Deborah L. McCarragher's Blog, page 10

What Are You Unpacking?

Where has the time gone?  It is nothing but a blur...

I have sat down several times to write a new post - but I had to put it on the slow-burner.   Life kept getting in the way!

Do you ever feel like that?  You have good intentions and it's all planned out in your head - but then you are forced to re-prioritize, or just nix it altogether...

I once heard a wise saying that I have never forgotten:   "People take precedence over plans!"

Much has happened in the past 3 months since I last wrote to you.  We sold our home and moved into a smaller one --- much smaller.  Downsizing is NOT for the faint-of-heart.  Then we spent a couple of weeks doing some minor renovations including flooring.  That is not an easy task when you are still living in the home!  I am now in the process of unpacking and re-evaluating the necessity of many items as I go through them one by one.  There will undoubtedly be more sold at garage sales, more given away to charity, and more taken to the dump.  My husband and I are settling into our retirement abode - ever so slowly.

In addition to the move, I have also dealt with my Dad having major surgery and the discovery of cancer.  I am the eldest of two daughters and the only one living in close proximity to my parents.  Many family responsibilities and duties have kept me busy over the past several weeks.  As is the case with most aging parents, their adult children are more involved in their day to day care giving and assistance.  I am also still employed part time and have a retired spouse at home.

So - now you know why I haven't been writing lately!  So sorry for the lapse ---

As I take a DEEP BREATH to relieve the stress, I am also giving myself permission to rest and take my time with the whole "unpacking thing".  Moving can stretch any marriage and bring out the worst in your relationship.  God has gently urged me to extend more grace and use more patience while we are settling into our new home.

Unpacking can be exhilarating and exhausting.  Each box opened is a reminder of a memory, an accomplishment, a failure, a dream, a regret... a whole gamut of emotions. One box dredges up memories from when our son was a toddler.  Another box reveals treasures from past travels. Others house rarely used serving pieces and cooking utensils.  How did I acquire so much in 30+ years of marriage?

Oh well... day by day I'm beginning to see the fruits of my labors.  Room by room I'm making progress.  Little by little things are being put away.

So - in the meantime I have given myself permission to post on the Blog as I have time and not stress about it.  My sanity and well-being at home takes priority right now, along with my precious family.

Our son came into town for a week and my granddaughter celebrated her 4th birthday.  Life lived fully is life lived well...

Halloween   is here -  so I am posting this link to a piece I did last year  Trick or Treat











Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 
Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

We're Moving...

No - not the Blog...

My husband and I are finally down-sizing.  After nearly 32 years of marriage we are selling our current home and moving into a Condo. 

So - this will be my last Blog post until after the move (sometime in early August).

While we are not changing zip codes, we are moving nonetheless...

I grew up in a military family, so relocating every 2-3 years was the norm.  I spent my elementary school years overseas and eventually attended three different high schools.  Moving forced my sister and I to make friends quickly and we learned to adjust to our new surroundings with ease..

Let me now introduce you to author Carol Stratton .  Carol wrote a book titled Changing Zip Codes .  She answers some great questions about writing and her book in her Author Interview below:


1.      Please tell us a little background about yourself and how you became a writer.I’ve always loved writing and started to send articles to magazines while in high school. I have found myself constructing imaginary conversations in my head and re telling incidents I’d been through but I didn’t get published until I submitted an essay for our local paper after 9/11.
2.      Can you please give us some background on this book and what led you to write it?I’ve moved about 22 times (but who’s counting) and wanted to encourage anyone who found themselves following a moving van to a strange house. I am a cheerleader for any family relocating.
3.      Is this your first published book?  If yes, what were your thoughts when you first held a copy in your hands?       This is my first published book and after twelve years of pitching books to editors I could not contain my joy. The years of sending and getting rejected made that little book all the more special.
4.     What authors inspire you most and why?Jan Karon, C.S.Lewis, and Catherine Marshall. I lapped up anything Catherine wrote. She wrote with such transparency in a time when the Christian writing world seemed to be stiff and more theological then personal.  When I first became a Christian I didn’t have a lot of Christians around so I learned from her writings.

5.     What has been the most challenging thing you’ve encountered while writing this book?Telling people we’ve moved a lot. I married an adventurous entrepreneur and we’ve had a lot of fun but some people wouldn’t understand relocating so much. Also, sharing personal stories. Even though I knew some of my stories might reach a reader, it’s always hard to lift back the tent flap and show what’s going on. I didn’t always find warm fellowship and friendship in churches and I got discouraged with some moves.
6.      When you write, what do you do to motivate yourself and/or keep your focus? I think of what a reader needs. As a mover, you find yourself lonely and out of sorts with your schedule, your house and community. My goal is to encourage that young mom who has lost her support group and “Mama” who lives across the country. God is our faithful friend when everyone else around is new and possibly even unapproachable.
7.      Do you offer your book in the electronic book formats for various e-readers?Yes, the book is available in Kindle on Amazon.com  http://tinyurl.com/crf2yko
8.      How have you used this book as a ministry tool to further the Kingdom of God?It has opened doors for me to talk to others about how practical the Bible is in our everyday life. People give me quizzical looks when they know I’ve moved a lot but I hope my joy in everyday life shows that I love adventure! I’ve had a lot of interest from military ministries. Part of the proceeds of the book goes to helping give scholarships to military couples for Family Life’s “A Weekend to Remember”.
9.      What is your next project?I have a novel coming out next year called Lake Surrender with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. It’s about a single mom who has lost her job and house and moves from city to country hauling two kids, one an autistic 6–year old. She finds the only job available, a cook at a Christian camp. The problem: she hates cooking and has no interest in spiritual things. But she rediscovers her true identity at the bottom of a twenty gallon soup pot. I’ve had a lot of fun writing this one.


Carol writes for such publications as The Grand Rapids Press, Zionsville Times Sentinel Newspaper, the In Touch Magazine, as well as several others. She also teaches at The Write-To-Publish Conference and the CLASS Christian Writers Conference.  She and her husband live in North Carolina.  She is currently working on her new upcoming novel called Lake Surrender.

You can visit Carol at her website and blog at Changing Zip Codes .  To purchase her book as a paperback or an ebook, please visit AMAZON .

Thanks Carol for giving us a great resource to check-out prior to a move - whether it is due to a job relocation, family commitments, or just the need to be in a different size house! 

Changing Zip Codes has everything you need to be a moving EXPERT...








Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

4th of JULY - Fireworks, Burgers & Apple Pie

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a celebrated federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. 
On July 2, 1776 legal separation of the American colonies from the kingdom of Great Britain occurred, declaring freedom from their tyrannical rule. Afterwards, the Second Continental Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4th. 
Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches, ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the United States of America’s history, government, and traditions.
Freedom isn't free - it cost Jesus everything... 

"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 
(II Corinthians 3:17)  We are free to be “re-made” – changed into a new creature in Christ.

"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Romans 8:20-21).




Galatians 5:1 translates this way:

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.(NIV)

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.(KJV)

 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (NAS)

Don't take your freedom for granted... 


Now for a little fun... 
Madagascar 3  featured Katy Perry singing Firework Here are some of the lyrics...
Firework
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag,drifting through the windwanting to start again?Do you ever feel, feel so paper thinlike a house of cards,one blow from caving in?
Do you ever feel already buried deep?6 feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thingDo you know that there's still a chance for you?'Cause there's a spark in you
You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shineJust own the night like the 4th of July
'Cause baby you're a fireworkCome on, show 'em what you're worthMake 'em go "Oh, Oh, Oh"As you shoot across the Sky -y -y

Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, Oh, Oh"
You're gonna leave 'em falling down -own - own ...






Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  
Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com


If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

And The WINNERS Are...

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tania C. has won the  $20 Gift Card from Family Christian Bookstores
Peggy S. has won a paperback copy of Mission Possible
Diana M. has won an e-book copy of Mission Possible

Congratulations to all of the WINNERS and to the rest of the Entrants - 
Thanks for your entries and interest in the Blog Hop!
** Please return soon for a visit to  God Mission Possible Blog  for uplifting and encouraging posts **

If you are interested in purchasing a paperback or Kindle copy of Mission Possible - you can find it on  AMAZON or as an e-Book on  SMASHWORDS





Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 
Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

Christian Book Lovers Hop

Welcome to the  Christian Book Lovers Blog Hop   

Would you like to meet new Christian authors and find out more about their books?  
This is your chance to do that as well as be a WINNER of my Blog's Giveaway!
I am giving away a $20 Gift Card from Family Christian Bookstores, a Paperback copy of my book Mission Possible, and an e-Book copy of my book Mission Possible.

Each participating Blog listed on the Linky List below is giving away at least ONE prize - so when you've entered for a chance to win on my Blog - just go to the next one on the list - working your way down!

Please use the Rafflecopter Giveaway form (below) to enter for a chance to win one of (3) prizes . You can be entered for the drawing using the FREE entry button - but you have a better chance of winning if you "Like" my Facebook Page, send out a Tweet, or follow me on Twitter.   Good Luck!


Don't forget to view a sample of some of my Favorite Blog Posts like:
Can You Hear Me Now?
Exercise Profits Nothing
Has God Put You In Time-Out?





Winners will be announced on July 1st and will be notified via email.  Please check back on the 1st for a list of Winners!





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are You A Good Arm Wrestler?

Image credit www.123rf.com - stock photo(This is a Summer Rerun - Best of Posts)

The definition of wrestling is this:   to contend by grappling with and striving to trip or throw an opponent down or off balance; to combat an opposing tendency or force (wrestling with his conscience); to engage in deep thought, consideration, or debate.
I was listening to a Christian radio program while driving home the other day, and I started thinking about how often I struggle with things I cannot control. 
How many times do I argue with God’s sovereign decisions and exert my pride in the form of suggesting a “better way” for Him to move in a particular situation?  

Am I alone here? Do you wrestle with God on occasion? 

Many of us know the story of Jacob in Genesis chapter 32. Jacob was returning to his homeland in Canaan with his two wives, Rachel and Leah. On the way, he sent messengers to his brother Esau to appease him. Remember, this is the brother he cheated out of his birthright. His servants told him that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men. Jacob was distressed and divided his people, flocks and herd into two companies. He begged God to intervene and protect him from harm. He reminded God of His promise to bless him and make his descendants innumerable.

During the night, he took his two wives, his servants, and his sons and crossed over the river Jabbok. Genesis 32:24 says, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man [Jesus] wrestled with him until the breaking of day.” Jacob had struggled and held his ground – keeping the Angel at bay. His faith was not shaken, nor did he relent in the heat of the heavenly engagement. Hosea 12:4 declares, “Yes, he [Jacob] struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, and there He spoke to us- That is, the Lord God of hosts. The Lord is His memorial.” That very day Jacob saw God face to face. He wanted God’s blessing, but God let him “struggle” that he might truly see who he was in the sight of Almighty God. 

Jacob had been a deceiver and a scoundrel much of his life. God asked him, “What is your name?   It was a rhetorical question… Jacob knew who he was. God was causing Jacob to be off balance – that he might dig deep into the recesses of his soul and take inventory of his life up to that point. However, though Jacob persevered, he could not gain and maintain a superior position. During the struggle the Angel of the Lord touched him, placing his hip out of socket, and giving Jacob a limp for the rest of his natural life as a remembrance. 

This supernatural encounter also gave him confidence for the difficult days ahead. Jacob had to face the harsh reality regarding his estranged brother and the reception he would soon receive. God now presented him with a new name – Israel – which literally means “Prince with God”. Jacob named the place of his struggle Peniel, which means “I have seen God face to face and my life is preserved.”
Sometimes God allows us to struggle with Him in prayer, and we are often crippled for our own good. 

Spiritually speaking, our view of ourselves and our problems need to be bent and dislocated in order for our struggling to cease. Our pride and bad judgment can cause us to live a life that distorts what God has planned for us. He desires for us to “walk a different way” after we have wrestled with Him and He has prevailed.


Submitting to God’s plans often involves grappling with our own ideas and remedies. 
This is evidenced in the lives of some of the Bible’s great heroes. Abraham’s faith was tested when he had a dialogue with God about the wickedness in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18). Moses pleaded with God on behalf of Israel when they began worshiping a golden calf and foreign gods (Exodus 32). We read about Elijah and his struggle with depression. After God miraculously displayed His power on Mount Carmel, Elijah withdrew into the desert to die. While hiding in a cave, and wailing “woe is me”, God revealed Himself to Elijah in a small, still voice (I Kings 19.) 
Prayer often represents the anguish of the soul in the presence of God. 
Wrestling with God in prayer exerts tremendous energy and positioning. Ultimately, as we bend our will to His, we allow Him to “pin us to the mat” of our struggles and claim victory in His Name. In Colossians 4:2 the Apostle Paul admonishes the church to “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving”, and in Colossians 4:12 he tells them that Epaphras, one of their fellow servants “always labors fervently for them in prayer”.

The bottom line is this:   prayer and petitioning God is often engaging and deliberate. It’s emotionally draining and often exhausting. It’s exhilarating and soul-satisfying as we  wrestle  with a Holy God who sees our frailties and embraces our humble efforts to gain His Blessing.


What a mighty God we serve… 






Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Military Dad Far From Home - Do You Know One?

There are Absentee Dads and then there are Dads that are absent…
It’s Father’s Day!  My granddaughter and I carefully put together three special gifts for her Daddy:  a cute photo frame that says “Daddy’s Little One”, a small but manly photo album with all the pictures of their last visit during Memorial Day weekend, and a handmade card featuring lots of stickers, her hand print, and other hand drawn doodles.
Our son is a military Dad.  He’s currently serving in the US Marine Corps and is stationed in Norfolk,Virginia.  He was in Quantico, Va. when our granddaughter was born, and actually flew down just in time for her birth. Those were happier days when they were here before heading off to their first duty station in North Carolina.
He is now divorced.  That has made it much harder for him to be a hands-on Dad.  Our heart goes out to him and the countless others who are in the military and stationed far from home.  Some are married, and some are divorced.  Either way – they are separated from their families and loved ones.
We are fortunate that our granddaughter’s mother still lives near us.  We see our little princess about every other weekend.  We are among the lucky few who live near their grandchildren while their sons or daughters are serving in the US military.
Many grandparents don’t get to see their grandchildren often if their service member is deployed or living overseas.   
When my Dad was in the US Navy, we were stationed overseas twice:  once in Italy and once in Cuba.  We were the exception in that our Dad’s parents visited often in both places while we were growing up in a military household.
Our son lives twelve hours away – so frequent visits aren't possible.  However, after a lengthy deployment last year of nine months he was able to stay with us for a long Christmas visit.  He and our granddaughter went to Disney World and had a blast!  Making memories and just being together is what forms a life-long bond between Daddy and daughter.  She is just 3 ½ yrs. old right now, but she definitely knows and loves her Daddy!
They do "Facetime" and laugh while being silly on my smart phone.  We often text, and send photos of ordinary things when she is with us.  We want our son to feel connected and part of her daily activities.  We take every opportunity to make him special treasures and gifts throughout the year.  I want her to know that she and her Daddy are heart-to-heart close - even when they are separated.
Just because a Dad is absent doesn’t mean he has to be an absentee parent.  Far from it – they can be as involved in their life as is possible with the help of their family.  Granted, all parties need to make an effort to make that happen – and that is why my ex-daughter-in-law and I have a good and respectful relationship.
So – this Father’s Day we have already spoken to our son by phone.  I know he is missing his little girl, and I am hoping he has talked with her today.  He looks forward to the next visit and I know she can’t wait to spend quality time with him soon.
Son, we’re so proud of the Dad you are.  We ask God’s blessing upon you as you navigate the path He has put before you.  Your daughter is a gift from above and I know you cherish her and your future together.
For you grandparents out there with children serving in the US military – how do you cope with the separation?  Do you have a divorced child who is overseas away from their son or daughter?  What do you do to keep that line of communication and connection intact?

This Father’s Day let us focus on the most important parent / child relationship: God’s love for mankind…  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
Our Heavenly Father desires to have a relationship with His creation.  He desires reconciliation between fathers and their children. The ultimate example is our being reconciled to Him through His Son Jesus. Malachi 4:6 is a wonderful picture of the pending reward of Christ’s second coming as he speaks of their relationship: “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
Your Heavenly Father longs to love you, provide for, and protect you. He will never leave or forsake you. You can trust Him. He is the perfect parent now and for eternity.
(Acknowledgement - B&W portrait by Palm Tree Studios -  http://www.palmtreestudios.com )






Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com
If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Image credit: 123RF Stock Photo A popular wireless phone carrier is famous for its mantra of  “Can you hear me now?”  
The mobile phone user wants to make sure he is heard from any location, at any time, in any situation.  Connection is the key to success.
Suppose you are on a call with your spouse and they begin to fade out.  It’s hard to hear them – you only catch every other word or so.  Their voice might grow faint and you may hear static in the background.  You frantically move from room to room in hopes that the signal with grow stronger.
Sometimes you are in a place with God where your signal is weak and your connection is wavering.   

The fault is not at God’s end, but at yours.  You've moved out of range and now you no longer hear Him clearly. “Where are you, God?” 
Now go back in time with me… Remember playing with two cans and a string when you were little – believing you were in an urgent conversation with your sister or best friend?  Sure, you could hear alright, but every now and then you wondered if what you said actually got to the ear of whoever was on the receiving end.  The science says it works, but you had your doubts.

Dr. David Jeremiah [Turning Point Magazine] puts it this way:      Whenever we pray, God is on the other end of the line with His ear to the can, hearing every word and listening to every vibration of our voices.  He hears even the faintest sigh.  The prophet Daniel prayed regularly all his life and history was changed.  The apostle Paul prayed, and cities were opened to the Gospel.  Hannah prayed and God lifted her burden.
  If you’re in anguish or distress, you don’t need two cans and a string.  Two bent knees and a broken heart will do just fine.

So, how can you be sure you’re being heard?  What can you do from your end to keep the connection intact?    Here are four simple things


     Keep the line open.  (confession, repentance, devotion)    Minimize distractions  (gadgets, TV, kids and pets)     Focus on God  (Bible, devotions, praise music)     Don’t lose hope while you wait.  (prayer)
I have personally been going through a season of wondering if I am hearing from God or not.  You know what I mean… You usually find yourself asking at least one of these questions out of frustration:
            “Lord, don’t you care?”            “What have I done to deserve this?”            “This isn’t fair Lord – why me?”

I know intellectually that God is still where He always has been.  The disconnection is at my end - not His!

I’m the one who has moved into the “dead zone” where the signal is faint at best, or non-existent at worst. Then I find myself rehearsing in my mind those things which might have caused the “dropped call”. 
One of my favorite verses is Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my hear; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”  Verses 1-4 give me pause to reflect on the fact that though I have interfered with the connection – God in His great mercy recognizes my human limitations and knows me intimately.  He comprehends my thoughts and my actions before I do.  His Spirit invites me to re-connect on a stronger signal.
I’m glad God is still interested in having a dialog with me.  I often find myself taking a rogue thought captive and redirecting it to the Lord in the form of a prayer and praise.  I am determined to keep my line of communication open with Him despite my shortcomings and failures.
Do you have a tried and true method of staying connected to the Lord?  What advice can you share with others on how to maintain a strong signal through the constant static of life?

I am a sheep of the Lord’s pasture.  
I listen for His voice.  
I follow Him closely. 
“Can you hear me now?”
Yes Lord - I've got 5 bars now!






Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com
If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Daily Bread - Staff of Life

In this present day “gluten-free” environment bread might not be as popular as it once was. 
Seems everyone is concerned with counting carbs and watching their starch intake.  However, my Mom always says, “Bread is the staff of life.”
The American Heritage Dictionary defines it this way:
staff of life  -  n. pl.   staves of life or staffs of life.  A staple or necessary food, especially bread.
Bread was the ancient Israelites’ essential food. It was made of flour, either of wheat or barley, ground in a hand mill or quern consisting of two stones. When ground, the flour might be coarse or fine. Flour was generally made into leavened bread, but at Passover only unleavened bread was eaten. 'Spelt' is sometimes mentioned in the Bible; this was grain of poor quality. Poor people ate barley bread.
During the exodus from Egypt, the Hebrews ate a special food provided by God.  Manna came from heaven at night, resembling frost, coming with the dew (Numbers 11:9).  Josephus and other ancient writers attribute the name manna to the question “Is it food?” which helps to explain the Hebrew version of the word man (which is a question) added to hu - thus forming the word manna ("What is it?"). This life-giving substance appeared daily in the wilderness on their journey to the Promised land.
Manna was described as white, delicious in flavor, and may have resembled the seed of coriander, a plant of the eastern Mediterranean area which was both tasty and nourishing (Exodus 16:31).  
It was ground and used to make cakes.  Manna was a temporary provision for God’s chosen people.  It was called bread from heaven in Psalm 105:40, and Jesus Himself was referred to as the true Bread from Heaven in John 6:31-63.

Jesus taught the multitudes in His famous Sermon on the Mount that Kingdom living would be challenging. The Beatitudes were a series of teachings that centered on a declaration of blessedness – spiritual conditions set forth by God for man’s benefit.  In Matthew 5:6 Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” 
As I began to meditate on that verse, I understood that my hungerwould only be satisfied in the Living Bread Himself – JESUS - my Manna from heaven!  I need Him every day – afresh and new. I must make time for Him to speak to me and refresh my soul.
One of my favorite devotionals is Our Daily Bread which has been translated into over 40 languages and favored for over sixty years worldwide. Our Daily Bread  has resources to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to people of all nations, helping them grow in Christlikeness and in the knowledge of God’s Word.
If I am to remain steadfast in my love for Him and for my husband, I need to partake of His grace, teachings and spirit-led living every day.   
My practice of prayer, devotionals and studying the Word of God helps me to maintain my Christian walk and witness to others. If you are living in an unequally-yoked marriage you must fortify yourself daily with the Manna from heaven.  

Jesus is your daily bread - eat and be satisfied...





Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com
If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

John 3:16 Marketing Network: John 3:16 Authors Who Were Finalists and Winners i...

I am privileged to belong to this wonderful and diverse group of Christian writers.  This is your chance to discover new Christian authors and their books.  Please share with your family and friends...

Below is a link to the 2013 Book Awards:

John 3:16 Marketing Network: John 3:16 Authors Who Were Finalists and Winners i...:  John 3:16 Authors Who Were Finalists and Winners in 2013 Book Awards ...









Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 
Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com
If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.