Recently I have noticed that people who I never thought would get divorced are either contemplating it or have already gone through it. I am not talking about just one individual or couple I am talking about at least 5 or more couples that I grew up with or know from work. Why has divorce become the answer? In the year 2005 over 2.2 million people were granted a divorce in the US. What does that say about our family values and our strength for working through our problems?

The Bible tells husbands to love their wives (Eph 5:25) and wives to love their husbands (Titus 2:4). Biblical love is seen primarily in choices, attitudes and actions, not in emotions. If you look at:

1 Cor 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

True love is based on our promises to God and to each other, not on how we feel at the moment. So why is it so hard to remember that in "those moments" when we feel we are at our lowest? My marriage is by no means perfect but I made the choice to be married to not just my husband but God. I made a committment to the Lord not my husband that I would love, honor, respect, and remain faithful to him (my husband)...I didnt put any provisions on that vow. When I made the vow I knew that I had to do those things regardless of whether he loved, honored and cherished me or not.

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (John 15:11).

Granted, there is a reason to get divorced:

What God has joined together, let man not separate... I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery (Matthew 19:6, 9).

So I am not saying that divorce is Never the answer but in most cases, I feel, that it is not. The people that I know who are getting divorced are doing it for several for several different reasons..."I married the wrong person, it will never work," "I just don't love them anymore," "my spouse doesn't love me anymore,"...I could go on but I think these examples are enough to get my point across. Some people may feel that divorce will bring them freedom but in the end it won't because only Gods Word can bring TRUE freedom. Here are a few scriptures that I would like to point out:

"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself [a] with violence as well as with his garment," says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith. Malachi 2:16

In me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33)

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 (1 Peter 3:1)

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:44-45)

Whether you "feel" like you love your husband/wife or not you can always trust in the Lord to bring you peace, joy, and hope. Above all don't give up on your marriage just because you are tired of dealing with it...seek the Lords help and guidance and He will deliver you and your marriage. God is on our side. He wants your marriage to work!

LIVE BY FAITH AND TRUST IN THE LORD ALWAYS!!! HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS THE PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE!

Private Quarters

I decided to start selling Private Quarters luxury linens! I just wanted to earn a little extra cash that I could put directly into my savings account so I thought that this direct sales opportunity would be perfect. I loved the products and kept buying for myself so eventually I decided that if I was going to keep spending money on it then I might as well earn some as well! The products are amazing...I know what your thinking...but I am not just saying it! Ask anyone who has purchased a private quarters product and they will say the same thing! They offer luxury spa linens for your bed and bath at an affordable price. Plus if you host a party you can earn 15% of your total party sales in FREE products, 1/2 price items, and 60% off host specials! This is what really did it for me...I earned my king size sheet set absolutely free at my party that I hosted! I have made my bedroom so comfortable that I really don't ever want to leave it! My husband gave e such a hard time about spending the "unnecessary" on more blankets and stuff for the bed...but now he loves our bed as much as I do! As a matter of fact one of the blankets I purchased is now his favorite! If you would be interested in hosting a party let me know and we will set up a time to do it...I will do all of the work for you! I will send out the invitations and get the RSVP's all you have to do is give me your email list or mailing list! You can check out my website at www.shureehix.privatequarters.net!

Today is my BIRTHDAY! I am the big 26! Funny thing is...it doesn't feel like my birthday...it feels just like any other normal day at work! Does a birthday ever feel like a BIRTHDAY once you hit 19. I don't think so...

When you were a child your birthday was a holiday...you counted down the days until...BAM...you were considered another year older. You got great presents had a big birthday celebration...your BIRTHDAY was a BIG deal! Take my daughter for instance, she is already counting down the months to her birthday and making a mental list (or should I say having me make a mental list) of everything she wants, who she wants to be there, and what kind of birthday cake she wants. My birthday on the other hand will come and pass into oblivion without most of my friends and family even noticing...when you are an adult birthdays are no fun!

This kind of reminds me of they way some people feel about religion...when you are a kid you have great church camps, fun Sunday school classes, and you look forward to going to church! When you grow up things somehow become less fun and sometimes quite boring! Sundays come and they go without most even noticing what day it is except for the knowledge that they have to go to work the next day.

I hate this perception. We go to an AWESOME church! We look forward to going every Sunday! You don't think about what you want for lunch or what you need to do that afternoon while the pastor is speaking. Guts Church makes "adult" church fun! Pastor Bill energizes you with the Word of God so that you can make the week ahead amazing...or if not amazing at least you don't worry about it! The Word should not feel like a chore...it should feel like a rejuvenation, a celebration, a healing of your soul. God did not intend for "religion" to be just something you did out of obligation...He intended for you to have a RELATIONSHIP with Him, a friendship, a father/child intimacy. He is your father...Abba.

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is the Spirit Himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him." (Romans 8:14-17)

I challenge you and myself to seek a more intimate RELATIONSHIP with Him, not to feel that it is an obligation or a chore but a friend that you want to get to know more about.

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." (Gal 4:6)

My First blog...

Ok, so here we go! This is my first blog ever!



I have the most wonderful 4 year old ever...she says the funniest things! She puts things into a perspective that I would never dream of!



A while back, while we were driving home, she asked me, "Mommy how does God hear everything..." Of course my reponse was, "he just does honey..." So then she said, "well then how does He see everything..." Once again my reponse was the same. Her reply was, "well he must have really big ears and a really fast car..." I said, "well not exactly..." I went into further detail about how God can see and hear everything because he is omniscient (all knowing and all seeing basically) and she just looked at me and said, "oh ok." Well the next day my step-mom was watching her and asked her a rhetorical question (or what she thought was a rhetorical question) and Kaydence provided a response. At this time my step-mom proceeded to ask her how she knew that and once again Kaydence provided a repsonse..."because I am omniscient!" My step-mom almost fell out of her seat laughing!



Ok, so yes this story is pretty funny but I only told it to show my next point...



In the eyes of children God is magnificent, magical, and even a little mysterious. Children want nothing more than to please Him. This may be because they are a little scared of the not knowing what will happen if the don't but also because children are so innocent and generally want nothing more than to please their authority figures. As we get older and we realize that God is not going to strike us down with a lightening bolt we start venturing out into the wilderness of life, trying to make our own way with or without Him. Then one day you wake up and you realize how much more wonderful your life would be if you just included God in all of your decisions. He wants nothing more than to give you the greatest life imaginable so why is it so hard sometimes to just step back and let Him handle it. I have experienced this a lot lately...with Paul living half here and half in Texas...I have had to just sit back and let God take control...I am just along for the ride. I know that God will work in every descision that I make whether it is a good one or a bad one.



I challenge all who read this to take a second to examine your life...are you trying to remain in control or are you letting God have control?