoughtful act for your husband, every time you pick up around the office when it's not your job, every time you set up chairs in church or stuff bulletins, every act of courtesy, every time you refuse to gossip, every time your positive instead of negative -- God sees it all, no matter how small. (Matthew 10:40-42)

Imagine yourself on a giant stage and you're the only person on that stage.  You're acting out your life.  In the audience there is only one person and it's God.  He's out there clapping and saying "I see that good thing you just did.  Keep on going! Nobody else saw it, but I saw it."

So what should be my response?  If God sees all the good things that I do and He's out there cheering me on, then my response should be, "Don't Be Discouraged!"

You may be thinking, "I've been trying to do the right thing in my marriage.  I don't see any results.  I've been trying to be the right kind of person and respond correctly with my kids or to my parents.  I've been trying to do the right thing at work or at school. And I don't know if it's paying off.  I don't see it making any difference in anybody's life."

God says, "I see it and it doesn't matter who else sees it."

Nothing good we ever do is ever done in vain: "So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up." (Galatians 6:9, HCSB)

What Changes Really?

I want to continue the series I began a few weeks ago, Get Real. 

If you remember, I recently was a guest on a radio program where I shared about my life and marriage to an unbeliever. This interview stirred the thoughts of many readers here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. 

Below are the links to the first two posts. 

Get Real I 

Part II 

Today I want to answer a few more of your questions. Here we go. 

Q: Please, please dear Lynn don’t be hurt by what I am saying – but you said, “Our men can see by our life, not by our words, they will see the difference.” 

Another great and very real question. And don’t worry, I don’t get hurt feelings easily and I always write from an honest and authentic heart. 

A: If I recall, this question is referencing my discussion of the scripture, 1 Peter 3: 1-2 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 

This passage can be frightening or liberating my friends. More on this later. 

Q:My sister, went on to ask, “Well, how long have you waited? Is it really worth the wait? I don’t mean with divorce but, silently going your own way. I am so tired of accompanying other women while my husband enjoys staying at home and having his peace. I am trying to be strong in Christ but actually my heart is bleeding. I am wondering, what changes really?” 

What a very honest question and I can bet most of you who live unequally yoked have asked this question too. 

A: I have waited now going into our 19th year of marriage. And I will confess with honesty, there are moments when I think the pain is NOT worth the wait. Many of those moments I experience in the early years of our marriage. My faith was shallow and I struggled with a list of unmet expectations I placed upon my husband, that in truth, were never meant to be fulfilled by him. It took me a long time to realize I could only be filled up by Christ and Christ alone. I experience very few of the really hard moments today. 

This is part of our LONG journey with God. When we allow His truths to penetrate our consciousness, our heart, our belief system, we allow Him to replace the lies we believed about marriage and the entitlements we are certain belong to us. 

One area which is difficult for all of us is watching other believing couples enjoy life and marriage around us. Just as our reader stated: I am so tired of accompanying other women while my husband stays home. 

Every one of us, men and women, feel deep pain in this area when unequally yoked. Somewhere deep inside we want our spouse to attend church and church functions with us. We want to sit together with our spouse and hold hands during services. Ugh. It still hurts me today to watch a cute couple step in a row in front of me, holding hands and then raise those hands together in worship. I grieve. I want that so badly. 

This is true of most of us. Am I right? 

It’s not wrong to desire this companionship of our spouse. However, what I had to do was ask God to take away my pain over this lack in my life. My continual grumbling and hurt over this was accomplishing nothing. In fact, because “I” wanted this so much, I applied pressure on my husband to attend church. 

What a disaster. 

 He would stand in what I call his hostile stance. Arms on hips, scowl on brow and motionless through the entire worship portion of the service. Once we sat down, it didn’t get much better. I would sit next to him worried about what he was thinking, doing, how he was feeling. I would worry about the argument that would ultimately occur later and the hurt that followed. God said to me, “Enough.” 

Forced church attendance was a “No win scenario” for all involved, including my daughter. 

When I released my husband from attending church because I wanted him to do so, peace resulted. He attends how when he wants. I attend every Sunday. Sometimes he joins me, sometimes not. But I am honestly okay with it. Now when he joins me, the "hostile stance" is gone and he really listens. Go figure. Who knew. Sheesh, I wish I had released him to attend at his pace years ago. 

Q: So what changes really? 

A: I did. 

I agree that for a period of years in our marriage I was angry that I was left to find my own way. i.e., I joined church activities alone or with my daughter. I went to church alone. I wasn’t free to share my authentic self with my husband. He didn’t want to hear about this Jesus of mine. It was hard. But the most amazing thing resulted. My husband’s unbelief just pushed me faster and harder toward the cross. I gave my husband to Him and I live for Christ. This surrender changed me. I can promise you that our circumstances in an unequally yoked marriage will always will grow our relationship with Jesus if we take our eyes off our spouse and our self and place them on Him. 

 My life is being recrafted. Continually, constantly and noticeably. Slowly and under the hand with divine purpose my life is in transformation. 

A transformed life is undeniable. 

That is what 1 Peter 3 is all about. You can yak your husband’s head off about the joys of Christ. The amazing eternity that awaits but they are words. Words are a dime a dozen, however, an authentically transformed wife, a man cannot deny. 

Be blessed, Lynn 

More questions and answers are in store for Monday’s post. And get ready for our new series, Friendship With God, starts May 3rd. Stay tuned!

Thankful Thursday - New Birth

Let us give thanks. It is Thankful Thursday.

I am thrilled to be hosting Thankful Thursday in April. Next month we will meet with Laurie at Women Taking A Stand and then in June we will share our thanks over at Iris of Grace Alone.

Wow, here we are and another Thursday. This week I don't have a "Neighbor Encounter" to share with you but I'm sure I will in the very near future. God is up to something and I bet I will learn a thing or two in the process. 

I stepped outside to walk Peanut this afternoon, just minutes after it rained. I brought my camera along in hopes of a experiencing a tiny love note from my Savior. He's like that you know. Love notes and all. I was breathless to take in the beauty of the sky and breathe in the fragrance after the rain.

Look what I found while walking.

 

A baby bird must of hatched in the tall trees above where I found this half shell on the sidewalk. 

Sometimes, tiny encounters like this humble me and delight me at the same time. The fragrance after the rain, the brilliant blue sky sporting clusters of dark and rumbling clouds and the fragile shell that shouts of spring and new birth.

Neat! 

Have you had a tiny encounter with Jesus this week? Post about it at your place and let's praise Him. 

Thank you for the beauty of spring and mostly Lord, thank you for new birth. We have been born again into everlasting life and a living hope. I worship you Lord, Jesus. Amen

1 Peter 1:3  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

What are you thankful for this Thursday. Be blessed, Lynn

Living Like Winners

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. — 1John 5:4-5

In last week’s post I touched on the theme of overcoming. If you think about your favorite movies and stories, I bet you’ll find a common theme of a character overcoming some major obstacle or hurdle in their life, even possibly death.

As Christians, we have a unique perspective of the greatest “Overcomer” in history. Jesus overcame the greatest battle over sin and through his death, we have the opportunity to live victorious lives.

But what does that mean, what does it look like, and how do we do it? This past Sunday, my pastor spoke about 1 John 5:1-5. What leapt out at me were verses four and five. John tells us flat out that everyone born of God overcomes the world. He even goes on to define who that person is, one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.

That’s you and me. Or if you’re still sitting on the fence about who Jesus is, take a leap of faith and accept who he is. God will affirm you in amazing ways!

But these verses hold a truth and a promise that’s ours for the taking:

1. Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is our promise from God. No matter what we face or how difficult it might get or how hopeless things might seem at the moment, we’re already winners. Death and sin have been defeated. Our eternity is secure. It’s a promise. So, do we live in fear of what might be or do we go forward, knowing exactly what WILL be? We know our future and ultimate destination. We’ve won, so let’s live like winners. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1John 4:4). The enemy would like nothing better than to convince us we can’t overcome the hardship and challenges in this life and in our spiritually mismatched marriages. If he can convince us we’re defeated, he destroys our testimony to our spouse too, but it’s a big fat lie.
   
   
2. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is our truth. It’s a fact. The moment we accept Jesus, we are born of God. That makes us overcomers. We WILL overcome the world because God’s Word says we will. This doesn’t mean life will be smooth sailing, but it does mean we can face each battle with the reassurance that we don’t fight alone and that God equips us with everything we need to overcome and win. The thing we have to remember is that sometimes victory may not look so great. Look at Christ…he died and even the disciples thought they’d lost. But that wasn’t true, was it? They won the greatest victory of all time—eternity with their precious Lord Jesus. So just because it may look like you lost to the world, seek God’s perspective. You’ll find the deeper prize hidden beneath the outward appearance.

As I continue my search for how to live victoriously in Jesus, I keep finding the same truth over and over again. It all boils down to trust and focus. Who are we trusting? (I mean really trusting…it can’t be ourselves.) And where is our focus? (On our circumstances or on God?)

I haven’t figured it all out yet. There are a couple areas in my life that I continue to struggle with and some days, wind up feeling like a failure because of them. But God’s working on me, working to replace the lies with his truth.

What does living victoriously look like to you? Hope you’ll join me the rest of this month as I search for more clues in God’s Word to living in victory through Jesus.

Praying and believing,
Dineen

God Showed Up

BIG TIME!!

Jesus Christ showed up at our Women's Retreat this weekend. Amazing worship, amazing stories and more than anything, Jesus was honored. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am still trying to process all that took place over the past three days. I plan to write and share with you some of the fascinating things Jesus is doing in the lives of ordinary people. I am one of them.

Over the weekend I shared my personal story. It has been an adventure and a path I would never have thought I would travel. It's a path you can travel too and I promise, it is an adventure you don't want to miss.

I will share my story once again on May 10th, 2010 at A Woman Inspired Conference. Some of my story you  read here at SUM. Some of it is new. I hope you can join me on Monday, May 10th 9:30 PST as I share my hope with all of you.

I have a free ticket to give away today. To enter, leave a comment and share with me one thing God has done in your life to change your marriage forever. Be blessed, Lynn

 

 

Weekend Devo — Jesus is for Everyone

(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. — 1 Timothy 4:10

I heard a cool story on Air1 yesterday. During the station's fundraiser drive, a woman had written in about how she and her son loved listening to Air1 and kept the radio on a lot, even when her husband, who wasn't a believer, was around.

Just a week or so later, this dear woman wrote in again to report that her husband had accepted Christ because he'd listened to the music. Her husband also wanted to support Air 1 as a way of saying thank you.

I was driving my car at the time I heard this story and fought a rush of tears. What an amazing story of how this mom and son had affected their unbelieving loved one by doing what they loved—listening to music that glorified God. And in this one instance, words did make a difference obviously, but not the words of this faithful woman. Her devotion to God in how she raised their son and enjoyed her faith through music is most likely what spoke to this man at home.

Don't you just love seeing how God works in the smallest of ways to make the biggest difference? We just never know what God will use in our lives to speak to another person. This also spoke to me about not being so fearful of living my faith honestly and authentically.

After I heard this story I couldn't help but pray for all the unbelieving spouses of our readers here at S.U.M. and those of the members of the 1Peter3Living Yahoo group. Our Jesus truly is the Savior of all men and we get to be his audience! So rock on!

Praying and believing,
Dineen