5 Secrets for a Lasting Marriage

Submitted by Debbie on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 09:32

Advice from a sage can often keep us safe if we adhere their instructions. In December, I had the unique opportunity to attend an event at the home of Shirley and Pat Boone in Beverly Hills, California. After the event, several couples gathered in the foyer of Pat and Shirley’s home. Graciously they allowed us to probe into their lives. 
 
In case you are too young to really know Pat Boone, let me give you a few facts:
  •  He sold over 45 million albums, had 38 Top 40 hits and appeared in more than 12 Hollywood movies.
  •  According to Billboard, Boone was the second biggest charting artist of the late 1950s just behind Elvis Presley.
  • He still holds the Billboard record for spending 220 consecutive weeks on the charts with one or more songs each week.

The Boone’s have been married 59 years, which is an eternity in Hollywood. Marveling over that major milestone we asked what is the secret. Shirley without hesitation rattled off five things it takes to have a marriage that endures time. Wouldn’t it be great if I could remember? I thought it was such great advice that when I got back to the room I wrote it down.

  1. Pray always
  2. Love unconditionally
  3. Forgive completely
  4. Laugh un-controllably
  5. Work tirelessly
That is good advice for anyone wanting a marriage that last. 

 

The Old is Gone and New Has Come

Submitted by Debbie on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 08:37

 

New. Never used. New to me. New. I like new! 
 
It is weird how three little letters strung together reek promise and breed excitement. Put the word “new” in front of anything and it makes whatever better.
 
New Year! Close the chapter on last year. It is old now but it was once new! At one time what is now old was fresh. It held opportunities that we squandered or capitalized. Yet the mystery of what would be has now been chronicled… but wait there is a New Year.
 
New Year! New- re do! New- improved! New-never done before! New-fresh chance!
 
I really like New!
 
I pray we are wise with the New Year. Our time is to be stewarded. Our new year will offer us much. New opportunities. New challenges. New growth. New friends. New revelations. New! I really like new!
 
It is going to be a good New Year! 
 
Love,
Debbie

 

Christmas!

Submitted by Debbie on Wed, 12/21/2011 - 10:06

Christmas!  It really is here!

I have already hosted two Christmas family gatherings.  Our house overflowed with family members, wrapping paper wars, sweets galore (a short break in the healthy thing), and laughter.  This is one of the only times in my life that my computer search has been on a quest to find the perfect elegant recipe in the easy category. I wanted it to look good and taste yummy but I am no chef and can’t say I enjoy the whole kitchen thing, but I love how family gathers for food.

I hope you have family, or people like family, to be with this holiday.  But if you are so blessed to be with family might I suggest a few holiday tips.

  1. Don’t stress about what is not important.  Share the love even if you can’t buy the gift you would like.
  2. Do wrap up your attitudes and tongue.  Both can drain the fun.
  3. Hang up your light.  If Jesus is the reason in your life let it show- so let the lady cut in line.
  4. Baby it is cold out there! Slow down and enjoy the moment.
  5. Appreciate the gift!  Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all by leaving his throne to bring us new life. 

Merry Christmas Sweet Friends!

Reasons I Love My Daughters-in-Law

Submitted by Debbie on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 12:12

Our sons and daughter chose well. I am so grateful for my daughters-in-love and our son-in-love, but not every parent is so blessed. Isaac and Rebekah were not so fortunate. Genesis 26:35 says that Esau’s wives made life bitter for them. One day in frustration, Rebekah said to Isaac, I LOATHE my life because of the Hittite women. The Hittite women were Esau’s wives. 
 
Here are some of my favorite things about my in-laws and maybe we can strive to be better daughters-in-law.
 
  1. They love God. Each of our in-laws has a vibrant relationship with God. Many times our family conversations will drift to spiritual matters. We will find ourselves discussing doctrinal items, or exploring current affairs through a scriptural context.
  2. They love my kids. They are devoted to the well being of my children. They are not just married to them as some legalized way to have sex or for their money (not that they have anything to brag about), they are committed to what is best for my kids. They have laid down their lives to elevate my kids. They are committed to having a healthy marriage for a lifetime.
  3. They are family minded. We live hectic lives and everyone has a full schedule but they make family time a priority. If we go more than a week, one of our kids will initiate a family night. In our impromptu manner, we often will have dinner with whoever can make it. The Morris policy is that we pay for the meal so that might encourage attendance. If we eat at home, everyone will pitch in to help in some way. I love the buzz of activity.
  4. They all want to be godly parents. I can’t imagine the pain of any grandparent when they don’t have that assurance.  Josh and Hannah have amazed me with their tender and careful stewardship of our grandkids. The moment that James and Bridgette found out they were expecting they started researching everything from strollers to discipline.
  5. They are fun. I love that we are emotionally healthy enough to lovingly play with each other. We can tease one another. We can play games together and be highly competitive and not leave mad. When we are on vacation together, many times the kids want to structure the day so that we can play games in the evening. I love that we can laugh together.

Grateful

Submitted by Debbie on Mon, 11/21/2011 - 13:34
I love Thanksgiving for so many reasons. I have fond memories of driving to my grandmother’s house for the feast. My grandmother was a great cook who served us corn meal dressing, dumplings, turkey, yummy rolls and an assortment of veggies that I never ate. The meal was crowned with homemade chocolate, coconut and pineapple cream pies, peanut brittle, Italian Cream Cake and pound cake. Yes it was CARB heaven!
 
Years later, our thanksgiving meals still resemble the meals my grandmother spent hours preparing. 
 
Now that I am officially a grown up (I became one a year ago.), I realize that I love, more than the belly expanding celebration, the time with family. I love the grandkid’s sounds, the mess of people relaxing (as long as it gets cleaned up), and football fanatics for the day. I love being thankful.
 
Thankfulness is a God gift. When we are thankful we acknowledge that we don’t deserve the bountiful blessings. Thankfulness is an expression of that knowledge. 
 
I am thankful for so many things in my world. I am thankful for the grace that found me in my own pit and set my feet on a solid rock. I am thankful for a husband that demonstrates God’s love for me. I am thankful for the gift of my kids and their kids. Did you hear we have another boy on the way? I am thankful to be apart of a body of believers who want to hear and obey God. I am thankful for my godly heritage. My parents were the best. My mom is amazing. I am thankful for friends.
 
And I am thankful for my bed and pillow (when you travel a lot, you really start to miss those two things).
 
What makes you thankful? Big or small it doesn’t matter. The point is being grateful that we are blessed. 
 
I pray you have a blessed Thanksgiving Day.